A/N

And here's the second part of that last chapter – after, yet another long delay. Sigh. I am really, really, really sorry for the too-long delay. I really am. Urgh. I suppose I just...well, it's not that I lost interest in the series (I don't think that could happen), but for some reason, my interest just faded, a bit. That was until I brought myself back up to date with what was happening in the manga (which I am very happy about but somehow can't help but wonder when things are going to go downhill concerning an elderly lady and her plans for her grandson).

So...um, here you have it, chapter ten. I had actually typed the first half of this a few months ago, but left it off when I couldn't quite figure out how I wanted the chapter to go –hope it's good.

And now, I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who reviewed. I mean it. You're a big part of the reason why I read the latest chapters of the Ouran manga and then decided to pick this up (the other, small part being my desire to finish this). In light of that, this chapter is for all of you!! (Did that sound cheesy?)

Enjoy.

Chapter Ten: Make Sure it doesn't Happen Again

The dark-haired senior closed his eyes for a moment or two, as though trying to ward of the squealing that hadn't gone down any from the moment the doors to the Third Music Room were first opened to the girls. Either the customers were unusually energetic today, or the theme really pleased them. (He guessed it was the theme...because there was no way possible that the customers could be more energetic than they usually were, for no reason at all; that would certainly be...worrying)

Then again, he was willing to bet that it wasn't so much the theme that pleased them, as the clothes.

"Yes, my sweet princess, it is indeed a title worthy of your beauty and grace. I, Zeus, king of Immortals residing in the heights of Mount Olympus, have been rendered speechless by your presence in this humble abode..."

Morinozuka Takashi opened his eyes and glanced slightly to his left when he heard the familiar, lightly accented voice of the golden-haired second year student. As usual, the 'princess' he was dealing with looked just about ready to faint.

"Rendered speechless, tono? If you were to ask me, you pulled off two perfectly coherent sentences," commented Hikaru, appearing suddenly behind the white-clad figure of the Host Club's king. Tamaki whirled around.

"I have been rendered speechless!" he protested stubbornly, still holding his customer's hand in his own. Hikaru shrugged easily.

"Whatever you say, tono," he said, sounding bored.

"And it's not 'tono'! You should call me O Immortal Zeus, wisest, strongest and most beautiful of--"

"-Come on, Remus, let us leave this foolish Greek immortal and head over to our special place..." cut in Hikaru, as he turned to his brother with a grin on his face.

Kaoru averted his gaze, although the corners of his lips were turned slightly upward.

"Oh Romulus, I cannot do that. I...fear for my safety, for my life..." he whispered, putting on an anxious air. "I have had many dreams of late, and they terrify me..."

"Remus, Remus," murmured Hikaru, placing his hands on his twin's shoulders. "Dreams mean nothing. Surely, you know this?"

There were – fake – tears in Kaoru's eyes when he looked up.

"I dreamt that you slew me, Romulus. You, my dearest, most treasured brother slew me over a petty argument!" His voice broke. "I cannot...I do not think I will be able to handle that, Romulus...I--" He was cut off when his brother pulled him into his embrace.

"I will never, never do anything that will harm you, Remus. I know not what the fates have in store for our future, but I assure you, my brother, that I will not harm you or let anyone else harm you..."

"D-do you promise?"

"Yes, and I call upon the gods as my witness," whispered Hikaru, resisting the urge to laugh as he thought of 'Zeus' who was pouting behind him. "May Mars hear these words and see to it that the promise is kept."

The dark-haired Mori stared at the twins with an impassive expression on his face as he wondered if that was their way of telling him that he should get involved in their current act. He'd rather stay where he was, though.

"Oh Romulus..." The twins grinned at each other in their embrace as they heard the delighted squeals of the crowd of girls who had gathered around the pair during their act. Things were certainly going smoothly.

"You should be calling upon the mighty Zeus, you wicked twins! For he is the King of the Gods on Mount Ol-"

"-O mighty Zeus," cut in Kaoru, with a grin, "Perhaps you should get your civilizations right?"

