Author: Oh boy! Another chapter! Guess that's what you have to do when you are on Quarantine after being exposed to COVID. I want to thank all of you for your reviews/favorites/follows, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

" Hey Honey-senpai…is something wrong with Mori-senpai?" Hikaru asked a few weeks later as he noticed the dark haired upper class-man sulking in the corner of the music room.

" Well, Hime-chan turned down his offer for her to move into the Morinozuka Manor so Takashi is kind of bummed."

" MORI-SENPAI DID WHAT?" Tamaki, Hikaru and Kaoru yelled in surprise, startling Haruhi and Honey.

" Well…it wasn't the best proposal since Satoshi was the one who brought it up instead of Takashi." Honey said as he hugged Usa-chan to him. " Hime-chan seemed upset at the thought of moving in and not being married."

" Well, I am assuming it has something to do with Haga Yoru and her treatment of Haga-san." Kyoya said from the desk where he was doing his latest tally of Haruhi's debts.

" Well, Hime-chan did seem unusually upset." Honey said.

" Did Mori-senpai really ask her to move in without being married?" Haruhi asked in a disbelief.

" I cannot believe Haga-san would decline to leave that house." Kaoru said is disbelief.

" Maybe it's a case Stockholm syndrome?" Hikaru said shrugging.

" Surely there must be a reason, Honey-senpai." Tamaki said taking a sip of tea.

" Hime-chan's dad is really sick and he's been like that for a few years now. So, along with school and her Bridal training, she's been taking care of him mostly by herself."

" But if her dad is so sick, why is he not in the hospital?" Haruhi asked.

" When he first became ill, he wanted to be treated at home and it's just been that way ever since." Honey said sadly. " Inei-san is a very kind person, he was always nice to Takashi and I whenever we would come over to play with Hime-chan."

" I wonder," Tamaki said taking another sip of his tea before exclaiming. " Kyoya, has Haga-san's father ever been treated by a physician at your family's hospitals?"

" I would have no way of knowing something like that without reviewing his medical information." Kyoya said calmly, never looking up from his calculations. " And seeing as I am not a potential treating physician, would violate several privacy laws."

" Darn," Tamaki sighed. " I was hoping maybe we could have seen just how bad Haga-san's father's health was."

" Inei-san has been sick for a long time, occasionally being hospitalized…but recently, Yoru hasn't been allowing it. I'm worried she's not taking care of him and might just be waiting for him to get worse and worse…I think she's trying to figure out how to get Hime-chan out of Inei-san's Will."

" What?" Tamaki said in shock.

" Uncle Akira had mentioned to Father about Yoru contacting him about making Takashi's fiancee instead of Hime-chan."

" WHAT!" Tamaki said startling several passers by.

" Thankfully Uncle Akira despises her and adores Hime-chan." Honey said slumping in his chair.

" Why would she want to swap Mori-senpai's fiancee?" Haruhi asked.

" Isn't it obvious?" Hikaru said as he leaned over the couch. " Yoru wants the benefit of having the Morinozuka family ties to her own daughter. It would wield more power in social circles to have Kameko married to Mori-senpai than to have Haga-san."

" Haruhi, being poor, hasn't had much experience with the social circles that we grew up in." Kyoya said calmly.

Rich jerks. Haruhi thought in irritation.

Takashi must be upset with me. Himawari thought as she turned her phone off.

It had three weeks since she had turned down her fiancee's offer to move in and she had been kicking herself for it ever since.

What is wrong with me? She thought miserably. I'm so stupid!

Not a week prior she had daydreamed about him rescuing her miserable existence and when she had been given the opportunity she had turned it down.

Stepmother is right. She thought as she began to prune the wilting leaves from the flowers. I am a moron. Takashi will probably want out of our engagement now. He's probably wondering why he should even continue with an engagement to an idiot like m-

" Oh Miss Himawari! There you are!" Kasumi said as she rushed into the greenhouse.

" What is it, Kasumi?" Himawari said as she continued pruning.

" Well, it's just that-"

" Hima."

Himawari squeaked at the familiar baritone voice of her fiancee.

Turning, she saw his tall frame standing in the entrance to the greenhouse.

" T-Takashi?" She said in disbelief.

" Could we talk?" He asked sounding somewhat nervous. Something that she very rarely witnessed.

" About…?" She said hoping she didn't sound nervous as she felt.

She saw him awkwardly glance over to Kasumi standing there, trying to be an inconspicuous chaperone.

" Kasumi…it's rather warm in here. Would you be kind enough to fetch us some water." Himawari asked shyly.

" But Miss Himawari, you shouldn't-" Kasumi broke off as Himawari began to fake cough.

" I know Kasumi, but…my throat is so dry and I was just hopeful that-"

" I'm sorry, Miss Himawari! I'll fetch it right away!"

And with that, the maid was off.

" That was-"

" It's nothing really. To be truthful, I am actually a little thirsty."

" We can go back to the-"

" No, it's not that big of a deal." Himawari said as she began to avoid his gaze. " Really, I will be f-"

She jumped when his hand enclosed around her own.

