This chapter's kinda short, but at least it's getting somewhere I suppose.

Once again thanks to my two reviewers! And yes, in 90% of the OC stories I've read they all somehow managed to figure out Haruhi's gender within the first few seconds they meet her...apparently there's a lot of all knowing OC's floating around. That's not natural. o-o


Chapter Four

BREAKING AND ENTERING

(In which bad temperament makes another appearance)

"It'll only take a few seconds, that's it. Just walk in and get out, it's that simple...they won't even notice me."

Aden hung her head. Who was she kidding? Of course they were going to notice her! She should have known by now that she was by far the unluckiest person to walk the planet, that wasn't going to change anytime soon no matter what she told herself.

Groaning inwardly, she slumped against the wall and slid to the floor like a damp towel looking strangely out of place against the bright paint. Dreary faced, Aden picked up the flat object in her right hand and set it in her lap. It was a simple red notebook with the name 'Haruhi' labeled neatly in the corner because they were in fact, Haruhi's notes.

It'd been a whole week since Aden had first spoken with him and as it turns out getting to know the boy actually seemed to have quite a few helpful benefits. Not only did she now have someone to talk to during school hours, but he also proved quite intelligent when it came to things like homework and note taking skills, things Aden could never really get a good grasp on. Thus it had become exceedingly common for Aden to temporarily borrow his notes when she found herself daydreaming or snoozing in the middle of class. Haruhi didn't seem to mind, and for that she was thankful.

She enjoyed speaking with him when she could catch him without the Hitachiin brothers hanging over his shoulder, a rarity since they too attended the same class. However from what she'd learned, Haruhi was actually even more so different from the other students then she'd originally thought. For one thing, he only went to the school because of a special granted scholarship and lived a lifestyle similar to Kaito. Aden was impressed, though found it hard to imagine why anyone would voluntarily go to one of the private academies.

Now sitting outside the music room doors, Aden mentally scolded herself for taking so much time to use the notebook. She'd been so concentrated on copying down the information that the thought to pay attention to the clock had completely escaped her. He was obviously in there, it was usually where he spent his after school hours as she'd recently discovered.

Aden didn't really know what they did, only that the people she least wanted to see were accompanying him and that was all she needed to know. She tried to avoid the Host club topic whenever they got the chance to speak.

"I guess I could always give it back to him tomorrow." Aden mused.

It seemed like the logical thing to do in her situation because she certainly wasn't planning on waiting for who knows how long to see him again. Deciding she would find Haruhi the next day, Aden stood and prepared for her leave.

However she'd only taken a few small steps before she suddenly felt the need to stop. A part of her yearned to know what the hell they were doing and why the Host club was even so popular in the first place, but she quickly beat it back down again. No! She didn't care, she was going home.

That settled, Aden attempted to walk away again but felt herself pulled back by the invisible forces of curiosity. If she didn't find out, the question would eat at her all night. It couldn't hurt to look a little right?

Turning back toward the entrance, Aden crept soundlessly toward the door. Pressing her face to the wood, she strained to listen, eyes peeled on the sliver of light escaping the room. She could hear voices, but there were far to many to try and pick out any single words, so it sounded a lot like she was eavesdropping on an over-sized hive of bees. How many people were in there? Was this some kind of weird organization they had going on?

Frustration growing, Aden bit her tongue and moved closer, hands pressed on either side of the door. Still she could hear nothing. Shifting, she was about ready to give up when suddenly she felt her left hand slip downwards, her wrist coming in contact with the handle before she could even get a chance to pull it back.

Motion completed by the pressure she was putting on it, the door swung inward and an unbalanced Aden flew forward with a great yelp of shock. Stumbling, the girl landed in an undignified pile right into the very room she'd previously been dreading to enter.

Shaking her head, Aden lifted her face away from the tile, wincing in the process. For the briefest of moments she half hoped that nobody had noticed allowing her the freedom to sneak back out again.

This wasn't the case.

"You may want to considering practicing some before you try spying again, it doesn't appear to be working all that well for you."

Gaze moving to the left, Aden's expression instantly darkened when she found the speaker.

Without so much as a glance in her direction, Kyoya was sitting a mere five feet away, his attention absorbed into the screen of his computer and his back to the disheveled drop in. It almost looked like he was expecting her unplanned visit.

Glowering at the back of his chair, she hastily got back into a standing position. "I wasn't spying!" She defended rather loudly.

"If that's the case, then by all means enlighten me as to why you were standing outside the door like that?" He replied, once more refusing to look at her.

Aden couldn't help but wish she could shove him over.

"I was...waiting."

"Waiting?"

"For Haruhi."

At last Kyoya turned to face her, though he looked incredibly bored, "Whatever for?"

Realizing that she'd dropped the notebook on her way in, Aden bent down to fish it off the ground, "The notes, I was going to give him his notes back." She retorted, waving them around.

"I see."

Watching as he returned to his work, Aden continued to glare daggers at the back of his head. He thought she was an idiot, she could tell by the way he looked at her and the degrading tone in his voice. Damn did she hate him.

