"Bye."

Kaoru laid the phone down on the table. He didn't know what to think of his twin except for how terribly he must be hurting. And it's my fault. . .

"Kaoru?"

Haruhi looked at him with wide eyes. He smiled at her, but his smile held sadness. She didn't like that. She wanted him to be the shining and smiling knight that had come to rescue her the night before. The knight that had cooked for her and tucked her in.

"What's wrong?"

He ran a hand through his hair and turned his back on her for a moment before speaking. "Hikaru is leaving."

Haruhi started. "H- He can't leave! What about the Host Club? What about you? And Tamaki?"

Kaoru heard the pain in her voice and was immediately at her side once more. He wrapped a hand in her hair while shaking his head back and forth. "Shhh," he cooed. A sniffle escaped from her. "Don't cry," he urged pulling her to his chest. "I'll cry too."

"No," she said in a voice muffled by his shirt. "I don't want you to cry."

He smiled with tears in his eyes. "Then we should stop crying. It would make us both happy."

She nodded and pulled away from him wiping her eyes. Once she was composed, she shook her head and faced him.

"When is he leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

Haruhi looked down at her hands for awhile before clenching her fists and looking up at him with a determined expression. "I'll make him stay."

Kaoru smiled. She's so sure of herself. . .

"I don't think it's that easy."

"Perhaps it's easy, and you're just making it hard," she challenged.

Kaoru's face was wiped blank with shock. Her face was hard, and her eyebrowns knitted together in that little frown. Suddenly, he laughed. He fell back on the floor and laughed hard.

Haruhi's expression became irritated. "What's so funny?"

She crawled over to sit by his side and put her hand on his shoulder. "I said, what's so funny?"

Kaoru cracked an eye open and smiled up at her. He chuckled once more before sitting up and redeeming himself. "I suppose that could work." He couldn't bear to dash her hopes. After all, it's a chance!

She smiled at him radiantly. "Just wait! I'll bring your brother back to you!"

--

Kyouya watched the screen in front of him with seething anger. His dreams and restlessness had kept him from sleep, and it aggravated him that there was nobody to blame besides himself. His sleeplessness was easier to bare when he could blame it on others. He supposed he could blame it on Haruhi. His dreams had been about her after all.

He ran a hand through his hair and tried to concentrate on the reporter telling all of those awake at the ungodly hour of 11 AM what was going on. He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of criminal would pick this time to do anything. He clicked the TV off if only to shut out the annoying voice of the blonde haired woman telling about a new development in some sort of case.

Kyouya quite appreciated it when people told him stuff (of course, prodding them to do it was just part of the fun), but he couldn't seem to listen right now. He was too busy remembering his dream. Haruhi had looked so lovely in her blue silk evening dress - not that that was what she would wear tonight or anything - ,and her smile had been almost too heavenly to be true. She had grabbed his hand and tugged him along. To where, he didn't know, but he figured she would tell him soon. Oddly enough, it was to the garden outside all alight with various lights and candles. She had told him something - a three word something - that was very very embarassing for an Ootori to admit.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. I am a level headed businessman, he said to himself. Not some girl's puppet. . . but that might be nice- He stopped himself abrubtly. Ootori's certainly didn't think that about classmates or fellow students. That was something best saved for arranged marriages, if ever.

"Oh, Haruhi," he sighed. "You really are just trouble."

--

They passed the day. I suppose you could say it was uneventful, but to them, it was the best day ever. Haruhi and Kaoru learned not about the usual boring teachers or gossip but about each other. Though, Kaoru was disappointed. He had wanted just a little something else.

He watched Haruhi play absently with a glass. She had fallen silent.

"A penny for your thoughts," he asked.

She looked at him a little sheepishly before turning away again. Now he was intrigued.

"Seriously. What is it," he asked scooting closer.

"Well," she said with a deep breath. "Are we. . . I don't know. Dating?"

Kaoru turned a really really bright shade of red but tried to hold Haruhi's gaze. "D- do you want to?"

"I- I don't know. . ." She made a small non-committal noise.

"Oh." He sounded disappionted. Haruhi was suddenly really sad that he might be disappointed in her.

"B- but I really like you! It's just. . . just that. . ." She looked up meeting his eyes squarely telling herself she did not care if he laughed. "I've never dated anyone," she mumbled. "I wouldn't know what to do. I'd mess up."

