This Chapter is Dedicated to all my loyal fans, but most to Single-Black Rose. I hope this makes you laugh and cheers you up! Puppy sends her kisses!
Chapter Thirty Two
"Tamaki what on the earth are you wearing?" Haruhi asked the host club king who was proudly displaying an I heart NY shirt as he stood with his hands on his hips.
"This Haruhi! This is America! A country known for its people! It's mix of fantastic cuisine!" He announced holding his hands in the air as if trying to gesture around.
"Looks the same.' She answered as she raised an eyebrow and shifted her sweater, "Except all the signs are in English."
"THE SAME!" Tamaki stared at her, "We are having a very rare occurrence! WE have landed in a commoner's airport."
"Yes." She nodded. She supposed she should have been more en thrilled with being able to go out of the country for the first time, but some how the situation was weighed down by the fact that well-Tamaki was making her expirence just a tad over rated. "We're in an airpot."
"Yes. Glance about at your kind swarming together like great herds of cattle-" Tamaki smiled, "It is amazing."
"Milord if you're finished with gawking at the commonor's we would appreciate that you could move on to pick up our bags." The twins stared with their arms crossed. Haruhi shook her head, they looked out of place with their checkered scarves and over sized sunglasses, but they swore but what they wore. She felt plenty comfortable in her jeans and grey sweater with the over sized sleeves.
"Fine. Fine." Tamaki answered with a wave of his hand, "Haruhi be sure to take avid care to your surroundings-"
Harhui rolled her eyes, "No." She half muttered it though as Tamaki continued on with out paying much mind to what she had protested. She let her eye wander though, she had never seen so many travelers in one place. She caught the hints of Spanish or French floating through the air, the twins seemed to be happily conversing or rather teasing Tamaki in it.
She glanced around, the rest of the host club it seemed had run off well Honey had seemed in tent on seeing the giant machine that Kyoya had told him about where the luggage came out. She kept her steady pace as she yawned, it was technically five in the morning.
"Come on Haruhi." The twins ordered grabbing themselves each an arm as they heaved her forward. She realized her feet were hardly tossing the ground as they skipped forward laughing as they went.
"Haruhi! Wait for me!" Tamaki cried after them as he panted to keep up. Haruhi felt her arms begin to go numb ever so slowly as the twin's shrill voices made her wish she was deaf at least for the moment.
They had begun to hang around her more, she noticed. She didn't mind them, hanging off her, she was getting used to them, slowly. She shrugged them off or at least tried to as they threw their heads back and laughed.
"Haruhi!" Karou started.
"You'll never believe what's happened-" Hikaru finished.
"You're getting married?" She smirked to herself wishing Mikan was there to pry them off her. They only blinked and shrugged to themselves as they shook their heads.
"No. We're going shopping!" They announced as they threw their hands up, "We can't tromp around New York City with you dressed as a filithy commoner."
"I'm quite happy in my clothes." She answered ignoring their previous comments.
"Pft." The twins shrugged, "Milord why does Haruhi resemble more of a poor servant than your daughter?"
"Oh! I've neglected my duties!" Tamaki yelled, "Don't worry Haruhi! Daddy will make it better." As she watched him sprint into some shop. She closed her eyes as the twins almost dragged her forward, this was not happening.
"Here-"Tamaki panted as he ran back to her doubled over, "I wasn't sure what color or size you were so I brought one of each."
She opened one eye as he held five different I love New York shirts. She sighed, "I don't want one, thanks Tamaki."
"But-But-But" Tamaki started, "This is the finest commoner's of New York have to offer you! It's a part of their heritage! You must wear one! We'll be matching!"
"No." She answered again as Tamaki turned away. She sighed again, "Tamaki hand me the white one, I'll wear it later."
'YEAH!" The host club king cried jumping in the air as he handed the others to the nearest person passing by, which happened to be an elderly woman, "Here! Enjoy the New York hospitality."
"Oh please no." Haruhi felt her face go red as the twins were shaking with laughter almost besides themselves.
