To Love in Darkness

by Asteral-Dreamer

In one moment, Haruhi's life changed. She learned that she could use magic and in the next she found out that there was a whole other world existing right next to the one she knew that she had only thought was in fairy tails. Now that she sees everything that was hidden from her, what will she do?

17. Chapter 17, Realizations

Chapter 17:

Chapter 17, Realizations

During the time prior to dinner after the snack, Haruhi continued to practice different kata with Mori, Hunny and their brothers. Although their skill levels were a lot higher than hers, even with how quickly she was picking things up, Yasuchika and Satoshi decided to spar with her to give her a feel for what fighting was like, as well as give her some tips on how to improve and examples of different situations for each stance. Kyoya had come and gone a couple of times, usually as a means of trying to take a break from Tamaki and his over-the-top behavior, the twins bugging him about somethings for the Gala, or as a means to take a break from working. In those times, Kyoya would sit with her as she took a break and talked to her about some of the things she had read as well as quiz her on things from her mother's tomes and ask for demonstrations on the spells he asked about.

Even though it was clear that she was tired and sore from the lessons of the Haninozuka and Morinozuka brothers, Kyoya was impressed and proud with how Haruhi conducted herself despite her apparent exhaustion. She would answer each question he asked with the proper or adequate details and when it came to her demonstrations, he had a hard time trying to not smile. As with everything he saw Haruhi do when she put her mind to it, she was a natural and it showed. The only thing he had to remind her about was to relax and let things flow. He explained that even those who had practiced magic most of their life still made mistakes every now and then, but it was okay and normal since that was the only way one learned control of their power as well as the limits they had.

"Control takes time," Kyoya emphasized. "I have seen many Mages and Sorcerers make plenty of mistakes because they lost control or got distracted. Even the slightest thing can make a magic user lose control and so far, the only ones that you seem to keep catching on about are multitasking when casting and letting go of the fear that you will hurt yourself or others when a spell goes wrong. Focusing on that fear makes it reality. Keep in mind Haruhi, around the Host Club, as well as Nekozawa-senpai and his family, you don't have to worry about your magic hurting any of us. We can defend ourselves easily against it. The only exception to that might be Kirimi because she is still learning herself but even then, she has her parents and brother to help when needed.

"As for the rest of the school, well, that will happen in its own time. However it might help you to know that I have some protective wards up around the school to keep most of the dangers out that Ouran's security staff can't take care of but I can't really prevent everything that may happen. In fact, what I have set up is secondary to what the Magic Community Representative has created. Within the host club itself, Tamaki is fairly easy to keep under control. Fear works very well, as does keeping him distracted with most things that he likes or has an interest in. As for Hikaru and Kaoru, they are a little trickier. Most of that is due to their race in general but it is manageable to some extent. Give them things they like and it will keep them distracted long enough to make sure they don't tear everything apart like they did with their "fight" last year. When Hunny-senpai and Mori-senpai were with us, their own training as martial artists was a very big help in making sure they had what they needed. That only tappered off when he got his cavity but that corrected itself after a short time."

"You also have a few things to help you that are tied to what you are," Qurdox continued calmly. "As a Crystal Blood, you have an inherent control over yourself that most are never born with because what you need to control sleeps and only awakens when you are pushed by certain levels of stress. Even when your blood awakens to its full potential, everything that a vampire would normally need to have conscious control over is near non-existent with you depending on how you choose to awaken it."

Haruhi looked at her dragon before speaking. "So being a Crystal Blood means I have a higher level of control than others?"

"Technically speaking," Kyoya answered. "Vampires are raised to know their limits and how to prevent themselves from reaching them. Although their limits change as they mature, they are taught through practice and experience."

"We know when we need to eat," Yasuchika explained. "We know when it is too much or not enough. We know how far we can push ourselves until we are about ready to break and we have a good idea on how much rest it will take to recover."

"We are reminded every now and then from others," Satoshi supplied. "Usually by our parents because they are more in tune with us and that is what they do. Parents always know when something is wrong with their kids. Vampire parents especially. That and there is almost like a telepathic bond between members of the same family that allow them to experience some emotions in given situations, such as when someone in the family is terrified or injured. The only other people that would know such would be our teachers but it is their prerogative to know when we have reached our limits so that we don't endanger ourselves or others."

Haruhi nodded as Mori and Hunny walked over to and sat next to her.

"Meditation also helps," Hunny stated as he bounced over. "It helps with lots of things but mostly it helps you find your center. If you know where your center is, you can branch out and solve each problem piece by piece until it's all fixed. That's why it is one of the first things you learn when you go to practice martial arts."

