Welcome!

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

Stairs.

Why, in God’s name, did there have to be so many STAIRS?

The elegant, curving marble-stone staircase stood at the end of the North Hall; its red-carpeted risers and hand-carved banisters bathed in a magical light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows half a floor up. The view through those glass panes promised a perfect vantage point over the carefully manicured courtyard outside – with its line of cherry trees and the whole of the school framed in all its Victorian glory.

It would have been beautiful…

If not for those stairs.

These were, however, the only thing standing between him and his ultimate goal. He cast his eyes down the hall one more time; in desperate hopes of finding the door to a hidden elevator. Disappointment was his only reward for his efforts.

Well. There was only one thing left to do. He took a deep breath, placed one hand on the coiled base of the rail and began the arduous climb. WHY… he mentally berated himself… didn’t I bring my crutches?! Pride was the answer to that question, but he chose to ignore it, and took one step at a time.

He was glad the halls were empty. By the time he’d made it halfway up the first flight, he was winded, sweating and wishing he’d left his precious guitar behind. When he finally made the landing, he had only just enough energy to fall flat on his face, gasping for air. Was it worth it?

Yes. Unequivocally, Yes.

The Music rooms lay one more flight up these very stairs; and while he’d been forbidden to join any of the clubs, he saw no harm in sneaking in after hours and just soaking some of it in.

If he could just get there.

For a moment, it felt as if the world was conspiring with his father against him.

That was all the motivation he needed to reach a shaky hand up to grasp the banister. He hauled himself to his wobbly feet and leveled his ice-blue eyes at the risers before him. They stretched on forever ahead of him – but determination had gripped his soul, and with lightning flashing in his eyes, he climbed.

And climbed.

And climbed.

By the time he’d made it to the top, he was hauling himself up flat on his belly… one clawed hand reaching to the step above him at a time.

He lay there… guitar case crushing against his back and legs flopping uselessly behind him with his face pressed into the rich-scented carpet – splayed out like yesterday’s catch – unable to move.

He was twice as glad the halls were empty, now. There were no witnesses to his grand, embarrassing struggle. When he had enough energy to lift his eyes, he was rewarded with the most beautiful thing he’d seen, yet, on the entire expansive campus.

The golden scrollwork of the sign-holder delicately embraced a rose-pink plaquard with the words “Third Music Room” embossed upon it. Already he could smell the sweet scent of rosin, wood-oil and chalk beyond the artfully crafted double doors. Visions of grand pianos and violins, of harps and the large voluptuously curvy bass filled his mind.

Of course, Kaiu hadn’t been there long enough to know what lay behind those doors.

And so, he pulled himself across the carpet, reached up with fingers quivering from exhaustion and excitement. The cool metal handle danced beneath his fingertips as he dragged the golden handle down. His heart leapt with joy at the sound of the latch as it let loose and the door swung slightly ajar……

[Suou Tamaki]

Tamaki sat perched upon his grand throne a.k.a a bright wooden dining chair usually used to seat his guests. His lengthy legs crossed over one another, hands resting lazily upon the dark velvet arms of the throne. His school uniform had been perfectly pressed, his procelain complexion perfectly clear, his golden bangs perfectly toussled, his features... well his feautures need not require a thing to be perfect. They had but to exist.

With this narcissistic logic, his oh-so- perfect expression shone at its vainest when the door to the third music room parted just slightly and the brunette head of their first guest of evening peered through.

"Welcome!" The blonde charismatically invited without pause. "To the Host Club!"

[Ootori Kyoya]

Kyouya stood in his usual spot behind the "King-u" of the club, his genial smile warming an otherwise aloof expression. Like Tamaki, he was immaculately groomed - not a dark hair out of place and his dark eyes framed behind wire-rimmed glasses.

"Welcome..."

He spoke in perfect unison, reaching up as was customary, to adjust his glasses in just such a way as to cast a sliver of light across their convex surface.

He was used to Tamaki's narcissistic greetings - and had developed a habit, from the very beginning, of taking the time that the blonde was using to dazzle their entering guests with his phenominal good looks, to give the entering clientelle a good looking over.

So, he wasn't suprised to find that he was likely the first to realize that the guest at the door was -NOT- their usual sort of customer.

It happened occassionally.

Some wayward lamb would find their way into the den of wolves.

This lamb, however, looked a bit more lost that most. The prone figure lay quivering - blue eyes wide with shock at the vision that lay before him.

Kyouya noted the dark hair, peircings and unusually vibrant eyes; as well as the black leather-covered guitar-case. It took him a moment, but he recognized their guest. Uhoudoji Kaiu. Son of Uhoudoji Nanairo - the Antiques and Antiquities dealer his family often had dealings with. He'd heard the boy was transferring in, and had done enough research to have a file waiting on his laptop for perusal.

Well. He wasn't in any sort of hurry to interrupt Tamaki, who was likely enough to go into some flowery speech within the next breath or two. So, he merely waited to see how things played out. This should prove to be amusing. At least for a few short minutes.

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

The doors parted slowly, bathing everything in bright white light, setting everything before him in silhouette for one precious, magical moment. A gentle wind blew rose petals past his face and the room opened up invitingly before him. He dragged himself to his weary feet and leaned against the door-jam with tears of a hard won victory forming at the corners of his eyes.

