Author's Note:

I rarely do Tamaki as a character, I hope he's not OOC.

Chapter Four:

|| Absolutely Not ||

xxx

Haruhi fell into step behind a line of students as she made her way to class.

On her own, she was quite oblivious to the curious and strange glances she received. In fact, dressed as a girl, despite her finances, it was almost as if she was back at her old school.

When she came to her classroom, she noticed that the twins were there ahead of her.

Hikaru, since he was seated facing the door, nudged Kaoru. They both glanced at her with unreadable expressions as she made her way over. Haruhi sat in silence, putting her bag away and placing out her pencils and pens for the day's use.

Eventually she sighed.

"My dad said it would be fine." She told them at length.

Hikaru and Kaoru looked at each and then back at her. "So?" They asked in unison, making sure to stay casual about their question.

Haruhi rubbed her temples. "So, I will spend some time at your home on the holidays if you abide the rules I have."

Both twins stood from their chair so they could lean over her desk. Two pairs of amber eyes gleamed at her.

"What are the rules?" Hikaru asked.

Kaoru pointed to one of her pens, "You better get it in writing or else we'll conveniently forget." He told her.

Haruhi nodded and pulled out a piece of paper. "Right, rule number one: I want four hours per day to do whatever I want, which can be studying, shopping, or leaving the manor to shop. Right?"

The Hitachiin brothers exchanged expressions and agreed.

"I will have a separate room from you and you have to agree to give me my privacy, got it? No touching my clothes or items." Only when they nodded did she continue. "No stupid stunts while I'm there. I don't want pranks or accidents. There won't be cosplay, or else I'll leave."

Hikaru actually let out a small noise of protest, but after a sharp nudge in the ribs from Kaoru, he gave in.

"Finally, I can add to the list if I want to and you aren't allowed to touch it." She exclaimed, finally looking up to make sure both twins were agreeing.

With slightly defeated expressions, Hikaru and Kaoru accepted her terms.

The Club wasn't in session that afternoon, but Tamaki had called a quick meeting regardless.

The trio made their way through the emptying halls of Ouran Academy, stopping outside Music Room #3.

Kaoru opened the door and they stepped inside. A call of greeting arose from their friends and Tamaki pranced forward to sweep Haruhi into a hug. She shrugged him off the way she usually did and he deflated somewhat from her reaction.

"Good afternoon my friends!" Tamaki announced, smiling broadly.

Hikaru rolled his eyes, ignoring the welcome greeting. "Boss, why are we here?" He drawled, immediately cutting to the crux of the meeting.

Frowning, the Club's Prince waved a finger in front of the elder Hitachiin's face, reproachfully. "That's no way to speak to your Club leader." He scolded dramatically.

Hikaru groaned and Kaoru stepped in before things became unnecessarily confusing. "What we mean, is that we thought you were studying for your exams boss."

"Oh we are," Kyoya called from his spot on a couch, meticulously sketching in notes and calculations, "but Tamaki had a proposition that he couldn't wait to make." He raised his eyes to stare meaningfully at the Prince, who huffed because his had been revealed prematurely.

Recovering in a way only Tamaki could manage, he thrust a finger in Haruhi's direction. "Kyoya and I are going to Hawaii and you are invited." He declared.

The twins, Honey and Mori all blinked in surprise.

"But Tama-chan, I thought you didn't want us to ask Haruhi to come on holidays." Honey pointed out from his seat atop Mori's shoulders.

Tamaki winked. "I'm glad you said that Honey-sempai. I have come to see the error in my decision and revoke my previous discouragement against it."

Honey and Mori exchanged glances and both shrugged.

"What do you say Haruhi? You can come with us," he pointed to himself and Kyoya, "and it will all be paid for."

The twins glanced to the girl in question. She blinked owlishly and then shrugged. "Sorry sempai, but I already agreed to plans for the holidays."

Tamaki froze and looked over at Kyoya, who actually looked interested with this piece of news.

