Author's Note: 'This note contains spoilers for the story, but it is important'. This story is part of the 'Strawberry Shampoo' series. In fact, it is the first story in the series that I wrote. Even if time-wise, Blossoming Beloved comes first. - I wrote this story a very long time ago, I was 13 and was not experience in writing, at all. This story contains scenes where the characters are saying numbers in their words, and rape, and minor bad-language and horrible grammar errors. Things were writing in this story that shouldn't have been, and writing about some of this stuff that is in it, is not okay. I am not proud of Strawberry Shampoo at all, and I don't recommend reading this. However, some things in this story are important to the whole series, so if you are okay with reading garbage like this, you can, but I suggest just skipping this story, and reading 'Luminescent' (the sequel) instead, as that story is slightly better, or, you can skip them both entirely and read 'Velvetist' (The last story in the series). Either way, thank you for reading, and in advance, I apologize for whatever you find offensive in this story. To me, the whole thing is offensive.

~ Kc495

Christmas

Haruhi sighed sadly as she closed her cellphone with her finger and flopped it on the bed next to her.

She and Hikaru had ben married for almost three weeks, and had just got settled into their new home Hikaru had bought them and were getting use to married life, they had just got home from their honeymoon to. Until two days later Hikaru had got a call from his company wanting him to go over seas all the way to France for an emergency, just for a week.

Though that week turned into a few weeks, and that turned into two months. It was their third month anniversary in two days. She hadn't even got as little as a text from him in the last three days. He even took Kaoru with him.

And Christmas was tomorrow.

The last phone call she got from him, he said he'd be back before Christmas eve, he even promised. Of course it was too late for that.

Her friends even took time out of their own schedule to stop by at her and Hikaru's house to decorate and put up a tree. Even sent her a decorated box, full of expensive ootoro. Sure they were obnoxious, but they could be incredibly sweet when they wanted to be. She did after all marry a Hitachiin didn't she?

She sighed again as she rolled off her bed and walked out of the room and down the stairs. Being in their bedroom alone was starting to depress her a little more everyday. And other than her, the house was empty. Since because Hikaru had bough them a middle class size house they only needed three maids. One to cook dinner (although she only came over when she felt to sick to cook and Hikaru couldn't even start the hot water without turning off all the lights in the bathroom) a maid who only was there to look after everything when they were out.

A gardener, who came once in a while to water what ever flowers they had in the backyard. And she sent them all home for the holidays. So yes, she was literally all alone in their five bedroom house. And with their anniversary in two days she guessed it would probably be a miracle he'd make that. Or miss it, it was nothing important, he had missed their first and second one anyway. But that wasn't his fault, he probably wanted to be home with her just as much as she did.

Once she had gotten all the way down the stairs, she subconsciously walked into the living room where it was fully and personally, decorated by her four friends. Wreaths hanging from ever corner, a string of lighted of leaves ran all the way down the rail on the stairs. And the most beautiful yet unnecessary centerpiece she had ever seen for a table.

But her favorite was the tree. it had everyone's favorite colors of lights and ornaments. white, purple, dark blue, pink, red, orange, and aqua blue. And had real flowers of all those colors. she smiled as she walked past it all and into the kitchen where it smelled like cinnamon, as the apple pie she made was in the oven cooking. That, and god only knows how many cinnamon scented candles her friends put in her small isolated house.

It was nine o-clock at night, but she was down stairs making pie, coffee and anything she had stuff for. Cooking always helped get her mind off things. But unfortunately, it wasn't this time. It was actually only making it worse. Wishing Hikaru was down stairs with her saying something stupid, or commenting on how good her chocolate cream pie was with whipped cream. But no, he was somewhere over six thousand miles away.

Sitting somewhere in one of their large expensive hotels alone with Kaoru. Who knows they could even be laying In the same bed together getting over some massive hangover after drinking some fancy french wine. Or could be sitting at a table feeling just as lonely as her even with Kaoru. Or not, its like she said. She hadn't heard from him in the last three days.

Haruhi thought sadly as she sat down on one of the chairs at the table, occasionally looking over to the stove and at the timer. Then at her phone. And back over to the stove. She looked all around the cozy kitchen before her eyes started to water from looking at the lighted up chandler for so long. And finally started to feel tired, she folded up her arms on the table and laid her head down to rest her eyes for just a moment, before she had to get the pie out. Just for a bit.

