SS- Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, there was a—

Kali- Mango! Mango! Mango, mango! Mango! Mango-oh-oh!

SS- Oo Wow. . .

Disclaimer: Ouran High School Host Club and all affiliated characters belong to Bisco Hatori-shishou, and Inuyasha and all affiliated characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi-sama, no matter how much I may wish otherwise.

WARNING: Excessive sap, and spoilers for the Inuyasha storyline.

Rating: M

Title: Portrait of Takashi

Mori rose from his place, his gait regal and flowing as he came to stand in front of the girls. "You knew what I am," he stated, "and you still wished to go to dinner with me."

Haruhi craned her neck, looking up at him speculatively. Finally, she stood with a smile. "I know who you are. What you are is insignificant to me. . .Mo—"

"Takashi."

"Takashi-se—"

"Takashi." A blush crossed the bridge of her nose as she picked up on the special emphasis.

"Ta. . .Takashi. . .would you like to come over for. . .for dinner? Tonight?" Her eyes grew wide when she realized exactly what she had said. "I mean, you don't have to, we're going out tomorrow after all, but I just thought that—"

"Haruhi." She stopped babbling. "I'd like that." Kagome stood up, smiling wistfully.

"Let's go home, together," she suggested. "Hunny-sempai, do you mind if we steal Mori-sempai for the night?" The senior shook his head.

"Just have him home by midnight, or else," he joked. Sliding the ring back onto his thumb, he accepted the childlike facade with a sigh. "I'll tell you, though, it's really nice that we don't have to try and hide from Haru-chan anymore. Made me feel guilty, having to pretend like that. I'll see you at home, Takashi."

And so, they each slipped into their illusions, once more disguising themselves for the sake of general humanity. The twins left, threatening improbable bodily harm if anything happened to Haruhi. Kyoya walked out, calling back that he would wait outside to give Tamaki a ride. And there stood Tamaki, the poor thing looking back and forth between Kagome and Haruhi uncertainly, his golden ears twitching with his distress. "So. . .you don't hate me? For being. . .dirty?"

Understanding dawned on Haruhi. "That's the real reason why your grandmother dislikes you, isn't it? Because you aren't a full demon?" He didn't answer, merely pressed his lips together to stay the trembling.

Kagome laid a palm on his face, eyes darkening in sympathy at the way he flinched. "Tamaki-sempai," she began hoarsely, ". . .I had a friend, five hundred years ago, who was a half-demon, a dog half-demon called Inuyasha. His parents died when he was young, and his only brother thought he was absolutely worthless for the longest time, centuries, if I'm going to be truthful. Inuyasha basically raised himself, away from civilization because neither side would take him. Humans feared his demonic strength, while demons despised the human blood that coursed through his veins.

"By the time I met Inuyasha, he was under the firm belief that eventually, everyone would betray him. His half-brother had, his former lover had, everybody he had cared about had either tried to kill him, or had left him. It took my friends and I months to convince him that we wouldn't hurt him.

"He eventually gained respect from both the humans he rescued and the demons he fought, but respect was easier to gain five hundred years ago. Five hundred years ago, respect was based on strength, and Inuyasha was one of the strongest, second only to his brother. Nowadays, it's harder, because strength isn't what makes your place in the world; money is. The ones with the most money get the greatest respect. That's why the families of the four regions are still in control today, I suppose. . .at least, I think Sesshoumaru-sama still controls the West. He was too stubborn to let anything kill him when I last saw him!"

Tamaki and Takashi both jerked at Sesshoumaru's name. "Taisho-sensei?" Tamaki gasped. "He's the Lord of the West? But he's the volunteer 'business and politics' teacher, he comes every other day!" Kagome appeared shocked.

"Was he here today?" Her voice was low, and her bangs shadowed her eyes. When the cat half-demon nodded, she continued. "Is he here still? When does he leave? Please, I need to know!" Kagome looked up, and her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. Her voice had cracked with the effort of keeping them from spilling over. She had to find him, had to know what happened to them, to. . .

"Keh. Stupid wench, why would you want to talk to that bastard?" The rude, not quite abrasive tone was as familiar to Kagome as her own voice. She turned slowly, hesitating in case it was just her imagination. But that long silver hair, those molten gold eyes, the furry white ears. . .it was really him. An older version, with a mature appearance, but it was definitely him. It was truly Inuyasha. She flew at him with a sob and, like he always had, he caught her.

