The girls took the news hard. Some even broke down into tears. The twins and Mori shrugged it off with acknowledgement, while Honey looked like he was about to cry, and Haruhi and Kyoya looked almost… happy?

"I am terribly sorry. You will receive refunds if you had already paid in advance." I bowed respectfully to the room of saddened ladies, managing to cheer up about half of them as they told me it alright. I noticed that the tearful Honey had also managed to stop a few tearful ladies in their sorrows.

Good call Honey, I mentally praised his quick-wit— or true sadness, either way, it did the trick.

"But our tea party under the blossoms is still on for next week!" I cheered with a flamboyant smile. The mood of the room visibly changed.

I laughed good-naturedly as a group of girls swamped me.

"Okay, mademoiselle," I grabbed the girl closest to myself's hand and kissed the back of it politely. "Until then, let us part in harmony." I bowed politely. I've been told I'm more princely and appealing as man when I bow, so I have adapted the habit and I have no intention of changing it any time soon— It's also respectful to my elders and gentlemanly for the ladies. However, sometimes, I wonder how other guys my age might see it. They probably see it as standoffish and stuck-up-ish.

I shook off the idea. Why should I care? It's impossible to please everybody.

I couple of girls moaned and groaned about leaving as they scurried out the door, grabbing their jackets and purses as they left. I walked to the corner where the other Hosts were gathering.

"Hey Boss, why's the Okinawa trip off?" Hikaru asked as he lounged on his brother's shoulder— or is that Kaoru. The one and only way for most of us to tell the two apart is the fact that they split their hair on different sides, that it, unless you can figure out the differences in their personalities. And only one of us can do that as of yet, maybe it's because she's the only girl of us Hosts and she can see something us boys can't or maybe it's because she's a commoner and she looks deeper than appearances, but all of us believe it's just because she's Haruhi. Haruhi is different than most girls. She doesn't care how she looks and, therefore, we took her to be a boy upon our first meeting her, we later found out that she was a girl after… we cleaned her up. And even then, it took some longer than others to figure it out. End of that discussion. Anyway, she can be extremely girly or tomboyish at different times, she's smart, and she figured that being a Host is the best way for her to pay back her debt to us— shattering a vase, don't get me started on how mean we were to her back then. Don't get me wrong though, she doesn't hate it here or hate us and we ended up being all great friends, almost like a family in a sense. She could have found another way to pay us back, another way that didn't involve being around us, but she chose this method in particular and we have all caught her enjoying herself at times. So it all worked out in the end.

"The principle said no." Was my awkward response.

"Did you ask why?"

"No. He seemed stressed out about it though."

"Hmm… Interesting…" Kyoya said absentmindedly.

"What is it, Kyo-chan?" Honey asked.

"It just seems odd. The school has never suffered from our trips and neither have our clients. Why would his father say no?" Kyoya put a hand to his chin in thought.

"There is no way to tell what is going on from the information we have now. Let's just sleep on it tonight. Ok?" Haruhi stated with a sigh as she rubbed her head tiredly.

"Aw. Is our little Haruhi tired?" One of the twins remarked as they both threw their arms around her neck securely.

"Yes I am." She agreed sharply. "And I'm going home if we are done here." Haruhi answered matter-of-factly, as she routinely shoved their arms off her.

"Very well then." Kyoya agreed. "I'm going home as well." Kyoya said as he grabbed his bag and threw it over his shoulder.

"Alright see you guys tomorrow." I waved halfheartedly, my father's disapproval of our trip weighing heavily on my mind.

"Tama-chan, ask your dad about the trip again." Honey's face got serious as he said this, oddly in a reassuring way, and then his face slipped into an adorable one as he finished with a "K?"

"Yeah, I will, don't worry about it." I answered, scratching the back of my neck nervously— the twins' theory of him having a darker side weighing down my option of responses.

Mori rested his hand on the top of my head as he passed. "Good luck." I heard him m with his deep yet quiet voice.

"Yeah." I sighed, finally deciding that I had to go talk to my dad again. "I'm sure I'll need it."

