A/N: So how long has it been? Two, three months? I'm sorry everyone-I've been busy with finals and the like. Rest assured I will not leave you hanging! Fracture will be completed and it will not disappoint!

Update may not be as frequent as they were before so I hope you all will stick around with my lazy ass writing. But I love you all and send you internet love for keeping up with the adventures of Haruhi and the Host Club! Unfortunately this chapter is a little more transition then anything, but stay tuned for the good stuff. And as always comments/crits are appreciated!

Chapter Thirteen
Try

Where am I?

The air smells fragrant, and when I breathe it in I can feel a warming sensation flowing through me, delivering a silent promise to be whatever I need it to be.

I turn to my right, nothing but the grass in the field I'm laying upon. Is that where I am? A field?

I turn to my left. Someone's there with me, smiling at me with amber eyes.

I feel his name on my lips even before I hear it echoing through the air, the sound it makes feels as sweet as the surrounding air.

'Kaoru'… He's lying next to me on the grass, one arm is supporting his head and the other is stretched out in front of him. He never stops smiling. "Close your eyes" he says, leaning into me to cover my eyes with his hand.

I feel something heavy drop in my own hands as I let him keep my eyes covered; he's giving me a present, how sweet.

Despite being comforted by his presence I can't help but feel a distant thought in the back of my mind trying to nudge it's way forward. Am I forgetting something? How did I get here, did Kaoru bring me?

I struggle with this thought and resolve to ask him, but when I speak I find myself unable to hear my own words. I can't hear anything now.

All of a sudden everything feels so cold, I'm shaking from lack of warmth. I open my eyes to find that nobody's there anymore. I am alone.

"Kaoru!" I cry out, my voice has returned. I look down at my hands. I'm holding something, something heavy, something metallic.

It's a knife.

Before I can get a hold of my surroundings I'm faced once more with the haunting white room of my nightmares. I shudder and clutch the twisted metal to my body, willing myself to wake before I see what's coming.

A streak of orange cascades into my view, and I know already what I'm about to face.

I watch in horror as Hikaru sits just before me, bound to a chair. Shallow cuts are projected across his face and body; his left leg is bleeding profusely, and a new, fresh gash is visible through his shirt under his ribline. Yet even worse are his eyes, they've been sewn shut. The thread that binds them is tethered to his face by his hand, which is gripping the needle tightly.

Despite my plea he doesn't speak, all he does is sit there in his grotesque state.

The words 'save me' are being emitted from an unknown source, repeated endlessly through my whitewashed surroundings, the sound is suffocating.

I drop to my knees in front of him, clutching the knife in my hands. "Hikaru…" I mutter before bringing the metal to the thread binding him. Is this what I need to do, to save him?

Tentatively I cut the thread, and before I know it his entire body crumbles into ash with it, leaving me with a shining line of thread and the smoke of the aftermath surrounding me.

The disembodied sound still vibrates clear as day. "Save me-Save me." The words seem to tear across my being, over and over.

"Hikaru!"

A familiar voice rings through my ear, and a hand stretches out to grab the thread. Soft fingers grip it out of my hands, and cover my eyes once more. Encasing me in the only thing more frightening than the white room.

Complete darkness.

"You hold it…"

"STOP!"

My entire body jolts as I spring upward out of my bed screaming. Light hasn't yet entered my window, but I'm already aware of where I am.

Footsteps rattle through the hallway, and before I know it my door is being ripped open.

"Haru!" Honey cries out, the small blonde's hair is in a twist of knots that only makes his entrance more incredulous. "Are you ok?"

I cover myself with the blankets on my bed before responding, "Just a bad dream Honey, what are you doing here anyways?"

His entire body loosens as he exhales loudly into the room, "Don't scare me like that Haru. There are dangerous people out there!"

"Honey please, what are you doing here?"

"Oh." He nervously declares, bringing his hand to the back of his head. I notice for the first time that he's wearing a loose tank top and pajamas covered in pink rabbits. "Well Kyoya told Tamaki that Mr. Fujioka was going to be calling you today, and I just thought you would want someone there for you..."

His demeanor shifts from worried to shy instantly, crossing his feet together so his toes are touching. The entire scene makes it seem like he burst into my room because of a nightmare he had.

"Alright." I say, bringing my fingers to my eyes in frustration. "I guess you can stay. But you don't need to watch over me like this Honey, I told you all that I would be fine on my own."

A smile beams across his face, and just like that the old Honey is back, "Of course Haru! But I bet you like having me and Takashi over every day anyways!"

Before I respond he leaves the room humming a song that sounds oddly familiar, and despite the fact that his presence is unexpected. I find myself thankful for it more and more.

Shortly after piano notes fill the room and I reach over to grab my phone and check the screen; it's a text from Hikaru.

