After Renge left the scene, the third music hall had quieted down somewhat; aside from the usual banter and chaos that took place. The members had gone back to hosting as normal. However, Haruhi couldn't help but glance once in a while at Gaara. She was still wondering about what had almost happened earlier outside. What had that been? Or what would have that been?
"Haruhi?" a quiet voice asked. The oblivious host member turned her head back around. One of her customers was eyeing her patiently. The other school girl had her hands in her lap and bit her lip. Haruhi cursed herself internally. She had been neglecting her customer. Someone was going to be upset. Haruhi turned her gaze to Kyoya. Yes, he looked…well like he usually did, which meant he wasn't happy in the least.
"Aa. I'm sorry. What were you saying?" Haruhi asked finally turning back her attention to the customer. Something Haruhi did or said seemed to brighten the features on the other girls face. Haruhi wasn't the best rookie for nothing. The other girl happily waved off Haruhi's lack of concentration. Another conversation started and soon enough a fresh customer came to fill the other customer's place.
Sakura managed to sneak to the corner of the room as she flopped into a chair. She hated yellow. She hated frills. She hated giant unnecessary bows. She hated this dress with every fiber of her being. Sakura shifted her eyes left to right before reaching down and scratching at her leg.
Naruto, surprisingly, was doing slightly better. Curious girls hovered around him as he talked animatedly about becoming the Hokage. Most of the girls weren't entirely sure what a Hokage was, but Naruto was so very entertaining. The girls giggled and swayed as Naruto smiled brightly.
Gaara was an entirely different matter. It wasn't that he was doing a bad job. It was more that he didn't quite shine with the same light Naruto did. Gaara glowed more like a single lit candle flickering in the darkness of a haunted mansion. He held that mysterious aura about him. Some of the customers simply ate that up. Their approaches were always cautious at first, but once in his presence they were content. Some would ask Gaara questions, but he only chose to answer one of the questions now and then.
The regular hosts still had their fill. The twins loved on each other, Honey attempted to feed bun-bun cake, Mori sat quietly and watched as Honey attempted to feed bun-bun cake, and Kyoya typed away at his keyboard.
Afternoon faded closer into the early evening and it was time for the customers to leave. When the last of the girls' left the room, Kyoya moved from his laptop. The host members attempted to pack up and leave themselves when Kyoya cleared his throat loudly.
"The weather has cleared up nicely outside, so we'll be having a theme for tomorrow," Kyoya said in a bored tone. The newly added members to the Host Club looked at each other curiously. Well, Naruto did most of the looking, but Gaara was still curious.
"Aa. What kind of theme?" the twins asked in unison as they leaned into each other. Kaoru wrapped his arm around Hikaru as Hikaru leaned on Kaoru's shoulder. The twins gazed at Kyoya expectantly. The shadow king lifted his hand and adjusted his glasses higher up on his nose.
"It's going to be a sports theme," Kyoya answered simply. The twins glanced one at the other and smirked. A devious plan already forming in their heads. Honey smiled brightly, spinning Bun-Bun about him.
"I can be a professional jump roper!" Honey cheered enthusiastically. Mori said nothing, but patted Honey on the head. The tiny blonde peered up at Mori still smiling as he clutched Bun-Bun to him.
"I think my dad has an old tennis outfit I can wear…" Haruhi said voicing her thoughts aloud. Her index finger was poised on her chin as she continued to think. The twins slinked around Haruhi as she thought over it. They snuck their arms up under hers and leaned their heads on either shoulder.
"We can make you a tennis outfit" the twins purred as they tilted their heads to talk into Haruhi's ear, "We love to dress up our toy"
Sakura was completely flustered as she watched this scene unfurl before her. She wanted to protect Haruhi, but at the same time also wanted to be in that compromising situation herself. She almost wished she was in-between the twins. The pink-haired girl's face exploded with a blush at the thought.
Naruto's mind was still spinning over what sport he would do. The blonde ninja pondered over what sports he actually knew how to play and where he could get the clothing for them. Then Naruto's thoughts shifted to ramen. Ramen was the best. Come to think of it, he was awfully hungry. He could go for a nice steaming bowl of ramen. Naruto licked his lips subconsciously.
Gaara was absolutely livid on the inside. His face and body didn't reveal the anger, but fiery lava burned on the inside. He wasn't entirely sure why he was mad. He just knew that he was. Gaara put one foot forward as he prepared to stop them, but Haruhi seemed to rescue herself.
"I think my dad's outfit will be fine…" Haruhi said plainly as she slipped out from the twins grasp. Haruhi avoided being caught again by the two as she tilted to the side heading for her school bag. The twins pouted, but waved off as they headed for home.
