CHAPTER ONE

KYOYA

He had arrived at Music Room Three, home of the Host Club, very early that day. His father was in a terrible mood and Kyoya Ootori didn't want to be stuck around him. He was already bruised from their encounter the night before.

Kyoya glanced at his reflection. He'd covered up the bruise that peaked out at his left wrist pretty well, and nothing else was visible beneath his clothing. Satisfied, he sat down and began looking over the Club's financial records.

"Kyo-chan? You're here bright and early!" Mitsukuni Haninozuka said cheerfully as he walked into the room. "Did you want to have some cake with me?"

"Not right now, Honey-senpai. I have work to do," Kyoya replied.

"Okay... If you're sure... More cake for me!" Honey giggled and skipped away to get his cake.

Takashi Morinozuka entered the room so silently, Kyoya barely noticed him. "Good morning, Mori-senpai," he said pleasantly before returning to his paperwork. Mori stood protectively over his cousin Honey when he returned with his cake.

Within the hour, the Hitachiin twins arrived. "Hey guys," Hikaru said. "How's it going?"

"What's on the agenda today?" Kaoru added.

"We have the usual guests booked," Kyoya said. "Perhaps a few surprises will show up."

"Oh goody! I love surprises!" Honey said between bites of cake.

Tamaki Suoh suddenly burst into the room dramatically. "Hello, my wonderful Host Club friends! Never fear... Your King has arrived!" He announced.

"Tama-chan!" Honey greeted him excitedly.

"Hey, Boss," the twins said in unison.

"Kyoya, I had a brilliant idea last night!" Tamaki said in excitement.

Kyoya braced himself for whatever idiot idea Tamaki had thought up this time. "Oh?" He asked.

"Picture, if you will... A circus event! We'll each dress up in a gimmick... The twins will be our acrobats, wowing the crowd as they soar through the air! Mori-senpai will be the brave lion tamer, and Honey-senpai will be the lion! Think how adorable he'll look! Speaking of adorable, Haruhi will be the lovely assistant, helping everyone else with their acts. You'll be the sword swallower!"

"And let me guess... You'll be the clown?" Kyoya asked dryly.

"Of course not! I'm going to be the ring leader and announcer." He paused thoughtfully. "We do need a clown, though... Perhaps Renge would like to join the act... Of course, we'll need costumes, a set, rings of fire, trained animals, and-"

"Sorry, Tamaki. We already used up our allotted trained animal budget for the year."

Tamaki pouted. "Alas... Next year, then!"

"Of course," Kyoya said with a snide smile. He knew Tamaki would forget all about this stupidity by then.

He went back to looking over his notes, paying very little attention as Tamaki rambled until he asked in alarm, "Wait! Gentlemen, where is Haruhi?"

Oh, no... Here we go again, Kyoya thought, knowing Tamaki had a tendency to overreact to things like this. It was going to be a long day.

HARUHI

Haruhi Fujioka was running late. She barely made it to school before her first class. She quickly slipped into her seat and waited for the lesson to begin.

"About time you showed up," Hikaru teased her.

"Yeah, the Boss thought you'd been kidnapped or something," Kaoru added.

"Sorry, guys... I overslept," Haruhi said apologetically. She'd stayed up late studying the night before and had ultimately passed out on her textbooks.

"No big deal," Kaoru said with a shrug.

"Yeah, He'll call off the search dogs eventually," Hikaru added.

Haruhi wasn't sure if they were joking. Sometimes it was hard to tell with the twins, and sadly, organizing a panicked, elaborate search party just because Haruhi was running late would not be entirely out of character for Tamaki.

The lesson began, forcing Haruhi to focus. Suddenly, a girl Haruhi didn't know entered the classroom. She smiled brightly at the teacher and handed him a piece of paper.

"Ah, yes," the teacher said. "I heard you and your sister would be starting classes today. Welcome. Have a seat."

The girl kept smiling as she approached the empty desk beside Haruhi. The twins looked up with mild interest before apparently deciding they didn't care enough to keep watching her.

"Hello," Haruhi said kindly. "I'm Haruhi Fujioka. You're a new student?"

"Yes," the girl replied sweetly. "My name is Rini Maki. My sister and I just transferred here. It's nice to meet you, Haruhi."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"Who's your new friend, Haruhi?" Hikaru asked, apparently more interested now that Haruhi was speaking to Rini.

