Disclaimer: I do not own anything

"Talking"

'Thinking'

*SPELL/ABILITY*

A/N: First off thanks for taking the time to read this... my first A/N will be kind of long especially for most A/N but I'm going to tell you the differences between this fanfic and the canon... honestly, not much is different but the differences are in Bell... he doesn't have different abilities or equipment just a different (kind of) drive... The big difference being his skill Liaris Freese... his will and drive that is fueling that skill is his want to be a True Hero... He still thinks Ais is the person he is trying to catch up to because he sees her as the closest thing to a hero in Orario, thinks she beautiful, etc... but his skill was brought about by his will to be a hero... the other thing about him that will be a little different will be his personality... I honestly didn't like Bell's character in the LNs until vol 11 and I absolutely think Hestia is one of the worst LN characters ever conceived... why do I own all 12 volumes you ask? I love every other character in DanMachi... like all of them... the world of DanMachi has a ton of incredible characters Syr, Ryuu, Eina, Ais, Tione, Tiona, Haruhime, Mikoto, Weine, the list goes on and on... that is why I love DanMachi so much... it is just a bonus now that I finally like Bell... so I'm going to take Bell's newfound confidence he got in vol 11 and finally cemented in vol 12 and give it to him from the start of my fanfic... He will still get flustered on occasion but he usually won't be the bumbling, flustered, nonconfident Bell you are used to from canon... The last thing about Bell is I'm going to make him 16 at the start of my fanfic, not 14 like he is in canon... This fanfic is going to pick up at the end of Vol 7 and go from there... as you can see if you read the tags, it's a Bell X Haruhime pairing... that is why I'm starting at vol 7... spoiler (not really), this is going to turn into a harem if you couldn't tell from the title lol... I believe the harem will be Haruhime/Syr/Ais/Eina... I might add more or could change out one or more... I am a huge fan of Ryuu and Tiona so that is always a possibility... There's a reason I'm starting with Haruhime as the first girl... you will see after you read a bit of the story... thanks for reading my long ass A/N, now let's get to the first chapter!

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With Aisha defeated, Bell stumbled his way toward Haruhime, kneeled, and braced her upper body against his knees. Suddenly, a pillar of light rose to the heavens right in front of his eyes, the sonic boom pushing against his skin.

'What is that? No way.' he thought to himself as he looked upon the celestial light in awe.

A deity had been sent back to heaven. The boy had never seen anything like this colossal beacon in his young life. He wasn't the only one to behold it for the first time, either. Other citizens of Orario looked out their windows with their own eyes to see the gigantic pillar dominating the landscape. The songs of fairies that had been passed down through tales of heroes and mythical stories, or perhaps the roars of ferocious monsters that shook the land under his feet, were the only things that could rival the mythical light before him at this moment. All were seared into his memory.

Bell's breathing slowed as he watched the pillar part the clouds and continue on beyond the sky. It was as if this new light were illuminating the whole world at once. The shaking that accompanied the pillar suddenly stopped like the stillness after an earthquake. A sense of calm descended over Gekai. Putting his arm around Haruhime to support her shoulders, Bell sat in silence for a few moments. His mind wandered as he looked off into the distance. Gaze shifting, a certain divine being came into view.

"A goddess?" Bell whispers

She was standing on the roof of the main tower. The Floating Garden wasn't quite as high as the main tower, but Bell could clearly see the deity standing close to the edge. Even at a distance, the goddess's perfect body was mesmerizing. There was a different aura to it, compared to Ishtar's beauty gone too far. Yes, a tranquil beauty that he could look at until the end of time, almost magical. Her silver hair flowed in the breeze, sparkling like the stars in the night sky.

The goddess turned to face Bell, who had lost all concept of time as he stared up at her. That's when the boy realized she was smiling at him. And also, he felt a jolt! A foreboding wave of cold sweat ran down his spine. He knew this feeling. He'd felt it many times before. The feeling of being seen, a gaze that didn't hold anything back. The boy was speechless as his eyes registered the deity's lips moving. While her voice didn't reach him, their meaning washed over him like rolling thunder.

"I love you." Each one of the silent syllables echoed through his mind. It's her. Bell was sure of it. This was the intense gaze he constantly felt watching him.

At long last, the eyes of the girl in his embrace started to flutter. Her green pupils emerged moments later and she looked up toward his face.

