I rewrote this chapter like five times, and I still don't like it. But it's been forever since I updated so here's the last draft I wrote.


I didn't understand how Haruhi could put up with the twins. I, for one, was thoroughly annoyed and about ten seconds away from stepping in and shoving them away from her. She was eating a cookie, when one of them walked up and took a bite off of it while it was in between her lips. The other approached frim her other side and licked cookie crumbs off of her cheek.

He licked her face.

The thought caused anger to flare in my chest but I just clenched my fists. This was their personality—I would have to learn to deal with it. Haruhi simply put a hand on the side of her face and looked at them. Not annoyed, not angered, not repulsed. Completely and utterly neutral.

" You know, if you'd just say so, I could have gotten them off myself. And if you wanted one they're right here. " She looked at the grinning twins and at the container of cookies in her hand. Tamaki's eyes were wide. He stormed up to her and put a hand on each side of her face.

" Y-your reaction is all wrong! " He said, and I couldn't help but nod my head in agreement.

" Please stop sexually harassing me, Senpai. " Haruhi said, purposely not looking him in the eye. I smothered a laugh with my hand.

" If I'm harassing you then they're twice as guilty! " He said as Hikaru and Kaoru snicker. My annoyance at them returned, although it was smaller. Miniscule. Hopefully, Tamaki would drill some sense into her head.

I doubted it.

" Sachiko-chan, Renge-chan, would you like some milk? " Honey asked us. I was standing next to the otaku, arms clasped behind me. I hadn't drank anything in the host club since yesterday, not even tea. My mouth was incredibly dry, but fear of being poisoned kept me from drinking anything that wasn't made by me. I hadn't eaten either.

I shook my head no, " But— "

" Too tepid. " Renge muttered, her hand under her chin.

" Wha— "

" It's all too tepid! " She raised her voice and the everyone froze and look at her, " Except for Kyoya-sama you're characters are all too lackluster! "

" I'm sorry. what? " I asked, raising an eyebrow. Sure, our characters were kind of two-dimensional, but she—

Oh, yeah. She was the host club's manager. I had no room to complain, or deny her. If I did, Kyoya would have probably kicked me out of the club. And not that that wouldn't have been very preferable, even if this place was dreadful and full of narcissistic people.

" All of you hosts are lacking a ' dark side'! "

I scratched at the bandage around my neck. Oh, I could have shown her a dark side.

" Girls are vulnerable to handsome, young men going through trauma. If you keep carrying on in this ridiculous manner, it's only a matter of time before everyone grows tired of it! Are you trying to ruin Kyoya-sama's precious business? "

I took half a step away from her. The look in her eyes was intimidating, so full of a passion for Kyoya that caused my eye to want to twitch.

" As manager, starting today, changing all of your character backgrounds! " She said and I wanted to shrink in on myself. I was decent at pretending to be someone I wasn't, but the idea of someone telling me how to act didn't set well with me.

She pointed at Honey, who had climbed into Mori's arms and was looking scared, like he might start crying at any moment. " If all you are is cute inside and out, then you're essentially a baby. As such, starting now, you're now ' the cute face who's actually a thug'! "

I couldn't imagine it.

She didn't waste time before she pointed at Mori, " Morinozuka-senpai! You're the ' childhood-friend flunkie'! " She barely took a breath before continuing, " The twins will be basketball players, ' shut up in their own world '! "

Hikaru and Kaoru looked confused. It would have been comical if it weren't for the fear thrumming through my veins as I thought about how she might change my character. I didn't even have a character!

" Haruhi-kun! You're the honor student faced with ' intense bullying'! "

She pointed at me.

" Sachiko-kun! You're the kind older sister, who has a fierce loyalty to her brother and will protect him at any costs! "

Hmm. Not too bad. There's just one stretch.

Kind?!

" Tamaki-san, you are the school idol, esteemed for your good looks, but actually you have an inferiority complex… ' The lonesome prince '! "

She turned to Kyoya, her hands clasped in front of her with a light brush painting her cheeks.

" Oh, Kyoya-sama, you're perfect. Just stay you're usual, kind, affectionate self. "

I tried not to roll my eyes. If he was perfection then I was the very embodiment of flawless supremacy.

Actually, I take that back. That was arrogant. But perfect Kyoya couldn't be so perfect. Perfection was simply an illusion. Even if he had high scores on tests, or graceful handwriting, the tests could be completed faster and the handwriting could improved in some form or another. Or, maybe, she wasn't being literal. Perhaps she just meant to express how highly she thought of him.

