Izzy's eyes were large as she silently regarded Mori. She was rendered completely speechless, words failing her when she needed them most. Why it was necessary to trap her against the door was beyond her but she had to figure out how to get him to back away. Another nervous laugh crawled from between her lips, causing her to cringe. She shifted, hand brushing against the door handle. A small part of her entertained the idea of grabbing the handle and opening the door so she could go tumbling backwards back into the library.

What happened to her dignity?

Besides, Mori was also leaning against the door so if she did that, he'd come tumbling after her. That was something she did not need to experience. She could only imagine what a sight they would have made. "Mori," she reached up, pressing a hand to his chest. "Don't you think you're a bit too close?" she asked softly, looking everywhere but at him. "And yes..I fell. The corner of a coffee table got me right under my eye, it's not that serious…"

Mori continued to stare down at her, expression not budging. If Izzy had tripped and fallen onto the corner of a table, the wound would be higher on her forehead, not under her eye. She was piling lies on top of lies for some reason. "Is your cousin responsible?"

Izzy's eyes shot up, incredibly wide. She looked horrified, brows knitting together. "Katsu? You think Katsu did...oh, no. Mori, my cousin had nothing to do with this."

"Then what happened?"

"I told you," Izzy's mouth threatened to break into a pout. "I was visiting my grandparents and I fell. There's nothing to worry about. These things happen, accidents happen," she insisted quickly. It was obvious that Mori was not fond of Katsu, understandably so, but he wasn't responsible for once.

Long fingers curled around her chin, forcing her to look upwards. "You're lying,"

Yes, she was but he didn't have to blatantly point that out. Izzy was stuck, she was backed into a corner and she wasn't sure what to do next. She couldn't understand why he was even so bothered by it, accidents happened. Besides, she couldn't bring herself to just tell him about her dysfunctional family. That was...well it was embarrassing, to say the least.

Luckily she didn't have to.

"Honey-senpai, don't you think you're running a bit too fast?"

Fumiko's worried voice greeted them before she did. Mori's hand dropped from Izzy's chin and he took a careful but short step away. Izzy blinked before realization settled over her that Honey and Fumiko would be suddenly there and she probably looked as if she'd seen a ghost. Collecting the chipped pieces of dignity lying all over the floor, Izzy reached up towards her hair. Brown curls fell easily back over her face, hiding the ugly bandaids once more. She ignored the look of disdain hiding in silvery eyes, turning instead just in time to see Honey and Fumiko round the corner.

"Oh, Honey-senpai, you were right!" Fumiko smiled widely at the sight of Mori and Izzy. "Mori-senpai found her first," a smile curved her lips as they approached, an inside joke hidden in her eyes. Izzy caught the look, stubbornly looking away.

Honey bounded up to Izzy, latching onto her waist instantly. The taller brunette laughed nervously, seemingly unaware that Honey was attached to her waist. "Yes, Mori found me first. Although to be fair, I think the library would be the first place to look," Izzy pointed out, hoping there wasn't a tremble in her voice.

Honey tilted his head back, peering up at her with a pensive look in his eyes. "You didn't come today, Berry-chan," he decided after a long moment. Izzy was almost positive that that wasn't what he wanted to say to her.

"It wasn't a hosting day for me," she supplied easily. "So I decided to study instead. Honestly, you act like the Club won't function without me," she chided, hands at his shoulders.

"Because it can't, Berry-chan."

"Honey-chan, I do believe you're being quite dramatic. Of course Club can function without me," she helped him down, smoothing the wrinkles on her dress. "I swear, one of these days you're going to completely knock me over with those hugs of yours…."

"Ah, Iz, I came looking for you because we've been asked to come to Shinobu's home after the club finished," Fumiko finally spoke up after being quiet for so long.

Izzy felt her hands, gripped in Honey's smaller hands, stiffen. "Shinobu?" Honey prompted from below her.

"She's our grandmother," Izzy answered softly, frowning with a far off look in her eye. She already had an idea of why Shinobu wanted to see her so soon. It wasn't like the old woman to keep inviting people over for a social hour. The old woman was all about business. Resisting the urge to sigh deeply, Izzy pulled her hands from Honey's grip. "Well, we can't keep her waiting. God forbid…" she muttered the last part, resisting the urge to pout. She didn't want to meet with Shinobu. She didn't want to talk to her.

Mori and Honey followed them as they took their leave. Izzy wasn't the least bit surprised, mindlessly humming along to Honey's babbling. She knew Mori kept glancing at her but she kept her eyes either forward and towards Honey.

Her face ached.

