Disclaimer: I do not own "Ouran High School Host Club" or any of the characters in this wonderful manga/anime in any way.

Shelter in the Storm

Previously in chapter thirty seven: "No, I just get me a drink of water and go back to bed. The doctors tell me that it will take some time to get over what I have been through. I know that as well. It's not like I just scraped my knee or something. I just have to be patient and hope that my recovery goes the way the doctors seem to believe that it is going." They walked to their respective doors, and bid each other a good night.

Chapter Thirty Eight

The next morning would be her first day of training. They had agreed that the two would go for a morning run after breakfast. Because she had not been training as long as Takeshi had, the run would be a short one to start out with. Takeshi agreed to join her on the run, but he would let her set the pace so that she did not push herself too hard. The two stretched and left for their run about an hour after breakfast. When they returned, they cleaned up and joined the family for lunch. After lunch, the two would go for walks in the rose garden, or spend time reading or chatting, but mostly reading. In the mid-afternoon, Mitsukuni would join them to teach Haruhi the basics of Karate, on which her self defense would be build. Due to his lack of stature, Mitsukuni made the perfect example for Haruhi to learn from. As time to teach her things such as throws came along, everyone concerned made sure that she practiced on both Mitsukuni and Takeshi, so she could master the move with any opponent.

After training with Mitsukuni, the two would clean up once again, and spend time together before dinner. After dinner, it was a household tradition that the family would spend time together, discussing their day and keeping up with each other, which Haruhi felt comfortable enough to join in on. Haruhi's summer break progressed rather smoothly. With no other students to train with, they were able to speed up the amount that she learned in each lesson while still making sure that she did not move on until she mastered each move. There were a few times when Mitsukuni would stay after training to help Haruhi with her summer homework, and then he would join the family for dinner. The summer break was coming to an end, when Takeshi's mom finally got to have her "girls' day out" that she had been looking forward to since it was decided that Haruhi would be staying with them.

The two ladies made their way to the limo when Takeshi started to join them, "Where do you think you're going, mister?"

"Eh, I just wanted to join you. I wanted to spend time with my lovely mother."

"Nice try. You can spend time with me next week after Haruhi goes home. Today is my day to spend time with this darling young lady. No matter how you try to spin it, I know you don't want to spend time with me. It's spending more time with her that you have your sights set on. Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes young man. Now go. Either you go to the dojo with your father and brother, or call Mitsukuni up, or just go read, but any way about it, you're not going with us." She held her fists on her hips, but said the whole thing with a smile.

With Takeshi properly chastised and sent on his way, the pair made their way to the first of many luxurious shops. Despite her protests, Haruhi found outfit after outfit from store after store being added to her wardrobe. Just about the time that Haruhi thought that her father would have to rent them an apartment with another room just for the clothes they finally stopped shopping for clothes and went to lunch. Haruhi felt completely comfortable with Takeshi's mother, so the two spoke freely about anything and everything that came up in conversation. That is until she asked Haruhi if she would feel comfortable living in the family's mansion when she and Takeshi married. "I…I… eh… I don't know what my future holds."

"Are you saying that you don't see yourself marrying Takeshi?"

"No, that's not what I am saying. I am saying that I don't know what my future holds. Takeshi and I have only been dating for a few months, plus I have over a year and a half of high school, and then several more years of college. I don't know if Takeshi will be willing to wait for me that long. I mean, he is already in college. I'm sure that there are tons of other very willing ladies ready to jump at the chance to be with him once he tires of me."

"Dear, have you ever seen Takeshi with any girl?"

"Yes, all the time at the host club."

"No dear, I mean of his own volition. Have you ever heard of him having a girlfriend before you?"

"No, but I didn't get involved in everyone's personal life. I just assumed that if he did have a girlfriend, that he kept it away from common knowledge at the host club to keep the girls from getting jealous."

"Sweetie, he hasn't had a girl that he was serious enough about to even consider taking them to dinner, never mind buying the complete outfit including jewelry for said dinner. Hon, if you care about my son even half of how much he cares for you, then it would be safe to say that I need to know if you're going to have a traditional Japanese wedding, or a Western style wedding. A mother has to prepare for these things. The only other person that my son has even come half as close to is his own family, his cousin. No other person, male or female, has ever gotten as close to him as you have. And let's face it, even Mitsukuni likes you and Takeshi together, so you've won over the whole family. It's as good as a done deal now." It was obvious that this lady had her sights set on Haruhi becoming her daughter-in-law, and she did not take no for an answer. She rambled on and on about how Haruhi would, of course, be allowed to redecorate the room that she and Takeshi would live in, as well as how much better it would be to be with family when she was going through the grueling last years of college to become a lawyer. Her ramblings left Haruhi to ponder in her own little world.

Does Takeshi really care enough for me to want to marry me? Is that what I want? His family is so traditional, yet mine is the absolute opposite. Dad is as non-traditional as they come. How would he handle me being in such a traditional family? I think… no, I am pretty sure that I love Takeshi. At least it's what I think. But does he love me, honestly? And even if he does, is it enough to keep him waiting for me until I am ready? And what about what his mother said… if he has never dated another girl, is he really ready to settle down with the first girl he dated? Or was being in the host club enough of a hint at what dating would be like for him to know what he wants? Her mind almost fried itself over the questions running through her head. After lunch, the two went to a spa for "the works" before returning back to the house.