Kaoru sighed with a truely heartfelt smile. He turned his head away to hide most of the relief and blush on his face. "It seems we're in the same boat then."

Haruhi looked up abruptly. She hadn't expected that. Kaoru and Hikaru were two of the most gorgeous boys she had known. Not that she was shallow or anything. It's just that most girls and boys are, and she was sure that at least a few girls would've secured Kaoru as her own for at least a brief period of time.

Kaoru felt her gaze and met it desperately. "But we could find out together! I mean, if I mess up, I wouldn't mind you correcting me as long as it's you." He trailed off a little. "Unless you don't want to. . ."

"No!"

Kaoru jerked his face up and stared at Haruhi's hot gaze and fierce expression in obvious surprise. He hadn't expected her to protest that much.

"I do really like you," she said. She was afraid he would back away from her, and that was something she couldn't bear.

"Then. . ," Kaoru shuffled awkwardly. "Would you be my girlfriend, Haruhi?"

She was silent as she sat down and began to fiddle with her t-shirt awhile. He hated that silence. It was crushing him and starving his heart for oxygen as if it might lay on the platter that it felt he had offered to Haruhi with his question. He didn't know what he would do if he were rejected. He just knew he'd feel unbelievably awful.

"I promise," he murmured finding that as he said the words only to fill the silence that they were absolutely and undeniably true. "I promise I'll love you. I'll put you first. I- I'll be with you as long as you want me! If you desert me, I may still be with you just far enough to where I could reach you when you need help. I'll-"

Haruhi shot him a look that made him stop. "What about right now," she asked. "You say 'I will', but what about now?"

His eyes softened and lost their desperate look. "I love you right now. I want to be with you right now. Right now, I see no way that could change. Ever."

"Show me," she said. Haruhi had always been a firm believer in the 'Actions Speak Louder that Words' Policy.

Kaoru looked at her in somewhat shock. Her wide dark eyes bored into his own, and he was temporarily stumped as to what he could do to prove his love. He'd already told her more that once and was prepared to spend as long as she wanted him telling her those three small words. He had an idea. One that he had never tried before due to his obvious lack of past girlfriends.

"Close your eyes."

She looked at him questioningly a moment before closing her lovely chocolate eyes. He gulped and looked at her beautiful face knowing full and well he was stalling. She cracked an eye.

"Keep them closed," he said indignantly turning quite red.

She chuckled and closed them. He smiled. This was the girl he loved after all. What could it hurt? He leaned closer and closer to her until he could count her eyelashes. Then angled his head before closing his eyes. It would not do to ruin this.

His lips brushed her on then settled more firmly for a mere moment before he pulled away with an embarassed smile on his face. It was his first kiss, and he was pretty sure it was hers. It would be a shame to marr his love's first kiss as well as his own in one go.

Her eyes parted, and she stared at him with a light form of shock and a small tint to her cheeks.

"Believe me," he asked with a tentative look at her face.

Haruhi's eyes narrowed. "No."

"What?!"

"No man who really loved someone would kiss his girlfriend like that!"

Kaoru felt his face heating up in righteous anger. "Of course, he would!"

"No," she stated flatly.

He didn't even think about it this time. He leaned in fast and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her in close until she was pressed against his chest.

Haruhi felt her lips being crushed against Kaoru's own, and the sensation's that had flooded her the first time doubled. Her every fiber was tuned into his. Her palms rested against his chest. His kiss was hard and untrained. Not that she had had training. She just knew. The kiss gentled and deepened as he trailed his hand up her spine to support her head leaving little tingles of electricity all over her. He pulled away slowly. His eyes were warm and melting. They made her heart throb.

"Any doubt now," he asked.

"No," she smiled. "But you are quite untrained and a little rough."

"We'll just have to work on that. Together, right?" He wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Yeah," she sighed resting her head against his chest. Haruhi could not imagine being without the comfort of his protective arms.

Kaoru was startled in a happy way. "Whenever you want to," he said. "Soooo. . ." He stood up pulling Haruhi with him.

"What are you doing," she snorted watching him get down on one knee. "You look ridiculous."

"Just let me do this right," he said irritably.