I'm not looking forward to asking my dad about this. That's a fact. He was going to get all fidgety like he was earlier and I don't like how obvious it was that he was trying to hide something, he's simply not the type to hide much of anything— yeah, he'll tell me it's no one of my business if it comes down to it, but he hasn't done that since I was a kid. Plus, my constant asking makes me uncomfortable, it makes me seem a bit too persistent and imprudent for my own liking.

I walked down the dimmed hallways of Ouran. They were currently a complete contrast to how they were during the day, their overly populated and bright hallways now dark and empty.

I arrived at my dad's office and knocked on the door. I heard his tired voice muffled through the door. "Come in."

I opened the door and stepped in, closing the door behind me extra quietly.

He looked up from the papers on his desk dutifully and then his features morphed into that of happy surprise. "Oh, Tamaki! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Grimly, I responded. "I would like to ask you for your reasoning."

"For?"

"For denying our trip to Okinawa."

My dad gave a sorry smile.

"It's because…" He hesitated until stopping his sentence altogether and giving no indication of continuing.

"Yeah?"

"You can't tell any of the other students ok?"

I gave him a confused look.

He gestured to the chair in front of his seat. "Have a seat please. I need to find a proper way to explain this."

I complied with his request.

"Well, you know how most kids here are the children are from… important families?"

I nodded.

"And you know how these people get threats often?"

I nodded again, not liking where this was going.

"Well, our school has been threatened."

"Explain more please." I asked of him after no more information was given. "Isn't threats to the school common?"

"Even I'm not really sure of the details. I had a close friend of mine who works in the police force tell me this. He said this time it was a real threat and that it's dire that we keep all of the students at the school except to go home with their designated bodyguards that have been hired by their families. I'm sending all parents the information, plus there will be an assembly tomorrow where I will share this information with the students if they haven't already heard it from their parents."

"Are we doing anything to protect the students?" I was standing now both hands braced on his desk.

"Tamaki, calm down. Of course we are. A whole police force is being sent into the area. This police unit has close ties with the very families that attend here and I'm even close associates with a few of the heads. We will be completely safe under their protection." I noticed that it seemed that he was convincing himself along with his attempts to convince me.

"What about the people who don't have family bodyguards?" I asked, Haruhi's lone form walking home flashing across my vision. I should know, I follow her every once in a while, on the days club activities let out exceptionally late and she refuses my (or anyone else's) offer to drive her home.

"I've looked into it and all families that don't have a trusted bodyguard are hiring immediately from a specifically trusted area." He paused and saw the look in my eyes. "But, as I'm sure you know, there was a small problem with that plan, our scholar."

"Haruhi." I whispered and nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Fujioka. I talked to the lead officer and he is sending in a specialized officer to protect her. One he trusts with his very own life."

I sighed in relief and I relaxed as I sat back in the chair.

"So we're good?"

"Yeah. But why didn't you tell me all of this earlier?"

"Because I had just received the news not but a few moments prior and was still absorbing it all, plus I needed to check on some things and get a lot of things done in order for the safety of our students to be complete and secure."

So that's why he was so panicky, I realized. "I understand."

I stood and bowed. "I'll be heading home now."

"Okay. See you later then. I still have some work to finish up."

I turned and walked out, closing the door behind me, I leaned against the door and put my hand to my face.

"Will everything really be okay?" I muttered worriedly.

The next day I arrived on the school's campus and Tamaki was waiting at the gate looking stressed but strangely comfortable. It's a weird look for him.

"Haru-chan!" I suddenly heard someone call my name.

As soon as I turned around I was met with the little arms of Honey as he leapt up and hugged me. I saw Mori walking up to us out of the corner of my eye. Honey must have left him in his dust, I concluded.

"Hi, Sempai. How are you today?" I looked down at him— which isn't very far to look, for we are actually about the same height, I remain just slightly taller. Dumb short genes.

"Great! How about you?"

"The usual. Mori?"

He grunted slightly and nodded. "Good."

