Author Note: My first Takashi x Haruhi fan-fiction, so do not expect it to be completely grand.

"Talking"
'Thoughts.'

Characters belong to Bisco Hatori.
Story and plot belong to me.

Chapter 01

Silent Attraction

- Now -

Tamaki and his ridiculous plan of being the opposite gender today for the Host Club activities, only Takashi stayed as a male. Haruhi pondered on why he would do such a thing, especially when it made her laugh at their stupidity. Hikaru and Kaoru made a special dress just for Haruhi, but it was skimpy so she rejected it from them. Kyouya informed them that it would be a top seller if Haruhi brought one dress of her own. Mitsukuni and Takashi voted for Haruhi to bring her own dress that she liked, and it somewhat irritated her even though she took the offer because it was their best.

She stood there, looking at herself in the mirror quietly, wondering why she had to do this for them. Again, she had to wear a fake woman's wig that descended to her back in a straight fashion as her hair used to when it was longer. Her dress was wearing a knee-high dark red dress that she had not worn since middle school. It was a little irritating to be reminded of this, but it went without say as she walked out of the changing room. Haruhi saw how everything turned silent when she came out of the room, and already 'Princess Tamaki' was having a bit of a nosebleed.

"Haru-chan! You're so pretty!" Mitsukuni cheered happily.
"I didn't want to wear anything so, fluffy, like what you did last time." She admitted.
"So that's why you rejected the dress!" Hikaru pointed in an attempt of a girly voice.
Kaoru smiled and gave a thumb up to tease her girly figure. "You go girl!"
Kyouya clapped his hands, "alright, alright, back to your customers, ladies."

Haruhi sighed at this and went to her flock of sitting customers, her regulars actually, but nonetheless she served the tea. How was she supposed to act as if she was already a girl; that part really confused her at the time. They questioned her on the dress, asking where did she get it and she replied truthfully that she did not recall. She explained that she had it since a middle school prom and never really cared for it much, but kept it in a box to keep safe. The customers stared in awe, thinking that Haruhi had a girlfriend in middle school and brought her home for the night.

"Haruhi-kun, you're allowed to sleep with girls?" Momoka asked, trying to be polite.
"Yes, but it's rare, since I barely have any female friends visiting." She scratched the side of her cheek, "occasionally I am somewhat kidnapped for the night."
"Do you stay the night with the other Host Club members?" Sakurazuka asked softly.
"No, not really," Haruhi smiled softly. "I think spending time with girls is safer."
"KYAAAA!!" About 12 girls squealed at her smile.

Hikaru somewhat dropped at her answer, "and Haruhi says it without malice…"
"Well, I invited Haruhi to sleep with us when we were in Karuizawa." Kaoru noted.
He blushed, "y-you what?!" His face slowly became entirely red with embarrassment.
"But Haruhi said there wouldn't be room for the three of us." The young twin replied and added. "Good thing Haruhi declined though, you two were fighting a little after."

"Haruhi! Kaoru asked you to sleep with us in Karuizawa?!" Hikaru panicked.
Haruhi looked at him, "yes," she blinked at this, "but there was no room anyway because there was one bed." Then she shrugged, "we were having an argument too."
Kaoru grinned. "Want to sleep over tonight? I'll share my bed with you!"
"No, I have a lot of homework to do tonight." She retorted. "You two would keep me up."

The customers giggled at all this talking that no one noticed Tamaki in the corner sulking, wondering why his 'daughter' and her 'siblings' were bonding to such extent. It was completely upsetting for him to hear all this that he did not even know what to say or do; so he decided to curl up in his little corner and sulk for about a hour. With that hour slowly disappearing, Kyouya reminded Haruhi that she was going to be late if she did not hurry and leave the Academy; causing her almost to panic at it. She nervously thanked him and apologized to the girls before turning away to go into the changing room, but she accidentally bumped into Takashi and she apologized. Looking at her quietly, the gentle giant bent down as he raised her chin up softly to look up at him, and then caught everyone off by surprise at his next movement…

He kissed her!

Takashi pulled away from her lips and whispered. "You're cute in a dress, Haruhi."
She blushed frantically at this and asked, "a-a-are y-y-you t-t-tired Mori-senpai?"
It took a minute for him to think about it, then replied, "un, I think so."
"You should go take a nap Takashi!" Mitsukuni called out, not at all affected.
"He just kissed Haruhi!" Tamaki fumed. "Molester!! Police! Help!!"

