Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ Love Lost in Time ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

LOVE LOST IN TIME
An Ouran High School Host Club AU fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sorry for taking so long. My muses took off during my medical treatment and are just now sneaking back. A big thanks to Nightfall2525 for the idea and encouragement for this piece. Alternate Universe with some of the actual events (anime and manga) being referenced. Although, I begin to really deviate here. Kyoya x Haruhi centric. Not quite the full chapter I wished to give, but I’ve held out on you all long enough. ^^ A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the chapter. Comments are encouraged and welcome.


CHAPTER FIVE


'You should know that you have my heart.'

'And you should know that I love you.'

She sipped her drink as the words echoed in her head. Words spoken by lovers, and one of them in her own voice. She cursed whatever power was still withholding the identity of her faceless man. Garbling his voice so that she couldn't place it. A sound that was just beyond her grasp.

"Haruhi?"

Haruhi Fujioka shook her head.  The situation itself was too unreal.  'Just like the dream,' she thought.  But it was the shadows of the dream that caused her to be weary.

"I love you."

Tears stung at her eyes, threatening to fall.  What was she to do?  What was she to say?  Tamaki Suoh was pouring out his heart to her and she could do nothing.  Say nothing.

"Haruhi, please...."

She looked deep into her heart, her logical mind carefully assessing what it found.  There was no doubt she cared for the Host Club president.  It was a genuine feeling.  But there was a shroud of foreboding surrounding it.   Her heart clenched at the realization."Tamaki...."

"Haruhi...do you--?"

She cared for him. Valued his friendship. Felt the platonic love a sister might feel for her brother, or her father. The irony did not escape her, and she tried to smile, but failed.

"I'm sorry."

"But, you already have my heart. Haruhi...."

That was true, a voice of reason resounded in her head. There was no reason to doubt his acts of kindness or his affections. He had always been there for her. Never laughed at her quirks and took his lumps when she called him a pervert.

But what she felt for him was not the love he felt for her.

"I'm sorry, but I...."

"Please...."

And her heart -- she now knew -- had been given to someone else. Without so much as a thought. Without her knowledge, really. How did she not see that?

When did everything suddenly become complicated?

Why?

"I'm sorry."

It was all she could say before running out of the Music Room.

But for Kyoya, her response held little relief. And yet, a small amount of hope. He was surprised by the hand on his shoulder. Takashi Morinozuka's grasp wasn't the least bit restricting, but Kyoya paused before his feet tried to dash after his beloved. The older boy shook his head at the Vice President. He reluctantly sighed and nodded. Running after Haruhi was not the proper solution. Not when his best friend just confessed, and he hadn't the courage to do it himself.

Did Mori know more than the others regarding their relationship? Or was he simply being kind? Perhaps looking out for Haruhi in his own way?

"Tama-chan?" Hunny made his way over to the completely stunned young man. He was on his knees, reaching for the now closed door. Slowly his arm dropped, but his eyes never looked away. The smallest, yet oldest Host leaned down and looked him in the eyes. "Tama-chan, are you okay?"

"No," he said shaking his head slightly. "No...I didn't mean to scare her." And she had looked scared as she left. Scared and confused. Perhaps even sad.

"Why don't you have some cake with Bun Bun and I?"

He continued to stare at the door, even as his body slumped towards the floor. "No, thanks."

"What about some tea," Kaoru asked.

"It always calms your nerves," Hikaru added.

Tears threatened to fall and Tamaki sighed heavily. He was pushing it with his confession, he knew. Pushing buttons not just for Haruhi, but for Kyoya as well. He had not expected such an emotional reaction from the young woman, nor had he expected to be so emotional taken himself.

Tamaki wiped at his eyes with his sleeve. "Maybe later," he answered the twins. "I think.... I think I should retire early today." He lifted his head and gave everyone, including Kyoya, a small smile. "Can you do without me today, mother?"

Kyoya barely contained his surprise. Tamaki's voice was not nearly as pleasant as his smile. Did the others notice, too?

