Chapter 22:

Chapter 22, A Semblance of the Old Norm

The remaining time until it was physically 7 in the morning was spent much the same way as that first "day" had been. Wake up early, practice hand to hand/swordsmanship until breakfast in the central courtyard, eat breakfast, study some of the written lessons on Magic in the library, eat lunch, go back out to the courtyard to practice what they studied for a few hours, eat a light snack, work on school assignments until dinner back in the library, eat dinner, go to sleep, and repeat. For Haruhi and Mori on the other hand, the only change to that schedule was that they would go for a small walk around the Sanctuary gardens after dinner and talk with each other for about an hour before going to sleep. They told each other their hopes and dreams for the future, what they each experienced as they grew up, and the events that impacted their lives the most as they grew to the people they were to that day. With each conversation, they began to become closer and closer to each other and it was clear that the others saw it at every opportunity.

Hunny was more than thrilled at how close they were becoming and, although he knew that the other hosts would be happy about it, there would still be some underlying tension between them. Hunny knew for a fact that the other hosts had feelings for the outspoken female host to some degree but held them back or were put off because Haruhi could be kind of clueless about people trying to make a pass at her. The only one he knew for certain that wouldn't cause problems was Kyoya. The small martial artist had watched as the feelings bloomed and changed in the Shadow King and before he and Mori had graduated, Hunny asked Kyoya about them. He had been shocked at the answer he had received. It wasn't that Kyoya no longer felt anything for Haruhi anymore, it was that he realized he couldn't love her beyond a very dear friend. Apparently Kyoya's father had stated that Haruhi would make a good addition to the Ootori name despite her upbringing and was going to arrange it so that she would either marry one of Kyoya's brothers or Kyoya himself. His brothers had declined as they were already looking into the other options presented to them by their father or had their own option in mind. When Kyoya had been confronted with the proposal he had told Yoshio that he would consider it but needed to focus on his studies first. His father agreed and left Kyoya to think about it, much to the teens surprise. The more Kyoya looked at any possible futures with Haruhi at his side, the more he realized that she didn't belong there as his wife. The strict rules and order that his family upheld would break the free and independent spirit that he loved to see in her. Kyoya had waited for about a week after his father had confronted him with the idea to marry Haruhi before he politely declined.

He had stated that although he could see Haruhi as an asset to the Ootori name in nearly every aspect, she would be a better asset to have as an ally rather than as part of the family. Her outspoken ways, her drive and her blunt manner would serve her well as a lawyer for any firm but it would conflict the perceived image that society had of the Ootori family. After giving his reasons to Yoshio, the patriarch agreed that Kyoya was correct and that although it would be a shame that she wouldn't carry the Ootori name as her own, she would be welcome in their Law Firms if she chose to apply. She would not be chosen due to her friendship to the family but by her own skill sets that she displayed in all of the things she did. Yoshio clearly remembered the reaming she gave him during the Ouran High School Fair after he had criticized Kyoya's chose of extra curricular activity in the gallery room. He had been silently praising the girl for being able to stand up to him without they slightest hint of fear.

Hunny wasn't sure about Tamaki and the twins but he had a feeling that Kaoru knew that he and his brother liked Haruhi as more than a friend but also knew that she could only marry one of them, regardless of the desire to share her between them. Although it would have been perfectly normal in the circles their demonic blood was tied to, human society tended to frown on such and often criticized the woman in such relationships. Which was definitely not acceptable to any of them. The younger twin had shown that he was more than willing to push aside his own feelings for the female host and let his brother have her if it came down to it. He had yet to talk to the twins about it but he suspected that they knew why Mori had asked for the Mark of Othil and the Bloodbond to be on their clothes for the Gala. Hikaru and Koaru weren't entirely off the charts like Tamaki was and due to their birth rite, they knew what those marks meant since Cuubi had something similar for their own wedded pairs and were taught the symbols of the other races that they would be interacting with. When he saw them talking about it, he had seen the slight hurt in their eyes at the loss but also the acceptance they had when they saw how the both Haruhi and Mori were comfortably seated. He would have to talk to them when he and his cousin arrived for club hours sometime during that week to know for sure. Tamaki on the other hand would be up in the air, as it was with quite a few things pertaining to the Princely Host. It seemed as though his grandmother was pushing for a union for the blond Frenchman but until they knew who it was, the other hosts couldn't do anything to either help or hinder the old matriarch of the Suoh family. Tamaki's father might know but probably wouldn't answer if asked if he agreed that it would be a good match. Hunny just hoped that it wouldn't be Haruhi since she would most likely already be in her union with his cousin.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Asuda sighed as he looked at the clock on the desk he was working at. It read 7 am in the external world. With a deep breath he picked up the phone and began a conference call between the Morinozuka house, Nekozawa manor, and Fujioka apartment. He was partially grateful that Ranka's work had agreed to him taking a few days off to get over the shock of having his house broken into, with him still in it. He only hoped that he wasn't waking the his nephew from his rest. It was only a few rings before the line to the Nekozawa manor was answered by Alyona and Akira answered the line for the Morinozuka house.

