Chapter 4: Lightning Strikes
-After Kagome Left-
Mori was once again staring at the entrance of the club room, ignoring Tamaki as he yelled at Haruhi to act like a girl. He only broke away his stare to look at the large portrait of Haruhi when she was in middle school. However since he didn't contribute much to the conversation he found that his thoughts turning to Haruhi's friend, Kagome Higurashi. He had been somewhat surprised that the boy had been able to read him so easily, specifically that he was able to tell that he knew of the birds accidental abduction. Very few people were able to read him so well. Looking over to Mitsukuni who was avidly watching as Tamaki challenged Haruhi to learn how to dance before the end of the week. He gave a small smile at the memory of Mitsukuni being cheered up by the mysterious boy when he had been frightened and the way Kagome had played with his cousin which reminded him of himself. He was happy his cousin had made a new friend, he was just curious about the unknown scholarship student. Just Curious.
-The Next Day-
Looking up from her position on the ground where she sat stretching she watched as a few of the other students continued running under directions of the infamous Koro-Sensei. She had quickly finished the exercise her coach had given the team due to her extreme athletic abilities and the fact that her fellow teammates weren't in the best of shape.
'I don't think most of them have ever participated in a sport before'
She looked at the very few members of her team, most of the students at Ouran High didn't participate in school sports activities and even fewer of that select group were girls. In fact she had yet to see another female athlete at Ouran besides herself.
'Reasons aside the percentage of students in the school who participate in sports are low at this school, which is probably why I of all people, was a able to get a scholarship and come to this school'
"Higurashi!" whipping her head to her coach she quickly got to her feet and turned to him despite him continuing to stare at her teammates, examining their running forms and anything else that he found useful. His trusty stopwatch in hand as usual.
"Yes Sensei?" he turned his head to look at her, looking her up and down he paused before replying
"Since you finished your circuits why don't you run to the super market and buy everyone drinks". She looked at him with narrowed eyes. He looked pleased with himself, like the proverbial cat that ate the canary
"Ok, right away" reaching out for the money she knew he was going to give her, he placed it in her hand. Following her instincts she moved to quickly rush off, away from her coach-
"Oh and Kagome",
'So close!', she stopped turning her head to look back at him
"Go to the one thats next to the train station", she froze along with her teammates as a cold breeze blew past all of them.
"Um coach… the distance of that store is at least four miles there and back", she watched as he pleasantly smiled at her.
"So?"
"See you guys later…" -_- she jogged of with a blank look.
…
"WHO SAID YOU LITTLE BLEEP BLEEPS COULD STOP, BLEEPING BLEEP…"
She paled at the verbal lashing her teammates were getting as she jogged away from the track she had been previously exercising on. She chanted a small prayer for them in her head before turning her attention back to where she was going. Continuing on her path towards the entrance of the school and away from her coach she slowed down her mild jog when she passed through one of the many courtyards Ouran had. Looking over she raised an eyebrow at the 'tea party' going on in front of her. Curiosity getting the better of her she walked into the midst of girls who were standing around talking to one another. While the girls noticed her none of them walked up to her to busy blushing and mass producing hearts to bother her. Kagome walked further into the party hoping to ascertain the people responsible for the large gathering.
"Ah!" quickly turning her head at the sound of the yell she quickly located the sound only to see Kaoru clutching his hand. Worried for him she took a step toward him-
"Kaoru!" Hikaru looking worried at his brother pain and grabbed his hand… only to put his brother's finger in his mouth, surprising her. She stopped paying attention to what they were saying when she noticed the girls began to blush and one nearly feinted. She raised a brow at the girls wondering why they found the twins brotherly love routine so… 'exciting'. With the 'show' coming to an end Kaoru looked up from his brothers face and seemed to notice her, to her great disappointment.
"Hey is that Kago-"
Spinning on the heel of her foot she swiftly turned away from the two boys,
"nope" she said quickening her pace
"Hey… don't ignore us!" they yelled at her with veins popping out on their heads.
'Of course it was the host club that was throwing this party', turning a corner she managed to catch a final glimpse of the fuming twins, and what seemed to be Kyoya trying to sell the girls magazines of the hosts. Shaking her head she stopped walking once she was in a more secluded area, she closed her eyes. Reaching deep inside herself she called forth a little of her powers to the surface, to help her search for some particular auras. Smiling when she found them all together she continued on in her walk until she came upon Haruhi sitting with Honey, Mori, and two girls.
