Chapter 7
The train ride had been something else to check off her list of things she wanted to do. As was babysitting teenagers (that had never been on her list though).
She was never again going to trap herself in a metal box with the 6 of them, for three uninterrupted hours again. She guessed it could have been worst, Kyoya could have chosen to travel with them. Then it would have been three hours of mayhem and death glares.
Just thinking of what he probably had planned for her gave her shivers (and not the good kind, mostly). As she stepped off the train she wondered if she shouldn't have invited him.
This is probably not going to be my most pleasant vacation. It is however only a vacation for me. For him it could be the deciding factor of whether or not he has friends when he leaves Ouran.
In a way she admired his friends. Even when he threw vibes that screamed "Leave me alone" they stuck by him. They knew he needed them, but, would he ever realize it as well? When his friends grew up, had families, and responsibilities of their own he would have to be able to meet them halfway. Otherwise, they may decide they no longer had the time to taunt and cajole him into being their friend and give him what he said he wanted... to be left alone.
The only problem was did he even know how?
Eyes troubled she made her way to the waiting limo with the sound of the groups jokes and laughter behind her; a slight ache beginning in her back...
When they arrived Alexis toke a few moments to study the building so that she could sketch it from memory later. It was every inch Japanese, from the rice paper screens to the interlocking wooden walls. She made her way down the stone path that cut straight through the small rock garden that made up the courtyard. The main building enclosed the garden on three sides, with a porch of sorts running its length.
An attendant was waiting at the front to escort them to their rooms which were located in the same hall. Each of them had their own with Alexis' being at the very end of the corridor by itself. By the time the attendant had approached her room the ache in her back had become twigs of pain tapping up and down it. As they finally reached her door Alexis decided it would be best to tip the attendant and get in her room fast.
As she opened her door, she reached into her purse and grabbed hold of the small pill case she kept there for emergencies. Closing the door behind her, she leaned her back against it and pinched her eyes close, not even noticing her rooms other occupant. She pulled the case from her purse, unclipped it, and slide a pill between her lips.
She nearly choked on it when she heard someone clear their throat.
Her eyes flew open and locked with Kyoya who was sitting at a small chair and desk set.
"Well, you made good time. The train only arrived at the station 15 minutes ago." He commented in a low voice.
"Yes, my time is precious. I knew you would want to speak to me privately, but, I didn't think you would go so far as to invade my personal space. Kudos for surprising me." She smirked hoping the pill would take effect soon.
He stood up from the chair and made his way toward her. "There is a great deal about me you are still unaware of." His voice getting lower and lower as her got closer to her. " You have taken great pleasure in "poking the bear" so to speak. I hope you will be able to handle what you dish out." The last said low almost a whisper and just inches from her face.
She smiled. Oh this is going to be fun!
"That sounds like a challenge. I never pass one up. I hope you are ready." Her voice pitched as low as his. She could feel the excitement overtake her body and start to eradicate the pain.
"In an hour everyone is going to meet up for lunch." She switched to a more friendly tone. "After that maybe a little shopping in town and than a trip to the communal hot springs before dinner."
She opened the door without breaking his gaze. "I hope you thought about what I brought to your attention. You deserve your friends; they bring out the best in you, and you in them. It would be a tragedy to lose that." She watched him walk out the door.
"Oh, and I was serious before" she called out when he was half way down the hall. "If you forgot your speedo I can help you buy one." Than shut the door quickly as she broke into laughter.
Lunch was a slightly awkward affair at first. The rest of the group was making slightly stilted conversation as they watched the two sparring partners nervously. Their words getting shorter and shorter till there was silence.
Finally, Alexis decided to break through the silence with a knife. "So, Kyoya, to what extent are you planning to accompany us today? I know you must have paperwork and such that needs you attention." her perfectly polite voice asked him.
"Actually, I have wiped my schedule clean for this weekend. I'm all yours." For a second she thought the last sentence was directed at her but scoffed at herself.
"Really? That sounds like trouble! The sort of trouble I like to get my hands dirty with. Don't say I didn't warn you!" She liked that slight twitch in his expression so small that if she hadn't been looking for it she would not have known it had happened.
Kyoya thought it best to change the subject. "After dinner I do have a surprise for all of you. So make sure you are rested up and wear casual clothes." The groups faces spoke of their shock.
"A surprise! Kyoya this is new! When did you start planning this? Shouldn't you have told Daddy?" Tamaki's voice was the first to be heard..
