It wasn't as if he didn't love her.

That was the furthest thing from the truth. They all loved her with an ache in their chests that they hadn't felt since a real heart beat there.

In fact, it was love that spurned this whole thing on. At first, it had only been about who would get to add this young and brilliant girl to their Family; girls as smart as her would be more than valuable over the centuries, able to learn and prosper in the strangest of circumstances.

But, somewhere along the line, it had changed.

Tamaki lost himself in brown eyes.

From there, it became the so-called Love Competition always seen in shojou manga. They played stupid games and fought stupid battles, all to try and impress this special girl, who'd wandered into their trap and now would never walk out.

They all wanted her, but they understood that it was still her choice who changed her.

So Tamaki did his very best to be the charming man he knew he could be, to win her over and make her want, if not to be his, then to at least join him and his Family.

And, yet, even then, even though he knew Haruhi cared for him, he knew she would never join his Family willingly.

It wasn't about him and he knew it. It was about his father and his grandmother and his dear maman, who waited in France for son she might never see again, no matter how long she lived.

He knew this because she had told him, had dragged him aside after the Host Club had ended for the day. She pulled him aside and leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

"Tamaki-sempai, I need to talk to you." She said, her eyes a little sad as he gaped at her. He wondered if now might be when she would tell him that she wanted to join his Family, wanted him to be the one to change her.

"Sure, Haruhi." He said after a moment.

"I want you to know before I say this that I love you, okay? I love all of you boys, but I especially love you, Sempai. You've taught me a lot and have looked after me and I love you for it." She paused. "But I want you to drop out of everyone's little competition."

"What do you mean, Haruhi?" Tamaki asked, unable to keep up with the whiplash of the conversation.

"I mean that I won't ever join your Family, Tamaki. No matter how much I love you, I couldn't be a part of that. Your grandmother and father should both be ashamed of themselves. I won't have anyone control my life the way they try and control yours. I believe in you, Sempai. I believe you can do better than them, but I won't put myself in that situation."

"I can't change your mind?" Tamaki asked, trying not to break out into hysterics; Haruhi hated when he did that.

"No. I have too many dreams to tie myself down, Sempai. You know that." Suddenly, Haruhi stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek again. "Just don't forget, I love you just the same as everyone else. No more and no less. This is not about you, don't ever think it was."

"I understand, Haruhi." Tamaki said, sad, but more than comprehending just what had put him out of the running.

Then, Haruhi smiled. "For now, though, I'll save the kisses for you, Sempai. Don't forget what I said."

Haruhi turned and walked away, leaving Tamaki smiling by himself.

Yes, he loved her alright. And even if she wouldn't join his Family, maybe one day she would join his family. Grandmother wouldn't be able to exercise control over her if she belonged to someone else, if she was someone important's dear Family member.

If was for that reason that Tamaki stopped trying to sell her his Family, with their riches and honor and prestige, and started trying to sell her himself.

He wondered vaguely if he claiming to be 'On Sale' would sway her any.

Please take a moment a review, if you don't mind. Some encouragement would be nice.

-katie