Disclaimer: You probably don't need me to tell you that I do not own any rights to Ouran High School Host Club, but I thought I'd say it again anyway. All rights always have and always will belong to Bisco Hatori. Unfortunately!
A/N: Again, I apologize for the long time between updates. I wish I could sit and write all the time, but like everyone else I have to work and get a million other things done. I also got behind on reading some of my favorite fanfics that have been updated, so I needed to catch up on some of the stories I have been following. I also want to thank everyone for their reviews. I passed 200 which I never thought would happen. Thank you so much for letting me know your thoughts. It really keeps me inspired to keep writing! Here is chapter 13, Hope you enjoy it! Warning: This chapter does contain a lemon!
Haruhi was sitting in Hunny's room flipping through her textbook. Finals were coming up so she was taking diligent notes. She was so engrossed in her work, that she wasn't following the conversation going on around her.
"So, what do you think, Haru-chan?" Hunny asked her. Since she hadn't heard him she continued writing. "Haru-chan, are you even listening to me?"
"What?" she asked looking up after Hunny was poking her in the arm.
"I asked if you were even listening to me?" Hunny repeated.
She looked around the table to see, Hunny, Reiko, and Takashi all looking at her.
"I'm sorry, Hunny-senpai, I just got into a groove writing my notes," She said putting her pen down. "What were you saying?"
"I was saying that Reiko-chan and I would like to take you and Takashi to dinner tomorrow night."
"Why?" she asked surprised by his sudden invitation. The four of them had gone out a lot in the past few months, but they were never invited as guests, each couple usually paid for themselves.
"Because we want to take the two of you out for your anniversary," Hunny said sweetly.
"Anniversary?" Haruhi said looking totally puzzled.
"Yes, your anniversary, in a few days you and Takashi will be going out six months," Hunny said. "You didn't forget did you?"
"No, of course I didn't forget, but is that really considered an anniversary?" she asked in that blunt way that exasperated everyone.
"Ugh, of course it's an anniversary, Haru-chan, what's wrong with you?" Hunny said sighing a bit in frustration.
"Nothing is wrong with me," she said calmly. "I just think anniversaries have been too commercialized, you know, like Valentine's day or White day. These things are nothing more than the stores way of pitching a sales gimmick using love as a way to make money."
"Ugh, there is not a romantic bone in your body, Haru-chan," Hunny said grumpily.
Reiko laughed beside him. "It is this piece of Haruhi-san that led us all to believe she was a guy back in high school. She may look a lot more feminine now but she's still the same natural Haruhi all the girls fell for in the Host Club. Its part of why you love her too, Mitsukuni, and you know it."
"I know," Hunny admitted with a sigh. "But don't you think six months is something to celebrate?"
"Not really," she said bluntly.
"What? Haru-chan, do you want to hurt Takashi's feelings?" Hunny asked her.
"Of course not," she said flatly. "Why would Takashi be hurt by that? He wouldn't want to be treated special on just a few days a year any more than I would. That's what I don't understand about anniversaries. I mean, I understand celebrating an anniversary for the day you get married since that is a special day, but I don't understand why people make an anniversary out of everything. I even heard some girls in the Host Club talking about celebrating monthly anniversaries. I think that's stupid."
"You're so cruel, Haru-chan, and you're still so dense. You don't think it will hurt Takashi to hear you say you don't care to celebrate milestones of months that the two of you have remained together. Aren't you happy that the two of you are together almost half a year?"
"Of course I'm happy about that," Haruhi said looking at Mori and smiling. "I am glad we are still together, but what kind of girlfriend would I be to treat him special only every six months or every year?"
"Ugh, it's about romance, Haru-chan, don't you think Takashi would like to be romanced and treated special on an anniversary?" Hunny said still looking at her with frustration.
"I think that would be cruel to him," Haruhi said. "I don't see the point in trying to do something nice for someone just because it's a certain date on the calendar. I think the small things people do for each other everyday are way more important than some big romantic gesture just a few times a year. Takashi understands that, right?" she said looking over at Mori.
"Hn," Mori said nodding his head with a slight smile on his face.
"You do?" Hunny asked, staring at his cousin in disbelief.
"Yes, I know how Haruhi feels in the little, everyday things, just like she said. Like the way she makes sure we have a nutritious snack waiting for us after dojo practice, or the meals she makes ahead of time when we are studying, or the way she has water and a towel waiting for me when I am finished working out."
"See," Haruhi said, glad that Takashi understood what she was trying to say.
"But those are the obvious things," Hunny argued. "Obviously she's going to do those things when she's dating you, that's to be expected."
"You're wrong," Mori said firmly. "I don't think anything should be expected when it comes to love. It's not obvious, it's a miracle."
"A miracle?" Hunny asked. Even Haruhi looked at him after he said that.
"Well, it is a miracle isn't it?" Mori asked quietly. A small blush dusting his cheek bones. "There are so many people living in Tokyo. What are the chances that two people that are right for each other actually find each other in a city this size? I think it's a miracle, and I don't plan on ever taking it for granted. Not even the little things."
Haruhi felt her heart pounding. Was that really how he felt, like they were right for each other? Didn't that sound a little….Permanent? Hunny interrupted before she could ponder this any further.
"Wow, Haru-chan, I take back my previous statement. You really do all those little things for Takashi each day. You're a lot more romantic than I gave you credit for," Hunny said happily.
"Ugh, whatever, can we please get back to studying?" she asked feeling her face flush.
"Sure we can, after you agree to let me and Reiko-chan take you two out for dinner," he said.
"If Takashi wants to go it's fine by me, Hunny-senpai," she said still looking at her book.
"Haru-chan, when are you going to call me Mitsukuni?" Hunny asked, once again sounding exasperated.
"What? Mitsukuni, why would I call you that?" she said looking up at him with a puzzled expression.
"Because you're dating Takashi almost six months now, I mean we're practically family," he said.
"Uh…we are not practically family, and Mitsukuni is a bit too personal don't you think?" she said looking at Reiko and Takashi to see their reactions. Neither of them looked surprised, but Haruhi could not imagine herself calling him Mitsukuni. Reiko said it naturally theses days, but they were going to get married. "Uh, sorry, Hunny-senpai, I don't think I'd feel comfortable calling you that."
"Oh, come on, Haru-chan, you call Takashi by his name," he said sadly.
"But…but, we're dating," she said flushing at her own words. Why did he make her say these thing out loud? "And since we are in the same college, you're still my senpai."
"But I'm not just your senpai," he said, a sad look on his face. "We've known each other for years now, Haru-chan, don't you think we're good enough friends to be on a first name basis. You call the twins by their first name."
"That's different, we've been in the same grade since I've met them," she said.
"Fine," Hunny said with a pout. "I'll get you to call me Mitsukuni someday. For now, could you at least drop the senpai."
"I'll try," she said.
"Yay, thanks, Haru-chan," he said instantly transforming to his bubbly self. "So, Takashi, you'll let Reiko and I take you and Haru-chan to dinner right?"
Mori looked at Haruhi. He knew what she liked and what she didn't. After studying her for a moment he looked back at his cousin.
"Hn, okay, but nothing too fancy and no gifts," Mori said firmly. He was rewarded with a smile from Haruhi.
"Promise," Hunny said. "Besides, we weren't planning on anything fancy anyway. Reiko-chan and I found a cute little cafe out by the beach. It's owned by a very nice couple whose daughters and son help them run the place. It's a quiet family run business. You're going to love it, Haru-chan."
