A/N: As you can see Haruhi had her reasons for acting the way she did with Tamaki, course he seems clueless about what could possibly be wrong with her. Mtnkolle, I agree with you. The more I write this, the more of a Hunny fan. LOL. I mean who doesn't love Hunny, but a mature Hunny is even better. ;) Thank you everyone that reviewed! To my new story followers and faves… Thank you, I am glad you found it and are enjoying it. I have to say that my readers are truly the best. We still have a lot to go with this story because Yasu still has to get out, play mind games, and all of this leads to him attacking. A lot of stuff happens along the way. Hope you are ready. Here is the next chapter, please read and review. If you have thoughts or ideas for the story or another one, please send them my way. I like to incorporate the ideas if I can… example… it is the reason Yasu's cousin works for the Ootori. BTW… Yasu will be in just about every chapter going forward.

Chapter 23 – Everything is Ready

Mori had gotten up earlier in the morning. He heard Haruhi's phone ring and also heard Hunny answer it. His cousin did not sound happy with whoever was on the phone, and so kind of felt bad for the person that decided to call so early in the morning. Although Hunny was able to get up early, he still hated to be woken up especially before he needed to. Shaking his head, he finished making his morning tea and drank it before he started his meditation. If Hunny and Haruhi were not up by the time he was done with his morning workout, he would attempt to wake them up at that time. After the night they had, they deserved to sleep in this morning. Today and tomorrow were going to be hard enough for everyone without adding to the list lack of sleep.

Mori did not have to wake couple up. Haruhi had started to wake up and looked at the time. She had only been back to sleep about an hour and even though she still felt tired, she could not go back to sleep. Looking up, she saw that Hunny was still sleeping so she decided to slowly extract herself from his arms and take a shower. That feat was easier said than done though, and as she was getting off of the bed an arm shot out and stopped her from moving. Hunny was awake.

"Haru-Chan? Is everything alright?" Hunny asked sleepily. His brain was still in a fog and trying to wake up. He felt the bed moving and then when he felt his arms empty, he woke up trying to figure out what was happening.

"Yah Mitsukuni. Go back to sleep. I was just going to go take a shower. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep," Haruhi answered standing up and stretching.

"No, I am up now. I will go get ready also. If you want, we can go grab some breakfast and bring it back," Hunny said as he started to get up off of the bed.

"That sounds good. I will meet you out in the living room in 30 minutes then."

Hunny leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "See you then." He walked out of the guest room and made his way to his own room. "I could definitely get used to waking up with her in my arms," he thought to himself and smiled.

Haruhi watched Hunny leave and couldn't help but notice the way his muscles moved with him under his t-shirt. She swallowed. How had she not noticed all of that before? She always knew he was strong and an expert at martial arts, but how did she not even think about the physical before? "Well before it was hard to get over the child-like quality of him. So I never really looked. I can't help but look now," she said answering her own questions. Shaking herself from her thoughts, she grabbed her bag and moved towards the bathroom to get ready and tried not to think about what today and tomorrow would bring.

Thirty minutes passed and Hunny was waiting for Haruhi in the living room. Mori was nowhere in sight, but he was probably in the gym practicing or working out. It was one thing that his cousin was still very strict on, he got up early every morning and meditated and then did a workout of some kind. Hunny did it most days, but he did take time off here and there. No one questioned him for it though because he could still best anyone that challenged him. He looked down at his watched and realized it had been 40 minutes. "She is more girly than she used to be, so I will give her a little more time. I just hope she is ok. She had a rough night," Hunny thought to himself and sat down on the couch to await his girlfriend.

Haruhi was trying to finish getting ready. She had a breakdown in the shower and it took her longer to get out than it normally did. It wasn't until the water ran cold that she realized that she had been standing there crying and hadn't washed herself. Rushing through her now cold shower, she got out quietly musing to herself, "I have heard of people taking cold showers on purpose because they are trying to calm down, but I just don't think I could do that to myself."