"Good morn," Alyona greeted softly.

"Ohayo," Akira greeted.

"Good morning to you both," Asuda replied. "I hope that I am not interrupting something important."

"Nothing that can't wait a few more moments," Alyona stated. "I have yet to get my coffee for the morning."

Asuda laughed softly at the statement. "I see. Lord Akira, is my nephew still with you?"

"Ah," Akira answered. "The line is on speaker."

"Good morning Asuda," Ranka said softly. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did, as have Haruhi, Takashi and Mitsukuni."

"That's good. Is there something wrong?"

"Actually I was wondering if I could have permission on something pertaining to the children."

"Explain first please," Alyona asked gently.

Asuda took a breath and began explaining their location and how time worked in the Vortex that Kyoya had created. He detailed how the Sanctuary itself worked as well as what the children had accomplished in their time inside the temporal sphere. He could tell that the parents were impressed with the skills their children had gained and were proud of them. Alyona was silently applauding her student with what had been accomplished in the odd span of time. Some of the spells Haruhi had been working on with Trekiva were very advanced, even by her own standards, and she commended the ancient Malpirgi on his ability to teach Balance Arcana despite it not being his forte.

"I have a feeling this is about more than the accomplishments of the children," Alyona teased softly. "Although I will admit that I am proud of what they have gained."

"You are correct," Asuda chuckled. "Apologies for getting off topic. The original reason for my calling at this time was actually to give the children just that, time. As it stands, Takashi and Haruhi only know how the other is like while in the Host Cub as well as the few times outside of school but with their collective group of friends. Although they have been around each other for rough a year, they barely know each other. I ask for the permission to allow them the proper time to court and get to know each other."

"With how you explained the flow of time inside the Sanctuary," Akira stated aloud. "The span of either a night or full weekend would be more than adequate for them."

"The only issue that came up other than your permission as parents, was the time frame of their lessons both inside and outside of school. They were able to inform me of the schedule they have arranged for Haruhi's combative lessons and Arcana classes, as well as some tutoring sessions and club hours."

"So essentially you are asking for the time frames when we want the children to be with us," Sayuki spoke softly, having come in shortly after Asuda had begun explaining the Sanctuary and the advancements of the children.

"That is correct."

"As I am sure Mitskuni told you," Akira explained. "Haruhi's lessons with my sons and nephews will be done at her pace on the weekends. During the school week, the lessons will only span during the registered hour the clubs have. Karate, Judo and Kendo let out an hour before the Host Club has its hosting hours from what Mitsukuni explained last year and from what Yasuchika has seen this year. I have little doubt that Kyoya Ootori will be unable to work around such a schedule since she, and possible he himself, considers her self-defense lessons a higher priority."

"I see. I will talk with Kyoya about such after I finish here. Is there a specific time frame in which you would like to have with your children?"

"We could have it so that they spend the weekend in the Sanctuary where they have more time and bring Satoshi, Mitsukuni and Yasuchika there for the lessons," Sayuki offered. "They could also spend a few hours during the actual week after lessons and club as well."

"Oh that sounds like a wonderful idea!" Ranka cheered. "It would allow Haruhi to stay caught up with her homework, give her some time away from all of the stresses she places on herself or that are placed on her, and let her get the rest she needs before starting all over again!"

"It will also allow them to court properly and learn more of each other outside of what they already know," Sayuki added.

"Am I correct in assuming that your answers are yes?" Asuda asked with an amused smile.

"You are," Akira stated, a smile on his face as he listened to his wife and Ranka talk back and forth excitedly about different things that might help the two teens get closer together.

Asuda chuckled as he caught little snippets of the conversation between the two enthusiastic parents. He bade farewell to Akira and Alyona and hung up before laughing a little louder. Once he had calmed slightly he picked up the phone again to call Kyoya about the new arrangements. Hopefully he wasn't waking the young warlock. He had heard stories about what happened to those that woke him before he wanted to be. He also recalled hearing similar stories concerning Hunny.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Kyoya growled softly at the ringing of a phone. He reached out to his nightstand but paused when he felt no vibration from his cell. He sat up and quirked a brow as he saw that there was only about five minutes before he normally woke to get dressed and head to school. He looked towards his desk and saw the light indicating that the phone there was ringing. He sighed as he got up and tried to get the last vestiges of sleep out of his system before he answered. The only people that knew the number to his personal office line were the directors of the company he was running from the shadows and Asuda. Without a glance towards the caller id, he sat down, booted his computer and clicked a button to answer the phone on speaker.

"Ootori speaking," he said calmly.

