twentynine

Chapter One

August Ends

XXIX

A/N: Hello! This is my first fanfiction, and I'm hoping it turns out well. Wish me luck…

Brackets around someone's dialogue mean they are speaking in Japanese. If there are no brackets, they are speaking English.

Disclaimer: I do not own OHSHC. There's also a vague reference to a Lady Gaga song in there, and I don't own that either. Please don't sue me, okay?

This story is rated M for adult language, mild violence, and mature themes later on (I'd probably say it's more of a T, but I've rated it M to be on the safe side).

Enjoy!

XXIX

Dear Aurora,

I'm writing to you today from the airplane. Akito and I are on our way to Japan, and honestly I'm more nervous than excited. I'm going to stay with his family, which I'm not so sure is a good idea - but what with what's been going on in the past few months, there's not really much I can do, is there? Maybe a change of scenery will be a good thing.

Anyway, I'm going to go to a school for rich kids there, Ouran Academy. As you know, the last time I went to a private school was in elementary, so I'm not sure what to expect. On one hand, there's a good chance those spoiled brats are going to look down on my public school education, but don't worry - I'll knock their socks off with my amazing math skills! However, I'm afraid the fact that the only Japanese words I know are "konnichiwa", "arigato", and "kawaii" might hinder my learning just a little.

You'd laugh if you were here.

Akito says not to worry. Apparently both the students and the staff at Ouran can speak English. Kids there are taught English from childhood, so they're all bilingual or at least close to it. Still, I hope I can pick up Japanese quickly. It's probably not a good idea to live in a country for who knows how long and not even speak the language.

Strange as it may seem, I'm not even as worried about the language barrier as I am about the way people are going to treat me. Public school kids may not know the Amsel name, but these high society children are all about connections, meaning they will definitely know who I am. And that means they're probably going to know about you. I'm not sure if I can deal with a bunch of sycophants trying to be friends with me just because I'm the heir to the Amsel family.

It might be nice, though, if the teachers suck up to me for once.

Hey, look at me being optimistic… You should be proud.

Hopefully, I'll be able to make a few friends. After all, I used to have social skills and everything! Akito's younger brother goes to Ouran, so I'll have one acquaintance at least.

It's getting late - I should probably get a few hours of sleep before we land. Wouldn't want to get jet lag. So…

I miss you.

I wish I could see you, face-to-face, for just a little. I wonder if you even read these letters. I know it's not like you can write back, but a girl can dream, right? That's what they say.

Your sister,

Ariel

XXIX

I shut the laptop and it makes that satisfying little muted snap noise - if you own a laptop then you know what I'm talking about. Akito looks up from where he's typing on his own computer across from me in a cream-and-chocolate leather recliner.

"Are you going to go to sleep?"

"Yeah," I reply. "Do you know how many more hours we've got left on the flight?"

He checks his (expensive-looking) wristwatch. "About seven hours until our arrival. Would you like one of the maids to wake you up before we land?"

I don't bother trying to explain that they're not maids, they're flight attendants. "Nope, I can wake up in time."

"Oh, yes...I forgot about that freak habit of yours," he teases me with a amicable sneer.

"I call it a convenient talent," I say, and stick my tongue out at him. My 'freak habit' is the ability to manipulate my internal clock, meaning basically that I can set an alarm inside my head and choose to wake up at any specified time and feel as refreshed as if I've gotten a whole night of sleep. It's a pretty useful skill, the only downside being that I sometimes take impromptu naps at random times throughout the day - even if I don't feel especially tired.

I tuck my laptop into my bag and one of the flight attendants leads me to the 'bedroom', which is basically just a small area closed off from the rest of our private jet, largely dominated by the king-sized bed in its center. Whenever I see it, I'm always a little annoyed at the extravagance – because really, who needs a king-sized bed for a single trip on an airplane? Despite the fact that my family is what most people would describe as filthy stinking rich (and don't get me wrong, I'm well-acquainted with the luxuries of the incredibly wealthy), I have a good understanding of the fine line between spending money and wasting it. And as pretty much everyone would agree, a king-sized bed for a single person that would only be used at most once per month was absolutely a waste.

Nevertheless, I can't deny how good it feels to kick off my shoes, collapse onto that bed and wriggle under the comforter, not even bothering to change into pajamas. Thanks to the convenient clapping sensor installed in the overhead light, I don't have to leave my nest of blankets to turn it off. When my eyes adjust to the darkness, I feel an odd sense of comfort at the way the faint moonlight barely filters through the clouds and the tiny port windows to turn my sheets into an indigo ocean.

Tomorrow will be better, I tell myself before falling asleep, and hope that maybe someday I'll believe it.

XXIX

The next day, we've arrived and I unfortunately don't get to experience any of Japan's rich culture and tradition because the first thing we do once we land is drive by way of chauffeured limousine to the Ootoris' mansion. It's certainly impressive enough – probably almost as big as my family's main estate in Germany – but it has a cold, modern demeanor that doesn't really strike me as a 'home'.

