punkish furball – Hello, all! XD
Words to Ponder:
Hi, guys. I know this chapter is long overdue, but I've been working on school stuff and working on other fanfics as well. If you're interested, take a look at my profile. I'm sure you won't be disappointed! XD (pardon my shameless plugging)
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The editing of this chapter was a bit of a rush job, so don't hesitate to let me know if you catch any errors.
Chapter 9: Daddy's Little Girl
After the host club and their guests returned from their beach trip, the club resumed normal hosting hours. Once they returned to their usual activities, Kyoya made a few adjustments to his calculations of the trip's revenue, and the club actually generated a small profit.
"Hello, Haruhi and my sweet cricket," Tamaki greeted the two female hosts as they approached him and the other members of the host club excluding Mori and Honey.
"Hand them over!" Haruhi demanded as she and Kagome came to an abrupt stop in front of the boys.
"I'm sorry?" Tamaki nervously replied at the harsh tone in Haruhi's voice.
"You heard her," Kagome told him, "Cut the bullshit and hand them over right now."
"What are you talking about, Kagome?" Kaoru asked shakily.
"Are you practicing your rebel dialogue or something?" Hikaru suggested with slight, nervous laugh. Kyoya remained silent, seemingly not intimidated by the girls' assault.
"Don't even bother. Mori-senpai told us all about it," Haruhi stated, crossing her arms over her chest, "Your stupid little game and the prizes for the winner."
Kagome scoffed disdainfully. "I can't believe you would all do something so disgusting!"
"Disgusting?" Tamaki repeated in a defeated whisper as he visibly wilted.
"Why are you only going after us?" Hikaru cried, trying to divert Haruhi's and Kagome's attention and anger.
"I'll have you know that both Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai played the game too," Kaoru continued.
Kagome snorted and rolled her eyes. "Oh please! Mitsu-kun wasn't in the game for the same sick reasons you were."
"And of course Mori-senpai played the game," Haruhi added, "He didn't want you to have those lewd pictures of Kagome."
Kagome and Haruhi simultaneously held their hands out to the four boys. "Give us the photos."
Without further argument, Kyoya retrieved the photos from a section of his notebook and held them out to Kagome and Haruhi.
"Here's what you're looking for," he said as relinquished the pictures to the two girls, "Now get back to your club duties; we're opening soon."
Kagome and Haruhi stiffly nodded as they each took a set of photos and ripped them to unrecognizable pieces, scattering the glossy fragments on the marble floor. Finished with their task, the female hosts bypassed the group of boys and took their usual hosting spots, waiting for the club to open and their guests to arrive.
Host club hours began as usual without their guests noticing the rift between certain members. For the remainder of the club period, Haruhi's and Kagome's kind words and signature smiles were reserved only for the host club's patrons, Mori, and Honey. The others were ignored completely aside from a few cool glances they received every now and again.
"I can't take it anymore!" Tamaki cried out in frustration.
"Get a hold of yourself," Kyoya quietly scolded the host king.
"He's right, ya know," Hikaru commented, "Whining about it is only going to make things worse."
"It's not like you're the only one who's being affected by this," Kaoru added, but Tamaki didn't seem to care.
"How can you be so inconsiderate?" Tamaki shouted, "My heart cries out for my daughters' forgiveness, and you all expect me to just grin and bear it?"
"Exactly," Kyoya replied and paused for Tamaki's sudden outburst before beginning to speak again, "Their behavior isn't harming business, so I see no need to intervene."
"But you have to do something!" Tamaki exclaimed, "They'll have to listen to you if you tell them to forgive us!"
"I will not. Stop being so melodramatic," Kyoya chided Tamaki, "Besides, the current situation has given me ideas for an additional package to what the host club already offers."
"Really? What is it?" the twins asked in unison.
"It's an opposite attracts friendship between the natural type and the rebel type," Kyoya began to explain, "Their relationship is attractive because their two different personalities complement each other. Haruhi's natural appeal brings out Kagome's gentler tendencies, and, in return, Kagome acts as Haruhi's kindred spirit, a fellow commoner amongst the academy elite." The ends of Kyoya's lips inclined deviously as he twirled his pen around his fingers. "Incidentally, the debacle that occurred during our beach trip was quite useful to introduce the idea to our guests."
The twins shook their heads at the shadow king and sighed.
"You can even spin a situation like that—" Hikaru began.
"—to work in your favor," Kaoru finished.
"I do have to generate enough revenue to cover the cost of the flowers given to our guests who were distressed by that event that occurred during our trip. It cut quite a bit into our profits from the beach trip; we barely broke even." Kyoya stood and snapped his notebook shut. "As for those two, they'll come around. They always do."
"I guess you're right. It's just so annoying to be ignored like this even in class," Hikaru commented as he looked at the two girls, "Even so I have to admit that Mori-senpai picked the perfect revenge."
"But you two had better watch your backs," Kaoru warned Kyoya and Tamaki with a wink.
"Oh?" Kyoya questioned.
