So, last chapter was a bit of a break from the gloom, but with a story like this, we can't leave it behind forever. Here's a quick warning, this chapter starts out right after Risa gets home from the ball and is dark, if that bothers you then jump to the time skip *** And please remember, if you are getting abused, please reach out to someone! There is help even though abuse makes you feel completely alone. There is hope.

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I walked in to my home smiling slightly; I had had more fun tonight then I have had in a long time. A smile was playing across my face as I took off my coat and handed that and my clutch to the butler. "Your Father was asking to see you immediately after you returned home, he said he would wait for you in his office, as usual." As he turned and walked away, I paled and leaned a wall for stability.

'Please don't want what I'm thinking. Please let me be over exaggerating this in my head, he just wants to talk, I'm sure of it.' I breathed deeply and slowly climbed the stairs that led to his office. Knocking I peeked my head in, "You wanted to see me, Father?" He simply gestured for me to come in while still doing paperwork. "I am actually really tired Father, is there any possibility that this could wait until tomorrow?" I knew what the answer would most likely be, but it doesn't hurt to try, right?

"The Hitachiin brothers chose well, that dress suits you." I gulped, it scares me more when he is nice to me than when he insults and beats me. I hesitantly took a step into the room, "Close the door behind you, my dear." My heart sped up at his pet name for me, he only used it when he wanted to unnerve me; it worked. I slowly closed the door, hoping that anyone would come to save me; but the door shut and clicked, automatically locking and taking my escape route with it.

"F-F-Father, please, can't I just go back-"

"What have I told you about stuttering? I will not tolerate having to constantly correct you. Your greatest worth to me is in marrying well, so that our family can benefit from your existence. How can you expect any man worth my time to pay attention to you if you can't follow the SIMPLEST INSTRUCTIONS?" As he said this, he slammed his fist into his desk. "It's a shame you didn't learn your lesson last time, because it appears I'll have to teach you again."

He stood up and approached me, walking slowly like a predator stalking its prey. "I didn't want to have to do this to you Risa, but you forced my hand. I wouldn't be doing this if it were up to me. This is for your own good."

And there it was, the word that he used every time he initiated his "teaching sessions." I closed my eyes and focused on removing myself from the situation, this was the only way I could escape what was to come with my sanity mostly intact.

My Father grabbed me and threw me onto the hard, leather couch and I slammed into the back of it and landed just in time for him to pin me down and stare at me greedily, his eyes taking in my figure. "Like I said, my dear, the Hitachiin brother chose this dress well; it's a shame I'll have to ruin it."

With that, my night began, and all that could be heard from outside of my Father's office were my muffled screams and the stomach-turning moans of my Father.

*** (You're safe to read now)

I laid in bed staring at the ceiling blankly as tears ran down the side of my face. After these things, I always felt empty and broken, but I knew that I couldn't stay in bed all day; if I didn't go to school, my Father would be informed and that would lead to worse situations. I sat up with difficulty and got ready for the day, tears streaming down my face the whole time.

There was a knock on my door and the butler's voice rang out, "Your Father wanted me to let you know that he has left on a business trip, and that he won't be back for two weeks." He immediately left, but I stood frozen still; the thought was slowly making its way through my mind. I was free for two weeks, I wouldn't have to worry about coming home for two weeks! I could barely believe it, I almost didn't want to believe it in case this was a cruel joke of some kind. 'Could it be true?'

I got ready as quickly as I was able to and limped down the stairs; even though I was free, that didn't change what had happened last night. I still felt shattered beyond hope of being put back together, I know that that isn't true, but it will take a while for my body and mind to heal themselves.

I groaned as I grabbed my bag, today is going to be a long day; I guess I'll find out how normal I will be able to act around other people. I climbed in the limo feeling confusion, I felt both happy and sad. It was quite the confusing thing to go through mentally.

I got out of the limo and walked into the school, avoiding everyone's gaze and went straight to my class, sitting in the back corner. I wish I could have chuckled at the irony of situation. On the first day of school I sat in this same place; so much has happened since then and yet, here I am again.

Tamaki burst into the classroom and ran over to me, "RISA!!!! I am so glad to see you my princess, I didn't get to tell you that you looked absolutely beautiful last night, and I am so sorry because... Risa?" The instant he started talking about how beautiful I was, I flinched so badly that it might have caused whiplash and then began trembling. "Risa my dear, are you okay? You don't look so good."

 That was the last straw, I jumped to my feet and ran out of the room with my hand over my mouth, passing a very confused Kyoya on the way. I got to the bathroom just in time and rid myself of the contents of my stomach. I sat by the toilet for a while afterwards, barely able to move.

"Risa-san?" I heard a feminine voice call out my name, "Risa-san, Kyoya asked me to come and check on you. He said you ran out of class in this direction, and that you looked sick. Are you in here?" So it was Haruhi, I had closed the door when I first came in, so I almost forgot that she couldn't see me. I reached out and pulled the door open, my arm flopping back to my side after that.

Haruhi rushed to my side, "What happened, Risa-san? You look horrible!"  She put her hand on my forehead and I flinched away. I couldn't help it, it was an automatic response, but that obviously deepened her concern.; I shook my head and attempted to get up, but that failed and I ended up right back where I started, by now Haruhi looked about ready to call an ambulance. "Risa-san, something obviously happened, if you don't feel comfortable telling me, then tell someone, do something. Please. Honestly, seeing you like this is really hard for me, I know we may not be the closest of friends, but I am here for you and that isn't going to change anytime soon."

