"Yeah… I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I was wondering how to get you to like me again," Casanova said scratching his head. His face was growing ten times redder then it already had been. Haruhi blinked as she eyed Casanova.

"But I do like you," Haruhi said simply. Casanova seemed to brighten instantly at Haruhi's statement.

"Really!?!?!" He asked with excitement. Haruhi nodded her head.

"I think you're a very good friend. I'm sorry if you felt I didn't like you anymore. It was just awkward knowing that you knew I am what I am," Haruhi said with a small laugh. She sent a smile Casanova's way. However, Casanova seemed to gain a frown.

"Oh…" Casanova said sadly as he put his hands in his pockets. Haruhi was confused. Didn't he want to know that they were still friends? Perhaps there was just something she couldn't see. She wondered what it was.

"Is something wrong?" Haruhi asked. Casanova glanced up at Haruhi again. A pout was still prominent on his face, which looked quite terrifying. It was certain he didn't mean to make it seem that way, but he can't help it. Casanova sighed.

"I think you misunderstand what I said. I…I… like your more than just being friends," Casanova said looking into Haruhi's eyes. The brown-haired girl was taken aback. She wasn't sure how to reply to such an announcement.

"Oh," Haruhi decided to say. It really was one of the few responses she could give. A slight awkwardness began to surround the area a bit. Casanova looked past Haruhi again in embarrassment. He made a coughing noise as he cleared his throat.

"It's alright if you don't feel the same way. Renge gave me some confidence to try to talk to you about it…" Casanova was cut off by Haruhi.

"Renge?" Haruhi asked curiously. Why would she get involved?

"Yeah, I did find it kind of weird with all things considering. That really doesn't matter now. Anyway, even if you don't like me the same way, I just want you to know that I'll always protect you. I promise!" Casanova said making his declaration.

"Haruhi already has someone protecting her-im…" spoke up a smooth voice from down the hall. Haruhi and Casanova turned their heads. Haruhi was caught off her guard. Her cheeks began to tinge red and she wasn't sure why. This situation had gotten just a bit more embarrassing with the latest arrival.

"Gaara?"

"Kasanoda…"

Haruhi stood there uncomfortably as Gaara approached her and his cousin. A strange look was set into his face. He didn't seem happy at all for some reason. Haruhi wondered how long Gaara had been listening to them. She hoped it wasn't for too long.

"Why are you here Gaara?" Kasanoda asked curiously. He had been unaware of his cousin's presence here at Ouran Academy. Gaara stopped directly in front of them. He was quiet for a few moments. Haruhi watched the events unfold before her.

"As I said. Haruhi already has someone to protect him. I am Haruhi's body-guard. He is under my charge. I will forgive you for this grievance since you are my dear cousin," Gaara said sternly. Kasanoda was caught off guard.

"Forgive me?" the other red-head asked stunned.

"Yes" Gaara said simply. Kasanoda eyed his cousin. Something seemed to click inside his head and it all made sense. Haruhi shifted in her spot debating on whether or not to leave. Kasanoda raised a hand to comment.

"You feel the same way I do about Haruhi!" Kasanoda said as he pointed to Gaara. Haruhi almost choked on her own spit. Gaara seemed to stiffen. Kasanoda studied his cousin further as if to affirm his accusation.

"I…don't know what you mean," Gaara said softly.

"Really? Well then… Haruhi," Kasanoda said. The host member looked up with surprise. Why had she just been brought into this? Well, she did suppose it had to do with her. Haruhi turned her head from Gaara and Kasanoda before finally settling on Casanova.

"Yes?" Haruhi said nervously. She noticed that Gaara had turned a bit to hide his face. Was he as embarrassed with the situation as she was? This was almost too much to handle all at once. Kasanoda breathed deeply before saying what he had to say.

"Do you feel the same about Gaara as you feel for me?" Kasanoda asked. Haruhi was like a deer in the headlights. She knew nothing would be gained from lying. Haruhi's face grew hot again. She had realized her true feelings for Gaara the time their lips almost met. At least she noticed they existed…

"No, I don't feel the same," Haruhi answered honestly. Gaara turned his attention back to her. His aquamarine eyes were slightly widened; the black rims enhancing the look on his face. Kasanoda seemed surprised too, but he simply cleared his throat so he could speak again.

"Do you like Gaara, Haruhi?" Kasanoda asked a bit sadly. Haruhi bit her lip. Two sets of eyes were focused on her now. It was a bit unnerving to say the least. Haruhi took a deep breath as she prepared herself. The feelings she had were new and foreign. She was almost scared, but she wasn't sure why.