Let's just say I'm not a fan.

A short butler answers the door and bows to us deeply before enthusiastically welcoming Akito. When he notices me, he gives me a polite greeting in softly accented English.

"[Your father has been waiting to see you, Akito-sama]," he continues, switching back to Japanese, and I'm not sure what he said, but Akito begins to ascend a flight of stairs and motions for me to follow him. Out of nowhere, a maid appears and silently picks up our luggage, only to slink back into the shadows. This whole place is a little freaky-deaky.

I shake away the thought and jog to catch up with my stupid brother-in-law Akito and his stupid long legs. It's not like I'm short, on the contrary – at 5'6, I'm on the tall side, but Akito's probably like five or six inches taller than me. It also doesn't help that this is actually his house, so he can navigate the hallways smoothly - whereas I have no idea where we're going. After walking a bit (this is one big-ass mansion) we finally reach what looks like the entrance to a study and I can see Akito steeling himself as he enters, though I'm not sure why.

This is just his family, right? As far as I know, he hasn't seen them in at least six months. Shouldn't he be glad to have a chance to catch up?

Apparently someone is happy about the little reunion because as soon as he enters the room, a good-looking woman with flowing black hair attacks him. Well…maybe attacked isn't the right word. She glomps him? Yep, that's it.

The woman (who is seriously gorgeous by the way) glomps him, so forcefully that he stumbles back a little and I have to scoot to the side to avoid bumping into him. As she embraces him, she lets out a high-pitched noise of excitement. "[Akito, it's so good to see you! It's been so long!]" she says in Japanese, so I have no clue what she's saying (but the reader knows, because the author is nice like that).

After a second, she pulls back. "[About her…I'm sorry. I wish things were different.]," she continues, more softly this time and I still don't know what she's telling him, but he gets this expression like he really wants to be sad but he doesn't know how to show it on his face so I know she probably said something about Aurora.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans and try not to think about it.

The dark-haired woman turns toward me, and a smile graces her lips. "You must be Ariel Amsel, right? It's nice to meet you." She holds her hand out to me and I take it, silently marveling over how even her hands are pretty – delicate and soft and fine-boned with the nails perfectly manicured. "I'm Fuyumi Ootori-Shido."

Her English accent is perfect, and the thought occurs to me that this is what a Wealthy Young Lady is supposed to like and I'm never going to look like this.

What the hell must these people think of me? In combat boots, black skinny jeans, and a tight white tank top, I'm not what anyone would expect from the heir to the Amsel fortune - not to mention my naturally garnet hair in a semi-punk haircut (a 'boy cut' with chin-length bangs in the front over my right eye, if you must know). I'm not beautiful, not doll-like or endearing. Not delicate in the least. The nicest thing that can be said about me is that I'm striking. I have a good body – a d-cup, a narrow waist, and long legs; but I don't have that air of regality that seems like a requirement for rich people.

That was my sister's thing.

I pull my lips into a smile faker than a pornstar's tits and reply, "It's good to meet you too."

"Miss Amsel." The smile drops from my mouth of its own accord and I turn toward the speaker. How did I miss him? The man is obviously a relation of Akito's, probably his father judging by the age. He has a Van Dyke-ish beard, wire-rimmed glasses, and ridiculously prominent cheekbones, all of which give him a sort of powerful atmosphere.

Akito's spoken about him, and his name jumps to my mind. Yoshio Ootori. Even the name itself is calculating.

He sits on a black divan behind Fuyumi, emotionless stare fixed on me, and suddenly I don't really have to wonder whose idea it was to decorate this house in basically just a shit ton of grey.

"Mr. Ootori. It's an h-honor to meet you."

I hate my voice for shaking.

"Likewise, though I wish it were under better circumstances. How are Friedrich and Elizabeth?" Surprisingly, he asks about my parents. His tone is sympathetic enough, but I know he doesn't care – at least not beyond preserving business relations.

"They're fine. Coping."

"That is good news." He waits, but I can't think of anything to say to this man except why do I feel so inferior around you so I keep my mouth shut and he changes the subject. "Have you met my youngest son, Kyoya?"

So that's the name of Akito's younger brother, the one who goes to Ouran. I shake my head.

"Tomorrow you will have a chance to meet him. He is a second year at the Academy where you will be attending as a first year. Fuyumi, why don't you escort Miss Amsel to the guesthouse? I would like to speak to my son." His gaze is focused on Akito now, and for that I'm grateful – though I do feel a little nervous for my brother-in-law.

"[Talk later]," Fuyumi murmurs to her brother before proceeding to hook arms with me and half-drag me out of the room, but not before I catch a snippet of the older Ootori's words to Akito in a tone like frozen steel.

"[…So, the prodigal son returns…]"

Too bad I don't speak Japanese.

XXIX

Fuyumi and the butler lead me out of a side entrance, where we see a sleek black limo pull up (What is it with rich people and limos? It's not like one person plus a driver can't fit into a normal car).