"Hey Haruhi come here I wanna show you something!"

"What is it Hikaru?"

"Just come on!"

"Ugh I'm coming."

"Well come faster!"

"What is your problem, why are you so hyper?"

"Nothing just get you butt over here!"

"I'm right here, calm down"

"Look I finally finished the...Thingy."

"The tree?"

"Yeah...The tree."

"Okay then light it up."

"Hehe, there's a song about that"

"Oh my gosh Hikaru."

"Okay, okay."

Then he lit it up

Lights of all different colors. but only there favorites. white, purple, dark blue, pink, red, orange and aqua blue.

"Wow that a lot of lights."

"You like it?"

"Yeah it's really pretty Hikaru."

He smiled and keeled down.

"Hey Haruhi...What do you want for Christmas?"

"Uh...Nothing."

"It's always the same answer with you."

"Well then what about you?"

"Yeah know...I do think I want something."

"Oh really and what is that?"

Then she turned around

And he smiled.

"You... Haruhi will you marry me?"

A single tear rolled down her face as she laid down in her arms on the table. And instead of resting her eyes, she fell asleep. Her eyes popped open once she smelt something burning. And that's when she realized the whole kitchen was full of smoke. And it kinda reminded her of the time Hikaru had accidentally put a candle to close to the Christmas tree and set it on fire three years ago.

"Oh my god!" Haruhi nearly flew out of her seat and rushed over to were the timer had gone off six times. She looked over to the stove where the smoke was coming from and quickly ran over to it and opened the lid.

She covered her mouth with the collar of her flannel shirt as more dark gray smoke-filled the area around her. She didn't really feel bad about it though, she did make five other pies earlier that were in the fridge. But she quickly grabbed the closets pair of oven mitts and reached in to the oven and grabbed the pie-pan out and tossed it into the large stainless steel sink and turned the water on. Although it didn't do much good other than make a bigger fire.

She quickly ran over to the back door the led out to the back yard and opened it. Then went back to they sink and carefully picked up the burning metal pie pan and threw it before it could get out of hand she grabbed the fire extinguisher and blew out the small fire then shut the door. Leaving the burnt foam covered pie outside to be then covered in snow.

She sighed heavily coughing on the remaining smoke that was still in the air even after she opened the window, which also filled the warm house as the cold snowy atmosphere blew inside. Then as if on cue her phone started to ring. And she grabbed it with high hopes and leaned over the table she flipped it open and coughed before answering. But didn't even bother to look at the callers I.D. "Hello?" She said weakly.

"Omigod Haruhi you're choking are you okay you're not sick are you!?" Tamaki's panicked voice yelled on the other side of the coughed again holding the phone away from her mouth using her hand to fan away a cloud of smoke that was in her face.

"Yeah I'm fine Tamaki...I just nearly set the house on fire." She managed between coughs.

"You what?! Are you alright? you didn't burn yourself did you? is it still on fire?!"

"No calm down, I just left something in the oven..."

"Oh." he gave a dramatic sigh of relief after she that. "Wait... Why are you cooking this late at night?"

Haruhi hesitated a moment before answering quietly walking out of the smoke-filled kitchen. "I...I don't know."

"Haruhi are you really okay?" He asked after a long pause.

"Yeah Tamaki I had a fire extinguisher."

"No not that haruhi...You make things when your upset, is this about Hikaru?"

"I don't know... Maybe." She said even though she knew that, that was obviously the reason.

"If it'll make you feel better I could tell my father to go punch him in the face, he's over there visiting my mother, and you know he would."

Haruhi sighed and almost laughed at the thought. "Thanks for the offer Tamaki but I'll pass, you know Hikaru would be here if he could."

"Well yeah I guess, but he should have tried harder, as he at least called you yet?" Tamaki sighed, feeling really sorry for Haruhi that she has to spend Christmas alone away from her husband.

"No not yet, but I bet he'll probably call tomorrow." Haruhi held the phone away as she covered he mouth as she yawned. A fire wasn't her favorite wakeup call from a nap.

"What kind of husband is he! not even talking to his wife. I otta give that guy a piece of my mind."