"I apologize if I woke you Kyoya-kun," Asuda stated sympathetically. "However I would like to speak with you about Haruhi's schedule in club from this day forward. As well as catch you up on current events."

"It's all right. I would have been woken up in about five minutes anyway. I have my computer running so we can get everything settled."

"Very well. I have just finished a call Akira, Sayuki, Ryoji and Alyona about this so I will be quick."

"Proceed."

For the next couple of minutes, Kyoya listened to Asuda as he began explaining what had happened since Haruhi, and Mori were taken into the Sanctuary the other day, Hunny had arrived shortly after the club had ended and joined the pair in their stay. Apparently they were taken directly into the actual Vortex that surrounded the haven rather than just placing them in the house he had set as the gateway. It was by Trekiva's order that the teens were placed inside for their safety as well as using the paradox to their advantage. Kyoya actually commended Trekiva on his thinking because it was actually a brilliant plan. As Asuda began explaining Haruhi's schedule with her lesson from the Haninozuka and Morinozuka families in self-defense as well as Arcana lessons from Nekozawa plus the added request of time to allow them to court properly, it was agreed that Haruhi's lessons with the different families as more precedent than hosting, and he could easily work her into the actual clubs at school. Although he was sure the other hosts as well as a few customers might be a little upset about the change, Kyoya understood that the need for her lessons was of more importance than some bruised egos and recalled what he had worked out as similar plans when Hunny and Mori were still in high school with them. He had also done the same plan layout for Satoshi and Yasuchika when they agreed to join. It would be easy to add Haruhi into that as well as let her keep hosting if she wanted to. Although while the Karate, Judo and Kendo clubs meeting only once or twice week, depending on events and tournaments, the Host Club functioned every day after school. He would have to alter it so that Haruhi was able to leave her last class at the same times as the other members of the clubs did, and have her attend the latter half of the Host Club on those days, but it wasn't all that hard to do. Since it was still early enough that new members suddenly turning up wouldn't be questioned, they could get away with it. They might question why Haruhi is joining, or rather why she is joining now rather than before, but not that she would be entering the clubs themselves. All she really had to say in why she was join was one name, Tamaki Suoh. The whole school knew that he gave her bone crushing hugs. She could also get away with mentioning the twins since many people had seen her being used as a rope between themselves or them and Tamaki. He knew for a fact that if she stated either option that all other questions would be swayed.

"That is easy enough to rearrange," Kyoya answered. "When we still had Mori-senpai and Hunny-senpai in the club, I had their hours arranged around their priorities. I have a similar set up with Satoshi and Yasuchiuka. It would be easy to add Haruhi to that same list. I have also sent an email to Haruhi's teachers about her listed changes in club activity as well as the instructors of the dojo. In fact, I just got a reply from the instructors stating that they will be looking forward to seeing her in their sessions. She will be needing to give a demonstration of what she already knows, though."

"I am certain they will be surprised," Asuda stated with laugh.

"They might but given who she is friends with, they might not. Either way, they will be looking forward to seeing her in the female divisions of the sports. Her class teachers are also understanding of the change and will let her be dismissed at the proper times so that she can be ready for the clubs."

"I will let them know."

"Does Haruhi have sets of the required uniforms for both clubs as well as for personal practice?"

"She's about to," a calm voice spoke over the line.

Kyoya chuckled as he heard a soft greeting between Asuda an Trekiva over the line. "Good morning Lord Trekiva. Asuda has brought me up to speed on everything. I have it set so that Haruhi's priorities are the Kendo, Judo and Karate clubs during the week as well as her lessons with Lady Alyona for Arcana."

"Thank you," Trekiva stated.

"It's my pleasure. The instructors for the clubs know that Haruhi is joining and will be in attendance from here on out and look forward to seeing her there. I trust you already know what is needed for the sessions."

"I am aware and have sets being made for them."

"Very well. I will need to leave soon for school," Kyoya stated. "If other matters arise that you need to inform me of, the Shadows will inform you of my personal number if you need it."

"Do try to have a pleasant day," Trekiva offered. "You will see Haruhi at the main gates properly dressed."

"I shall try and thank you."

With a final farewell, Kyoya hung up and quickly got ready before moving down the steps towards his waiting car. He leaned back in the seat with a sigh as the vehicle moved towards the school. He was sure Haruhi wasn't looking forward to wearing the dress that was the uniform for the girls but she had spent the last two hours in the Vortex of the Sanctuary getting used to the idea. She may be physically uncomfortable with the dress but he knew she would be able to bear it. He would talk to her about the changes for her as well as his thoughts on where she should keep her focus. As the gate came closer, he saw Haruhi walking towards the school gates dressed in the proper female uniform. He told his driver to let him out there so he could talk with her in relative peace before everyone else bombarded her at the sudden change.

Kyoya took a breath before jogging slightly to catch up with the female host. "Good morning, Haruhi."