Just a reminder, I still don't own Ouran. Only the Quints and Kyle. Plus a few more OCs...

(Susanna POV)

"It's so nice to be back at Ouran." I told Kaoru as we strolled through the gardens, looking for a place for me to set up my easel to paint. The sunlight was casting a glare against any and all shiny surfaces, giving me yet another reason why I was grateful to Kaoru for gifting me these sunglasses today.

Speaking of whom, he smiled warmly at me and glanced around before placing a quick peck on my cheek. "It's only nice because you're here. And what do you think about this spot to set up?" He was gesturing around us, but all I could see was him for a few moments. Everything from his wind-swept orange-ish hair and those soft topaz-colored eyes that are currently trained on me were oh so appealing.

The corners of my lips turned up slightly as I refocused my attention on our surroundings. In order to decide if this was a suitable area for me to use in my portrait, I needed to carefully examine the lighting.

I analyzed the tall, leafy, green bush forming a wall that would obstruct anyone's view of us and this enclosed area with an elaborate marble fountain surrounded by a pattern of beautiful daisies and poppies. The sun was bright but not too harsh, and despite some of the trees, they were casting any shadows in obvious places, which would have it harder to do my impressionist assignment. Overall, this was an ideal location. Once I nodded my consent, he lowered the easel in front of the tall bush, facing it toward the fountain. It was as if he read my mind.

I never thought I would be thinking how lucky I was to be at Ouran again, but I really truly was. And now that Kaoru and I have fixed some of our issues, I could feel some peace. At least somewhat.

Kaoru still wasn't aware of what my father could do to his family's company if...if my father found out about us. I would have no control over my actions and would have to do whatever my father demanded of me. I wouldn't be able to stand the pain of seeing the hurt in his eyes or the sting of betrayal, not after he has done everything to show me how much he cared about me.

"Susie?" Kaoru called, waving a hand in my face.

I blinked rapidly and put a smile on my face quickly. "Yes?" I asked brightly, tilting my head towards his. The motion caused the loose strands from my small bun to escape and cascade in front of my eyes.

He chuckled and gently moved the hair behind my ear. "Were you listening to me?"

"No..." I admitted with a sheepish shrug, casting my eyes down for a moment before looking back into the gems that were his eyes. "Sorry, I was thinking about something else. What did you say?"

"I said, is there any way you could-" He tucked one arm around my waist and used the other to pull me in by the nape of my neck. "Forget about painting and just spend your free block another way?"

The tone of his voice suggested that we would most likely spend our time with our lips attached if we followed his suggestion. But I really wanted to paint. Even if I didn't have this as an assignment I was itching to try out this new art style.

"As tempting as that sounds, I need to get my hands on a paintbrush before I explode," I replied honestly as I nuzzled my cheek against his arm. I really would explode if I didn't, although I did like this position we were in.

He laughed and released me only seconds later. "I understand. Go paint." He shrugged off the backpack of art supplies he had insisted on carrying for me and handed it over carefully. It was sweet how considerate he was of my things.

"Can you sit on the edge of the fountain? I want to try to paint you." I requested in a soft squeak of a whisper. I have never felt so shy around a boyfriend before, but then again I'd never felt this way about anyone before.

I'd never felt so afraid of losing someone before or had this many butterflies when he was near or touching me. Just seeing him smile could calm me down or could send a happy rush through my entire body. And I always felt shy around him now, I didn't want to move too quickly and I definitely didn't want to risk my father ruining everything.

Every moment we spent together created another treasured memory for me to think about when I laid awake at night and I've decided it was too late to text him.

His lips broke into an easy grin. "Sure, how do you want me to pose?" Kaoru struck a ridiculous pose with one arm pointing upward and the other hand holding his chin between his thumb and pointer finger.

I laughed at his antics and lowered my things to the ground. "Not like that!" I walked over to him and grabbed his hand, leading him to the edge of the flowers bordering the fountain. "Now hop onto the ledge."

Obediently he hopped over the flower border and balanced himself on the ledge of the fountain. "Now what?"

"Now let this leg dangle off the side and put the other one bent on top of the ledge." This time I positioned his legs, paying little attention to whether or not he was situated on the ledge of the fountain.

"Woah, Susie!" He leaned back to quickly steady himself and he smiled bemusedly at me. "You could have warned me."

"Sorry!" I stepped back from him and frowned. "But you're going to have to place your right elbow on your knee and then let your arm go limp." Once he did what I said, I observed him and the scenery in the background. This should work, as long as I don't have to paint his eyes. I don't think any mixture of colors could quite match the hue of his.

I nodded my approval and walked back over to my easel. "Now I'm going to try to make a quick sketch of your profile and pose, so you'll have to stay still."

Even from the side, I could still see that cute grin of his that let me know that he understood me perfectly. "Okay, Susie. You're the boss."

"I thought that was Tamaki's title." I teased as I pulled out a paintbrush and some light gray paint. I always sketched in light gray first but anyway, it almost felt wrong using such a somber shade when my subject was so radiant in this lighting.

But all this sunlight will soon go away if I didn't get started soon. So without letting myself be even more distracted by Kaoru's presence, I got to work on paining.

(Suzette POV)

School had never been my favorite place but after being away on vacation for so long, I was reminded of why I preferred being in school in Paris than in Japan.

"ARGH!" I screamed while keeping my teeth clenched. "Hitachiin Hikaru! You better pray that your mother paid heavily for your insurance because I swear once I am finished with you she'll need it all to cover the expenses for your injuries!"

Said boy laughed at me. "But I think you look wonderful in that outfit, Suzette-san. And the mustard in your hair really brings out your eyes."

