Ahhh, how nurturing reviews are to the weary soul…(I have a cold and I am in complete hell). You guys…are so nice…to review and read my story…! –blows loudly into handkerchief- It's the only thing that keeps me going…! –falls to knees, hanging head-
Kaoru+Hikaru: -stare blankly at the pitiful scene-
Disclaimer that I have failed to put in the previous chapters: I do not own OHSHC. Go away.
Note: I hate having gaps in my story, but I don't exactly know Tamaki's Dad's character—so I improvised. Gomen if he's OOC!
Translations:
Tono: It means 'Lord', or something along those lines. When I looked it up, it said 'feudal lord'. Weird…
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Chapter 4.
Recap:
The man lets go of her hands. Reaches a hand behind his head to untie his mask. The black-clothed thing falls to the wet ground, revealing his face. Forking back his blonde hair, her Prince grins a familiar grin. "Well, well," he chuckles. "If it isn't Haruhi Fujioka."
She stood, paralysed. I-I…danced with….Kunio-senpai?!
…Why Tamaki's cousin? Why not…Tamaki? ((A/N: WHOOPS forgot to put Senpai…Heh…))
Story:
The next day, at the Host Club…
Kyoya gave Tamaki a side-glance, a frown creasing his brow. "Tamaki…" he began.
His friend turned in his chair towards him, tilting his head to one side in question. "Yes, Kyoya?"
Kyoya frowned at Tamaki's smile, unknown thoughts crossing through his mind. "Did…Kunio go over to your father's mansion last night?"
The King of the Host Club's face went stiff. Turning in his chair to face straight ahead, Tamaki calmly took a sip of his tea. "He did," replied he, lowering the cup back onto the table.
Kyoya nodded. "I…see."
"M'looord!"
Tamaki turned his head for a mere moment before he was smothered by white fabric.
"Ack, what—?!" he cried, flailing his arms wildly. "What are you doing, you fools!!"
"Tell us if this dress suits Haruhi for the next dance," Hikaru and Kaoru beckoned, holding the dress back so he could see. Either of them held the flowing white dress by the sleeve, showing it in full length. "Well?"
Tamaki began to imagine Haruhi in his inner mind theatre then stopped himself. "No! I have more important things to think about!" he told the twins and himself, crossing his arms and turning away.
The twins gave each other a knowing look. "Well, since you never got to see Haruhi at the masquerade, would you like to see the dress she wore?"
Tamaki shook his head fiercely, scrunching up into a small ball. "No, no!" he squeaked, his arms over his head. "Don't tempt me with what she will wear, did wear, and never wore!"
"Aw. Tonooooo," they complained in one combined low, whining voice. "You always give good opinions on what Haruhi wears!" they said devilishly, dancing the dress in front of his face, a teasing smile on their faces.
"No, no!" Puckering his lips in a pout, forcing himself not to look at the dress Haruhi had worn at the masquerade that he was deprived the pleasure of seeing her in, he threw his hands over his head and scrunched against the table, face buried into the wood. "It's too much!"
Kyoya, surveying Tamaki's scene of desolation, thought of Tamaki's behaviour before, at the mention of Kunio. He chuckled. Who would have known his cousin gave him that much misery? he thought. Turning, he occupied himself with his notebook once again.
"Kyoyaaa!" Tamaki complained as the twins thrust dress after dress into Tamaki's face, beckoning him to observe them. "They're—"
"Oh, it's Haruhi!" Hikaru cheered, sprinting towards Haruhi as she went through the door. Kaoru followed, and they both appeared at her side in a flash, nuzzling their cheeks against hers.
"Haruhi, Haruhi!" they chorused. "We're so happy to see you!"
Haruhi gave them a cautious look. "What did you scheme now?"
"DON'T ACCEPT WHATEVER THEY GIVE YOU!" Tamaki shrieked, sprinting madly towards them. Kaoru and Hikaru stepped in front of Haruhi, smacking their lord to a halt as he ran into their backs.
"We want you to try on dresses!" they said with devilish grins.
"Dresses…?"
The twins flew the long white dress into her hands, snapping their thumbs in the air, giving her large grins as they snickered. "Perfect!"
