"Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real."

― Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses

Dark locks fell to the ground as Satoshi squirmed below Haruhi. She grumbled and snipped another lock of his hair. "If you would sit still," she grunted, pushing her elbow into his shoulder, yanking a yelp from him, "This would go faster!"

"Stop being a stubborn child," Chika replied, rolling in the bed he had slept in years ago. He yanked the blankets over his head. Trying to get a few precious moments of sleep back. Haruhi looked over at the tuff of dark blonde hair. She had already cut his hair, much to his anger. It was now shorter and not covering his eyes. Satoshi let out an irritated sigh.

"If you had a razor you could just shave our heads," he mumbled, Haruhi finished cutting his hair with a smile and shook her long hair.

"Power doesn't work any more," she commented dusting the hairs into a pile and tossing them into a bin to be thrown outside later. She brushed her still long hair from her face. "If it did, I would love to just shave your heads every couple months. It would be easier than getting you to sit your ass down for a half hour."

Satoshi made a face at her before twisting the chair around and forcing her to sit down. Taking the scissors from her and began snipping her brown tresses quickly. Knowing how long she liked it. It was quiet as her longer hair fell to the ground. He stood in front of her and with a few quick snips, her bangs laid in her lap and she could see without having to tuck her bangs behind her ear. Satoshi pinched her cheek.

"Haru-chan looks so cute~!" he commented, tossing the scissors to the side and pulling her to her feet. Haruhi rolled her eyes and sighed, looking at her palms.

"I have to go and cut Ritsu's hair," she moved to grab the scissors when Satoshi grabbed them and shook his head.

"I'll do it, you get Chika up," he was out of the room before Haruhi could object. She rose her eyebrow and cleaned up the hairs before walking over to the lump on the bed and shook it lightly. Sometimes Chika was as bad as Mitsukuni when he woke up, however she had already woken him up so it would be easier to wake him up the second round. He grumbled and sat up, looking up at Haruhi before rubbing his head.

"I'll go grab some food" she commented, knowing that he was always grumpy no matter when he was woken up, unless he had some food. She smiled and turned to leave. Chika grabbed her arm before getting up and pulling on his pants and his shirt.

"Let's go," he took her arm and stormed from the room. Haruhi just smirked, shaking her head as he tugged her down the stairs. As he pulled her past the couch, she removed her arm from him and tiptoed over to Takashi. Adjusting his blanket so it covered his body properly before creeping away. Chika gave her a look and she shrugged, the boy grabbed her again and tugged her into the kitchen.

The twins were looking in the cupboards, looking completely irritated with the food in there. One pulled out a can and then groaned. Haruhi found her bag and pulled out some of the food from in there and placed it on the counter. Chika leaned on the counter beside her as she opened the can and handed him it. Both the twins froze, staring at Haruhi with wide eyes. She found some spoons before starting to leave. Hikaru grabbed her arm and Chika turned towards him, eyes narrowing.

"What the hell is with you?" he growled, looking close to tears. Chika pulled Hikaru's hand from Haruhi and nudged her towards the living room. The girl stayed rooted, raising her eyebrow at Hikaru. Then tilted the food towards him. "Why'd you cut your hair like that?"

"It's manageable like this..." Haruhi trailed off, confusion clouded her face. His raised voice attracted attention to the room. Kyouya came in, slipping his glasses on and looking slightly irritated. "What difference does it make?" Hikaru glared at her his fists clenched tightly at his sides and his face reddening. Haruhi pulled the food can towards herself and slid her gaze towards Chika. "It's too late for me to do anything about it."

Haruhi could honestly not see why Hikaru was so angry, it was her hair. Did he think it was nice long? Hikaru rose his hand and moved to hit Haruhi, Chika grabbed his arm and glared at him, he opened his mouth to retort when Takashi entered the room. Hobbling and using the wall to support himself.

"Hikaru," he grumbled, "Don't hit Haruhi."

