Asahi looked at Haruhi full of concern. His right shoulder leaned against the fence as he assessed her as well as the school behind her.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You're late, and after what happened yesterday… and this morning..." he trailed off.

Haruhi fidgeted a little. The circumstances were strange and disconcerting. Just yesterday she was sneaking home dirty and barely clothed. This morning they were both basically kidnapped. It still irked Haruhi that he was so worried. They had only known each other for a short amount of time and she was perfectly able to take care of herself. Taking a deep breath and burying her pride, she offered a slight smile to appease the situation.

"Yeah, I apologize for this morning. It seems like yesterday was also a misunderstanding. Everything is fine though. Are you okay after this morning?"

"After what's happened I just want to make sure you aren't in trouble. People like us… we aren't in the best place. People take advantage of that. I've seen it before. And seeing where you go to school… Are you okay?"

It was such a simple question, yet one people hadn't sincerely asked Haruhi. The honest answer should have been, No. Absolutely not. My father is dead. He was my rock and the single person who cared for me. I only have a few treasured memories of my mom. I am the most vulnerable and weak in my life, but threw myself into a school with the most powerful and elite families in the country who could get anything they want with a snap of their fingers. I have no control over life right now and it seems to be unraveling. I have people who won't let me alone when all I really want right now is solitude. Do I want solitude? I don't even know what I want or need right now.

But Haruhi could only blink away the thoughts and screams in her head. She glanced over casually. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Asahi."

The two began to hesitatingly walk home together.

"You must have been waiting long. Won't you get into trouble?" Haruhi asked.

"Won't you?"

"Well, I guess we'll have to see." Haruhi thought about what Kyoya had said earlier. Did he have the time to notify Hiroo orphanage? What would he say to persuade them? "I'm a part of a club with my school. I'm hoping they allow me to go to the activities for it."

"So, the guys from earlier? You're a part of their club now?"

Haruhi glanced to the side. "Yeah. They're nice once you get to know them."

"Are you sure?"

Haruhi silently laughed at the irony. "I'm not sure of anything."

"So, what kind of club is it?"

How do you describe the Host Club? "Well, I guess it's a club that teaches how to network."

Asahi eyed her from the side. "Are they forcing you to do anything?"

"Well, no. They don't make the best first impression for the average person I guess. Like I said, they're better once you get to know them a little more."

"And do you know them?"

Haruhi sighed in aggravation from all of his inquiries. "No. There are a lot of new people in my life right now. I hardly know any of them." She looked pointedly at Asahi, but the insinuation seemed to go over his head.

The two were about to turn the corner but stopped. Haruhi looked over.

"You can go ahead if you want," she offered.

"What's the point? We're probably already in trouble anyways."

Haruhi shrugged in agreement but a noticeable pit began to form in her stomach. Something felt wrong and she realized it was staring their way. It was clear that someone had waited for them in the front of the orphanage. As they walked closer, Haruhi could see the look of disapproval clearly evident on their face. Of course it's Tanaka-san. It's Wednesday night and they'd be on shift.

"Arigato Tanaka-san," both Haruhi and Asahi mumbled as they bowed in greeting.

"Asahi, go wait inside. I will speak to you in a bit," Tanaka-san looked at Haruhi until Asahi closed the door behind him. She looked down in stern irritation, arms folded and two feet firmly planted in front of Haruhi. "It has come to my attention that you have quite the way with the boys."

"What?" Haruhi was taken aback.

"We've had complaints from the other children. You seem rather involved with a few different boys, and from the phone call I received earlier, it seems like you think you're above the rules."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Who has a complaint against me?"

Tanaka-san scoffed as her professional demeanor slipped away. "You just came back late with a boy alone. It's almost nightfall! And you have boys calling trying to bribe the staff. Someone said you had inappropriate contact with multiple boys this morning. Do you think this behavior is appropriate?"

"What? I'm sorry I don't understand. This has to be a misunderstanding."

Tanaka-san glared at Haruhi, and assumed that the young girl was lying. "You will need to sign a disciplinary form. You are not to have contact with those of the opposite sex outside of school. Your club is outside of my control. It seems like you are making friends in high places. But I know better. I can tell your morals have slipped. Make sure it doesn't affect the other children. This may not be the best place for someone like you. You may be more suitable elsewhere than Haroo Orphanage." The staff member sniffed as she turned around, leaving Haruhi at the bottom of the stairs.

Haruhi stood silently, trying to absorb all of the new accusations thrown her way. Who complained against me? I've never kissed or even held hands with a boy. Haruhi's pride was bruised. She was neither believed nor trusted. She felt her cheeks get warm and her breath accelerated. Taking a few deep breaths, Haruhi tried to calm herself before going in. She walked up the stairs and placed her hand on the slightly worn doorknob. She knew she would need to turn it, but couldn't bring herself to go inside. Instead, she turned herself around and looked back upon the street. She leaned against the door and let her head fall back on the hardwood surface. She looked upon those passing by as they headed in different directions. She contemplated all of their various paths and her own set out before her. Each person going on like the world wasn't falling apart.

