Chapter Three

Haruhi

'A chopping board?' Hikaru asked, apparently amused by my shopping request.

'Yes.'

'Why? That's so random.'

'Not when you need one.' I tried not to think of the reason why I needed one. I wanted to enjoy this evening out with Hikaru, especially after the usually hectic day at the Host Club. The small streets and market stalls of Karuizawa looked exactly the same as the last time we were here, though this time I was just wearing a simple pink striped t-shirt, blue denim skirt, white knee-high socks and trainers. The only hair accessory I wore was a few clips in my fringe.

'Hey! There's that ice cream place! Want one, Haruhi?'

'Yes please' I smiled. The sun was shining and I was having fun. Hikaru got two plain vanilla ice cream cones from the stall and studied the two of them, seeing which held more ice cream, before handing the smaller one to me. I looked at him questioningly.

'What?' He shrugged, 'I thought girls were always cautious about their weight. You should be thanking me for looking after you like this.'

'Thank you, Hikaru. But if I get hungry later, I'm finding more food.' I joked.

Hikaru's face turned surprisingly serious, 'Not without telling me first. No way am I leaving you like last time.' Thankfully, then his face lightened, 'I must stick by Haruhi's side at all times!'

Suddenly, Tamaki's words entered my mind. 'He's trying to take you away from me! So you have to be very careful, okay?' What was there to be careful of? I was safe with Hikaru at my side; I just needed to make sure we stuck together. But the two of them last night… they were so hostile towards each other… was something going on between them?

'Yo, earth to Haruhi? Your ice cream's dripping everywhere. If you're not careful, I'll end up eating it myself. What's on your mind?'

I licked up my ice cream so it didn't drip on my clothes. 'Nothing really, just thinking of something Senpai said.'

He crushed his ice cream cone in his newly formed fist. 'What did he say?' He spoke in a tone that reminded me of his tantrum yesterday. But was it really a tantrum? Maybe something's bothering him. I wished I hadn't of brought it up now, but he was looking at me with those eyes…

I tried to stay casual and giggled as I spoke, 'Oh nothing, just some nonsense about how you're 'taking me away from him'. Not that I ever 'belonged' to him anyway, but you know how he is. Anyway… you want me to buy you another ice cream? Because that one's kind of… erm…'

I giggled some more and pointed to Hikaru's excuse for an ice cream. He didn't laugh with me. Instead, he let go of his ice cream completely, allowing it to fall to the floor. It only just missed his shoe. 'Haruhi… I'm not… I mean I'm… I want…

I love you.'

I was speechless. Any other time I would have made a joke like 'then why did you give me the smaller ice cream?' or 'Okay then you can buy me my chopping board.' But his face… his face was so serious. Serious faces didn't suit Hikaru either. He was always so relaxed and mischievous and…

He loved me?

'Er… Hikaru I… don't know what to say.' What was there to say?

He put his finger to my lips. 'Don't say anything.' Then he took my hand and started running. My ice cream flew out my hand. I wasn't scared, or worried – only confused. I didn't quite understand what was happening. He was pounding down the street into some woods with me flailing behind him. I was definitely not built to run. He rushed me inside a small building with lots of seats. And an altar. A church?

I took in my new surroundings as I bent over and caught my breath. Yes, we were in a church.

The church.

I'd only just resumed my normal breathing rate when Hikaru took my hands in his. Well this was familiar…

'Haruhi. I love you.'

Oh. We're back to this.

'I want to be with you.'

My confusion grew. I just stared at him. 'But… you are with me.'

Then he laughed, and it sounded genuine with only a hint of desperation. 'Yes. But I also want to be with you tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that.'

