Chapter 1
Yuuki stepped out of the car, the crisp wind bringing winter closer. She trudged towards the horse float and opened the side door, suddenly being hit with the warmth of the cabin.
It was early Sunday afternoon; the courtyard they were in was silent. Yuuki had seen some of Ouran High School as they entered; it was very big and very grand indeed. She couldn't help but think that the clock-tower looked like Big Ben in London.
The man who had driven her up left towards a building on the west side of the courtyard and disappeared through the door. He was carrying her bags into the dorm room. It was normal protocol for any of the servants upon arrival with the horse – they would arrange accommodation and their masters would see to their equine friends before they saw to themselves.
Zero's ears flickered uncertainly, he was confused by the long ride and full of the energy he hadn't expended that day.
"Just us now mate" Yuuki unclipped the lead rope from the wall and pressed a button on the side of the wall. The back of the float folded downwards into a ramp and wedged itself into the cobbles of the yard.
The stable was just across from the dorm Yuuki had been assigned, very convenient and probably decided for her. It was a long, low building made of thick wood and red tiles. It looked very French, which was probably the point.
"Rich friends" the girl said as she guided her horse into the open "lots of money"
Zero didn't pay attention, money meant nothing to him.
The main school buildings could be seen beyond the dormitory, the stables and dorms were kept on the eastern corner according to the map – private and out of the way. Gardens and numerous well kept paddocks and yards surrounded the area, melting into sporting fields and then into more gardens.
"We have lots of money to hey?" Yuuki cooed, walking through the open stable doorway "daddy's got lots of money; pity daddy doesn't have lots of love hey? Just his son" her chatter was calming Zero down. Unfortunately it was doing nothing for the girl.
She was nervous about the school, it wasn't a situation she knew at all. She was shy and hoped that her inadequate social abilities would suffice until she picked up on more.
A short man appeared suddenly out of an office styled like the stable across the yard.
"Hello! I've been waiting for you!" his voice was very high pitched and Zero's ears flicked back in annoyance at the abuse "You must be Yuuki Cunxin. It's such an honour to have you here"
He extended a pudgy hand and grinned, Yuuki was surprised that she was taller than him.
She had always been short of stature, light of skin; but compared to the man she was a bean pole with a suntan.
"Thank you...um...?" he hadn't given a name
"Its Mr Hung, but call me uncle" Mr Hung clapped his hands and walked quickly along the line of stalls "Zero's is in the corner. It's the biggest and has its own tack room; we figured you would have an extensive range of tack and things for your champion"
Her champion? It made sense, but no one ever said it like that "Thank you. I was just wondering..." Yuuki's voice was soft as usual but had an uneasy edge to it "How many people here know who I am, and that I'm here?"
"Just the riding students" Mr Hung unlocked the stall and walked in "And the superintendent's son. But that goes without saying, he is a host after all."
"There are hosts here?" the notion shocked Yuuki, hosts had always been an adult thing in her mind
"Oh yes, bored students, too much time on their hands. It's a good system, everyone is happy. By the way" he said really quickly "I don't know if your father told you, but part of the requirement of you staying here is that you help teach one class a week. I told him you didn't have to, but he said that it would improve you – anything for gold at London right?"
Yuuki stared at him shocked for a moment before having her thought broken by a firm shove in the back. Zero was anxious to get into his stall, it smelt like sweet hay and he was hungry.
"What an amazing horse!" Me Hung continued on his rant "Such good lines, amazing sire, fantastically fit...well you would both have to be, even though your such a tiny thing...the strain on the body while riding is enormous...no one ever thinks that...but you have to be very fit, don't you?"
"Um, yeah, I guess. What's this about my teaching a class?" Yuuki clipped Zero's lead rope to a rung in the wall near the water trough.
"Oh don't worry it's just young students. Beginners really. They were all very excited to hear that you were coming. We didn't think that you could handle anything above that whist being in second year. Too much stress."
"Very" she paused "considerate of you"
"Anyway" Mr hung said "I'll leave you to settle in. No riders are expected today although someone is coming around to book horses for next Saturday. Your rooms are very nice indeed, they overlook the stable on one side and the school gardens on the other. I trust you will feel right at home"
He clapped once, Zero threw his head and then the man disappeared.
