A/N Thought yall were going to get an update in a year, huh?
"I should slap you right now for waiting this long to tell me."
"Ah, but I was simply trying to get all the facts." Shigure shrugged nonchalantly as he stood in the middle of the dim room. He smothered his smirk as Akito turned his way, throwing him a sharp glare.
"Don't be stupid." Akito scoffed, standing up from the ground to walk toward Shigure, reaching up to place a hand on his cheek. "My loyal dog never fails me, however."
"What do you plan to do?"
Akito hummed. "Nothing. For now. It's laughable to see the cat in this position. I have something planned for it, I just need to bide my time and wait."
.
.
Kyo shuddered as a chill went down her spine. She shrugged it off, trying to refocus on her sword fight with Mori. They were having a mock sword fight with actual swords the hosts had acquired for their knight cosplay. Medieval was that month's event, and the hosts were selling the look with uncomfortable looking armor.
"This is so fucking cool, where did you guys even get these?" Kyo asked, trying to twist the sword with one hand and failing.
"My family has ties with a blacksmith family." Mori answered, sheathing his sword. It looked like they were done for the time being.
Kyo nodded, holding the sword by the blade and handle to inspect it more. "I've never seen an actual sword before, this is wicked."
"Keep it."
She looked up in disbelief, jaw dropping. She shook her head at the tall senior. "Are you kidding me? No, I can't accept this, swords are expensive!" But it looked like her words fell on deaf ears as Mori walked away from her.
"What's wrong Kyon-chan?" Mitsukuni tapped her forearm, bringing her out of her small bubble.
"I…Mori said I could keep this sword…" She mumbled.
"Wow, really? That's so nice of him!"
"But-It's a sword! Is it really okay for him to do that?"
Mitsukuni rubbed at his chin in thought. "Yup! These swords were made by apprentices, it's okay to take it."
Well when he put it that way, it didn't sound that back to take it… Kyo hummed, looking down at her new toy. "Alright, then I'll take it!" She said with a sharp smirk. "Just wait till Haru gets a load of this!"
Mitsukuni's eyes twinkled in delight, pleased. "Who's Haru, Kyon?"
"Hm? Oh, he's one of my cousins. He's gonna be so jealous when I show him this." Kyo snickered.
Her attention was drawn away from her new sword as the doors opened early, revealing two girls with different school uniforms on. Somehow, Tamaki, Kyoya, and the twins were already posed to greet them, Tamaki spouting off one of his cheesy lines.
"-We love first-time guests." His eyes glimmered. "I'm glad you've come, princesses. My darlings, even if the world were to be destroyed, I'd put my life on the line as your faithful knight and servant. I will protect you." He ended with bowing down on one knee.
The taller girl glanced away, a scoff in her tone. "Oh my, do you really think you'd be able to protect us? That's awfully arrogant of you, wouldn't you agree? You think that's what a woman wants to hear? Well you're wrong."
Tamaki paused, glancing back up to them. Kyo set down her sword, making her way to the others with Mitsukuni by her side.
"C'mon, give him a break Sister Suzuran. Men are just lowly life forms who don't care about anything other than perpetuating their testosterone laden image." The shorter one put her hands on her hips. "By "protecting" us, he's actually attempting to disguise the fact that he's weak and unable of even protecting himself."
"You're such a clever girl, Hinagiku." Suzuran praised.
Tamaki stood up, balancing his sword against his shoulder.. "Don't you think that's a little harsh? Fine, then, what do women like you want to hear?"
"Maybe something like, 'I would never leave my lover alone.'" A voice interrupted.
Kyo's eyebrow rose as a third girl was revealed, with Haruhi in her arms looking a bit lost, especially as she was manhandled like a ragdoll. "'If we fight, it'll be together. If we fail, we fail together. Even if I were to die. I promise you that I will never leave your side, my love.'" She ended her own speech by kneeling in front of Haruhi, kissing the back of her hand.
Tamaki gasped in horror.
"Benibara! We thought you'd never show." Hinagiku and Suzuran stepped back to meet with Benibara.
"What are we going to do with you?" Suzuran sighed. "So tell us where you found this lovely young lady?"
"I just met her outside of the school. She may be dressed as a boy, but I knew the truth. She has such pretty maidenly eyes." Benibara grabbed Haruhi to maneuver her into a dip, caressing her chin.
