Chapter 8

The Morinozuka Manor…

For the elite of Ouran, the students attending there- it wasn't nearly as sprawling or as luxurious as other mansions. To them, it sat behind the Haninozuka Manor, cast in its shadow. Yet those running things knew better…

It was truly a sprawling, magical place, that only those of the truly elite and with good standing were ever allowed to visit. But even then, there was a large portion that unless you were a select few, you were never allowed…

If you believed the rumors, that's where the most precious thing to the Morinozuka family is kept… behind layers and layers of protection, never to be harmed, never to be in danger…

Kagome skidded along the marble floors as her tight covered feet made her slide as she turned the corner. A wide smile was on her face as she scrambled forward, "Inuyasha! You're back!"

She launched at the white-haired, doggy-eared man, hugging him tightly. The hanyo groaned loudly, but the faint smile on his face gave him away, "Hey, Kags…" the miko continued to hug him tightly, making him grunt, "Okay, off, I don't want you warden to get pissed."

Kagome rolled her eyes yet pulled away. She stared up at him… even after all this time, he had only aged a few years. "So, how was Utah?"

"Boring, and dry. That damn centipede is dead though. So, it was a success. How've you been? School started right?" The miko groaned loudly, her forehead coming down to rest on Inuyasha's shoulder. He raised an eyebrow, "Wow, what's got your fucking panties in a twist? Been unfilled?"

Kagome shot away from him with a furious blush, "You perv!"

"What the fuck's your problem?" Inuyasha gave her a bland look. "Everyone can smell exactly how often you two fuck, and that you get filled every time."

Her face got redder, though this time, anger coursed through her body. A light pink glow began to encase her body, and the hanyo paled, taking a step backwards, "N-now wait a minute, Kagome…"

"SIT BOY!"

"EEE-OOO WWWWWWWW!"

Satoshi and Yasuchika both froze mid-spar as the shout echoed throughout the compound… They exchanged a glance, and the black-haired boy chuckled, "Sounds like Inuyasha-oji's back."

Chika sweatdropped, "Maybe we should avoid the main house for a while."

"... Good idea."

"... what are you doing?" Yasuchika stared at Kagome's back as she rummaged around his closet. Her hair was back in its white bow that went with everything, and she wore a pink dress and thigh-high white stockings.

"Oh-" Kagome turned around, giving him a bright smile. "Hi, Chika-chan! Where's that old brown suit you grew out of?"

"Uh…" he thought about it for a few seconds. "I think it's over here." Yasuchika headed to a different part of the walk-in closet. He may not wear most of these clothes, or have a use for them, or even pick them out himself, but that doesn't mean he wasn't organized.

Disorganization made him scream.

Chika pulled out a dry cleaners bag on a hanger with a brown suit jacket, pants, and blue pin-striped vest. "Here." he handed it to Kagome. "What do you need it for, anyway?"

"The host club's putting on a ball, and Haruhi needed a suit, since he didn't have one." The miko peaked into the contents of the bag. "Do you have a dress shirt that doesn't fit? And a tie that you hate?"

He gave her a blank look… "Really, Kaa-chan?"

Kagome giggled, and Yasuchika rolled his eyes before going to dig in one of his dresser drawers for his most hated tie. "Thanks, sweetie!"

"Yeah, yeah."

Kanako Kasugazuki was asked to teach Haruhi the waltz. The honor student was struggling a bit, but was slowly getting the hang of it- with a little bit of practice with Kagome next week, Haruhi would be good to go.

Tamaki was sitting in his depression corner as Kagome laid face down on the window seat next to him in her own doom corner. "Ugh! My head!"

"You probably passed, Kagome-chan," Kaoru said and crouched down by her head. She glared at him with a pout. The ginger chuckled, "Come on, don't be such a sour puss. You're acting like the boss."

"I can't help it! My head hurts! I did all that math!" Kagome coughed and failed dramatically on the seat. "I can't go on, Kaoru-kun! I'm gonna die!"

Hikaru rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, "Why does it even matter if you pass or not? Your grades in lit and history are good enough to keep you in 1-A."

Kagome shot up quicker than a whip, "You don't have to face Onii-sama!" or Anata… the miko shivered… Sesshomaru was bad… but he was worse.

"What's your brother like anyway?" Kaoru questioned as he sat next to her.

"Onii-sama? He's…" the miko paused, trying to think of the best way to describe him. "Well… honestly, I don't even know how to describe him. He's… scary for lack of a better word." Yeah, scary… it wasn't right, but it sufficed.

