Hello , Hello, Hello! Chapter 23 for all you lovely people! I forgot to do the shoutouts in my last mini chapter! I'll do them now! Thank you, I Am Alys, EqualDemise731, The Peculiar, Square Root of Three, skiddliebop, EGUZMAN, Lirara xox, kirbylovespie, Sinnel and EmoSteve! You guys are amazing! Anyways, Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran High Host Club. I do, however, claim ownership of my OC(s) and my plot.

Eyrie didn't come to school in the days after the incident. The hosts repeatedly saw Briar picking up Eyrie's school work from the classroom but had never saw the girl herself. They went by after school every day but usually ended up spending time with Zero, who opted to stay with her for awhile, because Eyrie refused to see them. He would entertain them with stories of how they met and stories of the other Americans as well, telling a new one everyday. On the second day they were there, Zero was talking to them in one of the studies. After a brief moment of silence they heard a faint melody drifting down the hall. All movement stopped as they listened to the melancholy groan of a violin. The notes soon grew louder as the player became more confident, the tone sad and depressing. They all sat in silence as the eerily beautiful music seemed to dance in their ears and try to coax out their tears.

"What is that?" Haruhi whispered, afraid to break the spell. A shiver ran up her spine as a note went low. Zero sighed and closed his eyes, tears sitting on his lashes.

"It's her healing process." he whispered and the hosts prone to emotion all teared up.

"I thought she played the guitar." Hikaru said said softly as he and Kaoru moved to open the door. The music grew louder as they silently eased it opened.

"She calls that her angry instrument." Zero grinned. "She plays it when she's mad or frustrated. Apparently it soothes her. When she is sad, the violin soothes her. The low notes and eerie melodies."

The piece was soon over and another one began. The hosts didn't leave until that one was over and Zero had told them the story of Clarice and Beth. As they walked out to their separate cars, Haruhi looked up and saw the curtain to a dark room being held opened slightly. The hand looked as if it was made of ivory, immediately giving away the owner, despite the dim room hiding her face. The thin, long fingers gripped the curtain tighter for a moment then slowly released, cutting off Haruhi's view.

I wonder why she doesn't want to see us... Haruhi stared at the window for a moment more before turning back to the car. I hope she is alright.

This went on for an entire week. The hosts would come over and listened as Eyrie played a different instrument everyday. This had initially surprised Zero but he seemed to shrug it off after awhile. Briar was always seen sitting outside the music room, as if to guard it, a sad look on his face. The rest of the staff seemed to be in a slump as well.

That Saturday it rained. The hosts watched from the window of a library. Zero stood on the balcony. All of them listened to a flutes dancing tune. Zero looked to the distance for a moment then rushed from the room with out a word. The boys and Haruhi looked at one another and perked up in interest. Zero strode back in holding a camera, smiling.

"The music room has windows but still. She might be too distracted to look." the hosts watched as he stood at the edge of the balcony and started taking pictures. There was something at the top that made the flash even brighter and it illuminated the ground below every time it went off. The flute stopped abruptly and there was a pause before they heard a door slam open and frantic footsteps race down the hall. The door to the library swung open to reveal a slightly haggard Eyrie. Her hair was in a low ponytail instead of a high one, her eyes were lined red, her cheeks were thinner, and the large sweater she wore over her basketball shorts was hanging off of one shoulder. Her bare feet made hardly any sound as she strode over to Haruhi and pulled her into a hug before glaring murderously at Zero.

"Stupid head! I thought the flash was thunder or something! I was worried sick!" her lower lip trembled slightly, her arms still wrapped around Haruhi, who sat in stunned silence. Everyone just stared for a moment.

"Those songs you played were really pretty Eyr-chan." Hunny stated suddenly, trying to break the silence and get her to stay at the same time. She tore her gaze away from Zero to openly blush at Hunny.

"You said you wanted me to play my instruments for you sometime so..." she said, shrugging. Hunny's eyes grew even bigger and his bottom lip quivered.

"Eyr-chan!" he cried, throwing himself at her. She let go of Haruhi to catch him and look at the hosts around her. Kyoya was pushing up his glasses, Mori was giving a soft smile, and Tamaki and the twins were wearing matching looks of excitement.

"Why do you look so happy?" She asked in confusion as she tried not to be smothered by Hunny's tight grip.

"You said you didn't want to see us the other times." Kaoru said.

"And you didn't show up for school." Hikaru shrugged.

"You wouldn't even answer your phone! We had no idea if you were ok or not! Wah!" Tamaki shouted at her as he clutched the sides of his face and wiggled from side to side, tears coming out of his eyes like little waterfalls. Everyone but Kyoya and Eyrie sweat dropped.

