AN: Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed my first chapter. This chapter was beta-ed by Monedameow. So hats off to her. The rest of my chapters are pretty much written so i am planning to have the next chapter up by Monday if not tomorrow. Also I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.

Of Respect and Friendship

Chapter 2

The next morning Haruhi woke up feeling good and well rested, expect that her face was heavy in salt from her tears the night before. 'Why was I crying?' she thought to herself, before all of the events of the night before came rushing back to her. She must have been brought home by Huni and Mori-senpei; she made a mental note to apologize to them later.

Haruhi rolled over to look at the clock and felt her jaw drop when she saw how late it was, 11am. She never slept in that late, especially on a Sunday when there were so many things that needed to be done. She climbed out of bed and noted that she wasn't in her normal pajamas. She was wearing one the white cotton nightgowns her father always bought for her to wear to sleep, despite how impractical they were. Cursing to herself she shuffled out of her room. On her way to the bathroom she heard noises coming from the kitchen.

'It's too early for dad to be awake,' she thought to herself 'plus he wouldn't be cooking, not after the last night he almost caught the stove on fire' Curiosity got the best of Haruhi and she walked into the kitchen and was very shocked at the sight she saw. What her eyes met were her father and Huni sitting at the table together pouring over magazines full of dresses and pointing things out to each other while Mori stood at the stove cooking what appeared to be lunch.

"Haru-chan you're awake!!" bubbled the blonde when he saw her standing dumbfounded in the doorway.

"What is going on? Huni-senpei, Mori-senpei why are you both here?"

"Haruhi! Is that a way to behave to these two handsome gentlemen who took care of you so diligently last night? exclaimed the cross-dresser. "Besides they are here because we have a plan to save you from those rotten Suoh and Ohtori men, how dare they treat my child as if she was a pawn."

"Dad, you know what's going on?" Haruhi asked slightly shocked, she had no intention of letting her father know and causing him to worry.

"Why of course! I know everything that is happening in my darling daughters life. When my daughter is brought home to me after crying herself to sleep, I believe I should be entitled to know what is going on. Now anyways, these handsome young men are here to help you, so if you would stop being rude and go make yourself decent we can get on with it."

That was when Haruhi realized that she was still in her nightgown, standing in a kitchen with her father and two of her friends. She blushed furiously, mumbled and exited the room grumpily. No one else noticed that the tall quiet man at the stove had not looked away from the young woman at the door, and when he did look away, his cheeks were flushed too.

Fifteen minutes later Haruhi returned to the kitchen clean, brushed and dressed. She sat down at the empty place between her father and Mori. Soon her plate was loaded with food and she dug in.

"Mori-sempai, did you cook this?" she asked her eyes growing wide with delight.

He nodded. "Wow, this is delicious." She smiled at him. "I didn't know you knew how to cook."

He smiled at her softly and shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed at the extra attention.

Neither noticed two pairs of eyes watching and analyzing the interaction between them. The meal passed in relative silence, for everyone had something on their minds, and Haruhi couldn't help but wonder what this plan mentioned before was. Almost as if her father could read her mind he started.

"Haruhi, now about this plan, last night the three of us were up very late discussing the possibilities of what could be done to prevent you from being used by your friend's fathers. But it has been agreed by the three of us that you should do anything to avoid that situation, don't you think so too?"

Haruhi nodded eager to her what was thought up.

"Haru-chan," continued Huni. "We think you should marry Takashi."

All Haruhi could do was blink, unsure if she heard correctly. After a moment when she realized they were waiting for her opinion all she could ask was "What?"

"Well, my darling daughter, the only way to avoid a marriage is with a marriage. At first we were thinking you would only have to enter into an engagement but knowing the Ohtori family they would think of a way to break it. Then we were thinking of a restraining order but there are no legal actions we can take against them because they are both so powerful that they have their hands in the government. So the only thing that seems logical is for you to get married. What better way to escape a marriage then with another one" Her father side lightheartedly.

