Episode 21: The Ties That Bind

When Kaoru woke up the next morning, the bed was cold. The space that Hikaru often occupied was empty. He was slow to leave the warmth of his bundle of blankets and the soft pillow, but once he did, he wrapped himself in a silky black robe. Shaking his hair into some semblance of a style, he decided a shower would perk him up.

He could hear the whistling from the door, smirking when he realized it was Hikaru, with a knock, he opened the door. Hikaru was wearing a pair of sweatpants, and nothing more. His skin was gleaming from a shower, but with no steam in the room, Kaorun was confused. He knew Hikaru hated cold water, it was the only prank Kaoru ever pulled on his brother. His head was thoroughly wrapped in a towel, as he shook it through the short locks, Kaoru turned on the shower, testing the temperature and recoiling when the liquid ice touched his fingers.

"What the hell, Hikaru?" He asked. He had been silent up until now, barely responded to the greeting Kaoru gave him when he walked in.

"Sorry," He said. "It said the water needed to be cold."

"What?" Kaoru replied. Hikaru grinned, not meeting his brother's eyes as he removed the towel cap from his head, shaking out his wet hair, Kaoru was stunned to see it much darker than normal.

"What did you...?"

"I decided it was time for a change," He responded. "I think it suits me."

"It...looks great, Hika...but why?"

"I was thinking about something milord once said," Hikaru replied. He cast a glance at his brother, sensing his confusion and discomfort. He felt a sting in his chest as if sharing the bittersweet pang with his twin. "Kao, we have spent so long being inconsistent. We wanted nothing more than for someone to recognize us as two people. As Hikaru Hitachiin and Kaoru Hitachiin, but even when we wanted them to, we wouldn't let them."

"I get it," Kaoru offered with a smile. "You're right, Hikaru. It looks good."

"Thanks." He grinned back. "What is it?" He asked when Kaoru still didn't look up to meet his eyes.

"Nothing…" He said. "I guess I'm just a little confused, what brought on this idea?" Hikaru sighed, scanning the room for an answer,

"Would you even believe me if I said I thought of it myself?" Hikaru asked. Kaoru shook his head, looking up and leaning against the granite counter.

"It's something I've been thinking about for a while." He admitted. "I guess ever since Haruhi and I started dating, it became a real thing. I know she can tell us apart, but, I guess… I want others to as well."

"I see." Kaoru said.

"Besides, it's just my hair color," Hikaru added, placing a hand on Kaoru's shoulder. "I can always change it back." Kaoru shifted out from under his brother's hand.

"I know," he said. "I'm glad you made this decision, I agree that we should find some things for ourselves. Just because we look a bit different doesn't mean we're not the same as we've always been. I'm proud of you, brother." He said.

"I'm proud of you too, Kao," Hikaru smiled, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Now go on, we don't want to be late."

As Hikaru left the bathroom in search of his tie, Kaoru stepped into the steaming shower that was already losing its warmth, he raked his hands through his wet hair furiously scrubbing what was still soft and clean, but letting the remaining heat sting his skin and quicken the blood flow as he began to wake up fully. He wondered if his face had clearly shown the emotions he was trying to hide, as it often did when he wasn't fully awake, which would explain Hikaru over-justifying the change in hair color.

It did suit him, a coffee brown with streaks of his auburn red, a change just subtle enough that it wasn't outlandish, but it announced his message loud and clear: He was not his brother.

As twins born of the same egg, he was ready to cut the ties that bound them.

"Hikaru…" Haruhi said once they spotted her in the classroom. "What happened to your hair?"

"I thought it was time for a change," he said. "I think it suits me." He reached up and touched the overhanging pieces of hair, the color was rich and really brought out the light in his eyes. It was a contrast, but a nice one. "What do you think?" he asked, placing his hands on his hips and leaning to his side. He realized a moment too late that Kaoru wasn't there to catch him as he stretched a bit too far, regaining his balance was quick, but not unnoticed by everyone in the room.

