C-H-A-N: So I just typed up the authors note, but then it didn't save so it's time to re-write it~

So yes.. Not sure how I feel about this chapter, it seems awkward and characters seem a bit OOC, but that might just be me because I'm a paranoid writer ^~^" So please let me know if it actually is~


Ciel Blanche: Thank you! Your review, in particular, made me smile :D I'm glad it has some type of flow, because most of my other stories just don't have the same flow as this one ^~^" And yeah, most parents, aside from Haruhi's, would agree to it without a good reason so Nori had her work cut out for her XD Yeah that's probably one of my favorite things that Nori says in this story, it just shows her more clever side ;] Haha yay! I hope this chapter is up to standards...

yvonna: Thanks for the review, and the favorite! Yeah Nori is actually a girl, I was trying not to make it too overly obvious, I'm hoping this is a sign that I did a good job at that? :D


Chapter Seven

"So you're officially a host now Nori-san? And your parents agreed to it?" I smiled over at Haruhi, only partially faking it.

"After plenty of debating with my parents, they reluctantly agreed to let me join. Though naturally I couldn't tell them the real reason, I can't imagine that they wouldn't be happy that in reality they had no say in the matter." She gave me a weak smile before stating,

"They have some extreme reactions, and do whatever they want, but they'll grow on you over time." I gave Haruhi a soft smile, glad that she was trying to cheer me up; after all she had been through a similar situation. Realizing that we had reached the door, I grabbed the handle and gave it a tug to open it.

"Thanks Haruhi, both for the words and for helping me to get my books." She gave me a small smile, waving it off with an indifferent attitude.

"You two are late." I glanced over at Kyouya-san, who had just spoken, and gave him a tight smile.

"Haruhi offered to help me go get my books, since I finally can have them." Giving me a polite smile he told Haruhi and I,

"That's quite alright, just don't make a habit of it. And you two need to go get into costume." I gave a glance around the room, noticing that all the hosts were dressed up in Arabian themed costumes. Sighing, I made my way to the back with Haruhi before we went different directions to change; after all the hosts were under the belief that I was a guy, as was everyone. I gave an annoyed sigh upon realizing that there was only one changing area for the guys, meaning that I had gotten extremely lucky that I was late today. If I hadn't of been late then they more then likely would have found out my secret. This means that I'll have to find a reason to be ate for any day we have a theme. Fan-fucking-tastic. Kyouya-san was going to kill me for coming late all the time.

"Hurry up Nori-san! Club's about to open!" I believe that Kaoru-san was the one that broke me from my thoughts, and reminded me that I needed to change into the turban like costume in front of me. With lightning speed I shed off my coat, tie, shirt, and pants; leaving me standing in the room in a thick tanktop and a pair of boxers. Worried that one of the hosts would come to check on me I pulled on the tan pants, and wrapped the darker colored turban around me, and tied the tiny sheet around my head. Folding my clothes in a neat pile, I placed them next to my bag so I wouldn't be able to lose them. After setting down my clothes, I made my way towards the main room, also noticing that Haruhi was already out there. As soon as I stepped into the room I heard someone yell out,

"Quick someone's coming, get into your places!" I bit my lip, a confused expression on my face. Had they forgotten that today was only my first day? I didn't know where exactly my 'place' was. Apparently Kaoru-san and Hikaru-san noticed my confusion, because they latched onto my arm and pulled me over to the rest of the hosts with a smirk on their faces. They then shoved me, non-to-gently, onto the floor in front of them and Tamaki-san. I glanced up at them in bewilderment, confused by what had just happened. Kaoru-san, I think, hit me lightly on the head muttering out a soft,

"Smile." I quickly understood what he meant, and turned to face the door with a charming smile on my face. It quickly dropped from my face as I noticed that it was just a little kid from the elementary section of Ouran.

"Oh it's just a kid."

"And a boy, no less." I glanced up at the two in confusion yet again. Would it have made a difference if it had been a little girl?

"What's wrong, little lost boy? Did you need something from our palace?" My confusion turned from Hikaru-san and Kaoru-san, over to Tamaki-san. Since when were we a palace?

"Y-you're this place's king?" Since when was Tamaki-san a king? If anything he was more of a figurehead while Kyouya-san actually ran it… But maybe I'm wrong about that, after all I don't really know the hosts yet. "Well, am I wrong?" And did this boy have an attitude to him.

