Hey, guys! I'm Baaaaack~!

I am so so So SO SOOOOOOOOOO sorry I haven't uploaded in a while. I had this HUGE art project to work on, so I didn't have much time at the end of the day to write anything...

Well, now that I HAVE had time to write it up, it's time for you guys to read it and tell me whatcha think! Sorry, it's kinda short... I haven't had many ideas for this chapter, but i have plenty of ideas for the rest! I just wanted to have something in between to keep the story from feeling like it was rushed. Of course, I won't tell you guys about my chapter ideas, you'll just have to wait and see! )

I WILL tell you guys this: there's some fluff in this chapter for those of you who are SatoshixTao fans! :D.

Hehe... I guess I should stop blabbing and let you guys read!

Disclaimer: I own nothing Ouran-High-School-Host-Club-related... blah blah blah, you guys get the picture...

Claimer: I own my OC's!

~ Chapter 26 ~

Cheritable Moments

The chilling, mid-autumn breeze flowed through the courtyard, swaying the half naked branches of the trees back and forth in their flow. The floral arrangements within the garden had wilted into nothing but bud-less shrubs. The courtyard and garden were unoccupied by any student. It was like a deserted wasteland.

As much of an outdoors person as I was, I decided to stay in the library; and thankfully there wasn't so much noise this time. It wasn't that I despised the cold wintertime. The weather was just too cold outside to bear. In fact, it felt like it was nearly below zero! Even for mid-November! I'm sure that it was, at least, forty degrees or more back home, but, man, I couldn't take a step outside without any goose bumps forming on my skin.

I sat at the table in the library flipping through the pages of a history book. There was a research paper due by the end of the second trimester, which gave me an entire month to choose a topic, gather the information I would need, and then, of course, write my paper. During that time, I would be spending as much time as I could in the library searching through the books. Of course, all I had to do was pull a book of the shelf, flip to the index and try to find some information about the topic and jot it down on a note card. After that, I would move on to the next book, repeating the same process.

Yeah... boring. But, of course, the only time I could visit the library was the last half of lunch. Sometimes, I barely ate, just so that I could use just as much of my time working on my project; plus, the library was closed once club hours were finished.

One afternoon, I found myself walking down the halls from the cafeteria towards the library with my messenger bag slung over my shoulder. I was the only one roaming the hallways since nearly the entire population of the school was in the banquet-hall-like lunchroom. Well, at least, I thought I was the only one in the hallways.

"...and I might as well tell you now while we're here," a timid female voice spoke from around the corner.

Containing my gasp of surprise, I jumped back behind the corner and peered my head around. There were two figures standing in front of each other. Both were high school students, one male and one female. The girl had long, wavy brunette hair and fair skin, while the boy was a couple of inches taller than the girl, and owned spiky black hair. I quickly recognized them as the two other first-years in my class.

Is Tao confessing to Satoshi already? I pondered.

After Tao had given up the nerve to converse with the younger Morinozuka during the Fright Night set up, the two began to have regular conversations with each other every so often, even though they were brief. Just a week ago those two had become good friends, but Tao was admitting her feelings for the boy now? Was it too soon?

Tao stood there with her head hung, most likely trying to piece her words together. Satoshi gazed down at her awaiting for her to speak up again. Come on, Tao. I mentally spoke to her, desperately wishing that I had telepathy. He'll never know unless you tell him!

The brunette inhaled deeply, and then released it before glancing back up at the younger Morinozuka. "I... I'm not sure how I'm going to say this, but... but I've always had a fondness for you, Morinozuka-san. Ever since that day in Middle School, where you shared your text book with me because I forgot my copy, I... I guess that's when... I fell in love with you..."

I pursed my lips together as she spoke. Oh no, I hope that doesn't creep Satoshi out and make Tao feel a little stalker-ish...