Adjusting his glasses, Kyoya picked up a clipboard from a nearby table. If his shaky hands were noticeable, no one said a word. "We're only doing chores today, father. Everything will be ready for you to review tomorrow."

"Thank you."

In usual dramatic fashion, Tamaki headed for the Music Room door. Hunny followed, carrying Bun Bun and offering his support. The twins, too, watched as their leader sadly walked away. Even Kyoya watched, confusion obvious in his eyes. But he was the first to turn away as the blond opened the door, followed by Hunny and the twins.

One, however, continued to watch. Tamaki barely looked back as he disappeared behind the door. But the anger and hate -- it was minute, but it was definitely there -- in the President's eyes did not go unnoticed. Anger and hatred aimed directly at Kyoya.

Turning away as the door quietly closed, Takashi Morinozuka made a mental note to keep a closer eye on Kyoya, and now Tamaki.


*=*=*


"Yushi, dear. A letter came for you today."

The King of the Ohtori clan lifted his head from his desk. Dark eyes stared past a tiny light on his desk as his wife entered his study. He noticed a long, white envelope in her hand and a sinking feeling soured his stomach.

"A letter? From who?"

"I don't know. There's no return address. But the handwriting is in Old English Script."

"That's the second one this week," the man said as his wife laid the letter on his desk. His heart plunged into his gut, though his facial expression remained unchanged.

"Another threat," she asked as he reached for the envelope.

The first letter had been received two days ago. He examined the handwriting and the envelope. Indeed the script was Old English. No doubt the writing inside would match. And the language would be something only used once upon a time by vampires.

"Possibly."

And vampire hunters.

The first note had been more like a warning. 'I know what you are. And I know what you’re planning.' Yushio waved it off as an empty threat. He'd received many types of threats in his life and in his line of business. But it was the script and language that allowed the note to simmer in the back of his head.

"What does it say, Yushi?"

"Your betrayal will not go unpunished. You will not break your curse. I will see to it." The man's voice trailed off as he noticed a signature at the bottom. "This is certainly a threat."

"Maki? I think I remember that name," his wife said.

He knew it too well. He had been a good friend with his eldest son. The two were nearly as inseparable as Kyoya and Haruhi had become. They played together. Learned together. Even chased after women together.

Then one night, an order from the mighty vampire council had been brought to his attention. An order that would destroy a hard earned friendship. He knew the accused were not hunters. They were a peaceful, happy family. But Yushio could not defy a direct order from the council.

It was with great shame that he did his duty. Even greater the shame that his eldest son also had to participate.

"This may be more serious than I thought," he whispered.

"Are you going to tell them?"

He glanced up at his wife. "Them?"

"Our sons?"

Yushio sighed. "This is...delicate, dear. The threats hardly seem plausible."

"Yet Kyoya is so close to breaking this curse." She shook her head adamantly. "It's no coincidence."

One side of his lips quirked upward. "You sound so certain, my wife."

The woman's chest puffed out a little, her hands resting on her hips clenched in fists. "You've never doubted my intuition before."

The man shook his head, allowing himself a single laugh. "And I'm not going to start now, dear." Leaning back in his chair, Yushio sighed. "We will have a family meeting tomorrow night. Please let the boys know."

"I will." "For now, it's late. You should come to bed."

"Just another hour," he said. "I want to pester Kyoya when he gets home from his date."

Leaning over, she kissed his cheek and then pushed away from his desk. "Have you ever considered that the young man knows what he's doing?"

"Of course," he said with a growing smile. "He's had lots of practice. But I just can't bring myself to believe that he won't screw it up. Again."

"You're evil, Yushi," his wife called from the hall.

"And you love it!"

There was no argument from the hallway.


*=*=*


Ten days.

That was how long she had avoided Music Room Three.

Haruhi Fujioka felt utterly confused. Ever since Tamaki confessed his love for her, ever since she realized she was in love with someone else, she couldn't stop contemplating how it all came about.