Realizing she was still standing behind him, Kyoya spoke up again, "Haruhi's over there, but don't be a bother to our guests, they happen to be our profit." He informed, waving her off as if she'd been nothing but an irritating fly.

Guests? Confused, Aden did a full circle to better inspect the opposite side of the room.

It looked like much of Ouran's girl population had taken it upon themselves to crowd the place, everywhere she looked the room was clumped with yellow uniformed, giggling girls who implied they were about ready to die from delight. Some were sitting, some were standing, but most of them were gathered in packs watching something she couldn't view. Was this suppose to be a party? How was she suppose to find one person in that?

"What the f-"

"ADEN!"

Practically jumping out of her skin, Aden looked over just in time to see the enthralling approach of one excited Host king. Grinning broadly, Tamaki bent over in a deep theatrical bow.

"I'm so very happy you decided to join us, I knew it wasn't in the nature of a young women to be angry for long." He enthused, as if her very appearance had completely melted all previous barriers of disagreement.

Aden stood practically speechless, "Huh? What are you- I only came to give...notes...Haruhi...the notes!" She sputtered, jabbing the notebook to get her point across.

Apparently he hadn't heard a word she'd said because in an instant he had her hand in his own.

"If you can find it in your heart to forgive us dear princess, then as the Host club's king I declare the same forgiveness. This is the fresh start to a wonderful friendship!"

By now a few of the girls had gathered around to watch the unfolding scene like a dramatic movie, but all Aden could do was stare at him liked he'd just grown a second head. What was his problem?

A little freaked out, she tried her chance at a wild escape but Tamaki had already thrown his arm around her shoulder as if the two of them had been best friends for years.

"What a joyous occasion, we must celebrate this mended alliance!" He announced.

With a great amount of effort Aden managed to wriggle away from his tight grasp.

"Look, I don't know what you're taking, but I just came to see Haruhi, okay?" She breathed, holding out the notebook like a shield.

Still unable to read her unfriendly behavior, Tamaki smiled, "Of course!" He beamed, "Oh Haruhi, someone's here to see you!" Tamaki bellowed in a sing song voice.

Hair ruffled, Aden scooted away from the blond anxiously awaiting Haruhi's arrival so she could get out of there before she was smothered alive. She'd also become intently aware of all the eyes watching them, and she didn't like it one bit. The last thing Aden wanted to be was the show.

Walking calmly through the growing numbers, Haruhi appeared before them, a tray of sweets and tea cups held delicately in his hands. "Yeah, what is it?" He answered.

Quickly spotting the pale form of Aden, he blinked, "Oh hi Aden, I didn't expect you to show up here?"

As if on cue the rest of the hosts appeared as well, curiously standing at the edge of the circle.

"Hey, Kyoya was right," Hikaru stated,"She did come back."

"She must have come to share some cake! Right Mori?" Honey chirped, practically glowing at the thought.

"Maybe."

Unable to take anymore, Aden made a strange noise that attracted everyone's attention, "For goodness sake! I didn't come to forgive anyone or make friends, I didn't come to spy, and I didn't come to eat cake! I came to give Haruhi his note's back! Got it?" She roared. Instantly everything fell into an awkward silence.

Face colored, Aden marched up to Haruhi and roughly handed him the notebook.

"Here."

Haruhi took it with a sympathetic look, "Thanks, sorry about that..."

Aden muttered irritable words of nothing to herself, arms crossed. But when she noticed how quiet everyone had fallen, she fixed them with an agitated glare, "What?" She demanded.

Unsurprisingly nobody made a sound until all at once Kaoru and Hikaru doubled over in fits of laughter, apparently finding both the issue and the crest fallen look on Tamaki's face to be entirely amusing.

Blood boiling, Aden opened her mouth to speak her mind only to be cut off by the collected, stoic appearance of Kyoya who'd decided at last to take the problem into his own hands.

"My greatest apologies everyone, but I believe now seems to be the appropriate time to end club activities for the day." He proclaimed to the gathering horde of girls.

Disappointed, they began making their exit, the hosts bidding them polite fare wells and dismissing them in the most gentlemanly of fashions, assuring their guests that they would be seeing them again soon.

Meanwhile, have succeeded in making a great fool or herself, Aden stood stiff as a pole and feeling very flustered. Well it wasn't her fault! Maybe if they didn't make such a big deal out of everything...though her attitude really hadn't helped the matter.

When the last girl had finally withdrawn, the room was left much emptier then it'd previously been leaving Aden with the gaze of all seven boys. People needed to stop looking at her like that, it really irked her.

"Would you stop doing that?" She blurted accidentally. Apparently speaking her private thoughts came as a symptom of anxiety.

"You're never going to get rid of your debt pulling things like that."

"I wasn't trying to jerk-face!" Aden lashed out before she could stop herself.

Hearing the nick-name she'd dubbed Kyoya, the twins started laughing all over again except this time they were joined by the muffled chuckles of the others.

