The Forked Path

Well, with this the story is nearing its ending chapters. I'm so glad all of you took the time to read and review. I'll probably move away from Ouran now and on to my other fics. Thanks for having read and reviewed so far. I'll be off on a vacation but I'll coming back to post the last few chapters in a week or so.

Thank you again and Cheers :)

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Chapter 10

“I see you’ve finally realized the possibility of our involvement in this situation.” Kyouya remarked with a smirk.

“Oh God, Kyouya, I really hope you’re sorry for planning all this.”

“Well, yes I am but aren’t you happy with him and how things have changed?”

“Well, I still haven’t decided that yet and who gave you the right to manipulate the both of us this way?”

“We’ve been the butt of all your damn pranks thus far. Stop being such an idiot and just accept that Tamaki and I did a great job forcing the both of you to pick a path. Think of it as a going-away legacy we’re leaving you with after we graduate.”

“Kyouya, what you both did was insane and how far back did you start your manipulation anyway? Was it from after you asked me out?”

“Of course not, further.”

I stared at Kyouya with startled eyes.

“Further?!”

“Sigh, since me and Tamaki saw you throw-up in the alleyway at the Hawaiian party.”

“You saw?”

“Of course we did. We were rather concerned with your sudden dash from the hall and decided to follow you. But by the time we finally decided to approach you, you had gotten into your car and headed home. That’s when we both decided something had to be done about both your obvious feelings for each other.” He replied proudly.

“Well, if you mean you both planned everything then that means that the restaurant thing and Haruhi was all an act?”

“Of course! Firstly, no restaurant would allow me to breach their customers’ privacy so the three of us had to give our consent way ahead before the date. Secondly, thank God you weren’t sharp enough to notice. Didn’t you think Haruhi was acting a little insane all this while? The conversation they had in the restaurant was really all an act. Aside from helping her father today, Haruhi’s a little embarrassed by all this as well, which is why she decided to not show knowing that it would only aggravate you.”

“I’m not surprised. Don’t tell me that even your sob stories about Tamaki were an act?”

“Mm… those parts were real. I guess I conveniently left out the latter part of the story on how we ended up making out in the school classroom after lessons. But believe me especially when I said watching you go through all this was a struggle too. You both really mean a lot to Tamaki and I don’t mean that in the perverse sense.”

“You and Tamaki are,,,,,,?” I was shocked, there had been no indication at all from the both of them. Watching Tamaki and the way he acted around Haruhi, it was impossible to tell. I began feeling cheated and betrayed. I had trusted Kyouya completely only to have everything he’s said and done to me enfold into one big lie for the past 3 weeks.

“Kyouya, I’m so…. I so… wanna strangle you.”

“I know, hence the reason why I’m keeping my distance.”
I grabbed onto one of the empty tea cups I had used for breakfast and threw it at Kyouya in a rage and missed. I was angry, frustrated and totally humiliated by all this not to mention I was still agonizing over what I should decide on.

The loud crashing sound sent Hikaru running in, along with the maids and the rest of the group soon followed. The maids instantly began cleaning up the mess. It wasn’t until they left did Hikaru decide to ask, “What’s going on? Kaoru?”

“I hope YOU weren’t in on this as well otherwise you’re in for worse trouble apart from kissing Haruhi!”

“Now, hang-on for a minute. What are you talking about?” Hikaru asked with an extremely puzzled expression on his face.

“Ah, I see you’ve exposed our plans Kyouya. Come on you two, admit it. I am brilliant when it comes to fulfilling dreams that revolve around love.” Tamaki said in his gallant voice.

“At the moment I really feel closer to smacking your face than all the other times put together Tamaki so I suggest you better be smart and stand where I can’t reach you, like Kyouya.” Tamaki cowered behind Kyouya.

“Hey Kaoru, don’t be mad at them. They were only doing what they thought was best, okay?” Hani-senpai said in a sweet calming voice, which managed to subdue me slightly.

“What do you mean by that Hani-san?” Hikaru asked.

“They put us through shit in order to get us to admit our feelings for each other.” I explained to Hikaru through greeted teeth.

“Huh?” Hikaru was really puzzled and not to mention a real snail when it came to these things so I decided to enlighten him later with the details. At the moment I was still fuming with anger and not in the mood for any conversation at all.

“Come now everyone, we’ve achieved what we wanted to do and its time for Kaoru to get some rest.” Kyouya stated and began ushering everyone out.

“I’ll walk you guys. Be right back luv.” Hikaru said to me before running off to escort everyone out of the mansion. Alone in my room for a brief moment, I began sorting out my thoughts. I was angry but I didn’t understand why I was this angry. I should really be happy because Hikaru had professed his love for me and I can’t really complain with all the heated kisses we’ve had so far. But whenever Kyouya’s face popped into my head, I just felt like screaming and shouting. Perhaps I’m over thinking and that being this angry was justifiable, after all, being played out in a prank for a day was bad enough, 3 weeks would warrant much more frustration than that. *What the fuck is gnawing at me? What is it? Why do I keep feeling something is going to bite back and me? Shit this sucks. I hate the way I keep thinking about things*.

