Chapter 1

Cherry Blossoms and Roses

Slowly, gently, the double doors to the Third Music Room opened, revealing the handsome youths that happily awaited any lady that happened to enter. The Ouran High School Host Club, the rave of almost every student at the private academy. The members sat in normal formation, today's international theme had each clothed in traditional Spanish Matador (bull fighter's) costume.

Excited squeals and squeaks broke from the girls, loving the club's newest theme. Kyouya smirked just slightly, estimating today's profits eagerly in his notebook. It was one of those actually genius ideas had, and it seemed profits would rise substantially.

The girls began to file in and head to their hosts, eager to start today's flirting.

"Tamaki-sama, have you really ever fought a bull?" One enchanted girl asked, hands clasped together in joy.

"I have not, but I'll duel with one thousand bulls for your love, princess," The King replied softly, placing his gentle hands on her chin. The girl's cheeks flamed up in bright red, nearly melting into a pool of girly fantasies.

Across the room, Haruhi sat with her customers, making light conversation with her natural charm. While the girls conversed among themselves momentarily, she glanced over to Tamaki, flirting with another of his customers. Lately, a sick feeling had appeared in the pit of her stomach when she spoke with him, and things only got more confusing as Mei-chan had left a magazine over at her house.

That stupid love test, I know it was wrong, but still...

Club soon ended and Haruhi left to change out of her matador costume. Tamaki moved towards the large windows on the far side of the room. The sky shined an unparalleled shade of deep blue, like someone had dyed it such a color. The soft pink cherry blossom trees contrasted the deep sky, and gentle breezes threw the lose petals into a joyous dance.

I wonder if Haruhi has ever seen cherry blossoms like this, it's beautiful. Maybe I'll plant one by her apartment as a surprise... His thoughts drifted off, and soon Kyouya had to remind him it was time to go home. The King bid farewell to all his friends, then each proceeded home in their own limos (except for Haruhi, who had decided to walk to the supermarket on the way home). As she walked alone on the flawless white sidewalk, the wind gently caressed her short brown hair. Light pink petals blew towards her, swirling in the air in their seasonal dance. One softly drifted into her open palm, and softly lay there. The girl smiled, always having liked cherry blossoms.

I wish there was one near our apartment, she thought, continuing to the supermarket

--

Rolling down his tinted window, Tamaki gazed surprised at the other two limos that sat outside the front door. Stepping into the Suou mansion, his normal doorman did not greet him, but rather a tall, intimidating man a black suit.

"The chairman and your grandmother are waiting in the other room, please follow me," he said, emotions masked by his pair of sunglasses. Tamaki followed, handing his bag to one of his own maids who appeared to the man's side.

The young Suou stepped slowly into the room, his father and grandmother sitting patiently at a long glass table. Yuzuru Suou motioned for the boy to sit down, and took a deep breath, propping his elbows onto the table. Tamaki bowed in respect then sat, his grandmother silently "tsk" at him.

"I'm sure you're surprised to see us here, Tamaki, but we have some important issues to discuss with you," His father began, glancing over to his son. The youth nodded in reply, intensely staring back.

"As you know, and as we have hid up until now from your grandmother, you have a sister just a year younger than yourself,"

Tamaki gave a slight gasp, shocked his father had just spoken those words with his mother sitting next to him. The older woman remained unfazed, her face frozen in the same unemotional expression.

"We thought this would be for the benefit of the Suou Company, since we wanted no more attention with the media with such a situation. But things have changed, and through what I will explain later... Akane has been forced to come here, to Japan,"

Under the table, Tamaki was forced to pinch himself, just to realize this wasn't some horrible nightmare. His eyes rang out in disbelief, and it was all he could do not to let his jaw drop to the floor.

"Otoe-san, where is she? Is she here?" He asked politely, trying to keep some composure in his tone.

"We'll discuss this later, but yes, she is here, but in another room resting. It would be best if you'd not disturb her." Tamaki nodded, backing off now to let his father explain.

"We will discuss why she is here later, but for now I have invited your grandmother so we may discuss the terms of her staying,"

Tamaki understood his grandmother despised him. He was a symbol of her son's sins, and imperfections. It must have made her go into an angered rage knowing there was another like him, another dirty child. The old chairwoman sat up a bit taller, if it was even possible with her already perfect posture.

"The law has made it clear that the Suou's must care for her now, and doing otherwise would end in many law suits. Therefore, I have agreed that she will stay in the second mansion, but only under my circumstances.