Tono's coming over to everyone's house to check and see if we're all ready for Venice, he's already been to my house and I bet you're up next.

Seriously? We're not even leaving for a few more days!

…And since when do I need to be checked up on by every goddamn member of the Host Club, next thing you know Kyoya will be over to see if I've brushed my teeth properly!

I grumble an exasperated moan as I clamber out of bed, leaving my blankets wadded up behind me. I hit 'reply' on my phone and type a response to Hikaru.

"Is this really necessary? I'm sure you'll change my luggage before we leave anyways!"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're referring to."

He's being coy, but he knows very well I'm accusing him more than anyone of sabotaging my travel items. Last time we went somewhere I opened my suitcase to find a triage of frilly dresses and bathing suits, all of which I'm sure were collaborated with my father beforehand.

"I'm going to tell Kenji where you live if you do it again."

"Pssshh I'm going to tell him where YOU live if you don't let me do it again."

"Bastard" I mutter to myself before closing my phone. I'm sure Kenji is already aware of where we both live by now, but he's still a fun subject to bring up in threats regardless.

Shortly after I've put my phone in my pocket it vibrates again.

"Speak of the Devil." I mutter aloud when I recognize Kenji's number on the screen.

"WHY IS TAMAKI AT MY HOUSE AT SEVEN IN THE MORNING!"

"Welcome to the Host Club."

I can't help but laugh at his impeccable timing. Despite being so unsure about these two new Hosts in the beginning they've really started to grow on me, and after almost a month and a half together I have to say I couldn't picture the Club without them.

Even if they are a bit cranky in the mornings.

My phone vibrates again, and it's Hikaru this time.

"But seriously, good luck today. Tell me how the call goes."

I smile and clutch the phone to my chest. After our argument over my father I had to admit how scared I was the Hikaru would turn into a mute again, or worse group me in with the blame he felt toward my father.

But thankfully it would seem that the older Hitachiin learned a thing or two from his more levelheaded brother.

Kaoru is a more comfortable subject with us now. Whereas before the entire Club would partake in short mourning periods at the mere mention of his name we're now learning to celebrate the short time we had with him.

It almost feels like cheating with how easy everything has been lately.

I'm almost ready before my phone springs to life on the bathroom counter once more.

The number is one I barely recognize, but still belongs to what I've been expecting.

My heart races as I push the button to answer and bring the receiver to my ear, "Hello?"

"Hi sweetie…"

"Dad?"

He sounds weak, but there's a tinge of happiness in his voice. Tears come to my eyes at the slightest sound of his voice, and I laugh at how ridiculous I must look crying on the phone.

"How are you? Is school going all right? Tell your daddy everything!"

"I'm fine dad." I say while wiping away my tears, the conversation starts to flow easier than expected. "School is fine, Christmas break is almost here and I'm done with all of my tests. The Host Club is pretty busy, we've added two new members."

"I know, Kyoya told me, Hale and Kenji right? Are they nice?"

"Yes."

My heart wretches inside of my chest, should I bring up Kaoru?

"Haruhi, I wanted to let you know how sorry I am…"

"I know Dad, b-but you have to understand what you did-what place you put me in."

"I know sweetie. Not a day goes by where I don't regret it."

"Tell me what happened."

He sighs in a ragged breath before responding. "Well, Tachibana and I had just finished working the late shift. You remember Tachibana don't you?"

A vague image of a man dressed in women's clothing comes to mind, tall with dark hair and worn, tired eyes. "Yeah, sort of."

"Well a group of men invited us over for a few drinks, and considering they had been polite customers we had both seen it fit to join them. We ended up staying far past closing time, and eventually Tachibana got a text from his little boy asking where he was."

"Alright."

"Well Tachibana knew he was drunk, but insisted on taking me home as it was on his way to his apartment. I knew better but it was raining, and I didn't exactly feel comfortable walking alone at night. A girl has to protect herself!"

"Dad, please."

"Yes sweetie. So we were driving, and at some point it started to rain even harder than before. The car started to swerve along the road, and before I knew it I looked over to see that Tachibana had fallen asleep! I grabbed the wheel, but I couldn't see very well. And all of a sudden all I could see was pitch black, and next thing you know the windshield is cracked and I see this big metal thing twisting in the air with glass flying all around it."

"The limo?"

"It was fairly small for a limo, it looked more like a black car. Anyways, I got out shortly after and went looking for the people who were in the car. It was dark so I had some trouble, but eventually I came across one of your friends lying on the pavement, he was crawling toward the car."

I bring my hand to my mouth in horror "Oh my God."

"He was pretty beat up, and I went to help him but was grabbed by Tachibana before I could get him. He was bleeding from his leg and back the most, but all I could hear was him uttering 'Kaoru' over and over."

"...Hikaru."

