A/N: Ok, first of all I needed to let you know that starting after this chapter, I will be updating very sporadically for the remainder of the month. I will be travelling to see my older sis in Virginia and then I have family coming in to see me the day after I get back. I will write and update as much as possible (not going on hiatus like I did in February), but I will not be updating regularly like I usually do. Sorry about that.

So, after the last couple of chapters how many of you want to make a few assumptions, but don't want to admit it? You are not alone! I asked one of my friends to read the chapters and she was making them galore. Her guesses for who was behind the attacks were Yuuta, Kame, and Kyoya. I'm not telling you which one if any are right, but those were her guesses/assumptions. Are yours the same? Did it surprise you to know Yuuta isn't all that he appears? Enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 11 – Staking My Claim

After the meeting, the hosts' quiet weekend seemed to fly by and soon a new week at school had started. Chika was almost afraid to leave his house in fear of what would happen to him: more stars, maybe an arrow this time... who knew. And he was well aware that he was overreacting and yet he still didn't care. Luckily, he had an understanding girlfriend who chose to stay by his side to keep him company until Monday morning; and then the couple had to part ways. Now if one had been observing them, one might say that it seemed to be a normal goodbye, but if the same spectator shifted his/her eyes ever so slightly to the left and looked at Chika's older brother Hunny, then one might think that this would be the last time the couple would ever see each other, their final farewell to each other. Tears were running down the elder teen's face as he waved a handkerchief in the air. These actions caused a tick mark (or more) to appear above Chika's head and he would have punched his brother (or at least attempted it) if his girlfriend had not stopped him. Instead he growled, "Stop acting like that idiot president of yours!"

Snickering, Haruhi commented, "He was your president too and he isn't the president of the Host Club any longer."

Chika turned on the brunette, "That isn't the point! That blond idiot has corrupted my brother and you think this is funny!" He was finding it hard to remain irritated.

"Well you kind of knew that when we started dating sooo… YEP," emphasizing the 'P', she held onto her boyfriend's arm a little tighter so that he would not dive after his brother because knowing the younger Haninozuka as well as she did, if Haruhi didn't hang on for dear life, she would be practicing more first aid on him.

"You're not funny."

"That's weird because I seem to be able to make the others laugh, and if memory serves me right, you were laughing quite a bit yesterday. Ergo, I am funny and you know it. If I wasn't, you wouldn't have stuck with me this long."

"Maybe I stay with you because I feel sorry for you or because your lack of funniness is funny."

Narrowing her eyes on him, Haruhi shook her head, "That makes zero sense."

"Sure it does Haru-Chan. He just said you're funny," Hunny inserted himself giggling.

Chika paused for a moment before face palming and groaning, "Whatever. I have to get to class." Pulling his girlfriend close, he gave her a small kiss and whispered, "Will I you at club today?"

"I'll be there and we can prove to everyone that we are still together and going strong!" Haruhi declared and gave him one last kiss before hopping in another car with Hunny; however, spoken only in her mind, she was anxious to meet this Kame Abe face to face. Throughout the time she had been around the Host Club and had been dating Chika, she had learned a lot about herself, and although she didn't feel like she had changed all that much, she felt like she had come into her own and her friends and her boyfriend were her important people, and she would not let anyone steal them away or mess with them. A certain reporter learned that harsh reality two years ago, and if the same lesson needed to be taught today, then so be it.

Studying his friend as they made their way towards Mori's house, Hunny sat there in silence for a few minutes. He could plainly see the wheels sprinning in Haruhi's head and he had an idea (read he assumed) it had to do with meeting a certain annoying first year. When they had pulled out of the Haninozuka estate and were about half way to his cousin's house, he finally asked her, "What are you going to do to her Haru-Chan?"

Her head snapped around in order to face Hunny instead of gazing out the window. Staring at him with large innocent eyes, she replied, "What do you mean?"

He just shook his head and snickered, "You might be able to fool Hika-Chan, Kao-Chan, and Tama-Chan with your innocent act, but not me. Satoshi might even fall for it a few times… so what are you thinking in that head of yours?"