"What do you mean?" Tamaki asked.
"Making Kagome and Haruhi angry at us for a few days was enough payback for us," Kaoru explained.
"But you two slept in the same bed as Mori-senpai's little sister," Hikaru added, playfully waving his finger at the two boys.
"His only little sister," Kaoru added, "He definitely has more in store for you."
"I hope you got enough Kagome cuddles to hold you over for a few days, boss," Hikaru said mockingly, "Hell, you might have to go without for the rest of the semester."
"The rest of the semester?" Tamaki whimpered. There was no way he could last that long without Kagome's tender touch. He turned to Kyoya, his face ashen, "Kyoya?"
"Get back to work," the bespectacled teen ordered.
"But Kyoya!" Tamaki protested, childishly stomping his foot on the floor.
"Get back to work," Kyoya repeated, "and leave everything else to me."
Tamaki blinked in realization. "So you really are going to take care of it?" He beamed and excitedly clasped his hands together in front of him. "I know I could count on you, Kyoya!"
"Of course, Tamaki," Kyoya replied, "You never should have doubted me in the first place. Now if you would…?"
Tamaki eagerly nodded his head. "Right away, Kyoya!"
Kyoya shook his head incredulous as Tamaki skipped away to entertain his guests before getting back to work himself.
-O0o0O-
"Hey, Haruhi," Kagome addressed her friend when she had some free time during hosting hours.
"What's up?" she replied.
"Do you think this afternoon would be a good time to get started?" Kagome asked shyly.
"Sure," Haruhi responded, "The sooner the better. We have an exam coming up next week, and you can't keep scoring so poorly."
"You don't need to rub it in!" Kagome cried indignantly.
"Sorry, but you know it's true," Haruhi answered with a chuckle.
"Yeah, well that doesn't mean I have to like it," Kagome commented with a pout, "So after club period ends, come with me. The driver should be able to take us to your place."
"Are you sure that's okay?" Haruhi questioned.
"Yeah," Kagome answered, "As long as you don't mind Takashi-san knowing where you live!"
Haruhi suddenly stuttered as a twinge of pink highlighted her pale cheeks. "Of course I don't! Why would I?"
Kagome giggled and playfully slapped Haruhi on the back. "Relax! It was only a joke."
"Right," Haruhi breathed as she sheepishly turned her head away from Kagome's cheeky grin and picked up a teacup full of coffee, "Don't you have work to do? You don't want Kyoya-senpai on your ass for slacking off, right?"
"Haruhi, you're so vulgar!" Kagome joked with a smug grin, "And I'll have you know, Kyoya-senpai has already been on my ass."
Haruhi sputtered, spitting out her coffee in shock. "What are you talking about?"
"What can I say?" Kagome replied with a shrug, "Kyoya-senpai is a cuddler!"
When the host club period come to a close, Kagome and Haruhi packed their things and started to leave without sparing the other hosts a second glance. Mori dutifully followed behind Kagome as he did every day and briefly noted that Haruhi was with her.
"See you both tomorrow!" Tamaki called out to Haruhi and Kagome as they walked away. He quietly beamed as he waited for the girls' response. Kagome cocked her head in his direction and briefly raised an eyebrow before turning ahead and continuing out of the music room. Haruhi ignored him all together without stopping.
Tamaki pouted as he watched the two girls leave. The twins appeared at his side and each boy placed a sympathetic hand on one of his shoulder.
"Too soon, boss," they told him in unison, "Too soon."
-O0o0O-
"Takashi-san," Kagome addressed her older brother after Satoshi joined them on their walk to the car, "I'm going to Haruhi's place after school, so she's catching a ride with us."
"Is that so?" Mori commented. He wondered what Haruhi was doing with them today. When the group approached the car, Mori opened the door for Kagome and Haruhi to slip inside while Satoshi entered on the opposite side. Haruhi told the driver her address and he immediately set on the new course.
"So what do you two plan on doing?" Satoshi added curiously.
"We're just working on some schoolwork," Kagome answered, "Nothing too major."
"You need help with school?" Mori asked her skeptically, "You didn't mention that."
"No, not really!" Kagome exclaimed fretfully, "I just thought it would be fun if Haruhi and I got our homework done together, and, if I do need help with anything, Haruhi will be with me. After all, she is a scholarship student and number one in our class. She's more than capable of handling any teeny tiny hiccups I might run into!"
Haruhi sighed as Kagome nervously chuckled at the end of her speech.
'Kagome,' she thought, 'you are a terrible liar when it really counts.'
"Ah," Mori replied softly.
"Have fun, Nee-chan!" Satoshi told her with a smile as the car parked in front of Haruhi's apartment complex, "Just give us a call when you're done, and we'll send a car to pick you up."
"Take this." Mori reached into his pocket and offered Kagome his cellphone before she and Haruhi exited the car. She nodded as she slipped it in her backpack before stepping out of the car along with Haruhi.
"I'll see you two later," Kagome told them with a small wave.
