This is definitely one of my faster updates. You are welcome. Mostly I feel bad since it took me almost a year to update after last time...I am determined to finish this story one way or another ! I just hope I haven't lost too many viewers because the last chapter took so long. Anyway, enough about my shortcomings as an almost author or whatever, enjoy!

R&R please !

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran, if I did I wouldn't be waking up at six tomorrow to go to school.

Chapter 12

I was shaking with fear as I searched the apartment much more methodically this time. I knew with absolute certainty that someone had been here. I even went so far as to pull out the mounds of luggage that belonged to me. In my haste to come here for school I had brought a lot of stuff that I didn't need.

Most notably were all the girly things I had owned, lots of shoes, skirts, and dresses; things that I hadn't worn in what felt like a lifetime. I thought that those seemed more disheveled than when I left them, but I couldn't be sure.

Other than the possible disruption of my old clothes I didn't see anything astray. I quickly locked all the doors and window and used the landline to call my superintendent.

"Excuse me; I was wondering if anyone had been up in Apartment 26B?" I asked nervously.

"They shouldn't have been dear," said the sweet old lady who was my new landlord.

"Do you need me to report a break in?" She asked, concern coloring her tone.

"No that's okay; I think I'm just overreacting." I said trying to calm my racing heart and shaking hands.

As the time went by I became less and less convinced that someone had broken in. But I couldn't yet dismiss the feeling of absolute terror I had felt upon opening my door.

I decided to allay my fears with some school work. This proved an excellent distraction for the next few hours, although I often caught myself daydreaming about that beautiful song on the piano, and the beautiful boy who had been playing it.

I mentally gave my head a shake. This was Tamaki-senpai, ridiculous, egocentric, childish, Tamaki-senpai.

"You will not like him." I spoke allowed to myself.

I had been getting pretty close to the host club, but in no way was I ready to truly like anyone. I had a lot more healing left to do. This is going to sound dramatic, it even sounds dramatic to me, but I can't picture myself ever being in a relationship with anyone at this point.

There's just too much darkness and anger and betrayal and most overwhelmingly there is still guilt inside of me. I can't ever see myself sharing that scary, secret part of me with someone; least of all Tamaki-senpai, with his good looks and easy life style. I wondered if any of the boys had truly struggled with something, everything seemed so effortless for them; and while I sensed depth in all of them, I wasn't entirely convinced.

Nighttime came all too soon, and I was afraid of my mystery intruder.

I knew that it was illogical, but in my mind I was convinced that it was him.

It couldn't be though; they had taken him away, presumably forever. To be honest I really hadn't kept up with the details of his trial, but there had been so much overwhelming evidence that they couldn't help but convict him.

Right?

That small shadow of doubt stayed lodged in the back of my mind, and I found myself fingering my scar, wondering if he truly was here. I found myself picking up the phone to call, I don't even know who, about a million times. Maybe Kyouya-senpai? Or Tamaki-senpai? Or maybe even someone from back home who I hadn't talked to in almost a year.

Sleep eventually came, but it was restless and I was plagued with terrible nightmares.

I was in my apartment, same as always, doing some homework. When all of the sudden I heard this terrible banging on the door.

I was paralyzed with fear, but whoever it was kept on banging.

Eventually I heard the door start to splinter, and I knew with absolute certainty that they would be through in a matter of moments.

My mind screamed at my body to do something, anything. Grab a weapon! Hide! But my body stubbornly refused to listen.

A shattering, I knew that they were here.

The footsteps kept coming, two of them, and I knew this was it.

I felt pain, and then something warm and wet. I looked down and saw my scar looking exactly the way it did when I got it.

It was jagged, the flesh torn roughly, the sticky red substance flowing incessantly.

All I could do was scream, and scream. Waiting for my death, because I knew it was inevitable.

I jolted upright in my bed, falling to the ground in the process. I banged my elbow pretty hard, but other than that I seemed fine.