There was silence in the room. Kaoru stepped forwards, the blurring image he had of Haruhi in his head clearing. Tears burst from his eyes as his fingers caressed her cheek, wanting to make sure she was there. He moved closer before wrapping his arms around her and burying his head into her shoulder. Sobbing loudly. Hikaru's mouth opened and Chika released his arm, taking the can from Haruhi so she could properly hug her old friend. Hikaru immediately joined in, hugging her just as tight as his brother, apologizing in his own tears. Haruhi didn't cry.

Kyouya noted that, adjusting his glasses, in his notebook before placing it on the counter. She didn't cry. Would she ever cry? Takashi was given a can of food so he wouldn't have to struggle over to the cupboards and get his own. Kyouya stood beside him and rose an eyebrow. The twins didn't let him go. "I wonder how she'll react when Tamaki figures out?" he commented lightly.

"How'd you survive?" Kaoru enquired through his shaky breaths as he pulled away. Touching her face and hair and arms. Hikaru couldn't stop touching her either, arm around her shoulder and fiddling with her hair. Haruhi was given her food back and she ate silently, not replying. Takashi waved towards the living room.

"Chika, can you go get Mitsukuni and Tamaki?" he asked as Kyouya helped the older man back into the living room. Hikaru and Kaoru dragged Haruhi into the room and sat her down on the love seat, squishing on either side of her. Once upon a time, she would've demanded to sit somewhere else, but she knew they needed that physical time to know that their eyes weren't deceiving her.

Satoshi and Ritsu stormed down the stairs. Satoshi hid behind the couch and Ritsu glared at the boy. His hair on one side was nearly shaved off and the other side was cut to his ear. "You little twerp!"

Haruhi stood up, holding her hands up, "Ritsu, calm down," she sighed, giving Satoshi a look. "You should've expected him to do something like this."

"He said you told him too," Ritsu waved towards her, turning his irritation onto her. Haruhi let out a sigh and blew her bangs out of the way. She pointed at one of the chairs.

"Sit down."

"Not until I get that twerp back," Ritsu glared at Satoshi. Haruhi stepped forwards, glaring at him darkly.

"Sit down or I'll make you," she emphasized each word and jammed her finger towards the chair. "There are more important things than Satoshi's idiocy."

"Hey!" Satoshi retorted, crossing his arms, "I was just getting him back for writing on my arm that one time with permanent marker!"

Haruhi let out an irritated sigh. "Both of you sit down right now," she shouted. Satoshi immediately dropped to the floor, looking at it and Ritsu stumbled over to the chair and lowered himself down. She let out another sigh. "Idiots."

"Haru-chan," Mitsukuni spoke up, jumping over to her and clinging to her. "Thank you for taking care of Chika-chan!" he kissed her cheek, and hugged her tightly. Haruhi patted his head.

"Thanks for trying to kill me yesterday," she spoke and he tensed. Looking up at her with his big puppy like eyes and pouting. She gave him a smile before moving to sit down on the arm of the chair Ritsu occupied, when Mitsukuni pulled her onto the last unoccupied chair and jumped onto her lap. He smiled at her warmly. She blinked before smiling slightly.

Chika came downstairs and sat down on the arm of the couch, "The 'King' will be down in a minute."

"Tamaki, now," Takashi called upstairs, shifting back so he was looking up the stairs. It was silent before a door was thrown open and he hurried downstairs. At the bottom he flipped his golden hair and opened his mouth to say good morning to them all when he caught sight of the short haired brunette with Mitsukuni sitting in her lap.

"Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha," he stuttered on for a bit until Kyouya grumbled and shook his head.

"Haruhi," he grumbled crossing his arms and legs. Haruhi murmured something to Mitsukuni and he moved so she could stand up.

