A.N/ I'm early updating for once! This is chapter is nearly twice as long than it normally is! I would like to say thank you for the reviews from happybirthday 31301 and Shiloh374 they really help keep me going. A big thanks to xxrxuxsxtxyx for reviewing most of the chapters so far! I would like to say to glasseslover22 get well soon as I know how ill she has been! Time to get on with the chapter.

Chapter 7

After a constant rambling of the host club, I finally managed to get out of the bed, feeling stiff and sore from the way I had been sleeping. Kindly, Kyoya-senpai offered to give me some of his sister's clothes. I was lucky that the clothes were a decent size for me. They were almost perfect. I had been given a pretty, causal, aquamarine dress which flowed down to my knees. Despite my usual taste in clothes which are boyish or have dark colours, it was a nice change.

I wonder what the host club have in store for today. They have to be the most spontaneous people I have ever met. Even if I need rest and relaxation I will never get it with those guys around. Carefully, I shut the bedroom door and made my way down the western styled corridors. Unfortunately for me, I don't know my way around the house and there wasn't a single person around for me to ask for directions. Aimlessly, I wandered the corridor looking at all the images of astonishingly detailed paintings, which the artists would take great care and effort in painting to please their buyers. Much to my annoyance, I find a dead end. Honestly, I don't see the point of big houses, you seem to get lost instantly if you don't have someone with you. It's not like they are going to need every single room or use them. I know this because back at the Tokinawa's manor, they have numerous of rooms which go untouched and some are used as storerooms. Others are left unopened and unoccupied as they gather centuries worth of dust and give the cleaners more work than they actually need.

At first the adventure of the new environment excited me as I could explore areas which even Kyoya-senpai's family never uses and I could find out more about the family's life and history. Buildings tell a lot about the people who live in them; I would know this as my family's business specialised in architecture and even built the manor which the Tokinawa family live it. My dad said it was one of his proudest pieces of work. I would have to agree with him on that. It's just unfortunately the building isn't very well used.

After a good while of wandering around, I finally located the stairs. However, I didn't find the main hall but instead I found the servants' wing. Slowly I look around, inspecting the facilities comparing them to the ones at the estate. The equipment looked immaculate and well looked after. The staff in the kitchen were already doing a better job than Hibiki and Ren but they were more like robots, only serving their purpose and functioning in a efficient way. Back at the estate, there is a more relaxed atmosphere between the workers, socialising occasionally while doing their jobs in a caring way.

I begin my investigation observing the cooking. If I'm not working I may as well see if I can gain some tips on how to prepare food better. A familiar smell of baked goods wafts around in the air. The smell seems like a luxury, considering I haven't eaten for a while. A loud voice snaps me out of my little world and I look to find the source of the booming sound.

On my right, I see a masculine, well groomed figure, who was roughly my height, lecturing a very frightened young woman.

" Any staff who serves the Ootori family would be able to bake a simple thing such as bread or cakes. You don't even deserve to be here!" His annoying voice said.

" I-I'm sorry..." She whispered quietly.

" Sorry? Sorry! There is no room for mistake. I would know this as I am a famous patissiere from France who has been specially hired to make the best food! If you can't make something this simple. You should leave! Nothing you make can be as beautiful as my desserts!" His egoistical voice was beginning to get on my nerves. His brattiness! How can the people in the kitchen stand this?

Immediately I rush up to him and stand in front of the quivering maid.

" You think you're all high and mighty because you are from France and come over here with this status of being such a big shot! If you were really all that great you would be helping this poor girl improve her cooking to a good standard!" My anger burst out.

" Who do you think you are coming into MY kitchen?!" He bellowed.

" For your information, this isn't your kitchen. It's the Ootori's and it belongs to all the staff who work hard to meet their standards."

" Working hard, counts for nothing! This kitchen belongs to me! I am the head chef!"

