Author: Oh boy! Another chapter! Sorry everyone for the delay. I had another lose in my family and I have been rather depressed since. This made eight this year alone. However, I want to thank all of you for your reviews/favorites/follows, and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Happy New Year!

" YOU IDIOTS DID WHAT!"

Haruhi covered her ears as she heard Suoh Tamaki, the Host Club President, berate the twins.

Tamaki had been out sick over the past few days and when he had returned, Honey and Kyoya had informed him of how Kaoru and Hikaru had been when Himawari had visited the other day.

" We didn't know who she was, Boss." Kaoru said. " Honest."

" It doesn't matter if you knew or not! Being disrespectful to a young lady who has made their way to our humble abode-"

Humble? Haruhi thought as she glanced around the music room.

Her brown eyes took in the various statues and paintings that were decorating the room.

They shifted to the luxurious pieces of furniture that some of their guests were currently lounging in.

Humble my butt, Senpai. Haruhi thought as she began began to prepare some of the tea that Himawari had brought the other day.

" How could you two have been such idiots?"

" You've already asked them that, Senpai." Haruhi sighed.

" It's worth asking again, Haruhi!" Tamaki whined, his golden locks falling in-front of his blue eyes.

" If you keep exploding like this then you're going to cause an unwanted commotion that definitely won't be good for the club's reputation." Haruhi pointed out.

" Mommy! Do you hear how Haruhi speaks to me?" Tamaki whined dramatically to Kyoya who simply scribbled something onto his ever present clipboard.

" I've asked you to stop calling me that." Kyoya said pausing in his notes. " And Haruhi isn't wrong, Tamaki. Keep making a scene like this and a rumor will spread like wildfire. It will definitely be bad for business."

" Is that the tea that Hime-chan brought?" Honey asked as he came over, carrying his plush pink rabbit Usa-Chan with him.

" Ah yeah, it has peppermint in it I guess."

" Oh yeah, I had mentioned to Hime-chan that Tama-chan had the stomach flu and she must have made this batch for him!" Honey said cheerily as he took the package from Haruhi to examine it.

" She made this for me?" Tamaki said curiously.

" Not surprising, the Haga family were florists for centuries before becoming tea makers." Kyoya said. " I'm sure they all learned the different properties that their plants produce. Both healing and for other concerns."

" Other concerns?" Haruhi said curiously.

" Poiiiiisons!" Hikaru said in an ominous voice startling Tamaki and Honey.

" Yes, the Haga family would have knowledge of what kinds of plants could do both good and harm." Kyoya said matter of factly. " Herbalism was a form of medicine for most of history and many people still practice it today."

" This doesn't just have peppermint but fennel, licorice, lemon balm and dandelion." Kaoru said taking the package from Honey.

" That's impressive, Kaoru." Haruhi said causing the twin to shrug.

" Our dad drinks a lot of different kinds of tea."

" Do you talk to Haga-san a lot, Honey-senpai?" Hikaru asked.

" Not as much as I used to. All three of us were really close when we were little and Hime-chan was always very sociable but lately, since we go to different schools, we don't see each other as much.

" She spends a lot of time taking care of her father and with her supposed Bridal Training…and then we've been busy with the Club and school that we just don't see each other as much." Honey said, hugging Usa-chan closer to him.

" But after we dropped you back off at your home, Takashi and I went back to his house and even though he did saw anything, he was really upset with how we saw Hime-chan." He said, glancing to where his cousin was sitting, entertaining guests.

" He went to speak with Uncle Akira almost immediately and they talked for a while."

" What about?" Kaoru asked.

" Haga Yoru." Honey said in disgust.

" You said something when we were there about not liking her." Haruhi said.

" You saw what she's like, Haru-chan! She was so mean to Hime-chan!" Honey said quickly. " She's always like that to her! She and Kameko are always treating Hime-chan cruelly!"

" Honey-senpai doesn't like someone? Who is she a fairy-tail Wicked Stepmother? Hikaru asked.

" Does that make Haga-san a fairy-tail princess?" Kaoru said causing Tamaki's ears to perk up.

" Like Cinderella!" Honey said quickly.

Uh-oh… Haruhi thought as she saw the wheels in their imaginative minds begin to turn.