" I'm honored. " He put a hand over his heart and if it was possible, Renge's smile grew even larger.

A spotlight fell on Tamaki, who had wandered away and was seemingly sparkling. I assumed it was the idea of him being called ' esteemed for his good looks ' but he was used to being called handsome so I began to doubt that.

" ' The lonesome prince. ' Indeed, that is perfect for me! " Tamaki said and that time I actually did roll my eyes. How could he be so into this? She was trying to change his club, the one he worked so hard to establish. I would honestly kick her out of the club if I were him

Haruhi's eyebrow twitched as I looked over at her, " That's probably the one she got most wrong. " She muttered.

" I agree. " I said, crossing my arms over my chest as the twins talked to Kyoya. Tamaki wandered over to a wall and leaned against it, looking sad and depressed but somehow still attractive.

" Renge-kun, Renge-kun, " He said, " Is this what a lonesome pose would look like? "

" That's pretty good, Tamaki-san! I'm sure it would be even more effective if it were raining. "

I cringed. I could see where this was going, and I didn't like it. Knowing Renge, and her personality…

" Let's just see how it goes. " Kyoya said, " Something interesting will come from it, I bet. " I gaped at him. He was actually going through with this? He was actually willing got let Renge do what she wanted? Impossible. Of course, he did say she was the daughter of one of his father's clients. He was simply biding her wishes so she wouldn't go home and whine to her daddy about how Kyoya Ootori rejected her and wouldn't do what she wanted. Now he had to listen to everything she wanted to do.

Such a horrible predicament.

Mainly because it would inconvenience me.

§

It went from changing our characters to filming a movie.

How?

Not to mention the camera crew is from Hollywood. She had them rushed here just so she could shoot the scenes she wanted perfectly. I was sick on my stomach because I hadn't ate or drank anything since that morning, so the bustling people and scenes I had to shoot were making it worse.

Oh, and don't even get me started on the scenes I had to shoot.

Basically, I was nice and kind until someone said something mean to Haruhi, and then I would threaten them and glare. It was easy; I just didn't see how this would have improved my character. It was a nuisance to have to do this when I could have been doing something else. Not that I knew what that something else was. Reading, perhaps?

Haruhi's role also included the protective brother. Just a little more timid than me. In a way, we were like Hikaru and Kaoru, minus all the touchy feely stuff. It was enough to make me gag. Sure, I would do anything ( well, maybe not anything ) for Haruhi, but that didn't mean I wanted her criticizing everything I do. And I didn't want to have to criticize everything she did either. But they were our roles, and we were forced to play them.

" Sachiko-san, you're on! " Renge whispered pushing me towards Haruhi who was currently being glared at by Honey and Mori.

I stumbled forward but recovered and jogged in between Haruhi and Honey as enthusiastically as I could manage. I could hear Renge narrating over our actions: " Will she be the light of salvation that awaits them, or something else? "

How cheesy.

" Don't talk to my brother like that. " I growled, firmly planting my feet on the ground in front of Haruhi, my back to her. Honey was looking down, his blonde hair covering his eyes. Rain was falling, fake, of course, causing my hair to stick to my face.

" I hate it when people try to rise above their own station in life. " He raised his head, and I faltered at the glare there. It looked so real, so authentic. It caught me off guard, and my own glare disappeared. He looked genuinely intimidating with his hands in his pants pockets, his posture relaxed, his eyes saying " Move one foot and I'll kill you. "

How could someone so adorable look so frightening?

And then his face melted and tears formed at his eyes. He launched himself at me, his apology written across his face.

" Sachi-chan, Haru-chan, I'm sorry! I really can't do this. It's too mean! " He wrapped his arms around me and the otaku exploded.

" Cut! Cut! Cut! " She yelled, then waved her script at Honey, " Stick to the script! "

I knew Honey couldn't keep up the bad guy act for long. He was too soft and squishy to do it. His arms were still wrapped around my waist, and he was crying his apology into my stomach. I put a hand on his head, patting it while my other went to his back.

" It's okay, Honey. It's okay. It's just an act; we won't get mad at you. " I said. My words may have been nice, but the only thing I was thinking was, " Why do I have to comfort the 'kid'? "

He released me and beamed up at me. Apparently what I said helped, because he ran off and told Renge he was ready to re-shoot. I wandered away from the small cluster of trees, putting a hand on my head. A cold sweat had broken out there, and I was shivering. My cold, wet uniform was sticking to my skin, not helping at all with the way I felt.

