Chapter 26
3rd person POV
When the host club got off the airplane it was night. In Japan it had gotten colder due to the changing of seasons but here was still very warm. There was cars meeting them, along with the cars there was a lot of what the assumed had to be gang members all dressed in black looking around. Kyouya looked at Lawson "Where are we and how did you get that plane?" Lawson looked around "a rich man owed me a favor and this is an abandoned air strip it was supposed to be ripped apart but people just forgot about it." Kyouya nodded and wondered to himself why he hadn't asked before he got on the plane.
Mori was extremely tense "let's go I want to see Haruhi." Suddenly a woman's voice echoed from across the strip. 2 women were side by side on motorcycles both the host club had seen before. The one woman from the day they first met Harley, she still had short blond hair but it was straight and her red lipstick was still strong. Then there was Mandy Lawson's wife, she was no longer pregnant and was very skinny and buff. Her hair was down long and silky but she didn't look happy and glowing like the day they met her. She was different, her soft face edged with hard features and anger.
Mandy looked at them "good to see you again boys, I wish it was on better terms. Let's get going." All the host clubs were loaded into jeeps, ones that lacked doors and roofs only leaving the frames you could imagine the terror. Mori and Honey were the first one, the twins in the second, Tamaki and Kyouya in the last one. They sped down the opening highway the bikes right behind them and Mandy in the front. It was like a military operation but then again it was a gang war. Mori clenched his fist, she knew. God she had to have known. She didn't want him to go back worrying. All this time he had been thinking about her and how she for some stupid reason may not be answering him. He had thought about the night they shared on that boat and she had been suffering.
He wasn't going to forgive himself, he didn't know if he ever could when suddenly Honey gasped "Takashi look." They were once again at the gates of the gang place and this time there were men waiting for them. They never realized how many people this gang actually had. When they pulled up to the doors there was also more people. Everyone got out of the cars slowly, Lawson got people to get there luggage for them. Lawson sighed "you will be staying here and you have to be very calm. Haruhi knows what's going on but she is still recovering. The other gang is being dealt with which will be explained more inside. Harley is waiting for us and please don't hold it against him for lying to you."
Mori bit his tongue normally he wasn't one for freaking out on people but he thought he had a right here. But Harley did save Haruhi. When they walked in there stood Harley leaning against a wall drowning in the colour black he always wore. But the weird thing was black didn't really suit him. He looked exhausted, but he was wide awake and aware. "Welcome back, I'm sorry for lying to you." He said his eyes were somewhere else. No one said anything, "Follow me." Harley said as he walked up the stairs.
He walked into a room; it was a large room and in the back of the room a little bit away from the corner laid Haruhi. She was staring out the window beside her. She looked a lot healthier than they had seen on the plane. She had low music playing but as soon as they entered the dorm like room she looked over "I knew I would see you eventually." She smiled wide. Mori frowned at her she looked back out the window "you guys must be angry with me." Before anyone could say anything Harley spoke "No, no one is mad at you." Haruhi laughed then moaned "yeah right, if they weren't mad you wouldn't have spoken right there for them." Harley sighed "have you eaten?"
Haruhi rolled her eyes "for crying out loud yes! I didn't suddenly stop eating from depression I still like food you don't need to breathe down my neck about it." Harley sighed sitting on the couch "we worry for what you don't." "I'm not going to randomly drop dead." Harley shook his head "There was a time we debated that." No one else moved Haruhi's eyes tensed; finally Mori spoke "you knew the whole time." Lawson realized what was going to transpire here "how about we give them some time to talk while Harley and I show you your rooms." Everyone but Mori quietly left the room on an unspoken agreement.
Mori sat down on the chair beside her bed taking her small hand that was cut and bruised. He kissed her knuckle and she smiled at him "I'm okay," Mori looked at his lap as if he was in pain "why didn't you tell me about this." "I didn't want to hold you back you have responsibilities in Japan and we had a plan but so did they. They ambushed me and I didn't know it was coming and there really wasn't anything I could do." Mori sighed sadly "why didn't you trust me?" Haruhi took his big hand in her 2 "I did but I couldn't have you worried about me and sure it may have saved me faster but you would worry constantly and I didn't want that because it would distract you and like I said you have responsibilities, your next head of the Morinozuka Family." "Yes I am and I would not have another woman but you beside me as the head of my family."
