I do not own any of these characters. All rights are reserved to the owner and creators of The Ouran Host Club.

The Host Club in Tokyo

The Hitachiin family had an opulent penthouse in the center of Tokyo that their parents used when they were in town for business. They handed the keys over to the twins for our extended weekend in Tokyo. There were ten bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and three powder rooms. The kitchen was fully updated, stocked with copper pots, and had beautiful white marble countertops. There was a game room with equipped with a billiards table and plenty of board games. Even the balcony felt luxurious and private with overgrown, creeping jasmine vines to create a barrier between us and the world.

Everyone stayed at the penthouse for the weekend. Apparently Haruhi and Ranka-senpai had put together enough money to bring Tamaki into town for my birthday. Once the rest of The Host Club got wind of Tamaki's visit, they all made plans to join as well. Tamaki and Haruhi had the two rooms adjoined by a bathroom. The twins stayed in the master suite together. Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai had rooms across from each other. I stayed in the biggest guest bedroom with a striking view of the Imperial Palace east gardens.

We had all retired to the penthouse once the party had fizzled out. Everyone had faded off and went to their rooms. Tamaki, Haruhi and I were all sitting in the living room catching up. Tamaki was ecstatic to be back in France and with his mother. He was savoring every moment with her since she was still on the down path. I saw a flash of sadness play across his eyes before he switched the subject to us.

Haruhi excited chatted about her law classes and how much she loved living in Tokyo. I could have watched her talk for days. There was a refreshing brightness in her voice when she talked about things that made her happy. I watched as Tamaki struggled to keep a cheerful deposition on his face.

I knew him. I knew that he wanted nothing but happiness for Haruhi but I also knew that he couldn't help his sensitive feelings from being bruised by seeing Haruhi doing fine without him. I could tell he was relieved when I began to talk.

I told him how my business was flourishing and that I was making excellent grades. Just one seat under Haruhi, the top of our class. I yammered about how we had formed a study group due to the high number of lectures we shared. Eventually Haruhi dozed off on the couch next to Tamaki.

Tamaki gently rested her head on a pillow and covered her with a fluffy blanket before moving to sit next to me. We continued to talk in hushed voices as to not awake Haruhi.

"How are you really?" I asked him seriously.

He sighed deeply and folded his hands together. His lips pursed into a tight line, he pointed his index fingers and tapped his knees. His head bowed a little before shaking it in a small circle.

"Not good." he finally admitted.

There was no melodrama in sight. I knew he was being heartbreakingly honest. I readjusted myself to face him more and waited for him to continue.

"I didn't lie." he sighed, "Paris is beautiful, I'm doing great in school, and I am incredibly thankful I have this time with my mother."

He paused. He didn't know how to continue.

"But?" I prompted him.

"But it's heart wrenching."

Tears started to quietly flow down his cheeks. He swiped at them with the back of his hand. He shook his head again as he began to speak again.

"I never thought anything could be worse than not being able to see my mother. But watching her spirit fade away with her illness is just as bad. If not more painful. I feel so helpless. There is nothing that I can do to help her. She's just suffering and I can sit and watch. I should be there for her now. No offense, but the only reason I came was because she insisted that I be here."

His brows furrowed in frustration and his fists balled up tightly.

"And I can't be here for Haruhi. It's our first year of University. She's working so hard to keep her scholarship. I know this isn't easy for her either. I miss her so much. That's almost worse than watching my mother slip away."

His voice faltered and the tears that had almost stopped began to gush again.

"We talk and I know she misses me too, but I feel her slipping through the cracks. There's just not enough time in the day for us anymore. I know that I shouldn't hold her back, because I know that her preoccupation with our relationship can't be good for her education, but I am too selfish to do anything about it. And it's not good for me either. It's taking a toll on both of us. I don't want her to see me like this so I don't confide in her about how difficult it has been for me. And that makes it so much harder to deal with. I feel so alone."

