Arai stared at us as me and Haruhi stared back. I then smiled and hugged him. "Hey, Arai, it's been so long! How are you?"

I let go and he smiled back. "Oh, I'm fine." He turned his head towards the twins and Tamaki standing next to us, he asked, "So, uh, these your friends?"

Haruhi looked at them and chuckled. "Oh, yeah. This is Hikaru and Kaoru. They're in my class. And this is my sen…" she then paused, as if she was remembering something then continued, "An acquaintance of mine."

Tamaki froze as a loud sound echoed in the room. The hell was that?! Tamaki muttered to Misuzu, "Mizusu, please don't add any sound effects to my moments of despair."

Oh, it was Misuzu on the piano...what's wrong with this place? Haruhi and I put the food in the fridge and sat down with Arai to catch up. Haruhi smiled and said, "I haven't seen you since graduation."

Arai nodded. "Yeah. You cut all your hair off. That's such a shame."

Haruhi played with her hair as she replied, "I don't think so. I mean, since I cut it, it has been easier to manage."

Arai turned to me and stated, "You cut your hair to Maria. What changed your mind?"

I chuckled nervously and said, "Well, it's not like I had a choice in the matter, but I'm glad I got it cut."

He nodded and asked, "So, how's Ouran treating you? Do you keep in touch with anyone from middle school anymore?"

Haruhi nodded "Yeah, a little. Kazumi still calls me. What about you?"

He chuckled. "Same, but since most of the guys go to the same school as me I can't seem to get a break from them." He all laughed as we cherished our memories from Middle School, then Arai looked at the guys and asked, "So, these guys are all in a club with you?"

Haruhi bluntly replied, "Host Club."

"Oh, is that so?" Arai smiled.

But before we could continue Hikaru shouted from the bar, "Hey, Haruhi! Don't you think you should be working? You shouldn't be slacking off!"

What's his problem? Haruhi explained, "Misuzu said I can take a break."

I noticed that Tamaki wasn't around and turned my head to find him in his emo corner...ripping paper? I shook my head and said, "Hey, quit making more garbage I'll have to take out."

Tamaki pouted, "It's not garbage. I'm making a hamster home."

Haruhi turned her attention to the depressed Tamaki and sighed, "But Senpai, you don't have a hamster."

Tamaki mimicked. "I'm not your senpai. I'm just an acquaintance of yours."

Ugh he is like a drama queen! Actually I take that back he IS a drama queen! Arai laughed at the scene before him. "Wow, who knew you Ouran guys were so funny? You know, it's such a prestigious school. I've always imagined that it was a whole different world."

I mumbled "It's a different world, all right."

Arai then looked down and smiled gently. "To be honest with you, I was kinda worried you two were gonna have a hard time going to such an elite school. I'm glad to see you're doing well."

Haruhi smiled at his kindness which caused him to blush. "I mean, it's not like I was the only one who was worried about you. Lots of people were."

We chatted for a little while longer before Hikaru shouted, "I'm just saying! It's obvious this guy has a thing for Haruhi! It's sickening to watch him try and flirt!"

I was shocked at Hikaru's mean attitude as Haruhi scowled, "Hikaru! What's wrong with you? Quite acting like such a Jerk!"

Arai chuckled nervously, "Hey, it's no big deal. He's right. I did have a thing for you once. But who cares? You already turned me down, right?"

Tamaki and Hunny gasped, "Huh?!"

As did Haruhi, "Huh?!"

She stood up from her chair as Kyoya asked, "Why do you look so surprised?"

Haruhi stuttered, "Well, I didn't know..."

Tamaki slammed his hands on the table as he said, "You have to fill us in on this story, Arai. Now when did this happen?"

Arai smiled "Well, it was about a year ago..."

Arai told the guys the story of how he found Haruhi in the hallway to try and confess his love to her. However, since Haruhi didn't understand what he had meant due to their conversation about new schools he gave up.

The guys turned to Haruhi and Kyoya frowned, "Haruhi. You broke this innocent man's heart, just to get a laugh from some sick joke?"

Wait a minute, when did this turn into an interrogation? Haruhi slumped her shoulders and said, "No. That couldn't have happened. I didn't understand what he meant..."

Hunny shook his head and said, "This crime is pretty serious, huh?"

Haruhi turned to Arai and bowed her head deeply. "I'm so sorry."

Arai chuckled. "So, you're turning me down again a whole year later? Don't worry, Fujioka. I'm over it already. You didn't realize what I meant, so that means you weren't interested. But you know... I was always drawn to that faraway look in your eyes. And the way you've looked someone in the eye when you spoke to them. I like that about you. I always thought you were special."

