Warning: There is graphic violence below, and there will be more violence in the upcoming chapters. Including torture scenes. Please do not read if you are uncomfortable with either of these, or do so at your own discretion!

"It never gets easier, missing you. And sometimes I wonder if it ever will."

― Heather Brewer, Ninth Grade Slays

Her fingers gripped the handles of the guns. Her eyes darkened with the rage and sadness that flowed through her like a gushing river during a storm. A typhoon of pain and self-hate. They were silently awaiting the two creatures to shuffle their way back to the house. The shells of what used to be Ranka and a fellow employee came to the apartment at the same time everyday, when Ranka usually got off work. They would then shuffle to Ranka's co-workers house and then head back to the bar.

It would be time soon. Haruhi swallowed thickly. "They move fairly fast, and may try to use the memories they have against us. However, they will try to kill us."

Kyouya understood why it was so hard for her to kill her father. He always tricked her into thinking he remembered and then turned around and tried to hurt her. Something her father would never done. With each confrontation, her nerves wore down and she had steadily became more afraid of doing it. Haruhi stood beside him, their bags discarded off to the side. If they were going to die they didn't need any supplies, but they weren't leaving until the creatures were dead or they were.

Then they heard it. The shuffling of feet in the distance. Haruhi's knuckles went white for a while before she forced herself to relax. She had cried it out, she had to be strong. They were exposed, and the scar on her face was a reminder about how that thing didn't care about her like her father did. The creatures crept around the corner, looking disgusting and rather dead. Haruhi noted there was more blood on her father's dress than last.

Her jaw tightened when the thing looked at her. "Haru...hii..." he breathed out raspy, the brown eyes shifting over to Kyouya. "Kyou...yaaa~" his voice rose to a creepy octave. Sending a shiver down Kyouya's back. Haruhi glanced at him. The man beside him didn't move, just stared before licking his lips. The tongue was longer then the average humans and his mouth opened to an unnatural width.

"Fresh," he whispered, stepping forwards. Haruhi rose her gun, her nerves rebuilding with each moment. Kyouya reached over, squeezing her forearm before raising his own gun. The moment they became a threat, Ranka moved. Kyouya was startled by the speed the man with one shoe on could move at. Haruhi fired, the bullet sinking into her fathers shoulder. However, Ranka paused only to let out a yelp of pain before running forwards.

"You pay attention to the other one," Haruhi called out, shoving Kyouya to the side and firing a few more bullets at her father. A few more hit their target. Ranka stopped, staring at the blood seeping from him, and then black skin crossed over, leaving the bloodstains there.

"You were always so smart," the thing chuckled, looking at Haruhi, "Come to Daddy~!"

"Fuck you," Haruhi growled, noting that Kyouya was concentrating his energy solely on the other man. Her father's body stepped forwards in an awkward lunge like motion. Haruhi skittered backwards, raising the gun again.

"You can't kill meee~! You've tried be...forrre" his voice went back to it's breathy tone. She snarled. Angry. This thing wasn't her father. Why should she spare it any remorse? She is doing her father a favour! It lunged, it's grotesque hand grabbing her. However, she yanked her arm away and fired another shot to his chest in her wild attempt to get away from him. Cursing herself, she should've gone for the head.

Her arm bled from scratches of the creatures fingernails. Haruhi backed away, not wanting to turn her back on him. Afraid of what would happen. Her eyes flickered over to Kyouya when a few gun shots and curses flew into the air. Ranka's co-worker was faster and more deadly than Ranka. She saw Kyouya was suffering a bleeding lip and multiple scratches. Haruhi was glad that Kyouya was agile and was making some work on his enemy. She on the other hand? Wasn't. Kyouya had gotten in some good shots that made the creature howl in pain and back away.

Pain exploded in her eye and she stumbled back, one hand dropping the gun and reaching to her eye. It wasn't the pain of being punched, it was excruciating. Her heart hammered in her chest. There was blood on her fathers fingers, which he licked and his eyes narrowed. "Join...uss...Haru..hi."

She pulled her hand away and saw the blood coating her fingers, but realized she could only see out of one eye. Before she could scream she felt a body collide with hers and she was shoved against the wall. Fingers digging in to her neck, scratching and pulling. Blood welled and slid down. There was an inhuman scream, but Haruhi couldn't see it. She couldn't breath. With her strength she rose her arm up and pressed the muzzle of the gun against her father's deranged face as his jaw unhinged and moved to bite into her flesh. There was a loud bang and his grip slowly loosened. His eyes moving from their blood lust to confusion. "Haruhi..." he whispered, bloody fingers trailing down her face, before he fell.

