Author's note: Welcome to chapter 31, Dear Reader! Ohmygods, I'm SO SO SO sorry about the huge delay in updating! The plot bunnies went on strike again, and not even threatening them with the woodchipper worked! But we finally reached an accord, and they're back in business! Hopefully we'll see smaller wait time between updates now, but I can't make any promises. Thank you to everyone who's still with us! (And the few of you who PM'd me to see if I was alright. You're too sweet!)

Triggers: Nope. Nothing scary or traumatic happens in this chapter. Surprisingly!

I still don't any of the rights to Ouran, the Hosts, or anything related. Reviews and PMs are always welcome! Questions, comments, suggestions, I'm always willing to listen.


-Friday, after school-

Sky dragged her fingers through her hair for what felt like the hundredth time. She glanced down at the item on her bedside table, an extremely elegant invitation that had been hand-delivered on Monday. Just as Takashi had said, his parents had requested to meet her. Despite the overly-fancy invitation, he had assured her it would be a casual family dinner. She scoffed to herself. Casual family dinner. Sure. Nothin' at all to worry about...

She huffed out an annoyed sigh and turned back to her closet. For the first time, she felt like any other girl her age. Nothing in her closet was good enough! Growling in frustration, she started pulling clothes at random and throwing them onto her bed. She muttered expletives in a variety of languages, tugging at her hair. Why was this so insanely difficult?!

Takashi had assured her that anything she wore would be fine, but she wasn't about to wear her everyday clothes. There was no way she would be meeting his parents covered in skulls or zombies or foul-mouthed bunnies. She very much felt like banging her head against the wall. It took a great deal of restraint not to.

After several more rejections, she finally decided on a pair of black jeans she hadn't worn yet. They were more form-fitting than she usually wore, but they were soft, and had beautiful blue roses embroidered on the lower right leg and back pockets. She slipped a black, lace-trimmed camisole top over her head, then stood with one hand on her hip, lips pursed as she debated which shirt to wear. The black long-sleeved t-shirt with the metal star-studded collar, or the plain dark blue button-up top?

She went back and forth for a few minutes, muttering and mumbling to herself, before picking the blue top. She had just shrugged it on and was fumbling with the bottom button when a light knock sounded at her door. Assuming it was Mother, she called for her to enter, even as she cursed her trembling hands and the small buttons. The door opened, but she heard no other sounds, so she looked up.

A blushing Takashi stood in the open doorway, staring very fixedly at the floor. Sky stared for a moment, shocked and confused by the blush, before realizing that she was still fumbling with the buttons. She glanced down, then let out a little snort of laughter and rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on, stop blushing. I showed more skin in that blasted dress."

"It's not that. It's just..."

Sky tilted her head in confusion, thinking idly that her wolf was insanely adorable when he blushed. A pretty smile stretched across her full lips.

"Just what?"

He cleared his throat softly as his blush deepened slightly. Finally looking his love in the eye, he smiled back lightly, lips lifting just the slightest bit at the corner.

"You look wonderful, mo anamchara."

It was Sky's turn to blush. Bright color flooded her cheeks at the quiet sincerity, and a lovely tremor crawled up her spine at the Gaelic phrase. No matter how many times he spoke the tender words, she couldn't help the shiver of delight. She hoped that, just this once, Takashi wouldn't notice. But the sly smile that crossed his face crushed that hope.

She finally finished battling the evil buttons as she crossed to him. Leaning up slightly, she nuzzled his cheek softly. At his soft, contented sigh, she wrapped her arms around his waist, stepping even closer.

"You look pretty amazing yourself, a ghrá."

Takashi curled his arms around her and held her close for a moment. Sky was the one to pull back this time, surprising him. He brought one hand up to cradle her cheek, his other hand sliding gently down her side to grasp her hip lightly. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, turning her head to press a soft kiss to his palm.

Before anything more could be said, a quiet knock sounded at the open door. The teens reluctantly parted and looked over to see Suzette, a soft smile lighting her aristocratic features. With a little laugh, she gazed fondly at her daughter and her daughter's beloved, both blushing faintly at being caught in an intimate moment.

"I'm sorry to break up such a sweet scene, mes chéris, but you don't want to be late."

With a startled gasp, Sky's eyes darted to the digital clock on her desk. She let out a quiet oath and rushed back to the closet to grab her black ballet flats. She shoved them on her feet and started to dash out of the room, only to screech to a halt with a little squeal. Turning back to her dresser, she snatched the little silver wolf earring and slipped it in the empty piercing in her left earlobe.

"Merde! Almost forgot my good luck charm! Merci, Maman, this is the worst time to be late! Bonne chance à moi-même!"

She gave her giggling mother a swift peck on the cheek before grabbing Takashi's hand and tugging him out of the room. He chuckled quietly and shook his head. His girl was so silly at times. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they hurried down the stairs. She let go just long enough to dash into the kitchen and grab a beautifully-patterned purple and silver box from the counter.