Tamaki beamed with delight. "You think that much of my little girl? Don't worry, I'll never forget your gallantry!"

I couldn't contain my laughter anymore and burst into laughter "Hahahahaha! Oh Arai, I told you this would happen!"

Haruhi turned to me in shock and shouted, "You knew?!"

I chuckled and said, "Of course I knew. Before he went to confess to you he found me in the classroom and told me that he liked you. So, I told him to go tell you, but knowing you...you wouldn't have guessed it in a million years!"

Kyoya asked, puzzled, "So if you knew, why didn't you inform Haruhi?"

I shook my head and said, "It wasn't my place to say. Arai didn't want me to tell her so I didn't."

Arai smiled at me. "Thanks for keeping your promise, it meant a lot to me."

I smiled back and replied with, "You're welcome. What are friends for?"

The guys, apart from the twins, pulled up a chair and asked Arai about what we were like in Middle school...it was the most embarrassing thing ever! I noticed that the twins weren't coming over, as did Tamaki who waved to them, "Hikaru, Kaoru! Get over here! This may be our only chance to hear what Haruhi was like in Middle school."

Trust him to only want to know about Haruhi...pervert. Hikaru scoffed, "Sorry, but I'm not interested. Man, how stupid can you guys get? Where is the fun sitting around talking about somebody's past. I don't see the appeal."

I couldn't believe that Hikaru was acting like such a jerk as I shouted, "Come on, Hiakru, don't be so prissy about it."

However he ignored me and continued, "Besides, doesn't that guy realize Haruhi doesn't want anything to do with him? She's got plenty of friends. So, she doesn't need you around. Get it?"

While he was talking Haruhi, out of anger, got up from her chair, walked over to Hikaru and raised her hand. I shouted, "No Haruhi don't!"

But I was too late. SLAP! Haruhi slapped Hikaru across the face and shouted, "That's not something for you to decide, Hikaru! I'm not gonna tolerate you insulting my friends anymore! You got that!?"

I was frozen on the spot as Hikaru stood up and shouted, "But why? Why should anyone else even matter to you? I thought we were your friends! Are we or aren't we?!"

He ran off as Kaoru went after his brother, "Hikaru! Wait for me!"

Tamaki shook his head and muttered, "Their world is still so small. It's such a shame."

I was still frozen but I managed to push my seat away as I stood up, by this time Haruhi remembered something and turned to me with a sorry look on her face "Maria...I...I..." I didn't hear the rest as I ran off to my room and laid on my bed, burying my face into the comforting pillow.

Haruhi's POV

I was just so angry at Hikaru that I didn't even realize what I was doing. It was only after he ran off that I remembered something I promised Maria. I turned to her, she looked like she was about to cry as she ran off before I could apologize.

I showed Arai to the door as I bowed my head saying, "I'm really sorry, Arai."

He rubbed the back of his neck as he smiled, "It's okay. I don't know what I did, but whatever it was, it sure seemed to set him off, huh?"

Hunny-senpai then shouted, "Hika-chan." We all turned around to see Hikaru coming down the stairs.

Wait a second that's not Hikaru...I kept silent as Kaoru mumbled, "I was out of line. I'm sorry."

Arai smiled gently "Thanks, don't worry about it. Well, see you soon, Fujioka. Bye, guys."

He took off on his bike as we waved goodbye then I asked, "So Kaoru. Tell me why you're pretending to be Hikaru. Hey, what happened to that scratch on your cheek?"

I pinched his cheek as he answered through gritted teeth, "I just covered it up with some concealer."

I let go as he continued, "I don't think Hikaru's temper is gonna let up anytime soon. He's no fun when he's like this, so I've got a small favor to ask of you. How would you like to go out with me tomorrow on a date?"

I shrugged, "Sure, I don't mind..."

But Tamaki pulled me back and yelled, "No! Daddy will not allow it! You're far too young to go on dates!"

I shook him off and said, "Cut it out senpai it's only Kaoru. What's he gonna do?"

Tamaki sulked in that weird corner as I frowned. "I need to go talk to Maria. I think she might be angry with me."

Everyone looked at each other as Tamaki exclaimed, "I shall go for you dearest! Maria is my child to!"

Hunny whined, "Why should you go? I wanna help!"

Kyoya calmly stated while everyone argued, "I'll go talk to her for you if you want, I'm more likely to talk some sense into her than anyone else here."

I nodded and said, "Thanks Kyoya-senpai."

