(A/N): HEY! I'm alive! This is earlier than normal for me, but I've been inspired recently so I got it done. It's probably not the best, but it's the best I am capable of!

I adored your reviews and I'm glad you guys liked me adding in Kasonova, I liked the side characters, but I don't think following the show or even the manga's plot line and simply adding Char in just doesn't seem to get the characters any where I need them to work with. I will definitely do my best to keep the side characters coming, maybe even some repeat appearances. *Wink Wink*

This one does some explaining, but I tried to keep it a little vague, wouldn't want to give it all away would I? No fun in that…

Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Ouran High School Host Club, doesn't belong to me. I Rat, would absolutely love it if it did, so if anyone wants to get me an early birthday present… just saying…

Onwards we go!

Yawning like a cat I woke up to see Tamaki running around the room like a madman, his blonde hair stuck out in all directions as he ran his hands through it. Sitting up, a small smirk of amusement dotting my face, I guess it really isn't possible for me to wake up normally. I watched as he hopped on one foot trying to put on his shoes. Wriggling out of the blanket that had once again been draped over me at some point, this time managing a little more gracefully than the last time I had woken up. Sneaking so I was sitting on the bed just inches away from Tamaki's moving back, he was bent over so as to tie his shoes in mid air, I called in a voice louder than I had intended.

"Going somewhere Tamaki?" He yelled in shock and fell on the floor flailing as he fell to the ground. Snickering I rolled backwards on to the bed before flipping over to look at him on my stomach. "That wasn't nice at all little Miss Charlotte." He grumbled as he got up from his spot on the floor and sat next to me on the bed in order to tie his shoes more conveniently. "Ha, sorry. Too easy. But seriously, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Tamaki finished tying his shoes and twisted to look at me. "Actually, the host club planned on going for an outing today. I was going to ask you to join us, but you were sleeping so soundly I thought I'd leave you alone for a little while longer. We aren't leaving until later though, I just wanted to try and get out of the room to give you more time." Nodding, I sat up in order to flop over his shoulders and mess with his already mussed hair. "Sure, sounds like fun. You're going to spoil me rotten if you keep letting me sleep in though."

I glared playfully over his head as I mockingly pulled his blonde locks up into a faux-hawk. "Hmmm, I don't quite think it's you." Tamaki shoved me off gently and ran his fingers back through his hair, attempting to make it lie flat. "No wonder you had all of that hair product, it really is a mop." Snickering I meandered over to my bag to grab my brush and came back to sit beside him as we attempted to fix the ungodly mess of knots we both had. "It must run in the family." Tamaki teased back as he noticed the unnatural directions my hair had taken to standing up in.

Sighing I shook my head like a dog. Maybe I can make this look on purpose? Swatting him with the brush I got up to look out of his massive windows. "What time is it?" Tamaki was walking into his closet as I asked, so he stuck his head back out, "It's only eight, but we aren't leaving until around ten." Nodding to myself I gazed out at his obnoxiously large estate. I'd hate to be a gardener, I get lost enough as it is.

"Here," I turned around to see Tamaki handing me a bundle of clothes, "This will have to do until I actually manage to get you some of your own." Smiling up at him I stood on my tip toes and pecked him on the cheek the same way I always had when we were younger. "Thank you very much Mr. Prince." Strolling into his, yet again, massive, bathroom I kicked the door shut behind me and unwrapped the bundle of clothes.

It was a pair of jeans, and a lightweight long sleeve dark blue shirt with a gray tank-top. Throwing them on I peered out to see Tamaki slipping through his fairytale book again. "You liked Hansel and Gretel best, right?" I asked as I sat in front of him at the foot of the bed. He chuckled, "Yes, and you liked the Golden Goose." I smiled to myself. "Well it's funny! They all end up stuck together because they wanted to steal the poor boy's goose that he earned fair and square. I always thought it was the best one. Why do you like Hansel and Gretel? I would have thought you'd be more into something with a heroic prince or a damsel in distress"

Tamaki smiled softly as he flipped to the page with a practiced ease, "That may be why I like it. The kids manage all on their own, and in the end get to live with their family again. It ends happy."

"You always did like the happy ones best; ironic your favorite is a Grimm's then isn't it?" Before he could say anything else we heard a knock at the door. "Come in." Tamaki called. "Mrs. Tanami cracked the door open and smiled before stepping back to pick up a tray laden down with food. "Oh! Let me help!" Tamaki lifted a hand to stop me but I was already at the door, pulling it open and grabbing the tray from her. "Mistress Char! You don't need to do that, it's my job." She fussed, following me into the room with her hands fluttering in front of her as I laughed. "Well I wouldn't be much of a guest if I let you do everything. It's my fault this is twice as heavy, you shouldn't have to cater to me as well as this spoiled brat." I winked at her and she put her hands in front of her mouth, looking over at Tamaki who was pouting.