Were those the curves of a cello? The towering shadow of a Harp behind a Grand Piano? Was that glistening light sparkling over the body of a trumpet? All gathered strangely together in the center of the music room?

”Welcome...” came a chorus of angelic voices, and his heart swelled in his chest.

”... to the Host Club.”

A giddy, joyous grin spread itself across his face as the Music Club welcomed hi....

Wait. What.... had that last part been? .... Host Club... The words played through his head, like a CD with a scratch in it.

Host club. ~scratch.~

Host Club. ~scratch~

Host Club. ~scratch~

His blue eyes snapped open - perfect, blank circles of Azure staring directly ahead of him. The world came into proper focus, with his beloved collection of instruments morphing into a gathering of …

Beautiful School Boys?

Hadn't it said "Music Room" on the door?? His smile faded into oblivion as heat rose up the back of his neck, consuming him from head to toe in a brilliant shade of fuscia.

He was swept up immediately in the flawlessness that was Tamaki. Perfect Honey-golden tresses framing amethyst eyes, and a smile as heart-meltingly handsome as any he’d ever seen. Kaiu's cheeks burned as he tore his eyes away from the perfect vision of Tamaki Suou, and settled on the cool, dark-haired image of the Vice President standing slightly behind him. What a sharp contrast between the two! And they were both stunningly handsome.

He dropped his eyes to the floor, a hand flying to his face to prevent the oncoming nosebleed.

He bowed as deeply as he could manage (a tactic to hide his wild embarrassment).

“I’m sorry…. I thought… “ He stammered through his fingertips– revealing that he had a voice as sultry and smooth as any of the Ouran boys; even under duress.

All that effort… for nothing… He lamented. Well… not entirely for nothing… but now what?

The weight of his guitar seemed to hang more heavily from his shoulders, now that the disappointment of not finding what he’d been looking for began to settle over him. There was no way he was going to be able to make it back down those stairs right away. Not with any dignity, anyway. He was trapped in that doorway, with no escape ahead or behind him!

[Suou Tamaki]

Tamaki kept frozen in absolute perfection, a pose marvelous enough to rival the most beautiful Rennaisance sculptures. He would always hold it just a bit longer upon eye contact and it always led to his guest melting just that much more. Finally breaking the pose, he concentrated on the trembling figure in the doorway, dark bangs not nearly lengthy enough to cover the crimson hue of his cheeks. Another boy. They came around every once in a blue moon. Most of his male classmates had proven themselves far too proud to even contemplate stepping through those doors. But he'd noticed their lingering glances and heavily lidded stares upon his entrance into a room. This was only normal, of course. His otherworldly beauty transcended sexual preference and gender. He cradled his head in his hands, sparkles surrounding him. All of this beauty. Oh, he just couldn't contain it!

"I'm sorry... I thought..." the boy stammered, eyes darting about nervously.

"There is no need to apologize, my pet." He approached the slightly shorter boy, two slender fingers gently cupping his chin and lifting his gaze. "It's quite obvious what you've come for." As expected, squeals from their shonen-ai adoring customers rose from all around them. He moved in closer to the other boy, eyes suggestive, thumbs gingerly caressing his still reddening cheeks. "It's rare that we are graced with the presence of such a beautiful prince." Using one finger, he drew a line from the boy's collarbone to the tip of his chin. "Which one of us will you have?" His hand reached out, gesturing toward the other club members.

"The cool type?"

Kyouya.

"The loli-shota type?"

Hunny-senpai.

"The little devil type?"

Those bastards.

"The wild type?"

Mori-senpai.

He conveniently omitted the last option.

"Or perhaps," He whispered into the boy's ear. "You'd prefer me?"

[Ootori Kyoya]

So far, so good.

Tamaki launched, predictably, into his seductive appeal - which seemed to have an effect quite different from the usual. This, Kyouya wagered, was the genuine article. There was no mistaking the boy's reaction. He'd seen it too many times in the women Tamaki wooed. Kyouya had a hunch, and he was willing to bet on it.

This wasn't the first time boys had wandered in, of course. But up until now it had always been a misunderstanding... or in the case of Kasanoda... a secret that had been revealed. He was always glad to see the Yakuza's son making an appearance. Attendance was always high on those days. Word got out quickly.

A sly grin curled the corner of his lips. Of course, he didn't have -anything- to do with that.

He watched in utter silence as the blonde Prince worked his unique magic, and was already deciding that he would be giving this Kaiu some defferential treatment. At least, for the first few visits. The Pros certainly outweighed the costs, judging from the mad flurry of texting, cell-phone pictures and calls going out. Today was going to be a good day. And he had no intention of letting this fish back in the water.

When Tamaki called his name, he took extra effort to nod just the slightest bit - his eyes closing for a moment as light flashed across his glasses. He took a little extra time to slide his fingers across his face and press the cold metal frames back into their proper place. The smile that crept across his face was -especially- warm today.

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

"There is no need to apologize, my pet."

Every hair on his head stood on end as those perfect fingertips slid over his skin and settled on his chin. His heart stopped beating as those jewel-like eyes settled on his... and he barely heard the rest.

"It's obvious... blahblahblahblah... handsome Prince... blah blah... chose.."

His blank Iceburg-blue eyes moved from one Host to the next as Tamaki introduced them.

"Or perhaps, You'd prefer me?"

