I know it's been awhile since I've updated this one, but it is not dead!

Finally we will see a sort of softer side of Tamaki, at least that he's much more than he seems. But Hunny and Takashi are becoming more and more suspicious of the girls. And wait - Kato still has Tamaki's bear? Just how long will it take before Tamaki gets it back? And just what will be the girls' hostess type?


CHAPTER SIX: CUSTOMER'S SATISFACTION


Third Person

Despite the twins' pushing, Moriko insists on the fact that she will get to Music Room Three later. She knows that no matter what deal Reve made with that Kyoya that there will be force needed to bring Kato to the room. She sighs heavily as she looks for the cat-like humanoid. She wouldn't have left. She couldn't have gone home without her or Reve, nor were there many places she would be able to hide that didn't involve interacting with a lot of people. She wishes that Reve would set the mental link back up to ease both her worries and shorten her search time. Something tells her if she's late that Kyoya wouldn't be too pleased. Especially on their first day as suppose 'hostesses.'

Hostess. Moriko shakes her head. What does that even mean? Were they going to swoon over guys that came to visit them all day? Talk gossip with girls? Flirt with both genders? Make cookies or something to win the customers over? What does one do as a hostess? Do they have to wear maid uniforms like a maid cafe? Will they have to put on some outrageous act just to get the customer's attention? She wouldn't necessarily mind having to act if needed, but Kato would never be able to do anything without being pissed off about it and Reve would downright refuse. There has to be a line drawn somewhere, she supposes, and it's likely that line is the ribbon that ties around a maid's apron.

She spots a head of familiar black hair dart around the corner and lights up. Her feet take off running after the form, grinning ear to ear, knowing full well that Kato could easily out run her. The cat is already a good ten feet ahead and Moriko knows she's not giving it her all. She glances around the hall – empty aside from an upcoming potted planet. Her smile turns more devious and with a flick of her wrist, vines from the potted plant shoot out and wrap themselves around Kato's ankles. She falls to the floor with disgruntled yowl. Moriko catches up more easily as Kato fiercely claws her way out of the veins, glaring at Moriko.

"I would've stopped if you asked," Kato hisses, but Moriko merely raises an eyebrow, questioning the statement. Kato falters. "Okay – I just - just call off the plant."

The vines grow thicker and become tighter around her ankles, Kato curses under her breath as she glare intensifies. Moriko stands her ground fearlessly.

"I'll let you go if you promise to come to that host club thing, willingly, without hurting anyone."

Kato whines, "But I -" She lets out another string of curses, clawing more in one last vain attempt of escape before she finally accepts defeat. She crosses her arms sternly across her chest as her lips turn into a pout. "I won't hurt anyone."

Moriko stares at her closely for a few more moments, but the large kitten-eye effect that Kato has when she pouts makes it hard to disagree with anything the Katojn could say. Moriko sighs in a strange mix of defeat and victory. With a flick of her wrist, the vines detach themselves from Kato's ankles and return to their normal position with the pot. For a moment, she expects Kato to go against her word, but Kato still stood here. If a bit begrudgingly. She refused to meet Moriko's eyes – it reminded her of the way cats look away to avoid fights.

"Remember what you said," Moriko warns, knowing the Katojn's habit for violence.

Kato has the gull to look innocent, grinning from ear to ear in a way that reminds Moriko of a cat that finally caught the canary. It's not friendly nor warm nor even welcoming. It's unnerving. Predatory even. Moriko shivers and pushes that feeling away for now, chalking it up to something so primal that it can't be explained. She's shaken out of that train of thought by Reve's own message ringing through the both of their minds.

The club starts soon. Hurry up – we all still need introductions on what it is exactly we have do here.

Moriko nudges Kato to stop her growling as they head Reve's words and continue to the Host Club. Kato noticeably stays far behind Moriko, dragging her feet along the floor with heavy steps, her arms crossed hotly with a scowl. Moriko rolls her eyes at the behavior, but is silently thankful that at least the cat is coming willingly. Well now she is anyway.

"It won't be so bad."

Despite her words, she doesn't sound so sure of herself. But anything is better than the dead, tense silence between them during their walk. Kato huffs, snorting in disbelief.

"Try to sound a bit more believing. This club just reeks of bad news and humans with issues."

There's a small growl underlying her words, her nose crinkling with hatred. Disgusting humans with issues. Humans who think that they dare pose a threat to me. Humans that refuse to acknowledge there are things stronger than them out there. Humans with such confusing social trends. She doesn't see why they would even be here – there had to be something else, something easier, that they could've done to hid in the first place. Something that didn't involve such close contact and interaction with humans. They could have been perfectly content roughing it in the wilds of Japan or some secluded island.

Her eyes drift to her sister. Kato's words seem to have an effect as Moriko's demeanor has faltered, sagging as if she's given up trying to change Kato's mind. Kato's eyes soften and she has to remind herself that what may have been perfectly fine with her – perfect in general – wouldn't have been best for everyone. Especially not her sister who, for some reason, seems to like mingling with all the humans. She swallows thickly. For her sister, she has to at least try. But only time will tell just exactly how much she can try before she breaks.

