Chapter 5

"Do you think this'll fit you?" Kagome held up her spare dress, a pastel blue, high-necked, sleeveless, sun-dress that was tight on the top and flared at the waist, hitting in the upper knee territory.

"Uh…" Haruhi looked at Kagome's generous bust line, a c-cup he'd have to guess, then at his own bust. But then, he paused… Wait, did she… "You know?"

The miko shrugged, "If you want people to address you as a he and cross-dress, I don't care, it's your life- do whatever makes you happy. When I met you, you were just Haruhi- the boy or girl part didn't matter. You're my friend either way…"

Haurhi started to smile… "Thanks, Kagome. You're the best."

She giggled, "No worries. Now, the dress?"

"Uh…" the honor student looked at his own chest. "Yeah, you're way bustier than me. I'm as flat as a cutting board- it'll probably hang."

Kagome frowned and looked at her dress, then over to Haruhi, then down at her own body… Her and Haruhi were the same height, and despite the heeled white mary jane shoes Kagome wore instead of the standard shoes, their heights still weren't that different.

They both had a small frame, though Kagome's hands were a tad smaller, and her figure was more… womanly, for lack of a better word. If Kagome was to wear the male uniform, they'd all know she was a woman.

"Do you want me to go see if there's a spare uniform you can wear?"

"Please…"

"Okay, you get out of that wet suit and when I get back, I'm washing your hair! No objections-" Kagome pointed at Haruhi as he opened his mouth to complain. "Now, I'll be back!"

"Ootori-senpai," Kagome called as she walked over to where the hosts were sitting on two different couches. The miko vaguely noticed that Tamaki wasn't with them, but she didn't pay it any mind. "Is there a spare uniform Haruhi can borrow? My dress isn't gonna fit."

Kyoya raised an eyebrow, eying the pastel fabric bundled in her arms, "May I ask why?"

"Uh…" her cheeks were painted a lovely shade of rose at that question, and blue eyes filtered away from him and onto the wall. "M-must I?"

"If Haruhi is going to wear our last spare uniform, then yes."

Kagome fidgeted nervously, lord, this was embarrassing… Why did she even offer to do this? Cerulean blue eyes glanced at the twins, she really didn't want them to have this particular piece of information… Her gaze flickered to Takashi, who she knew had been watching her this entire time.

Cerulean blue met dark gray… And then, Mori stood, heading over to another part of the club room. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief… she really didn't want to tell Kyoya about her and Haruhi's… predicament.

A mere minute later, Takashi returned, handing Kagome what looked like a gift bag. The miko took it gratefully, "Thank you!" she beamed up at him. "You're a lifesaver!"

Kyoya narrowed his eyes at the bag in Kagome's grasp as the pieces clicked together. Takashi glanced down at the 2nd year, "Don't go patronizing her, Kyoya."

"I was doing no such thing, Mori-senpai. I was merely asking Taisho-san why she needed the spare uniform."

Kagome peaked inside the bag and giggled, "Oh yeah, like any of you would be caught dead wearing this." she looked over at Kyoya with a grin, "Don't be such a tightwad, Oortori-senpai, you'll never have any fun that way!"

Hikaru and Kaoru snickered at her words, Mitsukuni giggling behind Usa-chan. Kyoya stared at Kagome for a long few moments… fun… she said it like it was the simplest thing in the world… Like their only purpose was to have fun…

It was a notion he had never come across before…

Tamaki opened the door to the washroom with an arm full of towels, "Haruhi? I brought you some towels?" Yet the minute the door opened, purple eyes grew wide…

Standing there in her slacks and pink camisole was… Haruhi…

Brown eyes stared at the blond… who stared back… until he took a step backwards, shutting the door… Tamaki slumped to the floor… Haruhi was… Haruhi was…

Haruhi Fujioka was a girl.

Suddenly, Tamaki was hit in the back of the head with a bag, making him fall face-first into the ground. "What the hell were you thinking, senpai?! Don't you know how to fucking knock before going into a room?! What were you, raised in a barn?!"

That voice… Tamaki shook from his stupor, scrambling to sit up and finding big blue eyes staring down at him… Kagome had her hands on her hips, a furious pout on her face, and she was surrounded by the other members of the Host Club.

