"It'll be ten years this year..." Hikaru sighed, looking through the window to the blue shy. The sun shone its beams down, but not in a comforting way. He squinted at the light, awaiting his brother's reply. Kaoru bared his teeth but his eyes were soft yet sad. He simply made a noise similar to a 'hmm' Mori would say, but so much sadder. Though it wasn't much of a reply, it summed up everything he had to say to his brother. Hikaru understood, knowing that Kaoru hated thinking about it more than he did. To be honest, there wasn't much more to be said unless they wanted a full on conversation, which would probably lead to tears; not ideal for them in public.

"So, are you guys excited for your birthday?" Tamaki asked, approaching the two reminiscing twins. They both instantly snapped out of their daze and pulled the mischievous grins they were known to have.

"Could say that, boss" Hikaru smiled, stretching a little.

"I just can't wait until you see the gift I have gotten you two!" Tamaki squealed with excitement, practically bursting with delight.

"Woah, calm down boss! Our birthday isn't for another week!" Kaoru laughed. Hikaru discreetly smiled at his brother, glad that he was okay. Or at least he was able to act okay.

"I know but I'm just too excited because I just KNOW that you're both going to love it!" Tamaki babbled, a look of faraway dreams on his face. Hikaru and Kaoru raised an eyebrow at each other.

"Well then, we look forward to it!" The brothers said in unison. Tamaki smiled at them before walking off back to his own class room. Before the twins could relax their cheery act, Haruhi approached them.

"Hey guys... So when exactly is your birthday?" She asked, smiling sweetly at the twins.

"Oh, next Thursday..." they said together, smiling more.

"Oh, that's cool. Do you plan to have a party?" Haruhi questioned. Maybe if they had a party, there would be fancy tuna there...

"Nah, we're not the birthday party kinda guys..." Kaoru said.

"Oh really?" Haruhi said, slightly shocked. "I would have taken you two as real party guys... Guess I was wrong"

"eh, parties are for guys with huge social lives and love alcohol and do a lot of girls every night. Really not us..." Hikaru stated.

"Well when you put it that way..." Haruhi muttered. The bell rang for first lessons to start, and everyone dispersed into the corridors. Except the twins. They were last to leave, both of them packing their stuff with solemn looks on their faces. They had dreaded their birthday ever since 'it' had happened...

***flash back***

"Aww don't you two just look adorable!" Mrs Hitachiin cooed at her two sons. "Getting ready for your celebratory night out! My little boys are getting so grown up!"

"We want to look our bests for you, mother!" Hikaru said, smiling.

"Yeah; it is out sixth birthday after all! We're practically grownups now!" Kaoru added, giggling.

"Indeed you are, my dears. Now I guess we're just waiting for your father!" Mrs Hitachiin said, happily. It was all going so well. It was the twins' birthday, and they had just turned six. The family planned to have a nice evening out to eat, all together at a fancy restaurant that only rich people could afford. The two boys were dressed up and ready to go, likewise with their mother. Now they were just waiting for father...

***real time***

"So it's your birthday next week? How exciting!" a brunette girl said, smiling.

"Yeah! Are you gonna have a party?" a blonde girl spoke next, looking hopeful.

"Sorry ladies, parties just aren't our thing... We'd prefer to just have the day to ourselves, you know?" Hikaru explained, smiling nervously. The blonde one looked slightly disappointed, but grinned anyway.

"Oh I see... Say, Kaoru, you're unusually quiet today..." The Brunette said, looking at the other twin. His eyes were off in a different direction, as if he was remembering something. Hikaru knew exactly what he was thinking by the tears in his eyes. Kaoru didn't respond, he just kept staring into nothingness.

"Hey, Kaoru, wake up! We're hosting!" Hikaru said, gently shaking his brother. He didn't want to, Kaoru needed to mourn over this, but he couldn't right now. Since Kaoru was the deeper and more thoughtful twin, it was no surprise that he was always lost in thought at this time of year. He snapped out of his daze as his brother shook him.

"What? Oh! Sorry, ladies... My mind was somewhere else..." Kaoru stuttered, blinking away the tears. The girls giggled and smiled at him.

"That's alright Kaoru, as long as you're back now!" The brunette laughed. Kaoru smiled and hosted properly, as he always would. Though none of it was genuine; he could not properly take his mind off his thoughts. He just had to keep going...

*** time skip***

Hikaru lay in bed, wide awake. He found it hard to sleep at times like this, and he knew it was the same for his brother. Though he was asleep right now, Hikaru knew that it was a light sleep which he could wake up from at any moment. Kaoru was also moaning and shivering a bit, and Hikaru knew he was having a nightmare. He tossed and turned in bed and Hikaru watched him, having a pretty good idea as to what he was dreaming about. Then suddenly, his eyes shot open and he sat up instantly, panting and gasping, his eyes full of fear, and then tears.

"Kaoru! Kaoru, it's okay..." Hikaru said, hugging his brother. Kaoru was in complete shock.

"I... It was a dream..." Kaoru breathed, resting his head on his brother's shoulder. "P-please tell me it was j-just a d-dream and they're okay..." he cried. Hikaru's eyes also filled with tears.

"I'm sorry, Kaoru... It wasn't just a dream..." He said, hugging his brother tighter. Kaoru cried silently on his brother's shoulder, hating the fact that it wasn't just a dream. Hikaru was used to this; this wasn't that uncommon for his brother, or himself, for that matter, to do. And they both knew how to deal with it.

"W-why did it have to happen?!" Kaoru sobbed, not wanting to ever let go of his brother. This was the point where Hikaru didn't know what to say, apart from the truth.

"It didn't have to happen, Kaoru, but it did... And we have to move on!" Hikaru said, a tear escaping his eyes also. He wished it hadn't happened. Kaoru wished it hadn't happened. Why did it have to happen?!

***Flash back***

"Hello there my boys!" Mr Hitachiin greeted. The birthday twins smiled at him.

"Father!" they both cheered and hugged him. Mr Hitachiin laughed and hugged them back.

"You two are growing up so fast! I remember holding you two in my arms after you were born... My, my! Has it been six years already?!" He chucked warmly. The twins nodded and withdrew from the hug, smiling and excited for the night out.

"The chauffeur is here!" A maid said, running up to the family. Mr Hitachiin nodded and thanked the maid, before opening the front door and walking outside.