Chapter 1
I don't own any of these characters...
Hikaru felt himself drift into consciousness. He knew why – even before the bedside lamp clicked on. The dim light bathing him, reflecting off his body, he turned lazily onto his side and groggily opened his eyes.
Most people would be startled and bemused to awaken to their own face staring back at them, but not Hikaru Hitachiin. His brother Kaoru and he frequently left their beds to join the other, for many reasons, since they were very young. They could sense when the other was near them. This, to Hikaru, was a pleasant and comforting thought. Though, Hikaru thought, this had been happening less and less every month these days…
'Hikaru…' His brother's smooth voice caressed his ears, making him want to fall back asleep. Hearing his name fall from Kaoru's lips was soothing, comforting…He said it almost…seductively.
Hikaru squinted his eyes in the dim light, to look up into Kaoru's eyes. He saw the familiar glint of amber and gold. However right now, Kaoru's eyes were not tinted with mischief as they usually were. He now resembled not just a tired puppy, but a longing puppy.
Kaoru didn't say anything besides his brother's name. He supposed his expression would say it all, but for some odd reason, Hikaru found that he was unable to read his twin's face. Was it nightmares? Cold? Loneliness? For a short moment panic and confusion swirled into his head, but he pushed it out instantly when he felt Kaoru's warm hand on his shoulder.
They were dressed the same – plain boxers. Their mother had decorated their room for this season in a pleasant shade of blue, that resembled the clear night sky outside. Robbed of stars, clouds, interruptions like aeroplanes – the only thing in the sky tonight was the huge moon, shrouded by a silky blanket of midnight blue.
Hikaru gently lifted the side of his blue silk bed sheet up, to allow Kaoru to climb into his bed. He stretched his other arm over the pillow, so Kaoru would lay his head gently on it, which he did. He snuggled closer to his elder brother. Hikaru felt an overwhelming urge to touch Kaoru, just to make sure he was really there.
Kaoru snuggled closer to his brother. He felt the warmth of his skin, and the sweet smell of his twin enveloped him completely so he thought of nothing else. Kaoru feared the two brothers drifting apart, steadily but surely. More people from the outside world were getting between them. It was only a matter of time before they drifted apart completely. It would start with the hugging sessions decreasing. Then they would find it difficult to read each other's faces and finish each other's sentences. Their world would become inhabited by the Outside world. Their brotherly love act would soon only be an act…
Hikaru swept a lock of hair from his younger brother's eyes, which were steadily closing. 'What was it, Kaoru?' He asked softly, stroking his brother's cheek slowly and rhythmically. He seemed to be lulling Kaoru to sleep, because he didn't answer.
'Was it cold? Fear? Loneliness?' Hikaru asked, feeling his own eyes shutting.
'All of those.' Kaoru whispered tiredly. 'In that order.'
Hikaru's mouth curled into a content smile. He never felt safer, happier or warmer than when he was lying in his brother's arms, or when his brother was lying in his.
Kaoru knew he was drifting off to sleep. It was always easier to sleep around Hikaru. The gentle and steady beat of Hikaru's heart was encouraging him. He adjusted the position of his head on Hikaru's chest, to hear his heart beating louder. He also moved his legs, to brush against Hikaru's.
Then he felt himself drifting off into a dream, where he planned what scenarios they could get themselves into for their Host 'brotherly love' act.
0000
'KAORU!' a voice screamed at him the next morning. He spun around, and was faced with the panicking visage of Tamaki. He was bouncing off the walls, extremely unsettled by something. Kaoru guessed it was to do with Haruhi. Yeah…the place seemed somewhat…oddly different, but he couldn't quite place it.
'Yes, King?' he asked exasperatedly.
'Where is Haruhi!' he screeched in the redhead's face. 'You…you…you two doppelgangers are hiding her! Why!'
Kaoru smirked impishly and was preparing to answer sarcastically, when he noticed what his brother wasn't in the Host club room. He spun around, but he knew he wouldn't find Hikaru – whenever they were both in the same room, they were together. There was no reason for Hikaru to be here, but not be with his twin. Kaoru felt himself start to panic.
He turned back to Tamaki-senpai, whose face was redder than Kaoru's hair.
'Calm down, Tamaki-senpai,' He said reassuringly, though the words were meant more for himself than for Tamaki. 'I'm sure there is an explanation for Hikaru and Haruhi's absences.'
Tamaki grabbed the twin by the shoulders and brought his face extremely close. 'That's it…' He whispered menacingly. 'Your foolish brother! He has her somewhere…this is all to wind me up, isn't it? You're in on it to, aren't you?'
Kaoru shook his head, aggravated that Tamaki could not see that he, too, was unsettled by their absence. He firmly but gently removed the Lord's grasping hands from his shoulders.
'They will be here shortly.' A voice from across the room beat Kaoru to it.Mori was lying calmly on a sofa, his legs outstretched, Honey-senpai sitting on his chest, arranging his hair neatly.
'How can you be so sure?' Tamaki breathed in paranoia.Mori ignored him, and picked up a book instead, continuing to have his hair played with by Honey.
Tamaki began his nervous pacing. He frequently paced like this. When he was angry, paranoid, concerned, bored. Kaoru thought he could hear the faint mutterings of 'He is acting inappropriately towards my daughter!' and 'My Haruhi better be ok'
Kaoru rolled his eyes. Just seconds later, the door to the Third Music Room creaked open, Haruhi and Hikaru stepping inside gingerly. Their faces, Kaoru noticed, were both flushed slightly. Hikaru's pink cheeks were like a slap in the face.
Haruhi rolled her eyes as Tamaki latched himself onto her legs, curled around them like a frightened child. He was hysterically wailing at her 'Haruhi! I'm so glad you're here! What took you two so long?' and things along those lines.
Kaoru knew he was not the only one who fully knew why they had been missing, although no-one else was acting any differently. Tamaki was a great Leader, but he was frequently oblivious to things he didn't quite want to hear or see, so simply ignored their existence. But he still knew they existed.
Hikaru strode boldly up to his younger twin and hugged him. 'Ready for another glorious day at the Host Club?' His voice radiated. He could not make it any simpler than he was right now. It was blatantly obvious what he was telepathically telling Kaoru. Kaoru was displeased, but in a sense happy that he could still read his brother's tone and expression.
Kaoru glanced over at Haruhi, who was desperately trying to kick Tamaki off her legs. Hikaru glanced over too, and Kaoru could almost feel the warmth radiate off him when his eyes clapped Haruhi. He couldn't help but feel saddened. Rejected…jealous…
'My Lord.' Kyouya called calmly. 'We are about to open and you are lying on the floor sulking like a baby.'
Tamaki leapt from his position, dusted himself off and, after stealing another quick glance at Haruhi, dusted himself off and did an over-dramatic spin and flick of his hair. The one that got the girls every time. Just not the one he wanted to get…
Hey! Hope you liked my first chappie. Actually, this is my first Ouran fanfic! Well…R&R…bye!
Saint-ess Jimmy xxx