A/N: Thank you Stylewriter565 for your help on this chapter. For everyone that has reviewed, favored, followed the story… THANK YOU! It is continuing and will go past the episode it started with. Enjoy the next chapter and let me know what you think.
Chapter 6 – Talking
Just as Hunny promised, he was waiting for Mori by the entrance to the building. He knew by now that although his cousin gave Haruhi a ride to school, she would be arriving separately and by foot. Shaking his head at the duplicity the two were carrying on in order to keep it from their friends, he scanned the area looking for the female host. He didn't see her yet, but she should be coming into his line of vision soon since Mori had just pulled up and gotten out of the car.
Mori stepped out of the car and saw his small cousin looking for something, or rather someone. He knew that Hunny was looking for Haruhi and making sure everything was alright. Hunny didn't like having to drop her off early so that no one would get their feelings hurt and had expressed his thoughts on more than one occasion. The arguments he presented always met a formidable match in Haruhi though and she never changed her mind unless it was raining. Mori walked up to Hunny and patted his head; he knew that Hunny would want to wait until he could at least see Haruhi getting closer to the entrance.
"Hunny-senpai, how is your mouth feeling?" Kyoya said stepping out of the shadows (he is a sneaky one).
Mori and Hunny turned to see Kyoya approach them. They were used to his ways and knew that he prided himself on his stealth tactics. Hunny still was not in the best of moods because he was not allowed sweets for another couple of days. The poor dentist got an earful from the young martial arts master and it appeared that he was going to continue his rampage on Kyoya, but he took a deep breath and turned away from the younger man, "They were finally able to fill it."
"He still cannot have cakes," Mori added so that Kyoya knew that there was still a sweet ban in place.
Hunny heard this and tightened his hands into fists, but he showed no other outward reaction to his cousin's statement. Seeing Kyoya's acknowledgement of Mori's words, made him want to punch something. He told himself to calm down, getting upset would not fix anything and he only had to wait another day or two before he could have sweets again. By Sunday he would be cleared and on Monday he would be enjoying his cakes during club time again. When he saw Haruhi approaching the entrance of the building, he turned to his cousin, "I am going to say hi to Haru-Chan. 'Kay?"
"Hm," Mori intoned and looked in the direction he knew Haruhi would be walking from. He saw Hunny run off towards her and he found himself cracking a minute smile at the scene. Hunny ran up to Haruhi and threw his arms around her waist, swinging her around. Setting her down, Mori could see that his cousin was talking animatedly to the young girl and when he saw her face fall, he knew that Hunny was complaining once again about lack of sweets. He turned to Kyoya only to see that the shadow king had disappeared once again. Shaking his head, he made his way over to his cousin and girlfriend.
"I just don't understand that if my cavity has been filled why the dentist and Takashi will not let me have sweets until Sunday!" Hunny pouted to his good friend.
Haruhi was trying really hard not to laugh as she saw Mori approach and raise one eyebrow at his cousin's words. Watching him roll his eyes made the task even harder. She finally cleared her throat and started to dig around in her bag. She extracted a paper bag and presented it to her small friend, "I actually have something for you that neither Takashi nor the dentist would be able to deny you. Everything in here is completely sugar free."
Hunny scrunched up his nose at the words sugar free, but decided he wouldn't be rude to his friend and accepted the bag. He opened up the bag and inside he found a chocolate brownie, some candy, and a piece of cake. His mouth was suddenly watering and although he knew it was sugar free, his eyes and stomach could not register that fact. A precious piece of cake had been handed to him and Haruhi had said he was allowed to eat it. "Thank you Haru-Chan!" Hunny said awe struck.
Haruhi chuckled at her friend, "You are very welcome Hunny-senpai."
"Haruhi…" Mori started before he stopped with one look from his girlfriend.
