Chapter 6: All Hallow's Eve Ball

"Hmm, I dunno..." Hikaru and Kaoru were examining Sora with great interest. "This dress is way too puffy for someone as sophisticated as you."

She frowned as she turned in the 270 degree mirror. Like all other female students at Ouran, she was required to wear a yellow dress as a uniform. She had come to the conclusion that the dress was evil and called Hikaru and Kaoru, not to mention Riiko, for their opinions. The twins told Sora to come over to their mansion. Riiko came along as a treat (and advisor). Riiko was sitting on the bed, bouncing up and down, assuring her she looked "very kawaii." Sora figured she was spending too much time with the Haninozuka heir. Good. At least someone finally doesn't think of Riiko as a little girl. Kaoru was reluctant to say anything, but Hikaru voiced his opinion for him. "It looks hideous on you."

"Try twirling around in it some more," suggested Kaoru. "Maybe that would help."

Sora danced in front of the mirror. Even with a dress such as that one, she looked elegant and ball-ready. Hikaru sadly shook his head. "There's no getting around it. It's very ugly on Sora."

Riiko leaped gracefully off the bed and folded herself instead on the floor. "Sora-chan, (too much time with Honey-senpai) maybe you can convince the superintendent to change the uniforms. Maybe he would listen to you. I mean, you can't cross-dress like Haru-chan (way too much time with Honey-senpai) since your bust is bigger than hers."

Oblivious to Hikaru's and Kaoru's faces at the word "bust," Sora begin to remove the dress from her body. She, like Haruhi, didn't see the huge line between guys and girls, but she wasn't entirely undressed with a camisole and panties (in her mind). "Good idea, Riiko. I'll talk to him tonight at the ball. By the way, are there any escorts at this ball? Because in Italy, every elite girl was escorted."

Kaoru shrugged. "Mori-senpai and Kyoya-senpai offered to take you, and we said we would wait for your answer." He sneaked a wink at Riiko behind Sora's back. They had told the girls about the set-up, and they agreed. Sora, Tamaki, Kyoya and Mori were the only ones oblivious to the plan.

Sora froze in her current task. Kyoya and Mori? Kyoya and Mori? KYOYA AND MORI!

Cera tied her hair up in an elegant bun as Alexia swept back her hair with combs. The All Hallow's Eve Ball was tonight, and the girls (apart from Haruhi) wanted to meet at the Park Hyatt by eight. However, that plan was probably down the drain since almost everyone wanted to have Sora show up last (to create a more dramatic effect).

Riiko and Sora were at the Hitachiins' place with their dresses and accessories. Haruhi and the twins were getting ready with Renge Houshakuji, the Host Club's manageress and a pretty girl to boot. They'd met her one afternoon at Ouran, when Sora invited the girls to tea in the Third Music Room. She had arrived on a platform in the middle of the room and was puzzled to see "such fine lovely ladies in a run-down place like this."

Alexia examined herself in the mirror as Cera stepped into her shoes. Tall and pretty, she donned a long black satin strapless Giorgio Armani with black pumps. Cera, as usual, was stunning. She wore a strapless knee-length snow-white dress by Dolce and Gabana, playing up the eyes. "Cera, don't hurt yourself in those shoes," Alexia remarked as Cera twisted and turned her white "hooker shoes," as Sora called them.

"Oh, Lexi, shut up. Your pumps could make you as tall as Mori."

Alexia smirked and turned to the silver-blond girl. "Mori-senpai is 6'3". I highly doubt I will come up to his chin."

"Sure, sure. Hey, did you know that Sora doesn't know about the plan yet? And the guys already told Mori and Kyoya that she liked them, just not at the same time."

"Get out."

"I'm serious! Mori sort of blushed when they said it, and the glare on Kyoya's glasses made it difficult to see his expression, but they both were smiling."

"So have they 'asked' yet?"

"They 'asked' through Riiko and Kaoru. I'm surprised they haven't already asked for real. So stupid of them. She's gonna go with Mori first, anyway."

"I dunno. Kyoya seems the better match for her. Smart, witty, and calm. Not too tall. Just what-"

Alexia broke off. Cera frowned slightly. "No matter," she said. "Wanna make it 100 euros?"

Cera smirked. "You're on."


Elaina and Natalia both wore contrasting, floor-trailing gowns by Armani, Elaina an electric blue, and Natalia an orange. The older twin had her hair in a French braid while the younger one did a half bun with the rest of her hair down. Their escorts would be Hikaru and Kaoru (in that order) and they wanted to "impress" the twins by showing off their slim bodies. Although Elaina knew that Hikaru liked Haruhi, she still asked him to come with her, and Natalia wanted to discuss more books with Kaoru, which seemed fine to him.