The former female host finished getting dressed and grabbed her shoes while she sat on the bed. Her life had taken a huge detour in the last couple of weeks and she wasn't upset with the road it led her down. She was happy for the first time in a long time. Her friends were once again in her life and although some of the relationships were still a little tenuous, they were still there and together they were working to make them stronger. She had a man in her life that loved her and wanted to take care of her, to make sure she was happy, and the funny thing was he had been there the whole time; she had just never seen him as he truly was before now. Unbidden thoughts about Yasu came to mind reminding her that he was getting out the next day. All of the security in Japan could be at her disposal, and she was afraid he would still find a way to get to her. Tears started to form and fall without her realizing it. She was lost to her thoughts until a knock was heard on the bedroom door. Wiping her face, she grabbed her shoes and opened the door finding a concerned Hunny on the other side.

Hunny knocked on the door when he realized it had been an hour since he left her. He looked at Haruhi's face once she opened the door and knew she had been crying again. The red swollen glassy eyes and the red cheeks told him that story even if she didn't appear to be crying now. "What's wrong Haru-Chan?" Hunny asked feeling a bit alarmed.

Standing up on her tippy toes, she gave him a kiss and when he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss, she leaned into him to allow him to take her to another world. They finally pulled back breathless and both desiring more, but neither ready to take it to that next level yet. Haruhi cleared her throat and breathed, "Wow." She shook her head and said, "It is nothing Mitsukuni. I just got wrapped up in my thoughts and it brought me back to what tomorrow was. I will be fine and just want to forget it for another couple of hours. Ok?" She gave him one more brief kiss before gently pushing him out of the doorway to the bedroom she was occupying and moved towards the living room. When she was at the threshold between the living room and hallway, she turned around and looked at her boyfriend, he hadn't moved an inch. She said, "I thought we were going to go get breakfast, or am I going alone?"

Her question seemed to wake him up. Hunny had been thinking about everything she had been through and how much more she was going to have to deal with. Add that to the fact he was trying to calm down after the kiss they shared, and he had rooted himself to his spot. Looking up at the girl that just called to him, "Yah, sorry Haru-Chan, let's go and get some breakfast." He started forward and when he reached her, he linked their hands together and kissed the side of her head before pulling her out of the door and to his car.

While the couple was out getting breakfast, they stopped at a bakery for more cake. Haruhi was amazed that as much as Hunny had grown up, he could still put away cake like it was nothing. He had a bigger sweet tooth than anyone she had ever known or would ever probably meet. She knew that the cake he bought today would be gone tomorrow and it would be back to the bakery for more goodies.

When they finally got back to the apartment, Mori was walking out of his room looking like he just stepped out of the shower. He looked at the couple walking through the door with a few bakery boxes, a tray of coffee, and a bag of something that Mori thought was probably breakfast. He hoped Hunny got himself something instead of cake for breakfast, but Mori also knew that there were many times he caught his cousin enjoying the sweet treat for his morning meal.

Haruhi smiled at her tall friend, "Good morning Mori. We got breakfast and coffee."

"Thank you Haruhi, Mitsukuni," Mori said walking to the dining room table and sitting down. When the young girl joined him, he asked, "How are you feeling?"

Haruhi blushed realizing that he probably knew about what happened last night. If Hunny had come running when she screamed, it was likely the giant next to her also did. "I am alright. It was just a nightmare," she said softly casting her eyes downward.

Mori heard Hunny snort and make some sort of remark under his breath and figured it had something to do with the dream, and if they wanted him to know what it was about, they would tell him. For now, he would just make himself available if either of them wanted to talk. Ruffling her hair, he quietly said, "We are here."

Haruhi beamed at her friend, "I know Mori and that means more to me than you will ever know." She handed him a breakfast sandwich and coffee, and then she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Hunny soon joined them at the table and also ate a sandwich much to Mori's relief. As they ate, talking ceased. It was not an uncomfortable silence, but it was caused more from each of them being wrapped up in their own thoughts about the next couple of days than it was because they were enjoying each other's company. After breakfast was completed and everything was cleaned up, silence continued: Mori started to work on a case he had just taken on, Hunny was reviewing the files that Kyoya had given him, and Haruhi was working on her homework. There would be enough time for talk later and they all knew it.

