"Are you sure that was a good idea Nala?" I didn't meet Maria's eyes, instead choosing to sip from my glass of lemonade through a straw. "Nala I'm serious!" Green hit blue as our eyes met and our wills clashed.

"No it wasn't the right thing to do." She blinked at my frank confession.

"Then….why?" I leaned back in my the chair tipping it up onto two legs.

"I was hurting. That...man thought he could control me like that. You saw it in his eyes Maria, he didn't care that he sold me! I was his daughter for goodness sake yet there was nothing in his eyes to show he cared. All he could think of was getting the money to buy his next bottle of alcohol, or his next whore off the streets. In that moment i ceased to be anything but a tool to him that he could use to obtain what he really wanted." She looked at me sadly from across the table, her big blue eyes glazing over for a moment as she got lost in thought.

"I wish i could disagree with you there but….you know i can't. I will disagree with the pain meds move but his actions? They were detestable and I'm afraid i've gotta admit that if i was in your position I'd have done the same probably." I nodded and listlessly began staring around the restaurant at the other patrons. They looked so happy. In a far corner a small family ate together, the little girl laughing and waving her hands animatedly while her parents looked on with a fondness only a loving parent can know. A little bit away from them, a young man was with a girl on what i assumed was a date. It was only a first or second date from the look of it, she was smiling shyly, while he was acting manly in an attempt to impress her.

"They're cute, but he's trying too hard." Maria's eyes had followed my stare to them, prompting her to murmur the words. "By the way," My eyes went back to her, "What was the question you wanted to ask me earlier?"

"Oh that." Good thing she reminded me….. "You've mentioned a few times that you have a younger cousin. I hope i'm not being rude but what's the backstory for that? Every time you mentioned her your eyes and voice get so sad." Even as i spoke a shutter i'd never seen before slid over Maria's eyes, cutting off all visible emotion in them. I half expected her to not speak, and as i was about to say she didn't have to her sad murmur reached my ears.

"I have a cousin. Obviously," She smiled ruefully all the while looking into space lost in her own thoughts. "She's the sweetest girl ever, a lot like you actually. It's why i think i was so drawn to you and why we get along so well. She used to be so full of life but the past few years have been rough on her. There was an incident when she was little, i don't even know the details, but she was abruptly moved from Japan to America and isn't allowed back here unless i can support her, or she turns eighteen. She...she's hurting and her parents don't understand it. They're dealing with marital problems and they just see her attitude as an act of rebellion. They don't know how badly she's hurt though. She was actually born in Ireland, she's a pure blooded irish girl. We have deep roots in Ireland so to our, and don't laugh at this, our clan she's our princess. She's the youngest girl of the family and well it's taking it's toll on her." As Maria spoke a vague sense of recognition filled me.

"Say Maria...what's...what's her name?" She snapped out of her thoughts and grinned,

"I'll tell you but you cannot laugh! It's a, er, very Irish name." I rolled my eyes at Maria.

"C'mon Maria you know i'm not gonna laugh!" She raised an eyebrow and smiled playfully.

"We'll see." She leaned across the table, conspiratorially whispering. "Her name is Madden, Madden Aisling, But we all call her Maddy….Nala? Nala are you alright? You look like you're going to be sick!" Maria's worried voice barely registered to me at the moment. There's no way in hell…..

"Maria." My voice was low, urgent, "How old was she when she moved to America?" She frowned.

"Oh man..she musta been like 9 or so i can't exactly remember." I felt the blood drain from my face. It has to be a coincidence.

"D-do you have a p-picture of her?" Maria's eyebrows were drawn together in concern now.

"Nala...are you sure you're alright? You're actually starting to worry me."

"A picture Maria. Please it's important." She still looked at me concerned, but slowly pulled out her phone and after scrolling through it for a moment she held it out to me. The picture was of a young lady. What once had been dark auburn hair, was now a beautifully dark red, her green eyes were wide and sparkling with laughter as she looked into the camera, her lips pulled into a small quirky smile giving you a glance of straight white teeth. "Oh my universe. It is her." Maria merely stared in confusion.

"Nala what are you talking about? You know her?" I couldn't help the happy tears forming in my eyes as i continued staring at the picture.

