Prologue: THE CALL

"Fraternity is the fuel that allows common people to produce uncommon results."-Anonymous

GREEK Vocabulary:

*Fraternity: 1. A local or national organization of male students, primarily for social purposes, usually with secret initiation and rites and a name composed of two or three Greek letters. 2. A group of persons associated by or as if by ties of brotherhood.

*Sorority: The female counter part to a fraternity, female students also gathering for ties of social, academic, community service (etc.) purposes, meanwhile embracing ties of sisterhood.

*Greek Life: The term usually expressed to refer to the presence and lifestyle of a community of fraternities and sororities at a university.

Kyoya Ootori had never naturally been one for nostalgia or sentimentality. It came with developing a brain like a computer as he'd grown up. Intaking and filing away countless information about scenarios that would be useful to him, and expelling all other pointless details to the metaphorical trash bin of his mind. It had been the means of his survival.

That's why he'd always found it peculiar that he could un-necessarily remember the time, place, and exactly what he was doing, in the very few moments that his life had taken un-calculated,drastic turns.

And all of those moments seemed to involve, in one form or another, Tamaki Suoh.

For example, the day Tamaki had expressed the desire to form the Host Club.

They'd been sitting in one of the Japanese rooms at his family's estate, drinking tea on a cold winter night in order to christen the kotatsu that blonde idiot had been begging him to have installed for months. He'd been standing there, a tray in hand of, about to sit down when suddenly-

"Kyoya! I just had an incredible idea! Let's form a club!"

He had been mid-sip of green tea, eyes closed serenely as the French-boy babbled on and on about the aesthetics of a Host Club in a high school setting, the potential members, and so on. Kyoya had been continuously thinking on the ludicrous, the impracticality, the lack of merit this sort of thing would bring…until he slowly and unwittingly, became lost in Tamaki's fantasizing as well. He'd then opened his eyes, looked down at that lone cup of tea,was hit by the aura of potential this dream like idea held, and smiled.

So he didn't find it particularly unusual, though amusingly ironic, that he could remember being in that exact Japanese styled room on a warm summer night in late June, when that blonde fool had summoned him for another un-calculated, hair brained idea.

The 20-year-old had been sitting in the infamous kotatsu room at the Ootori estate for a bit of peace. It had been awhile since he'd actually been in his family's home in Japan, but after completing his first year of Ivy League University study in the United States, his sister Fuyumi had insisted on forcing him to spend at least a week of his summer recess with she and the rest of the family while she was visiting again.

Visiting his family did not mean a vacation from the ever constant work he had been overseeing even while he attended college. However, his eyes had averted from the glowing screen of his laptop, poised upon the un-needed kotatsu, as he felt something soft brush up against his leg and then meow demurely for his immediate attention.

"Fine, fine Noel. I hear you," he'd said with an amused smirk to the charcoal colored cat who had developed into his most recent companion. One of his body guards had come across the poor thing abandoned some time ago, but it ended up selecting Kyoya for the receiver of its affection, and thus Kyoya had now grown accustomed to taking her everywhere with him.

He'd helped the small feline up to her usual perch on his shoulder, and listened to her chastise him with purring and head nudging about the way he was over working himself. He'd sighed, scratching Noel absent-mindedly behind the ears as he'd wondered what had drawn him to this particular room in the first place, when his own bedroom may have been more comfortable for business managing past midnight. The aura perhaps? Maybe the nostalgia of the place to set him in a better mood?

This entire house, the current presence of his family he hadn't seen for 365 days, the entire aura of Japan…it all had been sending an un-easy wave of emptiness throughout him. From the moment he'd stepped off his family's private jet and onto native soil, the dominating effect of his father had taken hold once more now that he'd been away from his "Host family" and his creative canvas of inspiration named "King Tamaki." He had unknowingly, fallen back into the old routine he'd adopted before the Suoh had come into his life.

Study. Work. Plot. Network. Study. Work. Manage. Negotiate. Breathe. Study. Work. Sleep occasionally.

