Current mood:	want to sleep but can't
Entry tags:	fic, host club

[FIC] Twice Upon a Time - Ouran Host Club - Ensemble
So, I've been pushing at everyone I know to write me a Tamaki/Haruhi fic (or at the very least, an ensemble Host Club fic) because I simply couldn't get any story ideas myself. I was on the bus today when this hit me, and I hurried home, forgetting to buy several things, just so I could type this up and thrust it at nushi_akubi. "It'll only be an hour," I reassured her, as she battled sinus problems and a headache. "Not much longer now!"

...nearly three hours later, she was in bed, the story was finished, and I felt so very ronery.

I waited for darkenedsakura to come online, since she too partakes in the Ouran love, and she kindly beta-ed it - any mistakes are the result of me going back and tweaking with things.

I've tried to make it obvious who is talking in what context, since there's a story within the story, so let me know if it's hard to follow at any point. And, without further ado, the fic!

Title: Twice Upon a Time
Series: Ouran Host Club
Length: 5454 words, oneshot.
Character/pairing: Ensemble. This is a gen fic, with leanings of Tamaki/Haruhi because I could never supress their love!
Rating/warnings: No spoilers. Rated PG.
Summary: On a slow afternoon, Tamaki tells a tale - a fairy tale, Ouran-style.



Haruhi waved until the last customer had left the room and then sank tiredly onto one of the sofas, resisting the urge to rub at her eyes. It had been a quiet day for the Club, with less customers than they'd usually expect, but somehow the afternoon had dragged on regardless, her eyelids drooping and her neck itching where it scratched against the fur collar of her Eskimo outfit. She tugged it away from her skin with a surreptitious movement, but only managed a second of relief before a pair of elbows came down hard on her shoulders, forcing her to drop her hand.

“Boring,” said the twins in unison, letting out identical sighs. “Where was everyone?”

Leaning forward, Haruhi slipped out from beneath them and shifted to the other side of the couch. “They left on the field trip,” she reminded them. “Did you forget that was today?”

Hikaru tilted his head in thought. “Field trip?”

Kaoru mirrored the action. “Did we know about this?”

Clinging to the fragile vestiges of her patience, Haruhi managed a weak smile. “Yes, the field trip that you didn't go on because they wouldn't let you take your private jet.”

“Ohhh, that field trip.”

Rich bastards, Haruhi thought irritably, turning so her back was to the pair. She'd been on field trips in middle school, of course – they'd gone to the Osaka region one year, something she would have enjoyed more had her father not followed her there – but the Ouran idea of an excursion was, as usual, something else. Instead of hiring a bus and sightseeing, the first years had been given a choice between Australia and France, and instead of lasting a few days, the schedule was for an entire week.

“Oh? Is that the reason?” Kyouya settled onto the couch beside her, unlooping the ties on his fur-lined overcoat. “I was under the impression they'd be without entertainment, since you had elected not to go.”

Haruhi, naturally, couldn't afford the trip, and as she still didn't have a passport, it was out of the question anyway. The twins had offered to pay (“You can make it up with your body!”) and Kyouya had drawn up the terms to a generous loan (“As you can see, it's a very competitive interest rate”). Even Honey had tried to help out (“But you have to take it, Haru-chan! You're always doing things for me and this is something I can do for you!”), dissolving into tears when she gently declined. In fact, the only Club members who hadn't offered her financial aid were Mori --

“What a rousing success this theme has been! Outside, the breeze carries but the faintest hint of a chill, and yet inside, here in the Third Music Room, we have recreated the mysterious environment of the Alaskan tundras! We have been inspired by the lives of the intelligent, self-sufficient Eskimos, who live out their days in the bitter cold and snow, fishing for their meals through holes carved in ice, enduring the freezing nights by curling up with one another, utilising each others' body heat for economies' sake...”

-- and, for some reason, Tamaki.

She'd tuned out for most of his passionate declaration, but at some point he'd trailed off, cheeks darkening as he looked between her and the floor. The beginnings of a headache started behind her temples, and she wondered if she could go home yet.

“Are you okay, Tama-chan?” asked Honey worriedly, steering Mori across the room and giving Tamaki a concerned look. “You're very red.”

