You Can Lean on Us
This is something that just came to me as I had writers block on another story I will, hopefully, be putting up. This isn't much, but I thought it cute. Rated M for a characters death...enjoy...
Chapter 1: What's Wrong with Haruhi
It was just a typical morning for the Host Club members. Kyoya was typing away at his computer, gaining new information on whatever came to his mind, or any student that caught his interest. Hunny was munching down on a cake with his faithful cousin, Mori, watching over him. Tamaki was dreaming up new 'romantic situations' with him and Haruhi, even though he knew that she preferred the twins. That then lead to the young woman and her two boyfriends, who were pushing their limits greatly at nagging her on them coming over to her place that afternoon after school.
"How many times do I have to tell you? You two can't come over today!" She growled, tidying up the music room for their after school Host Club session. Although, technically since they had all graduated, she really didn't know why they continued with the Host Club. Then again, Tamaki's father thought that it was something that should remain with the school as long as it could, so even after graduation they had continued visiting the school to keep the club running.
She suddenly gritted her teeth when two pairs of arms wrapped around her, stopping her from moving away.
"But Haruhi! We haven't been over to your place for two days now!" Hikaru whined in her ear, causing her to clench the broom in her hands, tighter.
"Yeah! We're starting to miss you!" Kaoru whimpered, nuzzling his nose into her neck. Giving an annoyed sound, she pushed both of them off of her, and whirled to face them.
"I want some alone time alright! Sheesh, it's like you two can't even go one day without pestering or talking to me. I know I said I'd accept both of you as my boyfriends, since I know we can make it work, but I still want some space." She stated, watching as they blinked and then smiled. She knew automatically that neither of them were going to give up, even with what she had just said.
"We can't help it!" Kaoru chirped, leaning his head against Hikaru's when the twin laughed.
"Nope. You're just too cute." Hikaru added, and she thought quickly when she saw them both tense, knowing that they were about to pounce again. Then it hit her.
"What about a bet!?" She sounded quickly, watching as everyone's gaze fell on her. The twins looking most interested in what she had to say, than the others.
"Well? What is this bet?" They asked in unison. Causing her to sigh mentally in relief and straighten. If she played her cards just right, then this would be a great relief to her, not to mention give her the time she needed for the moment. She couldn't allow any of them to find out what was happening at the moment, because she knew that they would all try to help but end up making matters worse. At least, that's what she thought it would be like.
"I bet that you two wont be able to stay away from me, for one week! Starting today, and ending Sunday at midnight." She stated, watching as they went wide-eyed and looked at each other. Only to look over their shoulders when Tamaki busted out laughing. She saw that it irritated her twins, because they all knew that the others thought that there was no way that they could pull this off.
"Those two! Going a week without going near you! There's no way they can pull that off!" He shouted, laughing the entire time.
"Hey, we could so! We just have to make sure that the outcome is beneficial." Kaoru stated, then looked at Haruhi.
"Yeah. What do you get if you win? Then, what do we get if we win?" Hikaru stated, and once again everyone looked at her. She knew she had to make it sound reasonable, and have a big enough prize for where they would take the bet.
"Well, if you fail to stay away from me the entire week, then whenever I ask for space, you two have to leave me alone until I say otherwise. Give me my personal space. If you win..." She blinked when the twins suddenly shot to their feet and hovered over her.
"If we win, then we can come over to your place..."
"Or drag you to our place..."
"Whenever we want!" They ended in unison, and she swallowed. Would she be able to risk that, but then realized that there was no way they could avoid her for a week. So, she had nothing to worry about. Not to mention, even if she lost, so long as she had this week, everything would be fine.
"Fine. Starting today, you two do not talk to me, or communicate with me in any way. Nor can you hang from me, or intentionally bump me in the hallway. Understood?" She asked, watching as they once again look at each other, before each offering her a hand.
"Deal!" They sounded, squeezing her hands briefly, before releasing her and turning on their heels. She watched in awe as they walked away without looking back, and then gave a sigh as she was finally able to breath.
"I don't give them an hour." The statement caused her to look up at Kyoya, before turning to face him more.