My 'outfit' was an awful green colored dress that he had forced me into after I spilled my lunch on me. He had then sprayed mustard all over my hair and had taken a picture while I was still wondering why my hair felt wet!

I would bet my black credit card that he had something to do with me tripping and landing in a pile of my perfectly good food too!

Yes, that damn, idiotic, spoiled boy would pay dearly for this stunt. I just wasn't sure how he was going to pay for it yet. Just as I stepped forward with every intention to wring his little neck, some boys came rushing over to me with towels in their hands.

"Oh, Kobayashi-san." One of them said...what is his name? Tora? Anyway he was cute and appeared extremely concerned as he wiped my hair with a towel. "Are you all right?"

I nodded primly before sending the devil-spawn a deadly glare. "I will be once I-" But the sound of sucking distracted me enough to see where it is coming from. I looked up and saw that another guy had a finger in his mouth and he was smirking at me. "Excuse me...are you eating-"

"The mustard in your hair?" He nodded and then slowly pulled some of my hair to take off the yellow stuff. "Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. You looked ravishing." He grinned so mischievously that I couldn't help but return his grin with one of my own. Now this I liked. Well, if this stunt got me a date maybe I wouldn't kill the prankster; I'd just maim him.

"Do I now?" I shrugged coyly as I pinched the skirt of the dress and pretended to examine it before meeting his eyes. "Well, normally I have better clothes and clean hair...I wonder what you would think of me then?"

"All right, get away from her." Hikaru's voice came directly from my side. "I'm taking her to the changing room."

"Who said you were?" I said with sickening sweetness. "Perhaps one of these kind gentlemen will help me?"

"I will!" Both of them said immediately. Tora looked very eager and the other one looked just as willing. I really needed to find out this one's name and if he was available for a date sometime soon. With Father being the way he was lately, I was sure all my dating time was coming to an abrupt end. And I wanted to have choices while I still could.

Hikaru scowled and stepped closer to me. "Look, you don't have any extra clothes and-"

"And I will find some, I am sure of it." I interrupted him with a glare. "Even if I don't it will be better than what you have put on me. You really are tasteless Hitachiin. Just wait until I tell your mother about this!"

For a moment he looked frightened, but then the other boy chuckled. "Look first year, just leave it to us and run along."

Hikaru bristled noticeably, reminding me very much of a cartoon I once saw of a cat with its fur sticking up, gave them both a defiant glare. "You do realize you who are talking to right?"

At that moment, my sister and his brother came around the corner laughing.

"Stop it!" Susanna shrieked in obvious delight when he wrapped his arm around her waist. "No, I'm angry with you!" But her laughter made that hard to believe.

Despite my current situation, I found myself smiling at the happiness radiating from my sister. "Well, at least I'm not the only one who has reason to be angry at a Hitachiin."

Both looked over to me and Susanna gasped. "What happened to you?"

"Ask him." I pointed to the annoying thorn at my side. "I'm going to get cleaned up." I glanced over at the other boys standing beside me. "Do either of you know where I can find a spare uniform? Or at least some other clothes?"

"Just go to the Host Club." Kaoru advised me in a softer voice than what his brother used to speak to me. "There is a wardrobe in the back with a bunch of different outfits. They're mostly Harummm..." He broke off with a blush once he noticed the others. "Some of them should fit you."

Susanna glared at Hikaru and then walked over to me with her hand out toward me. "Come on Zee. We should get you cleaned up. We have dinner tonight with the Suohs remember?" Kaoru seemed to be giving his twin a harsh, but hushed scolding.

"I did." I sent another hard look at Hitachiin Hikaru. "Mark my words Hitachiin, you'll pay for this."

"Can you enact your revenge after the Host Club picnic?" A familiar calculating voice interjected.

When I turned around I saw both the speaker and my sister walking side by side toward us. "He won't yield much profit with any maiming." My sister smiled tightly and without any warmth. "Please quickly go and dress Suzette."

"Of course," I said, raising an eyebrow at the sight of her company. Normally, she kept her interactions with Kyoya strictly within Host Club duties. What was she doing with Ootori-san? I had thought she was planning on staying away from him while she worked on charming his brother.

She shook her head slightly and then stared at the guy with the name I don't know with chilly indifference. "Ueda Daichi, yes? I think your girlfriend was searching for you. In fact, I am almost sure of it."

He has a girlfriend already? I could never catch a break, could I? Well, that piece of information struck any thought I had about dating him. "Oh, well you wouldn't want to keep her waiting would you?"

And he blushed slightly before bowing to me. "Excuse me Kobayashi-san." Well, at least he has the decency to be embarrassed, though I do feel bad for his girlfriend. Perhaps a well-placed comment in the ladies' restroom tomorrow during lunch will get the news about her flirty boyfriend to her. Maybe I'd talk about the licking the mustard incident.

As he walked away, Kyoya turned to my sister and whispered something in her ear. My eyes widened as I watched her nod and smile at what he was saying. Well, that was new.

"Suzette?" Susanna said, trying to get my attention by tugging softly at the sleeve of this horrible dress. "We should go."

I allowed her to lead me away, waving goodbye to Tora who seemed to be confused at the entire scene. It wasn't long before he turned and went away as well. Now I was free to whisper to my sister. "Is Sara actually smiling while talking to Kyoya!?"

Sorry for the wait, but I did warn you guys that I'm busy. Hopefully I can get the next chapter out in a shorter time than I took for this one.

Same issue as always, tons of work. Not enough time for writing, don't expect more soon.

Tell me what you think in a review! You know how much I love those.