Disclaimer: None of this is mine. It all belongs to that one awesome lady who wrote the manga and all the people that will sue me if I claim otherwise.

AN: This story was inspired by the movie Anastasia, so anything you recognize belongs to those people too. Don't worry, the story has a few similarities to the movie, but not too many. You won't be bored :)

Chapter One

There was a time when we lived in an enchanted world full of elegant palaces and parties. The year was two thousand and six, and the most prestigious and richest families of Japan were the rulers of the world...

"Haruhiii!" the twins called in unison.

Haruhi spun around when she heard her name and saw six men standing together in the corner of the room. She grinned at them and waved. She had to admit, they had outdone themselves tonight. The girls they served at the Host Club would be beside themselves if they could see the objects of their affections now. Hikaru and Kaoru, with their bright red hair and identical features, were dressed in the same elegant attire that the rest of the club was wearing, and they leaned back to back smirking at her. Hunny, of course, looked as adorable as ever, but it did look rather odd for him to be holding a wine glass with his Lolita appearance. Mori stood behind the 18 year old boy, giving her a small smile. Kyouya, whose father was hosting the party, was for once devoid of his notebook and laptop and pushed his glass up with his finger, letting the glare obscure his eyes. Haruhi rolled hers. He thought he was oh-so mysterious and cool. Tamaki stood next to him, wearing a white tuxedo that instead of giving a washed out appearance, made him look almost angelic when coupled with his pale skin and blond hair. His blue eyes found hers, and she noticed a slight red color making its way up his face. She shrugged. Who knew what that was about. As she got closer, she heard tidbits of their conversation

"I have to say, you two did a rather nice job," Kyouya said, nodding approvingly at her appearance.

Haruhi looked down at her outfit. She had been about ready to murder the twins when she awoke to find them at her door that morning. However, she didn't mind her appearance. They had actually managed to refrain from making her look like a puffed up doll for once. She had been dressed in a dark magenta dress that had spaghetti straps and a square neck that rested about 4 inches from her collarbone. The bodice hugged her curves, but it flared out into a loose skirt that reached the knee and swished when she walked. Simple, yet elegant. While she did like it, she had at first protested at wearing women's clothing. The twins had simply rolled their eyes.

"Kyouya-senpai has already looked into it. Very few of the customers will be attending the party," Kaoru had said in exasperation.

"Besides, who in the world would expect you to show up as a girl?" And it was those words that were the cause of her wardrobe tonight.

She heard the twins sigh. "If only we could have forced her into the wig," Hikaru lamented.

"But she wouldn't have it," Kaoru followed.

"It's itchy," Haruhi said, reaching the group. "Besides," she glared, "you're lucky that you got this far. Who do you think you are, ringing my doorbell that early on a Saturday morning?"

Kyouya raised an eyebrow. "I personally prefer the short hair," he told the twins.

"Look at my little girl!" Tamaki cried with a dreamy face. He flourished his hands and looked ready to leap at Haruhi and envelope her in one of his crushing, dramatic hugs before his raven-haired friend grabbed the back of his jacket.

"Not here," Kyouya threatened, his glasses reflecting the light. "Are you trying to embarrass me?"

Tamaki blubbered, "B-but, mother!"

A passing girl looked at the group. "Mother?"

A dark look passed over the Shadow King's face, and he placed a strained smile on his face that came out more like a grimace. "Say that again, Daddy," he hissed, his eyes glaring fiercely, "and you will sleep on the couch for the rest of the month."

The twins ran up to the girl and threw out their arms out as though they were making a human fence. "Move along, nothing to see here! Please, my dear, don't taint your eyes with such a pathetic display of homosexuality. "

"Homosexuality!" Tamaki screeched in a high-pitched voice, gripping the sides of his face.

Haruhi looked at the twins blankly. "Ever heard of the phrase 'the pot calling the kettle black'?"

