A/N: Hello again! Here's the next chapter, and its got a little more drama in it, but with Eclair how could we not have drama. Hope you enjoy it and please review!
Disclaimer: Ugh... my sarcasm just isn't working right now, so I'll just say I don't own OHSHC
--------
"This should be the right place," Alexa murmured glancing at a slip of paper then at the large building. She climbed the outer wall then snuck into the house. 'Whoa this place is huge compared to home!' she thought, her mouth agape. She slowly tried to find her targets room but was not having much luck.
-------
Kyouya was peacefully in dreamland with his trillion yen dancing around him. He smirked in his sleep. His room was on the first floor away from the rising sun. His room was full of dark furniture. It was clean and almost depressingly dim.
As Alexa grew tired of searching she finally stumbled across it. Glancing inside she was surprised to see the shadow king's dark room. She quietly stepped in and shut the door with out making a sound. 'He actually looks kind of sweet when he's asleep,' she thought as she stood next to his bed a slight pink tinge on her cheeks. "Oi, wake up," she whispered, poking him.
Just as he was reaching for 10000 yen, Kyouya was snapped back to reality. He glared at Alexa, not even recognizing her, and mumbled something about 5 more minutes. He pulled his pillow over his head and tried to return to dreamland.
Alexa sighed then gently tugged the pillow away. "C'mon I need your help!" She whispered.
Kyouya mumbled," What could be so important that you must wake me at sunrise?" He valued his Sunday mornings, almost as much as he valued moneymaking. He tumbled out of bed. 'For you though, I'll make an exception,' he thought smiling a goofy grin, 'Now, I need some espresso and rum.'
Alexa blinked holding the pillow stunned at the weird expression on his face. Shrugging, she dropped the pillow and backed up, staying only to make sure he didn't go back to bed.
Kyouya's face returned to its normal expression or lack thereof. He walked towards the door saying, "Let's get something to eat first. Then you can tell me what's so important."
"Okay," She responded stepping up behind him.
Kyouya reached the kitchen and asked the cook to make miso soup, steamed rice, and natto. She got right to cooking. Meanwhile, Kyouya led Alexa to the dining room. "So...dare I ask how you got in?" He asked with a smirk, expecting the method to be semi-illegal.
Alexa nervously chuckled as she muttered, "Oh over the fence, and through the back,". She continued to chuckle nervously as a sweat drop appeared on the back of her head.
Kyouya nodded," Next time you can come through the front door. I'll be sure to up security in the back, and you will be allowed in whenever you so choose." Some servants came with the food. He nodded his thanks and waved them off. "Bon appetite!" he added. He paused, snapped for a servant, and asked Alexa," What would you like to drink?"
Alexa blinked in surprise for a few moments then quickly replied, "Water, please.". She glanced down at the spread in front of her; quite surprised at the way she was getting treated. She then politely began to eat, not sure of the foreign food in front of her, and also said a quiet "thank you" to him.
"Two waters please," Kyouya said. When the servant left, he added," I'm not sure how familiar you are with traditional Japanese food. If you'd like, I can get something else for you. Perhaps pancakes?"
"No this is fine! I'm just trying to understand you," She said bluntly, "You are being a lot nicer than I expected you to be,". She turned a little red at her statements, knowing that she sounded a little rude.
Kyouya smirked at Alexa's comment. Apparently she was catching on, and in time she would eventually figure out that he had feelings for her. He quietly ate for the remainder of the meal.
"I guess you want to hear the reason for sneaking into your house huh?" Alexa asked after she finished her meal.
Kyouya nodded. "Indeed I would like a very detailed explanation," he replied with a slight grimace.
Alexa took a sip from her glass than began explaining herself.
---------
Eclair lifted her cell phone from her bag. It's been another day of work but there are still things that should be done. She called her assistant. "Cancel all my meetings for today." then hung up. She answered it. "Yes, now is the right time," she said in a low demanding voice. "Make sure its Ootori Kyouya." with that, she ended the call. "To Tamaki's," she demanded to the driver.
------------
Tamaki sat up slowly, his eyes opening only slightly for the first few moments after waking up. He glanced around his large room sleepily before his eyes opened completely. He hopped out of bed and ran around frantically, getting ready to go to school. He ran down the several flights of stairs to the front entrance of his mansion, with Antoinette trailing along behind him, only to be stopped at the bottom step.
"There is no school today, as you have seemed to have forgotten again, shishou." He stopped in his tracks and glanced over at the old woman, before storming back up the stairs. "AAAHAAA!!" "Woof!" barked Antoinette as she ran after the blonde.
Tamaki walked back down the many flights of stairs after he had gotten out of his school uniform and into something casual.
