Hey Everybody!

Firstly, I really wanted to thank you all for the reviews. Especially Deligate Flower, who left three (; And the rest of you who followed or favourited. It means so much to me that you're actually enjoying my rambling.

Anywhoo. Onto chapter ten!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kaoru or Haruhi or any other of Hatori Bisco's beautiful creations~

"Oh, Mel, you're here,"Haruhi said, holding her hand over her heart, still standing in the doorway. "I've called you a million and one times. And then I stopped by your office and your assistant said she didn't know where you were. I had to run over to Kyoya's this morning, and trust me, he is not a morning person. I'm so glad you're alright- the entire host club's been worried sick."

Melody hated feeling like a disobedient child. She hated that Haruhi had been worrying about her. But most of all, she hated how easily this could have been dealt with.

"Haruhi, I'm fine," she said, but even she could hear how funny her voice sounded. Her voice was soft and squeaky. It didn't sound like her own.

Kaoru's arms dropped from her waist and, although she hadn't noticed him taking any steps away from her, there suddenly seemed to be an ocean between them.

An ocean that hadn't been there a minute ago.

She remembered how it had been for them five years ago. They'd met several times to discuss Haruhi and Hikaru's budding romance. They'd even flown to France together, just in time for a surprise wedding. For those few weeks, there was something there- platonic as it was. But it was there. It was almost as if they were friends. But as soon as they got back to the "real" world, Kaoru had changed back into the busy designer who couldn't' be bothered with his crazy sister-in-law. Even at family events, he'd barely acknowledged her existence, as if she was one of the fan girls he'd had during his time with the host club.

Then it hit her. Even after everything they'd shared- the little pieces of her heart that she'd so willing given up- he was going to do it again.

Looking at him, frozen and stiff as he continued to back away from her, Melody had never been more sure of anything in her life.

Melody felt the air being squeezed out of her lungs as she struggled to maintain her posture. She knew she needed to deal with Haruhi, but she couldn't pull her eyes away from Karou.

And even though she knew better, she silently begged him, Please look at me like you did before. Like you did when you loved me.

Her silent pleas went unheard.

"Melody and I were just-" he cut himself off, his mouth twisting into a frown. "We were just talking." He wouldn't meet Melody's eyes as he headed past Haruhi out the front door as fast as his feet would take him.

All Melody could do was watch him go.

Before she even realized Haruhi was there beside her, Melody felt herself being engulfed in her cousin's arms.

Melody felt tears sting her eyes. Haruhi shouldn't even count as the "real" world. And yet, the second she'd walked in the door, Karou had separated himself from Melody as if she was carrying some deadly disease.

"It wasn't real," she said. "Not for him."

Haruhi pulled back and brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. "Melody, I know he just acted really weird, but I think I stunned both of you and-"

Melody pushed out of Haruhi's arms. "But nothing. It was fun. That's it."

Knowing better than to crowd her when she was like this, Haruhi stayed where she was as she said, "When I walked in, Mel, the way he was looking at you-" she paused, making sure Melody was listening before she continued. "In all the years I've known him, he's never looked at a woman like that. Only you."

Melody couldn't respond, not with the flood of emotion that was building up in her throat. Not when she knew that, the moment she opened her mouth, she'd become a sniveling mess of tears on the ground.

Haruhi led her over to the couch, before sitting down beside her. "I can't believe how blind I've been."

"Oh come on. Everyone and their dog has been able to see how I felt about him."

"Not you, Mel. Or Kaoru. He's in love with you."

Wanting to believe it so bad it hurt, Melody shook her head.

"No. He isn't."

But Haruhi clearly wasn't listening, because she was saying, "You know what? I think he's been in love with you this whole time. Ever since Hikaru and I got together."

It was exactly what Melody wanted to hear for so long. But she couldn't believe it.

Not anymore.

"He didn't even like me."

"No, he loved you. And it must have scared the fancy tuna out of him. I can't believe I didn't see it. No wonder he always worked so hard to keep his distance from you. Because if he didn't, he knew you'd get in and make him admit his feelings."

With a tsunami's worth of tears poised to spill out, Melody said, "I know you're trying to help. But please. Stop."

Because Haruhi was only making it worse by filling Melody's head and heart with hopes and dreams and wishes.

"I just know he's going to realize what he did, how stupid it was, and come back in that door any second now to tell you he loves you."

"Then you don't know your best friend very well," Melody said, not with anger, but with a sure knowledge that killed her.

But being a lawyer, Haruhi was just as stubborn as Melody, so she tried another angle. "I've never known you to run from something you want, Melody. You love him. That has to be worth fighting for."

"I've been fighting with everything I have!" Melody yelled. Forcing herself to calm down, she said, "I thought I could keep fighting, but I-" Her voice started to shake, and she had to stop, take a couple of deep breaths. "I was wrong. He can't even be with me around you. I don't even know what I'm fighting for anymore."

"His love, Mel."

A lone tear slipped won Melody's cheek. "But can't you see, even if I get what I want, even if I force him to stay with me, no one wins? Because that isn't real love."

Melody took another deep breath. Steadied herself. "Sorry you had to come all the way out here to check on me." She made herself push forward even though all she wanted to do was throw herself into Haruhi's arms and sob her heart out. "I'll come by your house soon. Spend some time with you and the kids. Okay?"

She knew Haruhi wanted to say a thousand more things, wanted to ask a thousand questions, but Melody couldn't let her do that, so she turned and went into the bedroom to go collect the few things she'd brought with her.

And to change out of Kaoru's shirt. She wouldn't take any part of him that he didn't want to give her.

Not his clothes.

And definitely not his heart.

Haruhi found Kaoru sitting on the front steps of the resort.

"She's loved you for so long, Kaoru. You know that."

That was the thing about Haruhi, Karou thought. She looked so soft, but she was made of steel when she needed to be.

The exact opposite of her cousin, who seemed to be all steel, but was really so soft and sweet at her core.

Knowing he was acting like a coward, he turned to face his friend. "I should have had her call you. I should have known you'd be worried."

Haruhi gave him a small smile, shaking her head. "My favourite part of all of that is the part where you think you can actually make her do anything, Kaoru. And then, "How long have you been in love with her?"

He had to turn away from his friend again to avoid her inquisitive gaze.

Was that what this feeling was? Love? Could he really be falling in love with Melody?

He never would have picked her if he'd had a choice.

Suddenly, he had to wonder, did he have a choice? And if not, what was he going to do?

He knew he loved being with her. He knew she made him feel happier, lighter. But he didn't know if that was enough.

If it could ever be enough.

When he didn't say anything, he felt Haruhi's hand on his arm.

"Tell me what's wrong, Kaoru. I know she's my cousin, but I love both of you. You can talk to me. I'm still one of your best friends."

It was the strangest thing, but her words didn't sit right with him. Suddenly, it hit him why that was.

"No," he said slowly. "You're not."

Haruhi looked like he'd slapped her and he quickly reached for her hand. "I'm sorry. That didn't come out right. What I mean is that I know Hikaru is your best friend now. And that's exactly how it should be."

"But that doesn't mean that we-"

He cut her off with a brotherly kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Haruhi. You know that. But right now, you're not the person I need to be talking to."

He looked up at the resort. "And I have a feeling that if I don't get back up there right now, the woman I owe my explanation to is going to be gone before I get a chance to talk to her."

Aaaand that's chapter ten!

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