"Tamaki," I said as I gripped his shoulder, "you don't have to go through this alone. Haruhi would know more about watching a parent pass away because of illness more than anyone else.'

"I can't ask her to relive that with me."

His violet eyes welled with helplessness. I had never seen him so utterly distressed. I didn't know what to do. I never knew how to handle people emotions, but for some reason I was always able to reach Tamaki. But today was different. I felt as helpless as he looked.

He lightly smacked his forehead into the palm of his hands, "And look at me now! I am burdening you with all my problems on your birthday. Ugh! I'm a terrible friend."

I told him to hush, "You're the furthest thing from a terrible friend. You came here to see me despite of everything that is going on. I appreciate that more than you know. And if you keep beating yourself up loudly over pointless things, you'll wake Haruhi up."

We both looked across from us and at the ethereal woman softly sleeping across from us. She had taken her makeup off and changed into an oversized t-shirt over sweatpants as soon as we came back to the penthouse. Her tiny, bare feet hung off the edge of the couch and she had her hands under her head. We were both so unequivocally in love with her. She had so many people who would do anything for her and she didn't even know it.

Tamaki gave a heavy sigh and looked back at me, "What am I supposed to do, Kyoya?"

I had a flashback to the conversation we had at my mansion before we graduated. I told him that he might lose Haruhi if he left. It was no different today but it the atmosphere was suffocating. The words weighed more because they meant more tonight.

"I can't tell you what to do, Tamaki."

I respected Tamaki too much to manipulate him into doing what would favor me the most. I also couldn't say anything because I knew that there was nothing I could say that wouldn't be biased. There was no helping Tamaki this time.

He felt the weight behind the words and didn't question me further. He knew that the only one who could make this decision for him was himself.

He got up from his spot and kneeled down next to Haruhi. He whispered in her ear and kissed her softly on the forehead. He gently lifted her from the couch and cradled her in his arms, blanket and all. He looked at me sadly.

"Thank you."

I nodded at him and he disappeared down the hallway to put Haruhi to bed.

I sat on the couch for an hour more as I mulled the entire night over. I couldn't get the way Haruhi looked at me during our dance out of my head. And my conversation with Tamaki even more. I was stuck too. Unsure of what I should do.

I decided the best thing for me to do was to let what may come. For the first time in my entire life, I let go. I accepted that there was nothing I could do.

xxx

It was so damn loud. I rolled over on the fluffy mattress and looked at the clock. Ten in the morning? What the heck.

The sound of pots and pan clanking together filtered into my suite. I groaned, flopped onto my back, and covered my head with one of the thick down pillows. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed that I would be able to go back to sleep.

A loud clatter sounded off and the unmistakable voices of Hikaru and Kaoru arguing filled my room. I groaned louder and smacked my glasses on in frustration. There was no going back to sleep.

I stormed out of the room and down the hallway. As soon as I appeared in the kitchen the twins froze. Tamaki had his back turned away from me and was still being dramatic over what they should have for breakfast. He wanted to cook crepes and they wanted to just order brunch from the highly rated restaurant from downstairs.

The fear in their eyes wasn't enough warning to tell Tamaki to shut the hell up. They pointed shaky index fingers at me and stammered, "The-the devil's eye."

My eyebrows were furrowed evilly and my fists balled by my side. The Shadow King had awaken. And he was not a morning person. I could feel my whole body shaking in rage as the three boys viewed me cowering in fear.

"I went to bed at five in the morning." I started with spite melting through my teeth, "I have a searing headache and it is Saturday morning."

I paused to look each one in the eye.

"What the HELL are you making so much commotion over? Praytell it better be good!"

"ALL OF YOU! SHUT UP!"

We all jumped in surprise and looked at the open doorway that held a sleepy Honey-senpai. He was in bunny rabbit pajamas and gripping Usa-chan by his ears. The furry in his eyes resembled hellfire and every ounce of cute was gone from his face. I honestly wondered if he was about to murder all three of us and go back to sleep.