Antoinette barked at Tamaki and wagged her tail. "You want to go for a walk? Huh? Do you, girl?" The dog barked in response. "Come on!" said Tamaki in an excited voice. He ran out of the house with the dog running at his heels. The chauffeur was waiting outside, with the knowledge that this was a day off for Tamaki and he wanted to take Antoinette around town; maybe even visit Kyouya. This was Tamaki's idea of a "walk". The chauffeur opened the door for them and Tamaki entered the limo after Antoinette had hopped in. "To Kyouya's!" said Tamaki, pointing ahead of him.
-----------
The car stopped at the front house of the Suoh mansion. Eclair walked up the steps while the servants open the door for her. The old lady welcomed her. "I'm here for Tamaki," she said. "I'm afraid you just missed him my lady," the old lady replied back. She felt a little irritated, considering how much time the trip to his house took. "I'd like some tea, please," she said to the old lady as she walked over the garden to sit down. She picked up her phone and called Tamaki.
-----------
"We are going to see Kyouya!" "Woof!" "We are going to see Kyouya!" "Woof!" It was surprising that Tamaki was able to here his phone ring over the noise that him and Antoinette were making. Tamaki pulled out his phone and answered it. "Hello?"
"Tamaki," Eclair said softly, despite her irritation. "Where are you right now?" She took a sip of the tea the servant gave her a minute ago and waited for his answer.
Tamaki's smile faded. "Uh... Kyouya's." he answered quickly. "I'm at Kyouya's. I guess I'll be seeing you there, Eclair?" He didn't wait for an answer as he said goodbye and hung up on her. Antoinette looked at him with her head titled to one side; floppy ears held up in a confused puppy dog look. "Change of plan! To Haruhi's!" yelled Tamaki.
------------
Eclair didn't want to believe it. He hung up on her. In addition to her irritation. "That was rude," she said as she put the cup of tea down the table. wondered if coming over the Ootori's is a good idea. Probably not she thought. Especially if she wants him kidnapped. But since Ootori Kyouya is at home, it would be foolish to kidnap him there, the plan should lay low for a while. 'Since Tamaki's with Ootori Kyouya, then he won't be with that commoner!' she thought and seemed pleased about it. "I guess it's a good time to pay her a visit," she said as she sipped one last drop of tea.
-------
Haruhi was out buying food for the house, since her dad was once again busy at work. She walked up and down the aisles looking for all the things on her list. She sighed as she walked out of the store, "Guess I better go home and clean up," she muttered, turning towards that direction. As soon as she got to her home she began setting down her bags then quickly fished out a cup of instant noodles. Tossing the cup into the microwave she returned to her bags and began to put things away.
Meanwhile Tamaki's limo turned around and drove off towards the "commoner" side of town. When it had arrived at Haruhi's apartments, Tamaki and Antoinette hopped out of the limo after the chauffeur opened the door. He then ran up to Haruhi's apartment and knocked.
Haruhi heard the knock right when she sat down, and went over to open the door. "Sempai? Why are you here?" she asked stepping into the doorway.
"Can I hide here, just for a little bit?" asked Tamaki. "I really don't mean to intrude, but please, Haruhi! For father!" Antoinette whined along with Tamaki.
She only shook her head, but moved out of the way so he could enter. "Why are you hiding?" she asked closing the door and latching it after they were both indoors.
Tamaki looked at her with a terrified look. "Eclair." he answered.
Haruhi mentally frowned at the name, but turned her head back to her meal. "Won't she follow you here?" she asked unemotionally. Tamaki didn't reply, as he curled himself up behind a wall away from the front door.
---------
Eclair looked up and covered her eyes from the sun. So, this is the fox's cave, she thought as she looked at it above and below. So small, she added. It was not easy searching for Haruhi's place even though she got the address from a reliable source, first, it was not big, and second, it's connected with other houses as well. Almost crowded with the streets being narrow that she felt as if it was compressed to fit in. She went up, and had her driver knock for her.
Growling Haruhi got up once more and opened the door, only to slam it in the face of Eclair and her driver. "Sempai hide!" She whispered urgently.
Eclair's jaw dropped. How can people be so rude? she thought. Don't they have manners? She decided to knock once again. "Fujioka-san," she called out. "Please refrain from being rude, I'm here just to talk, and nothing else."
Haruhi only groaned as she opened the door once more, but she stepped out trying to keep Tamaki's wish in hiding from her. "So what did you need?" she asked politely.
"Well, aren't you going to let me in?" Eclair asked. "I don't think it's a good idea to talk here while standing. First, there is no privacy, and last, won't it be uncomfortable?" She frowned. "Oh, and tea would be very nice," she added.
"Sorry, my father works most of the day, and I haven't had time to clean up," Haruhi quickly lied, locking the door behind her, "Why don't we go to a shop nearby, I can pay for it,".
