It's the day of the senior's graduation and has been almost a year since Kyoya left for New York; though Haruhi spent a week there with him for her birthday she misses him terribly and is wishing he could have made it back today. She and the twins were seated with the rest of their graduating class on one side of the stage, while the chairman was giving the same speech he gives every year.
"Well looks like Tono's back." She hears the twin's sigh behind her, as she looks into the crowd and sees Tamaki waving at her.
"Oh leave him be, you know he hasn't seen us since we watched him get into his plane and leave last year." She points out smiling and waving back at him.
"Speaking of people leaving overseas, where's Kyoya?"
"I got a call from him last week, apparently someone filed a complaint to the hospital, or rather the hospital is being sued for something and now there seems to be something wrong with the hospital building." She sighs. "He is trying to deal with those and is still waiting for the final papers for a merge with a hospital in Florida. We shouldn't expect him back here, until a few days before the wedding."
"What? How can he just leave you hanging like that?" They ask surprise in their voices.
"It can't be helped. He has a job to finish over there and will see it to the end." She states clutching her necklace that still holds her engagement ring.
"Surely you can't be too happy about it?"
"I'm not, but there's nothing I can do. He's busy, so it can't be helped." She repeats making sure they know that it did bother her a little, as Tamaki's father finishes his usual speech and turns to face her for a moment.
"And now I wish to introduce the graduating class's valedictorian Haruhi Fujioka." He announces.
She sighs. "Good luck Haruhi." She hears the twins, as she makes her way up onto the stage and Yuzuru adjusts the microphone to her height.
'I really didn't want to do this at first and still don't know why I accepted it, but seeing as Kyoya dealt with it last year I'm sure I can handle it.' Staring out into the crowd of hundreds of people her eyes rest on Fuyumi holding Kichiro and she couldn't help but smile. She had been over to Fuyumi's house a lot the past year and Kichiro, just last week had managed to say her name, though he had only managed to call her 'Haru' it was close enough that she didn't mind. She takes the microphone, a deep breath, and begins her speech.
"Thank you Mr. Chairman. I'd like to begin my speech with this statement. It's said that a valedictorian's speech won't be remembered as soon as the graduation ceremony is over. And with that I agree completely-hell if I'm not going to remember my own speech by the end of tonight, why would I expect all of you to remember it?" She asks earning laughter throughout the courtyard. "Because I want to get this over with as quickly as the rest of my class I promise to keep this short. I came to Ouran expecting to just keep my grades up and graduate, but by the end of my first day here I ended up being a part of a club that I'm sorry to say disbanded at the end of last year and pretending to be a boy my entire first year. I think I speak for the rest of the graduating class when I say I will miss Ouran very much. Now whether some of us are going immediately to university, or starting to work for their parents it's safe to assume that we will all never forget out time here-" She stops as she looks to the back of the crowd and sees a seemingly familiar pair of eyes watching her. Stunned for a moment she blinks a few times and realize he's disappeared. 'I must really be losing it if I'm hallucinating about him now.'
The crowd starts murmuring about her sudden stop and when Yuzuru steps up behind her and asks if she's all right she snaps out of it. "Yeah I'm fine sorry." She assures him and turns back to the crowd. "Sorry, I lost my train of thought." She smiles at them. 'There's no way he's here anyways.' Convincing herself of that she continues her speech. "Right-it's safe to assume that we will never forget out time here, or the memories that we have all attained by attending Ouran High School. I wish to thank everyone here who, even though I am definitely not from the same background, as all the students here, you all treated me like a classmate and helped me find my own place. To the rest of my graduating class I wish you all the best of luck in whatever you decide to do from here on out and it has been a hell of a three years with all of you thank you." She's met with enormous applause from everybody around, as she bows and steps off of the stage to return and collapse in her seat.
"Awesome speech Haruhi and thanks for keeping it so short." The twins laugh behind her.
"Like I said if I'm not going to remember it, why should I expect you all to?" She laughs weakly still thinking of the person she saw in the crowd.
"Are you all right Haruhi?" Kaoru asks.
"Yeah, you know anybody who really knows you knows you never space out, or lose your train of thought. What happened up there?" Hikaru asks.
"I thought I saw someone, but it was nothing I'm fine." She assures them.
"You're sure?" They ask.
"Completely, don't worry."
"All right, but you know we can't help but worry about you." They tell her sincerely.
"I know that's why I love you two." She turns around and smiles at them.
"Better not let Kyoya hear you say that." They grin.
"Oh shut up you know what I meant." She laughs, as they only shrug and she turns around to watch the rest of the ceremony.
"Haruhi that speech was beautiful I'll be sure to remember it forever." Tamaki runs over after the ceremony and grabs her in a tight hug.