"I don't want to hear it! I was passing by a bakery yesterday selling sugar free cakes and desserts. He is not allowed the sweet stuff because of the sugar. This is sugar free and as long as he brushes after he eats it, it should be perfectly safe," she hissed at him.
Mori took a small step back and then sighed, "Fine. Mitsukuni, brush after."
"I will Takashi. I promise!" Hunny said excited to dig into his treats.
Mori and Haruhi watched Hunny lick his lips and then turn towards the building. They could both tell that he wanted his snacks now, but he did not have a fork. Haruhi started to laugh, "Come on Hunny-senpai, let's go inside and get you a fork so that you can eat your sweets." Before Haruhi could even finish the sentence, Hunny was racing for the building.
Mori looked down at Haruhi and then back at the figure of his small cousin as he rushed towards the building, "Thank you. He has been a little irritable."
"You're welcome, but you better catch up with him to make sure he doesn't kill someone to get to a fork. I will see you later," she said giving him a smile. Soon Mori was running away from her also and she was shaking her head laughing and continued her walk to the building in order to get to class.
As Haruhi walked into the building and passed the cafeteria, she saw Hunny finishing off his piece of cake. She smiled to herself, "Well I guess he liked it if he finished it. He is smiling too, so that is a good sign." Continuing on without stopping, she moved towards her first class of the day but was stopped before she could arrive by two sets of arms wrapping around her: one at her shoulders and one at her waist.
"Hey Haruhi, want to come over to our house this weekend?" Hikaru spoke into her ear.
"We have some new designs you can try on. We will do whatever you want to do," Kaoru said into her other ear.
Both of them said together, "It will be fun."
"No, I have plans with my father this weekend," Haruhi said bluntly.
"You always have plans with your father lately," Hikaru accused.
"Yah so? You kidnap me and make me do club stuff all of the time. My father doesn't have a lot of time off and I promised him we would do something this weekend. Plus I have a test to study for and chores to do," she responded. Silently she added, "And a boyfriend to spend time with and have a little discussion with concerning the club."
Hikaru dropped his arm from her, "So that's it? You can't find time for us any longer?"
"Hikaru! She is busy now. We should have known better than to ask last minute," Kaoru said trying to placate his brother.
"Yah, whatever," Hikaru mumbled and walked into the classroom ahead of Kaoru and Haruhi.
"Sorry Haruhi. Can we get together another day or weekend?" Kaoru ask.
"Yah, just not this weekend or this coming week, actually, let's make it a week from Monday. For some reason I have a feeling something is going on next weekend and I can't remember what it is," Haruhi offered to the calmer twin.
"Ok, it's a date!" Kaoru said excitedly. He turned to his twin when he and Haruhi walked into the classroom and informed him of the new plan.
"I guess if that is all we can get right now," Hikaru mumbled. He just didn't understand why she was so busy and no longer had time for them. Not that they did much before, but it seemed as if lately, it was even less. It just wasn't fair.
Haruhi rolled her eyes at Hikaru, "I have other things I could be doing. If you don't want to hang out, let me know." The pouty act of his was getting old. He seemed to play this card every time he didn't get his way with her. In fact if what Mori said was true, that put his childish pouting in a whole new light and it made her feel a little uncomfortable. She didn't want to lead him on, but how did she tell him that she wasn't interested in him like that. Maybe she was reading too much into this, but maybe she wasn't. Yes, the sooner they told the club, the better she would feel.
Classes until club time seemed to pass by at a snail's pace. Haruhi was anxious to see Mori after the day she had with the twins. He had had a Kendo meeting at lunch, so he and Hunny had been absent during that time. She knew that she would not be able to say much to him, but being around him seemed to calm her and give her peace.
Hikaru had finally stopped grumbling about the lack of time he seemed to get with his toy and started to pry into exactly what she was going to be doing with her father this weekend. It was almost if he was trying to find out the plan so that he could show up unexpectedly. She honestly wouldn't put it past him, Tamaki, or Kaoru. In fact, she could imagine that the whole club would show up to meddle in her weekend plans if she gave them even a hint of what was happening. Just the thought of it all made her want to face palm and groan.
