Hello again. You're all probably shocked that I'm still alive...well, life tends to kidnap you for a long time. Still, I plan to finish this story if it's the last thing I do! Trust me, you guys will get your ending! I promise!

Disclaimer: Mistrelia of the Ice does not own Ouran. If she did, you would have to be over eighteen to buy it :D

Having gained one more day to collect his thoughts, (his father's plane had become delayed by the weather) Kyoya found himself discussing his worries with friends the next day.

"Honestly, I'm confused by all this uncertainty. It's obvious what I must do."

From across the lovely white tea-table, Tamaki sighed at his best friend's words, "As much as I hate to say it, even I can understand your reasoning," suddenly he frowned, "But that doesn't mean I like it."

"Wait, wait, what are we talking about?" Haruhi said in confusion.

As comfortable as the group was sitting inside Tamaki's warm, luxurious mansion's tea room, large flakes of snow lazily drifting by the window, it was clear that the mood was anything but perfect. When Kyoya had dropped by unexpectedly and muttered, "It happened," to Tamaki she had become concerned. Now, seeing the angry irritation on both their faces caused anxiety to well inside of her, "Is someone going to tell me what happened?"

"Marriage," Tamaki mumbled, "Is supposed to be for the happily in love."

"And in our world," Kyoya replied tersely, "It is used to get ahead."

Tamaki suddenly stood up and slammed his hands on the table, shocking Haruhi. Kyoya, however, did not seem fazed by this nor his out of character outburst that followed, "You can't just do this! This is the happiest I've seen you in a long time! Now you're just going to throw it away for them?!"

"They are the entire reason our kind fights so hard for succession," he snapped back, beginning to look equally angry.

"Hold on now!" Haruhi said with some force behind her words, but inside she felt panicked, "Senpai, what is going on?"

The blonde Host King huffed and sat back down in his chair, looking oddly weary, another side of Tamaki she had yet to see, "Kyoya just won a century long contest."

"Contest?" she mimicked, beginning to feel annoyed that nothing was getting explained.

Sensing her irritation, Kyoya elaborated, "I'm engaged."

"Oh," she said before her eyes widened, "Oh! Do you mean to Ame-chan?" she began to smile in congratulations but it froze. For a split moment Kyoya looked as if he'd been struck before regaining composure.

"See?" Tamaki said sitting up, "You're not happy and that girl certainly isn't going to be either, especially since you're already in-"

Kyoya cut him off, stating coolly, "This is not about love. If it were, then why would she agree to the engagement?"

"Who agreed?" Haruhi asked.

"Haruhi," Tamaki said, suddenly focusing his attention on her, "Have you ever heard of the Aquilium Family?"

"Aquilium?" she said, momentarily startled by the change in subject, yet nevertheless, thought a moment, "It sounds familiar but..." her eyebrows rose, "Wait, I think I remember. A long time ago, my mom said they were dream clients."

"Of course they would be, for a lawyer," Kyoya said.

Tamaki continued, "They're one of, if not the richest, family in twenty-eight countries, Japan included," he said pulling out a catalogue from a bag by his chair that featured exquisite jewelry, "They're in control of the largest jewelry company to ever exist. It's been said that the Royal Family in England once tried to trade the Crown Jewels for Aquilium brand jewelry."

Haruhi felt her stomach churn as she flipped through the various prices listed, feeling almost too pained to even look at them, yet at the same time, even her complete lack of interest in anything overly expensive could not stop her breath being momentarily stolen by the beautiful designs on the pages.

Kyoya sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "This isn't something to discuss. I have to marry her. An opportunity like this will never be in my grasp again."

"But Senpai," she said looking up from the catalogue, "I thought your family ran hospitals? And it's not like you need the money."

He scoffed.

Haruhi turned to Tamaki for support but was just as surprised to find him shaking his head, "This is different Haruhi. The Aquiliums are the epitome of esteemed, at the complete heart and soul of wealth. They're a class all on their own, so much that nobody even knows what the main family looks like."

"Are you serious?"

Kyoya nodded, "They're every kidnapper's dream. Even with our joint wealth, myself, Tamaki, and the entire Host Club would not be worth even a removed cousin of theirs. It's for this reason, many in our social circle started something called 'The Contest'. As you know, it's common for families to use their children to get ahead or to strengthen ties by the use of marriage."

She glanced at the blonde next to her, remembering that he too was almost forced to marry someone for someone else's gain. As if sensing her worry, Tamaki flashed her a small smile before Kyoya continued.

