Chapter 8: I'll Protect You Tanuki
"Is Haruhi-dear actually smiling?'
"Ooh my god, I think she is."
"Wah! Haru-chan must've woke up on the right side of the bed!" Mimi let out a squeal and giggled as she was cuddled. "Squishy Squish do you know why Haru-chan's happy?"
"My brother must've had somethin' to do with it." China laughed as she cuddled Mimi. "Mimo, you're adorable! I wanna take you home and cuddle you forever!"
Mimi giggled. "Squishy Squish you have to share me." she snuggled China more and giggled when she saw Haruhi lean against the wall dreamily.
"Looks like she's been bit." China snorted.
"Waah!? Who bit my darling daughter?!" Tamaki cried.
"Crawdad if she got lucky." China cackled.
"A Crawdad bit her?!" Tamaki cried as he teared up. "My poor Haruhi! She was bitten by a rabid crawdad!"
"Your man ain't got no brain, does he?"
"He does...he just doesn't use it." Sally shook her head. "Rene, she wasn't bit by a real bug...except the love bug."
"Haruhi's in…" Tamaki's eyes widened and he went to a corner to sulk. "My darling little girl is dating someone else other than her beloved daddy."
"Idiot." Sally smiled. "Well if she did have fun with the tall drink of chocolate wine then I don't blame her for looking like that."
"Marcus-senpai!"
"Kyaaa, he looks so cool today!"
"Is he wearing the summer uniform without the sweater vest?! I can see his muscles!"
"And without the tie too!"
"His shirt is unbuttoned!"
"Kyaaaaaaa!"
Marcus winced at the screams of the girls as he walked past the group and over to Haruhi. He patted her on the head before holding up the insulated lunch bag.
"You ready to go to class tanuki?"
"Yeah," Haruhi said brightly. "Oh and that looks good...can I keep it with me? I won't eat all of it. I'll save you some."
"You said that Thursday and you ate it all before lunch."
"I had skipped breakfast," Haruhi said. "This time I won't eat it during class. I have snacks with me."
"Nope. I actually wanna eat lunch with you today."
"Fine…" Haruhi blushed. "Oh, there's something I want to give you. Close your eyes."
Marcus closed his eyes with a shake of his head. "My eyes are closed."
Haruhi laughed quietly as she grabbed his hand and placed a wrapped gift in it. "Open them now."
Marcus opened his eyes and looked down at the gift. He then looked at Haruhi and flashed a dimpled smile before he began opening the gift.
The gift was a picture frame with their picture that they had taken on Splash Mountain. Haruhi snorted and waited for Marcus's reaction to the photo.
"I told you spitters were for quitters babe." Marcus snorted.
Haruhi glared daggers at him. "You jerk!" she cried hitting him in the chest. "I am not a spitter! Did you expect me to drink that water?!"
Marcus grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him. He leaned down and whispered in her ear before pulling away with a small grin. Everyone watching the exchange saw Haruhi's face turn a bright red as she leaned against the wall trying to fight back her blush while fanning herself.
"Damn you…" Haruhi whispered before rushing off to class, her face burning a brighter red. She ran past a group of girls who had watched the whole exchange.
Marcus snickered. "Takashi! Honey! Let's go."
"Mark-chan, how come you made Haru-chan blush?" Honey asked as he walked over to Marcus. "Is it cause you gave her a cold?"
"Or she saw him on the corner." Mori snorted.
"No, but she saw your grandad givin' a reach around to a hobo for a dollar." Marcus snickered.
"You sure it wasn't your mom giving me a reach around?" Mori snickered. "She is a pretty good lay with her legs over her head."
"She would have to be able to find your dick without a microscope in order to do that."
"Are you sure you're not talking about your own?" Mori began laughing.
"What's a reach around?" Honey asked innocently.
"It's a-"
"It's a game you're too small to play Baby Boy!" China said, jumping up to hit Marcus and Mori on the back of their heads. "Now get to class!"
"Oi Chinabi!" Hikaru called with a smirk as he leaned against the lockers with his arms crossed over his chest. "How're your legs?"
"Closed." China scoffed as she walked away from Hikaru. "Keep usin' your hand and your busted ass tube sock Froggy Boy!"
Hikaru walked over to China and leaned down whispering in her ear. "You weren't saying that last night kitten."
"Yeah, that's right. Last night I was in my bed while you were in yours dreamin' you could get this cookie. Now back off." China pushed Hikaru away from her as she grabbed Romey's wrist and pulled her away with her.
"Ah, where am I going?" Romey blinked but noticed China's blushing face. "Nevermind, see you guys later."
"Wait for me!" Sally cried running after them.
"Hitachiin."
Hikaru sighed and turned around. "What? I was careful with her," he grumbled looking at Marcus.
Marcus growled and smashed his head into the locker by his forehead. He walked off carrying Honey on his shoulder.
"Mark-chan you look mad." Honey said quietly. "It's ok I'll beat up Hika-chan for you later."
"I'm fine."
Honey nodded.
"Marcus, how was your night?" Mori asked with a smirk. "Did you and Haruhi spend time at that park all day?"
"All day and night. Dropped her off at the apartment then went home to make lunch." Marcus said with a shrug. "Nothin' too big of a deal. Haruhi's a sweet girl."