He recovered with his usual aplomb. “A-ah, Honey-senpai, don't worry! I was just --”

“Having perverted thoughts about Haruhi,” interjected the twins, pinning Tamaki with matching leers. “Care to share, tono?”

“That wasn't it at all!” cried Tamaki, pushing the twins away and marching over to the sofa opposite Haruhi and Kyouya. He seated himself with imperious grace and crossed his arms, the austere effect ruined immediately by the furtive look he sent across the coffee table.

Haruhi returned it wearily. “We finished early today,” she hinted, hoping to be excused. She'd prepared dinner the night before so as to get more studying in, and an extra half an hour shouldn't go to waste.

“Yes,” Tamaki replied thoughtfully, catching his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “We should vote as to what we should do in the extra time.”

“Eat!” suggested Honey, who had been doing that since school finished anyway.

“I'm not adverse to planning out the rest of the week,” said Kyouya, settling his clipboard on the table. “Friday's theme is yet to be determined.”

Tamaki nodded, considering. “Both excellent suggestions. Haruhi?”

Why bother? she thought tiredly. “Why don't we just go --”

“Ghost stories!” Hikaru leaned over one of Tamaki's shoulders while Kaoru leaned over the other. “Let's see who has the scariest tale to tell.”

Tamaki blanched. “A-Are you sure?” he asked, voice wavering slightly. Haruhi wasn't particularly surprised – with an imagination as active as his, she guessed the stories played out quite vividly in his mind.

“Waah!” Honey clambered down Mori's body and threw himself at Haruhi. “I don't want to tell ghost stories, I won't be able to sleep tonight!”

She patted his head comfortingly, warring between staying out of courtesy and just leaving early.

Beside her, Kyouya crossed his legs. “Perhaps now is as good a time as any to refresh the arrangement we have in paying back your debt?” She glanced at him, surprised. “You are obliged,” he continued smoothly, “to stay for the entire duration of any club activity, regardless of when it finishes.”

Narrowing her eyes at him, Haruhi moved as close as she could to the end of the sofa. Maybe he was psychic. That had been very disturbing, indeed.

Honey wriggled on her lap. “No~! Let's tell fairy stories instead!” He angled his head up to look at her. “You'd like that better, wouldn't you, Haru-chan?”

Across the table, Tamaki gave her a hopeful look, his eyes welling up with tears. Shoulders slumping in defeat, Haruhi gave a weary nod. “Sure, Honey-senpai. That'd be nice.”

Hikaru and Kaoru slapped palms behind Tamaki's head. “So, who's going to tell the story?”

Recovering instantly, Tamaki stood and pointed into the distance. “I want to hear Haruhi's fairy story!” he cried. “A commoner's retelling of princes and princesses and decadent lives beyond their means! I want to hear the tale of hope, the note of longing in her voice, the--”

“I nominate you, Tamaki.” Kyouya pushed his glasses up and Haruhi chanced a look at her unexpected saviour. While she knew a handful of fairy tales, she couldn't imagine retelling one in a manner that would keep six high schoolers interested the whole time.

Tamaki lowered his hand. “Me?” he echoed, eyes wide. “Well, I'm not sure...”

“Go ahead, Tamaki-senpai,” Haruhi urged, relieved. If he told the story, then she didn't have to, and surely he'd want to end the day on a high note – himself.

He blushed again. “If Haruhi wants me to...”

The twins rolled their eyes, Hikaru clockwise, Kaoru counter-clockwise. Haruhi noted the move and wondered if they practiced at home. “Come on, tono. Hurry up!”

“Yay!” Honey bounced on her lap. “It'll be just like when Takashi tells me bedtime stories!”

There was a faint whoosh as everyone's eyes snapped to where Mori stood, each imagining the stoic third-year stringing enough words together to make a story. Haruhi's mind couldn't wrap around the concept, but Kyouya looked like he was considering the idea. Mori returned their gazes calmly, and after a moment of shocked silence, Tamaki cleared his throat.

“Very well,” he said, removing his Eskimo coat with a graceful flourish. He sat, lips curling up into a seductive smile. “I shall share with you the tale of the Common Princess, who journeyed across the land to find her one true love.”

Haruhi's shoulders slumped again. She really should have expected that.

Kyouya made a sound that could have been a snort, a laugh or indigestion, before indicating for Tamaki to continue. “Go on, this should be interesting.”

