* Edited and re-uploaded 04-28-10 * I apologize for any mistakes that remain.
Ouran High School Host Club belongs to Hatori Bisco
Support the mangaka and purchase the manga as it becomes available.
These events occur after chapter 76 of the manga. If you have not read chapter 77 or the prior chapters contains spoilers.
-I Put Away Childish Things-
Something landed on Haruhi waking her with a start. Her sleep-addled mind failing to decipher what hit her. Whatever it was it was now sitting rather heavily on her face, a spider she sleepily thought. She decided she was too tired to care besides she was noticing that she was rather cold and uncomfortable. Her body finally catching up to her mind she jerked up right brushing franticly at her face. Amused chuckling from someone sounding suspiciously like her father banished the remainder of sleep's clouds from her mind. She looked to her right and was relieved to find not a spider but an arm overhanging the couch. She guessed that Kyouya's arm had slipped in his sleep.
"What time is it?" she grumbled at her father.
"Almost five, you should head to bed I'll stay up a bit longer," he said laughter still coloring his voice.
"Hmm," was her half-hearted agreement. She had taken a couple of steps dragging her blanket like an overgrown toddler stumbling off to bed when her Father halted her.
"Haruhi, I am going to ask Kyouya-kun to stay with you while I am working nights," he said quietly watching her expression.
"I have been staying alone since grade school without setting the house on fire so I am going to assume you are telling me this so I won't be upset."
Ranka nodded, "If I ask him to look after you it will salve his pride and I won't be left worrying that there will be a repeat performance of tonight's events."
Haruhi felt her pride prick her but she thought with a shrug it was worth a shot, "He'll see through it you know."
It was Ranka's turn to shrug, "Probably."
Haruhi looked at the young man in question. In the faint predawn light, she could see the dark blotches marring his back, his face creased with pain. She would let her father give Kyouya his invitation but she thought as she slipped into her bed that she might know a better way. Her last thought before drifting into sleep a final time was she would protect all of them.
-XXXXXXX-
Kyouya became conscious of the pain; it clothed his body varying in texture. His back dressed with a throbbing that became the white heat of flame when he shifted, his feet shod in a dull ache. He made no effort to muffle his curse. He was a thrice-damned idiot. Intellectually he had known he was hurt. That he had likely allowed his penitence to go to far but his mind had been too dulled by lack of sleep then injury for him to assess things properly. His pride was his downfall. His refusal to show his pain had pushed his father into taking the beating farther than normal.
He felt a hand's gentle pressure against the back of his head. Ranka's uniquely masculine and feminine voice caused him to turn his head ignoring his body's protest.
"I'm sorry Ranka-san, what did you say?" He felt a rush of relief Ranka's expression showed neither pity nor sympathy.
"Is there going to be an issue with you having been out all night?"
Kyouya closed his eyes against the molten gold of the morning light. He loathed mornings. Let others speak of the joys of a new dawn he was firmly convinced they had been created by a hell spawn to be his personal torture.
"Kyouya?"
Irritated with his wandering thoughts he focused on answering, "No, it won't be an issue."
Ranka's doubtful expression prompted him to elaborate, "As long as we meet expectations, do nothing to cause issues for the company, or embarrassment for the family we are allowed to do as we wish."
Perplexed by the other man's pleased expression his confusion evaporated when Ranka held up a key.
"This is for you. You can come and go as you like but I have a favor to ask. I would like you to stay with Haruhi while I work."
Kyouya felt a familiar smirk on his face, "I don't think she needs a babysitter and I can't see her appreciating the implication that she does."
Ranka shook his head, "No, that's not what I meant. She is alone to often. I wasn't very concerned while she was involved with the club but now she spends all her time studying. She is becoming more like she was before it's not healthy. Besides it isn't right that a young girl be alone all the time there are to many perverts out there,"
Kyouya sighed and reached for his glasses. He was forming his refusal when he caught Ranka's mumbled words dripping in irritation, "Can't trust any of those other idiots with her."
Pushing his glasses on, he reluctantly answered, "I'll think about it."
Grinning Ranka jumped up, "Good that is settled. By the way while I was getting the key from the landlady a rather attractive man gave me this," he said gesturing to a familiar looking bag, "I assume you know him as it has what appear to be your clothes."
