Author: I am sorry that I have not updated lately, my father had a stroke back in July and I have been busy taking care of him on-top of work. However, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. I also want to thank all of you for your reviews/favorites/follows, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
—
(Two weeks later, the day of the Ball)
" So Mori-senpai, is Haga-san excited for the Ball?" Kaoru asked as Tamaki and Kyoya were examining the finishing touches to the court yard.
" Hm?" Mori said as he glanced at the younger Hitachiin brother.
" Yeah, she's gotta be excited." Hikaru said calmly.
" Why would she?" He said in confusion.
" Why would sh-wait…Mori-senpai, did you not invite Haga-san to the Ball?" Kaoru asked in surprise.
" Why would I invite her?" Mori asked in earnest.
" A-Are you serious?" Hikaru said, his eyes wide, glancing over at his twin. " Why wouldn't you?"
" Because the Club is Hosting this event and I will too busy entertaining guests to spend any time with her." Mori stated truthfully. " It would not be fair to Himawari for me to invite her and then leave her all alone while I entertain the guests."
" I guess that makes sense." Hikaru said dramatically.
" But Mori-senpai, we could have taken your clients for you." Kaoru said firmly. " I'm sure that Boss would give you the night off to spend it with-"
" KAORU!" Tamaki called from across the room. " HIKARU! Come over here and help us with this!"
" COMING BOSS!" The twins called in unison before walking towards their Club President.
Bringing Hima to the ball… Mori thought, scratching the back of his head calmly. It might be nice seeing her enjoying something like this.
An image of her dressed in a deep velvet purple gown with her hair styled upwards flashed through his mind.
Amethyst jewels dangling from her petite ears. That shy smile flashing across her face making her resembling something from folk lore.
He sighed lightly, confiding the image to memory.
He very much wanted to see that image in real life.
" Maybe next time, Hima." He whispered before walking towards his fellow club members.
—
" Miss Himawari you look so gorgeous!" Kasumi said excitedly as she set the last piece of Himawari's hair into place.
Himawari wore a spectacular dark purple gown with delicate purple gemstones hanging from her ears, wrist and around neck.
" Breathtaking!" Kasumi said squeezing Himawari's shoulder's reassuringly. " Young Master Takashi is such a lucky young man to have a fiancé as lovely as you, Miss Himawari!"
" Th-Thank you, Kasumi." Himawari said, her face now bright red.
" Pffft really Kasumi, you shouldn't give her such false praise."
Himawari flinched at the sound of her stepsister.
Glancing up she saw Kameko smirking over at her through the mirror.
Her blonde curls were in a beautiful up do that proceeded to cascade down her right shoulder. She wore a brilliant shade of garnet gown with a low cut front. Her lips were a vibrant shade red and were curled into a mocking smirk.
" Are you sure you even want to go to this thing?" Kameko asked as she made her way towards Himawari. " Seeing all those women fawning over Takashi. All the while he ignores you for them."
" He's not going to ignore me, Kameko." Himawari said nervously. " His Club President invited me so I'm sure he told Takashi and he won't be busy."
Himawari was willing herself to believe that.
Takashi had yet to mention anything about it to her but maybe it had simply slipped his mind.
Either way, she didn't mind surprising him.
A small smile appeared on her face as she envisioned him in an all black tuxedo. Him bowing lightly to her before offering her his hand to dance.
Him pulling her close, molding her to his body as he did that day in the greenhouse.
The thought of them dancing together.
Of him looking at her as if she were the only woman in the world for him.
She thought she felt her heart skip at the idea.
Her thoughts then turned to after the ball.
When Takashi would offer to drive her home but instead they return to Morinozuka Mansion.
Where he scoops her up into his arms and carries her to his bedroom.
Where he tells her exactly what he plans to do to her. How he planned to-
" If you truly think that Takashi will give you even a once of attention tonight when he will have several hundreds of options to choose from, then you truly are stupid."
" Miss Kameko, must you be so cruel to your own sister?" Kasumi asked.
" I'm just making sure that she doesn't get her hopes up." Kameko smirked. " I would never EVER want my dear sister to be devastated by an unthoughtful and unfaithful man."
" Young Master Takashi would never do such a thing." Kasumi said quickly, placing a gentle and reassuring hand on Himawari's shoulder.
" Please Kasumi, he's a man." Kameko laughed. " One who is already used to numerous women fawning all over him. What would he really want with an inexperienced mouse like Himawari?"
" You don't know what you're talking about, Kameko." Himawari said. " Takashi isn't-"
" Please Himawari, just stop." Kameko said as she placed her hands on either side of the black haired girl, pinning her into the chair. " Stop with this ridiculous naiveté. You and I both know that he has desires of the physical type."
