Disclaimer…. I don't own Ouran High School Host Club or its characters, although I wish I did. I just like to have fun and torture Tamaki, um I mean write stories that other people want to read. XD
A/N: Well the polls are closed and the winner was Mori! He managed to surpass and overthrow the Shadow King with 24 votes. Kyoya came in 2nd (22 votes) with Nekozawa in 3rd (14 votes). For those who wanted Nekozawa to win, his story will be coming next month so be looking for it. Ok, now first I would like to say to my readers in Canada… Happy Canada Day (I know it is the 1st). Next, this story came about because I was watching TV and a commercial came on for one of those July 4th sales (those in the U.S. know what I am talking about) and I wondered what would Tamaki do if he heard about the 4th of July? Let me know what you think. I hope you like it!
Chapter 1 – We Have to Celebrate!
"Kyoya! Kyoya, I just learned of the most wonderful thing that American commoners do in the USA! They celebrate the Fourth of July! Isn't that wonderful?" Tamaki had rushed from his history class to the third music room in order to discuss the American holiday with his best friend. As soon as he was through the doors, he raced up to his best friend who was sitting in the corner of the club room working on his laptop.
Adjusting his glasses, Kyoya never looked up from his computer when he spoke in an exasperated voice, "I am well aware that Americans celebrate that day and that it is considered a holiday for him." He knew something was coming and he knew he probably wasn't going to like it. Briefly wondering if he should kill his friend now or later, he pushed the thoughts from him mind and then inwardly winced when he heard the blonde's answer.
"We need to celebrate it too!"
That was the answer he was dreading. "Tamaki we are Japanese, not American. Why would we need to celebrate that holiday? Do you even know why they celebrate that particular day?" Figuring his overzealous friend didn't really know, Kyoya had to ask the questions.
"Of course I do mon ami! Commoners there celebrate it to remember their fight for freedom from the monarchy and royal classes. Typically that higher status would apply to us, but since we are friends of a commoner, we are not included in that caste. I know that it is a commoners' holiday and we are not commoners, but Haruhi is and as such, I think we should all get to experience this day together! We need to celebrate it this year because it will be fun and new, and don't you want to experience all things commoner? You know you do!" He was wagging a finger at his bespectacled friend.
Kyoya pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off the impending headache. Tamaki really had no clue. Looking at his excited friend, he probed, "Where did you learn about the American Independence Day?"
"Class today silly! I know you are in a different history class, but I thought that you would have learned about it too. Can we please celebrate it? Please? They do picnics and bar-b-que, and then end the night with fireworks," Tamaki begged the vice president giving him the best puppy dog eyes he could muster.
The Shadow King had learned about it and got a few more details that Tamaki had apparently missed and decided that the idiot probably tuned out the "boring" stuff only absorbing the stuff he wanted to. However, looking at those eyes, Kyoya had a hard time saying no. "Blast Tamaki and those damn puppy dog eyes! He knows he can get almost anything with them even Haruhi and the twins melt under them!" Kyoya argued inwardly. Sighing, he turned back towards his computer, "I will see what I can do, but I suggest in the meantime you actually learn what the holiday is about."
"We have to go to Okinawa! The commoners in America celebrate on a beach and we must follow tradition! Kyoya set up another trip to Okinawa! We will leave after classes get out on Wednesday and since it is summer vacation, we will not have to worry about missing any classes!" Tamaki ordered missing the little throbbing vein in his friend's forehead and the little red tick mark appearing above him.
Before Kyoya could respond to his outrageous demands, the doors for the club room opened and Tamaki's thoughts were pulled elsewhere. "The moron really has no clue," he thought shaking his head and returning to his computer once again.
When the doors opened, Tamaki turned around and found Haruhi entering with the twins. Rushing to her side, he ripped her away from Hikaru and Kaoru spinning her around the room, "I have exciting news Haruhi! Daddy is arranging a trip to Okinawa for the whole club so that we can celebrate a commoners' holiday!"
"PUT ME DOWN TAMAKI-SENPAI! You are not my father and I have no clue what you are talking about!" Haruhi screamed getting dizzy from both the tight embrace and the twirling. Seeing Mori walk into the room she cried out for him, "Takashi help me!"
Looking towards Haruhi, Mori could see the problem his girlfriend was having and immediately ran over to rescue her yet again. Pulling her free and carrying her away from the rambunctious teen that was the Host Club president, he finally set the petite girl down next to his cousin ignoring the screeching and yelling that were erupting from Tamaki.