"You didn't kiss her at the end of the date?" Mori asked.
"Mark-chan didn't kiss Haru-chan?" Honey asked. "Do you not like her Mark-chan?"
"Oh I kissed her lots of times but I don't kiss and tell."
"Sure you don't." Mori laughed quietly. "Oh, are you coming to the music room this afternoon?"
"Yeah! Mark-chan's training begins today!" Honey giggled.
"I got practice today. I skipped it yesterday to hang with Haruhi."
"We can wait for you." Honey said. "It'll be fun because you and Takashi can hang out during the host club and we can eat cake and you can help Kao-chan cook and you can make Tama-chan stop being dumb and you can help Kyo-chan admit his feelings for the princess bunny."
"He goes near her and he's dead. Simple as that." Marcus walked into the classroom and sat Honey on his respective desk.
"Mark-chan do you like the princess bunny?" Honey asked curiously. "You can have her and Haru-chan."
"No. She's my little cousin, and don't call her Bunny."
Honey blinked. "Cousin?" he asked. "And how come? She's cute like one...ok I'll call her...umn...Bun-chan!"
Marcus shrugged as he sat down. He set his bag on the back of his seat and looked up when the teacher walked in.
"Class, good morning." The teacher said brightly. "I do hope all of you had a good time last night. Today we'll get right to work."
Marcus rolled his eyes as he pulled out his workbook.
"Marcus!" Haruhi called out loudly during break time. She had came up from the first floor to see him. "Hey!"
Marcus looked up and waved at her with a small smile. "Sup tanuki? How'd you get free from the zookeeper?"
Haruhi blinked. "Oh? Well, I ran up here because…" she laughed and held up her phone with an announcement on it. "Will you go with me today? I want to go downtown to see Mitski-chan! She's holding a surprise concert at the music store."
"You know she's comin' to Unc's house after that, right?" Marcus asked in a whisper.
Haruhi's eyes widened. "Seriously?!" she cried before quieting down. "Wait...I should bring a gift...does she um like cakes? I can pick up a cake for her after school at the bakery downtown….wait am I allowed to come over? I mean it may be a family thing."
"You're technically family. You're Unc's goddaughter after all."
"But to meet your cousin...in an informal setting may be too much for her," Haruhi said. "She is going to be dressed as an idol right? Maybe she'll let me hear her new songs that are on her next CD."
"You'll be meetin' my cousin as she is. No frills and frontin'. Just be yourself and she'll like you."
Haruhi looked at Marcus. "You're kidding right?" she asked but laughed. "Who cares! I get to meet her in person! Oh, man senpai's going to have a heart attack when he finds out!"
"Do not tell him," Marcus said with a small growl.
"I won't." Haruhi blinked and looked at him. "Marcus you know he's going to be at her show today right? He is her biggest fan….oh, does Birb-chan kn-."
"Calm down China-dear! Oh my...please don't run through the halls."
"CRAWDAD!" China cried. "Crawdad, Crawdad you gotta go now!"
Marcus blinked before standing and grabbing his things. "Let's go." He told his sister as he ran out of the room.
"What in the…" Haruhi blinked. "What happened?"
"I don't know...China-dear got a call and then after that, she ran to find Marcus-san."
"Maybe we'll find out when Mark-chan gets back?"
Haruhi sighed. "I hope they're ok…" she said. "I hope it isn't a family emergency or anything…"
"Let's hope not."
Rei which buildin'?" Marcus asked as the car skidded to a stop at a waterside storage facility. "They're holdin' her here right?"
"The one on the left," Reiichi said. "And we got the message early this morning, your uncle was livid when he got it.
Marcus growled and reached into his glove compartment. He pulled out a pistol and slid it into the waistband of his pants. He got out of the car and waited for China and Reiichi to get out. China stood and tucked a small pistol in her thigh holster as she grabbed the case with the money in it.
Reiichi sighed heavily as he looked at the two. "Are you sure you're going to do this trade-off?" he asked. "The princess could still be in danger."
"Once we lay eyes on her we'll know what plan to go through with," China said.
"Alright come on," Reiichi said leading them to where they had been told to meet the mysterious person. He went silent and looked through the doors. "The princess is tied to a chair...and they have gagged her."
"Alright, let's go." Marcus and China entered the warehouse and looked around it. China stood back against the door, watching as Marcus approached their cousin and untied her.
"Marky?! What are you doing here? Where's daddy?"
"Do you really want Unc here guns blazin' and burnin' everyone down?" Marcus asked as he helped her stand. "You hurt any?"
"Just my face." she showed him the handprint on her face. "I got slapped for whining."
"Did you see their faces?" Marcus stood her up and walked her back to China.
"They were um...really pale...had slicked back hair...oh and one had dark brown hair." She said thinking it over. "They said that I was to be a delivery for their boss."
"Anything else? Tattoos, eye colors?"
"Let's see...their eyes were blue and I saw a bit of a...umn...I think it was a serpent."
"Serpent?" Marcus let out a growl and curse as he pushed his cousin to China. "Get her to the car, leave the case with me."
"Right."
China sat the case down before pulling their cousin out of the warehouse. As the two girls left, a man in a dark suit with slicked-back brown hair stepped out of one of the offices and cursed.
