*A/N*
Dedicated to three very special ladies.
Bryony - her extensive knowledge and memorabilia of Ouran is inspirational, albeit a little bit intimidating.
Grace - like the LxLight stories, she is the first one to forcefully make me sit down and watch the Host club in action. Eternally grateful.
Lucinda - my best friend forever. One day my pet, you shall be Mrs Mathers
Song For The Chapter - Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Haruhi raised her head, wincing at the pain shot through her skull. She groaned and sat up fully, expecting the comforting settings of her room to swarm into view as usual. Instead a dark alley greeted her, the hard concrete under her hands seemed wet to touch.
She staggered fully upright, peering around her. She recognized the street, as it joined onto her walk home, but she had no recollection of getting here. Her Ouran blazer was still lying on the ground ripped behind, so she bent down to retrieve, when a wave of pain hit her.
She collapsed to her knees and touched the back of her head, shock paralysing her when she touched the warmth of blood pour through her fingertips.
"Don't touch that, you'll make it worse" a soft voice came from behind her. She looked around, making her head spin and stared at the dark figure advancing towards her in the street. She heard the voice chuckle once and cold hands gently probed the back of her head.
"Wow, nasty. They got you worse" the voice stated and carefully helped her to her feet. She leant against the person and stared up at his face, which was dimly illuminated by the street lights, enough to show the dark line of blood that snaked down from his nose.
"…Did they hurt you too Kaoru" she whispered as Kaoru pulled her towards the entrance of the street. It wasn't as now, after been taken out of the alley. The evening sky threw rays of pink and gold into the street, highlighting the cuts that were riddled on Kaoru's face.
From Haruhi's angle, she noticed the already pale bruise blossoming under his eye, and the sharp cut that ran down the side of his cheek, along with the bloody nose. He glanced down at Haruhi's anxious stare and smiled, splitting the cut on his lips.
"Don't look so panicked Haru-chan. It's no big deal. You should see yourself though" he sighed heavily and held up a small compact mirror.
Haruhi peeked into the mirror and grimaced, only noticing the swelling and bruising on her face. She pulled away and crossed her arms, trying to ignore the dull ache on her side.
"I'm sorry" she whispered, and he turned to her in surprise.
"Haru-chan… You don't need to apologize. You didn't ask to be mugged did you. Although with your commoner salary I doubt they got much…" he tailed off and draped his blazer around her shoulder.
She ignored his jibe and pulled the blazer tighter around her, looking down at her own ratty blazer that she managed to retrieve.
They walked in silence for a while, until they reached her gate, in which Kaoru turned to face her, looking sheepish.
"Um.. Can I come in, I kinda need to get myself cleaned up. Hikaru will freak, I'm late enough?" Kaoru looked down and rubbed the dried blood off his cheek. Haruhi smiled and nodded, proceeding to walk up the iron steps to her apartment. Kaoru bounced along behind her, but as she slid the key in the door he yanked on her arm, pulling her close.
"Will your charming father be in? I don't really want to turn up looking like this" Kaoru asked worriedly and gestured down at his own clothes, which were as blood-stained and torn as her own.
"Nah, he'll be working until late. Stop worrying" she scolded him and stepped into the apartment, flicking on all the lights. Kaoru slumped down on one of the mismatched armchairs, rubbing his arms gently.
"So… Just me and you huh" Haruhi said and looked down at Kaoru's long body curled up the chair.
"Yep, I suppose so… Haruhi.. Can I ask you for a favour" he addressed her in her full name, which grabbed her attention at once.
"Yeah. Of course Kaoru" she sat down on the edge of the coffee table, watching Kaoru's face, torn in dilemma. He bit his lip gently and avoided her eyes before addressing her in a almost inaudible voice.
"I love Hikaru. More then a brother… Can you find out if he loves me the say way?".