Rivals

Chapter One

Please review and I don't own/claim any characters or anything relating to OHSHC. Enjoy!

Beautiful pure white snowflakes descend gracefully from the dreary morning sky above, decorating the two seventeen year old identical strawberry blond twins with light hazel eyes. Shivers and shudders are apparent through their slender figures. The ocean blue scarves that are secure around their necks help protect from the icy gentle winds. Their bodies are clad in matching thick navy blue snow coats with hidden layers of long sleeve shirts and flannels underneath. Two pairs of black snow boots, well four snow boots, crunch under the four inch layer of freshly fallen snow that cover the entire perimeter of the garden area. The nude trees shudder from a sudden gust of dry cold air mixing with snowflakes. The bone chilling winter air blows from the north direction of where the twins huddle closer together. Hikaru frowns, noticing his younger brother's hands fully expose to the snow and chilly winds.

"Hikaru, I think that we," Kaoru laces his pale, slender, icy fingers into identical fingers, staring deep into hazel eyes, "should spend more time together." Hikaru remains stay quiet, looking down at Kaoru's trembling hands intertwined in his warm hands.

"Why didn't you wear your gloves?" Kaoru's hazel eyes avoid Hikaru's gaze. The younger twin refuses to answer the question, instead he trails off in the direction of the mansion. Hikaru follows his quiet twin, stepping through the white snow with echoing crunching sounds. Kaoru cautiously twists the slightly frozen solid golden doorknob, hissing softly from the stinging of the icy contact with his shaky right hand. Hikaru notices this, walking over to help open the door. Even when he slips on a pair of snow gloves, the doorknob only nudges a centimeter to the right. "It's locked." Hikaru states plainly, removing his left gloved hand from the freezing golden knob, turning around to leave his twin for the countless time.

"Wait, Hikaru," Kaoru almost slips, twisting around to chase after his retreating reflection. Hikaru already disappears through the ajar front door. Two twin maids greet the older twin as Kaoru races over to the door.

The brunette twin maids welcome them with that shady look, smiling devilishly. "Welcome young masters."

Kaoru returns their greetings while hurrying off after his twin. Slam!Kaoru flinches at the loud echo from the impact of slamming the creamy white color bedroom door. Kaoru checks to see if it is unlocked. Luckily, it is. Kaoru cautiously steps into the room.

"Hikaru?" The older twin huffs quietly, shedding out of the snow weather attire. Hikaru's closed mouth tugs downwards, looking at his reflection. "Kaoru, you know I would like to spend time with you but Haruhi and I are going on a date together this afternoon." Kaoru smiles, walking over to their shared bed that Hikaru is currently occupying. Kaoru settles on the edge of the bed, tugging off the melting icy snow boots. "That sounds like fun." Hikaru turns his face the other way, muttering, "Yeah, if only she invited just me alone." Kaoru raises his eyebrow at this, confused at what his brother had just muttered. "What do you mean, Hikaru? She invited more than one girl or boy?" Hikaru's hands ball up into tight fists, "Yeah, she invited another boy."

Kaoru thinks of all the possible boys Haruhi would bring along. 'Tamaki? He probably said, 'Haruhi, you are not allowed to go on a date with that shady twin. Therefore, as your father, my little girl should be accompanied by me.' or something like that. Tamaki is so paranoid that we will do something to Haruhi. Well, it's true, but we only mess with Haruhi to ruffle Tamaki's feathers.' Kaoru smiles at his thoughts and the picture of an over dramatic Tamaki saying that to an embarrassed sweat-dropping Haruhi. 'Haruhi was probably rejecting her 'father' and he was probably sulking in the corner.' Just the thought of that tugs the corners of Kaoru's mouth upwards.

Before Kaoru could ponder on who else Haruhi would chose to bring, Hikaru interrupts the younger thoughts. "Kaoru, I can't believe she would want to invite you." Kaoru smile drops like a ton of bricks, feeling like his twin views him as a burden. Kaoru's hazel eyes downcast, staring at the puddle on the wooden floor. The younger twin remains quiet this time, listening to Hikaru's pent up emotions and braces himself as they tackle him.

"I mean, it's obvious that Haruhi was something for me." Hikaru smiles, sounding too confident for his own good. He continues, "I accept her offer and she smiles." Hikaru folds his arms over his chest, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Then, she asked me if I could bring youalong. I was going to say no, but she said that Kaoru's invited." Hikaru explains, forgetting about how that might have affected Kaoru.

"So," Kaoru begins in a soft disappointed voice, "you don't want me to go with you?"

"Not really." Hikaru answers selfishly, avoiding Kaoru's hurt facial expression.