A/N: Woohoo! Got another one! I just finally started actually really planning everything out for the story... man I'm lazy. Anyways, school starts in a week for me so I don't know how that'll affect my updates if at all. But if it takes me over a month to update, that's why most likely. R&R!

I am so dirt poor it's laughable that anyone could assume I own OHSHC. So just... don't even go there.

"Lambs gathered tonight," the suave voice of Tamaki-sempai reached everyone gathered outside of the door and quiet ran over us immediately. All of the girls were dressed up elegantly in their various dresses and hairstyles. I haven't found any of my friends since they probably got here a lot earlier than I did. I hold the crumpled invitation in my hand that Kyoya-sempai had given me so that I could get in.

"Give thanks to the fortune that we can attend today, and to the sovereign beauty-ness. May the Lord's blessing be with us. Open the door." A grin spreads my lips at Tamaki-sempai's verbal bow to the holiday taking place. He always does seem to know what to say. The doors open, revealing the splendor it had hidden before. I gasp in awe along with everyone around me. The music from the orchestra reaches my ears and I relax, taking in the atmosphere with a bright smile. The hall was decorated befit for the holiday party with chandeliers, ribbon, and fine-dining. The hosts were also dressed immaculately, as expected.

I walk farther in, marveling at the place. Christmas was always a bit of a small affair for my family. A two-foot fake Christmas tree was set on the table and sparse decorations were laid out. This place is practically my dream Christmas party. A wide smile spreads across my face once I see my friends practically drooling at the hosts. I start to walk towards them, weaving through the crowd.

"Hello," Hikaru-san greets the crowd and my great mood isn't even ruined by either of the twins.

"Why don't you play some card with us ladies?" Kaoru-san beckons. Wait, cards? What does that have to do with Christmas? I stop walking, finally looking towards them and see them by a card table, dressed like the dealers from a casino. Of course they look gorgeous.

"If you win one game, you'll gain 1 point and a gorgeous reward! For those of you who get the highest number of points, you will have a chance to dance the last dance with one of the club members!" How romantic, the last dance is the most important one. The girls squeal excitedly and start to bustle forward. I wonder if they'll spend all their time at the game table just for that last dance. "Moreover!" There's more? "The top point will get a blessing kiss from the King!" A light blush covers my cheeks at the mere prospect. How can he give away a kiss like that?

Tamaki-sempai smiles enticingly at a girl whose chin he has in his hand, leaning closer. "Do your best…" Oh my God. That's just… wow. My blush even deeper now and I turn away from the scene in embarrassment. The party starts immediately and I see the girls all jump forward to get a dance with the hosts. Right now though, they all seem to be surrounding their newest member, Fujioka-san. I finally reach my friends now that the crowd isn't so dense.

I grin brightly at them as they notice me. "We thought you wouldn't show up, Ri!" Aya-chan laughs, bounding forward to give me a tight hug. "You look great!"

"Yeah, what took you so long?"

I laugh sheepishly at Yui-chan's question. "I just might have lost my invitation. My butler ended up finding it. I made it on time, though! You all look great, by the way." I wasn't just saying that either. Yui-chan had a dark purple dress the came down to her knees with a black sash around her hips. Aya-chan had a yellow strapless ball gown. Kiyumi-chan went with a red floor-length dress with glitter along the bust. Of course their hair was done wonderfully and their makeup matched as well.

"You're lucky that your butler found it, Ri, you should be more careful with these sorts of things," Kiyumi-chan chides and I groan.

"Yes, ye-yes, I kno-know. I just lost track of it," I mutter.

"So," Aya-chan bursts in, kindly steering the conversation away from the topic of me losing things. "What do you think of your first dance?"

I perk up, a large smile crinkling my eyes. "It's amazing!" I inform her with awe. "Who knew Christmas parties are so amazing!" My friends laugh at me, Yui-chan going as far as to rub the top of my head. I bat at her hand playfully.

"Okay, enough of that, I'm going to go to the card table and try and snag me a couple points. I want the last dance with Honey!" Yui-chan cheers with determination. I laugh lightly but then feel her pull me along with her by my wrist.

"What? I don't want to go too!" I protest. I don't even care about having the last dance with any of the hosts! It isn't like I have a crush on any of them. I just admire the looks and charm they were gifted with. There is plenty to admire. "Why don't you take Aya-chan? I'm sure she would like to get the last dance with someone!"

"Everyone's coming, whether you like it or not. I need someone to help me beat those stupid twins at the game! You're my best bet since you're so good at cards." I look back towards Kiyumi-chan for help. Out of anyone, she should have the mercy in her heart to save me!