Mori and Haruhi had been dating for about two months and the Host Club was there when everything finally came to a head for them. The tall silent host had started falling for the natural host at the Aquagardens, but he didn't think that she had reciprocated his feelings; it turns out that he was wrong and she had started to fall for him at about the same time. Two months ago, the Host Club (really it was Tamaki) had decided to go to a commoner's fair and had wound up leaving Haruhi with Mori and Hunny believing that nothing would happen… only it did.
Flashback…
The last thing that Haruhi wanted to do with her Saturday was spend it with the Host Club at a fair, or as the others in the group called it "a commoner's fair". However, that was exactly where she found herself, and as soon as they were in the gates, Tamaki and the twins had left to look at the games and rides, and Kyoya followed them so that someone kept an eye on them making sure they didn't cause trouble. Well actually it was more likely they would give him better pictures that he could turn around and sell for a profit in the club than Haruhi, Hunny, and Mori would. So that left the trio alone and the wild host and natural host were both blushing at the new arrangement.
"Is this ok with you two?" Haruhi grumbled wondering why Tamaki insisted that everyone come when everyone was just going to go their separate ways.
Giggling, Hunny beamed, "It sure is Haru-Chan! Takashi and I love spending time with you!" He was going to use this to his advantage and try to get his cousin and the only female host together. He knew they liked each other, so why not give them a little push when the others weren't around to interfere or act crazy. An evil grin appeared on his face; well it would be funny when the others went into a frenzy later on.
Mori smiled and patted the girl's head, "He's right."
"Good. I think I would rather be around you than them anyway," Haruhi smiled at the small senior before turning to his cousin and staring at him a little longer before dropping her eyes back to Hunny and asking, "Ok, so what do you want to do now?"
The trio wound up looking around the food booths and going on a couple of rides. Each time it was a two-seater, Hunny would let Mori and Haruhi ride together. Nothing was working though. He could tell that they were getting closer, but time was running out and he didn't know when the opportunity would present itself again. Drastic times called for drastic measures and he apologized to the heavens before he made his next move. Walking beside Haruhi, Hunny stuck out his foot tripping his friend and thus forcing his cousin to catch her before she went splat on the pavement.
Mori caught the girl before she fell and pulled her into his arms. Looking down to make sure she was alright, he was lost in her eyes. He could see that they were more than brown the more he stared seeing the flecks of gold and honey in their depths, "Are you alright Haruhi?"
Haruhi didn't trust her voice at that moment and nodded. When Mori had caught her, her hands had automatically grabbed his upper arms and could feel the muscles and strength in those arms. She didn't want him to let her go. Before she knew it, Mori had leaned down and kissed her. It was brief and only lasted a single moment in time, but it had been amazing.
Realizing what he just did, Mori set her on her feet again and told her, "Sorry Haruhi, I shouldn't have…"
"I'm not sorry," Haruhi interrupted Mori with low voice. She didn't want to hear the apology because it was what she wanted, had dreamed of even. Believing Mori did not feel the same, if he didn't say the words, she could believe that maybe he did care like that about her.
He wasn't sure that he heard her right. Did Haruhi just say she wasn't sorry about the kiss? Scowling, Mori asked, "You're not?"
"No," she declared emphatically if not a tad defensively and crossed her arms over her chest.
Releasing the breath he had been holding while waiting for her answer, he smiled bigger than he normally did around the girl, "Good."
"I will have you know… wait, good?" She asked confused.
Mori brushed some of her hair behind her ear, "Yah, I like you."
"I like you too Mori-senpai," Haruhi blushed a deeper shade of red than what she was currently sporting.
"Yay! It is about time that you finally confessed!" Hunny exclaimed.
Both teens stared at their short blonde friend. Mori could only say, "Mitsukuni?"
"What do you mean Hunny-senpai?" Haruhi asked at the same time.
"What? I knew you both liked each other, so why not be together?" The bunny loving senior answered the epitome of innocence. He could tell with the way his friends' eyes narrowed on him, they didn't buy the act, but they didn't say anything else.
When it was time to regroup and meet the others, Mori and Haruhi with Hunny in tow were approaching the remaining hosts while holding hands and smiling at each other. What sent the others over the edge is when she called Mori by his given name.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING WITH MY DAUGHTER? YOUNG LADY YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO DATE!" Tamaki was throwing a fit.
Turning her glare on him, Haruhi snapped, "It is none of your business and you are not, I repeat not my father. Takashi and I are together now and if you have a problem with it oh well. As our friends, you should be happy for us since we are both your friends!"
"But it's Mori-senpai! You can't possibly like him! You were supposed to wait for me!" Hikaru growled.
