Damn it, that stupid Kunio. He practically blew up my spell-check with his drunken words. Next time, I'm making a sensible character that has perfect English and flawless grammatical structure! –stomps off, muttering to self, pencil clenched in fist-

Translations:

Tsumaranaidesuyo: How boring

NOTE: Yes, this chapter is long. Bear with me. A lot happens, and you must listen up, all of you! It took me a hell of a lot of time to write this, so respect my work and read all the way through! Read it in short spans, if you have to. Have coffee breaks in between. WHATEVER IT TAKES for you to digest this chapter!

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x…………………………………

Chapter 11: Aftershock Part II

Recap:

"Oh, Tamaki," Suzy fumbled, her hands playing with the bow that was tied around her waist. "I…cannot accept…your letter."

Tamaki blinked; smiled. "Why?" he asked.

"I…am…in love with someone…else," she pronounced in her poor French.

Tamaki's face fell. "You're…what?" he asked in a small, defeated voice.

"In love with someone else."

"Wh-Who?"

"Kunio." ………………

…………………………………………………………………………

Tamaki felt a sharp pain in his leg; one of the boys had kicked him. Unable to recover from the shock of it, he stood there, eyes wide. The fat boy's evil grin was the last thing he saw before he was knocked to the ground.

As they attacked him with fists and feet, crumbled dirt over his face, and laughed names in his direction, all he could think of was how he was going to cover the blood and the bruises when he got home to his sick mother…

"No," Tamaki whispered, in an answer to Kunio's question. "No, I'm not going to cry."

Story:

Music Room, Host Club Hours, 30 minutes after last scene.

Sighing to herself, Haruhi leaned against her fist, elbow propped onto the table's slick surface. She stared out into the distance with an anxious frown, her fingers absently moving the pages of her Science book back and forth. Inside her head, even with the Host Club chaos around her, she could only think of Tamaki.

Kunio's giving Tamaki more trouble than he should be worth. Is this why Tamaki hates him so much? Because he's continuously irresponsible? For some reason, I imagined Kunio as someone smarter…who wouldn't do something such as getting drunk…

She looked over her shoulder, at Kyoya sitting at a table opposite to her, swamped in numbers as he balanced the Host Club's budget based on the money they spent for those expensive china cups imported from Russia. "I'm sure Kyoya-senpai knows something…" she whispered to himself. "I should ask…"

But before she could, her thoughts were interrupted.

"I hope you're happy, Haruhi," the twins growled from above her.

Yelping in surprise, Haruhi spun around, facing Hikaru and Kaoru with a surprised gaze. "H-Happy about what?" she stammered.

"We spent."

"The whole 10 minutes you were hiding in the closet with tono."

"Fighting off the mob."

"That was going."

Simultaneously: "After you."

Haruhi shrugged. "Why should I be happy about that?"

"They tripped over Kaoru and TRAMPLED over him!" Hikaru yelled, making a wild gesture to Kaoru's beat-up face. "Look at the bruises! Look at what you did to my poor younger brother's face!"

"I'm very sorry it happened, Kaoru," said Haruhi. "Now if you'll excuse me, I do have homework to do…"

"You should be thanking us," Kaoru reminded her in an injured voice. "While you were hiding and doing God-knows-what with m'lord in the closet, your crowd of over-excited fans were beating us to the ground!"

"Like I said, I'm sorry."

"It's not good enough!" both twins whined. "We risked our limbs for you!"

A sweat-drop hung from Haruhi's head as she stared blandly in their direction. "I'm sure…it wasn't that horrific…"

Without warning, Haruhi felt a heavy weight on her back slam her down against the table-top. "Haru-chan, you didn't tell us!" came an indignant voice from above.

"Wh-What?" asked Haruhi in a strangled voice, sinking under his weight.

"You didn't tell us that you and Tama-chan loved each other!" Hunny cried, tugging at her blazer. "Why did you keep it a secret? It's so kawaii!"

"Shh, Hunny-senpai!" Haruhi pleaded, looking around cautiously at the guests, waiting for an explosion. She tried to make Hunny quiet from her lowly height, but sadly did not succeed.

Thankfully, she heard Mori's steps come up behind them; she felt Hunny being pried off her person. "Mitsukuni," Mori said. "Hands to yourself."

"Thank you," sighed Haruhi in relief, rubbing a sore shoulder, straightening. "Mori-senpai, you always come at the perfect times."

Mori looked down at her, expressionless.

