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 thirty three: "Good because we have reservations in two hours. We will need to leave here in an hour and a half in order to get there on time. Can you be ready?"

"Hai! I'll be waiting at the door for you in one and a half hours." She ran out the door to get ready.

Chapter Thirty Four

Haruhi was almost ready when she heard a knock on the door. "May I come in?" She waited for approval before entering, "Takeshi tells me that the two of you will not be at dinner tonight. So I came to see if you needed any help getting ready. Oh my…" she gasped as she walked into the room and saw Haruhi's outfit. She grabbed the girl by the hand, grabbed her shoes, and led the girl to her room and sat her at the vanity. Haruhi admitted that she did not have makeup, so her boyfriend's mother put just the lightest hint of color, keeping it very natural looking, and complimenting Haruhi's own natural beauty. She completed the look by loaning Haruhi platinum covered hair clips and helped her put on the jewelry. "You know, this makes me just a little bit jealous. I was looking forward to helping you pick out the perfect outfit, but it looks like my son beat me to it. This jewelry is unbelievable. I love it, and it looks stunning on you. Of course the dress and shoes do too."

Haruhi stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Even though she had seen the dress when they were shopping, the overall total package was still surprising. She stood in awe and the image before her. If she had known that she could look like that, she might not have believed that she could play the part of a male host as easily as she did. The woman in the mirror looking back at her was just that, a beautiful young woman. Is this what Takeshi sees when he looks at me? Is this why he compares me to a rose? Is this really me that I am looking at? I feel like Cinderella, from commoner to princess with just a change of clothes.

It was nearing time to leave, so Haruhi started to head towards the front door. Takeshi was waiting for her, dressed in a tux. He was talking to his father and did not hear his mother and Haruhi coming his way. When his father stopped talking and stared, he turned and saw what had his father speechless. His mother stood behind her, but she could have stood right in front of Haruhi, but even that would not have hidden the spectacular view. The princess in front of him was not one of the high society snobs that he dealt with at the host club, nor was she one of the rich yet clueless debutants that he faced at society functions. This princess was the one that had the whole host club eating out of her hand. She was the one who had made his heart come to a total standstill. She was the princess that he wanted to see walking down the aisle towards him in a white dress and veil. He shook his head to clear that last thought. He couldn't allow himself to get too far ahead of himself. Haruhi was one who had to be won slowly. Plus she was still only a second year high school student. Until four to six months ago, he hadn't even considered wanting to marry anyone, so surely Haruhi was still years away from wanting that as well. He had to remind himself to wait.

As Haruhi made her way to the men, Akira spoke first, "You look lovely. Right son?"

Takeshi stood there with his mouth hanging open, stunned. "Son? Is there something you want to say?" His mother prodded, trying to get a response from him. She put two fingers under his chin and gently assisted him jaw closed. Then she took a handkerchief and pretended to dab drool away from the corners of his mouth.

"Haruhi…" It was the only thing that would come out of his mouth. Even then, he was afraid his voice would crack. She's too beautiful for words. I don't deserve this. "You look more beautiful that I had even hoped for. May I have the pleasure and honor to escort you to dinner?" He offered her his arm, which she took hold of. The walked out the door and to the waiting car. The ride to the restaurant was quiet. Haruhi mostly spent the time watching the scenery fly by, as Takeshi sat staring at Haruhi with thoughts of their future running through his head. After a while, they stopped in front of the most luxurious hotel around. The driver stepped out and held the door open for the couple.

The young couple walked in to the restaurant where Takeshi gave his name for the reservations. "Right this way sir." The maître d' showed them through the lavish restaurant to a more secluded area. It wasn't just the two of them, but Haruhi could tell that it was an area reserved for the elite. They were shown their table and handed menus to look at while waiting on their waiter. They placed their order and started talking about the plans for training over the next few weeks. As their appetizers were served, an undeniable voice a few tables away.

They both looked over just in time to catch Kyoya's eye. He was having dinner with the children of his father's business partners. Kyoya acknowledged them, but did not come over to talk to them as his waiter brought out his food. Takeshi inwardly sighed in relief as he was hoping that they would not run into anyone they both knew. He didn't want to share Haruhi, especially with how stunning she looked. She looked better than she ever had in any of the costumes they had put her in at the club. They ate and chatted a little, mostly just enjoying being together. Half way through their deserts, Kyoya came to the table. "Good evening, senpai. Haruhi, you look breathtaking this evening."

"Good evening Kyoya." Takeshi said, having been dreading this moment.

"Good evening, senpai. How are you?"

"Bored to tears, but thank you for asking. Mori-senpai, I was wondering if I could ask permission to take your girlfriend out of the dance floor? Maybe alleviate some of the monotony of spending time with father's partners' children. As you can see, there are no females at our table. So could I trouble you to borrow Haruhi, if only for one dance?"

"That is entirely up to her."

"Haruhi? Would you honor me with a dance?"

"Takeshi?"

"That's ok, if you want to. I'll be here when you get back. But please save a dance for me as well."

"Kyoya-senpai, you know that I can't dance."

"No Haruhi, I know that you cannot lead a dance. But as you are not playing the part of the male this time, following should not be as difficult. Please?"

Haruhi sighed, looked over at Takeshi one last time for assurance that he was ok with it, and then took Kyoya's hand as he led her out to the dance floor. It was as Kyoya had said, following was easier that leading, especially on a waltz which she knew the steps to. He made sure to keep the proper stance, never allowing himself to come too close to her. Moments before the song ended, he leaned in and whispered to Haruhi, "Because you broke Tamaki's heart, he chose not to have club activities this summer. Because you broke my heart, my father has had me going on and unending stream of dates, which all end miserably because they are not you. And if you ever showed the Hitachiin twins what you look like right now, you would break their hearts all over again, because they believe that only their designs can make you look this stunning." He straightened back up and shortly after saying that, the song ended. As he walked her back to her table he added, "Haruhi, you once claimed that I played the villain to teach you a lesson. I can honestly say that we are even now. Only a villain would tear out my still beating heart and show it to me. You did, and with that you taught me a lesson. The lesson I learned is that my name does not mean that I will always get what I want. There are some things that money can't buy, not much, but a few things. You're one of those things." They stepped up to the table and Kyoya leaned in to give Haruhi a kiss on the cheek. At the same time, he whispered, "I still love you Haruhi. I always will." With that, he bid Takeshi good night, and returned to his own table.