Updated: 7/2/13

Episode One- Host Club Dogs

Chapter 2: The Host and the Protégée

Pink seemed to be a major theme in the Ouran's color scheme and the 3rd Music room was no exception. Even the filigree of crown molding on the ceiling was a dark pink that stood out in contrast to the lighter shade that peaked through. Opulent chandeliers were hung through out the room, dripping in expensive pink crystals. It was skillfully done so that the color didn't overpower the eyes, everything was soft and feminine. The rich wood of the furniture stood out in contrast, grounding the silk clad customers in the dreamy atmosphere. Each table was small, cozy and intimate, dressed with elegant vases filled to the brim with roses and trailing ivy. Everyone and everything looked polished and refined.

The customers chatted happily. The calming scent of tea mingled with the intoxicating aroma of roses to create an air of romanticism. "Tamaki-kun, what's your favorite music?"

Toru stood at the door with Haruhi and looked over the room before them with a grouchy countenance, "That one tune that reminds me of you, of course."

Toru, arms laden with heavy paper bags, was not moved by his cheap sentiment, "What a smarmosaurus," she muttered.

"I baked you some cake today, will you have it?"

Tamaki's hands were suddenly on his customer's face, tilting her chin up to gaze into his eyes, "If you will feed it to me."

Haruhi mutter under her breath, "Rich bastards."

The customer seemed to squirmed away in pleasure at his suggestion. The girl to his left spoke, interrupting the other customer's happy time, "Tamaki-sama, I heard you're keeping some un-pedigreed little kittens?"

"I wouldn't say kittens, more like...Oh, speak of the devil..." amethyst eyes locked onto his newly acquired slaves. "Thanks for shopping for us, little piglets."

Toru glared, though the effect was lost from the depths of her hood. Haruhi sweat-dropped and looked stunned for a moment, "P-pig?"

Toru murmured through gritted teeth, "What an ass-hat."

Toru sat her bag on the table and dusted her hands off, as if relieving herself of the task. She turned her back on the princely blonde and put some distance between them before facing him and Haruhi again. "Did you find everything on the list? What's this?" He was holding the Hescafe Special Blend instant coffee Haruhi had picked out. Toru had not followed her down the coffee isle, the over powering mixture of scents made the older girl nauseous.

"Just what it looks like, its coffee." Haruhi's voice was bland.

Tamaki's eyes were fixed on the label. Cake girl's hands were clasped and she was clearly interested in whatever her Tamaki-sama was interested in. Toru noticed her hair had cute little braided loops fixed on each side of her head. In contrast, the customer to the right of Tamaki had her eyes shut and an expression of extreme boredom on her face. "I've never seen this name brand. Is this the kind that's already ground?"

Tamaki just wasn't getting it, so Toru intervened, "No, its instant."

The Host King's other customers were seated opposite of him on a couch together. Chiagi was recognizable from class, no one could forget that long wavy hair. The other girl had darker, long hair, but her bangs were cut bluntly over her eyes and again at her cheeks. Their hands were drawn up to their chests in rapt attention at the exchange. They leaned to the left in unison and cocked their heads, "Instant?"

Tamaki's eyes bulged suddenly, giving him a comical expression, "Oh! Commoner's coffee where you only have to add hot water, right?"

As if by magical force, nine other girls appeared behind the couch, each mirroring Chiagi, with their hands drawn timidly up to their chests or covering their mouths. "Oh, I've heard of this," Chiagi's voice was filled with awe.

The dark haired girl beside her spoke next, "Oh, yes. So its true about poor people not having any free time, so they can't even grind their own beans, huh?" she actually sounded a little bereft at the thought. The girls who were lined up behind them all nodded their heads in agreement.

Toru was now glad she moved away, it was as if the entire room were congregating around that one couch. Two more girls had come to stand on the left of Tamaki's couch, while another three stood on the right. A twin on each side, with Haruhi and Kyoya wedged in the middle. It was Kyoya who spoke as he leaned over to read the label, "Commoners have their own brand of wisdom."

"Its a lot cheaper than what we usually get," one twin stated. "A huge price drop," the other added.

