* Edited and re-uploaded 04-28-10 * I apologize for any mistakes that remain.

Ouran High School Host Club belongs to Hatori Bisco

Support the mangaka and purchase the manga as it becomes available.

These events occur after chapter 76 of the manga. If you have not read chapter 76 or the prior chapters contains spoilers.

-Bruises-

Haruhi caught sight of Kyouya when she walked into the school building. The dark haired boy gave her a small smile and nod then walked away. What was that about she wondered?

-XXXXXXX-

The twins slid their arms about her as she sat in her seat studying. They tilted their heads so their lips brushed against her ears.

"Oh, Haruhi you came dressed normally. We where sooo looking forward to undressing you," they whispered loudly enough to be heard by most of the room.

She rolled her eyes at the squeals of delight from the girls. She reached up and pushed their faces away. They grinned wickedly, "What are you doing tonight?" Kaoru asked.

"Shopping then cooking dinner for my father. Why?" she asked warily.

"We want you to come over," Hikaru told her innocently.

"I can't I already have plans."

"But we're bored," they exclaimed.

Haruhi felt her stomach clench and sweat begin to break out on her forehead. Bored twins were bad, "I might be able to do something Sunday," she offered tentatively.

"Did you hear that Kaoru? We will have Haruhi all day Sunday," Hikaru leered at his brother.

"Maybe Haruhi will play our special games with us," Kaoru said while stroking a finger along the edge of her face.

"I thought you would only play those games with me," Hikaru exclaimed with feigned surprise.

"If its Haruhi and you I wouldn't mind," he responded shyly, "You are not mad are you?" he cried.

Hikaru grabbed his brother pulling him close one hand cupping his face, "I could never be cross with you. I also want to include Haruhi in our play."

As the delighted cries of the girls reached a fevered pitch, the twins clasped hands and turned identical faces of devilish delight to Haruhi. She groaned and wondered how difficult it would be to get a passport. Maybe she could ask Kyouya-senpai.

-XXXXXXX-

She felt a lump form in her throat as she watched Tamaki enter the lunchroom surrounded by a flock of cooing girls. She shook her head. She was not going to change her mind. She would help Tamaki and this was the only way she could.

"Where's Kyouya?" Kaoru asked stepping next to her.

She looked at the people surrounding Tamaki. He was indeed absent.

"Let's look for him," Hikaru suggested, "I am not all that hungry anyway."

Haruhi smiled gratefully at the two boys, "I'm not hungry either. We should check the classroom."

-XXXXXXX-

They found the room empty but for a couple of girls. When Haruhi asked if they had seen Kyouya, one told them he had been called to the director's office shortly before lunch. The three were now huddled in one of the alcoves that abounded discussing their options.

"We could wait until after school and ask him what is going on," Kaoru recommended.

"Do you think it's more trouble?" Haruhi asked.

"Yeah, though I am not sure what more they could do. At least to Kyouya," Kaoru said with a significant look at Haruhi.

"Huh," was she intelligent response. She felt she was missing something that should be obvious.

Hikaru stepped into the hall and turned to the others, "Well let's wait outside the office. If he get's done before class starts we can ask him. If he doesn't well we can figure out what to do then."

-XXXXXXX-

They saw Kyouya striding down the deserted hallway leading to the administrative offices, his expression angry and preoccupied. He stopped startled from his thoughts by Hikaru calling his name. Haruhi felt herself frowning in reaction to Kyouya. What could be so serious as to disrupt his outward calm?

The three gathered around Kyouya anxiously, "What's going on?" Kaoru asked.

"Nothing that concerns any of the rest of you," was his abrupt reply.

Haruhi felt the stirrings of anger. That was unacceptable after what he had said the night before, "Kyouya-senpai we are your friends talk to us, we want to support you even if we can't help you," Haruhi said using the only words she could think of that would force him to share.

The twins looked puzzled but nodded.

Kyouya sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Fine if only to keep you three from making a scene. The director wished to discuss my recent absences with my father and myself."

Haruhi felt the color drain from her face. This was worse than she had expected and judging from the slight greenish cast of the twins' faces, they felt the same. Kyouya would never endanger his chances of taking over his family's business.

This was her fault.

