"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Fujioka Haruhi-sama," he bowed and flashed a smile.

"Thank you for accompanying me throughout last night," Haruhi thanked him. "I really appreciated it."

"Speak no more of it," the butler replied. "It was my duty."

"But what are you doing here?" Haruhi questioned.

"He's a new butler I hired," Kyoya walked up to her and held her hand from behind. "You seemed to like his company so I allowed him to be your personal bodyguard."

"The name's Inukami Keith," he bowed. "It's a pleasure to be serving you from here on out."

Haruhi widened her eyes in surprise at his sudden words. He smiled up at her, revealing his alluring emerald marine eyes. He had white shaggy curled hair that was braided down his back. His bangs were shifted to his left in the middle. He wore a white suit jacket with white buttons along with a pair of white suit pants. Inside, he wore a black collared shirt with a white necktie. He had on a pair of black leather shoes and black gloves that stuck tightly to his hand. Just from his attire, she could tell that he was different from the other butlers she's seen. Not to mention, she could see that the other maids and butlers in the mansion paid respect to him.

"You didn't need to do that, Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi turned to him with a conflicted expression.

"I did it because I wanted to and also because my father, brother, and sister agreed with it," Kyoya explained. "Now that you're formally introduced as a lady of the Ootori family, having a bodyguard is expected. Besides, he's a rather capable person. He's the winner of this year's competition at Ouran's adjoining school for training butlers. There's not a person who doesn't know of him."

"I don't deserve such high compliment," Keith bowed.

"I don't usually compliment people but when I do, just accept it with no objections."

"Understood, Kyoya-sama" he bowed.

"Wait, wait, wait," Haruhi interrupted the two. "So this guy who's a student at Ouran's butler school is my butler? Then what was he doing at yesterday's party?"

"Honestly, I was surprised, too, when I saw him at last night's party," Kyoya said. "To think that the number one butler of our generation was attending the Ootori group's party last night. I heard that he had rejected all the offers that those other aristocrats had offered him."

"It'd be boring if I were to serve a Master or Mistress that wasn't to my liking," Keith said.

"You should be glad that such a man is willing to be your butler," Kyoya smiled. "He personally came up to me and did a dogeza."

"Dogeza?!" she yelled, shocked.

"I just really wanted to become Haruhi-sama's butler," Keith smiled innocently, and for a second, Haruhi could see a tail wagging behind him. "I hope you take care of me from now on, Haruhi-sama," he said, holding both of her hands in his.

Haruhi backed up with a rather irksome look and looked at Kyoya. "But there's really no need to have one, Kyoya-senpai" Haruhi continued to object.

Kyoya leaned into her and put a finger on her lips and smirked. "Are you going to object to my decision?"

"That's exactly what I'm doing," Haruhi pouted, unmoved by his charm.

"Well, you're going to have to deal with it," he said, taking a step back. "Besides, having someone to protect you while I'm not there will put me at ease."

"Why?" she questioned, not understanding.

He looked away from her, a dark expression crossing his face for a split second. "Because there are people that target the nobility."

Serena, Nasha, Keith, and the other servants tensed up at his words. They knew what was worrying the young master and agreed that there should be a capable butler to protect Haruhi at all times, even if it seemed peaceful now. One can never be sure about when sneak attacks will happen.

Haruhi tilted her head. "Did you say something?"

"No, nothing," Kyoya smiled at her. "We have to get that cheek of yours checked up now. It's starting to gain an ugly color and it'll start ruining your face even more."

"Well I'm sorry that I have a rather undesirable face," Haruhi narrowed her eyes at him, though she had to agree that she did have a plain face.

Kyoya sighed. "You really are the type to misunderstand."

"And you're the type to word your words in the most horrible way," Haruhi said, walking ahead.

He let out a slight chuckle. "You really are interesting."

She glanced at him before turning her head away. "You really are weird, 'Shadow King'."

"Thank you," he said, leading her to the living room where the doctor was waiting.

