Disclaimer: Officially disclaimed by yours truly.
Haruhi reached out for the hand she knew wouldn't be there, no matter how much she wished it was. Even though she would tell herself otherwise, that she was only reaching for the glass of water that stood on the edge of the nightstand.
It had almost been a week since she'd woken up in the sterile room. Seven endless days of waiting and watching and hoping that he would come back. Even if she would explain her actions as being anxious for the results of the numerous tests the doctors kept taking.
No one had come to visit her at all during that week, and Haruhi tried not to feel abandoned by her friends. Tamaki might not have his memories, but she knew that Kyoya at least would know that she was there. But there was no one.
A chair sat beside her, keeping a silent watch over her as she lay in the hospital bed. It should have served as a reminder that she wasn't alone, that Tamaki would eventually come back to see her. But instead it only made her feel more alone.
Haruhi sighed as she realized the depressing turn her thoughts had taken. She wasn't usually this bad, even on an off day. The meds helped a lot in that department, but she knew it was just the loneliness overwhelming her. All throughout high school and into the beginning of college Haruhi had told herself that she was fine by herself, that she preferred the solitude. And before she met the Host Club, that had been true. But once she knew how a family was supposed to feel, she found herself craving their company.
Not that she didn't love her dad. But it had always been the two of them, and with him working so much she just naturally learned how to survive on her own. The Host Club had changed all that, had made her want to depend on them.
Haruhi sat up, pulling slightly on her IV. It all seemed to click in that moment, and a memory from her first year sprang from the corner of her mind.
Tamaki stood on the beach, hugging Haruhi to his chest. It had been too close of a call for either of them, and she felt a guilt so strong it took all her strength to stay standing. The last time she'd fallen off a cliff, she was trying to save some of their customers. But it was different this time. "Haruhi, it's alright if you lean on us sometimes. We're a family – it's what we do. And we'll never think less of you for wanting our help." He grinned a little, immersing himself in the role of her father. "We're here and we're willing. You should use us for all we're worth."
Hunny pulled on her shirt, waiting for her to look down at his bunny eyes. "Haru-chan, you're part of the Host Club now, and we'll always be there for you. Even if it takes us to the ends of the earth and back, we'll do it just 'cause you're one of us now." His words held more weight to them than normal, but it was exactly that that struck a chord in Haruhi.
When he'd determined Haruhi was no longer in danger of throwing herself off the cliff, Tamaki released her and took a step back. "It's alright to admit when you're a little lost. You don't have to jump off a cliff to get our attention." His slightly teasing voice turned deadly serious as he looked her in the eye. "I'll always find you. I swear to you I will."
All Haruhi could do was give him a slight nod in response. It wasn't like she'd meant to get separated from the hosts on purpose. And the ground on the cliff was really rocky – it wasn't her fault that one of the rocks was a little looser than the others, not really. But she had called out for Tamaki as she fell and prayed that he would reach her on time. And he did. He always did.
Silent tears rolled down her face as the memory of that hot summer day replayed itself over and over in her mind. He'd always promised that he would be there for her, that he would always find her. But just because he would find her didn't mean that he would stay with her.
Mori sat across from his charge, watching as Hunny only picked at the cake in front of him. "Mitskuni." Nothing else needed to be said as he sighed and picked up his own fork. If Hunny wanted to talk, he would.
His bottom lip pushed out, his cuteness factor coming out in even more force than usual. "It just isn't fair, Takeshi. Tama-chan and Haru-chan are supposed to be together. If it wasn't for her…" He let his words trail off, knowing Mori wouldn't need any more of an explanation.
He patted the boy on his head and stood from his seat. "Come." Hunny's normal smile came out, but it was caught in the shadows. He trailed after Mori, knowing he would do what he could for their family.
Hikaru and Kaoru stretched as they stepped off the plane onto the floor of a Japanese airport. The stale, recycled air had never felt more welcoming, even if they missed the clean, crisp air of Fiji. But their family needed them, and it wouldn't be right just to leave them alone. The Host Club would be boring without the resident twins.