"Since the Aquilium Family is so élite, families like ours use every connection they can to get their children into only the finest and top schools and programs available in the hopes that one will meet and impress, or even less likely, fall in love with an Aquilium family member."

"It's rumored that everyone from the main branch has a predetermined spouse from birth," Tamaki chimed in, "But if a person were to marry even the most distant relative, it's believed they and their future generations would be forever set."

"As far as we know, there are twenty-one current heirs to the Aquilium fortune," Kyoya said, "When that valuable piece of information hit the tabloids, families everywhere clamored to get their children exposure in some way. In the unspoken rule of the contest, whoever gets closest to the first heir, wins," he finished simply, his eyes closing as he took a drink of tea.

Haruhi let the weight of the information settle over her. Hesitantly, she asked, "So...what number did you get?"

He stayed quiet for a long time. Finally, slowly, his eyes opened. Looking right into hers, he answered, "Six."

Everything was quiet. Suddenly Haruhi yelled, "That is just bogus!"

"Haruhi?" Tamaki said in surprise. Kyoya merely leaned into his chair in silence.

The brown-haired girl continued, "I've said it before and I'll say it again. Damn rich people!" she snapped, "Just because someone is rich doesn't mean they get to just use people the way you're doing!" she said glaring at Kyoya, "For the first time since I've met you, you actually seem happy! That girl makes you happy! Now you're just going to throw it all away because you're going to win some stupid pretend contest?!"

Shoving his chair back, Kyoya grabbed his bag hanging behind his chair and walked towards the door, "I don't have to take this."

Haruhi began to follow, stopping when Tamaki grabbed her shoulder, "No!" she said, "He has to hear this!"

"Haruhi," Tamaki said softly, "I agree with you, but this isn't just about getting what a bunch of other strangers don't have. With this, Kyoya can finally do the one thing he's always dreamed," he glanced towards the door where the young man had left, "Surpass his father."

Kyoya leaned his head against the steering wheel of his car, having dismissed his driver for the day, but regretted his decision as it would've given him an incentive to stay away from the little flower shop that was now only a street away. He stayed parked by the curb, having driven around aimlessly to avoid his thoughts, but now found himself doing everything he could not to open the door and march over to the store. His efforts were proving fruitful until he saw the shadow of a figure moving past the large glass window displaying Faye Flora~'s name. With a deep sigh, Kyoya opened the door to the car and quickly walked across the road, his jacket already becoming covered with the steadily increasing snowflakes.

"What do you mean 'surpassing his father'?" Haruhi asked a little while after Kyoya left.

Tamaki looked grim, "Well, Mr. Ootori has always had Kyoya is his back pocket. You've seen how he treats him."

Haruhi winced, remembering how the dark-haired man's father had slapped him last year during one of the Host Club's parties.

Tamaki nodded after seeing her reaction, "From what I've known, Yoshi Ootori has always done whatever he could in an attempt to control his children's lives, especially Kyoya's life. His brilliance is obvious and he knows he can use him to get whatever he wants."

It both saddened and made Haruhi frowned that such a man existed, but she also realized that it was more common than she initially thought after going to such a prestigious school. She mentally thanked the heavens for her loving father.

Putting his tea-cup back on the table, Tamaki continued in a worried tone, "I'm honestly shocked though. By giving Kyoya a chance to marry an heir to the Aquilium fortune, he not only risks Kyoya surpassing his legacy, but completely dominating it. After all, it's not exactly secret that the Aquiliums tend to eliminate anyone that stands to threaten them, even within their own ranks."

"Are they really that bad?" Haruhi asked quietly.

Tamaki didn't answer, instead he chose to say, "I'm worried about what kind of person a powerful group of people like that would turn Kyoya into."

Kyoya lifted his hand to knock on the door, but hesitated. He wondered if seeing Ame would completely destroy his concentration, but he shook himself out of it.

'I have to break off any pretenses of a relationship now,' he thought and prepared to knock.

'Kyoya...'

He flinched, suddenly remembering the way, not too long ago, Ame had called his name during their night of passion together. How the feel of her skin had felt so soft under his fingers, how she had responded to his every touch eagerly, how her kisses had left him breathless. Ame had taken many of his firsts that night...

'Including my first lo-'

Halting that train of thought, he nearly slammed his fist on the door, her name about to burst from his lips when the next moment startled him as the door opened.

"You've been standing out here for ten minutes. Either state your business or leave."