"Who the fuck do you think-" he stopped when and glared at Marcus when he saw the younger man hold the pistol to his forehead.
"We got the girl, here's your cash." He threw the case at him. "Count it."
The man opened the case and began counting the money. He knew better than to mess with Marcus. "It's all there...my boss will be pleased that Ichiro-san complied."
"Who's your boss?" Marcus demanded. "If you don't tell me us, we got ways of gettin' it outta you."
"Ask your uncle." The man said simply. "He should know the symbol of power...a serpent."
"Wrong answer."
Marcus spun the gun around and struck the man with the butt. He watched him crumple to the ground and turned him over. Taking his belt off, he bound the man's arms with it and then used his own belt to bind his ankles. He grabbed the case after throwing the unconscious man on his shoulder and carried him out of the warehouse.
"Rei pop the trunk!"
Reiichi nodded as he popped the trunk from the car. "You're bringing him with us?" he asked in surprise. "Your uncle said to give them the money and then leave once the princess was safely with us."
"Well she's safely with us ain't she? Lettin' him walk away ain't gonna tell us who he works for and if we don't get to the source who's to say that this won't happen again?" Marcus threw the man in the trunk. "Gimme that duct tape in the glove compartment."
"Uh sure." Reiichi grabbed the duct tape and came back with it. "The tattoo the princess said she saw was a serpent, right? There is only one family that has it."
"I know but I wanna be certain." Marcus taped the man's mouth shut before he grabbed a dark pillowcase and covered his head with it.
Reiichi shook his head and went to the driver's side and opened it as he got into the car. He looked back at the two girls. "We'll be at the compound after Marcus is done with what he's doing."
"Actually I have to go back to work….so can I be dropped off at the music store?"
"You're not workin' after gettin' kidnapped. Wolf and Lotte already filled in the store managers." China said as she cuddled her cousin.
"But I'll disappoint my fans and this was my debut in Japan...I was going to sing and then sign my CDs…I really feel bad if my fans are disappointed." she teared up at the thought. "My safety is second to their feelings."
China groaned and yanked on her pigtail. "Don't be a moron! If you ain't safe and healthy then you can't perform any fuckin' way. We're takin' you back to the compound. They can reschedule until you go back on tour."
"Alright….and don't pull my hair...it took my stylist too long...anyway I'll be home with daddy then I'll stay there til it's safe for me to go again." She hugged China. "Besides it's a visit for a week."
"And you can see your new baby brother. He's so cute!"
"EH!? Brother?! Seriously!? But daddy's like 50 and mama's like 60! They're old!"
"Unc is 40 and Aunty is like 38, chill." China rolled her eyes. She looked out the back when she saw the trunk close.
Marcus got into the front seat. "Let's go back to the mansion so I can have a talk with this creep."
"Oh Marky...there is one thing the guy said….apparently he said that the serpent will strike the dragon."
"Before or after we kill it?" Marcus grumbled as he sunk back into his seat. The girls saw him perk slightly and move to answer his ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Marcus where are you? Are you ok?" Haruhi asked. "You ran out of school like you were insane. What happened?"
"I'm fine baby girl, there was a little issue I had to handle. I'm on my way to the compound now."
"Are you not coming back to school?" Haruhi asked. "If you're not I can get your homework from your teachers and bring it to you."
"Depends on how long this takes me, but you can go ahead and get it just in case."
"Ok...oh um...I love you." Haruhi said with a small giggle.
China and their cousin giggled when they saw Marcus blush slightly in the rearview mirror.
"Ooooh. Is that your new girlfriend Crawdad?"
"Marky has a girlfriend? Oooh Marky and his girlfriend sitting in a tree F-U-C-K-I-yeek! I quit!"
"If you two don't stop I'm gassin' y'all out red bean and rice style!" Marcus shouted over his shoulder.
"Fine...new boyfriend says what?"
"Wha-oh goddamnit."
"Girls it's not right to tease him," Reiichi said. "Master Marcus may be in love with the tanuki wonder but that doesn't mean you two can tease him. How would you like it if he teased you two about dating someone?"
"He'd troll Chi-Chi even if she wasn't dating anyone...and it's fine if Marky has a girlfriend. He can finally smile again and be happy. I wish all the happiness for him cause he was sad before."
Marcus groaned softly. "Yeah...love you too baby girl," he muttered to Haruhi.
Haruhi began laughing as she ended the call.
"Oooooh!"
"Shut up!"
Haruhi looked down at her phone as she walked to the large gate. She looked up and rang the bell. She hadn't heard from Marcus and decided that it was best for her to visit instead of waiting for him to call her over.
"Hey Sweetcheeks!" China's voice chirped over the intercom. "Crawdad's still handlin' that business from earlier but come on in. You can meet Bun-Buns and play with Toot while you wait."
The gates opened with a buzz and soft creak.
"Still busy?" Haruhi began to worry but sighed deciding to wait until she got inside to find out what was going on.
When she walked through the front door she was greeted by a dozen men lined up on both sides of the hallway. They were dressed in black with solid colored shirts.
"Welcome Fujioka-chan!" they boomed as they bowed to her.
Haruhi nearly jumped a mile but smiled at them. "Um...thanks?" she said walking down the hallway and past the row of men.
