Thank you to cartoonstar, Gingiie666, Midnightstar19, Girl-in-the-tiger-kimono, Vatala Darkmist, buttercupbella and ifelloffmaadionaasur for reviewing. To Miaka1977j thank you for all your reviews, I'm glad you like Tamaki I really like writing him with all his outbursts. Of course I used the fancy tuna it is the ultimate weapon. I hope you're liking all their adventures.
Hikaru's POV
"Another one! How many did he buy?"
I had seriously never seen her this excited before. Usually, if someone got her a present, she would just look at it and then go on about how she didn't need 'material possessions'' and 'the world we live in'. I mean, I think I know about 'the world we live in', I live there! Maybe Greece did weird things to people's heads. It had definitely done something to me. Why did I keep thinking about Haruhi all the time? Damn you Greece!
This went on for what seemed like hours, but she was tearing open the packets so quickly, it was only have been about 45 minutes. She kept going on about what Tamaki had sent to her, and then every so often she threw me a grin to show she knew I was there. I tuned out for a bit and had to resort to reading The Holy Bible which was kept in a draw by the bed. It was in English, but I kept up pretty well. Then, just as God was creating Adam and Eve, a piercing scream shot through the air and most probably punctured my ear drum.
"Fancy tuna!"
Oh no. What was it with her and fancy tuna? It really was just fish. Every day cuisine. Okay, okay, I was a little bit moody, but I stayed up half the night before arranging Haruhi's birthday surprise. Boat trips are not hard to come across, but trying to arrange a boat trip in a foreign language is a whole other thing. And after two hours on the phone to some random guy, he had said I needed to come and speak to him face to face anyway. I just really wanted that night to be special. So we could forget about Tamaki. No interruptions of him ringing up and ruining the atmosphere. I got up to leave, but then I remembered something.
"Haruhi?... Haruhi?..." She's staring at some dress that Tamaki got her. Probably custom made. Perfect fit. And it's just her style too. God, that guy has an eye for fashion. Though most of it I taught him. Ever since 'The Bikini', we have been a team to get Haruhi some nicer clothes. And he learnt a lot as well.
"Haruhi" I try again and tap her on the shoulder. When she turns around she tries to hide her blushing face.
"I bought you a present too Haruhi," I pass her a package, "Open it later, yeah?" I had bought her a seashell bracelet that she had pointed out to me a few days ago. Also in the package was a note of where to meet me tonight, and I wanted to be out of the room before she found it.
"Thanks Hikaru." She hugged me tight then sat back down on the bed clutching my gift. She was surrounded by a million and one other presents, but she seemed to care about this one much more.
I made my way back to my room to find the address of the boat guy. As soon as I entered the room, my phone started ringing. Ugh, Tamaki. Just the guy I want to speak to right now.
"Hikaru! How are you?"
"Umm…fine thanks." He was surprisingly cheerful considering our recent argument; I guess he's not one to hold grudges. "All the presents arrived safely."
"Well thank goodness for that!" He was quiet for a fre moment, I wondered what had happened "Kepe safe of Haruhi for me Hikaru." He said quietly, and at those words I felt a lurching in my chest about my plans for tonight.
"I will." I said just as quietly back, before closing the phone, without a goodbye.
As I was on my way to the boat guys place, a little American red-head popped out from behind a tree.
"Hi Hikaru!"
"Do I know you?" I said cautiously. Unless I got really drunk one night, I have never met this girl before in my life.
"Well I know you, sexy" Sexy eh? Oh, what was I thinking! I have a romantic dinner with Haruhi tonight (if I can ever get to meet the guy). Hey, she said 'sexy' in Japanese!
"Sexy? How dare y-, Wait, wait, wait. How do you know me, but I don't know you?" This was getting creepy.
"I saw you a few days ago, and I've followed you ever since. You're just so hot." She took out a camera and started scrolling through snapshots of me from the past few days. "I started to think that I would never get you alone. That girl is so clingy."
"Don't you dare call Haruhi clingy! She may not be my girlfriend, but I…I…" I couldn't find the words in English. What was Haruhi to me? A friend? A best friend? Did I lov- no. I can't love her. This is just messed up. It's the Greek air.
"You what? Hey? You love her? But she already has a boyfriend doesn't she!" How did she know this much? My anger was building up and I was about to explode. I couldn't stand this freak any longer.
"You can just leave and me and Haruhi alone! You're a freak and a stalker, and I hope you never find love or true happiness. You find pride in hurting people, in stealing their hearts. Well you can't change my heart. It's just a waste of time!"
