Disclaimer: Do not own OHSHC obviously, or it's characters.

Author's Notes: I wrote this as an extension of the scenes that take place in both the anime. I confess, I think Haruhi/Kyoya make an excellent couple, and it's so rare to see an 'intelligent' pairing where both characters are of sound mind and very grounded individuals. So, here we are.

Extra Insight: This may turn into a couple one-shots involving the pairing. Depends on my schedule and when inspiration strikes. None of these events are necessarily in order, but rather, are twisted and re-imagined to involve my pairing of choice.

She hadn't been expecting him.

Or rather any of them. But here they were. It was quickly becoming very apparent that she would not be able to lose them... not even during the summer holiday. The Host Club was rapidly becoming Haruhi's life, whether she wanted it to be or not. But as irritated or annoyed as she could get with their behaviour – they were still people she considered friends. They all had good and bad traits, and yes, they could be a bit spoiled, but generally... they had good intentions; good hearts.

Though their presence at the pension where she was trying to work her part-time job was a bit inconvenient, to say the least. She'd even attempted to shoo them out before... he spoke up...

"Academy rules. Item nine. A student is forbidden to take on part-time jobs."

She narrowed her gaze at the Shadow King, but said nothing. Damn. He had her. And really, what protest could she have made that would get them all out? Things progressed rather quickly after that – to the point where the boys had decided to hold a contest (what was it about them and their contests?) to see which one of them would take the only spare room available in the pension. Frankly, Haruhi wasn't keen for any of them to stay, really.

She could only imagine the ridiculous demands they would make.

But one member, as usual, wasn't participating.

"Kyoya-senpai, you're not going to take part in the game, then?" She asked, doing her best to sound aloof about the inquiry.

He glanced up at her with those sharp eyes of his and an amused smile, "Yes. Even if I win, there's really no point in staying alone in this kind of pension. I'll just watch this show for a bit, and then I'll go to my summer house."

Haruhi blinked,

"Summer house? ...Your family's summer house is here?" She repeated, gaping at the boy.

Kyoya just smirked, "That's right. Everyone has one in this area."

She sighed and closed her eyes. These damn rich people. Why not go to their own summer homes if they were in the same area? Why harass her?

"And about this refreshing competition..." Haruhi was pulled out her thoughts when Kyoya began to speak again, "Who do you think will win, Haruhi?... How about a bet?"

There was a particular glint in his eyes and a tone to his voice that caused a small jolt to run down her spine, "No thank you. I have no clue at all." Better to be safe than sorry.

"Really? It's quite easy, if you just think about it..." he huffed. He gave her a quick, statistical rundown of each Host member, their pros and cons, and who was most likely to win. The twins interjected with their own two-cents that they had the competition in the bag. But Kyoya spoke up again, "The competition is not over yet. I have many ways to make this game more interesting."

In the end, despite a valiant effort from Tamaki, the twins won the competition. She was initially confused about which one of them would stay, but ultimately, they decided they both would share. Not surprising, considering their relationship.

So when everyone eventually cleared out to retreat to their respective summer homes (the twins being the only exception), Haruhi was surprised when she stepped out onto the back porch to see Kyoya standing there – gazing out at the surrounding darkness.

It was evening now – her shift officially completed – and the teen was looking forward to enjoying the refreshing, summer night air. She had a book tucked under her arm to do a bit of reading before heading off to bed.

Though Kyoya's unexpected presence canceled out her plans rather abruptly,

"Kyoya-sempai?" she voiced curiously, tilting her head. "I thought everyone had gone home for the night."

He turned, glancing at her over his shoulder with a small smile, "I intend to take my leave. Though I wanted to extend my apologies before I left... regarding our presence here."

"Apologies?" Haruhi echoed, walking up to stand alongside the taller boy.

"Yes." he nudged his glasses up a bit on the bridge of his nose, "You know as well as I do that when Tamaki gets an idea in his head, it is incredibly difficult to talk him out of it. He was concerned you were missing – and after a brief, staged... and highly unfounded drama... in his own mind – he demanded we all accompany him here."

Haruhi frowned, "How did he know where I was?"

"I must confess... I believe I told him." Kyoya smiled, huffing out a breathless laugh. "I had hoped to allay his fears that you had been kidnapped and sold to some ridiculous underground slave trade, but instead, he opted to come here."

The honour student narrowed her eyes, "Ah. So you're to blame."

"Indeed." The Shadow King seemed unfazed, even a little amused, "But I admit, this is a lovely area. I'd forgotten how relaxing it can be; retreating from the civilized world."