She stared back up at him, head tilted to one side. "What?" she asked. "Is there something wrong?"

He shook his head.

"Something…on my blazer?" Quickly, she averted her eyes downwards, checking the blue material for any blemish or stain.

"No…you just look…"

Haruhi frowned. "Look what?"

"Happier."

"Happier?"

Mori nodded, a small smile forming at her perplexed expression. "Since you've been with Tamaki. You've lightened. It's…good."

Haruhi opened her mouth to question; when something caught her eye. She turned her head, eyes widening at the hunched form of Tamaki coming towards her. "Senpai?" she asked. Shooting to her feet, she stepped over to him, frowning worriedly. "Senpai, what's the matter? Isn't Kunio…"

"He's still in there," Tamaki sighed. He gave her a tired grin. "Haruhi, you aren't calling me by my first name, like I asked you," he scolded lightly.

"Never mind that," Haruhi said, waving it off. "What of Kunio?"

"Fell asleep, the baka. He's snoring in the corner of the closet, and it doesn't look like he'll wake any time soon."

"Oh." Haruhi frowned into Tamaki's eyes. "What's wrong?"

Tamaki blinked in surprise. "Wrong?"

"You seem upset. Did Kunio say something?"

Her bluntness never ceases to amaze me. With a casual grin, Tamaki stuck his hands in his pockets, shaking his head. "No, nothing at all. Just tired."

Haruhi gave him a wary look; but said no more.

"Haru-chan, Tama-chan!" cried Hunny from afar. "They're back!"

Tamaki and Haruhi slowly turned their heads, and were greeted by a sprinting crowd of fan girls. A sweat-drop hung from both of their heads.

"Well…they certainly have a lot of energy," observed Haruhi as the crowd charged towards them.

"RUN!" Tamaki slammed into her, grabbing her hand and yanking her away from Mori and Hunny. The two cousins stared after them as an ocean of fan girls dashed after the two, screaming all sorts of questions about their relationships. The chase became so heated that some had to stop for a moment to kick off their hazardous heels high into the air.

Mori winced as one cracked against his head.

"Wow, Takashi, I didn't know that many people came to the Host Club!" gasped Hunny next to him.

"Ah," said Mori painfully.

"Oh, Mori-kun, Hunny-kun, it's simply horrible!" cried a group of girls who stopped to talk to them.

Hunny gasped, concerning crossing over his face. "What's horrible?"

"Haruhi-kun and Tamaki-kun's newfound relationship!" one of the girls wailed, dabbing her eye with a handkerchief. "I don't think I'll live to pass my exams from the pain…"

"Oh, Ayaka, hang in there!" the girls around her encouraged, crowding around her, fists clenched determinedly. "Just because you've lost Tamaki-kun doesn't mean you've lost all hope in living!"

Mori stared at them with a blank expression, rubbing the welt on the side of his head. For the countless time that week, he wondered if he would even begin to understand females.

"Oy, Haruhi!" Kaoru and Hikaru reeled in Haruhi towards them in her mid-run, positioning her between them. "We haven't finished talking to you yet!"

Haruhi, squished in between the two, let out a heavy sigh. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"And what's the secret between you and m'lord, hmm?" winked Kaoru in her direction. "How long have you been hiding your fantasies? We'd love to know." Simulteanously, he and Hikaru winked at her disgusted face.

"Bakas!" Tamaki shoved through the crowd of fan girls, who simply charged single-mindedly onwards, oblivious to the fact that their object of desires had gone out of their destructive path, pointing dead at the twins with a trembling finger. "Stop making a sandwich out of my daughter!"

"You sick, sick man," gasped the twins in a scandalous tone, their hands going over their mouths. "Making a girlfriend out of your daughter…the shame!"

Tamaki froze; turned a sickly shade of white. "W-What?! Okay, fine then! My girlfriend! Stop making a sandwich out of my…Wait." He looked around at the guests, who were giving him odd looks. "B-Boyfriend!" he quickly corrected. "Wait, no, not boyfriend! Because that would mean that I was…no! This…this is so wrong…" he whimpered, sinking to his knees, defeated.

Haruhi sighed, looking up to the ceiling. "Please…transport me home…" she pleaded to herself.

"Kyoya!" Tamaki crawled over to his friend, clutching the hem of his blazer. "We must return Haruhi…" his voice lowered to a whisper, "…to her normal sex!"

Kyoya shook her head, eyes closed in an unconcerned way. "I'm sorry, you'll have to live with your homosexuality for now. She still has to pay off her debt."