"Bye, senpai," Haruhi said, "Thanks for the ride."
Mori nodded in response before the car drove away with Satoshi waving goodbye until Haruhi and Kagome were out of sight.
"So this is your place?" Kagome commented as Haruhi led the way to her apartment, "Nice complex."
"Yeah," Haruhi answered as she stopped in front of her door and pulled out her key, "it's just me and Otou-san."
"It's kinda far from school," Kagome probed, "How do you normally get home?"
"Sometimes Otou-san borrows a friend's car and picks me up on his days off," Haruhi answered. When the door was unlocked, Haruhi opened in and walked inside, slipping off her shoes. Kagome did the same.
"Usually, I catch the bus at the stop down the street from the school," Haruhi continued.
"Oh," Kagome commented, "So is your dad home right now?"
"No, he's still at work," Haruhi replied, "He'll be home in a few hours." She led Kagome to the kitchen where Kagome took a seat at the table.
"So what does he do?" Kagome answered as Haruhi set her bag next to the table.
"He works at a bar," Haruhi answered and began heading for the hallway, "He should be back some time tonight."
"It is okay for me to be here, right?" Kagome asked warily, "You won't get into trouble with your dad?"
"It's fine. Otou-san will only be surprised to see me with a friend over," Haruhi said over her shoulder, "I'm going to change before we get started. Would you like something to eat or drink before we start?"
"No, I'll be fine," Kagome answered.
When Haruhi left to change, Kagome pulled the ponytail wrapper from her hair, raking her fingers through her tangled locks. Then she shrugged off her hoodie before taking off her shirt and tie, leaving her bandaged chest bare. By the time she pulled her hoodie back on, Haruhi returned wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
"Ready to get started?" Haruhi asked as she took a seat next to Kagome.
"As I'll ever be," she replied dismally.
"Oh stop being so dramatic. Tamaki-senpai is starting to rub off on you." Haruhi chuckled when Kagome playfully rolled her eyes. "Now pull out your old test and homework assignments, and we'll begin from there."
Kagome groaned, removed her first exam from her binder which was littered in red corrective marks, and slid it across the table to Haruhi. Haruhi mentally groaned when she saw it; it was going to be a long afternoon.
-O0o0O-
"Tou-san," Satoshi exasperatedly addressed his distraught father, "Please calm down."
As soon as the Morinozuka brothers returned home, Akira confronted his sons at the door, hoping to see his daughter. When he saw that Kagome wasn't accompanying them, Akira loudly demanded to know where his precious daughter was. Fumiko joined her family at the foyer of their large home when she heard the ruckus her husband made and stood next to her sons.
"Calm down?" Akira repeated in disbelief, "Calm down! How can I possibly calm down? My little girl is out there all alone—!"
"She's with a friend from school," Satoshi weakly supplied.
"—in some dark, cold alley—!" Akira continued to rave.
"We dropped her off at her friend's place," Satoshi stated, "It's a pretty nice building for someone so poor."
"And it's still daylight, dear," Fumiko added in her sons' aid.
"—where anything could happen—!"
Satoshi shrugged. "…I have no argument for that."
"—without a way to contact her adoring father!" Akira finished.
"I gave her my cellphone," Mori stated abruptly at the end of his father's tirade.
Akira immediately halted and slowly faced Mori. "What did you say, Takashi?"
"Kagome has my cellphone, and she'll call when she is ready to come home," Mori clarified.
"Oh," Akira replied and visibly relaxed causing Satoshi and Fumiko to sigh simultaneously.
'So that was all it took?'
"Why didn't you say so sooner?" Akira mentioned as he grabbed his cellphone from his pocket and dialed Mori's number, a sequence he knew by heart.
Wearing a large grin, Akira pressed the phone to his ear as he waited for a response. After a few seconds passed, his smile slowly fell from his face.
"No answer," he said sadly.
"Kagome-chan must be concentrating on her studies," Fumiko deduced.
"And Nee-chan probably didn't hear the phone ring," Satoshi quickly added, "Taka keeps it on vibrate during school hours. She'll call you back as soon as she's free."
"I suppose you're both right," Akira commented and hastily added, "but I better call back right away just make sure."
Satoshi groaned when Akira dialed Mori's number again and eagerly pressed the phone to his ear again.
"Hey, Taka," Satoshi began, nudging his brother in the side, "I just thought of something. You gave Nee-chan the passcode for your phone, right?"
Mori was suspiciously silent.
-O0o0O-
Haruhi and Kagome stilled when they saw Mori's cellphone light up and buzz next to Kagome's school books.
"It looks like another call is coming through," Haruhi commented.
"For the love of—" Kagome began and glared at the phone's screen as the device itself vibrated on the table, "This damn thing's like a mini computer. I can't figure it out!"
"Maybe we should try another password," Haruhi suggested as Kagome picked the phone up.
"I dunno," Kagome said with a shrug, "It locked us out for a few minutes the last we were wrong. What if it keeps us out longer this time?"