The further down the hall she got the louder a baby's coos became. Poking her head into a room, she held back a squeal at the sight of Tarou cuddling his cousin happily. China looked up and waved Haruhi in with a laugh.
"Come and wait with us." She smiled as she motioned to a girl that was busy pulling out outfits for the baby.
Haruhi blinked a few times and walked into the room as she sat on the floor with China and the baby. "So is that?" she motioned to the girl.
"Yep. Bun-Buns, introduce yourself to Crawdad's girlfriend. Oh, and she knows."
"Hmn? Marky's?" The girl turned around holding a pair of blue overalls. "Ah! You're Marky's girlfriend! Hi! I'm Jenny!"
Haruhi blinked but smiled. "Hi, so you've come home?"
"Just for a while," Jenny explained as she sat on the floor and held out the outfit for Tarou. "Look! You have a cute outfit to wear today!"
"Give it here and I'll change him." China laughed. "You can chill in here Sweetcheeks, Crawdad is givin' an uh...interview so he's tied up."
The girls all winced when they heard a bloodcurdling scream.
"That's a movie one of the men're watchin'." China lied.
"What?" Haruhi blinked. "Are you sure? It sounded really real...and close."
"Yeah, it's a movie! Don't worry!" Jenny waved a hand. "So you and Marky are dating? Tell me you're gonna be nice to him right?"
"Yes, we're dating and I'm nice to him," Haruhi said quietly. "I mean I enjoy all of the time I spend with him and he's amazing."
"So you like everythin' about him? Includin' his future career plan?" China asked as she changed Tarou into his bear onesie.
"Yeah...I worry about him…" Haruhi admitted. "But he reassured me that he'll be fine."
"Marky is strong and he's right you don't need to worry." Jenny glared at China. "Chi-Chi put him in the outfit I chose!"
"I just want you to see him in the onesie first!" China held up Tarou. "Adorable, right?"
"It's cute! But he can't move in it right."
Haruhi shook her head. "You know if Marcus saw you two put him in that he'd have your heads. He loves the little guy and I'm sure he doesn't want him to be dressed girly."
"He picked it out." China giggled as she dressed Tarou in the outfit laid out for him.
"Seriously?" Haruhi began thinking as she snorted at the thought of Marcus and Tarou dressed alike. She began laughing as she fell to the floor holding her sides. "Oh god...that's awesome!"
"I think she did the imaginin' them dressed alike thing," China whispered to Jenny before looking up when she heard footsteps.
Marcus leaned in the doorway watching the three of them, smiling as he held back a laugh at Haruhi. His arms were folded over his chest, t-shirt stained with blood as his knuckles were bruised and bloodied.
"Oh man...can you guys imagine?" Haruhi stood up and began dancing around. "Hey look at me! I'm Marcus Sakurai and I'm a big teddy bear and this is my little teddy bear! Come watch me do a goofy dance!"
"I don't do goofy dances baby girl."
Haruhi froze up and turned to the door. "Marcus!?" she cried blushing. "Oh um...how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to see that horrible impression of me."
"Uh...yeah I was just…" Haruhi began before her eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, are you ok?! Your shirt and knuckles are bloody!"
"Oh yeah I'm fine, it ain't mine."
"It's not?" Haruhi asked softly. "Oh, so it's...someone else's!?"
"Yeah." Marcus shrugged. "Don't worry, he's alive. For now."
"Oh…" Haruhi said before smiling. "Oh! Um, you want to play with us? Tarou-chan's awake and dressed in cute clothes!"
"Sure, gimme a sec." Marcus pulled his t-shirt off and began ripping the fabric. Haruhi saw him wrap the ripped pieces around his knuckles before wiping any blood off his chest with the rest of the fabric.
Haruhi watched him a moment before blinking when she heard a squeal. "Oh, Tarou-chan? What's wrong?"
"He wants Marky, cause Chi-Chi is cuddling him too much."
"C'mere lil' man." Marcus gave a soft smile as he reached for the baby.
Tarou gave a soft squeal and looked up at China as he pouted wanting to be let go. He turned his head into her chest and whimpered.
"Okay, okay, here." China handed Tarou to Marcus with a small pout. "Traitor baby."
Marcus laughed as he cuddled his baby cousin, smiling when the baby cooed and laid his head on his cousin's chest while trying to suck on his necklace.
"He only loves Marcus," Haruhi laughed quietly. "Don't worry Birb-chan, you still have someone that loves you….a certain ginger-haired twin."
"Fuck him and the devil horse he rode in on." China spat as she cuddled Jenny. "Nya, I still have my Bun-Buns."
"You would but um…" Jenny said with a small nervous laugh. "Daddy was going to take me to play mini golf...I just needed to change Tarou for mama."
"Oh well go ahead. I'm not gonna fight Unc for you." China smiled as she sat up. "I think I'mma go bother Rei and do clean-up duty in the interview room."
"Alright and when I come back I'll show you the new song I am working on." Jenny stood up as she dusted off her dress and walked out of the room. "Daddy! I want to go drive go-karts too!" she called.
"You got on drivin' shoes?" Ichiro's deep voice boomed back.
"Yes! My pink sneakers!" Jenny laughed as she left the room.
Haruhi shook her head. "So that's your cousin...she's a cute one...her hair is pretty long though."