Kameko leaned in to whisper into her stepsister's ear.
" I've seen those marks he leaves on your neck, Hima." She said, enjoying how tense the black haired girl became. " I've noticed your pathetic attempts to hide them under your make-up. You're lucky mother doesn't pay you any real attention or else she'd have had you shipped off to a convent far away from him."
Himawari felt the color drain instantly from her face.
" Or perhaps she'd deny you dinner for an entire week and she'd for sure put a stop to those off estate excursions with Takashi."
Himawari's clenched her knuckles so hard they turned white.
" So you should be thankful that I am such a wonderful stepsister or else I would've already informed Mother."
It was an effort on her part to keep her panic from surfacing. From that kernel of doubt that was trying to swell and take over her heart and soul.
" Don't get your hopes up, dear sister. Men are truly fickle creatures. Easily swayed to another when they tire of the one they're currently tupping." Kameko said as she lightly tapped Himawari's cheek before pulling back. " Keep that in mind for when you two eventually tie the knot."
With that said, she was gone.
" Don't pay her any mind, Miss Himawari!" Kasumi said instantly, squeezing the teen's shoulder once more. " Young Master Takeshi is not like that."
As much as Himawari repeated Kasumi's words in her mind, she couldn't stop the lone tear from trailing down her cheek.
—
" Oh! The Host Club has out done themselves this time!" A female patron squealed as she took in the splendor of the ballroom.
" They always do such marvelous work." Another swooned happily. " I wonder if Tamaki will be free to dance with tonight."
" If anyone gets to dance with Tamaki, it's me!"
" Now, now ladies." A sultry yet calculative voice said from behind them.
" You will have a chance to spend time with the Host of your choice tonight."
" Kyoya-san!" The first girl swooned a dreamy expression appearing on her face.
" Does that include you as well, Ootori-san?"
Kyoya turned slowly to take in the girl before him.
The girl before him had golden curls and cunning brown eyes. She wore a brilliant shade of garnet gown with a low cut front. Her lips were a vibrant shade red and were curled into a mocking smirk.
" Of course it does," Kyoya said, eyeing the girl before him with suspicion. " As advertised, any and all of our Hosts are available to spend time with tonight."
A sly, calculative smile crept across the blonde's beautiful face before she said. " Good to know."
The Host Club Vice President watched the girl curiously as she turned on her heels and disappeared into the crowd.
Kyoya narrows his brownish grey eyes on the blonde's retreating back.
" Careful Kyoya-san," A mischievous female voice squealed before a loud mechanical sound appeared suddenly. Several attendants jumped out of the way as platform began to rise from the floor beside Kyoya .
A teen girl with dark-brown eyes appeared before him. Her dark-blonde hair was tied back with a blue bow that matched her soft blue dress.
" Renge-san." Kyoya said, seemingly unaffected by the girl's sudden appearance.
" I would steer clear of that one if I were you, Kyoya-san."
Glancing over, Kyoya took in the blonde beside him.
" Why is that, Renge-san?"
" Habu Kameko is a viper lying in wait for her prey." Renge said. " From the rumors I have heard, once she sets her sights on a man, she'll stop at nothing until she gets them."
" Is that so?" Kyoya said, his eyes scanning the surrounding crowd. " Habu…that name sounds familiar."
" Well Haga Yoru is Kameko's mother and the wife of the current head of the Haga corporation."
" Did you just say Haga?"
" Yes, why do you a-" Range broke off as Kyoya rushed past her. " Kyoya-san!"
" I need to find Mori-senpai!"
—
Himawari entered the ball room completely overwhelmed by the extravagance before her.
It was the most exciting thing she had ever attended.
The colors of all the girl's dresses whirled around the room in a synchronized dance, like flowers billowing lightly in the wind.
The decorations reminded her of a Faerie Garden.
Several creeping vines encompassed the walls and pillars, logs were covered with moss and scattered around the room.
There were small wrought iron lanterns of various different colors hanging from the walls.
Seats and tables were designed to look like mushrooms and the tables were wooden.
Glancing around the room, she saw several members of the Host Club were wearing linen braies loose flowing tunics of fine quality.
Underneath their hair were tipped elf ear attachments.
" Greetings lovely Flower Maid, how goes your journey into our Forest of Desire?"
Himawari turned to see Tamaki standing before her.
He was dressed in a fine blue tunic with delicate gold trim, black pants and knee high leather boots. He looked like the perfect image of a Faerie Prince.
