Episode One: Beginning of the End
Toru was in a bad mood. She'd forgone her pain medication altogether in hopes of getting through the day with a clear head. It had proven to be a massively poor decision. Nothing seemed to go right. She stubbed her toe, spilled hot soup during breakfast, tripped (bruising her knee), and dropped all of her books on the way to homeroom.
After lunch nothing the teachers covered made sense because she'd missed those classes the day before. To make it worse, upon her entrance Tamaki made a huge scene that had caused all the girls to squeal with either compassion or envy. Kyoya took one look at her usual school hoodie and khakis ensemble, smirked like a smug bastard and coolly informed her that it wasn't up to Host Club standards. She felt like a moron for forgetting to wear something more appropriate to her new status.
Between her throbbing shoulder and the competing ache behind her eyes, she had less control over her calm facade than usual. Her temper was frighteningly threadbare by the time she reached the 3rd music room after class.
So when she found out Ayanokoji had booked Haruhi's last appointment for the day, it took all of Toru's willpower to keep from outright growling at Kyoya. Instead she glared pointedly and clenched her teeth. Her "mysterious" frustration served only to amuse him. Still, Haruhi's words about the prissy bitch floated through her mind like an undying echo until Toru was sure one solid right hook would end both of their problems. The brat walked through the door, and Toru wasn't able to do anything about it with the boys and their guests watching. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Haruhi was too damn selfless but Toru was in no mood to accommodate that nonsense after Ayanokoji's stunt. Toru would deal with Ayanokoji in her own way, but she'd have to be subtle to keep Haruhi out of it. Toru would have to be really clever to keep from getting caught. Especially with Kyoya around.
Unfortunately Kyoya, a master of manipulation, drew her attention elsewhere. At first, he asked her to fill out some paperwork. Haruhi's section was placed on the other side of the room when he'd noticed Toru was checking on the rookie two or three times a minute. Then he gave her some pamphlets on different camera models to research.
Finally, he'd given her a notebook with information on their regular customers and asked her to memorize it. It was filled with names, their importance, designated host history, and some basic "likes and dislikes" to help as conversation starters. Had she been in a better mood Toru would have been awed by his thorough approach to her training. Instead it felt tedious.
She was as gracious as possible, which given her current state, meaning that she sat across from him at the "work" desk in a tense silence. Kyoya ignored her except to give her subtle hints if a customer was approaching so she could close the notebook. It was a work arrangement that suited her mood just fine.
She hadn't quite finished flipping through the pages when Kyoya stood suddenly, "If you can't restrain yourself, please remain here." She didn't have time to contemplate the mysterious nature of his words before the sound of shattering glass, and a shrill scream broke the disgustingly cheerful atmosphere of the 3rd music room. "No Haruhi, leave me alone!"
"Somebody help, he just attacked me!" Ayanokoji was laying on the ground, it looked like Haruhi had fallen on top of her. Rose petals fell around them like eerie crimson rain. "Someone do something, teach this commoner a lesson!" The girls around the room watched quietly, worried expressions on their faces.
Toru responded instinctually. She started across the room, teeth bared before she even realized what she was doing.
The Twins had been the closest. They suddenly stood over Haruhi and Ayanokoji, and dumped water on them. Haruhi, placid as ever, just straightened her clothes up. Tamaki came over and helped Ayanokoji up. "Do something, Tamaki! Haruhi just assaulted me."
Toru paused on her warpath, stricken with a jolt of fear. Who would the Host club believe? Her heart sank when Tamaki spoke, "I'm disappointed in you."
A cold feeling started in her chest and shot outwards. The reaction was so unexpected, so intense, that her knees gave way for a moment. She had to lean heavily on one of the marble columns. "You threw his bag into the pond, didn't you?" Hazel eyes snapped upwards, locking on the scene ahead of her.
Haruhi was still sitting in a puddle of water, her eyes wide with something akin to awe. The twins stood very closely behind her, wearing expressions of disgust. Tamaki had Ayanokoji's attention. There was a sad smile on his face. The others were facing the same direction as Toru, so she couldn't see their expressions. Kyoya stood as calmly as ever, with his arms crossed and his notebook in hand. Mori and Honey were the closest to Toru. Honey was standing slightly behind the taller senior, peaking around his back. Together all of them had created a protective barrier of sorts, with Haruhi in the center. Toru was overcome with emotions she couldn't separate or identify. Her eyes filled with tears.