"If you say so, Hunny-senpai," she said, then she noticed the look he was giving her. "Er…I mean, Hunny."
"That's better," he said cheerfully once again.
Reiko looked at her apologetically. "Let's get back to studying. Finals are coming up."
Haruhi immersed herself in her book again, but was once more interrupted by Hunny.
"Hey, Haru-chan, you should go shopping with Reiko-chan tomorrow. The two of you should buy some new clothes for tomorrow," Hunny said.
"Uh, no offense, Reiko-san, but I'd rather do anything than go clothes shopping. Besides, Hikaru, Kaoru, and their mom have designed more dresses for me than I could ever wear. I don't need another one."
"No offense taken, Haruhi-san, I don't need a new dress either," Reiko said kindly.
"You girls are no fun," Hunny said pouting.
"Enough talking, more studying," Mori said and when Takashi spoke, everyone listened and concentrated on their books.
The next day Haruhi was going through her closet trying to find something to wear for dinner. Hunny did say it wasn't a fancy place so maybe a simple summer dress would be best. She looked through her closet and sighed. The Hitachiins didn't do anything simple.
She finally found a white dress made of some material she couldn't even identify since she knew nothing about fashion. All she knew was it was soft, tied with one thick strap behind her neck and had an open back. She debated her comfort level with the open back, but it really was so soft and she did like the layer of sheer material that covered the whole thing. It made it soft and feminine which wasn't usually her style but seemed to be just right for dinner on the beach.
She put the dress on frowning when it barely came to mid thigh. She sighed once more. If there was one thing she could count on from the twins it was that every dress would fall mid thigh or higher, and every pair of jeans would be cut to ride low in her hips. She found a pair of matching white strappy sandals, and pulled her hair into a high ponytail. She swept her bangs to the side and pinned them in place with a white hair clip.
She had just finished when the doorbell to her apartment rang. She opened the door to find Takashi dressed casually but nicely.
The moment Haruhi opened the door, Takashi felt his heart pound. His eyes swept her quickly but carefully. His eyes landed on her bare shoulder and followed the line to her neck which was also exposed.
"You look beautiful," he said as he leaned forward to hug her. His chin grazed the bare skin of her shoulder. He looked down and lightly brushed his lips across it. He heard her gasp and felt her body stiffen slightly. The innocent gesture told him she was affected by his touch, which in turn only affected him more. He moved to step back before she noticed how affected he was by her when she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.
"Haruhi," he whispered just before her soft lips fell upon his own. She kissed him deeply, leaning further into his body. He wrapped his arms around her and was pleasantly surprised to find his hands in direct contact with the bare skin of her back. He ran his fingers lightly across her soft skin. He felt a slight movement as she shuddered against him.
"Mmmm," she moaned. He tightened his grip on her and pulled her closer. She kissed him passionately.
"Hey, Fujioka, how about you take that inside. It's hot enough out here, you know?"
Haruhi abruptly pulled away. Her cheeks flamed red. Takashi glared at the young male neighbor that was smirking at them. All traces of humor disappeared from the mans face when he looked up to find Takashi's glare.
"Uh, hey man, Uh…I was just kidding. Feel free to do whatever you like," the man said nervously as he hurried to unlock his door.
Without a word Takashi took Haruhi's hand and led her to the waiting limo downstairs.
"Oh, Haru-chan, you look so cute," Hunny said the moment she slid into the seat across from him and Reiko.
"Thank you, Hunny-senpai. You look great as usual," she said to Reiko who was wearing a cute summer dress that came down to mid calf. There was something almost child like about the way Reiko dressed. It made Haruhi smile. Between her innocent clothes and Hunny's innocent smiles, they really were suited to each other. Although they did not look like they were old enough to be making wedding plans.
"Haru-chan, are you trying to hurt me?" Hunny said.
"No, why?" she said looking at him in confusion.
"Because you called me senpai again. I thought we talked about this," Hunny said pouting.
"Oh, uh, I didn't even notice. Sorry, I guess it's going to take some getting used to," she said.
"Yeah, Mitsukuni, remember how long it took me to stop calling you Hunny?" Reiko said.
"Yeah, I remember," Hunny said. His smile told her he was back to his usual self. Haruhi smiled herself watching them. They truly were so cute together.
She gave Takashi the side eye as she tried to look at him without being obvious about it. He was so large, so stoic, so refined. She was so small, so…unrefined, she wondered what people thought when they saw them together. Surely they didn't look as suited for each other as Reiko and Hunny did.
Takashi casually dropped his hand on her knee. Why was she thinking about this anyway? Since when did she care about what other people thought? They got along, enjoyed each others company, and had a lot of fun together despite his stoic nature. That was enough for now.
As soon as they arrived at the restaurant they were shown to a table on the terrace outside. The view of the beach was gorgeous. Haruhi eyed the horizon in awe.
"I told you, you'd like it, Haru-chan. We loved this place when we found it. I would recommend the takoyaki. It's the best I've ever had," Hunny said.
The moment the waitress came over it was obvious she was moonstruck over Mori. She tried to be polite and attentive to everyone but she couldn't stop staring at Mori. Haruhi frowned when she noticed the tight set of Mori's shoulders. It seems he noticed her attention too, though he didn't seem to like it.
Normally Haruhi would find his shyness adorable and laugh to herself, but it didn't seem funny tonight. For some reason it was irritating her. The more the evening moved on the bolder the waitress got with him. That in turn caused Haruhi to feel more irritation. Could the girl not see that she was sitting right next to him? Was it not obvious they were a couple? Her back stiffened at that thought. Hadn't she just been wondering that on the ride here? Perhaps she didn't look that suited to him. She was a commoner after all, and no amount of Hitachiin brand clothes was going to hide that fact.
"What's wrong?" Mori asked beside her. She was embarrassed by her thoughts, more so because Mori seemed to notice that she had bristled beside him. How mortifying.
"Nothing is wrong," she said more harshly then she intended to.
He looked at her oddly, but he didn't push the issue.
Haruhi's agitation only grew as the evening wore on. The waitress was trying to be subtle with her actions, but every time she brushed up against Mori "accidentally" or looked at him with sparkling eyes Haruhi got more and more angry. She didn't know why she was acting like this and that only made her angrier.
"Are you okay, Haru-chan?" Hunny asked. The almost knowing look on his face pissed her off more.
"I'm fine, senpai," she snapped, causing Mori to whip his head around to stare at her.
Her feelings were strange, the waitress' actions were inexcusable, and now this attention on her strange behavior was pushing Haruhi to her breaking point, although she normally had a long fuse.
Dessert was tasteless as Haruhi tried to understand this simmering anger inside her. The waitress came over with a fresh pot of coffee. She put her arm around Mori's shoulder and smiled at him sweetly as she poured him a fresh cup. She pressed her chest into the side of him as she leaned over the table more to refill Hunny's cup. That simmering anger boiled over and Haruhi shot the woman a glare.
"Excuse me," Haruhi said, her voice sounding cold even to herself, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to stop her from continuing. "I would really appreciate it if you could stop draping yourself all over my guy. I mean if you're that desperate for a man why don't you try hitting on one that doesn't have his girlfriend sitting right next to him."
"I…um…I wasn't…Um…I-I'm sorry," she said leaving the table as fast as she could.
"Good for you, Haruhi-san," Reiko said from across the table. "I was wondering when your jealousy was going to get the better of you. I must admit, you have a lot of patience. I would have said something to her much sooner."