I just had to make it through another hour or so, and then I could go home and eat.

" Here, " Tamaki said, handing me his towel, " You need it more than I do. "

" Thanks. " I said, taking the semi-damp towel with shaky hands. I continued walking until I reached a sunny spot next to the school where I could sit down and rest my back against the sun-warmed building. I wiped the fluffy, white towel across my face, and then dried my hair with it. My hair was going to frizz out in a puffy mess when it completely dried, but hopefully I would be home by then.

Hopefully.

" Let's shoot that again! " Renge shouted from about fifty feet away. I groaned and buried my head in my knees. Moving sounded dreadful, much less attempting to act. Plus, Honey didn't really seem like he wanted to do it, so it would be mean to force him, right? Right?

" Sachiko-san! "

I groaned again. Did they really need me for this scene? It wasn't like it was the only scene I was filmed in. There were about four instances where I was filmed protecting Haruhi, or just appearing flirty for the male audiences. One time, because I was protecting Haruhi and I upset Mori and Honey, they tossed me in a pool. I swam in the cold water, my dress trying to float up around my legs. I pushed the stubborn material down as I navigated to the ladder.

The anger on my face then wasn't an act. I hadn't agreed to be sexualized like that. When I climbed out of the pool my dress was clinging to every curve and I had to push my dripping hair wet hair out of my face. As soon as Renge said cut, Honey apologized and I just walked off.

Haruhi was mad about that, too.

" Sachiko-san! Get over here, now! " Renge yelled, walking towards me and grabbing my hand. I lifted my head off of my knees and the towel fell off of my head as she pulled me to my feet and towards the tree. My stomach flipped at the quick movement and I blanched. No one noticed.

" You're going to learn what happens when you go against me. " Honey said, the same intimidation as before creeping into his voice. It still shocked me to see him go from cute and adorable to… this.

" Are you ready? " Renge whispered, her grip on my hand loosening as my turn to jog in and defend Haruhi came up. I shook my head no, but she didn't care. She put her hands on my back and pushed, but this time I was expecting it. I didn't stumble, but my jog was slow. I shivered as I entered the cold water coming down, and stopped in between Honey and Haruhi.

" Don't talk to my brother like that. "I growled again, trying to get to the same voice as before but I fell short. Not only that, but my voice was weak as I tried to clamp down on my nausea.

" I hate it when people try to rise above their own— "

I doubled over and threw up the toast I had that morning. Honey's words got stuck in his mouth and everyone silenced. The taste of leftover toast was disgusting, acidic, making me more nauseous. It quickly turned into dry heaving and my stomach felt like it was trying to knot itself.

" Shit.. " I groaned as it eased up.

" Sachiko! " Haruhi was at my side, rubbing soothing circles on my back, " Are you okay? "

" Just peachy. " I said, just before I launched into another fit of dry heaves. Haruhi lead me away from everyone and their stares as my head started to pound.

I was taken around a wall so no one could see me. Haruhi's hand didn't leave my back, a constant support as I attempted to straighten myself out. I was shaking and my eyelids felt heavy. All of my energy was gone and I rested my head against the cool wall.

" You haven't eaten, have you? " Haruhi asked in a quiet voice. I shook my head no. " You have to eat. I understand why you didn't, but you aren't able to do what you need. "

" Like all of this is so important. " I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to steady myself. I was shaky on my feet, and I wanted nothing more than to just go home. But then, eventually, I would have had to have faced dad, and I didn't know if I could do that.

" It's important to the club, so you have to participate. Eat something, drink water, rest. " She said in her sisterly tone and I cracked open an eye to glare at her. The only part that sounded halfway decent about that was resting.

But… She was right. This was important to the host club, and they had dealt with me for a weeks now. It was the least I could do. I just wouldn't eat. Or drink. I would suck it up and deal with the nausea and lack of energy. If I eat, I could be poisoned. If I drink water or something, I could be poisoned. It was dangerous when someone had finally decided to try and kill me. I was not about to take any chances.

" I'll tell them to shoot that scene without you. Sit down, and I'll be back with food, water, and a towel. " She walked off, her hair dripping water into her face.

