A/N: Well Tamaki has accepted the couple. In this chapter we will find out Hikaru's reaction to everything. We know that Kaoru threatened him, but will Hikaru listen to what was said or make his own decision? Read and find out. Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Chapter 14 – En Garde
Hikaru had been up half of the night thinking about what his next step would be. He didn't think that he could be like his brother and just give her up. "What is Tono doing?" Hikaru wondered to himself. Until he knew for sure, Tamaki and Mori were both rivals for the woman he loved, and he didn't know if he could ever look at it any differently. When he had woken up to get ready for school, he still did not know what he would do. His choices were step back and not try while letting her go to Mori without a challenge; or he could fight for her and risk losing everything and everyone in the process. He reasoned with himself that pursuing her was not selfish, it was just life.
Walking down to the dining room after getting ready for school, Hikaru noticed that his brother was oddly absent. He questioned the maids and found out that his brother had left without him. "What is Kaoru doing? We always go to school together," Hikaru growled internally. He calmed himself down saying that his brother was just giving him space to figure things out and such, but it still smarted that his brother would leave without a word to him. In fact the last words were from the previous night when he said "Do you want to lose her forever, or do you want to keep her as a friend?" Kaoru had walked out of the room after that and Hikaru had not seen or talked to him since. It was not the norm and he felt off without his brother by his side, like he was missing his other half. Shaking off those thoughts, Hikaru finished breakfast and made his way to the car to go to school.
"What am I going to do?" He asked aloud, but no one was there to hear or advise him. On one hand he could understand what Kaoru was saying, but on the other… could he leave it without letting Haruhi know what his feelings really were? He was still in a jumble and found himself getting more and more frustrated as the minutes passed by.
The other thing Hikaru had to consider… could his brother be serious about his threats? Would Hikaru lose Kaoru, his brother and other half, because he chose to not completely give up Haruhi? Kaoru was a sometimes conscious to him and he didn't know if he could get along without Kaoru. Hikaru didn't know if he was ready for that break. Did that mean he made the decision and would give up on Haruhi?
The car pulled up to the school and Hikaru slowly made his way to class. He wasn't paying attention to anyone or anything around him, but seemed to manage to arrive without incident. Sticking his head in to peek before he walked inside, he saw his brother sitting at his desk writing in his journal. Haruhi was nowhere in sight, "Where is Haruhi? She is normally here by now."
Kaoru stiffened for a second, but did not lift his head or turn around at the sound of his brother's voice. He answered in a hesitant tone, "She isn't here yet. I haven't seen her."
"Oh," Hikaru said as he made his way to his own desk. He was disappointed that she was missing and felt oddly bereft. It wasn't the same emptiness he felt without his twin, but it was still there none the less. "Should we go look for her?" He asked as he sat down.
"No, we should leave her alone right now. I am sure we caused her enough problems after last night's meeting," Kaoru answered. Did this mean that his brother was not taking his advice to heart? He had heard the discontent in Hikaru's voice when he realized Haruhi had not arrived yet, and was worried that Hikaru would try to woo her to his side and away from Mori. That plan would end badly. Kaoru didn't need to be able to see the future to know that one.
"What if she is hurt or sick or something else?" Hikaru asked in a slightly frustrated tone.
"Then she has her father and Mori-senpai to take care of her," Kaoru answered bluntly.
Hikaru didn't like that answer, but managed to swallow his anger, "Don't you think she will want us with her also? You know Tono will try to go to her."
"No, I don't think that she will. If Tamaki-senpai chooses to go to her, that is his business. He has to make his own decisions about her just as you do."
"He is so calm and hasn't looked up once since I walked into the room. Was he serious about what he said last night?" Hikaru said to himself. "So you think I should just sit back and do nothing?" Hikaru asked snidely. He didn't mean to speak so sarcastically to Kaoru, but it was out and he was not going to take it back.
For the first time since his brother walked in the room, Kaoru stopped writing and looked up. He turned his head to the right to look at his brother with sad eyes. He knew that Hikaru was hurting and that it was hard for his brother to let things go, but in this instance he had to and if he did, Kaoru would be by his side until such time as they both found their soul mates. Releasing a pent up breath, he spoke softly, "Yes, I do for your sake as well as hers. She doesn't love you and there is nothing you can do to change that. She has made her decision and I think you should accept it instead of forcing something she doesn't want onto her. It is your decision though." He said what he needed to and once again looked down at his desk to start writing.
"I don't know how," Hikaru whispered so quietly no one else would have been able to hear him.
Within minutes students started to file into the classroom and take their seats. Class was going to start soon and both brothers realized that one student was still missing. Haruhi had still not made it to class. Kaoru wondered if she was trying to avoid the brothers, especially Hikaru, but that didn't really fit with her personality, so he was at a loss about what happened. Hikaru wondered what trouble she was in and realized that he was once again starting to sound like Tamaki and shook himself from his thoughts.
