Author's note: Welcome, dear Reader, to chapter 24! Are you ready? I certainly hope so!

Triggers: Sky has a nightmare. Slight mental anguish and tears. But it's soon resolved, and the rest of the chapter is lovey fluffy times! I promise!

I don't own anything related to Ouran, and sadly never will. Reviews feed the muses, and PMs are always welcome.

Now, dear Reader, take my hand, and we'll make the trek together!


-Bedtime-

After the last movie finally ended, everyone shuffled upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Goodnights were said in between yawns, and Sky smiled fondly as the last door closed. Things just felt so much better with all her boys under one roof. She pondered that for a minute. Of course. Family's supposed to all be in one house. With another little grin, she wandered into her own room.

She changed into her pajamas, then just stared at her knee. If she had chosen pants instead of shorts, she probably wouldn't even have noticed the large, angry bruise. She prodded the area, surprised to find it slightly swollen. It took her several moments to remember how she had gotten it. Goddamned Hinata... Now that she knew it was bruised, it was beginning to hurt. A soft knock sounded at the door, interrupting her low growl.

She shrugged into a robe as she crossed the room. She tied the belt loosely, making sure her knee was covered before unlocking and opening the door. Takashi stood in the hall, dressed for bed, a surprisingly shy smile gracing his lips. Sky stepped aside to let him in, automatically reaching for his hand as she nudged the door closed behind him.

Takashi pulled her into his arms and held her close, sighing contentedly when her arms curled around him. She nuzzled against his shoulder, running her hands lightly up his back. They stood that way for a moment before he finally spoke, his voice soft.

"I wanted to say goodnight properly."

Sky lifted her head with a little smile, blushing slightly. She had been hopeful, but didn't dare voice it aloud. She sighed quietly when his hand cradled her cheek, his touch sending a little thrill through her. It had been just a week since they confessed their feelings to each other, and they had only shared a few kisses in that time. Each time their lips met, her heart raced wildly.

This time was no different. He captured her lips in a tender kiss, and her heart thundered in her chest. His kisses were gentle and unhurried, never rough or demanding. He held her close, one arm firmly around her slender waist. He trailed his fingertips along her cheek and down her neck, eliciting a delightful shiver and the softest little whimper. After a long moment, he started to pull away. Only to be stopped by her hands clutching the front of his shirt.

"Wait..."

Takashi raised an eyebrow, giving her a questioning look. She was blushing deeply, her breathing was shallow, and her eyes were positively glowing. Even in the plain - and frankly, shapeless - robe, he thought she had never looked more beautiful. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. When she opened them again, there was determination in the bright cobalt depths. She let go of his shirt and slid her arms around his neck, leaning in to nuzzle the hollow of his collar bone.

"Don't go yet..."

Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms, chuckling at her shocked little squeak. He hesitated for just a moment before deciding that the bed would be more comfortable. He sat cross-legged and held her securely on his lap, one arm around her waist, the other lightly rubbing her back. She sighed softly and snuggled closer, continuing to nuzzle against his neck, perfectly content.

After a few minutes, he shifted slightly and stopped rubbing her back, laying his hand on her knee instead. Her tiny whimper of pain made him jerk back, and he frowned in worry. She mentally slapped herself for making the noise, and sat up, distressed. He carefully uncovered her knee, gasping in shock at the sight. The hand around her waist twitched as he growled quietly.

Sky laid her hands on his cheeks and gently tilted his head up, forcing his gaze away from the wicked-looking bruise. His eyes were dark with anger and worry.

"I'm ok, mo mac tíre, it's not as bad as it looks."

"How did this happen?"

With a little sigh, she dragged her fingers through her hair. She decided to play it off as lightly as possible.

"I kneed Hinata in the face. I wasn't about to punch him again, the brace would clash with my dress."

She tried a little playful smile, and the anger vanished from his eyes. He was still worried, but there was the tiniest hint of a smile now. He shook his head and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Then he very gently ran his fingers over her knee, carefully inspecting the bruise and swelling. Sky bit her lip hard to keep from cursing, but a little hiss of pain escaped.

"Ok, so it does hurt, I admit it. But seriously, I didn't even notice it until I got dressed for bed. Stupid thing didn't even start hurting until I actually saw it."

