A/N: Hey guys! Sooo this is my second story but my first fic for OHSHC. Warning: may be a bit OOC throughout the story, plus some violence that we don't typically see in the OHSHC mangas and anime. I thought a little bit of action would be good mwahahaha :D If you're not into that then I suggest you don't read this.

"Again."

"Hup!" Whish, thwack.

"Again."

"Hah!" Swoosh, bam.

"Again."

"Tch." Swish, crack.

"Again!"

"Haaah!" Swish, bash; smash, thwack; swoosh, bam.

A burly man waved the rest of the "attackers" off. They let off sighs of relief as they sweat dropped at the sight of their fellow men, now laying unconscious on the ground.

But they were more afraid of the figure standing above them: staff in hand, though hand-to-hand combat was not unknown to her; strong, cold gaze catching every bit of movement around her; deep red hair in a high ponytail, tied with a black ribbon but only one knot. She didn't really like bows. Some of her hair fell on her face, but not a drop of sweat made it sticky.

A tall, muscular, bearded man observed quietly, no expression on his face though he secretly smiled with approval. "Good," he said in his deep voice. "You're all dismissed."

The girl turned her gaze to the remaining men who were conscious, who sweat dropped even more. She closed her eyes and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for the lesson," she said, her clear voice heard by all in the room. She stood up straight again, turned on her heel, and walked out.

Later that evening, at the dinner table...

"Say, Dad?"

"Hmm?" The burly man from earlier said.

"You have any missions coming up?"

Her father, Sakazaki Akio, took a sip of tea and looked at her. "Yes, I have a flight for England next week."

"How long will you be gone?"

"Depends on how the mission goes."

"Well, give me an estimate."

"Well, this is quite an important mission...it could take up to a few months, I'm afraid."

The girl kept a straight face, but her father saw the sadness in her eyes. "I see," she said simply, then resumed eating. Her father smiled at her. "What's wrong, Akane?"

She looked up at him, a little surprised. "Well, it's just that you've been on so many missions lately...don't they have anyone else?" The man smiled warmly at his daughter. "I'm sorry it turned out this way. But we Sakazakis have earned ourselves quite a reputation," he said with a smug smirk, "descending from top spies and agents and whatnot."

Akane nodded. "I understand." She smirked. "Being the best can get awfully lonely, can't it?"

Akio laughed, and the maids around smiled at hearing that sound again. "That's my girl," he said, standing up and ruffling his daughter's hair. Akane laughed. "Oh, by the way, when is-"

"HELLOOOOO!" A voice at the entrance of the dining area called. "Speak of the devil," Akane finished, both her and her father sweat dropping. A girl with dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes bounded towards them. "Turn those frowns upside down! The amazing Izumi has arrived," she said with a dramatic bow. "Try obnoxious," Akane said while taking a sip of tea.

"Akane! You're so cruel, speaking to an old friend like that," Izumi said, fake tears streaming from her eyes. Akane gave her a look that said "You're kidding, right?"

Izumi laughed. "I gotta admire your willpower, Akane," she said a little enviously. "I know a bunch of suckers who'd be all over me after that act."

"Unfortunately for you, Izumi, I have no soul," Akane responded sarcastically.

Akio laughed at the two girls. "If you'll excuse me, ladies, I have to start making preparations for my trip. Akane, keep up your training while I'm gone." "No offense dad, but I'm beginning to think those lessons are for the guards and not me," the redhead replied apologetically.

"It's more to hone your reflexes than anything," her father explained. "Just keep it up."

Akane nodded a bit reluctantly. As Akio stood, waiters came and took his plates. "And remember, you'll be going back to Ouran Academy the start of next week. I had a word with Chairman Suoh, and he's fine with your special uniform."

"Thank god," Izumi said. "Those dresses are absolutely dreadful."

"You're not enrolling until a week after me, right?" Akane asked. "Yeah, I have to finish up all the paperwork. You think anyone remembers us?" Izumi said.