"She gets that from Aunty." Marcus laughed as he sat on the bean bag chair with Tarou. He looked down at the baby as Tarou's head bobbled while he cooed. "So how was the rest of school?"
"It was busy as always," Haruhi said. "I mean the others had us leave class early because the ouran fair's coming up."
"Wassat?" Marcus patted the spot on the bean bag chair next to him.
Haruhi went and sat next to him. "It's an event like a school festival where all of the students run everything," she said watching Tarou. "Aww, little guy you're a cutie."
"So is attendance mandatory or do people skip that too?" Marcus laughed as Tarou's lips twitched in a smile before going back to a serious stare.
"You can skip it but why not participate?" Haruhi asked.
"Don't feel the need to?"
"But it's fun!" Haruhi said brightly.
"Alright, if I go you owe me a home cooked meal."
"Ok," Haruhi said as she blinked. "What's with the baby's face? Why is he so serious?"
"He does this when he doesn't get attention." Marcus tickled Tarou under his chin and the baby cracked a toothless grin as a choked giggle came from him.
"Sneaky." Haruhi laughed quietly and stretched as she looked up at the ceiling. "So your interview...was it for a reason?"
"Some guy made a threat against the family for his boss. I wanted to make sure it was who we thought." Marcus shrugged as he kept tickling Tarou. "I was right."
"Oh," Haruhi smiled softly watching Marcus and Tarou before reaching out and tickling the baby's chin. "No more violence when a baby is in the house."
Marcus snorted. "Fine, I'll tell you when I drop you off to your house."
Haruhi nodded. "Ok," she looked at Tarou again and laughed. "Hey Tarou-chan who's a good baby? You are! You are! Can you say Haruhi?"
Tarou cooed and laid his head on Marcus's chest, hiding his face in it after letting out a squeal.
"That's right you're cute!" Haruhi laughed softly. "Tarou-chan you're my favorite Sakurai boy now."
"Rude." Marcus snorted.
"What? He's small and cute." Haruhi pointed out. "And you're big and cute too but he needs more love."
"Still rude." Marcus laughed softly. He laid back in the bean bag and laid Tarou on his chest.
Haruhi glared at him as she took the baby from him and cuddled him gently. "Hey little Tarou, you're a cutie, I love you! You're a cutie! When you're old enough I'll teach you to read."
Tarou let out a whine at being taken away from his cousin. He hiccuped before he started to whimper and cry.
Haruhi blinked. "Wait don't cry!" she said and began singing trying to get him to calm down. Tarou began wailing louder as he flailed and squirmed. Marcus took him back and smiled when the baby calmed down and cuddled into him.
"You spoiled him." Haruhi shook her head. "So...um you want to maybe...go out tonight?"
"Sure, we can get some food and have a picnic by the lake."
"Actually, I was…" Haruhi stood up and went to grab her bag she left by the door. She opened it and pulled out a bag she had gotten from McDonald's. "I was thinking we could go to the roller rink...and also I forgot I had this...I brought a small snack."
Marcus laughed. "The roller rink? Why not an arcade?" He sat up and laid Tarou on his back on his lap. "You got enough to share or is it tanuki food only?"
"Well…" Haruhi said and looked at Marcus. "And you want some? Well, I guess so."
"Come on and share. I don't bite."
Haruhi looked down at the bag then up at him. "Alright," she said pulling out her mega mac and split it in half. She gave him the smaller piece.
"Really? I get the baby half?"
Haruhi nodded. "What? It's as big as mine." Haruhi said simply. "Besides you're holding a baby, and it's wrong to eat something he cannot eat yet."
"I do it all the time. He don't fuss none." Marcus shook his head as he took a bite of his share. "Stingy tanuki tryin' to find loopholes."
"Well um…" Haruhi thought for a moment. "Fine you can have another piece...but only because you need your energy….unless you want to wait until we get to the rink...um also you have to wear something nice too."
"How nice?"
Haruhi smiled. "Something you can skate in," she said. "And something you can play laser tag and arcade games in too." she gave a small squeak at the sleeping Tarou. "Aww! He's sleeping!"
Marcus laughed as he stood with Tarou in his arms. He carried him to his bassinet and laid him down on his back, taking his little shoes off and setting them on the floor.
"You know his shoes could go on a shelf," Haruhi said with a small smile. "Aww look at his little face!"
Marcus leaned down and kissed his forehead before turning to Haruhi. "Let's go. I got a change of clothes here."
"Ok," Haruhi said with a small smile. "By the way, I have to ask...why didn't you and Birb-chan go with your uncle? You two look like the types to go play mini golf."
"We got all the time in the world to spend with her. Unc has been missin' her a lot and we ain't wanna interrupt their time together."
Haruhi nodded. "Ah I see," she snorted. "You know it's the first time I've seen your uncle in something other than a suit...he looks like such a dad."
"How else are dads supposed to look?" Marcus asked with a snort.
"Um...well...let's see…" Haruhi said. "Wearing T-shirts and skinny jeans? Like my dad? Though now that I think about it...my dad in skinny jeans must mean his balls are non-existent at this point because of how tight they are."
"I did not need that description," Marcus said with a blank stare. He patted Haruhi on the head before grabbing her bag and pulling her out of the room so that Tarou could sleep in peace.