Haruhi looked at her in shock.
"Oooooo, I've never seen you jealous before, Haru-chan, you were so cute with your cheeks all red and your eyes spitting fire," Hunny said happily.
Haruhi moved her shocked gaze from Reiko to Hunny.
"Jealous," she whispered, still shocked by her own behavior. What in the world possessed her to act like that? To humiliate herself in public like that? The more her own words echoed in her head the more mortified she felt.
"I..excuse me," she said standing so abruptly she nearly knocked over the chair. Mori grabbed it to steady it as he watched her walk off the terrace.
"Haruhi," Mori said as he quickly stood himself. Before he could follow her a man approached him with their waitress beside him. The man bowed over and over.
"Please, accept my apologies for my daughters behavior," the man said as he looked up at Mori in fear.
Mori looked at him without saying a word. He could find no words to say as his mind was filled on following Haruhi. Seeing his cousin at a loss for words, Hunny intervened.
"It's all right," Hunny said.
"No, no, my daughters behavior was inexcusable. I have no explanation as I have never seen her act this way before. Please accept my sincerest apologies along with your meal being on the house of course," the man said still glancing up at Mori warily.
"There is no need for that," Hunny said smoothly. "We enjoyed our meal. It was as delicious as always. We will pay for it."
"Then at the very least accept our apologies. Shizuka, apologize at once," he said looking at his daughter sternly.
"I…I…I'm so sorry, I don't know why…," the girl stammered looking mortified herself.
Mori stared at the woman who made him uncomfortable for the evening, still at a loss for words.
"I…Haruhi," Mori said knowing his cousin would understand and he turned on his heel and left the way Haruhi did.
The girl looked close to tears as Mori walked away without even acknowledging her apology.
"I…I am sorry," she said her lip quivering as she held her tears in check.
"You don't need to apologize," Hunny said. "At first I was mad because you were upsetting Haru-chan, but now I feel like thanking you."
"Thanking me?" the girl said clearly confused.
"Yeah," Hunny said breaking out in a great big smile. "I have never seen Haru-chan get jealous before, ever. Your actions might have been just the thing she needed to see how much she cares for him. She didn't see how he smiled when she was jealous, but I saw it. So thank you."
"Uh, you're welcome?" she said confused.
"No, that behavior is not to be thanked. Your meal is on the house," the owner said.
Hunny took out his wallet, threw way too much money on the table, and grabbed Reiko's hand.
Mori reached the front of the restaurant and found Haruhi pacing back and forth on the side walk. A troubled frown on her lovely face.
"Haruhi," Mori said. He watched her stiffen as he approached. He didn't know what to say to her. If he mentioned the earlier incident he might embarrass her more, but he did want her to know he was pleased that she felt jealous over him. He clearly remembered his own actions at his cabin. He didn't know what to say, so he grabbed her hand and turned her to face him.
She looked down and tried to pull her hand away when Hunny and Reiko approached them.
"Haru-chan, I…"
"Can we just go please?" Haruhi interrupted. She kept her eyes on the ground not making contact with anyone.
Hunny smiled.
"Sure, Haru-chan, let's go," Hunny said.
Hunny chatted happily on the ride home. Reiko interjected here and there to keep the conversation going. Mori said nothing as he glanced at Haruhi frequently. Haruhi had yet to lift her head or say a word. Mori didn't know what to do so he quietly held her hand. She had not pulled her hand out of his, so he was going to hold on to it.
Once they arrived at her apartment, Haruhi threw the car door open before the driver could even make it around.
"Thank you for dinner," she said then jumped out of the car.
"Haruhi," Mori said as he jumped out after her. "Can I come in?"
"I'm sorry, I…I have a lot of chores to do and…"
"I can help," he interrupted quietly.
"No, I…I need to think about…I get a lot of thinking done while doing mindless chores so I…" she stopped abruptly.
Mori was thrown by her refusal but tried not to show it.
"All right, I'll just see you to your door," he said politely.
"It's okay. It's only right up there," she said walking quickly to the set of steps leading to her apartment.
Remembering the man who lived next door, Mori followed her without saying a word. When they reached the door to her apartment she was fishing her keys out while he was staring at her exposed back. He knew she was mad at that waitress, but was she mad at him?
"Haruhi, I…"
"I'm sorry," she whispered as she turned to face him. She looked up at him with troubled brown eyes. There was no anger in them. If anything she looked pained? "I'm sorry…I can't…"
Her words were quickly stopped when Mori crashed his lips down upon her own. He wasn't sure he could handle what she can't do right now. Was she thinking of breaking up with him? He couldn't allow that. He didn't do anything wrong. She didn't either and he wanted her to know that. He just didn't know how to say it, and so he did what he always did and allowed his actions to speak for him.
Haruhi was surprised by the fierce kiss Mori was giving her at the moment. She was going to tell him she couldn't believe her own actions tonight, but he interrupted her with this aggressive kiss. He smelled so good, his warmth was wrapping around her. She clung to him as he deepened the kiss. She could feel his fingertips run along her bare spine.
A heat was building in her core. A heat deeper than any she had ever felt before. It was building and building until all she could think of was how much she wanted him. As their passionate kiss grew, she realized her want was become a need. She wanted him, no she needed him.
That thought froze her in her tracks. She pushed him away abruptly, stared at him in confusion, and turned her back on him.
"Haruhi," he whispered behind her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered before unlocking her door and dashing inside.
Before Mori could utter more than her name he was facing the door she had practically slammed in his face. He didn't understand, one moment she was clinging to his shirt with her tiny fists, pulling him closer. The next she was pushing him away and staring at him with her big eyes filled with confusion. Mori could do nothing but stare at the door, one thought running through his mind; what the hell happened?
He entered the limo with a troubled look on his face. Hunny picked up on it immediately.
"Takashi, are you okay?" Hunny asked.
Mori shook his head no still pondering the nights events.
"Don't worry, she's just trying to come to terms with how she feels," Hunny said in an uncharacteristically quiet voice.
Mori lifted his head and stared at his cousin.
"I have seen Haru-chan defend people before, but I have never seen her speak to someone in anger because she was jealous. I bet it's never happened to her before. It's okay Takashi, she's just embarrassed. You know Haru-chan, she doesn't get embarrassed easily and when she does she gets over it quick enough. Come tomorrow she'll be back to her old self."
Mori felt instant relief at Hunny's words. A small smile played on his mouth.
Haruhi threw her purse down on the table in the living room and kneeled before the picture of her mother in the corner.
"Mom, I'm so confused," Haruhi whispered before she put her face in her hands and replayed all her earlier actions and feelings in her mind.
Mori woke up and got ready for the day. He picked up his phone to make plans with Haruhi but was met by an excuse for how busy she was this morning. He continued to call throughout the day, but was faced with one excuse after another followed by some reason she needed to get off the phone quickly.
He frowned at his phone as he was rejected for the third time that day. He was filled with anxiety. An unfamiliar feeling to a man who meditated his whole life. Mori was used to a calm collected feeling inside of him, but Haruhi caused anything but calm feelings. He sat in his room worried as he wondered what she was thinking.
Haruhi was using her laptop to take additional notes for her finals when a call box appeared letting her know one of the twins probably wanted to video chat. She glanced at herself in the mirror to see if she looked as awful as she felt. The more she thought about her feelings for Mori the more terrified she became. She hardly slept last night, and was having a hard time concentrating today. She didn't know what to make of these unfamiliar feelings inside of her, but she wished finals weren't coming up so she could at least concentrate on one thing.
