Chapter 1
Gina Abe, a new scholarship student, raced through the halls of Ouran Academy. Her black high-tops squeaked against the tile floor as she quickly rounded a corner. Her plain, brown book bag bounced against her hip with every thundering step she took. She held onto her aqua beanie, which matched her skinny jeans, with one hand, making sure it didn't fly off, and pushed up her glasses with the other. On her tanned face were two bandages, one on her cheek and the other across the bridge of her nose. Her short, dark brown hair whipped around, as did the hood of her sand-colored pull-over jacket. The spiky choker she wore shifted slightly around her neck. Her aqua eyes darted from sign to sign in the hallway, not spotting the room she was looking for.
Finally, after rounding another corner, she found it. She threw open the double doors, praying that the person she was looking for was still there. Immediately, seven pairs of eyes snapped towards her. One person approached her quickly, saying, "Ah, princess!"
Gina, however, completely ignored the boy (thus sending him to a corner out of instant depression), scanning the faces of each person in the room. Her eyes landed on one boy in particular and relief washed over her. She walked straight towards him, uncaring that she was being watched by the rest of those present in the room. When she stood before him, she got on her knees and touched her forehead to the ground, crying, "Haninozuka-senpai! Please train me to fight!"
-'~'-
After the initial shock and confusion of the hosts, they invited the stranger to sit down and have tea once they introduced themselves. Hesitantly, she accepted the offer.
Gina was currently seated on one of the many sofas, facing Tamaki, Haruhi, Honey, and Mori, who were seated opposite of her. The twins stood, staring her down, while Kyoya sat at a table, typing on his laptop while listening simultaneously.
"So," Tamaki started, also staring at the girl, who didn't seem to be bothered by it, "you want Honey-senpai to...train you?"
"Mhm," she answered, lifting her teacup to her lips.
"I'm sorry, but who are you again?" Haruhi questioned.
"Ah, I never did get to introduce myself. My name's -"
"Gina Abe," Kyoya interrupted, earning a raised eyebrow from said girl. "A scholarship student, like Haruhi. Class 1-A"
"A SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT?!" Tamaki screeched, standing up abruptly. He then started going on about how she was an inspiration to all commoners and things like that.
"Wait," Hikaru started, ignoring the ranting Host Club president.
"If you're in Class 1-A," Kaoru continued.
"Then how come we didn't see you before?" They finished in sync.
"That's kind of creepy, but I guess it shows just how close you guys are," Gina mused. Then her eyes widened. "A-ah, sorry! I-It's not creepy just – just – ugh, sorry. I have a big mouth and tend to blurt whatever comes to mind. Anyway, tomorrow's my first day, I just decided to come and look for you guys today."
Before the twins could respond to either statement, Tamaki caught Gina's chin in his hand, looking her in the eye. "So then, commoner, what is your type?"
"T-type? You mean like type of guy?"
"Yes, of course! Is it -"
Before he could start naming all the types, Gina interrupted. "The type you're not," she stated flatly. Tamaki froze. After she realized what she said, her eyes widened. "Er, wh-what I meant was -" she tried. But she didn't get to finish.
Suddenly, the blond she had been speaking to was running towards Kyoya, sobbing, "MOMMY! DID YOU HEAR WHAT SHE SAID? SHE'S SO MEAN!" The twins laughed.
"She was just being honest...Dad," Kyoya replied.
Gina raised her cup to her lips once more, trying and failing to hide her smirk. She said to herself, "'Mommy and Daddy' huh? Kinky. At least we know who's the topper in the relationship, then." (1)
It was said in an amused mumble, but because of the overall emptiness of the large room, the sound carried more than usual. On top of that, no one else had spoken besides Kyoya and Tamaki.
The entire room immediately went silent, the twins' laughter abruptly stopping, and everyone stared at the beanie-wearing-brunette
She felt everyone's gazes and put her teacup down, taking in each reaction. There were four faces that were disbelieving, embarrassed (Haruhi, Honey, Tamaki, and Mori), two that were mildly disbelieving with quickly growing amusement (Hikaru and Kaoru), and one that was embarrassed, pissed off, and disbelieving (Kyoya). She laughed nervously. "Ah, did I say that out loud...?"