Haruhi shook her head and hummed quietly as she looked up at him. "You asked what I
thought a dad was supposed to look like."
"Crawdad! I made you and your guest some snacks!"
"Oh alright, we're goin' to my room," Marcus called as he let Haruhi's hand go to take the snack tray from his aunt.
Stella smiled. "I hope you don't mind that I baked you a cake," she said. "Oh and I made some tea too, I hope you don't mind that I am using your special tea set."
"Special tea set?" Marcus looked down at it with a small sigh. "No...thank you, Aunty." He shook his head and carried the tray to his room. He sat it down on the table in front of his bed before walking to the closet.
Haruhi snorted. "Aunt's boy." She said quietly as she giggled. "Aww, Crawdad has a special tea set!"
"Shut up. You want the snack or not?"
"Yeah, I want it," Haruhi said. "It looks like a chocolate pudding cake...ooh and it has cream on top! Share with me baby Crawdad."
"Ha ha ha, I got your baby, tanuki," Marcus grumbled as he walked out of his closet in his underwear. He walked past Haruhi and grabbed a fresh t-shirt from the dresser before walking back to the closet.
Haruhi stared at him. "Hey…" she said quietly. "You wear such tight underwear...your balls are non-existent too."
"Do you really wanna see for yourself? Be lucky I'm even wearin' any draws at all."
Haruhi laughed. "Maybe some other time and um...you freeball it? Wow...daring…" she said. "We were meant to date...ah why did I say that?!"
Marcus smirked. "And what do you mean by that oh cunnin' tanuki wonder?"
"Nothing!" Haruhi took the biggest piece of cake and smiled brightly. "Ooh, this looks good!"
Marcus walked over and took it from her. "Nope, you got the biggest half of the burger."
"Hey! I claimed that!" Haruhi cried. "Fine, I'll just eat four times as much at the rink….Crawdad."
"Tanuki." He took a bite of the cake with a victorious smirk, licking the icing from his lips before carrying it with him back to the closet.
"What are you? RKelly-san?" Haruhi asked. "Get out of the closet!"
"If I come outta it again I'mma be butt ass naked, let me get dressed onna."
"Sure fine," Haruhi looked around his room as she stood up and went to his bed. She looked down at it. "The hell? You got a bug doll?"
"It ain't a bug, it's a crawdad."
"Oh? It's a crawdad…" Haruhi picked up the doll and looked at it. "It's cute, but he needs a friend."
"A friend?" Marcus stepped out in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a striped button up that he was in the process of buttoning.'
"Yeah, a friend…" Haruhi said. "Ah, I know! He can be friends with Tanu-chan! She needs a friend."
"Tanu-chan. Lemme guess, a stuffed tanuki."
Haruhi nodded. "Yep! She's my best friend," she said. "A great listener, she likes my bed and she also watches my fish Mako."
"You got a pet fish? Why? All they do is swim and stare at you as you get dressed."
"She's a good listener," Haruhi said. "And she knows how to do tricks...she can flip in her bowl."
"Uh-huh." Marcus buttoned the shirt up and grabbed his slice of cake. He sat on the bed and began eating it again.
"And it's the only pet allowed in my apartment building." Haruhi reminded him. "Cats and dogs aren't allowed."
"Sad. Cats make good pets."
"Cats are cute," Haruhi admitted. "But I love Mako more, she's a cute fish."
"Mm, more like cute food." He sat his empty plate down and picked up a cup of tea.
"So…" Haruhi said with a small smirk. "Crawdad tea set...you are an aunt's boy...she spoils you."
"You got a problem with that baby girl?"
"It's cute." Haruhi laughed. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed."
"Shut up, t'aint cute," Marcus grumbled as he sipped his tea.
"Crawdad! I finished washing all of your underwear! Including your Black Panther ones with the fangs around the waistband!"
Haruhi began laughing loudly. She saw Marcus grumble more as he hid his face in his hands and fell backward onto the bed.
"Aww, it's cute!" Haruhi laughed. "Wakanda forever!"
"Shut up."
Haruhi laughed. "What's wrong? You're freezing on me? Don't want me to see your special underoos?" she got up and sat next to him as she kissed him. "It's cute…"
Marcus looked up at her and shook his head with a roll of his eyes. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down to lay beside him.
Haruhi smiled against his lips and pulled away. "Marcus...you're so sweet...I think I am falling more in love with you."
"You think so? You just met me this week." He chuckled softly.
"It's weird...you seem like a person I want to be with for a while," Haruhi said quietly.
"Good, I don't believe in short relationships."
Haruhi laughed before sitting up again. "We should go," she said. "We need to be there at six."
"Why six? We ain't meetin' up with your friends are we?"
"Um…"
She saw Marcus shake his head and sit up. "Fine, but," he pulled her in for a kiss. "I get you to myself later."
Haruhi blushed. "Ok...you can keep me to yourself."
He smiled and kissed her again before sitting up. "Come on, let's go play nice with your friends."
Haruhi smiled. "They'll be your friends too."
"Mn. If you say so."
"You'll have fun!"
"Fine fine." Marcus looked at Haruhi as he stretched, taking his braids down from their ponytail.
Haruhi laid back down and smiled softly.
