Episode 4: The Twins Impress Her.

It had been four days that Haruhi lived in the Hitachiin mansion. Four days of being able to wake up in a room that was far too big, in far too comfortable sheets, and slip into her blue suit and meet the boys in the main hall for a quick breakfast before riding in their shiny black car to the school.

But it was the first weekend. The first weekend she'd ever spent with anyone other than her father. It was another thing that she would finally be meeting the twins' parents.

"That's right, Hikaru," Kaoru said over dinner the night before. "I don't think we told mom and dad that Haruhi was here." Haruhi had been stone faced up until that moment, now the look of panic must have been clear on her face when the two looked over, they exploded into laughter.

"Don't worry about it, Haruhi." Kaoru said.

"Our parents will love you." Hikaru added.

"They don't even know me." She replied.

"Maybe not, but you would have done the same for us, right?"

"If I had a big enough space, sure." She said.

"They will see that, besides, what's not to love about you?" Hikaru concluded.

Haruhi smiled in front of them, her heart racing at the idea of meeting their parents, she knew next to nothing about the hosts outside of school, except that Tamaki's father was as weird as he was, and Kyoya had two older brothers and a sister.

"At least they're going to bring Aghena home," Hikaru said. "She called me last night saying how homesick she was."

"I miss her too, and I'll bet it's lonely in that hotel."

"Aghena?" Haruhi asked.

"Our little sister." They said together.

"I didn't know you had a sister."

"No one else does either." Hikaru laughed

"She's an elementary fifth year." Kaoru said. "She's also real excited to meet you."

"Why?" Haruhi asked.

"No reason…" He replied. Haruhi kept her head down while her friends conversed, soon they stopped speaking, they didn't need the words anymore.

"Well if you want to stay out of their hair," Kaoru said with that mischievous smirk hiding on his lips. "How about you and I go on a date tomorrow? Lunch at the nearby park." Kaoru smiled, his eyes closing with the strength of the gleam. He didn't even notice Haruhi's surprised eyes, or Hikaru's beside him. Confusion with just an ounce of betrayal.

"I hope you like these," Kaoru said, lifting a pink box from their picnic basket. "I know Honi-senpai usually buys them, but I tried to make these ones myself." He beamed in Haruhi's direction as he placed a two-bite strawberry cake on a small plate. His fingers were nearly frozen when they brushed against hers.

"I'm sure it's delicious," she said. She took the first bite and closed her brown eyes to savor the sweet flavor. "These are amazing!" She beamed.

"You don't have to make me feel better." He replied with a defined blush.

"No, this really is great," Haruhi said. "The strawberries are so fresh."

"Aghena grows them in a greenhouse in the backyard, so now and then I'll get some, and Hikaru will make something. He's the real chef."

"Really?" She asked.

"Yeah," he did. "But don't tell him I told you."

"I won't." Haruhi replied with a blush. "What do you like doing, Kaoru?" He looked down at his plate of cake, and stayed silent for a second, unsure of whether or not to speak.

"I like to draw," He finally answered. "I'm not very good, but it's something fun."

"I would love to see them," Haruhi said softly. "Your drawings."

"I'll show you," he replied. "If you promise to ask Hikaru to help you bake something."

"I can do that." She said.

"You know, you always know so much about us," Kaoru said. "I want to see if I know as much about you." Kaoru closed his eyes. "I think your favorite fruit is kiwi." he grinned. Haruhi smiled and felt the warmth spread through her face, there was a feeling of warmth all throughout her body, something she wasn't familiar with.

"You're right," she said. "But how could you ever guess that? It's so random."

"I saw the look in your eyes when Hikaru offered you a taste of the boba tea," he explained. "It's nothing new to you, and you only get that smile on your face when something really excites you."

"Well then." She said. The smile crept away from her, the feeling of blind joy and warmth was gone. She began to realize, with all the observing she did with the boys, that it was possible they had been observing her too. Sure the twins were a strange and affectionate duo, but they really just wanted her as a friend.

"You know, Kaoru," She said. "I'm glad you asked me to join you today."