Their attention deviated as the club room's backdoors opened, revealing a brown-haired teenage boy carrying a wooden crate. "Hello? I'm here with the new teacups you ordered."

Kyoya smiled and walked over to the boy, "Ah, thank you very much. Every item that you've chosen for use has been extremely popular with the ladies. I'm quite impressed."

The brown-haired boy smiled sheepishly, "Well that's good to hear."

Haruhi walked over to the two to take the crate, leaving Kanako at her table, the guest's back to the door, "So, do you sell tea sets?"

She took the box from him, and he grinned, "No, I'm just a regular student. Can't you tell by the uniform?"

Kanako laughed from her spot and turned around, "Oh Haruhi, you're so funny. I can't blame you for not knowing. After all, he doesn't really look like an heir to a first class company."

Her eyes met the boy's and for the two of them, it was like time had stopped. Kagome smiled gently as she recognized the look… it was the look of two people in love longing for each other…

Cerulean blue eyes searched the club room and when they laid eyes on the wild type, she beamed.

Takashi's lips lifted into a small smile.

Haruhi frowned at the new information, "First class company?"

"His family's business, the Suzushima Trading Company, deals primarily in the importing of tableware." Kyoya explained to the commoner. "They currently have the top market share in the company." She blinked, looking into the box. "So whenever something exceptional comes in, we've asked them to send it our way.

"He has a great eye for fine china, don't you Suzuhima?"

Suzuhima blinked, just as Kanako turned back around in her chair. He smiled at his fellow second year, "You think? I've still got a lot to learn, but thank you."

"Aren't you leaving next month to study abroad in England?"

"Yes, I am… Well, I'd better be going." Suzuhima lifted a hand, before retreating from the room. Haruhi watches him leave, shifts the box, before heading back over to the table.

The honor student set the box down, glancing at Kanako, "I get the feeling you and that guy are kinda close."

Her eyes grew wide, and she laughed nervously, "D-don't be ridiculous! We hardly know each other! What makes you say that, Haruhi?!" Kanako hurries to put her napkin on the table, before scurrying to a stand, "Now, if you'll please excuse me. Take care."

She was out of the room faster than Haruhi could blink.

Mitsukuni danced forward, a wide smile on his face, "Haru-chan! Guess what?! They do know each other! Suzushima is Kasuga-chan's fiance!"

Haruhi blinked… fiance? Tamaki stood from his depression corner with a serious look on his face, "Kyoya, how long have you known about this?"

"About the two of them being engaged?" Kyoya opens his black notebook and scans it. "Well, as you know I conduct general searches on all our customers. The-"

"Oooo!" Kagome hopped up from her spot and bounded over to the 2nd year. "What did you get on me?!" she tried to peek into his folder, only for Kyoya to raise it out of grasp. The miko pouted, "Killjoy."

"As I was saying, the two of them were childhood friends. It seems their engagement was arranged by their parents. I didn't think the information would benefit me so I disregarded it."

Tamaki nodded, "I see…"

Kyoya's eyes flicker back to his notebook, "Tohru Suzushima, outstanding grades, fair social status. He's ordinary looking, but he's reliable. If I had to fault him for anything-"

"He doesn't have much stage presence." Hikaru appeared at Kyoya's side.

Kaoru appeared next to Kagome on the Shadow King's other side, "and he's faint hearted."

"So, in other words-" Kyoya snapped his folder shut mercilessly. "He's boring."

Haruhi sweatdropped… sheesh, they were merciless towards other guys. Tamaki nodded, as if coming to a decision, "Alright everyone, we'll have to work on our strategy. It is our responsibility, as members of the elite Ouran Host Club, to make every girl happy!"

Haruhi sweatdropped as he watched Kagome fiddle with a cord that was connected to the wall, "Uh… Kagome? What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to play music! We need to set the mood!" the miko said as she scowled at the cord, it looked like a headphone jack… So did that mean… She shoved the cord into the butt of her digital player and cheered, "Haha! I got it!"

Kagome clicked on a song and soft instrumental music filled the club. Haruhi sighed, "Is this really necessary?"

"Absolutely!"

No guests were around as Haruhi led Kagome across the polished marble floor. The honor student grinned, "Hey, I think I'm getting better at this!"

The miko giggled, "Yep! You're definitely getting better… By the way, I dry-cleaned Chika-chan's old suit for you. Do you want me to bring it to school, or-"

"Ah, yeah, that'll work…" Haruhi looked at the girl in his arms. "Chika's Honey-senpai's brother, right? How do you two know each other?"