Serena, Nasha, and Keith smiled to themselves at the loving couple. Just by serving those two, they felt as if they were the luckiest maids and butler in the world. Keith's loyalty was dedicated more towards Haruhi while Serena and Nasha were more of both. However, if they had to choose, they would go with Haruhi. After all, she was the one that actually paid attention to them and thanked them. Tending to her was always enjoyable for them.

"This must be Fujioka Haruhi-sama," the doctor smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

He was somewhat old, for his hair had turned white, but even so, he still had a youthful look to him. If she had to guess, he would most likely be in his late forties or early fifties.

"Likewise," Haruhi smiled and shook his hand. "Thank you for coming all the way here to treat me."

"It's nothing. As the family doctor for the Ootori family, this much is nothing," he laughed. "Now, now, let's have you seated."

Haruhi nodded her head and sat down. Kyoya stood to her side as Serena, Nasha, and Keith stood to the side of the room, patiently waiting to be called for if something was needed. The doctor carefully removed the bandage that had been placed on her cheek and furrowed his eyes at it. It was a pretty nasty bruise if he had to be honest.

"You were hit pretty hard, weren't you, Haruhi-sama?" the doctor said, setting the bandage down.

"I guess," Haruhi chuckled nervously.

"She was hit hard all right," Kyoya said, his voice deep and dark. "Even now I feel like hitting that person hard in the face."

"I completely agree," Keith smiled, letting out a murderous aura.

The room was filled with a bloody aura and everyone tensed up at it.

"You two, stop it!" Haruhi yelled. "Don't go killing Hikaru over something little like this. I'm perfectly fine."

"I wouldn't exactly say that," the doctor disagreed.

"Huh?" Haruhi and Kyoya turned to him with the latter having a stern and grim expression.

"I would say that you're pretty lucky that your jaw wasn't dislocated," the doctor examined the bruise. "If it had been a little bit more, you definitely would've got your jaw dislocated."

The murderous aura started brewing again.

"B-But if you just apply the ointment daily, it'll get better soon!" the doctor smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"How long will it take?" Haruhi asked.

"Around two weeks at most," the doctor said, cleaning the bruise and applying ice to it.

Haruhi flinched in pain as he started attending to her pain but otherwise nodded her head. Kyoya furrowed his eyebrows at the length of time it'll start to heal. His father wouldn't be happy if he reported that to him.

"Can it heal faster?" Kyoya asked.

"Huh?" the doctor looked at him.

"It'd be a problem if she had a bruise on her face when we go back to school next week. Is there any way to let a heal faster?" he asked again.

"That would be a little..." the doctor began saying.

"Kyoya-senpai, it's impossible to speed up natural recovery," Haruhi said. "Besides, it doesn't really matter whether or not I go to school with a bruise or not."

"Oh? So you don't care about tarnishing the Ootori family name?" Kyoya looked at her.

She gulped.

"If you go back to school with a bruised face, people are going to think that our Ootori group is a family where we abuse our in-laws."

I think they know well enough that you guys abuse people as chess pieces, Haruhi commented on the side.

"So, is there a way to speed it up?"

"You can try soaking in a hot bath daily," the doctor reminded. "If you apply heat to it, it'll increase blood circulation and clear away the trapped blood in the bruise. You can try that along with the Vitamin C cream I've provided."

"Then we'll do just that," Kyoya said. "You two know what to do, right?"

"Yes, Kyoya-sama," Serena and Nasha nodded their heads.

"Thank you, doctor," Haruhi said, standing up and bowing.

The doctor panicked and told her to rise, not daring to accept a bow from her. "Please don't, Haruhi-sama. As a doctor, this is just my job. Make sure to apply heat to it and the cream every day."

"Yes," Haruhi smiled.

"Thank you for taking your time to come here," Kyoya said as he began to show the doctor out.

"Haruhi-sama, does it still hurt?" Keith came up to her.

Haruhi shook her head and smiled. "It doesn't hurt. But thank you for worrying."

