Oh boy, SOOO sorry for the late update everyone. I was attacked by an author's WORST enemy: WRITER'S BLOCK! Ugh! However, I hath conquered the beast and overcome its fury. So, yay! I'm finally back with the next chapter! :D But before we go on, a HUGE thanks and cake to my SEVENTEEN most AWESOME and recent reviewers: oreobabez, animelovernewbie, anime pirate 13, vicky keyworth, SisterOfScarletDevil, Guest KN, Hollypaw888, mirandaparra15, Black Dragon Valkyrie, MitchCrosszeria, gege evans 46, Opinr, ShadedStarlight0, Sandra Blu, FallenAngelEmzi, Anastasia Knyte, and ILoveLoveRomance! I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH! Seriously, you guys/girls, your reviews mean the WORLD to me and I'm SOOOO glad you're all enjoying my story so much! XD Also, a HUGE thanks to all the people who have either favorited and/or followed this story. I LOVE YOU ALL TOO! Hope everyone enjoys chapter 11!

Terms to know...
Kami - God
Kitsune - Fox
Tengu - Crow

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club NOR its characters, NOR its plot. I only own my Youkai OCs Byakuya Shirotsuki, Lavi Matsuoka, Danielle Matsuoka, Suki, Ichiru Kawaguchi, Shuichi Nakamura, Akihiro Shirotsuki, Hiroshi Matsuoka, and Daisuke. I also own any other OC's created along the way and any part of the plot NOT a part of the anime or manga. This fanfic, however, is MINE and I'd like to keep it that way.

Chapter 11-Realazation

Haruhi's P.O.V.
I looked up into those tired red eyes of the white-haired youth standing beside me. Suddenly, I truly realized that I was no longer staring at a young, cocky, high school student. But instead, found myself looking at a tired young man that had seen far too much death and pain during his life.

However, the new emotion in his eyes was gone in an instant, leaving me to wonder if it was even there in the first place as his previous persona clicked back in place.

"Anyways," Byakuya began as he smiled down at me, "We should probably get you home."

"Oh, yeah." I replied as we walked down the hallways, "My dad's probably wondering when I'll be home. I bet he hasn't even eaten without me there to cook for him." And with that in mind, I found myself running over a list of the ingredients we had at home and what possible dinners I could make with them.

It was only when we reached the dressing room that the male walking alongside of me spoke again. "Here we are." Byakuya said with a smile as he opened the sliding door, "Though you look absolutely stunning in that kimono, I'm guessing you don't want to try and ride home in it."

For some reason, I could feel my cheeks heat up ever so slightly upon being called stunning by the snowy-haired kitsune. "Yeah." I answered him, fighting down the blush that threatened to tint my cheeks, "I'll just fold the kimono up and leave it on the table."

A thoughtful look crossed Byakuya's face as he seemingly studied my person until his bright red eyes suddenly took on a warm softness. "That won't be necessary." He stated with a hint of a smirk, "It matches you so perfectly that it'd be a shame for you not to keep it." His smirk grew a bit wider, "Consider it a gift. I'll be back in a couple of minutes after you've changed." The kitsune didn't even give me a chance to reply, probably out of fear of my refusal for the gift, before sliding the door shut and vanishing without a trace.

Gingerly, I traced the delicate kimono sleeves with my fingers. It looked to be insanely expensive! Usually, I would never accept something so extravagant. However, something made me hesitate to refuse the gift. Was it because Byakuya thought it looked so exceptional on my being? My eyebrows creased in slight confusion. Other people's thoughts of my person had never particularly mattered to me. Since when had his opinion of me started to mean so much?

I got the feeling that this would be a long and very tiring mental argument. So, I decided to just stick to logic and concentrate on getting changed for now.

Byakuya's P.O.V.
I was silent as I moved down the main halls, heading towards my room so as to find a box for Haruhi's kimono. "Why did I give her that kimono anyways!?" I demanded to myself. Pausing in my step, I pondered this very question. I had felt utterly smug when her face had showed open shock upon being the receiver of such a gift. But at the same time, I'd almost been afraid she'd refuse it. Hence, my rapid retreat so that she did not have the chance to do so. After all, it was an exquisite outfit, one that most male Youkai would present as a sort of courting gift.

…

…

Crickets chirping…

…

…

My red eyes widened with absolute shock as I re-went over those words in my mind, "A courting gift..." I was frozen to the spot as my idiot self finally realized just what I'd been feeling. I didn't just like Haruhi! I was actually interested in her, damnit! The sudden, indescribable feeling to bash my head on the side of a wall was almost unbearable. I, as a Youkai, had set my sights upon a female and I hadn't even realized it, "How STUPID could I get!?"

A Youkai's version of love and finding a mate was a bit different from humans. Unlike humans, who would often take months or years to decide on a mate or intended, Youkai would find a female on which they and their inner Youkai, our more feral side, agreed on. Usually, a Youkai would only have to spot the female once before the decision was made. It was almost like an imprinting, except we had more choice in the matter.

Well, this would certainly explain the bouts of jealousy and possessiveness that I had been feeling as of late. "But Haruhi's a human, for Kami's sake!" I hopelessly tried to argue with my already made up mind. So, quite promptly my inner-self decided to do me the favor of flashing an image of Lavi and Danielle in front of my mind.

Ridiculously enough, it seemed the unthinkable had happened. After nearly two-hundred years of living, I'd gone and fallen for a young human girl. Not to mention that'd it'd taken me over a whole damn week to figure it out, "Honestly, am I really that pathetic!?"

