DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Ouran High School Host Club or xXxHolic. They belong to Bisco Hatori and CLAMP, respectively.


Chapter 2 Nekozawa's Dilemma 1

The world was not so different on the days that followed. Ouran Academy was still a place for children of the wealthy to hang out and enjoy their idle time.

Though, there was a stir among the members of the Black Magic Club. Nekozawa, the president, had abandoned his black wig, revealing his luxurious blonde hair. The females from the high school down to the preschool were all in a tizzy. The Black Magic Club would not comment on their president's new image, but Kyouya of the Host club had something to say about it.

"Thanks to that Nekozawa we're losing money!" groused Kyouya during club time.

True, a great chunk of their fujoshi clientele was absent from the club room. There were enough girls to keep each of the hosts busy but just not enough to make their daily quota. This was much too much of a loss for the Shadow King.

The youth in question was sitting upright--one leg over the other and arms crossed--in a French-gilt Rococo fauteuils chair. His beloved finance book was on a marble table in front of him. He had just subtracted the total profit from the expenses of the cakes and beverages. The final sum was devastating. To add insult to injury the Twins were waltzing up to him, getting ready to pounce.

"Well, this was to be expected," announced Kaoru. "We charge most of a student's average allowance. As for Nekozawa-sempai, the girls can gawk at him for free."

Free, what a nasty word to Kyouya's money sense. He made an effort to glare at the devils towering over him. Each had an arm around his brother's shoulders; their looming shadow looked like a two-headed monster.

"What's not expected is," followed Hikaru, "that you don't have a back-up plan."

Kaoru snickered, "Yeah… Usually, you come up with some scheme to put us back on top."

"But right now, you're sitting in a far corner, sulking."

"I guess even the Shadow King can have his off-days."

"Or maybe, the great Ootori Kyouya has finally been one-upped?"

Then the two dealt the finishing blow.

"Honestly, Kyouya... This is something we expected from Tono."

Before the devious twins could continue their tag-team insults, Kyouya's aura darkened a shade.

"You know, there is something called the Black Ops within the Ootori Private Police Force. They are specially trained in stealth missions." The Shadow King's voice lowered to the most sinister tenor. "... so they could easily steal two brothers from their bed and lock them away some place where they would never see the light of day again..."

As he went into detail of what tortures would befall the two brothers, Hikaru and Kaoru ran off screaming. Kyouya watched after them, being too irritated for the follow through. Tamaki dared to come near him as the twins ran off to the comfort of Haruhi's side. His never-failing enthusiasm was the polar opposite of the miasma permeating the room.

"Don't fret, Kyouya! I'm sure this fascination with Nekozawa-sempai will blow over soon. Our profits will surely boost to the nine digits within the week."

For once, negative energy succumbed to the positive. Mori and Hunny looked up from their customers. Haruhi took notice, too, and even the Twins peeked from behind a Venetian sofa. Kyouya's slump looked like it was letting up.

Thank heavens.

"OH, MY GOD--! Everyone, check out Nekozawa-sempai--!"

"His eyes are CERULEAN!"

This prospect of witnessing a blue-eyed Japanese, which would be real and not cosplay, was too much for the remaining customers. They abandoned their current hosts and raced out of the third music room. For a whole moment the place was a flurry of yellow and lacey petticoats. Everyone was flabbergasted as the last girl scampered out.

Tamaki acknowledged the straggler.

"Et tu, Renge?"

"Just put my Jasmine tea on my tab, Kyouya!"

The manic fujoshi didn't even look back. Her echoing footsteps could be heard following the stampede. It became very still in the third music room. Kyouya appeared to be shell-shocked by the whole thing. Yet, all of the hosts could feel the room get a few degrees colder. Good thing something interrupted Kyouya before he could engulf the room in Hell-frozen ice.

A face appeared from behind the club room doors. She looked around the nearly deserted Host club. Two curly pigtails fluttered about her head.

"Looks like club activities are done for the day!"

"Haruka!" cried Haruhi. "What are you doing here?!"


Author: Okay, I'll admit discrepancies in my own story for all hard-core fans.1) Kyouya would never sit around and sulk. He always has a plan! 2) Hikaru and Kaoru would not go near Kyouya when he was in a mood; they value their life too much. And 3) Renge has proved to be immune to Nekozawa's looks in Episode 11 of the anime. So, here I go flaunting my creative license. La-di-da~! See you next chapter!