How many of you missed this story! You all are lucky I was looking through my Ouran Story folders!
Chapter 07
Blood-Soaked World.
Now—
Her back was casually against the wall with her hands in her pockets as a common male characteristic she learned from her brothers, watching a friend get along with other girls. It made her smile when she could recall how difficult it was for him to get close to anyone, but now he was quite popular with almost everyone at school. Suddenly though, there was a loud crash on the second floor with a female student sounding almost too serious—causing many students to either run or flee to the scene. Haruhi, of course, went to the scene in case someone needed help, but she climbed the wall to the window that was broken while everyone else took the stairs.
"You're a loser!" A sunny tan brown-haired girl with a large bow on her head stated. "You're not a Prince!"
She stared for the moment, looking back and forth between the new student in her class and the student she knew as Suoh Tamaki. This… Houshakuji Renge girl was calling the Suoh Tamaki a Phony Prince in front of other girls and the rest of the Host Club—in public rather. Tamaki looked at the new student with big fake tears while holding his face in pain, Haruhi hoped the girl slapped him or something. He began asking hysterically what she said and why she said such cruel words to him, the Ouran Host Club King. Haruhi continued to stare at the scene as the girl rambled on and on about him being a phony, something about being poorly chosen to be the Princely character of the Host Club, sending him to more tears.
"Then why not call him Prince Phony?" The brunette asked curiously, earning everyone's attention.
Tamaki looked up at her and beamed with horror. "How could you say that! I'm as princely as they come!"
"No… you're just obnoxious really." She sighed before getting ready to head down. "Whatever thou—ah!"
Takashi grabbed her by the back of her collar and pulling her in carefully. "That's too dangerous for you."
"Nii-sama, I was fine getting up here!" After being placed on her feet, she glared at him for doing that.
"Haru-chan! I missed you!" Mitsukuni cheered, rushing over to cling to her arm. "Did you climb up?"
"Well… yeah…" Haruhi tried to remember. "Someone broke a window, so I came to see what happened." She looked at the girl. "My guess is she threw something at Suoh-senpai, and in this case, I don't mind."
While everyone babbled about Tamaki being a Prince character or not, Kyouya managed to get all of the customers out of the room before others rushed in. Once he returned, Renge began flaunting with him endlessly while expressing stories about flowers and kittens—the Host Club was thrown into turmoil and confusion. Haruhi did not like Ohtori Kyouya still, for almost every reason possible, so she decided that she was going to leave but Mitsukuni begged her to stay. Tamaki tried asking politely for the little senior to reconsider since she was not a Host Club member, but Mitsukuni turned to him with a glare.
However, with Renge going on and on about Kyouya being someone he was not had caused Haruhi to slip from Mitsukuni grip to trudge away slowly. Mitsukuni called out worried to her in hopes that nothing anyone said had offended her in some way, and came to her side. Takashi was also worried and came to her aide in case something was indeed wrong and wanted to go home for whatever reason needed. The girl placed a hand up the wall and the other to her mouth as she dipped her head with a shutter endlessly.
"Wah! Haru-chan, why are you crying!" Mitsukuni panicked, not knowing what struck this.
"Wait," Takashi knew this type of shuttering, but she could not be… "Haruhi's laughing…"
"What, no way!" Kaoru scurried over peaking around her shoulder. "A-Are you okay?"
"I-I-I've never… met someone… so…" Haruhi failed at holding it in, and laughed.
Everyone stared at her as Ritsu opened the door to make sure everything was all right since he watched Haruhi climb into the window. All but one of them had ever heard her laugh before, but that alone was over four years ago after the second encounter. Takashi then remembered that being a host was even a reason for her to laugh; he first heard her laugh because she found out he joined the Host Club.
"So that's what you sound like when you laugh." Ritsu spoke in amusement.
She froze and looked at him. "C-Casanova-kun, what are you doing here?"
"…you climbed into the window from the ground, I wanted to check on you."
Her attention went elsewhere, "I've already told you before that I can't—"
"I know, I know, I'm going." He waved. "You don't seem hurt anyway."
