Here's the official chapter 1!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Club

Enjoy!

Chapter One

What I Wouldn't Do

Soft fabric flutters gracefully in the wind. Fabric made up of the softest threads, the most expensive. Nothing was ever as priceless as she was.

Five Years Later

"…yeah, Hikaru we found him passed out in Mom's studio a few hours after you left," Kaoru took a sip of his beverage " he scared us a little though, the second he woke up he was asking for you." Kaoru raised an eyebrow, half-expectant of Haruhi to indulge him with some kind of secret she was sworn not to tell. "He just kept going on and on, the second we told him you left, he broke down even more than we thought possible." Kaoru looked at Haruhi, a meaningful look in his eyes.

This was such a lost feeling that Haruhi had found, there she was again, watching Kaoru as he sat across from her, hands in the pockets of his light blue sweatshirt, smiling widely at her. Haruhi stared pointedly at her smoothie in front of her. Through the clear cup, she could point out the small chunks of strawberry and the striped straw that stuck out of a small hole in the top of the cup.

Had Hikaru cared about her that much? Haruhi had to wonder why Hikaru did what he did: get drunk, pass out, and be underage nonetheless. She had not rejected him; she told solely what was on her mind at the time. What was she supposed to say, that she loved him all this time? Haruhi did not have time for things like that, but in the end, Haruhi's heart stood newly broken at the news of Hikaru and what he'd become when she left.

Haruhi played with a loose string that hung of the sleeve of her light brown sweater.

"Wait, how'd he pass out? Kaoru?" Haruhi stared at him. Her drink froze in her hands. She only wanted to confirm her theory.

"Drunk on love, I expect," Kaoru leaned back in his chair then winked at her. "Mom's sake cabinet." he admitted.

Haruhi sighed, "Why does he always have to be this way," she ran her fingers through her short brown hair. "it's not like I don't want to meet him, don't get me wrong, I've been waiting five years to see all of you guys, but I'm gonna have to get used to it all again." Haruhi pursed her lips. "So it's fine if I stay at your place?"

"Yeah, there's more than enough space for both of us." Kaoru grinned, "Having some one to talk to would be a nice change. "What about Kyouya Senpai, are you sure he'll be okay with it?"

"Don't be stupid Kaoru; he was the one that suggested it."

"Anyway," Kaoru said offhandedly "are you ready to tell Hikaru your attached?"

"Stop teasing me, I know I need to tell him soon, so it might as well be today-"

"The very day you get back, Haruhi aren't you being heartless, give Hikaru some time for it to sink in. You just got here."

"But,"

"No buts Haruhi." Kaoru winked at her as he set the check down on the small ceramic table.

The coffee shop stood inconspicuously beneath the bright early morning skies of Japan. It was not grand or anything, it was just there, mellow and approachable on the street corner. Kaoru told her he was a regular here, the service was great and it was not crowded. This place was always convenient to him, for his house was only a few blocks away.

Though Haruhi had arrived that morning in a new world, the nostalgic pink towers of Ouran still stood out to her if she looked towards the busy part of town. The streets surrounding the coffee shop was small studios, shops, and various confectionaries. Haruhi was beginning to wonder if that was where Kaoru had gotten the chocolates, he had given her when she came back.

Haruhi had arrived that morning alone, a little jet lagged but other than that feeling quite normal. Haruhi looked forward to find her father, Kaoru, Takashi, and Mitsukuni waiting for her on some seats near the gate. Kaoru had given her red and peach colored flowers along with the chocolates that Haruhi found to be quite delectable.

Her father had practically smothered her with kisses to the forehead and tight hugs. Words came from her father's mouth in feverish haste as if she was about to leave again. Haruhi found herself openly welcoming everything he said and did. Her call to her father announcing her return only to receive a feverish message telling her she was not able to stay at her house for the time being due to his last minute apartment remodeling.

"So, Kaoru, what about everyone else?" Haruhi was quick to change the subject.

"Well, Tamaki…" Kaoru paused, suppressing an urge to the words he was about to speak. "Um…well he's more the business man than any of us expected." Kaoru looked uncomfortable.

"What's wrong Kaoru?" Haruhi inhaled, "does this have anything to do with Tamaki Senpai?"

"Anyway Haruhi, don't you wanna hear about-"

"Kaoru what's wrong with Senpai?"