"Well, we tried Mori-senpai's family name, his brother's, mother's, and father's name and the same for Honey-senpai's family," Haruhi listed their previous attempts as she counted them down on her finger, "Have any idea what his other favorite words could be?"
"All I can think of is 'host club' and 'kendo'," Kagome guessed.
"Let's try 'kendo'," Haruhi suggested, "It's the least obvious one."
With conspicuous hesitation, Kagome pecked at the phone's screen and entered in the password.
"What?" she exclaimed as she read the phone's screen, "'Phone is disabled. Please connect to—'" Kagome groaned and placed the device on the table. "This thing is completely useless!"
"I agree," Haruhi commented, "At least now, the calls might not come through, and we can work in peace."
"I wonder how long we've been at it," Kagome commented and turned her attention to the clock on the wall, "Wow, it's almost 6:30."
"Really? I need to get dinner started," Haruhi stated as she stood from the table, "You can stay if you want."
"Sure," Kagome said as she also rose to her feet, "Can I help out?"
"If you want." Haruhi and Kagome walked to the main part of the kitchen and started dinner, making sure that there was more than enough for three people.
"We're almost finished up in here," Haruhi commented, "Do you mind setting the table?"
"I got it," Kagome replied and began doing as Haruhi asked. As soon as she finished, the door to the apartment was thrown open.
"Haruhi!" a loud, flamboyant voice exclaimed, "Your adoring father is home!"
Kagome watched as Haruhi's father pranced into the dining area dressed in a stylish top paired with a half jacket, flowing skirt, and heels. His red painted lips were curled in a smile as he walked into his home, playfully tossing his long maroon hair over his shoulder.
'So this is Haruhi's father,' Kagome thought, 'How…unexpected.'
"Okay, Tou-san. I'm almost done with dinner," Haruhi called out from the kitchen, "I have a friend over so be nice."
"A friend?" Fujioka repeated and turned to see Kagome standing awkwardly next to the table.
Kagome immediately bowed low at her waist and spoke her greeting. "Hello, Fujioka-san. I'm Higurashi Kagome, one of Haruhi's friends from school. Pleased to meet you."
"No need to be so formal!" When Kagome lifted her head, Fujioka was standing directly in front of her, staring at her in awe. She yelped with the cross dressing male reached out and clasped her hands in his.
"You can call me 'Ranka-san'!" Ranka declared happily. Before Kagome could reply, the drag queen pulled her tightly to him and cradled her to his chest.
"You're so cute!" he exclaimed, "I'm so glad my Haruhi has made such an adorable friend at Ouran Academy!"
"Thank you?" Kagome mumbled hesitantly.
"Otou-san," Haruhi began when she stepped toward the table carrying tonight's meal, a large pot of nikujaga, "what are you doing?"
"Oh, Haruhi!" Ranka exclaimed, instantly letting Kagome go, "Why didn't you tell me you had such a cute girl friend from school? You never tell me anything important!"
Haruhi sighed before placing the meal on the table. "I don't talk about anyone from school."
"Well, you should!" Ranka protested, "A father needs to know what kind of people his little girl is associating with!"
Haruhi rolled her eyes and sat at the table. "Kagome, take a seat."
"Please do!" Ranka insisted as he took a seat across from Haruhi.
"Okay," Kagome replied meekly and sat next to Haruhi. After giving thanks for their meal, the trio began to eat. All throughout the meal, Ranka pestered Haruhi for any details about her school life she'd give him that didn't have to do with her academic standing. Haruhi was firm and didn't reveal anything about her social life and, most importantly, the host club. When Ranka turned his tactics to Kagome, she gave short, vague responses causing him to pout.
"Really, Fuji—I mean Ranka-san," Kagome began as the older man continued to shovel more stew into her bowl, "I couldn't eat another bite."
"Nonsense!" Ranka remarked, "Help yourself, Kagome-chan. I swear you're just as thin as my Haruhi!"
"Otou-san, stop it," Haruhi warned him, "you're embarrassing her."
"Oh, Haruhi!" Ranka cried and threw his self at his daughter from across the table, "Even when you're upset, you're still so precious!"
Kagome stood from the table, grabbing her school bag as she tried to hide her laughter.
'No wonder Haruhi is so good at handling Tamaki-senpai,' she thought, 'She gets more than enough practice at home.'
"Thanks for dinner," Kagome stated, "But it's getting late, and I should get going."
"Shouldn't you try to call first?" Haruhi asked.
"Oh, it'll be fine," Kagome replied with a wave of her hand, "That bus you take to school should take me close enough to the estate, and I'll just walk the rest of the way. What's the worst that could happen?"
Haruhi and Ranka escorted Kagome to the door as she left the Fujioka home and waited for the bus to arrive. Once it did, she boarded and asked the bus driver about his current route. After getting the information she needed and switching to the right bus, Kagome rode as close as she could get to the Morinozuka home before getting off the bus and walking the rest of the way. When Kagome reached the front door and knocked, one of the house's servants immediately answered the door.
