*Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club, and never will.

Back In Our World

Chapter 21 An old unanswered problem.


Kaoru's POV

A little after the twin's conversation…

Reaching out an arm, catching the soft black material in my fingers, flinging it to the side. The black curtain balloons out behind my quicken steps. Quickly walking over to a side of the room as my golden eyes briefly scan the long row of stark white makeup counters. "Damn it!" Cursing to myself, not seeing any sign of the wide cuffed tanzanite bracelet assigned to the blue dress. "Hitachiin-sama" a clear voice rings in my ears.

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Lifting my hand, pressing a blue button next to the side of my ear, on my headpiece. "Hitachiin-sama, here."

Bending down, searching around the polished tiled floor of the makeup counter. "Sir, would you like us to continue with the rehearsal, or should we wait for your return?"

Lifting my ginger head from the floor to stare into a pair of tired golden eyes. Speaking in a distracted tone as I study the brightly lit image in front of me. "Todd, just continue with the walk through, I'll look around here for the bracelet." Slowly extending a hand to the face with the golden eyes in front of me. My head begins to clear from the sight as my fingertips lightly touch the smooth mirrored surface. In the bright unforgiving makeup light my skin looks dry and patchy. Dark shadows are beginning to emerge under my dull eyes. Obviously worrying around the clock for our brunette beauty has taken a toll on my body…of course those haunting words she spoke to her father didn't discourage my physically drained body.

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Once I'm finally able to go home I'm hoping Hika won't be too pissed at me for my little trick. I just need him to put his vanity to the side for once and see what's really important. He needs to see her and she needs to see him….between our misunderstanding and work my entire body felt unnaturally heavy and tired. I was entirely sure I couldn't take any more conflict for the time being. It was Hika's turn to try and make amends for our club's actions. For the time being my focus needed to be on my work….and this show.

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"Well do boss." The male voice happily agrees.

A single tired word echoes out into the headset. "Thanks."

A tired sigh falls from my lips as I force my eyes away from my exhausted reflection and out into the vast area. My golden eyes fell on several wheeled racks standing practically barren, with only a few empty hangers precariously dangling on the metal rods. Quickly strolling over to search the immediate area before turning my head to the opposite side of the room. Seeing a long line of racks, bulging with black garment bags, filled with this season's Hitachiin designs. A small black accessory bag hangs around each filled garment bag. My fatigued shoulders drop, having little doubt I would need to rifle through each and every bag, looking for the misplaced bracelet.

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This shouldn't have happened, in fact it rarely does. Sure, we have the backs of earrings pop off or an occasional clasp of a necklace break but the items are never just lost. The blonde assigned to the blue dress just decided to show up without it, during dress rehearsal, no less. I guess I was a little insulted she didn't think I would notice something so blatantly obvious. I'm the only one who approves each and every finished outfit, before being carefully loaded for the show.

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Normally, I wouldn't even bother searching for the missing piece, I have assistants and stage managers for that. At the very least I could just search through the numerous accessory boxes we drag along just for this occasion. Attempting to find a replacement piece, until the item can be found.

Letting out a chuckle as my mind begins to drift. My brother and I were always teased by the Bos-…..Avoiding to even think his name. That guy would always tease us for over packing on our little club trips. Of course now he would lose his mind if he saw what I pack for a professional show.

Flopping down in a nearby chair, letting out a pained sigh as my mind begins to drift to the painfully bittersweet memory…


Flash Back….

It was our last trip together as a club, of course no one knew it at the time….

"Hey Boss!" Two tightly packed snowballs were hurled through the chilled air.

"Yes, my sons-"The oblivious blond teen turns in our direction, just in time to see two frozen balls rocket towards his unsuspecting head. "AGGGHH! Mommy!" Just before the chunks of snow shatter against his face, causing the white powder to explode over his pristine white, and gold parka.

With the hilarious sight of nailing the boss both Hika and I fall to the ground. Rolling in the snow, bursting out in uncontrolled fits of laughter.

"Oh, Boss that was just too easy." Hearing my laughing twin call out.

My open grey and orange parka fell loosely against the frozen powder as I rolled on the ground. "Yeah Boss, you left yourself wide open."

"Mommy, don't just sit there!" The blond cries out in irritation. Lifting a hand, brushing the snow out of his blonde hair.

