The entire matter spins through your mind, dragging question after question from your curious thoughts. From his behavior during the event, however, you wonder how unlikely Kyouya is to answer any of these-- something that only drags your mind deeper into the whirlpool of questions.

Why do these two dislike each other so much? If they aren't blood related, why would Kouta call someone he obviously despises, "Niisan?"

"Young Mistress," Kyouya prompts, dragging your attention back to him.

"Hm?"

"Why are you here?" he questions, gaze studious. "Is it to visit the gardens? If so, I will accompany you."

The unspoken meaning behind the offer isn't lost on you. Kyouya is unwilling to leave you alone in Kouta's territory. You find yourself grateful for that fact. Kyouya may be cold... but would appear he has the heart of a gentleman. At the amusement you show following his offer, Kyouya frowns.

"Thank-you, Kyouya-san," you say. "But, aren't you cold like that? I wouldn't want to keep you."

Seeming to only remember his state at that moment, Kyouya glances down at his clothing. You stifle a giggle at the rather flustered expression that slips through the careful hold on his emotions he usually has around you.

"Yes, well... it is no trouble. If you're willing to wait outside my chambers for a few moments, Young Mistress, it is a matter easily fixed," he says, shoving his soaked bangs away from his faintly pink cheeks.

"No need," you reply. "I didn't come here for the garden, anyways. I came looking for you."

He cocks his head. "Me, Young Mistress?"

You stifle another giggle at how confused he seems to be-- something Kyouya seems to catch this time as he almost instantly straightens himself and smooths his expression into the cold one he usually wears.

"Yes..." you begin, only then realizing the cup isn't in your hand any longer.

You retrieve it from the earth, swatting away any dirt clinging to the fine china. Kyouya narrows his eyes as they focus on the teacup-- obviously recognizing exactly where it came from. You find yourself sincerely hoping there aren't any cracks as a result of your dropping it. Whether there is or isn't, you offer the teacup for him to take-- which he does.

"I offered to fill Asahi-kun's teacup, but realized I don't know how," you explain as you tuck your hands behind your back.

Kyouya turns the now-empty cup over in his hands, most likely inspecting it for any cracks.

"I will take care of it, Young Mistress," he says, "there is no need for you to concern yourself with such matters."

"Thank-you, Kyouya-san," you reply, doing your best to keep your tone free of the relief flooding through you. Kyouya, of course, is too distracted by his inspection to note your emotion either way.

"If that is all," he murmurs, turning his attention from the cup to you. "Then I'll be taking my leave, Young Mistress."

As he speaks, Kyouya turns on a heel and starts towards the door back into the house. He pauses after only a half-dozen feet, however, and looks back at you. Even if it's not in his expression, you imagine he's hesitating. Most likely for the same reason he offered to escort you through the gardens.

"... if you would like, Young Mistress, you are welcome to join me."

Translation: I don't want you anywhere near my brother without an escort.

At least, that's what you imagine his words to mean. You conceal a smile behind your hand and just offer him a nod. Seemingly relieved, Kyouya relaxes somewhat and turns to continue his way back into the building. Rather than part from his side as you return you trail behind Kyouya as he stops by his room to change, then as he enters the kitchens and begins pulling this and that from the cabinets in order to prepare Asahi's tea and tray.

As Kyouya works, your eyes catch sight of the creamer that he'd used when you first met.

"Will you be using this, Kyouya-san?"

You move to pick it up-- intending to place it on the tray-- and Kyouya catches your wrist just as the tips of your fingers brush the handle. You go tense, surprise flickering through you, but Kyouya says nothing at first. He simply releases your hand and recovers the creamer from the counter. It must be empty of cream, as he conceals it away in the cabinet.

"No. Master Asahi prefers what he consumes to be pure. We have a wide variety of foreign and local teas as a result. Depending on the day he will request different mixtures of them."

"I... see..."

You really don't. Whether or not Asahi likes cream in his tea, you can't see why Kyouya had such a harsh reaction to you reaching for an empty container. Perhaps he's still in a horrid mood as a result of the encounter that you witnessed. As you consider this, a mixture of curiosity and hesitancy battles it out in your mind.

The old you probably knew the answer to this question... so would it be so strange for you to request the answer to it now that you'd lost your memory?

