Chapter 20

As Autumn was coming close Haruhi and I decided to enjoy the sunshine while we can because before we would realise, the snow would begin to fall. I knocked on her door and she answered "I'll be out in a second."

After waiting a few moments she came out smiling "Ready to go?"

I nodded "Yep, I can't wait to go shopping today. I heard there's a huge sale on fish!"

As we walked down the stairs Ranka waved "Be careful!"

Suddenly two people grabbed our arms and they said "Target..."

"Captured!"

I quickly stumbled "Wait! What the?!" Just then a limo pulled up and the window rolled down, showing Benibara "Good, bring her in."

Suzuran and Hinagiku, who were obviously helping her out, nodded "Roger."

Haruhi cried "Hold on. Where are we going?!" Is it just me...or am I getting a strange sense of deja vu?

After being thrown into the limo and dragged to the school we were made to change into Lobelia's uniform. Haruhi and I looked at each other after we changed, but before we could question anything Hinagiku shouted "How's that size?"

Haruhi opened the curtain and Benibara smiled "You're gorgeous, maiden. I mean, Haruhi." What am I a wet fish?

The girls suddenly embraced me and Suzuran stated "You look absolutely beautiful!"

Hinagiku continued "You look like a princess ripped from the pages of a fairy tale!"

Benibara finally finished, rather dramatically "Oh my dear, you and that uniform were destined for each other. It's most befitting an innocent girl like you. Yes, one still unfamiliar with young love's first tender kiss."

You know...her and Tamaki have a lot in common. Like their flirtatious personalities.

Haruhi was also brought into the circle and she shouted "Hey, will you wait a minute?! Stop it! Get off! Now hold on! What is this?! Could someone explain it to me? 'Cause one moment, I'm on my way to the supermarket and the next I'm brought here."

Haruhi then mumbled "The three of you have about as much subtlety as the Host Club does."

Benibara then shouted "How dare you maiden?! We are nothing like those idiots! Oh, forgive my outburst! It's only natural for you to be upset, after all in our haste, we whisked you away this morning in your night shirts."

Haruhi mumbled so only I could hear "Those weren't pajamas, you know. That happens to be the way I usually dress. Does rudeness just come with a territory when you're rich?"

Benibara shook her head "All theatrics aside maidens, we have a small favor to ask of you. As you may know, one of our responsibilities in the Zuka Club is to arrange a regular performance of musical numbers and original plays."

Suzuran continued "Today is called the Pink Carnation Day when we celebrate the birth of the White Lily League's founder by putting on the most glorious production of the entire year. We've been rehearsing non-stop in preparation for today's performance."

Hinagiku frowned "Tragically, the lead actress in our play was in a terrible accident and is currently in the hospital. But even so, without her, you know what they say, the show must go on. Which means..."

All three of them then posed and pointed at Haruhi "This is your big opportunity to be apart of the theater!"

Very quickly she said "I can't. Not a chance. I'm sorry."

Benibara smiled "You would only have to memorize a handful of lines. For most of the play, the character you'll be portraying is silent."

Suzuran continued "The role is actually more symbolic than anything."

Benibara added "She just stands there looking beautiful."

Hinagiku sqealed "You can manage that now, can't you? We promise it'll be the easiest thing ever."

Haruhi and I walked over to the door and said "We'll let ourselves out."

Suddenly Benibara fell to her knees crying "Oh! Forgive me! I will forever fall short of your legacy! You must be so ashamed! Oh, mother!"

Suzuran knelt down to her "Benio..."

Hinagiku shook her "Don't talk like that!"

Haruhi and I turned around as I said "So then, your mother..."

Suzuran began "Benio's late mother was a distinguished graduate of Saint Lobelia Academy, prominent of the White Lily League To this day it's said no woman looks lovelier in men's clothing."

Hinaguki continued "That's right! To honor her, we celebrate Pink Carnation Day with the same flare for pageantry that made the woman's name so enormous with the Zuka Club. Her whole life, Benio has dreamed of nothing more than to follow in her mother's footsteps!"

Benibara wept "If today's performance is canceled, that dream will be dashed against the craggy shores of fate."

Haruhi frowned "That sounds just awful..."

Haruhi could relate to Benibara, she doesn't want to disappoint her mother to. We looked at each other and nodded "Alright, we'll help you."

Benibara quickly got up and hugged us "Thank you! You both have hearts of pure gold." Well she got over that quick.

Haruhi reluctantly agreed to play the female lead, but since she had to sing and she was not doing that. "Look I'm sorry but I really can't sing you just heard me sing it was awful."