"Tachibana pulled me away, and convinced me that the police would be there to help shortly and there was nothing we could do except take the blame. I didn't know what to do Haruhi, I had you to think about at home. I couldn't just leave you."

Tears stream across my face, "But you did leave me."

He starts to let out small sobs over the phone, "I did. And I understand if you can't forgive me Haruhi. But I'm your daddy, and I need you to understand that I was only thinking of you."

My hand is shaking over the receiver, and I can think of doing nothing else but hanging up the phone. My mind flashes to an image of Hikaru cold and bleeding on the pavement of some random street, looking for his brother.

"Me neither." I say, weaving my arms along the lonely sibling's frame; he feels warm, like an everlasting sun between us. "But I have to try Hikaru."

I sigh into the receiver, and slowly begin to speak the only phrase that could possibly help.

"I love you Dad."

After all, I made a promise.

His cries only escalate at my simple phrase. "I love you too sweetie, thank you."

I close my eyes and let the tears flow against my skin, cooling the warmth emblazoned on my flushed cheeks, "You're welcome."

"I have to go now ok, but be good. Have fun on your trip!"

"I will."

"I love you!"

The phone clicks off before I can respond, and I set the phone onto the counter before letting a loud sob escape from my mouth.

Moments later a small hand caresses my back, "It's ok Haru." Honey says as he tried to comfort me.

"Thanks Honey, I just. It's hard…I feel like I'm betraying Kaoru by being so lenient on my dad. He deserves the punishment he's getting, but he's my only family and I-"

"Kaoru would want you to forgive him Haru." He says while pulling me in an embrace. "We all do, even Hikaru."

A small laugh breaks out of my figure, and I find myself leaning into the small blonde's frame. "And I will forgive him." I mutter into his shoulder.

"Good. Let's get you ready for Venice!"

Tamaki arrives shortly after, clinging to me as soon as he walks through the door. "I'm so sorry!" he cries out, shaking my entire frame in a serpentine pattern off the ground. "It's fine Tamaki! I'm alright!"

"Good." He says, finally letting me stand on solid ground. I notice that he got a bundle of zipped bags in his hands, and a large suitcase is parked behind him.

"What is this?" I say motioning to the foreign objects, "These better not be for me."

A look of disappointment crosses both his and Honey's face, "But Haruhi these dresses are perfect for Italian weather! I've picked an outfit for daily use with everything I have planned! This is enough to get you through the whole trip without having to worry."

"Did you give all the other Hosts clothes too?"

"No…" he says, brining two fingers together in an awkward sort of fashion.

"I don't want these." I say without taking a second look at all the items he's packed. Though I already know my opinion has no power in this circumstance.

"Fine." He says with a sigh, letting the objects fall around him. Honey disappears into the kitchen a little later, presumably to order some food for each of us.

"But you have to at least pick one!"

"Only one?" I say holding out a finger to reflect the exact number we're referring to. He nods excitedly and instantly begins unzipping each bag half-hazardly, releasing a slew of ruffles and pink coloring throughout my small apartment.

"Tamaki where did you even find all of this?" I say amongst the sea of pink.

"My staff did, but I've approved each and every one for our wonderful date-er…trip."

I begin looking through each garment with scrutiny before finally settling on the only piece I can find that isn't stuffed to the brim with ruffles. It's a simple white sundress with yellow stitching, and looks to be the most comfortable of the bunch.

"This one" I say holding up the dress.

Tamaki frowns at the sight, "That one? But it's so plain, it's really just meant as a coverup for a bathing suit."

"What you're not going to let me wear your sweater again?" I say indignantly. Tamaki scuttles out from underneath several dresses to my side of the room, giving me his best impression of a puppy dog face.

"Look I'll already have to put up with this when Hikaru sees the stuff I'm packing, I have a small suitcase and won't even have room for all of this, I like this one and you said I only have to choose one."

He shudders at the mention of Hikaru's name, "Fine." He says standing up and stepping back. "Have you thought about what we talked about at the restaurant? You and Hikaru seem to be spending a lot of time together lately."

My entire body stiffens, I had all but forgotten the dinner Tamaki and I had together. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

"He drives me home and we have all the same classes. I'm not sure what you're expecting."

Once again he combs his fingers through his delicate blonde hair, sighing as he does so. "Just be careful Haruhi, I don't want him to encase you in that little world he's always in."

"The point is trying to open that 'little world' up to everyone, including you Tamaki." I add defensively.

He smiles and sits next to me, beaming that trademark smile my way that seems to make his eyes glow. "Are you ready?"

"For what?"

"For Venice silly."

He's changing the subject…He always seems to be uncomfortable talking about Hikaru, is there something I'm not getting?

"Of course, and thank you for being here. And for caring about me."

His smile beams even further, "Of course."

And just like that my day is looking up.