"I am not a spoiled brat! You take that back!" I set the tray on his bedside table before striking a heroic pose. "Never!" Growling Tamaki pulled me backwards with him as I flailed. "Mrs. Tanami save me!" I squeaked as he began tickling me ruthlessly. She simply chuckled at the scene. "Take it back Charlotte Rouge, or I'm telling everyone in the club that you used to dance like a ballerina while I played the piano!"

I gasped, "You wouldn't." I tried to get out, but his eyes gleamed with mischief as he paused to look down at me. "You would!" I cried out shocked. He snickered and ceased tickling me. "Alas, then I must give in. I take it back, you're not a brat." He smiled victoriously before sitting up to inspect our breakfast. "You're still spoiled though." I muttered under my breath.

"Is there anything else the Young Master and Mistress should need then?" Mrs. Tanami politely inquired. "No, we're fine thank you." Tamaki flashed a brilliant smile. "We won't be in for lunch though if you would be so kind as to inform Mr. Tanami." She smiled and bowed quickly. "Then I hope the two of you have a good day." I waved at her as I sat up to eat with Tamaki.

We both munched on the crepes that Mr. Tanami had made, Tamaki seemed content with letting me do most of the eating. "So Char," I looked up, My mouth stuffed with food, "Yes?" He frowned at me in disapproval so I swallowed before looking up again sheepishly. "Sorry, yes?" He shook his head but continued as I reached for the bowl of fruit. "I told you about everything that has happened since I moved, what all have I missed with you?" I paused for a moment, and began chewing again at a much slower rate.

"Nothing much. Seems like you had all the fun. You already know about Mom going wacko, and about my job at the shop." I took a long swig from my orange juice before continuing. "Not a whole lot much else." Tamaki frowned. "Something must have happened! You can't honestly tell me you did nothing at all during all this time." Munching on a bit cantaloupe I thought about what I could tell him. I could tell him about, no that would end badly. Well, maybe if I only…I should try at least…this is not going to end well. Oh well I guess, we'll see what happens. With reluctance I put my fork down and reached for my drink, looking to make sure he was occupied before speaking.

"Well, I had a boyfriend."

Tamaki choked on his swig of orange juice, coughing as he tried to remember how to breathe. "You what?" I nodded to myself, Knew I should have left that alone…

"Never mind Tamaki, it's not important." He shook his head forcefully back and forth as stared at me agape. "No, no, no, it is not 'nothing important'! Who was it? How did you meet him? What on earth were you doing dating? My little sister shouldn't be dating anyon-"

I threw a biscuit at him to shut him up. "If you want me to answer your questions then you should shut up so I can talk." I muttered ever so slightly crossly. He furrowed his brow and glared at me. "Fine, I'll be quiet. Now spill." I finished my fruit before crawling over to swing my legs over the edge of his bed. "Nothing much to tell really. We met at the car shop, he had been coming there forever. He was always busy tuning up his motorcycle." At this Tamaki gasped. "He had a motorcycle? How old was this guy?" He about shouted.

Holding my ear I glared over my shoulder at him. "He was seventeen, and yes he had a motorcycle. Will you let me finish before you ask anymore questions?" He grumbled something unintelligible before allowing me to continue. "Well, we met while I was helping him work on his bike. He always came in during my shift and it just kind of went from there. After four or five months we started 'dating' I guess you could call it. Then several moths later it was over. End of story."

Tamaki glared at the comforter. "Why on earth were you dating a seventeen year old?" I rolled my eyes at him. "I had nothing better to do? Tamaki, I'm a dropout, I have a mother who is clinically insane and not functional in normal society, and I was working in a car shop in one of the rustier parts of France. I was lucky anyone even bothered to know my name. If I guy wanted to pay attention to me for a couple of hours every now and then who was I to deny him?" I shrugged, knowing better than to turn around to look at Tamaki right now.

He was silent for quite a while, and I was worrying about having ruined the entire morning when he finally spoke up. "Was he nice?" I dared to turn around, "What?" Tamaki moved to sit by me, not looking at me as he spoke. "Was he nice to you? Was he kind?" I pulled at the sleeves of the shirt Tamaki had given me. It was still a little big, and it hung low on my shoulders. The sleeves covered my hands up to my fingertips. "He wasn't not nice…I mean. I don't think." I tried to leave it at that but Tamaki wouldn't have it. "Char?" He asked softly. "What was he like?"