"Naty, can you grab those blue sandals for me?"

"Only if you get my orange ones."

They traded.

"So have the guys found out yet?"

"Mm, not sure. I'm getting the feeling Riiko and the others have already 'asked' Sora."

"So who do you think will go first?"

"Not sure."

"How much?"

"Cera and Alexia are doing 100, more than likely, so we'll do..."

"How about 200? Heightens the anticipation."

"Done deal, sister dear. Kyoya's better than Mori."

"You're going down, dear sister."

Just then, Haruhi stepped out from behind a screen. Since the school had no idea Haruhi was a girl, she had to wear a black tuxedo just like the rest of the guys. "You guys, are you finally ready? The limo's on the way," she added, pointing to her blinking cell phone.

Elaina nodded. "Yes, we are. What do you think of the outcome, Haruhi?"

She shrugged. "Whatever Sora decides, although Mori-senpai would be better, since Tamaki-senpai's going to think of Sora as his niece, which means that Kyoya-senpai would be the 'aunt.'"

Natalia giggled at Haruhi's blunt response. "Have you even told Sora yet?" she asked.

Haruhi shook her head as she tied her shoes. "No, I think I'll wait till she sees the two of them."


Riiko clapped when Sora left the master bathroom. She wore a cute periwinkle blue floor-length spaghetti dress by Dior with matching open-toed heels, held on by a single satin ribbon. Her hair was down, and Riiko had taken the task of adding a few bouncy curls here and there. "OOH, SORA-CHAN, YOU LOOK SO HEAVENLY!"

Sora examined Riiko. She wore a pink halter dress from Hikaru and Kaoru's mother's latest collection tied behind the neck. Pink velvet trimmed the hem and she wore cute pink heels with a ribbon at the end. Her hair was too short to do anything with it, so she made it shiny. "And you look so kawaii!" she exclaimed.

Riiko grinned. "So...have you decided?"

"On what?" Sora asked absentmindedly as she turned in front of her mirror.

"On whether or not you wish Kyoya or Takashi to escort you."

Sora shrugged. "I was thinking hard, and came to the solution of both."

Riiko snorted. "You can't have both, Sora-chan! That's very unladylike."

"Who cares?"

"Mori and Kyoya."

Sora sat on the bed, disgruntled. "I dunno, Riiko," she sighed. "I hate choosing between the two of them." An idea popped into her head. "How about Tamaki escorts me, and I choose neither? That way, he can give me some ideas."

Riiko gasped before applauding. If anyone could convince Tamaki that either of the guys were good for her, it was Sora. "That's a wonderful idea, Sora-chan!"

"And you, Riiko? Who's taking you?"

The small senior blushed. "Mitsukuni."

"SO KAWAII!" Sora mocked Riiko's cry.

Hikaru and Kaoru stepped into the room. Like Haruhi, they wore black tuxedos. Hikaru held out his arm to Riiko. "Shall we?" he mocked Tamaki's grandeur.

Kaoru held out his arm to Sora. "We shall," Sora laughed.


A lot of the students and their parents already filled the grand hall. Several chandeliers hung above their heads, black and orange streamers and ribbons rippling from them. An orchestra was playing softly in the background. Tamaki and Kyoya were greeting the guests at the doors, very snazzy in their own black tuxes. Honey was by the snack table, wearing a white tuxedo and delivering small slices of cake to the surrounding girls. Mori was dancing with one of his regulars at the Host Club, looking suave in a white tux as well. Suddenly, a shout was heard.

"HARUHI, YOU LOOK STUNNING IN THAT TUX!" Tamaki was grinning and quivering with delight. Kyoya pushed the frame of his glasses up his nose.

Honey and Mori went to greet her and the twins. Elaina and Natalia both looked gorgeous in gowns, and Tamaki secretly hoped it would distract Hikaru from Haruhi (yes, Tamaki's self-aware. Deal with it). "Hey," breathed Elaina. "We had to run up the stairs. A couple of seniors were seriously eyeing us up. Ah, look, there's Cera and Alexia!"

The two tall girls were very extravagant in their own ways. Cera would forever in their eyes be a flirt, and Alexia was more sophisticated. "Took you two long enough," Natalia said, rushing up the stairs with Elaina to meet them. "Where's the lady-in-waiting?" she added, dropping her voice to a whisper.

Cera grinned. "The other twins are outside, debating on if Kaoru should escort her inside, or if she should come in alone. Either way, both Mori and Kyoya will get very upset."