"Uh, thanks, I guess?" Haruhi uttered, looking more uncomfortable as all the girls began to caress parts of her body.
"Wow, her skin is incredibly soft."
"Isn't it, though?"
"I think this one's going to be a little diamond in the rough."
Standing next to Tamaki and seeing he wasn't doing anything, Kyo nudged him with her elbow. "Hey! Don't be touching people without their consent!"
That broke him out of his shocked state, running toward the girls. "Don't go touching my Haruhi without asking my permission!" …And only to get thrown back by Benibara. Damn that tall bitch had strength. "She punched me, she's so violent!" He cried, clutching his cheek.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Mitsukuni cried out, surprisingly.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Kyo glared at them, stepping in front of Tamaki. If anyone was allowed to hit and punk on him, it was the hosts and her only.
"Guess the rumors we heard are true. You guys are just a bunch of weak little punks with no sense between you. And you had the audacity to convert this other lovely lady into such a vulgar…man." Benibara looked at Kyo up and down, in almost pity.
Kyo clenched her teeth.
"Those uniforms, I assume you ladies are from the Lobelia Girls' Academy?" Kyoya pushed up his glasses.
"That's correct."
"Lobelia~"
"Lobelia~"
"Lobelia~"
The three began to harmonize and introduce themselves with outfits that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Kyo couldn't tell you what they had said, zoning out the second they began to sing. God it was like a musical version of the Host Club.
An annoying high pitched laugh brought Kyo back to the conversation, mood souring as Renge made her entrance. "Just what I need…" She whispered.
"Don't underestimate the Zuka club!" Renge smirked as she drank from her tea cup. "I may not know much about instant coffee, but I'm fascinated with girls' schools. St. Lobelia Academy! It is truly a woman's world there. The Zuka Club…" And Kyo's zoned out again. This time for a good reason. If she has to hear Renge's voice for longer than a minute then she'll combust. She focused on just helping Mitsukuni and Mori out of their costumes.
"A maiden's beauty…" Suzuran spoke up. "It means possessing a spirit pure enough to not give in to power or to lust."
"'As a girl, you. For a girl, you.' We've had quite enough of your oppressive male contempt for woman-kind."
Kyo didn't have any arguments about that. They were making some sense. With a family as old as the Sohmas, gender norms were deeply ingrained within their culture. Even within the Zodiacs there was always more favor for the males than the female zodiacs. Kyo hated it as a child, never being allowed to join Haru in Karate until Kazuma adopted her and gave her permission. And that alone was enough for Kyo to get angrier at the Sohmas. Why was it up to a man to allow her the freedom to do what she liked? She should have been given the choice from the very beginning.
"And our pride…Comes from having meaningful relationships based on equality because we're the same sex. And yes, that includes relationships with love." Benibara finished up.
By the end of it all, everyone, even Kyoya, tended to their own devices, ignoring the Zuka Club.
Noises from Hikaru's videogame sounded out as he lost a life, moving his hands every which way as he tried to dodge Kyo's hands from grabbing the game from him. "Stop it Kyo, I still have two lives left~!"
"I want a turn!"
Kaoru yawned, browsing through the grocery purchase Haruhi had bought. "Why don't you gals just scram?"
"I find it hard to believe that you silly boys have nothing to say about our sublime female love." Hinagiku griped.
"What the hell is she talking about?"
Kyo was slowly getting irritated by the Zuka Club's haughty attitude. It always had to happen to the Host Club, didn't it?
"And to think they're dragging this sweet young girl down with them." Benibara turned her attention back to Haruhi, crowding up against her.
"Oh my god…" Kyo sighed, straightening up from the couch she had leaned against. Making her way toward Benibara and Haruhi, she began to push up her sleeves. "Hey, stop harassing Haruhi!"
She was ignored as Benibara kept going. "The Host Club's president may be a pretty little halfer, but he shouldn't be using his looks to create a fictitious romance! Attempting to fool the heart of a pure, young maiden is demeaning! Your so-called 'club activities' are nothing more than debasing macho fantasies. I promise you, we will bring you guys down. The Ouran Host club will be no more!*"
"I see." Kyoya pushed up his glasses, meeting Benibara's gaze head on. "I understand your concerns, but do you think maybe we can finish this later?"
"Are you saying that you're not going to face us?" She asked, scoffing.
