Thank you to everyone who followed/ Favorited. Hope you all like this next chapter, and please review to let me know what you think! Good, bad, or neutral, I would love to know what you think.
Review replies:
Guest:
First of all, Thank you for the review! I have to say I am leaning towards a Honey/Haruhi pairing! He is one of my favorite hosts, and has been the romantic interest in my other Host Club stories… But I haven't developed the story enough at this point to make a solid decision. :)
Justaislinn:
Haha sorry about that.. I didn't notice that some of my formatting was lost when I transferred the document to . You know, I had not seen Maid-sama before, but I marathoned it after I read your review ^_^ I can see where the similarities are! I do plan on making it different though, and I plan my story to *spoiler* have some darker elements that I will be hinting to.. Not Usa-chan prostitution though! lol Anyway, thank you for the review, and I hope you continue to enjoy my story!
BelieverOfManyThings:
Thank you for the review! Hope this chapter is as enjoyable as the last! :)
Haruhi stood in the middle of the drugstore aisle contemplating two bottles she held in her hands. They weren't necessities for the camping trip she was currently shopping for, but she figured she would need them one she was back in the rush her life had become. Mind made up she tossed the pain killers and caffeine pills into the shopping basket she had resting in the crook of her elbow. Along the way she made sure to grab the bug repellant and pocket first aid she had originally come for. Haruhi checked out and made her way out the door into the brisk autumn air.
On the short walk home she questioned why the host club would have the bright idea to go camping in the middle of fall. She would much prefer to go in summer or spring when the weather would be kinder, but no such luck.
Toeing off her shoes as she shuts the door behind her, Haruhi quickly adds her newly acquired items into her bag sitting in the entryway.
Not to long after a loud knock sounded on her door. The host club came spilling before she even had a chance to fully open the door.
"Haruhi!" Tamaki, the first one through the door, exuberantly shouted. "Are you ready to go on a camping trip with Daddy!?" He glomped her.
"Get off Senpai!" she struggled in his grasp "I can't breath!" She began to claw and his sleeve covered arm.
If Tamaki heard her muffled pleas, he made a good show of ignoring her. "Out in nature! Cuddled at a campfire for warmth! Hot chocolate and s'mores!" he twirled around with the small sixteen year old in his arms. "A commoners adventure of survival!"
Head spinning Haruhi called the name of the only one she knew would, and could save her from the grasp of the over excited host king. "Mori-senpai, help!" In two large strides he was upon them and lifting the small girl up in his arms and away from harm. She heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you senpai" he gave her a faint smile and nod in response as he set her gently back on the ground away from her attacker.
"Haru-chan!" She was greeted by a much more gentle hug from her smallest senior. she flashed a smile at his beaming face.
"Hello Honey-senpai" she returned the gesture for a moment before gently pulling away to shoulder her bag.
"You look cute Haru-chan!" he bounced in place. "we almost match!" he gestured at the puffer vests that they were both wearing. His was obviously much better quality, and a much brighter bronze than her plain almost black brown but she could see the excitement.
"No fair!" the twins intoned from just on the threshold of her door. "we want to match with Haruhi!" They yanked her into their arms and nuzzled their faces against her cheeks in a manner they knew was bothersome to her.
"Need I remind you all," Kyouya's voice deadpanned from beside the sulking king "that we are on a schedule?" He grabbed the back of Tamaki's coat and began to drag him out the door. " We must be off." The finality in his voice urged the rest of the host club into action as they all trudged out the door, Haruhi and the twins last as she locked the door and gave the handle a good jiggle to be sure.
Haruhi jogged down the stairs to catch up with the rest of the group, and leaped the last step. Hurry up Haruhi!" the twins called from beside the most ridiculous sight she had seen in a while. Apparently, the host club were going camping in a gleaming hummer limo.
Hiking her bag up higher on her shoulder, the doe eyed rookie made her way across the parking lot and into the overkill-mobile.
Getting into the limo, Haruhi made sure to sit between the far window and Mori to reduce her chances of being physically harassed on the ride to wherever the hell they were going to camp. Haruhi stared blankly out the window as they pulled out of her apartment complex and soon, out of the city. "where exactly are we going?" she questioned as she watched the trees pass by.
"Honey-senpai Has a cabin in the mountains. That is where we are going." Kyouya spoke over the other hosts mundane chatter and the clicking of his keyboard as he continued to type.
That drew Haruhi's attention away from the window. "A cabin?" she questioned in disbelief. "Going to a cabin is not camping!"
Kyouya peered up at her through his glasses, "Did you really think that we would be sleeping on the ground?" Well when you say it like that.. she thought.
"Damn rich bastards" mumbled under her breath so none of them could hear her insult.
"Haru-chan Haru-chan!" Hunny leaned around his cousin so he could make eye contact with the natural host. "Are you excited! The cabin is super fun!" He bounced up and down in his seat. "There should be snow up there so we can build snow bunnies!" flowers danced around his head "Oh! And there is a slide from the third floor to the first! Isn't that soo cool Haru-chan!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun Honey-senpai" She returned his big smile with one of her own.