"CERA! ALEXIA! ELAINA! NATALIA!" Riiko came rushing up the stairs, both arms flailing. "You guys look good!" She came to a halt in front of Honey. "And you, Mitsukuni...you look very handsome." Both the small seniors blushed.

Alexia smiled before turning back to Cera. "And the guys are where?"

Hikaru and Kaoru strolled up the stairs, a wicked expression on both grinning faces. "Sora has a little situation outside," Hikaru muttered to Cera. "And she'll be escorted by a handsome devil."

Kaoru sniggered. "Oh yes. A handsome devil, indeed."

Mori turned to Honey and Riiko, who still blushed madly. "Riiko, where is Sora?"

Riiko stuttered. "Uh, I think, um, she'll come in soon, ehh..." She stole a glace at Cera, who was now smiling as devilishly as the twins. "Yes, she's coming right now."

Kyoya turned away from Tamaki's chatter about the fine material Alexia's dress consisted of. "Is she still outside..." He looked coldly at the Hitachiins, who paled and cowered behind Cera. "With no one to assist her?"

Cera smiled even wider. "No, here she comes."

Everyone turned simultaneously.

A staggered-looking Nekozawa escorted Sora up the stairs. Tamaki yelled in utter delight, the girls smiled, Honey and the twins gushed over her dress, and...Mori and Kyoya stood flabbergasted, speechless. Sora smiled warmly at Nekozawa, who for once wasn't in costume. His blonde hair fell down onto his shoulders, and he blinked a few times before stepping into the shadows. Sora turned to Riiko, who grinned. "Hikaru and Kaoru left me outside, saying that Nekozawa would escort me to the door, and that Tamaki would be escorting me the rest of the night...?"

"Sounds like a good plan." Riiko sneaked a sly wink at Cera, who chuckled.

Tamaki gapped at Sora, who was idly looking around. "The seniors decorated this year, huh?" She looked at Mori and Honey. "You guys did a fabulous job." She smiled. Mori blushed slightly.

Cera pulled on one of Sora's elaborate curls. "So...let's hit it." She and Sora led the way onto the dance floor. The Host Club (with the exception of Honey and Haruhi) remained rooted to the spot.


Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween
This is Halloween
This is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night
This is Halloween
Everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright
It's our town, everybody scream
In this town of Halloween

At first, only Tamaki and the girls danced. Cera and Sora were the attention hoggers, and boys couldn't keep their eyes off them. Riiko and Honey finally danced together; they spun so wildly, fellow dancers jumped out of the way. Natalia asked Kaoru to dance with her, and he obliged. Elaina and Hikaru did a jig or two, and Haruhi took it in turns to dance with the girls.

When a slow song picked up, Kyoya bowed to Sora. "May I have this dance?" he asked, causing fangirls of the Host Club to squeal in delight. Sora nodded, smiling. "Sure."

Alone for a while I've been searching through the dark
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain
Melodies of life, love's lost refrain

Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just way
We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye
And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?
Let them ring out loud, till they unfold

Kyoya smirked as they slowly revolved on the spot. "So, you resemble the princess you have been trying to hide." The closest to a compliment you will catch me saying in company. Alone, that's a different story...

Sora glanced up at him. "Saw through my façade, have you?"

"If that's what you wish to call it. How you wish to live your life. Not as royalty, but as someone barely noticed. By the way, many would kill to have your position...at the moment, as well."

"Wait. Are you saying that girls actually find you cool and not heartless?"

Ouch. "I'm merely suggesting that most sensible women would throw themselves at me the first chance they get."

In my dearest memories
I see you reaching out to me
Though you're gone
I still believe that you can call out my name

A voice from the past
Joining yours and mine
Adding up the layers of harmony
And so it goes, on and on
Melodies of life
To the sky beyond the flying breeze, forever and beyond

"Oh, they'd throw themselves at you, now? Wow. Ain't I a lucky girl?"

"Hmph. Lucky, indeed."

"I'm not insisting anything. But tell me...do you like the position you're in?"

"I don't understand you."

"The constant dangling of being named heir in your face...doesn't that bother you?"

"What about yourself? Is the dangling of being named heiress just as bothering?"

Sora looked away and mumbled something.

"I didn't quite catch that."

"I didn't have a choice," she muttered. "I'm heiress, regardless of my wants."

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "You say you don't have a choice. Don't you have brothers and sisters? I recall you mentioning"

Sora hesitated before shaking her head. "No, I'm...the heiress, whether I like it or not. I'm sort of an only child."

"Then you're still the lucky girl. I would give anything to not have brothers."

"Don't say that," Sora suddenly whipped out. "Don't ever regret having siblings."

Thankfully the singer began again and they stopped talking and enjoyed the dance and music.