"Tono, you don't even remember Kyoya's speech for your own class last year." The twins sigh wandering over. "And if you're going to be the chairman of this school later on you're going to have to listen to graduates give their speeches every year."
"I will remember my own daughter's." Tamaki states.
"I give him a week." She hears the twins whisper together.
Hiding a smirk she hears people coming up behind them. "Congratulation Haru-chan, Hika-chan, and Kao-chan." A familiar voice tells them.
Turning around she sees Hunny and Mori smiling at them. "Hunny, Mori I'm so glad you could make it." Haruhi smiles and hugs them both.
"Like we were going to miss the last of our old club members graduate." Hunny laughs and walks over to where the twins and Tamaki were arguing.
"Nice speech." Mori tells her.
"Thanks, but I screwed up part of the way through." She sighs looking over to the rest of their group to see the twins and even Hunny trying to quiz Tamaki.
"Distraction?" Mori asks.
"Was it that obvious?"
"No, but I know you and you never get distracted."
"You are all way to observant." She sighs. "Okay fine I thought I saw…someone I knew." Not wanting to tell him who she really thought it was. "There are so many people here though I'm sure I was just imagining it."
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asks. She sees the concern in his eyes and makes her feel like he knows who she thought she saw.
"It's nothing I promise." She assures him and turns back to the others. "It's good to see you all again."
"Yeah it's nice to be all hanging out again." Hunny smiles.
"It is, but where's Kyoya?" Tamaki asks.
"You don't know?" The twins ask surprise evident in their faces.
"The last time I heard from him was over a month ago, but I assume he would have told Haruhi if he was coming back." He replies.
Haruhi just smiles weakly at him and the twin's answer him before she gets the chance. "He's still busy in New York."
"He had no choice, but to stay." Haruhi adds, as they all look to her.
"Well when will he be back?" Tamaki asks.
"He should be back in about two months." She answers.
"Right before your wedding?" Hunny asks in disbelief.
"It's not his fault." Haruhi defends. "Things kind of got a bit…out of hand this past month."
"Yeah but-"
"I trust him to make it in time." She states simply.
"Haru." A small voice says behind her. Recognizing the voice she turns around to see Fuyumi smiling warmly at her and holding Kichiro, who looks like he is trying his best to get out of his mother's grasp.
"Congratulations Haruhi."
"Thanks Fuyumi."
"Haru." Kichiro says again, still trying to get free from his mother.
"Wow Ki-chan really seems to like Haru-chan." Hunny laughs, as Haruhi takes him from Fuyumi.
"Well I did baby-sit for him a lot this past year. How are you doing Kichiro?" She asks playing with him.
"Isn't thirteen months a little too young to be babysat?" Tamaki asks turning to Fuyumi, who only sighs.
"I agree with you completely Tamaki-kun, but people kept asking why I wasn't attending anything with my husband and after six months, when people started asking if we were getting a divorce I couldn't help but start going again." She explains. "As much as I trust the maids to take care of Kichiro I just trust Haruhi more."
"Yes, so Kichiro and I got along great didn't we?" Haruhi smiles at the baby in her arms.
"Haru," Kichiro replies earning laughs from the group.
"He's so cute." Hunny smiles.
"Oh Haruhi, my father wants to talk to you." Fuyumi tells her watching as all of them play with her son.
"He's here?" Haruhi asks curiously.
"Yep, my brothers are as well. Chikao was here earlier to, but he had to leave early to make it to a meeting. He sends his regards as well.
Haruhi sighs. "Great, more sarcastic remarks from Akito-san."
"Oh come on they just want to congratulate you." She laughs.
"Yeah i'm sure." Haruhi sighs and turns to the others. "I'll see you guys in a bit. I need to find my dad too."
"We're still stealing you to go to dinner with all of us." The twins tell her.
"You don't have to drag or steal me anywhere, just give me twenty minutes. I'll come back and we can go." Haruhi assures them. "Besides shouldn't you go find your family?"
"…Yeah maybe we should." They admit. "If you're not back in twenty minutes though Haruhi we're dragging you away from here."
"You would too." She sighs and waves to them, before following Fuyumi.
"You have some interesting friends." She laughs.
"They're just being possessive." She sighs. "But I do love all of them to an extent."
"Not the same as my brother I hope." She jokes.
"You know you're not the first person to ask me that today." Haruhi laughs. "Fuyumi you know I love your brother, but I love the others too."
"I know you've been through so much with all of them it's not hard to tell." She sighs. "The seven of you share a bond that's impossible to break."
"That's-"
"Kyo," Kichiro suddenly cries out.
Fuyumi sighs. "I'm sorry ever since we got here he's been saying you and Kyoya's name at the strangest times."
