Okay, sorry. I've been planning on how to say this right…

Ummm…

Cherries?

I think. If I have the stomach for it and the strong will power for it. So, you've been warned. Cherries. Start the trend. It's a new thing I've gave birth to.

REVOLUTIONIZE THE FANFICTION WEBSITE!

With cherries.

I have character theme songs for some reason now.

Haruhi- Let This Go by Paramore (of course)

Takashi- Mr. Brightside by The Killers

Tamaki- Will be revealed at a later date when I can think of one.

My three little main characters. I love them all, even though one's heart will be broken soon. Not saying whose, just yet. Maybe all three?

The Only Exception

Let This Go

Several minutes later, the strange little family was ushered into the hospital. Mitsukuni's hair was sticking up on one end, blood pressure low as he made his way to the nurse's desk. She was engrossed in a novel, a good one by the looks of her face. "My wife is in labor, we need a wheelchair and a doctor." He said quickly. The girl looked up, annoyed. "I'm sorry; I'm a little busy at the moment. Go over to her." She pointed a well-manicured finger at the desk across from her. "No!" Mitsukuni rumbled, "Low Blood Pressure Demon Lord" setting in. "I asked you." The imposing little man growled, startling passing patients.

The nurse gulped, green eyes going impossibly wide. "Y-Yes sir." She stood almost immediately, producing a wheelchair and a doctor within five minutes. The doctor smiled at the group, much friendlier then his co-worker. "We're all set, then?" They nodded in unison. "I'm sorry, no children under thirteen are allowed in the delivery room." He smiled kindly at Shinju, then at Haruhi. "Will you be taking care of her?" Reiko looked at the doctor, as she spoke through clenched teeth. "She's my sister-in-law. She's coming with me." The doctor looked semi-convinced. His eyes slid over to Takashi. "And you are…" Haruhi grabbed his hand in hers carefully, linking their fingers together. "He's my husband." Both of them looked at each other, blushing a little.

"Well… Normally I don't allow this, but you two are allowed in. I just need to know who is taking care of the little one." They stood at a loss for a moment. A silky voice cut in. "I'll take her off your hands." The doctor began to turn around. "And you are…." Kyouya Ootori stood looking down on the little man. "Her uncle and your boss. I will be taking Shinju for the remainder of this affair." The scared man swallowed. "Yes, Mr. Ootori."

Meanwhile, Shinju grabbed had grabbed her mother's hand, holding it frantically. "Momma, why can't I come too?" she said, panicking slightly. Reiko leaned down, softly kissing her first-born's forehead. "Shinju my love, we're going to a grown-up place. When I return, I'll have your new baby brother with me." The little girl glanced at Haruhi and Takashi. Her golden-brown eyes were angry and confused. "Why do they get to go?" Shinju whined. Reiko slumped back into the wheelchair, hand covering her eyes wearily. "Mitsukuni, I haven't the patience right now."

Mitsukuni crouched down, easily picking up his reproachful daughter and putting her in Kyouya's arms. "Shinju, we'll be back soon. Please be good for Uncle KyouKyou and the others." His voice left no room for argument. Shinju's eyes watered for a moment, but finally she gave in, hugging Usa-chan to her small chest for comfort. Shinju's small gaze, full of worry and reproach, pierced them all until they entered the delivery room. Reiko let out a small grunt of discomfort. She looked at the doctors around her, seized the nearest one, and hissed,

"Give me drugs."

She was immediately administered pain medication. In the hospital bed, she looked at them all serenely. "What?" the very pregnant woman asked. They looked at her expectantly. "What?" Reiko repeated, voice slowly losing its' calm edge. "Aren't you supposed to…? Um, you know….. have the baby now?" Haruhi finally said awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. She didn't exactly have any experience in this sort of area. Takashi nodded in agreement, looking around the room as if something might catch his attention. Both avoided each other's eyes, taking extra precautions to stay at least six feet from the other.

