Epilogue

It had been many years since the notorious escape of Mitsukuni "Honey" Haninozuka and Takashi "Mori" Morinozuka, for years they had been running never to be caught, not by the host club, not by the FBI, Hell! Kyouya's secret service couldn't even capture the two fugitives.

At first the club tried immensely hard to capture the fugitives however when it came to three years with no luck the host club inevitably gave up. Since then the group tried to move on pretending to forget their old friendship with the two traitors:

Tamaki eventually returned to the host club to continue his reign of 'entertaining young women with far too much time on their hands.' When he graduated he went into the family business as was expected of him, training to be the next chairman of Ouran Academy when his father retires.

Hikaru and Kaoru continued to study and prank at Ouran whilst keeping up the 'brotherly love act' for the host club. That was until they graduated when they applied to other universities to pursue fine arts would you believe.

Kyouya on the other hand spent every waking minute working to capture Mori and Honey. He fully believed he could capture the two, so much in fact that it became his new obsession. That was until Haruhi convinced him otherwise. And to be perfectly honest Kyouya couldn't have been happier; for once he could finally focus on his life, not what these criminals made of it. Kyouya returned to working on his career eventually becoming a doctor working in one of his father's hospitals.

Haruhi, however, was the first to move on with her life, she refused to be a part of Kyouya's faction which attempted to capture Mori and Honey, instead she returned to Ouran and continued to study to keep her scholarship. Not only that but she continued to work to pay off her substantial debt, which she eventually succeeded at the end of her final year, just in time to go off to university in order for her to become a lawyer. The host club never questioned Haruhi's sudden strength and positivity; on the contrary they were quite glad, for the first time in what seemed like decades, Haruhi was relatively happy. So naturally the host club never questioned it.

When the three year anniversary of the escape came, Haruhi managed to convince Kyouya to stop his search which he cautiously accepted; after all it was eating his life away. Once Kyouya got back on his feet the two became incredibly close, as a matter of fact the two became so close that they ended up going out. In other words Kyouya and Haruhi became an official couple.

The host club supported the relationship of course, after all Kyouya was a far more suitable choice; he was smart, straight forward, took care of Haruhi and wouldn't do anything to hurt her, not to mention he truly loved her. Despite Kyouya's absolute love, Haruhi on the other hand couldn't help but feel that she was slightly settling for Kyouya, yes he was the better choice, but something in her heart was telling her that she would now and forever love Mori, even though he did deceive her. To be perfectly honest she felt that Kyouya knew that but chose to ignore it, just as she did and would do forever.

After three years of dating (six years since Mori and Honey's escape) Kyouya and Haruhi were practically inseparable. So it wasn't a surprise when he proposed to her to which her immediate answer was yes.

Before the wedding however the couple decided to take a trip, in order to wind down a little bit before the big day. Haruhi, being the kind person she is, decided she wanted to do something more than just go on holiday, she wanted to help people. Ergo the two decided to go to Africa to provide aid to the hungry and ill. Although Tamaki fully supported the couple he had to admit he was still a little bit jealous of Kyouya, so obviously he convinced the rest of the host club, much to Kyouya and Haruhi's dismay, to accompany the couple on their trip to Africa.

The trip was very unusual to the male members of the host club; they were so used to Haruhi's version of poor that this poverty was unsettling and even humbling. They helped provide food and clean water, whilst Kyouya specifically attended to the sick.

One day the host club planned to go to the nearest town to gather supplies, but before they could even leave their camp a little boy came running and screaming for Kyouya to see a sick parent or relative of some sort. Hesitantly the shadow king agreed to leave Haruhi with Tamaki and the twins whilst he attended to this child's family member. In the meantime Haruhi, Tamaki and the twins would go to town without him.

The group spent the entire day in town, gathering everything they needed when at the last minute before they went home, Haruhi turned around and said:

"Guys I'll be right back I just want to buy some herbs and spices, okay?"

The remaining host club members had a second of uncertainty but decided to let her go by herself as long as she didn't go too far and if she met them back at the current stall they were standing at.

Haruhi kept to her word and didn't stray too far from the previous stall, that was until she saw something that she never expected to see, uzazi. Uzazi is a very rare spice, even in Africa, so to see some was a great find. Haruhi immediately ran up to the stall and asked for a bag of the rare delicacy.