"Huh? What-?"

"Zeus was revered by the Greeks," said Hikaru, sounding bored. "In case you've forgotten, Romulus and Remus are not Greek. So 'Zeus' means nothing to us." He turned around, a gleam in his eyes. "In other words, you mean nothing to us."

Mori sighed inwardly as Tamaki, in full Zeus-regalia, scurried over to his corner of woe, crouching down on the ground with his back to everyone once he got there.

The girls who had requested the golden-haired host huddled close together, staring at him as they 'ooh'-ed and 'aah'-ed (no doubt at how he somehow managed to look graceful in what could be considered as an ungraceful position).

Feeling a sudden presence beside him, he turned his head slightly and was met with the dark-eyes of the 'shadow king'.

"Mori-sempai," said Kyoya, pleasantly, as he pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "Is there any particular reason as to why you're standing here, and not with you clients?"

The dark-haired senior stared quietly at the young male for a moment.

"I was...taking a short break," he mumbled. Kyoya smiled.

"Ah, I can't say that I find fault with that," he said, "but, Mori-sempai, I do believe that your clients are waiting for you."

"...Aa." Squaring his shoulders and heaving an inward sigh, the senior made his way to the area in the back where his clients were eagerly awaiting him.

"Mori-kun, we were wondering if you'd never come back to us," said one of the girls, sounding relieved as he stood behind the couch his cousin was seated on.

"Sorry," he said, quietly, as he eyed his cousin's sugar intake. "Mitsukuni-"

"-Don't worry, Takashi, I'll remember to brush my teeth afterwards!" said Honey, cheerfully, as he turned to look at his cousin.

"Good." Mori relaxed slightly, and looked ahead of him at the girls...although he didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to what they were saying.

"-outfit really suits Mori-kun, don't you think?"

"-just that, but the character itself-"

"-seems to go perfectly with his character!"

"-if he is acting as the father of Romulus and Remus...?"

"-not violent like Mars, though I suppose-"

Honey, who was seated sideways on the couch so that he could see both his cousin and their joint clients, nodded once or twice at what the girls said; even though his attention was elsewhere.

Namely on his dark-haired cousin.

He knew that the wild-type host wasn't paying any attention to what the girls were saying, and while he couldn't really blame him for it (the girls had been exceptionally loud that afternoon), it wasn't like him. Even if he never said much, Morinozuka Takashi was always polite. Hence, he would always listen to what they had to say.

But today...today, he didn't seem to care that he was being rude. And Honey could see the veiled annoyance in his cousin's grey eyes, even as he stared ahead of him.

Takashi...what-

Honey smiled sheepishly when he saw the questioning look his tall cousin sent him, having caught him quietly observing him.

"Ne, Takashi, would you like some cake?" he questioned, cheerily.

"...Iie."

"Would you like some cake?" queried Honey, as he turned to face the girls and noticed the somewhat questioning glances they were sending his cousin.

As the girls started giving him their answers –and squealing about how cute he was at the same time– Honey let out a sigh of relief. There was something troubling his cousin...and what was more troubling was that whatever it was made him rather angry...

...and added on to that was the fact that he was keeping this all to himself.

Mou, thought the pale-haired senior, what's going on between you and Itachi-chan, Takashi?

She growled as she spotted the shoes of whoever it was that stood in front of her, but she did not look up, hoping that whoever it was would just walk away like some of the other passers-by had.

"What're you doing?"

There went her hopes.

"Sitting."

"Yeah, I can see that," muttered the male –for it definitely was a male- before he paused. "Aren't there...better places for you to sit?"

"Mmm, there are," muttered back the dark-haired girl, still looking down as opposed to the face of the standing student.

"Okay then." She guessed, from his tone, that whoever it was would probably be rolling his eyes at this point in time. Neither of the two said anything further, even though Misao didn't mind that, as she expected him to walk away any minute –as it was evident that their conversation was over.