"Tamaki-senpai," she said before smiling slightly. An awkward feeling in her chest. The man stumbled over to her and stood before her. He touched her cheek, and her smile faded. His lips crashed against hers and she was pulled against his chest. It was silent, Haruhi could feel the desperation in his kiss. He pulled away staring at her before cupping her cheek and kissing her again.

"J'ai m'as tellement manqué, mon amour, je te croyais mort..." he whispered pulling away. Leaning his forehead against hers. Haruhi swallowed thickly, not understanding a lick of what he said. She stepped away, feeling a little awkward. Satoshi stood up.

"You shouldn't kiss her," he spoke bluntly, everyone glanced over at him. Kyouya smirked adjusting his glasses. What an interesting twist to events. He thought Haruhi would kiss Tamaki back. After all they went through to get the two together.

"Why wouldn't I kiss my girlfriend?" Tamaki asked, hugging Haruhi close to him again.

"She isn't your girlfriend," Ritsu added onto it, and Chika nodded.

"You never made it official before the war happened, and six years apart can make the heart wander," Chika filled in the rest of their thoughts. It was silent before Tamaki pulled away.

"Ah, of course, forgive me, mon amour," he bowed slightly and smiled at her, threading his fingers with hers. "Serez-vous ma petite amie?"

"There is more serious things to attend to besides your love life, Tamaki," someone spoke up. Haruhi thought it was Kyouya, but realized it had left Takashi's mouth. The man looked a little irritated. Tamaki looked crest fallen but didn't listen to Takashi.

"Answer me," Tamaki demanded looking back at her.

"Why would she be your girlfriend when you haven't remembered her birthday since Satoshi and Yasuchika left?" Takashi asked, glaring at Tamaki, "Sit down."

Haruhi looked at Takashi before sitting back down with Mitsukuni, who wrapped his arms around her neck again and smiled. Whispering, "We made Takashi our leader after the second year because none of us were good at it." The girl nodded, it was a little bit obvious. He was the only who seemed to actually be able to survive in the wilderness, maybe Mitsukuni, but he still liked to be doted on.

"What happened, Haruhi?" it was Hikaru who spoke this time. Looking at her intently. "How did you survive?"

"Where is Ranka?" Kaoru asked quietly, prodding lightly. Most of their parents died from the biological warfare, and wondered if Ranka had taken the same fate. Haruhi stiffened, she hadn't even told that to Ritsu when he asked, nor when the cousins asked later on. Although, they just asked about her parents.

"Start from the beginning," Takashi spoke just as gently as the others. Wanting to know everything. Haruhi lifted up her breakfast and ate for a while before lowering it.

-Six Years Ago-X

Haruhi smiled at the cousins and waved, they had come to visit her. She closed the door and looked at the ticket they had offered her. Her fingers traced them, they wanted her to come with them to a beach for vacation. They had seemed tense and wouldn't take no for an answer. With a shrug she placed them with her other items and went to study. Ranka came home soon and she realized it was late, really late. With a sigh she closed her books and heated up the food for her father.

They didn't even have time to turn the television before someone was banging on their door. Ranka jumped up and answered it. One of his co-workers was standing outside looking terrified. He told them to turn on the television, which Haruhi immediately did. The room was silent besides the recording.

"Bomb threat warning for the Kanto, Hokkaido and Chubu prefectures. Warning: evacuation of main cities-"

Before they even finished Ranka was in a state of panic. Demanding Haruhi gather her things. She did so without question, his co-worker urging them to hurry up. Haruhi looked at her cellphone but was distracted when Ranka grabbed her arm and pulled them from the apartment. He locked it. He wasn't going to risk his only daughter being in a major city with bomb threats.

-X

Haruhi was starting to believe that there was nothing wrong. However, she was completely wrong. The world broke into war. Not like the others. Countries released biological viruses and bacteria that wiped out half of the population, that came just before the nuclear missiles that wiped out large parts of the world. Reducing the number of people significantly.