Sitting quite comfortably, slightly above all the commotion on a heated deck. The Shadow King lifted his head from his black book, letting out an irritated huff. Giving us a slight glimpse behind his normally cool exterior as swirls of heated air leave his lips. "Yes, Daddy."

Tamaki allows his gentlemanly exterior to fall, and sharply demands. "Don't just sit there, shouldn't you discipline your two evil sons?" Harshly throwing out his arms towards Hikaru and myself.

"No, Tamaki, I will not." Lifting a hand, pushing his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "I had advised you not to fall for the twins' trickery, but you had to incessantly babble on about how attractive your daughter would look in a pink snowsuit with fuzzy white boots. So for the time being I've decided to allow you to experience the unpleasant ramifications to your imprudent choices….IE the twins' access to the cold snow. In the hopes you'll be more open to accept my considerable guidance in future endeavors. "

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Was it my imagination or did the Shadow King's voice sound particularly sharp just now?

Tamaki gasped out loud with his mouth gaping wide. "But Mommy!" Causing both my twin and myself to laugh at the boss even harder this time.

The Boss begins to snap back at the Shadow King. "I simply thought our beloved daughter should experience a little fun in Mother Nature's frozen wonderland." His violet eyes fell to his fidgeting hands, "…and I just happened to pick out the most adorable outfit for the trip."

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"And the outfit in question just happens to be something the twins' showed you." Letting out another irritable sigh, "Knowing inevitably you would be inspired to venture on this ill-advised trip, with nothing to gain by it, I might add." With a single hand Kyoya sharply snaps his black book shut.

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Tamaki throws out a hand to dramatically cover his forehead. "Due to commoners limited resources, and restricted schedules they can rarely indulge in such winter merriment."

"Sempi, whatever your delusional mind is telling you, do us all a favor and keep it to yourself." An annoyed Haruhi stands next to the double doors, holding a book in one hand and a cup of steaming hot chocolate in the other. Wearing an old red and white parka that doesn't quite fit right, I'm assuming it's her father's.

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"Oh Haruhi, I didn't see you there! Uh, how long have you been standing there?" Tamaki screeches out in a panic.

"Long enough to hear your warp thoughts on commoner's ski vacations. Sempi, normal people do have them you know. It's just most of the time we would take a train up the mountain, not fly off to an entirely different country." She grumbles the last part to herself. "Like some rich bastards I know." However being the closest to her, I heard what she said and just chuckled to myself.

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Hikaru calms his laughter, sitting up, brushing his dark blue, and white ski parka free from the frozen powder. Giving off a look of disapproval after his eyes catch sight of the ill fitted garment. "Hey Haru, what's with the coat, didn't you like what we picked out for you?"

"My father's coat will be just fine, I'm just not into all that girly stuff." She shrugs her shoulders while walking to an empty table. Ready to spend the day ignoring us as she gets lost in the pages of her book. I couldn't help but think she still looked adorable as her fingers just barely peeked out of the rolled up sleeves.

"I think Haru-chan looks super cute. Don't you think Takashi?" Hunni-sempi happily kicks his feet as he takes another bite of his chocolate cake.

"Yeah." Mori-sempi nods his dark blue beanie covered head.

Turning my head, watching the beautiful brunet simply sit in her chair with her delicate fingers just barely sticking out, gently holding her book in front of her. All other voices blend in the background as my mind begins to travel down a path, hand and hand with my vivid Hitachiin imagination. I wouldn't mind spending the day snuggled up next to her, in front of a crackling fire, lost in my own book. I could almost feel the warm orange glow emitting from the floor to ceiling stone fireplace, slowly seeping through my clothes and into my skin. Her soft brunet hair sprawled across my leg with the cover of her book hovering over her face.

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Sitting on an over cushioned couch with my feet propped up. Balancing my book with one hand, not being able to help myself as my free hand softly runs through her hair. Her chestnut eyes attempt to slyly peek from her fairly worn book, but my golden eyes easily catch them. Leaning down with a burning needful gaze, my lips curl into a devilish smile. Shoving her book to the side, allowing me to find her sweet pink lips. Her book falls against her sweater covered chest as her fingers slide into my ginger hair, pulling me closer into our shared moment.