"Oh, I see," she said. "Can we go to a restaurant instead?" she asked, not really expecting an answer. 'A nearby shop' doesn't have a very good ring to it, she thought, keeping her eyebrows from creasing. She walked down to the car and waited for Haruhi to get in. "You heard what I said," she told the driver.
"What ever you think is best," Haruhi replied letting her lead the way.
The driver opened the door and Eclair walked out to a fancy French cuisine restaurant. She asked for a table for two and ordered white wine. "What will you have?" she asked Haruhi.
"Green tea," Haruhi replied, glancing at the menu.
"I'll pay, so you don't have to worry about the bill," she said. "Anyway, I want to ask you something," Eclair said pursing her lips. She sighed and continued. "Do you like Tamaki?" She sipped wine as she was waiting for Haruhi's answer. "Surely, you've expected that question before."
Haruhi almost choked on her drink when she heard that question, "What do you mean by that?" she asked as her mind scrambled to regain normal function.
"The words speak for themselves," she replied calmly. "What do you think of Tamaki?"
"What do I think of him..." Haruhi repeated, trailing off at the end, "He's an annoying idiot sometimes, but also can be cu-,". She cut herself off as her mind caught up with her mouth, and realized she was about to say something that she normally didn't think of when she saw Tamaki. 'Cute? When did I ever...?' she thought, turning pale. Suddenly she began to recall her train of thought from yesterday, changing her complexion from pale white to bright pink the finally to a dark scarlet. "Umm... Sorry Eclair I need to go..." she said getting up and running out.
"Eh, Why run out?" Eclair called to her. 'I didn't scare her, did I?' Eclair thought, extremely confused by Haruhi's sudden changes in mood. She only wanted an honest answer from the girl. She rolled her eyes in irritation. When she's mean to the girl, she runs. When she's being nice and all, she ran. She made her driver ran after her. "Talk?" she called out to Haruhi.
Haruhi glanced back, her mind in complete turmoil. "About what?" she asked rubbing her arm nervously.
"About being... err... friends," Eclair replied. "That is, if you don't have special feelings for Tamaki."
Again Haruhi's brain went into chaos at the thought of feelings for Tamaki, "I don't know. You seem like you could be a nice person Eclair, but I've always respected Tamaki-senpai and want him to be happy, and since you are trying to drag him into something he doesn't want, I don't think we could be friends". She felt her heart racing as she clenched her fist, a strange feeling in her gut.
"It's not like I have a say in this," Eclair lied. She can always have her father remove the arrangement whenever she wants, but she's having way too much fun, so there's no way she'd just give up. "Both of us were just puppets in this act. It is a political arranged marriage approved by Tamaki's grandmother and my parents." She faked a sigh. "I just want to get this over smoothly. Pleases consider my feelings. I don't want to live with a stranger all my life, so I'm trying to get to know Tamaki," she said dramatically with tears forming in her eyes. "But everyone seems to be against me. Try to put yourself in my position, and then, you'll probably understand."
"I don't know, because if I were in your position, I still would not force some one to do something they didn't want to," Haruhi said, sending her a cold look.
She waved a silent goodbye, and began her trek back to her home. Haruhi's mind was sorting through memories and emotions. 'What are my feelings towards him?' she thought. Her mind soon replayed Renge's statement to Eclair the previous day, and soon her face flushed as her heart quickened. 'No that's not possible! He's annoying and childish!' she thought furiously, quickening her pace, but her mind soon had images of the time he had rescued her and comforted her streaming in front of her mind. Sighing she finally reached her apartment and entered, collapsing in her chair as her mind continued to debate her feelings.
Eclair stood there for a few more seconds after Haruhi had left. She was mad. Forget the irritation. Now, she was infuriated. Not only that her plans for today failed, she hasn't seen Tamaki at all, and failed to completely manipulate her rival and enemy in her mission to secure her marriage to Tamaki. She attempted to calm herself and forget about the failures she had achieved today and walked to the car, made a phone call, and head to the office for the late meetings.
--------
Tamaki jumped slightly when Haruhi told him to hide. He looked around quickly and attempted to find a place to hide, but he tripped and lay on the floor for a moment while Antoinette licked his face.
He pushed himself into a sitting position when he heard Haruhi leave the apartment. "Haruhi?" he asked, but received no answer.
Tamaki walked over to the apartment door and peeked his head out. "Haruhi's gone." he said, even though it took him the longest time to realize it. "Where did my precious daughter go!?" Tamaki looked back and forth frantically. "I must tell Kyouya that my daughter has gone missing!" He ran off to where he had left the limo, glad to see it was still there, and told the chauffeur to hurry to Kyouya's house.
----------
"So basically I need to know more about this Eclair person, and I also need your help with a personal matter since it may help you and a friend of yours," Alexa said her face solemn, "You may not think that what I have just explained to you are important reasons to wake some one early on a weekend, but I really really need your help on this, and unfortunately I do have other business to attend while I'm in the country,". She then stood up, and walked over to him, growing a bit nervous about his response.
