Yay, I actually sat down to write a fanfiction! This'll be my first one so please don't write me off if you hate it. If you don't hate it, review it and tell me how I can make it better! Don't ask me about Haruhi's mental breakdown, I think she had a female moment, we all get them. Also, sorry it's so fricken long, it was just supposed to be a story to help me learn the ropes, enjoy, and gratzi!

I DON'T OWN OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB (cuz if I did this is how it would all play out, to the letter!)

Kyouya typed away in his secret digital log, as he did every day after hosting activities, transferring the notes taken in his black, leather bound notebook into his laptop. There had to be some benefit to keeping a journal, even if that was merely to keep himself sane, or to review for future reference. At the very least its short term use was allowing him to think clearly. With such a chaotic environment around him with his personal and social life, it was useful to look over what had happened, over and over again, reassessing until everything made perfect sense.

As he finished his daily entry, he noted the date, adding to the countdown he had been keeping since the first of November: DAYS LEFT: 1.

It was November 21, maybe the most dreadful day of the entire year. No, tomorrow would beat it. Somehow, it always managed to.

Kyouya couldn't stand the thought of his own birthday. He couldn't fathom what could cause it to be such a joyous event. It was only a reason for people to think for an instant that they were important to the world. Celebrate my birth when it makes a difference, when I'm successful. It's nothing more than an infinitesimal event raising the world's already too high population until that happens.

Three years ago Kyouya was happy when his birthday was near. When he was little it was the one day his father and siblings dropped their current occupation and spent time with him, and as he grew older it was the day his father allowed him to observe his work, explained the intricacies of the Ootori business.

It was Tamaki who changed his outlook.

As soon as Tamaki became his friend, his social life had taken a new turn. His popularity rose, more people learning of the forsaken date.

He thought it was harmless enough when Tamaki asked him when his birthday was. Besides, he knew well enough how easy that fact was to obtain on one's own, so hiding it would be pointless. He could have no idea that November 22 of his third year in middle school would mark the beginning of a tradition he would have to bear annually for, what he imagined would be, the rest of his education under the establishment of Ouran.

Normally it began with the day prior. Tamaki would bring it up after the morning's foreboding purple aura had diluted and Kyouya was back to his usual, icy self. After the first mentioning they would become increasingly frequent as the day went on. By the time Tamaki was leaving for the day, Kyouya had been able to piece together an entire agenda of how the next day would play out. The first year of their friendship Tamaki had made the mistake of calling him in the morning, but he learned what a mistake it was the second he skipped up to his tired, not to mention infuriated, friend at school. He had waited until after homeroom last year to speak a word to him. Either way, the first words that came out of the blond idiot's mouth were "Bon anniversaire, mon ami, bon anniversaire!"

As the day rolled on customers and classmates alike would shower him with happy wishes and gifts, though none of them as vehemently obnoxious as Tamaki. His was simply a passion unequalled by any, though Kyouya counted that as a blessing.

The previous year Hunny-sempai had chosen a cake especially for the occasion. It was a rich and moist chocolate recipe his chef had created personally. The frosting was some kind of whipped topping with raspberries folded into it. Every person who celebrated with the fairly new born host club that year, though at that time the club wasn't as popular as it had since become, said the cake was the best they'd had, not to be unexpected of the chef of Hunny. Even Kyouya took a few bites, but with his low tolerance for sweets had to drink what seemed like a quart of water to wash down the powerful taste. Perhaps this year Hunny would think back to that and refrain from bringing a cake, or better yet any sort of dessert.

After that was all over Tamaki would insist on driving him home, even though Tachibana would be waiting with a car outside. It would be the one car ride in the entire year that Tamaki insisted that Kyouya take part in the conversation rather than listen with a comment here and there.

As soon as Kyouya was free of the blond plague he would tread through his door, only being welcomed by his elder sister, Fuyumi. She was the only one who took note of his birthday anymore. She would inquire how his day had been and he would answer in the same manner he might in the early morning by fault of exhaustion. She would try to get him to explain, and when she finally gave up she would make him a pot of tea so he could relax, and leave him to do as he pleased.

As Kyouya reviewed his notes he noticed something didn't fit this plan. The only mentions of the upcoming day were from customers and a few from classmates. Tamaki hadn't said a word.

He reread the log several times before adjusting his glasses and looking up to the rest of the club, who were cleaning up the room. There had been no cosplay today so they hadn't had to change and were nearly finished.

