Chapter 21

The darkness enveloped them as they stood outside the dilapidated shack that belonged to Haruhi. The clouds loomed heavy with the promise of rain, adding to the ominous atmosphere. The members of the Host Club, with the exception of Haruhi and Kagome, were gathered outside the structure, unable to conceal their shock and disbelief at what lay before them.

"Is this even possible?" Tamaki stammered, his eyes glued to the tattered structure in front of them.

Suddenly, the front door creaked open, and Haruhi appeared. The Host Club members flinched collectively, taken aback by her frail and disheveled appearance. Haruhi beckoned them inside with a weak greeting.

Hesitantly, the club members stepped inside the humble dwelling. It was stark and filled with echoes of hardship, making them visibly cringe.

"I'm sorry I don't have much to offer," Haruhi said with remorse, "I'll make some tea. Although…" she trailed off, biting her lip, "I may not have enough cups."

She swiftly made the tea and distributed it amongst mismatched mugs, bowls, and even a measuring cup, showcasing the direness of their circumstances.

"What is happening…" Hikaru broke the eerie silence. "This place…this is where Haruhi lives?"

Kaoru examined their surroundings suspiciously. "This doesn't feel real, it's like we're on a movie set."

Tamaki shook uncontrollably, "N-N-No… Surely, this must be some sort of storage area. Beyond those doors…there has to be something better…"

As the mood began to descend into somber silence, a knock on the door disrupted the eerie silence. The members swiveled towards the entrance, their eyes landing on Kagome. She looked worn and ragged, her clothing tattered and hair mussed with twigs and leaves, giving her the appearance of a mountain witch. "Hi, everyone," she managed, mustering a weak smile, "Sorry I'm late, it's difficult to get here because I live in the woods."

Haruhi helped her in, supporting her by her elbow and helping her pull leaves from her tangled hair.

Just then, a warm smile surfaced on Haruhi's weary face. "Father told me to serve a meal, knowing you would visit. We've not eaten for three days to save money, and used every penny I had so that I could offer something suitable." Proudly, Haruhi reached into a cupboard and presented some store-bought sushi sets.

"Oh wow!" Kagome gushed. "I've never seen such food before!"

"Is this Fatty Tuna? This is the first time I've had fatty tuna." Haruhi eyed the dry fish with starry eyes, before taking a bite. She beamed with delight. "It's delicious!"

"No!" Tamaki screamed, jolting upright. His hair fell into his eyes in a wild mess. "That's just normal lean tuna and… definitely not fatty tuna!"

Sweat beaded his forehead as he panted, staring wide-eyed at the opulence of his room, which stood in stark contrast to his nightmare.

He immediately reached for his phone, Tamaki called Kyoya.

~o.O~O.o~

Haruhi mussed softly, silently going over her shopping. She didn't often indulge when grocery shopping, usually sticking to necessities with their limited resources. Growing up, she learned to manage the household expenses and prioritize the needs of their small family after her mother's passing. So when she spotted a sale at the grocery store, she couldn't resist buying a few treats, her father's favourite pocky snack, and melon pan. When she saw the deal Haruhi was reminded of Kagome's fondness for the bread shaped like a melon, so of course she got it.

Checking her watch. Kagome's train was due to arrive in an hour. That would leave her just enough time to unload the groceries, clean up their small apartment, and get started on the laundry.

However, her plans took a sudden turn when she spotted her neighbours gathered in front of their apartment building. There, standing tall and polished among them, with an unfamiliar luxury car. Haruhi's heart sunk when she recognized the familiar figures looming over the crowd. Her mood soured almost immediately.

'What on earth are they doing here?' Sighing deeply, she masked her tired face with an expression of indifference and cautiously edged closer.

Kaoru let out an admiring whistle, "Impressive. This is Haruhi's place?"

"Much larger than what I imagined." Hikaru mused,

Huni jumped up, clapping with delight, "Oh! Just look at all the rooms!"

Kyoya cleared his throat, and spoke plainly with a matter-of-fact tone. "This is not a private home, but a condominium. Haruhi most likely lives in one of the many units."

Huni nodded, looking around with interest.

Tamaki grabbed Kyoya, pulling him close and spoke in what he might have thought was a whisper but was really a soft shout. "Kyoya… What's with this… crowd?!" He gave the twins a pointed look. "Especially those doppelgangers!"

Kyoya gave an exaggerated sigh, "Well, Tamaki, I got the impression you would not have the courage to visit alone, so I thought it'd be good to bring more friends. But I guess that wasn't needed." He turned to everyone, pushing them all back towards the car. "Alright, guys, time to head back."

The twins simultaneously shouted with matching pouts, "No! We can't leave yet!"

Tamaki held onto Kyoya, pleading, "No, please don't leave me. I apologize, let's not rush to leave."

Their conversation piqued the curiosity of their neighbors, who watched them intently.

Tamaki threw his arms around the twins and Huni, speaking in a hushed tone, "Now listen, everyone. Let's be clear, we are not here to snoop on Haruhi and her lifestyle. We simply decided to stop by since we were in the area, a casual visit. No one should make any derogatory comments about the Fujioka family's circumstances! Refrain from using foul language!" Tamaki concluded, giving the twins a stern look. "Agreed?"

The duo along with Huni replied enthusiastically, "Yes, sir!"

