Petals in the Wind

For some the movement towards the glorious break of lunch was arduously slow, watching the clock tick each second towards the reprieve from lectures. Hikaru was among them, his eyes watching the clock above the door click ever closer to a time where he could move forward with his plan. He tapped a pencil on the desk against the empty paper. He hadn't even bothered to take notes, Haruhi always let him borrow hers anyway so what was the point? He could just copy them on his own time instead of listening to the professor's useless information. She was probably smarter than this particular sensei anyway. His eyes fell from the clock to lock onto matching golden eyes that looked at him worriedly. Kaoru. His head tilted for a moment gazing at his picture perfect match before he watched his brother's eyes dart away to Haruhi.

Apparently he had caught on to what was going on. Not a lot ever needed to be said between the Hitachiin brothers. So many years linked by the invisible silver thread that brought them so close made conversations irrelevant and only there for the sake of their 'audience'. Now a conversation was being held in secret. A movement of a shoulder, the flick of an eye, it told the other what they needed to know.

The professor was wrapping up his lecture and Hikaru's eyes moved to the front in parallel with his brother's before a wicked smile took to his lips. Eyes darting to corners for a mere second to get a final glance at the ticking freedom device before moving to the front. The instructor was finished, students were beginning to slowly speak but Haruhi was deep into her notes still jotting down last minute thoughts when twin arms came across her and started looking down at the notes.

“Haruhi.” They said in unison causing her to jump slightly at the sudden noise before those eyes came up the short haired 'boy' moving eyes between the two of them. “You take such crisp notes.” Said Kaoru as he snatched the current page reading it over for a moment before it was snatched away by Hikaru. “You really do, I didn't catch half of what that stuff professor said.” Added the other brother as he stared at her crisp kanji.

“If you paid more attention your notes would improve.” Haruhi said simply, her easy voice showing there was no malice in the comment just purely how she viewed it. Her eyes were on Hikaru before they slid to Kaoru. “Did you have any problems with the lecture?”
This was their chance! Kaoru gave a mock pout before sliding over and pointing at the page below. “I didn't understand this bit on adjectives at all.” His eyes flicking over her notes again before sighing as Hikaru set the top page down. “I just can't understand it.” The matching twin added.
“That's odd Hikaru.” Said Haruhi worry sneaking into her voice despite herself, “you're normally so good at English.”
“I know...” Kaoru was frowning more now as he looked at his own notes. “Perhaps you could help me with it at lunch?”
“I'm busy at lunch, gomen.” Kaoru's head tilted for a bit feigning confusion though just like his brother he too had eavesdropped on the conversation between her and the two kings of the host club.
“Aw. Well how about after school then?” Hikaru brought up quickly as he met eyes with his brother for a moment to stop his worries before concentrating on the brown haired girl still sitting between them.
Haruhi tapped a pencil against her lower lip for a moment as she considered it. An after school tutoring session couldn't be all that bad right? “You have to promise no tricks. You will actually study.” This time her eyes were on Hikaru first staying for a long moment before they flicked to the other Hitachiin to rest on the other side of the mirror for a moment.
“We promise!” They both chimed raising their index finger in a showing of their dedication. Haruhi gave a sigh to herself before nodding. “Alright, after club I'll work on it with you.” It didn't really matter to her since she walked home anyway and her father would be too tired to really notice her being gone, but she would give him a call anyway. The bells chimed and she rose slowly packing a few things into her bag before getting ready to leave entirely, but as she rose two Hitachiin's caught her each pressing their lips to her cheeks before pulling back as one unit. “Arigato.” Kaoru breathed to her as he moved away Hikaru adding in the same soft tone “Haruhi-kun.”

Their eyes concentrated on her face as if she were a butterfly who could beat it's wings away from them at any moment. Sadly what ever reaction they were hoping to get from her didn't come as she just simply raised scrunched her eyebrows in confusion before saying “A simple thank you would have done fine.”