To Izzy's dismay, Fumiko was dismissed, ordered to return home. She was led by Ogen into a large family room she had yet to see foot in. She sat down at the large table, resisting the urge to ask Ogen to stay. Shinobu came, nearly ten minutes later. Izzy wasn't impressed, knowing that the lateness was done on purpose. In retaliation, she didn't rise and bow to her grandmother. Shinobu was rightfully disgruntled by her granddaughter's lacking manners but said nothing. She really didn't get a chance t o because Takuma practically stormed into the room. If his presence surprised Izzy, she didn't show it. In fact, her expression morphed into something akin to steel.

She looked like Masami.

"Sit down, Takuma," Shinobu ordered once it was obvious that no one would move unless she said so. She sat down across from Izzy, her face betraying nothing. "Now, about the incident that occurred yesterday..."

"You mean when your abusive son slapped the daylights out of me?"

"Izabera, you watch your tone—"

"Are you kidding me right now? You want me to watch my tone after he slapped me?"

One thing was for certain, Izzy was going to make damned sure that Shinobu knew she couldn't just bully her. Maybe Fumiko and Katsu were submissive but Izzy was anything but submissive. What was she going to do? Take her inheritance?

"No, we're not going to just sweep it under the rug," Izzy snapped, standing up indignantly. She harshly whipped her bangs away, pointing to her bandaid covered cheek. "You want to talk about what's unacceptable? This is unacceptable behavior. If this is what you condone as acceptable, Shinobu, then I want no parts of it."

Shinobu's dark eyes were on fire with rage. "Izabera, you are far out of line."

"Far out of line? We've run miles past the line when you allowed your son to slap me. It's no wonder my mother ran away from a family like this. Is this really the sort of behavior you allow, Grandmother? When someone isn't doing what you want, you slap some sense into them? Do you know how wrong that is?" she demanded hotly, her fierce temper finally coming into place.

Her leinancy with her family had come to this point. She should have just punched Katsu right in the face when she first got the chance. She should have made it clear from the start that Giovanni Izabera could not be bullied or cowed into doing what others wanted her to do. If Izzy was going to do something, it was because she decided it.

"And you—" Izzy turned blazing eyes on her Uncle. "You ought to be absolutely ashamed of yourself, hitting a woman. You hit your wife and son, don't you? That's spousal and child abuse, you absolute scum."

Takuma took a threatening step around the table, eyes blazing just like his niece. "Who the hell do you think you are?" he hissed at her, lips pulled back into a vicious snarl. Izzy's shoulders only tightened as she held his awful gaze.

"Are you going to prove my point, Takuma? Are you going to hit me again?" she goaded, accent bleeding angrily into her Japanese. "Go ahead, hit me again. If you hit me again, I won't just go back to Italy, I'll destroy this family. Not only are you abusive but I know things about this family that Mom told me. I'll ruin any credibility this family has. I'll make sure no one ever buys even a tire from Morimoto Automobiles again."

Takuma stopped and Shinobu visibly paled. Izzy resisted the urge to grin at them, waiting for their next move. "You would destroy our way of life? You would do that to your aunt and cousin?" Shinobu narrowed her dark eyes, trying to save face.

"I'm sure Uncle Shun can take care of Chihiro and Fumiko just fine. But if not, I'm sure mama will be delighted in offering them a helping hand," Izzy shot back, completely in control. She was in control of the situation and she knew it. "Now, I think it's time I take my leave," she announced in a perky voice, stepping away from the table. She paused in front of Takuma, eyeing him blankly. "If you insist on harassing me, Uncle, I'll start by destroying you first."

She skirted around him with a sharp flick of her hair. "A pleasure, as always, Grandmother. Give Hiroki my regards and that Fumi and I will visit soon," Izzy fairly called over her shoulder. Ogen was there to escort her to the front doors, quiet as usual.

It wasn't until Izzy was safely tucked away in the backseat of the waiting car that she finally lost composure. Her shoulders lost their rigidness and Izzy slumped in on herself, letting out a deep sigh. Well, one thing was for certain. She could face down her intimidating family with a perfect poker face and lie and bluff with perfection. But facing Mori? Her poker face seemed to just..crack.

...Fantastic.

"Tamaki, you're crying all over my dress."

"But, Senpai, you didn't come yesterday and anything could have happened."

"It's far too early in the morning for this, Tamaki."

"You didn't even let us know."

"Oh, Tamaki," Izzy sighed heavily, trying in vain to pry herself from Tamaki's impressively strong grip. "What could have possibly happened on my way to the library?" she asked rhetorically, knowing Tamaki wouldn't have much of an answer. "Kyoya, can't you do something about this?" she groaned, looking at Kyoya for help.

