A/N: Dreams-in-Shadows, reporting in! So, I'm starting a multiple chapter story! This is exciting! I ask that you ignore any grammatical and spelling errors, since this has not been beta'd yet. I will try to have the next chapters reviewed, but I wanted to get this out to you all tonight. I promise I will try to update as fast as I can, but college takes up a good chunk of my life. Anyway, her's the first chapter! I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club! All rights are reserved to Bisco Hatori, who is an amazing genius!

A Warrior's Heart

Chapter One

Mori's POV

Takashi Morinozuka was a man of few words. He was not the type who had to talk just to fill silence. He wasn't overly emotional, either. That's not to say that he was heartless and didn't feel emotions, just that he didn't show his emotions. Because of this fact, he was named the "Strong and Silent" type in the Host Club. Everyone became accustomed to the fact that this was how he was and all of the customers accepted that. So, it was no surprise that he was sitting with his customers, not saying a word and keeping an eye on his cousin and best friend, Mitsukuni Haninozuka, who was happily eating a piece of cake. Once he saw that Mitsukuni was alright, he allowed himself to sink back into the recesses of his mind.

Mori thought about his personality and wondered about how he came to be so silent and strong. He realized, not too long ago, that his silent and stoic disposition came from all his years training in Kendo. Kendo taught one strength of mind and character as well as strength of the body. Someone who trained in Kendo knew that actions always spoke louder than words anyway. You relied completely on yourself and your sword. It's what you did with that sword that mattered. You couldn't protect someone from harm just by talking to them. Words were useless in Kendo. Mori had trained every day, since the time he could walk, in this art. It had a lasting effect on him, his personality matching the art, and, to this day, he always believed that his actions would always speak for him.

Though many people accepted the fact that he was quiet, very few understood him. Mitsukuni was one of those people. Mitsukuni, or "Hunny," as he was more commonly known, had never questioned the strength and silence that were part of Mori. And, in return, Mori never questioned or thought disapprovingly of Hunny's love of sweets and cute things, even though the Haninozuka family looked down upon it. It was because of this unquestioning acceptance and trust, as well as generations of servitude that ran in his blood, which made Hunny dear to Mori. He thought so highly of the boy lolita and would gladly give his life for his cousin. He went out of his way to protect Hunny, even though Hunny was capable of protecting himself with no effort. Yet, anything that happened to Mitsukuni, Mori took it upon himself to blame. It was his fault if Mitsukuni suffered in anyway. He felt as if he failed his cousin if he suffered, because of all the love he gave Mori, unconditionally. And, without needing to express himself with words, Mitsukuni knew how much Mori loved him, as well. He loved the lolita so much, he felt as if he had no love left to give anyone else. He also felt that no one would understand and fully and unconditionally accept him the way Mitsukuni did. That is, until he met her.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts, took a quick glance to his small cousin to make sure he was safe, before turning to look at the one other person who occupied his thoughts as much as his best friend did. Haruhi.

Haruhi Fujioka happened upon the Host Club not too long ago. She was instantly accepted in the ranks as a host, without pedigree or wealth to speak of. She was just so cute. Though, at the time, they hadn't known she was a girl. It was her second day working with the club. They had gotten her into a uniform and working with the customers. She was a natural and too adorable for words. Mori would never forget that day.

He had been watching over Hunny and watching the workings around him. Tamaki had called Haruhi over to him, and just tackled the new guy out of nowhere. He started yelling and screaming for Tamaki to release him. Suddenly, he called out. "Mori-senpai! Help me!" A shock shot through Mori and he was on his feet, before he realized what he was doing, and he rushed over to the new guy, picking him up out of Tamaki's grasp and lifting him in the air. It was at that moment that he realized that Haruhi Fujioka was a girl. He stood, holding her in the air, stunned by this revelation. He set her down and backed up a step. He was also surprised by his actions. He had no idea why he felt the need to protect her. He hadn't even known that she was a girl when he had done that.

He stared at her. He was also shocked by the fact that she had called to him. She had trusted him, not knowing anything about him, to protect her and help her. No one, save for Mitsukuni, had ever put their complete trust in him without question. Everyone had needed to get used to his quiet disposition. It disconcerted most people and they thought he was standoffish, maybe even mean, when they first met him. But, because of his looks and his family, along with having Hunny at his side, most people, especially girls, passed it off as a mysterious air about him. Yet this girl…she called to him, because she needed him. He wondered if she even registered what she had did and if she knew the effect her actions were having on him. Takashi Morinozuka was not a man who was easily baffled, yet this small creature had successfully done so in record timing.