He blinked as he realized a woman who was neither Ame or Nina seemed to be glaring at him from in the doorway. She was surprisingly beautiful, long, sunless black hair draping around her pale, flawless skin, most of which was revealed by her simple black shorts and tank top. Her smoke colored eyes seemed to assess him as one perfect eyebrow arched as she awaited his answer.

After collecting himself, Kyoya managed a, "Is Ame here?"

She sighed, seemingly in annoyance. He realized the girl appeared to be American, but spoke perfect, if almost a little too formal, Japanese, "If you're here for business or to file a complaint, her business number can be found on the website," she began to close the door.

"N-no!" without knowing why, Kyoya felt himself begin to panic, "I'm a friend of hers! My name is Kyoya."

She gave him a dry look, "If you were a friend you would've known she and Nina went to a Pierce the Veil concert in China," she said before muttering, "Why they're touring in China I'll never understand," in a louder voice, she said before closing the door, "Check your messages if you don't believe me."

He stared at the glass for a few minutes longer. Feeling for the phone in his pocket, he lifted the device to his ear.

"What do you think's going to happen once they get married?" Haruhi asked worriedly, "Is he still going to continue high school or...?"

Tamaki looked down, a mixture of concern, worry, and a few other emotions filling his features when suddenly everything disappeared, only leaving hope. Reaching across the table, Tamaki took Haruhi's hands in his, "Haruhi, I know tomorrow's Christmas Eve, but do you think your father would allow me to steal you for a few hours?"

She stared in surprise, "What are you going to do?"

He glanced away for a moment, "I don't know, but I can't just do nothing. If anything, we can at least talk some sense into him before his father gets home tomorrow. I know it's asking a lot, but will you help me?"

"Of course," Haruhi found herself responding automatically, "I'm worried too. If what you said is true about it being unlikely that his father set up the engagement then there has to be more to this. I'll do everything I can to defend him."

A smile formed on Tamaki's lips, "You are going to make a fantastic lawyer one day."

She blinked before blushing in embarrassment, "W-well, he's my friend too."

"And your capacity to love is just another reason why I love you," he grinned happily.

The red on her cheeks deepened. She was about to retort hotly when she noticed the anxious look coming back into the blonde boy's eyes. She squeezed his hands lightly, "Everything's going to be fine."

"I know," he said looking determined, "But first, I have to make a few calls."

"Sorry about the short notice, but Nina found out one of our favorite bands is on tour and currently in China. We missed every single one of their appearances in America but we just managed to snag tickets to the show. We got roundtrip tickets cheap so we should be back in Japan by Christmas morning. Super excited to see you all by then. We'll be bringing back souvenirs. And Kyoya...Merry Christmas."

"End messages. If you would like to delete message, press star. If you would like to save message- message saved. Goodbye."

Kyoya stayed in front of the store, phone still at his ear. Finally, slowly, he snapped the device shut and put it back inside his pocket. Realizing that he had already had his last night together with her, he felt a heavy burden on his chest. It was with weighed steps that he turned around, only to stop when the chiming of the door sounded behind him.

"Hey...are you going to be okay?"

It was the girl again. Kyoya wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

Her eyes seemed to assess him again. Suddenly she asked, "Is your last name Ootori?"

He nodded.

She glanced behind her, "Hold on a sec."

After a few minutes inside, the door opened again. In her hand, she presented him with a brightly wrapped present, a letter on top, "She said to give this to you in case they missed their flights. She said 'don't open your present until Christmas', but you can open the letter whenever," the girl then finally smiled kindly, causing her sharp features to become rather pretty indeed, however, her Japanese was still professional, as if she learned it from translation videos, "You know, she will come back. It's not the end of the world," with that final statement, the door closed.

His heart still heavy, his steps were quick towards the car. Putting the present in the passenger's seat, Kyoya hesitated only a moment before opening the envelope. What he saw nearly made his breath stop.

It was a pencil drawing, bordering on perfect. Lying on a bed was himself and Ame. He was propped against a few pillows, looking surprisingly content and unguarded, his hair slightly unruly. His glasses were absent and he was also wearing a plain t-shirt, the rest of him covered by Ame's comforter. What seemed to dominate his vision however, was the woman lying beside him.

