Summary: An AU in which the world and characters of Ouran High School Host Club and the characters of Inuyasha collide. A stranger, and a really handsome one at that, comes to take Haruhi out of class. Three days later and Haruhi hasn't been seen since.

Note: This story came about from a challenge between Tsubasa Kya and me. We were discussing her idea for an Ouran High School Host Club fit, and we decided to each start the story with a similar first scene, and knowledge of what we had already discussed. We are not discussing anything before hand except for what we have already discussed. It should be interesting to see what results. We will be posting our chapters at the same time, so if one story or the other gets more reviews, we'll probably wait until the reviews are a little more even. The name of Tsubasa Kya's fic is, Experiment 23. If you like this story, you'll probably enjoy reading her's. I'm quite sure that they have already diverged into two vastly different stories. Of course, we might do something weird again and anticipate each other. You don't know how often that's happened.

Disclaimer: I do not own, it's very true
A fact that makes me very blue

You might not believe but maybe you do

Inuyasha and Ouran aren't mine so please, do not sue.

What Might Have Been

Chapter Two

As they entered the room, their eyes widened. Whatever they had been expecting, it was not this. A mostly cheerful room, the effect was slightly marred by the hospital bed against the left wall. It might have a flowery bedspread and the occupant might not be wearing standard hospital guard, but underneath the cheerful facade it was still a hospital bed, and the occupant within was still a patient. Besides the bed a few large instruments beeped quietly.

However, this was just the room, and while a room can be important, it is the occupants within that mattered. In the bed a rather beautiful, if a bit pale and thin woman lay propped against pillows. Her black hair stood out against her white pillow, and her blue eyes searched each of the incoming Host Club's eyes as they stood there, staring. Haruhi sat it a chair beside her, curled up and for all intents and purposes, asleep.

"Hello," the woman said quietly, "You are Haruhi's friends, correct? Not quite who I would have expected Haruhi to select as friends, but you have good hearts."

The Host Club, still surprised by the entire setup, was for once still speechless. They really had not been expecting a place like this for Haruhi to be at, and then for her to be in a pseudo hospital room in a house like this had completely gone into the realm of weird. And what could they say to this person they had never heard of before? She obviously knew about them.

However, they were saved from having to speak when the girl who had led them to the room shouldered past them.

"Kagome, are you sure you're up to this? You only awakened this morning," Souten said, "We don't want you to have another relapse."

"Everyone worries too much. I haven't died yet," Kagome said her tone mostly bright. Souten huffed.

"You're the only one who does not worry, Kagome!" Souten said. She deflated slightly and leaned over and hugged Kagome. "You should really take better care of yourself," she whispered into Kagome's ear, "we wouldn't be able to survive if you died."

Kagome tightened her weak hug slightly. "Yes, you would, as we have survived everything else. Now, go and stand outside the door with Shippou, since I know you two won't leave me alone until you feel everything is safe."

"That's Sesshoumaru's orders!" Souten protested slightly as she pulled away. She grinned slightly, "Of course, we would have done it anyways."

Kagome rolled her eyes slightly. "Get out of here, scamp!"

"Yes Ma'am!" Souten said, her salute only half in fun.

Haruhi stirred slightly, and brought everyone's eyes to her. She yawned a bit as she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Kagome!" Haruhi said, just noticing Kagome's bright gaze, "You're awake! I was really worried this time!" Her smile was bright, one of the most cheerful ones the Host Club had ever seen on her.

"Haruhi," Kagome said, her smile just as bright, "Turn around and say hello to our guests who have just arrived. I would love to be introduced."

Haruhi grew pale as her smile quickly faded away. "I would rather not turn around," she said, "Please tell me they didn't follow me again. Please."

Kagome's smile brightened. "Now Haruhi, you know I try to avoid lying."

Haruhi groaned slightly and turned around. "Hello," she said weakly, "what are you guys doing here." Her frustration at that fact was more then evident in her voice.

Haruhi's awakening had snapped most of them out of their staring at the entire scene so they at least didn't look as surprised as they had before.

"Father was worried!" Tamaki said, stepping over quickly to Haruhi's side, "You shouldn't just leave like that without giving us some sort of idea where you were going!"

Haruhi silently wondered why she had been "blessed" with having such friends from school. "Tamaki, I'm sure Dad told Kyoya I was perfectly fine. The school has excused my absence; I do not see what the problem is."

