A/N: Hello, lovelies. I'm…So tired. I'm so tired. Not dealing with people outside of the internet today. But anyway…Are we enjoying our little breather of relief? Good. Because…Well…We're still breathing it. Just a good, old-fashioned day with the host club, right?

"Daddy!" I walked into our penthouse with seven other bodies following me. I didn't expect to be bringing them back, but I'm not mad.

"He's not home, Rei," Uncle Tony cranked his neck back, "He said he should be back later tonight."

"Oh." Where the hell would he be off to? I let it go, "What a shame. All my friends are in town."

"So," Uncle Tony figured, looking them all over, "What I'm seeing here are four, five, six sets of inattentive parents? At least?"

"Only for the sake of the plot, sir," Kyoya assured him.

Clearly, that was a man who has never met Ranka Fujioka before. I'm not even his child and he's bitched at me plenty. I can still remember the incident from the Viper Pit like it happened yesterday. Then, out of nowhere, Hikaru and Kaoru sandwiched me, "Is this really your house, Rei?"

"Yep," I nodded, "Home sweet home. Complete with my Uncle Tony and Uncle…"

Huh…That's weird. Honey took my hand, "Rei-chan? Is everything ok?"

"Uncle Tony," I wondered, "Where's Uncle César?"

"He left with your dad," Uncle Tony went back to the TV, "After the last fiasco, he figured it'd be a good idea to take some back up with him."

"I can't blame him." At least I know Daddy's not going out without security. That's weirdly comforting.

"It's a shame," Uncle Tony teased me, "Your dad's not going to see how popular his daughter has become."

"I'm not that popular," I brushed him off, "If you need me, we'll be on the roof."

"Ok."

"You can go to the roof, Rei-chan?" Honey gasped.

"Yep," I brought them all to the elevator, "When I'm home, I go up to the roof all the time. It doesn't matter what the weather's like. I'll gladly go up to my roof."

The elevator emptied us out on the roof and I threw a match in the fire pit. That's the thing about when I go to the roof in December. It's cold as shit. Adapt and overcome. Simple as that. As soon as I sat down, I instantly felt better. A warm fire, my roof, and some of the best friends I've ever had in the greatest city in the world. This is it. And in that moment, I suddenly made the realization. For the first time in a long time, I'm finally home.

"Alright," I had to ask. Because it was way too uncharacteristically quiet up here, "So, what are you guys doing here?"

"We were already talking about coming here, Rei," Tamaki pointed out, "Remember? We were all having dinner in Osaka and I asked you what New York was like. So, here we are!"

"Tamaki-senpai," Haruhi nudged him, "Don't you think we should be honest?"

"We knew you'd need us, Rei," Hikaru took it upon himself to do just that.

"Yeah," Kaoru added, "After what happened in homeroom."

"What did happen?" Haruhi asked, treading lightly, "You don't cry, Rei. Ever."

"Yeah…" There was something in my memories I'd love to forget, "I just got a phone call I would never wish on anyone. Even my worst enemies. It's the fucking worst feeling in the world."

"What was it?" Honey crawled into my lap.

"I got a phone call from Uncle César," I hugged him tight. It's almost as if he knew I'd need a little emotional support. Everyone should have an emotional support Honey. I highly recommend it, "He told me that my dad got shot. He was in the hospital for a couple days, but he'll be ok."

Without another thought, Mori nudged me forward and pulled me into his chest. I'm going to be totally honest here. I didn't think I'd be sandwiched between Honey and Mori when I got out of bed this morning. But I'm sure as hell not complaining. Even more of a shock, I didn't expect Mori to open his mouth. But no one ever does, "It's alright, Rei. You needed to heal."

"You know what?" I laid my heavy head on Mori. He makes a damn good pillow sometimes, "I'm glad I came here. Really, I am."

"Are you going to come back to Japan, Rei?" Tamaki wondered.

That was a loaded question. The one everyone wanted answered, "I don't know, Tamaki. I mean, I'd miss the shit out of you guys, believe it or not. No matter how many times a day I want to beat your asses into the ground. But in all seriousness…I don't know."

"Don't leave us, Rei-chan," Honey cuddled into me, "Please."

Dammit, Honey. I hate that he knows how to use his potent brand of cuteness against me, "I wouldn't be gone forever, Honey. I promise. I'll just be home for a little while. That's all."

"Then, that's how long we'll stay!" Tamaki decided, "We'll stay as long as you do, Rei."

Oh, Christ…I wasn't quite sure how to feel about that. Knee jerk said to throw up over the side of the building, but something in my heart said otherwise. It felt warm. And cozy. And I liked it. All I could do was shake my head at them, "You guys are something else. Did you know that?"

"Thank you!" Tamaki sang, "You know, we pride ourselves in being a little out of the ordinary."

