Author's Note: There are two things I want to address before going into my normal blurb before the chapter. I promise I will try not to make this author's note as long as last time.
First, in the last chapter, Haruhi was disguised yet no one recognized her. There were a couple of reasons why, she really only ran into Hikaru and he is one of the least observant of the hosts. The only ones less observant are Haruhi and Tamaki. Kaoru got a peek at her but only saw her from the back. Haruhi also tried to change her voice around Hikaru and kept her face down as much as possible. Even then, the only time he has seen her with make up is when he did it himself and that was much heavier than what she did. Lastly, she wore a red wig, knowing they would never put her in that and that it would drastically change how she looks.
Second, I promise that Kyoya and Haruhi will tell the others they are dating. At the moment, in their minds, they have good reasons not to. Since they know there are hosts in love with Haruhi, they are unsure how to tell them without someone getting really hurt. In addition, they don't think all the hosts will be supportive, even if they weren't in love with her. Finally, there is the little matter of Kyoya's father. While we all know he would be supportive of the relationship, they do not.
That said, sadly I do not own anything, I am just borrowing the characters to play out the scenes in my head. I do not know whether any of the characters actually celebrate Christmas, as it isn't shown in the Anime. Hence, this is just my thoughts on how it may go down. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, it is another long one. Please read and review! Your reviews really do inspire me to write more.
Chapter 10:
Haruhi is sitting at the table in the living room waiting for the host club to arrive on Christmas Eve. They decided to do a Secret Santa this year since Haruhi would not have the money to buy everyone gifts. In addition, there is a 5,000 yen price limit set for the gifts to make things easier too. Kyoya even made, typed up, little cards to attach to the gifts to ensure the secrecy of who gives what. Haruhi glances at the tree set up in the corner and her lone gift under it. She really hopes Honey likes her gift, she didn't know what to buy him so she bought materials and made his gift. Just as she is about to make sure the present is wrapped well, the doorbell rings. She answers it and smiles, finding the entire host club on her doorstep holding gifts.
"Merry Christmas Haru-chan!" Honey exclaims as she steps back to let them in.
"Thanks Honey-senpai, Merry Christmas! There is a a tree in the corner for all the gifts to go under, would anyone like tea?"
"Yes please Haruhi, it-"
"Is really cold out there." Kaoru starts and Hikaru finishes.
Haruhi nods and starts pouring the tea she made just before they came into cups. She is really hoping that after not seeing Hikaru for a few days, things won't be awkward between them.
"Are you excited for Christmas Haruhi?" Tamaki asks after putting his gift under the tree.
"Not really, I mean it's one day. The only thing different is that I get to spend the entire thing with my Dad. I mean sure we are going to exchange gifts but knowing my Dad, it will just be some frilly dress that I will never wear." Haruhi says carrying in the tray. Tamaki looks shocked and upset, Kyoya just pushes his glasses up his nose knowingly.
"What about you guys? What are you all doing for Christmas?" Haruhi asks as they all sip their tea. Somehow this brings Tamamki around and he starts bouncing up and down.
"My family and Takashi's families are going to have a joint Christmas dinner tomorrow. Takashi and his family are even coming over extra early tomorrow to open gifts."
"Don't you like sleeping in Honey-senpai?" Kaoru asks and Honey shrugs.
"I get lots of sweets tomorrow and presents that is a good reason to get up early. You are excited too right Takashi?" Honey asks looking up at Mori with big eyes and Mori grunts.
"We are going to our grandmother's tomorrow. She is really prim and proper but-"
"She loves us. We can pulls all kinds of pranks and she just won't care." Kaoru starts and Hikaru finishes. Maybe we can just pretend it never happened, Haruhi thinks seeing the twins back to their normal finishing each other's sentences.
"I am going to see my grandmother too, apparently she has forgiven me." Tamaki says and everyone looks at him surprised.
"Oh she still isn't sure I am the proper one to be the Souh heir but she isn't mad about me breaking off the engagement anymore. Apparently once the Grand Tonnerre company left Japan, she didn't seem to mind." He says with a shrug.
"Really?" The twins chorus and then Hikaru continues, "I mean sure Grand Tonnerre has stopped buying companies here since but they are still a big deal."
"It would have been a good connection to have." Kaoru finishes.
"Apparently they wanted to buy a big company around the time of the fair but were unable to. The company was bought by someone else first. I don't know which company it was but apparently, according to my Dad, if the Tonnerres had succeeded, things would have been really different. This other company my Dad would rather have dealings with so I am off the hook." Tamaki says quietly as if telling a secret and everyone looks surprised.
The only one who doesn't is Kyoya and he gives Haruhi a look before putting up his mask. Haruhi knows exactly what that look means, Kyoya had shared what he did during the Ouran Fair to save the family business on their last date.
