Chapter 1:

Chapter 1, The Beginning

Mori looked over the well cared for yard with a soft smile. Being at home was always relaxing, especially since he didn't have to hold himself so highly in check. His steel gray eyes slowly closed before opening again to show a soft crimson glow.

"Feel better Takashi?" a soft voice said.

He turned to see his small cousin standing near the door with a soft smile and his favorite stuffed toy, Usa-chan, hugged tightly to his chest. Nodding his head, Mori looked back out over the yard to see the faint light of the sun rising. Hunny walked over to his cousin and sat down near the edge of the covered walkway.

"It's nice not having to keep it all in, ne Takashi? I wonder how Halloween will go this year. Kyo-chan said that we could show just a little of what we are this time if we wanted to."

Mori nodded with a soft smile. Halloween was one of the few times a year where they didn't have to pretend to be human. All of the members of the host club, with exception of Haruhi, had some form of inhuman lineage in them. Tamaki had slight traces Elf and Fae in him from his mother's family and a little Kitsune from his grandmother, Hikaru and Kaoru were Incubi as their father was half Incubus and their mother was a full blooded Succubus, Kyoya had some demonic blood in him and knew some Dark Magic, while he and Hunny had Vampiric blood lines. Mori's family had originally been Blood Donors and companions to Hunny's family until several generations ago, when one of Mori's ancestors was turned as a reward for saving their Master from a group of Hunters. After that, there were a few generations that had recorded the birth of a Vampiric child until two generations ago when the families came together as one. From then on, both sides of the family only produced Vampiric children.

"Hey, Takashi," Hunny stated, pulling him out of his thoughts. "What about Haru-chan? She's human...at least she seems to be...I wonder what she will be this year."

"Hallows Eve is still a ways away," he replied. "We can ask about what she wants to be once it gets closer."

Hunny nodded and stood up. "Let's go to school Takashi."

Mori nodded and let his eyes slowly become steel gray again before following his cousin to the waiting car.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Haruhi let out a sigh as she was being dragged behind the twins towards the club room. "You two know I can walk there right?"

"We know," they replied. "But you take so long to get there that we decided to help you."

She let out a groan as they continued on their way to the club room, dragging her behind. When they reached the club room doors, the trio entered and paused as the melancholy of the room hit them. Tamaki was sitting at the piano with his head in his hands, Kyoya was glaring at him with a look that clearly stated he was less than pleased, while Mori had a hand on Hunny's shoulder who looked every bit as unhappy as Kyoya was.

"What did we miss?" the twins asked simultaneously.

"Tama-chan," Hunny said, his voice nearly devoid of emotion. "You better not mean that."

"I wish it was different," Tamaki stated. "But this came from my grandmother and I can't go against it."

"You're an idiot," Kyoya stated, pushing his glasses up slightly. "You do realize that she can't do this to you since she no longer has any power in this."

"What's going on?" Haruhi asked loud enough to get everyone's attention.

Kyoya let out an irritated sigh. "Tamaki's grandmother has issued that she wants Tamaki to conform to her wish of marrying her choice of bride and if he doesn't comply, she will have him removed as heir to the Souh business."

Haruhi looked at Tamaki and sighed. "Why is she doing this? I thought that with what happened last year with Miss Tonnerre proved that she couldn't control him and that we would help our friends in anyway we can. Didn't that message sink in?"

"Apparently not," Hunny said darkly.

Haruhi looked down sadly before glancing at Hunny and Mori. Despite being first year university students, they still came by to visit with the club when they had time to spare. Haruhi sighed and glanced at everyone else in turn, thinking over everything that happened last year.

Kyoya had proven to his father that he was more than capable of being heir to the Ootori Zaibatsu by going around the Tonnerre's mass purchases of businesses throughout Japan, by purchasing the companies owned by his father that were in danger of being taken but gave them back when all was said and done instead of keeping them to taunt his father as his father had done to him; Hikaru and Kaoru had finally learned that, even though they were twins, they were still individuals with different likes and dislikes as well as had opened their eyes to a wider world than what they had known before; and Tamaki had managed to find a balance with his father and grandmother. Well, more so with his father since his grandmother was trying to make him marry a woman he probably never met before.

"Who is she trying to make Tamaki-senpai marry?" Haruhi asked.

"We are wondering that as well," Kyoya replied with an irritated sigh. "Unfortunately Tamaki isn't sharing. We can worry about it at another time though. We need to get changed for our guests."

"Wait, what?"