"It will look smashing." They told her, as she folded the shirt under her arm and they started forward once more. She really wanted the trip to be over now or at least have some time to sleep.
They came to a sudden halt letting her hit the ground. She grumbled as she picked herself up slowly and brushed off. She stared at the machine that spun the luggage around in a circle as she heard the familiar WHEE! Of Honey.
"Hi ya Haru-chan!" Honey called from his seat as he suddenly disappeared again around the corner.
"Isn't that illegal?" Haruhi started as Mori finally snatched up Honey putting him on his shoulders as Honey laughed.
"Where's my bag?" Tamaki yelled as he pushed through the crowd, 'Oh there it goes."
"Hey!" someone yelled as Tamaki grabbed a hold of the things one bulking handle.
"Aya! This is so heavy." Tamaki heaved as he stumbled back and the bag shot over his head into the center of the floor.
"Sorry. Sorry." Tamaki bowed as he ran to rescue his poor bag that he cradled in his arms for a moment. Haruhi could only shake her head as she glanced at the belt, "Did you see our bags yet?"
"Nope. We assume Kyoya must have already had them picked off." The twins shrugged as they tuned with wide grins, "Haruhi your going to have to blend better in New York. You may be a commoner, but that's no way to dress in this city."
"Let's just go." Haruhi mumbled, "And there's nothing wrong with my sweater."
"No. No. " The twins shook their heads back and forth, "Of course not." As they walked on either side of her. Haruhi matched their steps for once, as she glanced at the large white van.
"No Limo?" She asked them as they seemed equally confused and hurt.
"No limo." The twins sobbed as they held each other, "We must travel as the commoner's do. This is most horrible!"
"Not horrible." Kyoya's voice answered, as he appeared beside them, "The van is convenient for where we're going I don't want our presence announced to all of New York's elite."
"Oh, but we do." The twins answered, "We're used to the spot light, the camera's, the magazines."
"The annoying paparazzi that will not only spread more rumors about us but hinder our search for the puppy. Remember American's do no have the same rules of privacy, their media cover everything about the private life." Kyoya answered as he opened the van doors.
"But a van-" The twins repeated as Honey ran past them laughing.
"Whee! Look the seats are in rows! Like a bus!" Honey laughed as he jumped up and down on them, "I call window seat!"
"At least Honey has taken to it." The twins muttered as Tamaki came running by as well.
"QUICK IN THE COMMONER"S VIECHLE!" He was screaming as the twins threw a glance over their shoulder. There seemed to be an angry mob gathering for the sliding airport doors ready to burst into the traffic. Haruhi was right beside them as they tossed their suit cases in to the back. Or rather on to the last row of seats beside her as she was mashed against the wall.
Kyoya climbed calmly into the passenger seat as the driver gave a nod and pulled out into Airport traffic following the long stretch of road.
Tamaki was on the floor panting and gasping for air as Honey poked Mori who nudged him with his foot.
"Is there something wrong?" Honey asked, "Tama-chan?"
"Nothing. Nothing." Tamaki managed, "Commoner's do not take well to being called commoner's. "
"Really tell us more." Haruhi snorted as she tossed the rest of the bags into the backspace of the van.
"I didn't mean to insult them. I was engaged in trying to buy some of their ultra cheap candy-" He began as Haruhi turned her back. She needed to find something to distract her for the rest of the ride. She didn't like waiting in cars to long, not when her legs were going to be cramp.
"And after I stole his cane and fenced several minutes with the master I did a fantastic back flip-" Tamaki continued.
"Here headphones." Haruhi muttered, as she felt around for her bag, as she collapsed back into her seat. She would look for it later.
"And finally I had to use the can of soda to stop them.' Tamaki finished as Haruhi glanced at him. She must have come in at the wrong end of the conversation.
"Tamaki as much I would love to believe that was all true, I'm sure it had something to do with you over reacting and causing a small panic." Kyoya answered not bothering to turn around, "Hopefully nothing to drastic will prevent us from using the same airport to fly home."