"Anyway, what about you Kyoya? What are you doing for Christmas?" Tamaki asks.
"Well we are having a family dinner tomorrow. Apparently onee-chan's fiancée is going to come. That should be interesting. I do not know Shido-kun that well yet."
"It is an arranged marriage right Kyo-chan?" Hunny asks and Kyoya nods.
"Yes, Honey-senpai. They met back in September and became engaged a few weeks ago."
"Is that normal?" Haruhi asks shocked and everyone nods.
"Engagements are usually really short and the time you get to know each other before deciding to go through with the arranged marriage is usually even shorter." Honey senpai says and Mori nods before agreeing with a quiet, "yeah."
"Are all of you going to have arranged marriages?"
"Maybe, I wouldn't be surprised." Kaoru says.
"If we find someone we love we might be allowed to marry them." Hikaru adds before they finish in chorus, "If our family approves."
Haruhi has a look of shock, mixed with pain and sadness on her face and the others quickly realize this. Kyoya pushes his glasses up his face and struggles not to go to her right now.
"Well I for one will not be forced into an arranged marriage. I must follow my heart and find true love." Tamaki says trying to comfort her and everyone rolls their eyes.
"Arranged marriages are common in the upper class still but not all families force them. For example, both of my brothers are much older than me but they are not married yet." Kyoya says, hoping that tidbit may help Haruhi. She looks at him still upset but puts up her mask.
"Let's talk about something else. How about presents Haru-chan?"
"Alright Honey-senpai. I will grab the first one and then whoever's present it is can pick the next one and so forth. Remember, you are not required to share if it is you that got that present for them." She says and everyone nods.
Haruhi then goes over to the tree and grabs the first present she sees. It is a rectangular, box shaped gift. She reads the label and hands it to Hikaru. He grins and shakes the box to see if it makes any noise. When it doesn't he shrugs and tears open the wrapping. Inside is a white box, lifting the lid he sees tissue paper. He removes the tissue paper and sees some really lovely fabric. There are two small bolts of it, one deep red and the other purple.
"Oh...this is really lovely...thank you. It looks like it will be great to work with and I have never worked with anything like this." He says examining it. Kaoru, who is sitting beside him, looks at it too. He nods his agreement as he runs his hands over it.
"This is really great quality, you will have a lot of fun with this Hikaru."
"I am really excited. Just need to figure out what to make with it." Hikaru says putting it all back in the box.
Hikaru then walks over to the tree and takes out a bag with tissue paper sticking out of it. He looks at the tag and grins before handing it to his brother. Kaoru takes the bag and slowly removes the tissue paper. He then carefully removes two small bolts of fabric, like Hikaru. The difference this time is that this time the bolts are dark blue and orange. He smiles big and puts them back in the bag.
"Thank you so much, these look like a lot of fun to work with." Kaoru says sincerely.
"Yeah, neither of us have worked with something like this before." Hikaru adds.
"No problem, Hika-chan, Kao-chan. Takashi and I got you guys. Our Dad's went to China and last time they brought us back really nice clothes. This time, we told them the price limit and asked them to bring us back fabric."
"Mmmm we hope you like the colours." More adds quietly and the twins nod.
"Thank you guys, this is awesome." They chorus and Kaoru moves to the tree.
He grabs a large square box and looks at the tag. Kaoru laughs when he reads it and hands it to Honey. Honey laughs too and begins removing the wrapping paper. He then carefully opens the box and lets out a squeal.
"Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He shouts and dances around the room. Takashi looks in the box and grins while everyone, but Haruhi looks confused.
"What did you get Honey-senpai?" Kaoru asks.
"It's a Usa-chan cake!" Honey says excitedly and sits down before showing everyone.
"It really looks like him". Tamaki says and Honey nods.
"I think Haruhi did this one..." Hikaru says and Haruhi nods with a blush.
"I should point out that trying to figure out or admitting who gave what is defeating the point of this being Secret Santa."
"Oh be quiet mother, the twins gifts were very unique and we all want to know where Haruhi found this cake. It looks just like Usa-chan. We are so proud of you my dear sweet daughter for finding this!" He says squealing and hugging her. It takes a few minutes but once she is free, she speaks up.
"I made it from scratch. It's vanilla cake with a strawberry jam layer and strawberry icing." She says and everyone's jaws drop.
"What? I know how to cook and bake. It made more sense to make the gift from scratch."
"I love it Haru-chan. Thank you. Can I eat it now?"
"Later Mitsukuni, let everyone else open their gifts first." Mori says and Honey nods.
He then close the box and heads to the tree. Honey grabs a small rectangular box and looks at the tag.
"Here you go Takashi." He says handing him the box as he sits down.
Takashi raises his eyebrows but opens the box to find a pen. Looking at it more closely Mori discovers it is a pocket knife as well. He smiles and puts it back in the box.