"And I made sure there would be lots of cake so we won't run out!" he said like it is the most important thing in the world. "ah" his face turned a little downcast " but there are only three rooms at the cabin…" he trailed off with a thoughtful look on his face and his finger against his down turned mouth. "I know!" he exclaimed with another happy smile, "You can share a room with me and Takeshi!" He let out a cute giggle.
"NO!" Tamaki abruptly stood bumping his head on the roof "It's only right for a daughter to share a room with her father!" he ran his fingers along the tender spot on his head "Haruhi will room with me and Kyouya!" he said with a sense of finality and a nod of his head.
"As if." Haruhi deadpanned punching the host kin with her words.
"But Ha-ru-hiiii" he whined with puppy dog eyes.
"I would rather sleep in the car" blunt and to the point. She shivered slightly at the thought of having to share a room with overbearing Tamaki-senpai and the evil shadow king.
"You're more then welcome to bunk with us Haruhi" the twins wiggled their eyebrows suggestively. "We can all cuddle to keep warm" Kaoru threw her a wink as Hikaru blew imaginary kisses at her.
"Not gonna happen." she turned back to the window.
"Yaay! Haru-chan is staying with us Takashi!"
"Ah" She looked up as she felt the wild hosts hand pat her on the head.
Haruhi stifled a laugh as she heard the small university student continue to exclaim happily as the twins and Tamaki grumbled in disappointment.
Haruhi marveled at the beauty of the scenery surrounding the extremely large (more like a lodge in her opinion) cabin owned by the Haninozuka family. Tall majestic evergreen trees with a light dusting of snow on their branches surrounded the clearing of the grand 3 story cabin. Haruhi stood upon the thin layer of snow, and enjoyed the freshness of the air, the gentle sway of the branches overhead, and the quiet scurrying of animals hidden in the foliage.
"Woow" She heard the twins exclamed as she took in a deep breath of cold mountain air, "Not bad Honey-senpai!" The shuffling of feet let her know that the rest of the host club was making their way up to the cabin. "You coming Haruhi?"
She opened her brilliant brown eyes with a smile "Coming!" Haruhi picked up her feet and jogged to catch up.
The main room of the cabin was spacious and welcoming with large windows, vaulted exposed ceilings, golden wood, a cherry hearth, and as promised, a slide from the third floor. "What a charming cabin Honey-senpai!" Tamaki exclaimed in a grand voice as he did a little twirl to get a full view of the room. "Simply marvelous!" he danced his way across the room and to the grand fireplace. "Come Haruhi! Cuddle by the fire with Papa!" he flashed her a winning smile.
"No thanks" Haruhi spun on her heels and made her way into the next room taking note of the twins sneaking back out the front door.
"Such a nice kitchen.." Haruhi looked around in slight wonder "Looks straight out of a magazine" Glancing out one of the many windows, Haruhi noticed a procession of gleaming expensive cars pulling up into the clearing. "Ah! She called out "Looks like the girls are arriving!"
Tamaki immediately perked up from his moping "Places everyone! We must give our Princesses a most gracious welcome!" he commanded as he pranced to the door.
"Welcome Princesses! To the host club's cabin getaway!" They all recited as the doors opened in a flurry of snowflakes.
Haruhi stood in what she was now calling the Martha Stewart Kitchen humming softly and making hot cocoa for the rest of the hosts and their guests. It was a good outing she decided. The hosts were entertaining in various places of the main room, occasionally taking strolls along one of the less snow covered forest paths and going up the elevator (rich bastards) and down the slide. Enough girls showed up to make it lively, but not so many that they were competing over the hosts attention.
"Haruhi-kun?" A cute brunet popped her head around the corner. "There you are!"
"Yoko-san" Haruhi gave her classmate and regular guest a brilliant smile. "I was just finishing up some cocoa for the others." she gestured to the trays filled with steaming mugs. "Would you like to take one?"
"Thank you Haruhi-kun" a light blush dusted the girls cheeks. "Would you like me to help you pass them out?" she indicated to the second tray prepared.
"Ah!" the brunet host waved her hands "That's not necessary Yoko-san, you should relax and enjoy yourself".
"It's not problem at all Haruhi-kun" she walked up and grabbed the nearest tray. "You're always the only one to be so thoughtful of the others".
Haruhi rubbed the back of her head in flattered embarrassment "In that case, thank you for your help".
The two 2nd years made their way into the main room and, cocoa in hand. "Are you enjoying yourself Yoko-san?" the natural host questioned as they started passing out mugs to all the awaiting girls.
"Very much!" they sat down with their own cocoa and now empty trays. "It's so beautiful up here" A dreamy look entered the other girls eyes "it almost makes you forget all your troubles…" she trailed off with downcast eyes for a moment "Especially since Haruhi-kun is here!"
