A/N: Gomen! Every time I started to work on this story yesterday, I was plagued by ideas for my Nekozawa/Haruhi story, so updated that one early. Haruhi has tried to tell the guys, but they just don't listen and the parents had to step in once more. Poor guys, bringing the wrath of the parents down on them again. LOL. Let's see… they have managed to insult Haruhi, Chika, and essentially the Haninozuka and Morinozuka families… will they live? Who knows? Is this the end of it? LOL. Enjoy!

Chapter 25 – Espionage, Blackmail, and Paybacks OH MY

Haruhi had been in a lighter mood since the moment she decided it was time for a little payback. Last year's assumptions were too much and this year they had more than crossed the line. The bad thing is, she did love them and they were her friends, but they had to learn that she had a life separate from them and it included a wonderful boyfriend that she cared immensely for. Sighing as she thought about what had happened over the course of the weekend; she started to wonder if she needed a sledgehammer in order to drive it into their heads: she did not have feelings for them like that and never would. She was with the guy she wanted; now they needed to find girls that could match their personalities.

"As you five know, we are here to meet to discuss the reporter and what we can do about her. She has been following Haruhi around and thus indirectly Yasuchika or anyone else with Haruhi. We were lucky that she was not there for the whole baby debacle," Kyoya started the meeting. "I would also like to talk about the idiot trio that has been haunting our Host Club couple lately."

"If something isn't done about them soon, I cannot be responsible for my actions," Chika warned. He felt Haruhi grab his arm and hug it, and he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. He knew that she was at her wits end with her friends and was frustrated, but at the same time was trying to rein him in.

"I understand. I am sure with the six of us present, we can come up with sufficient… punishment for them," Kyoya smirked at the prospect of teaching his friends a lesson after all, he was still biding his time until he could get them back for tying him up. He wanted to be sure that they never suspected a thing and when enough time had passed, it would be like an explosion. They would know never to interrogate the Shadow King again. It was all a matter of time and patience.

A chill in the air was immediately felt by the others in the room. Kyoya had "that look" upon his face that made them all grateful that they were friends and not enemies.

Clearing his throat, Satoshi tried to break the air of foreboding, "S-So what are we going to do about Kameko?"

Kyoya looked at the first year over his steepled fingers and finally said, "We are going to make sure we teach her a very valuable lesson about going after the Host Club. If she goes after one, she goes after us all. I will not have my club's reputation tarnished or any one hurt due to her recklessness. The newspaper club last year learned that lesson well and the editor this year was part of the staff last year. He remembers well what happened and what we can do to them. Now, as I stated previously, we need to plant information so that we are the ones controlling the information she is collecting. Right now Haruhi appears to be more of a ghost to her because she can't seem to find anything out on our illustrious honor student. We can change that and make sure she 'finds' what we want her to find."

"I don't have a problem with that Kyoya-senpai, but what information are we going to plant? Also, what if she disregards what her editor says and goes ahead to print whatever she wants to? I would rather not have to leave Ouran," Haruhi stated in her blunt way.

"Don't worry Haruhi. Even if she prints it, we will be able to prove otherwise and you will not be leaving Ouran. Not many students would try to go against five of the most powerful families in Japan. The fact that we are all friends and connected, makes us that much more dangerous," Kyoya explained. "Regardless of what happens, we will make sure you stay at Ouran and that your reputation remains intact."

"Ok, thank you," Haruhi murmured. She trusted Kyoya unconditionally, but she didn't trust Kameko. She was too much of an unknown and therefore her actions could not always be predicted.

Kyoya smiled at his female kohai, "Don't forget Haruhi, we will be one step ahead of her because I have bugs planted and we will know what she does before she acts."

It was sometimes creepy the way he always seemed to know what everyone was thinking, at least that is what Haruhi thought, "Ok senpai."

Squeezing his girlfriend's knee, Chika leaned over and whispered in her ear, "She will not do anything to hurt you. I promise."

