Sorry, this was supposed to be uploaded earlier, but since it wasn't, you get two! Yay!

Since Elena is back in Japan, things will return to normal. Whenever English is needed, it will be bold. Russian in italics.

Enjoy!

Elena was worried.

Ritsu hadn't called back, and she hasn't heard from him since before her flight back. If she got anything after living with her dads for so long, it was Yuuri's anxiety.

What happened to him? Why wouldn't he talk to her? Did he not like her anymore? What if her didn't want to be friends anymore? Did she say something wrong?

'Breathe, Elena, breathe. It's okay.' She told herself, taking steady breaths. It was Monday, her first day back at Ouran. She was going to stay at the club today and spend time with some of the guests and the Hosts, then proceed to give the Hosts their lesson and see how they've improved.

Tamaki wants to start on routines soon. She told him she'll see.

Elena let out a sigh and grabbed her bag, happily smoothing out the yellow dress. She was glad to be wearing it again, even if she didn't like dresses, this one she likes.

Maybe it's because it's the school uniform, or maybe she actually likes dresses and is only just realizing it. Who knows?

She descended the stairs to be greeted by Yuuri fixing breakfast, Victor looking at some papers at the table as Jacob tiredly sat in his chair holding tightly to one of his stuffed animals.

Victor looked up and smiled. "Good morning, sweetheart!"

Jacob rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Good mornin'." He yawned out.

Her anxiety forgotten, she ruffled his hair as she sat down. "Good morning."

Yuuri smiled and placed four plates on the table. "How did you sleep?" He asked.

"Fine." She smiled, taking a bite.

"Good." Yuuri replied with a smile as he sat down, grabbing Jacob's napkin and cleaning his face.

"Elena, your friends are coming to the rink today, yes?" Victor asked as he put his papers down.

Elena nodded. "Yeah, Tamaki really wants to start a routine and have everyone master it by around Christmas."

"Are you going to need help creating them?" Yuuri asked.

Elena nodded. "Ah, yeah. That would be a big help. But I also need to see what they're good at. I'll let you know possibly tonight."

"Okay. But just so you know, the rink may be a little full when you get there. But they'll all be familiar." Victor replied, faking working on his papers as he looked at his daughter's reaction out of the corner of his eye with a smirk.

Elena nearly choked on her food. She swallowed and looked up at him. "It Yurio, Otabek and Phichet going to be there?"

Victor hummed. "Hmm... Can't say. I guess you'll just have to find out."

Elena groaned and slumped back in her seat, knowing that he definietly won't say. "Okay..."

Victor patted her hair and she glared at him, only recieving a chuckle in response as he turned to Yuuri and starting a conversation about something to do with the rink and paperwork.

Elena blocked it out.

She was almost sad (almost) when she had to leave for school. She managed to pull herself out of her chair and get out the door with time to spare.

Her anxiety returned on the walk to meet with Haruhi.

She was somewhat lost in thought when the two girls met up that she didn't notice Haruhi talking to her.

"Elena, are you okay?" Haruhi asked when Elena had barely said a word.

The girl in question sighed. "It's just... I've caught up with everyone I know from Ouran except Ritsu, and I'm worried. And it's... weird. When the twins didn't text or call me at 3 am, and I didn't hear from them for two whole days -which is weird- I wasn't as worried as I am now. And now I don't know why I'm so worried, and I don't know what's going on, and I'm confused..." She looked up at Haruhi with frustration. "Is he okay?"

Haruhi didn't say anything for a moment, worrying Elena more, and then she smiled. "It's okay! Ritsu is fine, but he has seemed more worked up over nothing lately, but fine." She paused, thinking with a finger on her chin. "Though, he did call me yesterday and talked for ten whole minutes before saying thanks and hanging up. It was late and I couldn't catch much, though, so I don't know what it was all about."

Elena groaned lightly, grabbing her hair and looking at her shoes. "I'm worried, Haru. What if he doesn't want to be friends anymore? Did I bug him talking about school and my aunt while I was in America?"

Haruhi placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay! Look, maybe the Host club can help."

Elena let go of her hair and looked up. "You think so?"

