It was another day of their host life.
They were at their everyday table entertaining a red-head and a blonde.

Kaoru heaved a heavy sigh. It wasn't like he hated this life, It was way better than his past one. But the same monotonous schedule which followed days in succession was starting to irk him. If it wasn't for Hikaru by his side, he wondered what would've happened. Most probably he would've ended up in a mental institution after biting Milord's head off. He did have the annoying habit of nosing in someone's business.

He paused his thoughts for a moment to notice Hazel eyes so similar to his own flicker momentarily towards the brown headed 'supposed' boy who had just passed their table.
This action, attempted to be discreet didn't miss his eyes. Of course He'd notice. He was his twin for God sakes.

But he did wonder how it felt to be in love with someone one. He was sure Hikaru had earned the luxury to experience it. But when he looked to the customers 'In love with them' but who stood no chance, he wondered is it was a luxury after all.
Or a curse.

It wasn't like he was offending them on purpose, It wasn't like they could read his mind as well, but he knew whether how sincere their feelings were towards him, he couldn't return them.

Another think which was ticking him off was that they hadn't fallen for the same person. Sure, It was a relief as well that there was no thing that would create a rift between them. But they were twins. They were the same.
Or at least similar.
But so different after all.
He adored Haruhi too, but his affection towards Hikaru surpassed her by a long margin. So he had given up on her.

"I feel very hurt when I don't have your undivided attention on me, Kaoru." He felt Hikaru tilt his chin up to him to meet his gaze.

Oh right, he was still hosting. He shouldn't let his mind run away with him at times like these. He had to be careful.

"I'm sorry Hikaru. I feel so mean." Keeping up the act, Kaoru replied, his voice trembling and tears sprouting out of his eyes.

"Oh Kaoru." Hikaru whispered as if overwhelmed with emotions.

The fangirls went crazy.

"So what were you thinking so deeply engrossed?" Hikaru questioned his twin once they were in the privacy of their limousine.

The engine roared to life and the sleek black limousine slowly made its way out of Ouran's gates.

"I was wondering what's for dinner today." Kaoru answered as if it were the most natural thing.

A loud laugh resonated in the small space they currently occupied.

"You don't expect me to believe that piece of bullshit?!" He demanded.

"No need to be so agitated." Kaoru continued in the same detached tone.
"Sometimes I get hungry too, you know."

Hikaru snorted.
"Yea right, I've noticed that every mealtime."

Kaoru chose not to answer to that and instead turned to look outside the window, the scenery blurring into a faceless mass of colours.

He heard his twin sigh in defeat beside him. He wondered if it was going to be the point of discussion that night.

It wasn't.
They had spent the night playing videogames and finishing some assignments due tomorrow. Kaoru had noticed that his twin was itching to bring it up to discussion but didn't.
Thankfully.
"I'm going out for a run, be back in a while."

"Huh? Kaoru, It's not even dawn yet! Have you gone nuts? MiLord finally got to your head?" Hikaru said, his voice heavy with sleep.

Kaoru chuckled at the remark. MiLord was usually up early ever morning.

"Just need to clear my head." He said quietly.

Hikaru pushed himself up from his earlier lying position, his eyebrows scrunched. His twin had been behaving rather queerly lately. It was getting him worried.

"I'll come with you if you want-" He started to offer but was immediately interrupted by Kaoru.

"No."
He hadn't meant to snap at him. He was just a bit irritated because he hadn't been able to sleep well lately that's all.
But he couldn't help feel guilty when he saw hurt flash Hikaru's face.

"I just need to be alone. I love you, you know." He tried to make up to his horrible 'no' and though Hikaru smiled, his eyes betrayed how he was actually feeling.
Hikaru's eyes were his eyes.
Kaoru was Hikaru.
Hikaru was Kaoru.
But then they weren't.

"Ok, be back soon." Hikaru said softly.
"I will." Kaoru assured him as he watched his twin's dejected eyes close and he pressed a small kiss to his forehead.

"Sleep well Hikaru." He said quietly before he left the room.
His sneaker squeaked on the spotless marble floor as he made his way towards the front door.

It was so silent.

No one was up yet. It was 5 in the morning. The staff wouldn't be up for an hour and a half.

He felt terrible. It wasn't like him to hurt anyone's feelings.
Not anymore, and especially not his twin's.
He sighed.
He'll have to make up to Hikaru somehow.

Jogging early in the morning had been a nice idea after all. The cool crisp breeze calmed the anxiety he had building up for a few days. It wasn't dawn yet but it wasn't that dark either. It was just Twilight.

It had been so long since he had felt this peaceful. It was silent and solitary. He could do anything he pleased without earning judgmental glances from good-for-nothing strangers who just couldn't mind their own business. No one was the boss of him.
He felt alive. And so free.
Like he had not felt for a long time.
He sighed again. he had been sighing a lot lately.
But then he had been disappointed a lot lately.

"Sakura! Come here you brat!"
Kaoru stopped at the sound of a voice and only then noticed his surroundings.
Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't realized he had long entered the commoners side of town and apparently, he wasn't alone either.

"Sakura!" that same voice whined to this 'Sakura'.

His steps had unconsciously started leading him towards the voice, though no special than any other person's voice, it intrigued him. He felt it was melodic and soothing to his ears.

;For all we know it might be a murderer!'
'Yea right, which murderer in the right mind would be looking for a kill this early in the morning?'
'The MiLord kind.'

Kaoru felt a shudder run down his spine.
Ok, that thought was genuinely frightening.

Though, he scarcely believed it would be someone like that.
Only thing he was sure of was that it was a girl.
He was going to find out.

I had intended it to be longer. But then it's just like a sneak peek. I just couldn't stop until i had penned it down. Got thoroughly scolded by mum since i was up till 3:30am last night. :P Worth it though. :D

I feel Kaoru doesn't get much credit to his abilities. Even in the manga, i failed to see Kaoru get a remedy for his loneliness and that kind of broke my heart as i feel i can relate to him. I think he is depressed but he doesn't show. I admire him therefore.

-DDD