"Well, first I think I need to talk to Yuuta about our project and hope that the idiot three don't barge in and carry me away in the middle of it all. Then I also need to go shopping. I think we're almost out of rice," she smiled sweetly and could tell he was getting slightly impatient, and finally added, "And I want to see this Kame Abe for myself. I can't believe that Chika was caught unaware by her or that she won't back off." Her declaration started to turn into a rant as her voice grew in volume.

"So you don't believe Chika-Chan?"

Haruhi stopped and replayed her words in her head before face palming, "No, that's not what I meant. I believe him, but I can't believe her audacity. I want to size her up myself."

"You know this isn't a competition. You already have Chika-Chan's heart."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I am going to sit back and just let her kiss my boyfriend."

Grinning from ear to ear, Hunny proclaimed, "Yah! And Takashi and I will be there with you to make sure she backs off!"

"Thank you Hunny," it was one of the rare times she actually remembered to drop the honorific when addressing Hunny. Both Mori and Hunny had told her long ago to drop them, but when around other students, she never felt comfortable doing it, and besides it had become a habit of hers… and not easy to break.

She turned solemn for a moment before asking, "Hunny, do you think Chika and I will survive the year?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well statistics show that when you get into college things change and more people breakup with their high school sweetheart than stay together. We are already dealing with someone trying to attack Chika, idiot stalkers, more assumptions, and a campus full of girls who want to steal him away from me. I think some couples would buckle under less pressure than this."

Hunny patted her shoulder, his expression sympathetic as he told her, "I think you will make it through this year stronger than ever. You will not become another statistic. Haru-Chan, if you haven't given into the pressure of having the Host Club interfere in your relationship yet, then I think it is safe to say that everything else is just a minor nuisance in comparison. We already dealt with Tama-Chan and Hika-Chan, who were trying to steal you from Chika-Chan and thought you were dating me. We also handled a girl who was after Satoshi and then Tama-Chan. So this girl will be nothing more than a minor pest, and we know how to handle pests."

Haruhi sweat dropped… black Hunny had made a small appearance towards the end, and then his face lit up and he was smiling with small flowers floating around his head once again. Breathing a small sigh of relief, she smiled in agreement, "You're right. If we can handle everything our friends put us through, we can handle this."

"Besides Haru-Chan, you and Chika-Chan love each other and belong together."

"Yah, we do," she nodded and her expression once again turned thoughtful. Sometimes when she looked back on the past few years, everything still felt a little surreal. She got into Ouran and in finding a place to study found the Host Club, who then put her in debt for the majority of her first year, but if she hadn't found them, she wouldn't have found Chika. He had come to pick a fight with his brother and somewhere in the aftermath, he had stolen her heart. Next they had to deal with people interfering in their relationship, their friend's lives, and rumors galore being spread around (or shouted loud enough for all Tokyo to hear in Tamaki's case). She and Chika even ranked their favorite rumors one night; Chika hated the ones that paired her with Hunny and she secretly thought they were hilarious, but they both found the pregnancy rumor and the fact their friends believed they were living together both ranked high on the list. Thinking back on it all Haruhi had to wonder how they had survived… literally survived and were not buried six feet under; and yet, she and Chika were still together and going strong, and were very much alive.

Pulling up to Mori's house, Hunny jumped out of the car to rush towards his cousin who had just come out of the house. He could have waited, but he had something to tell the taller man and quickly stopped him just as he had closed the door to his house, "Takashi, I think Haru-Chan is worried about her and Chika-Chan! We can't let them break up!"

Mori placed a hand on his cousin's head and said, "Mitsukuni, calm down. They aren't breaking up and she isn't worried about them. She is probably worried because someone is trying to win him. Remember, you can't jump to conclusions or make assumptions about anything. Did she say she was worried?"

"Well, not in so many words."

"What did she say?"

Hunny relayed everything Haruhi had said to him in the car and then finished with, "Doesn't it sound like she's worried?"

The wild host shook his head, "No. Haruhi likes to read, and tends to retain a lot of information. I think she was more curious than worried. She knows the stats and was just asking an opinion, but I don't think she is worried that she and Yasuchika will breakup."

