Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club. It belongs to Bisco Hatori. I make no money from this fanfiction.

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"Talking"

Thinking

Z is for Zen

The usually loud third music room rang with a steady silence. Haruhi noticed as she neared the doors. She was sure Kyoya would have her head since she was late, but it seemed as if they weren't there yet either. She took a deep breath and opened the doors. The lack of flying rose petals unnerved her, but only for a second. She stared, only slightly shocked, as she let her gaze fall around the room.

All the hosts had gathered around and were quietly instructing their patrons on how to achieve the perfect meditation. Haruhi sighed. "Is this the only thing you took from our conversation the other day Tamaki-senpai?" She asked as she grabbed a mat by the door.

Tamaki looked up and ran toward her as he said, "Haruhi! I'm so happy your finally here!" his happy expression fell, "I don't get how to do this."

"When you caught me meditating what did I tell you?" Haruhi asked blandly.

"That you did it to relieve stress?" Tamaki guessed.

"That and I also told you that to understand, you need to be taught by someone who knows what their doing." Haruhi said. "Look at her, her posture is all wrong. Why didn't you just ask me to bring in my Sensei?"

"We didn't want to be a bother." Kaoru said as he came up to her. "But since you're here now, can you show us the right way?"

Didn't want to be a bother, my ass. Haruhi thought sourly as she placed the mat in the middle of the room. "Alright I'll help." She told him. "Everyone please move to form a circle around me. I'm going to show you the proper way to meditate."

Haruhi sat down and winced. She looked around at the students. At least the other girls were wearing dresses, not that she would have found the attire comfortable, but at least they seemed to be. She however, could not meditate in this restricting uniform.

She caught Mori's eyes. "Mori-senpai?" She asked.

"Hm?" He asked.

"Do you have any practice gi that I could possibly wear for this? The uniform is a bit restrictive." She explained.

His eyes lit with interest. "Yes. Come with me."

"Where are you going?" Hani asked as he hugged Haruhi.

"Mori-senpai is going to have me try on a Gi because this uniform is too tight for the way I need to sit."

Hani's eyes shone with understanding. "I'll keep the others occupied until you get back."

Soon they were in the dojo, and Takashi gave Haruhi an appraising look before selecting a uniform and handing it to her. "This should fit." He said.

"Thanks." she went into the changing room and when she came out, he blushed.

"What?" Haruhi asked. "I'm not wearing it wrong am I?"

Takashi stepped a bit closer to her, unsure of how to help her with out getting too close. "Um...you tied the belt wrong. They'll be able to tell you're a girl." He wanted to hide his face, he was blushing so much. "You...ah..."

Haruhi looked down and then wandered to the front of the room where a large mirror stood. She looked at her reflection and her cheeks flushed slightly. "Um...I've never worn this before...but it isn't supposed to show off that much is it?"

Takashi shook his head. "Ah...no..." he gathered his courage. "If you like, I can show you..."

Haruhi's eyes lit up. "Would you? That would help a lot."

He nodded and turned to the lockers. He selected his own Gi, and pulled out Hani's as well. He hurriedly changed and returned to show her.

Standing in front of her showing her how to place the fabric as she watched him dress, made him self conscious. He knew she'd seen him without his shirt before, both times at the beach and Kyoya's indoor pool, but somehow, this seemed different.

Her eyes seemed stuck to his chest, watching the way the fabric moved as he folded it, once folded, he showed her how to tie the belt. Now her eyes were attached to his hands, and his waist. He blushed a deeper red, and then dropped his hands to rest by his sides.

"Did you get all that?" He asked.

"I think so." Haruhi confirmed. "Should I try to fix this then?"

"Ah."

"Okay." she hurried into the locker room again, and in five minutes, she came out.

"That's better." Takashi told her. "Your secret is safe now."

Haruhi smiled weakly. "You know, with the right incentive, I don't think I'd mind them knowing I was a girl..."

Takashi looked at her questioningly.

Haruhi caught his look and smiled brightly. "Ah, nothing to worry about, Mori-senpai. Thank you for helping me."

Takashi nodded, and they hurried out of the room.

"Now, I want you to all sit like this." Haruhi said, pointing to Takashi. "See how his back is perfectly straight? He can relax and meditate without worrying about bad posture and it will hold him straight as he does."

She then spent the next fifteen minutes walking around the room, and correcting the girl's posture. When they were all sitting properly, she joined them by sitting in the center next to Takashi.

"Now, close your eyes, relax your muscles, breath evenly, and clear your mind of any thought. It will be difficult at first, because your minds are so full from the day's activities. If you find your thoughts wandering, calmly revert your mind to the blank state." Haruhi calmly told them. "Once you've achieved this, I want you to picture the one place in your mind where you feel serene, picture this, and relax."

Soon there were the sounds soft breathing, a few light snores, but other than that, the room was silent.

Haruhi was completely relaxed as she reached with her mind for her zen. Her breathing was very shallow, and the minor sounds of the room had vanished. All around her, tree's grew, some materialized from thin air, and the light sound of water running filled her mind. She walked through the garden and sat on a mossy rock that jutted out over the pond. She was calm. She was serene.

Soon she added the last part of the scene, that would allow her to reach a perfect meditation. Strong arms wrapped around her and she could almost feel lips on her neck. She continued her breathing, and felt herself floating. She was light, and air, and so many things at the same time. It was at if she was Zen itself.

She sat like that for several minutes, before she carefully allowed the trees to dematerialize, and shrink slowly. The rocks and grass disappeared, then the pond and sound of running water were gone as well. She was solid again but the arms were still there. She felt them leave her and as she let her breathing even out once again, she slowly opened her eyes.