"To be fair," Moriko's voice is a bit weaker than before and softer to her ears, "I think we all have our issues. Human or not."

Not wanting to admit that her sister has a point, Kato opts to stay silent. She knows exactly who Moriko is talking about when she says that everyone – human or not – has issues and that in their situation, they have too many issues to count. Issues that, while not verbally done so, they've silently acknowledged and when given the chance, they do try their best to help each other through it. After all, they're all on the run together. Her feet no longer drag as she walks beside Moriko, though her eyes refuse to look at the fae. Moriko notices nonetheless, sending a comforting smile her way. Her hand brushes against Kato's and hesitantly, Kato grabs it to give it a brief squeeze – a signal that everything will be okay and Moriko wonders how such a small gesture can do so much.


Reve sighs, rubbing her temples as she sits down at one of the corner tables in the Host Club. If she had known that this particular group of humans were this energetic, she may have rethought her eagerness to offer her and the girls' services. She can already feel a headache forming. She swears if Kato and Moriko don't arrive soon, she will personally make their life a hell for leaving her alone to suffer. And they say humans are the most intelligent species, she huffs and leans back in her chair. This is ridiculous. They've been arguing about what type of flowers to show for the past thirty minutes and those twins are very quickly grating on my last nerve. She focuses on her breathing, on keeping her form together. She nearly lost control once today, she doesn't want it to happen again.

She's rudely interrupted by a small tugging on her sleeve. She raises an eyebrow as Hunny looks up at her with pleasing, cute eyes. The large one – Takashi – stands behind him, towering over them both. He would have been more intimidating if she hadn't known Kato. She doesn't find him a tad bit scary, just as she doesn't believe that Hunny's expression is as innocent as he'd make it. Both of their energies, specifically Hunny's, swarms with something darker – possessiveness maybe? Of what, she isn't sure.

"Excuse me, Reve-chan? Is that Kato-chan's bag you have there?"

Her eyes flicker down to the bag at her feet. That cat had left it after their bathroom altercation and she had taken it upon herself to bring it so that it could be returned. The flush that spreads of her cheeks due to that memory causes both Hunny and Takashi to share a slightly confused look. Yet it disappears too quickly to be questioned. She doesn't bother looking at them anymore, instead keeping an eye on the door, looking out for Kato and Moriko.

"And what if it is," she asks carefully. She's tempted to reach into their thoughts, but finds that way boring. She'd much rather see what Hunny has up his sleeve.

He shoots forward, almost inhumanly quick, and she's not fiercely trained like Kato, but she is still quicker. His hand is just inches from her bag, but her own hand grips his wrist tightly. She could have let him get whatever it is he felt the need to grab. She knows Kato keeps nothing but school supplies in the bag – there's nothing to hint at their inhuman origins. But she isn't prepared to let someone, a stranger, go through Kato's things and she doesn't appreciate the fact that someone just thought that would be okay to do.

Hunny seems surprised that she caught his wrist, looking at her with such wide eyes. She has to admit that he is stronger than she expected, she can feel the way he tries to pull out of her grips. A part of her is pleased that despite being the most physically weakest of their group, she can still hold her own against a human. Even if she is shamelessly using a bit of her abilities to reach into Hunny's mind to try to persuade him to stop pulling away – which works, for the most part. His pulls grows weaker before he stops resisting entirely.

"It's rude to go through people's things without asking."

Hunny isn't sure what happened. Reve didn't even seem like she was paying too much attention yet she reacted so quickly, even fast enough to grab his wrist before he could grab Tamaki's bear out of the bag. Her grip is strong, especially for someone of her physique – she's fairly bony and thin with no visible muscle tone and yet her grip is tight and firm. He pulls to try to break free, an apology already on his lips, when something he still can't describe occurs. It's like a humming in the back of his mind. He pulls again. Again. A voice in the back of his mind tells him that he can't break free no matter how hard he tries and suddenly it's as if that's voice become true. He can't break free. He can't even move his arm, it feels like dead weight.

Reve's eyes meet his as there's a dangerous gleam in them. As if she's more dangerous than she appears. The humming in the back of his mind grows louder and stronger. He can hear someone enter the clubroom. Reve breaks their stare down and just as her eyes leave him, the humming disappears and his arm drops to his side as she lets go. He can see Kato and Moriko enter the room, yet he just watches as Reve gets from her seat, taking the bag with her, to greet her friends. His eyes narrow and glancing to Takashi, he can see that he's not the only one to see that something just isn't right here.

Reve isn't the only to notice Kato and Moriko's entrance. Haruhi is quick to get to Moriko, muttering something to her about how crazy the club is and to be prepared for the worst. Kyoya merely watches from a distance, eying them all critically. The twins huff, crossing their arms against their chest as they mutter about how it was about time they showed up. Tamaki is the one to greet them, with arms open wide and a large smile on his face.

"Aha," Tamaki announces with a flourish, "It seems as if our final members have arrived!"

"It's about time," the twins add, "We still have a lot to go over with you."

"Like what," Moriko asks, hesitantly. Beside her, Haruhi face palms, mumbling about how she just had to ask.