Mori-senpai stepped out of the room adjacent to Honey-senpai's. He was fully dressed but he still had beadhead. He looked at the scene laid out before him. He walked over to Honey-senpai and gently took his hand in his own.

"Usa-chan wants to go back to bed." he said simply.

Honey-senpai nodded his head and cradled Usa-chan in his arms and followed Mori-senpai back into the room. All four of us stayed stark still while we waited for Mori-senpai to do his magic and mollify the sleepy Honey-senpai.

The only thing more scary than a sleep deprived Shadow King was an awakened Honey-senpai.

Mori-senpai exited the room quietly and gave us a disapproving look. He put one finger to his lips as he slipped back into his room. All of breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Kaoru pointed to downstairs and we all nodded. I mouthed that I was going to get get dressed and meet them downstairs. Tamaki gave me a thumbs up and they all headed for the elevator.

I returned to my room gathered some clothes and then went into my bathroom to turn on the shower. I let the warm water gently bring my mind from foggy and into clarity. I took my time enjoying the steam from the shower. When I exited the shower my body was red from the prolonged heat it just withstood. I slowly towled my hair off and put on a short sleeved collared khaki shirt over a pair of comfortable black slacks.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I really had changed over the years. I had filled out since high school. I looked more mature than I had when I graduated from Ouran Academy. I wasn't sure if it was my actual physical growth or not. I had a feeling that it had to do more with my mental and emotional growth.

My hair was still damp when I walked out of my room to join the other boys downstairs. Haruhi was in the kitchen still wearing her night clothes from last night and looking around confused. She was about to say something when I quietly rushed over to her and put a hand over her mouth. My other snaked behind her to protectively lead her away from the kitchen.

Her eyes grew wide with surprise. I gestured pointedly to Honey-senpai's slightly ajar door. Understanding lit up her face and she slowly pulled my hand away. She mouthed thank you at me and I ushered her into her room. Once the door was safely shut I spoke in a hushed tone.

"Everyone is downstairs for brunch."

A wistful look crossed over her face, "That sounds good."

I gave her a small smile, "You're welcome to join. I was just on my way down."

He lips parted into a wide grin and she nodded her head.

"Let me just get changed!"

I went to exit the room and Haruhi stopped me. She had clothes in her hands already, "I'll just go into the restroom."

She disappeared behind the frosted glass door. I could hear the water run as she washed her face. I saw her silhouette bring her t-shirt over her head and slip off her sweatpants. I turned away and stared out of the window intensely aware that Haruhi was just on the other side of the door. The street below was bustling. Tourists looked down at maps of the city and locals ignored them as they navigated around them. They all looked like ants. Tiny little beings stuck in their own world, completely unaware of what was happening right above their little heads.

"Ready?"

I turned around to see Haruhi with her hair secured into a loose but still put together bun that sat on the top of her head. She was wearing a very simple blush toned dress and a fluffy white cardigan. I smiled at her and nodded my head.

We rode down the elevator, stepped out into the lobby of the building and bumped into the twins and Tamaki. Tamaki's eyes immediately lit up and he gave Haruhi an excited hug as he wished her good morning.

"What took you so long?" Kaoru asked me.

"Yeah," Hikaru bent forward and looked between me and Haruhi suspiciously, "we tired to wait for you but an hour after we finished eating we decided to come see what was holding you up."

I shrugged, "Clearly, I am not a morning person."

"It's noon..." Kaoru reminded me.

I brushed his words out of the air with my hand, "And?"

They both gave me questioning eyes but decided not to say anything. They knew how to pick their battles. Tamaki and Haruhi were still saying good morning to each other.

I addressed them both, "Are you guys coming?"

Haruhi took Tamaki's hand in hers, "Yeah!"

