Author's note: Welcome to chapter 32, Dear Reader! Wow, we've come such a long way, can you believe it?! Honestly, when I first started writing, I had NO IDEA it would go on so long. Or that it would be so well-received! I've gotten nothing but positive feedback on Sky's story, it's such an awesome feeling. We've hit over 2,400 views, as well! *happy dance*

Triggers: Very mild, if any. Sky remembers an important date at an inopportune moment. But mostly, there are fluffy fluffs!

Special shout-out to pajamalover1000, who has given reviews on FOURTEEN chapters so far!

I still don't anything Host-related except for the manga box-set. If I owned the Hosts, I wouldn't need to resort to fanfic. (And if I owned Ouran, it sure as hell wouldn't be PINK!)

Enjoy the latest chapter, poppets! Reviews and PMs are always welcome!


Sky's heart skipped a beat. Why did the thought of being in Takashi's bedroom seem so much less innocent - and so much more exciting - than all the time they spent alone in her own room? The slightest tremor ran down her spine as heat crawled up her cheeks. She swallowed thickly past the sudden lump in her throat and mentally slapped herself. The desire to make an off-color joke flashed through her mind, but was rejected immediately.

She took a deep breath and offered her darling wolf a sweet smile. The corner of his lips lifted the tiniest bit in reply, even as relief filled his eyes. He shook his head lightly, the last bit of nervousness fleeing in the sight of her gentle smile. Giving her hand a small squeeze, he opened the door with his free hand and ushered her inside.

Clinging lightly to his hand, she let her gaze wander around the room. One whole wall was taken up with shelves covered in books and, surprisingly, intricate little figures. A few boxes sat unopened on one shelf, containing more models to be built. A simple desk held more books and various school supplies. The large bed looked far too comfortable, and it was all too easy to envision herself curled up in the soft blankets, wrapped in his warm embrace.

Sky quickly turned her eyes away, only to let out a quiet gasp a moment later. The bedside table held exactly two things besides the lamp. A small wooden box with an intricate Celtic wolf and scrollwork burned into the lid sat beside a pretty silver frame. The photograph it contained caused her eyes to fill with tears. A handsome, raven-haired young man in a dark cobalt suit held a smiling rainbow-haired girl in a beautiful moonlight gray dress in the middle of a crowded dance floor.

Takashi's heart swelled as he watched his beloved's eyes fill with joy. When a single tear fell, he tenderly brushed it away with his thumb, cradling her heated cheek. She covered his hand with her own as her eyes met his. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she nuzzled his palm for a moment before smiling radiantly and turning back to survey the rest of the room.

Much like her own, Takashi's bedroom held little in the way of decoration. Most things in the room served an actual purpose. She let her eyes wander, enjoying the comfortable atmosphere. She felt very much at home here. Even more so as strong arms curled around her waist from behind. Takashi held her lightly, resting his head against hers. She laid her hands over his and squeezed gently, issuing a quiet sigh of contentment.

-Monday, lunch time-

Sky picked at her food, not really paying much attention to the conversation. There was something she needed to remember. Something important was trying to break through all the commotion in her brain, but she couldn't figure it out. She knew she was forgetting something, but what? She shook her head a little, thinking that it would come to her eventually.

"Are you alright, Pixie?"

With a little start, she looked across the table. Miko had joined them for lunch, and was looking at the older girl with concern. She spoke again, her gentle voice laced with worry.

"You're not eating, and you look like you're thinking about something bad."

Sky hitched her good shoulder up in a little shrug, then reached across to pat Miko's hand reassuringly.

"I'm fine, nothing to worry about. I just feel like I'm forgetting something really important, but I can't figure out what it could be."

Beside her, Takashi made a quiet sound of discontent. Sky offered him a pretty smile and laid her free hand on his knee. He searched her eyes for the smallest moment, then nodded slightly. She bumped her head against his shoulder affectionately before straightening and returning to the food on her tray as conversation picked up again. Hikaru was rolling his eyes at something Tamaki had said.

"So where should we go?"

"Hm? Go? What? I think I missed something."

There was quiet laughter at her confused stare. Honey shook his head and patted her hand.

"Silly Pixie-chan. Since there's a break next week, we're all going on vacation together, remember?"

"Next week? That break is next week already? Wait...so today is...is..."

Sky's eyes widened in shock as Honey repeated the date. How could I not remember?! A small whimper escaped her throat, even as it threatened to close. She shoved her tray away and buried her head in her arms on the table. She felt arms wrap around her from both sides, and several warm hands were laid atop her arms. She couldn't bring herself to raise her head, but spoke quietly.

