A/N: Sometimes I get a review that leaves me scratching my head. This story shows that Haruhi/Satoshi is the pairing and yet, someone tried to berate me for putting these two characters together… the reader read up until chapter 6 at that point. Apparently the reader was a purist and because I didn't pair Haruhi with Tamaki I am ruining the foundations of Ouran. Don't get me wrong, I like Tamaki, but not with Haruhi and I have yet to write a story where they remain a couple. So I was a little peeved reading that review… until I read the others. Thank you everyone for all of your support on this story and my others. You really are my driving force!

On to the poll… Yesterday Mori was ahead, but Kyoya has jumped back into the lead. Here are the standings: Kyoya (29), Mori (19), Hunny (6), Hikaru (4), Nekozawa (4), Kaoru (3), Chika (3), Satoshi (2), Other (1), and Tamaki (0)… See even my readers ship other pairings. If you have not voted and you have an account, you can go to my author page and click on vote now up at the top. From there you can choose up to 2 choices. If you do not have an account, you can put your choices in a review. The poll will be up until midnight on 12/5. For those who remember how close Mori and Hunny were last year in the poll, I will make the same deal this year. 1stplace gets a Christmas story and 2ndplace will get a New Year's story.

Chapter 25 – Plan: Breakfast Invasion

Time moves on, hurts heal, relationships begin and sometimes end… such is the circle of life. Haruhi had seen it happen around her with her father, friends, and then in her own life. She and Tamaki were well on the way to mending their broken relationship (finally, because she had missed him), but the bridge was still far from complete. It would take time and effort, something they were both willing to put in so they could regain the friendship they shared before they ever thought about a romance. In her eyes, even if he returned to his overbearing daddy mode, it would be alright because that was part of him and she could accept it as such.

As people have said time and time again, "when one door closes another one opens", and for the first time in her life the brunette had to agree. The moment Tamaki's door had been firmly shut, another opened and the last person she thought would appear stepped over the threshold. Satoshi has always been there, lingering in the shadows, looking over her because his brother had instructed him to do so (or so he claims was his only motivation); and if her heart had not demanded she listen to it thus waking her up to reality, her needs, and desires, she would have missed one of the best things to ever happen to her. Well, that was her stance on it as she slowly woke up to a soft knock on her apartment door.

Slowly Haruhi tried to wake up and force herself out of bed, smiling as she thought of her boyfriend again. Six months into their relationship and the former female host still felt like she was on cloud nine; which was actually an amazing feat since six months into her relationship with Tamaki she had already been second guessing herself and her decision to date the blond.

Rubbing her eyes, she finally got out of bed and trudged through her apartment in order to answer the soft and yet incessant knocking. Yes, normally she would already been up by 8:00 am on a Saturday, but considering the fact she had stayed up until 1:00am the night before studying for an upcoming test… she had been beat and wanted to sleep in just a little bit, especially since she didn't need to worry about her father this weekend as he had taken off to Karuizawa to help Misuzu and would be gone for about a week. More knocking and she grumbled, "Okay, I'm coming." Rushing the last few feet so she could swing open the door and stop the noise, and as she opened the door… she immediately shut it again. She must still be dreaming, or having a nightmare, for standing on the other side were her friends, the former Host Club.

Why? Why this morning? She had been up late and still had a lot of studying to do, not to mention the apartment needed to be cleaned and laundry done. No, this definitely had to be a nightmare. So if that was the case, why was someone knocking at her door again? Sighing loudly, she whipped around and opened the door again, asking, "What are all of you doing here so early in the morning?" Surveying the small crowd, her head dropped as it swung from side to side. Everyone was here, and that even included her boyfriend who could be seen behind Tamaki and the twins who were up front and center. She couldn't help it, a smile appeared. It felt like it had been an eternity since she had been ambushed like this and a sense of nostalgia almost overwhelmed her.

"We decided…" Tamaki began.

"What's this we?" Kaoru interrupted.

Hikaru nodded, "Yah, you're the one who decided and told all of us to meet here."

"Will you two doppelgangers shut up?!" The blond yelled at the redheads causing a certain brunette to laugh.

Waiving them off, Haruhi offered, "Why don't you guys come in before you wake my neighbors and I'll make some tea."