She accepted the call and the twins faces appeared on her screen immediately.
"Hey, Haruhi, it's been a couple of days since we've heard from you," Hikaru said with a pout.
"Sorry, guys, I've been busy with finals," she said forcing herself to sound normal.
Kaoru frowned, watching her closely, and Hikaru moved his face closer to the screen as if trying to view her image more clearly.
"What's wrong?" Hikaru asked.
"Nothing's wrong, I'm just worried about finals," she said.
Both men frowned.
"That's not true," Kaoru said, his frown deepening. "You're the smartest person we know next to Kyoya-senpai. Finals never get you this stressed."
"Well, this is college, it's different. Of course I'm more stressed," she said.
"Wrong answer," Kaoru said.
"Yeah, just like we can't fool you with the which one is Hikaru game anymore, you can't fool us either," Hikaru said. "What's wrong?"
Haruhi sighed and looked at the screen with disgust. She should have never answered the call. They were right, she couldn't fool them.
"What if I said you're right, something is wrong, but I don't want to talk about it?" she asked.
"I'd say, wrong answer," Kaoru repeated again as they both stared at her from her screen.
"Look, guys, sometimes a girls just got problems that she doesn't really want to discuss with other guys," she said hoping they would understand.
"We're not just guys, you know, we are your best friends," Hikaru said. "One more so then the other."
"That's not true," Kaoru said elbowing his brother.
"Owww, it is too true, Haruhi just doesn't want to hurt your feelings by admitting it," Hikaru said elbowing him back.
"Ignore him, Haruhi," Kaoru said. "He's an idiot, but he is right about one thing. We are your best friends. Friendship trumps gender, so you can have girl talk with us if you need to."
"Yeah, and you never know, maybe being guys we can help more than you think. I mean we would now the best underwear choice to make if your problem is…mmpfh." Hikaru's words stopped abruptly when Kaoru put his hand over his mouth.
"Like I said, ignore him," Kaoru said. Hikaru pulled Kaoru's hand off his mouth. They both waited patiently for her to continue, but she sat there staring at the screen.
"Haruhi, talk to us," Kaoru said. His gentle voice broke down her resolve. She took a deep breath and told them what happened at the restaurant. When she was done she looked down hardly able to believe she told them her biggest humiliation.
"You…you were jealous?" Hikaru said. He sounded as dumbfounded as she had felt at the revelation.
"No way," Kaoru whispered beside him. "A jealous Haruhi. I would have liked to see that actually."
"Shut up," she said. "This is why I didn't want to tell you guys. I knew you would just make fun of me."
"We're not making fun," Kaoru said. "I was just surprised that's all."
"Well, that makes two of us. I was surprised too," she said quietly.
"So, you were jealous, what's the big deal?" Hikaru said.
Haruhi stared at him. Maybe it wasn't a big deal to him since he was selfish and jealous all the time.
"You just don't understand," she said sounding annoyed. "I don't know why I acted like that."
"It seems kind of obvious, Haruhi," Kaoru said calmly. "If you got jealous that means you really care about him."
"Yeah," Hikaru said sounding annoyed himself. "What's not to understand, stupid?"
"Haruhi, it…it sounds like you may love him," Kaoru said quietly.
Hikaru whipped his head to the side to look at his brother.
"I know that I may love him, that's the problem," Haruhi snapped.
Hikaru whipped his head back to the screen and stared at her in shock.
"You…you…" Hikaru said as he continued to stare.
"Look, I've got to go," she said quickly and reached for the track pad.
"Wait, Haruhi," Kaoru cried. "Why is that a problem? It's obvious Mori-senpai loves you too."
She stared at the screen, hand hovering over the track pad. She swallowed hard, but just couldn't bring herself to let it all out, not even to them.
"I've got to go," she said in a panic.
"Haruhi," Hikaru said finally coming out of his shock. "Don't you dare end…"
But she ended the call and shut her lap top. Her cell phone immediately began ringing, but she ignored it. "Sorry, guys," she whispered and kneeled before her mothers picture once more. She fought the tears as she stared at the woman she missed so much.
"DAMN IT, HARUHI," Hikaru yelled as he threw his phone across the room. He had been trying to call or text her for an hour straight but she ignored every message. If it wasn't for finals he'd be in a car on his way to her place right now.
"Yelling and cursing isn't going to get her to pick up, Hikaru," Kaoru said calmly beside him.
"I know that," Hikaru said running his hands through his hair. "I know that, but she is just so frustrating. WHY? WHY, KAORU, WHY DOES SHE ALWAYS DO THIS?"
"Calm down," Kaoru said pulling him down on the bed. They were sitting side by side. "This is just the way Haruhi is, you know that."
"Ugh, I do know that," Hikaru said. "But why? Why can't she ever just talk to us?"
"Haruhi is just too independent. She doesn't want to depend on anyone," Kaoru said.
"Well, how many years is it going to take for her to depend on us. Hell, does she think it was easy for us to let her in? She's still the only person we fully let into our world. Why won't she tell us anything? Why won't she tell us why loving him is a problem?"
"I think you answered your own question," Kaoru said.
"Huh?"
"It takes a lot of trust to love someone. Do you really think someone as independent as Haruhi wants someone else to have that kind of power over her?"
Hikaru stared at his brother in confusion. "Power?"
"Yes, the power to break her heart," Kaoru said.
"So, she really does love him," Hikaru said sadly. "I knew it was a possibility, I mean, I prepared myself for it after I saw them kiss, I just never thought…she loves him, Kaoru, he won her heart."
"Don't worry, Hika, this isn't some game, we're not going to lose her," Kaoru said.
"How can you say that?" Hikaru asked quietly beside him. "She's so in love with him that she's afraid. She loves him more than she loves me…I mean, us."
"This isn't about more or less," Kaoru said.
"Yes, it is, she loves him, Kaoru."
"Yes, she does, but she loves us too, just in a different way."
"Will it be enough?" Hikaru asked. "Will she love us enough to not leave us behind?"
"Yes," Kaoru said confidently. "This is Haruhi we're talking about. She has never gotten sick of us. When everyone else turned us away because of our games or your selfishness, Haruhi never shied away from it. She has always been there for us. That's not going to change."
"Promise," Hikaru whispered holding his pinky out to him.
"I promise," Kaoru whispered. He placed his forehead against his brothers as he twisted his pinky around his and squeezed. Their linked fingers caught the tears that dripped off Hikaru's chin.
The next morning brought more anxiety to an already troubled Morinozuka. He was once again turned away with an abrupt excuse from Haruhi. He didn't know what to do. Should he go to her place and force her to talk? Every time he decided thats what he should do, he stopped. What if forcing his presence on her led her to break up with him. The thought alone was enough to stop him in his tracks.
Fear coiled in his stomach. He should be trying to mediate. Instead he paced his room like a caged animal. This was the state Hunny found him in.
"What's wrong, Takashi?" Hunny asked as he watched his cousin walk back and forth.
So Mori told him about the calls he has made to Haruhi and the strange excuses she kept coming up with.
"She's avoiding me," Mori said sadly.
Hunny frowned. He had been sure that Haru-chan had just been embarrassed. He had been positive that the next day would find her laughing at herself and moving on to forget the whole thing. Something wasn't right. Haru-chan faced things head on. In fact, her recklessness scared them most of the time. She has been in the hospital for it. Something definitely wasn't right, and Hunny was going to get to the bottom of it.