"It looks great," she said. "Are you going to dye your hair too, Kaoru?" Haruhi asked.

"Nah," he replied. "I think mom would kill us if we both changed styles at once." He smirked, nodding at Hikaru who nodded back, shifting his glance to the side. He took his seat beside Haruhi, every now and then catching the sight of rich brown hair in his peripheral vision, and he was proud of his decision, and with all the impressed glances and double-takes he received in just the first hour, he knew everyone else was too.

By lunch, he sat down beside Haruhi, surprised that Kaoru hadn't followed them in. Haruhi shrugged when he asked where their third party was, saying she thought he'd know. He shook it off before ordering lunch for the two of them, much to Haruhi's dismay. Her pouting didn't last long once miso soup and smoked mackerel were set in front of her. Her hunger won over her pride as she grinned and thanked him, picking up the soup spoon. He watched her in the corner of his eye, the way her face lit up as she chewed on the soft tofu and the mackerel pieces. He had moved onto his salad when the doors opened and Kaoru raced in. He and Haruhi both looked up as he gingerly raised his hand to wave him over. Kaoru spotted them and hurried over, taking the empty seat beside him.

"There's no club today," he said. "But Kyoya-senpai still wants us all to meet in the clubroom." He looked up from the conspiratorial hold he had his brother in, glancing over at Haruhi who stared at him owlishly, her chopsticks hanging from her lips. He smiled at how cute she looked without even realizing it. "He wants you there too, Haruhi."

"You guys do know I'm not a host anymore, right?" She asked. "I'm just a customer now."

"It's not official host club business," he said. "We're going to see Tamaki."

"Why?" She asked. Kaoru glanced over at Hikaru shaking his head, unspoken communication between the two arose, leaving Haruhi confused and worried.

"Is he okay?" She asked. "Don't ignore me!"

"Haruhi…" Hikaru said. "We know you haven't really spoken to milord in a while, but neither have we."

"Even Kyoya-senpai hasn't heard from him," Kaoru added. "He hasn't been allowed to attend meetings or talk to any of us outside of school."

"That's weird," she agreed. "Is it because of his grandmother?"

"That's what we think," Kaoru said. "I went to visit our very own shadow king on Saturday, he said we had to give Milord credit and trust in his decisions, but even he's getting worried now."

"I'm a little surprised, Doesn't he still have his phone?"

"Kyoya doesn't think so," Kaoru said. "I asked him that too." He snuck a bite of the mackerel on Haruhi's plate and stood up, ruffling up the strands of her hair, before clapping his brother's shoulder.

"I have to go." He said. "See you guys in class."

"Do you think he's getting a little too friendly with Kyoya-senpai?" Hikaru asked.

"I don't know," Haruhi said. "I don't think so. I do find it surprising though."

"Surprising?" he replied.

"Maybe it's because of my own opinion of Kyoya-senpai, I just never saw you two and him getting along, personality differences and whatnot."

"I think Kyoya-senpai honestly took a liking to Kaoru much faster than to me, not that I blame him, or anything." The defeated look in his eye gave Haruhi the sudden urge to hug him and to remind him of how special he was, but she didn't have to, even if she did, she wouldn't have been able to do so in the refectory. Hikaru lifted his head back up,m brushing aside any negative thoughts that could fill his brain and focused on Haruhi, smiling at her and asking her how she was enjoying the mackerel."

"It's not a fish I would have ever thought of uncooked, but it's delicious." She said.

"It is smoked," He said. "Just barely cooked."

"It's good." She said with a smile.

"Here, " He said, bringing the chopsticks to her lips. "I ordered some salmon roe, but I'm not sure if I like it." He waited until she parted her lips, placing the fish egg on her lower lip. She caught it and took a bite, flinching in surprise as it popped in her mouth. It didn't taste bad, she thought, swishing her tongue around to coat each taste bud. It was a brined, a bit salty, but it tasted like water. She shrugged, taking a sip of her water to wash it down.