They were plotting something and for once, she was not the victim of their scheme.

" And Mori-senpai must become her Prince Charming set to rescue her from her Wicked Stepmother!" Tamaki said, sweeping his blonde locks from his eyes.

" Tamaki-senpai…" Haruhi said easily.

" Do not worry, Haruhi!" Tamaki said dramatically. " I will only temporarily relinquish my title of Prince Charming to assist our dear friend Mori-senpai and his presumably lovely lady friend Haga-senpai!"

" That's not what I meant, Senpai…" Haruhi said quickly.

" Nonsense Haruhi! I am certainly a team player and I do not mind relinquishing my role so that a young maid can find happiness!" Tamaki said striking a dramatic pose.

I feel so bad for Haga-senpai… Haruhi thought as her club mates began an intense plotting session. And for Mori-senpai

" Stupid." Himawari whispered to herself as she gazed out the window sadly.

Why had she bother to get her hopes up that Takashi had remembered to take her to dinner?

He must have forgotten the minute he had left the Haga Estate.

She should never have gotten her hopes up.

After he, Mitsukuni and their friend Fujioka had left she had received a thorough lecture from her stepmother and Shion for being alone for with Takashi.

And unsupervised as well!

The horror… She thought to herself as she tapped her fingernail lightly on the table. The horror of me being alone with my fiancee.

What did they think was going to happen?

It's Takashi for heaven's sake. She thought sorrowfully.

Takashi was always so proper, even when they were children.

He was always the gallant knight.

Always rushing in to save either Mitsukuni or herself from some form of chaos they'd find themselves in.

Always proper.

Never would he go against protocol, not even for her.

" Stupid…" She muttered to herself before she gathered her things and walked out of the room.

Takashi would never do anything to disrespect her or demean her.

Sometimes he could be boring that way.

Sometimes she wished he could be a little more exciting.

Like-

Her mind flashed back to that evening in the greenhouse. To when he had her pinned against the wall.

That had been the most wild she had ever seen him.

Takashi had never been like that with her before.

She wondered what would have happened if Shion hadn't interrupted them when she had.

Would he have…would he have kissed her?

Her face reddened instantly at the thought causing her to halt just outside the school entrance.

What was she thinking?

Takashi wouldn't do anything like that.

Another sigh she exhaled before she went to take a step forward.

" Oh my," A deep, seductively feminine voice said as Himawari felt a pair of lengthy female arms wrap themselves around her, pulling her against a soft bosom.

The scent of roses hit her nose and she knew instantly who had caught her.

Oh no. She groaned inwardly, wishing she hadn't paused at the front of the school.

" What great luck that I, a mere mortal, have by happen chance to cross paths with the goddess of nature herself!"

" Amakusa-san." Himawari said in irritation. She glanced up to see a tall pale-skinned young woman with cropped brown hair that has bangs swept to the left and green eyes. " To what do I owe this honor?"

" The honor is all mine, dear Persephone." Benio said hungrily. " To gaze upon the visage of one so beautiful…the honor is truly-"

" If you shall excuse me Amakusa-san, I need to be going." Himawari said as she began to attempt to extract herself from her classmate's grasp.

She needed to head home so that she could begin her Bridal Training and take care of her the greenhouses.

If she delayed anymore, her stepmother would deny her dinner like the last time.

" Nonsense dearest naiad." Benio said pulling Himawari closer to her, cupping her cheek with her hand. " Whatever could be so important that one as innocent and lovely as you be so eager to run off to?"

" I have things at home that I need to attend to." Himawari said quickly, trying to extricate herself from Benio's iron like grasp.

Out of the corner of her eye she had noticed a long black limo making its way towards the front of the school.

" That can be delayed a moment-"

" Plants should be taken care of properly at the same time everyday, Amakusa-san."

" There is no truer mortal visage of the Goddess of Nature than you, dearest Kore."

" With all due respect Amakusa-san, I really must be leaving!" Himawari said as she finally managed to escape the girl's grasp.

She hadn't noticed the limo had come to a stop near the steps of the school.

Nor had she noticed its occupant vacate the vehicle itself.

" Nonsense, your plants can wait a moment." Benio said taking a step towards the dark haired girl, causing her to take a step backwards.

