OMFG! I have OVER ONE-HUNDRED REVIEWS! *runs squealing down the hall ways* ... *finally comes running back with triple layer cake, cookies, and soda* Okay folks, all these wonderful goodies for my thirteen most resent and AWESOME reviewers: ZeroGiou1993, mirandaparra15, Hollypaw888, vickykeyworth, oreobabez, animelovernewbie, Enlightened Tenshi, ShadedStarlight0, mtnikolle, SisterOfScarletDevil, FallenAngelEmzi, Jayrock102, and Opinr! I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH! *squeals and gives you all hugs* Also, I GINORMOUS thank you to ALL the people who have already favorited and/or followed this story. I hope you all enjoy chapter 10!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club NOR its characters, NOR its plot. I only own my Youkai OCs Byakuya Shirotsuki, Lavi Matsuoka, Danielle Matsuoka, Suki, Ichiru Kawaguchi, Shuichi Nakamura, Akihiro Shirotsuki, and Hiroshi Matsuoka. I also own any other OC's created along the way and any part of the plot NOT a part of the anime or manga. This fanfic, however, is MINE and I'd like to keep it that way.

Chapter 10-Youkai Council

Byakuya's P.O.V.
The first thing that flashed through my mind was that Haruhi, a young human girl, was at a Youkai council! However, that thought was quickly overwritten by the sight that she presented me with. Apparently, Suki had once again gone overboard with the dress up. But I certainly wasn't about to complain. The young commoner girl was... stunning! Probably one of the most beautiful creatures I'd ever seen in my existence! The next thing I realized though, was that another person currently had his arm around hers, and that person wasn't me. A dark feeling which, to my surprise, I identified as jealousy coursed through my being; making my blood red eyes flash dangerously at the offending male who was actually daring to place his hands on Haruhi's innocent person.

"My, and just who might this young lady be?" my grandfather's deep, powerful voice rang above the surprised chatter as he approached the two late arrivals.

Instantly, I was on my feet and had approached the duo just before my grandfather had reached them. "This is my friend." I was speaking to my grandfather, but my red eyes sent a warning flash to Nakamura-san, making it painfully clear just what I was implying, "In other words, she's mine. So, hands off!" "Her name is Haruhi Fujioka." I continued as I detached the girl from the auburn-haired Youkai's arm and reattached her to myself, "She is the one that was attacked by the Stray."

A soft wave of murmurs washed down the council table as I revealed this bit of information, and I unconsciously tightened my hold protectively on Haruhi's arm; ignoring her questioning glance that she sent to my person.

"I see." my grandfather said slowly as he gazed down at my commoner friend, a gaze which she returned with an air of calm respect. Smiling at her reaction, the Shirotsuki head turned to face Nakamura-san. "However, Nakamura-san, you were fully aware that a council was in session. What is the meaning of bringing a human to attend; my grandson's friend, none-the-less?"

As usual, the damn snake just smiled innocently. "Considering that Fujioka-san was a victim of a Stray's attack, I figured that she had the right to hear the topic in which we will be discussing today."

Honestly, I don't know what it was, but the moment Haruhi's name dripped off of the bastard's tongue, I suddenly had the indescribable urge to just rip the damn appendage out of his head so that he could never utter her name again.

A thoughtful look came across my grandfather's face as he considered the Nakamura family head's words. "Hmm... other than Kyouya, who is the Shirotsuki Clan's human representative, another mortal has never attended these meetings." he mused thoughtfully, "But still... What is your take on this, Byakuya?"

"Damn you, old man! You know exactly what I want! But you also know that I have no right to voice it out loud!" I mentally snarled at the sneaky bastard while still keeping a cool and calm demeanor on the outside. "Haruhi is a very intelligent person." I spoke, choosing my words carefully, "I am sure, that if she were to choose, she would be able to easily understand anything we were to discuss. Nor would she ever utter anything said outside these rooms."

"I understand." the old kitsune stated before turning back to face Haruhi, "Whether you would like to stay or go is up to you, Fujioka-san. What is your choice?"

"Honestly, I would respect any choices you make. As, I understand that it might be slightly intrusive for me to be here. However, if I am indeed allowed, then I would like to stay." Haruhi answered calmly without missing a beat.

"Excellent." my grandfather said with a broad smile before added, "Then you three may take your seats."

"Come." I whispered over in the young commoner girl's ear, simultaneously inhaling her sweet scent before leading her over to my seat. Kyouya scooted over a bit so that the chocolate-haired girl could sit between the two of us as we made ourselves comfortable.