Ame was lying partially on his chest, her right hand draped over his heart with his arm around her. She was wearing a tank-top, the comforter around her middle, but otherwise she appeared beautiful. Her hair fell softly around her sleeping but smiling features. He remembered this was the night before they all went to the soup kitchen. The picture of them caused his heart to beat uncomfortably and feeling like it weighed a million pounds. Looking down, he noticed an arrow pointing to the other side of the sheet. Turning it over, he read;

"Dear Kyoya,

I kinda hoped you would wait 'till Christmas, but I bet you're reading this early. It's okay, I forgive you.

"She lied to me," he muttered, wondering why the girl said Ame gave him permission to read it today. He continued.

Anyway, did you see the picture on the other side? Nina drew it! At first I fell in love with it and was planning to keep it, but honestly, I felt you should keep the original, (I made a copy) to commemorate our time together. Honestly, these past few months with you...well...let's just say I'm glad you walked into my shop. I was really happy with how much you loved my tea, and I was always excited when you would order more but, eventually I just started looking forward to seeing you. You've been my best friend since I've come to Japan (Other than Nina. I'm adding this because she's watching me write). But honestly, I thought I would be lonely in this new country, and I was for a long time, but since meeting you, I loved being able to talk with you every day. I really loved getting to tease you, and I loved how straightforward and honest of a person you've always been with me. I loved how we called or texted each other almost every day I was in America. I especially loved coming back home and getting to spend time with you...I also really, really loved the night we...spent together

Kyoya could see large ink blots by the words describing their night together. He tried to picture her face as she paused for so long before writing down her feelings. His hands were beginning to shake but he forced himself to keep reading, but once he did he sincerely wished he had stopped

You really have made me happier than I ever thought I would be, and, while truthfully I would rather tell you all of this in person, I wanted to write it down, so you would always be able to look back on these words. I just wanted you to know, I heard what you whispered to me that night. I didn't respond because I was shocked, but honestly, there's no way I can stay silent about this, hence the letter.

I love you too. More than you can even imagine. I plan to tell you this in person, but I honestly could not wait. Sometimes it even makes my heart hurt, I love you so much. I only hope my feelings can reach through to you, because from now on, when I wake up, I only want to wake up to you. It isn't worth it anymore to open my eyes without you.

I'll be back in time for Christmas.

Until then, all my love~
Ame~

It wasn't until Kyoya stopped reading did he realize he was holding back tears. In allowance to the fact that he was alone on a deserted road in a car with tinted windows while the early evening already began to darken, the normally composed man finally let go of his emotions.

Kyoya could count all the instances he cried on one hand. When his mother died, hearing Tamaki play piano for the first time...one of them a real tragedy, yet at the moment, nothing compared with how he was feeling now. It was for that reason, Kyoya took a quiet leave of absence from the world...

...and lost it all.

"Are you sure this is going to work?"

"It has to!"

"Senpai, this isn't going to work."

It was bright and sunny the next day, despite the date and circumstances. A disguised Tamaki, Haruhi, Honey, and Mori, all dressed like servants, were attempting to infiltrate the Ootori mansion.

"Senpai," Haruhi asked quietly, all of them hiding behind a tree, "Why do you think they're at this house?"

Tamaki pulled down a kerchief he had tied around the lower half of his face, "Whenever the Ootori family expects important company, they relocate to this property. It's a lot more elegant than their building, and just close enough to the city that they have a wide arrange of options as a means to entertain."

From a phone Honey was holding, one of the twins' voice came through, "Okay, now because this mansion's in a secluded area, it's less guarded but you're gonna have to get past the gate. It's pretty simple how though"

Another, similar voice spoke next, "Since they rarely go to that mansion unless it's someone important, the staff is minimal, so they're usually brought in by bus in the morning. Just join the ranks and keep your heads down once everyone gets off the bus.

'That explains why we're up so early' Haruhi thought, looking around the still near dark, wooded area. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, "Wait, how do you two know so much about sneaking into Kyoya's mansion"

"We do it all the time," was the twins simple reply.

One voice, the Hosts had trouble discerning who was who, said "Hey, it's almost six. It's about time for the bus of the extra servants to arrive. You guys should get ready."

"Good luck!" they said at the same time before the line ended.

It was at that moment a large bus came around the bend of a nearby road. One by one, servant after servant stepped off and approached the gate. Tamaki, Haruhi, Honey, and Mori quickly made their way around the bus and joined the line. A few looked at them oddly, trying to place them, but otherwise nothing was said about their sudden appearance. After being sent through a scanner and given a quick once over by the guards, they found themselves in the elegantly large and furnished mansion.

"We did it!" Honey whispered to the others.