“Yes.” Tamaki nodded. “So, once upon a time, there lived a beautiful common girl, who lived in a small and wretched hut on the outskirts of a peasant village.” He paused as the twins moved off to grab a couple of chairs, and resumed the story once they had been seated. “She was, as mentioned, very, very beautiful, with large eyes the colour of chocolate--”

“Mmm!” said Honey.

“--and hair like silk chestnut, flowing halfway down her back.” He stopped again, gazing into the distance, and Haruhi felt a twinge of annoyance despite (or perhaps, in spite of) the subject matter.

Kaoru extended a leg and prodded Tamaki with his foot. “What's her name, tono?”

“She sounds familiar,” added Hikaru, grinning at Haruhi.

“Her name?” Tamaki came back to the present and glanced over at the twins. “Er, well, it's a fairy story. She doesn't have one. And it's not important!”

Sighing, Haruhi readjusted Honey's position and gave Tamaki an expectant look. “You were saying?”

“Ahem.” Tamaki straightened again. “Anyway, the girl lived with her father, whose eccentricities were always depleting their pitifully low savings, and one day she opened their coin purse only to discover that they were down to their very last yen!”

“I seriously doubt that the currency would be --” Haruhi started before cutting herself off. No need to drag this out any longer than it had to be.

Tamaki didn't register the interruption. “And so, because she was a clever and resourceful girl, she determined to save their family the only way she knew how.” He leaned forward, and unconsciously Haruhi found herself, the twins and Honey doing the same. “She sold her--”

“No, Haru-chan! Don't sell your body!” Honey threw his arms around her waist and sobbed into her armpit. Haruhi was dismayed that even Honey could tell the story was supposed to be about her.

“It's okay, Honey-sempai!” Tamaki hastened to reassure the crying third-year. “She went into town to sell her hair, which was, as we know, beautiful and like silk.” Tears welled in his own violet eyes. “OH, HARUHI! What a waste!”

She tried to smile, but annoyance kept her lips in a straight line. “I thought it was a fairy tale,” she pointed out carefully. “It's not about me.”

“Sure,” commented the twins.

“Hn,” said Mori.

“Anyway!” Tamaki recovered his composure and sailed valiantly on. “So the girl went into town and approached the barber, explaining her intentions and haggling him up to a suitable price. The process was completed immediately, and, sporting a new, less beautiful but still attractive look, she went to set off towards her home.

The streets were unusually crowded, and while not by nature a curious girl, the number of people were making it difficult to move, so she pushed through the crowd to determine the cause. Reaching the town square, she discovered an ornate carriage, stranded and lopsided, as one wheel had come apart.

Suddenly, she heard a voice she'd never heard before, mellifluous and engaging – the tones, she thought privately, that only a prince could possess!”

Haruhi eyed the door and tried to calculate how quickly she could reach it. She'd have to push Honey off, get past Kyouya, move around Mori and...nope, it was impossible.

She was trapped.

“'How unfortunate!' the voice was saying, capturing her maidenly interest at once.” Tamaki pressed on. “She walked around the carriage and there, leaning artfully against the toppled carriage, was a golden-haired man of such handsomeness and poise that she thought he simply had to be a prince!”

“I thought she'd already determined that,” whispered Kaoru to his brother.

Hikaru shrugged. “Maybe she needed more evidence.”

“Bravely stepping forward, the girl approached the unfortunate prince. 'Excuse me,' she asked him, indicating his fallen coach. 'You seem to have lost a bearing somewhere along the way.'”

“You can say that again,” murmured the twins in unison.

Tamaki ignored them. “The prince turned to see who was talking and was immediately struck dumb at her heavenly visage. Crossing to her side in a heartbeat, he took her hand and pressed his royal lips to her smooth palm. 'My lady,' he avowed, calling her thus despite her shorn hair and ragged attire, 'I have fallen in love with you at first sight. Will you consent to be my princess, forevermore?'

The girl shook her head and took back her hand, stepping around the carriage to investigate the ground. 'Thanks anyway, but I'm fine. And look,' she bent down, picking something out of the dirt, 'here's your bearing. If you screw that in, your wheel should work again.' Handing him the item, she waved and walked away, preoccupied with the idea of having money again.