Those words shot through him like an arrow, peircing his heart as surely as the triangular tip of cupid's arrow. So why was it that his -nose- was the one threatening to bleed?

Hot breath wafted across his ear, sending jolts of electricity through him. His knees wobbled weakly beneath him, forcing him to reach a hand up to brace himself against Tamaki's ..... warm... perfect... astoundingly smooth.... chest.

Just what was going on here?!

The world paused for a moment. Screeching to a halt in that split second before he reached complete meltdown. He felt himself floating freely through space as hit thoughts gathered themselves together and put themselves in order.

What had he just said?? That jumble of words at the beginning came flooding back with perfect clarity.

"It's quite obvious what you've come for."

Obvious.... what he'd come here for....

Girls' quiet squeals...

It's rare to be graced with such a handsome prince..

Prince? Who? Me??

Which one will you chose?

Cool type...

Loli type...

Wild Type...

........... Or perhaps you'd prefer me....

Welcome.....

to the Host Club....

HOST CLUB?!

His eyes darted to each and every face, including the one that hadn't been introduced. The world was still on pause.. still frozen in time as everything slowly processed itself through his mind.

It all hit him simultaneously; like being struck by a train he could see coming, but couldn't dodge. That didn't mean he wasn't going to try!!

~Choo Choooooo~ *SPLAT!!!*

"What?! NO!!! WAIT!! " He shouted, perhaps a bit too loudly as he felt his legs threaten to give out altogether and the pressure in his nose grew to epic proportions. The heat in his face was beyond bearable! He was turning 5 shades of purple... having worked his way through the shades of pink and red already! Stars danced before his eyes, and the world was starting to fade into blackness at the edges of his vision. Don't faint!! Dont' faint don't faint don't faint!!

He closed his eyes and bowed his head in an effort to block out the beauty of Tamaki's smile.. and the tingle of his breath on his ear... and the feel of his hearbeat beneath Kaiu's fingertips.. the smell of his cologne...

"I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR A MUSIC ROOM!! " The words gushed out at the same time the impending Nose-bleed finally overcame him.

Clapping his hands to his nose meant that he didn't have Tamaki to support him anymore, and he slid to the floor as his legs folded underneath him. How HORRIBLY embarrassing!!

[Suou Tamaki]

To Tamaki’s celebrated relief, the boy didn’t seem to notice that he’d left his dear daughter out of the line up. Too busy enraptured by his charms, his guest had been changing colors like a broken mood ring. He hoped that when he lost his footing, he wouldn’t fall backwards and hurt himself. The blonde had suggested several times that futons be held before his line if walking during club hours, but the others had considered it a bit excessive. As expected, after a bit of nonsensical babbling, the boy finally sank to his knees, hands cradling his multi-colored face. Tamaki narrowed his eyes slightly. Was that a rivulet of deep crimson oozing from between his fingers? Bending down, genuine smile still in place, he reached into his blazer pocket and drew out a creamy white, scarlet laced handkerchief to hold against the boy’s nose.

“Calm down.” He spoke gently, although he figured it must be quite a feat in his god-like presence. What had he said before? Something about a music room. Well it didn’t matter now. "There's no need to be afraid..." He wiped gently at his nostril’s and planted a delicate kiss upon his trembling hand. “My Prince."

And the crowd went wild.

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

“Calm down.” ... the gentle words fell like the sensual caress of a fingertip over his ears. "There's no need to be afraid..."

Tamaki's perfectly manicured hands produced a perfectly embroidered handkercheif and tenderly dabbed at his bleeding nose. IF he could have, Kaiu would have backpeddled and crab-crawled away. But he was stuck, with his legs folded and splayed to either side of him. Trapped.

His cheeks burned an even brighter shade of whatever color they happened to be at the time and he felt the world swimming dizzyingly around him. He braced himself against the cool tile below him with one hand, while the other clutched at the soft cotton Tamaki had offered him.

How was he ever going to live this down? He wasn't. He knew that much. He was growing more and more steadily aware of the crowds of girls gathered around them, avidly watching the two of them. Soft, hazey bubbles in pastel colors floated among diamond-like clouds of sparkles around the both of them, while strings of pale pink hearts rose from the clasped hands of the softly sighing audience. He swung his head away from Tamaki, feeling everything shift woozily to the side as he did so. Anything, though, to tear his eyes away from the source of his embarrassment. He was only rewarded, however, with a backdrop of yellow dresses and a sea of cell-phones flipped open and pointed his direction. Little bell charms jingled in unison as the clients of the Host Club feverishly took video and photos. The sounds of the room grew muffled and distant and he felt himself begin to slump.

His vision blurred as he felt his body begin to go lax... but then there was a new pair of hands. Cool, steady hands that gently kept him from slipping all the way down to the floor. He vaguely felt the strap of his guitar lifted from his shoulder and suddenly the lack of it's weight made his head float like a balloon without an anchor. The room sagged sideways as he felt himself lifted from the floor,and it swayed unsteadily as he moved toward a nearby couch.

He couldn't coordinate his limbs, as much as he might have wanted to, so he was little help to whomever was rescueing him. It couldn't have been that -other- guy. There was something far too... calculating... about his benefactor's movements. As he settled his weight into the soft cushions of a couch, he caught a glimpse of pale skin capped in raven tress and two dark, peircing eyes.

