A/N: Hey guys sorry it took so long for this chapter. I had slight writer's block for it and I wanted to my prince of tennis story chapters done (check them out please if you like that anime). What a way to end the first chapter huh? I'm such a cliffy glutton aren't eye. But you guys will forgive me right (borrows Honey-senpai's cute face). Lol j/k well without further ado here is chapter 2! Whoo hoo!

Chapter 2: Kaoru's pain Hikaru's Guilt

Hikaru stopped his pacing for several seconds to glare at the annoying ticking device on the wall. What was that stupid thing called again? He didn't know. He couldn't remember. After hearing the horrible news the only thing Hikaru did know was that his twin was hurt and it was all his fault. The only thing he did know about the annoying device was that he wanted to smash it to smithereens. Every tick the device gave off was just a constant reminder of how much time had gone by since he had heard about Kaoru…

FLASHBACK

"He's at the hospital."

All feeling left Hikaru's body as he slowly turned to face his senpai, "What do you mean he's at the hospital?" Hikaru knew Kyoya was never one for making jokes. He wished with all his heart that his senpai had finally grown a sense of humor.

Kyoya closed his constantly opened notebook and looked at Hikaru, "It's just as I said. He's at the hospital."

"Kyoya did they say what happened to Kaoru?" Tamaki asked slightly grasping Haruhi's hand with his own.

Kyoya turned his attention to Tamaki, "Only that he was in terrible condition and in severe need of medical treatment, "Kyoya answered pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "My eldest brother is tending to him right now." The host club VP looked over in time to see Hikaru dig his nails into his arm breaking the skin. Kyoya took a hold of his Kouhai's arm, "Stop that."

Hikaru snatched his arm away, "I can't help it. This is all my fault. I'm so upset."

"I think we all are. But Hikaru you need to calm down, "Haruhi said quietly, "Hurting yourself isn't going to help your brother." She recoiled against her seat tightening her grip on Tamaki's hand at the expression on Hikaru's face.

"Haruhi's right Hikaru, "Mori spoke up startling the elder Hitachiin twin, "You need to calm down."

Hikaru took a deep breath and nodded, "You're right, I'm sorry."

Kyoya looked out the window, "Hmm, well in any case we have arrived at the hospital." He led the host club into the building where they were greeted by man who vaguely resembled the shadow king. Kyoya walked off and spoke to the man for several moments before returning to the host club, "I have been informed by my brother Kaoru is currently in surgery right now."

"Sur-surgery?!"

"What? Why is Kao-chan in surgery Kyo-chan?" Hani asked even as he was perched on Mori's shoulders with a sad expression on his face."

"According to my brother Kaoru was shot…"

END OF FLASHBACK

3 hours had gone by; 3 excruciating hours; and no word on Kaoru's condition. To everyone's surprise Hikaru was taking the wait better than they expected him to. True he hadn't stopped pacing since they were first shown to the waiting room. But in all honesty they expected him to make a fuss and demand to be with his twin. But to avoid setting the older Hitachiin off the rest of the host club kept their distance and their thoughts to themselves.

Mori was slowly rubbing Hunny's back as he slowly drifted of to sleep. Fade tear tracks were evident on the child-like 3rd year's face.

The rest of the host club occupied themselves as well as they could to help past the time. Tamaki was flipping through a magazine. He showed no evidence of stupidity, instead his expression was undeniably serious. Haruhi was sitting next to him occupying herself with a book she had purchased during the festival.

The festival…

I was hard to believe that the Host club was enjoying themselves at the festival just a few hours ago. Could it be the festival was just a dream?" No, Haruhi's book was proof. She had told them the festival was the only place she could find the particular novel for such a great price. Hikaru wished this was a dream. He wished it with all his heart. But he knew it wasn't. The red marks on his arm where he had constantly pinched himself while pacing was raw proof.

Finally the double doors opened and Kyoya's brothers walked up to the youngest of the Ootori family. The three of them spoke for several moments before turning their attention to the rest of the host club, "Kaoru's surgery was a success. But for the next few weeks he will have to keep his arm in a sling and avoid as much movement with it as possible. The nerves in his arm were severely damaged by the bullet. We have done all we can. Now it's up to him. He's going to need at least 2 days in recovery and we'll keep him a day longer for observation."

