Chapter 4- Time will tell

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.

Mori POV-

The ambulance whirled past the waiting cars, the sirens screaming. I glanced down at Haruhi, too afraid to look for long. She was pale; sweat was bunched up on her forehead. I gently swiped it off, careful not to hurt her. I clutched her hand tightly, and stroked her palm with my thumb, as I remembered that my mother did this to me when I was younger when I was sick, so I thought this would help.

We arrived at the hospital only moments later, I was glad that there was a hospital near by. The paramedics tightened the straps around Haruhi, making sure she wouldn't move. One of them, a young man, came over and checked Haruhi's head brace. He glanced over at me, with these deep, sad eyes.

The doors burst open and a flurry of doctors and nurses cloaked in blue surrounded them. Haruhi was safely, but slowly, lifted out and put on one of those mobile hospital beds. They quickly wheeled her away and I just hoped, no prayed that she would be fine. I descended slowly from the ambulance, and headed to the Hospital doors. The young paramedic from before jogged towards me.

"Do you want to stay with her?" the man asked, his voice quiet, "I can arrange it if you like."

I stared at him, clasping my hands behind my back.

"You seem close, and she needs your support."

I nodded.

A few hours later, I found my self sitting on the only chair beside Haruhi's bed. I was holding her hand, and stroking her fingers reassuringly. I wonder if she could feel them… she just look lifeless, like a doll. Pale white, bandages securely wrapped around her head. The machine that monitored her heart beat beeped clearly and strongly, indicating that she was okay. Her chest rose and fell slowly. I took out my phone and checked the time. It was almost near 12. The screen told me I had about 5 new messages and 3 missed calls. I checked the messages.

Message 1:

From: Mitsukini

Takashi? Where are you? School's almost starting, and you're not here! Hmm. Maybe you're sick? If that's the case, get well soon Takashi!

Message 2:

From: Mitsukini

TAKASHI~~! Where are you? We miss you! And Haru-chan's not here today either! I wonder what happened. Text soon, 'kay?

Message 3:

From: Mitsukini

Takashi, why won't you answer? I'm really worried! And Haru-chan's not answering either! Are you okay?

Message 4:

From: Kyoya

Mori, I know what happened. Please, take care of your self and Haruhi for the time being. I will try to come up with a way to break it to the others. I will inform them later on in the day as Haruhi needs to recover. I do not know how serious her injuries are but I was only informed that she was hit. Please, look after her.

Message 5:

From: Mitsukini

Takashi… Is it true? Is Haru-chan really in hospital? Why? What happened? Why aren't you answering? Please, be okay. Kyoya hasn't told the others yet, just me. He must of though that they wouldn't be able to cope. I'll be around later, alright? For now, please be safe. And please, look after Haruhi.

I continued to sit there for what felt like an eternity. I continued to stroke the palm of her hand and I continued to worry. Would she be alright? Only time would tell… I glanced around the private room. It was quite bare, just her bed and a little cabinet.

My back was sore, from being hunched over but I couldn't move, I had to stay beside Haruhi. I failed to protect her and now I must protect her at all costs. I was so occupied by just stroking her hand and staring at her that I didn't hear the door burst open. Or the screaming man who followed.

And there he was, a seething mass of fury. His long hair tangled, his cheeks bright red, his veins popping, his fists clenching. I couldn't look him in the eye. I had failed to protect his daughter… He must have noticed me not looking at him and then, he walked ever so slowly towards me. I still couldn't look at him…

A large fist connected to my nose, knocking me off my balance. I slouched back in my chair, dazed. Another one hit me square in the jaw. A series of fists, connected to my face. I swear I heard something crack. But I just sat there. Too ashamed to look up, too ashamed to defend my self. So, I just let him punch me, until his punches were getting weaker and slower. Blood dripped down from my busted lip, forming a little pattern on my shirt. I wiped the blood with the back of my hand, wincing as I did so. It really hurt…

"You! You little shit! What the hell happened to her, huh? What did you do to my Haruhi?" Ranka yelled. I could hear his words but they were going straight through me. I bowed my head, and clasped my hands, I still couldn't look up.

"Look at me! What the hell happened?" He screamed in fury, while slapping my cheek. He dug his long fingers under my chin and roughly raised my face. His ice-blue eyes stared right into me, with the most venomous look. His plucked eyebrows were bunched up, waiting for me to answer. But I couldn't, I still couldn't…

"Sir! Please, that's my nephew! Do not hurt him; don't you think he's hurt enough?" Uncle yelled. He ran up to me and inspected my face. He slapped Ranka's hand away, and then lifted my face. His gray eyes screamed with worry.

"Takashi. You must tell Mr. Fujioka what happened. He will understand."

Again, I nodded.

I looked up to Ranka, who was kneeling beside Haruhi. Tears formed in his eyes, and a few slipped down his face. He slowly turned to me, waiting for me to explain. I opened my mouth and quickly shut it, afraid to speak. Uncle noticed and pet my shoulder reassuringly.

I told Ranka the whole story from when I met Haruhi today and up until now. Ranka had calmed down by now, but was he was still seething, but hopefully not at me. He looked down to Haruhi and clutched her hand, pain etched across his face.

"Mori." Ranka's voice was quiet, but his voice slashed through the silence of the hospital room, "My daughter was harmed by that person. It was not your fault."

"But… I didn't… I failed to protect her."

"Mori, it is not your fault. I'm just glad Haruhi is safe now." He reached up and hesitantly put his hand on my shoulder, "I just don't want to lose her. I already lost Kotoko, I can't lose Haruhi."

At that point, the Doctor waltz through the door. He stood at the end of Haruhi's bed, glancing up and staring at us, each in turn. The man then explained that Haruhi sustained injury to her brain but not great, hence the lack of machines. The part of her brain that was affected was her cerebrum which controls her memory. He told us that he does not know where she can remember to based on the injury. He had also said that Haruhi was one lucky girl. A blow like that could greatly damage a person, but Haruhi only sustained more like a light fracture. The man also mused that the car might not have been going that fast, but Haruhi may have gone up in the air because of her slight body. But again, he told us that she may have forgotten who we are. Ranka stiffened. Would Haruhi be able to remember her own father? Or… me? Before he left, he told us that Haruhi would hopefully wake in a few hours.

The accident affected her memory. Would she remember me? Would she remember the Host Club? Would she remember Ouran? Only time would tell. But I hoped that even if she couldn't remember much of us, she would remember little.

Time would tell.

This chapter has been edited, and reposted.