"I find that it's better to allow him to tire himself out," Kyoya replied diplomatically. Izzy wasn't at all surprised with his answer, catching the mischievous glint in Kyoya's eyes. Tamaki must have been rather difficult yesterday and now she had to suffer for being the cause of his temper tantrum. "And by the way, Bera-senpai, are you trying something new with your bangs?"

Izzy's blood ran cold at the seemingly innocent question. She knew better, nothing Kyoya said was innocent. There were always some hidden implications behind his words, she was learning, and now was no different. "Perhaps," she answered tersely. "For now," she mumbled, deciding she'd much rather deal with Tamaki's eccentrics. "Honestly, Tamaki, get off of me before you wrinkle my dress and then I'll have to hurt you."

But Tamaki would not be swayed, clinging even harder to her waist. Izzy rolled her eyes, hand pressed against her forehead. "Tamaki, I won't come today if you don't get off."

Kyoya fixed her with a look, "you're obligated—"

Izzy rudely waved her other hand in his face, cutting him off. She'd pay for it later but she couldn't be bothered with Kyoya for the moment. If he wasn't going to be of any help, he could keep his comments of obligations to himself.

It did the trick, as Tamaki suddenly gathered himself and untangled his long arms from her waist. "Good grief," Izzy muttered as Tamaki began rambling on about everything she missed yesterday. She only listened halfheartedly, following after the two inside the building.

Izzy was content to listen to the rambles if it meant Tamaki would behave until they went their separate ways. A familiar face distracted her, pulling her attention from Tamaki's ramblings. Katsu stared back at her, green eyes narrowed viciously. Izzy had no doubt that Katsu had been filled in on the argument that took place the previous day. Izzy held his gaze, knowing he'd been mostly likely warned away from her for the time being.

The Morimoto were painfully narcissistic and couldn't stand to have any more controversy run rampant among their family. Especially since Izzy was the product of their last big scandal. They were now walking on eggshells among one another and Izzy wondered what their next move would be.

Truthfully, she had nothing on the Morimoto family besides being slapped by Takuma. Masami was rather tight-lipped about her family, sharing the bare minimum with Izzy during her childhood. The only one Masami spoke freely about was Chihiro. Izzy knew of no damning secrets the Morimotos were harboring.

She just had a damn good poker face.

But since Shinobu seemingly agreed, that meant the Morimoto family had secrets that they were keeping. And well, Izzy was notoriously curious. She was sure her curiosity was one of the reasons why she allowed herself to get involved with the Host Club in the first place.

But for now, Katsu knew to stay away.

"—and we haven't decided on the next theme—"

"Theme?" Izzy parroted as they left her cousin behind. She could still feel him glaring at the back of her head as she continued down the grand hallway with Tamaki and Kyoya. He could glare all he wanted, as long as he didn't approach her, she was fine.

"We have theme day," Tamaki explained shortly, glancing at her like she was just supposed to know about it. "With costumes."

"Oh," Izzy sighed at the thought. "Marvelous. I bet the girls just love theme day."

"Exceptionally."

"And I'm expected to fully participate."

"Naturally."

Despite her annoyance, Izzy found herself smiling wryly at the wiry blond. "Oh, goodie," she mused blankly, pressing her fingers together in amusement. "Well, I suppose as long as it's not utterly ridiculous."

"You would participate either way, Senpai," Kyoya interjected.

"Of course," Izzy's tone remained blank. She broke off from them as they came upon her classroom, waving as she did so. She promised that yes, she would be present for Club after classes, and shooed them off. There was still some time before classes began for the day but Izzy didn't mind being early.

"Giovanni," Ozawa was suddenly there at her desk, smiling coyly. Izzy tilted her head back to stare at the honey-blonde. She really had no idea why Hisa insisted on interacting with her. Was this supposed to be some form of bullying? All Hisa ever did was annoy her.

"Good morning, hime," Izzy greeted in a drawl. Despite their shared dislike for one another, Kyoya would murder her if she offended the girl at all. "Lovely morning, isn't it?"

"Quite. It was a lovely afternoon yesterday as well, though I realized you happen to be missing."

"Hime, don't tell me that you actually missed me," Izzy spoke coyly, hiding a mischievous smile against her knuckles. "And here I thought you preferred Mori over myself. I'm flattered, really," Izzu hummed, dark lashes fluttering against her cheekbones. Hisa flushed hard, not expecting Izzy's Hosting persona to emerge and flirtatiously tease her. Although to Izzy's amusement, she noticed Hisa struggling not to smile back at her.

"Don't kid yourself, Giovanni. It was a simple observation, nothing more," Hisa insisted, arms folded defensively across her chest.