Hikaru threw and arm around her shoulders. "My dear Haruhi, please don't insult us with such talk."

"Our brand is much more glorious and intriguing than that display," Kaoru grinned, throwing his arm around her other shoulder. "If they are going to do it, the least they could do is to do it properly."

"Maybe we should teach them!" they said together, cackling like madmen.

Suddenly the Shadow King appeared behind the twins, casting a dark shadow on the trio. The twins looked up in terror before he seized them by their collars. "Do pardon us, madam," he said politely before giving her a quick smile, which made the girl blush. As she scurried away fanning herself, he dropped the twins, and they landed on the ground. Kyouya straightened and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Cleanup duty. The rest of the month."

"Oh, senpai, please forgive us!" Kaoru cried mockingly. The doppelgangers got on their knees and crawled to his feet.

"We're good children, we really are! We'll be better, promise!"

Kyouya aimed a kick to Hikaru's side, but the ginger scrambled away. "Shut your mouth."

The two redheads grasped each other's hands and pulled, using each other's weight to lift themselves off the ground. Together they glared at the unconcerned Kyouya. "Evil Overlord," the growled.

"And don't you forget it," the sovereign in question smirked. Haruhi rolled her eyes at their antics, as Kyouya glanced at his watch. She saw the boy look exasperatedly at the blonde sulking in a chair. "Tamaki, stop growing mushrooms before you embarrass me any more. There's only so much time before the dancing starts. Unless you forgot the surprise…"

"Surprise?" Haruhi asked as Tamaki leapt to his feet.

"Ah, yes!" the blonde cried grasping his chest and looking dreamily up at the heavens. "My beautiful daughter, you really are in for a treat tonight! Daddy has a surprise for yooooou!"

"Erm, milord," the twins bluntly interrupted, "we designed it."

"Yeah, we all helped," Hunny added.

"Ah, yes! But it was my idea!"

"Actually," Kyouya said over the rim of his wine glass, "I believe that the idea was mine. You wanted to give her a small country. She doesn't even have a passport."

"Idiot."

Haruhi grit her teeth in frustration. "What are you all talking about?" she asked, starting to get annoyed.

Tamaki broke away from the argument to grin at her. "You will see, darling, Daughter! Let me just-" He reached into his pocket, and his eyes grew wide. "Erm." He checked the other one. "Oh, no," he muttered before going into panic-mode. He started frantically searching. "I had it, I swear!"

The twins' jaws dropped. "You lost it?" they cried angrily.

"You idiot," Hikaru said, throwing his arms in the air, "do you know how long we spent on that?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't lose it, I promise, I have it somewhere!" The President started to tear up.

"Maybe you dropped it, Tama-chan." Honey sweetly suggested.

"NOOOOO!"

Kyouya closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Calm down already!" he growled. "I have it." He pulled a small velvet box out of one of his deep pockets. Haruhi's eyes widened at the sight of it.

"Kyouya! You stole it!" Tamaki shrieked.

Kyouya gently handed it to Haruhi. "As always, your idiocy astounds me. You gave it to me yesterday to keep it safe, you moron. I have no need for something like this."

Haruhi twisted the box around in her fingers, looking at it from all angles. "What is this?"

"Can't you remember what happened exactly a year ago today, Haru-chan?" Honey asked, looking up at her with a cherubic smile.

"Erm-"

Hikaru cleared his throat. "If I remember correctly,"

Kaoru said, "A certain small,"

"Insignificant,"

"Ugly,"

"Little gay man accidentally stumbled into the 3rd Music Room,"

"And being the very clumsy person she was, broke an antique vase worth 8 million yen."

Haruhi laughed. "Has it really been that long?" She looked down at the velvet box in confusion. "But that doesn't explain this."