Rinse and repeat. There were no more antics of high school. No fun class mate experiences or Host club displays. No new ways to explore the world. Just once again, the passive competition he engaged into with his two older brothers for the seat of his family's head. A seat his father was still sadistically hanging over his head like a proverbial carrot, even after all he'd achieved thus far.

Kyoya had then taken a one handed sip from a mug of black coffee (a drink preference he'd grown accustomed to while on the east coast of the U.S.), thinking on how many perpetual hoops and routines he'd have to go through before he'd be able to find some new opportunity to change the game…some new angle to get him out of his rut, when he'd gotten the call.

He stared perplexed as the ringer and lights of his top of the line smart phone went off with eccentric vigor at 2:16 am, however, when he saw the name and identification picture of the contact, it didn't surprise him in the least as he answered the call begrudgingly.

"Tamaki, even after spending an entire year in Boston, how is it that you are still unaware of how timezones work?" he'd said immediately into the phone, preparing himself for atypical nonsense that came with a call from Tamaki.

"How do I have time to worry about time when the realization of my most recent, vibrant and dire dreams are at stake! Mommy, you have to come down here and help me! This is life or death!"

Kyoya did nothing but roll his eyes at the familiar voice that immediately began raving though his phone's speaker.

He knew the blonde was in America again, un-expectedly planted there to oversee some potential international education venture that the Suoh clan had adopted in the past month. It was a private university that had unexpectedly become bankrupt from financial scandal and that the Suoh's had swooped in and saved, coercing some of their other investing connections toward the cause. The pay off? Gaining a potential international sister school for one of the Suoh's already widely successful educational venues, Ouran University.

Tamaki had been transferred to the American school after attending a full year of Ouran U, right as Haruhi was preparing for her first undergraduate year at the Japanese university. Kyoya knew it had plagued the Suoh to leave her momentarily, but he'd assumed it'd be best to leave the girl to mentally prepare for her studies. After all, the couple had spent an entire previous month together, on a "college touring" American styled "road trip" (one of Haruhi's graduation presents) that had led Tamaki to the failing US college in the first place, Dawning Renaissance University.

"I hardly understand how you have time to be dreaming." Kyoya lectured shortly and tiredly over the phone. "You're supposed to be over there to study, work, and represent your family. It's not like this is high school anymore, and I didn't convince my father's company to help save your family's new 'international experimental institution' just so you can be fretting over some daydream. You need to make sure you're producing successful results, ones that your father, the Ootori's, the Hitachiin's, and the Morinozuka's and Haninozuka's are going to be pleased to see. Don't be a fool."

"I'm no fool Kyoya! Of course this isn't high school! The pond is now much deeper! The audience more broad and critical! The prize raised higher! That's exactly why you need to come down here and help me start this! There will be no telling our success and the good we can accomplish if this gets up and off the ground!"

With gritted teeth, the prodigious third son only sighed in defeat. He should have known better by now that asking Tamaki Suoh to stop dreaming was synonymous to asking him to stop breathing. It just couldn't be done, or the youthful heart would suffocate.

"Will you please elaborate as to what it is you're even talking about, Suoh. As I mentioned before, this is not the time for you to be confronting me about anything that deserves less then a sliver of my attention."

Kyoya continued stroking Noel therapeutically as he proceeded to be ready to shut down the impracticalities of whatever Tamaki's delusions were, so he could continue working undisturbed.

"I'm talking about founding an institution of merit, chivalry, prestige, and brotherhood that will withstand the test of time!"Tamaki had chittered excitedly into the phone without concern to explain in a more defined manner exactly what he was trying accomplish. "One that shall be known forever and always as the footprint we have made on this world in the ways of beauty in the smooth sands of academia for all who wearily travel across it! I'm talking about the next step for the Host Club! The next test for ourselves!"

"Get to the point." Kyoya ordered, done with the conversation.

"Mommy! Must I spell it out for you! I'm talking about starting a fraternity, of course!"

Kyoya almost dropped his black mug of coffee. He paused and sighed momentarily, pondering if all the years of 5 AM work nights had finally caught up to him.

