Summary: Haruhi's accomplished her dream of becoming a lawyer and, yes, the Host Club is still around. But what happens when she finds herself in the middle of a dispute between the Suous and Ootori? And what happens when Haruhi finds out she's the root of the problem?
Okay, just so you know, I absolutely LOVE Ouran High School Host Club...and this particular fanfic has been brewing inside my head for quite some time. So, I hope you enjoy it!
" Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both"
--Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"
Chapter One
Haruhi cursed as she heard the door to her apartment open. She didn't mind that Kyoya had somehow managed to get a copy of her key—it was pointless to resist the far-reaching arm of K.O—but did he really have to give the key to everyone else?
It had been nearly eight years since Ouran and despite their only occasional visits to Harvard (Haruhi had flat-out refused to allow the Host Club to attend the same college as her), the old Host Club was closer than ever. And even more successful.
Kyoya was the head of his own branch of the family company by use of his Shadow King abilities and yet seemed ever-available to organize and run his friends' lives. The Hitachiin twins had started their own fashion line geared towards high-powered women (inspired mostly by their desire to dress Haruhi) and were known as world-class playboys. Hunny and Mori had become mysteriously successful within their mysterious family and liked nothing more than to spend time with their friends. Meanwhile, Tamaki, though not successor to his father, was the "Face of the Suous" and had far too much time on his hands. And Haruhi? Due to her connections from Ouran, she now worked for one of the most prestigious law firms in Japan—secretly and just recently taken over by Kyoya (a move which Haruhi suspected was only to keep her more indebted to the bespectacled mogul).
"Haru-chan, Haru-chan!"
The young woman breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Hunny-kun's familiar greeting. Hopefully, Hunny-kun and Mori-senpai would be her only guests that night...
"Haruhi!"
Haruhi raised her eyes to the ceiling as she recognized the twins' voices. Why she had ever thought she could have a quiet evening was beyond her.
"In the kitchen!" she called.
Kaoru and Hikaru bounded into the kitchen, glancing at the stove expectantly. Though quite used to five-star dining, the twins never missed an opportunity to eat Haruhi's exquisite cooking. And she had learned a long time ago to always make enough for seven people.
Hunny and Mori followed more sedatedly into the spacious kitchen (made possible by Haruhi's generous salary and Kyoya's ability to find whatever was needed). The two hadn't changed much, though Hunny was slightly taller and no longer carried his pink bunny out in the open (it was in a little black backpack carried with him at all times—along with an emergency supply of cakes unfailingly replenished every morning). Mori-senpai was, if at all possible, was even more reticent than he had been.
Assured the food wouldn't burn, Haruhi turned. And found the twins laden with material and sporting matching devilish grins. Sighing, Haruhi promised the two they could experiment on her after dinner.
She sat down at her ridiculously large table (just big enough to fit seven people and yet too large for one person). "So how are things going?" Haruhi asked her friends.
The twins exchanged a mischievous look. "Actually, Haruhi," Hikaru began.
"We need you for a bit tomorrow night," Kaoru finished.
"I am afraid Haruhi is already attending that particular function," said a voice from the doorway.
The twins turned to stare at Kyoya angrily. "With who?" they demanded simultaneously.
"Ah, I promised Kyoya-senpai I would go with him," Haruhi revealed.
They turned back to her. "What? Why?"
"Kyoya-senpai believed it would be best," Haruhi replied. Actually, his exact words had been along the lines of an innocent threat/guilt trip but Haruhi wasn't going to admit that.
Kyoya adjusted his glasses. "Such an appearance will bring Haruhi under speculation again, further bolstering the noteriety of the firm."
Haruhi cringed inwardly at Kyoya's blunt words. As the only close female friend of six of Japan's most eligible bachelors, Haruhi was nearly always under speculation. Lately, however, she had been out of the spotlight. She stood and returned to the stove, sighing. Though she had Kyoya had gotten closer over the years, Haruhi still felt like a prop or—as was the case with the twins—a doll.
"Where is senpai?" she asked softly, stirring her soup.
Kyoya plugged his laptop up and began typing. "Finishing up an outing with several important Suou clients," he replied absently, eyes fixed on the screen.
"Ah." Once a host, always a host. Tamaki hadn't been dubbed the "Face of the Suous" for nothing. Even Hunny and Mori had continued entertaining after Ouran, though all of the hosts had broadened their scope to include the businessmen in their world. Now, instead of romantically wooing their clients, the Hosts wooed them with conversation and entertainment. In fact, one of Kyoya's fledgling businesses involved hiring out to major companies who wished to host elaborate parties or dinners for their clients.
At Haruhi's short response, Kyoya glanced up. "He should be here quite soon."
"Does Haru-chan have any cake?"
Haruhi laughed. "Of course, Hunny." She motioned to the well-stocked fridge. "I bought a strawberry cake you can share with Mori." As Mitsukuni headed to the fridge, Haruhi shook her head. "Just a tiny piece, okay? You wouldn't want to spoil dinner."
