"Is she awake?"
"She will be if you two deviants don't keep it down! Why are we even sneaking into Haruhi's room like this?! A gentleman never enters a lady's boudoir without her permission!"
"But wasn't this your idea Tama-Chan?"
"I…but…you see I…"
"I don't think we need to bother with being quiet any longer. Haruhi's awake."
All six men turned to look at the brown haired girl who was now looking at them, her eyes still lidded slightly with sleep.
"What are all of you doing in here?" she asked.
The five former host club members looked at one another for a moment before turning and looking back at Haruhi.
"HAPPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all chimed.
"I told you all that I didn't want to make a big deal out of this." Haruhi sighed as she got out of bed.
"We're not though." Hikaru said.
"Yeah we just came to say Happy Birthday. Now we're done." Kaoru said.
"We're respecting your wishes just as you asked." Kyoya said.
"Tonight you will accompany all of us to dinner and that will be where the celebration ends." Tamaki replied.
"Fine. As long as that's it." Haruhi replied.
"We promise Haru-Chan!" Honey grinned.
"Thank you for the wishes now can you all please get out so I can get dressed?" Haruhi asked.
"Of course. We've already ordered breakfast for you and it's waiting in the kitchen when you're ready." Kyoya said and promptly began to shoo the others out.
Haruhi dressed in a pair of jeans and soft blue cardigan her father had given her the previous day as a birthday gift. She had had lunch with him the previous day since he would be out of town on vacation the next day. It had been the only time he'd been able to get off work but she didn't mind as long as he relaxed a little. Once dressed she headed out towards the kitchen where the others were talking while eating their own meals.
Hikaru slid the plastic tray of food towards her and she popped the top open and grabbed one of the plastic forks from the center of the table. Over the past few weeks takeout had become normal around the house. Haruhi had exams and when she wasn't taking one she was at the library or locked in her room studying. The twins had for once thought about someone other than themselves and told her to concentrate on her studying, opting to order in food.
It had been a week since they had found Kaoru and there hadn't been any sign of Mitsuyo. He hadn't turned up at work nor had he made any contact with Kaoru. Of course that could've been because Hikaru had convince Kaoru to block his number, the others similarly following suit.
The bruises still hadn't faded from Kaoru's body and face but he was doing well hiding them. He wore a thick layer of foundation that had been formulated to blend perfectly with his skin tone and never went without some sort of long sleeves to hide the cuts and such down his arms. He still wasn't sleeping well but put up a good front. Only Haruhi and Hikaru could tell the difference.
Once she finished her breakfast Haruhi collected her trash and tossed it into the garbage before bidding the others goodbye. Today was a full one. She had classes until 3 and then had to run some errands that included picking up not only her dry cleaning but Hikaru's as well and doing the week's grocery shopping like she did every Friday. Why did her birthday have to land on her busiest day of the week?
Classes dragged on forever and on that her last one ran over so by the time she got out she was rushing to get across town to the cleaners before they closed. Thankfully she managed to just make it and pick up her dress for that night and Hikaru's slacks. When they were in the backseat of her car she made her way to the store where she got everything they'd need for the coming week.
By the time she got home she was running late.
"Sorry! I know I'm running late!" Haruhi apologized as she walked through the door with arms full of bags.
"It's okay. What took you so long?" Karou asked as he took the bags from her.
"Classes ran late and that threw everything off." she sighed.
"Well you go get ready. We can take care of this." Hikaru said.
"Thank you." Haruhi replied and hurried to her room.
She grabbed the quickest shower of her life before climbing out and doing a light coat of makeup so she wouldn't have to hear it from the twins. After that she dried her hair and slipped on the dress she'd picked up from the cleaners.
"Hey Hikaru?" she asked as she walked out holding her shoes in one hand.
"What's up?" Hikaru asked.
"Can you zip me up in the back? I can't reach it." she replied turning around.
"Sure thing." Hikaru said and carefully zipped it, closing the small clasp at the neck that hid the zipper.
"Thank you. Now we can go. Where's Kaoru?" Haruhi asked.
"I told him to go on ahead and order for us." he replied.
"How do you know what I want to eat?" Haruhi smirked.
Hikaru smirked back, "Haruhi…you order the same thing every time we go somewhere. Even if we went somewhere new I know you Haruhi. Trust me."
Haruhi rolled her eyes and grabbed her coat from beside the door, "Lets go…the others are waiting."
Ten minutes later they pulled up to Misuzu's restaurant.
"We're going here?" Haruhi asked.
"Yeah. Is this okay?" Hikaru said.
"It's fine." Haruhi smiled.