"Master Cranell?" Haruhime says

Her green eyes met Bell's ruby-red gaze. The girl was slowly but surely waking up. Bell watched her eyes clear for a moment before he gathered the girl's long golden hair and laid it over his right arm. Ignoring the surprised look on Haruhime's face, the boy put his right hand behind her head and pulled her close into his chest. Haruhime's fox ears and tail twitched nervously, her cheeks blushing bright pink.

With Haruhime's body braced against his, both of Bell's hands were free. His fingers ran down her thin neck. And slipped beneath the black collar still attached to her. He grabbed both sides of the magic item and pulled.

SNAP!

"Ahh…" Realizing what just happened, Haruhime cautiously brought her right hand up to her neck in disbelief. The black curse of a leash that had restrained her for years had finally been lifted. Her eyes jumped up to the boy's face. Just one look at his bloody, wound-riddled visage told her all she needed to know. Tears flooded her eyes, making them sparkle in the moonlight.

'What are you supposed to say at times like this again?' Bell thinks

Supporting the sitting Haruhime with both his arms, Bell's mind went to work. Thinking through all the heroes the girl liked, Bell desperately searched for the right words. Then, in the end, he found the simplest, right words to say...

"I've come to save you." he says to the girl

The first tear rolled down Haruhime's cheek, followed closely by a smile as radiant as a beautiful flower blooming in the early morning sun. The distance was gone. Her real smile had finally surfaced. One look at her and Bell couldn't help but do the same.

"Thank you, my hero." she says to him

Those words made Bell's cheeks turn pink. A carefree, almost childlike smile grew on his lips. Bell shared a moment of joy and happiness with the crying yet smiling renart. As they gazed into each other's eyes, Haruhime got lost in his gaze felling like she was truly a maiden in one of her favorite stories. As Ruby eyes stared deep in Emerald ones, she brought her left hand up, slowly and gently tracing his jawline with her fingertips.

"Doesn't the hero usually get a kiss after he saves her." Haruhime says as she gazes deeper into his eyes

When Bell think about it, she is right. In his stories, the hero usually gets a kiss from the beautiful maiden he saves.

'Haruhime is certainly beautiful.' he thinks as he sees her leaning towards him for a kiss.

If Aisha hadn't told him about her still being an innocent Renart, Bell probably would have hesitated to share his first real kiss with the girl, but after the revelation that she was indeed not a prostitute, he slowly closed his eyes to meet her lips with his.

As their lips met, Bell could feel how soft and perfect her lips were. It was a gentle and emotional kiss, filled with caring and love. As they broke their quick kiss and their eyes met again, Haruhime could see the caring in his eyes. She realized she was not in one of her stories and she, a prostitute, had just kissed such a sweet and innocent boy.

She immediately regretted losing herself in the moment and couldn't believe she did that. She had no right even being Bell's concubine, let alone stealing a kiss from him. She immediately gets a worried look on her face and begins to apologize profusely.

"I-I-I'm so sorry Master Bell... I know I don't even deserve to be your concubine and I kissed you like that. Please forgive me." Haruhime says to him.

Bell is quite shocked at her reaction to their kiss. He didn't see anything wrong with it, and her saying she wasn't worthy of him was one of the most ridiculous things he thought he ever heard anyone say. If anything he probably wasn't worthy to have his first kiss be with a royal Renart who was as beautiful as any goddess in this world.

"Don't say that Haruhime. I feel I'm the one who didn't deserve his first kiss to be with such a beautiful, royal Renart like you." he tells her

"Y-Y-Your first kiss?! I-I-I stole your first kiss?!..." she says voice full of worry

Haruhime looks like she is about to be sick. Not only did she kiss him when she had no right to, but it was also his first kiss. He would never have his first kiss with the person he loved and she stole that from him without even thinking. Fresh tears started to stream down her face but before Bell could tell her it was alright, he heard people screaming his name coming closer.

"BELL!" Hestia yells

"MASTER BELL!" Lili yells

"Goddess, Lili, what are you doing here?" he asks them

"Lili was worried about you Master Bell. We need to get you some medical attention." Lili says to him

"I'm fine Lili. We need to get Haruhime out of here. Where is Mikoto? Is she alright?" Bell asks

"We found her at the base of the tower. It seems someone used an Elixir on her. She will be fine, Welf, Ouka, and Chigusa are taking her back to the mansion right now so she can rest. Why don't you let us take Haruhime? You need to rest yourself." Hestia says and grabs the Renart's arm and almost pulls it out trying to get her off of Bell.