It seemed that Tao had digested what she just spoke, because she blushed and looked away slightly. "What I mean to say is, Morinozuka-san, I... I would at times glance up and gaze from afar, not follow you around or anything like that." She paused, allowing her face to return to its natural color, and then she glanced up at the dark-skinned boy. "A friend of mine once told me that if you are fond of someone, you have to get to know them better first, and take the relationship step by step. That is... if you're willing to take this relationship further..."

I smiled, glad to know that Tao saw me as a friend. After being backstabbed by her once-best-friend, Kimiko, it was most likely difficult for her to trust anyone. I was just glad that Tao was able to trust me, especially in her time of need.

"If you don't want to... I understand," Tao added, hanging her head. "Especially if there's someone else that had your heart."

No, Tao, don't be so negative about it! You should've AT LEAST remembered that part of what I told you! I mentally chided her.

There was silence between the two. Tao glanced up at the younger Morinozuka boy, who glanced away in though while rubbing the back of his head with his hand. As I stared at her, I could almost feel the intense atmosphere between the two of them. Even though I wasn't involved in their conversation, I was nearly about to scream "Say something!" but, I held it back for fear of being discovered, and instead crossed my fingers.

After what seemed like ages of suspense, Satoshi sighed and glanced back down at Tao. "I appreciate that you have feelings for me Jinjou-san, but..."

He trailed off, glancing down the hallway again. But… what? I pondered. Oh no, please don't tell me that he's already found someone else... or worse, already in an arranged marriage. This was turning out to be one heck of a "Romeo and Juliet" story, except for the fact that the parents didn't despise each other, hopefully not anyway.

I could see Tao's face deepen in worry, and it looked as if she were about to start crying, most likely thinking that she was going to be turned down right then and there. The brunette looked down at the floor blinking rapidly to rid her tears, and my heart began to ache at the sight.

If you have to put her down, Satoshi, put her down easy... I spoke in my mind.

Once again, there was suspense eating away at both Tao and me as well. I felt like I was watching one of those TV dramas, where when the show is becoming intense it either cuts to commercial, or has "To Be Continued...". Honestly, I couldn't stand when that happened!

Satoshi sighed and glanced back down at Tao. "I'll consider it."

After that, he gave Tao a small smile before walking down the hall, in the opposite direction of me. The brunette girl only stood there, rooted in her spot as she watched the boy of her dreams shrink the further he strode down the hall. I smiled pleasantly at Tao as she sighed dreamily, while a smile spread from ear to ear. At least Satoshi didn't turn her down! Well, there was still a possibility that he might, since he was considering her proposal to further their relationship.

I was proud of her. Tao was able to suck up her fears and stand face to face with Satoshi while the two of them were along in the halls. Well, at least they thought they were alone; but still, at least Tao was able to come out of her shell and confess her feelings for the younger Morinozuka. Now, all she had to wait for was an answer, and I would keep my fingers crossed until then.

At least she was able to admit her feelings to the she had fallen in love with. Well, I did too, but Kyoya was asleep at the time, so that probably didn't count. We weren't friends... not yet anyway. But, it would probably take a week or so to rebuild out acquaintanceship status before moving forward.

Turning and walking in the opposite direction, I turned a few corners, taking a short-cut to the library. As much as I wanted to think back on earlier with Tao and Satoshi, I had to stay focused on my project that was due.

~ . . * . . ~

Like usual, time flew by in the library, scanning information through the book, and jotting down important notes that I would place in my report. I wasn't counting, but i had probably gone through at least two or three different books for information. Hey, I was kind of a slow reader; plus, I was translating everything into English so that I could better understand it.

As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch period, I packed my notebooks and paper away in my satchel, and then placed the books on the book cart for the staff to reorganize them onto the shelves. Afterwards, I strode down the hall, until a met a group of students filing into the first-year classroom. Following the queue of pale yellow and blue, I curved around the desks until I finally sat down in mine.

Gathering all my essentials for this class, I placed them on my desk, and then opened to a fresh page in my notebook. There were a few minutes until class began, so I subtly glanced over my shoulder at the two cousins. My main attention was on Satoshi, who, from what I noticed, gave a quick glance from the corner of his eyes over at Tao, who sat a few rows to the right of us.