She stopped by the library to check out a book she would need for a report she was working on before she started to make her way to the 3rd music room. She was running a little late by the time she finally got out of the library, but she would still make it before it was time to entertain guests. Just as she crested the stairs and reached the floor she needed, she was intercepted and hurried off in the direction of the club room. "You know I can make it to host club without help," Haruhi exclaimed.
"We know you can," Hikaru started.
"But the boss was freaking out and said someone needed to find you," Kaoru finished.
"So here we are," they simultaneously said.
"Fine whatever! Just put me down, I can walk on my own," she said seriously. When Haruhi finished her tirade, she realized they had already made it to the music room. The twins opened the door and shoved her in.
Tamaki stopped his pacing and looked up, Haruhi was there and unhurt. He knew in his mind that he shouldn't worry, but something in him causes him to over react when she is late, sick, missing, etc. "Haruhi! You are alright! I was so worried that you were lost or kidnapped, or sold to the Yakuza. Those dirty twins didn't harm you did they?" Tamaki yelled as he pulled her into a crushing hug and started to swing her around the room.
Haruhi couldn't get away. She was pushing and struggling, but she was stuck. "Let go of me Tamaki-senpai. You are not my father!" She yelled as she tried to squirm free. Soon she was lifted out of the arms of Tamaki and placed behind a tall brick wall. Mori had rescued her once again.
"Mori-senpai you didn't have to do that. We were having fun. Weren't we Haruhi? You love it when your daddy pays attention to you?" Tamaki whined.
"Whatever, you are not my father," Haruhi stated. In the next instant, Tamaki yelled and then ran to his corner of woe. Haruhi just looked on and rolled her eyes. "Thank you Mori-senpai!" She said with a soft smile on her lips for him. When she received a returned slight upward curve from Mori, her heart fluttered and she felt her cheeks heat up. One would have to know the stoic member to see the smile, but it was there and it was only for her.
The twins didn't like the way Haruhi was smiling at Mori, nor did they like the blush that seemed to appear. Running up to her, they each grabbed an arm and pulled her away from the tallest member of the club. Neither of them saw the slight squinting of his eyes or the way he sighed in resignation before walking back to his cousin.
"It will be alright Takashi," Hunny said trying to cheer his friend up.
"Yah," Mori replied. He turned to look at where the twins had dragged Haruhi and shook his head. They were trying their act on her and putting her in the middle of it. He didn't worry so much about the twins because she pretty much knew how to handle them and get away when it was just them. Throw Tamaki into the mix though and she had problems.
Haruhi listened to the twins go on and on. She knew that they were trying to provoke Tamaki and that they were trying to stake their claim to their "toy". It was the same every day and she was just happy that she had Mori to keep her sane. When she saw an opening, she slipped from their grasp and walked over to Hunny and her boyfriend.
"Hi Haru-Chan!" Hunny greeted his friend.
"Hi Hunny-senpai. Did you get to eat your treats?" Haruhi said smiling. She noticed the question sent Mori's eyes heavenward and she laughed internally.
A big grin appeared on the short senior's face, "I did. It wasn't as good as my normal cakes, but it was a good substitute! I ate the cake this morning and then the brownie at lunch and ate the candy throughout the day." The usually happy teen turned sullen. Tears started to form in his eyes as he looked at Haruhi, "But now I don't have any more of it and I still can't have sweets."
Haruhi leaned in very closely to whisper in his ear, "Maybe we can stop on our way home today and pick up some more sugar free cake for you."
Hunny's eyes grew and the tears, although glistening in his eyes, seemed to have stopped, "Thank you Haru-Chan!"
