AN. So, this chapter is overdue... by... a lot of months... Oops...? Feedback/Alerts/Favs are ALWAYS appreciated. I'm not a professional writer (yet), so any advice/critique you readers have is welcomed. Plus, this story is real close to 40 reviews! Only 7 more! -Lem
Disclaimer. I still own zero rights to Ouran High School Host Club and Soul Eater.

New Normal

When Haruhi's fifth week of school rolled around, every student at Ouran Academy was aware of his sudden illness and faint into a rose bush.

When Haruhi's fifth week of school rolled around, every student at Ouran Academy was aware of the mysterious and quite sudden absence/disappearance of one Ayanokoji and one Misa Mura.

When Haruhi's fifth week of school rolled around, every student at Ouran Academy was unaware that the two previous mentioned events were even a little bit connected.

During her fifth week of enrollment at Ouran, Haruhi spent each afternoon in the Third Music Room. She wasn't allowed to go off on any missions until the following week. When the news initially reached her, she was more concerned with the twins' reaction than how the order made her feel. Amazingly, the twins were fine with the brief break.

"It gives us more time to get to know you." Kaoru stated.

"Wouldn't want to fight a kishin egg with a complete stranger." added Hikaru.

Before she could stop herself, Haruhi replied, "You've known me for over four weeks."

The twins, instead of appearing hurt by Haruhi's blunt comment (which they were), stayed their grinning, mischievous selves.

"But Haruhi, we don't know where you live!" one of the brothers whined.

"Where does a commoner live?" asked the other.

This exchange, and the others that followed during that week, were quite a sight to the uninformed onlooker.

For the longest time the team of Haruhi, Hikaru, and Kaoru seldomly spoke with each other before, during, and after classes. Now, they were almost always seen discussing stuff from the weather, to school work, to club activities. No one knew what caused the drastic change between the teens, but they seemed to silently agree not to bring it up. The three appeared happier and were more sociable than any of them had ever been before. Why spoil it with unnecessary questions?

It's the start of my sixth week at Ouran, Mom.

Tomorrow the twins and I are going on our first mission since before the attack. None of the teachers last week approached the issue. Chairman Suoh didn't call me into his office either. Dad told me the school is currently investigating, but... Well, I'm not entirely sure how much they can accomplish when they don't even question the eye witness... I bet Kyoya-sempai did something. That would be right up his alley.

In terms of my Host Club duties, Mom, I'm getting through them. Tamaki-sempai has started calling me the 'natural host'. He's quite eccentric.

Monday Morning

Haruhi's first two classes went by the same way they did the past five weeks. However, her third period proceeded out of the ordinary.

"Mr. Fujioka, Mr. Hitachiin, and Mr. Hitachiin, to the front of the class, please." requested the professor.

The three teens stood and made their way to the front of the class.

"It has come to my attention that you three haven't been shown equal instruction."

Haruhi instantly paled. Apparently, Kyoya's influence includes a time limit. Sure would have appreciated a head's up.

The only time Haruhi ever held the twins in their weapon forms was when she was recovering in the academy's infirmary. The three never once practiced afterwards to confirm it wasn't some fluke. Now they had to do it in front of their instructor and classmates. This would be interesting.

Monday Afternoon

"Kyoya-sempai."

"Yes?"

"Did you tell my teachers not to make me wield Hikaru and Kaoru in class when I enrolled?"

"Why ever would you ask that?"

"Because today was the first time a teacher called me up to wield the twins."

The quick look of shock that crossed Kyoya's face was not missed by Haruhi's brown orbs.

"That had nothing to do with me."

"Of course..." she said, not believing a word out of the Shadow King's mouth. "Look, I just wanted to let you know. I was under the impression you didn't want our teachers to use us as class examples."

"Indeed."

Instead of pushing the subject, Haruhi grabbed up her belongings. She gave a general farewell to the remaining Host Club members in the room and then took her exit, leaving Kyoya to ponder over the new development.

Ahh. Of course.

It was quite obvious. He was suprised that the reason hadn't come to him quicker. Making Haruhi and the twins receive the same practice as the other students would improve their teamwork and, in turn, allow Haruhi to protect herself better in the future. The chairman went against his agreement with Kyoya solely as a way to make amends; he felt responsible for the violence a few weeks ago and saw this as a way of reparation.

Well, at least she didn't tell me they screwed up in class.

Monday Night

"Boys, your father and I have been requested for recon overseas again. We shall return in a few weeks."

More like a month, thought Hikaru bitterly.

"When we do," continued Mrs. Hitachiin, "may you bring over your meister. We would love to meet her."

Before the brothers could respond Mr. and Mrs. Hitachiin removed themselves from the dinner table. Another brief 'family' conversation at another brief 'family' dinner. Nothing changed.

Tuesday

"Are you nervous?" Kaoru inquired.

Haruhi nodded. "You're not?"

The younger twin shook his head. "I'm with you and Hikaru. Why should I be?"

"Are you two done now? We have a kishin egg to get." came Hikaru's voice from a fair distance ahead.

