"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."

— C.S. Lewis

Their quick pace was familiar to them, but at the same time, everything was different. Satoshi, who normally would keep his eyes ahead and scanning the streets for signs of the creatures, kept looking back. Making sure his brother was there. Haruhi felt a weight settle on her shoulders, not a physical weight. She felt responsible for not only Takashi's life, but she feared that she screwed everyone over by doing this. Ritsu and Chika acted like nothing was different, pretending to be blissfully unaware of the entire situation. Takashi, himself, kept his eyes shifting from the four, wondering why they were so antsy at making it out of the city before night fall.

They had said something about dogs, and Takashi couldn't understand why they were afraid of some animals. Satoshi knew how easily Takashi was able to tame any animal, but the man was acting as if it didn't matter if he was there or not. However, the unease of the group made it so he felt a lot better about the gun attached to his hip. He felt even better about the fact that its twin was attached to Haruhi.

There was so much he wanted to ask them, but knew that they would just have to repeat anything he asked when they got back to the house. If she got through the others over joyous reply to her being alive. Takashi still didn't understand exactly how she had survived the first couple years; she was the laziest person in the world. He had thought...well, at points where he was feeling especially morbid and angry with himself, he had thought that she had simply given up and let herself be killed by the creatures. Of course, he would never admit that out loud.

Ritsu made a motion and the group jogged for the next ten minutes, trying to gather up for lost time. However, just at the end, Haruhi's foot caught on a rock and she fell. The group quickly halted and Haruhi cursed quietly. Pushing up onto her knees. Her hands and knees were skinned. It stung and she brushed the rocks quickly out before climbing to her feet. There was the question in the other's eyes, 'Why didn't you see that?' She ignored their silent question and nodded slightly. Telling them to press on.

Takashi wanted to stop and wrap her wounds, but knew that they had to continue if they wanted to make it out of the city before nightfall. Also, from the look in her eyes, she didn't want to be helped regardless of how she was injured. The night was coming on them fast and their fear heightened. The dogs would be out soon.

The forest was in sight, the road went straight into it. Satoshi gave a victorious fist pump. Even if they weren't able to make it there before the sun completely set, they would be able to go quiet far into it before the dogs even realized they had been out during the night. Haruhi smiled slightly as the group picked up the pace. However, she felt something trickle down her hand. Raising it up, she saw a droplet of blood staining her skin red.

Her eyes widened and she stopped in her shock. The group took just thirty seconds before they realized she wasn't with them and turned back around. It was Chika who was the first to run back, grabbing her arm before seeing her blood. He then cursed, shoving her forwards lightly. "Run."

Haruhi didn't react at first until she heard a growl from the side street. Her eyes flashed over there, hand going to the holster but her hand brushed against the fabric and she hissed. Chika didn't bother keeping quiet, "Fuck! Haruhi, run!" he shouted this time, grabbing her arm and tugging her. It snapped her out and she scrambled to gain her footing before they were running towards the others.

Takashi and Satoshi both had their weapons at the ready. A dog burst into the main street. Takashi's eyes widened, that was not a normal dog. It was mutated, and looked like it had been attacked by something before. One of its ears was missing, and a deep gash in the skin went to it eye. He didn't lose his nerve, however, and steeled the gun. The dog gnashed its teeth and growled. Haruhi and Chika slowed down once they got to the others. Haruhi grabbed onto Takashi's arm before he could do anything. "It'll attract others," she warned. Takashi looked at her, a look of complete incredulity on his face. Why was he given the gun then?

The dog walked forwards slowly, Satoshi shifted the blade in his hand slightly. "Come on you bastard," he whispered quietly, earning a look from his brother. Haruhi looked at her hands briefly. That was all the dog needed, ignoring the others and focusing on his prey, he lunged. Satoshi swing the blade skillfully, but the dog stopped short and turned towards Satoshi this time. It snapped at the blade before moving quickly, cutting through Satoshi's legs and jumping again at Haruhi.

When she moved to jump out of the way, she realized that Takashi was still there. Instead she steeled her nerves; no way was he getting hurt. However, Takashi had other plans. Grabbing her and jumping to the side. The dog skidded on the pavement before jumping again. It's teeth sank into the flesh of Takashi's calf and he let out a shout in surprise. Satoshi moved fast, his brother was in danger. The blade was quick as it sank into the beast's side.