That wasn't the first time Haruhi cried her heart out, and it wasn't the last. Her father held her as she sobbed for her dead friends, whom were very much alive and safe. They had left the city and were phoning and texting her constantly on the cellphone that was off in her room. When no one got replies back, they cried just as hard when the bombs hit. Figuring she was dead along with the other bodies.

Not long after the bombs stopped falling, eighty percent of the population was dead. Not that anyone knew the exact number of dead. Especially when people entered the cities to soon after the explosions. Mutating with the biological viruses and radiation, becoming the creatures that live in the cities.

Haruhi stayed with her father and his co-worker for a year before they attempted to venture into the city.

-Present Day—X

Haruhi stopped speaking, the lump in her throat stopping her from continuing the story. She stared at her hands instead, staying silent. Mitsukuni squeezed his arms around her lightly, giving her comfort. It was silent for the longest time, just the barest sound of breathing told her that people were waiting for her to say what happened. Her fingers clenched, nails digging into her bandaged palms, stinging.

"What happened when you entered the city?" Kyouya asked, the only one brave enough to break the tense silence. Haruhi's eyes flickered up slightly. Not meeting his eyes, but looking over him.

"The radiation only mutates those who were effected by the viruses that the countries sent out," she whispered quietly, trying to make them understand without out right saying it. She couldn't, wouldn't, say it. Even five years ago, it was still too soon for her. Kyouya was the one, once again breaking the silence.

"Who was infected?" he asked, more gently than his previous question. He wanted to confirm his suspicions instead of just jumping forwards and assuming. Haruhi's eyes met his this time, and they could see the tears threatening to spill.

"Both of them..." she choked out. Tears escaping her eyes. All of them wanted to comfort her, but Mitsukuni wiped the tears from her face like an older brother and hugged her tightly. Too many people trying to comfort her at once would overwhelm her and she would close up completely.

"Two..." Takashi trailed off, looking at Haruhi curiously. She nodded her head slightly, "You wouldn't kill them."

"I can't," Haruhi started to shake, knowing what he was talking about. "I've tried, but my finger just won't pull the fucking trigger and end it for them," her voice rose at this point. Her anger overriding her silence. "I can kill the dogs, and any other creature without blinking an eye. I would've killed you with just a slight hesitation."

Everyone tensed up at that, Mitsukuni was the one Haruhi noticed. Takashi quickly retold the story of the other day as Mitsukuni wiped Haruhi's over flowing tears. Her hands still clenched tightly together, refusing to acknowledge the tears. The tension eased once they realized that Haruhi was just being defensive, just like they would've been.

"Those two were them," Satoshi asked, looking at Haruhi. "The creatures can be killed but are very difficult to do so since their bodies are near death anyways and are fighting to stay alive..." Satoshi trailed off when he realized that he wasn't making Haruhi feel any better about the situation.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ritsu asked, looking at Haruhi with a mix between concern and anger. Haruhi didn't reply, just stared at her fists. He got up and headed outside, Chika following him to calm him down. Haruhi let out a shuddering breath. Slowly she unclenched her fist and rose her hand up to her eye and touched the slice on her forehead.

"I tried to kill them, but couldn't. Ritsu found me and tried to get the group his was with to help me, but they wouldn't. So he went to the syndicate and stitched it up himself..." she trailed off, "I should've told him that...but each day that went past I just couldn't. It's like thunder, each time I see them I just become afraid and can't stop myself from wanting to just run and forget."

"So, you've been in the syndicate with Ritsu for the past five years?" Hikaru asked, for once knowing that Haruhi didn't want to dwell on a subject. He could tell she was grateful for the subject change and she nodded her head. "How'd you find Chika and Satoshi? Takashi and Kyouya said that they couldn't find them after they were attacked by another group."

Haruhi's mouth went slack, staring at the twins on the couch before looking across from her at the to black haired men. Her mouth was dry, it took her a moment before she cleared her throat and spoke what she wanted to, "That was you?"

