Chapter 1: Starting Today, Haruhi Does Kendo?

Haruhi was always rather prone to letting Honey tug her around, especially considering how insistent he could be. As her senpai and the sweetest of the bunch (literally), she didn't mind letting him tug her along as long as they didn't inconvenience anyone or hurt her back. She quite enjoyed it, actually, compared to letting Tamaki swing her about or letting the twins rope her into some argument between them.

And with Honey-senpai came-

"I see Mori-senpai over there," Haruhi huffed softly, hurrying along behind the energetic blond boy who had hold of her hand. "Do you see him?"

"Yes! Good job Haru-chan!" Honey beamed, turning to give her that dazzling little smile before he turned his attention ahead to his cousin. "Takashi!" Honey could see his towering cousin ahead of him and he sped up, dragging Haruhi with him and leading the Hosts with her as bait. "Ne! Takashi, can Haru-chan and I- Takashi?"

"Come on, Morinozuka," Sneered the teen standing eye-to-eye with the silent Host. "Or are you scared you'll lose?" His taunt carried well, making anyone who heard him freeze- had he just insulted Mori-senpai? Haruhi heard Honey gasp and tensed herself: Mori was kind, Mori was gentle, Mori was selfless- how dare he? Haruhi felt the twins beside her, Tamaki and Kyoya on their heels as the news of the altercation had already spread far and wide, and she bit her cheek firmly. She shouldn't get in over her head. Last time she had, she received a swift blow and an icy dunk in the ocean as her reward. It would be fine; Mori could- "Well?" The nameless teen gave the tallest Host a little shove. "Do it, you-"

"Leave Mori-senpai alone!" Haruhi blurted, unable to contain it as her senior regained his balance. In an instant, she was beside Honey's cousin and the centre of attention. Tamaki called her name frantically and the boys flanking Mori's antagonist mocked him crudely as their leader stepped toward her. The twins were there, not much help against the stockier, sturdier looking athletes, but she appreciated some force behind her.

"Or what, 'Haruhi'?" Scoffed the teen, leering at her. "Are you gonna bankrupt me to death?" He and his friends laughed, turning Haruhi's determination to iron, and Mori looked down at her in well-masked surprise.

"Don't worry," Haruhi murmured, catching sight of his expression. "all bullies are the same, no matter what their tax bracket is."

"Fine!" The teen grabbed Haruhi's arm before Mori could reply and squeezed hard: "You can be-" Suddenly, Mori intervened and did the same to the boy's arm. Haruhi's captor let go with a gasp and Haruhi hurried to bring her arms in close to her body defensively, outraged at the sudden use of force.

"Leave Haruhi out of this, Takao." Mori said sternly, sounding almost frightening. "Haruhi doesn't practice-"

"It's Hosts versus us, Morinozuka;" Takao growled, "dojo aside, which makes him fair game." Pulling out of Mori's grip, Takao snapped, "You" –He pointed to Mori and Haruhi,- "us," –He and a boy grouped together,- "in the school dojo, in six weeks. Winner takes club funding."

And then Takao and his cronies were gone, happy to push away from the small circle of shocked looking bystanders. Considering Haruhi was the shortest of them, even compared to their shortest opponent, there seemed to be a ripple of unease that went through the crowd, and the hosts hurried to console and dismiss who they could as Haruhi blinked at their swift departure.

Haruhi locked eyes with Mori again, perplexed. "What just happened?"

Kiss kiss, fall in love!

Soon, the Hosts were gathered in Music Room #3 –which they had closed for the day- and Honey had explained the altercation for his quiet cousin.

"So they expect my precious daughter to fight one of those kendo brutes?!" Tamaki groaned, draping himself over Haruhi, who took it in stride as she sat there on one of the settees. "I simply won't allow it! Haruhi's a-"

"Senpai, could you stop screaming in my ear?" Haruhi asked politely, leaning away from the blond Host King as much as she could. Tamaki took one look at her irritated expression and fled to his specially-delegated sulking corner, a scared shadow hovering over him. Haruhi considered apologizing, but reconsidered.

"Haruhi doesn't know the first thing about kendo!" Hikaru and Kaoru said, taking turns to speak. "What chance does she have at winning?"

"And how on Earth will she have time to train?"
"What about the club?! If she loses-"
"Or gets hurt, or outed as a girl!"

Haruhi –listening to their complaints and concerns silently- felt her heart sink. They could have at least tried to be supportive.

"Haru-chan won't lose." Honey said suddenly, surprising everyone. "She's got the best teacher ever!"

Everyone stared at Mori and Haruihi for a moment, sizing them up, and they seemed content to give Honey a look of disbelief. Haruhi, embarrassed, had to fume a little at their lack of faith.

'Damn rich people.'