Disclaimer: I own nothing but my truck and my debts! That stinks, but it's true! Bisco Hatori owns all rights and receives all profits.
A/N: You guys are totally awesome! I cannot believe this is only chapter 11 and I have received over 150 reviews. I truly appreciate each and every one; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I love hearing what you all thought, as it helps me in my direction for future chapters. Well, onto chapter 11! I feel like I should apologize this story is going to be a bit longer than I originally thought. I hope all of you have the patience to stick with me. Enjoy!
Mori had just come out of the locker rooms. As he went to enter his family dojo for Kendo practice, he caught sight of Haruhi sitting beside Satoshi. It had been almost a month since Satoshi's accident, and he had been home from the hospital nearly a week now. Haruhi had begun tutoring Satoshi as soon as he came home.
He smiled as he watched her from the doorway. She was fussing over Satoshi, making sure he was comfortable. He was making a full recovery. The only long term damage may be to his hearing. His ear drum had ruptured and he damaged some cartilage in his ear during the accident. Once he was stable and no longer had any swelling to the brain they had done surgery to repair the damage. He still had to heal more before they found out if he had any permanent hearing loss or not. Their parents were so grateful he survived the accident they were not worried about any hearing loss he may have suffered. That was the least of what he could be living with.
Satoshi was looking at Haruhi with complete adoration. The only thing stopping Mori from enflaming with jealousy was the fact that Haruhi never returned the look. She just doted on him like a mother hen or an older sister. Satoshi was too blinded by her care to notice. Mori was thankful to Haruhi for the undivided attention she has given him and his family this past month.
Since the accident she had fed him and his family home cooked meals, fixed him tea without him even asking for it, and slept in his bed beside him on the days his mother had demanded they leave the hospital to get some rest.
As soon as he walked fully into the dojo, Haruhi looked at him. His heart skipped a beat. Her big brown eyes lit up, and she smiled her rare genuine smile at him.
"Good afternoon, Mori-senpai," she said, her smile still in place.
"Good afternoon," he said in return.
On the day of the accident he held her hand and since then he rarely let go. From that day on he found that he had to touch her in some way, hold her hand, put his hand on the small of her back, rest his palm on her tiny knee. She endured it all, and even though he no longer felt like he needed her to keep him grounded, since Satoshi was going to be okay, he found that he enjoyed touching her. Since she didn't seem to mind he decided he would continue to indulge in that simple pleasure for as long as she allowed it.
He was never a physical person with the exception of Mitsukuni climbing on him to perch on his shoulders, but since his cousin began dating Reiko-chan he began walking and holding her hand or carrying her bag. Mori surprised himself with how essential it seemed to be that he find comfort in touching Haruhi. He surprised himself further by not wanting it to end.
Haruhi didn't seemed to mind at all. Constant touching between them was completely natural now. There were times he wondered if she enjoyed it or needed it as much as he did. When he allowed himself to think like that, he felt himself on the verge of confessing to her. He longed to tell her how he felt, but as soon as he worked up the courage his own thoughts would sabotage him. What if she rejects you? What if it ruins this new found closeness?
He sighed and called himself a coward.
"Are you done with you're tutoring for today?" he asked his brother.
"No," Satoshi said pouting a little. "We finished up math, but I have missed the dojo. Haruhi-senpai agreed to a break. We are going to work on history after dinner."
"Good, I have a paper to write," Mori said.
Wanting to spend as much time with Haruhi as he could, he joined them on their tutoring sessions. He sat quietly working on his own homework while Haruhi helped Satoshi catch up. A couple of times he then helped her with her assignments once she was done.
Mori sighed when Nakamura-san walked into the room and took her place to practice with him. He looked back at Haruhi.
"I'll see you when I'm done," he said.
"Okay," she said sweetly. "Have fun."
Mori tried to keep the grimace off of his face. He never had fun while practicing with Nakamura-san. There was something about her that made him feel uncomfortable, but he had promised his father he would continue with her practice drills, so he endured it without complaint.
"It's all my fault, you know," Satoshi said quietly beside Haruhi.
"What is your fault?" she asked puzzled.
"That Takashi has to practice with Nakamura-san. He doesn't like practicing with her. I am normally her partner, but since I got hurt he promised our father he would take my place. I know he would rather practice with Mitsukuni, but…"
"It's not your fault, Satoshi-kun. Mori-senpai knows that. He doesn't blame you," Haruhi said.
"I know, but he still doesn't enjoy it. It makes me feel bad. Kendo is one of the few things that Takashi is passionate about, and now he is not even enjoying that. Nakamura-san has an odd disposition. She always has this passive-aggressive, condescending attitude. I can shake it off and give it right back to her, but Takashi just quietly takes it."
Haruhi looked at Nakamura-san. She was tall, and solidly built. She had a very pretty face, but Satoshi was right, her sour, arrogant attitude took away from her looks. She has noticed a level of disrespect toward Mori that she didn't like, but since it was not her dojo she felt she had no right to say anything.
"I know what you mean," she whispered to Satoshi not wanting to disrupt the training.
Hunny was training with his brother Chika, Mori was training with Nakamura-san, while four other students were paired off together. Mori truly was passionate about Kendo, she found she could not take her eyes off of him.
Mr. Morinozuka was silently observing the pairs training when his wife appeared beside him.
"How is everyone doing?" she asked.
"Everyone is doing fairly well. Takashi, Mitsukuni, and Chika are in top form as usual," he responded.
"Something in your tone is not quite convincing. Is there a 'but' at the end of that sentence?" she asked watching him closely.
"Not exactly. They are doing well. I do have my eye on Nakamura though. She seems to be showing hints of disrespect toward Takashi. If it increases I will not tolerate it."
Mrs. Morinozuka watched Takashi and Nakamura closely. She could not catch everything the young girl was saying, but the tone she was using sounded a bit taunting. She frowned, this young woman had transferred to their dojo from another fairly recently, but even new students were aware of how to treat each other. The Morinozuka's taught honor and respect above all else.
Haruhi enjoyed watching Mori as he practiced. She was so used to being in his company now she wondered what she used to do with her time. For the past month, she only left Mori's side once. The twins had asked her to take some pictures with them as a favor to their mother. Their mother wanted to see her newest line in action before she decided on the final pieces for her next runway show. Haruhi frowned just thinking about some of the poses Mrs. Hitachiin had put her in with her sons. When it came to fashion Mrs. Hitachiin had even less personal boundaries then her sons. Thank goodness no one would ever see them.
Haruhi went back to watching Mori carefully. She felt a jolt of anger as she noticed that Mori looked tense. She knew him well enough after more than three years to read him as well as she could any other former host, even though he hid his emotions better than the others.
He always looked relaxed when in the dojo, but today she noticed the tension in his shoulders, and the slight tightness in his jaw. She leaned forward hoping to catch what was bothering him. Then she saw it. The girl was flirting with Mori and not in a sweet, subtle way. Did she like him? Did Mori like her in return?
