A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to update! School is kicking my butt and between that and work its been hard to keep updated on a timely manner. But do not fear, I have not forgotten. I have been writing during free time but finding time to sit down type and edit has been the real struggle...anyway! Hope you like chapter 9! 10 will be coming soon


**Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club**


Chapter Nine: After Ten Years Time


It was awkward - painfully awkward.

Tamaki and Haruhi walked down to the hotel lobby before going into the beautiful court yard garden. After all these years of knowing the people she did from Ouran, Haruhi thought she would be used to things like this, but she wasn't. "Isn't this a bit extreme for a hotel courtyard?" she asked, hoping to break the tension.

"Of course not!" Tamaki exclaimed. "This is a luxury hotel. People pay a lot of money to stay in the best places with the best service and the most beautiful views."

Haruhi stopped walking and was now watching him with a raised brow. He spoke like a salesperson on an infomercial, trying to persuade people to spend money on luxuries that they didn't need.

"Tamaki," she said, folding her arms and looking up at him, "look around. We are the only two people here. I haven't seen anyone enjoying the view or spending time here. They just come to sleep and then leave to do other things. Don't you think that's a waste?"

"Of course not," he smiled, leaning over and reaching behind her, picking a beautiful, blooming, pink blossom. "And the fact that no one is currently in the garden is fine with me because I can enjoy it alone with you. Though I have to say your own beauty is rather distracting. So much so that I hardly notice anything else." He reached over to tuck the flower behind her ear only to have Haruhi slap his hand away. The blossom fell to the brick path with a silent crash and the petals scattered at their feet.

"Stop it, Tamaki," she said. Tamaki looked down at the blossom then back up at Haruhi, confused and dejected. "Stop playing games. We aren't in school anymore. I'm not just another girl you have to put on a show for, so can you just cut the act? We aren't in the host club anymore."

Tamaki's shoulders sank as he watched her quietly for a moment, unsure what to say. He hadn't expected her to become so hostile towards him. He realized he really must have done something wrong. If he hadn't then they probably wouldn't be in this situation right now. Had he done something different back when they were dating perhaps she would have let him in. If he hadn't been so clingy then maybe she might have not gotten involved with Kyoya or Hikaru.

The more he thought the more broken he felt. Had he really been so naïve as to think that a woman as beautiful and smart as Haruhi would ever want to be with him? Had the whole relationship they had all those years ago been more one sided that he had recalled? Perhaps it wall all just pity towards him. She didn't mind him, but she never saw a future with him, so she had refused to be exclusive so that when she was ready she could let him down easy. Or apparently just walk out of his life.

"Just get it over with," Haruhi said, folding her arms and turning away from him.

Tamaki blinked, once again confused. "Get what over with?"

"You want to chew me out too? Everyone else is mad at me and blaming me. So just get it out."

He watched her sadly for a moment. "I think you're the one who is mad and blaming yourself," he said calmly, as he put his hands in his pockets. "We might be upset about what happened but that's because of all the years we lost with you. No one is blaming you for making the tough decision that you did. You're the one who can't forgive yourself."

Haruhi turned back around to look at him, forcing herself to control the tears in her eyes. "Do you really expect me to believe you're over everything that happened?"

"I never said I was over it," he admitted. "I said I wasn't mad or blaming you. What you did really hurt me. I can't pretend like it didn't, but clearly it also hurt you. Haruhi," he reached out slowly waiting to see if she would once again slap his hand away. When she didn't he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before resting his hand on her shoulder. "You know Hikaru, he will get over this. He wears his heart on his sleeve but don't let the issues between you two lead to the rest of us losing you again"

"And what about you and Kyoya?" she asked. Gathering from his words he had overheard the conversation she and Hikaru had had this morning.

"Kyoya hardly seems to have any issues with you."

"And you?" she asked as Tamaki let his hand drop from her shoulder and he put it back in his pocket.

"Me? Haruhi my feelings haven't changed."

She scoffed looking away from him. "You can't be serious Tamaki, it's been ten years."

"And?" he looked back at him with disbelief. "What does the time have to do with it? Time doesn't change everything. Having you come back, seeing you again makes me realize just that; for me time hasn't changed anything. I'm still in love with you Haruhi and even if you still don't seel the same way, I want you back in my life, to have our group together again. We are a family."

