I'M ALIVE!

Wow, I finally managed to finish this chap. And I know it's been forever really TT~TT I have no excuse.

Still, if you guys aren't completely mad at me, I do hope you enjoy this chapter. ^^ I will definitely try my best to get this thing going... well, Somewhere ^^;

DISCLAIMER IS DISCLAIMER

Please enjoy and if possibly, please leave a kind critique xD


"Quick quick slow, right left left, one two three- Oh, please watch your steps here Mister Leo, you have to be extremely cautious not to trod on your partner's feet. If the Lady were to accidentally step on yours, it is excused, but it would be very unbecoming for a gentleman such as yourself"

"A-ah, right"

"Chin up sir, you must have to look your partner in the eye, otherwise would be just rude"

"O-Okay…"

"It is the gentleman who leads; you must have to be a little more aggressive than this"

"Like this?"

"Ah ah ahh… aggressive it is, but you still need to keep your grace" Sharon Rainsworth instructed as she passively led the newest member around the Host-Club-turned-dance-floor.

The winter ball is drawing near, and it is a crucial requirement for every member of the Host Club to know how to dance, and given the fact that he was a fast learner and a 'natural', it was quite a surprise that that little field proved quite a challenge to one Leo Baskerville; it might have been a little awkward for him to hold a Lady in his arms, and the fact that he was being a little too cautious of his feet.

Sharon, on the other hand, was not at all affected, in fact she had to appraise Leo's grace, however stiff and inexperienced, as they trudged the floor. "You seem quite capable of the art of dance Mister Leo, albeit a little rough around the edges. Have you any experience?" she asked politely.

The noirette was silent for a bit before he replied. "Well, we did get dance lessons at the orphanage once. Sister Fiona said that it could increase the chances of us—well, the kids anyway, getting adopted if we had something to show"

"I see…" Sharon smiled. "Well you have poise and grace, and a good ear it seems; you have little problem flowing with the music. It's just your steps and movements that needs more practice. You need to be able to move more fluidly, and more confidently" she commented.

Leo blushed a bit at that. "Yes Ma'am…" he mumbled.

The Host Club had been closed for the afternoon in favor of Dance practice apparently, but apart from Leo and Sharon, no one else had taken the dance floor. 'They had no need for practice' they all said. Leo did not question this as it was expected that these people have been taught the art of dance since they were born, probably.

It was quite an odd day actually, now that he thinks about it. For one thing, Oz had not been seen at all outside his classes, Vincent is being oddly silent, and Break seems a little under the weather… if not outright sulking at a very dark corner in the room... near a windowsill… (He swears that the gloom and shadows were emanating from the albino, since it was a particularly bright afternoon)

And redirecting his attention back to his purebred dance partner, he recapped the events in his head of how this session came to be.

Leo had found Lady Sharon crying in one of the empty classrooms the evening she was first introduced, which was now one week ago, and due to pure reflex alone did he call out to ask her how she was.

"Ah, how unsightly of me to be crying like a lost cub, and I call myself a Lady…" she had said just as soon as he neared her. Leo wondered whether he should say something to comfort the young lady (although if her claims were genuine, she may just be older than him), stay only as a silent company, or leave her in peace.

The third option was definitely tempting him, but before he could truly decide Sharon has already begun speaking.

"You are?" she asked curiously, only reminding the noirette that they had yet to be properly introduced. "I am Sharon Rainsworth, sole heiress to Rainsworth manor and the carrier of our bloodline" the petite brunette introduced somewhat regally.

Leo became only a little more nervous after that. "Ah… yeah. Leo Baskerville. I'm… sort of the Scholarship student here…"

"Scholarship?" Sharon exclaimed almost in outrage. "However did you find yourself among the Host Club when you should be more focused on your studies?"

"Hehee…" the noirette gulped. "It's sort of a long story…."

And for the next few hours or so before dismissal, the two had somehow fallen into a peaceful sort of camaraderie through their somewhat random conversations. Leo hadn't asked at all about her and Break, but neither had she asked too many questions about him, at some points even dropping a few hints about her personal life as he did the same.

