Chapter Five, Ootori Hospital

Honey was quite worried about where his acquaintance was. He didn't think it was very like her to be absent for school. She hadn't promised to show up or anything, but he was certain that it was a thing that she would do. He was hopeful that she would just be late. He still wanted to talk to her at the very least. And introduce her to Usa-chan. He had been looking forward to that since he had brought his stuffed bunny along. He had intended to find out just what she was planning in regards to visiting the hosts again. As things stood, he wasn't certain if she had agreed only to escape faster. The ride to her house had been completely silent. He thought that if a pin had fallen in the car it would have echoed clearly.

He turned back to what Ruka-sensei was saying, offering her a complacent grin as she finished her lecture. She had not appreciated his words to her and she was trying to ascertain how sincere his words were. He was honest about being apologetic for having disobeyed her but he kept his opinions about her mistreatment of Etsuna to himself. He glanced around the classroom suddenly, half expecting Etsuna to show up suddenly. But she didn't. He took his seat again and finished the assignment with ease, waiting for the bell anxiously.

He wanted to get Takashi's opinion on everything that was going on. Etsuna's absence weighed heavily on the boyish adult. He wanted nothing more than to see what his cousin's views were on this. Takashi offered the best advice through both silence and words. When the bell went Honey was the first was out the door and the second in the cafeteria. His cousin had beaten him to the line-up and ordered less sweetened foods, placing them on another tray which he carried over to their table. They sat down opposite one another, and it seemed that the air about the two was serious enough that none of the girls came over to fawn and pester them. Honey was glad although he did like it when they gave him cakes and other sweets. Takashi often had to remind them that Honey had to consume ninety percent less sugar since the start of university.

Honey started to tell his cousin about Etsuna's absence and his worries when he stopped. "Thank you for giving her my number."

"You're welcome Mitsukuni. As you were saying…?"

Between bites of his lunch, he set about to explain his circumstance with his cooking class and the girl's disappearance and his worry about her. Takashi listened, interested. When Honey finished with his tale, he waited for his stoic cousin to finish his mouthful. He nodded. "Maybe she got sick?"

"She seemed healthy yesterday." He looked at his cousin's expression, nodding with sudden comprehension. "Maybe she was too exhausted after her fainting and the twin's pestering. I'm sure she'll be here tomorrow then." He grinned happily.

"Ah."

They were about to leave the cafeteria when Honey spotted a rather concerned looking girl. He poked Takashi to point out the girl. She had her dark brown hair loose around her shoulders, clashing terribly with her dress. Her natural shade was dark enough that no matter what she did with it, it would never match her dress. Her eyes however caught Honey's. They were a dark blue-gray with a strong hint of green. He had never seen eyes that were half as near as captivating as that. She was tall, nearly as tall as Kyo-chan by Honey's estimation. She appeared to be concerned about someone, but confidence oozed from her as she walked by.

"Ah, Riku-san?" Takashi said as she was about to pass him.

She turned to him suddenly, a small blush lighting her cheeks cutely. "Yes Mori-sama?" she inquired politely, her voice soft and sweet.

"You are a friend of Shiori-san?"

"Yes," she said, sounding a little relieved, relaxing slightly as she glanced around the cafeteria. "Have you seen her? She didn't come to the library, and I thought that maybe she had come here for lunch as unlikely as that is."

"She wasn't in cooking," Honey volunteered with a grin. "We think after what happened yesterday that she's resting."

She frowned, "What happened?"

"She wanted to see Ashia-chan and so I invited her to the Host Club. The twins cornered her and she fainted," Honey explained with a smile.

She blinked several times and then looked up at Takashi. "Yes, that would be very like her. Thank you Mori-sama, Honey-sama."

She bowed slightly and left the cafeteria quickly. As Honey was about to rise to his feet, he couldn't help but notice that his cousin had watched as Riku-san left. He remembered her from the Host Club when she had been hosted by Kyo-chan and then Takashi. He hadn't noticed her unique eyes before though. He figured it was just the light that had caught them, like her blush. His phone went off before he could further contemplate what had transpired between his cousin and the other girl. He pulled it out and frowned deeply at the contents of the message.

Etsuna Shiori is under the care of one of my family's hospitals. She has stabilized since she was found last night. The hosts and I are going after school today, having cancelled hosting activities. We will pick you and Mori-senpai up.

Kyoya Ootori.

Honey exchanged a guarded look looked with his cousin and handed him his cell phone. Takashi nodded gravely.

