Some Things Old and Some Things New

Hi all. I'm still very much alive just not on the internet. I haven't forgotten this story and will finish it. I'm determined to finish it before the end of this year. So, my first year of college has basically buried me alive with work and I haven't been able to do anything but work. Anyways, sorry for the long wait and thanks for understanding.

Someone, I'm sorry I forgot who, asked about Haruhi's bachelorette party. I completely forgot that those existed. I might do a small omake later or just leave it out completely.

Also, I may not update for a while again. I've forsaken my work to write up this chapter and I don't think I can do that again anytime soon.

Thoughts

In English

In Japanese/regular talk

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the OHSHC characters just my many OCs.

Chapter 26: The Wedding

"Western style weddings are really popular in Japan. Some people still do the traditional weddings, but I've seen a lot of non-traditional ones," Renge explained to Sama as the two waited for Haruhi to finish dressing.

The day of the wedding had started out very hectic. The caterers were setting up at Tamaki's house when the three women had arrived. Renge had done Haruhi's makeup before they came and the they were ushered to a room to get ready.

There were a lot of servers running around trying to make everything perfect. Some people had started showing up, and when Sama had looked out the window, she saw a long line of cars coming in. It seemed that the wedding was just starting.

People were first going to eat some orderves before the nuptials. The nuptials would take place in the garden. Sama had seen a lot of chairs being set up, but everything was looking beautiful and the food smelled good.

"I've never seen a traditional Japanese wedding," Sama admitted. Renge twisted her dark hair into a bun at the nape of her neck. A few loose pieces fell out to frame her face.

"They're different. I like the Western style weddings because of the dress you can wear. Someday I want to have a western wedding too." Renge had a dreamy expression on her face. Sama chuckled as she inspected herself.

The off the shoulder periwinkle colored dress fit both women well. It cinched at the waist before flowing out at the bottom. Sama was relieved that there were no ruffles or frills, though Haruhi wasn't into that either so she didn't have to worry as much.

"Haruhi, do you need help with your dress?" Sama asked.

There was a stretch of silence. "I...I can't get it up. Did I get fatter?" Both women could hear the stress in the bride's voice. They hurried behind the screen to help the bride-to-be.

Renge patted her hair nervously. "Well being pregnant usually means you gain a bit weight. The dress was fitted so it could accommodate your growth."

Haruhi sighed as she stared at herself in the full length, three way mirror. Her hair had been curled, French braided, and twisted into an elegant bun with a few rose shaped hairpins set in. The dress had a fuller skirt with intricate, small, beaded flowers. The top of the dress was a heart shaped strapless bodice.

Sama smiled when their eyes met. "You look amazing. Tamaki is one lucky man to have landed you, Haruhi."

"Thanks, Sama. You'll be dressed like this too," she said with a determined look in her eyes. Sama chuckled and shook her head. Renge zipped the dress up all the way. Both women stepped back to have a final look.

Haruhi clutched a bouquet of red roses in her gloved hands. The veil she wore pooled slightly near the ground. Renge started sniffling before she ran over to Haruhi and gave her a hug.

"You look so beautiful!" She sobbed as she hugged the brunette tightly. Just as Renge pulled away, a knock on the door singled a guest or guests.

Ranka burst in before anyone could get the door. He was dressed in a suit and bowtie. Sama had stared at him for a while when she first saw him come. He looked completely different. Despite wearing different clothes, he was still his exuberant self.

"Where's my lovely daughter? I want to-" He stopped and stared at the vision before him. Sama saw tears start to well up in his eyes. Haruhi smiled gently before her father ran into her arms. Renge and Sama silently made their way out to give the two some privacy.

"I'm going to find Kyoya. Could you tell everyone that everything will be starting in thirty minutes or so?" Renge looked at Sama with a pleading pout. The dark-blond hadn't seen Kyoya since two weeks before the wedding. Sama nodded and watched as she ran off.

Walking into the room where most guests were chatting or eating some appetizers, Sama got on the stage set in the back. She switched on the mike and tapped it to test the sound. The lights immediately dimmed and fell on her. She coughed nervously when all eyes turned to her.

"Uh, oh boy." She coughed again and gave a shaky smile. "Hello everyone. The wedding will be starting in about thirty minutes. Please enjoy the food and find a seat in the garden when you're ready. Have a nice evening."

She quickly switched off the mike and made her way off the stage in what looked like a mad dash. Once off, she sighed in relief. She really hated when so many people just stared at her. Despite being a grown adult, she still got nervous when up on stage in front of people.

"You looked calm up there," a woman next to her commented. Sama laughed and scratched her cheek.

"Um, thank you. So is this your first wedding?" Sama asked the first thing that popped into her head. The woman was a random stranger but she seemed friendly enough.