"Goddess! Be careful, she has been through a lot today!" Bell scolds her not liking at all how rough his goddess was being with her.

Bell helps Haruhime up on her feet and makes sure she is alright to walk. Once she gets her balance, he says something to her she has been waiting to hear for many years.

"Are you ready to go home Haruhime?" Bell asks

"Yes, Master Bell. I am." she replies

Hestia and Lili don't like at all how Bell is treating Haruhime right now. He never left her side and helped her all the way to the mansion. They especially didn't like that Haruhime was holding on to Bell's arm the entire way to their home like she was being escorted home by her boyfriend.

Lili wanted to run up and forcibly separate them but knew Bell would be furious if she did that. Hestia contemplated for a second not letting the girl join her familia like she knew Bell would want but quickly dismissed that thought. If she did that to this girl after everything Bell did, she was pretty sure he would never forgive her and maybe even leave himself. They made their way back to the mansion with each of them lost in their own thoughts.

Two days later...

Goddess Freya was called before the Guild to answer for her part in what happened in the Pleasure Quarter. Even a familia as powerful as the Freya Familia would have to answer for something that major happening in Orario. Freya didn't say much, she simply paid her outrageously large fine and left with few words.

Deities and mortals alike grew pretty fearful of the Freya Familia. The Ishtar Familia was considered an elite familia in Orario and she had destroyed the entire familia in the short span of a single night. It didn't seem to bother Freya in the least as she made her way back to the top floor of Babel and to her throne at the top of Orario.

Haruhime currently found herself at the home of the Takemikazuchi Familia speaking with their god. The deity's eyes were filled with the same loving care he'd had for every child all those years ago. They were just as she remembered them. Haruhime could feel their warmth as Takemikazuchi stood with his arms folded across his chest. There was also the same three-cornered hairstyle along with the unmistakable image of being dirt poor. Seeing him face to face again after all this time made Haruhime so happy, she wanted to laugh out loud.

"Haruhime, are you sure about this? You can go back to the Far East if you wish. You might not be able to return to your manor, but there are goddesses like Tsukuyomi who would welcome you with open arms back home." the god says to her

"I appreciate your concern Lord Takemikazuchi, but I am fine. I can't remember the last time I felt this happy, to be honest." she tells him as she gives him one of her smiles that reminds him of a summer flower in full bloom.

"Very well, I suppose we will be neighbors of sorts again. Feel free to drop by any time you wish." he tells her and returns her smile

As they finished their conversation, the rest of the Takemikazuchi Familia made their way into the room and approached her.

"Haruhime, there are so many things we need to catch up on." Chigusa says to her

"Yes, there is Chigusa. We will have plenty of time to catch up, I promise." she tells her

"We are sorry Haruhime. If we knew you were in trouble we would have helped you sooner." Ouka says to her

"Do not worry Sir Ouka. I am beyond happy to be able to talk to you all again." she tells him

She noticed a tear falling down Chigusa's face, which was hidden behind her bangs. Ouka just shook his head, serious as usual. Takemikazuchi still had the same smile on his face from his talk with her earlier. They shared a few more words with each other then Haruhime took her leave to head to her new familia's home. She practically ran the whole way while skipping down the street she was so excited. As she made it to her new familia's newly remodeled manor, she saw her new family out on the lawn talking with Aisha.

"Bell Cranell, you better not let me down. You went through all that trouble to show me you could protect Haruhime so don't let anything happen to her or I'll be back for you." she says and points her finger at him to make sure he knows she is serious.

"Don't worry Aisha. I won't let anything happen to Haruhime. I promise you that." Bell says

"Honestly, I was thinking of joining your familia since you and Haruhime were both here." Aisha says to him. She reaches out to stroke Bell's chin but is interrupted by his goddess.

"Anyone but you! Bell will get eaten up!" Hestia says as she steps in between the two.

Bell just rolls his eyes at Hestia's behavior. It was starting to get pretty annoying and frustrating the way she acted like Bell was some fragile little boy. He had defeated countless monsters he had no chance of beating, won a Wargame no one gave him a chance to win, and even went toe to toe with a level 5 adventurer just a few days ago. It was time to show Hestia he was no longer just a scared little rabbit.

