DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
"So, exactly what are we talking about?" Haruhi asked cautiously.
"Oh, no wonder she didn't bring it up, she probably forgot about it with everything going on," Kasanoda theorized.
"But it's dated back to before General Morinozuka died," Benio mentioned.
"I think I know why," Hunny spoke up, "you were afraid of looking weak by offering to give up land to the enemy since your father never did anything along that line. Plus given how dishonorable Suoh's been acting, there's reason not to trust him with this idea either."
"Uh sure?" Haruhi agreed, if only to avoid any more questions.
"It's too bad Suoh's dishonorable too," Hunny said as he walked over to Haruhi's big map, "any other rational thinking man would more assuredly agree to the terms."
"Well, Maybe Sen, Suoh never would have thought we would make such an offer. To see us willing to compromise instead of just straight up fighting, might be enough for him to agree?" Haruhi suggested.
"You have a good point," Hunny said.
"And what else would we have to lose?" Kasanoda asked.
"Plus if it'll help, General, Hinako Tsuwabaki is still willing to become a bride to one of the Hitachiin brothers," Benio added.
"Wait what?" Haruhi asked.
"At the start of the war? The Hitachiins said one of their terms to ending the war was for Hinako to surrender herself to one of them as their wife. But you and Morinozuka said no since you didn't want to force into such a union where she would most likely be miserable," Benio explained.
"Oh right," Haruhi said.
"And we're still not going to resort to that, at least not yet," Hunny insisted.
"Even if it's very kind of Hinako to make such an offer," Haruhi quickly added.
"Yes, she is a very noble woman with a great sense of duty," Hunny agreed.
"Any man will be lucky to have her as a wife," Kasanoda also said.
"Still, should I least send for her from the East border?" Benio asked.
"Uh," Haruhi sputtered.
"She may come if she wishes, but only if Lieutenant Maihara doesn't need her help holding the line. But even still, we're not going to simply hand her over. Her marrying a Hitachiin will be a personal choice of hers, not one forced on her," Hunny said.
"Yes General," Benio said, "I'll write to Chizue right away."
"Good, but after we've talked more about Fujioka's plan to turn over Shizukeisha river to Suoh," Hunny ordered. He traced his finger along some of the shore on their side of the map. "I bet this full amount of land would be enough to please even Suoh. Somebody get a fresh map so we can draw up the plans!"
Kasanoda opened the door, "get us a fresh map in here!"
"Yes sir!" a voice shouted back.
"We should also discuss who will go to meet Suoh and who will stay here," Hunny said as he walked away from map and faced the other people in the room.
"I will not leave Haruhi's side! I am her guard through and through!" Benio quickly said.
"Yes I know, which is why I want you to name a successor to your position of the Zuka clan before we meet with Suoh and the Hitachiins," Hunny said.
"A successor?" Haruhi said, "are you saying that Suoh might kill us instead of listening to us?"
"I am half convinced he might," Hunny admitted, "he's attacked us before when we tried to call for peace. And now that he's killed one of us, he might have a desier to do it again."
"Oh," Haruhi said. She was starting to worry about this whole thing in general.
"Which brings me to you, Kasanoda," Hunny continued, "should the worst happen as I fear, I want you to report back to Satoshi and tell him he's the new head of both Morinozuka and Haninozuka clans. And then, you will either divide the Fujioka clan up among you, Satoshi and Zuka clan or find a worthy successor for Haruhi."
"May I make a recommendation for a successor for Haruhi?" Benio asked, "I think Hinako would be a good choice."
"I wouldn't object," Kasanoda agreed, "she'd be a good leader."
"She would be a good choice," Hunny also agreed.
"And it would go well with my choice for my successor, Chizue," Benio added.
"Uh sure than," Haruhi said quickly.
"Then it's agreed, we'll leave Kasanoda in charge when we go meet for peace with Suoh," Hunny declared.
"Agreed," Benio and Kasanoda said together.
"Yeah, ok," Haruhi also said.
"General Haninozuka, may I ask one more thing?" Benio said, "should this happen, would you wish to see Chizue marry Kasanoda and Hinako marry Satoshi? To keep our bonds strong?"
"That seems a bit extreme don't you think?" Haruhi spoke up without thinking.