Haruhi nodded and felt a kiss being pressed to her temple. She felt mildly better when Kyoya reassured her, but there was something about her boyfriend that always had a calming effect on her; which was slightly ironic since he can be a hothead and was always trying to challenge his brother. He has always been quick to action and thinking about consequences later, but when it came to her, he always made her feel better and she wasn't sure what it was or why. Giving her attention once more to the club's vice president, she asked, "Ok, so what information do we want to plant." Haruhi was ready for war; well, she hoped she was.

"I have a few things that I have come up with that will intrigue her and not make her question if it is true or not," Kyoya pushed up his glasses and smirked again. He was going to have fun with this.

"What have you decided Kyo-Chan?" Hunny asked when he saw the facial expression on his friend. Kyoya was up to something and was fully enjoying the situation. That could be good or bad depending on who was being targeted; the fact that he was safe, made him feel a lot better.

"If there is anything here that you do not feel comfortable with Haruhi, let me know and we can come up with something else or modify it. Agreed?" The Shadow King prefaced his disclosure.

Quickly agreeing, Haruhi declared, "Alright, let's hear what you have to say."

Turning to his computer, Kyoya began, "Haruhi is in witness protection. This would explain the lack of records. She also cheated on her entrance exam, but wasn't kicked out since she had already made friends with the Chairman's son when it was discovered. She is ambitious and got to know and become best friends with only the most powerful families in the school. Everyone is a pawn to her."

"Ano, Kyoya-senpai that last one isn't true. She is friends with everyone," Satoshi blurted out.

Mori rolled his eyes at his little brother, "None of them are true."

Changing colors to a brilliant shade of red, the younger Morinozuka explained his outburst, "No, I mean, all she has to do is look around to know that one isn't true."

"Yes, but Kameko would probably assume that Haruhi is nice to everyone because she is a host. She will not think that Haruhi is really friends with them," Kyoya explained.

Satoshi ducked his head feeling embarrassed even more, "Oh okay. Sorry about that Kyoya-senpai."

"It is quite alright Satoshi. You are right about that, but if we are planting the information about her making friends because of ambition, then she will not see Haruhi with a lot of friends, but an honor student who is nice to get what she wants," Kyoya stated. "To continue… Haruhi is blackmailing the hosts and took an interest in Yasuchika. She is only dating him as a passing fancy, but he does not know this. She and her family are affiliated with the Yakuza. She has threatened a teacher, and finally, she likes boys and has had a fling with everyone in the club. Any questions on those bits of information or do you have any problems with them? Is there something to add? I didn't want to get too crazy or weird with them because then she might question the legitimacy of them."

"I think they are good," Haruhi answered. She believed that they were not convincing, but she could see how Kameko would probably believe them.

"I also have a recommendation for when this is all over with," Kyoya started.

"What?" The female host prompted when her friend paused.

Pushing his glasses up once more, Kyoya leaned forward, "You come out as a girl to the school."

Haruhi smiled and looked at Chika before turning to gaze at Kyoya once again, "That won't be a problem with me."

"Does anyone else have any questions, concerns, or something to add?" The Shadow King inquired.

"Nope, I think you did an awesome job Kyo-Chan! Everything can be connected in some way even if they are not really connected. The witness protection, the Yakuza, threatening a teacher, and the blackmailing all go together. I think that even though they aren't true, Kameko would believe them because it would explain why we associate with her, how she got into Ouran, and why there is a blank page in her school records," Hunny giggled. He had to admit, he was having fun and it felt like a spy movie where they were setting up to bust the bad guy, "So how are we going to plant everything? Takashi and I will do whatever we have to. Right Takashi?"

"That's right," Mori smiled at his cousin and then ruffled the hair of Haruhi since he was sitting on her other side on the large couch.

"With some of the information we are going to leak to our star reporter, we can have conversations in the hall when we know she is listening. I want to also have a fake file with various information about Haruhi that I will accidentally drop for her to find. This will give the witness protection information and her affiliation with the Yakuza, in addition to her threat against the teacher and cheating on the exam. The blackmail and relationship will be talked about. We can also make mention of a couple of things in the file such as the threat or the cheating so that it reinforces what is in the file. Haruhi could even say something about her relationship with Yasuchika while Kameko listens in. If the reporter records anything, we can say it was a script for a new cosplay," Kyoya smiled.