"I don't mind if you join the familia Aisha." he steps around Hestia and gets incredibly close to Aisha. He leans past her face so his lips are right next to her ear and whispers to her. "I think I know how to keep you in line anyway."

Bell notices the goosebumps that form on Aisha's skin when he says that to her. He slowly backs away and looks Aisha right in the eyes. Aisha is surprised Bell is confident enough to tease her like that. He is certainly not the scared little rabbit her and the other Amazons were chasing through the Pleasure Quarter all those days ago.

"I see the little rabbit has become a man but you still might want to be careful Bell. I'm not sure you could handle an Amazon that you tease like that." Aisha says and gives him a smile that gives him goosebumps in return.

"You would be surprised what I can handle Aisha." Bell says

Hestia, Lili, and Welf are surprised at Bell's boldness. They had all witnessed his confidence in battle but teasing an Amazon was something they never pictured the teenager doing without turning brick red in embarrassment. It seems Bell is growing up as fast as he was leveling, which none of them still could figure out. Hestia couldn't believe what was going on. It seemed to her like Bell liked this Amazon and she couldn't let that happen.

"Maybe I should have talked to you before but unfortunately I have already joined another familia. I have a feeling it would have been fun to be a part of this familia." Aisha says with a smirk towards Bell.

The look in her eyes even gave Welf goosebumps. He had no idea how Bell kept drawing incredibly beautiful women to him but admired how the rabbit was handling it now. Hestia and Lili looked like they were going to faint at the implication Aisha was saying. They needed to get her away from Bell as soon as possible. They all noticed Haruhime walking through the gate and coming towards them. Aisha and Bell, both with smiles still on their faces, turn towards the Renart and greet her with a wave. Haruhime smiles back at her hero and only friend from Ishtar Familia getting along so well.

"Are you all done Haruhime?" Bell asks her

"Yes, I have finished talking everything over with Lord Takemikazuchi and his familia. Lady Aisha, I can't thank you enough-" she is cut off by Aisha

"You can cut out the sentimental stuff Haruhime. You know I'm no good at it. You know I only do what I want so there is no need to thank me for it." she tells the Renart

"Well, we will still thank you for helping Haruhime, Aisha." Bell says

"You helped her just as much as I did Bell. I do have something for you Haruhime." Aisha reaches into her pack and pulls out a book for her. "Read this whenever you get a minute Haruhime. It will help you with your magic. Remember to be careful when you use your magic. I made sure none of the Berbera would say anything about your magic so you don't have anything to worry about when it comes to them."

"Thank you Lady Aisha." Haruhime says

"Speaking of the Berbera, whatever happened to Phryne?" Bell asks

"Oh, we found that toad beat to a pulp in the garden. It looked like she had been through hell so I doubt you will have to worry about her anytime soon." she tells him

Bell was relieved that Aisha said he didn't need to worry about Phryne any time soon. He didn't like that she was beaten so badly but figured she probably brought that on herself. His little bit of interaction with her made it near impossible for him to feel that bad for her.

"Well, I'm headed off to my new familia. If something comes up, come find me. I don't mind giving you advice if you need some Bell." she says

"What familia did you end up joining?" Bell asks her

"Oh, that is a secret." she smiles and gives him a wink then starts heading towards the gate to leave.

"Thank you for everything Lady Aisha!" Haruhime yells.

Aisha doesn't even turn she just gives a wave as she leaves the Hestia Familia home. Haruhime stared at the gate until Aisha left then turned to face Bell and the rest of her new familia.

"I, Sanjyouno Haruhime, would like to officially join the Hestia Familia. As a fellow member, I promise to-"

"No need for the fancy words Ms. Haruhime. I haven't been here that long myself. It is very nice to meet you. My name is Welf Crozzo, but just call me Welf. I am the familia's blacksmith." Welf tells her

"Lili is glad to meet you Ms. Haruhime. My name is Lilliluka Erde." Lili says

"I guess that makes me the last one. I know the last few days have been crazy but I am Hestia. Welcome to the family, officially." Hestia says

"The pleasure is all mine!" she responds with enthusiasm.