"I would marry you Haruhi but I can not because of the dojo, the person I'll marry will be for the good of the Haninozuka name. We thought about one of the twins because you are so close to them but you would have to pick one, and that would destroy the other. But really it was so simple, because Takashi is perfect."

Haruhi looked at Mori sitting next to her, his eyes were on her, watching her action to what she had just been told. He had not said anything yet.

Her father continued where Huni left off. "Morinozuka is a powerful name in its own respect, and being tied to it will benefit you and your education, but most importantly your safety. No one is foolish enough to cross a Morinozuka man."

All she could do was sit there in silence; ever pair of eyes was watching her, her reaction, and waiting for her to say something.

"Haruhi" he father signed, sound older then he really was "I know you are only a senior in High school and the decision is yours but I really believe this will be safest route to take. You won't see Kyoya or Tamaki at school anymore, so the threat there is gone but that doesn't mean they won't try to get you in other ways. I only want what's safest for you, and this is it"

Silence hung as Haruhi stared at her plate, thinking of what to do. Knowing last night they had all sat and talked about this. 'What about Mori-sempai? How does he feel about ths? They are speaking about him, like he was cattle, something to be given away or trade. The same way I was being spoken of last night.'

"Haruhi" said the tall man next to her, finally breaking his silent state "can we go for a walk? I think we should talk."

"Okay, sempai that's a good idea."

The pair stood and walked out of the kitchen and out of the apartment, the two left back at the table exchanged worried glances, hoping the stoic young man could convince her.

Silence hung over them as they walked down the street, neither knowing what exactly to say to the other. It was Haruhi who broke the calm.

"I am sorry, sempai, about how they were speaking about you in there like you were not sitting with us. They were talking about you like you were a piece of furniture, and I am sorry."

She stopped and turned to him looking into he deep eyes. "I am very sorry"

"Haruhi, I agree with them, I think this is the only way to keep you safe." said her companion in his deep voice. "I know last night you said marriage is about friendship and respect. You and Mitsukuni are my best friends and I respect you very much. I want to help to protect you, Haruhi. I know this may be too much for you to handle right now. But I will take very good care of you. College will be easily paid for. You won't have to worry about needing anything. You will have everything. We can get an apartment, and you won't be forced to move into the family home. My mother would love to meet you. I have told her about you in the past. I spoke with my family about this last night and they agreed with me. All they needed was to get Mitsukuni's family's blessing. Haruhi I can not sit by and see you get hurt by these two men who claim to be your friends. I swear" He said reaching out to her hand "I will protect you."

She looked down at the large hand holding hers. Thoughts bombarded her rational mind. Things like, 'why are you considering this you are still in high school' and 'what about marrying for love'. While she heard all of those thoughts a second voice was saying, 'he is your friend and wants to help you' and 'He is the best choice for you'.

The last one caused her to stop, he really was the best choice out of all of her friends, he never made her feel different because she was a commoner. He thought through his actions unlike almost everyone else at the host club, and he had a human caring quality that had shown itself many times in the past. Haruhi soon found herself agreeing with her father.

"Sempai, I accept your offer. You are right we have friendship and respect and maybe that can grow into love. I am sorry that by marrying me you will never get to marry your true love, but I will do the best I can as your wife." She smiled up at him.

Mori looked down at her wishing he could say more but nothing came in mind. Instead he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box, and opened it, inside was the most beautiful ring Haruhi had ever see.

He took it out of the box and slid in onto her ring finger while saying "It was my grandmother's engagement ring and it is yours now. And please from now on, just call me Takashi."

She stood looking at the ring and feeling the weight on her hand. She knew she was taking on a large task. Both of them were. Marriage at a young age was always hard, but both of them had grown up faster then everyone else they knew and if anyone could make it Haruhi knew it would be them.

"It is beautiful, thank you so much sem-, I mean Takashi."

A soft and happy smile spread over Mori's face as she looked down at the ring on her finger not knowing that he was already in love with her.