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Fanfic Idea 3
Setsunamaru at Ouran
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At a Host Club meeting before school, Tamaki decided Kyoya looked as if he was going to bust from whatever secret he was holding. Well, insofar as Kyoya ever looked like he would bust from anything. Curious, and not wanting to see his friend lose his cool (been there, laughed for days, don't care to share the experience with anyone else) the sun king slid over to the dark knight and poked his side. "Kaa-san, what devilry has you so excited?"
A gleam in Ootori's eyes made Tamaki cheer, catching everyone's attention. "Tou-san knows his Kaa-san!"
Kyoya pushed his glasses up. "Tamaki, this may interest you the most. Gininumaru Nishigawa's had a younger half-brother surface. Mattoki Setsunamaru and his fiancée, Kagome Higurashi, a commoner, enrolled yesterday and will start classes this morning."
Tamaki shivered, freezing in place, while Honey and Mori both dropped what they were holding as Honey tried to hide behind his cousin. The twins and Haruhi looked at them oddly. "What's wrong with that, besides the commoner invasion?" the twins chorused.
"Nishigawa-sama is one of the scariest individuals I've ever met." Honey confessed. "He once told someone that it was a shame the warrior's arts had been so watered down that I was the National Champion. I challenged him over it, and he put me down with one move."
Tamaki's answer was shorter, but even more to the point. "Grandmother's obsessed with Nishigawa-sama's perfection."
"But, if this is his half-brother, and he's just now showing up, then maybe he'll be different than his sibling. Plus, if he's engaged to a commoner, it may show that he's not a snob like most of the rich bastards here." Haruhi pointed out.
"My darling daughter is so right!" Tamaki reached to hug her as she quickly slid out of his reach, leaving him to fall to the floor.
Kyoya just sniffed. "Their family predates every noble family currently in existence. Only the Emperor has a longer pedigree, though I have my suspicions that that's only for form's sake. A certain amount of arrogance is to be expected."
~oOo~
Kagome smiled at the sight of Inuyasha in his uniform. "No fair, you look better than I do."
He twitched, pulling at the collar a bit. "No matter what Myoga called me in the past, I never expected the Setsuna estate to come into my control, much less for the Emperor to recognized my claim and restore my rights... but the tradeoff's now I'm stuck with your homework curse. Don't know which is worse." He ducked a swat. "You don't look bad, wife, although I have to say I miss the old white and green."
She shook her head, smiling as she straightened his tie and ran a finger down his jawline. "Think of it as one in the eye of that terrible grandfather of yours. And are modern formal manners so bad? At least compared to how you'd have to act if this was five centuries ago?"
Inuyasha pulled his woman, his wife, into his arms. "Nothing's bad with you around. I'm glad the jewel left me on the same side of time as you, even if it meant dealing with Sesshoumaru again."
She leaned into her hanyou. "I can't believe it's been almost three years since the last battle. But half a year of school and society, and we can vanish into the mountains if we want to."
He took a long breath of her scent. "That's the deal we made. Lets get this over with, then." They left the Lotus Garden pavilion, their home on his brother's estate, and walked through the gardens to the gate. Knowing she still wasn't comfortable breaking the taboo on public affection, he pulled her onto his lap inside the car and held her close, trying to stockpile enough contact to last through the school day. His gold eyes shone briefly through his concealment spell when she smiled up at him, and he made her laugh with an irresistible offer. "Want to find a tree to have a picnic in during lunch?"
~oOo~
As the school they were shown to Headmaster Suoh's office, who was taken aback at the aristocratic bearing of the two, especially the commoner beauty. But the boy's hair... "Welcome, Setsunamaru-san and Higurashi-san. I hope you will find Ouran to be an excellent place to finish your schooling... I wonder, though, did you get a copy of school regulations?"
Inuyasha knew exactly what he was getting at, though two years in this era had tempered his reactions... He'd only hurt the headmaster if he got too familiar, now, instead of maiming him. "Keh. Nobody touches my hair." He cracked his knuckles and Kagome came to the rescue.
"Headmaster, Inuyasha's family has very specific rules for their appearances based on their position with the clan. If long hair is a problem for the school, we can obtain special permission from the imperial family's minister of protocol."
"Ah, thank you, but it shouldn't be that much of a problem. I'll make a notation, no need to bother Minister Takamura with such a small matter." The headmaster leaned forward in his chair, passing the two a couple of pages of fine linen paper with their class schedules outlined. "Do you know what clubs you would be interested in? I know there is only half a year left for you both, but I would encourage you to join one; for the social contacts if nothing else."
Inuyasha huffed as he read over the clubs. "Sports clubs are out, according to my brother."
Kagome sighed, "And the traditional arts we get enough of at home. My ko-do instructor's been threatening to have me certified as a master."
Headmaster Suoh's eyes were wide. "You have studied Ko-do?"
