Everything to Gain
Chapter 8: Dresses and Decisions

Hey everyone!
Time for a new chapter!
If you see any mistakes in it let me know!
Are you ready?
Because here it comes:


Kyouya Ootori lay sprawled out on his couch, staring at the screen in front of him.

It was filled with pictures showing a short blonde and a tall black haired man planting cameras around the Ootori Gardens.

Hmm. So that's where Honey and Mori went Friday… How did I not find this information sooner?

This means that the entire Host Club probably watched Haruhi and I on our date... This could definitely complicate things.

Seeing as Hikaru yells at me every chance he gets and has no chance whatsoever of keeping his temper, I should watch my back.

They could be up to something.

I would guess that Kaoru wouldn't stop him either, he may not show it, but he does have feelings for her as well. No matter how hard he tries to stop it.

And then there is Tamaki. Usually I would doubt that he would take any action against me, but, he could have realized his feelings already and is on the same quest as Hikaru.

Most likely, they will be trying to stop this for 'the good of Haruhi'.

I doubt these will be hard problems to solve.

Eh, it depends on a few things though. There are still many ways this game could change.

He sat up and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

Pulling his laptop closer he scanned through the Ouran Academy surveillance films, clicking on the Host Club room's videos from Saturday.

Sure enough, there was the five of them, all huddled around a monitor watching Haruhi and himself.

Great….


Haruhi walked around her small home and picked up dirty dishes and clothing.

She had been on a cleaning spree all morning since she had found herself with nothing to do.

Her father was once again working at the bar all day and she was bordering on the edge of boredom.

She stuffed a bundle of clothes into the washer and moved to the kitchen sink where a pile of dirty dishes sat.

The repetitive washing of dish after dish left her with time to think, which was exactly what she wanted to avoid.

She sighed, her thoughts kept returning to the one place she didn't want them to be.

Kyouya

I don't see why I am so worked up about this. We had a good time, that's it.

There is nothing else other than that; I should stop thinking about it.

Kyouya probably had his own reasons for it, his own agenda. I should really just drop the subject now.

But what could his reasoning be behind this?

There were no business deals, no transactions. Nothing that would make it worthwhile for him.

So why would he bother?

Haruhi turned off the tap and placed the stack of now clean dishes into the cabinet.

Ugh.. Why does this have to happen? Why can't my life be absolutely normal? Then I wouldn't have to worry about any of this and I could just study and follow in my mother's footsteps.

It would be so much easier.

Haruhi continued the day doing absolutely nothing; she napped and watched television, for once feeling perfectly content with her own laziness.


The next morning she woke up as usual and made breakfast for her and her father.

Haruhi was out the door by seven and was walking down the stairs when she noticed it.

Once again, a large black limo sat outside her apartment building.

It was early enough that there were no bystanders yet, but she knew they would eventually come if she left the car sitting there for long enough.

She walked over to it and the door opened for her.

Expecting to see Tamaki or the twins she braced herself.

Surprise showed on her face when inside sat the Shadow King himself.

"Hello Haruhi." Kyouya said, his voice as smooth as glass.

"Oh, Kyouya."

"What? Disappointed to see me?" He slid over a few seats, making room for Haruhi to sit.

"No, not at all. I was actually expecting Tamaki-sempai or the twins to come abduct me and annoy me on the way to Ouran. So I guess it is a good thing it is you."

The corners of his lips moved up slightly, "I guess it is."

"Is there any reason in particular that you decided to give me a ride this morning?" She turned towards him and watched as his eyes flickered upward for a second before he answered.

"My driver had to take a detour and we were close to your house. I also decided that it would be best for you to not strain your ankle walking to and from school when it is still recovering."

The car then hit a bump, causing the back seat to jerk.

They were both pushed towards the center of the car, causing their hands to brush against each other's.

"I am very sorry, Ootori-sama!" The driver apologized, a look of panic on his face.

"It is fine. You are forgiven." Kyouya replied, staring out the window.

"Haruhi, isn't your birthday coming up?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah I guess it is. It's this Friday."

"Hmm, have you told any of the other Hosts?" Kyouya turned towards her, she could see him working out a plan in his mind.

"Uh.. No, I just thought they would make a big fuss about it so I didn't tell them." She looked away, trying to avoid his scrutinizing stare.

"Interesting." He replied.

By this time they had arrived at the gates of Ouran Academy.

Wow.. I have never come through the formal entrance before. It's quite… over the top.

Large golden gates surrounded the school building; the clock tower seemed even more intimidating and large from this point as it towered high above the school.

It rang out announcing the fact that it was now 7:30 and that classes would begin soon.

A large fountain was in the middle of the road, pouring water in every direction, it was elegantly carved with all sorts of creatures and symbols.

