Still a few weeks off…

The murmuring of the crowd stilled as the diminutive man stepped into the challenge ring. When this had started, nobody except two people could have anticipated it would come to this.

"I won't let it happen this way, Takashi."

The challenger nodded, he had hoped to avoid meeting his friend this way, but it was not a surprise. The facilitator cried "Start!" and the fight was on.

Now(ish)….

"Oh! It's beautiful, Mana! I feel just like Cinderella!" Kaori squealed as she made an awkward spin in front of the mirror. The dress was perfect – all pink silk and lace petticoats– just like something straight out of a fairy tale. Her honey-gold hair had been piled up in curls making her look, and feel, like she'd just walked out of a Disney cartoon. Any minute now bluebirds would start singing.

"Didn't Cinderella have an evil step-mom and sisters?" said a deadpan voice from the corner. Mana didn't even look up from the book she'd been reading for the last hour while Kaori primped. "I'm not sure how having a doting father quite compares."

"A doting and over-protective father. It's practically the same thing."

She loved her Papa, she really did - and all three of her older brothers, but for the last eleven years they'd been so afraid of any emotional or physical harm coming to her they'd practically wrapped her in cotton to keep her 'safe.' Every bit of normal life she had was the result of a hard-fought battle over their objections – attending school ("What if you're bullied?"), swimming lessons ("What if your leg cramps?"), class trips ("What if?! What if?! What if?!"). This time, though, her father had no choice, even he couldn't come up with an excuse to keep her away from the future-head-of-the family's wedding.

She clasped her hands together and leaned her chin against them. "I can't wait, Mana, there'll be music, and dancing," Kaori let out a breathy sigh, "And I'll get to see my prince!" She twirled again cautiously, flung her arms out to her sides and fell back on Mana's bed. "It's going to be a simply wonderful night!"

Mana shut her book, pushed her glasses up and leveled a steady gaze at her friend. "So, are you actually going to talk to him this time or are you just going to stalk him like normal?"

"Mana! I can't believe you'd say that - I don't stalk him!" Kaori giggled and threw a pillow towards the corner in mock outrage.

"Really? What else do you call constantly dragging me over to the high school or college at lunch time for five years to peek at him from behind a corner?" Mana teased. "Why didn't you ever go up and talk with him? It's not like you're strangers – you're practically related."

Kaori became subdued and she looked away, some things were too hard to speak about, even with her best friend. Once she had believed him to be her friend, but soon after arriving at Ouran she'd realized that what she'd thought of as friendship had been nothing more than the innate kindness with which he treated every girl. She could have approached him - he would have given that gentle smile, spoken encouraging words, shown her kindness, and ripped her heart to pieces without even realizing it.

Eleven years ago…

The little girl stared at the ball, fists clutched with frustration, and tried desperately not to cry. If she started now, she might never stop.

"This is the worst summer ever."

On top of everything else, the only toy she'd found in this cold, unfamiliar house was lodged in a tree. She'd tried throwing things, shaking the trunk, and glaring at it but the bright yellow ball defied her will by remaining stuck.

It just wasn't fair. Right below the ball was a beautiful, large branch – if she stood on it the ball would be in reach and she could easily knock it down. The branch hung, tantalizing, just 15 or so centimeters out of reach. Last year she would have easily jumped up to grab it and scrambled up the tree in a shot, then climbed all the way to the top faster and higher than any of her brothers, but that had been before.

Before the car had slipped on the icy road and ploughed into the crowds on the sidewalk, killing her mother and injuring her spine and right leg.

Before the hated leg brace and the months of rehabilitation that still left her walking with crutches.

Before her father had gone out of the country on business, abandoning her at his cousin's house so she could continue physical therapy while her brothers got to spend their summer on the beach in Okinawa with Aunty.

Before all the things she had loved to do were permanently put out of reach.

She'd been here for less than a week and hated every minute of it. There was no place for her here. Everyone was so busy and the household followed strict and orderly routines – none of which had room in them for a bored and lonely six-year-old. The only other children in the house were her two older cousins, but they were occupied with school and training so had no time for her either.

"Kaori-chan, life is so much better when you smile. Even when things are bad, you should always find something to be happy about."