Tamaki arrived at Kyouya's home and knocked on the front door. The minute the butler let him in; he was looking around the large place for Kyouya. "Kyouya!" he called. "Kyouya! It's an emergency!" Antoinette went in a different direction and quickly found Kyouya and Alexa. She barked and Tamaki followed it to where Kyouya and Alexa were. "Ah! Kyou..." He was knocked over by Antoinette, who started smothering him with little doggy kisses. "Yes! Yes, Antoinette! Good job! You found him!" He sat up when Antoinette went over to Alexa. "Kyouya!" whined Tamaki, changing moods almost instantly. "Haruhi vanished!"
Kyouya was a little shocked with Tamaki's sudden outburst and appearance. He held his hand up to silence Tamaki and looked at Alexa to continue what she was saying.
"I think his problem is a bit more important than mine," Alexa told him, backing away from the blonde, "As I said earlier I do have other things to attend to. Good day.". She began to walk out after that, but stopped just short of the entrance finally understanding what the boy had said. Shaking her she walked out and made her way into town.
"Kyouya! Please help me find my precious daughter!" begged Tamaki.
Kyouya sighed, whipped out his cell phone, and spoke into it," James, please assemble the team and have them look for Miss Haruhi." He put away his phone, waited about two minutes, and answered his phone. After listening to it, he looked at Tamaki annoyed and said bitterly, "She's at her apartment. Just put a tracking device on her next time."
"She's... at home?" asked Tamaki, feeling like a complete idiot. He drifted over to a corner of the room and sat with his back facing Kyouya. He poked at the wall of his "emo corner".
Kyouya sighed, "What is it, Tamaki?" He had no time to deal with a pouting friend. He had to plan the next theme. "By the way we put out our kotatsu already," he added hoping to lift Tamaki's mood.
"Kotatsu?" asked Tamaki, turning his face towards Kyouya. His eyes brightened and he jumped up from his corner. "Ah! Kyouya! You put out the kotatsu already!? Brava! Kyouya! Mon ami!" He jumped up and down before running off to the cozy little table that he enjoyed so.
Kyouya sighed, waved for a servant to pick up the half-eaten food, and followed Tamaki. "Why not call her if you are so worried about her," he suggested, "After that you could help me pick a theme for tomorrow."
"Call her?" asked Tamaki. He hadn't even thought of that. "What a brilliant idea! I will call her and then..." He stopped what he was saying to wonder what he should say when he called Haruhi. He glanced over at Kyouya from where he was, huddled up close to the table with the heated blanket pulled up to his neck. "Ah... and we must think of a theme for the club... So much work to do!"
"Welcome to my world," Kyouya said under his breath. He handed Tamaki a cell phone that was dialing Haruhi's number.
Haruhi sat up at the sound of her phone ringing. She quickly got up and answered it with a quick "Hello?".
Tamaki took the phone and put it to his ear. He waited for Haruhi's voice before saying, or more yelling, "Haruhi! You're all right! You are at home and you did not get kidnapped by secret agents or anything!?"
Haruhi turned crimson at his voice, and her turmoil returned, she tried to calm herself down and replied with "I'm fine sempai, and why are you talking about secret agents?".
Kyouya quickly grabbed the phone from Tamaki and spoke to Haruhi, "Please ignore him. He was just calling to see that you got home safely. He wanted to know if you wanted to go get tea with us and discuss the theme for tomorrow. Didn't you, Tamaki?" At that, he returned the phone to Tamaki and smirked. Speeding along the relationship and planning the theme in one sitting is what he called being productive.
Haruhi's mind went blank for a second then managed to respond with a, "Okay, where?". She decided the best way to figure out what on earth was going on with her was to face the source, which seemed to be Tamaki
"Huh? When did I-" He couldn't finish what he had been asking Kyouya when the phone was handed back to him. "Uh... the commoner cafe near your house, I mean, commoner shack... wait... what was that called again?" He put a hand to his forehead for a moment! "Aha! Ow!" ((Smacked himself in the forehead on accident.)) "The commoner cafe by your apartment."
Haruhi chuckled a little at him, "When can you get there?". She glanced at the clock near her then over to the cafe across the street.
Kyouya rolled his eyes. He looked at his watch and signaled 10 to Tamaki. Kyouya snapped and an attendant came. Kyouya whispered to him," Get us some commoner clothes." The servant bowed and left.
"Ten." answered Tamaki after looking over at Kyouya's gesture. "Is ten alright for you, Haruhi?"
"Yes; Anything else sempai?" she asked mentally figuring out what she would need to bring.