When Haruhi didn't show up for second period, the twins started to actually worry. They tried to call her cell phone and it went straight to voice mail. They both decided they needed to find out what was going on and made it a point that they would hunt Mori down after second period to find out what happened to their friend.
The twins rushed out of the door when second period ended and immediately made their way to where the third years had classes. They didn't find Mori, but they did find Hunny. To the twins he seemed a little odd without his tall cousin, but he didn't seem to be out of sorts from missing his large accessory. They called out to him and when he stopped and looked at them with a huge smile on his face, Hikaru asked, "Where is Haruhi?"
"Oh, she is sleeping. She should be in her next class, but I am not sure Takashi was able to wake her up yet. She was out cold," Hunny said giggling at the memory of his best friend trying to wake Haruhi up as gently as possible. She was sleeping like the dead.
"Sleeping?" Kaoru asked.
"Yah, she didn't get much sleep last night and fell asleep in the car on the way to school this morning. Takashi and I took her to the club room to get some coffee in her system, but before she could drink it, she fell asleep. I went ahead and stayed with them. Takashi tried to wake her up about 30 minutes ago, but she was being a bit difficult. I finally left so that I could run by the library and then make it to my third period class," Hunny explained giving a very pointed look at Hikaru. He felt the young man needed to know that he was part of the reason for her difficulty with sleep the previous night.
Hikaru shuffled from foot to foot. He knew what the look Hunny was giving him meant and he felt horrible. Immediately he wondered if it could be that she was regretting her decision to stay with Mori, but pushed that thought to the side. It was more likely that she had trouble the night before because of how he and Tamaki reacted to the news she was dating Mori. He had not meant to hurt her. "Do you think they are still in the club room?" Hikaru asked. He had to know something.
"Takashi isn't here yet, so I think that is probably the case Hika-Chan," Hunny said suspiciously. There was a glint in the younger man's eyes he didn't like and he would do anything to make sure Mori and Haruhi were happy, "Why do you want to know? What are you planning?"
"Nothing Hunny-senpai, I just need to talk to her," Hikaru defended himself. Hunny was one person he did not want to go up against, but he had to see her. He had to know. Leaving his brother and Hunny watching his retreating figure, Hikaru quickly made his way to the music room. He had to see Haruhi. She was the only one that could help him figure everything out.
"What do you think he is going to do? I will not have Haruhi or Takashi hurt," Hunny asked cuteness thrown to the side. He looked very serious and was ready to do battle if needed.
"I honestly don't know Hunny-senpai. I wish I did. I do think that we should follow him though," Kaoru decided.
"Let's go Kao-Chan," Hunny said and together they moved to follow Hikaru to the music room.
Hikaru arrived at the music room. The doors were shut and before he walked in, he paused to gather his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he turned the handle and made his way inside the room reserved for hosting. Scanning the room, Hikaru realized that Mori was not in the room at the moment. "He could be in the kitchen," he reasoned with himself. Haruhi was sitting on one of the couches sipping coffee and looking like she had just woken up. He started forward making his way to the girl that had captured his heart.
Haruhi looked up when the door opened and saw Hikaru walk in. Groaning inwardly, she looked back down at the cup and saucer in her hand. She really didn't want to have to deal with him one on one right now, but Mori had moved to the kitchen to make some more coffee and to call Kyoya to get them dismissed from classes until lunch. Mori could have tried it, but for some reason Kyoya had the school wired and could do it easily and without question. Haruhi had a feeling that it was the Ootori name, but did not voice her thoughts out loud.
The female host knew that Hikaru was making his way towards her and she cringed inwardly. She was not awake enough to have a confrontation. Mori had told her about Tamaki when she finally woke up, but she had nagging feeling that Hikaru would not give up so easily. Tamaki was more in tune with other's feelings and wanted to help people regardless of the pain it caused him. Hikaru was selfish and was just learning to open up to people outside of him and Kaoru's world. Once he had something, Hikaru did not want to let it go and she had a feeling that included her. Steeling herself for the confrontation, she made no outward reaction to his approach.
Hikaru moved slowly, nervous about what he was about to do. He noticed that Haruhi didn't seem to notice that he was there yet and wondered if she was still half asleep. When he was only a few steps away from her, he cleared his throat to let her know that he was there and observed that she seemed to brace herself. Surely he imagined that though. He sat down next to her on the couch and cleared his throat once again, "I know that you are with Mori-senpai now and have been for a while."
Haruhi looked up suddenly with a slightly confused expression for the man sitting next to her. Had she misjudged him? Setting her coffee down on the table in front of her, she folded her hands in her lap and looked Hikaru in the eye, "Yes, I am and I am very happy with him."