Her friendship had been thinned with the past month since she told him that they could not be friends, but that did not stop the redhead from trying. Seeing him leave in an upset manner had hurt her in return, so she left her family and the club to follow him for a quick apology for the way things were. Her brother and cousin could only watch as she left to speak with someone they did not exactly trust for any real reason.
Well… just one reason…
Ritsu would take her from her family often.
"Listen gentlemen, I've decided that I will ask Haruhi to join us once again!" Tamaki paused. "Assuming… she won't attack any of us in an inappropriate manner." He shivered. "Now then, who all agrees!"
"We agree, but the only one who won't is Kyouya-senpai." The twins stated in unison.
"Actually, I've placed that behind me." Kyouya stated firmly. "I don't mind her participation."
Mitsukuni pondered at the idea of this. "I don't know… Haru-chan can be a handful for you guys."
"Come now, that way you'll know she'll be safe with us!" Tamaki cheered. "She needs to get use to us!"
"You don't know what she's even gone through." He stated, this time a little more serious for the others.
"Indeed, Tamaki," Kyouya pressed his glasses upwards. "There's a few more incidents you don't know."
Before anyone could ask, Renge appeared with cookies in hand with Haruhi holding her own batch, so the hosts tried some. Renge's burnt batch versus Haruhi's sweet ginger batch, Mitsukuni gobbled five of Haruhi's cookies before trying one Renge's that turned out to be very burnt. Once Takashi told him to stop eating it due to it being bad for his health, the self-proclaimed Host Club manager went rampaging on the two. Haruhi watched the family members being chased around the Music Room nonstop, and giggled in a cute manner as Kaoru gently took a cookie from her hand, grinning.
"You really have a cute laugh." He stated, taking a nibble.
Her attention went to him, brows slightly knitted. "Thank you."
She was nervous around him still. "I'm really sorry about that."
"At least you know we won't harass you." Hikaru took a cookie.
His twin called upon her defense quickly. "Hikaru, don't be mean!"
"What? I'm just saying, since we know, we all can watch over Haruhi."
Haruhi looked up at Hikaru who jealously chomped down on his cookie while looking away; it was obvious that he was not happy about Kaoru being interested in her. However, in order to keep his relationship strong with his submissive twin, he decided to be friendly towards the cross dresser who had an eventful past. She knew that this one was selfish and bratty compared to his selfless brother, but overall, he was genuinely willing to help in any way he could. Hikaru blinked as she extended her hand out to him, as if wanting to greet him as Americans would, causing him to look at his brother for help.
Kaoru motioned behind Haruhi's back to outstretch his hand with his palm facing the ceiling, Hikaru did just that, and Haruhi placed her hand on his. Hikaru blushed in frustration as they shook hands, what would set her off and kick him between the legs, but his brother only smiled. Takashi and Mitsukuni luckily had the chance to see this scene after managing to get away from the psychotic self-proclaimed manager.
Haruhi smiled at the bossy twin, "Thank you very much, Hikaru."
"Y-You're welcome." Hikaru took his hand back, embarrassed.
Kaoru clapped happily, "Haruhi has three male friends, good job!"
"Five," Haruhi corrected plainly. "I have… five, male friends now."
Everyone glanced at her, surprised to hear of two other friends.
"Oh Haruhi! I am so grateful that you consider me as a friend!" Tamaki cheered at her side, causing her to take a step back, leading the twins to step in front of him to keep him away. "Come, let's shake hands!"
"No." She answered, and he threw himself into a corner. "Arai-kun," Takashi and Mitsukuni knew of him verbally, but never really met him. "The other is a senior here at Ouran Academy, he's very nice to me."
Hikaru and Kaoru looked to one another before looking at her. "Who?" The two asked in unison with their curiosity peaked. "Is it someone that we might know?" Seeing how they did not know their other friend.
Someone crept up behind them all, "that would be me."
