Welcome to chapter five, Dear Reader! I'm happy to say that, so far, I've gotten nothing but positive feedback on this story. Thank you to everyone who's read, favorited, followed, and/or reviewed! I'm honored. ^.^ I hope you all enjoy the newest installment.
As always, I do not own the rights to anything Ouran-related. (I know, it makes me sad, too.) Reviews and PMs are most welcome! Encouraged, even!
And now, on with the show!
-The next day-
"We have a surprise for you today, princesses!"
Tamaki's enthusiasm caught on immediately, the girls all hanging on his every word. He strutted about the room, extolling the virtues of each member of the Host Club, and how loved by the princesses they each were. As his babbling finally came back around to the subject at hand, the lights dimmed in the room. A cool fog rolled across the marble floor, drawing surprised and appreciative murmurs from the crowd. A single spot-light illuminated a dark, heavy door that many would have sworn hadn't been there a moment before, and Tamaki's voice rang out once again.
"The heart of a warrior, the soul of a poet. Deep and mysterious, loyal and passionate. He'll break all the rules and steal your very breath away. And your heart as well, if you don't guard it closely. Ouran's newest Host, our very own wild Irish Rogue!"
The door burst open and a dashing figure sauntered in. Clad entirely in black leather, their silver and green hair flowing freely behind them, Robin offered a little smirk to the waiting ladies. Bi-colored eyes, outlined in kohl, gleamed with feral mischief, giving the blue and brown orbs a dangerous air.
Shrieks and squeals could be heard from all corners as they stalked toward the seated masses. Several girls fainted before Robin could even open their mouth in greeting. Full, sensual lips curved into a predatory grin as they caught the trembling anticipation bringing heated color to many faces. They flicked their tongue out to wet their lips, delighted to hear several soft gasps at the action, and not all of them from female throats.
"Tráthnóna maith, mo álainn banphrionsa. Good afternoon, my beautiful princesses. I would be honored if you would designate me. I would love to get closer to you."
They offered a sly wink, giving their words a double meaning and causing several more fainting spells. They kept the roguish look on their face, though they were laughing uproariously on the inside.
-A couple hours later-
Robin stretched and rolled their neck, then sprawled on one of the fussy sofas. Pulling a bit of leather cord from their pocket, they swiftly gathered their hair into a low tail as they glanced around at the other Hosts.
"Well, that was...exhausting. But highly entertaining. How'd I do?"
Much to their delight, the twins rushed forward and flung themselves into low bows at Robin's feet. They burst into bright laughter as the duo looked up with matching awe-filled gazes and mischievous grins.
"We're not worthy!"
"Teach us your ways!"
They rolled their eyes at the twins' antics, but smiled inwardly. Their first day of Hosting had gone so much better than they'd thought it would. Evidently, the twins thought so, too. As did Tamaki, who was currently pouting in his corner. Several of his regular guests had flocked to Robin, leaving the so-called King to flounder in confused abandonment. They snickered quietly, remembering the complete and utter astonishment on his face as his princesses fled to gather around the leather-clad Host.
"Ohh, I can't do that. Certainly a bit of Irish can't compete with your 'brotherly love' routine. A bit of leather and a romantic accent can't compare to the oh-so-very-tempting wickedness of your taboo relationship."
All three broke into cheerful grins, and the twins popped up to briefly throw their arms around Robin. As they rushed off to pester Haruhi -who suddenly regretted not leaving sooner- Honey and Mori came into view. Rather, a whole load of chocolate frosting came into view, as Honey thrust a plate of cake in their direction. Bell-like giggles sounded at their startled little squeal.
"I saved you a slice of cake, Robin-chan! You did great today!"
"Thanks, Honey-senpai, that's so sweet of you."
Mori sat beside them and handed them a fork; Honey had forgotten it in his haste to bounce over to his intriguing friend. Robin thanked Mori softly, thrilled to see the corner of his lips twitch in the barest hint of a smile as he nodded. They barely managed to conceal their shock when he spoke quietly, his words tinged with humor.
"The leather was a good choice."
-A few days later-
Covering their mouth with one hand, Robin yawned quietly, rolling their eyes at Tamaki's latest plan. "Operation: Conceal Haruhi's Gender" just seemed like far too much drama over nothing. They were certain that the Shadow King had an actual plan to keep the general populace from finding out Haruhi's secret. They tuned back in to the conversation as the girl in question mentioned fancy tuna.
"Wait. Seriously? You're gonna go along with this nonsense just for a bit of fish?"