"Really?" He asked. His face had turned a slight shade of pink as Haruhi took the final bite of the strawberry cake. "I just wanted to make it up to you, back in Karuizawa, when I had to send Hikaru out with you."

"At least we had a good time." She smiled.

"What did you guys do?" He asked, playing dumb. He smirked to himself, recounting everything he saw that day, as Haruhi blushed.

"Not much, really," she said. "We tried some ice cream from that little shop in town, and we picked out some gifts for you."

"I remember," He said brightly. "I still have the seashells, and the pickled yams were delicious. What else happened?"

"Why are you so curious?" She smirked. "I would have thought Hikaru would have told you everything."

"When you guys didn't come back before the rain, we were all worried. It was a storm after all. What happened then?"

"We ran into Arai, and I guess he got jealous or something. He insisted on going back to the inn by himself," She said. "I tried to go after him, but then the thunder started. I looked at the sky for just a second, and when I looked back he was gone." Haruhi looked down at her empty plate, sensing Kaoru move slightly in the corner of her eye. "When the rain started I ran into the nearby church."

"Is that where he found you?" Kaoru asked.

"Yes," She said. "I… I guess something happened that day. When he sat with me under that table, I think I saw a new side of him."

"Really?" Kaoru said, his eye narrowing just a bit. "What does that mean?"

"I'm not sure how to explain it," She said thoughtfully. "I mean, Hikaru seems to be driven by his emotions, and I guess I wasn't sure how he'd react to seeing me that way, but when he put his arm around me, he was so quiet, and I'd even say soft." She recounted.

"I know he cares about you," Kaoru said as he poured more tea for her. "We all do." Haruhi frowned into the steam for just a second, changing her face when he looked at her.

"Thanks for that." She said. "I know you guys like having me in the club, I guess it's just nice to hear once and a while." She offered a small smile, something Kaoru almost couldn't even see.

"We're all really glad you decided to stick around with us, Haruhi," he said. "Even after that girl paid off your debt, and everyone figured out that you're a girl."

"I meant what I said to Tamaki-Senpai," She murmured "I may have complained at first, but I liked being the host club, in fact, I couldn't imagine going to this school without it now."

"But what could you do, now?" He asked. "No girls will request you now that they know the truth."

"While I'm not a host anymore, those three still treat me like one." She replied. "Besides, Kasanoda knew I was a girl, and he actually requested me."

"That's because he had a crush on you," Kaoru said blandly.

"No he didn't," She laughed, then stopped when she saw his face. "Did he?"

"You're hopeless, Haruhi," Kaoru laughed. "Besides, why do you think he stopped coming to school after he left that day, do you remember?"

Haruhi thought back to that day when the big scary Kasanoda finally grew a soft spot. He requested her, and everyone watched on in amazement, overwhelmed by the moe of it all. When he asked if he could request her again, she smiled and said she would love to get to know him better, and they'd make great friends. Haruhi cringed, now understanding what he implied, and what she said.

"Well I didn't come to Ouran Academy looking for a husband, I came to learn." She said defensively.

"We know," Kaoru said. "But it wouldn't hurt to have a little fun once in a while right?"

"I guess not," she said. She watched as Kaoru laid back to watch the sky, the sun was at its highest point now, lunch was over, but no matter how much Haruhi shivered in his jacket, neither wanted to be the first to suggest going back.

"You know Kaoru," Haruhi started. With surprised eyes, he looked over to her, not changing his position. "I noticed something about you."

"What?" he asked.

"When you talk about anything, it seems like you speak for everyone." She said. "Maybe it's because you're a twin, even when you aren't referring to you and Hikaru, like when I said I came to Ouran to learn...I was only talking to you, yet you said 'we know'."

"Huh," He looked down at his legs, crossed so his knees faced the clouds. "I guess you're right."

"The only time you spoke for yourself the most was when you and Hikaru were pretending to fight." She laughed. "Speaking of, it was impressive that you got all of us to believe it."

"We've rehearsed that so many times, it never went on that long, I was surprised Hikaru didn't give us away."

"You're right," she said. "I guess you have to blow off some steam once and a while.

"Do you want to walk into town?" Kaoru asked. "We don't have to be back for a while, and it's not that cold."