"Haruhi..."
Hikaru suddenly slipped his arms around Haruhi's waist. Kaoru followed suit.
"We've designed something especially for you."
Another laugh burst from Haruhi. "Everything you design seems to be for me."
The two moved closer, grins widening. "But this one is meant to go underneath our other designs..."
Haruhi let out an exasperated breath. "Get off. I need to serve the food."
"But Haruhi!"
"NOOOOOO! What are you two fiends doing to poor Haruhi!" Tamaki ran into the kitchen, attempting to save Haruhi. But when the twins immediately released her, he stopped, confused. They didn't normally give up Haruhi so easily...
Haruhi turned, a steaming pot in her hand, and ran straight into Tamaki. Luckily the lid was on. "Sorry," she muttered, before swerving around the new arrival and placing the food on the table. "Mori, could you get the rolls and casserole from the oven?" she asked over her shoulder.
"Ah."
"And please turn it off, too."
"I'll do it!" Kaoru shouted, immediately running to the oven. Hikaru trailed behind, blowing silent raspberries towards Tamaki.
Later, everyone gathered in the living room, talking as the twins draped cloth all over Haruhi and Tamaki quietly fumed in a corner.
Never looking up from his laptop, Kyoya asked the twins softly, "Do you have a suitable dress she can wear tomorrow?"
Hikaru and Kaoru stopped for a moment and nodded, eyes bright.
"We have the perfect dress!" Kaoru explained.
"It will compliment her perfectly," Hikaru added. "And make Tono jealous."
At these words, Tamaki's head perked up. "What are you whispering about?"
"No one is whispering about anything," Kyoya responded calmly.
"Kyo-chan and Haru-chan are going to the Hideaki Dinner together!" Hunny shouted out happily.
Tamaki turned his stricken face to Kyoya. "Mother, how could you?" he whined.
Kyoya ignored him. "Haruhi also has a two week vacation coming up within the month," he told the twins in a bored tone. "Does she have anything to wear in Italy?"
Kaoru and Hikaru, who knew far more about Haruhi's closet than Haruhi, frowned. "She has one or two things," Hikaru admitted.
"But we'll have to make a whole new wardrobe," Kaoru said.
The two lit up and grinned at each other. "We will make our new 'Italian Haruhi' line!" they proclaimed.
Haruhi groaned. All of the twins' lines had something to do with her. Each and every single one.
"Perhaps Venice..." Kyoya muttered softly, gray eyes glinting. His fingers still flew over the keyboard.
"We'll call it 'A Venetian Summer!'"
As the twins began to dance around, Haruhi took the opportunity to sit down. Kyoya. Ever the Shadow King. Though he didn't own every company in Japan, he controlled a good portion of them, just with a few carefully place comments. She shook her head and watched as the twins took hold of Hunny-kun and the three pranced about the room.
During this whole scene, Tamaki had slowly been creeping further and further into his corner. And yet, when the twins mentioned "Venetian Summer," the blond immediately stood, stars sparkling in his eyes while the background filled with roses and glitter.
-------start Tamaki mind-theatre-------
The two lay wrapped in each other's arms in a floating gondola, staring up at the night sky.
"Tamaki-senpai, this is so beautiful!" Haruhi turned her large, adoring eyes towards her companion and suddenly, they filled with tears. "If only we could spend eternity like this..."
Tamaki smiled and leaned forward. "But we can, dearest Haruhi...we can."
-------end Tamaki mind-theatre-------
"Kyoya! We must go at once!" Tamaki took hold of Haruhi and began dragging her around the room after the twins and Hunny. "Poor Haruhi has never seen Venice and we must make all her dreams come true! We must give her Venice!"
Haruhi, barely able to breathe, sent a pleading look to Mori. Without a word, the tall young man strode over to Tamaki and lifted Haruhi out of his grip. He carried her over to the couch and gently placed her down beside Kyoya.
Kyoya didn't even glance at Haruhi. Instead, his eyes stayed glued to his computer screen. "Arrangements have already been made."
Finally able to speak, Haruhi looked at Kyoya in confusion. "When did I get a vacation?" she asked.
"I noticed you had no cases coming up and arranged for you to be free for a few weeks," Kyoya answered, bored.
Haruhi shook her head, defeated. She hadn't really wanted a vacation but, now that she thought about it, a break from work would be nice. The problem was that she was beginning to think she'd never get a break from the Host Club...Would she never have a real life?
Aww, poor Haruhi. All alone with the Host Club and no buffer. Sounds like my kind of life. Ah, so who do we want Haruhi to end up with? I haven't decided yet, so maybe you could...well, if you have an opinion on the matter, please review and tell me! (yep, you guessed it: the polling is an elaborate trick to get you to review...but, seriously, i want your opinions!!!!!!)