Chapter 12

Time's Limits

(Edited Full Version)

It seemed these days were moving pretty slowly for everyone. Haruhi was taking a break from Tamaki by doing homework, although it did seem more like running to Arisa. Sharon was actually backing off the blonde. Hikaru had disappeared somewhere, Kaoru was tying up loose ends with some of the stores, Hunny and Mori were getting ready to leave the states tomorrow, and Kyoya…Arisa stopped what she was doing…He hasn't called me since that conversation over coffee or supposedly accidentally run into me. What did he mean anyway? Is he in love with me? She shook her head. No way! Arisa went back to putting up the groceries, and the phone rang. She put the jar of peanut butter down and then went to answer it.

"Hello?" she greeted the other person as she picked up the phone.

"Hello Arisa," That voice, she knew exactly who it was. How could she not? The man has been evading her thoughts for the last few days.

"Kyoya?" She tired not to sound surprised, but she was exactly that.

"Yes, I'm glad to see you still recognize my voice. Well, no need to waste time with small talk. I have called to…," the woman with black hair held her breathe, "to invite you to make sure you don't miss the last scene of the movie. It is being shot today. I believe it will be worth 'your' time." She sighed. He was just planning something between Haruhi and Tamaki.

"I see…well exactly where is this scene taking place?"

"Oh, well, it will be at the airport, of course. The one that is about a mile or two from your campus I believe."

"Hmm," The wheels were turning in Arisa's mind, "I'll make sure Haruhi sees it."

"Yes, I believe even though she isn't in this scene that she should see it."

"Of course, she needs to see where the movie is going."

"Yes, I'll see you there."

"Kyoya," Slight panic was in her voice. "I…I…well…I've been thinking."

"Thinking?"

"About us, that's all I can say for now, I been thinking about us, but I still don't know."

"You just know that you don't want me to go, but you are not so sure if you want me to stay, either."

"I…yes."

"I don't wait for anyone."

"Fine…I see, you just expect me to know what I want just because I do."

"But I do frequently visit America." And with that, all Arisa could hear was dial tone, her jaw hanging open. She shook her head. Take care of things with Haruhi. Then you can try to figure out Kyoya.

Haruhi took a deep breathe as she opened the door to her apartment. These past few weeks had been such a mess. Constantly being dragged from place to place shooting a movie. Surprisingly, it was actually a lot fun, but she really didn't feel like she would be making a permanent career out of it. She was very grateful that her professors had been understanding…actually, maybe a little too understanding. She still hadn't gotten all of the autographs for them…She trudged towards her bedroom in hopes of actually getting some work done, and also getting her mind off the fact that Tamaki refused to answer her questions. Taking a deep breathe, she began to attack her homework.

Any other time, she would have been able to get it, any other time her mind wouldn't wonder, but now…Her mind did just that. It seemed she couldn't help but think about the questions that were left unanswered by Tamaki.

"What was that kiss with Alice about?"

For one of the rare moments in his life, Tamaki couldn't say anything, "I…well…oh…I," Suddenly someone yanked him by the arm.

"Sir," the blonde turned to see Lionel and before he knew it, he was being whisked away to a photo shoot. Haruhi was shoved into the limo as well.

"Tamaki? Are you going to answer? Do you not have one? Surely, there is one." There was no way she would let a question this important go unanswered.

"I well…it was practice."

"Practice?" she questioned, "but who were you…?"

"Sir, what is she talking about? And do you realize how far behind you put me in my schedule?" the easily stressed-out man asked.

Haruhi frowned, how convenient was it for Tamaki that the annoying Frenchman had interrupted them, actually he seem to do it every time Haruhi tried to get a straight answer. Now how was she going to get him to tell her who the girl of his dreams was? Why does she even care? Oh yeah, she is in love with the idiot. Now what could she possibly ask to get him to answer the question? Then again, maybe he already answered it and she just didn't see it. She thought about something had said a few days ago.

"It was about a girl. It was you."

She knew that he had been worried that he had failed her, but what about what he told his grandma? Who was the girl he was in love with? Was it – no, it couldn't be her…could it? If it was her, wouldn't he just openly confess his feelings to her? He was so open about everything! Then again, lately he had been closed off about things…

"Ah!" Squeals resounded throughout the whole apartment, "They look so adorable!" Haruhi slammed her books shut.