"Calm down Tamaki im sure he's just ben to busy, and besides there's a huge time difference between here and France."

"He can't be that busy not to even say hi! and that's a terrible excuse!"

"It's fine you don't have to worry about-"

"Why don't you just call him Haruhi?" He asked cutting her off.

"I don't want to bother him." she said laying and getting comfortable on the couch, dropping her hand comfortable on her stomach comfortably.

"Alright then Haruhi." Tamaki sighed sadly. "I'll call you tomorrow, and if I find out that he didn't talk to you, you can't stop me from going straight to France and hurting him so bad he'll have a good reason not being able to speak!"

Haruhi laughed. "okay do what you want, night Tamaki."

"Night Haruhi, and no more baking tonight!" Tamaki warned, smiling that he got her to laugh.

"Fine, there's no more room in the fridge for anything else anyway." She pouted. Then slowly shut the phone just to make sure he wasn't going to say anything else. And he didn't.

Haruhi yawned one more time before curling up on the couch and eventually fell asleep as a Christmas song played on her little radio.

"Hey Haruhi let's get married two weeks from now instead." He smiled sweetly.

"I thought you said you wanted to be engaged for a whole year and get married on Christmas?"

"Yeah but that's three months away, its to long, besides September twenty-six sounds cool on invitations."

She shakes her head but smiles back. "Fine with me Hikaru."

"And you know what else sounds super-duper cooler than that?"

"What?"

"Haruhi Hitachiin," he grins. "Sounds sexy don't it?"

"There's something wrong with you."

He laughed while he interweave theirs fingers. With his head down on her lap, as they sat on the floor.

FLASH

"Haruhi Fujioka, do you take this man, Hikaru Hitachiin as your lawfully wedded husband and stay with him through in sickness or in health?" The preacher of the church asked the couple, who were holding hands in front of each other.

"... I do." she says awkwardly as she almost forgot what she was supposed to say.

"Hikaru Hitachiin, do you take this woman, Haruhi Fujioka as your lawfully wedded wife, richer or for poorer?"

"I do," he smiled back, even brighter than the light that was above their heads. "Ha, as if we'd be poor." he mumbled quietly, and almost laughed when she squeezed his hand tighter and gave him a look telling him to shut up.

"Who ever disagrees to the marriage of these two people speak now! or for ever hold their peace.

No one spoke.

"very well. then you shall kiss the bride." the preacher told him.

He pulled her face up closer to his by her cheeks and clumsily smashed his lips to hers, in a long passionate kiss.

and every one cheered.

Knock-knock-knock

Haruhi's eyes twitched when the morning sun beamed down on her face threw the window shades. As someone banged loud and furiously on the front door. her eyes shot open and blinked a few times before she heard three more knocks. she stumbled once she stood up so fast from just waking up.

Haruhi could have sworn her heart skipped a beat as she made her way to the door. A little part of her really thought it was him, and the rest of her just hoped it was, and maybe... Just maybe it was him.

She rushed to the door smiling feeling worm inside, even though the house was freezing, since she forgot to close the window after last night. Not even caring what time it was or that she was in the same clothes that she wore yesterday. She smiled brightly as she unlocked the door and opened it. The bright light from the snow, blinded her as she looked out. But...

"Merry Christmas Haru-chan!"

It wasn't him

She felt her heart sink to a new level but managed not to lose her smile. Even though deep down she wanted to cry.

"Merry Christmas Haruhi...!" Tamaki said happily walking threw the door and pulled her into an embrace. Small flacks of snow flew off his coat and landed on the floor. which shortly melted into it not even seconds later.

"Yes morning Haruhi." Kyouya said politely walking in as well and already started pulling his jacket off as if he lived there and it was his own house. Haruhi didn't mind though it was like that every time they'd come over and visit her.

"Yeah." Mori said, he walked in following Hunny just as Tamaki let go of her. Mori patted her head just as he walked past her.

"What are you guys doing here I thought you were spending Christmas with your families?" Haruhi asked once they all got settled In the large cozy living room.

"Yeah that's why were here!" Hunny smiled.

"Yes Haruhi were all one big happy family!" Tamaki beamed. "are we not?"

"You didn't have to come here on my account guys." she sighed, but she was glad they did, cause if they didn't come to the door, no one would have.