"Haruhi's right, there will be no marrige for convenience," Hunny said, "only for love and satisfaction. Our bound as friends and allies is strong enough that we don't have to resort to marrige alliances to keep them."
"Very well," Benio said with a bow, "I shall go and start my letter for Hinako at least and telling Chizue of my wish to have be my successor." She walked out of the secret hiding place.
"I will hold the line as strong as I can, and will get back to Satoshi about his place should the unthinkable happen," Kasanoda swore, "is there anything to say to your brother, Haninozuka?"
"Only to remain his peaceful self," Hunny said, "our people need someone they know they can turn to for comfort and inspiration. He has done a great service to the people showing them a life that can exsist outside of fighting."
"Will do sir," Kasanoda said with a salute.
"I'll go ahead and send a letter to Suoh personally so he knows we're serious," Hunny said, "can you go and see how the troops are doing?"
"Will do," Kasanoda said as he also saluted and walked out.
"You in the meantime Fujioka, get some rest. Hopefully that'll put you in better shape for when we meet with Suoh," Hunny ordered Haruhi.
"Oh yeah, sure," Haruhi said, "oh um, by the way, did you find the um scepter?"
"Oh yes, I did," Hunny said as he pulled it out, "I just forgot since I was too busy with my meeting with the other two."
Haruhi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hopefully we won't have to worry too much about using it as a weapon, if your plan works," Hunny said.
"Right, right," Haruhi said, "um you were going to let me rest?"
"Oh yes, right, of course," Hunny said as he walked out, "I hope you're feeling better next time we see each other."
"Well hopefully I will," Haruhi said as she watched Hunny walk out. She waited a little until she was sure that she was alone and no one was coming in.
Then she held up the scepter over her head.
"I hope this works and it brings back their Haruhi," Haruhi said to herself, as she hit herself on the head with it.
"Owe!" she moaned before she opened her eyes.
"Oh no!" she moaned as she realized she was still in the same safe room.as before.
"Why am I sti here?! Why didn't it work like before?!"
She was distracted by the sound of the secret knock.
"General, are you alright? I thought I heard you cry out in pain!"
"Oh, I'm fine, don't worry about me!" Haruhi called.
"Are you sure you don't need a doctor?!"
Haruhi groaned annoyed. She halfway figure the soldier was doing her job and wanting what was best for her.
"Fine, send for one, just for a quick look over," she agreed.
She waited a while until she heard the secret knock again and in came Kyoya again.
"Sorry to drag you away from those who probably need you more than me for a small booboo," Haruhi said.
"Not at all, I wouldn't mind helping to attend to the great Haruhi Fujioka," Kyoya said smugly.
'There he is,' Haruhi thought as she let Kyoya examined her.
"What exactly happened?" Kyoya asked.
"I kind of hit my head with the scepter again. I lost control of it while I was looking it over," Haruhi explained.
"This scepter?" Kyoya asked as he looked it over.
"Do you know anything about it by chance?" Haruhi asked hopefully.
"Well can't say for sure," said Kyoya, "my sister's the historian of the family. She's study old relics and historical documents. Even though our father always felt she was wasting her time doing so. That's why he married her off so fast. However, I do remember her studying some type of old cultural language. It was a long time ago, but I do recognize a few of these symbols. This one for example." He pointed to one that looked a little like thunder. "It means something along the lines of time or something."
"Time?" Haruhi said, "Time in what sense?"
"Don't know, like I said it was a long time ago and I've rarely seen my sister since she was married. She took to her wife duties very quickly and seems happy enough in her new role."
"That's good at least," Haruhi said.
"Yes, thank you," Kyoya said as he kept looking her over, "I don't see any bumps or bruises. And it doesn't sound like you've gotten worse, even though you're not exactly doing better."
"Thank you," Haruhi muttered, "well if there's nothing else you can do for me, you can go back and help those who really need your help."
"Right away General," Kyoya said as he prepared to leave.
Suddenly Haruhi had an idea.
"Uh Kyoya-Sen, Otori?" she suddenly asked.
"Yes General?" Kyoya asked.