"I… H-haruhi's a girl?!"

Kyoya smirked, "It seems like our King has finally caught up to speed."

Tamaki turned to his best friend in horror, "You knew?! And you didn't tell me?! And wait-" Purple eyes flickered to Kagome, "You knew too?! How?!"

"Cause I'm not a dumbass like you!" Kagome shouted back, then huffed, stomping towards the washroom. "I'm gonna go get Haruhi cleaned up."

Kagome glared at the slightly stained and tacky feeling blazer in her hands… "I'm a master at getting out stains, but this…. This needs to be dry-cleaned."

Haruhi sighed, "Great…" she dried her now clean, but damp hair with a towel as she glanced over at her friend. There was no way she could afford that…

But as if Kagome read her mind, the miko nodded determinedly, "Alright. I'll just send this tonight with my load and give it back to you before school starts."

"I-" Haruhi's eyes grew wide. "W-what?"

She looked over her shoulder at the honor student, "I'm going to dry clean your uniform."

He sweatdropped, "You don't have to do that for me, Kagome. Just 'cause I'm poor doesn't mean I can't scrape together enough for some dry cleaning. I'll figure it out."

Kagome dropped the blazer on the counter, and placed her hand on Haruhi's shoulder. Cerulean blue eyes filled with warmth, "Just let me help a friend out, okay? I'm already sending stuff to the cleaners anyway, so you're not putting me out."

Her eyes were so genuine, her words so kind… Haruhi wondered how many hearts Kagome had captured in the past… But what he did know was that Kagome was genuine, and she was only doing this to help out a friend- not solely because Haruhi was a commoner.

The honor student let out a long sigh, "Fine… Let me give you my address."

Twenty minutes later, Kagome led a fully dressed and cleaned up Haruhi out of the washroom- the honor student dressed in Ouran Academy's girl's uniform.

Tamaki couldn't help but stare at her, "Haruhi?"

She didn't even flinch, "Yeah?"

"You're a girl?"

"Biologically speaking, yes."

Tamaki lets out a dramatic shout, scrambling backwards… S-so it was true! Haruhi really was a… a-a girl! Haruhi sighed, "Listen senpai, I don't really care whether you guys recognize me as a boy or a girl. In my opinion, it's more important for a person to be recognized for who they are, not what sex they are."

Purple eyes stared at Haruhi's form for a few seconds longer… She was a girl… A cute girl… Another thought struck the honor student then, "Uh, y'know, senpai, I thought you were pretty cool earlier."

Tamaki scooted backwards, placing a hand over his mouth as his entire face began to turn red… Kagome giggled at his behavior, just as a thought occurred to Haruhi, "Being a Host and being fussed over by a bunch of girls might not be that bad. I wonder how I can pull it off?" A light bulb went off over her head, "I got it! I'll just call everyone dude and bro now!"

Kagome let out a laugh, "Why not just be yourself, Haruhi?"

"Well, that'd work too, I guess."

In middle school, Haruhi didn't have many female friends… In fact, she didn't have many friends at all and certainly none that came by the house. It probably didn't hurt Haruhi went to Ouran of all places, effectively cutting ties with every single one of her middle school classmates.

So when Ranka Fuijoka opened the apartment door to see a beautiful girl wearing a cute, lavender sundress with white tights, white shoes, and a white fuzzy cropped cardigan on… He stumbled backwards in shock.

Kagome smiled warmly, and bowed politely, "Hello. I'm Kagome Taisho, I'm a friend of Haruhi from Ouran."

"My… My Haruhi… made a friend?" Ranka sat up in complete disbelief. He stared at the girl, bewilderment written across his face… Haruhi made a friend… Haruhi made a friend… Haruhi made a friend, who's an adorable girl! "Ooo," Ranka stood up faster than a whip, stars in his eyes as he looked at the girl, "I had no idea Haruhi made a friend!"

"Otou-san!" Haruhi shouted as she approached the two, a dull look on her face.

Ranka whipped around to look at his daughter with tears in his eyes, "How come you never told me you made a friend, Haruhi?! Aren't daughters supposed to tell their father's about things like this?!"