At least I was physically fine. Emotionally, that dream had horrified me. The confusing part was that I had been certain that there were two of them, and that was not consistent with my memories.

I climbed back into my bed, hiding myself beneath the covers as best as I could. I knew that there would be no more sleep for me tonight, so I simply waited for the dawn to come.

Eventually I got up, going through the motions of getting ready, going to school. It felt like I was in a dream state. Vaguely I had the notion of being pulled by the twins, and before I knew it I was sent off in a car. This really should have alarmed me, but honestly I couldn't care less.

The rhythm of the car must have lulled me to sleep, because I startled awake to the balmy heat of a tropical beach. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I looked around and was met with beautiful, yet undeniably fake, palm trees bearing realistic looking fruits. The water looked clean and welcoming, and yet as I looked around I realized that this was some sort of dome, not truly a beach.

I looked and saw the members of the host club grinning at me, and realized that they had brought me here against my will.

Probably smart since I would have refused them had they asked.

I shot Kyouya-senpai an accusing look.

"This is my family's resort that they are testing out. So we have free reign of the place." He said smiling. Although I'm pretty sure the only reason he was smiling was because he sensed my discomfort.

I looked down and was dismayed to see myself in a rumpled school uniform. At least the boys had, had the good sense to grab some flip flops for me so I wasn't walking around in my sneakers. I was handed some shorts and a t-shirt, and I left to go change.

As I was coming up in my newly acquired clothing, I heard the boys chatting.

"Ah, it's so relaxing here." Tamaki-senpai sighed contently, stretching out on a chair. "No need to worry about entertaining customers all the time."

Yeah it's such a hard knock life for him, I thought bitterly.

I really am cranky when I wake up.

"I call this the handsome warrior's break." He exclaimed obnoxiously.

I was glad to see that our little moment in the music room the other night hadn't changed his attitude toward me in the slightest.

He began making small talk that really couldn't interest me less, so I just tuned him out as per usual.

"Look guys I really need to get going," I began, still feeling the draining effects of my hellish night.

I was promptly ignored in my pleas to get home and resigned myself to another day spent with the host club.

"Kyouya-senpai, what does your family even do?" I asked, it had been my impression that they ran hospitals. "Well I mean hospital management, swimming pool management?" I asked with confusion.

"We do management business I guess you could say. You could also say that they are both related in the recovery category." He gave me a sly smile.

"Haruhi lets go play in the water!" Hikaru laughed, a big smile on his face.

He and Kaoru had obviously just been in the pool, as they were both dripping wet. I felt a blush creeping up my neck as I noticed all of the half-naked, attractive boys I found myself in the company of.

"But your swimsuit!" Exclaimed Kaoru.

The boys proceeded to sort through a bunch of girly bikinis they had obviously brought for me. It was kind of creepy that they had all these girls' clothes. I was about to say as much when Kyouya-senpai interceded on their behalf.

"Their mother is a clothing designer, so they get it from her." He explained, going back to his newspaper.

I studied Kyouya-senpai, wondering if he had any idea that my apartment had been broken into. He didn't appear to know, but he was a master at being cold and calculated. Still it freaked me out, what if Kyouya-senpai really didn't know? I don't want to sound like a pathetic heroine, but I'm not really equipped to deal with robbers and/or stalkers.

As if sensing my gaze on him he looked up.

"Is Everything alright?" He asked, and just for a moment I could've sworn I saw concern in those dark eyes of his.

It took everything I had not to confess right then and there, but I needed more proof than an opening window and a sickening feeling of dread.

"Yeah it's fine." I said. "This really just isn't my kind of place." I continued honestly.

"Why not?" Tamaki-senpai asked incredulously, interrupting Kyouya-senpai and I.

"I don't know; the fake trees and water it just doesn't appeal to me." I said shrugging my shoulders.

Tamaki-senpai and the twins looked properly aghast at this statement. But before they could finish Honey-senpai ran over.

"Haru-chan come play with me!" He pleaded in that childlike voice.