"How could I forget something so important?"

Miko's eyes darted between her friend's dejected pose and the concerned looks on all the Hosts' faces. There was clearly something she was missing here. She cleared her throat softly. She didn't want to be rude, but she needed to know.

"I'm sorry, I'm very confused. What's so important about today, Pixie?"

When Sky just shook her head and sniffled, Kyoya took it upon himself to answer the girl's innocent question.

"Nothing. Tomorrow, however, is a very important date for Pixie."

"Mommy..."

The pain in Sky's voice was palpable. Takashi pulled her onto his lap, uncaring of the looks and murmurs from the student population. She turned and buried her face against his neck, clinging tightly to him. Miko looked on, even more confused. Kyoya sighed softly and spoke again.

"Tomorrow would have been Rhiannon Prentiss' birthday. Pixie's birth mother."

The petite brunette gasped in shock. She knew that her friend had been adopted after the tragic loss of her birth parents. Her heart ached for the older girl. A few tears fell from her hazel eyes in sympathy. If Pixie hadn't been curled up in Mori-senpai's lap, she would have rushed around the table and hugged her tightly.

After a moment, Sky sat up and scrubbed her eyes with her hands. She nuzzled Takashi's cheek briefly before slipping back to her own seat, blushing faintly in embarrassment. She cleared her throat roughly.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm ok, really. I just... I can't believe I forgot. I'm alright now."

"It's not surprising, Pixie-chan. You were way too stressed and worried last week."

The teasing note in Honey's voice made Sky grin, even as her blush deepened slightly. She rolled her eyes and reached out to tousle his hair with a little laugh.

"Yeah, yeah..."

She cleared her throat again, quietly, then turned to the group at large. With a little grin, she addressed her tribe.

"So, let me get this straight. We're supposed to leave on Saturday, and you psychos still haven't decided where we're going? Remind me again why I put up with this crap?"

"Um, duh. It's because you love us and can't live without us."

Sky flashed a grin at the silly twins as they spoke as one.

"Well, yeah, that's true."

She planted one elbow on the table and rested her chin in her cupped hand as she listened to the multiple suggestions for their group vacation. She was glad to even hear Miko quietly make a couple of offers. A few of the places didn't sound so bad. Stifling a tiny yawn, she slipped her free hand into Takashi's under the table, and he gave her a reassuring little squeeze.

"What about you, ma cherie? You haven't offered any suggestions. Where would our precious unicorn like to go?"

Sky huffed out a quiet laugh at the nickname, but smiled brightly at Tamaki's genuine tone. She hitched her good shoulder up in a shrug.

"It doesn't really matter to me, chardonneret. All I want is to get away from all the stress for a little while and not have to interact with anyone other than you guys. I just want to have some fun and spend time with my tribe, it doesn't matter so much where we are."

That turned out to be the wrong thing to say. Tamaki, the twins, and Honey all converged on her, smothering her with hugs and kissing her cheeks, cooing about how sweet and precious she was. Her bright laughter rang through the crowded lunch room, earning the group several shocked, angry glances. She finally managed to shove the boys away after a minute or two, and straightened her uniform with an annoyed scowl.

"I'm so making you guys pay for my dry cleaning."

Miko watched the interaction with slight shock and no little humor. After her giggles had tapered off, she smiled across the table at the older girl. Sky sent her a cheeky grin, causing another little burst of laughter. But then something odd struck her about what had been said.

"Um, Pixie? What did you mean by "tribe" just then?"

"It's just what it sounds like, Mi-mi. There are no blood relations, it's not the one I was born into, but this is my tribe. My pack. My family is sitting right here around me."

The petite girl blushed at the adorable nickname she'd been given. But as Sky's words sank in, hazel eyes filled with surprised tears. They'd only been friends for a couple of weeks, and already the brunette was considered part of her family. She sniffled quietly, then let out a tiny, startled squeak. Kaoru, who was sitting beside her, had offered her a handkerchief and patted her arm slightly.

"Aw, poor Miko. Once Pixie says you're in the pack, you're stuck with us."

There was light laughter from all corners, and Sky stuck her tongue out at Kaoru. He flashed a cheeky grin at her, and she rolled her eyes. With a dramatic sigh, she held out her arms and spoke in a mock-aggrieved tone.

"Welcome to the menagerie, little lamb. God help your soul."

The laughter ratcheted up another notch, and the girls smiled brightly at each other.


A/N again: What do you think, Dear Reader? Does Miko have what it takes to be in the menagerie? And just where should the teens go for their vacation? Comment/PM your ideas, and I might just use one!