A/N: I'm back! And my concert was amazing, if you wonder about my life. Moving on, this fanfic is in the manga, just to let you know. I plan on going all the way to the end of the manga so far so it will be a long one I think!

I'm wondering what you guys think Akari's flaws are.

I mean, I'm trying to make her realistic so of course she has flaws but I just want to see what you guys think they are. Oh, we're starting to get into her Mum's injury some more so now you'll learn why she feels so guilty about it! Anyways, hope you all enjoy! R&R!

If I was rich, I would own OHSHC if it was for sale. But I have about $16.76 to my name (that's right, I counted)… so I own nothing.

Yui-chan had an appointment with the third years, Haninozuka-sempai and Morinozuka-sempai, whom I heard were really big in the martial arts business. We both set our bags in the designated area and I walk over there as Yui-chan nearly runs to get closer to those she admires. I laugh heartily at the sight and see her greeting the third years with a slight blush on her face. One of them looks like they should be in middle school but since Yui-chan is looking at him with adoration he must be one of the hosts. I guess…. Uh, it isn't that weird. I can handle teens (nearly adults) that look like children. Yep, no problem here. It isn't like I'm a sucker for cute things or anything. The other is really tall with a calm and somewhat detached expression. Both of them are decked out in costumes fit for the tropical environment. They're actually…. Really cute; like when you see an older brother playing with his younger one, despite the absurd demands he makes. Yui-chan looks back questionably and wrenches me forward with an iron grasp to my wrist.

I yelp softly as I'm suddenly in front of the two of them and bow once I gain my balance. "A-Ah… I'm Ak-Akari Oit-Oita," I introduce myself with a small blush playing across my cheeks. I straighten up as I try to smile confidently at them. I'm sure I failed. "Ni-nice to meet you."

The short one launches forward unexpectedly and wraps his arm around my middle, grinning up at me welcomingly. I blink down at him in confusion. How can this guy be so… cute? "Ri-chan? As in Yui-chan's best friend?" he questions. "I'm happy I got to finally meet you! You can call me Honey and this is Mori!" he continues, gesturing to his classmate. He starts to chatter on about the tropical forest around us, displaying his favorite flowers and the girls go nuts over it, especially when he gets Morinozuka-sempai involved. It was weird how obsessed they were. At least Yui-chan only cooed and inwardly swooned at them. I found myself blushing slightly whenever they turned their attention on me, they were just too cute! No, Akari, control the impulse. Control yourself.

Maybe the Host Club isn't that bad. At the very least, the third years aren't.

"Soooo," Yui-chan grins at me as we start to walk away once the Host Club closes. We had both hung out with some of the other girls once our appointment was gone, most of them swooning at the hosts from a distance. I just laughed at how cute Haninozuka-sempai was. "It looks like you enjoyed yourself." I laugh at her antics and nod along as she starts to gush over them. I may have zoned out a little bit, admiring the scenery while it lasted. Hey, it isn't every day when you get to see a tropical forest in the cooler seasons.

"Who else is in the Host Club?" I question once she finally starts to slow down, by then, we were nearly to the parking lot.

"There are Kyoya-sempai, who you already know, Tamaki-sempai, Haruhi-san, and then the Hitachiin twins," her mouth turns down in a sneer once she lists the last one and I feel cold indifference take over my expression. I let the emotions pass over me like a wave though; I have to focus on the more positive parts of that sentence.

"Tamaki Suoh?" I try to clarify, a grin edging at my lips. I guess it would only make sense since Kyoya-sempai is in the club. Those two are close, it would be hard to notice if I hadn't known Kyoya-sempai for so long but I can see it. The mere fact that Kyoya-sempai puts up with Tamaki-sempai so much should say as much.

"Yeah, don't tell me you know him too! He's the 'King' of the club, and the most popular host," Yui-chan informs me. We start to head to the parking lot; I had informed Oikanawa that I would be staying later so he should be arriving soon.

"I may have met him a few times when I was over at Kyoya-sempai's," I shrug.

My energetic friend gasps and wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. She edges closer and asks, "So you and Kyoya-sempai are close?" I resist the urge to gag.

"Ew, gross. Kyoya-sempai is like my brother!" I deny, sticking my tongue out in disgust. My best friend laughs loudly at me and nudges my shoulder.