More dates? That would kind of screw up my schedules… 'Hikaru… I love you too but…' not in the way you're referring to…

I couldn't finish my sentence. He kissed my lips. He wasn't as gentle as Tamaki, not as timid. Oh great, now I was comparing kisses. I could feel his confidence – this was what he wanted. What he's been wanting for so long. I couldn't help but kiss him back as I wrapped my arms over his shoulders, grabbing fistfuls of his shirt. I wanted him to be happy. He must have taken that as some sort of sign as he grabbed my waist and picked me up. I felt my feet completely leave the floor before he laid me down on one of the wooden benches, hands still at my waist. He pulled my shoes off and was running his hand through my hair, making my clips a lost cause. Suddenly my hands emptied and I was grabbing skin instead. In my peripheral vision I saw his shirt strewn across the floor. Did he do that or did I? His kisses grew with strength until I knew I wouldn't be able to pull back. He started kissing my neck, then my collar bone, then back to my lips. His lips were so soft, and he tasted so good.

Hikaru… tasted good…

This had to be wrong. I was making out – Oh God, I was making out – in a church, with one of my best friends. With Hikaru, who only moments ago, though it felt like years since then, told me he loved me. And I loved him, but as a friend only. Or was it more than that? I don't know - it's so hard to think and kiss at the same time.

I felt his hands raise my shirt, just enough to reveal the bottom of my bra. His hands tried to shimmy my skirt down a little, but it stopped at my waist and would not go any further unless he undid the button.

That's when alarm bells went off. I kissed Tamaki yesterday – did that mean anything to me? Did it mean nothing? Oh God… Tamaki… what would he do if he saw me like this? What would he think of me? No, I had to stop, before this went any further. Hikaru kissed my neck and collarbone again. He kissed my exposed stomach before returning to my lips. He felt so soft…

One of his hands went up the back of my shirt to my bra clasp. Oh no... Don't tempt me…

'Mmm… Hikaru…' It was hard to talk with his mouth on mine. I wasn't sure if he regarded my comment as a sound of hesitation or pleasure.

'Yes, Haruhi…' The way he breathed my name indicated he took it as the latter.

'Hikaru… No…' I'd meant for it to sound forceful but completely failed. My voice was as smooth as his, so I put my hand on his arm – the one that was fumbling behind my back.

He got the message that time but wasn't fazed by it. 'Okay, I won't go there…' He moved the hand to my thigh instead.

Oh God… His hand was moving up…

I was so weak; each time he kissed me was like the first. I touched his arm again, being careful not to make a stroking motion in case it urged him on.

'…Stop…'

He moved his hand once more, this time tangling it in my hair.

'Hikaru… Enough…'

'Just a little more…' He sounded hungry.

I jerked my head sideways so he couldn't reach my lips, but he just kissed my ear. Then he was biting it. He was kissing down my neck again…

I felt his chest with both my hands. Oh, did his chest feel good… I could feel his muscles moving. I wanted to move with him…

I pushed him.

He pushed back. Did he think I was teasing him? I wanted him to stop. What if Tamaki found out…? What if he thought I was heartless…? What if he never spoke to me again…? I knew Hikaru wouldn't hurt me, but I wasn't so sure about Tamaki…

I pushed harder but I was nowhere near strong enough. He'd wrapped my legs around his waist and rested them on his hip bone so I couldn't move them. I didn't know what to do, the moment was gone, I wanted the old Hikaru back, I wanted to go home.

As soon as there was a pause in his shower of kisses, I covered my face with both of my hands. For a moment I thought he was just going to kiss them and carry on but he'd stopped.

'What's wrong, Haruhi?' His voice sounded concerned all of a sudden.

'That's enough… Hikaru…' My voice was small, and it was muffled by my hands so I wasn't sure he'd heard me.

'Sorry Haruhi… I guess I got a little carried away…' His voice carried a playful smile. He didn't seem to be ashamed of himself; he said it as if it were meant to be a compliment to me.

I felt his hands smooth down my messed up hair. Only now was I starting to feel the embarrassment at what I'd done. I released my hands from my face to pull down my shirt but all I saw was a blurry swarm of pale skin and orange hair. My hands were wet.

'Haruhi…' He said, shock entering his voice. 'What's wrong? Did I hurt you? Oh God no, please no…' I wiped my eyes to clear my vision. He seemed to be checking my arms and legs for any bruises.

Suddenly, a huge bang sounded from the other entrance of the church. Me and Hikaru violently flinched and he nearly toppled onto me.

'Tamaki?' I asked, still in my small voice, not believing the red fury that engulfed his face and body language. He was standing in the doorway of the church, both arms still outstretched from slamming the doors open, and had an evil look in his eyes.