He emphasized further, "Remember, never let Haruhi and her father feel like you want to leave-"

Haruhi cut him off angrily, "Please, go home already!"

Tamaki was visibly taken aback by her words, "Ah! H-Haruhi! Is something wrong?"

Haruhi rolled her eyes while Tamaki turned to the twins with anger in his eyes, "It must be your influence!"

The twins vehemently denied his accusation, "Not at all!"

In the midst of the chaos, the building's Landlady approached them, "Haruhi dear, is everything alright? Should I be worried about these boys?"

Haruhi smiled politely at her, "Oh, Ms. Watanabe."

The Landlady looked skeptical, "Foreign cars, fancy clothes...Are these men gangsters? Should I notify the police?"

Tamaki gracefully interjected, taking the Landlady's hand, "Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, madam. I assure you, we are not trouble. We're just Haruhi's friends. My name is Tamaki Suou."

The Landlady was taken aback, "Oh my, my, my...What should I do?"

Haruhi tried to explain, but Tamaki cut her off, "We apologize for the sudden visit and the disturbance we caused."

The Landlady laughed it off, "Oh, don't say that. Hahaha! Haruhi-chan, I'll bring some candy over later, okay? Ohoho! Please enjoy your time here." She left, and the Host Club members followed Haruhi into her apartment.

Haruhi spoke up, "Let me just say this: You guys can take a quick peek for like three seconds, okay? I have plans with Kagome later-"

Huni interrupted, holding up a pastry box, "Haru-chan, here's a gift! It's cake! There's a strawberry one and a chocolate one and many more!"

Haruhi smiled, "Well, okay, maybe some tea too." She opened the front door, revealing a typical two-bedroom Japanese apartment.

~o.O~O.o~

Kagome felt her eyes constantly drawn towards her watch, growing increasingly anxious. Haruhi was never late. Kagome hesitated to call her friend, having already texted her twice, fearing that she was being overly paranoid.

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, calling out her name. "Kagome!" Kagome spun around to see Haruhi running towards her, flushed and breathing heavily.

"Haruhi? Are you okay?" Kagome asked.

Haruhi came to a stop in front of Kagome, her hands on her knees as she struggled to catch her breath. "I'm so sorry I'm late!" She gasped. "The others showed up at my place unexpectedly and got me sidetracked."

"Oh," Kagome said, shifting nervously. "Should I head back?"

Haruhi shook her head. "No, we made plans. They can wait. Why don't we go shopping instead? They were talking about wanting lunch."

"Okay," Kagome agreed, smiling as she lifted a bag filled with homemade sweets that had survived the train ride. "Oh, my mom sent me some things as thanks to you and your dad. She also insisted that the two of you must come to visit soon. I know you two were planning to stay for the upcoming festival- we can go shopping for kimonos later."

"Oh, I'm sure my dad would love that," Haruhi said, a smile lighting up her face. "He's been raving about Mrs. Higurashi since they met. Something about a widowers' book club."

Kagome laughed as they made their way to the grocery store near Haruhi's place. She couldn't help but feel both amazed and saddened by the number of youkai living in the area. It warmed her heart to know that they were around, but it saddened her to know that they had to live in hiding.

But it was more then just the neiborhood youkai that were hiding, nope, seems they were being tailed by their club mates.

Although Haruhi hadn't noticed, since she didn't have spiritual energy, Kagome was able to spot them, seems even Ryouji Fujioka had taken to follow Haruhi.

Kagome chuckled under her breath, making a quick excuse to grab another ingredient, Kagome left Haruhi in produce before making her way over to Ryouji. The host club members were currently running a muck about the store, having been no doubt too distracted by the new environment to focus on hiding from the two girls they had been following.

"Hi, Mr. Fujioka!" Kagome greeted softly.

Ryouji startled, jumping from their crouched position by the canned goods. "Kagome dear!"

Kagome gave the older man a gentle smile. "Worried about Haruhi?" She prodded.

The older man blushed, annoyed that he'd been caught, before smile with a shake of his head. "Seems I've been caught, though it looks like I'm not the only one."

The two looked over to see Tamaki and Haruhi quietly looking at ingredients.

Kagome smiled softly, for a moment she felt like her older self, a sense of wistfulness taking over as she watched the havoc that took place around the two; seemingly in their own moment.

"Sometimes you seem too mature for your age, Kagome dear," Ryouji said softly. "But in a different way from Haruhi. You girls are so alike, always shouldering the responsibility of adults, and never relying on other, or never giving them the chance I should say." Kagome blinked in surprise. "And yet you do so for each other, saving one another without ever noticing."

Ryouji placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"And whats with this calling me Mr. Fujioka!" Ryouji shouted. "I thought we were closer Kagome dear! Even your mother calls me Ranka! Call me Ranka! Or better yet, call me auntie like your brother!"

Kagome laughed. "I'll call you auntie, only if you promise to come kimono shopping with me, my mother and Haruhi."

Stars and heart erupted in Ryouji's eyes. Haruhi rarely went shopping, and even rarer did she allow Ryouji to go with her.

wolfYLady: Hope you liked it! I can't believe this story has over 20 chapters! But I think its about time the big secret gets revealed! It won't be the next chapter but I promise it will be happening before ch.25. I've written several future chapters but it's just a matter of getting there.