Hi there! So, this is the last chapter! Crazy, I know. It's been a long time coming. Just so you all know, there will be a sequel dealing with other problems that keep coming up in my head, because I don't feel like this is really resolved yet. At the same time, I don't feel like these new issues that will arise belong in this fic. So, for my own sanity I'm going to write a sequel. That being said, there are some issues left unsolved. If you want to know what happens to those issues, keep an eye out for the next fic, though I don't know what I'm going to call it yet or when it will be posted. Anyways, don't forget to review, and thanks for sticking with me through this! Happy reading! ~HeartQueenVivaldi

In the Shadows

Chapter 14

The morning after Tamaki announced the dissolving of the host club, Kyoya laid in bed, looking up at his ceiling, still blurry since he wasn't wearing his glasses yet. He looked at the ceiling, but didn't see it, still wrapped up in thoughts of Tamaki and the host club. Haruhi had held him close for nearly an hour as they mourned together. Something was wrong with Tamaki, beyond what Kyoya knew, and it scared him.

He had driven Haruhi home in silence, neither of them saying a word to each other. He kissed her on the cheek once before she got out of the car and he watched her walk up to her apartment. Kyoya did nothing that night, having no motivation to research, do homework, or anything else. He laid awake most of the night, thinking of everything that had happened that day until he finally fell asleep.

He had woken before his alarm and didn't move for a long time. When his alarm did finally start ringing, he decided it was time to start getting ready for the day. The host club would still be in business for one more day, and he was determined to make the best of it, hoping Tamaki would at least be there for it. It might even change his mind.

He met his driver outside and they went to the bank, where Kyoya signed papers as planned, then went to pick up Haruhi as usual. When she wasn't waiting by the curb, Kyoya stepped out of the car to go retrieve her. He walked up to the second floor and just as he raised his fist to knock, the door opened to reveal Haruhi, dressed and ready to go, but looking rather upset. Ranka's head poked around the corner and he frowned. "I don't know what's going on, but please make sure Haruhi eats at some point today. She refuses to eat breakfast."

Kyoya nodded and looked at his girlfriend. Truthfully, he had also skipped breakfast. "I'll make sure we both eat today, Ranka. I promise."

Ranka went back to his own meal, and Kyoya let Haruhi out the door and she led the way down to the limo. The driver held the door open for them as they slid into the seat side by side. Kyoya watched Haruhi from the corner of his eye. She only stared out the window, but Kyoya had a feeling she wasn't idly watching the streets as they drove by. "Haruhi, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Haruhi said, and they both remained quiet for the rest of the ride to the school. When they arrived, the twins' limo was also out front, and the pair stepped out as Kyoya's pulled in. They turned to look at the dark, tinted windows in unison as the driver walked around the car to open the door closest to the school.

Kaoru's eyes widened a little when he saw Haruhi exit the vehicle after Kyoya did. He was bound to know now, or at least have suspicions. Hikaru hardly flinched, but still looked confused. Kyoya explained, "I gave Haruhi a ride this morning. I didn't want anyone to be late today." It was a lame excuse, but Hikaru seemed to buy it. Kaoru on the other hand, did not. He only raised an eyebrow. It was probably time to tell them, sooner rather than later.

The four hosts walked across campus and entered the salon they reserved for the club. Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai were already there, dressed and ready for the day. Kyoya ordered everyone to go change into their costumes for the day.

The host club opened for business an hour later, and Tamaki was still nowhere to be seen. So much for hoping Tamaki would show up for the last day of his precious host club. Kyoya turned around an hour later to assess the room and noticed Éclair sitting at a table by the waterfall. He poured a cup of tea and took it to her table, since no one else was going to do it. He watched the twins turn their noses up at her, Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai were already busy with guests, and Haruhi was making more tea in the back room.

He set the cup on the table and welcomed her. She looked at him through her opera glasses and had to hold in a sneer. He attempted to smile pleasantly as she addressed him. "I know you. You're one of the Ootori family's sons, aren't you? Unfortunately, you're the third son, so you can never be the family successor."

Kyoya decided not to play the game she was obviously trying to play with him. She didn't know him. She had no right to address him that way. "What can I do for you today, mademoiselle?" He asked with as polite of a smile as he could conjure.