"You called her?" The twins asked dryly.

"Well yea! Why wouldn't I?! She's family! Geez don't give me those weird looks!" Tamaki yelled. The twins turned to Eyrie.

"Three times a day." she said with a shrug. They started to laugh. She watched as the usual pandemonium ensued, the twins and Tamaki at the center of it all. After a moment they seemed to calm down and Eyrie sat on the floor in criss-cross position, Hunny still clinging to her arm as he sat down next to her.

"But really though why didn't you want to see us?" Hikaru asked.

"Yea. We were worried sempai." Kaoru added. The other hosts nodded. She looked around at them, studying their expressions. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening to give them a look of determination. Suddenly she was standing, Hunny hanging from her arm. She pointed to the hosts.

"I love cute animals and cooking. Books and music are two of my favorite things. I will never change just because you want me to. I will always have a crazy family, they will always drag you through strange situations and you will most likely have unpleasant encounters with my dad if you stick around. If you guys wanna be my friends, you'll just have to accept these thing as part of me. If you can't then just leave."

The hosts looked at each other in surprise then back at her. Eyrie stared at them each intensely.

"Well of course we do." The twins said mater of factly.

"You're part of our family now." Tamaki smiled. "Just like we are part of yours."

"We won't abandon you Eyr-chan. We like you." Hunny smiled at her and slid off her arm to stand by Mori, who nodded.

"Yea. You aren't as bad as these goofballs." Haruhi said with a grin.

"Your presence benefits the club and myself greatly." Kyoya shrugged.

Eyrie looked at them all in wonder. Slowly but surely, the corners of her mouth started lifting. Zero leaned forward with big eyes and Briar's head poked through the crack in the door that he had been listening through.

"Thank you...for accepting me." Eyrie smiled up at them with shimmering eyes, then threw her arms wide.

"Waaaahh!" All the hosts, except for Kyoya, rushed in for a hug. Zero joined in, mentally patting the host club on the back for living up to his expectations.

They broke apart and, after much discussion, started to head to the music room. Kyoya lagged behind as they made their way through the mansion. He was so absorb in his thoughts that he nearly jumped when he heard Eyrie's voice whispering on his left.

"I'm sorry." She looked up at him with a nothing expression.

"What for?" He asked with the fake 'for customers' smile.

"You seem a bit preoccupied. I wondered if it was because I haven't been pulling all my weight in the club. I did do what I could on the website though." Her face never changed.

"Not at all." He said smoothly. He stared straight ahead at the back of the other hosts. They were all back to normal.

"Hmm." She continued to stare at him. Then her hand shot out and gripped his arm.

"Yes?" Kyoya raised a brow and casually looked away from her. He gasped when her arms slid around him.

"You didn't give me a hug earlier." She whispered and he gave her a shocked look. "I told you; I like cute things."

"W-What?" Kyoya fought the blush that threatened to spread. Eyrie looked up at him with a mischevious look, the same one she wore when she poured chocolate into the pancake batter.

"Well you're cute!" She bit her lip to keep from smiling then strode forward to catch up to everyone else. "By the way. I will be taking this engagement business seriously from now on."

Kyoya stood there for a moment, trying to absorb everything.

Father hasn't told her. Once she realizes Akito is part of this now...she won't think I'm 'cute'.

On Eyrie's first day back was filled with plenty of gossip and rumors, which she took in stride. She was approached by Ayame Kinakato as soon as she walked in.

"Well. Look who decided to show her face. It's too bad. I was actually enjoying myself for once." She scoffed. Eyrie suddenly sighed and touched her fingers to her lips, looking to the side with lowered lashes.

"Oh that's to bad. I would really..." Suddenly she was close to Ayame's face. Her presence was shining as she gave a small smile. "...like to see you happy...Miss Kinakato."

Ayame's face went red and she reeled back in surprise. Eyrie immediately walked passed her as if nothing had happened. Tamaki sweat dropped as he and Kyoya watched.

"That's right. Didn't Zero say...?" Their minds flashed back to something Zero had told them about in one of the stories.

"She was always as popular with the girls as she was with the boys. She knows how to flatter them, not in a romantic way, but in a way that makes them feel happy and one of a kind."

"Are you coming?"

They snapped out of their reminiscing to see Eyrie waiting for them ten feet away. Her face wasn't readable but all the hard lines had been smoothed away to make for a more gentle face. Tamaki smiled happily and jogged over to her. He chattered all the way to class.

"Yasuchika!"

Chika turned to see Eyrie gliding over to him. It was lunch time and he had decided to get away from Satoshi for as long as he could.