'How did I not know?'

She had never planned to fall in love. Did she even know what falling in love was like? It certainly didn't feel like a fairy tale, sweeping her off her feet. No, her mind reasoned, it had been a gradual thing. Something comfortable and non-frightening.

So why was she suddenly so terrified?

"Making dinner for an army tonight, Fujioka-san?"

"EH?" She stared at the pile of food she was about to purchase. Initially, she was only going to pick up a few things. Instead, she noted that her basket had been twice as full as she intended. Not only did she pick up the few essentials needed, she also got the ingredients she would have used to make dinner for Kyoya tonight.

She blinked several times before responding, "I suppose it's just...habit." She tried to smile. "Sorry."

"Well whoever's gonna eat this dinner is a lucky guy," the clerk said, handing Haruhi her receipt and change. "Have a good evening."

"Thank you," she kindly replied. 'I think.'

During the walk home, she let her mind wonder away again. Thoughts of Tamaki and Kyoya interchanging themselves in her head. One minute she’s safe and comfortable with Tamaki, and in the next instant, there’s heat and passion between her and Kyoya. The picture in her mind...albeit they were dressed in old European clothing...was enough to make her blush three different shades of red. Embarrassed, she walked quickly with her eyes looking at her feet.

'Come to think of it, all my dreams have been like that,’ she thought. 'Is there a connection? If so, what?’

But all she could do was sigh as she approached her neighborhood. With her eyes diverted to the ground, she failed to see the long, black vehicle that passed her. That same vehicle then stopped in front of her apartment complex. It wasn’t until her clouded mind realized that someone was standing outside the door to her apartment, knocking softly as so reached the top of the stair.

"Good evening, Fujioka-san."

Startled, she nearly dropped a bag of groceries. "Kyoya-sempai...."

"I'm sorry to intrude." He offered her a small smile and nodded. "It’s short notice and all. I can leave if you're uncomfortable...."

"No," she replied hastily, surprising Kyoya as well as herself. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "No, it's all right." She looked at the bags of groceries and blushed. The clerk was right, she bought enough for three. Without looking at him, she asked, "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Yes. Yes, I would."

"Oh...okay then." She fumbled with her keys nearly losing her grip on the groceries again. Thankfully Kyoya reacted quickly, snatching the keys before they disappeared under the floor boards.

"Please, allow me." He unlocked the door, opening it with ease. He stood to the side, allowing her plenty of room to pass.

"Thanks."

Kyoya's towering presence above her should have unnerved her, but as he held the door open for her, she couldn't help but smile. Just a little.

Then the door closed behind her, and she was suddenly bombarded with fear.

"Fujioka-san? Haruhi.... I," She turned slowly after placing the groceries in the kitchen. Fear flashed in her eyes, and smidgen of curiosity. But the direct link he had to her eyes disappeared too suddenly, and she heard him sigh. "I need to talk to you about a private matter of my own. It's very important."

The seriousness of his tone gave her goose bumps. As you can see, I've got much to prepare and...."

"I'll give you a hand," Kyoya said. His sleeves were already rolled up neatly. He grabbed some of the packaged goods.

"Kyoya, you don't...have to do that."

"I want to. So, what do I do with these?"

Haruhi gave him instruction on how to chop and prepare the leaks before taking on some of the larger tasks herself. While they had enjoyed making meals together from time to time the atmosphere felt...awkward. Cold. Like something evil was about to awaken.

'You're just imagining things,' Haruhi told herself.

But even so, a cold shadow worked its way into the pit of her stomach and sat there until dinner was made, and they were ready to eat.


~TO BE CONTINUED~


DISCLAIMER:
Ouran High School Host Club is a brilliant piece of work by creator Bisco Hatori. Originally published in 2003 by HAKUSENSHA, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, this manga masterpiece is being translated and published by VIZ Media for fans in America. I do not own a single piece of the characters used in this story. They were kidnapped and used here without permission.