The Right to Protect

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club or any of it's characters.

"Senpai. . ." She said very quietly.

This wasn't good, she only called him that when she was angry with him. He slowly stepped back from the small petite woman in front of him as her father cheerfully began telling her of all the room they would have. Honey followed out of the house a few moments later smiling brightly until he felt the uneasy haze that fell over the once happy morning (that Ranka was completely oblivious to). He chuckled nervously before stepping up to Haruhi.

"Haru-chan just take a look at it, okay? Takashi, Auntie and Uncle wanted to know when you arrived, I think they are waiting in the garden." The stoic giant, greatful for the chance to escape his impending doom, gave his cousin a quick nod then turned quickly in the direction of the garden, leaving the two to show Haruhi around the house.

Not that he hadn't wanted to do it, however he felt it was necessary to not add any more flame to the fire than necessary, even if it was for said fire's own good.

"Come on Haruhi, come take a look! It's so pretty in there! The rooms are so much larger! We have a very big kitchen, you'll enjoy that!" She glared sourly at her father who began to drag her as much as her injuries would allow into the house, Honey following behind them closely.

"Dad, I don't remember you saying anything about moving the last time you came for a visit." She muttered as they stepped inside.

"Well, you were so ill that we felt it best to not further your stress." He said quickly, lying through his teeth like he did so often. She of course not believing any of it glowered even more at him.

"Haru-chan come look at this!" Honey exclaimed. She entered into the room on her left, figuring things couldn't get any worse, followed Honey's excited voice. The room she entered was a dining room adjacent to a small sitting area near a large bay window, it seemed the house had both traditional and western styling, much like her and her father's old apartment. In the sitting area was place the small shrine for her mother. She had to admit, it was the perfect spot with the sunlight pouring in and the warmth it radiated.

She took a moment to properly greet her mother after not being able to do so for the long month she was in the hospital. She then stood and followed her father's excited voice into what she found out was the kitchen. It was quite large, with beautiful granite counter tops that she couldn't believe food would have to be prepared only let alone she be allowed to touch.

"Isn't it pretty Haruhi, you like to cook so much that this is perfect!" She caught herself smiling, quickly pulling her hand from the dishwasher she was about to touch.

"It's very pretty, but. . ." She and Takashi had talked about this, she didn't want gifts and presents like this, it seemed like she was that type of girl who needed every need catered to. Honey caught her comptemplative frowns and quickly grasped her unhurt hand and began leading her up the steps. "Honey?! What- wait!" He pulled open the door at the end of a short hallway and led her inside. All further questioning was halted as she quickly found out who's room they had entered.

"Haruhi, it isn't because of what your thinking. . .Takashi wants to take care of you, but. . ." She walked slowly to the small bed in the room, it was hers, all of it was hers. She noticed small differences, but he hadn't changed much. Everything was brought over from the small apartment and fit neatly into this new bedroom. ". . .he also wanted to prove something to himself." She turned to Honey questioningly.

"What is it?" She asked.

"He wouldn't want me to tell you, but I think we both know Takashi isn't the type to give up information like this easily. Sit down Haruhi." She sat slowly and he took a seat next to her on the bed. "He doesn't think he deserves the love you give him now. He feels so guilty about what happened he wants to prove to you that he can protect you. We both know that he can't be there all the time, but this way he can protect you in a way he couldn't before."

"It wasn't his fault Honey, it was mine, I shouldn't have been out so late and walking by myself."

"Haru-chan really, can you honestly say you would expect him to even care about that? You know he's always been this way, even when we were in school." She chuckled remembering the cavity incident. "I mean the situations much different, but he still reacts the same."

"I think I understand, thank you Honey." He blushed lightly at the praise given.

"Haru-chan one more thing, we're going to be cousins soon, so go ahead and call me by my first name okay? It would make me very happy." She smiled and gave him a small nod.

"Okay Mitsukuni. . ." He grinned at her.

"Okay, well you should get a little rest, you're probably tired, oh, the bathroom are the next door down and your fathers room is downstairs. Auntie and Uncle will probably want to see you later at dinner, so Takashi will come and pick you up in a few hours." With that the small ex-host said a cheerful goodbye and left the room leaving Haruhi to her thoughts.

Mori arrived back at the Fujioka's new home a few hours later, he'd figured he'd give his fiance time to cool off a little bit before their next encounter. Ranka opened the door and let him in, laughing telling him not to worry about knocking since he would soon be family.

"I'm afraid Haruhi's still asleep, you two still have a lot to speak about huh?" The giant frowned and gave his future in-law a nod. "I'll go ahead and go to speak with your mother again, she's such a pleasant woman I'm sure I can stall them a half hour or so for you two."

"Thankyou Ranka, I appreciate it." Takashi said sincerely shaking the okama's hand.

"However. . ." Smiled the tranny. "if you do anything to her I would not approve of before marriage I will make you suffer even more so than an Ootori would." If the giant wasn't so in control of his emotions the quiet statement would have probably made him visibly shiver. "That's all, good luck to you." Ranka said a quick goodbye and skipped out the door, leaving the giant to think about the next battle waged with the other Fujioka.

Kuro Black : I thank those who have stuck with me, constantly checked if I have updated or not and have just gotten down right ticked off at me for being a procrastinating lazy writer. I'll try to continue on!