Before Haruhi could argue, the twins had shoved a clothing bag in her arms before pushing her into the changing area. She let out a sigh and opened the bag. Inside was a long red cloak made from what she could guess was velvet with some fur around the neckline, along with a set of dark brown trousers that stopped at her knees with a pair of white cotton socks that come up just above the knee. There was also a soft white shirt with some slightly frilled lace at the neck. She then pulled out a red vest that had gold embroidery with a pair of knee high dark leather boots. In a small bag there were some small gold signet rings, one that fit on her pointer finger with a rose made out of small rubies and two silver bands that went on both of her middle fingers. She thought it slightly ironic that they still made costumes for her that depicted her as a male student but since the fair, they had started placing her in more feminine roles. Once she had everything on, she stepped out to see the others almost completely dressed as well.

Kaoru walked over with a soft smile and started to mess with her cloak before pulling back. "There. Now you're done."

She looked down and saw that her cloak was now held more securely with a broach that looked like a red rose in full bloom. She also had the inkling that it was also made with rubies with small diamonds to look like dew drops on some of the petals.

"Now that we are all dressed," Kyoya stated. "Let's go greet our guests."

Haruhi glanced at Kyoya as she walked to her place trying to figure out what was missing before it struck her.

"Uh, Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi called. "Where are your glasses?"

Kyoya turned slightly and smiled. "I won't be wearing them for this cosplay, as the time frame we are dressed in didn't have glasses but did have glass although it was mostly used for windows. And besides, I have contacts in despite the fact I can see well enough without them."

Haruhi nodded weakly before walking over to her place in the line up. Tamaki was dressed completely in white with gold embroidered trim along with a cream sash that sat on his right shoulder leading towards the left side of his waist, with light brown leather boots and was sitting on a simple but elaboratly decorated chair. Kyoya was dressed similarly to Tamaki minus the sash and the fabric was completely black with silver trim. Hikaru and Kaoru had outfits much like hers with the exception of their vests as Hikaru's was light blue and Kaoru's was orange. Hunny was dressed like Tamaki but his clothes were more of a cream and had a soft pink sash with bunnies on it while Mori was dressed in plate armor with a white tabard only carrying a dark blue rose that was located over his heart. She actually felt kind of disappointed that he didn't have a nobleman costume. Guess they still want to play up the "Wild" archetype as much as they can, she sighed.

She pushed her thoughts away and donned her host smile as the others got into position. Once they were all standing in position, the doors opened to allow the mass of squealing girls into the room with their traditional greeting.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Haruhi sighed quietly as the girls she was hosting kept gushing over how good she looked as a Medieval European Nobleman despite having been proven to be a girl last year at the fair. She just smiled and continued to listen to them talk, thankful that she still had a decent clientele but it was mixed with some males as well. She actually thought it was kind of cute and funny how they mused and pondered about different ideas to see her in. Every once and a while, she would reply to one of their comments and queries about the days theme.

"By the way, Haruhi-chan," one of the girls asked bringing her out of her silent sigh and passing thought. "What is the Host club going to do this year for Halloween?"

Before she could answer, Kyoya seemed to materialize behind her, nearly giving her a heart attack when he spoke up. She hated that he could materialize out of no where every now and then, although there were times when it was wonderfully convenient. "We are actually going to hold a costume gala on Halloween that will go on into the night in one of the grand halls. Each of the hosts will be dressed in different costumes."

Some of the girls got hearts in their eyes and looked at Haruhi, causing said girl to sigh internally.

"What will you be dressed as Haruhi-chan?" one of the girls asked.

"I'm not sure yet," she replied with her host smile. "After all, there is still two weeks left until Halloween. I'll figure something out."

Soon the topic at her table was changed from how she looked in her cosplay to possible costume ideas for her to consider for the gala.

Kyoya walked away from the table and sighed quietly. She better have something picked by the end of the week, he thought coldly. Other wise I will need to ask the twins to come up with something on the fly for her. Hmm...maybe I could ask Ranka to talk her into something sooner. Kyoya walked over to a table in the corner of the room that was empty and pulled out his phone and dialed the number he knew the cross-dresser would always be able to answer but before he could press call, he heard a loud shriek.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Haruhi waited until Kyoya had walked away before turning back to her guests. "Would you ladies like some more tea?"

The girls nodded and as Haruhi stood, she accidentally bumping into Hikaru who was carrying a tray full of cups. Some of the girls let out a startled shriek as the tray flew into the air. To Haruhi, everything seemed to go in slow motion as the cups flew into the air, and began falling to the ground. Oh no, she thought as she reached her hand out to try an catch the tray. I can't let those break! Kyoya-senpai will recreate my debt if they break! In a single moment, everything paused. The cups were still in the air with their contents still inside them, the tray floating along side the cups and the whole room silent.