"Let me guess, you already have a script ready if that happens," Haruhi grumbled.

Everyone turned to look at the bespectacled senior as he chucked, "You know me so well Haruhi. Of course I do. You must be prepared for any contingency."

Sweat drops happened throughout the room. They should have known that he would have everything planned down to the last detail, and if they knew him, he would make them go ahead and learn the script for a future cosplay. It would bring about bigger profits and would be a treat for their customers; much like the movie was the prior year.

The small group continued to talk about who would say what and when. They wanted to be sure that they had everything ready to go for the next day, and so that no one was confused, they rehearsed it all. Kameko would get information she so desperately sought, but at the end of her investigation… she would be in for a huge surprise.

When that part of the meeting was complete, Haruhi spoke up again, "What are we going to do about the other three because I will be honest with you senpai after this weekend, I am ready to quit. I have told them, Chika has told them, you have told them, and nothing gets through to them. They keep at it. You would think after everything that happened before, they would quit."

"I think our parents are meeting with them," Mori stated.

"WHAT?" Haruhi and Chika yelled.

Kyoya smirked and pushed up his glasses. He wondered how long it would be before the Morinozuka and Haninozuka families would get involved once again. The trio had crossed the line too many times and there were whispers about the families because of those three. Add onto the pile the fact they had insulted the families themselves and a son of the Haninozuka; he had to wonder why a meeting was not called sooner, "What finally sent them over the edge?"

Mori answered with only a few words, "The baby incident and Hikaru."

"How did they know about Hikaru-senpai? I haven't told them anything," Chika scowled.

"I told them," the wild host stated.

Kyoya inserted himself into the conversation once again, "I called and told Mori-senpai about Hikaru. He apparently told his parents, who in turn probably told your parents. After the way they lectured us last year, I am kind of surprised they waited so long."

"I think they were trying to let us handle it and let Hikaru, Kaoru, and Tamaki be mature and listen, but that hasn't happened. If anything they are more out of control," Mori explained.

Snorting with laughter, Satoshi shook his head, "Yah because they still think that they belong with Haruhi instead of Chika."

Chika face palmed and sneered sarcastically, "Oh it can't be the fact that I actually asked her out first, can it? I have to use spells, potions, voodoo dolls, blackmail, etc. in order to get someone to date me."

Haruhi knew Chika's frustrations with the situation because they were her own. He was right; he had asked her out first, but she wondered if one of the others had actually scratched up enough courage to ask her out if she would have said yes to him. She didn't think so. Tamaki was too much like her father to be comfortable dating him. She felt like she was ready to pull her hair out when she was left alone with him for any length of time, and the fact that he would railroad her time and time again had left a bad taste in her mouth; and that was all before she started dating Chika. Hikaru was a little better, but he was so childish with his jealousy, it was like she wasn't allowed to associate with anyone else. If he could, she was certain he would try to control her life in all aspects. Kaoru was the closest to the mark and he was sweet, but the fact he went along with the crowd instead of standing his own ground, made her not give him a second glance. All of that compiled with the fact that she didn't have even a glint of romantic feelings for them, and her answer would have been a definitive "NO".

Glancing at Chika, she remembered the first time she met him and the day he asked her out. She never knew what it was that made her say yes, but when she looked into his eyes, she got butterflies. She respected him and his desires to best his brother, and she admired his tenacity. As she started to date him and got to know him better, she realized that they had a lot of things in common and she wanted to be there for him just as much as he wanted to be there for her. They had an equal relationship full of respect, admiration, and love. She really couldn't imagine being with anyone else. They had their problems just like any couple, but they worked through them and talked about it. She could even remember the first fight they had. It had been three weeks after they started to date.

Flashback…

Haruhi had been kidnapped again by the host club, but since she didn't have any plans that day with her boyfriend or anyone else, she went along with the group she called friends. Together they had all gone to a flea market that Tamaki had heard about and wanted to witness himself. She had a feeling that the day would end in a giant headache, but tried to stay positive about it all when two aspirin and a bottle of water were thrust into her hands by Kyoya before they exited the limo. Blinking up at him, she inquired, "What is this senpai?"