Once she had said her piece she pulled me into a tight hug. My immediate reaction was to push her away and freak out, but something about this hug was different; the level of concern was something I hadn't experienced in years, so instead I pulled her in. I hung on to Haruhi like she was a life raft and I was drowning, which was closer to the truth than I would like to admit. In that moment, I decided to let go of everything, for once I was deciding to let someone else see my broken side. Haruhi felt safe, which caused the first tear, the second was one of joy because I had finally found a friend, and all the tears after that were for the last two years.

I cried for what felt like hours and the whole time Haruhi was there, stroking my hair gently and rocking me back and forth. When I finally sat back up she didn't question me or try to pry into what had happened, she simply smiled and offered me help in getting up. I felt like a hundred pounds had just been lifted off my chest. I could breathe, and I knew that I had taken a step towards recovery. That was still only one step though, I had a long way to go before I could even remotely say that I was healed.

As we started walking out of the bathroom, the only thought going through my mind was that I didn't want to go home. Sure, Father wouldn't be there for the next two weeks, but I couldn't even consider staying there without freaking out. I knew that I wouldn't be able to handle being at one of the guys' houses so I turned to the only other option.

"Haruhi, I was wondering if I would be able to stay with you for a few weeks? I know that that's a lot to ask and it's really last minute, but I would pay for rent and anything else you guys needed." I gave her my best puppy dog look that was ruined by my still swollen eyes

"Well, I'd have to ask my Dad, but I don't see a problem with that! How about after school I call you and let you know what he said?" She gives me a small smile and I nodded, "In the meantime, let's get you to somewhere you can lay down."

"But I need to go to class, Haruhi. I really can't afford to miss." I pleaded with her, trying to pull her along towards my classroom, but she simply sighed and turned me around, pulling me the other way, towards the... club room?

"Risa-san, you are kind of proving my point by struggling. Right now, I doubt you could do ten steps on your own, and that tug you gave me was really weak. I'm no doctor, but you need rest, and lots of it." Once we got there she led me over to a bed that was in the corner, "This is Honey-senpai's nap bed. I know it seems weird, but you won't be bothered here, even if the Hosts do come in."

"But I can't use this, it isn't mine!" My eyes widened, trying to telepathically communicate with Haruhi that this was a bad idea. Obviously, I am not telepathic. Darn.

"Risa-san, I know you're worried, but I know that if Honey-senpai were here, he would be the first to tell you to use this, now stop being stubborn and just try and rest." She turned to leave once I had laid down, but I called out to her to stop.

"Haruhi, I'm sorry, but I can't be alone right now. I know it's a lot to ask, especially since you got here on an academic scholarship and I'm asking you to skip class, but I don't feel safe. If I'm alone, I guarantee that any rest I get won't be restful." She looked at me sympathetically and moved a chair closer to the bed.

"Rest, I'm here, don't worry Risa-san, I'm not going anywhere." And with that I fell asleep more securely than I had in a while.

Third Person POV

The Hosts gathered around the sleeping girl as Haruhi told them some of what had happened. "Guys, I know that there is more going on than what we were seeing, but I think that we just need to let her heal for right now. I'll try my best to get some answers out of her, but I am not going to pry, that would probably push her away." Haruhi looked around at the boys who looked sad, but determined.

"I don't get it, Ri-chan was just starting to get used to us, and suddenly she is going back to what she was. What could have happened to cause this?" The sweet looking Honey had a more serious look on his face than most people would ever see him with. All of the Hosts were serious, someone they cared about had been hurt, and in their minds, it was up to them to fix it.

Kyoya pushed up his glasses, causing a bright gleam to cover his eyes, "I don't know what happened, but I intend to find out. Up until now, I've only done a basic background check concerning the Soretzu family, but I believe that it is time for a more in-depth investigation. Something seems off about this, so everybody, proceed carefully.'

Tamaki simply stood to the side, looking heart-broken, "My poor little girl, the face she made when I was talking to her was horrible. I may not be able to be of much use in this, but I'll do what I can."

The twins looked almost madder about this situation than Kyoya did. Hikaru started, "I don't know what happened, but,"

"No one becomes like this without something big happening." Kaoru continued, then they said together, "So we're going to make someone pay."

Kyoya sighed, "I understand how you're feeling, but we can't just rush into things. If we do that than we'll make things worse."

"Yeah." Mori threw his syllable of advice into the conversation.

The twins looked at each other and smiled, "So what you're saying is," (Hikaru) "We need a plan." (Kaoru) "Right?" (Both)

"Yes, of course that's what we need! If we are to protect my daughter from any further harm, we need the best plan possible. Come one men, we can do this!" Tamaki yelled out, then all the hosts gathered closer together and began figuring out exactly what they were going to do.

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A/N Okay, yeah that was really sad, but there was a hopeful note at the end. Things are beginning to move forward. I'm going to try and stick to the anime, but this will probably only follow it loosely. Anyways, comments are always appreciated, and thanks for reading!

-klypso01