"Can we see him? Tamaki asked quietly seeing has how Hikaru had collapsed from pacing for the past 3 hours.

"Yes; though not for long. Kaoru needs his rest. Kyoya, you may lead them to Mr. Hitachiin's room. He's in the south ward; ward 23. Your visiting time is limited to 20 minutes."

Kyoya nodded as he led the host club to one of the many private wards, "Ok Hikaru would you like a few moments alone with Kaoru?"

"No I'm sure he'd like to see all of us, "Hikaru answered, speaking for the first time since they had arrived. He led the other into the room. Hikaru felt his legs grow weak at the sight before him. Kaoru was lying in the hospital bed with numerous bruises covering his body. His left arm was wrapped in a clean white bandage resting against his chest in a sling. Hikaru took a deep breath and stepped forward, "Kaoru?"

Kaoru slowly opened his eyes, "Hey guys what happened?" He groaned lightly and glanced down at his bandaged arm. Seconds later a panicked expression began to form on his face, "What happened to me? Hikaru! Hikaru where are you! Help me! Hikaru please don't let them hurt me!"

Hikaru ran to his brother's side and took a hold of his shaking hand, "Karou, Kaoru it's ok, I'm here. No one is going to hurt you I promise." He could easily see the fear dancing in his twin's eyes and turned to face Kyoya who in return nodded.

"I think it's best if we leave these two alone. I get the feeling Kaoru needs his brother right now." Kyoya turned and ushered the others out of the room, "Oh Hikaru I'll be sure to make the arrangements so you can stay here. Try to see if you can find out what happened to him."

"Arigato Kyoya-senpai." Hikaru said, before turning his attention turning his attention back to his brother, 'Kaoru, do you remember what happened to you after you went to the restroom?"

Kaoru looked at his brother with fear evident in his eyes, "I was attacked…."

FLASHBACK

Kaoru finished his 'business' before walking to the sink to watch his hands. Seconds later he felt a sharp blow to the back of his head and darkness overtook him.

"You idiots! I told you to get the older twin Hikaru…"

"But their identical boss, how were we supposed to know which one he was. You just said grab the Hitachiin brat."

"Well in any case keep it down. We don't want the little brat to wake up before we decided what we're going to do."

It was too late for that. For Kaoru had regained conscience quite a while ago. The younger Hitachiin slowly opened his eyes and groaned lightly. His head ached like crazy due to the blow from earlier and he couldn't help but notice his hands were locked in handcuffs. Kaoru sat up slowly to avoid giving himself a head rush. He looked around and realized he didn't recognize the place. It appeared to be some sort of warehouse. Kaoru looked over to see three strange men talking in the corner, ""Hey where am I?" He was surprised by the tone in his voice. It was weaker then he thought it would be, "Who are you guys? What do you want with me?"

One of the men stood up and began walking towards Kaoru, "For such a rich little bastard rich enough to tend Ouran Academy you sure ask a lot of questions."

Kaoru looked up at the man. He couldn't but have been older than 20. But he appeared not to have a wealthy background due to his shabby clothing, "What the hell do you want with me? Better yet why did you want my brother?"

The man wrapped his hand around Kaoru's neck, "Why don't you be a good little brat and shut that mouth of yours. Or perhaps I should shot is for you. The only sound I want to hear is your screams…"

When the man tightened his grip around Kaoru's neck he began struggling, "Lt me go I said! What do you want from me?" he managed to gasp out. Kaoru thrust his knee upwards and managed to his the man in the 'lower regions' and took off running. Even though he had no idea where he was Kaoru knew he had to get away. He didn't get very far as he heard the sound of the gun go off followed by an excruciating pain ripping through his body. Kaoru fell to his knees.

"You're not going anywhere you little brat." The man walked said walking over to him. He kicked Karou in the stomach, "You know what I'm going to do to you?" He knelt down so he was closer to Kaoru, "I'm going to make you feel physically what your brother made my sister feel emotionally. I'm going to punish Hikaru Hitachiin by destroying the most important person in his life; his little twin brother Kaoru."

Kaoru's eyes grew wide. This guy was crazy. Hikaru had never hurt a girl…at least not to his knowledge. True when they were younger they were cruel to girls but they had a good reason. He didn't have time to think about it as he felt another kick to his stomach followed by constant blows to his arms, legs even his face.