It was nice to finally get to meet the members of her new familia. The last few days had been so crazy she barely had time to rest let alone talk with anyone from the familia. She gave a deep bow to her new familia members. She was surprised when she raised her head that her new goddess had walked right up to her.

"But listen here, Ha-ru-hi-me. It appears that you have some rather risky emotions when it comes to Bell. I brought him up myself, and I won't allow any hotheaded shenanigans!" Hestia says to her

"Wha… umm, huh…?"

"Please don't say such ridiculous things! Just who exactly brought up Mr. Bell? Isn't Lady Hestia just a goddess with a massive debt and living off Mr. Bell's hard work?" Lili says to the goddess

"Hey! A goddess's dark secrets are not something to be talked about in front of new recruits!" Hestia says to the Pallum

"Yeah, you can ignore all that." Welf tells Haruhime

Hestia and Lilly's argument picked up speed, the two glaring at each other as Welf laughed drily and shrugged at Haruhime. Bell watched the two of them argue with a look of almost frustration on his face.

'Oh yes, this could be fun.' Haruhime thought to herself as she watched the interactions of her new allies with a laugh threatening to burst from her cheeks. The front door of the manor opened without warning and Mikoto tried to make her way shakily out of the manor.

"Ms. Mikoto! You should be resting right now!" Haruhime says to her

"You shouldn't be on your feet Mikoto. You need to rest!" Bell says just as worried as Haruhime is.

"I-I-It's ok. I only have the symptoms of mind down still. I also wanted to c-c-celebrate Lady Haruhime's inauguration to the familia." Mikoto says

Bell and Welf both took some worried steps toward Mikoto as they notice her trying to stumble out of the manor. She had received treatment before anyone in the familia had made it to her in the Pleasure Quarter. Physically she was doing fine but the drowsiness she was experiencing from mind down was going to take a few more days to recover from. They knew she was up and about from sheer willpower to see her old friend again. As she was making her way down the steps, she tripped and fell right into Haruhime's arms.

"I'm sorry Lady Haruhime." Mikoto says

"You don't need to apologize Ms. Mikoto. It is I who should apologize. I have caused you so much trouble and pain. I-"

"Lady Haruhime, you do not need to apologize." Mikoto says to her as she pulls away from her childhood friend. Haruhime got a determined look in her eyes and summoned all her courage to tell her friend what she wanted to say.

"Thank you for saving me Mikoto." she says to her

Mikoto could see the tears about to form in Haruhime's eyes. Her lips quivered at the sight and she was overcome with emotion. She only wanted one thing from Haruhime.

"Lady Haruhime, please smile for me." she requests

"Huh?" the Renart says

"Just like when we were kids. I want to see you smile from the bottom of your heart Lady Haruhime." Mikoto says

Haruhime's surprise lasted for only a moment. Meeting Mikoto's dark-purple eyes, which were on the verge of bursting, with her own tearful green eyes, Haruhime beamed a great smile at her old friend. Teardrops now freely falling from her face, Mikoto let her happiness broaden across her entire face and smiled back. It was just the same as back in their hometown, the two sharing grins like little girls. It was the first time in far too long, but it was exactly how they remembered.

"Master Bell, you truly have my gratitude." Haruhime says to him

"It was my pleasure Haruhime. Also, could you please not call me master? I can't get Lili to stop calling me that but I would like it if you would just call me Bell. We are all family now." Bell tells her

Haruhime closed her eyes and cried once more. Carved into her back, Hestia's Blessing flooded her body with comfort and warmth, making Haruhime feel as if she was being plunged into a world of kindness. She felt a flood of emotions rising to the surface and tried to hold it all together.

"I am happy to call you my family Mast- I mean Bell. May our relationship last forever." Haruhime says and lowers herself into a deep bow. Her face was like a sakura tree in bloom when she finally raised her head.

"Hold on a minute there Haruhime. Don't you think your choice of words was a little strange?" Hestia says

"I agree!" Lili says

"Really?" Haruhime says

"Take it easy on her you two. You are being ridiculous." Bell says

"Yeah, we have other things to talk about, like how we are going to celebrate our new recruit!" Welf says

"That is a great idea Welf. Alright, let's plan a welcoming party!" Hestia says

"Hold. On. Right. There! We don't have the money for something like that!" Lili protests

"Don't be such a drag Lil E. Bell, you think we should have a party for her right?" Welf says

"I think it is a great idea. It is for Ms. Haruhime after all." Bell replies

"Master Bell!" Lili yells she can't believe even Bell wanted to waste money like this

"Y-Y-You don't have to do that for me. I am happy just being a part of the familia honestly." Haruhime tells them.

