Author's Note: This story was a collaboration type-a thing. The girl I wrote it with is on DeviantArt and you can find her under the name NeonObssessed! She's pretty great! I thank her very much for her help! I had all the odd chapters and she had the even so that's that.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran or any of it's characters!
.
.
.
.
"Arranged to be married?" Kazumi asked with wide eyes. Misaki stared down at the table.
"Yes …" she mumbled simply, her cheeks darkly colored. It was difficult to think about, she was not fully sure how she was supposed to feel about it.
"Well, why? How?" her friend persisted and Misaki finally looked up at her.
"If you really want to talk about this, let's go back up to my room. I'll tell you all I know." She said simply. "But you must eat your lunch. You slept in way too late and had cake way too early after sleeping."
"Eating cake in the morning is good for you."
"Good for your metabolism and that was definitely not morning. You're turning into Honey-Chan."
"He lives a good life …" Kazumi said with a nod, and after a moment, both the girls giggled. "Alright, as soon as I finish this we are going upstairs and we are having this conversation." From then on, it was all speed eating.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"I can't believe I ate so fast …" Kazumi moaned, rubbing her aching stomach as she laid on the bed.
"I told you to slow down or else what?" Misaki said sternly and Kazumi mumbled something. "What was that?"
"Don't eat so fast or your stomach will ache!" Kazumi growled, closing her eyes.
"I told you twice, but you kept eating like a pig in front of all those people …"
"Misaki!" Kazumi interrupted,
"What?"
"Stop avoiding it. Spill the beans!" It grew silent after that, and Misaki cleared her throat.
"Well … What do you want to hear?" she asked simply.
"How did you guys get engaged?" The thought made Misaki grimace and turn her eyes to her lap. "Miza, please?"
"My Father," Misaki began-, "He was good friends with Takashi and Mitsukuni's Fathers. Mr. Morinozuka liked me very much. He spoke with my Father about marrying me and Mori when we grew up. And my Father agreed." She shrugged, keeping her eyes down.
"So you're still engaged?"
"No … We're not."
"Why not?" Kazumi was growing impatient. She wanted Misaki to just tell her everything, but if she did not ask questions, her friend would leave something important out of her little story and it would be a very short conversation.
"Mr. Haninozuka found out later and he became outraged. He decided he wanted me to marry Honey and thrust the offer upon my Father who declined. Not that my Father favored Mori over Honey, but he thought our personalities were well matched and that Mori would have more for me as a husband and supporter. A feud broke out between our families, which was sad because Mr. Haninozuka and Mr. Morinozuka were brother-in-laws. Mori's Father and My Father decided it was too much and broke it off." Misaki grew quiet again after that, Kazumi stared at her in surprise.
"That's crazy …" she mumbled.
"I know …"
"You remember all of that?"
"Not all of it, but my Mom told me that's what happened one day when I asked where Honey and Mori were. She doesn't really find a point in keeping things from me." Kazumi nodded as her friend spoke, picking at her dress before she sat up. They both looked over to the door as there was a knock on it. They stared for a moment, and then Misaki stood up and walked over, opening the door. There stood Hikaru, Kaoru and Haruhi. She looked irritated, as usual when she was alone with the twins.
"I'm really sorry about this guys …" she mumbled.
"Hey guys!" Kaoru smiled,
"What's going on?" Hikaru added, glancing around Misaki's room.
"Oh, well we were just talking. What's going on with you?"
"We wanted to ask if you all wanted to come out to the garden with us for a dinner picnic!" Kaoru said, his smile turning into a grin. Misaki glanced back at Kazumi who shrugged.
"That sounds lovely, Kaoru, thank you." Misaki smiled. Kaoru looked confused for a moment, exchanging glances with his brother.
"Right … Well dinner is at six sharp!" he said.
"So don't be late!" Hikaru added.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Misaki and Kazumi walked out to the gardens, arm in arm. They had taken it upon themselves to- … Well, Misaki had taken it upon herself to dress Kazumi and herself nicely for this occasion; something nice and fancy, but good to sit on a blanket on the ground.
Misaki wore a light weight, sea green material. It hugged her body down to her waist. The collar was not low, but exposed her collarbone. The skirt of her dress came to her knees and if she were to spin, her dress would do something similar to Marilyn Monroe's dress. However, Misaki was a lady, and Lady's did not spin unless they were dancing with a gentleman.