"You can tell me how much Haruhi Fujioka is still in debt with the host club." She answered.

Kyoya knew without even needing to consult his records. He had been counting down for the last two weeks. "Only one request left." He stated simply, though he was surprised by the question.

"The I would like to request her, if you don't mind."

Kyoya couldn't refuse a request from any guest, even if he didn't like this woman's agenda. He had no idea what it was, but it likely wasn't good. "Haruhi, you're needed." Kyoya called when he saw Haruhi from the corner of his eye.

She turned around in surprise, and Kyoya continued, still standing next to Éclair. "Someone to see you."

Kyoya watched Haruhi approach Éclair's table with reluctance, her steps slow and her lips pulled into a frown. She sat down as Kyoya moved away from her. He heard none of their conversation, and he didn't care to know. If it was important, Haruhi would tell him later, that he was sure of.

"I wonder what happened to Tama-chan." Honey-senpai said, hugging his Usa-chan close.

"I'm getting worried. What if something happened to him? After what he said yesterday…" Hikaru pondered, bringing back all-too-vivid images of Tamaki standing in the doorway at Éclair's side.

Kyoya shook off the memory. If Tamaki were there, he wouldn't want the other hosts slacking off. "Alright, gentlemen." Kyoya said, clapping his hands twice to get the others' attention. "No more idle chatter. Our guests are waiting for us."

"Senpai… It's like you don't even care." Kaoru accused.

Kyoya pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. If only he knew. Too bad Kyoya wasn't the type to display his emotions to just anyone. "It's our job to take care of our guests to the best of our abilities. Remember they're looking to all of us to entertain them. Their happiness is of the utmost importance." That, and it's what Tamaki would want if he were there.

Kyoya looked to Honey pleadingly. The older boy put on the biggest smile he could muster and tackled Kaoru, "He's right, Kao-chan!" He exclaimed and drug Kaoru off to tend to some guests.

Mori grabbed Hikaru as he walked by, "come on, Hikaru."

Kyoya had said it many times before, and he would say it again. He had a lot to thank those two for. He turned when he heard someone get up behind him. Haruhi was sitting by herself at the table, and Éclair was headed for the door. Something Éclair said must have shaken her, because Haruhi still sat at the table, looking at the vase of roses in front of her.

Kyoya approached. It was time to tell her. "Thank you for all of your hard work, Haruhi."

She looked up at him, obviously confused. She watched him, waiting for him to continue. He did so without further prompt. "After that request from Lady Éclair, your debt has been paid. You've finally repaid us for that renaissance vase you broke, so you're free to quit the host club… if you want…" Kyoya tacked on the last bit, hoping she wouldn't actually do it. He enjoyed spending that time with her, even if it wasn't always so directly. He would lose a lot by her quitting, and he hated the unknown in that possibility.

Haruhi's eyes widened and she first looked like all of her wildest dreams had come true, but that quickly changed into a look of bewilderment, then to confusion. Kyoya had an idea of what was going through her head. She likely felt much like he did. He loved the host club, even though it was frequently a pain in the ass.

He still stood looking over her when his father walked by. Kyoya pretended not to notice, not having the energy to deal with such matters at that moment. He continued to watch Haruhi as she looked down at her lap, still thinking things through.

Kyoya only looked over when his father was close enough to touch if only he reached out. He only looked at him from the corner of his eye. His father spoke, barely even stopping in his slow walk across the room. "When they're young, many assume they have all the time in the world, but really that is never the case."

Kyoya could practically feel the disappointment radiating off of his father, but Kyoya had nothing to fear from his father, not any more. He had taken care of that only this morning. "Don't waste your time with something that will ultimately have no value." His father said, apparently trying to give advice.

Kyoya nearly opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of Haruhi's sharp voice beat him to it. "You don't know anything about the host club." She got up to walk around him and speak more directly to Yoshio Ootori. "Kyoya-senpai works round the clock to make sure everyone here is enjoying themselves. And did you ever stop to think that entertaining others might give each of us some fulfillment? How can you possibly say that what we do here is just a waste of our time? I don't care what you say. I think Kyoya-senpai is amazing."

