A/N

Well, here's chapter two! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. I was so happy that people actually liked this. I hope I don't ruin it all with this chapter! Oh well. Heh.

On with chapter two then! Enjoy!

Chapter Two: A Tree and a Weasel

"What?" grumbled the dark-haired girl, as she stared at the white-haired man who was calmly sipping tea in one of the many rooms of the house.

"I was just noticing how pretty you look in that lovely dress," said the white-haired man, smiling as he nodded at the yellow uniform she had on.

"Pretty? Jiya, please refrain from using that word in relation to me." She let out a loud huff, blowing her bangs out of her green eyes as she did so. "And you call this...thing lovely?" She glared down at the dress. "It has to be the worst, most uncomfortable piece of clothing ever designed. You can't even walk properly in this thing!"

Okina chuckled to himself as he took in the disgruntled expression on the girl's face.

"You will get used to it, Misao," he said, as he glanced at his 'grand-daughter' once more. "Hmm...now, if only you would take your hair out of that braid you insist on having it in, you would look quite beautiful-" Sensing the glare directed his way, he found himself sweat-dropping.

"It's bad enough that I'm in this school full of rich idiots," growled Misao, "And that I'm wearing a dress-" she almost choked on the word, "-but you hope to get me to change my hair too? Dream on, Jiya!"

"Hai, hai...it was just an old man's suggestion," said Okina, placatingly. Maybe she would change her mind after a few months at the school? Who knew? "So, tell me all about it -your first day at Ouran."

Makimachi Misao sighed as she rested her elbows on the low table, so that she could rest her chin on her hands.

"There's nothing much to tell you, Jiya," she said, sounding bored. Okina raised his eyebrows.

"Nothing much?" he echoed. "You mean...you already like the place?" That earned him a scowl from the girl.

"No!" she exclaimed. "It's just...well, if you want my honest opinion, it's one of the most boring places I've ever been to, much less that I've been forced to spend the better part of the day in." Okina smiled into his cup of tea. "And all those rich kids...grrr, they just think they own everything, you know? They strut down the corridors, looking all important and stuff and glare at you when you accidentally knock them with an elbow or something...and -oh my god, even all the teachers seem to suck up to them." The girl snorted. "They probably don't want to aggravate their rich and influential parents..."

Okina nodded.

"If you think about it that is understandable..."

"Except for the fact that it goes against all normal morals and ethics," added Misao, sarcastically, as she kicked off the restrictive shoes on her feet, looking relieved as she moved her toes freely.

Okina coughed.

"Did you make any friends? In your class?"

Misao shrugged.

"To be honest, I didn't even take much notice of who was in my class," she said. "I think I fell asleep halfway into the first period." Okina sweat-dropped as he stared at the girl.

"Misao," he started. "I don't think that that's a good way to start the-"

"-It's not my fault that everything's just so boring!" exclaimed the girl, her green eyes flashing. "Jiya, that place is...that place is just stifling! No-one says a word in a raised voice, no-one throws their heads back, laughing, no-one...well, no-one seems to want to be themselves in that horrid place! They all 'act' well-bred and...and...argh!" Misao threw her arms up in the air, in frustration. "And they won't let me join the kendo club -would you believe that?!"

Okina's eyes widened as he stared at the girl he had come to think of as his grand-daughter.

"What?" Misao nodded, mistaking his surprise for outrage.

"I know! Apparently, the club's full of guys and it's no place for a girl."

"Misao-"

"-Oohhh, and that guy...do you know what he did? Do you?!"

"No, but I have a feeling you'll tell me anyway-"

"-He suggested that I join the sewing club! The sewing club! Of all the degrading, insulting, evil things to suggest -and why? Because I'm a girl apparently!" She scowled. "Maybe all those rich girls like clubs like that, but I don't. Sheesh, I'd rather die than join a club like that. What's the fun of sitting in one place, staring in fascination at...at a needle and thread?" She shook her head, her eyes glinting.

"Misao, why did you try joining the kendo club?" he asked, instead.

"Because I wanted to."

"Misao," he started, a note of exasperation entering his voice. "The main point of us sending you to Ouran Academy was for you to learn to...well, be a lady, wasn't it?"

"Oh...my god..." mumbled Misao, looking somewhat betrayed. "N-not you too!" Okina sighed.

"I have not 'betrayed' you in any way young lady, so take that expression off your face," he said. "Besides, you seem to be forgetting that you agreed to go to Ouran. We couldn't have sent you there without your consent."

"Well that's because you were being sneaky when you employed Aoshi-sama's help!" exclaimed Misao, who was practically whining. "You knew that I wouldn't say 'no' to him!"

Okina smirked.

"Now now, Misao, that's hardly my fault is it? You not being able to say 'no' to your precious Aoshi-sama is your weakness."

"But you knew that this was what would happen if you sent Aoshi-sama to coax me into it!"

"Of course I did," said Okina, proudly. "I haven't been the owner of a successful chain of restaurants for 20 years for no reason you know...I've used my head, quite a few times actually."

Misao glared at him.

"You're evil," she muttered, under her breath.

