Hikaru remembered back before the apocalypse, before the zombies emerged, before people started inserting AIs into their head. It had been a simpler time: his parents had been alive, he had no worries, and he and his friends didn't have to fight for their lives.

It had been he, Haruhi, Kyoya, and Honey against the world. But now, they literally were against the world, fighting off the thousands and thousands of zombies that appeared around Ouran every day.

Things progressed to this very moment quite slowly, actually. The outbreak had started when Hikaru was just 14, infecting people across the world. That's when they first became aware of the flesh-eating dead people. Then when he was 15, his father was dead and he held his mother's hand as she cried bloody tears telling him to find Kaoru. That didn't make sense though because Kaoru died in childbirth. Kaoru had been dead as long as Hikaru has been alive. But those were his mother's parting words and he felt a bit cheated.

Now, while Hikaru was 16, a small group of people developed something miraculous that was saving the last of the humans: AIs. They were these artificial intelligence chips that are inserted into a port just behind your ear and they were these beings that had access to information you did not and could show your mind different maps and visions to help you survive while out fighting against the zombies. They were incredible!

But there was a lot of resistance.

Who wants a piece of technology tracking their every move and manipulating their mind? It sounded terrifying.

Haruhi was the first to get one, just a month ago. She claimed her AI was "annoying as hell" and "made too many puns" but Hikaru had caught her laughing to herself too many times to count which was quite the change for her ever since her dad died. Her AI's name was Tamaki.

Honey was the second to get his AI and his was named "Mori." Honey had said it barely talked and told him not to just loot candy when they went on runs to get supplies, but it seemed good for Honey. He seemed calmer than ever.

Kyoya flat out refused. He said he had no need for one, but that makes sense for a guy who liked to be in control.

And then there was Hikaru. He had finally gave in and he was getting one today. He had traded an immense amount of their supplies for this AI just like the others had and he really hoped it was worth it.

His AI was named "Karou" which Hikaru found extremely creepy when it was the same name as his dead baby twin. But he was excited nonetheless, even though it hurt like hell when he woke up with the port newly drilled into his skull, connected to his brain.

"So how does this work?" Hikaru asked from where he was laying facedown on the surgical table with his head tilted to the right, exposing the port behind his left ear to the surgeon.

"This part is the easy part," the man said. "It's just going to hurt like hell."

"I already hurt like hell," Hikaru said, frowning at the guy and watched as he picked up a small chip with the name "Kaoru" written across the side.

"Well this will hurt more. When the AI connects to your consciousness, it feels as though it is literally grabbing onto your brain. Be prepared."

Hikaru closed his eyes and ignored the man, knowing it be true. Haruhi had talked about how she had never felt anything like it in her life and she hoped she would never have to get Tamaki maintenance.

Breathing out deeply, Hikaru tensed, feeling the surgeon leaning over him until he positioned the chip above the port, ready to be inserted. "Just warn me when you're going to—" Hikaru was cut off as the chip entered the port and suddenly fire engulfed his brain, sending waves of pain down his spinal cord. His brain pulsed with absolute ripping, bleeding agony.

Hikaru burst into sobs, shrinking away and curling into himself and when that didn't quench the pain, he struggled and seized against the table and he distantly felt the surgeon's hands pinning his shoulder against the table. He could hear his feral screams but he almost felt disembodied by the pain.

As quickly as the pain had come, it disappeared, leaving his joints achy and tingling. "Ow…" Hikaru croaked, turning his head against the table, his brain feeling kinda hazy.

The surgeon let go of him but did not step back, just watching him. "You should feel him in a moment."

He was right. In the back of his head, a presence seeped into the fiery residual pain like a cool breeze on a hot day. Eagerly, Hikaru closed his eyes and said out loud, "Hello?"

The only response was a low groan, startling and loud in his mind. It was a voice he never heard before.

"It should take the AI some time to adjust. How are you feeling?"

Hikaru sat up slowly, cautiously touching a finger to his small port. "Just a bit tired."

"That's normal," the doctor said. "Now I would suggest you rest for the rest of the day. The AI should be up and alert fully by tomorrow. If there is something wrong with him, just come back in."

Hikaru nodded, ruffling his hair and hopping off the table. "So that's it?"

"That's it. The port should have no adverse effects on any of your functions and you won't need any time to heal. It's that easy."

Hikaru nodded, grabbing his gun from the nearby chair and threw on his backpack. "Thanks again."