"Just wait 'till you meet him later.What a fun visit that'll be." Kaoru said under his breath. "So where's Kyouya Senpai?"

Haruhi knew at this rate, she would not be able to crack Kaoru no matter how hard she tried. She might as well meet Tamaki later; Haruhi understood the fact that she would have to find out what was really wrong with Senpai herself.

"He's still in New York for a few more days, didn't tell me why and I didn't bother to ask." Haruhi said bluntly.

"Typical Haruhi." Kaoru smiled at her, his drink swinging lazily in his hand. Kaoru's head suddenly perked up and his drink swung to a sudden stop, its contents sloshed up against the sides of the translucent cup. "Hey Haruhi, say instead of not visiting anyone today, how bout' we go visit Senpai?" Kaoru voiced Haruhi's settled thoughts. Apparently, Haruhi was very settled. Kaoru's head turned to face her, only to see her slouched against the table, her eyes closed as she emitted soft breaths.

"Jet lagged, I guess." Kaoru grinned.

Dreams of the twins, glasses and flowers drifted in and out of Haruhi's focus.

"Haruhi, wake up." Kaoru called from above her.

Haruhi tossed in his bed, her eyelids dragged themselves up. She stared at the clock on his nightstand. "W-What is it?"

"I'm taking you somewhere." Haruhi could just hear his mischievous grin; she could also hear the absence of a harmony that should have been there.

"Kaoru, I'm tired, jet-lagged, I- I- what time is it?" Haruhi could see the two zero zero in an alarming red color. Haruhi lay hidden beneath the blankets her eyes open only enough to see the numbers. She was foolish enough to ask Kaoru if it was two in the morning or the afternoon, but she didn't care.

"Two in the afternoon, Haruhi," she could feel Kaoru grip the sheets somewhere near her feet as he said so. "C'mon Haruhi, you owe me, I carried you here on my back."

Haruhi had to admit, she had no idea how she had gotten here, whose bed this was, or whose house this was for one thing. The slightly sweet, yet musky scent of Kaoru was embedded in the pillows of she breathed deeply.

"You should get dressed Haruhi, if you don't you might regret it," Kaoru said.

"And why would I regret that?" Haruhi removed the blanket from her face, the edge snuggled up beneath her chin.

"Do you want me to dress you," Kaoru smiled widely, "You know, I designed some things-"

"That's okay, Kaoru-just get out of here for a little bit."

After realizing Kaoru had unpacked her clothes and placed them somewhere else than in the room she was in, she reached for the blinds, they opened and afternoon light flooded the room. Haruhi proceeded to look in the dresser that stood at the end of the bed. She opened the wooden doors to see the closet full of frilly and colorful clothes. Haruhi knew Kaoru had planned; after all, they were all her size. In the end, Haruhi settled for a plain, fitted, and light beige sundress. She knew it was her only choice; Haruhi dug almost desperately in the back of that closet to find something inconspicuous in the least.

The thick straps fell lightly on her shoulders. Haruhi had to wonder, did Kaoru make this dress? Her mind wandered as she explored the top floor of the house.

With clean fuzzy white carpet beneath her feet, she opened the door to the room, across from her stood a bathroom. To her right, a few doors, spare bedrooms were along the right wall. Across the hall of closed doors, an open area complete with a black leather couch, a few hard backed wooden chairs, and an entertainment center. The polished glass set a boundary between the open air and the electronics within, various software discs, a music-playing device, and compact discs littered the inside Speakers flanked the center of the display. To the left of the hall, the stairs, carpeted also, led to the bottom floor. The house was luxurious, but nothing close to what their estate looked like.

Across from the entertainment center was a door labeled "workroom". The sign hung askew by a string nailed to the door, the writing clearly hand written. Haruhi's hand hesitated; she laid it against the middle of the door, the other hand at the doorknob. Kaoru wouldn't mind was the only thought in her head, the thought left her head and she turned the knob.

Pushed up against the wall were two collapsible tables near the corner of the medium sized room; a more solid table was placed along the right wall. OOn top was a sewing machine, a pincushion that resembled a plush pink rabbit head, (reminded Haruhi of Hani Senpai's Usa chan, Haruhi had to wonder if he still carried it around with him) and some blood red colored fabric messily folded.