I assumed that the younger Morinozuka was still contemplating over the proposal of furthering his friendship with Tao; nevertheless, I continued to keep my fingers crossed, hoping that he would take her up on the offer. For some reason, I had a feeling that Satoshi may actually have a fondness for the brunette girl. I mean, the two have known each other since... well, as far as I understood, Middle School. They were acquaintances then, and just recently, they began to develop a friendship.

From what I witnessed earlier that day, Satoshi was hesitant to answer Tao's offer, and decided to consider it for the remainder of the school day. Why was he hesitant? Either he felt pressured because it was so sudden, or didn't know what to say at the time because he had a fondness for Tao. Well, only time will tell and give that answer.

~ . . * . . ~

"K.C.!" a voice echoed down the hall.

I stopped and turned to find a female, high school student with dark, wavy hair and fair skin rush up to me. A wide smile was spread across her face, and just when I thought she was going to stop in front of me, she instead threw her arms around me in a tight embrace.

"T-Tao? What's... what's going on?" I inquired.

The brunette released me and began to jump around in circles. "Yes! It's a YES!"

"What's 'a yes'?" I inquired.

Tao ceased her hyper-active bouncing around, like a little Energizer Bunny, and released a deep breath, ridding herself of her energy. A few moments passed as I waited for her to say something, and then she finally faced me.

"Well, today during part of lunch period," she began. "I... I kind of told Morinozuka-san how I felt."

I smiled as I gazed down at her, even though I already knew about that. "That's great, Tao."

"There's more," she added. "I asked him if he wanted to further our relationship from good friends to... boyfriend and girlfriend."

There was a tint of pink forming on her cheeks as she said that last part. That, I also knew about as well, but I had to make it seem like I was receiving the news for the first time. I know that I had been told to be a terrible liar, but hopefully I could pull something off.

"You weren't too forward with it, were you?" I inquired.

"Oh, no," she answered. "At least, hopefully not... But, anyway, he said that he would consider my offer for the rest of the day. And, well, at the end of class, as soon as I left the room, he said that he wanted to speak with me privately; and... it turned out that he had come to a conclusion..."

The brunette trailed off at this point. Everything started to connect together at this moment. Why Tao was so cheerful, and saying that it was "a YES!".

"What did he say?" I inquired, hoping that my act was working.

A wide smile spread across her face as she threw her arms around me again. "He said YES!"

"That's great, Tao!" I spoke. Then, I sighed. "I'm proud that you were able to give up the nerves to talk to him."

"Yeah," she added, releasing me. "I owe it all to you, Katherine. I mean, you were the one who prepped me throughout the year, and I guess all that training paid off."

I chuckled at her remark. "Well, at least you were able to tell your love."

"Katherine."

"Hmmm."

"Who was it?"

"Who?"

"The boy you were in love with."

I gazed down at her silent, and then I glanced away not sure of how to answer. I didn't want to hide it from her, but I had to get to the club to prepare everything for the afternoon. So, I would just have to create my reply to be brief and understandable.

"Let's just say, he's an upperclassman," I spoke.

Tao cocked her head to the side as she raised an eyebrow. Sure, it was a little vague, but at least she could take a guess. I smiled down at her, and then bid her farewell as I traveled down the hall.

I felt terrible that I had to hide the fact that I was formerly in love with Kyoya... I was formerly in love with him, right? Urgh! It was too confusing! I was fond of him, but I quickly turned away once I realized that Kyoya Ootori was nothing but a cold and calculating person. Of course, I was able to understand that he only acted that way because he had a goal to achieve and wouldn't allow anything to distract him until he received it.

As soon as the thought passed through my mind, a slight blush crept upon my cheeks. Maybe... maybe Kyoya did have a fondness for me. He just didn't show it because he always wore that mask around in public and put his work before his friends and feelings. There was a 50/50 chance that the Shadow King may or may not have feelings for me. It seemed illogical once I thought about it more. I mean, I was a commoner, what good would I do him?

