The older twin smirked as he leaned back on his hands.
"I'd be a wizard. With the powers of grand magic at my beck and call – the world would be mine!" He broke off into a maniacal laugh that had Honey playfully jumping to his feet and ducking behind Mori, staring out from behind his cousin with eyes widened by pseudo-fear.
"Scary!" he exclaimed, his voice cute and childlike. Haruhi rolled her eyes at the redhead, at his wildly wicked expression.
"Hikaru, shame on you for scaring Mitsukuni like that." They all laughed at her reprimand, and shortly afterward Hikaru looked over at the kendo master with a smile.
"So, Mori-senpai, what about you?" he asked. The tall brunette blinked.
"Animal speaker," he said quietly.
"Really?" Haruhi questioned, curious at this new facet of her friend. It was Honey who answered first.
"Takashi is really good with animals. He takes care of all of the hurt or lost wildlife that shows up at our estates. And he's great with domesticated animals as well."
"He really is," Kaoru chimed in. "That reminds me, Mori-senpai, I meant to ask. How are the baby foxes doing? Are they eating solid food yet?"
"A bit. They still drink milk mostly. I should be able to start weaning them in about ten days." Mori's low voice was colored with fondness.
"Foxes?" Haruhi asked. "Are they even native to our area?"
"No," he replied quietly, and there was a tinge of something she might have labeled anger underlying that single word. Once more, it was the Loli-shota host that elaborated.
"One of the girls in our class wanted a fox for a pet. When her father bought her one it turned out to be a pregnant female. But shortly after the kits were born the mama fox got really sick. Takashi was able to save two of the kits, but the mama and the other two didn't make it. So he has been caring for them, and they're getting healthier and stronger every day."
Haruhi pushed the idea of buying a fox (damn rich people) to the back of her thoughts and focused on the important matter – the fact that Mori was playing mommy to a pair of baby foxes. A whole new form of appreciation for the stoic host began to unfurl within her.
"What kind of foxes are they?" she inquired.
"Arctic."
"What? Why on earth would someone ship a cold-weather animal so far from it's natural habitat? And for what – just to be a house pet? That's ludicrous!" She heard the outrage in her own voice and immediately tried to reign it in, ducking her head in apology. "I'm sorry. It's none of my business."
"Kisano Amani is a very vain and spoiled girl," Mori replied solemnly, that trace of fury almost audible once more. Haruhi met his eyes and understood that he shared her outlook wholeheartedly. For some reason, that little thought made her feel better. She smiled at him warmly.
"Well, then, I am very glad the little kits have such a trustworthy protector to care for them."
To her delight, she saw a light pink flush appear high on his cheekbones.
At this point, the only two that had yet to answer were Honey and Kyoya. The latter bowed his head in respectful deference, allowing the senior to speak first.
"If I could choose, I'd be a teacher." Honey spoke with the supreme confidence that comes of knowing one's own mind. "I love being able to teach people things, to help them learn and grow."
None of his friends were surprised in the least by this, his announcement being met with nods and smiles. At that point it became Kyoya's turn, and the group turned their attention to the cool one.
"I would be a craftsman of some kind," he stated with unequivocal calmness. He offered no further explanation, but to her shock Haruhi could see that kind of character for him very easily. Someone as demanding and thorough as the third Ootori son would easily have immense powers of concentration as well as incredible attention to detail. And though he tried to hide it, she'd seen glimpses of the real Kyoya beneath the facade, had seen the generous heart and the creative soul he tried so hard to hide – usually with flawless success. She could picture him as a woodcarver, perhaps, or a sculptor. Someone who would be able to imagine a beautiful thing inside a block of cold, hard material and who would possess the will and drive to bring it to life.
Of the group, however, it seemed that only she and Tamaki had that instant understanding. The twins seemed slightly puzzled, yet their matching looks stated clearly that they would put absolutely nothing beyond the range of their senpai's abilities. Mori thought for a moment before nodding, and Honey considered the statement as well before speaking.
"You'd make a great craftsman, Kyo-chan," the diminutive blond said happily. Kyoya inclined his head in acknowledgment of the praise.
"Well, then, that's my question done," Kaoru said with a satisfied sigh. "Mori-senpai, you're up next."
Haruhi wondered what kind of question Mori would have for all of them. Sitting quietly and waiting for him to speak, she cast her mind over everything she'd learned about her boys during the last few days. She was pulled out of her thoughts by his even, steady speech.
"Favorite sound?"