Kyoya smiled and said, "No problem, you can pay me back later." He walked off towards Marias room. I knew they'd be a catch...

Maria's POV

I didn't know how long it had been, it was sunset and Arai most likely had gone home. Haruhi was probably still working as I laid on my bed. Then I heard a knock and someone came in.

"You've been in here for quite some time, Maria. Have you been crying?"

I quickly wiped my face and sniffed. "No...it's allergies. What do you want, Kyoya?" I didn't look at him as he shut the door and I felt the bed shift in weight.

"You know, it's not polite to look away from someone that is talking to you."

I sighed and turned my head to him. He was looking at me with a gentle expression on his face, which was rare for Kyoya. He asked "Why did you run off like that?"

I averted my gaze from him. "I don't wanna say."

He chuckled and said, "You sound like a child. Come on, I'm a good listener, you know."

I chuckled at his vanity and sat up, leaning against the pillow on the bedpost. I patted the spot next to me and said, "You might as well get comfy. It may take a while."

He shifted his way next to me as I began, "Well, you know about my mum becoming ill and my dad leaving us?" He nodded silently as I continued, "Well, since my dad became a drunk we were low on money. We spent a lot on my mum's medical expenses and my dad wasted most of it on booze. When my dad turned to alcohol he became more aggressive...more violent." I clenched my fists and continued, "Every time he came home and found my mum he would beat her up...calling her useless, worthless, an ignorant, selfish bitch. He punched her, spat at her...slapped her."

Tears pricked my eyes, I looked at Kyoya who had a poker face...but was clenching the bed sheets as I continued, "There wasn't a damned thing I could do about it...I was so young and so weak there was no way I could have fought him back. I was too scared and I felt so useless."

I sobbed a little but pressed on, "I told Haruhi about what happened at home and she promised me that she would make sure I would never witness her or any of our friends doing something like that..."

I stopped as Kyoya carried on for me, "So, when Haruhi slapped Hikaru it brought back unsavory memories for you?"

I nodded. "I bet you must think I hate Haruhi now...but I don't. I know Haruhi and she would never do something like that thinking straight. It was in the heat of the moment and I understand why she did it...but I hated the memories it brought back."

Before I knew what I was doing I snuggled into Kyoya's chest and started crying. When I realised what I was doing I thought he was gonna push me away...but he didn't. Instead he patted my head and stroked my hair, he was obviously feeling awkward but he continued to comfort me. I felt better under his touch, not wanting it to end, but I reluctantly got up and smiled at him. "Thanks Kyoya...you really are a nice guy."

We stared at each other for a few moments, his eyes were looking into mine like he was looking at my soul. Then he held a box of tissues in front of my face. "For your...allergies."

I chuckled and wiped my face and blew my nose, quickly disposing of the used tissues. He stood up from the bed and went to the door ready to leave, then he turned to me with his usual expression and stated, "Don't tell anyone about this or I'll increase your debt by 20%."

I chuckled, "Only if you promise not to tell the others about my...secret." He nodded and quickly left the room. I shook my head, trying to ignore the feelings dwelling up inside of me.

Haruhi came back into the room and apologized, "I am so sorry, Maria. I'm not gonna make up excuses, but if you can forgive me..."

I smiled. "Of course I forgive you silly, I wasn't angry with you to begin with."

The usually emotionless Haruhi hugged me tight as we prepared for the next day...since she had a date with Kaoru. The next morning I woke up to hear the vibration of my phone. I looked at the screen to see it was Kaoru.

I answered in hushed tones, "What is it, Kaoru? I'm tired."

He laughed nervously. "Hehe, sorry Maria, but I need to tell you something. You know I'm supposed to go on a date with Haruhi today?" I nodded to myself as he continued, "Well, my real plan is for Haruhi and Hikaru to make up so I'm sending him on the date instead. I want my brother to become more mature by sending him out on this date. The others already know, apart from Hikaru and Haruhi of course, so I need you to go to another room while the maids get her changed."

I whispered sharply, "Fine. But you owe me one, Kaoru."

He chuckled. "Thanks Maria. Oh, the others are downstairs by the way, I'll meet you down there once the plan is underway."

We said our goodbyes as I sighed, "This isn't a James Bond movie you know..."

I quickly grabbed some shorts, a red tank top and red converses and quickly got changed in the bathroom. I grabbed my necessities before meeting the others downstairs. Of course Tamaki was as right as rain, Mori was...well Mori. But Hunny and Kyoya were letting off a scary aura.