Haruhi was a little sheepish at all the attention at this point, "I'll go buy something else! Excuse me for not getting expensive beans." At that moment, Toru wished Haruhi could see all their faces, not one had been teasing her. They didn't seem to be disappointed in Haruhi's choice, just...awed by the unknown.

"No, wait. I'll drink this!" Tamaki's declaration had a varied effect on the crowd. Shock was most common, followed by excitement. A few even looked worried or concerned, as if he were about to try something potentially dangerous. The twins looked at him like a hero. The customers and the twins were clapping. If Toru had to guess at the meaning of the expression on Kyoya's face, she'd have gone with scandalized, but it was hard to tell. There was also one perfectly frozen expression of boredom that stood out from the pack. Tamaki stood and walked over to another table, "Alright, Haruhi, come here and make this commoners' coffee." Everyone had begun to follow.

Toru stood behind with Haruhi, who looked exasperated, and the bored girl on the couch, who finally set her tea cup down. "Oh, Tamaki-sama, you carry the joke too far," her voice was filled with a teasing reprimand. "There's no way that such a lowly person's drink will be to your taste." It was the disdainful expression in her eyes that made Toru's teeth grit.

"Huh?" Haruhi didn't seem offended in the least.

"Sorry, I was talking to myself," the other girl replied, and though her pretty face turned up with a smile, something about it rang insincere.

"Haruhi!" Tamaki's impatient voice rang out and the petite brunette sagged a bit before walking over to make his instant coffee. As Haruhi left, Toru sat down in the spot abandoned by Chiagi. There was silence as the other girl didn't acknowledge her presence one way or another.

Toru got a good look at the girls features. Flawless skin, reddish brown hair, and cool gray eyes made for quite a pretty combination. Gray eyes were fixed on Haruhi, and her sharp hazel gaze did not miss their intent.

Toru smirked suddenly and looked over at the others gathered around the table as Haruhi poured hot water into cups. "Amazing how something so common could ensnare Tamaki-san's attention," the subject was left deliciously ambiguous from Toru's soft statement.

"Trash is common enough and gone before too long," the princess's voice was pleasant as her gray eyes flickered to Toru. It was as if they were exchanging compliments. "You and your friend shouldn't get comfortable."

Toru's smile was fully visible to the girl before her, all teeth and daring, her voice dripped with sweetness, "Oh, Hime-sama, we're quite comfortable already," Toru stood, taking full advantage of her height as she looked down at the prissy girl, their gazes locked, "and I don't see anyone formidable enough to change that."

The girls squealed suddenly and Toru glanced over to see Tamaki holding Chiagi in his arms, no doubt spouting off some coffee related euphemism. The prissy girl's attention was already back on Tamaki and that made the perfect moment for Toru's graceful exit.

Haruhi had just finished making coffee, but Toru didn't really feel up to being within sight of her newly gained enemy, so she followed her ears. Laughter caught her attention and brought her to the table the twins were entertaining at. The twin with his hair parted on the left was Kaoru and the one with the part on the right was Hikaru, though they liked to confuse people often enough. She'd learned this before heading to the grocery store. It was presumably Hikaru's laughter that had drawn her attention, "So then, he had this terrible dream, and when he bolted up from it..."

"Hikaru! Not that story!" Kaoru pulled back, shoulders hunched in a feminine, embarrassed way as he brought his hand up as a barrier, "You're awful, telling that story in front of others." Tears seamed to gather and fall from the corner of his eye.

"Kaoru," Hikaru's voice was low, concerned. He leaned over suddenly and cupped Kaoru's face, drawing it to his own until they were, but inches apart, "Gomen Kaoru, but you were just so cute when it happened. I couldn't help myself."

Kaoru gazed up at Hikaru, they were both blushing, and murmured his brother's name, "Hikaru..."

There was a high pitched squealing noise and their customer's blushed tomato red and screamed, "Wah! What beautiful brotherly love!"

Toru had watched the whole scene, expression caught between puzzlement and mild disgust. Haruhi walk by with a tea tray and summed up Toru's feeling's perfectly, "Why are they crying for joy? I just don't get it."

Toru felt her spine twitch between her shoulder blades and turned to find Mori walking through the archway behind her. He was standing tall with his hands in his pockets, completely heedless of the legs that seemed to sprout over his forearms, or the little blonde head that popped over his right shoulder. Honey's face was flush and he seemed half asleep mid-piggy back. She felt her lips twitch and covered her smile with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, I'm late," his drowsy voice was soft and endearing.