He heard a voice. Cloudy at first, but as he felt his consciousness begin to settle itself back into place, it gradually cleared.

Smooth. Quiet. Unwasteful. Completely the opposite of the boy he'd first encountered. He felt himself soothed by the tender, but aloof sound of this new voice.

"Lean back.. it'll help stop the bleeding..." He heard him say, and he did as he was told, as he felt slender fingers press the expensive cloth against his nose. He was disappointed when they slid away, leaving him to hold the cloth on his own.

"I'm sorry..." Kaiu appologized, the blush on his cheeks -slowly- working it's way back down through the multiple hues. "I thought this was a music room..."

His naivety had similar blushes rising to the cheeks of more than one or two girls, and he heard more than one of them ask if he was alright- little reassurances of "Don't be embarrassed... That's almost exactly how I reacted the first time I met Tamaki-senpai, too!" filtering in through ears that were still not quite clear.

"You poor thing!" From one corner of the room.

"How cuuute...." From another. He was currently trumping Hunny, even though he had no idea how grand a feat that truly was.

"He's so handsome..." From somewhere among the crowd, and he heard a twittering of agreement throughout the room. He turned a shade darker, and was glad to have the handkercheif to hide behind.

There was no way he was going to be steady enough on his feet to walk out of there with any sort of dignity. So, he was going to have to stay. So long as he avoided anymore 'excitement', he hoped, he could merely ride this out and leave with the rest when the Club activities were over with at least a -shred- of his pride still intact.

[Ootori Kyoya]

Kyouya watched in silence while Tamaki continued to work his magic. It proved, as it often did, to be too much for Tamaki's victim (Yes. Victim.) and so Kyouya swept in as he saw the boy's frame begin to collapse. He caught the boy up in his arms before he could meet the cold tile, and gently removed the strap of his guitar.

Kyouya was not the most athletic of the club members, nor the strongest... but Mori wasn't here today to help with the heavy lifting. "Come sit down..." He hauled the boy to his uncooperative feet, noting the way his head lolled helplessly to the side.

"Tamaki..." His voice was as cold as an Icey wind as he shot the Host Club King a glare. "... Would you try not to -kill- our customers?"

He settled Kaiu into the antique couch, gently lifting his chin and guiding the boy's hands to hold the handkercheif into place. "Lean back. It'll help stop the bleeding..." He pulled his hands away, and was pleased to see the commotion his unusually tender moment had caused. Uhoudoji's unconventionally good looks were drawing attention, and he heard murmurings in the crowds that filled his head with dollar signs.

Not that they needed another Host... but... he certainly wanted to make sure that Kaiu felt compelled to come back, again. Kyouya moved over to a table dotted with expensive serving peices, preparing two cups of the Instant Commoners' Coffee that had become all the rage among the clients. He guessed that Kaiu would likely be a 'sweet and dark', so he filled a tray with the silver creamer-server and sugar bowl, carrying the whole of it artfully over to the little table that graced the floor in front of the couch their new guest was sitting on.

"I'm sorry..."

Kyouya offered no real sympathy, though the smile he wore did creep upwards just a fraction of an inch.

"I thought this was a music room..."

Kyouya nodded knowingly as he sat down beside Kaiu. "A common enough mistake. It -does- say Music Room 3 on the door, but it is largely unused and so our little Host Club has taken up residence here. " He nodded toward the guitar, which lay gingerly tucked against the side of the couch. "Do you play? "

An inane question. Nobody carried an instrument around like that, unless they played. What he really wanted to know... (and so did the ever-growing number of girls) ... was whether he played -well-.

Everything about this 'chance meeting' was serendipitous. Not only was Kaiu handsome, and quite apparently overwhelmed by Tamaki's usual over-the-top greeting ... but he was possibly a musician and as luck would have it - the son of the famous Uhoudoji Antiques family. If he could make friends with this boy, perhaps some of the more expensive props could be ..... 'borrowed' .... rather than bought.

[Suou Tamaki]

Tamaki's eyes widened just a bit, caught slightly off guard when Kyouya moved to help their new celebrity customer to a nearby sofa. Kyouya had done it so mechanically! If it were up to him to assist his lover to the sofa, his movements would be gallant and graceful. Like a true host! Of course Kyouya's method was a bit off considering his personality and the fact that he spent more club hours crunching numbers than actually hosting. He started to inform the Shadow King of this oh-so-un-princely flaw when the darker haired boy interrupted him, the glare showing clear through his spectacles.

"Would you try not to kill our customers?"

In return, he gave a half pout, half smug expression. "Kyouya, look at me!" He cradled his cheeks in his hands and sighed up to the heavens with starry eyes. "Could you help it?"

Kyouya just stalked off toward their new guest. Tamaki's lower lip protruded. So mean...

"Tamaki-sama!" A large eyed brunette gushed from his side. "Will Kaiu be a regular?!"

"Kaiu?!" Another girl added. "Is that his name?!"

"Will he?!"

"WILL HE?!"

Tamaki just smiled down at all of them, eyes sincere. "But of course, my princesses." He placed a hand to his chest in an overly dramatic gesture. "Who could ever resist the charms of your King?" Haruhi and Kira tugged bitterly at the back of his mind, but they were quickly overshadowed with cries of MOE. After a few more reassuring words, he excused himself and started back toward the only tomato faced male in the room. Perhaps he had overdone it just a bit. And it was always in a Prince's nature to apologize for such things. When he reached the rosy sofa, Kyouya and the boy were chatting upon the cushions. The Shadow King was probably already attempting to sell him a few of their latest magazines.

