Thank you for all the feedback! I'm not totally happy with this chapter but I promise the next will be much better.

I own only my OCs! Summary: Tatsugami Aia has never backed down from a challenge nor has she ever lost a fight. But love is another matter entirely; can a former thug become a proper lady to win Benibara's heart? Maybe with the Host Club's help! (Benibara/fem!OC)

It all started on a rainy afternoon. Oh, this isn't a particularly gloomy story, so don't let the setting fool ya! My buddies and I promised to meet up that afternoon for a strategy meet for taking on Minami High School's biggest gang, the Scorpions. Personally, I thought we'd be good without but apparently that's "irresponsible" and I'm "not thinking of the others in the group." Kaido, my best pal, supported me but everyone else complained that we weren't normal enough to understand them. Meanies...

As I got closer, I could hear Kaido and the rest talking. "But...It's almost stupid not to have at least a rain coat in this downpour, isn't it?" One of the lower level guys, Watanabe I think, tried to reason with my right hand man. "It's not that I don't trust you, Boss Tiger, but think of how easy it'll be for them to beat us if we're all sick from the rain!"

"Fools! What kind of thugs would we be if we hid from the rain?! Have you ever seen any cool and respectable thug wearing a rain coat or boots? Our leader, even as sweet and forgiving as she is, would be ashamed of us!" Yep, that sounds like Kaido!

"Yo!" I popped up behind him, tapping him on the shoulder with a grin. "Sorry, I'm late, huh? Whatcha guys talking 'bout?" Kaido and the others looked at me with big grins. Kaido's quickly disappeared when he saw what I was wearing.

"Boss Tiger was just saying that you weren't cool or respectable because you wear a raincoat and boots!" One guy offered helpfully as the others snickered. I looked down.

"But they're cute and frog themed..." I muttered and Kaido paled.

"You're cool and respectable, leader! And cute! And you have a really nice smile!" He rambled. "And you fight good! I mean, I like the way you fight!" As he carried on, I just laughed. He's so easy to tease!

"What the heck are you idiots doing out here without umbrellas?" I heard the familiar, "bored out of my mind" voice of my older brother and watched Kaido's face get even reder. "I'd expect that from my idiot sister but you? Kaido, aren't you supposed to have a brain in that pretty head of yours?" Oof, Hitoshi dealt a critical hit!

"Picking up where we left off last time, our enemy is a weakling but don't underestimate their ability to play dirty tricks!" I concluded the meeting in just a few seconds. "Beat the crap out of them but stay on guard! That's all! Hitoshi, do you mind walking Kaido home?" I winked and my brother flushed bright pink. Despite some grumbling, my brother agreed, dragging along my flustered and frozen best friend.

"Beat the crap out of them? Easy for our monster Boss to say..." One of my many underlings mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Must be easy to be so strong..."

It really isn't, I concluded on my way home from our usual empty lot. People always look at you strange, your brother hates you, and you get challenges instead of love letters. If I had a choice, I'd be a normal girl instead! As I thought, a limo zoomed by with a group of teenagers in the back. The window was rolled down enough for me to catch a snippet of their conversation as they passed.

"—Mommy! Haruhi said a bad word!" A boy whined.

What the heck.

Anyway, if I had a choice, I'd...Actually, it's not that there wasn't a choice! This life just felt natural...so maybe if I tried, I could be normal...right? I wouldn't be weirder than those guys who just passed by at least! Or is that setting the bar too low?

"Mom, Dad! I want to transfer schools and quit the gang! I'm going to be a normal girl!" When I announced my big decision, Mom, Dad, and old man Mashirao laughed their guts out, the murder mystery on TV completely forgotten as they wheezed in laughter, tears in their eyes. My face burned, but I stood by my decision. That's when it finally clicked that I was serious.

Dad cried. "Daddy doesn't approve! You're fine as you are!" He seemed to be under the delusional impression that I was changing myself for a boy. Same as usual though.

Mom laughed, "Don't worry, Soun-darling! Aia's just going through her normal phase! All girls have that kind of moment when they want to abandon their brass knuckles for pink nail polish!" Uh, no...I think that's just you, Mom...

Old man Mashirao nodded sagely in agreement. "You had a similar moment, young master Soun. You renounced your title as gang leader to prove your devotion to the leader of another group! What a sweet moment that was!"

"It was an act of love!" My father, a stern and serious man, blushed like a school girl and my mother smiled happily. "But Daddy will never approve of any boys trying to get near my little girl!" Alrighty. Guess I'll just bring girls home then.