"Eh." She said in response. Hikaru grinned, taking another one with his chopsticks and placing it on his tongue. It was mainly a prank he wanted to pull, figuring she would try it and be so shocked and disgusted that she'd spit it out, but with just about everything else he tried to surprise her with, she was unperturbed.

"We've got history with Kaoru for our last class today," he said. "Let's all walk to the club room together, and he and I will give you a ride home after."

"Sounds good." She said, meeting his eyes for one telepathic second. She could see all the things he wanted to say, the words written all over his expression, all the things he couldn't say without everyone figuring out yet another truth about her. It was getting boring, he thought as they walked back to class. Eventually, he could walk around and hold her hand, kiss her on the forehead as they walked in the hallway, and call her his to everyone they saw. Just another few months.
Class went by with no notes passed between them, heads were bent down, studiously taking notes. History was the one class Haruhi would take no distractions from. She was distracted today though. While she kept at her tasks, she couldn't imagine what state she would find her senpai in. Tamaki had not spoken to her since wishing her a happy birthday in the most dramatic fashion he could, even then he didn't spend much time actively talking to her. The only other time she could think of was the day he told her he was moving into the main estate, and he had kissed her.

She brushed away the memory, feeling foolish that it took up any thought in her head for more than a second. Just sides her, Hikaru sat blissfully unaware of the thoughts ebbing and flowing through her brain, and on her other side, Kaoru was setting his pencil down, taking a break from his feverish writing spree. She didn't let her eyes linger as he looked over to her, she kept her head directly in front of her notebook, feeling his inquisitive stare burn into her.

Haruhi was surprised to see Honi and Mori already in the club room when she arrived flanked by her nearly identical friends. Honi waved her over, his hand froze, however, when he took in the whole site.

"Wow! Hika-chan, that's a great hair color."

"Thanks, Honi-senpai." He beamed, running his fingers through the mop of rich brown.

"It almost looks like Haru-chan's!" He grinned, causing the two to glance at each other, a pink blush crept across his cheeks for a moment, before he shook his head.

"Not really what I was going for…" he muttered.

"I'm not sure why Kyo-chan is so worried about Tama-chan," Honi said, quickly changing the subject. "He just moved in, surely he's just taking time to adjust, right?"

"I think you're right, Honi-senpai," Haruhi replied. "How has he been when he was here."

"I wouldn't know," Honi shrugged. "Tama-chan usually leaves when Takashi and I arrive."

"Oh good, you're all here." Kyoya's silky purr of a voice startled Haruhi as he materialized behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "We'll be taking one of my family's limousines. Tachibana is already waiting outside.

"Kyoya-senpai…" Haruhi murmured, she was silenced when he gently nudged her in front of him, guiding her out the club room doors and walking behind her. Hikaru and Kaoru moving silently at her sides and Honi and Mori following close behind.

The car was spacious, possibly larger on the inside than her bedroom at home. As Kyoya sat cross-legged in one corner, Hikaru and Kaoru were whispering while Honi stared out the window, taking in the old sights around the rolling hills of Bunkyo. Haruhi couldn't help but stare out the window along with her little senpai, while he knew the woods and the mountains like the back of his hand, she had never been this far north of the school. She marveled over the huge sprawling mansions, some properties almost the size of full neighborhoods, she was completely oblivious to how the twins were watching her, taking in the sight of her in such bewilderment. They grinned at each other, Kaoru nodded. It was the unspoken thing between them, one that held much more meaning to Kaoru than to his brother. He realized now ho Hikaru could barely keep his eyes off her, there was no smile on his face, he had no intention of speaking, and Kaoru finally understood. Whatever the feelings were that he had, they never lit a candle to the intensity of Hikaru's feelings.

