XXx Aya xXX

"Really, we're terribly sorry about that," Tamaki says as he bows to the poor student he nearly knocked out.

"Don't worry," the guy says. "It's no big deal. It could have happened to anyone right? Just a ball flying through the window and hitting me upside the head."

I manage to resist the urge to groan, but I don't think the same could be said for my eye roll. He's certainly laying it on thick, the window must have cushioned the blow. But he has a younger student balancing a bag of ice on his head, right where Tamaki's ball hit. Though I guess he's just so rich he can't be bothered to do it himself.

"Please accept our apologies," Tamaki pleads as he bows again.

"Well this works out perfectly," the Newspaper Club President says as I walk over to Hikaru and Kaoru. "I was just thinking about approaching the Host Club to do a cover story. I don't suppose you'd be interested?"

"I didn't know we had a newspaper club," Haruhi says as she continues picking up pieces of broken glass from the deep plush carpet.

"It's more gossip rag than a newspaper," Hikaru says as he shows her the headlines from what appears to be the latest issue printed.

"Yeah, like a trashy tabloid," Kaoru sighs. "It's filled with stories about scandalous love affairs, family power struggles and junk like that."

"It's just a lame gossip rag that specializes in stirring up scandals," Hikaru mutters.

"And everyone knows it's all lies so nobody reads it anymore," they finish in unison.

My eyes scan the front page of the paper Hikaru is holding. So this is the future of trashy tell all articles right here. My brows furrow as I read the headliner and some of the smaller titles littered around the paper's top half.

"How do you expect people to believe there's an alien city under the elementary school?" I ask the president as I turn away.

"You don't believe in aliens?" he asks me curiously.

"Aliens...no," I reply.

"Then what do you believe in?" he countered as he leaned forward on his desk

"Why does it matter?" I sigh. "All I need to believe is that there are good things in life and things that like screwing me over. Though I would blame the magical elves whenever things go missing from my room."

The president gives me a creepy smile as the words leave my mouth. It creeps me out a bit so I take a step closer to Honey and Mori. But then it flickers away as he addresses the rest of the hosts.

"You know, I guess we kind of have lost sight of the truth because we've been so worried about drawing in more readers. It's a shame we're just now realizing our error. Now that the paper is at risk.

We finally realized what we should have been reporting to the students of Ouran."

He stands alongside the other two members of the club and they bow deeply to us.

"Help us please," he pleads. "For our last paper of the semester we'd like to do an up-close special addition, revealing the charms of Ouran's host club members. I'm begging you...without your help our club will close."

I can see Tamaki out of the corner of my eye. Oh dear god. This isn't going to end well.

XXX

"THE DARUMA DOLL FELL OOOOO-VER!"

Yeah...we caved. And now we're outside playing some kids game Haruhi told us about. The newspaper club watches from a safe distance as we make our way closer to Tamaki.

"THE DARUMA DOLL FELL OOOOO-VER!"

I got bored a while ago, so I followed Hikaru and Kaoru's example and picked more interesting poses to freeze in.

"THE DARUMA DOLL FELL OVER!"

I pull my leg up into the scorpion pose, ginning at Tamaki's annoyed face as he wills me to fall over. He whips around and buries his face in his arms again and I put my foot back down on the grass.

THE DARUMADOLL FELL OVER!"

I smile and quickly do a backbend, landing in the bridge position while curling my fingers into the dirt and grass. I smile as I hear Tamaki's frustrated noises and push myself back to my feet as he starts speeding up.

He must hate that he hasn't caught anyone yet. The next time he turns, I decide to really tick him off and pull into the standing head to knee pose.

"I saw you move Hikaru!" Tamaki yells.

A sudden rapid clicking noise ruins the moment. I look out of the corner of my eye to see the newspaper club standing on the side. Their cameras are flashing and clicking at a blinding pace.

I swallow hard as I lower my foot back to the ground. Their president is giving me a look that sends chills down my spine.

"You lose Aya-senpai!"

I turn back to Tamaki, who looks quite happy he's not it anymore. I sigh as he jumps for joy. I can't believe I forget the game.

I grumble under my breath as I stalk over to the tree. Brushing my hair out of my eyes as lean my forehead against the rough bark, breathing the comforting scent of dirt and plants to try and calm myself down.

"What's wrong Aya-chan?"

I look over at Honey, who stepped up behind me at some point. His face is more serious than I've ever seen it.

I swallow hard as I look back over at the newspaper club.

Their president is still staring at me. His eyes seem to take in everything about me from my hair to my faded Def Leppard tee shirt, to my black leggings, to my blue velvet boots and back up again. I shiver against my will.

"Their club president creeps me out," I confess as I take a step closer to Honey. "He keeps staring at me when he thinks I'm not looking."

"You noticed too?" he asks as he puts a hand on my shoulder, turning me away from the club president.

I nod, swallowing hard. My fingers curl into the fabric of my army green jacket and pull it tighter around me, as if it can somehow protect me from the stares. There's something almost predatory about his gaze, and it makes me feel like a scared rabbit. I lean into Honey's body, too terrified that I'll start visibly shaking to be embarrassed by the lack of space between us.

