Disclaimer: You guys know the drill. I don't own anything except this story idea. Bisco Hatori is the one to make all the profits since these characters were her idea and not mine. I am jealous! Heehee.

A/N: Once again I must say you guys are amazing. Thank you so much for all of your awesome reviews. I truly do look forward to reading each one. Now, on to chapter 11. This does contain a lemon, well more like a small wedge. As you know I am not getting too graphic with this story. Let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy!

Haruhi walked around the museum thinking about the past few days she has shared with Kaoru. They spent all of their time together and with each thing they did her feelings only grew. She also discovered that her feelings for him were not necessarily new, just newly discovered. She had always loved him she had just never realized she was in love with him. But she was she was just afraid to tell him. Hikaru was due back tomorrow. It was easy to share this time with Kaoru without guilt, but what would happen once his brother returned?

Haruhi looked up at the painting in front of her and felt her chest tighten. It was so beautiful it pulled at something long buried inside of her.

"Hey, we're almost done here are you ready?" Kaoru asked as he stepped up beside her.

She looked at him and smiled. "Thank you for bringing me to the museum. I thought you would find this boring."

"I've grown up since high school, Haruhi. I don't find everything boring anymore. Besides, I don't care what we do as long as we are together. This is the last hall to walk through. Are you ready to go?"

"Just a minute," she said as she stared back at the painting.

"Share your thoughts. What's so interesting about staring at a painting with a couple of people in it?" he asked noticing how intently she was looking at this piece.

"They're not just people," she whispered. "They are a mother and daughter. Do you see how carefully she is holding her daughter on her lap? Do you see how lovingly she is looking down at her? Only a mother can look at you that way. No one else can look at a person in exactly that way."

"Not everyone's mother looks that way," Kaoru said as he looked at the painting. He loved his mother and he knew she loved them in her own way, but she couldn't even accurately tell the two of them apart so her love was not necessarily unconditional. As much as she loved them she was as selfish as she raised them to be. They knew her work was the love of her life.

"My mother looked at me that way. I miss her, Kaoru. Every day I miss her and the older I get the further I feel from her and my goals."

"Your goals? What are you talking about? You study harder than anyone I know. The older you get the closer you are to them not further."

She sighed never taking her eyes off the painting.

"For as long as I can remember I have been chasing after her, chasing after her dream. When I got into Ouran Academy I was so happy. It was the closest I had felt to her since she had died. I knew that a degree from Ouran gave me the best chance to get into a prestigious law school. All I wanted to do was go to class and study hard. I never intended to make friends with any of you rich bastards. I was relieved that I was looked at as something of an outcast that meant there would be no distractions from my goals."

Kaoru's chest tightened as her words began to sink in. Meeting her was the best thing that ever happened to him, to all of them. She changed his life, all their lives. Did she regret it? He couldn't bare that thought.

"I was just looking for a quiet place to study. All of you had so much time on your hands that all three libraries were so loud. They were just another place to socialize, another playground. I just needed a quiet sanctuary. Instead I stumbled into the third music room. I thought it would be quiet, empty but it was home to the Host Club the craziest room in Ouran."

Kaoru braced himself any moment now she would reveal her regrets.

"I was so close to grabbing that vase. I could feel it as it grazed my fingertips but I wasn't quick enough. Since I was a commoner it should have been so easy to avoid making friends but you guys sucked me in and took up so much of my time. You were all so different from anyone I had ever known, all so arrogant, so spoiled, so demanding. You were all crazy and so…so…annoying. You all reeled me in and you never let go."

"And you resent that," he said flatly. It wasn't a question he could hear it in her voice as she described them.

"I did at first. All I wanted was to pay back my debt and get back to focusing on my goal. But you guys were so relentless, so demanding of my time. You guys made me a host and I went from obscure scholarship student to one of the most popular students at Ouran. I never wanted to be in the spotlight but you guys dragged me into it time and time again. There were times I hated all of you."

"Haruhi," he said sadly never realizing they had made her high school years so miserable.

