DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own OHSHC nor do I own its characters. The only one who owns it is Bisco Hatori. I also do not own the original plot line for the original story 'A Stray'. It belongs to ibanana.

A Stray

~Chapter 7~

Haruhi blinked. She didn't know if what they said should make sense or not. Is dark magic really true? Can people really be turned into cute little animals? And is there really a person out there that could do all that stuff?

Well, she found she'd meet said guy when she enters Ouran Academy next school year. The two teens appeared to be attending said school. They're a year older than her and said that they knew a couple more guys, all in their little 'Host Club', who were also turned into cuddly house pets. Who knew?

"So, what now?" Haruhi asked after taking a sip of her tea.

"Well," Kyoya started, pushing up his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "I was thinking that Tamaki and I should report to our family and friends to let them know that we are doing fine."

"Yeah, that would be for the best," Haruhi agreed.

"But I don't wanna leave Haruhi! Mama-"

"'Mama'?" Haruhi repeated.

"-we can't just leave Haruhi!" Tamaki kept going as if Haruhi hadn't interrupted.

"Well we can't just stay here and further worry our parents now, can we?" Kyoya questioned.

"No," Tamaki sighed. "But we can't just leave without repaying her!"

"I know," Kyoya said, "that's why I already have something devised."

"Yay!" Tamaki cheered.

"N-no, you don't have to go through so much trouble…" Haruhi stuttered.

"It's not a problem. After all, you took the two of us in and cared for us," Kyoya said. "We owe you and we are thankful. We want to show you that."

"W-well, I-"

"And there is nothing you can do to stop us," Kyoya smirked. "So, accept our thanks with grace, my dear."

Haruhi sighed. "Just don't do anything too eccentric."

"Don't worry," Kyoya said, "I'll keep an eye on him," Kyoya gestured towards Tamaki.

"I'm right here and can hear everything you're saying, you know!" Tamaki growled.

Haruhi giggled. "I always thought the two of you were great friends."

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, just look at the two of you," Haruhi said. "You complement each other so greatly. And although you two are very different, you're quite the same… you get what I mean?"

"That's quite interesting," Kyoya said. "I guess you're right."

"Why am I the only one who's out of the conversation?" Tamaki whimpered. "I barely got a say in anything this whole time!"

"Well, in the first conversation, you were the only one to speak," Kyoya huffed. "Now quit complaining, you big baby."

"Waaah! Haruhi! Kyoya's being a meanie!" Tamaki cried, throwing himself into Haruhi with a big hug.

Haruhi sighed. "He's just like this. Shouldn't you be used to it by now? You two are best friends, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Tamaki sniffed, giving Haruhi his puppy eyes look.

"Don't do that," Haruhi said. "That's a weapon you should not abuse."

Tamaki sniffed. "Yes Haruhi."

Haruhi stifled a laugh.

"What?" Tamaki asked, standing up straight again and sitting in the seat next to Haruhi instead.

"No wonder you were turned into a golden retriever," Haruhi giggled. "You're loyal, sweet, and honest."

Tamaki blushed.

"Don't forget a pain in the arse," Kyoya said.

"Yeah, that too," Haruhi laughed. "Playful and a pain in the butt!"

"Hey!"

Haruhi laughed again. "Don't worry, we're just messing with you."

"Not me," Kyoya muttered, smirking slightly.

"Waaaah! Haruhi!" Tamaki cried as he flung his arms around her tiny body once more.

When Haruhi got a bit annoyed at the overly emotional state of Tamaki, she slipped out of his arms and made her way to the living room after clearing off the table of their breakfast. The two boys followed her and when she clicked on the T.V, they were face to face with the news reporter.

"-found that four of the six young heirs who have gone missing have been found and returned to their families and friends," a news-lady said, a picture of six handsome young men appearing on the top right corner of the screen. "They were found this morning by a class mate of theirs in their club room. The four young men claim they know exactly where their other two friends, who still haven't been found, are residing and that there should be no worry. They claim that they are in great hands. Let's cut to a clip of an earlier filmed interview with Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin, twins who have gone missing for a while."

"They're in great hands," the two said together, "we know it! The girl they were with seemed sweet and gentle. There is nothing that anyone should worry about."

"Well," one of them said.

"Unless they decide," the other started.

"That they don't want to leave her!" They finished together, laughing heartily.

The camera cut back to the anchors, showing her oh-so-serious face. "Authorities are out looking for said 'young lady' and the parents of the two young men are trying to find their sons, forever thankful that they are safe."

The trio looked at the T.V in surprise, the news sinking into their brains as the anchors droned on about other, un-useful news to them.

"So, they changed back too, huh?" Tamaki uttered.

Kyoya straightened up and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Of course. What did you think? That they'd stay animals forever as we get to live our lives as humans once more?"

"N-no, I-"

"We'd better get you two to Ouran Academy," Haruhi said. "That's most likely where everyone you know is right now, right? They must be very worried about the two of you."

"You're right," Tamaki sighed.

"Would you like to have more… suitable clothing to go out or would you like to just walk around in sweats all day?" Haruhi asked as she headed down the hallway for the rooms.