The man at the stall smiled at Haruhi and said that he would as soon as he finished serving this customer.

Then Haruhi saw him, a tall man in the traditional African clothing specifically wearing a head wrap to cover his face, it appears that he didn't see Haruhi so he wasn't particularly moved in anyway. The stall keeper continued to pack a selection of herbs and spices for the man.

"Geez sir, I have never seen one man buy so much, you must really believe in these herbal remedies," he finished packing the last of the order before handing it over to the covered man.

The man sighed, "Well at this stage, I am willing to try anything,"

Haruhi was shocked; she could recognise that voice anywhere,

"Mori!?" she called

The man turned to Haruhi, although his mouth was covered Haruhi could see his eyes widen in shock. It was Mori alright.

Mori quickly turned and ran in the opposite direction from Haruhi, without thinking she quickly followed him leaving the stall behind. In the distance she could hear the stall keeper shout, "Hey miss what about your spices?!" But she never turned, she never faltered she just continued to chase her ex-friend.

After many twists and turns Haruhi lost track of Mori, she stopped for a breath only to see that Mori was nowhere to be found. She decided to give up and return back to the guys when she was whirled around into a massive bear hug, all she could see were the colours of Mori's robe.

"Mori?!" she yelped

He let go of Haruhi and removed the part of his head wrap that was covering his face, Haruhi could see that his face has aged dramatically, it was probably from always running from the police, and it really took a toll on him. He smiled slightly.

After that Haruhi couldn't help but smother herself into Mori's chest, she truly missed her friend; in fact she couldn't stop grinning. The couple hugged again before they decided to walk back to Haruhi's camp, never letting go of each other's hands or even uttering one word to each other.

They walked for miles before they reached the path to Haruhi's camp. Just as Haruhi was about to let go of Mori's hand he quickly spun her around again but this time he kissed her passionately. Without even thinking Haruhi responded straight away, she could taste the longing and desperation from Mori mouth, she missed just as much as he missed her.

They eventually broke the kiss when Mori whispered, "I love you."

She smiled slightly when Mori turned and started to walk away.

As he walked he shouted back, "Let's hope we don't meet like this again." He never turned to face her.

Haruhi grinned dramatically; she knew what Mori really meant. She giggled and responded with a simple, "Yeah!"

Mori smirked to himself and continued to walk away from Haruhi back to the dark alleys wherest he came from.

As soon as Mori was out of Haruhi's eye sight she continued along the path to her camp. Whilst walking she looked to the sky, noticing that it was a cool amber, it was in fact sunset, she had been missing for hours. Not only that but she was supposed to meet Tamaki and the twins back at the stall, Haruhi completely forgot. She panicked for a moment wondering whether she should go back but thought it was better not too, after all she was nearly at the camp and surely the group should have went back there when she didn't return.

Haruhi was right of course, at the camp the group, excluding Kyouya, were stood pacing and waiting for Haruhi to return. When Tamaki caught sight of her he tackled her to ground crying for his 'daughter.' Hikaru and Kaoru on the other hand were questioning Haruhi on where she had been for the past few hours. She calmly told them she got lost and couldn't find her way back to the stall so she decided to walk back to the camp. She obviously edited out her meeting with Mori since that would cause the group to worry. She questioned to where her fiancé was, only to be told that Kyouya still had not returned from attending that child's relative. She sighed before returning to her tent.

Once inside, she zipped it up hinting at the need for privacy, then she turned her lamp on and began rummaging through her bags. What was she looking for?

An old discarded envelope with an aging letter inside, she began to read it:

Dear Haruhi,

By the time you will be reading this I will be long gone. I would have escaped with Honey to some far off place. I won't bother writing the location after all you might give this letter to Kyouya (I wouldn't be surprised if you did.)

Please before you rip this up or burn it in a fire please listen to my side of the story.

A year after the arrest, Honey escaped from prison but you were never told because Kyouya hid it from you, for months he scoured through the newspapers and removed any mention of the Haninozuka family. Needless to say you weren't the wiser, thank goodness.

Truth be told, I didn't know that he had escaped either, I was only told at the beginning of this stupid summer school thing we were rallied into.

So when I started taking you home every night I did not know about Honey's escape, I know some people will say otherwise but I just wanted to clarify that, I want you to know how innocently this started out. At the beginning my intentions were noble, good and pure.