"Haruhi!" I heard the twins cry out my name, drawling it out like some kind of cheer.

I turned to see then running towards us, Kaoru waving.

"Oh, hi Tama-chan, Kyo-chan."

I turned to see them standing with us, no longer surprised by the guys' sudden appearances anymore.

"Looks like we're all together." Kyoya observed as the twins finally reached our side.

"There's an assembly today." Tamaki stated as he started to walk towards the auditorium. We followed him, our faces depicting confusion to the tall blond at our head.

"Is it just me of does the boss seem a bit tense?" Hikaru whispered.

"He is kinda stressed looking." Kaoru agreed.

I looked from them to Tamaki. What's his deal? I mused as I watched his rigid back.

We arrived at the assembly room and took a seat in the back as directed by our leader.

After a couple minutes, a lady that I recognized to be one of the assistant principals, walked to the center of the stage. I took her in, looking for any signs of what news was too come, what could possibly have Sempai so off today? Then again, he is Tamaki. Her clothing was proper and her face as strict as per usual. But I slowly began to notice that something's off with her expression.

What kind of distress is that? I've seen it before somewhere and quite often at that— is it… worry?

I listened as the assistant principal gave the same speech as my dad did yesterday, although hers seemed a lot my thought out and rehearsed. She worded it well, erasing majority of the fears from the students, but I noticed that she didn't mention the scholar student's safety and I looked at Haruhi. Her jaw was set tight, her expression stiff, so she had noticed as well.

Just as I was about to stand and make a scene, the assistant principal said "Now, this is all, but would the scholar student report to the third music room? There's someone waiting to see you."

Haruhi's eyes met mine as she stood up.

I sent her a reassuring look as she walked out the door.

…Earlier that same day…

I glance out the window. Man, this is dumb. Why must I do it? Can't they just choose some low-rate cop to guard the princess?

I had just received my assignment. I was to guard a specific scholar student at Ouran High School, a school for prestigious teens belonging to rich and powerful families. All I get from that is: Snobs, and plenty of them.

I was currently seated in the passenger seat of a car with John, a honorable discharged military officer who was currently in a high place within the police force, driving. He was discharged because of a loss of a limb, an arm, but now he has this cool little metal one that can do so much more than any regular arm. I'm kind of jealous— but at the same time, not. I guess I'll have to settle for my own little quirks.

He and some of his colleagues had discovered a threat to a close friend's school— an important school full of important kids, might I add. Not that I'm one to be calling them kids, I'm the age of a first year, just raised differently and taught early I guess you could say, so I've already graduated the level of a high school student. I'm currently on probation because of a… mishap. So I'm stuck with a bunch of little jobs until I receive notice of otherwise. They told me this would be my chance to prove myself— to get back into the big leagues— but I don't see the point on how this will prove my worth. Guarding a little princess, Gah!

"Remember, this is your chance of redemption." He reminded calmly, seriously.

"I just don't see it." I muttered, looking out the window, effectively portraying my annoyance.

"What do you not see?" He was patronizing me, I could just feel the smile that was forming on his lips. I scowled deeply and refused to look at his ugly mug.

"I don't understand how guarding a stupid rich kid is going to get me back to where I need to be!" I snarled, my anger misdirected at best, this time I caught his gaze as I turned my head to look at him straight on.

"Do you have TIPTAP with you?" He remained calm and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Of course." I answered sharply as I pulled out the small cylinder from its place on my belt. "Now answer my question."

"I'm not 'answering the question' because I know you. You'll get me to argue with you then you'll just keep throwing stuff back at me until you feel as though you've won." He said, not once taking his eyes off the road ahead of him. "You just don't know how to shut up and do as you're told— I don't know if I should be proud, as a mentor, or disappointed, as a parent." He muttered with high amusement laced in his voice.

I flinched visibly, a smile bubbling up in my chest. I hate how he knows me that well. But I can't imagine him not knowing me as well as he does. It's really nice having that one person you can trust, instead of being against the whole world. I'm so paranoid and, yet, this man has proven more often than not that he'd give up his life to save mine.