"I was just messing with you. Now, I have to go, my parents expect me to be home soon!" I wave farewell to my friend and start to look for my limo and chauffer. He should be here soon. I move my hand to touch my-wait. Where's my bag? I groan at my own forgetfulness. No, I didn't. But I did. I left my bag with the Host Club. I have homework to do too! Man, I have to get it now. I might as well get this over with. If I'm lucky, I won't have to actually talk to them.

I head back quickly, hoping to get back to the parking lot before Oikanawa shows up. He would nag at me like there's no tomorrow if I'm late after I already messed up his schedule. I shiver at the thought. It isn't fun at all; I can't even bring myself to try to laugh it off. Yeah, it's that bad. Pleeease let there only be Kyoya-sempai in the room. It would make things so much easier!

Yeah, no such luck, of course. No siree, not for me. I can hear multiple voices from here. Damn. As I get closer, I can hear Tamaki-sempai faintly. Of course, what else do you expect from someone like him? "-is a gentlemen's common knowledge! If you can master the waltz in one week and show it off in the part, I'll reduce your debt by half!" He must be talking to the commoner, Fujioka-san. I heard some of the girls talking about it while I was with Yui-chan. I can't imagine having to work for someone as a dog for a while! At least he was upgraded to host status. He's pretty cute too, in that nerdish, slightly feminine, and humble way.

I heave a sigh, shaking my head since I got off track. No, Akari, no focusing on attractiveness of boys! You have to get your bag and then get the hell out. I open the door slightly, peering in with my head. How did they get rid of the tropical forest so quickly? "Umm," I start, gaining the attention of Haninozuka-sempai and Morinozuka-sempai.

"Ri-chan!" The boyish teen calls, waving enthusiastically. "What are you doing at the door? Come on in!" And now everyone is looking at me. I blush at the attention and edge in, focusing on Haninozuka-sempai, who is skipping towards me. He smiles up at me and asks, "Do you need something, Ri-chan? I'll help you!" I just want to hug him.

"Princess!" Tamaki-sempai edges closer, wrapping me in a twirling hug. Not him! "It's been so long since I last saw you, Akari!" I wriggle uncomfortably, still not quite used to Tamaki-sempai's exuberance.

"I-It's good to see yo-you too, Tama-Tamaki-sempai," I mutter into the fabric of his shirt. "Coul-c-could you let me go now?" I'm abruptly dropped and I see the second year leaning on Kyoya-sempai dramatically, moaning about how I don't appreciate him. I brush off my skirts and get up slowly, fussing with my appearance and trying not to look towards the remaining Host Club members. "No-now, I, uh, came here to as-ask-." And he makes a brilliant recovery.

The blonde grabs my hand softly and pulls me closer, looking down at me suavely. "Name your desire, princess, and I shall do my best to fulfill it. It is the least I could do for someone as lovely as you." He wraps his arm around my waist and leans closer as if to kiss me. I blink at him before a deep blush sprouts up on my cheeks. I bet even my ears are red. I clear my throat awkwardly and straighten up, edging away from Tamaki-sempai. Too much. That man is far too charming for his own good.

"N-no need to be so dr-d-dramatic," I murmur, looking away from him. "I ju-just need my bag."

"You're the one who left their bag, Akari-san?" Kyoya-sempai jumps in, my bag dangling from his hand. "I was going to turn it in to the office, but it's good that you came back." I smile widely at my older friend and walk away from Tamaki-sempai, leaving him to whine about not being dramatic and that he could have done it better. Drama Queen.

"Than-thank you, Kyoya-sempai," I say sincerely. "What wou-would I do without you?"

"Worry incessantly about everything and flounder through your life." I laugh loudly, despite everyone else being silent and slap my friend's arm softly.

"Sur-surely I'm not that bad!" I manage to get out through my laughter.

"I assure you, that you are."

I shoulder my bag, fingering the charm on the strap fondly. Thank goodness. "It's a go-good thing I have you t-t-then."

"Kyo-chan, do you know Ri-chan?" Haninozuka-sempai questions, tilting his head at us. The twins are nearby on a couch, playing a video game and ignoring my existence. Good enough for me. Fujioka-san is watching with a curious expression on his face, glancing around at everyone as if they would provide the answers.

