Hey, guys, this is my first fanfic please tell me what you think. Criticism is welcomed. Also Haruhi will be more on the OOC side as her background has changed a lot, but I'm trying to put my on spin on how she would be under some different circumstances.

Pairing: Haruhi x Kyoya

Rated: M

Summary: Power, prestige, influence...that is the world Haruhi Fujioka lives in. Facades, strategy, and manipulations are her normalcy, and high school is no different. When your family is one of the leading conglomerates in the world, you are born into the class of elites whose life no average persons could ever fathom. As the sole heiress of the Fujioka family, Haruhi stands out with beauty, intelligence, and most of all kindness; she is a rarity amongst those around her. After all, what other heiress is as stubborn and determined as she is gorgeous. Set to take her own course, our heroine enrolls in the famous, prestigious Ouran Academy as a...scholarship student!?

"Come in," answered Haruhi.

"Miss Fujioka your parents are...oh my, Milady, what happened?" Haruhi's maid gasped in shock. A look of surprise and horror spread on the woman's face.

Instead of the girl with the long chestnut hair and beautiful features, now stood a messy-looking, indistinguishable girl. Haruhi donned a brown, short wig, glasses two sizes too big, and poorly fit clothing covering her graceful, statuesque body. The young heiress looked at her maid in amusement. She couldn't wait to see her parents reaction to her drastic transformation as well.

Haruhi flashed the young woman a smile, "Good morning, Aiko. What do you think of my appearance? I have to admit it was shocking to me as well, but you know maybe I should have made this choice years ago. I mean short hair is a lot more manageable...Oh, excuse my tangent, what was it you were going to say about my parents?" Haruhi answered calmly turning to her maid.

"Ah, yes! Please excuse me Ms. Fujioka, but " The maid still gaped until snapping back to reality. "Your parents await you downstairs. I came in to see if you required my assistance, but as I can see you have already... um prepared for the day, young miss. Although, I must ask, Miss Fujioka, is this drastic change necessary?"

Eyes gleaming with mirth, Haruhi gave a chuckle and gave a mischievous wink, "Yes, Aiko, if I want to play my part, I will have to look it. Besides this hair is much more practical, and the clothes are very comfortable. To be honest, I might incorporate these more into my closet."

Returning the young girl's smile, Aiko replied, a dark gleam in her eye, "I would hope that plan does not merit into the future, young miss. You have such radiant beauty, both inside and out. It's just, you know, I have seen you grown into such a fine woman, and although I respect your decision, I hope your goal does not come to haunt you in the future. Now, please join your parents downstairs. You wouldn't want to be late on your first day." The maid bowed one final time before closing the double doors to the lavish room and took her to leave.

Haruhi glanced back again to reassure that her disguise was in place. As she stared at her reflection, she couldn't help to notice how the room she currently occupied contrasted sharply with her current appearance. The short hair, the plain clothing, and large glasses seemed so out of place in the spacious room. Albeit she was never one for opulent taste, but her appearance really was a transformation. A comfy one too, but one thing for certain was that this choice will be sure to elicit interesting results.

As the only daughter of one of the biggest empires in night entertainment, cosmetics, and other various sectors, her father, Ryoji was a successful man. An old family that dealt with the larger part of Japan's cosmetics and beauty products joined with her mother's side of successful law firms made up the current Fujioka lineage. To the world, they were a wealthy family who has kept their wealth guarded and their traditions upheld; no one would ever know how unique her family was. No one would expect the charismatic, boisterous Ryoji to secretly have an affiant for cross-dressing. Nor would they expect her successful, no-nonsense lawyer mother to be so accepting of her husband's hobby. The world could make any perception of the old, affluent family, but the three loved each other dearly. As fortunate as they were, they were just as giving. A not so common commodity in elite society.

Back at her vanity table making the final adjustments to the wig, today would be the first day of her new school, Ouran Academy. Money wasn't an issue to attend the school without a scholarship, but if her plan was to work, she would have to keep her family influence a secret. After all, the school was the home to the world's richest and most beautiful children. Ouran was a school where only the most privileged, talented, and elite students attended. Everyone knew their future was set, and that high school was a means to further their set lives. For her, high school was her break before truly entering into their society. Her break to live in peace and focus on her studies and aspirations to be a lawyer like her mother. This was her plan and she would see it through.

Well, at least I hope I don't regret it. Being on the other spectrum will give me the edge I need. Haruhi thought.

For once all attention would be off her and secondly, those people were mainly just looking at her family's status. It was troublesome. Superficial beings practically flocked to her like a moth to a flame. High school was simply a tactic strategy for her future, that and well, making a few friends on the way wasn't a bad idea, she smiled slightly to herself. Being on top was lonely, even the most cold-hearted businessman could tell you that.