"Oh? But you still don't have a passport." The Shadow King noted.

Haruhi nodded. "But I'm not going outside the country."

Knowing it wouldn't do to try and hide it, the twins decided to step forward.

"Sorry boss, but we already invited her to stay with us for a few weeks." Hikaru explained, grinning above Haruhi's head, so she couldn't see.

Kaoru nodded and mimicked his brother's expression. "And since you now don't care about who spends their holidays with Haruhi, the decision has been made."

The Club Prince stood stock still, barely daring to breath. Eventually he snapped and his face flushed red with anger. "Out of the question!" He declared, taking threatening steps towards the twins.

But for once they didn't back down. Kaoru shot a glance to Kyoya and the Shadow King took the hint.

"Tamaki, you can't go back on your word." He observed.

The blonde whipped around to beg with wide, vulnerable eyes. "Do something Kyoya."

"Sorry, but it seems Haruhi has every right to stay with the twins."

"Can't you blackmail her in some way?" Tamaki suggested hopefully.

Haruhi rubbed her forehead. "Sempai..." She warned.

Kyoya shrugged. "Well not really. The twins would find a way to get her out of anything I could think of, and she doesn't have a debt to pay off anymore. Besides, we've already booked our flight."

It was clear to the Club that Kyoya's own decision was final.

But Tamaki wasn't ready to give in.

"I won't allow it. As your leader, I forbid you to let her stay at your home." He gasped as a sudden image burst into his mind. "I can imagine the horrible things that will happen." Tamaki reached forward to grasp Haruhi. "I beg you as your father-figure, not to go!"

Kaoru and Hikaru were beginning to think that the boss was going overboard.

The elder Hitachiin snatched her from his reach and pulled her away. "Boss she's given us rules to abide, we're not that low. Besides, her father gave her permission. Her real father."

Kaoru shot a glare in his twin's direction. It wasn't worth antagonising Tamaki. Because of his inner aversion to admit his feelings towards the girl, he took the role of a 'father-figure' more seriously than usual.

"Look, we're her two best friends and we invited her to stay. What's so wrong with that?" Kaoru asked.

"Because, well because..." Tamaki spluttered. "Because it's not the right thing for a young woman to do!" He finally concluded.

Knowing his whole argument was flawed, Kaoru felt a sudden anger build within him. He was finally well and truly over Tamaki's actions involving Haruhi. But, what he wanted to say probably wasn't the best thing with her being in the room.

While Tamaki argued once more with Kyoya, while Honey and Mori silently observed, Kaoru turned to his brother.

"Hikaru?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you take Haruhi home?"

Hikaru raised an eyebrow. They had offered to drive her home yesterday, so it wasn't a new plan, but he seemed to need a reason to.

Kaoru leant close so he could speak without being overheard. "I've got to knock some sense into the boss, or else we might not get to execute our plan."

Understanding dawned in Hikaru's eyes and he reached out to take Haruhi's arm. "Come on, we're leaving."

"Wait!" Tamaki called out, "Where are you taking her?"

Hikaru sighed. "Home, like we planned." He drawled and without another word, took the unprotesting girl from the room.

The Club Prince seemed to neglect everyone in the room and instead pointed an accusatory finger in Kaoru's direction. "You are always sending her off alone with your brother." He announced and glanced to the rest for confirmation.

Kyoya and Honey nodded, even if hesitantly.

Kaoru stood his ground and responded in a clear and even tone, "and what does it matter if I am?"

Taken aback by his bold statement, Tamaki blinked, for the moment perplexed and unable to form an answer.

Using the silence to his advantage, the younger Hitachiin went on.

"I think it's time you talked boss. No lies. As a friend or even a 'father-figure'," he managed not to mock Tamaki as he did, "you wouldn't be so offended by our invitation."

Kaoru narrowed his eyes.

"So, boss, tell us all. Why is it that you're so afraid of losing Haruhi?"