Around 1:00, there was a knock at the door and Hunny answered it knowing that it was Kyoya. The bespectacled man entered the apartment followed by three men. Kyoya had consulted Tachibana about who on the security team would be the best at protecting Haruhi and upon the recommendation of his longtime head of security; the men that accompanied him today were selected. "Hello Haruhi, Mori, Hunny. I hope your day is well," Kyoya said in greeting to everyone. Then he looked right at Haruhi and said, "Haruhi, I would like to introduce you to your body guards. Remember these are the men that will be with you 24/7 in addition to the officers we have stationed at various locations. This is Daichi; he will be the head of your security detail. Reporting to him will be Hiro and Kenta." As he introduced them, he pointed out which man was which.

Haruhi nodded to the three men and thanked them as she sized them up. Daichi was not the tallest of the bunch, but he looked sharp and Haruhi knew that he could be a force to reckon with. He looked to be in his late twenties and was tense as he constantly surveyed his surroundings. Hiro was a little shorter, but more muscular. He seemed more at ease than Daichi, but knew based on her experience with Hunny, that didn't mean anything. He smiled at her and gave her a small bow when he was introduced. Kenta was the tallest of the three. He was almost as tall as Mori, although not quite. He was muscular with a scar across one of his cheeks that gave him an even more sinister appearance, and with just a glance someone could and probably was very afraid of him. He looked mean and if Haruhi had not seen the softness in his eyes, she might have fled from him herself. She was glad they were on her side.

"Now, let's sit down and discuss everything," Kyoya said as he moved towards a chair in the living room.

"Kyo-Chan, Hiro, Daichi, and Kenta do you all want some tea?" Hunny asked as he moved towards the kitchen.

"Yes, thank you Hunny," Kyoya said answering for everyone.

Hunny started the water boiling and then instructed the three body guards to move three of the chairs from the dining room table to the living room so that they would have a place to sit instead of the floor. When the tea was made, he moved back into the living room and set the tray down on the coffee table before taking his place next to Haruhi. He was about to start pouring, but Haruhi beat him to him. He knew better than to argue with her so he let her serve. As soon as everyone had their tea, he said, "You can start now Kyo-Chan."

"Haruhi, I have learned that Yasu will be released sometime in the late morning, but I have been unable to get an exact time. The police have a restraining order in place, but unless he actually does something to violate it, they cannot and will not do anything. Unfortunately, that means he could get to you before they could be called. You know all of this and that is why we are putting our own security measures in place. I have officers staking out your apartment, school, internship, and job. In addition, your father's place of employment is also under surveillance. To make sure that all bases are covered and you are truly protected, you will also have body guards with you at all times. I know you do not like the idea of people following you all of the time and you balked when you had to deal with it being friends with us previously, but trust me when I say it is for the best right now," Kyoya started to explain.

"I know Kyoya. I may not like it, but I don't trust Yasu and would feel safer knowing that someone is there watching," Haruhi said quietly looking into her tea cup. She felt a hand rubbing her back and looked at Hunny with a small smile.

Kyoya nodded, "The guards will work in shifts. When the new guard comes on, he will get a briefing from the previous one and do his own sweep before the old guard is released. He will get periodic updates from the officers that are monitoring everything from a distance and will be kept abreast of anything suspicious. To make sure that there isn't a lax in security, we have created a varying schedule. In other words, the times that the body guards will start on a daily basis can and will change. This is to make sure no one gets complacent on the team; although if they are working for me, they better not be. Regardless of where you are or what you are doing, you will have one of these three men with you. I know that Hunny and Mori can and will protect you, but this will give you added security."

"I understand," she said as she reached around and grabbed Hunny's hand for support.

Hunny watched Haruhi as Kyoya spoke and knew that this was hard for her. She liked living her life without the hindrance a security team could bring, but he also knew that she understood why it had to be like this. It wasn't easy, but it was a necessity. He gave her hand a small squeeze and turned back to Kyoya, "Have you already discussed the additional security measures with all necessary people?"

"Yes, I have. Both of her bosses know that she will have a security detail following her, but I did not give them all of the details of why. They do know to be on the lookout for Yasu and report to me if he is seen. In addition, the school has been informed of the additional security measures. Although they did not ask why, they just agreed. I think they knew better than to argue with me," Kyoya said as he pushed his glasses up causing them to glare and therefore creating a menacing manifestation of the Ootori heir. He was still the Shadow King.

