Silent Challeges, Chapter Two
Hi All!
Chapter Two is up. Thanks for reading, and I hope you're enjoying your Sunday!
Title: Silent Challenges
Series: Chapter Two, 1784 words
Pairing/Character: Mori & Haruhi
Rating: T
Summary: "Despite her excitement at spending some much-needed quality time with her dad, Haruhi was somewhat surprised to find herself worried over how much she would or wouldn't see Mori-Senpai during their vacation."
Cross-posted to morixharuhi
Link to FF.net
Haruhi stuck out her tongue as she squinted toward the cold, entirely white sky. Pieces of weightless crystal stuck in her hair, while more of it melted onto her nose. Her winter peace was interrupted by the whirring of a snowball passing close to her ear.
"Bulls-eye!"
Shaking the snow from his hair, it took Tamaki no time at all to recover his senses and forge a counter attack aimed at the twins.
With their first semester of American schooling behind them, the entirety of the host club was taking advantage of the New England winter with an early evening spent at Boston's Public Garden.
The sudden unison chime of Hikaru and Kaoru further pulled Haruhi out of her private winter wonderland.
"Hey, Haruhi! Want to be on our team and help us build a snow fort?"
"No thanks. Being pummeled by snowballs isn't on my agenda for the night."
"Aw, come on!" Kaoru cried, "It'll be us against Tono and Kyoya-Senpai."
Hikaru nodded, "Yeah. You can be our secret weapon! There's no way the boss will go full force when hitting you is a prospect."
Haruhi glanced toward Tamaki, who had already established a small, but respectable fort. As for Kyoya, she wasn't sure if a snowball to the face would be cause enough for him to put his notebook down and take up seasonal arms.
"Thanks, guys, but I think I'll just act as ref."
She dismissed their sighs and groans and chose a nearby tree to lean against. It would be another few minutes before Huni and Mori-Senpai would arrive from the last of their semester studies. In the morning, they would all be boarding a plane to spend the holidays with their respective families at home in Japan.
Despite her excitement at spending some much-needed quality time with her dad, Haruhi was somewhat surprised to find herself worried over how much she would or wouldn't see Mori-Senpai during their vacation. She had grown accustomed to their Saturday afternoons together, and even the slightest of break from that routine had her down.
She let out a sigh and pushed all such worries from her mind. I'll have plenty to occupy my time, anyway. I haven't seen Dad in months. I'll bet the apartment is a mess. And I have so much reading to do. American schools don't do homework the same as at home, but if I keep on my own track, I might be able to-
"Not cool, Haruhi! You said you weren't playing!"
Her head snapped up to see both twins covered in snow. Tamaki may have been a decent opponent, but it was difficult to imagine either him or Kyoya hefting whatever load of snow had come their way.
"No, you guys! I wasn't me…"
"Never mind that you're a cheat, Haruhi. Where did you come up with such great aim?!"
"I said it wasn't me…"
Not quite buying her passive explanation, the twins turned their attention back toward Kyoya and Tamaki, where surprisingly, while one boy was throwing, the other was working hard to replenish their arsenal. Haruhi's eyebrow raised as she watched a snowball travel out of a nearby tree, slamming into the back of Kyoya's head.
"What the…"
"Shh…"
Her attention turned upward, where Mori lay sprawled against a tree branch, some twenty feet above the ground. His expression was a mix of concentration and entertainment, and Haruhi could see a small number of snowballs perched on the branch next to him.
Well that explains that…
"Mori-Senpai, how long have you been up there?"
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Yes, I kind of would." Not wanting to give his position away, Haruhi addressed him from where she originally leaned, her eyes focused on the game. "Actually, never mind. Between however long you've been here, and that pile of snowballs up there with you, I'm only inviting more questions than answers…"
She heard a small laugh from above before witnessing what could only have been a timed attack, as enormous snowballs flew out of both Mori and Huni's trees. All four boys on the ground called a ceasefire in search of an explanation.
"Haruhi. Move to the side when they come over here."
While she would no doubt do as this particular senpai said, Haruhi was left wondering if this would make her an accomplice. Not long after Mori's instructions the twins came trotting over, looking for her to provide some answers.
"Where'd they go, Haruhi? Did you see who was behind it?!"
Considering that they had been nailed by Huni-Senpai's snowballs, she didn't consider it a lie when she answered, "Sorry, guys. I didn't see who got you."
She gave an apologetic shrug before shuffling off to one side. It was more about self-preservation than trickery, but it would just have to do. With their focus trained on Haruhi, neither Hikaru nor Kaoru were prepared for the massive snow dump which then covered their heads.
Across the park came startled declarations of knowing, as Huni leapt from his tree, snowballs flying out of his hands. Their gaze switched from their small friend back to Haruhi who, as always, did her best to stay out of the way. It did not help her cause when Mori strategically flipped out of the tree, landing close behind her. Not a single aggressive drop of snow had come her way.