She'd tried to do what her mama had taught her. She'd tried really, really hard and – when she found the soccer ball hidden in an unused equipment room – she thought she had. She might not be able to run (yet) or kick (yet) or do any of the other things she wanted, but she could throw and catch and still have fun. And now her fun and happiness was stuck up in a tree.

She barely noticed when a baseball flew over the low ridge of land that hid this area of the backyard from the main house, landing a few meters away then rolling down the hill to stop at her feet. Shortly after, a tall, lanky dark-haired boy loped over the ridge in pursuit. He paused momentarily when he spotted her, then his eyes flicked upwards to the soccer ball. He altered his direction then gracefully vaulted up to grab the branch in one hand and swung himself upwards.

Unable to stop herself, Kaori let out a mournful cry, "Nooooo!" Watching someone else climb her tree to get her ball was simply too much.

The boy stopped his ascent and dropped back down to the ground. He knelt so they were at eye level and gave her a searching look for a minute before coming to a conclusion. "You want to get it." It wasn't a question.

Kaori eyes lit up in hope. "Oh yes! Please! I want to climb!" Her face fell as she remembered once again that this was no longer before. "But, I…I'm not sure I can" she gestured towards the clunky brace on her leg "and I… I promised Papa I wouldn't do anything that's not safe."

The boy gave her a warm smile and ruffled her hair. "If you don't know, then try. It's safe, I'd catch you."

She looked into eyes filled with confidence and began to feel hers return. "Okay, let's try! But I'm not going to fall."

The boy stood and Kaori held up her arms as he lifted her to the branch, giving her a slight push to help with momentum. She pulled with all her strength until she had pulled her stomach up over the branch. Next she swung her right foot up on to it, and then spun on her stomach in a circle towards the trunk until she had her legs on either side. Sitting up, she edged herself towards the trunk, carefully turned and pulled her left leg over so her foot was planted firmly on the branch, then slowly stood up using the trunk as support.

Kaori paused to enjoy the feeling of the slight breeze in her hair, the rough bark under her hand, and the thrill of being up in the air. She looked up, the ball was now easily within grasp. With her free hand, she reached up and swatted the soccer ball to the ground.

"I did it! I did it!" She looked down at her helper "Thank you! Thank you so much…." she hesitated, realizing that she didn't know his name. "Um... I'm Kaori, this is my cousin's house".

The boy nodded as if he'd already known who she was. "I'm Takashi. It's my cousin's house too."

Kaori wasn't sure how it all worked, if they were both Mitsu-chan's cousin, didn't that make them cousins too? She stood on the branch, enjoying a few more minutes of feeling free, she supposed it was time to go back down to the ground. She didn't want to. She couldn't help but stare longingly at the branches above her that beckoned temptingly. The branch jiggled under her feet and her oldest cousin clambered up next to her.

"Kaori-chan, wanna climb higher?"

Kaori's heart thrilled at the question. She looked down at her new friend and possible-cousin. "Can I Taka-chan?"

Takashi nodded. "I'll catch you."

"Okay, but I won't fall!"

Eyes sparkling, Kaori started up the tree. She didn't notice how her cousin directed her towards the strongest branches and the surest path, or how he carefully placed himself to give her a hand or steady her as she labored her way upwards. On the ground below, Takashi kept a watchful eye on her progress, always ready to move at a second's notice. Reaching the highest branch, she stood and looked out over the ground below – queen of all she surveyed.

"Oh – it's wonderful!" She looked into the eyes of the boy next to her, so similar to her own. "I want to stay up here forever. Can we?"

"Kay, but what if you get hungry?" he teased

As if prompted, Kaori's stomach gave out a loud growl and he laughed. Maybe her cousin wasn't as serious as she'd first thought.

"Kaori-chan, do you like cake?" He stopped as if recalling something unpleasant. "Um… I don't really like sweet things." His face suddenly brightened as realization struck him, "But, since you're our guest if you want some, I guess we'll have to eat it with you."

"I love cake!" She couldn't believe he ears, the day wasn't ended yet – these two wonderful boys still wanted to spend time with her.

"Then let's go get some. Do you want to climb down with me or do something more fun?" Mitsukuni nodded towards Takashi.