"Of course not, I'm just very helpful."

The next day:

"Ne, Takashi, will you be going for kendo practice this afternoon?" Mori nodded at the short blond as they walked into the school grounds.

"Hai." Honey smiled up at him.

"Satoshi is doing a very good job as the captain of the club, isn't he?" he questioned. His cousin nodded once more.

"Hai."

"And Chika's doing a very good job as the captain of the karate club."

"Hai."

"Ne, Taka...what do you think-" The loud chimes from the clock tower signalled the start of school for the day, and the pair found the students who had been casually strolling ahead of them suddenly sprint towards the main building. The cousins, however, did no such thing.

Unaffected by the occurrence, Mori turned to his short cousin.

"You were saying?" he questioned, quietly, as they walked under one of the tall, well-tended to trees that lined the school grounds.

"Eh?" Honey blinked up at him before nodding. "Ah, yes! I was just wondering what you thought about Tama---" The senior was cut off for a second time, although this time, it was for a slightly...unusual reason.

What was the unusual reason? Oh, nothing much; it just consisted of a girl tumbling out of the tree the two seniors were walking under.

Honey stared, his big eyes widening, as a bundle of yellow and black tumbled out of the tree, hitting the ground with a loud thump and an undignified yelp.

Blinking, his eyes widened some more as he recognized the yellow uniform worn by the female students of Ouran High.

"Ano...daijobu?" he questioned, as he hurried towards the girl, a concerned expression on his face as he did so.

"Daijobu? Daijobu?" echoed the dark-haired girl, not even bothering to look up at the figure now kneeling by her side. "Would you be alright if you fell off a damned tree, landing on your butt? I don't think so!" As she tried shifting her position, she winced as pain shot up her rear. "Itaiiiiiii..." moaned the girl, as she wondered how bruised her rear was."That's going to bruise..."

Honey blinked in surprise at the girl.

"Ne, what were you doing up in that tree in the first place?" he questioned, leaning towards the girl, who in turn spared a quick glance in his direction.

"I was trying to pretend I was a monkey," she muttered, sarcastically as she managed to pull herself up so that she was resting on her knees. "You know, to see how it felt to be up in a tree and all..."

"Ehhhh???" Honey stared at the girl. "Ah!" An understanding expression found itself on his face. "And you fell off to try and see how monkeys feel when they fall of trees. Ne? Ne?"

Green eyes narrowed as their owner glared at the short blond.

"I did not 'fall' off," she corrected, haughtily. "I was climbing down when I heard the bell but this...stupid, excuse for a comfortable piece of clothing got in the way by deciding not to allow me to move freely." She glared down at the yellow dress she was wearing. "Honestly, how do those girls survive in this...this thing? Don't they feel the slightest bit of discomfort?"

A smile was slowly forming on Honey's face as he watched the variety of expressions on the girl's face. Having never seen her around school before, he guessed that she was probably new -her comments about the uniform only proved that he was probably right in his assumption.

"I'm glad you're alright," he said, smiling cutely at her. "Are you new here? I'm Haninozuka Mitsukuni -but everyone calls me Honey." The dark-haired girl had to fight to keep the glare on her face as she took note of the adorable smile on the adorable boy's face.

Clearing her throat, she nodded at him.

"Misao," she said, introducing herself. "And yes, I am new here. This is just my second day at Ouran."

"Eh? That's strange. Kyo-chan didn't tell us that there was a new transfer student...did he, Taka?" The short blond glanced behind him, as he addressed the 'Taka' he had mentioned. As Misao's eyes followed Honey's, they widened as they fell on the tall, dark-haired boy who was standing behind Honey with an impassive expression on his face.

"You!!" Honey's head snapped back around so that he was staring at Misao.

"Nani?" he asked, looking confused. But Misao wasn't paying any attention to him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She paused. "Oh, wait, I think I know; let me guess, you're here to tell me how girls like me shouldn't be climbing up trees, but should be doing some work for the sewing club instead?"

Mori stared at the girl for a moment before shrugging.

"If that's what you like doing..." he started, "then-"

"-Like doing? Like doing?! Who, in their right state of mind, would like doing any sewing?! Apart from the fact that it's the most boring thing on the planet, it also lacks any form of excitement or-"

A book being shoved in front of her face cut her off, rather effectively. Misao stared down at the book for a brief moment, before looking up, glaring as her eyes met Mori's grey. "-If that's your attempt at trying to get me to shut up, think again!" she exclaimed. "And what's this book about? 101 Secrets of Sewing Properly?"

"It's yours."

"I think not," huffed Misao, as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't think it belongs to-"

"-It's your History book."

"-me...oh." As she glanced down properly at the book, Misao realized that the dark-haired boy was, in fact, telling the truth. It was her history book; the one book that she had thought she had misplaced when she had looked for it yesterday.

Honey stared at Misao for a moment, before directing a questioning glance at his cousin, who just shrugged. Misao's voice, however, caught their attention. "Why the hell did you have my history book?"

Honey found himself looking at his cousin again, just as curious as the girl -although he didn't look ready to murder him, which he couldn't say for the girl.

