This is probably the latest that I've ever been on an update and I am very sorry for this. Please enjoy this chapter. If you don't already know Adam=The Millennium Earl and no he is not evil.

No one is actually reading this author's note. This is just a way for me to vent my feelings as an writer.

VOTING IS CLOSED! Please stop sending me them...

I do not own the movie "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" but it is very good and deserves to be seen.

"There are more people alive now than have died in all of human history, but the number of dead people is increasing. One day, there isn't going to be any room to bury anyone anymore. So, what about skyscrapers for dead people, that are built down. They could be underneath the skyscrapers for living people, that are built up. We could bury people 100 floors down. And a whole dead world could be underneath the living one."

Allen and Neah were sitting down with fair space between them on leather couches in a specially made movie room that was separate from the rest of the house. The place was well hidden by the expansive garden. It was what looked like a very small house no larger then your average apartment but really it was a building that had purposes that included but were not limited to a theater, an extra music room, and a simple place of escape. No one that does not live in the house knows about it (besides the people who built it of course).

The movie itself was an entertaining drama about a boy who tries to find a lock that matches the key that his father had left behind after his death at 9/11. It may not have been the most appropriate choice due to recent events but it was the ending that really mattered to them. Neah had tried to object but Allen was adamant in his choice of watching it. It was a matter of principle to him.

All occupants of the household had always been fond of the movie and made a point of watching it often. Even Hitomi, the maid, was with them on a recliner currently off duty.

They were only a few minutes into the movie when it had automatically paused and a resounding ding was heard. Hitomi then got up from her seat and went to the door and all the way to the main house. The movie remained paused. She came back in about two minutes and sat down.

Allen asked, "What was it?"

"A package for you. It was from your grandfather, Adam."

"Really? So it's that time of year already?" She had a slightly puzzled look on her face. Neah just looked amused.

"I'm not quite sure that I know what you're talking about."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. This is the first time that I've ever stayed here this time of year. You see, every Halloween, Grandfather sends me a costume that he has custom made. It's always from next year's lineup too so it provides him some publicity."

"I'm a little surprised that you're fine with that, knowing Mister Camelot."

This time Neah interrupted, "He is a bit eccentric but his costumes are unmatched. Besides, when I tried to get Allen's costume he wasn't very happy."

Allen's face flushed red.

"We are not talking about this right now!"

"But at least Kanda seemed to like it, I think both him and Lavi were a little sad that-"

"Finish that sentence and I will hit you."

They watched the movie.

They were about half way through the movie when Allen felt a familiar uncomfortable sensation in his chest. He ignored it. No need to make his uncle worry.

At Ouran Academy it was required that all students wear their uniform during school hours with only one exception. During Halloween you were only required to wear your uniform during class which many students took advantage of. With Halloween in exactly one week signs of costumes could already be seen through the halls. It was currently after school and the famous Ouran Host Club was in the middle of a meeting.

"A masquerade ball? It seems a little excessive for just Halloween," Haruhi commented.

"It will be perfect! Every young princess and every host in their own costumes. Of course if they have one their fiancees will be there as well. We already have everything arranged from food to music. Although, it will be small in comparison to our usual ones."

"It sounds like it'll be a lot of fun, Tama-chan!"

"And it will be incredibly profitable. All of the proceeds should settle every expense we'll have for the next two years." Kyōya seemed to radiate joy. Allen felt his heart skip a beat and not in a good way.

"It's about more then just money, Kyōya! Every young lady will be able to kindle love with her betrothed in a new way. You see all of them will be in disguises which will make it quite the challenge to find each other. It will put their relationships to the test. A true demonstration of love!"

Ba-bump

"But, Tamaki-senpai," Allen started, "isn't there a chance that it would fail? That would just make the girls unhappy." He let out an unnoticeable cough.

"I had actually taken the time to put a poll on the Host club website. The girls seemed very fond of the idea and don't worry. There's a clause in the invitation the prohibits any kinds of lawsuit so we're safe there," Kyōya said cooly.