Kyoya could only watch her speak in amazement. No one had ever stood up to his father quite like she had just then. Even he wouldn't dare. He would have responded, yes, but not in that way. Not in such a way to prove his father wrong, or to negate everything he just said.

Kyoya watched his father carefully as he only stood there for a long few seconds. He expected anger. He expected his father to turn around and tell Haruhi off for speaking to him in such a way. Instead, he simply kept walking.

Relieved, Kyoya sighed. He let the tension bleed from his shoulders and he slowly pushed his glasses up his nose again. Haruhi only smiled at him and walked away. Kyoya needed to think. He walked to a vacant table and pulled out his laptop. He needed to check that his transaction would be finalized anyways. Hopefully before Grand Tonnerre's.

He continued to type away at his computer and keep an eye on Haruhi as she continued to serve the guests. At least he could take comfort that he wouldn't be losing her any time soon, as far as he could tell. She seemed to be his only pillar in that moment, and he truly hoped he wouldn't lose it.

As the afternoon faded to evening, the host club closed its doors so that the hosts could prepare for the parade. The hosts were given their outfits by Kyoya, who had noticed they had been delivered in the middle of the day. Looking at Haruhi's outfit, Kyoya understood what it was Tamaki had wanted. He had finally decided it would be better if Haruhi was presented as the girl she was, rather than a boy.

Haruhi smiled and nodded. She clearly understood as well. She went into the room next door to change, and returned to meet with the other hosts. Kyoya tried to call Tamaki. He had been looking forward to the parade the most, and he didn't want him to miss it. Haruhi had told him that Éclair had told Tamaki he wouldn't be allowed to be seen with the host club again, but he had one last thread of hope. He decided to tug on it.

The phone continued to ring in his ear until it went to voice mail. He hung up. Haruhi was sitting in a chair in her beautiful dress and a long wig. She looked stunning, though she didn't appear to be enjoying it either. No matter what, Haruhi would still be Haruhi, and he could take comfort in that.

When Kyoya hung up the phone, Kaoru asked, "well?"

"No luck. He's not there." He looked out the window at the great Ouran driveway and the beautiful grounds where students and their parents still wandered about.

"I can't believe senpai didn't show. I really thought he was going to make it, despite what she said." Haruhi said sadly.

Kyoya sighed, and said, "And I feel like it's our fault. No, scratch that. It's my fault."

"Your fault?" Hikaru asked, straightening up and giving Kyoya his full attention. "Why would this be your fault? If anyone is to blame it would be that Lady Éclair."

Kyoya shook his head then looked at Haruhi. His girlfriend met his gaze and she nodded her consent. It was time they were honest with everyone. "Haruhi and I have been dating for the last month now. It's not like we were purposely keeping a secret, we just… hadn't told anyone. Tamaki found out, and he found out the wrong way. I should have been the one to tell him. He's my best friend… I knew he loved her too, and I didn't even have the decency to tell him, my best friend."

As Kyoya explained, Hikaru's hands balled into fists. "You what?"

"I'm sorry to all of you. We should have been more open from the beginning, but we just didn't know how to tell you. It's been a little complicated anyways, since we don't know how Kyoya-senpai's family will react or anything. I am a commoner." Haruhi explained for him and Hikaru softened at her voice and tone.

"How did the boss find out?" Kaoru asked, much calmer than his older brother.

"He beat us to Haruhi's house one day after school. He was sitting in the living room with Ranka and heard us talking. I had said he would freak out when he found out we were dating and didn't tell him, and, well… I wasn't wrong." Kyoya said, and the hosts all slumped in defeat.

"It's okay, Kyo-chan. I don't think Tama-chan is really one to hold a grudge for something like that. He's probably already over it. I bet this is about something else entirely." Honey-senpai said, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Kyoya sighed, "I wish that were the case. He hasn't even talked to me in the last week. He completely ignores my very existence."

"He seemed fine to me." Hikaru countered.

"He acts like everything is fine when all of you are around but with me and Haruhi he's just cold. It's like we don't exist outside of the host club anymore."

"I just wish we had the chance to apologize and explain. He hasn't even given us the chance for that…" Haruhi said sadly.