"Yeah, don't we get introductions?" Kaoru asked.

"Rini, these are the Hitachiin twins, Hikaru and Kaoru," Haruhi explained.

"Oh my. I've never met twins before! Which of you is which?" Rini asked with wide, excited eyes. Haruhi groaned internally.

"It's much more fun if you guess," Hikaru said.

"We call it the Which One is Hikaru game," Kaoru added.

"Oh... Okay, sure! Let me try... Is Hikaru the one on the right?" Rini asked. Her innocent eyes were so trusting. She had no idea who she was dealing with.

"Sorry, no," Hikaru blatantly lied.

"Guess you lost," Kaoru added with a mocking grin.

Rini looked a bit sad at their response. "Actually, you were right," Haruhi said, shaking her head. "Be nice, guys. It's only her first day."

The twins shot her matching glares, but Haruhi ignored them. After the class ended, Haruhi looked at Rini and said, "I can show you where your next class is if you like."

"Sure! And maybe we can get together after school and you can tell me more about Ouran... I mean, if you want to..." Rini blushed awkwardly as they headed to her class.

"Actually, I have Host Club duties after school," Haruhi said. "You can come along if you like. New guests are always welcome."

Rini smiled eagerly. "Sure! But... What's a Host Club?"

As if he had been summoned by a mysterious force, Tamaki appeared. "What's a Host Club, you ask?" He replied. "Oh, my dear, you are in for a treat! Join us this afternoon in Music Room Three and we'll show you an excellent time." He kissed her hand grandly.

Rini giggled shyly, instantly charmed by Tamaki just like most girls were. "Okay," she said.

"Wonderful! See you then."

"This is your classroom, Rini," Haruhi said. "I'll see you later."

"Thanks, Haruhi! Bye!" Rini said before going into her classroom.

"Haruhi, where were you this morning? You mustn't worry your daddy like that," Tamaki said, a look of genuine concern on his face.

"Sorry, Senpai. I overslept," Haruhi explained.

His concern visibly deepened. "Are you getting enough sleep, Haruhi? You must take care of yourself."

"Yeah, I just fell asleep while studying and forgot to set my alarm. I'm fine, Senpai."

He touched her forehead with the back of his hand. "Hmmm... You're a bit warm. Perhaps you need water..."

"Senpai, really, I'm fine. I didn't mean to worry you."

"I always worry about you, Haruhi."

"I know you do, but it's really not necessary." They reached her classroom. "This is my next lesson," she said.

"Of course... Be safe, Haruhi. I'll see you later." He gave her a very tight hug before running off to his own class.

Haruhi shook her head. "Remind me why I put up with him?" She said aloud.

"Because you broke a valuable vase and owe us a large sum of money," Kyoya said helpfully as he walked by her.

"Right..." Haruhi mumbled. She walked into the classroom before any other Host Club members could come out of the woodworks. The twins were in all of her classes, but they didn't bother her as this one began.

TATSU

She was miserable. Tatsu Maki hated this school for spoiled rich kids, the ridiculously hideous uniform, and the fact that she was being forced to endure it because a wealthy aunt and uncle she'd never known existed insisted it was what was "best" for her and her sister.

The entire day had sucked and she'd learned jack shit except that getting an education wasn't all that important to the other students. Although Tatsu and Rini had been born in Japan, they'd lived in New York since they were six and five years old respectively. Tatsu barely remembered life in Japan, and Rini remembered even less. After some sort of "falling out" and "family issues," her parents had taken the girls and fled Japan. They hadn't looked back. Four months earlier, however, a horrible car accident had killed her parents.

Tatsu and Rini had survived the crash. Rini didn't seem to remember much, but Tatsu remembered the car flipping through the air while they screamed. She also remembered waking up to the sight of her parents dead in their seats. Rini , who was tiny for her age and was probably too small for her seatbelt, had been flung from the car. Tatsu had spent a week in the hospital. Rini had remained there for an additional four. The five weeks her little sister had been in a coma had been the worst five weeks of her life, and having to explain to her that their parents were dead had been the hardest thing Tatsu had ever done.

