Chapter 7

The morning was rather cold. The sun was hidden bashfully behind large ominous clouds that darkened the sky. It saddened her that she wouldn't be able to see the sunrise that day, but it most definitely did not stop her from taking a leisurely stroll in the infamous Ootori gardens. Once she arrived, she almost scoffed at the typical maze found in most high-class estates, but she entered it nonetheless. The walls that surrounded the maze were made out of bushes that were carefully sculpted into intricate structures. Roses sprouted in some of them, although they were monotonously white, they were still impressive. She waved a good morning to one of the gardeners that were busily killing off the weeds that grew around the garden, suffocating the other more appreciated plants. The gardener replied with a gracious smile and resumed his duties. With a sigh, Haruhi continued to walk even deeper inside the maze, only vaguely aware of the slight rumble coming from the darkening clouds.

"Kyoya, have you told her yet?" inquired Yoshio.

Kyoya stepped away from the window where he had been attempting to watch Haruhi discreetly. He pretended to inspect the work of the gardeners, making small comments about the health of the plants and further improvements on their gardens.

"I have yet to do so father."

Yoshio sighed, not even attempting to hide the irritation in his voice. "Well, I hope you have every intention of telling her today or she would have to hear it from me." He peered at Kyoya from the newspaper he was holding. "I don't think you would want that."

"Of course not father."

With a bow, Kyoya sauntered towards the door, not even giving a final glance to his father. He exited the room silently, but the small yet distinct slam of the door exposed his irritation. And it was later on that Yoshio realized… he did not even bother to hide his distress. With a smirk, he continued to read his paper. They were more alike than he thought.

Kyoya was not eager to bring the news to Haruhi, but he believed that hearing it from someone else was just wrong. So he ran out, after her. He technically did not run, but he was definitely walking faster than he was used to. He dismissed any lingering thoughts on his head and focused his mind solely into searching for her. The Ootori maze gardens were a sight to behold indeed. His father's clients and even foreign business partners have complimented it in utter amazement. The maze was built for the sole purpose of getting lost. The swerves were arranged in an unfathomable pattern that often left people perplexed and desperate. This maze represented the ability of the Ootori name. It was manipulation in its finest, an enigmatic and vague show of power. But to Kyoya, this maze was his domain. As a child he studied it daringly, getting lost more than a dozen of times, but always finding his way out in the end. It has become a place of meditation, of peace. But without a doubt, it would not have the same effect on Haruhi. Instead, it would symbolize her hidden turmoil. Oh yes, Kyoya has seen it. Haruhi was very good at playing pretend, but Kyoya was better. He knew that this marriage, no, this agreement has been bothering her for quite some time now. Despite thinking the best of it by encompassing it to its simplest state, this marriage was still a huge part of her life. Even if it was not permanent, the effects might be, and this is what she fears the most. And by being the bearer of this news, he hopes that he is able to lessen the fear that she holds onto so firmly.

Haruhi was lost. She had been walking for around thirty minutes, trying to find her way out, but every time an opening would reveal itself, a dead end would be right by it. And by the aching of her feet, and the soreness of her limbs, she was convinced that there was no other way out of the maze. A distant rumble made her heart race. Her breathing grew heavier as it hitched with every step she took. She needed to look for shelter…fast. How could she not have noticed it earlier? She was usually very observant, especially in matters that concern something like this. The winds were picking up, making the leaves move, swaying dangerously as if beckoning her to be sucked into their thorny insides. Haruhi grew desperate, her eyes roamed her surroundings, looking for any type of shelter or even a table to submerge her body in until the storm passed. And then the rain came. It began as a slight drizzle but it became heavier, prickling her skin, warning her that this wasn't it. The worst was yet to come. She gasped for air, trying so hard to breath, drowning in her own fear. And suddenly, a growl emitted from the skies, a rough purr. Haruhi braced herself. Lightning flashed before her eyes, followed by a loud clap of thunder, a mighty roar. And Haruhi screamed.