"When the doctor comes in and says it's time I will." Reiko said, lifting one eyebrow. She stared at her two friends, wondering. 'Little Ichiro, my son getting ready to be born into this world, let me tell you this.' She silently told her baby. 'Please, please, please stay away from Aunt Haruhi and Uncle Takashi when they're in the same room. The tension will not be good for your little aura.' The baby kicked again, much harder. "I know, baby. I know." Reiko rubbed her belly soothingly. These contractions were the devil.

The same doctor who had assisted them before came into the room, face cheerful. "Hello, Mrs. Haninozuka. How's it coming along?" The man quickly peeked under the blanket covering Reiko's legs from the rest of the world. "Oh. Well…" He looked up into the still faces of the people around him. "It's time." The effect was rather anticlimactic.

Mitsukuni fell to the ground, cross-legged. "Okay!" he smiled at everyone. Takashi nodded again, before reverting to his previous stance of staring out the window. Haruhi paled quite drastically underneath her surgical mask, but covered it up with a tiny smile. The dark-haired woman going through the ordeal relaxed against the mattress, looking at her tiny husband. "My sugary demon, before my unruly hormones take over again, let me say that I love you." Mitsukuni stood back up, grasping one of her hands in his. "And I love you."

"That's wonderful, but can you please push now, Mrs. Haninozuka?" the doctor asked tentatively. Reiko obeyed with a sigh of pain, squeezing Mitsukuni's hand so tight it went numb. Mitsukuni let out a meep of pain for his appendage. "Oh no, you are not allowed to say a word." Dark Reiko came out, glaring at her husband fiercely and whispering through gritted teeth. Sweat stood out in brilliant beads on her forehead, making her look surprisingly more sinister. "Until you experience this kind of pain twice, you may not say anything." The black magic woman hissed. Mitsukuni paled. "Y-Yes dear." He looked to Takashi for help, golden-brown eyes pleading. Takashi ambled over from the corner of the room, grasping Reiko's other hand securely.

"Haruhi? Where's Haruhi?" Reiko panted out, still obeying the doctor's order to push. Mitsukuni hurriedly wiped away at his wife's forehead with his sleeve, attempting to get rid of the perspiration. "Haruhi! Come over here, please." He said frantically. Deathly pale, Haruhi obeyed them all and came to stand by Reiko's side. "Hey, Reiko." She put on what she hoped passed for a smile. Her friend smiled back weakly. "Trying to make sure you didn't skip out on me." she gasped out. "I'd have to curse yo-" Reiko let out a scream now, causing everyone to jump and panic. "Reiko!" Haruhi grew paler, jumping for Takashi's hand, squeezing it hard. "It's okay, love." His compassionate silver eyes smiled at her from behind the surgical mask. "I am in pain! Silence with your lovey-dovey happiness! I will KILL you!" Reiko shouted, baring her teeth at them.

Two hours later, Reiko slumped back against the mattress, exhausted to her breaking point. A baby's cry filled the air, signaling the end of a difficult pregnancy. Everyone in the delivery room smiled at each other, happy to witness the birth of a new life. A new person. A new soul to take on the world. "It's a boy!" the doctor shouted joyously, lifting a gurgling, blood-smeared infant into the air. Blonde hair matted to his tiny head, his tiny eyes struggled to open as he wailed. "Ichiro…" the happy family murmured in unison. Mitsukuni leaned across the hospital bed, hugging his wife happily. "I love you so much, Reiko." Reiko looked into his golden-brown eyes, her happiness mirroring his. "I love you too, my sugary demon." They kissed passionately, making the moment all the more memorable.