"Alright then. Let's go." he said and climbed out.
The two of them walked into the restaurant, streamers and balloons decorating everything. Before Haruhi could say anything her friends, Mitsuzu and her father jumped out.
"SURPISE!" they yelled and threw confetti in the air.
"Oh my god…are you all serious? I told you I didn't want a party but thank you anyway." Haruhi smiled.
She should've known that there was no way that her friends would let her birthday pass without some form of celebration.
"Happy Birthday Sweetheart!" Ranka grinned as he hurried forward to hug his daughter.
"I thought you were on vacation." Haruhi said looking at her Dad.
"A little white lie never hurt anyone." he winked and hugged her.
"Happy Birthday Haruhi!" Mari grinned as she ran over and squeezed her tight.
"Thanks. Mori how are you feeling?" Haruhi asked looking to her wheelchair bound friend who smiled back.
"Yes. Happy birthday."
"Haruhi I hope you can forgive me for going along with this little plan your friends had! Those twins are just so lovely and refreshing that I couldn't resist!" Misuzu said walking up.
"It's fine. I know how convincing they can be." Haruhi smiled as she hugged him.
"Now I've prepared a delicious meal with all your favorites! So lets eat!' Misuzu smiled.
Haruhi sat down at the head of a long table while Misuzu brought out dishes of food which was very good.
Once the plates were clean it was time for presents.
"You all really didn't have to." Haruhi said as Kyoya and Honey presented her with a small stack.
"Haruhi when are you going to accept that we're going to do things like this?" Kaoru asked.
"Whether you tell us too or not." Hikaru added.
"It's rude to refuse a present Haruhi." Kyoya said giving her a small smile.
Haruhi smiled and shook her head before pulling the first box towards her.
It was wrapped in white paper with a pink bow, inside was a bottle of perfume that smelled rather good.
"That's from me Haru-Chan do you like it?" Honey asked.
"It smells very nice. Thank you Honey-Sempai." she smiled and he beamed back at her.
Next came Kyoya's gift, wrapped in simple blue paper and a small white bow in the corner. Inside was a top of the line laptop.
"I knew that you could use it for school." he said when she thanked him profusely.
Next came a gift in a large pink shopping bag with purple tissue paper from Mori and Mari, a black leather bag with a matching wallet. It was understated enough that Haruhi wouldn't feel odd carrying it around.
"It was Takashi's idea but I picked it out. I hope you like it." Mari said.
"It's great. Thank you both." Haruhi replied before moving onto the next box.
It was a gift from the twin's mother, a simple white dress that would match the cardigan her father had gotten her. According to him the two of them had conspired together to pick out the outfit.
The last 3 were smaller than the others. She pulled the first one, a long red one, towards her first. Opening it up she saw plane tickets.
"Tickets?" she asked looking up at Kaoru whose name had been on the card.
"Yep. We're going to Hawaii!" he grinned.
"All of us." Honey added.
"Are you serious?" Haruhi asked and Kaoru nodded.
"Everything is set to go. We leave in 4 weeks. Everyone has their tickets. We'll be there for 2 weeks." Kaoru grinned.
"What about school and work?" Haruhi asked.
"Well you have break that time don't you?" Kyoya asked.
"Okay sure but what about work?" Haruhi asked.
"That's where my gift comes in! Two weeks paid vacation! You deserve it for all the hard work you do around here and used to do at the Pension!" Misuzu sing songed.
"Oh wow thank you!" Haruhi smiled and tucking the ticket back in the box she grabbed the next gift.
It was a black box with a white ribbon from Tamaki. Nestled inside was a silver jewelry box with roses engraved on the lid.
"This is gorgeous." she said as she lifted it.
"It plays music. Wind it up." Tamaki said.
Turning it over she turned the little key before opening it, soft tinkling music beginning to play. Haruhi smiled as she recognized the song. It was one that she's heard Tamaki play time and time again.
"Isn't that the song you played when you first visited my house?" Kyoya asked looking at Tamaki.
He nodded, "I believe so. It's one of my favorites. I had it made just for you."
"Well I love it. Thank you Semapi." she smiled.
The final gift was from Hikaru. It was a small box with a necklace inside. It was a silver chain with a single diamond hanging from it.
"This is beautiful Hikaru." she said.
"I'm glad you like it." he smiled.
"Would you help me put it on Dad?" she asked turning to look at her father.
"Of course sweetheart." he said and walked over and carefully fastened the thin chain around her neck, the diamond falling just above the top of her dress.
"Now that all of the gifts have been given it's time for cake right?!" Honey grinned.