I sighed as he turned up his oldies rock-n-roll, a smile forming visibly on my lips as he sang along terribly to the words. I closed my eyes peacefully before once again looking back out the window, the rich scenery passing me in a blur.

I just wish I could return the favor.

As walked down the hall, I actually wished for one of the guys to be with me. My nerves were a buzzing and it was driving me crazy! But, I suppose it's a good thing that none of them are here, now I can actually take whatever it is seriously.

I arrived at the third music room. It felt as though I was entering it for the first time all over again, even though I come here almost every day. This time there was a strange tension coming from the other side and I almost didn't want to open it. Despite my buzzing nerves and my heart telling me not to— I'm ever the one for listening to logic and logic was telling me that I was overreacting.

I opened a single of the giant double doors, extra slowly.

There, in the middle of the room where Tamaki normally takes his customers sat four people. There were two couches facing each other and a low table between them. On one couch sat a man at about fifty and a young girl at about fifteen, my age. On the other couch sat the principal, his sharp features set serious but friendly, and my dad in his usual attire. Most would take him to be my mom, but my mom died many years ago. My dad, however, enjoys dressing like a woman and works at a transvestite bar, not that I mind, it's just, I don't enjoy having to explain this to each and every person who happens to meets him.

"Haruhi Fujioka?" The man on the first couch asked.

"Yes, Mister…?"

"John Aliff. But you don't have to go through with the formalities of a Mister or sir, just call me John, because we are going to be seeing a lot of each other, sweetie." He winked in a friendly manner, making me oddly less tense in his presence.

"This is my close friend John, Haruhi, I trust him with much more than I probably should trust anyone with." The principal informed, adding a little chuckle to the end and further easing my nerves.

I nodded rather sitffly.

The girl raised her hand a bit, her sharp eyes resting upon my form observantly. "Uh, I have a question, and I don't mean to be rude, but I really need to know— you're a girl, right?"

"Uh… Yeah." I suddenly felt awkward. I shifted my weight slightly and broke eye contact.

"I'm Rem." She smiled politely and nodded her head in confirmation to the information.

"Nice to meet you, Rem." I said adding a small smile only for mannerisms as I took a seat beside my dad.

The principal spoke up. "Haruhi, since you can't afford a bodyguard and our school is supposed to supply you with all necessities, we are supplying you with one."

My eyes flickered to the two: John looks strong, I noted confidently.

The principal continued. "John will be in charge of removing the threat and Rem will be your protection."

I felt my heart stop a moment and I went rigid as I thought about what that would mean. A girl my age, my size, is going to be my protection. I looked back at the girl, who was busy polishing some sort of cylinder that I hadn't noticed earlier. I looked at the principal and nodded in hesitant confirmation.

"Yes, sir."

I took another good look at Rem: She was slender, well built, and quite tall for a girl. Agility is what she must have going for her, I concluded from her build. She has bright reddish-brown eyes that seemed dulled by her emotions and her hair is long, pin-straight, and a reddish auburn color that she left down, it seemed about hip length from where I sat. Her outfit consisted of a black shirt with some kind of punk logo on it, black cargo pants, a worn out pitch-black jacket that seemed a couple sizes too large, a pair of torn up and worn out sneakers, and I thought I saw a combat belt around her waist…

I saw the man nudge her and I saw her look at me reluctantly, her eyes narrowing as she studied me once again. "It's a pleasure to be working with you."

And she held out her hand.

I took it. She squeezed slightly and shook it up and down once before releasing it and turning towards the door.

And that's when the guys burst in.

I looked up at the boys that had just entered the room. They all had nice features and I instantly recognized Takashi Morinozuka and Mitsukuni Haninozuka. So this is the Host Club. I looked at the twins, instantly analyzing them, looking at the smallest differences and instantly able to tell them apart, their posture and voices giving it away.

All the boys were talking at once except for two, Morinozuka who isn't known for being very talkative and some kid with glasses and jet black hair, he seemed to be analyzing the situation as well. I looked at the remaining boy, who had stunning blonde hair and bright eyes. He looked incredibly similar to the principal— I guess he's Tamaki Suoh then.