The doctor handed Ichiro to a nearby nurse, swaddled in a blue blanket. Hushing the little boy softly, the nurse whisked him out of the room. "Wait, where is she taking my child?" The two parents said in unison, ceasing their merriment. "Mrs. Haninozuka, keep pushing if you please." Reiko breathed heavily, body weary, screaming for sleep. "There…..is no further…need to, doctor…." All of them nodded. Ichiro had already been born. Why on earth would this stupid man be telling Reiko to still push? The doctor looked back at all of them, mirroring their evident confusion. "But, Mrs. Haninozuka…."

"There's another baby in there."

Everyone's head snapped up. "What?" Reiko panted. "Another baby?" Mitsukuni choked out, aghast. Takashi and Haruhi stared at each other, eyes wide. "Yes!" the man said back, unperturbed by the reactions of his patient. "By the looks of things, one more push should do it."

The woman braced herself, before birthing yet another child into this world. "It's another boy! Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Haninozuka." A child identical to the first cried out, little feet kicking the air. Mitsukuni and Reiko looked at each other, amazed beyond belief. "Ryuu.*" she whispered to him. She then turned to the doctor, black eyes drained. "No more babies?" the dark magic woman murmured tiredly. "No more babies." The doctor smiled. With a small smile of her own, Reiko succumbed to fatigue, asleep within mere seconds.

Mitsukuni beamed at his two companions still in the room. "Two boys. What do you guys think?" Takashi looked at his cousin happily. "I think that's wonderful, Mitsukuni." Haruhi nodded, face a little green. Suddenly, she slumped sideways, practically sagging against Takashi's arm. "Haruhi!" both men looked at her. She smiled. "I am perfectly fine." She said, sounding almost as tired as Reiko had. "Yeah, sure you are." Mitsukuni muttered. "Takashi, put her in the chair over there and please get her some water." The tall man nodded stoically, casually lifting and placing Haruhi in a small, round chair.

Haruhi looked up at him, eyes full of anxiety and fascination. It was a peculiar combination. "I am never having children. Ever." Takashi gave her a glance of indifference. "You don't have to tell me that. I'm not the man you can have children with." Her eyes eradicated the pervious emotions, replacing them instead with pain and thinly veiled anger. "I'm sorry." He started, startled. "Really?" Haruhi smiled at him, closing off her eyes. "Yes, I'm sorry you had to carry me over here." He blushed, excusing himself to go get her water. She watched him go, a little angry at him and at herself.

'You and I both know that that's not what I meant, Takashi.'

The happy yet tired group got about two minutes of peace. Then, chaos ensued as the entire former Host Club and others streamed into the room. They all began to speak at once, filling the room with noise and laughter.

"Twins! How wonderful, Mitsukuni!"

"This is certainly a fantastic day!"

"The fact that you have not one, but two babies makes me want to eat three gigantic bowls of rice!"

Reiko opened one black eye sleepily. "Everyone, please. Quiet yourselves. I am attempting to rest." Shinju came over to her. "Mama, Mama!" she shouted happily, tugging on her mother's hand. "Mama, is it true that I have TWO brothers?" Reiko turned her head to her ecstatic daughter. "Yes, my child." Shinju made a weird noise between a laugh and demented sort of giggle, twirling in a circle. "Daddy! I have TWO brothers!" she squealed, launching herself into her father's arms. Mitsukuni chuckled at her enthusiasm. "What do you say we go see them?" he said, nuzzling her cheek dotingly. "Yes, yes, yes! Let's go now!" With that, the two family members escaped the whirlwind of activity in the room.

Haruhi was greeted by many people as well. Even Kaoru had come to the event, smiling shyly at her. "Hey, Haruhi." He said sheepishly. "Hey, Kaoru." She replied. These seven years had created somewhat of a rift between them. Both just couldn't seem to swallow their pride and apologize to each other. After all, how could they? Kaoru had condemned Takashi to prison. Haruhi had said some terrible things to him afterwards. Now both didn't know quite what to do. They stared at each other awkwardly for a few minutes, until Takashi showed up with Haruhi's water.