"Sure," Haruhi said. "Why not.

The town was busy as people settled in for lunch and shopping, but as Kaoru and Haruhi walked, close enough to rub elbows when someone pushed past them, she wondered what they would possibly do in town. She thought back to the day she and Hikaru went on a date. At least that's what Kaoru called it. They had fun, She never expected the day to end the way it did, in the arms of the least likely solace as the storm raged outside. It was as if for the first time, nothing could touch her.

No, she thought. No way in hell. She would keep those thoughts at bay. He was just making up for walking away so fast. I came to Ouran to learn, not to find a man. Especially not Hikaru or Kaoru. Despite her best efforts, her brain and heart disobeyed, and she couldn't help but think about them.

"Hey, Haruhi," Kaoru called. "Take a look at this!" When she looked up, she realized he was no longer beside her, but instead at the door of a pet shop. When she got to the door, Kaoru held his hand out, stopping her from going any further. She didn't have to, it didn't take her long to spot what he was seeing. It was Mori and Hani, they were toward the back of the pet shop. She could hear Honi's excited giggles as a puppy jumped into his lap. Mori stood before little Honi and seemed to be holding something small and white in his hands, as the lump perked up, she could tell by the large ears that it was a bunny.

"Oh wow," she said. Kaoru snickered as he took out his phone.

"Man, Hikaru would love to see this." before he could finish dialing the number, however, Honi looked up.

"Haru-chan! Kao-chan!" He stood up, the puppy trailed at his sneakers as he threw himself at Haruhi for a hug.

"What are you guys doing here?" He asked.

"Takashi and I came to see the bunnies, but this little guy was just so excited that I had to play with him." The puppy jumped at his feet until Honi opened his arms and caught it.

"It wasn't too cold out today, so I asked Haruhi to have lunch with me."

"Where's Hika-chan?" Honi asked.

"He's at home, he didn't feel like coming out." Kaoru said. It wasn't a total lie. When Kaoru invited Haruhi out, She asked Hikaru to join, he declined, he seemed fine enough, but she knew something was different. She didn't want to put too much thought into it.

"Haru-chan, look at that." She jumped at the slight feeling at her ankle, It was a kitten who sauntered over and nuzzled against her. It purred so loud they could hear it over the barking puppies and skittering rabbits.

"Hello there," She said, The kitten jumped up into her hands and she held it close, it purred as it frantically nuzzled her hands and face. Honi and Kaoru looked on in amazement.

"I never saw you as a cat person, Haruhi." Kaoru said. Haruhi's face was bright as she giggled.

"I love cats!" She beamed, her face going pink with girlish excitement. "I could never have one, because dad's allergic, but I used to feed the stray cats at the apartment." She let the cat climb over her shoulders and laughed as it licked her cheek. As she sat against the windowsill, the shopkeeper opened the cage with the kittens, and she let out a little shriek, overwhelmed by her favorite animal.

"Kaoru, Honi-Senpai," She called. "You gotta see this one, she's so cute!" Kaoru smiled at this new side of Haruhi and made a note to himself to tell Hikaru about Haruhi's new weakness he discovered.

"I think you would really get along with Nekozawa-Senpai." Kaoru murmured.

"It's just so cute!" Haruhi squealed. When she finally opened her eyes and realized the trio stared at her in fascination, she managed to straighten her face. "I'm a cat person, okay?" She muttered with a roll of her eyes.

"We'd love to stay and play with you guys," Honi said as he climbed onto Mori's shoulder. "But Takashi has Kendo in an hour, and we're going to go to get hot chocolate before," Honi's big brown eyes glistened as he studied the pair, it seemed like Kaoru wanted to leave the shop, and as much as it seemed like they were having fun on their own, it would be rude to not invite them.

"Would you like to join us?" Haruhi snuck a glance at Kaoru who didn't meet her eyes, instead finding interest in the bunny cages.

"No thanks, Honi-senpai!" She said. "Enjoy some for us, okay?" She smiled brightly, almost matching his energy.

"Okay, Haru-chan!" He said as Mori turned to leave. "Have fun on your date with Kao-chan."