"ALRIGHT LADIES! LISTEN UP!" a voice boomed.

All of the servants stood up straight to the appearance of a large, mole studded woman who appeared to be glaring at all of them and was dressed in a similar servant's fashion of a white apron and light blue smock and pants, a kerchief around her head instead of her face. The woman yelled again in a loud, man-ish voice, "OOTORI SAMA HAS EXTRODINARILY IMPORTANT GUESTS COMING TODAY. YOU MAY LOOK AT THIS PLACE AND THINK IT'S CLEAN, BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU, UNLESS EVERY ROOM IS SPOTLESS AND MADE UP TO PERFECTION, CONSIDER YOURSELVES ALL AT RISK FOR PERMANENT LEAVE!"

"Yes ma'am," came the murmurs. The Host members were silently panicking.

"WELL?" she snapped when no one moved, "GET TO WORK!"

Kyoya stared at the brightly colored wrapping paper lying on the bed. He was dressed to the nines, in a fitting black suit tailored perfectly to his body, a white undershirt a light blue tie above it. The red tie he was supposed to wear was draped over a nearby chair. The suit he was wearing made him look exactly like his father. The tie, however, brought him some small comfort as it was the same color as his school uniform.

For now, unfortunately, nothing brought him comfort as he stared at the shredded, green and red shimmery paper. He had given in last night and torn it open, but the plain white box gave him no clues as to what was inside. It had taken a night of almost no sleep, but the boy had finally resigned himself to the fact that he was never going to see Ame again. Despite this, his hands hesitated when he reached for the present.

*Knock Knock*

"Master Kyoya?"

Hastily tucking something into his pocket he turned in a hurry, "What is it?"

"Your guests are here to see you," a maid said gently.

His eyes shot to the digital clock on his nightstand. The numbers read '1:30 PM' causing him to mentally panic, 'They weren't supposed to arrive until four...and even if they are early, why didn't Father alert me sooner?'

"Master Kyoya," she said, drawing him from his thoughts.

The boy nodded, "I assume they're in the foyer?"

"Actually they're in one of the guest bedrooms and..." she looked at him curiously, "I hope you don't mind me saying, but I thought the novice servants were sent to three years of training, not one."

"Servants?" He questioned, wondering what in the world the girl was talking about. It was only a few minutes later, with a strange mixture of anger and sadistic amusement over-taking his emotions, did he understand.

Lying on the floor/bed in a nearby bedroom were an exhausted Host Club, minus the twins. Even with all the stamina Honey and Mori had, they too, looked as if their spirits had been broken as they lay on the floor. Haruhi and Tamaki were collapsed on the bed, Haruhi looking extremely tired, yet it appeared Tamaki had fared off worse than the other two. His hands looked as if they'd been slapped over with a ruler more than a few times, his spirit not only broken, but about to leave his body.

"What in the world...?" Kyoya did not finish his sentence, "And why are you dressed like servants?"

"Can't...no...more...cleaning," Tamaki said in a horrified trance.

Honey crawled towards his friend's feet, "W-wow Kyo-chan, your maid sure takes cleaning seriously."

"We cleaned...a spotless mansion...twice..." Tamaki said, sounding like he was gaining a little strength.

Kyoya sighed, "Instead of disguising yourself, why didn't you just ask for an audience?"

"Would you have given us one?"

He blinked. Haruhi was gazing at him with eyes he knew would see through his deceit, "I suppose not," he admitted, "But seeing me won't change anything."

"This has to stop."

Everyone (even Tamaki) turned their heads to see an irritated looking Mori, who had risen to a kneeling position.

Kyoya scoffed when the same maid from earlier knocked on the door, "Master Kyoya, your father just arrived. He wants to meet with you in his office.

He sighed, "Stay here," he said to the others.

A few minutes later Kyoya found himself standing in front of his father, who was sitting at his desk.

Yoshi Ootori looked his son up and down, "I trust you're aware of the importance of our guests today?"

Kyoya nodded, his mind already coming up with a plan to get the other Host members out of the mansion without being noticed, "Yes Sir."

He sighed, something Kyoya was not used to seeing his father do. It was then that he noticed, despite being his usual, cold, stern-faced self, Yoshi Ootori actually looked every bit his age instead of an unstoppable business tycoon.