"It's ok," he whispers as he wraps his arm around me. "He's not looking now; Tama-chan's lecturing him."

My shoulders slump in relief at those words. I don't know what it is about him that scares me so much. Honey's touch makes me feel slightly better, and I only hesitate slightly before resting my head on his shoulder. His grip tightens in response and a small smile plays on my lips.

"He better leave the boss alone," Hikaru mutters as he and Kaoru step up beside us.

"Do I have full permission to make him disappear if he doesn't?" I grumble.

They exchange a glance before looking down at me.

"You ok senpai?" Kaoru asks. "You don't usually ask for things like that."

As soon as the words leave his mouth, he sees Honey's arm around me. Hikaru looks down and then back up at Kaoru, a devious grin spreading across his face. Ten bucks says Kaoru is mirroring it.

"Well, well, well," they say in unison. "What do we have here? Is sweet little Honey-senpai finally putting the moves on a girl?"

I can't tell if my face paled or flushed at that statement. My mind can't seem to decide what it wants to do so it just goes numb. But Honey's flushed and the twins burst out laughing.

"N-no," he stammers, quickly pulling his arm back to his side as if I've just violently shocked him…again. "Aya-chan was just...just..."

I turn and glare at the twins to try and mask my tiny pang of hurt. They stop laughing as they see my face. For a moment, I almost feel sorry for them. I've been told my glares can rival those of the Gorgon Sisters.

But then again, they almost made Honey cry, so the feeling is short lived.

"Stop being such asses!" I scold. "If you keep acting like this you'll never be able to find a girlfriend, much less keep one!"

An indescribable look flashes over their features for a moment. But it was soon replaced with a sly smile again. They link arms and pop their hips as they look down on me, but I can't figure out what I said that made them forget my insult.

"Well you may be right senpai," Hikaru started.

"But we can't help but notice you didn't deny it," Kaoru finished.

This time my face did flush. I quickly whip my body around, hoping I was quick enough that they didn't see anything.

"W-well, I just don't see the point in denying it," I stammer. "It's not like you'll believe me if I do."

I freeze as I feel them step closer to me and rest their arms on my shoulders.

"Well you sure got us there," Kaoru sighs dramatically as he twirls a lock of my hair on his fingers. "So we'll have to try again."

"What about you Honey-senpai?" Hikaru asks, his voice dripping with amusement. "Are we mistaken, or do you like Aya-senpai?"

My insides turn to ice as I look up and see dozens of emotions flashing through his mahogany eyes. I can see it and it's more disappointing then I want to admit. He doesn't like me that way, and he just doesn't know how to say it nicely.

"COME ON GUYS!" Tamaki suddenly yells. "We're playing Kick the Can!"

I could kiss Tamaki right now. But I won't.

"Don't think we're done here," Hikaru drawls. "We'll pick up again later."

My shoulders slumped in relief as the twins let out an irritated sigh and walk over to the rest of the club members.

"I'm sorry Aya-chan."

I turn to see Honey clutching Usa-chan tightly. His face is the color of a strawberry...not pink RED. And it's unbelievably cute.

"It's all my fault," he whispers. "If I hadn't touched you Hika-chan and Kao-chan wouldn't have made fun of you."

I feel myself melt as I pull him into a hug. It's kind of awkward not that I'm not taller than him anymore, but I can get used to it. He hesitates for a minute before hugging me back, most likely checking to see if the twins weren't looking. Despite my growing disappointment in his sudden caution about touching me, I feel so safe...so warm now that he does.

It's almost like nothing can touch me while I'm here.

But what surprises me the most is when it's him that pulls back, and when he looks down at me curiously. I feel myself flush. With me, no hug lasts more than six seconds...even with my own parents.

God could I be more obvious?

"It's ok," I say evenly. "The twins were just being themselves...it's just what they do."

I grab his hand, and this time I don't have to force myself to smile this time.

"Come on, or they'll start without us."

He nods and we run over to the rest of the group just in time to see Tamaki's placed an empty juice can on the ground in front of us. The newspaper club stands a safe distance away, watching with a mix of curiosity and anger.

"You're it Kyoya!" Tamaki says as he gets a devious glint in his eyes.

"If I must," Kyoya sighs as Tamaki runs up to the can.

"STARLIIIII-IGHT KIIIIIIIIII-ICK!" he yells at the top of his lungs.

Well… someone didn't seem to learn from the last time. I wonder who will get the concussion this time. When his foot connects with the can it goes flying a breakneck speed towards the newspaper club. It bounces off the surrounding trees before, to my amusement; it connects soundly with the skull of their president.

Honey pulls on my hand, and nods in the direction of some densely packed branches in a nearby tree. I nod and we run off. When we get to the base of the tree we rocket up, landing almost soundlessly among the leaves and branches.

Kyoya walks over to the sight where the now dented can lies, and begins counting.