"B-B-But M-Moooom…."

A few feet away, Hikaru gave him a hateful glare; he snapped his view back to Haruhi, and gave her a devilish grin. "It seems your 'boyfriend' is having problems accepting his new orientation."

Haruhi shrugged. "He'll get used to it."

Hikaru blinked; frowned. How can she be so casual when he's throwing her away like some…old toy? Look at him—he's not even paying attention to her! Just pleading at Kyoya's feet like a baby; as always.

Kaoru sighed. "This is getting boring. Come on, Haruhi, play with us. The guests aren't requesting anymore."

"Why not?" Haruhi asked.

"They're squeezing inside information out of Mori and Hunny; they've given up on us for getting the 'latest scoop' about you and Tamaki," said Hikaru, hooking his thumb over his shoulder. Following the gesture, Haruhi saw (to her irritation) all the guests crowding around Hunny and Mori, eyes and mouths wide as Hunny described in very elaborate detail everything he could possibly recall about Tamaki and Haruhi.

"Yokata…" sighed Haruhi. As she did, she gave Tamaki a side glance. He was sitting next to Kyoya, talking in an inaudible voice. They seemed like they were on a more serious subject now. Why isn't…he talking to me? she thought with a small frown. As soon as she did, she shoved the thought away. Stupid.

"Please, Haruhi?" the tiwns pleaded, nuzzling their cheeks against hers.

She pushed away from them, frowning. "No, no. I have to finish homework. It's important."

The twins wrinkled their noses, giving each other disapproving glances. "Homework? Tsumaranai desuyo…" Trailing off, they walked away again, not interested in being bored to death by Haruhi's Math and Science.

Shrugging, Haruhi sat back down in her original spot: at her table that was showered with books. Oddly, she had more homework than usual… She tapped her pencil against her thick Math book's pages, frowning down at the algebra equations. Algebra. The masquerade. The start of that whole mess.

A memory of her dream: Kunio, leaning over her, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Scared, Haru-chan?" he cackles. "Come back up here, be a good girl now. I'm not finished with you yet."

A shudder ran up Haruhi's spine; she shut the book with a slam. I don't want to think about Kunio. I don't want to think about Tamaki. I don't want to get confused. I just want to pass this Math test on Monday.

She nodded, her goal firmly set in her mind. Opening the book again, she scanned her eyes across the pages, looking for where she had left off.

Her vision was blocked as two hands went over both her eyes. "Haruhii!" chimed a voice beside her ear. "Three guesses who!"

Her shoulders slumping, Haruhi grumbled in irritation, making an effort to pry the hands from her face. "Senpaaai, I'm studying…"

"Correct!" Her homework book and pencil swung into view again as the hands were taken away from her face; the next moment Tamaki stuck his face in front of hers, beaming. "You're good at that, Haruhi!"

"Anyone can guess you, senpai," Haruhi sighed, scowling down at her book, of which she held in a choked grip.

"'Senpai'?" Tamaki gasped, clutching at his chest with a strangled gasp. "Is that…all I mean to you?"

"No," Haruhi said with a shake of her head. "It's just more comfortable calling you that."

"'Tamaki' only has one more syllable than 'senpai'," said Tamaki, making puppy-eyes in her direction. "Surely it wouldn't be too much trouble…one more syllable…"

"It would."

Tamaki's world shattered; he hung his head in defeat. "One can gain so many wounds…by saying a simple hello to their girlfriend," he whispered in a dramatized voice.

Haruhi shook her head, poising her pencil to the page and forcing herself to concentrate.

Tamaki raised his head; blinked in confusion when she didn't reply. Sliding into a chair next to her, he leaned forward to meet her eyes, his face inches from hers. "Haruhi…"

"What?" she asked, not looking up from her work as she scribbled down a few numbers.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Haruhi looked up, a surprised expression on her face. "Something wrong?" she repeated.

Nodding, Tamaki continued, "Said something wrong…acted like I shouldn't have acted…Did I?" Worry pooled in his eyes.

Haruhi shook her head. "No, no you didn't…I just want to study right now, that's all."

"I just don't want you to think that I'm…selfish."

Haruhi raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Selfish?" she scoffed, speaking it like a forbidden word. "Why would you be selfish?" A bit self-centered, maybe. But selfish? Never. Tamaki's personality made a point to make the two qualities contrast themselves entirely.