"Not at all. It's just that our president is still bedridden from the initial culture shock." He gestured toward Tamaki who was lying on the couch, covered in a blanket.
"You see Tama-chan is having his nappy time right now." Mitsukuni pointed out.
"Wake him up!"
"Excuse me, I made some coffee. Would you ladies like to have some?" Haruhi held up the tray of coffee to the girls, cutting through the tension.
"Why, yes! Aren't you the sweetest thing?"
"You're a real pearl amongst swine!"
"You know, coffee made by a maiden always has a more fragrant aroma."
"But this stuff's just instant…" Haruhi mumbled.
"How about the four of us have a little tea party?" They all tittered to each other.
That gave Tamaki a second wind. He got up from the couch, stomping his way over to them. "You girls have it all wrong! Don't you see there's nothing to be gained from a relationship between two women?! If that were the case, then why did God create Adam and Eve?!"**
Kyo kicked her leg out to the side, catching Tamaki's ankle and bringing him down with a harsh thud to the ground. He tried to catch himself with his hands, scraping his palms.
"Ow ow ow!" He cried, holding his hands to his chest. "Kyo, what was that for?!"
Kyo crossed her arms, sneering down at him. "I'm not very fond of your homophobic language." She missed the surprised glance thrown at her by Benibara.
Haruhi sighed, making her way over and crouching down to take Tamaki's hands, bandages in her hand. "You've got to be more careful, Senpai."
"Thanks, Haruhi. Do you always carry bandages around with you?" Tamaki mumbled, staring at his bandaged palms.
"Nah. The supermarket was giving them out with the purchase of instant coffee. You always get free at the supermarket."
"Free stuff?"
Heeled steps sounded through the room as Benibara stopped in front of the three. "This little conversation doesn't seem to be going anywhere." Kyo gasped as her arm was yanked, caught between Suzuran and Hinagiku.
"Hey-!"
"Now that we know what's going on, we can't allow these maidens to stay here. We'll prepare their paperwork and have them transferred to Lobelia at once. And we'll welcome them into the Zuka Club!" She declared.
"Hey, just wait a second, will ya?" Haruhi stepped away from Benibara, holding her hands in front of her. "There seems to have been some misunderstandings here. I mean, first of all, you called Senpai a 'halfer.'"
"'Cause he is a halfer. He's half French and half Japanese!" Mitsukuni answered, although his eyes stayed on Kyo in concern.
Haruhi blanched. "Well, uh, anyway, I don't think it's fair for you to pick on the Host club just because you don't think they have the same history as you do."
"We barely have any history. We were just founded two years ago." Hikaru shrugged.
"Yeah, the boss created it whenever he started high school." Kaoru said sheepishly.
Haruhi had a defeated look on her face. "Be that as it may, saying their club activities are only held to satisfy their appetites is just wrong. I mean, it's not like the Host Club is charging their guests or anything."
"Well, I wouldn't call it a charge, we do have a point system. We offer priority services based on the winning bids of auctions held on our website." Kyoya pulled out his laptop, typing a few things to land on a website. "Check this out, Haruhi. Your used mechanical pencil just sold with a winning bid of 30,000 yen. Good for you."
"What?! But I thought I'd lost that pencil!" Haruhi gasped. She glared at Kyoya. "Why didn't you tell me about this before, Kyoya-senpai?! I had no idea you were collecting money!"
"So, you thought we were all just working here as volunteers? While it's not much, because of the expense of organizing events, we happen to make a small profit from the online auctions."
"You can't sell other people's things without asking permission! That's stealing!" She argued.
"It wasn't stealing, you dropped it on the floor!" The twins butted in before running away.
Kyo shoved Hinagiku and Suzuran off of her, dusting herself. "What the fuck is wrong with you guys?" She mumbled, making her way back to Mitsukuni and Mori. That was the last time she was going to get caught off guard by people.
"Oh you poor dear. I can't believe they've been deceiving you." The girls gushed to Haruhi.
"Hey, why don't you just dump these losers and come with us?"
"Hold on, Hinagiku." Benibara held up her hand. "These young maidens have had quite a day. We'll give you some time to think about it. We'll come back for both of your answers tomorrow. Adieu."
It was silent for a moment as the Zuka Club disappeared down the halls of Ouran.
Haruhi's shoulders were tense as she glanced at the hosts. "I'd better be going. I've got some thinking to do." She left before they could say anything, closing the door behind her.