Locking onto this flimsy excuse, you focus your gaze on Kyouya's back. He's retreated across the kitchen, standing about two feet away from where you are leaning against the counter. Between you is an island table, but that's about it.

"Kyouya-san?" you call, knowing you've caught his attention when his hands pause for a split second before continuing. "Before... are you and Kouta-san not blood related?"

Kyouya visibly tenses, but he doesn't turn around to scold you over your subject choice. Rather, you can catch sight of him working his jaw, as if he's trying to figure out what to say.

"No. We are not," he answers after several silent moments pass.

"But you're brothers," you continue.

"... yes."

You rack your mind for a possible reason, grasping onto the first that comes to you. "Did your parents remarry?"

After all, it wasn't uncommon for a widow to remarry in this day and age. Kyouya, however, shakes his head in response to this question. This leaves you rather stumped. You sink into silence, pondering what other options there are. Meanwhile, Kyouya grasp a whistling teapot and begins pouring boiling water over the mixture of tea leaves he's created.

"I'm adopted."

The announcement startles you from your thoughts. Your eyes go wide and you find yourself uncertain of how to respond. Kyouya's words were matter-of-fact, as if you were discussing a simple subject, yet his entire frame is tense to the point of erasing any thought form your mind that this is something easy for him to discuss.

"O-oh..." you murmur. "I s-see..."

"The Sasaki family has served the Matsumoto family for generations," he explains, tone never changing. "Upon Master Asahi's birth they became concerned that despite my adoptive parents being older than the late master and mistress they had yet to have a child. It is custom to raise the heirs of our two families together and as time passed there was the very real concern that perhaps they were unable to have a child, or that when they did eventually have one there would be a large age-gap between the child and Master Asahi."

Kyouya pauses, but you can easily guess where he's going with this.

"So, they looked elsewhere." He doesn't respond, but you can sense the truth in his silence. "Your parents...?"

"Gone," he answers shortly. "I hold no memories of them. The Sasaki family found me in an orphanage. I've never felt the need to see investigate beyond that."

"I see..." you say, then decide to switch subjects. "What of Kouta-san, then?"

"He was born the same year I came into the household," Kyouya explains, tone stiff. "As we grew, it became obvious that the young master prefered I to Kouta, so it was decided to leave me in the position that they'd originally planned to bestow upon me. Kouta was allowed to do as he wished." Kyouya pauses, then continues with a rather annoyed edge to his voice. "He is quite spoiled."

You never would have guessed Kouta was spoiled.

Sarcasm aside, the hostility between the brothers... that didn't seem to stem from Kouta being spoiled. That seemed deeper. You hesitate, uncertain of whether or not Kyouya would allow you to continue.

No, you realize, he would allow it whether he wished to discuss the matter or not. He struck you as the sort that would satisfy your curiosity over his own discomfort. Perhaps it would be better to ask, then. In the long run it would cut back on any potential misconceptions you might develop.

Better to clear it up while the subject was in the air.

So, your eyes locked on where Kyouya seems to be getting ready to carry the tea to Asahi's room, you draw upon non-existent courage and leap head first.

"Why do you seem to hate each other?"

Kyouya nearly drops the tea tray in surprise. "I'm sorry?"

"Why do you seem to hate each other?" you repeat.

He very carefully settles the tray back on the counter. Then, Kyouya turns to face you. He settles his hands, palm down, atop the counter as his back braces against it. His eyes study you as if to uncover some hidden motivation behind your question. After a moment, he seems to be satisfied with whatever expression you're wearing, as he lets out a small sigh and adjusts his glasses.

"Your curiosity appears to be endless, Young Mistress" he mutters, then raises his voice. "Kouta disapproves of my attitude."

Whatever you'd been expecting, it certainly wasn't that.

"He... what?"

"Kouta is a free spirit; I obey the rules. I attempt to rein him in and he refutes that he won't become a 'puppet' for some birthright," this said, Kyouya turns back to retrieve the tray, "if you'll excuse me."

You don't argue, just watch as he starts towards the doorway. He pauses just inside it, however, and glances over his shoulder at you. His expression holds no hint of what is going through his mind.

"It is inevitable, Young Mistress, that a bird in the sky will look down upon a caged bird with clipped wings." 

A/N: There you go! A few of the house mysteries are revealed~ What do you think? Which of the Sasaki brothers is your favorite? Anyone you're beginning to ship? 

See you in the next chapter!