"Maria….This is my cousin Maddy. We...I'm the reason she was sent out of japan and we were separated! She, Haru and i were childhood best friends. Oh my gosh," The tears were falling now. "I haven't seen or spoken to her in years." I smiled radiantly at Maria, and leaping out of the chair, drawing the attention of the others in the restaurant, I bowed and exclaimed. "Please Maria do everything you can to get Maddy back!" She was gaping at me now, but suddenly, she leaned forward and pulled me into a hug.

"I promise you Nala we'll get her here. I've been working towards it for years and i'm close. With your help...I think we could do it!" Her voice was full of joy and hope and i threw my arms around her momentarily forgetting the problems of earlier in the day in my newfound joy at seeing the familiar face in the picture. One i hadn't seen in many many years "I have an idea!" Her gleeful words had me jerking my head up to look into her eyes.

"What!?" She grinned, her blue eyes glinting with mischief.

"You'll see, let's get out of here first." We paid, or more correctly Maria paid while i waited impatiently for her to hurry up, but moments later we were back in her car. She turned to me and took a deep breath. "I can't believe i'm saying this but...are you ready to break the rules Nala?"

*Rrrriiinnngggg* A moment of silence. *Rrrrriiiinnnggg* Another moment. *Rrrriiinnngg-*

"Hello? Maria?" The voice was soft, very feminine and carrying a vague almost imperceptible Irish lilt to it.

"Hey Maddy." Maria's voice was the voice you make when you're so utterly happy that everything in your tone softens and you speak in a delicate, breathy voice from joy. "I have someone i think you'd like to talk to."

"Uhhh alright but seriously if Uncle Devlin put you up to this…"

"He didn't trust me you'll like this surprise! Here she is." She passed the phone to me and for a split second i was afraid of what would happen. What would she do when i said hello? Did she hate me? Will she hang up? Shoving the thoughts aside i almost whispered.

"He-hey Maddy. It's, um, been a while." There was a moment of silence and i could almost hear the gears rotating in her head as she deciphered who i was, before a low gasp was heard followed by a hollered,

"NALA!? NALA FUYUMI!? MY COUSIN NALA!? OHMYGAWSH I CAN'T EVEN...NALAL!" The tears sprang to my eyes again but i rubbed at them with the back of my hands forcing them away.

"Yeah it's me Maddy. I'm...so much has happened….I..You….oh Maddy i miss you!" There was the sound of sniffling on the other end of the line before the girl responded.

"I've missed you to Nal. I've tried to find you but my parents...well you know what happened. Then Maria moved there to Japan... I prayed a miracle would make this happen but….I didn't even think Maria would…." I sniffled to, one of those awkward sniffles that is part crying part laughing.

"Maria didn't even know! We literally just found out….WAIT! THIS MEANS THE THREE OF US ARE ALL RELATED!" Maddy made a muffled exclamation of delight at that and Maria started in realization, collecting the ots long before we did.

"That's right!" Maria's voice cut through Maddy's response. "It was your aunt, Maddy, that married Nala's father, and then my mother is your aunt's sister-in-law Nala! How wonderful is this?!" I grinned in response and i could hear Maddy's whoop on the other end of the line.

"Fuck." Her voice suddenly went quiet. "I have to go i can hear mother coming. Maria give Nala my number you'll be in my contacts as Nancy so say that's who you are when you message me! Bye!" and as fast as she'd been there she was gone. That didn't quench the joy growing in me and i spun in my car seat to face Maria.

"Maria thank you! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" I glomped her. "For once in this gosh awful day something is looking up!" She grinned right back at me and starting the car said cheerfully.

"C'mon we've gotta get you back to Haruhi and the rest of the club at her house to break the news to her!"

We sped throught the streets and when we reached Haruhi's apartment complex we both bolted from the car, pounded up the stairs, and crashed into the apartment talking at the same time.

"Haruhi! Maddy!"

"We're related!"

"Cousins!"

"Can you believe it!"

"Got Maddy's number!"

"Gonna have to be careful with her parents though-"

"STOP!" Surprisingly, that shout came from Tamaki and the twins who looked like their heads were spinning.