All the customers were at the couches and sipping tea. Haruhi looked around and saw that only she was left. She slowly stood up, gracefully and rolled her mat. She placed it with the others and joined her customers for tea. "I apologize for keeping you. I loose track of time when I meditate." Haruhi said. "Did you have to wait long?"

The girls blushed. "Um, Haruhi-kun? It's hard to clear your mind, I mean...I kept thinking about how handsome you look in that uniform."

Haruhi flashed them a smile. "It's okay, I had a hard time when I first started as well. It just takes practice."

"We'll try harder next time." They said.

"What did you think of?" Kaoru asked Hikaru.

"I thought of a sewing room."

"Really? I thought of mom's fashion shows."

"That's cool." Hikaru said. "Hey Hani-senpai! What did you picture when we were meditating?"

"I thought of a room full of cake!" He grinned as he took a forkful of the chocolate treat.

"Mori-senpai, what about you?" They asked.

"Takashi didn't get to that point, he couldn't get out of the clear your mind phase." Hani said sadly. "He usually gets further, but today..."

"It's fine." Takashi said. "I'll meditate more at home."

"I couldn't get out of the clear your mind phase either, so don't fret Mori-senpai!" Tamaki's loud voice rang as he ran up to them.

"I pictured my fathers company in my complete control." Kyoya said.

The others looked at him, not even a little bit surprised.

"Haruhi what about you?" Hani asked.

Haruhi said good bye to the last girl as she left the room. "Me?" she asked. "I thought of a garden. With running water, trees, and featherlight k-" She clamped her mouth shut, a pink tinge to her cheeks. No need to let them know, they'd just start a scene. "Anyway, I almost always achieve the perfect zen no matter what scene I chose." Haruhi told them. "It's about picturing the one thing that relaxes you to the point where you can let go."

"Oh! I get it." Tamaki said.

"Somehow, I don't think you do." Haruhi replied dryly.

"What else were you going to say, Haru-chan?" Hani asked from his perch on Takashi's shoulder.

She glanced up at him, blushing when she noticed Mori looking at her. "It's nothing much." she said. "Just something that I always picture when I meditate. It helps me relax easier."

The others had left the room. "Maybe we should get going." Haruhi said. "I need to make it to the market by five..."

"It sounded like you were going to say kisses." Hani said. "Don't you think Taka-chan?"

With the right incentive...Takashi thought back to her words. Featherlight k...what was she going to say? It did seem like she meant kisses... He shook the words out of his head just in time to hear Mitsukuni ask him a question.

"Ah." He agreed.

Haruhi blushed more, and stammered, "Well, I...ah...was." she said. "I didn't want to make a big deal out of it because Tamaki-senpai was here...you know how he gets."

"Haru-chan?" Hani asked. "Do you have someone you like?"

Haruhi glanced at Mori, and saw that he too was watching her. She noticed he looked a bit pained at the question. Understanding filled her. She smiled and said, "It's a bit more than just like..."

"I'm sure he likes you too Haru-chan!" Hani said. "Oh, I need to change, I'll be right back."

"Ah." Takashi said.

When the small senior was gone, Haruhi shifted her feet. "Senpai?" She asked. "Can I tell you what I pictured today?"

Takashi nodded, his heart feeling tight. "Sure." She'll probably tell me she likes Tamaki, and to ask how to ask him out. He thought sadly. That's probably why she didn't say when he was here.

"When I meditate, it usually a different scene depending on the day or whatever. But there's always one thing that's always the same. Today it was the garden. I pictured all the trees and grass either growing or just being there, the pond was small, but the water flowed around the rock I sat on. It was near perfect, until...well...I always add this part last, so I have the place, and the...person I need to achieve zen." Haruhi's face was very red.

"I never see the face, but I always feel strong arms around my waist, and...I can see short dark hair. He's very tall, and he...um...I imagine that he...um...uh...kisses my...ah...neck."

At least it isn't Tamaki...Takashi thought as he felt his heart beating frantically. "Who..." He asked, hoping, now, that it wasn't Kyoya.

"Please don't be mad..." Haruhi said. "I know I didn't have your permission...but I..."

"It's me?" He asked, his heart feeling lighter.

"Yes..." Haruhi said. "It's always been..."

"You think of me when you meditate?" He asked again. "Why?"

"Yes...because, well...like I said when Hani-senpai asked me...It's more than just like..." Haruhi turned away, embarrassed.

"Haruhi..." Takashi said as he slowly stepped up behind her. He saw her shiver, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him. "You definitely have my permission..."

Haruhi felt a huge smile on her face, and wrapped her own arms around his. She saw a flash of black as he bent to whisper, "I think of you all the time, I can't stop thinking about you..."

"So then today?"

"I couldn't get you out of my head." he whispered against her neck. "I am in love with you..."

Haruhi's breath hitched as she felt his lips brush against her skin. "I love you..."

Takashi smiled as he pulled her closer, he kissed her neck gently, then again and again.

"Mori-senpai?" Haruhi asked.

"Yes." He replied in between kisses.

"You are my zen."

Authors Note: It's sad, but it seems as if this fanfiction is at it's end. Tell me what you think, are you happy it's ended, or sad? I know I'm sad about it. But I can write more stories, so I'm okay. Haha. I hope you enjoyed reading Ouran ABC's, Because I had a blast writing it. Thank you to all the reviewers who stuck by me and helped me come up with ideas when I was in need of them. You all made this story possible. Thank you.

~Kiera