While she could, Haruhi scurried off to the changing room and placed on her school uniform quickly so she could leave. As soon as Haruhi left the room to rush out of the Third Music Room, the twins clung to her in suspicion. Both asked in a girlish manner about where she was going, but she only replied saying that she would be late. Even Kyouya told them to release Haruhi, or else their little commoner might sadly lose her job. This caught everyone's attention and so Haruhi quickly rushed out of the room and to the job that the others have been now informed of.

"Kyouya! You know Haruhi isn't allowed to work!" Tamaki fumed angrily.
The vice president shrugged, "the superintendent allowed Haruhi to get a job."
"So that's why Haru-chan leaves early on Tuesdays and Thursdays?" The curious little senior asked. "Where does she work Kyou-chan? Let's visit."
"Sadly I'm under strict orders to not let that happen." He retorted.

"Wah! So mean!!" Mitsukuni whined.

"Brother, want to go try a commoner restaurant? I thought I heard something about a high school student from Ouran Academy goes there. It might be cool!" Satoshi, Takashi's middle school brother, grinned happily as if it was a great opportunity.

He didn't mind though, he was hungry anyway, "sure."
"Alright! Food!" Satoshi cheered. "Let's go!"
"Un," his older brother replied.

The chauffeur turned on the corner after Satoshi gave him the directions; stating that someone told him about it earlier. It took about seven minutes to arrive at the restaurant, and the two headed inside to be greeted. A woman showed the two siblings where they could sit, and that a waiter would be with them shortly. Satoshi stated that Takashi was doing a great job in kendo club and wondered if they could practice when they got to the estate. Takashi denied it though, saying that they could practice after they did all their homework, so Satoshi agreed.

"Mori-senpai… Satoshi…" called out a surprised voice.
Satoshi looked, "ah, Haruhi-senpai! So you're the student who works."
Takashi looked at her and mumbled, "hi."
Haruhi twitched lightly though, "w-what are you two doing here?"

"I heard that a student worked here. We were hungry too!" Satoshi grinned.
Her attention went elsewhere and her cheek faintly red, "well, what you want?"
"Mmm…" he thought about it long and hard, "natto! With some karashi, okay?"
"Sure," she sighed lightly and looked at Takashi, "what about for you senpai?"
"Same." Takashi replied, so she wrote it down and left.

Everyone in the Host Club warned him about what happened during the activities today and was a little surprised. Tamaki frantically told him about his actions of coming to Haruhi and kissed her, and on the lips no less. Mitsukuni defended him however, and stated that Takashi was very sleepy and did not know what he was doing. The twins were a little suspicious though; now trying to figure out if Takashi secretly liked her. Takashi did not like her though, at least he was sure of it; already both the Hitachiin twins fell for her, and even Tamaki.

"What's wrong brother?" Satoshi asked curiously. "You okay?"
His head nodded weakly, "eh…" he rested his elbow on the table and leaned his forehead against his hand, "I'm fine Satoshi." His voice replied plainly.
"Do you want to go to the estate right afterwards?" He asked worriedly.
"No…" Takashi replied, and felt a cool hand against his cheek.
"You're warm senpai, you should go to your estate and rest." Haruhi stated.

The gentle giant looked at her slowly as she placed her hand down. "Sorry."
Her brows furrowed in mild confusion to what he meant. "About what?"
His attention now averted as he mumbled the reason, "for kissing you."
Satoshi slurped loudly with his drink, surprised to hear this, "…"
She blinked for the moment, then smiled sheepishly, "Tamaki told you?"
"Mm," Takashi replied, still trying to be apologetic to her for his actions.

"You were tired, and I've already learned that you're a little different when you are."

Satoshi glanced back and forth among the two, wondering what was going on, and about why Takashi kissed her. She said something about him being tired though, so that pretty much answered it a little. Not one to get into his big brothers' business he decided to question Haruhi just a little. It was obvious that he knew Haruhi was a girl for many reason; especially if Takashi's kissing her, besides the fact that himself and Yasuchika spied on her for a while. Truthfully, this was the first time that Satoshi had heard of his brother kissing someone, so maybe… Just then, Haruhi returned to their table and gave them their food in which the two siblings began to eat, allowing Satoshi finally to ask her some things.

"So why do you work?" The middle school student asked.
"To pay for an extra class I have after my shift is over." Haruhi replied.
"Another class? But aren't you super busy with school?" He gaped.
"Yeah, but I kind of got into trouble at one point during hosting, so, I need this class." The natural explained and glimpsed at Takashi just for a second.
"Trouble?" Takashi asked, not aware that she had done anything wrong.