I rubbed my eyes a little, not liking where this was going. "Do I have to talk about it right now Tamaki?" He looked at me before wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Do you really want to keep secrets from me?" He countered, with a weak chuckle that was without any humor. Leaning against him I sighed. "Fine."

Getting up I began to pace in front of the bed. "His name was Ayden. He was tall, had messy brown hair and always wore a vest over his shirt. He wasn't very heavy set but he was wiry. His eyes were green and his face always seemed happy." I got through the basics about him with an almost clinical speed. "He asked me to be his girlfriend one day when we were working on his bike." I thought back to the memory.

I was sitting on his gigantic 'monster' bike as I had always called it and leaning over the handle bars. Something had happened to the headlight apparently and I was trying to get it to come loose, but I was getting no where.

"Ayden what the hell did you do to this thing? Every single screw is stripped and the headlight is refusing to come off!" I growled, not so much at him, but at the bike. I heard him chuckle from the tool box, but ignore my ranting. I was used to that by now. He seemed to find me amusing, which is why he always told Dresden that I was the helper he needed. That and apparently it helps to have small hands on his monster of a bike. There were so many intricate pieces on his monstrosity Dresden refused to even touch it without Ayden being present, so he wasn't 'liable'.

Just as I finally got it I felt him move near me. "I got it!" I cheered. Just as I lifted it up however, something knocked my elbow and I nearly dropped it. Ayden's hand shot out and caught it at the same time as me. "I got it." I said, this time quieter. I heard him chuckle again and it was then that I noticed that I wasn't the only one sitting on the bike.

He scooted up so my back was pressed tightly against his chest. He wrapped his other arm around my waist and pulled our hands until we had set the headlight on the floor. He then lifted my hand and let it rest on my lap, before he slid his hand off of mine until it was resting firmly on my knee.

I was so confused, and was looking all around the shop, trying to move as little as possible. "Ay-Ayden?" I stuttered out as he pressed his face against my exposed neck and shoulder. "Yes Charlotte?" I flinched as he breathed in my ear. "Wh-wh-what are you doing?" I stuttered, I sounded ever so slightly angry, but fear and confusion masked that for the most part. He chuckled again, except it was nothing like I had been used to before. This was nothing like the Ayden I had been helping over the past months. "I like you a lot Charlotte. Why don't we play together from now on?"

"He did WHAT!" I flinched sharply as Tamaki bolted up to his feet. "Just calm down! Okay?" I huffed. He clenched and unclenched his fists before dropping back to sit, leaning over his knees as he breathed in and out. "What else then?"

I resumed my pacing, faster than before. "He…he did that and I didn't know what to do. Mr. Dresden came back into the shop a few minutes later. He told Ayden to save it for later and I was able to collect my thoughts. After that he asked me again on my way home. I didn't know what to do, so I said…yes." I heard Tamaki let out a large breath. He made to move again so I began talking faster. "We just talked for lots of weeks, he did lots of things, like, when he first asked me, but he never did anything bad! It wasn't until at least a month later that we started kissing-" Here Tamaki cut me off. I should have known better than to tell him that. Stupid Char. Stupid.

"You let him kiss you? He had to be a pervert Char! You were what, fourteen?" I held my hands up again and tried to wave him down. "I know that!" I screamed back, then I realized what I said and covered my mouth. Tamaki raised an eyebrow. "You know that? What does that mean?" His voice dropped to a dangerous level. It was that princely voice again. Where did he get that anyways? I want a voice like…

I sighed. "Does it matter?" I rubbed my neck and looked away, feeling my face heat up. "Yes it matters!" He cried, throwing his hands up in exasperation. There's the Tamaki I remember, with the flailing and the hand motions. I rolled my eyes but came to sit on the floor at his feet, looking at the wall in front of me. "I knew he didn't care about me, but honestly Tamaki, I don't think I cared." Tamaki scooted to the floor and grabbed my hand. "How could you say that?" I shook my head, refusing to look at him. "I was pissed off. I had given up school, which while I had always not been fond of it, it was still something I missed. Mom was depending on me, and I had no one to turn to except for my more than a little bit of a grump boss. Ayden paid attention, even if it was only to make out with me. I liked that." I admitted.

Tamaki gripped my hand in his tighter. "You shouldn't have had to feel like that Char." He whispered. I played with his fingers. "It wasn't a big deal, like I said. He dated for a couple of months, then he found someone more his age. I was nothing but jailbait anyways." Tamaki made to move when we heard all kinds of crashing sounds from down the hallway. Did Tamaki move? No. Did I? Oh yeah.

