A knock sounded at her door and she groaned. "Nooooo..." The small brunette stood quietly to answer the door. It was probably her... boyfriend - it was still weird to use the word, especially for him of all people - or it was his brother. Maybe it'd be both. With a resigned sigh she opened the door, not caring about her worn blue shorts or the baggy white t-shirt she had thrown on. She was cute in the oversized clothing, with her large doe eyes that always seemed to hold kindness. She may be independent and seemingly cold, but in truth Haruhi was the thoughtful and kind.

Slowly she blinked at the person who stood there. She was wrong on both ends. First of all, Tamaki was at her front step looking worried, and the cause of her and Hikaru's first true fight was there as well. "Tamaki-senpai? What are you doing here? And also Tsukune?"

"W-well, I do not know how you know this young man, but I just met him today as well..." Tamaki started, but went quiet at Haruhi's expression change. He couldn't describe it as being worried, but more like she did not want them there. Whatever he'd seen disappeared quickly enough though as she changed to a smile that did not hold as much warmth as she intended for it to. "I see, well, why're you here, Tsukune?"

"I-I just w-wanted to make sure every th-thing was okay with you and your boyfriend, I really hate the idea that I caused something to happen between you two, he seemed tense... and well you're the first person to help me since I've just come here and I only want to make friends. I'm going to a new school and all, and it's just... it's difficult, you know?"

Haruhi nodded in empathy. She remembered her first days at Ouran. She wasn't concerned about making an impression on the students, nor making friends, but even though she was so independent it was still a lonely experience. She has learned some valuable things spending time with the host club, and she has been learning to be dependent on someone else for a change too. She was learning that it is okay to get help sometimes. She'd never had learned this if it wasn't for the changes in her life and the people she has met. She sent Tsukune a more genuine smile, "Yeah, I understand. Well, you know where to come if you ever need help. Thank you for apologizing, and don't worry, Hikaru and I are fine."

With that statement Tsukune left, only after a few more hurried apologies. She turned once more to Tamaki now, who'd been sitting there patiently. "So... what's up?"

He smiled down at her, but soon a worried expression came across his face. "So, Hikaru and you? I'm happy for you two," and he was, even if it did hurt for whatever reason, "but are you happy?"

She paused for a moment to consider before nodding, "Yeah, I'd say I am." She couldn't help the blush that tinged her face. She hasn't talked much to the host club, let alone anyone else, about her relationships problems. So... it was interesting that Tamaki was asking about it all of a sudden.

"Well, as you know, I'll always be one of your best friends." He said, interrupting her thoughts, "and I know you, Haruhi, you're strong and don't want to lean on anyone, but I just... want to let you know that if you need anyone to talk to, that I'm here and will always continue to be your best friend."

He paused and Haruhi moved aside to let him into her home, he continued as he made his way to the small living room, "And well, I saw how upset you were at school yesterday. You seemed fine during club activities, but... I know you well enough and I know Hikaru well enough to know that something had happened." His serious expression broke off into a goofy smile as he teased, "And as your dear protector, I have to make sure my darling daughter is safe and sound." He flailed his hand about as he gestured to no one in particular.

Despite the theatrics it was comforting to Haruhi to hear. Even though the fight between them was short lived, it still shocked Haruhi how lonely she'd felt and how much worry had hit her. The reminder was needed that she wasn't alone. While she'd been brooding, she hadn't even considered her friends and their ability to help her.

"Thanks, Senpai, I really appreciate it."

"And, well, Haruhi, I also came because I'm here to pick you up for a special trip! The school has given us a few days off before finals, and the host club will be taking advantage of that! We'll be going to stay at a hotel. I've already talked to your dad, and it's worked out. Sooo..." He quirked an eyebrow up and stood with a flourish. "Let's go!"

No. She thought somewhat amused despite herself, but instead she only protested with, "But I haven't packed."

"It's all been taken care of!" He smiled as he took her hand and dragged her out of the house. So much for studying, was her only thought.

The car ride was blissfully short mostly because Haruhi slept most of the way and any of the time she was awake she read and took notes for the next chapter they'd be assigned in school. She'd gotten a few texts from Hikaru, but they consisted of him pouting that she'd driven with Tamaki, and Kyouya who'd apparently been with him the whole time but neglected to come to her door to pick her up. Tamaki chatted amiably with both, sometimes just normal conversations, and sometimes he went into his melodramatic state. Kyouya stayed mostly quiet, only once asking Haruhi what she was working on. Overall, it was a better car ride than what would have happened if she'd ridden with Hikaru and Kaoru.