Blood was starting to gush out of the bullet wound in his right arm. And his vision was starting to go blurry. Kaoru slipped into darkness again when he felt another blow to his head.

END OF FLASHBACK

"I woke up when you came in the room."

Hikaru's eyes were as wide as saucers when his twin finished explaining what had happened to him, "Kaoru you said he was trying to punish me for hurting his sister by hurting you?"

"Yes he said you hurt his sister emotionally." Karou looked at his twin, "Hikaru is there something you're not telling me?" he gasped when he felt his brother grasp on his hand tightening, "Hikaru?"

"Kaoru, do you remember a few weeks ago when I got that letter? Well turns out it was from a girl in our class who wanted to confess her feelings to me." Hikaru reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter, "I was wearing these jeans when I met with her that's why I still have it. I guess the maids forgot to take it out before they washed them..." He handed the faded note to Kaoru, "Anyway she told me she's like for a while and I told her I was sorry but I didn't feel the same way. But I told that you and I would both be her friends. It was Nayumi Kotohashi." He sighed deeply, "She told me she was ok with that. She was upset that I didn't feel the same but she said she was happy I at least wanted to be her friend. I didn't think she actually took my rejection that hard."

Kaoru looked over the letter, "Nayumi, she's one of our normal customers for the host club. She's a nice girl, being friends with her will be fine. But Hikaru you need to talk to her and find out if she really was that upset about you turning her down. Did she cry or anything?"

"No, in fact she smiled and gave me a hug. Her exact words were, 'That's fine I understand. But at least I had the courage to tell you how I feel. I'm just glad we can still be friends. I hope I didn't sound too pathetic.'" Hikaru shrugged, "She didn't sound pathetic either for the record. She is a beautiful girl, it's just you're more important to me (brotherly love people no twincest incase your mind was starting to wander towards the gutter)."

"Well in any case you need to talk to her and find out. She could have just been putting on an act. You know how girls can be sometimes." Kaoru pointed out.

"Yes, then perhaps she can help me find the man who did this two you and I can return the favor." Hikaru's tone of voice was murderous and the expression on his face made his twin whimper. Hikaru noticed and relaxed his face, "I'm sorry Kaoru. I didn't mean to upset you."

Kaoru relaxed as well, "It's ok but for now can you just stay here with me Hikaru?" Kaoru asked, "I'm afraid to be alone right now." He scooted over so his twin could climb into the hospital bed.

Hikaru slipped off his shoes and climbed into the bed with Kaoru. He took his twins non-bandaged hand into is own, "Try and get some rest Kaoru. Don't worry I'll be here when you wake up I promise."

Kaoru released a faint yawn, "I guess I am pretty tired. You'd think after being passed out for so long I would be wide awake." He looked to and was surprised to find Hikaru snoring lightly. His red bangs fluttering as he breathed. Seconds later he heard a faint knock followed by the sound of is door opening, "Uh, Kyoya-senpai, did you want something?"

"Yes, I was going to ask Hikaru if he wanted to sleep in a separate bed. But it seems my question has been answered without words." Kyoya explained as he stepped into the room, "I don't think I have ever seen your brother upset. The only time he's been that scared was in Karuizawa when you and Haruhi were almost hit by that vase. I knew you two were close but this is completely new to me."

Kaoru looked down at his older twin, "You mean he was that worried?"

"Yes, look at his arm. He was so scared something happened to you and believed it was his own fault he subconsciously started to punish himself." Kyoya pointed out.

Kaoru looked at the faint scratch marks on Hikaru's arm and sighed deeply, "I didn't mean to worry everyone."

"Kaoru keep an eye on Hikaru."

Karou looked at his senpai confused, "Sure but why?"

Kyoya pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Trust me. It's easy to see how much you two care for each other. There's no doubt Hikaru is going to find out who did this to you and make him pay. You know how he can get. But above all else I'm afraid he'll do something to himself as punishment for allowing you to get hurt."

Kaoru's eyes widened. Would his twin really go that far?

**

A/N: There you have it Chapter 2! Sorry for all the cliffies and flashbacks lol. It's just the way the idea's came to me lol. Well once again sorry if the characters seem a bit OOC. I'm still fairly new to the series and trust me this is going to get really good! 3 reviews= chapter 3!