The ride to Morinozuka Manor didn't take a terribly long time, but Sky's paranoia began to get the better of her. She whimpered quietly and hid her face against Takashi's neck, trembling with anxiety. He pulled her closer and stroked her hair gently, murmuring soothing words. She held his free hand tightly in both of hers.

"But...but... What if they don't like me? What if they don't accept me? What if -"

"They will."

Takashi's emphatic words silenced her keening immediately. He nudged her back and held her face gently in both hands, forcing her to turn glistening cobalt eyes to his own silver storm orbs. He kept his voice low, but his words were firm and utterly confident.

"I have no doubts about this. They will accept you."

"But...how do you know?"

There was genuine fear in the soft question. He brushed his thumb along her cheek, wiping away the single tear that managed to escape.

"Because I love you, Sky. No one will take you away from me, not even my parents."

The force of his conviction, coupled with the tender caress, combined to make her anxiety all but disappear. Though her hands still held the slightest tremor, she reached up to mirror his gentle touch, the tips of her slender fingers trailing along his jaw. She sniffled quietly, but a sweet smile appeared. She leaned in and touched her lips to his for the briefest moment.

"I love you too, Takashi."

Before he could reply, the vehicle came to a stop. Sky closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and straightened her shoulders, exhaling in a huff as she opened her eyes again. The door opened, and Takashi exited first, extending his hand to her with a slight bow. He was glad to see that the hand tucked securely in his own had stopped shaking completely, and he gave her an approving smile.

They walked to the front door hand-in-hand, the pretty purple and silver box held carefully in Sky's free hand. The large, ornate door opened before Takashi could lift his hand to the handle, and out popped the younger Morinozuka son. Satoshi's eyes were bright and full of good cheer, and his smile was broad and sunny as he greeted the older teens.

"Welcome back, Taka-bro! Hi Pixie-senpai, it's good to see you again!"

Sky issued a tiny, startled squeak at the sudden exuberance of the younger boy, but couldn't help the little grin that stretched her lips. Satoshi was just so hyper and excited about everything, his joy was infectious. Takashi laughed softly at his brother's enthusiasm and shook his head lightly, giving Sky's hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. She squeezed back and offered her wolf a pretty smile before speaking.

"It's nice to see you again, as well, Satoshi."

Satoshi ushered them inside with an exaggerated bow, causing Sky to giggle quietly. She let go of Takashi's hand and reached out to pat the younger boy on the head, ruffling his hair. He straightened and grinned broadly, then his gaze landed on the box in her other hand. He bounced excitedly in place, reminding her very much of Honey.

"Oh, pretty box! What's in it?"

Sky smiled back and shook her head lightly with a small laugh. She tightened her grip a little bit, just in case Satoshi was more like his cousin than he seemed. She answered in a soft tone.

"It's nothing fancy, really. Maman says that it's proper to bring a small gift when you meet someone important for the first time. And my Mommy always said that nobody can resist fresh baked goods."

"Oh man, did you bake for us? Cousin Mitsukuni says everything you bake is amazing! He says your cupcakes are even better than the ones at his favorite bakery!"

She blushed slightly, surprised at the unexpected compliment. She didn't get a chance to reply, however. A deep voice chimed in from behind her.

"For Mitsukuni to say something like that, they must be quite spectacular, indeed."

Sky whirled around with a startled little squeal, nearly losing her balance. Heat and embarrassed color flooded her cheeks, and she kept her eyes downcast. She felt Takashi's comforting hand on her back as she struggled to regain her composure, even as quiet laughter issued from the two adults who had suddenly appeared. After a surprisingly quick moment, she took a deep breath and stood straight, looking at her wolf's parents for the first time.

Akira Morinozuka was a tall man, with the same dark hair and eyes as his sons. He would have looked very intimidating to Sky, were it not for the barest hint of a smile gracing his lips, and the laughter in his gray eyes. His wife, Sayuri, was shorter than Sky, but still slightly taller than average. She was petite and beautiful in a very traditional way. One dainty hand covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

Takashi made a small sound and shook his head at his mother. Taking Sky's hand gently in his own, he tugged her closer and quietly introduced his beloved.

"Father, Mother, this is Sky Pixie Prentiss-Hoshimura."

Sky took another deep breath and let it out slowly. She thrust the box in Takashi's hands and took a step toward his parents. Bowing respectfully, she spoke slowly, relieved to hear not a single waver in her voice.

"Mr. and Mrs. Morinozuka, it's an honor to meet you. Thank you for inviting me to your home."

She stood slowly and straightened her shoulders, unconsciously rising to her full height in the process. She held her head high, determined not to let her anxiety get the better of her again. Still, she was immensely grateful when Takashi's fingers once again linked with her own. Sayuri was smiling radiantly, and replied in a bright voice.

