The clubroom was unusually quiet. Although some silence was to be expected when the club wasn't open for business, this was almost absolute. Kyoya glanced inquiringly around the room, trying to locate the reason for the quiet.

Hunny-Senpai was, as usual, happily devouring cake at a table neat one of the large windows. Unsurprisingly, Mori-Senpai was standing silently behind him. Hikaru and Kaoru had both draped themselves lazily across one of the couches in the centre of the room, playing games on their portable consoles. He also knew that Haruhi was studying in the second library; she was requires to keep her grades up, otherwise she would have to withdraw from the school.

Then it dawned on him. The missing piece of the puzzle was Tamaki.

Kyoya looked around the room for a second time, but the blonde was nowhere to be seen. Frowning slightly, he pushed his glasses up his nose, closed his laptop softly and stood, tucking the machine under his arm. Seeing as the Host Club King wasn't currently around, he might as well do something productive in the library rather than sit in the club room doing nothing.

He had barely taken a dozen steps towards the doors however, when they crashed open and the blonde burst into the room.

"Mama!" he cried, running towards Kyoya, fake tears in his eyes.

"Yes, what is it?" Kyoya said, suppressing a sigh. He truly despised that nickname.

"There are seven new students starting today!" he wailed, dropping to his knees in front of the black haired boy.

"Yes, I believe that they are all from the Seireitei Academy, just outside Karakura, in an area called Hueco Mundo," Kyoya said lightly, not understanding what was making the blonde so upset. "So what's the problem?"

"Can't you hear that outside? All that commotion?" Tamaki said, jumping to his feet and pointing towards the open door.

Kyoya paused, listening intently. Sure enough, he could hear the all too familiar clamour of excited girls – a sound usually heard in the clubroom or when all of the Host Club members travelled together on the campus. Considering that all the club members were currently present, save one, he was quite interested in what these knew students possessed that the girls were getting so excited about.

His curiosity snagged, the Shadow King strode purposefully out of the club room, Tamaki hanging off his arm. The other club members, Tamaki's dramatic entrance drawing their attention, followed them silently, falling silently into stride behind their Club King and his Shadow.

On their way down he long, wide corridors of the prestigious academy, the six boys happened to pass the second library. Kyoya paused, and looked over his shoulder.

"Hikaru, Kaoru. Please retrieve Haruhi," he said to the twins.

"Right!" the twins said in unison, saluting and marching into the library.

Shaking Tamaki off, Kyoya glanced at his watch, counting the seconds until the twins reappeared, each with an arm looped around one of Haruhi's, dragging her into the corridor, despite her protests.

"Hikaru! Kaoru! What's going on? Why are you – Kyoya-Senpai?" she said when she saw the bespectacled teen. "What's going on here?"

"There is a matter which warrants the appearance of the Host Club and all of its members," he stated matter-of-factly, adjusting his glasses.

"What?"

Kyoya sighed. "Actually, the new transfer students seem to be upsetting Tamaki, so I decided to go and see what all the fuss was about."

"Well that makes more sense," Haruhi said duly.

"Of course it does. Now let's see what it is about these transfer students that has our dear King so riled up."

With that, Kyoya started down the corridor, everyone else following him silently. The twins were still holding Haruhi, whose protests fell silent after a short while. They rounded a corner at the end of the hallway, following their route until they reached the auditorium. A large crowd of girls was trying to push their way into the room, squealing and chatting.

Once the Host Club was spotted, the noise level increased considerably. The crowd parted to let them pass, some girls shouting out compliments and declarations of love. Ahead, they could see a circle in the crowd, and Kyoya guessed that he would find the new students there.

"Leave the talking to me," Kyoya said, directing his words mostly at Tamaki.

The last of the crowd parted, and the club members were face to face with the new students. Kyoya gave each a once over, recognising each face and pairing it with a name as he mentally looked over the list he had memorised a few days prior.

He looked them over again, choosing to direct his immediate attention to the tall young man who was wearing clips he recognised to be kenseiken in his long black hair. "Byakuya Kuchiki I presume?" he said, extending his hand out of courtesy.

"And I believe you are Kyoya Ohtori," the man said, lightly shaking the offered hand. "I have heard many promising things about you."

"You are too kind," Kyoya replied, smiling politely. "This is Tamaki Suoh, Hikaru and Kaoru Kitachiin, Mitsukuni Haninozuki, Takashi Morinozuka and Haruhi Fujioka." Kyoya said, indicating each one of the club members as he stated their name.

"A pleasure," Byakuya said, bowing his head slightly in greeting. "May I introduce my companions. This is Toshiro Hitsugaya," the shortest boy in the group looked over. He had sharp looking white hair and large, but cold, blue-green eyes.