Kyoya watched the room fall silent, and Haruhi look down at her hands in her lap. The twins looked on somberly. Kyoya had an idea. He dialed a number he rarely called and, as expected, Shima picked up on the other end. "Hello, Shima. Been a while, hasn't it? It's Kyoya."

Kyoya didn't even have to explain himself before Shima was explaining for him. "This is about master Tamaki, isn't it? I'm sorry, Kyoya, but the master will be departing for France soon." Kyoya could hardly believe what he was hearing. He stopped breathing, the air stuck in his throat as Shima continued. "I tried to talk him out of it, but he said the Suoh family had forgiven his beloved mother, and that he was finally going to get to see her again. He also said that if he stayed at Ouran any longer, his capriciousness would only continue to make trouble for you and everyone else in the club."

Kyoya couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was that really what he was leaving over? Kyoya had said he was capricious, but it was only a joke. Couldn't he tell by now when Kyoya was joking and when he was serious? "How could he be so stupid?" He lifted the phone away from his ear a bit and addressed the rest of the host club. "Evidently Tamaki is planning to return to France."

"Tama-chan is going to leave us?" Honey-senpai asked in despair.

"You're kidding me!" Hikaru shook with rage.

"Excuse me, sir." Shima said over the line, causing Kyoya to hold it to his ear again. "I was just thinking, if the master's mother really is as remarkable a woman as he claims she is, then I can only imagine that she would be upset with the manner in which the master has chosen to leave Ouran Academy."

Shima was right. Anne-Sophie would be upset if she knew the situation. "Do you know when he's leaving, Shima?"

"I'm afraid his flight is this evening."

"Why is he leaving so soon?"

"He would have left sooner, but he said he had to wait until the Ouran fair was ending." Just as Shima said that, Kyoya looked out the window and saw Tamaki in the back of a car with Éclair, the top down and blowing his blonde hair around as they drove away from the school.

"Tamaki!" Kyoya exclaimed and the other boys came up to the window to watch Tamaki drive away with him. Kyoya hung up the phone, not paying attention to what anyone said and only thinking through what he should do next. He didn't know if he could live with himself if they parted this way. If they parted, he wanted it to be as friends. Friends that would keep in contact. Not this. "My family's car should be in the parking lot. Haruhi, let's go."

The girl looked up from her chair and the group ran out the door and towards the parking garage. Kyoya breathed hard as he approached the familiar car and stopped at the open window. "We're in a hurry, can you drive us?"

The driver told him no, and Kyoya turned around to see the Black Onion Squad surrounding them. It was moments like these he was especially glad he had Honey and Mori-senpai as friends. Wait, where had they gone? Honey and Mori were nowhere to be seen. "You want to tell me your orders?" Kyoya asked. "Let me guess, you've been hired to protect Lady Éclair.

"I'm truly sorry it has come to this." One officer said, and Hikaru grabbed Haruhi and stood in front of her, protecting her the only way he could. Kyoya was okay with that. "But as you know, as members of the Ootori private police, we answer to your father." The patriarch, Kyoya added on his own, punching the hood of the car in frustration, hard enough to leave a good-sized dent in the hood. His father could pay for it. It was his fault anyways. "I'm sorry sir, but we've been ordered not to allow any of you to leave, even if we have to stop you by force." Kyoya looked at Haruhi. She was worried, he could tell by the way she sweat and held her hands in front of her.

The sound of hooves came from the left and the hosts looked over just in time to see Mori approaching with the carriage Tamaki had ordered, the horses already attached. Mori handled the reigns like a pro and knocked over some officers on the way. He stopped in front of the group. Honey-senpai dropped from the carriage on the other side, already in a fighting stance.

Before Mori joined him, he addressed Hikaru. "Hikaru, take the carriage. If you use the back hills bypass you can cut them off." He stepped off the carriage next to Honey-senpai and the police force simultaneously took a big step back.

The twins pulled themselves onto the carriage. Hikaru climbed into the driver's seat and took the reins. Kaoru turned back to hold out a hand to Haruhi. Kyoya took her by the shoulders and pulled her back into him. He spoke urgently into her ear, "Haruhi, go get that idiot. Hurry." He pushed her toward the carriage, and she took Kaoru's hand so that he could pull her up into the back seat. "Now go! This is your chance." Hikaru nodded and the carriage took off with a whip on the reins in Hikaru's hand.

