Story: Cope
Synopsis: Ouran is placed under a lockdown and the host club experiences heavy losses. Haruhi is charged with helping the other members cope, but she lost friends too, right? BIG TW for death/suicide!
This story is heavily inspired by "Lock Down" { s/12164834/1/Lock-Down} by { u/4438263/that-girl-writing-fanfics} on but I thought I would add a little and focus more on the aftermath. FYI I wanted to incorporate a little of the other people's feelings too but I didn't want this to be more than ~10k words. So that is why only a few characters are really featured.
Ship: Mori x Haruhi
I will put my PSA here: (This is a response to a review and I think it is best to say this publicly as well.)
Though gun violence doesn't happen in Japan near as often as in America is does still occur. School shootings are not an American-only thing and happen worldwide but I will say they do occur most often in America.
For your next point, suicide is not something to be joked about or taken lightly I understand. I did put a TW at the beginning, maybe I should have made it more obvious but it is there. To quote you, "Second, you shouldn't use school shootings, and suicide as a plotline to put drama in your fics as I said before this kind of thing NEVER happens in Japan." You say that suicide never happens in Japan when Japan has a very high suicide rate? I have done research on this and would send you my sources if you would like.
I have dealt with both of these events but I will not use that as an excuse. Mostly I am saying that I am well-verse on the subject and my sympathies do go out to people who have been affected by this.
I am truly sorry if this fanfiction has offended you, but it is purely fiction and currently is the only story on my page with such dark topics.
I do not take this as criticism and I do believe you are actually trying to help me but I thought I would explain my point of view as well. Thank you for your time.
"Students, this is not a drill. An intruder has entered the building. Stay with your homeroom. I repeat; this is not a drill. An intru. . ."
The voice slowly fades out as Haruhi loses track of what's happening. She can hear gunshots, and screams, and cries echoing down the hallways.
This couldn't be happening, Ouran had measures in place to prevent stuff like this right?
She doesn't know how much time has passed and only snaps out of her daze to someone forcefully grabbing her by the wrist. She jolts back into present time and allows the person to lead her.
"Come on Haruhi! Now's not the time to sit around!"
"Hika-?"
She doesn't have time to acknowledge him before she and Kaoru are shoved behind him. Hikaru puts his arms out and behind him, blocking her and Kaoru from view of the door. So when someone burst through it, all they could do was hear the sound of the door breaking off the hinges and crashing to the ground and some incomprehensible shouting.
"Everyone against the wall!" Intruder 1 commands readying his gun and guiding the students slowly towards the wall and making them spread out.
"I said, against the wall, NOW!" The attacker raises his gun and aims it towards Kaoru.
"Watch OUT!"
"NO-"
"KAORU!"
Haruhi watches in horror as the students scream out for the boy.
Hikaru grabs Kaoru's shoulder, pulls him over, and places himself in front.
Time comes to a halt.
"HIKARU WHAT ARE YOU- STOP!"
.
.
.
A ringing noise fills the eerie silence.
He couldn't be,
Not because of-
Without thinking Haruhi pushes past the student in front of her and jumps the intruder while he's reloading the gun.
"Bitch! Get off me!" The gunman screams as he elbows her hard in the stomach, leaving her crumpled over on the floor.
"HIKARU PLEA-
"HARUHI WATCH-
-SWER ME!"
'S GONNA SHOO-
LEAVE US ALONE!"
Kaoru lets out a blood-curdling screech for his brother.
People's cries ring through her ears and Haruhi wavers between running over to him or continuing her losing scuffle.
She chooses the latter.
She stumbles her way back over to the man and begins a coughing fit.
Damn. He hit her good.
Just ignore it! She scolds herself for being weak when her friends need her help. Haruhi launches herself at the man effectively throwing him off balance, opening an option for her to snatch the gun from his hand. She grabs it by the barrel, him squeezing the trigger, she's able to alter the course of the bullet as it ends up hitting the window, going directly through it. With as much force as she can muster she yanks the gun from his hands and aims to hit him in the head with the blunt object.
Her opponent backs up and reaches for something in his back pocket, a knife. Haruhi lets go of the gun and drops to the floor, but not before the intruder slashes her with the weapon. A dark red gash opens from her collar bone to the edge of her shoulder; blood making its way out and down her uniform. Not anything too deep, but dangerous if not properly wrapped. Her body folds to the floor however the man doesn't seem to have had enough. He stalks over to her and grabs her by the wrist, "Haruhi no~!" A girl calls out, by her voice Haruhi recognizes it to be one of her regulars at the host club.