Studying Mori further, she decided he didn't like the personal attention she was trying to force on him. It was making him uncomfortable even though he was struggling not to show it.
"You know better than to touch your opponent," Mori said in a monotone voice as he side stepped the hand she had moved toward him.
"I do not like that girl," Mrs. Morinozuka whispered to her husband.
"This level of disrespect does not sit well with me. I shall not allow it to continue," Mr. Morinozuka said.
"What is wrong with you that you do not like the touch of a woman? You're a man aren't you?" Nakamura asked. She tried to be quiet, but she was not quiet enough.
Mrs. Morinozuka gasped at Nakamura's words.
"This ends now," Mr. Morinozuka said, a definite edge to his normally controlled voice.
"How dare you speak to Mori-senpai that way!"
Haruhi's words stopped the elder Morinozuka in his tracks. In fact, the whole dojo came to a stand still as Haruhi got up from her place on the floor and approached Nakamura-san.
"Haruhi," Mrs. Morinozuka whispered, grabbing her husbands wrist. "Let us see what she will do to defend him."
Mr. Morinozuka agreed and looked on curiously.
Mori turned in surprise to find Haruhi standing beside him. The words she had just cried out still rang in his ears, 'How dare you speak to Mori-senpai that way.' He shouldn't be surprised really,Haruhi was quick to intervene regardless of the danger it always seemed to put her in.
"Who are you to interfere in our conversation," Nakamura said to Haruhi. "We are practicing right now, together, this has nothing to do with you. You're not even a Kendo member. You don't even belong in the dojo so mind your own business."
"If someone insults Mori-senpai it is my business," Haruhi said. She was no where near Nakamura in height, yet the way Haruhi spoke made it seem like she was talking down to the girl.
"And how do you figure that?" Nakamura asked glaring openly at Haruhi now.
"Because I won't allow any one to speak to my senpai the way you just did," Haruhi said firmly.
'My senpai,' Mori's heart skipped a beat when she called him hers.
"You should have never even heard my words. You shouldn't even be here. Why do you allow her to be here, Morinozuka-sensei?"
Mori blinked trying to get his heart under control and focus on what Nakamura just said to him.
"Don't you think it's strange?" Nakamura asked. "Why does she come here everyday? Doesn't it bother you that she comes here day after day like some groupie. What gives her the right to intrude on your world of Kendo? I heard she's nothing but a lowly commoner."
Mori grew angry at her words. Haruhi was never there as some Kendo fan, she was here at his request. She didn't come here every day because she enjoyed it. She did it so he could protect her after she was abducted. She was probably bored out of her mind, but she endured it because he asked it of her. It angered him that Haruhi was being insulted. When he heard the word 'commoner' he saw red.
Haruhi nearly gasped at the fury she saw in Mori's eyes. She could also tell by the way he was gripping his Kendo stick that he was struggling to regain his calm demeanor. How dare this girl make him struggle.
"None of that is your business," Haruhi said harshly. "Mori-senpai doesn't have to answer to you."
"Answer to me?" Nakamura spit out angrily. "He thinks he's too good to answer anyone."
Mori was shocked. Is that what people thought of his monosyllabic demeanor? His heart started to pound. Would Haruhi think that? Would this make her question that?
"What?" Haruhi said in outrage. "If you think that than you don't know Mori-senpai at all."
"Oh, and I suppose you think you do?" the girl said, venom dripping off her voice.
"Yes, I do. I know him very well, at least as well as anyone can know him. He's just quiet and reserved, stoic and humble," Haruhi said.
"I used to think that," Nakamura sneered. "But now I'm not so sure. The more I'm around him the more I believe he just thinks he's better than everyone else."
"HE IS BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE," Haruhi yelled before taking a deep breath to calm herself and lower her voice. "But he would never think that. If you knew him at all, you would know that much. He is too good of a man to ever think that about himself. He's too selfless, but I know the truth. Mori-senpai is better than every man I know put together."
Mori gasped beside her before he could stop himself.
Haruhi turned at his intake of breath.
"You are," she whispered to him before turning her attention back to Nakamura. "He's certainly better than the likes of you who dares to continue to insult him."
"Are you suggesting I'm not good enough for him?" she questioned angrily.
"I'm not suggesting it, I'm telling you flat out, you're not good enough for him," Haruhi said bluntly.
"Oh, and you think you are?" she asked, jealousy lacing her every word.
"No," Haruhi said calmly. "I never said I was good enough. You heard right, I am just a commoner. All I know is that Mori-senpai has integrity, discipline, and reflection. He is a gentleman who is honorable, dependable, protective, and loyal. A man like that does not deserve to be insulted. I won't allow it."
"You won't allow it? Is that a challenge?" Nakamura said grabbing her stick tightly.
"Take it how ever you want," Haruhi said not backing down an inch as the enraged girl towered over her.
Nakamura smiled an ugly smile and put her stick in a fighting position.
"No, Nakamura-san," Hunny said. "You can't challenge Haru-chan. She doesn't even know Kendo."
"Which is why this is going to be a piece of cake," she sneered before swinging her stick hard at Haruhi.
Haruhi braced herself for the blow, but it never came. Mori stopped the stick with his bare hand before it reached her.
"Leave," he said coldly.
"WHAT!?" she screeched.
"Leave," he repeated.
"But…but….why? She challenged me. You heard her. You all heard her," she said frantically.
Hunny took Haruhi's hand in his own.
"Takashi told you to leave," Hunny said in that dark voice he used when he was truly angry, his eyes glared at her from under his bangs. "You used your Kendo weapon, in your dojo, against someone who doesn't know Kendo."
"But…but," Nakamura stuttered looking stunned by this new development.
"LEAVE!" Mori said in the loudest voice Haruhi had ever heard him use.
She let go of the Kendo stick, glared at Haruhi, and went to storm out of the room.
"Wait," Haruhi said placing herself in front of Nakamura.
"Haru-chan?" Hunny questioned afraid that she was placing herself in more danger. She never learned her lesson.
"She can't leave yet," Haruhi said to Hunny.
"Why not, Haru-chan?" Hunny asked.
"She needs to apologize first," Haruhi said. Everyone in the dojo stared at her in shock.
"WHAT!?" Nakamura screeched once more. "I will NOT!"
"Yes, you will," Haruhi said firmly.
"I will not, and you can't make me," she said heading for the door. Haruhi dashed for the doorway that led to the locker rooms. She placed herself in it and blocked the doorway with her body. She held firmly onto each side off the door jamb.
"Then plan on staying, because you're not leaving until you do," Haruhi said standing her ground.
Nakamura glared at her, with her arms folded across her chest. They stood like that for a few minutes. Finally Nakamura made some kind of huffing noise.
"Fine, sorry," she said barely looking in Mori's direction.
"Now, once more, like you mean it," Haruhi said tightening her hold.