"How did you do that?" one of the girls asked in awe as she began walking over to the levitating items.

Before anyone could answer, Kyoya was back over with his Host smile in place. "That is a secret that we cannot reveal princess. Perhaps at another time we will tell you but for now, we must bid you all farewell."

Some of the girls let out sad whines and protests at having to leave but a glance at the clock and some cell phones that were pulled out, proved that hosting hours were indeed over and guests had to leave. Once all of the guests had left and the doors shut, the silence was broken by the sound of porcelain breaking and metal clanging against the floor.

Everyone turned to see the once levitating cups now shattered on the floor with their plates and Haruhi about to pass out.

Just before she hit the floor, Mori caught her and slowly sat her back in a chair that Hunny had pushed over before looking her over, worry etched on their faces.

"I'm sorry that those broke, Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi stated wearily.

"I won't hold it against you," he stated shaking his head. "As long as you tell me what just happened."

"I'm not sure, senpai. All I could think of as the cups were falling was that I didn't want them to break. As I reached to grab the tray, everything seemed to slow down before stopping all together. I felt like I was holding onto all of them at the same time but they were getting heavier and heavier."

"Are you okay, Haru-chan?" Hunny asked worriedly.

Haruhi nodded. "Just really tired."

Kyoya walked over, knelt in front of her, and placed a hand on her forehead. "You are slightly warmer than normal. Why don't you change out of your costume and head home for the day? I won't be adding this to your debt. This time."

Haruhi chuckled weakly as she nodded and went back to the changing rooms. When she was out of sight, Kyoya stood, crossed his arms and looked at the ground in thought.

"Kyo-chan?" Hunny asked. "Is Haru-chan going to be okay?"

"I believe so," he replied. "She is just very tired."

"Guess Haruhi was keeping a secret from us," Hikaru stated irritated, he honestly didn't mean for it to sound like he was insulted but it came out that way.

"I think it is more of the fact that she herself didn't know," Kyoya sighed. "It seems as though she has some aptitude for Magic, although I can't determine it's source without digging deeper. In the times I have been around Ranka, I never got the impression he knew magic, meaning this may be something she got from her mother."

Haruhi walked out of the changing room dressed in her uniform just as Kyoya finished speaking. The others glanced towards their friend, each one showing varying degrees of worry.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," she stated before walking out with a soft wave.

Everyone nodded and waved back as she left, before glancing at each other, knowing that they were thinking the same thing: What is Haruhi's skill in Magic and how is it she doesn't know about it?

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Haruhi walked into her apartment and put her school bag by the table before collapsing on a cushion near the table and placing her head on her arms. What was that? She asked herself as she thought about what happened earlier. How did that happen? If I think about it, I vaguely remember okaa-san doing something similar when otou-san wasn't looking when something fell while she was doing other things but she never seemed tired or strained afterwards. Haruhi let out a sigh and sat up as the door to her dad's room opened.

She watched as her father stumbled out of his room dressed in a white shirt and loose baggy pants, his red hair hanging loosely around his shoulders.

"Hey otou-san," she said quietly. "How did you sleep?"

"Haruhi?" Ranka looked up slightly surprised to see her. "What are you doing home so early? Don't you have club today?"

"Club got out early today."

"Oh. Did something happen?"

Haruhi nodded and slowly explained what happened during hosting hours. When she finished, Ranka sighed. "I was afraid of this."

"What do you mean?"

"Your mother," he stated softly. "Was a gifted sorceress, but chose to live without using her Magic very much. She would use it every now and then to prevent some little mishaps around the house but that was it. She never overtly displayed her power, she didn't want to be dependent on it for everything. When we found out that you were on the way, we hoped and prayed that you wouldn't show an aptitude for magic like she did."

"What do you mean? Why?"

Ranka took a deep breath before talking. "Before your mother and I got together, she was from a family that was very well off and was on the fast track to being accepted into one of the largest Law Firms in Japan. Not only that but she was one of the best sorceresses out there. When she started going out with me and finally agreed to marry me, she was disowned by her family but not before they stated that if they found out any of our children had the aptitude for magic, they would come and take them so they could be trained how the family wanted them to be."

"Do...do they know?" Haruhi asked worriedly.