I wonder how much that cost…

After driving past much elegant shrubbery and statues, the car arrived at the main entrance to the school.

"Thank you for the ride Kyouya." She said with a slight smile.

"You're welcome, Haruhi" He said as the door opened and they climbed out.

Haruhi failed to notice the expressions on her fellow Hosts faces as they walked over to the two of them.

Hikaru and Kaoru quickly attached themselves to her, talking and wrapping their arms around her while completely in sync.

Tamaki engaged himself in a conversation with Kyouya, asking for advice about how he should go about with turning Antoinette into the perfect ball catching dog.

But, he was swiftly cast aside with a glare and fell into his corner of woe.

To Haruhi, it seemed that nothing had changed and that everything was exactly the same as it was last week and the weeks before that.

It's not like one day would mess with the balance of the universe or something. Hah, I really need to stop thinking that my actions could really get to them at all.


But soon, classes were over and she made her way to Music Room #3.

Haruhi slipped through the door and saw no one.

Oh god.. What are they planning? There is no way this room is actually empty.

As if on cue, the twins popped out of what seemed to be nowhere and dragged her to the back room.

"Hey! Let me go!" She screamed, struggling in their grasps.

"Nuh uh! We have to fit you for your dress!" They said in unison, pulling out a measuring tape with identical mischievous grins.

"What dress?"

"We are having a Masquerade Ball tomorrow and we can't miss this opportunity to make you something absolutely fabulous!"

She groaned.

Now that they had a semi-concrete reason, they would never let her go.

She gave in to the poking and prodding that came with the 'fitting process".

After being jabbed with pins and almost strangled by the measuring tape she was finally set free.

Haruhi took a deep breath and leaned against the wall.

Well, at least that is done… How do they take pleasure in that?

Waiting in the main room, though, was a chaos of feathers, outfits, and masks that covered almost every inch of the ground.

In the middle of it was Tamaki, frantically looking through boxes of masks and throwing them into different piles.

"What the heck are you doing sempai?" Haruhi asked

"Well you see Haruhi, I have to find the perfect mask for the ball Thursday! It has to outshine all the rest and represent my unbelievable beauty!" Tamaki stood up with his hands raised in the air.

"Yes, and he decided that bringing all the masks in a ten mile radius here would me the best way to do that.." Kyouya stepped out of the shadows and rolled his eyes.

"But Kyouyaaaa, I have to find the best one!" He whined as he began to search through boxes again.

"Idiot…" Haruhi said as she picked up a mask from the large pile of 'discards' Tamaki had created.

"If this is a Host Club event, why do I have to dress as a girl?" She asked.

"Surprisingly, this isn't the Host Club's idea. It is actually a school sanctioned event that is put on every year by the Fine Arts Division. You really should check the school calendar, Haruhi. It has been on there for weeks." Kyouya pushed his glasses up.

"That still doesn't tell me why I have to go, especially in a dress.." Haruhi moved over a discarded pair of dress pants and sat down.

Hikaru leaned over her, "Well, we couldn't just let you stay at home when an opportunity like this came along. Finally an outing where we don't have to host, so you can be a girl!"

Kaoru stood next to him and continued his sentence, "We just had to make the best of this situation Haruhi. And we know that you would be absolutely perfect in this new design we made.."

Tamaki inched over to her, "Haruhi, if you don't like their dress maybe you could wear this one."

He held up a strapless pink dress with various ruffles and bows placed all over it.

"No."

"Pleaaaasee Haruhi!" He dangled the dress over her head.

"No way."

"But, Haruhi…"

"No way in hell, sempai."

Tamaki fell into his corner of woe and began to grow mushrooms.

"Not in the clubroom Tamaki." Kyouya called out, "Grow mushrooms on your own time."

The 'King' of the Host Club turned towards him, "But… Kyouya… I"

His eyes filled with tears.

"No Tamaki, now pick up this room and find a mask, it shouldn't be that hard."

He bent down picked up a box and tossed it to his blonde friend ignoring the sniffling that was coming from him.


The next day…

Haruhi reluctantly walked into Music Room #3.

She had been avoiding the twins all day, she knew that they would have finished her dress already and were probably dying to have her try it on.

The watch on her wrist said 4:45, only one hour and fifteen minutes till it would take place.

She couldn't think of any plausible excuse for why she should miss this 'fun event' that would please the Host Club.

So, she walked in the door.

And ran straight into two red-headed devils.

"Haruhi~!" They sung, "Come with us, your dress is ready!"

She let herself be dragged off to the deep recesses of the room where they pushed her into a bathroom with a garment bag.