The word hung in the air after it shattered into her mind. She glanced at Kaoru, who still hadn't moved or spoken, there was no mistaking the words, even he called it a date when he asked, but it hadn't felt even close to one, not like the one she had with Hikaru.

Wasn't that his point? She wondered. To make up for the day he sent Hikaru in his place?

She couldn't ignore what she knew, the twins were her friends, she sometimes thought it could have been more, but tt was an idea she didn't want to pursue. Maybe when she wasn't busy with exams. She had to remind herself why she worked so hard to get into Ouran, pretty boys couldn't distract her from her goal.

It wouldn't hurt to have some fun now and then. Kaoru's voice was in her head, the sly grin on his face when he said that flashed in front of her eyes. It was true that the twins were possibly the most agreeable, the ones she saw the most outside of the club, and now that she wasn't a host anymore, it would rare that she'd run into Tamaki, now that he would be a third year, and now that Honi and Mori were no longer in the academy. At least as second years, they had a little more time on their hands in between classes, and if she felt the desire to see her boys, they had assured her many times she was welcome as a guest.

"Well, Haruhi," Kaoru said. "What do you want to do now? We can pick out something for Hikaru, and there's a cafe across the street that sells the best coffee."

She couldn't help but smile, while she couldn't be sure of his motives, or his feelings; at least he treated her like a real friend.

The sun was getting low when Kaoru finally brought Haruhi back to her temporary home. From the main entry, they could hear the staff preparing dinner and the Hitachiin parents talking in the lounge.

"Have you seen the library yet, Haruhi?" Kaoru asked.

"I don't think so." She said. She was surprised when he immediately grabbed her hand and pulled her to the east wing. When he opened the door, Haruhi was met with more books that she had ever seen in one place, a large fireplace was fixated against one wall, a painting of the Hitachiin family rested above it, and from the low couch by the fireplace, Hikaru looked up and gave a half-hearted grimace of a smile.

"Oh, you guys are back?" He said. "Barely even knew you were gone." As he stood up, he sauntered out of the room, slinking like a cat, tossing a side eye at Haruhi and giving a sly little grin.

"What's wrong with him?" She asked,

"He's probably jealous," Kaoru laughed. She barely heard him, amazed by the walls of books, each glowing orange with the light of the fireplace crackling to her left. "Haruhi?" He watched as her eyes widened in amazement, she circled the room for a second, taking in all the books.

"I'm going to let you stay here," he said. "We'll let you know when dinner is served."

Haruhi gave some kind of distant response, lost in the ocean of novels. Kaoru snickered as he walked out, off to go find his brother, and get to the bottom of what was really bothering him.

It felt like hours that she was nestled in that library, pouring over an old book she remembered from her childhood. It was one her mother used to read to her at night. She remembered hearing her mother's voice, as she traced the lines of words, she tried to imagine it, years ago, laying under the blanket while mother read, dad stood in the doorway, waiting to give her a goodnight kiss. It was a better time.

She had become so wrapped up in the short story, so enveloped in her memories, that it was almost jarring when the boys called to her from the library door.

"C'mon Haruhi," Kaoru said. "You must be starving, I know we are." She smiled as she closed the book, There it was again, Kaoru taking one for the team, talking as if he and Hikaru were one in the same being. A quirk that definitely helped her tell the two of them apart. But she stood up, and as the boys each slung an arm over her shoulders and steered her into the dining room, she almost began to feel a certain amount of comfort in their grasp.

Dinner was just about the same as usual, now with the addition of with their parents at the heads of the table, Hikaru and Kaoru to one side, and Haruhi sitting opposite them with their little sister, an adorable girl with auburn curls sitting beside her. She was ashamed to admit she was growing used to the Hitachiin lifestyle,

"So Haruhi, Kaoru sweetheart," Yuzuha began. "How was your day?"

"Oh, it was great," he said. "We ran into Honi and Mori-senpai in town."

"Oh that's nice," she said. "How are they doing? We don't hear much about them since they've graduated."

"They're doing fine, Honi-senpai is still his old self."

"Hikaru," Kaoru said. "Did you know Haruhi likes cats?"