Keith smiled, glad that at least she could smile more. Compared to last night where she couldn't even move her cheek muscle, she seemed so much better today. Though, he was sure that the pain must still be lingering.

"Haruhi, come here," Kyoya said, back in the living room.

"That was fast," Haruhi said, walking over to him. "You showed him out pretty quickly."

"Who said that I was the one showing him out?" Kyoya said, giving her a quizzical look.

"Huh?" Haruhi looked at him with the same quizzical look. "You're supposed to personally show the doctor the way out!"

"Why should I?" Kyoya asked.

"What do you mean by 'why should I'?!" Haruhi said, copying his tone of voice. "Because you're supposed to! It's proper manners."

Serena and Nasha snickered to themselves in the corner while Keith stood there with a smile, calm and composed as always, as he watched Haruhi reprimand and lecture Kyoya about manners. Kyoya sighed and sat there idly, her words going into one ear and coming out the other.

"Anyway, Haruhi," he said, pulling her face in with his hand. "I'll be applying that cream on you for tonight."

"Eh? No need," Haruhi whined.

A tick mark grew on his face as he cupped her lips between his index and middle finger. "Did I just hear a whining sound from this mouth?"

"No. You didn't hear anything," Haruhi replied.

"Good," he smiled.

"But honestly speaking, I can apply it myself."

"What if you accidentally apply too much pressure?" Kyoya looked sternly at her. "It's better to have another person apply it for the first time. Besides, I bet you never applied such things to your face before."

Haruhi looked away. It was true.

"Moreover, Serena and Nasha have their own tasks to complete and as for Keith..." Kyoya glanced over to Keith who was smiling and sparkling all over. "Well, his duty is to just protect you."

Haruhi looked at him with doubt as he mentioned Keith. When it came to things like this, Keith was also someone who could apply the ointment on her face but she didn't know why Kyoya was insistent on letting himself do it. She gave up on thinking too much about it and let him have his way.

"Fine," she sighed.

"Well then, good-night, Haruhi-sama," Keith bowed.

"Wait, Keith," Haruhi tugged on his sleeve.

He turned around with a rather surprised face. "Yes, Haruhi-sama?"

"You don't have to listen to everything Kyoya-senpai says," Haruhi smiled at him. "Although I'm still unsure of having a bodyguard, as long as you intend to be my bodyguard, then my first and last order for you is to not listen to what Kyoya-senpai says."

"Understood," he smiled.

Haruhi smiled, glad that he was a person who she could place her trust into after seeing how quickly he responded. "Then from now on, please take care of me, Keith!" she beamed. "Not as a master but as a friend."

He widened his eyes in surprise. "Friend?"

"I mean, I don't really like this whole master and butler relationship. So I'd rather be friends with you. That is if you would like to," Haruhi said frantically, not trying to seem like she was forcing a relationship unto him.

He smiled at seeing her panicked expression and reached out to take her hand, kissing it. "I'd be honored to be your friend, Haruhi-sama."

Now it was Haruhi's turn to be surprised but she soon smiled softly at him. "Thank you, Keith."

"But, my duty to protect you is still there," he reassured her. "That duty of mine will never cease to exist. In this life, my only mistress will be you and you only, Fujioka Haruhi-sama."

"If you say so," she laughed.

Her laugh was like the sound of bells to his ears and he smiled warmly at her before excusing himself for the night. He never expected for himself to serve a master and thought that he would never serve one. He hated the nobility and their selfishness and greediness. However, Haruhi was different. Maybe it was because she used to be a commoner but even so, he liked her. She treated the maids and servants in the mansion with respect and always thanked them. She never asked them for things that she could do herself; though the maids and servants always seemed willing to tend to her. He chuckled to himself.

I was right to choose to serve her, he thought.

"This is going to be enjoyable," he said out loud, walking back to his own room.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! It hurts" Haruhi yelled, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. "Can't you put it on lighter, Kyoya-senpai?"

"Did I put it on too hard?" he immediately retracted his hand.