'How far until the city?" Honey started as he yawned and kicked the back of the chair.
"Not to far." Kyoya answered as he tossed back a pad, "Here research potential places the puppy could be hiding."
"Wouldn't it be easier almighty shadow king to simply track the GPS on her phone?" The twins started.
"Seeing as my phone is missing at the moment, no. I also don't happen to have my computer on me, so no." Kyoya answered coolly as the twin's slunked back into their seats. Tamaki had managed to pull himself off the floor as he shook himself.
"I'll crawl back here." Tamaki began as he managed to fling himself over into the Twins lap who shoved him off.
"Milord please." The twins scoffed as Tamaki shook himself and scrambled back one more pair of seats.
"Hi Haruhi!" He smiled as she stretched her legs out on the chair.
"Sorry Tamaki seats are taken." She shrugged as she rested her head against the back of the seat.
"But-but-but-but" Tamaki began as the twins tugged him back shoving him back up to floor by Mori and Honey.
"But-but-but-" He began again as he scrambled to turn around and stare at Haruhi who was busy ignoring everybody. Kyoya sighed as the driver turned on the radio blasting some kind of American band.
Tamaki be moaned his situation, stuck in a commoner's car, which should have been the most exciting thing ever, but ignored by Haruhi who knew more about it than he did.
"Tama-chan you should put on your seat belt." Honey told him as he was proudly clipped into his, "We never have to wear seat belts!"
"Um-'Tamaki began as he pulled it. It wouldn't come though as he tugged harder and harder until finally it slipped from his hands slamming him back into the back of the seat. He cursed silently as he sat up quickly deciding he was better off without one.
"Oh Times Square." The twins muttered as they flipped through the book, "SOHO! Hmmm the Ritz-Tamaki please tell us we are not staying in a commoner's hotel."
"Oh no." Kyoya's voice drifted back, 'I've already picked out a location for the host club."
"The Ritz?" The twin's voices called out and over.
"Yes." Kyoya's tired voice drifted over.
"Are were there yet?' The twins called as they leaned their heads back, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
The van gave a bump as Haruhi cursed, "Ugh, never going to get any rest now."
She turned back over onto her side as the music drifted over the speakers and somehow she found herself falling asleep even as the Twins laughed louder and talked about visiting their good friend.
Tamaki glanced stole the map away from them as he folded it up, "Shhh! Haruhi's sleeping."
"So-" The twins shrugged as they crossed their arms, "Give us back our map."
"No." Tamaki answered, "Your to loud."
"But Milord don't you want visit or see where all the commoner's are?" The twins asked leering over the seat. Tamaki stared at the map as he yanked it open.
"Yes!" He decided as he threw it back at them. The twins pointed out Central Park, Times Square-
"Oh a Musical!" Tamaki smiled in glee as the twins rolled their eyes and continued on.
"What about the New York City Ballet-" Honey asked as he flipped around, "Mother once took me there to see the "Nutcracker."
"Oh right ballet." Hikaru nodded as he raised his head, "Almost forgot why we came New York."
"We almost forgot that we still have the find the puppy." Karou agreed, "We'll get around to it. "
"It's not like the mysterious Jizo has left us any more clues" HIkaru answered as he leaned back in the seat looking out the window.
"Indeed it was rather rude of him to simply send us out here to New York with nothing but a simple note. The puppy isn't going to show up out of no where." Karou nodded.
"We'll find her." Mori said suddenly breaking their train of thought. The twins blinked staring at the giant, but no one else seemed to hear his comment. They glanced at each other, and settled back into their seats. Mori never spoke, ever.
"Oh look a sign!' Honey shouted as he pointed finger out in front of them. The twins felt the map drop from their hands, because on a giant banner above a tunnel there was a sign. Meaningless to most others, but it said in bright blue Japanese characters, "WELCOME HOST CLUB!"
"Wow." Tamaki stared at in aw, "the City of New York does love us!"
