Chapter 14

Straight after lessons as usual me and Haruhi made our way over to the host club...however, I wasn't as energetic as usual. My eyes drooped as I slugged my way into the music room.

The twins looked at me and both asked "What's up with you today? You look like you've been dragged through a bush?"

I couldn't be bovered to speak as Haruhi spoke up for me "Knock it off guys Maria was working all night last night and had to finish doing the housework. She's so tired."

Tamaki looked into my face and cried "Oh my poor little princess! Working so hard but suffers the consequences "

He continued his charade as I shook my head "I'll be fine..."

Tamaki ignored my protests as he pointed his finger at me "I will not let my precious daughter suffer like this, you need to have a little nap to refresh yourself."

I tried to protest as Hunny tugged on my shirt "Mari-chan you can borrow my blanket if you want, you can even cuddle up with Usa-chan!"

I smiled and patted his head "Thanks Hunny."

I dragged myself over to the couch and lied down The twins grinned evilly at me and smirked "If you want we can sleep with you to make you more comfy."

Usually I would have growled at them by now but I was so tired I couldn't even do that. Tamaki dragged them away by their hair and shouted at them. Hunny covered me with his blanket and gave me Usa-chan to snuggle up to.

I smiled as Kyoya stated "make sure to get plenty of rest...we need you to be awake for when the guests arrive."

I grinned as I shook my head Typical Kyoya, only caring about the welfare of the club. I slowly closed my eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

"Maria...Maria...wake up Maria..." A soft echoing voice was calling out to me as I opened my eyes to find myself floating in a pitch black area. There was no one or nothing to be seen.

I looked around hastily and called out "Hello? Is anyone there?"

I could do nothing but float in this black cavern when the same voice spoke to me "I am here. Please do not be afraid."

I looked around and finally saw the person who had been calling out to me. A beautiful elegant lady who looked like she was in her 30's. She had curly blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

I looked at her carefully before remembering who she was "Auntie Akari?"

Akari smiled at me gently and spoke "You've grown so big, you're such a beautiful girl."

I couldn't believe my eyes as I asked "But...you died 5 years ago? Why are you here?"

Auntie giggled "Well you could say I am your guardian angel. I'm sorry for not being there for you more."

I smiled and ran to her and hugged her tight. "I miss you auntie."

Akari hugged me tightly "I miss you to dear."

She suddenly pulled away and wiped her eyes "Oh look at me, getting all flustered when I have a job to do."

I looked at her confused "Umm...what job?"

Akari smiled brightly "I am here to collect the dead souls of people who have recently died."

I tilted my head a bit as I said "But isn't that job a little too depressing for you? I mean you're so positive and energetic."

Akari twirled and sang "Yes that may be but I get to meet new people...and find out any juicy gossip."

I shook my head at my auntie's usual behavior. I then asked sheepishly "Do you mind if I come along? It sounds very interesting."

Akari squealed "Oh of course you can dear! You can keep me company!"

With that said she grabbed my hand and we teleported to a warm country surrounded by tropical trees and colourful birds. Akari looked at her list and said "Now where is he...oh there he is!"

A middle-aged man stood not too far from us looking confused as he asked my aunt "Excuse me miss...do you know what happened to me?"

Akari chuckled "I'm afriad to say that you are stone cold dead my friend."

The man looked shocked and stuttered "B-but I can't be dead...can I?"

Akari shook her head "You'll get used to it...now can you please tell me how you died?"

The man looked like he was in deep thought as he said "Well, I was walking through the jungle when I saw a little girl crying as she was stuck up a tree. People were gathered 'round so I climbed up the tree to save her. I lowered her down safely...however the branch broke as I was about to get down and landed on my head."

Akari smiled "You did a good deed my friend, and for that you are going to heaven."

The man smiled "Oh thank you very much." Akari pulled a white leaver, which appeared out of nowhere, and the man made his way to heaven.

I stood there shocked and my auntie chuckled "Now come on dear you're going to catch flies in your mouth if you keep it hanging open like that."