"Eyrie-sempai." He bowed slightly and she waved a hand as if to dismiss the formall gesture.

"What are you reading?"

After a few moments of chatter he went around the library, helping her find a book. The librarian stopped them to talk to Eyrie and a group of girls seemed to watch them from afar. About half way into lunch Satoshi came in with his shinai swinging. Eyrie's presence stopped him in his tracks and they ended up listening to him for the rest of the lunch period.

"I'll walk you back." Eyrie stated after checking out three books. They were in the courtyard when Eyrie stopped. "I want to thank the two of you."

"Huh?' they replied, looked at each other.

"This reminds me of my first day here. The library, walking you back. You both were the first people to be genuinely kind to me. Thank you very much." She bowed and, when she straightened, gave a dazzling smile. "Thank you for being my friends."

They both blushed slightly as her sparkling aura washed over them. Satoshi gave a big grin and laughed. Chika looked away and shrugged, trying to retain his composure.

"No problem! It was our pleasure. Really." Satoshi tried to maintain a formal look as he bowed but it was broken by the goofy smile he gave her. Suddenly his shinai swung out and clonked Chika on the head. "Chika don't be rude! Say something!"

"Stupid Satoshi!" Yasuchika yelled as he rubbed his head. Finally he turned to Eyrie. "It was...nothing."

She gave a mischevious half smile before ruffling their hair and walking back to her own classroom.

The three second years made their way to the club room, Tamaki's chatter a continuous noise.

"Miss Eyrie?" Kyoya said in a low voice so he didn't disturb Tamaki. Eyrie looked at him with a raised brow. "My father asked that I extend an invitation to you to pay a visit to our home today after school. He has something he wants to discuss with you."

"I see." She turned to look forward, her face a mask of nothing. "Alright."

The hosts were especially busy that day because all of the girls wished to know about the sudden change in Eyrie's character. None of them gave very straight answers.

"Yes isn't it wonderful?" Was Tamaki's preferred response. The club went relatively fast and before she knew what was happening, Eyrie was sitting in the back of Kyoya's car while he scribbled something in his notebook. He occasionally glanced at her but she stared out the window for the entire ride. When they got their they were greeted by the master of the house himself.

"Miss Omorfie." He reached out a hand. "Kyoya mentioned that you hadn't been to school for a spell. I hope you are feeling alright?"

"Yes, much better. Thank you."

They made polite small talk as they made their way to the study where Akito was waiting. He immediately shot out of his seat to greet Eyrie, only sparing Kyoya a glance. He led her over to a small love seat while his father dismissed Kyoya.

"We have something we wish to discuss with you." Mister Ootori stated.

"I can tell." Eyrie raised a brow and crossed her legs. "I take it this is about my engagement?"

"Yes." Mister Ootori's face was blank while his son looked slightly surprised. "Akito will now be one of your suitors."

"I see." She looked over at the man sitting next to her. He was smiling. "I thought as much. Is that all Mister Ootori? I apologize but I do have school work to finish. I will be sure to relay this change to my father."

They all stood and shook, Akito insisting on walking her out.

"Why do you seem so fascinated with me sir?" Eyrie asked as the door to the study closed behind them. Akito gave her an appreciative smile.

"Every time Kyoya and I compete, it is on unequal terms. I always am a bit ahead due to my age and we always have to wait for Kyoya to catch up to find the results of said competition. Now, thanks to you, we have a change to compete evenly, on the same grounds."

"So I am a game to you?" Eyrie asked, sounding more intrigued than insulted. "But this competition is based entirely on someone else liking you. What makes you so sure you have a shot of me picking you?"

"My position in the family is more stable and I am a more romantic person." He replied immediately.

"Ahh. I see. But that's the thing isn't it? You want to compete as an equal yet you want your unequaled status to give you a head start. I think you aren't understanding what you really seem to want Monseiur Ootori; and it has nothing to do with me." Eyrie stopped in front of the door briefly to take his hand and place a light kiss on his finger tips. Akito watched her leave with a surprised look on his face.

"You and Father told her?"

Akito spun around to see Kyoya standing ten feet away.

"Yes. She tried to hide it but I think she seemed quite pleased." He gave a triumphant grin and straightened his suit jacket.

"How nice." Kyoya said. Akito didn't notice the icy quality of his smile and gave him a pat on the back as he walked away. Kyoya stared at the door for a moment longer before heading back to his room. He had walked into the entrance area just to see Eyrie kiss his brother's hand.

Is it a misunderstanding? What were they saying before?

He rolled his eyes and shook off his thoughts, annoyed that his mind had wondered like that. He found things like that happening more frequently lately.

