Haruhi narrowed her eyes at her overly cheery sensei and casually sauntered off to the living room where she continued reading her book on herbs and taking notes on her own set of parchment. She was grumpy, no doubt about it, and she was going to make sure he knew it.

After Nekozawa finished eating Haruhi saved the leftovers and started cleaning the kitchen. Throughout the process she sloshed water and banged cabinets while he raised an eyebrow at her saying nothing in return. If anything he was slightly amused by her actions; however, karma bit her in the butt when she opened the back door to toss out the dirty water. A light rain had started pouring from the clouded sky and had formed a puddle on the back porch. As soon as Haruhi stepped outside she slipped on the wooden surface and tumbled down the stairs into the mud. The kitchen bucket followed shortly after and hit her square between the eyes. Dizzy she clamped a hand to her forehead and then beat her fists on the ground on either side of her. Frustrated tears welled up in her eyes and before she could rub them a pair of familiar arms scooped her up and carried her back inside. Once he shut the door Nekozawa laughed and snuggled her into his chest. Haruhi was red with embarrassment and wouldn't even look him in the eye. He carried her to the washroom and relieved her of the gag he placed on her earlier. Laughing silently he walked around to fill the tub with hot water. Haruhi hugged herself and shivered.

"Haruhi?"

Haruhi turned around from her corner to reply when suddenly she was swooped down upon by Nekozawa who began kissing her ferociously. She was half-pinned against the wall and a few bottles fell from the shelf on impact. Shocked at the sudden display of affection Haruhi awkwardly kissed back every now and then, all the while trying to figure out what to do next. Sure, she had practiced kissing with Arai – once – but that hardly covered for the situation she was in now. Nekozawa didn't seem to pay attention to any of this as he was busy trying to satiate his own lust. He roved from her mouth, down her neck, over her shoulder and back again while pulling at the laces on the back of her dress. As soon as the fabric was loose enough to slide down her torso a large clap of thunder erupted and lightening flashed across the window. Haruhi jumped from double-shock – from both the thunder and Nekozawa – and started sobbing as soon as the thunder cracked. There was just so much happening at one time she automatically started crying.

Nekozawa stopped his administrations immediately and furrowed his brow at her sudden outburst. He realized he was moving too fast too soon, and that alone probably sent her into shock. But then he remembered the thunder and how startled she was that night she sought him out.

'Wow,' he thought, 'she's having one hell of a day.' Nekozawa smiled bemusedly before remembering the current situation. He fixed Haruhi's ruffled clothing and pulled her into a comforting hug wedging her between him and the wall. He shushed and cooed in Haruhi's ear while her racing heart calmed and her shallow breaths returned to normal. Simultaneously the short thunderstorm died down and transformed into a gentle mist; there would be heavy fog tomorrow. It would be the perfect day for Nekozawa to get his shopping done.

"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear, "I won't do that again, I promise. Do you still want to take your bath?" Haruhi nodded. "Very well," he said, and the two of them slowly parted, "I'll stand right outside in case you need me, and then I can put you to sleep, if you'd like."

"Yes, please," whispered Haruhi.

And that's exactly what he did.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Nekozawa awoke near the brink of dawn. He redressed in the clothes from yesterday as well as in his familiar black cloak. Grabbing a few essentials from his dresser he placed them in a ruddy burlap sack and retreated to the kitchen to pack some food. He wrote a small note for Haruhi and went to place it under the book on her nightstand. He was a little surprised to find her awake.

"Where are you going?" she asked while looking up at him.

"I'm going to shop for some supplies," he said.

"I've been meaning to ask you this," said Haruhi, "but where do you get all this money from?" Nekozawa laughed.

"From my trade, of course. For example, I'm sort of a witch doctor to a village in the south. The place is even more challenged than your village, if you can believe it; it's so primitive." Haruhi's face perked up.

"Is that where you are going?" she asked perhaps a little too quickly, "to my village?" Nekozawa frowned. "You are, aren't you? May I come, too?"

"No. And remember, you made the deal final, not me."

"Then…will you bring me news of my family?"

"Such as?" Nekozawa spoke as if he had a bad taste in his mouth.

"Their health."

"Are you sure that's all you want to know? For example, do you want reassurance that they miss you; that they might be looking for you?" When Haruhi gave no reply, Nekozawa continued, "You're not planning on leaving me are you?"

"I just want to make sure that my baby brother is healthy, is all." Her breath hitched when Nekozawa lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Do you want to see him that badly? You could have just asked."

"I-I was afraid you wouldn't let me-"

"You're right," he interrupted, "but…" Nekozawa turned on his corner of the bed and crawled over Haruhi, hovering over her smaller form.

"Neko-sensei?"

"…You can have your own little boy, too, if you want," he grinned and caressed the side of her face, "or maybe a little girl; would you like that?"

Haruhi blushed but didn't break eye contact with him like she normally would. Nekozawa smiled.

'She's learning.'

"Neko-sensei?"

Nekozawa climbed off of Haruhi and stood back on the floor. "I'll check on them…for you."

"Thank you."

"Ah, well, now that you're awake," he said crumpling up the note, "I'll return tomorrow evening with the supplies. I want you to care for the animals, get some laundry done, and brush up on your studies, especially magic. I'll be testing you the next time I see you. I've reinforced the perimeter charm, so no funny business. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Now, it is stormy, so if it thunders again tonight, I want you to drink one cup of calming potion and wrap up in something warm. You are welcome to anything in my closet, but don't sleep in my bed. Now, promise me you won't get into too much trouble."

"I promise, Neko-sensei."

"Very well, I'll see you tomorrow." Then Nekozawa picked up his sack in the kitchen and tossed it into the wagon outside. He began his journey to Haruhi's village.

It would be a while before he realized she never answered his question.