"It's all right he just misses his uncle." Haruhi laughs. "You guys visited him a few weeks ago right?"
"Yes, we went over there before all the trouble started happening." She sighs.
"I already know." Haruhi assures her. "Kyoya called me last week and told me about it."
"Well that makes things easier." She smiles. "None of us knew whether he had called you about it or not. Then again your wedding is in two months and he may not be back until the week of, so of course he would've called you."
"Fuyumi he calls me once a week."
"Really, so it's that often?" She muses.
Congratulations little sister." Haruhi recognizes Akito's voice behind her.
"Damn it Akito-san I told you not to call me that." Haruhi growls handing Kichiro back to Fuyumi and turning around to see Akito, Yuuichi, Yoshio, and her father standing behind her.
"Yeah, good luck on that one." He smirks and pulls her in for a hug. "Seriously though congratulations."
"Thanks." She sighs hugging him back and turning to the others.
"Nice speech too." Yuuichi smirks.
"Are you referring to before, or after I slipped up?"
"Does it matter? Your speech was well done."
"Thanks."
"Well done baby girl." Her father tackles her.
"Thanks dad." She smiles and hugs him back. She didn't care what he wore most of the time, but she was glad he chose to wear a suit for today. Simply because she didn't know what Kyoya's family would think if he showed up in a dress, though she knew they talked on the phone frequently.
"Yes well done Haruhi-chan." Yoshio smiles briefly at her, as her father finally lets her go.
"Thank you sir."
"Most of the plans have been sent to your house and I would like for you to take a look at them tonight if you can."
"Of course, thank you for waiting until I graduated to let me handle the final details." She tells him walking over and stunning everyone around when she gives him a brief hug.
"I…it was no trouble." He replies, as she lets go.
"Kyo," they all her Kichiro say cheerfully.
"Kichiro, Kyoya isn't here." Haruhi sighs and turns to Fuyumi, who just has a look of shock on her face. "Fuyumi what-?" She jumps drastically when she feels an arm slide around her shoulders.
"Actually I am." She hears a familiar voice and immediately calms down, as she looks up to see Kyoya standing beside her.
"Kyoya, how the hell-?" Haruhi asks not even able to finish her sentence.
"Honestly Haruhi I'm not going to miss my own fiancée's graduation from high school." He replies.
"Yeah, but you told me you wouldn't be back for a few months." She argues.
"Kyoya, what are you doing back so soon?" Yoshio asks, knowing Kyoya would give a straight answer to his father Haruhi throws him a grateful glance.
"The business in America is taken care of father." Kyoya replies simply.
"How?"
"The case against us was dropped a few days ago, after looking at the blueprints of the building the only problem with the building was the plumbing, which has been taken care of, but I'm more surprised that the issue didn't come up sooner." Kyoya smirks. "And the merge with the hospital in Florida was finalized last night."
"Last night, when did you fly into Tokyo?" Fuyumi asks.
"About two hours ago. I got here a few moments before Haruhi started giving her speech." He replies.
"So that was you I saw?" Haruhi asks.
"Yes, though I'm surprised seeing me caused you enough distraction to actually pause in your speech." He laughs.
"You weren't supposed to be here at all." She protests. "I thought I was hallucinating or something and it stopped me from concentrating."
"We noticed." Akito laughs.
"Oh shut up."
"It is odd though, usually you don't get distracted by anything." Kyoya notes.
"I haven't seen you for almost four months. How was seeing you suddenly in a crowd of people supposed to keep me focused?" She argues.
"That sounds more like an excuse." Yuuichi laughs.
"You're all mean." She pouts.
"You're just trying to avoid the fact that I'm a huge distraction for you." Kyoya smirks.
"Forget it I'm going to go find the twins." She sighs and bows slightly to Kyoya's father. "Thank you for coming Yoshio-san I'm sure I'll see you soon and dad I'll see you at home later." Giving Kyoya a glance and ignoring his two brothers she wanders off.
Kyoya sighs, as his brothers' look at him. "You don't have to tell me. I'm going."
"Kyoya." His father's voice stops him. "Well done in New York."
"Thank you father, but if you don't mind I really should go and find Haruhi." He bows, before following her into the crowd.
After a few minutes of searching Kyoya finds her leaning against one of the trees at the end of the courtyard. "I know when you're pretending you know. You're not mad at me at all are you?" he asks walking up to stand in front of her.
"Of course not. I'm surprised you managed to make it more than anything else and I just wanted to get away from our families so I could do this." She smiles mischievously, wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him deeply. He returns the kiss eagerly and when the need for air became inevitable they break apart. "Never leave me for that long again." She asks resting her head on his chest.