However, a long, drawn out moment later, the black shoes were still in her line of vision. She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to growl ferociously. Honestly, she grumbled inwardly, does this dude not get the hint? I don't want his company! But, trying to be the reasonable and...sweet-tempered person that she knew others wanted her to be (and that she was not), she bit her lip and said nothing.

He'll leave in a bit...he definitely will.

It was really only a minute, but to her, it felt much, much longer. Dammit!

"Is there something you want?" she snapped, as she finally raised her head to stare at whoever it was. She caught sight of fairly long reddish-brown hair and a pair of rather...er, interesting eyes.

"No," was the prompt, deep-voiced reply that she got, as the red-haired male shrugged.

"Then what are you doing here?"

He raised his eyebrows, his already narrowed eyes...narrowing.

"You don't own the corridor, you know. I have just as much right as you do to be here."

"Of course you do," snapped Misao, "but do you really need to stand right in front of me?"

"Fine." She was in the process of letting out a relieved sigh as the red-head moved, but soon found the glare back on her face when he simply moved so that he was leaning against the wall to her left.

Urgh...is he trying to make me lose my temper? She shook her head slowly. No. No, I'm not going to let that happen. I still have to sort out what happened the last time I lost my temper...I don't need another...episode, she thought, as she pulled her braid over her shoulder and started playing with its ends.

Her thoughts were cut off when the main clock started chiming, and she listened intently. Four-fifteen, she thought, morosely, what time does that silly club end anyway? I don't exactly want to spend the rest of the freaking day here. She glanced sideways at the red haired male, or rather, at the red haired male's knees for that was all she could see from where she was seated on the ground, wondering if he'd know.

"Hey, do you know what time the club finishes?" she questioned, turning her head towards him.

"What club?"

"The Host club." She didn't notice him raising his eyebrows at her.

"You mean you don't already know that?" questioned the male, sarcastically.

"Excuse-me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was under the impression that every girl in school knew this kind of thing," explained the male, his voice not losing any of its sarcasm. Misao's green eyes widened.

"Well I'm not every girl," she snapped, yet again. "I have a life, and I'm not desperate, and I don't see the point in spending hours just drooling over a group of guys I don't even know very well personally –just because they're good-looking."

There was a slight pause.

"That's...a different attitude," commented the male. Misao shrugged.

"Like I said, I'm not every other girl." When she looked up at his face upon receiving no answer, she noticed the curious expression on it, and tilted her head slightly.

"You don't find any of the hosts good looking?" queried the red-headed male, and even though his eyes were slightly wide with curiosity, they still managed to look...narrowed; to look vaguely...frightening. If that made any sense.

Great, Misao, you've lost it. You've completely lost it.

"No," she answered, promptly.

"Not one?"

"No."

"Not a single one?"

"No. Why, do you?"

"W-What? M-me? O-Of course not!"

Misao stared at him.

"You do."

"N-no, I don't!"

"You do. You so do..." Even as the words left her mouth, she wondered why she was bothering to have this conversation in the first place. Hadn't she been the one who had wanted to be left alone before? So that she could mull over what she was supposed to say when she spotted...him?

"Shut up!"

She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts as she stared at the red haired male, who was now sending her a threatening look. A grin found itself on her lips.

"So...which one is it? Hmm, for some reason, I'm guessing it's not Haninozuka-sempai. For obvious reasons, because, really, he's too darn adorable to be...thought of in that manner." Misao paused. "Um...I hope it's not those horrid twins. That leaves-"

"-You have no idea what you're talking about!" snapped the reddish-brown haired male, his face almost the same colour as his hair.

At the Host Club:

A few of the host club members –or rather, just a certain brunette posing as a male- gave the bespectacled Shadow King, currently dressed in the garb of...the Greek messenger god Hermes, a pleading look as everyone in the music room stared at him, awaiting his answer with bated breath.