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Both books are eventually tossed aside with my hands desperately pulling her soft pink sweater close to mine. Deeply submerged into the searing hot kiss while my eager fingers begin to wander. Slipping under her sweater, lightly touching her hidden alabaster skin. Pulling away from her lips with a heated breath being forced from my lungs. My free hand softly brushes away her glossy hair from her long inviting neck as my puckered skin lightly blows against it. Not being able to hold myself back my lips softly press against the freshly goose bumped skin. Lingering just enough to draw her soft skin into my needful mouth. Causing her head to roughly jerk back, with an enticing whimper.

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My hand urgently pulls her even closer, her leg clumsily swings across my lap, straddling my increasingly tense body. Impatient fingers begin to tightly clinch hold, pulling at the bottom of her sweater. Deep in a heated haze Haru just nods her head. Slowly rising the soft pink material, revealing more hidden skin. Swallowing hard with anticipation before the bit of pink fabric slips…

"Hey Kao, look out!" Shaking my head, just in time to feel a snowball whiz pass my ear.

My head turns to see my irritated twin quickly hurl a snowball towards Tamaki. The blond dives behind a snowy hill, avoiding Hikaru's snowball.

Lifting my hand, rubbing the back of my neck, avoiding his eyes. "Ah sorry Hika, I wasn't paying attention at the moment."

Hunni-sempi calls out from his table. "Kao-chan, Tama-chan nearly got you that time. You better watch out!"

"Well, be careful Kao, you left yourself wide open to the Boss." My brother easily dodges the boss's poorly thrown snowball, before tossing out his own.

"Yeah, maybe I should go inside for a bit." Getting up to head for the double doors.

My brother gives me a concerned look. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Shaking my head, "No, Hika, I'm fine, I know how much you enjoy the outdoors. Besides someone needs to make the Boss pay." Letting out a small chuckle.

I casually stepped through the doors to immediately fall against an inside wall. My hand mindlessly pulls my grey knitted cap, and goggles off my head. My heart is racing and my head was still a bit fuzzy from my imagined moment. Recently, I've been forcing an unending amount of heated thoughts out of my head. Sometimes it feels like it's the only thing I've been able to do lately. It's clear my body is growing increasingly impatient with what my heart and mind already know.

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The problem is I'm not entirely sure how I should move forward with both myself and my twin's hearts madly wrapped around the same girl. We tried to give her small subtle hints that our Host club act wasn't entirely an act….but of course the idea was probably so bizarre she refused to see the truth. Besides most women wouldn't want two men at the same time, even twins. Sure, we might star in the squealing fan girls torrid dreams, on a nightly bases, but in reality it can be a little intimidating for girl. Letting out a heavy sigh. The situation was beginning to feel hopeless.

A little later…

Not really wanting to be bothered I found my way to the back of a practically empty lodge. We had managed to trick the boss into an early vacation, away from our clients. It was extremely easy, we just used the same technique the Shadow king repeatedly uses when influencing the Boss. We simply slipped a few travel brochures, along with a winter fashion magazine in to the Bosses' bag after club. The next day before the squealing fangirls arrived he was waving around the most girly pink snowsuit, babbling on about commoners missed opportunities.

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With my ginger head comfortably sinking into an overstuffed throw pillow. The rest of my gangly body sprawled out over the couch with my light grey snow boots crossed at my ankles. My golden eyes dance over the pages of my book, lost in the romantically charged and delicately strung words scrolled across its pages. Until a soft clearing of a throat pulls me from the elegantly written words. "Excuse me Kao, you wouldn't happen to still have that girly outfit, would you? I think I may need it after all. " My shocked eyes glanced up from my book, to see a completely frozen Brunette with her arms held out to her sides.

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"Haru, what happened to you?" A chuckle slips from my lips as I see a sheet of ice frozen to her father's jacket.

"Don't…..Just don't" as the brunet tries to properly move her hand under the icy restraints of her ice covered parka. "Let's just say it has to do with Tamaki, your brother and a bucket of half frozen water….That's all I'm going to say on the matter."

" I know, I know it's not funny." I couldn't help but snicker as she remains standing with her upper half stiff as a board. Tossing my book of sonnets to the side, quickly lifting to my feet. "Here, let me help you." Letting out a few more snickers before she turns and openly glares in my direction. "Ah, sorry." Awkwardly clearing my throat as I begin to slide the brunet girl from the ice covered coat.