Tamaki clutched his hair in despair. "Why did you have to tell her the truth? You just added fuel to the fire! What am I going to do now?"
"The facts are the facts." Kyoya shrugged.
"Maybe we should have asked before we sold her pencil on the internet…" Mitsukuni whispered. He whined as Kyo pinched his ear.
"Maybe you shouldn't have sold her pencil at all." Kyo hissed.
"Yeah, for all we know it was a keepsake from her mother." Kaoru mused.
Hikaru shook his head. "Nah, it was just a freebie they were giving out at an electronics store."
"Gentleman, just think about it." Tamaki walked toward the nearest window, looking out onto the courtyard. "Haruhi may be basically indifferent, but if she had to choose, we know that she tends to favor men's clothing. And besides, when she first joined the Host Club, didn't she tell us-"
"Okay you've got to stop with this fucking bullshit." Kyo barked out, stepping forward. "First the homophobic language and now the assumption that Haruhi is gay just because she prefers men's clothing?" She pressed a finger against Tamaki's chest. "You've been pissing me off, all of you have. I wouldn't blame Haruhi if she did want to leave Ouran, because just look at you guys; selling her shit without her permission, trying to dictate what she should and shouldn't do? You're no better than those Lobelia girls but at least they're trying to give women the strength men obviously don't."
"I…" Tamaki trailed off.
Kyo pulled back, shaking her head. "I need to think too." She took her leave then. What a joke this was turning out to be.
It was just her luck that the next day it was raining. Kyo sighed as she looked up at the gloomy sky.
"What's wrong Kyo?" Tohru asked, peeking out from under her umbrella.
"Nothing…My friends are being stupid right now." She was walking with Tohru and Yuki to school that morning since Tohru had to be there early today.
"Oh, so now they're your friends." Yuki hummed, ignoring Kyo's eye roll.
"They just said some things I don't agree with and I kind of yelled at them."
Tohru tapped her chin. "I don't think it was nice to yell at them, but I'm glad you were able to tell them your thoughts. It's good to communicate with your friends, but you should apologize to them."
"Yeah yeah…I'm planning to." Kyo gave her umbrella a small rotation. She stopped as they reached the point where they had to go in different directions. "I'll see you at dinner." Reaching out, she gave a ruffle to Tohru's hair, smirking as she squeaked and tried to fix the mess.
"Aw, Kyo!" She pouted. She straightened, waving to her. "Bye, have a good day at school!"
Kyo gave a wave back as she turned away, heading down the road that led more into the city. Glancing behind her, she gave a small frown as she thought she saw something. Shaking it off, she turned back, making her way to school.
"Haruhi!" Kyo called out, quickening her pace to catch up with her. Matching Haruhi's pace, she adjusted her bag. "Hey…how are you feeling after yesterday?"
Haruhi sighed, shaking her head. "I'm still a bit angry about them not telling me, but being alone is just what I needed. Did they say anything after I left?"
"Um…I'm not sure…I gave them a good shout once Tamaki tried to make the assumption that you were gay, and I left." She shook her head. "It pisses me off how ignorant he can be sometimes."
"You yelled at Tamaki?" Haruhi tried to clarify, wide-eyed.
"Not like with Renge, but yeah. Told him to knock it off with the homophobic words, and I wouldn't blame you if you did leave with how they treat you and women."
"...Thank you Kyo-senpai, really. Sometimes I dismiss the things they say without a second thought, and I shouldn't let it slide." Haruhi stopped in her tracks as she looked ahead and spotted the Zuka Club waiting in the middle of the hallway, obviously for them.
"Hi young maidens." Benibara greeted.
"We've come for your decision, are you prepared to leave?"
"We're ready to confront those Ouran Host Club idiots and set things straight once and for all." Hinagiku ended.
"Set what straight?" Haruhi frowned.
"That you should come with us." Benibara tried to caress Kyo's chin, only getting a smack to her hand. She paused, before letting it slide, continuing to speak. "And go to school with your own kind!" She grabbed Haruhi's hand, leading her to the Music room.
Following after them, she witnessed only darkness in the room and a giant mass on the floor.
"Ouran~""Ouran~" "Ouran~" "Ouran~" "Ouran~"
"Ouran Host Club~ Welcomes you~!"
"Oh my god…" Kyo's jaw was on the floor at the horrible harmonization and getup the hosts had on once the lights turned on. Everyone sans Mori was dressed as a woman of high nobility, even going as far as wearing makeup and puffy dresses.