Your voice, for one. She almost choked at her unintentional and brazen thought, having to look down quickly to get herself in order so as not to invite the embarrassing questions she knew would be forthcoming if any of them saw her blush. While she was gathering herself, she listened to the others' answers.
"I love the sound of moving water," Honey was saying. "Rivers, streams, rain -" here he gestured around them. "- the ocean. It's all so soothing."
"Wind chimes," said Hikaru easily. "Any kind – metal, bamboo, crystal, whatever."
"I will admit that I thoroughly enjoy the sound of thunder." Kyoya's voice was steady and Haruhi glanced to the side. She saw a small, almost wistful look in his dark eyes. He returned her gaze with a subtle expression of reassurance.
"I love the sound of crickets. Their beautiful music on soft summer nights is just so relaxing and wonderful." Tamaki sighed happily. Kaoru spoke up next.
"The purr of a cat or kitten," he said with a smile. Haruhi saw Mori's small grin of agreement. And then it was her turn and though she knew exactly what she wanted to say, she was suddenly very nervous. Honey saw the hesitation on her face.
"Whatever it is, Haru-chan, you can tell us," he chirped.
"Absolutely," added Tamaki, also having picked up on her reluctance. All around her she saw her boys, nothing in their eyes but acceptance and support and curiosity, and she sighed.
"Don't laugh, or I won't talk to any of you for the rest of the day," she warned. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. Finally, she spoke.
"The Host Club." She saw mild puzzlement and hurried to explain. "When we're all in the room, the murmurs and the fabric rustling...the sounds of the teacups touching the saucers...the tapping of Kyoya-senpai as he types away on his laptop..." She looked up then, fully meeting their eyes. "The low whispers and the squeals around Hika and Kao as they thrill their clients...Mitsukuni's giggles and Mori-senpai's occasional quiet words...Tamaki, you with your continual flattery and conversation...it all combines into a – I dunno. A hum? A ripple? - of sounds. It's never the same, and yet it never changes and I guess...it's comforting. It makes me feel safe, and welcome. Happy." She broke off, seeing their expressions go from mild confusion to complete understanding, and the warmth and affection in her friends' eyes made her forget what she was going to say.
"That's...the kindest, sweetest thing I think I've ever heard you say," Tamaki murmured, awe in his tone. She couldn't stop her blush, so instead she ignored it in favor of simply rolling her eyes at him.
"Come on, it wasn't all that. I just answered the question."
"Aww, Haru-chan, you're so cute when you're flustered," Honey teased gently, drawing laughter from their friends. She reached over and poked his upper arm with one fingertip, glaring playfully.
"Shut up, you."
"But he's right, Haru," the twins chimed in, wearing matching grins. "You're adorable!" Haruhi groaned and buried her face in her hands while around her flowed the voices and laughter that made up the best and most wonderful parts of her favorite sound.
"So, Honey-senpai, it's your turn now!" Kaoru and Hikaru said gleefully. The small blond looked pensive for a moment before sighing deeply. His large brown eyes were lit with resolve.
"Okay, everyone. This one I won't fault anyone for not answering. No punishment, no penalties. It's just a question that...well, if you can't talk about it with your closest friends, who can you talk with?" His voice was small but determined, and Haruhi had a sinking feeling that she knew where he was going with this. A moment later he spoke again and she knew she'd been right.
"What is one secret you have that you don't want to talk about?"
The circle fell silent. Kyoya understood exactly what his senpai had done – he'd given Haruhi the opportunity to confide in the rest of them about her father in the guise of playing a game. A split second later he realized that the question could also be applied to his own situation, to his father's intentions for his betrothal. Do I want to say anything? Tell them? Do I really want to open up that can of worms with this group? With Haruhi? A moment of introspection and the recollection of the oldest host's words – who else could he talk with about this, anyway? - made up his mind. The group was still quiet, no one wanting to be the first to speak. Kyoya wrestled with the decision of whether or not to break that silence, but his self-argument was interrupted by Mori's soft voice.
"My family plans to send me to America for college."
Wide eyes and indrawn breaths met that statement, but no one displayed more shock than the tall one's small cousin.
"Takashi?" Honey asked in a quavering voice.
Interesting, the Shadow King thought. So he hasn't even told Honey-senpai until now. Kyoya watched the other brunette carefully as he turned to his cousin.
"They told me last week."
Oh, so a fairly recent development, Kyoya mused.
