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 seventeen: But as she drifted off to sleep, it wasn't how Kyoya or Tamaki would react, nor was it how the twins would certainly act up, it was the sweet remembrance of Takeshi saying that he loved her that ran through her mind and lulled her into sweet dreams.

Chapter Eighteen

When she walked out the door to go to school for the first time in over three weeks, instead of walking, as she had done prior to her attack, she was faced with several vehicles and the entire host club waiting for her. The senior most members of the club made their appearance first, telling her that they had only stopped by to offer her a ride, but since she obviously had other options, they would stop to see her before she left campus that afternoon. No one notice when the tallest amongst them winked at the petite girl before they left. Next, the twins tried to pull Haruhi into their limo, but she told them that she needed to speak to Kyoya-senpai, so she would see them in class shortly. Tamaki was babbling on and on about how 'mother and father' would give their precious daughter a ride to school the first day back. She was successful in ignoring his ramblings. She turned to Kyoya and tried to explain that she would no longer need one of host club members to stay with her at night.

"Why?"

"We are having a nursing student stay with me instead."

"Is something the matter? Did something happen when Mori-senpai came over early on Saturday? Why would you change it this late already?"

"No it has nothing to do with any of the host club members. It's just that one of the neighbors was commenting about a man staying at house overnight without dad there. We just figured that it would be less problematic this way. We wouldn't want the Otori name to be associated with such distasteful acts as sleeping at a girl's house that your not married to, right? Imagine what that would do to your reputation, never mind mine. But a young female nursing student staying overnight, looks like I was just having a sleepover. No big deal there, right? I am just trying to think of my friends' reputation as well." This was not going well. Haruhi was seriously wishing that she had thought this out better.

As they got out at school, Haruhi excused herself to run to the bathroom before classes started. She quickly texted Takeshi to forewarn him what was going on. Then she called her dad and explained the reason she had given Kyoya. She didn't like lying to her friend, but then again, she hadn't expected to meet such resistance. Dad agreed to talk to the landlady to help cover for her. They knew that the landlady wouldn't really say such things, because she trusted Haruhi, but in case the Otori private police started asking questions, it would be better.

The day's classes wore her out. She had forgotten how long a school day was. She even found the need to skip part of lunch and nap in the nurse's office. When the last class ended, she gathered her stuff and was going to stop by the club room before leaving when Kimiko showed up.

"Ready to go, Haruhi?"

"Not yet. I wanted to stop by the club room for a minute before we left."

"Oh that's right, you're friends with Haninodzuka Mitsukuni, right?"

Oh this girl knows how to play her part, Haruhi thought. "That's right. I wanted to see everyone before I went home today. It's been a long day already, but I still want to see everyone together."

They strolled to the club room with the twins following behind eyeing every move the unfamiliar girl made. For ones who act suspiciously enough on their own, they sure are suspicious of everyone else. I just hope that Huni-senpai doesn't accidently say something about Kimiko to the club. Haruhi's worries were unfounded, as Takeshi had spoken to him on the ride to the University, and both Takeshi and Kimiko reminded the short senior that he was not to let anyone know what was going on. He was, of course, ecstatic to find out that his favorite cousin was dating their friend. After all, he had been the one to envision little Haru/Take's running around.

When they entered the club room, Huni-senpai greeted Haruhi with a tackle-hug as usual. Tamaki fawned over Haruhi for a moment then started hosting Kimiko, so Haruhi went to greet Kyoya-senpai. He was less than happy, but she couldn't figure out why. She did not see Takeshi anywhere around. "Where's…"

Before she could get the words out, Huni-senpai bound over to her again, "Takeshi had some extra work he had to do at school, so he wont be coming to the club for a few days. He really wanted to see you Haru-chan. He was really worried about you after the storm on Saturday night. He told me that he didn't know how to help you, and was really very worried." He had times like this before when he had too much work to be able to spend time at the host club, so it wasn't anything unusual. Haruhi had just hoped to see him again before she went home.

"It's ok, Huni-senpai. He did fine. I will make sure to talk to him later and let him know. OK?"

"Good! Be careful on the way home Haru-chan. Nice to meet you Kimi-chan. Take good care of our Haruhi!" With that, he headed over to his table where he already had several cakes waiting on him.

Haruhi and Kimiko left the club room and made their way to the waiting limo. "Oh before we get to the car, Haruhi-san, I just wanted to let you know. Young master is actually in the car waiting. He didn't want to go to club today, and thought that he would rather spend time with you. That's why he had young master Mitsukuni say that he had extra work at the university." With that, Haruhi picked up the pace. She didn't want to keep Takeshi waiting any longer that he had already been. As they reached the waiting car, the driver let Haruhi into the back where Takeshi was finishing up with his homework. Kimiko climbed into the front with the driver like she had done the day before. Takeshi gathered up his work and placed it back in the bag, then he tossed the bag across the car as he grabbed Haruhi, who had sat down across from him. He pulled her to sit next to him as he wrapped her in a warm hug.

"Takeshi, someone might see us." Haruhi admonished him for his brash behavior.

"Who? Them?" as he nodded towards the couple in the front seat just as Kimiko slide over and placed a kiss on the driver's cheek. "Who do you think her boyfriend is? And how do you think my mother knew that he would like for Kimiko to learn to cook?" He chuckled as she blushed and looked away. Then she relaxed into his arms for the remainder of the ride to her apartment.

"Dad, we're home," she called as the three made their way into the apartment. She didn't want Ranka to be surprised by Takeshi being there as well.

Kimiko started cleaning, despite Haruhi's insistence that she and her father were capable of doing the work. The Haruhi pulled out the three days worth of homework that she had not gotten since the twins brought over the packet a few days back. Takeshi sat across the table from her as she did the homework. After homework was completed, Haruhi checked the kitchen cabinet for ingredients for dinner. She was grateful to her father for having gone shopping even though he hates to do so. She went about teaching Kimiko how to make a few simple dishes that were completed in time for her father to eat before he left for work.

Kimiko finished cleaning the kitchen after dinner preparations were complete. She tried looking for more work to do, such as laundry, but Haruhi stopped her. "You go to the University, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you probably have homework to do, right?"

"Yes, but I was going to do that after you went to bed."

"What am I, a child that needs constant supervision? I can take care of myself, and even if I couldn't, Takeshi is here with me right now. So do your homework. Education is important."

Kimiko giggled at Haruhi and then pulled out her homework, "Hai! Yes ma'am. As you ordered."