Haruhi who did not like to bring attention to herself was suddenly thrust in the spotlight. Although the security was there for her safety, it would bring more awareness to her person. Her privacy and living in the background was soon going to become a thing of the past for a period of time. She laughed to herself… What did she think dating the Haninozuka heir would get her? It was not time to think about the negatives that all of this was bringing into her life. Instead it was time to think about the positives and the fact that this was her life at least for now. Was it bad that she hoped that Yasu would make a move quickly so that he could go away again sooner rather than later? She really prayed that he would leave the city and never again appear in her life, but she knew that was probably not the way things were going to happen.

"Haruhi, your boss at your job did say that if you needed additional time off, you could take a leave of absence and your job would be waiting for you when you were ready. I did not give him an answer, but I do think it is for the best. We would make sure that you had money and did not need to worry about working," Kyoya added.

Haruhi was shaking her head no before Kyoya finished his last statement. She didn't want to be dependent on them or not work for the money she received. It had been hard enough when she had taken over a week off from both her internship and her job. Looking at him straight in the eye, at least she hoped it was because his glasses were glaring again, "No, Kyoya. You know I do not like to take charity. I want to work for what I earn. That has not changed."

Kyoya was expecting this and had a counter offer prepared, "Ok, you can work for me then. I have some things that need to be done and you can either come to the office, my home, or work from your home in order to do the job. It will be safer and I will pay you for your time."

"Let me get this straight… You are offering me a job that any one of your employees you currently have can do," Haruhi said narrowing her eyes.

"Yes, they could, but this will free them up to work on other things I need done. This will give you a way to earn money in a safer environment. It is a win win for everyone," he said using her safety to push his point across and win the negotiations. He hated losing in business deals and that was how he approached this.

Hunny turned towards Haruhi, "It is a good deal and you will be safer than you would be working in the store." He didn't know that Kyoya had set this up, but it made sense and it would decrease some of her exposure. He knew she wouldn't just take their money, but this created another opportunity for her to earn money.

Haruhi knew that it was a good opportunity and that it would allow her to earn money while decreasing some of the perceived danger, but she still felt like she was being given a handout and she didn't like that. She looked at Hunny and could see the plea in his eyes. Turning to Kyoya, she went through the options and every scenario in her mind. When she was finished thinking everything through, she gave a smile to her friend sitting across from her, "Alright, I will take your offer and take a leave of absence from my job, but do not ask me to leave my internship. I need it to graduate."

"Good, I am glad you came to the smart choice. As for the other, I am not going to force you to leave your internship, but you will have your guard detail with you while you are there," Kyoya answered.

Haruhi took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "What next?"

"Well Daichi will be taking the first shift. The other two know when they will be taking over. They all have a key to your apartment in order to come and go without disturbing you or your father. If you are over here or somewhere else when the next shift is supposed to start, the new guard will meet you there so as not to disrupt your schedule. They have been made aware that you and Hunny are dating and therefore will be spending time between your house and here as well as your other various activities. They also know how to be discreet and not divulge information."

"Are you keeping in touch with my dad enough to get his work schedule again?" Haruhi asked. When she saw Kyoya's eyebrow shoot up, she smirked and shook her head, "I know for a fact, you had my dad's schedule every week when we were friends before. So do you or do you not have his schedule?"

Kyoya chuckled, "I have his schedule and have been in touch with him on several occasions since you returned to our lives."

"I figured as much. Still the same old Kyoya," Haruhi said finding a genuine smile.

"And you are still the same Haruhi," Kyoya responded. He once again turned serious, "Are there any more questions?"

"Do they need a key for our apartment Kyo-Chan?" Hunny asked. He would gladly give up anything to make this easier for everyone involved.

"That would be beneficial if you would not mind," Kyoya said.

"Not a problem!" Hunny exclaimed before getting up and getting a spare key for Kyoya.

"Daichi, schedule," Mori said to the body guard in charge.

"Sorry Takashi, but we have been instructed that no one is to know the schedule except for the three of us and Ootori-sama. I cannot disobey orders even for family," the guard replied to him.

Mori turned his gaze upon Kyoya and gave him a questioning look, "I will not be responsible."

