CHAPTER 8

Haruhi sat at her usual desk and prepared her materials, aligning her notebook and pencils in the middle and making sure everything was straight. She didn't need everything to be orderly, but she felt content when it was. It was neat and calming. She looked down. But that's not realistic. That's not how life works. She turned the notebook askew and looked back up to the blackboard. No teacher still. She looked back down, picked up her pencil and lightly let it fall from her fingers. She watched it bounce and let it lie where it lay. She did the same to her pen. She sat her elbow on her desk and rested her head in her hand. Minutely turning her head, she caught two pairs of eyes beside her. Hikaru was scowling slightly and Kaoru looked mildly curious.

She blinked, "What?" Stop interrupting my thoughts. Haruhi shrugged and turned her eyes back on the blackboard. My actions are completely normal. Oh, I should probably be studying, but for once I don't want to. Did I finish my homework last night? Haruhi physically gasped and sat straight up. Her hands clutched the edge of the desk. I didn't finish my homework last night! We did Kaito's but not my own. Why would I have? I wasn't supposed to be here today. Am I going crazy? I am going crazy. Maybe I should have taken a short sabbatical before starting school. Oh crap. Oh Crap. OH CRAP. I wasn't supposed to be here today. So, maybe I shouldn't be here.

Haruhi's eyes were wide. She calmly put everything in her backpack, got up, and walked out of the room. The twins silently watching her as she walked out the door. They looked back at each other. Odd, they both thought. Even more than us, Kaoru communicated with a look. Hikaru agreed with a slight nod of his head.

Haruhi continued to walk in the hallway, down the stairs, and through the doors. Without really seeing, she walked down the long driveway of the school and turned the corner. I'll just walk there. Just keep moving. She knew where she was headed. It makes sense. It took much longer to get there than taking the train, but the walk was nice to calm her beating heart. When she finally reached her destination, Haruhi knelt down and looked forward. She read her surname etched into the hard stone and traced her fingers along the names of her parents.

I'm sorry for letting you down. Her hands fell into her lap and she dropped her head. Why can't you let me be with you? Don't you want me? Things have gotten a lot more difficult now that Kaito's attached. It isn't just me anymore. I'm older and she considers me a friend, no a sister. This could have a detrimental impact on her psyche. How could it affect the other children? I wouldn't want it to inspire others to end their lives. It would be silly to think I would have that much of an importance to others, but it doesn't take much when they're all hurting already. It wouldn't have been selfish if I was nameless. Now it would be selfish. I would be passing that pain unto others instead of carrying it for myself. It could lead to a chain of events for the others. I would leave everything behind. All the hurt, the loneliness, the pain. But I would be putting more of that burden on innocent people. It could increase their own thoughts and temptations. Our actions have consequences, even if we're not there to face them.

Aokigahara isn't that far away. Just a couple hours if someone drove. Would that be easier for the others. I could just get "lost" in the forest. How many orphans go missing in Japan? Is it a relatively normal occurance? It may not draw attention. Hm, that's something I should research more. But then Kaito would think I abandoned her. Again, what was fine yesterday is now a completely selfish act today.

Haruhi scowled and audibly sighed. She shifted to sit criss crossed next to her parents on the ground. Taking out her textbook, she opened up to the first page she was supposed to have read the day before.


"What do you mean she wasn't in class? We saw her walk in the door!" Tamaki shouted. He let out a horrified gasp, "Was she kidnapped?"

"No, Boss" the twins physically restrained Tamaki from running away.
"She just stood up and walked out."

"No explanations."

"Before class even started."

"Alright men," Tamaki shoved the twins off him and then posed with one hand on his hips and the other pointed to his compatriots. "Kyoya, examine the security tapes from the school and associated streets. Hunny-sempei, arrange an array of cakes in case she needs sustenance. Mori-sempei, search the grounds to see if she's still on campus. Hikaru and Kaoru, call your driver in case we need a ride off school grounds. I'll notify my father of our absences. We'll find her no matter how long it takes. Even if w-"

"She's at the Aoyama Cemetery," Kyoya replied in an almost bored tone.

"Alright! Hikaru, Kaoru, is your driver ready?" questioned Tamaki.

"You got it, Boss," they replied with a thumbs up. Hikaru had already notified to be picked up before lunch began.

"Tama-chun, can I still bring the cake?"

"Yes, we must be prepared for anything!"

The whole group left the lunchroom and headed for the Hitachiin limousine.


Haruhi continued to work on her schoolwork. She had completed everything she needed to for tomorrow and Friday. Her notebook lay open beside her as she reviewed the different notes and corresponding textbook passages. Every so often she spoke to her parents about the different comments or questions she had. She had already been there for four hours already. The quiet solitude allowed Haruhi to focus on her academics for the first time in awhile.

Silently and discretely, a young man sat beside her. Another followed and soon enough, she was surrounded by six handsome young men. The act was humbling. They all sat on the ground together. She looked around in surprise. One at a time they extended their arm and set down a colorful rose at the base of the pillar. Haruhi looked at the six different colored roses and back at the boys.

"What are you all doing here?" she inquired with searching eyes.

"Paying our respects, of course," Tamaki said but all replied with a soft smile.

