"Alright guys!  I officially call this meeting into order!" Tamaki proclaimed and the others looked at him.  I sat at the table, drinking some honey tea, and he then said "So.  I would like to propose perhaps getting to know our new member a little better." "Who Renge?" I asked looking up, in mid sip of my tea.  I REALLY didn't want to visit her.

Tamaki shook his head.  Well, then that's okay with me.  I went back to drinking my sweet tea.  "No actually.  I was actually going to say you."  I choked on my tea, and I started coughing.  WHAT!?  "Tamaki, you guys REALLY don't want to come to my place…" I spluttered, wiping my mouth, but Honey interrupted saying "But we visited Haruchan's.  Why don't we visit yours?"

I swallowed.  Daiki.  Mei.  Everyone.  I then started "I…I think it's just my family's busy.  There's nothing really to do at my place."  Gosh, that was the worst lie I could've told!  Nice one Izumi!

Kyoya then said "Izumi.  We really want to get to know you."  The others nodded and Tamaki then said "If we're like family, we have to know each other well enough to know if anyone needs help.  So we're coming to your house, whether you like it or not!"

I was in the car later that day, getting driven back home.  I gazed out the window, watching the what seemed like hundreds of silver cars, racing by like darts.  Maybe they needed to know about Daiki, I thought.  Maybe they did need to know some things about me.

No!  Izumi, how much stupider could you get?  No way was I having them over, to only have them pull faces.  No, I'm making sure they're not coming over, and that's final!

But what am I supposed to do?  Tamaki's words echoed in my mind.  "We're coming to your house, whether you like it or not!"  I bit my lip as we finally arrived home.  

Subconciously walked to my room, and I flopped onto my bed.  I stared at the ceiling, bickering with myself.  If the club came, would I be able to take Daiki out of that situation?  Or would I just introduce him like any normal person?  

I felt my head pounding at all those thoughts, and I wondered how in the world I was supposed to handle this.  

I changed out of my school uniform, and was working on a sketch, when I heard the bell ring for the front door.  I didn't bother going, because I knew James would go and get it.

I didn't hear anything else, so I supposed that James had answered the door, and then the person had left. Probably some person offering something or another, or maybe the mailman.  I can get any packages later.

I then heard the bell call for dinner, and I shut my sketchbook, and went out of my room, down the stairs, and into the dining room.  I saw that the table had been extended, with extra seats added.  A lot actually!  Was dad having some executives here?  Or was mom having some clients?

I looked around the corner into the kitchen, and my heart stopped.  The entire host club was all gathered in the kitchen.  My mouth was hanging open.  Since when was a surprise visit in the agenda!?  All of the club was here, in casual, but slightly dressed up clothing.  I thought I might faint.

I looked down at what I was wearing.  God I came unprepared!  I was wearing some sweats and my favourite tee.  My hair was in a messy bun with a special bandana, and I had no makeup on whatsoever.  Crap.

Honey turned around and said "Izumichan!"  The others turned around and I then yelled "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE!?"  They all looked taken aback.  

"Well we said we would visit.  So we did." Kyoya said simply, checking something on his phone, and adjusted his glasses.  "Wh-, it's not okay you idiots to just come strolling into my house!  Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it if you all just LEAVE!" I yelled, pointing the way to the door.

"Izumi?  What's going on down there?" my mother called and I ran a hand through my hair, and my hair came tumbling out of it's bun.  Ugh now I have that to worry about!  "Nothing mom absolutely nothing!" I called back, hoping she would go and busy herself with one of her many calls or emails.  

She then came into the kitchen, in her black stilettos, and her geometric black and white dress (obviously the one she had designed herself).  Her hair was in a special up-do, almost looking a bit bouffant, but with a modern twist.

"And what have we here?" she asked sweetly, smiling, showing off her perfectly cosmetic teeth.  "Good question.   The host club was actually just about to leave." I said sourly and my mother turned to me and said "Izumi, why didn't you tell me the host club was coming over to dinner?" 

"Oh I don't know mom maybe because they didn't TELL me?  Or maybe because they could've at least given me a notice?" I said sarcastically and she turned to me pointing a fake Frenchie nail at me.  "Watch the tone young lady.  Now, why don't you take the club to the lounge and offer some hor deuvres?"  

I scowled and mutely led the club to the front of the house, letting them into the lounge, with sleek black and white furniture, and accents of red here and there.  More specifically, the glasses of sparkling cranberry juice set out in the centre, and specially cut red apples and pomegranate seeds.

I motioned to the food and said "Help yourselves."  The club nodded gratefully and slowly began to chow down on the food.

I just picked at an apple slice, and had a sip of the juice.  I didn't want to fill myself up on too much.  Not only that, my stomach was churning.  I needed to see if I could distract them enough to leave.  I really wanted to.  They didn't understand though.

I sat there, ready to bite off my perfect salon done nails, that took an hour, in exchange for five minutes of anxiety relief.  Did I really want to do it?  Yes.  No.  Maybe.  I needed something.  

"Izumi!!  The club can come for dinner!" my mother called and I ran a hand through my hair, and said "Well you heard my mum.  Let's go."