Kyoya scowled. The rain was as bothersome as it always was to him. He needed to find shelter for it was too heavy, and surely the climax of the downpour would be an unfit situation to find him in. But he needed to find Haruhi. That was his ultimate priority. He had been circling around an area he was very familiar with when he suddenly heard a distant scream. He waited for a few moments, trying to identify a location, but amidst the heavy rain and thunder, it was very hard to find. He almost dismissed it as a figment of his imagination when he heard the same scream again. There it was! He took a sharp right and into the courtyard, the very center of the maze but he couldn't see anything. He growled in annoyance and wiped his glasses, trying to find the source of the scream once more. And then he saw her, her distinctive small frame and disheveled short auburn hair.

"Haruhi?" he inquired, hastily making his way towards her.

She didn't seem to hear him. She was crouched down on the ground, covering her ears with her hands and her head bent down. The thunder rose again and she whimpered, her small body trembling.

"Haruhi! He finally yelled. Kyoya ran to her, fighting against the strong wind and ignoring the mud that splattered all over his custom made clothes and fine leather shoes.

When he finally reached her, he shook her forcefully. "Haruhi, we have to look for shelter!" he pleaded, trying to pull her up. But as if she was nailed to the ground, she refused to stand up. Another clap of thunder shook the skies and she cried.

"Thunder?" Kyoya whispered to himself disbelievingly.

"Haruhi, please get up so I can take you somewhere safe," he tried once more, but Haruhi refused to budge.

He has never seen her like this, so vulnerable, so scared…so not Haruhi. And quite honestly, it scared him. It was not right, not natural. Haruhi was brave. She was stubborn and courageous and independent. She needed no one; she was not supposed to be the type of girl to fear just about anything. But then again, here she was. She was pale and trembling, as if she had seen a ghost. Haruhi was curled up into a pitiful ball, hysterically wishing for this to go away. Kyoya was shaken by the image of this girl, of her. He could not bear to see her in such a state. He was so accustomed to her confident smiles, her witty remarks and her fiery attitude. It was just not something he could stomach. And when Haruhi let out another cry, Kyoya snapped.

He knelt beside her and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry, but," he didn't continue. Kyoya wrapped his arms around her, one behind her back and the other under her knees. Haruhi was momentarily stunned into silence as Kyoya lifted her up in his arms easily. But the thunder did not cease to beat and she clutched into his shirt, burying her face in his chest.

"That's right," he growled as he trekked the terrain, "just hold onto me."

Kyoya wracked his brain for any memory of the location of his old childhood clubhouse. He had it built with the permission if his father. Though it may have been a mere clubhouse to him, it might as well be considered a fancy one-story house.

Once Kyoya found his clubhouse, he kicked the door open, ignoring the slight damage it did to it. He had no time to look for a light switch. He ran to the bedroom immediately, fumbling with the door. Kyoya tore the blanket off his bed and wrapped it around Haruhi. But to no avail, Haruhi was still trembling, her lips turning into an unhealthy blue. He ran out quickly, looking for the matches and firewood he stored all those years ago, hoping it was still of use to them. He made a silent prayer when he located them just as he left them. Grabbing a handful of firewood and the box of matches, Kyoya marched back to the bedroom.

"I'll start a fire soon," he rasped out, amazed and horrified at the sound of his voice. It was not smooth at it usually was. Instead, his throat felt constricted and numb, unknown feelings ready to burst out in a yell. He fumbled with the matched for a few moments, growling menacingly until one finally picked up a spark. Kyoya threw it into the wood and waited for the fire to grow. He strode towards Haruhi and picked her up once more, placing her gently by the fire. But then he noticed her clothes and frowned. It was wet. In fact, they were both wet. In fear of catching pneumonia or any other fatal illnesses, Kyoya walked to his closet, looking for any of his old clothes that could possibly fit Haruhi. He ended up pulling out a plain gray shirt and a pair of his old sweatpants from middle school.

"Haruhi, you need to get out of those clothes." he stated calmly, or what he wished was calmly. Kyoya's heart was still racing unnaturally fast for him.

Haruhi merely nodded but made no move to reach out for them, and Kyoya realized that the storm outside has not ceased. His brain exploded as his thoughts ran to the only possible outcome of her refusal.

Kyoya would have to change her clothes.