"What do you mean?" Kyouya asked, frowning. Haruhi shook her head, eyes closing as she cursed herself silently.

-Three Years Ago—X

Haruhi heard a shout and looked over at Ritsu. His eyes narrowed slightly and nodded towards the noise. Let's check it out. They crept forwards, sticking down low and peered into the dark park. She saw a boy laying on the ground, the moon glinting off liquid which Haruhi knew instantly as blood.

There were a few other men in the clearing and two woman. Haruhi and Ritsu stuck to the bushes near the group. Two men stood in front of the bleeding boy, and another boy was trying to stop the bleeding. The stayed silent, waiting to see if they could help out in anyway. Haruhi focused on the boy seeing if he was dying, but she heard the exchange of the group.

"Give us your supplies and we'll leave you alone," one of the men said loudly, too loudly. They'd attract creatures or dogs, if the blood didn't. There was dead silence besides the occasional painful grunt from the bleeding boy.

"After you stabbed our friend, I think not," one of the men replied, pushing his glasses up his face. They glinted menacingly with the moon light. "I think you should give us your medical supplies and we won't kill you."

"Either way they're dead," the other man growled, glaring at the other group, "Stabbing him when he wasn't even a threat."

"Everyone's a threat now a days, don't you see?" the man rose his voice again and waved around the area. "This is the post apocalypse, no rules, that means everyone can kill."

"Just kill them, this is a waste of our time," the man with glasses spoke up, waving towards his friend. Haruhi watched intently as the other group all pulled out their weapons and ran towards the two men. The one who spoke turned towards the two on the ground. "Get him out of here, we'll meet up with you guys later."

The lighter haired boy lifted the darker haired boy and took off, it looked awkward, the shorter boy carrying the taller boy. Haruhi waved towards them, help the younger one in mortal danger and then come back. Ritsu nodded and she followed after them.

They stopped them further down when the younger boy got tired from carrying his cousin. Haruhi stepped out, looking at them with concern. The boy pulled out a knife and glared at her. "Fuck off, you're with them aren't you."

"No," Haruhi spoke, pulling her guns from their holsters and slowly lowering them to the ground and pushing them away from her. "I've come to help you," she whispered quietly, and then waved at his friend, taking off her pack and pulling out some medical supplies. The lighter haired boy looked at her, not trusting her at all. "If you don't want me to do it, then here," she placed them on the ground, pushing them forwards slightly and backing up. "Use them."

"Why are you helping us?" the bleeding boy choked out. Faint from the loss of blood. Haruhi smiled slightly.

"To try to restore your faith in humanity. Just because we are working on survival instead of luxury, doesn't mean we can't still be kind to others," she added, before looking at him. "You're going to die if you don't get some medical attention."

The lighter boy lunged and grabbed the supplies. Quickly working on his cousin and stunting the bleeding. Haruhi watched as he worked, occasionally pointing out things he was doing wrong but otherwise staying quiet. Once he was bandaged healthy, Haruhi took the medical supplies back.

Then she heard a howl from further in the park. Her heart stopped slightly. "You two hide in the bushes," she spoke quickly shoving her things back into her bag and grabbing her guns. "You're friends may run through here, and if they do, go with them."

"I'm Chika," he spoke before she took off to find Ritsu. Haruhi stopped, turning to look at him, her mouth opening. It was purely a coincidence. "He's Satoshi," the two bowed slightly as Chika helped Satoshi to hide in the bushes. Haruhi swallowed thickly.

"Haruhi," she introduced before taking off as fast as she could. She crashed through the bushes, moving more quietly when she got closer to where Ritsu was waiting. She made a slight noise that sounded like a bird to let him know it was her before falling silent. She saw the two boys hand managed to injure or kill all the others. All that was left was a girl. "Their not going to kill her are they?" she breathed into Ritsu's ear watching in horror.

"P-Please! Don't, I didn't mean to!" she stammered, holding up her hands, "Okay, so I did...but I'm sorry!"