"Obviously he's going to agree to it," muttered Kaoru, as he took in the very, very slight gleam of hope in Haruhi's eyes.

"Yeah, this is Kyoya-sempai we're talking about," replied Hikaru. "When does he turn down the chance to make a profit?"

"I...refuse to walk out there in...this," grumbled Haruhi, as she glanced down at the Roman garb she had on her. She wasn't complaining too much, as it was far, far more decent that the costumes the hosts impersonating Greeks had to wear...but still.

"Kyoya?" questioned Tamaki, his purple eyes glittering in excitement. With a sigh, the bespectacled host snapped his little black notebook shut, before pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

"I-"

"YES! Come, Princesses, we are going to the gardens!" exclaimed Tamaki, all but twirling around in glee, not seeming to care that he had interrupted Kyoya, and that said Kyoya was sending him a...decidedly not very nice look.

"He's either very brave, or very stupid," muttered Hikaru.

"I'd go for stupid," replied Kaoru, before Kyoya cleared his throat.

"Yes," he said, addressing the customers. "We should be able to go down and spend some time in the gardens."

It was only him and Mori who did not seem to be the slightest bit disturbed by the excited squeals from the customers, Tamaki and Honey. Hikaru, Kaoru and Haruhi, on the other hand, had clapped their hands over their ears and were sending the shadow king pleading looks, to which he smiled, his glasses glinting.

"You think he heard what I said about him never turning down the chance to make a profit?" asked Hikaru, sounding pained at the levels of squealing.

"He might have," said Kaoru, before he grimaced. "Is tono supposed to be able to squeal such a high note?"

"Beats me," replied Hikaru. Haruhi, in the meantime, had approached Kyoya.

"Kyoya-sempai," she started, lowering her hands from her ears, "...There is no way for me to get out of going along with this, is there?"

Kyoya toyed with the pen he still had in his hand.

"I am afraid there isn't," he said, not sounding the slightest bit apologetic –but then again, it wasn't as though Haruhi had expected him to. That didn't prevent her from sighing, however.

"I thought as much," she mumbled, as she turned her attention to those who were making their way to the doors of the music room.

"I knew you'd see it my way," said Kyoya, sending an eerily charming smile her way. "Now, come, let's go. The more time we waste-"

"-The less profit we make," finished Haruhi, blankly, as she found herself being jostled towards the rest of the hosts. This was going to be one embarrassing walk outside.

She idly wondered if the role of the Greek god Hades wouldn't have suited the shadow king better.

Meanwhile:

"Is it...could it possibly be Suo – er, Tamaki-sempai?" She watched as he spluttered an answer. "It must be. I mean, he seems to be the type who would attract all kinds of attention –unintentionally, of course, in certain aspects...but still, he-"

"-It's not Suoh-sempai, alright?!"

"It's not?"

"No! How could you even-"

"Kyou – Ootori-sempai?" Even though there was no way that the so-called 'Shadow King' could hear her, Misao was still careful to bring up his name in a respectful manner; he was one person she did not want as an enemy.

"No!"

"But that leaves..." Her nose wrinkled. "Morinozuka-sempai?"

"NO!" The male paused. "Although I do respect him. A lot."

"It is him!"

"No-"

"-What attracted you to him? His 'I-don't-speak-and-therefore-it-must-be-assumed-that-I-am-mysterious-and-oh-so-worthy-of-being-drooled-over' attitude?" She paused, her green eyes glinting. "His-"

"-Dammit, it's not him, alright?!"

"His martial arts skills? His intelligence? His very nice upper body? His stun--" Misao's voice trailed off as what she blurted out registered in her head, and couldn't help but stare at nothing in particular, rather shocked.

"No, no, NO! For crying out loud, Mori-sempai is just like a brother..."

But Misao wasn't paying him any attention. She was too busy thinking about what she had just said.

What the – what the heck? 'Very nice...u-u-upper-', she broke off, unwilling to repeat what she had just said in her head, what on earth-? Where did that come from? She frowned once more. I certainly don't think that he...has one.