The room was silent for a few moments. Realizing his son appeared to be studying him, Yoshi straightened his already ram-rod posture, "Our guests are expected to be here any moment. Mrs. Aquilium and her daughter, along with a few of their guards for now. If everything goes according to plan, we shall have a contract valuable enough to keep this family in power for many generations. I expect nothing to go wrong today. Is that understood?"

Kyoya could feel his pulse pounding, but years of experience kept any emotion he felt hidden, "Understood, Sir," he replied stoically.

Yoshi nodded, "Now then, our main priority is Mrs. Aquilium, however, we are not to call her that. She was dubbed Lady Aquilium some years ago in England. Her daughter's name is Amelia. They are expected to arrive within the next half hour so be prepared and in the dining room by then."

Once dismissed, Kyoya numbly made his way through the halls, the name 'Amelia' filling his thoughts like some cruel irony. In a slight, hysterical moment, Kyoya mentally noted that at least this way, calling out her name in bed wouldn't lead to anything awkward...

'...I think I'm having a stroke,' he thought, for the second time that year. Without realizing it, Kyoya had found himself in the elegantly furnished dining room, entering through one of the servant's doors, instead of the wing of bedrooms where his friends were. On his immediate left was an entire wall of windows that lead out to the forest two stories down. Looking to his right from the door he had entered, he could see the room positively screamed with elegance. The walls were white, decorated with gold framed pictures of beautiful artworks everywhere. The floor was mostly hardwood, but under the extensively long table was a large, scarlet red rug with gold trimming and tassels. Multiple crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the biggest above the dining table, which was a thing of beauty in itself.

The table was long enough to hold twenty four people, not including the ends, which made it twenty six. The table, however, was placed in the middle of the room, parallel to the large wall of windows and the beautifully, incredibly large, gold embroidered French doors that made up most of the other wall, which was the proper entrance to the dining room. Even from a few feet away, he was able to see the near shining white table cloth, the crystal dinnerware with gold trim, and the sparkling silverware already laid out on the table, small vases of flowers dotted in the middle. Once closer, Kyoya could see four place settings. Two facing away from the windows in the middle of the table, two opposite, facing away from the door.

'This means we'll be face to face the entire time,' he sighed, almost wishing to have the servants come in from the white, swinging doors on his right, next to the servant door he had taken, that led to an unused kitchen, just so they would turn the table so they could be as far away from each other as possible.

Blinking, he realized one of the swinging doors opened to reveal Tamaki's head, before he withdrew back into the kitchen. Kyoya marched towards the doors and swung them open to see the Host group seated around a small kitchen table in the back of the room.

"I thought I said to wait back in the room!"

Honey laid his chin on the table and said innocently, "We did, but you never came back so we went looking for you. Kyo-chan, why is the kitchen empty?"

He looked around. It was an expensive looking kitchen, with granite countertops, a sleek black stove, and many other brand new black and gray furnishings with spotless silver cookware, yet the kitchen was no bigger than one of the mansion's bedrooms, as well as the only light coming from a bay window on the far wall.

Kyoya looked around, "My mother had this kitchen built. She liked to cook, and liked the idea of cooking meals the family could enjoy together in the dining room."

From the evidence of how sterile the room seemed, the group could see this was a wish that was never fulfilled.

The Ootori man shook himself from his thoughts, "Anyway, you need to go. My father said the guests will be here within the next half hour."

"We're not going until we talk this out!" Tamaki said standing up.

"There is nothing else to talk about!" Kyoya said, getting angry with his friend's constant insistence, "I am getting married and that is final! I have no control over the situation! Nothing any of you are going to say is going to change that fact!" he said with finality before turning around.

Mori coughed a little and mumbled one word, "Nina,"

Kyoya froze. An intense flashback reminded him that the first time he had seen the fiery redhead, she had nearly killed a man and was grinning with an insane kind of joy just from watching him get taken away in an ambulance. He was not a man to let fear over-take him, but in that moment, he could feel his eye wanting to twitch. Slowly he faced the quiet man and gave a simple protest, "She can't get to me alone."

Mori's eyes flashed, and in an earthshattering moment, Kyoya realized that he was facing the loving boyfriend to a girl whose best friend's heart he was going to shatter. This fact actually did leave him a little breathless, as Mori really could be the key to his undoing. The man's loyalty was endless. He only hoped the loyalty he had for their friendship could withhold his position in this mess.

Not realizing the tension that had sparked between the two, Haruhi intervened, "Senpai, can't you at least tell her in person? If nothing else?"

Kyoya shook his head, "I am never going to see her again."

