AN: Dearest readers and reviewers, here it is, the final chapter of the story. It has all been posted in less then a month, and i will be very sad to see this end. I have loved writing this story and i do not believe i will be writing a sequel for this story. Thank you everyone who has read (over 5000 hits) and reviewed (over 90). There is nothing more moving then someone saying that they found your work to be their favorite. You made this worth every moment. Extra fantastic thanks to my beta, who deserves every amount of praise i give her Monedameow has been wonderful. So i am really sad to post this, because this is the end but thanks again. and so here we go, the ending. and remember, as much as i love to play with Ouran High School Host Club, it isn't mine.


Of Friendship and Respect

By Buddhistbabe

Chapter Nine

Before anyone realized December had come. With typical Decembers came cold winds, light snow, and finals. This year with December came a persistent Tamaki, continually offering, and being refused to renew Haruhi's Scholarship and an invitation to the Haninozuka and Morinozuka family Christmas party.

The arrival of the expensive gold lined envelope was accompanied by the excitement of one, and the loathing of another. Takashi watched through lidded eyes as his wife opened the envelope, wishing he could just crumple it up and pretend it never came. He knew it was their invitation to the family party before it was even opened. The family celebration was one place he would rather not be on Christmas Eve with his new wife. He sighed, knowing that it was the one thing Haruhi really wanted to do ever since his mother brought it up almost two months ago.

He wanted nothing more that spending Christmas with Haruhi, just the two of them, maybe going out to dinner or doing something else romantic but fate wouldn't have it that way. He also knew he couldn't say anything to Haruhi about not wanting to go because he couldn't stand to let her down. So he sat quietly across from her while she read the invitation, reviewing his notes for his last final of the semester.

Her eyes skimmed across the expensive paper and large elegant writing before peaking up at her husband who was sitting across from her with all of his books spread across the dining room table. His head was tucked into one of his international business text books. She sighed inwardly to herself; she knew Takashi didn't want to go to the party. He didn't have to say anything for her to know how he felt. Even though he agreed to go and never spoke out against it she could tell by his eyes that his heart wasn't into the party. It was plain as the nose on her face that he didn't want to go, but she just wished she knew why.

A side of her wondered if he was ashamed to bring her in front of his family, she knew that they were all very rich and successful and that maybe her low statue would bother them. Yet she felt that if it didn't bother Takashi, it shouldn't bother them. She thought that maybe it was because he had bad memories of being at the Christmas party in the past, but that also didn't make sense to Haruhi because, wasn't Christmas about spending time with your loved ones? Well whatever it was, it was painfully obvious that he really didn't want to go.

The topic had to be dealt with as soon as possible. She couldn't leave the issue un-addressed with finals coming; she didn't want her husband to be to busy worrying about her and not concentrating on school. So with a resolve she didn't know she had, she decided to take her chance and talk to him right away. Her eyes followed his hands as he flipped pages in his text books with a furrowed brow. Normally she tried not to interrupt him when he was studying because he showed the same courtesy to her, but she felt this needed to be said now.

"Um, Takashi, can I bother you for a moment?"

He lifted his head out of his book, and nodded, placing a bookmark where he last was and closing it, focusing all of his attention on her. He knew Haruhi would not bother him unless it was important, and his instinct told him it was going to be about the party.

"Go on" he nodded to her.

"It's about your family Christmas party." She started, looking down at the table, not wanting him to see the flush of shame on her cheeks.

"I know you don't seem to want to go, I can tell by your eyes. I know you said we could go and I really thing we should. I have never met you family before, and I would really like to. I mean I would understand if you weren't planning on me meeting them, I am sure I am not the kind of bride they expected you to marry, but I really do think it would be for the best."

He looked at her, as she kept on speaking. He knew that she believed he was ashamed to introduce her to his family, which was as far from the truth as it could be, but his family were not always the nicest people.