"Haruhi, here." He set the water glass in her hand carefully. "Do you feel any better?" Takashi cautiously put a hand to her head. She began to blush under his touch, face becoming quite red. Haruhi shoved him unceremoniously, out of the room before he even had a chance to blink. Everyone stared at the tall man, amused yet a little bewildered that someone so large could be shoved down by someone so fragile-looking. Kaoru looked at him, a little reproachful. "Now what did you do?" Takashi glared at him. "Save it, Kaoru." Hikaru cut in between the two glaring men, Chikako by his side. "Takashi, Kaoru, enough. Now, where's Tamaki?" He looked around the crowded room. "Everyone knows he's best at dealing with a hormonal Haruhi. (A/N: XD)" The people in the room exchanged clueless glances with one another.

Kyouya spoke up. "Actually, Tamaki's at a meeting. He couldn't make it." Hikaru looked at him with a pained expression. 'You idiot. That was the last thing these two needed to hear.' Both men resumed their furious glaring at each other without hesitation. "What are you going to do now, Takashi?" Kaoru said disdainfully. "I am going to go confront her." He snarled back. "Confront her? Well, we all know how good you are with confronting! You could very well kill her, like you almost did Hikaru and that boy from Karuizawa!"

The room grew cold.

Hushed whispers ran around it like a cold trickle of water.

"Karuizawa?"

"What happened at Karuizawa?"

"Was it that boy…?"

Takashi felt his stomach drop and his eyes blacken. He seized Kaoru by the collar of his shirt in a minute. He was just getting ready to kill him, when….. Haruhi's face, terrified and hollow appeared in his mind. That one night she had been so afraid of him. Of everything. And it was this memory, this painful memory that haunted his nightmares every night, which stopped him. Made him take a breath and release the Hitachiin twin. "Don't ever mention that again." Kaoru nodded numbly, gold eyes wide with fear. Takashi left the room quietly, attempting to find some sort of sense of direction. He had nothing.

Eventually, the dark-haired man settled for walking to the large park-like area behind the hospital. It was quiet and serene, a perfect place to relax and quell his frustrations. Families sat on blankets in a wide open field, their dogs running around with others in a contained area. There were denser places that were more forest than field, meant for walking purposes. It was there that Takashi chose to go, long legs taking purposeful strides across the grass. Here and there along the paths were wooden benches, placed there for travelers who needed to rest as they traveled through.

After at least an hour or so of walking, Takashi realized that he was lost. He had no sense of where he wanted to go; only that he had needed to go somewhere. Now there was nothing but tree and grass around him. Takashi grunted in frustration. He was just debating which of the many paths to take when his cell phone rang.

"I'm an emo kid, nonconforming as can be. You'd be nonconforming too if you looked just like me. I've got paint on my nails and make-up on my face. I'm almost e-"

"What do you want, Kyouya?" Takashi muttered, trying to make his way back through the dense foliage. "I want to know where you and Haruhi are hiding. As does Tamaki and the rest of everyone else at the hospital." His voice was cool and devoid of any emotion, as usual for the former cool host. Takashi envied him. Why couldn't he do that anymore? Shield his feelings from others? Once again achieve that air of emotionless indifference about him, making him feel safe from the world?

The answer was never.

That wouldn't happen anymore.

And that was Haruhi's fault.

Takashi resisted the urge to bash his head against an oak tree.

"Haruhi and I are not hiding anywhere. I happen to be lost in a forest behind the hospital? And on another note Kyouya, please tell me why you even have a forest behind a hospital?" The man ranted. There was silence for a moment on the other end of the phone. "We wanted the patients to see some greenery, not just boring old gray buildings. We figured it would help them feel better and recover quicker." For once, the usually money-grubbing man's voice seemed soft and caring. "As for you being lost, good luck getting out. And find Haruhi while you're at it. I have no doubt in my mind that she was so muddled in her infatuatious state that she too let herself become lost. Please find her. Tamaki is yelling in my ear about it." With a sigh of annoyance, Kyouya hung up to deal with the very dramatic, very worried, very pissed off king of the Host Club.

