The afternoon sun shined brightly as the warm temperature cooled down from the last few months. The cool air flew through Ouran Academy, complementing the warm temperature. Red and white checked picnic mats where placed around the grassy ground with simple sandwiches and tea on them. The Host stood – and sat – in front of the picnic setting, smiling charmingly when they welcomed their guests to the club.
The Host Club is in business…
"So Aoi," your guest called you, as you two sat on the picnic mat, "tell me, what kind of tea you like?"
You took a sip of the tea you're drinking now, which is 'Yellow Gold Tea Bud'. "Telling the truth, I can't really tell the difference. It's just tea," you shrugged and took another sip.
"There is a difference, Aoi," the girl giggled, "You're drinking one of the most expensive Chinese teas. It is worth around 105.71 US dollars for 50 grams."
As soon you heard what your customer said, you almost immediately spat out the tea, choking from the sudden intake of air. "What? 105.71 US dollars for only 50 grams?" you exclaimed, choking in the end, "How many yens is that?"
The girl giggled and patted you back, helping you to recover from your choking fit. Once you calmed down, you took deep breaths and took a huge gulp from your cup, finishing off your cup of tea, to calm yourself mentally. The numbers was just too much for you and how the girl informed the valour of the tea without flinching reminded you the social status between you and the students attending Ouran Academy.
You threw your head back, letting out a groan-like sigh, to calm your rapid mind. 'Who the hell pays that much money for tea? Or even anything!' you complained in your head.
You glanced around the area, seeing it is time for your next guest. You stood up, helping your customer up from the plastic mat and said your byes to her. Shortly, another guest came to sit down. You did your normal routine, welcoming the guest, charm her, discuss useless subjects, that you clearly have no interest and then send her away and repeat.
You scanned the grass land, searching for person, while your guest talked about her day. Your eyes darted all around the place and you finally found the man you need.
"Excuse me," you told the girl and stood up. You stalked towards the raven third year, who was standing protectively over his small cousin. "Mori sempai!" you called the older, making the other third year and people around you look at you and the raven, "Are you free today after club activities?"
The stoic man stared at you blankly and then nodded stiffly.
"Cool! I'll meet you there then, but seriously, you got to get here earlier. I could never talk to you," you told the older, which he just shrugged and turned back to his cousin and guests.
You let out scoffed and rolled your eyes, turning around to go back your guest.
The ginger twins looked at each other with their beady eyes and their brow rose in suspicion. They then glided towards their Boss, placing their elbow on the blonde's shoulders.
"What's with them?" asked the older ginger.
"Yeah, it's like they have some type of secret," the younger ginger commented.
"What if they are secretly dating!" the two gasped dramatically, making the idiotic blonde gasp as well.
"Don't be ridiculous," the Shadow Kind told the three idiots as he looked up from his notebook and pushed up his glasses into place.
"Hear us out, Kyuoya sempai," Hikaru called out and help up his hand.
"Why did Aoi ask Mori sempai was free and why Mori sempai, out of all people?" Kaoru pointed out, "and from what Aoi said, they had already planned this."
"It still doesn't prove if they are dating," the raven deadpanned, getting slightly annoyed with the twins' crazy imaginations and assumptions. The blonde nodded, agreeing with his best friend, not really wanting to believe one of his 'daughters' having a boyfriend.
"Then let's find out!" the Hitachiin brothers cheered with a cheeky grin plastered on their handsome faces, but quickly winced.
"Why don't you two just ask her yourself?" the Shadow King snapped as his patience with the two devious twins running low. The thought of you dating someone just makes him cringe. You, Aoi Suzaki, a snappy, stubborn, uncivil and violent barbarian, got yourself a boyfriend? Total preposterous!
The twins coward away, when the vice-president told them the proposal. They shivered as the horrid memory ran through their minds.
"We rather not," said the older twin.
"Horrible experience," added the younger and the two shivered to the thought of making you mad again.
7:38 a.m., before school started
The Hitachiin twins sat in the abandon music room storming up their next prank on the other hosts and also snickering at the picture they took when they accidentally walked in you and the Shadow King's 'sentimental moment', before school starts.
Suddenly, the double doors of the room slammed open, revealing a very angry raven with golden-orange eyes. Your golden-orange orbs darkened and you sharp eyes formed into a very terrifying glare. They could see the petrifying dark aura emitting from you, like the time when Tamaki abruptly woke you up. Your breaths were shallow, but deep and every breath you took, your bounded chest heaved up and down. Your fingers curled into a tight fist that your knuckles turned white, looking like you're ready to beat your target, which are the devious twins you're glaring at. In your right fist, you held a large sock, filled with some round objects, emitting a slight citrus smell.
