Some Things Old and Some Things New
A lot longer than the other chapters and you'll see a different side of Tamaki. Enjoy the chapter.
Thoughts
In English
In Japanese/regular talk
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the OHSHC characters just my many OCs.
Chapter 25: Tamaki
Sama could tell Haruhi was nervous. Tonight was the dinner rehearsal and then the wedding tomorrow. The five month pregnant woman kept rushing around her room while ranting under her breath. Occasionally her hands would flutter to her stomach. Renge watched from her perch on Haruhi's bed while Sama was leaning against her dresser.
All three women were dressed for the dinner, but Haruhi was still fretting. Tamaki had insisted on having the dinner at his family home. His father and grandmother would attend along with Haruhi's father. Of course the Host Club members were invited and Sama's brother, Sam, and her son were coming.
"Haruhi, if you keep running around, your makeup will start to run," Renge warned. The dark blond had done a lot of primping on the brunette and Sama had a feeling she didn't want to do it again.
Sama sighed and went over to Haruhi and stopped her from moving. "Breath, Haruhi. Everything will be fine. Your father has given his blessing and Tamaki's family have as well. Now calm down."
She breathed in and then sighed wearily. "I just feel so...stressed. What if something goes wrong tomorrow? What if it's so hot that the cake starts to melt and people get heat stroke!?"
Sama rolled her eyes. "Breath. Nothing like that will happen." She steered the pregnant woman to the bed where they all sat down. Renge wrapped an arm around her.
"You've planned so carefully. Plus with our help, everything will go smoothly," she reassured. Sama nodded in agreement.
Haruhi gave a small smile. "I guess I'm worried about nothing. My wedding day should be a stress free and joy filled day. I'll try to not think about the worst."
"Well that's a relief," Sama teased. The three women chuckled before becoming silent.
Renge looked over at the dark haired woman. "Sama?"
"Yeah."
"What's up with you and Kaoru?" Sama sucked in a sharp breath. Haruhi looked at her curiously as well. Renge and Haruhi had noticed that Sama seemed to be avoiding Kaoru whenever they went out with the group. Both people seemed to be uncomfortable around each other.
"I don't know what you mean," Sama said and quickly got up. She walked over to Haruhi's floor length mirror and pretended to fix her dress.
Renge and Haruhi shared looks before looking at the woman in denial. "Sama, you can't fool Renge or I. We know something happened between you two."
Sama fluffed her hair. "Well that's just it. If something did happen between Kaoru and I, it is just between us." She snapped. Then in a quieter voice, she said, "It doesn't matter anyways. It happened a while back."
There was a long silence. Then Renge sighed dramatically. "Fine. Since she wants to suffer alone, let's just let it be."
A small smile twitched on Sama's lips. She stepped away from the mirror and went to the door. Holding it open, she gestured for the other two to go.
"I think it's time we go see the other people. I'm sure Tamaki is wondering why you're not down. We don't want him to start panicking."
They all headed down to the party. The moment Sama made it down, a flash of red hair barreled into her. Haruhi smiled fondly at the child hugging his mother. Sam came over with a smirk.
"The kid couldn't wait to see you. He kept asking when you would come down the moment we got here," he informed her. Sama stroked Ivan's head before the boy pulled back.
"Momma, the old lady kept glaring at me!" He pointed at Tamaki's grandmother.
Sama gently put his hand down. "It's not polite to point, Ivan. That's Tamaki's grandmother, so be nice to her."
"It's also not polite to speak a different language when around other people," Sam butted in. Sama gave him a scathing look.
"Look who's talking," she said and raised an eyebrow. Sam chuckled before wrapping an arm around his twin.
"You know I kid, Sama." Switching back to Japanese, he said. "I love my little sister too much to make fun of her."
Sama batted away his arm and gave a mock scowl. "Please don't do that."
Ivan tugged on his mother's skirt. "Can we sit with Uncle Hika? He said he'd show me the new game he made."