Takashi let his phone close with a loud clap. It seemed insignificant in this spacious forest. Reluctantly, he began to call for Haruhi, taking random paths. He was worried. If she got lost, then Takashi would probably spend the rest of his life trying to find her. It would take forever. "Haruhi! You direction poor, daft little girl! Get out here or so help me God I will…." He stopped. What would he do? "I don't know what I'll do, I just know it'll be painful and involve torture!" A rustle in the trees answered him.

"Sounds kinky and gross and not at all my style."

Haruhi looked down at him from a tall oak tree, leaning quietly against it. Takashi blushed furiously, catching the double-meaning of his words. "You know very well that I did not mean it like that." She frowned down at him. "I don't know what you mean anymore." He glared back up at her. "Get down here at least, so we can try to talk. Everyone's worried. Tamaki's worried." At the mention of his name, Haruhi's face hardened, and she turned away. "Now I'm really not coming down." Takashi was bewildered at this. 'What could possible be wrong in their perfect marriage?' he thought bitterly. 'We all know it's not the sex. He's capable of wooing any girl, anywhere. So what is it?'

"I don't hate him, if that's what you're thinking." Haruhi called down, one leg swinging. "I don't particularly like him, but…" He looked up at her again, still just as confused as ever. "How can you not like him? He's Tamaki Suoh, Haruhi. And he's your husband. Do you have any idea how many women in Japan would kill to be in your place?" The woman quietly looked out across the canopies of trees. She seemed to be elaborating something, for her brow was creased and her mouth drawn in a tight line. A long pregnant pause ensued.

Finally, an answer.

Just a whisper, barely perceptible to the human ear.

But still.

It was there.

"He's not you, Takashi."

"Hm?" He pretended not to hear. In actuality, he wasn't sure he had heard it. It was too much of a good dream to be true. His heart was thundering in his ears, making it almost impossible for him to catch anything. It felt as if he had gotten out of bed too quickly, head rushing and the sensation of falling down a large hole. He held his head for a minute or two. 'So this is what Alice felt when she was falling.' He thought randomly. "I'm sorry." Takashi mumbled, "I'm not quite sure I heard you."

Haruhi blushed, eyes welling with tears of rejection. She swallowed the searing heat of betrayal rising in her throat. "I-If you didn't hear me the first time, then never mind!" she yelped, turning to face the other direction. Swinging her leg over casually, she attempted to get her bearings. She failed. Her fingernails scrabbled against the bark. Her back felt cold air whooshing past her. Strangely enough, while she was falling, she didn't process much. Her brain didn't have time to assess the twenty foot drop and the percentage of her survival.

Her brain only had one thing in mind.

The last thing someone should be thinking when they're dying.

Well, unless you are one.

Because the last thing Haruhi's brain thought before she hit the ground was,

'Damn. I'm still a virgin.'

Haruhi closed her brown eyes, braced for impact.

Braced.

Braced.

Sill bracing.

'Why aren't I dead yet?'

Brown eyes opened.

And looked right into silver ones.

They blinked.

"Gah!" Haruhi began struggling, twisting her body this way and that like a beached fish. Amidst the squirming, twisting, and fighting, her fist connected with his eye. "Ow! Dammit, will you stop squirming already!" Takashi shouted, trying to avoid right hooks and left hooks and any other type of martial arts maneuvers. Eventually he gave up and tackled her, pinning her against the grass. All movement ceased immediately.

Straddling her with his hips, Takashi sat back carefully, trying not to squish the only girl he ever loved. He smirked down at her. She was so cute when she was lusty. The way her eyes narrowed, the way her breathing accelerated, even the way she blushed furiously as the contact. Haruhi bit her lip for a moment, then spoke. "Takashi, get off of me." He pretended to debate for a moment. "Iiiiiiiiiii…. Don't think I will." Takashi said cheerfully. "And besides," he murmured, voice going softer. "I think you rather enjoy it, love." She let out a strangled noise between indignation and affirmation.