Much to Haruhi's astonishment, the main Suoh estate was practically twice the size of the mansion Tamaki lived in before. Three stories and an additional section that could pass for a tower in a dark fairytale. The wrought iron fence was snaked with vines, roses with thorns shining in the sun, and a koi pond at large as the lake by her apartment in the sprawling backyard. She wondered for a moment how they were supposed to find Tamaki in this labyrinth of wealth. In a place like this, he'd be no more than a blonde pinprick among the stones and grass.

"Kyoya?" A voice said from just beyond the fence. Haruhi gasped when Tamaki came into view. He must have been in the backyard, spotting his tall friend at the gate, as he neared them, he realized it was everyone.

"Guys…" He whispered. "What are you doing here?" His eyes shook, taking them all in as they shined with tears. He was overwhelmed by them, overcome by their curiosity and worried. "I'm so happy to see you all."

"Milord, what's going on?" Hikaru asked. "You've been locked away, not answering any of our phone calls."

"I don't have my cell phone here," he said. "Dad said he gave Kyoya the landline number." Kyoya shook his head silently, and Tamaki's face dropped. He looked down and shook his head as well in disappointment. When he looked up, Haruhi felt Honi's hand grab hers as Tamaki rushed the gate, grabbing the bars and holding onto them so tightly his knuckles went white.

"I'm fine, you guys," he said. "Grandmother has just been keeping me here after school to teach me the ways of the business." He nodded, his violet eyes lighting up as he broke out into a surefire grin. "She gets tired easily so we only work for about an hour at a time." He explained. "Besides, you should go. Grandmother isn't up for visitors right now so I can't let you in."

"If that's the case," Kyoya said with a nod. "We'll leave you be." He placed a hand on Kaoru's shoulder, another on Hikaru's back, nodding to Haruhi who was pulled along by Honi. "Let's go, guys. We should leave our president to his duties."

They all knew what this was. Kyoya was calling his bluff. Usually, after three steps Tamaki would freak out, calling Kyoya back to his side, apologizing for being so vague and begging for him to be at his side.

They took three steps. Four, five, six. Hikaru and Kaoru were already far beyond Kyoya's touch, Honi had stopped pulling Haruhi and walked ahead with Takashi, and she stopped, no longer smelling Kyoya's crisp cologne wafting behind her. She dared to turn her head, seeing him lingering at the fence in front of Tamaki. He brought his hand to the bars, gripping one tightly, and Haruhi watched as Tamaki's smile dimmed, he nodded slowly, as if admitting defeat. As she ducked behind a tree to conceal herself, she watched the encounter, not hearing a single word of any of it. Kyoya was speaking, his adjusted his glasses and Tamaki looked worried. He nodded his head once, reaching out for Kyoya, resting his hand on his friend's arm. She strained to catch even a single word, but under her feet, a twig snapped. Kyoya turned his head, and as her heart raced and the blood rushed in her ears, she turned on her heel, sprinting down the hill to join the others, stopping only when her outstretched hand brushed Hikaru's back. She flinched when he whipped around, but then his arm landed softly on her shoulders. She knew right away when Kyoya joined them by the wafting scent, and his finger tapping her shoulder sent a chill down her spine.

"Kyoya-senpai." She whispered.

"I apologize that you're eavesdropping was unsuccessful, Haruhi," he murmured. "But there is no need to worry about anything."

"I'm not." She replied.

"Our president will try to be at the club tomorrow," Kyoya added, choosing to ignore her response. "What we discuss should have no benefit to the rest of you." Haruhi shrugged, knowing she could push his buttons with her indifference, it was the one thing he seemed to despise. She knew he liked having the upper hand in conversational settings, something he often lost when he was up against her.

He can keep his secrets… She thought, shrugging off the weary feeling that hung over her like a cloud.

Down the hill and to the limo, all the way back to her house, that feeling never quite went away.

So this one was much more Manga based than Anime based. Considering I've just about run out of Anime material to go back on. Three chapters left!