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now would it? Just be patient, I swear it will be worth it." Belatedly Kyoya realized the headache he had just gifted himself.
"Oh, Kyo-chan is giving us a surprise! I wonder what it could be!" Honey's eyes were glistening, no doubt dreaming of some confection or other he hoped it would be.
"You didn't "invite" some of our clients on the trip did you?" Hikaru asked.
"Yeah, it was originally Alexis' trip and we just came along." Kaoru added.
"No, this is for you. Now shut up and finish eating. That is all I will say on the matter." With that he turned back to his meal and it was finished in relative peace.
After lunch they headed into the shopping district of the small town near where they were staying. As the group made their way down the street, it became smaller and smaller as bunches of the friends broke off (or were dragged) to investigate what caught their interest.
Soon all that was left was Kyoya and Mori (Honey having taken off with Alexis at the sight of a handmade chocolate store).
"It occurred to me that since the rest of you have accompanied Alexis on this trip it means you intend to tell her Haruhi's secret." Kyoya began.
"Mmh" was his answer.
"You are all in agreement with this even Tamaki?"
"Yes, he was the one to suggest it."
"I wasn't expecting that, how do you plan on revealing this to her? I assume straight out was vetoed by the twins."
When we get to the hot springs we will tell Alexis that there is something that she needs to know and than Haruhi will step out in her bathing suit."
After a small silence. "And Tamaki is alright with her being in her bathing suit..." Kyoya's eyes betraying his disbelief.
"I don't think he has fully thought through that last part."
Kyoya snorted "That's an understatement".
A few minutes later Honey and Alexis caught up with them each carrying what looked like half the candy shop in their hands. "Kyo-chan, you will never believe what Alexis-chan found for you!"
Kyoya turned to Alexis "you got me something?" He looked puzzled.
"Of course, if I find something that reminds me of a friend I get it." Alexis said as if that was the most simple thing in the world. "Anyway, Honey said in passing the other day that you disliked sweets but enjoyed spicy things. So I asked the chocolatier if he had any spicy chocolates. Their all the rage in America and lucky me he did!"
She began to sort through her bags and pulled out a small cream colored box. "Here you go! Let me know if you like it or not, 'kay!" She placed the box in his hand. Than toke off as she spotted a dress shop to her right.
Honey watched till Alexis was out of earshot and said, "Alexis-chan actually asked for him to make some for you Kyo-chan. She said "sometimes a person needs a little sweetness to go with the spice" Hey Takashi look at that a make your own bear shop!" He bounced towards the shop; Mori following close behind leaving Kyoya alone...
When they returned from their shopping excursion they each headed to their rooms to change and put away their purchases. They planned on meeting up at the hot springs in thirty minutes, so Alexis quickly began to change in to her dark red one piece with a criss cross string back.
As she pulled on her cover up she heard a knock at her door, when she opened it up she saw Haruhi in a robe so large it made him look like a small snow man.
"Hey Haruhi, come on in I'm almost done. I just need to grab my towel." She turned from the door and began to braid her hair into a crown around her head, looking for her towel.
Haruhi closed the door. "Actually Alexis there is something I need to tell you." His voice sounded a little unsure. "You see we, the host club that is, have been keeping a secret from you."
Alexis turned to look at him.
"You see I'm not actually a guy" He pulled back his robe to reveal a two piece bathing suit that covered what was definitely a pair of breasts. "I'm actually a girl."
It toke Alexis a second to comprehend what had just happened.
This explains a lot. I suppose I shouldn't be angry it really wasn't my secret to know. Actually it's probably an honor since it seems no one else in the school is aware.
"You know, I always thought there was something different about you. Now I understand, thank you for trusting me with your secret." Alexis thought this would be the best reply.
"You don't seem too upset. Your actually taking this a lot better than I thought you would, do you mind telling me why?" Haruhi looked a little worried (not that the expression often left her face).
"Honestly I thought you were gay. This makes sense though. So are you ready to go?" And with that another person was aware of Haruhi's gender.
After Alexis grabbed her towel and Haruhi closed her robe they headed for the hot springs. Once they arrived, they realize everyone was there before them.
"Weren't you going to come in a little later Haruhi?" Tamaki asked pointedly.
"Chill guys I already told her, we are all fine." Haruhi calmly informed them.