She frowned, observing the dress in her hands. "It looks like…a wedding dress…"
Tamaki went white, his jaw dropping as he envisioned Haruhi in the dress: this time in a new light.
"Haru-chan's getting married?" Hunny gasped, bouncing up to them.
Haruhi shrugged. "It looks like a dress that someone could possibly be married in," she said, holding up the white dress for Hunny and Mori to see.
"Ohh, Haru-chan! You'd look so kawaii!"
"Ah," agreed Mori.
"N-Not for me!" stuttered Haruhi, a horrified expression on her face.
Tamaki strode up to her, taking her by the hand. "Yes, for you!" he breathed, looking deep into her eyes.
"N-Nani?!" Haruhi cried, a sweat-drop appearing on one side of her head.
But Tamaki didn't hear. Already, his inner mind theatre was playing like mad. He stood at the alter, in a black suit, Kyoya as his best man. Renge-chan and a few of Haruhi's old school friends stood as bridesmaids, holding roses in their hands. Yes, roses. They'll have roses at their wedding. In honour of the Host Club, where they first met!
He could see the baka twins blowing their noses into handkerchiefs, sobbing tears of devastation, wishing they never suggested the dress, so Haruhi wouldn't have to be taken away from them. He could see Hunny being carried by Mori as he held the ring on a cushion in his hands. Then Haruhi comes up the aisle, in her long, flowing dress, smiles, and confesses her vows! and promises to be with him and love him FOREVER MORE…!
"Yes, yes!" Tamaki cried, going red as he bounced in circles, swamped in his fantasy. "I will marry you Haruhi, I will!" He took Hunny by the hands and twirled him around with him.
The twins sniggered as Haruhi stared blankly.
"It just…a dress…" she managed, watching Tamaki dance around. As she did, she couldn't help but let a small yawn escape her. She placed her palm over her gaping mouth to smother it.
She felt someone come up beside her. "Oh, hello Mori-senpai," she greeted, her yawn dying away.
"Tired?" he asked her in his monotone voice.
Hunny somehow broke from Tamaki's dance, running dizzily over to them. "Haru-chan's tired?" he gasped as he leaned against Mori's legs for balance.
"Oh, I had a bit of a restless night…" Haruhi said, waving her hand casually as another yawn escaped her.
Tamaki stopped in mid-theatre moment. "Daughter," he said sternly, striding over to her and frowning down at her. "You should take care of yourself more! Lack of sleep can alter your education!"
"What would you know about education?" snorted Hikaru obnoxiously, crossing his arms.
Tamaki spun around, pointing at Hikaru. "YOU—!"
"It's because of the thunderstorm, right?" Kyoya asked, cutting Tamaki off. He peeked over his laptop, his eyes knowing.
Haruhi nodded slowly, studying his face. Her dream sprinted back to her at full force. I wonder…if Kaoru saw the wrong hair colour of the man I danced with? Maybe….I did dance with Kyoya…?
"Storm?!" Tamaki cried, truly shocked. "I didn't hear a storm!"
"Who would have known m'lord is such a deep sleeper?" asked the twins, shrugging to each other.
Cutting in front of them, Tamaki wailed, "I didn't hear a storm!", waving his arms about.
Haruhi frowned at the twins at they spoke, ignoring Tamaki. It couldn't have been them…they were the ones that dragged me away from whoever I danced with…
Mori looked down at her and told her, "There are sleeping pills…you could take during a storm if you have trouble sleeping."
Haruhi nodded and smiled. "I'll probably try that next time!" she assured him. "Thank you for the idea." It couldn't have been Mori-senpai. He matches the dancer's personality, cool and controlled, but he was over with Hunny-senpai when he fell into the fountain…
"Pills?" gasped Hunny. "Is Haru-chan sick?"
"I DIDN'T HEAR A STORM. WHY?!" Tamaki demanded, stamping his foot against the ground.
Kyoya sighed and said, "You never pick up anything, anyway…"
Haruhi sat back, thinking. Who could it be…?
"Hey…whose that?" the twins asked.
Haruhi heard the music doors creak open. Her head turned; so did Tamaki's. Kunio strode through the door, hands in his pockets, the trademark grin on his face.