I give her a pleading look. Please help me! She just shrugged. She. Just. Shrugged. Nothing. A sigh heaves out of me. Damn. "I'm no-not that good at car-cards," I try to plead.

"Lies. I've played with you recently. You kicked my ass at it."

"That's just because you suck at cards, Yui-chan…." My other friends sweat drop.

"Take that back!"

"But that's the truth."

"Is not!" We get closer to each other, glowering slightly.

"Is too!"

"No!"

"Guys just calm down…."

"Yes!"

"Don't you lie to me girl!"

"You two-."

"I'm the same age as you!"

"I'm older by three months~."

"Mentally, I'm twice your age," I growl.

Yui-chan recoils. "Ewww, a hag."

"It's not good to talk about yourself like that."

A cough.

"At least I'm not a liar!"

"I'm not lying; you actually really do suck at cards!"

"I've beaten you before!"

"I let you win!"

"There is no way you let me win!"

"True, I never thought it was hard to lose until I played cards with you."

"Just give up!" We yell at together.

"Ahem." We both freeze, staring wide eyed at our friends and the Hitachiins staring at us. When did we get to the table? We look at each other before looking back at Kiyumi-chan.

We point at each other simultaneously. "She started it!"

"I don't care who started it," Kiyumi-chan snaps. "I'm finishing it." We crowd next together and back away slowly.

Yui-chan starts, "Okay, we-."

"Surrender and will behave," I finish, both of us still cowering under her gaze.

Kiyumi-chan nods sternly. "You better."

"Anyways!" Yui-chan chirps, facing the Hitachiins now, who are still staring at us with sweat drops. "I want to play a game with Ri." Oh, I get it now. She pulls me closer to her and I look at Kiyumi-chan. I don't want to do this…. She stares pointedly at me. But she scares me too much.

"Are you two sure that-."

"You're up to the challenge?"

Yui-chan's eyes narrow at the taunt and a smirk tilts her lips. Oh great. This will go on for a while. "Definitely."

"Just for you two, we'll let you keep playing until you lose," they chime together, cocky smiles tilting up their lips. I straighten up, glaring at the twins. Are they underestimating us? It is on.

They deal the cards with a flourish, showing off for the other girls around the table, making them swoon. "Game on."

They blink in shock. "Yo-you won, again." Yui-chan cheers and hugs me tightly from behind, a loud squeal escaping her. I flinch slightly at the noise but my victorious grin doesn't let up. Yui-chan lost after the second game but I'm still going.

"How are you so good at cards, Akari-san?" one of the girls asks in awe.

"I played a lot in Spain," I admit, sliding my cards back to the Hitachiins, who are now glaring at me suspiciously. "I picked up a few tricks." This particular game was one of Felix's favorite. There was no way I couldn't learn how to play cards around him. "By the way," I inform the twins. "All the points I earn are going to Yui-chan. I'm not much of a dancer." Besides, she was the one who told me that there was going to be cards. I figured I should come prepared.

She hugs me again and grins, "Thanks, Ri!"

I'm sure that the twins know what I'm doing. Luck gets you far but six straight games in a row is just making it obvious. Who knows when we'll get to play again, though? Might as well use the chance while we have it. "Would you like to play another game?" the twins ask, their polite expressions plastered on.

I send them a sickeningly sweet smile. "With my luck going like this, how could I not?" Their eyes flash. My smile turns into ice.

"Ah, Hikaru, Kaoru, aren't you supposed to be somewhere right now?" I tilt my head at Kyoya-sempai, waving happily.

"Can't we play just one more game, Kyoya-sempai?" I ask. If I win one more, Yui-chan should be guaranteed a dance with one of the hosts.

He aims a cold, fake smile at me. I feel my mirth dissipate. Did I do something wrong? "I'm afraid not, Akari-san. Maybe you can play another game when they get back."

"O-okay…" I answer quietly.

"By ladies!" Hikaru-san bids, grinning at them.

"We'll come back soon!" Kaoru-san promises, winking. They leave quickly and all of the girls moan how they didn't get a chance.

"Man that was awesome!" Yui-chan cheers, grabbing my arm excitedly. "Six games in a row!"

Aya-chan nods in agreement. "I knew you were good at cards but I didn't know you were that good, Ri."

I laugh loudly. "I'm really not." A sly grin tilts my lips as I hold up the package of cards I had brought with me.

"Akari, that's cheating!" I groan at Kiyumi-chan's chiding tone. Always the mother.