Soon the servant returned to Kyouya's side with clothes. The clothes for Tamaki were as follows: a black bandana, baggy dark jeans, a long red shirt with a picture of a pink care bear, and black boots. The clothes for Kyouya were a biker jacket, parachute pants with chains, a tight black Dir En Grey shirt, and rainbow checkered sneakers. The servant promptly left after delivering the clothes and Kyouya waited for Tamaki to get off the phone.
"No. That's all!" said Tamaki cheerfully before handing the phone back to Kyouya. He caught sight of the clothes and stood up. "Oh! Commoner clothes!" he exclaimed happily. "We get to wear these today?"
Kyouya nodded and said," Try to not be too jovial in these clothes. Commoners who wear them are a bit rough and offensive. If anyone asks, say we're cousins because our 'persons' don't normally hang out. You see I've done my research on commoners' ways. Let's try to get changed quickly. I allotted just enough time for getting ready." With that, Kyouya went to get changed leaving Tamaki in silence
--------
Eclair glanced at the clock. She was bored, again. The prime minister of Japan is still not finish with his last speech for the day, and she's getting tired. She had an idea. She looked at one of her bodyguards and it quickly went over to her. "I want you to have even the littlest information about the people that surrounds Tamaki in the host club," she said. "Especially that wretched brat who slapped me. Have it ready for me by tomorrow." It nodded quickly and went to a place to call. 'I think it's about time for some payback,' she thought.
Said wretched brat happened to be sitting in a cafe not to far from Kyouya's house, using a laptop to try and research a few things. 'I wonder what that was all about,' she thought recalling what was happened at Kyouya's house.
Eclair entered the cafe. Her bodyguard pointed on who she was searching for and saw the girl's familiar back. One of her eyebrows lifted up, and she walked over to see what the girl was up to. 'It' was so busy doing some research that 'it' hasn't even noticed that she was there. She looked at what the girl was doing and stifled a mock laughter, loudly enough that it turned it's back to face her. "Hello," she started. "I-n-u-san."
Alexa stiffened when she heard the familiar voice. 'There went my good mood' she thought angrily. "Greetings, draconis," Alexa replied in a sweet, innocent voice.
Eclair smiled amused. "Ha! 'Greetings' she said," she laughed mockingly. "What are you? Some kind of alien?" she walked over to a vacant seat on Alexa's table and sat. "I actually wouldn't be surprised if you really are… I mean, you look like one," she said as she looked at Alexa, still amused. "And based on what you've shown me in the past, I wouldn't doubt it, violent, barbaric, and what? ...Nosy?" she said as her mouth twisted in one corner mockingly.
Alexa gritted her teeth, 'I'll show you barbaric' was the thought that ran through her mind. "So what does Miss almighty want from little old me?" She continued in her honeyed voice, "Don't you have better things to do, maybe like kidnapping innocent people? Or is toying with people as if they were your puppets, more your idea of fun?". She really didn't like this girl and she wanted her gone before Eclair ended up with a black eye.
Eclair frowned, but recovered. "Hmmn, maybe," she said. "Why? Jealous?" she smiled sweetly with mockery. "Aww, poor little missy wants to toy with people too, huh? I do agree, it's fun." She looked at Alexa. It looked like the girl is losing her patience. "What now? Are you going to resort to violence again? Wow," she rolled her eyes. "Can't you do anything decent?" she laughed. "It figures, but maybe you are right with having to do better things..." She faked a 'thinking' look. "Oh yeah, I still haven't picked my bridal gown!" she said and smiled tauntingly at Alexa.
"I'm here to resolve certain matters involving a friend of my family, not to deal with an obnoxious bug like you," Alexa remarked, leaning back and smiling, "So in a way, yes some one has asked me to stay, and about proof lets just say I have many contacts,".
"Ah, I see," Eclair said simply. "But then again, you only have words. No proof. Who knows if you're lying just to make yourself needed? To spread your venomous influence to other people?" She shifted to her right and looked at her bodyguard. It nodded. "Oh yeah, have you heard?" she asked in a sweet mocking voice. "Your dad just went bankrupt. It was tough to bring him down but it was a challenge for me, and somehow, I won." She said as her blue eyes flipped tauntingly at Alexa.
Alexa merely chuckled, then raised her eyes up to the French girl. "Oh I do not have just words; My proof is physical but it is in a safe place away from you. And on the note of my Father's company," She remarked as she stood up and made her way over to the girl, "He no longer affects my life when it comes to money. I have been managing my own finances on my own for quite some time now. Oh and if you think you can ruin me, I think you should research me a bit more.". She then smirked down at the girl in front of her, as if she was saying is that all you can do.
Eclair laughed. "Good, as expected," she said. "You're underestimating my research Miss Crus, those words just now, were lies." She met Alexa's gaze with mock and laughter. "I really doubt you'd fall for them, but you did. You're answer just showed me that you did," she smiled. "You're really amusing. Don't you know that?"