The club immediately obeyed surprisingly, and I led them to the dining room, letting them pick their seats.  Tamaki sat across from me, with Kyoya sitting beside me.  My dad was at the head of the table, as per usual, my mother on his right side, Mei on the left.  Usually, Daiki would sit with me on my side, but for some reason he wasn't downstairs.  

I quickly looked into the kitchen to see my mother on the phone.  I went in, and she she then pulled her phone away from her ear and then said "What is it Izumi?" "Where's Daiki?" I asked, somewhat worried.  

"He's in his room.  He's not feeling well.  He's got a bad stomach bug, and he hasn't been doing well today with it.  I've already got Ida to give him some toast and some Sprite.  Don't worry Izumi, he's alright."

I felt a wave of relief come over me.  If the club didn't see Daiki, then there wouldn't need to be anything to hide.  Thank God.

I walked into the dining room again, feeling like a huge weight had just been taken off my chest.  I could relax.

Dinner was simple.  Some roast beef, with gravy, roast potatoes and sweet potatoes, and steamed vegetables.  It was nice, and the boys were quite polite. 

"So Kyoya, I've heard you run the economical part of the club." my father said, taking a sip of his red wine.  Kyoya nodded and replied "Yes, I manage most of the money in the host club.  But I think you should be looking at our leader Tamaki.  He usually comes up with grand ideas."

"Does he now?" my mother said, gazing intently at Tamaki.  Tamaki gave his famous smile and said "Yes, I am the leader of the club, but in the end, it all works out so that every member has a share in the success." 

"So you're saying my daughter isn't wasting her time on this?" my father said sipping his wine.  

"Dad!!!" I exclaimed and he then simply said "Izumi.  I had always wondered what you did in the club, next to taking pictures.  I mean you barely told us anything!  I was checking that you weren't doing anything else, such as flirting with boys, and you weren't wasting your precious time on something that sounds so frivolous."

God, I just wanted to die right now.  My mother said "Oh Ryou, you know Izumi's a smart girl, with a good head on her shoulders.  She wouldn't do anything to go against you."

"I would hope not." my father said, and I nodded, putting on the Daddy's-little-princess act saying "Dad, I wouldn't do anything that would upset you."  God, did he think that I went around smoking pot or sleeping around?

My father chuckled and said "That's my girl."  The dinner was still somewhat awkward after that.  Dessert was going to be served a half hour after dinner, so I got Mei to show Honey her huge collection of stuffed rabbits.

I talked with the others, and then Tamaki said "Hey Izumi, could I use the washroom?" "Yeah, just head up the stairs, turn left, and it's the first door on your right." I said, without a second thought, especially since the one on the ground floor was occupied.

I then thought about it for a moment.  I sent Tamaki to the upstairs washroom.  Upstairs.  And it was across from Daiki's room.  Daiki was upstairs….Tamaki….CRAP!!

I quickly got up and said "Sorry guys but can you just give me a sec, I'll be right back…."  I then sprinted out of the living room, and into the hall, up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

I whipped the corner to see Daiki's door slightly ajar.  I quietly made my way towards it, and pushed it open gently.  I saw Daiki, peacefully reading a book, engrossed in it completely.  I looked at the title.  "To Kill A Mockingbird."  I remembered reading that book when I was younger.

I looked around the room.  Tamaki wasn't anywhere in sight.  Phew.  "Is that your sick family member?" a voice asked behind me and I whipped around.  Tamaki.

I swallowed.  "Izumi….why didn't you tell us?" Tamaki asked quietly, looking at me.  I couldn't even look him in the eye, and I stared at the ground, and shuffled my feet.  

"Izumi, I don't see why you didn't tell us." Tamaki said and my head went up, and I snapped "Well I didn't want to be judged just because of my younger brother.  He's fighting for his life right now against leukaemia, and the last thing I'm having is people like you judging me because of someone I love."

"Izumi?" Daiki called and I thought, damn it.  I turned back and opened the door again and Daiki was looking up, knowing he didn't recognize that voice.  I bit my lip and said "Daiki….I want you to meet my friend Tamaki."I don't how I somehow got Tamaki in the room, and then said "Tamaki, meet my younger brother Daiki."  Tamaki stepped in slowly, almost afraid that he would hurt Daiki if he didn't go slowly.  

"Oh…hi Tamaki….Izumi's told me a lot about you." Daiki said giving a small smile, being a little shy.  Tamaki seemed to relax a bit, and stepped closer with me.

He ended up going right beside Daiki's bed and sat down in the chair set up there.  He then said "So Daiki.  Izumi hasn't really said anything about you.  But what did she tell you about me?"

Daiki laughed and said "Trust me.  She's told me every one of your mishaps and your triumphs.  She thinks it quite funny really.  And she thinks you're really cute when your nice too.  Like right now.  I bet you she thinks your being extremely cute, but you're being really kind too."

Tamaki laughed and said "Well at least I know that."  I blushed.  Guess they thought I had left.  But I hadn't.  But I was so glad Tamaki wasn't reacting negatively.  This was actually going better than expected!

I left them alone and then thought of the perfect rule.  And that was rule number 11.  "Don't be afraid to try, because you don't know how beautiful something can turn out to be."