The prince stared after her, longing in his eyes. 'Farewell, sweet maiden,' he sighed to her departing back. 'I will treasure this gift.' Holding the bearing to his chest, he watched until she was out of sight.”

“How romantic,” said Kyouya dryly.

Tamaki pointed at him. “Hush! We approach the first twist!” He settled back into the couch. “Anyway, the girl was on her way home when it suddenly occurred to her that something was wrong. Something was missing. Patting about her person she realised that the purse she'd received from the barber wasn't anywhere to be found. Because she was pragmatic, she thought back to the last time she knew she had it, and came to the conclusion that she must have dropped it when she'd picked the bearing up for the prince.

Of course, there was nothing for it. She had to go back to get her purse. Turning around, she made her way back to the village, and after a few discreet enquiries discovered that the prince had, in fact, found her purse and had, in fact, taken it with him...all the way to his castle on the other side of the land. Annoyed but not despairing, the sensible girl acquired some provisions on credit, and set off on foot along the Royal Highway, along the road the prince had gone.”

Shifting on the seat again, Tamaki continued. “She had forgotten, of course, the famous legend of the Trials of the Highway, in which three situations appeared to test any who dared to approach the castle. Even if she had remembered, she wouldn't have cared, so it's probably not important at this point.”

Haruhi considered rolling her eyes, but the effort was too great.

“She travelled for a day and a night, and on the second day she came to a bridge across a stream. A heavy chain barred access to the bridge, and to the side she could see a large, dark-haired man, pointing a spear at the water and periodically attempting to catch some fish.”

Everyone looked at Mori again, and this time he blinked at Tamaki, possibly confused. Or hungry.

“The girl approached the bridge, wondering whether to talk to the man or just slip under the chain, when a spear flew over and landed, quivering, in her path. She looked from it to the man, who regarded her with an unreadable calm.

'You wish to cross,' said the man, and it wasn't a question.

The girl rather thought this obvious, but nodded politely in deference to his stature and skill with throwing things. 'Yes,' she replied. 'I am on my way to the castle.'

The man said nothing for a long moment, and then he indicated the water. 'I will let you pass,” he said slowly, 'if you can catch a fish from this stream.'

Why? the girl wanted to ask, instead shrugging and taking off her shoes. 'Very well,' she agreed, for this would be the most expedient way of keeping after the prince. She shook her head at the proferred spear and waded into the shallows, standing very still until the silver fish came out to nibble at her legs. When the time was right she whipped her hand down lightning-fast, scooping a fish out of the water and throwing it onto the bank. It flopped and wheezed beside the man's feet, and she waded back out to retrieve her things.

'Thank you,' the man said eventually, staring at the fish.

'You're welcome,' replied the girl, putting her socks back on. 'But it's perhaps wise to remember that force won't get you everywhere.'

The man processed this for a while, before moving to the heavy chain and lifting it aside like string. 'Good luck,' he told her as she set across the bridge. Waving, she marched onward, continuing her journey to the prince's side.”

“Nice, Takashi!” said Honey, grinning over to where Mori stood.

“Hn,” said Mori, but Haruhi thought he sounded pleased.

Tamaki clapped his hands together and gave everyone a severe look. “Are we listening?” he asked, and at Honey's enthusiastic nod, deigned to go on. “The girl travelled for another day and another night --”

Does she ever sleep? thought Haruhi, but it appeared not.

“-- and eventually came to a forest that stretched so long and far she couldn't see both sides. A narrow path continued from the Highway, across which swung a heavy wooden gate. She surveyed it for a while, debating whether to climb over the gate or into the trees, when a small form dropped out of the branches, landing beside her before drawing to its full, non-threatening height.”

Honey pouted.

“'So you're the one!' exclaimed the young man (for she could see it was a man now) looking up at her with a cherubic smile. 'My friend at the bridge told me there was a girl coming, and I've been so looking forward to you visiting my forest!”

The girl gave a wan smile. 'Ah, thank you,' she said, unsure of what to say to that. 'So, can I go through the gate now?'

The cute little man shook his head. 'Nuh-uh,' he said happily. 'You have to stay until you complete a task.'

'But I'm in a hurry,' protested the girl. 'Will it take long?'

The man started crying. 'I don't know! I just can't seem to get it out, no matter how hard I try!'

