Sorry, again, for the late update. I'm afraid they're only going to keep coming later than before. Sorry, really, but this semester's almost over and I've got exams to worry over. And, of course, despite the fact that the AP exams aren't until May, my AP teachers are trying to stuff as much into our brains as possible. It's intense. Still, it doesn't excuse me, so i must beg your forgiveness in my procrastination.

thejadespirit: GOMEN NASAI!!!!!!!!

twins: NOOOO! HOW DARE YOU KEEP AWAY FOR SO LONG!?!?!?!?!

Hunny: Hai. Hai. (tears well up) why did you take so long, ja-chan? Why???

Kyoya: (pushes up glasses. Glare of death) reviews will surely suffer.

Tamaki: NOOOO! MY PRECIOUS HARUHI PAIRED WITH HIM????? WAAAHHH! DON'T WRITE ANYMORE!!!!!

Haruhi: ano...it was a bit rude to stay away so long

thejadespirit: (sniffs and then goes to corner, stealing Tamaki's mushrooms) gomen...nasai...sniff...i had an essay...and work...and calculus...and--

twins: NO EXCUSE!!! (turn to each other with devious smiles) ja-chan, would you like to be our...DOLL??!???!???!???

thejadespirit: HELLLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!! MORI, HUNNY, HARUHI!!!! PLEEEEEEASE!!!!

mori: no.

thejadespirit: WAHHHH???? AHHHHHHH!

Twins: MWAHAHA!!!!!

Chapter Ten

Haruhi sighed deeply. She didn't really like the idea of being forced into an engagement with Kyoya. Not only was it unfair to him, but the announcement would cause problems within the group. It would probably be better to keep the whole thing quiet, but things like this didn't actually stay quiet, especially with the tabloids speculating on every aspect of the Hosts' lives. Even beyond the realm of Ouran, they had retained their appeal and their friendship. But how long would that last when they knew?

Still, keeping secrets never helped anyone, not really.

"Haruhi."

She turned to look up at Kyoya. Though he had spoken, his eyes were still glued to his laptop (he had absolutely insisted they go and retrieve it before they did anything).

"Hai?"

Suddenly, he turned, gray eyes fixing on her. "There will be problems in telling the others, but it will be worse if they find out on their own."

She looked away. "Hai," she replied quietly. She knew that. But...

"You are habing second thoughts?"

Haruhi glanced back, eyes wide. Sometimes, Kyoya was far too perceptive. Then again, that was just Kyoya-senpai. He knew people. She nodded. "Even if it is just temporary, I don't know if I want to..."

"Be engaged to me?"

Again, Haruhi nodded. "I don't want to hurt people, even if it is just for a little while."

Kyoya watched Haruhi for a long moment and then gave a slow nod. "It can be quite...unprofitable, but this route has more..." he trailed off.

"Merit?"

His eyes bore into hers. "Hai." After a moment, he adjusted his glasses and turned back to his work. He didn't tell her that, beyond finally outmaneuvering his father, he really wanted to keep her safe. There was merit in that, he thought. If only because his father's machinations would eventually make Haruhi miserable. It was quite simple. If Haruhi was sad, the rest of the Hosts would complain, Tamaki most especially. And Kyoya, he...he would miss how Haruhi was. He would miss her carefree ways, her odd ability to see people. If she were sad, she wouldn't be the same. She wouldn't be the same person he...

"Ano...Kyoya-senpai?"

"What?"

"Are we going to tell them everything?"

Kyoya paused a moment. "It would be unavoidable. The others need to fully understand the situation."

At his words, Haruhi breathed a small sigh of relief. If the others knew everything, there was sure to be less drama. And the twins would easily fall into their mischievous and teasing ways, tormenting Tamaki and ribbing Kyoya. Hunny and Mori would stay the same, as always.

"Kyoya-senpai?"

"What is it?"

Haruhi paused a moment. "What exactly does this engagement involve?"

This time, Kyoya looked at her. "You would be expected to accompany me to social functions, to appear at various events, and to actively show..." he faltered a moment and then continued. "...outward affection."

"'Outward affection'?" Haruhi echoed.

"We would be expected to embrace or hold hands, link arms..."

Haruhi smiled. "I imagine, Kyoya-senpai, that you would be quite against it."

Kyoya shrugged. "As long as there is at least a little merit in it, I would not mind. After all, it is no big thing."