Scattered around the room lay various cloths and unfinished garments, a mannequin in one corner, dark lines littered the bodice and chest area, measuring tape hung down one pale shoulder; some pencils and pens strewn across one of the collapsible tables, and an ironing board hung against the wall at the end of one.

"Messy."

Haruhi turned around to see Kaoru; shoulder leaned up against the doorframe, his eyes half lidded, and a playful grin on his face, and an arm behind his back.

"I was just looking."

"It's fine Haruhi," Kaoru said. "I design as a hobby and stress reducer."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Well, what happened to wanting to take over your mother's label?"

"Mother seems to understand Hikaru, and they spend more time talking these days. I discuss with dad about his software company and whether or not I want to take that over." Kaoru's head tilted.

"Is that what you really want to do Kaoru?"

It was just like Haruhi to ask him those personal questions so bluntly. Kaoru sighed.

"Haruhi, yes this is what I want to do." Kaoru put his hands on her shoulder, a wide reassuring grin of his face.

"Oh."

"And, even if this wasn't, I'm sure Hikaru wouldn't mind me being his partner." Kaoru's hand played with the hair on the back of her head. His fingers entwined in the dark brown locks.

"Come on Kaoru tell me where you're taking me!" Haruhi's hands grabbed his.

Haruhi knew she was not one to be teased or surprised. She could feel something brush against her neck, cloth maybe.

"Don't be so sour Haruhi," Kaoru quickly pulled the cloth from behind her head, the band of fabric quickly made its way around Haruhi's head, specifically her eyes. Haruhi could hear Kaoru tie it up, the cloth squeezed around her head.

"Wha- What is this for?"

"Come on Haruhi, you honestly think I'd tell you, it's a surprise."

"Just why can't you tell me?"

"Come on Haruhi, you'll find out," Kaoru grabbed her hand and began to lead her to the car. "If I told you, it would take all the fun out of it."

There went another line, Haruhi could seldom imagine without a chorus had she not just heard it echo alone in her ears.

All she could hear was the thud of the workroom door closing behind her, and Kaoru's footsteps in front of her. His fingers intertwined with hers and his hand was comfortably warm.

The ride to wherever she was going wasn't the most joyous one.

After demanding from Kaoru her whereabouts, he stayed uncharacteristically silent; his hand still holding hers for assurance that he would never leave her. With each turn, the car swayed this way and that, she could hear Kaoru's soft breathing, cars passing them the other way, and soft cushion beneath her. Haruhi sighed; the only thing she could see was a bright canary yellow.

She had her eyes closed, Haruhi hadn't bothered try and take the blindfold off, she didn't want Kaoru to fret and retie it again. Haruhi sat there, quite comfortably Kaoru's hand still held hers. She had even fallen into the depths of sleep a few times. She was sure Kaoru felt her grip slacken.

A sudden jolt and Haruhi jumped awake.

"Are we here?" Haruhi said curiously.

"Yeah, yes we are."

Haruhi let Kaoru lead her out of the car and up what felt like a concrete path. She felt herself pass the threshold of a door and into the comfortably cool atmosphere of some kind of building.

"Up here Haruhi." she could hear Kaoru's voice slightly above her. She lifted a foot and met a bottom stair, the walk up to wherever felt somewhat slowly, due to their slow progression of waiting for each of Haruhi's feet to find the next stair. Her hand slid across the polished surface of the stair handrail. As soon as she reached the top, she clenched her fist, the thin sheen of sweat made her feel unexpected worry and excitement. Just what was waiting for her?

"In here Haruhi."

Kaoru's hand left hers leaving it feeling slightly empty and cold from loss of excess heat. She felt a hand grip the knot on the back of her head and pull quickly, the fabric dropped and she felt Kaoru push passed another threshold.

Dizzied and confused, Haruhi half expected to see the rest of the Host Club in front of her, laughing and energetic as always. Shortly blinded by the sudden brightness of the sunrays though the white curtained windows, Haruhi swayed on the spot and the thud of the door closing behind her caused her to jump. Haruhi squeezed her eyes closed. Through her eyelids, daylight peeked in and out of them, as she squeezed and unclenched them.

"Mmm."

Haruhi froze. She knew that sound, sure and certain. The low hum resonated in her ears. Even with her eyes closed, it sounded observant yet scrutinizing. Haruhi's eyes snapped open.

"Senpai." Haruhi looked up into the eyes of Kyouya Ootori.

Thanks for reading, review please, please and thank you.