Akane sipped her tea thoughtfully before responding. "Who knows? We haven't been there since elementary school. Maybe a couple will." A devious look appeared in the redhead's gray eyes. "And I don't think anyone could forget that time your skirt fell down when we were presenting those little drawings in art class."

Izumi sweat dropped and blushed with embarassment. "Oh no, I really hope no one recalls that..."

Akane smirked mischievously again. "Well, if they don't, I'd be happy to jog their memories."

"You're scary, you know that?"

"Who, me? I wouldn't hurt a fly!"

"Heh, yeah. You'd give it a quick and painless death."

Akane smiled to herself. She'd developed quite a reputation in her father's organization as a clever teenage girl with a sharp wit and skill at ingenious pranks - the makings of a top spy. Not that Izumi's reputation was much better than hers, but the blonde seemed a little - just a little - less devious.

"C'mon, let's take the elevator upstairs. I'll help you get your stuff for school ready," Izumi offered. "Sure, thanks," Akane replied, standing up. The two spent the rest of the night helping Akane prepare and catching up.

- A week later, start of the new semester -

Hikaru sat in his usual seat, looking bored. Kaoru was taking a nap at his desk and Haruhi was taking before-class notes, so there wasn't much for him to do except wait for the teacher.

As usual, the girls in his class were swooning over him and his twin. Haruhi, of course, got the same treatment.

"Hikaru-kun is so dreamy! So is Kaoru-kun! Their brotherly love package is just too much for me!"

"Right? They're both SO hot."

"Aw, Haruhi-kun looks so focused on his notes! How adorable!"

"He really is so smart! To think he's actually a commoner!"

Hikaru sweat dropped. If only they knew...

He cast a glance at the honor student. He'd never admit he was growing to like her, but he knew Kaoru felt the same. The auburn haired boys knew she'd probably end up with Tamaki. Ever since that realization, Hikaru tried to distract himself - just not thinking about her, trying to find someone else...

The problem with that was so many girls liked him, but they didn't really see him as an individual. It was always "Hikaru and Kaoru" or "the Hitachiin twins." Hardly one or the other. And besides, none of them really appealed to him all that much.

He heaved a sigh and twiddled with his pencil, wondering if someone would come along.

His thoughts were interrupted when the class representative walked in. "Excuse me," he called, catching the class's attention. "I'd like to announce that we have a new student today." Hikaru continued fiddling with the pencil, the class rep's words not really registering in his mind.

"You might notice her uniform is slightly different. She has certain...circumstances, ahem. However, the chairman is considering making this the standard uniform, so take a look."

Hikaru zoned back in when he heard some of the boys' comments when the new girl walked in.

"Whoa. Is she single?"

"That new uniform looks good!"

"Damn, she's hot."

"She looks kinda familiar..."

"Can I have your number?"

Hikaru looked up to the front of the class. There was a truly beautiful girl standing there. She had deep red hair and dark gray eyes. He had to admit he was slightly drawn to the mischievous glint in them. Her figure was slim and curvy. Her uniform had the same lilac jacket as the boys', with a white button down shirt inside. A black bow with lilac diagonal stripes was at the collar. Instead of pants was a black skirt, followed by knee high socks and black dress shoes.

She smiled at the class and bowed. "Hi! My name is Sakazaki Akane. I look forward to being part of this class."

"That makes two of us," one of the boys said in a flirty tone.

"Fujioka-san, please raise your hand," the class rep requested. Haruhi complied. "Sakazaki-san, please have a seat behind Fujioka-san."

"Yes, thank you very much."

Hikaru searched his memory. Sakazaki...where had he heard that name before?

She took her seat, and Haruhi turned around. "Good morning! I'm Fujioka Haruhi. Welcome to Ouran Academy!" She added with a bright smile.

Hikaru was worried Akane might fall for Haruhi right then and there. Not because of any other reason than Haruhi was a girl and all, of course. It just wouldn't work out.

Instead, much to his surprise, she simply smiled in return, her dark eyes giving nothing away. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Fujioka-san."

"Please, just call me Haruhi."