"Break and I were childhood friends. He was… my valet actually"

Leo wasn't really much of a people person before the Host Club, opting to just stick to himself and his books, but... he decided that this might be one of those times when you'd walk into a random, unexpected situation and end up with either a close friend or an avid foe. Yes, he conceded as he thought back to the many novels he had read before; he supposes that having Lady Sharon as a friend, who was now teaching him how to dance as he knew very little of the art, than having her in a less than pleasant association.

However this really doesn't do much for his aching feet, her new consistent persistence with him, and the gloomy aura radiating from the albino at the window sill…

And quite a similar aura from a half concealed light brunette.

"Hello Sir Elliot, would you like to step inside and practice a bit?" asked Sharon, acknowledging the teen's presence by the half closed door. Leo followed her gaze as well, wondering how long the brunette male has been standing there.

Elliot didn't speak as he slowly entered the room, opting to collapse on a chair near a table adjacent to the sulking albino, whom Leo had discovered, surprisingly, that the light brunette actually looked up to.

"Oz…" the blond finally muttered after settling down, looking pissed yet drained of energy. "Will be the death of me"

Leo cocked his head to one side in thought. "What happened?" he asked out of curiosity.

"He won't leave me alone" the brunette replied weakly, the aura around him growing stronger and stronger. "I've had to endure his whining and self-pity all freakin week. Why the fuck do I have to put up with all this crap anyway? Like I care about the brat's personal issues… Why me? Why me? why…. me…." He trailed off in a weird chant, and Leo could almost see his soul escape from his lips as he mumbled.

"Sir Elliot! Please watch your language! It is very unbecoming of one of noble status as yourself to speak so vulgarly" Sharon immediately reprimanded, and at this whatever left of Elliot's energy just flushed right out of him.

At this a small snort of a laugh escaped the only other occupant of the room. "Just like Lady Sharon, you haven't changed one bit" Xerxes Break muttered.

Sharon was silent, her eyes fixed on the albino. Break returned her gaze, a small unsettled smile on his lips.

Sensing a sudden change in the atmosphere, Leo backed off a little from the female brunette and stayed just as silent. This was the first time the two had actually acknowledged each other all week, and the noirette was quite curious about what might happen.

"….." Seconds passed by in awkward silence. "I suppose this situation can be narrated as 'the tension is so thick, one could've cut through it with a knife" Leo mumbled to himself as he observed.

Then suddenly, the clock chimed 3. "Ah, it's time for tea" Sharon suddenly stated, leaving the dance floor and settling down near a tea table.

"Yes milady" Break replied, immediately setting out the table with Tea and Cakes, seemingly from out of nowhere, before pouring two cups and seating himself down adjacent the Rainsworth Heiress.

"Eh?" uttered Leo, stunned by the sudden development.

"Ah, does Leo-kun want to join us for tea?" the albino piped casually, waving the teapot about as he bit into a piece of cake.

"Yes Mister Leo, please do join us" Sharon invited. "Sir Elliot may as well"

"As they say, the more the merrier, am I right Milady?" Break chimed, smiling at the female brunette before pouring two more cups of tea. Sharon seemingly ignored him, sipping slowly and elegantly from her own cup; the smile on Break's face wavered just a bit.

Elliot took the invitation silently along with his sullen aura, and sat down across the albino, immediately gulping down his tea and asking for more. Leo took a couple more seconds to repeat the action.

Sharon took one look at him and smiled. "Whatever quarrel me and Break may have does not change the fact that he is my Valet for life, and nothing short of death is allowed to interrupt tea time" she stated, somewhat forebodingly if her grin was anything to go by. Leo gulped. "So please do not worry your little head over it" she finished with a sip of tea.

The no longer bespectacled noirette mimicked the act a little awkwardly, but otherwise heeded her words.

"So anyways, how's your dancing going?" Elliot asked suddenly, gaze directed towards him.

Leo shrugged.

"He is doing quite well actually Sir Elliot" Sharon answered for him. "He has learned the basics; he only needs polishing up and more practice" she explained proudly.

"Heh…" the male brunette acknowledged. Leo smiled. "That's great then. If ever you win an award at the ball Mr. Reim would probably lower your debt"

At this, Leo perked up. "An award?" he asked.

Elliot smirked. "Yep, happens in just about every event in this School. Ya know, stuff like 'Best dressed', 'People's choice', 'The Royals'"

"The Royals?"