"I'll explain, you were helping me," Haruhi called over her shoulder as she ran down the hallway. A hand gripping her arm halted her; Kyouya turned her to face him placing a hand on each shoulder. He leaned down so his eyes were level with her.

"Don't," he said his voice calm, "Give me your word you will do nothing to attract negative attention. Do not give anyone anything to use against you or us through you. I made my choices. I am prepared for the consequences. Please Haruhi your word."

Why was this happening she wondered? Frustrated tears threatened but she gave a nod. She did not trust her voice.

Kyouya pulled her into an uncharacteristic hug startled she didn't move, "This is not your fault. I made a mistake. I not you," he murmured into her hair.

Whatever else he may have said was interrupted by the bell signaling the end of lunch. He gave her gentle push to the twins, "Go," he commanded.

-XXXXXXX-

Haruhi was tapping her pen lightly against her desk ignoring the twins' attempts to distract her, suppressing anger as she contemplated Kyouya's words. Tamaki's grandmother had manipulated him with threats against her. That was why she had distanced herself. She trusted he could solve the problems with his family given time. Was his grandmother the cause of this trouble for Kyouya? No, that did not seem likely. Besides, she could not think of any threat that would be effective against him. She felt vaguely sorry for anyone foolish enough to try. It was likely just as it appeared the school punishing a truant student. She wished there was something she could have done to help. Why did it feel as though everything was spiraling out of control?

"Do not give anyone anything to use against you or us through you."

Her thoughts kept returning to those words. Disgust with herself welled up she had been passively allowing events to flow around her. She had been reacting on the defensive and doing a poor job. Those events had forced her to bow out of Tamaki's life and now Kyouya was suffering hardships because of her mistakes. Her hand tightened its grip around her pen. A near silent growl of frustration rumbling in her throat, this would not continue she would protect those she cared for.

Startled the twins ceased their antics, "Haruhi, are you alright," Hikaru asked tentatively.

"Yes, I've realized something…."

-XXXXXXX-

Kyouya was starring blankly out the car window his concerns for his friends temporarily forced from his thoughts. He had been prepared to be lectured and for some sort of punishment when he received the summons to the director's office. He had not expected his father to be seated across from the director.

The director ignored Kyouya's presence exchanging mundane pleasantries with his father. As he had not been invited to sit, he remained standing trying to calm his heart.

"You said you had concerns regarding my son," Yoshio said coolly.

"Yes, well you may not be aware the club your son belonged to was recently ordered to disband. This was done after the entire club left school without permission and caused a scene at the offices of one of their parents. I had believed that reprimand would be sufficient to impose discipline once more. It does seem to have been effective with most of the other members; however, your son saw fit to leave school shortly after arriving yesterday. As he did not appear ill, I am left to conclude he did so without consent. He is one of our top students I would deeply regret not informing you when measures could be taken to halt this reckless behavior before it becomes more serious."

Yoshio exhibited no emotion in speech or body, "I see. I will speak with him regarding this matter. Thank you for your concern," he said rising from his seat. He left the office without a glance or word for his son.

Kyouya did not move to follow his father. The director gave him a sympathetic look, "I believe we are finished here. I do hope there shall be no further incidents."

He felt nauseous at the memory. He leaned forward his head resting in his hands. He did not care what his bodyguards thought of his display of emotion. He would not allow this to become an obstacle. He would find some way to turn this to his advantage. For now, he had to submit to whatever his father planned. Kyouya spent the remainder of the drive schooling his emotions into silence.

He stepped from the car his face displaying a calm that caused Tachibana to step back from the slight boy, his resemblance to his father was not comforting.

Kyouya turned to the three men who were his shadows, "The three of you are relived for the remainder of the day. I expect to see you as usual tomorrow."

"Tachibana," the bald Hotta questioned once Kyouya had entered the house.

"We wait discreetly," was the blonde's firm decision.

"Do we intervene," Aijima asked

"No, this he can handle on his own," Tachibana said stepping away from the car.

-XXXXXXX-

Kyouya ignored the servants' greetings as he strode down the hallway to his father's office. His calm exterior betrayed only by his whitened knuckles clenched onto the handle of his bag.