So far and away, see the bird as it flies by
Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky
I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings
Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings

In your dearest memories
Do you remember loving me?
Was it fate
That brought us close
And now leaves me behind?

A voice from the past
Joining yours and mine
Adding up the layers of harmony
And so it goes, on and on
Melodies of life
To the sky beyond the flying breeze, forever and beyond

If I should leave
This lonely world behind
Your voice will still remember our melody
Now I know we'll carry on
Melodies of life
Come circle round and grow deep in our hearts
As long as we remember...

Kyoya bowed once more as the song ended. "A very enchanting dance," he commented. "And a thrilling conversation, as well." He headed towards Tamaki and Haruhi. "Haruhi, a word please." She followed him out to the moonlit courtyard.

Haruhi sat down on a bench. "Kyoya-senpai?"

"Haruhi..." He turned to face the school. "If it's the last thing I do...I must win Sora over Mori-senpai."


As Sora went to drink some punch (hopefully not spiked), Honey gracefully whirled across the dance floor with Riiko, to his cousin, who was watching the dancers move in time. "Takashi, go and ask her. She's getting a drink, and the next slow song, dance with her." The plan was going very smoothly.

Riiko agreed. "Go on," she encouraged him. "She won't turn you down, I'm sure of it. I think she really likes you, Takashi."

Mori blushed a second time that night but silently obeyed. If Riiko was sure, then he'd ask her. Thankfully, Cera and both sets of twins were boogeying down to an American band (CCR, he believed they were called) and their song, I Put A Spell On You. Tamaki was dancing with a fangirl, and he looked to be in his Prince mode. Alexia was dancing with a junior who looked very small compared to her. "Sora." Sora turned when she heard her name.

"Oh, Mori. I was just going to look for you. Do you wanna dance?"

Mori was taken aback, but he nodded. "I was about to ask the same of you."

She smiled. "Isn't that something?"

He casually took her hand and led her back to the dance floor. A new song was starting; another American singer (he supposed Honey got requests from the ladies and Sora's gang) began to issue from the sound system.

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

Mori spun her around, and she laughed before being dipped by him. He was so cool, so graceful for being so tall. It must have come from the many hours of serving in the Host Club. "Mori, for a guy, you dance pretty well."

He shrugged. "We hold and attend a lot of dances and balls. The Halloween Ball is the biggest."

"I thought it was the All Hallows' Eve Ball?"

"To Europeans. To the Japanese, it's Halloween. We are not so formal of the holidays. Take Christmas, for example. While we use Santa Claus, you use St. Nicholas or Father Christmas."

"I see. Different cultures mean different sayings and names."

A comfortable silence. "Your Japanese is coming along good."

"I was born in the Niigata area, but since my father was royalty, we moved to Italy a few months after I was born."

"So you are half-Japanese, like Tamaki?"

"Yes, I suppose I am. Well, a quarter Japanese. My mother..." She paused. "My mother's half-Japanese, half-French. In fact, my mother's half-sister is related to Tamaki's mother by marriage. When I found out about you guys, it really didn't bother me that Tamaki calls me his niece. We're sort of related, in a way. If it makes Tamaki happy, then I guess I'm happy, too." She laughed aloud. "Tamaki has confused feelings for Haruhi, and he would be horrified to hear that he is very distantly related to her."

Mori was in considerable awe. "Then you know how many languages?"

"Mmm, four. Italian was my first, then Japanese, then French, and finally English. I plan to take German or Spanish when I attend college. I'm so awesome for being multilingual. I could get any job I want, if I ever needed to work."

Surprisingly, Mori laughed. They were still dancing, but he wasn't really focusing on the music. Another song had started.

All I am
All I'll be
Everything in this world
All that I'll ever be
Is in your eyes
Shining at me
When you smile I can feel
All my passion unfolding

Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations
Seduce me 'cause I

I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do

In my world
Before you
I lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
Till that day
I found you
How you opened my life
To a new paradise

In a world torn by change
Still with all my heart
Till my dying day

I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
Yes, I do

If you're asking do I love you this much
I do

Applause rang out as the song ended. Sora looked up at Mori. "Thanks, Mori. You're a good dancer, and a good listener, unlike someone I know. See you later." As she let go of his hand, her eyes raked the ballroom for the youngest Ootori son.

Mori stood still for three long seconds before moving towards Cera, who was taking a break from all the spotlight. "Hey there, big guy," she greeted him as he approached her. "You gonna hit the dance floor again?"

He shook his head. "No, but I need your help." Cera froze from taking a sip of her punch.

"I need to win Sora before Kyoya gets another chance."