"No Milord." The twins began as they slapped a hand to their face, "Didn't you see the J character at the end! It's from this mysterious Jizo."
"Oh, well what do you think it's a second sign?" Tamaki asked glancing at them.
"A clue?" Honey offered, "But what can it mean?"
"Whoever Jizo is knows that we've come to New York City. " The twins answered, "Therefore he has access to where we might be?"
"Who said it was a guy?" Haruhi turned over as she stretched her arms, "Jizo could also be a girl."
"Yes, but highly unlikely." The twins sniffed as Haruhi glared. She rubbed her eye as she yawned once more, "What do you mean unlikely? Girls aren't as stupid as you make them out to be."
"Oh sure-" The twins began as they raised a finger to make a point.
"I'll tell Mikan-" Haruhi began, "You both would have been road kill by now."
"Yes but since puppy isn't here, we don't have to worry about many whacks." The twins began as they suddenly shouted 'Ow! Who through a shoe at us?"
Mori turned around as he offered an out stretched hand as the twins quickly handed it back to him. He turned around silently sliding back on the black shoe, and turning back around as he stared out. Honey stared at his friend, but didn't ask.
"Ouch.' The twins muttered again, "That hurt."
Haruhi smiled silently thanking Mori as she cracked her neck once and then twice. The van rolled on as they entered the steady stream of honking traffic as they swerved to the right and then to the left and then back to the right as the car peeled along.
"Are we there yet?" The twins asked together, "We're bored. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
"No." Kyoya sighed again as the van bumped along. Honey had his face pressed against the window, "You can see through the glass Takashi! There's no tint!"
"Ehm." Mori answered as the twins groaned loudly.
"Milord make this car go faster." They ordered.
"I can't! I have no control over such a thing." Tamaki answered, "Oh look taxi's!"
"Ohhhh. AHhh!" The twins sighed, "We've ridden in them before."
"But these are New York Taxi's." Tamaki answered, "They are something to behold." The twins only glanced at each other and tried to stifle a laugh as they stared up at the car ceiling, "Are we there yet?"
'No." Kyoya answered once more, "And if you phrase that question again I will see that you stay in a one bedroom apartment."
"Hmmmm-"The twins glanced at each other. They would need something to cure their bordem until the car ride, no matter how short or long was over.
"Milord, what will you do to Jin for violating our lovely mutt?" The twins glanced at Tamaki, "Shall we have him quarter as a commoner or his head chopped off?"
Tamaki blinked and laughed, "We can't legally dispose of Jin, beside's Mikan is simply head over heels for a boy. It's young innocent love-"
"He's taken advantage of her." The twins answered as they turned back to staring up the van's grey soft ceiling, "Poor puppy, how long do you think she'll survive in the city?"
"Mikan lived in the city." Haruhi told them matter of factly, "She grew up here, well at least for a year or two or three. If any one can 'survive' its her. Stop putting bad thoughts into Tamaki's head, your making him more paranoid than he already is."
"Hmmm-how many children will she have? Do you think she'll have many people to the wedding?' The twins continued to muse, bored out of their tiny minds. They wanted the van to hurry and arrive. It couldn't be that difficult to arrive at the predestined spot.
"This van has no room." Kyoya muttered from the fornt seat as Honey laughed.
"Mori! Your knees touch the middle of the back seat." Honey laughed as he leapt or rather climbed into his friends lap making himself comfortable as he hugged the bunny under his arm.
"Ehm." Mori answered as he folded his legs criss cross upon the seat and moved Honey back beside him. He cracked his neck to the left and the right, as the van bounced again.
"Whee!" Honey shouted, "Do it again!"
"No." Haruhi's distressed voice came from the very back, "I think I'm going to be car sick."
"If you happen to throw up I,"ll be adding the cleaning bill to you debt." Kyoya called from the front seat. Haruhi muttered something under her breath as she turned on her side laying her head in her arms as she yawned. All she wanted was some decent sleep in something that wasn't moving.