After I third-wheeled it at breakfast, we went back up to the penthouse. By that time, Honey-senpai was at the breakfast bar eating strawberry cake with Mori-senpai beside him. All hints of bed head were gone from both of them.

Honey-senpai's eyes grew wide with happiness as we walked in. He skipped the good morning and went straight to what he really wanted, "Can we go to Disneyland!"

Tamaki smiled at him fatherly, "Yes-"
Honey-senpai shouted in glee and jumped around in victory circle.

Tamaki interrupted his happy dance, "But it's Kyoya's birthday trip. So we're going to do some boring stuff like visit some museums and go to the Imperial Palace."

Honey-senpai frowned and looked as if he were about to cry.

"Well go for our next reunion!"

Honey-senpai was pleased and he continued to devour his cake.

xxx

It was sunset over the winding waters of the Imperial Palace river. The sky shined reflections of itself in bright oranges and reds in the water. After spending the day as Tokyo tourists, we decided to finish the last lights of the day at the Imperial Palace.

The gardens were in a filter fit for fall. Everything was turning colors and casting striking shadows over the pathways. I had decided to hang back from the group and really savor the smell and the feeling of the November evening. My head was tilted upwards as I studied the leaves on a tree when I felt a small tug at my shirt. I looked down and saw Honey-senpai standing next to me. His hair shined notes of dark, honey tones and he dragged Usa-chan by the ears.

"Can I join you?" He asked me sweetly.

I welcomed him to join me. Normally, I would have wanted the time to myself. Today, I was in a good mood and enjoyed having the company. We walked side by side in silence as we took in the beauty. I got the feeling that Honey-senpai was waiting for me to say something.

"How have you been, Honey-senpai?" I finally asked grasping for small talk.

Something I only did when it came before a business deal or thought it would somehow work in my favor. Honey-senpai gave a wide grin with little flowers floating over his head.

"Good!" he started to skip, "I started dating this girl. And if my family approves, then I'm going to ask her to marry me!"

I whistled in approval. Who would have thought Honey-senpai would be the first of the Host Club to get married?

"That's amazing," I smiled with him, "I'm happy that you could find someone to cherish. It's a very rare thing."

"That's awfully romantic of you, Kyoya-chan." Honey-senpai laughed but I could tell he was getting at something deeper.

I pushed the heat rising through my chest back down and kept myself composed. I merely shrugged and kept looking around us and marveled at how the world could be so amazing.

"So," Honey-senpai said in a long tone, "how are you?"

I gave him a suspicious look. I told him how The O&Co was a booming success. I talked to him about his ideas on electronic weaponry. Since his family was so closely tied to the military, he was well versed and had productive input to give. We were nearing the end of the gardens when he stopped to look at turning tree.

"Kyoya-chan," he said as seriously as Honey-senpai gets, "I saw you with Haruhi-chan this morning."

I raised my eyebrow as I replayed the incident in my head. It was innocent.

"So?" I finally said.

"So you've gotten closer to her." he stated.

"Naturally." I replied looking at him.

He had his hands clasped together behind his back as he looked up at me with his amber brown eyes. His entire face was filled with knowing as he waited for me to say more. He was searching my face for a trace of betrayal. He wanted to know if I was going to hurt Tamaki. He knew I had feelings for Haruhi. Once he realized I wasn't going after her in respect for Tamaki all suspicion faded from his face. What replaced it was worry. It wasn't pity. It was just empathy for my situation. He sighed heavily and gave a tiny head nod.

"You really are a good friend, Kyoya-chan!" He embraced me in a giant hug.

I gave him a tiny smile and then we caught up with the rest of the group.

Tamaki bounded up to me, "There you are!"

I happily looked at the pale blonde man standing next to me and rustled his hair around.

He complained as he straightened it back out. He went back to beaming and asked me, "So, Kyoya! What do you want to do now?"

Honey-senpai looked at me with a knowing smile.

"I don't know," I answered Tamaki, "it's up to you."