I ran a hand through my wet hair, annoyed when it gets caught in a tangle. I let my back slide down the wall, jerking my hand out of my hair as I went. That was so embarrassing. Throwing up like that in front of dozens of people… The thought didn't sit well with me.

My cheeks heated up and I almost buried my face in my skirts again before I remembered the bile that was still on my lips. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, a grimace forming on my face. Disgusting, repulsive. But there was no choice. I mean, I could have avoided throwing up, but there was no way in hell I was going to eat.

" Sachiko-san, " I heard Kyoya say. I saw him out of the corner of my eye, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. He was partially covered in the shade from the building, " What was that? "

" I'm ill. " I lifted my head higher, wrapping my arms around my knees. I should probably have done something to show I was ill, that I was actually sick. The bandage around my neck itched and I scratched at it, causing the wet bandage to come loose.

" If you aren't feeling well, please speak up and tell someone. Now we have to take time to reshoot the scene. " He wrote something down in his notebook and I heard Renge call his name. His grip on his pen tightened.

" If you aren't supportive of this, please speak up and tell someone. " I said in a mocking tone, and his jaw clenched. The wet bandage around my neck fell into my lap. I put a hand on my injury, ignoring the slight sting. I winced as my hand came away red. Of course my neck had to choose that time to bleed.

Just like….

I shook my head.

Haruhi came around the corner before Kyoya had the chance to respond, carrying the stuff she promised earlier. She saw the blood trailing down onto my collarbone and her eyes widened before she crouched in front of me. I eyed the grape juice and sandwich in her hand with distaste. I didn't know where that came from, where she got it.

" You can't survive five seconds by yourself. " She said, shoving the food in my hands and patting my neck with the towel.

" That explains a lot. " Kyoya shook his head.

" Like what? "I said, taking the straw off of the cardboard juice box and puncturing the foiled part on top. I didn't particularly like grape juice, and I definitely didn't want to drink it. But I did, and the tart taste coated my tongue.

There was no going back now. If I was poisoned, I was poisoned, and the only thing I could have done if I felt the affects was go to the hospital.

" It explains how incompetent you are. "

I cocked my head to one side, ignoring the flare of anger in my chest. Incompetent? I didn't think I was like that. I was always persistent, working hard for what I wanted. It was just that I wouldn't put in the extra effort for something that wouldn't benefit me. I was talented in my own ways, I thought.

" I find people are competent when they want to be. " I said, the plastic straw still in my mouth. I looked down at the sandwich in my hand, wrinkling my nose up at the peanut butter. I hated peanut butter. Haruhi knew this, yet she still grabbed it. Of course she did. I suppose she could have grabbed the first one she saw, which could have happened to be peanut butter, but I didn't like giving people the benefit of the doubt.

" Eat it. " Haruhi said, cutting Kyoya ,who had his mouth open to respond, off. I grumbled as I grabbed the sandwich, eyeing it with a distasteful eye. " I know it's peanut butter, but you need the protein. So eat it. "

I took a small bite.

My gag reflex was instantly cued, and I covered my mouth with my hand. So sticky, so peanuty, so sweet. It caused the bread to stick to the roof of my mouth. I attempted to get it off but only succeeded in nearly choking myself.

" I think I used the wrong word. " Kyoya said, his hand under his chin. " You're not incompetent. You are too dependent. "

I glared at him as I struggled through a second bite. Half of the first bite was stuck between my teeth and my gums, but I washed it down with grape juice. It left a weird taste in my mouth. The taste of the peanut butter combined with the grape juice was starting to make me not like either of the two things.

" I've— " Had to be, is what I wanted to say, but I knew Kyoya wouldn't care and that his conversation was virtually meaningless to him. All he knew was that I was a commoner, and that I somehow managed to get into this school.

I stood, feeling a little more reenergized from what I had eaten and drank. Haruhi's hand fell from my neck, taking the towel with her. " I've got to go shoot that scene with Haruhi. "

He nodded and said, " Do your best. "

I assumed he was simply telling me to do my best so I didn't screw up the film and make him lose his chance at making money.

I walked away, leading Haruhi back to the forest are and trying not to feel resentment at Kyoya. He wouldn't know that I had depended on everyone around me for my entire life. It was one of the few things that had remained constant in my transition from princess to commoner. At first I was dependent on Akame and my parents, now I was dependent on Haruhi and dad.

I felt the oncoming thoughts about how my dependence on everyone, on Akame, could have caused her to get annoyed with me, thus causing her to not contact me even thought she contacted dad. My chest tightened and I shook my head, doing my best to dispel the thoughts before they distracted me.