After what seemed like a couple of minutes, Haruhi looked herself over, she was wearing a grey sweatshirt, black pants, black ballet flats, and the clumsy looking glasses to finish off the look. She nodded her head in approval at her appearance. The comfy clothing looked completely inconspicuous; although the uniform might be troublesome. Oh, the yellow dresses were hideous. It was a small blessing that the school forgot to issue one.

As soon as Haruhi entered the dining room, she quickly, nonchalantly side-stepped avoiding her father's overenthusiastic hug.

"Ryoji! watch out for the vase! How many times have I told you to keep your physical extremities at bay in this room! That is a priceless ming artifact." Sitting at the end of the table, Kotoko Fujioka was a vision of grace, intellect, and beauty. An icon in both the civil law world and a poster for the aristocracy spanning back to the daimyo era. In essence, Haruhi's role model.

How could I forget all this? It is nice to be home. I made the right decision. Who knew I would miss their squabbles so much. Though dad's antics could be restrained more. I wonder how things are back over there. Haruhi's melancholy thoughts were cut short by her father's words.

Ryoji cringed. "I was only making sure that our daughter is alert at all times, hehe," an extremely nervous Ryoji reasoned. 'Thank god she didn't' smile this time or else I'd be a goner for sure'

"I will let it slide this time, but next time you will not get off that easily. I'm positively sure that we both know that Haruhi is more than capable of handling herself. Your overzealous nature has not wavered after all these years," said Kotoko. The scary, dark aura now seemingly disappeared, placated by her husband's admission.

Ryoji gleamed and yelled, "I just can't help myself. You two are the most important people in my world! No, my universe! In fact, if I were to die a thousand deaths my love will not lessen by any margin-"

Haruhi found it quite hilarious how her mother was the only woman no, the only person who was allowed to blatantly speak her mind to her father with no repercussions. Her parents were a product of an arranged marriage, but it turned out beautifully since they had loved each other before then. Luck must have certainly been on their side. Hopefully the same will be said for

Finally able to say her greetings, Haruhi sat and poured herself some tea, "Good morning mother. I see you guys are as lively as ever."

The couple stopped their little exchange, turning their full attention to Haruhi. Inspecting her from head to toe, they finally noticed Haruhi's immense change. Shocked by their daughter's complete transformation, Kotoko recovered quickly, taking a sip of her tea, but her father just stood there expressionless.

"Good morning dear, I see you chose to go through with the makeover?" Kotoko said sending her daughter a motherly smile that practically oozed affection.

Returning the smile, Haruhi simply nodded. "Yes, when I looked in the mirror I barely recognized myself as well." Haruhi joked.

"HARUHI FUJIOKA!" The loud screech came from her father.

Haruhi turned to her father. "Yes, father?"

"What in Heaven's name are you wearing?" Ryoji screamed wailing at his daughter's appearance. Haruhi sweatdropped at her father's antics.

"Honey, calm yourself. We agreed to let Haruhi play out her wants, and I for one find it a refreshing change that we now only have to have two shipments of designer clothes," Kotoko quipped, her diplomatic, lawyer coming out. She smirked at the jab to her husband."Yes, disguise, but not completely transform into something inhuman! And did you cut your hair?!" he dramatically questioned not even deigning to respond to his wife's sharp comment.

Kotoko just rolled her eyes at her beloved husband, while Haruhi just sighed.

"No father, its a wig. Everything is able to be removed. It's not permanent. I swear."

"Really dear, it's quite early for that. Plus I for one can appreciate the comfy clothes...perhaps this could be a more permanent staple to our wardrobes. However, we can debate more another time. Let's eat, the chefs prepared western style breakfast today," Kotoko said. A couple of pleasant conversations were followed on the subject of business, work, companies, and school were the main topics. Once the family was done eating their breakfast, they went to the parlor to spend some quality family time before Haruhi had to leave for school.

"Haruhi," Ryoji started switching to business mode traces of his earlier self gone in an instant.

"Yes, Father?" Haruhi replied in a respectful tone. The tone she was trained to use since she was a child in public. No matter how unique her family was, there were expectations and decorum her family prided themselves in. Aloof as they were, polite and diplomatic was the core of their family's name.

"You know that as a father, I only want what is best for you, and to say the least, I am somewhat impressed in your reasoning for wanting to hide your background. But when the need arises you know the truth will be revealed. So I will ask you again. Are you prepared to go along with this plan of yours? Especially since you will soon have to enter our world again." Ryoji questioned sternly with authority. His business mode was not to be taken lightheartedly.

Softening her rigid posture, Haruhi replied, "I have made my choice, father. I am prepared to reenter our world, but I rather lay low for as long as possible. As a Fujioka, I know my responsibilities and when the time comes I will take them fully. You and mother can rest assured, I have thought over this matter carefully."