After much coercing, the man explained to the girl that he wanted to take some honey from a beehive that was nestled in a nearby hollow tree. He'd been trying to scoop it out but had been stung on every attempt, and he wasn't sure how to get it any more.

Following him thoughtfully, the girl took a long look at the tree. An idea occurred to her. 'Gather some dry sticks,' she instructed, and the man hurried to obey. 'And a jug. And a lighter.'”

“They had lighters back then?” interjected Haruhi disbelievingly.

Tamaki flicked his hair back. “Haruhi, Otou-san is telling the story. Your turn will come later.”

That's not what I meant, she thought, but there was, of course, no use in saying it aloud.

The man returned with the required objects, and the girl set the sticks alight, waving them around until smoke filled the air. Moving closer to the hive, she waited until the smoke took effect, and then scooped out some honeycombs until the jug was full.

'Here,' she said, handing it to the man. 'Can I go through the gate now?'

The man was very touched, very happy to have finally gotten the honey he had wanted. 'Of course!' he said tearfully, running back to the gate and opening it. 'Thank you so much!'

The girl shrugged. 'You're welcome. Just next time, remember, that the most obvious way is not always the right one.'

Nodding, the man bid her farewell, and the girl continued on her journey.”

Something felt different, and taking a look around, Haruhi realised what it was – everyone was fully immersed in the story. The twins had stopped making whispered comments, Honey had stopped fidgeting, and even Kyouya seemed less tense – Mori too, seemed absorbed. She had to admit Tamuki was quite the storyteller, but he had always been comfortable with spinning outrageous tales, so perhaps it was just his innate talent coming through.

“Another day, and another night, and the girl exited the forest, finding herself back on the Highway again. Before sunset, however, she came to a sheer, towering cliff, and looking all around, realised there was no way to scale such a thing.”

Haruhi sighed again. Why anyone would build a road up to a cliff was beyond her, but this was Tamaki-logic, so anything went.

“In a rare display of emotion, she wondered if she might never get her purse back --”

And how, she wondered, did the prince's carriage scale it?

“-- when from out of nowhere came a bespectacled young man.”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kyouya smile slightly, but apart from that, he seemed otherwise unmoved.

“'Hello,' he said, walking to meet the girl. 'I had wondered when you'd get here. My friends told me you would be approaching soon.'

'Yes,' the girl replied. 'So what task do you have for me, before I can go on?'

The man laughed and gave her a considering look. 'You are as clever as they say. And you are right – I do have the means by which you can move past this cliff, but I am not as considerate as those before me. If you wish to pass, you must pay.”

The girl frowned. 'I have no money,' she told him honestly. 'That is why I must reach the castle. The prince picked up my purse by accident and I am following him to get it back.'

This amused the man, who laughed again. 'Very well. If you cannot give me money, come and determine a method by which I can save money, instead.'

She followed the man closer to the cliff, and discovered rope and set of pronged boots. 'There is a sturdy rock that juts out at the top,' he explained. 'Those who wish to pass loop the rope around it and climb their way up the rock.'”

But what about the carriage! Haruhi wanted to say, but it appeared Tamaki had hit his stride.

“'Is there a more economical way?' the man wanted to know, and the girl took a moment to consider his question. The way things were, only one person could climb at a time, but if he changed things around, perhaps more could go up.

'Why not a sling and pulley system?' she suggested. 'If you construct a sling and attach it to the rope, you can have someone on the ground pulling. And if you use a pulley, less force will be required.'

The man thought about this for a long while and then nodded. 'Very well, I shall pursue this. In the meantime, for giving me such an interesting idea, you may use the rope and shoes to climb to the top. Thank you for your input.'

Preparing herself, the girl nodded. 'You're welcome.' She grabbed the rope and pushed the prongs into place. 'Just remember, money can cloud your judgment.' She took a step. 'Don't let it take over your mind.'

Climbing to the top, the girl attached the boots to the rope and let them back down to the man, before straightening and surveying the Highway. The castle was now in sight.”

Kyouya's smile had slipped slightly, but he still seemed intrigued as to how the story would play out. Haruhi had to admit, despite the plotholes and unoriginal characters, she was getting drawn into the events as well.

