I decided I couldn't just leave the story like this- it needed something extra- so I thought I'd put up a sort of epilogue. As this is based around sport I wasn't sure whether to continue, now the sports seem to be over…maybe I'll just have to start another one :D

Sorry I was ambiguous at the end of the last chapter- I wasn't quite sure whether to continue or to leave it like it was. I was persuaded to continue for an epilogue! Take this as a birthday present from me to you- it's my birthday so I'll give something back :D

Enjoy :D

Epilogue

(Third Music Room – Ouran Academy- a few hours after Host Club Victory)

Blearily, Haruhi opened her eyes and yawned, feeling a muscle in her arm twinge as she stretched it out. Looking around in bemusement, she saw she was sitting at one of the small tables, having used her arms as a pillow for her head. Something heavy was draped across her shoulders. She reached around for it and pulling it round, saw that it was an Ouran blazer.

"Whose is this?" Haruhi muttered, for she was wearing her own and at any rate, it was larger and broader in the shoulders than her own was.

"Haru-chan! You're awake!" Honey's voice broke the silence as the senior appeared next to her elbow, a beaming smile on his face.

"Huh? Honey-senpai? What…what's the time?" Haruhi asked, sitting up straighter, ignoring her protesting muscles as they unwilling moved from their sleepy positions.

"Thirty-five minutes passed five," Mori answered for the senior, from a nearby sofa.

Rubbing her eyes, Haruhi yawned again, brushing her fingers through her short, boyish cropped hair. "Oh right. Just gone half five." She began to settle down again. Half five?!" Haruhi double took, standing up sharply, her chair scraping back across the floor. I'm meant to be going home! What about dinner? What's dad going to do?

"Yes. We all came up here after celebrating our winning of the Ouran Sporting Championship!" Hikaru called to her, putting on a mock Renge voice from where he was lounging on a plush sofa with Kaoru beside him. "But that was like hours ago though."

Haruhi's mind filtered back, dredging up memories from earlier in the day that seemed as though they were from ten years ago. After being declared overall winners, the school had re-entered the main gym, where the Host Club had been presented the large gold trophy. It was now in pride of place on a podium in the middle of the Music Room, sparkling as the light hit it. Haruhi made a mental note to avoid it; she did not want any "accidents".

"It was rather boring afterwards when everyone left and you fell asleep at the table," Kaoru added, covering a yawn with the back of his hand.

"Yes, I remember coming here after the big celebrations…" Haruhi looked back at the blazer she was clutching. "Whose is this?" she repeated.

"That? Oh, I do believe it belongs to one Kyoya-senpai's," Hikaru said offhandedly.

"Kyoya-senpai's?" Haruhi blurted out. Why do I have Kyoya-senpai's blazer? Don't tell me something embarrassing happened…

"You looked cold Haru-chan so Kyoya-kun gave you his blazer," Honey piped up brightly.

Haruhi's robotically turned until she was facing the blonde senior. "Really?" she asked hesitantly. Right: so the Host Club's Shadow King giving me his blazer because I looked cold? Something is definitely up! Should I expect a bill in the post?

"Where is he and Tamaki-senpai anyway?" Haruhi noticed neither was present in the music room.

"Busy releasing a press statement for Akira Komatsuzawa and the Newspaper Club for an article about us winning," Kaoru explained. "They'll be back soon."

"I see," Haruhi said, sinking back into the chair, still holding the blazer to her chest. "Are you not going home?"

The twins looked at her. "Tono told us to wait for something," they said together.

Haruhi nodded slowly. The Music Room was comfortably warm and the sun was low in the sky; clouds of purple and orange floated lazily past in the sky through the large windows, furthering her sleepy feeling. Heads were drooping; Kaoru's head had slipped and was resting on Hikaru's shoulder, Honey was dozing on another sofa, covered in a pink blanket and watched over by a drowsy Mori. The action packed and emotional day had drained everybody.

Haruhi pulled up the blazer and used it as a pillow on the table, resting her arms on it. It smells slightly of Kyoya-senpai…she thought tiredly as her eyes fluttered shut. Within moments she was asleep again.

Unexpectedly, the Music Room doors were flung open and an exuberant Tamaki waltzed in, shattering the serene, sleepy silence that had filled every corner. "My children!" he crowed as he spun around excitedly.