"What is going on?" Haruhi's voice was as confused as she looked so after glancing at each other, the story tumbled from me in a rush.

"MariaisMaddy'scousinanditalkedtoherandOMGwe'rerelatedandigothernumberandisn't thiswonderful?" The entire host club and Haruhi, collectively blinked and turned to face Maria hoping for a rational explanation. She took a deep breath before repeating what i said, being the only one there who understood a word of it.

"She said 'Maria is Maddy's cousin and i talked to her and OMG we're related and i got her number and isn't this wonderful?!' " Haruhi's' jaw dropped and she shouted,

"No way! You're kidding me!" The rest of the hosts just looked on in confused silence, except of course Kyoya.

"I'm confused." Tamaki's blank statement had all three of us girls rounding on him with identical smiles on our faces and Haruhi exclaimed,

"Nala's cousin our childhood friend! We lost touch a few years ago and this is the first time we've heard from her in years!" The twins opened their mouths to speak, but i cut them off.

"Hang up there guys. Maria, Haru, and I will explain it all. It started several years ago with the death of our moms…" By the end of the story the other's were listening with in a rapt fascination to the tale.

"I'm surprised you didn't already know." Kyoya's smooth voice when i finished talking had me turning to him along with the rest of the people in the room chorusing,

"You knew!?" He adjusted his glasses and regarded me cooly.

"Of course. I assumed you already knew about it though." I facepalmed groaning.

"Oooottoorriii!" He merely raised his eyebrow in question.

"Ya know you do that better than most of the bitchy girls I've met." Haruhi choked on her drink while everyone else stared for a moment before bursting out laughing at me. Face burning i muttered a 'sorry' and slunk over to sit on the couch next to the twins. "Scoot ya boot." Hikaru gaped at me as i plopped down between him and Kaoru, before glancing at his brother as a slow snide smirk slid over his face. "Don't even think about it. I need it normal twins right now not creepy hit on me twins. After the crazy day we've all had i think you can get that." With a huff they stuck their tongues out at me and slumped back against the couch. "Thank you."

"What are we gonna do about Nal-chan's father?" Honey's soft voice was surprisingly firm as he asked the question, but it left the room in silence afterwards.

"Well once he's recovered enough he'll be officially put under arrest and put in jail. An associate of mine took his statement after we all left the hospital and it was pretty damning. He does want to cut a deal though and is giving up all his contacts and underground associates to help his case." Fury flashed through me at that Cut throat bastard. He only ever looks after his own skin.

"Ahem," Kyoya cleared his throat. "While the police hunt down these people, i would suggest that someone looks after Nala and that she have her own personal guard." Everyone else murmured their approval and i scowled at him.

"Hey I can look after myself Ootori!" He merely stared at me emotionlessly.

"Are you so sure Nala? Could you fight off a group of men older and stronger than you? Are you a judo champion like Mori? A martial arts specialist like Honey?" My face began getting hot

"Well no but i can-"

"Exactly. So accept the fact that you're going to have your own personal detail assigned to you." I groaned

"Fffiiiiiiinnneee. What're you guys gonna do about school though? Can't have the cops following me around in there now can you?" He smirked Annnddd of course he'd have a plan for this to.

"You won't need them during the school day. Mainly because you are now a full time host."

"WHAT!?" I gaped at him ignoring the twins snickering on either side of me. "Since when was that DECIDED!? And i do not remember being part of that decision." He chuckled.

"Remember a certain bet you lost? Besides this is the only way we can watch you after school unless you'd prefer to be under guard. It's your choice." Some choice there….

"Fine whatever. But why a host? I thought i'd be like the tea service or something."

"Because!" Tamaki leapt up from where he was sitting and yanked me off the couch so we could spin in circles. "Daddy wants to see his daughter bloom and grow and meet new female friends who will influence you for the better!" I was jerked away from him by Mori who noticed my soul rising out of my limp body as Tamaki spun us.

"Senpai please be careful with my best friend." Haruhi lightly smacked the back of his head and he started pouting and railing at her about how he wasn't doing anything wrong.