The plane ride hadn't been much of a treat either. When the twins weren't making snide comments about the commercial airline they were poking her or teasing Tamaki. Honey had been restless moving everywhere up and down the first class aisle and Tamaki had been checking on her every few minutes.
The shadow king was even grouchier then usual which she wasn't was very possible considering it was Kyoya.
"Oh look!" Tamaki was saying.
"Takashi! Why are there men selling food on the street?" Honey pointed out the window, "What's a pretzel?"
Mori simply shrugged as Honey rested back against him yawning. The van gave another jump as Kyoya cursed and there was a sickening crunch and another loud foffm.
"Don't worry we'll make it!" The driver shouted out, "We're a block away from the damned place! We'll make it!"
Kyoya cursed again under his breath in three different languages as the van peeled around to the side sending every one into the wall as the thing came to a smoking stop in front of the hotel. There was another loud boom as the four wheels fell out from underneath of it. The driver laughed and patted the wheel, "This means I get a new car."
Kyoya gave a small twitch as he smoothed his hair and shoved open the van door.
"We are here." He announced as he clambered out, 'I will wait for you all in the room. The front desk will direct you."
Tamaki glanced after Kyoya who moved rather quickly and unclicked his seat belt.
"Come on everybody!" He smiled as he threw open the van door, the suddenly went spinning into the street, 'AHHH!"
"Milord never open a door on the side of traffic." The twins clicked their tongues as the scooted out to the left and onto the sidewalk. Haruhi heaved herself slowly over the seats and out beside them as a very pale Tamaki stood beside them.
"This is a dangerous city." He muttered as the twins only shook their heads. Mori emerged as he was almost bent all the way over as Honey sat on his shoulder. Haruhi glanced at the tall, tall hotel in awe. It was nice.
"Come on Haruhi" The twins, insisted, "You can gawk like a commoner later."
"Hey-" She started as they dragged her foreword by the arms once more. She gave up try to resist them. The lobby was massive as she stared around for a minute or two taking in everything and nothing all at once. It was very nice, she decided, if just a tad over done like the school.
The rich, she decided, like everything to be very shiny. She stood beside them as they walked to the front desk where a dishelved Kyoya stood blank faced. He was making quick hand gestures as his hair became more tussled. The poor flustered woman manning the desk, seemed to look away, and the angrier he became. IT wasn't obvious the way he would simply take deep breaths.
Haruhi had a sense the calmer Kyoya was, the angrier he was becoming. He was never one to yell or scream, but seeing him this calm was unnerving. He turned eyeing Tamaki who seemed to be oblivious.
"Tamaki. They're saying that you changed our room reservations." Kyoya said very calmly as Tamaki blinked and stared.
"No." He shook his head, "I'm not sure how to even book at a hotel."
"Of course." Kyoya nodded, as he turned back to the woman smiling a small very evil smile, "Could you please again explain to me how this mix up could have occurred?"
"Well sir." She began, "I, well the desk received a call several hours before saying that you would no longer need the reservation. "
"Of course." Kyoya nodded, "Thank you. And you're sure there are no open rooms available?"
"I'm sorry sir, not that would suite you." She answered, "Or your company. Our finest rooms have been take over by the London Ballet I'm afraid."
"Of course." Kyoya nodded again as he turned away almost dragging his feet, his back erect and stiff, but his fist was clenched. Haruhi was sure that the glint on his glasses would have fried someone to death in a matter of minutes.
"Aww Takashi! Does this mean we have to go home?" Honey looked down on his giant friend. Mori only shrugged as they started forward with the rest of the group.
"Odd that the London ballet would be staying when the puppy is missing." Karou glanced Hikaru."
"Cocidence." Hikaru answered, "Nothing more to it."
Haruhi mulled over to herself as she felt someone tug on her arm. A boy about her age, but dressed in the uniform of the hotel, was holding a slip of paper.
"Uh?" She started, "Can I help you?"
He shrugged and offered the piece of paper.