Haruhi glared at him, uncertain as to whether or not she should take that as an insult. But instead, she moved on, "I can't imagine you relaxing for any extended period of time, Sempai." she muttered, heaving a heavy sigh and plopping down to sit on the porch steps.

"I don't believe there is anything wrong with having a studious work ethic." Kyoya countered, taking a step down, before lowering himself to sit beside her. "Hard work pays off, in the end. You of all people should know that."

She turned her eyes back over to him, "If you honestly believed there was nothing more to gain from this than a 'studious' work ethic... I don't think you'd be involved in the Host Club." Haruhi debated, "After all, Tamaki and the others bring a certain... er- ..."

"Unpredictability." Kyoya supplied with a smirk.

Haruhi smiled, "Ah, yes. Unpredictability... with them. With Tamaki-Sempai's whims, and the twin's mischief. Being organized and detailed about any other club's finances and events would bore you. It would be predictable. Easy." She shrugged, "I think you like the challenge of adapting, and fixing things for the betterment of your friends. Otherwise, you wouldn't be involved. You think it's fun."

"An interesting concept." Kyoya replied, keeping his eyes straight ahead. "But you're mistaking 'fun' for 'manipulation'. These activities and this experience benefits me for selfish reasons. Dealing with Tamaki is helping prepare me for any-and-every given situation or hiccup. When the time comes to graduate, I sincerely doubt there will be much the real world can throw at me that I cannot handle."

Haruhi kept her eyes on him, silent for a few minutes, before she looked away – staring out at the surrounding forestry and enclosure that surrounded them. "If that's how you want to justify it." she said off-handedly with a shrug.

Kyoya looked over to her, briefly startled – a refute poised on the tip of his tongue. He was tempted to ask her to explain herself. Or why, after his clarification, did she still insist he wasn't involved in this for selfish reasons. It made him feel strangely... exposed. As if Haruhi, despite their still blossoming relationship (in any sense of the word), could see him for what he was.

"And what about you?" Kyoya asked, turning the conversation away from him. "If your debt could be absolved tomorrow... would you quit the Host Club? Aren't you simply participating and enduring all our faults, our whims... so you can clear what you owe and move on?"

He stared at her intently, and to his well-masked surprise, she said nothing at first. Haruhi kept her eyes forward, contemplating the question, before she stood. "It's getting rather late, Kyoya-sempai. The longer you hang around, the harder it will be getting back to your summer estate in the dark." She smiled, looking down at him; a glint in her eyes, that even in the darkness, Kyoya could detect.

'Ah. Camaraderie...' he thought to himself, 'You become more interesting by the day, Fujioka-kun.'

"I suppose you're right." He mirrored her smile, standing on the step just below her (which at the height difference, put them at eye level with one another). "Enjoy the rest of your evening. I hope the twins aren't too demanding." Kyoya locked eyes with her for a moment, before reaching out and grasping her smaller hand in his own. He brought it to his lips and kissed the back of it lightly, "I suppose we will see you tomorrow."

A faint blush coloured her cheeks for a moment, before she tugged her hand away, "Kyoya-sempai." she scolded halfheartedly, "I don't need another Club member harassing me at every turn." She teased, eying him warily.

"Ah. Then you must let me know that my actions are unwanted." he replied, stepping a bit closer to keep their eyes connected.

Haruhi didn't falter, didn't back down – but met his gaze straight on. Kyoya leaned forward so that they were just mere inches from one another. There was still a faint dust of pink colouring Haruhi's cheeks, but she didn't seem nervous. Whether that was her natural naivety or not, she didn't flinch or shy away from him. Not even as he leaned forward, and placed a sweet kiss on her cheek. He felt her fingers clench around his hand briefly as he retreated. "Goodnight, Fujioka-kun." he muttered in his smooth baritone.

Stepping down the remaining steps, he heard her reply, "Goodnight, Sempai."

Kyoya smiled to himself, sliding his hands into his pockets as he walked further and further away from the pension. When he finally dared to look back, Haruhi had taken a seat on the porch in one of the chairs; book open in her lap, but clearly forgotten. Her eyes were staring at nothing in particular, lost in thought.

"Hmm." he hummed, turning back to continue walking, "I'm glad you're thinking on it..." The Shadow King said to himself, and kept a small smile on his lips as he eventually disappeared out of sight.