Kyoya knew what Mori was saying. If someone entered the apartment, he would do what he could to protect the people inside even if it meant attacking unknowing body guards. If he knew the schedule though, he would be more prepared and less likely to attack, "Daichi, give Mori the schedule but no one else. I would rather the only changing of the guard happen when the time changes and not because someone is in the hospital."

"Hai Ootori-sama!" Daichi said bowing his head in acceptance of the new orders. Mori was one of his cousins and although he trusted him with his life, he would not go against a direct order. "I will brief Takashi on a daily basis with the new schedule and shift changes as well as anything else you think appropriate."

"Thank you Kyoya," Mori said.

"You are welcome Mori. Is there anything else?" Kyoya asked.

Haruhi was sitting there in shock looking from Daichi to Mori and back again. Had she heard that right? They are family? "Mori is Daichi really part of your family?" Haruhi asked in order to clear up her curiosity.

Mori nodded and said, "Third cousin."

"See Haru-Chan, we got the best for you! Takashi's cousin will be sure to take care of you," Hunny smiled.

Haruhi turned her attention to the man sitting next to her, "I have faith in all of you." It wasn't an empty boast. Although she didn't like the additional attention everything would bring and she was not looking forward to Yasu getting out of jail, she did trust all of them to keep her safe. She was still afraid, but knew it would be worse if she didn't have people watching over her.

"Well if that is all, do you want to go to lunch? Tamaki has been burning up my phone this morning about new rules that he has to follow for his daughter because she is dating Hunny," Kyoya said exasperated.

"I am all for going to lunch Kyo-Chan, but no Tama-Chan today," Hunny said through clenched teeth.

"Ok Hunny, no Tamaki," Kyoya replied. He wondered what was going on and if Tamaki had pulled another stunt. "Shall we go then?"

Yasu's name was just called informing him that he had a visitor. He smirked. His cousin always did try to please him, if only he knew what a pawn he really was. When he made it to the visitor room, he saw Daisuke waiting for him at a table. With his letter in hand, Yasu sat down across from him, "Thank you for coming Daisuke. I know you are busy with your security assignment."

"I am, but I had a little time today and was able to come. What did you need? The officer that called me informed me that you had a letter for me," Daisuke said. He wasn't sure what his cousin could possibly need, but he would do what he could for him.

Yasu looked around them and studied the proximity of the guards and other people in the room. He leaned as close as he dared and whispered, "I am trying to make amends to Haruhi. I have written this letter of apology for what she perceived happened. She misunderstood everything that happened and I want to apologize for causing her grief. I have had a lot of time to think about everything and although I do not believe I deserved everything I got, I want her to know that I bare her no ill will or blame her for anything. I just want to clear the air and close the book on this chapter in my life."

Daisuke looked at his cousin and studied him. His voice was truly compassionate and he was sincere. The pleading look in his eyes told him that much. Yasu was trying to right perceived wrongs and bear the burden of what happened. He applauded him for that and it was one of the reasons that he looked up to his older cousin. Grabbing the letter from the table, "I will make sure that it is done. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, thank you for all of your help and encouragement. I don't think I would have made it through my time here if it wasn't for you. You are closer to me than anyone and I just wanted to let you know how much I depended on you."

"I am here any time you need me cousin. We are family and I have always considered you a brother."

"I feel the same Daisuke," Yasu replied as his eyes started to water and tears started to form. It was one trick he learned early on and it had come in very handy with his cousin and Haruhi in the past.

"Soon you will be out and a free man. Stay in touch and I hope to see you soon," Daisuke choked out at the sight of the tears.

"It is time for new beginnings," Yasu said shaking his cousin's hand.

"Yes, it is. You deserve a second chance. Did you need anything else? I cannot offer my place to lay your head, but I can find you other lodging."

"That will not be necessary. I already have a place to stay. I thank you though."

"Ok, but if you need anything, promise that you will call."

"I promise cousin."

"I must be getting back to my post then. Live well Yasu," Daisuke said as he stood up.

"I plan to. Good bye Daisuke," Yasu said and started making his way out of the room. He gave his cousin one last look for good measure and then walked back to his cell. Soon, very soon he would have Haruhi again.