Kazumi was dressed in what looked like a yellow t-shirt with a white, yellow spotted skirt pulled up just under her bust. However the skirt was sewn there and Misaki assured her friend she looked adorable in it. When she had looked in the mirror, Kazumi shrugged and agreed that she did look alright.
"Mizu-Chan! Zumi-Chan!" Honey called out by the entrance of a very large hedge maze. Misaki had seen it from her room, and had become very curious about it. Well now they were able to go inside it! Mori and Honey stepped slightly to the side for the ladies to walk through. The girls glanced over at them, and Misaki smiled. They were both dressed up in suits, and Honey looked absolutely adorable. Mori looked even more handsome than he already was. They all started walked through the maze.
"It's so nice back here …" Misaki said.
"Yeah, but don't you think these young men look even nicer?" Kazumi questioned in a sickly sweet tone. Misaki sighed inwardly, glancing back at the boys and smiled.
"I daresay they do."
"Aren't we lucky to have such handsome men walking us to our dinner party?"
"Indeed." The girls giggled softly, turning their gazes ahead. Honey was beaming brightly, and proudly. Mori looked, for the most part, unchanged. But there was a tint of blush in his cheeks. Finally they turned around one hedge and there was confetti thrown on them. No … Rose petals! Misaki caught one and grinned. "It smells lovely back here."
"Roses are her favorite," Kazumi whispered to Mori. The young man returned her gaze and a tiny smile twitched in the corner of his lips.
"I know," he replied just as quietly. Kazumi raised an eyebrow at him, turning to her friend with a smirk on her face. Misaki had not heard, or at least she pretended to not hear. She looked confused a little as she looked into the opening in the hedge. There were girls everywhere as well as the host members catering to their needs.
"I thought this was going to be a little get together …" Misaki said quietly.
"It was supposed to be," Kyoya droned from just inside the hedge. She looked to him and he looked back at her. "The twins simply couldn't keep their mouths shut." Kazumi sighed heavily, glaring at all the girls. "A problem, Kazumi?" Kyoya questioned and she glanced up at him.
"I don't like people." She said, walking past him and into the picnic. Honey was quick to follow her. Misaki sighed heavily, shaking her head at her friend.
"She is impossible."
"At least she has the will power to speak her mind." Kyoya replied, watching Kazumi a moment before he looked back down at Misaki.
"I suppose you're right … I'm not paying for this am I?"
"No, Miss Saito, you are not. You were invited as our guest and were not expecting this. It only seems fair."
"How kind of you." She chuckled softly. "And please do not call me Miss Saito. Misaki will do just fine. I know what you're trying to do, Kyoya. Make your family seem even better than it already is. Putting a good name in for your Father." Kyoya watched her with raised eyebrows. "You don't have to treat me specially because of that. Besides, my Father already likes your family business very much and says your Father is good company." Kyoya snorted and Misaki turned her eyes up at him.
"My apologies" he said quietly, "I did not know I was so … Easily read."
"Oh no, not at all. I just know. I have to do that sort of thing all the time. Keep a nice reputation for my Father. I want him to be proud of me."
"Indeed …" Kyoya mumbled and Misaki sent him a smile.
"Treat me as your friend and I assure you, my Father will hear nothing but goodness about you." Kyoya cracked a smile and gave a bit of a nod.
"Thank you,"
"No problem."
"I can see why your Father thought you and Mori would be a good match." As Kyoya spoke, Misaki stiffened.
"What are you talking about?" she asked quietly and Kyoya clucked his tongue before rolling his eyes.
"Oh come now, Misaki. Don't play dumb."
"I- …" Behind them, someone cleared their throat. The two turned and looked up at Mori, who had not moved from behind Misaki since they entered the little clearing. He was slightly glaring at Kyoya.
"Right then, I have things to tend to." Kyoya said, watching Mori a moment before he walked away. The two stood there awkwardly in silence. Mori opened his mouth to speak, but he managed to get nothing out.
"Misaki! You have to try this food." Kazumi said, walking over with Honey who already had some cake on his face.
"Taka-Chan. We have to walk around and say Hi to the ladies before we can sit down with Miza-Chan and Zumi-Chan." Honey grabbed Mori's hand. "We'll be right back, guys!" he smiled.
"Yeah." Mori said simply, letting the boy drag him off. The girls watched them go off and talk to other girls.
"Honey is so sweet." Kazumi said, "And he really likes cake." Misaki laughed and nodded.