Kyoya pushed up his glasses slightly. "While this discussion is fascinating, perhaps Tamaki you would allow Haruhi to introduce us to her friend?"

Tamaki blushed slightly. "My apologies, my dear princess," he said, grabbing Kagome's hand and kissing it slightly, "I would never wish to ignore someone as beautiful as you."

Before he could get any farther Haruhi interrupted. "Tamaki, this isn't the club. Kagome, these are the guys I told you about. Tamaki is the overly dramatic one, the twin on the left is Kaoru and the twin on the right is Hikaru, Kyoya is the politically-inclined one who is skilled at reigning in Tamaki's enthusiasm, and of course, the shortest one is Honey, and Mori is the one that is keeping Honey from running over here and jumping us."

Kagome laughed slightly, noticing Honey's blush and Mori letting Honey's shoulder go. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Higurashi Kagome, and a long-time friend of Haruhi's."

"Higurashi Kagome? The Higurashi Kagome?" Kyoya asked just to make sure.

Kagome grinned. "Yes, I'm The Higurashi Kagome. Luckily, my father appreciates the press even less then I do, so I've never had to deal with too much publicity."

Honey, freed from Mori's grip on his shoulder, took his chance. He ran over to Kagome's bedside and started asking questions. "So you're Prime Minister Higurashi's daughter? Why are you sick? Would you like some cake? Cake always makes me feel better!"

"I think we might have some later, if that is all right with you. I believe tea time is in about thirty minutes, and I'm sure we can accommodate all of you," Kagome said, "As to why I'm sick, that's a rather long story, and better told over good food."

"Kagome!" Haruhi said, slightly scandalized, "You know Sesshoumaru wouldn't approve!"

"Sesshoumaru isn't my boss," Kagome said, "And besides, you've known these people for long enough now that it is better to tell them about everything."

"So, Haruhi has been keeping a secret from us?" Hikaru asked, smirking slightly, "This should be interesting."

"Quite," Kaoru agreed. His smirk was almost as evil as Hikaru's. Almost.

"Well, Haruhi, if you would take them to the living room and entertain them for a little, I need to get ready," Kagome commanded.

Haruhi looked as if she would protest, but she bit her tongue and said, "If that is your final decision."

Haruhi's obedience was slightly surprising to everyone in the Host Club. They knew how stubborn Haruhi could be if she thought she was doing what was best, and yet she submitted to Kagome's decision without protest.

So, with curiosity peaked, the Host Club followed Haruhi out of the room. Shippou went with them while Souten came in.

"I don't need help," Kagome said as she struggled slightly, trying to get up.

"Nonsense," Souten replied as she helped untangle the blankets, "You only woke up an hour ago. You're still too weak. You really shouldn't be doing this."

"Haruhi might have made these friends by accident, but they are all important people," Kagome said as she stood, leaning heavily on Souten. "They could really help our plans for the future."

"Isn't that being a bit manipulative?" Souten asked as she helped Kagome to the door which led to her bedroom.

"Maybe, if you so choose to look at it that way. On the other hand, I'm sure that they wouldn't mind having a connection to someone whose father is a leader in the government. As long as we walk into a friendship with open eyes, then there isn't any harm. After all, isn't friendship at its most basic level people taking advantage, if that is what you wish to call it, of the other? You periodically do your friends favors, and try to make them feel better when they're feeling down. They do likewise for you. It's a symbiotic relationship," Kagome said. She sighed in relief as she was seated on the special seat they had put in for her so that she could take a shower without having to stand.

Souten rolled her eyes. "You think too much."

"What else is there to do?" Kagome questioned with a wry grin. "I've already finished my high school degree and I'm only seventeen. I sit in my bed most of the day; I need something to think about when everyone else is off at school."

Souten shook her head. "Take your shower. I'll try and lay out a few things for you, all right?"

Kagome smiled up at her. "Thank you," she said, "I appreciate it, though I hate that it is a necessity."

"Not a problem! You'd do the same if it was someone else in your position!" Souten said cheerfully before she left.

As Kagome bathed, her thoughts quickly left her hands to do their chores and instead concentrated on her thoughts. She needed to figure out how to explain everything.

Meanwhile, Haruhi was given the pleasure of "entertaining" her guests.

"So Haruhi," Kaoru said, sitting down besides her as Hikaru sat on the other side of her on the sofa to Tamaki's dismay, "You never told us you were friends with the Prime Minister's daughter.

"You never asked," Haruhi said, "I have a lot of friends here."