"I'm sure everything will be fine, Takashi. She needs to keep her grades up to maintain her scholarship, she's probably just stressed out. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you," Hunny said and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" his cousin asked.
"I have some errands to run. I'm sure you'll hear from Haru-chan soon," Hunny said and quickly left the room.
Luckily, Mori was too preoccupied with worry to question him any further.
Hunny made a quick stop at a store. With any luck, what he bought would be put to good use. He smiled as he hopped back in the car.
"Now it's time to see what's going on with Haru-chan," Hunny said out loud as he rode in the back seat of his limo.
Haruhi heard the knock on her door and froze. What if it was Takashi? She knew she was being really unfair to him, but until she sorted out her feelings she just couldn't face him. She sat quietly in the living room ignoring the persistent knocking.
"I know you're in there, Haru-chan," Hunny called through the door. "I have no plans today so I'll just sit here knocking until you answer the door."
She sighed. Why was the host club filled with a bunch of busy bodies who couldn't mind their own business? There was no doubt in her mind that the only reason she hasn't already been bombarded with the twins was because they were near finals too.
She opened the door planning on politely refusing Hunny's visit, but he ignored her and pushed his way inside. He had no intentions of being kicked out since he kicked his shoes off and headed straight for the living room. He placed a bag down on the table and sat down on her couch.
Haruhi eyed the bag carefully, it was probably cake. She headed toward the kitchen to fix some tea to go along with it when a strong hand grabbed her wrist and stopped her. He jerked her down onto the seat next to him and looked at her sternly.
Hunny was usually not a frightening man, but when he got that look in his eye it struck a nerve with everyone.
"Why are you ignoring Takashi?" he asked cutting right to the chase.
"It's the end of the weekend. Shouldn't you be spending time with Reiko-san before we have classes again tomorrow afternoon?" she asked stalling for time.
"Reiko-chan is at the dojo with the women in my family," he said.
"Really?" Haruhi asked in surprise. Reiko was such an awkward, timid young woman who would much rather read a dark arts book. Haruhi was surprised she had any interest in the dojo.
"Well, yeah," Hunny said with a smile on his face. "She's going to be a Haninozuka so she is going to have to fight another Haninozuka each time she greets one. She has to learn at least the basics of martial arts to do that. But don't worry, they'll go easy on her since she wan't raised with our ways."
"That's….strange, Hunny-Senpai," she said at a loss for words to his families odd custom.
"Drop the senpai," he said with a deep sigh. "And what''s strange is you ignoring Takashi. Why are you doing that?"
She looked down not really in the mood to discuss her feelings with anyone.
Hunny leaned back on the couch making himself comfortable.
"I'm not leaving until you tell me," he said firmly.
It was her turn to sigh deeply. She leaned back next to him.
"Talk to me, Haru-chan," he said quietly. "You're my favorite person in the whole world, please talk to me."
"Shouldn't your favorite person be Reiko-san?" she said turning her head to face him.
Hunny smiled sweetly.
"Reiko-chan is going to be my wife, so she is my most important person. Takashi is my cousin, he is my favorite family member, but you are my favorite friend, Haru-chan, that makes you my favorite person."
He continued to smile sweetly as she felt tears burning her eyes.
"Talk to me, Haru-chan," he repeated in a whisper as he leaned his head closer to hers. She could feel his hair on her forehead. She didn't know where to start, so just continued to stare at him and blink back the tears that were threatening to spill out.
"Are you still embarrassed about when you were jealous at the beach?" he asked, still in a whisper. "You shouldn't be, Takashi was jealous of the twins, so he understands. He's not mad. In fact, seeing you get all possessive made him happy."
"That's not it," she said continuing their whispered conversation. "I…I…"
He watched her clamp her lips shut. He saw the tears glazing her eyes.
"Feeling that made you realize how much you care for him, didn't it," he asked.
"Yes," She nodded, the tears spilling out of her huge brown eyes. Eyes that have been so comforting, so accepting of him through the years.
He moved closer, their noses were almost touching. He reached out and wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"You don't have to fear rejection. He loves you too, Haru-chan, you know he does. It's okay for you to love him."
"What if I don't want to love him?" she whispered, her tears falling heavier now.
Hunny's thumb stilled as he sat up away from her on the couch.
"What do you mean? Why would you say that?" he asked.
She stared at him. Her tears continuing to fall as she tried to put her feelings into words. He looked angry at her silence.
"Why did you start going out with him then?" he asked, the bite in his words made her cringe. "Were you hoping to just date him and dump him? If you were then I wish you never would have dated him in the first place. How could you do that to him, Haru-chan?"
"That's not what I planned to do, Hunny," she said sitting up as well.
"Then what did you plan. I know Takashi told you he has loved you since high school. I know you can be dense, but surely even you knew he was in it for the long haul. I thought you were too, Haru-chan," he said, an accusation laced in every word.
"I was," she said sincerely. Hunny was trained to study body language. He knew when someone was lying. Haru-chan was not lying to him. He frowned at her. He took a deep breath trying to get rid of his anger. He knew her well, it was not like her to intentionally hurt someone. He was missing something. He just didn't know what.
"If you were in it for the long haul than you knew you would love him, right?" he asked still confused.
"Yes, I just didn't know I would love him this much," she said her tears coming steadier now.
"I don't understand," he said, knowing he was still missing something important.
"No, of course you don't. How could you possibly understand," she said leaning back against the couch.
He frowned as he leaned back against the couch putting them in the same close position they were in before. They stared at one another in silence.
"Talk to me, Haru-chan," he whispered once more. "Tell me what it is. Explain why I don't understand."
"How could you understand?" she whispered beside him. "You still have both of your parents. You grew up watching their love grow as they raised their family together. You don't know what it's like to lose someone you love."
"No, I don't," he admitted.
"Neither does Takashi," she said quietly. "So how could either of you understand how I feel."
"Tell me," he said gently.
"When my mother died, I watched my fathers heart break. He got drunk every night, and was carried home by his friends. I wiped away his tears as he held me and cried. I made sure he ate and I tucked him into bed each night. I was hurting too, my heart was broken too, but I didn't have time to really grieve. I had to be strong. I had a house to hold together. I swore I would never love someone enough to be broken like that."
"Haru-chan," Hunny said feeling tears of his own well up.
"I planned to study hard and become a top lawyer like my mother. I never planned on getting married, but then I stumbled upon the Host Club and you guys sucked me in to your crazy world. I had no idea at the time that you guys would hold on tight and never let go."
"Haru-chan," he started once more, but she cut him off again.
"It wasn't that bad. I mean, you guys were crazy, and annoying, but I was still able to study. I could still fulfill my dream. Then I realized I started seeing Takashi as more than just a friend. It didn't scare me at the time. In truth I never imagined a guy like him could feel the same way. So when Kyoya-senpai asked me out I thought, why not."
Hunny stared at her patiently. Waiting for her to continue.
"But then Kyoya started talking more and more about the future. It made me think about marriage. He was so business like about it all it started not to sound so bad. I started to see a husband as someone to share the burdens with, nothing more, nothing less. But then I started dating Takashi." She stopped abruptly.
Hunny waited for her to continue, but she didn't.
"And?" he prompted.
"And I felt things for him that I have never felt before. The months went by and I had grown to care about him more than I realized."
"Until the other night," Hunny said.