"I didn't think it was necessary," the honor student turned to Kagome, and honestly, after seeing her spare dress- wasn't all that surprised by what she wore outside of school. "Hey, Kagome. You really didn't have to do this, y'know."

The miko giggled, holding out a pink paper gift bag, "I know."

"Thanks," Haruhi took it without blinking. "Wanna come inside for a bit?"

"Sure! Let me go tell my chauffeur," Kagome bounced down the stairs to where a sleek black expensive looking four-door car was waiting, and Haruhi sweatdropped… Right… Rich people…

Ranka swooned next to his daughter, "Oooh, a chauffeur, how fancy~! It's like one of those dramas on TV!"

A second sweat-drop appeared on Haruhi's temple…

Why did she ask Kagome to come in?

"I'm sorry for the intrusion," Kagome bowed once she stood in the Fujioka's residence genken. She carefully slipped her heels off, setting them down, before stepping into the small, but cozy, apartment.

"Ooh, so polite~!" Ranka giggled to himself.

Haruhi sighed at her father's behavior, as cerulean blue eyes observed her surroundings. The honor student smiled, "I know it's not much, but-"

"It's home." Kagome softly cut Haruhi off, and a bright smile appeared on the miko's face. "I can tell. It's perfect. Thank you both for having me."

Haruhi and Ranka both blinked, but then the honor student chuckled, shaking her head, "I should've known you'd say something like that. Want some tea?"

"Yes please! Oh-oh, and I have chocolate in my purse!"

"Why do you have chocolate in your purse? Tea doesn't always mean you have to eat sweets, Kagome."

A horrified gasp left Kagome's lips, "Oh how dare you! Sweets go with everything!"

"Eh."

"You're awful, Haruhi. The worst!"

"You're the one who puts sugar in their eggs."

"Hey!"

Ranka watched as Kagome and Haruhi playfully fought, the miko leaning against the kitchen counter as the brunette went about making tea. It wasn't forced, Haruhi wasn't upset or irritated by Kagome's company nor near constant chatter…

And the sight brought a smile to Ranka's face…

His Haruhi had finally made a friend.

"Otou-san, don't you have anything else to do?" Haruhi set the tray of freshly made tea on their low table in their living/dining room, a dry look on her face. Kagome was mere steps behind the honor student, having helped make the tea and setting her baggie filled with chocolate down.

Ranka gasped dramatically, "I just want to get to know your friend, Haruhi!" Kagome giggled to herself at the exasperated look Haruhi gave her father, before taking in the quaint room.

And she spotted the shrine instantly.

Kagome smiled sadly, taking a few steps forward until she was standing right infront of the small, wooden shrine situated in the corner of the room. Two candles were lit on either side of a simply framed picture of a woman with brown hair and eyes.

In an instant, Haruhi and Ranka's attention snapped towards her. The red-headed man instantly fell silent, while Haruhi's expression shifted into a moronful one. "We lost Okaa-san ten years ago…"

The rest didn't need to be said. Kagome knew that pain… she could still feel it in her own heart to this very day. The miko placed her hands together like in prayer, before bowing deeply. She held the position for a few moments, making the Fuijokas' eyes widen.

Kagome was paying her respects.

Cerulean blue eyes opened as she righted herself, and smiled gently over at the two, "I know the feeling. I… I lost my mother a long time ago."

"Oh…" Haruhi didn't know what to say… But as he looked at Kagome, clad in her day clothes after paying respects to his mother… He knew, he knew that even though she was rich, Kagome was still a person- one who had gone through hardships of her own…

It was then that Haruhi decided that maybe all other rich people aren't bastards.

Ranka couldn't keep the sad smile off his face… To think, another little girl had to go through the pain of losing her mother at such a young age. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thank you, and I'm sorry to hear about your wife. That…" Kagome knew pain, she was no stranger to it… but a pain that she didn't know, was losing your lover… the father of your child… Or, in Ranka's case, the mother of your child… "That must have been incredibly difficult."

"We survived," the man grinned. "Now come on, sit! Sit! The tea will get cold!"

