Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club or its characters… I just like to use them for my fanfictions to put in torturous, dramatic, and funny situation so that all of you can enjoy yourselves. LOL.
A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here it is! Bitter3 is finally here and you now get to see what happens in the future with the hosts. I hope you enjoy it as much as you have enjoyed the first two! When we last left off, Haruhi and the twins had graduated and our final counts were: Tamaki 149, Hikaru 23, and Kaoru 29 (once again thank you to mtnikolle for keeping our official counts). The counter has been reset and it is time for the 3rd and final installment of the Bitter series. FYI… 101 has been updated with a new chapter and Mori/Haruhi received a New Year's story since Hunny/Haruhi won the Christmas story.
For those new to the Bitter series, there are three main stories in the series (Bitter1, Bitter2, and Bitter3), but there are also two side stories (101 Uses for a Shinai and Twins: Slaves for a Day). The two side stories can be stand alone or read in conjunction with the Bitter trilogy.
Chapter 1 – Prologue
Two years after Haruhi graduated from Ouran High School, she was preparing for another big day… her wedding. For the actual ceremony, she was wearing a white wedding kimono and then she would change into wedding gown for the reception. Both had been designed and made by the twins as one of her wedding gifts from them.
Both outfits were stunning, but Haruhi loved the kimono the best. It was breathtaking. Normally, it would be completely white, but towards the bottom of the long robe, pink sakura blossoms were embroidered into the material giving it both a traditional feel and a bit of color (since the twins did not believe anything should be white alone… at least not without a little bit of pop). She did not wear the white hood that covers her head (and thus covering her horns of jealousy), but Kyoya had given her jeweled encrusted hair accessories for her wedding day that would go well with both her kimono and her gown (and dear reader she had the sneaky suspicion that they were antique thus making her almost afraid to wear them as visions of debt and a broken vase swam through her head). The other jewels she wore for her wonderful day were a pair of earrings her mother left her and a bracelet and necklace from Mori (his gift also came with earrings dear reader, but she wanted to wear her mother's because it made it seem like Kotoko was really there and embracing her daughter). Normally, she would change out of this kimono and into another outfit before she changed again into the gown, but she didn't want to change a million different times over the course of the night, so instead, she opted to change at the beginning of the reception and not change again until it was time to leave.
The gown was less traditional, well at least the skirt of it was. It was white with a sweetheart neckline with jewels lining the top of the bodice. There was some ruching on the bodice and along the ribcage on the right and the hip on the left, were roses made out of diamonds (dear reader this was made by the twins… so of course they are real diamonds). The skirt had a train that dragged the ground, but the front gathered looked ruched and bunched and only came to about mid-thigh and although it had an underskirt, the dress was completely overlaid in chiffon, which the skirt and train were made completely out of, giving it a flowing and heavenly appearance. Although it was a little short and very girly, she loved it and believed Mori would as well.
For the wedding, a large hall at one of the Suoh hotels was acquired and around forty people were in attendance. However, the reception which was held in the grand ballroom of the same hotel had about 300 in attendance. Only friends and family were invited to attend the actual ceremony; while business associates and others were allowed to attend the reception… the Morinozuka were a traditional family after all.
Haruhi and her attendants and father made their way down from the hotel room they were using to the room where the shrine was located. Her attendants went inside to take their seats leaving only family standing outside the room. As soon as she had been close enough to catch a glimpse of her groom, Haruhi's breath had caught. He looked resplendent in his formal black kimono, haori (kimono jacket), and hakama (kimono pants); and she sometimes couldn't believe that this man was hers… had chosen to be with her.
Hearing the clicking of shoes on the marble floor, Mori knew it was a group of people and something told him that it was his bride-to-be. Without wasting another moment he turned around and almost forgot how to breathe. He swore his heart stopped upon seeing Haruhi in her wedding garb. She looked beautiful, like an angel; and he thought about how lucky he was that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him… she was his.
Once only the family remained outside of the room that contained the shrine, they entered together. Their family members took their seats as Mori and Haruhi continued to the front and knelt in front of the shrine. The ceremony wasn't actually that long (in fact dear reader a traditional Shinto ceremony, or Kekkon Shiki since it was being held outside of an actual temple, is actually shorter than most western style weddings). After the priest spoke the ritual prayers, the couple read their vows of commitment, and then they each took three sips of sake before rings were exchanged. In closing the wedding ceremony an offering of the "sacred evergreen branch" was given and then the guests shared a sip of sake with the newly wedded couple, and it was done. They were married.