The car slowed as they pulled up to a large mansion. It looked similar to their first beach trip, but she wasn't sure if it was the same one. At least, as she'd been told, there were no hosting duties to be done. Also, Mori and Honey were joining them again like they had before to help with hosting. Satoshi and Chika however remained at school. The whole point of their mini-vacation was to celebrate the last year that Kyouya and Tamaki would be there, and there wasn't even much of that year left with how quickly graduation was coming up. Soon it'd be Hikaru, Kaoru, and Haruhi who were up to leave Ouran and the Host Club. She'd miss it, but she also thought she was ready to go forward with her life.

The day turned out to be beautiful, and although none of the hosts, or ex-hosts, had eaten yet they still ran out to the beach to play. Clothes were pulled off that revealed swim suits. Haruhi, who hadn't been prepared for this trip, walked with Kyouya up to the beach at a much slower pace.

"You aren't going to swim?" He asked coolly.

"I might, but I have to find my baggage and figure out if it is worth wearing whatever strip of swim suit I was given." She replied blankly.

"I'll have you know," he began, "I kept your father and Tamaki in check when packing your bag, and unless they did something to it, you should be just fine." With that little bit of comfort Haruhi smiled and picked up her pace.

After changing into a white ruffled one-piece swim suit, she took to the beach herself. There was still plenty of light in the late afternoon sun, but it probably wouldn't last long. She had to enjoy herself while she could. Hikaru jogged over to her the moment he saw her cute little head return.

"Haaaruuuuu," he sang with a smile, "I miiiissssedddd you!" And with that statement he quickly enveloped her into a hug. She returned it, although somewhat awkwardly, a light blush touching her face. "Hikaru, you saw me yesterday, it hasn't been that long," was all she said in reply to the loving gesture.

"Aww, but Haruhiii, that was forever ago, and Tono didn't let me pick you up, he insisted that he do it instead!"

"Yeaah... he had some things he wanted to talk about. It was nice, actually." Hikaru looked down at her with a questioning glance but she shrugged it off. "C'mon, Hika," she said with a charming smile, "let's swim."

The sun shone on the sandy beach and gleamed off of her pale skin. The warmth was nice and Hikaru's presence at her side was a joy as well. He could be obnoxious and ridiculous but she loved him all the same. They didn't say "I love you" all that often, it was a little embarrassing still, but they always showed each other they meant it. It was the little gestures that proved to Haruhi how he felt for her, and how she felt for him.

As they neared the surf he suddenly scooped her up and began running. Kaoru jogged behind a litte as Hikaru charged straight into the surf. "It'll be too cold, Hika!" Haruhi yelled as the first wave slid across his feet. He continued until it was up to his waist before gently setting her down. His face was red, either from effort, or the shy-like quality he had sometimes with her. Haruhi's own face was a nice pink as well. She stood beside him, the small waves rocking her back and forth.

He gently grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "Haru, this'll be a great vacation..." with a short pause and a deep breath he turned to her, "Haruhi, I think that these next few years will be even better. Each..." He looked away shyly but with another gulp of air he continued, "Each day with you... I don't know where I'd be, or where Kaoru'd be without meeting the host club, but honestly, you are a life changer."

"Haruhi, I just... I'm so... so... glad you're mine..." A larger wave hit them at that moment causing Haruhi to momentarily lose her balance. She picked herself back up and quickly, without warning, gave him a small kiss on his cheek and another on his lips. It was short and sweet, but it showed her happiness well. She knew Hikaru was not one for smooth words about his feelings and such, he was bad at showing his true feelings. He was more for action rather than thought. He lived in the moment, but for Haruhi he'd slow down and he'd try to move at her pace.

She was a thinker, she enjoyed the little things and appreciated Hikaru's effort but she also had to put in effort. Haruhi was independent, she didn't want to burden others and it was a difficult thing for her to rely so completely on someone. It was difficult. For him though, just as he tried so hard for her, she would try so hard for him.

Hikaru interrupted their silence with a short laugh, "Hey, Haru, aside from the fact that... everything is different... it's... it's just like old times..." Together, hands clasped, they watched the host club play on the beach.