"Oh Haruhi, Kyo, welcome back." Tamaki smiled, his voice high-pitched.
"Look Kyon-chan! I'm a princess now! Aren't I cute?" Mitsukuni twirled toward her, pressing a finger against his cheek cutely.
"I..."
"What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to make fun of womankind?" Benibara clenched her fists.
"What? No, that's not it at all. Everything's going according to plan. Our strategy is guaranteed to make even a crying child smile. It's the freebie campaign!" Tamaki put one hand up, the other holding his dress. His ponytail swished behind him as he began his speech. "My dears, you ladies have all lived sheltered lives at Lobelia so you might not know that commoners are weak. They have a weakness for free things. Haruhi, Kyo you may be distracted by the Zuka Club, but choose us and you not only get a host club of brothers, but also sisters who support your freedom and strength! See? This way you can experience feminine bonding, while staying in the Host Club!"
The twins came up to them, giving a curtsy in sync. "We're the Hitachiin Sisters! Which one of us is prettier?"
"I'm just teasing you." Hikaru smirked, his fan hiding his mouth. "I know it's me."
"Haru-chan! You can call me Big Sis from now on." Mitsukuni whispered, winking at her.
Benibara clenched her teeth. "Why you...Do you idiots really think you can win her over like this? I've had enough of your fooling around!"
Haruhi's laughter burst out of her as she clutched her stomach, unable to hold herself up and slumping against Kyo. Kyo grabbed her to keep her from falling, a smile slowly creeping up on her own face.
"This is too much!" Haruhi gasped out. "I-I don't even get what you guys are trying-tryin' to do! I know you're a bunch of goofballs but geez!" She hid her face, tears popping out the corner of her eyes.
"Are we really that funny?" Mitsukuni and the twins shoved their faces toward them. From this close, their dramatic and colorful makeup was even more ridiculous. Haruhi cried out with more laughter, trying to back away from them. "Call me big sister! C'mon, do it! Just Say it! Big Sister!"
Kyo couldn't help it, bursting into laughter too. She covered her mouth, giggles pouring out.
"Say it, please?!" They cornered Haruhi, who looked like she was going to pass out from the lack of air.
"C'mon, cut it out!" When they let her go, she took a minute to catch her breath.
"What were you thinking? What's gotten into you guys?" Kyo asked, shaking her head.
"We did this because we don't want you to leave." Mitsukuni answered, clutching Usa-chan.
Haruhi and Kyo blinked, surprised.
"Well, maidens, have you made a choice?" Benibara spoke up.
"Yeah, we have. Or at least, I have." Haruhi stood up, dusting her pants off. "I'm sorry, but your club's not for me. I think the idea of a girl's school is great and your views are very unique and interesting, but I came to this school with a goal and a plan for my future, so while I appreciate the offer, I really already knew that I was never going to leave Ouran Academy."
When Benibara looked toward her, Kyo crossed her arms. "I knew I would never be allowed to transfer out of here. The head of my family would have never agreed." Except, she didn't know if that was true. It just brought her mind back to the fact that Akito could have and should have put her in Lobelia in the first place, as standard practice with the Zodiacs to be in same sex schools. There was something going on if he chose to keep her in a coed school.
"Haruhi!" Tamaki teared up, before pointing an accusing finger toward her. "Hold on, if you weren't going to leave, then why did you act so angry yesterday?"
"How would you feel if I stole something of yours without asking you?!" Haruhi shot back. They went back and forth bickering.
Kyo sighed, looking at Mitsukuni. "Mitsukuni, you look ridiculous in that wig." She huffed fondly.
"Aw, I thought I looked cute!" He pouted.
"No, you make an ugly woman." She teased, rolling her eyes. "Go take off that costume, you look better before."
That seemed to cheer him up, happy to follow what she asked.
"We're not going to give up on you maidens." Benibara promised. "I swear this to you, someday we'll come and rescue you from this place!"
"Oh shut up!" Kyo sneered. "Get out of here already!"
Kyo let out a tired groan as she stretched her hands over her head. As soon as the Zuka Club left, everyone got out of their dresses and makeup. She took the chance to get out of her own dress, putting on regular clothes. Since the club obviously didn't have clients to entertain, the boys took advantage of the break to leave for the day. They were walking together toward the front entrance, ready to part ways.