"Right!" Four voices shouted their acceptance (Hikaru, Kaoru, Tamaki, and Hunny). Marching passed Haruhi, they filed into the living room with Tamaki giving orders, "Now don't forget men, we have to pull our legs in so that we have enough room for everyone. Commoners' houses are smaller and they have to sit in a special position."

The urge to slap her friend on the back of the head made Haruhi's palm itch, but the feeling quickly dissipated when she felt a familiar set of arms wrap around her from behind. Turning around in his embrace, she asked, "No warning call?"

"I didn't have time. Taka-bro and I were picked up by Tamaki-senpai and Kyoya-senpai, and my phone got confiscated. They wanted to surprise you like old times," Satoshi chuckled. After bending down and kissing her cheek he added, "I think Tamaki-senpai wanted to do something as a 'family' this morning since it's been a while."

"There is a very good reason for that."

"Yah, I know."

"I thought Chika was busy today with his girlfriend. What is he doing here?"

"The plans aren't until this evening and Mitsukuni didn't give him much of a choice."

"And Kyoya-senpai? How is it everyone is still alive and breathing?"

"Apparently Tamaki-senpai asked his permission last night and convinced him it would be good for the sake of our group… or family… or whatever he calls us all. Last I checked Taka-bro, Mitsukuni, Yasuchika, and I were the neighbors. Honestly, I think Kyoya-senpai agreed so that he would shut up. We all know how he can get when he wants something," he quipped.

"Well, if you are the neighbors, we can't be accused of incest," she snickered and pulled out of his arms. "Help me get the tea ready. You know where the cups are."

"So you're not mad we disturbed you this morning? I know you were studying pretty late last night."

Peering into the living room and listening to the banter coming from her friends: Tamaki still pretending he knows everything, the twins egging him on, Hunny talking about the cake he brought, Mori watching it all, and Kyoya writing something in his black book. These were her friends. They had some hiccups along the way, but she guessed she would still claim them as such… for now. Smiling, she snickered and said, "I need to study, but this will be a good break, as long as everyone isn't planning on staying all day."

"I think Tamaki-senpai wanted to go to breakfast and that's it. Instead of ingratiating himself full time, he is going to work his way in a little at a time." Satoshi grabbed enough cups for everyone and set them on the counter next to his girlfriend. "Are you sure you're okay with this because if not…"

Another glance over her shoulder, her gaze returned to the man standing next to her, "It'll be alright." Yes, she needed to study and she really didn't like being disturbed, but she had missed her friends and the way they used to barge in without notice. Today she would make an exception. Loading a tray with the steaming cups, she allowed Satoshi to carry it into the living room where they joined their friends.

"Hey Haruhi, why are you still in your pajamas?" Hikaru inquired. He and his brother had long ago found out what their friend considered pajamas and day clothes. To them, her version of pajamas and day clothes seemed the same, but to her there appeared a great divide between the two.

"We figured you would already be up and moving around," Kaoru stated simply giving his friend's clothes the once over and trying to hide his grimace.

Taking a seat between the two Morinozuka men, she answered, "Because I was still sleeping when you decided to knock on my door. By the way, who held Tamaki-senpai back?"

"What do you mean Haru-Chan?" Hunny questioned tilting his head to the side, confusion evident on his face.

The brunette lifted an eye brow and found herself shaking her head and laughing.

"Did we drive her crazy boss?" Hikaru posed the question to Tamaki.

"I don't think so…" the blond answered giving the brunette a quizzical expression.

Kyoya adjusted his glasses and explained, "I believe her question was in regards to the fact you weren't pounding on the door with great force or attempting to break it down."

"I never do that mommy!"

"Yes, you do!" Everyone else returned.

Suddenly, Tamaki disappeared into the closet and started to grow his mushrooms of angst. "Senpai, I have told you before to stop growing mushrooms in other people's houses!" Haruhi growled.

"Tamaki?" Kyoya got the attention of the now pouting former president, "Please explain why we are all here."

"Huh? Oh yes of course." He came out of his hidey hole and cleared his throat as he announced, "We decided…" He only paused when he heard the amused sniggers coming from the twins. He would have stopped, but the harsh stare Kyoya was shooting him told him he better not. "We decided that we could all go out to breakfast as a family like we used to do."