"I found you," you sang with a sinister grin.
The twins screamed in a girly fashion, jumping in fright and held each other. "Please don't kill us!" they screeched in total fright.
Your sinister grin twisted back into your deadly glare, smashing any hope of salvation from the two brothers. "You should have thought of that before you sent the pictures to my sister," you growled and ran towards the two gingers. They screamed in fright and started running around the large music room. They have no idea where they're running to, it just has to be away from you.
"Stay still, so I can beat you up!" you hollowed and swung your large sock, "The long it takes and the more beat up you'll be."
"That makes us want to run away from you even more!" the gingered yelled back and made a quick duck with a girly squeal from an incoming swing.
You let out an animalist growl and threw the filled sock, hitting the twins directly on the head. They coughed out a yelp and crashed on ground, kissing the lovely polished marble floor. You stormed towards the Hitachiin brothers and was about to grab them from the back of the collar, when they quickly scrambled away. You let out a annoyed growl and picked up you filled sock.
The chase of cat and mice had gone for another fifteen minutes, when you finally cornered the frightened twins. They had tried for the door for a couple of times, but whenever they do, you threw your sock or whatever was in your reach, stopping them in their tracks.
"I got you now, you little shi!ts," you growled, having a sinister grin on, scaring the ginger brothers even more.
"We're sorry! Please spare us!" they screamed for mercy, while hugging each other.
"Too late," you crackled a laugh and lift your arm up, which was holding the sock.
"Please not the face!" the cried, which made your sinister grin grew.
"Don't worry, your beautiful faces would not get harmed," you assured them, "I deliberately placed oranges in a sock, so no bruises would show, but I do guarantee it will hurt like hell!"
Hikaru and Kaoru screamed in pure fright as your arm hammered down at them and hence the beating begun.
From that day and moment Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin realized to never piss you off ever again or very painful consequences will come forth.
Present
The Hitachiin brothers shivered once again, ignoring the strange looks from the people around them. You defiantly left an impression graved in their minds and body.
"Hikaru! Kaoru!" the twins heard your demanding voice calling them and they immediately bolted to you and stiffly saluted you, like a soldier.
"Yes, Aoi, yes!" they yelled in sync, "What is it do you need?"
"Oh nothing," you smirked and leaned between the two gingers so you could whisper to them, "I just want you to give Kyuoya sempai an ice pack and this." You handed Kaoru a folded piece of paper and went back to entertain your guest, not before giving the Shadow King a cocky smirk and a wink. The raven gave you an unpleasant look, almost glaring at you. He didn't know what you said to the twins, but the look you gave him did no please him. Actually, the present of you did not please him. No! Just the mention of your name makes the Shadow King pissed. Ootori Kyuoya loathes you by the bottom of his heart. The stunt you pulled during the trip at his family's private villa gave him every reason to, including your cocky attitude, stubborn mind, violent self and irrational acts.
'I just want to rip that smug smirk off that pretty face of hers!' the Shadow King growled in his mind, as he glared at you. 'Wait, did I just call her pretty?' the raven slightly gasped and widens his eyes a bit. He then stiffly shook his head, denying the fact he put you and pretty together in the same sentence.
"Here's your ice pack, Kyuoya semapi," the twins said in sync and help out the ice pack and piece of paper that you gave to them, "and Aoi said to give you this."
The raven raised his brow and took the note from them, but ignored the ice pack. He knows what you're playing and he is getting even more irritated with you by the passing second. "That no good cocky girl," he growled under his breath and unfolded the piece of paper and skimmed through the content on it. He let out a sigh after the last word and folded the note again. He shoved it in his trousers and looked up. Almost immediately you and Kyuoya locked eyes and time paused when he stared at your sharp golden-orange eyes. The flashbacks back in his room, where he stared into your golden black hole called, eyes, so closely. He remembered how your body touched his and your breath mingled with his.
The Shadow King quickly snapped out of his state of daydream, seeing you walking away from the grassy field. He scanned the area, seeing workers already packing up the place and almost every guest was gone. Club activities ended and he didn't even realise it.
'What is wrong with me?' the raven asked himself and took off his glasses to massage his eyes, 'I must be tired.'
Truth to be told, Kyuoya wasn't himself since the day when the Host club went to their trip to his family's private lake. He always had those flash of memory of his body pressing against yours, how his nose brush yours, lips so close that he could practically feel your soft cherry tinted lips and your eyes; those golden-orange eyes were so alluring, hypnotising and just so beautiful.