" I suggest you start acting like a head chef as they help others out so get off your high horse and pick on someone your own size!" The kitchen gasped at my remark. He turned a shockingly bright shade of red. I guess he is sensitive about someone pointing out his height. It's not that bad being 5ft 3 inches. I think it's quite handy. It's not too tall or too short.

" Fine if you think you can tell me what to do I will prove you wrong! I challenge you to a cooking duel. Only using the ingredients in this kitchen we will prepare desserts which will be eaten by the young master and his guests later today!"

" I accept your challenge! If I win you will help your staff and give them a break if they make a mistake."

" Fine. If I win, you will never enter this kitchen again and I continue as normal! You can even have help from the staff, since you still won't beat me."

" We'll see. I accept your terms. The challenge should start in 10 minutes. I want to look around the kitchen first."

" I see no harm in that. Prepare for defeat you little rat."

" Speak for yourself we're the same height." I heard a growl as he stormed out of the kitchen. The kitchen was in silence and I felt heated stares on my back. Suddenly, cheers filled the room much to my surprise.

The timid maid from earlier grabbed onto my arm with wide, teary eyes.

" Thank you Miss! That cook has done nothing but shout at the staff all the time!" She spoke happily.

Then a hearty slap on my back nearly sent me flying off my feet. " Way to go kid! That bossy brat is getting way too big for his boots. I very much look forward to your cooking." I see a man who looked like he was in his late forties with charcoal coloured hair.

Reality finally sunk in. God, I challenged a professional chef! Baking is only a happy past time for me not a profession. He would have much more experience! I must a stubborn fool. I have to be in way over my head! It can't get worse right?

" Umm.. where are all the ingredients? I need to decide what to make. By any chance do you know what kind of the desserts the guests like?" I asked uncertainly.

" Don't sound so worried we know what each of them like! We will help you out in any way we can!" The cook said.

" So you know all the host club's favourite things to eat?!" My eyes lit up in hope as I might have a chance!

" Yes! They come to the estate a lot to wake Master Kyoya up on weekends and they stay here a lot too." Another maid replied ecstatically.

" I think you might have just saved me from a losing battle." I grin in relief.

As I looked around at the equipment choosing certain tools for each item I was going to make. The upbeat staff were incredibly helpful as each on of them explained each of the hosts' preferences. Kyoya never did come across as a sweets person so I wasn't really surprise to hear that he liked spicy food. The twins' taste in food is incredibly strange; one minute they love spicy food the next thing I hear is that they love maple syrup. Honey, being the cake loving consumer that he is, loves strawberries with all his heart and hearing this wasn't a surprise to me. I was amazed to hear he liked spicy food. Tamaki has an obsession with 'commoner' food as he would put it. Naturally, someone like Mori would love his Eastern Asian food. Actually, Haruhi's taste surprised me a bit who would have thought that boy would like strawberries.

At first I struggled to come up with ideas. I thought back to all the food my mum would bake everyday as she waited for me to come home from school. Then it clicked! Spicy chocolate chili brownies! The fiery sweetness of chocolate chili brownies! But then again I don't just have to do brownies. The obnoxious chef said that we could prepare desserts. Maybe I should make each host a different treat. Then again that could take too long.

I think I will give Hikaru, Kaoru and Kyoya the spicy brownies. Then I can give Honey and Haruhi strawberry tarts since they are strawberry fans. Since Mori like Asian food surely a Asian dessert will be the best thing to make. Dorayaki is simple enough and I'm sure Tamaki would appreciate it as well. The thing is do I have time to make all these desserts?

" How long is it until lunch?" I questioned the maid who wouldn't stop following me.

" We usually prepare for lunch anytime now and it starts at one o'clock so we have 3 hours."

" Yes! That means I will have time to do more than one kind of dessert! Thank you for your help."

" It's quite alright, Miss. After all, you defended one of our own."

Quickly, I grabbed all the ingredients I could see. This was definitely a well stocked kitchen. Luckily, I managed to find most of the ingredients. Damn, where's the flour? That's the most important considering that I will need to use it a lot.