"Kagome, hey, hey, it's okay. I'm okay. See," he pulled back briefly to meet her eyes, "I'm okay. I'm nine hundred years old and still going strong."

"Technically, dear little brother, you are eight hundred and fifty. years old; those fifty years you spent pinned to a tree. . .shall we say, stunted your growth?" Kagome looked over Inuyasha's shoulder to find the majestic Sesshoumaru leaning against the doorway. He sauntered over, stopping just behind his half-brother to smile at both of them. "Hello, Kagome. It's good to see you again."

Kagome smiled back. "Hello, Sesshoumaru-sama. I'm not going to get killed, am I?"

"Why would I murder you?"

"I'm touching Inuyasha," she explained. The Lord of the West nodded gravely, but his eyes held a mirth that hadn't been present five hundred years past. Tamaki took this all in silently, nodding as he tried to make sure his brain didn't short-circuit under the information influx.

"Tamaki." Once again, Kyoya proved to be his saving grace! "I've informed Shima-san that you'll be coming home with me. It was a pleasure to meet you, Kagome-chan. Haruhi, Mori-sempai, we'll see you tomorrow after classes?"

"Of course, Kyoya-sempai. Good night!"

". . ."

"Good night, Haruhi. Taisho-sensei, Inuyasha-kun, we'll see you tomorrow." With that, he clasped Tamaki's hand, dragging the taller man off into the night. Haruhi eyed their retreating figures critically.

"Kagome, how much would you bet that Tamaki-sempai shows up limping tomorrow?" Kagome screwed up her face in mock concentration.

"Two hundred yen says no limp, but extremely calm and satisfied." The remaining men raised their eyebrows, but Sesshoumaru smirked at the confidence they displayed.

"Is that so? Five hundred says limping, and even more exuberance than the norm." Inuyasha scoffed.

"As crazy and fascinating as your interest in my classmates' sex life is, Kagome and chick-that-I've-heard-about-but-whose-name-I-always-seem-to-forget, you look like crap. You haven't been sleeping, have you," he accused gruffly. "You look like you did when you had to study for your tests, and you pulled three all-nighters in a row so that you could ace it."

"I sleep," she claimed defensively. "I do! I just. . .don't do it often. 'S not that big a deal, I get a full eight hours."

"A night or a week?" This was the point that Sesshoumaru cut in to the conversation.

"You are the Eastern Lord's heir, correct?"

"Yes, Taisho-sensei."

"And you are the other scholarship student, Fujioka Haruhi, are you not?"

"I am."

"Then you shall both join us tonight for dinner," he declared with decided finality. Inuyasha tilted his head up to meet golden eyes identical to his own. "Okay with you?" Inuyasha shrugged.

"Sure, they're Kagome's friends after all."

SS- Aww, the touching reunion scene. . .it's so cute! But what's up between Sess an Inu? And why has Mori said more in this one chapter than he's said throughout the entire manga series so far? (Sorry folks, I've only read up to Book 7. . ..;)

Kali- Who the hell knows? Not us for sure. We don't know anything!

Athene- I know something; can't say what, but I will tell you who all we're thanking for their reviews of chapter 7. Special thanks goes out to Natsumi Tsuchi-Ookami for being the 50th reviewer we've had so far— we're cool enough to have fifty-plus reviews! More thanks goes out to Princessstphanie, Hoku ala, Lindsay-chan, GabbyKat13, ikawitch, preciousteddybear, MuppyPuppy, and KuroxTenshi.

Kali- You're all so great, and the reviews make us so happy. Bonus thanks goes out to all those who added us to their Story Alert/Author Alert etc list. You honestly have no idea how happy that made SS, and trust me, she needed it. And once again, reviews/ constructive criticism is welcome, flames will be used to burn an effigy of the latest French teacher, Coe the ho.

SS- Seriously. Okay, I'm really sorry you guys, but this is going to be the last chapter for a long time. My computer gets packed up tomorrow, and we leave town on Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to post by mid-July, when we get to Virginia. I love you all, so y'all behave now y'hear? I don't want to send Sesshoumaru-tono out after you guys!