"Kaiu. It is Kaiu, isn't it?" He slid upon the sofa with the grace of a tiger, eyes just as striking. "Forgive me if I came on too strong." He gingerly placed a hand to the boy's jaw to lift it and examine his nose. "Has the bleeding stopped?"

[Ootori Kyoya]

Of course, it didn't take long for Tamaki to embarrass their new guest anew. Kyouya was in agreement this time, though; and he nodded his approval. Of course, he would have to convince Kaiu to come back... and the Host Club King wasn't doing much to improve their chances of that.

"Kaiu. It is Kaiu, isn't it?" Tamaki slid upon the sofa, sitting on the opposite side of the boy as Kyouya. "Forgive me if I came on too strong." Tamaki gingerly placed a hand to the boy's jaw to lift it and examine his nose. "Has the bleeding stopped?"

Before Kyouya could interrupt, Tamaki's hands were on the boy's face again. The dark-haired Shadow King could see the color draining from Kaiu's face as those purple eyes leveled on him.So, he did the only thing he could do. The only thing that Tamaki would understand. He reached out and place the palm of his hand in the middle of the Host King's face, pushing him away forcefully.

"It would... "He pointed out, shooting Tamaki another warning-glare. "If you'd stop harrassing him."

Kyouya noted, too, that their guest was beginning to fidget uncomfortably - eyeing his guitar case with a mixture of desperation and nervousness. Nobody else may have heard the whispers of the girls hiding behind one of the pillars, their cheeks glowing a soft, rosey red. But, He did. Kyouya had every intention of saving the girls the embarrassment of having to ask themselves.

"If you're feeling up to it... " He offered a reassuring half-smile, "would you mind playing something for us? " His dark eyes sparkled with triumph. " Usually it is the Host who does the entertaining, but... Since it seems some of us are neglecting our valuable guests... " Kyouya's eyes were pointedly NOT on Tamaki. "We seem to be in need of a little help. "

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

"Tamaki-sama!" A large eyed brunette gushed from his side. "Will Kaiu be a regular?!"

"Kaiu?!" Another girl added. "Is that his name?!"

"Will he?!"

"WILL HE?!"

He could feel the blood draining from his face, leaving him ghostly white as Tamaki answered.

"But of course, my princesses.Who could ever resist the charms of your King?"


"But... I... " He stammered, in an attempt to thwart Tamaki's assurances to the young ladies that he would be a regular. Unfortunately, the blonde wasn't listening. He heard the words, quietly spoken as if nothing at all were happening across the room - "Do you play...? "

The words felt like an escape. A subject he could talk about that didn't involve gaping at beautiful high-school boys. He was all too glad to have a reason to turn his eyes toward his beloved guitar case, but when he turned his eyes from the dark-haired demon-prince ...

He was greeted with the vision of Adonis himself striding purposefully across the floor toward him - a look of sorrowful appology only enhancing the blonde's natural beauty. Kaiu couldn't help but scoot a bit closer to Kyouya, in an attempt to defend himself against the oncoming Princely-charms.

"Y... yes.. I play... Since I was a little boy... " He reached involuntarily for his guitar, but .... it was on the other side of Tamaki, and his reach fell short.

Was that sighing he heard from the girls now gathering around the three of them? Did he hear a quiet female voice whisper to a friend Do you think he'll play for us?" Shy giggles floated through the air like butterflies in a garden. I hope so! Why don't you ask him?

Those whispers were lost, though, when amethyst eyes leveled on his and smooth fingertips lifted his chin to inspect the damage that'd been done. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks one more time. He squeezed his eyes shut, like a child afraid of the monster in the closet and pressed himself tightly against the cold, unrelenting frame of his rescuer.

"Kaiu. It is Kaiu, isn't it?" Said the blonde's sweet, musical voice. "Forgive me if I came on too strong." The world errupted into a floral display of red rose petals. "Has the bleeding stopped?"

He'd been blushing so much over the last few minutes that he could hardly blush anymore at all. He felt a sort of ... numb... calmness begin to settle over him. He nodded stiffly. His nose was now, thankfully, blood-free though Tamaki's sudden closeness and tender touch were enough to make it threaten to start up again.

"It will...If you stop harrassing him. " Kyouya cooly replied, only moments before physically shoving Tamaki aside.

Kaiu itched to hold his guitar in his hands. To hide behind it's gracefully curving frame. Anything to keep the overenthusiastic blonde at bay.

It was like Kyouya was reading his mind. Or at least, knew exactly what to say to sooth his fraying nerves.

"If you're feeling up to it, would you mind playing something for us? " Kai was beginning to think that 'Demon Prince' was an appropriate title for the boy sitting beside him. He felt a chill run up his spine as Kyouya leveled a dark-eyed glare on Tamaki, before turning those same eyes toward him. A calculating warmth replaced the depthless pools of black hell-wrath that had been there only a heartbeat before. "... Usually it is the Host who does the entertaining, but... Since it seems some of us are neglecting our valuable guests...We seem to be in need of a little help. " Kaiu noted that the smile on Kyouya's face warmed only AFTER the delighted Kyaaah!! 's of the ever growing audience reached their ears.