"Yes, the Ootori Corporation and Oita company work together closely in security. Her father's company provides the alarms and security systems while the Ootori family provides the guards. It's a relationship that works well on both ends," Kyoya-sempai informs everyone, while I just grin slightly. He got the gist of it, but that isn't quiet how I know him. My family owes his so much. We can't thank them enough for saving Mother.

"Anyways," I edge in, starting to walk away. "I shou-should probab-probably go, I have a fami-family dinner to get to."

"Doesn't that only happen-."

"-when all of the family is there?" They just couldn't resist themselves could they? Fine, neither can I.

I stop walking, my body suddenly rigid as I turn to survey the two who just referred to my secret. Something no one should know. "Akari-san?" I hear the newest host ask quietly but I don't pay any attention to him, merely glaring fiercely at the Hitachiins.

"Hikaru! Kaoru!" The rebuttal was sharp from Tamaki-sempai's mouth but the three of us don't make any notice of it. He doesn't even know what they're talking about. Only Kyoya-sempai does.

I scoff at them both and retort coldly, "At le-least I have enough people th-that care about me to call family. What do you two ha-have?" I sneer at them as they glare back at me hatefully. "Each other? How sweet," I continue to mock pettily.

"That isn't true." I don't look at Fujioka-san as he denies my claim. "I'm Hikaru and Kaoru's friend."

I keep walking, dismissing the twins, and toss over my shoulder, "Don't hold your breath for that to actually become true."

"Akari-san." I stop once my friend calls to me, holding my bag in a white-knuckled grip now. "Hikaru. Kaoru. Apologize to one another, now." I grit my teeth at the order and silent reprimand. I am not his to command. The only way that I might apologize is if they take back everything they said. Everything.

"Like we would apologize to an idiot like her!" They both snap out. But that isn't every going to happen, just like I won't take back what I said. I continue walking and shut the door behind me to cut off their voices.

Well… that could have gone better.

Oikanawa did get there before I did but he said that I wasn't too late so he let me off with a 'don't do it again'. So, once he began driving, I did what any normal person did when their ex-friends and they belittled each other.

I calmly sat in my seat, calmly took my bag, and then calmly screamed every curse under the sun into it aimed at the Hitachiins.

I wonder if Oikanawa will take me to a counselor after this. But I couldn't hold it in anymore. I never told anyone what happened between the Hitachiins and me. I never even let myself cry over it. I cursed out all the anger and hurt and frustration and betrayal that had never gone away since I left Japan. I cursed until my voice cracked and until tears gathered in the corners of my eyes from exertion and until I couldn't do anything but try to regain my breath.

Because I don't know what else to do.

"There I was, cold, isolated, and desperate for something I knew I couldn't have. A solution. A remedy. Anything.

…I hated it. Alone and confused was the last place I wanted to be. Somehow I knew I deserved this.

-Brian Krans, A Constant Suicide.

(Hikaru P.O.V.)

"Like we would apologize to an idiot like her!" my brother and I snap out. She doesn't deserve an apology from us! If anything, the idiot should be apologizing to us! And then we might just consider forgiving her! It isn't like we even started it all, she was the one who caused this!

"Kao-cha, Hika-chan… why were you so mean to Ri-chan?" Honey-sempai questions once she leaves, making us share a look that lets both of us know that we won't explain anything to them. We don't have to.

"Like she deserved anything less," I scoff arrogantly, turning my nose up at the thought that I should treat her well.

"I expect you both to find Akari tomorrow and apologize to her." Kaoru and I both snap our heads around to look at Tono.

"Tono!" We protest in unison.

"No!" the blonde snaps back, holding up a hand to stall us. I grit my teeth, clenching my fists angrily. "I don't know what happened between you two and Akari but what you said was uncalled for. You will apologize to her tomorrow. " He won't leave us alone until we do. We both know that. We look away in frustration but there isn't any way out of this. We'll have to apologize to her tomorrow.

We get up and leave together, not saying anything to Tono. He doesn't understand. No one ever understands except for us.

We laze in my twin's room and I see Kaoru leafing through a journal pasted with stickers. It vaguely rings a bell but I can't quite place it. "Writing in your diary, Kaoru?" I tease, nudging next to him.

"Nah… just reading Akari's." Oh…. well that's kind of awkward. I settle down next to him silently, looking up at the ceiling. After the idiot had stormed off, I had done the same, tossing the damn diary on the cement. It wasn't worth trying to give it to her anymore then. Kaoru obviously picked it up though.

