Disclaimer: I do not own "Ouran High School Host Club" or any of the characters in this wonderful manga/anime in any way.

Shelter in the Storm

Previously in chapter nine: Mori had felt that most of the club was a little off not having their natural rookie there to balance them out, but Kyoya's actions that day were very much out of the norm for him. He began to wonder if Kyoya had feelings for Haruhi as well. Maybe something had happened the night before when he had been the one to stay with her.

Chapter Ten

"Haruhi?"

"Yes?"

"Did Kyoya act differently last night after we left?" Mori-senpai's question left Haruhi a little confused.

"No. Not really. Well, he did ask me some really weird questions. What's with everyone asking me about relationships and marriage and such?" She looked over at Huni-senpai who had just done the same thing. "I mean really. With school, club activities, home work and house work I don't have time for other things. I don't keep in touch with my friends from middle school, and everyone in the high school thinks that I am a guy. What makes Kyoya-senpai, or anyone for that matter, think that I have guys coming up to me and confessing already? Romantic relationships, marriage and children, the future… I just want to get through high school alive and with my sanity intact. And Kyoya-senpai, with his merit obsession, chose to ask me if I had any relationships or if anyone had tried to deepen their relationship with me. Seriously, did I miss something?"

"Haru-chan, I just asked 'cause we're friends and 'cause one of the girls today was talking about arranged marriages today. Apparently her family is one of those who just recently come into money so she didn't understand about arranged marriages. It's common in families of status to have arranged marriages to further their status and wealth. Most of us at Ouran High School accept it readily. But that girl, she had her future all planed out. She and her commoner boyfriend wanted to get married right out of high school, until her parents told her that she would be married to one of her father's business partner's sons. It got me thinking about my friend and only other commoner that I know. That's why I asked you. I'm sorry if I upset you." His eyes became teary and he stared up at the girl.

"I'm not upset. I just don't think about the future in that sense. I worry more about my ability to get through the schooling that I will need to get the future that I want. Besides, I can't worry about things like that yet. I have to make it through one thing at a time. Could you imagine what would have happened if I had a plan set in stone about how I would make it through high school? It definitely wouldn't have included becoming a host. Then once I broke that vase, my whole life turned upside down. My plan would have been useless. I can't make such strict and set in stone plans. You have to leave room for unexpected variables.

"I mean, think about it. If I planned something for the last two weeks, then I would have had problems, because I haven't exactly been able to do much, right? So, to be fair, I don't plan all the little goals very far in the future. The little ones will fill in as I reach for the big goals, such as becoming a lawyer. That's the reason I applied for the scholarship at Ouran, aiming at my big goal. If I hadn't gotten into Ouran, then I would have changed a few things, but I wouldn't have stopped aiming to become a lawyer. And, after all, I am still a commoner, so it's not like I have to worry about an arranged marriage."

"Well, not all families with status agree to arranged marriages. Like Takeshi and me, our parents want us to marry for love. That's what our parents did. But others from the host club won't get so lucky, well, except maybe the twins. Tama-chan will surely have an arranged marriage set up by his grandmother. Kyo-chan's father has already picked out at least one person that he would like to see his son married to. But that is a different story, 'cause the girl Otori-san has in mind isn't exactly one of the top families. Her status is a little different than what you would expect him to pick out for his third son. It's actually kinda funny if you think about it. My dad overheard Otori-san and Suou-san talking about it. He says that Kyo-chan really likes the girl, but hasn't asked her out because of her situation. It's really different like I said. But she is really pretty popular even if she doesn't know it herself just yet. Ne, Takeshi?"

The quiet teen stared at his cousin as if he was speaking a foreign tongue for a moment. "Uhn," he finally concurred. "She's amazing."

Haruhi stared in awe. The girl they were talking about must be something awesome if Mori-senpai thinks that she is amazing, she though to herself.

"Anyway, there has been a lot of talk and speculation going around the host club, and I think that's why Kyo-chan and Takeshi asked the questions that they did. It's been on their mind a lot lately. But Haru-chan, can I ask you one more question?"

"Sure, senpai, what is it?"

"You say that you haven't considered a relationship with anyone yet, and that you don't have anyone in mind for that far down the line into the future, but… would you consider dating one of your fellow host club members? If it was kept a secret from the guests, and didn't change anything else. Well, it would change the relationship with the other members, or at least some of them. But is that something you would consider?"

"I guess so. I hadn't thought about it at all. But if it didn't change the relationship with the other members too much, I guess that wouldn't be to bad. But why do you ask me that?"

"Oh nothing. Just curious." He smiled just a little bit brighter.

After finishing their food and some of the cakes that Huni had brought, Mori helped Haruhi with her history work. She surprised him by only having one or two days of work left to do out of the nearly three weeks that she had been absent. Once the work was done, they regaled her with stories of the adventures that Tamaki had taken them on both during her hospital stay as well as before she met them. They had her laughing all evening long. It was shortly before nine in the evening when Mori stood to leave. Haruhi stood to walk him to the door when she tripped on her own leg that had fallen sleep. Without even realizing, Mori caught her as she fell and whisked her into a bridal hold. The sight of his cousin holding their friend in that manner elicited a giggle from Huni. The two stared at him, not sure what was so funny, until Mori realized how he was holding Haruhi. The blush on both of their faces only caused Huni to giggle again.

"Uh, so-sorry. I didn't want you to hurt yourself."

"Nhn. Thank you senpai. I didn't realize my legs had fallen asleep."

"Are you ok?"

"Y-Yes…. Ano, senpai?"

"Yes?"

"Y-you can put me down now."

He blushed again, "Sorry." He sat her down gently and held on until she had her balance and was able to support her own weight.

The lingering warmth of where his hands had been stayed with her as she walked him to the door and bid him good night. As he started to leave, he didn't know what came over him, but he took hold of Haruhi and hugged her. She didn't resist or complain. In fact, he was pretty sure that she melted into it as she pulled her arms around his waist to return the hug. It seemed like a minute or two before he broke contact to leave. After he left, Huni turned to her with a smile. "Haru-chan, you should get ready for bed. Even though you haven't had to go to school or anything, you still need your rest to recover fully. And I think that Takeshi and Ranka-san would be upset at me if I don't make sure that you get plenty of rest." Yup yup yup! They are good together. I think that I will enjoy being an Uncle/Cousin to their kids. As Haruhi went off to get ready for bed, Huni let his mind wander to what little Haru/Take offspring would look like.