"Honey-senpai can you not swim?" I asked referring to the bunny patterned floating device he was wearing.

"It's just cuter this way!" He said with a smile before running off.

Suddenly Kyouya-senpai was behind all of us, moving quietly which was fitting for his cunning personality.

"Now imagine if you place the subject in that sentence instead." He said with laughter in his eyes.

"I'm just cuter this way." Tamaki-senpai said.

We all looked at Honey-senpai, wondering how much of his cuteness was calculated.

We continued to gape as Honey-senpai sat on Mori-senpai's back and had him paddling against the stream. He wasn't going anywhere, anytime soon.

Tamaki-senpai once again continued his lounging, but not for long if the twins had anything to say about it.

I found myself just going through the motions today, not really feeling much of anything. I guess lack of sleep will do that to you. Not that I was any stranger to lack of sleep, or even lack of emotions for that matter. The terror I had felt last night seemed almost silly in the light of this tropical paradise. Yet, I still knew I hadn't imagined it.

However, I was done being a victim in my own life. I had already taken measures this morning to avoid another intruder or the same intruder again. I called a locksmith to install extra locks on my door and windows. It will take a few days, but I feel better for having done it.

"Tono let's play, me and Kaoru versus you." Hikaru said waving a water gun around.

"Who wants to play such childish games," Tamaki-senpai muttered to himself.

"Haruhi, let's get married right now. Then we can go on our honey moon." Kaoru said pulling me close, and holding both my hands in his.

I immediately recognized the impishness in his eyes, and had to fight to keep a grin off my face.

Naturally, Tamaki-senpai was in a rage over this, and immediately began screaming and chasing the twins with his water gun. Those boys certainly knew how to rile Tamaki-senpai up.

I have pretty much given up hope that I'll be going home anytime soon, so I might as well try and enjoy myself. I grabbed one of the drinks on the bar; it was very fruity and was even displayed in a pineapple cup.

I was soon rewarded with the sight of Mori-senpai finally emerging from the pool. He ran a hand through his dripping wet hair, and I noticed with the utmost impartiality how attractive he was.

"You're taking a rest?" I asked.

He merely nodded; Mori-senpai certainly wasn't one for excess words.

"Want to drink some?" I asked, offering my drink. It must have been tiring, swimming against the current as he had been doing.

Before Mori-senpai could answer we were interrupted by the shouts of Tamaki-senpai and the twins. Apparently there little war had made its way back to us.

With all the dramatics you had come to expect, Tamaki-senpai made some crazy "dead blow sideway rolling steam" shot as he named it to nail the twins. However, since he isn't the most graceful at times, he ended up falling on some sort of lever.

Immediately after the current began picking up where Honey-senpai was. All of the sudden a huge wave came and swept him away, with the current dashing him across at impressive speeds. The rest of us merely gaped, except for Mori-senpai who jumped into action.

"Mitskuni!" He yelled, worry and panic evident in his face and tone.

He jumped in after Honey-senpai without hesitation, but unfortunately for him he jumped in at the exact spot the current switched. So while Honey-senpai was carried off top speed one way, Mori-senpai was carried off full speed in the opposite direction.

"Kyouya how do we make it stop?!" Asked Tamaki-senpai, panicking.

"There isn't any way to stop it now that the lever is broken." He said calmly. It kind of irked me how utterly calm he could be in any situation. I myself was worried for Honey-senpai, I knew that Mori-senpai could take care of himself, but Honey-senpai was pretty much a child in most respects.

"First of all let's go after Honey!" Tamaki-senpai proclaimed with renewed vigor.

But as he went to step across the pool, he came into contact with a crocodile.

Wait was I hallucinating? If I was hallucinating we all were, we quickly ran in the opposite direction as fast as we could. This sprint didn't last very long, at least for me since I was very out of shape.

In the midst of it all we met up with Mori-senpai again, we were all panting from our run in with the crocodiles.

I was about to ask Kyouya-senpai what the hell was going on when we heard him making a list.