"It doesn't matter," she then tried to smile, being a good waitress, "I'll come back in a few minutes to see if you want anything else." After a short bow, she left them.

Satoshi glanced up at his brother, "do you love her?"
He looked at him, "no," he replied calmly without even bother thinking.
"Well, you know she might be a little happy if you say her name." The child grinned.
Takashi began to eat his food quietly, not bothering to think of it, "…"

"Haru-chan! Your class will start in 15 minutes!" Another server called out to her. "Better hurry so that you won't be late," she added.

"Alright thanks." Haruhi replied and went back to Takashi and Satoshi to finish up with them, but they waited outside for her when she came out. "Eh?"

"We thought we could walk you to your class." Satoshi cheered.
She looked nervous, "I really wish you wouldn't though, it's just down the street."
"We'll take you Haruhi." Takashi stated quietly.
Her attention went to him in surprise, hearing her name from him the second time, "just… don't stay…" she mumbled as the three left.

Happily cheering that she agreed, Satoshi jumped in front of them about five feet so that the two would walk with one another. He beamed at the thought of his brother having a girlfriend because he knew that he could handle it. Being a Morinozuka, Takashi could take on the duties of watching over the Haninozuka family and have a relationship at the same. It was just completely inspiring to look up to his big brother that way, the thrill and adrenaline always rushed in him. Haruhi said that this was her class, so the two siblings looked at the sign to see that it was a marital art class.

"Tamaki was upset at the beach… so why not." Haruhi tried to answer their thoughts.
"Takashi could teach you." Satoshi offered proudly. "He's the best after all!"
"Satoshi," Takashi called out, not wanting to butt into Haruhi's life like that.
"No, I'd rather not intrude anyway." Haruhi retorted anyway.

"Least you wouldn't have to pay us, which means you wouldn't even have to work," Satoshi grinned. "We could all do homework together, then help you learn how to fight!" He looked up at his older brother, "that sounds fun doesn't it Takashi?"

The giant knew he could not go against his brother when he was so into it, "yeah."
"See!" He cheered and grabbed Haruhi's hand, "so do you want to come learn now?"
"I'm right in front of my class Satoshi," Haruhi tried to decline the chipper child.
"So? Our family is much better than this one! Let's go!" Satoshi kidnapped her.
Takashi watched while this happened, and followed Haruhi and his brother. "…"

Being at the Morinozuka estate was so tiring during her instant advancement of martial arts, that she wished she had more homework. Takashi took notes of where she was in training, and she was still a beginner, so he tried to speed it up a little for her. She was getting the hang of it though for the most part, so he declared for a spar, which made her nearly panic. It turned out all right though, he went so easier on her that it was a little upsetting, but he could not be blamed. His hand was closed in a fist and sent out as a slow punch, but his brother called out to them, and he hit her.

Haruhi now had a bruised cheek, but she did not mind.

After treated to a Morinozuka family dinner, Takashi decided to take her to the little apartment she lived in. So much for the Gentle Giant though; every time she touched her cheek, he would look at her. Satoshi had become hysterical saying 'good punch' and 'oh no, she got hurt,' it was funny. However, Haruhi did not blame him, it was obvious that he was trying to restrain his force and that Satoshi distracted him. Then again, it really just did not matter to her because it would go away in time, but Takashi hoped for it to be sooner more than just later.

He escorted her up to the front door while he was holding her bag—trying to be as much of a gentleman than needed. Haruhi tried to say that it was all right; trying to say that it was not the first time she was hit in the face. The giant remembered how she nearly drowned when they went to the beach because she was hit so hard. It made him want to know if he had hit her that hard, but he did not really want to ask about it. Just when she unlocked the door, he opened it for her and had her go inside while he followed her inside before setting down her bag against the wall.

"Thanks for the lesson," Haruhi smiled lightly due to the bruise.
"Un," he patted her head once, "sorry," he muttered for the tenth time.
"Accidents happened," she replied for the fifth time.
"Hmm," Takashi then started to leave, "goodnight, Haruhi."
The natural one saw him to the door, "night senpai."

Takashi remained quiet the rest of the night while being in thought of what he did to Haruhi. He knew that it was going to look worse tomorrow when he sees her during the Host Club activity. When she tells that what happened to her, Tamaki would be all over him, yelling at him for hurting his 'daughter' like that. Maybe with luck though it would heal over night, but it was a very unlikely chance for that. It became ten o'clock before he knew it and decided to go to bed to awake the next day with hopes of a better ending that what happened that night.