"True, I guess I let my imagination get away with me." What Hunny didn't add aloud was, "I think Tama-Chan and the others are rubbing off on me."

"Come on, she's waiting," Mori pushed his best friend towards the car and they got in. Once on their way, much like Hunny had done, the tall student studied Haruhi for a moment and concluded that she wasn't worried, but she was reflective. She and Chika had a strong and loving relationship, and it had led to what some call a series of miracles; and if one wanted to view the episodes as such, then they could very well be considered miraculous. Chika and Hunny didn't fight as much, and there were times when they actually got along. Chika smiled and showed affection towards the female host, and the karate captain was almost nice to others… well everyone but the karate team, he was still hard on them. No, they were strong as a couple and they would make it through this most recent set of hurdles just as they have done time and time again in the past.

Arriving at the school, all three students got out of the car in order to get to class, anticipating the end of the day. They were ready to attend the Host Club, they were ready to see the girls, and they were ready to face their adversaries and inform them that Haruhi and Chika were still unbreakable and united. The last bell couldn't ring fast enough for them.

Finally, the last class was dismissed and four hosts were making their way towards Ouran. The Shadow King had decided to join the trio since he happened to find himself free that afternoon. His homework had been completed a month ahead of time, Tamaki was busy with his grandmother, and the twins had to finish a project that was due the next day, which they had been putting off. It would finally be a quiet afternoon, and he had wanted to make sure the new cameras were installed. Plus there was the fact he needed to meet this Kame girl and inform her that it would be infinitely less painful if she gave up now... or else. He already had proof of her nefarious plans, and he could prove them; however, they were gained by less than legal means, so he needed to wait a little longer. He could be a very patient man when he needed to be.

Entering the music room fifteen minutes before the doors opened to the public, the four former hosts were already greeted by the current hosts saying, "Welcome."

Kyoya adjusted his glasses, "Impressive, but since doors don't open for several minutes, why are you already in position?"

"Girls keep sneaking in before club time, so if we hear the door, we get in position," Chika explained as he walked up to the only girl in the group and kissed her.

"I see. Why not lock the door to prevent them from entering?" The former vice president asked.

"Can't. We came in today and the lock was broken," Satoshi said.

Pulling out his phone, Kyoya hit a few numbers, spoke a few orders, and then he snapped the phone shut before slipping it into his pocket, "The lock will be replaced after Host Club ends for the day since the noise would undoubtedly be disturbing to our customers."

Haruhi studied at her boyfriend for a second before lifting her hand and pulling out a couple leaves, "Chika, what did you do?" She showed him the items she removed from his hair and watched as he blushed. Chika actually blushed? Now she really wanted to know what had happened to him, "Chika?"

"I ducked into the girl's bathroom to get away from Kame today," he mumbled just loud enough for his girlfriend to hear.

"Wouldn't that be the one place she can catch you because she is a girl and you're… well not?" She was trying to holding in her laughter, but was having a hard time doing so.

"I'm so glad you find this funny."

"What happened after you went into the bathroom?"

"Luckily there was only one girl in there and she was washing her hands. Then I opened the window and jumped out of it."

"Chika!" Haruhi gasped and started searching him for any injuries.

Waving her off, Chika pulled her close so that she would stop trying to feel out any problems, "Stop that! I'm fine. It was just the first floor, but there was a bush there, so I had to leap over it and roll on the ground in order to get away. Then I ducked into the bush when I heard her coming. The girl in the bathroom covered for me because she is one of my regular customers."

She had no words. Picturing the whole thing in her head, she was amazed and flabbergasted, and of course she had laugh at the mental image of her boyfriend ducking into a girl's bathroom and then flying out the window with the hope that it would help him to avoid one very annoying girl. Snickering, Haruhi inquired, "Well, are you at least alright?'

"I am, especially now that you're here," Chika smile and leaned down to give her a quick peck before releasing her and whispering, "Do not leave my side today. Who knows what that monster girl is up to, but I don't trust her."

"Don't worry. I will be stuck to you like glue, and if I need to, she and I will have a little heart to heart."

"Stay away from her."

"What?"