"You were the one who stabbed him," the man without the glasses growled darkly, "He could die because of you."

The girl tripped over one of her friends and slid backwards on the grass. Fear in her eyes. "I don't want to die!" she sobbed, backing up.

"A life for a life," glasses commented, "Isn't that what you said when he wouldn't give you any supplies even though one of your friends was dying? Which you have no proof of."

The girl looked at him with anger before she jumped to her feet and clasped her hands together. "I'll do anything you want, just please don't kill me!"

The other man lowered his hand, drawing Haruhi's attention to the bow. She was grateful that she couldn't see the man's face. She imagined it looked angry, and hoped it was. If he was void of emotion she would be quaking. "Run and don't come back."

The girl looked at him like he was crazy, but didn't question him. Turning and taking off towards the nearest exit. The man raised the bow, nocking an arrow and took aim. Haruhi wanted to stop him, but didn't. The arrow flew from the bow and sank deep into the girls back. She fell down just like the rest of her group. It was silent. Haruhi and Ritsu both held their breath for fear of what the two would do if they caught them.

"Let's go find those two," glasses spoke up, adjusting his bag and heading off. The archer following close behind him. Pulling out an arrow from one of the dead bodies as he went. Haruhi shivered.

-Present Day—X

"Whoa, that's brutal," Kaoru commented with a whistle, looking at the two black haired men. "Didn't know you would kill an entire group just for injuring Satoshi."

"The two of them didn't find Sato-chan or Chika-chan," Mitsukuni commented, looking at her, "What happened next?"

"Haruhi came back after a while and we were still there, she offered to help us find the other two, but then some dogs attacked us," Satoshi spoke up, thinking back, "She's been pretty bad ass with protecting us since. We went back to the syndicate after we searched for a while and then Ritsu deemed it too dangerous for us to continue. We went back to the park nightly but it was too dangerous with the dead bodies there so eventually we gave up going there to see if anyone would come," he gave a one armed shrug then looked at Takashi. "She's as good as a protector as you are. Though, she couldn't punch someone through a wall."

"You've done that?" Kyouya commented, raising an eyebrow.

"To be fair it was a weak wall," Mitsukuni chirped with a smile. Then gave Haruhi a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Haru-chan did good~!"

Haruhi was surprised by the kiss on the cheek but smiled and patted him on the head, hugging him back. "Thank you, but honestly I didn't do much physical protecting...I was more the logical part of them, if you can say that," she rubbed her neck after he let go and laughed lightly.

"Are you saying we're dumb?" Satoshi frowned, walked over, and crossed his arms. Haruhi shook her head.

"Just reckless," she spoke before leaning up and kissing his cheek. "I'm going to check on Ritsu," she murmured before moving past him and leaving the house. The boys inside were silent, Satoshi's cheeks tinted red slightly.

"This is an interesting development," Kyouya spoke up with a smirk, until it was completely wiped off his face and he stood up. "No one in this house will pursue a romantic relationship with Haruhi. This world is not fit for the consequences if that relationship becomes sexual."

No one objected to it out loud, but a few looked at him. Satoshi tucked his hands behind his head and sighed. "Not like I had a chance anyways," he commented staring at the roof, "She's smiled more in the last twelve hours then she has done in the last three years that I've been around her."

A/N: Ah! Sorry that I didn't post on Thursday, I would make an excuse but I just didn't log onto my laptop that day, and then yesterday I was busy. Now, however, I'm going to stick with Saturday's as my posting day because it's easier for me to write when I don't have to worry about school and homework straight away.

IMPORTANT: Life's Greatest Blessings and LOV3 is on hiatus until my current writers block goes away! I was just lucky enough that this weeks chapter of My Last Goodbye and Wasteland were complete, unless it goes away by next Saturday only Wasteland will be updated since I have up to chapter 9 completed for this story.

Please review to let me know if you like it so far~! I really appreciate feedback on my stories!