Girls squealed and fainted as the Hitachiin twins passed by, oblivious to the attention. They were too caught up in their own plans. All the girls except for one. Emilie stood in the corner, shadows masking her from the twins' view, just in case they happened to look in her direction. Not that they would. They were far too immersed in their plans to take her down. A smirk slid onto her face. They were a thousand years too early.
Kyoya sat in the back of the car, tapping away on his computer. Trees and countryside raced by him, but he barely seemed to notice. The idiot was in need of assistance and, though he was loath to admit it, Kyoya was going to help him. Even though there was nothing for him to gain for interfering with his love life, Kyoya would help him. They were… A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. They were friends. Family even.
The driver slammed on the brakes, forcing Kyoya's head into the passenger seat in front of him. He opened his mouth to yell at the incompetent fool, but the cars in front of his had barricaded them in. Growling under his breath, Kyoya slammed his laptop shut and reached for the door handle. Time was short as it was, and he certainly didn't need this interference.
"Don't." The gruff voice of his driver stopped Kyoya from opening the door. The normally respectful man had never issued him an order, and that action itself caused him to pause. But then he saw the reason for his abruptness.
"Damn it all. I don't need this, and neither does that idiot. He doesn't know what's going on. I don't have any time!"
Three men had stepped out from the first vehicle, guns drawn and identical murderous looks on their faces. Both Kyoya and the driver knew it was useless, so the doors were locked and the car thrown into reverse. The bulletproof glass would buy them some time, but not much. Not if they were truly intent on killing him.
The driver forced the wheel as far to the left as it would go, trying as hard as he could to get Kyoya out of there. He deserved a raise.
Kyoya shook that thought from his head. He was being completely and utterly irrational. The man was a servant, nothing more. It was in his job description.
All of the thoughts were thrust from his mind, a miraculous feat in itself, once the car had fully turned around. There was no way they would be able to get out of this, much less in enough time to help the idiot. They were completely surrounded.
Tamaki flopped onto the lacey bedspread in the guest room – his room now – in hopes of letting out at least a bit of his frustration. It didn't work. Not in the least.
His attempts of gaining information from Emilie had turned up nothing. Absolutely nothing! The girl was far too focused on his physical well-being – a thought that sent shudders through him now – and refused to discuss anything else. Not even when he had played the part of the handsome prince and tried to console her.
That hadn't worked out well either. Tamaki was used to playing that role, both as a host and a person. But he wasn't able to comfort on the way she wanted, it seemed. Nothing he did would satisfy her, so she just kept crying and crying. He didn't understand her emotions either. One moment she seemed ready to kill anything that came within three feet of her and the next she was sobbing on his shoulder. Not that she knew he'd seen her murderous side.
He let out a groan of frustration and, understanding that that wouldn't work, sat up on the edge of the bed. The wall seemed as good as anything to hit his head against. Maybe the impact would loosen a couple of his memories.
The idea became more attractive the longer he stared at the wood paneling that had done nothing to offend him. He gave up with a sigh, but tucked the thought away in case he was ever truly desperate.
A knock rang through the wall, and Tamaki stood, crossing the floor quickly. It wasn't as spacious as Emilie's room, but the cramped area didn't make him as nervous as it was probably meant to. A part of him felt at home. It was almost like what he imagined a commoner's room to feel like.
The person knocked again, clearly frustrated at his slow reaction. He opened the door, a small smile gracing his lips as he saw the tray of food left on the floor. Clearly the maid walking away had gotten tired of waiting for him. Lifting the tray, he walked back into his room and closed the door with his foot.
There wasn't even a part of him that was hungry, but he knew that if he refused to eat Emilie would just visit and force him anyway. With a sigh of resignation, he lifted the lid of the plate and picked up his fork.
Seems kind of anticlimactic at the end, doesn't it? After everything with Kyoya… ha. You'll just have to wait until the next chapter. But as usual, please read and review!