Here's Chapter one.. It's kinda haruhi-centric.. Character/plot development..

DISCLAIMER: I repeat, I do not own anything.. I wish Ouran is mine though,. haha wishful thinking..

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Sunday, 11:00pm, Renge's room

"Oh dear! Haru-chan!! What are you doing?!"

"Eh? Nothing much."

"Cutting your hair is 'something'! It's not 'nothing' haru-chan! What are you doing?"

"Well okay, a kid accidentally put a gum on my hair this morning. I tried to remove it, but I can't. Besides, I think a short hair is easier to manage."

"Ugh... you really are weird sometimes you know..."

"By the way Renge, are those pile of mails yours?"

"Yes! Dad probably submitted my name on different colleges.. So yes, I received a lot of invitations... oh yeah haruhi, I forgot to tell you that you have a mail from Japan, wait a second -- here you go."

"..."

"Ne, haru-chan what's the matter? Are you okay?"

"Re-renge, I g-got accepted..."

"Huh? I don't understand... okay let me see that, hmm.. 'To Ms Fujioka Haruhi, we are pleased to..blah..blah..blah..' what?! Wow haruhi! I'm so proud of you!"

"Uh thanks Renge. I know how excited you are, but please, you don't need to strangle me you know"

"Oh yeah, of course! Hehe.. But really haruhi, although I'm so happy for you, I want you to know that I'll miss you!"

"I'll miss you too Renge! But no matter how far we are from each other, please always remember that you will always be my best friend."

"Oh Haru-chan. Don't say that please. You make it sound that you'll leave me tomorrow... By the way, when are you going to Japan?"

"Uhm, the latest would be within two weeks. I need to make a physical appearance at the orientation week."

"... I see... but it sure is a short notice..."

"C'mon now renge, I thought you're happy for me.. Please don't give me that look..."

"You can't blame me you know. We practically grew up together haru-chan. We're like sisters... It seems only yesterday when we were in grade school; but now we are going to college. I just can't imagine what it would be like to not have you by my side... Are you sure you don't want to stay here?"

"As much as I want to be with you, I also want to fulfill my dream Renge. It's also hard for me to separate with my best friend, but Renge, you know that I can't let this opportunity pass. I'm not rich like you

Renge, I only depend on opportunities like this to continue my education. Uncle Mito told me that he will pay for my college tuition fee, but I cannot accept that renge.. You and your dad have already done a lot for me.. I think it's about time for me to stand on my own feet.."

"I understand haru-chan. I'm sorry for getting too emotional. I wish you goodluck haru-chan! I know that you can fulfill your dream of becoming a lawyer."

"Thank you renge! I wish you good luck too! Besides, I'll try to see you on holidays."

"Wow! Really? Okay haru-chan! I'll be waiting you!"

"Err.. We didn't notice the time.. It's already late, I think we need to go to bed now.. I also need to wake up early tomorrow to buy some things that I will bring to japan."

"Haru-chan, can I go with you tomorrow?" Renge said with a pout

Haruhi chuckled "Of course Renge, I don't see why not... Good night Renge."

"Good night Haru..."

--

(A week after haruhi got her letter)

Friday, 5:30pm, JFK airport

"...Haruhi, don't forget to email me okay? Please take care of yourself..."

"I won't forget renge.. Please don't cry.. You should take care too, okay? I'm going to miss you!"

...last call to all passengers of flight 317, bound to Narita Airport, please proceed to gate 24...

"You should go now haruhi..."

"I guess so.. Bye renge..."

Renge sadly watched as haruhi entered 24 gate.. 'Till we meet again my best friend!'

Haruhi sat at the window side of the plane, thinking about all the memories she had in america..

'I'll sure miss this place... though I am also excited to know how

japan is like after 7 years of not seeing it... after 7 years, I'm gonna

see mom and dad again.. Im not sure if I already have the strength to

face the truth.. Mom, Dad, please be there for me..'

Flashback, 7 years ago

"...mom, why did you leave me? Why did you have to die?"

It was a rainy afternoon outside the Fujioka residence. Haruhi never went out of the house since her mother's funeral. Her father thought that haruhi would get over the tragedy; but, it has been almost a month now that Haruhi would do nothing but cry, and wait for her mother. So, Haruhi's father decided that he needs to do something to help her daughter.

"Haruhi... may I come in?" Ranka asked

"..."

Without expecting for a reply, Ranka entered haruhi's room.

"Haruhi, I know how hard this situation is for you... I can't bear to see you like this, my daughter.. Please, haruhi.. I miss seeing you smile you know..."

"... I'm sorry dad.. I just can't help it.. I keep on remembering mom, no matter what I do.. It makes me feel sad whenever I remember her.." Haruhi cried.

"I know.. I know haruhi.." Ranka hugged haruhi so tight, as if not to let her go. A single tear ran on his cheek as he saw how lonely his daughter is.

--

Later that night, Ranka called his childhood friend who is now living in america. He asked his friend if Haruhi can stay in america for a while so that she could at least start a new life and move on. It was a hard decision for Ranka; he didn't want to be away with his daughter, but he didn't want her to suffer any longer.

"..are you sure about this ranka? Don't you think your daughter is too young for this set-up? I mean, how would a ten-year-old girl handle a life without her parents by her side?"

"It's for the best Mito.. The only way she could move on is for her to forget her past.. Besides, I trust my daughter. She can handle it.."

"I understand.. Okay ranka, I'll take care of her visa.. I'll call you as soon as everything is prepared.. Don't stress yourself too much.. If there's any more you need, don't hesitate to call me.."

"Thank you Mito.. I know I could count on you my friend.. Bye.."

--

A month after the conversation, Haruhi went to America and stayed at Mito's house (or more like a mansion).. Apparently, Mito's daughter, who was born in France, also went to America to study there..

Her name is Renge. She is about the same age as Haruhi. Since the day they've met, Haruhi and Renge have become best friends.

..End of flashback..

Haruhi didn't seem to notice how long her flight to japan was. She was deeply consumed with different thoughts about what she will be facing when she begins her new life in Japan.

'..father, where are you? it's been a long time since I've last seen you.. No matter what they say, I know that you are still alive. I know that I will see you again..'

".. Attention all passengers, the plane will be landing Narita Airport in 20 minutes.."

'..Finally..' Haruhi was awakened by the pilot's announcement. She got herself ready, making sure that all her hand-carry items are complete.

When she arrived at Tokyo, she went straight to the 5-star hotel on which she will be staying for a week before the school begins. Her uncle Mito and Renge insisted that they will pay all Haruhi's hotel bills. As much as she wants to reject the offer, Haruhi has no play to go, so in the end, she accepted it.

The hotel was too extravagant for her taste. It was obviously exclusive for the people of high society. She went to her room and fell asleep immediately, without even changing her clothes.

"I'm so tired... my jet lag is killing me...", haruhi muttered in her sleep.

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A/N: Okay! that's for chapter one. How was it? What happened to Haruhi's father? It will be revealed at some point in the later chapters..