There was no denying it she was never the best at singing, even when we were kids. Suzuran looked at me and asked "Can you sing my dear?"

I stuttered "N-no I can't I'm just as bad."

Haruhi tilted her head "But you can sing I've heard you."

I glared at her, Not now Haruhi...

Benibara sat down at the piano "Let us hear you since lovely lady."

A soft melody played as I mumbled the first song that came into my head. The girls shouted "Louder!" I sighed and began to sing, my voice floated out into the room. The melody of the piano seemed to surround me as each note echoed throughout the room.

When I stopped the three girls were on the brink of tears, Benibara swooned "Oh my dear! You have the voice of heavenly angels singing in harmony!"

Suzuran smiled "You shouldn't hide your talent it's a gift from the heavens."

Hinagiku nodded "It's decided, you will be the singing voice for Haruhi!"

I sighed Phew at least I don't have to go out on stage.

Not long after the rehearsal was in session. I hid behind a curtain so no one could see me sing. As we were coming to the end of the play Benibara acted "Oh, Marianne, how many lonely nights have I prayed that we'd be together again and how many times are the powers that be demanded that we remained apart? That our love is forbidden..."

Haruhi shouted "Oh my lord Frederick."

Benibara continued "Oh! I'm slain by this fatal gunshot wound! Alas, I'm to draw breath no more."

Haruhi shouted again "My lord Frederick."

Benibara continued "Marianne, with your arms holding me close, all this pain becomes not. I am overwhelmed with peace. Lovely angel, your gaze is my paradise and you are the very image of my beloved Mother."

This guy is sure to talk a lot when someone is supposed to be dying. I wonder how long he can hold out. I think there be time to get a doctor or something.

Haruhi shouted again "My lord Frederick."

And again "My lord Frederick."

Jesus Christ she sounds like a freaking robot!

I then remembered my timing and began to sing to the music "Here, in this moment, I am loosing nothing. Even if you leave me, I won't be alone. Because love has taught me that this life is still worth living and the skies above can't stop me..."

Suddenly the curtain fell back and the music stopped, Hinagiku tripped over and pulled down the curtain and the wire. She giggled "Oh, I'm sorry, my foot got tangled up in the cord."

Suzuran chuckled "Be careful."

The music started again and I continued, rather reluctantly though as everyone could now see me. Finally the performance was coming up and Benibara smiled to us "My dears, it's almost time! Now I'm counting on you. Remember. I want us to think of today as our audition for the Crimson Goddesses!"

I tilted my head "Huh?" This lady takes things way too seriously. Oh guys where are you?

3rd person POV

The Host Club and Ranka walked into the theatre looking for Haruhi and Maria, desperate to save them from the Lobelia girls. Ranka then looked around "Hold on. Where did Kyoya run off to?"

Tamaki also looked around "Now that you've mentioned it, I haven't seen him in a while."

Hunny pointed up to the sound room above "Hey look! He's up there!"

Everyone looked up to see Kyoya talking to a female teacher, who was blushing at everything he said. Tamaki frowned "That jackass..."

Kaoru shook his head "He moves quickly."

Kyoya smiled politely at the blushing woman "Very nice setup. And that's the orchestra pit I take it?"

The woman nodded "That's right. And just above that, we have our fully equipped digital back drop. Here, let me show you. We can project any high resolution image and use it as part of the scenery without unnecessary set changes. Isn't technology just amazing?"

Kyoya smiled at the computer screen "Yes." For he had a special surprise in store for the Lobelia girls.

Maria's POV

The hall was filling up fast, I was so nervous my palms were sweating. I knocked on Haruhi's dressing room "Hey are you ready yet?"

I opened the door and screamed, right in front of me was Haruhi in a huge Victorian styled dress wearing far too much makeup!"Haruhi what did they do to you!? You look like a slaggy clown!"

Haruhi sighed "I know, but Benibara insisted on it. I would take it off right now if I could."

I shook my head and dragged her out Well there's not a lot to do now, knock 'em dead!"

Haruhi smiled and the play began. I sang the songs confidently as I was not seen by the audience. My legs hurt from standing but I had to admit I was having fun, I never sung like that before and it felt good.

As the play was coming to a close the scene that was mainly practiced earlier was repeated, but Benibara added "Ah, and yet, the love I bare for you and the desire I have for revenge are not things which can so simply be forgotten."

Wait...that wasn't in the script. I looked outside from the curtains and saw the Host Club and Ranka watching from the stairs. I held myself back to avoid running out to them when I realised something, Wait...the Host Club is here, Benibara is gonna kiss Haruhi. Oh no, this is revenge! Benibara is actually gonna kiss Haruhi!