Haruhi looked over her shoulder at him with a smile as all others shuttered in fear. "Nekozawa-senpai had helped me in the library one day when I couldn't find the book I wanted." The cloaked male placed a hand on her shoulder while Bereznoff was motioned on her opposite shoulder. "It turned out that I was looking in the wrong area. He asked me to join his club since I had free time, but I had to decline unfortunately."
"We'll always welcome you though," Umehito Nekozawa stated casually. "We can't wait until you join."
"Actually, Nii-sama," she rubbed her arm. "He was going to take me to his private beach this weekend."
Takashi stared at her; this weekend was in two days… but, "when was this decided, Haruhi?"
"His beach is really, really big! I'm sure you'll like it!" Mitsukuni cheered happily. "I wanna go!"
Haruhi tried to think, "I guess we had it planned for two weeks I think." She looked to her friend. "Right?"
"We discussed it earlier this month at my estate when you were playing with Kirimi." Umehito answered.
"Oh, that's right…" She tried to calculate it in her mind. "So then it was really about three weeks."
Her bother rubbed his forehead; a sign of being agitated. "When were you going to tell me this?"
"I told Otousama about it and he didn't mind. Nii-sama and Sato-nii were training with Mitsukuni and Yasuchika." Haruhi did not like how he was not exactly thrilled for her keeping this from him. "Does that mean you don't want me to go with Senpai?" She knew that he would be very difficult to get to agree.
Takashi was concerned about the marks on her back, what if they were seen?
"Don't worry, Haruhi-kun, how about we invite the entire Host Club along with some guests. Would that put everyone's mind at ease?" Umehito offered, causing everyone but Takashi and Kyouya to jump and cheer for joy. "In that case, let's schedule it for next weekend so that more rooms will be prepared."
Once he was gone, Renge went into fan mode.
"All of your characters are half-assed! If you guys are going to get to the ladies, then there has to be some major changes around here. Starting with you!" Renge pointed towards Mitsukuni. "You're no different than a baby if all you are is cute and cuddly altogether. Therefore, now you're a cute thug!" The little senior then panicked. "Morinozuka-senpai, you're going to be his underling childhood friend!" He twitched at this. "The twins will be basketball players engulfed in their own world!" They stared at her. "Haruhi-kun, you're going to be an honor student who's constantly bullied since I know nothing about you!" Haruhi blinked, and Renge turned to Tamaki. "As for Tamaki-san, you're better off as the Lonely Prince!" The blonde-haired stared. "Kyouya-sama, please stay as kind and affectionate as you are!"
"Hey!" The twins yelled angrily; not approving Haruhi's category.
"Haruhi is not a member of the Host Club." Kyouya stated easily.
"T-That's right!" Tamaki added. "He doesn't have to participate!"
"But," Haruhi started, earning everyone's attention, "I don't understand why anyone would have to change who they are." Her hand left her arm to be at her side, smiling lightly. "I would like to participate, if I can."
"Haruhi," Takashi called, confused as to why she would want to join the club event. "Are you sure?"
"I would like to know why the Host Club means so much to Nii-sama and Mitsukuni. Suoh-senpai was right, I need to adjust to others." She smiled. "I'll ask for my classes to be rearranged to what they were."
"Eh? You're going back to our class?" Hikaru and Kaoru gaped, astounded that she would do that.
"Yes, that way Nii-sama will stop paying other students to watch over me." Her attention went towards her big brother. "Besides," she then turned to the twins again. "I believe I forgive Kaoru now for what he did."
"You're the greatest!" Kaoru opened his arms to cling to her, but stopped before he got close. "Uh…"
Haruhi's smile became warmer as she opened her arms to him. "It's okay Kaoru." With that said, he wrapped his arms around her shoulder blades so he would not be too scary to her. "Thank you."
Kaoru grinned widely.
