A/N: Long time, no write! :D I'm back with a Collab with Fictionpress' awesome ainedamdz. It's the first time for both of us to write an Ouran fanfic so I hope we're on the right track. The outline for this story has been pretty much decided (so you shouldn't expect a crappy unfinished fic *we hope xDD* like my previous one) and we hope we can post the nest few chapters within the next few weeks. So from here on, Yoroshiku~ ^^
It's just another normal afternoon in Ouran High School, where Lineage counts first, wealth a close second. In the third music room, the host club conducts its activities. The theme for today is and Tropical Safari. As expected, everyone is dressed appropriately in pristine khaki shorts and vests, shiny steel toe boots, and matching safari hats adorning their heads. They're the very image of princely tour guides. Their sparkles are almost blinding.
The room as well, is rightly furnished to resemble a dense forest, rich with wonders the guests can explore. The twins are currently conducting a tour around the trees, awing eager schoolgirls with the exotic plants and animals and their very special "love" for each other.
Outburst of "Moe! Moe! Moe!" occur at random intervals, clear evidence of the efficiency of each member. Everyone is doing great today, everyone except the Shadow King.
Dark clouds hover over the top of Kyouya's head, ready to pour down unrelenting drops of rain. Why don't you call me mother, anymore? The storm overhead stirs, as Kyouya gazes at the lovebirds having tea with the customers on a table. Haruhi as always is trying to pry Tamaki's hands off her, and Tamaki, oblivious to all this, is insistently wiping crumbs off Haruhi's cheek. It's because of her, isn't it?
The dark clouds descend lower, and a rumble of thunder reverberates across the room. A bolt of lightning hits Kyouya sharply on the temple.
"Would you guys quit that?" His menacing tone and angry eyes are enough to send the twins holding on to some cardboard clouds and lightning bolts quickly hide their props behind their backs.
They giggle and then gaze into each other with half-closed eyes. "My, my, Kaouru," Hikaru sings, placing his hands around his twin's waist, "Could it be that our famed okaa-sama has ventured into the same world as ours?" Around them, the fangirls scream and shudder with delight.
Poink! Kyouya's notepad hits Hikaru's forehead and bounces off, leaving a huge swell in its wake. "The hell are you fools mumbling about! Get back to work!"
"Ahhh, Kyouya-dono's so scary~"
"Be careful or you'll scare off the girls~" The twins sing before ambling off to charm another couple of female students with their 'brotherly love'.
Kyouya inhales, the air heavily scented with roses and jasmine intoxicating his senses - making him aware of the dull ache in his chest. Once again, his eyes are drawn to the slender figure prancing majestically on the red carpet, laughing and oblivious to the heated stares of his close friend and confidante.
Before Kyouya can tear his gaze away from Tamaki, he feels a tug on his pants. He looked down into the inquiring eyes of another one of the Host club's members, Honey.
"Ne, ne, Kyouya-chan! Here's a strawberry~ I'll share it with you if you stop being sad~"
Kyouya shakes himself mentally. He can not let his feelings be known - not now when their club is on the brink of being disbanded under the reproachful eye of his father. He can not take any risks in causing emotional conflicts between the members.
Kyouya straightens his back and smiles. "Whatever do you mean, Honey-senpai? Of course I'm not sad. Well, either way, I gladly accept your humble offering."
"What~" Honey exclaims, "Kyouya-chan is not sad? We-ell..." He stares at the strawberry. Before Kyouya can reply, Honey snatches the strawberry from his fingers and disappears under a nearby table, upsetting a vase of flowers on top in the process.
Kyouya flinches at the sound of porcelain breaking into a hundred little pieces, but it gets the attention of the Host Club's energetic president. Suddenly Tamaki is beside him flailing and mourning over the death of the tabletop accessory.
"Ahhhh! Antique-chan Why?!!!WHYYYYYYYYYY?!??" Tamaki's wails and thrashes are enough for Honey-sempai to start sobbing uncontrollably. Mori-sempai has to come and carry him.
"I'll have it replaced immediately." Kyouya nonchalantly announces. He knows Tamaki is quite fond of that vase.
"Oh, mother," Tamaki gently cradles one of Kyouya's hands in between his palms, making Kyouya discretely hold his breath, "I'm so glad you're here." With that problem solved, Tamaki prances over to Haruhi to calm, what Tamaki thinks, is the girl's flustered emotions.
Kyouya isn't given the opportunity to savor the fleeting moment Tamaki called him "mother".
He seethes inwardly.
Haruhi walks closer to survey the broken pieces of porcelain on the floor. "I'll clean this up now, senpais. Someone might get hurt..." She bends down to the ground and takes out a dustpan from inside her jacket. She feels happy that it isn't her fault something got broken this time, so it won't be added to her debt.
"As expected of my beloved daughter!" Tamaki cries out in joy as he jumps forward in an attempt to hug Haruhi. "Papa is so proud of you and will give you a kiss as a reward!"
"Ta-ma-ki!" Kyouya grabs the back of Tamaki's jacket and pulls him back. "Must I remind you of the expenses for this week alone? If we keep this up, we will have to lose the tropical toucans and monkeys." Kyouya pushes his glasses back, a glint in his eye. If this is the only way he could get Tamaki's attention, then so be it.
"What? No-ooo..!" Tamaki droops down, nodding his head obediently. "Okay... I'll tell everyone to be more careful..." He slides to the floor and sidles up next to Haruhi, watching her with vivid puppy eyes as she picks up the remnants of the vase.
Again, an ache clutches at Kyouya's heart as he watches the two of them. It is always like this, I'm always left in the sidelines to watch the two of you.
He feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up to see Mori-sempai's stony face staring down at him. Why is everyone acting so weird? He asks himself. Nonetheless, he's not losing to that pauper.
He pushes his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose.
The world will end before he's ever going to give Tamaki to anyone else. Tamaki is his and his alone.
Thank you for reading! :D Please do leave a review before you leave, it'd make us REALLY happy (ainedamdz especially) and really, really motivated.