"But, you grew on me. All of you. As I got to know you I realized things about each of you that were endearing even though you all remained annoying, well all of you except Mori-Senpai. He was never annoying or demanding. Before I knew it I went from wanting no friends to having four close friends and two best friends. You all affected my life in both good and bad ways. The Host Club and all its outings ate up a lot of my time. I had less and less time to study."

"But you maintained the top of our class every year. You graduated valedictorian of our class and you still hold the top spot in college," he reminded her.

"Yeah, but it wasn't easy. It still isn't and the older we get the more complicated our relationships become. You and Hikaru have been so important to me. You make me long for things in life. It makes me feel far from my goal, which makes me feel far from her. After a lifetime of focusing on my goal for years now I've been distracted by other things. I feel like I'm letting her down."

"Haruhi," he whispered as he put his arm around her and nuzzled into her neck. "Your mother had you and your dad and according to Ranka she was really happy. Your mother had more in her life than just her career. I never got to meet your mother but from what I've heard I believe she would want you to have more than just a career in your life too."

Haruhi pulled away to look at him. Then she smiled that heart-stopping smile and pulled him close for a hug.

"You're right, Kaoru, Mom was happy with her family and her job. I just have to find the balance between the two like she did."

"Like I said, you've been top of our class every year, I think you're finding the balance just fine."

"Thanks, Kaoru," she whispered as she held him close. She almost whispered I love you, but for some reason she was still afraid to admit it even though she knew it was true.

"Are you ready to go. I feel like having some hot chocolate."

"Can we put some marshmallows in too?" she asked her eyes lighting with childish delight.

"We can have anything you want, Haruhi," he said as he grabbed her hand.

When they stepped outside the museum they saw that it was snowing.

"Snow," Kaoru said as he put his hand out to catch some. "I love the snow."

"Me too, it's perfect weather for hot chocolate."

"With marshmallows," he added and hand in hand they walked to the limo. Their fingers stayed entwined all the way to the Hitachiin Estate. She felt so happy by his side. He always knew just what to say or do to make her feel lighter; she felt the smile slip from her face though. How much longer could this last? How could they possibly hope that Hikaru would let them continue on with out causing trouble? She tried to shake off the uncomfortable feelings those thoughts had brought on. If she only had one more full day with Kaoru before Hikaru returned she was going to make the best of it.

At the mansion one of the servants built a fire in the family room and left them alone.

"I'm going to go see about that hot chocolate. I'll be right back," he said giving her a quick kiss on the lips before leaving.

He stopped at the doorway and looked her. She was so beautiful and she looked so peaceful sitting in front of the fire rubbing her tiny hands together. He felt his face flush as he thought about how those hands felt as she touched him. He wished he could freeze time and get lost in this moment with her. He knew that was impossible. It was so easy to spend this time with her, to hold her hand, to kiss her, to make love to her. It was so easy to simply be happy with her but it was only easy because Hikaru wasn't around.

He heard her small sigh of contentment as she stopped rubbing her hands and fixed a blanket around herself. Her soft smile melted his heart. She looked so happy again, she was eating, she looked like she gained a pound or two, and the shadows were gone from under her eyes. She should always look like this. She should always have a smile on her face, but what was going to happen when Hikaru returned? He walked toward the kitchen but stopped after a few steps. He ran his hand down his face hoping to wipe away the sadness he felt.

"It's okay for you to love her." The words were spoken softly behind him. He spun around quickly.

"Dad? When did you get home?"

"I've been here the whole time, watching the two of you since you've returned. It's okay for you to love her," he repeated.

"But…Hikaru…"

"Hikaru had his chance and to be honest I was troubled by how unhappy she looked when she was with him. She looks happy again, Kaoru, and it's because of you."

Before he could say anything in response to his father's words, Haruhi was walking toward them.

"I have to use the bathroom," she said continuing on her way.

"All right, I'll go get that hot chocolate," he called after her. He gave his father a sad smile and headed toward the kitchen.

His father leaned against the wall watching his youngest son. He then headed down the hallway Haruhi had walked through. If his son wouldn't listen to reason perhaps the petite girl would.

"Haruhi, a word please." Haruhi jumped in surprise by the voice that spoke as soon as she left the bathroom.