Tatsu had been placed in a foster home as soon as she was released from the hospital. The family had agreed to take Rini in, too, assuming she survived. They'd kept their word, and the girls had just begun to adapt to their new home when they'd been uprooted again.

Her aunt and uncle had sent one of their employees to America with documentation proving they were related to the sisters. After a lot of legal debate, their foster parents had sent them on their way to what was basically a completely foreign country to live with so-called family they couldn't remember. They'd been there for about a week and it wasn't getting any easier to adjust. At least they were fluent in Japanese. Tatsu supposed it could have been worse.

"Tatsu!" Rini called to her eagerly, waving to her. "How was your first day?"

"School's school, I guess," Tatsu replied. "How was yours?"

"I made a friend, this boy named Haruhi... He invited me to come by a club he's part of after school, the Host Club. Can we go?"

"What the hell is a Host Club?" Tatsu asked. "It sounds like an escort service."

"Please, Tatsu? It's hard not knowing anyone... We could make some friends." Rini looked at her with her sad little bunny eyes.

Tatsu sighed. She knew how lonely Rini had been since they'd gotten to Japan. Although she and Rini were very different, Tatsu adored her sister and would move mountains just to make her happy. If Rini was unhappy, the world just felt wrong. "Fine," she reluctantly agreed. "But if it gets creepy, we're leaving."

"Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rini said, flinging her arms around Tatsu and hugging her tightly.

"So where is this stupid club, anyway?"

"Music Room Three. Come on!" Rini took Tatsu's hand and led her toward their destination. Tatsu wondered what the heck she'd gotten herself into.

They entered the room to find several boys being fawned over by a bunch of girls who giggled and got overly excited by every little thing the boys did. Tatsu rolled her eyes as she mumbled, "Give me a break..."

"Ladies... Welcome to the Host Club," one of the boys said. He studied them as though he were trying to figure them out. After a moment, he adjusted his glasses and added, "What can we do for you today?"

"Hi!" Rini said cheerfully. "I'm Rini. Haruhi invited me to come by. This is my sister, Tatsu. I hope it's alright that I brought her."

"Of course. Our mission is to entertain the ladies of Ouran Academy. All are welcome! My name is Tamaki Suoh," Tamaki said grandly as he spotted them. He kissed Rini's hand, making her giggle. He then reached toward Tatsu.

"Try that on me and I'll kick your ass... Fair warning," Tatsu said.

Tamaki looked stunned, but he recovered quickly, smiling at her charmingly. "Of course. Forgive my forwardness." He spotted another member of the Host Club and flung his arms around him.

"Ah! Senpai, stop it," the boy said.

"Come on, Haruhi! Give Daddy a hug!" Tamaki protested. Haruhi squirmed away from him.

"Jeez... What's with McRapey?" Tatsu mumbled.

The one with glasses raised an eyebrow at her comment. "Tamaki is French," he said by way of explanation. "He wears his heart on his sleeve, but I assure you he means well."

"No means no, that's all I'm saying," Tatsu replied. "So, what's your deal? All of the other guys have a bunch of girls hanging off them, but you stay on the sidelines."

"I'm far too busy keeping track of the Club's finances to Host," he replied.

"And your name, oh Great and Powerful Record Keeper?"

"Kyoya Ootori," he replied.

"Well, Kyoya... No offense, but this entire Club seems ridiculous. I wouldn't even be here, but Rini really wanted to check it out. What's the point of all this?"

"The Host Club exists to show the ladies of Ouran Academy a good time. Honestly, your negative attitude really isn't welcome here... Perhaps you should give us a chance before you judge us."

"Holy crap, it is an escort service!" Tatsu laughed. "Don't worry. I don't plan on coming back."

"Well, your sister seems to be enjoying herself."

He was right. Rini was completely caught up in the whole thing, giggling along with the other girls and trying too hard to make new friends.

"Rini's just lonely," Tatsu said. "She'll get over this as soon as she makes some real friends."

"It looks like she's already making friends here."

"Yeah, I'm talking about friends she's not paying for... People who actually like her and aren't just trying to convince her to pay for their services. Honestly, this whole thing is a bit creepy and kind of stupid."

"Don't hold back or anything," Kyoya quipped.

Tatsu shrugged. "I'm honest," she said. She couldn't decide if she liked Kyoya or despised him. He was clearly a frustrating guy. She suspected he felt the same way about her.

