A/N: We are finally at new content, peeps! Yay! (The previous chapters - all of them - have been very much edited and all have new content added, although only a few hundred words each.) And this is where things start changing a bit more!

This is ALSO where I post a warning that from here on out, chapter numbers will not be congruent with anime episodes any more, after this point some episodes simply don't translate well, don't have enough meaningful content, or I just plain flat out do not like some episodes, so from here forth I am not doing every single episode; however there are also interludes which have nothing to do with anime chapters to develop things a bit more thoroughly in the background about the relationship that is growing!

Kyōya was highly displeased. He knew that a resort, especially the kind like his family ran, was not Haruhi's kind of thing; however Tamaki had insisted, when he said they should go on vacation, that they come to this resort, so his pet had not really enjoyed herself like he had planned when he wanted an outing for her.

He had been thinking of an actual beach and going to the ocean. Still, she looked very fetching in her swimsuit – or had, until Tamaki's attraction interfered, and he had jealously made her put on a pullover – and she had been sincerely interested in why Kyōya's family was running a place like that.

Still… he sighed. Maybe he could give her a good time after all, if he could just find a way to take her out somewhere some time soon. He'd intended on taking her aside and bringing her over the edge again, but with Honey getting swept away thanks to Tamaki's insane clumsiness, that had been ruined.

Well, this week they would really be going to the beach, and he would ensure that Haruhi would have a fantastic time.

Haruhi was enjoying herself, despite still being at work and not being able to dress freely or swim.

The beach was amazing, she had friends all around her – as much as one could call the company she was keeping "friends", anyway – and they had caught so many shellfish for supper tonight! It would be an absolute feast! She knew that Kyōya-senpai was behind the bounty and it pleased her to know he was looking out for her likes as well as her physical desires; she never got to eat so well at home as she would tonight. Now, if only nothing would get in the way, maybe she and Kyōya-senpai could get some private time alone together. That would be so nice…

Hikaru and Kaoru smirked as an amazing idea hit them. It would goad Tamaki into being reckless and stupid, be entertaining, and maybe if it worked out they would be able to tell Kyōya-senpai something interesting. Of course, Kaoru and Hikaru would rather keep Haruhi's weakness to themselves, but, ah… it would not please the Shadow King and so they would look out for themselves, by informing him promptly as soon as they fingured out Haruhi's weakness.

Wait, what was this?! Kyōya-senpai had gotten his hands on some super adorable pictures of middle-school Haruhi?!

Oho, this would up the stakes of the game significantly – They had to win! The King would work hard, but the twins would not give up! Kyōya-senpai probably had blackmailed someone to get those pictures, and had his own copies no doubt, but this was a delightful surprise.

They would win this game!

Kyōya smirked as the game began. He had no need to keep those pictures to himself, after all, as he could always make more copies, and Ranka-san had been so kind as to provide him with plenty of material. The older man had been gleeful to find out about Haruhi's place in their Club, and even more gleeful to see how interested Kyōya was in his little girl, which was slightly suspicious, but eh... Not something to worry over. It could just be that he wanted her to have someone to be with; Ranka-san wasn't your usual parent, as had been made incredibly clear over the course of their correspondence.

He already knew Haruhi's "weakness", anyway, so there was no point whatsoever to joining in with the game.

See, four days ago, a sudden storm had whipped up right as Haruhi and Kyōya were leaving to go home, and she had nearly collapsed with terror at the thunder and lightning. It wasn't a big deal if anyone else found out – in fact, the more people who knew, the more people could protect Haruhi if a storm cropped up – but Kyōya was pleased that she had boldly admitted her fear to him and allowed him to comfort her until the rapid storm passed, holding her and petting her, whispering promises of future fun to her to help distract his precious kitten.

The others would probably fail, anyway. Except for being afraid of storms, Haruhi was pretty unflappable. Their attempts would be absolutely hilarious though.

Haruhi threw her bucket of spiny, hard shellfish at the thugs threatening her three most stable customers – those who had been with her since the very beginning of her career as a Host – not caring that they were taller and stronger than her. She would not let her friends get hurt! That just was not something Haruhi was capable of standing by and watching; even if it meant getting hurt herself, even if it meant being exposed as a girl, Haruhi would not just idly observe as those men harassed anyone!

Things got out of control, however, when one of them grabbed her and pushed her over the edge of the boulder, and she vaguely saw Tamaki-senpai dive in after her. Ah… That was kind of sweet…? Maybe?

Chocolate brown eyes closed as the force of hitting the water knocked the breath out of Haruhi's lungs, and she came to consciousness in Tamaki-senpai's arms, which she didn't like much but was still grateful for being alive and conscious whatsoever. She was glad to know the girls were alright, but… Oh, shit.

Kyōya-senpai was furious with her.

Probably nobody else could tell, but as he glared at her, his eyes were burning with righteous rage, and she barely kept tears from coming as she protested needing a doctor. Dammit! She couldn't help that she didn't have any tolerance for bullies, and the rest of them had been so far away, they would never have made it in time before the girls had been dragged off by those horrible men! She couldn't have just stood by and done nothing! It wasn't in her nature!

Then Tamaki-senpai yelled at her, and she kept her ground – he had no right to be mad at her! Kyōya-senpai, she would apologise to, but when it came to Tamaki-senpai she hadn't done anything wrong at all! Helping those girls had been the right thing to do, even if she got hurt for it!