Nakamura stared at Haruhi like she could have killed her, but Haruhi did not so much as flinch. Nakamura sighed deeply, turned to face Mori and apologized with a slight, rushed bow. "Happy?" she asked facing Haruhi.
Haruhi didn't even answer, she merely stepped aside.
Everyone inside the dojo was silent for what seemed like forever. The whole encounter replayed quickly in her mind. Now that it did, she had a little time to think about all of the things she just said in her desire to defend Mori.
She felt her cheeks flame red at some of the personal things she had said. Now that she thought about it she probably embarrassed him. For the life of her she couldn't look at Mori, so she stared at the floor.
"Haruhi," Mori whispered in front of her.
Hunny squeezed her hand, but even that supportive gesture couldn't bring her to look at him. She felt large fingers under her chin.
"Haruhi," he repeated as he lifted her face to make her look at him.
When she looked up, she noticed his face was red.
Oh no, she thought, she had embarrassed him. How embarrassing. She tried to look away, but he held her chin firm. Since the floor didn't want to seem to help her out and swallow her whole, she would have to explain herself.
"I'm sorry, Mori-senpai, I didn't mean to force my way into your business. I didn't mean to disrespect your dojo by causing an argument. I didn't mean to cause you any embarrassment or shame. I just couldn't stand to listen…I'm sorry," she finished lamely.
She pulled her chin from his grasp, and removed her hand from Hunny's.
"If you'll excuse me." She turned to run from the room but Mori caught her wrist before she could take two steps.
"Haruhi, wait," he said as he swung her back around to face him. "Was all of that true?" he asked in a whisper.
She stared into his eyes trying to figure out why he wanted to know. She was embarrassed, but she was honest. She did think all of the things she said about him and more.
"Have you ever known me to lie?" she whispered back.
He shook his head no as he continued to stare at her.
"I meant every word," she said honestly.
He stood there looking down at her. Suddenly, he leaned his head down toward her as if…as if…he was going to kiss her!
He stopped several inches from her lips. He looked around as if suddenly remembering he had an audience.
"Come," he said, then pulled her out of the room.
Mr. Morinozuka smiled broadly as he turned to his wife.
"Well, I would say that tiny woman defended him bravely. We were aware of how he feels toward her, I think we now have a definitive answer on how she feels about our son," he said. He noticed his wife frown and stared at her. "You are confusing me wife, I thought you liked her."
"I told you before, I adore her, very much," she answered.
"Then, I would think this would please you," he said.
"It does, very much, I just… I don't wish to see Takashi hurt. It's not just our approval he needs. If the Haninozuka's don't approve…"
"I don't fear that," he said calmly. "Mitsukuni will be taking over when he finishes university. Takashi's happiness is important to him. He adores Haruhi. He is the one who brought Takashi's feelings toward her to my attention, and he is the one who has been forcing them together. Look."
Mrs. Morinozuka followed where her husband was pointing. Her eyes fell on Mitsukuni who was beaming happily at the doorway that Takashi had just pulled Haruhi through. She smiled herself feeling hopeful that her oldest son could end up with the tiny girl that made him so happy.
"Now, I must speak to Nakamura," he said all traces of his recent smile gone.
Takashi stopped walking and gently placed Haruhi against the wall. His heart had been hammering in his chest since she uttered those first words in his defense. She said a lot more than those first few words. The words she spoke were all words of praise which filled him with pride, but he was fighting the feeling. The feeling reeked of boastfulness and he was raised to believe too much pride was not a good thing. As Haruhi once said, pride comes before a fall.
He did plan on savoring her words, but not now. He would dissect them later and keep them in his heart.
"Haruhi, do you…do you really see me as the man you described?" he asked feeling his face flush.
Large, brown eyes looked up at him. She looked scared. She blushed deeply. He felt ungentlemanly forcing her to answer such a question, but he couldn't stop himself. He just had to know if that was what she really thought of him.
His heart was still racing against his rib cage. For someone who was always so calm this was an uncharacteristic feeling. He fleetingly wondered if it could race until it exploded in his chest.
"Mori-senpai, I…yes," she admitted in that blunt manner she was so famous for. "I do think those things. You are all those things and more."
More? he thought, how could he possibly be more than she already described? He wanted to kiss her. He needed to kiss her, but just because she thought those things about him as a man didn't mean she felt the same way about him that he felt for her. Since their days together in the Host Club he has wondered what she thought about him, how she felt about him. He never dared ask. Now was his chance. He could see no better time. If she pushed him away he would deal with it. He took a deep breath determined to no longer act cowardly when it came to his feelings for her.
"Haruhi," he whispered before bending down to kiss her. He felt her stiffen in his arms. He was filled with disappointment and went to pull away when she suddenly ran her fingers through his hair, pulled him close, and deepened their kiss. She pressed her lips to his and stole them away.
He gasped slightly when she ran her tongue along the seam of his lips as if looking for an entry way between them. He helped her along by opening his mouth a bit. When she found her opening he felt her soft tongue glide against his own. The cherry flavor of her lips exploded in his mouth. He moaned at the unexpected sensation of kissing her. Once or twice in the past he allowed himself to ponder what her kiss would be like. He had decided it would be very much like the tiny girl herself.
He though her kiss would be blunt, abrupt, that she would move through a kiss in a quick, business like fashion, as if it were just one more thing to cross off her long daily to-do list.
Much to his delight his guess could not have been further from the truth. Haruhi's kiss was all fiery passion, demanding and intense. He lowered his hands to her tiny waist and pulled her closer. He knew that move had been a mistake the moment he heard her sultry moan vibrate against his mouth. His blood was already boiling from all these pleasant, unfamiliar sensations. Hearing her moan while she was pressed against him only added fuel to the fire that was raging between them.
Where was is Morinozuka control? It appeared to be in her hands along with his hair that she was tugging on. If he didn't get a hold of himself soon he would do something unforgivable, like beg her to finally give herself to him, right here, right now. He finally allowed himself to believe he had a chance with Haruhi. He couldn't ruin it before it even began.
He indulged in one last moan before he pulled his mouth off of hers.
She stared at him, her breath as ragged as his own, her eyes wider than usual. Instead of the innocence he always found there, he noticed her eyes were darkened with…desire? He gasped quietly as the word floated through his mind. His thought only added to the struggle going on between his mind and his body.
"Haruhi, I…can you…would you…" he clamped his mouth shut fighting for the right way to ask her what he's longed to ask since high school. Words were never his friend, so it did not surprise him that they were failing him now.
Normally he did not make his own wishes known. He never asked for anything for himself, but this was too important, she was too important. Haruhi was no longer a want, she was a need. She watched him patiently, giving him time to gather his thoughts. To find the right words. For once he wished he were as blunt as the tiny girl in his arms. He took another deep breath deciding that just this one time he would try to be.
"Haruhi…can you…will you…will you be my girlfriend?" He stammered through it, but he said it.