"I thought we were supposed to be goin'."
"We are, I just want to lay on your chest," Haruhi said. "It's soft."
Marcus snorted. "Well, that's fat and muscle you're layin' on." He rubbed her arm as he sighed.
"Still soft."
Marcus laughed and closed his eyes as his hand went to play in her hair.
"Mmn…" Haruhi yawned before looking down at Marcus. "Eh!? We...we fell asleep…"
Marcus yawned and stretched under Haruhi. He rolled over on his side and wrapped his arm around her, burying his face into her side.
Haruhi blushed and ran a hand through his hair gently. She looked outside and saw it was darker than it had been earlier and then she looked at the clock on the table. It was 10. "Marcus...hey! Wake up!"
She saw his nose scrunch up before a hazel eye cracked open and looked up at her.
"What?" he grumbled, his voice much deeper than usual.
"We missed the event," Haruhi said. "And I need to get home it's 10...so I'll see you tomorrow."
"Hold on, lemme splash some water on my face and drive you."
"I'm fine, the trains haven't stopped running," Haruhi said. "You go back to sleep ok? I'll be fine."
"Nah, let's go." He stood and walked into the bathroom adjacent to his room. He came back after the sound of water rushing was heard.
Haruhi sighed. "Marcus, go back to bed, I can go home by train." She said. "It's not that big of a deal."
"Nope. Get your stuff."
"I said I'm fine," Haruhi said. "Go back to bed right now Marcus Sakurai or else I'll...I'll never cook for you again."
"Nope. I wanna make sure you get home safe and I'm not gonna be satisfied unless I see you walk through your door."
"You need your rest!" Haruhi snapped before looking up as she heard the front door opening. "Damn it someone heard us."
"I'll rest when I get home. Now come on."
"Fine…" Haruhi grumbled as she went to open the door. She held back a small squeak and giggled softly. "Aww your uncle's back...and he's carrying your cousin...she's asleep how cute!"
"Oh, you're gone?" Ichiro asked with a small smile as he adjusted Jenny in his arms.
"Yeah, I'm gonna drop the tanuki off and then go home."
"Alright. Be safe, see you later Tanuhi."
Haruhi smiled. "Bye Ichiro-san," she said. "You look happier too."
Ichiro shook his head. "See ya kids, be careful out there."
"Yeah, yeah." Marcus took Haruhi's hand and led her down the hall to the entryway.
"I'm home now," Haruhi mumbled. "You can go back to sleep at your own house and I'll see you later." She said standing near the stairs to her apartment. "Good night."
"Go in and then I'll go to my car," Marcus said with a small smile.
Haruhi sighed as she kissed him before she went up the stairs and waved at him when she got to her floor. "Go to your car now and go home!"
"Fine, fine." Marcus got in the car and crunk it, not pulling off until he saw that Haruhi had entered the apartment.
Haruhi shook her head and went inside her apartment, she felt something on her arm and blinked when she saw someone standing near her. "The hell?" she let out a scream. She began pulling away from him before she ran into her apartment and slammed the door. She pulled out her phone and called Marcus.
"Hello? What's wrong?" She heard Marcus ask over the sound of his radio turning down.
"Marcus…" Haruhi said softly. "Marcus…"
"Lock your door and don't answer it until you hear me knock." She heard the sound of tires squealing before the engine revved to life.
"Ok…" Haruhi said softly locking her door. She looked out the peephole and saw the guy was gone.
Marcus cursed under his breath as he sped back to the complex. Pulling into the parking area, he parked the car and searched his glove compartment until he found his gun. Slipping it into his waistband, he got out and bounded up the stairs three steps at a time. He knocked on the door three times before knocking two more times.
"Haruhi."
Haruhi opened the door armed with a frying pan as she blinked. "Marcus!" she cried as she hugged him.
"Hey, hey, where was he?" He asked her softly as he rubbed her back gently.
"Near my door," Haruhi said. "I was opening it and he grabbed my wrist...I-I don't know who he was."
"Alright, I'mma go check and see if he's still around. Lock the door behind me, ok?"
Haruhi nodded. "Be careful," she begged.
She saw him smile and kiss her forehead before he closed the door behind him. Stepping onto the balcony area, he walked around the perimeter, checking to see if anyone was still there. At hearing footsteps below him, he peeked over the railing to see a hooded man walking hurriedly.
"Hey! You!"
The hooded man looked up at Marcus before he began walking faster to reach the exit. Marcus narrowed his eyes. Taking a few steps back, he leapt over the railing. Grabbing the walkway, he swung and landed in front of the man.
"I said hey!" He grabbed the front of his hoodie and lifted him up.
The man looked at Marcus quietly before his hood came off his head revealing a boy with brown hair and blue eyes.
"What're you doin' here?"
"I...I live here." The boy lied.
"Show me where." Marcus set him down and pushed him forward. "Go on."
The boy nodded and began walking down the hallway slowly as he held back his urge to run from Marcus. "You don't have to follow me."
"Yeah, I do. There's a creep around harassin' people, especially young girls. You wouldn't know nothin' about it would you?"
"No…," the boy said as he stopped at an apartment door. "Ok, I'm at my apartment you can let me go now."
"Go in."
"I...um...I don't…" the boy said nervously.