One night during the summer I came home and Honey was there waiting for me, he started saying things, he told me that hiding a criminal was serious offense and he started blackmailing me, threatening to tell people a deep dark secret if I didn't help him woo you.

I thought to myself maybe, just maybe there was a chance for me to help Honey, you said yourself there was some regret in him, that there was some part of his humanity still lingering. I thought that I could delay Honey's actions by wooing you myself, that way you were kept safe from the ego maniac and I would have some time to get Honey some help.

Sadly to say both of my plans have failed and now I have to drive you to your death. What's worse is that whilst I had to woo you I did not expect nor even calculate my love for you. As cliché as it sounds I in fact fell for you Haruhi, and now I am sending you to the gallows, I'm disgusting.

I talked to Kyouya on the phone and he told me to just give up and hand myself and Honey in, but I know the consequences. If I and Honey go to prison what makes us think he can't just escape again and come after you. No, I just can't put you in that situation again. I've decided I will escape with Honey and spend the rest of my life running to keep him away from you, maybe then I can get him some help.

I know you must be feeling extremely betrayed right now and I know that I cannot do anything to change your mind and for that I am so sorry. I am sorry for putting your life through Hell, I am sorry for lying to you, to everyone, I am sorry for tricking you. But most importantly I am sorry that I fell in love with you. I am so sorry Haruhi, words cannot express my guilt.

But I vow right here, right now; from the hood of my car as I write, as you sleep soundly, I will protect you, no matter what, I will make sure you are never hurt again. I promise you that I will keep running in order to protect you.

I love you Haruhi

-Mori

Haruhi smiled slightly as she folded the letter back into the envelope.

The rest of the night went normally; she cooked dinner, helped the guys wash up and went to bed. It was hours before Kyouya returned; when he did he smiled at Haruhi, kissed her sleeping face gently and went sleep next to her. Haruhi never knew what happened that day.

Kyouya smirked to himself.

(Flashback)

"Mr Ootori, your wife's sure gonna love that ring." Says the little boy that dragged him away earlier that day.

"Thank you Kofi, yes I think she will like this ring too. And thank you for the distraction, treating a sick relative was most definitely a good cover for my day out, that was good thinking on your part," he replied softly whilst handing him a huge amount of money as payment.

"Thank you Mr Ootori, I hope you have a nice day," the boy smiled at him before running away

"Thank you Kofi" he replied back waving

Once the boy left he looked down onto the new wedding ring he had bought for Haruhi smiling:

(Flashback within a flashback)

"Kyouya you truly love Haruhi don't you?" Mori asked over the phone

Kyouya looked around in the helicopter to make sure no one could hear Mori on the other end the host club looked worried but they clearly could hear Mori on the other end, "Yes, very much so. I would do anything to protect her life."

"You sound far nobler than I. I too love Haruhi but I cannot put her through this," Mori sighed

"It's time for you to decide Morinozuka, You can either have Haruhi and go to prison or you can have Haninozuka and still go to prison, you cannot have both." Kyouya replied

"Yes I know that now and I've made my choice, sadly to say it doesn't involve going to prison."

Kyouya paled slightly, "Mori you surely don't mean…"

"I'm sorry," he whispered

"MORI! DON'T YOU DARE! IF YOU DO NOT ONLY WILL HARUHI NEVER FORGIVE YOU BUT I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND MAKE SURE YOU FACE THE HAND OF JUSTICE!" Kyouya screamed down the phone once again to the dismay of the host club.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Kyouya-senpai…"

"Wait! Mori!" Kyouya shouted desperately trying to keep him on the phone

"Just promise me something, treasure her. There will come a time when Haruhi will move on and you've got to be there Kyouya, you've got to be the one who'll make her strong again. Love her, treasure her, give her everything that I couldn't possibly give. Oh and for the ring, I think you should get a smoky quartz for the gem, it really brings out her eyes."

(End of flashback/s)

"Yes Mori-kun I think it does" Kyouya whispered quietly before drifting off to sleep with Haruhi snuggling into him, completely unaware of what was going on.

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. It's been a difficult year.

But here is the epilogue.

IT'S FINISHED!

Please review and let me know what you would like me to do next.

Special thanks to Azzia for keeping me sane during the wait

And thank you to everyone who has patiently read and waited for this fanfic, as i said i am so sorry for the wait (inserts dramatic host club bowing)

So excited to publish this!

XD