The raven groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. 'What am I doing?!' he yelled in his mind, getting irritated that the thoughts of you just won't leave his mind. He blames his rapid teenage hormones and you provoking and triggering them. The last time he had these type of sensual fantasies was when he was thirteen, when puberty started to kick in.
"Kyuoya, quiet down!" the raven heard a familiar hushed whisper.
He snapped out of his train of thoughts and scanned his surroundings. He is now standing behind his group of friends, minus you and Mori, hiding behind a corridor. Haruhi looked worried and has a disapproval look, while Tamaki, Hikaru, Kaoru and even Honey looks completely serious and curious.
'How did I get caught into this?' the raven second year thought, genuinely confused.
"Kyuoya, you're going to get us caught," the idiotic blonde told his best friend in a hushed tone.
"What on Earth are you all doing this time?" the Shadow King sighed.
"Weren't you listening?" the blonde gasped.
"Yeah, we went through the whole plan!" Hikaru exclaimed in a hush tone.
"We're going to find out what is Aoi and Mori sempai up to," Kaoru informed the raven, making the Shadow King raise his brow, looking one hundred percent done with whatever is happening.
"Guys, I still don't think it's a good idea," the brunette told the group as they quickly ran forward and hiding behind another hallway, "remember the last time we stalked Aoi?"
"It's not stalking! We're just investigating," retorted the blonde second year, "and last time we followed Aoi back to her house, we got fed!"
The brunette groaned and palmed her face. Haruhi, knowing you well, you would not be pleased, but why can't the other hosts sees it? You showed your wrath more than a couple of times and they still don't learn!
"I want to know too!" the small blonde cheered, but his tone was not as cheerful as it use to be, "It's very rare that Takashi had gone without me and I'm very curious."
The girl groaned from her elder's confession and reasoning and yet again palmed her face. The consequences in the end will not be pretty. Kyuoya on the other hand became quite curious himself, but he was never the one to pry, well at least not how the other hosts obtain their information. He stared forward, seeing you and the third year walking casually towards... the school dojo?
'Well this is peculiar,' the second year raven thought and fixed his glasses.
While, the mini commotion behind you - and not to mention very obvious - you and your tall senior calmly walked side by side. You remembered why you asked the older for help and you will not be satisfied until you get stronger. You have to become stronger, at least strong enough to protect yourself and not let anyone push you around, not even a man.
Flashback
You sat under an evergreen, with a fire in front of you, while hugging your knees. You were angry, frustrated and hurt. You don't understand why your childhood friend yelled at you like that. She always just gave you light scolds and seeing her 'change' really displeased you.
You have many weaknesses and evidently stubbornness is your biggest flaw. It ruled over you, making you venerable against changing environments and troubling situations. Adapting and being flexible was never your strong point, you usually ran head on, like a raging bull.
Suddenly, you head a twig snap, interrupting your train of angry thoughts. You snapped your head in front of you, seeing the eldest raven, staring down at you with his usual stoic poker-face.
"May I sit next to you?" he asked and you sighed giving him a dull, 'yeah'.
The raven walked over to you and sat down next to you, leaning on the tree trunk. You poked the man-made fire with a long stick, to keep the fire going and flipped the fish you're currently cooking, as you two sat in complete silence. Only the cackling from the fire, occasional croaks from bugs and the rustle of leaves from the wind was heard.
"Here," the older sad and handed you some dry clothes, which consists of a large white shirt and shorts. You glanced at the clothes and then back at the older, raising your brow at the end. "The shirt is mine and the shorts are Mitsukuni's," the raven explained.
You paused for a second and finally nodded, taking the clothes your senior brought for you. "Thanks you, sempai," you told the older and gave a small smile, "can you turn around while I change?"
The older nodded and turned his back to you and you proceeded to take off your articles of wet clothing. You took off your semi-dry shirt and tank top, dropping them next to the fire. You stared down at your wet bandages; debating to yourself should you take them off, which in the end you did. You grabbed Mori's shirt and pulled it over you slightly damp body, which surprisingly just covered your bottom. You then stood up and pulled down your trousers, taking off your shoes and socks as well. You grabbed Honey's shorts, pulling up your thighs and had a bit difficulty putting the article of clothing over your bottom. The shorts were a tad bit tight on you and they cover a bit of your thighs.
"You sure Honey sempai don't mind?" you asked the other raven, while you sat down.
The older replied with one of his monotone replies and turned around again once you gave him the okay sign.
"If you have something to say, just spit it out," you told the older, a bit harshly. You weren't stupid, you know something was up when the older raven went out to look for you by himself and it was not just to give you clothes and keep you company. "If you're here to give me another of those talks, then leave," you spat and chucked another piece of dry wood in the fire.
"I'm not here to scold you," said the tall man and sighed.