Just then Benibara shouted "Right before his eyes, I'll steal your first kiss...All for the sake of revenge."

Tamaki shouted "Never in a million years will daddy allow his Haruhi to be used in such a despicable way! Banana!?"

He slipped on a banana peel as Haruhi and Benibara went up onto a lifting stage "Victory is mine, you poor incompetent buffoon! Now behold while we embrace."

Benibara grabbed Haruhi and leaned in, I rushed out and shouted "Haruhi!"

Haruhi struggled "You're crazy, lady. Stop it! Get off of me!"

Suddenly a huge screen appeared on the stage and a picture of Haruhi and Kanako kissing at the party. Everyone gasped at the picture, especially Benibara "Oh no!"

Hikaru began "So, as you see..."

"Haurhi's already had her first kiss." Kaoru finished.

I looked at where the picture was coming from and saw the familiar figure of Kyoya. You clever man Kyoya.

Ranka yelled "Haruhi! So was that what those are in that degenerate Host Club?!"

Hikaru looked at his twin "Hearing that from her transvestite Father..."

"Seems kind of ironic." Kaoru finished.

Ranka still yelled "You're going to explain this photograph to me right this instant, young lady!"

Benibara asked "Maiden, you mean to tell me!"

Haruhi pushed her away and looked down at Tamaki who shouted with his arms raised "Haruhi! Jump down! I'll catch you!"

Haruhi jumped and it was like time froze itself...for about a few seconds before Haruhi crushed Tamaki. She gasped "I'm sorry, senpai."

Ranka cried to Haruhi "Haruhi, how could you do this to your adoring father!?"

Haruhi got up to get away but Suzuran and Hinagiku shouted "Not so fast, Marianne."

Haruhi began to run as Benibara jumped down "Don't let her go! This is not over yet! I don't care how many kisses she's had. The next one will be mine." Man, all we wanted to do today was go shopping...

I sighed and walked over to the twins "Hey guys you got any banana peels?"

The twins smirked evilly "You don't have to tell us twice."

They quickly threw the banana peels at the girls and they all slipped over, giving all of us a chance to escape. We ran out of the building and as soon as we were out of view of the school Tamaki hugged Haruhi "Oh my poor Haruhi daddy was so worried about you!"

Ranka was telling her off and everyone was surrounding Haruhi. I seem to be invisible...as always. I then felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Kyoya smirking at me "So what persuaded you to sing for Lobelia?"

I blushed "W-well it wasn't by choice that's for sure. Wait a second how do you know it was me."

Kyoya shrugged "I have my ways. Now I think it would be best if I took you home. My car is waiting."

I nodded "Oh yes please, I'm so tired."

I bid Haruhi goodbye and good luck and got into Kyoya's car. Once again Kyoya was wearing his casual clothes which made me blush crimson. I shook my head and smiled at him "I must admit I am rather impressed Kyoya. You managed to save Haruhi from being kissed by Benibara."

He smirked "Well I am the son to the Ootori company, nothing less is expected."

I rolled my eyes as we arrived at my house. He got out of the car and opened the door to my side, taking my hand and escorting me to the front door. Oh my God he is behaving like such a gentleman...like we were on a date or something.

We continued holding hands even at the door. I turned to him and smiled "Thank you for taking me home, and thank you for your help. Would you like to come in?"

He shook his head "Thank you but I have to get home, it's late anyway you need to go to bed."

I nodded "Alright Mr Bossy pants." He chuckled, but still wouldn't let go of my hand. I smiled "Are you gonna take my hand home with you?"

He quickly let go and blushed "Sorry." I chuckled "Even the Shadow King blushes, who knew."

Suddenly he grabbed my hand again and kissed the back of my hand, causing my face to heat up in all sorts of different shades of red. He smirked "And so does the little maid. Goodnight, Maria."

He walked down the steps and got into his car, he didn't leave until I was in the house. My mum was waiting for me, smiling "So Kyoya took you home? I hear wedding bells."

I sighed "Mum come on we're not even dating."

She smiled again "But you a flirting with each other, I could hear you outside. Why not tell him how you feel?"

I shook my head "Because if I did and he didn't feel the same way back it would make things awkward."

Mum sighed "Well life is all about taking risks. I don't want you to live your life with any regrets." I smiled and took her to bed and then got myself into bed, falling fast asleep.

A/N: I will admit this wasn't my favorite episode so I am very sorry if it turned out really bad it's 1:35am here I'm so tired. Anyway I hope you enjoyed please review!