Alexa faltered then her eyes renewed her glare at the girl, and regained her calm. "I guess you are more intelligent than I thought you were,". She sat back down and then asked her, "Now are you done playing with me or are you still playing an obnoxious fly?".
"Now that you mention it, I guess it's about time for me to leave," she said smiling satisfactorily. "I have a meeting with Tamaki's grandmother regarding the whereabouts of his mom," she stood up and looked at Alexa. "Do keep a secret for me, don't tell Tamaki that," she said sarcastically and walked at the bodyguard at the door. "You'll see me again Inu-san, that's for sure," was what she said as a goodbye then left towards the waiting car.
"Annoying witch," she muttered darkly packing up her own stuff and leaving the cafe. 'Too bad, I really liked this place,' she thought realizing that she was going to have to find a new place to hide out in now.
-----------
Eclair said her goodbye to Tamaki's grandmother and went to her car. They talked all about the wedding plans and the details are all filled in. The only thing to do now was to talk to Tamaki about it. Sizes and colors are important for the motifs and themes. She called on to her bodyguard and asked to locate Tamaki's whereabouts right now. 'Well, if he's still on Ootori Kyouya's house, then I guess it can't be helped that I have to go there,' she thought. She was excited for the big wedding and is so looking forward to it that she wants to talk to Tamaki as soon as possible. .
Eclair nodded as her bodyguard finished whispering about Tamaki's whereabouts. It seems that they're still at Kyouya's house. "As soon as he's out of the house, report it immediately to me," she said and dismissed it.
------
Kyouya returned fully dressed. He had messed up and spiked his hair. He impatiently sighed at Tamaki, "Are you going to get dressed or do you need help?"
Tamaki looked up at Kyouya after breaking from his short daze. "Oh. Right." he replied before going to get dressed. When he came back, he had finally noticed Kyouya's hair. "Kyouya? Why is your hair like that?" asked Tamaki.
Kyouya explained coolly, "It's part of my outfit. I don't want to stick out. Let's get a move on; there's a car disguised as a taxi outside. Before we leave though, let's practice what you say in public quickly." He went over slang and Ebonics with Tamaki as he led him to the car.
Tamaki followed Kyouya to the "taxi" while still practicing the slang that Kyouya had just told him. He was smiling brightly, excited about pretending to be a commoner.
---------
Haruhi glanced up at the clock and decided to go to the Cafe. She quickly locked her apartment and ran across the street, then found a small booth for them. She sat down and began to wait for the other two, while she struggled to not think about the conversation she had earlier with the French girl.
---------
Getting impatient from not hearing any news, Eclair took her phone out and called someone. "Get me all the others' exact location right now," she demanded. "Make sure that I won't get any interruptions during my talk with Tamaki." With that, she shut the phone off.
A few minutes later, Eclair's ears perked up at the sound of news. The bodyguard just told her that Tamaki's with Kyouya but they're out of the house. She gave the bodyguard the instructions to continue until they've, Tamaki and Kyouya, reached their destination. She hurried to her car. Another one of her bodyguard gave the instructions to the driver and will continue to do so by contact.
Hearing that the two had arrived in their destination, Eclair was pleased. She couldn't wait to get there herself. She then told her driver to hurry up.
----------
Kyouya told the driver where to go and in no time, they were there. Kyouya dragged Tamaki out of the car and looked for Haruhi through the window. He spotted her and turned to Tamaki saying, "You go first. Don't speak to the commoners if you don't have to. I'll follow in a few minutes. Haruhi is in the booth in the right corner. Go!" With that, he gave gangsta-posing friend a push to the door.
"Right." said Tamaki. He walked towards Haruhi after Kyouya sent him on his way. "Yo, babe." said Tamaki, trying out what Kyouya had taught him, but having no idea about what he was saying. "What's up, dog? How's it hangin'? Ya get me?"
After a few seconds, Kyouya entered the cafe looking depressed. Predicting Haruhi's confusion, Kyouya said quietly to her, "We didn't want to draw too much attention, so we wore commoner clothes." He sat across from Haruhi but had Tamaki purposefully sit next to Haruhi.
Haruhi just glanced at the blonde in pure confusion but then after Kyouya whispered the explanation she relaxed a little. "So what did you need to talk to me about?" Haruhi asked scooting over when Tamaki sat down next to her.
"We wanted to discuss tomorrow's theme for the host club with you." answered Tamaki, smiling.
"What about it?" she asked, glancing over to Tamaki, but regretted it as a red flush swam over her cheeks, as her conversation with Eclair that morning flooded her brain.
Tamaki's smiling face melted into one of worry when he noticed Haruhi's cheeks flush slightly. "Haruhi? Are you alright?" he asked as he reached a hand up to her forehead to see if she had a fever.