Kyouya looked over, when there was a gun shot. He had gone to their bags and pulled out the large knife within. Cutting the creatures head off so it wouldn't come back to life. He ran over to the girl as she fell to her knees. Her hair had fallen in front of her eyes. He stabbed the knife into Ranka's head before lifting her face noting the blood that was pouring down her face. He couldn't bite back the gasp and grimace.

The eye with her scar was completely red with blood, punctured through. Kyouya immediately lifted her up and hurried over to their bags. He dug through them, she was limp but alive. In a state of shock most likely. He immediately went to work, bandaging her eye with a large gauze and wrapping it with bandage, securing it down. He wrapped her neck firmly, but not firmly enough to cause her discomfort. He ignored her scratches, knowing that was the least of their problems. Haruhi seemed to snap out of her insobriety and took over from Kyouya, helping him with his own wounds. A large cut on his arm from god knows what and a bite wound on his shoulder. Both had their largest wounds wrapped before they heard the fast shuffling and groans of more creatures.

Their hearts nearly burst out of their chests. Kyouya gathered his bag, shoving Haruhi's onto her before grabbing her hand. They took off. Running even in their exhausted, blood deprived states. Adrenaline kicking in once again to save their lives. Haruhi didn't think of anything besides running. Not even realizing she left behind one of her guns. They ran and ran until their chests were screaming at them to stop, and still they ran. Haruhi finally collapsed, tripping over her own two feet and tumbling to the ground. Her body racking with deep breathes as her body tried to get over the fear and the exhaustion it was facing.

Kyouya skidded to a stop and went back to her. The sky was growing dark. "Where is a good place to bunker down for the night?" he asked, more like demanded, as he helped her to her feet and hurried her along. Begging her legs to continue working for at least a few more minutes. Haruhi took a deep breath.

"School," was all she replied with, waving to where the clock tower was raising above the houses.

-X

Haruhi collapsed on one of the red plush couches. Dust billowed up, causing her body to rack with coughs and sneezes she sat up and covered her mouth. Kyouya secured the door and pulled a few curtains closed, leaving one open to allow light to filter through. "We should probably lock ourselves in the storage room for the night, in the morning we'll go to the store, leave a note and hunker down in the syndicate."

All she managed was a nod, her body too sore and exhausted for her to comprehend anything else. Kyouya walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you," he murmured quietly, "I know it might not be much..."

She nodded once again and he hooked his arm under her knees and lifted her up. Carrying her over to the storage room opening and entering as the sun started to slip off the sky. The room was dark as he closed the door but he ruffled through his bag and pulled out a flashlight. Setting it up so the light gave everything a dull glow. Haruhi didn't even have enough energy to pull out her blanket. Her legs gave out and she fell to the floor and curled up. Eyes closing and falling asleep.

Kyouya smiled sadly before pulling out the blanket and draping it over her form. He moved beside her head, shifting it so it rested on his lap before removing his glasses. He noticed that her glasses weren't on her face. They would've saved her face, where were they? He would ask her when she awoke. He felt exhaustion running over him as he ran his fingers through her short hair. Occasionally feeling the blood laced within it and swallowing thickly.

Sleep overcame him soon.

When he awoke, Haruhi was still curled up, her hand resting just above his knee, but overall she hadn't moved. The flashlight was still on and he quickly turned it off. Light filtered in under the door and he gently shook Haruhi's shoulder. "We need to go," he whispered gently, as he handed her a breakfast bar. Her eyes- no, eye, flickered open and she groaned. Sitting up and reaching up to rub both of them. Only to find a bandage over one. Her fingers touched it gently before she accepted the bar and ate it silently.

Kyouya tucked things back into their bags before helping her up. Her legs felt like jelly as they walked out the door. Nostalgia smacked into her like a bullet. The faint scent of roses that seemed to permeate the room that was barely noticeable over the dust. Her mind raced through the memories. Remembering the very first memory. Entering the room and seeing her soon-to-be six best friends in the world, all very handsome. She remembered tipping the vase.

Remembered being forced to work for them. Remembered the first time Tamaki took her chin in his hand, at the time she was freaking out. Remembered the fear she had of Kyouya. Remembered the pride that she was able to tell the twins apart. Remembered being offered Usa-chan. Remembered being hoisted into the air by Takashi. Remembered when they figured out she was a girl.