Was that a hint of a smile when talking about Mori? Was that a dreamy look in her eye? Hikaru brushed it off, he had to know. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled loudly and tried to calm himself. Grabbing her hands with one of his, he placed the other one on her shoulder and said, "I feel like you need to know that I love you also and want to be with you. I will give you everything and I know that I can make you happy."
Haruhi tried to move back, but the grip on her shoulder tightened and she knew that she could not get away for the moment. She tried to reason with him. "Takashi is who I choose to be with and he makes me very happy. I know this hurts you, but I don't want anyone else. I just want you to accept my choice as a friend. You may not like it, but it is my decision to make. I'm sorry Hikaru."
A look of disillusionment flashed across his face and he didn't think after that, he only acted. Moving swiftly forward, he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her. He blocked out the fact that she was trying to break the kiss, and soon felt himself ripped from her. He watched as Haruhi moved off of the couch and backed away from her friend. Realizing what he had done Hikaru felt ashamed and tried to apologize, "I'm sorry Haruhi, I don't know what came over me."
Haruhi wiped her lips with the back of her hand and looked slightly scared of her friend. She knew that Hikaru could be possessive, but she never thought that he would try to force a kiss on her. Kaoru and Hunny had pulled him away from her just as Mori had walked back into the room. She quickly ran to the safety of her boyfriend and as soon as she felt his arms wrap around her, she felt calmer. His arms were her safe haven.
"I can't believe you Hikaru!" Kaoru yelled.
"I think you need to leave Hika-Chan," Hunny ordered the younger man.
Hikaru slowly nodded and got up from the couch. He realized in those few moments how much he had hurt his friend and that Kaoru had been right. He had been so determined to know if there was even the slightest chance for him, he had not really thought about Haruhi at all. Now there was a good chance that he had lost her friendship and his brother. Looking at Kaoru, he saw a look of disgust on his brother's face. He had seriously messed up and regretted it more than anything else he had ever done. Walking out of the music room, he made his way to the gardens unable to concentrate on class right now.
When Hikaru had walked out of the music room, Kaoru turned towards the couple and said, "I'm sorry. I don't know what he was thinking. I mean I know what he was thinking, but I don't know why he did what he did."
Haruhi tightened her grip on Mori and said, "It isn't your fault Kaoru. I knew last night that Hikaru wasn't taking the news well. I figured he would try something, I just didn't know he would do what he did. Thank you for pulling him off of me. That goes for you too, Hunny."
"It was nothing Haru-Chan. Are you alright?" Hunny asked. He was worried about his young friend and wanted to be sure that she was not hurt.
"A little surprised and shaken up, but I am fine. I guess if I needed something to wake me up, that did it," Haruhi said trying to joke, but the joke fell flat.
Kaoru looked at his friend standing in the arms of the tall senior and knew she was where she belonged. Hikaru may have thought he loved Haruhi, but Hikaru had a long way to go before he understood what real love was. He hoped his brother learned his lesson and this brought him one step closer though. Making his way out of the room, he said good bye to the occupants so that he could search for his brother.
When the door was closed once again, Mori lifted Haruhi into his arms and moved towards the couch again. He sat down with her still in the encirclement of his arms and did not release her. He wanted her to know that she was safe and he was there for her. He also needed to know that she was alright. He had walked into the room as Kaoru and Hunny were separating the two teens, and if he had been there to help Haruhi, he could not promise that Hikaru would have come out unscathed. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head and told himself that everything was alright now. Running his fingers through her hair, he asked, "Are you sure you are ok?"
"I am fine Takashi. He scared me a little bit, but he didn't hurt me. I think he has learned his lesson. He was just trying to prove to himself that he didn't have a chance with me," Haruhi said bluntly.
Mori snorted; it was just like Haruhi to look at things like that. He knew that she was probably right, but that did not mean that he agreed with or liked what happened. "Hikaru better have learned his lesson!" Mori said to himself.
"Haru-Chan, it is probably best if you stay in here a little longer," Hunny suggested to his friend. "We really need to start on her self-defense training," he said to himself.
"Actually, Takashi was taking care of that before all of you came in the room," Haruhi explained.
Mori nodded, "Yah, we will not return to classes until after lunch."
"Good! Well if you will excuse me, I am going to class," Hunny smiled.
"Are you late? Do you need an excuse?" Haruhi asked.
"Nah Haru-Chan, this teacher loves me and will understand when I tell her that I had something to take care of," Hunny giggled as he made his way to the door, "I will see you guys later."
When they were alone, Mori pulled her a little closer and said, "Are you sure you are alright?"
Looking up into her boyfriend's eyes, she gave him a small smile, "I am ok. He needed to know and now he does. I am yours and only yours."
Mori searched her face for anything to indicate she was holding back from him, but found nothing. She truly believed everything she said and that made him love her just a little bit more. Leaning down he gave her a chaste kiss and then pulled her closer so that the side of her face rested over his heart. That was where she resided and his heart beat for her.