"So? They were cheating just as much after Yui-chan lost." I wasn't looking at them, picking at the food on the buffet table.

"That doesn't make it any better."

"I don't care." I don't get the big deal. It was just cards.

Aya-chan chimes in, "I'm with Kiyumi-chan on this, you shouldn't be cheating like this just to get Yui-chan a dance."

"She doesn't mind," I defend myself, my tone getting more guarded. Why won't they drop it? "Besides, who cares? It isn't like she's winning anything that important."

"What had gotten into you? This isn't the way you should be acting." Her tone makes me face my friends and confusion twists my features once I see how they're acting. I expected them not to be happy but to dog at it like this is taking it to an extreme. Is it really that bad?

"Cheating isn't something people like us should be doing," Aya-chan whispers heatedly, sounding scandalized. What is that supposed to mean?

"I-if it's that bi-big of a deal I w-won't chea-c-cheat anymore, ok-okay?" I give in, nerves making my voice shake. "But you do-don't mind, do yo-you, Yui-chan?" I question, turning to my best friend.

She looks uneasy. She glances at Aya-chan and Kiyumi-chan, hesitating before answering, "I don't think it's something that you should do anymore." I nod meekly. I guess it wasn't as okay as I thought it was.

"Where did you even learn how to do that?" Aya-chan questions, curiosity taking over her tone now. I relax slightly. Good, they aren't mad at me. I don't understand why it was so important that I don't do that.

"Felix, a friend from Spain taught me," I tell them. "He learned it from public school."

Kiyumi-chan looks surprised. "He was a commoner? Why would you talk to someone like that?"

"What….what do you mean?" What does someone like that mean? Is there something I'm missing out on? She makes it sound so important and obvious.

"Nothing important," Yui-chan puts in, sending a look to Kiyumi-chan. "You just stay like that, okay?" Kiyumi-chan nods slightly, sending me a slight smile.

"Like what?"

"Nothing," Kiyumi-chan assures me, making me relax. "Let's go dance."

"Nah, I'm going to stay by the food, I'm hungry."

"Enjoy yourself," Aya-chan laughs. I grin at them as they walk away but my expression melts into a contemplative one. I don't understand what Kiyumi-chan meant. Was it bad or something to talk to a commoner? I know they're different from us but I didn't know that we had to be separate. Social rules are weird.

I nibble on all of the food, indulging myself happily. I loved the fatty tuna. After that I just mostly hung back from the party, relaxing. My cellphone rings in my clutch and I dig it out quickly.

"Hello?" Who would be calling me right now?

"Don't you know that this is Spain. Speak Spanish. Not Asian." The reply in Spanish makes a smile surface so wide it splits my cheeks. I didn't think that he would call me today.

"Felix! I didn't know that you were gonna call. What've you been up to?"I question back in Spanish, leaning against the wall in a relaxed position and ignoring the looks the other girls are giving me. I lived in Spain for years, I think that I should know Spanish.

I hear his deep chuckle on the other side. "That's the point of a surprise call, brat." I grimace at the nickname. He never did get rid of it. "I actually called to give you your Christmas present."This can't be good

"Uh…. if it's some stupid song or poem you wrote, keep it to yourself."What else would he give me over the phone?

"Don't even joke about that sort of thing. I'm not into that sort of thing, idiot."

"Idiot," I call him back fondly in Japanese.

"Oi, don't start with me. How's Christmas going for you? I'm sure the hag would love to have you here helping with the party she has going on for the church."

I laugh in reply, a deep longing filling me. Spain was where I really felt at home. Sure, I missed a few people from Japan but Spain has always been my home. "I wish I could have been there helping her. I'm actually at a Christmas party from a club at my school. You would have hated it." My cheeks are starting to hurt from my smile but I can't make it grow any smaller.

"Sounds stupid and boring as hell."

"The food is good and I played cards."

"You better have kicked everyone's asses at it." I hear someone yelling but I can't make out who it is. "Damn hag, leave me the hell alone! I'm on the phone here!"

The sound gets louder and I can hear what Grace is yelling. "Don't use that language with me, Jacob! Or so help me God I will wash out that mouth!" I laugh at her stubbornness. She always did call him that. Jacob is his first name but since he got it the name from his father he can't stand the name. So he uses his middle name.

"Ow! It's Felix! Leave me alone, I'm talking to someone! Go bother some other poor soul." She always did scare him. He never curses whenever she hits him.

"Who is so important that you have to stop working?"

"No one important."