"Alright then," the Shirotsuki Clan head began as soon as everyone was seated, "Matsuoka-san, you requested that an emergency council meeting be called. Therefore, since not all of us may know what it's about, please report what it is that needs to be discussed."

The Black Tengu replied immediately as he took a standing position, "Yes, Shirotsuki-sama."

Haruhi's P.O.V.
I watched in silence as the man known as Matsuoka-san began walking towards the head of the table. In truth, I'd been surprised that they'd allowed me to stay. Byakuya had seemed to openly gape at me for a couple of seconds when he'd first spotted me, and I'd had to fight down a blush. Why? I did not know. But, almost as soon as his red eyes had held open admiration, they'd flashed to dangerous anger as they moved to glare at Nakamura-san. Why? Once again, I did not know. Perhaps the two of them didn't get along very well. So, the white-haired youth was peeved when he saw us together. Not to mention that when he'd taken my arm, I wondered if it was just me or it seemed... almost possessive, the way he had removed Nakamura-san from my person.

"Yesterday evening, when one of my spies returned from scouting. He returned with some very grave news." the winged male began, snapping me out of my thoughts. Pausing briefly, he took a deep breath and continued, "It seems that someone, though we do not know who, is uniting multiple Strays into one clan."

"WHAT?!" a silvery blue-haired man shouted in shock as he half stood up in his seat. Astonished murmurs spread down the table as the council took in the news.

Even Byakuya's red eyes showed open shock. "What is the meaning of this?" he growled lowly, sending little chills up my spine, "In the past, Strays have been nothing more than a rare nuisance. You're saying that someone is trying to unite them?"

"Yes." Matsuoka-san replied gravely.

Even Kawaguchi-san had become rather solemn upon hearing this bit of news. Lower face still partially hidden behind his golden fan, his now slightly open ice blue eyes held a dark seriousness to them as he too decided to comment upon the subject, "Just what would this someone be trying to accomplish, uniting a band of lowly pests like them?"

"Ichiru," Byakuya's cold voice broke into the conversation, "Do not forget that not all of these lowly pests, as you call them, are week. Many Strays have proven themselves to be quite difficult to handle, even for a Noble if faced in numbers."

"Shirotsuki-dono is right. We can never be too careful when dealing with Strays. Fujioka-san here is a prime example of what happens when you get on their bad side. Even Nobles have been known to be killed when faced by multiple Strays at a time. As for why and who is uniting them," the dark-brown haired male continued, "we are not sure. However, judging by what my spy discovered. It would stand to reason that they are planning to somehow destroy the peace treaty that humans made with Youkai so many years ago."

"Do they not understand what chaos that would leash upon Japan?!" Byakuya's grandfather snarled, "If the peace treaty between humans and Youkai was shattered, one could not even begin to comprehend the amount of blood that would be shed! Japan would turn into an utter bloodbath, Youkai and humans hunting each other down just like they did hundreds of years ago."

"Indeed." Matsuoka-san stated solemnly.

Meantime, my stomach was various somersaults upon being the receiver of such information. Horror filled my being as imagined hordes of creatures like Ayanokoji-san slaughtering people on sight. I was so engrossed in my horrid thoughts that I hadn't even realized that I had begun to tremble. At least I didn't until I felt a large, warm, clawed hand settle itself reassuringly over mine. Looking up, my eyes met with Byakuya's as he seemed to convey the message of, 'It's okay. I'll keep you safe, no matter what.'

I smiled back up at the white-haired youth as I calmed down. Strange, it was rare for me to get so worked up over something. Then again, considering what I'd been through the last couple day, I figured it was understandable.

Byakuya's P.O.V.
My attention was dragged away from the nervous Haruhi at my side as a low growl rumbled from my grandfather's throat. Some of the clan was murmuring quietly among themselves, but they were mostly silent as they waited for their leader's decision.

"Matsuoka-san," the kitsune finally addressed the Tengu, "you will try and unveil as to just who is attempting to unite this pack of vermin. Also, send word to the other clans of this information so that may be ready and prepared if it should come to the worst, and so that they may go through proper steps to protect their territory."

"Understood, Shirotsuki-sama." Lavi's elder brother bowed deeply.

"Nakamura-san," the Shirotsuki head turned to said Youkai, "you and your family, being snakes, are well equip for reconnaissance. Therefore, I assign that task to you."

My ever watchful red eyes narrowed slightly as something unrecognizable flickered in the serpent's eyes, locked far away behind that innocently smiling and charming mask. "Of course." he replied simply in a respectful tone.

