With the last of the shellfish unloaded, I dismissed security to patrol the roads. "But take care not to be seen from the beach. We don't want the girls to feel intimidated."

"Yes, Kyoya-sama," they acknowledged, and I turned to climb over the dunes and return to my duties as the host club Vice President.

Over the sound of the surf, the voices of Hikaru and Kaoru carried on the breeze. "Haruhi's not normal. I thought girls were afraid of bugs."

Tamaki replied, "I'm sure she's afraid of something."

A beat, and then the duo made eye contact and smiled in silent conspiracy. "Hey Boss, listen up! We just thought of a new game to play that could be a lot of fun. It's called the Who-Can-Figure-Out-Haruhi's-Weakness game."

Aha! Now there's a challenge that would be amusing, I thought. As the twins continued reeling in Tamaki, my mind was already beginning to cross-reference likely phobias with my recollections of the young woman in various circumstances. When had I actually seen the unflappable Haruhi appear uneasy?

Tuning back in I heard the twins' final pronouncement. "The deadline is sunset tomorrow. Whoever finds out Haruhi's weakness wins!"

Yes, an absolutely delicious challenge. Caught up in the twins' spirit of mischief I couldn't help myself. I said, "And I have the perfect prize for the game's lucky winner." I plucked several of Haruhi's middle school yearbook photos from my notebook and brandished them with a flourish.

Tamaki's jaw drop was so satisfying that I very nearly let a chuckle escape.

Honey cheered, "We wanna play too!"

"I guess that means we're all competing," I concluded. As my brain turned to scheming, I vaguely heard remonstrances regarding the origin of the pictures I held. "I have my sources," I baited, allowing my good humor to manifest itself in a sly smile, mostly at Tamaki's endearing jealous shenanigans. A little mystery should really set him off… "How about we just leave it at that for the moment." Again I had to stifle a laugh as I could practically see the images parading through Tamaki's brain: Haruhi posing in her school uniform just for me as I snap shot after shot; Haruhi caught up in the moment, laughing with me and twirling (as if she would ever be caught dead in a twirl)!

The images were charming, and I shook my head to dispel them as I watched the host club boys disperse to their planning.

As the day wore on, I watched the others test Haruhi in one trumped up situation after another. Honestly, did they think our heroine would crumble at the specter (ha! I do amuse myself) of ghosts, snakes or dark places? Resting under a shade umbrella, I scribbled down in my notebook some more imaginative possibilities. Based on what I had observed of her behavior for several months, she seemed most often uncomfortable when confronted with certain issues related to money or to the opposite sex. I stared at the brilliant orange reflection of the sunset as ideas began to take shape in my head.

Gradually the sound of raised voices broke through my reverie. Glancing in the direction of the clamor I was just in time to see Haruhi pitched backwards off the rocky outcropping that separates my family's private beach from the more public stretch of sand to its south. I leapt up in horror, my notebook tumbling to my feet. Little Haruhi! Always trying to be so tough, so cool, and yet falling through the air so tiny, so…fragile.

My heart clenched in fear, and I stood frozen. Then a second figure followed Haruhi, this one diving purposefully from the precipice. Tamaki, of course. Off to rescue the damsel in distress. Haruhi would choke to hear herself called such.

Hmmm. How will she react to this rather scary situation? Will she finally fall apart, show her weakness? Or will she protest Tamaki's interference?

Their heads bobbed above the water, Haruhi pinned against Tamaki in what appeared to be a proper rescue hold. Released from my paralysis I bent to retrieve my notebook, using my discarded shirt to brush sand off it. Readjusting my glasses, I snatched up my cell and called the head of security as I began moving toward the ocean.

"Yessir, we have them in custody, sir," he replied to my queries.

I paused to squint up at the shadowed figures on the rocks. "Please hold them at the premises until I arrive. And direct the young ladies to return to the hotel." Perhaps he heard the anger I tried to conceal, for he agreed with more than due deference. Moving again, I placed a call to the concierge ordering up a doctor. I hung up just as I reached the host club members who had gathered at the water's edge.

Haruhi hung limply as Tamaki cradled her dripping form in his arms. Her cheap, commoner clothing clung to every contour. I hastily draped my shirt over her.

"Where'd they go?" Tamaki's voice was low and menacing.

"We took their ID cards and respectfully asked them to leave," I fabricated for Haruhi's benefit. I briefly reviewed the situation, but at the mention of the soon-arriving doctor Haruhi finally perked up.

Wriggling out of Tamaki's hold, she protested. "I'm fine, you guys. I don't need a doctor."

We could all see Tamaki starting down the path to destruction. Oh, his logic was more or less sound, but so was Haruhi's… to a point. She seemed to underestimate her vulnerability to the opposite sex, and how enticing that might be for certain unprincipled individuals. Hmmm, now there's an idea….

Oh, it was a wretchedly, completely inappropriate time for it, but my brain had been puzzling over her possible weaknesses and fears all day. It's not my fault that I cannot simply turn off my intellect in the midst of solving a promising challenge. I would have to wait and see if a more appropriate time presented itself for testing my hypothesis.

Honey took Haruhi's hand and babbled cheerfully as he led her back toward the villa. With Mori at their backs I was certain she would be safe on the short walk.

Which reminds me…

"Hikaru, Kaoru. Would you care to assist me in, ah, questioning the unfortunate men who attacked our Haru-chan?" The menace that crept into their matching smiles was precisely what I'd expected.

When she appeared for dinner we all couldn't help but gawk at the sight of her in a dress. Well, I don't actually gawk. But I couldn't help raising an eyebrow, which was telling for me. Her dainty collarbones shone in the light of the chandelier, and the simple jumper showcased the perfect ivory skin of her arms. I felt a rush of anticipation. Somehow I just knew I would find the appropriate time tonight.

Dinner was an awkward affair. Any chance of genteel conversation was squelched by the silent battle of wills being waged between Haruhi and her rescuer. The boiled crabs were adequately prepared, but not as "crabtastic" as Haruhi maintained. Clearly her exaggerated enjoyment of them was only intended to annoy Tamaki. This affectation of nonchalance was perhaps the most girly behavior I had ever seen from Haruhi.

And it worked like a charm on Tamaki.

"It seems you refuse to admit that you were wrong," he said eventually. "See if I care then. I'm going to bed. Kyoya, would you show me to my room please?"

We walked silently from the dining hall. The years –and an odd variety of shared circumstances—left us comfortable with one another, even in his current petulant state.

"Here is your room," I said, opening the door from the hallway and following him inside. "The bathroom is en suite and is stocked with towels and toiletries. The staff delivered your bag earlier. Your shirts have been pressed and are hanging in the closet there."

He thanked me politely, but continued to stand unmoving in the middle of the room. "She just doesn't understand," he murmured.

I made a noncommittal noise and turned to leave. "My room is right next door if you need anything-the one closest to the dining hall."

I heard him sigh as I pulled the door closed behind me.

He'll cheer up in no time. It's not in his nature to stay upset.

I heard subdued tones coming from the dining area. I decided to retire to my room rather than join in the group chastening of Haruhi.