Tamaki gently removed the box from her grasp and with long, elegant fingers, opened it. Haruhi gasped. Inside was a beautiful, expensive looking necklace. The gold chain looked very fine, yet sturdy also, and hanging from it was a vase shaped pendant. It had been painted blue, and the exquisite detail showed every dip and decoration of the original one that had shattered 365 days ago. Haruhi covered her mouth, and tears pricked her eyes. "Oh, my gosh."

The twins reached into the box, each taking hold of one end of the gold chain. They walked towards her, and separated, walking around her on either side and draping the jewelry on her neck. Behind them, Mori fasted the chain with gentle fingers that tickled the back of her neck. In front of her, Tamaki grinned wildly. "Look at her! She's speechless."

Haruhi touched the pendant. It was absolutely stunning. She felt her the blood rush to her cheeks. "I can't believe that you guys would do this for me."

"That's not all," Kyouya said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a long, gold object and handed it to the stunned girl. It was a elegant, old fashioned key. "This key unlocks the Third Music Room. Now that you are an official host, no longer bound by debt, we thought that you ought to have one."

Hikaru nodded. "We've all got one, after all," he said, pulling out his. It was identical to the on she now held in her hand

"Consider this your anniversary present," Kaoru said, a bright smile on his face.

Haruhi looked at each of the six boys in front of her. It was incredible just how close they had gotten in such a short time. She, for the first time, had friends. No…a family. Haruhi felt a lump grow in her throat. These boys were…her family. Her throat started to burn, but she pushed down the choking feeling. She grinned at the boys, her smile reaching her eyes. "Thank you! Thank you all so much!"

Her boys grinned back at her. "You deserve it," said Mori, in his deep, seldom used voice.

At that moment, there was a swell of violin music. Haruhi turned to see that the center of the room had been cleared, and a few couples were walking out onto the floor, holding hands.

Tamaki grinned down at her and bowed. "May I have this dance, milady?" he asked smoothly. Haruhi reached out her hand, but at the last second it was snatched by another, much shorter blonde.

"Yay, Haru-chan!" Hunny cried as the President gaped after them. Haruhi turned her head as she was being dragged away to see Tamaki spluttering at having his daughter stolen. The twins had grabbed hold of his waist to subdue him, and it looked like Kyouya and Mori were simply trying to pretend like they didn't know the blonde idiot. Haruhi giggled at their antics and turned her attention to the third year before her.

Hunny, thank God, was much gentler in his dancing than the last time they had danced at the Ouran festival. He refrained from throwing her around, and she was able to be transported to Mori-senpai with very little dizziness. He probably has to act a bit more dignified when at a formal party…Haruhi mused as Mori spun her around and she glided into Kaoru's waiting arms.

"Enjoying yourself, Haruhi?" her friend asked.

She smiled her natural smile. "It's not bad. It's a lot to take in though." She gazed around at the extravagant room and all the people in it. She was almost positive that some of the formal wear was worth more than all the money she had ever had put together, and she knew for a fact that the wine alone was more expensive that every object in her house combined. She felt eyes of disdain burning a hole in her back. Several of the patrons were looking at her and Kaoru. She laughed nervously, trying to ignore them and act natural. "Kyouya-senpai's family doesn't do anything half way, does it?"

Kaoru laughed. "Have you ever known him to?" he asked with a grin. He noticed her nervousness and turned to look in the direction of her jittery gaze. "Oh." He leaned in and lowered his voice. "Don't worry about them. They have no idea that you're a commoner," he whispered in her ear.

"Then why are they all looking at me like that?" she hissed in response. She raised her eyebrows at one of the women, who blushed at being caught and turned away.

Kaoru gently twirled her in another direction, away from the woman. "It's not just you. It's all of us from the club."

Haruhi looked around. Now that he mentioned it, it seemed like a lot of the stares were directed toward Kaoru. In face, he was right, she realized as she found every Host Club member and the stares that followed them. "Why?"

Kaoru shrugged. "We're different from the rest of them, which reminds me!" He bent closer and his breath tickled her ear. "I'm supposed to let you know that once the music stops, we're all meeting by the food table."