He shrugged, his nail digging at a small chip in the table's surface, his eyes downcast. "Only…I get…jealous when you're talking to the Host Club. Talking to Kunio. I don't want to appear over-paranoid, but I feel like you might…want to spend time with them more than you do with me." He let out a laugh, looking to the side. "That's why I say I'm selfish. I just want you to myself."

"That's not selfish," Haruhi told him.

"It isn't?" He met her eyes with a bewildered gaze.

"No. I sometimes get jealous when you're entertaining guests, and declaring your 'love' for them and all that. But I just…trust you," she shrugged. Not liking the gaze he was giving her, she averted her eyes back to her books. "That's all," she muttered.

Tamaki's face relaxed into a smile. "Trust, is it?" Leaning forward on his fist, his elbow propped on the table, he watched her intently as she wrote numbers dutifully on her paper, a small blush creeping to her cheeks. He said softly, so not to disturb her, "I'll wait until you're done studying, Haruhi."

I'll always wait.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x………………………………


One hour later; the end of the Host Club hours.

(You reading all this? BETTER BE! I'm whipping you non-reading idiots into shape! –blows boot camp whistle-)

"Please come back soon," Kyoya told the last of the guests with a bright smile as they filed out through the door.

"Oh, we will!" giggled the group, hands delicately poised to their mouths. "After the scandal of Tamaki and Haruhi, we'll come back every day!"

Kyoya smiled wider, the financial advantage of what these girls will bring sprinting through his mind. "Have a nice day," he told them politely, beginning to shut the door behind them.

"Sayoonara, Kyoya-senpai," said the twins in a monotoned chorus as they passed him, walking through the half-opened door. "Your manners are heightening every day."

Kyoya rolled his eyes as the twins disappeared. This time, he made a point to shut the door faster. But before wood could collide with wood, a small figure flashed past his legs and dashed out into the hall. "Thank you for opening the door for me, Kyo-chan!" Hunny giggled, his hands clasped behind his back, rocking back and forth on his heels. "Don't forget Takashi!"

Kyoya stiffened as the tall form of Mori walked past him, holding the door before Kyoya could shut it in his face. "Ah," he thanked Kyoya. Hunny grabbed onto his hand, yanked his cousin down the hall, and they were gone.

"Finally," sighed Kyoya as he successfully clicked the door shut. Turning, he saw Haruhi and Tamaki standing behind him. Both held sheepish expressions, and looked over at him in almost a pleading way.

"What now?" Kyoya asked, crossing his arms, a frown on his face.

"Well…" Tamaki coughed, his face caught in an expression between shame and laughter. "You see…there's…"

"Senpai, just say it," Haruhi growled, nudging her elbow into his side.

"Say what?" demanded Kyoya.

"Kunio's in the closet," Tamaki blurted, wincing as he did. "He's been in there since the Host Club started."

Slowly, one eyebrow raised above Kyoya's lenses on his glasses. "Oh, really?"

Haruhi fumbled, "I wanted to tell you earlier, Kyoya-senpai, when Tamaki was in there with him, but…"

"You called me Tamaki!" gasped Tamaki.

"Yes, shut up. But you seemed busy, and I had homework, and…"

"Basically you're asking me for my help; to carry him out of here discreetly."

Both nodded. "It would be helpful," Tamaki admitted.

"Even though it's your cousin making an idiot of yourself…" grumbled Kyoya as he walked past them, digging the key to the closet out of his blazer pocket.

"It's not my fault!" Tamaki cried, rushing after him, prepared to defend himself. "I can't take responsibility for his actions!"

Kyoya rolled his eyes; jammed the key into the lock, twisting it angrily. "And why is he in the storage room, may I inquire?"

"Ano…" Haruhi bit her lip, giving Tamaki a side-glance.

"He's drunk, the baka," said Tamaki bluntly. "It explains why he was missing from last period."

"Ah. Again." Kyoya nodded; swung open the door. The light of the music room shed on the dim closet, revealing Kunio tucked into a ball in the corner, in a deep sleep.

"Just where I left him," scoffed Tamaki in disgust. "He always sleeps after drinking; it was embarrassing for him when he went to those countless parties."

Haruhi looked up at Tamaki. "You seem used to it."

"I am," Tamaki sighed, one fist resting on his side, a frown crossing his features as he stared at his sleeping cousin. "Even at fourteen, he was getting himself too drunk to stand. His mother never paid any attention, so…" He shrugged one shoulder, trailing off.