Haruhi blinked up at him. His kiss stole her breath away, but his unexpected question stopped her breathing completely. A huge smile broke out on her face, but before she could answer him she remembered who he was. Her smile faded.
"I would say yes in a heart beat, Mori-senpai, but…but I'm just a commoner. I can in no way benefit the Morinozuka name," she said quietly, sadly.
He frowned, then he felt himself get annoyed.
"Haruhi, I am not Kyoya," he said.
She was surprised by the anger in his voice. It was so startling since his voice was usually so devoid of emotion.
"I know that," she whispered, wincing that he thought she was comparing them. "But, I also know that you have obligations to your family name as well. You will never meet those obligations dishonorably or manipulatively, but you have them just the same."
"Let me worry about that," he said firmly.
"But…Mori-senpai, I don't wish to cause trouble for you."
"You won't," he said.
"But…"
"The only people I have to answer to are my parents and the Haninozukas. My parents adore you, and Mitsukuni is aware of how I feel about you. He has been encouraging me for a while now. He would never do such a thing if he didn't know that we could be together. He would never hurt either of us that way. He loves us both too much to give us false hope," he said seriously.
"Hope," she whispered letting the word fall off of her tongue. She was normally too rational to believe in something like hope, but she found herself wanting to believe it now more than ever. Hope that a man like Mori-senpai could actually be interested in a tiny, ungraceful girl such as herself. Hope that they could actually have a future together.
"Well," he said looking at her hopefully. "You have not answered my question."
"It won't cause any trouble for either of us?" she asked hesitantly.
He shook his head no, his eyes pleading with her. She beamed that beautiful smile again.
"Then, yes, Mori-senpai, I'll be your girlfriend," she said.
She was treated to one of his rare smiles before he leaned down to kiss her again.
He tasted like mint. His lips were so soft, his tongue so gentle as it barely wrestled with her own. She heard him moan into their kiss as she arched herself against him. What was it about Mori-senpai that made her want to lose herself in him? She was normally as reserved as he was when it came to public displays of affection, but when he pulled her in his arms she wanted to arch in and yield to him completely. Strange.
He grabbed her hips and backed himself away.
She felt herself flush at her forward action. She supposed arching into him on their second kiss was a bit too much.
"Mori-senpai, I…"
"Takashi," he corrected.
"Huh?"
"We are together now, call me Takashi," he said.
"Oh," she said feeling her cheeks flush slightly. Every one she knew called him, Morinozuka, Mori-senpai, or just Mori. No one called him Takashi except his family. That was going to take some getting used to. "Um…"
"Takashi," he repeated. "Say it, Haruhi."
"Takashi," she whispered, letting the unfamiliar name fall from her lips.
Much to her surprise Mori moaned again and pulled her close for another kiss.
Hearing his given name from her mouth made him want to be closer to her. It felt so personal, so intimate. He has been calling her Haruhi for years, but this was the first time he had ever heard her say his name. Kissing her was addicting. He had longed for it for so long and now that he was able to do so he found he was having trouble stopping. She again arched herself into him. Her petite body molded itself against him, making his heart and his body long for…more.
He was so happy she had agreed to be his, yet he suddenly feared it. If just a simple kiss between them caused such fire how in the world was he going to remain a gentleman? He sighed. Desire and wants were the first feelings he learned how to control. Granted, he never faced such temptation before, but he would endure it. He could do nothing less than to treat her honorably. It was the code he was raised by, and a code he was determined to live by.
With that reminder firmly in place, he found the strength to pull away.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Don't ever apologize for what we feel between us. I am thankful for it," he said.
"Me too," she whispered, then smiled.
"I need to return to practice," he said grabbing her hand and returning them to the dojo.
Of course, all eyes were on them when they entered the room. Hunny smiled knowingly at her. She felt herself flush as she resumed her seat beside Satoshi. He looked at her curiously, but he asked nothing.
Mr. Morinozuka waited outside of the girls locker room.
"I can understand now why you have been a member of several dojo's in your young life. You are not respectful enough to belong to a dojo for long. Do not return," Mr. Morinozuka said to Nakamura.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Why does everyone side with that commoner who has no interest in Kendo?" she asked.
"That commoner has far more respect and far more tact than you. This has nothing to do with Haruhi. You disrespected my son in his own dojo. That was your own choice. It is now my choice to ask you never to return. I wish you luck in the future and it is my hope that you find whatever it is you are seeking."
"Sensei, I ask you to please reconsider," she said trying to sound humble but failing.
"I am sorry. When it comes to honor and respect I do not bend."
She bowed with an ungrateful look on her face and stormed out of the dojo. She stood on the wooden walkway outside the building and looked in the doors. Morinozuka was now practicing with Haninozuka, and that interfering girl was laughing with Satoshi-kun. She was now banished from the Morinozuka dojo, and they all just continued on as if she had never been there. She narrowed her eyes on the one called Haruhi. That nosey little commoner was going to pay for this.
After eating dinner, tutoring Satoshi, and working on her own homework, Haruhi began to pack her things. She followed Mori out to the car unsure how to act now that she was his girlfriend. He held her hand during the ride, but he had been doing that for the past month, so that was no longer something new. Would he mind if she kissed him good night? Should she invite him in? Would he feel weird accepting her invitation now that they were dating? They were dating! She was dating Mori-senpai, no, Takashi. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she felt warmth spread through her body at the thought. What did these feelings mean exactly? No one else had ever made her feel like this.
Lost in thought, they were at her apartment before she new it. She grew nervous, but she never let her nerves stop her from doing or saying what she needed or wanted to. She would not let them stop her now.
"Um…would you like to come in for some tea?" she asked quietly.
Mori nodded his head and dismissed his driver. He followed her into her apartment. His heart began to beat faster. He wondered why that was happening since he has been in her apartment dozens upon dozens of times. It felt different now that she was his girl. His girl, he had never believed it would happen. He had never felt so happy.
They sat quietly beside each other as they drank their tea. It was not uncommon for them to enjoy each others company in silence, so the lack of conversation did not feel awkward for either of them. Haruhi wanted so badly to kiss him, but she wasn't sure how he would feel about it. She took a deep breath. There was only one way to find out.
"Um…Mor…I mean…Takashi, we didn't set any ground rules so I'm not sure if….I mean, can I…may I kiss you?" she asked forcing herself to stop stammering.
"Of course you can, Haruhi. We are together now so you don't have to ask. You can kiss me whenever you want," he said overjoyed that she wished to kiss him again.
She surprised him by smirking just before she leaned into him.
"You may come to regret saying that," she whispered before brushing her lips lightly across his. She deepened the kiss, her fingertips tracing his jawline. "Kissing you is very addicting."
She nipped at his bottom lip before running her tongue over the spot to sooth it. He opened his mouth seeking her tongue. When he found it hers danced across his sensually, sinfully.
"I am just as addicted to your kisses," he murmured against her lips.