With every step forward that Benio took, Himawari took back, unknowingly making her way towards the steps.

" Amakusa-san,-"

" Hush now, little Persephone," Benio said finally catching the girl's face in her hands. " I simply wish to taste the sweetness of your lips, just once."

No, no, no! Himawari thought fearfully as Benio leaned forward, the Zuka Club President's lips mere centimeters from her own.

Her eyes snapped shut, dreading her first kiss to be with anyone but him.

Himawari jumped when she felt a hand clasp over her mouth and her small frame jerked free from Benio's grasp.

" YOU!"

She blinked in surprise at the disgusted screech from her assailant. Leaning back she found a rather solid block of something blocking her.

" I believe she said she has things to do and places to be."

That familiar soft baritone voice sent a familiar jolt rushing through her.

" Tapafi?" She muffled against his calloused hand.

" And I also believe that she does not wish to become yet another bragging story of yours….another notch on your lipstick case." Mori said as he removed his hand from his fiancee's mouth and wrapped it around her small waist.

" How dare you!" Benio snarled, glaring hatefully at Mori. " First you vile Host Club hold my lovely Maiden hostage and now you snatch the Virgin Lips of my fair Persephone!"

" We're leaving." Mori said calmly, glancing down at the confused purple eyes of his fiancee.

" TakaSHI!" Himawari squeaked as Mori swept her up into his arms.

" HOW DARE YOU!" Benio repeated as Mori turned to head towards his limo, all the while Himawari was stammering random incoherent sentences. " HOW DARE YOU STEAL MY BELOVED PERSEPHONE AWAY LIKE THE HADES OF LORE!"

" What do you mean?" Mori asked turning towards her. " Why is it so strange for me to escort my fiancee home from school?"

" What's wrong?" Mori asked as the limo pulled away from the school.

" Well for one…" Himawari said, her face crimson red. "…why am I sitting on your lap!"

" Why does it matter?" Mori asked calmly, rubbing his thumb lightly across the small of her back.

" B-Because, I…it isn't safe to sit like this in a moving vehicle!" Himawari said quickly, averting her gaze from his.

" Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt." He said calmly, pulling her closer to him.

" Takashi…w-"

" We have a date." Mori interrupted.

" What?"

" I promised to take you to dinner and that's what's happening, right now."

" You're serious?" She said in disbelief.

" You are surprised?"

" Well yeah."

" Then I am sorry."

" Sorry?"

" I am sorry that you find this strange. I assumed this is something couples do." He said causing her face to become tomato colored. " It would appear that I have misunders-"

" You consider us a couple?" Himawari asked as she felt his hand began to play with a lock of her black hair.

" We are one…an engaged couple to be truthful." Mori said calmly as he brought the lock to his nose. His free hand wrapped itself around her wait, pulling her closer to him.

" Takashi-"

" Where would you like to eat, Hima?"

" Ah…what?"

" Dinner, food, sustenance." Mori said, his grey eyes locked on her purple ones. " Where would you like to eat?"

" I never thought of it…I need to go home and-"

" I sent word to the mansion, they know you are going to be late coming back." Mori said noticing the flicker of fear dart through her eyes.

" Takashi, I need-"

" I will not allow her to treat you like that again, Hima."

" I don't know what you're talking about, Takashi."

" Don't play dumb, Hima. It doesn't suit you." He said pulling her closer to him, her head now tucked under his chin.

" I…there's nothing that can be done, Takashi."

Himawari's heart was racing right now.

" There is." He said causing her to look up at him, locking eyes once more with him.

" Wh-"

" Food Hima," Mori said firmly.

" A ramen shop?"Himawari said as they exited the limo.

She examined the small shop before them.

It was shabby and appeared as though it required a few repairs.

" You had not decided, so I did." Mori said calmly, his arm still wrapped around her waist, keeping her safely by his side.

It was as if he was concerned someone were going to sweep her away somewhere dreadful.

" A ramen shop?" She repeated

This hadn't been her exacted for their first date. She had always envisioned a romantic candle light dinner in a private corner, tucked away in their own little private corner.

Something like romance novels had said.

" I was told by someone very reliable that this was a good shop." Mori said calmly, a slight pink tinge to his cheeks.