"I'm sure so! Come on, let's go!"

Elena smiled, her mood lifting. It has to be nothing!

They arrived at the school, students milling about with the Host club under one of the trees where they usually gathered.

Elena waved, most of them waving back.

"Hey, guys." She greeted as they got close.

Tamaki's smile faltered. "Elena, is everything alright?"

The smile Elena had faded. Of course he could see right through it. "Well..." She trailed off.

Haruhi quickly explained to them what Elena said on their way here, something she was immensly grateful for. Suddenly, Tamaki and the twins' faces lit up, the two redheads getting mischevious smiles. Tamaki was smiling softly as Honey seemed to get excited.

Quickly, they all got in a group huddle a few feet away, whispering. Elena looked on confused. What were they doing?

Soon they came back, Tamaki leading them and looking ready to say something.

"Elena, dear Elena." he started, "This is a serious case, and we will be looking into it. Of course, this will be placed number one in our priorities, so please be patient. Now, excuse us and spend some time with your classmates." He finished, running off with Kyoya, Mori and Honey, leaving her with Haruhi and the twins.

She looked at the three. "What just happened?"

The twins swung their arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry about it! Come on, let's find something to do."

Elena was confused now.

In the meantime, the other four had gathered in the library where Ritsu Kasanoda was currently looking at some books.

"Alright men! We have Haruhi and the twins distracting her, now for phase two! Interrogate Cassanova! Mori-senpai! Honey senpai!" he declared, pointing at the two seniors.

"Yes sir!" Honey cried with a salute.

"Both of you are going to interrogate him, since he likes you best! Got that!"

"Yess!" Honey replied, walking off with his older cousin to the redhead in one of the ailes.

"Ritsu-chan!" Honey called as they neared him.

Ritsu looked up from the book. "Oh, hey. What's up?"

Honey got close to him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Uh... Sure? What is it?" He looked up at Mori for some sort of an idea of what it might be, but got nothing.

"Do you like anyone?"

Ritsu had a very light red tinge to his cheeks. "Uh-uh, yeah I like someone. I like a lot of people."

"No! Do you like like anyone?" Honey asked this time, giving him a knowing look.

This time his face seemed to turn as red as his hair. "W-what?! What gave you that idea?"

"You do! You do!" Honey cheered. "Who is it? I think I know who!"

Ritsu Kasanoda, the head of a Yakuza clan, was a blushing stammering mess. "W-well, I-I, uh-uh... t-there's, w-we-well..."

Honey waited patiently. "Come on! It's okay! Tell us!"

Ritsu looked around nervously, lowering his voice to a whisper. "W-well... It's... It's Elena, okay! But don't tell her. I don't want to ruin our friendship, please?"

"Don't worry! We won't tell! See you later, Ritsu-chan!" Honey waved goodbye as he turned with his cousin and left.

Ritsu stood there red faced, confused, and holding a book about the French revoltion.

"What just happened?"

Elena didn't see the others for the rest of the day.

She sighed in relief as the last class ended and she got up, going to Music Room Three for the Host club.

There she found her four seniors talking over a table.

"Elena! Haruhi! What a splendid surprise! Come, we're about to start!" He led her to one of the couches and had her sit down.

"What's going on?" She asked suspiciously.

"Nothing is going, why would you ask?" He asked, nervously/

"Okay..." She turned back the table, deciding this was completely normal. Because, well, it kind of is.

Soon, the Host club was in full swing, girls mingling with the Hosts of their choice, Elena, and each other.

"Oh, Tamaki, when will that surprise be ready? It's been so long!" Elena overheard one girl say to the blond.

"I know you are all so excited, my dear." Tamaki started. "But we aren't ready to show to you lovely ladies, but don't fret! You will see it soon."

"Oh, Tamaki!" The girls swooned.

Elena happily took a sip of her tea, glad to be back in the antics of her friends.

"How are the lessons going?" One of the girls she was sitting with asked.

"Very well, from what I heard. I'm going to see for myself." Elena replied.

"Oh, that's good! I really can't wait!" Another girl continued.

"Oh, yes. I saw the video of you skating on the internet, and I'm really excited!" The third added.