"Sharon, what are you squealing about?!" Stepping into the living, the former host girl peered over the shoulders of the fan girl, who was quickly trying to make something vanish. She had something clutched in her hands and was leaning over, hoping to hide it. "What do you have?"

"What!" Sharon appeared to be very nervous, rubbing her neck. "I got nothing. I'm not holding anything important." In a fit of nerves, the blonde girl waved a paper in front of Haruhi, who snatched it out of her grasp.

"When you say nothing it usual means something troublesome."

"Oh," Jumping on the brunette, the other female tried to steal it back, but the former host girl slipped quickly out from underneath her. Immediately her eyes caught the paper from a few days ago. She had been too busy to pay attention to the news, usually just coming to her apartment to fall asleep, but in her hands was The Headline: Lovers Exposed at the Height of Fashion.

Hikaru took off his earphones, as he noticed that taxi cab was pulling into the Hayashi residence. Taking a deep breath, he recalled how the thing most precious to him had left.

"Brother, and Yoko, I'm back, everything should be…" Hikaru stared at the empty room and his brother who looked mournful. "Where's Yoko?" He felt panic surging through him, because he knew…he just did.

"She's gone, dear brother,"

"When will she be back?" Kaoru stood up with tears in his eyes as he walked towards his brother. He wrapped his arms around him, leaving a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I'm afraid she won't be coming back." Hikaru quickly pulled away from his brother staring at him in horror.

"What do you mean?" His voice was filled with worry.

"Your insensitivity drove her away," Kaoru said, lightly teasing him, but also being honest.

"What…What!"

"The way you been treating her, Haruhi. How could she think that you possibly love her as much as you claimed, when you were constantly focusing your affections on Haruhi. Brother, I've tried to help you time and again, but this is one mess I can't take care of."

"I know. I guess I won't be having dinner with you tonight, then?"

"If you know what is most precious to you, you won't be."

"I'll try to be back tomorrow. I don't know if I can be though." The other twin began to head out the door to make arrangements.

"Hikaru?"

"Yes?"

"Try really hard to read your lover's clues, you've been pretty bad at that; more so than usual."

After paying the taxi, (he hadn't wanted Yoko to know he was there and take off, before he got a chance to talk to her; although if she really didn't want to see him at all, he still might not get his chance) he began to stride towards the door. Taking another breath, he knocked on the door, and awaited an answer. The butler had greeted him at the door with his usual unreadable expression, "Master Hitachiin, what brings you here?"

The whole crew had everything packed up, ready to move and shoot one of the last scenes at the airport.

"Alright, you two need to get ready for the final scene," the director told them, "while I make sure everything is clear at the airport."

"Okay, Alice, do you think tears are too dramatic…," Alice wrapped her arms around him, and then kissed him. "Alice," he scolded lightly, as he pushed her away, "now is not the time to practice one of our kissing scenes, though that is part of it and I cannot blame you for wanting to do that part, my lips are very lovely to kiss."

"Tamaki," she grabbed his face, and, looking directly into his eyes, she confessed, "I love you!"

"Yes, well…I," he pulled himself away, "I love you too," Hope glittered in her eyes, until Tamaki added, "You are very lovable woman just like the other girls I have grow to love."

"I see…" Alice's voice was soft, "You are trying to act like you misunderstand me, but you don't…not at all." There was something wet falling from her eyes. Tamaki looked up at her surprised, and he tried to wipe away her tears.

"I do not understand what you are saying, but I don't wish to see you cry."

Slapping his hand away her tears of sadness turned to tears of rage.

"Liar! You do know what I am saying; you, who seduce women, steal their hearts and break them! You must be aware of a love confession!"

"Lovely lady," He reached for her face wanting to take away her pain, though more than aware he could not.

"Quit it! Quit it!" She shook her head in angry, "I know you are trying to be kind, but this is just cruel." Green eyes of determination stared at him, "But this is cruel! Please!" she begged. "Please, just acknowledge my feelings; I know you can't accept them." Her hand stroked his cheek, "This is my fault I was trying to help you and ended up falling for you, rather quickly might I add." Soft, but slightly bitter smile graced her lips, "I suppose that is part of your charm. Will you just stop ignoring my feelings?"

"I will not ignore them anymore, but you are aware I can not return them."