Takashi made a small noise of disapproval, but he knew she was being honest. He nodded and let it go for the time being. He would just keep a keen eye on her the next day. Sky reached up and trailed her fingers through his short raven locks, eliciting a quiet hum of satisfaction. She smiled happily and did it again, thrilled at the sound. He went back to lightly rubbing her back.

The gentle interaction went on for a few more minutes, until Sky couldn't quite stifle a yawn. Takashi nudged her off his lap and onto the bed beside him, a tiny grin forming when she whined. He brushed his fingertips along her cheek before standing.

"Time for sleep."

"Yeah, but -"

"Sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. You need the rest."

She wanted to argue, but another yawn interrupted her. Takashi nodded like that ended the discussion, and she stuck her lower lip out in an exaggerated pout. He laughed softly and shook his head, then leaned down for one last tender kiss before departing for the night.

-Several hours later-

Shrieking tires, breaking glass. The ear-piercing squeal of rupturing metal. Searing pain and paralyzing terror. Then the shock of ice-cold water filling the space, stealing the oxygen and the light. They were sinking into the shadows, and no one would save them. Something wrapped long arms around her broken form, and she screamed. And screamed. The shadows were calling her name. No, wait, not the shadows. That voice, she knew that voice...

"Sky, wake up. It's just a nightmare. I'm here, I've got you. You're safe now, you need to wake up. Please, mo anamchara."

Her cries cut off almost instantly as she jerked awake. It only took a second for her to recognize the strong arms holding her close. She flung her arms around him and clung tightly as she hid her face against his neck, weeping quietly.

After she managed to calm down, she swiped her hands roughly across her eyes. Takashi raised one hand to stroke her hair gently, the other rubbing soothing circles along her back. Her terrified screams had very nearly paralyzed him, especially when he couldn't wake her.

Sky swallowed thickly and sniffled. She reached up with one trembling hand to curl around the back of his neck as she rested her cheek against his, nuzzling lightly. She kept her other arm firmly around his waist, unwilling to let go.

"Was it...like last time?"

Her voice was rough, breaking as she answered.

"No, not that... It...it... It was... Mommy and Daddy, the car... The river... It was so dark. So cold..."

Sorrow filled Takashi's heart, and he pulled Sky onto his lap, holding her even closer as she trembled. He pulled one of the blankets up and wrapped it around them both, enveloping her in warmth. Her tremors subsided, and she relaxed into his embrace with a small sigh.

"I heard you. You were there, in the dark. You said... You said..."

"Mo anamchara."

Sky gasped softly. She pulled away just enough to search his eyes in the dim light of her bedside lamp. They were dark with pain and worry.

"That wasn't just part of the dream? You...you really said it..."

Takashi nodded and brought one hand up to cradle her cheek gently. Sky laid her hand over his with a tiny smile, causing him to let out a relieved sigh. His eyes cleared, and she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. They wrapped their arms around each other and held tight for a long moment.

After a little while, Sky cleared her throat and spoke quietly, almost timidly.

"Takashi..."

"Hm?"

"Will you, um... Will you...stay? I mean...here, with me? Until morning?"

Instead of replying, he simply shifted her from his lap and nudged her toward her pillow. He reached out to turn the lamp off, then stretched out beside her, curling one arm lightly around her waist. She sighed happily and snuggled close, resting her head on his chest. She yawned quietly and closed her eyes, perfectly content in the warm confines of her wolf's embrace.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

She concentrated on the quiet sound of his breathing, and the feel of his heart beating beneath her hand. The mingled scents of laundry soap, body wash, and something else that was entirely his own. She nuzzled against his chest and inhaled deeply, completely relaxed. She fell asleep moments later, and Takashi followed soon after, arms tucked securely around his love.

-Early the next morning-

Sky blinked a few times, then tried to stretch, only to find herself unable to move. The hell? Oh! Oh... Well, this is...new. She blushed lightly, grateful that Takashi seemed to still be asleep. He was stretched out on his side, one arm tucked under his head, the other wrapped firmly around Sky's waist. Which would explain why she couldn't move. She decided that she didn't mind so much, getting out of bed seemed to be over-rated at that moment.

"You're thinking too loud."

Before she could do more than gasp in shock that he was awake, he dug his fingertips into her side, tickling her. She jerked and let out a high-pitched squeal that startled a deep laugh from him. He grinned broadly and tickled her again, causing a burst of giggles that he found ridiculously adorable. He only quit when she was gasping for breath. He leaned down and pressed a swift kiss to her forehead.