"Still?" she asked. He had said if she still didn't feel the same way about him. She didn't know what to think. Did he believe she had never loved him? Of course she shouldn't be surprised with the way she had acted. She was always so careful to keep him at arm's length. What he didn't realize was that it wasn't a reflection of her lack of feelings for him. Quite the opposite. It had been because she was scared of how strong her feelings were.

Tamaki made her crazy. He was childish, impulsive, and dramatic - often overdramatic. He was clingy and possessive, yet always sincere. Tamaki never held back and he gave all he had to give to those he cared about. He was a good heart and kind soul - she had always loved that about him. It wasn't easy to be with Tamaki, but despite all the frustrations she never had planned to leave him. Even when she got pregnant. It wasn't that that made her too scared to face him, it was her guilt. The guilt of knowing that Tamaki had been completely faithful and a hundred percent devoted to her and she hadn't given him the same. Telling herself she had no obligation because she had made it clear she hadn't been to scared to commit so she gave herself an escape plan instead of facing the reality.

"Of course still." Tamaki said, completely oblivious to the real meaning of her question and misunderstanding it. "We will always be a family Haruhi and our group is not complete without you in it. You know," he said tapping his fist against the palm of his hand as he started to become more animated - just like he always did when he thought he had a brilliant idea. "We all would do anything we could to help you out. I know you don't like just accepting things but…" he continued on though Haruhi hardly listened to his whole plan. She only smiled, admitting to herself how much she missed that.

Now was not the time to to tell Tamaki everything or to clarify and correct his assumption about their past. For now she would just accept his words, try to get over her pride, and do what was best for her family. It was time to stop running away from her fears.

"And of course," he continued, "we will get Kazue into the best school. I'm sure, being your son, he will pass any entrance exams."

"Wait, what?" Haruhi asked, her attention drawn back in.

Tamaki just smiled. "Of course, we couldn't allow Kazue to have anything but the best education. His mother is an alumni of Ouran Academy after all."

Haruhi just smiled softly. "I think Kazue would be happy to hear that." Tamaki beamed. "Thank you Tamaki," she said softly as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek just as someone shouting near the front of the hotel caught his attention. He turned his head just slightly causing Haruhi's lips to gently press against his lips instead of his cheek.

Haruhi blushed and pulled back.

"Sorry, I…"

But she didn't get to finish her sentence as Tamaki put one hand on her neck, cupping the base of her skull as he leaned down pressing their lips together, once more kissing her.

So many emotions and sensations ran through her as he took a step closer, closing the gap between them and placing his other hand at her waist. Buried feelings and emotions from ten years ago resurfaced. Before long she found herself placing her hands on his chest then slowly sliding them up and around his neck. Tamaki moved his hands to her waist lifting her up slightly.

Both of them were so distracted they didn't notice the big yellow dog, or the man chasing it, until the animal jumped up, it's big paws landing squarely on Tamaki's back and nearly sending the couple tumbling into the bushes behind them.

"I'm so sorry!" the man said, running over and catching the dog's loose leash. "Are you two alright?"

"Just fine." Tamaki smiled. One hand still around Haruhi's waist, he reached down, petting the dog's head. Haruhi on the other hand was blushing like a strawberry as she stepped to the side, out of Tamaki's grasp. Tamaki looked over at her with a slight disappointed frown.

"We should probably get going senpai," she said. Tamaki nodded, smiling once again at the man and the dog, before following Haruhi, who was already leaving.

"I'm sorry...I messed up again, didn't I?"

Haruhi stopped walking and turned to face him. "No Tamaki, you didn't do anything, I just… we really should go join everyone at the park."

Tamaki nodded, but still wasn't sure what that meant about what he had done. He felt like he had received mixed signals about it. Haruhi saw his pouty look and sighed with a smile.

"Tamaki, it's okay," she assured him. "I'm okay with what happened, it's just, I don't want to move to fast. I have a lot to deal with right now. Let's just take things one step at a time and see what happens."

Tamaki's face brightened instantly. "Thank you!" He hugged her, spinning her around.

"Goodness, put me down Tamaki!" she demanded. He obeyed, looking down at her, still beaming from ear to ear. "Let's just focus on maybe getting me moved back here first. I have to talk to Kazue before I make any decision. Okay?"

Tamaki nodded. He could deal with that. Either way Haruhi was letting him back into her life and he would take whatever that meant, big or small.