"I see," Haruhi said.

Hunny smiled brightly. "Yup. We still have a little time until dinner. Let's do some cool down exercises and meditate before getting cleaned up. You did really well Haru-chan."

Everyone nodded and began their cool downs and meditation. As Haruhi and the others began to meditate, Kyoya stepped out of the dojo and went to the room he was offered to use while in the estate. He needed to make a few calls about some of the stuff he saw on the stock reports of his father's company. The last time he saw issues like the ones popping up was when the Grand Tonnerre business was buying up everything. He also wanted to see if Quin'Derax found anything new and plan any back-ups that would be handy to have if things took a bad turn.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Asuda tapped away on the laptop he brought, quickly but quietly. Taking a quick glance at the long couch in the room he was in, he gave a soft smile. It was rare to see his Sire sleeping calmly, or at all in under any circumstance. They had gone to the study earlier that morning to discuss how Trekiva wanted things to play out before and after Haruhi's introduction. Since his own children had completely matured as well as the few he created, the court was going to have a field day when they got word of Haruhi and Ranka. They would be ecstatic over the fact she was already blessed with a Union to one of the Four Covens of Japan and, as such, family to one of the other Four. He took a deep breath and began to think over everything they had talked about with the others.

*~*Flashback ( Asuda )*~*

After everyone had arrived, the topics from the day before resurfaced and continued on, starting with what Fernando was going to do. The Spanish Prince knew exactly what he was going to offer to both Haruhi and her father and had stated many times that if the European Council decided his stated penance was not enough, he would gladly pay the amount they would order. Abraham, however, argued that just up and agreeing would make him seem like a coward and a weakling. The Englishman did agree that it would be best to go along with what the Council called fair, though it was best to make it look like he wasn't caving in too easily. Hannah even asked that, even though her brother had already agreed to do so, he should make a bit of a fuss about it to let the Council see some reason in demanding "absurdities". Fernando had thought it over while Abraham and Hannah listed off some reasons as to why giving a bit of an argument would be considered okay but too much would resemble a blatant disregard for the Council's thoughts. In the end, the Spaniard agreed to make a moderate argument before making it seem like he caved in.

His reason for agreeing was actually a surprise. When Ranka quietly asked what would happen if Fernando did argue, Abraham explained that if a member of the European Coven argued against the Council's choice, they would have at most two weeks to make a good argument or be disregarded. Fernando nodded and explained that while he was "thinking" about his options, Hannah and some of his most trusted could show Haruhi and her father around Spain. Since their arrival would most likely be around summer, Haruhi and Ranka would be able to see the country at its most beautiful and experience the sights with little worry about bad weather. While the others nodded in agreement with that line of thinking, Asuda had noticed that during Fernando's ramblings about places the small family should see while there, Abraham was lost in thought and oddly silent.

With a few gentle prods towards the Englishman, he learned that Abraham was considering the same thing for her while she was in England so she could see what was left of the estate that the Historians Archive had managed to save before the humans took it. The biggest caveat to that would depend on how long Fernando wanted to stall telling the Council that he would adhere to their demands. They only had the short two and a half months of Haruhi's summer prior to her senior year for all of this to happen, or the couple weeks near Christmas despite it being a more Western holiday than one in Japan. Trekiva eased some of the worry about time constraints with an offer that everyone agreed was a good idea to do. Within the Mongolian Court , as well as was customary for each each airport, were a few Malprigi that used Shadow magic in only one fashion, as well as several Shadow Mages: teleportation. There was also the opportunity to train Haruhi to use the same spell as well since she already had a basic grasp of how such magic worked from her mother's books. He theorized that while taking a plane would be easy and each of them had the funding to get Haruhi and Ranka a passport in less than a day, as well as tickets and seats for each flight, they would be exhausted from the long hours of flight and have a harsh case of jet lag.

Rather than risk both of them being too tired to remember much, he proposed that the only flight they would have to take would be to Northern China and either a helicopter or car ride to his castle in the Northern Mountains so that they could be shown to his court. Trekiva and Asuda assured everyone that the dealings with the Coven would only need at most a week for the introduction, a couple days at minimum. When asked what made them so sure about the small window of time, Asuda pulled out a small and slightly worn piece of paper and showed it to them.

"This is Atsu," he said as everyone saw the aged drawing of a smiling man seated with a few other people. "She looks nearly exactly like him with the only differences being gender and slight details of her facial structure. Everyone that needs to meet her was there when Atsu first arrived and when he left. Ryoji is a bit close in appearance but Haruhi has a stronger resemblance."

"So," Abraham pondered. "They would tell just by seeing them that they are his descendants? Modern medicine can change that easily, as well as several kinds of illusions."

