Guys. GUYS. We got 696 hits last posting day!
That's crazy!
On another note, I tried to up the detail this chapter.
I know the last ones were a tad dialogue heavy.

Nobody seemed to know what to say. I sighed, not wanting to look at their faces. I stood up and walked over to the nearest window, dreading what they had to say. 'I'm sorry." or, "That's horrible." were always some of the first things people used to say before I started hiding my marks. I heard a noise, and suddenly someone's arms were around me.

"You are stronger than that." Kaoru whispered into my ear. "And she won't be out there forever. We'll find her." I smiled, grateful for his quiet encouragement. I released myself from his grasp, then turned around and hugged him back.

We broke apart and turned to face the rest of the Host Club. From the looks on their faces, the others didn't quite know what to think. Now that story time was over, everyone had gotten up off the floor. Even Mori's stoic face was blank with shock. I knew it, they didn't want to believe me. But because of the marks all over my body, they had to.

"If you were so determined to hide this before, why do the twins know?" Haruhi asked.

In reply, I lifted my right forearm and showed her the mark that was still angry and red against my other faded white marks. "It has to do with this, but I'd really rather not go into it right now."

"How could your own mother do something so terrible?" Tamaki whispered. Predictably, he himself was crying. Idiot. "I'm SO SOR -" I held my hands up to stop his impending hug.

"I'm gonna stop you right there." I glared at him, then spoke to the club as a whole. "I didn't tell you this because I wanted your pity. So don't even start."

Tamaki froze, now looking a little lost. It wasn't surprising, he was used to weepy fangirls.

A second later, Kyoya sprang into action. He stood up, professional as always, and took a cell phone out of his pocket. "I'll assume you want to keep this as private as possible. However, since your mother is a threat to the safety of yourself, the rest of the club, and all of our guests, I must notify the authorities."

"I told you not to..." I growled, but he held up a hand to silence me.

"I will be notifying my family's private police force. They will keep the investigation strictly confidential, so don't complain to me." Kyoya dialed a number, then put the phone to his ear. "Yes, there's been a security breach at Ouran...yes, we are fairy certain we know who is responsible. Motives? A student was targeted. Yes...and keep this to yourself." He ended the call. "They will come to investigate this evening, once the school is empty."

"Why not now?" Hikaru demanded. "The faster we move, the faster we catch the bitch!"

"But if the other students see police, they'll be scared, right?" Honey asked, "We don't want anyone to find out about this."

"That is exactly my point." Kyoya said. "Once things are finished here, we will have to inform the headmaster as well."

I shrugged. "He knows the gist of it. And I'm pretty sure Jake called the school when we found her first letter, so he already knows she's back in town."

"Now that we have legal matters sorted out..." Kyoya looked at me and adjusted his glasses. "What are you going to do, Ame?"

I raised an eyebrow at his question. What was I supposed to do?

"You have a deranged woman trailing you, who could very well want to kill you. Don't tell me you would be so foolish as to simply wait for her to come to you?"

"AHA!" Tamaki shouted victoriously. He sprang up, suddenly confident. "I've got it! Operation Hide Ame begins now!"

You could practically see everyone sweatdrop. "Look, I'd really rather you didn't -"

But Tamaki couldn't seem to hear me. He was on a roll. "You're going undercover! We need a female Ouran uniform to start! Then, of course, the rest of the disguise, and we'll need to decide where you stay until this all blows over. Ooh, you can have girl time at Haruhi's house! Maybe not the whole time though, it might be best for you to keep moving."

"Excuse me?" Haruhi asked. She looked as confused as I felt. The rest of the club was just nodding along with Tamaki's plan. I guess neither of us are completely used to his, uh, enthusiasm.

"Kyoya, go inform the headmaster! Honey and Mori, call someone to make sure this place is cleaned up by tomorrow! Hikaru and Kaoru, go find Ame a uniform! I will arrange a ride for Ame and Haruhi! Girls, you go to the main entrance and wait for us there!" Tamaki handed out the orders like a master, and everyone rushed off to do their jobs. All of a sudden, I was left standing alone next to Haruhi in the ruined club room.

I looked at her, she looked at me, and we both laughed a little. I guess since I wouldn't let him be sad, he had to do something else. And...if she wants to keep moving, then so will I.

"Always has to fix everyone's problems, doesn't he?" I asked. We started walking, and Haruhi was sure to lock the club door as we left. The school was mostly empty by now, and the few people left were either in clubs or sports teams.

"He just can't stay sad for long." Haruhi replied with a shrug. "Except for when he's sulking."

"Do you mind that he decided I was going to stay at your house without asking you?" It had seemed incredibly rude to me, not to mention the fact that I was apparently going to be wearing the ridiculous Ouran dress now.

Haruhi pondered this for a moment. "I guess I normally would be, but under the circumstances it makes sense. Changing location could throw her off your trail. And wearing the uniform will make you harder to pick out at school."

"Try and be a little more tight lipped about that, all right?" I glanced around, hoping nobody else had heard. "Better people hear nothing than random bits, the rumors will fly." Like with Ayanokoji. I remembered suddenly. Crap, I still have to deal with her. But I could worry about her once things had calmed down a bit. Haruhi was rational, and since we'd be spending time together, maybe she could help me figure out a solution.

But imagine if Ayanokoji met my mom... I thought as we entered the central courtyard. That would certainly spell disaster.

