I do not own ouran highschool host club.

Ch.18

Ranka came back an hour later to talk to Haruhi. He had explained to her friends about the joke and had told them she had nothing to do with it. They were in complete disbelief and angry, but said that they would forgive him. Mori was another story. He had left as soon as he had been taken out of the room. The other hosts tried calling him, but he didn't answer his phone. The most shocking part was that he hadn't even contacted Honey. All the guys had left to search for him and left their well wishes to Haruhi.

It was almost four o'clock when Ranka left to get ready for work, leaving Haruhi alone at the hospital. She spent her time reading the random book left for her by a volunteer and watching movies she hadn't seen since she was eight. A nurse brought her dinner at six and that was all the company she had. Outside the window, the sky turned from a sunny yellow to a watercolor mix of pinks and purples to a navy blue to black. A doctor came in to tell her that she would be able to leave in the morning. Her door was left ajar and she could see the lights go dim around the nurse's station and the people leave.

As Haruhi made herself comfortable and leaned back against the pillows, the window suddenly became alight with lightning. Thunder quickly followed. She could hear the rain too. Jumping up from the bed, she stood in the middle of the room. More thunder shook her world. She didn't know what to do. Her heart was racing and she could hear it in her ears. She broke into a cold sweat as she searched for a way out. Yes, the door was ajar, but she couldn't figure out what to do. It was like someone had woven through her mind with cotton. She wanted to crawl under the bed, but if was too low. Her only option was the bathroom. Quickly, she sprinted into the tiny room and locked the door. She sunk to the floor against the door and covered her ears with her hands to block out the sound. There was a tiny window above the door that let light in from the room. She scrunched her eyes tight to avoid the lightning. This couldn't be happening. Ever since Haruhi was little, she had been absolutely terrified of thunder and lightning.

Haruhi screamed for someone to help her. Of course no one would hear her though. She was yelling through a thick wooden door and her voice was hoarse. Instead of more screaming, she just cried. Never had she felt so alone. At home, she would have ran into her father's room and climbed into the bed. If he had company she would just lay on the floor outside of his door. Now she was in the hospital alone, miles from anyone. She wished she had Honey here to make her laugh, Kyoya here to give her random facts about fear and the weather, Tamaki here to wipe away her tears and hold her, the twins to make her play a game to distract her and Mori... Mori to save her. She thought about the kiss with Tamaki and Kyoya. With Tamkai, it had been somewhat awkward and uncomfortable. With Kyoya, it had seemed forced and emotionless. Her date with Hikaru had went terribly and she hadn't even wanted to be there. Honey was too immature for her. He cared more about cake and bunnies than having a real relationship with a girl. The only one she had was Mori. Thinking about him dulled her fear, even if it was for a second. The door shook with another jolt of thunder. She cried out for help again. This time the door kept shaking. This was different than thunder. Timidly, Haruhi uncovered her ears. Someone was pounding on the door.

"Haruhi! Haruhi please open the door! Are you okay? Haruhi!"

Her breath hitched in her throat and a fresh wave of tears found their way onto her cheeks. She stood up, unlocked the door, and fell into the arms of the person on the other side.

She sobbed," Mori, you found me. I thought I was alone. The thunder... The lightning... I... I..."

"It's okay Haruhi. I'm here now. You're not alone. I won't leave you I promise. Look, the thunder and lightning has stopped."

He had her wrapped in a bear hug and held her head against his chest. She felt so fragile in his arms. He picked her up like a child and carried her to the bed where he tucked her in.

She wiped her eyes," I'm sorry I got tears on your shirt. I panicked and..."

"It's okay. I'm already soaked. I ran here. I couldn't leave on a bad note. Hey, I didn't know you were afraid of thunder and lightning."

"No one did. You didn't know I couldn't swim either. Unfortunately, I have a lot of little secrets, some I just don't know how to share with you guys."

"I understand and you don't have to share anything with me if you don't want to."

There was a moment of silence between them.

"Where did you go... This morning after you were taken away?"

"I went to the school and sat in the rose garden. It's really peaceful there."

"I know the feeling. When my dad... Nevermind."

"What did your dad do?"

"Nothing."

"Is this another secret?"

"Yeah and I'd rather not share."

"I won't pry then."

...

"Why didn't you contact the other hosts?"

"I wanted time to just think about you."

Just then a nurse came in to check on Haruhi. When she saw Mori she jumped.

"It's after visiting hours. Are you family?"

"Yes mam."

She watched him for a few seconds and then proceeded to run a couple checks. Her eyes never left him. When she was done, she quietly left the room, but not without glaring at Mori.

"You two keep it down. Other people are trying to sleep."

"Yes mam," They both said.

And she was gone.

"She clearly doesn't think you're related to me."

"Then why did she let me stay?"

"Maybe, she think's you're hot."

"Then why was she glaring?"

"She's jealous of us."

They both laughed at that.

Haruhi sighed and yawned. She couldn't help when her eyes started to droop. Mori got up and turned her lights out.

"Are you leaving?"

"Of course not. Like I said, I'm here for you."

He sat next to her on the bed and held her hand.

"I swear I've never heard you talk so much."

"I was just looking for the right person to talk to."

As she drifted into sleep she asked," Can I tell you one secret?"

"Sure Haruhi. What is it?"

"... I love you and I was wondering if you really felt the same way."

She didn't hear him say it back, but the feeling of his lips on hers was all of the justification she needed from him.

Thanks for reading. Please review follow and favorite. For those of you who were keeping tabs on what I've said in the past, I got an A on my science experiment/paper/project and I got into the musical and classes of my choice next year.