After over two hours of her sarcasm and his snark, Tatsu finally decided enough was enough. "Come on, Rini. It's time to go home," she said.

Rini pouted. "Do we have to?" She asked softly.

"Yeah. Our aunt and uncle will start to worry if we don't go home soon."

Rini nodded. "You're right... Thank you, Haruhi... Mori-senpai... Honey-senpai. Today was fun." She smiled at the three of them.

"What's with the toddler, anyway?" Tatsu mumbled.

"Honey-senpai is more than he appears," Kyoya said. "And he's our oldest member."

"You're kidding."

"No, I'm quite serious."

"Yeah, like, all the time. Whatever." Tatsu took her sister's arm and guided her away from the Host Club, relieved to be leaving.

"Did you have fun?" Rini asked Tatsu.

Her older sister rolled her eyes. "Sure, Rin. Tons," she said sarcastically.

"The boys are all really sweet."

"That Club is, like, junior prostitution. It's weird, and stupid, and definitely not my thing."

Rini sighed. "So you won't go back?"

"Nope."

"I was hoping we could go to the party they're throwing next week."

"Knock yourself out if you insist, but I've had my fill of the Host Club." With that, Tatsu resumed walking, eager to get away from the Academy.

RINI

She'd had a great time with the Host Club. Everyone was so friendly, and for the first time since waking up from the coma, Rini forgot about all of the things that were stressing her out... Just for a little bit.

Tamaki was really charming and Haruhi was super nice. The twins were a little strange but very funny. Honey was super sweet and cute and he shared Rini's love of bunnies. They'd clicked immediately. Then, there was Mori. He hadn't said much, but his presence was comforting. Rini had immediately felt safe with him standing guard over her and Honey. She hadn't really interacted with Kyoya much, but it seemed like he and Tatsu had connected on some level. They'd spent nearly the entire time together.

Suddenly, as she struggled to catch up to her fleeing sister, someone grabbed her arm. She took one look at the stranger and fear filled her heart. He tried to shove her into a car.

"Tatsu!" Rini screamed.

Tatsu spun around. "Rini!" Tatsu cried in alarm as she ran toward them. "Get your hands off of her!"

Four more men appeared. Tatsu managed to punch the one holding Rini's arm in the face. He let her go before another of the men grabbed her. Tatsu was fighting hard, but even she got grabbed as more men appeared.

In terror, Rini let out a scream. That was when something even more unexpected happened... The Host Club appeared.

"Rini." Mori put a ton of emotion into the one word.

"Unhand them, you fiends!" Tamaki cried.

"Leave them alone!" Haruhi added.

"That is not how you treat a lady," Hikaru said.

"Agreed!" Kaoru chimed in.

"Guys, run! Call the police!" Tatsu said.

"Men don't run from defending damsels in distress!" Tamaki insisted stubbornly.

"Who the hell are you calling a damsel in distress?!" Tatsu objected.

Mori stunned Rini by picking her up out of the arms of the man restraining her. He handed her to Tamaki. "Keep her safe," he said firmly.

"On my honor," Tamaki vowed.

"Tatsu!" Rini cried as her sister struggled against the men trying to abduct them.

Mori got Tatsu away from them next. Sobbing, Rini flung her arms around her sister. "Rin, I'm okay... But I have to help them," Tatsu said.

"Just leave it to them," Kyoya said. "Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai have this handled."

Tatsu rolled her eyes. "Okay, Mori maybe, but Honey? Do you really expect me to believe that-"

"Tatsu, look!" Rini said in surprise.

Tatsu's jaw actually dropped as they watched Mori and Honey easily take down the scary men in front of them.

"It's Morinozuka!" One man cried in shock.

"And Haninozuka! Run! Run for your lives!" Another cried as Honey knocked three men unconscious at once.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" Tatsu asked.

As the men who could manage it fled, several policemen showed up. "My family employs our own police force," Kyoya explained. "They'll clean this mess up and sort out what's going on. Please, ladies, come back inside the school until we know it's safe."

Shockingly, Tatsu didn't argue. Rini clung to her sister's hand. They headed back to the music room. The other girls had left for the day. Rini watched as Kyoya turned into a gentler person before her eyes.