"Mitsukuni… you over did it" looking at what Mori was talking about she noticed the tea Honey failed at attempting to make. Honey face contorted into shock and then he began to tremble,
"Honey I'll take it!" one of the girls quickly said "It looks so yummy"
"Its just the right amount for both of us" the other girl jumped in "anymore would just be to much. How did you know? You never cease to amaze me!" she put in as much enthusiasm into her words as she possibly could.
"Really!?" Honey asked excited completely forgetting about his sadness.
Laughing to herself she called out to the group, hoping to intervene and leech some snacks off the three hosts,
"Hey Honey, Haruhi, Mori" she looked at each of them during her greeting. She was surprised though when Honey stood up and launched himself at her hugging her "Kagome-Chan!" he cheerfully yelled. Patting his head as he latched his arms around her waist, she lightly covered his ears and turned to the girls sitting with the hosts,
"That was very kind of you" she whispered indicated towards the cup of tea Honey had made. Both girls blushed and opened their mouth's but she quickly shook her head and looked down at Honey. Understanding what she wanted the girls, still with red faces, nodded their heads which know seamed to be venting steam from their heads at the cute scene before them.
"May I sit with all of you?"
"Yes please do!" looking at the girls who were quick to reply to her question she shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the unoccupied side of the table.
"Shouldn't you be in practice Kagome?" Haruhi quickly asked
"Yeah, but I'm taking a little break" a sweat drop appeared on the back of her head while thinking of her teammates and her coach. 'Poor bastards'
"By the way were did you get the getup" Kagome looked the three up and down, studying the traditional cloths they were wearing.
"Kyoya had them specially made for us!" Honey happily said as he stood up and spun around in order to show her the cloths'
"of course he did" she muttered darkly, "You guys look nice in them though"
"Really!", Honey sparkled at her compliment which had the girls fawning over him. Haruhi quickly excused herself, probably seeing an opportunity to escape. Seeing as she had no one to talk to, Kagome looked at the silent boy that sat next to her as he calmly drank his tea. Watching him sit there so calmly with some tea, it was so similar to-
"pfft hahahaha" she laughed out loud, slapping her knee at the hysterical thought she just had.
"…?" Mori looked at her with his usual calm demeanor but question marks appeared above his head. Calming down she sent a apologetic smile to him
"Im sorry its just the way you sat there just reminded me of someone from my past", she looked at him more closely and she watched as a image of Miroku replaced Mori. She chuckled when the illusion was ruined with the thought of Miroku going in for a grope. The idea of Mori doing the same made her want to burst out laughing, it just seemed to strange for his character. Coming down from her high though she began to reminisce about her perverted companion.
'Oh I made myself sad…' looking of into the distance past Mori, she failed to see his concerned look for her. Hoping to alleviate Kagome's sadness he put his hand on top of her head, instantly knocking her out of her stupor. Looking at Mori under the shadow of her hair she blushed and gently removed his hand from her head.
"Thanks", he simply nodded but his eyes moved to where her hands were, which was still holding his. Letting go of his hand she stood up planning to follow Haruhi. She began to walk away but turned her head to send a smile at Mori.
"Tell Honey I'll see him later, and thanks again" pausing for a second to feel the breeze she looked back at Mori
"By the way, you look really nice in that" she indicated to his cloths "Im sure the girls would agree you look rather dashing" she teased him and began laughing to herself again, she sent a wave over her shoulder without looking back as she walked away.
"…"
"Takashi! Are you feeling well! You look red and your clutching your hand! Wahh you're not going to die are you!?"
Once again she walked towards where she sensed Haruhi.
'Even though we're in the same class we don't get to talk nearly enough. I also never got to eat any snacks'
Still searching she finally came upon the brunette once again but she frowned at the sight of Tamaki. She stood back watching as Tamaki- wearing a waiters outfit, barely contained his giddiness to talk to Haruhi.
"Haruhi, how are you doing?" he had his back turned to Haruhi, in what he clearly thought was a 'cool' pose.
"Tamaki Sempai?" Haruhi called out somewhat hesitantly
"The flower viewing reception is going over quite well" He turned his head to look at Haruhi out of the corner of his eye, "…but even so its rather daunting to spend more time being admired then doing the admiring", both of the girls sweat dropped and their eyes loss their sheen at his comment.