Or more importantly... what good would I do for his family?

From what I observed, his father was a strict man, always keeping Kyoya under his thumb, placing a huge ammount on his youngest son's plate. Obviously, Mr. Ootori was all about making sure the family line looked good, no matter what. If Kyoya had married a commoner, would that ruin his family's image? I didn't want to do that to him.

Releasing a deep sigh, I turned around the corner and made my way towards the staircase.

Before I could scale it, however, I was met with a very familiar call: "K.C.-chan!"

Bracing for impact, I allowed the honey-blonde, Lolita host jump onto me and wrap his arms around my neck while he giggled. I managed to plaster a smile on my lips, while the eighteen-year-old rubbed the side of his head against mine.

"Hey, Hunny-senpai," I spoke. Then, I noticed his tall, dark-skinned cousin walk up to me. "Mori-senpai."

"Where are you going, K.C.-chan?" the Lolita boy inquired, locking his eyes onto mine.

"To the clubroom," I answered simply. "It's club hours, isn't it?"

Both the stoic host and the Loli-shota nodded in reply, but only the cake-loving child-like host verbally answered: "Everyone's meeting outside today.

"Oh, all right," I answered. "Do they need any help setting things up?"

Hunny shook his head. "We're taking the day off from hosting, right Takashi?"

"Yeah," his cousin answered, nodding his head.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion as I stared at the two oldest hosts. They were all taking the day off from hosting? What if some of them had tons of homework and needed to go home and finish it? Well, maybe it was a mandatory thing... either that or everyone wanted to enjoy an afternoon to themselves. It was a possibility.

"Wanna join us, K.C.-chan?" Hunny inquired. "It'll be loads of fun! Plus, you need a break. You work a lot at the club."

"I don't know... is it not too cold outside?" I inquired.

"It's warmed up since this morning," Hunny replied with a smile, "but we'll be running around a lot."

I stared at the eighteen-year-old, who only grinned from ear to ear. It was very thoughtful of Hunny to be considerate, and understand how much effort I put into working "behind the scenes" in the club. As much as I knew that I had to get back to my apartment to work, I couldn't stand to see the boy upset if I did say "no".

Releasing a deep breath, I pulled on a half-smile. "Sure, senpai, I'll join you guys."

"Hooray!" Hunny cheered, throwing his arms around me again. "We're gunna have tons of fun K.C.-chan!"

I smiled as his jovial childlikeness, and I couldn't help but join in on his cheerful laughter. With Hunny hitching a ride on Mori's shoulders, we walked out of the school building and turned the corner to where the garden was placed. The others hosts were gathered together in a group, and the club president smiled one he caught sight of the two older hosts.

"Ah, there you two are," he spoke as we stopped in front of him. "And, Katherine-hime, you've come to join us?"

I shrugged. "I might as well. Besides," I added with a smile, "I'm technically part of this club."

Tamaki laughed and draped an arm around my shoulders. "That you are, my dear. Now, which game do you propose we play?"

"Game?"

"Yes, a commoner's game!"

Did he have to call it that?

"Last year, Haruhi introduced us to a couple of games," the twins explained. "Like kick the can and a few others."

"My favorite is Hide and Seek!" Hunny chirped from atop Mori's shoulders.

"So, do you have any other commoner games in mind, K.C.?" Tamaki inquired eagerly.

"Um... let me think," I spoke, placing a finger on my chin while glancing up at the sky.

Since we were all still in our uniforms, I didn't want to risk coming up with any games that could possibly plant grass stains on their dress pants, or ruin their blazers. It was difficult to decide. Nearly every game played outside could possibly involve a stain to appear on their uniform.

"What do you guys have in mind?" I inquired, glancing back at the group.

"Well, our favorite game so far is Kick the Can," the twins answered.

"Is it all right with you guys is we play that?" I asked.

"Of course, my dear!" Tamaki chirped. "All right, now who's going to be 'it'?"