"Lifting him is the best option," sighed Kyoya, walking towards Kunio. He toed him in the side; Kunio didn't even stir. "A nuisance, that's what he is," Kyoya sighed with a shake of his head.

"I'm leading the campaign to boot him back to France," Tamaki declared, following Kyoya to his cousin. He seized his cousin's arms, hauling him upwards. "Grab his ankles," he instructed.

With a grunt of strain, the two hauled Kunio up into the air. "I'm a King," Tamaki growled to himself as they began the first steps towards the door. "Kings don't 'drag' people out of their own food cupboards!"

"I can help," Haruhi offered, taking a step forward.

Tamaki met her eyes with a hard gaze. "No," he told her. "Stay here until I come back."

"Why?" she challenged, crossing her arms as Kyoya and Tamaki shuffled past her, Kunio hanging between their arms.

"Because I'm walking you home."

Haruhi flared with indignation. "I'm capable of walking myself home!" she told him, following them to the door.

"Get that," grunted Kyoya.

With a sigh, Haruhi opened the door violently, glaring in Tamaki's direction. "Be quick," she growled, her syllables accented with anger.

"You get too angry at me, Haruhi," sniffed Tamaki with a small tear forming at the rim of his eye as he disappeared through the door. Kyoya gave Haruhi one last roll of his dark eyes as they evaporated into the hall altogether.

Haruhi sighed, peeking through the crack of the music room door as they carried Kunio down the hall. "Maybe I was a bit harsh…" she murmured to herself. Shrugging, she shut the door, turning around to gather up her books from the table.

One by one, she shoved them into her bag. "Math…Science…Literature…" She tapped her chin, studying the table before her. "What else did I bring? I'm sure there was something else…"

The door stirred open behind her. She turned, her face surprised. They're back already?

But it wasn't Tamaki nor Kyoya who stood before her; it was Hikaru. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, opening his mouth to find the words. "U-Uh…"

"Oh. Hi, Hikaru. Did you forget something?"

He shook his head stupidly; snapping himself out of his stupor he muttered, "I…forgot a book…"

Haruhi blinked. "Oh?"

He lowered his head, a blush rising to her cheeks. Damn it, why am I thinking how cute she is now"Yeah, I'll just get it and…leave." Quickly, he walked over to one of the windows, snatching something from the windowsill. He turned to leave, when he saw Haruhi staring at him in confusion.

"Hikaru, what's wrong?" she asked him. "You seem…nervous."

"Nervous?" Hikaru scoffed, waving a hand dismissively in the air. "Why would I be nervous? It's just you, me…and this book." He waved it pathetically. "I have nothing to be nervous about."

"Still…" Haruhi said with a shrug. "Is it because of me and Tamaki?"

Hikaru winced as she used his lord's full name. "I…" He hung his head, his hair draping over his eyes. "It's…different now. Kaoru and I can't approach you without knowing that he…you…are a couple." On top of me being in love with you.

"You don't have to feel awkward," Haruhi frowned. "I'm just as me as I ever was. If you think that he's controlling me in some way, he's not. Just because we're together doesn't change anything." She took a step towards him, her face concerned. "Unless it bothers you. Individually."

Hikaru lifted his head, eyes surprised. She sees through me? He shook his head in denial, a scowl crossing his features along with a deep blush. "N-No!" he shouted, clenching his fist around his book, crumpling the paperback cover. "That's completely idiotic. Why would it bother me alone? It bothers me AND Kaoru. Not just me. So…no!" Angrily, he stormed past her, knocking her shoulder as he passed.

Haruhi took a step backwards, her shoulder smarting from the collision. "Hikaru," she said in a clear voice. "Stop."

He did. Turning his head, he growled, "What?"

Her eyes expressionless, she stepped forward, both her hands resting on his shoulders. She stared hard into his eyes. "When you get angry about something, Hikaru, it usually means that I'm right on target."

Hikaru swallowed hard; not because of her words but because of her touch. Improper thoughts creeped into his head as he stared into her determined gaze, felt her hands on his shoulders. If only Tamaki wasn't existent…he would take her into his arms…stroke her hair and tell her how much he cared…

In the rush of his thoughts, he stretched a trembling hand towards her face. His fingers brushed against her cheek. "Haruhi…" he wavered.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise; her arms dropped to her sides. "Hikaru?"

"I…" He gulped. "I don't know…."

Haruhi laughed, shocking him. "You don't know?" she asked with a smile.

Stupidly, Hikaru shook his head.