"Mmmm, that could be dangerous," she whispered in return. She raised up on her knees to get closer to him. She kissed his mouth softly, then trailed kisses along his jaw. She kissed her way down the side of his neck. She then ran her nose back up inhaling deeply as she did so. When she reached his ear she whispered into it.
"Takashi, can I tell you a secret?"
"A secret?" he asked pulling back to look at her. Her eyes were slightly hooded, and a faint blush was present on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. He was curious now. "What secret?"
"You always smell so good," she said to him. "I know the exact moment you walk into a room. I always have, even when you entered the third music room back in the host club days. And now for my secret; lately, when your scent hits me, all I can think of is getting closer to you. I lose myself in it. I have to concentrate to regain my focus. Can I get closer now?"
"You don't have to ask that either," he told her.
She straddled his lap and pressed her petite curves into him. She buried her nose into his neck once more.
"Mmmm, you do smell good," she whispered before placing her mouth against him. Her lips scorched his skin as they traced down his neck. Her lips lingering here and there, nipping him softly. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Takashi, can I drown in you?"
He was lost in her words, drowning himself. He moaned in answer, grabbed the back of her head, and kissed her. She moaned into his mouth and gripped his shoulders as he kissed her passionately. Once again his mouth exploded with a burst of cherry flavor.
He grabbed a fist full of her hair and tugged her head back. He assaulted her slender throat the moment it was exposed to him. Having very little experience himself he followed her earlier movements, and found that kissing her came very naturally to him. Probably because he wanted it for so long now. He ran his tongue down her throat and nibbled his way across her delicate collar bone.
Just this morning she would never have believed that such passion existed, let alone that she would fall victim to it, but here she was, body burning, blood boiling, and they had done nothing more than kiss. She arched her body into his, he hissed as the movement caused her to slide across his lap. Her body had an effect on his own, and it was not a subtle one. He hissed again as she shifted herself closer. She gasped herself as she felt what her body was doing to his.
"I'm sorry," she whispered pulling herself back toward his knees; the movement caused a sharp intake of breath from both of them. "I had no idea how badly I've longed for you until you kissed me this afternoon. I guess I got a little carried away. I'm sorry."
"I told you before, never apologize for what we have between us. It's passionate and deep and I want more, but I've wanted you for so long that I don't want to rush anything between us. I want to explore what we have in depth, Haruhi. I want to take my time learning every inch of you, inside and out," he said.
She smiled at him, grateful that he was not the kind of man that wanted to quickly bed her. This relationship was brand new, they were not ready for that yet. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. There was something about Mori that made her burn. She had never felt this way before. She agreed with him, she wanted to explore these new feelings with him too.
"I agree," she said quietly. "I want to take my time learning about you too. Although, I did discover something new already."
He looked at her. She could see the curiosity in his beautiful grey eyes.
"I knew you were strong, and I knew you were sweet, but I never knew you were dangerous until just now."
"You're dangerous to me too, Haruhi, very much so," he whispered in return.
She leaned forward and kissed him, just a soft gentle kiss. She held back any passion afraid that if she flared up again with the feeling she really would drown in him and be unable to stop. She moved from his lap and sat beside him. She leaned against his arm.
"I'm so happy," she said sighing in contentment.
"I am too," he said quietly. "I think I should leave. We have early classes tomorrow."
"Yeah," she said walking him to the door.
He gave her a quick kiss then leaned his forehead against her own.
"Thank you, Haruhi, for agreeing to be mine," he whispered feeling his heart beat increase just thinking about it.
"No, Takashi, thank you for asking."
He kissed her once more than headed outside.
"Hey, you can wait inside until your driver gets here," she said.
"I'm going to walk," he said.
"Okay, be careful," she said then watched him until he disappeared from sight.
He wouldn't dare tell her he had to walk off the burning energy she had built inside his body. He knew he longed for her, he knew he wanted her, but he had no idea there would be such raging passion between them. In the long run he considered himself very lucky to have such fiery feelings between them, but for now, in the beginning, he knew he would be exercising his famous control to its limits.
Once in his room, he still felt edgy. The walk and the night air did very little to cool his ardor. He ran his tongue along his bottom lip. He could still taste the flavor of her cherry lips, could still feel the warmth of her and her breath on his neck. He groaned as his body raced with fire at the mere thought of how she had felt in his arms. He could still remember the feeling of her body against his. He had felt every inch of her pressed against him. He groaned once more. Giving up the fight he stepped into his bathroom and set the shower to cold.
Haruhi grabbed her cell phone after washing their tea cups. She sent a quick text to Hikaru.
Just wanted to let you guys know Mori-senpai asked me out today and I said yes! -Haruhi
Her phone beeped instantly.
Who gives that kind of message in a text? Idiot, fire up your computer right now! Kaoru is setting it ours up for video chat.-Hikaru
You're the idiot, I already told you what was going on what more is there to say about it?-Haruhi
Ugh! You are as dense as ever. Start your computer NOW! -Hikaru
I told you, there is nothing more to say, good night, Hikaru-Haruhi
YouHave five minutes to show your face on our computer or we're calling Mori-senpai for the details-Hikaru
Good luck, name a time when Mori-senpai ever shared details of his personal life-Haruhi
Grrrr! Fine, show yourself in five minutes or we will make up the details, call Mori, and tell him it's what you told us-Hikaru
I'll see you in five-Haruhi
P.S. I hate you!
No you don't, you love me-Hikaru
In less than five minutes she had set her self up for video chat. Their devilish faces appeared on her screen.
"I don't know what more you expect me to tell you," she said.
"Why did you tell us if you didn't want to talk about it?" Hikaru complained.
"I don't know, it's just the kind of news you want to share with your best friends. You tell me about the long line of ladies you two date. You don't hear me asking for details," she said.
"That's different. We're not talking about some random girl whose name I won't remember next week. This is Mori-senpai we're talking about. You can't just send a text like that and think we aren't going to want every detail. How did he ask you? Where were you? How did it happen? Did he kiss you yet?" Hikaru asked.
"Jeez, Hikaru, give her a chance to answer," Kaoru said hanging over his brothers shoulder.
And so she told them about Nakamura-san, their argument, all of the things that came pouring out of her mouth, and then his confession.
"And?" Hikaru asked.
"And what? That's it," she said.
"So, did you two kiss or what?" Hikaru asked.
"That is none of your business, Hikaru. I need to go, I have an early class tomorrow, and if you call Mori-senpai I will never speak to you again," she said.
"All right, all right," he said sounding annoyed. "Don't forget we are coming home in a couple of weeks. We should get there around the time of your last class on Friday so we will wait outside the school for you."
"Okay, I'll see you then," she said.
"Hey, Haruhi, congratulations," Kaoru said sincerely. "Mori's a great guy."
"Yeah, congrats," Hikaru said although he didn't sound as genuine as Kaoru.
She ended her chat and headed to the shower.