"Thank you. Very useful." He says before grabbing a small square package.
He looked at the label and then hands it to Tamaki. Tamaki tears off the paper, much like Hikaru and almost damages the gift. There is no box holding this one as it is a book. Tamaki goes very red and sits on the book.
"Something wrong Tono?" Hikaru asks before Kaoru adds, "Yeah...what did you get?"
"Nothing, just a book." Tamaki says now holding it close to his chest as he grabs a very small box from under the tree.
He looks at the tag before handing it to Kyoya. Kyoya takes it but does not open it. He looks back at Tamaki, who is once again sitting on his book. He raises an eyebrow at him and Tamaki shakes his head.
"Go ahead mon ami, it is your turn to open a gift." He says, still very red.
"I must admit, I am curious what has you so red Tamaki. What were you given?" Kyoya asks.
"Just a book." Tamaki says and. Haruhi rolls her eyes.
"Come on senpai, it cannot be that bad. We got to see everyone else's gifts..." She says and Tamaki shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest.
It is at this point that the twins tackle him and Kaoru grabs the book, holding it up.
"Well that explains his embarrassment." Kyoya says as Haruhi says, "Oh you guys..."
Mori meanwhile has covered Honey's eyes and the twins are rolling on the ground laughing. Tamaki grabs An Idiot's Guide to Pleasing a Womanback and sits on it once again.
"Alright, just to move away from this, I shall open my present now." Kyoya says and unwraps the small package.
Underneath the wrappings is a small jewelry box, Kyoya raises his eyebrows but opens it. Inside are two cufflinks, they are silver with amethyst jewels in the centre. Kyoya smiles appreciatively before showing everyone else.
"Thank you very much. I actually needed a new pair. I have some for exceptionally fancy occasions but that is it."
"No problem Kyoya-Senpai. I have to admit though, you were very hard to buy for, especially with the price limit. I actually only went for amethyst since your rose colour is violet."
"No you did good Kaoru, I like them." Kyoya says as Haruhi hands the box back and he closes it.
Kyoya grabs the last gift, a long rectangular package and hands it to Haruhi.
"Thank you Kyoya-senpai." She says before opening it and nearly dropping it.
"Oh my god." She says simply staring at it.
"What is it Haruhi?" Hikaru asks and Haruhi just shakes her head.
It is at this point that Kyoya leans over and looks at the now unwrapped and open jewelry box. Inside is a pearl necklace and matching earrings. Kyoya's eyebrows raise and he pushes up his glasses, creating a glare. He picks up the box and turns it toward the others.
"I am almost certain this is over the price limit. Who broke the rules?" He asks in his Shadow King voice.
Not only is he mad because someone broke the rules they agreed to, he is also mad that someone would spend that much on his girlfriend. Obviously, one of his friends is trying to make a move. In some ways he knows he shouldn't be mad since they do not know but in others he is still pissed. No one speaks up and Kyoya crosses his arms over his chest. The entire room is silent before Honey speaks up in a very quiet voice.
"Well you all know Takashi and I had Kao-chan and Hika-chan. We gave them fabric from China." He says and Mori nods with a grunt.
"Kaoru admitted to giving you the cufflinks and by the way the twins were laughing when Tamaki opened his gift, I am assuming Hikaru gave him the book. Especially since I know that is not your style and I made Honey the Usa-chan cake."
"Yes, that makes sense and since I gave Mori-senpai the pen, that means..." Kyoya says trailing off and everyone looks to Tamaki. He whimpers weakly before saying anything.
"Daddy just wanted his daughter to have something nice..." He says weakly and Haruhi crosses her arms, glaring at him.
"We set a price limit for a reason senpai."
"But you deserve more than that-"
"Yes, but we wanted everything to be equal Tama-chan." Honey speaks up.
"But-"
"No Tamaki, we didn't want to run into something where one person spends an extravagant amount on another and someone else feels bad because they didn't or couldn't. We all stayed within the limit, so should have you."
"Don't you like it Haruhi?" He asks ignoring everyone else and looking to her.
"You know I don't like it when people spend money they don't need to on me. You all had a hard enough time convincing me to do this in the first place, you should have known I would not want something like this." She says her arms still crossed over her chest. Tamaki pales and goes to the closet and starts growing mushrooms.
"Damnit senpai, not again!" She says but to no avail.
"These are really nice, good quality" Kaoru says and Hikaru nods.
"I wonder if Tono rigged it so he would get Haruhi..." Hikaru says before they both say, "That would be pretty perverted...rigging a draw just to give Haruhi some expensive jewelry..."
Somehow this gets Tamaki's attention and he comes storming out of the closet. He goes into one of his rants and he and the twins begin fighting. It isn't until they start throwing things that Honey speaks up after looking around the room.
"Hey, where is Haru-chan?"