Kyoya's gray eyes met Honey's. He shifted his glasses, "I took the liberty of sending flower to her room," he told the gathered hosts.

"How is she?" Tamaki inquired, clearly anxious.

"What happened?"

Kyoya looked at him and around the other hosts. Honey knew then that whatever had happened was not good. "The doctors don't know exactly what happened," he informed them.

"But they must have a good idea of it?" Haruhi insisted.

Kyoya exhaled, "They have a very good idea of what happened."

"Tell us," Hikaru demanded impatiently. Neither of the twins looked happy to be here, going to see Etsuna. Kyo-chan had probably forced them to come through one way or another.

"She was beaten," he said finally, his words resounding in the small crowded space of the limousine. "Brutally."

"She didn't look like someone prone to getting in fights," Haruhi admitted, looking at Honey. "Then again looks can be deceiving."

"I didn't say she was in a fight," Kyoya corrected quietly. "I said she was beaten." Everyone let his words sink in, too stunned to speak.

"Oh the poor princess!" wailed Tamaki.

"Who would want to hurt Etsuna-san?" Honey wondered aloud.

"Someone had a debt to settle, maybe?" Hikaru offered.

"Maybe she saw something she shouldn't have?" suggested Kaoru.

"I doubt that," Kyoya said softly as he looked out the tinted window. "She was found in an alley, in the bad part of town, barely alive. From what the doctors say, she's got a pretty strong will. She had a note on her, announcing that she had run away from home to see her father who had moved to England. She was identified only because of her cell phone."

Honey paused, considering for a moment. "Shiori-san is not the type of girl to run away." Honey smiled at him. He had wondered if Takashi remembered his customer having spoken often of her. Riku-san was talkative and Takashi listened.

"And if she was running away, what would she be doing in a dangerous part of town?"

"Maybe she got lost," interjected Hikaru.

"Lost and alone in the dark on a rainy night! We should capture the villains who were disturbed enough to harm the princess!"

"She couldn't have been lost," Takashi stated. "The airport…"

"If she were going to the airport, she would have driven," Haruhi continued. "The bad part is in the exact opposite direction."

"And Etsuna-san doesn't seem like the type of person looking for trouble," he admitted with an unabashed glance at the twins.

"Princess –we'll avenge you!" Tamaki cried gallantly.

"Senpai be calm," Haruhi ordered briskly.

"We're here," the driver informed them calmly.

Kyoya led the way to the receptionist. She sent them up several floors, where they encountered a nurse there who adamantly refused seven boys to be present in a patient's room. She would allow no more than three to enter. Honey, Kyoya and Takashi entered the hospital room. Honey's wordless gasp was echoed by Haruhi's as they moved over to see Etsuna. She looked very far from healthy.

Her face was a mess of blue and black bruises, with several uglier looking ones around her forehead and jaw. Her complexion was wan and tinged with blue. She looked battered and broken. As though aware of her scrutiny, Etsuna stirred in her sleep, her brows drawing together in a frown and a whimper escaping her swollen lips. Honey turned to Kyoya, knowing that she had suffered worse for her battle. He glanced at her uncovered hand which was fisted around her sheets and had no marks on it. It didn't look like she had even tried to defend herself. He looked at Kyo-chan, noticing that he appeared quite grim. The only sound in the room was that of the heart monitor. Looking at her as she shifted in her sleep, he hoped she dreamt well. He set Usa-chan beside her solemnly, aware that she needed his bunny far more than he did.

"What other injuries does she have?" Takashi inquired, having noticed the same thing Honey had.

Kyoya beckoned them and they briskly left the room. Tamaki, the twins and Haruhi had all apparently convinced the nurse to allow four visitors in. It wasn't as though they could disturb other patients because Etsuna had a private room. Honey wondered if Kyo-chan hadn't used his influence in any way to arrange that. Kyoya led them away from her room and indicated for a doctor to come over. He was headed towards them anyways, and he stopped before them with a respectful bow.

"What injuries did Shiori-san suffer?"

The doctor paused and glanced at the youngest son of the Ootori family. "With all respect, Ootori-sama and I am sure you understand; I am not at leave to discuss her injuries unless you are a relative." He inclined his head to them and paused, "Her younger brother came by to talk to her after her family was contacted. Apparently her youngest brother had to stay at home and watch after their house as their mother was asleep." His eyes lingered on Honey before he continued on his way.

Honey jogged up to him and tugged on his sleeve, looking up at the doctor with pleading eyes. He caught sight of his name on his coat. "Doctor Togu, please tell me what happened to nee-san?"