Tamaki went rigid. And didn't say a thing more.
Kyoya pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, giving out a sigh of disgust. "Him…" he muttered, typing faster on his laptop.
Hunny broke the silence by gasping and running up to Kunio, his plate of cake still in his hand. "Hi, and welcome to the Host Club!" he chimed, smiling as the pink flowers twirled around him. "Would you like some cake?"
Kunio averted his eyes down to the small teenager. He snorted. "What are you, four?" He walked straight past him without giving him a second glance.
Hunny frowned in hurt and confusion, his face falling.
Mori appeared in front of Kunio, standing at an intimidating height, glaring down at him. Kunio raised his eyebrows, looking at him expectantly. "Hi?"
Kunio shouldered past Mori. Mori let him go, clenching his fist and scowling after him. He turned on his heel and walked to Hunny, scooping him up in his arms and sliding him around on his back. Hunny buried his face into his cousin's neck as he attached his arms around his shoulders.
Waltzing up to Tamaki, Kunio grinned at him. Haruhi looked down at his hand; he was doing the same thing as yesterday, brushing his fingers back and forth against each other in a blur as his hand hung against his leg. "Hey, cuz," he greeted. He looked around the music room, nodding. "This is the club you run, eh?"
Tamaki continued glaring at him. "Why are you here?"
"Just getting a taste of the Japanese culture," said Kunio, shrugging one shoulder. "Is that so horrible?"
The Hitachiin twins leaned in closer towards Haruhi. "Who's he?" they whispered to her.
"Tamaki-senpai's cousin," shrugged Haruhi.
"He…has a cousin?" asked Hikaru and Kaoru blankly, as they stared at Tamaki and Kunio.
"What is the Host Club, anyway?" asked Kunio. "Perhaps you'd take time to explain it to me."
"I would, except I'm afraid you might not comprehend it," Tamaki shot back, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. He was getting more agitated with each passing moment.
"Try me," smirked Kunio, leaning in closer to Tamaki. "Maybe I can decipher what you're trying to say through your stutters. That's all you did when you were little, anyway. Stammer. Was it because I made you nervous?"
"Y-You don't make me nervous!" Tamaki defied in a useless way. "If you weren't drunk half the time you even came over to my house…!"
Haruhi titled her head to one side in thought. I think…this goes a little beyond Tamaki-senpai being sore because Kunio-senpai took his bear hostage…
"Hmm, someone who can make m'lord angry enough to have an actual word fight instead of screaming to demonstrate his point," Hikaru and Kaoru grinned, leaning forward in interest. "This should be interesting."
Hunny tapped Kyoya's shoulder as Mori walked closer to him. "Kyoya?" he asked. "Why does Tama-chan seem to hate his cousin? Aren't cousins supposed to love each other?" he added, frowning down at Mori in confusion. Mori coughed in an embarrassed manner. Thank God no one noticed his subtle reaction[or else more questions would be roused.
"Tamaki and his cousin never liked each other," said Kyoya, leaning back in his chair and sighing. "Not since…" He paused, shrugged, and looked away, not wanting to finish his sentence.
So Tamaki-senpai's told Kyoya-senpai's what's wrong? Haruhi thought. She made a point to question him further later.
"Why don't you leave?" Tamaki asked Kunio, pointing to the door. "I assume you can walk yourself out."
Kunio grinned. "Dinner last night with your father was great, Tamaki. Did you know we talked about you?"
Tamaki clenched his jaw. "I don't want to hear it."
"Really? It's very interesting, what he said. It wasn't positive, of course," added Kunio with a small chuckle.
Being defeated at this aspect, Tamaki hung his head, gritting his teeth with anger, yet not saying anything more.
A determined look passed over Haruhi's features. Balling her fists at her sides, she marched up to them. "The Host Club is for guests to relax and enjoy themselves," she told Kunio in a hard voice, glaring up at him, hands on her hips. "Not for the guests to take out their grudges on certain Host members."
"H-Haruhi, don't get involved," Tamaki began, taking her arm. "I can handle it!"
"Senpai, I hardly call yelling at each other 'handling it.'"