It was then that the twins burst out laughing once more, tears building in the corners of their eyes while the leaned heavily on each other. "We...like you...Gina-chan!" they gasped out between laughs.
"...Thanks. Anyways," she said pointedly, more than ready to change the subject from her big mouth, "what do you say, senpai? Will you train me?"
Honey was quiet for a long time before he said, "Why do you want to be taught?"
Gina looked down at the ground, hesitating for a long moment. The twins' laughter slowly died down and Tamaki, now interested, looked towards her, leaving the room in utter silence once more. When she spoke, her voice cracked and wavered slightly. "I...there's someone I need to protect. But...but I'm not nearly strong enough...or brave enough...to help them." She looked up, smiling weakly. Her eyes, though, pooled with unshed tears, which surprised everyone. "So, please. You're...you're my last hope."
Honey's own eyes pooled with tears. "OF COURSE I'LL TEACH YOU, GI-CHAN!" he wailed, launching himself at Gina and trapping her in a bear hug.
Said girl's eyes widened before the tears started leaking out. "Thank you," she said breathlessly, hugging the boy back, just as tightly. She started laughing slightly, repeating those same words over and over.
-'~'-
"So, Gi-chan," Honey started as the group walked towards the school's dojo, "do you have any experience in martial arts?"
In the end, all seven hosts came to Gina's first practice, which was eagerly dubbed that same afternoon by Honey himself. Tamaki, who was moved by what he had seen in Music Room #3, dragged Haruhi and Kyoya along. The twins came of their own accord, interested in the girl with the quick wit and big mouth. Mori just followed Honey, although he was also curious about the new student.
"A little," Gina admitted. "But I haven't practiced in a few months."
"Why not?" the short third-year inquired.
"Wow, is that the dojo?!" she exclaimed suddenly. Honey didn't miss the way she evaded his question, but decided to ask again later.
"Yep," he chirped, grabbing her hand and pulling her ahead of the others excitedly while giving her a flowery smile. "Do you mind if we spar first so I can see how much you know?"
"Not at all!" she replied happily.
They entered the dojo and the other hosts got situated on the outlines. Gina gaped at the pure size of it for a moment before returning her attention to the boy in front of her, who was already in a fighting stance.
"Hold on a minute," Gina said. She turned away from the group of boys (and one girl in disguise) and dropped her book bag onto the ground. Then she plucked off her beanie and pulled off her hoodie, revealing a black tank top underneath. After that she removed her glasses, peeled off the bandages on her face, and unhooked the choker from around her neck. Lastly, she gathered what hair she could into a short ponytail.
Once she turned around, the hosts were shocked. Gina looked so different, she was almost unrecognizable. Now that the beanie was gone, part of her hair covered half of her right eye. Not only that, but the place that the bandage on her cheek hid was now visible, exposing a scar. To finish it off, she had an unexpected expression that differed greatly from any of the others she had shown. Her normally soft, inviting aqua orbs were now hardened with determination and something else that the others in the dojo couldn't quite decipher. Her mouth was set in a frown and her eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Even her aura had changed; instead of the light, happy one she possessed earlier, it was now heavy and serious.
"I'm ready to begin," she murmured, sliding into a stance that was different from Honey's.
"Okay, Gi-chan. The only rule is that you can't use weapons. Also, don't hold back. Since I will be teaching you, I need to know exactly how strong you are and how you think."
"I understand."
"Then, begin!"
And although the match had officially begun, neither had done as much as twitch. They both studied each other, waiting for the person opposite of them to make the first move.
After a few moments, Gina finally moved. She ran towards Honey with remarkable speed. When she was within arm-length's, she threw a punch, which Honey dodged. Seeming to have expected this, Gina spun on the ball of her foot, launching a kick with the leg opposite of the now receding arm. This time, Honey caught the attack and pushed her leg back, putting the girl off-balance. Using this to his advantage, the third-year punched her in the stomach, sending her flying.