"No, I want Haru-Chan to make something," Hunny stated, his voice bordering on a whine.

Shaking her head, Haruhi said, "Sorry Hunny-senpai, but I haven't gone shopping for a couple days. I don't have enough food in the house to feed everyone."

"We thought you'd say that," the twins beamed.

"What?"

Hunny grinned, "We went shopping before we came here and brought everything you need just in case you agreed."

"You… went… shopping?" Her voice was a little high and her eyes were large in surprise and fear. Just thought of the Host Club running free in a grocery store was enough to give a person chills. She was pulled out of her nightmare when a large hand landed on the top of her head. Glancing up, she found the tallest host smiling down at her in reassurance, "Mori-senpai?"

"We have been enough times with you that we know how to shop when we need to," the wild host explained.

Sweat dropping, she allowed her eyes to wander the small group. Smiling faces, proud of their accomplishment met her gaze and she couldn't help but return the smile as she sighed, "I guess I can cook for everyone. I didn't see any bags with you though."

"We left them in the car just in case you said no," Chika stated.

She didn't know why, but she found herself laughing and telling everyone, "Go get the bags and I'll cook. Since you went to the trouble of shopping." As Hikaru, Kaoru, Hunny, and Mori went downstairs to get the bags, Haruhi moved into the kitchen to await the groceries. There was still that underlying awkwardness between her and Tamaki, or actually the group, but above that feeling was the sense happiness in being with her boyfriend and the people she considered her closest friends.

Cooking breakfast for everyone brought back a multitude of happy memories for Haruhi, including the first time Tamaki and the guys decided to surprise her and wound up meeting her father. She had cooked a hotpot for everyone that day, and her father quickly decided he hated the blond, but the patriarch's feelings had not stopped their friendship and sense of family from growing. Now as they all sat crowded around her small table partaking of the small feast, she realized how truly blessed she was and another smile turned up her lips. When she had broken up with Tamaki, she had been afraid that she would lose these men forever, she would lose her second family, but once again, Tamaki surprised her, as did the others, and now they were eating breakfast together just like old times. Yes, some things had changed. She only needed to look to her left to be reminded who held her heart now, however, they were still friends and still a family, and today proved that. She needed that, especially considering that there was a good chance in the future, their time together would be cut short.

Satoshi could sense something was wrong with his girlfriend and had a feeling it had everything to do with what she had been told the day before. Leaning over, he kissed the top of her head and whispered, "It will all be alright."

The small act of affection had not been missed by the others in the room. Hikaru and Kaoru turned to look at Tamaki, who had turned his head to the side, pain evident on his face and in his eyes. It still hurt. Kyoya had seen the expression flash across the face of his best friend and nudged him, reminding him that it was time to show Haruhi how happy he was for her and Satoshi.

Forcing a smile, Tamaki returned his attention to his plate. His gut felt like someone had punched him, but his friend had prepared this meal for him and he would eat it. He had always loved Haruhi's cooking, and although he would not be able to enjoy it as much as he once had, he would savor it while he could… even if he had to choke it down.

"Haru-Chan? Is something wrong?" Hunny asked noticing, much like his cousin, that the brunette seemed suddenly off somehow.

Haruhi shook her head in denial, "It's nothing Hunny-senpai. I was just thinking about all the things we used to do together." A partial truth was better than an outright lie.

"Yah, we used to do a lot because the boss always had something commoner he wanted to try," Hikaru chortled.

One after another the members of the group started to recount some of their favorite memories. This was exactly what Haruhi needed to hear and she joined in with the reminiscing. All too soon though, their time came to an end. One by one they gave Haruhi a hug and walked out the door. The only one who stayed behind was Satoshi, and as soon as the final goodbye had been said and the door shut, he pulled Haruhi into his arms and held her tight.

Time changes, moves forward, heals hurts, and brings people into our lives when we need them the most. When Haruhi started Ouran, the hosts forced themselves in her life changing it forever. She had found love and friendship, and when that love ended, time brought back someone who had been missing and she found her new love. It also brought back all of her friends when she would need them the most.