Haruhi rolled her eyes lovingly with a smile. A warm hand grabbed her own and startled her. Kaoru kissed the top of her hand all the while training his eyes on her. Her stomach began to jump a little, and she could feel her cheeks heating up, a feeling it seemed she was going to grow acquainted with.

"Haruhi," he said in a slightly deeper voice than normal. "I want you to be my girlfriend. If you don't want me, just say, but I shall still be by your side no matter what you decide. Will you accept?"

Haruhi's breathing stopped. "Yes," she whispered.

Kaoru's smile blazed as he stood up taking both of her hands and pulling her close. He closed his eyes and kissed her again thanking God for the amazing being that he had been graced with. He couldn't even understand why he had wanted to let his brother have her at this moment. She was too good for both Hikaru and him, but for some reason, he'd been her choice.

He pulled away. Hikaru. . .

"Kaoru," Haruhi asked hesitantly.

"Hmmm. . . "

"What is it?"

"You should be meeting Kyouya soon," he said absently.

"Yes," she said looking at the clock.

"Go. I'll still be here when you get back." His eyes softened as he looked into her own. "Then we can plot to help that foolish brother of mine."

She smiled and tilted her head letting him press his lips into her hair. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

--

Haruhi had arrived at the Ootori mansion in one piece. This was probably insured by Kyouya who had a limo pick her up outside of her house. She was annoyed at having to leave Kaoru, her boyfriend. She blushed a little at the thought. Boyfriend. . . The word tasted odd on her tongue as if it didn't belong.

The door opened and a hand reached in to help her out. She took it muttering a hasty thank you.

"So polite," replied Kyouya in a coy voice.

She jerked her head up. She suddenly wondered what Kyouya would think of her and Kaoru.

Kyouya was taken aback at her shock and red blush. His eyes were wide, and he immediately made amends to that fact. He would not lose his cool in front of Haruhi. "If I didn't know better, I'd say there was something you needed to tell me," he said.

"No," said Haruhi narrowing her eyes, but her blush would not go away no matter what she did.

Kyouya glanced at her in a way that clearly stated just how much he didn't believe that statement. "Of course," he said gesturing toward the house. "Shall we?"

Haruhi nodded curtly and proceeded to stride into the house much faster than Kyouya. He didn't mind though. Kyouya was having a grand laugh at how embarassed and determined his little princess was at this moment. He didn't really mind that she hadn't told him what was on her mind. He reasoned that it would all come out in due time.

They entered the mansion in silence. Kyouya's silence was mostly due to his amusement at Haruhi's shock. She was glancing to and fro around the house which had been rearranged from its usual posh apartment appearance into all the glamour and splendor expected at a midnight masquerade.

"Do you like it," he asked in a light chuckle.

"Of course," she answered snapping out of her daze. She turned to him. "What is my. . . assignment again," she asked hesitantly.

"You are my escort," he answered handing her a large white box. "You will find your uniform in there. You can change in my room. Upstairs. First on the left. When you are done, I expect you down here. Understand?"

Haruhi looked up from the dubious white box to see the light smile of amusement on his face. She didn't quite like his bossy attitude. In fact, she didn't like it at all. "Yes," she answered nevertheless. Do not anger the Demon, she reminded herself sourly.

"I'm glad it's clear," smiled Kyouya. "I will be seeing you soon."

Haruhi watched him swirl around on his heel and leave her hating his dastardly plans even more than usual. She proceeded to climb the stairs to Kyouya's room. When she opened the door, her eyes were beseiged by a most unsightly image. Kyouya's room looked as if a tornado had been living there a few moments ago. The only clean thing was his bad. Haruhi's eyebrow twitched in frustration. He pushed her to be meticulous, but he probably needed the advice more than her.

Almost an hour later, Haruhi surveyed the room. She had picked up numerous tuxedos, bow ties, and even discarded underwear. She couldn't believe that the very Kyouya that wouldn't let any numbers be switched or miscounted would live in such a pig pen. A knock sounded on the door.

"Miss?" asked a voice.

"Yes," answered Haruhi, "You may come in."

A severly balding head poked its way in the door and looked around the room. "Wow," he stated flatly. "Did you clean this up, Miss? The maids were on their way to get it just now."

"It's fine," she answered. "I should help out, since I'll be dining here tonight anyway."