"Silly we couldn't just let you spend Christmas alone." Tamaki gasped "And besides, can't let all that pie you made go to waste."

They all nodded.

"I did make a lot didn't I?" She sighed although, she was wondering how on earth they knew the things she was making was pie.

"Yay I like Haru-chans pies!" Hunny ran away into the kitchen. with Mori nodding and following after him. Cause who else was going to help him use the knife?

"So... has Hikaru called yet?" Kyouya asked sitting down and getting comfortable in a chair that was next to the couch that Haruhi had currently slept in as of only a few minutes ago.

"uh...No not yet, but I did just wake up," Haruhi said as she sat down.

"Oh my gosh Takashi it's cold in here!" they heard Hunny say in surprise from the other room.

"Yeah I guess I did forget to shut the window after last night." She sighed shamelessly. Then she got back up and headed towards the kitchen to shut the window.

Kyouya raised his eyebrow at her and Tamaki frowned. "Ugh! Hikaru better have a real good excuse for not calling you for the last three days." Tamaki sighed in annoyance. crossing his legs as he sat down on the couch.

"How about... They wouldn't let me use my phone on the plane?"

"Seems like a reasonable excuse to me."

...

everyone's mouth dropped as their copper haired friends stood in the door way of the living room, suitcases just throw carelessly at the front door (which they also forgot to close) and both had a hair clip holding small parts of their hair out of their faces.

Kaoru walked in smiling at how ridiculous his friends faces were at the moment. Well except for Kyouya of course, they had kept coming home a surprise. But knowing him, he probably knew about it from the beginning. And with Hikaru walking in right behind him. Smiling even brighter, thinking "Oh my gosh freaking finally!" He didn't like the idea of staying away at France for three whole months. It's not like he planed on it ether. Especially keeping him away from his new and utterly adorable little wife.

Speaking of his wife.

Haruhi cocked her head confusedly at everyone in front of her had their mouths hanging wide open. Just as Hunny and Mori walked in through the kitchen door, whose mouths also fell open, yes even Mori's. Then her mouth twitched and soon formed a smile as two voices came up from behind her. She quickly whipped her head around , and suddenly her eyes lit up and her smile grew even wider.

"H-...Hikaru?"

Kaoru winked and stepped out-of-the-way, he knew better than to stand in between the two of them after three long months. He did one time though and it hadn't ended well for ether of them, and he still had scars, mental scars yes but they where scars none the less. He even felt some of his hair swish past his face and barely even had time to do anything else before she ran past him.

Haruhi ran right past Kaoru and over to her husband, his awkward toothy grim beamed down at her, but before he could say anything she jumped into his warm out stretched arms.

He swung her around only once.- carefully so not to break anything-. before pulling her closer and tighter into his chest, his arms around her upper back while she threw her arms around his neck. Getting as close as they could into a long passionate kiss. Both to caught up in the moment to even acknowledge the sweet awe'ing in the background. they had ben away from each other longer than they've ben married, and they were going to make up for it.

"How... How did you guys." Tamaki sputtered turning away from the cute newly reunited couple and looked over at Kaoru. Looking a mixture of happiness and confusion. "How did you guys get here so soon?"

Kaoru sighed happily and crossed his arms over his chest comfortably. Averting his eyes away from his brother and sister-in-law, and raised an eyebrow at his blond and idiotic friend. "What do you mean soon? we've ben on the road for almost three days."

Tamaki nodded his head slowly in understanding. Mouthing an Also feeling slightly guilty for the things he said about Hikaru, who was still standing in through door way holding on to Haruhi in a hug.

"I was starting to think you weren't going to make it back until after new years." Haruhi sighed sadly with her face in Hikaru's chest of his cold jacket. Brushing away a little snow that was still on top of his head.

"What do you take me for? I promised didn't I?" He smiled as he whispered into her ear.

"No, you promised before Christmas eve." She corrected him with joyful tears forming up in her eyes. Also not liking the way he smelt like a French man. But that was to be expected.

"Hika-chan!, Kao-chan!" Hunny said happily jumping away from Mori and jumped over to where the two brothers and Haruhi were. And gave then a big hug. Then Tamaki joined the group, and then Mori came around. and soon all six twenty year olds stood giving the twins a welcome home hug. All except one. Who was sitting on the chair in the corner with the lights reflection hiding his emotionless black eyes.

