Author's Note:

A lot of story alerts o.0

I just hope you're not too disappointed with this chapter, it seems to be a filler.


Chapter Three:

|| Catching Up ||

xxx


She glanced at her mobile as it vibrated and blared out her chosen ringtone, threatening to fall off the desk.

Picking it up, Haruhi glanced at the caller before answering.

"Haru-chan!" She was greeted with, clearly belonging to Honey.

"Honey, how are you?" She asked casually while sifting through work on her desk. His enthusiastic reply forced her to keep the phone away from her ear as she listened.

"Mori and I want to take you out today, so come outside, okay?"

Haruhi sighed and rubbed her temples. "You're already outside, aren't you?" She guessed.

"See you soon!" He chirped and hung up.

She glanced at the pile of work she had planned to do, she was trying to write multiple letters to different universities in hope that they would accept her. As well as flagging her talents, she was trying to give an example of her ability. Strangely, it was easier than she thought to revert back to studying, considering it had been a while since she'd truly paid attention. Old habits did die hard, she thought.

"I should finish this one off." She muttered to herself, and then glanced at her clock.

It was still early, she could go meet her friends and do it later, she reasoned.

Picking up her bag and stuffing her phone in, she headed out of the room.

When she came outside, sure enough, Honey and Mori were both waiting for her, without a vehicle in sight. She felt a slight pang of disappointment that the other former Host Club members weren't there, but shrugged it away.

"Hey guys." She called out and felt Honey launch himself at her, hugging her tightly. He had grown slightly, but was still much shorter than her. A part from that, he was every bit the same as he had been at Ouran. She spotted Usa-chan, safe in Mori's arms.

Mori contented himself with stepping forward and simply patted her on the head, the way he used to. He hadn't changed either, still silent and imposing.

Smiling widely, she let Honey down. "So what is it you wanted to do?" She asked.

"We hadn't seen you in a while, so we thought we could take you to lunch." Honey replied eagerly.

"Alright, where at?"

"Come this way Haru-chan, and we'll show you."

They had her walking beside them and eventually they ended up at a local park, where one of Honey's staff was waiting with a small picnic in hand. Laughing at their innocence, Haruhi joined them for what turned out to be a simple, but relaxing lunch.

"So Haru-chan, want to come to a party we're hosting later this week?" Honey asked unexpectantly.

"A party?" She asked slowly and glancing up, noticed Mori was nodding his agreement.

"Yeah, we thought it would be really fun." Honey replied softly.

"Well I really need to work on applying for work and starting my degree again..."

"Come on Haru-chan, it'll be good, and it's for only one night." He whined, tugging on her arm. Mori nodded again and she scratched her chin thoughtfully.

"Is anyone else I know going?"

Honey smiled faintly and let her arm go. He was never inclined to lie to her. "I invited everyone except Tama-chan, since he's in France." He told her truthfully. "I'm not sure who will turn up though." He added.

"I'll think about it, alright?"

She was enveloped in a hug once again and Mori smiled.


Much later in the afternoon, she returned home, realising she had more or less wasted her day. But it didn't seem to bother her. Catching up with old friends was worth it.

It would be good to see all her friends again, even some of the females at school.

Honey was right after all; it was only one night.

Besides, she had so many dresses and outfits given to her as gifts from various Host Club members that were just lying in her closet. Honey's gifts were the only ones she had seemed to waver away from, but the rest had learnt her tastes and given them to her for various plots or parties. Her favourite was a strapped baby pink dress that Kaoru had given her for one of their schemes.

'It would be a waste to leave them lying there.' She thought to herself, pulling out the pink one carefully.

"It's all paid for; I have an outfit, so why should I say no?" She mused aloud.

Haruhi smiled, knowing she had just successfully convinced herself, and then turned back to her desk and her smile disappeared.


Hikaru sat slumped at a desk in one of the manor's many studies, attempting to review paperwork but being highly unsuccessful.

"Well that's not going to work is it?" Kaoru called, stepping into the room.

The elder twin glanced up and smiled at seeing his younger brother.

"Watcha got there?" He questioned as he saw the single piece of paper that he held.

Kaoru flashed him a grin and turned it over so Hikaru could observe the many flowers and pink bunnies that covered it.

"From Honey?" He asked, suddenly more interested. He sat up and took it from Kaoru.

"Yeah, when you asked about seeing them again, I remembered that Honey sent us an invitation. Just so you know I wasn't lying."

"I did believe you." Hikaru told him indignantly.

Shrugging, Kaoru came and sat down beside him.

Suddenly, Hikaru sat straighter, a panicked look in his eyes. "I had a meeting that night."

The younger Hitachiin smiled. "Not anymore. It was moved to later next week."

"Kaoru, I'm not sure you can just do that."

"A few years ago and you wouldn't have had a problem with it. Look, you're the boss, so you can do whatever you want." Kaoru replied stiffly.

"I don't even know why I'm arguing about it." Hikaru muttered and rested his head on his arms.

"Neither do I."

"Do you know who's going to be there?" Hikaru asked, eager to change the subject.

Kaoru let his finger tap against his chin. "Kyoya is going, mostly because Honey wouldn't let him say no. Renge and Tono are in France, not together of course. I'm not sure who else is going, but it wouldn't hurt to find out, right?"

Hikaru smiled. "No it wouldn't. I was being stupid, of course we should go. Kyoya's the only one we've seen."

They fell into silence, Kaoru was thinking about their outfits, while Hikaru began to frown.

"Kaoru, do you... do you think they'll be angry with us?" He voiced quietly.

The younger twin slung an arm across his brother's shoulder and sighed. "I hope not. I'm sure they'll be happy to see us. I mean, they did invite us after all."

"Yeah you're right."

"I think you need to stop overanalysing it, you're freaking yourself out."

Both twins smiled.

"Need me to help with this?" Kaoru offered, using his hands to emphasise the papers littered across the large desk.

Hikaru wanted to tell Kaoru to relax and do something else, but he was still selfish and wanted his brother's company.

"Sure." He replied.


A/N:

Abrupt ending, sorry ._.

My honorifics are bad, as first stated, but I couldn't think of Honey not calling her Haru-chan.

- Mae.