Haruhi whipped her head away from Tamaki, and muttered a quick, "I'm fine,". 'What is wrong with me?? I can't like him right? He's childish and overdramatic! But...' her thoughts went down memory lane once more, appearing spaced out to the outside world.
"I wasn't sure of what the theme should be. One idea was The Producers," Kyouya explained noting how clueless Tamaki was at how Haruhi was clearly blushing not running a fever. 'Why must I play matchmaker? This is going to be tough,' he thought.
Meanwhile Alexa walked through the streets, completely bored. She finally spotted a new cafe on the street corner, and then chuckled when she spotted three familiar faces sitting in it. She chuckled at the dark-haired boy's problem, and decided to keep an eye out for the annoying French girl, as well as any opportunity to help Kyouya. She entered the café and sat away from the trio but was close enough to hear their conversation.
"The Producers?" Haruhi asked, surprised.
Tamaki was a little confused by Haruhi's action, but she said she was fine and decided to just let her be... for now. "Yes! The Producers! What a great idea!" said Tamaki, as if he knew exactly what Kyouya was talking about. A few seconds later, his face was masked in confusion. "And that is?
Haruhi began chuckling at him, "You've never seen the Producers? Its a movie about two men that are Broadway producers and try to get rich by making their play flop,".
"Ah." said Tamaki. "That's what it is." He smiled. "It does sound nice, but what about the ladies? It would be nice to have something that would be very, very enjoyable to them." Tamaki closed his eyes and had a look that made it look as if he was deep in thought when, in reality, there was not a single thing in his mind at the moment.
"I need to go to the rest room; I'll be right back," Haruhi excused herself and managed to quickly squeeze by Tamaki. She ran into the bathroom and stared into the mirror, whispering softly, "I think I really do like him,".
-------
The car screeched to a stop. She made her bodyguards stay outside and got out of the car. Eclair then went inside the commoner's cafe and stopped to look for Tamaki. All of the commoners' eyes were at her dark red dress. She made an irritated and disgusted face. Then, she quickly spotted Tamaki, walked over and sat on Haruhi's seat. She smiled. "Tamaki, I've been looking for you," she said to him. Not really minding the other guy who's there.
'O great,' Alexa thought spotting the brat's entrance. "O lookie here; Hi Kyouya, Tamaki, and... what's your name again? Eveil?" Alexa said when she reached the group, "Oh Tamaki I think some body needed to talk to you up front,".
"Hello, Eclair..." said Tamaki when she sat down beside him. When Alexa came by and told him someone wanted to talk to him, he stood eagerly. "Then I shouldn't keep them waiting." said Tamaki before bowing his head to Eclair. "Please excuse me."
"Ah, Wait!" Eclair stood up and grabbed Tamaki's arm. "I'll go with you. I can, can't I?," she said looking at him with sharp eyes. "Wouldn't it be nice if you were to let them meet your fiancée?" she smiled and let Tamaki lead the way. She looked at Alexa and said, "It's Eclair. I don't mind if you don't remember it. I mean, you're brain is probably too small to remember such superior names. Ah! Or a short-term memory perhaps, Inu-san?"
Alexa growled under her breathe while clenching her fist ready to give the girl a black eye, "I wouldn't be one to talk, you seem to lack the ability of acting like a decent human being," she snapped as Haruhi exited the bathroom.
"Eclair?" Haruhi muttered, eyes widening then darkening.
Eclair faked a surprised face. "It surprised me that you can actually say something smart," she mockingly smiled at Alexa. "Taking into consideration that small brain of yours. See, if I don't have the ability of acting decent, then have you ever thought of what that would make you? Something lower than dirt perhaps?" Her eyebrows creasing, her blue eyes sharp. She then noticed Haruhi with dark eyes. "Now, now, don't be jealous fox-san. I'll bring him back," she said teasingly to Haruhi. "Although I'm not sure that you should be surprised to see us together. It's natural."
Alexa stepped in front of Haruhi blocking her from Eclair, "Hmmm... last time I checked you like to blackmail, degrade, instigate fights with others, and manipulate people. Compared to you, I'm a saint," Alexa drawled, "Now unless you want your eye to match your black heart, I'd back off!".
"Ah, here we go again," Eclair rolled her blue eyes. "All talk, oh yeah, I heard you trespassed. How was it?" She smiled calmly, but her eyes suggested possible threat. She's not the one who loses her temper in situations like this. "So, trying to make yourself look good, eh?" she asked. She shrugged. "And now," she sighed dramatically, "Trying, desperately, to make a scene. Anyway, It's probably better if you're the one to back off. Why? You don't have a right."
"What do I have to gain by making myself look good? Newsflash brat, I don't have the same conniving nature like you!" She snapped controlling the urge to make good on her threat, "Oh and this is for the comment about my father earlier," She took a bottle of water out of her laptop bag and pours it over Eclair's head, "That should help cool off your overheated brain with all the hard work it took for it to make those insults."