"How can you say that, you don't have any proof!" The bully was panicking. It would be an odd thing to say if she were truly innocent.
"You know, you're a beautiful girl, but you just aren't classy enough to be our guest, dear. If there's one thing I know, Haruhi is not that kind of a man." Tamaki concluded.
Ayanokoji began to cry. "Tamaki, you idiot!" She turned and ran towards the door, where Toru was standing in her way. Ayanokoji stopped when she saw Toru. Ayanokoji's eyes, which had been filled with anger and sadness, hardened with fury as the two girls locked sights on one another. Another sob wrenched from Ayanokoji's throat. She darted around Toru and fled the scrutiny of the 3rd Music Room.
Toru turned and left as well, retreating to the prep room. She felt too emotional, too raw, too everything. She needed to stop and breathe for a moment. There was a telltale rim of red around her eyes. Her cheeks and nose were flushed with emotion.
She turned on the faucet, letting the icy water soothe her frayed nerves as she washed her face. It was such a simple gesture, but it helped her put her feelings in check. She stuffed them back down into some semblance of control. It was a practiced routine. By now she could accomplish this with only a scant amount of alone time to recuperate.
Hauruhi came in, dripping wet, and carrying two brown paper bags. "Kyoya-san gave me this for you and I'm going to borrow this one." Toru took the offered bag. Behind the safety of Honey's curtain Toru leaned over and pulled Haruhi into a shaky hug.
"Toru-chan? You're going to get wet..." Haruhi's voice was hesitant.
Toru shook her head. I don't care. Toru's embrace tightened marginally.
After a second Haruhi hugged her back. "I get it. You were worried. You always do this when you're worried about me." Haruhi pulled back and reached up, ruffling Toru's hair, "I'll be okay." Toru gave her friend a watery smile and they both started changing.
Toru wasn't wearing all the layers of the posh boys' uniform and so even with a bum arm, her task was accomplished much more quickly than Haruhi's. She grinned when she saw the yellow silk. She had just finished adjusting it and slipping back into her sling while Haruhi was barely getting her button up shirt off.
Tamaki's voice rang out from just behind the curtain, "Haruhi, here you go. I brought you some towels." The curtain was pulled open. Haruhi stood there, her slip top visible. Tamaki froze for just a second before sliding the curtain closed again.
"Haruhi?" His voice was unusually calm.
"Yeah?" Toru watched as Haruhi picked up the pace, getting dressed much more quickly.
"So...you're a girl." At Tamaki's question Toru's legs gave out and she had to catch herself on the table. What is with these boys?
"Biologically speaking, yeah." Toru couldn't help but grin painfully at Haruhi's response. It was so very...well, Haruhi of her. The petite brunette finished changing and slid the curtain open. The effect of her looking all adorable in the girls' uniform was instant and loud, with noises of approval from the boys. Tamaki came truly undone before Toru's eyes. It looked like his brain was stuttering.
"Listen senpai, I don't really care if you guys think of me as a boy or a girl," the girls stood facing each other. Toru adjusted the ribbon at Haruhi's throat as Haruhi did the same for her. "In my opinion, its more important for a person to be recognized for who they are rather than for what sex they are."
Finished, Toru stepped away. Haruhi looked so cute and cool and composed. Her admiration for the younger girl blossomed in an unrestrained smile that brightened her countenance in a way the boys hadn't seen before.
Tamaki was fidgeting, his composure in a tattered state. Kyoya, who was closest to him, smirked. "Well isn't this an interesting development." Toru didn't doubt that he had known about Haruhi's true gender all along.
The twins followed up with an, "Oh yeah."
"You know, I have to say, Senpai, I thought you were pretty cool earlier." Haruhi smiled at Tamaki. Toru saw his blush. It began quite rosy in his cheeks then bloomed to cover his ears and neck as well.
It was a sight to see. All eyes were on him. Tamaki made a strangled noise as Kyoya murmured, "Could this possibly be the beginnings of love?"
"You know, being a Host and getting fussed over by girls might not be all that bad." Haruhi turned towards the mirror. Toru moved beside her as they looked over their appearances.
"That's true," Toru began. "I think we're going to have fun." The girls grinned at each other through their reflections. "How are you going to pull it off?" Toru questioned.
The boys moved to stand behind them, they all had the same amused expression, except for Tamaki who was still in a mild state of shock. Haruhi rested her chin in her hand as she thought. "I've got it," Inspiration cutely brightened her expression. "I'll just call everyone dude and bro now."