"Of course we do Lady Haruhime. We can invite Lord Takemikazuchi and the rest of the familia too!" Mikoto says

Haruhime gets another smile on her face from the bottom of her heart. The Renart didn't feel like she needed to keep her distance anymore and could open her heart to her new family. She looked up into the clear sky and the emblem above the front door. Each seemed to be welcoming her to her new family in their own way.

"Come on Haruhime. Let's go check out your new home." Bell says to her

Welf helps Mikoto into the house followed closely by Hestia and Lili. Bell grabs Haruhime's hand and starts leading her to the front door. She blushes a deep crimson at Bell holding her hand. As they make it into the house, Bell sees everyone starting to sit down in the dining room and thinks this is the perfect chance for him to talk to Haruhime about what she said on top of the tower. Everyone seemed to be sitting down and not paying much attention to them. He couldn't have her going around thinking so badly about herself and this was the first chance he had to talk with her since that day.

"Haruhime, can I talk to you before we go join everyone else in there?" Bell asks

"Sure Ma- Bell. What do you need?" Haruhime says to him

"It is about what you said after my battle with Aisha." he says

Haruhime gets a worried look on her face. She had tried to forget about stealing Bell's first kiss, but she still felt beyond horrible about what she did. She had no idea how she was going to make it up to him but she was certainly going to try as much as possible.

"I-I-I'm sorry Bell. I know I shouldn't have done that. You deserve to have your first kiss with someone who deserved it and not a prostitute. I'm so, so, so sorry." she apologizes and bows to him

"I told you I didn't mind Haruhime, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you abou-" Bell is interrupted by Lili and Hestia

"Bell! Haruhime! Are you going to join us?" they both say

"Coming!" Haruhime said

She was actually really grateful for the interruption. She hoped Bell would simply forget about it at some point. She was certain she was in love with Bell. She thought about that kiss just about every moment she was awake and even in her dreams most of the time. She also knew that someone like her didn't deserve someone like Bell. She had gotten very good at bottling up her emotions over the last few years as a prisoner. She would just have to do that with Bell and be happy that she could admire him from a distance as another member of his familia.

Bell was starting to get frustrated that every time he tried to speak with Haruhime he kept getting interrupted. He had known her for a couple weeks now and ever since he learned about her from Aisha, he had wanted to tell her she wasn't just another prostitute. Someone as kind and caring as Haruhime didn't deserve to think herself so low. He was going to have to talk to her sooner rather than later. He would look for any opportunity he could to be able to talk to her about this without getting interrupted.

Later that night...

Haruhime was laying in her bed trying to drift off to sleep. It was not going well for her. She couldn't stop thinking about what had transpired over the last couple of days. Every time she thought about what happened it made her smile that so many people were willing to help her. Whenever she thought about the kiss she shared with Bell, her fingers instinctually reached for her lips.

Thinking about Bell's lips made her feel something she had never experienced. Her stomach always started to heat up along with her face and thighs. She started trailing her hand down her body to try and get rid of the feeling overtaking her now. Before she could go too far, she shook her head to stop herself.

"I need to cool off. Perhaps a stroll through the garden will do me some good and I can sleep after that." she says to no one in particular. She gets up from her bed, throws on her kimono, and makes her way down the steps and outside to the garden.

Bell was also having trouble sleeping that night for much the same reason Haruhime was. He was thinking about the last few days just as she was. Bell seemed to attract insanity around him when he thought about it. Every time he thought about Haruhime, he couldn't help but think about the kiss they shared. He could still remember her soft lips touching his. It was a wonderful first kiss for him in his opinion. He was almost certain he had feelings for Haruhime but he thought the same thing about a few of the girls he had met since arriving in Orario.

His mind immediately went to Ais, Syr, Tiona, Ryuu, and Eina. Ais was easily the most understandable. Every male and even some females in Orario thought she was beautiful. Syr was kind to him from the first time they had met and also very beautiful. Eina was a little different, he was almost sure he just saw her as a sister and that was why he was always so drawn to her. He started to think that wasn't the case because no brother would think of his sister the way Bell started to think of Eina.