Kaoru was shutting down the computer when he noticed the sad smile on Hikaru's face.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked his brother.
"Yeah, I mean it's not like I didn't know she would never go out with me. I've known it for a long time now I just…" Hikaru trailed off looking at Kaoru.
"I didn't think you still felt that way," Kaoru said.
"I didn't either, but hearing her say she was going out with Mori-senpai just gave me a funny feeling inside," he admitted.
"I wonder why? When she told us she was dating Kyoya-senpai, the only thing you felt was anger," Kaoru said.
"Yeah, but I knew it wouldn't last with Kyoya-senpai. With mori-senpai though, he could really be the one, Kaoru. She could marry him, then where will we fit into her life?" Hikaru asked sadly.
"We will always fit as her best friends. This is Haruhi we're talking about. She will be in no rush to get married, and even when she does she will stay close with us. Besides, better she marry Mori-senpai then some stranger. He would never stop us from coming around, we're his friends too," Kaoru said trying to reassure him.
"I know, but everything will be different. She belongs in our world with us. Right now we are closer to her than anyone else, but once she gets married that man will be her husband and she will grow closer to him. That wasn't going to happen with Kyoya, but it really could happen with Mori. I'm kinda scared," he admitted.
"Me too, but don't worry, we're important to her too. It's why she is able to tell us apart no matter what we do. We won't lose her, Hikaru, Haruhi will never allow it," Kaoru said.
"Yeah, you're right," Hikaru said feeling so much better. "And Mori-senpai is perfect for her. He'll take really good care of her right?"
"Yeah" Kaoru said. "And if he doesn't you promised to beat him with his Kendo stick, so there's always that to look forward too."
The twins started laughing at that. Kaoru always knew how to make him feel better.
Two weeks passed by in the blink of an eye and Haruhi could not have been happier. She spent every waking moment with Takashi. She didn't think he would want to spend so much time with her, but since he asked her out he only left her side at night so they could sleep. They studied with Satoshi, studied together, went out on a couple of double dates with Hunny-senpai and Reiko, took long walks, and kissed and kissed and kissed.
She sighed as she stood outside the gates waiting for him. Normally he met up with her in the university library, but today the twins were coming so they arranged to meet out front. She felt herself flush just thinking about him. His kisses were equal part bliss and torture. They were growing deeper, more intense, she longed for more, but no matter how often she held on tight wishing to continue, Takashi always put an end to them. The nervous, innocent side of her was thankful that he was a gentleman, but the side of her that burned wanted to kill him.
She spotted Takashi and Hunny in the distance. They were far away, but she would know him anywhere. He was too tall, too broad, too Takashi to be mistaken for anyone else. Glancing around she spotted the twins heading her way. She then noticed Nakamura-san a few feet ahead of them and to their right. She was holding her kendo stick and she looked pissed.
Without a word Nakamura walked up to her, swung her wooden stick and hit her in the side. Hard. Haruhi cried out, shocked by how painful the blow was. Before she could think to call for help she heard Hikaru's voice.
"Hey," Hikaru shouted trying to place himself between Haruhi and Nakamura. Nakamura responded by cracking her stick across Hikaru's arm.
"Owww, what the hell, you crazy bitch," he shouted as he held his arm. He tried to stop her advance on Haruhi, but she hit him again.
"Mori-senpai, Hunny-senpai," Kaoru called as soon as he spotted them.
They were racing to help as soon as they noticed what was happening.
"Nakamura-san," Hunny shouted in his coldest voice to stop her, but Nakamura struck Haruhi in the same spot on her side. This hit brought Haruhi to her knees. She fell onto all fours as she cried out in pain.
"Haruhi," Hikaru and Kaoru said in unison as they ran to her. They used their own bodies to shield her.
Nakamura raised her stick again, the twins braced themselves for the blow, but Mori grabbed the stick, yanked it out of her hand, and broke it in half over his knee.
Mori was furious at Nakamura-san when he saw Haruhi on the ground, a twin on each side of her. He turned to Nakamura and felt a rage he had never felt before consume him.
"Uh…Takashi," Hunny said looking slightly afraid.
This caught the twins attention. Hunny-senpai never looked at Mori-senpai with fear. If Hunny was afraid then they knew he had truly lost it.
Mori tightened his fists on the two halves of the pole he was holding.
"Takashi," Hunny said again this time there was more warning then fear.
The touch of Mitsukuni's hand on his arm broke through the rage that was blinding him. He glanced at Nakamura and saw true fear in her eyes. He could not assault a woman, if he did he would be as dishonorable as Nakamura. He refused to stoop to her level, but a lifetime of training had crumbled to dust when he saw Haruhi get hurt. He closed his eyes and dug deep for his lost self control.
He threw the broken pieces down at her feet and looked at her in disgust.
"I'm sorry…I just…your father…he banned me from the dojo. It was all her fault," she cried pointing to Haruhi.
Mori looked at Haruhi, rushing to her side when he heard her gasp in pain as the twins helped her to her back and tried to lay her down as gently as they could. Mori kneeled down and cradled her against him.
"NO," Hunny cried out suddenly. "It was not Haru-chan's fault. It was your fault for almost attacking her even though she doesn't even practice Kendo. Now, you have attacked her, with a weapon, outside a dojo. You'll never be allowed to enter one again, and it is NOT Haru-chan's fault. You have no one to blame but yourself."
Nakamura dropped to her knees. "What have I done? What have I done? Fujioka-san, I am so sorry."
Haruhi took a breath to say something, but she gasped in pain holding her side.
"It hurts, Takashi, it hurts just to take a breath," she whispered, panting in short shallow breaths.
Mori raised her shirt and hissed at the enormous bruise on her side that was forming and darkening before his very eyes.
Nakamura noticed the bruise too and tried to crawl to Haruhi's side to apologize again. Mori wrapped his arms around her protectively.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Mori roared. Nakamura cringed back in fear. The twins shook slightly at the venom in Mori's voice. Even Hunny looked at him warily.
Mori went to pick her up in his arms, but Hunny stopped him.
"No, Takashi, a rib could be cracked or broken. If you move her it could injure her further. We need to call an ambulance."
"On it," Kaoru said pulling his cell phone from his pocket.
"Not…an…Ohtori…hospital…," Haruhi gasped out between the shallow breaths she was taking.
"We have to, Haru-chan. Something could be broke or you could have internal bleeding. You need to be examined thoroughly by a doctor who knows what he's doing," Hunny said.
"No," she whispered. Sweat was breaking out on her forehead. She looked at Mori, her eyes pleading.
He looked pained, but he wanted her to have the best care. He looked at Kaoru who was still holding his phone waiting.
"Hn," he agreed. Kaoru made the call.
She hissed in pain as she tried to move and protest their decision. Takashi never went against what she wanted, but she could see the fear in his eyes, see how desperately he wanted to help her. As mad as she was she couldn't fault him.
