Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.

Chapter 11: Roundabout Love

Kaoru sat in his father's office working on paper-work that had been given to him by the vice president. He had received plenty of compliments on how he was beginning to learn more about the investors and their companies. However no matter how things were coming along, all good things must come to an end. Earlier in the afternoon he had received a phone call from someone he hadn't spoken to since New Years Day, his grandmother. It turned out that she had found out about him deciding to move to Kyoto and had demanded that he head home immediately. She also went into the same lecture about how his mom wasn't in control of her life or his and Hikaru's and that everyone should come and live in the exclusive gated community where over majority of the Hitachiin family resided. As usual Kaoru listened to his grandmother half-heartedly but overall he understood the message, in his family, this grandparents word was law. So tonight he was heading back home and no matter how much he wasn't ready, he would have to make himself because he knew that things wouldn't end with just that phone call.

He finished the last bit of the paper-work up and walked over to his father's desk and wrote him a note. He explained the situation, and mentioned that he now had to head home. Kaoru sighed; it was a bad thing when your grandparents' word was stronger than your own parents. Soon after he headed back to his dad's condo and packed up his things. That's when he suddenly remembered that he had no spoken to Sakura. She had no idea that the current situation had come along. The least he could do was to let her know before he left. Somehow going home seemed like an easy way out. He didn't love her, and he felt that her feelings for him would only stop her from finding someone who was much better for her. Even though he had told her he would be her boyfriend, his heart, his feelings and overall will was not into it. He would only find himself wishing that the girl beside him was his brother's fiancée.

Kaoru pulled out his cell phone and dialed her number. After seven rings he disconnected the line because she had not picked up. That's when he suddenly remembered that she was joining a new club and had to stay after school today, so she obviously wasn't near her phone at the moment. So he decided just to head on home and call her when he got there. That way it would be much easier to say the other thing that he needed to tell her.

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Everything had happened so suddenly that Haruhi had not had time to soak things in. She had decided to stay home that day to try and work out what she was feeling inside. After speaking to her father the night before, her mind was still clouded with so many options that were on her table. But just one phone call took all of that away.

"Haruhi…the engagement is off," she heard Minami say to her quietly on the other end before hanging up abruptly leaving no room for protest.

Had she upset Minami with her indecisiveness? Something had to have occurred for this to suddenly come about. She picked up the phone and dialed Hikaru's phone number in a panic. She didn't realize her state until she heard his voice when he picked up his cell phone.

"Haruhi where are you?" he demanded instantly.

Caught by surprise of his sudden demand she answered hesitantly, "I…I'm at home."

"Don't go anywhere," he said before he hung up soon after.

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Kaoru got off of the train as he took out his cell phone. His eyes looked down at the time and then at the message stating that he had missed over seven calls. He opened the message and saw that Hikaru had called him three times, followed by his mother twice. He then noticed a number that hadn't called his phone in a long time. Kiyoharu had phoned him once and the rest belonged to his grandmother. What in the world was going on? Kaoru dialed Hikaru's phone number to find out. The phone was answered after one ring.

"Kaoru?"

"What's wrong?" Kaoru asked after hearing the tone of his twin brother's voice. He sounded tired but it was something else hidden within his tone.

"I need you…" Hikaru said quietly.

"Did something happen?"

Hikaru was silent on the other end.

"Hikaru?!" Kaoru called into the phone making sure he was still there.

"Can you come to Haruhi's apartment?" Hikaru replied without answering Kaoru's question.

Kaoru felt his stomach drop, "did something happen to her?"

"Kind of…just come over. I heard from mom that you were going to be back in town tonight so…"

"I'll be over in twenty minutes," Kaoru said before hanging up the phone and exiting the train station.

When he got outside and flagged down a cab, he found himself in front of Haruhi's apartment only a mere ten minutes later. It was night time so he was positive that her father was at work and would be the only reason why Hikaru would be over. Had something happened to her father? Why did Hikaru sound so down? Kaoru walked up the stairs and to the apartment door. He knocked only once and was greeted by his older twin brother who wore a disheartening expression. He let Kaoru in and shut the door, as Kaoru took off his shoes, he felt Hikaru wrap his arms around his neck and lay his head on his shoulders.

"I'm…happy that you're back," he whispered.

Kaoru smiled as he leaned his head on Hikaru's. Even if his grandmother wouldn't have called he would have came back regardless. Hikaru may be older but he couldn't function correctly with Kaoru not by his side.

"So what's going on?" he asked as he looked into the living room area. Being back in here brought back memories for him. This was the exact place where he and Haruhi had shared their first kiss.

"I'll explain later…but…we both need you right now."

Kaoru placed his suitcase down as he followed Hikaru into Haruhi's room where she was lying in her bed. She was awake but she was wearing the same expression as Hikaru.

"Mom called off the engagement," Hikaru said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

That statement caught Kaoru by surprise. His mother loved Haruhi， why would she do something like that.

"We also have to meet at the family estate tomorrow morning at ten. It seems that everyone has something to tell us."

Kaoru walked over to the bed as he kneeled down beside it. Haruhi gave him a weak smile before shutting her eyes. Kaoru's heart broke, she wasn't someone who was tremendously open with her feelings but it was obvious she was hurting. She didn't say a word to him as she sat up beside Hikaru while facing Kaoru. Her chocolate orbs stared at him as she continued to smile, barely hiding her sadness, "welcome back." She said to him hoarsely.