"Then what?" you growled, "You're not the type off person who comes out to accompany someone."
The raven grabbed a dry stick and poked the wood in the flames. "You know you got potential," he commented and glanced at you, making you scoff and leaned towards the fire to flip the fish again. "Your reflexes are incredible and I believe you didn't have any martial arts training."
"Cut to the chase, sempai," you snapped and crossed your arms under your chest.
"Even though you have talent in fighting, you lack in strength and you don't know how to control it, making you weak," the raven deadpanned.
"What is it with you?" you growled and glared at the older.
"You want to protect the ones that are dearly to you," he stated, looking straight into your eyes.
Your eyes softened and they travelled down to the grassy dirt floor, your arms resting on the ground. Flashes of the man holding you by the collar, dangling you over the cliff ran through your mind. You were vulnerable and couldn't do anything and it just made you angry. Your fingers curled into a fist, scraping the dirt on the floor.
"Punch me," you heard the stoic man order you. You snapped your head upwards, eyes slightly widen and mouth gapped. You were confused, but the man in front of you looked very serious. You gulped and sat up properly to oblige to your senior's command. You raised your right arm and punch the older with all your might, using your upper body for more force in your punch. The older stopped you with his palm, but that didn't surprise you. What surprised you was the fact that his hand did not budge. It was like punching a mountain that could not be moved. Your eyes widen, not understanding why not even a muscle moved from the man. You know he had many years of martial arts training, but not even his muscles flinched. Your punches usually send you opponents crashing on the ground.
"You're punch is weak," stated the older, "You didn't focus all your strength. How do you protect your loved ones when you can't even protect yourself?"
You gritted your teeth and tightened your fists. Realisation flood over you and the older could not be anymore right. You let out a growl and threw angry punches to the raven's raised palm. You hated being weak and have people protect you. Haruhi, your older sister and your past parents; you could never help them, but give them more burdens.
"I refuse to be weak! I refuse to be defeated!" you angrily yelled and kept on punching the elder's palm, as your eyes started to become blurry
Mori's blank face darkened and grabbed your wrists. "Then become stronger," he stated firmly and looked into your glossy sharp golden-orange eyes, "an average woman is a lot weaker than an average man, physically. You have to change that, only if you are willing to."
You finally let your built up emotions of anger and grief let out into hot salty tears. The thought of notable protecting the people you truly care about crashed onto you. You hated that fact and you became angry with yourself for not realising it sooner. You always thought if you try harder and give no mercy to anyone, building strong walls would protect you. Yes, protect you, Suzaki Aoi. Being cold and rude towards everyone would push them away and meaning they would not hurt you and because of you, they won't get hurt. Truth to be told, you were the one needs the most protection. You're emotionally fragile and your spirit is easily crushed, but because of your stubbornness, you refuse to be broken, even though you feel like every single person on this planet hates you. Your weakness and fear was not transportation or being weak, it is losing people you love and care. You hate it because you never want to be alone, you don't want to feel the grief of losing someone and never able to see someone significant to you ever again.
"Mori sempai," you called the older raven, after you calmed down. You pulled your hands from the clutch of the older and roughly wiped away your tears with the sleeves of the shirt you're wearing. You looked up at the older with a determined look, finally gathering all your thoughts together. "Please train me," you requested, looking straight at the raven, "train me to the person I want to become, to protect the people a care about."
Mori's lips twitched into a please smiled and patted your head.
End flashback
You sat silently in the school's empty dojo, with your legs crossed and eyes shut, blocking out any unwanted distractions. Your ears twitched as you heard the whistle of the wind and small chatter from other students from outside. Your focused on your even breathing; breathing through your nose and out your mouth.
'To control your strength, you must be able to control yourself,' you remembered what the third year told you before you started meditating.
You slowly breathed in and out, sitting silently, feeling your whole body relax and you're focused on nothing but your steady breathing. You have your mind set on one thing and one thing only and it is the first step to become stronger.
Author's Note: I dug a hole so deep that even I could not climb out. What do you think about this chapter? I know many of you, only two, were anticipating what had happen with the twins and there you go!
I want to thank Shadowtolight for following this story!
Review Replies:
lolloleahpop: I'm glad you liked it XD I hope I got more laughs from you in this chapter. Your wish of knowing what happened with the Hitachiin brothers are here!
StarGuard147: Hahaha won't it take even more time to just send me to the hospital? XD Seriously, the dude takes a gozillion episodes to just find one!
Well I proffer Mori sempai showing his emotions towards Honey sempai. I just love that ship! . However, seeing Kyuoya all angry and such is just funny XD
They are indeed in deep sh!t XD