"Young mistress!" the maid exclaimed happily, "You've finally returned!"
"Sorry I'm a little late," Kagome said as she stepped inside, "Didn't Takashi-san and Satoshi-san tell everyone that I'd be out for a few hours?"
"The young masters did inform the household, but your father…" the maid began but trailed off.
"Akira-san?" Kagome remarked, "I noticed he was calling earlier, but I couldn't quite get Takashi-san's phone to—"
Before Kagome could finish, she was gathered in her father's arms and spun around the foyer.
"My darling daughter!" Akira exclaimed, "At last, you've come home!"
"Akira-san, I—" Kagome yelped when Akira came to a stop and stationed her in front of him with his hands planted firmly on her shoulders.
"Where in the world have you been?" Akira demanded, "Why haven't you answered any of my calls?"
"Sorry," Kagome amended, "but I couldn't get the phone to work. I didn't mean to make you worry. I was only gone for a few hours."
"Well," Akira started as he pulled his hands away from Kagome and coughed lightly in his hand, hiding his embarrassed flush, "As long as you are safe, that's all that really matters. I wasn't too worried."
"Hey, Tou-san," Satoshi called out as he walked into the foyer holding one of the house's cordless phones, "I got Ootori-san on the line. He said he's prepared to deploy his private police force to conduct their search."
"Satoshi, what in the world are you talking about?" Akira cried as he walked forward and awkwardly patted his son's shoulder, "Tou-san never asked you to do that! You must be delirious with worry about your sister's long absence, but she's back now! Let's get to dinner, okay?"
Kagome giggled as Akira ushered her into the dining room away from Satoshi. Satoshi grinned at his father's back before placing the phone back to his ear.
"Thanks for holding off my dad, Kyoya-senpai," Satoshi stated, "Tou-san was seconds away from calling the local police force when we didn't get through to yours."
"Not a problem," Kyoya replied, "It was Mori-senpai's idea that I diverted Akira-san from making such drastic measures. I assume that Kagome finally made her way back."
"Yep!" Satoshi affirmed, "She's safe and sound."
"I see," Kyoya remarked, "But before I let you go, can I ask you a question, Satoshi-san?"
Satoshi approached the entrance one of the estate's corridors and casually leaded against the door frame. "Shoot."
"About that information I asked you for," Kyoya began; Satoshi knew what he was referring to.
"Sorry, senpai, but I'm afraid you won't be getting that intel from me. You'll have to try someone else, my friend."
Kyoya chuckled lightly. "You don't exactly sound amiable."
"You shouldn't expect me to when you're asking about my Nee-chan," Satoshi countered. His tone was still friendly, but Kyoya could tell the teen was being completely serious.
"Believe me, I didn't."
"Well, I do hope you find out what you're looking for."
"You don't give me the information I need yet you give me your blessing to find it?" Kyoya remarked, "You're quite contrary, Satoshi-san."
Satoshi grinned although Kyoya couldn't see him. "I might not know you well enough to say so, but I'm guessing you are too. And before you let me go, senpai?"
"Yes?"
"You better watch your back," Satoshi warned him, "You've got more coming to you after sharing a bed with my Nee-chan."
"A threat," Kyoya stated.
"Nope," Satoshi corrected him, "Consider it a promise from the Morinozuka and Haniozuka families directly to you."
-0o0O-
Kyoya sighed as he closed his laptop, frustrated with the results he was obtaining. After Satoshi's snub, he returned to his usual means of finding information.
'It shouldn't be so difficult to obtain information on the whereabouts of teenage girl with no substantial wealth or connections,' Kyoya thought, 'How is it Kagome's information so undetectable?'
"You did not show up at dinner," a stern voice stated from Kyoya's doorway. Kyoya looked up and saw his father standing just outside his room. When his son acknowledged his presence, Ootori Yoshio walked inside.
"I didn't think anyone would miss me," Kyoya replied, "My apologies."
Yoshio briefly raised an eyebrow. "Fuyumi was a bit upset with your absence but informed me that you are working on something important."
Kyoya gave Yoshio a brief nod in response, but his father remained in his doorway. Kyoya wondered what he was up to.
"Tell me what you know of Higurashi Kagome," Yoshio inquired, "Suoh-san has told me about her, and there are a few rumors circulating within the social network."
"She's a new student in Ouran Academy's freshman class, 1-A," Kyoya dutifully answered, "An illegitimate child of the Morinozuka family, half sibling of Morinozuka Takashi and Satoshi, and third cousin to Haninozuka Mitsukuni and Yasochika." His answer was vague, but he didn't intend on giving Yoshio any more information than he needed. The motive of his father's sudden interest in Kagome made him slightly uneasy and suspicious. And, after all, there was still much that Kyoya didn't know about Kagome. If Yoshio was already asking about her, then there was definitely something of interest in her unattainable records.
"So she is the Morinozuka heiress," Yoshio stated rather than asked.
"No formal announcement has been made on that topic, but Morinozuka–san did confirm that she is his biological child," Kyoya clarified.