"Who helped you guys with the makeup, by the way?" She asked, curious.
"We did." The twins answered.
"No wonder you were ugly." Kyo muttered under her breath.
"Hey! We learned from watching our mother." Kaoru whined at her.
"Kyo…?"
Kyo tensed, turning her head toward the gates as Kagura stood there, a hand to her mouth in shock as she clutched the straps to her plushie backpack.
"Kagura?"
Kagura gasped softly. "Kyo…it really is you. I…I missed you so much!" Her voice hardened at the last bit, sprinting toward Kyo. The hosts panicked at the scorned woman, but not more than Kyo, who immediately turned the other direction, trying to run. It was futile however, as Kagura caught up to her quickly, slamming her to the ground. "How dare you not call or text me for weeks! I've been worried sick about you and Momiji had to be the one to tell me you moved schools?!" She yelled as she shook Kyo like a ragdoll.
Everyone looked dumbfounded and a bit scared as they witnessed the scene, unsure if they should try to intervene.
"Agh, Kagura let go! Just-"
"How dare you not call your girlfriend!" Kagura now cried, hugging (crushing) Kyo to her chest.
Kyo blushed in anger and humiliation, eyes darting to the hosts. Without wanting to, they landed on Mitsukuni, who looked hurt and confused. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest, and she used every bit of strength she had to free herself from Kagura. "For the last time, I'm not your girlfriend!"
"Kyo-kyo…" Kagura looked up at her from where she was sprawled on the floor. "I-"
"I already told you I'm not interested. What are you even doing here?" Kyo continued, crossing her arms.
Standing up, Kagura wrung her hands together. "I came to visit…you never call me anymore!"
"I don't call you because you never leave me alone!" Kyo clenched her fists. She exhaled loudly, turning to the Hosts. "Guys…I'm sorry about this. This is Kagura Sohma."
"Another cousin of yours?" Kyoya asked, making a note in his book.
"No, we're from the same family, but we're not related." She could understand the reason for the question. It did seem a bit weird Kagura had declared her as her girlfriend.
"Geez Kyo, you sure have a lot of Sohmas coming around here." Hikaru inputted, eyebrows raised.
"It's not my fault, okay? It's not like I ask them to come." Kyo muttered. She crossed her arms.
"I came to walk you home Kyo, I was going to wait for you at Shigure's but I didn't want you walking alone! We can even hold hands like when we were kids!" Kagura got up, hands tucked under her chin as she pouted at the cat.
Like hell was going to tell her she didn't walk home alone anymore. Most of the time, Mitsukuni and Mori always gave her a ride, even if it was out of the way for them.
"Stop it Kagura. You know I don't like it whenever people get clingy!" Kyo hissed, ears on fire. Her eyes made its way to Mitsukuni subconsciously.
"Of course I do, but that's no fun!"
"I-"
"Kyo." A voice interrupted.
Kyo froze as she and Kagura turned to their left, a man standing a few feet away.
"You look well…Kyo." He smiled.
She stared wide-eyed at Kazuma in disbelief. "Shishou…"
"Sensei! You're back, it's been so long!" Kagura moved forward to greet Kazuma.
"It has. But you've been well, I hope." He nodded his head. "Kyo, I arrived at Shigure's and was told Kagura came here to walk you home. I thought it'd be best to try and catch up with you two." He gazed toward the hosts, who were still there. "And you must be Kyo's friends."
"We are." Mitsukuni took a step, glancing toward Kyo as she stayed quiet. "I've heard a lot about you, you're Kyo's father, right?"
Kazuma tilted his head. "Yes, I am."
"Let's go home." Kyo finally spoke, staring at Kazuma. She didn't know why, but she had just felt a chill go down her spine. She wanted to leave immediately. She walked past Kagura and Kazuma, trying to get them started on walking.
"Why don't you join us for dinner?" Kazuma asked the group. "There's already going to be a big dinner tonight, we'd be more than happy to have you over."
"Wait-"
"A visit to Kyo's house? Sure!" The twins laughed with glee, nodding. The others spoke their approval, even as Kyo tried to dissuade them.
"Then it's settled! Kyo, give your friends the address."
"It's okay sir, I know the address." Mitsukuni shook his head. "We can give you a ride too!"
"Oh?" Kazuma looked intrigued by that information. "You have such good friends Kyo. Let's get going then."