He pulled himself back to the present again. He realized he had been staring at Haruhi without really seeing her. He took a moment and looked at her; he really looked at her. His dark, obsidian, eyes roaming over her, as if checking to make sure she was unharmed. He realized he had been doing that more and more lately. As if he needed to make sure she was okay, the same way he had to check on Mitsukuni. At that moment, Haruhi looked up at him and cocked her head to the side. He raised his eyes to her large, brown ones, the color of chocolate. He gave her a small smile and was rewarded with a beautiful smile from her in return. Mori was sure that she was the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

Haruhi's POV

Haruhi looked up from serving tea to her guests. Across the crowded club room, Mori-senpai was staring at her. She looked back at him, wondering why he was staring so intently at her. He smiled at her and she gave a smile back. It was really rare to see Mori-senpai smile. Haruhi thought he had a very nice smile and she cherished the few times she'd seen it as some of her precious moments.

"Haruhi?"

She looked back at her customers. "I'm sorry, ladies. Would you like some more tea?" she asked, turning on her host charm.

"Yes, please," they told her, smiling.

"So, what was it you ladies were saying?" Haruhi asked.

"Oh, well, we were just talking about Mori," said one of her regular guests with stars in her eyes.

"Yeah, what about him?" Haruhi asked, sweat-dropping.

"We were just wondering what he's always thinking about. He's so strong and silent. I bet he has a lot on his mind when he's looking off into the distance like that."

Haruhi looked back at Mori and saw that he was staring off, lost in his own thoughts. "What is it he thinks about when he's so deep in thought like that?" Haruhi wondered herself as she watched him.

Suddenly, Tamaki-senpai stood up, turning his full charm on the guests. "My princesses! It was such a pleasure seeing you all today! However, our activities are over for this afternoon!" There was a collective groan from all the ladies. Tamaki smiled and flipped his hair. "Don't despair, my darlings, for we will meet again tomorrow. The Host Club is, as always, here for your entertainment. Have a wonderful evening!"

The ladies stood up and started filing out. Haruhi's guests stood up. "It's alright if we see you tomorrow, right, Haruhi?" one of her regulars, Kurokano, asked, like she did every day.

"Of course. I always enjoy spending time with you. You are all so cute."

They left, blushing with hearts hovering around them. Haruhi started clearing the table and picking up her tea set. The other hosts were beginning with afternoon clean-up. Tamaki appeared by her side. "Daddy's little girl is such a hard worker!" he gushed, as Haruhi brushed past him, sighing.

"Senpai, I do the same thing every day. Why are you making such a big deal out of it now?" she asked, annoyance laced in her tone. "And you're not my dad!"

Tamaki instantly went to his emo corner. Darkness shrouding him like an aura. "I am too your daddy," he murmured. Haruhi set her tray down, thinking she had forgotten something important. "Oh, I remember now! Senpai, please come out of the corner."

"Why? I'm not your daddy, remember?" he told her, pouting.

"No, you're not, but I have something to tell you. All of you, actually."

Kyoya came over to her, his notebook ever present in his hand. "Ah, so you remember what Ranka asked you to ask us. I was wondering when you would remember," the Shadow King told her, his glasses flashing and a smirk firmly in place on his handsome face.

"Kyoya-senpai, if you already knew, why didn't you just tell them instead of waiting for me to do it," Haruhi told him, irritation in her voice and present on her face, "And stop calling my dad without telling me about it!"

Suddenly, she was tackle hugged by the blonde senior. "Haru-chan!" She looked down into Hunny's smiling face, his big brown eyes staring up into hers.

"Hi, Hunny-senpai," she said, confused by the sudden hug. "Is there something you needed?"

He shook his head. "Hmm-mm. I was just wondering what you had to tell us!"

"Oh, right!" she said, suddenly remembering what she had been about to say. "My dad wants you all to come over to dinner tonight," she sighed, suddenly remembering the reason she forgot was because she had been trying not to think about the horror and chaos that would ensue with the entire Host Club at her house.