Ranka let out a sigh and shrugged. "It is possible. Your mother and I didn't really get much of anything from them, not that we expected to, or see much of them unless it was in passing. So they may not even know where we live. But if they do, there is nothing I can do to stop them from taking you. Even if I fight with everything I have."

Haruhi looked down. "Oh..."

"Don't worry, sweet heart. If they don't know, we can keep going on as we have been but we will need to try and find you a teacher so that if something like this happens again, you won't get hurt. Hmm...maybe Kyoya-kun could help."

Haruhi winced slightly as she watched her father pick up the phone and call Kyoya.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Kyoya sighed as he walked down the long halls towards a relatively unused section of the school and paused at a set of large black doors. Well, at least Ranka was able to confirm my suspicions about Haruhi's use of magic earlier. I just hope that this will be fruitful. He took a deep breath before knocking. After a few moments, the doors creaked open showing a small figure cloaked in a long black cape.

"Hello, Ootori-senpai," a soft voice echoed. "To what can the Black Magic Club aid with on this evening? A curse? A hex? Possibly a charm to help assist you in certain endeavors?"

"Actually none of the above, Reiko-san?" he replied, mentally filing the last option away for future questions. "Is Nekozawa-senpai still here?"

The girl nodded and motioned towards the back of the room. Kyoya walked in and stopped to watch a male in a deep black hoodie finish mixing something into a bubbling cauldron while muttering a few things in what he presumed was some old dialect. After a moment, the figure turned.

"To what do I owe the honor of such a visit?" Nekozawa asked eerily, piercing Kyoya with his brilliant blue eyes.

"Your unique ability to Scry and See," Kyoya replied calmly, unfazed by the chilling stare.

"And what is it you wish me to Read?"

"More like "who", in honesty. I need you to Read Haruhi Fujioka."

"And why would you need such?" Nekozawa asked, highly intrigued.

Kyoya let out an annoyed sigh and gave a brief summary of what happened earlier and a little bit about the call he got from Haruhi's father. The tall male nodded with an eerie smile.

"So the little one managed to awaken the power locked inside," he said and waved his hand allowing the rest of the club to disperse and head home for the day. He may no longer be the president of the club, but he was by far the most skilled in the room.

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "You knew about Haruhi's aptitude?"

"It was fairly easy to tell when in close proximity that she had a gift but hadn't unlocked it as yet. And before you ask how I figured out Fujioka-san's gender, keep in mind of what you just asked me to do."

Kyoya gave a small reluctant nod, partly grateful that the rest of the dark teen's former club mates had already left. "Very well. Do you know her aptitude?"

"Her power resides in Balance. Not fully Dark but not fully Light. She can do what most would think impossible almost as if it was second nature, such as what happened with the tray of cups that you mentioned. She may also be able to heal that which normally heals on its own at a faster rate than they themselves could accomplish and hurt that which can never be hurt by typical means; although given what is known of her and her personality, she would rather use words and reason rather than power she posses. As you stated, she will need a teacher and the only one that I know of that would help her without asking much of anything in return would be my mother as her aptitude is the same."

"Your mother?"

"Yes. My mother knows the Magic of Light and Balance while father knows the Magic of the Darkness and Balance. Although I mostly practice Dark Magic, same as you, I do know some Balance Magic but my mother knows it better and will be less likely to teach Fujioka-san any of the Darker Magics that are inherent to me."

Kyoya nodded. "Would you be able to convince her to help? I would be willing to pay for the lessons if needed."

Nekozawa let out a slight laugh. "Payment may not be necessary. Mother may welcome this distraction. She has grown rather bored with doing business matters all day, although conversing might be a bit of a challenge. Mother still carries a bit of a Russian accent when she speaks, despite her being in Japan for nearly two decades."

"Would Haruhi still be able to understand her?"

"Yes, and if needed, my father or myself could be there to help clarify or translate anything. She sometimes reverts to Russian when she is overly angry or joyous."

Kyoya nodded and smiled. "Very well then. Thank you for the answers and the proposal."

Nekozawa nods in return. "May the Darkness walk alongside you, Warlock of the Void."

"May the Void keep you safe as well, Prince of Darkness."

After a light bow towards Nekozawa, Kyoya turned and walked out of the room, and headed towards the front gates of the school where there was a car waiting to take him home. So Haruhi is skilled with the Magic of Balance, he thought as the car pulled away from the school. Seems like things will be interesting this Hallows Eve. Because if what Nekozawa-senpai said is true, she will soon learn that what she will see on Halloween is fact and not fiction sooner than originally thought. As well as begin to understand a world that most never see is right in front of them.