"Oh you don't speak Japanese. Sorry my English is bad to." Haruhi answered as she picked up the piece of paper from him, "Thank you."
He smiled and turned away back to the crowd of people that needed bags carried. Haruhi ran to keep up with the rest of the host club as Tamaki was spinning in a circle.
"What are we going to do?" He started, "We cannot return home! We cannot return home without the puppy!"
"Calm down." Kyoya sighed," There is always a will and a way. My father's company owns several buildings in this city, equipped to hold for our annual meetings. There will be a residence as well suited for all of us."
"Oh."Tamaki started, "Good news club! We will not be returning to America."
"Or staying in a commoner's hotel.' The twins laughed. Haruhi glanced at them as she unfolded the note.
"Hey can any of you guys read this?' She asked as she held up the note. It was scrawled in blue ink of a piece of white paper, but none of it was Japanese characters.
"We speak and read French. 'The twins began as they snatched it away, "But this isn't French."
"I understand Spanish." Honey cried, "Guten Tag!"
"That's German." The twins corrected, "What about you Tamaki?"
Tamaki took the note as he studied for a moment, "AHAH! The connection is simple, the note must be written in some ancient language unknown only to a small sect of people who speak it. It's a note of the most secret nature guarded over for years and has found the face into our hands."
"Or it's another clue." Kyoya answered as he snatched the note away, "It doesn't seem to be actual words, and there must be another way to decipher it. Haruhi hang on to it, perhaps your limit knowledge will prove useful."
Haruhi glared but took the note back silently.
"Please tell us we'll be having a limo." The twins pleaded with Kyoya who stared at them and simply nodded to Honey. The boy smiled as he ran to the curb and raised his fingers to his lips letting out a shrill and long whistle.
Three cabs pulled over so fast they almost ran into each other.
"Wow." The twins glanced at each other, "We didn't realize he could hold that much air." As they laughed again.
"Haruhi get the bags." They ordered waving a hand as they clambered into the back of the first taxi. Haruhi stuffed the note in her pocket as she glared at them, but opened the back of the van.
"I'll help you."
She glanced at the driver, a much older man with graying hair. She hadn't been paying much mind to him when they had climbed into the van.
"Thank you." She answered,"Where did you learn to speak Japanese?"
"I worked for PR Company in Tokyo when I was younger." He answered," I had to pick up the language to survive."
"Oh its very good.' She nodded as they slowly unloaded the massive bags that the other host club members had brought. She was shocked at the size of the bags, as she dragged them up and around the curb. Stuffing them slowly in the back of each of the three taxi's as she clambered into the last one.
"Sorry Haru-chan! We would have helped, but the twins said I would be crushed by the bag." Honey told her as he scooted over on the seat. Mori occupied the front of the small cab that pulled off into the traffic.
"It's fine." Haruhi answered as she leaned back into the seat. For her first trip out of the country she was very tired. She shut her eyes for a moment listening to Honey's giggles and eww and awws. She felt a tug on her shoulder, as she realized they were at the apartment or what ever the heck the name of the place was where they would be staying.
She could hardly remember the walk up the flight of stairs or the ride in the elevator as she managed to be located right to where her room was.
"What no gasps from the commoner?" The twins glanced at her as she quickly threw off her sweater.
"Out!" She ordered as she shut them out of the room. She glanced at the huge bed, as she jumped into the middle. Sleep. She was going to get sleep. She curled underneath the covers as she heard the doorknob rattle.
"Haruhi?"
"Sleeping. Come back later " She answered as she pulled the note from her pocket. Mikan and her ridddles were going to have to wait until after her nap, as the blue writing taunted her.
One thing annoyed her though, why would Mikan go through all the trouble? Unless she had been wrong about Jin, but she didn't think she was. What the point of all of it? She shut her eyes, she would think about it after she woke up.
could it be better? yes, but this is a difficult arch to work with. Sorry for the delay. Loves to my readers ,my favers, and my reviewers! keep sending the love!