"Really?" He asked.

"Well, who doesn't?" She replied.

"You'd get along well with Nekozawa-senpai," Hikaru said, crossing his arms, Haruhi let out a breath that could almost be classified as a laugh, hearing Kaoru's exact words in a slightly deeper voice. I thought their symmetry was just another act for the host club.

"Would you mind if I made a phone call tonight?" Haruhi asked, seemingly out of nowhere. Thinking about the host club brought on a certain memory about the host king; Tamaki calling himself 'daddy' in the deepest strangest part of her subconscious reminded her of her own father, who she hadn't been in contact with since he called to inform her of the fire.

"It's quite alright, Haruhi." Yuzuha simpered.

"Thank you," she said. "I just wanted to call my dad, just to make sure he's okay. He was there when the fire happened."

"Oh my, I am so sorry he had to be there and witness it. We have a phone in the library, or I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind lending you one of theirs." Hikaru looked up, unsure of what just happened.

"Yeah, why not." he said suddenly. Oblivious to what he was agreeing to.

"Thanks, Hikaru," Haruhi said. "I will call him after dinner."

Call who? He thought.

"Haruhi dear, would you like some more kimchi?" Yuzuha asked.

"Hey Haruhi," Kaoru said. "What do you think about going skating tomorrow, it's still cold enough out."

As Hikaru stayed silent, watching his friend as she beamed and replied to his family, he noticed she was beginning to break out of her shy little shell, and he thought to himself ways to get to talk with her alone, and then he wondered to himself why exactly he wanted that. Little did he know that Haruhi across the table was wondering the exact same thing.

Once dinner was over, Haruhi excused herself to hide in the library, it's where the twins found her sitting next to the fireplace wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets.

"Haruhi," Kaoru said. When she jumped they stopped moving. "Hey, it's just us."

"Are you okay?" Hikaru asked.

"I'm fine." She said.

"Then why so jumpy?" They asked in unison.

"It's nothing," she said. She watched as Hikaru tried to get close, Kaoru stopped him.

"She doesn't have to tell us what's wrong, we should go and let her be."

"You're right." Hikaru said. As they turned to leave, she finally looked up.

"You...you guys can stay here." She said. "I mean it is your house." She set her crossed legs down to make room. "Besides, I still wanted to make that phone call."

"Oh yeah. you can use my phone if you'd like." Hikaru said. "It's the same model you had." He reached into his pocket and handed it over to her.

"Thanks, Hikaru," She said. She dialed in the number for her father's job, chances are he was working, if not they would know where to find him.

"Geisha guys, this is Hazinoko."

"Mr. Hazinoko, it's Haruhi Fujioka, is my dad working tonight?"

"He is, glad you called kid, he's been worried sick about you." She listened to the hold music, some weird Japanese tech fusion music that she was by no way too used to.

"Hello?" Despite the lilt of the voice and the seductive tone, Haruhi knew right away that it was her father. Chances are Hazinoko hadn't told him who was calling.

"Dad, it's me." She said.

"Haruhi, I'm so glad you called honey. Are you doing okay? Who are you staying with?"

"The Hitachiin brothers let me stay with them. They've all been so gracious to me, dad. I just want to know how you're doing. I mean you were in the house when it happened. Were you hurt?"

"No," He said. "Thankfully the fire alarm woke me up and I managed to get out without getting burned." She heard a slight pause on the line and heard her father cough. "Just a little smoke, but I'll be fine."

"How's the studio?" She asked.

"It's small," He said. "But it's everything I need for the time being." She breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he was okay. "And once the insurance people figure out how much they owe us, we'll be moved into a different unit in the apartment, a bigger one at that! Isn't that great news dear?"

"Yeah, that is." She said. "I'm glad I got to talk to you dad, I'm guessing you lost your phone as well, huh?" She asked.

"Unfortunately yes," he said. "But no matter what, until I get a new one, if you need to reach me call the bar, Hazzie can transfer the call to the apartment."

"Thanks, dad." She said.

"I better go, honey." He said. "Don't be afraid to call. How about you and I have breakfast tomorrow at your favorite cafe?"