Sama looked around for the man and spotted him sitting with Mori, Hunny and his brother. The woman didn't want to sit with Kaoru, but she would do anything for her son. She nodded as Ivan took her hand and dragged her in their direction. Sam followed closely behind.
"Uncle Hika!" The boy literally jumped on the older man. Sama covered her mouth as Hikaru's chair almost tipped over.
"Sheesh, kid, you really want to know about that game," Hikaru said with a smile. Ivan nodded. The two males located to an empty table, not before Hikaru cast her an inquiring glance which she nodded. Sama stood in front of the other feeling a bit awkward.
"Sammy-chan, sit down," Hunny said and gestured to the empty seat next to Kaoru. Sam had sat in Hikaru's seat which had been far from his brothers. Sama wondered why but made no comment.
She hesitantly sat down. "How is Haru-chan?" Hunny looked over at Haruhi with a worried look. The woman was with Tamaki and his family. They seemed to be chatting amicably, though Haruhi kept touching her stomach.
"She's...fine. Haruhi is a bit worried about the wedding, but I think she's just really nervous. Renge and I tried to make her feel better, but you can still tell she's a bit worried," she said truthfully.
Mori glanced at her and then back at the woman. "She looks healthy." Sama smiled at his comment.
Everyone was worried and excited over the baby. Tamaki had told her about feeling the baby and seeing what it looked like. They wanted to be surprised when it came to the baby's gender.
Sama eyed the woman's figure. "Yeah, I think the baby will be a boy. She's carrying low and that usually means a boy, or so the old people say."
Sam drummed his fingers on the table. "Maybe it'll be a girl. Tamaki did say he wouldn't mind a girl. I think either way, he'll spoil the child."
Sama kicked him under the table. "Anyways, how are you two? I haven't seen you guys in a long time."
Hunny smiled widely. "We've been busy fixing up a new dojo. It'll be finished before the end of the summer."
Mori nodded. "It's an extension to the old one."
Kaoru remained quiet until Hunny looked at him pointedly. "I've been working on a new collection for the summer. Work keeps my mind off of things."
Sama was silent. Sam frowned at her silence before turning to the two males willing to talk. "Well I've been working too. I've been teaching guitar lessons to a kid around ten. He isn't that bad, but he doesn't like to practice."
Sama slipped away from the table as Sam talked about his music job. Kaoru's eyes followed her as she went over to Ivan and Hikaru. The boy was playing the game Hikaru had brought on a handheld device with headphones on.
"Seems like you got the seal of approval," Sama commented as she looked over her son's shoulder. Hikaru made noncommittal noise.
"It's great to see that the game holds at least another person's interest. I can release the game with a light heart knowing it won't be a complete bust," he murmured.
Sama crossed her arms and glanced behind her. Kaoru was busy listening to Sam now. The males were having an interesting conversation from what Sama could tell. Her brother was making wild gestures as he talked.
"So, what's up with you and Kaoru?" she inquired casually. Hikaru gave her a sharp look before returning his gaze to the little boy playing.
Sama waited a few moments before asking, "Does it have to do with me? I know you two don't seem to be on good terms. Haruhi mentioned it a few weeks ago too."
Hikaru grumbled. "I told him that I was the one to tell you to...to give up on him. He didn't take it well and we haven't talked for a month."
"Oh." Sama was too surprised to say much else. In the pit of her stomach, she felt guilty for this was her fault. She felt that if she had just let Kaoru go before Hikaru had asked, this wouldn't have happened.
As if reading her thoughts, he quickly added, "It's not your fault. I made the decision to tell him. He has every right to be mad at me. I think that even though you told him you weren't interested anymore, he still has feelings for you."
"I'm sorry, Hikaru. I can talk to him if you want," she offered. Her chest twisted at the thought of talking to him, but if it would help, she would endure the pain.
"It's fine, Sama. I think I should go apologize to him anyways. He's right that I have no say in his love life. I just wanted to protect him and play the big brother role like I should. I guess that didn't work."