"Really? Even the Boss? I thought he was your dad's worst enemy," Hikaru said, poking Tamaki's cheek.

"Yeah, he hates Senpai. I wouldn't think Ranka-san would ever want him around you at all, if he could help it," Kaoru joined his brother at making fun of the Host Prince.

"You poor, ignorant doppelgangers," Tamaki said, flipping his hair.

"Hey!"

"Who are you calling ignorant?"

Tamaki continued, completely ignoring the protests of the doppelgangers in question. "Haruhi's father doesn't hate me. He simply doesn't want to show weakness in front of all of you by being overly friendly with me. He knows that I love Haruhi, as my own daughter, so we have…!" he gave a dramatic pause. "An understanding!"

Tamaki's Mind Theater started up at this. A badly drawn cartoon figure of him and Ranka appeared, sitting in Haruhi's living room at the table.

"Oh, Tamaki! You're such a delight! You are my favorite out of all the hosts! Ho, ho, ho!" Ranka gushed.

"Oh, my dear Ranka, you are much too kind. The others just don't understand the way we care about Haruhi!"

So ends Tamaki's Mind Theater. The rest of the club wasn't paying attention at their leader's glazed over eyes. Hunny was at his side, poking him.

"So, Haruhi," Hikaru began, looking up from his game, "When are we supposed to be over at your house?"

"Around dinnertime, I guess. My dad said he'd try to be on time, but he's almost always late coming home from work."

"Can we come over now? It's not like we have anything better to do," Hikaru gave her a lazy, cat-like grin.

"Yeah, we could keep you company for a while. It'll just be the trio of classmates," Kaoru added, mischief dancing in his amber eyes.

"DADDY SAYS NO! THERE IS NO WAY I'M GOING TO LET YOU DEVIL TWINS BE ALONE WITH MY PRECIOUS DAUGHTER! MOMMA!" Tamaki rounded on Kyoya, who just ignored him and continued writing in his black notebook.

"I think we should all go to Haru-chan's house and have some cake!" Hunny put in from a top Mori's shoulders. "Doesn't that sound like fun, Takashi?"

"Yeah, it does," Mori answered, staring directly at Haruhi.

Haruhi, catching his gaze, blushed slightly. "I guess you all can come over now. I was going to study for a while, but I should probably go shopping for dinner, if you are all eating over…" she told them, her mind already going to writing a mental shopping list.

"Yay! Commoner's Supermarket, Commoner's Supermarket!" the twins started chanting, running out of the club room to their awaiting limo.

"I, too, wish to visit the Commoner's Supermarket again," Tamaki gushed, twirling out of the club room himself with Kyoya close on his heels, writing in his black notebook, as per usual.

"Oh, great. Now I'm not even going to be able to shop in peace with all of them around," Haruhi thought to herself, sighing with frustration. "I might as well get going."

"Haru-chan?" Hunny asked, tugging on her pant leg.

Haruhi snapped herself out of it and looked down and her small senpai. "Yes, Hunny-senpai?"

"Would you like to ride with me and Takashi to the Commoner's Supermarket? I think the others already left."

Haruhi glanced at Mori. She saw a flash of emotion pass through his eyes, but it was too fast for her to tell what it was. She cocked her head to the side and turned back to Hunny. "Are you sure, Hunny-senpai? I don't want to bother you…"

"You won't be bothering us! Isn't that right, Takashi?" he said excitedly, looking up at her with his big, honey-colored eyes.

"Not at all," Mori said, not meeting Haruhi's eyes.

"Well…okay, then," Haruhi told them hesitantly. "If you're sure…"

"Yay! Haru-chan's riding with us!" Hunny exclaimed, running out of the room, spinning Usa-chan around; Haruhi and Mori following after him.

Hunny's POV

"This should be interesting," Hunny thought to himself, looking completely innocent hugging Usa-chan to his chest. "This might be the push Takashi needs to realize his feelings for Haru-chan! I can't wait!"

A/N: This is the end of chapter one! What will happen in the limo ride? Okay, so it's not that exciting (otherwise this would be a really short story). Anyway, this is my first time writing a multiple chapter story for OHSHC! Please, let me know how I did and if I should continue. You know what that means! Read and Review all of you wonderful people! It helps spur me forward! Until next time, I bid you all, ado!