His presence was announced and he was ushered into the dark room. It had a generous window that flooded the room with the afternoon light though it did nothing to brighten the atmosphere. The room's spacious area pressed against him suffocating. Yoshio stared at his son from behind his desk.

Kyouya stood in a vacuum of stillness. He allowed himself no outward signs of movement, no signs of shame or weakness. He watched as his father approached. He clung to his stillness he would not break.

His father was no longer empty of emotion he was the cold that burned and blackened flesh.

Yoshio stopped a few feet from his son, "I am aware that your activities were not the result of some childish act of rebellion as that fool implied. Your reasons I am sure were valid. What is unacceptable is that my time was wasted. I rescheduled two meetings, which in turn inconvenienced those who were to attend. Business that should have been concluded during those meetings was delayed, as were several projects. We lost money because you failed to take into account all the aspects of your actions. The loss of income will have little impact on us personally but consider how that loss and the delays are magnified for those under us. Those whose welfare and lives we are responsible for have been harmed by you."

Kyouya felt his façade of calm brushed aside by the impact of his father's words. He bowed low, "I accept full responsibility for my actions."

"Consider those words carefully Kyouya. Do you accept full responsibility?"

Kyouya remained bowed, "Yes."

"So be it," Yoshio said turning away.

-XXXXXXX-

Kyouya adjusted his glasses as he stepped out of his father's office. He felt a brief shock of surprise at the cooling afternoon light illuminating the hallway. While he had been conscious of the light from the office window, it had felt illusionary that the reality was the killing dark of an artic night.

His intention had been to retire to his rooms however, he felt himself drawn from the home his footsteps slow his thoughts in turmoil as he recalled his father's parting words.

"I had thought you would surpass your brothers even myself. I wonder if I was incorrect in that assessment. Do not fail again."

He did not notice the three shadows that separated themselves from the greenery to follow him.

"Sir, Kyouya-san has left the grounds on foot do you wish him returned?" questioned his assistant.

"Hmm, I will take my dinner here. Is he alone?" Yoshio asked noticing a small stain on the cuff of his shirt.

"I will inform the kitchen staff. His guards are following him though I believe he is unaware of their presence."

Yoshio allowed himself a moment's irritation toward the offending stain. The small drop of red marring the white cloth, "It is of no concern then," he said as he walked from the room, "I will instead take my meal in my rooms. I shall bathe before dinner I do not wish to be disturbed before then."

His assistant bowed and set Yoshio's orders into motion.

-XXXXXXX-

The three men had followed Kyouya in his seemingly aimless wandering for hours; watching as his steps became faltering. Tachibana was on the verge of approaching when he noticed where the unknowing young man was leading them.

"So this is where he is going," Hotta murmured from his left.

"Sanctuary," commented Aijima.

"Yes, I believe it is. Aijima, I leave you to watch for the remainder of the night. If he should go anywhere else inform me immediately. We will relieve you in the morning."

The two men faded into the night leaving their companion to trail the weakening Kyouya.

-XXXXXXX-

Haruhi was kneeling at the table her schoolwork spread before her. She ignored the tick of the clock that seemed to be scolding her late night studying. Her father was dozing on the couch lulled by the television.

Both gave similar yipes of surprise when a knock sounded. Haruhi, a glance at her father cautiously opened the door. The sight of a disheveled and sweating Kyouya caused her to throw the door wide in alarm. He raised his head to look at her.

"May I come in?" he asked his voice betraying his exhaustion.

She nodded and stepped aside to allow him through. He stumbled and she reached out to steady him. His gasp of pain caused Haruhi to wrap her arm around the boy tighter. She was unprepared for him fall to his knees as a result. His complete collapse halted by Ranka catching his shoulders. She felt panic welling. What had happened?

"Haruhi, get a blanket and some water," her father ordered his voice claming.

She nodded and ran to the do as told.

Ranka looked at the pale boy, "Do you need a hospital?"

"No," Kyouya replied through clenched teeth.

"Just a little farther then," Ranka said half carrying him into the other room.

"Let me see the injury," he ordered once Kyouya was seated on the edge of the couch.

Haruhi handed Kyouya a glass of water and set the blanket next to him, "Its nothing," he said giving a Haruhi a small nod of thanks, "I have not slept in two days neither have I eaten since breakfast. I over exerted myself that is all."