"Tamaki," he called. "We haven't discussed activities for tomorrow."

The rest of the club looked at their president, who pondered what his friend had said. "Well," he began, then perked as Haruhi walked into the room with a fresh pot of tea. "What do you think, Haruhi?" Kyouya flinched. Why the hell is he asking her?

Haruhi set down the tea set and looked at Tamaki irritably. "What are you talking about, sempai?"

"What do you think we should do for club activities tomorrow?" He gazed at her inquisitively while she thought it over. "I, personally, think we should have another mellow day. You know, without dressing up or any kind of event. Don't you agree?"

"Please," she said, contemptuously. She looked away from him, occupying herself with pouring the tea. "To have a 'mellow' day we'd have to have a day where you don't come, Tamaki-sempai."

"Haruhi-!" Tamaki began to protest.

"She's right, milord, you add way too much trouble to the day," started Hikaru.

"The only way we could possibly have a day of relaxation—" Kaoru added.

"Would be for you to stay home," the twins finished the statement in unison.

Tamaki was taken aback by the words. A look of hurt crossed his face, quickly being replaced by stubborn anger. "My little Haruhi would never wish for such a thing!" His little Haruhi, Kyouya thought, swallowing hard. "She's not as evil as you little devils. If she wanted a day without anyone it would be you two. That would be relaxing, right Haruhi?" He was nearly begging, as if he needed the confirmation of what he had said to continue living.

Kyouya caught the look of sadness that she had on her face as she contemplated a day without Tamaki, as if the very idea of it was painful, but before the others would be able to pick up on it the sadness phased into the same look of utter distaste she had worn before.

Her eyes shot to Tamaki. "Who are you calling 'your little a Haruhi?'"

Tamaki's eyes widened, his hand shooting to his chest and curling into a loose fist above his heart, as if to shield it from potential damage. "I-…is that a no?"

"It's a hell no, sempai!" She seemed to have to force herself to continue speaking, her voice rising in volume and pitch. "Who in their right mind would pass up a break from you, a break from any of you? The idea couldn't sound nicer!"

Tamaki jolted as if being hit by an arrow, right through the chest. He staggered, and fell to his knees. The twins stared in awe at Haruhi. By their expressions Kyouya could tell they were trying to decide whether or not it would be okay to tease Tamaki. He just stared at Haruhi, who stared back with a blank expression on her face.

Tamaki's shell-shocked expression changed into a look of anguish. "Ha—Ha-…Haruhi," Tamaki stuttered as his violet eyes filled with tears. He didn't say anymore, just sat there, sobbing as he always did when something hurt him.

The twins began to laugh in harmony. They had decided teasing would be acceptable, apparently. "Wow, Haruhi. Way to stick it to him," they said together.

"Not that he didn't deserve it," Hikaru added, with a slight hint of belligerence.

"He really should learn that you don't belong to him," Kaoru stated.

Together they took a malicious grin, looking over to Tamaki, who was pouting to his fullest extent, but glanced over to see their evil expressions. "He's such an idiot," they taunted, making Tamaki wince, going back to his previous stance of despair.

"C'mon, Haruhi," Hikaru chirped. "It's cold outside."

"We'll have our driver take you home," chimed in Kaoru.

The twins each took one of Haruhi's arms, leading her toward the door. As they forced her out she looked back at Tamaki, who was still curled up on the ground. Kyouya couldn't quite decode her expression, but guessed it was guilt.

Hunny got up from his seat by a table, having finished his cake. "We should go too, Takashi!" He snatched Bun-Bun off the chair opposite his own. "Our car is waiting outside!" As he pranced toward the door he stopped and bent over to get a better look at Tamaki. "Tama-chan, we're leaving." As Tamaki looked up and wiped one of his eyes with his hand, Hunny's smile brightened. "See you tomorrow!"

Tamaki nodded, smiling at the boy-lolita. "See you, Hunny-sempai." He glanced at his other upper classman, who lent him a hand to help him up. "You too, Mori-sempai."

Mori simply nodded with a smile, and with that, hoisted Hunny to his shoulders. The two left without another word.

Tamaki slumped over to the couch and sat down next to a slightly irritated Kyouya.

"Mommy?" Tamaki was still slightly whiney, setting Kyouya on edge.

"Yes, Daddy," Kyouya asked, as gently and sweetly as he could.