"Damn it!" I hear a voice growl.

Honey points down and we see the newspaper club help their president limp away.

"I refuse to put up with these shenanigans any longer. You'll pay for this Tamaki Suoh."

XXx Honey xXX

I watch Aya's eyes narrow as they walk away, rage darkening her irises. Her lips curls in disgust, and she looks like she's considering spitting on them from up here.

"They're still gonna do it," she mutters in disgust as they leave the field.

As soon as they're out of sight we jump down from our tree and walk over to Kyo-chan. He stares at them, a smirk on his face. He pulls back the cuff of his sleeve and glances at his watch before addressing us as we stop beside him.

"Hikaru and Kaoru should be there by now."

"Well," Aya says. "We can't let them have all the fun now can we?"

I smile as we begin walking back to the school building. She looks like she's enjoying this way too much. But then again, after this morning I also can't really blame her.

Takashi joins us right outside the school building.

"Where are Tamaki and Haruhi?" Kyo-chan asks no one in particular.

"Maze," Takashi says, pointing over his shoulder.

"Well that's good," Kyo-chan sighs as we begin walking down the halls. "The less Tamaki knows about this the better."

We catch up to the newspaper club just as their president makes the statement we've suspected since the beginning.

"Who needs evidence?! All I have to do is expose him and everyone will see it! If I set my mind to it I can imagine any number of articles that would cause a commotion among the idiots of this academy. I'm going to expose Tamaki for the twit he is!"

An expression of shock crosses his face as he throws open the doors to their club room.

"So we were right all along," Kao-chan's voice floats out of the room.

"You two," their president growls, pure hatred seeping into his voice.

"Well I guess it was pretty obvious," Hika-chan adds.

"The boss is the only one who hasn't caught on yet," Kao-chan states. "He can be really dense when it pertains to anything about himself."

"I should warn you," Hika-chan says. "If you threaten him there will be consequences."

"Are you ready to have the Hitachiins and every other club member's family as your enemy?" Kao-chan asks.

"I knew it!" the president yells. "You're nothing but his lackeys! Tamaki's holding his parent's power over all of you!"

"That's not true," I say.

The president jumps and turns around.

"We don't hang out with Tama-chan because of his parents," I continue. "We love him. We all like being around him, and that's why we choose to be here."

"He may be a hopeless idiot," Kyo-chan trails off. "But even so..."

"He's our hopeless idiot," Aya finishes. "We love him for the way he is."

"Well?" Hika-chan asks.

"What will you do?" Kao-chan adds

"Please leave Tama-chan alone ok?" I ask.

I don't understand why I'm bothering to be polite with him. Sometimes I wish I could be more like Hika-chan and Kao-chan, and have a more menacing side.

"I'll get you all," the president growls. "It's not just about him anymore. I'll write an article that'll ruin all of you!"

"Go right ahead," Kyo-chan says as he makes his way over to the giant desk by the windows. "Be my guest.

Although," he says, picking up the first aid kit and pressing the center of the bottom. "What do you think we should do about this little disk? You see, it's been here since yesterday, and it recorded everything."

"President," one of the club members squeals.

"Just give up already," the other urges.

The president sinks to his knees on the plush carpet, a look of utter defeat on his face.

"Let me explain it to you in terms you can understand," Kyo-chan says as he steps up to the president.

"You will do well to remember that the Ootori Group and the Hitachiin family alone are enough to remove your father from his position as president of the Komatzuzawa publishing firm.

However... we would never do something like that. We are not like you. What we strive for is fundamentally different."

And with that he leads us out of the room and towards the maze, in search of our hopeless idiot.

XXx Aya xXX

I sigh as I sink into my fluffy mattress.

This has been one weird day, that's for sure.

At least it's almost summer. A small smile crosses my face as I think of all the fun I'll have. For the first time since I was little, both mama and papa will be home and we'll get to have some family time.

And they were so happy I was able to pull my math grade up to a C+ that they wanted to reward both Honey and I by booking a trip to Switzerland.

Then my eyes widen a bit in shock. We'd be by ourselves in Switzerland. Just us. No Host Club.

And mama and papa have let me roam around by myself ever since I mastered the art of throwing someone twice my size and weight over my shoulder and through a wall. So they'd let Honey and roam the city by ourselves.

I swallow hard at the thought.

The two of us alone...for two months...in Switzerland.

Oh my god.

My face turns many different shades of scarlet as I automatically think of all the ways I could slip up and end up shoving my feelings on Honey.

I quickly roll on my side and bury my face in the nearest pillow.

This isn't good. I was so excited when they told us tonight during dinner. And now that I've had this epiphany I'm almost willing Yasuchika to accompany us everywhere, even though I know he'd sooner denounce the Haninozuka name and become a goat herder in the Apls.

I take a deep breath and reach for my phone on my bedside table. I swipe in the passcode and prepare to spend the night in a restless state that's not quite sleep but not quite consciousness.

XXx Author's Notes xXX

This rewrite is actually kinda fun now that I think about it

Lotsa love, Krystal