Haruhi pulled out her gun at the same time and drove a bullet into the creature's neck. It was silent with the ringing of the gun still in their ears. Takashi stumbled slightly, and Ritsu cursed. "He'll have to bleed until we can get into the forest, they won't go in there."

"Ritsu, give your bag to Chika," Haruhi demanded before pulling Takashi's bag off and carrying it along with her bag. "We'll have to be quick," she ordered, sounding calm. Instead, however, her heart was racing at a fast pace. If they lost Takashi just after they had found him...she would never forgive herself, and she knew Satoshi wouldn't forgive himself either, nor her probably. Ritsu supported Takashi's injured side and the group moved as fast as they could. It didn't take a genius to realize that the gunfire had attracted more dogs and creatures to the area.

Dogs, they could deal with. Creatures? They didn't even want to think about what would happen if one of them saw them. It pushed them to go faster, and soon they broke into the edge of the forest. Hearing the howls as the dogs found their dead brother. They didn't stop until they were at least ten minutes into the forest, then they lowered Takashi to the ground. Haruhi tossed off both of the packs and quickly dug through hers. Finding the medical supply and tossing it to Chika as she looked for painkillers and grabbed a water bottle. After dropping two of the pills into her hand she moved over to him and forced him to take them. After she was satisfied that he had swallowed them down she turned her attention to his calf.

Chika was cleaning it thoroughly. Haruhi examined the bite before looking at Takashi. "We'll have to stitch it," she whispered and saw his eyes widened slightly. Haruhi smiled gently, tapping her facial scar, "Don't worry, we've done this before."

Takashi swallowed thickly before nodding. Haruhi moved, threading her fingers into his and squeezing it reassuringly as Satoshi readied the needle and handed it to Ritsu who took over the place of Chika. Haruhi watched as the needle dug into his skin and then looked at his face, reassuring that he wasn't in too much pain. His fingers clenched hers ever so often and she brushed his bangs from his eyes.

"I'm sorry," she spoke quietly; "I shouldn't have been so stupid."

Takashi and Satoshi both looked at her, before sharing a look. Takashi wasn't in the mood to reply to her, the pain of the needle pushing through his already sore skin was irritating him. He knew it wasn't her fault, it was his. If he had just shot instead of listened to her, they would've made it out unscathed. All the same, he squeezed her hand gently in a, hopefully, reassuring way.

Soon, the pain lessened and Ritsu stopped. They washed away most of the blood with a bit of water before Haruhi took over and wrapped it. They rested for a few more minutes, all silently listening to the distant growls and yelps of the dogs. Probably fighting over the flesh of the dead one. Ritsu stood up after a while, finding the noise too disturbing to linger there any longer. Haruhi took Takashi and her own bags again, until Satoshi pulled his brothers from her and strode ahead. With a sigh she followed, making sure that Ritsu had Takashi.

The walk through the woods in the dark was a piece of cake to the four compared to walking in the city in the dark. They didn't fear something running up to them, as most animals had fled deeper into the forest when the fighting started, and they went to sleep during the night. Any animals that went into the cities too soon were turned into the creatures that the group feared so much.

Haruhi took a step, felt a tug on her leg and was flipped upside down. An involuntary shout left her lips as her bag slid from her shoulders and fell to the ground. Her shirt slid down, and she struggled, trying to figure out what had a grip on her leg. Takashi could see the scars that cut across the once smooth flesh of her stomach. They defiantly had it worse in the city; he could count the number of scars he had gotten from the beginning of the end on one hand.

Satoshi dropped his things before jumping onto a branch of the tree and climbing up it swiftly. He found where the rope was attached to a branch. His fingers worked deftly as he untied it and loosened it. Lowering her to the ground, afraid that if he cut it she would hit her head on something and get hurt. Chika grabbed her so she wouldn't be deposited on the ground and righted her quickly.