"We're coming." replied Kaoru as he picked up his pace. Haruhi followed suit.

This operation would not proceed with Haruhi on the sidelines working on school work and the brothers wieliding each other. No, no. Haruhi would wield both Hikaru and Kaoru. They were now a real team. This outing would only make their status as a trio official.

"I think we're getting close." Haruhi whispered as a chill went through her body.

"Hikaru. Kaoru." at that soft command both brothers transformed into their pistol forms.

Haruhi caught both weapons instantly. She rounded the corner and found herself in a tight alleyway. Standing at the opposite end was her target, a kishin egg by the name Raz Buten.

The creature wore an outfit similar to that of a Russian mystic in the 1800's. Instead of plain old black though, it was bright crimson. A twine rope was tied around the middle and was the color of a solar eclipse.

Haruhi entered the alleyway a few steps. The kishin egg heard the movement and spun to greet the young meister.

Raz Buten's eyes appeared to be sunken coals haphazardly placed on his face. His nose was crooked; the scraggly beard on his misshapen jaw was a dark contrast to his pale exterior and the only hair present on his entire body.

"Raz Buten!" bellowed Haruhi. "Prepare to meet retribution!"

The creature merely responded with a wheezy, echoing cackle.

Haruhi wasted no time raising her pistols from her side. Immediately, she began firing simultaneous shots of the twins' wavelengths.

The kishin egg cried with rage at the onslaught.

"He's weak!" exclaimed Hikaru.

"I know! I chose this mission because he only recently became a kishin egg." replied Haruhi as she continued to fire.

"You need to fix your aim! Your aim!"

"Hikaru, shut up!"

Raz Buten, due to his heightened senses and thin physique, managed to dodge the first assault of wavelengths. Right when Haruhi was shouting at the older Hitachiin brother, Raz Buten dashed forward. The change from defense to offense shocked Haruhi. Her arms instantly lowered on their own accord to go into defensive positions. That swift shift gave the creature enough time to undo the twine around his waist as he sped ever closer to the meister and her weapon partners.

Crimson... like blood. He suffocates his victims!

"No!" And with that yell of determination Haruhi moved her arms once more. In less than a second both triggers were pulled. Orange and sky blue wavelengths lit up the dark alley and met directly in the center of the kishin egg. The creature imploded on impact.

In the wake of the fight floated a dark red soul.

The twins quickly transformed. Spotting his meister's shaking, Kaoru lifted Haruhi's arm and swung it over his shoulders.

"You were shaking. Didn't want you to faint." he answered when she gave him a quizzical look.

Hikaru approached her from the opposite side and gave her a pat on the back.

"That was't bad. Next time though, move your feet. You don't have to be a statue." At the older boy's comment Haruhi noticed how sore her knees felt. I'll have to make sure not to lock them again.

She took a deep breath and then said, "We did it. We really just did that." The grins on the twins' faces were priceless. Their golden eyes held what appeared to be excitement and pride.

"Yes-"

"-we did."

Wednesday

The seven hosts of Ouran Academy were lounging around discussing various topics.

"How many souls do you and Kaoru have now?" inquired Hunny as he placed his cake fork down.

"...Four..."

"Each?"

Hikaru shook his head.

Kyoya's eyes glared from behind his spectacles. He knew it. He knew it. He knew it. Of course, there was more to the present situation than just the twins' previous issues with their meister, but still... Four?! Those two really don't comprehend the position they're in... Well, maybe now Haruhi can knock some sense into them. Their absence will hurt the club, but that will just have to come second now.

"How was yesterday's mission?" asked Tamaki excitedly.

The quick shrug from Haruhi did not satisfy the Host Club King. Before he could attack Haruhi with a demand for more details, the twins thankfully jumped to her aid.

Haruhi, Hikaru, and Kaoru attended two more missions later that week, one on Thursday and one on Friday. In terms of soul collecting, they had a long ways to go, but they would get there, together.

Haruhi was never once called in to meet with the chairman that week. Neither did she notice the unusual looks Kyoya would send her way sometimes in club, looks which started after her release from the school infirmary.

By the start of her seventh week, Haruhi was already accustomed to the new swing of things. Her teachers were now treating her and her weapon partners just as any other student meister and student weapon group. Whenever there was a mission available requiring minimal or average skill Haruhi and the Hitachiin twins would grab it up. When they didn't have an operation to complete they would spend their time in the Third Music Room.

No one mentioned Ayanokoji and Misa Mura. No one mentioned the injuries Haruhi received merely three weeks ago. There was no need to.

Everything seemed to reset once Haruhi was released from the infirmary. It was as if that one moment of complete and utter madness was exactly that, one moment in time. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

AN. I hope you liked this chapter. Yes, it was just a bunch of filler-ish junk, BUT it had to be done. It sure is a weight off my shoulders. Now I have to spend the next three months working on the next chapter. JOKING, JUST JOKING... maybe. -Lem

Next Chapter: Hunny's Chapter

This Chapter Was Updated on September 24, 2013.