And that's pretty much how things came to this, me wearing a Lobelia school uniform, my hair dyed back to its natural black and braided, and staring at a Zuka club recruitment flyer. It was my first day, having transfered in right at the height of club recruitment season. "Zuka club...I wonder...if I joined, could I see that girl again?" I thought aloud, remembering her green eyes and beautiful smile.

"Kyyaaa!" At the sound of screaming, I turned, ready for a fight, but it was something even more shocking. Woah, I thought, that looks just how my Dad's group welcomes me home! I watched in amazement as the seemingly pure and sane girls went nuts, screaming and fawning over a group of three girls. Man, girl schools are crazy too, huh?

Or so I thought. When I looked at the girls they were going crazy over, I could definitely understand it.

One of them was cute with a slightly mischievous smile. Shorter than the other two, she seemed to be the youngest. She accepted all the presents and flowers with a confident smile, like she knew without a doubt that she was worth all the praise and love.

The second was taller with an air of grace and elegance. She tucked a lock of her light brown hair behind her ear and smiled at her fans who looked like they might faint. Confident but not cocky, she didn't let the praise get to her as she walked down the red carpet they'd laid out for them.

The last of the three was the most popular of all and my legs felt weak at the sight of her. Her smile was brighter than the sun, her demeanor cool and confident like the others. When someone got brave enough to hand her a gift, she accepted it with a smile and wink that made the giver melt. With just a glance at her, I could see why she was so popular; this girl was just drop dead gorgeous. Plus, she just happened to be the girl who helped me the other day. My face grew hot when, at the end of the carpet and morning greeting, her curious eyes fell on me. Did she recognize me?

Oh no. Did she recognize me?! My joy turned to horror as she and her friends walked over to me. I hadn't dyed my hair then and I'd been dressed in my old school uniform! My normal girl cover was useless! "Might you be the new transfer student?" Huh? I stared at the girl like an idiot, trying to process her question.

"Uh, um...Yeah..." I mumbled shyly in reply once the words the gorgeous girl said finally registered. She smiled radiantly.

"I see! Welcome to Lobelia! Don't be so nervous; a beautiful young lady such as yourself will make friends in no time." She said sweetly and encouragingly.

"Would you like a tour, new girl?" The shortest of the three asked. She smiled and my worries faded. There's no way they'd be so kind to me if they knew I was a delinquent!

"Ah, it's Aia! Tatsugami Aia...Actually, they gave me this map but I'm not sure where the second year classrooms are..." I admitted, laughing bashfully and ignoring the jealous stares of the other girls.

"I can show you if you like. I'm a second year as well, Maihara Chizuru." The light brown haired girl offered and my heart warmed at her friendly invitation.

"Yes please, if it isn't any trouble." I smiled back. We walked together, into the school, separating only to change from our heeled uniform shoes to our indoor slippers, a change I was more than happy to make.

As we walked, the other two introduced themselves. "I'm Hinako Tsuwabuki, a first year! Lots of people call me Hinagaku, Lady of the Daisy though." I committed that to memory.

"Benio "Benibara" Amakusa, at your service." The beautiful girl who helped me the other day winked. That was a name I'd never forget, forever engraved in my heart.

"Benibara...Bara as in rose? What a lovely nickname!" I complemented her, earning a dazzling smile.

"Yours is quite unusual as well! Tatsugami Aia...What a strong name for such a delicate rose!" Benio flirted with ease. Though I knew her flirtatious tone meant nothing, my face burned red regardless.

When we reached the classroom, I was a bit sad to say goodbye. They were such nice girls! Luckily, Maihara-san and I were in the same class so I at least knew one of my classmates already. They stopped to chat right outside the room as I talked to the teacher about getting all the right books and supplies for the class. Unknown to me, I was the topic of their conversation.

"A girl's ability to change in just a matter of days is truly impressive!" Chizuru laughed. The other two joined in, agreeing. "To think she's the same thug from the other day...!"

"No kidding! She looked so scary back them, but she's so cute now!" Hinako giggled. "She's probably joining the Benibara fanclub right away." She teased Benio who just laughed softly in reply.

"I suppose even the thorniest briars have breathtaking roses." Benio remarked thoughtfully. "Perhaps if she had talent to match, she'd make a fine addition to the Zuka club."

"I agree. There's something about that girl..."

By far not the greatest chapter and I wish I could do better with it but I'm really busy. Flirty lines make me cringe so much that I'm probably going to mess this fanfic up...Sorry if it's too OOC.