"See what more you can find out that girl," Yoshio instructed.
"Why the interest?" Kyoya couldn't stop himself from asking.
"She may be a commoner, but Suoh-san seems to think she has a certain…possibility," Yoshio answered cryptically, "So don't let me down, Kyoya."
"Of course, Otou-san."
When Yoshio left, Kyoya reached for his cellphone and called Tamaki.
"Kyoya!" Tamaki answered on the other end of the line, "what can I do for you?"
"About our trip this weekend," Kyoya began, "I believe it would be best if you and I go without the other club members."
"But why?" Tamaki cried, "This is supposed to be the reconciliation trip between me and my daughters! That was always the plan!"
Kyoya rolled his eyes before answering. "Too soon, boss."
"I'm serious," Tamaki replied, but Kyoya was sure he was pouting and acting as childish as ever.
"They won't come around if you keep pushing and provoking them," Kyoya explained, "Kagome and Haruhi need space and time to themselves. When they are ready to reconcile, they'll approach you first."
"I suppose so," Tamaki mumbled, "But I hate waiting!"
"But this trip is something you're looking forward to, right?"
"I am. Pére assured me that we are both welcome to join him." Tamaki paused before speaking again. "Can I at least tell Kagome about it?"
"Need I remind you what I said?"
"Okay. If you don't want anything else, I guess I'll see you in class tomorrow."
"That was all I needed," Kyoya remarked, "Good night, Tamaki."
"Night, Kyoya!"
-O0o0O-
"Can you believe it?" Tamaki exclaimed as he, Kyoya, and his father climbed the expansive, stone staircase leading to the Higurashi family shrine, "We're at a real shrine. Not just any shrine. To think my precious cricket grew up in this very spot. It gives me the chills!"
"Behave, Tamaki," Yuzuru lightly scolded his son, "You don't want to make a bad impression."
"Right," Tamaki replied, but his excitement was still obvious.
Within minutes, the trio reached the main house and knocked on the front door. Nodoka appeared and greeted the three males with a bow which they gladly returned.
"Hello!" she greeted Yuzuru, "You must be Suoh-san."
"Yes, and, please, call me Yuzuru," he replied with smile, "This is my son, Tamaki, and his friend, Kyoya. Both are well acquainted with your lovely daughter."
"I'm Nodoka, Kagome's mother," she responded, "I'm pleased to meet you all."
"It is a pleasure for me as well," Kyoya said politely.
"Likewise," Tamaki stated as he reached out and lightly grabbed Nodoka's hand, "But surely a maiden as lovely as you must be my dear cricket's older sister."
Nodoka giggled and slipped her hand away from Tamaki. "Come on in. I made some tea if you'd like some before we begin our tour."
The Higurashi home was simple and small, noticeably missing the grand trappings and décor the trio was used too. But, what it lacked in opulence, it supplied in comfort and warmth. Nodoka led her guests to the dining area, instructing them to take a seat on the floor at the table before she went to the kitchen. Tamaki and Yuzuru zealously whispered to each other, in awe of the "commoner's table" until Nodoka returned with a fresh pot of tea with four serving bowls.
"This tea is delicious!" Tamaki exclaimed as he took a sip from the cup Nodoka served him.
"Indeed," Kyoya remarked, "What blend is it?"
"Vanilla oolong, one of Kagome's favorites," Nodoka answered, "Would you like anything else?"
"No, we're fine and anxious to get started," Yuzuru stated as he set down his cup.
"Of course. Follow me!"
Nodoka stood and led the group out of the house. She commenced to show them the entirety of the shrine grounds and ended the tour with the Goshinboku.
"What's in that old shack?" Kyoya asked as he looked at the dilapidated building directly across from the large tree.
"It houses the Bone Eater's well," Nodoka answered.
"Bone Eater's?" Tamaki questioned.
"Yes," Nodoka replied and began to explain, "Centuries ago, the Bone Eater's was used by the surrounding village to dispose of the remains of slain demons. They believed that the well's mystical powers had the ability to purify and destroy the remains hence its name. However, instead of devouring the bones as the villagers thought, the well dispersed the remains through time."
"Time travel?" Kyoya asked skeptically, "You can't be serious."
"Well, that's what the stories say," Nodoka countered with a shrug of her shoulders, "At any rate, the well's magical properties are due to the wood of the Goshinboku you see before, the Sacred Tree of Ages."
"It's huge!" Tamaki exclaimed as he looked at the impressive tree.
"Yes, and it's very important to the Higurashi family," Nodoka said wistfully, "In fact, it was under this very tree that I realized I loved my late husband, Kazuo."
"I see," Yuzuru commented, "I am sorry to hear of his passing."
"Thank you, but it happened a long time ago, and I no longer mourn him," Nodoka stated with a smile.
"You are a brave woman; Kagome certainly takes after you in that respect," Yuzuru said. Kyoya and Tamaki sobered; they knew exactly why the older man could relate to Nodoka's sentiments about her spouse.