Chika grumbled, "I don't trust her. I want you to stay away from her. She is willing to go to whatever lengths to get to me, do not go anywhere near her. I know Kyoya-senpai doesn't believe she has anything to do with the attack this past weekend, but until I know for sure, she is my primary suspect, well her and the idiot three."

Although she knew it was wrong to make assumptions, Haruhi had to agree with her boyfriend: Kame was enemy number one and she was guilty until proven innocent. It may be true that the first year did not want to hurt Chika, but it was more than apparent that the attacker had missed on purpose. Why? Was Kame behind the attack? Probably not, but she was trying to force Chika to her side and that made her enemy number one. "Got it," Haruhi smiled, stepping back, and linking her hand with his. Together they were stronger and could keep each other calm... apart, Chika may turn into Godzilla and destroy Tokyo.

"Are you two love birds ready?" Satoshi guffawed from his position next to Kyoya.

Snapping out of their own little world, the couple nodded and rushed to take their positions side by side within the group. It was time to greet the guests and prove to everyone that they were still together, still in love, and no one could come between them, especially some first year who didn't know how to take no for an answer.

Kame sauntered into the room with every intention of finding Chika and laying claim to him. She had been one of the first in line and would do anything to make sure she was the first at Chika's table, but she stopped short. As soon as she walked into the room, her eyes searched out her dream guy and then balked. If they could have, they would have probably popped out of their sockets. Chika was standing next to Haruhi and they were holding hands. How dare that woman show up and try to steal Chika from her! Haruhi was gone, no longer a student of Ouran, so that meant that Kame should have Chika all to herself. Why was a former student here in the Host Club? This was unacceptable! Marching up to the couple, she sneered, "Haruhi Fujioka, you should know policy states that only current students can be on the grounds during school hours."

"Actually that is not correct. It states that only current students can attend classes, but there are even special exceptions to that particular rule. This is a club activity and thus completely voluntary. The Chairman is fully aware our graduated members still visit the Host Club when their busy schedules allow them," Kyoya smirked and joined the small group. He was ready to do battle if needed, besides he always hated it when someone tried to defy him and he saw it as a challenge to knock her down a peg or three. Pushing up his glasses, he dared her to say something to counter him, "Or are you going to say that we are not allowed here as well?" He knew full well that Hunny and Mori had walked up behind him, and together they could be an intimidating being.

"I… I…" What could she say to that? Kame felt like she was pushed up against a wall and didn't like it one bit, but she had heard horror stories about going against the infamous Shadow King; and it wasn't like she had a problem with Kyoya or the two members of Chika's family. She only had an issue with Haruhi. Why couldn't Haruhi leave?

"Well, if that's all… come on Chika. Let's go and greet our guests together, as a couple should do, because that is what we are... a couple," Haruhi rubbed salt into the wound.

Hands clenching into fists, eyes shut tightly, Kame screamed, "No!"

Haruhi turned around, "Excuse me?"

It was not her day to fight. She had to bide her time, at least that is what she kept telling herself. So instead of meeting on the battle field today, Kame ran out of the room in retreat.

"I think I pushed her over the edge," Haruhi murmured.

"No, I think she was already mental," Chika commented.

Making notes in his black notebook, Kyoya said, "It matters not at the moment. Now, either get to hosting, or a new debt might form."

Haruhi and Chika both sweat dropped and quickly made their way to their area. All of the girls were excited to see the graduated members of the club and attendance increased significantly that day, as did the group surrounding the Host Club's number one couple, which got on Chika's nerves ever so slightly. Questions were fired about the status of the couple's relationship, and answers were quickly supplied. They didn't want anyone to leave still in doubt about Haruhi and Chika's feelings for each other. Today the pair would prove to the school that they were still very much together and still in love; and by the time the doors closed, all of those in attendance dared not question the couple's loyalty to each other.

When Haruhi and Chika walked out the door with Kyoya, Satoshi, Mori, and Hunny, someone watched from the shadows. Now would not be the time to act because there were too many witnesses. The graduates were an unanticipated obstacle, but no one said anything needed to happen now… today. Tomorrow would come soon enough. Tomorrow a message would be left for Chika. Tomorrow Chika might find a package made especially for him. Tomorrow… tomorrow… tomorrow.