" Miss are you looking for the flour?" The scared maid from earlier appeared with a colossal sack of flour.

" Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for! What's your name?"

" My apologies Miss, I should have introduce myself earlier. My name is Misaki." She huffed out as she was clearly struggling with the bag of flour.

" Please can you stop calling me Miss, it's not like I'm from the upperclass. My name's Hazel. Let me help you."

Just as I was going to grab the sack of flour, it escaped from her hands with a thud on the floor. A cloud of misty white rose from the open bag. We stare at each other in horror as we were as pale as ghosts. After a moment of silence, I burst out laughing. Her face was priceless!

" Hazel, I.."

Immediately, I interrupt her. " Before you say anything, don't apologise. It's fine. Things like this happen at the time so don't worry about it.

A wide grin spread on her face as she nodded. We help each other dust of the powder which seemed impossible to remove. Once we began to clean up, the reserved head chef return with a disapproving look shot in our direction but then a smug smirk was plastered across his face as he was sure of his victory. He hasn't even tasted my cooking before! An air of arrogance surrounded him as he thought his training in France was the best training out there. I will give him a taste of his own medicine.

" The challenge will start now but since I'm generous enough I will give you a head start."

Now his ego got even bigger. But it wasn't just his ego talking. He had an advantage. He could see what I was going to prepare for dessert. I start to prepare the strawberry tarts first as they will need time to cool down while the brownies and dorayaki will need to be served while they are warm. Not caring whether the chef saw what I was making, I quickly force myself to focus and start to make the pastry. After all, I'm not doing this for myself, it's for the workers. Misaki stands by my side for moral supports and is there to assist me in anything I need. All my practice of making desserts at home is paying off as I am working fairly efficiently. I ask Misaki to handle the timings on the tarts in the oven.

Next I move onto the brownies. The snapping of chocolate echoed though out the quiet kitchen as people observed me as I was baking. There was a little bit of chocolate left over so I started munching it as I was mixing everything together. I loved the aftertaste of the bittersweet chocolate and I offered some to Misaki. Hesitantly, she took one bit and pulled a face. Quietly, I laughed to myself. She obviously isn't used to the taste. It was fortunately that I chose dishes which could be quickly prepared as it gave me plenty of time for me to plan my next moves.

As I whisk the mixture for the dorayaki pancakes, my arm throbs in pain and my hands started to ached from the repeated movements. I leave the mixture to rest as I checked on the brownies. Curiosity gets the better of me so I glance to see what the chef is making. He definitely wasn't lying about his training. His moves were clean with no false movements and delicately he started to mix cream which ran smoothly off the whisk. Now isn't the time to panic! Misaki informs me that the tarts were done cooling. The base had a glowing golden brown colour which made the base look appetising. Carefully we decorate each base with an endless supply of stunning strawberries. The brownies were done on schedule and had risen beautifully so I turned off the oven and leave them in there to keep warm.

Unfortunately, I got carried away with decorating which means I have even less time to prepare the dorayaki. Swiftly, I pick up the pace as I started to put the mixture into the pan. Kindly, Misaki started to get the red bean paste ready. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have her with me. Bubbles formed on the surface indicating that it was time for the circles to be turned over. I flip them with precision. As soon as they were done, they went straight onto the cooling rack and covered with a damp towel to keep the moisture. We were racing against the clock. We couldn't afford to waste a second. With cautious movements I began to plate the desserts. Ice cream was carefully placed on top of the brilliant brownies. Straight away I went back to the dorayaki and put sandwiched the paste into the middle and shaped the edges with my hands. I piled the simple creations onto the plates and with that the time was up.

Sighs of relief escaped from both me and Misaki.

"Thank God the cooking is over and done with!"

" We better see what the master and his friends think of the desserts." Misaki stated.

Exhausted, I nodded. She guided me to the dining room to make sure I didn't get lost. Their rowdiness could be heard from far away. Slowly, I opened the door to be greeted by happy faces.

