Disclaimer: I have no rights over any Ouran characters

Once again Haruhi stepped off of a plane and entered a new world. For someone from so poor a background she'd done a lot of world traveling, and she wasn't even twenty yet.

She'd ultimately decided to go to school at Oxford. She'd seen lots of Australia during school breaks with the Koenig twins, they'd insisted on dragging her everywhere with them, not letting her say a thing about money. And arguing with them was like arguing with a force of nature – there was no possible way to win.

Somehow, those trips had left her with a taste for travel. So, the idea of staying in Japan, or even Australia, for university hadn't sounded intriguing at all. She'd set her sights on the USA or the UK, ultimately choosing the UK because it was so close to so many other countries. The Koenig Twins going to school in Germany had had nothing to do with it, nothing at all.

Or, so she told herself.

Haruhi would never admit, especially to herself, how much her friendship with them had made her high school years so much better. She knew that if she admitted it to them that their egos would grow too big to fit in the same room.

Zackarie joining their meals and study sessions hadn't helped their egos; it took him months to see them as real people, and not football superstars. Then, when their dad had come to visit during one of the breaks he'd lost his cool façade completely and stammered like a little kid meeting Santa for the first time.

Another reason for choosing Oxford had been their special relationship with Brekleys and their amazing range of scholarships available for international students.

So, here she was, once again standing in a new country, facing a new school, and knowing no one.

It was scary, but was also thrilling.

She navigated Heathrow with no issues and took the proper trains until she found herself in the Oxford administration building. A no nonsense gentlemen named Mr. Fields got her settled.

"Sign this paper, here. This is your housing agreement. Everything is paid for by your scholarship, this is just your promise to do no damage to our building. Good. Now, here's information for you, including the contact information for our foreign services department. If you look at this paper you'll see directions to student services. They'll set you up with an id card, a meal plan, and show you your dorm room. Your schedule will be emailed to you. Thank you. Have a good day!"

Before he even finished speaking he was typing away at his computer, having completely forgotten about her.

Haruhi had never met anyone like that before.

And she hoped never to again, though, she could see how someone like him could be useful in the right circumstances.

Haruhi followed the map until she reached the student services building. She ended up being helped by fiery red-head that didn't look much older than her.

"Hello! I'm Alianore Roux! I'm a sophomore here at Oxford and I'll be happy to help you get settled!"

She gave Haruhi a broad grin that looked completely genuine.

It was the grin that tipped Haruhi off, after all, the name Roux cold be common in France. Funny, how she never got around to asking Zackarie what his sister's name was during the entire year she'd known him. Not that he'd ever wanted to talk about her, apparently the siblings didn't care for each other.

"Alianore Roux? Are you related to Zackarie Roux?" Haruhi asked?

"Zackarie? You know Zackarie! Oh! Oui! He is my brother! How do you know him?" Alianore asked excitedly.

"I'm Haruhi Fujioka. I went to Brekleys with him. I didn't know his sister went to Oxford."

"Oh! I know who you are! You're the one that rescued him from that nasty bully, aren't you? And, of course he didn't tell you I go to Oxford. That boy probably hopes we never meet. Honestly, he's so embarrassed by his big sister."

Haruhi could sort of see why Zackarie was embarrassed by Alianore, she was a bit overwhelming, but then, so was Haruhi's dad.

"Yes, that's me! It's so nice to meet you. You know, you two have the same smile."

Alianore laughed at that, "We have our father's smile. My mother is always trying to get me to tame it, but I refuse. I shall smile like I mean it I say! And she always sighs and asks what she did to deserve a daughter like me. But, then I say something silly and she's laughing and all is right with the world."

Haruhi felt a twinge of pain at the mention of Mrs. Roux. Truly, it had been so long since her own mother had passed away, it shouldn't hurt to hear about someone else's mother. But it did. Especially when it was about something she'd never been able to experience with her mother, because of her age at the time her mother passed away.

"That's nice. Can you help me though? I just got in from Japan today and I'm very tired," Haruhi said, trying to keep Alianore on track.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Follow me, let's get you all sorted out!"

Alianore did, indeed, get Haruhi all sorted out before exchanging contact information and sending her on her way to her dorm.

Once again the administration had decided to be 'helpful' and put two Japanese students together. Mei Yasumura was a very exuberant girl who had exclaimed over Haruhi's figure and immediately began sketching possible dresses for her as soon as she entered the dorm.

It had only taken Haruhi ten minutes to unpack her things. By that time Mei was holding swatches of fabric up in order to determine the exact right shade of blue.

The idea of being a human mannequin for this strange, over-made-up girl had Haruhi grabbing her purse and mumbling something about buying some necessities before she ran out of the room – barely remembering to take her key with her.

Luckily, Mei didn't follow her.

As Haruhi headed out to look for a pharmacy to buy shampoo and such she had to wonder. How did she keep ending up with people so unlike herself? She was perfectly ordinary, despite her unique childhood, so why did she seem to find herself surrounded by those that were far from ordinary?

Author's Note: And the next chapter of her life begins. And, yes, Mei has arrived! :)

Enjoy!