Silence fell on the group as Tamaki glanced around at each of us individually. No one said a word or made a movement, and glanced from each other hoping that someone would step in and take the spot as 'it'. But, apparently, nobody wanted that position.

"Since The Boss agreed to it, he should be 'it' first," the twins suggested.

"What?" Tamaki cried. He released me and strode over to the twins. "I was 'it' the last time we played this!"

"Yeah," Hikaru answered.

"Months ago," Kaoru added.

"It's not fair! Why do you two shady twins always have to pick me first?" Tamaki whined.

"Here they go again..." I overheard Haruhi grumble.

I sighed as I watched the three hosts continue to squabble. It was starting to become rather tiresome of those three constantly arguing over some frivolous thing. Now they were arguing over who was going to be 'it'? Honestly, that was rather immature. I mean, no one would be 'it' forever.

Suddenly an idea came to me. A smirk crossed my face as I gently nudged Haruhi with my elbow and then Mori. Once I had both of their attention, I subtly placed my finger on my nose and glanced from the two of them, who stared blankly at me. Once the thought registered in their minds, they placed their finger on their noses as well. Mori instructed Hunny to do so, and eventually Kyoya caught on and did the same thing. After a few moments, the twins caught a glance of us from the corner of their eyes and simultaneously placed a finger to their noses, allowing Tamaki to be the only one blabbing and whining.

The Host Club president soon realized that he was the only one speaking, and then he gazed around at us with a confused look. "What are you all doing?"

"The last one to touch their nose is 'it', senpai," I spoke.

"Come on, that's not fair!" Tamaki whined.

"Actually, it's logically fair," Kyoya spoke up for the first time during the whole conversation.

"But... but I want to be a hider!" Tamaki wailed.

"Senpai, just accept the fact that you were too busy arguing and you weren't paying attention," Haruhi spoke. "Once you capture someone, they'll be the next one to be 'it'."

Tamaki sucked in his lower lip and stood up straight. "All right, let's head out into the field, everyone!"

We all nodded comprehensively and strode out into a wide field in the middle of the garden. The twins were chosen to kick the can first, and they kicked it rather far into the bushes. As soon as the aluminum disappeared, the six of us took off running while Tamaki darted over to the area where he presumed the aluminum landed.

I ran around the field wondering how in the world I was going to pull this off. First off, I was in a dress, so that eliminated hiding up in a tree. Behind a tree was too easy... A thousand thoughts were racing through my mind as fast as I was running around the garden. It sure was hard to find a spot to conceal myself! As soon as I turned a corner, I gasped once I saw Tamaki mere feet away from placing the found can back in the spot where it formerly was. At this point I began to panic. The other hosts had most likely already found a spot to conceal themselves, and I was left out in the open.

Before I could turn around and run somewhere, an arm wrapped around my waist while a hand clamped around my mouth, keeping me from screaming. I tried to wriggle myself free, but I was pulled down into the bushes and landed roughly on my rear.

"Shhhh, keep still, Johnson," a calm, deep voice whispered from beside me.

I instantly froze at the sound of his voice. Dare I look to make sure? I pondered. Glancing from the corner of my eye, I slowly turned my head to have a pair of smoke-gray eyes guarded by thin walls of glass locked onto my blue-green ones. Yep, my gut was right. Kyoya had pulled me down into the bush. Why though? Well, it was painstakingly obvious since I was the only one of the eight of us who didn't already have a hiding spot.

I tensed up realizing how close I was to the Ootori boy. With his arm still wrapped around me and his free hand covering my mouth, our bodies were pressed against each other's, and I could feel his body heat mingling with my own. My heart began to pound wildly in my chest that I was afraid that my ribs would break.

"Are you all right, Johnson-san?" Kyoya inquired from behind me.

His warm breath against my neck sent goose bumps crawling over my skin. I sat there frozen in place, and then I realized that I was holding my breath. When and why I did that, I'd never figure out...

"Mmmhmm," I hummed in reply since Kyoya's hand still covered my mouth.