"But such methods cannot replicate power," Trekiva said calmly. "There are many Malpirgi in my court that were around when Atsu was. There is also the fact that the current Arch-Mage, Kayon, has been a frequent guest of mine for many years."

"Um, question," Ranka spoke. "What's a Malpirgi?"

"A vampire who practices multiple types magic," Abraham explained. "Their main talent is Blood Magic, as it is their racial skill set. However there are a select few that can use other forms of mysticism such as Fire, Shadow, Arcane and Ice."

Ranka nodded. "So even if they think Haruhi is an impostor pretending, assuming that the Historian hasn't spoken yet, a Malpirgi or this Kayon, would be able to set them right?"

"Correct. Most Malpirgi are ancient in age, nearly as old if not a bit older than Emperor Trekiva. As they are more in tune with the world around them, they can see through the deceptions of others much like a Seer or Historian."

"What about myself? I don't have magical powers."

"You may not have an aptitude for it," Trekiva explained, "But you are still touched by magic."

"How so?" Ranka asked.

"Because of my blood and Haruhi. I am a Malpirgi and as the son of my child, you are touched by it too, even though the aptitude hasn't formed."

The others nodded and the conversation continued.

"The Arch-Mage might even take matters out of Abraham's and Lady Michiko's hands," Fernando offered. "From what I have heard, he can read the lines of Magic and Blood as well as any vampire at only a glance due to his core magic practice."

Trekiva smiled before he spoke. "Kayon is quite skilled with that talent. I may ask him to look into what Lady Alyona has taught Haruhi and see if he is willing to assist in her lessons. If she is capable of learning the path of one Arcanium, she may have the skill or potential to learn others."

Everyone nodded in agreement. After all, if Haruhi had two teachers of Arcana, she would have that much more experience to learn from. With that settled, they continued the discussion about how to arrange everything.

*~*Flashback End ( Asuda )*~*

Asuda let out a sigh and paused from his typing, running a hand through his hair as he sat back. He stood quietly and stretched before heading to the small bell box by the door. When a servant stepped in, he quietly asked for a blanket for Trekiva as well as some green tea for himself. They left with a quiet nod and he went back to the computer with a sigh. He looked over everything he had typed and sighed again. Now that every detail was ironed out, he could begin planning how to get it done. As was stated in the meeting, the only flight Haruhi and her father would really have to take would be the one to Northern China. Once her introduction to the Mongolian Court was finished, they would Shadow Jump to the next location, but she would still need a Passport to get out of Japan, and that was easy enough to handle.

Since they were Shadow Jumping, they wouldn't get jet lag although everyone would still have to go through customs. Fortunately there wouldn't be an issue with people that could not understand her or speak Japanese. True, Haruhi knew some English because of her classes at school but she didn't understand Chinese or Spanish. There was also what he had heard from the practices she had done with Takashi and Mitsukuni. It was clear that she needed a lot more practice, not to mention he was unsure of how much Ranka knew about the languages of the countries they would be in. Fortunately their group would be met by members of each respective society that were fluent in all languages when they arrived. It had become customary for each airport have a Seer, Historian or a Scholar just in case someone arrived by magic of some form instead of coming in by plane. Asuda was pulled out of his thoughts when the maid knocked and walked in. She placed a steaming cup of green tea in front of him and carried a long quilt over to the slumbering elder vampire. He watched as she gently put it over his Sire, gently tucking it around him before bowing softly and leaving. He took a sip of the tea and leaned back in his chair. Things are going to be very interesting when that Gala comes around, he thought with a small smile. I am looking forward to how Lady Michiko and Lady Sayuki dress her for the event.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Michiko and Sayuki looked through another set of design books and sighed despondently. They had been looking for the perfect dress and kimono set for Haruhi to wear for her Union Ceremony but couldn't find anything that suited the girls particular style and personality that would transfer into either aspect.

"Everything we have looked through doesn't even come close to something for her," Michiko pouted.

"I know," Sayuki sighed, pushing away another set of books. "She has a personality that can't really be described without ruining it or being completely off the mark."

"I may have part of a solution," Ranka said as he sat down.

Both women looked towards him as he smiled. Ranka had been wandering around looking for Haruhi when he heard the two of them talking and thought he might have an idea on how to ease part of their headaches.

"How?" they asked.

Ranka smiled a bit more softly. "I have the dress her mother wore on our wedding day."

Michiko's eyes lit up excitedly. "Do you have a picture of it?"

