Haruhi was still asleep when I arrived back home. It must have been so long since she'd slept in a bed. I had no idea how long ago Ranka kicked her out. She was kind of cute when she was asleep. She looked more comfortable than I'd seen her in a while. She was so small compared to be king sized bed. But, she did look beautiful. The dark blue blankets complimented her so well.

One of my maids called me outside. "Young lord, I've already told your father about the young miss. He has given you his permission for her to stay here as long as she needs, but during her stay here, she is entirely your responsibility." I smiled and bowed to her.

"Thank you so much." She smiled at me.

"Young lord, there no need for such formality towards me. I don't know what happened to her, but I know you do. You'll do well by her, sir. As I'm sure she'll do well by you." She smirked and walked off.

I walked back into my room. Haruhi had woken up. Kind of. She was rubbing her eyes, still laying down. "Kyoya…?" She was so quiet, and still sounded so sleepy. "Where am I…?"

"You're in my home, Haruhi. Specifically, my bedroom. I thought you'd find this room most appealing." She smiled a little bit. She looked so relieved, and then pained.

"So. What all is wrong with me, eh?" She was so casual, even in this situation.

"It could have been a lot worse. But, the list is short. A mild concussion, a slightly cracked rib, and, what's probably going to be your least favorite, your left leg is broken." She groaned loudly, sinking into the pillow.

"Thanks dad." She obviously immediately regretted bringing him up.

"Haruhi."

"…What do you want to know?" She asked, quietly. I walked over to the door and closed it.

"When did this all start, Haruhi…?" I stood by the bed.

She looked down at her lap. "Honestly, I don't remember. Well. The hitting itself has been a relatively new thing, two weeks or so, maybe? But it was never as intense or violent as it has been the past few days. It had always just been a whack with a serving spoon or something." She seemed so calm and as-a-matter-a-fact about this whole thing. "He started drinking really, really heavily a few months ago. It's made him meaner than I've ever seen him. And I've been begging him to stop, or at least slow down but he-" She wasn't showing it much, but I could tell this was a really hard thing for her to talk about. I've never heard her speak so fast. I sat on the bed next to her.

"Haruhi. I want you to stay here." She looked up at me, with a face that expressed both confusion and gratitude.

"Kyoya…I…Really?" I kind of laughed at that comment.

"Haruhi, I may not seem like the sincere type, but I care about you, a lot more than you might think. I want to know you're safe, and I know you'll be safe and well taken care of here." She looked genuinely shocked, looking as if she wanted to say something, but didn't know what. "You don't have to say anything you know. I'm not giving you an option; you're staying here, Haruhi." I smirked at her. "don't move now. I'll be back in a few minutes." She nodded.

I'd left her bags I'd packed in the car. As I walked back to the front door, each person I passed gave me a look. Not a bad look by any means, but it was very clear to me that they all had thought I was completely self-centered. But maybe they didn't realize that I was in fact gaining from this arrangement. It gave me ease of mind. I'd never have to worry about her like I always had. I loved her. The idea of having her around all the time was…almost comforting.

I'd gotten halfway to the car before I realized I'd left my car keys back in my room. I groaned and turned around, quickly walking back. I opened my door, and… she was crying. She very quickly wiped her eyes on her sleeves. "Haruhi, are you oka-"

"Thank you, Kyoya. Thank you so much." Her tears started to well again.

"Haruhi, you don't have to thank-"

"It's been so long, Kyoya. So long since its felt like anyone cared about me. I lied to you…before. It's been more than a few weeks. It's been almost a year. He just started drinking and drinking and no matter how much I begged he wouldn't stop, Kyoya." Her words got faster and faster as she spoke, little sobs in between each sentence. " He's been trying to kick me out for months. That was not the first time I'd slept in the music room. I took your extra key. I'd stay in there when he was at his worst. And, as you saw. He is at his worst." I sat on the best next to her.

"Haruhi…why didn't you tell anyone? Get help?" She looked up at me. "You really are an independent one, aren't you?" She smiled a little bit.

"This is really out of character for you, Kyoya…" She sniffed, still with that small smile.

"It may seem that way to you, but maybe you just didn't see all of the characteristics. Just the obvious ones…"

"Yeah. Maybe." She smiled her usual Haruhi smile.

"It's late, Haruhi. Try to get some more rest. I'm just in the next room over if you need me for anything." She nodded.

"Thank you again, Kyoya. I mean it." I smiled and got up and headed for the door.

"You saved me you know." I looked back at her. "If you hadn't found out. God knows what he would have done." She tried to get up. I ran over to the bed to keep her in it.

"Haruhi, you're really hurt. You can't be walking around." She gave me an annoyed little face as I tried to get up. Her tiny hand grabbed my wrist.

"Then please don't leave me." I sat back down, and she gave me the motion to lay down with her. So I did.

"This isn't very gentlemanly, you know." She smiled.

"Just until I fall asleep. Please? I just don't want to be alone right now, you know?" I knew.