Kagome giggled, before taking a place at the low table, and reaching for her chocolate goodie bag. "And there's no such thing as tea without sweets!"

Haruhi rolled her eyes. "No one says that, Kagome."

"Hey! They do too!"

Ranka liked Kagome… He liked how high-spirited she was, how happy and positive she was, almost naive in a way, but oh-so kind. He knew without a doubt, she would be a good influence on Haruhi. Kagome was the kind of person Ranka wanted his Haruhi to be around.

He couldn't keep the smile off his face as Kagome slipped her shoes back on an hour later. Once done, the miko turned and bowed towards them. "Thank you both for having me."

"Oh," Ranka waved her off. "You're welcome here anytime, honey. I'm just glad Haruhi finally has a friend! I was worried she'd study herself to death!"

Haurhi gave him a dry look, "You can't die from studying, Otou-san."

"Yes you can! Studying is evil!" Kagome shouted, a visible shiver traveling down her spine.

The honor student rolled his eyes, just as a firm knock shook the door. Ranka's eyes narrowed, "That better not be that damn Aizawa looking for his cat again. I swear Mina's just hiding the cat on purpose to mess with him." He slipped on his shoes, opening the door quickly, "We don't have your cat, Shouta!"

But then, his eyes widened when he saw a silver haired man in a black suit with a black button-up shirt and tie standing there. "Huh?" Ranka blinked a few times. "Who're you?"

"Oh!" Kagome peaked around Ranka's form. "Sakamo! What're you doing here? I thought I asked you to wait around the corner until I was done?"

The man smiled a bit, "I had a feeling you were done. Besides, your hour's up."

Haruhi deadpanned and turned to her friend, "You know this guy?"

"Yep! Oh yeah!" a light bulb went off over the miko's head. "Sakamo, this is Haruhi and her father, Ranka." she pointed to the man, "This is Sakamo, he's my bodyguard and driver. I pretty much don't go anywhere without some sort of escort. He's the one that gets stuck with me most of the time."

Bodyguard and driver… Ranka couldn't help but swoon a bit, it all sounded like a drama~! A sweatdrop appeared on Haruhi's temple, "Of course you have a bodyguard… Why wouldn't you?"

The silver haired man chuckled, "Kagome-sama does have a habit of getting into trouble."

"I do not!" Kagome immediately protested, but then paused, her mind drifting back to the many occasions she had been kidnapped… or attacked. She huffed, "Okay, maybe I do attract trouble…" She grabbed her purse, and waved to the Fuijoka's. "See ya at school tomorrow, Haruhi! And it was nice meeting you, Ranka-san!"

Sakamo bowed politely to the father and daughter, "Thank you for looking after Kagome-sama. It was nice to meet you both."

Haruhi blinked, shaking her head as she watched them go, "Rich people…"

The next school day passed by without much incident…

Until the final bell rang, anyway.

"Are you gonna come to the club today, Kagome-chan?" Kaoru asked the miko as she shoved her blank, loose english notes into her bag without a care.

Cerulean blue eyes lifted to look at him, a smile forming, "Sorry, Kaoru-kun, but I have plans!"

"Plans?" A scowl formed on Hikaru's face, him and Haruhi eavesdropping on the whole conversation. Amber eyes narrowed a bit… Why would Kagome go anywhere but the club? "Where? With who?"

Haruhi rolled her eyes at the older twin, "Oh leave Kagome alone, Hikaru. You too, Kaoru."

"We just wanna know where she's going!" the two coursed in sync, matching pouts on their faces. Kagome giggled at their behavior, just as a few of the girls sitting by the front of the classroom, where the door sat, started giggling and gossiping loudly.

"Is that-"

"It totally is! What's he doing here?!"

"Don't know… Lord, he's cute!"

"Just like his brother~!"

They erupted into a fit of giggles as a tall, black-haired head poked its head into the classroom. Blue-ish gray eyes scanned the classroom, before landing on Kagome's form. A smile split across his face, and he took a step into the classroom, revealing his Ouran Middle School uniform, lifting a hand in greeting. "Yo! You ready?"

Satoshi Morinozuka.