“Pleased that her journey would soon be over,” Tamaki continued, “the girl moved forward with a purposeful stride. Day turned into night and then day came again, the sun slanting over the horizon just as she reached the stern castle walls. A moat circled the castle; above it, the drawbridge was down, while small guardhouses on either side were the only evidence of security.

Suddenly wary, the girl moved more cautiously towards the moat.

'That's far enough,' came a voice from one guardhouse.

'Not a step more,' agreed a voice from the other.

The girl stopped as directed, and watched in surprise as identical men stepped out at the same time. They wore identical uniforms with identical shoes, and it seemed that everything about them was exactly the same.

'Hello,' she offered tiredly, hoping this wasn't another test. 'Who are you?'

'We could say that about you,' replied the left-hand guardsman.

'We will, in fact,' added the one on the right. They moved closer until they both stood before her, and then, in unison, asked, 'Who are you?'

'I am here to see the prince,' said the girl. 'I have travelled long and far to see him, and I wish to do so now.'

The men looked at her, and then each other, before turning back with identical smiles. 'Certainly,' said the one on the right.

'As soon as you--' started the one on the left, but the girl had had enough.

'I've had enough!' she said irritably, pushing them both aside. 'I haven't slept in four days, I'm hungry, and I don't have time for more tests!'

'Tests?' echoed the guardsmen, appearing in front of her again with fluid grace. 'We don't want to test you.'

'On the contrary,' said the left-hand one (whom she rather thought had been on the right before), 'we just wanted you to pay the fare.'

The girl was immediately suspicious. 'Fare?' she asked. 'I don't have any money.'

The identical smiles widened. 'That doesn't matter,' reassured the one on the right, leaning towards her. 'You see, the fare we ask is--'

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!' cried a voice the girl had heard before.”

Everyone (except Mori) jumped as Tamaki raised his voice to a shout. Haruhi was embarrassed to realise she too had been sucked into the story, even if it was ridiculous and implausible and rather unsubtly about them.

“She looked up,” said Tamaki, seeming quite smug at the reaction he'd managed to evoke, “and saw the prince running towards them across the drawbridge, brandishing his sword from side to side.”

The twins scowled. “Ruin our fun, tono.”

“'Haru--” Tamaki caught himself. “Er, 'Beautiful peasant girl, are you unharmed?' The prince shoved past the guardsmen, who slunk back to their posts. 'Did they do anything untoward?'

The girl looked at his handsome face, and all the annoyance that had built up over the last four days dissipated immediately upon seeing him again. For he was too --”

Stupid, provided Haruhi's brain.

“-- considerate to dislike, and she knew it was that very same consideration that had prompted him to take her purse with him, even if it would have been easier in the long run to have left it behind in the village.” Tamaki gave her a pleading look. “Because, what if it had been stolen? It was a peasant village, Haruhi, any number of unsavoury ruffians could have snatched it up, and then she'd never get it back EVER and it would just be--”

“It's okay, Tamaki-senpai,” she interjected. If she knew him (and she supposed she did) he'd go on all night if not stopped. “Please, continue.”

His eyes welled up with tears again. “Oh, Haruhi, you do like the story!”

She smiled wanly and let her eyes slide to the side. “Yes, after a fashion...”

Apparently it was enough. Clearing his throat, Tamaki went on. “The prince gathered her close and whispered into her delicate ear, 'I have your purse, fair maiden, and I am willing to return it on one condition.'

The girl waited, pressed against the prince's chest.

'I will return it to you,' he said again, 'if you consent to be my wife!'

The girl stepped back and crossed her arms in the air. 'No thanks. I'll just go home and be poor. Maybe I can sell Father's hair as well.' She went to leave when the prince took her by the hand again.

'Please, beautiful peasant girl – my heart belongs to you!' The prince was in earnest now, and tears of his certainty were sliding down his cheeks!”

Haruhi noted that Tamaki was emulating his fictional self, and hoped that the story would end very soon.

“The girl was unmoved. 'It has been a great deal of trouble to get here,' she mused, 'but I suppose I can make my way back again easily enough.'

The prince had one last card he had to play. 'You cannot!' he told her fiercely, crushing her against him again. 'You cannot leave me, because I love you!'”

Everyone froze and looked at Haruhi, except for Haruhi, of course, who had started to wonder how Tamaki could cry about himself crying in a story he was telling about himself. It made her head hurt, and she suddenly realised she'd missed a bit.