Distracted by the voice, Haruhi doesn't realize paramedics flooding into the room. And the man she was facing? On the floor with blood spilling out of a bullet hole in his head.
"Son. Of. A. BITCH!" Kaoru bellows as he stomps over to the dead man. He grabs him by the hair and slams his head into the ground, over and over again. Only stopping when he sees a doctor begin to inspect Hikaru. Kaoru rushes back and envelopes his late brother in a hug, sobbing on his blood-stained t-shirt.
Haruhi walk towards him slowly and places a soft hand on his shoulder. She can feel Kaoru's body wracked in sobs, shaking uncontrollably. She leans down and whispers in his ear, "I won't say it will be alright soon, because it won't. But I, and the host club, will be there every step of the way."
A paramedic approaches the pair, "Ma'am allow me to dress your wounds please."
"Excuse me ma'am?"
"Hello?"
"I'm not leaving him." Haruhi responds coldly, not even sparing a glance away from the twins.
"It is crucial we inspect your wounds, so they do not get worse."
"I will get them checked later. I am not leaving right now."
"Very well." The EMT dismisses themself.
The group of first years stay in the room for a while, no one daring to say a word to either Haruhi or Kaoru. A couple students are led out by EMTs and shortly all the paramedics had left and the intruder was drug out with them. Before leaving they tell Kaoru he can see his brother once he had been taken to the hospital. They place Hikaru into a body bag and load him onto a stretcher.
This only caused his sobs to get more violent as Haruhi holds him closer. Sure she was in a lot of pain, but it was merely physical pain, Kaoru was going through something much worse. Something that only time could truly heal.
Instead of another announcement over the intercom the chairman comes into the class himself to speak. "Students, you are all dismissed. Further instructions and explanations will be given on a later date, as well as when school will be back in session." He makes eye contact with Haruhi and starts towards the two.
He crouches and closes his eyes, grimacing. "The rest of the host club is in my office, you two should join them. You all should be together." He attempts to smile at them but it looks more out of pity than anything.
Chairman Suoh leaves followed by a couple students. The teacher stays back to ensure the rest of the students leave as well.
Haruhi places her hand on the wall effectively lifting herself up partway. She stands up and begins to walk however as she delivers her right foot a little bit of pressure she collapses. 'When I was elbowed, I must have hit the ground wrong and rolled my ankle. Dammit! I don't need this right now.' She tries to get up again, now balancing all her weight on her left foot and resting her back on the wall, giving her enough strength to pull Kaoru off the ground. They wrap their arms around each other, each putting around half their weight on the other. Haruhi was the only thing keeping Kaoru from collapsing and Kaoru Haruhi.
If they did collapse, Haruhi didn't know if she'd be able to get up again.
. . .
Many students spare the couple glances as they limp down the hall, but no one dares approach them.
Arriving at the front desk the secretary leads them into the chairman's personal office. In there, Kaoru and Haruhi saw the rest of the host club, except for Honey…
"Where- Is he-" Gasping she mutters, "No way…."
"He can't! But he was supposed to be-" Haruhi collapses. The weight of the day, and her injuries, finally catching up to her. Suddenly she can't hold it in anymore.
2 of her friends were dead.
This couldn't be real.
"This SHOULDN'T BE REAL!" She screams. The sight of her crumpled on the floor, body wracked in sobs, is enough for Kyoya to storm out, phone in hand. He was pissed. This happened at Ouran, the school that his family's police force guarded. He wanted to know what happened, and he wanted to know now.
Haruhi's heart was breaking into a thousand pieces and she could no longer keep it together. She knew her friends needed her right now, but she couldn't bring herself to be strong any longer. "Mori-senpai, I'm- so, so sorry." She attempts to get up, only to be lift up by Tamaki.
"Is Hikaru-?" He asks.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry Kaoru."
Tamaki leads Kaoru to sit on the couch between himself and where Kyoya was sitting. He places an arm around him allowing him to cry on his shoulder.
Haruhi walks over and flops down next to Mori-senpai grabbing one of his hands that rest firmly in his lap.