"You sneaky girl."
"You guys. I had nothing to do with this."
The twins tousled her hair, while rolling their eyes toward one another. "Uh huh. You know, Haruhi. With that kind of discretion and manipulation, you should be in control of militaries, or something."
At this, even Mori managed a short laugh.
The four of them walked to meet the remaining hosts at the center of the park, where Huni was presently constructing Usa-Chan his very own snow throne. It seemed the only articles to have dodged any hint of snow were Haruhi and a certain black notebook.
"Bravo, Huni-Senpai. Mori-Senpai. You two managed to get us quite well."
"Of course, Kyo-Chan! Takashi and I were lucky enough to show up at the beginning of your fight. It would have been a real shame not to participate. Right, Takashi?"
"Yeah."
Kyoya nodded, pushing his glasses further up his face. "Indeed. I find it curious, though, that the two of you ended up in the trees that you did. Considering the direction you had to come in from, it would have made more sense for Mori-Senpai to hide in the pine close to where you made your entry. Not only did the bigger man travel farther, but he ended up in the deciduous tree that had already lost all of its leaves."
At this revelation, Huni simply laughed while climbing atop his cousin's shoulders. "It was more fun that way, Kyo-Chan! There's always more to be gained with challenge. What's the point if we don't always do our best?"
The raven-haired boy nodded, showing only a hint of a smirk.
Without the need of words to guide them, the host clubbers began making their way toward what had become their favorite eatery over the last few months. They had planned to end their evening jovially, with no other responsibility than to make their plane on time the next morning.
Haruhi pulled her arms in tighter, garnering what she could in warmth. Walking toward the edge of the group, she huddled close to Tamaki, who chattered endlessly about how they should all participate at the new year festival. Instead of complaining, she thought to appreciate both the physically and relationally warm company, as well as the chilled, clean-feeling air. It wasn't long before another body stood beside her, closing off the breeze she'd worked to tell herself felt alright.
Mori stared down at her, enjoying the look of comfort that has crossed her face.
"Better?"
"Yes, it is. Thanks, Senpai."
"Hn."
She spent the rest of their walk listening to the notions and chatter of her friends, as well as enjoying the prospects of well-prepared food coming from somewhere other than her kitchen. Upon reaching their destination, their group ducked inside, the lot of them sliding into a familiar corner booth.
As minds began to get lost inside of menus and one-on-one conversations, Mori took advantage of the opportunity to ask Haruhi if she would accompany him later for a walk.
Doing well to contain her surprise, she happily obliged.
Chapter Two is up. Thanks for reading, and I hope you're enjoying your Sunday!
Title: Silent Challenges
Series: Chapter Two, 1784 words
Pairing/Character: Mori & Haruhi
Rating: T
Summary: "Despite her excitement at spending some much-needed quality time with her dad, Haruhi was somewhat surprised to find herself worried over how much she would or wouldn't see Mori-Senpai during their vacation."
Cross-posted to morixharuhi
Link to FF.net
Haruhi stuck out her tongue as she squinted toward the cold, entirely white sky. Pieces of weightless crystal stuck in her hair, while more of it melted onto her nose. Her winter peace was interrupted by the whirring of a snowball passing close to her ear.
"Bulls-eye!"
Shaking the snow from his hair, it took Tamaki no time at all to recover his senses and forge a counter attack aimed at the twins.
With their first semester of American schooling behind them, the entirety of the host club was taking advantage of the New England winter with an early evening spent at Boston's Public Garden.
The sudden unison chime of Hikaru and Kaoru further pulled Haruhi out of her private winter wonderland.
"Hey, Haruhi! Want to be on our team and help us build a snow fort?"
"No thanks. Being pummeled by snowballs isn't on my agenda for the night."
"Aw, come on!" Kaoru cried, "It'll be us against Tono and Kyoya-Senpai."
Hikaru nodded, "Yeah. You can be our secret weapon! There's no way the boss will go full force when hitting you is a prospect."
Haruhi glanced toward Tamaki, who had already established a small, but respectable fort. As for Kyoya, she wasn't sure if a snowball to the face would be cause enough for him to put his notebook down and take up seasonal arms.
"Thanks, guys, but I think I'll just act as ref."
She dismissed their sighs and groans and chose a nearby tree to lean against. It would be another few minutes before Huni and Mori-Senpai would arrive from the last of their semester studies. In the morning, they would all be boarding a plane to spend the holidays with their respective families at home in Japan.
Despite her excitement at spending some much-needed quality time with her dad, Haruhi was somewhat surprised to find herself worried over how much she would or wouldn't see Mori-Senpai during their vacation. She had grown accustomed to their Saturday afternoons together, and even the slightest of break from that routine had her down.
She let out a sigh and pushed all such worries from her mind. I'll have plenty to occupy my time, anyway. I haven't seen Dad in months. I'll bet the apartment is a mess. And I have so much reading to do. American schools don't do homework the same as at home, but if I keep on my own track, I might be able to-
"Not cool, Haruhi! You said you weren't playing!"
