Hello, and welcome to another new story from me. Each chapter focuses on the relationship between Haruhi and a different host. So, before I spill too much, let's start with Honey.

Chapter 1: When I Was Weak

When he first attacked all those men so mercilessly at the Ootori Aqua Garden, I was reasonably shocked.

I know better now, though.

Sure, he is very cute, but the dangerous thing is that he's well-aware of it; he knows how to use it to his advantage. Plus, you know, he also has some of the best martial arts skills in all of Japan up his sleeve if the cuteness isn't working in a particular situation.

At first, when I was blind to the darkness behind his sugar-coated smile, I never would have asked for his help in this situation.

Actually, I wouldn't have asked for help at all.

I know better than that now too.

There were four of them this time, one more than the last time a bunch of creeps tried to harm me. This situation was unnerving in a different way, though, seeing how I was dressed as a girl. Their intentions were definitely not to beat me, a scrawny boy, up for throwing a bucket of seashells at them and trying to hinder their unsavory intentions.

I had been with Honey-senpai for a simple day out in the park, seeing how he was lonely due to Mori's being away at a kendo competition. He bought ice cream for the two of us from a vendor in the park, which we ate on a park bench. When I was only halfway done with my bowl of strawberry ice cream, Honey had already finished his extra-large bowl of chocolate ice cream and was a sticky mess.

"Haru-chan, I think I'm going to find a restroom somewhere," he said, eying the row of stores across the street. "Will you be okay while I'm gone?"

"Yes, Honey-senpai, I'll be fine," I said around the spoon that was sticking out of my mouth.

Honey giggled. "You're so cute, Haru-chan! I'll be right back. I promise! Okay?"

I nodded, feeling oddly childlike as he skipped away quickly toward the stores. When I finished my ice cream, I got up to look for a trash can. After a minute of searching, I found one and threw away my bowl and spoon.

That's when a pair of strong hands pulled me backwards, making me crash through bushes into a small area that was secluded by the park's trees. I barely felt the numerous scratches of branches against my arms and face as I was pulled roughly into this hidden spot, where no one from the outside would be able to see what was happening unless they were looking particularly intently through the trees. As I squirmed angrily against my attacker who held me from behind, I saw three other dirty, hungry-looking men watching me with greed in their eyes. It was disgusting.

"She's a little one, isn't she?"

"Has the haircut and figure of a boy, don't you think?"

"I'm not picky. She's pretty enough," the third man said, reaching a hand toward me.

Repulsed, I spit in his face, which didn't exactly make him happy. He called me a few offensive names as he wiped the spit off his face, but the man who had a hold of me laughed hoarsely.

"That's what you get for trying to get first dibs on my catch," the voice said, furthering my urge to vomit.

And that was when I knew it: this was too much for me to handle alone. These were four men, and I was one girl. The odds were in no way in my favor.

I was weak, and I needed help.

I knew better than I had before.

With all the force in my lungs, I let out a deafening scream: "Honey-senpai! Hel-"

It wasn't until after I yelled that the idiot thought that it might be a good idea to clap a hand over my mouth.

I writhed at his touch. His hand smelled of grease and tobacco, making me feel slightly more nauseated, but mostly more angry. I contemplated letting myself vomit just to get his nasty hands off of me, but luckily I didn't have to resort to that.

Honey-senpai flew through the bushes and landed a few feet away from us. Instantly cataloging the situation, a dark look came over his eyes.

"This little boy is supposed to help you?" one of the other creeps asked in disbelief.

Did you not just see him leap through those bushes? I thought idly, knowing he was only upping his punishment by insulting Honey-senpai.

"Hey guys, let's take the little guy's candy," another joked, mocking Honey's size.

"I don't know if we should do that, guys. This little boy might cry a river and drown us in it," the third jeered.

Oh, you have no idea, I thought, knowing the fearful truth about that little boy.

Honey directed his attention to the one who was holding me and demanded (using some very grown-up words) that I be released. Let's just say that I never thought such foul language could come out of a mouth that ate at least a whole cake every day.

"Hey, didn't your mommy teach you any manners, kid?" he asked, slightly appalled and more-than-slightly angered that an elementary school student would call him such profane things.

"Go to hell," Honey said, then added with a curt smile, "I'll show you the way."

Within a second, the man was knocked to the ground, and he pulled me with him. I crawled away from him in horror, seeing a foot-shaped imprint on his face where Honey had kicked him. I caught myself staring at the pool of blood escaping from his nose as I scooted away.

My eyes darted to the other men, who looked scared at first, but then, after a second look at Honey, decidedly converged upon him for a joint attack.

Glancing at me and seeing that I was unharmed, Honey yelled, "Run, Haru-chan! I'll be fine, just go!"

He didn't have to tell me twice. I knew better than to think that he couldn't defend himself.

"Oh no you don't!" one of them yelled as I stood and turned to run away.