He knew that refusal was ... not a wise choice. Something sinister lay hidden beneath Kyouya's surface. So, Kai nodded a bit numbly. IF only he could reach his guitar... which was still nestled on the OTHER side of Tamaki.

[Suou Tamaki]

Tamaki, still blithely unaware of his negative effect on Kaiu- for in his mind, his effect could only be positive- turned his mesmerizing gaze upon him once more, eyes shining with apologetic tears. He started to offer the boy a cup of tea when something caught him dead square in the forehead, knocking him backwards onto the stiff arm of the sofa.

“It would...” Kyouya’s demon glare rained shurikens down on him. “If you’d stop harassing him.” The Shadow King went on to say something else, but Tamaki seemed too flustered to register it.

“Harassing?!” The blonde shot to his feet, black leather dress shoes now digging into the rose cushions of the sofa. “That’s not fair, Kyouya!” he continued, expression wild, eyes teary- despite the occassional baffled stares from their newer customers. The others had grown accustomed to his spontaneous antics and tantrums by now. “I wasn’t harassing him! I just- hm?”

He glanced down, where his heel had made contact with a small case of some sort. Unfortunately, his reactions proved to be a bit slow and he teteered and tottered, arms flapping wildly in a frantic dance, before finally tumbling over the edge into a large, clumsy heap upon the marble floors.

“Tamaki-sama!” Several princesses cried. “Are you alright?”

“Ungh...” he grunted as he slowly pulled himself over the arm of the couch, half simmering, half sniffling. He started to straighten his uniform before tending to their new customer’s tea again when, through messier than normal golden bangs, he spotted the very object that he’d stumbled over. “A guitar case?!” He picked the seemingly harmless thing from the cushions. “Who would leave such a thing lying around for people to trip over?!” Never mind the fact that he had been standing on a piece of furniture. His eyes narrowed. Could this be some form of sabotage by those dastardly twins?

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

It was like watching a tennis match. Kyouya... Tamaki ... Kyouya again... His brilliant blue eyes were on Kyouya, ready to answer 'yes' to the Shadow King's request when Tamaki launched himself up onto the cushions of the couch... standing mere centimeters from his precious guitar.

Kaiu watched in horror as those patent leather shoes moved closer to his guitar case. His eyes widened with shock as Tamaki tripped, flailed and then sailed over the edge - cringing as the guitar cried out inside it's protective cocoon.

He observed, dumbstruck as Tamaki pulled himself up over the arm of the chair. Even with his hair slightly disheveled he was beautiful. Unfairly so. Kaiu was mesmerized by the slightly wild look in his eyes - and so, didn't notice until he'd picked up his precious instrument.

Kai couldn't help himself. He lunged forward, arms outstretched in an attempt to snatch the guitar back from Tamaki's clumsy hands. "Nooo!"

"Be careful with that!! " His fingers settled in the familiar black leather case, and he rather unceremoniously yanked the instrument from Tamaki's grasp. He clutched it tightly to his chest for a moment, before frantically turning his attention to the clasps that held it all shut.

"I'll never forgive you if she's been hurt...." It was the first sign of backbone he'd shown up to this point. His heart was racing a mile a minute as he threw the lid open and peered down at the only thing in the room more beautiful than Tamaki. Her golden curves glistened in the dieing light, dark copper tiger's stripes a sharp contrast to the pale golden hue behind them. Copper and silver strings lay across her neck like jewelry. He reached in, through the thick furred interior and cracled her in his hands as he pulled her from her nesting place, flipping her over to inspect every inch of that supple frame.

He set the case aside, and settled the guitar in his lap, holding it as tenderly as he would hold a lover. His long, slender fingers caressed the strings and she sang as beautifully as ever. He breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back into the couch for a moment. She was okay. Unharmed by Tamaki's wild antics, and for that he was incredibly grateful.

Kaiu shot Tamaki a tenuous glance, before finally replying to Kyouya's request.

"I need to make sure she's still in tune, anyway... " Kaiu blushed lightly as the ladies sighed melodramatically and began to gather close. hurry up! Get over here.. he's going to play! they called back and forth to one another.

[Ootori Kyoya]

He could have been a statue for all the participation he was taking. He was not surprised at all when the Host King shot up and stood on the couch. NOR was he terribly shocked when Tamaki wobbled, flailed, and finally fell.

He was quietly observing Kaiu, and had nonchalantly pulled out his notebook, jotting down a few things before he set the book aside. He would have to make sure to look details up on their newest arrival. Something nagged at the back of his mind - something about Kaiu's over-fondness for that particular instrument. He remembered reading that he'd been trained in several styles, but he also remembered hearing something about his father disapproving. If Kyouya could slip away for just a few minutes, he was =sure= he'd find something worth using to .... convince... Kaiu to return.

The dark-haired demon's observant eyes watched over the rim of his glasses as he gracefully prepared a cup of tea for each of the three of them. One for himself, one for Kaiu, and one for Tamaki. Anything to keep the blonde's hands busy.

He was glad to see the girls begin to twitter among themselves, and those that were entertained enough by other Hosts were drawn by the sweet sound of Kaiu's quick sound-check. Dozens of pairs of eyes were riveted- waiting with eager anticipation. When Kaiu agreed to play, Kyouya saw an opportunity to slip away.