"You threw it at me, if I remember correctly," said Mori, dryly, as Honey's head whipped around to Misao.

"What?" asked Misao, annoyed. "When the hell-" Green eyes widened. "Oh."

"You threw a book at Taka?" questioned Honey, eyes widening once more. Misao held the book to her, somewhat defensively.

"What? Is there a problem with that?" she asked, again, sounding defensive. Honey shook his head.

"Well...no..." he said, slowly. "Demo...demo, Taka-"

"-It's not my fault! If you're looking for someone to blame, blame it on him." Misao was pointing accusingly at Mori, who simply raised his eyebrows. "He was being a stupid, idiotic, moronic, sexist pig!"

Poor Honey felt as though too many surprising events were being thrown at him that morning, as his eyes widened even more.

What was going on?

He had never, ever, heard those four words -well, five, if he wanted to include the reference to a pig- being directed at his tall cousin. Probably because no-one wanted to be on the receiving end of whatever they would face if they insulted the famed kendo-champion.

And yet, this girl...

What had his cousin done to make her this mad? Girls were usually falling head over heels in love with him. Not this.

Usa-chan...I'm confused...

"-join the kendo club!" The girl's final exclamation caught Honey's attention, causing him to stare at her again.

"What was that?"

"I said that it was his fault for not letting me join the kendo club," repeated Misao, as she sent another glare in Mori's direction. Everything fell into place in Honey's head at the mention of the kendo club.

"Ah! So you're the girl who held Taka up yesterday," he exclaimed, glad to have figured something out.

"Oh, so I held him up did I?" wondered Misao, a dangerous gleam entering her eyes. "Well I'm sorry that I held his royal pain-in-the-ass up. It wouldn't have happened if he and that other idiot hadn't tried to tell me that I couldn't join the club simply because I would be the only girl in it." She shook her head. "There's no such rule saying that kendo is just for guys. And like I said, it's not my fault that the silly, air-headed girls here are only interested in looking good and keeping their nails immaculately perfect, without a speck of dirt in them."

She glanced at Honey, absently, and stopped her ranting. "What the-" She rubbed her eyes, just to make sure that she wasn't seeing things. Nope, it was still there. "Why on earth do you have a stuffed rabbit in your arms?"

Honey looked down at the stuffed rabbit he held, a fond smile forming on his face as he did so.

"Usa-chan's my friend! My bestest friend, after Taka. And after Tama-chan, Kyo-chan, Haru-chan, Kao-chan and Hika-chan!" he exclaimed, as he held the rabbit towards Misao.

"You're weird," said Misao, eyeing the boy warily. "Didn't it ever occur to you that-" The ringing of the main school bell interrupted Misao, causing her eyes to widen. "That's the second bell..." she murmured, referring to the warning bell that was rung to indicate that any student arriving in class afterwards would be -and Misao quoted from the Rule Book she had been issued- "in trouble".

Mori nodded, not seeming the slightest bit bothered by it. Both he and his cousin were free during first period, and thus weren't even expected to come to school until the start of the second period.

Yelping once more, Misao scrambled to her feet, one hand clutching her book bag and the other holding her history book. "It's all your fault!" she yelled, glaring at Mori, before turning abruptly and beginning to sprint across the remainder of the grounds.

That was, until she tried to stretch her legs more than the bottom of her uniform would let her, and ended up on the ground once more.

"Ano..." started Honey, taking a step forward, when the girl jumped to her feet again, mumbling about 'accursed, vile things' before continuing to make her way to the main building.

Mori let out a soft sigh as they both watched the girl (who tripped again), until she was finally through the doors leading to the main building.

What a...different person she was.

"We should get inside too, Mitsukuni," he said, nodding at his cousin. Honey nodded, as he held on tightly to his stuffed rabbit.

"That was...interesting," he said, cheerily. "You know what, Takashi? I like Misa-chan." Mori could only stare at his cousin.

"...If you like violent people..." he muttered, shrugging. Honey pouted at him.

"She's not really violent," he protested, just as his cousin sweat-dropped, begging to differ with his statement. "Besides, she's different from the other girls here..."

"Aa," agreed Mori, as they started walking forward. "She certainly doesn't seem to be interested in what the other girls here are interested in..."

Honey nodded, before beaming.

"Weasel."

"Hnn?"

"She reminds me of a weasel." Mori sweat-dropped again.

"...Aa..."

"Yosh! It's decided then! Misa-chan is actually itachi-chan!"

"... ... ..." Deciding not to say anything, Mori simply followed his cousin as they continued walking. They sure had an interesting start to the day.

A very interesting start to the day.

A/N

Heh, I know...it was kinda long, wasn't it? Oooops. In any case, I hope that was alright! In Rurouni Kenshin, as you probably already know, Misao's referred to as an 'itachi-musume' (weasel girl) by a number of people, much to her annoyance. In this instance, however, Honey means it in a cute way...(though Misao might not see it in the same way!)

Hope you enjoyed the 2nd chapter!

See ya in chapter three!!!

Siriusgirl1