"You scared me," she said placing a hand over her racing heart as she looked at the twin's father. "Forgive me for not welcoming you back, sir, when did you get home?"

"I've been here since you arrived back from the museum. I was drinking coffee at the dining room table when you walked in."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't even see you there." (A/N: The references to not noticing the dad make sense if you have read the manga. I love their dad and his thoughts on having Ninja skills. Heehee.)

"You don't have to be sorry. I blend right in so no one ever notices I'm home, you know that. So, next semester starts in two days. Did you enjoy you're break?" he asked.

"Yes, I did," she said looking guilty.

"Then why do you look so unhappy?"

"Well, Hikaru…"

"What does he have to do with Kaoru?"

"Everything," she whispered heatedly. "This is what I've feared since I've met them. I never wanted to come between them. Yet if I continue to be with Kaoru that is exactly what I'll do."

"Hikaru made his choices. Kaoru has made his. Now it is time for you to make yours. I hope you choose Kaoru. The two of you look very happy together."

"Surely, you and Mrs. Hitachiin will not be happy with me when I tear your sons apart."

"You are family to us, Haruhi. We have grown to care about you the same as we care for the twins. Our boys are adults now. They must find a way to live their lives the way they want to. It is their decision and as I've said they have already made their choices. Think about it," he said before slipping into his private study.

"There you are," Kaoru said as she rejoined him in the family room.

"I was talking to your dad," she said.

He smiled when she said this. This was not the first time his dad had stopped her to talk. "My dad really likes you."

"I like him too. I like both of your parents."

"Mom's a little over the top crazy though," he said with a fond smile on his face.

"Yeah, but it's part of her charm," she said.

She felt her chest tighten as it had in the museum. She wished she could heed his father's advice and continue to find happiness with Kaoru, but could she stay with him knowing it was going to hurt Hikaru? She missed Hikaru so much. She missed his smile, and his sarcasm, and yes, she even missed his selfish ways. That was who Hikaru was and she loved him faults and all.

She was still so angry with him but she missed his friendship and that was really the whole problem wasn't it? Could she truly never forgive him and therefore lose his friendship? But if she did forgive him and she remained with Kaoru she would still lose his friendship. The best solution seemed to be the three of them going back to just being best friends, but after dating Hikaru and sleeping with Kaoru was that even an option anymore? They were her best friends for years now; she needed them both in her life, now she feared losing them both. It pained her. It physically pained her. She put a fist to the ache in her chest. Kaoru put his hand on her arm.

"What's wrong?" he asked concern etched on every inch of his face.

"Hikaru comes back tomorrow," she said barely loud enough for him to hear.

"I know," he responded just as quietly. He looked at her in anguish and held her stare. His look was full of fear as if he looked away she would disappear. He grabbed her by her upper arms. She understood what he was feeling and she gripped him in return. It was as if they shared the same thought as he often did with his twin. If they just held on to each other than maybe they could hold on to this new feeling that was rapidly growing between them regardless of Hikaru's return. His amber eyes were pleading that look sent butterflies to her stomach. She leaned forward and kissed him. He tasted sweet like the chocolate and marshmallows that still lingered on his lips. He returned the kiss feverishly and without a word he laced his fingers tightly with hers and walked them toward his bedroom.

Once inside his spacious room he sat down on his bed and pulled her onto his lap. She straddled him. They spoke no words as they looked at each other. The fire behind his eyes was growing it sparked a fire within her as well. She slid her hand up his chest, up his neck, and through his hair. She gripped his hair in her tiny fingers and pulled him toward her for a kiss.

His kiss was different from all the ones that had come before. This kiss was desperate; it was filled with the same desperation she had been feeling all day. He pulled apart for air and when he dove back in it was yet another new kiss from him.

Kaoru reached for her lips again pouring all of the love in felt for her into that kiss. She had to know how he felt. It couldn't end. It just couldn't end. He loved her too much for it to end once Hikaru was back.

He flipped her around so that she lay beneath him on his bed. He looked down at her. "I am so in love with you, Fujioka Haruhi," he whispered and before she had a chance to say a word he was kissing her once more.