I was quite pleased with myself and my whole monologue. Someone like that should be kept in a cell away from any social interaction.
Well now I could get on with preparing for this evening. The guy was very nice, and he spoke English to me, which is better than Greek. I decided on a small, romantic boat, that I could row. We would have lanterns which we could light and set out to sea. And of course, a bottle of champagne.
I rang Haruhi to see if she wanted to meet up for a snack, but she knew that I didn't really want to see her before tonight, so she made some excuses and I agreed. I wonder what she thinks is happening. All I put on the note was '7:00pm, At the Harbor. Be there xx'. I wasn't sure about the kisses, but I decided it would make it more friendly than menacing.
I jogged back to the hotel, and got changed into my smart clothes. I went to the hotel restaurant, but I could hardly eat anything because I was so nervous. Everything was resting on tonight. Tonight would decide whether me and Haruhi could ever be together, or if she would stay with Tamaki. Tonight would decide whether we had a future as friends, enemies or in a couple. Tonight had to go perfectly.
Haruhi's POV
I couldn't believe he had done all this for me when I saw the candle lit boat, I stepped back in almost disbelief, why would he do this for me, true it was the one who persuaded me to come on my birthday of all weeks. I guess he kinda owed it to Tamaki as well. I still couldn't believe the expense that Tamaki had gone to, the presents were gorgeous and he must have paid lots out to get the presents here on time, it almost made me feel guilty. Almost.
"Hikaru… this is just… wow…"
He gave me a sudden grin which turned my insides all fluttery.
"You can thank me later," He winked.
I rolled my eyes at his flirty behaviour.
"You're lucky Tamaki isn't here,"
"Yeah I mean if he was here I couldn't flirt with you and then who would I flirt with? Greek isn't my best language," He wrinkled his nose. "And nobody wants to feel like a third wheel,"
I stuck my tongue out at him as he hopped onto the boat before turning around, taking my hand and helping me on board.
"Didn't know you did gentleman like behaviour Hikaru,"
"Phhht it's only because it's your birthday."
And with that we pushed off, Hikaru taking the oars and I made myself comfortable. I took a good look at the night sky and city lights, not to mention all the stars; I was really starting to wish I'd brought the camera. I took a look at Hikaru, He looked so strong and determined as he rowed the boat out to who no knows where. I must of been looking for too long since Hikaru gave me a weird look.
"What are you staring at?"
"Oh nothing… I was just you know, thinking,"
"About what?"
"Oh," Think Haruhi think, at least the dark hid the red tinge to my cheeks. "Where we're going," He tapped his nose. "That is top secret information," "Well wherever it is I know it'll be great," Out of the corner of my eye it was hard to miss the smile that lit up his face.
.
Eventually we stopped and Hikaru brought out two lanterns, with happy birthday written all over them and some matches. He'd even brought champagne along.
"I can't believe you planned all this."
"Surprise!" He said in that voice he used, when he felt awkward at being caught as affectionate.
"Do you want help lighting the match?"
"I know how to light a match,"
This I've got to see. He tried a few times, failing at each attempt and he glared at the box in revenge for the humiliation.
"What's wrong with it? Is it broken?"
Typical he didn't even know how to light a match; I took the box from him and struck the match causing it burst into flames. Easy.
Hikaru rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly "Just testing you there,"
I snickered as I watched Hikaru's ego slowly go down. Not trusting Hikaru to light his own lantern I lit them both and handed it to him.
"Careful don't burn yourself,"
"I know how to hold a lantern sheesh,"
"Okay we'll let go in three... Two …one."
I let it go and watched as it floated off closely followed by Hikaru's. They danced up into the sky, and we watched until they were just small hardly noticeable specks in the distance. As the night was lit up with beautiful fireworks the colours mirrored across the water, it was so perfect it was almost like a dream. I had barely noticed how close I was to Hikaru until his hand was on my cheek and his eyes were boring into mine as we kissed right under the gorgeous night. We melted into each other as Hikaru wrapped his arms around my waist and mine around his neck. This kiss wasn't passionate just gentle, reassuring. It felt right on so many levels here my fairy tale had come true everything it was meant to be with fireworks exploding inside, and that warmth people always talk about spreading from head to toe and my head spinning until all I could think of were his lips. But then I could think and it was so wrong. So very wrong. I opened my eyes and pulled away staring at him how, how could I do that? He opened his eyes, noticing I'd moved away from him.