Kaoru distinctly wanted to smack the palm of his hand against his forehead as Haruhi excused herself to go to her luncheon with the kings. They stood with the gap she had left still between them. Hikaru looked furious, a perfect additive to Kaoru's own aggravation. Bags were grabbed and thrown over opposing shoulders as they walked out, their eyes staring ahead but seeing none of the girls who blushed at their presence, the boys who moved out of their way. They were on a mission, their bodies carrying them towards the third music room without truly thinking about it. When they were merely a hallway away Kaoru stopped, Hikaru moving a few steps only before stopping himself.
“Hikaru.” He barely breathed the words as his eyes stared at the other boy's back, “Is it really right to spy on them like this?”
“Don't you want to know what Tono has planned?” Hikaru spat back, his quiet voice full of vehemence. Kaoru was taken a bit aback by the harsh tone in it, but he simply frowned keeping his own worries inside his own mind. “Yes. But why not get Haruhi to tell us herself after club?”
Hikaru simply shook his head, “We'll be too busy after school.” He took a step forward but his brother caught up grabbing his shoulder.
“Tono wouldn't hurt her. You know it.”
“I don't care.”
“Hikaru!” He growled the words at his brother tugging his shoulder further back and causing his mirror image to whirl around to view him in the eye. “Let her make her own choice Hikaru. We have no right to listen to their conversation.”
“Then you can stay here.” Hikaru bit back as his brother and he had a silent battle of wills between their eyes. “I want to know what is going on.” And with that he broke from his brother's hands and kept walking. Kaoru stared at him with awe in his eyes. Shock flooding his face before he blinked it away. Hikaru was reckless, this was true, but this went beyond just eavesdropping a hallway conversation. Has his feelings for Haruhi spiraled so much as to lead him to spying?” Kaoru frowned but after a few moments began to take steps towards the door of music room three. They were twins, and regardless of his feelings on it, they were both in what ever choice was made together. His eyes seeing Hikaru pressed against the door with it open barely a crack to let a single eye peek within. With a sigh and a heavy heart Kaoru joined him moving beside him to peek in himself.

Tamaki had been floating on cloud nine since that morning. His daughter would get to taste the pleasures of his homeland! If there was anything the French did well (aside from love) it was food. Before the first class began he had made a slew of last minute phone calls having his own chef prepare the meal and gave explicit instructions as to how it would be arranged. Kyouya on the other hand had done nothing so extravagant in this game of wills. In some ways it was unfair, though out the entire week of break he had been ploying towards this. Figuring how to best arrange it, what to say, how to act. It was unfair because he had an advantage over Tamaki, a week's worth of planning as well as the events at the beach house gave him a bit more knowledge on Haruhi. Of course he could lavish her in splendor and fake affection, but she would see through it in a moment. In many ways she was just as cold as he was. Able to rip off the masks people surrounded themselves with in a single word, but unlike himself hers was not in spite or for influence. This made her a hard target and best of all a challenge.

As he entered the third music room he reminded himself of this. It would be a challenge, a challenge he was well equipped to defeat. He barely even nodded to Tamaki, who was in a frantic haze getting things prepared. So unnecessary, Kyouya thought amusedly to himself as he sat in the third seat at a small circular table pulling out his laptop and beginning his never ending work.

Moments later Haruhi arrived to find the room lavishly decorated. Fresh flowers, a beautiful long table with the food staying warm inside of what she was sure to be silver. They were each laid about above what looked to be small bits of flame, a form of warmer she was unused to. Her own bento in her hand seemed awfully silly with all the luxury lined on the table in front of her.

“Rich bastards.” She grumbled as she walked further inside, so far she didn't see Tamaki and took to moving to where Kyouya was sitting his eyes glinting off the computer screen. She took her seat silently, letting her eyes watch him as he worked. It was odd how serene he seemed typing away at whatever it was he did all day.

“You know I normally charge to let someone sit there and watch me.” Haruhi jumped, he hadn't even looked up from his computer once! When did he take the time to notice she had entered? She frowned as she stared at him before sitting back, letting her eyes stare at the far wall.
“You're the one who wanted to see me. Shouldn't I be charging you?” She responded after a few moments of silence moved into the room.
“Hmm.” He was smirking now as he looked at her before shaking his head in amusement. He didn't respond though, taking up typing again and leaving her alone with her thoughts.

She was not left alone for long as Tamaki burst open the changing room doors in a flurry of excitement. His hands held a small box under one arm as he came into the room. “Ah Haruhi, you're here, good!” He gave a smile then as he moved in and behind him a flurry of people followed: three maids, a few servers, and a single chef. He of course was the most noticeable because of the pretentious white hat that he wore and the way he shouted at everyone else in what she was quite sure was a French-Japanese hybrid language. Tamaki leaped like a dancer towards the table, doing a twirl before gently moving into the last open seat which unfortunately put her directly between them. Originally she would have been on the either side of them, but Tamaki had moved his chair somewhere in the middle of that turn.