"Haruhi you saw me almost four months ago." He points out wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Exactly if you don't agree I'll just follow you."
"What you don't trust me?"
"You know Akito-san asked me almost the same thing." She laughs. "But he asked me why I trust you so much."
"What did you tell him?"
"…I told him it's because you've never given me a reason not to trust you." She replies simply.
"And I never will." He assures her, holding her tightly.
"Promise?" She asks.
"I promise and I promise not to leave for that long again either. If I do ever have to leave for that long I'll be sure to bring you with me." He sighs and kisses the top of her head. "It was hard for me too you know."
"I know. Tachibana told me you couldn't sleep right when you first arrived in New York and the week after I left." She laughs.
He only sighs. "Damn it Tachibana, why would you tell her that."
"You know he was only worried about you." She points out. "Hotta noticed the same thing with me. They both seem to realize we get along better together."
"Of course we do, we're getting married in almost two months right?"
"Yep and so you're here permanently? You don't have to go back in order to do something?"
"Don't worry I'll be here in Tokyo, until we both say I do and leave for our honeymoon." He assures her.
"Speaking of which, your father's given me…well some of the plans for the wedding, but he wants you and I to go over the final details." She tells him.
"That's fine; we can deal with that tonight if you want to stay over at my place." He notes.
"Of course, but…wait tonight? Shit." She groans and as if her thoughts caught up with her she hears the twin's voices calling her from the crowd.
Sighing she walks around Kyoya to wave and get the attention of the twins, who she sees in the crowd. When they see her they immediately wander over. "What the heck Haruhi, you told us twenty minutes and-"They cut off as Kyoya turns around to face them. "Kyoya?" They ask mouths agape.
"Hello you two, it's good to see you again." Kyoya tells them. "And congratulations on graduating.
"Kyoya, but we thought you were still overseas." They stammer.
"He finished early and arrived about two hours ago." Haruhi explains.
They sigh. "Good to know the ever productive Shadow King hasn't lost his touch."
"It's been almost a year since I've seen anybody here and I'm still being called that?"
"Yes, and it's gotten worse. I'm now the Shadow Queen." Haruhi laughs.
"Now that one I like." He smirks and leans down to kiss her swiftly.
"Oh shut up."
"Haruhi, there you guys are." She hears Tamaki's voice and looks behind the twins to see the other three in their group running over. "…Kyoya?" He asks shock clear in his voice.
"Hello Tamaki, Hunny, Mori. It's good to see you all again."
"Kyo-chan's back early." Hunny smiles at them.
"Yes, my business in New York was completed early and I arrived back here a few hours ago." He explains. He just barely finishes his sentence when Tamaki tackled him with a bear hug.
"Welcome back Kyoya."
"It's good to be back Tamaki." He smirks.
"Yes, yes welcome back Kyoya and all that. Can we please go and get something to eat now? We're starving." The twins protest.
"Is that what you were planning to do tonight?" Kyoya asks turning to Haruhi, as he pulls away from Tamaki's death grip.
"Yeah, we all agreed to go out to dinner after the ceremony." Haruhi replies. "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, you know I detest eating on a plane."
"Oh right, you told me that once before." She notes. "Well you know you're welcome to come."
"Yeah, come on Kyoya it'll be like a family dinner again." Tamaki tells him.
"Of course I'll come. I haven't seen any of you except Haruhi in the past four months. It'll be…nice to catch up." He says the last bit was barely audible. It made Haruhi realize again just how important all of them really were to him. "Where are we going anyways?"
"Your restaurant." The twins' state, as they all start walking towards the main gate. "It's kind of been our place to hang out lately. Especially when Hunny and Mori are able to join us.
Kyoya only smirks and takes Haruhi's hand, before following them. At the entrance Haruhi suddenly stops and looks back to the school. He hears her murmur. "It's been a fun three years Ouran thank you." He smiles and kisses the top of her head, before they get into the limo and drive off. The clock tower of the school they've grown so accustomed to disappearing in the distance.
"Okay I'm glad I asked your dad to wait to give me these until after I graduated." Haruhi groans. She was lying on her stomach, in her pajamas, at the end of Kyoya's bed with files of the wedding plans spread out all over the bed. After dinner with the rest of the club she asked if she could spend the night. Kyoya gladly agreed and they stopped by her house so she could tell her dad and get the things she needed. Kyoya was currently leaning against the headboard and reading one of the papers.
"Actually, considering we have barely two months there is a lot already done." He notes. "The justice, the place for the reception is booked, the menu for dinner, and even the tuxes and gowns are ordered, we just have to get them fitted. And on another note the actual wedding is reserved for family and friends, but the reception is going to include everyone.
