Author Note:I am once again very sorry, but I think you guys know that there must be a lot going on by the length of time it's taking me. I actually wrote this chapter a while ago, but never got around to posting it.

Story Note:You guys are amazing! Seriously, for me the amount of favourites and reviews is just so out of the ordinary and I'm really happy you're all enjoying it. I've decided this story will be a little longer than I had originally intended because I had a brainstorm. That and I wanted to gradually introduce all the Sohma's. One, two maybe three will make their first appearance in the next chapter.

Anyway once again thank you all for reading, following, reviewing and favouriting!

Haruhi struggled to breathe. Her stomach twisted and turned in knots, successfully making her feel nauseous. She sat on the edge of Tohru's bed, knowing the girl she was rooming with wouldn't mind. A mirror hung on the wall opposite her and her gaze fixed on her own reflection.

Her brother had insisted that she dressed nicely or at least with more effort than she usually put in. Though her clothes were pinker and more expensive than usual, she only seemed to look more insignificant in her own eyes. Her skin was pale and her brown eyes were rimmed with red. It was then that she realised she was crying. Wiping a tear away absentmindedly, she stood and fixed her creased clothes.

'You can face him', she thought. Haruhi would hold back her fear. She had become stronger internally and maybe if he saw that he'd finally leave her be. Shigure was waiting downstairs for her, whatever worry that was built up within him had been replaced with his signature smile. Even upon seeing her tear-stained face, his smile only faltered once. "Are you ready to go Haruhi? Hatori's waiting outside in his car", he all but sang in his happy tune. Perhaps he was trying to keep everything feeling normal, trying to calm her in his own way. Merely nodding she followed him to the front, composing herself enough to shoot him a quizzical glance.

"Are you coming?", she asked, just about managing to keep her voice calm. He laughed lightly as if being asked the most obvious question, "but of course!". Though she had guessed as much, she still had an inner feeling that there was more to it than that." I thought your editor was coming to collect your-'', Haruhi was abruptly cut off by her brothers laughter. "No, no Mitchan is coming tomorrow to collect the chapters", he insisted and ushered his sister into the car.

Upon their entry Hatori promptly left the driveway, Haruhi could see a deep frown etched into his features in the rear-view mirror. Of course with the rush, nobody had noticed Shigure leave a scribbled note on his door. The first part was for his editor apologising that he could not be there and on the bottom was a short message to the others telling them that he'd gone to the main estate with Haruhi.

Ranka heard a delighted squeal from the other line, "Of course I'd be glad to help a dear friend!". He couldn't help himself and smiled in relief. Ayame may be quite the character, but he wouldn't be one to tell on them or scold him for being careless. "Thank you very much Aya", he replied happily, but still hushed.

"What can I assist you with dear?", Ayame asked light-heartedly. Ranka peered into his cramped living room to see most of the hosts having a loud discussion with each other. Thank goodness for their short attention span.

"I'm at a loss of what to do in my current situation, it's Sohma family related", he explained rather shortly. There was a short pause on the other line, "Ah I see. Well what situation would that be darling?". He took a moment, where should he start with this?

"Well as you know Haruhi's attending Ouran Highschool. Long story short she befriended six handsome boys who seem to have found out that she's a Sohma. Though I think they want clarification from me about it and as far as I can tell they have no knowledge of the curse. What should I do Aya? I don't want to screw up and I'm hoping to keep my memory intact", he rushed out in a hushed whisper.

"My oh my, that certainly is a problem! Haru-chan isn't one to make friends so these must be special too", he mused. "Leave it to me, I have an idea! Judging from your whispering dear, they must be there right now, I'm on my way!", the phone hung up. Ranka sighed; maybe he had felt relieved a bit too soon.

In the living room the boys were arguing amongst each other."Hikaru! You should be more mannerly in the face of Haruhi's father!", the self-proclaimed King scolded. Hikaru was on edge at the moment and even Kaoru's hand on his arm wasn't going to calm him."I couldn't help it! I feel like we're trapped in some ridiculous web of lies!". Kyoya watched the bickering with a frown as Honey sat whimpering with Usa-chan in his arms.

Mori sat silently as usual, ruffling his cousin's hair in an attempt to comfort him. He ignored the arguing and focused himself on his own thoughts. He could admit to himself that Hikaru had a point; it felt as though they were trapped in a web of lies. A web that each of them were willing to explore deeper, no matter how tangled in it they became. Haruhi was important to them and would undoubtedly be easily forgiven for this. In fact he knew there had to be more to it then there seemed to be. Haruhi was a straight forward person, meaning that there was definitely a reason. She wouldn't hide something like this for the sake of it. Even for hosting, she hid her gender so she could repay the club. If there was no debt, she wouldn't care if people saw her as a girl or a guy and wouldn't attempt to hide anything.

Mori could only hope that she would entrust the burden she carried onto them. Whatever secret it was they would keep it locked tight for her, shielding others from learning of it. If she'd let them in to understand her and her world, she'd feel a great relief. He was sure of that.

R&R