"Honey-kun! Mori-kun! We've been waiting for you," the excited call came from Mori's customer.

Toru moved out of the tall senior's path. "I'm sorry. I was waiting for Takashi to get out of Kendo club, but I drifted off to sleep." His droopy eyes were dreamy and his little posture was somber as Mori sat him down, "And I still seem to be sleepy." He was rubbing his eyes and his little face was drawn in a frown. The uber cuteness sent his the customers into a blushing frenzy and they squirmed happily in their seats.

Toru dug in her hoodie pocket, fingers expertly maneuvering around all the items until she found what she was searching for. "Honey-chan, would an Usa-lolli help?" The beaming response from the little blonde was enough, Toru tossed him the chocolate sucker and grinned happily before retreating back to the archway where Haruhi was watching.

"Is Honey-senpai really a 3rd year?" Haruhi's voice was quite, incredulous.

"What? He's a third year!" Toru stood frozen in front of her friend. Disbelief, then shock, lastly she was mortified as she looked back to the little blonde. Could she have accidentally offended him? He seemed to be munching away happily on his sucker as the girls were all still squirming, giddy from his presence.

"Despite his appearance, Honey-senpai is an 18 year old prodigy." Kyoya's calm voice interjected. Toru turned to see him standing beside Haruhi in the archway as they watched Honey's table. "Mori-senpai's draw is his silent disposition."

"Haru-chan!" Honey suddenly leapt onto Haruhi's arms, the force made her spin in a circle twice before he touched down again. "Haruh-chan, want to have some cake with me?" His cocoa eyes were wide and his smile huge, His aura popped with flowers.

"No, I don't really like sweets..." Haruhi looked dizzy from the spinning.

"Well, I'll let you borrow my bunny, Usa-chan!"

Haruhi's eyebrows raised fractionally, "No, I'm not really up for Usa-chan either."

His big eyes watered suddenly, "You don't like my Usa-chan?" The smiling pink bunny was thrust upwards.

The petite brunette stood there for a moment, staring at the soft plush until her mouth broke unto a smile and she leaned forward, "It is cute, isn't it." Toru watched as Honey's eyes widened and a happy little blush covered his cheeks. There was a spark of discovery in his eyes.

"Take good care of it!" Honey chirped and then pounced on the lap of one of his customers and began squirming around, making cute noises. Toru shook her head a little, as if that would somehow get rid of the goofy grin she had plastered to her mouth. She placed a cool hand on her face and shrunk further into her hood.

"Our club's policy is to utilize everyone's individual characteristics, to respond to the needs of our guests." Kyoya's voice drew Haruhi and Toru's attention. "Around here, Tamaki is King, with a 70 percent request rate." Toru wasn't surprised. One day, she'd hear one to many, "Oooh Tamaki!"s in class and snap like a disgruntled postal worker.

Haruhi looked depressed, "What is the world coming to?" It was a sentiment they shared.

"By the way, with your 8 million yen debt, the two of you will be dogs until you graduate, oh pardon me, errand boys." He smiled his Host smile as he apologized and immediately followed with an implied threat, "You're free to run away, but my family employs an able, private, police force of roughly 100. Do you have passports?"

Toru's posture shifted subtly, she didn't respond well to threats; Haruhi, on the other hand, looked devastated at the prospect. In her shock, she was hanging on to Usa-chan as if her life depended on it.

"Yes, be sure to work hard, Lame-o." Tamaki seemed to appear out of nowhere and blew into Haruhi's ear, causing her to squeal a little and jump forward.

"Please don't do that!" Haruhi's voice was rough with the terrifying chill he'd sent down her spine.

"You're not going to get any girls, as disheveled as you look." Tamaki's observational skills were...astounding.

Toru had a feeling about the sort of rambling, pompous conversation Tamaki was about to start with himself for Haruhi's benefit. She gave her friend a sympathetic glance as the blonde started waxing on about the importance of becoming a beautiful, fine young man to please the ladies. Frankly, Toru thought he was taking his little joke too far. He couldn't really of mistaken Haruhi for a boy, could he? No, he can't be that stupid. She moved further away to escape Tamaki's foolishness. She tended to zone out when he got too long winded.