In mid-air, the new student regained her breath and back flipped, managing to land safely; her left leg was extended while her right leg was pulled in close to her chest and her hands were pressed against the floor, keeping her balance. As quickly as she could, the brunette stood, only to see Honey coming at her. Dodging when the host aimed a punch for her head, Gina reached out and grabbed the boy's elbow and upper arm. Using his own momentum against him, she lifted him off the ground and threw him behind her. Honey flipped, gracefully landing in a crouched position. Gina then preformed a roundhouse kick, which was on an equal level with the blond's head. He easily blocked the blow with his arm before launching himself up into the air. He dropped-kicked the aqua-eyed girl in the ribs, slamming her into the ground with an 'oof.'
It was over then; at least, that's what everyone assumed. So, needless to say, they were quite surprised when, groaning painfully, Gina rolled backwards several times before stopping, once again on her feet. "I'm not through yet," she muttered, though still bent over slightly in pain. After a heartbeat, she straightened.
She took off once more, this time jumping onto her hands and propelling herself into the air halfway to Honey. She sailed over his head and then spun her body around to deliver a swift kick to his stomach, which Honey purposely let through, curious about her strength. To his surprise (and everyone else's in the vicinity besides the attacker herself), the kick sent him flying a good two and a half yards.
When he hit the ground, the lolita-boy rolled onto his feet, immediately going after her again. After letting in another hit, he realized her punches were weaker than her kicks.
As she threw another punch, he noticed that her stomach was wide open. So, he punched her harshly in the stomach, sending her flying into the wall, which cracked.
As she slid down to the ground, Honey panicked slightly, worried he'd gone too far.
"Are you okay, Gi-chan?" he asked Gina, whose back was still resting against the wall, her head bent. "I think we should stop the spar now," Honey continued, seeing as she didn't answer.
Then, finally she spoke. Her voice was scratchy, but it was loud enough, and what the hosts heard shocked them. "No," she croaked. She slowly rolled onto one knee, leaning on the other. She looked up, meeting Honey's concerned gaze head-on. The raw emotion in her eyes captivated him as he absently noted the blood trickling out of her mouth. "This..." Gina started, raising slowly, "this doesn't hurt." She wiped the blood off her face, once again getting into a fighting position. "I...can still...fight, damn it!"
The end seemed to be more directed to herself as she swayed where she stood. She glared at her legs until, eventually, she stood steady, as if through pure willpower.
Gina looked up to see Honey looking at her with slight awe. "I admire your will, Gi-chan, but I really think we should stop now."
"No! I can...handle it," she stubbornly insisted.
This time, Kyoya intervened. "Abe-san, what Honey-senpai is saying is that there is no longer any need to because he has already measured you skill adequately."
"Oh, why didn't you just say that from the beginning?" Gina asked, a little annoyed, though relief showed on her face. "Well, whatever." And with that, she went to her things, getting ready to head out.
Meanwhile, Honey was shocked at her skill level and endurance. Sure, he had held back, but he had used almost one-fourth of his power! That's more than what some of his lower-ranked family members can handle. And her endurance...that kick was enough to knock someone out by itself, and yet she still managed to stand after hitting the wall as well! She was quite impressive, though she could still use more training. Honey nodded to himself.
While aforementioned third-year was in thought, the rest of the Host Club was trying to regain their composure. Haruhi, Hikaru, Kaoru, and Tamaki were unnaturally pale, with wide eyes that were staring at the new girl, scared and amazed that she was able to match Honey's strength and skill (2). Mori was impressed and slightly shocked at her skill level, though he knew Honey held back. Kyoya was still surprised, even after looking at her file, but he knew that reading about skill and seeing it were two different things.
What they all wondered, though, was how she survived that kick.
-'~'-
A/N:
(1) I can't be the only one who thought this. I mean, seriously. xD
(2)Remember, Honey had told her not to hold back, and those four just assumed it meant he wasn't going to either. Plus, to them, it seemed like Gina had managed to get in two hits because they had no idea that Honey let himself get hit on purpose. Just explaining that part in case someone got confused or something.
Well, that's the first chapter! I was just listening to Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus when the idea slapped me in the face and I just had to write it. I apologize for any grammatical errors. Oh, and sorry about the lack of interaction between the hosts and Gina, that'll come in the next chapter. I just wanted to show how they meet and get past the formalities. Anyway, I'll try to update as soon as possible. I would appreciate reviews, they make me happy. :D