"What is here?" Kyoya asked.

Haruhi shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the way the discussion was going. She knew that Kagome was going to explain everything to them, but she definitely didn't want to be the one to do it. Especially when...speak of the devil.

"Haruhi. Who are your friends?" Sesshoumaru asked. Haruhi, like everyone who lived here, had learned how to translate Sesshoumaru talk. In normal terms, that meant "Why are your friends who do not know anything here, and why haven't you yet gotten rid of them?" Of course, Sesshoumaru's favorite cause was lessening his contribution to global warming by saying everything he needed to say in the least amount of words possible. Or at least that was the excuse.

Answering his unspoken question, she said, "These are my friends from Ouran. They were worried about me for some reason, and came here. Kagome wants to invite them to tea," she said.

"Really," Sesshoumaru replied, his eyebrows moving together slightly. He turned and left as abruptly as he came. Haruhi looked up, and saw Tamaki's upset face. She resisted a groan. Why had Kagome sentenced her to this evil fate? Wasn't she her friend?

Kagome was in the middle of washing her hair when Sesshoumaru entered. She ignored his presence, and continued to massage shampoo into her skull. Well, at least until Sesshoumaru took over for her. She huffed slightly.

"You're lucky people don't think you're a pervert. You always seem to need to talk during my showers" she said, "And watch the claws!" Despite her protests, Sesshoumaru could tell she was enjoying it. She always did.

"Why have you decided to inform Haruhi's friends of the situation?" he ignoring her comment as usual, "Can we trust them?"

Kagome, unable to nod, said, "Yes. And they're all pretty influential people. I think it would be wise to let them know now rather then loose their support for Haruhi later when they discover the secret she's been keeping."

"Lean your head back," he instructed. She did, and he started to rinse her hair. He didn't say anything knowing she didn't like to talk while he was rinsing her hair.

"When did you intend to inform me?" he asked, starting to put conditioner in.

"I don't see why I need to inform you when you always find out anyways," Kagome said,

They fell into silence again. They didn't talk as much as the others thought they did. Being who and what they were, they needed a chance sometimes to just take a break. They already pretty much understood everything about the other anyways, and so they already knew when they needed to argue, and when they needed to just go along with the other's decisions.

As always, Kagome had washed first, knowing that at least half the time Sesshoumaru would come in to do her hair. Besides, he never undressed, just took off his jacket and stood behind her. And, as usual…

"Sesshoumaru, get out," she ordered sternly, "I don't need your help to dry off. People talk enough as it is."

"I don't really care," Sesshoumaru said, but he smiled slightly, something he generally only did in her presence, and left.

Kagome slowly dried off and walked out of the bathroom. Souten waited just outside the door and helped her to dress.

"Souten, would you?" Kagome questioned, half-gesturing towards her hair. Souten rolled her eyes.

"Do you even have a blow dryer?" she asked.

"Somewhere. You aren't always here, you know," Kagome said back.

Souten sighed. A minute later Kagome's hair was dry, and more then a bit puffy. Souten handed her a brush and Kagome dragged it through her hair, a painful process after Souten's little trick.

"Is everything ready?" she asked.

"Yes. Everyone's being moved to the informal dining room as we speak," Souten said.

"Good," Kagome said. She finally managed to get her hair under control, and with that was ready to leave. Souten was about to offer her a shoulder when Sesshoumaru swooped back in and scooped her up. Souten giggled slightly as she watched him stalk off, Kagome making no protests. They really needed to give up. Everyone else knew that they belonged together and yet for some reason they had already resisted for at least two years longer then the original bets had said.

End Chapter Two

I think I'll end it there. I don't want ya'll to be bored. Cliffy's are good for your health, doncha know? Oh, and thank you everyone who left reviews! They are greatly appreciated! I have to warn you, though, I was a bit disappointed at my percentages. I don't post if I don't think I have enough reviews (which is why Fire's Awakening hasn't gotten another chapter posted for awhile despite the fact that I'm two chapters ahead) and since one review is from my talented fanfiction writing brother, and the other from Tsubasa, that means that a lot of you out there didn't review. As a matter of fact, there are, at the last time I checked, 6 story alerts. So basically, you like my story enough to want to know when it's updated, but not enough to even leave the most basic review? Thanks. That has really helped my self esteem. Please, continue!

Well, anyways, just wanted to let you know that everyone just used their free be! The next chapter will be posted when I feel there has been enough reviews compared to how many hits for that chapter!