"Uryu Ishida," the boy with blue-black hair pushed his glasses up his nose and nodded.

"Yumichika Ayasegawa and Szayel Apporo Granz," a third dark haired boy waved at them. His hair had a purple shine to it, and feathers were adorned on his right eyebrow and the edge of his eye. He was standing with a pink haired man glued to his hip in a way that reminded Kyoya of the twins. The pink haired man winked behind his thick rimmed white glasses.

"You can call me Yumi," said the darked haired man.

"And Szayel is fine by me," said the other.

"If I may continue," Byakuya said coolly, and the two went quiet. "This is Grimmjow Jaegerjacks," a man with striking blue hair grinned, revealing unusually sharp canines. His eyes were a similar shade of blue, and there were unusual tattoos below his eyes, also blue.

"And finally Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Why do you always introduce me last?" exclaimed a boy with spiky orange hair and warm brown eyes. There was a scowl plastered on his forehead as he glared at Byakuya.

"That's 'cause he hates you, berry-head," Grimmjow snickered.

"You're only happy because you were introduced sixth, sexta," Ichigo spat.

"Stop it, both of you," Toshiro growled. Both boys shut up instantly.

"Really, arguing in public. How unslightly," Szayel said, wrapping an arm around Yumichika's shoulder.

"I must agree," the feathered boy agreed, putting his arm over Szayel's shoulder in return. "It's a very ugly thing to do."

"I find it amusing that everyone's ignoring the fact that Byakuya, though subtly, is the one who instigated that stupid argument in the first place," Uryu said under his breath.

"I did notice that," Kyoya said, taking a step towards the boy. "I just didn't think it would be polite to say something about it."

Uryu smirked. "That's true. But Byakuya would never admit to it."

"Hey Ichi-chan!" Hunny called from his position on Mori's shoulder. "Do you like strawberry cake?"

Ichigo's eyebrow twitched. "What was that?"

"Well, your name means strawberry, so does that mean you like them, or..." Hunny stopped speaking as an evil aura started to gather around the red head. "Berry-chan is everything okay?"

"What did you call me?" Ichigo roared, causing the girls to scatter.

Hunny was clinging to Mori's shoulder, clearly terrified of the angry berry head. Mori took a step forward, ready to defend Hunny if need be when two feet flamed down on Ichigo's head. He crumpled, clutching his skull, moaning in pain.

"What did we just say about fighting in public?" Yumichika and Szayel exclaimed, bother towering over the now shaking Ichigo.

"Actually, you were talking about arguing in public, not fighting, so-," Grimmjow was cut off when Yumichika planted his fist in the blunette's face.

"You set a bad example," Szayel sighed mockingly, a grin on his face and shaking his head slightly.

"Fighting is only good when it's done by a beautiful person in a beautiful way," Yumichika said, flicking a lose strand of hair behind his ear.

Hikaru and Kaoru applauded in agreement.

"Oh yes, well done," said Hikaru enthusiastically.

"You have perfect form!" exclaimed Kaoru.

"A wonderful performance," said Szayel, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye.

"Fighting in public, without true purpose is shameful and downright ugly," Toshiro said coldly.

"Did you just say I was ugly?" Yumichika said quietly. Toshiro only gave him a blank stare and a few moments later had the dark haired boy sobbing into Szayel's shoulder. "He called my ugly!"

Szayel patted his head comfortingly while glaring at the white haired teen. The twins rushed over and muttered condolences and soothing words. Haruhi stepped up behind him and gently tapped his shoulder.

"Here," she said, offering him her handkerchief when he looked down at her. "And you shouldn't listen to what he says. I think you're really pretty, so don't worry about what other people say."

Yumichika's lip trembled. "You think I'm pretty?"

The disguised girl smiled warmly and nodded. In return the feathered youth hugged her tightly.

"Kyoya," Tamaki said quietly, appearing suddenly over Kyoya's shoulder.

"Yes Tamaki, what is it?" he asked without turning to look at the blonde.

"May I speak with you in private?" he said and Kyoya detected a small amount of malice in the usually bouncy tone.

"Of course. Please excuse me, Mr Ishida."

"No problem," Uryu replied, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I should probably detach Yumichika from Mr Fujioka before he suffocates."

With a small smile and a slight nod the two boys parted, Kyoya being dragged into a corner by Tamaki. Once the blonde was sure that they were out of earshot, he pulled his companion close and spoke in a loud whisper.

"I don't trust them," the blonde hissed.

"Yes, I can see that. Why do you feel that way?"

"For starters, the guy with the hairpieces. He's actual nobility, not just filthy rich like the rest of us!" Tamaki exclaimed in a whisper.

"I know, that's why I addressed him first," Kyoya sighed.