"No wonder Master Kyouya was so worried," laughed the butler. "You are a remarkable young lady."

Haruhi's brow wrinkled. "Kyouya was worried?"

"Yes," he answered. "He must have tried on every tuxedo he owned before settling on the one he'll be wearing tonight."

"I don't see what that has to do with me," answered Haruhi in a confused voice. "I'm sure he just wants to impress his guests."

"Surely," smiled the butler slyly. "Anyway, Master Kyouya sent me to ask when you would be done."

Haruhi shook off the confusion. "Oh! I'll be ready soon!"

The butler nodded and quietly closed the door leaving Haruhi alone with her thoughts and the mysterious white box.

--

Kyouya pulled the tie tight around his neck and surveyed his reflection in the hall mirror. The guests would be arriving soon, and he wanted to look his best for them. Well, perhaps his anxiety over his looks was only caused by one guest in particular. He sighed and tucked a pocketwatch in the front pocket of his white tuxedo. He had never really worried about his looks before. They had always been fine as long as he was dressed correctly. He was wealthy and handsome, even in his own mind.

He turned at the sound of footsteps to see Haruhi walking toward in the suit he had ordered. He had had it made especially for her. It was a women's tuxedo. It would be bad if his business clients thought he was dating a commoner. He wouldn't have a problem with their thoughts though if this was the truth, but at least at the moment, it wasn't true at all. That was why Haruhi was his escort, or bodyguard, this night.

Haruhi was uncomfortable. The suit was dark black with white pinstripes. It hugged her hips and waist. She would rather wear baggy non-form fitting clothes that this. Every part of it was annoying, from the black slippers to the white ribbon tied around her throat. Besides the suit, she didn't like the party already. Kyouya was staring at her with an odd look in his eye, and she figured the rest of the crowd would as well. They were all business men, so they would most likely act the same.

Kyouya walked toward her and held out his hand. "Miss, would you care to dance," he asked with a slight smile on his features.

Haruhi looked up at him with a scowl. "Why?" she asked in an irritated voice.

"This will probably be the only time you'll dance all night," he said with a smile. "I'm sure you'll be using the 'I'm working' excuse to get out of it the rest of the night." When he saw Haruhi's eyes widen a bit, he smiled. He knew he had guessed right.

He took her hand and placed his own on her hips. They danced slowly in the hall for a while before Kyouya spoke.

"What did you not tell me today," he asked.

Haruhi jerked. "Nothing," she answered.

He smiled. She was so easy for him to read. "It must be something," he laughed.

"I. . . It's nothing," she said again.

"Ah, well," Kyouya sighed. "I'm sure Tamaki will get it out of you tonight if my tongue somehow slips, and I mention how troubled you were earlier."

She bit her lip hating the way he played dirty. "Fine," she answered curtly. "Kaoru and I are d- dating now."

Kyouya's eyes widened, and he pushed her away stopping their dancing. He looked at her red face feeling a pang of regret. "Really," he whispered not letting the small bit of hope slip in that small sentence.

"Yes," she answered with a small smile. She looked up at him. "Kyouya, you've had a lot of girlfriends, right? What do you like for them to do?"

Kyouya blinked a few times. "What?!"

"Well," she said her whole face turning a tomato red. "What do you do on a date? I've never been on one, and I haven't ever had a boyfriend before. . . "

Kyouya shook his head and began to laugh uncontrollably.

"Don't make fun of me," Haruhi muttered disdainfully.

"I'm sorry," said Kyouya wiping tears from his eyes. "It's just that I was too late. We should've had this party a few days earlier."

"What do you mean," asked Haruhi.

"Don't worry about it," he replied. "Haruhi-" The doorbell rang startling him. He focused on her again. "Have fun tonight, okay?"

Haruhi could barely believe the warmth in Kyouya's smile. It seemed she had finally made a friend of the Demon King. "Yes, I will," she answered.

Kyouya smiled again before leaving to answer the door. It wasn't long until she heard Tamaki's energized voice down the hall. She smiled feeling that she really would have a great night tonight. Her thoghts darkened a little. But, it would be a much better night if she wasn't so worried about Hikaru.

--

Next chapter shall be the last. Thanks for accompanying me on the ride! ^^ Please read my new Twilight fic! I should be updating it regularly once a week because I'm almost done writing it.