Sama turned to him and put a reassuring hand on his arm. "I think you're doing a fine job; I should know with three older brothers. There are times when they do things for me I hate, but I'll realize that they meant well. He's your brother and I know he can't hate you because you two are too close."
Hikaru smiled a real smile for once. "Thanks for telling me that. Now I kind of feel like a jerk for telling you what to do."
Sama chuckled dryly. "I think we all have had that feeling. I know I've felt like that a lot lately. Maybe it's something we ate."
"Must be. Hopefully this jerk faze will pass," Hikaru agreed grimly. They both were silent as they contemplated the conversation.
"I think the dinner is ready," Hikaru commented after looking over at everyone. Sama looked up to see people taking seats at the long banquet table.
She knelt down and tapped her son. He pulled the headphone off. "Ivan, it's time to eat." The redhead pouted but handed the game back to Hikaru and followed his mother. Hikaru sat down next to his brother which surprised made the younger twin look at him in surprise.
Tamaki's father and Haruhi's dad sat at the head of the table together. Tamaki and Haruhi sat together to the right of Yuzuru Suoh. Sama sat next to Haruhi with her son. Renge sat across from the woman, much to her relief. Both men stood up holding their wine glasses.
"I'd like to make a toast," Yuzuru started, "to my son for finding a woman who is worth more than anything in this world to him. Also, I'm happy to have a new daughter and a soon to be grandchild."
Everyone nodded and murmured cheers. "I would like to add that if you hurt my Haruhi, I'll break you into pieces that not even the sharks would want to eat," Ranka added with a large smile.
Tamaki seemed to pale considerably and everyone was very silent. Only Tamaki's father was laughing to himself.
Yuzuru threw an arm around the maroon haired male. "I knew I liked you." Sama watched in amusement as Tamaki's soul left his body. Haruhi was trying to fan him awake while grandmother Suoh looked at both men with disapproval.
Ivan tugged on his mother's dress. "Momma, is Auntie Haru's dad really gonna cut Uncle Tama into pieces?"
Sama chuckled. "I think Ranka was joking. He wouldn't do that to his new son-in-law." At least she hoped he was joking.
The first half of the dinner rehearsal went without much of an incident. The food was delicious and the conversation was easy. Sama found that Tamaki's father liked to tease his son just as much as Ranka enjoyed torturing him. Though his grandmother seemed stern, she asked a lot of question about her future great grandchild. She didn't seem as close to Tamaki and his father as Sama would have thought.
"Samantha, is it?" Yuzuru suddenly addressed her. The dark haired woman was a bit startled that the man was paying attention to her now.
"I remember you went to Ouran."
Sama nodded. "I did go until my last year."
The man smiled. "Ah yes, I remember now. You went as your twin, Samuel Frost." Sama nearly spat out her wine and Sam choked on whatever he had been eating. Both Frost siblings coughed and stared wide eyed at the older man.
His smile remained and his eyes twinkled. "I did run the school. Nothing escapes my notice. Even though it was against the rules, I thought it would be interesting to see everything unfold by itself."
The entire table was watching the siblings. "W-well, it wasn't my idea," Sam quickly said. Sama gave him a glare which he returned with a sheepish smile.
"I, um, I hope that my, uh, stunt didn't affect anything too important, sir," Sama answered. The man chuckled at her polite tone.
"Oh don't worry about it, dear." He waved her off. "I found it quite amusing to say the least. I'm sure Haruhi felt much better considering she was doing close to the same as you."
Sama coughed some more. Haruhi didn't seem bothered by the fact that the former principal of Ouran knew she had been dressing as a boy and serving as a host in the Host Club.
Seeing Sama's surprised look, Haruhi explained, "Tamaki's father visited the Host Club once. He knows everything about the school even if he isn't seen around it."
"That is true. I always want to make sure my son is around the right people. There are some at the school who would just want to get close to him for personal gain," the older man stated.