"Why don't I go get it? It's the least I can do since you all threw me this wonderful party." Haruhi said standing up.
"Haruhi dear it's-" Ranka said but Haruhi cut him off.
"Really Dad. You guys relax." she said and headed for the kitchen.
She found the cake in a box in the fridge. It was covered with white icing and had 'Happy Birthday Haru-Chan' written in pink icing with a large pink rose in the corner with a bunny leaning against it. She smiled knowing that Honey must have picked it out.
"Hey need any help?"
Haruhi looked up from where she was grabbing plates to see that Hikaru had followed her.
"Sure. Can you grab some plates?" she asked motioning to where she'd been reaching.
"No problem." he said and pulled down a stack of plates.
"So how are you liking your party?" he asked.
"It's great. I'm glad you guys did this." she smiled.
"Even if you told us not to?" he smirked.
Haruhi nodded, "Yes. Even if I told you not to."
"I'm glad." he smiled.
"And thank you again for the necklace. It's beautiful." Haruhi said fingering the chain around her neck.
"Well I thought it would look nice on you and I was right." he said and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Suddenly Hikaru was standing inches from her. She hadn't seen him move forward and now the smell of his cologne filled her nose and feeling of his body heat heated her skin.
"H-Hikaru? What are you doing?" she asked.
He laughed and she could smell the sweet scent of the wine Misuzu had served them with dinner on his breath.
"I'm doing what I should've done a long time ago." he replied and a moment later he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.
Haruhi wanted to pull away but couldn't make herself do it. She didn't know why she couldn't either. This was Hikaru.
Her roommate.
Her friend.
That was it.
Wasn't it?
The sound of the door of the kitchen suddenly being pushed open quickly snapped both of them back to attention and back to the real world. Turning Haruhi saw Tamaki looking at the both of them, his violet colored eyes wide.
"I didn't mean to interrupt. I thought I'd come and see what was taking you so long. I'll just leave. I'm terribly sorry." he said, his voice sounding detached.
"Tamaki-" Haruhi started but he was already gone.
"Wow…that was…awkward." Hikaru sighed.
Haruhi matched his sigh before running her hands through her hair, "That was bad."
"I didn't think it was so bad." Hikaru replied.
"No…Tamaki seeing that was bad….not the kiss." she replied.
"So you liked it?" Hikaru asked.
"I don't know. Maybe. I just…look we'll talk about this later. We should really get the cake out there before someone else comes looking." she replied.
"But-" Hikaru started before Haruhi shook her head.
"Later Hikaru." she said and with that grabbed the cake and walked out.
Walking back into the dining area of the restaurant she sat the cake down.
"Sorry…I couldn't find the cake." she smiled as she sat it down.
"That's okay Haru-Chan. Do you like it?" Honey asked.
"Yes Honey-Sempai it's perfect." she replied.
"Yay! Now lets eat!" Honey grinned.
Hikaru soon followed with plates and the two of them set about passing out cake. As she handed out slices of cake Haruhi saw Tamaki was refilling his wine glass quite frequently. Until then he'd refrained from drinking anything other than water but now he was making up for lost time.
Before long the cake was nearly gone and Tamaki was blasted. His head was laying on the table while he murmured the happy birthday song. Kyoya gave Haruhi a questioning look (which she avoided) before walking over to Tamaki.
"Tamaki I think it's time to head home." Kyoya said to the blonde.
"But the party isn't over!" Tamaki whined.
"For you it is. Now c'mon before you make a fool of yourself." Kyoya said.
Tamaki pouted for a moment before finally standing up.
"Goodbye everyone!" He yelled flinging his arm and nearly falling into the table in the process.
Kyoya sighed and caught him before carrying him towards the door. A few moments later Kyoya returned and walked over to Haruhi.
"I'm sorry that that had to ruin your birthday Haruhi. I would stay but I really should put Haruhi in Shima's care before he injures himself. I also have an important meeting." he said with a sly smile.
"Just be careful." she said.
"I always am. Happy birthday." he replied and with a wave was gone.
"We should probably get home too. Takashi has therapy in the morning. Happy Birthday Haruhi." Mari said.
"Thank you for coming and thank you for the gift." Haruhi said hugging Mari and Mori.
"I came with them so I have to leave too Haru-Chan." Honey said hopping out of his seat and hugging Haruhi as well.
"Alright. I'll see you all later. Thanks for coming!" she said and they headed out next.
Turning back to the table Haruhi began to pick up plates when Misuzu and Ranka waved her away.
"It's your birthday! You're not working! You and your friends head home." Misuzu said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes! Now you go home and relax. You worry too much!" Ranka said.