"Oh! Alright then Haruhi, I hope we can get along."

At that moment, the teacher walked in, his hair ruffled, his glasses skewed. He took a deep breath. "I see you've met our new student. Please be courteous toward her and welcome her to Ouran with open arms. Now, group work! Group A will be Mitsuhara Tadashi, Icho Suzumu, Suzuki Aoki, and Yuuki Dachi. Group B will be Fujioka Haruhi, Hitachiin Kaoru, Hitachiin Hikaru, and Sakazaki Akane. Group C will be..."

Hikaru's eyes widened with happiness when he heard his group members. Akane seemed agreeable enough and getting a chance to know her seemed worthwhile.

The four assembled to get started on their assignment. "This seems easy enough," Haruhi stated. "We're just testing chemical reactions." "Well, if that's the case," Hikaru started, that devious smirk appearing on his face, "why don't we get to know a little more about each other?"

Kaoru guessed his brother's thoughts. "Yes, why don't we?" Haruhi sweatropped. She didn't like where this was headed.

Hikaru spoke first. "Pleased to meet you, Sakazaki-san," he said, flashing her a such a dazzling smile that some girls passed out. Much to Hikaru's surprise, Akane flashed a brilliant smile of her own.

"Likewise," she said. "And please, just call me Akane! We can all be friends here, right?" Hikaru smirked. She's good.

Hikaru kept smiling and continued. "Then in that case, please call me Kaoru." Haruhi sweat dropped. These two are cruel.

Akane tilted her head slightly and spoke hesitantly. "Um, I'm sorry, but...forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't your name Hikaru? And isn't he Kaoru?" She added, pointing at Kaoru.

The three looked at her in shocked silence for a moment. Hikaru spoke quietly. "But...how...did you...?"

Akane rested her hand on her chin, smirking at the auburn haired boy smugly. "Well, growing up around the kind of line of work my father is involved with, I've grown to be quite observant. To me, you're two entirely different people - because you are. Plus, I was here for most of elementary school. I was in your classes." She faked a hurt look. "You don't remember me?"

A memory clicked in Hikaru's mind. Sakazaki...he knew he'd heard the name. His face had heated up slightly at the girl's hurt expression. "W-well, I remember you now," he said quickly. "By the way, why'd you leave Ouran in the first place?" He couldn't help but think that he and Kaoru had inadvertently wasted an opportunity by never noticing her. Now that he looked back on it, she had always adressed Hikaru as Hikaru and Kaoru as Kaoru. But she'd never really had an actual conversation with the twins.

Akane smiled somewhat sadly. "Ah, well...it's complicated."

Hikaru raised and eyebrow and was considering pressing on when the sound of shattering glass was heard behind the group. All four pairs of eyes looked in that direction. A group of girls were hovering around a smaller one, with brown hair and glasses. A shattered beaker with spilled contents laid on her desk. She looked distraught.

One of the other girls sneered, "For goodness' sake, Sachi, watch what you're doing! You're the only one here who knows a damn thing about chemistry, so don't be such a screw up."

"I-I'm so sorry, it was just an accident," Sachi said timidly. "I'll be more careful."

Another girl slammed her hand down on the dry part of Sachi's desk. "The hell you will," she snapped. "Your father's such a successful scientist, and he gets this piece of trash for a daughter. I'd disown you the first chance I got."

The rest of the girls laughed while Sachi trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.

Haruhi had had enough. She stood up. "Please stop that! Making one little mistake like that doesn't mean you can just insult her." "Besides," Hikaru started. "Shouldn't you be doing your own work?" Kaoru finished.

The first girl looked like she was about to say something, but Akane had stood up. "Don't listen to these three," Akane said to the girls. "What do they know? Just some nerds thinking they own the place because they've got the best grades." She scoffed. "Do whatever you like to that girl. She's worthless. Look at how she's trembling right now! Pathetic!" She laughed along with the rest of the girls.

Hikaru's jaw hung open in disbelief and disgust. Haruhi and Kaoru had similar expressions. Hikaru was about to confront her when something caught his eye.

