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Chapter 10

Haruhi waited nervously for Hiroki to arrive. She didn't know what he would do, or what the Hosts would do, or even what SHE would do. She was just hoping Hiroki's temper wouldn't get too out of hand. If he could just stay calm, everything would be fine…she hoped…

"Haru-chan!" Hiroki called as he rushed over to her. He hugged her tight and ranted on about how worried he was. It reminded her of her dad…and of a certain blonde, dramatic Host.

After Hiroki released her for some much needed air, he decided he would join them until HE took her home. Haruhi was so relieved that he didn't overreact like he usually did.

'Come to think of it…he always has gotten mad if I'm with a guy…no matter the reason…was he…jealous?' Haruhi thought as she stared at Hiroki. He noticed her staring and looked at her.

"Nani?" he asked as he slowed his pace.

"A-ano…nothing really," she said as she looked down to hide the blush that spread across her cheeks. Is there ANYTHING more embarrassing than getting caught staring BY the person you were staring at?

"Well then, let's go," Hiroki said cheerfully as he grabbed Haruhi's arm and pulled her ahead to catch up with the others. Hiroki and Haruhi didn't realize, but the Hosts had noticed the pair had stopped and watched they watched their Haruhi stare at Hiroki like that. A few certain Hosts were NOT happy.

The twins grabbed Haruhi's arms and rushed her to the reptile section. Of course, Haruhi was not scared, but then again that wasn't the real reason they brought her there. They just needed to get her away from her so called "nii-san".

Hikaru and Kaoru tried to keep Haruhi and Hiroki apart the rest of the time, but they just couldn't do it alone. If they looked away for even a second, when they looked back the pair would be together again. They weren't sure if Haruhi was going to him, Hiroki was going to her, or if it was mutual.

They two boys decided to get the other Hosts help. Mori made the best body guard, Tamaki ran interference, Honey would distract them (especially Hiroki), and Kyouya would send Hiroki to get things. They made the perfect team. Haruhi and Hiroki were completely separated for the rest of the trip.

Haruhi was not happy to say the least, but she kept quiet. And it wasn't all bad. She got to spend time with Mori and the other Hosts, which admittedly she wasn't doing much anymore. She got to see a whole new side to Kyouya. She wasn't constantly being annoyed by Tamaki. Honey was being exceptionally cute and knew just the right thing to say to make her laugh. The twins were…well they didn't change much, but they weren't dragging her all over the place anymore.

By far, she spent the most time with Mori. He seemed to act as a bodyguard and never left her side. Not that she really minded though. She idly thought that Mori was her favorite, but she would never say it…for multiple reasons. Plus she had moments where she thought Kyouya, Hikaru, Kaoru, and even Honey were her favorites. She would never admit it, but she went back and forth on who was her favorite. And that was the main reason that she would NEVER tell them.

Several hours later, Tamaki declared the trip over and Haruhi felt Hiroki grab her and practically run towards the main gate. She didn't blame him. He went to her school to pick her up, then had to track her down, and then they were kept apart for most of the time they were at the zoo.

That was when it clicked. They had started the "keep Haruhi and Hiroki apart" game after she got caught staring at Hiroki. She felt her face heat and she knew she must be bright red, but she couldn't stop. Not only had HIROKI caught her staring, but ALL OF THE HOSTS had too! Could it get any worse?

Hiroki didn't stop until he got to the car. He released Haruhi and leaned against the car, attempting to catch his breath. She watched the sky to keep herself from staring at him again.

"Daijoubu?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said in between pants. His breath was steadying and only a few minutes later, he was ready to drive. He dug in his pockets for his keys, but they weren't there. "K-kuso," he muttered as he looked around the ground, hoping he had dropped them close by.

"Nani?" Haruhi asked as she watched him with growing worry.

"The keys…I can't find the keys."

"N-nani?"

"Gomen…I know I had them when we left…"

"You mean 'when we ran'. Are you sure they're around here?"

"…Iie…"

"Mou!" Haruhi groaned. They looked around the car for a good twenty minutes before Haruhi spotted something in the ignition. "Is that them?" she asked.

"Where?"

"In the ignition."

Hiroki looked in the car and instantly paled. "Y-yeah…that's them…"

"And the doors are locked," Haruhi said as she checked the doors.

"H-hai…"

"So we're locked out…"

"H-hai…"

"…Mou! Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse!"

"Well it COULD be worse…it could be raining," Hiroki pointed out.

"Don't say that!" Haruhi yelled as she covered his mouth. "Don't you know when you say that, it happens? Every time! Every time you think that it couldn't…you know…then it always does!"

"Gomen," Hiroki said, but was muffled by Haruhi's hand. She released him and sighed.

"What now?" she asked.

"Ano…maybe I can pick the lock…" he suggested.

"Fine, try it," she said as she leaned against the car. Hiroki tried for 15 minutes before he FINALLY got the door unlocked. He opened the door and nearly cried out of pure joy. He unlocked the other doors and Haruhi jumped in as fast as she could. He sat in the driver's seat and turned the key...it didn't start.

"Aw come on!" Hiroki yelled as he slammed his head on the steering wheel.

"You've GOT to be kidding me!" Haruhi groaned.

He tried again and again to start the car. Several tries later, it finally did. This time, Hiroki did cry for joy. He put it in reverse, backed out of the parking space, put it in drive, and drove straight towards the exit.

They both relaxed a bit after they got through the exit. Hiroki was silent for what felt like forever to Haruhi. She tried to think of something…anything to say. She stared out the window and watched the buildings go by. She jumped slightly when Hiroki grabbed her hand, but relaxed and squeezed his hand.

"Haru-chan…" Hiroki started. He rolled the car to a stop at a red light.

"Hm?" she asked.

"I…" he tried. He was so nervous. She could tell because his hand was shaking slightly. She squeezed his hand comfortingly and silently urging him to continue.

"I love you, Haruhi Fujioka. I really do. I get so jealous when I see you around those Hosts or any other boy. I want to hold you and never let you go. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he said. The other cars' light turned yellow…then red.

"H-Hiroki-kun," Haruhi said with tears welling in her eyes.

"Do you love me like I love you?" Hiroki asked as the light turned green. He stepped on the gas and the car moved out towards the middle of the intersection.

"I-" Haruhi started but was cut off by another car slamming into the driver door. Haruhi felt the jerk, saw the flying glass, heard the airbags deploy, and saw the blood on Hiroki's head. Then she felt intense pain and passed out, no idea if Hiroki was even still alive.

End of chapter 10. Hope ya like it. Sorry it took so long to update, but I have every intention to update sooner this time. If all goes well, I'll update next week so you have that to look forward to. Please R&R. Luv ya, bye. *too depressed about hurting Hiroki to smile*