"Roo-chan!" Toru's spine twitched just before a soft impact connected, little arms wrapped around her neck, careful to let her breathe, just as little legs wrapped around her hips. Honey pounced on her and landed piggy back, like he'd been with Mori earlier.

She couldn't help but laugh, "Roo-chan? Roo-chan? Ne, what's with Roo-chan?"

Honey's arms tightened in a hug, "Toru-chan has kangaroo pouch!"

Toru grabbed onto his legs, bracing him, "Ne, are kangaroo's the ones that hop?"

Honey chirped happily, "Hai!" The tall girl began to hop around the room. It looked quite odd, considering there was some parts of the wall Toru blended into well, so it looked like Honey was levitating really high if you weren't paying attention. "Takashi!" he cried out happily. Toru looked over to see the other senior's expression as they hopped in his direction, "We're like Usa-chan!"

Toru watched the silent type crack a small, shy smile at the sight of them. "Am I a bunny now? I could be Usa-roo!" Honey shrieked with laughter and she watched as Mori lifted him off her back and then placed the little blond on his shoulder.

"Come have cake with us! Wouldn't that would be fun, Takashi?" Honey's happy trill was hard to resist, plus, Toru liked cake.

"Ah." She grinned at his one word affirmation, pretty sure that was the first sound she'd heard out of Mori since she'd met him the day before. Toru followed them back to their table. Mori sat, Honey still comfortable on his shoulder. The spot intended for her was obvious.

There were two girls sitting comfortably facing the boys and one seat beside Mori. She took her spot and then poured herself a cup of tea. "Hime-samas, this is Fujioka Toru," Honey began formally, "Host Club puppy!"

Toru snorted into her tea cup before looking up at the little blonde fiend, "Are we still playing? Inu-chan would be fine by me..." Reaching into her pouch she pulled out another Usa-lolli. "Would you like some?" she offered to the group in general. The girls declined, unsure of commoner candies. Mori sat impassively, his gaze focused on the lolli with a slight quirk in his eye brow.

Honey didn't disappoint, "YES!" She tossed him one before fishing out another and popping it into her mouth.

"Fujioka? Isn't that Haruhi's family name as well. Are you related?"

Toru made it a habit to lie as little as possible, it was one of the reasons she really enjoyed having a hood drawn over her face. She told the truth as best as she could, "Mmmhmm." The excuse of the Usa-lolli in her mouth worked well.

"Oh, amazing!" the same girl exclaimed. "I'm Amakira Aiyu."

The girl beside her nodded, "I'm Mifuoji Saia." Saia leaned forward this time, "You're a second year, right? I heard you transferred in at the start of the year." Toru nodded and Saia smiled happily, "I thought so!" Toru felt pleased, for the most part, the girls seemed to make their own conversation. Aiyu poured herself a fresh cup of tea, "How old are you? You're very tall for a second year."

There was no malice in her voice so Toru didn't take it as an insult. She shrugged and spoke nonchalantly, "I'm 18. I failed last year because I missed six months of school."

This seemed to floor her audience, Honey almost fell sideways off Mori's shoulder, "Is Inu-chan a bad student?"

Toru grinned, Haruhi would have answered for her in the affirmative there. "No, Honey-senpai. I was in the hospital for a long time," pushing away old memories, Toru took a healthy sip of tea.

"Oh my!" Saia exclaimed, "Whatever for?"

"I was...injured." Toru's gaze was focused behind Mori. "Uh oh, what on earth are they doing to Haruhi...?" she stood suddenly and trotted off in the direction she'd been focused on. Honey hopped down beside Mori and the four of them watched her go, the girls fussing over a new bit of gossip. Honey's gaze was more somber than usual as he watched her leave.

The twin's were standing over Haruhi as they looked into her doe eyes in complete shock. Toru stood behind Haruhi, ready to help her friend if she bolted from their grasp. She vaguely registered that Mori, Honey, and Kyoya had moved off behind the twins to watch. The twins were staring at Haruhi's face, unimpeded by her hideous glasses. Suddenly Tamaki had parted the twins like the red sea and stood before Haruhi, purple eyes shocked. He took a deep breath and then composed himself.