When his mind drifted back to Haruhime, he thought about what he still hadn't told her. There was no reason he should have left her to think herself nothing but a lowly prostitute but every time he tried to talk to her they got interrupted by someone. He would go talk to her now but he knew she had a rough few days and was probably already sleeping.

'I need to go for a walk and clear my head. I'm just confusing myself thinking about all of this.' he thinks to himself before quickly throwing on some clothes and making his way outside to walk around the garden and think. Once he made it outside, he noticed Haruhime sitting on a bench in the garden staring up in the sky at the stars. He quietly makes his way to the bench not to disturb her and sits down next to her.

"It's a nice night isn't it." he says.

Haruhime nearly jumps out of her skin when he said that. She didn't hear anyone come outside let alone sit down next to her she was so lost in thought. After she finally composed herself and realized Bell was sitting just a few inches from her, she finally said something.

"Y-Y-Yes it is!" she says obviously flustered at Bell being so close to her but he took it as her being startled by him sneaking up on her

"I'm sorry for sneaking up like that. I didn't want to interrupt you, you looked like you were thinking about something." Bell tells her

"I-I-It's alright. Truthfully, I was thinking about someone, I mean something." she replies

"If you don't mind. Do you think we could talk for a minute?" he asks her

"S-S-Sure Master Bell." Haruhime says to him. Now she is nervous he wants to talk about their kiss again and she doesn't think she can handle dealing with that again.

"Haruhime, can you please not call me master? I've tried getting Lili to stop saying that but she refuses. I really don't want someone like you calling me that please." Bell asks of her

"I-I-I'm sorry Bell. It's been a h-h-habit since I became a... well you know..." she trails off and lowers her head in shame.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about Haruhime." Bell was going to continue but she cut him off

"Please don't Bell. I already feel terrible for what I did. I don't want to hear you talk about what I used to do, please." she pleads to him

"I'm sorry Haruhime but I need to tell you this. I know you used to be a prostitute but you've never actually been with a man before." he says to her

"Please don't say that Bell. I know you want to think of me like I didn't do that before but it's not true and I don't want you to think of me that way. So please don't." she is almost in tears at this point.

"I'm not lying Haruhime. Aisha told me that every time you would see someones bare skin, you would pass out and the person would always leave. You are amazing Haruhime and it hurts me to see you think so low of yourself." he grabs her chin to lift her head up and look right into his eyes so she knows what he says is the truth. "You are not a lowly prostitute Haruhime. You were just a beautiful maiden, trapped in a tower, who needed someone to come save her."

As Haruhime stares into his Ruby eyes she can see no deceit in them. He is telling her the truth she knows this for certain. A sense of relief washes over her as she let's what he said sink in. When she finally calms her emotions, she is still staring right into his Ruby eyes and she can't help but want to kiss him again.

Bell sees Haruhime slowly start to close her eyes and lean towards him for another kiss. He isn't quite sure what to do. He is pretty sure he has feelings for her but doesn't want to act on them before he figures out what has been on his mind. It wouldn't be fair to her to kiss her then tell her he liked other girls.

But Bell had taken too much time to think about what to do and Haruhime had kissed him instead. As soon as their lips met again, Bell melted against those soft lips again and kissed her back fiercely. What was probably supposed to be a quick kiss turned into a short make-out session that lasted about a minute. When they finally broke the kiss, Bell realized what he did and started to apologize.

"I-I-I'm sorry Haruhime. I should have never done that. I apologize." Bell quickly says

"I-I-It is my fault Bell. I lost myself in your eyes again like on the tower and couldn't help myself. I know I am not worthy of your affections." she says and quickly gets up to leave so she can hide forever in her room. Bell is having none of that, there is no way he is going to let her think that, never again. He grabs her hand before she can run off and spins her to face him.

"Haruhime, you are more than worthy of my affections. If anyone isn't worthy, it is me. I didn't think I shouldn't kiss you, not because of you, but because of me. I have feelings for you, but I think I also have feelings for other girls. I don't want to hurt your feelings before I'm sure Haruhime." Bell tells her

"Y-Y-You have feelings for me?" she asks shakily, Bell just nods his head. "But you like other girls too?" he nods once more. She just wraps her arms around him and hugs him as tight as she possibly can.