"Oh, that's okay. I always forget what I'm going to say as well." She stepped back from him. His touch left her cheek. "Well, when you remember, let me know."

Hikaru blinked, not comprehending. In a small way, subtly, Haruhi had rejected him. Hard. His eyes shadowing, he turned, the book stretching and ripping in his grip beyond all recognition. "I'll talk to you tomorrow," he grunted, and walked out of the door. Around his head, a storm raged.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Haruhi turned her back to the door, rubbing her arms, a sudden chill running through her. Her breath coming out in steady gasps, she stared down at the floor with a bewildered gaze.

Hikaru…loves me…too? She cringed at the thought. But...how?

x.x.x.

Five minutes later.

Tamaki found Haruhi sitting at the table where her books were scattered, absently rolling her pencil from one finger to the other. Her eyes stared absently out into the distance, her face expressionless.

He couldn't help but smile, letting out a sigh. So she had waited. Walking silently up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her, propping his chin on her shoulder. "Hello," he greeted.

"Hi," she sighed.

"Was I quick enough?"

"Thirty seconds too slow."

"Hmm. Probably because Kyoya nearly dropped Kunio down the stairs on the way. We had to get the Janitor to help us."

"And Kyoya-senpai paid him greatly to shut him up, I assume."

"Actually, no. He's an old family friend of his."

"Trust Kyoya-senpai…" Haruhi grumbled to herself. Detangling herself from Tamaki's grasp, she rose to her feet, stretching her arms high in the air. "Should we go?" she yawned.

Tamaki nodded; frowned. "Haruhi, is something the matter?"

She lowered her arms, staring at him with a stunned gaze. How could he know? "No, nothing at all. Why do you ask?"

"Just looking out for your wellbeing," he told her with a smile, picking up her bag and hanging it over his shoulder.

"Hey, that's mine," Haruhi protested, reaching for it in vain.

"Why can't I carry it?" asked Tamaki, his lower lip out in a pout.

"Fine, fine," Haruhi grumbled. "Where did you put Kunio, by the way?"

"Oh. In the car. The chauffer's driving him to Oto-san's mansion; let him deal with his drunken nephew." A triumphant smile on his face, Tamaki marched in the direction of the door. "Let's go!"

Shrugging, Haruhi followed. At least he's happier. As they walked through the door, Haruhi asked her one last question that had been ever prying on her mind. "Tamaki…" she began thoughtfully.

"Yes, darling Haruhi?"

Haruhi rolled her eyes at the name. "Do you mind everyone calling you homosexual? Now that our relationship has been put into full light?"

Tamaki shook his head solemnly, putting up his right hand in an oath. "I do not, in any shape, way, or form, regret dating you, or continue doing so. The Host Club can call its King homosexual, bi, or straight or whatever orientation they conjure up; but I will never leave my darling Haruhi in the darkness."

Haruhi gave him a shocked expression, her mouth slightly ajar. "I-I didn't say that!" she stammered.

"Say what?" he asked absently."

"That you would abandon me!"

"Oh, but yes you did, Haruhi," said Tamaki, waving a finger in front of her face. "You love me too much to bear the thought of me leaving you! Well, do not worry, fair maiden." Grabbing her hands, he smiled into her eyes, his own shining. "I will follow you till the ends of the earth!"

Haruhi raised an eyebrow. "I'm not taking a trip there anytime soon, so you don't have to worry…"

"She admitted it! She didn't deny!" Crying out in triumph, Tamaki sprinted ahead, leaping high into the air and occasionally clicking his heels together in mid-air. "Haruhi loves meee!"

"How in the world did he come to that conclusion…?" Haruhi sighed to herself, hand to her forehead, as she followed her impossible boyfriend down the hall.

Being Tamaki's other half was certainly a chore.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x……………………………………

Get used to Haruhi and Tamaki being in perfect harmony now…-evil cackle- Because something shall happen…quite unexpected!

Well not really. But I can create false anticipation, can't I? –innocent smirk-

Do thy duty! –swings sword valiantly in the air- Go forth, my readers! Review your all-powerful author! Bwahahahahahaha!!

Hikaru + Kaoru: Definitely high on her own hot air.

Tamaki: -dabs eye with handkerchief- Alas, there is no cure!

Author: -laughs hysterically, enjoying her temporary high from successfully finishing a chapter- I am invicible, I tell you! INVINCIBLE! –smashes a flowerpot with the tip of her blade in a wild motion-

Hikaru, Kaoru, and Tamaki: -stare- Scary….

-KuroHinote :)