"Yeah, Kings, Queens, the Royals almost always ends up being from this club. Some odd days has guys from outside taking it, Oz tries to recruit them"

"I see" said Leo. "So has Elliot ever won a prize?" he asked out of curiosity.

Elliot felt a brow twitch. "What's that supposed to mean?" he grumbled. "But, yes. I more or less end up snagging the position of 'Knight', 'Best Dressed' and once or twice as 'People's Choice'. But I'd rather stay incognito. Too much attention is annoying"

"Well aren't you full of yourself Mr. Popular"

"You asked, I answered. And I hear this coming from the 'Natural' who snatched half the customers within his first week?" Elliot huffed.

"…" Leo took a sip of his tea as everyone's attention turned to him. "It's their choice, I only did my work. And it's a good thing because it decreases my debt" he answered calmly; a charming-if-not-playful smile on his face accompanied by his newly mastered 'bishie sparkles'.

Break gave a low whistled and Sharon sighed admiringly. "He's good" the albino whispered.

Elliot didn't fall for it. "Riight" he drawled, smirking. "Turning into quite the ladies-man aren't we Leo"

The two kept the eye contact, and then burst out into chuckles.

"Oh right! Leo," The light brunette suddenly perked up. "let me stay at your place this weekend" he demanded.

Sharon's eyes sparkled at that. Whatever thoughts that may be going through her head, no one knows.

Leo only blinked. "Why?"

"Cause Oz'll staying at my place" Elliot replied bitterly. "Gilbert is only too pleased to have the brat Vincent's all too supportive. There's no way I'm staying home" he grumbled.

Leo blinked again, and then shrugged. "Sure why not.

"Thank you! You're a life-saver Leo!" the brunette sprang, taking the noirette's hand in his with tear filled eyes.

And with that Leo had to wonder just how much a handful the youthful blond Vessalius could really be.

"Oh my, you two seem to get along quite nicely don't you" Sharon stated, a hand propped under her chin as she stared at them rather… creepily…

Elliot blinked. "Yeah… well, we're in the same class" he shrugged. Leo nodded in confirmation.

Sharon merely smiled. "I see"

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_*o*The Host Club is Temporarily Closed*o*_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Elliot immediately plopped face down on Leo's bed when they got home after classes that weekend. Leo didn't mind, opting to take a seat on the edge opening the book he was reading.

In all actuality, since the first time Elliot visited to work on their paired project, the brunette has taken a liking to the noirette's place. He would often walk the noirette home and intrude every so-often and would naturally stay over every time they had any homework or tests as a study-session of sorts. In fact, the brunette was there so often he practically lived there now, and Leo, being the sole occupant of the small one room apartment, didn't mind the company much.

"So" Leo began, his nose still buried in his book. "Oz is staying over at your place?"

Elliot grunted in reply, grabbing a book from a nearby shelf and began reading. "He and Gilbert have been best friends since before the guy became my brother. Although Gil would more often visit the Vessalius at their place, there are times when Oz comes to ours. My father isn't that pleased with it, but since he and my other older brothers are much too busy, they leave him be. Vincent doesn't give a damn though, which, of course, leaves me with the guy when Gilbert is busy."

"Gilbert is adopted?" Leo asked, curious.

"Yeah, Vincent too, they're blood brothers" Elliot replied. "Mom and Dad adopted Vince when I was very young, but Vincent has this creepy case of brother complex so they had to go and adopt Gil too. I actually like Gilbert, and without him Vincent is just creepy"

"I see"

They fell into companionable silence, then Leo started humming waltz.

"So, how's your dancing been going with Sharon?" the Nightray asked curiously, eyeing the humming noirette.

Leo looked up, contemplative. "Pretty good I guess" he turned to Elliot with a smile.

Elliot looked thoughtful, letting his book drop to the bed before getting up.

He placed a hand above his heart and gave playful bow, smirking at the questioning look on the noirette's no longer bespectacled face. He extended out a hand.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, a twinkle in his slate-blue eyes.

Leo's brow quirked at the gesture, but he smiled. Standing up, he gave a playful bow himself. "With pleasure"

And with that, two began practicing their waltz, stepping on each other's feets every now and then.