Tamaki hugged me tight and said, "Good morning my beautiful princess! How are you today?"

I choked out, "Hey Tamaki, hey Mori."

Mori grunted, "Hey." As usual a man of many words.

Tamaki let go as I pointed at Kyoya and Hunny, "What's wrong with them?"

Tamaki shuddered, "They not morning people...they hate getting woken up."

Oh yeah, Hunny's like the devil when he wakes up...and I'm not surprised Kyoya was the same. Over time, Kyoya and Hunny woke up as Kaoru came running down to us. "Hey guys, thanks for coming. Look to cut to the chase we're gonna follow Haruhi and Hikaru on their date, just to make sure everything goes okay. So, lets go!"

He ran out of the building as we had no choice but to follow after him. In town we found Hikaru and Haruhi talking, so we watched them from a nearby cafe. Me, Kyoya and Mori watched from a table while Kaoru struggled keeping Tamaki at bay, "Haruhi!"

"Be careful, boss! They'll see us!"

Tamaki yelled to Kaoru, "Why are Hikaru and Haruhi on a first date anyway?! I don't understand! How are yesterday's events related to this?!"

Hunny, being a great guy for timing, stated, "You know, this might be Haru-chan's first date."

Being the cruel woman I was I smiled, "Actually, you're right, Hunny. It is her first date."

Tamaki screamed even more and struggled more aggressively against Kaoru, "Aah! Check it out! Pay for that! And look at what she's wearing! It's cute! It's super cute!"

Kaoru shrugged sheepishly, "Oh... I can explain..."

We stepped outside to watch them as Tamaki continued his diva tantrum, "No fair! No fair, no fair! No fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair, no fair." He's such a child...

Kaoru sighed and began, "Boss, it's hard for you to understand, but it would be good for Hikaru to find other people he can feel close to. The only people we've ever been able to depend on were ourselves. We didn't care what anyone else thought about us. That's probably how we ended up so self-centered."

Tamaki stopped ranting and raving at this point and asked, "So, you're admitting it?"

Kaoru shrugged, "I guess you could say Hikaru is immature and lets his emotions take over. See, I'm not sure he's even aware of it, but I can tell that he cares about Haruhi. He just doesn't know how to react, so his emotions run wild. He's selfish and wants all of her attention. He wants to be acknowledged by her but doesn't know how to make that happen. If you want true friends, friends who aren't only your toys, you have to learn to respect them. That's the only way you can have a meaningful relationship. And I think it's about time that Hikaru learned that lesson himself."

Tamaki stood there in amazement, "Kaoru, that was amazing."

Kyoya nodded in understanding. "So, in other words, this date is basically a test to see if Hikaru can handle being thoughtful towards others, right?"

Kaoru frowned. "Just promise me you won't interfere with them, okay?"

Tamaki questioned, "Fine, but then why are you making us follow them?"

Koaru snuck behind a tree and stated, "Because there's no reason we should miss out on watching something this interesting."

He may be more mature...but he's still a little kid on the inside.

We watched as Haruhi and Hikaru were trying to decide what to do on their date...however Hikaru wasn't really making an effort which caused Tamaki to make another moan, "How could he call himself a host member?! This is the lamest excuse for a date I've ever seen! I should switch with Hikaru! I'll show her a good time!"

Am I the only one who took that the wrong way? Kaoru struggled to hold Tamaki back once again as he pained. "That would ruin everything!"

Tamaki pointed at Kyoya and shouted, "Get out there, Kyoya! Act like a punk and pick a fight with Haruhi, so Hikaru will have to rescue her!"

Kyoya shook his head. "Where do you dream this stuff up?"

I then looked over to see Hunny, disguised as an old man, chanting, "Ice cream! Ice cream! Does anyone want ice cream?"

Mori rushed in before the two could notice and stated to Hunny, "Bad idea."

I looked over and saw Haruhi buying some ice cream. Tamaki seemed to have noticed to as he rushed into the shop, put on a disguise and stopped them from sharing and ice cream together.

"What a pretty young lady! Here is another one for you, on the house!"

Haruhi smiled. "Thank you, sir. Delicious!"

Hikaru smiled after a lick of his ice cream, "You're right, it is pretty good."

The two walked away as Kaoru shook Tamaki. "What do you think you're doing?! It was finally going well!"

Tamaki exclaimed in defense, "You think I'm gonna let them share an ice cream cone like a couple!? That's indirect kissing!"

The poor man who owned the store was just standing there watching them as I dragged them out. "I'm terribly sorry sir, they sometimes get a little too carried away."