"Don't worry about it. I'm not angry at you for keeping it a secret, it was after all her secret to tell. I'd only be mad if you kept a secret from me about me. That would really tick me off." She had turned her back to hang up her cover up and towel, missing their startled, guilty looks.
"H-hey, Alexis isn't that one of my mom's designs?" Hikaru stuttered attempting to change the subject.
"Yeah, I saw it a few weeks ago and just snapped it up."
"It looks really good on you, the color is perfect against your skin." Kaoru complimented, picking up his brothers conversation change.
Alexis flushed, "I'm not a big fan of two piece suits and this seemed perfect." Alexis slide into the water and sat on a small ledge that jutted out.
The spring was large enough to seat all of them but with only a foot space between each. Alexis slide between Hikaru on her left and Kyoya on her right. The only other space open being between Tamaki and Mori.
"Haruhi, what is taking you so long? You haven't even taken off your robe yet!" Alexis nagged at her.
Haruhi let out a sigh and opened her robe only to have Tamaki jump up and close it; both his hands fisted in the material. "Haruhi, don't expose yourself! Those shady twins can see you!"
Confused, Alexis looked from Tamaki to the twins and back again.
"Who are you calling "shady"," Hikaru called.
"Yeah, your the one with your hands all over her!" Kaoru accused. Tamaki dropped the robe, his face turning red.
"Why can't Haruhi take off her robe? She is wearing a swimming suit. I mean I'm wearing a swimming suit and you seem fine with it." Alexis still hadn't figured out the problem.
"Well your different" Tamaki furrowed his eyebrows, slightly confused himself.
"How so!" starting to feel a little put out, this was her vacation after all.
"Haruhi is my daughter."
"What, wait a second, hold the phone, huh?" Alexis could feel a headache brewing.
"He doesn't mean literally." Kyoya rolled his eyes, "He views the host club as family and Haruhi is the daughter figure."
Alexis looked slightly green and whispered behind her hand, "He isn't into incest is he? Cause one pair of that is more than enough."
Kyoya snickered and whispered back, "No, the idiot has yet to figure out that the whole father-daughter cover is just that."
"Ah, I'm gonna have some fun with this." At Kyoya's raised eyebrow she grinned and turned back to Tamaki who had watched the exchange with trepidation. " Tamaki you must not love your daughter very much..." she said sadly, baiting him. "I mean if you did you wouldn't be creating the body issues she is sure to have."
"What do you mean not love... body issues?"
"Well, yeah, it's okay for other girls to wear bathing suits but not Haruhi?" she winked at Haruhi who caught on.
"Sempai, does that mean that nobody should see my body because its so ugly?" Haruhi looked hurt.
"No, no thats not it at all." Tamaki wailed. Kyoya was trying his damnedest not to show the amusement he felt.
" Than it should be fine for her to get in here with just her bathing suit on. After all there are seven of us here to protect her should something happen." Alexis pointed out.
"Fine, but, Haruhi you will sit between me and Mori." This seemed to mollify Tamaki so Haruhi toke off her robe to reveal a sea green bikini and slide into the water. The twins cheered; Haruhi finally got to enjoy the water with the rest of them. They secretly hoped this would not be the only time; they wanted to go to the beach again in the summer.
Just then the attendant arrived with several teapots and cups. "This is our own special blend of herbs to help relax your mind and body." She passed out the cups and pots so that everyone had their own cup but shared a pot with one other person.
Alexis reached over and served Kyoya than herself. As she sipped she tasted lavender and chamomile with other herbs she couldn't recognize.
"So Alexis-chan will you be taking other trips like this?" Honey asked sipping his tea.
"During the weekends, yes unless there is someplace I need to be or something I have to do. But, during the longer breaks I plan on going out of the country and travel a little." She replied the tea already making her feel a little more languid.
"Would you mind if we joined sometimes? It's been fun so far and we would like to do it again." said the twins in unison.
"I don't have a problem with that, the next time I have something planned I'll fill you in." Alexis' eyes began to droop, but, she fought to keep them open. She didn't want to miss anything.
The group began to toss around ideas for where Alexis should visit next. The banter was soothing and began to finish what the tea, warm water and her medicine earlier had started. Surrounded by her friends she drifted to sleep...
I don't own Ouran High School Host Club. It was on my christmas wish list,but, santa (that bastard) didn't give it over (pig, kept it for himself).
Hey, just wanted ya'll to know if you spot anything that needs fixing let me know. I try my damnedest to get everything on the up and up but I know somethings slip through. Thanks!