Before either of us could say or do anything else, footsteps could be heard crunching the leaves. Tucking my knees around by my side, I pulled the skirt of my uniform in a well so that nothing was sticking out from underneath the bush. The two of us watched through the small windows of the leaves as Tamaki stopped in front of the bush and glanced around. After what seemed like ages, the club president began walking off in another direction, the echoing of crunching leaves growing silent the further he traveled.

Kyoya then released me, and we both released a deep breath.

"Hey, senpai," I spoke quietly, glancing over at him.

"Hmm?" he answered, pushing his glassed up his nose.

"I was just wondering," I began. "Why would you even become involved in this game? I mean, it doesn't really seem 'you'."

Kyoya only grinned as he gazed at me. "Sometimes I need to get my head out of the numbers."

I raised an eyebrow in confusion as I stared at him. I understood that he meant that he had to take a break from balancing the budget and everything; but... why did that saying sound so familiar. Where had I heard that before?

Before I could ask, Kyoya crawled on his knees and peered from a small opening in the bush. He glanced from side to side, most likely looking for any sign of the blonde host; then, Kyoya faced me, motioning me to follow him. I nodded understandingly and crawled out from underneath the bush. A few leaves were tangled in my hair, but I didn't mind. All that mattered was reaching the can.

I raced behind Kyoya who slowed his speed as he neared the can, and then reeled his leg back, kicking it far across the field. Not as far as the twins kicked it. While Kyoya ran off, most likely back to where he was formerly hiding, I found a spot over by a group of trees. I had to be quick since I knew that Tamaki was on his way back to reset the can and try to find someone.

I slouched against the tree, panting from exhaustion. I hadn't had this much fun in years. Joe and I used to play games out in the yard with each other, but that was only on the weekends when he was actually home. Well, at least I now had friends to spend time with, and I would sure miss them a whole lot once I was back in America.

"1, 2, 3, K.C.!" the joyful cry of the Host Club President exclaimed, breaking my thoughts.

With that, I was tapped on the shoulder. Startled, I whirled around to find Tamaki darting straight for the can, and I quickly hurried after him until we were both neck and neck. Sadly, I wasn't quick enough and Tamaki stood triumphantly with one foot on the can and a finger jabbed in the air. I smiled and shrugged it off and made my way towards the "jail" where Hunny stood gazing out at the field.

From where I stood, Haruhi was in an obvious spot that anyone could detect her, but it was obvious what the blonde host wouldn't tag her. I smiled as I rolled my eyes at the thought. Yep, it was great to have friends and enjoy spending time with them. From here until the end of the third trimester, I would cherish the last few days with everyone that i have become close to.

Yays! Another chapter completed!

I hope that none of the characters were OOC... I've been working on this all night, and I have 3 hours until sunrise... Yeah, I'm an insomniac.

Anyways! You guys know the drill! Rate and Review!

Reviews to comments from last chapter (11! WOOOOOHOOOOO! NEWEST RECORD! XD)

Me and Gaara 4ever: Don't worry, I have somethin in mind for her as well as her little friends... *evil smile*

Aurora-16: LOL Yeah, I bet that they really would taste bad! Yep, spoke her mind to both Kimiko and Kyoya! Yays! I love character development! Don't worry! There's a light at the end of the tunnel! Yay! Fruit!

Mrs. Ootori: LOL it's totally fine! ;)

SarahElupin: Haha! Yeah, me too!

AllyraMortlock: Yay for the both of them! :D

silverrain1312: Yes, the story has just turned the "Climax Corner". Yes, Mori's super arsome! I iz good with metaphors! Yes, fortune cookie people are arsome!

Snow'n'Cupcakes: Don't worry, I won't make ya wait too long ;)

Lock'n'Key You'n'Me: I would NEVER disappoint my fans. I just like to give you guys epic climaxes and huge cliffhangers! *evil smile*

xXanimeluver15Xx: LOL, yeah. Eh, take it easy on her, I don't have the money to pay for stunt doubles... Yes. Yes! YES! Ye-... wha? LOL that cracked me up just reading it!

BunnyNinja: Thanks!