"All five of the Chinese arts, actually. After our betrothal, I had to move to the estate. The Nishigawa family is completely traditional, so I have had to pick things up quickly to honor my husband," she replied, mentally ticking off row after row of clubs. "Does the study club actually do work, or is it more social? Math is my ever present enemy..."
"I tried to show you–"
"I understand Brother more than I do you, and there's no way I'm asking him to take the time to tutor me." Unknown to the Headmaster, inherent in the statement was the fact Kagome stayed well away from the rigid inuyoukai she called brother-in-law. While he was less physically aggressive after five centuries, his tongue had gotten exponentially sharper.
"I'm afraid you'll find it more social than academic," the Headmaster admitted. "Why don't you look through the list a little longer, while I find out if your guide has shown up?" He dialed his secretary, who cheered him with the news that Tamaki was in the waiting room. Hanging up, he decided to take care of one potential problem before his son showed up. "I'm assigning my son to show you around the school, he should be here in just a moment. While we wait, though, I was under the idea you were engaged–?"
Kagome had a fleeting uncharitable thought about the Headmaster's deductive skills. "Yes, we have not registered the marriage. But as I said, the family is traditional."
Inuyasha rumbled out a keh. "In our eyes, as well as those of my family and hers, we've been married ever since the negotiations were concluded. You got a problem with that?"
"No, no!" Suoh gave them a rare, genuine smile. "It is obvious you are perfect for each other. Being able to marry the one you love is a rare and wonderful thing. I just prefer to know the truth of matters, so if there are any, shall we say... misinformed individuals... I can solve any issues that may unfold."
"Thank you, Head–"
Kagome was cut off by a delicately built, sun-gilted blond teenager's abrupt, dramatic entrance. "Father! You called for me? That I have been missed... Oh, hey!" The guy abruptly changed gears on seeing the two in the office. "Setsunamaru-san! And this must be Higurashi-chan-"
Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. "You might rethink what you call my wife."
Imagining he could actually see wavy red lines of temper behind Setsunamaru-san, Tamaki did just that. "Congratulations to you both, then!" He bowed gallantly to Kagome. "Though you will be missed at my club, I wish the both of you happiness and good fortune, madame."
Headmaster Suoh coughed. "Tamaki, would you please show them around the school and answer any questions they have? They're both in your class and don't know what club they wish to patronize." He wished them farewell as they left, securely in Tamaki's melodramatic Gallic care.
~oOo~
As Ouran was a massive collection of school complexes, Tamaki concentrated on the main areas they were scheduled in. The half-French boy chalked Inuyasha up as a gruff individual that didn't seem to care for his exuberance, but was willing to tolerate him for his wife's sake. Kagome was a bright star in a midnight sky... he could see why the grump catered to her every little mood, and slightly envied him.
Inuyasha felt the kid was nothing but an immature brat, but Kagome responded to his bright cheerful manner with one of her own. The battle in the jewel had changed her... leaving her more somber and inclined to extended silence, rather than her previous over-the-top exuberance. Anything that brought her cheerful, sun-bright smile back into existence was something he'd endure any day.
"I have an idea," Tamaki suddenly announced, before changing track and heading to the third music room. "I think that the club activities here would bore you or not be worth your time, as you aren't going to be here more than a few months. All you really need is social contacts, right?"
Kagome agreed as Inuyasha gave a sharp nod. "That's why my brother insisted we attend. We were perfectly fine with our private instructors."
"I'm more of a people person than, er, Mattoki, but we both easily get tied up in each other." Kagome explained a little more, her power letting her know this boy was trustworthy... and sad under that fun-loving mask.
Tamaki sighed, hearts bubbling up all around him as he worshiped their honest love of each other. "I am the King of Ouran Host Club. We are men of distinct style, who live to pander to the lovely ladies of this school. But there is a group we've never been able to reach, not wanting to entwine their innocent lives in scandal. Many of the students here are engaged, their marriages arranged by their parents."
She cocked her head. "So you think that having an engaged couple as hosts would draw them, and foster a bit more closeness between them before they're married off and have to figure out how to live together on the fly?"
Inuyasha sighed to himself, but decided to run with it. She was a miko. Counseling others came with the job description. "This host thing, it's like that idiot Ootori tried with Gininumaru?"
Kagome blushed. "Not that bad, hopefully."
"Kyoya Ootori is in the Host Club..." Tamaki trailed off, realizing they were talking about Kyoya's father.
"Oh." She blushed harder. "Elder brother brought us on a business meeting to meet Ootori-san. Only, Ootori-san decided to have it in Kabukicho at the last minute..." She trailed off, her cheeks virtually glowing.
Oh. Crap. Did Kyoya know about his father's gross error in judgment? He'd have to let kaa-chan know what his father had done. "I'm sure Kyoya would appreciate knowing about that. He has a lot of respect for Nishigawa-san and would never have taken him to such a place."