I don't!

...Right?

Right.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when a hand was waved in her face, causing her to look up, startled.

"Huh?"

The red-head scowled at her.

"I said that I'm not in love with Mori-sempai. Or with any of the other hosts, for that matter," he grumbled, although, to her, his red face said a different story.

"Okay, okay, it's not Morinozuka-sempai," she said, wondering why she felt...relieved. "That leaves Haruhi. But you can't like..." she caught sight of the darker flush on his cheeks. "You do like her!"

"What? No, no, I don't – wait a minute. Her?"

Oh shit.

"Her? D-Did I say her? Of course not, you idiot! We all know that Haruhi's a guy." But his eyes were narrowed.

"No, I'm pretty sure that you said 'her'..."

Misao shook her head.

"I'm pretty sure that I didn't," she said, harshly, forcing as much hostility as she could into her voice when she said that. "But if I did –which I didn't- it was a mistake. Geez, how can Haruhi be a girl? He's a guy through and through. He's really quite manly too and-"

"-Will you shut up?" Misao, rather surprisingly, did as he asked –but it was only so that she didn't blurt out something that she would regret. She couldn't believe that she had...she had accidently let it slip like that. If the shadow king found out...

"Fine!"

There was a slight pause as neither of the two said anything, and as Misao glanced around her nervously, wondering if she should perhaps leave. Ah, no, I can't, she thought, ruefully, I need to talk to the jer –to Morino –to him, I need to sort things out. Then I don't need to think of him ever again. She grinned. Hah, that's a brilliant plan if I do say so myself.

"What's your name?"

"Why do you want to know?" The male scoffed.

"Don't worry, it's not because I'm madly in love with you or anything –heaven forbid that from happening," he said, although he looked slightly embarrassed. "It's just...well, it's..." he trailed off, looking even more embarrassed.

"O-kay," said Misao, slowly. "You're worrying me..."

"It's just...well, no-one's really...really been able to...stand my eyes-"

"-You're not some kind of pervert, are you?" asked Misao, warily.

"What? No! Far from it! I would never-" he stopped when the dark haired girl raised her hands, looking alarmed.

"Alright, alright, sorry, I didn't mean to insult you. I get it; you're not a pervert," she said, before a picture of a dark haired male flashed in her head. "Hah! Unlike a certain Morinoz-" Aargh! No. I said I wouldn't...insult him. Until I apologize to him, at least. Even if it's in my head. Remember?

But the red-haired male had caught on to who she was talking about, and had narrowed his eyes.

"Mori-sempai isn't a pervert."

"Hah, shows what you-" Misao literally bit her tongue to stop herself from continuing with what she had been about to say.

"He's not. He's one of the nicest, most caring people-"

"You have got to be kidding me!" She really couldn't help herself then. But what surprised her was the way the red-head turned fully so that he was facing her, as he scowled.

"I'm not. Ask anyone, and they'll tell you the same thing-"

"-You mean 'ask those dim-witted bimbos who're madly in love with him'?"

"What do you have against Mori-sempai?"

"What makes you think I have something against him?"

"You just called him a pervert..."

"Yeah, well that's because-" she stopped abruptly, when she heard the sound of footsteps behind them; not just one set of footsteps –a lot of them. And that was accompanied by high pitched giggles and murmured comments. "What...?" She turned around and almost wished she hadn't, when she saw the giddily excited girls.

Her green eyes widened a moment later when she saw the group of young men walking directly behind the first group of giggling girls; the group of young men who looked as though they had stepped out of an ancient history textbook –if their clothes were anything to go by. "What the-?"

"The Host club..." muttered the red-head, drawing Misao's attention to him temporarily, and she saw that he had a light flush on his cheeks. Following the direction of his gaze, she saw that it landed on an unsuspecting, not-very-happy Haruhi, who was wedged in between Hikaru and Kaoru. Haruhi...oh. That was...unexpected. Wonder if he knows she --

Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt when she saw the familiar mop of semi-spiky dark hair, just before a familiar voice called out to her.

