Bitten {Ouran Host Club}

A Spoonful of Sugar

??? POV

She was still here? That little bitch... She was supposed to leave! That's what he told us, at least. Kaoru is mine!

I walked down the deserted hallway quietly. My thoughts were wild inside my head, but outside? It was like a blizzard of silence had come through; cut, cold, and down to the point.

The door seemed to stand over me, intimidating me. Why I thought this way? My situation is currently too complicated to explain...

All I can tell you is that I've been in love with Kaoru for what seems like forever. He's never fled my thoughts, yet I doubt I've yet to stick in his.

I opened the door and stepped inside silently. The room was dark and quiet, but I knew he was here.

"So Alaria's still with Kaoru, is she?" He asked. I nodded sadly. "Yes, sir," Best to pay him the most of my respect. Especially now. "You will take care of this, I assume?" My body trembled in anger. "I am tired of not being noticed by him! He will pay, and, with his payment, comes Alaria's." I grin evilly. "Perhaps even the entire Host Club?" It grew quiet for a moment.

He cleared his throat. "You are after all of the hosts?" I nodded once with a curt, "Yes, sir," He sighed. "If you hurt Alaria, your life is on the line from that moment forward, do you understand me?" His voice was a low growl now, and I could hear how protective he was of the little bitch.

But I nodded obediently with another respectful, "Yes, sir," before leaving the room.

****

Alaria's POV

The limo came to a hault at the Ouran gates. Something felt off today, and I was lost in my thoughts. Tamaki and Haruhi, as usual, kept up a nice conversation during the ride, but didn't seem to notice my off mood. Not like it mattered, I suppose.

I left the vehicle and started to the courtyard where I always meet Kaoru in the mornings. It always felt like a secret cult meeting. Which I thought was pretty funny.

But, this morning, that "funny feeling" wasn't funny this morning.

Something was definitely off.

I approached the courtyard and opened the gates carefully. On the concrete benches before the water fountain sat Kaoru. He was slumped over a bit, slouching.

As I closed the gates, Kaoru turned to me. "Good morning, my princess!" He stood slowly and casually, and walked to hug me. He wrapped his warm, protective arms around my shoulders and I smiled with a relieved sigh.

My feelings are just being ridiculous.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my lips to his clothed shoulder. "Good morning, my prince." I murmured against his shirt. "My princess" and "My prince" were like our own inside joke; that's how we greeted one another in the mornings.

Kaoru took a small step back and took my hand. "To class?" He asked sweetly. I nodded and smiled. "To class."

We walked to class together, swaying our hands gently and talking to the hosts we met in the halls.

"I miss the beach...!" Tamaki whined, his arm around Haruhi's shoulder. "It's becoming winter, Tamaki. I doubt you'll want to go swimming now." Tamaki nodded and gave an upset sigh.

It was true that winter was just around the corner. We were to except much snow. It was Friday, the last day of fall and the last day I had in the Hitachiins' home. It felt as if time was too fast, sometimes, while other times it felt as if time couldn't go any slower.

Kaoru squeezed my hand subconsciously and I smiled. No matter what I thought about, no matter what he did, he was always making me happy. "What are we doing for Christmas?" Kyoya asked, little black book in hand. Kaoru immediately replied, "Presents! At... Erm... Tamaki's house." He sounded like a child. But it was sweet, adorable even. Tamaki shrugged. "I could manage Christmas at my house this year. Wouldn't be the first year." As the hosts went into the Club event for Christmas, my thoughts wandered.

Every single Christmas, Mom would make it her life mission to remain sober for the entire day, just for me. She'd go out and buy presents the day before, staying sober that day, too, just for me. Mom would prepare an amazing dinner that would beat Ouran's cafeteria goods by a long shot. My Mom always made every Christmas magical for me. She loved me, pampered me. That's all I ever wanted.

An unexpected tear fell from my eye and I quickly wiped it away. But not before the others noticed it. "Alaria? Is everything okay?" Kaoru asked gingerly. I nodded. "Just thinking of past Christmases with my mother..." I whispered. Kaoru nodded and hugged me, putting his chin on my head. He didn't say a word, which I'm happy about. I'm not sure I'd be able to reply.

We stood there, in each other's arms, for quite some time. When we backed away, Kaoru and Hikaru had to rush to class, as did Haruhi, Hunni, and Mori, while Tamaki and Kyoya walked me to our first class.

I fought to pay attention in class and won. Every few minutes I would feel as if someone was watching me. I wanted so badly to turn around and look, but I had to pay attention. Christmas break was coming up soon and I would have no time for distractions.

The class was over and we, again, met the hosts in the hallway. "How was first period?" Haruhi purred to Tamaki. The blonde smirked and shrugged. "Could've been better." He hugged her and they continued walking.

Kaoru grabbed my hand again. He smiled down at me and chuckled. "You're so pretty, you know that?" I blushed and looked at the floor. "Thank you, Kaoru. I didn't know I was pretty, honestly." He smirked and said, "I don't believe you." I simply rolled my eyes.

Hikaru elbowed his brother in the side and Kaoru jumped. "Yeah, yeah!" Kaoru mumbled. Hikaru smirked and winked. What did they have planned...?

Tamaki tapped my shoulder. "We're going on a little trip before Christmas. You should come." I looked at him strangely. "No water." I shrugged. "I'll think about it..." I teased. Tamaki noticed and slapped my shoulder gently. Kaoru sent him a glare.