"You seemed to be a good level headed man, probably good in a crisis situation," Haruhi said, "Hunny, Haninozuka and I are soon going on a very important mission. It could be dangerous, but I'd feel a little safer if we had a medical expert with us while we deal with the situation. Would you be willing?"
"I swore to serve my leaders and I shall follow that oath," Kyoya said with a bow, "what's the mission?"
"Go see Haninozuka and talk with him, he'll probably be able to explain it better than I could," said Haruhi.
"Very well, I shall," Kyoya said as he walked out of the hiding room.
'I bet Kyoya could offer some help with just being him,' Haruhi thought as she laid down and looked at scepter. She focused on the symbol Kyoya said meant time.
'I wonder what exactly time has to do with anything in general,' she thought, 'Time before you can move on? A time limit? Dman it Hikaru and Kaoru! No matter where you always seem to be able to cause trouble!'
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, hoping that she'd wake up to better circumstances regardless of where she ended up.
Mori wasn't sure what he should do as Haruhi kissed him. His mind told him he should do the right thing and pull away, but his instincts told him to just let it happen.
"Is it safe to come back in?" Hunny suddenly asked. Haruhi quickly pulled away and both she and Mori looked at the door where Hunny stood with a smirk.
"Mitskuni! What have we asked about you coming into a room we're in, in secret and surprising us?!" Haruhi asked mad.
"Sorry, but you two looked so cute together, I thought I let you be for a moment," Hunny said as he walked over to his big cousin.
"I thought you promised you'd be honorable and not take advantage of her?" he whispered.
"She kissed me," Mori whispered back.
"Right, that's it, even though I sure didn't see you fighting it in anyway," Hunny pointed out.
Mori groaned.
"It's good you're here anyway Mitskuni, we can tell you my plan for ending the war," Haruhi said as she stood up. She looked around the room.
"I wish I had one of my maps as a visual, but you'll just have to use your imagination. It's not like you don't know the lay of the land anyway."
"Yep, you'd be right," Hunny said with a smile.
"Anyway, my plans means a little compromise on our part," Haruhi started to explain. "Basically, we give up the Shizukeisha river and a small portion on my side up to Suoh's control, thus giving him more land and control of how things move among our territories."
"Oh, okay, that sounds like a good idea," Hunny agreed, even though he had little idea of what was going on.
"I apologize, for not saying anything sooner. To the point that we almost lost Takashi," Haruhi continued, "I just didn't want to lose face by giving up rather than holding strong like my father and the other leaders before me had."
"Oh no! Knowing when to compromise is a big sign of strength! Especially when you can admit to having to back down a little. If it helps bring peace and security, I'm all for it!" Hunny insisted.
Mori nodded his head in agreement.
Haruhi looked like she wanted to cry. "Thank you, both of you." She gave a heavy sigh as her eyelids started to look heavy.
"I think it's time you rested Haru-Chan," Hunny said as he took her hand and slowly led her her over to Mori, "why don't you take her to her room to rest?"
"Yeah, sure," Mori said.
"And nothing naughty, Takashi," Hunny taunted.
"Mmm?" Mori muttered, looking his way as he left the room with Haruhi. He led her down the hallway to a guest room and let her in.
"Wow, this is beautiful," Haruhi said as she looked around the vibrant decorated room. She walked over to the extravagant futon. "The observer and his benefactors are very well off."
"Yeah," Mori said, "go ahead and get some rest."
"Aren't you going to join me?" Haruhi asked.
"Uh, probably not," Mori said sheepishly.
"Oh, I understand," Haruhi said softly, "we just got reunited and still have a lot to do. Probably shouldn't be distracted by personal pleasure."
"Yeah, sure," Mori said. He did walk over and hug Haruhi.
"I hope we can get together and soon, I want you so badly! And I've been so ready for a child! It's been so hard."
"We'll have time for that once we've made peace," Mori promised.
"Thank you, Takashi," Haruhi said. She went and crawled into the futon. "Can you at least wait for me to go to sleep? I want to keep knowing you're here and alive as I drift off."
"Yeah, sure," Mori agreed as he sat next to her. He put his hand on her head, and smiled as he watched Haruhi fall asleep.
A part of him was actually envious of this apparent other version of him. The version that had Haruhi to himself, no argument.