The bag in question was his overnight bag. He had begun keeping one prepared since meeting Tamaki. The other boy's spontaneous travel plans had occasionally made packing difficult, "If he had blonde hair then that would be Tachibana."
"I always did like the stern type," Ranka mused.
Kyouya thought it best not to respond.
"I'm off to bed. Keep the noise down. You should spend the day resting," while the last was not worded as such his tone was that of a parental command.
Kyouya wisely nodded his acquiescence. Not long after Ranka's departure his body seeking refuge from the pain led him into sleep's numbing embrace.
-XXXXXXX-
It was early afternoon before Kyouya stirred. He lay still for several long minutes assessing his condition. He concluded that while he was in pain if he kept his movements slow and to a minimum, it would be tolerable.
The sound of a pen stroking across paper ended when he shifted, "Would you like something to eat?" Haruhi asked filling the silence.
"That would be good," he mumbled uncomfortably replaying the events of the prior night in his head.
"Your glasses are on the table. You shouldn't sleep in them," she said as she headed to the kitchen.
How could her voice sound so normal he wondered? Gingerly sitting up he rested his head in his hands the pose similar to that he had in the car the day before. Ignoring his glasses and the ache of his body, he studied the chaos of his emotions. They pounded inside of him with as much force as the wood of the cane had his back. The embarrassment and shame he abandoned, he could not change the past to feel discomforted for having shown weakness had no purpose. It served only to highlight what he wished put behind him. His anger he grasped, molding it into additional strength to be used in his quest to become the Ootori heir. Thus, he sorted through his feelings molding those that could be useful discarding the remainder. He felt the calm distance he normally maintained fill his mind, an ill-fitting garment made comfortable by long wear. There was however an emotion he had set aside until all else had been ordered. Delicate and small like a cherry blossom he hesitantly examined this unknown entity. It was coupled with a memory, the amber scent of Haruhi's skin as she smoothed his hair from his face until she slept her hand resting against his face. He did not know what this foreshadowed but he could not throw it away as he had the rest for now he gently set it aside.
-XXXXXXX-
Haruhi smiled to herself when she returned to the living room with bowls of tamago gohan, soy sauce, and a bowl of instant miso soup Kyouya had donned his glasses and his distant expression. He was casually flipping through one of her books. She set down the tray and settled herself on the floor leaning against the couch while she checked the notes she had been writing while Kyouya slept. From the corner of her eye, she watched him prepare his food.
"Those books aren't from your classes," he said as Haruhi had hoped.
"No, I am studying in preparation for the university entrance exams. I can't afford cram school and when there were club actives I didn't have the time."
"Ouran has an in house exam. It is not that difficult I wouldn't think you would have an issue," she could hear the curiosity in his voice.
"I would like to attend Tokyo University after graduation and I will need to qualify for scholarships."
Kyouya nodded as he began eating, "It make sense with your wish to become a lawyer."
"Are you going to enter Ouran's medical school next year," her interest not contrived.
"I have no intention of going to medical school," was his surprising answer.
"I assumed you would considering your desire to become your father's heir," Haruhi said temporarily forgetting her plan in pursuit of this new bit of information.
"I doubt medicine would suit my personality and my brothers are already at the top of the medical field. I will reach my goal another way. I plan to enroll in a university in America and obtain an MBA."
Haruhi's eyes widened slightly at those words. He is impressive she thought.
"Haruhi," he asked plucking her notepad from her hands and looking it over, "are you teaching yourself?"
"Well my teachers have made recommendations for the direction of my studies but yes."
Kyouya continued to look over her notes while he ate. She had a drive and intelligence that he believed would allow her to reach her goal. Secretly he was looking forward to watching her career develop. Of any of them, he felt she was the most likely destined for success.
An error caught his eye and he automatically reached for the pen Haruhi had been holding. He jotted down the correction then seemingly without realizing began making additional notes along side her's writing down titles of materials to reference his half-eaten breakfast forgotten. Haruhi watched this with an amused smile and picked up one of the books she had brought out with her. She had been reading for almost a quarter hour when Kyouya handed back the notepad. She looked over the notes he had added in his small neat handwriting.