"Yes, yes, you are." An all too familiar and extremely smug voice spoke from behind me.

I closed my eyes as I attempted to quell the urge to strangle the idiot as I turned around to see a brilliantly grinning Lavi. "You knew, didn't you?" I inquired with narrowed and accusing red eyes.

"Of course I did!" the tengu replied cheerfully as he grinned like a fool, "But hey, it's not my fault if you can't take a hint. You know, for being as insanely intelligent as you are, you can be pretty stupid sometimes as well."

"Oh, shut-up!" I growled lowly as I slumped up against a nearby post, pinching the bridge of my nose in exhaustion.

"So, what was it that brought on the realization?" the green-eyed male inquired curiously.

I groaned in frustration, still peeved at the fact that it'd taking me this long to notice, "It seems I gave her a courting gift without even realizing it!"

"You're not serious!" Lavi gaped at me in shock.

I simply sighed, "Yes, I'm serious."

Instantly, the quiet stillness was shattered as my best friend erupted into a bout of roaring laugher. Falling to the floor, the young male gripped his sides as he made a pathetic attempt in regaining at least some mild control over his being. Needless to say he failed… quite epically for that matter.

Hissing several uncouth phrases, I whirled around and continued storming down the halls. Thankfully, by the time I reached my room, I'd seemed to calm my temper, if even just a little bit. There were several elegant boxes sitting on my dresser. Deciding to take the one coated in red autumn leaves and sakura blossoms, I slipped the object under my arm before departing to make my way back to the dressing room. Taking a different route then the one in whence I'm came, so that I wasn't forced to run into that fool of a tengu who was STILL laughing his head off.

However, on my way back, I paused. After these new and most recent developments, it wouldn't be safe for Haruhi to be on her own. On the other hand, with the current problems involving the Strays, I did not possess the time to watch her twenty-four seven, "Hm… It seems I am in need of assistance. And I know just the Youkai for the job."

My mind made up, I took a left turn and wound my way through the halls until I came to the room in which I was seeking. But before I could enter, the door slid open, revealing one of my most trusted subordinates. He looked to be in his early twenties with short hair as black as the shadows in which he came from, while his eyes were a midnight purple. Dressed in traditional shinobi fashioned clothing, he bowed deeply in respect.

"I am honored by your presence, Byakuya-sama." He stated, kneeling down on one knee, "What are your orders."

"I want you to follow me as I return Haruhi Fujioka to her home." I informed Daisuke calmly, "After which, you will stay hidden around her house and guard her at all times until this mess with the Strays is settled."

"Understood." The shinobi replied stoically before instantly vanishing without a trace.

Sighing softly, a small smirk formed on my face. With Daisuke keeping watch over her, there'd be no way harm would be able to befall the young commoner girl in my absence. Also, Daisuke being who he is, would not question the reason why I felt so compelled to protect the human girl in the first place. Content with the fact that I had made the right choice, I once again began to make my way back to the dressing room.

Upon arriving, I was not surprised to see Haruhi already back in her uniform sitting outside the door; the kimono folded neatly in her lap. "Here you are." I smiled at her as I handed her the box from under my arm, "For the kimono."

The brown-haired girl blinked in slight surprise before accepting the object and giving it a careful examination. "It's really pretty." She said in slight awe before opening it and carefully placing the kimono inside, "Thank you."

My smile turned into a slight smirk as I felt quite pleased with the fact that she had liked it. "You're very welcome. I'm glad you think so." I chuckled softly before extending my hand in a chivalrous offer to help her up, "Now, shall we go?"

"Yeah, sure." Haruhi smiled back at me, not hesitating to take my hand as I pulled her up into a standing position.

I squeezed her hand gently, before leading her towards the front courtyard where my car would be waiting. I could sense her slight surprise at the fact that I did not release her hand, but in the end she did not object; a fact for which I was quite grateful, for I was very much enjoying the feeling of her delicate hand wrapped securely within my own.

Finally, however, I was forced to release my hold on Haruhi as we arrived at the car. Though, I was polite enough to at least open the passenger door for her, earning me a small smile as my reward. Flashing her a quick smile in return, I walked around and sat myself in the driver's seat. A few seconds later, and we were off.

The ride back to her place was quite pleasant, though mostly silent except for the few directions that Haruhi gave me, I found myself simply enjoying being in her company. It was soothing. Yet, it all ended too soon as before long we had arrived to her and her father's apartment.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later, Byakuya." The young girl laughed softly as she stepped out of the vehicle.

"Tomorrow at school, that is." I smirked in reply.

"Yeah." She chuckled, "See ya."

Silently, I waited until she was actually inside her house before I departed. My senses could detect that Daisuke was already in the very close vicinity. So, I felt a little more at ease leaving her behind. Now, it was back to the next problem currently at hand; the Strays.

YAY! Now, let's have a whole bunch of "Congratulations, Byakuya!" Cause the idiot finally figured himself out! *does a happy dance* Haha, well hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I know I sure enjoyed writing it once I got over my writer's block. XD Alright, you guys/girls know what's next... Please, PLEASE review! You've all been totally AWESOME so far with reviewing. So, pretty please keep up the EPIC work and I should have another chapter out before long. :D Oh, and pretty please follow and favorite as well if you're enjoying the story. See you all in the next chapter! :D

Rock Out!
Kira