I yawned loudly, gathering everybody's attention.

"Okay. I get that you guys want to know what all's happenin', but nothing is going to get explained unless you quiet down and allow us to speak." John spoke up.

Dang it! I wanted to say that. I narrowed my eyes at John, who avoided my eyes and smiled mischievously.

They stopped talking, commencing with an awkward silence. John nudged me sharply with his elbow, which means it's time to introduce myself again. I rolled my eyes, like me being polite is going to help anything. I stood anyways and bowed politely.

"I'm Rem. I'll be Haruhi's guard from now until the threat is removed. Please cooperate with me until then." I glanced up to see a couple of disapproving looks. I gave them all a small sneer. "Or not." I mumbled turning away and crossing my arms attitudiously.

"Nice to meet you Rem-chan! You can call me Honey!" The little blondie glomped me. "And this is Mori!" He gestured to the tall dark man.

We stared at each other for a moment with blank expressions.

He nodded then gave me a small smirk of approval. I let a small laugh escape my lips at our odd reactions upon meeting one another for the first time.

I looked at the others blankly, awaiting their introductions— after all, I was polite enough, can't they at least return the favor?

The blondie leapt at the chance, surprising me— and I don't like being surprised, I like to be on top of a situation. "I'm Tamaki, my dear Princess Rem. It is a pleasure to meet you." That would have been good enough and he would have had left a good impression on me as a good flirt, that is, if he hadn't done what he did next. He reached down, grabbed my hand, and pressed his lips to it.

"Okay." I pulled my hand back, sliding it across my leg in attempts to wipe the gesture away. "That's overdoing it just a bit." I said cautiously.

"Don't be shy. We know what you want." The twins crept up my side, one getting dangerously close to my face the other going around behind me.

I put my hand between our faces. It was a dumbfounded moment for them, I didn't blush and my voice didn't waver. "I'm sorry to ruin your fun, but would you mind keeping your breakfast a secret?" I said, referring to his breath.

He pulled back irritation written on his face. His brother walked back into my vision, clearly having a hard time holding back his laughter. His brother looked at him irritably. The other one apologized to him but continued to struggle with his laughter.

"Those two are Hikaru," Haruhi walked up to me and gestured to the irritated one, "and Kaoru Hitachiin." She gestured to the laughing one. I guess now I knew which one was which.

"Well, I guess that just leaves me," The guy in the glasses spoke, correcting said glasses, "I'm Kyoya Ootori. Nice to meet you Miss Rem."

I smiled kindly at him, finally someone with respect!

"The pleasure is mine. No need for the title, though. I am simply here on a job, I am not a customer to your Host Club neither am I a proper lady." I continued to smile kindly.

But I could tell none of them bought it.

What is up with this girl? She's smiling, yet, it seems as though she's… plain. Blank. There is no emotion put into it. Her eyes are dead. And she has a sharp tongue. Maybe it's because she's working and wants to stay professional? Which that is another thing I don't understand. She's a girl, who it takes a lot more effort to become physically strong, yet, she's so slender and delicate looking! How is she supposed to protect anybody!? When she put her hand in my face I thought there was a strange feeling to it, it was so tiny. Also her breaths are so shallow, not a sign of great athleticism, and it seems as though she's lacking any muscle at all.

My conclusion: There is no way this is for real.

I glanced at the other Hosts. Their expressions showed the same thing I was thinking, even Kyoya and Mori. We all knew one thing for certain: something was off with this girl and, we all made a silent deal right then and there. Some of us even nodded our heads to each other.

We were going to find out what her deal is, and, we were going to fix her.

After all, it is the job of the Host Club to make every girl happy.

Well, there's another chapter up and running! This one didn't take much editing from the first time around, but there were some gaps and rushed points so I fixed those. I hope Rem is a solid character.

*crosses fingers* There are so many of you that like this story. I sure hope I don't mess it up in the processes of editing. Tell me if I screwed something up!