"I'll need to check the library for these books," she said consideringly.
"Don't bother I'll loan them to you," he said finishing his meal.
"Thank you senpai," her voice pleased.
Kyouya spoke his next words slowly as though unsure of what he wanted, "Your father gave me a key and asked if I would stay with you in the evenings while he is at work."
Haruhi nodded allowing her annoyance to show.
He continued, "I am aware that this was not done strictly for your benefit and his concern is misplaced."
Haruhi stilled his next words would determine if her plan had worked.
"I would however be willing to come over in the evenings to help you in your studies."
Haruhi barely won the battle to keep the look of triumph from her face. Instead, she gave Kyouya one of her smiles looking up at him, "I would appreciate that as long as it doesn't inconvenience you."
Kyouya's brow creased he could have sworn he had briefly seen an exultant look on her face. If it were anyone else, he would believe he had been manipulated into accepting Ranka's original proposal.
Suddenly he felt himself laughing, "You won this time," he told the now grinning girl, "don't expect to get away with this a second time. I can do most of my work anywhere and as punishment for manipulating me I will make you accompany me if I must work from home. Now go over those notes."
Haruhi felt her grin slip a little at his words so she choose her next to poke his pride, "Agreed, however while I am doing this you should bathe. You stink."
He colored a little but he reflected she was right.
"Let me remove the bandages before you go." She said by way of apology when she saw the pain in his eyes as he stood.
-XXXXXXX-
Kyouya was kneeling at the table Haruhi behind him redressing his wounds after his shower discussing the notes he had made when they were interrupted by knocking.
Haruhi moved the front window's curtain aside slightly, "It's Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai," her voice questioning.
"It's your home Haruhi but if you are worried about my pride I think Honey at least suspects this having happened before. It will only cause problems to try and hide it from them and they can be trusted to be discreet," he told her resigned to explaining things to the two.
"Haru-chan, I'm sorry we didn't call but we wanted to talk to you about what you told the twins and we brought cake," Honey said with a wide-eyed innocent smile holding the cake out when she opened the door.
Mori said nothing but he followed Haruhi's glance toward Kyouya who had remained sitting his back to the door. Without a word, he walked past Haruhi and Honey stopping only to kneel behind Kyouya. Haruhi had seen Honey with an expression that was frightening beyond words and Kyouya was a low blood pressure demon when woken early but Mori's face held someone's death.
"Kyou-chan," Honey whispered moving to stand next to his cousin.
"Mori, Honey please put this from your thoughts. You have my word it will not happen again and all has been resolved," he told the cousins his voice firm.
Honey stepped so he could meet Kyouya's gaze, "This is not the first time but I think it is the worst," the older boy said watching Kyouya's expression.
"It is the last," he responded.
Mori stood and walked around the table to stand opposite Kyouya, "I will accept your word however should it occur again I will end it."
Honey solemnly nodded his agreement.
Haruhi felt an icy finger trace her spine. She had heard the threat death in Mori's words. She was not frightened rather she felt a sense of relief that there was additional protection being offered.
"That will not be needed," Kyouya reaffirmed.
"Well this saves us a trip," Honey said sitting down his voice light, "we were going to visit you next. Hika and Kao-chan told us what happened with the school director."
"As I said the situation has been resolved," he said hoping to end the topic without having to say more.
Honey and Mori both nodded. Honey turned his attention to Haruhi who had resumed dressing Kyouya's back, "You gave them a shock yesterday," he told her.
Kyouya's attention sharpened at those words; what had she done?
"I'm done," she told Kyouya moving to sit across from Honey.
"I don't know what could have been so upsetting," she said deliberately ignoring the implied question.
"We should have some cake while we talk," Honey said entreatingly.
She smiled and left the table to get plates and utensils. While she was gone, Kyouya pulled his shirt over his head paling as injured muscles stretched. If the other two noticed, they gave no indication. He cleared the table of the books and papers as Haruhi set out the plates. Honey serving each of them with a solemnity that only the childlike man could give the dispensing of cake.
"What happened?" Kyouya asked over the contended noises Honey was making while eating.
Haruhi's voice casual, she could have been discussing the weather, "I told them I would not be used again and I would find some way to protect all of us."