"I do. I like Gaara," Haruhi said. After her words left her, the host grew quiet with anticipation to see the reactions her answer would bring. Kasanoda seemed a bit disappointed, but he gave Haruhi a reassuring smile anyway. Gaara seemed in shock.

Haruhi and Gaara turned to look at each other. The girl-host gave him a small smile. Gaara unsure of what to do remained quiet. Casanova sighed and scratched his head. It looked like he had lost this match to his cousin, but he supposed it was fair.

"I see. Well, I guess I better leave you two alone then. I hope you two are happy together…" with those parting words, Kasanoda headed down the hall. His words were not condescending or mean, but honest and true. They watched as he left. Haruhi feeling tiny bit of guilt, but not sure she should feel guilty. A moment later her eyes turned to Gaara.

"Should…should we go back outside? The rest of the guys are probably wondering where we are," Haruhi said. When Gaara hadn't reacted to her confession, she wasn't sure how to continue on. Gaara met Haruhi's eyes. There was a moment of silence.

Then it happened. This time it was Gaara to make to the first move. He turned to fully face Haruhi. A slow and gentle hand came to rest on her cheek. Haruhi stared at him, eyes wide. His hand felt so warm on her face. Gaara began to lean in closer.

This time there was nothing to stop it. No one was going to burst in at the last second. Nothing was there to be a distraction. Haruhi didn't seem to mind as their faces grew inches apart. She had never felt like this before. A flutter erupting her stomach, cheeks flushed, heart slowly coming to a halt, and the want for something so badly. Then their lips finally met.

It was soft and gentle. Haruhi vaguely wondered if it could even be considered a kiss. The feeling of Gaara's lips was so light upon hers. For Gaara, it was as if he was testing to see if this was alright. It was as if he was afraid of doing something. Haruhi increased the pressure of their lips together a miniscule amount as if to reassure him that it was just fine. The two were so caught up in their kiss; they didn't notice the other person watching from afar. Nor did they notice the flash of a camera.

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The twins rode up the ramp before doing a simple 180 maneuver and landing gracefully back down. The girls cheered happily and clapped. Hikaru and Kaoru hopped off their boards to bow graciously. It was getting to be very late in the afternoon and all the host were rapping up.

Mori swung his kendo sword about. He showed proper procession and poise. His fans were in awe of his fluid motions and show of strength, which was at the moment interrupted by Honey running up to him carrying a bottle of water. Takashi stopped his practice to look at the smaller young man.

"Takashi! I brought you some water…" Honey said happily, pushing the water bottle up to Mori's face.

"Aa," Mori replied before putting away his kendo sword and taking the water bottle from Honey's outstretched hand. It seemed the smaller young man had taken a pause in his jump-roping routine to help his beloved cousin. Mori seemed greedily drink the water before offering the extra to Honey.

"Aw. Thank-you Takashi!" Honey said cutely. He then took the bottle back and gulped the remaining water. The girls on the wayside cooed with delight. It was like an indirect kiss. They took this moment for all it was worth. Today was a great day to be a customer of the host club.

Time had passed since the incident inside; Haruhi was playing tennis with much more vigor than before. Sakura took note of this as she struggled to keep up with the other girl. She'd made sure to ask Haruhi about the change later. Haruhi scored another point and the crowd hollered excitedly.

Naruto punted the ball towards the goal. The other team was inching in on him. With one final kick the ball went soaring. It soared right over the goal. Naruto cursed his luck and stomped his feet. Another student went to grab the ball that had rolled off a couple of feet. The students on Naruto's team tried to cheer him up and said that it had been a close shot.

Gaara appeared enthusiastic about his latest sand sculpture. Well, at least he was as enthusiastic as he could be while still being himself. The sculpture he was working on at the moment, to the delight of his customers, looked to be a fairy. There was something about the sculpture that felt very familiar to the customers, but they couldn't put their fingers on it. Gaara worked hard to get Haruhi's eyes just right…

Kyoya felt something wasn't right. He finished beating yet another student at chess and sent them on their way. His next victim came up to the plate. Kyoya was having trouble focusing on his most recent games. He could feel something was off balance. His eyes surveyed the yard as his opponent took his time deciding on his move. Kyoya eyed Gaara's structure with disdain before turning back to the chess board. What was off?

"Check mate…" Kyoya said coolly.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am currently participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), but in a special way. Instead writing one huge novel, I shall be working and writing for all of my fanfictions. This was a relatively short chapter today, but if you were aware of how much else I wrote today, you probably wouldn't feel as poorly. Now review and wait patiently for my next chapter! =D