Her lashes fell and her smile grew slightly. "Hai."

The two newly engaged friends entered Haruhi's home and sat down to wait. The Host club would be along gradually. It never failed. There was hardly a night when Haruhi's apartment was devoid of those six handsome young men.

Haruhi sent Kyoya a small smile. "I'm going to go change," she told him before disappearing into her room.

With careful deliberation, she chose her most comfortable clothes. Though her father loved to send her dresses and the twins gave her all kinds of flowing skirts, Haruhi's favorite clothes were jeans and a T-shirt. They were comfortable, far more so than anything else.

After she had changed, Haruhi returned from her room, though she felt a bit odd. She felt a bit apprehensive having just Kyoya in her apartment. It made her feel a bit...embarrassed. Without a glance towards the chair he sat in, she went into the kitchen.

"Would you like something to eat, Kyoya-senpai?" she called.

"Kyoya."

Haruhi opened the fridge. "What?"

"You should just call me Kyoya."

Haruhi jumped when Kyoya's voice sounded so close. She looked over her shoulder with a glare. "Don't stand so close! You'll scare someone!"

Kyoya's eyes lit up a bit, as if he were laughing at her, but then it died and he moved away, giving Haruhi a slight bow. "I am a bit hungry," he offered.

Haruhi stared at him a moment and then smiled. "I will make something, then," she said softly.

The two were just finishing their quiet meal when the others began to filter in. The twins charged through the door first, confused at the sight of Kyoya. Usually, he waited until others were gathered before coming to Haruhi's. And yet here he was, obviously well before them. They were shocked a moment, unable to say anything, but then they shrugged and pounced on Haruhi, their faces all-too reminiscent of cats that have just found their string.

Hunny and Mori were next and, viewing the scene, Hunny's sweet smile grew brighter. "Haru-chan, Haru-chan!" he called delightedly. "Look!" He jumped into her lap and held up a bag full of sweets. "We got you some, too!" he exclaimed, looking towards Mori.

"Ah." Mori held up a bag full of sweets, though it was much smaller than Hunny's.

Haruhi laughed, though her eyes strayed to Kyoya. He looked as calm as ever, as if they weren't about to embark on a dangerous farce. She wondered, for a moment, what being married to Kyoya-senpai would be like. Certainly, it would not be filled with the chaos her life experienced now. And, yet, she would never really be away from the others. Everything would just be...peaceful.

As her front door opened once more, Haruhi shook herself from her thoughts. She couldn't let her thoughts wander at a time like this. After all, it looked as if she needed to make more food...She let Hunny scramble from her lap and then stood, eyes on the ingredients she had left out.

"Haruhi."

The room fell suddenly quiet at Kyoya's voice and Haruhi turned towards him. Her eyes widened slightly as Tamaki entered but otherwise she was nearly as calm as Kyoya. With a small nod, she sat back down and waited for the Host King to do the same.

Tamaki burst into the kitchen, smile wide, but, when he saw the quiet hosts gathered in the small room, his smile began to fall. His brow furrowed. "What is it?" he asked, his voice concerned. "What has happened?"

Without turning, Kyoya said, "Sit, Tamaki."

The blonde-haired man began to sputter. "What do you mean?" he demanded. "Why--"

"Tamaki."

He stopped, eyes going towards Haruhi. He frowned at her hard voice. "Ah. Haruhi?"

"Please, sit."

Tamaki sat down quietly, eyes dark. "What is it?" he asked again, his voice now soft.

"There is something we must tell you," Haruhi said quietly. "There is something Kyoya and I must tell everyone."

The twins, for once, lost their humor and Tamaki was completely silent. Hunny and Mori, however, looked expectant, almost as if they knew what was to come.

"Kyoya and I..." Haruhi paused, her eyes skittering away. "Kyoya and I...we are...we are..." She trailed off, her voice no louder than a whisper.

Kyoya glanced at her, his gray eyes softening for just a moment before turning to Tamaki. "Haruhi and I are engaged."

meh. Short chapter, i know. Sorry. But it's better than no chapter, eh? And i couldn't resist a little cliffie. Oh, and sorry, sorry, sorry about the horridly late update. I know several of you must be cursing me and swearing you'll never review again...which would make me very sad...again, sorry. But, perhaps the image of my cultivating Tamaki's mushrooms and being chased by dress-bearing twins will placate you for a little while. Now, though i am completely undeserving, please review!!!!!