"Bun-bun kick!" Honey shouted as he delivered a deadly kick to my pursuer's ribs, causing a sickening crack to fill the air.

I took off and didn't stop until I happened upon a stationary police car in which the officer, bored, was checking for speeding vehicles. I knocked on his driver's side window, causing him to jump a little.

After a brief, urgent explanation, I hopped in the back of the car and directed him to where I had come from. Upon arriving, we burst out of the car and ran to the group of trees together, but it was already too late. The four men were already down for the count, receiving a heated lecture about how to treat young ladies from Honey, who was wiping his hands off on his shorts.

"Haninozuka-sama," the officer said with profound respect as he surveyed Honey's doings, bending in a quick bow. "Doing more vigilante work, I see?"

Wait, he knows Honey? I thought. And what's this about vigilante work?

"Yep," Honey said, satisfied with his handiwork. "These creeps were almost too easy. Will you take them away for me, please?"

His voice had returned to its normal sweet tone, and even though he had saved me, I was still sort of frightened by his ruthlessness.

"Yes, Haninozuka-sama, of course," the officer said, pulling out a set of handcuffs and some cable ties.

"Ah," Honey commented, "I don't really think you'll be needing those. They'll be out for a while."

The officer gave a small smile. "I'm sure they will, but you know, procedure."

Honey laughed. "Oh, right! Well, if we're done-"

"Wait, Haninozuka-sama, I'm going to need you and this young lady to come to the station with me to answer some questions and fill out some paperwork."

"Hm, well, since I took out the bad guys for you, can you just bypass that part of the procedure for me this time?" Honey asked, adorable eyes flashing. "Just stick these guys in jail, and everything should be fine. Any further matters will be handled by my family, okay? Haru-chan and I would like to go home now."

"Well..." the officer said, obviously struggling with denying Honey's logic and cuteness. "...okay, Haninozuka-sama. Just for you."

"Hooray! Thanks! Let's go now, okay, Haru-chan?" Honey said happily, grabbing my hand and dragging me away from the officer.

I flinched at first at his touch, my nerves still wound up and confused at such an abrupt and simple end to my plight. It took me a moment to relax as we moved forward, but I kept my eyes trained on the back of Honey's head and told myself repeatedly that I was safe from the touch of those men now.

"Thanks, Officer-san!" I called over my shoulder, not having caught his name before I was dragged away by Honey.

After we were a little ways away, I said breathlessly, "Honey-senpai, please stop."

Hearing my request, he halted, dropping my hand. "I'm sorry, Haru-chan! Are you okay? I was in a hurry to get you home safe. Was I going too fast? When we get to your place, I'll patch up your scratches real good, okay? I have some really cute bunny bandages in my first aid kit... I would let you hold Bun-bun, but I sent him with Takashi to keep him safe. I'm so sorry! After we treat your cuts, I'll make you some tea... or some of that instant coffee! I think I picked up on how to make it from watching you. And then I'll have some cakes brought in- a whole roomful of cakes! Oh, I should place a call now so the cake will be there when we arrive. Haru-chan, are you going to be okay? I was walking too fast, wasn't I?"

"Maybe a little," I said quickly, cutting him off, but his speed wasn't the main reason I made him stop. I bent down and gave him a hard hug, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Thank you so much for helping me, Honey-senpai," I said, sniffling near his ear.

"Ha-haru-chan," he stuttered sympathetically, starting to cry himself. "Thank you."

I released him and looked at him with confusion as he curled his hand into a fist and wiped his tears away with it.

What does he have to thank me for? He's the one who saved me.

"Thank you so much, Haru-chan," he explained, "for calling for help. I know you like to do things on your own, but thank you for knowing your limits and yelling for me."

My heart squeezed, and my throat became dry as a few tears slipped down my face.

I realized that physically, I am weak. I know better than to deny that now, but instead of that fact hurting me, it saved me.

I shook my head and smiled, not deserving to be thanked, not deserving such a caring friend. My watery smile was the cue to his waterworks, but at that moment, it was perfectly okay. I wrapped him in another hug, and he clung to me, sobbing and releasing the worry that he had held in.

I'm so grateful that I will always have a friend like Honey-senpai on my side.

I would hate to ever be one of the someones not on his side.

While we were still wrapped in the hug, I quietly said, "You have quite an... expansive vocabulary, Honey-senpai. And what's this about vigilante work?"

His only response was a short bout of sniffles and stifled giggles, but instead of becoming more suspicious, I just smiled and tightened my arms around him.

Honey really is adorable. Adorable and ferocious and one of the most openly loving people I've ever met.

Honey apologizes deeply for his foul mouth. He offers Usa-chan for your holding pleasure if he has offended you.
I hope to update this at least once a week, so look out for more. Mori is next.
Please review with your questions, comments, and/or concerns. :)

-Skye