Author's Note: Thank you to all my readers and reviewers! I read each and every review and appreciate them. You all make me happy. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Ouran High School Host Club. Nor anything else that's recognizable.

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Chapter Twenty-Six.

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As the twins exitted out of the limo, Ranka had his mouth dropped in awe at the sight of the Hitachiin mansion. The twins smirked seeing Ranka's expression and both yelled out, "Welcome Home, Haruhi's Daddy!" Ranka smiled and pulled the two twins into a hug, "It's huge! Are you two sure that it's alright for us to stay here?! I'm not even sure if your house or Ouran is larger!" The twins both stiffled a laugh and Kaoru spoke up, "Our house is larger." Hikaru nodded, "And it's not to over-compensate for anything." Ranka smiled, "How wonderful!" Kaoru continued, "But it's really alright for you and Haruhi to stay... we have so many rooms that aren't put to good use." Hikaru nodded, "Besides, if you really like it here... you're free to stay forever."

Haruhi frowned, "Don't joke around. We're not going to impose on you two... we're just staying until the apartment is fixed."

Hikaru smirked, "Yeah, yeah. Until the apartment is fixed..." He then winked towards Ranka and quietly spoke towards him, "The offer still stands. Haruhi's practically family to us... besides... Mom will be thrilled that she's here."

Two maids quickly rushed over to the twins, "Sirs, the Lady's returned back from America today." Kaoru raised an eyebrow, "Interesting. She got home a lot sooner than originally intended." Hikaru sighed, now knowing that he'll have to explain to his mother why Haruhi's family is now going to be staying there. Kaoru smiled towards the maids, "Tell Mother that we have important guests tonight and that we'll meet her after we show them to their rooms." The maids nodded and immediately rushed away.

Kaoru turned around towards Ranka and Haruhi, "It seems that Mother's home today. After you two get settled in, we all can have a nice discussion over a cup of tea."

Kaoru then smiled towards Ranka, "I'll show you your room... Hikaru will escort Haruhi to her room."

Ranka nodded and immediately followed Kaoru.

~...~

Hikaru lead Haruhi through the enormous doors into the mansion, bright lights engulfing her vision. It had been awhile since she last was here, so the sights of the constant expensive chandeliers and pieces of artwork always fascinated her. After passing several doors down different hallways, Hikaru finally opened up a door, showcasing a very large, specious light pink room, "You can stay here Haruhi." Haruhi blinked a few times, noticing extremely frilly pillow cases, lacy curtains, dolls were up on shelves, "Uhh... Hikaru... why is this room so... girly?" Hikaru let out a laugh, "Well, it's mainly because Mom loves this sort of things... if you look in the closet, there's plenty of female clothing too. Feel free to wear them... Mom always secretly wanted a daughter... so she made sure to create this room. Though... after us, she wasn't able to get a daughter." Haruhi placed her suitcase of items on the bed and nodded, "Ah, so that's what it is." Hikaru sat down on the bed and looked up at Haruhi, "Say Haruhi... what do you think about Tono being back?"

Haruhi sighed and sat down on the other side of the suitcase on the bed, "I... I guess that I'm happy he came back... even though Sempai is loud and obnoxious... he's a good friend." Hikaru nodded, "What about him bringing Eclaire back?" Haruhi suddenly remembered the day that Tamaki left for France. She remembers him looking back towards her as she was falling off the bridge. She remembered in that instant, her heart broke a little bit. An indescribable face appeared on Haruhi's features that Hikaru couldn't make out. He knew that the question asked was a bit personal, but he wanted to make sure for certain that Tamaki wouldn't be an obstacle for winning her over.

She finally spoke up, "I don't really know Eclaire well, but if Sempai thinks that she's a great person, then I think that it would be nice to get to know her better. Since she hasn't even made friends in our class yet, it's a good idea to get to know her and let her feel like part of the class." Hikaru frowned. He had no intentions of allowing Haruhi to make friends with Eclaire, mainly because Eclaire was the one to destroy the Host Club to begin with. The family broke the day that Tamaki left and now the club itself ceases to exist due to sexuality on campus. Hikaru then spoke up again, "You're alright with Tono and Eclaire being engaged?" Haruhi blinked a few times, then cocked her head to the side, "Why would it bother me?" Hikaru let out a laugh and stood up, "Well Haruhi, I'll let you get comfortable in your room. I'll wait for you outside the room to head down to see Mom." He began to head towards the door, when Haruhi stopped him, "Hikaru!" He paused and turned towards Haruhi, "Yeah?"