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Swinging the coat around the back of the chair, near the fireplace. "Well, it looks like it's only your coat. Do you want me to get that outfit for you?"

Waving a dismissive hand, "Ah, no, I think I've spent enough time with Tamaki and the great outdoors." Haru speaks in an annoyed tone as she awkwardly swings a thumb behind her, "I'll just go up to my room."

"No wait, why don't you hide out here with me?" Motioning to the brilliantly orange glow emanating out in the room." You know by the fire and I'll even order you something warm to drink." My golden eyes are practically pleading to her, however my smile remains playful.

"I wouldn't want to be a both-." Her adorable brown eyes blinked up at me, as she nervously bit her bottom lip.

Quickly interrupting her, "Really, it's no bother at all." Holding up a hand, motioning to my book. "I'm just sitting here with a book of poetry, enjoying the fire and the winter scenery." Nervously rubbing the back of my neck as a warm blush quickly begins to fill my cheeks….and it wasn't from the fire.

She looks up to study my face before slowly nodding her head. "Actually, that sounds kind of nice, I think I will join you."

"Great, sit here," Gracefully motioning to the couch. "I'll go to the bar and get us those drinks."

"Great, thanks Kao." Lifting her hand, pushing her hair back behind her ear. "It seems I can always count on you to know just what I need." My heart quickens as we exchange somewhat awkward smiles. I really couldn't say anything coherent at the moment, so I just nodded my head and strolled to the bar.

A little later….

My eyes scanned over the same line for the fourth consecutive time. Damn it! Inwardly cussing at myself. Awkwardly shifting my weight, lifting a hand to slide under my cheek. This was so much harder than some daytime fantasy. I've been trying to finish the same sonnet for the last what…

Pulling my phone from my grey cargo ski pants, sliding my thumb across the screen. 25 minutes! Rolling my eyes, letting out a frustrated sigh from my lips. Oh, this isn't anything like my fantasy for one I didn't feel this awkwardly tense feeling hovering in the air around us.

We decided to sit on either side of the couch with our socked feet pointed towards one another. Occasionally one of our socked feet would brush up against the others when someone shifted to get more comfortable, it was highly distracting for me. That is until we both decided to stretch out our legs, lacing our feet with one another.

Of course I couldn't leave well enough alone, lightly scratching the inside of the bottom of her foot, causing the adorable brunet to hold in a giggle. Her wide chocolate eyes flashed up with amused irritation. "Kao, stop." Pulling her feet away.

"Haru, stop what?" My golden eyes lifted from my book, asking in an innocent tone. She just rolled her eyes and went back to her book.

A few minutes later I touched the underside of her foot with both of my feet this time she couldn't hold back the giggle….and the blush growing on her cheeks. "Kao, stop it!"

My golden eyes once more lift from my book. "Haru, I'm just sitting here, I'm not doing anything."

She lets out a huff of irritation, giving a shake to her head before her eyes fall back to her book.

Figuring I've pushed my little game too far, I too go back to my book. After a few quiet minutes her brown eyes bounce up from her book, flashing an adorable smile towards me…..then the next thing I know my body was wiggling all over the place with fits of laughter heaving from my chest . "So what about now Koa, do you still not know?"

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I couldn't help but try and pull my feet away from her abrupt tickling attack as my body was overtaken with hilarious laughter. "L…still ….don't know… what you're… talking about ….Stop! Haru Stop!" Flip flopping on the couch causing my tangerine sweatshirt to ride up, exposing my tightened stomach muscles as they begin to ache with laughter. With one desperate movement I quickly jerk my laughing body forward, grab Haru, and twist around so I'm now hovering over her with my chest heaving, catching my breath. Pinning her hands to the couch as a mischievous smile on my face begins to emerge. "Now Haru, could you describe what I was supposedly doing to you?" Asking in an impish way.

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She nervously bites her lip. "Um, you were ….ah, tickling my feet." She speaks with blushed cheeks and apprehension in her voice while diverting her chocolate eyes.

"Was I now? Huh, I don't recall doing such a thing." Leaning down to playfully whisper in the girl's ear. "Are you sure it was me?"

With my flirty whisper her chocolate eyes grew wide, staring into mine as I pulled away. Her eyes never left mine as she slowly nodded her head. Being caught by her gaze cause my heart to stop in time, to momentarily forget about anything but her. "Ah, I'm sorry what was I saying?"