"What?" Kaoru sat up sharply, elbowing Hikaru in the stomach. "Accident?"

"Fire?! Where? Ow!" Hikaru was startled awake by Tamaki's cry and then cringed in pain as his twin's elbow dug painfully into his stomach.

"Cake!" Honey sprang bolt up right on his sofa, pink blanket clutched in his fists, Mori instantly on alert the moment the doors had been opened.

"Tamaki, please try to control yourselves. Not every is as full of energy as you are at the moment," Kyoya said matter-of-factly as he walked in behind the lively Host Club King. "In fact I believe everyone wishes to return home."

Tamaki immediately quietened down as he spotted the only Host Club member who had not hurriedly awoken at his outburst. "Darling Haruhi is still asleep! We must allow her to slumber peacefully on! Hikaru silence!"

"It's not my fault! Someone has sharp elbows!" Hikaru protested, rubbing his stomach.

Kaoru looked guilty. "Don't blame me! Blame the person who woke us up!" he glared at Tamaki, who looked unabashed.

"Quiet! Haruhi is sleeping!" The King repeated, pointing to the sleeping young woman.

"Then I suggest you quieten?" Kyoya said again. Really, getting through to Tamaki sometimes was like speaking to a brick wall.

"But how will Haru-chan get home?" Honey asked, daintily eating a lollipop that Mori had provided in an attempt to bolster the senior's falling sugar levels.

"I don't think we have to worry about that," Tamaki said kindly to the senior as Mori lifted the lethargic Honey and began to carry him out of the room. Kaoru nodded and linking arms with his still grumbling twin began to steer them out of the room.

Tamaki glanced at Kyoya who was still where he was. "I'm going now," he said.

Kyoya nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I will see you in the morning then."

Tamaki smiled and spinning on his heel, left the music room to Kyoya and a sleeping Haruhi.

Kyoya waited until Tamaki's footsteps had receded down the corridor and slowly walked over to where the young woman who confused him endlessly was sleeping. More complex than the hardest maths equation, more unpredictable than the weather; to him Haruhi was a mystery.

His eyes settled on her peaceful face, which he noted with a raised eyebrow, was resting upon his blazer. How could the foolish students of Ouran ever see her as masculine? The long, sooty eyelashes, the flawlessly smooth skin: to him Haruhi was anything but masculine. Kyoya sighed. A few years back he would never had predicted feeling such strange emotions, least of all for a commoner.

Still staring at her face, he noticed a strand of dark hair lay across one cheek, out of place and so tempting to move. Cautiously, Kyoya reached out and brushed it aside, his fingers mechanically moving across her smooth cheek. It's just that I like being neat, nothing else… He drew back suddenly as he felt Haruhi stir.

Waking up for the second time in the Music Room, Haruhi stretched again and as she opened her eyes gasped. "Kyoya-senpai?"

"I apologise for waking you," the Shadow King said, moving away from her.

"No, it's ok," Haruhi assured him, recovering from the shock he had given her. Did I feel his fingers on my cheek or was that just my imagination? She thought to herself. "What time is it now? Has everyone else gone home?"

"They all left a few minutes ago," Kyoya said as she stood up. He watched her carefully, hoping she had not felt his touch. I kissed her mere hours ago and it is as though nothing has changed…Is this what I want?

"It's getting late I suppose. I should leave too. Thank you for waking me," Haruhi nodded, still holding the blazer. Picking up her bag which was by the foot of the chair she walked towards the door. It feels as though nothing has happened between us…did he really kiss me in the maze? Or was I just imagining things?

"Haruhi?"

Haruhi paused and turned to face the Shadow King. "Yes senpai?"

"I believe you still have my blazer?" Kyoya raised an eyebrow as Haruhi glanced down and realised she was indeed still holding Kyoya's uniform. She looked back up and noticed Kyoya was devoid of his purple blazer, wearing only his school shirt and tie.

Haruhi blushed slightly, remembering what Honey had told her. "Sorry, I forgot that I had it. Thank you for lending it to me, I appreciate it," she said sincerely, a warm smile on her face. She walked back towards him.

