Hello all! I've been inspired, so here is another chapter.

Please note that I have the name of a fictional place from another book series here. I DO NOT own that series (unless you count the books I bought, but copyright doesn't) nor do I own the words. I love the author and have been hoping to find a way to include a small part of her in my writing. I took the opportunity here. For those who know who MacKayla Lane and Karen Marie Moning are, "See you in Fairie!" For those that don't, look KMM up if you're into drama, paranormal everything, and the incredible ability of a writer to envelope you in a world of her making. You won't regret it. Otherwise, no worries and enjoy your day!

"Koaru, what are we doing here?" Hikaru stares at this twin, confusion more than clear on his face as he tries to figure out why his brother has dragged him to Haruhi's apartment complex.

"Hush Hikaru. Just watch." And they do as Tamaki walks up to Haruhi's apartment and then inside. A few minutes later they come out holding hands and looking to be in a rush.

"Koaru, I don't understand. How did you know that Tamaki would be here today?"

"He asked her out on a date. I saw the note."

Hikaru looks at his twin as if he's seeing someone he does not know. "What do you mean you saw the note?"

"I saw her pull a box out of her desk and open it and I wanted to see what she was looking at. When I got to her desk, she was reading a note from Tamaki asking her out. I figured that we would follow them, see what he does, then you can ask her out for next weekend and out do it all."

Such a simple plan laid out by Koaru, but all Hikaru can think is I don't even know him anymore. Ever since Haruhi ruined their guessing game by knowing which one was who, Kaoru hadn't been the same. Sure, he seemed mostly okay usually, but moments like this have bene making it increasingly clear that something is wrong, or at least going on. Hikaru stares between his brother and their friends who are getting into Tamaki's car.

"Kaoru," Hikaru says quietly. "I don't want to do this. I don't want to spy on our friends. This is wrong."

Koaru turns quickly and stares at his brother. "Wrong? Did you just say this is wrong? WE've been doing stuff like this for years. It's not the first time we've followed Tamaki."

"No, it's not, but it would be the first time following him while on a date. And you're just doing this because of Haruhi. I won't do this. If she wants to be with me, it's going to be because she likes me, not because I'm a better date that Suoh." Hikaru stands and walks off to the car, not waiting for his brother's response.

Koaru can hardly believe what he's just heard. It seems that the twins may not be quite so alike as they once were.

"Haruhi, we don't have to rush", Tamaki says as she pulls him toward the car.

"What? Oh, sorry," she returns and tries to let go of his hand. Tamaki doesn't let her hand go though.

"I just said we don't have to worry, not that you have to let go." He winks at her and grasps her hand a little tighter for a moment. "You look very beautiful; did I mention that?"

Haruhi blushes deeply and her free hand moves to the pendant. Running her thumb along the smooth back, she softly says, "Thank you."

Tamaki blushes in kind and reaches for the door. Reluctantly releasing her hand, he opens the car door and says, "After you, my lady." Haruhi smiles and slides into the car, careful to move across the car without getting her dress caught on anything. Tamaki slides in after her, closes his door, and gives curt instruction to the drive before putting on his seatbelt.

"I hope it's okay that I've planned the day for us. Please, let me know if there is anything that you would prefer to do." His smile is bright and charming and causes Haruhi to smile just as big right back at him.

A short while later, the car pulls up in front of the mall.

"The mall, huh? What are our plans here?" she asks him.

"Well, I figured, since it's still early and a little brisk, well. . . I thought we could check out the new bookstore that just opened?"

Climbing out of the car, her hand in his, she's surprised but happy. She smiles at him and says, "I think that's a brilliant idea."

Tamaki smiles and blushes at her and closes the door. As the car pulls away, he adjusts her hand in his and pulls her toward the mall entrance. Her small hand in his is warm and comfortable. Haruhi is still a bit nervous about all the hand holding, but it's nice and it's been so long since she held someone's hand for anything.

"Come on Haruhi, I want to see if they have this new book. Oh." Tamaki stops and looks at a small café cart. "I didn't even think about it, but you were making tea before we left, right? Can I assume then that you did not eat?"

And as if on cue, her stomach rumbles as the aroma of coffee and scones fills her nose. "Uh, you would be right." She gives him a small smile and looks down. I don't know how, but I always seem to be hungry around people!

"Well, let's get something then. My treat of course." He smiles and her and pulls her to the cart.

They wait their turn in the small line before ordering. "I'll have a medium caramel latte and a blueberry scone, please. Haruhi?"

"Uh, yes. Um, a small latte and a blueberry scone as well please. Thank you."

"Right, 2 blueberry scones, a small latte, and a medium caramel latte. That'll be. . ." trails off the cashier. Tamaki reaches for his wallet but realizes that he will have to let go of Haruhi's hand. With a soft sigh, he let's her go and pulls his wallet out. After handing the cashier his card and paying, he puts his wallet away and takes his coffee and scone. Haruhi does the same and they move off to a small circular table to the left. The chairs are those kind you see in old ice cream parlor shops, where the back makes a looping heart and the seat is tough.

"Shall we?" he asks, gesturing to the table.

"Oh, yes. That'd be great. I imagine the bookstore won't want us spreading crumbs about." She smiles at him and takes her seat.