"What the fuck?" Ritsu breathed, "Those ropes were recently placed there," he commented, as Haruhi tugged it off and tossed it aside. Looking thoroughly pissed off by the object, then again who wouldn't be angry when they are yanked off the ground, get rope burns on their ankle and then hang around with their bra showing before they are let down. Haruhi was just thankful she decided to still wear bras, or that would've been a much more awkward experience.

Takashi knew who had placed the ropes there, and knew that they didn't have to worry about it. He was slightly ashamed he forgot to warn them that there was traps set up just in case any other groups got to close to their 'base camp' as the twins liked to call it. Haruhi grumbled, it just wasn't her day. He made a mental note to get Kyouya to look at her injuries when they got back.

A knife flew out, slamming into the tree as Satoshi jumped down. The knife dug into the bark, catching the boys shirt along with it. Haruhi jumped to her feet, yanking her gun out and pointing it in the direction the knife came from. There was the menacing sound of a gun's hammer clicking. Signalling that the gun was ready to fire. The muzzle of a gun pressed against the back of Haruhi's neck. She sucked in a deep breath.

Everyone was silent; Haruhi looked like she wanted to kill someone as she dropped her gun down. The gun pressed against her neck didn't move, however. "Put our friend down," the cool voice behind her hissed.

"Kyouya-" Takashi started. Haruhi moved quickly. Slamming her elbow into Kyouya's stomach, twisting around and grabbing the arm that held the gun. She twisted it, eliciting a shout of pain from Kyouya, and he dropped the gun. Once the gun was removed, she kicked it away and stepped back. Panting, mostly from the fact that she had just let go of her breath.

She heard a shout and barely had time to react. However, Chika quickly located the attacker and slammed his foot into him. Knocking him to the ground. Satoshi ripped the knife out of his shirt and stared at the hole; both looked completely calm with the situation. "Damn it, Mitsukuni, I liked this shirt!"

Haruhi turned around, seeing the older man scramble to his feet and smiled innocently at Satoshi then turned towards Haruhi. He gave her a look, not recognizing her, and then moved to Takashi. "Takashi, are you okay? What happened?"

"Attacked by dogs," he grunted out, Haruhi picked up her gun and shoved it back into her holster. "You probably shouldn't have attacked them..."

"We thought they had hurt you," Kyouya commented icily, looking at Ritsu and then at Haruhi. Not recognizing either of them. Haruhi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Thanks for the trap," she pointed slightly at the ropes, "I feel so welcome."

Kyouya looked at her icily. Satoshi nudged Haruhi, giving her a look and nodding to the side. Haruhi followed him and they spoke in hushed tones. Kyouya inspected the bite before saying that the stitching job was good before wrapping the wound back up. The small blonde turned towards his brother, they were silent before Chika adjusted the fake glasses on his face before stepping forwards and hugging him. Mitsukuni started to cry, hugging his brother. Apologizing for not finding and helping him. Apologizing for anything and everything. Eventually Chika pulled away and insulted his brother, but with a smile. Ritsu listened in on Satoshi and Haruhi's conversation, not caring fully if he was prying.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"They can't see you clearly in the dark, and you are being a, no offence, bitch."

"You know, saying 'no offence' doesn't make an offensive remark magically un-offensive," Haruhi replied, giving him a blank stare, but continuing. "I'm not in the best mood right now. I was just pulled off my feet and dangled in the air, trudged through the forest in the dark, and one of my old best friends was attacked because of me."

Satoshi sighed, giving her a hug, which she didn't return. She never did. "Just, don't speak until we get to safety or Kyouya might decide you shouldn't be invited to the house."

Haruhi let out an irritated sigh into his chest before he pulled away and jogged over to his brother. Ritsu walked up beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a smile. She walked over to her bag and pulled it onto her shoulder when Kyouya helped Takashi to his feet. Ritsu hurried over, helping the man.

Mitsukuni stayed by his brother's side, chattering insistently trying to figure out everything that happened. Chika kept glancing back at Haruhi, wanting to know if he should say anything. She just jutted her chin out slightly, telling him to wait until the others were with them. It wouldn't make sense for them to retell the story twice.

-X

The house was more like a mansion. Actually, if they had gone to the front of the house and entered the fenced area they would've seen a chipped wooden sign with fading paint, which would've had the words pension etched into the wood. Of course, they didn't. Haruhi slowed down slightly taken in the sight. Satoshi ran forwards shouting happily. Haruhi hadn't seen him act like that in the longest time.