Kyoya and Takashi had trailed behind him. The youngest Ootori kept his face carefully blank, revealing nothing of his thoughts while Takashi's indifferent expression said nothing. The doctor smiled lightly, "If you're certain you want to know…" Honey nodded unafraid. "Your sister has a very strong will. I don't think she would have survived otherwise. She has several cracked ribs, three sprained fingers, a second degree burn on her arm and a pulled muscle. She was dying when one of our interns found her. She'd been out in the freezing rain for several hours and hypothermia had set in."

Honey shuddered. "Was she beaten or just in a fight?" he asked quietly, looking at Togu-sensei with wide eyes.

"Beaten, unless your sister is the kind of girl fool enough to challenge someone and never raise a hand to try and stop her opponent."

He shook his head, wondering at what had happened. One of the nurses called to him and he bowed to Honey before he looked at Kyoya for permission. Kyo-chan nodded and the doctor bowed, hurrying down the hallway.

The three of them turned away and noticed that the other hosts had been standing a short ways off, listening to every word. The twins looked angry, Tamaki appeared grim and Haruhi was troubled. Kyoya indicated for them to return to the visitor's area where the president's drama would drama would disturb no patients or staff. They settled into the offered seats, but Kyoya and Takashi remained standing. Honey turned from his friends, fixing his scowl outside. It wasn't right that Etsuna-san got hurt and had been unable to protect herself from the thugs that tormented her.

"Mom," Tamaki whined, "why'd you let Honey-senpai lie to the good doctor?"

He shrugged indifferently, "He genuinely believed Honey-senpai was Shiori-san's youngest brother. I can't help that he's blonde and looks young."

Etsuna didn't deserve the cruelty placed on her. It wasn't fair for her to be plagued with the issues she now had to deal with. She didn't even know how to defend herself. Unaware of it, Honey had been glowering out the window and grasping the wooden arm with enough force that he had drawn attention to himself.

"Mitsukuni," Takashi said carefully.

Honey didn't look at his cousin. If he ever found out who had done this to Etsuna he would make them –

"Honey-senpai," Haruhi said softly, close to him. He inhaled deeply, pushing the thoughts from his mind.

He gave her a big smile. "Yes Haru-chan?" he asked, adopting his childlike voice.

"Mitsukuni," Takashi repeated. He turned to his cousin, eyes wide and sparkling with innocence. "Do not overreact."

His childish façade crumbled at that point. He glowered at his cousin, oblivious to the hosts' sudden retreat. "Takashi," he said darkly. "My friend was just beaten half to death." He paused, "If one of your customers were to come back beaten as badly as Etsuna-san, could you simply watch?"

Takashi blinked and replied as respectfully as ever. "I would teach her how to defend herself, should it happen again."

Honey bristled and glowered out the window. Hikaru's whisper was the only sound to break the silence. "It's his AB blood type acting out," he said, his words distinct.

An uneasy silence settled over them. Honey's sigh was painstakingly loud. "I'll offer her lessons, Takashi."

"And no revenge seeking," ordered his cousin.

"I promise I'll leave that to Kyo-chan," he said, turning to look at the shadow king.

Kyoya smiled, knowing that everyone had their attention fixed on him. "She scratched one of her assailants and their DNA is currently being analyzed by my police force."

Just like Kyo-chan, Honey thought with a smile. The hosts shifted back to their usual rowdiness as Tamaki approached the vice-president. Takashi walked over to stand beside Honey rather than waiting at the door. Honey gave him an apologetic smile. He knew Takashi was right, but he would never forgive what had happened to Etsuna.

"If you teach her how to defend herself this will not happen again."

"But she could get hurt worse –or possibly die –next time," Kyoya said, having escaped from the others.

"At least she'll have a chance," Takashi said quietly.

"Is it worth it if she dies, though?" he inquired, his sharp eyes on Honey.

"I'll deal with it then," he said unhappily, pouting at this pessimistic approach.

Kyo-chan smiled tightly. "If you're sure…" he left then, leaving the room. Takashi gave him a reproachful glance but they all fell silent at Kyoya's sudden return. He calmly announced what the nurse had shared with him. "She's awake."

They didn't need to be told twice. The hosts all gathered and exited the room in a single file. Honey followed Kyoya, making him the second to enter her room. Since she was awake, the nurse seemed to be considerably more accommodating and allowed all of the hosts to enter the small room. Etsuna blinked wearily, looking at them all. She smiled at Honey and Takashi, but her eyes narrowed when she noticed the twins.