"H-H-Haruhime?! What are you doing?!" Bell asks. He is surprised at her strength. Her hug is actually starting to hurt a little bit. She finally releases him and looks up at him.

"I don't mind if you have more girlfriends then just me Bell." she says.

Bell is stunned into silence. There is absolutely no way she just said that. He had to of been hearing things. He finally gets his wits about him and says.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"I said, I don't mind if you have more then one girlfriend. You are like the heroes straight out of a book, caring, kind, brave, handsome. When I said I wouldn't mind being your concubine, I meant it. Even after finding out what you told me, I still wouldn't mind that." she says to him

"Even if you weren't kidding, which I'm pretty sure you are. I doubt any other girl would feel the same as you." Bell somehow gets out

"I am not joking Bell. I think you underestimate how heroic and handsome you are. I'll prove it to you, tell me who else you have feelings for." Haruhime says

"Umm... why would you want to know that?" Bell asks

"I just told you. It's so I can show you I'm not kidding. Is there someone you have feelings for that we could go see right now?" Haruhime asks

"I think you must be tired Haruhime. Maybe we should just go to sleep and you will be thinking clearly in the morning." Bell tries to reason with her. There is no way she can be serious about this. She has been through a ton the last couple of years and he is pretty sure that is what is bringing all this on.

"I'm not tired Bell. Actually, I've never been happier after what you told me. I'm going to show you I'm not kidding. If you don't want to tell me all of them, just tell me one we could go see right now." she says to him

"I don't even know if she feels the same about me and I doubt telling her I have feelings for her with you being there will go over well." he says

"You know I'm not going to let this go until you tell me right?" she says with determination in her eyes. Bell can't help but just sigh. He came out here to tell her she shouldn't think so low of herself and now she is here trying to build him a harem.

'Wait, a harem. Is what grandfather said really a possibility?' he thinks to himself

"Fine, but I know this isn't going to end well. The only one I can think of that we could talk to this late would be Syr. She is a waitress at the Hostess of Fertility and it should still be open for a little while longer." he finally tells her. This was probably a bad idea but knowing how shy Haruhime was, she wouldn't go through with this once they got there.

"Finally! Now, take me to the Hostess of Fertility!" she says and grabs his hand to lead him through the gate and into town.

"Ummm, Haruhime. We are going to need money. Mama Mia won't like it if we show up and not buy anything. That is one woman you do not want to make angry. Let me go get my money." Bell tells her

Bell quietly makes his way up to his room and grabs his pouch with his valis in it. He couldn't stop thinking that this was complete insanity. Stuff like this didn't happen. He hoped she chickened out when they got there. He could only imagine the beating he would receive from Syr, Ryuu, and probably the rest of the staff if she actually went through with this plan of hers.

"Ready to go?" Haruhime says when he returns

"Yes..." he sighs audibly mentally preparing for the beating he is about to receive and they head off for the Hostess of Fertility.

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And there is chapter 1... I'm sure you realize by now why I started with Haruhime as the first girl in his life... not so sure every other girl will be as open as Haruhime guess you will just have to keep reading to find out lol! Hope you enjoyed it... Bell and Haruhime's character sheets are below... It is pretty much exactly as you would expect this far into the story... only difference would be I slightly changed Haruhime's magic and that is the reason she is level 2 and not level 1 like she normally is right after joining the familia... she has been going deep into the dungeon with Ishtar familia for a while so that is where she got all the excelia to level... she has been all the way down to level 45 and used her magic on them... that is 8 levels lower then Bell has reached at the end of vol 12 so obviously she would have gained more than enough excelia to level diving that deep... Lastly, can anyone tell me if it is Renard or Renart, excelia or excilia? The Fandom Wiki, Wikipedia page, my digital LNs, and my physical copies all have different spellings but those are the two that appear... thanks for reading and see you next chapter

Bell Cranell (Level 3)

Strength - F 377

Defense - F 389

Dexterity - F 394

Agility - D 598

Magic - F 352

Luck - H

Immunity - I

Firebolt

Liaris Freese

Argonaut

Haruhime (Level 2)

Strength - I 28

Defense - I 48

Dexterity - I 35

Agility - I 44

Magic - E 458

Uchide No Kozuchi - Magic that boosts the level of the target by 1 - cannot be cast on the caster - only one target may benefit from its effect at a time - a small amount of the excelia earned by the target of the spell is also given to the caster