Kyouya stopped, seeing the looks of emotion flashing across her face. First pain, then happiness, and then finally sadness. His eyes looked over the room. He told her to wait before he did a quick sweep of the room. Checking for any other disturbed dust that they didn't cause. Haruhi noticed something under the couch and walked over. Bending down and pulling it out. Kyouya looked over at her at the sharp intake of breath.

A pink stuffed bunny in her hand, dust lightly covering it.

"He forgot it?" Haruhi asked incredulously, her eyes snapping towards Kyouya. He shoved his glasses up his face uncomfortably.

"We knew about the impending war..." he murmured quietly, "We were worrying that day..."

She thrust the bunny towards him, confusion clearly written on her face. "It's Usa-chan! He wouldn't have left her here!"

"He must have been worried about protecting things more important to him," Kyouya whispered lowering the bunny and giving her a look. "Regardless, it's been six years since he has seen Usa-chan. We'll bring her with us," he took her gently from Haruhi and put it into her bag tucked by his blanket. Haruhi nodded, smiling slightly. This trip was moving smoothly. Although, memories of yesterday decided to remind her of her sadness and the smile quickly faded.

-X

Haruhi opened the door for Kyouya, and they quickly stepped into the store. Kyouya took a look around before he ushered the girl over to the pharmaceutical portion of the store. He changed her bandages, choking back the grimace at seeing her eye again. Haruhi wrote the note and stuck it in the corner where she had bumped into Takashi, a faint smile spreading over her lips. Just over a week ago and she felt much better. Being around friends, and being able to finally do something that she had been clinging to. That sense of familiarity with her father, hearing him say her name brought back so many memories. It scared her to kill him. She could cling onto the past through her friends, and they could cling onto the past through her.

The shadow king kept half his mind on what Haruhi was doing while the other part was searching for medicine that would help her. He picked up a few strong pain killers, and some other bottles of medicine he foresaw would be useful for them to have. Of course, he grabbed a bunch of bandages, tensor bandages, splints, gauze, antibiotics, and anything else that they were running low on. He looked over at Haruhi as she exited the backroom, his eye being caught on something in the aisle.

"Do you want an eye patch?" he asked, lifting up the package, it crinkled lightly. Haruhi gave him a look, almost offended, before sighing. Stepping over her pride and holding her hands out for it. He tossed it before lifting his backpack up from the ground and looking at her. "Where from here?"

She shoved the package into her pack before motioning him to follow her. He was silent, heart beating loudly in his chest. A pressure in his chest told him to run. His back tensed to an almost painful point, but Haruhi was calm so he just kept checking around to see if anything was heading for them. Kyouya's eye went to Haruhi's holster and cursed quietly. "Your gun."

"I'll grab another," she waved a hand, not looking at him. He nodded, ignoring the fact that she couldn't see it regardless. They reached the syndicate and Kyouya hoisted himself up and pulled Haruhi up after a second. She smiled at him faintly as they hopped down from the wall and onto the grass of the compound. "We'll stay here all day tomorrow to get our strength back before making the hike."

-X

"They've been gone for far too long, Takashi," Mitsukuni whispered the day after the two were suppose to be back. He fidgeted with a pillow, staring out the window. Wanting to see them running up to the fence. Hopefully with both of them fully in tact, but he wasn't going to falsely hope something that could turn out to be opposite. He didn't want to disappoint himself.

Takashi nodded, lowering the sword he was sharpening. "Meeting," he called, loud enough that it nearly startled his cousin. It took a minute or so before everyone was in the room. He examined the sword before sheathing it and turning towards the others. "We're making a run."

"What's the cargo?" Hikaru asked, leaning back. Worry was etched in his face, but he hadn't been counting the days. Nights blended into days so easily that it was hard for them to tell the difference.

"Kyouya and Haruhi," Takashi spoke, "Alive."

"What if they're dead?" it was Kasanoda who spoke up, earning a glare from nearly every man in the room. Takashi settled an even look on the boy.

"We promised we'd go to find them if they didn't return by the fourth day," Tamaki spoke up, remembering the conversation Kyouya and Takashi had just five days previous. "We have to hope that the reason they aren't coming is because one of them was hurt just badly enough that making the trip would've been too difficult after that experience."

"Who wants to go?" Takashi asked, attaching the sword belt to his waist and looked at the men. Nearly everyone rose their hands. Wanting to get their friends back. Takashi let out a slight sigh from his nose before shaking his head. "Who knows how to get to the syndicate?"