"Thanks Mori you really saved me there." I looked up and smiled softly at the tall host who just let out a soft grunt and nodded at me. It's hard to believe these guys aren't what they look like…..they're just so...so...them….there really isn't a good way to describe them other than that they don't look like anything other than rick kids who don't get out in the real world enough. I heaved a sigh and stood on my own two feet.

"Guys!" I cut Tamaki off mid rant and pointed a finger at the twins when they went to do something weird to Haruhi. "There really doesn't seem to be a choice for me to do anything other than be a host. Ootori," I turned to him, "What type of host would i be?" He pushed his glasses up and took out his black notebook to start writing in. Without looking at me he murmured,

"The guarded type." I gave him a funky look.

"What exactly does the 'guarded' type do?"

"You just have to be you Nal-chan!" Honey held my hand and smiled happily up at me.

"Mn." I laughed softly

"Thanks guys but seriously what gave you all that idea."

"Because it's exactly who you are Nala." Haruhi's voice was gentle. "You guard yourself from everything-

"But once it's close to you you protect it." The twins cut her off and finished for her. Do i really? I thought back over various occasions in my life and Haruhi instantly picked up on it.

"It's like when we were little and first met. You barely talked to me, and would just sit there. Over time you opened up a bit more, but i still didn't think you liked me until those boys bullied me on the swing and you punched one of them. You got suspended for a week but remember? You look right at the principal and said you'd do it all over again if you had to and refused to apologize." I laughed out loud at that memory. That had been an interesting day. Throwing my hands up i acceded.

"Fine, fine. Alright i can be the 'guarded' type. I hope i don't get any creeper fangirls like you guys do though. And i don't have to dress like a boy right?"

Maria burst out laughing at that.

"You? Dress as a boy? Darling you could never! It would take some serious chest binding for that one." I gave her the evil eye playfully.

"Hush up and you two," I pointed at the twins now starting at my chest. "Eyes up here right now. I don't see a face down there." They flushed at being caught and jerked their gazes away from me. Tamaki growled at them, but contained himself when Haruhi rested a gentle hand on his. Ooh what do we have here? I grinned evilly at her for the action and she stuck her tongue out at me.

"Dang it." I glanced back to Maria as she glared at her phone. "I have to go Nala work duty and all." She stood up and crossed the room to hug Haruhi and then myself. "I'll see you later." She went towards the door, but before she left she called over her shoulder, "By the way! I texted you Maddy's contact info. Remember you're Nancy over the phone to her! Bye kiddos!" She waved cheerfully and exited the apartment.

"Say Nala if you need chest binders Hikaru and i would be more than happy to help you find some." Hikaru snickered.

"And help you put them on to." Tamaki lost his composure at that and leaping up began chasing the twins around the apartment with a baseball bat. At the sight of that and the memory of him hitting me with one before i ducked behind the chair kyoya was sitting on in hopes they didn't come my way. We passed the night in a similar manner, goofy and happy and doing our best to put the troubles of the last few weeks behind us. It wasn't until the hosts finally left several hours later that as i was sliding into bed i pulled out my phone and sent a single message to a new number.

-Hey Maddy it's Nancy-

****Authors note this one is very slightly important please read****

I'M SO BLOODY AGGRAVATED! We put our house on the market last week and have already had three people come view it so everytime i sat down to write i got dragged away to clean so the house was "presentable" I'm so sorry everyone i've been so incredibly slow ack i know i'm a failure shmer! Alright mini explanation time. So I have had the basic plot for this story and it's sequel for several months now and Maddy is incredibly instrumental in both of these but i pinky promise (Yes i'm 15 and still do these and take them seriously) that there will be no more crazy plot twists! From here on out things are gonna get a bit more calm and i'll be focusing more on her time as a host with everyone else before i bring back the depressing stuff. To be quite honest this chapter was hard to write but i tried for all of you and did my best so ppppllleeeaassee please please let me know what you think by reviewing! Reviews make me incredibly happy and help me so much. Also all texting will be in bold like above just thought it would make it easier to figure it out ya know? Anyway i'm off to start chapter 12 hopefully will have it done in a few days (praying no one else wants to view the house so i can do this) and for those of you who did read this THANK YOU AND PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME I'M DOING MY BEST! Byyeee everyone enjoy!