Leaving the temple room, the bride and groom made their way upstairs with the rest of the hosts (their attendants) and their family. It was time to change and get ready for the reception. Kyoya, Tamaki, and Hunny went with Mori; while the twins went with Haruhi to help her into her gown.
Haruhi was antsy to get back to her groom and she asked the twins multiple times to hurry, which caused laughter to escape both Hikaru and Kaoru. "Now, now Haruhi, do you really want to go out there looking less than perfect?" Hikaru inquired.
"I don't think you do. Imagine the horror if the dress fell off or if you didn't look your best," Kaoru gasped.
Narrowing her eyes, she grumbled, "Like a dress you made would ever fall off. I think you two are exaggerating a little." (Ok dear reader, they were exaggerating a lot. Do you really expect anything less from the Host Club… i.e. the twins?)
They snickered and finished with their toy before proclaiming she was ready to leave the room and promising all of her items would be moved to the honeymoon suite where she and Mori would be staying the night (a gift from Tamaki). Haruhi didn't question how or why, knowing full well that employees would be tasked with the move, she just enjoyed her day and the fact she didn't have to do anything except be happy that she and Mori were joined for life.
Stepping out of the room, Haruhi found her groom leaning against the wall waiting for her. The other hosts were there too, with Kyoya holding Tamaki back from attacking, but her eyes were solely on Mori and the figure he cut in his black tuxedo with black tie.
"We'll just give you two a moment. We will see you downstairs," Kyoya smiled dragging a crying Tamaki after him (now I know what you are thinking dear reader, how has Tamaki not attacked yet? I will tell you… the Shadow King threatened him and warned him to behave and that she wouldn't be able to teach him a lesson if Tamaki tried to attack. However, he warned that everyone else would and he would have seven very pissed off men if he did anything to Haruhi on her special day. The threat was very effective).
This was the first opportunity they have had to be alone since the night before, and other than a small kiss on the back of her hand, Mori had not had the chance to kiss his new bride. Stepping forward, he gathered her in his arms and leaned down to capture her lips in their first kiss as husband and wife. It was full of passion and promise, and neither wanted it to end; however, they had a large ballroom full of guests and they needed to greet them… unfortunately.
If given the choice, Haruhi would have much rather continued with their alone time, but she wasn't given that choice and she knew they had to return downstairs. At least she knew it wouldn't last forever, and she and Mori would be able to leave the others behind soon… well in a few hours.
Walking down to the reception together, Mori's arm was around Haruhi's waist and when they entered the ballroom, applause resounded and echoed throughout the room. They smiled and waved as they took their seats at their own table situated a little higher than the others (as is tradition in a traditional Japanese reception).
The food was excellent and the cake was gorgeous (a gift from Hunny… of course). Everyone had a good time, and the speeches and performances by their guests (mainly family and friends though) left everyone either in tears or stitches; and after they cut the cake, the couple circled the room lighting candles in the candle lighting ceremony as they talked to their guests. It was after this that the dancing began, but first their closest friends wanted to say a few words and had saved their speeches for last.
"When Haru-Chan first walked into the music room, we had no idea what would happen next, and in the end love found its way into the Host Club. I have loved watching you two grow together and support each other, regardless of what challenges and duels were thrown your way," Hunny started, but paused there as everyone started to laugh. Most of the guests had no clue what he was referencing, but the members of the Host Club knew and chuckled with the guests (who were laughing politely), "I often wondered if Takashi would find someone that would be his equal and who he could be happy with, and the day he saved Haru-Chan from an overzealous hug, I knew the moment he looked into her eyes everything had changed forever and I couldn't be happier. You two belong together and I am proud to now call Haru-Chan cousin." He passed the microphone off to Kyoya next.
Pushing up his glasses, the former vice president smiled, "Congratulations Mori-senpai and Haruhi. I have to agree with Hunny-senpai on many counts, but mainly that you two belong together. You have weathered many things together and it has made your bond stronger. I can only hope that each of us is blessed as you were. To the happy couple." Everyone joined in his toast as Tamaki was the next person to receive the microphone (dear reader everyone had agreed that it was best if he not go first or last and Kyoya was probably the best person to rein him in if needed).