The girls broke into a fit of giggles at the same time.
Over the next two weeks Toru's wounds started to fade. Though many inquiries had been made and several of the Host members had done a little private digging of their own, no information on Toru's attacker could be found. Toru visited the Karate and Judo clubs, even inspecting some practice gear to see if she recognized the mask, but their headgear didn't look like what she was looking for. Despite the lack of clues, Toru never forgot what had happened and kept a wary eye open whenever she was alone in the open.
Kyoya continued to chastise her about her slobbish clothes. She stubbornly reminded him that her duties didn't start until after her arm was fully healed, throwing his own words back at him. She gave the impression that his teasing remarks from the day after the incident had offended her, but he thought it had more to do with her stubborn nature. He buried her in tedious paper work that she was supposed to be memorizing. She was positive it was in retaliation. It was a battle to see who was more stubborn and could outlast the other...Toru was destined to lose.
Ayanokoji's exile had been swift and complete. With the most popular boys in school publicly snubbing her, their core group of guests followed suit. It didn't take long for rumors about her conduct to spread. Even students that didn't frequent the club were either appalled by her behavior or afraid to show favor to someone who had made an enemy of arguably some of the most powerful families in Ouran.
She withdrew with all the dignity of a rabid zombie. Her pride was immense, her ego bruised. She lashed out at those few brave enough to show her even small kindnesses, saying they were beneath what her privilege and status deserved. Ayanokoji became a wraith, walking alone. She was a queen with no court.
Toru couldn't find it within herself to pity the girl. When they had met for the first time after the incident it was in a crowded hall. An intense stare down had taken place. The other students flowed around them, chatting animatedly, completely unaware of the charged atmosphere between the two girls. Hazel eyes blazed from a strangely passive face. Grey eyes sparked with a cold flame and then the priss sneered haughtily in challenge. They both refused to step out of the way. Then Tamaki's voice drew near, lilting above the chatter. Ayanokoji blanched, a look of pain crossed her face, and she fled.
Toru spent countless hours reflecting on how the Host Club had handled the situation. They had protected Haruhi's reputation, her position within the school, and her very future. They knew full well she was a so called 'commoner,' and Ayanokoji's blood was bluer than most of the pedigreed students that walked the halls of Ouran. Still they had chosen to stick up for Haruhi. It was something Toru, nor Haruhi, would ever forget. It was something the older girl wasn't quite sure she could ever repay.
Haruhi caught her staring off into space one day, unagi roll frozen midair between her motionless chopsticks. Normally when the older girl came to visit for lunch, she was animated and wanted to know everything about what had transpired that morning. It was especially strange as the two girls had taken such pains to escape the twins. They were currently eating their bentos in the gardens, hidden by giant rose bushes.
It then occurred to Haruhi that Toru had been acting rather strangely for the last couple of weeks. Generally the tall girl was alert, observing everything around her as she interacted and chatted with Haruhi. Lately Toru had been focused inward, oblivious to the world. It reminded Haruhi of another time when Toru wasn't doing so well and hadn't let anyone in.
"Did something happen?"
Toru's eyes focused on the younger girl, "Huh?" She popped the piece of sushi into her mouth. Haruhi could tell she delighted in the flavors of the teriyaki smoked eel and avocado.
"You've just been really quiet lately. Is everything okay?" She watched Toru suspiciously and then quietly added, "You're not having nightmares again, are you?"
Toru's eyebrows raised. Her surprised expression was freely visible. Haruhi had noticed that the older girl had stopped bothering with hiding behind the hood after her "promotion." She watched Toru take a breath as thought over the words a beat longer than was typical.
"No more than usual."
The younger girl frowned slightly. Leaning forward, she spoke in the same hushed tones as previously, "Is it h-"
"It's not that," Her reply was quick, as if she feared what would happen if Haruhi finished that sentence aloud. Her eyes scrunched closed, her right hand shot out to touch Haruhi's arm.
After a second, she relaxed and ran a hand through her hair, "I was actually thinking about the Host Club."
"Oh...that gives me nightmares too."
Toru half grinned and shook her head. "I just mean that...well," she paused and struggled to find the right words, "They seem...reliable." Haruhi didn't really know how to respond to that, so she stayed silent. Toru continued at the other girl's incredulous look. "Don't get me wrong, they're all freakin' whack-a-doodle," she added hastily. "Tamaki totally had a bromance going on with you and the twins are a pair of loopy fruits, but doesn't it seem like we're being drawn further into each other's...bubble?" The thought seemed rather depressing to Haruhi. They finished their lunch in a thoughtful silence.