Kyo felt like she wanted to vomit at this turn of events. She couldn't say anything else as everyone split into their own cars to go to Kyo's house, Haruhi riding with the twins.
The next 15 minutes were tense as Kyo, Kagura, and Kazuma sat in the car with Mori and Mitsukuni. At least, Kyo felt the tension. Kazuma had no problem making conversation with Mitsukuni, and Kyo didn't like the sudden interest he had with him.
When they stopped at Shigure's, Kyo was the first one out, taking deep breaths to calm down. She just needed to survive one small dinner and then she can convince the guys and Haruhi to leave.
Once the others arrived, Kyo ushered them inside. The house became more lively with noise, and while Yuki and Shigure initially were caught off guard with their guests, they took it in stride.
They made the decision to have dinner in the yard where they could fit a bigger table, and soon enough everyone was sitting down. Kyo ended up in between Yuki and Tohru while Kagura was between Tuki and Shigure. The hosts all sat on the other side of the table, and Kazuma sat at the end, which was for the best to avoid any possible contact with Kagura or Kyo and avoid transformation.
Throughout the dinner, Kyo stayed quiet as she looked down at her plate. She avoided eye contact from everyone, and ignored Tohru as she tried to figure out what was wrong.
"So how did you all meet Kyo?" Shigure asked politely.
"Well, I invited her to our Host Club! Once she saw how great it was, she stuck around!" Tamaki said, ignorant as to how that sounded.
Haruhi face-palmed, embarrassed for Kyo as the Sohmas looked at Kyo in shock. "It's a social club, it's not what you think." She tried to salvage the situation.
"Oh…that sounds lovely!" Tohru nodded.
Shigure propped his chin onto his hand. "Hey Kyo, maybe you should stop sulking in the corner and greet your Shisou properly. You haven't seen him since you trained in the mountains, right?" He addressed her. "Aren't you happy to be reunited?"
Kyo raised her head. "I, uh…" She glanced at Yuki and to the hosts, glancing away with a scowl. She stood up without a word, making her way inside.
Kazuma set down his chopsticks, wiping his mouth. He stood up as well, following after Kyo.
Shigure and Kagura burst into giggles, bringing their heads together.
"That's classic Kyo."
"Totally!"
Tohru frowned, staring at the two. She voiced the same question the Host's had. "I'm sorry, I think I'm missing something. What do you mean?"
Kagura giggled again. "It's cute. Kyo's actually really happy to see sensei again, but she would rather die than let us see it. Especially with Yun-chan and her friends around."
.
Kyo looked out her window as knocks hit her door.
Kazuma entered after a moment of silence. "Kyo. Let's talk."
"I'm sorry Shishou. That was rude of me." She sighed, ashamed.
"It's okay. I understand."
A beat passed when she pivoted on her heel, lunging toward Kazuma and throwing a low right hook and having it be caught by him easily. Kyo was unphased, straightening out with a big grin on her face. "You're really here…Welcome back, Shishou!"
Kazuma fondly ruffled Kyo's hair, his own grin lighting up his face. "It's good to be back."
They maneuvered to sit down on the floor, Kyo finally being able to relax. "Does this mean your training sabbatical is over?"
"Yes, I'm afraid I can't afford to spend more time away from the dojo."
"Great! I can pack my things in a day." She was already planning her move.
"Actually, Kyo…for now you will continue to live here." Kazuma uttered gently.
She shook her head at him. "So that's it? You're just gonna break your promise? You said I could live with you again when you came back!" She huffed. "I guess you're scared of Akito, too."
"That's not it, Kyo. My observations have led me to believe that this is the best environment for you. Whether it was fate or coincidence, the fact is that she is a great comfort to you. And it looks like that boy is too."
She bit her lip, getting to her feet as she dug her nails into her palms. "Shishou! Please, I can't stand living in this house any longer. Even staying at school for hours after classes have ended, it feels suffocating in this house, everywhere. Sometimes, I hate it so much…I feel like I want to scream until my voice gives up. I don't need to be comforted. I didn't ask to be transferred to Ouran and meet those boys. I hate it."
Kazuma stared at her for so long. "I'm sorry Kyo, but my decision is made. You should get back to your friends. It's not nice to just abandon them."
Seeing that he wasn't going to be convinced, she bit her tongue, leaving the room quickly. It wasn't fair!