"Sounds good dad." She said. "I love you."

"I love you too. Haruhi." He said. "Now tell those boys I said thank you for taking care of my little girl."

"Bye, dad."

"See you tomorrow, honey." Haruhi hung up once her father did. She was glad he was safe, but so overwhelmed with the idea that he could have died in that fire, that she stood up.

"Haruhi?" The twins asked in unison. She placed the phone back in Hikaru's hand.

"Thanks, guys," She said, not making eye contact. "I needed that a lot." She felt the tears burn up in her eyes, and when Hikaru stood up to put his hand on her shoulder, she bolted from the room, leaving them confused and silent in her wake.

It must have been half past one in the morning, when Haruhi shot up from her sleep. In the grim grip of her nightmare, she watched the flames of the fire in her apartment eat away at the life she knew. She hadn't even been in the apartment when it went up in flames, but it was there in her mind. At least her father was okay. She tossed off the heavy blankets, the silk sheets, and the sparkling duvet. The air was just so hot.

It was silent, not even the maids were walking around at this hour. But a walk was just what she needed. As she opened the thick wooden door, she felt the cool breeze of the west hall, it kissed her tired skin, and the carpet beneath her feet was soft and lavish as she tiptoed along. She passed a door that was slightly ajar, in the small space she could just make out a mop of wild red hair. She rushed past, not wanting to disturb whichever twin was sound asleep, then she wondered where the other one was, they both made so much talk about how they shared a bed, it was a larger bed too, so it wouldn't be difficult, but where was the other one?

As she rounded the corner, she spotted him. It was Hikaru, standing alone in front of a painting, he wore only a pair of flannel pants; his pale black gleamed in the blue glow of the moon, one hand was behind his head, seemingly fixing his wild red hair, and before Haruhi could turn around and go back to her room, he seemed to notice she was there.

"Is everything okay, Haruhi?" He asked.

"I just couldn't sleep." She said.

"Are you feeling alright?" He dared to take a step closer, and she noticed, against her own will, so did she.

"It was just a nightmare," she said. "I'm fine. Why are you awake?" Hikaru sighed, looking back at the painting.

"I don't usually sleep well at night." He said. "Kaoru keeps the room too warm this time of year." He offered a small smile to Haruhi. One that in the dim illumination of the moon outside, she almost couldn't see.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hikaru asked.

"What?" Haruhi replied, edging closer to him, and the pale blue light from the windows.

"Your nightmare, that usually helps me and Kaoru after one."

"No, it's fine." She said.

"You know, Haruhi," Hikaru ventured. "You don't have to hide everything from me, we're friends."

"It was about the fire." She finally blurted out, feeling to stinging heat from her dream all over again. Before her, Hikaru's face fell.

"I'm sorry," He whispered. "I didn't mean to make you…"

"It's okay. She said softly. "It felt good to say it."

"Come with me." He replied. "I know just what you need."

As they crept along the hallways, Hikaru led her carefully, at one point, he stopped and reached for her hand, surprised, she pulled back.

"We're going into the kitchen." He said. "But there are two steps down and they're concrete." He smiled into the darkness. "Just don't want you to fall."

"Thanks," She said, taking his hand in the dark. His skin was soft, his palms were warm, he trembled just a little, hardly enough for her to realize it, but she could. There were countless times the twins had teased her, touched her face while play flirting, or grabbed her hand to rescue her from Tamaki, or whatever she happened to need rescuing from at the time.

The last time she ever felt Hikaru's hand for more than a second was when they danced together at the end of the Ouran fair. She danced with each of them, twirling with Hani, a short guided waltz with Mori, and a few spins with the twins before she reached Tamaki. And Kyoya. Her dance with Hikaru didn't last long when she accidentally held onto his broken arm, but that wasn't the reason her heart was racing now. It wasn't the dark either.