Ba-bump

"That's not really what I was worried about," Allen thought with a bit of amusement. He continued to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. He would be home soon anyway, but he thought that it would be best if he called Hitomi or Neah to pick him up. He tried leveling his breathing a bit but failed. He still kept up his completely normal image on the outside. A sharp pain made itself known but left as abruptly as it had come.

Tamaki was still beaming, "I personally approved the guest list and kept it down to our most loyal customers and their spouses. We will still be having the costume day for our regular hosting that day and I made sure that not a single young lady would feel too left out of the evening fun."

"If that's it, we have to get going," Hikaru stated.

"Our time doesn't end for another fifteen minutes!"

"That was twenty minutes ago, Tamaki-senpai," Haruhi mentioned. The blonde's face fell when he noticed the clock and then proceeded to go to the corner.

Everyone was standing up from their positions on the couches or chair but when Allen had tried to get up something was a little off. He suddenly became very dizzy and half collapsed back onto the couch. His knuckles turned as white as his hair with his hands holding the fabric of the cushion in a death grip. Haruhi was the first to notice.

"Allen, what's wrong?" She became more alarmed when he didn't respond and only hunched down further. This quickly gained the attention of the other hosts.

"It must be his heart," Kyōya said. He got the smaller teen into lying position.

Allen could only vaguely hear what was happening around him. His heart beat drowned out all the sounds around him and his eyes were screwed shut in what was steadily becoming a sharp continuous pain in his ribcage. When he felt his chest pound hard enough to send his head reeling he curled into himself.

"I'll call my family's hospital." The pounding had lessened enough for Allen to hear that one.

"N-no. Just take me home. It'll pass anyway."

"And what if it doesn't? You can barely move right now. We're brining you to the hospital whether you like it or not." The pain returned with a vengeance. Kyōya dialed the phone.

"Hello... Yes this is Kyōya Ootori... Listen, I'm at Ouran Academy right now and my friend is having some severe heart problems. I need you here as soon as possible... Okay... No, he's not... We'll be there." He hung up.

"We should get him outside soon so we can meet the paramedics at the front gates." Allen felt his body relax against his will. His eyes opened a bit but his vision was swimming. He felt himself slowly go numb. The last thing he felt before he completely blacked out were a pair of strong arms and a continuous pounding.

Kyōya's eyes widened when he saw Allen go limp in Mori-senpai's arms. He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder and turned to see Tamaki.

"He'll be fine, he's just passed out." The black haired teen only nodded and let out a breath that he didn't know he'd been holding. The walk all the way to the main entrance was slow and steady. At this rate they'd be there just about when the ambulance had arrived.

"I have to get it together. This isn't like me. If my father were to see me now... I need to focus!" Kyōya thought.

By the time they were at the end of the stairs he had let out another much steadier breath and put on a calm face. Just as he had thought, the ambulance was just pulling up as they had reached the doors.

Beep

It was too early to wake up, he was far too tired. School could wait for another hour.

Beep

Allen opened his eyes to be met with a dull white ceiling. This was definitely not his room.

Beep

Couldn't that horrid noise just stop? He looked to his right to see what he recognized as a heart monitor. He had seen enough of those to last him a life time five years ago but knew that this wouldn't be the last time he'd see one. He looked to his left to see Kaoru (or is it Hikaru?). He was still a bit dizzy.

"Your awake. By the way, it's Hikaru." Allen looked back up at the ceiling for a moment before sitting up.

"No, it's not. You're Kaoru," Allen said getting his bearings together. Kaoru looked impressed.

"So you can already tell." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yeah, you sound a bit different. I'm a musician, remember." Kaoru then smiled a bit in humor. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Only a few hours. The others are in the cafeteria right now and it was my shift anyway, so I stayed." Allen nodded.

"You know, you really are different from Hikaru." Kaoru suddenly looked especially interested at this statement.

"Really. How?"

