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 eight: And what about what his mother said… if he has never dated another girl, is he really ready to settle down with the first girl he dated? Or was being in the host club enough of a hint at what dating would be like for him to know what he wants? Her mind almost fried itself over the questions running through her head. After lunch, the two went to a spa for "the works" before returning back to the house.

Chapter Thirty Nine

When they returned, the new purchases were taken to Haruhi's room for the maids to put away. Takeshi commented on Haruhi's new hairdo, which she didn't really notice much difference, but it was enough that he was aware of it. After dinner, instead of joining his family for family time, Takeshi and Haruhi took one last walk in the rose garden before her summer break ended. The sun was setting, casting a warm hue across the garden. The young couple sat at the bench holding hands and enjoying the scenery in silence. Occasionally they would share the fleeting pleasant thought that flitted through their heads.

What am I going to do tomorrow when she leaves? I don't know if I will be able to sleep without knowing that she is just down the hall. Before her attack, the whole host club thought that we were able to take care of her, but then… her attack made us uncomfortably aware that we can't protect her the way that we thought we had been. I doubt that the rest of the club will stop trying to protect her, but surely there has to be something that I can do personally. It will kill me if anything ever happens to her again like that. I have become acutely aware of the hold she has on me. Why? Why did I have to fall totally, head over heals in love with someone two years younger than me? If she was older, we could marry now. UGH! Why do I keep thinking these thoughts? I have to get this line of thinking out of my head. She is only a second year high school student. She has almost two years of high school, not to mention tons of college. Hell, I don't even know if she will want to marry me. OK, time to clear my head. I need to get those thoughts out of my mind. OK, OK. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his head.

I miss my dad, but I am definitely going to miss staying here as well. I can't believe that the whole summer break is almost over, and I have not once thought about wanting to go back to school. Of course, it has helped that I haven't had to deal with Tamaki or the twins while I've been here. She looked over at Takeshi who was sitting quietly with his eyes closed. Wow, how did I get so lucky enough to be dating someone so handsome? He is amazing, especially when he looks like that. He makes me want to reach over and run my hands… oh geez! What am I thinking? I can't do that. What would he think about me? But then again, I imagine that he probably wouldn't mind if I kissed him, maybe. Who knows, but I wouldn't mind, that's for sure. Eh, I need to stop thinking about that. As she thought about kissing him, Haruhi involuntarily moved her fingertips up to her lips.

Takeshi looked down at her, watching her thoughts run across her face. She did not even realize that he was watching her. As she touched her fingers to her own lips, Takeshi's eyes followed, as did his mind. All he could think of was the kiss they had shared in that same garden the day that they had told their friends that they were dating. Although they were dating, Takeshi was a man of honor. Most of the kisses that they had shared had been chaste kisses, usually on Haruhi's forehead or on the cheek, save the one kiss. Without even realizing what he was doing, Takeshi moved closer to Haruhi and took her face in his hands and kissed her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with equal or greater intensity, something he had not expected. His arms slid down from her face to encircle her waist as he pulled her onto his lap and deepened the kiss. She raked her fingers through his soft locks as he caressed her back, working his hands up and down her back. He felt the hem of her blouse ruffle up over his hands due to a breeze, and unconsciously he took advantage of the exposure of her soft skin.

His hands made their way under her shirt and stroked her back, causing her to let out a small moan into his mouth as they kissed. He crossed his arms behind her, pulling her even closer, and causing his fingertips to feather along her sides and brush the underside of her breast. We need to stop! We need to stop! We need to stop! I don't want to, though. I want to carry her to my room and never let her go. It was then that they heard someone behind them clearing their throat. Where the hell did my self control go? I am as grateful to my mother for stopping us as I am regretful that she showed up when she did. Instantly upon hearing his mother clear her throat, Takeshi pulled his hands out from under Haruhi's blouse and release her from the lip-lock they had going. Haruhi's face flushed a bright red.

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something?" Takeshi, I know that I have taught you better. Don't let your hormones get away from you just yet.

"Nothing that shouldn't have been interrupted in the first place. Is there something that you needed Mother?" Damn. Damn. Damn. Why do I lose all self control around Haruhi? I know better. Damn!

"I just wanted to remind you that Haruhi's last day here is tomorrow, and she still needs to pack. And, seeing that earlier today, she and I probably tripled her wardrobe, well at least what she brought of it, she probably has a lot of packing to do. Maybe you would like to assist her? She will probably need some real strength to latch her suitcase, assuming she doesn't need at least one or two more that is." Assistance with the door opened that is. I hope that I won't catch you two in a similar compromising situation while in her bedroom, right son?

"Thank you, I completely forgot. I guess I got a little too comfortable around here. I greatly appreciate the hospitality that you have shown me, as well as the untold amounts of clothes that you purchased today. I don't know how to thank you enough for everything." The red still tinted Haruhi's face, so she was also thankful for the dim lighting in the garden so that her boyfriend's mother couldn't see her embarrassment.

"It's ok, dear. We've loved having you here. You are welcome back, anytime. Let me know if you need more assistance that what my son can provide when it comes to packing." She turned and left to go back into the house. Haruhi stood to follow her in, but Takeshi stopped her. He pulled her into a hug once again and kissed her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just got so caught up… Haruhi, don't leave. Marry me and stay here."

Her jaw dropped. No words came out, as she tried to wrap her head around what he had just said. She knew that she was too young, not to mention that she would lose her scholarship at Ouran High School if she did something so… so… she was stumped. What did she consider marrying Takeshi to be? Was it bold? Brash? Smart? Stupid? What exactly were her feelings on the subject? "I… I… I… don't know what to say."

"No forget it. I know better. You still have too much school, not to mention that you would lose your scholarship, Tamaki would say that you still owe the club for the vase, and so many other complications. I am sorry for springing it on you like that. Please forgive me." How could I get so stupid? How could I get so sloppy with myself? She's going to hate me now, I just know it.

"Takeshi, you're right, I would lose my scholarship and be kicked out of Ouran High School. But that's not why I can't yet. The reason I have to say no right now is simply because I can't let my feelings for you overthrow my desire to become a lawyer. Please understand that it is not about you." She pulled away from him and started towards the house to go pack.