Shoving a teacup into Tamaki's hands, to replace the now missing guitar case, Kyouya took his own cup and slid like a shadow out of the limelight and into the dark corner he usually spent most of his Hosting days. He sank into his usual chair and pulled up school records, filing through them.

Kaiu was on his own now - at least until Kyouya could dig up enough dirt to blackmail... er... gently persuade him.. to return on a regular basis.

[Hitachin Kaoru]

"It's so lonely without my brother here.... " Kaoru lamented, his champaigne eyes casting longingly toward the picture window. He propped his chin in his hand whistfully, and was rewarded with words of comfort from his audience.

Kaoru had been unaware of the developments on the other side of the room, until one by one his girls began to drift away. He was so used to Tamaki's spurts, that he'd learned to all but ignore them.

"Do you think he's okay..? " He asked one young girl, worry creasing his brow. "He wasn't feeling well this afternoon, so he went home early. " Truly, he WAS feeling anxious. Hikaru had gone on without him, and Kaoru couldn't help but worry about his brother. Something had been bothering him, but he hadn't wanted to talk about it.

There were fewer words of encouragement.

"I should have gone home with him... "

Nothing.

All eyes were somewhere else, now - straining to see some sort of commotion on the other side of the room. Sitting up and peering over the tops of his client's heads, he predictably saw Tamaki at the center of it. But wait, was that someone new? He shifted his weight, but found that he had to get to his feet to see over the sea of heart-producing fangirls. Was that a -guy-?

"Eh..? "

Curiosity killed the cat. And in this case.. a Kaoru, too. Since he wasn't the center of attention anymore, he skulked around the perimeter until he was directly behind the couch just in time to see Kyouya shove a teacup in Tono's hand and stalk away. Kao could tell that Kyouya-senpai was up to the usual evil-doings. There was something sinister in those dark eyes as he'd merely slipped like a ghost out of the middle of whatever it was that was happening. That could only mean trouble for whoever was sitting directly below him.

Kaoru draped himself over one of Tamaki's shoulders, peering down at the dark-haired.... unusually handsome.... young man on the couch, cradeling a guitar. "Neh... You seem to attract more than your fair share of guys, Tono... "

Kaoru quickly assessed the boy's fashion sense, and had to admit, he approved. Just the right number of bangles on the wrist and peircings in the ears.. his hair was artfully cut to accentuate his face and his long lean body suited the school uniform rather well. Those eyes were stunning, and Kaoru couldn't help but picture this newcomer in designer coutre. The guitar was a surprise, but the way the guy was cradleing it in his arms, Kaoru could tell it was important to him. The ease with which he drew his fingers over the strings was captivating.

No wonder all his clients were currently squishing together in a semi-circle in an attempt to get the best seating. Handsome. Fashionable. And a musician. Kaoru didn't know the guy's name, but he knew he'd find out before the end of the day. The girls would be talking about it for the next week, if he was any good on that guitar.

"Do you think he'll be better than you are on the piano?" Kaoru tapped his chin, grinning like the little devil he was. He knew it'd likely get under the Host Club King's skin.

[Suou Tamaki]

"Huh?" The whites of Tamaki's eyes grew larger as the guitar case was plucked from his hands. "Wh-!"

"I'll never forgive you if she's been hurt...."

The blonde swallowed hard and fell back down against the sofa. Who knew that their formerly bashful customer actually had a backbone? He noticed the manner in which Kaiu cradled the guitar, firmly enough not to drop it, but gently as if a single movement could cause it to shatter in his grasp. It reminded Tamaki of his first Steinway piano, hand picked specially by his mother. He hadn't wanted to touch it for the fear that he'd mar the beautifully polished wood. Of course, once he got his fingers on the instrument, they couldn't convince him to stop...

"Ah..." He smiled in understanding. "You really love that instrument, don't you, Kaiu?" The tea that Kyouya had prepared simmered before him and he took a small sip. "It's very beautiful," he remarked smoothly. "It suits you." He stared cheerfully at him in anticipation, lilac eyes wide.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a demon perched down upon his shoulders. "Do you think he'll be better than you are on the piano?" it taunted.

"Hmph." Tamaki frowned. "The two can't be compared," he explained. "The piano is a refined and classic instrument. Something a doppelganger like you wouldn't understand." His brow furrowed as he turned to face the twin. "Where's devil number two?" Screwing with him was usually a joint effort.

[Uhoudoji Kaiu]

Kaiu's vivid blue eyes were nowhere but on his instrument as he settled her in his lap. The weight of the wood against his thighs was reassuring and he could feel the vibration of her eagerness to sing as Tamaki threw himself down into the couch beside him.

Kai settled his fingers over the strings - the taught, cold metal caressing against his fingertips. His fingers faltered, though, when Tamaki spoke again.

"Ah..." The blond smiled with a gentle radiance that seeped it's warmth in through Kai, despite the young guitarist's efforts to not look Tamaki in the eye. "You really love that instrument, don't you, Kaiu?" He felt heat rise to his cheeks again.

"Yes... I do. She's ... the wind in my feathers. " It was something of a poetic interpretation. He, the caged bird. She the wind. When he played - it was as if the wind were blowing over his feathers, and the euphoric sensation made him want to spread his wings. It was as close to flight as he'd ever see.