Kyoya didn't appreciate hearing that Haruhi had yet another suitor to add to the list the following morning. But once he heard Arai-kun's story, his fears were allayed. Nothing but a grade-school crush, and a mistaken rejection; that is, Haruhi being her usual, 'unassuming' self, unintentionally breaking hearts. He teased her dryly, but only for his own amusement. She apologized to Arai-kun immediately after discovering the truth, and Kyoya huffed out a small laugh.

Bizarre. Why apologize now? The boy had clearly moved on, or at the very least, accepted the rejection. No point in digging up old feelings. He wouldn't stand a chance anyway.

Hikaru, on the other hand, was far more vocal regarding his opinion on the subject of Haruhi's resurfaced admirer. The build up of tension ended with an argument – and eventually – a plot to have Hikaru and Haruhi go on a little 'date'. Kyoya wasn't big on the idea, naturally, but saw no harm in allowing Kaoru his little social experiment.

Though... she did look stunning.

Even Kyoya had to admit that much.

But Haruhi certainly wasn't a girl that needed to 'dress up' in order to catch your eye. He'd always been fond of her effortless style. She could still manage to be feminine even while at the Host club under the guise of a boy. Today she looked particularly lovely. The twin's servants had done a good job at selecting an ensemble that complimented Haruhi's features. The pigtails were a bit overkill in his mind, but worked.

Shame he had to stand back and watch Hikaru attempt to date her. Attempt being the key word. So far, he was doing a rather shameful job of it. While he didn't agree with the immature way in which Tamaki expressed his displeasure for Hikaru's behaviour, he did agree with the rationale behind each comment. Hikaru was supposed to be a Host; the date was downright painful to watch. Kyoya was well aware that the twin was inexperienced when it came to such things, but... his date was Haruhi. It couldn't be any simpler. She was easy to speak to, observant, reserved, and attentive.

However, the young man kept his mouth shut, and simply trailed along the 'date-stalking' group as they followed the couple and t-

Kyoya winced; perhaps he wouldn't refer to them as a couple.

They weren't, after all. Of course he knew part of that was his own jealousy talking. Tamaki was doing a fine job of sabotaging the date in his own idiotic way, so that Hikaru and Haruhi never got too close for comfort. And while it shouldn't have, it pleased Kyoya to see the date gradually begin to turn around. Not because of Hikaru's efforts (or lackthereof), but because of Haruhi's. He even made a comment to the group about how he wondered 'who was escorting who' now.

A marvelous girl indeed.

Kyoya eventually followed the group back toward the summer estate to wait-out the rest of their date. Strangely enough, the teen found himself a bit reluctant to leave. He was, again, well aware that it was just petty jealousy talking – and he had become rather good at pushing such feelings aside. But he didn't like it when Haruhi was out of his sight for too long. That girl had knack for getting herself into trouble sometimes, and paired with Hikaru, who also tended to get himself in some tough spots... left an inkling of concern in the back of his mind.

Then, it began to rain. The kind of rain that started to fall harder and harder, and soon spurred loud cracks of thunder and flashes of lightning. The perfect summer storm.

Everyone in the pension grew more and more concerned as time passed and Hikaru and Haruhi didn't return. Kyoya wasn't excluded from that group, though his worries were justified in deeper means. The first and only time he and Haruhi had been pressed together was weeks ago at the beach. She'd been terrified of the storm, and he had done what he could to comfort her. In doing so, he'd also kept her secret.

"Kyoya!" Tamaki's frantic voice broke into his thoughts.

He turned from the window to look back at the Host King, "Come on! We're forming a search-party! We will retrieve our dear Haruhi. Leave no stone unturned! No one comes back until she and Hikaru are found!" he declared, leading the charge out the door. Kyoya grabbed a raincoat on the way out, trailing behind everyone as they left the safe-haven of the pension.

Immediately, the group split up – ensuring their cellphones were charged and active so they could contact one another. While most of the group went into the town, Kyoya began to make his way along the outskirts of it. Smaller shops, a few other bed and breakfasts for the tourists; all empty and devoid of both Hikaru and Haruhi. The storm wasn't letting up either, and it was only when Kyoya's concern was quickly escalating into frustration that he saw it...

A small church; one of the doors cracked and left open a bit.

Worth a try, he thought to himself, jogging over to the doors. He slipped inside, drawing down the hood of his raincoat. It was empty, quiet and dark. The lightning still flashed outside, leaking through the stain-glass windows and giving his eyes time to adjust. "Haruhi?..." he called gently, walking down the isle, checking down each row of pews.

When he reached the alter, Kyoya turned and looked around the empty church again. He sighed, the inkling of defeat beginning to bog him down with worry once more.

And then he heard it.