"Stay still, Haruhi, I'm right here," Mori said trying to soothe her. Mori went in the ambulance with her. He never let go of her hand not caring that he was annoying the paramedic. Hunny followed in the twins limo.
As soon as they were in the emergency room Kyoya's brother Akito came rushing up to the stretcher.
"Haruhi?" he said in surprise. "What Happened?"
Mori gave a quick run down of the incident. Akito nodded his head listening intently.
"It's okay, Haruhi," Akito said brushing some hair out of her face. "I can see you are in pain. I want to lightly sedate you in a twilight sleep so I can have a scan done without causing you any further pain."
Haruhi nodded as she grit her teeth. Being sedated sounded just fine by her about now.
Akito looked at Mori.
"I will meet you in the waiting room as soon as I know the results of the scan. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."
Hunny led Mori into the waiting room. Within ten minutes, Kyoya and Tamaki burst into the room.
"Kyo-chan, Tama-chan, what are you doing here?" Hunny asked surprised by their arrival.
"All admittance staff at all of our hospitals know to call me when any of the former hosts are brought to one of our hospitals, especially Haruhi. A few moments after reception called me, I received a call from akito," Kyoya said.
"I was lucky enough to be with Kyoya when he got the call," Tamaki said, his eyes red rimmed from crying.
"How is she?" Kyoya asked.
"We are waiting. Akito-san said he would let us know as soon as he gets her scan results," Hunny said.
"What the hell happened?" Kyoya asked with more than a trace of the Shadow King in his voice.
Hunny looked toward Takashi, but he had not taken his eyes off the doors that Akito had walked though. Hikaru and Kaoru took turns explaining the incident from start to finish.
"So this was a student from your dojo?" Kyoya asked Mori angrily. "Why would she attack Haruhi?"
Hunny gave a quick version of the argument that Haruhi had with Nakamura two weeks ago.
"So this was revenge?" Kyoya asked his anger growing. "I don't understand, Hunny-senpai, why would you not be guarding her after such an event transpired?"
"Every martial artist knows not to use their training outside the dojo. No one could have predicted that Nakamura-san would do such a thing," Hunny said.
Before Kyoya could continue his interrogation the Morinozuka's walked in.
"Oh, Takashi, how is my darling little Haruhi doing? Is she going to be all right?" Mrs. Morinozuka asked.
Mori looked away from the doors, blinking at his parents in shock. "Mother? Father? What are you doing here?"
"Mitsukuni called us while he was on his way to the hospital. We got here as soon as we could. How is she? My poor little girl."
"We're still waiting, Auntie," Hunny answered since Takashi went back to staring at the doors.
Kyoya had whipped his head in Mrs. Morinozuka's direction at her very personal descriptions of Haruhi. He had heard from Tamaki that Haruhi never left the Morinozuka's side throughout Satoshi-kun's recovery, and he also knew she was tutoring him since he was released from the hospital. Had the two women grown close because of that, or was there more going on that he was not aware of?
He pinched the bridge of his nose studying Mori-senpai discreetly. As usual his face gave nothing away. It irritated Kyoya to not know what was going on, especially if it concerned Haruhi. The silence dragged on leaving him peacefully to his thoughts. The only conversation had been a debate about contacting Ranka-san. Hunny thought they should, while the twins said Haruhi would be pissed if her father was worried over nothing. The twins won that argument and it was agreed that they would find out Haruhi's condition before contacting her father.
Akito finally walked through the doors. Kyoya stood up immediately.
"Haruhi is as tough as nails. I never met a woman like her. Once again she was very lucky. Nothing is broken and there is no internal bleeding. She just has a very bad bruise. She doesn't even have to stay overnight, she just has to wake up, hold down some fluids, and then she can go home. However, she will be on some heavy duty pain killers so I wouldn't recommend she be left alone."
Before Kyoya could offer to bring her to the Ohtori mansion, Mrs. Morinozuka spoke up.
"Have no fears about that, Dr. Ohtori. This happened because of one of our students. We are determined to take fully responsibility. Besides, Haruhi is like family. She shall recover in our home, under our care."
Kyoya narrowed his eyes. She was like family? To the Morinozuka's? Since when?
"All right, Mrs. Morinozuka, if you and your husband will come with me I will go over her medications and her home care instructions." Mori's parents followed Akito out of the waiting room. Akito peeked back in the room. "The rest of you can go visit her. She is in recovery two. I'll give them my approval for your visit."
The six former hosts walked to the recovery room in silence. The moment they stepped in the room Mori and Kyoya each reached a side of her bed at the same time. Mori took Haruhi's hand, while Kyoya lifted her shirt.
He practically growled when he saw the shape she was in. A huge, purple bruise covered one whole side of her rib cage.
"How didn't she break anything?" Kyoya muttered to himself.
"Haru-chan's a fighter," Hunny said simply.
Mori glared at Kyoya as he reached to run his fingers over her side. Before he could touch her she grimaced in pain.
"Ngh," she said, a frown forming over her closed eyes.
"Ta…ta…ta…" she whispered over and over.
Tamaki jumped up like an eager puppy.
"Do you hear that, Kyoya, she is calling for me," Tamaki said, a lopsided grin gracing his handsome features.
"Ta…takashi," she whispered struggling to open her eyes.
"I'm here, Haruhi," Mori said squeezing her hand tighter. He was too concerned about Haruhi to notice the crushed look on Tamaki's face or the shock on Kyoya's.
"Takashi," she whispered once more.
"Haruhi, I'm right here," he whispered.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. She smiled in relief when she saw him.
"I'm so glad," she whispered. "Don't leave me, Takashi."
"Never," he said as he gently tucked some of her hair behind her ears.
"So tired," she whispered.
"It's okay, rest, Haruhi, I won't leave," he reassured her.
"Mmmm," she said a soft smile on her face as she drifted back to sleep.
"Takashi?" Kyoya said staring at Mori-senpai in shock. "She called you by your given name." Kyoya knew very well that no one did that besides Hunny-senpai.
"Yes," Mori said without explanation.
"Why?" Kyoya asked.
"Haru-chan and Takashi are dating two weeks now," Hunny said with a big, bright smile on his face as he shared the news with the remaining two members of the former host club.
"Dating?" Kyoya said trying, and failing, to keep the shock from his voice. "But you know that I've…"
"Hurt her," Mori interrupted. He stood to his full six feet two inches tall and looked at Kyoya.
"I…I want her back, you know this, Mori-senpai," Kyoya said firmly.
"I do," Mori said calmly. "But it is her decision, Kyoya. She is my girlfriend now."
Kyoya stared up at him in shock. Anger was coursing through him, but now was not the time or the place to debate this. He would have to rethink his strategy. He looked down at Haruhi. Had he truly lost her for good? His chest tightened painfully at the thought.