"No, I don't." Haruhi struggled to keep the telltale stutter out of her voice. 'Dammit, this feels good…' Her innocent voice fought back. 'No no! Bad Haruhi! No, fight it! Fight it!' She closed her eyes for a moment. "Takashi, please get off me?" She tried for a seductive, teasing voice. Takashi casually leaned forward, causing both pairs of hips to slide painfully. Haruhi let out a gasp. "Ha. Knew it." He placed both hands on either side of her head, hovering slightly over her. "Now…." Takashi placed a tiny kiss at the corner of her mouth.

"What were you saying earlier? About Tamaki not being me?"

Haruhi gasped. "Liar! You knew what I said the entire time! This was just a nefarious plot to get me down here and turned on!" She yelped out, wiggling more frantically. "Don't wiggle; it's just making your predicament worse." She settled for putting sullenly on the grass. "Takashi….." Haruhi breathed out. "Yes?" Takashi asked innocently, quite happy with his new perch. "Can you please let me up…" she tried to play the sexy angle again. "Nope." She fluttered her eyelashes. Takashi smiled down at her, still not buying it. "Yes you're adorable, we know that already. But you've got to tell me why as you are in such a…" he whispered in her ear, making her shiver. "vulnerable position."

Quickly, before he had a chance to pull away, Haruhi grabbed his face in her hands. "Takashi, just remember that you asked for this." She kissed him without waiting for a response. Immediately, Haruhi felt a rush of pure white-hot desire. Her mind began fighting a battle, Good Haruhi versus Bad, Sinful, Hormonally-Starved Haruhi.

Good Haruhi: "Haruhi, stop this! You have a husband! He may not be Takashi, but still! Stop!"

Bad Haruhi retorted back sharply.

"Do you think I give a damn? I want this! I need this! Twenty-three years of abstinence is a very long time! And Tamaki isn't Takashi at all! I've made my decision! I choose him!"

Good Haruhi slowly faded into the background, warning her, "Fine. But you'll be sorry later, Haruhi. You know you will.

Guess which Haruhi won?

I think you know my dear, so innocently pure reader.

I give you this final chance.

Turn back now if that is your wish.

If not, go forth.

And have fun.

Haruhi pushed forward harshly, upsetting Takashi's balance and landing them in reverse positions. She ended up sprawled awkwardly in Takashi's lap, head against his neck. That didn't hinder any of their efforts, let's just say. They immediately began to kiss each other fiercely again, each one forgetting about whatever had stopped them before. They broke apart for breath, to speak one time. "Haruhi, are you sure about this?" Takashi murmured against her collarbone heatedly. Haruhi opened her brown eyes, which had been closed just a moment before in passion. She looked at him, without hesitating for a beat, and said,

"Would I be here if I wasn't? I would probably be running through the forest right now with your cell phone, frantically calling Kyouya to get me out of this godforsaken forest! I mean seriously! Why would you even ask that question? And furthermore, why is there even a forest here? Behind a friggin' hospital, of all places in Japan? Honestly, I don't even know wh-"

Takashi silenced her with another kiss. They stayed like that for a few minutes. Then, all of a sudden, a great rumbling sound was heard. It was as if some great creature was in the forest growling at them both for their treachery. They both stopped abruptly.

They knew that sound a little too well.

The sound of a helicopter.

That of course, if you remember correctly, was the last sound they needed to hear.

Haruhi began shaking like a leaf, brown eyes frantically looking for a place to hide. When all they encountered was empty forest, she threw her hands over her ears quickly. Her eyes squeezed shut. Takashi reacted defensively immediately, hurling his body over hers in an effort to shield her. "Haruhi." His lips were at her ear, she shuddered, flashbacks coursing through her scarred mind. "Haruhi, it's okay. Nothing's going to happen this time." She shook her head quickly, refusing to believe. She dimly remembered what the doctor had said when Tamaki had her checked out.