"Thank you very much," Nodoka replied and took a look at her watch, "It seems we were out later than I expected. I'll have to start cooking. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Certainly!" Tamaki blurted.
"If we won't impose," Yuzuru added and sent Tamaki a silent reprimand for his behavior.
"Nonsense!" Nodoka replied and began walking back to the main house, "Friends of Kagome are always welcome to stay here."
Once they returned inside the main house, the trio made themselves comfortable in different areas of the house. Yuzuru followed Nodoka into the kitchen, maintaining a conversation with her. Kyoya disappeared up stairs, stating he was looking for the bathroom. Tamaki remained downstairs and poked around the rest of the residence. During his exploration, he found a memorial altar.
"This must be…" Tamaki began as he kneeled in front of the memento and gently picked up the framed photo of Kazuo Higurashi.
"Hello, Higurashi-san," Tamaki said with a soft smile, "It's nice to officially meet you. You have a very lovely family and an especially lovely daughter. I've been looking after Kagome, but most of the time, she doesn't seem to want me to." He chuckled when he thought of the raven haired girl who currently wasn't speaking to him. "But I'll keep trying my best! I want to keep learning more and more about Kagome. The things she likes and the things she dislikes." Tamaki's voice lowered as he continued. "The things that make her sad and afraid and happy. I want to learn as much as I can. I hope that I have your blessing, Higurashi-san."
"Hello, Tamaki-san."
Tamaki turned around to see Sota standing behind him dressed in a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt with a sports bag slung over his shoulder.
"Sota-kun," Tamaki happily greeted him, "I was just visiting your father's memento."
"Yeah," Sota replied, "Kagome used to tend to it, but now I take care of the altar."
"You're doing a good job," Tamaki commented as he set the photo back down, "I'm sure Kagome is very proud of you."
"I hope so. I've done it ever since she got sick."
"Sick?" Tamaki repeated, "When was she sick?"
"Oh! It was around her last year of middle school, but it wasn't serious!" Sota explained as he sheepishly wrung his fingers together, "She's perfectly healthy now so there's nothing to worry about."
But it already happened. His cricket had been ill? Tamaki's mind conjured images of Kagome's pale, frail form hopelessly draped across her bed and dragging her tired body down the stairs to take care of her father's altar, only sheer willpower driving her forward.
"Don't be so sad!" Sota cried when Tamaki visibly deflated, "Hold on. I have just the thing!"
Sota grabbed Tamaki's hand and brought Tamaki into the living room.
"Wait here," Sota instructed before he rushed upstairs to Kagome's room. Before he opened her door, he silently said a prayer and hoped Kagome never found out what he was going to do. When he opened the door, Sota saw Kyoya standing in the middle of Kagome's room, holding one of the pictures she left behind during the move.
"What are you doing in here?" Sota questioned. Kyoya looked up and quietly placed the photo on Kagome's dresser.
"I was just looking," Kyoya answered, "I didn't mean to overstep any boundaries."
"As long as you're not messing with anything, it'll be fine." Sota walked up to Kagome's desk and pulled out a bound leather book from its drawer.
"Why don't you come with me?" Sota suggested, "You might be interested in this."
Kyoya shrugged and followed Sota, taking a seat next to Tamaki.
"Where were you?" Tamaki asked his friend.
"I was looking around upstairs," Kyoya answered, "I believe I found Kagome's room."
"You went into Kagome's room?" Tamaki exclaimed, "Why would you do that? She's already angry. Not to mention…" He paused and looked around the room suspiciously before moving his lips closer to Kyoya's ear, speaking in a whisper. "What if Mori-senpai finds out?"
"Relax. You worry too much," Kyoya countered, "The only way he's going to find out is if one of us tell him."
"If you two are done whispering to each other, have a look at this," Sota said as he Sota opened the book he retrieved and held it in front of Tamaki and Kyoya. It was a scrapbook filled with photographs and snapshots.
"It's a baby," Tamaki stated.
"It's Kagome," Sota corrected with a grin.
"My cricket?" Tamaki exclaimed as he excitedly snatched the book away from Sota, "She's so cute! A pudgy, pink little angel!"
Kyoya looked at the photo collection in Tamaki's lap and thought Kagome was indeed pudgy, pink, and little with only a tuff of black hair on top of her head and chubby cheeks. She was completely average looking babe yet she emitted a small glow that radiated in her sparkling sapphire eyes and toothless grin.
"She's perfect," he breathed, a small smile making its way to his face.
"I know, right?" Tamaki concurred, "Look at how perfect daddy's little girl is! I'm so glad you agree, Kaa-san!"
Kyoya's smile morphed into a smirk. "Yes, Tou-san, but I'd like to think that Kagome favors her mother the most."
"Take it back!" Tamaki shouted in protest, "She favors me the most!"
"I won't deny that girls normally hold their fathers in high regard, but it cannot compensate for a good mother-daughter relationship," Kyoya continued, knowing that it would agitate Tamaki further.