"Tamaki, don't get so excited that you talk faster then you can speak clearly." Kyoya said simply. "And check your phone too, since I mistook what you actually said for you wanting to form some kind of fraternal organization. Are you under water or something? It's hardly beyond your means to afford a decent long distance plan."

"Nope! You heard right mon ami! A fraternity is exactly what I'm planning to start!" Tamaki affirmed to Kyoya's nightmare, and he swore he could almost hear his best friend's Labradorian tail wagging as he prattled on. " Glorious, aren't they? Brotherhood and prestigious lettered titles and loyalty and secrecy! I learned all about them while I've been here, and it reminds me exactly of the Host Club! I'm actually quite surprised you seem in-different to the idea, or that you haven't already established one or are a part of one. I thought all American universities had established fraternities and Greek life. Don't they have one at your school Kyoya, or didn't you know about them? Did you not meet they're qualifications? Kyoya? Kyoyyyaaaa? Are you still there?"

"Yes."

That was all Kyoya could force at the time through gritted teeth as he felt a migraine approaching.

Yes, he was well educated on aesthetics of "fraternities."

Collegial fraternal organizations (as well as their female counter parts, sororities) were an American institution in most universities. They had begun in the country in the 18th century as a means for students to meet secretly to discuss academic or philosophical topics, among various other things. The first organizations began the tradition of naming themselves after Greek letters, and over time a system for these organizations developed into a focus that emphasized brotherhood and fellowship above all else.

The notion of the idea spread, more organizations and chapters of the secret societies were established across various universities, turning these networking "fellowships" into a wide phenomena that could rally it's members for the emphasis of academic, business, philanthropic, or even purely social endeavors.

The romanticism was indeed the very thing he could see attracting Tamaki to the idea, however, modern day Greek letter organizations seemed to stray far from their philosophical origins. They had developed a stereotypical reputation for housing nothing but alcohol obsessed, hard partying, promiscuous young men and women.

Most fraternities and sororities were indeed useful for networking future careers for the students involved, and many did achieve great academic and charitable goals. Still, their exclusivity, secretive nature, and history of outlandish hazing rituals gone horribly wrong did not help to shape their image in the eyes of society.

"If you knew then why didn't you tell me about the whole thing sooner? Kyoya are you trying to start a secret fraternity without me? Did you find letters with more merit then mine will be! Kyoya! Kyoya how could you! When I really need you!"

"Vapid imbecile…" was all Kyoya could manage in his head, wondering how he could have possibly missed the over baring dreamer in the first place.

"The Ivy league school at which I attend does not have any recognized Greek organizations, just a few a unofficial fraternity and sorority chapters that are kept under the radar as regular student groups." Kyoya finally said into the phone blatantly, sneering at Tamaki's delusions. "A "frat house" was not a legitimate addition to the prestigious environment my university hopes to maintain. Honestly Tamaki, have you even put one iota of research or thought into this? Do you know the difference between joining one of those infernal groups and starting one? What do you possibly think you could gain? Why even waste the time?"

Kyoya had waited for another moping and clingy response, something along the lines of how Tamaki wanted to re-create the "good-old-days" of the Host Club and start playing house again. How it could be remarkably elaborate and beautiful and dramatic.

Instead, he had been met by a strong willed reply that almost floored him with the sound of mature ambition it contained.

"Because I want to be influential." Tamaki said simply, confident assurance welling up in his voice. "I'm surprised again, that it's not obvious to you Kyoya, since it's something I've learned from you. My goal while I'm here, representing my family, inspecting their investment…is to be influential here in my own right. Not because I am dazzlingly beautiful. Not because I'm rich, or a son of Suoh. I'm still all of those things, but I'm not in Japan anymore, and now that I'm here…they don't seem to count."

A grin seemed to break out in his voice, it seemed captivated and competitive. Kyoya only continued listening.

"It's fascinating, how little my status seems to matter here. Even more so then it did when we were in Boston with Haruhi. When people come to a place like this for college…like DRU…it's as if the slate is wiped clean for them. They can start over, become whoever they desire to be or find out exactly who that is. Some one showed that to me…and I'd like to do that too. I'd like to save this place…so more people can start themselves over here. I've also realized that if I want to become influential here, that Greek life is exactly the place I need to be. I know you have a watch on this place, Kyoya, so I don't need to tell you why that is."