"Haruhi, I am not ashamed of you, that couldn't be farther from the truth, it isn't you, you are perfect Haruhi. It is my family that I am ashamed of. They are not always the most welcoming people, and I don't want to take you into a situation that you wouldn't be comfortable in. They, at times, are a bit more traditional then they should be, I really don't want someone saying something to you which would cause you to looked down on me or my parents but I plan on keeping my word to you and if you want to go, we will go.

She smiled a flushed smile at his comments about him being proud of her, and felt a rush of endearment to her husband for thinking his family wouldn't be good enough for her. She looked up into his dark eyes and felt the twist in her stomach that she had recently decided was the feeling of love.

"Thank you Takashi, It really does mean a lot to me to meet your family, because now they are mine too. I am sure your family is better than what you say, we always think the worst of our families." Haruhi said reassuringly to him.

Takashi wished, more then knew, that her last statement was true.

Before either of them knew it, they day of the party had arrived and they were sitting in the limo sent by Takashi's parents on route to the party. Haruhi was nervous, she couldn't lie about that, she was finally meeting the whole Morinozuka family. What made her even more nervous was the level of elegance that came going to such a family function. The family parties she ever been to were casual, and involved the family sitting around telling stories and playing games, not dressing up in ball gowns and parading around in a crowd.

She looked down at the dress she was wearing; it was a midnight blue cocktail dress, with matching pumps and purse, all of which was her Christmas gift from the twins. Her husband told her she looked stunning and very sophisticated but she didn't feel that in the least. To top off her outfit for the evening was a stunning diamond necklace given to her from Takashi that very day. A blush came to her cheeks when she thought about his hands sweeping the back of her neck as he helped her put it on. She cursed herself for blushing so much around him, she knew she had more important things to worry about. She felt Takashi take her hand and she looked over at him.

His dark eyes were looking into hers and he was giving her a look that said 'we don't have to do this' Haruhi smiled at him, sitting there in his black suit and matching blue tie. His calm face was a contrast to the look of concern he wore that morning, before he gave her the necklace he asked once again if she wanted to back out of the party. She gently declined the offer of escape by saying that if would be rude if they didn't show up after everyone was expecting them.

She gazed back into the dark eyes that were looking down at her, and she sighed contentedly. 'He is always doing his best to protect me' she thought. 'Marrying me, not rushing me into doing anything I am not ready to, helping with school, taking care of me at home, he always is thinking of me. I wish there was a way I could thank him more.' About that moment as she searched his eyes she realized how lucky she was to have married him.

"Thank you Takashi" she said stretching up to him and kissing him softly on the lips.

That wasn't the response he was expecting and she could tell by the way he was looking at her. Their physical relationship had slowly started to progress since their first kiss after the storm, and he kept his word that he made to her on their wedding night, that they could go as slow as she wanted to. Sometimes her random kisses left her husband with a subtly surprised look on his face, his eyebrows slightly raised, in a reaction that always made her smile. She enjoyed the idea that she had become so familiar with him she could read his face, to her it was a sign of their closeness.

"Thank you for marrying me." she whispered to him as she watched his face soften a little. She knew it really wasn't what he was expecting her to thank him for, but a slight smile broke on his face.

The only thing he could think of doing at the moment was kiss the back of her hand he was holding in his. He then kissed her softly on the cheek, before he rested his hand under her chin, turned her head towards him to softly return the kiss she had given him. Haruhi felt her heart race, and the want to deepen their kiss, but at the same moment they pulled up in front of Takashi's family home, so the kiss was cut short.

While it was true she had been to the Morinozuka family home many times before, her breath was still taken away. She was amazed at the elaborate work for a family party, outside, every tree was decorated in white lights. With a lite path leading the arriving company up to the huge doors that were standing open with butlers standing in front of either door, welcoming in guests.

"We are lucky, my parents are hosting." He told her as he climbed out of the limo to stand next to her. "If this becomes too overwhelming we can disappear into the house and not be considered rude."