"Oh." Sama fell silent and the dinner kept going. The topic quickly went to a lighter one as they finished.
Ranka smiled fondly at his daughter. "I really can't believe that my little Haruhi is getting married. It feels as if it were just yesterday when I saw you off to kindergarten."
"Time goes by quickly," Yuzuru agreed.
"Ms. Frost, are you planning on getting married soon as well," Tamaki's grandmother asked suddenly. The older woman hadn't talked much during the meal and this was the first time she addressed someone other than her son or grandson.
"I-I'm not sure, ma'am," she answered honestly.
Tamaki's grandmother looked at the young woman critically. "Someone of your age should be settling down. Your son should have a proper father figure. Then, I'm not sure if a man would be willing to marry a woman with such a loose personality."
Silence echoed throughout the room. Even Yuzuru looked surprised. Sama's mouth hung half open. Her hand that was holding a spoon was shaking.
"Mother, I do not think that-"
"What I say is true and I believe she should hear it from someone with experience," the woman cut in sharply while casting her son a dark look.
Sama started to stutter. "I-I do not believe you have an-any right to tell me how I should spend my life. If I wish to m-marry, I will when I'm ready."
"You were engaged to a young man before, yes? Now you are not. Child, make up your mind whether you want to marry this man because soon even he will not want to marry you. You'll end up a maid for the rest of your life," she informed.
"H-how…"
The woman looked at her with a passive eye. "I, too, like to know who my grandson decides to occupy his time with. Being successful in business is nothing if you are flighty as a feather in a summer wind."
"Mother, that's enough. This is supposed to be a lovely rehearsal dinner. Please do not spoil it for the other guests," Yuzuru said more firmly. Her mouth pressed into a thin line, but she made no further comment.
"I-I think we will take a break before dessert," Tamaki said, his voice shaky. Sama waited until other people got up before leaving her seat.
Turning to her brother, she asked, "Can you watch Ivan for a bit. I-I need some air." Sam nodded and quickly ushered the boy toward Hikaru and Hunny.
Sama made her way to the garden of the mansion. She lost her way through the maze of roses; she could care less. She felt as if she were back in the past where her mother kept telling her to get married. The fact that this was a stranger who was reprimanding her stung more.
She collapsed on a bench in the middle of the maze. She had somehow managed to find the center of the maze and was now in the gazebo. The white roses decorated the area and were in full bloom despite the warmer weather.
"Sama?" Leaves rustled as Tamaki appeared from the other side of the maze. He had followed her the moment she left. Having grown up in the mansion, he knew the maze like the back of his hand.
The dark haired woman turned her head away from him as he approached. "I-Tamaki, what can I do for you?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. She knew that if she talked louder, she would start crying.
The blond man sat down next to her. "I want to apologize for what my grandmother said back there. She can be a bit old fashioned and critical at times."
"I-it's fine."
Tamaki reached for her shoulders and gently turned her body so she faced him. "I know you're not fine. I might not have Kyoya's analytical brain, but I know when one of my dear friends is in distress."
Sama's hands shook. "I just...what she said is true. I-I know Emmett won't wait forever. No man would wait for a woman who's so...fickle." A tear escaped and slid down her cheek.
The woman found her face pressed against smooth silk. Her vision was clouded with white. Tamaki wrapped his arms around her and just held her. Sama silently cried in his shirt. He could feel her body shake as silent sobs racked her body.
"Just let it out. You've been stressed for so long, and keeping everything bottled up isn't good. You deserve to just get it all out, Sama," he murmured. Tamaki hated to see any of his friends hurt or cry. He knew Sama hated crying in front of others, but sometimes sharing the pain was much better than keeping it to yourself.
Sama didn't know how long she had cried in Tamaki's shirt before she ran out of tears. Her eyes felt puffy and she could feel the tears drying on her face. She pulled away from his chest and wrinkled her nose as she realized she had just ruined his silk shirt.
"S-sorry about your s-shirt," she apologized.
The blond gave her a small smile. "I don't mind. Do you feel better?"