"I noticed that too. Do you think this is the early plans for Yuuichi-san's wedding and when it was canceled your father just turned it around to make it ours?" She asks.
"Wouldn't surprise me."
"So he planned this?"
"Haruhi this is my father we're talking about. Does any of this really surprise you? I'm kind of grateful the seating chart for the reception is for the most part planned out."
"I'm glad that you're back, or most of this would've been a pain in the ass to discuss over the phone and e-mail." She laughs opening another folder.
"I noticed we're missing something."
"Oh?"
"None of these talks about who is actually in the wedding."
"…I guess we really haven't discussed that have we? So who do you want for your groomsmen?" She asks picking up a piece of paper and one of the pens to make a note.
"…Akito-niisan and the twins." He finally tells her.
"Really?" She asks surprised. "I didn't think you'd want the twins anywhere near you."
"If they value their lives they won't dare try anything funny." He states.
She laughs. "I guess you have a point, but I would've though you would want Hunny and Mori with you."
"Hunny and Mori have already agreed to help with security."
"I thought your secret police was handling that?"
"They are, but who beat them all singlehandedly." He points out. "They asked for Hunny and Mori personally to help and they agreed."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"So what about you?" Who do you want as bridesmaids?" He asks.
"…Momoka, Renge, and Fuyumi." She replies, after thinking about it. "And I want Akane as my Maid of Honor, after all if my mother didn't pass away when she did, we would have probably been best friends longer than we have been."
"All right well I want Tamaki as my Best Man, so that should be an interesting pairing." He smirks and watches her face closely to see that she's smiling in a way that he knows she knows something. "Haruhi is something wrong with that?"
"Oh no of course not, but you know Tamaki and Akane have been getting a lot closer since you left."
"Really?"
"He called her almost as much as you called me this past year. In fact she knew more about what he was doing in France then I did." She laughs.
"Akane and Tamaki huh? I suppose they make a good pairing."
"What's wrong, you don't like her?" she asks curiously and puts a few of the papers back in a folder.
"Not at all, after all she was one of the first to realize we were dating. And if she's anything like you I'm sure she can keep Tamaki in line." He tells her moving to the end of the bed to help her put the papers away.
"Good, so we have that finished. Is there anything else you want to discuss tonight?" She asks picking up the three files and getting off the bed to lay them on the bedside table.
"It's after one in the morning and I was on a plane for more than half the day, so no I'd rather just fall asleep next to my beautiful Fiancée, who I haven't seen in almost four months." He tells her, as he lifts the sheets so they can both crawl in.
"Good because I'm exhausted." She states turning the light off, before crawling in next to him.
"Congratulations again on graduating Haruhi." He kisses her.
"Thanks…it was one hell of three years and three of which I will never forget." She smiles and kisses him back, before curling up on his chest and falling asleep.
"Kyoya are you sure you want to do this?" Tamaki asks. It was Kyoya and Haruhi's wedding day and he was helping Kyoya get ready.
"You're asking me this now?"
"It's kind of the Best Man's standard question." He shrugs.
Kyoya sighs. "Yes I want to do this. I love her Tamaki and I'm not going to change my mind."
"I know and I wish the two of you the best of luck." He grins.
"Thanks for that Tamaki…really and for being so understanding." Kyoya smiles at him and turns back around to straighten his tie.
"There's nothing to left to understand, after giving it a lot of thought over the past year you and her belong together." He laughs. "I just can't believe I didn't see it before.
"Yes we all are, but you can't fool me Tamaki. Miss Akane helped you figure it out didn't she?"
"How did you-?"
"Tamaki really, you told me about her weekend in France with you and as far as I'm concerned Haruhi and I will be helping you with your own wedding soon enough." He states.
"I won't deny that, but today is for you and Haruhi." He tells him. "So I'll say it again congratulations and good luck."
"Thanks Tamaki." Kyoya sighs, before following Tamaki out of the room.
Haruhi was in getting ready in the bride's dressing room, or was trying to get ready with Fuyumi and Renge squealing happily that it was finally her wedding day, while trying to finish her make-up. Momoka was trying to help Haruhi into her shoes and Akane had just finished pinning Haruhi's veil.
"I feel like a pin-up doll." She argues.
"You do not you look gorgeous." Akane argues and purposely pokes her in the arm with one of the pins she was using. Haruhi was wearing a strapless white wedding gown with a side draped pick up skirt and a 3D rosette at the hip with the back laced up. She was also wearing white silk gloves up to her elbows."You're just nervous." She continues handing Momoka a light blue garter to slide up Haruhi's leg.
"Actually she's doing a lot better than I was at my own wedding." Fuyumi puts in.
"Yes I'm sure you drove your wedding party nuts." Haruhi jokes lightly, trying to get the feeling of unease out of her system.