Kyoya watched it go, then turned his attention to the police officers surrounding him and Honey and Mori-senpai already taking them out one-, two-, even three at a time. Before he knew it there was a pile of human, moaning bodies in front of him. They stacked nearly up to the ceiling. He was just glad he wasn't on the other end of Honey-senpai's rage. He was scary when he got angry.

Kyoya would never fail to be surprised by how quickly his attitude could change, however. He went from being a terrifying force of nature to a cute, cuddly little thing in a matter of moments. "Picking on my friends is a big no-no!" he exclaimed while Mori-senpai cracked his neck.

"You should never underestimate the Ouran host club." Kyoya said, amused by his little friend. He pushed his glasses up on his nose, thinking about the twins and Haruhi racing to beat Tamaki. Hikaru, Kaoru, Haruhi… please bring him back…

At that point the driver must have seen reason not to deny Kyoya and the others a ride since he had pulled out and had gotten out of his seat to open the door for the three of them. They climbed into the back and the driver sped off in the direction Kyoya told him. They decided to take the same route that the twins would be on. He was glad he decided on that, too.

They found Hikaru and Kaoru in the pumpkin patch, and they told him that Haruhi had taken the carriage on her own to chase after Tamaki. They sped off as fast as they could to try and catch up to her. They made it just in time to watch as she held out a hand to Tamaki, letting go of the reins.

Tamaki reached for her, too, and Éclair put a hand on his arm. Without the control of both sets of reins the horses went out of control, knocking Haruhi off. Kyoya couldn't see what Éclair was doing very well, but he could see Tamaki jumping out of the car to go after Haruhi, who had been thrown over the railing of the bridge and out over the water.

He was able to take her hand and pull her in close. Kyoya held his breath as he watched Tamaki pull her in as if for a kiss. He let it go when he diverted to a hug as they fell into the water. Kyoya instructed the driver to stop near the bank where they could get to the pair as they exited the water. Tamaki had just put her on her feet when the twins and Honey-senpai raced down to meet them.

Kyoya was able to follow slowly with Mori-senpai close behind. He wanted to talk to Tamaki, and he had more than one reason for that now. He watched the reunions of everyone until Tamaki looked up at him and their eyes met. Tamaki smiled sadly at him and Kyoya asked the others if they could have a minute.

They all left to go back to the car, leaving Kyoya and Haruhi alone with Tamaki. "I need to apologize, Tamaki."

"For what? I'm the one who abandoned you for something so stupid." Tamaki looked at Kyoya in confusion.

"No. I need to apologize for not telling you the truth. I know you've been mad about it, and I know I was in the wrong there. I'm sorry." Kyoya felt Haruhi lean in a bit closer to him and he put a hand on her back.

Tamaki looked between the two of them then shook his head. "Honestly, I'm not still mad about that at all. I was, at first. I thought you had betrayed me, lied to me, but then I realized you weren't trying to keep it a secret. You just hadn't told anyone yet, right?" Tamaki asked, looking to Kyoya for confirmation.

The raven nodded and Tamaki continued, "I wanted to leave because I thought I was causing you all trouble. Especially after how I've acted towards you over the last week, then you said I was capricious… I didn't know what else to do… I didn't know how to fix any of it." Tamaki bowed his head in what appeared to be shame.

Kyoya shook his head, "you fool. I was teasing you. It was a joke. I just wanted a normal reaction from you for once. It actually made me happy to see you protest the way you did to that yesterday. For a moment everything had gone back to normal. For a moment you were my best friend again. I had missed that more than anything."

"I'm sorry…" Tamaki said and Kyoya only smiled back at him. They stood quietly for a moment, still thinking everything through. Tamaki looked between Kyoya and Haruhi once again then smiled at them. "You know, you look good together."

The simple sentence made Kyoya chuckle in relief and pull Haruhi in a bit closer. He kissed the top of her hair and looked at Tamaki from the corner of his eye. He had a feeling this wasn't quite over yet, but he would take it over the alternative of Tamaki having left for France without a word to him or anyone else. That big smile lighting up bright blue eyes, and his girlfriend standing next to him was all he could have asked for.