"Why didn't you tell me?" The blond looked to be on the verge of anger or tears – Kyoya figured it was likely to be both. And Mori, his appearance both rueful and dejected, just sighed.
"I didn't want to ruin our vacation."
"Takashi..."
There was a lull in conversation for a moment, soon broken by the Host King.
"What is their reasoning? If I may ask, that is. You don't have to answer if you don't want to." The taller blond seemed hesitant in speaking up, but Mori just shrugged.
"We have a new contract with the United States Secret Service. I would be taking my college courses, but in addition I would be the primary supervisor of a new squadron of military trainees."
"That's why your father requested that you enter this tournament," Honey said, immediate understanding in his voice. Mori nodded. The others did as well. Haruhi, Kyoya noted as he looked around, was actually the only one that still looked totally confused. On seeing this, Honey provided an explanation.
"Most of the kendo tournaments Takashi participates in consist of team matches. In those, the team members will compete individually against one another in set matches, and the team with the most winners at the end becomes the competition victor."
"What if both teams have the same amount of winners?" she asked, eyes full of curiosity.
"In that case," said Honey, "the team that has scored the largest number of points cumulatively wins. If that is equal too, then one representative from each team compete to decide the tie."
"Okay, I think I get it. So what's so different about this tournament?"
Honey and Mori shared a look and the brunette nodded. The smaller senior answered.
"This tournament...well, it's more of a test, really. There hasn't been a test held since the days of our grandfathers."
"What kind of test?" Haruhi questioned.
"Strength, skill, form, and endurance," Mori said quietly, allowing Honey to elaborate.
"Takashi will be facing the seven most powerful kendo masters from around the world. There will be no breaks, and the standard rules for match duration will be abolished. The entire purpose of this competition it to allow Takashi to prove his skill and his worth. I wondered why our families would demand a test now, when we've not even finished high school, but if they've made plans to send him overseas to train a foreign country's military it makes perfect sense."
"It does," chimed in the twins. "Especially since it's the Americans."
"Why would that make a difference?" Haruhi asked, confused again. This time Kyoya took it upon himself to answer.
"American military, while extremely disciplined and very proficient at what they do, are not without flaws. The fact that Mori-senpai is young – that he will have barely reached their legal age by the time he joins them as an instructor – could work against him. It is not unlikely that some of the trainees he will be working with will not take kindly to being taught by someone so much younger than they. This is especially true for older soldiers, those who have had several years and missions under their belt. His age will be seen as a detriment."
"But that's just stupid," she protested hotly.
"It isn't the wisest approach, to be sure, but even without that there are bound to be conflicts in any endeavor such as this. The tournament, therefore, will in effect minimize the problems in a large way." Kyoya watched as she processed what she'd learned so far.
"So," Haruhi said slowly after a moment, "when Mori-senpai wins this test, tournament, whatever, he shouldn't have as many problems with his future students respecting his authority."
"Would you argue with anyone, regardless of age, who could tear you apart in fifteen seconds flat without breaking a sweat?" Kaoru asked with a laugh. Haruhi chuckled.
"No, I suppose I wouldn't." She paused and turned her attention to the stoic host. "So, how long after graduation do they want you two to leave?"
"Mitsukuni won't be going."
"What?" she yelped, startled.
"Takashi is going alone," the small blond said sadly.
"So what will you be doing?" Haruhi wondered aloud. Honey sighed.
"Well, even though it was my question this turn, I guess I'll answer it myself as well." He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again to rest his gaze on Haruhi. "My parents have been discussing sending me either to India or New Zealand."
"Wait – what? They want you to go where?" Her eyes were wide. Kyoya, observing as he always did, could see the alarm building in their deep darkness. Honey just quirked his lips in a sad imitation of a smile.
"India or New Zealand. They haven't decided yet, but wherever I go it will be a place that will both provide for my educational needs based on my preferences as well as offering opportunities to expand the Nozuka clans' interests to untouched areas."
Whereas all the other hosts understood the responsibilities inherent to being heirs to family holdings, Kyoya watched Haruhi try to assimilate information and concepts that until this moment had been abstract knowledge to her. He saw her expression as the reality of her friends' lives began to truly register in her active thoughts. And he looked on as, with the sheer force of will that they all admired so much, she accepted the knowledge, the ramifications thereof, and nodded.
"I think I understand now," she said softly. Honey reached out to take her hand and pull her against his shoulder, and Kyoya noticed that not a single one of the others – not even Tamaki – felt the need to voice a complaint of any kind at the action.
Maybe we have all learned something over these last four days.