Kagome giggled, stuffing the last piece of paper into her bag, before clasping it. "Yep!" she stood, just as he made his way through the classroom to her- even though he wasn't supposed to. "But y'know you didn't have to come get me, right?"

"Eh," the middle scholar shrugged, taking Kagome's bag from her, and tucking it under his arm with his own. A grin formed on Satoshi's face, "More fun this way. Besides, I can't wait to see Yasuchika's face when you show up. He's gonna be so pissed!" The miko laughed to herself, shaking her head at his antics.

Haruhi frowned… this middle schooler… he looked familiar somehow, though the honor student was positive they'd never met before. Hikaru and Kaoru exchanged a glance, standing from their seats, "Who are you?"

"Satoshi Morinozuka." blue-ish gray eyes flickered to them and he grinned, "You're in the Host Club right? Hitachiin twins."

"Yeah, that's us." their voices were bland, unamused… This was Mori-senpai's little brother… Why the hell did Kagome know Mori-senpai's brother?!

Haruhi blinked, then hit her closed fist in her open palm as a light bulb went off over her head, "That's why you looked familiar! You're Mori-senpai's brother!"

"Guilty." Satoshi chuckled, rubbing his free hand over the back of his neck. But then he smiled down at the cross-dresser, "And you're Haruhi Fujioka, right? Kagome's mentioned you." He gestured down the miko, who smiled happily at Haruhi.

The honor student sweatdropped, of course Kagome mentioned him to her rich, middle school friend. Kagome only giggled, then linked her arm with Satoshi's free one, "I'll see you later, mkay? Let's go, Satoshi! I don't wanna be late!"

"Nice meeting you three!" Satoshi called over his shoulder as he led Kagome out of the classroom, everyone present watching them go. The miko was beautiful and there she was on Satoshi Morinozuka's arm, the two chatting away happily as if nothing else mattered.

"Hold on…" Karou began once Kagome was out of eyesight, realization dawning on his face as whispers erupted in the classroom. "If Kagome knows Mori-senpai's brother… Does she know Mori-senpai too?"

Hikaru scoffed, crossing his arms, "They don't just know each other, they're close."

Haruhi didn't even blink, "Oh yeah, Kagome knows Mori-senpai. He dragged Tamaki-senpai away from her during the first day she came to the club." The honor student put a finger to her chin, "Now that I think about it, Kagome seemed pretty close to Mori-senpai… I wonder how they know each other?"

Karou and Hikaru exchanged a glance, "Why don't we find out?"

The minute the Hitachiin twins entered Music Room Three they made a b-line towards Mori. Honey was nearby, babbling about something or other to the tall senior and Haruhi slowly headed over as well. She didn't really care how Kagome knew Mori-senpai, and while Haruhi was a bit curious, she could always ask Kagome herself if it got to her.

Haruhi was mainly heading over to keep HIkaru and Kaoru from doing anything extreme. There were no customers yet, which Haruhi was silently thankful for… And the minute the twins were in front of Takashi, the questions immediately followed.

"How do you know Kagome-chan?"

The horrific only left Karou's lips, showcasing a difference between the two for the first time. Mori raised a single eyebrow, his dark gray eyes flickering over to Haruhi who stood behind the two red-heads.

"Your brother, Satoshi, came to pick up Kagome from the classroom." Haruhi explained, causing the stoic senior to let out a low hum.

Mitsukuni brightened at the mention, "Oh right! Sato-chan said he was gonna take her to Chika-chan's karate match!" a laugh let the honey-blond, "Oh, Chika's gonna be so upset!"

That caught both Kyoya and Tamaki's attention. The Shadow King looked up from his black notebook, a curious glint in his eyes as he looked at the seniors. "You two never mentioned you knew Taisho-san, though now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense… How do you know her, Mori-senpai, Honey-senpai?"

Mitsukuni's brown eyes flickered up towards Takashi, who glanced down at him for a split second, before his eyes settled on all of those in the club… He had planned for this… Ideally, no one would find out they knew each other before… but, things rarely went to plan… Nothing was simple, and as long as they were careful- everything would be fine.

Takashi always planned ahead, for multiple different outcomes… It was something that made many not want to cross him…

"She's a family friend."

And those four words would dissipate any suspension the Host Club held.