Just like her brother, she will be unable to see her mother as long as she remains within our care. In addition, she will meet with me weekly, where I shall instruct her on her behavior and actions while she is here. Also, you, Tamaki, shall watch over her, make sure she stays in line and does not by any means disgrace this family. This is a test for you, to see if you have any chance of taking over this corporation."

Her voice echoed through Tamaki's mind, and he could barely hold in his emotions. He was outraged, why did Akane have to go through what he did? And even more, she would be forced to meet with her grandmother, who knows what they would make her do? A test, his sister was not a test. He desperately wanted to stand up and yell out his thoughts to the old woman, but in the back of his mind, he remembered his father's words.

One night they had gone to one of his new restaurants for a good meal. They had watched as a new waiter clumsily spilled sauce all over some woman's new gown, and her yell in outrage at him. The waiter apologetically began to pick up the broken pieces of the dish, but she screamed at him more for not finding a way to save her dress. The manager had come, and the woman ordered him to be fired for his stupidity.

Tamaki had begun to rise from his chair when his father discouraged. Tamaki replied in outrage how just because of a mistake he shouldn't lose his job. His father ordered him to sit down, saying words that changed Tamaki.

"Business is completely different from club activities. You can't apply idealistic thoughts or your sense of justice. It is especially a bad thing when children like you speak irresponsibly. If you understand what I'm saying, sit down, Tamaki."

"I understand, Grandmother. I'll do my best," Tamaki answered seriously, his eyes intent on making her proud. She smiled, but not to him, to herself for being able to pull things off her way. The elderly chairwoman stood up and was followed out of the room by the man in the black suit, not giving so much as a "goodbye" to either of her relatives.

Yuzuru Suou leaned back in his chair, glad the hard part was over; glad that his son had restrained himself from what could have been a disastrous situation.

"Father, could I see her now, I know she'll want me to," Tamaki asked, after several moments of silence.

"Very well, but I must express some caution. She has her mother's weak body, and...well, I'll explain the rest later. This way," Mr. Suou answered, rising and leading Tamaki up the grand staircase to Akane's room. The room was mostly dark, tow lamps lit by her bedside. Next to the lamps sat a medium sized porcelain vase, intricate blue windings surrounding the surface and a bouquet of blood red roses. In a large four poster bed, propped up on what looked like fifty goose feather pillows, was a frail, white-faced girl, eyes shut in sleep. Her golden hair lay tossed across the pillows and blankets seemed to restrict any movement she could've had.

Tamaki slowly approached, still in utter disbelief that the person before him was truly there. He kneeled at her bedside, stroking her hair, the same shade as his. The girl stirred, turning over to the one who had disturbed her. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing the blue-green irises that separated her from her mother's deep purple eyes. It was about the only way Tamaki could tell her apart from their mother. As she rolled, white bandages were exposed on her shoulders and a large patch covering her left cheek.

"Tamaki..." She whispered, still unsure wither she was dreaming or not. He shook his head quickly, assuring her he was beside her. Without even willing it, tears fell down his face, dropping to the rich carpet below.

"I missed you," she managed to say, her voice weak and brittle, like it would crack if too much pressure was put on.

"Shh, you don't need to speak," Tamaki whispered back tenderly, continually caressing her sun colored locks. Akane managed to remove a feeble hand, her arm covered in more white cloth, from the covers that swallowed her and reached towards her brother's tear streaked face. She brushed a few warm drops away, wanting him not to cry for her. He removed his hands from her hair and clasped her hand in his, feeling how cold it was.

"I'm sorry, Oniichan," she said, gripping his hand back as hard as she could, burning tears identical to his now staggering down her face. He cracked, and no effort could stop the joy and saddened filled streams that washed over his face. His head bent to the floor, not wanting her to see him so weak.

Her hand reached again, this time just in front of his face. She smiled, but not one of the radiant ones he had seen his mother give to him, this one was overflowing in remorse, apologies, sadness, and painful feelings. Tamaki managed to get to his feet, no letting go of her hand once. Leaning over her, he gently kissed her forehead, her eyes drifting off as he gently placed her hand by her side.

"Tell me what happened," Tamaki said, as he and his father shut the door to the dark room behind them.

"This might take a while, so let's head to the dining room, shall we?" He beckoned, waving over to a servant to prepare dinner. The young man's mind raced with thoughts, flashes of his sister with her bandages, smiling sadly at him, struck his mind like lightning. He didn't think he'd sleep at all tonight. Not one thought of cherry blossoms was evident in his mind.