While the others laugh when Fuyumi just hangs her head Akane asks her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She tells her, while twirling her fingers nervously in her dress. Akane only sighs and turns to the others. "Can I get you all to get into your positions outside. Fuyumi-san can you go find Ranka and let him know we're almost ready? I'll be out in a short while."
They all simply nod and once again wish Haruhi good luck and that she looks beautiful, before heading out of the room. "Seems being the Maid of Honor has its benefits."Haruhi laughs after they leave.
"I suppose it does and you'll find that out whenever I get married." She smirks.
"It'll be an honor." Haruhi bows teasingly. "Really though Akane thanks for everything."
"It's no problem. I'm happy for you Haruhi really." She smiles "Now you really need to calm down. What's Kyoya-san going to think if his bride is a nervous wreck?"
"…You can see trough me almost as well as he can. It's scary." She pouts.
"Oh come on we all know this wedding is mostly a formality anyways." She points out. "You two have practically been married for two years minus the living together part."
"Akane."
"Well it's true."
Haruhi sighs. "What about you and Tamaki? After all you spent a weekend in France with him and his mother."
"You promised you wouldn't say anything." She protests.
"Akane you're the only one in here and besides if we're playing that game I asked you to stay quiet about what really happened the week at the beach house." Haruhi laughs.
"Maybe we tell each other too much." She muses.
"Naw it just proves what good friends we are." Haruhi laughs getting down from the stool and giving her a hug. "Thank you Akane…for everything."
"You're like my best friend Haruhi. None of this has been any trouble at all." She assures her and breaks away, as there's a sudden knock on the door. "That's probably your dad. Don't worry you're going to do fine and if you start to faint I'll be sure to catch you."
"I'm not going to faint." Haruhi protests, as Akane laughs and opens the door to reveal her father dressed in a suit and looking a bit nervous himself.
"I'll see you in a few minutes Haruhi." Akane waves and walks out of the room.
She takes a deep breath and turns to look at her reflection in the tall mirror. The person she saw in the mirror was not the Fujioka Haruhi she thought knew, but an elegant woman who looked as if she was ready to burst into tears of joy, anxiety, and anticipation. Ranka immediately walks over and pulls her in for a tight hug. "You look gorgeous Haruhi."
"Thanks dad." She smiles and hugs him back. He breaks away first and pulls down her veil to cover her face. "Do you think mom is happy for me?"
"There's no way she's not happy for you Haruhi. I'm sure she's smiling down at you right now." He replies kissing the top of her head. "I'm proud of you too and know that you will be happy with him."
She was dangerously close to tears, but held back and simply hugged him again. They stand like that for a few minutes, before they hear the organ start to play. "Come on." He tells her taking her bouquet out of the vase and handing it to her. "We should head out there. It's almost time." She only nods and takes his hand, as he leads her out of the room.
"You'll do fine Haruhi." Akane smiles at her, before following Kichiro, who was the ring bearer and being assisted by his father, and Kirimi Nekozawa, who was the flower girl.
Haruhi clutches her father's arm tightly, as she hears the wedding march start to play. She takes a deep breath and is grateful her father is right next to her as she enters the room. The room is decorated beautifully with flowers and white cloth hanging from the rows of seats. Haruhi tries to ignore the people staring at her, though she knows almost all of them, and focus on the alter to where Kyoya was waiting for her. Smiling up at him she loosens her grip on her father. When they reach the alter Ranka lifts up her veil, kisses her cheeks, and places her hand on Kyoya's outstretched one.
"Thank you Ranka." Kyoya smiles genuinely at him and helps Haruhi up too him. Ranka only smiles at him and turns around to sit down next to Yoshio.
The justice proceeds to give the usual speech and when it is time for the vows he says. "The Bride and Groom have agreed to read their own set of vows and will now present them to one another."
He then has them turn to one another and asks that Kyoya goes first. Kyoya looks to her and speaks clearly. "I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole. Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."
Haruhi smiles at him and speaks her own vows, which were very similar to Kyoya's. I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, because through them we'll emerge stronger. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole. Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."
After exchanging the rings the justice turns to Kyoya. "Kyoya will you take Haruhi to be your lawful wife, love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto her so long as you both shall live?"
"I do." He states.
He turns to Haruhi. "Haruhi will you take Kyoya to be your lawful husband, love him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto him so long as you both shall live?"
"I do." She states.
The Justice then says the usual lines and says. "You may now kiss the bride." Kyoya smiles at her and leans down to meet her lips. The kiss was brief and as usual Kyoya was the first to break away. The justice smiles at them and says. "May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Kyoya Ootori." Everyone begins clapping, as Kyoya and Haruhi smile and walk out of the room with the rest of their party right behind them.
