**So, I've been wanting to write a story like this for some time now, and finally had time today to sit down and begin. This story will consist of many pairings, for the main thing it is about is something every teenager struggles with; Finding Yourself. I will do my best to keep all characters in character, but some personalities will have changes due to this magical thing called maturing. Anyways, I know this chapter is a little shorter than I'd like, but it's just the first chapter, the intro. Oh, and one more thing; I know in Japan their summer vacation is a month, but for the sake of this story- and the fact that I can't shove everything I want to in the span of one month- Ouran Academy is special and has a summer vacation of three months. Without further blabbing on my part, here is the first chapter of Careless Whisper!**
The day was beautiful; Sun shining, warm weather with a gentle perfect breeze, birds singing their joyous tune. It really was the ideal first day of summer vacation. It was a natural want to go out and enjoy the day; go fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing under the sun. Children were already playing out in the streets, laughter filling the air and floating through open windows.
The beauty of the day was not lost on Haruhi Fujioka, even if her annoyed and angry face portrayed otherwise. It's such a beautiful day out and I'm stuck here packing. Not to mention I'll be stuck in a damn car- oh wait- limo for who knows how long!
Haruhi huffed, shoving a few articles of clothing into her suitcase. She was packing for a summer vacation- one that was going to be spent with the boys of the Host Club. Not that she minded, really, she just wished she could be outside with the neighborhood kids enjoying the beautiful rays of the sun.
"What's wrong, Haruhi?" Ranka poked his head into Haruhi's room, hearing her aggravated sounds. He was wearing his normal outfit for when he was home; bandana tied in his long auburn hair, white t-shirt adorned on his torso, and fitting jeans covering his legs. He hadn't shaved in a few days due to taking some time off, so his stubble was much more apparent.
"Nothing." Haruhi grumbled, lips in an unknown pout.
Ranka laughed, his daughter resembling his late wife- Kotoko- very much. "You're doing that pouting thing your mother used to do when she was frustrated. Come on, sport." Ranka walked in, laying a gentle hand on Haruhi's shoulder. The memory of his wife pouting on many occasions when a case wasn't going to tell came to his mind, causing him to give a bittersweet smile.
Sighing, Haruhi looked at her father, "I just… I kinda wish I could go outside and enjoy the day. I know I'll be able to enjoy weather like this on the vacation, but today is the first day of summer break…"
Ranka smiled and flipped his long hair over his shoulder, "Tell you what, Haruhi. Daddy will pack your things for you and you can go out and have fun until Kyoya arrives. Deal?"
Haruhi eyed her father warily, his past shenanigans of packing girly things without her knowing until after the fact coming to mind. "Promise you won't pack anything girly?"
Laughing, Ranka pulled his daughter into a tight hug, "Of course, my Haruhi! Now, go run along and play!" Ranka all too hastily shoved his daughter out of their small apartment.
Haruhi sighed, knowing her father was definitely going to pack girly things for her. Well… maybe it could be for the best? After all, maybe 'cute' clothes on occasion would be good for me. Mom used to wear pretty things all the time… A small smile was apparent on her lips as Haruhi thought about her mother.
Her brown eyes took in the sight of kids playing in the street, parents lounging and watching the children. It wasn't long until the Fujioka's neighbor- who was the same age as Haruhi- beckoned her down with a blast of water from a water gun.
Letting loose and enjoying her free time was something Haruhi hardly had the time for anymore. Her scholarship at Ouran Academy relied on her being top of her class, meaning she spent all of her free time studying and doing her coursework. She knew she had to strive to be the best- academically- and it didn't really bother her. She wanted to be like her mother, a lawyer. And law school was only going to be harder than high school. Preparing for it by remaining the top of her class was something Haruhi deemed necessary thus didn't let the lack of free time to bother her.
There were days, however, where she wished she could snuggle up and read a good book all day long. Those days came sparingly, and when they did she couldn't spend her time just reading due to the amount of household chores she had to do.
Now that it was summer break for the students of Ouran Academy, Haruhi was free to enjoy her time however she wished. She had already planned out her summer; Books to read, rearranging her room and her home, spend time with her friends. However Tamaki threw out her plans with one simple sentence.