Kunio frowned. His eyes scanned Haruhi's body. Then…his grin returned. The light bulb inside his mind clicked on at full, bright force.
"Didn't know you had him defending you," he chuckled, making eye contact with Tamaki once more. He leaned in towards his ear. In soft tones, he said for only Tamaki to hear, "Curious situation, cousin. I thought the Host Club was for only males to be in?"
Pulling back, he grinned at Tamaki's frozen face. He turned and began to walk out. "Oh, and before I forget," he said, stopping at the doorway. "Your father invited me for dinner again…and he expects you to be there." Kunio nodded a 'goodbye' to the rest of the Host Club, and left.
There was a moment of silence. "He's weird," the twins announced. Mori glared at where he disappeared, his grip tightening around Hunny's ankles.
"Perhaps…he needs cake?" suggested Hunny with a shrug, resting his head on Mori's head. He sighed wearily. "Takashi, I'm tired…"
Kyoya glanced at Tamaki, who was standing in the same place he was before, rigid and tense. "I wouldn't take it to heart," he told him.
Tamaki turned towards Kyoya, an established frown creasing his face. "Kyoya."
"What?" asked Kyoya with a raised eyebrow.
"I've decided on the next event!"
Hunny gasped, brightening. "What, what?"
"A competition to see who can murder Kunio first?" the twins snorted, closing their eyes and leaning against each other's backs. They hadn't taken a liking to Tamaki's cousin either.
Raising his fist high in the air, Tamaki proclaimed, "A musical!"
His words thundered and hung in the atmosphere. With a cough, the twins edged away, covering their mouths to smother their laughs.
Haruhi shook her head, looking off into the distance. "Weird…"
"What's so funny about a musical?!" Snatching Mori's book off the table, Tamaki took off chasing the twins, his book as his weapon.
"It's because of the dinner," Kyoya said absently.
Haruhi turned to look at Kyoya. "Hmm?"
"It's because of the dinner he has to go tonight with Kunio," Kyoya muttered, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He looked at Haruhi with knowing eyes. "Don't you think so?"
She frowned. Tilted her head to look at Tamaki, who was gaining on the twins with terrifying speed. That means Tamaki-senpai…is stressed out?
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The Suoh Residence, 1st mansion.
Tamaki closed his eyes in irritation, pushing his food on his plate from one side to the other with his heavy silver fork. He sat in his chair in an erect, unbreakable posture as his father and Kunio talked about school across the table, how Kunio liked it in Japan, etc.
"I assume Tamaki's showing you around considerably enough, right?" asked Yuzuru Suoh, staring questionably into his son's face.
His eyes opening, Tamaki stared emotionlessly at Kunio and his father. "No," he replied in a flat tone.
Yuzuru's eye twitched. "No?" he repeated.
"It doesn't matter, though," Kunio broke in smoothly, taking a sip of his water. "Tamaki's been busy with the 'Host Club' lately, so I'm sure he had little time on his hands to spare."
"I should hope that he's making every effort possible to make your stay comfortable," Yuzuru said, still frowning in Tamaki's direction.
Tamaki was unconcerned. Picking up his chopsticks beside his plate, he made his sushi attack his salad by dropping it into the dressing and smearing it around with the two sticks between his fingers. If only I was having Haruhi's cooking…he thought, sighing, his posture slackening.
"I'm glad that your mother could spare you to go on this exchange," Yuzuru continued, smiling in Kunio's direction. "When she wrote me a few weeks back saying how she'd rather, what was the phrase?, 'cut her right hand off' than give over her son to Japan for a year, I thought that you'd never convince her."
"It's a good thing I did," said Kunio. He smiled at Tamaki's father, but when he turned his head from Yuzuru's eyes to take another gulp from his cup, his face was the perfect picture of disgust.
Tamaki smirked to himself. He's just as reluctant to be here as I am. Serves him right! Haha!
"It's not exactly a year I'll be staying here, though," said Kunio, turning his head to Tamaki's father. "I'm not sure how long Ouran will want me."
"Nonsense, they'll want you for as long as you can stay," Yuzuru chuckled. "Isn't that right, Tamaki?" He glared in his son's direction, trying to lasso him into the conversation.