“You know Sempai...you didn't need to go to this much trouble.” She mumbled under her breath as Tamaki was still too busy having roses float around him to notice Haruhi's uncomfortable shuffling before she settled entirely. Kyouya took his reverie as a chance to get the conversation going off of the melodramatic teenager.
“I see your coat fits well enough Haruhi.” His voice was curt and the comment seemed almost off hand since he never bothered to look up from his Pine-Apple laptop.
“Eh?” Haruhi commented as her hands flattened the coat a bit. “Uhm, hai Sempai. It seems to fit well enough.”
Kyouya stood up then motioning for her to do the same which pulled Tamaki's mind into the moment at hand as he watched his fellow host club member scrutinize Haruhi's attire. His hands clapped onto her shoulders spinning her slowly before he leaned to greater inspect the coat work. Leaning as he did of course put him in front of Haruhi's now safely hidden chest. Haruhi didn't seem to notice really too busy looking at what was so special about her coat but Tamaki on the other hand was placing to explode. His face read and shaking as she slowly stood from his chair. Luckily Kyouya rose at the same moment sending a warning look to Tamaki before meeting with Haruhi's eyes.

“It's not good enough I'm afraid.” He said with a deep set look of disappointment causing the edges of his thin lips to drag downward. A shake of his head before he pulled the end of her coat. Shaking his head again.
“Eh?” Haruhi said pushing down at the jacket as she tried to see exactly what his problem with the blue coat. But Kyouya was moving on without her, gesturing for Tamaki to come over.
“Let's get a second opinion shall we?” He moved Tamaki to her with a warning gaze giving a hand towards her torso, “Take a look.”
Haruhi was confused now, and Tamaki...well let's just say the ninth gate of hell would be easier for him to handle then this. His hands were shaking as he looked at her. It was easier to consider her his daughter, and in many ways he hadn't broken himself of that mentality but he also realized (which caused a great amount of conflict) that he could not think of her that way and win this competition. He placed his long fingers on her shoulder and she gave him a quizzical look before he turned her to be profiled in front of him.

Red flushed to his cheeks as he leaned down to inspect and unfortunately saw the same thing as Kyouya. This wasn't just some wicked attempt by his classmate to sully her name and perhaps seduce her. No, this was a full fledged problem. He cleared his throat as he stood once more forcing the red to depart from his cheeks as he shook his head. “Kyouya's right. It's no good.”

“What is no good?” Haruhi was down right paranoid now. She tapped across her jacket, was there a tear or something she hadn't noticed? She pulled the jacket away from her body a bit by the edge but could see no blemish. She hadn't eaten so there is no way she could have spilled upon it? What in the world was wrong? “What is it sempais?”

Kyouya merely shook his head and pointed to her seat quickly taking his own as Tamaki did the same. Tamaki had paled consideredably in the few moments since then as he saw the full scope of the problem. Everyone would notice eventually, especially if the thing about growing was true. That thought sent a new shock through him and with a slight added fire it also sent red into his cheeks making his violet eyes look away .What dirty thoughts to have about a daughter, his brain chastised, are you sure you are a father to her?

He shook the thought away as he looked to Kyouya, whose eyes were fully on the brown haired freshman. “It seems you have grown more than my calculations have permitted for. I will have to have a new jacket made.”
“Eh?!” She seemed shocked now, another jacket meant more debt! Ugh, did the circle ever end? “What do you mean Kyouya-sempai? I don't feel any taller.”
“I'm not meaning in height Haruhi. I mean-”
But he was cut off as Tamaki jumped from his seat as if a fire had been set to his backside and gave a slightly nervous smile. “I'll start them serving the food shall I?” The entire conversation was making him uncomfortable in ways he didn't want to deal with at that moment. Kyouya merely shrugged, placing his attention back on her.
“Have you changed your bra size recently Haruhi?” He was typing once more, obviously making plans for the new jacket and didn't see the flash of red hit her face. It was one part anger and three parts embarrassment.
“Nani?!” Her eyes grew wide before settling once more. “I don't believe that is information I need to share with you sempai.”
“Oh you misunderstand, it IS information you need to share Fujioka-san.” His sudden formality made the biting tone sink in all the more and she quickly looked away from him.
“Not that I've noticed.” She answered quietly, her eyes specifically looking away from him.
He gave a sigh then as a single digit rose to readjust his frames. “Apparently you notice less about yourself than I had realized. You should be by my calculations a 32b, but I am guessing by your lack of notice you are still wearing 30a. Is this correct?”
Haruhi turned crimson, no matter how unabashed she was about herself bra sizes were a completely different matter. And how the hell did he know? Now that she thought about it her bras were a bit uncomfortable but she had simply counted that as her need to go buy new ones...a full cup jump? She frowned and she heard Kyouya tsk in disappointment.
“Unfortunately at this rate it will be hard to conceal your sex. Your own body is working against you.”
Haruhi frowned more. She couldn't see a noticeable difference, her jacket still fell flat against her and gave no hint to what it was hiding underneath.
Tamaki was back now and was helping the maids set plates, something she was shocked to see. She never imagined Tamaki setting a table before, and as he set hers before her he gave a beaming smile before taking his seat.