The rest of the day consisted of boring lessons and an exciting lunch.

I never did find out what Kaoru and Hikaru were talking about in the hall...

***

The twins' house was dark. It was late, around eleven. Sleep would not come to me and I found it annoying. Tomorrow morning, I'd be off to Kyoya's house, which would most likely be awkward.

I stood at my window, staring outside my window. The yard was beautiful under the full moon. It was as if the moon was trying to hypnotize me.

"Such a sweet bird..."

I heard the beginning of a lullaby and spun around.

My bedroom door was cracked open, whereas it was originally closed, and a shadowed figure passed the door. I walked to the door and looked out into the hall.

Dim light came from some source, and the figure rounded the corner with another, soft, "Such a sweet bird..."

I followed the figure silently, grabbing a vase from a table in the hall. The figure walked into the dining room and sat down, seeming to not have noticed me.

Suddenly, the lights flicked on and Kaoru appeared from the shadows. I jumped and dropped the vase, which Hikaru caught just before it hit the ground.

Kaoru took my hand and kissed it. "This way, my princess. I've a surprise for you." I smiled and nodded. Kaoru walked me outside into the chilly air. I gave a small shiver, but didn't protest.

As soon as we made it to the garden, the lights lit all around us. Music started, a piano and violin. "May I have this dance?" Kaoru asked politely. I blushed and nodded. "Of course."

Kaoru took my hand once again and put his other hand on my waist. I put my only available hand on his shoulder and we began to dance.

Round and round we went, keeping time with the music. At the end of the song, Kaoru wrapped his arm around my back and dipped me, holding me expertly.

His golden eyes shined in the lights, his smile charming. I cupped his cheek with one of my hands. His eyes closed immediately to my touch and a small breath escaped his lips. "Alaria, you do things to me no one has ever been able to do to me." His voice sounded troubled. "I don't know..." He shook his head and opened his eyes. "It is your birthday today. And it seems you've forgotten yourself." As I thought about it, I realized it was, indeed, my birthday today. "And, because you forgot, I made sure the rest of the hosts didn't."

At that, the rest of the hosts walked up to us and Kaoru picked me up. "Happy birthday!" They all shouted at once. They all held out a wrapped box, each one topped with a bow. Kaoru walked me to a small, concrete table and we all sat down. A large, purple cake sat in the middle of the table. "Presents first!" Kaoru told me.

"Open mine first, Lari-Chan!" Hunni-Senpai exclaimed. I giggled and opened the wrapping. The box itself was already small, about an inch wide and an inch tall. I took the lid off of the white box to reveal a beautiful, golden locket. It said "Alaria" on the front. "You can put pictures in there!" I smiled and thanked him. "Mine next." Haruhi handed me her present.

Haruhi's present was much larger. It was about one foot tall and eleven inches wide. I slowly peeled off the wrapping, afraid of what was inside. Inside the box was a large stuffed bear. It was holding a small heart in its large paws. I thanked Haruhi as well.

I opened Kyoya's gift next. His gift to me was a purple violin with a large book of music. "So you can play whatever you'd like."

Mori-Senpai's gift came next. His was simple, but had meaning to it. It was a soft blanket with my name on a corner. "To comfort you during storms." He said.

Tamaki practically begged me to open his gift. It was a decorated box. "Open it." I nodded once and opened the small, three inch wide, five inch tall box. Inside was a note, a drawing, and another piece of paper. I looked at the note first by Tamaki's request.

"Alaria,
Though you've been through a lot, you've found a way to get through it all. You're a warrior and deserve much more than this.

I know a note and a picture, and another surprise, isn't what you really want for your birthday, but this is all I've got!

You are a fabulous person! At first, I honestly thought you'd steal my Haruhi away. But you didn't.

I've noticed that you two are very much alike. Are you long-lost sisters?

Anyway, I just want you to know that you're beautiful and that I'm always here for you!

- Tamaki"

His note made me cry. He requested, next, that I look at the other sheet of paper. It said, "Calone" on it. I raised a brow at him and he told me to look at the picture.

The picture was of a startlingly beautiful black horse with a white diamond shape on his right shoulder. "Calone is a wonderful girl, Alaria. I'm sure you'll love her." I smiled and thanked him.

Hikaru handed me his gift. "It's not much, but, hey!" I unwrapped the box and took off the lid. Inside was a folded sheet of paper. I unfolded it to reveal a drawing of me holding hands with Kaoru. "You drew this?" I gaped at him. He shrugged. "Eh... I tried to, anyway." I laughed.

Kaoru sighed and handed me his gift. His box was one inch tall and about one inch wide. It had a rounded top and I suddenly felt anxious to open it. I peeled off the wrapping. Underneath it was a black, velvet box. My hands started shaking. "It's not what you think." I sighed and opened the box.

Inside was a small, silver ring with a platinum sphere in the middle of the band. Beside the sphere were two small diamonds. I picked up the ring and looked on the inside of the band. It said, "I wish you a happy birthday, my Princess" and had the date engraved on it. I hugged him and put it on my pinky finger. "It's a promise ring. Which I know it's a bit early, but, hey." I smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thanks guys. For all of this."

We cut the cake and ate it. Everyone went home afterwards; it was about midnight.

As I curled up in my covers, I gazed down at the promise ring Kaoru gave me. As I gazed at it, I fell asleep, nothing but Kaoru on my mind.