"What's the point? She isn't worth it," I state, something we had said often the few times we had talked to her after she threw her little tantrum. Which ended up being about twice. Counting now.

"No, she isn't," my twin agrees sincerely but he still reads through that stupid book. I get up slightly, supporting myself with my hands. Why then? "I just-you know how she was there and then, just… not? Well now she's here again and I just felt like reading through it." I grab his hand to reassure his unspoken fear. No. We won't let her in again.

"We won't let it happen again."

"How?"

We stay silent before looking at one another and grinning. "We'll just have to make sure she never wants to be close." And then we begin to plan.

Only when I stop to think about you,

I know

Only when you stop to think about me,

do you know?

I hate everything about you

Why do I love you?

You hate everything about me

Why do you love me?

-I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace

(Akari P.O.V.)

"Brother," I call, gaining my sibling's attention and his body tenses once he realizes it's me. He had been working on his laptop as usual in his room. "Mother's birthday-birthday is soon and I wa-was wondering if you c-could take something I bought her with you when you take your present." His dark green eyes survey me, an unreadable emotion in them. Finally he just holds his hand out expectantly and a wide grin lights up my face. "Than-thank you!" I chirp, placing a small wrapped package in his hand.

"You have to repay her somehow, don't you?" He turns back to his laptop, not paying that much attention to me as I falter. Yeah, I do.

"Ye-y-yeah…"

It hurts. Why do I hurt? I look around the white room, panic rising in me. Where am I? "M-mo-mommy?" My voice was scratchy and croaked nastily.

"Oh, you're awake." I turn my head slowly to see a woman in a uniform smiling at me. "Hello, Akari-sama."

"Wh-who… ar-are you?"

"I'm your nurse." Nurse? Why do I need a nurse? "Try not to speak too much, sweetie, you're not in the best of shape." I look down at myself in reflex and yelp once I see the bandages and casts.

"I-I.. no. I-I'm not like this." What happened? What happened to me?! The nurse fusses with my pillows, shushing me all the while.

She seems to struggle with what she's saying but finally explains, "Honey… you've been in an accident." Accident? Wait… I was in our nice car with Mommy and then… what happened? Why does it hurt?! "Don't stress yourself out! You need to stay calm or you'll be very sick again, follow my directions. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat." I follow her instructions and the beeping in the background slows down.

"Wh-."

"Don't speak, you'll hurt yourself. Honey, your mother was distracted while driving." What? No, no, don't tell me. It can't have been-oh God, what have I done? "She got into a car crash. You should have died but the police said that it looked like she shielded you. She's lucky that she's alive." A wail leaves me. Oh God, what have I done? "Honey you need to calm down! That's it." Clicks. Why do I feel tired? Why am I numb? Mommy? Where are you? Are you okay?

What have I done to you?

"Are you coming to the Host Club with us again?" Aya-chan questions during lunch and I mull over her question. I don't really want to. But what about my friends.

Kiyumi-chan, bless her, seems to get my problem and adds, "It isn't a big deal if you don't want to, Ri."

Yui-chan snorts and comments, "Whatever, she had tons of fun yesterday with Honey and Mori! I don't see why she wouldn't."

"I actually don't think that I will…" I comment sheepishly and my best friend looks at me in shock. "I mean, I'll come every once in a while to visit Kyoya-semapi and Tamaki-sempai, maybe say hello to Morinozuka-sempai and Haninozuka-sempai but that's it."

"Why? They're gorgeous and charming… and flirtatious! Why wouldn't you want to be around them?" Yui-chan demands, eyeing me critically.

"Drop it Yui," Aya-chan comes to my defense unexpectedly. I would've thought she would be on Yui's side. "If Ri doesn't want to go regularly, then she doesn't."

"I'm fine if she doesn't but I need a reason why," Yui-chan stresses in return. Hey… I'm right here. No need to talk about me like I'm not here. "Otherwise she's just denying herself eye candy!" I slam my head on the table at the same time as Iruka-san and we look at each other before bursting into laughter.

"I blame you for this," he chuckles, gesturing to our arguing friends.

I rub the back of my head sheepishly. "You know, I wi-wish I could tell you that's stupid but it is my fau-fault. Sorry." The teen waves his hand dismissively.