"You must be very careful with her about this. Any small thing could trigger a flashback, and she could hurt others or even herself in the process."

Tamaki had successfully kept her away from flashbacks for four years.

Takashi was trying to calm her. "I'm not leaving you this time. I promise." Haruhi gripped his shirt tightly in both her hands. As if waging an internal war, she opened her eyes. Her pupils were dilated, much as they had been before. "You promise?" The sound grew louder. Takashi wrapped her in his arms, both forming a protective barrier around her.

"Yep."

The helicopter crashed down in the open field around them. The sound became deafening, the wind whipping around the pair of friends (?) harshly. Takashi tightened his arms around Haruhi, her fists growing rigid. Slowly but surely, the helicopter died down, discharging two people from it. Haruhi flicked her head towards them, eyes widening again. "They're here to take you!" she screamed out, hands becoming vice-like on his shirt. Gently, Takashi squeezed her tighter. "No, they're not. Just relax, love. It's okay." Haruhi's breathing evened out, though her eyes still darted around cautiously.

Kyouya and Tamaki slowly walked over, Kyouya curious, Tamaki practically bristling with unease. The feeling only intensified when he saw his wife wrapped firmly in the arms of another man. "Let go of her." He smiled nicely for effect, barely concealed rage hiding under it. "I'm afraid I can't do that." Takashi muttered back, annoyed at him. How could he have been so stupid? He should've known that a helicopter would only trigger bad memories for Haruhi. The very sight of him gave Takashi the urge to whisk Haruhi some place far away. Far away from here, far away from him.

"Sure you can." Menace dripped into his tone like venom. Takashi sighed, not in the mood for arguing. Right now the only priority he had in mind was to keep the girl in his arms sane and safe. "Okay? You want me to let her go? Watch how effective it is." He relinquished his grip on Haruhi, attempting to step away. The effect was instantaneous. Haruhi made an animal sound, a kind of whimper a hurt puppy would make. She moved with him, never letting go of his shirt. "You said you weren't leaving. You promised. You said they weren't taking you." The woman cast a venomous glance at the pair of men. She seemed to not recognize them in her current mental state. Takashi calmed her down quickly, embracing her again. "I'm not leaving, just like I promised. And as for them taking me, I'd like to see them try." He smirked at Tamaki over her shoulders.

'See? I told you. What are you going to do now, Tamaki? It's obvious I'm the one she needs right now. What are you planning on doing?'

Tamaki's violet eyes hardened. He gave a sigh. "Great. I've triggered a flashback and he was the only one here for her. That was just the kind of thing I did not need right now." He distractedly ran a hand through his hair. Then, he sighed again. "I guess I should tell you." Takashi clenched Haruhi protectively to his chest again. "Tell me what?" Tamaki glared at him icily. "Well, I have no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy this. I certainly won't." He looked at his wife, expressing softening dramatically with love for her.

"When she is like this, it's best that she stays with the person she was in contact with when the flashback occurred. That person usually has to be with her for a few days, a week if the flashback was particularly gruesome. Over that course of time, if you leave her side even for a moment, she will panic and become frantic. Ordinarily, I would be the person staying with her, but I guess it's your turn this time. Congratulations."

His tone was bitter. Takashi was perplexed by the King's nature. What was he concerned of? That his love for Haruhi wasn't strong enough? No, certainly not that. Anyone could see how much he loved her. Well, then what was it? Did Tamaki think that Haruhi's love for him wasn't strong enough?

Slowly, Takashi Morinozuka was beginning to see the flaws in the Suoh marriage, just as Reiko did.