" Hima…can we talk?"

" A-About?"

" About the other night…about what Satoshi had said."

Oh no! She whimpered weakly. This is it! He's going to want to call off the engagement!

" I'm sorry." He said placing his forehead against her shoulder.

" What?" She said dumb founded voice.

" I'm sorry…for the other night. I'm sorry if you felt pressured." He said wrapping his arm around her waist.

" TakashiI-"

" That wasn't what I wanted, Hima. I don't want you to ever feel pressured." He said quietly.

" You're not mad?"

" No Hima…not at you…I mainly mad at myself."

" Why would you be mad at yourself?" She asked turning to face him, instantly taken aback by how close they were.

" That wasn't how I wanted to ask you, Hima…and I had not handled it very well once it had been brought up."

" Takashi, I-"

" I would still like for you to come stay with my family where you would be treated better."

" Takashi-" She began in a firm tone.

" However, I know you want to be here for your father." He said calmly, causing her to pause. " Perhaps you could visit more frequently instead."

" Visit?"

" I mean…eventually you will move in when we're married." He said, his face reddening as he spoke. " But until then, you would visit more…to feel more comfortable there. The staff would get used to you being there."

I can make sure no one lays a finger one you. He thought to himself as his grey eyes lingered over her nervous form.

" I don't want to impose." She said, shifting back and forth on her feet.

" You're my fiancee, Hima. You are welcome in my home whenever you want." He said rubbing his thumb along her lower back. " For as long as you want."

Mori watched as her cheeks became even more red at his words, enjoying how fidgety she was.

He enjoyed teasing her.

Enjoyed the slight stutter she developed whenever he touched her.

Enjoyed watching her unknowingly bite her lower lip whenever she became nervous.

It drove him crazy and made him want to taste those lips.

It only recently occurred to him that he had yet to taste them.

Why hadn't he tried them yet?

They were round and plump and her upper one was shaped like a small bow.

Why shouldn't he taste them?

She was his fiancee after all.

All he needed to do was to lean down and them he would know if they tasted as sweet as she was.

" Takashi?"

He blinked at the sound of his name. Looking over he saw her lavender eyes watching him nervously.

" I'm sorry, what could you repeat that?"

Hurt flashed through her eyes at that.

No doubt she thought he had been ignoring her.

" I said, when would you like for me to start visiting?"

Right now! He thought as he continued stroke her back. Right now and never come back here.

If he could make her his wife right then and there he would.

Most nights all he thought about was her laying naked in his bed, her black locks fanned out underneath her.

To pin her hands above her so that she couldn't hide her image from him.

To twist those long into his hands and use them like reigns as he thrust into her from all angles.

To leave the kinds of marks over her body that made sure she and others knew that she was taken.

" Takashi?" She said in the melodious tone that always seemed to calm him. " Did you not hear me?"

Leaning forward, locking his eyes with her, he smirked as he didn't think her face could any more red.

" How about this weekend?" He purred lightly into her ear. He felt a smirk travel across his face when he felt her shiver as his lips brushed against her throat.

" I-um-well-"

It was a good thing he had an arm wrapped around her waist, otherwise he was sure her legs would have given out.

" This weekend it is." He said, his smirk growing wider at her fumbling for an answer. " Now, shall we go get something to eat?"

She was still to thin.

It even looked as though she had lost more weight since he had last seen her.

" Oh, Takashi, I'm very not h-"

He saw her breath catch as her stomach growled lightly.

" Let's go see what the chef has prepared for dinner." Takashi said as he began to guide her towards the front of the greenhouse.

" Takashi!"

" Yes?" He asked as they continued to walk.

" I'm not presentable for dinner!" She said quickly.

No, not for some kind of formal dinner. He thought to himself as he looked down at her.

His smirk turned into a full smile her slightly disheveled form. Sleeves rolled up, dirt under her nails with some sod smudged on her cheeks.

Her long black hair was pulled into a messy bun that was currently held in place by a set of chop sticks.

There was even a leaf in her hair.

She looked absolutely adorable.

Leaning over, he took a handkerchief from his pocket and ran it under water from a nearby sink.

" Takashi?"

He leaned over and gently dabbed the dirt from her cheek.

" Huh?"

" There." He said calmly as he leaned in closer to inspect his work. " Now you just need to wash your hand and you will be fine."

" But I will need to prepare the m-"

" You do not need to cook anything, Hima. The chef can earn his paycheck and make a meal for us." Mori said as he placed his forehead against hers and wound his arm protectively around his shoulder.

Up close, she could see herself reflected in his grey eyes.

He knew she probably thought she looked unsightly but he didn't.

Without thinking, he leaned forward to place a light kiss on her cheek.

" T-T-T-T-T-T-TAKAS-" Himawari broke off when he took the opportunity to capture her lips with his own.

THIS HAS TO BE A DREAM! Himawari thought as she felt her fiancee's tongue dominated her mouth.

A tiny moan escaped her as he tightened his one arm around her shoulder. She hadn't noticed his other arm wind its way around her small waist, pinning her to him.