"Itachi-chan!!"

Oh...um, darn it...now what do I do...?

"H-Haninozuka-sempai..."

"No, no, no, Itachi-chan, you can call me Honey-sempai –everyone else does, and you're my friend!" protested the small fair haired senior, as he rushed towards the green eyed girl, clasping her hands in his in glee. "How are you, Itachi-chan? Haru-chan was saying that-"

"-Sempai...what are you –why are you...what are you wearing?" interrupted Misao, unable to help herself as she took in the...furry outfit that the third year was wearing.

"My costume for today's theme!" exclaimed Honey. "It's Greek and Roman mythology, and everyone's dressed up!"

Yes, but...why? It seems like a rather pointless thing to do to me, especially when you could be-

"Mitsukuni. We should go." The green-eyed girl stiffened as she heard the familiar voice, although it was sounding as though it was coming from somewhere quite nearby.

Gulping, she raised her head and found her green eyes staring into a familiar grey pair.

Oh man.

"M-Morinozuka-sempai," she said, chiding herself from her earlier stutter. Honey raised his eyebrows as he turned to glance at his cousin, noting that his face had hardened somewhat.

"Come, Mitsukuni," said the tall, dark haired male, turning his attention to his cousin.

"Eh? Yes, but Itachi-"

"Mitsukuni."

The short third-year student sent his cousin a long, thoughtful look before he nodded slowly, wondering –not for the first time- what had happened. Then again, he knew he could wonder for as long as he liked, and would never find out until the dark-haired young man decided to tell him.

"Well, Itachi-chan, it seems like we really do need to-"

"Look, I'm sorry, alright?"

Honey stared at her.

"Eh?" he queried, tilting his head to a side in confusion. "What for, Itachi-chan? You didn't-"

But the dark haired girl paid him no heed whatsoever.

"It's no excuse, obviously, but...I have a rather...nasty temper. And my mouth tends to run away with itself when I lose my temper, making me say things that I wouldn't –that I don't mean to say." Misao paused. "And...I know I said something horrible back in the dojo, and –and I understand that it must be difficult to –to deal with, but I did say I was sorry. I just need to control my temper better, I guess..."

She was twiddling her thumbs in a nervous gesture now, aware of the pairs of eyes that were fixed on her figure. She was also acutely aware of the fact that he had not said a word yet. "Um, uh, yeah, that's kind of what I wanted to say...although I would have said it earlier but I didn't, you know, think you'd want to see me or whatever after that whole thing...and –and –did you know that that guy over there has a crush on Haruhi?"

Honey didn't know if this was a situation in which he should speak up, but it was evident that his new friend was uneasy; uneasy because of something that had happened concerning his cousin. Speaking of his cousin... sneaking a glance at him, he saw the impassive mask on his face.

"Mitsukuni." His cousin's grey eyes were fixed on the semi lowered head of the dark haired girl. "Everyone has gone." Looking beyond the dark haired girl, Honey noticed that the corridor was otherwise empty, the hosts and their customers having obviously gone on to the gardens. But Itachi-chan just apologized, he thought, sending his cousin a quizzical look, shouldn't you say something to her?

He settled for looking at the girl pointedly, before looking at his cousin once more –but since his cousin wasn't looking at him in the first place, it didn't really work.

"Takashi-"

"Come." With that, the tall, spiky haired senior moved around the dark haired girl, his shoulders stiff. Honey stared at him in clear shock. Whatever Misao said must have been pretty bad if his normally quietly polite cousin was behaving like this towards her.

"Where are you going? Aren't you going to –I don't know, say something?" asked Misao, as she turned around to eye his retreating figure. Mori paused, before he turned around slightly.

"What do you want me to say?"

The younger student fidgeted under his gaze.