.
"Sorry about that dinner, guys. You should have said no to coming." Kyo kicked a stone by her foot, saying goodbye to the others as the sun began to set.
"You worry too much Kyon-senpai! It was fun to finally see your house." Hikaru threw a thumbs up to her.
"Now it's Haruhi's turn!" Tamaki shouted, giving Haruhi puppy dog eyes.
"Ugh, don't remind me." Haruhi grumbled.
"We'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?" Mitsukuni told her.
"Yeah, yeah. See you guys…get home safe." Kyo waved at them as they disappeared into their cars and drove away.
Turning back to the house, she paused when Kazuma stepped out the front . "Shishou?"
"Come to the backyard with me." He asked, heading there without checking if she was walking behind.
Kyo followed, confused. "Listen, Shishou, whatever this is about, can't we talk inside? It looks like it's going to rain. You know I'm no good when the weather's like this."
He stopped walking, turning to face her. "My grandfather suffered the same way. Apparently, rainy days often left him feeling weak and ill. But is it the Cat spirit, or is it the spirit of your true form that can't stand the rain? It's time, Kyo. You need to accept who you truly are and move forward with your life-"
"I accept it now!" Kyo shouted. Rain began to pour down on her, soaking her hair and clothes. She looked down at the ground in anger. "Being born with the Cat spirit meant that my life was already over before it began. I'm cursed to a life of solitude and misery." She locked eyes with Kazuma, a haughty smirk on her face. "This is all because of the Rat. He's the reason all this happened and why I'm cursed. Everything would have been different if it weren't for him!"
Kazuma broke eye contact, a disappointed look on his face. "I see you haven't changed. You're saying the same things as you did when you were a child. Do you still plan to kill yourself after you kill Yuki?"
Kyo inhaled sharply, recalling the memory of her mother's funeral. 'That's what you want? If I die, then you'll be happy!'
"Is this how you wish to live your life?" He continued. "Covering your ears, closing your eyes? Burying everything else beneath the hate you feel for Yuki…Is that the only way you can keep yourself from falling apart?"
"The hate I feel for Yuki is real! Where's my mother? Where's my bastard father, huh?" She screamed at Kazuma. "They're gone because they hated what I am! If it weren't for the Rat tricking the Cat, I wouldn't be like this."
"You said you hate it here. But that's not true. You're simply trying to run away." Kazuma lunged forward and gripped Kyo's arm tightly, the beads around her wrist moving.
She gasped, staring up at Kazuma as he stared stone-faced at her.
"You realized you've grown comfortable here and at Ouran. That suffocating feeling is you being scared of feeling safe. You don't want your true form to be discovered, because of what you stand to lose." He lifted her wrist up in the air, the beads rattling mockingly. "Instead of risking that loss and fighting, you choose to run away because you're a coward-"
"Shishou…" She whispered, struggling to get out of his hold. "Shishou please…"
"-You'll run away to spare yourself the pain-"
"Please!"
"-Therefore, I'll take away your escape route-"
Kyo began to claw at Kazuma's hand, desperation in her face as she realized all too late what he was trying to do. "Shishou! Stop it!"
"-and we'll see what happens. There's no turning back after this!"
She looked over her shoulder, blood freezing in her veins as Tohru stood there under her umbrella, watching. In less than a second, her eyes were covered, smothering the tear that ran down her face as her bracelet was torn off her wrist.
'It'll all be okay…because I love you.' Her mother whispered to her. 'That's why I don't want anyone else to see you. Don't look. Nobody look at my daughter.'
"Let's see if your life is truly over."
No!
.
.
.
In his hidden spot, Mitsukuni covered his mouth to smother his terrified scream.
A/N Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I thought this was perfect! I am going to try really hard to get this next chapter finished quickly.
I debated from the beginning how I wanted the true form scene to play out, and decided this was the best route for the story. I think it's necessary for Mitsukuni to witness Kyo's true form, but also not to be directly involved in the actual confrontation.
In rewatching the anime since I lost my manga website, I'm really surprised at how problematic some parts are?
*The anime literally used Nazi-esque salutes and outfits while saying they were going to abolish the host club? WILD. I changed that shit asap in here.
**Also the homophobic line in the series? Maybe yall will say that was a stretch but I think it was a little too unnecessary, so I made Kyo comment on it at least.
Anyways, feel free to ask any questions or yell at me.