We found a bench at the edge of the courtyard and decided to wait there for the boys. The weather was deceptively calm. I took a moment to wonder about how I would explain this all to Jake. He'll be crazy. Though I think he'll agree with me changing location. Not five minutes passed before a bag plopped down on the bench between Haruhi and I.

"Oh man, I can't wait to see your face when you wear that tomorrow!" Hikaru laughed. The twins had walked up behind us and were now leaning against the bench. I grabbed the package to inspect its contents

"I think it'll look great. A nice chance from all the dark stuff." Kaoru replied to him, "Hey, maybe you can try a new hairstyle to go with it."

And maybe Honey will end up six feet tall. I thought sarcastically, rolling my eyes. Reasons aside, the Ouran dress was still ridiculous. "I like my look the way it is, thank you."

Kaoru was about to retort, but at that very moment a black car pulled up in the driveway. Tamaki got out of it and frantically waved us over. He spoke quietly, "My driver will take you two to Ame's to get her things, and then to your house, Haruhi."

"Boss, what about you?" Hikaru asked.

"I'll be fine, I can call another car. You two should get going." Tamaki ordered, nodding towards Haruhi and I. He looked around carefully, like he was afraid of being watched. "She could still be around here."

Though I privately disagreed, (my mother would want to keep moving.) I gave Tamaki a quick word of thanks and climbed in the fancy car.

"See you tomorrow, guys." Haruhi gave a half-wave and got in as well.

The interior of the car was smoky gray, the seats made of soft and hopefully fake leather. It had five seats including the driver, who nodded to us politely when Haruhi closed the door. I gave him directions to my house, and off we went. I wasn't feeling very talkative, so in a predictably Haruhi-like way, my friend pulled out a textbook. Perhaps ten minutes later, the driver pulled up at my house. "I will wait here for you." He said. I hesitated before getting out. I didn't want Jake to freak out...but he had to know.

"Wanna come?" I asked Haruhi.

She closed her book and placed it on the seat between us. "Sure. I've never met your brother, anyway."

We entered my house. Since I was home earlier than usual, Jake was still asleep. I decided to save that confrontation for later and instead went to get some things from my room, Haruhi in tow. I didn't know how long it would be before it was safe for me to sleep in my own bed again, so I grabbed a duffel bag. I threw three changes of clothes in there, as well as other various necessities, and placed the Ouran dress inside as well. As I packed, Haruhi looked around at my paintings, half done and whole.

Just as I tossed a final pair of gloves in the bag, something caught her eye. It was an unfinished work, showing eight currently featureless people. "Is that..."

"Not now. I'll show you again when it's done." I ignored her question. "I'm ready. Let's go see my brother."

Haruhi followed me out, casting one last curious glance at the panting. I took the two steps to my brother's bedroom, and knocked loudly. "Jake! Put some pants on, I need to talk to you!"

The only reply was a groan. "I'm serious! Now!"

"All right, all right." My brother called from inside. I gestured to Haruhi to follow me, and we descended the small staircase to wait for Jake in the kitchen.

A few minutes later he staggered in, shirtless with his hair rumpled, rubbing his eyes. "What's the matter?" He asked, then noticed my bag and Haruhi. "That's the other Host Club girl, right? If you're just going to sleep over at her place you didn't have to wake me. A note would have been fine." He yawned, and sat down hard in an empty chair.

"I am going to stay at Haruhi's house for a bit...but you need to know why." Jake looked up curiously in response to my serious tone. "She left a message in the club room today."

"You don't mean -"

"Yes I do. She trashed the place, everything was ruined. And she left a note that said she was waiting. The rest of the club walked in...and I told them everything"

My brother's eyes widened in shock. "That's way too close. Even with that first letter, I didn't really believe she would come after you."

I crossed my arms, in no mood for his denial right now. "Either way, she has, and we can't just sit around."

My brother's shock finally gave way to concern. "Are you okay? Did anyone see her? Did you call the police?"

"Yes, no, and yes. But Jake, she's been watching me. I don't know when she'll come, so I can't stay here. The boys are helping me blend with the other girls at school and Haruhi is letting me stay with her for now. Kyoya even has his family's private police looking." I explained quickly. "And Tamaki got us a ride here from school that'll take us to Haruhi's place."

Jake looked at me like he didn't know what to do. He can't really do anything. I realized, He must feel helpless. Suddenly, my brother got up and hugged me. "I'm sorry." He said. "I'm sorry she's after you and that I can't do anything about it."

There it was, even from my own brother! That sympathy, that pity. I tried to keep my temper. I was his only real family, his little sister, and he felt like he had to protect me. Of course he would be on edge.

That didn't mean it was any less irritating.

Jake released me and looked at Haruhi. "Thank you for helping us. It means a lot." Us, I reminded myself. The demon woman out there was his mother too. He looked back at me. "Call me if you change places, all right? And call to let me know if you're all right at least once a day."

My brother picked up my bag and carried it to the door for me. His face was full of frustration, but he knew I had to go. With him working nights, I would be alone if I stayed. And that couldn't happen. He sighed, and spoke one last time before Haruhi and I left.

"Be careful."

Planning, planning, planning!
Next chapter we'll finally get to see what is done about Ayanokoji.
Even more planning!
But that particular plan will begin the stretch to the final confrontation!
Chew on that till next chapter. *Winks*