Haruhi bid her boss and her father goodbye before collecting her things and heading out with the twins. Kaoru declared that he didn't feel save to drive so he locked up his car and rode with Hikaru and Haruhi.
"So are you going to tell me what happened or do I have to guess." Kaoru asked after a few minutes of silence.
"What are you talking about?" Hikaru asked.
"I know something happened between the two of you and that Tono knows. He lost it when he came back from the kitchen." Kaoru replied.
Haruhi began to open her mouth to say something when Hikaru interrupted her.
"That son of a bitch." he growled.
Looking up Haruhi saw a car that she didn't recognize with someone who was all too familiar leaning against it. Mitsuyo. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Karou looked pale.
Pulling into the spot a few feet from the car Hikaru undid his seatbelt.
"Both of you stay in this car." he said and before Haruhi could stop him he was out.
Hikaru had parked far enough away that Haruhi could hear the raised voices but not exactly what they were saying. Kaoru watched from the backseat horrified. Haruhi quickly climbed over the seat and wrapped her arms around him.
Suddenly things went from just the two of them yelling to flying fists. Karou began to shake and tears began to fall down his face. Haruhi hugged him tighter and tried to calm him down.
"It's okay Kaoru calm down." Haruhi whispered as she hugged him.
"Hikaru…he's hurting Hikaru." Kaoru sobbed.
"KAORU!"
Both Haruhi and Kaoru jumped as the realized that somehow Mitsuyo had gotten away from Hikaru and was now banging on the windows.
"KAORU! TALK TO ME BABY PLEASE! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO LOSE MY TEMPER! PLEASE TAKE ME BACK! PLEASE!" Mitsuyo begged.
"GO AWAY! GET OUT OF HERE!" Haruhi yelled hugging her friend who now had his hands clasped tight over his ears as he lay in the fetal position.
"STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY BROTHER YOU ASSHOLE!" Hikaru's voice came and a moment later Mitsuyo was pried from the car.
Lights began to flash a moment later and before they knew it the police were there.
"You two…out of the car!" An officer ordered.
Haruhi and Kaoru got out and Haruhi still held onto him.
"Can you two tell me what's going on here?" the officer asked.
"We were coming home from my birthday party and he was waiting for us." Haruhi said pointing to Mitsuyo who was handcuffed in one of the cars.
"And what relation is he to you?"
"He used to be my boyfriend." Kaoru replied.
"Used to be?" the officer asked.
"He was violent towards him officer." Haruhi replied.
The officer nodded, "And I take it that's your brother in the other car?"
"Yes sir." Haruhi nodded.
The office nodded again, "Well he's going to be spending the night in jail. You can pick him up in the morning."
"Thank you officer." Haruhi replied.
He nodded and left with Hikaru and Mitsyuo.
"Are you okay?" Haruhi asked as they headed for their apartment.
"I-I think so." he replied.
"Good." Haruhi nodded and they climbed on the elevator.
"Sorry for ruining your night Haruhi." Kaoru sighed.
"It's okay. You didn't do it. It was Mitsuyo." she said.
"I know but-"
"No buts. You didn't do anything wrong." Haruhi replied.
They walked to the apartment and Haruhi opened the door.
"H-Haruhi?" Kaoru asked.
"What is it?" Haruhi asked.
"Would you sleep with me tonight? I don't want to be alone." Kaoru asked.
"No problem. Just let me go change and make a few calls." Haruhi replied.
Kaoru nodded and headed for his room. With a sigh Haruhi walked to her room and changed into her pajamas and made the calls she needed to make.
She first called the Twins' mother and let her know that Hikaru was in jail for the night before calling the rest of the Host Club. Once that was done she headed for Kaoru and Hikaru's room. She expected Kaoru to still be awake but instead she found him sound asleep.
Smiling she walked over and climbed into bed beside the redhead before turning off the light. She thought that she wouldn't be able to get to sleep thanks to the fact that in the last hour she'd kissed one of her best friends and possibly liked it, almost certainly broken the heart of a second and seen the first best friend go to jail for beating up his brother's abusive boyfriend. However before she knew it she was out.
Such a happy day turned into such a sad one!
And Hikaru and Haruhi kissed!
Could this be more? Or could it just end heartbreak for Hikaru?
And could Haruhi be part of the reason Tamaki drinks so much?
Hmmm...
You'll have to wait and see!
I was going to do a small contest but right now it's 2 AM and I have to be up at 6 so I should really get to bed!
But really quick thank you go to:
-mtnikolle
-Opinr
-irgroomer
-GreenEyedSam
-Shadow-Runner99
You Guys Rock!