The situation with Kyōya-senpai was different, though. She was his, and she had endangered herself, and thus risked letting something that was his get damaged. Her owner deserved her apology for that, even though she would absolutely not promise to never do something like that again. That would be a lie and Haruhi hated lying. It was in her innate nature to act as she had, so she couldn't help it. But she could at least try calling for help next time. Not calling for Tamaki-senpai though. He didn't want to talk to her, fine! She didn't want to talk to him either!

When Haruhi was back at the beach house, washed and dried and dressed – ugh, dad had packed her a bunch of frilly clothes, but… She blushed. Maybe after she apologised to Kyōya-senpai, this could work in her favour? She picked out a soft, knee-length peach dress and slid it onto her slender body, smiling as the soft fabric caressed her skin.

She would take her punishment if he gave her one, but hopefully it wouldn't be something too horrible, and afterwards, once punishment was over and Haruhi had been truly forgiven, who knew what might happen, with her dressed so prettily?

With those thoughts in mind, she ate her fill while Tamaki-senpai was there, refusing to be guilted by him, but as soon as he and Kyōya-senpai left, she lost her appetite, knowing that punishment was probably going to come next and dreading it. She'd never been bad before, and it wasn't like she'd endangered herself on purpose!

Dammit… She knew she needed to apologise to everyone, and she did, but the one who really deserved her apology was Kyōya-senpai, and she had zero idea where he was.

Ah, crap.. She ate too much.

How fortunate that Haruhi would get sick in his bathroom, Kyoya thought, as she barged into and rushed to the toilet to relieve herself of her dinner.

Kyōya was infuriated. How dare she risk getting herself hurt like that?! Haruhi wasn't replaceable, she wasn't just some number in a line! She was his and he loved her and she had no right—wait, what?

Oh. He loved her. Kyoya loved his Haruhi-pet, his kitten, his good girl.

Huh. That was… unexpected. But it was a good thing; he could already tell she regretted what she had done, and was highly likely about to be apologizing to him when she saw him, but maybe if she knew this she would think next time.

When Haruhi came out and apologised to him, he walked over and turned the lights out, pushing her onto the bed and giving her a blistering scolding, hissing out his anger at her as he pinned her there, eyes burning into hers with unsuppressed anger. "What were you thinking, Haruhi?! You aren't an idiot! You are not replaceable! You could have gotten hurt, you did nearly drown, and it is more than just a matter of my pet getting damaged! Fucking hell, Haruhi! I love you, kitten, and I don't want you ever doing anything like that again!"

He watched her as her breath caught in her chest, and then she began to cry, quietly and softly, sobbing nearly silently and clinging to his neck as apologies dropped from her lips. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Kyōya-senpai, I really am! I worried you and I love you too, so much,and please, Haruhi will be good, just please don't stay mad!"

Hearing that she loved him back was enough to calm his ire, and he draped his body over hers, soothingly running his fingers through her hair and kissing her cheeks gently. "Shhh, shhh kitten. I forgive you. Just, never worry me like that again, okay?"

She nodded, but bit her lip, "I can't promise.. Never to worry you again. I'm human and I'll mess up.. But I'll think next time, and try not to risk myself like that again."

"Kyōya?"

Shit. Tamaki, ugh. He swiftly kissed his kitten and whispered, "After everyone goes to sleep."

She flushed and nodded, smiling shyly as she wiped her face on the pillow, just in time for Kyōya to climb off her and wait for Tamaki to open the door, which he did withing seconds, before immediately overreacting – although, only because he had no right to Haruhi – to seeing Haruhi in Kyōya's bed, and knew that the idiot-king would make a fuss to her over it, but let her leave with the blonde.

Tonight, they would see where things went.

Haruhi ignored Tamaki's raging, blatantly lying to him when she said she wasn't doing anything with Kyōya-senpai, and ignoring him as he left… until she heard the thunder. Shit! Why did it have to be Tamaki-senpai here instead of Kyōya-senpai?!

Making up her mind, she climbed into the wardrobe and demanded, "I'm not coming out! Not unless Kyōya-senpai is here!"

Luckily, before Tamaki-senpai could question her about her comment, she heard her door slam open, and Kyōya-senpai calmly walked in. "Tamaki; leave."

He protested that, but as Haruhi opened the door, she saw Kyōya shoot him a quelling glare. "Haruhi doesn't like to talk about it, and she would prefer if you didn't spread this around. You'll get your pictures, so just leave."

Pictures?

Dammit, who cared, she just wanted Tamaki-senpai to leave, so Kyōya-senpai could distract her!

He hesitated, but nodded, and then left the room, wailing about "Daddy" being "spurned" and "knowing when Daddy isn't wanted", meaning he was off to go sulk.

Thunder crashed through the room, and Haruhi ran to Kyōya-senpai, who soothed her by stroking her hair, picking her up, and laying her out on the bed, his hands wandering over her dress and soft kisses being pressed across her collarbone. "I'm scared, Kyoya-senpai…"

"I know," he said softly, before capturing her mouth with his, laying his body atop hers, and dominating her just how she liked.

It was okay now. Kyōya-senpai was with her. Kyōya-senpai would protect her. Their tentative plans could wait until another day.