Tamaki's eyes sparkle as he gets close to them. Kato visibly looks discomforted, squaring her shoulders with a sneer on her face. Moriko nudges her harshly, causing her to settle down. Reve rolls her eyes as Kato looks hurt, as if someone just kicked her kitten. Yet when she hands her bag back, Kato visibly brightens and cradles it close to her chest protectively.

"Why," Tamaki continues, a bit more cautiously after Kato's little display, "Your types of course! Every host has a type, something that draws people in! You have Kyoya, the Cool Type. Hunny is, of course, the Loli-shota with Mori being the Silent Type. The twins suit the Devil type perfectly just as Haruhi is the Natural type. Then there is me, the Prince Charming type."

He takes a deep bow, taking Moriko's hand to kiss it. She eyes him with distaste and shakes her hand a bit when he lets her go. Haruhi hands her a handkerchief from her pocket, which Moriko takes gratefully to wipe her hand. She gives Haruhi a silent thank you and Haruhi smiles brightly and she pauses. A strange fluttering sensation grows in her stomach, rising up to her chest. A flush spreads across her cheeks and she quickly turns her attention back to the club. She shoves the image of Haruhi's smile into the back of her mind.

"I don't get it," Kato speaks up bluntly, her voice visibly cutting Tamaki down. "Is this polygamy? I didn't think that was a big thing in Japan."

Reve sighs at Kato's words, but offers no explanation since frankly, she's not a hundred percent sure either. She supposes it could be polygamy, or this is just some act to get girls to fall in love with them. Maybe it's some sort of harem, with no romantic connections attached. A prostitute house would have been another thought if this isn't a school club. Unless the Principle doesn't look too closely into it and doesn't know what goes on behind the club's closed doors.

Moriko seems just as flustered, judging by the flush on her cheeks. Reve raises an eyebrow – the rest of her body language doesn't line up with her being embarrassed. But why else would she be blushing? The others are definitely flustered, there's no doubt about that at least. Reve can even spot the faintest sign of a blush on Kyoya's face. Mori seems almost as flustered as Tamaki, just less dramatic about the outcome. The twins, though red as their hair, are laughing.

"NO," Tamaki shrieks, "NO NO NO!"

He takes a deep breath before standing up tall, a more professional demeanor coming over him. "Polygamy is perfectly okay for those who consent and participate in it. But I do not want you getting the wrong idea of what we do here. We entertain with conversation and genuine, wholesome entertainment – though the twins can run a bit risque. We care about each person who walks through our doors, but none of our affiliations with our guests are not explicitly sexual and we do not engage in relationships with any of them – that is Host Rules 101."

Kato raises an eyebrow, leaning back on her heels, mildly surprised by his words. Reve has to admit a part of her is rather impressed by how he handled his answer while Moriko is the most openly astonished. But they're not alone in their surprise. The twins let out a long, drawn out whistle.

"Wow Tono -"

"-That's not like you."

"-We're rather impressed."

Tamaki inflates with the praise, looking more and more proud of himself. Kyoya smirks as he pushes up his glasses.

"That's because he has the answered rehearsed by now."

Tamaki deflates and retreats to his corner, muttering how mommy just has to ruin the fun. The twins laugh, openly mocking him. Haruhi sighs and plops down on one of the closest couches. Moriko decides that after that display, she needs to sit down too. She sits at Haruhi's side, a bit too close for comfort. Thankfully, Haruhi doesn't seem to mind the close distance between them and Moriko decides that it's probably best to not focus too much on it. After all the blush on her face only just died down. Kato scoffs and takes a seat too, opting to sit down at one of the standalone chairs with her legs. Her legs sit spread open and the bag lays in the large open space between her feet. If one were to look closely, one could see the top of a familiar teddy bear poking out through the opening of her bag. Reve just frowns and sits delicately on the armrest of the chair where Kato is seated, thinking his answer over and what it could mean for them.

"I think I get it," Moriko announces, loud enough that everyone's attention is drawn to her, "You have types because every person is attracted to something different. But your types aren't too far off from your personalities so they feel natural so your customers feel like they actually know you…" She frowns. "What I don't understand is why?"

Tamaki recovers fast from his mushroom corner of shame, jumping up with a flourish.

"Why it is our mission to make every girl – and boy if they happen to come in – happy."

That's rather optimistic, Moriko winces, and a bit twisted. I don't think they're going about making everyone happy in the right way. They're bound to break a few hearts. Reve crinkles her nose in distaste, his answer not quite suiting what she was expecting. Kato openly scoffs, crossing her arms against her chest with a sour look on her face.

"That's impossible. You can't make everyone happy."

Tamaki isn't as quick to respond to her, approaching her cautiously and unsure of his boundaries with the young woman are. But there's some sort of solemn understanding that passes between the three girls – something that each host notices. It's hard not to as the change in their demeanor is almost melancholic and their eyes turn sad. Tamaki takes a deep breath of courage, stepping forward with a bit of more confidence. He hopes that there's still enough distance between them that she won't hit them, but he gets down on his knees to look her in the eyes, trying his best to ignore the unnerving color that stares back at him.

"We can if you give us the chance," he offers softly.