"Oh, you are just adorable! And so very polite! It's lovely to meet you, dear, please come in."

Something loosened around Sky's heart at the kind words. Despite speaking a different language, the woman's voice reminded her of her birth mother. She smiled shyly and gripped Takashi's hand just a little tighter. Are you watching, Mommy? I hope she's as accepting as you. Sayuri took her husband's arm, and they led the group to a large, but comfortable, sitting room.

Sky wasn't shocked to see a traditional low table surrounded by soft pillows instead of chairs. As everyone, including the surprisingly quiet Satoshi, took their seats, Takashi slipped the silver and purple box back into Sky's hands. He gave her a reassuring smile, and she turned slightly towards his mother. She presented the small package to the woman, who accepted it with delicate hands and an amused curiosity.

"It's not a big thing, but I wanted to show my gratitude for your invitation."

"How thoughtful, dear. And you chose such a pretty box."

Sky endured another faint blush as Sayuri opened the package. Carefully nestled inside were several rows of small, colorful cookies. Green, yellow, and brown cookies were sandwiched together with contrasting fillings. Satoshi leaned over to peek inside, and let out a quiet whoop.

"Cookies! Awesome!"

His exuberance caused Sky to giggle quietly, even as his father issued a soft reprimand. He flashed a bright grin at his brother's girl, who returned it with a small but genuine smile of her own.

"I thought they would be the best idea. Um. I wasn't sure about anyone's preferences, so I kind of guessed on which flavors to use. The green are matcha with adzuki bean filling. The yellow are lemon with strawberry filling. And the brown ones are chocolate-hazelnut with salted caramel filling."

"Cool!"

Akira once again admonished his younger son for his volume, though both he and his wife held fond smiles for the lad. Sayuri turned her smile on Sky once more and reached out to pat the shy girl's arm softly.

"You are very sweet to give us such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, Pixie, dear."

Conversation was light and pleasant as Sayuri poured tea and everyone tried the pretty little cookies. Sky was delighted, and more than a little flustered, when she was complimented on her skill. A small blush stayed on her cheeks during the rest of the conversation. The only thing that kept her calm was the slight, reassuring pressure of Takashi's leg against her own.

Moments later, there was a quiet knock, and a dignified middle-aged woman stepped into the room. She bowed respectfully to the group, and spoke quietly.

"Please pardon the interruption, but dinner is prepared."

-A little later-

Dinner had gone better than Sky could have hoped. Despite her anxiety, she found Takashi's mother very easy to talk to. Akira still unnerved her slightly, but she felt no fear around the imposing patriarch. And it seemed as if Satoshi had made it his personal mission to make her laugh as often as possible. She was grateful for his presence, and made a mental note to bake him something special before long.

After dinner, Sayuri suggested that "dear Pixie" might enjoy a tour, mentioning the gardens specifically. The older teens bowed respectfully, and Takashi took Sky's hand, leading her out of the dining room. Once they made it a safe distance away, she let out a long sigh of relief.

"You were right, mo mac tíre. That went much better than I thought it would."

He just smirked in reply and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. They strolled down long halls, Takashi pointing out various things he thought would interest his girl. Sky took in everything with bright, curious eyes, admiring the spacious manor that managed to seem so inviting.

When they finally stepped outside, Sky stopped cold with a little gasp. Her eyes widened and her jaw hung open in awe, eliciting a quiet laugh from her wolf that went unnoticed as she took in the sight before her.

The grounds of the Morinozuka estate spread before them in majestic splendor. Enormous rosebushes surrounded a beautiful little koi pond. There were several fancy table-and-chair sets scattered about, perfect for an elegant garden tea party. Trees and bushes and vines bearing flowers she couldn't name were situated all around, and everything was bright and vibrant. Sky took a deep breath, enthralled by the sweet-scented air.

Takashi gave her hand the lightest tug, shaking her from her reverie. She turned to him with a pretty little smile and bright eyes.

"It's beautiful, a ghrá. Thank you for showing me."

He smiled slightly in reply and brought her hand to his lips, pressing a feather-light kiss to her knuckles. She couldn't help the blush that crept up at the romantic gesture, nor could she calm her wildly fluttering heart. She wondered briefly if it was quite as loud as she thought it was. Could Takashi hear it?

Before she could dwell on that thought, he was leading her back into the house and down a different hall. She looked up at him when he paused in front of a closed door, and was shocked to see a slight blush staining his cheeks. He caught her confused look and cleared his throat quietly, a rueful grin crossing his lips for the briefest moment. He gestured to the door before them.

"My room."


A/N again: Ta-da! Before some of you get all twitchy, NO, there will be NO LEMONS in the upcoming chapter. Sorry, lol. For those of you who enjoy the Gaelic, a ghrá means "love". Awww. ^.^ Thanks for sticking around! Stay tuned!