Even if the world itself didn't sound exactly perfect, at least he and Haruhi were happy together.
But he also knew that this Haruhi needed to return to her world and they needed to get their Haruhi back.
"Sleep well Haruhi," Mori said as he saw finally drift off to sleep.
Hunny wondered over to his own room he stayed at whenever he stayed at the Morinozuka house, making him comfortable in his bed.
"It really is too bad this isn't our real Haru-Chan," he said to himself. "I bet Takashi would be really happy with her, especially like this. But none the less," He pulled out his cellphone. "Hi Kyo-Chan,"
"Hello Hunny-Senpai, is everything okay? Did something happen with Haruhi?"
"Kind of," Hunny said, "this Haru-Chan presented Takashi and me with an interesting idea to end the war she seems to think we're having with Tama-Chan, Hika-Chan and Kao-Chan. And she wants to show it to them and you. Think you can bring them by?"
"I'll take care of it, if it'll help keep her calm, and in control," said Kyoya.
"Oh good, oh and as far as Haru-Chan knows, the city is your homeland, and Takashi's house was provided by you and your benefactors," Hunny continued to fill him in.
"I see, I shall keep that in mind," said Kyoya.
"Oh and also you found Takashi and saved him and that's why we're going along with your observation," Hunny added
"Oh, seems like you have all the bases covered," Kyoya said smugly, "I will go along with this for now, if only to keep Haruhi calm and less likely to make attempts to kill Tamaki and the twins."
"Any more luck with the scepter and if it can get Haru-Chan back or back to normal or whatever?" Hunny asked.
"I've found some new information," Kyoya said, "apparently there is something about it switching bodies with someone similar you and that you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can try and swtich back."
"How long?" Hunny asked.
"As far as I can tell from my research, at least a day," Kyoya said.
"So that's why she didn't swtich or whatever when Hika-Chan hit her earlier?" Hunny.
"Most likely," Kyoya said, "I will admit, a lot if where I'm getting my information is from legend and folklore. But it's all I have to go off of, and so far it's been proven to be mostly accurate. We'll try and come by tomorrow around thr same time Haruhi was hit last time just in case I can find a way to make sure that we can get Haruhi back to normal if we hit her again."
"Okay, I'll make sure Takashi knows," Hunny promised.
"How are things going between him and Haruhi?" Kyoya asked out of curiosity.
"This version of Haru-Chan really likes Takashi," Hunny said with a giggle. "I caught them kissing again actually. I can't help but think if this version of Haru-Chan is here to stay, Takashi might not have any problems being with her."
"Really?" Kyoya said, "interesting, well lucky for us Mori-Senpai is honorable and won't make Haruhi stay the way she is just for his own pleasure."
"Yeah, although I do have to admit, I feel a little sorry for him, that Haru-Chan can't stay the way she is now," Hunny said, "well, I'll let you go Kyo-Chan. See you tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you," Kyoya said as he hung up. He tapped his mouth with his finger.
'I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that Mori-Senpai would take a fancy towards a warrior version of Haruhi,' he thought, just a little bit annoyed with the idea.
When Haruhi woke up, she groaned in frustration.
"Still at war, huh?" she asked out loud as she stood up. "Well I didn't wake up in a different world last time I fell asleep either, so I guess it's safe to assume that it wouldn't happen this time either."
She looked over at the scepter on her desk . "Of course, I could maybe try again with hitting myself and see what happens."
Before she could pick it up though, she heard the secret knock again.
'Okay, I guess it can wait,' she thought.
"Come in."
"Morning Haruhi," Hunny came in, followed by Benio. Hunny was carrying a tray of food. Benio was quick to prepare a spot fot it.
"Want to join me for some breakfast?"
"Sure," Haruhi said as she joined Hunny. The food looked simple but at the same time fancy. And in either case it tasted alright.
"Feeling any better today?" Hunny asked a little eagerly.
"Sorry, still like yesterday," Haruhi admitted. She both Hunny and Mori looked disappointed by the notion.
"Well, hopefully you can keep it together through today," Hunny said, I sent word to Suoh last night and actually got a response from hims this morning. He's willing to meet in nutral territory today, this afternoon in fact."
"This afternoon?" Haruhi asked in shock.