Doing his best to remain level headed despite the snickering in the background, Kyoya scrutinized the red faced girl calmly, "I suggest learning to cope with that temper of yours as well."

"WHAT TEMPER!" Aden barked; Whoops, that was a dumb thing to say.

"My point exactly."

Outraged, Aden rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air with a long exasperated sigh, "Fine! Then why don't you tell me how to pay this off then?" She challenged, though didn't appear to be expecting an answer. Twisting so she could no longer see any of the hosts, Aden clasped a hand over her face. This was going to be a long year.

Sensing the taut atmosphere, Haruhi spoke up tentatively, "I know Aden couldn't be a host, but what if she helped out around the place to try and pay off the debt? After-all, that way I could focus more of my attention on the guests and she could work on getting her necklace back?"

"Haruhi my child, you're brilliant! You make daddy so proud!" Came Tamaki's lively voice from the background quickly followed by the sound of Haruhi's fruitless attempts to get away.

Aden's livid expression changed to horror. She knew Haruhi was only trying to help, and it did make sense, but it sounded a lot like pure torture in her mind. That would never work! Right?

On second thought, the sooner she could be done with them the better. Maybe it was for the best.

Reluctantly daring to glance over her shoulder, Aden waited with baited breath. It was obvious Tamaki agreed wholeheartedly with the idea, however Kyoya appeared to be considering the plan carefully.

"That sounds like fun, doesn't it Mori?" Honey cheered delightfully.

"Mhmm."

"Yeah why not?" Hikaru said, "The more the merrier." Kaoru finished. Catching each others eye, their mouths morphed into sly grins. Aden didn't like those looks.

"Well Aden, what do you think?"

Realizing that they were waiting for her opinion, she scratched her head, "Uh, well...I guess, I mean if it'll help," She stuttered, "Though it doesn't exactly sound thrilling..." She added in a whispery mutter, eyes flashing.

"Then I guess that settles it, from this day forth Aden can help Haruhi with the Host club's chores!" Tamaki alleged, making it official. Aden adopted a rather gloomy stance, it was to late to back out now.

Knowing it no longer mattered what he said, Kyoya sighed and pushed his glasses back into place, "I suppose, however it will all depend on how much effort she's willing to contribute."

Aden grumbled inaudibly, a million different scenarios playing out in her head. So that was it then, she was their dog? She grimaced as if she could already feel the effects of all the headaches she would have gained by the time she'd finished with the year. Man this was just like a bad nightmare, only she couldn't wake up. She just knew any of her chances at relaxation had just been flushed down the toilet.

A little light headed, she staggered to the couch and flopped down.

"It'll be okay," Haruhi reassured her, his hand lightly on her shoulder, "On the bright side, you'll get plenty of exercise?"

Aden tried to give him a small smile but failed miserably, "Eh...yeah, yeah I guess so, if you look at it that way." She didn't really feel like reminding him that she already rode her bike to and from school every day.

She couldn't even begin to fathom what Ryota would say if he ever found out she'd agreed to play maid for an odd group of high-school boys. It would haunt her for the rest of her life.

"Alright, I can do this, how bad can it really be?" Aden thought stubbornly trying her luck at standing once more.

Somehow in her few minutes of woe, Tamaki and the twins had managed to get themselves into an argument over something which turned into an animated chase before Aden could even say a word. Apparently it was a daily occurrence because nobody else seemed concerned, not even when their squabble ended up knocking over a large pitcher of beverage and various other messy things.

"Shouldn't we stop them?" Aden tried timidly, wincing when a whole cake splattered across the floor.

"I wouldn't try." Kyoya informed, suddenly appearing beside her.

Aden wavered, since when was he standing there? And more importantly...when did he find time to go get a broom?

However he didn't give her much time to puzzle over the matter before he was shoving the broom into her hands.

"Could you clean that up then?" He said, walking away without waiting for an answer.

Aden's eyelid twitched to the sound of more breaking in the background, her grasp on the handle tightening.

Good lord what had she gotten herself into?


This chapter feels cliche. No, just kidding, it is cliche. But whatever, I needed to fit her in somehow to set up my future plans for the plot. I'm starting to like this story better, that's a good sign then, eh?

CHARACTER COMMENTARY

Aden: The hell! Am I the only one noticing a pattern here concerning my situation with doors?
SBH:
Hey, some people can't get along with dogs, some people can't get along with doors.
Aden:
...
SBH:
That sounded better in my head.
Aden:
ANYWAY. So my life, it was ruined, which was what I was TRYING to tell you all in the summery ... but NOOOO.
Kyoya:
I think I'm not the only one here thinking this when I say, you did it to yourself.
Aden:
ADLOUFALDJLA.
Tamaki:
Oh um, is she speaking in code now? -clueless-
Kyoya:
I'm gonna guess it means something like, "Screw you, I hate you."
SBH:
Yep, pretty much.
Aden:
Oh yeah? Well try to figure out what THIS means, YOU'RE A-
SBH:
Okay, commentary time over!