Haruhi smiled at her small senpai and his taller cousin before making her way into the kitchen to prepare for today's club activities. She jumped when Kyoya entered the kitchen carrying his black notebook and said, "Be careful Haruhi. People are starting to notice." He shut his book with a
snap and walked out to return to his table. Mumbling to herself about shadow kings and being too quiet, she finished the tea and made her way out into the club room.
Club time passed by quickly enough and soon Haruhi was picking up the dirty dishes from everyone's stations. Mori was helping her clean while keeping an eye on his sleeping cousin, but everyone else seemed to be lounging around and didn't even try to lift a finger to help clear the mess. Kyoya was working on the club's finances, so he had an excuse, but the others were just spoiled and didn't want to help. Mori had to keep himself from telling them to get up and help since Haruhi told him several times that it was easier if they didn't help. Several more broken pieces of china and a bigger mess always followed the twins and Tamaki helping.
Tamaki had been briefly talking to Kyoya about the next cosplay for the club when he spotted Haruhi, and she was no longer safe from the king. "Haruhi you look so cute today!" He yelled and ran over to her to hug her. "Daddy is so proud of you. You did such a good job picking everything up. How about I take you home and we can stop for ice cream to give you a treat?"
"No thank you senpai," she said trying to get away from Tamaki. At her denial, his arms loosened and she was able to break free.
"B-b-but Haruhi we don't get to spend any daddy/daughter time together anymore," Tamaki wailed.
"Sorry senpai, but I have plans tonight and this weekend. I promised my father I would spend some time with him," she said. When she looked up from dusting herself off and straightening her clothes, she realized what she had said and to whom. He was smiling and his eyes were glassy. He had entered his inner mind theatre, but before it could go too far, Haruhi said, "Not you, my real father."
Tamaki deflated and ran to his corner, but plans were turning in his mind. If he showed up this weekend, he may be able to impress Ranka and get on his good side. He had to try! This was for his daughter after all. He had to be sneaky and covert because inviting the twins could blow his chances on showing Ranka he really is a good person.
Haruhi left Tamaki to his corner and walked into the kitchen to take care of the remaining dishes. Mori was already in there and washing some of the cups and saucers. She made sure the door was shut and walked up to him and signaling him to bend down; she gave him the briefest of kisses on the cheek, "Thank you for your help earlier."
"You are very welcome," Mori said as he brushed his fingers against her cheek in a caress. They dared not do much more since the chances of getting caught increased, but they would take the moments they could get.
"So what is the plan for today? I told Hunny we could go to that bakery," Haruhi said and noticed the slight tightening of his mouth and wanted to laugh, "It was sugar free so get over it."
"Ok, you pretend to leave like you usually do and meet us at the front gate. We will pick you up there," Mori said sighing.
"It will be alright Takashi," Haruhi said feeling the same irritation creeping up at sneaking around. It was her wish to do this, and normally she didn't let the irritation get to her, but today she wanted nothing more than to be able to walk out of the door with Mori and not worry about anything.
Mori brushed her hair behind her ear, "I know. I will finish up here. You get your things and head out. Since we have the car, if we left together, we would beat you."
"Ok, I will see you soon," Haruhi whispered and walked out of the kitchen. Scanning the room she saw that the twins had already left, Tamaki was talking to Kyoya, and Hunny was still sleeping. She walked into the back room to get her belongings and just as she made it to the door when Tamaki yelled for her to wait. Turning around slowly, she fixed him with a glare, "Tamaki I am running late and have to prepare dinner. What do you want?"
Tamaki yelped and started to curl into a ball before he thought better of it. He cleared his throat, "I will take you home my daughter. You don't need to walk home. Who knows what can happen to you?"
"No. I want to walk because I have a couple of errands to run before I go home," Haruhi stated bluntly and started to walk to the door again. She was stopped by Tamaki before she could open the door once again.
"Haruhi, I insist. Mommy, please tell our daughter that it is only right that a father gives his daughter a ride home," Tamaki said trying to get support from an unlikely corner.