Kaoru quietly made his way away from his little welcoming group and walked over to where his friend with glasses. Leaning his elbow on the arm of the chair and leaned his face down so close his breath ran down his neck. "Hi Kyouya!" He said suddenly in a weird voice trying to scar him.

"Your annoying little voices don't frighten me, so why must you even try?" Kyouya sighed annoyingly. Inching away from the insane copper haired boy. That's right a boy, no matter how old the Hitachiins get. they'll always just be boys, over grow boys.

Kaoru narrowed his eyebrows. His mouth opened slightly. Looking rather offended that one of his friends just called him annoying. But he quickly brushed it aside.

"So Kyouya... You want to tell me why you aren't surprised to see us after three ...Long...Months?"

"Simple...Because I knew all along you were coming today." He smirked.

"I knew it!" Kaoru thought glaring at Kyouya. how did you know that, we were keeping it a surprise."

"Well... Did you ever think of checking what plane you took to get down here?"

"No...why?"

"That was one of my families privet jets..."

"Oh... I didn't know that"

"That I probably knew you were going to be over there for three months before you did."

"Wait...So you knew we were coming home but you didn't tell Haruhi?" Kaoru said looking over at his brother. Who was now holding Haruhi from behind his arms wrapped around her waist. Talking to Tamaki, and smiling.

"You wanted to keep it a surprise."

"Well I don't know how you knew that but alright then." Karoru shook his and headed back over to where he was before. "Good talking to ya Kyouya." He added.

"Soo...Haruhi what's this I hear about you making a lot of pie?" Hikaru asked placing down his chin on her shoulder.

"Yeah I did."

"Chocolate cream?"

"Yeah?"

"Yesh!...With whipped cream?"

"I guess if you want whipped cream with it."

"Yesh!"

The whole house had quieted down a bit once the guys left, and Kaoru went to go surprise his girlfriend. Hikaru wasn't really sure where he met her, but he wouldn't stop talking about her when they where in France. That was three-month of hearing. "She so cute she like a puppy dog made of kittens." And then the twins would get in an argument on whose woman was cuter. "Yeah well Haruhi looks like a baby tanuki...enough said.", but what ever right?. All Hikaru was worried about now was, would maple syrup taste good on his pie. and to answer his question. It wasn't, apparently it was against law to put two good things and make something edible.

"Hey Haruhi...the tree's decorated almost the same way it was last year."

And what were they doing now? the same thing they did every year. Haruhi was sitting down on the floor next to the tree. And Hikaru's head on her lap. With their unfinished plates of chocolate cream pie on the small coffee table next to them. And as it was already dark outside, the only light in the room was from the lamp in the corner and the small colorful lights that were strung around the tree. It was peaceful.

"What do you mean almost what's different about it?" Haruhi sighed happily leaning back on her hands staring down at her husband, who was looking over the tree and every little detail of it.

"I don't know. But something's not right." He mumbled staring off to space, now not really looking at anything in particular his eyes just slowly shifting, looking over the whole room and how much more he liked it than the stupidly expensive hotel he stayed in longer than his own home.

"Hmm." Haruhi took a deep breath relaxing her shoulders and leaning her head back closing her eyes until.

"Hey, I now what it is." He sighed annoyedly, blowing a piece of his hair out of his face. Referring to the little red bow on the bottom left corner of the tree that closer to Haruhi so he didn't bother trying to reach for it, so instead moved his glance over to it so she would know what he was talking about.

"What you mean this?" Haruhi asked plucking the bow off the tree and stuck it on his forehead. Every present needs a bow right? and that's just what he was, her Christmas present.

Hikaru smiled, right away getting what she meant, then leaned over and dabbed the part of his pie that was not infected with maple syrup, and smeared it on the tip of her nose.

She blinks confusedly now looking down at him. "Well... That was unnecessary."

"Don't like it?" He grinned up at her. "Well then, let me get it off for you." And he leaned up and kissed off the chocolate.

"Thanks I appreciate that." she smiled sarcastically down at him, looking into his eyes.

"Really?" He grins mischievously at her "Then let me do it again..." He grabbed her wrist just as she was about to wipe her nose he leaned up again and kissed her right on the lips.