Haruhi was shocked at Mori's bluntness, frankly he was too. But he didn't care at that moment "Haruhi I don't really know what to say or do here." Haruhi stroked his hand again "it's over now there is a court date set up and they will be guilty there is too much evidence for them not to be guilty." Mori nodded "I know that but I feel useless, I could have protected you that's the one thing I'm confident about is I can protect you but now I'm not so sure." Haruhi felt tears well up in her eyes
"Takashi… I didn't hide it from you because I didn't think you could. I hid it from you because… there is risk and I knew that god I knew that and I know it even better now. Even though you could protect me better than anyone else in this world you also have to protect yourself. Something you can't do if you're worried for me I've already lost people and I can't lose you too because… I love you. With everything I have I love you. I knew I liked you in Japan but I didn't say anything and I never really let it go. Then this summer came and I fell for you more. I fell in love with you. The one thing I clung onto in that basement was the fact that I loved you and I never told you. So this is me telling you Takashi. I love you."
Mori took a deep breath and leaned forward. His lips connected with hers kissing her passionately but made sure he wasn't touching her "I love you too." They had both been waiting for those words from each other for so long. And there they were. Mori smiled at her and sat back down "I should go get the others so we can talk about this court thing." Mori said, and Haruhi nodded in agreement.
Everyone came back in, Tamaki came in and took her "are you okay Haruhi?" Haruhi smiled "Yes Tamaki I'm fine." He kissed her hand before letting go. Hikaru and Kaoru stood on each side of her "I'm glad." Hikaru started "You're okay." Koaru finished. They each kissed her cheek. Honey ran up and gave her a huge hug. Kyouya sat on the chair beside her and took her hand not saying anything. She knew it was his subtle way of making sure she was okay. Harley and Haruhi locked eyes with unspoken words.
Mori watched them and how they seemed to talk without saying a word. Lawson sat on a chair in the middle of the room "We have a pretty easy win here. Since they got smart and wanted to review their method of torture those sadistic bastards. We have pictures off the injuries themselves it is pretty much a dead win. We are charging them for assault and battery, theft, stalking, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault and attempted murder." Haruhi nodded. Lawson continued "Haruhi you will have to get on the stand, Harley and a few others will too because they saved you. I will also be making an appearance to the previous threats."
Haruhi sighed "well then how long tell the court date?" "5 days." Haruhi nodded "I think I need to get some more sleep I'm tired." Everyone agreed Mori kissed her before he left. But just as everyone was leaving Haruhi said "Harley can you stay a minute I would like to talk to you about something." As the door closed Mori stood at it. Why did she want to talk to Harley? Was something going on between the two of them? He hated to question her and doubt her but she was really close to him. Mori began to walk to his room when Lawson caught up to him "I would like to talk to you." Mori nodded.
When they reached his room Mori sat on the large bed and Lawson leaned against the wall. Mori stared at the older man. Lawson began speaking "don't think badly of Haruhi and Harley. I can see you are tense about it but it's not what you think. They relate to each other a lot. Harley's parents died in a car crash then I took him in. Haruhi lacks a mother. Harley taught Haruhi how to fight because he saw potential and himself in her. They both have been alone and lost and a bit scared. Haruhi brought out the best out of Harley and Harley pulled Haruhi even further out of her shell."
"Harley was distraught realizing they had Haruhi. They put full faith in each other and there best friends so don't worry about it. Don't doubt Haruhi and Harley is not that type of a man." Mori nodded "I know I was just worried." Lawson nodded "I know well good night Mori."
Haruhi looked at Harley as he sat down beside her. They both know why she wanted him to stay.
*flash back*
Harley began to pace again he couldn't speak he didn't know what to do. He knew the others were here too. He had given them everything he knew on Haruhi but was it enough. No one could get a hold of her father. She had been in there for hours. Finally a surgeon came out "She's asking for a Harley?" Harley ran to the surgeon "That's me!" Harley was the only one allowed in.
Harley ran to her side on the bed. She looked so small in the big white bed. She was pale, and thin. Harley stared down at her sadly god he had brought her into this world and look what happened. Haruhi was drugged but smiled at him "Thank you Harley." He began to cry, he hadn't cried since his parents died when he was 9. It was such an alien feeling having tears run down his face.
"You scared me Haruhi." Haruhi smirked "I'm sorry. Don't worry I won't leave you that easily." Harley stroked her face "I'm sorry but I have to tell you this." Haruhi was puzzled she had no idea what he meant until he said "Haruhi I love you." Haruhi stared at him in shock. She had no idea what to say.
*end of flashback*
Harley sat down beside her, Haruhi took his hand "I'm with Mori." Harley nodded "I know." Haruhi held his hand tighter "You're my best friend and I do love you but not the way you want." Harley stared at her sadly "I get it. Can I ask one thing one selfish thing?" "Yes?" "Can I kiss you… one last time?" Haruhi waited but then nodded. Last time, it was his final answer.
Harley stood up once more leaning over her body and leaned down placing his lips on hers. Their lips melded together, his warm lips against her soft ones. He cupped her face softly savoring the last taste he would ever get of her. Haruhi would be lying if she said a part of her didn't enjoy it too. When Harley pulled away part of him ripped apart. He sighed and stood up quickly "good night Haruhi." "Good night." She whispered back.