"Haruhi…" Kaoru said as he stroked his hand through her hair. The feel of his locks in between his fingertips make his heart jump, he never thought that he would be able to do this again. However he was caught in the moment and was about to pull his hand away when suddenly Hikaru placed his hand on Kaoru's and told him that it was okay. And that they all should have made up a long time ago. Kaoru's bottom lip quivered as he leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, he had told himself a thousand times if this had come about he wouldn't go back, but he was weak and found himself backing out of his promise to himself.

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The next morning Hikaru and Kaoru had arrived at Silver Ocean Estates along side their mother. They had been instructed to be at their grandparents' house at ten o' clock and no later. When they arrived at the estate it was nine-thirty and it was no surprise that his family was already there. They were lead through the house into the dinning room where everyone was seated and talking. When the three walked into the room, everyone grew silent.

"Hikaru, Kaoru it's nice to see you again," their grandmother said as she walked over to the both of them and gave them a hug. The twins hugged her back as they tried their best to not question the current situation. Everything had been going so fast that it was hard to soak it up. But one thing that had been hard to digest was that Haruhi was no longer part of their lives if the family had anything to do with it.

"Now let's get down to business," she said as she cleared her throat.

"Minami, has that situation been taken care of?" she asked the twins' mother coldly.

"Yes mother," she replied.

"Well good then," she said becoming somewhat cheerful again.

"Layla, Chiyuki will you please come here."

Hikaru and Kaoru looked over at the girls in surprise. Layla smiled at the two as she walked over to their grandmother and stood there beside her with Chiyuki. Hikaru sighed in disbelief as the big brown eyes of Chiyuki stared at them without saying a word.

"It is in the agreement of all three families that you Hikaru take Layla to be your fiancée, and for Kaoru to be in an arrangement with Chiyuki. Both engagements will benefit all three families and also be a convenience for you all. Since you both have known these girls since you were small children things should work out fine."

Chiyuki bowed gracefully as she walked up to Kaoru, "I'll try my best to be a good fiancée."

"Toyama-San…you don't have to do that," Kaoru assured her uncomfortably.

"Please call me Chiyuki," she replied.

"Sure…"he answered as he glanced at his mother.

"Did you miss me Hi-ka-ru," Layla sing songed.

The twins' grandmother chuckled as she walked away from the foursome, pulling Minami with her.

"Kaoru…let's go," Hikaru growled.

Kaoru nodded.

"You can't go," Chiyuki said suddenly as she wrapped her arm around Kaoru's arm.

"Exactly, we have a lot of celebrating to do," Layla added as she grabbed Hikaru's hand and dragged over to the family members.

Chiyuki smiled at Kaoru sweetly as she leaned against him, "I'll make you forget that girl," she whispered calmly.

Kaoru stiffened, "so you know about Haruhi…"

"Everyone knows about that…girl," Chiyuki said sourly.

"She's a nice person."

"So you say," she retorted.

"Chiyuki…don't."

Chiyuki smiled as she kissed Kaoru on the cheek, "it doesn't matter anyway, I'm sorry."

Kaoru sighed as he led her over to the other family members.

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For the first time since her mother's death, Haruhi found it hard to get out of bed the next morning. Not only was the meeting the twins were having with their family on her mind, she still had a hard time believing she was no longer engaged. It had become so natural to be around them that she had taken it for granted.

She spent longer than usual getting ready for school. Despite all of the bad things that had happened Minami had promised her that she would continue to pay her tuition to Ouran. When she arrived at the school gate she was greeted by Tamaki and Kyouya.

"Morning Haruhi," Tamaki said happily. He walked up to her and took her bag as he began to walk with her. Haruhi was too tired to protest so she let him carry her bag as they entered the school.

"How are you feeling?" he asked casually.

"I'm fine," she answered calmly.

"That's good," Tamaki answered as stopped in front of Haruhi's classroom and handed her bag back to her.

Haruhi thanked him as she stepped inside of the room, but was quickly stopped by her homeroom teacher.

"Miss Fujioka, there has been a change in your classroom assignment," the teacher said as she handed Haruhi a slip of paper.

Haruhi took the paper as she looked down at it, "I didn't request a classroom change," she said calmly.

"I know but…"

"What's the meaning of this?" Tamaki asked acutely. He gently took the piece of paper from Haruhi's hand and looked down at it. His eyes widen as she looked back up at the teacher, "why was she assigned to a classroom with mostly d class students?" he asked horrified.

"Mr. Suoh, it was a request from the Hitachiin family that she be moved, and taking into consideration that they pay her tuition it has to be done."

Tamaki sighed as he grabbed Haruhi's hand, "let's go," he said sternly as Kyouya followed close behind.

"Why? Where are we going?" Haruhi asked as she stopped him and pulled her hand away.

"Just follow him, he knows what he's doing," Kyouya said calmly as Tamaki gave him a slight smile.

Haruhi nodded as she decided to listen to Kyouya and follow Tamaki to where ever he was going to lead her.

End Chapter

Author's Notes: I had an extremely hard time starting this chapter. I knew what was going to happen, I know how I want this story to end, but I couldn't start. I sat for over a week just looking at the page trying to figure out how I was going to work things out. Finally I sat down and kind of forced myself to write it and guess what...I did it…kind of. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter because it didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it to but then again I can work things out in the next chapter.

Also in the manga the D-class consists of mostly students form Yakuza familes.