A pot was set in the middle and bread as well. The pot was suspended over a warmer which struck her as rather odd and her quizzical look must have caught Tamaki's attention.
“Fondue.” He explained as he picked up the metal skewer that was placed across the white china plate. “See, you break off a piece of bread.” He reached over grabbing the hard french loaf and tearing it with a strangely graceful ease before putting the small piece on the end of the skewer and placing it in the bowl. Haruhi had to admit even to herself that it smelled delicious as she leaned over to see what he was sticking it into. The strange scent was strong as well as foreign, the only part of it she recognized being a distinct smell of wine which she only knew because of her father. Again Tamaki explained “It's a melding of various french cheeses such as Roquefort, Brie, Swiss and various others along with wine or sherry.” He pulled away the skewer to show her the bread softened by the liquid mix and began blowing on it softly.

Haruhi was entranced somehow by the simple motion. She expected that much like the coffee incident with the Lobelia girls he might simply stick the steaming hot piece into his mouth, but instead he was blowing on it delicately. She saw Kyouya was already getting a piece of his own ready and she gently took a piece of the bread and began to break it for herself. Her fingers wrapped around it and she tried to tug but the harsh french loaf held fast. She frowned and tried again but still nothing. This is more difficult than breaking a crab's leg she thought bitterly as she tried to bend it, pull it, but she couldn't get the damn thing to move. Is it a rock? She wondered idly and was so concentrated she nearly tuned Kyouya out who, of course, was still speaking business.

“As much as your being a host has helped the club as well as your debt, I'm not sure how long it will be until people notice the obvious.” His eyes looked to her and noticed her distraction. She was biting her lip now as she was pulling with all her might on the bread but it would not give way to her. “I was wondering if you might consider coming out into the open about it instead of trying to continue with false pretenses?”

Haruhi looked up then from the target of her aggravation with a frown. “I still don't understand why I need to.” She grumbled, her anger at the bread making her voice sound tense as she once more tried to pull the bread and was only dragged away by the sound of heavily stifled laughter. Her eyes looked up to see Tamaki covering his mouth as he tried to hold it back desperately and even Kyouya looked like he might be cracking. She gave a cry of absolute aggravation and looked like she might throw it.
Tamaki couldn't take her pathetic state anymore and let his hand move onto the loaf. “Here let me help.” He said with a gentle smile before grabbing the offending piece of bread away and with a twist of his wrist breaking the bread easily. Once more he showed his grace with these things and Haruhi found herself shocked. Still she was pulled away from watching him once more by Kyouya's voice.

“I suppose you'll need think it over. But remember what I told you, your naiveté about this cannot last forever.” He gave her a harsh look and Haruhi frowned. She hadn't forgotten about the beach house, nor the questions that had plagued her about it for a few weeks after. She had never thought she'd have to give up her life living in a boy's clothing. For some odd reason the thought had never occurred to her that maybe, just maybe she would grow into more of a woman. Kyouya saw her deep thought and though Tamaki was too busy staring at her worriedly to see the shadow king frown. “Well for now let's enjoy the meal hmm?”

Her eyes raised but he was already typing away his piece of soaked bread forgotten as the steam moved in slow curls like the cigarette smoke in movies. She slowly dipped the bread in and tentatively smelled it again. With most food a smell gives you a hint of what you're going to be biting into, but this gave her no such luxury. Her eyes looked to Tamaki warily and the strangely reserved host king only offered a reassuring nod and an encouraging smile. She returned it with a meek one of her own before taking a bite of the now cool culinary contraption.

