Sorry you had to wait a while...I honestly have no excuses. It's not like I haven't been yelled at for making people wait before..my friends hate that about me. ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own OHSHC (yet ;)

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(*-Kaoru POV-*)
I awoke to the sound of paper being slid under the door. The room was mostly dark, save for the gray light of dawn that shone in through a small window. It was a classic window you might find on a castle in the Middle Ages. In the cold months of winter, we hung heavy drapes over it and got light from a lamp.

I got up from bed and glance at Hikaru who was sleeping in the one right next to mine. We pushed them together, partly due to of old habit and also because the small size of our room.

I reached down and picked up the papers, instantly recognizes Kyouya's stationary. Must have been our next assignment. The contents caused my stomach to twist.
We were to go to America undercover. Okay, that was fine.
Except that we had to be there for 3 months.

The Dark Lord was growing suspicious of the U.S.A and their lack of activity in helping the other countries. Only one thought plagued my thoughts: Had he found out about Hikaru's lie? I don't know how that would have been possible, but I do know that the Lord knew plenty of things he had no way of knowing.

I turned around, hearing the sheets move. Hikaru sat up rubbing his eyes and looking like he'd rather still be asleep.

"Sorry if I woke you" I said

"Nah, it wasn't you. What's that?" he said noticing the papers in my hand

Silently I handed them to my twin and waited while he read it.

"We go to the other side of the world...for 3 months? Undercover?" He seemed to ponder this "Alright, we can handle that."

I stared.
"What?" He asked, like a little kid who didn't understand what he did wrong.

"Do you think Kyouya found out? That America is stocking up on supplies?"

"Oh, is that it? I don't think so. Probably suspects they're up to something. You know he's paranoid like that." Hikaru shrugged

"But Hikaru, they ARE up to something! We both know that!" I was panicking. He didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation.

"Listen Kao, I have a plan, okay?" His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Y-you do..? What is it?" I was whispering now too.

"That depends how opposed you are to being a traitor"

"A traitor..?" I was so quiet, he almost didn't hear me

"Or a scoundrel, call it what you wish" Hikaru gave a devilish grin, not even put off by the fact that we were practically discussing our deaths.

"But...We-"

"Kaoru you want peace just as much as I do, correct?" My twin cut me off

Unable to speak, I just nodded.

"Well then listen. I'm positive there are people in America who are willing to work with us to end all of the wars. We just have to find them and make them trust us" He was so sure...
"Hikaru, it can't be that easy!" It still sounded impossible to me

"Okay maybe it's not. But if we can't do it, I'm willing to die trying. And if you aren't, I'll do this by myself." A new fire was blazing in his eyes. It scared me, but his confidence was beginning to rub off. The last part was a little offensive. I would never leave him to do something so dangerous on his own. He knew it and was using this knowledge against me.

"Fine, I'll help. But promise not to be to rash okay? You worry me with that cocky attitude of yours." I shook my head as I lightly scolded him.

"But Kaoru, it's all part of my charm" He smirked.

I laughed, "C'mon, it says to go see Kyouya after we read this"

(*-Hikaru POV-*)

We got dressed and exited the room, then made our way to the Dark Lord's chamber. It was a long walk through winding corridors, and we occasionally ran into dead ends. The castle was designed to confuse an enemy, heaven forbid one ever got in.
Finally, Kaoru and I made it to the heavy wooden door. Together we pushed it open and walked inside.
Kyouya sat at his desk hands folded, expecting us.

"Here to discuss your assignment, I assume"

We just stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point.

"I wish for you two to stay undercover in America for 3 months. I want to know exactly what they are up to...there hasn't been any sort of activity over there for nearly 5 months. It's a bit suspicious. I trust you will not be found out and will be more successful than last time." Kyouya frowned a bit at the end of his speech.

I was growing bored of this already. It was funnier when our 'Lord' got mad.

"Of course, your majesty I said grandly while making a dramatic bow." Next to me, Kaoru snickered.
"We are forever your loyal servants" My twin said in a mocking tone.

Kyouya glared. This was going to be good...
"Don't you dare mock me. You work for me and ought to be thankful I've let you live this long. My patience with you is growing thin."

Crap, I hoped we hadn't pushed it to far this time...I remembered last time we were punished...

***Flashback***
I had been thrown into a room that was pitch black. I had been messing with Kyouya while he was in one of his bad moods. It was stupid, but my fear of him had faded slightly.
It was deadly silent for a while. One of my biggest fears was 'nothingness'. I had no idea where my brother was or what they had done with him. The only noise I heard was his muffled sobbing, though it may have been a trick of my fearful mind.

The whole time I was in there -I have no clue how long it was- I wasn't fed or given anything to drink.
Once, some one came in while I was sleeping. I awoke when the door shut with a quiet click.
I didn't even hear their footsteps, but suddenly I sensed the stranger in front of me.
Then came the pain...I was being whipped repeatedly, over and over, the pain never dulling or lessening. They didn't stop until I gave in and screamed, begging for mercy.

They did it twice more, and then left. I could feel the blood trickling from the wounds on my back, arms, and legs. The was so unbearable, I passed out, tears continuing to trickle down my face.
After wards, I awoke in the infirmary all bandaged up. I prayed they hadn't done the same thing to Kaoru, but he refused to tell me what happened, saying he was fine. The only thing he told me was that they didn't hurt him like they did me. I hoped he wasn't lying.

***End Flashback***

Fortunately, all the Dark Lord said was "Learn to respect me. We wouldn't want a repeat of the last time, now would we?" He smirked, reading the fear on our faces.
We bowed are heads and spoke in unison, as the memories of darkness filled us both.
"No sir." "Very good. Now go pack. You leave in a week"

We left as quickly as possible.

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I think that's my longest yet :D

Okay, when I said the romance wasn't with the twins, I partly lied. I meant that they don't fall in love with each other. Sorry :(
Also, I know some of you were wondering about how Kyouya punished them. I had to make it pretty gruesome, cause it's Kyouya we're talking about here. I mean he is the Dark Lord. Or is it 'Shadow Lord'? Oh well :3

-wishIwereanime