A small sniffle, a whimper...

Kyoya moved around the alter table, noticing the cloth at the back was bunched up. He furrowed his brow curiously, and peered under it to see Haruhi; hands clasped over her ears, tears streaming down her cheeks as she trembled.

"Haruhi..." Kyoya sighed, fondly. He could feel relief flowing through his body. "Your big heart gets you into trouble sometimes. Really... following Hikaru after his little tantrum..." he chided in a gentle, teasing tone. The Shadow King pulled his mobile out and sent a text to the group to say he had located Haruhi, and they would wait until the storm eased up before leaving.

She opened her eyes hesitantly, gazing up at him, "K-Kyoya... se-..." she cut off as another clap of thunder shook around them. Kyoya encountered another rare surge of protectiveness toward her (similar to what he'd felt at the beach), and grasped the cloth from the alter table. He whipped it off, and shifted to kneel down – crawling beneath the table to sit with her. He draped the cloth over her in one fluid movement, and wrapped his arms around her to draw her in close.

"You're safe, Haruhi..." he murmured close to her ear. She was still trembling at the initial contact, but gradually she calmed, sinking into the warmth and security of his body next to hers. He rested his cheek atop her head, inhaling the scent of her damp soft hair. "I told you I would do whatever I could to ensure you're not left alone anymore."

Her eyes were closed now. One of his hands cupped around her ear, while the other was safely nestled against his shoulder, helping dull the sound of the thunder. His other arm crossed her torso, securing her against his side. "...Thank you... Kyoya..." he heard the barest whisper of her voice.

Kyoya let out a relieved sigh, and pressed a kiss to the top of her hair.

When the storm finally subsided, he managed to coax Haruhi out of their hiding place. They replaced the alter cloth back onto the table, and in it's stead, Kyoya tugged his own raincoat off and over Haruhi's head. She almost swam in it; it was so large on her. But she looked at him appreciatively, and didn't object when he slipped his hand into hers again, leading her out of the church.

It was still overcast outside; the weather merging with the approaching darkness that the evening brought. The rain had turned into a mere misty sprinkle, and the thunder and lightning had disappeared completely.

Kyoya smiled at Haruhi, and pulled the hood of the raincoat up and over her head, before they set out to walk back in the direction of the pension.

"...Thank you, again." Haruhi spoke after a while. "For coming to find me."

The taller boy smirked, "Yes. It was rather inconvenient. You get yourself into trouble quite a bit... I fear Tamaki and the twins are rubbing off on you."

"Ah... this isn't going to cost me any more debt is it?" Haruhi sighed, teasing back under a guise of weariness, "Like a pick-up fee? A searching-charge?"

Kyoya let out a rare laugh – which seemed to startle Haruhi to the point where she immediately turned her head to look at him. "Perhaps we can just settle on the notion that... you owe me." he mused, glancing down at her with a sly gaze. With a shared smile between them, Kyoya took his hand from her grasp, and slipped them into his own pockets casually.

"...Sempai?" she questioned, a bit unclear as to why he suddenly put distance between them.

But the sound of other people calling their names drew her attention ahead. Tamaki and the others were rushing out of the pension toward them, bringing their usual boundless energy. She hadn't even realized that they had made it back to the property so quickly.

"My sweet Haruhiiiiiiiiiii!" Tamaki exclaimed, wrapping her into a hug as he picked her up, "You're alright! My sweet girl has returned. Here, here, let Daddy comfort you." he gushed, rubbing his cheek atop her head.

Haruhi sighed warily, "Sempai, you're overreacting." She pinched his arm so the blonde was forced to release his hold. The group chattered quickly and loudly as they made their way back inside the pension to get dried off and changed into warmer clothes. With a last, subtle glance at one another, both Haruhi and Kyoya separated for the night; she, back to her room, and him, back to his own estate.

Though neither one was able to stop thinking about the other.

The following morning, Hikaru apologized to Haruhi, and even her friend Arai-kun, upon his arrival.

As Kyoya watched the proceedings from above with Kaoru, he found himself asking the obvious question, "By the way, about your strategy for yesterday's date... did you ever consider the possibility that it might have gone too well, and fostered feelings of love?"

"It's still too early for that," the twin answered, looking back to his counterpart. "Hikaru is still an idiot."

Kyoya looked down at the group as well, over-enthusiastically bearing a large watermelon. "Well... our Club is full of idiots." he commented. His eyes drifted over to Haruhi, who matched his knowing smile with one of her own.

'Though there are exceptions...' he amended in his head.