Startled the twins ceased their antics, "Haruhi, are you alright," Hikaru asked tentatively.
"Yes, I've realized something. There are many types of power. That wielded by money the most blatant. There is also the power of intellect and heart. They can be more subtle but not necessarily weaker. I have been used as a pawn to subdue Tamaki-senpai. Unless I use my own power, I can be used to harm the rest of you. That is unacceptable. Kyouya-senpai has worked to protect the club and us yet when he needed protection I had none to offer. I will change that. I don't have wealth or connections but I will protect all of you."
"How?" Kaoru asked his voice soft his expression that of a person unsure if they should be frightened.
"I don't know but I refuse to sit idly or run around pointlessly asking why any longer."
"That is a noble thought," Honey said no longer affecting a childish tone, "but if you are serious you could lose yourself and what of your dream of becoming a lawyer like your mother?"
The twins had sought out Honey and Mori as soon as their classes ended. Their worry apparent, "Honey, Mori we need to talk to you about Haruhi," Hikaru said by way of greeting.
"What's wrong Hika-chan?" Honey asked.
Hikaru had related to them Haruhi's words but it was Kaoru who expressed their true concern.
"I know what she said sounds clichéd but it was how she said it. I have never seen her so serious or …passionate," he finished looking to Hikaru.
"It was like by saying those words she had matured and gained something indefinable," Hikaru tried to clarify.
"We felt that she was leaving us behind and we are afraid that with her new resolution she could be hurt, that we won't be able to catch up in time to help. I don't even know how to start," Kaoru finished.
The cousin's had exchanged glances Mori's unenlightening Honey's however showed understanding, "I think you are right that she has matured but I don't know what this could bring either. You don't need to worry about not being able to help. We are all willing to do our best to protect each other and I believe that is enough. Haruhi has more strength than she knows. She will be able to do as she says, but I wonder at what cost," Honey told the twins allowing his childish persona to fade.
Mori spoke next, "Tamaki can sway people's hearts, Kyouya their minds, she can do both; we are able to support her best by helping her not to be hardened by the world she is entering."
Mori as usual gave no outward indication of his thoughts. Kyouya was silent waiting for her response. He sensed that the exchange between the two was defining something important and he should not intrude.
"I do not think any of you would passively allow me to be," she chose her next word carefully, "corrupted. I still wish to become a lawyer but as with most dreams that last, it has evolved. My mother worked to help individuals. I want to help on a broader scale. I am going to enter politics, I want to make the laws not just uphold them."
If Haruhi had said she wished to grow a second head, the surprise could not have been greater. Mori's expression shifted though too subtly to be defined. Honey looked speechless he had never considered this possibility. Kyouya was grinning as though he had heard something wonderful.
"It will be difficult," Honey said finally.
The still smiling Kyouya answered, "She can do it."
Haruhi blinked she had not expected Kyouya's reaction and felt a blush faintly tinge her face at his compliment. Their conversation turned to lighter matters sometime later when Ranka awoke he found the four laughing.
Mori and Honey lingered long into the evening. Honey squeezed Haruhi tightly as they were leaving and cocked an eyebrow at Kyouya who gave no indication of doing so, he left without commenting.
As Kyouya settled himself onto the couch to sleep, Haruhi having already sought her bed, he mused that despite all the difficulties looming he was at peace. It was the first night his dreams were filled with flowers and the scent of amber.
-XXXXXXX-
The silence of the morning was broken by the excited pounding of the twins their bewildered expressions when Kyouya opened the door doing much to relieve his irritation at being awakened.
"What," he growled.
Hikaru was the first to recover having taken in Kyouya's obvious sleep rumpled appearance, "What are you doing here?" he demanded anger building in his voice with each word.
Kyouya walked away from the door the twins following him into the apartment, "Honey, Mori and I were visiting until late. After they left I helped Haruhi in her studies," he said indicating the text books scattered across the table, "Due to the lateness Ranka invited me to sleep on the couch. What other reason could there be," his voice threatening.
His effortlessly woven half-truths and intimidation worked the brothers backed away from the topic.