"That's probably true. You are always thinking ahead, aren't you?"

Haruhi nods her head as she works to chew the first bite of her scone. After we swallowing, she says, "Yeah, I try to at least. Dad's not the most organized person, but Mom was. She worked so hard all the time, making sure that everything was always ready for tomorrow." She looks down at the scone in one hand, the coffee in the other.

Tamaki watches her, noting how her eyes look a little sad, but her smile is true. "Well, I'm sure that she is proud of you." He gives her a small smile before taking a monster bite of his scone and following it with a sip of his coffee.

After finishing off their little breakfast, he looks at her across the table and asks, "Better?"

She smiles back and says succinctly, "Yes."

"Alright, let's get to that bookstore then!" Tamaki stands, coffee in one hand, as Haruhi does the same. At first, he pauses next to her, looking down at her as she cups her coffee with both hands. Guess no more hand holding, he thinks sadly.

They walk the mall toward the bookstore, passing storefronts showcasing clothes, candles, tea, and so much more. Finally, MacKayla's Manuscripts and Miscellany looms over them, a sprawling entryway with dark wood beams interspersed at the entrance to funnel people into the store. As they enter, the dark wood continues, a theme of whimsy and romance filling the space. The bookshelves line the outer walls with fairies and trees carved into them. In the center of the sprawling bookstore is a series of semi-circle desks with a computer sitting atop each. Behind 2 of the 4 desks stand tellers ringing up books, magazines, and the miscellany the sign must have been talking about.

"Wow. I didn't know that we had something like this in the mall." Haruhi takes in the beautiful layout and intense number for shelves in front of them.

"Me either," Tamaki says with a gentle awe in his voice.

Haruhi looks at him and can't help but be enchanted by the joy she sees on his face. "Well sempai? What book are you looking for?"

"Huh?" Tamaki shakes his head as if just returning to his body. "Oh, uh, it's the new book by James Dashner. It should be over in fiction." He waves his hand in the direction of the fiction sigh hanging from the ceiling above some free-standing bookshelves near the back right.

"Alright. Well, let's go then." Haruhi says and takes his hand. She pulls him down aisle after aisle while navigating to the rear.
Tamaki smiles at her, his eyes moving between her hand in his and her face as it looks from shelf to shelf on the way to the fiction section. No matter what happens in the future, today will always hold a special place in his heart.

A short while later, Tamaki holds 2 books in his hands. "So, which one are you getting?" Haruhi stands to his left trying to read the titles.

"I don't know. I mean, I already own this one," he says holding the book in his right hand higher. "But, this is a limited edition release with the author's signature. Then there is this one which,"

"Oh!" cries out Haruhi as she falls into Tamaki's side. He nearly drops the books in an effort to catch her, but instead he stops breathing as he realizes that she's hugged him instead of falling into him. Her arms encircle his lower abdomen and her head is pressed gently against his upper arm, his elbow pointed out behind him.

"Haruhi? Are you okay?" Tamaki asks.

"Oi, watch it kid," comes the snide remark of the guy how bumped into Haruhi on her left.

"Sorry" Haruhi mumbles against Tamaki's arm.

"Are you okay?" he directs to Haruhi. "Hey, watch where you're going man."

"What was that punk?"

Tamaki moves the books to just his right hand and shifts his left hand so that he is holding Haruhi to him. "I said, 'watch where you're going.' You hit my friend." Tamaki turns slightly to get a better view at the guy who hit Haruhi. He can't be much older then them, but his dark hair is clearly died and his drab clothing and nose piercing screams "hoodlum" to Tamaki.

"Your 'friend' huh? Sure look like your little girlfriend don't care none. Ain't that right sweety? It ain't a big deal. 'Sides, she was in my way."

"Sempai, please," she starts, looking up at him, but Tamaki is mad.

"Apologize."

"What?" says the nasty guy. "Why should I? She was in my way. She should apologize."

"Tama-"

"I said, apologize."

"Who do you think you are kid?" The guy turns to his friend behind him, "Cocky sucker, huh? Alright 'buddy', what are you gonna do if I don't?"

Tamaki starts shaking, lightly, but enough that Haruhi, pressed to his side as she is, can feel it. "Sempai? Tamaki? Please, let's just go." She slides her hand to his back and up to his shoulder. A rather intimate touch, but his eyes are burning and she knows that she needs to get them out of there before something terrible happens.

Haruhi tries to turn a bit to face the jerk, Tamaki's arm holding her close causes a slight issue though, so she can only see him with one eye. "Sorry. Please be careful the rest of your day. We'll be going." She starts to push Tamaki down the aisle when the guy behind her grabs her arm.

"Hey! 'Be careful'? Why, you little-"

Haruhi is pulled away from the guy assaulting her by Tamaki at the same time his fist lands into his face. Tamaki lets her go and just keeps wailing on the guy, punch after punch. The man's friend just stands there at first, then tries to push Tamaki off.

"Tamaki!" Haruhi yells. "Please, stop! Please."

Tamaki pulls his hand away from where he was holding the jerk down by his collar and looks at her. The sheer anger in his eyes, she thinks Oh God even as she reaches for him. "Sempai?"

The books lie forgotten on the floor as he starts to see her through the haze of red.