A contemplative smile from both father and mother beamed at their daughter's reply. It was hard to not be proud of their daughter. Regardless of who she was born to, she was still humble and was turning into a promising young lady. No parent could ask for more.

"Well then, I suppose we have nothing to worry about. Besides Ouran is a lovely school. I remember many fine gentlemen coming from there." Kotoko dreamily interjected breaking the tense, serious atmosphere.

"Gentlemen! Why someone is reminiscing their high school days, but if anyone dares to try and even look at my precious Haruhi, I'll have them a fate worse than the seven rings of hell! I'll skin them alive and stomp on them till.." Royji yelled.

"Oh dear stop it. Haruhi will be absolutely fine. You're ever the drama queen." finished Kotoko.

"Drama Queen! Oh my dear you are so cold to me." wailed Ryoji as he sat in a corner. "Shouldn't you have my back? My little girl is going to be alone at that coed school filled with conniving boys. Are you sure you don't want to go to that all girls school in France, Haruhi? It's not too late...or even St. Lobelia Academy. Your poor father is going to have a heart attack just imagining what those insects will be around my precious little girl."

Haruhi and Kotoko merely sighed at his antics and continued talking.

Taking a sip of her tea, she glanced at the time. "Hm...Haruhi dear, shouldn't you be at school soon? I'm sure you have made all the necessary precautions for this charade of yours?"

"Ah. You're right I'll have to leave now to take the train station." Haruhi replied finishing her breakfast.

"Bye dear, have a good day at school." Kotoko kissed her daughter before she left for her law firm. Ryoji coming back from his corner hugged Haruhi and kissed her cheek before also leaving to the Fujioka Corps.

"Ah, my little girl is so grown up pretty soon she will be out about the world and.." He was up to his antics again.

"Dad, I'm only a highschooler; it will be a few more years before I leave home...again, and I'm still your daughter."

"I know it's just me and your mother love you so much; it almost pains us to see you grow up so fast."

"I know dad, you and mom are the best parents I could ask for." Haruhi just mentally sighed. If only the business world knew how her father acted to the close people in his life. This sent her father into overdrive "Yes, yes your darling mother and I have done a wonderful job. Now Haruhi go. You don't want to be late on your first day."

Haruhi watched as her father sped on the road and simply smirked at her father and had her driver take her to the nearest train station. When she stepped out of the train, she walked until she reached the gates of the school. Students surrounded the school all making their way to the entrance in a stream of blue and yellow. Some talking excitedly about their summer vacation. While others bragged about the current designer apparel they had secured. Ouran Academy was an elegant playground for the super rich and beautiful, and it was now her school and escape.

Entering the large gates of Ouran Academy felt like another dimension, and it was. The cherry blossoms, fountains, and large buildings screamed wealth and opulence. Making her way through the throngs of females in yellow gowns and males in blue suits, Haruhi tried to hasten her steps to the administration office to receive her schedule. All around she could recognize some families and children to important families.

"Yes, how may I help you?" asked the front desk lady.

"I'm Saito Haruhi."

"Ah you must be the scholarship student." said the office lady.

Everywhere conservation stopped and whispers soon followed.

"A scholarship student?"

"We haven't had one...well since ever."

"Who's that strangely dressed guy?"

"A commoner on campus?"

Ignoring their comments. Haruhi pushed on thinking they really pushed on the poor persona a lot."Yes, I am, can you please give me the schedule for my classes?"

"Of course here you go. if you have any question please don't hesitate to ask me, and as for your uniform please come at the end of the day for your fitting," replied the desk lady seeminly to not notice all the whispers and stares.

"Thank you very much." Haruhi offered her a polite smile grabbing her schedule and map of the school.

"Oh, one more thing," the receptionist stood, remembering an important note.

Haruhi stopped and turned back to the receptionist, "Yes?"

Looking at some of the students still eavesdropping, "Ah well, the principal would love to see you at the end of the day to discuss-er um some important matters as a new student."

Haruhi understanding the double meaning didn't falter and smiles, "Ah yes, of course, thank you; I'll be sure to meet with him," and quickly turned around noticing more chattering arising.

It didn't take long for her to find the homeroom class. It was located on the second level of the east wing. Once she entered the classroom, everyone stopped looking at the young...man? All conversation seemed to stop. A pin drop could be heard from the back of the classroom. Some were looking in disgust, while others seemed interested in the bespectacled curiosity before them.

"Ms. Saito please introduce yourself to the class," Mr. Nakamori, the homeroom teacher, broke the silence.

Keeping a level stare and using her most neutral voice Haruhi introduced herself, "Nice to meet you all. My name is Saito Haruhi I am pleased to enter your class." Haruhi bowed as everyone just looked at her with mixed reactions as murmurs and side conversations began to fill the room.

"Wait...she's a girl?"

"That's a girl!"

"Is this is what commoners are like"

"I can't believe the scholarship student is in our classroom wait til I tell..."