“Stop it.” Hikaru entered my room once more, opening his entrance by reading my mind.

“I can’t help it. I’m really pissed.”

“Explain then, maybe talking about it would make you feel better. You hardly talk about your problems and it’s about time you opened up.” He sat at the edge of my bed again, holding one of my hands in his.

“Well, a couple of weeks ago, I went on a date with Kyouya and the reason behind that was to make you jealous.”

“Right, sounds like something he would plan to do, but why are you so angry?”

“To cut it short, he, Tamaki and Haruhi plotted together to get me and you to admit our feelings for each other. They used Haruhi as the catalyst and I guessed she managed to stir up quite a bit by pretending to like you.”

“You mean her kissing me was an act?”
“Yeah, not only that. It all started with giving you the CDs.”

“No kidding.”

“Sick isn’t it? Kinda scares you to think Kyouya’s such a forward thinker.”

“But what would’ve happened if I really fell for Haruhi and you for Kyouya?”

“Well, I guess Kyouya had that calculated before he executed the plan. But I couldn’t agree more with the possibilities that could’ve just made the situation a total disaster and a really complex mess.”

“Damn, you do have a right to be pissed. I’m pissed at the sheer fact he was willing to make me risk losing you.” My ears peaked at that and I paused to look into his beautiful eyes.

“Oh Hikaru, sometimes you really… just…”

“Just… what?”

He closed in on me and our lips met with a lengthy sweet kiss. There was nothing urgent in our kiss this time and I guess it was because Hikaru wanted to express his support rather than lust.
“Feel better?” He asked, his breath tickling my moistened lips.

“A huh.”

“Now off to bed. I really don’t want to put you through anymore till you get better. You’re such a worry wart sometimes.”

I wriggled back underneath my covers for an afternoon nap. Hikaru made sure I was tucked in comfortably before kissing my forehead and exiting the room closing the door behind him. Although I felt much better than I did, I still couldn’t shake off the anxiety that was plaguing me. But being tired out from the day’s events, I soon fell into deep sleep.
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It was back to school again after another week of rest at home. I was fully recovered and being well rested, I was able to catch up with my studies once more and to involve myself with club activities once again. Hikaru and I had decided to maintain the separate rooms as it was the best way to avoid our parents from finding out anything suspicious. During the week we almost had an unpleasant encounter with our mom, who wanted to pop by Hikaru’s room to see if I had any new drawings to turn in. I dashed through the adjoined bathroom and into my room just in time to avoid her seeing me in Hikaru’s bed sweating heavily with nothing but boxers and a severe hard on. We were fortunate as she had chosen the wrong room to enter at that time forgetting that I had shifted. By the time she had knocked on my room door, I already had my night robe on and was sitting at my desk sketching away.

It would have been devastating if she saw us but we were lucky. However, I couldn’t help but think how long we could go on under cover like this. As I was about to enter the third music room to join in the festivities I heard some loud conversation and decided to pause and listen.

“You’re telling me what?!”

“Tamaki, please don’t shout at me like that. It is really unbecoming of you and quite frankly, its no easy feat tolerating your insane attitude these past 6 months. I really don’t need more shouting.”

“How do you expect me not to shout? What if she finds out? Do you know how screwed we’d be?”

*Who finds out about what? This is interesting*.

“She won’t find out Tamaki and will you stop your bickering? People are about to enter at any minute and you’re acting like a nagging wife, not to mention someone’s been standing outside the door for a little while now. Come in!”

Kyouya’s voice boomed and hearing how he was in such a foul mood, I decided to obey.

“Sorry, didn’t want to interrupt.”

“You already interrupted the minute I saw your shadow through the foot of the door.”
I decided to move myself towards the couch and away from the couple at war. Flopping lazily into it I decided to browse through one of the magazines placed on the side table.

“It’s unfair.” Tamaki said through the corner of his mouth. As the hall was empty except for the three of us I could hear him speak quite audibly.

“I can hear you.” I stated, trying to avoid any further confrontation in my presence that would only serve to embarrass Kyouya more.

“Tamaki, lets leave this for after school. The girls are here.” I watched them both and as Kyouya finished his sentence, his expression changed immediately and so did Tamaki’s. All of us are such pretenders. I smirked to myself.

“What’s so funny?” Hikaru had entered and headed straight towards my direction. “Nothing.”

“Oh well, I rather see you smiling than anything else. It’s a nice change.”

“Thanks.” I smiled back at him as he ran his fingers through my hair lovingly.

Haruhi entered shortly after. Walking straight to Kyouya she firmly planted a slap across his face. What the hell? Everyone turned to stare and watch as she strolled out as quietly as she had come in.

“You were saying?” Tamaki said, directing his statement at Kyouya.

“Shut up.” Kyouya replied bluntly whilst Hikaru and I both stood there, dumbfounded. But something else caught my eye, Hikaru was shaking as he watched her leave, fists clenched tightly but his face showing no expression as he continued standing there, gazing towards the door that was now closed. *Fuck, I knew it. I REALLY HATE this. When will this roller coaster ever END????*

TBC

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