Haruhi's brow furrowed. "Okay?" she said confused.

Kaoru noted her confusion. "That's when and where Ootori-san will present Kyouya-senpai and his siblings and give his speech." Kaoru explained. He twirled her around and released her hands, and she was caught by his brother.

"It's just something we do for each other at all these kinds of parties," Hikaru continued for his twin. "Moral support and all that kind of stuff. It's easier to face the whispers when we can see each other. It helps." He suddenly laughed. "Not that senpai would ever admit that!"

Haruhi smiled in response, but inside, she was very curious. What kind of whispers did they have to face? And were they really so hurtful that the club had devised a way to battle against them? Now that she thought about it though, it made sense. She had never thought about all the responsibilities that the Hosts had to uphold thanks to their social statuses. Even though they were still naïve and still lived in their own little worlds, their lives were surprisingly strict. She remembered the sharp crack she had heard during the Ouran Festival. Kyouya's father had hit him simply for being in the Host Club, something that might not have been as dignified as he'd liked. And then there was Tamaki, who was hated and scorned for his birth, something that he couldn't even control. Hunny, who had been forced to steer away from everything that made him him for years until he'd finally rebelled. He was an outcast in his family due to his likes and beliefs, and now they barely bothered with him. Haruhi knew that the same was true for Mori's family. Mori-senpai never said much of anything at all, but Haruhi knew that, with the exception of Hunny-senpai, family didn't play much of a role in his life. The twins, however, didn't seem to have to deal with any expectations, but that was the just as harmful as having too many. They had been neglected by their parents their whole lives; their own mother was unable to tell them apart. They had been separated from their family, and during that time, they had gotten so close that nobody could penetrate their walls and enter their world. Well, Haruhi thought, almost nobody. Even so, they all had quite colorful pasts that the social elite must not be used to. Even Kyouya, who could charm anybody to do his bidding and seemed to fit most in this world, was quite an oddity.

As she thought about these things, she was passed from Hikaru on to Kyouya and then on to Tamaki. Those dances only lasted for a few moments though, for Kyouya had been summoned by his father and as Tamaki enthusiastically twirled her around the dance floor, the music decrescendoed to a halt, and the sound of a spoon ringing against a glass echoed around the ball room. At the top of a magnificent stair case, Yoshio Ootori was standing. At the bottom, his four children were standing in a single line, all perfectly straight and dignified.

Haruhi felt somebody grab her hand. "Come on," Tamaki whispered, and they began to make their way through the crowd. They were soon joined by the rest of the club as the crowd began to gather by the staircase, giving the family a wide berth. As they wove between the partygoers, Haruhi heard bits and pieces of conversation and whispering.

"What lovely children! The father must be so proud."

"Miss Fuyumi-san is radiant as ever. Such a shame her husband couldn't attend…"

"…the third son, I supposed. There really isn't much purpose for him is there? I wonder what he is supposed to do…"

"He will probably work under his brothers. But he will always be dependent on them."

"Burden on the family…"

Haruhi whirled around and opened her mouth, but Mori took hold of her shoulder. She looked up at her fellow club member, and he shook his head. "I know," he said, "but you'll only get him into trouble." But Haruhi could see deep irritation in his eyes. Indeed, the entire club was gritting its teeth.

Kyouya looked relieved when they reached the front. Haruhi noticed the raven-haired teen's jaw loosed and his fists unclench. She wished that she could see his eyes though, which were now hiding behind the glare from his glasses. He must be doing that on purpose. The signs were barely perceptible and carefully hidden, but they were still there. Kyouya was nervous, she realized. The richest adults in Japan must be really different from the students for Ouran High School for calculating, calm, never fearing Kyouya to be intimidated.

"Thank you all for attending tonight's celebration," Ootori said in a clear, refined drawl. "The Fiftieth Anniversary of the medical division of the Ootori group is such an important date for all of us in the company, and I am honored that you are here to share in our happiness. I would like to begin with a toast," he lifted his wineglass, but Ootori's next words were interrupted by a long BANG!