The noise alerted the residents of the house. A window was thrown open and a lump formed in her throat. The twins leaned out, staring down. Their orange hair grown out long, but still stylish. If that was even possible in the apocalyptic situation. Their golden eyes taken in the sight with amusement. Hikaru leaned forwards, waving at them. "Satoshi! Yasuchika! You're back!" he shouted down to them. Tamaki burst out the door, sweeping Satoshi up into a hug. Although he was pushed away by Kyouya.

"Hikaru, Kaoru! Get the medical room ready for Takashi," Kyouya shouted up before opening the door and letting the group in. Tamaki was ecstatic by the new arrivals.

"You brought two friends!" Tamaki spoke flamboyantly once he caught sight of Ritsu and Haruhi standing to the side while greetings were out of the way. Kyouya brought Takashi into the medical room where they could hear Tamaki speaking and then flirting with Haruhi. Who didn't know how to react and just resorted to being blunt, telling him it wasn't the time. Officially sending him to a corner for the first time in the longest time.

Kyouya cleaned the wound thoroughly with antiseptic. It was one of those moments he was glad his family owned a large chain of hospitals and he grew up learning about medicines. They were silent, content. Until Kyouya felt that the question in his mind burning in his throat, scrambling to get out. "Who are they?"

"Haruhi and Kasanoda," Takashi murmured quietly, hissing when Kyouya's hand pressed too hard into the sensitive skin. His glasses slipped down his nose and he stared at Takashi in shock.

"You're shitting me..." he muttered shoving his glasses back up, masking his emotions and removing his hand from Takashi's calf. The man shook his head. Kyouya finished taking care of Takashi before letting him sit down on a chair and slipped out of the room. He found Haruhi talking quietly to Ritsu and took her arm. "You're injured," he waved towards the hallway. "Infections can become deadly now."

Haruhi nodded before looking at Ritsu, "We'll talk later," she promised before following Kyouya. She sat down on the cot and Kyouya shut the door behind her. He walked over, studying Haruhi's face. Taking in her scars, the dark circles under her eyes, the slouch of her small shoulders. She was exhausted. He readied some a new cloth and cleaned the dried blood from the cuts on her knees and hands. Silent the entire time. He put antiseptic on her knees and hands before lifting her foot up and looking at the rope burn. He put some antiseptic where there were cuts from her fingers trying to scratch at it.

They were silent as he wrapped it in a cool cloth to stop the burning from doing too much damage to her skin. He let go of her leg after propping it up. As he washed his hands he was silent. When he turned around, he reached up and brushed his fingers against her scar. Her hand grabbed his wrist; a dark look passed her face. "How'd you get that?"

"I was attacked, obviously," Haruhi muttered darkly. Kyouya didn't understand the look on her face. His onyx eyes flashed to Takashi's metallic eyes. Kyouya looked back at the door before lowering his voice.

"I'm sorry, Haruhi," he murmured quietly, "We thought you were dead." Haruhi's mouth opened and closed. Unsure of what to say. So he did recognize her? Obviously he didn't recognize her before he threatened her. He removed his hand from her and smiled slightly. "Why don't we join the others? We should probably tell the others you are alive, they'll want to hear your story-"

"No, Haruhi should rest," Takashi interrupted, frowning at Kyouya. It was silent; Kyouya pressed his lips together tightly. Looking like he wanted to contradict the older man, but Takashi rose one of his eyebrows slightly. Haruhi swallowed thickly, things had certainly changed.

"Ano, I have insomnia," she spoke up, almost quietly. "I haven't been able to get to sleep for hours no matter how I tried for the last year. I sleep maybe four hours at the most."

Kyouya stared at Haruhi curiously. Firing off a few questions, which she answered yes to most. He frowned slightly. "Well...I believe that it was your nervousness about being attacked in the night. You won't have the same fear here."

"She can rest in my room," Takashi spoke up after Kyouya finished, "She is not to be asked any questions until she has slept some. The others need to rest as well; they were running most of the day."