"Ichiru," my grandfather turned to my cousin, "you and your family will spread out across the city and protect the humans while simultaneously keeping an eye out for Strays. If possible, try and catch one alive so that we may squeeze out some information about these rebels."

"Hehehe, sounds like fun." the silver kitsune giggled from behind his golden fan. Although, this time I could tell that the annoying merriment was forced. It seemed that he was just as worried as the rest of us.

"You have your orders now!" the head of the clan boomed in a powerful voice, "This council meeting is dismissed!"

The rest of the council got up and began to depart immediately, each going to fulfill their own tasks. Kyouya, Haruhi, and I too were about to leave when my grandfather's commanding voice stopped us, "Wait a moment, you three. There are some things in which need to be discussed."

We all halted in our departure and sat back down. It was only then that I realized that I was still holding Haruhi's hand, but I decided not to dwell on it and to instead force myself to worry about what my grandfather had to say. "What is it, Grandfather?" I inquired calmly.

"It is about the Stray that attacked Fujioka-san." the old kitsune stated before continuing, "Just who was it? What family was the Stray from?"

"Her name was Ayanokoji." Kyouya supplied, pushing his glasses back up on his nose with a creepy glint, "I do believe she was from the Akiyama family." (A/N: Since, in the anime, they never supply you with her last name, I had to make one up for her. *shrugs*)

"Hmm... So, she was a Harionago." the clan head mulled over thoughtfully, "Thank you, Kyouya. Would you mind running down and informing Ichiru of this information? If they are indeed a family of Strays, then they will need to be disposed of."

The Ootori nodded his head, jotting something briefly down in his notebook before departing from our mist. No doubt to go and hunt down my cousin so as to inform him of his orders.

Personally, I was rather pleased that we had a head start on finding and eliminating the Strays. But that feeling was short lived as I sensed the horror that radiated off of Haruhi's being upon hearing such an idea.

"You can't just do that!" the young commoner girl burst out before I had a chance to stop her, "Eliminate, as in kill? That's murder! And what if they aren't all Strays?! What if Ayanokoji-san was actually the only Stray and the rest of her family is innocent?!"

Much to my relief, I saw understanding and sympathy flash in my grandfather's red orbs as he gazed at the horrified human girl. "Fujioka-san, you are truly a kind girl to worry about such things, especially since the Akiyama family isn't even of your own race. However," the kitsune continued, "steps must be taken so as to avoid what would come should the peace treaty between Youkai and humans be shattered. But I promise you, Fujioka-san, we will make sure that all parties are truly guilty before we destroy them. Don't misunderstand, I am not a cruel Youkai. Therefore, unlike many other, mercy and fairness are words that linger strongly in my vocabulary."

Haruhi fell silent, although she still didn't look completely convinced. "I see..." she replied simply.

Mentally, I sighed as I excused us before gripping her frail hand a little firmer in mine and departing. Walking down the halls, I was, for once, at a loss of what to say. I was fully aware of the fact that she was upset about our method of handling things. But I also understood that, as a human, it was not possible for her to completely understand the Youkai ways. Still, I didn't want her to be upset. It just... bugged me, seeing her down.

"Hey, Byakuya?" the doe-eyed girl quietly addressed me, her bangs shadowing over her eyes.

Bracing myself for the question I knew was to come, I peered down at her through my snowy white bangs, "Yes, what is it?"

"Are you..." she paused, "really going to kill them?"

I sighed softly, "If they are indeed Strays, then yes, they will be quickly eliminated. This is the world we live in, Haruhi, and I highly doubt it will change."

Faint surprise showed in her scent as she looked up at me, her big brown eyes brimming with an emotion that I couldn't quite identify. "Is this the kind of world that you grew up in? This kill or be killed world filled with so much blood?" Haruhi asked softly, surprising me with pain that seemed to tinge her voice.

This time, I let the tired sigh escape my lips as I gave the young girl a sad smile, "Yes, Haruhi, it is."

Oh, boy! Things are really gonna start heating up now! *evil chuckle* Hmm... I hope I'm doing a good job bringing these two together. I'm trying really hard to keep Haruhi in character, but MAN let me tell you... IT'S REALLY HARD! LOL! Anyhoo... PLEEEAAASE review! You guys/girls have been the absolute BEST so far! So, don't let me down now! :D Also, please follow and favorite this story as well! See ya'all in the next chapter!

Rock Out!
Kira