Author's note: Wow, chapter 15! I don't know how we got so far so fast, but here we are again, dear Reader! Thanks for coming along on the ride!

Trigger warning: Nope. Nothing traumatic happens in this chapter! The lads see some more of Sky's scars, and the accident is very briefly mentioned. Otherwise, this is a pretty fluffy chapter. Enjoy!

I STILL don't own Ouran or the Hosts.

Reviews and PMs are always welcome!


-Friday, after school-

Sky muffled a little yawn with the back of her hand and stuffed her books in her bag. It had been a long week, and she was grateful for the coming break. Her hand ached sharply, and she resented the stupid brace she was forced to wear. She had fractured two knuckles when she punched that thug in the face. And to add insult to injury, she didn't even manage to break his nose! She thought again how unfair that was.

She hitched the bag's strap over her shoulder and started the short trek towards Music Room #3. As always, she stayed away while the lads entertained their guests, and chose to curl up by the window in her Breakdown Room to read. She stretched her long legs out and stuck her feet on a low table. She had quit wearing the uniform shoes earlier in the week, and had switched them for her favorite black leather boots instead.

She fished her current read from her bag, along with a half-eaten protein bar, and settled in to finish the fantasy of dragons and heroic knights working together. She had stopped just before the book's epic battle scene, and was itching to finish it. She nibbled the protein bar as she lost herself once again in the fight to rule over a war-torn kingdom.

A few tears slid down her cheeks as she read the last few pages. Just when all hope was lost for her favorite knight, his beloved dragon sacrificed himself to save the human, giving his life-force to save the knight from what would have been a fatal wound. Sky sniffled and closed the book, wiping her eyes just as the door opened.

"Hey Pixie, it's safe now, all the girls are- Hey, are you crying?"

She looked up with a little rueful grin and rubbed her eye before tucking the well-worn book back into her bag. She stood and stretched as she replied to the concerned redhead.

"Aw, it's nothing, Kaoru. I always cry at the end of that book, it just rips my heart out."

She slung her arm around her friend's shoulder and gave him a quick, reassuring squeeze as he shook his head.

"Sometimes you're just like other girls. Always crying over weird stuff. You know that book isn't real, right? And you know how it ends!"

"Yeah, well… So? It's a wonderful story, and the way B'Raxis sacrifices his own life for Sir Kellyn is just so beautiful and noble."

She sighed quietly and wiped away a stray tear. They walked into the other room together, and Kaoru wandered off, muttering about how weird girls were. Sky couldn't help the little snicker that escaped, and she shook her head. Boys would just never understand. Before she could greet the rest of her boys, Tamaki suddenly popped up in front of her.

"Ma cherie, what's wrong? Why have you been crying?"

"Because she's weird, Boss! Some dragon died in that book she's read a thousand times, and she's crying over it!"

Sky rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Kaoru. Tamaki was still looking concerned, and she reached out to pat his head with her uninjured hand. She smiled brightly, and was rewarded when his sunny grin lit up in response.

"I'm fine, chardonneret. Kaoru's right, I was just crying over my book. It happens every time, I can't help it."

"I can see crying the first time, with the shock and sadness and all. But, ma cherie, why cry if you know it's coming? And why keep reading it if you know it will make you cry?"

"Because it's an amazing book. It's full of noble dragons and brave knights, epic battles and tragic victories. The war for control of the kingdom is only one small aspect of the story, it's really about love and loyalty, the pure and fierce bond between the characters. It's beautiful, really."

"It does sound rather intriguing. Perhaps I should find this book and read it, it could give me some great cosplay ideas at the very least."

Sky laughed quietly and took the beloved book from her bag. She thrust it into Tamaki's hands with a grin at his shocked look. She shook her head lightly and patted his hand.

"Let me know what you think. If you like it, there are four more in the series."

"But…but, ma cherie, this is one of your favorites. Your books are precious to you. Are you sure you trust me with it?"

"Of course, silly boy. I wouldn't have handed it over if I didn't. Besides, I, uh…kind of have three more copies at home. That's not the first one I've gone through."

Tamaki burst into laughter, then threw his arms around Sky and hugged her tight. She embraced her friend for a moment and patted his silly blonde head again before giving him a nudge so she could breathe. He swiftly pecked her cheek in thanks, and she grinned before wandering over to where Takashi and Honey were sitting. Honey smiled broadly around a mouthful of cake and waved emphatically with his free hand, causing high-pitched giggles to bubble up Sky's throat.

"I swear, you're just too cute, little bunny. Don't you ever get tired of cake?"

"Nope! Never ever ever!"

Sky's giggles tapered off and she sat between the cousins, tousling Honey's hair and letting her bag drop to the floor with a loud thump.

"Ugh, I will be so glad when I can take this stupid brace off. It's beyond annoying, and I am so over it."

"Well, next time you punch somebody, do it right, maybe you won't break your hand."

"I'm not punching anyone else. It's not worth it. 'Next time,' my lily-white ass."

She rolled her eyes at Hikaru and stuck her tongue out when he snickered at her last comment. Groaning quietly, she stretched her arms and rotated her sore shoulder. Stupid broken hand, stupid worthless shoulder, stupid heavy bag.

"Why'd I have to punch him anyway? I never punched anybody in my life, why did I have to start with some dude whose stupid damned face is made of stone?"