5 days later… aka court day
Haruhi slowly slid from out of her bed. No one knew but at night she had been practicing learning to walk again for this day even though it burned. She wanted to show that gang they couldn't bring her down. She pulled on some black tights and a white button up shirt with a black leather jacket. She pulled a brush through her mass of knotted hair. No make-up they had to see the marks know it wasn't no joke she had really been tortured by these bastards. Haruhi then pulled her long brown hair into a high pony tail. She grabbed a crutch to lean on since her body still burned.
Haruhi slowly made her way down the hallway and stairs to meet everyone in the dining room. Everyone turned to look at her as she entered the room. Mori stood up "you shouldn't be walking yet." "Well no one came for me and I think my legs might turn to jello." Mori sighed and let her use the crutch instead of the wheel chair. Finally they got to leave Haruhi just wanted this done and over with and those damn bastards gone.
When they got there they sat down in the spots. She saw the other Gangs watchful eyes on me. Haruhi noticed that there was a jury and random men and woman watching along with The Host Club. One pack of men for some reason made her nervous. Then it began, Haruhi was bored stiff and you could easily see the horror on the faces around except for the gang and the one pack of men. Finally it was Haruhi's turn and by god she was nervous.
She began making her pledges to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. She started from the beginning. Haruhi couldn't help but notice Harley's eyes watching that pack of men. She was just about to start talking about the beating when Harley was out of his chair and screamed "HARUHI GET DOWN." It took a minute for Haruhi to realize what was going on, Harley was already running to guard her. She looked around and saw the men, they had guns. Where were those guns pointed? At her. She knew if she threw herself to the ground she would rip open her stitches but being shot wasn't much better. Haruhi went to dodge.
Mori felt panic she was being shot at and wasn't in the best shape to dodge. He would have ran to her if Harley had not beat him to it. How did he not notice?
Haruhi ducked and tried to sit down when she fell in pain. Harley seen it and jumped to guard her and then it happened as if in slow motion. Shots were fired, Haruhi looked over her shoulder in immense pain from her ribs and slash mark only to see it. Harley got shot. Twice.
Once in his left shoulder and the second an inch and a half under his collar bone on the right side in his chest. Haruhi let out a scream in agony and forgot all about the pain rushing through her body. She didn't care about the extra bullets she flipped over to see Harley. She pulled him on his back "Harley?!" she screamed. His eyes were barely open as they met hers "Harley?" He went to reach for her face to stroke it but it fell his voice nothing more than a whisper "Haruhi." Tears rushed down her face. She placed his head in her lap.
She held his face in her tiny arms "don't talk you're going to be okay. They have gotten them restrained now. The paramedics are going to come and fix you don't worry. You will be all better and me and you can complain together about wheel chairs." Haruhi was desperate and speaking through tears. Harley smiled "You and I both…ugh… now that's a lie." Haruhi's voice suddenly got really squeaky and desperate "please…Please… PLEASE." She pulled him more into her lap his blood coating her hands.
His blood was everywhere, his eyes were getting droopy. Haruhi leaned down "Harley… Harley! You have to stay awake you're going to be okay!" Harley smiled a small smile "It's okay Haruhi, don't cry everything is going to be okay." "Then you have to stay with me okay?!" His smiled slowly disappeared off his face as he stared off into what seemed like some other world "I love you… you know that right." Haruhi nodded "I know, I know. If you really love me stay with me." His eyes found mine one last time "I'm so sorry Haruhi… Please be happy don't cry anymore you will be okay." "I know, I know your sorry but you have to stay here and I will be happy I will never cry again." He whispered as his eyes closed "be happy, no more….crying. Be happy." His eyes fully fell shut.
He went limp in Haruhi's arms. "No, no, NO!" Haruhi yelled. She felt his pulse, it was gone he was dead. Haruhi shook her head more tears clouding her vision. "NO!" She pulled him more into her arms, she placed her head in the crook of his neck and began to cry heartbroken agonized sobs. Harley was gone, he would never come back. He died for her. Haruhi just rocked back and forth.
Finally everyone else had finally been gathered. The Host Club and Gang looked around and they saw it. It made them all stop in their tracks. Haruhi was covered in blood in the middle of the court room holding Harley. His blood seeping everywhere. She was sobbing and rocking back and forth. They didn't have to go over to know he was gone. Harley was dead. Lawson began to cry but no one moved. They listened as Haruhi screamed in agony begging for someone or something to bring him back. She begged and screamed and pleaded. But there was nothing they could do. Harley was dead.