He nodded nervously as I dragged the two out. Once we found Haruhi and Hikaru again they were having a good time, laughing and smiling on their date. Kaoru shook his head in shock. "We take our eyes off of them for a second and settle everything is great."

Kyoya nodded. "That's true, but I get a feeling Haruhi is the one in charge here." Hunny giggled "It looks like that the ice cream stand how smooth things over."

Mori bluntly stated, "I doubt it."

Kaoru then turned to us, "We should get going. If we get caught, it's gonna ruin everything. And anyway, I don't think the boss can handle much more of this."

We looked over and saw Tamaki hugging a lamp post and crying "That looks like so much fun..."

I grabbed Tamaki by the shirt and dragged him away. "Come on, we don't wanna get caught."

When we arrived back at the inn it started raining and there were thunderstorms...Haruhi and Hikaru hadn't come back yet. Kaoru looked out the window. "Check out that lightning."

Hunny spoke with concern, "I sure hope those two didn't get stuck in the rain."

Tamaki and I were pacing back and forth with worry while Misuzu said, "Dear, please try to settle down."

Tamaki began, "I should go out and look for them! Uh-"

But before he could continue the phone rang and Misuzu answered, "Hello, this is Pension Misuzu! Oh, it's you Arai. What is it? What? Haruhi and Hikaru? Hm. Hm. Thank you. Hikaru should have his cell with him so I'll try giving him a call. Good bye now."

Misuzu put the phone down and turned to us with a solemn expression, "Evidently, Hikaru left Haruhi in front of the produce shop and decided he head back on his own. Arai said Haruhi took off after Hikaru and that's when it started pouring. He was worried so he called to make sure they made it home okay."

Tamaki quickly got out his phone and called Hikaru, when he answered, Tamaki shouted, "You idiot! I want you to turn around and start looking for Haruhi right now! What kind of jerk would leave a girl out in a thunderstorm like this by herself?! Now you listen to me, Haruhi is terrified of thunder! Whenever she hears it, she gets so scared she can't even move! Why don't you spend less time concentrating on your jealousy and worry about someone else for once?!"

He hung up and snapped his phone shut. We all stared at Tamaki as Kaoru asked, "So...Haruhi's afraid of thunder?"

I nodded, "She's been scared of it since she was little, she's absolutely petrified of it."

Hunny nearly cried in sadness, "Poor, Haru-chan."

I twiddled my thumbs in worry and about an hour later Haruhi and Hikaru arrived back at the inn; drenched from the rain. I ran up to Haruhi and hugged her tight, "Oh Haruhi, are you okay? You must have been so scared."

Haruhi smiled weakly, "I'm okay, Hikaru found me in time."

I looked at him as he averted his eyes from mine. "Look...I'm sorry Maria. Everyone. I've been a real jerk."

I smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "Yeah, you have. But it's okay, everyone has bad days."

He smiled as we got them cleaned up and we all went to bed. The next day Haruhi and I went straight back to work and Arai came in to see us, "What's up?"

Haruhi smiled and said, "Hey, good morning, Arai."

Arai lifted the watermelon and said "I brought you a watermelon. My Uncle's got the best in town."

Hunny jumped in excitement. "Oh, Wow! It's huge!"

Tamaki looked at the melon and nodded. "It's certainly an impressive melon."

Just then Hikaru walked over to Arai, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Arai smiled at him and handed the watermelon to him "Here."

Hikaru took the yummy fruit and smiled, "Thanks a lot."

Kaoru's POV

When I saw my brother smiling at Arai, I knew that everything was settled between the two of them. Kyoya and I watched from the second floor as he asked me, "By the way, a question about your strategy. Did you ever consider the possibility that the date might go too well and those two might fall in love?"

I chuckled. "Nah, it's still too soon for that. Hikaru is kind of a dummy."

Tamaki then shouted to us, "Hey, come down here! It's time for some melon!"

Kyoya smiled, "Well, then he's lucky because our club is full of dummies."

I noticed that he wasn't even paying attention to the watermelon...he was looking at something, or should I say someone else. I smirked at him and said, "Looks like Hikaru's not the only one who should be worried about falling in love, right Kyoya?"

He turned to me with a confused look on his face, but I smiled and walked downstairs to join the others leaving a flustered Kyoya behind me.

A/N: Ooooo romance is blooming! How romantic! Ok I'm so so so sorry for taking so long with this, I had major writers block but I'm ok now :D Oh I must thank my wonderful friend for Beta-reading this for me...you know who you are :P Well I hope you liked it and R&R :D