"Ready to go in Mrs. Ootori?" Kyoya smirks. They were standing in the hall just outside where the reception was being held. Haruhi had left her veil and gloves in the limo, so they wouldn't be a problem.
She hears laughter inside the room and assumes one of the twin's just made a joke, most likely about her and Kyoya being a few minutes late. Only if you are Mr. Ootori." She replies and smiles inwardly when he takes her hand and opens the door. They are met by everyone standing up and clapping, as they walk in and take their seats.
After a while it was time for them to have their first dance. "Try not to step on my feet this time?" Kyoya suggest as he leads her to the dance floor.
"Oh shut up I'm getting better."
"At stepping on people's feet?"
"Damn it Kyoya, you know what I mean." She laughs, as the music starts to play and they begin dancing. "Stop acting like a smart ass."
"I was only kidding love." He smirks, as she twirls.
"I know and I love you." She smiles resting her head on his chest. "Even if your humor is a bit…off."
"You've been spending way too much time with the twins." He notes.
"Well they were my classmates this past year." She points out. "And I did spend last summer with them, so sorry if my version of humor is a bit twisted."
"It's all right I still love you." He tells her, as the music starts reaching its final chorus. Haruhi, for the first time in her life, felt that she was truly and utterly happy. This wasn't like the crazy adventures she had had with the rest of the club, or the times she had with her mother. No, it seemed to be more special than all that. Though she would always hold those memories near and dear to her heart, this particular moment during their first dance as a married couple was more important. More than when he first told her that he loved her. "Even if you are still a bit of a klutz when it comes to dancing." He adds breaking her of her thoughts.
"You're really going to go there again?" She sighs
"And as I told you before it was a joke." He smirks and kisses the top of her head, as the music ends.
"I really need to start learning when you're joking and when you're serious." She sighs, as he lets her go and passes her to her father who had walked over for his dance with her.
"Are you all right baby girl?" Ranka asks, as the music starts playing again.
"I'm fine just a bit…stunned I can't believe I just graduated high school, and am going to college in the fall a married woman." She tells him honestly. "Actually I can't believe I'm married more than anything, did you think this would happen?"
"Of course I didn't, but I know you found someone who I can trust to take care of you." He replies. "And don't forget you both are going to college together now."
"It's going to be one hell of an unforgettable school year." She muses knowing the rest of the club was going into Ouran's college branch as well. "So dad, are you going to be okay on your own?"
"I'll be fine Haruhi; you don't have to worry about me." He assures her.
"Just don't hesitate to call if you need something."
"I should be telling you that Haruhi." He laughs. "Don't worry about me, you now have a husband to look after."
"Husband." She repeats softly. "I still can't believe it."
"I can't believe I'll soon have little grandchildren to spoil."
"Dad."
"I'm only kidding Haruhi." He laughs not being able to help but get her flustered a bit. "You two have all the time in the world before you need to think about that."
"You and Kyoya have the oddest sense of humor." She sighs, as the song ends.
"We're guys Haruhi. It can't be helped." He smiles, before giving her a hug.
'Sadly that's not even what I'm talking about.' She notes, before he lets go. "Bye dad." She smiles weakly, before he walks away and she walks back to her table taking her place next to Kyoya.
Soon after dinner was served and finished it was time for Tamaki to give his speech. Tapping his glass to get people's attention he stands up and clears his throat. "Well as the Best Man I suppose I'm stuck making a speech." He pretends to sigh in annoyance, earning a few laughs.
"Like he actually cares." Kyoya murmurs.
"I've known Kyoya for almost five years and though he is my best friend. He can be the scariest guy you will ever meet especially when you try and wake him up. I once went over to his house one morning because I wanted to hang out and got a lamp thrown at my head. I knew he never meant to actually hit me, but it was enough to scare me to death.
'I was aiming for your head, you just happened to duck out of the way in time." Kyoya murmurs so low Haruhi was the only one able to hear him she lets out a laugh and misses the next bit of Tamaki's speech.
"…so though he still terrifies me I know I can always count on him to be there for me or any other members of the old host club at Ouran. Haruhi, though I've only known you for about four years it's not hard for anyone to know that you are an amazing woman and back in high school I'm not ashamed to admit I loved you dearly, not that I would try anything now." He jokes looking at Kyoya, who was giving him a glare. "I still fail to understand how you fell for Kyoya, but I've realized that you are the only one who can seem to handle him when he is at his worst. You have somehow melted the icy heart of the emotionless Shadow King. Congratulations and I wish the two of you the best of luck. Cheers to the new bride and groom." He finishes and raises his glass. The people in the room soon follow suit, as Tamaki sits back down and watches as Kyoya turns to Haruhi and kisses her swiftly again.