Being a host.

That was what I had to do.

That was what I had told myself I would do the night before. I couldn't believe I had complained about this. I was such a hypocrite! An overwhelming surge of shame hit me, tinting my cheeks pink. I wanted to hit my head on a wall. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stup—

" Sachiko! You're up. " Renge whispered in my ear. I hadn't even realized I was already here, or that they had filmed part of it. I nodded, taking a deep breath. I was no longer nauseous; I had some energy and the hunger in my stomach was satisfied for the moment. I would give this my best shot, put all of my effort into it.

I would become the best damn host this club has ever seen.

§

I wasn't really relieved when I didn't get lightheaded, or nauseous because of the sandwich and grape juice. Just because they weren't poisoned this time, did not mean that it won't be poisoned next time, or the time after that. I would start packing my own lunches and snacks.

Haruhi was no where to be seen. She had walked away, leaving a blushing Tamaki behind. I didn't know what she said, but it caused him to like had more. Knowing her, it was probably something unintentional. I doubt she even knew how Tamaki felt about her, but I wasn't about to ask if she did. She would figure it out on her own sooner or later.

I just didn't get why he called himself our ' father '. I bet he was just confused.

" Haruhi! " I started to call out her name and I heard the otaku's voice from around the corner of the building. The opposite side of where I was earlier. I walked around, slightly taken aback by the two lumbering forms that the Renge was proudly introducing. I could see the irritation on their faces and felt a spike of unreasonable intimidation. If Renge kept doing what she was doing….

She grabbed his arm, eagerly pulling him along, when he shoved her away. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as she was falling towards some equipment like and Haruhi dove behind her, absorbing the shock of the fall. I rushed forward my skirts flurrying around me. I saw something gleam on her face ( a tear? ) as she fell to her knees.

" Haruhi-kun! Are you okay? " Renge asked, crouching in front of Haruhi. I scowled as I took a deep breath, ready to tell Renge off, when Haruhi started talking.

" Those boys are right. " She said with a hand on her face. I stopped walking. " Renge-chan, if you judge people by stereotypes, you won't ever be able to see what's really important. "

" I'm not sure I understand what you mean… " The otaku said, completely oblivious. Oh, honestly! How ignorant could someone get?

Tamaki appeared at my side before I had a chance to say anything, " Haruhi, what happened? "

Haruhi removed her hand from her face as she looked up at him. The tear was still on her face, making me wonder if it was actually a tear. Nevertheless, Tamaki's eyes widened and then narrowed at the two boys who were the only one's strong enough to push Haruhi so hard. He grabbed them by the collar and I walked forward, crouching next to Haruhi.

" Are you okay? " I asked quietly, resisting the urge to shove Renge away. If Haruhi was hurt it would be her fault.

" Yea, " She said, rubbing at her face. I nodded, sitting back on my heels. If she said she was fine, then she was.

" Wait! " The guy who wasn't being help up by his collar said, "It wasn't our fault! It was that girl's fault! " He pointed a shaky finger at Renge, who was still next to us.

" It's true, senpai. " Haruhi stood, still rubbing at her eye. I wonder… " These boys aren't at fault. "

Tamaki dropped the guy he was holding, his attention turning to Haruhi. The guy he dropped looked like he was about to pee his pants, and he scurried away with his friend as Tamaki cupped Haruhi's face in his hands. His expression on his face took me by surprise. It was full of care, concern, worry and—and…. I would almost say, love.

" Haruhi, does it hurt? "

" Yes, " Haruhi said, taking her hand away from her face. I couldn't see what she was holding out on her finger, but I had a pretty good idea of what it was. " My contact slipped out. "

The look on Tamaki's face went to shock so quick, before it melted into a relieved laugh.

" Oh! So that's it. " He said, " Once you can cry without using eyedrops, you're a full-fledged host. "

Haruhi smiled a small smile, and I grinned at the two of them. How adorable!

Wait, once I could cry without using eyedrops, I would be a full-fledged host? That would be easy. All I would have to do is get lost in my mind. If that was all it took then I was halfway to becoming the best.

" Did you get that? " Renge asked, whirling around to the cameraman behind her. They nodded enthusiastically, and Kyoya broke the camera.

As in, he took a rock, and smashed the lens.

I stifled a laugh. And he talked about us not treating Renge right.