"Clothes, please," Kyoya and Tamaki chorused, following Haruhi down the hallway.

Haruhi didn't know why she was dressed this way. She'd rather be wearing her loose, baggy shorts and shirt instead of this. But, Tamaki and Kyoya insisted that they dress her up so she just went along with it. After all, when Kyoya pulled the 'rich and famous' card, she didn't want to anger them. They might just sue her for everything she didn't have!

They had dug through her closet after getting some nice suits that they promised to give back later and picked out a purple dress that her father had gotten her for her birthday. It was long sleeved and V-necked. There was a bow tied in the back that wrapped all the way around her waist and the skirt was ruffled and flowing. The skirt ended mid-thigh and Tamaki begged her to wear some black ballet flats.

So, here she was, walking down the street in between the two men she had unknowingly saved and trying not to feel awkward. These guys were the center of attention. And, to her displeasure, she was the center of attention as well. Everyone kept on whispering about the three as they walked down the street. And soon enough, the news broadcasters were at their heels, reporting to the camera and millions of viewers watching news right then. They kept sending questions to them but they just sent smiles of apologies and didn't say a word.

Soon enough, they were in front of Ouran Academy, students already flocking towards the gates and greeting the three of them. Most of them dismissed Haruhi's presence. But the more friendlier ones decided to give her greetings and thanks for being able to take care of the two heirs.

All in all, everyone knew that the last two members of the host club, plus one girl, had arrived and no one was missing anymore.

The last people to get to the front and greet the trio was the Host Club itself and their families.

"Tamaki!" Two identical voices called as said guy was knocked over in a bone crushing hug.

"H-hey!" Tamaki replied. "We're here!"

"Now, tell me how you knew where we were?" Kyoya asked.

"We saw you!" Honey said, riding on Mori's shoulders.

Then, Hikaru, Kaoru, Honey, and Mori's attentions were turned to the girl accompanying them.

"So what's this young lady's name?" the twins asked, leaning their faces in really close to hers.

"H-Haruhi Fujioka," Haruhi said, leaning back just as they leaned towards her.

"Get away from her!" Tamaki said, pulling Haruhi into a protective hug. "I don't want you two devils to corrupt her!"

"Aww, come on, Tono!" They chorused. "We won't do anything to her!"

"Thank you for helping Tama-chan and Kyo-chan!" Honey said, giving Haruhi a sweet smile she couldn't help but return.

"It was no problem, really," Haruhi replied.

"Thank you very much for taking care of our sons," an older man said, making his way along with another man towards the group. "We are in your debt. If you hadn't cared for them, we might not be seeing them today."

"No, really, it was nothing," Haruhi said, waving her hands in front of her chest.

"We will do anything to thank you!" The other man said, both of them bowing to her.

"No, it's okay. I don't need anything."

"Wait, aren't you the scholarship student we were supposed to have this year?"

Haruhi nodded to the blond man.

"Well then, it's settled." He said.

"Wait, what's-"

"I am going to give you the uniform and all things you will need for this school for free. No need for you to pay anything." The man said. "I am Suoh, the owner of this school and father to Tamaki here."

"U-uh… nice to meet you," Haruhi said.

"So, you are applied for free and you are to be taken care of as long as you wish to study at this academy! Please, feel free to ask for anything; anything at all!" Suoh said.

"A-ah, that's alright," Haruhi said.

"Please, Dad, you're overwhelming her," Tamaki said, flinging and arm around her shoulder.

"Oh, yes, I must be. I'm very sorry young lady," Suoh said.

"Oh, no it's fine!" Haruhi replied, giggling breathlessly.

"Please, Tamaki, we have to get you home. We have a whole lot to do with you having disappeared and all. Everyone is so worried for you!" Suoh said.

"Before I go," Tamaki started, "Can I take Haruhi back home? It's the least I could do…"

"Of course. Be back soon, alright?"

"Yes father."

With that, Tamaki wrapped an arm around Haruhi's waist and started towards the Fujioka apartment.

Haruhi tried to make it look that she didn't feel the least bit surprised (or awkward) about the two of them walking out of the prestigious academy with his arm slung around her shoulders. But inside, she felt like she was going to explode with panic. Once they were a safe distance away from the academy (just so that they couldn't see them and vice-versa), Tamaki sighed and slipped his arm off of her and grasped her hand instead.

"S-so," Haruhi stuttered, a little surprised at Tamaki's advances, "w-what's up?"

"I really hope we can be friends," Tamaki said, looking Haruhi deep in the eye before he led the two across the street.

Haruhi blinked. She wasn't suspecting that. "U-uh, okay."

"Really?" Tamaki stopped the two of them, holding both of Haruhi's hands in his and looking at her with hopeful, sparkly eyes.

Haruhi sweat dropped. "Yeah. Why not?"

Tamaki squealed with joy and pulled Haruhi into a warm embrace. "I can't wait to learn with you, Haruhi!"

Haruhi couldn't fight the smile that spread itself on her face. She wrapped her arms warmly around Tamaki as well and whispered, "Me either."

~End~