"Oh, now don't go breaking my heart," Izzy pouted, having far too much fun with Hisa. "You wouldn't want to upset me, now would you?" she practically cooed, leaning in towards Hisa. "Honestly, hime, a beauty such as yourself shouldn't be so cruel."

A smile finally broke Hisa's icy facade as she continued to regard Izzy. "You are absolutely full of it, Giovanni," she managed to say around a blushing smile. Izzy's eyes were twinkling as she returned the playful stare.

"Aren't we all," she mused as Hisa finally turned away from her desk. Honey and Mori come in moments later, Honey bounding straight towards her desk. "Good morning," she greeted the two, playful smile still in place. "Tamaki threw quite a fit this morning."

Honey smiled cutely and Izzy was convinced that the pint-sized third year was satisfied with the information. She was beginning to notice that Honey didn't always seem so sugary sweet. She was noticing a lot of things but she could bet they were noticing things too.

"Oh but Tamaki-kun would look dashing in a ruffled shirt."

Izzy tried her best to give off the impression that she was listening to the girls' chattering that afternoon but she was struggling. The girls were excited for theme day, which didn't really surprise her. They loved it and, just as she assumed and like everything else the Club came up with, ate it up.

She found it hard to believe that Tamaki could be dashing because all she ever saw him as was a total goofball. But he did take his role as the Host King seriously and could crank out the charm at a moment's notice.

"Tamaki would make a dashing captain, wouldn't he?" Izzy hummed pleasantly. If she was being honest, she thought he would look quite stupid in a ruffled shirt but no one asked for her honesty. Begrudgingly, she kept the snide thought to herself.

"I liked when they dressed as police officers," Suzumiya admitted with a blush. Next to her, Otoha nodded in agreement. They were debating what the next theme would be and so far, they were torn between pirates and police officers.

Izzy watched as Otoha snuck a glance across the room, smiling shyly all the while. "Mori-senpai looks great in a police officer's uniform," she admitted in a confident voice despite her shy smile. Izzy raised an eyebrow, following Otoha's gaze, realizing she was watching Mori. A bemused smile pulled at her lips and she quickly reached for her teacup before anyone could notice.

"What do you think, Izabera-senpai?" Suzumiya loudly asked, dark blonde hair swishing obnoxiously as she turned to the older girl. Izzy nearly dropped her tea as eyes suddenly settled on, forcing her to quickly regain her composure.

Besides her, Haruhi was smiling.

"Well," Izzy cleared her throat with a soft smile of her own. She was not amused with Haruhi's smug look and would later reprimand the younger brunette. "I can't say for sure since I haven't experienced theme day but I think either option would look great on the boys."

Apparently it was the right answer because the group of girls fell to pieces in coos of endearment. Izzy felt her eyebrow twitch erratically but the girls were far too busy to notice her exasperation. They continued to debate what the next theme would be, Haruhi and Izzy sharing their opinions when necessary.

Mercifully Club ended and the girls cleared out with swiftness. Izzy busied herself with helping Haruhi clean up, picking up various dishes and silverware with ease. Kyoya constantly told her that cleaning up was Haruhi's duty but Izzy waved him off each time. She was helping Haruhi repay her debt with hosting, cleaning wouldn't hurt anybody.

"Apparently our girls are torn between pirates and police officers," Izzy announced as she balanced a stack of dessert plates in one hand. She carefully loaded the fine china on a tray, reaching for the teacups next. "Tamaki would look...what was the word, Haruhi?"

"Dashing."

"Right—dashing. Tamaki would look dashing in a ruffled shirt," Izzy revealed with a snort, picking up the tray. "And Mori looks great in a policeman's uniform," she added while carrying her tray towards the back area. She wondered if the Chairman was aware that a back room had been turned into a kitchenette area. She stepped out moments later, tray empty, politely holding the door open for Haruhi.

"Dashing?" Tamaki repeated, eyes sparkling under the lights. Izzy only smiled at him, eyebrows raised in amusement, and nodded.

"Apparently."

"Do you think so too?"

He was asking the both of them though Izzy was aware that only Haruhi's answer would make or break him. Unfortunately, Haruhi was rather apathetic to the entire thing, offering a shrug. "It doesn't matter what I think," she pointed out in a distracted voice.

She might as well have insulted his lineage, Izzy mused as he slunk off into a corner designated to grow gloomy fungi.

"Those mushrooms will ruin the floors," Izzy pointed out to Kyoya.

"What about you, Bera-senpai?" Kaoru prompted with a serpentine smile. "Do you think Boss would look dashing in a ruffled shirt?"