She chuckled. "Oh no. I've been to about five, not counting my own. They were all very nice, but I think you're own wedding is the most magical. It's one you don't forget."

Sama nodded though she felt a twinge of jealousy that she was married. The woman looked to be about her age. She was married and happy while Sama had to deal with so much drama. She would be, though, happy with having Ivan be the only male in her life if it ended that way

The woman, she realized was still talking. "I'm a makeup artist and my job takes me all over the world. My husband is the CEO of his company and has to travel all the time as well. When he first proposed to me, I thought we would never get married because we never really did see each other when we were dating."

Sama looked at her with interest. "So how long did it take for you to go from engaged to married?"

"We got married six months after he proposed. We felt that we wanted to get married right away because we love each other so much. You can always put work aside for the one you love no matter how demanding your job may be. Well that's what we believe." A dreamy look settled on her face.

"E-excuse me," Sama apologized, not like the woman had heard her, and left. Her fingers clenched and unclenched. What the woman had said made Sama think. Suddenly everything became a bit clearer for her.

"Willing to put aside everything for those you love," she mumbled to herself. Yes, she had her answer. It had been staring at her the whole time. This time she would make her decision final and wouldn't dare second guess herself.

-:-

Sama slowly walked down the aisle. The slow procession music grated on her nerves as she tried to think of anything but tripping. She didn't mind going to weddings, no those were fine. What she did mind was the fact that everyone was watching her and she had to go down an aisle that felt like miles.

She finally made it to the end and stood in place. A few minutes before, she had been fussing with Haruhi's train and making sure it was perfect. That wasn't so bad. Kyoya, the best man, stood across from her and giving Tamaki reassuring looks. The blond looked so nervous that Sama wanted to give him a hug to reassure him that everything would be okay.

The music, an orchestra hired by Tamaki's father, started the wedding tune. Everyone turned their attention to the end of the aisle. Ranka held his daughter's arm while she clutched the bouquet in the other hand. The made their way down.

Taking a glance at the groom, she saw his eyes brighten with so much tenderness and love. Sama's stomach clenched in a good way. Those two would never fall out of love; she had a gut feeling about that.

The vows were exchanged and the two smile at each other. Tamaki suddenly lifted Haruhi up bridal style. She laughed and pressed her forehead against his. Everyone was cheering and clapping. Sama chuckled when she saw tears form in the corners of the blond's eyes. She had been surprised that he hadn't teared up during the whole ceremony. Haruhi gently wiped the tears away and whispered something in his ear. Tamaki gave her a watery smile before walking down the aisle with her still in his arms.

Yes, weddings were lovely especially if the two being married loved each other as deeply as those two did. It was like a fairy tale wedding, Sama thought amusingly. She wasn't one for fairy tales, but this one was different because it was real.

-:-

Haruhi's father daughter dance was touching to watch. Ranka, much like Tamaki, teared up as he danced with her. Eventually the married couple shared their first dance as man and wife. Then, everyone was on the floor dancing to the music. Some songs were slow and others were lively and upbeat.

Renge and Sama had helped compile a list of songs that could be played during the wedding. It seemed like everyone was enjoying it all. Ivan had been sent home with Sam as he had started falling asleep. Sama hadn't danced at all as she was busy making a list of who brought gifts so they could be thanked later on.

The dark haired woman sat in a secluded corner of the ballroom working while laughter and music swirled around her. She didn't mind doing this as it got her away from some of the males who asked her to dance. They weren't bad looking men; it was just that she didn't want to dance with strangers. She didn't want to make any emotional connection with anyone new as she would be leaving for home tomorrow morning.

Sama sighed as she rechecked the list she had made. Once Haruhi opened the gifts, she would be able to make a more detailed list rather than the simple one she had been working on. Sama fought the urge to run her fingers through her hair as it was still in place. She let out another sigh.

"Seems like someone is in need of a break."

Sama looked up and tried not to grimace. It was some guy who had kept bothering her for a dance. She had politely declined but he was persistent. She didn't like the way his eyes roamed over her body. Her senses told her that he was a sleaze.

"I'm fine, but thank you for your concern," she said as kindly as possible. The male leaned over the table so that he hovered over her.

He gave her a feral smile. "A little break won't hurt. You need to loosen up a bit, sweetheart." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her up and away from her seat. Sama was so surprised by his audacity and iron grip that she didn't even pull away.

He led her to the dance floor and tugged her arm so it draped over the crook of his. Both his arms came to circle near the small of her back in a vice like grip. The song playing was a slow one; Sama had to move her feet or be trampled by his own.

"You're very sure of yourself," she hissed. All form of niceness had vanished from her voice and face.

The smile on his face looked anything but charming. "I know what I want. You've kept yourself away from mostly everyone except for the bridal party. Such a mysterious person always piques my interest."