He was looking at Hikaru.

Oh God… what had I done?

Hikaru

'Hikaru.' He spat. I was still crouched over Haruhi protectively and wouldn't move an inch unless I had to. Tamaki was pissing me off.

'What are you doing here, boss?' I mocked him with squinted eyes, though I couldn't say I was surprised to see him; I practically told him what was going to happen. I looked around for the windows – they held no curtains. He would have seen everything, I thought. Well good then, serves the bastard right.

Haruhi didn't attempt stop her tears this time and let them flow freely, rolling down her flushed cheeks and onto her ears. I looked at her regretfully. I doubted it was me who made her cry, for all I know it was probably Tamaki himself.

He was coming towards us now, but I didn't move from over her. Tamaki had never, ever been remotely aggressive, so I didn't know what to expect. 'Hikaru. What do you think you are doing?' He spoke slowly and every word was stressed as if he was controlling himself from ripping my heart out.

Though I didn't want to leave Haruhi's side, I casually stood up to face him, showing no fear, 'I could ask you the same thing.'

As soon as the words left my lips, Tamaki forcefully grabbed my shoulders and pressed his face so close to mine I could taste his hot breath.

'You made her cry…' he spoke in the same tone. 'WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?' He absolutely shouted it in my face, his voice echoing from every corner of the church, his nails digging into my naked skin. Probably should have put my shirt back on… I glanced at Haruhi – she looked scared. This bastard was scaring her.

'I don't think I'm the one scaring her, boss.' I mocked him again, my voice straining to stay calm. If anyone was going to lose their temper, it was me.

'Don't give me that crap. You forced yourself on her and I know it. God knows what would have happened if I hadn't walked in…' Wow, I never heard such language from Tamaki. This guy was finally growing a pair.

'What kind of monster do you think I am? I stopped when she said to so don't try to put anything on me.' And I would hardly call it 'walking' in.

He laughed moronically. 'I don't have to, I saw everything.'

'Pervert.' I was taking the piss and he knew it - it infuriated him. 'At least I'm making an effort.'

'Oh, don't even go there. You call this making an effort? I call it attempted ra-'

I pushed him. Hard. The amount of force was slightly weakened by the fact he previously had a good grip on my shoulders, but he still hit the wall on the opposite side of the church. Too bad he didn't meet the floor, though.

When he regained himself and met my eyes, I wasn't looking at a friend. I wasn't looking at the man who'd opened up the world to me. I was looking at someone who was getting in the way of my happiness in life.

Lost in my thoughts, I was surprised when he ran forward to me, again pushing my shoulders but this time not stopping until I, too, hit the wall. Tamaki was older, bigger, and probably stronger than me, and he was easily pinning me against the stone wall. I hated that.

'You shouldn't do that, Hikaru. I don't want to fight you. But I also can't let you take Haruhi away from me.'

'We'll see about that, you bastard. How long do you think I've been waiting for this, huh?' I got his attention, 'it kills me to wake up everyday and always have to be second place to you: a guy that can't even figure out his feelings. I thought I'd never had a chance with her.'

'You never will.'

That did it. His words opened up some strength in me and I took his hands off me. Because I caught him off guard and he was still pushing, I rolled out the way so he could slam into the wall all by himself. He didn't though, to my disappointment, he just rebounded and ended up standing to face me. We circled each other like animals. I wanted my fist to feel his face.

But when Haruhi's bench came into view I stopped. She wasn't there. Tamaki followed my gaze and stopped too. How long had she been gone? How much had she seen?

I panicked when the sky suddenly darkened, as if reflecting my mood, and large rain drops started to fall. Please, please don't let there be a thunderstorm… I prayed. It probably wouldn't do any good though, seeing as I'd just been fighting with my best friend in a church.

Tamaki's chest was rising and falling rapidly as he looked back at me from the doorway. When did he decide to leave? He wasn't angry anymore though; his expression was pained, remorseful. His head hung low as he walked out of sight.

A/N: Just want to say thanks for the reviews so far - wow! They make me so happy, hehe :D