His cheeks were puffy and his eyes hadn't left the floor. 'I never thought I'd see the day Mori-senpai cried. Then again, I'd never thought I'd see the day where I have to watch my friends…' Haruhi can't bring herself to finish the thought. She gives his hand a light squeeze, trying to convey that he isn't alone. He looks up slightly and covers her hand with his free one, bringing her hand to his chest. Haruhi couldn't help but wince at the jostling of her shoulder. Mori looks at her in alarm, Did he cause her pain?
As if reading his expression, she shakes her head. "When I attacked him-" Mori's eyebrows raise slightly. "-the guy shoved me down and I landed on my foot wrong and when I got back up he slashed my shoulder." Mori covers it with his hand.
"It's still bleeding. Does it hurt?"
"Did today really happen?" She forces out a chuckle. Mori doesn't find it as humorous but he apricates the effort.
Kyoya comes back in followed by a doctor, "Haruhi, please allow Dr. Okazai to tend your wounds."
"I'd rather not thanks." Haruhi puts her other hand on Mori's leg.
"It wasn't a question. She will check you now." Kyoya responds coldly.
Haruhi is tempted to glare at him but realizes now probably isn't the best time, 'I'm sure he's just concerned but I don't want to leave Mori alone.'
Despite this Haruhi goes with Okazai-sama to a separate room so she could undress.
Okazai-sama wraps a bandage around Haruhi's shoulder and underarm to ensure it won't come undone. "I would suggest stitches but I can see you don't want to be away for that long. I will wrap your ankle and you are free to go back." Okazai-sama says as she begins dressing her ankle. After some awkward silence the doctor appeared to be done.
"You should be alright for now feel free to dress and head back." Haruhi reaches for her button up and instantly pulls her arm back "Shit!" she curses.
"Fujioka-san! What happened?" Okazai quickly inspects the girl but cannot find anything surface level.
"When that bastard hit me in the stomach he must've gotten a rib. I'll be fine, I'll give it some time." Haruhi tries to put back on her shirt but it is snatched by Okazai-sama. "I can help you with this and I will tell them to make sure you don't strain your core."
"They have enough to stress about right now with out me adding any."
"Fujioka-san I do not know you, or your friends for that matter however I can see they care for you. From what Ootori-sama has told me you all should be together right now, which means all of you deserve to know what the others are going through."
"My pain is merely surface level, as you can see. They are, specifically Kaoru and Mori-senpai, going through something I would not wish upon anyone. I lost my mother when I was young and it was devastating. Kaoru and Hikaru, Mori and Honey-senpai, both had been with each other their entire life, both inseparable. Both lost their best friend, a brother/cousin. I don't want to add onto what they are going through." Haruhi can feel a single tear roll down her face, quickly wiping it away she looks back at Okazai-sama.
"I understand what you mean, at least as much as I can. But I think they would like to know, and I am required to tell Ootori-sama."
"Yeah, yeah whatever Okazai-sama." Haruhi waves it off and starts to head back, followed by the doctor.
Entering the room Haruhi can see that no one has moved a muscle. Mori has returned to watching the floor, Kaoru is silent but tears are still streaming down his face, Tamaki hasn't moved either intently watching whatever Kyoya is typing away on his computer. 'Can't he get off the damn computer for once! Just have a moment of silence for god's sake!' Haruhi glares at the laptop, thankfully going unnoticed by the shadow king.
She takes her seat next to Mori again, taking his hand in hers. Effectively snapping him from his daze.
"My father says we are all welcome to stay at my house. There is a car waiting out front when we are ready." Kyoya says snapping his laptop shut. "I'm ready if y'all are. In my opinion the sooner we get out of here the better." Haruhi responds.
Slowly they begin to get up, Kyoya, followed by Tamaki, then Haruhi who grabs Kaoru's hand in her left, and Mori-senpai's in her right. She leads them to the limo and sits between them. Kaoru rests his head on her shoulder but Mori settles for holding her hand.
The ride was dead silent, the only words spoken between Kyoya and the driver.
Arriving at the Ootori estate Kyoya leads them to his bedroom and they sit on yet another couch, in the same positions. It may not be much different, but it isn't the school.
"I have spare t-shirts if some of you would like to change into something more comfortable." Kyoya announces and sets a stack of shirts on top of his dresser.