"Then you can get off your lazy butt and work!" I laugh loudly at the two of them. "Oh my Lord, is that who I think it is?! Boy, how dare you try to keep Akari from talking to me!"

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Hag, stop beating me! This is child abuse!"

"Just give me the phone!" I've missed them.

"I'll just put it on speaker, jeez."

"Akari, dear, is that you?"

"Who else would it be, Grace?" My friends finally got tired from dancing and are now walking towards me, chatting idly.

"Honey, it has been too long. You should have never left! I just made carne asadas yesterday." She always has known how to break me down.

"I bet they were great, Grace. How have you been?"

"With my hands full thanks to this Christmas party! But it's such a great turn out and everyone is wonderful, I really do wish you could be here with us, Akari." Her wistful tone makes me become the same.

"Me too. You don't know how much I really do wish I could still be there in Spain."

"Well, I'm sure you're happy that Jacob is going to Japan sometime then." Wait, what?

"Felix! You're coming to Japan! Why didn't you tell me?!" This is great! I can't wait to see him!

I hear him groan. "I was going too, don't nag at me. Until this hag came in."

"Don't call me that, Jacob."

"Anyways, Merry Christmas, that's your present."

"This is great! When are you coming?"

"I'm entered in the National competition for MMA. The date hasn't been released yet," he admits, sounding slightly apologetic.

"I can't wait! I'll even get to see you compete! Thank you so much Felix! You guys should be getting your presents soon."

"Dear, you didn't need to get us anything."

"No, shut up. She buys awesome presents. What did you get me?" I roll my eyes. Same as always.

"You'll find out when it gets there Felix. I have to go, I am at a Christmas party. Bye you two, tell everyone I said hello!" They chorus good bye and hang up, leaving me still smiling at the phone.

"Who were you talking to?" Yui-chan questions suggestively. "You sure are smiling."

I wave her off. "Just some friends from Spain saying Merry Christmas."

"Cool, a few of the Hosts said that we should look out the window, let's go check it out!" Aya-chan chirps excitedly, bounding over to the group I just noticed forming by the window. Hunh. When did that happen? We hurry over and peer out the window, waiting for whatever the Host Club has to show us. "10. 9. 8." This should be good. "7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1."

Lights dazzled to life and I gasped in awe along with everyone else The lights were shaped like a Christmas tree and they glittered brilliantly. This is beautiful. There is a couple in front of it too.

"Merry Christmas! May there be blessings over the clumsy couple!" How sweet! This is amazing! The Host Club has really out done themselves. This was an awesome dance!

"This is the last waltz." The girls with the largest number of points go over to the host that they wanted to dance with, smiling happily. I give a thumbs up to Yui-chan as she passes me.

Aya-chan and Kiyumi-chan chatter happily and I'm content to just listen. I had never seen the point of dances before and I didn't dance at all but… I think this is alright. I smile at the scene in front of me. Maybe the Host Club isn't that stupid after all.

I hum to myself as I walk out to my limo, my friends wanting to stay longer. Maybe I should visit Mother this year…. The sound of footsteps reaches me and I turn around curiously, smiling once I see who it is. "Kyoya-sempai, the party was great!" I chirp in greeting, stopping so I could walk next to my friend.

He sends me a fake smile. "Yes, it was." Do I ask about it? Did I do something wrong? He hasn't looked at me like that in years…. What brought this on? I stop walking and Kyoya-sempai does the same, looking back at me with a confused expression plastered on. "Akari-san?"

"D-did I do som-so-something wrong?"

"What do you mean?" I flinch back at his perfectly measured reply. I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't know him. But I do. He knows that. Why is he doing this?

"Do-don't preten-pretend you don't know!" I reply, my voice rising slightly in desperation. "Don't clo-close me out, Kyo-Kyoya-sempai… pl-p-please. Te-tell me what I d-did." I don't get it. My mind runs furiously, thinking over what happened recently. What have I done wrong? I've barely talked to him since I got here. I don't get it.

"Nothing's wrong, Akari-san." He sends me another of his perfect smiles. No. No, I can't let this happen.

Anger fills me. He won't even give me a chance to fix it. He won't let me try. There's no way I'm going to let that happen. I snap, "Don't pull that bullshit with me! I know something's wrong! Just tell me, so I can fix it, okay? Don't… don't do this to me." What have I done? The only time I talked to him really was the one time I went to the Host Club. And afterwards when I picked up my bag and the Hitachiins and I got into a bit of a fight. Wait, maybe that's it. "Was it bec-because of what I sai-said to the twi-t-twins and didn't liste-listen to you?"