Kyouya's jaw clenched but he nodded, bowing his head slightly and left. Haruhi looked at the bandages around her knees and flexed them. They felt stiff, but would probably loosen up soon. She avoided Takashi's eyes for the longest time, even though he was staring holes into the side of her head. Finally, she swallowed and glanced up at him. "Times have changed."

"New experiences always changes things," Takashi replied simply, shrugging a shoulder. Nestling into the chair. Haruhi lifted the cool cloth around her ankle and touched her skin. It was cooler now and she was sure the burn was on its way too healing already. She gathered her courage before raising her eyes to his.

"I don't think this is for the better," she whispered, almost as if she were afraid of him. Although she wasn't, she just didn't want anyone to hear her. Takashi stood up, hobbling over, using the cot to support him. He stopped just to the side of her; he reached up and touched the raised flesh on her forehead. She shook her head, "I would take these injuries over again, they were caused because I was protecting those I loved."

"Then what?"

"I don't know about Tamaki and the twins, but everyone has changed. Mitsukuni seems older, you seem more..." she trailed off not knowing exactly how to explain his change, assertive? Demanding? Kyouya-ish? "Kyouya seems more caring and didn't snap at you for ordering him around."

"There is nothing for him to gain if he doesn't listen to me," Takashi murmured shrugging a shoulder, "Money is nothing now." Haruhi nodded her head, it was paper. Useless paper that could be found everywhere. Commoner or rich, they were the same. Takashi looked at her, his fingers hesitantly touching her jaw and tilting her head up slightly. "Kyouya was telling the truth when he said we thought you were dead."

"You would've found me if you didn't think that," Haruhi breathed quietly, smiling slightly. "Tamaki would've ordered everyone to find me if there was an inkling of a chance that I survived."

She felt his fingers tense at the mention of Tamaki. "Do you still love him?"

Haruhi's eyes searched his before she pulled away from his fingers slightly. "I...don't know..." she trailed off feeling guilty. "If he's changed then I don't know, but if he's still the same. I still don't know. Our feelings are six year old. Six years of changing and thinking the other is dead. If we feel anything...it could be the relief of knowing the person we use to love is alive."

Takashi moved his finger to take her jaw again; he lowered down until his lips were just inches from hers. He saw that she wasn't reacting any different to him, he would've been standing across the room or that close to her and she would've stared at him with the same look. He closed the distance. Placing his lips to hers before pulling away.

Haruhi swallowed thickly. "A relationship wouldn't be good to have at this time," she whispered logically. Takashi reached up and pulled her hair from the hair tie and let it fall down. Her bangs covering her face, something that greatly annoyed her. She tucked them behind her ear before looking at him. "Ah, I need to cut my hair," she changed the subject. He just smiled slightly and moved back to the chair before Kyouya opened the door.

"It took some convincing but Satoshi, Yasuchika and Bossa Nova are both sleeping in beds upstairs," Kyouya adjusted his glasses and looked at Haruhi. Her long hair spilled over her shoulders. Looking more like the girl in her grade nine photo than the girl he had seen six years ago. "They are happy with actually having beds."

"I will be too," Haruhi commented lightly, "Before we talk to the others tomorrow, I need to cut my hair," she tugged at the end. "Also, I need to cut Ritsu and the others. So, before they come to get us, can you wait until we're ready?"

Kyouya nodded with a smile before standing to the side, "Anything for an old friend," he replied waving towards the door, "I'll show you to Takashi's bedroom, he'll have to sleep on the couch for a while until we find a way to get him up the stairs without him putting pressure on his wound."

Haruhi nodded and disappeared with Kyouya up into the hall and up the stairs.

A/N: A romance between Haruhi and Takashi? Who knows? Keep in mind that Takashi was attacked and walked for two hours to get into the city, had to run for an hour, and then walked two hours to get back, and half of that last two hours was walking with a wound on his leg. So, are his actions because of sleepiness?

Just to remind you guys, there will be a bit of romance at the start, but most of those feelings are like Haruhi said: because of the relief of knowing that person is alive.

Anyways, I'll explain (most) of Haruhi's life the past six years next chapter. That is, if Tamaki and the twins will get over the fact that she is alive *laughs*