A/N: Yes, I am starting ANOTHER new story. This is probably ill-advised... I don't really care. Oh, and the style is way off standard, I'm warning you now.

Title: Ghosts That Never Were

Author: liketolaugh

Rating: T

Pairings: None

Genre: Friendship/Paranormal

Warnings: Possible OOC, confusing circumstances

Summary: There is a world where Haruhi never existed.

Disclaimer: Sadly, OHSHC is not mine.

Tamaki shot his driver a grin. "Thanks, Arakan," he called over his shoulder.

Arakan waved back and pulled away, driving down the road. Tamaki knew he wouldn't be back 'til after school, or when Tamaki called.

It was the first day of the new school year, his second year of high school. He grinned again. It was also the start of the second year that his Ouran High School Host Club had run, a fact that he was very proud of.

He and Kyoya had started the club in their last year of middle school, beginning with Takashi Morinozuka, Mitskuni Haninozuka, and Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin. Those members remained even now, each one having stuck with the club, and he liked to think they enjoyed it, too.

He entered the school's doors and looked around at the sea of uniforms. There wasn't a scholarship student this year, not that that was anything unusual, so everyone was a member of the elite, and thus, everyone had a uniform.

He grinned broadly as he spotted Kyoya and made his way over to the black-haired boy. "Hey, Kyoya!" he greeted, waving.

Kyoya glanced up over his glasses and sighed. "Hello, Tamaki," he returned, almost resignedly.

"Did you have a good summer?" asked Tamaki, unbothered by the less-than-enthusiastic response. Kyoya didn't answer, hoping that the other boy would get distracted and forget all about the question, and for once, his wish was granted.

"H-hi, Tamaki," a girl greeted shyly, brushing brown hair out of her face. "Um… Is the Host Club still going to meet this year?"

Tamaki bowed low to her, taking her hand in his and smiling easily. "Why, yes, my princess, it is. After all, there are still lovely ladies like you to entertain."

She giggled and blushed, looking almost as if she was about to faint. He smiled at her and let go of her hand, letting her stumble back toward her friends, swaying dizzily. He chuckled and turned back to Kyoya.

"I see the summer has not dulled your skills," Kyoya noted drolly, making a note in his notebook.

Tamaki grinned at him. "But of course! The beauty of the summer can only increase my adoration, and therefore, my admiration of the beauty of the ladies at this school, which has no end, competing with even my radiance!"

Kyoya wasn't sure what Tamaki said after that; he'd stopped listening by then.

Finally, Tamaki wound down to a halt just as the warning bell rang, when he blanched and ran toward class. Kyoya – who had made certain to move just enough so that they were standing in front of his own classroom – just walked in.

Lunchtime came and Tamaki sat down with his meal, casting a broad smile at the girls, who swooned, unable to take their eyes off him.

He chuckled quietly and glanced around as he began to eat. Kyoya was beside him, half eating his lunch and half doing something with his laptop, while Mori and Honey were in a corner, Honey smiling to himself as he ate the slice of cake he let himself have at lunchtime. In another corner, Hikaru and Kaoru had taken some time to themselves, playing their game.

Occasionally, a girl would get up enough courage to approach, shy and uncertain, and in return they would receive a few minutes of entertainment before they were – in the most inconspicuous way possible – sent off again, happy as a clam.

Tamaki smiled again and turned back to his meal.

It was a far sight better than things had gone when they first started out, and this way, everyone was at least a little happy. Really, that was all he could ask for.

It was hours later when Tamaki swaggered into the Host Club, grinning.

"Alright, men!" he called out, making the twins look up, almost disinterestedly, from their game, and causing Honey to look up, puzzled, from talking to Mori. "It's time to get ready!"

"Why?" Hikaru grumped, looking back down. "All we have to do is go stand in front of the door."

"There's no theme today, Tama-chan," Honey agreed, kicking his feet a little as he clutched Usu-chan to himself. Mori nodded once in agreement, face neutral.

Tamaki deflated and pushed his forefingers together uncertainly. "Well… I thought that…"

"No, Tamaki," Kyoya said firmly, not looking up from his laptop.

Tamaki flew into the corner.

It wasn't until a quarter of an hour later, when the Host Club opened, that he stood again, meeting the others at the door and taking his place in the middle. He put on a smile as the doors were pushed open and, together with the rest of the Host Club, chorused the welcome.

But, just beside him, he heard another voice, one that didn't belong to any member of the Host Club.

"Welcome, ladies."

And that's all very mysterious, off to an OK start. It's short, but alright, I think. Please review and let me know what you think!

Edit: Fixed timeline error. Thanks to Guest for pointing it out. Argghhh.