Not seconds later the door burst open and a set of Gingers and a notebook wielding demon walked through the door. "Hey Tono! You ready to go pick up Haruhi?" Tamaki didn't answer them, he was too busy trying not laugh at me.

I was once again up on Tamaki's bed, the knife I had brought with me that Tamaki had confiscated and left on his night stand in my hands again. "Char?" Kyouya raised an eyebrow and looked at me with a questioning stare. I relaxed a little and gave a short laugh. "Ha…ha. Hi guys." Just as I was about to get down I heard a different running sound. Less crashing and more panting. "Oh no not again." I muttered and braced myself. The creature I was trying hard not to hate for Tamaki's sake ran past the Twins startling them terribly. I t leaped on to the bed with a startling accuracy and I was pounced upon. Joy…

"Antoinette!" I screamed as I fell backwards, all the way off the bed. I hit the floor with a thud, the blonde, fuzzy, idiot riding me all the way to the ground. "Gah, Tamaki you and the dog must share a brain." I groaned as the dog began licking every inch of my face, her tail wagging like crazy. "Aww, the puppy likes our little mutt!" The Hitachiins crowed from the doorway.

Tamaki couldn't help it now and once again began chuckling at my misfortune. "You laugh now," I tried shoving Antoinette off of me so I could sit up, but she just put her paws on my shoulders and stood with me, "but I really and truly know where you sleep Tamaki. I have things I could be doing you know. I don't have to take this." I joked, sticking my nose up in the air and crossing my arms.

It might have looked impressive, if not for the dog that still had yet to cease licking my face. Apparently I just looked even more hilarious, as both the twins and Tamaki all covered their faces and turned around. Kyouya just smirked and tapped his notebook against his leg. "Argh, fine. You win. I have nothing better to do, and yeah that was pretty funny." I chuckled to myself and walked forward to the rest of them rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly, Antoinette detaching from me to walk at my heels. I glared down at the dog. "You just like making me look like an idiot don't you.

I swear I saw the dog smile before she trotted over to Tamaki. Hikaru, at least I think it was him…yep I see the hair now, wandered up to me. "Do I want to know why you have a knife Toy?" I looked down to my hand and realized I hadn't let go of it yet. "Um, no?" Tamaki held out a hand and I handed it back to him. He placed in the drawer of his night stand before looking at me again. "It stays there from now on." I rolled my eyes at him but nodded nonetheless. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders. "Come on Toy, tell Master why you've got a weapon." Hikaru purred into my ear, causing me to flinch a little before crossing my arms and glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

"To save me from random weird strangers who like to hug me sporadically?" I smiled a wonderfully fake smile as he narrowed his eyes at me. "Good thing I'm not a stranger then." He smirked before pulling me to his brother, where they proceeded to pick me up and haul me down the hallway just like they had done the day before at their mansion.

"Am I not allowed to walk?" They shook their heads. "Just shut up and enjoy it Toy." They synchronized. I clutched their shoulders tightly as they pulled me along and glanced over my shoulder to see Tamaki and Kyouya following at a much slower rate behind us. "How come they don't have to rush?" I asked Kaoru. He was about to answer when Hikaru pulled us around a corner and yanked us down the stairs at a starling rate. "HIKARU!" I cried and clutched closer to them both as they laughed.

We were nearly at the bottom of the stairs when somebody, Hikaru, thought it would be fun to jump. Kaoru looked over at his brother and nodded and just before we came to the fifth step from the bottom. "WHAT THE HELL!" They had picked me up completely from the floor and jumped in perfect unison. If I hadn't been scared out of my wits I might have congratulated them on the cat like grace with which they landed. If I also hadn't been scared out of my wits I might not have let go of them when we landed and fallen to the floor with yet another thud.

"This is a wonderful way to start the day." I groaned as I held my head. Hikaru and Kaoru knelt down next to me. "You need to stop being so clumsy Toy, we wouldn't want you to break anything." I growled and grabbed Kaoru by his white vest, pulling him down to my level. "You really want to test me, Monsieur?" He looked over at his brother before smiling mischievously. "What kind of test?" Before I could smack him Tamaki and Kyouya came down the stairs. "Trip again Char?" Kyouya mocked me, stepping over me as he headed for the door.

Tamaki shooed the boys away and helped me to my feet. "You guys aren't going to be good for my health." I smirked up at him. I smiled, but it turned slightly forced. "I bet we're at least a little better than Ayden though." I frowned and hit his shoulder. "Not now Tamaki." I whispered. He sighed before smiling for real. "Alright, C'est pour toi que je suis là." He whispered before heading off to meet up with Kyouya t the car.