"Stay" Yuuki said frustrated and left the stall, leaving her horse tied to the wall. She returned a minute later with the servant, both carrying various bags. Her room was set up and all that needed to be done was set up Zero's.
His tack room was huge and kept all the equipment, feed, medical needs and special bits and bobs with ease. It even had a special hook to hold various types of helmet and crop. The latter of which Yuuki never used. She did however have a few helmets.
The servant bowed and left, handing her a room key.
Yuuki made it to the stable entrance just in time to see him leave.
She swore. How rude.
Pushing the anger aside, the girl pushed the door into the dorm open and followed the signs to her room.
'"Nine" she muttered outside the door and unlocked it.
The room was as big as her bedroom at home, and then some. It had a small kitchenette with a note from a maid saying she would be brought dinner daily from the chefs at the school. There was a comfortable dining room, furnished with designer table and chairs. The lounge was the same except it sported a plasma screen and leather couch.
Through a heavy wooden door was the bedroom. It was in the corner of the building and had a view over both sides of the school – just as promised. Next to the door into the room was another that lead into the spacious bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe that already sported her clothing.
Something yellow caught Yuuki's eye, she never wore yellow.
Pulling the offending garment out she discovered her school uniform and coughed in surprise. It was hideous. As if Belle from beauty and the beast and suddenly become modern and designed school uniforms.
That was the only issue she had with the school so far. Her books were neatly placed on a desk in her bedroom and a laptop was set-up close-by. It was tasteful, simple, neat. Exactly what she wanted. It was also quiet. Just like she was.
An hour later, Yuuki had put Zero into a paddock with some other horses and watched him play. She returned to her room and discovered a steaming dinner on the counter and another note saying that it had been specially made for her according to her favourite foods, thanks to google. Also there was a map of the high school and the room she would have her classes in and a timetable including her beginners class. Next to it was a small photograph of a girl in a red coat, riding a big dark horse over a jump on a cross country course – Zero and herself at internationals. A pen was attached.
My daughter is a big fan read the P.S at the bottom of the dinner note Would you please sign the photo, she was very excited to hear I was the maid for your room. Her name is Ruka. Thank you
Yuuki wrote on the photo, a pleasant generic message, before sticking it to the fridge and disappearing into a nightly routine.
The next morning Yuuki walked into her homeroom and felt the eyes of all the students on her. Their voices halted for a moment before picking up momentum.
A boy and girl approached her and spoke at the same time, blushing at their unison.
"Hello, you must be Yuuki. We're your class captains. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask"
"Thank you" she bowed at them quickly before taking her leave, people made her nervous.
There was one available seat in the room, about halfway back and just off centre.
Yuuki took it and felt the eyes of students on her. Of course they knew who her father was, their business...that was alright. She just hoped they didn't delve into family history and thus know who she was.
"Good morning princess" suddenly there was a red rose near Yuuki's face; she got a small fright and turned to the sound of the voice.
A handsome blonde was speaking to her, leaning across the gap between their desks and holding aloft the flower.
"Welcome to Ouran" he continued in a smooth voice "I hope your heart is as beautiful as you are"
Yuuki took the rose, breaking eye contact. He was embarrassing her and she didn't know how to react.
"Thank you" was the only thing she could reply with, she was flattered but unsure. She wasn't attracted to the man's European charm – it was to open for her.
"Your more than welcome Princess..." he pressed for her name
"Yuuki"
"You're welcome Yuuki. I'm Tamaki" He put his thumb on her chin and slid his fingers along her jaw.
The girl's instant reaction was to pull away; she didn't understand why a stranger was touching her face so intimately.
Tamaki dropped his hand and brushed the hair from his face "Come to the third music room this afternoon, you can be introduced to some new friend there"
Yuuki didn't have that afternoon free, or any afternoon for that matter. She began to say so but a teacher walked into the room and began the lesson.
After class a bunch of girls swarmed the new kid. All gushing about Tamaki and his prince-type.
Yuuki didn't understand and said so, a silence issued.