He nodded and pulled his wallet out of the purse he was using for the day and handed a slightly worn photo to the giddy women. Michiko's eyes softened greatly at the picture she was handed. It was clear that Ranka often looked at it given how worn some of the edges were. She gently traced the contours of the soft peach dress the woman in the photo was wearing.

"It's lovely," Michiko sighed. "But will it fit her?"

Ranka shrugged. "She'd have to try it on but I think it will with some small alterations."

"We'll have to go get it," Sayuki stated as she looked over her cousins shoulder. "Perhaps we could when the children are at school tomorrow."

"That's an idea," Michiko agreed. "Now we just need to figure out a kimono that would work with it for the traditional ceremony."

All three continued to toss ideas back and forth until one of the maids walked in and let them know that dinner was ready. They stood and went to their respective rooms to get ready for dinner, talking the whole way until they needed to go down separate halls. Soon they arrived at the door to the dining room and paused at the deep silence permeating the room. Michiko looked towards her husband before back at the children. Both knew it was common for Mori to be silent during a meal but Hunny was never this quiet unless he was eating and the meal had not been brought out yet, nor was there a plate of cake in front of him.

Hunny glanced towards the door and saw the concern on his mother's face. He could tell that his silence at the table was worrying her but what he wanted to say would have to wait until a certain trio of annoyances had left the table to go home. Hunny and Mori wanted to tell their parents about how the latter part of the day went for them, especially pertaining to Haruhi and what she had accomplished alongside their brothers. He was actually really hyper but was trying to keep it down so he wouldn't give anything away, which was hard since he was really wanting to share. He was glad when the meal was placed in front of them but knew he would have to tell his parents before everyone turned in. He tried to take a calming breath before taking a bite after his father had done so. Keeping his giddiness inside was a lot harder than it looked and he knew that the strain was starting to show as the meal continued. Fortunately the others managed to keep conversations going and away from him, his cousins and their silence.

Haruhi looked around the room and tried to keep a smile off her face. She was happy that Hunny and Mori were teaching her to defend herself and she was also thankful to Kyoya for the small lessons he gave her while she was taking a break. She knew Kyoya wouldn't tell Tamaki or the twins about her lesson unless they asked him and even if they did, it was really unlikely that he would tell them anyway since he didn't want a headache that would span the rest of the night. She caught part of the conversations around her and kept an even tighter hold on her smile. Apparently it was agreed that Tamaki, the twins and Kyoya would return to their homes after dinner since they had school tomorrow. She was also wondering if Vaska had returned to the Nekozawa estate sometime during the day after the small snack they had after Kyoya first came in to talk with them, his Void just behind him.

"What about Haruhi?" Kaoru asked neutrally, despite having a good idea on what the answer was.

"If she wishes," Yorihisa stated. "She may return to her home or stay here. However you three need to return to your own homes as your families have called about your locations."

"If it's not too much of a bother," Ranka spoke. "Haruhi and I would like to stay here a bit longer. Your home is much closer to the school and I would rather my darling daughter get all the sleep she can. It has been such a stressful time recently and I want her to be all caught up on her rest. She normally wakes up so early to make herself some breakfast, if she remembers to eat in the morning, do a bit of studying before she leaves then makes something for me if she hasn't already before I turn in due to my late hours at work."

Haruhi let out a small groan as her father continued to speak. She had caught up on all of the rest she needed while she was passed out from healing Hunny but apparently her father thought she needed more. But given the smile he keeps sending towards me and Takashi, she thought as her eyes narrowed slightly on her father. He may have an ulterior motive.

"That is no problem," Michiko smiled. "You two are more than welcome."

As soon as Tamaki heard that, he started protesting that if Haruhi was staying than he would stay as well as it was his duty as her father but he didn't get that far into his usual tirade before Ranka threw a plate at his head causing it to shatter, effectively shutting him and causing the room to break into laughter, with the exception of Kyoya, Mori, Akira and Yorihisa.

"I take it this is a fairly common occurrence when those two are in the same room," Akira stated calmly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"From what Taka and Mitsukuni have told me it is," Satoshi laughed.

"It has been this way since they met from what I heard," Yasuchika added.

Haruhi let out another groan as her father and Tamaki continued to go back and forth about who her father was and the rightful person for fatherly duties on one side while the other was pleading forgiveness and that it wouldn't happen again. As they argued, Mori placed a hand over hers under the table and gave it a soft squeeze to try and help her relax. She gave him a soft smile and tried to eat a bit more but the yelling was starting to annoy her. She was about to do something about it when a dark voice beat her too it.