Haruhi nodded her head and faced away from him. Kyoya didn't think that putting on cream would be this hard when it came to a girl. Normally, when he applied a cream on his injuries, he would just apply it like it was no big deal since he wasn't that sensitive to pain. But when it came to a girl, he guessed that it was different.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I'll try not to be too forceful."

Haruhi looked at him in doubt but stuck out her cheek to him once more, trusting him. "You should learn a little bit from Mori-senpai."

At the mention of the senior, a wicked smile crept onto Kyoya's face.

"Oh? You want me to be gentle?" Kyoya smiled softly at her, leaning in towards her face.

Haruhi paled. "On second thought, nevermind."

"Then don't compare me to someone else," Kyoya sighed, continuing to apply the ointment.

Haruhi nodded her head. A gentle Kyoya who always showed his worry was something she could never get used to. It was true that he showed his tender side to her sometimes but having him do it all the time just wasn't possible. She would think that he got off the wrong side of the bed or ate something weird if he was always so kind.

"Next week, we're going back to school," Kyoya said, tightening up the cream box.

Haruhi stared down at her feet and curled into a ball, making sure that her left cheek was untouched while she did it.

"Yeah," she mumbled. "School...huh?"

Normally, she wouldn't mind going back to school. In fact, she actually enjoyed it because only at school was she able to progress in her studies in class and though she wasn't likely to admit it, she enjoyed hanging out with everyone at the Host Club. Now, she had to decide whether she would stay at Ouran or be homeschooled. She wanted to choose her first choice but somewhere in her heart, she knew that there was a chance that she couldn't.

"Being a lady of one of the top conglomerates is hard, isn't it?" Haruhi looked up at the canopy.

"Fuyumi-neesama also had it hard, too, from what I've heard," Kyoya said, handing the cream box to her. "People wanted to become her friend just because she was from the Ootori Group and it pained her."

"It's hard to imagine that," Haruhi muttered. "She's always smiling."

"Well that's because of the two most important people to her," Kyoya said.

Haruhi looked at him, asking him for more information.

"The person who truly wanted to become Fuyumi's friend and the person who is now her husband," Kyoya smiled at her. "Those three all met at Ouran and have been together ever since."

"But I thought that it was an arranged marriage."

"You're right. It was an arranged marriage," Kyoya answered. "But even so, the two were already in love at that time so it didn't really matter to them."

Haruhi looked back down and thought about that story. A soft smile crept onto her face. "Fuyumi-san must be really happy."

"That goes without saying."

She laughed. "That's true."

"Now then, it's about time for us to go to sleep," Kyoya said. "You're free to do whatever you want this week. Whether it be staying inside the mansion or going out."

Haruhi nodded her head. "Well then, good night."

"Night," Kyoya curtly replied.

As Haruhi made her way to the door, she suddenly remembered what Fuyumi had whispered into her ear the night before at the party. She decided to test it out if it really worked or not and made her way to Kyoya. He looked at her, wondering what she needed.

"T-Thank you for helping me, Kyoya," she kissed him on the cheek. "Have a good night!"

She sped away at the speed of light and went back to her own room, locking the door. Kyoya was dumb-founded and at a loss of words. He sat there on his bed as his book fell off his hands and onto the mattress. His face was downcast and he lifted a hand to his face, covering it. He looked up, a steady but sure blush of red rising on his face.

"That girl," he muttered under his breath.

He knew that Fuyumi must've given her some weird ideas and made a mental note to himself to talk to her about it. But deep down, he was secretly happy. That was the first time that she called his name without honorifics involved. He collapsed onto his bed face-down, muttering to himself how insanely dense and naive she could be.

Whereas Haruhi, on the other hand, was also blushing a beet red, thinking that Kyoya must've taken her as an idiot when she did that. However, the thought of calling him just "Kyoya" wasn't easily erased from her mind and she, too, collapsed on her bed.

"Why did I listen to Fuyumi-san?" she groaned, covering her face with two hands in utter embarrassment.