Her head snapped up to see both twins covered in snow. Tamaki may have been a decent opponent, but it was difficult to imagine either him or Kyoya hefting whatever load of snow had come their way.
"No, you guys! I wasn't me…"
"Never mind that you're a cheat, Haruhi. Where did you come up with such great aim?!"
"I said it wasn't me…"
Not quite buying her passive explanation, the twins turned their attention back toward Kyoya and Tamaki, where surprisingly, while one boy was throwing, the other was working hard to replenish their arsenal. Haruhi's eyebrow raised as she watched a snowball travel out of a nearby tree, slamming into the back of Kyoya's head.
"What the…"
"Shh…"
Her attention turned upward, where Mori lay sprawled against a tree branch, some twenty feet above the ground. His expression was a mix of concentration and entertainment, and Haruhi could see a small number of snowballs perched on the branch next to him.
Well that explains that…
"Mori-Senpai, how long have you been up there?"
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Yes, I kind of would." Not wanting to give his position away, Haruhi addressed him from where she originally leaned, her eyes focused on the game. "Actually, never mind. Between however long you've been here, and that pile of snowballs up there with you, I'm only inviting more questions than answers…"
She heard a small laugh from above before witnessing what could only have been a timed attack, as enormous snowballs flew out of both Mori and Huni's trees. All four boys on the ground called a ceasefire in search of an explanation.
"Haruhi. Move to the side when they come over here."
While she would no doubt do as this particular senpai said, Haruhi was left wondering if this would make her an accomplice. Not long after Mori's instructions the twins came trotting over, looking for her to provide some answers.
"Where'd they go, Haruhi? Did you see who was behind it?!"
Considering that they had been nailed by Huni-Senpai's snowballs, she didn't consider it a lie when she answered, "Sorry, guys. I didn't see who got you."
She gave an apologetic shrug before shuffling off to one side. It was more about self-preservation than trickery, but it would just have to do. With their focus trained on Haruhi, neither Hikaru nor Kaoru were prepared for the massive snow dump which then covered their heads.
Across the park came startled declarations of knowing, as Huni leapt from his tree, snowballs flying out of his hands. Their gaze switched from their small friend back to Haruhi who, as always, did her best to stay out of the way. It did not help her cause when Mori strategically flipped out of the tree, landing close behind her. Not a single aggressive drop of snow had come her way.
"You sneaky girl."
"You guys. I had nothing to do with this."
The twins tousled her hair, while rolling their eyes toward one another. "Uh huh. You know, Haruhi. With that kind of discretion and manipulation, you should be in control of militaries, or something."
At this, even Mori managed a short laugh.
The four of them walked to meet the remaining hosts at the center of the park, where Huni was presently constructing Usa-Chan his very own snow throne. It seemed the only articles to have dodged any hint of snow were Haruhi and a certain black notebook.
"Bravo, Huni-Senpai. Mori-Senpai. You two managed to get us quite well."
"Of course, Kyo-Chan! Takashi and I were lucky enough to show up at the beginning of your fight. It would have been a real shame not to participate. Right, Takashi?"
"Yeah."
Kyoya nodded, pushing his glasses further up his face. "Indeed. I find it curious, though, that the two of you ended up in the trees that you did. Considering the direction you had to come in from, it would have made more sense for Mori-Senpai to hide in the pine close to where you made your entry. Not only did the bigger man travel farther, but he ended up in the deciduous tree that had already lost all of its leaves."
At this revelation, Huni simply laughed while climbing atop his cousin's shoulders. "It was more fun that way, Kyo-Chan! There's always more to be gained with challenge. What's the point if we don't always do our best?"
The raven-haired boy nodded, showing only a hint of a smirk.
Without the need of words to guide them, the host clubbers began making their way toward what had become their favorite eatery over the last few months. They had planned to end their evening jovially, with no other responsibility than to make their plane on time the next morning.
Haruhi pulled her arms in tighter, garnering what she could in warmth. Walking toward the edge of the group, she huddled close to Tamaki, who chattered endlessly about how they should all participate at the new year festival. Instead of complaining, she thought to appreciate both the physically and relationally warm company, as well as the chilled, clean-feeling air. It wasn't long before another body stood beside her, closing off the breeze she'd worked to tell herself felt alright.
Mori stared down at her, enjoying the look of comfort that has crossed her face.
"Better?"
"Yes, it is. Thanks, Senpai."
"Hn."
She spent the rest of their walk listening to the notions and chatter of her friends, as well as enjoying the prospects of well-prepared food coming from somewhere other than her kitchen. Upon reaching their destination, their group ducked inside, the lot of them sliding into a familiar corner booth.
As minds began to get lost inside of menus and one-on-one conversations, Mori took advantage of the opportunity to ask Haruhi if she would accompany him later for a walk.
Doing well to contain her surprise, she happily obliged.