"HARUHI!! WHAT HAPPENED!!" Tamaki screeched in horror.

Haruhi's cheek was bandaged up like a patch, but she still did not really seem to care about it. "I got in a fight with a senpai yesterday." The Natural Rookie replied in a sheepish tone; it was technically true, though it was really sparring, not fighting.

A small glance from Takashi was spotted and she did not know if it was good, bad, or if he just wanted to apologize again. Mitsukuni suddenly clung to her arm curiously and looked seriously intense, causing her to know what was going to happen. Her eyes then glanced at everyone, other than Takashi's, to see that they wanted to know who it was that hurt her. Thankfully, to her surprise, Ritsu came in when trying to ask her a question, accidentally stumbling amongst this ridiculous scene. Everyone forgot that Haruhi had said that it was an older classmate who hand hit her, and they attacked.

Haruhi cringed at the twins with their roping technique and sat on the couch next to Takashi with Kyouya across from them. Of course, the Vice president of the Host Club would not care whether she was hit in the face or not. For a brief moment though it had felt like someone was looking at her, so she looked to see Takashi looking at her. If it was possible to show any sign of sadness from his face, it was what she was witnessing right now in front of her…

Dark gray orbs looking at her with uncertain worry, it startled her to observe this, so she smiled lightly. This was not missed by the Shadow King, yet, he did not bother to note anything about the little flirting that she was exposing. The only thing that did get his attention however, was the fact that the others were tackling Ritsu.

"He's a decent customer of Haruhi's, must you abuse him?" Kyouya questioned.
The others looked at him, then Tamaki glanced at Haruhi, "did he hit you?"
Her attention went to the Host King confusedly, "…no…"
They glanced at Ritsu and let him go, "s-sorry."

As Ritsu and the others discussed why he was jumped in the first place, Haruhi turned to glance at Takashi. He disappeared without a trace and it made her wonder where it was that he could go to without being noticed. Not that it really mattered seeing how it was as if the giant barely existed since he was so quiet. Her attention then returned to the few that were having a conversation about whom hit their Host Club princess. It did not really matter to her though as she has said before, it was not anything serious, and it was not like she was going to die from it either.

"Here," Takashi's voice called out.

Everyone looked at him.

Takashi had an ice pack covered with a paper towel, and offered it to the injured host, which made them all pause. To the enthusiastic hosts, they only presumed that he was apologizing for kissing her, so they shrugged it off. Perhaps the only one that was a little interested in this new appearance of affection was the one sitting across from them. He was silent about it though because did not care if the two looked like a couple so long as the customers were not there to watch. Haruhi smiled gratefully to the gentle giant and took his offer, even though her cheek felt a little numb.

"Thank you Mori-senpai." Haruhi murmured quietly.

Kyouya then clapped his hands, telling the hosts to get into position to greet all the customers before they came in. Haruhi started to do as told until the smallest host clung to her arm with a curious look plastered on his face. Mitsukuni asked quietly if Takashi was the one who hit her; claiming that it was rare to see him look so gloomy. Takashi heard them speaking and wondered what she would say to his cousin, so he waited patiently in the distance. How was she going to tell him without upsetting either senior, so she tried to go around it a little.

Haruhi rustled his hair, "don't worry about it Hunny-senpai. It's just a bruise."
"Does it hurt?" The little senior became more worried with innocence.
"It's… numb," she replied slowly, "but it will heal in two or three weeks."
His eyes became teary and hugged her, "wah! Haru-chan!!"
Haruhi smiled weakly at this, "it was just an accident anyway."

After the two hours had passed, all the customers began to flee from the Third Music Room, so it left the seven hosts to clean up. It did not take long for Haruhi to gather her things and scurry out of the room before the twins attached themselves onto her. This caught Tamaki's attention though and so he began to sob uncontrollably in his little corner and complained about his daughter not liking him. Kyouya ignored all his complaints and worked on his laptop to prepare next week in hopes of decent costumes. Mitsukuni decided that he was going to head home because there was no meeting of the Host Club, and so Takashi followed him out quietly.

"Takashi," Mitsukuni started, "do you love Haru-chan?"

That question again.

Takashi thought about it for the moment, but truthfully saw no logic in liking her in that manner; to feel special for a relationship. Therefore, he replied quietly, "no."

Author Note:

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