"You are going in with a rather negative attitude" she smiled nervously, hoping the party wouldn't be as bad as he felt it would be. "I am sure it will be better then we expect."

They both took a deep breath, each others hand, and their first step forward into an evening neither one could anticipate.

They stepped into the ballroom and Haruhi was overwhelmed with the sheer number of people there. This wasn't a family party, this was a family stravaganzza. People in colorful dresses and black suits stood everywhere, talking and laughing. She felt like she was back at Kyoya's graduation party all over again, with people walking around and making business deals while ignoring the real reason for the party. A feeling of dread rose in the pit of her stomach at this realization. She wanted to flee, and she was positive she looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, but she was frozen.

She felt Takashi squeeze her hand, and she suddenly didn't feel so alone or scared. She looked over at him, and his reassuring smile, and the dread in her stomach settled. Just as he had done at Kyoya's graduation party, he was calming her nerves with just being there to support her. He let go of her hand, and slid his arms around the small of her back resting his palm on her opposite hip. He led her away from the door and into the sea of people.

Haruhi was grateful for Takashi's guidance; soon they were on the other side of the ball room, heading toward Takashi's parents, who were welcoming their guests. When the pair reached them they were greeted warmly, which made Haruhi feel much better. The smile that Mrs. Morinozuka wore was as calming as her son's but it was the next part of the conversation which made her feel less confident.

"Haruhi! You convinced Takashi to come to the party, good for you" his mother said jokingly to her new daughter as she gave her a light hug.

"Well mother, you never turn down the request of a beautiful lady correct? The beautiful lady in my life wanted to meet the rest of the family, so I couldn't say no"

His mother seemed shocked to hear this news, but kept her face schooled, proving that every member of Mori's family had the ability to give away as little as him. Nodding slightly she then looked at Haruhi, with a new gaze she had never given her before, a look of respect. Inwardly Takashi's mother was very pleased with how her son was acting around his new wife, she had never seen him look at anyone the way he was looking at her, and not just anyone could inspire her son to speak sentences like that.

"You are made out of tougher stuff then I first thought. I know I hinted that you should come but I didn't think you would actually do it. You made the right decision in coming to a party earlier in your marriage; Mitsukuni's mother waited a whole year before she came to one of the families parties which was a mistake on her part. She was paying for it over the next few years before the family came to accept her. Just one bit of advice, Haruhi, try to give straight answers when asked a question, the members of this family never like beating around the bush."

As if Haruhi's face gave away the panic she was starting to feel in her chest, Mrs. Morinozuka added one last thing. "Oh, and try not to look too scared, they will notice it, but no matter how scared you are, I want you to know that I am still glad you came. I am looking forward to your next visit, you are my first daughter, so I think you and I shall have a lot more fun in the New Year, I finally have someone to take shopping"

With that she turned to Takashi and said straight out. "Your aunt and uncle have been asking about you and Haruhi at the last party, so they will most likely seek you out tonight. You keep an eye on her, and don't let her alone. I am counting on you Takashi."

He nodded curtly, like a warrior on a mission. He wouldn't have dreamt of telling his mother that he would rather leave her alone in a room full of wolfs than with his family.

With that she said good luck one last time and went back to her husband's arm to great more guests.

In no time Haruhi was very thankful for her mother-in-law's warning, because as soon she and Takashi were elbow deep in family, they got many odd side glances and Haruhi could almost hear them whispering about them. Everyone seemed very keen to get a good look at her, but oddly enough none of them actually spoke to her. They would come and address Takashi and congratulate him on his marriage and then discuss about the Dojo with him. While Haruhi tried her hardest to keep her face schooled with a polite smile, she didn't want to let her husband down and show how scared she really was. When someone finally asked her a question it was always a yes or no, and she never elaborated unless asked to. She felt like an accessory to Takashi, like she was subhuman, she didn't know if they were treating her that way because she was a woman, or because she was a commoner. Yet she soon realized why her husband was so reluctant to bring her.