"The crocodile pasture is extremely dangerous. The piranha pond should be fixed again, and there's an issue with the location of the lever." He said to himself and his clipboard.

"Thanks to you I collected a lot of useful data." He noted, a grin of evil across his face.

We all just stared dumbfounded. We had been the test subjects, of course.

"The faculties were still in experimental stage." He said by way of explanation. I didn't sense any apology forthcoming either.

As I took in our surroundings I realized we were in a very different part of the dome. It looked like untamed jungle with a few stray huts where we were, nothing of the civilized beach we had just run from.

"Where are we?" Asked Tamaki-senpai, echoing my own thoughts.

"We are in the northern section, and if my calculations are correct it's time for the rain." Kyouya-senpai replied.

As if in response to his words a monsoon rain began. I shivered, hoping there wouldn't be any thunder or lightening. It didn't use to scare me, but ever since that night thunderstorms terrify me. However, just rain by itself didn't scare me.

The twins pulled me under the nearest shelter with them, and I heard Tamaki-senpai yelling to make sure his daughter was okay. I assume that's me. The twins love to poke fun at Tamaki-senpai for being a pervert, it's kind of funny. I don't really think that he is, but to pretend I think so is useful when I find us getting too close.

Kyouya-senpai pulled out a map of the arena and I was shocked to find that it spanned kilometers in all directions.

Tamaki-senpai started giving out orders about who was in what team etc. Everyone promptly ignored him and started one way. I thought he was going to get left behind, but he caught up to us quickly enough.

I found myself walking beside Mori-senpai, trying to gauge his feelings. It was hard to tell what he was thinking because he looked so indifferent most of the time. I wish that I could pull off that look as well as he did, it could be useful. I assume he's worried, I've never actually seen him or Honey-senpai separated for any period of time.

Mori-senpai lagged behind a bit and even tripped on a loose branch, this seemed very unlike him. Generally I would consider Mori-senpai very graceful.

"They are really good friends" I mused aloud.

"Well of course, he and Honey-senpai are cousins." Kaoru replied.

"The Morinozuka family served the Haninozuka family for generations." Kyouya-senpai chimed in.

"Although the two families were made relatives two generations ago," Began Kaoru.

"Mori-senpai still stays close to Honey-senpai." Hikaru finished.

"It's the same blood that flows in his veins." Tamaki-senpai said seriously. That is before he started to cry at how beautiful it was.

He really is too much.

Although I didn't know what to make of the information I had just been given, it was clear Mori-senpai was distressed.

I went up to him and gently put my hand on his shoulder.

"Mori-senpai, don't worry." I said softly. "Honey-senpai will be safe."

I know I can't guarantee that, but sometimes just hearing reassuring words is enough.

For the first time, Mori-senpai actually smiled at me. It made me wonder why he didn't do it more often; it was a heart wrenching smile. He patted my head sweetly, reminding me of my older brother. Unbidden tears came to my eyes, but I smiled at Mori-senpai in return regardless.

Abruptly he straightened up, "It's this way." He said.

"No, Honey-senpai should be this way." I said pointing in another direction.

"No it's that way." He said with so much conviction I couldn't help but believe him.

He started making his way through the underbrush, and I had no choice but to follow him.

"Hold on, wait for me!" I said.

"Haruhi." He said, right before he picked me up and cradled me in his arms.

I couldn't help but feel small and weak in his arms, he was a very tall boy, and muscular in his slimness.

This is the first time he's ever called me by my name, I thought absently.

I felt safe for the first time in a while cradled in Mori-senpai's arms. I knew that it was nothing romantic, more a feeling of protection, of comfort.

The comfort of family.

"You seem healthier, I'm glad." Mori-senpai said in that stoic way of his.

He was probably referring to my weight. When I was at my skinniest he had picked me up a few times and commented on my disturbing anorexia. But now I had gained a few much needed pounds. I still wasn't at a healthy weight, but I was getting there.