Kyoya watched her walking towards him, her eyes looking brighter than they had minutes before when she had been tired.

"Here you- oh!" Haruhi gasped as she tripped over an undone shoelace on her right shoe. She fell forwards, her face frozen in an expression of surprise, arms outstretched.

However, instead of feeling any pain, Haruhi was in a pair of strong arms, pressed against a warm chest. Her hands had grasped hold of the nearest object to support her, which were shirt covered forearms. She was leaning against the body of her rescuer and felt a fierce blush of embarrassment sweep across her cheeks.

The evening sunshine shone through the windows, bathing the music room in a warm orange light, illuminating the two students standing alone in the middle, their shadows very close, with only a tiny beam of light peeping through.

Kyoya had reacted out of instinct. The moment he had seen Haruhi's startled expression and her falter forwards, he had moved swiftly to help her. Now, he felt his heart thud awkwardly as he held Haruhi against his chest, preventing her from hitting the floor. The smell of her delicious, fruity shampoo wafted close to his nose and her small hands were gripping his forearms. He watched as she raised her head slowly, a red blush splashed across her face, her mouth in a stunned 'oh' shape.

Kyoya could still not recall what had possessed him at that time. Could still not understand why he had so unexpectedly done it. Nevertheless, not caring what rational thought his brain was trying to process, he had stooped down slightly, arms still wrapped around Haruhi, he brushed his lips against hers, in a soft, feather light kiss.

Haruhi's eyes widened in shock as she felt Kyoya's lips upon hers and her fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt. Kyoya is kissing me…not to win a tournament...but because he wants to…

After a moment, Kyoya drew back, considering the flabbergasted young woman who was still in arms, frozen in place, staring straight at him. In any other situation he might have found her expression comical.

"Kyoya-senpai…" Haruhi breathed after a moment.

Kyoya attempted to clear his throat and his foggy brain, battling to come up with a reason for the unexpected and definitely uncharacteristic show of affection he had just displayed. His mind was turning up blank. His mind was completely at a loss.

"Haruhi I-" he began, before being cut off.

Haruhi had straightened in his arms, now standing up right and reaching up onto her tiptoes had very hesitantly, her eyes fluttering shut, kissed him back. The light between their shadows disappeared as the two shadows became one.

She is kissing me back…was she waiting for me to kiss her? Kyoya's mind buzzed with infinite questions as he attempted to understand the ever changing situation, over which he suddenly had no control. Then again, was he ever in control around her? Slowly, he leant forwards, adding his own weight to the kiss.

"Now, is this a bad time to be interrupting?" an amused voice asked.

As though stung with red hot pokers, the young man and woman had sprung apart, looking for the intruder on their private moment.

"Tamaki," Kyoya had almost growled, his glasses glinting. Haruhi's blush had deepened- if it were at all possible.

"What?" Tamaki said, holding his hands up. "I simply forgot my bag," he pointed to the lone school bag by one of the sofas. "Homework comes first Kyoya Ootori and you know it."

Kyoya refrained from pinching the bridge of his nose and instead took a deep breath. "Fine. Get it then."

Tamaki shot them both a brilliant smile. "I'm glad you agree Kyoya!" he said brightly, marching straight passed the two stunned students and collecting his bag. "I'll see you for club activities tomorrow!"

As the music room doors banged shut, Tamaki hummed merrily as he walked along the red carpeted corridor. "What had they been waiting for? An invitation?" he mused to himself as he rounded a corner.

"What were they waiting for Tono?" two voices asked. Hikaru and Kaoru had emerged from behind a suit of armour.

"Hikaru and Kaoru! You should not eavesdrop!" Tamaki admonished.

Hikaru waved a dismissive hand. "Come off it. Now what were they up to?" he asked.

"Haru-chan and Kyoya-kun were up to something?" an innocent voice entered the conversation. "I want to know?"

"Honey-senpai! I thought you had gone home!" Tamaki said exasperatedly looking from one member of his Host Club to the next.

"Do you think Honey-senpai would understand if we told him?" Hikaru wondered.

"How could you think of corrupting his innocent brain!" Kaoru reprimanded.

"I thought all gone home!" Tamaki wrung his hands, despairing that his ingenious plan had failed. "It was meant to be a secret"!