This reaction was to be expected. She looked around and spotted Yukari Fuji, Hinata Nagi, a couple of her family's client's kids in the class. Quickly marking that for future reference, she made her way to her seat noticing in the corner of her eye the Hitachiin twins.

Ah, the Hitachiin twins in my homeroom and many other respected names. Wait. Is that Yuki Saitama? I thought her family sent her to Hong Kong? I need to update myself and my dossier. I've missed too much of the social scene. Their reaction is to be expected though. I must be quite the anomaly to these privileged bastards.

The day slowly went along with Haruhi having to introduce herself,receive the same reaction, and go through lessons. It would have been an understatement that the young girl was tired and truthfully, quite famished.

I would really love some fancy tuna right about now.

After lunch ended. Taking a seat near the front of the classroom for her last class besides the window overlooking the beautiful courtyard, Haruhi thought her day went relatively well. The enormous school's opulence took some time to reacquaint herself with, but other than that she was happy with the anonymity. 'I wonder how this will play out. Ouran has exceeded my expectations so far. Well, the only thing I can do now enjoys the calm and peace. This high school will hopefully be an uneventful breeze once the novely of a 'commoner' wears thin.

Finally, class is over. There's an abandoned music room around here somewhere. Maybe I can get some of my work done there and if I have time take a nap. The chairman is still in his meeting anyways. So far my first day has gone pretty well. No one has recognized me besides the glances and whispers. This should be an interesting year.

The short excursion to the third music room was empty. She made a grab for the handles of the door, but instead, it swung open on its own.

Red petals flew into her face as a white light illuminated the figures of a group of people.

Catching a glimpse of the opened door, sitting there were six handsome teens at the entrance. There was a blonde haired teen sitting on a throne, a petite boy sitting on the shoulders of a tall dark hair senior, standing to the left of the guy on the throne, was a teen with glasses, and red-headed twins with matching smirks. It took only a glance for Haruhi to know who these men were. The one on the throne was Tamaki Suoh the illegitimate son, heir of the Suoh empire, the boy sitting on the shoulders of the tall senior was Mitsukuni Haninozuka the eldest son of a highly respected clan of martial artists, the tall senior who the Haninozuka was sitting on was his cousin Takashi Morinozuka, the twins were the Hitachiin duo, and lastly the raven-haired teen to the left of Suoh was Kyoya Ootori the youngest son to the Ootori empire.

Oh, what hell has she stumbled into? So much for low-key, she thought to herself.

"Welcome fair maiden to the host club, a place for the rich and beautiful maidens to be able to socialize to Ouran's finest and most handsome men. After all, we must share our beauty with the world, for we are like swans in this world of knights in this world of dark and ugliness. For we must let our inner light shine..." Suoh continued to ramble on about princesses, princes, and knights until Otori-sempai spoke up.

"You must be the scholarship student," he stated more than asked, pushing his glasses up causing it to reflect the light.

"How did he know?! Does he keep tabs on everyone" She mumbled quietly, "Um-uh... How did you know?"

"It's not every day that a very diverse person breaks the tradition of Ouran Academy's more homogenous demographic," he replied coolly.

That arrogant rich boy! It's obvious he means underprivileged.

"A scholarship student! That means your the first poor person to ever attend this school. You, my dear man, are a light of hope to all poor people out there that they can accomplish the impossible. Long live the poor." shouted an overly enthusiastic Suoh who looked like a puppy who got a treat from its master.

Well, at least Suoh is more open about his thoughts, if not lacking any tack.

"Sorry, but I didn't come here to be with a host club you see..."

"I understand," he looked at me with a serious expression.

"You do?" she asked skeptically eyebrow raised.

"Of course, you don't have to be shy with us! You are clearly not here to study; You're into men. You're not the first male classmate of ours to come about. So tell me what type of guy do you find appealing? Is it the strong, silent type, the devilish type..." Suoh explained holding Haruhi close to him.

Blushing red, she scrambled away trying to come up with an excuse to leave as soon as possible. This would not be a good way to maintain her cover, especially with an Otori hanging around. That just spelled trouble especially in a host club of all things.

"Excuse me but there seems to be a misunderstanding, I didn't come here for a host club. In fact, I had no comprehension of this room still being used let alone allowed to have this kind of activity in school. I was simply looking for a suitable place to sleep. Well if you'll excuse me." She turned to leave.

"Hey what's the rush?" the twins each grabbed one of her arms and tried to lead her to a couch. Haruhi successfully yanked her arms away from their iron grasps, but it was too late. Out of nowhere, a blonde streak came rushing toward her and the glasses didn't help her at all.

It all happened in a blink of an eye, the vase wobbled before falling and bouncing off the marble floors. The shatter filled the room and with that the dream of a breezy high school experience was about to encounter a tempest.