"Mhm, yeah. I've known Yasuchika his whole life, actually." Kagome laughed to herself like she heard the funniest joke in the world. "I'm probably the only person he likes!"

The music suddenly changed, making them pause, and an up-beat pop song filled the air. Haruhi pulled away from the miko in confusion, and Kagome laughed sheepishly, "Whoopsie, I guess I left it on shuffle."

The honor student deadpanned, and right then, the beat picked up, causing Kagome to smile. She held out her hand for Haruhi to take, "Come on, Haruhi! Dance with me!"

He sighed but took her hand anyway.

"I only asked if you knew how to tie it, Otou-san!" Haruhi scowled up at her father. "I can do it myself, y'know."

Ranka giggled and continued tying the printed tie around his daughter's neck, "I know, but let me! This is your first highschool dance after all! And you've gotta look your best! Kagome went through all that trouble of getting you this nice suit too!"

It was a three-piece suit, brown with darker brown pinstripes going down the length of it, and a white dress shirt, plus the tie. It was nice, a fancy fabric that Haruhi knew cost more than she wanted to know…

But nonetheless, she was grateful…

"It matches your eyes so nicely too!" Ranka swooned. "Kagome's got a great eye!"

Haruhi huffed, "It was an old suit belonging to one of Kagome's friends. She said I could have it, that's all."

"Yes, of course! But that doesn't mean it doesn't suit you!" He laughed. "See what I did there?! Suit you?!" She rolled her eyes a bit, and Ranka went back to tying the tie around his daughter's neck. "Y'know, Haruhi…" his voice was softer now. "Kagome's a really nice girl."

"Yeah…" Haruhi couldn't keep the smile from forming. "She is." Her eyes flickered to the clock on her nightstand and blanked, "Crap! I've gotta go or I'm gonna be late! Otou-san, can't you hurry up?!"

"You can't rush perfection, Haruhi!"

"I'll just have Kagome do it!"

"Ah! Wait- Haruhi!"

On the night of the ball, the host club members were due to arrive beforehand to go over the night one last time. And the minute Tamaki saw Haruhi, he let out a whale, and went to pout in his corner, "Pretty girls shouldn't wear suits… it's not right!"

Kyoya sighed from his spot at the table, clicking away at his laptop, "Haruhi has to keep up appearances, Tamaki. You can't expect her to wear a dress when she's supposed to be mascarding as a boy."

"Yeah, and look at it this way, boss," Hikaru began, standing with Haruhi and his brother.

Kaoru picked up where he left off without even flinching. "Kagome-chan's probably gonna be in a dress."

That perked Tamaki right up. "You're right! Kagome will be in a pretty dress! At least I can show off one of my daughters!"

Mitsukuni burst into the room then, a wild smile on his face, dressed in a nice suit, Usa-chan under one arm. He turned over his shoulder, "I found them!" He turned back to the room and blinked, "Why's Tama-chan on the floor?"

His question went unanswered as two more people entered the room, the last remaining members of the host club- Takashi and Kagome.

Kagome's heels clacked lightly on the marble floors, her ball-gown style dress swishing with each step she took. The skirt was poofy, starting at her waist and making it appear even smaller, the undertone being white, then layers of yellow and baby blue gauze over it that shimmered as she moved.

The bodice was tight, corset-like, and showed off Kagome's bust line, being colored in a mix of yellow and blue, and was held up by baby blue silk princess sleeves. A diamond bracelet was snapped around her wrist, and her hair lacked its usual bow, instead held back by diamond studded clips.

A blue gemstone and diamond choker-style necklace was around her neck, and soft, natural make-up completed the look…

Each and every club member felt their breath catch in their throat…

Kagome was always stunning…

But now…

She was breath-taking…

There wasn't a single woman in the world who compared. Kagome was on Takashi's arm, him dressed to the nines in a suit, and the miko smiled, "Sorry we're late!"

Kyoya cleared his throat, "You're right on time, Taisho-san."

"Oh good!" the miko breathed a small sigh of relief. Her eyes landed on Haruhi's poorly done tie and frowned, "Who tied this thing?" Kagome untangled herself from Takashi's arm and walked over to the honor student, her heels clacking. She loosened Haruhi's tie, fussing over him, "Sheesh, I can't take you anywhere."

Haruhi deadpanned, "Well, I've never tied a tie before, and Otou-san wouldn't hurry up- I was gonna be late."

"You should be nicer to your father. He was only trying to help," Kagome finished tying his tie, unbuttoned his jacket and vest, before laying the tie down flat.