"Yes, until the other night. It wasn't just my jealousy of that girl that scared me, it was Takashi too," she admitted.
"Takashi? What did he do that scared you?" he asked curiously.
"He kissed me," she replied.
Hunny frowned.
"He kissed me and all I could do was hang on. I wanted him so badly. In that moment that want turned into a need and it scared the shit out of me. It still scares me Hunny, I want him still," she said fresh tears racing down her cheeks.
"The Haru-chan I know isn't scared of anything," he said as he smiled at her.
"I'm serious," she said.
"I'm serious too. The Haru-chan I know gets thrown off a cliff defending girls being bothered by hoodlums, she crashes through windows to yell at Tamaki and his grandmother, she stands up to Ohtori-san to defend Kyoya, she is the only one who can yell at the twins and put them in their place, she defends Takashi against insulting kendo fighters and takes a beating for it. That's the Haru-chan I know."
"This is different," she said.
"This is no different, it's just a new opponent, and I have never known you to back down from an opponent. I saw you that day in the warehouse, Haru-chan. You could have died that day, you were beaten so badly, but you were still standing. Are you really going to run away from love?" he asked.
"You still don't understand," she whispered sadly.
"I do understand. I may not have experienced loss like you have, but it doesn't mean I don't understand. I don't want to lose Reiko-chan any more than you want to lose Takashi."
"Than how can you stand it?" she asked. "How can you keep loving her and not fear losing her?"
"Because I have hope," he said sweetly.
"Hope is for those who don't know better," she said sadly.
"You're wrong, hope resides where ever love does. It's because I could lose Reiko-chan that I hold her tighter, kiss her longer, share all of myself with her. I am not going to waste one single day that I am granted to be with her. Takashi has never put himself before others, he has never wanted anything for himself until he met you. You are the only thing he wants in this life and I will be damned if I let your fear stop him from getting what he wants."
"But I can't stop my fear. It has been almost fourteen years since my mother died and my fathers heart is still broken. I don't want to be like that. I swore I would never be like that."
Hunny wiped away her tears and smiled at her gently.
"Let me ask you something, Haru-chan, if today were your last day would you rather spend it worrying about things that may never happen, or would you rather spend it with Takashi? You could have died that day in that warehouse. Takashi was frozen with fear that you would, but you didn't Haru-chan, you lived, and I know you didn't live life just to fear it. I don't know what the future holds for any of us, there is only one thing I know for sure, Takashi loves you Haru-chan, he loves you with his whole heart."
Haruhi started to really cry. All of the fear she had been feeling the past two days came pouring out. She put her face in her hands and Hunny pulled her tight.
"You're worried about what you will do if you lose him, but what if the two of you are meant for a long, happy life? Will you love him any less if you give him up now?"
"No," she cried. "I will love him forever."
"Than tell him, Haru-chan, than hold him tight and love him as long as you are able to."
Her dazzling smile captivated him. She really was a natural. When she gave that smile, no man could resist. She took him by surprise when she kissed his cheek and threw her arms around him.
"Thank you, Hunny, I can't say that I'm any less scared, but you're right, I'm going to love him either way. I'm sorry, Hunny, but you need to go. Tomorrow we will be dating six months, so I have a lot to prepare for tonight," she said practically pushing him to the door.
"Alright, alright, I get the hint," he said putting his shoes on. He was almost through the door when he stopped suddenly and smiled. "Don't forget to look in that bag I brought you. I know Takashi won't think to buy it. Bye, Haru-chan, and thanks."
"For what?" she asked puzzled knowing he was the one who helped her. "For believing, for not leaving him, he loves you so much. You may be my favorite person, Haru-chan, but if you leave him I'm going to be mad at you."
"Don't worry, Hunny, I won't leave him," she said as she smiled brightly once more.
She went into the living room and picked up her phone.
"Ugh," she said as she looked at the screen. Thirty-six missed messages from Hikaru, five missed messages from Kaoru, and one from Takashi. She would call the twins, but later. She needed to set things right with Takashi first.
The bag on the table caught her eye as she called Takashi, she peeked inside just as he answered it.
"Hello," he said. She felt guilty about the nervousness in his voice. Her heart was pounding as she continued to stare into the bag.
"Uh…um…Takashi. Do you have time to come to my place for dinner tonight?"
"Of course," he said his voice still sounding guarded.
"Okay, does six work for you?" she asked.
"Yes," he said.
"Okay, sorry for how I've been acting. We need to talk," she said nervously as she continued to stared at the item Hunny had left in her home.
"Okay," Takashi said. She was too filled with her own nerves to hear the panic in Takashi's voice.
Haruhi hung up the phone, closed the bag, and carried it to her bedroom. It seems she had more than a meal to prepare for this night, she had better prepare herself as well. Hunny sure has grown up, every box he had ever carried into her house had been cake, who knew this time he would bring a hefty box of condoms. Haruhi flushed as she ran out the door to the grocery store.
After making all of his favorites for dinner, she looked at the clock and found she had just enough time to bathe and be ready for six o'clock. She dug through her drawers to find the perfect underwear. She then pulled on a pair of jeans and a black tank top. She sighed at the low cut of the jeans. The bottom of the tank didn't even touch the top of the jeans, but she figured a small sliver of her stomach showing couldn't hurt her cause tonight. She had just put the meal on the table when the doorbell rang.
"Come in," she said. She watched Mori closely. She felt bad that he looked nervous. She smiled at him hoping that would help him relax. He did slightly, but she could still see a tight set to his shoulders.
He thanked her for the meal, and they ate mostly in silence. He would comment on how good everything tasted and she would thank him. She could feel her own tension building as the meal went on. Could she really just tell him how she felt? Could she just come out and say it and share all of her fears with him? It seemed easier to share with Hunny since he was not always so stoic and brave. Did she really want to reveal this weakness to Mori?
Maybe it would be best to just show him how she felt. She cleared away the dishes, he stood beside her drying and putting them away. She appreciated his help. When everything was done she took his hand and led him to the living room. He sat on the couch stiffly.
"You wanted to talk," he said nervously.
"I wanted to, but…"
She placed her hand on his knee, an innocent gesture she had done a thousand times before, but this time she did not stop at his knee. Her hand ran up his thigh as she leaned in and kissed him.
His mind was going into overdrive. What in the world was going on here? One night she was raging with jealousy, followed by two days of practically ignoring him, and now she was…dear gods.
She had straddled his lap, running her hands everywhere they could reach. In the nearly six months since they've been dating, they did a slight more than kiss, but he always stopped before their touching got to out of control. It was the same this night.
"Haruhi," he whispered as he grabbed her wrist. "If you keep this up I won't be able to remain a gentleman."
"Maybe I don't want you to be a gentleman all the time," she whispered as she pulled her wrist from his hold and ran her hand along his side.
He gasped out loud then grabbed her wrist once more. He hated being a part of long, serious conversations since words did not come easy for him, but he could talk when he had to, when it was important, this was one of those times.
"Haruhi."
But…she continued to ignore him. She placed her mouth over his and kissed him deeply. She ran her hands through his hand and tugged him closer. Her body was pressed against his and when she arched her body closer he hissed at the friction her movement caused in his jeans.
"HARUHI!" he said in the loudest voice she had ever heard from him.
She pulled back in surprise.
"We must stop," he said firmly.
"I don't want to stop," she whispered.
"You don't know what you're asking," he said.
"Of course I do. I want all of you," she said leaning in for another kiss.