Every head in the vicinity turned towards the back of the room, where the large double doors had burst open. Standing on the threshold were two dark, hooded figures. Gasps and mutters exploded around the room as the figures strode in. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, allowing them access. Haruhi felt an unease in her stomach. What was going on? One of the figures removed his hood to reveal a man with long, white-blonde hair that was tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. He had a clean shaven face and aristocratic features, but his clothing was threadbare and ragged, practically falling apart. The man behind him kept his hood up, obscuring his face.

The Host Club boys gasped in recognition. "Rasputin," Tamaki muttered darkly.

Haruhi looked up. She had never heard Tamaki say something with such disgust. She raised an eyebrow, but he just shook his head. She turned back to watch the men continue their advance more confused than ever. A woman dropped her glass and the blonde man, Rasputin, tread on it, making a shrill crunching noise.

Almost as if that crunch had brought him to life, Tamaki seemed to steel himself and ran towards Kyouya. All of his siblings had evacuated the front of the room, but the third son had forced himself to maintain his ground. The rest of the club followed Tamaki and stood around their friend. Kyouya turned his head to look at them in surprise before returning his attention the advancing men.

At the very top of the stairs, Yoshio Ootori slowly placed his wine glass on a tray and began to descend, a cold, unforgiving aura billowing off of him.

"Mr. Ootori," Rasputin said in a clear, light tone. Haruhi felt Kyouya stiffen next to her. Rasputin bowed with a flourish. "How wonderful to see you again…"

Ootori sneered at the man. "How dare you come here? You were banished from the country, lest you forgot? Leave at once!"

Rasputin laughed, and Haruhi shivered at the sound. "Me?" the man fake mock whimpered, "But I am your confidant. Your trusted advisor." He glared with coal black eyes. "Lest you forgot."

"Ha! Confidant. You are a traitor. Get out!" Ootori yelled.

"My, my, my…" Rasputin chuckled. His eyes found the eldest three Ootori children, and Ootori's façade slipped for a moment as his eyes widened. He quickly regained the mask though as the blonde man turned his attention back to him. "Quite a party, sir. Very lovely, and of course, fifty years of profit is nothing to sneer at. Except, of course, when it is made off of my sweat, and I am not even invited to the celebration." He sighed. "You've got a lot of nerve, Yoshio-kun." He turned his gaze to the third son and the group of friends that flanked him. He smiled at them predatorily, encouraging Hikaru to place himself in front of Haruhi as though to hide her from view. It was clear by the look on his face that he had seen her. However, the mask slipped into an expression of confusion once he really looked at her. "A commoner?" He snapped his fingers, and the silent, hooded man next to him dashed forward faster than any of the club had ever seen, pushed Hikaru aside, and seized Haruhi's wrist.

"Hey!" Tamaki yelled, and he dove for her, only to fall on the ground as the man dragged the girl into no man's land. Haruhi's stomach rolled with fear, and she tried to pull away, but the man's grip was too strong, and all her struggling was doing nothing.

Haruhi!" Tamaki yelled in desperation. She could hear the Host Club debating what to do behind her and the crowd gasping and muttering. Rasputin stepped closer to her until he was inches from her face. She leaned back as far as the hooded man allowed her to. "Now what is a pretty little commoner doing in a place like this?" he leered. She didn't respond, but she gathered all of her courage to glare at the man. She would NOT let herself be intimidated by this man. "Come on, honey, answer me…" he cooed, touching her face. She raised her free arm and slapped him. There was a collective intake of breath around the room. Rasputin stumbled backward from the force of it. He held up a hand to his red cheek and barred his teeth at her "Why, you-" he raised a fist, and Haruhi closed her eyes and flinched, but the blow never came. She opened her eyes in surprise to see Hunny holding the man's fist in his palm. There were a few moments of intense silence before Hunny let the man go and kicked him in the stomach. Rasputin fell into an ungraceful heap on the floor with an "Omph!".