He watched curiously as Akane slipped a small pill like object into each of the girls' spare beakers. The redhead continued, "You know what, she's such a pain. Here, I'll get her out of your hair. She can work with us, and we'll get you the answers. Sound like a plan?"

One of the girls chuckled. "I like this one." The first girl smiled evilly. "Thanks, you're too kind."

Akane smiled back and took Sachi by the wrist. "Sensei!" She called. "My group and I will be going into the hallway now to test the higher level reactions."

He nodded, distractedly. "Oh, of course. Make sure you write down all your observations."

"Yes sir!~" the girl said cheerily. She shot a glance at Hikaru, Kaoru, and Haruhi. "Well, let's go then," she said. Something in her deep gray eyes made them obey her.

When they exited the classroom, Haruhi spoke up again. "What the heck, Akane-chan?" she said, dismayed. "That was so mean to Sachi! I can't believe anyone would - "

"Shhh..." Akane interrupted. "Front row seats." A devious smirk appeared on the girl's lips as she leaned against the wall. "Five...four...three...two...one."

A muffled explosion was heard from inside the classroom, followed by shrill voices screaming. Soon after, the door burst open, and all the girls that Akane had appeared to side with ran out screaming. Their hair and skin were completely stained a violent shade of indigo. After they ran past, Akane burst out laughing, soon followed by the twins. Even Haruhi and Sachi joined in.

"Ohh, that was great," Akane said, wiping a tear. "Sorry about that," Akane said to Sachi. "I had to make myself convicing and distracting enough so that they wouldn't see me messing with the beakers."

Sachi laughed. "No it's fine, that was totally worth it!"

Hikaru smiled to himself. So she was a prankster, huh? "That was brilliant," the older twin said. "We should do collaborative pranks sometime," Kaoru added. Akane smiled. "Maybe...I just got here, so it might be a good idea to not ruin my reputation so quickly."

They nodded. Sachi said, "Well, I should go back in and help clean up the beaker I broke. Thanks again, Sakazaki-san!"

"Don't mention it."

Sachi bowed and went back inside. Akane turned to the three of them. "So, now that she's gone," the redhead began, "tell me, Haruhi...how long have you been able to keep up that 'I'm a boy' act?"

Their jaws dropped. "Akane, what're you saying?" The twins said in unison. "Haruhi is clearly a boy! Look at him!" The girl sighed. "I told you I'm just observant. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to."

"That would be appreciated," Haruhi said, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly. Hikaru stared at Akane in wonder. First this girl tells the twins apart with such ease, then she figures out Haruhi is a girl after just one class with her. Who was she?

"Hikaru, you coming?" Kaoru's voice interrupted his thoughts. He hadn't noticed the three of them walk back to the classroom door. "Oh, yeah, coming."

The class rep met them at the door. "Fujioka-san, Kaoru-san, would you mind running some errands for the teacher?" He asked, handing them a sheet of paper. "Not at all," Haruhi said politely. "Let's go, Kaoru." "'Kay."

The class rep then turned to Akane and Hikaru. "Then, Hikaru-san, would you mind showing Akane around the school? She hasn't been in the high school wing before, so it would be much appreciated if you could escort her."

"Sure," he responded casually. He began walking down the hallway, hands in his pockets. "C'mon, Akane."

Hikaru couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. Haruhi was the only one at school other than Kaoru that could tell the difference between the twins. It felt weird.

Despite himself, he did feel a bit happy. The day passed on, and after he showed Akane all he could, the two were outside by the fountain, enjoying the scenery. "Thanks for showing me around," she said politely. Hikaru smiled. "No problem." The two sat side by side in silence for a while. Then Hikaru stood. He held out his hand to Akane, his signature devious smile etched onto his face. "Wanna kill some time?"

The girl returned the smile and took his hand. "Sure, why not?" He helped her stand, and the two went to get some "supplies" to help with their "killing time." Hikaru smiled at the bag of eggs, pins, balloons, and spray bottles they'd found.

Now this was gonna be fun.