"Hai," said Tamaki blandly, looking off to the side.
Yuzuru clenched his napkin, beginning to get agitated. "Tamaki," he said in a hard voice. "Make a mental note to yourself to show Kunio to his classes and help him ease into Ouran. You of all people should know how difficult it is to come from a different country in the middle of the year. He should get all the help he can to settle in, such as you got."
"I had help settling in?"
Kunio grinned at him. He was obviously fighting back a smart comment to say to that; to put Tamaki down, of course.
His father sighed long and hard; and no longer addressed him. Turning his head, he smiled at Kunio. "So, Kunio…"
"Wait, Oto-san!" Tamaki sat up straight as his voice boomed, trying to look professional. "I need a sponsor for the Host Club!"
His father turned his head, raising an eyebrow. "What?"
"I'm thinking about starting a musical. Of course, this requires props, costumes, and another hired orchestra so I was thinking—"
"Tell me how your classes are, Kunio," Tamaki's father said, completely cutting Tamaki off.
"Eh?!" Tamaki fumed, crossing his arms and sinking deeper into his chair.
"Classes are…good…" Kunio replied slowly, giving Tamaki a strange look. "I'm sorry, I'm just curious. Why are you thinking of hosting a musical?"
"Not hosting it, performing it!" Tamaki cried, flourishing his hand high. "That way—"
"You can dress up Miss Fujioka in a pretty little outfit for your pleasure?" Kunio smirked, narrowing his eyes at Tamaki.
Tamaki stood, slamming his palms on the table. "Don't talk about her in graphic terms!" he shouted, pointing dead at him.
"Graphic terms? I'm just guessing WHY you want to put on this 'musical'." Kunio shrugged, slouching back in his chair and shoving his hands in his pockets. "Isn't that why you put on all those events? The masquerade? The dances that everyone keeps raving about that occurred in the past?"
"Those were Kyoya's ideas, not mine!"
"Kyoya? Who the heck is that?"
Yuzuru sighed deeply, sinking back into his chair and closing his eyes. He gave up trying to maintain order.
"Although, I can't blame you," Kunio went on, his grin returning. "Haruhi in a dress would be something to see. Especially since she dresses like a guy all the time."
Yuzuru opened an eye, a curious expression on his face.
Tamaki leaned forward on his palms, glaring deep in Kunio's blue eyes. "Listen to me," he growled. "Don't go near Haruhi. Not one step near her."
Kunio chuckled. "Or what?"
Tamaki continued scowling; he didn't really know. Turning, he faced the doorway, sticking his hands into his pockets. "Not now," he said darkly, with dramatic imposture.
Kunio and Yuzuru only stared in confusion at how out of character that sounded.
With a heavy yank, Tamaki opened the door in front of him. Feeling he didn't have to wait for Kunio's reply, he walked out into the hall.
The two remaining members of the family sitting at the table gave each other a look. "Sorry about that," Kunio sighed, sticking his fork into his mouth that was piled was food. "Things don't seem to have changed, since when we met in France."
Yuzuru nodded. "I see…"
Outside the dining hall, Tamaki sighed and leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his vision averting to the floor. He scowled at the polished floorboards. Digging around in his pocket, he flicked out his cell-phone and hovered his finger over the first button of Kyoya's number. For once, he thought before he rang: Should I bother Kyoya about this…?
Laughter reached his ears; his father's laughter, as Kunio said a joke to lighten up the mood. Tamaki went to the phone's menu, and clicked on the button that enabled him to send a text message. Punching in Kyoya's number, he wrote in the message box: "He's taking the place I never had."
Tamaki stared at his message. Frowned. Clicking 'Cancel', he shoved the phone back into his pocket angrily, walking away from the dining hall, his destination the double doors out of that shadowed building.
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Because someone very kindly pointed out to me, I will from now on adding the translation of the Japanese words at the beginning of the story. But I couldn't' find any in here (I think) except for Tono, which is explained up top.
But I think all you guys knew that (or not, that's okay too…). If I miss any Japanese words in the upcoming chapters, please let me know! P
-KuroHinote
P,s. Oh yes, thank you for reviewing :) (you better review!! –gives the evils-)