Allen thought for a moment. "You just seem more sincere I guess. A bit nicer." He quickly amended. "Not to put down your brother or anything." Kaoru had this strange look on his face for a second before a bit of laughter escaped his lips. Soon he was laughing so hard that he had to grip his sides. Allen was confused. When the twin's laughter quieted he asked, "What was that about?"

"N-nothing. It's just a bit funny. Something similar happened with Haruhi a while back." Allen prompted him to go on. "She was the first person to ever be able to tell us apart at all. Hearing her explanation was hilarious in the long run, but Hikaru was a bit upset. She said that Hikaru was more of a trouble maker. We had actually faked an entire fight over it. In the end we got to go to Haruhi's house for the first time."

"Should I ask why?"

"No, probably not. I guess it is a complicated story."

"I have time."

"Really? Then I guess I'll have to start from the beginning." And from the beginning he did start. He didn't go into too much detail about his and his brother's childhood but he did end up mentioning their favorite maid, their ploy to get to Haruhi's house, and their fake argument. He talked about how they went as far to dye their hair outrageous colors, and how Haruhi was able to tell them apart. Allen simply listened silently but did laugh when something entertaining was said.

"That was a really nice story," Allen said with a smile.

"I think that you're the first person to ever hear it too."

"Really?" Allen shrugged.

Kaoru paused. "Say that again." Allen raised an eyebrow.

"'Really?'"

"I knew it!"

"Knew what?"

"You sound just like him. Hikaru, I mean. You probably sound more like him than I do."

"What? I doubt that."

When the Host club arrived at the hospital room with two extra dinners they had been expecting one of their members unconscious and the other not-so-patiently waiting for his brother. They had not been expecting good natured talking between the two earlier mentioned boys and what sounded like the sharing of stories. When the door was opened and they saw the latter they weren't all that sure how they should react. The two were speaking to each other like old friends.

Tamaki spoke first when the two looked at the now present group. "Are we interrupting anything?" Allen shook his head.

"No, it's fine."

"You're awake," Haruhi said.

"Yeah. I've been awake for about... Actually I'm not sure." He scratched his head sheepishly.

"Well, we're glad that you're feeling better," Kyōya said with his usual smile. Things quickly set into their usual pace as the club's common overly animated conversations began.

"How long am I going to be in this hospital anyway?"

Kyōya answered for him. "The doctors are keeping you overnight for observation but you should be able to leave tomorrow at noon after your personal doctor comes." Allen nodded. A shy looking nurse then came through the door.

"Ootori-san, visiting hours are going to be over soon."

"Thank you Megumi. We'll be on our way." The newest nurse was quite pleasant but if only she could speak up a bit better.

"We'll have to see you tomorrow then after school," Kaoru said.

"I'll make sure to get you your school work," Haruhi finished with a thumbs up.

Tamaki hugged him waaay longer then what he was comfortable with, Mori-senpai patted him on the head, and Hunny promised to bring him "the best Mitirashi Dango I can find". Allen's mouth was already watering. When the group was half ways out the door Kyōya looked back in a way that said, "are you sure you're alright?". Allen nodded and gave a sincere smile. The one that had both girls and guys alike swooning at their feet and the one that had unconsciously broken a few heart in the process. Kyōya nodded and then closed the door behind them.

It was moments before Allen was asleep.

Allen awoke the next morning to sunlight in his eyes.

"Che, you're finally awake, Moyashi." Allen immediately sat up in anger.

"My name's Allen, got i-... Yuu?"

DUN-DUN-DUUUUUN! I am so cruel I know! I'll get the next chapter in a bit sooner then this one. I'm very sorry to those of you who had to wait so long, but I thought that this story needed to live up to it's romance genre a bit more so I added romantic drama! If my style is getting too absolutely horrid and predictable, please tell me. I want to keep my audience on their feet constantly. Plus, I think that the ending was a bit too melodramatic.

R&R!

안녕 (You know what this means. I don't even have to tell you.)