"You think so?" She asked, hoping that it would end quickly so she could get her week alone without feeling too guilty.
"I give them three days." Tamaki stated, and she blinked, surprised that he gave them longer than Kyoya.
"I say at the end of the day." Hunny chirped in, and she smiled at him. Only to blink when Mori shook his head and looked toward the twins.
"I say they'll win the bet." He muttered, making an icy feeling hit her stomach. He thought that they would win? This wasn't starting to look good for her. She blinked when the last bell of the day rang, and quickly gathered her stuff. So what if they won the bet, so long as she had this week it really didn't matter. Sure, her patience would be tested in the future, but all she cared about was right now. She couldn't allow anyone to know what had happened in her life, or that it had become slightly harder. They would try to help, and it just wouldn't do.
"Haruhi! Don't forget to change into your costume! We're doing Amazon Jungle today." Kyoya called, and she waved over her shoulder to show that she understood. Even though she had grown out some, she could still cross dress like a boy with the right padding, which she did since they still help the Host Club. She didn't really care, so long as the girls weren't too bold, which thankfully. they weren't.
Kaoru sighed as he peeked a glance over at Haruhi as she entertained the last of her guests, and then blinked when Hikaru leaned against his shoulder. They both knew something was up with their girlfriend, and it was bothering them that she wasn't telling them about it.
"What do you think it could be?" Hikaru whispered, and he gave a shrug as he glanced back over at her before picking up his drink.
"Haven't a clue. Whatever it is though, it's something big, especially since she came in the other day near tears." He stated, watching as his brother slid away and reclined against the sofa. His costume rustling against the material of the couch and sliding up, baring his long legs.
"You don't think that something happened between her and her father do you? If I recall, she said something about having to hurry home last week. Do you think he's ill or something?" Hikaru asked, Kaoru shrugged and eased down beside his brother.
"I don't know, but I think that she would have told us if it was something like that. Or, at least, I hope she would." He whispered, blinking when his brother gave a huff and folded his arms beneath the back of his head.
"Come on, Kaoru. You know that she wouldn't. She's the kind who tries to deal with everything herself, that way she doesn't feel like a bother to those around her. I'm basically the dunce in this relationship and even I know that much." Hikaru stated, and Kaoru sighed as he peeked over at her once more. His brother was right, even with small things she'd deal with them herself. It was just who she was.
"Still. I don't like seeing her this troubled." He stated, listening as his brother hummed an agreement, and blinked when Hikaru's arm suddenly wrapped around him.
"How about we talk with Ranka tonight? We know where he works now, and we could just ask him." Hikaru stated, and Kaoru looked over his shoulder at him. That was a good plan. Not to mention, it didn't harm the bet at all. She had said to stay away from her, not her father. Giving a smile, he nodded and then rolled over to keep an eye on Haruhi as she finished with her guests. They were going to find out, one way or another, what was wrong with her.
"Alright. Here we are!" Hikaru stated, a large smile on his face as they entered the bar where Ranka worked. They glanced around, ignoring the music, flashing lights, and everything else, as they tried to find the person they were looking for.
"That's weird. I don't see him anywhere!" Kaoru stated, looking over at his brother to see that he was looking as confused as he felt. Ranka always worked the weekdays, and most of the weekends as well. So, where was he?
"Hello! Can I help you two fine young men today?" The voice drew their gaze to the bar beside them, and Kaoru leaned against it so the man could hear him better.
"We're looking for Ranka! Have you seen 'em?" He asked, watching as a troubled look came over the man's face as he stared at both of them. It took him a moment to regain his composure and he bit his bottom lip.
"You mean, you haven't heard yet?" The man asked, and Kaoru gave his brother a worrisome look. He didn't like the sound of that question, and from the look of it, neither had Hikaru.
"Come on behind the bar, it's quieter." The man stated, opening the hatch to allow them in. They followed silently until they reached a lounge that dulled the music.
"So. What's going with Ranka?" Hikaru asked, and Kaoru watched as the man sat heavily before looking up at them.
"This might come to a shock to both of you but..."