"Meted the icy heart of the Shadow King?" Haruhi laughs, as he breaks their kiss.
"It's Tamaki, what are you going to do, besides he does have a point…to a certain extent." He points out.
"I suppose."
After several more speeches were given it was time to cut the cake. Kyoya was nice and ended up only put frosting on her nose, earning complaints from the twins, but Haruhi decided to be mean and shove his piece in his face.
He only glares at her and she responds with, "Well I know you don't like sweet things."
"The cake isn't even sweet." He notes eating the bits of cake that got in his mouth.
"No, but had I just given you the piece like I should have that would've been me being sweet. Since you don't like sweet things I thought this was more appropriate." She smirks.
"Nice one Haruhi." The twins were laughing along with almost everyone in the room. Kyoya only gives her a very cold smile. A smile she knew very well. One that promises that she will pay for what she did.
Hours pass and after dancing with seemingly everyone there, Fuyumi taking hundreds of pictures, and kissing Kyoya more times than she can count. It was finally time for Haruhi to throw the bouquet. No one was really surprised when Renge caught it, but everyone was laughing when the garter was thrown and Kaoru, who wasn't even participating, got hit with it. Tamaki, of course made him put the garter up Renge's leg.
"Were you aiming for him?" Haruhi asks him, as they watch a very uncomfortable Kaoru and Renge in the middle of the room.
"I was not I guess he just has some interesting luck." He replies, as Kaoru finally seems to get the garter in the proper place and the room begins clapping. "Are you ready to head out?"
"Yep, just let me change. There's no way I'm going to the airport in my wedding dress." She says, before leaning up to kiss him on the cheek.
"All right, you go do that and I'll let our families know we're leaving."
"We're kind of one family now Kyoya."
"I meant our immediate family and our host club family. You know as well as I do we have two."
"And you will never admit it, but you love them both." She laughs, before kissing him again and leaving the room.
"You're leaving already?" Tamaki asks sadly. Haruhi was already changed and she and Kyoya were with the rest of the club outside saying goodbye.
"Tono they've been here almost five hours. I think they're allowed to leave." Hikaru sighs.
"Tamaki we'll see you again when the semester starts." Haruhi points out. "We're all going to school together again. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to hang out."
"Yeah we'll see you guys then. Have fun on your trip." Hunny smiles at them, before giving Haruhi a hug.
"Where are you guys going again?" Kaoru asks.
"It would be easier to ask where we aren't going." Haruhi laughs.
"I refuse to tell you where I'm taking her because I don't want you all following us." Kyoya states, as they all look at him. "And don't even try telling me you wouldn't."
"Bye you guys." Haruhi smiles, as Kyoya's limo pulls up and Tachibana gets out to open their door.
"We'll see you all in about six weeks." Kyoya tells them, as Tamaki pulls them all in for a group hug. "Honestly Tamaki, don't you get tired of these." He sighs breaking away and helping Haruhi.
"Nope." He grins. "Have fun you two and congratulations again."
"Bye." They all wave as the couple steps into the limo and drives off.
"They act like we'll never see them again." She laughs turning around to look out the back window and seeing them disappearing in the distance.
"They just care deeply for you." He smirks.
"They care about you too." She laughs and leans against his shoulder. "I still can't believe I'm married." She muses looking at the ring on her finger.
"I can't either, but I'm glad it's to you." He murmurs twining his hand with hers. "I'm so glad you agreed to go out with me and stopped me from making the stupid mistake of almost leaving you after the Ouran Fair almost three years ago."
"I am too Kyoya, who knows where we would be if none of that happened." She laughs freeing her hand and moving to wrap her arms around his neck.
"I love you Haruhi Ootori." He smirks and turns to face her.
"I love you too Kyoya Ootori." She smiles, as he pulls her into his lap and meets his lips with hers. They kissed probably a thousand times that day, but this was the second one, besides their kiss at the wedding, that they were really aware of. Haruhi smiles inwardly and murmurs softly. "Even if the red string of fate breaks apart. Today is the day I promise to love you for eternity…Kyoya."
Wow I finished that a lot faster than I thought I would and I decided to make it a part of the main story simply because I liked the ending on this one better than on the last chapter. I'm pretty sure I messed up the wedding-hell I don't even think that's how they would actually do a wedding, but I do like the way it turned out in the end. Sadly there's only one more chapter to go and it's the epilogue, which will probably be as long as an actual chapter simply because I can't really write short chapters, or short author notes for that matter. I mean I can, but I don't like doing it, so expect a pretty long epilogue soon. Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter and for sticking with The Missing Piece for this long it's been a lot of fun. xD