Sama gritted her teeth. She wanted to slap him, but causing a scene wasn't something she wanted to do at her best friends' wedding. She felt one hand start to dip a little too far for her liking. Sama "accidentally" stepped on his foot.

"Sorry, so clumsy of me," she apologized though her voice dripped with sarcasm. The man gave her a tight smile.

"You know," he roughly pulled her closer "I'm highly desired by many women. Women like you would kill to be with me."

"Well I'm not one of those women. I rather be bathed in arsenic than be with a pompous ass." She, at the last of her patients, attempted to pull away. The man squeezed her wrist tighter causing Sama to wince.

"I have power, money and a name that can make a person or break them," he warned. Sama gave a dry laugh.

"Good thing I don't care. Now let go." She pulled away and turned to leave but he grabbed her arm. At the same moment someone pulled the man away from her by grasping his shoulder. Hikaru gave him a look that spelled trouble.

"I wouldn't do that unless you want my brother to kill you. Be grateful it was me who intervened before Kaoru could." He gestured behind him. Sama noted that Kaoru was clenching his glass tightly and glaring daggers at him from the table he was standing near.

The man's eyes narrowed at the intrusion. Hikaru gently pulled her back and gave her a nod toward Kaoru's direction. Sama hastily made her way over not looking back. She hoped Hikaru wiped the floor with him.

Kaoru kept his eyes trained on the man despite Sama having stood next to him. She glanced at his clenched hand. She gently placed her hand over his, afraid he would shatter the glass in his anger. He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"You should let the poor glass go. I don't think it did anything to deserve the treatment you're giving it," she joked.

Kaoru's face relaxed a bit but his eyes still held a fire of anger. "I should be the one to give the jerk a talking to. Hikaru told me not to though," he grumbled a bit.

Sama moved the cup away from his reach. "I think we would've needed to call an ambulance if you had been the one to talk to him. Hikaru will take care of him without getting arrested."

"Very funny." He gave her a slight smile then turned his attention back to Hikaru. It seemed like the man was getting angry as Hikaru kept talking to him. Finally he stormed out as the older twin gave him a mock wave.

Sama sighed. "At least that's taken care of. Who was the creep?"

Kaoru shrugged his shoulders. "I think he might have been the son of a small shipping company. Tamaki had to invite everyone the family has connections with."

Sama snorted in an unlady like fashion. "He's still an ass. I just wanted to be left alone in my corner, but he decides to force me to dance with him. If it weren't for it being Haruhi's special day, I would've kicked him where is counts."

Kaoru was silent. Sama looked over to meet his gaze. He was staring at her intensely. It made her her slightly uncomfortable to be stared like that especially since it was Kaoru. Sama looked away and pretended to be interested in the other people. She peeked back in his direction and he was still staring.

"Do I have something on my face?" Sama half joked.

"Dance with me." He held out his hand toward her. Sama swallowed as she debated whether she should. She didn't want to lead him on and hurt him again. Kaoru deserved better than her after everything she had done to him. Yet, a part of her wanted to be selfish and tell him everything. That part of her wanted him to understand how she felt and that she still cared.

Grasping his hand she gave a small smile. "Okay."

The music had slowed as they made their way to the floor. Kaoru wrapped his arms around her waist as she draped hers around his neck. They slowly swayed to the song. Sama couldn't tear her eyes from his golden ones. The emotions in his eyes made her head spin. She finally averted her eyes to the ground.

"I've been wanting to dance with you all night. You seemed so busy that I thought you deserved time by yourself. If I had known that jerk was lurking around you, I would've-"

Sama placed a hand over his mouth. "Don't dwell on that, Kaoru. It's in the past." She removed her hand and they continued their swaying. The song ended all too soon and a more lively song came on. Sama pulled away but their hands were still clasped together. People started returning to the dance floor.

The music pulsed in their veins and made it impossible to hear. Sama stepped forward and pressed a light kiss to his lips. Kaoru's eyes widened as she pulled back with a sad smile. She knew he couldn't hear her but she spoke anyways.

"Thank you for everything. Goodbye, Kaoru." With that she slipped from his grasp and melted into the crowd of dancing people. Even if he wanted to follow, he wouldn't have been able to find her among the throng.

Sama slipped out of the ballroom and into the middle of the hallway. She had said her goodbyes to the happy couple and given them the list. Sama had managed to bid farewell to the other host members before leaving. Haruhi had tried to convince her to stay longer in Japan, but Sama hadn't budged. Only the couple, Kyoya and her family knew she was leaving so soon. She wanted to keep it that way to avoid any unnecessary scenes.

It was time to return to her life back in America. A new future awaited her there. Choices she had finally decided to make would change her life forever. Sama smiled to herself as she left the mansion. The door closed and she wondered if she would ever come back. Maybe, who knows what the future held.

She just had to carve her own path and wait.

Kitkat