The pair must have spoken to over a hundred people within the next hour or so and Haruhi was having the hardest time remembering names and faces. She was none the less thankful for Takashi's arm that was still wrapped around her waist acting as a life line in a amazingly cold room for a family party. She heard plenty of gossip about family members and she couldn't help wondering what they were saying about her and Takashi at the last family party.

The story the pair had been telling to his family was that they married for love, not something that was readily accepted in a society were marriages were used as business transactions. Yet Haruhi could see why Mrs. Morinozuka said it was good she came to party early in their marriage, at least this way they could set the rumors already started about them at bay. Haruhi sighed deeply and quietly after the last couple they had been talking to left, she was getting exhausted. They have been there for almost two hours, and within the time period they did nothing but stand and talk with other couples. It seemed to be the system that couples would travel around the ball room in a pattern and when they found a couple that was not busy interacting with another pair they swept in. She had seen Mitsukuni walking around with his brother, Yasuchika but they hadn't been lucky enough to run into each other.

Haruhi noted the women's job in the conversation was to smile politely, look at her husband and nod in agreement, or give the other woman in the set appraising glances when they thought she wasn't looking. When the couple departed the woman would share in information they had gather to their partner, from what designer they were wearing to how expensive the jewelry was, while looking out for another pair to talk with. Haruhi now understood why Takashi had given her the diamond necklace she was wearing now this morning, so she would fit in with the shallow members of his family.

After the last pair departed, Takashi slid his arm off Haruhi waist and looked down at her quickly, and started to speak in a hushed tone.

"Haruhi, this is very important, my great aunt and uncle are coming this way to speak to us. Try very hard to keep a calm face, you have done very well all evening, but that has all been practice for this encounter. I can not touch you for the time we are with them for they will find it wildly inappropriate. I just want you to know you have been amazing all evening and I am extremely proud of you. I promise after this we can leave, and I will treat you to something sweet."

Haruhi breathed deeply, and nodded. This was her time to show her mettle, and she never stepped down from a challenge. It seemed like Takashi's aunt and uncle were the people who would make or break her time in this family and she would not let her husband down, he had already done so much for her, the least she could do was impress his aunt and uncle. She set her polite smile as she saw the older couple approaching.

The man was short and bald, and slightly round. He wore glasses, and a black, impeccable business suit. The woman with him was the same height wearing a beautiful and expensive blue green silk dyed kimono. Her long gray hair was swept up into an elegant hair style. Both had a look of superiority and knowledge on their faces, which made them look distinguished in the crowd.

Haruhi and Takashi both bowed when the couple stood in front of them and Takashi waited until he was spoken to before greeting them with a simple yet respect "Hello, Aunt and uncle. How are you both this evening?."

"Takashi" said the old man with a level of coolness that could freeze water "We have been very disappointed in the fact that this is the first party we have seen you at since before your wedding. We were expecting you at the first one a two months ago."

"I am very sorry" he said bowing. "Both my wife, Haruhi, and I have been busy with our studies and we're both regretful at missing any parties up until this point."

"How long have you been married now?" asked the elder women with a tone that could match, or even surpass the man's in coldness. She kept her eyes locked on the man infront of her, never drifting her eyes to his wife.

"Six months, aunt."

The women quickly and sharply looked at Haruhi. Openly apprising and judging her with her sharp eyes. So far her expression was one of dislike. "Are you with child yet?" she asked Haruhi directly.

As shocked as Haruhi was that a complete stranger would ask her that type of question, she didn't let it show and answered back with a kind "Not yet Ma'am".

The elegant elder women narrowed her eyes, till the point where there was just a sliver of white left. "And why 'not yet'?"

"I have not finished my schooling yet ma'am"

Her eyes widen at that response, and Haruhi felt her stomach drop, she could tell she had given the wrong answer. The older women looked at Takashi and asked "She is attending school?" The shock in her voice couldn't have been mistaken.