"ዝምታ"* ( zimita )

Haruhi looked over and say Kyoya with dark tendrils coiling around him. She felt Qurdox wrap around her gently and she placed her free hand along his back. Everyone watched as Tamaki went a few shades paler while Ranka tried to speak only getting more confused as no words came out of his mouth.

"Apologies Ranka," Kyoya stated as he tried to sooth his anger. "I was aiming specifically for just Tamaki. You either were caught in the flow of the spell or part of it bounced off of him and onto you. Unfortunately, I am inclined to believe the latter of the options given that he is part Fae."

Ranka looked at the frustrated teen with sympathetic eyes when he saw Kyoya pinching the bridge of his nose. Fortunately for him, Ranka couldn't see the lashing tendrils around Kyoya, as well as the fact that they wouldn't even touch him due to how they were moving about. Ranka walked over to the troubled teen, the tendrils easily coiling away from him, before placing a soothing hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeezing in the hopes of trying to quell the anger of the younger man. Once he was sure that his eyes were as close to normal as possible, Kyoya looked around the room. With a sigh he bowed his head and walked over to Tamaki, grabbing the blond by the back of his shirt and dragging him out of the room. Once at the door, he asked one of the maids to place the moron in his room and bring a couple plates of food there. Once the woman nodded and escorted Tamaki away, he walked back into the dining room to face everyone else.

"ተናገር ( tenageri )"* Kyoya said clearly. "I deeply apologize for my misuse of magic in your home, Haninozuka-sama. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of any other way to silence him without something else getting broken."

"You are forgiven," Yorihisa nodded. "I would rather not have more shards of plates where many walk."

"I am sorry for breaking it," Ranka said sheepishly. "Normally I look before I throw things at that baka's head."

"We understand, Ranka-chan," Michiko smiled. "His ranting was getting to everyone."

"If you'll excuse me," Kyoya bowed with his host smile. "I have to speak with someone about proper etiquette while a guest."

Yorihisa and Michiko nodded and Kyoya gave another bow before he left. Once he was gone, one of the staff came out with a new plate of food for Ranka while two maids began picking up the pieces of the broken plate and ruined food. Conversation resumed once the staff were gone and soon, Hikaru and Kaoru mentioned that they were going to get their stuff ready to head home. Everyone nodded and once they were gone, a large grin spread across Hunny's face.

"What causes you such joy, Mitsukuni?" Akira asked, concerned at the sudden change in his nephew.

Hunny looked at his uncle with an ever bigger grin. "We can tell you how our day went now."

"Why could you not say it before?"

"Because the reaction from those three would have been equally annoying, if not worse than what just happened," Yasuchika supplied as he took another bite of food.

Akira looked back at Hunny with a quirked brow, and Hunny's smile got near impossibly bigger as he began to explain how the day went. For the most part it was just a typical Sunday for all four boys but those thoughts changed once Hunny got to what happened after their morning sessions. Up until lunch was not much of a surprise but that faded into shock once they had begun explaining the rest. Each parent, as well as Fernando, Abraham, Hannah, Trekiva and Asuda became awed by what all five children accomplished in such a short time given that one of them was learning everything from scratch. Although Ranka was on the edge of his seat when Hunny began explaining the martial arts he, his cousins and brother were teaching her, he was very proud of Haruhi. Just as much as he had been when she decided to enroll in Ouran all by herself and got accepted into the Scholarship Program. Michiko and Sayuki were smiling brightly and there were even faint smiles on Akira and Yorihisa's faces.

"She is doing well," Yorihisa praised. "With time, she will be a fair challenge to most."

Haruhi smiled and bowed her head in thanks of the compliment. They all talked quietly until it was time to turn in and everyone began to walk back to their rooms. Mori walked Haruhi to hers in companionable silence, their hands gently brushing each others as they walked. When they neared her door, he gently pulled her into a hug which she returned. Slowly, he pulled back and Haruhi looked up at him with a gentle smile. Hesitantly, she reached her hands up to his cheeks, caressing them softly before she gently pulled him towards her. Mori easily let her lead him as he leaned forward. In the span of a few heartbeats, he felt her lips against his and although it was chaste and sweet, both could feel the emotions held back. Gently pulling her closer to him, he deepened it slightly before pulling back.

"Sleep well, Haruhi," he whispered with a soft smile.

"You too, Takashi," Haruhi replied.

With another soft kiss, she entered the room she had been in all weekend and changed into some sleeping clothes, her heart pounding heavily in her chest and echoing in her ears as she sat on the bed. She laid out on the futon and let out a shaky breath with Qurdox coiling near her. School and life in general just got a lot more interesting and a whole lot harder.

A/N: Spell translations

ዝምታ = Silence ( zimita )

ተናገር= Speak ( tenageri )