"I was never one for ruffled shirts," Izzy answered tonelessly, handling a teapot with great care. They still couldn't quite grasp the idea of cleaning up after one's self, much to the bemusement of Izzy. "Besides, who cares what I think?"

"You'd be surprised," Hikaru hummed innocently. Izzy was not fooled by the act, turning an unimpressed eye on him. "Does that mean you prefer Mori-senpai in a policeman's uniform?" he asked with just the right amount of mischief and mirth.

"I haven't seen him in the uniform so I wouldn't know," she answered easily, knowing not to show any hesitancy around the Devil Twins. "Although I'm sure that Kyoya goes to great lengths to ensure that all of you look nothing short of exquisite."

"For some reason, Senpai, I feel like that wasn't much of a compliment just now."

"Don't be silly," Izzy grinned her own serpentine smile. "A compliment is a compliment, take it graciously," she wagged a finger at the twins, having yet to shed her sisterly persona. She had yet to even look in Mori's direction, knowing the twins would pounce on her mistake immediately. Like sharks drawn to blood, she mused darkly. "In any case, I prefer whatever looks the least ridiculous."

Kaoru frowned, "That's a very neutral answer, Senpai."

Izzy flipped her hair, "I'm a very neutral girl."

Honey pulled at her skirt, "Tama is still growing mushrooms in the corner, Berry-chan."

Brilliant.

Fumiko was waiting patiently for her outside. "Fufu, I thought I said that you shouldn't wait," Izzy chided in a tired voice. Fumiko turned to her, gracing her with a cheerful smile that caused Izzy to pause.

"Have they decided on the next theme?"

"You're bonkers, you know that?" Izzy laughed in exasperation while reaching forward to tug at Fumiko's dark hair. "And I'm not telling you. I don't think Kyoya would appreciate it if I told you."

Fumiko swatted at Izzy's hand, cheeks smarting in faux agitation. "Oh, what good are you? Ayame and Yuna were depending on me to find that out from you," Fumiko dramatically threw her head back. "I've failed them."

"Dramatic as usual."

"As are all Morimotos."

"A gene that missed me, thank goodness."

"Are you sure, Iz? You're stubbornly dramatic," Fumiko laughed at the offensive look splayed over Izzy's pretty features. "A mixture of Giovanni and Morimoto's worst traits rolled up into you."

"Stubbornness is not a bad trait."

"I must disagree."

Izzy and Fumiko turned on their heels, glancing over their shoulders to come face to face with Katsu. While Fumiko offered a careful smile, Izzy openly scowled at him. So much for him keeping his distance, she thought tartly.

"Being too stubborn, Izabera, is bullheadedness."

Fist braced languidly at her hip, Izzy rolled her eyes. "I don't believe your opinion was asked for, Katsu. Shouldn't you be running along home now?"

"Katsu, I thought you attended an all boys school," Fumiko pointed out distractedly. Izzy only glanced at her, nearly smacking her forehead in exasperation. Leave it to Fumiko to totally miss the fact that Katsu had been attending Ouran for a good week or so. Weren't they both second years? They had to share at least one class.

"My parents thought I would gain more by attending Ouran."

"Is that so? So late in the term, don't you think?" Fumiko continued in the same airy tone. "Aunt Kioka must have gone to great lengths to convince Uncle to allow you to transfer. That all boys school was difficult to get into, wasn't it? Not as difficult as Ouran but…"

"It was my father's idea," Katsu's lips twitched into a scowl.

"Oh? What a surprise. He must have wanted the three of us to attend together, then. We're already in our second year so I suppose Uncle was happy when Izzy transferred to Ouran," she was smiling pleasantly but Izzy couldn't help but to think that something about Fumiko's words were a little odd.

"It has nothing to do with us being together," Katsu nearly spat.

"Oh? So why the sudden transfer?"

Katsu didn't answer, face pinching in irritation. Izzy openly watched, eyebrows raised. Honestly, she was impressed that Fumiko seamlessly backed Katsu right into a corner. Now that was a sudden surprise. It had always been assumed that Fumiko's head was full of nothing but hot air. It was a great tactic, allowing people to underestimate her. Apparently she had been paying attention to the Morimoto family. Or maybe it had more to do with her father's lawyer background. Either way, it was impressive.

"Well, there's our ride," Fumiko sang once she noticed the towncar waiting for them. "It's nice that we get to attend the same school, for whatever reason that may be," she continued in her cheery voice. "Family is always important, like Hiroki likes to say," Fumiko smiled pleasantly while bounding off towards the waiting car. Izzy and Katsu watched her go, the former struggling not to smile.

"Welcome to Ouran," Izzy chimed petulantly.