After the twins had left, Honey happily skipped towards Haruhi. The girl looked up as she slid her bag on her shoulder. Honey bounced on the balls of his feet as he snuggled Bun-Bun close to his chest. His childlike smile beaming.
"Bun-Bun and I will be happy to see you tomorrow in your tennis outfit. I hope I look good in my jump rope clothes," Honey said gazing up at Haruhi. The other host member nodded her head.
"Yes, Honey-Sempai…" Haruhi said. Mori slowly approached the two. His hands sitting in his pockets as he looks at them. Mori tilted his head to the side slowly to gesture towards the door.
"Hn" Mori grunted. Honey seemed to immediately register what Mori had said and clapped excitedly. Honey bounded over the rest of the way to Mori and the other young man lifted him up. Honey smiled as he leaned over Mori's shoulders, and wrapped his arms around the other boy's neck. Honey's head popped up from behind Mori's.
"Our brothers' are participating in a tournament. We're going to go watch them. Do you want to come too, Haruhi!?!" Honey asked. Mori and Honey turned their eyes on Haruhi expectantly. Honey hugged tighter to Mori's back as he waited for Haruhi's answer with anticipation.
"Ano. I'm sorry Honey-Sempai. I need to do my homework," Haruhi replied. Honey's face fell and Mori almost seemed downtrodden himself. Honey leaned his head low on Mori's shoulder with a deep pout.
"Okay Haruhi…" Honey replies and begins to smile softly, "Good-bye Haruhi!"
With that said, Mori and Honey made their way out the third music hall. Haruhi watched them leave and gazed around the room. The only person left was Kyoya. The shadow king noticed Haruhi's eyes were on him and turned to face her. Haruhi shifted her feet.
"Do you know where my bodyguards went?" Haruhi asked. Kyoya's eyes narrowed and he turned back to his laptop. There was a long moment of silence that followed as Kyoya merely clicked away on the keyboard, but finally he answered her.
"They left to change into their normal clothes while you were talking to Mori-Sempai and Honey-Sempai. That pink-haired one seemed ecstatic about getting out of her dress. Or so she exclaimed," Kyoya replied. Haruhi nodded her head and went over to sit in a chair to wait. Kyoya followed her movements out of the corner of his eye as he closed his laptop and prepared to go home.
"They're coming back?" Haruhi questioned. Kyoya said nothing as he placed his laptop in his bag and continued to pack. When he was finished, he walked over to where Haruhi sat.
"I can take you home," Kyoya said out of the blue. Haruhi glanced up confused. Kyoya appeared the same as he always he did. His face was indifferent and stood completely straight, only tilting his head down to look at her. For Haruhi it was a very strange occurrence for Kyoya to say something like this, but the young man seemed unfazed.
"Excuse me?" Haruhi asked unsurely. Perhaps there was a chance she misheard him. Kyoya made a huff sound and looked at Haruhi pointedly. His eyes seemed to say 'Feel lucky that I'm bothering to repeat myself' Kyoya adjusted his glasses again.
"I'm aware that most likely you are waiting on your bodyguards to walk you home, but I will take you home," Kyoya said. Haruhi blinked. Kyoya was being awfully generous today. She wasn't entirely sure why. She was certain that Kyoya would able to manipulate it into a business venture of some kind to add to her debt.
"That's alright; I am fine with walking home. I don't want to be a burden," Haruhi said. Kyoya seemed unhappy with this answer, because his eyes darkened a bit. The shadow king seemed much put off.
"Haruhi, I believe you should really reconsider your decision," Kyoya bit out calmly. Haruhi shifted on her feet again.
"Are you threatening me, Kyoya-sempai?" Kyoya's face cooled at Haruhi's words. He turned abruptly on his heels and made his way to the door.
"Don't be ridiculous Haruhi. I was simply making a kind offer, which you rejected indefinitely. I was merely hoping you'd reconsider. It seems my hopes were in vain…" Kyoya exited the room after he finished speaking. Haruhi continued to sit in her chair after Kyoya left. A new awkward silence had formed after his absence. The silence was only broken when Sakura bounded back into the room.
Sakura twirled happily around in her normal attire. No more ugly hideous ugly dress for her, well at least until tomorrow. Sakura spotted Haruhi sitting in the corner of the room and waltzed toward her. The pink-haired ninja sat beside Haruhi.
"I'm so happy to be out of that dress. You're so lucky that you can wear pants…" Sakura spoke conversationally. Haruhi moved her bag in her lap and turned to look at Sakura. She was still a little put off by Kyoya's odd behavior. Haruhi rubbed her hand on the material of her pants.