Haruhi was listening from her room while dressing she understood his desire to keep the full reason for him staying over a secret, so she said nothing to the contrary when she entered the room.
"Why are you here so early" she asked, "and keep your voices down."
The grinning boys sandwiched Haruhi between them hugging her tightly enough to necessitate her wiggling away to breathe.
"We want to take you to breakfast, you did say you would spend the entire day with us," Kaoru told her reaching for her arm.
"I didn't say that," she protested knowing it was useless.
"That is what I heard," Hikaru said grabbing her other arm; they proceeded to drag her to the door.
Kyouya had fully supported the faux abduction of Haruhi on several occasions however, her pleading look prompted him to grant her a temporary reprieve, "Don't you think it would be best to allow her to finish getting ready? Of course if you wish to spend the day with her in a foul temper don't let me stop you."
The brothers looked at each other then the glaring Haruhi, "Hurry… unless you would like our help," they teased.
Haruhi hurried away thankful for the chance to finish getting ready. She was resigned to spending the day with the twins and truthfully, she liked their company. They were two of her closest friends even if their pranks annoyed her at times.
Returning to the living room a few minutes later she found the three huddled together whatever they were scheming she knew would not bode well for her. They broke apart the twins with contrived innocence on their faces, Kyouya's expression ambiguous.
"What are you planning?" she asked suspiciously.
They ignored her question whisking her from the apartment. Hikaru unceremoniously pushing her into their waiting car when Kyouya didn't follow Haruhi poked her head out the door and watched him climb into a sleek black car.
"He said he had to go home," Kaoru said climbing in after her.
She nodded he would need to go home sometime. She tried to ignore the anxious feeling in her stomach, "Hmmm, where are we going?"
"It's a surprise," Kaoru said placing a finger to her lips.
She was used to being spirited away by the host club and had learned that at times it was best to go with the flow. She settled into the leather-clad seat listening contentedly to the twins' chatter.
The surprise was a picnic at the Koishikawa Botanical Gardens. Haruhi found herself relaxing under the warmth of the spring sun. She had been to the gardens once before during a class trip and had liked them well enough, however, with the twins playing guide the gardens became a place she would forever associate with laughter. Years later when she felt weighed down by obstacles she would visit the gardens, the remembered laughter following her down the paths; at times she could almost see their younger selves running ahead of her teasing her to follow.
It was dusk when they escorted her to her apartment. She felt lighter, "Thank you," she said smiling giving each a spontaneous hug before going inside.
Kaoru looked at his brother, "Do you think he knew she would enjoy it this much when he told us to take her there?"
"It's Kyouya so probably. Though I'm annoyed since I think she liked this more than what we had planned," Hikaru told his brother running his hand through his hair.
-XXXXXXX-
Kyouya did not acknowledge the fact his bodyguards had been waiting for him outside Haruhi's apartment. They could only have known his whereabouts by following him despite his dismissal.
As a child frustrated with Akita's bullying, he had fled to the gardens surrounding his home. Tachibana who had been appointed to Kyouya the prior month followed a few feet behind. He ignored Kyouya's repeated commands to leave, not saying anything even after Kyouya threatened to have him fired. Angry tears stinging his eyes he had tripped. While he lay on the ground, Tachibana knelt beside him coolly informing him that his job was to protect him, that sometimes that would entail ignoring his orders if they conflicted with his duty.
Kyouya turned on his phone and was rewarded with several messages from Tamaki his concern steadily increasing asking if he was all right.
Sighing Kyouya called the Souh main mansion to speak with his friend.
"Where are you? Do you need help?" Tamaki franticly cried into the phone.
"I'm fine. I'm in my car. Are you able to leave for a while?" Kyouya asked to forestall whatever emotional speech Tamaki had prepared.
"I think I can slip away this afternoon. What did you have in mind?" Tamaki asked taking Kyouya's hint and leaving out the histrionics.
"Lunch at Ii Teatro."
"I'll meet you at 1 o'clock in the lobby," Tamaki said disconnecting.
-XXXXXXX-
The shadows employed to follow the two young men watched as they greeted one another; neither giving any heed to the elegance of their surroundings inured to this everyday opulence.
Tamaki grinned at his friend, Kyouya's scowl forestalling a more exuberant greeting, "You look like hell," the greeting he settled for.