Later that day, Toru was in class, doodling inattentively. They were waiting for the teacher of the next period class to show up. Toru wasn't even really aware that the last one had ended. She only looked up when a shadow fell over her paper.
"Hey, Fujioka-san. How are you doing today?"
Jōnōchi-san was smiling at her, a bit shyly. The girl had a slight build like Haruhi's, with long, straight black hair. Ayame Jōnōchi was the class vice-chairman of 2-A. She took her duties and school work very seriously and tried to be sociable with everyone in the class out of a sense of duty. She was quite chatty with some of the other students.
Toru had accepted her greetings with politeness in the past, but had never encouraged further conversation. Jōnōchi hadn't visited the Host Club since Toru had been working off her debt. Knowing she wasn't a regular guest made her, for some reason, want to chat with the younger girl. "I'm well, Jōnōchi-san. How are you?"
The vice-chairman's eyes widened in surprise when direct, open hazel eyes gazed back at her with interest. She had noticed the taller girl more than usual lately. It wasn't like she was performing karaoke in class or anything, but Tamaki brought attention to her a few times a day. It seemed like the girl was coming out of her shell. "Great! We have a test coming up and I've been studying super hard! I'm hoping to slide up from 3rd rank in class."
Toru looked a little surprised. "Oh crap, we have a test coming up?" She rifled through the papers on her desk, but instead of notes, she'd doodled or written nonsensical phrases in Western script, rather than Japanese characters. "Which class?"
Jōnōchi looked a little stunned. "Heh-heh, Fujioka-san...you're so funny." She didn't seem to think anyone would actually treat their school work with such inattention.
Toru stopped and looked up at her classmate. "Uh, sure..." She chuckled a little nervously.
The smaller girl smiled brightly. "I don't know what's changed, Fujioka-san, but I'm glad you're settling in a little better. It's good to see you interacting with the class a little more," she rolled her eyes good naturedly, "even if you are hanging out with that weirdo Suoh-san."
Toru got the idea that Jōnōchi viewed Tamaki as some sort of rival, but she couldn't fathom why that would be. "Uh, thanks, Jōnōchi-san."
"Why don't you call me Ayame, okay?" It seemed that she was willing to be much friendlier now that Toru didn't seem to mind.
"Sure, Ayame-chan. You can call me Toru."
"Toru-chan!" Tamaki's dulcet tone seemed to sing from the front of the room before Ayame could respond. At his voice Ayame rolled her eyes, shook her head and shot a polite smile to Toru before heading back to her own seat.
Toru stacked her papers back together and walked over to where Tamaki sat next to Kyoya. "Yes, Tamaki-kun?"
"I was just wondering if commoners knew how to dance..." He had his cheek resting on his hands and his amethyst eyes had a dreamy look to them.
"Uh...that depends on the person," Toru's eyebrows were raised. Sometimes she just really couldn't believe the silly things that came out of that boy's mouth.
"What about you, Toru. Can you dance? Specifically it would be the Waltz." Kyoya's voice was smug. There was a quirk to the corner of his lips. It was the kind of expression he got just before he conned her into doing something she wasn't going to enjoy.
Her eyes narrowed. "Its not my best style, but yes actually, I've had a bit of experience." She watched his eyes widen slightly before the glare on his lenses hid his thoughts.
"Well then, I'll set up a time for you to show us. We need to make sure you will able to represent us well when needed..." Kyoya's attention slid back to his notebook and he started making a few notes.
Toru's eyebrows raised in confusion. They didn't immediately say anything else, so she started heading back to her seat.
"Toru..." Tamaki's voice was unusually thoughtful. He continued when she paused to listen.
"What kind of dance are you best at?"
Her careless answer shocked both of the boys. Kyoya's pencil lead broke mid-sentence. She was already on her way back to her desk when she looked over her shoulder and with a fondness that she'd never shown them spoke in a warm tone, "Samba."
A/N: Yay! We've finally finished the first episode! Don't worry, not every episode is going to have this many chapters. Thanks again to AoiKuroNekoSan and MissVampyre who edited this chapter. My update schedule is changing soon. I'm in the middle of a move. Check my profile on Monday to see the new schedule.
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