Mori sighed fighting himself, didn't she have any idea what those words did to man?
"If you mean that, then there are some things I need you to understand," he said seriously.
"Like what?" she asked.
"Like if we do this, you will be bound to me for life," he said.
She chuckled as she looked at him.
"Jeez, you make it sound like I will force you to do right by me tomorrow morning. It's the twenty-first century, Takashi. Women are independent, they are no longer property," she said with a laugh trying to lighten the mood.
"This is serious, Haruhi. My family has a certain way of doing things. It may seem ridiculously innocent and old fashion to most, but it is how I was raised and I will raise my children the same way, no matter what century it is. It's not about time, it's about honor."
She stopped laughing and stared at him.
"I need you to understand. The way I was raised…what kind of man would I be if I took a girls innocence and left her. The Morinozuka's, the Haninozuka's too, we are taught control from a very young age, and we are taught to be honorable in all actions."
"Takashi," she whispered.
"It might seem stupid to you, but it is important to me. It is part of who I am. Let me be clear, if we do this, you will be bound to me, for life, we will be as good as married."
She pulled away and looked at him sadly.
"So that is why you always stop us. I mean, how can you say we will be bound for life given who I am, who you are." She knew his family approved of their dating but she doubts they would be thrilled having her as his bride.
He grabbed her arm roughly, it startled her and she jerked forward on his lap.
"I AM NOT KYOYA! How many times do I have to tell you this?" he said looking more angry than she had ever seen him.
"I know you are not Kyoya, but I also know you have a duty to your family. You are the Morinozuka heir," she said seriously.
"You are right, I am expected to marry in a way that benefits my family, but they are not Ohtori's anymore than I am Kyoya. My family does not see status as the only benefit. My family sees your worth. My uncle thinks your brain and your future legal endeavors will benefit both family businesses, and my father was impressed by your fierce defending of me against Nakamura-san. They have left me to decide if I want you to become a Morinozuka. Are you listening to me, they won't force it, they won't fight it. It is up to me."
She stared at him in shock, are they really okay with her as his wife? Including Hunny's dad?
"Even if they did interfere, I wouldn't allow it. I wouldn't let them force you into anything any more than I would give you up if they disagreed."
"Well, then it's a good thing they don't disagree, because I couldn't allow you to give up your inheritance for me," she said.
"My inheritance is only important to me so I can carry on the Morinozuka ways, I couldn't care less about the money. I can build a bright future on my own. I will have a promising future even if I don't inherit the family business, but I won't have a bright future without you," he said. He tucked some hair behind her ear.
She looked at him in shock but the only thing she could see in his eyes was the love he felt for her. The need he felt for her. He needed her as much as she needed him. She wanted him now, more than ever.
"Takashi," she whispered than leaned in to kiss him, but he gripped her arms again and held her back.
"You need to think about this. By the code of honor of my family we'll be as good as married. If we do this, I won't let you go even if you beg me."
"I don't have to think about it. I understand," she said trying to lean toward him, but he held fast once more.
"I won't let you go," he repeated. "You need to know that even if Kyoya begs, even if his father offers you the world, I won't release you. If there is any doubt in your mind that Kyoya could win you back, then I need you to stop right now."
"So, you could give me up as long as we don't do this?" she asked a little hurt.
"I wouldn't want to. It would pain me to do so. I would never be the same, but I would let you go if you told me you could be happier with him. But if you willingly give yourself to me, if you let me claim you as my own, I will never let another have you. Do you understand, Haruhi, there will be no turning back," he said seriously.
"I understand," she said climbing off his lap.
He felt a profound sense of loss and disappointment, but he meant what he said. Old fashioned or not, these were his values, and he was determined to live by them. He watched her step away from him. Was this it? Was his honesty too much for her? Was she really not sure if she would take Kyoya back even after all she has said to the contrary? He stared at her, his heart breaking at the mere thought of losing her.
"Takashi," she whispered.
He kept his eyes steady on her, bracing himself for whatever she was going to say next, but she said nothing. She removed her shirt instead. His heart began to race as he watched her. Her shirt landed somewhere, and he didn't care where. He was not about to take his eyes off of her for a moment. Her hands slid to the waist of her jeans. The blood was rushing through his veins, yet he could hear the sound of her zipper even through the rushing sound in his ears. Then she slowly lowered the denim material from her hips.
He had seen many pornographic stills thanks to some of the guys in the Kendo Club who seemed to have a fascination with them. He had seen beautiful women trying their hardest to be alluring, but as he watched Haruhi he knew he had never seen a sexier woman, and all she did was wiggle out of a pair of jeans.
And there she was in a matching black bra and panties with a double H embroidered on each one. Leave it to Hikaru to design something this mouth watering for her. He couldn't even muster the strength to be mad. She was all petite arms and legs and white silky skin.
He forgot how to breath.
She moved toward him and crawled in his lap once more. When her cherry flavored lips were just about touching his she whispered, "I love you, and only you, Takashi."
Hope rushed through him at her words.
"Ha..ru…" There wasn't enough air left in his lungs to even finish her name.
His mouth exploded with the cherry taste of her lips. He reached out for her, but she grabbed both his wrists and with a strength that surprised him she pinned his arms to the couch. He could easily pull away, but why ruin her fun. Fun. That word caused some doubt to surface, and he found himself fighting through the haze of desire that was clouding his thoughts. He had to be sure.
He fought desperately to fill his lungs with some much needed air. When he did he pulled back and looked at her.
"Are you sure you're not confusing lust with love?" He was terrified of her answer, but the truth was too important.
"Oh, I feel lust." She smirked so sinfully at him it startled him. She really has spent too many years being close with he twins. "But I am not confused. I do love you. I realized it the night at the beach. I'm sorry I ignored you Takashi, but I was scared."
"Scared of what? You know how I feel," he said.
"I was scared of losing you the way my dad lost my mom. I love you so much it terrified me, but I'm not afraid any more. Now all I want is for us to be as close as we possibly can, in every way. So, please, Takashi, let me love you."
The corners of his mouth lifted and she was treated to one of his rare smiles.
"I'll take that as a yes," she whispered and placed her lips to his once more. She released his wrists and reached for his shirt but the moment he went to touch her she grabbed his wrists once more. She pinned them to his sides and looked at him.
"Now, be a good boy, Takashi and let me show you how much I love you. You'll have your turn," she said with that smirk so eerily similar to the twins.
His heart started pounding in his chest at the seductive way she was looking at him.
"Are you going to be good?" she asked.
He nodded his head.
"Promise?" she asked.
"Promise," he rasped out between rapid breaths.
"Good, then it's time for your reward," she said. She removed his shirt and threw it somewhere behind her. She lifted herself off his lap and kneeled between his legs. She ran her hands over his chest, down his abs, and back up again. "You're beautiful," she whispered.
"Men, aren't beautiful," he whispered shyly.
"That's not true, you are," she whispered as she continued to stare at the perfect form before her. He was a work of art, but it was not by the hands of any sculpture but by his own hard work and discipline. She ran her fingers down his neck, her lips were quick to follow. She teased her way down his chest, down his stomach, his sculpted abs tightening further beneath her mouth.
The heat of his skin was driving her crazy. She could hear his ragged breathing and all she wanted was to be closer to him. She ran one finger across the waist of his jeans before she slowly unbuttoned them and lowered his zipper. She had him out of them in record time but her bravery faltered as she looked at what she had uncovered. She took a deep breath to steady herself. She wanted him, she wasn't going to allow her fear to stop her now.