"I'll take you up on that offer." Haruhi responds. She grabs a t-shirt off the dresser and heads to change.
After Haruhi returns, 5, maybe 10 minutes pass of the awkward tension in the room. No one dares to speak about what happened, no one wants to.
"I'm going to the restroom. Kyoya-senpai can you get someone to show me the way?"
"No need, out the door the room on directly on the left."
Reaching the restroom he stares himself down in the mirror.
Kaoru's eyes look lifeless, bags forming under his eyes even though he had gotten plenty of sleep just the night before.
Just the night before…
Just the night before he and his brother were in the same bed.
Just the night before he and his brother were planning new ways to mess with Tamaki.
Just the night before he and his brother were sketching new designs for the next host club cosplay.
Just the night before Hikaru was there, with him.
He can't say it, hell he can't comprehend it. He will never see Hikaru again. Never talk to his brother again. Never say I love you to his other half again.
Why did it have to be Hikaru and not him?
. . .
With Kaoru temporarily gone, it gives Haruhi a little room to spread out. Taking this opportunity she moves away from Mori and to the arm of the couch. To her surprise, instead of scootching down with her, Mori lies down on the couch as best he can and places his head in her lap facing her.
Instead of questioning it she puts a hand in his hair and massages it. Mori closes his eyes settles into Haruhi.
"Kyoya! Oh my goodness are you alright? I heard what happened!" A female voice calls and the door to Kyoya's room bursts opening.
"Fuyumi, I am alright. You've met the host club?" Kyoya gestures to the rest of the people in the room.
"Kyoya-senpai I have to be going. My mother wants me home, she sent a car so I will wait out front." Kaoru says from the door.
"Very well. I'm sorry Kaoru." Kyoya says adorning a solemn expression.
"He shouldn't be alone-" Haruhi stops herself. The rest of the club probably realizes it as well, but he cannot directly disobey his mother's wishes.
"And to answer your question, I have. . . Where are Hikaru and Honey?"
The club is silent everyone looks to the floor, Mori grabs a fistful of Haruhi's shirt. She pulls his head a little closer and squeezes his hand. It looked as if any second, he would shatter.
"Oh,.. I'm- so sorry." Fuyumi lowers her head. "I love you Kyo." She says gently rubbing his shoulder and taking her leave.
Then she feels it. Mori couldn't hold it anymore. The front of her t-shirt slowly becomes wet, stained with his tears. "Mori-senpai-" Haruhi starts but he shakes his head. She can feel his body shaking and decides it best not to say anything, but just to be there for him.
This was the moment the days events really sunk in for everyone. Honey and Hikaru were dead and the host club could never be the same.
A phone started buzzing from where the backpacks were discarded.
"I'll grab it, maybe it's Kaoru." Tamaki says and walks to the bags. Rummaging through to find the source he finds Haruhi's phone.
"Haruhi it's yours. I think it's your dad." He comes back and hands the phone to the girl.
"Hello? Dad?" Haruhi answers the call.
"HARUHI DEAR ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?"
"Yes, dad I am alright."
"I want you to come home this instant! I was worried sick."
Mori could hear Ranka from where he was sitting and he did not like the thought of Haruhi leaving. He tightened his grip on her shirt. He didn't want to be alone just yet. Other than Honey, he felt closest to Haruhi out of everyone, even though he had only met her a few months ago.
"I'm not going to leave right now. I want to stay with them." She looks down at Mori and gives him a weak smile.
"Haruhi sweetie I know this is rough, but I want you home. They can come if you would like."
Haruhi covers the speaker with her hand, "My dad says I need to come home but if you like y'all came come too."
"I think we can all go." Kyoya answers for everyone else.
"Alright," she puts the phone back up to her ear, "we're on our way. It'll be around 20 minutes."
"Ok, bye love you."
"Love you too, dad."
The group grabs their bags and heads for the door, but Mori stays put. "Mori-senpai? We're leaving now." Tamaki calls. He seemed to be in some sort of daze, completely unaware of his surroundings, nothing like the Mori they know. Haruhi walks back and puts a supportive hand on his shoulder and only then does he look up. "We're leaving." She states plainly but it seems to be enough to get him up.
In the car it was silent yet again, today wasn't really the day for chatter. Haruhi didn't know how long it would take for the host club to go back to normal, if they even could.