His fingers trailed down her arms. His lips lingered on her collarbone where he nipped and kissed her skin. Like the gentle flame that he was his tongue licked at her until she caught fire and lost all thought entirely. The world was reduced to nothing more than the two of them; to nothing more than his touch, his lips, and this overwhelming desire to belong to him completely.

Kaoru felt her tiny hands run up his skin under his shirt; she removed his shirt, hers followed. Her fingers grazed his abs on her way down to his belt. For each piece of clothing she removed he returned the favor.

That feeling returned as he slipped inside her, that same feeling he had the first time he was with her, that connection he felt with no one else, that connection that was stronger than the one he carried for his brother. He held her so tightly she grunted in pain. "Sorry," he whispered but did not ease his hold. He could not ease it. He couldn't let her go even the tiniest bit and so he held her closely against his body.

Hikaru impatiently tapped his fingers on the limo door. In seconds he would be home. Relief coursed through him at that thought. He was so glad he had talked his mother into returning a day early. He missed Haruhi. He missed Kaoru. He had been such an idiot and now he needed to apologize to Kaoru and get his help in getting Haruhi back. He knew his brother was angry with him but he was confident enough to know his brother always helped him when he needed it. He would help him now. Kaoru was always there for him. The limo stopped outside the mansion doors and Hikaru ran up the vast steps and burst inside. He looked everywhere for Kaoru. When he didn't find him he headed toward the stairs to the second floor. He couldn't wait to see his brother's surprise at his unexpected return.

Haruhi's fingertips touched every part of him she could reach as he moved above her and he was burning for her. He felt like a phoenix; her touch, her warmth burst him into flames. She tightened her grip on him and as she screamed his name in wild abandon he was reduced to nothing more than ash. But like the phoenix he raised again from the ashes the heat building until he burst into flames once more as her name was torn from his lips.

He finally released his death grip on her body. He braced himself on his hands above her. He looked down at her and smiled at the blissful look on her face. She had never looked happier or more sated. Surely she wouldn't walk away from this feeling. This unbelievable love between them.

Hikaru finally reached Kaoru's door and flung it open. He stared in shock at Haruhi laying beneath his brother a look of pure happiness and contentment on her beautiful face. He struggled to find his voice and when he did there was no doubt his words reached every corner of the vast mansion.

"NO WAY," he shouted. ""YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. THERE IS NO DAMN WAY."

They pulled apart quickly. Haruhi tried to cover herself, as she feared the anger in Hikaru's eyes. What the hell was he doing here? He wasn't supposed to return until tomorrow. Hikaru seethed in the doorway. His hands balled into fists and his eyes were lit with fury. She pushed Kaoru away from her, held his pillow in front of her body and gathered her clothes as quickly as she could. She ran into the bathroom and shut and locked the door.

She tried to hear if Hikaru was saying anything to Kaoru. She listened for any sounds that indicated he was killing his brother, but she could hear nothing over the roar of her own blood rushing through her ears. Her heart was beating out of her chest. Once fully dressed she put her hand on the doorknob but froze. Could she really step out of the safety of the bathroom? Could she really face Hikaru's wrath? She needed a plan. If they just returned from their private airstrip then surely their driver was still out front with the limo right? She hated to run out on Kaoru without a word after what they just shared, but she could not face Hikaru right now. Not after what he had just seen. So much for not telling him they slept together just yet.

She took a couple of deep breaths, opened the door and with as much sped as she could gather she raced for the doorway. As she had hoped she surprised Hikaru just enough to push her way past his body. She prepared herself to be grabbed by him but it never came. She never looked back as she continued her sprint to the front door. She was thankful she knew this part of the mansion so well. This would not have been a good time to get lost.

"Haruhi," Kaoru yelled as he chased after her still buttoning his jeans. Hikaru grabbed his arm.

"Haruhi," their mother said in surprise as the girl dashed past her heading for the front door.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, please, Mrs. Hitachiin, please forgive me."

"Forgive you for what dear?" Mrs. Hitachiin asked as she tried to keep up with the girl but in her high heels she just wasn't fast enough. She made it to the front door just in time to hear her beg the driver to take her home. The driver looked up at the mistress of the house. She shook her head yes as she saw the desperation on Haruhi's face. The girl smiled in relief as the driver opened the door for her. She scrambled inside and never looked back.

