Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club or its characters, but I do enjoy torturing them… I mean using them in my stories.

A/N: Finally! A new story is here for you to read. I know it's been a while, but I thank you for your patience with me as I finished my novel. I have been told from one proofreader that it is good and I only need to correct some typos. I'm still waiting to hear from the other one. Now on to other important stuff. This story is my first Kaoru/Haruhi story and I got the idea from CrazyKitCat and this goes with the challenge from Mtnikolle to do all non-cannon pairings (love this challenge). I hope you like it. It may start out a bit slow, but it will def speed up. Please be aware that I have a few ideas and this rating may go up to M later on.

Chapter 1 – Welcome Back

Everything seemed to fly by after the first graduation that affected the Host Club. Hunny and Mori left the group to go on to college, then Kyoya and Tamaki graduated and went to college, and finally it was Haruhi and the twins. Oh the first four graduates would visit when they could, but as time marched on the visits seemed to come less and less frequently. They were busy with their college careers, and although the youngest three understood, it was at times a bit lonely and…quiet. No Tamaki to tease or scream when he thought Haruhi was being abused. No Kyoya to scare them to death. No Hunny to eat the cake and make cutesy remarks. No Mori…actually Mori didn't say much, but they missed his presence all the same.

That was until they entered college themselves. Once Haruhi started at Todai's law program; even the fast track program would take her four and a half years, and that meant school year round, taking additional classes when possible, and then doing the two year graduate program instead of the three. She was swamped. The twins tried traditional college, but it wasn't for them; thus after only one semester with dismal results, their mother pulled some strings and got them into a fashion college in New York. In addition, they would be working directly with a top designer while they lived there. With New York being considered the most fashionable city in the world, it only made sense to her…and after a little persuasion, them as well.

It seemed as if the days of the Host Club were distant memories. Everyone was busy with their own lives, however, there were those rare times that everyone (minus the twins) would get together for lunch or dinner and just chat; and they always made sure to talk to each other on the phone or to send emails regularly with everyone. Their lives might have been busier than they ever thought possible, but their friends were too important to lose.

Yes, their carefree high school days were in the past, however, their friendships and bonds they formed during those times were as strong as ever. If someone needed help, he/she only needed to call and the others came running. Case and point, when Ranka being Ranka got drunk because his lover dumped him. He got drunk at work and walked home in three inch heels. Somehow he made it to the steps of his apartment building where he found Haruhi returning from her a study group, threw himself at her, his heel caught in a hole, twisted his ankle, and Ranka fell face first onto the asphalt. When they arrived at the hospital, she called Kyoya and told him what happened. He didn't have to, but he arrived shortly after to check on the redhead who had become a good friend to all of the hosts, except Tamaki. Ranka still didn't like Tamaki even after knowing him for a few years. Of course Kyoya told Haruhi he would charge her for the visit, and at one point in time it might have made her worry, but she just smiled and nodded and knew that was his way of covering up his concern…dare we say it…FEELINGS. That night Ranka had to have surgery to put a plate in his ankle because when he broke it, he broke it good; and when he finally got out of the hospital, Kyoya had arranged for them to stay in a first floor location so that Ranka did not have to worry about stairs, and Haruhi didn't have to worry about Ranka falling on the stairs. She accepted because she learned a long time ago it's useless to argue against the Shadow King.

They came together another time when Tamaki's grandmother passed away during his third year in university. Again, one phone call is all it took. The hosts gathered around their friend and helped him in his time of need. Even the twins flew in for the funeral in order to support their leader. Tono would always be Tono and he would always be the boss…in a manner of speaking. They knew he had no real power, but they still followed him. After the funeral, the twins returned to New York and the hosts returned to their busy lives for time did not stop even when you wanted it to.

Any time someone was in need, the others were there without question or hesitation. Their friends were their world and their support. They needed each other, and although they could not always be there in person, they wanted to keep their connections strong and present.

