Hello again! I am updating like mad lately!!! Just have the weird urge to write… lol! So, this chapter should be really long, because it is going to be a ball. But, someone brought up a good point; she must be taught how to dance!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran… waaaaaaaaaaaah!!!
The host club officially had a new dog/errand boy, much to Tamaki's sadness. She didn't seem to mind, if anything she was happy to oblige. Seemed like she needed something to do. And so, she started her first day on the job.
She wasn't a horrible errand boy, just forgetful. She usually ended up having to be asked twice for certain things. She just smiled and said "Whoops!" and continued on her way.
The entire Host Club was grateful, everyone except Hikaru. What's gotten into him? Thought Haruhi when Hikaru got mad at her for forgetting. But, Haruhi didn't have to worry… Kaede was able to hold her own quite well.
~Flashback! ~
"Oy, errand boy, over here." Called Hikaru to Kaede. She shuffled over towards him and asked him what he would like? "Do you mind if you start to use your brain and stop forgetting everything. It's like you're trying to not do what we ask on purpose." Said Hikaru casually. "I mean, if you really don't want to be here, you shouldn't have taken the clothes we gave you. Although, heaven knows, you needed them." He glanced up to gage her reaction.
"Excuse me!?" asked Kaede, anger apparent on her face. "Who the hell gives you the right to tell me what I do and do not do on purpose? And, it's not your job to give me style tips." She turned her back to him and started to walk away. "And, heaven knows, you don't know about fashion either." called Kaede while walking away.
Not expecting that… though Kaoru, very amused by the entire situation. He knew exactly what was happening. Hikaru didn't know how to get attention from people he wanted attention from. This was just a way for her to notice him, although it all seemed rather trivial.
"Hey!!! Come back here and apologize!" yelled Hikaru. He was standing up now, and everyone's eyes were on the two.
"Apologize?" spat Kaede as she stopped in mid track. "I don't waste my time with things that I don't need to do. I am waiting for YOUR apology." She turned back towards him, seeing the surprise marked so clearly on his face.
He stuttered for an answer, but couldn't seem to find his voice. He blushed and sat down, cursing under his breath about dumb women with no regard for social standards. Everyone in the club forced their eyes to look away as Kaede walked away to help someone else.
~End of Flashback, it's been a couple hours~
"Come on Hikaru, you really should apologize…" said Kaoru, looking worriedly at Hikaru who was still muttering to himself and blushing.
"Me!? What about her!?" Yelled Hikaru, a bit too loudly because everyone stared at them. He sank back into the chair. "She is the errand girl, so she should be obedient." Muttered Hikaru. "Anyways, we're doing her a favor, aren't we? If we weren't doing what her dad told us to, she might end up dead."
A crash sounded through the entire room. Everyone made their eyes look from Hikaru and Kaoru, toward the crash. It was Kaede. She had dropped a tea set. She was staring straight at Hikaru, trying to hold back tears. "Um… sorry, I will clean it!"
Tamaki ran to her aid and told her that even butterflies dropped plates. She stared at him, not sure whether it was a compliment or not. In the end she smiled and said that she wasn't a butterfly, just really clumsy.
"Hikaru…" mumbled Kaoru softly, "She must've heard you."
"Yeah!? Well… she deserved it!" whispered Hikaru, but he looked like he was beating himself up for it.
"You know… if you want to talk to her, try asking what she likes."
"Heh… and why would I want to talk to her?" said Hikaru softly… but he looked like he was thinking about it.
"Oh… no reason." smiled Kaoru, who could read his brother like a book. "Just thought you'd want to know…"
The next day, Kyoya announced that the ball was that night. "You do know how to dance, don't you?" asked Kyoya, not looking away from the notebook.
"Er…" stuttered Kaede. "I… uh… sure!" She tried to get out of the conversation. "Look, do you even need a ball? It's just a lot of work."
"Yes, we do." Said Kyoya flatly. "One, because I have already set it up. Two, because if we are going to find you a future husband, we have to showcase you." He glanced at Hikaru quickly, "and I do believe you will need lessons on dancing."
"I will teach her! I will teach her!" yelled Hunny! He grabbed her hands and started to dance around. She stood stiffly as he danced and twirled.
"No! She is my daughter! I will dance with her!" announced Tamaki.
"Nope, I already have someone to teach her." Smiled Kyoya evilly. "Plus, it will defiantly be interesting to watch."
"Oh really!? And who could be a better dancing match for my daughter than moi!!!???" Asked Tamaki, looking deeply offended.
"Hikaru." Said Kyoya plainly.
The entire Host Club turned to stare at Hikaru, who looked like he was in shock.
"Why would you say me!?" demanded Hikaru, who was getting ready to run for it.
"Because I did. And, you would like an invitation, wouldn't you?" threatened Kyoya. "I would think you would want to take part in the festivities."
Kyoya knew that would be enough to get Hikaru to do whatever he asked. Hikaru hated being left out, and would do whatever it took to be a part of whatever it was he wasn't already a part of. "Fine…" mumbled Hikaru. Kaoru was the only one who noticed the slightest of blushes on his face.
"No!" said Kaede. "I can dance! I can dance!!! I promise!!!" said Kaede as she was tugged toward Hikaru who was standing stiffly.
"Won't hurt you to practice then, will it?" said Kyoya as he turned to walk away, with Tamaki running after him demanding to know why he decided Hikaru over him.
"Fine." Muttered Kaede bitterly. Hikaru put his hand on her waist and she put her hand on his shoulder. He shuddered; he could almost feel her hatred. Their hands joined, and they started to dance.
She really could dance, which surprised him. "Heh, you can dance." Said Hikaru, teasing a little.
"Yes… I guess I'm full of surprises…" said Kaede softly, concentrating on her feet.
"Er…" Hikaru swallowed his pride and continued, "I am sorry about… saying that stuff to you earlier… I was… out of place… I guess…"
"You guess?" asked Kaede.
"Okay, I was way out of line…" admitted Hikaru, looking away annoyed. Control your temper
She smiled crookedly, "its okay… But I doubt I would be dead if you had said no to my dad's offer."
"You heard that… huh…"
"Yeah… he's just… a tough guy. He wants to best for me, but his pride gets in the way. The only reason all of this marriage stuff matters is because it doesn't look good to have a spinster daughter." Explained Kaede.
Sure, he loves you. That's why he slapped you. I would rather have a spinster daughter than a hurt one. Thought Hikaru, but he kept his mouth shut and nodded.
Kaede smiled and danced on, but even while she smiled crookedly and danced with Hikaru, her eyes told a different story. Hikaru ignored it, and told himself that she was perfectly happy, and that she did have a wonderful life. It was all like a story book, his whole life was like a story book in a way. And… all story books have a happy ending, don't they?
Well… I didn't manage to get to the whole dance yet… I thought this was a good cutoff, but I will start the dance segment immediately! I like the whole love hate relationship between Kaede and Hikaru; it manages to show the human side of the story. Get your dancing shoes for the next chapter!
