Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Hopefully you will forgive me, as this chapter is about Mori, and as you know, I've had quite a few votes for him…

*Disclaims*

Day 11

Haruhi was sat on the floor against a bookcase, but the book she was reading, for once, wasn't a science textbook. It was a harem manga. She happened to look up as the door opened from across the room – from her seat on the floor; she had a clear view of the entrance. A lean, muscular, tall man walked in, eyes to the ground, trying to be inconspicuous and failing miserably. It wasn't long before his eyes fell upon her. He realised she was looking at him, with her head slightly tilted to the side.

Mori walked over, and she quickly pulled a book from the bookshelf behind her and hid the manga inside it, blushing slightly, trying to hide her embarrassment and choice of reading material.

"Hey, what're you hiding?" Asked Mori

Damn…. Foiled.

"n-nothing!" She smiled guiltily up at him.

With his back pressed against the bookcase, he slid into a sitting position beside her.

"Ah…."

He pulled a book from the shelf behind- just as she had done – and started to study it, seemingly fascinated. Haruhi went back to the manga, making sure that the cover was properly covered by the other book. Mori glanced up, and smiled slightly at the book she held.

He couldn't possibly know….. could he?!

But still, she had caught his smile, and she quickly checked the front cover of the book she was supposedly "reading".

'A boys guide of puberty'

He reached up behind him and with worrying precision and accuracy, seized a different book, this one entitled 'Growing up for young males'

"This one gives more detail about the … ups and downs of adolescence" Mori said with a perfectly straight face.

Haruhi went a deep shade of magenta, but after a moment of silence, the corners of her lips tilted upward and she began to laugh. Mori admired the way her nose crinkled up as she giggled. He was pleased that he could make her happy, at least at this moment, and his serious composure cracked as he let a wide smile spread across his face.

She put the outside book back and leaned into him, smiling, and it was his turn to blush.

"You know… I'm not sure whether I should laugh or be worried at the fact that you knew exactly where that book was.."

"Be happy, you look a lot more beautiful when you laugh."

She nodded and went back to her book, clearly embarrassed, and he glanced down and suppressed a smile as he saw the manga she was reading.

"I didn't know you were into 'shuffle!'"

"I didn't know you were into 'Growing up for young males'"

He laughed. "Touche."

They went back to their books, pretending to read and be interested in the content. Of course, their minds were too busy buzzing, and their hearts too busy thrumming in their chests to perform the simple task of reading. Haruhi's hand was shaking as she turned a page, and the adrenaline was pumping through her, keeping her overly warm and energized. She stood up; not being able to sit still for another minute.

"Wanna go somewhere?"

Mori smiled and was on his feet in a second.

She took him to her favourite place. A bank overlooking a fierce river and beautiful field, growing corn. She didn't know how, but nobody seemed to know about it, and Haruhi liked it that way. There was a huge tree whose branches hid them from view.

They sat on grass that was so green; it looked like it had been painted. Mori was sat beside a pretty girl, in front of a pretty view, and he found himself overwhelmed as he lay back to watch the clouds go by over his head. She examined him carefully, and noted the peace and his slight smile. She was glad she had taken him here, no matter how much of an invasion of privacy it felt like.

Her own place, shared with somebody else. Somehow, she thought she could live with it, and she lay back with him and closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze.

She woke and felt a slightly odd sensation, as if the floor was moving, she opened her eyes and almost jumped when she realised Mori was carrying her to her and her father's apartment, the sky beginning to get dark.

Haruhi looked up at his face. He wasn't straining to carry her at all, and he must have been doing so for several blocks. His handsome face looked so perfect beneath the darkening sky, but she decided to clear her throat dramatically, so he would realise she was awake.

He smiled down at her. "Hey. It was beginning to get late, and I didn't want to wake you.."

She smiled radiantly "That's okay, I feel really great."

And it was true. She was feeling better than she had for days. All because she had been sleeping peacefully in his arms.

Her mind began to wander, and soon enough he was setting her on her feet. She missed the warmth of his body, and thanked him for his consideration.

"Have a good night." She murmured.

He leant down, and before she knew what was happening, he was kissing her gently. The kiss only lasted a few seconds and as soon as his lips were gone, she was craving them.

"I will now." He said in a low, passionate voice.

And then, he was gone, walking back down the road where they had come.

She gazed after him, and then jumped when he turned around to wave at her.

Cheeeeeese. SO MUCH CHEESE.

'Til next time ;)