A/N: Kinda short, yes I'm sorry. I'm really just trying to get over my rusty-ness! Please enjoy and review : )

Chapter 3: Nothing More Than a Drum

Kyouya lowered Haruhi to the floor of the back storage room. He found some discarded cushions and put them under Haruhi in a make shift couch. Haruhi just stared at her feet, tears perching in the corners of her chocolate eyes, ready to leap to freedom at the first sign of fear. Haruhi looked around wishing she could hug a cushion or something, instead she was left to hug herself and sit beside the Shadow king. His actions confused her, but she was also very grateful. Maybe finally Kyouya was showing her the deep friendship she'd formed, and received from everyone else.

"Why are you still at the school, Senpai?" Haruhi asked fiddling with her jacket, it had been several minutes of silence between them. Her ears were straining for the noise of the storm no matter how hard she tried to ignore it. A small part of her was still uncomfortable with Kyouya. Every time a clap of lightening would illuminate the world, or a slap of thunder would erupt she found herself inching closer to Kyouya, she was nearly leaning on his shoulder at the moment. She tried to keep her eyes adverted, but when he did not answer her she peered up at him in search of her answer.

As if that had been what he was waiting for Kyouya spoke.

"I was waiting for some paper work to go through, working late you can say." He answered smoothly. He too was very aware of the closing distance between them. He could just barely feel the pressure of her arm against his as they sat against the wall in the furthest corner. She looked so innocent looking up at him in that way.

"Oh." Silence settled around them again in a thick blanket. Kyouya saw her fiddling with her jacket and surprised himself and her by reaching down and clasping her hand in his, instantly stopping her movement. Her face blushed at the warmth of his hand over hers. She had never imagined Kyouya would have such strong, gentle hands.

"That's quiet annoying, if you don't mind?" He raised a brow at her and Haruhi just nodded pulling her hands away slowly, as if she thought he might bite her. Kyouya chuckled and rubbed the bridge of his nose again. What was he doing? He thought to himself. Sitting alone in a storage room with Haruhi, on old couch cushions. He'd just grabbed her hand, she was obviously uncomfortable, but then why did he continue. Kyouya mused to himself, maybe he just wanted to see how far this would really go.

Suddenly a hefty rumble of thunder shook the room and Haruhi let out a cry of fear that seemed to have startled the teenage boy. Kyouya instantly reached over the small distance and pulled her against his chest, surrounding her in his arms. Haruhi clung to his jacket, staining it with her fear of the storm. Haruhi shook violently in his arms and all Kyouya could think to do was hold her closer and rest his cheek against her head.

"It'll be alright Haruhi, I promise you." He whispered. Haruhi stilled for a moment and listened to his quiet voice as he attempted to sooth her. He sounded so concerned and sincere. She'd never seen this side of Kyouya, she had to admit it was….nice. Feeling the warmth of his breath falling down on her face she scooted closer to him if only to hear his voice again.

"Kyouya-Senpai?" She whispered closing her eyes to the sound of his heart beat suddenly right beside her. It was erratic, another curious thing.

"Thunder storms are nothing more than a very loud noise; imagine that each time it comes, its Tamaki running into a giant drum." Haruhi's eyes widened, and then she giggled into the boys jacket turning her head to burry herself deeper.

That sound made Kyouya's face pull back with a smile, like an angel's bell, he thought. At least he was some good at soothing the poor girl. Lifting his head he rested it against the wall and just listened. Haruhi's breath was becoming more controlled and even. Stealing a glance down at her, she'd fallen asleep, cradled in his arms like a child.

A smile broke his face and he brushed some silky brown hair from her face.

I think I'd like to do this more often, His mind whispered as he looked down at the girl in his arms.