With tears falling down his face, Tamaki held the mic like it was his lifeline. He told himself he could follow the rules that the others had given him and not say or do anything that would embarrass anyone in the room, but he wasn't exactly confident. The urge to glomp was overpowering, and that is when he felt a slap on the back of the head and looked to his side finding Kyoya glaring at him, "Oh! I just wanted to say that Haruhi was always special to everyone in the Host Club. She became our daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, and first love; and for Mori-senpai, his last love. Mori-senpai, I hope you can complete that fairytale now and give it a happy ending." He grinned through his tears at the couple and saw the former wild host nod.
The twins grabbed the microphone from the blond and continued, "We just wanted to say that no one has ever made Haruhi smile like Mori-senpai." Kaoru picked up from there, "You two helped us expand our world and the right guy won the girl." Hikaru finished, "We wouldn't have let her go to anyone that didn't deserve her and we are happy that you two found each other in this crazy world… well our crazy club at least."
"Haruhi was always different and the first time I met her, I knew things would be changing. She has a way of affecting everyone around her and helping them to better themselves. My cousin is very much the same way, and every time you are around him, you want to try to push yourself and be the best you can be. They found each other when Haruhi was just a first year in high school and managed to survive around this group of people, coming out on the other side still together. I, for one, and glad that she is now a part of our family and I can call her cousin; there is no one better for Takashi than Haruhi," Chika spoke confidently with pride lacing his voice before he gave the mic to the final speaker.
Grinning from ear to ear, Satoshi brought the microphone up to his mouth, "I have seen loving relationships all around me and relationships that were arranged and just going through the motions; and then I watched as Haruhi and Taka's relationship was discovered and bloomed in front of my eyes. I have learned a lot from them about what it means to be in a relationship and what it means to love the other person unconditionally. Taka-bro is someone I have always looked up to, sought out advice from, and tried to imitate. Haruhi, you opened my brother up in a way no one else had been able to. You loved him in spite of his duty, his family, the challenges, and idiots that stood in your way. Common you may have been born, but common you are not and never were; and if I had to pick a sister, it would be no one but you. Thank you for becoming a part of our family and being a part of our lives as a friend, mentor, girlfriend, and now wife, sister, and daughter. We love you and congratulations to you both."
Haruhi could feel the sting of tears in her eyes as each speech was given, but it was the last one that finally made the damn break and she could feel the wetness slip down her cheeks (thankfully the twins had been prepared and gave her waterproof makeup). Glancing up at Mori, she could see he was equally affected, and as they locked eyes, they gave each other a little kiss much to the enjoyment of the others.
After the kiss, Mori, who was still choked up, escorted Haruhi out onto the dance floor for their first dance of the night. The guests that didn't want to participate in the dancing and party left after the first dance, and then the party was in full swing.
The bride danced with everyone from her new husband to her father to her friends, and even her new father-in-law; and she loved every moment of it. However, as Mori pulled her into his arms for one final dance, she shivered slightly knowing they would be leaving after this one last slow dance, and she couldn't wait. Tomorrow they would leave on their honeymoon and return in two weeks, giving them two weeks before the new semester started at school. Life was moving forward and the one thing she missed from it all was her mother, but she reached up and rubbed the earrings she wore and knew her mother was with her always.
It doesn't seem like it sometimes, but all of that happened ten years ago. Smiling, Haruhi set down the wedding picture of she and Mori on their wedding day and looked out the window to see her husband and eight year old (almost nine) running around in the fall leaves chasing each other. She loved to watch her little family make memories.
"Mommy, where daddy?" A small voice called from the doorway.
Turning around, Haruhi went to her little four year old who just woke up from a nap, "He's outside with Akio. How about we join them, Hitomi?" She scooped her daughter up and together they joined Mori and the little boy outside to make more memories.
A/N2: I decided to go with a traditional Shinto wedding this time since the Morinozuka are a traditional family, and I wanted to do something a little different than what I normally do. The hosts will be coming into the story more in the coming chapters, so of course antics will ensue.