"I do feel a bit better," she admitted and sniffed. She gave him a weak smile.
"Thank you, Tamaki. I really appreciate this. It feels like...like forever since I last cried my heart out."
"I'm always here." He placed a hand on the top of her head. "Do you want to talk about what's been bothering you for the past few months?"
Sama looked away from his soft gaze. Though she sometimes thought of him as an airhead at times, she knew he was actually a very kind and caring person. Tamaki was rather perceptive when it came to certain things and he could listen when the occasion called for it.
"Kaoru and I have been on rough grounds since I came here. I...I told him I wasn't interested in pursuing a relationship with him and that we're only friends. I hurt him and I also hurt Emmett. I called off the engagement because I was confused about my feelings. In the end you're grandmother's words are true. I'm flighty and I ruined the people I care about.
"I sometimes wish I could just restart everything. There are times when I just want to go back to the days when we were at Ouran. I want to redo every mistake I made. There are so many things I would do differently if I could. I would have prevented myself from falling in love with Kaoru. Then maybe he wouldn't be the way he is now.
"It was because of me that he and Hikaru fought. It was because of me that I ruined their relationship. It was because of me that Kaoru wouldn't go out with other women. It's because of me that he can't even look at me without wounded eyes. I just want to restart so that I never met any of you. That way none of this would have happened"
Sama poured out her feelings until her breath came out in ragged huffs. Tamaki had remained quiet and neutral looking throughout the whole speech. Sama hadn't realized all the things she had felt until she now.
"I think," he started slowly, "that despite everything, Kaoru wouldn't have wanted anything to change. I know I wouldn't want to have not met you, Sama. Haruhi cares for you like a sister. Mori and Hunny enjoy your company and they talked about you a lot when you were gone. Even Kyoya missed you while you were away."
Sama shook her head. "It would be easier-"
"No it wouldn't. Without having met you, we wouldn't have had all those wonderful times. The memories we made are precious to all of us; we wouldn't trade them for anything. We, as humans, cherish the good and painful memories. They're necessary in order for us to grow. Kaoru cares deeply for you despite everything," Tamaki cut in.
"He still looks at you with that look of pure adoration and love. I know I probably look at Haruhi like that all the time." He chuckled at the last part.
A small smile formed on her lips. "You do look at her as if she's the only one in the world."
He looked at her seriously. "Do you love him?."
Sama swallowed nervously. "I-...well I mean I don't-"
"Sama." Tamaki gave her a knowing look. For once, Sama couldn't find the goofy blond airhead from high school. He had become a compassionate and serious man. Yet, she knew that he was still the Tamaki she had left so many years ago. No wonder Haruhi loved this man.
"I love him still." The quiet admission seemed to satisfy the man as he placed both hands on her shoulders. Sama looked up at him.
"If you love him, tell him the truth. He deserves to know, and I think you deserve to let it all out."
Sama laughed bitterly. "I love him, but I can't be with him. I refuse to be selfish and hurt another person. Emmett is still waiting for my reply and I intend on giving him my answer."
Tamaki looked at her sadly. The sour look didn't suit her face. "I won't tell him. I want you to do what you think is right. Regardless, I think he deserves to know."
The blond got up from his seat and quietly left her to her thoughts. He turned the bend of the maze and halted at the person leaning against the bushes. Haruhi gave an unsure smile. He just shook his head and wrapped his arms around her frame.
"Do you think she'll listen to your advice?" Haruhi asked.
Tamaki looked up at the fading light in the sky. "I'm not sure. I hope she'll listen to the part of her heart that is desperately trying to tell her to be happy."
They were silent as they made their way back to the house. The brunette leaned closer to him. Their hands were interlaced and rested on her belly. As they made it back, the echoes of voices would be heard from the open doors.
"I love you," Tamaki whispered.
She smiled and closed her eyes in bliss. "I love you too."
May Sama be as fortunate to find love in whatever or whoever she decides.
Kitkat