Chapter 14 Paths

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club (manga, anime, characters, pets places, etc.) It's all Bisco Hatori and her accomplices.

Nekozawa had a very rough day. Not only was he subjected to a Bereznoff kidnapping, but scaling a slick flag pole in the middle of the day, when the sun is the highest and agonizingly bright whilst wearing a cloak and trying not to pass out proved most challenging. On top of that, he still didn't know what he wanted to do. Locking the door would bar any drastic change, preforming the reversal on Tamaki would probably have the same outcome and just letting everything happen as it did during his vision would prove far too painful... but he would have her.

Destitute for time to think he traipsed the elegant halls and winding staircases consorting with the shadows to heal his scorched flesh from the earlier mishaps. Relishing the sensation when the air conditioning clicked on, even more so when found himself exactly where he needed to be. Stretching out his hand to grip the ornate handle, he just stood there. All the memories of her laughter, of her touch, her words, her kiss and her love. He bathed in the welcome warmth in the refreshingly cool air, just breathing. Remembering.

The hinges whined at the ponderous dark prince as he unhurriedly opened the door. On an exhale, Nekozawa journeyed to the central club room. He had a head count perform and some business tend to.

~O~O~

The hall was dark and murky, yet still held an impeccably romantic charm considerable of a basement dwelling. The high decorative ceilings and vaulted accents seemed to mock him as he approached the black double doors. He could hear faint whispers from the shadows of every flicker from the tapered candles lining the walls. Taunting him, warning him to stay away.

"I have to do this!" He declared to himself with gusto. "Those nasty twins need to know that I'll do anything for her. My Haruhi! My sweet daughter!"

Striking a heroic pose he learned from a comic when he was young, he faltered and slammed into the doors. His face seemingly cemented itself on the door above the handle, He pried himself off looking over both shoulders to be sure no one saw, but that no twin had a camera to shove into his poor gorgeous face. His fingers twitched and brain fought body in the battle for control of Tamaki's arm. Brain won granting the chilling graze and grip of the handle. His perfectly shaped blonde brows furrowed and he pressed his lips into a tight thin line taking rapid nasal breaths. One last exhale and groan escaped before he decided his own fate.

"Might as well do it and get it over with. It's only a minute in the lair of evil." He gulped, his monologue did nothing to inspire bravery. "The very pit of Hell with the Satan himself..." Turning and tugging with all the muscle in his trim toned physique the doors rattled and the force of his wasted pull landed him on the hard stone floor.

"Well... I tried!" His smile reached his eyes undeterred by the swelling on his tailbone. In Suoh Tamaki's mind, he had defeated a legitimate adversary: his own fear. Or, at least sort of. Besides, didn't Haruhi tell me to basically stop falling for the twins tricks? A self-contented Blond host king ventured back through the North wing in the direction of his beloved Host Club in Music Room Three.

~O~O~

Covered with black tresses and the hood of his cloak, Nekozawa flinched only slightly concurrent preparations when the clamor of the rattling doors reached his ears. He closed his eyes resting his head on the cool ground. Tomorrow, I'm definitely going to the host club. I can't give her up that easily. Vision or no, I still made a promise. A final resolute thought incited a curl his lips before he cleared his mind for a perfect uninterrupted ritual.

~~End Of Part 1~~

Author's note 2: SUPER SHORT CHAPTER! AHHHH! Sorry!

I realize that my use of honorifics are wrong. :/ Heh, to tell you the truth, I got 3/4 of the way through and told myself, "I've come too far." It was just pure laziness on my part. I thank you for taking time to read this garbage! ^_^ I actually plan on making a sequel once I get a little better (uh, hopefully.)

Speaking of sequel... Hidden Beauty and the Shadows is available!

By the way, I would LOVE to see some more Neko/Haru on the site so... Pretty please? :D

Please, let me know what you thought of this story! Like, hate, what I can do to improve it's all helpful as long as its not just a complete name-calling bash fest!

THANK YOU FOR READING!