Author's Note:

Prompts are welcome.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea.

And as always, reviews are appreciated!

Damn Rich Bastards

5. Future Plans

"Haruhi, you're late! Where have you been?"

Closing the door behind her, Haruhi slumped against it, catching her breath. Books were piled high in her arms, the top most threatening to topple to the ground.

"Sorry Tamaki-senpai, I was at the library."

"Again?" chimed two voices in unison. The books were taken from her hands and her bag was pulled from her shoulders. She felt arms wrap around her waist and propel her towards an unoccupied couch. Craning her neck back, she tried to catch a glimpse of her belongings. She couldn't find them anywhere.

Where did they put my things?

"Sit Haruhi," said Hikaru. He pushed her down onto the couch and sat on her right.

"You work too hard, have some cake," said Kaoru from her left. A plate had been placed in front of her and both brothers were now aiming forks laden with cake at her mouth.

"You devil twins! Stop bothering my daughter!"

With a groan, Haruhi sunk further into the couch to avoid both the two forkfuls of cake and the shrill voice of an enraged Host Club King. The forks, which were gaining speed, sailed right over her head and into Tamaki's face. At the same time Tamaki had pulled rather hard on the twins' ears, pulling them away from Haruhi. Yelps of pain and surprise and a cry for help were all that was heard.

Mother in Heaven, why me?

Another pair of hands gripped her waist, and this time, the hold was firm and safe. With a pull, she found herself dangling a short distance above the ground next to the couch, staring up at an impassive face.

"Uh.. thank you Mori-sempai." He was holding her with arms outstretched. "You can put me down now."

The tall senior simply nodded and set her on her feet, only to have his older cousin tug her towards a side table piled high with deserts.

"Kao-chan and Hika-chan are right, Haru-chan. You need to eat more cake!" The blonde boy grinned up at her, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he pushed her into a chair at the table. "Pick anything you want, and maybe Usa-chan will play with you afterwards!"

"Honey-sempai, I really don't-"

"Please stop being late to Host Club meetings Haruhi," said a cool voice from behind her. Turning her head slowly, Haruhi saw Kyoya leaning forwards on both palms against the back of one of the couches, a black folder held under one hand and his dark gaze eyeing her critically.

"Every time you're late, we can't start. If we can't start, we lose customers, meaning fewer customers for you to host." Haruhi felt her eye twitch in annoyance; how could someone be so condescending and amused at the same time.

"You're debt won't pay itself, Haruhi." He smirked, nudged his glasses up his nose and pushed away from the couch.

"I had to study! And I'm hardly late, none of you are ready. If I don't study, I fail. If I fail, I can't study here. If I can't study here, no more Host Club. No more Host Club, no more hosting. So, if you don't let me study, I can't pay that stupid debt!" Haruhi's voice had grown louder towards the end of her tirade, and it hadn't escaped her notice that she had unconsciously mirrored Kyoya. By the widening of his smirk, it hadn't escaped his notice either.

"Haruhi cannot leave!" Her shoulders slumped in exasperation and she leaned against the cushioned chair back. With a now cake free face, Tamaki rushed to stand in front of her, fists clenched and expression indignant. "Men, we must help her. Kyoya, you can tutor her! Kaoru, Hikaru, do half her homework! Mori-sempai, carry all her books! And Honey-sempai, cake breaks every half hour! And I-"

Haruhi reached over and whacked the blonde King on the back of his head. "I can do my own homework, carry my own books and I don't need a tutor or cake. I just need time to study."

Defeated, Tamaki fled to a corner of the room with a wail.

"Why do you study so much Haru-chan? I'm sure a few cake breaks won't matter."

"Because Honey-senpai, I have a goal here. To become a lawyer. And I need to study to become one." Haruhi looked at each of the boys, now a little suspicious. "I know you guys are at the top of your respective years, but I rarely see you study. Why is that?"

Now perched together on the couch, the twins piped up.

"Two words. Natural talent," boasted Hikaru.

Haruhi barely suppressed a snort.

"Four more words. Heirs to family businesses," added Kaoru with the same smug smile. The smile soon disappeared quickly at the sound of a pencil snapping. Everyone looked at Kyoya, who was staring resolutely at his notebook.

Kaoru laughed nervously. "Lets make that two words. Family businesses, yeah. Just, family businesses."

"What those two idiots are trying and failing to say Haruhi, is that the members of this Host Club come from affluent and influential families. Just look at any of our names, and you'll see extensive business dealings. And these businesses are family owned. So while you may have to work extremely hard to keep your scholarship, we don't really have to. Reputation and the rewards of success are good motivators though."

As he spoke, Kyoya's stony glare slowly eased into a half amused, half annoyed expression. Haruhi's eye began to twitch again.

They don't study, they don't even have to study and their futures are pretty much secure, so they spend all their time bothering me. Of course.

Haruhi slowly turned back to the table of cakes. With a deadpan stare and almost mechanical movements, she pulled a plate and a fork closer to her.

"I think I'll have some cake now," she said dully.

Damn rich bastards.