Haruhi tried to send a pleading look to Kyoya. She suspected he knew that she was with Mori and maybe he would help her now. She knew he hated to be called mommy and by not giving Tamaki his support, it would irritate the king to no end. However, Kyoya was Tamaki's best friend, so she hoped that her plea did not fall on deaf eyes.
Kyoya narrowed his eyes on the female host. He knew that she was silently asking for his help and today it was easy enough to give aid since Tamaki had to be elsewhere, "Tamaki I suggest you straighten yourself up. I thought you had dinner plans with your father and you still have to go home and change for that. You do not have time to take Haruhi home."
"Eek I completely forgot about dinner. Mother will you please see our daughter home? I am so sorry I cannot give you a ride today. Daddy will see you soon though, I promise!" Tamaki spilled as he quickly made his way out of the club room and met the car that had been waiting for him.
Haruhi let out a breath hard and fast when Tamaki was finally gone, "Thank you Kyoya-senpai!"
"You do realize that I don't do anything for free and without merit. I will add it," Kyoya smirked.
"I am well aware and today I don't care," Haruhi said giving him a smile. Now she didn't have to sneak off and she could leave with Mori. The man of her thoughts exited the kitchen at that time and her smile grew.
"Well I don't have time to make sure you get home. Mori-senpai can you make sure that Haruhi gets home safely?" Kyoya said starting to pack up his things.
"I can," Mori said kind of confused as to what was going on. He shook his head and went to collect Hunny.
Kyoya passed Haruhi and in a low voice said, "I suggest you and Mori-senpai tell everyone soon. It will only get harder the longer you wait."
That statement confirmed her suspicions, "We are going to tell them on Monday. Although I have a feeling I will be visited this weekend even though I told those three morons not to bother me."
Kyoya smirked, "Let's just say that it would not surprise me if we ended up at your house." Tamaki had already told him what he had planned to do to win over Ranka this weekend and knew that he needed Kyoya there to help him in his time of need. He had also overheard the twins saying that it would be fun to surprise Ranka and Haruhi this weekend. Unless Haruhi was not at home, her apartment would be invaded. The only thing he could do was give her a warning.
"Thank you for your help Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi said softly.
Kyoya didn't respond except for giving her a nod to let her know that he had heard and then made his way out of the club room shutting the door behind him. He really hoped that they told everyone soon. He had actually known about it fairly soon after it happened. Not only could he see a difference in the trio and especially Mori and Haruhi, but Ranka had finally spilled the beans and confirmed his suspicions. He was happy for his two friends, but knew that there would be backlash from at least Tamaki and Hikaru and hoped that it would not destroy the club.
Hunny easily woke up when his cousin started to lift him from his sleeping place. In fact, he had already been up for quite some time. He heard about the plans that Tamaki had made with Kyoya and the plans the twins were plotting. He heard Tamaki offer Haruhi a ride and the fact that Kyoya had helped the girl dodge that bullet. It appeared that Kyoya knew the secret of the natural host and the wild host, and was helping them keep the secret for now. This was interesting. "I am awake, Takashi," Hunny said getting off of the couch himself and walking over to Haruhi, "Are you ready to go? I would really like some more cake!"
Haruhi laughed, "Yah, let's go. It appears that I don't have to sneak to the gate and can leave with both of you." She waited with Hunny by the door to the club room as Mori made his way over to them.
Mori was struck again at the smile she reserved for him. It took his breath away and he could not get enough of it or her. Leaning down and giving her a kiss, he said, "Let's go."
Haruhi explained everything that had happened to Mori when they made it to the limo. Hunny had filled in the blanks about Tamaki and the twins. Mori's confusion may have ended, but his irritation was quickly growing.