Haruhi clenched a fist did he think they were idiots?

Ranka responded before her, "Like hell. I will give you a choice either you show me where you are hurt or I force you to. You are not currently in any position to argue."

"If I were injured don't you think such behavior would be counter productive?" Kyouya questioned.

"One."

"I am not injured."

"Two."

"I am leaving."

"Three."

"Please don't make me do this," he pleaded.

"Now."

"I will show you," Kyouya looked at each in turn resignation in his eyes, "if you give me your word that this shall remain between us."

"Agreed," Ranka, answered for both of them. Haruhi felt lost but she sensed her father knew how to tread this unknown path so she took his lead.

Kyouya's fingers fumbled with the buttons of his jacket. Haruhi a nod of assent from her father reached out to help him, gently pulling the blazer down his arms. She swallowed hard fighting not to betray her shock. The back of his shirt was stained with blood. Her hands shook a little as she reached out to unbutton the shirt. Kyouya was passive he made no further move to help. Haruhi looked at his face and saw his eyes were tightly shut his lips unnaturally pale.

She stopped and looked at her father, "If I take his shirt off I think it will hurt him. There's blood that has dried to the back of his shirt."

"Let me see," Ranka said stepping around the coach. "Get a warm bowl of water and some towels. Never mind I'll get them. If we soften the scabs first it may lessen the discomfort. Either way they will need to be cleaned."

Once they were alone Haruhi knelt before Kyouya's bowed head. She reached out a hand stroking the side of his face.

"I don't know why I came here," he whispered.

Haruhi gave a small smile that he did not see, "Because what you perceive is weakness isn't and while you are here we will protect you like you do everyone else," she said resting her head against his.

Ranka leaned against the wall of the hall his heart aching at their words. He was unconscious of the tears that had formed in his eyes. The world was harsh but he had hoped to spare her just a little longer. He watched the two teens his hand brushing away the tears that spilled down his face. All of the hosts were losing their innocence as the realities of their world were forced upon them. Haruhi still thought of herself as living in a world separate from her wealthy friends. Ranka knew differently. She had become part of their world the day she decided to take the examination to enter Ouran. She would need to create her own place in that world. He consoled himself with the thought that she was strong enough to do so.

"Ok, let's do this," he said stepping into the room easily hiding his thoughts from the two.

Haruhi held the damp cloth to Kyouya's back steeling herself against his hiss of pain. She was kneeling behind him and after several minutes at Ranka's direction, she helped Kyouya remove his shirt. Ranka was laying out bandages and antiseptic when her small cry brought him over to examine the wounds. Red welts crossed Kyouya's back and showed signs that the muscles had sustained injury. In a few places, the skin had split from the force of the blows. They were not deep and did not require stitches Ranka found himself studying Kyouya's back not searching for current injuries but signs of old. To his relief he found none. He hoped this was an isolated incident though he was not naïve enough to believe it.

"What did this?" Haruhi asked as she moved to sit beside him.

"A cane," Kyouya answered

"Was this because you skipped class?"

Kyouya snorted, "Hardly, as a result of my father attending the meeting with the director the company and our employees were negatively impacted."

Haruhi nodded understanding. Ranka frowned once more he felt the distance separating him from his daughter. He had no idea how a scolding from the school director could have such a far-reaching impact.

"I am sorry. You may have said this wasn't my fault but I am not a fool or a child to be comforted by false courtesies."

Kyouya blanched as Ranka began cleaning his wounds, "Haruhi, I don't think you are a fool and it was not false courtesy that prompted me to tell you this was not your fault. I spoke the truth. My mistake was not that I came to speak to Ranka-san but that I did not take into consideration the tensions at the school. I was complacent about our ability to do as we pleased. I failed to factor in our more precarious status. Do not take the burden of errors that are not your own. I consented to the punishment it was not forced onto me. I will always accept responsibility for my actions the negative and the good."

Ranka had been listening without comment until Kyouya said he had consented to the beating. He thumped him on his head, "You idiot," Ranka hissed, "I thought that grub was the idiot. I was wrong it is you. You should take responsibility for your actions but that does not mean you submit yourself to a punishment in excess of the mistake. You damned fool. How could you allow yourself to be demeaned because of another's perception of what is just?"