"Because of Haruhi."

"Yes,"

"All right, so what do we do now?"

"We go on doing our job, I have to finish getting ready, and you perhaps could use some makeup as well."

Haruhi set the paper down on the table after reading it. It didn't really say much except that Tamaki was there for the show, Haruhi was with him, and that there was much speculation that she was his lover, which she was already more than aware of.

"Yeah, I know kind of ridiculous, huh, like you'd EVER be his lover." Sharon was just trying not to evoke the irritation of her roommate.

"No, I suppose that is something that I would never be. Perhaps that is where Alice fits. Their worlds are very similar."

"Alice, yeah she's perfect for him in every way, although I think that's kind of boring." The fangirl quickly covered her mouth realizing that comment would accomplish the opposite of the goal.

"What do you mean?"

"Perfection is overrated and nonexistent." Sharon stated with a big smile.

"You are quoting one of Tamaki's movies aren't you?"

"Yes, the greatest one ever, where our lovely heroine is living her life as a secretary and it is extremely boring, but it gets changed by a gorgeous vampire."

"Of course, played by none other than Tamaki."

This comment evoked a flashback of when the Host King dressed as a vampire. He played it thick back then. She wondered how he does it in a movie… She shook her head. "It doesn't matter, life isn't a drama movie."
"No, it's just full of it." Sharon rolled her eyes.

"I suppose you are right, but there are ways to avoid certain kinds of drama."

"Who wants that?"

"I think it is better to have a more steady life."

"Oh, you got to be kidding me Haruhi! You were part of the host club and you tell me a steady life is better than that." Sharon wondered, and then she clasped her hands together, than swayed with glee. "Then we can trade right? I can have Tamaki and you can have your perfect lawyer's life. I am sure you can find a way to make THAT boring."

Before Haruhi could tell Sharon what an idiot she was, the door swung open to reveal a tired Arisa. A look of panic was written all over her face.

"Tamaki…Tamaki…he is…," Sharon ran over to her.

"What's wrong with my Tamaki," Arisa gave the blonde girl a small grin. Instantly Sharon knew Arisa was up to, but still played it as if she had no clue, "Tell me!" She grabbed the collar of the black haired girl's casual blue blouse.

"What's wrong?" Slight distress was apparent in Haruhi's face.

"Tamaki…he has gone to the airport!"

Panic grew inside Haruhi.

"Which one?!"

"The one at the south end of the town." Haruhi did not say another word she ran downstairs towards her car. She jumped into her car and driven as she has never had before, like her life depended on it. Don't you even think about leaving you idiot. Not until I get to tell you how I feel.

Arisa winked before heading down the stairs to watch Haruhi drive away. "Do you think she'll be safe like that?" Sharon asked.

"Kyoya's had most of the traffic directed in another direction."

"Can he do that?"

"He's rich."

"Yeah, I guess he can."

"Oh here he is now," Arisa stated as she watched as the limo pulled into the parking lot. The shadow king stepped out. "Kyoya, everything seems to be working so far."

"Good, let's not miss the show, shall we," he held his arm out for her, and she took with a small eager to see what was going to happen.

Mending broken Hearts 5

Salon girl 5

Give them something to talk about 7

You can't buy love but money doesn't hurt 2

Can you feel the love tonight? 4

You can't buy love but money doesn't hurt

Story about a forced marriage between Haruhi and Tamaki. While Tamaki finds Haruhi adorable, she was still a commoner, and Haruhi finds him to be an overdramatic rich snob. How could this possibly work? However, her father and her could use the money.

Mending Broken Hearts

Tamaki and Haruhi were good friends along with Kyoya, the twins, and even Renge. However High School changes things and their friendship is broken. Can this relationship be mended when Tamaki meets up with Haruhi years later? When Tamaki looses his memory, from the last five years. How can Haruhi handle be his doctor? What is the secret Kyoya is keeping?

Give them something to talk about:

Tamaki and Haruhi are best friends for some odd reason. When Tamaki gets a girlfriend, whom his family loves, Haruhi starts seeing him in a different light. The same light that Tamaki has always seen her in.

Salon Girl:

Kidnapped by an emotional bandit, Haruhi just wants to go home, but she sees Tamaki has good intentions and doesn't want to leave him. Meanwhile two famous twin Sheriffs are closing in on them.