Hikaru and Kaoru laughed. "And miss out on what was happening here? I think not!" Kaoru chuckled.

"News of the century this is," Hikaru smirked. "That will be something the Newspaper Club will pay billions for! An exclusive scoop!"

"I'm happy for them," Honey announced, as Mori affirmed his view.

"But Mom with my Haruhi? I don't know how I can bear it!" Tamaki said, wiping tears away. "My little girl all grown up and having…a boyfriend!"

"All children fly the nest at some point Tono," Hikaru consoled the stricken lord. "And let's not jump to conclusions."

"At least you trust the person she is with. Who could be better for Haruhi?" Kaoru commented.

"I guess so," Tamaki acknowledged, blowing his nose on an expensive, designer handkerchief. "And if that is all, I suggest we all go home. The Italian Inquisition can set up tomorrow."

"I think you'll find it was the Spanish," Kaoru said lightly, as the remainder of the Host Club set off down the stairs towards the grand entrance of their school. "Do you pay no attention?"

"That too," Tamaki agreed. "The more the better!"

(Back in the Music Room)

"What an idiot," Kyoya muttered under his breath as they watched Tamaki disappear, the doors shutting once more. The room was silent again, but the special moment that had been created before was gone.

Haruhi didn't know quite what to say. The last few minutes were still trying to catch up wit her.

Taking a deep breath, Kyoya turned to face the young woman before him, who was still staring at the doors. "Haruhi?" he asked.

Her eyes snapped to look at him, attentive if a little self-conscious.

"You still have my blazer," Kyoya pointed out.

Laughing quietly, Haruhi held up the crumpled blazer that had been squashed between the two of them, great creases where Kyoya's uniform was usually so immaculately ironed.

"I suppose I shouldn't charge you to have it professionally washed and dry cleaned," Kyoya smirked a little.

Haruhi opened her mouth to protest before she saw the teasing glint in his eyes. "That's not fair to tease me, I can't have any more added to my debt," she warned him. She could have laughed. Here was she, a mere commoner, threatening an Ootori!

Kyoya watched her infectious smile bubble to the surface and raised an eyebrow. It was always so difficult to know what she was thinking. "What are you thinking?" he asked at last.

"How different this feels," Haruhi said at last. "How much I…like it?" she stared up at him, her eyes very wide and honest.

Kyoya nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose, "Good." Taking her by the hand, he began to lead her out of the Music Room.

"Kyoya-senpai- where are we going?" Haruhi asked, slightly bewildered as she let herself be pulled along.

Kyoya paused, one hand resting on the door handle. "Haruhi. I believe it is now appropriate for you to address me as Kyoya, given the situation and the way our current relationship now stands. We have kissed at least twice so I believe that that is reason enough. And two, it's a surprise." A rare smile appeared on his face as he considered her shocked expression. "Let's not hang around to catch flies then shall we?" he asked, noting her open mouth.

Kyoya had just pulled open the door to the Music Room when a small voice made him stop in his tracks.

"Kyoya…?"

Pausing, he turned round to face the owner of the voice: a very shy looking young woman, who looked at him with wide, shinning eyes.

"Yes Haruhi?" he asked.

"I just wanted to try it," Haruhi blushed, looking away quickly.

Kyoya raised an eyebrow, that much only needed to ask his question.

When Haruhi nodded, he pulled her through the door, his hand slipping comfortably into her hand. In Haruhi's other free hand was still tightly clutched Kyoya's wrinkled blazer.

I've officially finished my first Ouran story! I never thought it would be this successful so I am very grateful to all of you who have read/reviewed/favourite-d etc and stuck with it! Thank you :D Your lovely comments and suggestions helped me along the way!

I was thinking about doing a sequel to this- but I am not sure when- I have a few ideas and some rough chapters I was going to put here but didn't… and I still want to use those at some point. Unfortunately, this is a hugely busy year for me and I may just wait till the summer when Universities applications, A2s and everything are out of the way. If you're lucky I may put up some one shots or something a bit longer. I hope I find time :D

Thank you again for being wonderfully supportive and encouraging :D Thank you to all the anonymous reviewers too! I owe you all a great deal!

Bye!

AldabaranFox

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