"He always has," she said, glancing over at Kyoya. "Kazumi? What do you think of Mr. Otori?" Kazumi looked up at her friend with a small frown.
"Don't tell me you like him too!"
"Oh no no, he's handsome and intelligent but he's certainly not for me. I was thinking … He would be … More for uh, you." Misaki said slowly, giving Kazumi a glance and a little smile. Her friend looked a little taken aback.
"Oh no! I don't … I don't think so. Not really. No …"
"Now that I've got the idea in your head, I'm sure you'll think about it more." Misaki said with a proud smile. Kazumi shook her head slowly, taking her friend's hand and leading her further into the party, going to the food table and making themselves their dinner plate, as everyone who was already here had done so. The girls found an empty blanket and they took their seats, sitting lady-like on the ground with their knees bent and their skirts covering them.
"The food is very good." Misaki agreed with Kazumi after they had eaten most of their food.
"Mhm! Told you." Kazumi said, popping a grape into her mouth. They looked up as Mori and Honey came and sat down with them.
"You got your food?" Honey asked, and the girls nodded. "Good! Then you can get your desserts soon! They're really good." He smiled adorably.
"I bet they are. I'm sure you picked them out on your own, Mitsukuni." Misaki said with a knowing smile and her friend shrugged.
"I know my stuff about sweets!" he exclaimed with a giggle. The girls continued to eat, letting Honey talk to them and Mori grunt every now and again. When they were finally eating dessert, Kaoru walked over and looked down at Misaki.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" he asked, folding his arms behind his back. Misaki looked up at him curiously.
"Well, I suppose I better walk off that cake anyway. Sure, I would love to." She replied, setting her plate down and standing. "I'll be back soon." She assured her friends before turning to Kaoru. The red head glanced down at Mori, catching the fire in his eyes. There was a slight smirk at the corner of Kaoru's lips as he looked away from Mori and led Misaki out of that area, and they ventured further into the green maze. Once they were a safe distance away, Kaoru finally spoke.
"I don't think I've ever seen Mori-Senpai look at a girl the way he looks at you. So I'm not completely sure if he likes you or if he just enjoys staring at you." Misaki blushed deeply as he spoke.
"I haven't noticed." She lied simply, clasping her hands together in front of herself.
"Then why do you stare back?" Misaki turned a glare on the boy, not wanting to talk about the subject, and she was not sure how else to get that across. She decided the best way was to change the subject.
"You and your brother seem rather close,"
"We are, joined at the hip you could say. He's my best friend …" Kaoru trailed off before she shook his head. "Which reminds me of something; earlier today, when we invited you to the picnic?"
"Mm?" Misaki questioned, looking up at him.
"How … Did you know it was me asking you? You've known me not even half a day." She watched him as he spoke, turning a corner in the maze as they did so. Misaki smiled knowingly and gave a nod.
"You and your brother are very much the same." She began, "But there is something … About the way you talk, that is different from the way Hikaru does." Kaoru watched her in confusion. "You seem gentler in your manner of speaking. Maybe a little more careful about the way other people think. Like your trying harder to keep others happy and easy going."
"And Hikaru?" the twin pressed with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I've noticed he doesn't seem to have a filter." She chuckled softly and Kaoru could not help but smile a tiny bit.
"I guess you're right. He doesn't like people really. Neither of us do. We're normally pretty closed off. But the Host Club has opened us up." The two grew silent, their eyes wandering over the green surrounding them. It was almost a nice quiet, not awkward. They managed to keep it that way for a while before Kaoru sparked another conversation. "It's kind of weird, walking quietly. Hikaru is nonstop talking." Misaki giggled at this.
"I can imagine."
"Really?" the two laughed.
"I like talking to you, Misaki. I don't mean to sound cheesy, but you don't really talk about yourself."
"I don't like to talk about uninteresting things." Misaki said with a simple smile and shrug. Kaoru opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Hikaru, now standing in their path.
"Hello kiddies, did you enjoy your walk?" the other twin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Does that mean that it's over?" Misaki questioned.
"Any longer and we're gonna start charging you. There are other girls here y'know!"
"Well I didn't know there were going to be." It took a short argument to get the boys to agree, that had been a little unfair on their part. They decided it was best to walk back now.
"So … How do you like your classes?" Hikaru asked.
"We don't have any yet, not until Monday at least."
"Well it's only Wednesday! You guys have the rest of this week and then the weekend."
"That's true …" Misaki sighed.
"Oh! We're having a little party this weekend …" Kaoru said, "For the Host Club."