"Wait for you for what? I am sorry Hikaru, but I see you as one of my best friends, nothing more. As for Takashi, why not? He is a gentleman, honorable, saves me time and time again, treats me with respect, handsome… shall I go on?" Haruhi was ticking off the reasons on her fingers.
Mori found himself blushing at Haruhi's little tirade, but he had to agree… Why not him? The others in the club had their chance and although every one of them, with the exception of Hunny, had feelings for her none of them ever acted upon it.
The next thing everyone knew, two souls flew up towards the heavens and one red head was opening and closing his mouth like a fish. By the time the Tamaki and the twins finally recovered from the shock, it was time to leave the park and the new relationship had been set in stone.
End Flashback…
"Mori-senpai you need to understand that although you two are dating, she still belongs to all of us and is our secret princess," Tamaki blustered after he had built up some of his courage.
Turning around to face the annoying king, Mori explained to him, "She doesn't like being attacked and if she asks for my help, I will give it to her. She is my girlfriend and doesn't belong to anyone."
"I don't attack her! I only show my little girl I love her!" Tamaki screamed.
"Tamaki save it for after club time," Kyoya approached writing in his black book, "Tell everyone what you have planned so that they are not completely surprised next week. You may be interrupting their summer plans."
"My daughter doesn't have summer plans. She is a commoner," Tamaki stated what he thought was obvious.
Haruhi could feel the steam coming out her ears. Marching up to the president, she snarled, "Just because I am a commoner does not mean I don't have plans! You can't assume anything you baka!"
Tamaki cried out and soon there was nothing but a blonde streak running across the room towards a corner where mushrooms suddenly appeared. Murmurs could be heard coming from the dark, dank spot, "My daughter hates me. Why is my daughter so mean? Neighbor corrupted daughter. She wasn't even supposed to be with him, she was supposed to love daddy."
Sighing and adjusting his glasses, Kyoya turned back towards the group that had gathered around Haruhi and Mori. He knew that not only did Tamaki still have issues with Mori and Haruhi dating, but Hikaru did as well. He thought that they would accept it after two months, but apparently feelings were still a little hurt. "Well since our leader seems to be otherwise occupied, Tamaki has decided he wants to celebrate the American holiday, the Fourth of July."
"Why would he want to do that Kyo-Chan?" Hunny asked confused and a little irritated with Tamaki. For all of the plots and attempts to break the couple apart thus destroying his carefully laid plans, they had failed and Haruhi and Mori were still going strong.
"Yah, last time I checked we were Japanese," Kaoru smirked.
Snickering, Hikaru stated, "And we are in Japan."
Together they asked, "So why are we celebrating an American holiday?"
Tamaki made a speedy recovery and felt like it was his time to shine, "Because it is a commoner's holiday and since we have a commoner amongst us, we should experience all things commoner for her sake."
Everyone except Kyoya sweat dropped. It was more than apparent that Tamaki knew nothing of the holiday.
"Tamaki-senpai, why do you think it is a commoner's holiday? And again, it is an American holiday and we are in Japan," Haruhi questioned him.
The blonde dead panned and looked at the girl studying her for a moment before he snapped his fingers, "You must have not learned about the holiday yet! That is quite alright Haruhi. Daddy will make sure you know everything about it so that you can join in with your fellow commoners and celebrate it properly!"
Groaning, Haruhi tried not to face palm, but when around Tamaki the urge was always there, "I know what the holiday is; I just don't understand why you think it is a commoner's holiday or why we are celebrating it!"
Kyoya stepped in before things got out of hand and they had a less than stellar performance during club time, "I have already instructed him to research the holiday thoroughly, however, he would like everyone to celebrate the holiday together in Okinawa next week. School lets out Wednesday for our summer break. We can be in Okinawa that night and 'celebrate' the holiday on Thursday, which is the fourth. We will probably stay through Saturday or Sunday unless you want to stay longer. Does anyone have any conflicts?" No one did because their summer plans weren't happening until a week or two afterwards. With confirmation that everyone could attend, Kyoya cleared his throat and said, "Tamaki we will go to Okinawa to celebrate this American holiday." Stepping closer to his best friend, he instructed, "Research the holiday you moron, it isn't what you think it is. Also, how can everyone in the U.S. celebrate on a beach when not all of the states touch the ocean?" Upon seeing the color drain from his friend, the Shadow King knew his work was done and walked back towards his table. He wasn't sure how Tamaki came up with his ideas half the time, but he had to admit that most of the time he was entertained.