"Oh wow Sempai, your blooming in more ways then one" he opened his mouth to speak but she couldn't resist teasing him.
"Don't encourage him Haruhi" Kagome stepped forward to stand beside Haruhi and shot Tamaki a devious smile, "even if you are being sarcastic". She gave a smirk at his cry.
"He's to much of an idiot to tell the difference" he sputtered at her comment angrily
"Your just jealous my splendorous beauty!" quickly turning to Haruhi he winked at her
"which happens to be in full bloom today", he pointed to Haruhi
"I'll bet you'll fall for me soon~". Haruhi's eyebrows twitched at his last comment. Looking at the creepy pose Tamaki was still in Kagome forced herself to look away, toward Haruhi
"If you are a flower I hope a Bee smothers you". As if her comment was a tangible object it seemingly shot out and hit him causing him to fall to his hands and knees. Before anything else could be said the twins appeared on either side of Haruhi,
"NICE" they gave her their approval in the form of a thumbs up then turned their attention to Haruhi
"So Haruhi have you decided your elective courses for this term?"
"How about conversational french?" Kaoru suggested to Haruhi. Kagome peered over his shoulder as he held out the papers containing the elective courses.
"I don't know about that Haruhi" she continued perusing the list with her eyes before looking at the girl
"that would just be more work for you and you have no need to learn French in particular", glancing over to Kagome, Haruhi gave a thoughtful look before looking back at the list of classes
"Hmmm your right", Hikaru and Kaoru looked at Kagome with critical eyes before they gained devilish smirks. Looking at each other they turned to look at Tamaki
"Whatever we take for our elective class", Hikaru began to say "we four should all take it together",
"we are in the same class~" they sent sly glances at Tamaki while she smiled in amusement. Tamaki quickly retreated under a tree were a dark cloud formed above his head
"Say, Mommy Dear", A shiver went up Kagome's spine after she heard Tamaki address Kyoya in such a fashion.
"What is it now…" pausing in his writing and smiling pleasantly "Daddy?"
'He actually replied to it!'
"I have a new theory" Tamaki didn't turn around to look at Kyoya, "I mean its just my hypothesis but it seems by being in the same class Hikaru, Kaoru, and Kagome are able to spend more time with Haruhi then I do at the club",
'I don't think we're suppose to be hearing this' she looked at Tamaki's back, forgetting that the people he was talking about were behind him and within earshot…
"This gives them the chance to get close to her, and if that happens-"
"Tamaki" Kyoya interrupted "You just now realized that?" A stray bolt of lightning suddenly hit Tamaki making him yell out. Looking at the Host Club president with worry she was surprised when Kyoya appeared with a large chart depicting three pie graphs
"According to my research the twins and Kagome spend roughly nine hours of class time with Haruhi", He pointed to a graph labeled 'Twins' and another named 'Kagome'.
"Meanwhile your interaction with her is limited to the couple of hours of club activity", He pointed to the graph labeled 'Tamaki'.
"In other words your involvement in Haruhi's life each day amounts no more then a mere 3%" Tamaki yelled out in shock, but before he could freak out Kyoya continued "However that is not including the time Haruhi spends outside of the club interacting with others"
"What do you mean Kyoya!" Tamaki cried out beginning to hyperventilate.
"Well Kagome gave Haruhi his cell number so I can only guess how much time they have spent together outside of school-"
"Ah! That cant be true! Why would she ever spend time with that ruffian"
"Hey!" Ignoring Kagome's yell of protest he ran over to Haruhi and grabbed her shoulders
"Listen Haruhi! I want you to stop hanging out with those shady twins and Kagome from now on!"
"Who are you calling shady!" Hikaru protested
"Yeah take a good look at yourself!" Karol yelled at Tamaki
"Are you trying to make me angry!" Kagome sent Tamaki a glare which made him shiver but he continued with his tirade.
"Its all their fault, listen to daddy!"
"Who are you calling daddy?". Coming to a realization he stumbled back
"Yes thats it. We can't continue any longer hiding the fact that you are a girl!" tears began to stream down his face "all daddy wants for you, is you to be the girl you used to be! For you to surround yourself with girlfriends and starting to lead a wholesome life!"
"Stop calling yourself my dad! I already have one!"
"You guy do know that I'm a gi-" Kagome began to say,
"Do it! Change right now!" Tamaki interrupted her as he began to shake Haruhi back and forth as he became more hysterical.