"Then there's the kid with the white hair," Tamaki continued, ignoring Kyoya's input. "I've heard that his nickname is Captain and that he's in charge of a force that's bigger than the one your family has! And he demands respect, and is feared by all his friends and subordinates."

"Undoubtedly he would be an equal to Hunny-Senpai if the two were to ever face each other in any type of combat."

"Next is the one with the glasses. The black haired one. Apparently he's ranked first in all his classes and that he's a world-class archer with a bunch of awards!"

"He and I are similar in several regards," Kyoya said, adjusting his glasses. "Which is why I was trying to start a conversation with him before you turned up and so rudely dragged me away."

"And the one with the pink hair! He's supposed to be some science genius that's been offered jobs from all the top Research and Development corporations in the country. Including Urahara's, Kurotsuchi's and Aizen's! Oh, and he has a soft spot for theatrics!" Tamaki rambled on without paying any attention to Kyoya's consistent input.

"Yes I have heard that. It makes him quite a formidable individual," Kyoya said exasperatedly. This conversation was growing old fast.

"And the one with the feathers! Can you believe that he's friends with a group of underground fighters called the Zaraki Squad? He's the model for Kujaki, the most popular clothing brand in Japan! And would you look at him! Pretending to cry! He's probably going to try and take over from me!" Tamaki whined.

"I doubt that very much," Kyoya muttered icily. "And he really does cry when people call him ugly."

"Lastly is the blue one and the orange one! From what I hear blue is funding orange and letting him stay at his house because orange is poor! And rumour has it that they hate each other! If that's true, why is blue supporting orange?"

"You'll have to ask him that yourself," Kyoya growled. "I still don't understand what it is about these boys that has you so riled up Tamaki!"

"They are clearly trying to usurp and take over the Host Club! How can you not see that?" Tamaki hissed.

There was a moment of stunned silence between the two, then Kyoya burst out laughing. His glasses slipped down his nose as he continued to laugh uncontrollably. His sudden outburst caused everyone standing on the other side of the room to fall silent and look over.

"Wow, Kyoya's laughing," Hikaru said, a shocked expression on his face.

"It's kinda scary," Kaoru said, the look on his face a mirror image of his twin's.

"It is quite reminiscent of an evil genius," Szayel added, frowning slightly.

"Well, you would have first-hand knowledge," Yumichika muttered, a wicked grin on his face.

"Yeah, you pink haired freak," Ichigo said, having recovered from the attack he had received earlier. "I also have first-hand knowledge. Never accept any food or drinks if he offers them to you," he continued, now directing his words at the members of the Host Club.

"Why not?" Hunny asked innocently, jumping off Mori's shoulder and landing on the orange head's.

"Let's just say bad things happen," Grimmjow said, stepping into the conversation rubbing his bruised cheek.

"You don't seem at all bothered with Hunny-Senpai sitting on your shoulder. Actually, you seem quite at ease with it," Kyoya said, now ignoring Tamaki's whines and moving back across the room.

"There are several individuals back home who make a habit of hanging off people's shoulders," Byakuya informed, looking over his shoulder.

"I bet he's one of them, isn't he!" Tamaki exclaimed, appearing suddenly behind Toshiro. "I mean, he's small enough to get away with it!"

A moment later Tamaki was on the floor, writhing in pain. It would appear that the white haired boy had just elbowed him in the stomach. He calmly tugged the lapel of his jacket, straightening the fabric as everyone stared. He was neatening his cuffs when he spoke, but didn't look up.

"I am not short, and I do not hang off people's shoulders!" he snarled.

"Please, forgive him Mr Hitsugaya. He doesn't have much other than looks going for him," Kyoya said apologetically.

"Well, at least he didn't aim for his face," Hikaru said, shrugging.

"Yeah, then he'd be completely useless," Kaoru said, mimicking the action.

The two boys glanced at each other, paused, then burst out laughing, using each other for support, clutching their stomachs as they laughed themselves breathless. Hunny giggled from his perch on Ichigo's head, Haruhi laughed lightly while Kyoya and Mori just smirked.

Tamaki's lip quivered and he was suddenly sitting in the fettle position in a corner, a dark gloom cloud hovering over his head.

Toshiro sighed as he watched the group thin out into smaller groups to chat. Uryu and Kyoya moved to a table on the edge of the room, each getting out their laptops as they sat. The twins, Szayel and Yumichika were standing together, muttering to each other with nasty grins on their faces. Byakuya and Mori were standing close together, talking in hushed tones. Ichigo, Grimmjow, Hunny and Haruhi were standing around Tamaki, trying to cheer him up. At least Haruhi was. Ichigo and Grimmjow were arguing and Hunny was napping on the red head's shoulders.

He sighed again. This was going to be a long year.