"The Host Club is going to spend this summer vacation together!"
Haruhi was a little mad at first, but soon got over it. Tamaki's heart was in the right place when he had made the statement. Mori and Honey would be leaving for college after the break, so the Host Club should spend the summer together as their last hurrah.
"Oh, wow. Look, Haruhi." The neighbor Haruhi had been engaged with in a water gun fight was pointing towards the road.
Turning, Haruhi felt her heart speed up as she saw the arrival of a sleek, black limo. A tall boy stepped out of the limo, his eyes blocked by the designer sunglasses. To the people around, they didn't know who he was, but to Haruhi he was Kyoya-senpai. Everyone who had been outside gawked and gathered around the obviously rich- or famous?!- boy. Not even seconds after he stepped from the limo, five more bodies- all boys- followed; every single one of them decked out in obvious luxury and overpriced attires.
Haruhi blushed as she realized she was soaking wet due to the water gun battle. "Uh, hey guys." She sheepishly walked up to the group of six boys, keeping her arms crossed over her chest so her pink bra wouldn't show through the white, wet fabric. "Sorry I'm not ready. I lost track of time."
"It's quite alright, Haruhi. We came early." Kyoya gave her one of his rare, authentic smiles before making his way to her apartment door.
"Haru-chan, I brought sweets for us to eat!" Honey bounced up to Haruhi, smiling sweetly up at the girl.
Haruhi smiled down at the older boy, "That's great. I'll just go dry off and change then I'll be ready."
As Haruhi turned and led the group up to her home, she wasn't aware of the identical golden eyes raking over her body, enjoying the sight of her skin showing through her wet clothing. Nor did she notice the tall, blonde King of the Host Club blushing deep red and keeping his anywhere- everywhere but Haruhi.
"Hey, Dad?" Haruhi called out as she entered her home, "Is my suitcase ready and packed?"
Ranka, who had been in mid-conversation with Kyoya, smiled at Haruhi, "Yes, Haruhi. All three of your bags are packed and ready to go."
"Three?!" Haruhi glared at her father, but seeing the sweet, innocent look on his face caused her to sigh and walk to her room. She might as well let her father have his way. She really was in no mood to argue with him, and she was sure if she attempted to repack her things, Kyoya would just add more to her debt for making them late.
As Haruhi busied herself with drying off and changing, the hosts all made themselves at home in the small living room space. Kyoya returned to his conversation with Ranka; Make sure she eats well, make sure she's safe, normal father worries being placed in his capable hands. The twins were whispering amongst themselves, making suggestive comments about Haruhi's wet t-shirt. Honey was chatting away to Mori about a new pastry shop that opened and how he wanted to stop by before they left. Tamaki- always the idiot- was going through a photo album and gushing over how cute his darling Haruhi looked when she was younger and all dressed in cute, girly clothes.
No one was aware of Haruhi's inner battle brought on by seeing her lovely Host Club boys and the thrill that was still lingering in her at the fact that they all had seen her in a revealing wet, white t-shirt as she changed into dry comfortable clothes. Checking herself in the mirror, she nodded her head at her reflection, feeling comfortable in the khaki shorts that reached mid-thigh, and daring in the light blue V-neck shirt. Pulling on her trainers, Haruhi felt ready and nervous to leave for their summer vacation.
*.*
Settled comfortably in the plush seat on the limo, Haruhi laughed as Kaoru told a silly joke. She was seated in between the rambunctious twins, so falling victim to their random tickling or suggestive touches was inevitable. "Honestly, Kaoru, your jokes are so terrible they're funny." She smiled at the younger twin.
Kaoru feigned a hurt expression and placed a hand over his heart, "Oh, Haruhi. Why must you be so mean?"
Haruhi smiled and leaned back in her seat, listening to the laughter and conversations between the boys floating around in the space of the limo. She had grown oh so fond of the boys over the past year and some months that she's been 'doomed' to be a part of the Host Club. Of course she thought they were all a bunch of idiots in the beginning… but she soon was able to peel back their layers and see them for who they are, and not the rich bastards she pegged them to be. Her fondness for the boys went deeper than a friendship. She had feelings for them, and they confused the hell out of her. Being the dense girl that was- after all, she was book smart, and her common sense paled in comparison- she didn't understand why her heart began to race when she was around Kaoru, or why her stomach clenched when her eyes met with Kyoya's. After time it became clear to her that she had growing feelings for the boys that had changed her life. Haruhi didn't know when the feelings began to bud, but she knew they grew each and every day.