"We can give her a check-up at the hospital, and then Takashi will have to take her back to her apartment." Kyouya said nonchalantly. The competition between the two males was staggering. He rubbed his glasses, certain they were playing tricks on him. Was that lightening flashing between them? He settled them carefully back on his nose. Sure enough, it was. The Shadow King sighed at his friends childish antics. "Come along, children." Both men snapped out of it, looking at him reproachfully.

"We're not children!"

They glared at each other again. Eventually, Kyouya got them moving again and to the chopper. Haruhi practically had herself welded to Takashi, like a small child to her parent. He examined her critically. "How are you feeling?" She blinked owlishly at him, something like recognition stirring in those brown eyes of hers. "K-Kyouya?" The woman asked tentatively. He smiled at her, nodding. "Hey Haruhi." Tamaki leaned forward intensely. "Does she remember? Will she be able to recover quickly?" he shot out. Haruhi flinched backward, hands seeking Takashi's for comfort. "Now you've gone and scared her again with your obscenely loud voice." Kyouya muttered reproachfully. Tamaki leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes tiredly.

"Now, what do you remember about yourself? Start with basic things, then work your way up." Haruhi looked at Takashi quietly. His silver eyes were tired and worried. She looked back towards Kyouya. "My name is Haruhi Fujioka. I am twenty-three years old and I'm a lawyer for your firm. I've been married to Tamaki Suoh for eight months, after we got married at a Las Vegas wedding chapel in America. It sucked, but I would never tell him that. Recently, a man named Takashi Morinozuka has came back into my life, and screwed everything up. But, then again, I'd never tell him that either." She leaned in close to Kyouya. "It's a good thing they're not here, huh?"

Kyouya nodded sadly. 'Disoriented, has no recognition of the men in this chopper, and is quite rudely speaking the truth out loud.' He stopped her before things could get worse. "Okay, just try to relax and rest now, Haruhi." She smiled childishly at him. "Okay, Kyouya." Quietly, Haruhi leaned back and nestled into Takashi's neck. She smiled before falling asleep. Takashi looked at her, forlorn. His silver eyes were tearful. "Kyouya, will she be alright?" He carefully smoothed back a piece of hair from her forehead. "She's been like this before, but a flashback hasn't occurred in years. I hate it!" he whispered harshly. "I hate that she is constantly in danger of a mental relapse because of a stupid mistake seven years ago!" Takashi covered her ears, just in case she was pretending to sleep and eavesdropping.

"I hate it." The bespectacled man dropped his head in his hands. Kyouya sighed. "I know Tamaki is a good husband and a wonderful support beam for Haruhi, but that's not what she needs. She needs someone who can tell her to stand on her own two feet, not catch her every time something goes wrong. And quite frankly Takashi I'm starting to think that person is you." He said quietly. "Tamaki is my best friend, but this marriage has been a mistake from the beginning. Convince her of that Takashi, please. I'm begging you."

"Just please make her happy."

Takashi realized something in a moment. He looked at Kyouya, normally so uncaring, so indifferent to other people's needs. He compared the Kyouya he knew to the one that was around Haruhi. In that Kyouya, he saw a caring friend, always standing by her side in the background when things got tough. Takashi thought of all this as he and Kyouya watched the sun set quietly. Another end to another exhausting day. He looked at Kyouya and said, "You love her."

"Hm?" the Shadow King blushed a little in the fading sunlight. "Yes, I do. But not nearly as much as you and Tamaki do. And besides…." He smiled at the sleeping girl.

"She loves you so much more than she could ever love anyone else."

Takashi smiled down at Haruhi, softly kissing her cheek.

"She loves me more than I could ever have asked of her."

Okay, so maybe I lied about the cherries. I just couldn't do it. Thank you my friend, who will remain anonymous. For trying to get me to write the cherry.

I may have failed, but I rather like this chapter.

Adieu my darlings. Reviews are love and cookies and friendship and Happy Holidays!

~Danielle