"What are you doing?"

Eyrie looked up to see Briar eyeing her skeptically from the doorway. She had been pacing the length of the living room with her cellphone clutched in her hand. Zero had left that afternoon after hearing about the new suitor claiming that she "should know how to handle it alone". Now Briar roamed freely through the house, rejoicing in his lack of confinement.

"Ok think Briar. Out of everyone on the list that I have told about the engagement, who isn't there?" Eyrie gave him a pointed stare until realization dawned on his face. He started smiling and trying not to laugh. "Stop it! It isn't funny!"

"Yes it is!" He started chuckling a he flopped onto a heavily cushioned seat. "The best part is, you aren't worried about her reaction to the lateness of the news. It's the news itself. You might have accepted it but she sure as hell won't!"

Eyrie threw a pillow at him then stared intensely at her phone. "You know what? I need to just do it. I really do."

She quickly dialed a number and Briar scooted close enough to hear the other side of the conversation. It rang six times before an excited voice leaped out to greet them. Briar covered his mouth as he tried not to laugh in surprise.

"Daaaawling! I was just thinking about you my dear girl! You haven't called lately and I was getting lonely!"

"Sorry about that Grams I-"

"In fact, I got so lonely that I decided to come visit you!"

Briar and Eyrie looked at each other over the phone with wide eyes then went back to listening when they heard a loud laugh.

"Ok don't get so excited you shout deary! I'll get there sometime tomorrow alright?"

"Ok Grams but the thing-"

"Oh no worries! If I get there while you're at school I'll entertain myself!"

"No that isn't what I-"

"Oh! Gotta run deary! Have another call! See you soon! Kisses!"

The line went dead and Briar and Eyrie simply sat there for a moment in stunned silence.

"Am I the only one that finds it hard to believe that that woman is considered the one person your father and uncle fear?" Briar asked dryly. Eyrie shook her head slowly then rubbed her face.

"Well I guess I get to tell her in person." She said, throwing up one hand as a sign of exasperation. Suddenly she perked up slightly. Briar raised his brows and her, eyes asking for an explaination. "Oh but that could work. That could really, really work."

"What?" Briar sat up and met her excited gaze. She clapped him hard on the knee, not checking her strength, making him wince.

"I have a plan." She got up and walked to the kitchen, where Briar soon started to smell delicious things.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing her like this. In a good way, of course." Bear said, appearing in the doorway. Marie stood by his side with a brilliant smile.

"She's so happy. It makes me want to cry." She said with a sniffle.

"Please don't." The two men said at once, both feeling a bit panicked at her glistening eyes.

"It is nice to see her with so much energy and excitement." Briar said with a smile.

"I wonder if this was what it was like before we knew her?" Marie wondered.

"I doubt it. She's still kind of quite and distant. But she's herself!" Bear gave a big grin.

"Beeeeaaar! Maaarieeee! I neeeeed youuuuuu! I have a job for youuuuu!" Eyrie's voice floated up from the kitchen. Three pairs of eyebrows shot up.

"She needs us..." Bear started in a daze.

"...to do a job?" Marie asked with wide eyes.

"So in other words...she's indirectly asking you for help?" Briar put a knuckle to his lips and grinned. "I believe this change is for the best don't you?"

He never got a response since the two household servants began to rush to the kitchen.

"I have an announcement!"

The hosts stopped chattering over their lunches and turned to Eyrie.

"Would you all like to come over to my house after school?" She asked simply.

"That was your announcement?" The twins said dryly. She shook her head and stared at them. The boys and Haruhi leaned in slightly.

"Someone is coming to visit and I want you to meet her."

"Another American!?" Tamaki asked with bright eyes and rosy cheeks.

"No." Eyrie said simply. "My grandmother."

"Oh yea. Didn't you say something about her at Hunny's party?" Hikaru tilted his head slightly. Eyrie nodded.

"So you goys will be there?" She asked, pointing a raised brow at Haruhi who sweat dropped.

"Why do I have to be there?" Haruhi grumbled. Before the hosts could start whining Eyrie answered her.

"Because you are part of the family and one of my friends so it goes without saying that you will have to be there." she said matter of factly. Haruhi blushed slightly at the 'friend' bit then nodded reluctantly. "Well that settles it then."

Eyrie stood up and gave the hosts a half grin.

"I'll introduce you to Tristezza Omorfie!"

Alright what did you think guys?! Also I recently started a Tumblr page. You can find me at .com. No pressure though guys! I hope you liked this chapter. I'm excited to write the next one so expect it soon! Anyways, thanks for reading!