Only Kasanoda kept his hand up, looking a bit shocked.

"Who can fight?" Kasanoda kept his hand up. Mitsukuni started to raise his hand, but Takashi lowered it.

"You're needed here, to keep them safe," Takashi spoke quickly before Mitsukuni could get angry at being left behind when his friends needed him. "The rest of you need to stay here in case Haruhi and Kyouya return and one of them is badly injured. We'll be back before tomorrow night."

The twins saluted nearly lazily, looking a bit angry that they were given such a useless job. There was no way either of them would attempt making that trip if they were badly injured. They were just being told to stay out of the way, even though they were both capable fighters. Hikaru had proven himself once or twice, and Kaoru was good at long distance fighting. Takashi wasn't taking chances. He wanted to get there and get back with minimal fighting if possible.

They immediately set to work preparing bags for the two of them. Keeping their cargo low, basic necessities for their travel. Takashi grabbed his bow, hooking it to the light bag and attaching the quiver to his other hip. Kasanoda checked his gun for ammo and then holstered it, double checking he had extra magazines before he gave Takashi a nod.

"Back by sunset tomorrow," Mitsukuni ordered his taller cousin, a serious look on his face. Takashi ruffled the smaller blondes hair and nodded. The two men left without another word, walking calmly to the gate and leaving. They stared at the forest, Kasanoda looked over at his old role model.

"Run it?" he asked, rolling his shoulders and looking forwards. Takashi nodded, he was sure his leg wouldn't give out, and he wouldn't push himself too hard. He knew that while Kasanoda was strong, he wasn't an endurance fighter. He was more quick fights and runs, Takashi had built up endurance and knew he could run faster and longer than the man beside him could. Without another word, they both took the first steps. Launching themselves into the forest.

Their legs carried them far into the forest. Launching themselves off the fallen trees Haruhi and Kyouya were at mere days ago, ducking under low branches, dodging large rocks. A quick jump over a small creek and then pressed on. The trees thinning. They hadn't stopped as they ran. Kasanoda had slowed quite a bit, but sped up when he began to think about what could have happened to Haruhi. With each second they wasted she could be in even more danger. Takashi was worried about them both, and was ignoring the pain in his calf. It wasn't screaming yet, just a dull throb.

When the city came into view, Kasanoda took over. Leading his old role model into the city, through the streets. Ignoring the sight of the dead dog, and later on more dogs. Something was angry, or another group had been through there. At that thought his ears were listening for anything, and eyes scanning the road. Takashi had a similar thought as the two headed for the store. Kasanoda slid through the broken window first, and Takashi after. The former stood watch while Takashi jogged over to the room and blindly felt for the note. After a few minutes his fingers hit paper and he lifted it. It was defiantly Haruhi's writing. The relief that washed over him when his fingers hit the paper made him smile.

TM

We did it. Fortunately our injuries weren't as
bad as theirs. Tell you more later.

Meet at the 'second base' if we do not return
by the scheduled time.

H+K

Takashi pocketed the note. It had reached it's desired target and he wasn't going to afford anyone else the luxury of figuring out anything on that paper. He headed back over to the red head ex-yukaza leader and nodded his head. Lead on.

The syndicate wasn't that far, and he remembered it fairly well. Although the path was also fairly different. Things looked a lot different on the ground than from the roof. They moved quickly. Reaching the wall. Pulling themselves up and over.

It was quiet. Too quiet. Takashi pulled out his katana, feeling a sense of dread. Haruhi and the others had allowed themselves to indulge in the syndicate. Their voices didn't carry out of the compound, but they would've been able to hear the faint sound of talking people. He hoped that Haruhi and Kyouya just weren't speaking at that moment as Kasanoda reached for his gun and waved to the door. You first.

The rooms were empty. Takashi could feel it before even stepping foot inside the door. He didn't drop his stance and turned towards the sitting room. His heart skipped a few beats as he looked inside. A wall was covered with splattered blood and a man was laying dead on the ground. A familiar looking gun was dropped near the couch and after he lifted it up he knew it was Haruhi's. Kasanoda entered the room and cursed loudly.

He walked over to the man, pushing him to the side and froze. Not because there was a hole in the centre of a bloodied forehead, but because he recognized the man. He didn't give the man respect and spat on his shirt. "You fuckers..." Kasanoda growled. Takashi stared, waiting, his grip tight on the gun. Knuckles turning white. "I know where they are."