She smiled sweetly towards him, "I'm not sure what's going on, but it would be nice if you and Kaoru would get along again. I hate seeing you two ignoring each other... or fighting each other." Hikaru ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't even begin to describe to Haruhi why he was so angry at Kaoru. Yet, at the same time, he was angrier at himself for telling Kaoru lies about hating him. He mainly, was just jealous of his brother. Thinking more about the situation, he let out a deep breath, "Haruhi... as much as I hate being in a disagreement with Kaoru... I... It's because we're competing... for once in our lives... there's something that we both want... yet, it's something that we can't share."

Haruhi had a look of confusion on her face, but noticed the conflicting pained look on Hikaru's face. She decided not to press the matter further. Knowing the twins, they would make up soon enough. Hikaru then walked out of the room, leaving Haruhi to get settled in.

~...~

Ranka followed Kaoru through several different hallways, after passing the twentieth chandelier, he spoke out, "Say~ your electric bill must be horrendous!" Kaoru let out a laugh. It was a comment that's normal for commoners, yet never once in his life would he even think something like that, "It probably is. I wouldn't know... don't deal with any of the bills." Ranka let out a bit of laughter, "But I must say~ your house is like a castle! Gorgeous! Fit for a king!" Kaoru smiled politely, "It's alright... not as homey as yours though." Ranka raised an eyebrow, "You really like our place?" Kaoru turned a bit red with embarrassement, "Well... I like the fact that it's so different... and it seems that you and Haruhi get to be really close when you're both home." Ranka nodded, "It's a great feeling."

Kaoru continued to lead Ranka throughout more hallways, "Don't worry about getting lost. It happens all the time, but I'll make you a map." Ranka smiled, "Thanks." Kaoru finally stopped infront of a door and opened it, "Here you go." Ranka entered the large room and was amazed at the beauty of it, "Is it really alright for me to stay in such a great room?" Kaoru nodded, "It's fine. It's one of the smaller rooms actually." Ranka was surprised to hear that. Kaoru smiled, "Attached to this room is a restroom. Feel free to use everything as if you're home." Ranka smiled, "Thank you for the hospitality." Kaoru shook his head, "It's... nothing. Hikaru and I... we would do anything for Haruhi and her family." Ranka had a very kind look on his face, a few tears stained the corner of his eyes, "It's makes me so proud that Haruhi has attractive males that really care for her." Kaoru laughed, "Haruhi is the only person who's really invaded in our lives. Now that she's with us, we can't live without her." Ranka nodded, "But I'm sure that it's painful for you two, right?"

Kaoru's eyes widened and he looked directly at Ranka, "What do you mean?" Ranka began to unpack his belongings, "You both are in love with Haruhi." Kaoru was frozen, "How do you know that Hikaru also likes-" Before Kaoru could finish his question Ranka intervened, "I know the faces of men in love. Though, I wouldn't say that he's your only competitor... Kyoya also likes Haruhi... and that Tamaki." Kaoru shook his head, "Tono is with Eclaire! He can't like Haruhi!" Ranka patted Kaoru on the head, "Just because he's with someone doesn't mean that he's in love with that person. Why else do you think he would compete so seriously for Haruhi's affections against your brother?" Kaoru blatently spoke, "He's an idiot." Ranka laughed loudly, "I agree! The moment that I saw him, I knew that I didn't like him... but... the reasoning behind that wasn't due to his idiocy."

Kaoru raised an inquiring eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Ranka continued to organize his belongings, "Haruhi treated him a bit differently than the rest of you... I was afraid that he would be the man to take her away from me."

A large pang of pain overtook Kaoru. The issue that he had with Tamaki last year most certainly resurfaced now as well. The day that Tamaki left with Eclaire, he could tell that Haruhi was bothered; however, with Tamaki out of the picture, he figured that she would most definitely heal from his absence. Yet, hearing what Ranka was saying now... he feared what would happen. If Tono seriously goes after Haruhi... there's no chance for me... there's no chance for Hikaru... if I have to lose to someone... please... please be Hikaru... one of us must win her heart.

Ranka was almost finished unpacking when he looked at Kaoru again, "Don't worry though. She seems to be looking at him differently this year. I'm not sure what exactly she thinks of him right now. But, on the plus, she hasn't mentioned him at all since he left."

Ranka completed unpacking and smiled, "Shall we go greet your mother now?" Kaoru nodded, "Ah! Of course! This way please~" Ranka began to follow Kaoru down the many corridors.

~...~

Haruhi cleaned herself up a bit, then stepped out into the hallway, "Alright Hikaru, let's head down." Hikaru nodded, a slight blush across his features seeing Haruhi in a new outfit, one that was made for comfort and sleeping in. Yet, he enjoyed the fact that it was very feminine, yet fit Haruhi as well. "This way." With that said, the two began to head to the large living room.