"What's wrong Haruhi?"
"You know damn well what's wrong!"
"No I don't, we just kissed I thought you'd be happy. I thought you liked me!" And though he was shouting angrily, I could hear the hurt in his voice. And I couldn't stand it, this, us. So I pushed him away.
"No really as you practically just forced yourself on me!"
I didn't want to accept reality childish as I know, denial had gone and anger had taken its place soon to be followed by panic. I wasn't really angry at Hikaru, more at myself, but I wasn't in the mood for admitting that.
"I forced myself on you!" He repeated in disbelief.
I stood up abruptly to glare at him, rocking the boat slightly, not that I cared to notice.
"Yeah and look who's going to have to explain all this to Tamaki, not you me! I'm going to have to explain this whole stupid mess to Tamaki, when I don't even understand any of it myself!"
"Well you should have thought of those things five minutes ago!"
I was so angry at him, but mostly it was because he was right.
"Well the only reason I came on this trip was because I pitied you with your Kaoru ill, and how you have no other friends, I don't even want to be here!"
I could see the sadness in his eyes from what I'd said, I'd overstepped a boundry.
"Is that how you really feel?" He said it so quietly yet very serious. "I really thought we had something."
"Hikaru no I don't mean-" the rest of the sentence was cut off with a shout as I went flying into the water, because of all my rocking about. The coldness of the water shocking me, as I went down forgetting to tread water, all my body seemed to have gone numb. I felt strong arms wrapping round me and helping me back onto the boat. Freezing cold, I didn't protest when Hikaru hugged me close to him.
"Never thought I was the damsel in distress type." I muttered
"Guess that makes me the knight in shining armour." Hikaru played along, taking off his jacket and putting it around me.
I smiled at the reference to my childhood dreams. Now knowing what I had to do.
"Sorry," I whispered. "I had no right to get angry I'm just as much to blame,"
"No I'm sorry. I feel like I've ruined your birthday."
"Not really, you kinda made it more special, despite all the horrible things I said."
"Really?"
"Would I lie to you?"
"No you're an honest person Haruhi," He smiled when he said it. "It's one of the many reasons I like you. Let's just talk about this tomorrow, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Kaoru's POV
I reached across to answer my ringing mobile glad Ami wasn't here yet to answer it for me and probably shout down the phone at some poor unsuspecting person.
"Hi."
"Hey Hikaru how's it going in hospital?"
Oh Tamaki, he and the rest of the host club had visited before with flowers, but I was really hoping for a call from Hikaru, I miss him a lot.
"Fine I guess,"
"We're planning a celebration in honour of Haruhi and her birthday; it's too bad you can't come"
"Oh what are you doing?"
"A few drinks a bit of food."
Oh great drinks, that better not mean alcohol otherwise there will be a drunk Tamaki sat around moaning about Haruhi, at least the rest of the host club would be there to stop him from doing anything too stupid…
"Well have a nice time, tell Haruhi happy birthday from me when you next ring her up,"
I barely heard Tamaki's 'will do' as I closed my phone. Noting Ami wasn't here I decided to find out some more about her, leaving a shady twin to his own devices had left me lots of time to think up new plans to cause havoc, but they had also made me curious. I spotted a nurse in the corner bouncing around and talking to the patient across the room with a cheerful expression.
"Excuse me, nurse," She bounded over, all smiles and rainbows. There was a real range of attitude in this place.
"Is there anything you require? I see Ami hasn't arrived yet."
"Oh I was just wondering about her is there something wrong because she seems to act a little… different?"
Different is one word for it.
"Poor Ami's been like that since a year ago."
"Why?
She looked unsure as to whether she should say anymore. I gave her my best concerned expression
"I know it's not any my business but it is worrying,"
"Well I guess since she is looking after you, you should know a little, last year Ami was as happy as anything then one day she comes back saying 'life doesn't get happy endings' and that can do attitude of hers was gone, so sad. And only one thing could have happened to a young girl to cause that."
I was interested now, feeling like I was learning the great secrets of woman kind.
"What?"
She looked at me like it was obvious.
"A man broke her heart in some way or another, if you want to hear more I suggest you ask Ami, for now just be sensitive with what you say."
Then she was off across the room again. So she was hurt, hmm interesting, it must have been pretty bad to make her so grumpy. I can't picture Ami in love really. I wasn't going to ask her though; I did want to make this it through this hospital trip, preferably alive.