She had never seen him like this…and she found it endearing.

Her fingers entwined with his and she squeezed his hand lightly.

She shouldn't think of this as a damper to her dreams, but possibly a better one.

" Well?" Mori said cautiously.

He had sounded like he was worried that she wouldn't be upset that he had brought her here.

He truly sounded nervous.

" Well, let's go in." Himawari said with a reassuring smile on her face.

Upon entering the shop Himawari saw virtually no other patrons. Just an elderly couple sitting at the back of the shop.

" Two?" A perky waitress with brown curls asked.

" Yes." Mori said calmly, tightening his hold around Himawari's waist. " Just two."

" Booth or bar?" The waitress asked flirtatiously. She couldn't take her eyes off of him and Himawari couldn't blame her.

Takashi was so handsome that she found it hard to believe he was real.

Sometimes she'd dream that he was an ancient yokai.

One of exceptional strength and beauty.

One that chose her above all others to be his human bride.

Just like in the fairytales.

" Booth." He said firmly causing his fiancee to look at him curiously. " My fiancee and I would like it as private as possible."

He didn't bother to look at her.

" A private…booth…" The girl said in irritation before escorting them to a booth in the back of the shop.

" I'll give you both a few moments to look over the menu and I will be back." The waitress said, placing two cups water before storming off.

" Did we do something wrong?" Mori asked in earnest.

" Not you…" Himawari whispered quietly glancing downward, not noticing his gaze on her. She blinked in surprise when he took her hand into his own.

" Takashi?"

Mori didn't respond, instead he stared at her hand inside his own.

Amazed at how easily it could be swallowed up inside his.

How could she be so delicately built?

Had she always been so dainty and he hadn't noticed?

Truthfully, lately he hadn't paid her much attention and he felt like an ass.

His father had informed him of his neglect and he had meant to visit her but with school and the club…life had just happened.

" Have you and your fiancee decided?"

The waitress had returned, she had an annoyed look upon her face when she addressed them.

Well, mainly with Himawari.

He subconsciously clenched her hand in his hand. A small jolt of guilt flashed through him when he saw her wince.

He had meant it to be reassuring not to hurt her.

" I would like a large number twelve with pork gyoza." Mori said calmly.

" And for your fiancee?"

" I-"

" The same." Mori said firmly, his eyes shifting to meet her own.

" Of course," The waitress said before leaving, not bothering to look at Himawari.

" I can't eat all of that, Takashi." Himawari said awkwardly.

" Why not?"

" It's to much and I-"

" What?" He said leaning forward, his grey eyes unreadable.

She paused, thinking of how to word her thoughts without letting him know the truth.

" I don't have much of an appetite so I usually only-"

" You're going to eat everything." He said resolutely.

She bit her lip at his words, for the first time in her life she wanted to yell at him.

She wanted to control something in her life, even if it was something as simple as how much she ate.

" You are too thin." He said to her surprise.

" What?"

" You are too thin." He repeated firmly. " It's almost as if you are skipping meals."

Mori watched Himawari's reaction closely.

He had suspected that she hadn't been eating properly.

His suspicions were confirmed when he lifted her into his arms back at the school.

She felt too thin.

Way to thin.

" Eat." He said as the waitress brought them their order of gyoza.

" I'm-"

" Eat." Mori repeated, a little more firmly as he lifted a gyoza to her mouth.

" Look at them!" Tamaki said in excitement.

" Senpai…did we really need to spy on their date?" Haruhi groaned at the idea of being dragged along on yet another spy adventure.

She should be home studying for her upcoming exam, not spying on her upper class man and his fiancee.

" Boss, is he feeding her?" Hikaru asked curiously.

" Well of course Mori-senpai would be so chivalrous as to feed the lovely Haga-san." Tamaki said giving a dramatic hair flip.

Mori-senpai seems to care a lot for Haga-san. He's taking such good care of her. Haruhi thought calmly as she ignored the outbursts of her fellow club members. I wonder why he has never mentioned her before.

" Haruhi, you do not need to look so wistfully over at the two of them." Tamaki said in another dramatic tone. " I will be more then happy t-"

" I am more than capable of feeding myself, Senpai."