Haruhi smiled gently as she blew the steam coming from the mug she held between two hands to warm up. "I feel the same way. It's nice to be here among friends and enjoy Honey-senpai's cabin together."
"Haruhi!" she turned to where Tamaki was surrounded by a gaggle of adoring girls. He waved her over.
"Excuse me please" she bid adieu to the other girl. "What is it Tamaki-senpai?" she queried.
"Tell me," he threw his arm over her shoulder, "What do commoners do when up in the mountains?"
"Hmm" Haruhi thought about it for a moment. Her finger touching her lip in contemplation. "Gather around a campfire and play game or sing.." she trailed off.
"What kind of games?" He wondered.
"Truth or dare, scary stories, never have I ever… but that last one is a drinking game so out of the question." Haruhi shrugged, out of ideas. "I haven't been to the mountains a lot, and never with peers…" Haruhi trailed off as the door banged open with a gust of wind and snow.
"Uwaaaaa!" Hunny came running in with Mori, who quickly shut the door, close behind. "It's starting to storm!" Large tears ran down the loli shota's face. Everyone quickly ran to the nearest window and peered out into the dusky sky. The snow was indeed beginning to pick up into blizzard like conditions.
The girls around the room began to murmur in worry. Haruhi heard many girls worrying how they were going to be able to get home and wondering how long they were going to be stuck there.
The host club gathered and huddled in a tight circle "It seems we are facing a situation unplanned for" Tamaki whispered dramatically.
"I will call my private police and have them bring provisions for everyone." Kyouya pushed his glasses up his nose and whipped out his cellphone.
Haruhi noticed the twins glance at each other in guilt. "We have a more serious problem…" All eyes turned to them. "We may have thrown Haruhi's bag in the woods…." Kaoru scratched his head in nervousness.
Haruhi's eyes began to glow with anger. "You did what"
"You only packed masculine clothes!" Hikaru threw his hands up in defense.
"we wanted to make sure you had to wear the pretty stuff we brought you…" Kaoru laughed awkwardly.
"So what you are saying" Tamaki began in a carefully neutral voice, "Is that Haruhi has only the clothes on her back and girly things to wear until the storm lets up enough for the girls to make their way off the mountain…"
"Basically…"
"YOU MORONS!" He burst out at the top of his lungs.
"Shhh!" Kyouya hushed the blond when all the girls looked over to them in curiosity. "Honey and Haruhi are relatively the same size. "If need be, she can wear some of his things." He said in a reasonable tone.
"Haru-chan" honey whispered cutely, "I'm okay with lending you some of my clothes" he gave a bright grin.
"Thank you Honey-senpai" relief washed through the natural host.
Haruhi was sandwiched between the twins on a sofa, stubbornly ignoring their pestering as she impassively watched the Ootori police toss sleeping bag after sleeping bag, pillow after pillow, and heaps of dry firewood into the room as the harsh wind and snow beat on them. She looked on in envy as they began bringing in dozens of night dresses for the girls, but she understood it would bring unnecessary scrutiny onto her if they brought sleep cloths for her as well. After all, she supposedly packed for the entire weekend like the rest of the hosts.
"If I can have everyone attention for a moment" Haruhi and the twins turned to the center of the room where the shadow kings voice sounded form. "The host club and I have taken the liberty of having overnight amenities brought in for you all." he gestured to the piles by the front door. " Also, there are three bedrooms upstairs on the second floor with 2 queen sized beds in each." he paused for a moment. "I hope you can pair up and share." his glasses gleamed for a moment. "Unfortunately there are not enough beds for everyone, so if 4 of you princesses wouldn't mind the sofas down here, we have sleeping bags and blankets for you." everyone looked around and wondered who would be left without a bed. "The host club will be sleeping in one of the entertainment rooms on the third floor. Thank you for your attention." He then made his way out of the spotlight and into the kitchen.
Later that night…
"Haruhi!" Kaoru called out.
"We left space for your sleeping bag" Hikaru gestured to the gap between their own bags on the drawing room floor.
Haruhi walked passed them without even acknowledging them and began to set up her sleeping bag in the corner as far from the twins as possible.
The twins sweat dropped. "She's still mad…"
"Haruhi!" Tamaki came prancing into the room followed by Mori and Honey with Kyouya bringing up the rear and closing the door with a snap. All of them were carrying their own pillows and sleeping bags. "Don't worry, Daddy will sleep next to you and guard you through the night!" Tamaki began rolling out his bag.
"Eeeeehhhh!" Haruhi looked over to Honey, his cutesy face pouting. Takeshi and I wanted to sleep next to Haru-chan!" Honey exclaimed as he passed a set of pajamas to the natural host.
Haruhi turned her back to the antics of the host club and made her way to the half bathroom adjoining the room to change into the baby blue pajamas. Haruhi stripped out of her clothes, thankful that the only bunny on the pj's was a little stitching on the breast her way back into the drawing room, Haruhi made a beeline for her sleeping roll, and ignored the rest of the hosts and their antics as she settled down for hopefully uninterrupted sleep.