I quickly closed my mouth as auntie took my hand and we teleported to a new location. This place was a lot cooler than before but it wasn't freezing either. It was a very urban area but there was no one around except for a 50 year old woman who ran over to us as she saw us.

"Hey! Can you tell me where the hell I am?"

Akari smiled "You are stone cold dead my friend."

The lady growled "What?! Why the hell did it have to be me?!"

Wow she has an attitude...

Akari asked "Can you please tell me how you died?"

The lady snorted and stated "Well, I was an alcoholic and because of that I would hit my 14 year old son pretty much every night. The brat deserved it...anyway I was having my drinks as usual when all of a sudden I got an abdominal pain, I was feeling sick and my skin was yellow. Before I knew it I was dead."

Akari shook her head "Well because of your cruel ways I'm afraid you're taking a one way trip on the hellavator. Bye now!"

My auntie pulled a red leaver, which again appeared out of nowhere as the lady fell down a black hole. I looked at my auntie in shock as I said "That was a bit harsh don't you think?"

Akari shrugged "Well...yeah...but look on the bright side! It's always hot down there! She can tan easily."

I mentally face-palmed at my aunties constant happiness. We flew here, there and everywhere collecting souls and deciding whether they should go to heaven or not. Finally we reached the last person on Akari's list. "Ah here we are! We're in Japan I think. Oh look there she is!"

I looked to where she was looking and saw a beautiful young woman who I seemed to recognize from the back. The woman turned around and my eyes widened instantly.

She walked over to us and spoke in a kind voice "I know...I'm dead aren't I?"

Akari nodded. "Yes, can you please tell me how you died?"

She nodded and spoke "Well, I became very sick and had to be submitted to hospital. They told me I had pneumonia and I wasn't going to survive. I stayed in the hospital and said my final farewells to my daughter and husband before I passed away."

I finally found the courage to speak and whispered "Mrs Fujioka?"

Mrs Fujioka looked at me and smiled "Maria? Oh darling I am so sorry you had to see this...but you must be from the future. You were always like a daughter to me Maria; you and Haruhi just got along like sisters."

I chocked a little to try and hold back the tears as I hugged her tight. She stroked my hair and whispered "Can you do me a favor Maria?"

I looked up at her and nodded. She smiled and asked "I want you to look after Haruhi for me...I know she is going to feel lonely and afraid, but I want you to promise me that you will never leave her side and that you will look after her for me in my place. Tell her that I love her. Can you do that?"

I hugged her tightly "Of course I will, I love Haruhi like my own sister I will never leave her." We continued hugging until I felt like I was being pulled back to reality.

"Maria! Wake up Maria!" I shot up at the voice and saw everyone crowded around me with worried expressions on their faces. Oh it was just a dream.

Tamaki looked at me gently and asked "Are you alright my dear?"

I nodded "I'm fine..why?"

Kaoru came over to me and looked at me "Because you were crying."

I put my hand on my cheek and felt a wetness on it. Looks like that dream I had took it's toll on me.

Hunny cried "Did you have a nightmare Mari-chan?"

I shook my head "No...I was just reminded of a promise I have to keep."

Kyoya came over and pulled out a tissue and wiped my cheeks "Honestly, you need to look presentable for our guests."

I chuckled, even though he said that he looked like he was worried about me to. I guess the shadow king does care.

The others suddenly ran off to get ready as I said to Haruhi "You know Haruhi, I was dreaming about your mother."

She froze instantly and looked at me "What did she say?"

I smiled "She asked me to look after you...and to tell you that she loves you."

Haruhi had tears in her eyes as I hugged her tight. "You're like a sister to me Haruhi...I will protect you and care for you as much as I can." We held each other for a while before the host club opened to it's guests.

A/N: Ta da! I'm sorry it took so long but I had writers block! And I'm sorry if this is a but short but Maria can't really be in the dream with Haruhi so I decided to let Maria have a dream of her own. Anywho I hope you liked and please review!