Prologue- The Day Haruhi's Life Changed!

Kyoya couldn't believe how frivolous Tamaki is being this week. They are at least a thousand dollars over budget. He just had to have that authentic vase from the renaissance period. How typical of him. But that is to be expected of their King after all.

Kyoya studied his black book. The classmates that are Otakus call it the death note, but it's just an ordinary notebook. It has everything from the clubs accounting to information of all his business prospects and personal clients lives in it. Anything he thought could get him a step up toward becoming the head of his family. But honestly, he doesn't want to run the business or anything like that. All he cares about is his family honor and surpassing his father's expectations of him. He likes challenges and life gave him a big one being born into this family.

"Senpai?" the voice instantly takes his attention from his thoughts.

"Yes? What is it?" Kyoya states looking slightly down to the small, brown pixie-haired girl's face.

"We are all going to my house after club, do you want to join?" Haruhi asks.

Pushing his glasses back in place, Kyoya thought for a second. He has homework for several classes, and he promised Fuyumi He would treat her to dinner tonight. But he could do that tomorrow. "Fine." He replies, going back to his notebook.

ꬸ

After club, the seven hosts began walking to Haruhi's house. It's a fifteen-minute walk, but it gives them time to talk so no one is objecting the trip.

"We need to do a samurai theme next week!" Tamaki states while happily skipping backwards. Kyoya has no earthly idea how that blonde-haired fool didn't trip over his own feet.

On Friday they decide on what theme they will be doing the next week, but it always takes a while to decide on one. Because of this, Kyoya drowns him out and continues on.

When they reached the house, the hosts notice a car parked in the driveway that isn't usually there. "Are you having company over Haru-chan?" One of the oldest, yet smallest hosts, Honey-Sempai asks, as they walk up the stairs to Haruhi's flat. "Not that I'm aware of." She says, a little frustrated by her father not saying anything earlier about having company.

They pile in while Haruhi announces she is home with the hosts. Her father pokes his head out from the dining room. He looks at the hosts as long maroon hair falls past the bandana on his head and into his eyes, then back in the dining room, obviously trying to decide something. He goes back into the dining room for a moment and then reappears with an oddly familiar man. He's tall and skinny with slightly long black hair and purple eyes. He has on a suit and tie and Kyoya can see in the next room the man has a briefcase with him.

Haruhi sucks in her breath for a second but then composes herself. "How are you Hatori-kun? What brings you here?" To Kyoya, Haruhi almost sounds scared. Not of the man per se but it seems like the man's answer might be a death sentence to her.

"Several reasons." The man never moves or shows any emotion.

"Is it time?" Haruhi timidly asks. The man tilts his head like he doesn't want to say whatever needs to be said, but finally he nods. Haruhi let out a whimper. An actual whimper. Kyoya looks back at the man named Hatori, trying hard to remember where he heard that name before.

Then it clicks. Hatori Sohma, the prestigious doctor of the Sohma family. The Sohma's are the wealthiest family in Japan. Hell, they might just be the richest family in all the world. What on earth is a Sohma doctor doing in this house? As far as Kyoya knows, Haruhi or her father, Ranka, isn't sick or in any way in need of a doctor, especially one of this sort. Furthermore, what does Haruhi mean 'Is it time'? Time for what?

Hatori gazes over the hosts for a moment and finally lands on Haruhi. He gives her a questioning look to which she shakes her head, eyes wide. Does he think we're fooling around with her?

"Is there a place we can talk in private? Maybe outside?" Hatori asks Haruhi. She nods, and they walk outside. Kyoya looks back at Ranka who decides then to occupy himself with making them tea. Kyoya steps toward the window. Haruhi is clutching herself, more like shriveling into herself. Whatever this man is telling her could not be good if this strong and independent girl is closing the world off to it.

ꬸ

Outside, Haruhi looks down to the ground, listening to Hatori. "Akito has sent me to collect you. He wants you back with him. You will live with; your brother, Yuki and this girl Akito is keeping as sort of an experiment at Shigure's house." He says experiment like it's a nasty word. Who is he talking about? Akito would never let an outsider into our world, especially a girl living with cursed boys.

"Does she know?" Haruhi asks.

He nods and says, "A lot has changed since you were last with us. Yuki and Kyo are getting along. Well, more like fighting less aggressively. And this Tohru girl, she has changed a lot of us. Maybe she'll even change Akito a bit."

With that Haruhi uncurls herself, shooting her head up and with wide eyes rasps, "What are you saying? Yuki and Kyo actually being civil enough to live together? And Akito turning good? All because of this girl?" Haruhi can't wrap her head around it.

Hatori gives her a sympathetic look. "You need to come back. You can still stay in your school. Akito doesn't have to know you spend time with boys." Hatori pauses then asks, "Why are you spending time with boys? How are you spending time with boys?" Haruhi gives an amended version of her year with the club. Of how she is now in debt because she broke an expensive vase of theirs. That now she has to pay it off by pretending to be a guy and becoming

a host.

"That still doesn't explain why they are at your house now when your club is over for the day or how you can be around them without turning." Then realization dawns his face and he breathe out, "You're not a zodiac anymore."

Haruhi gives a strained smile, hugging herself closer. "No." She begins to shake. "No, I'm not a zodiac anymore. I haven't been for a while. But Akito… Akito can't know that. He'll beat me and lock me up for sure if he found out." She starts to get hysterical. "I… I don't want to go back. I have a life here. I have dad and the hosts. I have a real life here. I can never have one at the main house. I don't want to go back to being a zodiac, I want to be me." Voice wavering in the last part, Haruhi looks down at the ground again, trying not to cry. She hasn't cried since her adopted mother died. She won't let herself sink that emotionally low again. "But, I guess… I guess I have no choice."

Grinding his teeth, the young man takes a second to think. He finally straightens. He will protect Haruhi the best he is able to. But that also means following Akito's orders. "Come on. I promise I won't tell Akito anything we discussed. Now, let's go back inside. You can pack later tonight all your things. You won't be coming back here though, but you still have one last night with Ryoji and your friends. Go in there and make it count."

Haruhi looks up and gives another strained smile. "Yes, I will. Thank you Hatori-kun." And they disappear inside.