"Yes, I know it's a little sudden but, we should take it. Hopefully this will also make sure he doesn't have to time to mount a surprise attack," Hunny explained.
"Oh, well than sure," Haruhi decided to agree.
"Also, I agreed to let your doctor friend come along," Hunny also said, "I met with him last night and he was even nice enough to help me to write out my latter in a way that sounded professional and sincere and not too desperate."
"Having a doctor with us would be a smart idea given that it's Suoh and all," Benio also said.
"Oh good, good," Haruhi said. She did feel good knowing Kyoya was coming to join them. She figured even this version of Kyoya might be able to help bring some insight to the meeting.
"So do we know what you shall be dressed in for this?" Benio asked.
"Shouldn't it be my armor?" Haruhi asked.
"Not just the armor," said Hunny, "you'll have the armor underneath something more, formal. As will I."
Benio noticed Benio opening a trunk and rummaging through it.
"Will this work?" she asked as she pulled out a black kimono with a red flower all around it."
"Perfect," Hunny said as he finished his own breakfast, "one Fujioka had finished her breakfast, help her into her armor and the kimono."
"Aye sir!" Benio said.
"I'll come get the two of you when it's time to head out," Hunny said, "in the meantime, I'll go change myself and make sure all the neccisarry preparations are ready. Just be ready for when I come back."
"Will do sir!" Benio said with a salute.
"Are you ready General?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," Haruhi said as she managed to scoff down some more food.
Then she let Benio put her armor on and then prepare the kimono over it.
"Will it be okay is the armor is shown through the kimono?" Haruhi asked as she was dressed.
" I doubt it," Benio said, "at worst, if Suoh doesn't plan on attacking, he'll mock you for wearing the armor."
"Oh, I see," Haruhi said. She heard Benio give off heavy sigh. "Something wrong?"
"I was just remembering when you and General Morinozuka would wear your matching kimonos together. You two looked so important and powerful. Plus happy. It made me feel so good about the Zuka clan's future. I think all of us did."
"Oh, well hopefully after today, we can look forward to the future again," Haruhi said.
"Right, yes," Benio said.
'I hope this whole plan does work today,' Haruhi thought.
"Are we seriously doing this?" Hikaru asked.
"Yeah, going a fake peace meeting with Haruhi," Kaoru said.
"Who probably still wants to kill us!" they said together.
"Yes, but, hopefully this will keep her from wanting to kill us," Tamaki said calmly.
"You really think so?" Kaoru asked.
"According to Hunny-Senpai, this version of Haruhi is convinced it'll help matters," Kyoya said.
"But we probably won't know a thing she's talking about," Hikaru and Kaoru mentioned.
"I'm sure we can fake it,' Tamaki insisted, "we'll just nod our heads and agree with everything she says. Just think of it as another cos play day."
"Right sure," the twins said.
"Do you think the map's readable?" Haruhi asked as she held up the huge map she had drew herself since the morning. It actually looked like a professional, with lots of different details of the land and areas.
"No it looks fine," Hunny assured her truthfully.
"Yeah," Mori agreed.
"Good, I wouldn't want them to claim less,"Haruhi muttered.
"Don't worry Haru-Chan, I'm sure they'll ve reasonable," Hunny insisted.
Haruhi looked at Mori who nodded in agreement. She took a deep breath.
"Very good," she also agreed.
Just then they heard the doorbell echo.
"What's that?" Haruhi asked.
"Oh, uh, that's the summoning bell! Hunny said, "the observer and the others must be here!"
"Oh, good," Haruhi said a little cautious.
She took a deep breath while rubbing her hands nervous.
Mori took her hand, "it'll be okay, you'll see."
"Thank you, Takashi," Haruhi said a little relax.
"Good afternoon," Kyoya suddenly said as he, Tamaki, Hikaru and Kaoru all joined them.
Haruhi immediately looked on edge.
"Welcome," she said, "thank you for agreeing to this."
"But of course," Tamaki said, "I do hope that this meeting goes well and we are able to reach a peaceful. ending with all this. Feel free to begin whenever Haruhi."
Haruhi glared at him. "I don't know if I necessarily approve of you calling by my first name so informally, as though we're friends or something. But none the less." She looked at Mori who held up her map.