Elena blushed. "I-I didn't know you saw that."

"Of course we did! You were amazing!"

Elena chuckled nervously. She felt like she was suddenly one of the Hosts.

"Ladies! We here at the Host Club thank you for being here, but it is time for us to bid you all farewell. Please come again." Kyoya addressed from the front of the room.

All of the girls sadly left, saying their goodbyes and leaving in groups. As soon as the last one was out the door, the twins closed them.

Elena sighed in relief as they all gathered together.

"So Elena-" Hikaru started.

"How was your first day back?" Kaoru finished.

"It felt like I was turned into a Host." She replied, giving them a pointed look.

"Well that certainly wasn't our intention," Kyoya said as he wrote in his notebook. "Though at times it does seem like you are one. When you're here, of course."

Elena rolled her eyes and picked up her bag as she stood. "Well then. Let's go. We have practice."

They all nodded as the Hosts left, making their way out.

Elena grinned excitedly when she saw a head of red hair standing at the entrance of the school. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach as she rushed forward excitedly.

"Ritsu!" She called out. He turned and smiled when he saw her. She thought she saw a hint of a blush, but pushed it to the side. That's not important.

She tripped once she was just a few feet away, closing her eyes and bracing for the impact of the concrete below. She was confused when she didn't feel it, instead something soft.

She opened her eyes when she heard someone below her groan and a hand on her arm. She turned to see the red head underneath her, Elena having landed ontop of him.

She blushed as he asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded in reply as she sat up, face burning. "Y-yeah. Are you okay?"

He grunted as he sat up. "Yeah."

She felt the butterflies in her stomach, but swallowed hard and put them to the side. She had things to do, butterflies won't change anything.

Besides, she had a bone to pick with him.

Her cheeks cooled as she turned to him, flicking his ear.

"Ow!" he exclaimed, turning to her in confusion. "What was that for?"

"I haven't heard from you all weekend! I was worried!" Elena answered, trying to refrain from flicking him again.

He nervously rubbed the back of his head, avoiding her look. "I, uh, well..." He stammered, seeming to try and find the right words to tell her. "It's a long story."

She glared at him for a few moments, and he fidgeted. "Fine. I'm letting you off now since we have to go."

He sighed in relief as the two stood, the Host Club joining them.

"Well, now that you two are done, we better get going. I have a car waiting." Kyoya stated, not looking fazed at all.

Elena blushed more as the group began to move.

And Elena was confused.

She was calling orders to the Hosts, studying what they were doing, seeing who was better at what, and possibilities for routines.

Honey skated up to her while she was focusing on Tamaki, leaning against the barrier.

"Ele-chan?" H said, looking up at her.

"Yeah, Honey-senpai?" She asked, not looking away as she ran through a few possibilities.

"Do you like Ritsu-chan?"

"Yeah, I like him. I like all of you." She replied.

"No, do you like him?" He said again.

That got her attention as her attention went to him and her cheeks reddened. "W-well, uh, I don't... really know."

He hummed. "Okay!" And with that, he left.

And left her wondering.

Did she like him?

It had been several days after things had returned to normal. She still kept in touch with the girls from America, but had gotten busy catching up to Tamaki's schedule. She had a big group skate in mind, but she wasn't sure about it yet.

The rink was closed that day due to repairs, so she sat at a table with some other guests, talking happily.

"Elena, you're almost like an unnoficial host! It's kind of funny," One girl mentioned.

Elena awkwardly rubbed the back of her head. "I guess sometimes I just need to hang out with girls, and what better place?" They agreed with her.

"Oh, Elena! Did you know there was a Host club movie? It was so amazing and emotional!" Another squealed, changing the subject.

"They made a movie? They didn't tell me about it." Elena mentioned and the girls looked a little confused.

"I suppose it was because they've been so busy," One girl decided after a moment, the others agreeing immediately.

The subject was changed, and soon the club closed, Hikaru and Kaoru closing the doors behind the last girls to leave.

Elena collapsed next to Haruhi with a sigh. She really wanted to skate.