Out of everyone, Haruhi probably missed the twins the most. They were her best friends and throughout high school, they were inseparable. Take away the Host Club, and they still saw each other every day because they had at least half of their classes together, only differing when it came to their specialized programs: Kaoru took creative writing, Hikaru took extra science and math (even blew up the science lab one day, and covering it in blue goo another), and Haruhi took some college prep courses that would transfer over to Todai (allowing her to get rid of some of her general studies credits and a prelaw class). The trio had been a constant that had come to an end in college, but even during the first semester, although they were separated at different campuses, they were still in Japan. She could still see them any time she wanted to…if she had time. After they left and moved to the other side of the world, it felt like a hole had opened in her heart and life. She saw them on Skype all the time, sent them texts and emails, and even called them, but it wasn't the same. She missed them, and she honestly did not think she would ever say that about the two people who could piss her off, annoy her, make her hit them, etc. Somehow, they had become the shadows she wished had not disappeared.

Anytime she talked to them on Skype, she could already see the changes. They still messed around and played their pranks (and then they would relay the reactions to her the next time they talked), but they were growing up and maturing. They were finally in their element and growing as people and individuals. In their appearance, it was the subtle things she noticed, the small changes that made them look more mature; and in their speech, they talked more about what they were doing and less about the pranks or funny things. They were becoming men, and she missed the impish teens they once were. Oh, she liked them like this too, but it felt different. However, during those times they were unable to talk because of her schedule or theirs, she longed to be talking to them and the changes no longer mattered.

The twin that seemed to be coming into his own more than the other was Kaoru. He finally realized that he did not have to baby his brother or cover for him. Hikaru would do things, he would mess up, and he could pick himself up. The younger twin no longer had to do it for him. It had been a learning experience for them both. Apparently, Hikaru left the door to the design room unlocked accidentally. He had been tired and thought it had been done, and when everyone arrived that morning, the room had been trashed by someone (turns out it was a petty thief looking for extra cash or something to hock). Kaoru tried to stand up for his brother, to share the burden, but Hikaru would not allow him to destroy his chances. The older brother had finally admitted his was wrong and took his punishment. Instead of firing him, the designer allowed him to work his way up once again. Starting out as a gopher, unable to touch any fabric or anything, but eventually his punishment ended. Kaoru and Haruhi had been proud of him, and Kaoru learned that sometimes, they each had to stand on their own. They were twins, but they were not connected at the hip, they were individuals and their own person as well. Their little world grew.

Talking to the twins, her conversations with Kaoru revolved around more than just fashion, while Hikaru ate, drank, and lived fashion. Intellectually, she got along with the younger twin best, however, she could still have intelligent conversations with Hikaru…if she understood half of what he was talking about when he discussed trying to invent a new formula for scotch guarding fabric. During those times, she smiled and nodded and then waited for Kaoru to dummy it down for her.

Oh how she missed them, and she couldn't wait to see them! The years had passed, everyone had finally graduated from university, and they were scheduled to be home tomorrow. Today however, she needed to focus. She was scheduled to take the first portion of the bar exam and she had to pass. This was the first gate that stood in her way to being a lawyer.

Why did it have to rain on today of all days? A day when she needed to hurry, she needed to focus? "Please mother in heaven, watch over me today," Haruhi muttered as she tried to rush towards her destination. So many people were out and rushing to some place, and she was only one ant in the multitude. A push here, a push there, and… Stepping on a slick spot, she slipped, her leg lifting into the air. She waited for the sidewalk to knock the breath out of her, but it never came. Instead, strong arms held her, a chest was pressed against her back. Blushing, she righted herself and turned around, bowing to her rescuer, "Th-Thank you!"

A chuckle, "You're welcome, Haruhi."

Her name? She knew that voice…kind of. Her head whipped upwards, and might have caused whiplash in another person, and gasped, "Kaoru?"

"In the flesh," he laughed again.

"No. You're still in New York until tomorrow. I have a test today."

"We took an earlier flight. Come on. You don't want to be late for the bar exam," he started to pull her behind him, a beaming smile on his face.

"Where's Hikaru?"

"Settling into the apartment. I was running an errand when I saw you. Unfortunately, the car was pointed the other direction and this is a one way street. My driver is headed home and I'll call him later."

"You're supposed to still be in New York."

"You already said that, but as you can see… Now come on or you'll be late, although, knowing you, you probably left hours early so you wouldn't be late. I'll tell you everything after your test."

A smile finally formed on her own lips and she nodded, "Fine." Nothing else was said. Her grip on his hand tightened, and she felt at peace. Her friends were back in Japan where they belonged and she could see them whenever she wanted to again. Life was good.