"Then a phone call!" Tamaki demanded, gripping a glass of water between his hands, "Call her right now! You owe her that much!"

The Shadow King exhaled heavily. Flipping open his phone, he made a show of dialing her number before listening to the ringing. When the call was answered, however-

"He-"

"DARE ME TO JUMP OFF THIS JERSEY BRIDGE!

I BET YOU NEVER HAD A FRIDAY NIGHT LIKE THIS!

KEEP IT UP, KEEP IT UP, LET'S RAISE OUR HANDS!

I TAKE A LOOK UP IN THE SKY AND I SEE (RED)

(RED) FOR THE CANCER! RED FOR THE WEALTHY!

RED FOR THE DRINK THAT'S MIXED WITH SUICIDE!

EVERYTHING RED!"

"HELLO?!" A feminine voice screamed.

"Ame!" Kyoya yelled, over the music that continued to blare past the speaker.

"LET'S SCREAM UNTIL THERE'S NOTHING LEFT!"

"Sorry! I can't hear you over the concert!"

"I have something important to tell you!" He said loudly, "Can you go outside for a few minutes or find somewhere-"

"WHAT?!" she yelled.

"THE THOUGHT OF YOU 'S NO FUCKING FUN!"

"Nevermind!" he yelled back, seeing there was clearly no way they would be able to talk.

"What?!" she screamed again.

Suddenly Nina's voice could be heard, "Get off the phone! This is the best part!"

"BECAUSE ENOUGH'S ENOUGH WE'RE DONE!

YOU TOLD ME THINK ABOUT IT, WELL I DID!

NOW I DON'T WANNA FEEL A THING ANYMORE!

I'M TIRED OF BEGGIN' FOR THE THINGS THAT I WANT!

I'M OVER SLEEPING LIKE A DOG ON THE FLOOR!"

Kyoya hung up the phone. He didn't look back to his friends as he read the text from his father, telling him to get to the dining room, they were here, "I called her. Frankly that song sounds like it's a fitting end. Now if you'll excuse me, leave through the other door. I have to meet with my fiancée, Amelia."

Something crashed behind him. Leaving through the doors and assuming it was because of the shock that the girl's name shortened to 'Ame' as well, he did not see the look of pure horror on his blonde friend's face.

Yoshi Ootori was standing by the glass wall, looking out across the trees, when Kyoya entered the dining room. Upon approaching him, the older man asked, "What was that noise?"

"It was nothing," Kyoya murmured apologetically. He looked out the windows as well, glancing at his father's reflection every few seconds out of curiosity of his behavior, "Is something troubling you?"

"I would rather not allow an Aquilium into my household, but it is necessary to our future endeavors," he said simply, frown in place, "It is the reason why we're having our contract intended for revision."

Kyoya turned towards his father, brows knitted, "I wasn't aware we were pre-connected with the Aquiliums prior to today."

"Well of course we are," he snapped, "How else would I have been able to conduct a meeting today?"

His son blinked in confusion, "To discuss the *omiai..."

"What kind of rumors have you been hearing?" he said hotly, turning to walk around the tables to the double doors. Facing them with a dumbstruck Kyoya at his side, he nearly snarled, "I wouldn't have you marry an Aquilium even if our entire way of life depended on it, which, thankfully it isn't."

He steadied his knees before they buckled. Kyoya felt the blood roaring in his ears, and it was only with the announcement of the arriving guests by a servant that he didn't run out of the room to call Ame. With an extremely lightened heart, Kyoya faced the door with a stoic, almost smug look, ready for whatever walked through the door.

In the kitchen, Honey was jumping up and down, whispering in excitement, "Did you hear that!? Kyo-chan's not getting engaged!"

Even Mori managed a smile by this news. Haruhi, however, was staring worriedly at her Senpai, "Tamaki-kun, are you okay?"

The other two looked at him, and, indeed, the Host King looked ready to pass out. They were so focused on his chalk white face that Mori had only just noticed a figure sneaking into the kitchen through the door to the hallway, the position of the door hiding them from view as the figure made their way to spy into the dining room.

Raising up quietly, Mori put a finger to his lips, earning nods from the others (Tamaki was still frozen) as he moved on silent steps across the room. Weaving across the island in the middle of the kitchen, Mori could see the figure was wearing a dark, professional-looking suit, their head leaning out of the swinging door. It was with practiced poise that Mori managed to grab the figure and pull them back into the room, his hand clamped over their mouth as the figure struggled to get free. Pulling them towards the bay window with superior strength, Mori and the others gasped when the outside light revealed their identity.