Haruhi somewhat enjoyed her little participation in the weird movie for the first half so far; when being 'bullied,' it was by Mitsukuni and her big brother, somewhat. After her older little cousin would finish his lines towards her, he would end up sobbing and apologizing endlessly for saying cruel things to her. As they were drying themselves off, she managed to get some time in with her once-again fellow classmates that so happened to be twins. They babbled about something she did not exactly understand, but then Tamaki appeared loudly at her side intentionally to give her time to react, and it earned him a towel in turn. The Host Club King was just so amazed at this new characteristic side of him, mentioning to her that he decided he should probably look into it a little more, but Haruhi declined.
"You're fine the way you are Suoh—" she paused for a second, "…Tamaki-senpai."
The idiot beamed happily at this, "does this mean I'm finally considered as a friend!"
Her hand slowly stretched— "Haruhi-kun! We're ready for you over here!" Renge called.
Tamaki then sobbed; he was about to be accepted, right?
Haruhi came around the corner and froze at the two students that she did not know… or, did she actually know them from somewhere? They looked a little familiar somehow though she could not exactly place where it is she saw them from before—oh, duh, around school most likely. Without even realizing Renge babbling about a breach to the climatic ending, that they needed thugs, and this earned her to be shoved. Haruhi used her body to catch the girl and crashing into school and camera materials leaning up against the wall, causing her to yelp when something hit her raw scarring on her back.
"Haruhi, what's wrong!" Tamaki shrieked when hearing the pained cry.
Tears began to flow uncontrollably without her permission, but she curled and crouched in order to hide the crying, but had to cling to her back. She could not hide her tears and hold herself in pain at the same time, the electrifying waves of the broken down nervous system beneath the scarred tissue hurt too much. Despite being in unbearable pain, she barely was able to notice Tamaki go after the two students with such rage, but it was not their fault.
"Haruhi!" Takashi called sternly with fear as he came around the corner.
Haruhi looked up at him without thinking, and he saw her tears, 'oh no…'
The giant then snapped into a fit of rage once seeing her in pain; it reminded him too much of his 'failure' of saving her from the incidents with the group that harmed her. He instantly shoved Tamaki out of the way, grabbed both of them by their necks, and dangled them up high against the wall without mercy. As everything slowly began to fill his mind, he began to blackout into that rage—Haruhi rushed over and desperately clung to him from behind.
"Nii-sama, stop! They didn't do anything!" She yelled at him frantically. "Let them go—you're scaring me!"
Takashi paused, trying to look at her over his broad shoulder until he felt her hands grasping his uniform tightly due to the pain against her back. Though he wanted to finish the task of destroying these two for even being near his little sister, Mitsukuni appeared and said that her back was bleeding. Damn it all, he shoved the two aside, hoisted her over his shoulder without caring about her nervousness, and dashed. Not even their cousins knew about the marks, it really was something that only Morinozuka Takashi, Morinozuka Akira, and one doctor knew of. Without much permission, the senior nearly broke down the door to the Infirmary Room to see that no one was there, so he gently placed her down on her feet.
He turned around and closed the door as she yelled at him. "That was uncalled for!"
"Let me see it," his voice did not make it sound the matter was up for debate.
"No," she glared in return. "They didn't even touch me and you blacked out!"
"Tamaki went after them," Takashi did not want to say that he assumed.
"I got distracted by something, when I came back to reality, I saw Renge-chan being shoved. The only thing I could think of was to cushion her fall." Haruhi unbuttoned her coat and looked at it. "My scars must have shredded open… no wonder why it's hurting me so much. Sorry… I ruined a uniform given to me."
Takashi glanced at her, knowing that she was becoming depressed. "A Morinozuka should not be distracted," he paused to think about it, "but in your case," instantly he earned a glare. "What was it?"
At first, she was going to snap at him for what he said, but when hearing his question, her head turned. "I forgot," she lied. "Keeping you from killing students was my main priority after getting hurt, Nii-sama!"
The giant flinched at his title at the end, she was finally furious at him. "Lift your shirt so I can see if I can stop the bleeding. You'll pass out from blood loss at this point." He went over to grab some materials.
Haruhi sighed as she unbuttoned the shirt, revealing her tank top, but she did not take it off due to her stubbornness and uncomfortable feeling. "I'm not a doll, Nii-sama, I'm a human." She whispered quietly.