After a quick stop at the bakery and Hunny buying out the store to make sure he had enough to carry him through his sugar ban, they were pulling up to the Morinozuka estate. Hunny grabbed two of the boxes and instructed the driver to have everything else sent to his house. He turned around and noticed that Haruhi and Mori were already making their way inside the house and he smiled. They were good together and he was happy they found each other. He made his own way inside the house and went immediately to the kitchen to get a plate and fork. After he finished his snack, he would search out Satoshi and Chika since he was not sure how long this talk Mori and Haruhi were about to have would last.
Mori took Haruhi to the library and they sat down on one of the couches. On the way in, he instructed a maid to bring in tea for them. Neither one of them wanted to start the conversation about the host club until they knew they would not be interrupted, so until the maid returned, they cuddled and enjoyed the company of each other.
Once the maid delivered the requested tea and left, Haruhi took a deep breath, "So how do we want to do this? I know you said Monday, but we know from Hunny and Kyoya also let it slip, that the club may be making an appearance at my apartment even though I told them I was busy all weekend."
This hadn't been news to Mori. The club was always forcing themselves on Haruhi. Part of the club was trying to get her attention and the other part was going along for the ride or trying to help someone else further their cause. "If there are plans, Mitsukuni and I have not been told yet. I know you and your father were supposed to come over here tomorrow for lunch and tea. Do we want to cancel and do it another weekend?"
Haruhi thought about it for a second. It might actually be best to tell the club away from the school, but she didn't want them to destroy her house if they pitched a fit. Plus she really did have plans with her father; they just also included her boyfriend. "No, we will come over here tomorrow morning like planned. I will call Kyoya and let him know that if the host club is planning on surprising me, Sunday would be a better day because I will not be home on Saturday. If he knows it will be a waste of time to show up on Saturday, he will be able to discourage Tamaki from popping up."
"Ok. What about the twins?" Mori asked.
"If they show up, they show up. I won't be there, but they won't be as bothersome as Tamaki is."
"So you want to tell them this weekend instead of Monday?"
"If they show up, we tell them. If they do as they are told and stay away, we tell them on Monday."
Mori had seen that look on her face many times, she was thinking and the wheels were turning, "What?"
"I am just trying to think if it would be better to tell them at my house or at school. I don't want my house destroyed," she mumbled.
"What if we all go to the park if they come over and your apartment can stay host club free and safe."
"That will work. So now we have the when and where, how are we going to tell them? I know that Hikaru is starting to really get an attitude about the fact that his toy is not available to him all of the time. I am sick of it. Honestly, I am sick of the whole toy routine. When it happened this morning, I thought about what you said and it put everything into a different perspective from me. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I am tired of hiding us. I also don't want anyone to get their hopes up about a future with me when I am with the one I want to be with."
"We just need to be honest and tell them that we are together and love each other."
Haruhi looked at Mori and rolled her eyes, "Yah, I can just see it now Tamaki will go into daddy mode and Hikaru will throw a temper tantrum." When she caught the look in his eyes, she knew that this was just as hard for him. He didn't want to hurt their friends either, but no matter how they did it, it was going to hurt. They just needed to rip the band aid off fast and hope that it didn't cause too much pain, "You're right. We just need to be honest and hope for the best. There really isn't a way to ease into this, is there?"
Mori pulled her a little closer and offered his strength to her, "No there isn't."
"Ok. We will just tell them that you and I are together. If they can't accept it, then they can't accept it," Haruhi said softly. She hated this, hated that she would hurt her friends. If she didn't know the truth of their feelings now, it would be easier for her to tell them, but with the knowledge comes the guilt.
Mori knew that this was hard for her. He wanted to shield her from the guilt they were both feeling and from the hurt they were about to inflict on their friends. There was nothing they could do though, it had to be done. Both of them were tired of sneaking around and fearing that they would be caught. Mori was tired of Tamaki and the twins taking liberties with her that they shouldn't be. It was time for it all to stop, and now that he was done dealing with Hunny's cavity, it couldn't be put off any longer. He kissed the top of her head and just held her. No matter what, they would get through this together.