Kyoya's Secret Kitten

Chapter 25

Yuki POV

"This is it." I thought to myself as I pushed open the door to the formal dining room. Mr. Ootori and Kyoya were already seated as I made my way to the end of the table. I stole a quick glance at Kyoya and caught the slightest ghost of a smile, but I could tell that he was worried. I stood before the pair and bowed deeply, pausing a moment at the lowest point before speaking. "Master Ootori, it is a pleasure to be able to serve you once again. Thank you for the honor and opportunity to act as an interium chef for your household." I waited, still bowed in complete silence for him to respond.

"My how you have grown." I could hear slight distain poorly masked by his tone, but I didn't let it bother me. "I hope your skills have only inproved with your age." I righted myself as he spoke and smiled.

"Of course Sir." His eyes narrowed and he motioned for the butler to step forward.

"How has she been?"

"Exceptional Sir." The butler smiled softly. "She has managed the staff beautifully and dedicates more of her waking hours to the kitchen than the regular chef." As he continued to speak, I could see the frustration on Mr. Ootori's face grow. "Even our oldest and most difficult staff are completely submissive to her leadership. She's gone far and above our expectations for her." He finished with a bow and stepped back into the line of servants behind me. Mr. Ootori was definitly displeased with my excellence, but he didn't dare scold me in front of the other staff without cause.

"Well then, I expect a full menu for the next two weeks on my desk by the end of dinner Ms. Ito." My stomach dropped when I heard him say my name. I could see the shock in Kyoya's eyes and I heard the murmurs behind me, but I held my temper.

"I have already set the menu for the next month and had a copy on your desk before I left for Ouran this morning." I managed to keep my voice in an even tone, but I was sure that Mr. Ootori could see the anger in my eyes.

"I never saw it. Careless attitudes toward this position will not be tollerated Ms. Ito." I could feel my anger boiling as he said my name again, this time with noticable contempt. I took a deep breath before I continued.

"Sir, as your head butler has already attested to, I have nothing but the deepest devotion to this position. I have onl-"

"Spare me your nonsense!" Mr. Ootori bellowed, causing everyone to jump. "You're nothing but a child, and a useless criminals' child at that. You will be gone very shortly, I will see to it." Kyoya began to speak, but I cut him off.

"Sir," I began before noticing that Mr. Ootori was consideraby pale, and almost sickly thin. I couldn't help but smile. "Perhaps we should let my cooking handle this disagreement." I could tell that he hadn't been eating properly. This was going to be easier that I thought.

"That's a fine idea." He smiled as if he had already won. "If I can't stomach your cooking enough to finish even a small plate, then you will leave the premesis immediately. If I can make it through one plate of your horrendous cooking, then, and only then can you stay." Kyoya began to protest but I simply bowed, turned on my heel, and returned to the kitchen. I began plating as the other staff filed in nervously behind me. After a moment I noticed that they were all staring.

"What is it?" I asked as calmly as I could. I already knew the answer.

"Is your name really Ito?" One of the maids asked. I let out a sigh.

"Yes. I am that Yuki Ito. I'm trying to escape my familys' cruelty and so I'm in protective custody. Master Kyoya saw fit not to inform you to protect you and myself. I will only be with you a short while, so you don't need to worry, and I'm nothing like my father as I have demonstarted these past weeks." I let my words flow as the staff began to nod in agreement. "I spent some time training at Kogane no shinju and I am more than capable of impressing Mr. Ootori, but I can't do that without your help." A cheer rose up from the servants and they hurriedly went about their assigned tasks. Within a few minutes the dishes were being wheeled out, and I couldn't help but smile as I followed them into the dining room. When Mr. Ootori saw that he had been served the same sized protion as Kyoya, he looked confused.