Indeed, the Ootori did. He had learned everything he could about Dawning Renaissance University's past financial history, and he knew that the other source of income that had stopped the college from declaring complete bankruptcy over a month ago, was alumni donations. Big, heaping donations from individuals who were very attached to particular programs or organizations within the school, predominantly the organizations…that named themselves with Greek letters.

"If I want to make a difference here, I have to carve my niche Kyoya!" Tamaki proclaimed over the phone in triumph. "I've always said, when in Rome, do as the Romans! Well, these Romans just so happen to be Greek, and I believe it would do nothing but benefit them to see what a little Host flare can bring to a place like this! We would be novel! Unique! Something to be watched! Something to be revered!" The 20-year-old blonde hybrid let out a ringing laugh, and Kyoya could almost picture Tamaki extending a hand to him…making another ludicrous offer. "The game hasn't just been reset, 'mon ami.' It's been changed, and I had assumed, that if anyone would be interested in challenging it with me…in re-writing the rules, it'd be you."

Tamaki's words…his determination…these would be things that Kyoya would not easily forget. And once again he'd sat in that room, mid-sip of caffeinated beverage, eyes serenely closed, listening to that French-man babble on through the loud speaker of his phone about the aesthetics of a fraternity with a Host Club twist. About what the potential name and rituals would be, and how he'd already found the perfect house for them, and how they would turn their new members into genuine, chivalrous, sophisticated, host-worthy men that the current Greek system seemed to be lacking…and so on.

He had said nothing at first, only continuously thinking of the ludicrous and ridiculousness of Tamaki's most recent brain child. This obviously wasn't Japan, and they would be playing with an entirely new Western demographic that they would have to appeal to. In order to attract new members…in order to network with the staff members and influential members of the student body they would have to learn how to adapt. They would-

And suddenly Kyoya's racing thoughts had froze…as Tamaki's fantasizing had once again…electrified his perspective. He'd found it. His game changing angle. Once again…his chance for merit.

Kyoya had given Noel one final stroke, as she'd been attentively listening to Tamaki with him, occasionally giving a chatty mew into his ear as if to comment on the wide-eyed fantasy the third son was witnessing. He'd given one final exhale, deciding to give Tamaki his answer.

"Will you stop talking long enough for me to respond to you?" he'd chastised into the phone, taking notice that the time was now…once again, approaching 5:00 AM. Tamaki immediately silenced himself on the other line, obviously waiting in anticipation.

"Should I decide to take interest in your little project…you will agree to do things exactly as I instruct, understand?"

Tamaki had agreed eagerly to the conditions he began to set, and Kyoya smirked.

If he could take the original idea of a Host Club, a business typically associated with seducing women into bankruptcy by getting them to buy expensive alcohol and time to chat with attractive young men…give it the French fairytale spin of a 'dreamer' and pass it off to an elite high school academy as a legitimately accepted "cultural club"…founding something like a fraternity should be simple enough. He was Kyoya Ootori after all, and he already had an idea of how to solve one of Tamaki's immediate problems with his little Greek letter institution, particularly pertaining to interested parties as founding members.

The prior Shadow King could think of at least four willing parties, who may be more then curious to hear about what their past hiatus Host King…had in store for them now.

A/N:

Welcome to the revamp of this glorious Ouran project that has haunted my mind since 2012 after an unrelated binge session of Ouran Highschool Host Club, the TV series GREEK, and the movie the House Bunny. Those of you who have no idea what a sorority or fraternity is, get ready, because the Host is about to educate you as they learn for themselves. Please tell me anything that you didn't understand in this chapter, since I am thinking of just posting a separate "GREEK VOCABULARY" Index that I will update every time I use a new term!

ALSO! All those who may be interested in creating a potential character to be a "new member" of Tamaki's little organization, please watch out for the chapter that will have all of the details! And leave me a comment just so I know I have people interested.

I hope you guys like it!

-Tasia'sENDLESSDREAMS...