"I suppose I am lucky, but I'd much rather wear a t-shirt and shorts. I don't like ties very much," Haruhi commented. Sakura giggled into her hand.
"The guys hate ties too. That's what is taking them so long, I bet!" Sakura said laughing again. Haruhi smiled lightly and placed her hands comfortably in her lap. Sakura's laughter eased down till it faded away. There was another quiet moment, but it was a more pleasant quiet.
Haruhi shifted in her seat again. Her mind was swimming with thoughts. First her thoughts had wandered around Kyoya's strange behavior, but then shifted to Gaara. What had almost happened? It still ate away at her. Haruhi looked up at Sakura.
"How do you know when you like someone?" Haruhi asked. Sakura was startled by the question, and it took her a moment to register what was actually asked. She turned to Haruhi smiling, but ever curious.
"Why do you want to know?" Sakura questioned. Haruhi appeared thoughtful for a moment as if she was truly searching for the correct answer. Except there was no exact right answer.
"Underneath it all, I am still a girl. Not like most girls, but I am still a girl. There will be a time when I like a boy. I'm just uncertain on how it's supposed to feel. If I like someone, I want to be aware of it. Does that make sense?" Haruhi replied. Sakura was stumped.
The ninja bit her lip as she took time to think about it. This was a tough question. She had just fallen for Sasuke. There was no rhyme or reason for it. The first thing that caught her attention was the fact he was undeniably cute, but after that it was different. She loved him…
"Honestly Haruhi, I don't think I can answer. When you like someone, it just happens. There's no way to explain it. There's no logic in it. I just love Sasuke…" Sakura answered trailing off at the end. When the pink-haired ninja realized what she said aloud he face turned scarlet.
Haruhi was pleased with Sakura's answer, even if it didn't really solve anything. The last part of Sakura's speech made Haruhi smile. Sakura was so honest in her emotions. It was cute to watch her blush. Haruhi wished a majority of the girls' in the school could be a little like Sakura. It would probably make Haruhi feel a bit better about her student body.
"Freedom!!!" came an obnoxious shout. Sakura lost her blush and sighed as Naruto burst into the room. Gaara silently followed behind him. Naruto jumped up and down carrying the school uniform in one arm. Haruhi stood up and pulled her bag onto her shoulder.
"Are we ready to go?" Haruhi asked eyeing the two young men. Gaara turned his gaze to her and Haruhi felt a weird tingle stir in her stomach. After hearing what Haruhi had said, Naruto stopped bouncing around and stared at her.
"Oh. Are we walking you home?" Naruto said somewhat disappointed. Sakura stood up and smacked Naruto upside the head. She then commented that Naruto's reaction was completely rude. Haruhi blinked.
"Naruto do you have any manners at all?" Sakura seethed. Gaara continued to say nothing and turned his eyes to a wall in the room and stared at it blankly. Naruto rubbed his abused head and glowered at Sakura.
"I'm not trying to be rude. I am just really really hungry. If I don't have some ramen soon, I'll DIE!!!" Naruto said dramatically as he leaned over looking pathetic. Sakura groaned and smacked her forehead. Naruto was such a ham.
"I think I have some ramen at my apartment. You can walk me home, and then I can make some for you," Haruhi suggested. Naruto glowed at Haruhi's offer. He rushed over and took her in his arms to hug her tightly. Haruhi struggled to breathe. This somewhat reminded her of her normal interactions with Tamaki.
"Thanks so much! You're the best?" Naruto said enthusiastically as he held Haruhi closer. Suddenly the girl was ripped out of his grip. Naruto was left holding air, and fell forward. Haruhi felt like she was floating momentarily. When she finally regained her surroundings she found herself in someone else's arms.
Gaara just gazed down at Haruhi as he held her bridal style. Sakura eyes widened at the scene. Gaara had literally just snatched the girl out of Naruto's grasp. Not that she could blame him. Haruhi looked like she was turning blue from lack of oxygen. Naruto slowly picked himself off the ground.
"Are you alright?" Gaara asked softly. Haruhi was so taken off guard, she could only nod. Gaara leant forward and gently placed Haruhi back on her feet. Haruhi still held onto Gaara's neck for a moment before letting go. Sakura clapped her hands together catching everyone's attention.
"Okay then. I think it's time to go!"
ENDCHAPTERENDCHAPTERENDOFCHAPTERENDCHAPTER
YAY! Update! I'm attempting to finish up almost all my fanfics before I gradutate highschool this year. Heh heh. (Severely doubts it). But hey, it's worth a shot. Gives me a purpose. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Review for me my sweeties! Love and kisses! XD