Haruhi nodded but furrowed her eyebrows. But you don't even know them. You don't even know me. I wouldn't have thought they'd sit on the ground like this. Wouldn't it be beneath them? The group sat in quiet solitude together until Haruhi silently began to collect her work together.

"Can we give you a ride back, Haru-chan?" asked Hunny.

"No, that's okay. I wouldn't want to impose and besides, I enjoy the walk." Haruhi stood up and began to walk away. Thinking better of it, she stopped and turned around. "Thank you for coming." She looked at each boy in their eyes and turned back around.

The twins moved first, eager to walk with her. Each draped a friendly arm around Haruhi as they matched her pace. She looked between them and accepted their friendly gesture. Tamaki, Hunny, and Mori weren't far behind. The serenity quickly disappeared along with Tamaki's patience. His jealousy quickly winning over the need to be respectful. Physically removing one of the twins' arms, Tamaki squeezed his way next to Haruhi. A small bickering ensued between Tamaki and the twins. Their tones hushed in an insufficient attempt to be reverent. Kyoya waited a moment just observing the group until he followed behind them.

"Um, are you guys planning on walking, too?" Haruhi asked. The thought of being surrounded by them in public began to feel a little overwhelming.

"Of course we are, darling. Every young lady should be escorted home," replied Tamaki with a flourished hand.

"Err, maybe a car ride would be better then." Haruhi sweatdropped. She didn't want to get kicked out of the cemetery or to draw unneeded attention to herself.

They neared the street and Haruhi was escorted in first. Tamaki went to follow but Hikaru quickly got a hold of his lapel and Tamaki fell backwards. In retaliation Tamaki grabbed a hold of each twins leg and pulled. Unfortunately, Tamaki failed to realize the projection of their falls and took the brunt of it. They turned into a ball of arms and legs, fighting to be the one to sit next to Haruhi. Mori and Hunny walked around the scuffle and sat on either side of the young girl. Kyoya sat across from her. The lagging and ruffled trio dejectedly followed suite and sat together on the right.

"Thanks for letting us visit Haru-chan!" exclaimed Hunny. Mori bumped Haruhi's shoulder with his own in agreement.

Haruhi gave them both a smile back.

Kyoya opened his notebook. "Ms. Fujioka, your teachers have been informed that you will be taking a leave of absence for the rest of the week. Hikaru and Kaoru will keep you updated on any classwork. You have also been excused for today's absence."

Haruhi blinked in surprise.

"I know you were going to wait until tomorrow, but have you thought anymore about joining the Host Club?"

"I have been considering it Kyoya-sempei, but am still unsure if it would be the right fit."

Kyoya looked up from his notebook and leaned back. "We could give you a ride to see your parents every day. I understand it has been difficult keeping up on the orphanage's strict rules while simultaneously paying your respect to your family. The complementary transportation would greatly reduce the commute. Additionally, I would personally ensure the orphanage's cooperation in supporting any club activities."

"You would make sure I could visit my parents when I wanted to?"

"Naturally," replied Kyoya.

It took only a moment for Haruhi to make up her mind. "Deal."

"Good." Kyoya smiled almost evilly. He was prepared to negotiate but that proved to be an easier task than anticipated. "Now we can go over what is expected of you. Club activities commence everyday after school. You are expected to attend all meetings and activities. This includes a dance being held next week. Keeping up the current male attire is also to your best interest." As well as the club's finances, thought Kyoya.

"Sure. That's not a problem. Besides, it doesn't really matter does it? Why should I care about appearances and labels anyway. It's what's on the inside that counts." Haruhi shrugged.

"Here Haruhi, you left this behind this morning," Kaoru handed Haruhi the male Ouran uniform.

"And be careful in the future," warned Kyoya. "There have been some complications since your arrival. Due to your distraction yesterday, the twins neglected to bring the Indochinese leopard, and missed their first appointment. Tamaki also broke a very expensive vase that was to be auctioned off for the Host club. Luckily, his weekly allowance was able to cover such a novelty. Just ensure that such matters don't become a habit. We wouldn't want to start holding you liable for such misgivings now would we?"

Well, that doesn't make sense. Why would I be responsible for their actions. "I fail to see how that's my responsibility senpei, but I'll do what I can to help out."

"What are we going to do now?" asked Hikaru in a bored tone.

"We could eat some cake!" exclaimed Hunny as he took out two cakes from behind his back. "But I don't think they'll be enough to share."

"There's more in the clubroom." Mori's deep voice surprised Haruhi.

"Dearest princess, please join us for lunch," flourished Tamaki in an overdramatic sweep of his arms.

"We have all been given a pass for the rest of the day," informed Kyoya.

"We're starving," said the twins.

"Er, well, sure." She shrugged and gave them a smile. It seemed to temporarily dumbstruck the boys. It beats going back to the orphanage. Everyone is being surprisingly respectful. They're caring but aren't showing me pity. It's… comfortable.

For the first time since her father's death, she felt calm.


I felt like this was a little hokey so I apologize if it feels insincere. I know it may sound stupid, but they made me do it. Damn those hokey bastards.


Thank you 16th-of-a-twigg and ZodiacMoonRae for the reviews! Not to give anything away, but I do hope to delve more into Haruhi's relationship with the twins. I agree that I'd like to see the friendship dynamic explored. It makes sense as they see each other more than they do anyone else. This story has a mind of its own though so we'll see what happens.