Haruhi and the twins claimed their empty seats at the familiar table in the banquet hall two minutes before the designated meeting time. All of their fellow club members were already in attendance, having started on their meals in the absence of one wide-eyed scholarship student and two havoc-wreaking twins.
Mitsukuni and Takashi sat side-by-side as the blond eagerly enjoyed a slice of cake. The dark-haired senior cut off another section of the chocolate delicacy and placed it onto a separate plate. He was waiting for the proper moment to swoop in and replace his cousin's dish, all the while still managing to enjoy his own slice of cake. It was a routine that he had perfected after the many years of being in his cousin's service.
Tamaki, who sat next to Kyoya, was speaking in a mixture of Japanese and French as he rambled on about the wonderful French foods that were provided on the cruise ship. Apparently, the only words that could properly justify the food belonged to the blond's native language.
Kyoya was not even mildly interested by the conversation as he sipped at his soup. It was extra spicy, just as the Shadow King liked it. The flavor always seemed to capture the rest of his senses, letting him concentrate on his burning taste buds rather than his friend's pointless chatter. Not that Kyoya would ever share with anyone else the reason as to why he enjoyed the incredibly spicy dishes as much as he did.
Hikaru beckoned over an idle waiter who rushed over to take their orders. Hikaru and Kaoru placed three orders of the same meal and also asked for three glasses of water. Having scribbled down the items, the waiter gave a quick bow and shot off in the direction of the kitchen.
"My lord," Hikaru said, "where are you taking us to next?"
Tamaki paused his ramblings and looked over to the twin that had spoken.
"It better not be another movie," Kaoru drawled.
The "prince-type" had definitely not been thinking about another movie.
"Yeah," Hikaru added with a grin, "poor Haruhi might be up all night."
Kaoru smiled mischievously at his brother's suggestive comment, "Thankfully Hikaru and I will be there to keep her company."
The twins were nuzzling Haruhi's face (unenthusiastic expression and all) once more as Tamaki spluttered and tried to form a series of comprehensible words. Kyoya, sensing the trouble that might ensue, swiftly stomped on the blond's foot to keep him quiet.
"Mother!" Tamaki whined as he turned to the "cool-type" with a pathetic gaze, "our sons aren't being very nice to their sister."
"You can put us all on time out," chorused the twins as they leered at the blond from across the table, daring him to retaliate.
Haruhi sighed, wishing the day would just end. If not end, she at least hoped she would have some time to explore the library that she had passed earlier in her exploration of the ship.
The waiter came by, dropping off their food and beverages. The waiter provided one final bow before he was rushing off to assist the group at the table behind the Host Club's.
The twins had ordered the three of them each a plate consisting of chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. Hungry and glad that they weren't making her try any more unfamiliar foods, Haruhi cut herself a slice. She brought the fork to her lips, letting it slide into her mouth. She found herself immensely enjoying the taste of the flavorful food.
"So cute," she heard Tamaki murmur from across the table. Looking up from her plate, Haruhi immediately spotted the watery eyes that were threatening to flood the table. It wasn't just him either. Hunny had joined the "prince-type" and, with a quick glance to each side, she could see the twins doing the same.
"Haru-chan!" wailed Hunny.
"Poor Haruhi!" the twins cried out, "She's so enamored by the rich tasting meal that she otherwise can't have on a daily basis!"
"Poor Haruhi!" Tamaki, the twins, and Hunny lamented together.
"If I wasn't so hungry," Haruhi said as she cut herself another slice of chicken, "I would most likely lose my appetite from the looks you four are giving me."
Tamaki patted his misty eyes dry with his napkin, proclaiming, "I will ensure that my daughter is well taken care of from now on. She shall be provided only the best meals!"
"Not necessary," Haruhi deadpanned.
"And we shall make sure that she will never again be dressed in commoner rags!" the twins voiced, ignoring her.
"Again," Haruhi stated, "that is unnecessary."
"And I'll make sure that she'll always have all the cake that she could ever want!" Hunny added.
"I don't even like sweet things."
Hunny teared up a bit at that, but Takashi placed a comforting hand on his cousin's head.
"You're right, Takashi!" Hunny exclaimed, interpreting the swordsman's silence, "we'll make sure we're always there to protect Haruhi!"
Kyoya felt his lips twist upward into an amused smile at his fellow club member's antics. Haruhi looked like she was ready to just jump overboard and swim home.
"Tamaki," Kyoya said, capturing the blond's attention. His friend looked like her was going to scoot next to Haruhi and start feeding her.
"Hm?"
"You never answered the twin's question. Tell them what you have planned for us next," Kyoya said.
The blond immediately perked up at his friend's suggestion. Haruhi's relieved expression did not go unnoticed by the youngest Ootori son as Tamaki exclaimed, "I was thinking we could play a game of volleyball on the deck!"
The twins looked at each other, mentally agreeing on their answer.
"Nah," Kaoru and Hikaru said in perfect unison.
Tamaki looked a bit forlorn at their decline and he flashed them his puppy eyes.
"That doesn't work on us anymore, my lord," Kaoru said.
"How about indoor soccer?" Tamaki asked.
"No," the twins deadpanned.
"Softball?"
"No."
"Gymnastics?"
The twins rolled their eyes.
Hunny inquired, "What's with all the sports, Tama-chan?"
"My lord just wants to flaunt his manliness in front of Haruhi," Kaoru said with a secretive smile.
"He already got his chance during the movie," Hikaru added in, recalling how their club president had probably been the worse of them all during the film.
"And laser tag," Kaoru supplied, thinking of how low the blond had scored in the game.
"That's not it!" the club president defended himself with a blush staining his cheeks, "I just think we should do something more active!"
Kyoya, who had found laser tag active enough, did not support his friend's idea of playing a sport. He was not one to indulge in the extensive use of energy. Especially when it held no merits for him.
It was at that moment in which Mitsukuni let off a soft yawn and his eyes seemed to droop. He let his fork, still with remnants of frosting on it, clatter against the plate covered in crumbs.
"Uh-oh," Kaoru whispered, immediately grabbing onto Haruhi's side. Hikaru followed suit, slowly backing the girl and his brother away from the table.
"Mitsukuni," Takashi stated in his somber, expressionless voice, "time for your nap."
Hunny barely managed to nod in agreement as his body went slack against his cousin's words.
"We need to get out of here," Kaoru mouthed to his twin.
Hikaru agreed and they quickly carted Haruhi away before any of the other member's could say otherwise.
Tamaki was about to burst out into protest, but Kyoya quickly stood up and slapped his napkin into the blond's mouth.
"Have a nice nap," Kyoya bid politely in an even tone to the departing seniors. Takashi had slung Mitsukuni over his shoulder and was striding towards the door amidst the sea of tables and important people who were too wrapped up in their fancy words to pay any attention to the somber giant and the childlike blond that passed by.
Kyoya gave his friend a quick glance, watching as the blond withdrew the napkin from his mouth and tossed it carelessly onto the table.
"Mother," Tamaki stated in an elegant tone, "your constant abuse leads me to believe that we need to come up with a different method of dealing with our domestic disputes."
Had Kyoya had another napkin in hand, he would have gladly stuffed it down the blond's throat once more. However, he was lacking said item at the moment.
"Let's go," Kyoya said before trailing off towards the doors, Tamaki in tow.
When Tamaki finally managed to catch up with his dark-haired friend, he was murmuring something about gymnastics and two little imps. Kyoya decided it was best not to ask.