Disclaimer: I do not own "Ouran High School Host Club" or any of the characters in this wonderful manga/anime in any way.
Shelter in the Storm
Previously in chapter three: With his appearance, everyone in their group knew that between Kyoya's and Ritsu's organizations, Haruhi's attacker stood absolutely no chance of getting away with what he did.
Chapter Four
With Haruhi now awake, they still took turns keeping her company and assisting with her occupational therapy. Ritsu visited as well. She hadn't forgotten about him, but he hadn't visited the host club in a while. He hadn't changed and still shyly enjoyed her company… only as a visitor in the hospital his time didn't have a cost to it, which he preferred. Ritsu, however, did not explain to Haruhi that his organization was working with Kyoya's in order to find the fiend that had hurt her. He didn't want her to talk him out of making the scum pay for what had been done to his first, and only, female friend. He had learned about her personality and although normally he was a quiet and caring person despite his appearance, this time he wouldn't show any mercy. Kyoya had seen it in his eyes when they conspired to find the fiend together.
Despite the fact that there was someone constantly with her, it was the ICU noise that kept her from resting properly. The doctors monitored her night and day for the first three days after she woke up, but then she was moved to a private room. She still had someone with her 24/7 but at least she was finally able to rest. She laughed the first night as she prepared to sleep saying, "Apparently being in a coma takes a lot out of you and really does make you sleepy."
Her comment only garnered a snicker from Kyoya who had the luck to be the first one to keep her company in her private room. Not that he didn't deserve it since it had been his ability to pull stings that had allowed them to keep watch over her while she was still in ICU. "OK well you rest. We're still keeping the rotation going, I hope you know. Only, instead of keeping four hour shifts of staying awake and watching you, we've got this sleeper here so that whoever is staying with you can sleep as well. If you need anything, just let me know."
"Ah, ok senpai. By the way, is this going on my tab?" She just flashed a smile at him. "Since you have only been adding to it because the others would 'have your head' if you allowed me to pay off the debt and leave the club." She heard him let out a small gasp.
"I… I didn't know that you could hear me. I guess I didn't even think about it. That is kind of embarrassing," he admitted. "What all did you hear?"
"I don't really remember. At first it was just indecipherable noises. The first thing that I heard clearly was being told to wake up or I would lose my scholarship to Ouran. I wasn't sure who was talking or where I was. I was really scared. But as you kept talking to me, I felt better when I recognized your voice. It was calming and I felt safe and loved." She smiled as she saw him smile back at her. It wasn't the manipulating or conniving smile he usually had when dealing with the host club. It was an honest smile that radiated in his eyes as well.
He put his trusty laptop aside and stood up to stretch and then walk over to her bedside. Kyoya took her hand and kissed the back of it, "I guess if you promise not to scare us like this ever again, I won't add it to your debt. And Haruhi, I just want you to know one thing that's become evident and undeniable… you are loved, by a lot of people. And we will do everything in our power to make sure you are safe as well." He bent down and chastely kissed her forehead as he stroked her hair. "Don't ever scare us like that ever again. I don't think that there is a soul in the club that could handle having their heart come to a complete standstill like that again."
"Okay, I don't ever plan on doing something like this again either. Trust me. Even if it did open my eyes to things I would have never considered. I would rather have my lessons in life without all the needles and pain, thank you very much." The both chuckled a little. Kyoya bent down and kissed her on the forehead again, then crawled back into the sleeper.
The next morning, just as Huni-senpai and Mori-senpai showed up to spend time with Haruhi, Kyoya got a phone call. He excused himself from the room to take the call. When he returned to get his belongings, he asked Haruhi to excuse them for a moment and pulled Huni-senpai and Mori-senpai out of the room. A few minutes later, the three returned and kept Haruhi company for a while longer before they were joined by twins and Tamaki. They brought cake, because they knew that Huni-senpai would be there. Everyone had just finished their cake, except Huni-senpai who was on his third piece when Ritsu knocked on the door. After a few minutes of polite conversation, Kyoya asked Haruhi if she would excuse them all for a little bit. Suspicion was high, but what could she do except say ok.
They all returned about an hour later and spent a little bit of time before each made excuses to leave, one by one. Since it was Sunday, the only day that Ranka did not stay with Haruhi all day while the boys were at school, it would be Huni-senpai and then Mori-senpai's turn to stay. Both Huni-senpai and Mori-senpai remained. The three shared the cake that he had brought her. Haruhi gave her piece to Huni-senpai after only a bite. "Ano, Haruhi, you don't want it?"
"I'm a little full from the cake the twins brought earlier. And, besides that, I am still curious as to what had all of you going off for a meeting without me. With Ritsu, no less. That seemed a little odd." She knew if anyone would tell her, it would be one of those two seniors. Mori-senpai found his shoes to suddenly become extremely interesting. Huni-senpai, however found the ceiling to be more interesting. "Senpai? Please won't you tell me? I've been stuck in here for a while and feel like I have lost touch with everything. I haven't even had school work yet. They won't even send me my missed schoolwork until Monday. Please tell me what is going on."
"Haruhi, you know that Kyoya's private police force was working with the actual police in trying to find the guy that did this to you, right? He got some interesting news this morning, and wanted to share it with us. That's all. There's nothing to worry about." Huni-senpai smiled up at her, but it didn't quell the uneasiness that she felt.