" My daughter's back! Welcome back!" Tamaki said.

" Why don't you it down and eat with us? You haven't had anything to eat, have you?" Kyoya gestured by pointing to the seat next to Honey. Once I was seated, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my body.

" Where have you been anyway?" Hikaru pried.

" We were worried." Kaoru aded looking at me directly in the eyes. Embarrassed, I trying to avert my gaze from his stare. Suddenly, I felt my face heat up. I heard a light scoff from from the other side of the room and see Kyoya-senpai with a light smile on his face. He sent me a knowing look. You can never get anything past that guy.

" I-I was busy." I stammered out.

" Busy getting lost?" Hikaru questioned.

" No, of course not! Why would I be so silly to get... Maybe, I did." I looked down shamefully.

" So you have no sense of direction." He concluded.

" I just went for a walk!"

" Of course you did." Hikaru's voice was full of sarcasm. I found my gaze constantly shifting back and forth from Kaoru to the floor. Why I am being so awkward? It's not like I have anything to be nervous about. Right?

" Sir, the dinner has arrived." A butler bowed gracefully as the food entered the room.

Food! Automatically, I lit up at the sight of the wonderfully presented dish. Eagerly, I picked up my fork and dived straight into the food. Fabulous favors filled my mouth. Some exotic and refreshing; others were spicy and bitter. Happily, I cleared the whole plate in front of me.

" Sir, we request that you and your guests try several desserts as some of the staff wanted to try new ideas for desserts and they are having a battle."

" I don't mind as long as we can improve the way the food is prepared. I'm sure everyone is more than willing to try the desserts." Kyoya announced.

My wonderful, carefree state was shattered as the butler mentioned the word desserts. Honey's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

" The first dessert was prepared by monsieur Frank Blair, our head chef in the kitchen at the moment. It is a splendid coffee cake made with the finest coffee beans around and on the side is handmade cream."

In awe, I stare at the glorious creation. Chocolate had been lightly drizzled on top and the cake was presented beautifully on the plate. The chef wasn't just all talk. Hesitantly, I picked up the spoon and scoop a piece of the cake. It was good. Just what I would expect from someone who has been training to make food. First, I could taste the moisture of the sponge cake and then the bitterness of the coffee kicked in. It was definitely well made.

Suddenly, a whine came from Honey who was trying to swallow the cake and when he did, his face scrunched up in distaste at the cake.

" It's really bitter." He moaned as he stared at the cake disapprovingly.

Then multiple coughs could be heard from the twins direction. Both of them held onto their throats as they picked up their glasses of water and gulped them down at a quick pace. They sighed relieved. Tamaki seemed cheery enough about the cake but he whined that it wasn't the same as commoners' coffee. Both Kyoya, Haruhi and Mori ate politely and quietly as they cleared their plates.

" I hope these desserts don't get worse. I don't think I will be able to stomach anything else." Hikaru stated.

Worry was buried in the pit of my stomach. What if they don't like the things I made? I am no patissiere and the dessert I made were nothing special.

" These next desserts were prepared by an anonymous person in the kitchen who went to the trouble of trying to find out your favourite kinds of food." The dutiful butler spoke.

Nervously I fidget with my hands under table and tap my foot impatiently. I just want this over and done with. Meticulously, the servants placed my creations in front of the hosts. Straight away Honey's mood took a turn for the better as he spotted the strawberry tart. Tamaki looked in awe as he was admiring the simplicity of the dorayaki. Mori remained as expressionless as ever as he picked up the dessert. Kyoya observed the dish in front of him in a serious manner.

" Now this looks more promising!" Hikaru declared happily.

Simultaneously, the twins began to dig into their brownies, not knowing about its' spiciness. Once the first, all important mouthful was taken the twins remained quiet.

" This is pretty good." Kaoru spoke. I gaze at him in wonder. Did I hear right? He liked it? If my face wasn't red enough, it would be now.