Are they happy? Or do they feel the same pit of dreed? It seems hard to think that someone could be happy right now. But I bet they are. Each person on their own path. Making their own decisions and going about their own days.

Life was anything but absolute. Unfortunately, at this moment in time her path was decided, and it was proving difficult to have any say in her life.

She watched as a mother held her daughter's hand across the street. The twilight making a picturesque scene as the little girl smiled and looked up at her mother. It felt warm and inviting. I wonder if it would be weird if I asked to live with them. To have dinner with them? I'm pretty sure it's weird just observing them like this. At that moment, the little girl squealed and tore away from her mother. She ran up to a man who lifted her up in a warm embrace. The mother caught up and looked serenely upon the man and little girl. That's the father, Haruhi observed. Her own look having darkened and a foul aura began to surround her. Of course it is. She rolled her eyes and went swiftly inside the building, leaving the happy and unattainable scene behind her.

Haruhi closed the door behind her and looked up to feel eyes upon her. She somehow found herself the center of a few peoples' attention. She looked over to the right and noticed Akari whispering in the ear of another girl. Akari's eyes were glowing as she wore a smug face. Haruhi sighed and her shoulders deflated in exasperation. She glared ahead as she stomped towards her own room, passing by the small minds busy with gossip. She quickly shut the door behind her and once again leaned against it. She let herself slide down to the ground as she looked straight ahead.

Haruhi didn't know how long she sat there. Somehow she had fallen asleep on the floor and awoken to a few knocks on her door. Groggily, Haruhi stood up and rubbed her eyes. She opened up the door in front of her and peered out from behind it. With an "oof" Haruhi found herself wrapped in Kaito's arms. It somehow melted away the bitter taste in her mouth and Haruhi freed her arms to hug Kaito back.

Kaito stepped back and looked up, "It isn't true is it?"

"I don't know exactly what you're talking about, but no. It probably isn't true."

"I think Akari has been starting rumors about you."

Haruhi scoffed at the situation. "Yeah, I think so too." Haruhi's stomach rumbled and both girls laughed.

"Let's go get dinner," Kaito took Haruhi's hand and started for the open door.

"Uh, I'd rather not." I'm not interested in being the entertainment for dinner tonight.

"Please! It would look suspicious if you weren't there!"

Damn, she has a point.

"Sit with me?" Haruhi relented.

"Of course!" beamed Kaito.

As the girls walked Haruhi contemplated her companion. She didn't know much about the girl besides the fact she was warm-hearted and shy. Haruhi looked around the hallway as multiple girls headed towards the dining room. All of us have a story. Each somehow interwoven towards the same place. Each dealt a hand less favorable and still too young to play. Uncharacteristically, Haruhi crooked her elbow into Kaito's and looked over with a small smile.

"I think I am a little hungry. Thanks for coming with me. How was your day Kaito?"

The small girl grinned at the attention. She began to animatedly talk about her school day and the pop quiz she had. For once the girl felt prepared and the pride shown on her face. She even went back to her room after school and got distracted with her homework. It was the first day she hadn't tried to make origami animals with her worksheets. Haruhi listened with intent, focused on ignoring the blatant looks and cruel whispers. When they sat down, Haruhi and Kaito made a point to talk with their neighbors. The other girls still too shy to talk about Haruhi's indiscretions but hoping to hear some juicy gossip. It had gotten around that Haruhi was attending Ouran Academy and everyone was secretly dying to see what the cute and rich students were really like. Most of the girls were younger but longed dream about love with a rich and handsome prince. Unfortunately for them, Haruhi was able to steer the conversation elsewhere.

What did Sun Tzu say about being subtle and mysterious? Somehow becoming the director of the opponent's fate. I don't want to go that far but I do agree that there are benefits towards being subtle and mysterious. I bet Mori is the master of that. Oh, is he secretly manipulative then? Haruhi's eyes went wide for a second before she returned to the table's conversation.

With the exception of a few pointed glares, dinner went unexpectedly well. Kaito snuck into Haruhi's room that night and the two fell asleep cuddling. It was surprisingly nice to have that warm embrace. Huh, I wonder if this is what the twins feel like, Haruhi thought as she drifted off to sleep.

"Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate." -Sun Tzu

Smaller chapter this week. I didn't think I'd be able to write but I tried to knock it out. Let me know what you think! Thank you alexandra. ross. 902 and Kristy LeeKl! I don't often identify with female characters but Haruhi is the exception. Hopefully I'm doing her a fraction of justice. It always bugged me that she was forced into the Host Club. Never felt right about that and had to selfishly change it. Hope you like the change!

I apologize for uploading the wrong chapter. A bit busy this week and it transferred over in my haste.