"I...don't know," she muttered, hating herself for her awkward behaviour and for feeling awkward in the first place. "Just...well, I apologized, didn't I? And unlike any other time where I might have apologized to someone, I really do mean it. I'm sorry about what I said –whatever it was- and-"

"-You don't remember what you said?"

She shook her head.

"No. I...It happens often, when I lose my temper. Remember?"

"...That is no excuse."

"N-No, it's not, but-"

"-Do you often apologize without knowing what you said?"

"Er, I don't often apologize at all –and when I do, well...uh, yeah...unless someone reminds me of what I-" She trailed off when he turned on his heel once more and began walking away. She clenched her hands into fists, her green eyes narrowing. What was his problem?! Was he always this rude when people apologized to him? "What the hell is your problem?!" she asked, raising her voice. "I apologized, dammit, and you have no idea how hard that was. I could've gone home, you know, instead of sitting here and carrying on a conversation with some weird guy. I could've made myself comfortable at home, instead of sticking around here, waiting for you to walk by. Geez, I might as well not have apologized at--"

Her breath hitched when, as quick as a flash, she found her back pressed against a wall...which was funny, because she could have sworn that the wall she had been standing beside had been a number of feet away from her. Raising her eyes, she saw the hard grey pair staring at her as their owner lightly trapped her against the wall, towering over her as he did so.

"You really do not remember?"

She didn't know how she did it, but she managed to shake her head, somehow ignoring the way his breath ruffled the hair at the top of her head. That was...and odd feeling, to be sure.

Hmm, she thought, suddenly, I only reach his chest...I wonder--ack, no! I don't wonder. I don't need to wonder. I--- what is he doing? Um...what the heck is he – is he--

She tensed visibly, an expression of discomfort forming on her face as the taller student leaned forward –well aware of his cousin's presence behind him- and whispered something in her ear. This time, she didn't notice the tickling sensation on her ear –no, she was too horrified with what she heard.

When Mori pulled back, he saw the way her green eyes had widened in horror...and it was then that he realized she had been telling the truth all along; she really could not remember anything she said in fits of anger. True, it wasn't an excuse, nor was it acceptable –but at least she acknowledged the fact that she sometimes said things that she did not...that she would not say otherwise.

"I...did I really say that?" she asked, after a moment of silence. When she saw the unimpressed glance being sent her way, she had the grace to look a little sheepish. "Oh god." No wonder he was so mad. That's just...sick, Misao you idiot. Sick, sick, sick. How could you? "I...I'm so sorry..." she lowered her eyes to the ground, meekly. "I don't know why –oh god, I hope you don't think that I actually think that you and Honey-sempai-?"

Mori shook his head slowly as he saw the horrified expression on her face. "Oh thank god. Because I don't. I never did..." She looked up at him suddenly. "Look, I understand now why you were...angry. You don't need to keep up your part of the deal or anything; you don't need to help me with kendo and all of that, just...just accept my apology. Okay?"

That seemed to surprise the usually impassive male, as he stared down at her as though trying to see if she was being honest or not. "There's no need to give me that look," she snapped, unable to help herself. "I am being honest. That was sick and...low of me, to say that, even if I didn't know what I was saying at the time. I mean...that's...that's your cousin for cripes' sake! Yuck. Gross. Eww. Besides, you may be a Grade A pervert, but...I didn't think you'd bat for the other side –unless...are you?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Are you gay?"

"No."

"Oh, ok, I didn't think you were, but I just thought I'd ask. You know?" She hoped he couldn't tell that she was not exactly comfortable with his fixed stare. "Coz I –coz I think that that other guy is. Gay, I mean. He has a crush on Haruhi, I know he does. And I don't think it's because he, you know, knows if she's a...you-know-what. Speaking of that, are the Hosts prepared to service men too, if they turn up? Or is it just--" She was cut off when, with a sigh, a hand was held over her mouth. She glared up at the owner of said hand, but couldn't really tell him to get his hand off of her mouth.