"I've gotten used to it. It honestly isn't such a big deal, no need to apologize." Geez, thanks for making me feel silly. I just smile at him slightly and we both turn to our friends again. "You know, sometimes I feel like I should get popcorn when I listen to them."

"It isn't a big deal, Yui!"

"Not a big deal? How could you not want to be around the Host Club?"

"I know we're charming and all-." Oh hell no. I tense up at the voices, not looking behind Yui-chan.

"But there isn't need to argue over the Host Club, princess." Thanks, Kaoru-san. Your input was sorely not needed. Feel free to take it somewhere else.

Aya-chan blushes deeply, and I resist the urge to gag. Don't tell me she still isn't over them! "Ah, it isn't that, Hikaru and Kaoru," she smiles at them welcomingly. "Feel free to sit with us, if you want," she offers.

"No," Yui-chan and I deny in sync.

"Feel free-," Yui-chan continues.

"To sit as far away as possible," I finish, finally looking up to glower at them. Of course, they look great in the uniform, eyeing me with no emotion. What? Why aren't they glaring back?

"Yui! Akari!" Our bubbly friend protests. "Don't be rude to Hikaru and Kaoru!"

"Not to be rude," Kiyumi-chan buts in, gaining everyone's attention. "But why are you two even over here? Neither of you usually come to our table."

"We want to talk to Akari," Kaoru-san explains and I scrunch up my eyebrows in confusion. Why would they want to talk to me? I don't want to talk to them. "That is," he continues.

"If it's okay with you, princess," Hikaru-san aims at Aya-chan, making her blush deeply and nod timidly. Traitor! I meet look at the Hitachiins faces, trying to figure out why they want to talk to me. I thought we had a perfectly good system of ignoring each other's existence.

"No, no it isn't okay." Thank you Yui-chan, you're my savior! "Why do you want to talk to her?"

The Hitachiins smile charmingly at my best friend and I see her falter. Damn. Kiyumi-chan turns to me and urges, "Surely it isn't that big of a deal, Akari. Just go see what they want." Damn cornered.

"We won't take up much of your time," the twins assure in sync and I blink in realization. They don't want to do this anymore than I do. It might even be less.

"Fine," I answer stiffly, getting up quickly and following them out of the cafeteria. Let's get this over with. Once we're out in the hallway I hiss, "Why the hell are you two talking to me? I can te-tell you want to do it eve-even less than I do." They look at me with barely concealed hatred and I don't doubt that I'm returning the look.

"Look," Kaoru-san starts. "We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't have to. But Tono seems to think that you deserve an apology." Tono? Who the hell is Tono?

"Tono?" I interrupt.

"Tamaki-sempai," Hikaru growls. "Just stay quiet for a little bit for once in your life, okay?" I clench my fists and glare at him hatefully.

"I'll do whatever the hel-hell I want Hika-Hikaru-san," I snap back before closing my eyes to take a deep breath and look away. Don't let them get to you, Akari. They aren't being totally asses so I think that I can manage too.

"Just listen, Akari," Kaoru-san adds, making me grit my teeth and nod.

"We don't think you deserve it," Hikaru-san snaps. Gee, thanks, but I don't want whatever you have to tell me.

"But we have to say," they continue together. I glance at them to see them bowing slightly. "We apologize for yesterday." I can tell that the words taste like acid. I jump in surprise, my mouth hanging open in shock. They're… apologizing? This is new. They straighten up and start to walk away. Good, I deserved that. What they said was totally out of line. Wasn't I too though? No. I was just retaliating.

"There," Kaoru-san throws over his shoulder. "That's all we had to say to you. Feel free to go away now, we're fine with pretending you don't exist." I…. I feel guilty now. The fact that it was retaliation doesn't make it any less out of line. I start to walk back to the cafeteria, looking back slightly.

"Hikaru-san, Kaoru-san," I call, and they both look back at me. I grit my teeth and look away to shove down the vindictive feelings that are telling me that I shouldn't apologize. That I am in the right and I shouldn't have to anything. That I deserve more apologies. I fight to find it in me to apologize. "I….I shou-sho-shouldn't have said what I d-did," I admit and then I go back to my friends, not answering their questions of what they wanted.

I wonder when I'll figure out what I was talking about when I said that to them.

I shake my head to get rid of the thought. It doesn't matter if I should have said it or not. It doesn't matter if that was the nice thing to do. I'm in the right. And I won't apologize to them…. They don't deserve my apology.