She waved her hands dismissively, blew out a breath, and laid her head on the back of the ornate sofa, closing her eyes.

"Never mind, nobody say anything, I'm just whining again."

"Poor Pixie-chan."

She felt Honey pat her uninjured hand, then lean his head against her shoulder. She winced in pain, then reached up and stroked her friend's hair, trying for a casual tone as she spoke.

"Honey, precious, why don't you try the other shoulder, 'kay?"

The little blonde didn't say anything, but sat upright with a small gasp. Sky cracked one eye open in curiosity, but the shocked look on his sweet face made her groan and sit up, opening both eyes and reaching out to ruffle his hair.

"It's fine, little bunny, I'm fine."

"I'm sorry Pixie-chan, I didn't know your shoulder was hurting."

She shrugged her good shoulder and tried for a little grin.

"It's not so bad, I just have too many books in my bag today, I guess."

To her right, Takashi made a small, disapproving sound. She turned with a curious look. He wore a frown, and there was concern in his storm-cloud eyes. Sky tilted her head and tried to channel Tamaki's puppy dog eyes, but she knew it wasn't working. With a little huff, she waved her hand slightly.

"It's not that bad, honest. So I'm in pain, big deal. It's nothing new, and I'll be fine. I wouldn't even have said anything if Honey's adorable little blonde head wasn't so bloody hard. I'm fine, seriously. Stop looking at me like that."

Takashi simply raised an eyebrow at her and said nothing. Sky pursed her lips into a tight line, but gave up after a moment.

"Ok, ok, fine. It hurts like seven hells. But so what? It's my own fault, I'll deal with it. I'll take a muscle relaxer when I get home, ok? Seriously, quit giving me that look."

She couldn't handle it anymore and reached out with her uninjured hand to flick the end of his nose, making him blink. Unfortunately for her, the action caused a sharp pain in her shoulder, and she swore in four languages.

"Ma cherie, princesses do not use words like that!"

"Yeah, well, princesses also don't have rainbow hair and shit-loads of scars, chardonneret."

"Sky."

Takashi's voice was quiet, but she turned back immediately. There was something too serious about that one tiny syllable. She swallowed thickly. There was more than concern in his eyes now. He looked…almost angry.

"One of us would have carried your bag if we'd known."

"Oh. Um. I hadn't thought of that. I'm just not used to asking for help, it didn't even cross my mind. Besides, it's my own stupid fault for breaking my damned hand and not being able to get my work done in class."

The anger faded from her tall friend's eyes and he shook his head. She thought that he was probably wondering just what her problem could be. Before she could think to say anything else, he patted her head lightly.

"Take your jacket off and turn around."

"Oh, but I- "

"Sky."

"Ok, ok. Just… I'm wearing another sleeveless top today. So…um… Nobody get freaked out, alright?"

Before anyone could wonder what she was talking about, she slid the jacket off her shoulders and laid it on the low table in front of the sofa. There were several gasps as most of the lads saw her without sleeves for the first time. Her left shoulder was covered in rough, jagged scars. They continued under the fabric of her top, but the visible parts were bad enough. There were concerned looks from all corners, but no one said anything. The lads knew that the scars were remnants of the accident that took her parents, they just hadn't seen them before.

Sky closed her eyes as Takashi laid his hands on her aching shoulder. His hands were so warm, and he was so gentle. There was more pain at first, and she winced, but her muscles loosened after a moment. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she leaned into his touch, thoroughly enjoying the tender massage. The pain fled, but she found herself reluctant to say anything.

After another long moment, she forced herself to sit up and turn to her friend. She offered a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Takashi. Who needs pills when my wolf has magic hands?"

She was secretly delighted when a blush crept up Takashi's cheeks at her words. He cleared his throat quietly and shrugged, then patted her head lightly. She grinned a little, wondering why he seemed embarrassed all of a sudden. He was just too cute, she couldn't help it. She carefully laid her hands on his cheeks and spoke softly, the Irish words flowing like tender music, full of emotion.

"Mo mac tíre. Mo cróga láidir mac tíre."

He didn't know what the words meant, but the emotion in her voice and her eyes made him blush further. She leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, then wrapped her arms around him and hugged him firmly. He curled his arms around her slender frame and held her gently.

After a long moment, Sky forced herself to let go and sat up straight. It was only then that she noticed the looks from the other lads. She blushed faintly, and hurried to slip her jacket back on, not bothering to button it up. She cleared her throat and plastered a bored look on her face.

"What? Why's everyone staring? My scars aren't that scary…"

"I don't know what that was you said, Pixie-chan, but it sounded really pretty."

"Oh. Um. Heh... Uh... It was Gaelic. Mommy was born in Ireland, and she spoke it a lot. After, um... After things started getting better, I learned more."

"What did you say though? What did it mean?"

"It, uh, wasn't anything deep and profound, little bunny. I said, 'Mo mac tíre,' which literally translates as 'my wolf."

"Oh! So it's like when you use French with Tama-chan?"

"Um. Kind of, I guess. Except I'm pretty sure nobody here speaks Gaelic, heh. It just...kind of slipped out."

She was getting embarrassed, and wasn't sure why. She waved her hands dismissively and abruptly changed the subject before she had to think about it.

"So, anyway. What's going on this weekend, boys?"


A/N again: Sky didn't tell Honey everything. 'Mo cróga láidir mac tire' means 'my brave strong wolf' in Gaelic. Awww ^.^