Chapter 3 - "Please, keep her safe."

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club.

Mori's POV:

I began my day like any other. I got up, got ready and then headed to my uncle's shop in the middle of town. He offered to drive me to school when I was finished but I refused, the bus stop wasn't that far. It was kind of him but I didn't want to trouble him and besides, he had family business to attend to afterwards.

I entered the familiar shop, the bell that I knew all too well tinkling above me. I closed the door, heading towards the counter. The early morning sun shone through the open window, making my shadow dance across the floor. I stalked towards the counter and sat on the stool that squatted behind.

"Takashi? Is that you?" Uncle called, his low voice distant.

"Yes." I replied quietly, as I jostled my knee, looking for something to do. I leant my elbow against the counter and rubbed my eyes. I was tired… most likely because I was up late practicing kendo. I had to though, I had to work hard to be on top. But it did pay off in the end, thank goodness.

Uncle strolled in from the connecting room, a smile beaming on his merry face. His hands were behind his back and he had a spring in his step as he bounced towards me. His long black hair, was tied with a white string which made his hair lie loosely over his shoulders. It was strange though. Everyone in my family had the signature black hair. All the men had short hair, it was like a tradition. But not Uncle, oh no, he had to keep his hair long… He told me it reminded him of the good old days. I closed my eyes again and buried my face in my hands. Pulling my hands down my face, I sighed.

"Old man got you practising late again, huh?" Uncle asked, placing his hands down in front of me. He stared at me, his gray eyes burning holes into my hands that still covered my face. He started tapping the counter, drumming a steady rhythm.

"Quite hard too…" I half grumbled, half mumbled quietly..

"Well, it's what you gotta do son. To be the best at kendo." he replied, his cat like hearing picking up everything I had said. I looked up to him and saw how sad he looked. When Uncle was younger, he was amazing at kendo and I'm not just saying this because he is my Uncle, but he was simply the best. But long story short, my father challenged him and caught him off gaurd, therefore beating him but injuring him in the process. He couldn't do what he loved to do anymore. It was hard, I believed, as he loved kendo. But nowadays, he feels no hatred towards my father.

"Uncle…"

"T'is okay, Takashi. Never mind me. You should be doing some work before some customers start to come in."

The time flew past quickly. Huh, so it's true. Time does fly when your having fun, but where's the fun in clearing the store room, sweeping the floors, or dusting shelves or unloading boxes? No fun. Not at all. I checked my watch, the time reading 8:18. Hmm, I could probably get the bus. The bus stop is only down the road anyway.

I sighed and rubbed my neck, glad that my shift was over. I leaned over the counter and grabbed my bag, shifting slightly so I leant against the counter more comfortably. The sun was still shining strongly through the window, basking my face in its warmth. When I closed my eyes, I could see an orangey colour. I liked that colour, it was calming. A black shape darted across, I opened my eyes quickly and I spotted Haruhi, surprisingly. She spotted me too, as she slowed down, but after she smiled and waved she ran on. What was she doing here?

"Uncle, I'm leaving now!" I said, loud enough for Uncle to hear. Even though he had catlike hearing, he would still be surprised to hear me so loud. I left before he had time to reply.

I ran out of the shop, sprinting after Haruhi. As she was much smaller than me, it didn't take long. She must have heard my footsteps because she turned round slightly and gave me a quizzical look, her eyebrow raised. I shrugged in reply.

We ran across the road and it all happened so quickly. To be honest, I can't really remember what did happened. The only thing I know was that a car swerved around the corner at a very fast pace. I tried to reach out for her but I was too late… The car hit her and I just stood there, my feet frozen into place. Haruhi flew up into the air, her arms spreading out. She looked graceful up there, as if she belonged to the sky. But that illusion soon shattered. She fell to the ground, her head banging painfully on the ground, but her bag and her arms softened the landing of her head, but there was blood, blood everywhere...

I rushed towards her, I didn't realise it but there were tears welling up in my eyes, and a few sliding down my face. I picked her up gently, I didn't care if her blood got on my uniform - she just looked so fragile, so broken… I held her gently but firmly in my arms. I felt it that if I held her any tighter she would snap. She visibly look alright, apart from her head wound, and no bones appeared to be broken. But what did I know? The blood that came from her head was thick and sticky, coating my fingers. She wasn't moving, and I feared the worst. In my mind, I tried wracking my brain for something, for anything. Didn't people say that head wounds always bled the worst? And the car wasn't speeding, but going quite fast...