Knowing what would happen if she took too long, she stripped down to her undergarments and pulled on the dress she had been given.

Turning to face the mirror with her eyes closed, she thought. Oh god.. Lets see how bad it is.

Haruhi opened her eyes.

The dress was made of soft shimmering satin, draped in layers that ended at the bottom of the dress and let another layer begin.

It gave the illusion that she had shape, getting tighter in the middle and it puffed out at the hips.

A translucent light blue fabric covered her upper body; it had pearls weaved through it with thin white threads entwined throughout.

Two heads peeked through the door, "Haruhi.. Are you done? Oh, you look so good! This is our best work yet!"

They pulled a cart in filled with hair products and accessories, "Now time for us to do your hair!"

She turned around and glared at them, "I am already wearing your dress, why do I have to change my hair?"

Kaoru pushed her into a chair as Hikaru replied with, "Because people would know who you are and your hairstyle does not go with this look."

Haruhi sighed and closed her eyes in defeat, "You have ten minutes."

Two mischievous grins appeared on their faces.


Eventually, Hikaru and Kaoru let her go.

Her head had been poked and pulled at until her scalp was red.

But now, thanks to a wig, her hair was long and wavy, reaching down her back.

When she stepped out into the main room four pairs of eyes stared at her in complete shock.

Tamaki's face was turning red and he didn't look like he was breathing, Honey gazed at her with an excited smile, and Kyouya's face registered a small amount of shock before he regained his composure.

"Haru-chan looks great!" Squealed Honey as he ran up to hug her.

He was stopped short by Hikaru, "Sorry Honey-sempai, no touching!"

Kaoru stood next to him, " Yeah, we don't want to ruin her rare perfection before the ball even starts."

"Ha-.. Haru… Haruhi.. You, you look.." Tamaki stuttered and was completely still as his Inner Mind Theater took over.

"You look very nice, Haruhi." Kyouya complimented.

She glanced upward, "Oh, thanks. I guess it is pretty nice.."

The twins pushed her towards a large pile of masks, "Now find yourself a mask! We couldn't decide on which one out of those thirty, so any of them will work! We all have to get ready!"

Then, they all walked into the back room, already talking about the suits they had chosen and how they thought the night would go.

Haruhi sat down on a chair and looked at the pile of masks before her.

The majorities of them were over-the-top with feathers protruding from every side and were covered in glitter.

She saw a pale white mask that only covered half of the face and was bordered with gold beading; it had a pale blue flower on the side of it and was almost buried underneath the other extravagant masks.

Well, at least that one seems normal, as normal as you can get with the Host Club.

She picked it up and placed it on her head.

I swear if this is real gold…

The clock from the bell tower rang out, there was only fifteen minutes left until the ball started.

Haruhi walked over to the door where everyone else was changing, "Uh, are you guys done yet? There is only fifteen minutes left."

Kyouya's voice called out from inside, "I think it is going to take us some time Haruhi. You should go ahead of us anyways seeing as our customers might say something if they see us enter with an unknown woman. It is being held in the Main Ballroom in the North Building. We will see you there."

She set off towards the North section of the school.

It had begun to get dark and lanterns had been set out casting a faint glow upon the walkway.

She saw various couples walking hand in hand towards the ballroom; no one was immediately recognizable with their masks on.

Damn rich people.. She thought as she gazed up at the building in front of her, it was decorated with candles hanging from the ceiling and long swooping pieces of fabric hung from the walls giving the entire place a mysterious glow.

People were talking and laughing, all seeming to know who everyone else was.

I really don't know anyone here..

She made her way over to a long table filled with all sorts of expensive foods.

Mmmm, that looks so good.

Haruhi picked up a plate and began placing different types of food on it, she smiled at the thought of how it could taste.

She found herself a semi-private place to sit and began to eat.

Her eyes closed with each bite as she relished the heavenly taste of ootoro.

Maybe rich people aren't so bad if they can afford food like this all the time.

A loud ringing noise sounded as most of the talking stopped.

Music began to play as many heads turned towards the door and whispering began.

The Host Club had arrived and so had the start of the Masquerade Ball.


Well, this will be interesting.
Won't it?
I really like the concept of a Masquerade Ball, it'll take up a lot of space to write, so I can't add it to this chapter.
The next chapter will be Sunday, that's for sure.
I think I will keep this habit of updating twice a week, usually Thursday and Sunday.
It works.
Anyways, review please!
I know you people are reading this, so just take a moment to say something.
I would really appreciate some constructive criticism, it helps!
BloodyHell95 has given me a lot and it kinda set the framework for the plot in stone.
They actually told me the exact thing I was thinking of doing beforehand so, it really made me like the idea more.
So, the point of that story is: review please.

~Blue