"Presenting! Lady Aquilium!"

Stepping through the large doors to the dining room, Kyoya felt his eyes widen. The woman who entered was of impeccable beauty. She was tall, maybe even a head taller than himself, with beautiful fair skin, long dark blue hair that went past her knees with dark blue bangs that fell into her sharp, steely dark blue eyes. Slender fingers were brought to her chin as she examined them, one pointed nail tapping on her jaw, her mouth unsmiling, despite the amused, cold look in her eyes. Lady Aquilium was tastefully dressed in an expensive looking silk blue button up shirt that draped around her slender, yet comfortably endowed figure, sleeves flowing like water around her slim arms. Perfectly swelled hips lowered to long legs, covered by black dress pants, ending in black, high heeled boots. Her attire, while obviously expensive, would have looked plain, had her whole demeanor and stance remind an onlooker of a finely strung bow. Beautiful, taut, and deadly in the right hands. Kyoya knew instantly this was a woman who was not to be intimidated by anyone, under any circumstance.

After a second of silence, the woman's mouth formed a smile that did not reach her eyes, nor gave her a countenance of warmth in any way, "I do apologize," her voice was smooth and oddly soothing, with a slightly hypnotic undertone, "It appears my daughter took a wrong turn in the hall. She will be here in a few seconds."

"Lady Aquilium," Yoshi Ootori bowed, Kyoya doing the same, "Shall I have a servant fetch her?"

"No, I'm here."

"What are you doing here?" Mori said in surprise.

Scrambling out from under him, the redhead blinked in shock, "Oh my god! It's his house isn't it!? I knew I read that name wrong! I have to warn-"

It was too late.

Nina pushed open the swinging kitchen door in time for her and the others to see a momentarily stunned Kyoya looking into the face of a momentarily stunned Amethyst, who was looking nothing like the daughter of an elite family in a simple green and white checkered sundress with green heels and no jewelry. She looked every bit the shopkeeper he had come to love.

"Presenting Amethyst Eve Aquilium!"

Not realizing the sudden tension in the room, Yoshi bowed once more. Kyoya followed after a brief hesitation.

"My apologies, I had thought your daughter's name was Amelia. Her place card says so."

"A common mistake," Lady Aquilium noted, "Even her fiancé's family tends to make the same mistake...oh," her attention turned to the open kitchen doors her smile suddenly becoming a fraction more genuine, "René, I'm surprised to see you here."

Everyone turned to the kitchen doors. Tamaki's face was incredibly pale as he murmured out, "Hello...Lady Aquilium."

"What they doing here?!" Yoshi rounded on his son.

"I don't know about the others, but this is rather convenient," she said putting a hand on Ame's arm, who appeared to struggle with keeping a mask of indifference, only to have it break a second later when her mother said, "Amethyst, this Yuzuru Suoh's son. And René, I told you it was okay to call me Mistrelia*. You are going to be my son after all."

*Waits for the audience to gather up the pieces of their blown mind*

And if I didn't blow your mind, then bravo, you figured it out!

Anyway, I should explain a few things here, I LOOK NOR ACT NOTHING LIKE MISTRELIA. She is an actual character I created long ago when I was younger. She is also Amethyst's mother, another character I created long ago, who I used in this story. Mistrelia is the character whose name I happened to pick when creating this account.

Now that that's out of the way, expect the next chaper significantly sooner. Also, this chapter was submitted 'as is', meaning I only went back to correct spelling. Since I've had this story's ending from the moment it began and I lost the other data I had on this chapter (new laptop) I just wrote this straight through. No planning, no revising. Just started at 1:00 AM and finished it at 7:46 AM (I paused a lot to listen to musical inspiration or to eat). I am not joking, the sun is literally shining outside my window. Anyway, I figured I would just get this chapter published in honor of it being 8/13 (Axel and Roxas day from Kingdom Hearts. They're my OTP 3 ) but anyway, I am more than exhausted and I have to get ready for the day as well as work without any sleep, so if this chapter sucks, or if it's not detailed enough, then leave me a review and I promise to go back over it and make it better. Otherwise, tell me what your opinion is about the story line's progression. Looks like I took Kyoya out of the frying pan but put Tamaki straight into the blue flames!

*Omiai - Japanese word for Marriage Matchmaking.

Song- King for a Day by Pierce the Veil

Expect the next chapter soon!

Mistrelia of the Ice~