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he grinned at her again. He knelt over her, effectively trapping her, and she tried to glare up at him. It was difficult, because her treasonous lips kept turning up at the corners. She gave up after a moment and reached up to trail her fingers through his hair, drawing her nails lightly along his scalp.

He closed his eyes and sighed softly, leaning into her touch. Sky took full advantage of his distracted state and gave him a playful shove, knocking him onto his back with a surprised grunt. She snickered and leaned over him, smiling innocently down at him.

"Ha, pinned you."

"You cheated."

"No way, my darling wolf. It's your own fault, you let yourself be distracted."

He laughed quietly and shook his head, and she leaned down to kiss his cheek. With the slightest hint of a smirk, he curled one arm around her, running his fingertips lightly up her spine. She gasped and trembled, and he reversed their position in a second. She let out an indignant squeak, and he smiled broadly.

"Who's distracted now?"

"How could I not be, when I'm lying here with the most gorgeous man in the world?"

She reached up to lay her hand on his cheek as she spoke, and was thrilled when he blushed slightly. His playful grin vanished, and he just stared for a moment, his stormy eyes shining with joy. He shifted over to stretch out beside her and pulled her into his arms. She sighed softly and nuzzled against his chest, reveling in the warmth of his firm embrace.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Before anything could be said, it opened, and Honey rushed in. He looked distraught.

"Pixie-chan, Pixie-chan! Takashi's not in his room!"

"Mitsukuni."

Sky burst into giggles as her wolf spoke. Honey's eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropped open, and a little squeak escaped. His eyes darted between the couple, and a pink tint crawled up his cheeks. She let him stammer for a moment before reassuring him.

"I had a nightmare, so Takashi stayed with me the rest of the night."

"Oh! Oh, poor Pixie-chan! Are you ok now?"

"Aw, I'm fine, little bunny."

She reached out to grab his hand, and tugged him onto the bed. He squealed in shock, then giggled happily when she pulled him in for cuddles. He grinned brightly and snuggled close, and she wrapped an arm around him. Takashi curled his around them both, causing a quiet sigh of contentment from Sky. The trio stayed that way for several minutes before Sky reluctantly nudged them both away. She was far too comfortable, and didn't want to go back to sleep; there was too much to get done before the dance.

"Ok, boys, out you go. It's time to get the day started."

Honey kissed Sky's cheek and patted Takashi on the head, then hopped off the bed and bounced out the door with a joyful giggle. Sky shook her head, wondering just how he could be so hyper upon waking.

She stood and stretched, then carefully tested her knee. The bruise looked worse, it had turned a dark purple-ish that was edging to midnight in a few spots. But there was very little pain, and the swelling had gone down, so she wasn't too worried. She took a few steps toward her dresser, then turned at the distressed sound from behind her.

Takashi sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. When she turned back to him, his eyes landed on her knee, and a small growl left his throat. There was determination in his eyes as he stood and swiftly crossed to her.

"Don't you dare. I know that look. I'm fine, mo mac tíre, honest. It doesn't even hurt, it just looks nasty. Don't you dare pick me up."

He raised his eyebrow and took another step, fully intending to ignore her. But she reached out and put both hands on his chest in a stopping gesture. They both knew he could overpower her in a second, but he wouldn't. He paused, respecting her boundaries. After a second, she nodded, and slid her arms around him, resting her head against his shoulder.

"I really am ok. I know it looks horrible, but there's only the tiniest ache, it can't even be called pain. You know I would tell you if I couldn't handle it, mo mac tíre."

He agreed with a little sigh. Still, he curled his arms around her and held her close for a long moment. Finally, she nudged him back and spoke with a little grin.

"At this rate, I won't have time to fix breakfast. If the boys don't get to eat, you get to deal with them."

He groaned quietly, and she let out a small laugh. She leaned up and brushed her lips softly over his, then gave him a playful shove toward the door. He smiled lightly at her before leaving, closing the door securely behind him.


A/N again: See? Fluffy fluffs are fluffy! After the attack in the last chapter, and Sky's nightmare, I thought it best to end the chapter with cuteness. Don't worry, next chapter, we finally make it to the big dance! See you there!