They shook their head lightly, vaguely amazed at Haruhi's easy capitulation.
"Well, suit yourself, kitten. But count me out, I won't be anywhere near this bloody pink prison tomorrow."
"Why not, Robin-chan? Are you sick?"
A small smile played across their lips at Honey's immediate concern. They offered the blonde a reassuring grin.
"Aw, I'm fine, senpai. I'm just skipping out for the day. I plan on staying as far away as possible from doctors, nurses, and anything hospital-related for as long as possible, that's all."
"Puck, you do realize that these physical exams are mandatory, don't you?"
They rolled their eyes again and made a rude noise in Kyoya's direction. Stretching their legs out, they tucked their hands behind their head and closed their eyes, the perfect picture of nonchalance.
"Simmer down. I had a once-over when I moved here, and the Academy has that file. Which you know perfectly well. There's no need for me to go through all that bullshit again."
Kyoya hummed in consideration, then shrugged slightly. He had bigger things to worry about. Namely, the fact that Puck stood a good chance to make good on their playful threat to overthrow the Host King. Their shameless flirting and androgynous good looks certainly worked in the Club's favor. Client requests had skyrocketed in the last few days, all of them for the Rogue type. He dreaded the thought of what Tamaki might do when he found out.
Robin was humming quietly to themself, lost in thought. They didn't realize anything had changed in the room until there was a gentle tug at their sleeve. Blue eye cracking open, they finally noticed Honey sitting beside them. He was grinning brightly at them, but curiosity gleamed in his big caramel eyes.
"If you aren't coming to school tomorrow, what are you going to do all day, Robin-chan?"
With a genuine little smile for their favorite blonde, they sat up and gave him their undivided attention. They hitched one shoulder up in a shrug.
"No idea, senpai. Probably nothing overly exciting. Unless Windsong decides to foal early, anyway. I've got a weird feeling about that mare..."
Honey gasped and clasped his hands together happily, bouncing in his seat. They blinked at him for a moment, distracted by his sudden hyperness. Then their eye caught Mori sitting beside him, interest lighting up his slate eyes as his lips turned upward at the corner. They were shocked as always when he spoke, struggling to suppress a little tremor of excitement at his deep and utterly intoxicating voice.
"You have horses?"
They ran a hand through their hair and grinned at their senpai before nodding.
"Yeah, just a few. Seamus keeps trying to tell me I can't bring anymore strays home, though."
"Strays?"
"Heh. Um, yeah. Windsong kept escaping from her old owner, and he just wanted rid of her. I seem to attract that sort; got myself quite a zoo going already."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... I've got three horses, two snakes, six cats, three dogs, four ferrets, seven rabbits, a dozen bitty wee turtles, a foul-mouthed parrot, a couple dozen goldfish, nine chickens, a pond full of koi, and as of yesterday, one injured fawn."
Honey's eyes grew even bigger as they listed all their animal companions, but the caramel depths grew dark and glistened at the mention of the injured fawn. They chanced a quick glance at their other senpai, shocked to see anger and worry written plainly across his face.
"Badly injured?"
"Nowhere near as bad as I'd thought at first. There's a bit of forest bordering our property, and I guess someone before us thought barbed wire was the way to go. Poor wee thing got a leg tangled in it. She'll be right as rain soon enough, though. Shay called our vet while I was getting her loose, and Doctor Watanabe took excellent care of her. Just a few stitches, really. And we've got people coming in this week to clear out the rest of the fence-line."
Robin was very glad to see the worry diminish in his eyes as he nodded. They knew Mori liked animals just as much as they did, and they didn't want him to worry needlessly. They issued a quiet, relieved sigh before offering him a tiny smile, beyond thrilled to see his lips twitch slightly in reply. Hrm, I wonder...
"I'm glad she's ok, poor little thing! But gosh, that's a lot of animals, Robin-chan! Do you really have seven bunnies? Can we come see them sometime? And the little turtles too? They sound so cute!"
"Mitsukuni."
They couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up at Honey's crestfallen expression as he turned to pout at Mori. They waved a hand dismissively, grinning broadly.
"Absolutely, Honey-senpai, anytime. Just don't blame me for Yuki's language; he didn't learn any of that filth from me."
Ta-da! And so the Host Club gained their very own Rogue! What did you think of Puck's entrance? What will happen when Tamaki realizes his position as King is threatened?
In case it wasn't obvious, "Tráthnóna maith, mo álainn banphrionsa." means "Good afternoon, my beautiful princesses." Puck is a shameless flirt, but we all knew that already. Until next time, poppets!