"What were you all talking about, Elena?" Hikaru asked as he and his brother rested their arms on the back of the couch.

"Not much. They said I'm like an unofficial host, and mentioned you all did a movie."

The twins immediately covered her mouth. "Don't let her hear you!"

Elena pushed their hands away, annoyed. "Don't let who hear me?"

Suddenly laughter was heard and a machine coming to life. The floor opened up and a circle platform was raised. Standing on it was a girl with a pink bow in her hair, laughing with her hands on her hips.

The Hosts groaned. "Our manager," Hikaru said, answering her question.

She stared at the girl, trying to make sense as to what just happened.

"Hello Elena, I suppose I should have actually spoken to you sooner, but I was a bit busy. Anyway, I am Renge, the manager of this here Host club." Renge said with a flourish. "Sadly, they didn't bring me into the decision to have you into the Host club, but that's fine! You're absolutely amazing, and so are both of your dads, so I approved!"

"Renge, why are you here?" Kyoya asked exhasperatedly.

Renge pointed at Elena. "She's the reason! I have something to propose!" Elena raised an eyebrow in confusion.

The twins sighed. "What is it?"

"I want to make her an official Host!" She declared.

All of the Hosts looked at each other, Kyoya writing in his notebook.

"Kyoya? Thoughts?" Tamaki asked, looking at his friend.

Kyoya wrote for another moment before speaking. "I do see where she's going with this. Whenever Elena is here, she spends time with the young ladies and entertains them until it's their turn with one of us. But, the way she does it, it's almost as if she's a well-known guest, but they have said they see her as an unofficial Host. We always can make it official, but I would leave it up to her." Kyoya finished with closing her book.

They all looked to Elena and she could suddenly feel a lot of presure for her decision. "Well, Elena?" Tamaki asked.

SHe thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't think I'd have the most time for it, honstly. I'm not always here, and I've been thinking about starting competitions soon, too..."

Haruhi put a hand on her shoulder, smiling. "It's okay."

Range had a hand on her chin in thought. "Official Hostess, but a specialty! Only here sometimes, so they have to come while she's here!"

"Let it go, Renge." Kyoya said, continuing to add to his book.

She sighed. "Alright. Second thing! We're shooting another movie!"

the twins gave her an annoyed look. "Why?"

"Because we have a new member to the team! It's going to be new and amazing, and showing everyone what you've been doing! Show them the side of you outside of school!" She twirled, hands clasped together under her chin and sparkles in her eyes as she looked on dreamily. "It'll be perfect!" She flipped back around, pointing at them. "And I will not be taking no for an answer! This is what they want to see! We start next week!"

Her platform lowered and the hosts sighed. Elena was just confused.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," Tamaki began, addressing the people there, "we are doing the second movie! I need you all to be ready for it! We have no idea what Renge has up her sleeves, but we should be ready for anything! But that doesn't mean we are going to slack off on training, so I want you all to do your very best!"

The twins and Honey were lined up in front of him. "Yes sir!" They cried with a salute.

Kyoya sighed, already going over the budget and everything. "I suppose we are all free to go to our homes, considering practice in cancelled for the day."

They all agreed, leaving the school to go to their homes or wherever they need to be.

This was going to a be a busy year.

Practices continued as normal, but Renge had brought a camera crew to record some of it, Renge explaining what was happening, which wasn't necessary.

It caused her to loose focus several times, falling onto the ice. She wasn't used to this.

With the next fall she had on her jump, she gave up, lying on the ice with her limbs spready out, not caring how cold it was.

"Cut!" Renge cried from her director's chair. "Elena, is something wrong? you keep falling, that's not good to put in the movie! You're supposed to be the pro of the group, training these newbies to be like you! You're supposed to be aspiring to be like your dads and win gold! That's not what I'm getting!"

Elena turned her head to look at her. "Maybe it's because you're giving unnecceassary commentary, pointing out everything that I do."

Renge had a hand on her chin as she seemed to think about it. "Nope. Can't be it. Let's try again, okay? Give us your all! And, action!"

Elena stood, skating foreward again. She wanted pro? She would get it. Nailing the next jump, a salchow, smirking at the camera.