If it is oneplease don't let me wake up. She thought as her hand gripped his shirt. She felt him tighten his hold around her as she inadvertently stood on her tip-toes.

" My Hime." She heard him growled into her ear once he had finally broken away for air.

Mori saw her panting heavily, those beautiful purple eyes of her were glazed with a type of wistful confusion. Her hair was now haphazardly falling from her bun and before he could think, he buried his lips against her neck earning a long, drawn out moan from his delicate fiancee.

" TAKASHI!" He heard her whimper, the excitement in her voice only spurred him on further.

" HAH!" Himawari squeaked as she felt Mori lightly scrape his teeth against her neck. Everywhere he touched, Himawari felt electric…as if her entire body lit up.

She felt her mind fog over as he began to lightly drag his finger up and down her spine. It sent shock waves of electricity throughout her.

" Mine." She heard him growl as she sank her fingers into his hair.

She had never heard him use that tone of voice before.

It was oddly possessive.

It sent excited ripples through her.

" Mmm!" She whimpered as he began to kiss his way down past her collarbone. " Takashi!"

" My Hima." He growled as he used his teeth to unbutton the top button of her blouse.

" W-Wait!" Himawari squeaked as she felt him dip his head downward towards the valley between her breasts.

She felt his arm tighten around her waist and heard him mutter something she couldn't quite make out.

" TAKASHI!" She said again in a firmer voice causing him to pause. " N-No."

Glancing downwards, she locked eyes with his those intoxicating grey ones and another excited rush went through her.

One that she wasn't sure that she could resist if he pursued further.

She only relaxed when he sighed and straightened.

" I'm sorry, Hima." He said quietly, a slight pink tinge to his cheeks.

Don't be. She thought shyly. I liked it.

She wanted to tell him that, but she knew it wouldn't be proper of her.

She and Takashi weren't married yet, they shouldn't be alone together.

Yoru will kill her if she ever finds out what happened in the greenhouse.

" EEP!"

Takashi swerved his head to see the maid that had escorted him here earlier standing in the doorway to the greenhouse.

Her face was crimson.

She saw.

" Miss Himawari!" She squeaked as her hands began to tremble.

Takashi glanced down at his fiancee and saw she was whiter then the lilies in the greenhouse, her eyes locked on the maid.

" I'm sorry!" The maid said before darting out of the greenhouse.

" Stay here." Mori told Himawari before darting after the maid.

" WAIT!"

Kasumi paused at the sound of Mori's hurried voice, trying to catch her breath.

Turning, she saw him hurrying towards her, an embarrassed and pleading look on his face.

" About what you saw-"

" Master Takashi, you cannot behave in such a way with Miss Himawari!" Kasumi hissed, causing him to pull up short. His usually stoic face showing shock.

He hadn't had many interactions with the maid but the ones that they had were always respectful.

" I-"

" Don't you know what could happen if someone OTHER than myself had walked into that greenhouse?" Kasumi hissed taking a step towards him making him tense. " Do you know HOW MANY eyes are on Miss Himawari at all times? How many people willing to report to Mistress Yoru? Who would sell Miss Himawari like that!"

The maid snapped her fingers for emphasis.

" Hima's the Haga heir." Mori said in confusion.

" And Mistress Yoru is the acting corporate head! She has convinced the staff that Miss Himawari is an silly incompetent child! It's only a manner of time before she tries to remove Miss Himawari from her inheritance and gives it to Miss Kameko!"

A wave of anger rolled through him at the maid's words.

Himawari was far from incompetent.

A little naive but far from incompetent.

" How bad is it here for her?"

Kasumi went quiet for a few moments, trying to catch her breath.

" How bad?"

" …the other day was not the first time the mistress struck Miss Himawari." She said watching as he clenched his fists.

" Has she denied her meals?" He asked trying to contain his rage as the maid nodded.

" Mistress Yoru uses the excuse of bridal training to reduce Miss Himawari to less then a servant." Kasumi said before taking a deep breath. " She makes her do chores and she barely has time to complete her studies and rest. Miss Himawari wants so desperately to prove that she'll make you a good wife that it is heartbreaking."

Mori gritted his teeth as he fought the rage flooring him at that moment.

He wanted nothing more than to turn around, scoop Himawari up and take her back to his estate where she wouldn't have to deal with any of this.

" Does her father know?"

The maid shook her head at his question.

" Master Inei hasn't been able to leave his room for a few months now. Miss Himawari visits him but she doesn't let him know what has been going on." Kasumi said gripping her apron. " If he knew what Mistress Yoru was doing to Miss Himawari…his heart might give out."

—-

Mori walked back into the greenhouse to find his fiancee leaning against a pillar, her face still white.

" She won't tell." He said causing her to jump.

" A-Are you sure?"

" Yes." He said cupping her cheek lightly, hating how panicked she looked right now.

The fear at being caught doing something other couples do regularly.

" She won't tell." He said causing her to jump.

" A-Are you sure?"

" Yes." He said cupping her cheek lightly, hating how panicked she looked right now.

The fear at being caught doing something other couples do regularly.