" Suoh-san." Himawari said giving him a small curtsy.
" No need for such formalities, Dearest Himawari." Tamaki said taking her hand and placing a light kiss upon her knuckles. " You are someone of great importance to Mori-senpai. Therefore you are always welcome at our club."
The compliment brought a blush to her face.
" Now, shall I escort you further into our garden, dear maiden?" Tamaki asked, extending his arm towards her in a gentlemanly fashion.
" Are you by chance trying to lure maidens into your garden to keep them forever?"
" Now how is it you know so much about our world, dear maiden?" Tamaki said, flashing her a charming smile.
" I have heard rumors." Himawari chuckled lightly as she took the arm he offered her. " Is it true that the males kidnap females from other clans to make them their own?"
" Rumors, rumors." Tamaki said coolly. " But we can be rather possessive of our females."
" Is that so?"
" Be wary dearest maiden, you may possibly encounter a dark haired Fae male to your liking."
" W-Wha-"
" Then you will know for certain just how possessive we male's can be." Tamaki said causing the girl's face to redden. " However, just so you are aware, time flows differently here in Tír na nÓg. What may seem like a simple half hour here in our realm could be several decades in the mortal realm."
Like that would be such a bad thing. Himawari thought as they made their way into the ballroom.
" Of course dearest Flower Maiden, you should know that when a Fae Male finds his Fated Mate, he will be beyond possessive."
" Now, what could you possibly be getting at, Suoh-san?"
" That Mori-senpai can be rather-"
" Tamaki-senpai, where are you heading?" A calm, female sounding voice asked off to their left.
" Haruhi!" Tamaki grinned at the sight of the small brown haired club member.
Himawari took in just how excited the club president was to see the underclassman and couldn't help but smile herself at the sight.
Haruhi wore a leaf green tunic with chocolate brown pants and matching boots.
" Oh, good evening Haga-senpai!" Haruhi said, offering the heiress a practiced bow.
" Fujioka-san correct?" Himawari said, offering the Host a shy smile. " You look very nice this evening."
" Thank you, Haga-senpai! And you can call me Haruhi if you'd like!" Haruhi said, flashing her a genuine smile.
That action alone made Himawari feel a bit of cheer.
It made her feel as though she was being accepted by Takashi's friends…well…at least two of them, anyway.
She needed to make sure that she steered clear of the twins.
They had seemed to distrust her simply by the style of school uniform.
" You look lovely tonight, Haga-senpai." Haruhi said, joining the two as they wound their way into the festivities.
" Thank you, Haruhi-san." Himawari said offering the club member a cheery smile of her own. " You can call me Himawari if you'd like."
" That is a beautiful bracelet you are wearing, Himawari-senpai." Haruhi said nodding to the delicate gold bracelet bedecked with several small purple diamonds.
" Oh, thank you," Himawari said touching the bracelet affectionately. " Takashi gave it to me last year for my birthday."
" I'm sure Mori-senpai will be happy to see you wear it tonight."
" I'm sure he doesn't even remember giving it to me." Himawari chuckled lightly. It's just a silly trinket, he probably forgot about it the moment he gave it to me. She thought as she ran a finger over one of the gemstones.
" Well even if he doesn't, I'm sure he will be so excited to see you tonight."
I sure hope so. Himawari thought.
" Now that I think about it…where is Mori-senpai?" Tamaki asked.
" I saw him heading towards the East Gardens earlier." Haruhi said pointing towards one of the balconies. " I think he may have wanted to get some fresh air."
" Why don't you head that way, Flower Maiden." Tamaki said placing another kiss upon the back of her hand.
" I can help you look for him, Himawari-senpai." Haruhi offered.
" But Haruhi, our guests have been asking for you." Tamaki said awkardly.
" Oh no! I guess it can't be helped! I hope you have a wonderful evening, Himawari-senpai!" Haruhi sighed before darting back into the ballroom.
" Mori-senpai shouldn't be to far out in the garden, Haga-san. It shouldn't take you long to find him."
" Thank you, Suoh-san." Himawari said giving the Club President another small curtsy.
" There is no need for thanks, dear princess." Tamaki grinned. " This is why the Host Club exists…to make the dreams of young women come true."
—
Himawari made her way throughout the garden. The noise of the ball began to fade into the background.
As she walked further, she notice scattered lanterns that created a soft light.
A sort of romantic feel.
Takashi and his friends really did a wonderful job. Himawari thought as her purple eyes scanned the decorations strewned around the gardens.
It really is- Himawari froze as she came around the corner and saw Takashi in the arms of another girl.
Kissing her!