"Your need to get out of those clothes," he tried once more, but Haruhi did not budge. With a sigh, he knelt beside her and muttered, "Then you do know that I would have to change your clothes if you refuse? I cannot have you sick." Haruhi was still shaking from the raging storm, all thoughts diverted from Kyoya.

Kyoya cursed silently under his breath. Taking the blanket gently from Haruhi, his slightly trembling hands made its way to the hem of her shirt. He pulled it up slowly and sighed in relief when he found that she had a thin under shirt that could easily dry amidst the heat of the fire. He then carefully worked Haruhi into his shirt, poking her wet head through the hole and her pale, shivering arms through the sleeves.

"There," he sighed, a pleased look on his face that he was able to accomplish the task without labeling him as a pervert.

"T-t-thank you," Haruhi managed to stammer. Kyoya stared at her, surprised. He then let out a breath he seemed to have been holding. At least she was speaking. That must be a good sign. He checked the window and saw that the storm was easing up. Thunder still rumbled from the distance, making Haruhi flinch, but at least she was no longer curled up into a ball and sobbing.

"Are you still cold?" he inquired after her, wrapping her once more in his blanket.

Haruhi shook her head, but her lips were still blue and her face was still pale.

"I've already seen you in this state. The least you could do is to be honest with me."

Haruhi looked up, her eyes portraying a shock and slight fury at his words. Kyoya found himself immensely relieved to see that spark igniting in her eyes once more.

"I am cold," she finally whispered.

Kyoya nodded, "I thought so." He then added, as if it was a second thought, "I'm cold too."

"The blanket," Haruhi said, taking it off slowly to give to him.

Kyoya rolled his eyes and shook his head. And then without further hesitation, he took off his shirt and slumped down beside Haruhi, taking half the blanket.

"B-but—" she was back to stammering once more.

"I don't want to catch pneumonia, nor do I want to be wearing wet clothes in this weather."

"You have more clothes, right?" Haruhi asked, trying to ignore the heat coming from Kyoya as he nestled next to her.

"No," he huffed, "they no longer fit me."

Haruhi was silent, as if she was waiting for him to continue. But when he didn't, Haruhi finally turned away, desperately praying that her cheeks were not burning up.

Kyoya took this differently. He frowned and inquired after her once more, "Are you still cold?"

"No, I'm fine."

Without a warning—like always—Kyoya wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him.

"What are you—" Haruhi began, but was then interrupted by Kyoya's hand that pushed her head on his broad shoulder.

"Body heat is the best source of heat in this situation. Don't worry, I won't try anything funny."

Haruhi suddenly began to feel drowsy. She wanted to protest. Of course, she did. But her body ignored the commands of her head, irritating her further.

"Sleep," he whispered.

Haruhi nodded, her eyes beginning to close. She became accustomed to the heat of his body. The tantalizing warmth that came from him was heaven amidst the bellowing storm that was slowing down outside. She inhaled his scent. It wasn't musky as she expected form most boys. Instead, it was a calming and straightforward scent. He smelled like soap, and she could detect the remnants of what seems to be a minty shampoo. It was nice, she decided. Before she knew it, her eyes were closed, but her ears were fully aware of what Kyoya said next.

"You look cute…when you blush."

Hello readers! First of all, I would like to apologize for the late update. Life just caught up to me and everything has been hectic lately. But I absolutely, love, love LOVE your reviews...I can't thank you enough for them. I wrote this chapter throughout the week and every time I felt like giving up, I would read a review and get inspired. I appreciate all the suggestions I received and I would use the best of my ability to write a wedding scene that you all would hopefully like. It is almost winter break so I WILL have some more time to update. I will NEVER abandon this story as long as I have at least one reader who looks forward to it. Thank you so much for your support. Every single one of them is appreciated and loved. :D

I would like to hear your thoughts and criticisms on this chapter...like always ;). It's such a joy to hear from you. Leave me a PM if you wish and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

-Kira Bee

P.S. I know I'm probably late...but they have an OHSHC live-action? I saw the episode w/ Haruhi and Kyoya in the beach scene and golly...did that make me squeal like a fool ;)