It was night time when they finally arrived at the Morinozuka's. Mori's mom said she would have a maid prepare a guest room, but Mori surprised them all when he stated that he wanted her in his bedroom. He reasoned that she was in an unfamiliar house, and slightly drugged, so it wouldn't be safe for her to wake up alone. He also pointed out that he wanted to be there for her since she was hurt.
Mr. Morinozuka studied his son, then reminded his wife that they had raised an honorable man. He wasn't going to do anything to her when she was hurt. Knowing she could trust them both she agreed.
Haruhi was just getting settled in Takashi's bed when the pain medication they have given her upon her release fully kicked in. She felt odd, almost giddy. It was strange, but it took the pain away so she couldn't muster up too much energy to care. Mori leaned over her adjusting the pillows behind her. She took him by surprise when she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Mmmm, Takashi, come closer," she whispered.
Thinking she needed to tell him something he leaned down closer so he could hear her. She surprised him once more when she placed her lips against his and kissed him deeply. He stifled a moan and pulled himself away, fully aware of their audience.
"Awww, Takashi, why did you pull away? Don't you want to kiss me?" she whispered seductively.
Hunny and the twins, who had returned with them stared at her in shock. Hunny was the first to regain his senses. He sat down on the bed and grabbed her hands that were still reaching for Mori.
"Oooookay, Haru-chan, I think that's enough kissing for tonight," he said trying to keep the laughter out of his voice. Takashi was blushing a deep red, but Hunny had to admit this playful Haru-chan sure was cute.
"Oh, Hunny, why are you being so mean to mean? You're never mean, you're always so sweet. Mmmm, sweet, like Takashi's kisses. Come on, Hunny, just let me kiss him one more time?"
"No, Haru-chan , you need to rest," he said firmly.
"But his kisses are sweet," she said pouting adorably. "Not like cake exactly…more like…like…"
She frowned as she tried to form the words to describe what Takashi's kisses tasted like. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she snapped her fingers.
"I've got it," she said suddenly, startling them all. "I know, Takashi, I know what your kisses taste like."
"Haruhi," he said, a warning in his tone.
"Your kisses taste like every desire I've ever had," she said as she bit on her bottom lip.
"Nnhhhn," Mori groaned at her words as he tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling. Didn't she know what those words would do to him? His heart flipped a bit at her description. He was elated by what she said, but he did not enjoy her saying them in front of everyone.
"All right, all right, Haruhi, I think you need to shut up and stop embarrassing yourself and Mori-senpai," Hikaru said, also trying to suppress his laughter. Kaoru was full on grinning as he stood beside his brother.
"Hiiiiiikaruuuu," Haruhi practically sang. "That's right, you and Kaoru came home this weekend to spend some time with me. I'm sorry. I got hurt. I'm sorry I can't do anything with you guys this weekend, but you're still my bestest friends in the whooooole woooorld."
She reached out and pinched his cheeks.
"Hey, stop that," Hikaru said trying to pull his face from her grasp.
"Awww, you're so cuuuuute when you get all angry. You're so cuuuute, yes you are," she repeated still pinching his cheeks.
"Jeez, what the hell did they give her at that hospital?" Hikaru said finally pulling his cheeks away.
"Mean," she said sticking her tongue out at him. "Fine, I don't need your stupid cheeks, cause I've got Kaoru, right Kaoru?"
Before he could move she grabbed his cheeks and started pinching them.
"See, you're just as cuuuuute as your brother, yes you are, yes you arrrre," she said.
"Haruhi, you need to stop talking," Hikaru said.
"Seriously, Haruhi," Kaoru said pulling her hands off his face. "Though you have to admit, we never get to see Haruhi act like this. It is kind of cute."
"No it's not, it's weird," Hikaru said eyeing her warily. "Give me an apathetic, blunt Haruhi any day over this sickeningly sweet version. What the hell is in that medication anyway?"
"I don't know, but Akito-san did say it was strong to help her deal with the pain," Hunny said.
"It's doing more than dealing with her pain. It seems to have eradicated her inhibitions as well," Hikaru said frowning at her.
Mori sighed as Hikaru's words sunk in.
"Don't sigh Takashi. You look upset, come here, let me give you some love," she whispered holding her arms out to him.
Mori swiped a hand down his face in exasperation.
"Haruhi, if you don't shut up right now I'm going to start recording you," Hikaru threatened. "And you know when I play it back to you tomorrow you're going to be pissed to hear yourself talking like such an idiot."
"Stop acting so mean, Hikaru, I know you're not. I know that deep down your just as sweet as Kaoru, you just have more of a temper. But doooon't worry. I won't tell anyone." She placed her finger to her lips and made a shushing sound. "It will be our little secret, right Kaoru, only you and I know the truth."
"Ugh, forget it, I've heard enough of this," Hikaru said. "Good luck tonight, senpai."
Hikaru walked toward the door. Kaoru was chuckling as he followed his brother.
"Seriously, good luck is right, senpai, you're going to need it," Kaoru said.
Hunny looked at Haru-chan and chuckled himself.
"I'm going to get home now. I still have to call Reiko-chan to let her know how Haru-chan is and I'm getting tired. Good luck, Takashi, see you in the morning," Hunny said.
"But…wait…" Mori said as he watched them all abandon him when Haruhi was in this state. He sighed once more as he sat down on the floor beside his bed.
His mom walked in a few minutes later with an ice pack and a jar of salve.
"Haruhi is going to need another treatment before going to sleep," she said. "Will you do it Takashi or do you want me to?"
"I'll do it," he said hesitantly. He really wasn't sure he should be treating her when she was like this, but he knew Haruhi well. She would want to die of embarrassment if she acted sweet and seductive toward him in front of his mom.
"Thanks, Takashi, and don't look so worried, she's going to be okay."
He just nodded. He wasn't worried about her recovery, he was worried about what she was going to say or do when he was treating her, but he couldn't tell his mom that.
Once his mother left the room he sat beside her on the bed and gently lifted her shirt. He placed the ice pack on her bruise and left it there for twenty minutes. She didn't say much other than to complain about how cold it was. He reassured her that it would help with the swelling. After removing the ice pack, he began to gently apply the secret salve of their dojo. He knew that this would heal her better than any store bought remedy.
"Mmmm, this is the first time you're touching me like this. I like it," she said suddenly pulling him down for a kiss.
He moaned into her mouth, but pulled himself back before he could get carried away. He entered his bathroom, washed his hands, and changed for bed. When he returned to his room Haruhi had her hands folded behind her head, one knee was bent in the air, and she was grinning at him.
"I made room for you, big guy, so climb on in," she said, her voice nothing more than a husky whisper.
He rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling. It was going to be a looooong recovery.
A/N(again) Whoa! That was a long one. Once again I couldn't find a good stopping point so I just kept going. Sorry for the length. So, they are finally a couple! Are you happy? Disappointed? Did you like the way they got together? I would love to know your thoughts. Please let me know how you felt about this chapter if you have the time. I would really appreciate it. Arigato!
