Disclaimer: I don't own any of the right or characters in Ouran High School Host Club. The only one I own is Akatsuki and her dysfunctional family.

Prologue

When you think of family, what comes to mind? Do you think of warm loving parents and equally doting grandparents and siblings? Well my family is different. They hate my guts and after all these years of conforming to their wishes I have become the black sheep of the family. My name is Akatsuki Eden; I am sixteen years old and have already finished with university. I'm a genius in every sense of the word, yet for all my intelligence, I just want to live a normal teenage life.

I was born on the 31st of October; in the vague time when the sky is stained the colour of blood and the moon seem to hang ominously in the air. My passage into this world gave me life, but took that of my mother's, leaving me to grow up in the company of my unloving father and his bitchy sister. My intelligence has led me to the top positions in my Grandmother's company despite my age and I stand as heir to her seat. In case you're wondering, my Grandmother owns one of the largest security firms in the world, Eden Enterprises; while my mother was one of the most sought after modelling industries in America, Dreaming of Eden; this means that I'm pretty much rolling in money. Yet for all that may be a blessing for some people, money is a curse for me that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Because of it, I am nothing more than a pawn in my father's games to try and control my Grandmother's money, because of it, I am not allowed to have friends that haven't been carefully vetted and selected from the 'elite' of the American society.

My life is a sham, a play that would stun even Shakespeare with it's complexities, yet from all of this, all I want is for someone to like me for who I am, not what I can do for them. So, I have decided that today is the day I shape my own destiny and break away from the shadows of my father.

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No-one's POV

If a person were to look down the street right now, they would see a figure standing motionless amongst the pigeons; staring down at them as though their simple minds hold the secrets to the world. Her hair hangs forward over her face in waves of rippling black and orange, the colour reminiscent of a crouching tiger. Smiling at some hidden joke, she raises her head and looks out at the world, the cynicism in her eyes giving the silvery orbs an icy sheen. Suddenly the pigeons flew away with a whirring of their wings and she was left staring after them, shielding her eyes against the harsh light of the sun as she followed their progress.

"Akatsuki! Get over here now!" A harsh male voice called and she sighed, adjusting the clothing that did nothing to describe her gender before replying.

"Sure thing Father." She muttered, sauntering over to the car and slouching comfortably against the cool black metal. A sudden pain in her head erupted as it snapped back. Blinking she schooled her face into a mask of indifference. Cursing colourfully in several different languages, but predominantly in Japanese, she glared daggers at her 'father'.

"Show some respect, Akatsuki. Your attitude won't gain you favours in this world." He snarled dragging her into the back of the limo before signalling for the driver to continue. Ignoring his comment she stared out the window for the remainder of the trip, not responding to the questions posed at her unless necessary. When the car stopped, she hopped out gratefully, heading up to her room in the apartment block and locking the door behind her. Walking over to her wardrobe, she opened it and pushed the clothes to one side, displaying a keypad. Punching in the required code, Akatsuki opened the safe set in the back of the wardrobe and retrieved the cell phone from within. Punching in a familiar number she waited patiently for the answer.

"Moshi moshi." A cool voice said and she immediately felt a surge of love overwhelm her.

"Grandmother, its Akatsuki. He has repeated the incident and I was wondering if your offer was still open?" She replied, getting straight to the point. She was tired of the treatment she was getting at home and the stress on her mind was wreaking havoc on her health.

"Of course, Kat-chan. All you need to do is put all your possessions you want to take with you into the safe and head out to the airport. I will send Kaka-san to meet you and he will arrange everything." The voice was reassuring and she smiled in relief. "One thing, Kat-chan. Why did you wait this long before contacting me?"

The question was not unexpected but it required her to think of an appropriate answer.

"I didn't want to impose on you Grandmother, yet I knew without a doubt I would have to call you one day. It was pretty awful after the last 'incident'." Kat replied and sighed. The last time her father had hit her, she had ended up in hospital with a broken arm, three broken ribs and many minor lacerations.

"Well you won't have to worry about that now my sweet. Japan is a wonderful place and you can easily escape notice. After all you won't be the daughter of an international model or business tycoon, you will be a commoner." The assurance made Kat smile. She had been living like a commoner for the entirety of her existence, what was one more day going to do?

"Will it be alright if I take a break from your business Grandmother? After all you don't need my input just to run the company." She asked, wanting to know if this would inconvenience her Grandmother in any way.

"I will be fine. Now pack… Kaka-san will be at the airport in thirty minutes to give you your ticket." Her Grandmother said, hanging up the phone. Hastily stuffing all her prized possessions into the safe in her wardrobe, she dragged on her leather jacket and scooped up the keys to her father's car before jumping lightly out the window and landing expertly on the ground two storeys below. Making her way to the garage she thanked the idiotic idea her father had two years ago that had made him soundproof every wall in the house. Opening the garage with the electronic key, she hopped into the black Mercedes and put it into gear. Pulling out of the property she quickly headed towards the airport, wanting to put as much distance between herself and the house as possible before they found out she was missing.

A/N: Oops, sorry, forgot to tell you that when she talks in italics she is speaking a different language. I will give you a run down on what each language is in the next chapter.