"I will not stand for this!" Tamaki shouted as he stood to his feet and raised a fist at Kyoya, "You are now my rival! Daddy's little girl will stay daddy's little girl!"
Inside the kitchen, Yuzuru sighed as he overheard the conversation in the living room.
"I apologize for their behavior," he told Nodoka, "My son can be a bit over enthusiastic, and Kyoya seems to be encouraging him more than usual today."
"It's not a problem at all," Nodoka replied as she continued her cooking, "It's actually quite reassuring to hear that they regard Kagome so highly. I worried about her reception in her new school. It makes me happy to know she's made such great friends."
"Kagome is very charming," Yuzuru said with a grin, "I'm happy to say that your worries are unfounded. Her peers and Ouran's faculty absolutely adore her, myself included."
"Bloomers!"
The two adults jumped when they heard Tamaki's excited proclamation.
"Adorable!" Tamaki continued, "I can't believe Kagome wore such cute wittle bloomers as a sweet wittle girl. Sweet wittle baby bloomers!"
"What's wrong with you, you freak?" Sota shouted, "Give that back!"
"No, it's mine!" Tamaki countered.
Turning her attention from the unusual argument, Nodoka smiled when Yuzuru's fingers twitched as he rested his hand on the table.
"I still have quite a bit of work to do, so, if you want to join the boys, I wouldn't mind," Nodoka stated.
It wasn't long before Yuzuru dashed out of his seat and joined the boys in the living room. Kyoya was seated on the couch, smirking as he watched Tamaki hold the treasured photograph high above his head and out of Sota' reach.
"I challenge you for that photograph!" Yuzuru declared, proudly pointing his finger in Tamaki's direction, "May the best father win!"
"Pére?" Tamaki stated, "Fine, I accept!"
"Technically, you're not a father so you lose by default, Tamaki-san," Sota commented.
"But that's not fair!" Tamaki protested, "Kyoya, tell them I'm a father! I really am!"
Nodoka sighed when the fight increased in volume and her father-in-law emerged from his room, no doubt plastering sutras on every inch of uncovered skin he could reach.
"You certainly loved keeping the strange ones around, too, didn't you, Kazuo?" Nodoka grinned. "You would like the company Kagome has chosen to keep."
That day, just before Nodoka finished cooking, Yuzuru earned a new photograph for his office.
-O0o0O-
Akira sighed when his work grew monotonous and dull. Thankfully, he was working in his home office, so it wouldn't be too hard to find something to distract him until he could focus again. As luck would have it, his phone vibrated on his desktop.
"Huh? A text message?" Akira questioned aloud as he picked up his mobile device and opened the text.
Depicted on Akira's phone screen was a snapshot of two framed photographs placed side by side on a desk. He guessed they belonged to Yuzuru Suoh; not only was the message sent from his number, the picture on the right was of a young Tamaki clutching a teddy bear as large as he was. Akira grinned; it was a photo he had more than once when he visited Yuzuru's office. The photo on the left was of a petite little cherub with rosy cheeks and two raven pig tails on the side of her head, smiling happily as she was being pushed on a swing. Her stark white bloomers were visible underneath her pretty pink dress.
"She such a cute little thing," Akira commented, "But, as far as I know, Suoh-san doesn't have a daughter. So who cou—"
Then it happened. Akira realized just who the little girl was from her toothy grin and beautiful baby blues.
"Could it be?" he whispered in shock, "No, he couldn't have!"
Akira suddenly stood from his seat and rushed out of his office, sprinting to the wing of the house with his children's rooms. Without warning, he threw open a door he sought, startling its occupant.
"Akira-san?" Kagome questioned, "What in the world?"
"Kagome-chan," Akira began, "you must…you must…"
"I must?" Kagome repeated curiously.
"You must wear the bloomers!" he shouted, pointed a finger at Kagome.
"Bloomers? But I haven't worn those in years," Kagome responded, but Akira was lost in his rant.
"I will defeat Suoh-san!" he raved, "I am your true father! So you must wear the bloomers for me!"
'I don't even wanna know,' Kagome thought before addressing her father again.
"Listen, I don't know what bloomers have to do with any of this," Kagome started, "but, if you wanna spend some time with me, I won't mind hanging out with you for a while."
"You won't?" Akira repeated.
"Yeah. I really haven't had much time to tell you much about school, so pull up a seat, Tou-san," Kagome suggested as she sat cross-legged on her bed and gestured to her empty desk chair.
"Yay!" Akira exclaimed and pulled the chair as close to the bed as possible. He looked at Kagome expectantly, eagerly waiting for her to speak.
"Tou-san, you're pretty strange," Kagome commented with a grin.
'But I suppose that I always liked strange things.'
-O0o0O-
punkish furball – You gotta show some love for dads! XD I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to reading the next installment. Kudos to anyone who can guess where Tamaki's bloomers related lines came from.
Until next time, L83R DUD35 and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! ^.^
(revised 01.19.2013)