"Tatsu... You're bleeding," he said softly. He pulled out a handkerchief and put pressure to a small cut on her head. Tatsu seemed surprised by the act. She looked into his eyes as he took care of her, obviously trying to figure him out.

"Thanks..." Tatsu finally said softly. Kyoya continued to tend to her wounds in silence.

"Rini, are you okay? Did those bad men hurt you?" Honey asked.

"I think I'm alright," Rini said softly. Then she started to cry as everything hit her. What was going on?

MORI

He hated seeing girls cry. It especially bothered him when the girl was sweet, innocent, and reminded him a bit of Mitsukuni. He'd felt protective the moment he met Rini, and now some strange men had tried to kidnap her and her sister.

"Don't cry, Rini!-chan" Mitsukuni said quickly. "Do you want some cake? Or you could hold Usa-chan! That helps me when I get upset."

Rini shook her head and hid her face in her hands in embarrassment. "I'm sorry... It's just... That was really scary..." She said softly.

Mori automatically knelt down and pulled her into his arms. He was still a bit taller than her even on his knees. "It's okay, Rini," he said. "You're safe now. No one will hurt you here."

She buried her face in his chest while she cried. "Thank you... For protecting us," she said when she was a bit calmer.

"You don't have to thank me," he said gently as he released her. "Do you feel better now?"

She nodded. "I do... Tatsu, are you okay? How bad is your head?" She walked over to her sister.

"I'll be fine," Tatsu replied. "I just have a headache."

"Who were those men, guys? Why were they after you?" Haruhi asked.

"I have no idea," Tatsu replied.

"Me either," Rini added.

"I think they were Yakuza," Hikaru said.

"They looked the part," Kaoru agreed.

"Ya-what-za?" Tatsu asked.

"Yakuza... They're basically the Japanese Mafia," Haruhi explained.

"You've never heard of them?" Honey asked in surprise.

"We've lived in America since we were little," Rini explained. "We were born here but only came back recently."

"Why would the Japanese Mafia be after us?" Tatsu asked. "That doesn't make any sense."

"The twins are right, though," Kyoya said. "Those men radiated Yakuza."

"Perhaps they were hoping to demand a hefty ransom from your family," Tamaki suggested.

"I'm scared," Rini said. "What if more of them come after us?"

"We'll protect you," Mori said. He couldn't explain why he was desperate to keep them safe, but he was.

Rini smiled at him sweetly, which made Mori's heart happy.

"Mom and Dad said they left Japan due to family issues..." Tatsu said suddenly.

"Well, that's one way to put it," Hikaru said with a laugh. Kaoru snorted beside him.

"Hikaru, Kaoru! That isn't funny," Tamaki scolded them.

"He's right, guys," Haruhi said. "This is really scary stuff Rini and Tatsu are facing. We need to be supportive of them."

"That's nice of you, but you guys barely know us," Tatsu said.

"We're involved now, though," Tamaki insisted. "We will find a way to help you ladies."

The police came inside then. "We have captured several of the men. They will be arrested and detained, but so far no one is giving up any information," one said.

"Do what you must, but use discretion. I want this matter handled quietly for the time being," Kyoya said. "I fear it may run deeper than we initially thought."

"Yes, Sir!" The police exited the room, clearly understanding they were dismissed.

"Wow. You say jump, they sure do ask how high," Tatsu commented.

"Indeed... You're safe for now, Ladies. Please allow us to escort you home," Kyoya said. Mori noticed the way he stood close to Tatsu protectively. He understood the urge. He was practically glued to Rini's side.

"Look, we'll be fine-" Tatsu began.

"Tatsu... Please," Kyoya said softly.

Tatsu was visibly stunned by the change in his tone and body language. "Okay," she finally agreed. "Maybe it would be better for today."

Mori suspected this would not be a one-time thing. For whatever reason, these girls were in danger. The Host Club would not sit idly by while innocent girls were being targeted by professional criminals.

We'll keep them safe, he told himself. They might have absolutely no idea what they were getting themselves into, but he knew every single member of the Host Club was in agreement about that.

A/N: Thanks for reading the first chapter of this fic! I hope you're enjoying it so far. Reviews are extremely appreciated. There's plenty more of this story to come! I'll be including points of view from all of the main characters as the fic goes on. (As well as random supporting characters from the anime and manga.) See you soon!