Coming to Music Room Three, Tamaki opened the door only to be suddenly faced with an enormous wave of water. Inuyasha had sensed the attack just in time to swing Kagome out of range, but he took a bucket straight to the chest. He looked at his own wet clothes, and stripped out of his jacket, glaring at a set of identical giggling boys. "Kagome, do you really miss babysitting Shippou enough to find this club interesting?"
She whispered something and pinked, before turning and introducing herself. Spell-hidden ears twitched, his blood bunking off to the south.
If they keep making you into eye candy, I'll host everyday.
Sneaky wench.
Tamaki glared at the twins, and turned to apologize to the couple, eyes goggling at the ripped body that was now on display, white shirt plastered to strongly delineated muscles as Mattoki shook out his jacket. "I think the boys here at school should probably be happy you aren't interested in sports, Setsunamaru-kun, as well as your lovely wife. You may have trouble with fangirls if you're seen like that. Mori, do we have another shirt and jacket that would fit?"
"Keh. Kagome'd take 'em out. She knows who belongs to her." Inuyasha reached back and took her hand for a moment, needing her touch. She ducked her head, blushing at all the staring men, but squeezed his fingers in return. Mori came out with a new uniform, and Inuyasha went into the washroom to change.
Haruhi was overjoyed to find that at least one of the rich bastards attending this school was happily in love with a regular girl and willing to tell the world to shove off. She walked up to Kagome, and bowed. "I'm Fujioka Haruhi, one of the hosts and here on academic scholarship." There was no way she was calling herself a commoner.
"Nice to meet you, Fujioka-chan. I like your idea of wearing the boy's uniform. I don't know who styles school uniforms for girls, but I think they're either lechers or have no concept of style. My brother-in-law is petitioning the school board to allow me to wear kimono instead."
"I think you're right about lechers, especially in middle school!" Haruhi glowed, happy to find a girl who wasn't a rich idiot.
"Did you have to wear the seifuku with the skirt that flashed everyone at least once a day, too?" Memories of Inuyasha's current opinion of that green skirt made her flush a bit.
"That, and the P.E. uniforms!"
"Disappearing shorts!"
They laughed, as the twins slinked over and wrapped an arm around each girl. "We're the Hiitachin twins, Hikaru and Kaoru. How did you know Haruhi was a girl?" Their auras blazed up, and menacing smiles slide across their faces.
Kagome wasn't fazed. After Shippou and the grim youkai that worked for Sesshoumaru, a human's menace just didn't have any clout. "Kitsune?" She nodded, confirming it to herself. "Yes, that's what you remind me of, you're kitsune-natured. And anyone who pays attention can see Fujioka-chan is a girl."
"Commoner smarts!" they lit up at the same time, finding an appellation that made sense to them.
Inuyasha had come out of the changing room just in time to hear his Kagome being called a commoner, and had the two boys against the wall in no time. "Apologize, now!"
"Ahh! The dog has cornered the foxes, what shall we do?" they chorused, not realizing the danger.
Honey and Mori did realize the trouble the two were in, their training making them sensitive to the feeling of killing intent. They bracketed him, Honey taking the lead. "Please let them go, Setsunamaru-sama. They will apologize," he said, acting like the adult he almost was. "But I think Higurashi-san needs you."
Inuyasha backed down and went to Kagome. Taking her hand, he rubbed circles on her inner wrist until she calmed down. She didn't need to suddenly blast the two idiots and show her power.
Their quick conference with Honey had them coming over and bowing, reciting an apology. Tamaki frowned, not understanding the trouble. "Why do they have to apologize, kaa-chan?" Kyoya winced.
Kagome clarified things, realizing Japanese was Tamaki's second language. "To call someone that is very rude and insensitive."
"They implied she is worth less than they are." Inuyasha had his arms crossed by now, stabbing a claw into his palm to help control his temper. "Her bloodline is impeccable, if you must know. The Higurashi clan has been allied to mine for over five hundred years, though this is the first time a marriage between the clans has taken place. And since her family was generous enough to grant me her hand in marriage, anyone who puts her down is answerable to me."
By this time Haruhi had stars in her eyes. She sidled over to Kagome and whispered, "He's amazing! You are so lucky!
Kagome could only smile. If the girl only knew...
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Can you imagine someone being so foolish as to take Sesshoumaru to a host club? There's music playing and girls hanging all over the businessmen, trying to get them to drink, drink, and drink some more. (Alcohol sales are the lifeblood of such places.) Yeah... bad move, Ootori!
And yes, the whole host club's attitude towards Haruhi's antecedents is quite rude, but Japan is very class conscious. That's why these types of manga are so loved, because they show an idealistic way of life that Japanese people can only fantasize about.