Yuzuha closed the large wooden doors and headed for the stairs. She had heard Hikarus shout upon their return but she had not made out his words. The only thing she heard clearly was the word 'NO.' She didn't miss her sons words now as they continued to shout at each other regardless of the fact that they were on the second floor. She stepped onto the first step when a gentle hand stopped her.

"They are men now darling. This is their fight," her husband said from behind her. "They will resolve it. They love each other too much not too."

"I'm not so sure," she whispered a worried look on her face. "They both love her too."

"Yes, they do," he said. "They may just discover they have to work together to not lose her completely."

She stopped at the wisdom of her husband's words. She would stay out of it for now, but if they couldn't make this discovery on their own then she might plant the seed and help them along.

"STOP, I'LL GO AFTER HER," Hikaru shouted pulling Kaoru away from the direction of the stairs. He looked as if he wanted to kill one or both of them.

Kaoru pulled out of his brother's grip and pushed him into the wall.

"NO YOU WON'T, SHE DOESN'T WANT YOU. YOU HURT HER REMEMBER?" Kaoru yelled back as he ran down the stairs after Haruhi.

"DAMN YOU," Hikaru shouted racing down the stairs after his brother. Kaoru was already out the front door by the time he hit the bottom step. A strong arm stopped his forward motion and jerked him to a stop. He was surprised his father had such a strong grip. His mother looked troubled as she stood beside him.

"LET GO," Hikaru shouted as he struggled to get out of his fathers hold.

"Perhaps it's time to think before you act, Hikaru," his father said calmly.

He just glared at his father as he continued his struggle. His father held firm.

"Acting on impulse and not thinking is what led to all this in the first place isn't it?" his father questioned quietly.

He pulled out of his fathers grasp, took two steps forward and stopped. His father's words had stopped him. He was right even if he was too angry to admit it. He didn't want his father to be right. He wanted this fixed.

"Do something," he said to his mother hoping she could help him somehow. "They were sleeping together and I don't mean laying side by side snoring, I mean full on, bodies entwined, sleeping together."

"And what would you have me do?" his mother asked calmly. "They're adults, Hikaru."

"Ugh! I hate this," Hikaru said as he ran up the stairs two at a time.

Haruhi ran inside her apartment, slammed and locked the door then pressed her back against it. Hikaru looked angry enough to kill someone. It wasn't hard to guess that she and Kaoru were the ones on his list. She had felt his anger coming off of him in waves, but underneath all of the anger she had seen his pain too. Damn it, he hurt her too, but not in quite the same way. She didn't want to care, but she did. She slid down the door and finally allowed her tears to come. Once they did there was no stopping them.

The pounding on her door scared the shit out of her. Was it Hikaru? Was he angry enough to kill her? Did he already kill Kaoru? Holy crap! Why was she thinking like this? Did she really think Hikaru was capable of that? Before she could ponder that question seriously a voice came through the door.

"Haruhi, Haruhi, it's me. Let me in," Kaoru said as he continued to pound on her door. Relief coursed through her. At least she didn't have to face Hikaru just yet.

She pulled herself off of the floor and opened the door. The moment he stepped inside and saw her tears he pulled her in his arms and held her tight.

"Shhh, it's okay. Shhh, shhhh, it's going to be okay," he said as he tightened his hold on her.

Those were the same words he said to sooth her during their first time together. That thought just made her cry harder.

"No, it's not," she choked out. "It's not going to be okay."

She pulled back slightly so she could look at him.

"Kaoru, I don't think I can do this. I don't think we should do this."

His heart stopped completely at her words. He struggled to get a breath. He felt slightly dizzy as the seconds ticked by. He willed his body to take mercy on his lungs and remember how to breathe.

"Haruhi, please," he whispered once he got enough air to do so. "Please, don't do this."

"But, Kaoru, this is what I've always feared. I never wanted to come between you two."

"I know. I never wanted that either, but he had his chance and in truth it's not okay that he hurt you."

"I know. I know he hurt me when he kissed that girl but what he just walked in on was much worse, Kaoru, you know it was. We hurt him. I saw it on his face."