“Hmm?” she said, looking back at Tamaki.

He flushed. “'And I say again,' said the prince, 'I love you, like the daughter of my heart!'”

Kaoru and Hikaru lost interest and she felt Kyouya relax beside her. Honey shifted slightly on her lap as Mori blinked again. Haruhi raised her eyebrows expectantly.

Tamaki's face fell. “'So if you will not marry me and allow me to keep other scoundrels from taking you,'” he eyed the rest of the Club, “'then do me the honour of staying at this castle and living under my watchful eye! The eye of a father, the eye of a--'

'No thanks,' repeated the girl. 'I already have a father, and eccentric as he might be, you're even weirder. Could I please have my purse back?'

The prince was crushed, of course, for though her rejection had been without malice, it still pained him greatly. But he was nothing if not considerate, and honest to a fault, and so he handed back her purse and severed the only link they had.

About to leave, the girl turned back to him, and rather unexpectedly said, 'You are, of course, welcome to visit me in my village, should you ever go that way again.' She smiled, then, and her already beautiful face was transformed. 'Thank you for taking care of this.' Slipping her purse into her pocket, she set off the way she'd come.

And so she returned to her humble village, to her wretched cottage and eccentric father, but not long after the prince came calling, for he did truly love her, and wanted them to be wed. But it was difficult to do much courting, as the guardsmen and the task-men all came visiting as well.” Tamaki took a long breath. “The end.”

Honey sat up and clapped. “Oh, that was wonderful, Tama-chan! You should tell stories more often!” He smiled at Mori. “Don't you think so, Takashi?”

“Hn,” said Mori.

“It was all right,” said Kaoru, scratching his ear.

Hikaru nodded and crossed his arms. “But some characters weren't as developed as others.”

Kyouya stood. “Very...creative, Tamaki. An interesting afternoon, well-spent.” Picking up his clipboard, he nodded at everyone and left.

Yawning, Honey slipped off Haruhi's lap and clambered up onto Mori's back. “I'm sleepy now, so we'd better go home. Bye Haru-chan, bye everyone!” Mori bowed (quite gracefully, Haruhi thought, considering he had Honey on his back) and then they were gone as well.

Haruhi got up and stretched, looking around for her schoolbag. And she needed to put the Eskimo outfit somewhere – the others had changed when she wasn't paying attention, so now she was the only one still in costume. Letting herself into the storage room, she changed quickly, and when she went back into the music room, it was to discover she'd missed the twins' departure.

Tamaki plumped a pillow on one of the sofas, turning around when he heard the door click. “Ah, Haruhi,” he said, looking away. “I was just making sure you'd be fine to get home.”

Picking up her schoolbag, she threw him a puzzled look. “Of course I am, Tamaki-senpai. I'm fine every other afternoon.”

He nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, that you are.” He dropped the pillow and laced his fingers together. “I just thought, since we're both here, I could, perhaps, drive you? Even part of the way?”

Haruhi eyed him quizzically. She wasn't sure what he was up to, but he did appear to be acting strangely.

Well, more strangely than usual.

Shaking her head, she moved to the door. “It's fine, Tamaki-senpai. But thank you for the offer; it was very considerate of you.”

“Really?!” He ran up behind her, tears sparkling in his eyes again. “You think I'm considerate? Like...like the prince?”

“Well, you are the prince,” she mumbled under her breath, before sighing and nodding, opening the door. “Yes, Tamaki-senpai, just like the prince.”

Waving, she set off down the corridor. “See you tomorrow, Senpai.”

He leaned on the door and watched her go. “Tomorrow, Haruhi! Another night and another day!”

Behind her, she heard a sudden scuffling, and then the door slammed abruptly shut. Haruhi paused mid-step until she caught a snatch of Kaoru's voice saying “Now, tono, about these underdeveloped characters you made...”

So they hadn't left. She wavered briefly, unsure whether she was obligated to go back and save Tamaki from the twins' wrath.

While the afternoon hadn't been an entire waste (she had to admit to being entertained) she did have all that studying to do. And though her life had taken some surprising twists since coming to Ouran, it was still far from being a fairy tale.

The indecision lasted only a moment, and then she continued on her way, ready to go home. After all, she had a lot of ground to cover before she reached her goal.