Renge shot up, holding her papers in a fist. "Yes! That is exactly what we wanted! Keep going!"

This happened a few more times, before Renge deemed they had enough. "Alright, take five!" She yelled as she went to go speak with the crew.

Elena, breathing heavy, skated to the edge and off the ice, grabbing her ater bottle and drinking. The Hosts and Ritsu wandered in then, skating gear at the ready.

"Ele-chan! We're ready!" Honey called as he waved from atop Mori's shoulders.

She put her water bottle down and smiled. "Hey, Honey senpai, hey guys." ONce they neared her, she lowered her voice. "Is she always like this?"

"Like how?"Tamaki asked as he pulled on his skates.

"She asigned me my 'role'" She did finger quotation marks in the air. "Apparently, I'm the depressed adopted daughter of the two greatest figure skaters ever, aiming to be just as good as them, but with a strong doubt that it would ever happen."

"Don't worry, she did the same to us last time." Honey said comfortingly. "I was the baby faced thug. Tama-chan was the lonely prince. She didn't change Kyo-chan at all."

"Yeah, she gave us all something. Don't worry about it." Haruhi comforted.

She smiled. "Thanks guys."

"Now then, I believe we have a practice to get to?" Kyoya added.

'Breathe, you can do this. You've been working on this for a long time. You can do it.'

That's what she's been telling herself for the past twenty minutes. Over and over.

But she just couldn't do it.

Everytime she tried, she failed. She messed up the jumps, forgot what came next, mixed everything up, everything she could do wrong, she's done it.

And she was tired.

Frustrated, she kicked the wall, muttering a Russian curse and was glad no one was here to hear it or see her regret kicking the wall.

She flopped down on the ground, her foot throbbing as she buried her face in her knees. Why did she think she could do this? She never could, and she never will. She'll never make it into the competition, or do anything.

Maybe she should give up.

She blinked, the tears stinging her eyes and she took a shaky breath to try and calm down.

"E-elena?"

Her head shot up to see who it was, only to see a familiar redhead.

She wiped at her eyes quickly, hoping he didn't see her near crying. "Hey, Ritsu. What's up?"

"Uh, nothing really." He replied as he sat down on the floor next to her. "Are... you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm... fine." She said. "Uh, why do you ask?"

He blinked, seeming confused as to why she was telling him she was fine when she clearly wasn't. "Are... are you sure? We can talk."

She turned to look away with a small sigh, the tears stinging her eyes again. After a moment she answered. "I'm just frusturated. I can't get this routine right. I think I'm just going to drop out of the competition."

"What? Don't do that, you've been working so hard to do it, and you can't give up now." He said, leaning foreward to try and see her face. "We all have your back, and we know you can do it."

She slowly turned back to look at him again. "You think?"

"I know. You're amazing. If anyone can do it, you can. Just don't give up."

She smiled, wiping at the tears again, but more replaced them. "Thanks Ritsu." She sniffed.

He gave her a smile, wrapping his arm around her shoulder comfortingly. "Let's see if you can get it this time, okay? I'll be cheering you on."

She nodded.

After that, it went better. She was more confident in her ability to do it, and she completed it like she had hoped.

And her outlook changed. Suddenly, she could do it. She can get into the competition, and she will win.

Because she had some special people backing her up.

YAY!

This took so much longer than I would have liked.

But I have a good reason! Ready to hear it?

So it started with this dragon, and I had to save this prince, but it turns out the dragon was the prince, while Nicholas Cage was the evil wizard that cast a curse on the prince turning him into a dragon.

I wish it was something like that.

Instead, other things happened.

We moved into our new house (we aren't done)

I was freaking out because of the earthquakes in Mexico (we have relatives there[don't worry, they're okay])

I was actually pretty lazy when it came to writing.

I didn't have access to the laptop.

I was trying to make friends with people in real life (it's not easy [help!])

And I got back into roleplaying (curse you, 14 year old me!)

So, yeah. Sorry? No dragons, princes, or Nicholas Cages were invlolved. But that would make things 10X better!

Thank you all for sticking with me and this story! Love you guys!

Adios amigos!

~Izzy