"Do you…" He stopped, choosing his words.

Kyouya waited, trying to figure out what his friend meant to ask him. "If you're asking whether or not I agree with Haruhi I—"

"It's not that." Tamaki stalled, looking like he might start crying again.

Kyouya was surprised. It's not? He was suddenly getting upset, truly upset. "Then what is it?" he demanded, unable to keep his tone sweet.

"Do you think she was serious?" Tears began to well up in his violet eyes again.

Kyouya flinched. That wasn't the question he was expecting, but now that it'd been asked he didn't know why. Haruhi was all Tamaki ever thought about anymore. Of course he didn't care if he wanted him there; it was based on Haruhi's position of the matter. He wasn't sure how to answer, he didn't want to answer. He looked to his computer, hiding his eyes behind the glare of his glasses. "Why would you ask me?" He was somehow keeping his voice steady. Good. If he could keep it that way for a little longer, that is.

"Well," Tamaki thought. "You're so good at understanding what people are feeling. I'm not good at that."

No shit, you're not! Kyouya couldn't understand why he was getting so upset. Wasn't it true that Tamaki was nothing more than the trigger for a series of dramatic and awful events on his birthday? All he had to do was lie to him and say that Haruhi would feel better if he gave her a day of peace. Tamaki's attendance record could take a single hit, it wouldn't hurt him that bad, and the chairman would be gullible enough to believe his son's broken heart was sickness. Tamaki would probably be glad he did it. There was the chance that distance might make Haruhi's heart grow fonder. She wouldn't say such a hurtful thing again if she thought it might impact him in this way.

Kyouya's stomach lunged. For some reason he didn't like the idea, at all. He adjusted his glasses again, pushing them a little too hard into the bridge of his nose. He set them, instead, to typing. He didn't monitor what; he just wanted his hands to busy themselves. "What would you do if I said I thought she was?"

Tamaki didn't answer. Kyouya could see out of the corner of his eye that he was looking down at his thumbs, which he was twiddling nervously.

"Well?" he pursued. "Would you skip? Tomorrow? You would miss tomorrow, of all days, just because Haruhi wanted you to?"

Tamaki cringed away from his friend. Obviously his voice had wavered, and the idiot detected it. "Well," he mumbled. "Maybe."

"Really." Kyouya had managed to steady his voice. He had no reason to be upset, anyway. Why should he show that he was? "You never miss school, and you would skip for a reason as trivial as that." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Tamaki turned his vibrant, puppylike eyes on his friend, and even though it was only out of the corner of his eye the image was enough to break the composure Kyouya was scrambling to assemble. He was getting flustered. "I don't know," the blond cried. "That's why I'm asking you! If I don't come and she wasn't serious I'll have over reacted and she might think badly of me for it—"

"Then come."

"—but if she was serious and I come she won't get the time she needs and she'll continue to hate me"

Then come. It was aggravating how much Tamaki's confusion discombobulated Kyouya. He was usually so eloquent, but as for now he couldn't bear the conversation for any longer. He reached out and snapped his laptop shut, stopping his typing right in the middle of whatever he had been working at. He stood up as quickly as possible: the little contact between the boys knees was enough to sicken him. Tamaki looked up at him, clueless as usual.

Kyouya swallowed and sighed, then turned back to the blond on the couch, reluctantly offering his hand to help his friend to his feet. "All I can tell you is that I don't know Haruhi as well as you seem to think, but knowing what I do about her she wasn't kidding, but she wasn't entirely serious."

Tamaki followed closely, too closely, behind Kyouya as they walked out of the club room together. "I don't understand."

Dammit, pull it together. You're talking about Haruhi, remember? "I mean that, while she thinks she wants you gone, she would be heartbroken if you didn't come." Talking about Haruhi.

Kyouya left his friend in the building as he ran to meet his main servant, Tachibana, in the parking lot. Snow was falling outside, disabling Kyouya from seeing Tamaki the yards away that he was.

Talking about Haruhi. I was talking about Haruhi.

His own eyes welled with tears, but unlike his moronic friend he didn't allow them to spill.

Talking about Haruhi.

Yeah, right.

I do commend you if you've read this far. I was trying to keep it in character, but my fan girl fetishes got in the way of it. I still thought it was pretty in character, but if you disagree TELL ME WHY! I can't fix a problem if I don't know I have it, right? Well, until then:

CIAO BELLISIMA et HASTA LA PASTA!