"You don't threaten my friends," the third year growled in a quiet, menacing voice that Haruhi had only heard a few times before. Kyouya and Kaoru were standing next to Hunny, glaring down at the man. Haruhi looked to see Hikaru and Tamaki standing beside her. The hooded man tightened his grip on her wrist, and Haruhi could feel the bruises blossoming on her skin. She cried out and saw another hand appear out of nowhere and seize the hooded man's free hand.

"Let her go," Mori rumbled. The hooded man ignored him, and Mori squeezed. There was a cracking noise, and Haruhi heard the man grunt in sudden pain.

"Let us put in terms that a lowlife piece of vermin like yourself can understand," Hikaru said in a biting tone. "Our friend here is the national kendo champion. He's six foot three, and he can squash you like the bug you are in ten seconds flat. You really don't want to mess with him."

Tamaki stepped forward. He looked murderous. "As long as you are holding this friends hand," he gestured to Haruhi. He gestured toward Mori, "that friend will hold on to your hand. And let me assure you, you do not want him to put all of his strength into this game of yours. You will lose."

There was a moment of hesitation where Mori and the shadowed man looked at each other. Haruhi held her breath. The room was completely silent. The man squeezed her wrist again painfully before releasing her. Mori released the other man's arm, and the Club stepped back, surrounding Haruhi protectively. Haruhi clutched her wrist, which was starting to swell.

Ootori cleared his throat. "That's enough. Security, please remove this man" With that, he turned his back and began to ascend the stairs.

"Fool!" Rasputin clambered to his feet. His hair was tumbled now, and he was panting heavily. He looked insane. "You overestimate your power, Ootori! All of you!" he cried to the room at large. He shook his fist. "Mark my words! You and your family and friends will die before the month is up! Especially you." He pointed at Haruhi, whose eyes widened in fear. "You will die with all of them, traitor! You and your little group of friends!" He barred his teeth. "I will hunt you down and kill you, and you will die slowly for your betrayal." He started laughing a manic laugh that echoed throughout the ballroom. Roll after roll of it came, and Haruhi felt her heart freeze in her chest at his words.

The Ootori police rushed out from every door during Rasputin's speech. They surrounded the pair of men. "You are under arrest!"

Rasputin winked at Ootori. "Au revoir," he said before taking something out of his pocket.

"Look out!" Haruhi cried before Mori and Hunny grabbed their friends sleeves and pulled them out of the way. Rasputin threw the object against the ground, and the area around them was shrouded in a black smoke, completely covering the two men. There was a lot of clattering and noise, and by the time the smoke cleared, the men were gone. It was only a few seconds before a shrill shriek of "He's gone!" split the air. Suddenly, the entire hall erupted into screams. The guests panicked, running every which way and slamming into each other. Haruhi could hear the sound of shattering glass as waiters dropped the wine trays and the echoing clangs of falling musical instruments added to the tumult. Haruhi felt somebody bump into her and she fell to the ground before Hikaru pulled her up to her feet from her armpits.

"Grab somebody!" Kyouya said, taking hold of Haruhi's hand. The rest of the club joined hands and they fought their way through the crowd .

Mr. Ootori was bellowing orders from the stairs. "Search the hotel! I want every guest searched and accounted for!" The Ootori secret police started rounding up the guests, trying to calm them down and place them in a line.

"Kyouya-sama!"

Kyouya spun around. "Tachibana!" The body guard roughly grabbed Kyouya by the forearm and started to pull him towards a set of doors.

"We need to get you and your friends to a secure area," Tachibana said as Kyouya's other two guards sprang up on either side of the group of friends and began to guide them.

"What just happened?" Haruhi breathed as they reached the doors. The only response was the loud boom of the double doors closing behind her.