"About yesterday…" Kaoru began hesitantly.

"We really didn't know…"

"That you would faint."

She stared at them for a brief while before looking away. "Next time listen," she said hoarsely, "when someone tries to tell you something." She sounded weak; it seemed to take her a lot of effort to even speak.

"Shiori-hime," Tamaki began, "what were you doing in such a bad part of the city?"

She looked at him exhaustedly, "Yasuo ran away. I-I had to find him." She groaned but it was barely perceptible. "What have I done? Where's my little brother?" tears surged down her cheeks. "Is he even alive? I thought I saw him."

"He's fine," Kyoya informed her. "He went home, safe and sound." Haruhi glanced at him, surprised, believing his words to be a lie for her benefit.

Etsuna seemed to become aware of his presence for the first time. She frowned at him, "Where's Ashia-san?"

"We don't spend every last minute of every day together," he said, sounding a little testy.

"Ootori-sama," she sighed.

"You should have called the police," Haruhi said prudently, having recovered first.

"He ran away," she murmured, "they wouldn't have done anything."

"But it would have kept you at home," Tamaki pointed out.

"You would have been safe there," agreed the disguised girl.

She frowned, "I was worried. I didn't have the luxury of time. My family's falling apart –I have to keep us together or no one will."

Honey wondered at just what her home was like. He was hopeful that whatever it was, that it would improve when she got back. But he feared that it wouldn't. She was doing her best, from what she said, to keep things together. He hoped that she wasn't wasting her efforts on a lost cause. He again pondered what her life was like.

"Do you know what else could have happened to you?" demanded Haruhi crossly. Honey caught Kyoya hiding a sudden smirk.

She sighed shifting slightly and moaning in pain. "Many things, including my death," she whimpered.

"Etsuna-san, why didn't you fight back?" Honey asked, making his way towards her.

"Honey-sama," she murmured. "I didn't know how. I-I tried. It was too late he-he'd already trapped my arms before I could do anything." The tears that had slowed and gradually stopped started to flow again. "I'm so helpless," she cried.

Honey reached over to grab touch her hand and she looked at him through watery blue eyes. "Would you like me to teach you how to defend yourself, once you're healed up?"

She nodded and her eyelids slowly drooped shut. "I'm sorry…" she started, sighing. "Thank you for seeing me, all of you. And I forgive the twins," she added, sleepily.

Tamaki was about to say something, but the twins got to him first and placed their hands over his mouth to prevent him from saying anything. Etsuna-san dozed off, and they all held their silence as they waited for her to be sleeping enough for them to leave without waking her up. Honey cast one last glance at Usa-chan, noticing that she had his bunny in her grasp. He smiled and left the small room, Takashi and Haruhi followed.

"Honey-senpai, are you really going to leave Usa-chan?"

He looked over at her and nodded somberly. "Etsu-san needs him more," he told his kohai.

With that, Honey knew that he would be returning tomorrow to see her. He glanced at Kyoya, wondering about his words to her. "You told her that her brother was home safe. Why?"

"Because he is," Kyo-chan said exasperated. "The doctor said as much. Why do you think her youngest brother didn't come? The older one got the message and came out of guilt."

"Thank you, Kyo-chan," he said happily, grinning up at him.

Kyoya shifted his glasses and kept on walking. The rest of them then began to slowly make their way out of the hospital. Honey wondered if any of the others would come to see her. He suspected that Kyo-chan might due to Ashia-chan's influence. Since the two had come from Raiden and knew each other, they seemed quite comfortable with one another. Takashi caught up to Honey, and they entered their limousine. Takashi was always prepared like that, somehow finding time to call the chauffer to get them. Kyoya entered his own while the twins whisked Haruhi away, leaving Tamaki to enter his own car alone.

Honey looked over at Takashi, to see his cousin smiling at him. "You did a good deed, Mitsukuni."

"I know," he said, looking out the window. "She really does need Usa-chan more, though."

"She certainly does," Takashi agreed.

Honey watched the hospital until it disappeared from his view. He hoped that Etsuna would get better soon. He wanted to help her as best as he could.

I hope that the hospital scene is true and that I managed with patient-doctor confidentiality. Originally I had completely forgotten about it and the doctor was just going to answer. (Sigh) I like Kyoya too much. I know very little about hospitals and I would appreciate any corrections if I did something incorrectly.

Thank you for reading! ^^