"I assur-." I don't want to hear his slick excuses.

"I-is that why you-you're mad?" Just tell me, please. He just stares at me, an unreadable expression on his face. My desperation and anger are battling now. Should I really be trying so hard if all he does is stare at me? He won't let me fix it. Why won't he let me fix it? How dare he? I shouldn't waste my time on people who don't want to be my friend. But… it's Kyoya-sempai. He's my friend. He's been there for me and he knows more than anyone else. I bow towards my friend. "I-I'm sorr-sorry, Kyoya-sempai. I sh-shouldn't have bee-been so rude…. Ar-are we okay?" I look back up hopefully. I don't care.

I hear him huff in irritation and I straighten up. "As far as I'm concerned there never was anything wrong." I grin widely at my friend. Good. I need everything to be okay with him. Kyoya-sempai has always been there for me.

I skip up next to him, winding my arm through his and chatting happily.

(Kyoya P.O.V.)

I had known that there was something going on between her and the Hitachiins. I thought it wasn't going to end well. Of course I was right in the end. But for just a moment, I doubted my original thought. Maybe she was the one who was going to break through the wall the HItachiins had held so high. Obviously, that didn't happen. I knew something had gone wrong, before she left. Akari never mentioned them again. I was fine with that, at first. I knew she was going to tell me eventually.

I never thought much of it but it turns out that something big had happened. And the twins know about her Mother. I had always thought that Akari told me everything. She never could hide anything well.

But she never told me about the Hitachiins. And it makes me angry. I don't quite know why, but that pisses me off. I stare at her as she apologizes to me and I feel something else underneath that anger. Something I don't really want to think about. "Ar-are we okay?" She looks up at me, still bowing slightly. She looks so hopeful.

I huff at myself more than anything. "As far as I'm concerned there never was anything wrong." My anger crumbled at her hopeful look and sincere apology, leaving only the hurt that she kept something from me. That idiot.

I'll be your crying shoulder,

I'll be love's suicide

I'll be better when I'm older,

I'll be the greatest fan of your life.

~ I'll Be by Edwin Mccain

(Akari P.O.V.)

My hands wrapped around her unresponsive one, letting a soft smile cover my features. "Mother," I start and then close my mouth. Maybe… I look behind me, checking for a person even though I already know no one is there. A deep breath leaves me as I prepare myself. "Mom, I don't know you very well. I don't know you at all, honestly. For all I know, you could have just pretended to forget me so you wouldn't have to deal with me. After what I did to you…. I don't know if I can blame you if that's true. But, I do know that you always cared about our family…. And everyone cared about you. You are what kept us together, and keep us ap-apart. It's Chris-Christmas, you know." I shuffle uneasily, thinking of what to say. "Did we celebra-ce-celebrate Christmas whe-when you were ok-okay? Now I can-can't ev-even manage to g-get them to eat di-d-dinner with me tod-today. I just wish th-that you were okay. I think the-they would be happier t-th-then. An-Anyways, I just want-wanted to say…. M-Merry Christma-Christmas, Mom. I l-love you and I know eve-e-everyone else does too. I h-hope one day w-w-we can spen-spend Christmas together-together….. as a fam-family, even just o-once."

I wipe my face harshly and stand up, clearing my throat to get rid of the tightness. Maybe I should say….. No. I close my mouth and walk out, not looking back at Mother, who still hasn't moved.

"Christmas… is not an external event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart."

-Freya Stark

I walk towards my bedroom, my light mood slightly diminished by the lack of festivities at home. There never is though, I shouldn't let it get to. "Hey." I turn around in surprise, seeing Brother standing in the hallway. Is he talking to me? I point at myself questionably and an irritated expression crosses his features. "Who else is in the hallway? Yes you."

"O-oh…. uh… ye-yes?" My voice was meek, as it always was around him.

"Don't sound so stupid." He groans and I shuffle backwards. "Man this is a waste of my time. Nevermind." My brows furrow in confusion but I keep going towards my bedroom, shaking my head slightly. I can never understand him. "Wait." I stop, looking back. What now? "What day is it?" My eyebrows raise up in shock. How can he not know what day it is?

"Decem-December 31st…" I answer timidly.

He gives a non-committal hum. "Okay. Go away now."

Well… at least he talked to me. How does he not know what day it is? Doesn't he have a phone? "Go-good night, Brot-Brother." He never replies to me when I say that.

"Good night…. And Merry Christmas."

I hid my smile by turning around and walking away. There was no way that he didn't know the date. I said the wrong one, after all.