"That's why I named her Soyokaze... " The word meant 'gentle breeze', and that's what the instrument was to him. A hint of a freedom he knew he'd only ever taste through the cold bars of his cage.

"It's very beautiful," that smooth, effortless voice spoke once more. "It suits you."

Kai cleared his throat a little, and nodded his head. "Thank you... " He could feel those sparkling lavender eyes boring into him, but they weren't the only pair of eyes trained on him. Dozens of pairs of eyes were now turned in his direction; and there was one girl at least who was already swooning over his 'poetic' love for his instrument and Tamaki's gentlemanly grace in complimenting him.

So, when the next words left Tamaki's mouth, it was something of a blow.

"Do you think he'll be better than you are on the piano?" Someone new was draping themselves over the blonde, and Kai couldn't help but turn his eyes in Tamaki's direction. Auburn hair, bright eyes and a grin that gave Kai a touch of the creeps were the things he noticed immediately.

"Hmph." Tamaki frowned up at the new arrival. "The two can't be compared. The piano is a refined and classic instrument. "

Kai's blush faded immediately and a wounded smirk replaced the shy smile he'd had until then. "You mean to insinuate..." He began, his quiet voice straining slightly against the insult. "That the guitar is neither refined, or classic..?"

He heard twitterings and swoonings on the sidelines. He did his best to ignore them. He now had a point to prove, and he had every intention of doing so. His determination to show Tamaki that his guitar could be -both-. He rolled his shoulders, wriggled his fingers to warm them up and then flipped his chord hand over the top of the neck of his beloved instrument. The suprising change of style elicited a few quiet murmurrings from those among the girls that knew how a guitar should be played. This... was something entirely different.

He bent himself over the golden tiger maple, searching for his starting place. His fingers rested against the strings. He took a deep breath, and then the music flowed from him.

Fingers danced over the strings with the gentle grace and familiarity of a boy who truly only felt free to express himself with song. The notes waltzed through the air - hardly the mournful or slow tune one might have expected. It was like taking flight and his vibrant blue eye shone with a light they'd previously lacked as he watched his own digits flirt with the strings.

(( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMPNTzFXAJw for a quick little show.))

He was lost in the music. Captivated by it. The world around him faded to nothingness for the short 2 minutes he was playing. When the song was over, it all blossomed around him once more - and what he saw were girls falling flusted to the floor all around him.

~blinku~

[Ootori Kyoya]

Kyouya vaguely heard the music, and was suitably impressed. But, his attention was nearly completely captivated by what he'd found in the school files. This Kaiu became something far more interesting than merely a boy with a talent for music and good looks.

Uhoudoji Kaiu had connections to people and places that Kyouya found VERY advantageous. He also discovered that the boy had connections to the Ootori family, though only at the periphery - as a patient. He pulled up medical records, transfer papers, school records, birth certificate, bank histories - there was nothing he didn't know about Kaiu by the time he'd finished.

Including his father's strict insistance that the boy be barred from any sort of artistic or musical undertakings while at the school. Kyouya's grey eyes settled momentarily on Kaiu as the music came to an end. That guitar had to have been smuggled in and the boy was taking quite a risk by playing it in 'public'.

Now, Kyouya had his angle. His hook. The boy would be working for them after today; perhaps not as a full-fledged Host - that privelege was entirely Tamaki's to bestow - but certainly as musical entertainment. Kyouya happened to know that Kaiu was not only capable on the guitar, but on the Shamisen as well - the perfect instrument to lend authenticity to the club's occassionally historic-themed afternoons.

Kai's need for secrecy would likely only enamour him more to the ladies. There was nothing at all like a Secret Passion to stir their fickle hearts.

Kyouya rose from his seat, clapping softly at the conclusion of Kaiu's performance. Girls were wobbling helplessly throughout the room. Several leaning against one another in a feeble attempt to stay on their own feet. Soft sighs and slowly bubbling hearts rose toward the cieling, where they gathered like balloons in the corners of the rafters.

"Very well played." His expression was as enigmatically cool as always; with that mysteriously unchanging smile in place. "It's really too bad..." He continued as he bent to refill his tea-cup from the pot sitting in front of the boy, "... that your father disapproves. If he knew you had that with you .... "

He was rewarded with the draining of color from Kaiu's face and the barely hidden fear in the boy's irridescant eyes. Good. He could be 'persuaded.' Kyouya turned his dark grey eyes to those in the room, leveling on them all a warning-glare.

"Ahh. But no need to worry, Kaiu. I believe your secret is safe with us." Kyouya slithered into the empty space beside Kai on the couch. "We'd be more than happy to store your instrument here... "

The girls were all nodding emphatically, some as quiet as mice and others murmurring their promises not to tell a soul. He could see Kai's eyes widening and the clutch on his guitar growing stronger.

"... where she would be perfectly safe. " Nothing in life was free. Especially when it came to Kyouya. The price? Not too hefty, if you asked him. "All we'll ask in return is that you play for us when we call on you to. I understand you've trained on the Shamisen as well. I'll be sure to have one shipped in. "

The tone of his voice was no-nonsense. It was final. Argueing with him was a moot and pointless endeavor - even Tamaki was familiar with Kyouya's final-say. The Demon-prince offered a triumphant smile that curled the corners of his lips only a fraction of an inch further than usual. Game. Set. Match.