At first, I didn't get it. Haruhi was just a stranger, a foreign concept, some guy I didn't know.

And there was something off about him; that was all I understood.

Then, like a flash, it came to me: He's a she.

How did I know?

Maybe it was the way her body moved against (away from) Tamaki's body.

Maybe it was the way her eyes widened as she reached for me,

Maybe it was the way her voice cracked in panic as she called my name: Mori-Senpai!

But I suddenly knew. And then my world changed.

I threw my chair back, flew to her and swept her from his arms, and up, up, up into the sunlight.

As I bounded across the floor, I was suddenly unsure.

No, it can't be, Haruhi is a boy just like me.

But one look into those startled eyes told me everything I needed to know.

As I lifted her above my head, safely out of harm's way (Tamaki's grip), I was plunged into chaos.

How, what, why? Why would she…what will she…how does she…

And then, our eyes connected, and there was stillness.

For a moment and forever, we stared into each other's souls,

With the wind and the rosepetals and the whiteness around us.

I held her there, gently, staring up at her. Now, there were more questions to be answered,

More reasons to be confused, more strangeness to overcome

But at that moment, I knew all I needed to know about Haruhi.

-=+=-

Author's Notes: SORRY SORRY SORRY! Since my last update, I had midterms for nigh on two weeks, AND I tried to write during fall break, but I was STILL too busy studying for ANOTHER midterm (I have yet to take it) so I'm sorry I haven't posted anything…but I still know you exist, and I'm working night and day to put out at least two chapters of each of my stories, okay?

Feels good to get that off my chest. I hope none of you (read: all five of you) weren't distressed by my lack of posting, and I'll try to give fair warning before another dry spell (twenty days counts as a dry spell, yes?) Okay, so don't forget to R&R, and I love you all, for reals. Kisses!