Resisting the urge to reach up with his other hand and rub his temples, Mori nodded at her.

"It's alright," he said, quietly, his voice as normal and...un-angry as it had been before that incident. "Just don't do it again." He dropped his hand down by his side.

"Don't do what again?" asked Misao, swiping at her mouth with the back of her hand. "Oh. That. Right. Well, I'll try..."

"... ... ..."

"What? I said I'll try!"

"... ..."

"Fine, I'll try hard."

"... ..."

"I can't do anything else, you moro –uh, you Moroccan p-person..." But she knew that they both knew what she had been about to call him. Moroccan person? What the hell, Misao?! "So, uh..." Misao resisted the urge to twirl the end of her braid in her hand. "Does this mean...you know...?" The expression on his face was a blank one. "Am I forgiven?"

Mori had to wonder if it was just him or if she seemed anxious about his answer.

He shrugged.

"It depends."

"...On?"

"Making sure it doesn't happen again."

"I said I'll try, didn't I?"

"Hnn."

"What does that mean? How the heck am I supposed to--argh, never mind! I'll show you that I can control my temper. Just you wait, you perverted idiot!" Mori simply raised his eyebrows in reply, but said nothing. He knew, however, that the tension in his shoulders was lessening, and was grateful of that, even though he didn't understand exactly what had happened to make it lessen. But he didn't want to dwell on that.

They stood –or leaned, in Misao's case- where they were for a moment, in silence; neither acknowledging the now very, very interested short male standing behind them until he cleared his throat.

"Ano...Takashi? Itachi-chan?"

Misao jumped in surprise, and Mori only just managed to move his chin out of the way, or he'd have been on the receiving end of a rather nasty collision of 'top-of-the-head' and 'chin'. From how he was standing, however, he couldn't see the expression on his cousin's face as he watched them; although he did see Misao's eyes widen before a pale red flush spread across her cheeks.

"Argh, n-no...Honey-sempai...it's not..." she trailed off, bringing her hands up to push at the dark haired senior's chest, "Get away from you, you idiot!" Resisting the urge to sigh, Mori easily moved away from her, allowing her to straighten and move away from the wall. "Honey-sempai, it's not-"

But the 3rd year student was still beaming at her.

"So you're the reason why Takashi was angry all day," he said, before he waved a finger in her embarrassed face. "Whatever happened, I'm glad that you two have made up now."

"Sorry," mumbled Misao, shuffling her feet.

"Eh? What're you sorry for? Takashi's in a better mood, so everything's alright, Itachi-chan!" With that, the short martial artist flung himself at his friend.

"ACK! Honey-sempai-!"

Two figures moved out from behind the decorative sculpture (and its stand) that they had been crouched behind, identical expressions of surprise on their identical faces. But they did not stop to speak until they slowly made it through the doors, grateful that the Roman sandals they were wearing were lightweight and therefore effectively soundless.

"Did you see-"

"-that? Yes, yes I did. Did you find it-"

"-interesting? Oh, hell yes!"

"...What do you think?"

"About our involvement?"

"What else?"

"Let's observe this-"

"-And then begin the games."

"Exactly. Hehe, this should be-"

"-a fun couple of days? I agree."

"By the way, when she was speaking of the guy interested in Haruhi-"

"-I do believe she was speaking of Bossanova-kun."

"Hmphf. I thought so."

"Don't worry, let's push him into the fountain when we reach it."

"Great idea. C'mon!"

A/N

If anyone killed their eyes reading this, I can't say that I blame them. Urgh! At first, I was so happy with the chapter, until it started to get longer...and longer, and longer. Yikes. I know that I've been saying I won't make the chapters longer and all of that for a long while now –and I haven't done it at all- but I swear, I will never do another chapter as long as this. I apologize profusely.

Having said that, I hope this makes up for the lack of updating? (Looks hopeful)

Hope you enjoyed that.

Till next time,

Siriusgirl1