With a snap of his fingers, Haruhi's life changed. "Hikaru. Kaoru." The twins each grabbed one of Haruhi's arms and dashed out of the room, heedless of her protests. Toru was stunned by the suddenness of it, and by then, Tamaki had turned toward Kyoya, who already had his cell out, "Kyoya, call my hair stylist." The Prince type pointed to the tall senior next, "Mori-senpai, to the doctor. Arrange for contact lenses." To Toru's further surprise, Mori took off at a run.

Honey popped up then, "Tama-chan! What about me?" his eyes were extra shiny in his excitement to help.

"Honey-senpai, Inu-chan looks like she could use some cake..."

The small senior's gaze turned to Toru, who looked pale and confused, a sure sign of needing cake. "Okay!"

Before she knew it, Toru found herself at a tiny little table, Honey on one side, Usa-chan on the other. A vanilla cake with strawberries sat in the middle of the table with a rose filled vase behind it. Between the sweet smell of cake and the drug like effect of the rose perfume, Toru found herself eating cake, delicious cake, without thought.

Forkful after forkful, plate after plate, Toru stopped counting and focused on the rich flavor. Worry was abandoned once she realized they were giving Haruhi a makeover. She indulged in the treat Honey offered her with a similar enthusiasm to his own. It had been so long since she'd had such expertly made food and Toru was thoroughly enjoying every sensation.

After a while though, she felt full and sleepy. Honey's head was resting on the table, fork in hand, just in case more cake appeared before him. Plates were piled around, towering over both of their stooped forms. Toru felt the uncomfortable weight of everything in her pouch and leaned forward. "Ne, Honey-senpai, can I borrow Usa-chan?" The tall senior's nod was all she needed to place the stuffed bunny on the table and use it as a pillow. They both dozed as they waited for Haruhi to finish changing.

"Hey Senpai," Haruhi's voice floated out from behind the curtain. Everyone seemed to perk a little, "Can I really keep this uniform?"

Toru's tired eyes gazed up at Haruhi. The stylist had smoothed her hair out and the blue uniform looked impeccable on her. "Ah, Haruhi, you're bishounin now?" Toru murmured.

Tamaki was practically writhing in place as he blushed a bright tomato red, "How adorable!" Then he ruined it, "You almost look like a girl, don't you!" Toru looked confused, Haruhi, unfazed.

"Haru-chan! You look so cute!" Honey hopped up and clapped.

"If that's what you really look like," one twin begin, "you should have said so earlier," the other finished.

"You might even be able to draw in some customers like that," Tamaki pointed a finger at the petite brunette. "This errand boy has graduated! Starting today you are an official member of the Host club." Toru's eyes widened as she watched mild shock register on Haruhi's face. "I will train you to be a first-rate host. If you can get a hundred customers to request you, we will forgive the eight million yen debt."

"What, a host?" Haruhi's expression was a mixture of wary confusion. "What about Toru?"

The girl in question stood up suddenly, "Oh no," she snapped her fingers as if to kill any line of thought about more make overs. "I'm happy as Inu-chan, thank you very much." She faced Kyoya, "You still need someone to run errands and such, right?"

Kyoya's smirk was teasing, "I'm sure I could think of something profitable for your purpose to serve." He shifted his stance slightly and made a note in his black book. "I suppose that does ensure that if Haruhi fails, some of the debt will be paid off," He glanced at the president, "but of course that's really up to Tamaki."

The princely blond captured Toru's gaze and she felt her cheek grow warm from the steadfast attention. "It seems that we have two projects to consider. Alright, while Daddy raises Haruhi into a stunning Host, Mommy can raise Toru as the perfect assistant! A "protégé" and a "protégée." Toru noticed his French accent was impeccable.

Toru grinned and gave a thumbs up, "Alright, sounds like one big, happy family."

Tamaki had attacked her in the blink of an eye. He had her in a bear hug, swinging her about in a circle, "That's the spirit, Toru!"

Haruhi held her face in her hands, shoulders slumped, she spoke with exasperation and disbelief, "I'm going to be a host."

A/N: Protégée is the feminine form of "protégé."