She leaned forward on her knees to pleasure him.
A loud moan escaped his mouth and he gripped a fistful of her hair.
"Ha…ha…haruhi," he gasped out. "If you don't stop, this is going to be over before we've even begun."
She raised her head and looked at him.
"Can you stay over tonight?" she asked seductively.
"Yes," he replied without hesitation.
"Then enjoy your reward, the night is just getting started," she said before resuming her task. She closed her eyes and enjoyed every new sensation. She roamed her hands up and down his sides, sometimes she would graze his hips as they moved beneath her touch. His hips bucked a few times and she was happy she was pleasing him. His breathing was harsh, more labored and before she knew it he was shouting her name.
She backed up to look at him. His head was leaned back on her couch, his eyes were closed, and there was a smile of complete bliss on his handsome face. Her heart began to pound. She loved him, she really loved this man, and he loved her. She smiled at the thought that she made him feel something he had never experienced with any other woman.
A warm feeling filled her heart. Maybe his values were totally outdated, but there was something very sexy in the knowledge that they were sharing something with each other that neither of them had ever given to any one else.
When he opened his eyes and looked at her she gasped at the heat she saw there. She stood up, took his hand, and pulled him up beside her. She stood on her tiptoes to try to kiss him but he moved too quickly.
"Eeep!" she cried as he swept her off her feet. He moved quickly to her bedroom and lightly tossed her on the bed. He looked down at her without a word. She felt shy under his gaze and moved her hands to cover herself. He grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the bed as she had done to him.
"My turn," he whispered and the deep sound of his voice made her heart pound.
His eyes roamed her body, taking in his fill. He placed his index finger on her mouth and slowly rubbed them across her lips. He could feel her breath on his skin. He lowered his one finger down her throat, down her chest, down the flat plains of her stomach and stopped at the tiny pair of black panties that were covering her.
He lifted his eyes to her face. She smiled shyly at him, and although lust burned in her eyes, love shined there too. The moment he registered the love in her eyes his heart pounded hard in his chest.
Here she was, the woman he has loved since high school, the woman who has accepted him unconditionally. The woman who allowed him moments of weakness, held him while he cried, filling him with her strength. The woman who would always hold his heart.
"Haruhi," he barely whispered as his finger caressed her hip bone.
This was true love. He was conditioned to keep every emotion in check at all times but with her he could let his shield down without judgement. It was such a liberating feeling. Once he realized that, his life long control shattered before her.
Haruhi looked at Mori as his finger traced a path along her body. He stood next to her bed making no move to join her. She feared he might change his mind about sleeping with her. And then it happened, fire burned in his steel grey depths. She watched the barrier that always surrounded him come crumbling down. He lunged at her, his body was on hers and he looked at her with eyes that were stripped bare.
Gone was the shy man with the perpetually impassive face. In his place was a man consumed with love and passion and wasn't afraid to show it. A man whose hands and lips were eager to show her every ounce of passion he felt for her.
Mori gripped her hair and kissed her fiercely. He ran his lips along her jawline, down her throat. He ran his tongue along her collar bone as he removed the first black article blocking his way. His hands were so large that he could touch so much of her at once.
He slide down her body as he continued his feather light kisses until he reached the place that had been taunting him for so long…that damn hip bone. He gave each one long, special attention until she was writhing beneath him begging him for more. Once the last article was removed he placed himself above her then stopped short.
She looked at him as he balanced himself, frozen above her.
"Takashi?" she questioned.
"You're so tiny, Haruhi, and I'm so…not. I'm afraid I'll hurt you," he whispered, torn between his desire and his fear.
And as usual she did not judge him. She smiled sweetly as she ran her hand across his chest.
"You could never hurt me. I'm stronger than I look, besides, I'd endure anything just to have you closer to me. Please, Takashi, please help me be closer to you."
And that was all it took. As gently as he could he made them as close as two people could possibly be. She did not cry out, though he did feel her bite his shoulder. He also felt her short nails rake across his back. Oddly enough the slight pain only added to his pleasure. As he moved above her he felt like he was soaring, higher and higher to a place of complete bliss and happiness, a place he had chased before but never found until this moment. With Haruhi, he had reached… Nirvana. He let his mind go as he was reduced to nothing more than raw sensation and one thought; haruhiharuhiharuhiharuhi.
Her tiny body arched into his and her lips found his throat. She was kissing and nipping and crying his name. He felt her press herself closer and his name tore from her throat. He had pushed her over the edge and she had taken him with her.
He flopped down onto of her and held her tight. He kissed her once more and began running his hands all over her. He moved to lay beside her, she rolled onto her side to face him.
"That was amazing," she whispered. "Thank you Takashi, I felt closer to you than I ever have. It was more than close, more than love, it was like…like…"
"Nirvana," he whispered.
"Yeah," she whispered thinking of all the blissful definitions that word conjured up.
She stretched like a cat and rolled to her other side. He ran his fingers along her spine.
"Such a sexy back," he whispered as he kissed her shoulder. He continued to run his hands along her skin as he reached in the bag she had shown him earlier and grabbed another condom. He would have to get the full story of where she got them later.
She turned to him in surprise.
"It's called stamina, a definite perk of being a Kendo fighter," he whispered before placing himself above her once more. "You were the one who said we have all night."
"So I did," she whispered as she surrendered herself to him.
Light was barely in the sky when she heard him moving beside her. She was deliciously exhausted. Apparently, Mori had been called the wild one for a reason, though only she was privy to that information. Once his stoic shield dropped and his passion was unleashed it seemed he couldn't bank it. Not that she was complaining.
"Good morning," he said as he kissed her gently.
"Good morning," she said with a beautiful smile of her own.
"Thank you, Haruhi, for loving me," he said before kissing her again.
"Thank you, Takashi, for wanting to be so close to me too," she replied.
"Always," he stood beside her bed and looked down at her. "You remember, there's no turning back now."
"I remember," she said looking happy.
"I need to get home for early practice," he said kissing her once more. "I'll call you later."
"Okay," she said and rolled over to get some more sleep.
Mori walked in the house hoping not to wake anyone up.
"You were out all night," his father said behind him.
"Yes," Mori said, tensing at his fathers tone.
"You know our ways, Takashi," his father said.
"Yes, Father, I do," Mori said.
"Does, Haruhi?" he asked quietly.
"Of course, I am not Kyoya," Takashi said allowing a little of the anger he felt into his voice.
"So, she will be a Morinozuka," his father said, a pleased smile on his face.
"Yes, someday, we need to finish school first," Mori said.
"There is a certain order in which things need to be done so you are taking precautions I hope," his father said.
"Of course, Haruhi wouldn't have it any other way," Takashi said.
"Yes, she is frighteningly responsible. That will serve her well in this family. You should get to your room before your mother wakes up," his father said picking up the newspaper.
"Hn," Mori said as he headed for the stairs. That went well, Mori thought as a pleasant smile curved his lips.
A/N (again): Whew, another long one. Here is a shout out to PenguinsHockey 14 for wanting to see a jealous Haruhi. I debated it for a while since Haruhi is not jealous even in cannon, but the more I thought about it the more I could see how being jealous could help her see her feelings. I also need to give a shout out to a reader who pointed out that men usually handle the birth control in Japan. I am sorry I cannot find the message to put your name here, but I remembered your advice! Sorry again for the long wait. I hope you enjoyed this chapter please let me know what you think. Arigato!