Ouran High Host Club

Author's Note*

Finally, we're starting to get back on track! Or should I say, get nearer to the track?

So, a summary of the last 3 chapters... The Host Club meets Kurotsuki – a gorgeous new student at Ouran who enrolled as a guy but is actually a girl (and as un-gender-conscious as Haruhi – YAY!). Introductions are made and they learn about her past from Hani and Mori, who are her childhood best friends and "big brothers."

Thanks to those who are reading this, and enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Four – Let's be friends

Suddenly, Hani turned on the others with a stern expression on his face. "Kurotsuki is Senior Hani and Senior Mori's little sister, so you all have to be nice to her and look after her, alright?"

"Haii , hai!" They all nodded in agreement. Hikaru and Kaoru shot a mischievous glance at each other – "At last!" they thought, "We have a new toy to play with!"

Haruhi turned to Kyouya, who was thoughtfully going over the notes he'd made on Kurotsuki.

"Kyouya- senpai, what are your plans?"

They all focused on Kyouya, waiting for his answer.

"Senior Hani, Senior Mori … could you visit Class 1A tomorrow after school and bring Kurotsuki here? I've got something to discuss with all of you, including her, which requires her presence. I could get Haruhi or the Twins to ask her, but she still doesn't know them very well and will probably refuse. It'll be easier if you two go."

Mori nodded silently and Hani said, "Of course we'll go Kyo- chan!"

"Mummy! What are you planning to discuss? Tell meee!!" Tamaki danced around Kyouya, flapping his arms around.

"Like I would tell you ... you'll just have to wait until tomorrow." Kyouya gave a dark, secretive smile that was almost sinister … The others took one look at his smile and felt shivers run down their spines – what was Senior Kyouya planning this time? …

The Next Day

The next day, Haruhi arrived at school early and sat down at her desk in the empty Class 1A homeroom. "Finally, there's some peace and quiet! Now I can get some studying done..."

With a small sigh, she bent down and unzipped her bag, getting out her textbooks. She stacked them neatly on the desk, then pulled her English textbook from the top of the pile and began reading.

"Oh…ohayō gozaimasu, Haruhi- san…" Haruhi jumped as an unexpected, light male voice broke the silence. "I didn't even hear the door opening!" she thought. But looking up, she saw it was actually Kurotsuki, standing in the doorway with a slightly surprised expression on her face.

"Sumimasen, have I disturbed you? I didn't think there'd be anyone here this early in the morning." Her voice was soft and tentative as she looked down at the floor.

"It's ok! I don't mind! You don't need to apologise!"

Silently, Haruhi thought to herself "Yare yare, I'd forgotten that her voice sounds just like a guy's! How does she do it? And is she really a champion at karate and kendo? She seems so shy, and she apologizes so much...too much!"

Then, Haruhi remembered Hani' and Mori's recount of Kurotsuki's childhood and changed her mind.

"She lost both of her parents when she was still so young and her own grandmother doesn't acknowledge her existence. She's lived on her own since she was 11 years old and had to look after and support herself for so long."

"And yet, even though she's been alone all this time, she's still had the courage to keep her life under control. She must be really strong to have kept going like that."

Once again, Haruhi felt that odd sense of connection with Kurotsuki.

"If there's anyone who can understand and relate to what I've been through, it'll probably be her. She's also lost people who were important to her, so she knows the pain of it."

Hesitantly, Haruhi said, "Um … after you left yesterday, Hani- senpai and Mori- senpai told us about your past. We're all really sorry about your parents..."

Kurotsuki paused in the doorway and without saying anything, gave Haruhi a long, disconcerting look. Finally – it felt like ages later but only seconds had passed – she released Haruhi from her calm, icy gaze and walked noiselessly into the classroom.

"Is there a spare desk I can use?" She paused beside Haruhi's desk, indicating the empty places around them.

"Well Senior Hani Honey did say to look after her," thought Haruhi quickly - "She'll probably be spending a lot more time with the Host Club, now that she knows Senior Mori and Senior Hani are there. Maybe it'll help her feel more comfortable around us if she got to know us better."

Making up her mind, she smiled and gestured towards the vacant desk beside her which was usually occupied by Kaoru. "Here, you're welcome to sit next to me, Kurotsuki- san. I'll help you out if you have any problems or questions."

Inwardly, she convinced herself that Kaoru wouldn't mind her giving away his seat like that. "Oh well, Kaoru's nice. He'll be alright with helping out."

"Arigato, Haruhi- san." Nodding her thanks, Kurotsuki sat down and started unpacking her bag as Haruhi picked up her textbook again.

When Kurotsuki had finished retrieving her books, she turned to Haruhi. "Haruhi- san, will you tell me a little about your past, and what your childhood was like?"

Haruhi looked up, caught unawares by the random question. "Eh? My childhood?"

Kurotsuki nodded slightly. "I've never known what it's like to have a proper, carefree childhood. That's why I'd really like to hear about yours, Haruhi- san. Even if I can't have it, I'd still like to know what I missed out on."

Haruhi sat silent for a minute. Then, taking a deep breath, she began.

"My past probably isn't the ideal, perfect childhood you'd like to hear about, Kurotsuki- san. In fact, it's somewhat similar to your own."

"My mother died when I was only 5. Since then, I've been living alone with my father. Because it was up to him to support us both, he was almost always at work as well, even late at night on nightshifts That's why I was home alone most of the time."

"We don't have any relatives, and I didn't have many close friends either. It was just dad and me most of the time. That's why we're quite close. But he's always worrying about me…he thinks I'm too independent and wishes for me to rely on him more… I'm just trying to lighten his load, that's all."

Haruhi gave a small sigh as she finished. Kurotsuki was silent for a long moment, before saying softly, "I'm sorry about your mother. Had I known that my asking would bring up painful memories from the past, I would not have insisted that you tell me."

At this, Haruhi shook her head. "Iie, daijoubu desu. I don't really mind."

"And yet I'm glad you did, for now I've learned more about you, and I know that you're someone who can understand the pain of losing a loved one like me." continued Kurotsuki,

"Not only that, but your experiences aren't so different from mine. We both grew up having to look after ourselves, without anyone to depend on."

Looking over at Haruhi, Kurotsuki gave a small, tentative smile. Shyly, she continued,

"But that can be changed, can't it? You've found the Host Club now, and so have I, along with my two oniisans. And maybe, from now on, we can depend on each other too…We're very alike in many ways, you know."

"Not only are our pasts similar, but even now our circumstances are the same – both of us concealing our true genders from the school and pretending to be guys to fit in."

Haruhi listened closely and thought it over. "Haii…everything she says makes sense, I guess. And it would be nice, having a friend to talk to who's a girl, but without needing to worry about keeping my disguise as a boy. Plus, her presence will be a welcome additional to those rowdy personalities in the Host Club!"

She snapped out of her thoughts to find Kurotsuki looking at her questioningly. "Hai!" Haruhi agreed readily, "I'd like that! Let's be friends!"

Kurotsuki's shoulders relaxed as she released the breath she was holding. She had found a friend at last! "Arigato, Haruhi-san … Arigato gozaimasu!"