"you don't have to rush things she's going to be found out soon enough" Hikaru told Tamaki
"Physical Exams are the day after tomorrow" Kaoru added
"Physical…. Exams…?" Haruhi asked puzzled. Everyone paused then proceeded to stare at Haruhi intently.
"Thats right I forgot all about that" Kyoya stated calmly as ever.
"Then that means… theres no doubt. They're gonna know I'm really a girl". Kagome looked at the others as a bolt of lightning once again shot down from the sky adding to the hosts dramatic reaction to Haruhi's statement. Shrugging her shoulder she looked at Haruhi
"You know" she spoke to Haruhi "I'm still amazed that people can't tell your a girl". Surprising the girl with her statement Haruhi got a curious look on her face,
"when did you realize I wasn't a boy?", Haruhi looked at Kagome waiting for his answer. Kagome scratched her cheek as she thought about it
"Well I never really realized it, I just knew automatically" the Host Club stared at her waiting for her to finish her explanation.
"I mean you'd have to be a complete and utterly oblivious idiot to not be able to tell right away", another bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens hitting the group of boys as the word 'idiots' appeared in pink letters above their charred bodies. The two girls began to walk away towards the makeshift kitchen were there was some food and water, which Kagome had asked Haruhi to have.
"Hey Haruhi do you smell something burning?"
-Trouble for the Host Club-
Hikaru and Kaoru found Kagome and Haruhi sitting at a table with the former drinking and eating some snacks, surrounded by the Host Club's customers.
"Haruhi" said girls head turned towards them and watched as they held out their hands "Theres an emergency host club meeting" Looking surprised she ignored the outstretched hands and stood up herself,
"What about them" Haruhi pointed behind her where all the girls were watching them intently
"I can keep them company while I eat" the three hosts club members looked at Kagome
"But-"
"Thats fine" Hikaru answered for Haruhi
"Come on lets go", Karou said impatiently. Looking back at Kagome, Haruhi tried to protest but stopped when the twin wrapped their arms around her arms and dragged her away towards the other club members.
"Ok ok you can let go now" the twins smirked but released her when they noticed the serious atmosphere around the other members
"Whats the urgent news Kyoya" Tamaki spoke with a grumpy tone after having his daydreaming session of Haruhi interrupted. Silence reined until Kyoya snapped closed his black notebook
"Recently the Host Club has seen a decrease in profit margins" he pushed up his glasses
"So, whats that got to do with us", the twins looked bored with the so called 'urgent' news
"This decrease in profit is the direct result of a lower attendance of our regular customers" The members of the club except Haruhi froze at Kyoya's words. Looking confused she stopped her observation of the shocked members and looked at Kyoya
"What do you mean?" Haruhi asked
"It means that some of our most devoted customers have stopped coming to our club".
"Whats the cause of this Kyoya?" Tamaki asked sharply his tone serious for once
"I don't know" opening his notebook again he started to write in it once again "We will have to investigate at a later time, Our customers are waiting for our return".
Haruhi watched as the other members of the club headed back to their stations. Sighing she began her trek to her table when she noticed Kagome was walking towards her.
"Haruhi! I saw the other hosts come back, so I assume your meeting is over?"
"Uh yeah" she looked at the amount of food in the boys arms, which were overflowing, "we just got out"
"Ok well it'd be best for me to head out" quickly stuffing some food into her mouth she looked over towards the entrance of the school, "I have to run and go buy drinks for my teammates"
Watching as the boy quickly stuffed his face with food she was at a loss for words before she realized what he said.
"The nearest store isn't to far away so thats not to bad" she looked towards the general direction of where the store she mentioned was, looking back she stepped back when she noticed that Kagome had finished all of the food.
"Im not going to that store though. Coach told me to run to the one near the train station"
"What! Thats way to far!" Haruhi paled at just the thought of running that far.
"Eh kinda, but its nothing I can't handle" looking at Haruhi she smirked before waving to her
"I'll see you later". Haruhi watched as the boy jogged away only to have her view of him obstructed by floating hearts which seemed to be produced by the customers as they read some of the magazines that Kyoya was selling.
Authors Notes
Hey everyone! Thanks for all the nice comments! I wanted to include the physical exam part to this chapter but I got tired and felt like I needed to end the chapter. I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of writing so I feel like as I continue to write I may update and rewrite previous chapters. If you have any suggestions write a review or email me (: