Previously:

Mori's motions seemed a little stiff as though nervous and Honey's demeanor, though happy as usual, seemed to be showing an older more thoughtful side. Just what thoughts they were she could not say, but with another glance at Mori she wondered if he knew what was going through his cousin's mind.
She then gave a mental shrug, deciding it didn't really matter seeing as it probably had nothing to do with her.
How wrong she was.


The others all cheerfully greeted them when they returned. Even Kyoya managed up something that resembled a smile. The twins splashed over to them, each wrapping a soaking, wet arm around Miyako and eagerly awaited her reaction. She disappointed them by merely smiling and returning the gesture, not at all bothered at now being completely wet.

"Hikaru," Kaoru complained, "our toy's broken!"

"I didn't break our toy!" Hikaru protested, neither of them noticed Miyako's brow twitching in annoyance or the way her arms slithered around their shoulders, slowly tightened about their necks in a snake-like manner.

"So boys," she murmured in a deceptively calm voice, her arms having successfully locked around their necks, "I must have misheard you because surely you didn't not just call me your toy." The last word was spoken in a hiss, making her threat - if it had not been clear enough from her mock state of tranquility - undoubtedly evident.

"Why Miyako," Hikaru murmured placidly.

"You most certainly misunderstood," Kaoru continued.

"We didn't call you our toy!" Hikaru laughed as though the very idea was inconceivable.

"No we did not," Kaoru agreed.

"Why we would ever do that?" they asked innocently, craning their necks so as to show her their wide golden-hazel eyes that clearly showed that they would never refer to another person as a toy.

A grin crept upon Miyako's face. "Good. Because if you had called me such you might have found that squirrels can be quite...well, I suppose I don't need to tell you do I?"

The twins gulped involuntarily making a mental note to stay on the forest girl's good side. They didn't want to know what squirrels were capable of.
"Nope," the twins chirps, slipping out of her loosened hold and scampering away.

Miyako's grin only grew.

"Really Miyako-sama," Kyoya sighed, earning everyone's attention, "Did you have to terrify them?"

"Kyoya-sama," Miyako tsked, "Why would I want to terrify them? They didn't do anything unwarranted."

He pinched his nose, the motion almost covering up his smirk. "If you say so Miyako-sama."

Miyako laughed, his smile had not been hidden from her. "I'm so glad you agree. Is everyone just about ready to head back? It'll be time to eat soon."

Honey cheered happily, and Tamaki looked at her with wide eyes, "Did you mention food?"

"Indeed Tamaki," Miyako murmured, she had learned - rather quickly, for which she was grateful - to be amused instead of annoyed with his dramatics.

"Haruhi! Haruhi!" the twins chirped, bounding to Haruhi's side as she exited the water, "Sit by us for dinner!"

"That way," Hikaru whispered, taking her chin in his hand so that she would look at him, "we can share in the sweetness of the mountains."

"Hikaru, that doesn't even make sense," Haruhi told him dully.

"But Haruhi," Kaoru said in a sigh, "what we share is special, and just because it cannot be properly but into words does not lessen it any."

"Kaoru, that didn't make any sense either."

Miyako's laughter startled the three to turn in their direction, the gray-eyed girl's hand covered her mouth in a vain attempt to muffle her mirth.

"Are all city dwellers so outlandish? she managed between her laughs.

The three "outlandish city dwellers" shared looks before smiles broke on their faces. "Don't worry Miyako," Haruhi told the giggling teen, "Not all city dwellers," she used the term with obvious amusement, "are so crazy. Just this bunch."

"That's good," Miyako replied, wiping at the tears that had formed from her belly aching laughter, "because I don't think the world would be able to survive."

At this the rest of the Host Club gave a few laughs, except for Mori of course, but even he could not resist the smile that formed on his face.


"So Miyako-chan," Honey questioned as everyone made their way back to the village, "You are really good with animals."

"Thank you."

"What is your favorite animal?"

She chuckled, "I can't chose a favorite."

"Then what animal are you best with?"

"Canines."

"Takashi's really good with dogs too! They just love him!" Honey proclaimed proudly.

"I am not surprised," she absently replied, "I find it easier to understand other predators, dogs even more so because they structure their lives similar to humans. They surround themselves with friends and family, have to earn and learn how to respect one another, they defend one another but yet they do not always get along, and they are intelligent enough to outwit their prey. Domesticated dogs are extremely easy, so easy that people don't even need to have a way with animals to understand their wants and desires."

"You really like animals don't you Mi-chan?" Honey looked up at her with a bright smile.

Miyako faltered slightly at being called Mi-chan, a blush rising to her cheeks. The name was so informal and familiar, as though they had been friends for a long time, she liked it. She giggle at Honey's comment though. "Now whatever gave you that idea?"

Honey just grinned.

Miyako listened as he happily he told about a younger Mori going outside to play with the big, fierce watch dogs. It had terrified his parents until they realized that their son was actually surprisingly fine. More than fine considering how their son was reprimanding the usually ferocious beasts and got submissive whimpers of reply.

She snuck a glance at Mori who was walking ever so slightly off to the side of Honey. She blushed anew when her eyes met his, feeling the tips of her ears burning. Miyako quickly ducked her head knowing with silver hair and pale eyes that when her blushed she looked as red as a rose. It was extremely embarrassing.


Mori looked at his two friends in amusement as Honey regaled her with another story. Suddenly, Miyako shyly peeked up to look at him. Her eyes widened in surprise at having been caught and her face blossomed scarlet.

He didn't understand why she was so embarrassed. She looked at him. That was no big deal. Still, she ducked her head in an attempt to hide her face. Mori felt amused, so much so that his lips pulled back slightly.

He saw Honey glance up at him and smirk. Mori's smile disappeared, replaced by a feeling of uneasy curiosity. First a calculating look and now a smirk? What was going through his cousin's mind?


Hope you enjoyed. Please review! :D