"My father may acknowledge that I never do anything on a whim but he was displeased with having his day interrupted by the director's foolishness. I will be under tighter scrutiny," was Kyouya's dry reply glancing at the bodyguards accompanying Tamaki.
Seeing his look Tamaki shrugged, "My Grandmother insisted. She is concerned for my safety," his voice bland as though he was having trouble convincing himself they were there for any purpose other than to spy on him.
Tamaki led the way to the elevator. They rode in silence watching the numbers tick upward the doors whispering open on the third floor where two of the hotel's restaurants were located. If any of the other patrons thought it strange that the two teenagers were greeted with such courtesy by the staff they gave no sign. Kyouya murmured a few words and they were escorted to one of two private dining rooms.
With the silent agreement of people who spent many hours together, they confined their conversation to mundane topics until after they were served. Kyouya dismissed the staff from the room. He observed the barley perceptible relaxing of Tamaki's shoulders once the door closed and they were alone.
"How long do you intend to remain a pawn in your family's internal politics?" Kyouya questioned.
"I believe I have had a break through in befriending my Grandmother's dogs. They no longer charge me on sight. Soon I shall have them eating from my hands," Tamaki said brightly avoiding the question.
"What do you know of their true motivations?"
"Kyouya…" Tamaki admonished his friend.
"You should figure those out, I can only help so much in that regard," Kyouya continued, "You need to decide what you wish to be. Will remain one or the other's tool, weapon, or will you instead become the true Souh heir. We will support you but you need to see reality and make your choice."
Tamaki said nothing and the strained silence stretched through most of the meal.
"I know I can't keep going as I have these past three, almost four years now. I have wanted my Grandmother's acceptance for so long I find it hard to let that desire go. Even though I can see it is futile. Since coming to Japan, I have also begun to question what I believed about my father. These last weeks have done much to scour away my hopes relating to my family," his voice was heavy.
Kyouya wondered when Tamaki's flamboyant personality had stopped being the reality and became a mask obscuring this serious and reflective person. It was his turn to redirect the subject.
"A kitten we once thought of as a pet is realizing her potential," he said doing little to camouflage the subject.
"What has our kitten done," Tamaki asked allowing his voice its familiar tones.
"This kitten has set its sights on becoming a member of the Diet. I will not be available in the evenings as I have decided to help her by ensuring she is prepared for the university entrance exams," his voice casual despite his internal anxiety unsure what Tamaki's reaction would be to him spending protracted periods of time with Haruhi.
Tamaki smiled in much the same manner Kyouya had on hearing her declaration, "I am amazed by her."
"Indeed who would have thought the kitten would one day become someone to be reckoned with," Kyouya said taking a sip of wine pleased by his reaction.
Tamaki eyed his friend throwing aside all pretence of frivolity, "This kitten is very precious to me. I can think of no other I could trust her with."
"So I keep being told," Kyouya mumbled into his glass his voice dry.
"Huh."
"Nothing," he said reaching into his pocket and sliding a cell phone across the table, "I believe you could use this since you have misplaced your own. Don't concern yourself with the paperwork I linked this to my account and I am sure you will have no problem reimbursing me the expense. It is set on silent so you will need to remember to check it periodically."
Tamaki quickly slipped the phone into a pocket as the door was opened with a polite knock, "Sir, I would like to remind you of a meeting with your father in an hour," one of Tamaki's guards said his voice impersonal.
Little more was said between the two before they went their separate ways.
Author's Note:
I am aware that I stated in the opening disclaimer that this story takes place after chapter 76 and if you had not read chapter 77 it contains spoilers. The explanation is simple this story deviates from the manga's storyline after chapter 76 and contains information from the manga that became available in chapter 77.
The original title for this chapter has been ceded to a future one. I had planned this chapter to be lighter than the last and in some respects I met that goal. The pieces have been taken from the box now to watch the game evolve. I hope you enjoy this story and I continue to look forward to comments.
Moving is done yippee!!!!
Unknown male voice groaning pitifully from the couch, "Can you just pretend you said something stupid and I am tormenting you for it."
"Just this once since you helped me move."
Goodnight everyone.