Chapter 83 – Of Kings, Dragons, and Fish

Sputtering as she came up from the water, Haruhi mock glared at Takashi as he walked back out the door to go get their clothes.

"Oooh… It's a good thing you have a nice naked ass Takashi, or you might be in trouble for that one," Hani laughed as he saw Haruhi's annoyed expression. "Haru-chan looks pissed. Better wiggle it, so she calms down."

Haruhi's expression lightened immediately at the absurdity of the comment and she broke into a giggle when Takashi did just that right before he stepped out of the room. Sliding her hands through her hair to slick it back off her face, she asked with a grin, "How exactly do you know how to diffuse the tension?"

"It's a natural gift – being the cute one," Honey grinned. "It helps that I know Takashi will also pretty much do as I request under most circumstances."

"He's as much of a flirt in his own way as you are," Kyouya said and reached out a hand to Haruhi. When she took it, he pulled her in to sit between him and Tamaki.

"That's why he was the Wild One," Tamaki answered as he slid an arm around her waist. "Are you feeling any better?"

Haruhi sighed deeply, "Yeah. Mostly just trying not to think about it anymore." She turned to Kyoya. "How about you, love? I know I kind of just disappeared." Her movement caused the light to shift interestingly over her lover. "Wait. Is that a-"

"I'm ok," Kyoya interrupted, a faint pink brushing across his cheeks. "Tamaki and Honey were able to help me work through the frustration."

"Looks like they did it in a MOST interesting way," Haruhi smirked. "You've never even let me give you a single tiny hickey and you currently have a chain of them down your ne-"

Tamaki slapped a hand over her mouth as Kyoya's blush deepened to bright red. He could feel the movement of Haruhi's body as she giggled uncontrollably. "Shush princess, we don't want to annoy the dragon, after we finally got him tamed."

"Tamed?!," Kyoya said in an arch voice as he mock glared at Tamaki.

Tamaki grinned, "Would you prefer soothed? Given metaphorical belly rubs? Or would you prefer the truth that you were thoroughly fucked into a better moo-" The rest of the statement was cut off as Kyoya lunged at Tamaki with a growl and dunked him underwater with a splash.

"Hey! That's it. It's on!"

"You think you're kingly ass can dunk me?"

"I think the King always manages to slay the dragon."

"Prove it."

"I already have, which is why you are sporting a line of hickies. They aren't going to fade for daaaaaays."

"I'll give you something that won't fade."

"Bring it on, Shadow King."

Haruhi threw up her arms to protect her face from the splashing as she and Honey broke into laughter at the antics of their friends. As Kyoya and Tamaki wrestled with each other, each trying to push the other under water, Haruhi wiggled around them and sat next to Honey. "I take it you all had a good time?"

Honey smiled, "We did the best we could to help draw him out and keep him from shutting down. I think it worked."

"Like a charm," Haruhi smiled as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the edge of the spa.

"Here, let me help you get more comfortable," Honey said and shifted their positions so she was leaning up against his chest, his arms loosely around her belly.

Haruhi sighed and relaxed into the welcoming arms of her friend. "This feels nice, thank you."

"Any time, Haru-chan."

She could hear the smile and the deep friendship in his voice. The water shifted around her and she felt someone grab her foot and start kneading out the tension.

"How long do you think they will be at it?" Takashi said as he put a bit more pressure on a knot near the arch of her foot and shaking the water out of his face as a vigorous splash from the two battling hosts hit him.

"I give it another 5 minutes," Haruhi hummed as the knot released.

"I give them both props for still having that much energy," Honey said. "I'm totally relaxed at the moment."

"Me too," Haruhi smiled as she heard Takashi grunt in agreement.

Four minutes and thirty six seconds later, Tamaki and Kyoya pulled apart from each other and flopped back against the sides of the spa both breathing heavily. Haruhi cracked open an eye. "Who won?"

"The Dragon can live peacefully in the Kingdom and can admit to enjoying a bit of taming on rare occasions," Kyoya replied, still a bit breathless.

"Also the King knows that the Dragon is really the Boss, he just likes to pretend that he's in charge. It's fun to keep the Dragon on his toes," Tamaki said leaning in to place a kiss on Kyoya's cheek before settling back down.

"And all is right in the kingdom again," Haruhi intoned.

Two hours later, rested and much more relaxed, Haruhi descended the staircase into the glittering holiday wonderland. Pausing a moment near the door and taking a moment to really look around, she could feel the smile growing across her face and the warmth in her heart increasing as she took in the bright red bows, deep green boughs, glittering silver decorations, and brightly colored ornaments on a giant Christmas tree. "Wow!" she breathed as a pair of warm arms wrapped themselves around her waist from behind.

"The group did an amazing job," Hikaru said as le laid a kiss gently against her neck.

"How are you doing, love?" Haruhi tilted her head back so she could kiss his cheek.

"Better. You?"

"The same." They stood there in silence for a few moments, looking at the tree.