"Yes Aunt. Haruhi is now in her final year at Ouran High School and then after words she will be continuing her education at a prestigious law school."

Her eyes narrowed at the words law school, but before she could ask anymore questions, Takashi's uncle wanted to join in the fun.

"You attend Ouran then? What Class are you in?" He shot at her.

"Class 12 A"

He nodded, she knew that he was judging her on her class raking, which was how things worked at Ouran. Class A students had the most money and the best breeding.

"What was your former last night?" He asked just as quickly

"Fujikoa" she answered with a polite smile.

"I do not recognize that name." he said stating to himself.

"Haruhi was a special scholarship student, uncle. She has been at the top of her class since she entered Ouran."

Haruhi saw the aunts eyes look sicken by the words "special scholarship student" she knew it meant poor. Anger is trying to rise in Haruhi, she would never normally let anyone talk about her like this, but she kept reminding herself, 'This if for Takashi, if you want to be apart of this family, you will not embarras Takashi'. Suddenly she wished she never would have made them come to a party like this where they weren't allowed to be themselves. Haruhi knew that they were just leaving the eye of the storm and things had been calm up to this point.

"Takashi, I do not understand you're purpose for marriage then. There is no advancement for you're family. You know the family's business always comes first." She admonished at him.

"I love Haruhi." He said simply.

There the whole interview thus far Haruhi had had amazing control over her face and movements. But nothing tempted her to break her will more than to look at Takashi after that statement came out of his mouth, but she held steady. While it was true they were telling everyone they married for love, she had never heard him say it so bluntly, so honestly.

"Haruhi" he continued "is an amazing student. She will easily be accepted into the most prestigious law school in all of Japan, if not the world. She will become a great credit to our family if her genius is allowed to work for the family name."

"You know how your aunt and I feel about the educating of women." said his uncle in a flat voice. "It is not a women's place to leave the side of her husband. You know how the family responds to those women who feel the need to leave their place in life. You should have addressed your family about the matter of your wife attending a university first before you told her she could go. I hope you haven't allowed her to start applying yet."

It was that moment where Haruhi felt her entire life falling away. These people treated her as if she wasn't there, and then they were going to take away her dreams because they didn't fit into the ideals. 'You must not let them know they are hurting you' Haruhi kept chanting to herself, not realizing she was chanting the same thing when Mr. Souh pulled her scholarship.

"I did discuss it with Haninozuka Mitsukuni, he and his brother have both agreed that Haruhi will be a valuable asset to have working in the dojo They are both very close with Haruhi and trust her deeply. Lately, as you know the Ohtori family has been trying to convince us to train their personal army. Mitsukuni disagrees with idea because of the legal situations. The brothers both pushed for the idea of having a close personal friend and now family member to get an excellent legal education, for situations similar to that one in the future. They requested to have Haruhi sent to the best of law schools, so she can assist the dojo he will be taking over in a few years. They both feel that she will be a positive and much needed addition to keeping the dojo and the family name in the glory that it carries now."

Haruhi was amazed at the change of attitude coming from Takashi aunt and uncle at the mention of Huni-senpai and the dojo. She knew that the dojo was one of Takashi and Huni's family gems, but she didn't know how much power it actually carried with the family. She almost let a smug smile slide on to her face when she saw his aunt and uncle exchange quick glances. She never imagined the type of power Mitsukuni had.

"Well, if the successors of the dojo feel that this, young women, will be a needed addition because of a legal education then I am no one to disagree with them." Said Takashi's uncle with a half smile on his face.

His aunt, on the other hand, let her schooled face slip just a little as her eyes shown disgust at Haruhi. All Haruhi could do was smiled back politely, knowing that once again her husband had come to her rescue and saved her. She had won.

"Well my nephew," said Takashi's aunt, ignoring Haruhi in her address, she wanted to get away from the couple as quick as possible. "It was pleasant to see you attending family gatherings again. Your uncle and I hope to see you and your…wife… attend more often. Have a pleasant evening."