"I know, I know," he said his own eyes filling with tears as he pulled her back in his arms. "I know we hurt him. I know that. It hurts me to know he's hurting, but I love you. You're happy with me. I know you are."

"I am. I am happy with you, but don't you see this will hurt you too. You told me yourself that Hikaru is more important to you than I am. If you lose him it will hurt you too."

"That was years ago, Haruhi, before my love for you grew into what it is today. You are more important to me than him."

She gasped as she looked up at him. "Kaoru, you, you shouldn't say that."

"Why not. It's the truth. Hikaru is important to me. He is. He always will be, but you… I love you, Haruhi. Don't push me away. Don't push away what could be between us."

"Kaoru," she whispered full of pain. She didn't know how to continue.

"Hikaru only hurts you. Please open yourself to what we could have. Pain is not your friend, Haruhi. Let go of the past and open your heart to me."

"The past?" she whispered as she looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Yes, the past. You hold onto the pain of your mothers death, the pain of having to parent your father when he should have been parenting you, the pain you fight through every day as you struggle to reach your goal, the pain you endure from Hikaru because it's what you're used to. It's familiar so you hang on to it, but I repeat, pain is not your friend. Let it go and let me guard your heart."

"Kaoru," she whispered. His words made her burst into a fresh set of tears.

Kaoru pulled her in his arms.

"Don't leave me, Haruhi, please don't leave me."

She pulled him down and kissed him deeply. Kaoru's kiss was gentle but it still tasted like desperation. She still felt it herself.

"I'm so tired," she whispered against him feeling completely drained from her fear and sadness.

"Me too," he said as he took her hand and walked her to her bedroom. He pulled the covers down and gestured for her to crawl in. When she did he slipped in beside her. It was different sharing this tiny bed with her compared to his king sized bed at home, but it was just what he needed the closer the better.

He kissed her once again pouring all the love he felt for her into the kiss.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you want to lose this feeling?"

"I don't. I really don't, but I don't want to hurt you and it will hurt you if Hikaru never forgives you."

"That will hurt me," he admitted. "But it will hurt me more if you leave me. I love you, Haruhi, I really do. Stay my girl. Please, stay my girl forever."

"I want to, Kaoru, I really do, but I don't know if I can. I don't think you are considering how much it will hurt you if you lose Hikaru forever. Right now, you are thinking about yourself, Hikaru is thinking about himself. I am trying to think about all of us."

"I'm not just thinking about myself. I am thinking about you too. I can make you happy."

"I know, but is that best for the three of us? Is it, I just don't know and I don't know if its best to make a decision that will affect all of our lives in the heat of all this drama. Everyhting is happening so fast. It's too much too soon. I can't even think straight anymore," she said crying into his chest.

"Alright, it's alright. Let's get some sleep and we'll take our time weighing all the pros and cons, okay?"

"Okay," she whispered. "Thank you, Kaoru."

"Just promise me you won't push me away until we've talked it all the way through, alright?"

"Alright, I promise."

He held her tight as her tears began to subside. He continued to hold her as he felt her relax against him as sleep claimed her. He took a calming breath digging deep for patience. Haruhi was a very cautious person. In his desire to claim her as his own he knew he moved too fast. He needed to slow down and help her work through all of her fears regarding all three of them. He took another deep breath. He tried to make peace with this decision but one thought kept plaguing his mind. When all was said and done was he going to lose her? He tightened his hold as he tried desperately to hold back his tears.

A/N (again): Well, there you have it. I know, I know your heart is breaking for all of them right? You wish I would just put them together and let them find there happily ever after, right? I want to also, but let's face it if this were real it wouldn't come so easily. Love is worth fighting for. So, please let me know your thoughts. Hang in there things will eventually get resolved. From what I have outlined there are about 4-5 more chapters. I'm sorry if it's dragging on but I do hope you stick with me until the end. Also, please, please, let me know what you thought about this chapter? Who do you feel the most sorry for? Oh, and don't forget to vote on my next story pairing. So far the standings are as follows: Hikaru-2, Mori-2, Kyoya-1. I Look forward to hearing from you as always. Arigato!