"Really?"
"Mm,"
"It's a dance party," Hikaru added. "Real fancy, you know." He shrugged and Misaki nodded.
"Sounds nice,"
"You're invited …"
"I don't want to have to pay anything do I?" she chuckled and the boys shook their heads.
"Naw, we'll talk to Kyoya, he'll drop it."
"I feel so horrible about doing this. Like you guys are going through all this trouble-,"
"Oh no, not at all actually!" Kaoru said, "We like you and Kazumi. We want you to be there, and it seems dumb to make you pay. It's not any trouble to drop the charges anyway. It's just two girls."
"Oh … Well thanks. I'll see if Kazumi wants to come. She doesn't normally like events like this … The whole 'dressing up' part isn't really her thing."
"Well she definitely looks nice today …"
"Because I forced her into that dress." Misaki muttered, shaking her head.
"You look nice too, Misaki." Kaoru mumbled, and the girl smiled.
"Thank you, Kaoru." They finally turned back in to the party. As soon as she walked through the entrance, Mori's eyes were trained on her and Misaki caught his gaze.
"Looks like somebody missed you." Hikaru whispered in her ear. Misaki blushed, but otherwise ignored the red head, walking over to Honey, Mori and Kazumi.
"You guys didn't tell me there was going to be a dance this weekend!" she accused when she came to the blanket, hands on her hips.
"Takashi told me not to!" Honey exclaimed,
"Why ever not?" Misaki asked, her face falling. She sat down, watching Mori with confused eyes. He opened his mouth nervously, before he closed it again. Whatever he was about to say, he had decided would not be good enough. Honey sunk back a little.
"Don't worry about it, Miza-Chan. It's not that he doesn't want you to come-," the young boy was cut off by a glare that his friend sent. Kazumi bit down on her lip, obviously knowing something Misaki did not. Misaki looked at her friend, glaring down at her.
"Kazumi …"
"Wow, look at that. I really need to use the bathroom!"
"I'll show you where it is!" Honey piped up. The two hurried off the blanket and out of the maze. Misaki watched them run off with a grimace. She then looked down at Mori, who quickly looked back up at her.
"Takashi, what's going on?" she insisted. He swallowed, watching her anther moment before he stood up.
"I-I'm sorry." He stuttered out before he left the opening in the maze, following after Honey and Kazumi. Misaki's shoulders slumped and she stared back down at the pattern in the blanket. What were her friends doing?
"That was close Taka-Chan!" Honey sighed, walking with the two people around to the front of the school.
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Kazumi mumbled, running a hand through her hair.
"You don't have to Zumi-Chan …" Those big brown eyes turned up at her and Kazumi swallowed before shaking her head.
"That's not what I meant Honey, I want to help, I just can't believe I am. I'm not even that good of a dancer …" she trailed off.
"That's okay! Taka-Chan's a great dancer!" Honey beamed and she stared at him in confusion.
"Then what am I helping with?" she exclaimed.
"Even when we were little, Takashi couldn't dance with Misaki. She's really good, and he gets nervous."
"So … You need me to …?"
"Just someone Takashi can pretend to be Miza-Chan." It took Kazumi a moment to process that. She looked up at Mori, and he looked away from her. He appeared to find it just as odd as she did. However, it could be worth the try.
"I guess … It's worth a try. I'm definitely not Misaki though. I think it'd be hard to picture me as her …"
"Let's go and find out!" Honey grabbed both of their hands and pulled them inside the school, leading them on to the Host Club room.
"Okay Taka-Chan! You're doing really well!" Honey said, watching Mori and Kazumi dance. It had been awkward at first, but after the first few tries, they started getting the hang of it. However, Mori was never looking her in the eyes.
"Mori, this isn't going to work unless you think about Misaki." She said as they danced.
"Sorry …" he mumbled.
"Don't worry about it, we'll just try again." The dancers readjusted themselves and started once Honey reset the music correctly.
"Well well well, what do we have here?" Kyoya stood by the door, his arms folded across his chest.
"I-I-It's not what it looks like! Please don't say anything to Miza!" Kazumi rushed out, her and Mori taking a quick step away from each other.
"Don't worry, Miss Ayaka. I know exactly what's going on here. However, Miss Saito is not going to be impressed by such horrid posture. I almost expected more from you Senpai." Mori's shoulders slumped a little and he looked down at the ground.
"It's not his fault!" Kazumi defended. "I'm extremely short; of course he can't stand up straight."