Then all hell erupted as she was introduced to finer points of the Host Club.
Swiftly the girls became hushed, Yuuki was thankful, she was overwhelmed.
Behind the group stood Tamaki, everyone was turned to him as he said hello and told them all that the Host Club would be open this afternoon, as per usual, but that they should get in early to book for the weekend. To the blondes left was a dark haired man with glasses, writing on a clipboard.
He glanced up at her for a moment and then went back to his business and walked off with Tamaki.
Yuuki slipped away as the fan-girls stared after the men. Her day passed unnoticed and she was relieved to get to the stable afterschool. She changed quickly into cream jodhpurs and a long sleeved white shirt, topped with a black jacket to ward of the cold wind.
Zero was waiting for her at the fence, he had been ridden that morning, but not as much as usual and he stared at his owner intently as she brought a halter to him.
"Hey you" she tickled his nose "let's go riding hey? We have a few kids to teach. You'll get lots of attention"
Zero was the only being in the whole world that got spoken to like a baby by Yuuki; he was also spoken to the most by her.
The girl lead him into his stall and vanished into the tack room to find the grooming kit.
Footsteps outside Zero's stall, one of the voices was defiantly Mr Hung's. He was speaking about horses in the stable that belonged to the school and those that could be leased from their owners for a day.
"And this one?" a calculating voice queried, obviously indicating Zero
"This one" Mr Hung said "Is probably not on offer"
"What would it cost to get him?"
Yuuki stood at the door from the tack room and listened
"Allot more than your host budget Mr Ootori, I'm sorry"
"Why is this horse so important?"
"Well" Mr Hung sounded proud "This horse is an Olympian. Arrived yesterday with its owner. I'm sure that she would not allow him to be borrowed for a joyride on open day"
Zero was looking at the open tack room door, his ears pricked forwards. He nickered softly and Yuuki decided to appear before she was dragged out.
She pretended to have not heard the conversation. It wasn't important anyway, just someone who wanted to lease her horse. Lots of people wanted to lease her horse.
"Ahh! Yuuki!" Mr Hung cried
The girl turned to him as she closed the tack door. The man next to him was the same as that who had been with Tamaki earlier in the day.
"Meet Kyoya Ootori" he gestured at the man "He was very interested in leasing Zero for host club activities on Saturday. But the open day is on then and you'll be using him wont you?"
"Um" it was the first she had heard of an open day "I didn't know about open day"
The short man clapped and exclaimed "Oh! It's fantastic. People come from all around to see Ouran and what we do. The equestrian centre holds a small competition. Just cross country, the Host club is setting up along the course and wanted to ride in the fields next to it to give their guests an authentic horsey experience"
"Oh" the girl put a hand on Zero's face, sensing he was about to do something mischievous. Impatient beast "Right. I'm sorry, I wasn't aware of it"
"Would you lease your horse another day?" Kyoya said looking at his folder, pen poised. Obviously he thought that Zero could bring in much profit for the club, especially with Tamaki seated regally on his back.
Yuuki took the chance to explain why it was impossible to use her horse "Zero is essentially an egoist. He values himself much more than he should and he rates many things higher than he should." Like herself and jumping "All other riders have been thrown by him, If that wasn't the case I would allow you to use him under my supervision"
Her voice was quiet and she wouldn't meet the eye of either man, she felt scrutinised.
Kyoya's face seemed to register surprise for a second before he closed his folder and turned to Mr Hung "I'll take just those horses mentioned earlier, thanks for your time"
Yuuki watched the dark head leave and wondered what she had said to prompt such a monotone meeting.
"Your wondering about Kyoya?" Mr Hung said, watching the girl "He's the Shadow King of the host club. Very smart. Third son. He doesn't chase anything unless he thinks he will profit by it. Like your horse, he is an egoist" the man slapped the wood of the stall door and winked at Yuuki.
The girl turned back to her horse and thought about what he had said.
She hoped she hadn't offended the man, the Ootori family and hers were both powerful but in different fields. Yuuki didn't want an enemy.
At least she had a competition to work for, even if it was small.
It would help her get her mind off the awkward first few days of a new situation.