2 weeks later October 31st
It was the day of the funeral and Harley's favorite holiday Halloween/ All hallows eve. The funeral was just about to begin. Mori looked around for Haruhi, she had said she wanted to be alone before the funeral and she would meet him there. He understood, it had taken her 5 days to even leave her bed. 3 more to eat and 4 more to even leave the house. She walked around like an emotionless zombie. He stared at Harley's grave, it sat under a willow tree, it was a huge grave, there was a base with a plack and then on top a huge statue of an angel with a sword in its hands. It was a beautiful pure white. Where was Haruhi? Mori began to think but was cut off by music.
Well I heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Mori heard a car coming up the road, but he stayed beside the rest of The Host Club listening to the song.
Well it goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth,
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Mori couldn't help but feel bad horrible. The only people here were The Host Club, Ranka and most of The Gang Members. He had no other friends or family. But yet he didn't need any more lots of people were there crying and looked sad everyone dressed in black. So was Harley in his open coffin.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Suddenly a car rolled up close, a yellow car. None other than Haruhi's gang car. She stepped out slamming the door but it didn't look like Haruhi so much had changed in the few hours he hadn't seen her.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
Haruhi wore a long white dress that had a slice up the on the one side of the leg exposing it, She was wearing all white. Her hair wasn't long anymore it was all gone and now jaw length. She carried a white tux in her hand as she walked through the people straight to Harley's coffin. She looked fierce but beautiful.
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah.
Haruhi sat on the side of his coffin throwing the white tux over him. She fixed it so it looked nice, she tucked a red rose into its pocket. She leaned down and whispered "You're my best friend and I will always love you. You said my hair looked best short and you look much better in white than black."
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor (you know)
I used to live alone before I knew you
Haruhi pressed her forehead against his cold one "I will be so lost without you Harley, I was lost before you found me and all I have to say is… thank you." Tears began to fall down her face "thank you." She pulled the angel wing necklace she always wore and placed it in his cold hands. She held out the necklace she was now wearing, it was a ring. Harley's fathers ring that Harley never stopped wearing, he had a will and left that one thing to her. "Thank you."
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
and love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Haruhi pressed a kiss to his cold forehead. She didn't movefor a bit and let the tears fall from her face. She stroked his face "I'm so sorry, I will never forget you I promise. And I will be happy I promise you. And one last thing Harley." She waited "thank you. Thank you so much."
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
Haruhi walked away from his coffin to Mori's side. His hand twined around hers and he stared down at the young girl who had been put through so much. Her best friend had died. He tightened his grip on her hand as she cried making sure she knew he was there. Also that he would never leave her.
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
The priest began speaking words and blessing his grave. Haruhi didn't move, tears fell down her face but it stayed the same. She was in too much pain to explain it. God she didn't know what to do now. What was she going to do? Her best friend here had died, she didn't apply to college and Mori had to go back to Japan?
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
They began pouring dirt onto the coffin. Each person took a handful and poured it on the coffin. Haruhi cried and cried, she was held by Lawson and Mandy who spoke soft words to her. Ranka didn't know what to say he had only ever met Harley for a very brief time.
Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
The funeral was reaching its end and people started leaving but Haruhi didn't move. Thunder began crackling over-head but Haruhi didn't flinch or move. Her fear of thunder didn't reach her as she watched the other man she loved be buried. The whole time tears slipped down her face. They had never stopped.
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
The funeral was over but they were just finishing fully burying Harley's grave but Haruhi didn't move. She watched as the men poured full shovels onto the grave. Everyone except her and Mori had left due to the freezing cold rain pelting down on them and the thunder but Haruhi didn't care. Finally they had finished and Haruhi walked up to the statue and balled "I will be back." The necklace with his ring tight in her clutches.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Finally they got into the car sopping wet. Haruhi cleared the tears from her eyes and began to drive away from Harley's grave. Mori watched her, he couldn't bear to bring his eyes off of her. He knew about the ring and didn't mind. But he had only one idea of what to do now.
As they pulled up to the house Haruhi went to get up but Mori grabbed her hand pulling her back. "Haruhi I would like to talk to you about something." She turned to him full attention on his "yes?" "I know this is hard for you. I mean I don't know what I would do if I was you." Tears gathered in her eyes once more but she blinked them back. "In a week I'm going back to Japan." Haruhi felt like she was going to be sick, why was he telling her this?
"I want you to come back with me Haruhi. Come live with me, I know we haven't been dating for that long. But I can't leave you here and Oran university will welcome you on a full scholarship. So Haruhi come back to Japan with us."
Haruhi stared at him for a long moment, she fiddled with the ring. "I will come with you." She said meeting his eye. Mori broke out in a large smile, Haruhi gave him a small smile.
No this not the ending one more chapter and an epilogue and then we are finished folks.! Now I must say I love you guys you are great and I can't tell you how happy I am for the support you have given me and I really appreciate your reviews. Thank you.