'I'm here for you' he says… Shaking my head I feel twin elbows rest on my shoulders. "What was that about?" Kaoru asked. I elbowed him gently. "Eavesdropping again?" Hikaru ruffled my hair. "If we were?" Ignoring him and his arrogant tone I walked ahead shaking my head and headed to the car. They slid in next to me and made to pull me in between them when Kyouya stuck out a hand and pulled me next to him and Tamaki.

"What was that for?" Hikaru complained. "I need Char to review her contract and she can't do that with you two hooligans hanging off of her." Kyouya responded drily, pushing his glasses further up his nose as he did so. I was about to say something about working on the weekend or even just maybe, oh I don't know, letting me pick my own seat when I had yet another NOVEL dropped into my lap.

"What the hell is this?" I asked, the car falling into silence as we began our drive. "Your contract." He replied. I nodded, and flipped to the back page. "It's thirty pages long." I stated, staring blankly at the tiny font that filled the page.

"Oh good, she can count." He retorted, arching an eyebrow over the glare of his glasses. Deciding to ignore that remark I looked straight at him, unblinking as I stared him down.

"Is their something I can do for you Char?" I nodded. "Do you want my soul up front or can I make payments monthly? Oh, and where do I slit my palm and drop the blood?" He chuckled drily and tilted his head back so the glare was no more, showing the eyes of a pleasant person with no ill intentions. Yeah, I believe that too.

"I have no need for your soul Char. The contract is simply an assurance that you will abide by our rules and regulations as well as maintaining the Host Club's image." No NEED for my soul he says. Doesn't say he didn't put it in here as some bylaw or crap…

Grumbling I sighed. "My wages?"

"You will be paid ¥8346 per customer." I nodded, not bad at all. It might take me a while to get up to being able to get my own place though…

"I guess I'll need to get an after school job if I want to get a good place of my own any time soon then." I mumbled to myself as I began counting on my fingers how many hours I could spare for work. I started doing the math in my head just as he began to speak, "If you are to be attending Ouran Academy, you will need to be aware that students are not allowed to have outside jobs. Your little arrangement with us is just barely passable as being within school protocol, so I suggest you don't flaunt your affiliation with us as being a purely business one."

Tamaki frowned. "It's not purely business. She's family." I patted his knee as I tried to figure out how to work around this. "If that's the case it will take me way too long to be sure I can manage." Grumbling I was about to try and weasel out once again of having to attend school when Kyouya cut me off mid weaseling. "If you would actually read the contract you would see that we will provide you with a loan upon joining that will be taken from your paychecks until you have paid us back in full. The actual amount of the loan will be open to the housing you find suitable."

Hikaru and Kaoru leaned forward, leaning on their knees. "Why the scowl Toy? Thought you were getting out of school?" I shot them a glare. "Stay out of my head. So what if I was? It's a waste of time anyways." I pouted before sighing and turning to Kyouya. "Where do I sign?" His mouth twitched slightly. "You've barely read three pages?" I nodded. "It's thirty pages long and not at all interesting. Somehow I know as long as I'm here I'm not getting rid of you all, and with Tamaki I doubt you did anything really illegal or immoral in here. Might as well sign and hope for the best?"

I shrugged and his facial muscles twitched once again as he handed be a pen. Scribbling on my knee I signed my life away to the harem of boys that were apparently, family. Tamaki whooped for joy and Kyouya gave the smallest of smiles. Whether it was one of triumph or of happiness is a mystery to me. "Good Toy!" The twins synchronized, before yanking me across the limo and settling back into their seats with a smirk. "Guys what the heck!" I was sprawled across their laps, my head dangling off of Hikaru's knees with my hair dusting the floor boards when the door opened to reveal a pink clad off duty host. "Hi Haruhi." I gave up and grinned crookedly as the twins wrapped their arms around any appendage they could reach. She looked at what all was happening and tilted her head to the side in confusion. "What's going on in here?"

Tamaki scooted over so she could sit next to him, and it was then she noticed the paperwork. "You're one of us now?" She asked as she flipped through it and we drove away. I nodded, the gesture slightly lost from my inverted perspective. "Yep. Certified and official-ized." The blood was beginning to drain into my head, and then twins began poking my face to see what color it could turn, not letting me sit up as they clutched my legs and torso.

"You poor thing."

(A/N): Alright! I know it's not exactly soon, but it's sooner than normal. *Rubs head sheepishly* I've been kinda busy and wanted to end it right. I'd love to hear what you all thought of it! I absolutely love all reviews, and I try to respond to those I can, no promises, but I try ^ _ ^

I hope you liked it, please tell me what you think and if you have any ideas.

Lots of Love!

-Rat