"It shows." They're exhausting, but dammit, it's good to have them around. I couldn't ask for better friends than this group of assholes…And Haruhi. I could never lump her in with the asshole category. She's too wonderful. And she doesn't quite fit the host club rhetoric. Still, I'll keep her around, too. But in that moment, something in me snapped. I'm not sure what it was, but something just…clicked. If I had my boys and my best friend in town, I might as well show them why I loved home so much, "You know what? Fuck it. I'm done."

"Done what?" the twins worried.

"I'm done wallowing," I decided, "I'm done being pissy. I'm done being depressed and miserable. I need to do something to get me out of this. And I'm thinking we should go out tonight. Just us. No…No more thinking. We're going out tonight. Tamaki, you didn't have any plans for the club tonight, did you?"

"Not that I know of," Tamaki looked to Kyoya, his usual voice of reason, "Kyoya? Do we have anything planned for tonight?"

Kyoya pulled his black book out of his pocket and did a quick skim, "No. We're wide open for the duration, Tamaki. It's all your call."

"It's all Rei's call," Tamaki handed over his power. I knew I'd be on top of this club one day. Daddy would be so proud, "Where are we going, Rei?"

"I'm not sure yet," I hopped up from my chaise lounge, "But I do know one thing for sure."

"What's that?"

"Hikaru, Kaoru," I ordered, "You two are with me."

"Really?" they perked up, "Why?"

"Because I said so," I needed this. That little surge of power felt good. I didn't think Tamaki would ever fully get me, but a little transfer of power and I'm drunk, "Come on. Now."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"What about the rest of us?" Honey asked.

"You guys can do whatever you want," I allowed, "I just need these two for a hot second, ok?"

"Ok!" I love him. Honey's too sweet for his own good. And I adore him dearly.

I brought Hikaru and Kaoru into my bedroom and watched as their eyes fell out of their heads. I mean, I know my bedroom here and my bedroom in Japan weren't all that different. The only difference was that this one had more neons in it. Sue me. I'm a sucker for neon lights. And when there are plenty outside like my penthouse in Tokyo, I don't need as many inside. But this? I didn't have a regular overhead light in my ceiling. My light switch turned on the different strips of LED lights around the room.

"This is your bedroom, Rei?" Hikaru sat down on my bed.

"Yep," I nodded, "This is my bedroom. My cozy piece of the world."

"It looks like somewhere you'd have a rave," Kaoru pointed out, "Not sleep."

"You'd be amazed at the kind of vibe those neon lights give me," I admitted, "It's peaceful at night. It's home. Now, you see that room over there?"

"Yeah…"

"That's my closet," I threw myself on my bed, "Go nuts."

The two of them lit right the fuck up. I don't know why I'd be surprised. And I think I might have created a monster, but I'm wrecked upstairs, so the more I can get these two to do for me, the better. Although, I think I may have caught them both off guard a bit. It was a lot of black, but the black wouldn't be the shocker. It's the material.

"Wow, Rei…" Hikaru gasped, "There is a lot of leather in here."

"It's like looking in a sex shop," Kaoru noticed, "Just without the toys."

"I like leather," I shrugged, "Sue me."

"Would you look at this spicy little number?" Hikaru pulled out a deep purple dress that I haven't seen in…Well…Almost a year. The sudden ache in my chest was not doing me any favors.

"That was what I wore for my sixteenth birthday," I gushed, a hint of melancholic nostalgia in my voice, "That was a fun night. Despite everything that happened after."

"You should wear this tonight," Hikaru tossed my dress at me.

"No," I shook my head, throwing it back, "This one has too many memories on it. And those are memories I'm trying to forget tonight. Bad idea. Try something else."

"Um…" Kaoru blushed, "Hey…Hikaru…"

"What?" Hikaru glanced over his brother's shoulder, slowly turning the same color, "Oh…"

"What?" I didn't like the feeling in my stomach. If they found something they weren't supposed to…What would it even be? I kept my bat under my bed. My knives were in my nightstand. I didn't have a handgun. Daddy kept those in his safe in his office. That wasn't even in our house. And I didn't have anything objectionable. So, what the fuck could they have found?

"You know, Rei," Hikaru explained, "It takes a lot to make us blush."

"Why do you have a bondage harness in your closet?" Kaoru asked, holding it out to me. It wasn't a bondage harness, for the record. It was just a black leather top I had with a few cuts taken out of it. However, I could see where they were coming from.

"That's…" I giggled, "Oh, you two are adorable. That's not a bondage harness. It just looks like one. Daddy doesn't even know I have that one. He'd probably kill me for something like that. Wearing it by itself anyway. That's what I'll wear tonight. But we need to class it up a little bit, so I don't look like I'm looking for a hot piece of ass for the night."

"But isn't that what tonight is all about?" Kaoru figured.

"Not exactly," I clarified, "I just wanted to go out and have fun with my friends."