Of course she thought about distancing herself from the boys, hoping the feelings would fade away. However, Haruhi knew that if she distanced herself, it would only make them worry and try to pull her back to them. So, she opted to ignoring her feelings. They'd go away soon enough, right? After all, she was a teenage girl, and whether she acted like it or not crushes were bound to happen. Still, even with all her suppressing of feelings, Haruhi would find them flaring up at the most inopportune moments. Like when Mori would change into a costume for the theme of the day- those boys had no problems stripping down in the large room of the Host Club- and she saw the undeniably handsome abs and muscles of his body. Or when Hikaru's touches lingered far too long- not that she minded. Most of the things the boys would do only caused her to want to hide away and not face them ever again.
It was unnatural to have a crush on six men at once. Well, five really. She knew she liked Honey, but deep down she felt as if it was a sister-brother like/love she felt for the older boy. But still, having a crush on five men all at once… Was that even healthy? She never really thought of herself to be the settling down type, but once her feelings were screaming in her mind and heart to the point where she couldn't deny them anymore, she began thinking about her future more. Could she see herself marrying and having kids with any of the hosts? Would it be better to just forget her feelings, get over them, and find someone who truly suited her? Someone who truly suited her… In a way, all the hosts suited her perfectly. There was Kyoya, who matched her in intelligence, even surpassed her, and had an excellent snarky humor that always kept her on her toes. Mori who was silent and strong, but when he did speak they could have conversations for hours on just about any topic. Kaoru and Hikaru… Even though they were twins they were very different. Kaoru was playful- much like his twin- but he was sweet and respectful, always knowing just what to do or say to cheer her up when she needed it. Hikaru was devious, immature, egotistical… and yet he deeply cared for Haruhi and challenged her in more ways than just silly games. Then there was Tamaki… The dumb idiot who claimed he was her father. He was weird, crazy, overzealous yet he had a heart of pure gold and always wanted to help those who needed it, whether they wanted it or not.
Haruhi sighed, she was thinking way too much… Her eyes flitted over the hosts, and when they landed on Honey he was staring right at her with brown eyes that… It was like he was reading her, knowing what was going on inside her head… Haruhi quickly looked away. Soon the conversations of her beloved boys became a quiet buzz as her eyelids dropped low, and sleep washed over her.
Tamaki watched as Haruhi slept, her head resting on Hikaru's shoulder. The conversations amongst the male hosts had stopped once they noticed she was asleep. "She looks so precious when she sleeps…"
"Haru-chan is too cute." Honey sang as he got up and placed Usa-chan on Haruhi's lap.
Kaoru looked over at his twin and smiled upon seeing the blush on his cheeks. "Do you want me to move her?" He asked quietly.
"N-No, no… She's fine." Hikaru responded, his eyes flashing down to the sleeping girl. His blush darkened as his eyes traveled down the V-neck of the shirt- her arm pressed against his caused the fabric to rise and give him a perfect view down her shirt, showing off the white and black polka dot bra that hugged her all-of-a-sudden developing breasts.
Haruhi mumbled in her sleep, "Fancy… tuna…"
Chuckles filled the inside of the limo as the boys watched their beloved Haruhi mumble and moan about her fancy tuna. She really was something. Since the day she shattered the vase she inevitably changed all their lives. The way she easily saw through and understood each and every one of them, the way she was so understanding and eventually welcoming of the things they did… No one treated them the way their precious Haruhi does. From the moment she became a host, it was an unmentionable gamble between the boys to see who would fall in love first, who would win her over, who would keep her in the end. So far they were all losing. Each one of the boys had fallen for her, hard, and whether they acted on their feelings or stifled them deep down inside depended on who they were. None of them were ready to admit their feelings, for they were afraid of rejection. However, just like their unspoken gamble, this summer vacation was going to have a great outcome for one of them.
One of the Host Club boys was going to make Haruhi his.