" K-kyoya-sama? " Renge stuttered out, shock written all over her face. This is the real Kyoya, not the one in her mind that was always kind and loving. The real Kyoya is an ass.

" I'm sorry but I can't let there be any record of a club member engaging in any sort of violent act. " He said, his voice cold and hard. " I am extremely displeased with the way you're acting like such a pest. "

And cue the waterworks, I thought, looking over at the otaku. Tears were running down her face, but it seemed like she still didn't believe that Kyoya would do such a thing.

" Kyoya-sama, you're supposed to tell me not to worry about it, and then gently pat me on the head! " She dropped her head, hands clasped at her chest, " Why would someone as kind and affectionate as you… "

" He's not kind, " I said, hoping to shake the girl out of this stupor she had launched herself in. I counted off the words I said on my fingers, " He's cold, calculating, judgmental, critical. Basically, he's an a— "

" It doesn't matter, does it? " Haruhi said, and I looked up from my fingers to see the Otaku on her knees, facing me, crying. She was a couple meters away, and Haruhi crouched down in between us. " Even if Kyoya-senpai is a little different from what you expected, Renge-chan, I think that watching people, and getting to know them slowly, little by little, can be fun too. "

I looked at Haruhi's back and I smiled softly. Of course she would say that. Haruhi had a way of cheering people up when it really mattered.

All of a sudden, past her, and past the cameramen, in the garden, a bush rustled. I caught a glimpse of brown hair, a long leg, half of a face. My heart lurched into my throat and I stood without realizing it. Seconds later I was running past Haruhi and Renge, past Kyoya and the cameramen.

My feet pounded the pavement, heart beating faster, harder with each step. It couldn't have been her. It couldn't.

But I wanted it to have been her so badly. I wanted Akame to have been here, to protect me, to tell me everything was going to be okay. My hopes were rising, higher and higher. If it was her, I could have gone back home.

When I turned around the corner and peered past the trees, no one was there. There wasn't even a sign that someone was here. Nothing but pink flowers and dark green bushes, tranquil fountains and stoic statues.

I felt my face fall, and I chastised myself for letting my hopes get so high. It was foolish. Dad may have had contact with her, but that was over a year ago. And he may have had a way to talk to her, or communicate, but I couldn't do that. She said she'd come back when the people that killed my mother were dead.

But what if she needed my help?

" Sachiko-san, are you okay? " Tamaki said, coming up behind me and putting a hand on my shoulder. I took a deep breath and steadied myself, schooling my features into a neutral state.

" Sorry, " I said, letting some of the disappointment I felt come through in my voice, " I thought I saw a cute, little, baby bunny. "

He shook his head. " The others are worried. Let's head back. "

I nodded and followed him, seeing concerned faces when I walked out from around the bushes. I ducked my head and apologized, but my mind wasn't in that moment. Haruhi seemed concerned, Kyoya indifferent, the twins wondered what the hell caused me to run off like a crazy person. I plastered a semi-fake smile on my face but I kept my attention on the crevices in the concrete at my feet. Akame would come back, and she would come back soon. Hadn't five years been long enough?

I kind of wish dad had never told me he had contact with Akame. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have been imagining that she was here, ready to take me back to the palace. Disappointment was trying to claw it's way into me, but it couldn't find a hold.

No matter how rational I tried to be, the hope inside me was a thing that couldn't be extinguished.


I kept changing the ending. It just felt... Meh to me. Let me know what you thought.

Also, to the person that reviewed, No, the host club doesn't know that Sachiko is a princess. When will they find out? Well, that has yet to be decided tbh.

I spent everyday writing this chapter, little by little, sentence by sentence. I mean, I would literally write one sentence, get stuck and have to walk away before I screamed. I ended up deleting the first draft, and the second. I modified the third so many times and just reread, rewrote, reread, rewrote. I'm trying to keep some of the chapters light, but I tend to make things dark and twisted. I don't really think Ouran Highschool Host Club is a dark and twisted story, and I want to stick with the lightness of it.

I really set myself up for failure, didn't I? My character lost both of her parents at a young age, which is traumatizing, not only that she feels responsible for an entire island that she can't get to lest she be killed. People are trying to assassinate her. To get to her, she fears they'll attack Haruhi and Ranka. Dealing with all of this at the age of 15. If that isn't dark, I don't know what is.

Anyway, sorry for the late update. I'm going to go eat some more candy.