"You're very precious to me, Nee-sama." When he said then, she looked over her shoulder to look at him confusedly. "You will always be family, and you will always be our s—" Takashi watched as she thrashed her head into a different direction. "What is it?" Her head shook; he knew. "They said similar things?"
"Please… just clean the wound. Otousama and Sato-nii might be unhappy when you tell them I got hurt." After she pleaded for this, Takashi did as told by lifting the thin clothing upwards to clean the wound.
"Haru-nee, are you okay!" Satoshi, doing as his brother did, broke down the door. "Haru—!" He froze.
Takashi had instantly covered the scars when their little brother rushed in, but he knew that he saw what he should not have seen. The strong willed little brother was also protective of his big sister, but he did not have as much control over himself as his big brother. Blood was everywhere; on Takashi's hands, on the cotton balls and wipes, on her clothes, but he wavered when he saw the markings. Haruhi felt like she was a victim again and was too tired to fight anymore, so she set down her shirt to remove the tank top so it could cover her chest instead.
Taken.
Satoshi stared at her back for the longest time.
"T-They did that to you?" His memories were fuzzy, he did not understand what happened to her until she started to live with them after her third rape, and he was furious about it back then too. "I'm going to—"
"Sato-nii," her voice called quietly, "today's incident has nothing to do with them. But about my scar, I was told to not tell you about it." When he came over, she caressed his hair softly. "Sorry for being quiet."
"Then why does Taka-nii know?" His attention turned to the brother who ignored the conversation as he was cleaning the wound on Haruhi's back. "How come you didn't tell me that Haru-nee had many scars!"
"It was not his place." She answered for the giant, not wanting them to fight; if it was about her, the two would most definitely fight one another if they had to. "Otousama mentioned it during the first time."
His eyes widened, "first… time…?"
"Each time they went after her, they would open the healed scar wounds." Takashi stated, now covering the wound with bandage wraps. "When cut deeply, the nerves were cut, too. She can't feel directly on the scars, though the skin next to the scars have perfect nerves, they shoot pain when her back is touched."
"I'll kill them all," Satoshi growled as he started to leave, but Haruhi threw him on the bed. "Ah, Haru-nee!"
"Don't place yourself in danger for my sake, either of you two." She demanded gently in a stern voice.
"No, I'll never agree to that!" His cheeks were grabbed and stretched widely. "H-Haru—nee! S-Stop—!"
Takashi, once helping her place her clothing back on, added his own statement. "I too, will never agree."
"I understand that you two would do almost anything for me," Haruhi sighed softly before lying down on the bed to curl up. "I know you feel helpless and uncertain because you either don't know what to do or can't understand what to feel." Her hand came down to her lower abdomen as tears began to rise. "But do you know how crippled that makes me feel? How insecure it makes me? How useless I become?"
The brothers looked at one another in hopes of being able to answer her questions by looking into each other's eyes while she now sobbed. In truth, of course they did not know that she felt this way because she had always been mute until recently, and even then she was silent about it. They always thought that their study in martial arts could protect her, but now they were beginning to realize that there was more to it. Their studies from martial arts could protect her, yes, but all that it could protect would be her body from any more damages—even though their studies have failed her before. However, martial arts could not protect her from all the inner turmoil that she has been suffering through all this time, what could they do?
They have always thought of her, mainly, as a China doll.
Beautiful, delicate, and breakable if handled too roughly.
There was one thing that they have never brought into the fact about a China doll though, and things were slowly beginning to make sense. If you give someone a China doll for a collection, it would almost immediately be put away safely somewhere—especially behind glass. You can stare at it all you want, grin about having something that no one else has, but the only thing that is cheated is the China doll. A doll is a doll; somewhere out there a little boy or girl would desperately need something to help them through their troubles. Dolls were not made to be placed behind glass as collector's items to sell to the highest bidder, they were made to be played with.
Right now… their precious China doll was alive, and trying to leave its glass case.