Did he mean for her to jump? She decided then that Mitsu-chan was most definitely her new favorite cousin. Oh, but she'd promised Papa she wouldn't do anything unsafe. She called down to the ground, "Taka-chan, is it okay?" Takashi nodded and opened his arms to catch her. If he said it was safe, then she believed it completely. She turned to her cousin and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you Mitsu-chan." Then with a smile she leapt off the branch and into Takashi's arms.

He caught her effortlessly. Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek as well. "And thank you too, Taka-chan." The older boy flushed slightly in embarrassment and set her on her feet. Mitsukuni jumped from the branch, somersaulting in mid-air and landing in a crouch next to them. Kaori felt exhilarated, but a bit unsteady. The climb had taxed muscles in her arms and left leg not used to physical exertion. Also, her right leg was beginning to twinge a bit and she knew she should rest, but she didn't want to stop having fun.

The two boys exchanged a look and an entire conversation passed unspoken between them. "We should have a race." said Mitsukuni, "Takashi's legs are too long so he'll carry you to make it fair. Winner gets to pick the first slice." Mitsukuni grabbed her crutches and the two balls while Takashi crouched down and beckoned for Kaori to climb onto his back. She grabbed on to his shoulders and he adjusted her arms until they were tight around his neck. He stood and then suddenly they were off – Kaori hugged him tight and felt like she was flying as they raced across the lawn towards the kitchen.

Mitsukuni won the race and, despite his dislike of sweets, grabbed the biggest piece of cake. Kaori didn't mind. She was having the best summer ever.

And back to "now"

"You have the worst case of unrequited love I've ever seen." Mana's words snapped Kaori back to the present. "And my older sister still thinks she has a shot at Suoh-sempai so I've seen unrequited."

"I know. I can't help it, he's just so…. amazing!"

"You have to face facts, it just won't work out." Mana replied firmly but kindly. She started ticking off reasons on her fingers. " One - you're underage, he's a grown adult and you're only seventeen. "

"I'll get older."

"Two – you're his cousin's favorite baby cousin, so you are not only off-limits but possibly related."

"We aren't – not even legally. I've checked." The last sentence was said in a low mutter.

" Three – after tonight you probably won't see him again."

Kaori slumped. That was the truth she'd been avoiding. Her branch of the Haninozuka family and his weren't that close. After tonight, she probably wouldn't see him again until Chika-chan married – and with the way he avoided girls, who knew how long that would be.

"You forgot number four, Mana" she said, gesturing towards her right leg.

"Mori-sempai wouldn't care about that."

"No, but his family would. "

She had let herself dream for ten years, but maybe now it was time to give it up and face reality. "What do I do, Mana – how do I get over it?"

Mana looked surprised that Kaori was even contemplating taking her advice for a change. "I… I don't know. You're the one who reads all that romance manga, what do they say about getting over an unrequited love."

Kaori rolled her eyes. "Nobody ever gets over an unrequited love in manga." She thought for a moment, "Though usually the person confesses in order to have closure."

"That sounds like a stupid idea to me, but I've never been in love. Maybe you should try it."

"If you don't know, then try."

She'd tried to live by those words in every other area of her life; maybe it was time to apply them to this.

Kaori stood up and smoothed down her skirts. "You're right, that's exactly what I should do." Her eyes gleamed in determination. "Tonight, I'm going to go to the ball, dance every dance, and tell Morinozuka Takashi that I love him before I turn back into a pumpkin."

"I'm not sure that's how the story goes." Mana giggled, taking her friend's arm as they headed off to the wedding.

"It doesn't matter," thought Kaori, "this isn't going to be a fairy tale ending anyway."

A/N: After the extras in the last volume of the manga, I couldn't help but try to come up with plausible romances for all the remaining un-paired hosts. Plus I found adult-Mori to be really, really hot. I started thinking of the battle on the windy hill and wondered what it would take for Mori and Honey to fight each other again. Next thing I knew I had this story in my head - complete with backgrounds, personalities, events, and the names and ages of Mori's children.

Reviews are appreciated since my only beta reader thinks romance is boring and the story would be better if I made Kaori a zombie. Standard disclaimer - I have no rights to Ouran Highschool Host Club or any of the canon characters. Any liberties I deliberately or accidently take with them are mine and mine alone.