Before I knew what was happening, Mori-senpai and I were surrounded by what looked like a SWAT team, guns and all.

"We have found the boy of small stature." I heard one of them report.

"You need to put the small boy down." Another of the men demanded of Mori-senpai.

I didn't know what was happening, but it didn't look good. Mori-senpai got this dangerous look in his eye, and I knew that he wasn't about to give me up to these men, guns or not.

"He's resisting! Prepare to fire!" I heard another one shout. I wanted to tell Mori-senpai to stand down; I didn't think these men were bad. But before I could get a word in Honey-senpai came swinging in.

He literally came swinging… on a rope.

"Mori! Haruhi! Move out!" Honey-senpai yelled.

HYA!

Honey-senpai first kicked down a bunch of men just detaching from his rope. The dangerous look in his eye was even more frightening than the one Mori-senpai had, had just moments before. I couldn't believe my own eyes, to see Honey-senpai literally kick the shit out of these men. Within moments every single one of the fifteen men was down for the count.

My mouth was wide open in shock. I must have looked comical, but I couldn't help myself.

"You dare to be so rude when you can't even fight." Honey-senpai said, his childlike voice contradicting the scene I just moments before witnessed.

"You mess with my friends and you're a goner!" He said sweetly.

The rest of the boys joined us then, not appearing concerned with the men lying around Honey-senpai's feet.

"Didn't you know?" Asked Hikaru.

I shook my head.

"Honey-senpai and his family are world renowned for the fighting arts; he has won the judo championship every year." Kaoru finished.

I looked at Honey-senpai again, I had completely underestimated him. He certainly acted like a child, but he was strong beyond belief. If I hadn't just witnessed it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it.

"Mori, good job in protecting Haru-chan!" Honey-senpai said, rewarding Mori-senpai with a pat on the head. It would have seemed degrading or patronizing if the boy wasn't so sweet.

"You weren't too lonely without me were you?" Asked Honey-senpai.

"No, not really." Replied Mori-senpai, his stoic face perfectly intact.

With that Mori-senpai bounded off, carrying Honey-senpai on his shoulders. They really had the strangest relationship, but still I envied it. I thought back to that moment Mori-senpai and I had shared, he had reminded me so much of my brother in that moment I had almost cried. I missed him with such a physical ache, even though we had fought like crazy. But he had always protected me from bullies and other boys alike.

I was startled out of my heartache by the twins.

"Next time we'll go to the ocean!" They said simultaneously.

"Don't be stupid, Haruhi wouldn't want to go there." Tamaki-senpai chimed in, beside me.

"If it's the ocean, I'd like to go." I said, a wistful smile on my face.

I loved the ocean. The peace, the serenity, it made me and my problems feel small in the face of something so large and unyielding. The sand beneath your toes and the wind through your hair is a magical feeling.

I went to the beach once with my family, it was the perfect day.

My stomach clenched, and I felt dry sobs climbing up the back of my throat. Would I ever be able to think of them and smile at the memories instead of cry? I probably didn't deserve that much. I had been feeling pretty normal lately, and that was even scarier than the pain. At least the pain had been constant and expected. Now I was just taken away by my emotions at unexpected times.

I wrapped both hands around myself and walked away from the host club. I couldn't be around them right now, they wouldn't understand. I felt their gazes boring into my back, but I just needed a moment to myself.

Instead of solitude, I found Kyouya-senpai. He looked up at me, and instead of the cold calculation that was so characteristic of him, I found something warmer. He merely put his hand on my shoulder while I regained my composure.

Not a word was spoken between us, and I knew that he understood in his own way.

It had never been my intention, but these boys had inadvertently become my family. I truly believed that. It made times like these a little less horrible, because I had people that cared for me in at least some small degree.

Right now that's enough for me.

It has to be.

So I hope that was enjoyable for all ! I also hope it wasn't disappointing or anything. I am REALLY looking forward to writing the next chapter, so it shouldn't be tooooo long coming. As always R&R and thanks so much for reading my story.