" Mmm... Strawberries! This tart's delicious!" Honey exclaimed. I gaze around looking at the hosts' expressions. Haruhi looked like he was enjoying the tart. Kyoya ate each bite slowly.

" What dessert is this?" Tamaki asked loudly.

" Dorayaki. It has two pancakes and red bean paste sandwiched in the middle." I explained. At first, he eyed the dish suspiciously before taking a bite. The next thing I see are fake tears in the corner of his eyes.

" It's so good." He announced.

I let out a breath I didn't realise I had been holding in. At least they seemed to have enjoyed it.

" Which one do you prefer, Ootari-sama?" The butler gazed at his master with a questioning look.

" It's hard to say. I'll make my decision in a little while. What did you think, Tamaki?"

" It was so good! Kyoya we have to get some for the club!"

" Mori-senpai which did you prefer?" Kyoya continued to question everyone.

" The dorayaki." He answered simply.

" Kyo-chan, can we get more strawberry tarts like this at the club?" Honey asked with a cute twinkle in his chocolate brown eyes. Kyoya frowned at that thought. He was probably thinking about what a waste it would be spending even more money on sweets.

" What about you Haruhi? " He asked trying to ignore Honey's question.

Simply, he answered, " I liked both desserts but I preferred the strawberry tart."

Soon after the reply, Kyoya directed his gaze on the twins.

" Do you even need to ask?" The twins said as they held up the empty plates and the half eaten coffee cake slices.

" Well, I suppose it's been decided. The anonymous chef wins." He concluded. How the hell did I manage to beat a well trained chef? His work was better presented and tasted delicious. So why?

" Who is the anonymous chef?" Honey wondered out loud.

" I suppose the anonymous chef should reveal themselves since they went to the trouble of preparing dessert. After all, they are sitting at this table." Numerous of shocked faces stared in my direction and I look down nervously. I hate being the centre of attention!

" Aren't I a lucky dad?! I got to taste my daughter's cooking!" Tamaki said in high spirits.

" Where did you learn to bake, Haz-chan?" Honey asked eagerly.

" It's a hobby and I've done it for a while now. Kyoya-senpai, how did you know it was me?"

" I thought it would have been obvious because you have flour in your hair. Also, I happened to be passing by when I hear your little declaration of war against the head chef."

Passing by? So that what he calls eavesdropping.

" He wasn't treating his worker with respect. Someone had to step in."

" Is that so?" Kyoya murmured as he was deep in thought.

" We're bored. Let's play a game." Hikaru and Kaoru interrupted.

" We are not playing the which one is Hikaru game!" I snap at them. I'm not in the mood for their mind games.

" Why don't we play hide and seek?" Honey says innocently.

" That's a great idea, Honey-senpai! I'm hiding with Haruhi!" Tamaki launches himself in Haruhi's direction and Haruhi stands awkwardly as Tamaki fawns over him.

" I'm not taking part." I announced.

" But it won't be much fun without you, Haz-chan." Honey said sadly, Suddenly, I felt guilty but I stand by my decision.

" Sorry, Honey-senpai but I think I need to rest."

" There should be a prize for the winner." HIkaru said.

" Actually I have something which could prove useful." Kyoya stated and I turn to see what the mystery prize is. Out of his pocket he pulled out a key. That looks familiar for some reason. " It's Hazel's house key."

" What! What on earth are you doing with my house key?" I shouted.

" When we called the Tokinawa estate to tell them you weren't fit to do your shift, they said if we wanted to take you back to your house they would give us a key. Yesterday, they sent one of their cooks around to give us a key." He explained serenely.

That could only be one person. Hibiki. I gave him a key in case of an emergency and I don't class this as one. Just wait until I get back Hibiki!

" Fine. I will play after all. I will win back my key!" I said with determination to win.

" I will count." Kyoya said.

I ran out straight away. I have another battle on my hands. I will definitely not let anyone have my key. After all, that's the only place I can get away for some peace and quiet. If they had my key, they could burst in at an awkward time uninvited. So much for a relaxing weekend!