It was beyond description. As she let the small piece of bread slide into her mouth she now understood why the French were kings of the kitchen. It was not because it was amazing, or the greatest thing she had ever tasted. Instead it was because it was beyond anything that she had ever tasted and no words could describe it. Knowing it was a mix of various cheeses she had expected it to be salty; however, it shocked her in instead being sweet and slightly nutty. Her eyes filled with stars as she tasted it and it looked like Tamaki could weep for joy at the sight. “Mmm!” she exclaimed and was quickly breaking off yet another piece of bread and dipping it before she had finished completely chewing the first.
“Good?” Kyouya asked as he looked up from the screen to settle his eyes on her. She gave an enthusiastic nod and Tamaki could no longer take it.

The reserve left as he quickly reached towards her and grabbed her “Kawaii!” he exclaimed but did not notice that this caused the piece of newly dipped bread to fly and land directly on his lap. “AYIEE!” He exclaimed as he jumped from his seat knocking the chair over as he quickly threw the offending piece off of his leg, which of course burned his fingers. “Hot hot hot! Ow ow ow!” He whined, which caused Haruhi to laugh despite herself as he jumped up and down blowing on his hands. Her laugh sweet and uncaring caused even Kyouya to break as he chuckled amicably at Tamaki's antics.

Haruhi finally rose and walked over with her ever helpful pocket of first aid and quickly tied off three of his fingers and offered a pack of kleenex to his now ruined trousers. “Arigato Haruhi.” He said shyly as he looked down at his newly bandaged fingers and gave her a small smile before slowly leading her back to her seat. “Come, there are five more courses to go!”

By the end of the meal Haruhi had learned another thing about the french as well. They like food, and a lot of it. By the end of it she only took small 'trial' bites of everything he gave her and that was only after guilting her with his puppy eyes and sulking. Finally the 'dessert course' was finished which she had passed on since it was chocolate dipper strawberries and made Tamaki swear to give them to Hunny later once she noticed how full she was. She had never raten so much food and Kyouya looked as if he too was dumbfounded by the sheer amount of it that was provided. When Tamaki confessed that a standard French luncheon consisted of seven courses Haruhi kindly reminded herself that she would never move to France.

Outside a pair of eyes had retreated much earlier. Hikaru was fuming at the obvious 'checking-out' they had done of Haruhi's figure and Kaoru had dragged him to an empty classroom to quiet him down. “No one should be allowed to look at her that way!” Hikaru roared and a hand clamped over his mouth to silence him so as to not draw attention.
“But don't you feel better? There were no confessions, no anything, they're just concerned about someone finding out she's a girl, that's all.” Always one to try to bring up the brighter side of things to his now raging brother he gave an apathetic smile as he pulled his hand away.
“I still don't trust Tono or Kyouya.” He grumbled as he looked away from him arms crossed in an obvious sulk. Kaoru simply shook his head in defeat before leaning back against one of the desks.
“Do you think she'll do it Hikaru?” He asked after a moment and seeing his brother's quizzical face he continued, “Confess she's a girl.”
Hikaru frowned then and lounged on an opposing desk himself arms holding him up as he gazed towards the ceiling. “I don't know.”
“Kyouya had a point unfortunately. It is becoming a bit too apparent...”
“You were looking?!” Hikaru looked at his brother in shock having always placed his twin for a bit more interested in males than himself. Kaoru just gave a smirk.
“I'm not blind you know.” He gave his brother a lewd smile which made Hikaru only blush and look away.
“I...I just never thought you'd look at her that way.”
Kaoru merely shrugged as he flipped open his cell phone to look at the time. “Come on, we need to leave before this room fills.” Hikaru merely nodded as the two walked out slowly in perfect unison steps. Hikaru gave a single look to the room at the end of the hall before walking with his brother further into the school.

Unbeknown to them another had taken to spying on the group, her chestnut and auburn hair flowing behind her as she made her way down the hall, a wicked grin was on the face of the female Ouron student. Fingers clutched her yellow skirt in rage as she moved down the steps. “I'll get you now Fujoika.” she whispered venomously “Just give me time.”

**Author's Note: Ooo a cliffhanger! Thanks to all my reviewers and readers for your patience. Between getting married and the holiday season I couldn't find time to get my hubby to beta-read this chapter, but now it is all read and I can get started on chapter four. Hope you enjoy it and of course please review and let me know your critisms/critiques and what you think of the story~
Now for this chapter's question: What is the silliest costume I should have Tamaki imagine Haruhi in?**