"Haruhi? Haruhi? Can you hear me?" I choked out, my breathing rapid. I gazed down at her - she looked so fragile, delicate and worst of all, lifeless. Thank goodness she was still breathing… I held her cold hands, and stroked her face. It was cold, and she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

"You're going to be alright, Haruhi." I cried, "Promise me that, okay? Haruhi…Haruhi…please!"

By now, a group of shop owners came out onto the street, taking in the scene. A few went over to the crashed car, to check if the person driving was still alive. I doubt he was, as he crashed into a pole… Most of them came towards me. The few elder ones, gasped at the sight of Haruhi. I stiffened and held her more firmly. A man, about his late 30's, took out his phone and dialled the emergency services. Then a kind looking woman bent down in front of me, her hand patting my shoulder gently.

"Hey there. Are you okay?" She asked quietly. Her voice was soothing and calming and so I reached up and took her hand. "I recognise you, you are Isamu's nephew, correct?" I nodded, I couldn't speak. She looked up and searched through the small crowd.

"Shun! Run up to Isamu's shop and tell him what happened, okay?" She directed, as if taking charge until the ambulance came. "I'll stay with you until your uncle comes, okay …?"

"Takashi." I responded quietly. I looked up into her eyes, a deep shade of brown, and just stared at her. I didn't know what to do… She grabbed my shoulder and patted it reassuringly.

A few moments later, my Uncle and the man Shun ran to the crash. He looked scared, worried and looked as if he would burst into tears at any moment. "Takashi! What.. What happened? Are you okay?" he rambled. He must have spotted Haruhi's blood. "You're not hurt, are you?!"

"Why, Uncle… Why?" I choked. "Why did it have to happen to Haruhi? Why not me? I could have dodged it…." I began crying at this point. The tears wouldn't stop, they just kept rolling off my cheeks and onto Haruhi's face. Uncle squatted down beside me, rubbing my shoulder to try comfort me.

We sat like this for a few moments, me on the ground clutching Haruhi, and my uncle comforting me. After awhile, I ripped off a piece of my shirt and tried to stop the blood flowing from Haruhi's injury. I had to be strong. She could wake up any minute now and scold me for worrying… The kind lady kneeled beside Haruhi, reaching out to grab Haruhi's hands. Haruhi would be fine, I kept telling myself, she was strong and she wouldn't let something like this be the end of her.

An ambulance hurtled round the corner, skidding to a halt. A few paramedics bustled out, with two tending to Haruhi, one to the crashed car and one to me. A short lady in her 20's briskly walked towards me. She must have seen the panic in my eyes as she reached out her hand and patted my shoulder.

"Sir, it will be alright. She looks strong. She will get through this." The lady said. I simply nodded, I still couldn't speak.

"Do you mind telling me a few things?" the lady asked, "Such as her name, birthday and age and how to contact any family members?" I nodded again and took a deep breath. The other two paramedics asked me to let go of Haruhi so she could be put on a stretcher. I nodded stiffly. The lady was still waiting for me so I answered her.

"Haruhi Fujioka, 4th February, 16, and 0987654321 to contact her dad." I breathed. I fiddled my thumbs before building up some courage. "Would I be able to go with her to the hospital?"

The lady jotted down the information I gave her. She clicked her pen while giving me a stern look-over. "What relationship do you have with Miss Fujioka?" She asked, her eyes narrowing. I wasn't offended or anything. In my eyes, it would be pretty weird too.

"Close friend of hers," I lied. Well I'm not technically lying. We are friends though.

"Hmm. Yes, you can. She needs all the support she can get."

She grabbed my hand and led me to the back of the ambulance. Uncle rushed behind me and span me around then gave me a bear hug. I could hear him sniffling. "Be safe now Takashi. And take care of Haruhi, alright? I will be round later today and I'll try get in touch with her father." He gave me another one of his famous bear hugs and left.

Haruhi was placed on the stretcher inside. I took the seat beside her and clutched her hand. I don't know if this helped her, but it helped me. I was there for her. I would be there for her to pull her out of the darkness. I clutched her hand tightly, and prayed silently.

"Please, keep her safe."

This chapter has been edited, and reposted.