"Your right," was all Kyouya could say.

"You need to lie down so I can clean the rest," Ranka told him a minute later.

Kyouya did not move. He wasn't sure he could, he had been running on adrenaline most of the day and he was at his limit. Haruhi seemed to sense this and moved to help him. She knelt down to remove the shoes that had been forgotten.

"Kyouya, how did you get here?" she queried a shoe dirtied with mud held in one hand.

"I walked. I told you I didn't know why I came here. I had started walking to organize my thoughts I came here without being aware I had done so," he told her unwilling to say that he had in reality been trying to get a handle on his emotions.

"Did you walk from your home?" she asked her brows creased

"Yes," he was feeling nauseous and the pain in his head seemed intent on drowning out that of his back.

"Kyouya that is miles from here," her voice exasperated.

He said nothing.

"Take a look at his feet Haruhi," Ranka said breaking the silence.

"Some rather nasty looking blisters but they have already broken," she reported.

"You don't do things by halves," Ranka commented.

Kyouya eased himself onto the couch. His teeth clenched to hold back any sounds of weakness. He was sweating and shaking as he buried his face into the cushions.

Ranka looked at Haruhi who had hovered near through out the process. He had finished cleaning and dressing the wounds on Kyouya's back, "Haruhi an ice pack for the welts on his back may help. Though by this time I doubt it will do much for the bruising it should ease the pain somewhat."

Haruhi quickly brought a bag of ice wrapped in cloth from the kitchen. A snarl of pain escaped him when she placed the pack over his battered flesh, "You seem to have an unexpected amount of knowledge about these type of injures," Kyouya remarked from between gritted teeth.

"Ah, the fruits of a misspent youth I haven't dealt with this exact flavor before but they are not so different from those I have."

"What do you mean?" Haruhi questioned curiously.

"As difficult as it may be to believe your dear father was once a delinquent prone to fighting," Ranka said some of his characteristic flare returning to his voice.

Haruhi smiled, "It's not really that difficult. Mother told me how you met."

"It's late," Ranka said after glancing at the clock. He looked sternly at Kyouya, "Do not leave this house before we have spoken again."

Kyouya chuckled softly despite his discomfort, "Yes, sir."

"Don't stay up much later dear. I am going to shower and then sleep."

Ranka lingered in the shower longer than he had intended, his thoughts circling endlessly. When he stepped into the cool air of the living room checking Kyouya, he was unsurprised to see Haruhi still there. She was asleep her head cradled by her arm a hand resting on the side of Kyouya's face that was turned toward her. Kyouya was watching the sleeping girl his expression unreadable. Ranka watched his eyes drift close as he lost his fight against sleep. He waited a few minutes before draping blankets over the sleeping figures. He recalled something a customer said to him one evening.

"How do you know it is dark?"

"There's no light," he had quipped.

"No, because you can see the light."

I hope that they find their light he thought as he knelt down at the table his hands clasping a cup of tea. He would watch over their rest tonight.

Author's Note:

Well there it is. I know Ranka appeared drastically out of character however, I feel if faced with this situation he would be revealed as having a depth he normally cloaks with frivolity. A good example would be Cross Kaien.

*sigh* This did not take a long as I had anticipated though now I am worn out. I came close to rewriting the earlier sections with Haruhi because I felt she was being portrayed to weak. However, I am satisfied with how I ended her school day. What she told the twins will be reveled in a later chapter.

The events between Kyouya and Yoshio where not fully defined in my mind until after I read chapter 77. Yoshio is one cold bastard.

Thank you again to those who have given their reviews I appreciate the feedback. ArieonSeme, your review came at a fortuitous time. You reminded me that I enjoy descriptive narrative something the early drafts lacked. While there was not as much as the first chapter, this one was not set up to support it at length, thank you again.

Unknown male voice holds up a dog-eared manga, "You said one of the characters reminds you of me, its Tamaki isn't it."

"No, though if this conversation continues I may reconsider."

"You are so cruel won't you tell me so I might endeavor to please you."

*sound of pillow striking face*

"Stop that you're creeping me out."

"Really?"

"What are you doing? Stop it. I'm sorry. Ahhh"

Night everyone.