"You and I both know that this is going to be a stressful day. This is to stave off the headache that is sure to come later. Mine has already started. I suggest you take those now or you won't last the day and then where will we be?" Kyoya chuckled and watched and she nodded and immediately took the medicine.

As the day wore on, Tamaki was dragging everyone around from booth to booth making sure they all stayed together. However, it only took an hour before the twins separated from the group, and soon the two senior hosts were walking off to experience the food stalls. She tried to sneak off with Mori and Hunny, but was stopped when Tamaki grabbed her wrist and wouldn't let her leave his side. Sighing, she knew she was officially trapped by the Host Club King.

When she finally got home, Chika was waiting for her in the living room. Luckily not wanting to deal with the dark aura that had started to show itself by the end of the day, the Host Club dropped her off and did not come up to her apartment with her. Shocked to find her new boyfriend, she asked, "What are you doing here Chika?"

"I thought I would surprise you, but your dad said that the idiots kidnapped you again. He went to work, but said I could stay and wait for you," Chika stated simply. He was irritated that she had been taken and bothered that she seemed ok with it all, "Doesn't it upset you or make you mad when they do those things?"

"Well yah, it is irritating, but I got used to it a long time ago and that is just how they are. Your brother and cousin were there though," Haruhi sighed.

"They should have stopped it from happening."

Frowning at the teen sitting in her living room, she snapped, "Excuse me, but in case you have forgotten, I still have a debt to the club. Not only that, but they are my friends and since I had nothing to do today, I didn't see a problem with going along with their crazy scheme. You and I did not have anything scheduled so you need to get off your high horse and stop grumbling about something that can't be changed because it already happened!"

"So you actually like hanging out with those morons?"

"They are my friends and I actually don't mind hanging out with them on the weekend sometimes. Do I wish they would actually call and ask before doing something like today, yes I do! However, it happened and I don't know why you are so irritated since I wasn't expecting you today."

"Would you like me to leave?"

"If you are going to act like you have a bug up your butt, then yes!"

"Fine then!" Chika got up from his place at the table and stomped to the door intent on storming out of there, but he stopped before he walked out the door hanging open and ready for his exit. He turned around and sighed, "I really don't want to leave."

"I don't want you here if you are going to do nothing, but get onto me because of my friends. I like you Chika, but I have other people in my life besides you. You have your friends and I have mine. I don't tell you who you can and cannot associate with," Haruhi declared. She really didn't want him to leave, especially not like this, but she wasn't going to back down. If she didn't like Hikaru telling her who she could and could not be friends with, she really didn't like her boyfriend telling her.

Shutting the door and sighing once again as he made a decision; he walked up to his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her, "You're right. You have your own friends. I'm sorry, I was just hoping to spend some time with you this weekend and I didn't like the fact that they took advantage of you."

Haruhi nodded and hugged him back, "That is just who they are, and if we had set plans, I would have told them no."

"I know," he kissed her head and pulled back a little, "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"No, but I am too tired to go out or anything. I was just going to cook something later. Do you want to stay?"

"How about I order dinner for both of us so you don't have to cook? You can go take a shower and stuff, and I will call something to be delivered. Okay?"

Smiling, Haruhi kissed his cheek, "Sounds good."

End Flashback…

Even though it had been a minor argument, they had still learned something that day and they made sure they always talked out their problems. They may not always agree with the other side, but they talked and listened to each other and tried not to stay mad at each other for too long.

"So what do we want to do about the Idiot Three?" Satoshi questioned.

"Drown them? Tar and feathers also sounds good to me? How about a karate challenge?" Chika snickered.

Haruhi could see the sweat drops from a few of the people in the room and laughed, "How about we call that plan B. I actually have some ideas and all of you can help with them. By the time we are done, they will either learn their lesson or have to be committed. Kyoya-senpai, I hope you have good doctors on staff."

A/N2: BTW… you will find out Haruhi's plans in coming chapters. You won't get to see their discussion about her ideas.