"Indeed, lucky Misaki is a bit taller." Kyoya moved closer until he was standing in front of Kazumi and looked up at Mori. "You could still use a little bit of help. I've seen you dance before, Mori. You're not bad but of course there can always be something fixed." Without warning, the dark haired young man placed his hand on the small of Kazumi's back and pulled her closer to him, grabbing her hand in the same movement.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, but Kyoya ignored her.
"For this weekend, most of our dances will require this position. Miss Ayaka if you could place your hand on my shoulder?" she grudgingly did so, feeling slightly uncomfortable all over again with another guy putting his hands on her. At least Mori had been nervous as well! Honey restarted the music. He glanced over and noticed Mori now standing next to him.
"Are you watching, Taka-Chan?" Mori gave a simple nod and they both looked over as Kyoya started the dance with Kazumi. She held onto him lightly, but his hand kept her close to him. Kazumi was insistent on not saying a word. Not once did Kyoya's eyes leave hers. It was slightly unnerving, or it just made her even more nervous than before.
"It is important to keep eye contact with your partner. Otherwise your staring at someone other young man's partner or just off into space. Neither one of those things are attractive." Kyoya stated, gently spinning Kazumi before he brought her back in.
"Definitely not …" she muttered and Kyoya smirked.
"Small talk, depending on the girl of course, tends to be important. With Kazumi, I might simply ask about her day and wait for her to bring anything else up." He looked down at Kazumi, raising an eyebrow slightly when she meagerly met his gaze. "How has your day been Miss Ayaka?"
"Alright, I suppose." She replied, "There was one thing I was not particularly fond of, however."
"And what might that have been?"
"This guy … Decided it was his job to grab me and force me to dance with him." Kazumi said, keeping her tone disgusted.
"Well perhaps this 'guy' had a perfectly good reason." Kyoya chuckled, only slightly enveloped in emotion.
"It was perfectly horrid and improper."
"I agree,"
"I'm sure his Father would be most unimpressed."
"But of course." He was obviously enjoying himself, and Kazumi had to admit she was enjoying herself just a teensy bit. Mori and Honey glanced at each other. As the song ended, the two stopped and pulled away from each other. "I don't see you trying to make conversation with Misaki, Senpai. However, Misaki is obviously a good friend and either she can get you to talk or deal with your silence. Just remember she might not be interested for very long and one of those redheaded twits are going to snatch her up." Mori frowned at this.
"Hey!"
"We are not twits!" the boys were just lightly peeking in the doors.
"Wasn't Misaki with you guys? She's not here is she?" Kazumi asked quickly.
"Nope, she said she was tired and we walked her back to her room." Kaoru said, glancing over at his brother. "What's going on in here?"
"Teaching Mori to dance with Misaki." Kazumi replied. The twins both raised their eyebrows and glanced over at Mori who sighed heavily.
"Goodnight." He mumbled, walking to the door.
"Wait up Takashi!" Honey called, running after him. Kazumi rolled her eyes.
"Well, seeing as they are the only two reasons I'm here, I'm out. Night guys."
"Night Kazumi."
"Goodnight." They watched her leave, and then the three glanced between each other. "Did you two leave Haruhi with Tamaki?" Kyoya questioned with a frown. The twins stood there a minute before it dawned on them and the sucked in a breath.
"Ooooh …"
"Maybe …?" Kyoya sighed heavily.
"Let's go then." He mumbled, already walking for the exit.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Misaki looked up from her book when she heard someone knock on her door. She quickly placed a bookmark in her spot and shoved it under her pillow. Climbing off her bed, she grabbed her silk robe and threw it on, tying it tightly shut over her night gown before opening her door. Kazumi stood there, glancing down the halls either way.
"Oh … Hello." Misaki said, adjusting herself in her robe.
"I'm sorry to have run off on you earlier." Kazumi said, looking back into Misaki's brown eyes. "Honey had something he wanted to show me."
"Mori went too …" Kazumi shrugged,
"They're like a 'buy one get one free' kind of thing, you take one you get the other… Anyway, I just wanted to apologize and say goodnight." Misaki nodded, "Well … Night."
"Goodnight." They stood there another lingering moment before Kazumi turned and walked to her door. Misaki closed the door and locked it, walking back over to her bed. She climbed up and slipped her book out from beneath the pillow, fingering the binding before she set it on the end table by her bed. Misaki then turned off the lamp and laid down, slowly letting sleep take over her.