"We have pretty awesome friends, don't we?"

"Yes we do."

"Think the backlash at school is going to suck?"

"Probably, but we can handle it for a few months. I'm used to ignoring the other students' rude comments. I'm more worried about the teachers. They are the ones with direct influence over our grades."

"Damn. I didn't think about that."

"My Dad will make sure that doesn't happen," Tamaki voice came from behind them. They turned as he walked towards them, holding two silver filigree rose ornaments. "Or at least he can reign most of it in. If you feel that you are being retaliated against, let him know. You both are at the top of your class, if your grades suddenly plummet, it will reflect just as badly on them. Still, it might be wise to try to fly under the radar as much as possible."

"I was mostly approved for independent study and only have a couple of core classes," Haruhi said. "Before I met you guys, I was working towards trying to graduate early."

"I'm stuck until normal graduation, but at least I have my status to protect me," Hikaru replied with a grim voice. "It's the one thing that I wish I could give you."

"It's ok, love," Haruhi kissed Hikaru's cheek. "I'll be ok. Remember, most of the students will now know that I am a black belt. It should be enough to keep the comments to just rude or inappropriate and not completely offensive."

"Have I ever mentioned that it is kind of hot knowing that my girlfriend could totally kick my ass?" Hikaru winked.

Haruhi laughed while Tamaki nodded in agreement. "Changing the subject, for a moment. What are you holding Tama?"

Tamaki held out one of the roses to each of them. "I had a silver rose made for everyone with their name on it."

"It's beautiful," Haruhi examined the delicate filigree and smithwork, seeing her named engraved down the stem of the rose.

"It's tradition for everyone in a family to help decorate the tree. Everyone else has placed their ornaments. You two are the last."

"Well we can't break tradition," Hikaru smiled and they moved forward to place their ornaments. Finding a clear spot took a few moments, but soon both roses were on display with the other glittering ornaments.

"I can give them back to you when we break down the tree later this week, if you want," Tamaki smiled.

"I kind of like the idea of you holding on to them," Haruhi replied. "That way next year, when we do this again, they will be here waiting for us."

"So you want to do this again?"

"Tamaki, I would love for this week to be a Holiday tradition that we do every year."

"The whole week, huh?"

"Well, maybe minus the drama that has plagued us this week." Haruhi stuck out her tongue.

"You are serious? You really want to do this again?" Haruhi could hear the hint of vulnerability in Tamaki's voice.

Haruhi stepped forward and took both of his hands in hers. "Tamaki, I want to do this, with all of you, every year for as long as we all have. I want all of our future children and grandchildren to have this celebration of love and joy to look forward to every year. All of the Host Club, Mai, Sakura, Zhi, Marika and her partners, all of our parents – everyone. We are all family now… and Family needs to celebrate together."

"But I didn't invite our parents to the festivities tonight! Oh no! Should I have invited them?"

Both Haruhi and Hikaru giggled at Tamaki's immediate distress. Hikaru placed a hand on Tamaki's shoulder and Haruhi squeezed his hands. Biting his lip, Hikaru managed, "It's ok boss. This year they kind of have a bit much on their plates, so I think they will forgive us. Next year we can plan a real family get together with everyone."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." Hikaru said seriously.

Tamaki took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it go slowly. "Thank you."

"Anytime, mon ami." Hikaru squeezed his shoulder.

Haruhi let go of Tamaki's hands and turned to face the room. A flash of pink on a silver tray immediately grabbed her attention. "Oh! Is that smoked salmon!" Without a glance at the others, she made a beeline for the food table.

Tamaki and Hikaru burst out laughing as their girlfriend grabbed a plate, oohing and aahing over the selection of delicacies spread out for the party.

"Now I know that everything will work out," Tamaki said with a grin.

"Why's that," Hikaru asked curiously.

"Because if all it takes to make everything right again is some smoked fish and a few snacks, life just can't be that bad."

"Nope. Not when she is there in it with us."

"Us?"

Hikaru nodded. "Us. She belongs to all of us. Even better – we all belong to her."

"I couldn't want it any other way." Tamaki agreed. "Now we might want to grab a plate before the salmon disappears."

"You read my mind, boss."

*****Author's Note*****

Just call me Rip. You know - Rip Van Winkle - the guy that slept for 20 years... =P I know it hasn't been quite that long, but it feels like it sometimes. I know this is short and fluffy, and mostly a transitional chapter, but I finished it earlier and it seemed like a good breaking point before we got to the actual party, so I thought I would post it as is, rather than holding on to it longer. Enjoy!

Dare I say it, preliminary outlook is I *may* actually have a bit of extra time in the next couple of weeks, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the next update won't be 6 months from now. I will try my darndest to make it within 3 weeks. (please don't let me have just jinxed myself!). As always, so much love, respect and affection for everyone who has read (or is currently reading) my stories. I still can't do this without you. 3

xoxoxo

~Shay