The honor student watched as she unbuttoned his vest and jacket, wow… she was… "You're really good at this."

"You've never met my family." came her dry reply. Cerulean blue eyes shifted to stare at Takashi and Mitsukuni for a moment, "I can't take them anywhere."

Neither senior dared look her in the eye…

The Ballroom at Ouran Academy was just like a ballroom out of a fairy tale. Kagome stood off to the side on the grand staircase where the Hosts stood… "It is so good to see you here tonight, my little lambs. The Ouran Host Club would like to bid you, welcome."

Tamaki bows deeply, as the many gathered guests giggle and applaud from the ballroom floor. There were tables set up on either side of the dancefloor, filled with food and sweets and drinks.

"As always ladies, the Host Club members are here for your entertainment. So, we invite you to dance and gossip to your heart's content." Kyoya announced. "Based on her dancing skills, one lucky lady will be chosen as tonight's Queen. The Queen's reward will be a passionate kiss on the cheek, from our King."

"Good luck, my darlings." Tamaki winks to the crowd, causing fangirling to erupt.

Haruhi looked dryly out at the scene… The twins dropped their arms over her shoulders, "Haruhi! Show some enthusiasm!"

"Well excuse me. I'm not used to this sort of thing. I've only ever gone to the festivals held in my neighborhood park."

Kagome brightened, "Oh! I love those!" She clapped her hands together happily, "The festivals at the shrine were the best! They were so much fun!"

The twins looked at her in curiosity, "You've been to shrine festivals?"

"Yep! I was born in a shrine, actually."

Kagome was… born in a shrine? Kyoya jotted the information down in his notebook, "Either way, I don't think you can consider a neighborhood festival a party. Well, since you're already here you might as well get yourself something to eat. We've got quite a spread."

"A spread?" Haruhi's mind immediately went to the fancy cooking shows she watched on TV… "With fancy tuna?"

Kagome blinked, watching as Tamaki immediately began shouting orders to Kyoya to order some- the devil twins confronting Haruhi… The honor student shoved them off, "Get off!" He hurried over to Kagome, hiding half-behind her. "Why are these guys making such a big deal?"

The miko shrugged nonchalantly, causing Haruhi to sweatdropp…

Like always, Kagome attracted attention… The ladies who weren't dancing were more than happy to converse with Kagome about her dress, her jewels, who did her makeup, who did her hair…

Though this time, Kagome's cheeks flushed softly as she looked around at the gathered guests after Tamaki had whisked away the girl pestering her… Here she was, in a floor-length ball gown, while the guests were in these slip-like calf length dresses… "I think I overdressed…"

Haruhi glanced at her, then the rest of the guests, "I don't really see how. You're all fancy. So are the guests."

The miko giggled… Then an idea struck her, and she held out a hand, "Come on, let's dance. You put in all that practice, might as well get some use out of it!"

Haruhi sighed, but took her hand anyway, leading Kagome to the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, Taisho-san?"

Kagome turned her head, her cerulean blue eyes sparkling as she smiled. She took Kyoya's outreached hand, "Of course, but shouldn't you be dancing with your guests?"

"If anything, they're here to dance with Tamaki," he replied, one hand falling to Kagome's waist as he led her in the dance. The orchestra strings bellowed out, and Kyoya could faintly hear her heels clacking on the dance floor. "I must say, you're quite graceful."

She giggled, "I wouldn't say that. I'm a huge klutz, Onii-sama just drilled the gratefulness into me." there dance shifted, and Kyoya spun Kagome gracefully. As she came back around, she smiled up at him, "You're not bad yourself, senpai."

He knew it was necessary…

But that didn't mean Takashi liked to see Kagome dancing with Kyoya…

It made his gut turn, his instincts flare, and he shoved them down… He pushed that low growling, that core possessiveness to the very back of his mind, forcing himself to the here and now…

Later…

Later he could cleanse the offending smell of other males off her…

But for now…

He had to simply endure.

Kagome could feel it…

She stopped at Takashi's side, looking up at him through thick black lashes. "Anata?" the miko's voice wasn't above a whisper, and that mere endearment, the pacing beast inside Takashi's mind eased ever-so-slightly. Kagome reached out, placing a hand on his arm, "Are you okay?"

Takashi nodded, "I'm fine, Koi…" he reached out, brushing her hair back over her bare shoulder… She leaned into his touch, and his lips lifted into a smile. "You look beautiful."

A flush covered her cheeks, and she smiled softly, "You told me that before we left."

"And it's still true."