"It appears as if Kyoya-sama is home early…" The butler looks slightly surprised as the chauffeur opens the door and a slim figure emerges.

And as soon as I meet his eyes, I can't breathe.

Because day-um is this kid sexy.

Not damn. I mean the two syllable day-um because this guy's insane hotness deserves at least two syllables. Other than some details of his jawline and the shape of his nose, he looks very little like Akito, which is a blessing because I am seriously having some dirty thoughts about this stranger. Thoughts that a Wealthy Young Lady is not supposed to have. I mean I'm pretty sure the words can I take a ride on your disco stick just crossed my mind...I feel like thanking the universe in all its infinite knowledge for not giving me the ability to blush.

Well, I won't bother trying to describe him in too much detail, because I'm fairly certain all of the readers know what Kyoya Ootori looks like. Let's just say he's tall, lean but not skinny, with perfect hair and perfect everything. I'm torn between being in love with his glasses (because they lend to that whole sexy-cool-smart thing he's got going on) and desperately wanting to see him without them.

Good job, Mr. Ootori! Your superior genes contributed to this masterpiece!

Ahem. Can you tell I have a weakness for hot guys? Hopefully it won't come up again… (Somewhere far away, the author chuckles evilly.)

I snap back to the present to realize that hotness himself – aka Kyoya – is addressing me. "Ariel Amsel, I presume? I knew you were arriving today, but I wasn't sure I'd get a chance to meet you." He's wearing this smile, which is of course sparkly and beautiful and perfect (and I'm pretty sure there are purple roses blooming in the background or something?) but something about it strikes me as off, which is a real shame because I'm a pretty perceptive person and I can tell when people are putting up a front.

"You're Akito's younger brother then?" I fake-smile back at him.

"Please, call me Kyoya. I can see you're busy, but I hope we have a chance to talk another time."

It seems like Fuyumi enjoys bothering her younger brother, 'cause she smirks deviously and intervenes. "Actually, Kyoya, why don't you show Ariel to the guest house? You can take this chance to get to know each other~!"

"That sounds like a good idea. Besides, you should be getting back to your house, seeing as you don't live here anymore, yes?" They're both speaking in courteous tones, but I can almost see lightning flash between the two of them.

"I guess I'll be going then," she say, and bids me farewell, leaving in the car that Kyoya came in - and suddenly I'm alone with the prince of sexy. Well, not alone. The butler is still with us, and Kyoya has three bodyguards accompanying him.

Close enough.

"So, you go to Ouran Academy?" I ask. "What's it like?"

"It's a good school, and quite challenging. I'm sure you'll enjoy it." His expression – that radiant smile – is still faked, and for some reason, it's really annoying.

Arms folded, I stop straight in front of him, blocking him from continuing to walk. "You can drop the act, buddy. I'm not an idiot."

He has the decency to look confused. "…I'm sure I don't know what you mean?"

"Y'know, all this kiss-ass gentleman bullshit. No one acts like that in real life."

The smile becomes a smirk, which is somehow even sexier. Ugh. I hate being a hormonal teenager. "I suppose you're right." Kyoya pushes up his glasses and a gleam of light obscures his eyes from view. "You're very blunt, aren't you? Certainly not what I expected. Although," -he surveys me, taking in my outfit, and I wish again that I'd dressed up or something- "nothing about you is what I expected from the heir to the Amsel line."

"Well…" I try to think of a way to subtly insult his appearance, but it's fruitless. He's beautiful. "Don't underestimate me. I'm smarter than I look," I say finally after failing to find a single flaw in him. Shit. I think I just insulted myself. Oh, well.

We spend the rest of the short walk to the guesthouse in amiable silence, but once we arrive he excuses himself, claiming that he has schoolwork to complete.

"Bye. See ya tomorrow, I guess," I tell him, a little relieved to be able to say goodbye. What can I say - something about Kyoya Ootori unnerves me.

"Tomorrow, then. Hopefully We will get a chance to speak more in length." He turns to leave with his bodyguards but looks back, the gentleman's smile still plastered on his face - but there's an undercurrent of pure evil that he barely bothers to conceal. "I look forward to seeing you in Ouran's uniform…"

Whaaat? The fuck is that supposed to mean?

Little did I know...

XXIX

A/N: So what do you think of Ariel? Too mean? Too nice? Too annoying? How do I make her more awesome? Send me your thoughts!

Hopefully I didn't make any of the other characters too OOC. I know Akito is more uptight in the manga than how he's portrayed here, but there's a reason for that, I swear.

There's a bunch of confusing stuff here that will be explained as the story progresses. I just thought it'd be a little boring to dump a bunch of backstory on you before you even got to know Ariel's character.

Please review, favorite or follow! I appreciate reviews like crazy and I'll try to answer any question, comments, or concerns you have.

Fun Fact #1: Ariel's birthday is September 21. Her western star sign is Virgo.

About the Author: My birthday is November 6, and I'm a Scorpio (just like Kyoya…it must be fate~)

What's your sign, baby? Leave me a review!

Until next time…