Eclair frowned. 'How dare this brat,' she thought. She called her bodyguard to prepare her dresser and hairstylist as soon as possible. She then turned to Alexa. "Ah, such a mess. Are you happy now? Ms. little good-for-nothing?" She saw the laptop bag with an open side that reveals a little of Alexa's laptop. She smiled and said, "This is the return from your favor," she then grabbed the water from the other table and poured it in. Leaving the laptop soaked. She emptied it and smiled. "I hope you have your files copied to somewhere else." She then turned to Tamaki. "Tamaki, you've seen what that indecent girl did. So I'm wet and wouldn't be able to go with you," she said gently putting her arms around his neck. She chuckled as she thought of Haruhi. "I thought I told you to keep your dogs with collars, didn't I?" She said, her face inches away from him. "Now, I must get going," she said, gently untying her grasp. She walked to the door and stopped for a minute. She turned her head to Alexa and smiled. "Oh, and maybe you should cool off yours, because my brain doesn't need hard work," she chuckled. "It just comes." she then walked to the car and got in.
Alexa blinked then busted out laughing. After a few moments, she collected herself and pulled out the wet laptop. 'At least father was smart enough to give me a portable back up drive,' she thought puling out the small drive in a side pocket of the bag, before the water reached it,"Well at least she's gone now, right?" she asked turning around to face the group.
"I have an idea for a theme," Haruhi suddenly remarked, eager to change the mood, "We could do a Christmas Carol,".
Tamaki was slightly shocked at what had just happened. Alexa had poured water on Eclair's head and Eclair had been clinging to him moments ago, but what really had him puzzled was what she had said. 'Fiancé?' He couldn't recall him proposing to her.
Finally, he turned his attention to Haruhi and Kyouya again. "A Christmas Carol? That does sound entertaining."
"Not as entertaining as a catfight, though that would decrease clients if it was encouraged. A Christmas Carol would work out. Now, Tamaki, you and I shall get the costumes ready. Haruhi, lie low. We don't want you getting scratched up in that mess. Alexa, I suggest chocolate for éclairs next time," Kyouya commented, "Let's eat something before we depart."
Alexa chuckled darkly at the idea of Eclair covered in chocolate and cursing every one she met, as she plopped down in the seat next to Kyouya making Haruhi sit next to Tamaki again.
Haruhi sat down once more but still kept her distance from the blonde.
The waiter finally came and took their orders. After he left, Kyouya asked Haruhi, "What did you have in mind for parts/roles in A Christmas Carol?".
"Well, no offense, I thought you could be Scrooge," this statement caused Alexa to snicker silently, but Haruhi continued, "But I don't know about the ghosts,".
Tamaki laughed at the role that Haruhi felt Kyouya should play, finally back to normal after the visit from Eclair. "Actually, that's pretty close to you, Kyouya!" joked Tamaki.
"I also don't know who I should be," Haruhi said hoping she didn't offend the shadow king.
"I know!! You should be Cratchit," Alexa smiled continuing to hide her chuckles, "And Tamaki should be the Ghost of Christmas Past!".
"The ghost of Christmas past..." repeated Tamaki before smiling. "It's a nice idea."
Haruhi smiled at him, happy that he liked the idea for a theme that she had come up with herself. 'This is actually kind of fun,' she thought taking a bite of her food.
Alexa was enjoying the mood but was not happy at the lack of progress the two were making. Frowning, she turned to Kyouya and whispered in his ear so the other two couldn't hear her, "What do you say about giving these two some alone time?".
Kyouya nodded and whispered back, "I'll go to the bathroom and call you from there. Ready...Go." With that Kyouya smiled and politely said, "Excuse me." Once in the bathroom, he called Alexa's phone.
"Hello? Oh hi" Alexa answered putting a fake smile on her face, "You want me to meet you where?". She had no idea what the dark haired boy had planned to do for his escape but she mouthed to the other two that she had to go, and quickly made her way out, wet bag in tow.
Tamaki watched as Kyouya, then Alexa, left. He wondered where they were off to before suddenly noticing that they had left him all alone... with Haruhi. He only noticed that and not the fact that they had just walked off, one after the other, which might arouse suspicion in others.
Haruhi felt a bit uncomfortable, and tried her best to hide it but unfortunately was not succeeding. She glanced over at the blonde then back at the table.
"Are you sure you are feeling all right?" asked Tamaki, confused by why she was looking down and why she looked the way she did.
"Yeah, of course!" Haruhi responded, trying to calm herself down.
Tamaki looked at Haruhi with an even more confused look.
--------
A/n: When we originally started this we were around Christmas so we went with christmassy themes. Please review and let me know how we did! Please and Thank You!