Kagome was beaming… She was dancing with Takashi, and despite stealing the hosts time, none of the guests found it in them to be able to complain. They watched on the sidelines as the third year kept the beautiful woman close, telling her something that caused Kagome to throw her head back and laugh.

Mitsukuni barreled up to them as the song changed, and Kagome untangled herself from Takashi's grasp, taking the honey blond's hands in her own. The beat picked up and they started to dance something that was not the waltz…

And Takashi couldn't keep the smile from forming.

Haruhi deadpanned as Kagome brushed… something onto her cheeks. "Is all this really necessary?"

The miko giggled, putting a small amount of blush on her other cheek, "Just be grateful those devil twins aren't doing it."

"Yeah, at least you won't make me look like a clown." the honor student looked at Kagome… "Did you do your makeup yourself?"

"Mhm."

"W-where did you learn?"

"From my mother…" Kagome's smile dropped slightly… She reached into her makeup bag, pulling out a mascara tube. "Though most of it was practice." The miko held the wand near Haruhi's eye. "Okay, blink." The honor student did. "And again." Kagome closed the mascara, took a step back and grinned. "Okay, I think we're ready!"

Hikaru and Karou came barreling into the room, taking up spots on either side of Kagome. They looked at Haruhi for a moment, then broke out into matching grins. "At least Kagome(-chan) knows how to be a girl."

Haruhi glared at them, "Gee, thanks." Kagome placed the mascara back into her bag, then helped Haruhi up, who immediately stumbled in the heels she wore. The honor student looked at Kagome blankly, "How do you walk in these things? They're hard to stand in, not to mention they hurt. And you wear them at school?"

The miko shrugged, "I hardly even notice anymore." Kagome took Haruhi by the arm, then ushered the other girl out of the room. Haruhi wore a wig, making her look like her middle school self, as well as a slim pink dress, heels, and makeup… She looked like a girl, and most importantly, no one would recognize her…

"Alright! It's showtime, people!"

Kagome smiled as the spotlight shone down on Kanako and Tohru, the two sharing their first dance together… Tamaki's plan had worked… A large hand settles in the middle of her back, and cerulean blue eyes shift upwards. She caught Takashi's eye, and the corners of his lips lifted, causing her to beam…

The miko looked further to where the twins stood, eating… where those bananas? Why were they- on second thought, she didn't want to know.

"May this awkward couple be forever blessed!" Tamaki announced to the crowd. They clapped, and Kasuga and Suzushima both blushed.

"And now we'll announce the Queen of the ball!" Hikaru began, and Kagome frowned- wait… where did his banana-peel go?

Kaoru didn't have one either, "Congratulations Princess Kanako Kasugazaki!"

"And for her reward, a kiss on the check from the King!"

"Haruhi Fujioka will stand in for Tamaki Suoh!"

Tamaki and Haruhi both freaked, while Kagome put a hand over mouth to muffle her laughter- her bracelet jingling. The twins shrugged, "Kyoya-senpai did say a little accident towards the end of the night might make the evening more thrilling for everyone."

Haruhi shook her head rapidly, "There's no way I could kiss her."

"We'll cut your debt by one-third," Kyoya said bluntly.

The honor student immediately began reconsidering. "Well, it is just a peck on the cheek." She walked down the stairs towards Kanako and Tohru.

Mitsukuni turned his head to the side, "Hey, you don't think this is Haru-chan's first kiss, do you?"

Tamaki instantly paled, "Wait! Haruhi!" He went bolting down the stairs, just as Haruhi leaned in to kiss Kanako's cheek. The blonde 'king' then slipped on a banana-peel, crashing into Haruhi- causing her to lock lips with Kanako. The two pulled apart as Kagome's eyes widened…

Cheers erupted through the crowd as Tamaki wilted and hid in the corner… Haruhi blushed, putting a hand over her mouth. Her eyes searched for Kagome, who looked somewhere between shocked and laughing, before the miko held up her mobile phone, giggling all the while.

Haruhi sweatdropped… She had lost her first kiss to a girl…

And Kagome had taken a picture of it…

Mitsukuni was asleep by the time the party had wrapped up… He was on Takashi's back, and Kagome held Usa-chan in her arms as she ran her fingers through his hair, "It's past his bedtime… I always worry when he's up late on the weekends, especially after being away all week at school…"

Takashi adjusted Mitsukuni on his back as they walked towards their limo, "He will be okay, Koi. Mitsukuni is strong."

"I know…" a faint, teasing smile pulled at her lips. "He takes after his father, after all."

Gray eyes snapped towards her, and Kagome giggled…