oOoOo
They arrived on the island in the early afternoon. A light lunch buffet awaited them as the staff took their luggage to their bures. Haruhi looked around in awe. The extravagant main complex overlooking the lagoon contained the lobby, lounge, dining pavilion, and a full service spa. 'So this is how the other half spend their vacations,' she marveled to herself.
After lunch they were taken to their bures in motorized carts, and she was no less impressed by the private villas than she was by the main complex. Each was furnished in a native style, but had all the luxuries of a five star hotel: air conditioning, king size four-poster canopy bed, marble bathroom with thermal spa tub, fully stocked bar with gourmet snacks. There were even a bathrobe and slippers made of the softest fabric she had ever felt. She could learn to like this. Stepping out the back of her bure she discovered a private porch, complete with outdoor shower and fresh water splash pool. Further out lay the white sand beach and beautiful blue ocean. A shaded hammock, tied between two palm trees called to her. She went out and lie down in it and closed her eyes.
The sound of the surf and the gentle breeze had nearly lulled her to sleep when she heard a small voice call to her. "Haruhi…Haruhi…Come with us!" It was Honey, leading Mori across the beach from their bure next door to hers. "We are going to go check out the tide pools."
"Okay," said Haruhi shaking off her slumber, "That sounds like fun." They walked along the beach until they came to a rocky outcrop. Here there was water trapped in a small pool between the rocks. The tiny world was teeming with life. There were starfish in colors so unnatural, they looked like a child had decorated them with crayons. Anemones waved their tentacles in the calm, clear water. Tiny crabs crawled over the barnacles picking for food with their teeny claws.
"Aren't they cute?" exclaimed Honey. He watched, amazed, as Haruhi picked up a small crab, and let it run over her hand. "Aren't you afraid it will pinch you?" he asked.
"Naw, they're too small to do much damage." She released the crab gently back into the water. The three sat on the rocks carefully exploring the miniature ecosystem.
A short while later Hikaru and Kaoru came running over the beach toward them. "Hello!" they called. "What are you guys up to?"
"It's a tide pool. Come see!" encouraged Honey. The twins came over and peered into the pool.
"That's nice, but we are going to go see some real fish." They held up the snorkel masks and swim fins they held in their hands. "Come with us Haruhi! There should be equipment in your bure."
"No, thanks," she declined. "I'll stick with the tide pool for today."
"Suit yourself," they shrugged and headed toward the water. She watched as they ran into the water, splashing each other and laughing. They looked like a pair of otters playing in the waves. Haruhi laughed. They were almost as fun to watch as the creatures in the tide pool. She looked back to the tide pool. Mori was reaching in to gently stroke the rough skin of a starfish, while Honey excitedly pointed out the small feathery legs of the barnacles as they reached out in search of food. The Host Club worked so hard making others happy. They deserved this vacation. She loved to see her friends having fun. Then it occurred to her; two of them were missing.
"I wonder where Tamaki and Kyoya wandered off to," she said.
"Oh, Tamaki challenged Kyoya to a round of golf," Honey explained. "I don't think Tamaki stands a chance though. He has never played before, and Kyoya frequently goes golfing with his father's business associates. He will probably enjoy not having to let his opponent win for a change." Haruhi could easily picture Kyoya gracefully losing to overweight businessmen to win favor for his family. She could also just as easily picture him beating Tamaki soundly with very little effort. The king was sure to be sullen that evening.
oOoOo
Dinner was a grand affair, with a wide array of island delicacies. Haruhi didn't know where to start. As expected, Tamaki sulked during most of dinner. "How was I supposed to know that a low score was better?" he whined. Kyoya just shook his head and tried to ignore him. Haruhi, on the other hand, hated to see him looking so down.
"Tamaki-Senpai, how would you like to take that walk this evening?" she offered.
"Tonight? Really? Of course!" Tamaki's mood brightened considerably.
"A walk with Haruhi? We want to go too!" the twins chimed in.
"Not tonight," warned Kyoya. "Daddy wants to spend some quality time with his daughter."
"Awww," Hikaru and Kaoru moaned in disappointment. They didn't argue too much though. Both of them had gotten a bit too much sun while snorkeling, and were looking forward to a cool shower and a comfortable bed.
After dinner, they all returned to their bures. Tamaki told Haruhi he would be by later to pick her up for their walk. She hoped she would be able to stay awake. It had been a long day for all of them. She decided to step out on the beach to see the sun set. She pulled on a light sweater, as a slight breeze was beginning to pick up. She grabbed a towel and walked out onto the sand. Sitting down on the towel, she gazed at the beautiful crimson sky. The view was breathtaking. She had never seen such a perfect sunset.
"Red sky at night, sailor's delight; Red sky in morning, sailor's warning," a voice chanted behind her.
"Tamaki?" she questioned, turning around. "Oh, Kyoya, it's you. You startled me."
"I'm sorry, I did not intend to," he apologized. "May I join you?"
"Of course," she said, moving over to make room on the towel for him. He sat down beside her. "What was that you were saying?" she asked.
"What? Red sky at night?" he questioned. "It's just old sailor's lore. A rhyme used to predict the weather. A red sky in the evening predicts good weather, while a red sky in the morning indicates a storm on the way. Have you ever been sailing? Perhaps we could go tomorrow."
"That sounds like fun. The weather prediction, does it really work?" she inquired.
"Well, there is some basis in fact." he admitted. "It has to do with the way the sunlight reflects off the dust particles and moisture in the air. But it really only works in areas where the weather moves from the west to the east. Fiji's weather is influenced by south-easterly trade winds. Being in the southern hemisphere, Fiji is just ending it's summer, the rainy season. Though a tropical storm is not out of the question, they tend to occur more in the beginning of the season. So, even though the saying does not really apply here, I think we can assume that this beautiful red sunset does indeed indicated good weather on the horizon. A good day for sailing."
As Haruhi listened to his explanation, his soothing voice relaxed her. Her eventful day caught up with her, and she started to drift off. As she did, she leaned over against Kyoya's shoulder. Kyoya stopped talking and looked down at her. He just smiled and let her be. She just looked too cute sleeping like that.
"What's going on here?!" a voice boomed. Haruhi immediately sat up straight, as Kyoya casually glanced over his shoulder at Tamaki.
"We are merely admiring the spectacular sunset and discussing the weather." Kyoya clarified. "Haruhi seems be a bit fatigued after the long day."
Tamaki rushed to her side. "Are you all right, my dear daughter?"
"I'm fine," she replied with a yawn. "Are you ready to go for our walk?"
"No, you should go to bed if you are tired." he insisted.
"Are you sure?" she asked. She felt bad backing out after having promised him, but she really was exhausted.
"Your well being is much more important. We can walk tomorrow. Can I ask one favor though?" he begged.
"Yes?" she queried.
"Since you got to enjoy the sunset with Mommy this evening, could you find it in your heart to share the sunrise with Daddy?" He looked at her with his puppy dog eyes, which she could never refuse.
"Of course," she agreed. "I'll see you in the morning then." With that, she wandered sleepily back to her bure and barely managed to get into her pajamas before collapsing on the bed.
oOoOo
A/N: Well, there's the start, let's see where it goes. I am trying to give Haruhi some time with all of the other host club members. Next time will probably be Tamaki and the twins turn. I feel like I am neglecting the twins. They are my favorites, so I'm sure they will show up more in the future.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Host Club characters. I am only borrowing them, again. I promise to put them back when I'm done. I did last time.