"If you live here you should be able to get in right?" Marcus asked, taking note of the boy's sudden nervous demeanor. "I don't like liars and if you're lyin' to me and you're the one harassin' the girls around here well then I'll have to handle you myself."
"I lost my key." the boy lied.
"Don't you keep a spare outside?"
"No."
"Hm." Marcus eyed him quietly before pulling his phone out. The boy saw him punch in a few numbers before he held the phone up and put it on speaker phone. "Hello, police? I got a guy standin' in front of me that harassed a girl outside of her apartment."
"We'll send officers to your location now." the dispatcher said.
"He's in a gray hoodie, brown hair, blue eyes. Kinda scraggly and sickly lookin'." Marcus looked the boy up and down. "Says he lives here but ain't got any keys on him."
"I'll need your location." the dispatcher said as they were heard typing something trying to look up the boy's description in their database.
Marcus gave them their location. "Fourth floor, he harassed a girl on the fifth."
"Alright, they'll be on their way. The dispatcher said as the call ended.
"I do live here!" the boy cried again. "I didn't bother any girl on the fifth floor!"
"Uh-huh, sure."
"I do!" The boy insisted. "I just...lost my key that's all!"
"Don't believe you," Marcus called Haruhi. "Baby girl."
"Marcus? Did you find the guy?" Haruhi asked softly. "I saw you running."
"Did you get a decent look at his face?"
"Um...I saw his eyes...they were behind a pair of large glasses." Haruhi said. "I think they were blue."
"Could you recognize him if you saw a picture of him?"
Haruhi nodded. "Yeah."
"Smile for the camera." Marcus took a picture of the boy and sent it to Haruhi.
"That's him," Haruhi said after she looked at the picture.
"Good, police're on their way. I'll come up when they get done with him."
"Ok...be careful."
"Always am. Call your dad home too."
"Ok…"
"I'll be up soon," Marcus promised as the sound of sirens filled the air.
The boy sighed as he looked at Marcus. "I'm telling you, man, I live here!"
"Tell the cops. I don't give a shit."
The boy glared but quickly went silent when he saw a couple of police officers walking towards them
"The girl he harassed already id'd him by lookin' at his picture," Marcus told the cops quickly as he stepped back.
The police officers nodded and went to the boy before they handcuffed him and began leading him down the hallway.
"So Ichiro's nephew is the one who called in the tip?" a woman's voice said from behind Marcus. "I'm impressed you didn't kill him."
"I'm new here, I ain't gonna cause too much trouble. Yet." Marcus looked at the woman. "Spidermonkey?"
The woman nodded. "Hello there Marcus-kun," she said. "It's nice to see you again, my you've grown...you're almost as tall as my son."
"Nah, I'm taller than him." Marcus waved a hand. "Do you need to talk to her? She's waitin' in her apartment for me."
"We've caught the boy and we won't need to ask her anything." the woman said with a small smile. "Take care of her." she then began walking down the hallway as she was heard telling the other officers to make sure the boy didn't try to talk his way out of being taken to the station.
Marcus headed up the stairs and knocked on the door in the same pattern as before. "Haruhi."
Haruhi opened the door and was instantly in his arms. "Marcus!" she cried.
Marcus smiled and entered the apartment with her clinging to him. He slipped his shoes off and lifted her up, carrying her over to the couch.
"They arrested him and are takin' him in."
Haruhi nodded. "Ok…" she said softly. "Don't leave me."
"I'll stay here as long as you want, or until your dad gets here. You did tell him that you got someone waitin' with you, right?"
Haruhi nodded. "Yes…"
"Alright." Marcus laid back on the couch and pulled Haruhi to lay on his chest. He wrapped them both in the blanket on the back of it and rubbed her back in soft circles, humming softly to soothe her nerves.
"Marcus…" Haruhi whispered. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before...if I had been alone...who knows what would've…"
"Shh, don't worry about it." Marcus looked down at her. "Call it old habits from back home, I always made sure my friends made it home and inside safe."
Haruhi nodded. "But I would've…" she said softly again.
"But you didn't. Focus on that instead." He shifted under her and pulled the gun from the back of his waistband. Turning the safety on, he sat it on the floor and slid it under the couch out of sight but within his reach.
Haruhi nodded as she finally calmed down. "Marcus thank you so much…" She said. "Thank you for coming back...thank you for saving me….thank you…"
"You ain't gotta thank me for that," he looked down at her. "If you ever need me, just call me and I'll come runnin'."
"Ok…"
They went quiet as Haruhi found herself being drawn into his embrace even more. A small smile crossed her face as she nuzzled it into the crook of his neck. She could still smell his cologne. Under the hands on his chest, she could feel his heart beating as it began to calm. It was steady, strong and soothing...much like him.
Haruhi glanced upwards to see that Marcus' eyes were closed with a small smile on his lips.
"Marcus?" There was no way he had fallen asleep already. "Marcus." Haruhi sat up and patted his cheek.
Hazel eyes opened and looked up at her. "Yeah, baby girl?"
"Oh, um, were you sleeping?"
"No, just thinkin'." Marcus smiled at her. "Don't worry, just rest."
Haruhi nodded as she laid down and cuddled him more. "I love you...I mean it this time."
"You do, huh?" Marcus smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too."