I do not own OHSHC.
The nurse smiled pleasantly at us as we walked past the nurse's station towards Ranka's room hand in hand. The trademark smell of blood and chemicals assulted my nostrils as we approached room 306, the name plate simply stating "Fujioka".
Haruhi lightly knocked and waited for permission to enter before opening the door up and pulling me in along with her until she got closer to his hospital bed. "Hi dad. How are you feeling today?" She hugged him gently opposite a nurse with short auburn hair that was putting the finishing touches on the bandages that covered his arm.
'That explains the smell.' I thought to myself, hovering near the curtain that wrapped around his bed and watching thier endearing interactions.
"I'm doing much better now that they let me shave and brush my hair, hopefully I can go home soon." Ranka flipped his long red hair over his shoulder, only to wince at the pain the action brought.
"Now don't get ahead of yourself Fujioka-san. You still have a lot of healing and tests to do before you can go home." The auburn haired nurse chastised him playfully.
"Aww you're no fun Kiko-san." Ranka joked.
"You know that I'm just doing my job. I'll leave you with your visitors, page if you need anything." Kiko patted his hand and gathered the extra supplies before leaving the room quietly.
"Dad don't push yourself, okay?" Haruhi gently sat down on the edge of his bed, eyes filled with worry.
"But I have to hurry up and get out of here so I can take care of you." Ranka took hold of Haruhi's hands with an embarrassed blush crossing his cheeks. "I've already been here too long and you know that I hate leaving you all alone."
"Nonsense Dad. If you rush and go home before your body is able to, you'll only end up having to stay here longer. " She gave him a reassuring smile before blushing. "Plus I already told you that I'm not always alone." For the first time since we entered the room, Ranka noticed my presence but only after Haruhi looked over to where I was, her expression fully conveying the love that she feels for me.
"Good evening Fujioka-sama." I smiled and bowed in respect. I could feel his judgmental gaze searing my flesh as if he was conducting a microscopic search for some fault that would condemn me. "It is good to see you're on the mend."
"Yes, I hear that you have been quite helpful towards my daughter, Mori-san." Ranka kept his eyes locked on my own and I recognized the look he was giving me. This was a test to see if I am worthy though the scrutiny was much worse than I had felt from my own father. "But I worry what your intentions may be for helping."
"Yes Sir, I have been taking care of her while you have been here. My intentions are simple, I am in love with your daughter." I stood tall and kept eye contact, maintaining the bold discipline that had literally been beat into me as I trained for martial arts.
"I see." Ranka broke the eye contact to look at Haruhi. "And how do you feel about him?"
Haruhi's face was instantly covered by an intense blush. "Dad!"
"Ah so you care for him as well. Actually quite a lot it seems." Ranka smiled lovingly at his daughter. "Just like Kotoko. It's nothing to be embarrassed about my darling daughter. You two are a couple, right?"
"Yes." Haruhi's blush darkened slightly.
"Mori-san, please keep taking care of her while I am here." Ranka cast one more loving glance at Haruhi before setting his attention on me. "I greatly appreciate all that you have done."
"I will be there for her until she wishes me gone." I smiled at Haruhi, feeling my heart melt as she smiled back sweetly.
"Awww you two are so adorable! And of course my daughter would fall for someone as handsome as Mori-kun!" Ranka squealed, making me blush almost as deeply as Haruhi. It was in that moment that I realized why Haruhi was able to handle Suoh so patiently; she had grown up with an overly excitable male.
"Thank you for the compliment Fujioka-sama." I bowed awkwardly while trying to retain some of my dignity through this embarrassment.
"So polite too!" Ranka gushed to Haruhi. "But you don't have to be so formal with me Mori-kun, just call me Ranka. You've been taking care of my darling daughter so you're practically family!" He laughed joyfully as he fell into his professional act.
"I'm honored Ranka-san." I smiled politely and slightly bowed to him which made him playfully frown. It was simply a reflex to bow as a show of respect but I was starting to think that I would need to refrain from the formalities that has been drilled into me if I want to avoid any more teasing. I doubt that any human could fully understand the importance of the formalities of the vampire aristocracy.
'If Haruhi ever wanted to be turned, would we have to tell him or would he be best left in the dark?' I pondered the idea for a moment.
"Is something wrong? You looked awfully pale for a second." Ranka's concerned voice interrupted my pondering.
'Better keep up the mask.' I thought to myself before responding. "I apologize, I was just a little lost in thought." I smiled politely, hopeful that my smile would ease his worry.
"Well as long as you're sure that you're alright." Ranka flashed one last smile at me before focusing fully on Haruhi. "So dear, tell me how school is going."
I welcomed the lack of attention on me and moved to sit in a plastic chair at the back of the room to give Haruhi some private time with her father. I rested my head on an upturned fist and silently watched the two interact.
We visited with Ranka until visiting hours were up at 8pm. After nearly 4 hours of teasing and pointed questions from her father, I could tell she was completely exhausted. "I can't believe that he was like that." Haruhi mumbled as we climbed the stairs to her apartment. "Actually no. I can believe it. He's so much like Tamaki that its scary." She turned and smiled back at me as she unlocked the door. "I wonder what he would say if he knew that you've been staying here." She mused.
"I'm more concerned with what he would say if he knew more about me." I felt sadness wash over me with the thought of him never allowing me to see Haruhi again. 'Is it possible for him to accept the monstrous side of me?' I mused to myself.
"Hey don't look so down. It'll all work out." She moved about the kitchen, pulling out various ingredients for a meal. "But when he does come home, we'll need to find a different place for you to bite to avoid the questions until we can tell him. I mean if you want to tell him."
My mind flashed through some of the more hidden spots that I could bite, all of which were fairly inappropriate, bringing a slight blush to cheeks. "Yeah that might be a good idea."
"Takashi?" Her voice was soft and a little shaky.
"Yeah." I quirked an eyebrow at the sudden mood change.
"Its supposed to storm tonight. Do you think that maybe you could stay here tonight?" She kept her back turned but I could tell she was a little scared.
I wrapped my arms around her from behind and held her tight to me. "Of course."
A/N: Here's another chapter for you guys. Thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited, and reviewed my story. You guys are the reason I keep writing. I hope to have the next chapter out soon. Stay Awesome!