"Whoa, Haruhi did that?" Kaoru whispered.
"Since the two of us share the Shizukeisha river, I've theorized that if I were to surrender complete control of the river to you and this area on my side to your control, you will have about the same size of territory as us," Haruhi explained. "Plus you would have 100% control of travel in and out of the country practically." So Suoh, what say you?"
"Yeah, what do you think, Tama-Chan?" Hunny asked.
"Tama-Chan?" Haruhi said confused.
"Uh," Tamaki sputtered, "looks good. I think we can definitely go along with this."
"Really?" Haruhi said, "you're not even going to discuss it with the twins?"
"Oh, right," Tamaki said looking over at Hikaru and Kaoru.
"We like it!" both said with a thumbs up.
"No other bargaining or snide remark?" Haruhi asked.
"No, no, it's perfect, it's just what we need," Tamaki insisted, "we're totally on board!"
"Really?" Haruhi said. She looked over at Hunny and Mori.
"Do you think they're up to something?" she whispered.
"What do you mean?" Hunny whispered back.
"I mean, don't you think they're agreeing a little too easily?" Haruhi asked.
"Well, no necessarily," Hunny said, "it's a good idea. Let's just go with it."
"It just feels like they're giving a little too easily," Haruhi said, "they didn't even talk about it among themselves."
"Well, maybe they just can't find any reason to go against it," Hunny explained.
"You really think that's it?" Haruhi asked.
"Yeah," Mori said. Haruhi immediately look a little more at ease.
"Alright," Haruhi said as she looked back at the three and Kyoya.
"Thank you Suoh, and Hitachiins. I'm so glad you managed to come to a such a calm ending."
"Absolutely!" Tamaki said proudly.
"Then shall we draw up thr treaty?" Haruhi asked.
"A treaty?" Tamaki asked, "a treaty?"
"To make it all offcial," Haruhi pointed out.
"Oh, right, make it offcial!" Tamaki said trying to sound confident.
"I can do it," Kyoya offered.
"Thank you observe," said Haruhi. She walked over to Kyoya and bowed to him.
"you truly are a good man."
"You are too kind," Kyoya praised.
"No, no, it is you who are kind," Haruhi insisted. She turned to go back to Mori and Hunny, when her foot accident hit Kyoya's school bag, knocking some of the contents out, including some papers.
"Oh I am so sorry!" Haruhi quickly said.
"Oh it's quite alright," Kyoya tried to insist as he tried to gather up some of his things.
"Please allow me to help," Haruhi offered as she set to work helping to retrieve some of her things.
"Oh no, don't worry yourself," Kyoya attempted to persuade her.
However, he noticed Haruhi gathering up some of the papers and looking over the contents. Everyone could see her face looking disturbed by what she was reading.
"Kyo-Chan, what's on those papers?" Hunny asked concerned.
"I think those are the notes I've been making about our current situation with the different Haruhis," Kyoya admitted.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Haruhi asked as she looked up from the notes.
"Whatever do you mean?" Kyoya asked in his cool.calm manner.
"What's this about a different Haruhi? One who's apparently a richman's daughter and you being commoners?" Haruhi asked.
"Uh-oh," Hikaru and Kaoru both said.
"And this? This about a new Haruhi who's a warrior? Isn't that me?" Haruhi asked.
"Well, um," Hunny tried to explain.
"What is this? What is really going on here?" Haruhi demanded, "these notes almost make it sound as though I am not in my own world? And that somehow this man, is not the same Takashi I love?" She looked at Mori looking both hurt and angry.
"Who are you then? Who are all of you then? Especially you, observer!" Haruhi snapped.
Before anyone could stop her, Haruhi grabbed a spear that was hung on the wall and raced to Kyoya. She pointed the spear right at his neck.
"I want some answers, some real answers! Now!" she ordered.
"Haruhi," Mori said as he came to her, "put the spear down and we'll talk."
"You promise? Real answers? No more lies or false answers?" Haruhi asked. Mori nodded.
Haruhi lowered the spear from Kyoya's neck.
"Alright, I'll listen, even if you're not really not Takashi! But the answers better make full sense!" Haruhi made clear.
"I promise," Mori swore.