"Here, little lost boy. What did you just call me?" Tamaki-san beckoned the boy to come closer to him, and check that what he thought he had heard was correct.

"King." Tamaki-san was beaming, a bright smile covering his face as he confirmed what the boy had said. I wasn't sure why Tamaki-san was so excited by the fact he was being called a 'king', but he was… And it seems as though his ego was being blown up at the same time.

"Oh, 'king'! Yes indeed, I am the King of this Host Club." I shook my head gently, amused by the antic that the host club had started after only five minutes of opening.

"I'm Takaoji Shiro, Elementary 5th-year, Class 'A'! I hereby petition the Host Club King to take me on as an apprentice." My eyes widened as I heard the boy's words. Did he have any clue what he was asking? Besides I didn't want to be here, so what reason could a little kid have? It's not like he would do something like this without there being a cause, after all every action causes an reaction, no matter how small.

"I believe that we should close club today to discuss this, Tamaki." I heard the sliver of dislike in Kyouya-san's voice as he spoke, letting me know that he wasn't too keen on the idea of an apprentice. The other hosts gathered around the table, still in their costumes, simply staring at Shiro-san. Getting bored quickly I muttered out,

"I'm going to go change now." Most of the hosts didn't pay any attention to me, but Haruhi nodded her head showing me that at least one person had heard me. I slowly walked back to the changing room, not worried about the other hosts coming in the room while I was changing. Upon reaching the room I grabbed my clothes, and after shedding the costume off I slid on my black Ouran pants. I then slipped on my white button up shirt, about to start buttoning up the shirt, when I suddenly heard the door open. I gasped, not expecting any of them to come back here so soon, before I scrambled in a vain attempt to get my white shirt on before I was seen.

"N-nori?" I heard Kaoru-san's voice carry across the room, and in a flash I was across the room, holding Kaoru-san against the closed door with my hand over his mouth to avoid any chance of him screaming.

"I can explain, and no this is totally different from Haruhi's situation. If I let you go, do you promise not to scream or run out of here?" Wide-eyed and shaky he nodded, still in shock from both finding out my secret, and from me more-or-less attacking him. "Okay so I'm sure you're wondering why exactly I'm a girl dressing up as a guy, right?" I took a step away from Kaoru-san and released him from my grasp as I spoke. He gave another shaky nod, probably still shocked. "Okay well the simplest way to say it is that in my family the first born child is always a male, no matter what. It has become tradition, even if you're born female you must act male, and more-or-less become a male."

While I spoke, my voice shaking slightly as I spoke since I had never had to tell anyone about my life before. I slid on my button up shirt and started on the buttons. "Once I graduate from high school I will be given the choice to be a girl or boy, as tradition goes. My parents would have rather had a son anyways, so it's better for me this way. But nobody outside my family is allowed to know my secret, so this is a problem. Because of this I must ask that you tell nobody, not even Hikaru-san. As long as you do not tell anyone, I will explain further when we have more time, so please don't tell anyone; it could cost me just about everything if you do." I felt pressure pulling to my eyes as tears threatened to spill over. My family would be royally pissed if they found out that someone knew I was actually a girl, and I would be the one to pay. With that thought in mind the tears spilled out, and down my cheeks.

"Are you crying Nori?" I shook my head, in a vain attempt to seem like I wasn't crying. I heard Kaoru-san release a sigh before telling me, "Hey stop crying, I won't tell anyone for now. They might find out though." I gave a small nod, and sniffled lightly. I whipped my eyes clear, when someone opened then door.

"Hey Kaoru, you still in here?" I glanced over to see Hikaru-san standing in the doorway.

"Yeah Hikaru, Nori here lost one of his contacts and I was helping him look for it." I felt my eyes widen, as I looked over at Kaoru, surprised that he had kept his word so far.

"Thank you for helping me find it Kaoru." I then leaned closer and muttered out, "You can tell Hikaru-san, but that's it, nobody else. Got it?" Giving me a shocked look Kaoru nodded, before joining his brother at the door, making some joke. "I'm going to go fix my contacts, bye guys." With that said I grabbed my jacket, tie, and backpack making my way to the doors.