She shot Haruhi one last look as she and Takashi bowed, and then they strolled away looking for a new couple to belittle. She felt the comforting arm of Takashi's slip back around her waist, as her started to lead her towards his parents who were looking at them with proud faces.

"You were amazing" he whispered down at her.

"As were you." Was all she got to say back before they were standing with his parents.

Her mother-in-law placed a hand on Haruhi's shoulder and looked down into her eyes.

"You did it amazingly, much better then I ever did when I was young. You really are well suited to be with my son. You worked so well together." She said with a beaming smile. "But I understand if you want to leave now, the first encounter always takes a lot of you. You two have a wonderful rest of the evening, we already called a limo for you and it is waiting out side. Good evening"

And with that she placed a kiss on both Takashi and Haruhi's cheek and walked away to with husband, who was smiling back at the both of them.

The pair walked silently out to the limo, once seated inside the pair finally relaxed.

Haruhi looked up at her husband and with a chuckle said, "I now understand why you were so reluctant to have us come to this."

"It was a good move that you suggested that we come, it was careless of me to think about putting this meeting off. If you wouldn't have been so persistent about going, we might never have gotten them to agree with your college plans. " He said softly, then added on. "Of course even if we never got my family permission, you still would have gone to school, but we would just broken off from the family."

When he saw her face of panic at the idea he said. "Haruhi, it is worth losing my whole family, to have you, and keep you happy.

Haruhi snuggled up against her husband, "It was a good move that you were so prepared, and there was no need to take such drastic measures. Thank you so much for taking care of me."

"I told you Haruhi, I would always protect you, even if it was against my family."

Takashi paused and looked into Haruhi's eyes. He reached out and set a hand upon her cheek, and gently kissed her lips, a replay of what happened before they left the limo at the start of the party. The first kiss of the evening had been lingering in the back of Haruhi's mind, but both were still treading with caution about how far they should carry on.

Tonight however, Haruhi parted her lips and deepened their kiss. Takashi could feel his heart starting to beat faster. He wanted nothing more then to keep kissing her forever, but this thought scared him enough and he broke away.

"What is wrong Takashi?" Haruhi asked, she could tell something else was on his mind.

He looked out the window as the streets rolled by taking them farther and farther away from that dreaded party and closer and closer to their home. "Haruhi, I am just worried, sometimes I do not know if I can control myself when I am with you."

Haruhi was surprised, but pleased that it was nothing more serious.

"Takashi, have you ever thought that maybe I want the same thing as you?"

She could tell by the look on his face that he had not, and that caused her to start to giggle. She settled herself into her husband side, and closed her eyes.

"Haruhi?"

"Yes?"

"Haruhi…I love you"

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at her husband who was looking down at her with a soft expression. While it was true that they had now been married for six months neither had ever said 'I love you' mainly because they both knew that they married for friendship, respect, but love wasn't one of the reasons.

"I meant it when I said it to my aunt and uncle, Haruhi, I love you."

She smiled up at him, a real true smile, not one of the fake polite smiles that she had been wearing at the party. This was one of those smiles that reached to her eyes, and caused her husband to reaffirm the idea that he really did marry the most beautiful woman ever.

"I am so luck, I must be the luckiest woman in the world." she said taking Takashi's hand. "I married for friendship and respect, two very important things, but most the important thing I have too, love."

She kissed her husband hand. "I love you too Takashi. I love you very, very much." she said and kissed him in the lips with all her love.

She settled back against the seat of the limo, smiling to herself, and glancing at her husband shyly. Yes they had been married now for six months, half a year, or 182.7 days but they had finally taken their first step into that type of marriage Haruhi always wanted. She was married to man she respected, who was a dear friend, who gave her the world, and most of all, who loved her, really truly loved her, with all of his heart, and whom she loved back with all of hers. All she could think to herself as her husband slide his arm around her and pulled her closer to him was 'I really am the luckiest woman ever'.