"While reeling from your breakup with Kasanoda," Hikaru pointed out.

"No," I instinctively reached for my nightstand drawer, but I stopped myself. I didn't want blood all over the place. My knives go unsatiated today, "We're not going to bring Ritsu into this. We're not even going to think about him. And no, you don't get to ask questions."

"That's no fun," they groaned simultaneously.

"If that's the case," Hikaru started.

"What are you wanting out of us?" Kaoru asked.

"Class up that top," I requested, "I got jackets coming out of my ass in there. I'm sure you can find at least one. I need something that's very femme fatale. Give me something that looks like I just brutally killed a man and came back in the time it takes me to redo my lipstick. And yes, I have no problems with heels. The higher, the better."

"Yay!" I think I've created a pair of monsters, but hell, it's making them weirdly happy. I'll let them have it. As long as they don't ask about why I'm going into obvious break up mode.

"Alright, boys," I pushed myself up from my bed, "You two play nice in my closet. I'll be back in a little while."

"Where are you going, Rei?" Kaoru stuck his head out of my closet.

"Out," I wasn't going to spoil the surprise like that. Besides, I didn't want to run the risk of them following me either. I wanted to go somewhere I could be completely by myself and a hundred percent at peace. And I knew one place I could do that. I am home after all. What would a trip home be without it?

I hopped into a cab and took it to a beautiful white building I knew all too well. One that I missed terribly. Particularly one person in it. It's only four o'clock. It's not like it's going to be closed yet. When I walked up to the front counter, the same dark haired bitch that tried getting a handful of what used to be mine stood with fear in her eyes. I like that fear. She doesn't need to know it's no longer warranted, but still…The sadist in me is quite content.

"Miss Mendoza…" she gasped, "Hello. I didn't know you were scheduled today."

"I'm not," I settled her, "Relax, honey. I'm not here to start or break up a fight. I just need to know if Rosco's here today."

"Rosco went home about an hour ago," she cringed, "I'm so sorry. If you'd like, I can set you up with someone else."

"No," I shook my head, "Rosco knows where my pressure points are better than anyone else. If it's not Rosco, I want no part of it. But maybe there is one other thing I could use."

"Name it." My, my. Someone was eager to please. Who was I to turn her down?

"Do you have any stylists that aren't currently busy?"

"Let's see," she checked the computer, "One. For the next hour. Why?"

"I'll take that hour slot," I decided, "Who is it?"

"Maxwell," she told me, "Would you like your robe, ma'am?"

"No, thanks," I shot her down, "Take me to him."

"Yes, ma'am!"

It's weird. I've never been in the salon part of this place before. Any time I'd go here with Mama, it'd always be for a mani-pedi and maybe a massage. And I never deviated after she died. I never really got to know any of the stylists, but I just hope to all things holy, unholy, and purgatorial that Maxwell is worth a shit. If he's not, someone's head is going to be rolling. But then, I saw him. He had to be at least six and a half feet tall and one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen. This mother fucker took care of himself and I think I love him.

"Maxwell," she nudged me forward, "You have a walk-in."

"Ok." And his voice…Oh my god…I just wanted to hear him talk some more. It's like velvet. This is needed. Oh, yes. This is sorely needed. This was a damn good idea, Rei. Damn good idea, "Hi. I'm Maxwell."

"Reila…" I tried to hold back a swoon, but I just couldn't. He made it too damn difficult. Holy fuck, dude.

"Reila," he smiled, melting me to my core, "Why don't you sit down and talk to me for a little while?"

"I'd love to," I fell into his chair.

"Now," Maxwell put a hand to my cheek, "What can I do for you?"

Focus, Rei. You came here for a specific reason. But because that specific reason isn't here, you need to come up with a secondary reason for being here. And even though Maxwell made it very easy to lose track, you need to come to again, "I want the blue in my hair gone."

"Ok," he nodded.

"And…" I added, "Maybe an inch off the bottom."

"Can I ask you a question?" Maxwell's dark brown eyes were absolutely hypnotic. Again. Rei. Focus, "And I want you to answer me honestly."

"Ok," I allowed, "What is it?"

"Did you just recently go through a major life event?" he asked, "New job? Just move? Breakup?"

"Um…" I bit my bottom lip, "In a way…All three."

"Oh, sweetheart," Maxwell awed, "I'm simultaneously happy to hear that and sorry…"

"No," I shook him off, "I don't want pity. Not for that."

"Tell you what," he put a hand on my shoulder, "How about I go get some bleach and we'll talk about it, ok?"

"Ok." I needed to be put back to factory settings and I had a feeling Maxwell and I were about to become very close.

"Did you have a specific color in mind?"

"Um…" I thought it over for a minute, "Surprise me. I don't care. Anything not natural."

"I like you, Reila," Maxwell smiled, "I'll be right back."

Oh, yeah. Her Majesty is out for blood and ready for a comeback.