Something else happened that day, Something she had nearly forgotten about until taking Hikaru's hand. There was another time in that day where he touched her. It was only for a second, when Kyoya's precious police force turned on him, They said they would stop at nothing to protect Tamaki and his fiancee, even if it was by force, and while she stood in front of the twins, ready to protect them, it was Hikaru who grabbed her arm, he pulled her behind himself. It was quick, but not forceful. She never saw his face, but she felt what he felt in that moment, unbridled fear. It was his primal instinct, not to protect his twin, who he would be lost in life without, but to protect her. Just the girl who sat beside him in class. That was why she couldn't keep him out of her head lately. She felt dumb for her feelings, but when Hikaru flipped on the kitchen light, the sudden brightness did nothing to snap her out of her thoughts.

"Here," he said, pulling out a stool for her. "I want you to try something."

"Okay…" She replied wearily.

He placed a glass of lightly colored water in front of her. When she took a sip, she realized it was icy cold and very refreshing. It cleared her mind of the awful feeling from her nightmare, and it rejuvenated her.

"It's a new recipe for iced tea I've been trying," he said. "Black tea with Strawberries, kiwis, and some Asian pears steeped in it.'

"It delicious." She said.

"Do you want an almond cookie?" He asked, taking two from a ceramic pot.

"Sure," she said. Remembering what Kaoru told her earlier in the day.

I'll show you my art if you ask Hikaru to bake with you.

This was her chance to learn the twins even better than she thought she could. He pushed an open pot in front of her, and she took one, they were small and oval-shaped, and a sliced almost was baked in on one side, While the other was dipped in white chocolate. Her favorite kind.

"Let me know what you think." he said as she took her first bite. When the cookie crumbled into sweet dust in her teeth and the chocolate began melting on her lip, she smiled.

"This is amazing, better than the bakery ones." She said. "Did you make them?"

"You caught me." He smiled. "Don't tell anyone else," He said with a pink tinge to his face. "But baking is my favorite activity."

"You know, Hikaru," She said. "My mom and I used to bake cookies together, every Sunday morning. We'd eat them after dinner when dad got home from work."

"How nice." He said, sitting down next to her.

"After mom died, I didn't have as much fun baking alone. I still enjoyed the cookies, and I know dad loves the recipe, but it's just extra work now."

"I'm sorry…" He said.

"Do you think I could join you next time?" She asked. "When you want to bake something interesting?" Haruhi watched as his face softened, his hazel eyes brightened, and he smiled, it was so big that it took up most of his face.

"Sure," he said. "That sounds like fun."

"It's a date, then." She beamed.

"A date…?"

"I mean, not really." Haruhi said.

"What?" he teased. Didn't you have fun on our first one?"

"Shut up." She said. Why is it so hard just to say it? She demanded herself. Just call it a date, tell Hikaru the truth. Ask him about that night.

"It's a date…" Hikaru said, standing up. In his moment of surprise by Haruhi's smile and the fact that she didn't correct him, he didn't realize his foot was caught beneath the supporting bar of the tall chair. It seemed to happen in slow motion, as he fell, Haruhi started to say his name in surprise, until he crashed down onto to shiny linoleum.

"Hikaru!" She yelped.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." he muttered, standing back up. Just inches apart, Haruhi raised to the tips of her toes, just to meet his shoulders. He looked down at the top of her head, when she brought her head up to meet his eyes, his lips stretched just a bit.

"Let me see your arm," She said, reaching for his right arm which he was holding onto.

"What, why?" He asked, backing away just a bit.

"I won't hurt it," she said. "I just want to make sure you didn't break it again."

"It's fine," He breathed, surprised when she touched his bare arm,

"Can you move it?" She asked. He waved the arm and flexed his hand.

"I'm fine Haruhi," he said. "Now I think we should go back to sleep."

"You're right," she said. "Goodnight." She froze when she feels his hand on her shoulder.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Nothing." He muttered, walking ahead of her and disappearing around the corner. "Uh, goodnight."

That was weird. She thought. I just hope he didn't hurt his arm too bad.

So uh, How is everyone liking it so far? This is and will be the longest chapter, only because I had these scenes with the twins written out for months, and just kept adding to it, While each chapter is around 7 pages, this one wrapped up at eleven, even after I took a lot out. And surprise, or not so much, I'm a HikaHaru shipper, maybe a bit of Kaoharu, but each one has their shining moments in the show and the manga.