"Stay safe out there."

With that, Hikaru was out the door of the old hospital. The facility was still in good shape and was well protected from the swarms of zombies. As Hikaru left the building, the hospital guards opened the gate for him and he was out into the empty street, running across the street and down the city sidewalk towards his and his friends' makeshift home.

"Hey are you in there?" Hikaru asked the person in his head as he ran along, only slightly out of breath.

The groan came again, almost like the AI was in pain, but Hikaru knew better. AI's can't feel pain…

"Can you hear me?"

Can you just… shut up? The voice came back, so quiet that Hikaru almost missed it.

Hikaru frowned but did not reply, turning his attention back on the streets as he ran, keeping his eyes open for any movement. Luckily, there was nothing and he made it to the school in no time, jogging up to the front gates, using his key to unlock the gate and closing it shut behind him.

"Hikaru!" Haruhi's voice jolted him and he turned after finishing with the lock.

"Haruhi, don't do that!" he said, pressing a hand to his chest to still his swiftly beating heart. "I'm too tired for this."

She ignored his statement in favor of tilted her head at him questioningly. "So how's your AI?"

"Kaoru? I don't know, he hasn't talked to me yet."

"He'll come around. That first day was the only quiet day I've had since getting Tamaki," she said and then immediately winced, listening to him in her head.

Hikaru walked past her and led the way to their old music room which was now their shared room for sleeping and gathering. "I hope I get to that point. It does feel weird to have someone in my head without them talking."

The feeling was a bit like someone was watching him. Silently, in his head he asked, Kaoru?

Hikaru.

Hikaru visibly jumped at the sudden reply, startling Haruhi to a stop beside him. "He said something?"

"Yeah," Hikaru said softly, frowning. But Kaoru's voice had sounded tired, like dead tired. "It sounded forced."

"He probably doesn't have a strong enough connection yet. Like I said, just give him some time."

"Hmm," Hikaru hummed, not really paying attention. He was too preoccupied with his AI and trying to get him to speak again.

Kaoru, Kaoru. HELLLOOooooooOOOOooo?!

I will kill you if you don't shut up.

"Hikaru would you stop bothering the poor thing?" Haruhi said as they walked into the school and up the main stairs, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

"What are you—?"

"Kaoru sent out a distress signal but it was pretty faint. He must not be happy about being in your loud head."

They reached the top of the stairs when the door slammed open, revealing Honey in the doorway to the music room. "Who sent out the distress signal?!" Honey had wide eyes, looking at the two of them for any injuries.

"Hikaru's AI just wants him to shut up," Haruhi said, pushing past him.

Honey visibly relaxed, scratching the back of head happily. "Oh, that's good, Hika!"

"How is that good?" Hikaru asked, following him inside.

Kyoya was off in his corner reading through a stack of books, ignoring them in favor of his research on the AIs. He was convinced there was something wrong with it all and he had been ever since Haruhi had gotten her AI.

Everyone split off into their own corners for the night and Hikaru headed to their food supply to pick out something to eat for the day. He scanned the options and reached for the can of tomatoes.

NO! Don't eat those, I HATE tomatoes.

Hikaru's hand froze. How can you hate something when you've never tasted it?

Kaoru was silent.

Hikaru continued grabbing the tomatoes and used the can opener to pry it open. When he had it wide open, he scooped one out with his knife. He was determined to show the beauty and flavor of a tomato to his clueless AI. He took a bite.

He immediately blanched, fighting the urge to puke. It was the most disgusting taste Hikaru had ever experienced. He spat it out audibly and his friends looked at him in surprise. "Ugh, Kaoru made it taste bad! Bad, Kaoru! Bad!"

Haruhi had a deep frown on her face and she stepped forward. "Hikaru, AIs shouldn't be able to make things taste differently."

Hikaru didn't know what to say but it didn't matter because suddenly he felt a wall slam down on Kaoru's presence, and suddenly Hikaru felt empty. "Kaoru?" he called frantically. It would suck if his AI broke already. It would probably cost him a fortune to get it fixed. "I can't feel him."

Haruhi and Honey looked just as bewildered. Haruhi gasped, "Tamaki went offline too."

"Same with Mori," Honey said.

Kyoya was watching them with interest but said nothing.

The silence was only for a moment. "Something is seriously wrong," he said as his mind called out, Kaoru?!


Hey guys! I'm back and ready to write more for the OHSHC universe!