"Ah, I'm not entirely sure either." She softly spoke while her breathtaking chocolate eyes stares up at me.

My golden eyes dropped to those sweet pink lips of hers, curious to see if they actually tastes like strawberries. She seemed to want the same thing as I slowly lingered closer. She didn't turn her attention away from me, instead she stared in my searing half closed eyes, descending even closer.

Hovering over the girl, with me mere inches from tasting those lips… "Kao, have you seen Haru-"we both whip our unsuspected heads to the familiar voice.

My completely drained face finds my pissed off brother suddenly stop in the room. His golden eyes sear into mine, he quickly stomps over in our direction, throwing out a hand, jerking my petrified body off the girl. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Haru and I jump to either side of the couch with blushed cheeks.

"Ah Hikaru, I can explain!" We both called out to my angry twin. I turned my head shocked to see Haru trying to reach out for Hika as well.

Hunni happily enters the room. "Oh, hey Haru-chan, Takishi and I wanted to know-"

Mori takes one look at the tense surroundings in the room. He quickly slaps his hand over Hunni's eyes, carrying him out the room. "Now's, not that time."

Tamaki pushed his way passed Hikaru to toss his arm around Haru, lifting her off the couch. "Kaoru, get your filthy hands off my daughter! What do you think you are doing to her?"

"Calm down, you two, we've just been sitting here reading! " Haru tries to push away from Tamaki.

The blonde yells out in a panic. "Reading what, each other's body language, by Braille? No, daughter of mine will go near those two devil doppelgangers! Come on Haruhi let's get ready for lunch."

"Sempi, you're not my father, now let go!" Haru breaks away before running out the room.

Tamaki quickly picks up her boots from the fireplace and runs after her. "Hey Haru, get back here!"

After the two had left Hika just stands silently next with his back turned towards me. The air grows increasingly tense as the only noise coming from the room is the crackling fireplace. Until my sad voice breaks through. "Hika, I'm-"Reaching out to my twin's arm.

He abruptly jerks his arm away from me. "Save it Kaoru, I could clearly see what you were doing behind my back." My twin angrily seethes through clenched teeth.

"Can we at least talk about this? You know we both have strong-" Lifting a hand to run through my ginger hair, worried I hurt my older twin's feelings.

"No, I'll stay out of your way, but you better stay the hell out of mine!" And with that my older twin walked out of the room.

A little later….

The temperature dropped as the sun fell behind the mountain. Swirls of my heated breath blew pass my lips, hovering in the air next to my distracted head. My tangerine orange gloves are jammed in my pockets as I slowly walk in the chilly night air, making my way back from a long snowy walk. …..a deep soul searching walk. The white snowy powder crunched beneath my grey boots with my mind off in my own little world.

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As soon as I was left alone in front of the crackling fire, I didn't feel as comfortable as before. So I threw my boots and jacket on and headed for the winter white outside. I needed to think, I wasn't ashamed for trying to kiss the lovely brunette, it seemed for that split second she wanted to as well….but there was also that moment after… she was trying to convince Hika nothing happened.

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What was that all about?

"See Haru, what did I tell you? It warms you right up." My twin's voice pulls me from my thoughts. My feet stop in the icy powder. Quickly dodging around a darkened corner, catching sight of my twin and Haru in the water. The entire heated pool had a low hanging mist hovering just above the crystal clear surface, surrounded by the cold frozen scenery.

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Haru slowly rotates her head, stretching out her neck. "Yeah, you're right I really needed this. Tamaki-sempi had me running all over the mountain, trying to teach me how to ski."

I can only see the back of my twin as he extends a hand to softly rub her shoulder. "And that's why you should have gone snowboarding with me."

Haru slowly leans her head back, so the pool water will slick back her hair as she lets out a sigh, "Well, he wouldn't leave me alone, until I gave in to some required 'father and daughter bonding time' because of well after-"Haru eyes drop to water with blushed cheeks.

"Haru don't, let's just enjoy the pool for now." Jerking his arms forward causing a huge wave of water to explode against Haru's surprised body.

"Hey, don't splash me!" With her head turned she throws out her arms to splash my brother.

He quickly grabs her arms, as she struggles to splash more water at him. "What are you going to do about it?" Pulling her closer. Anger begins to bubble in the pit of my stomach because it was clear what Hikaru was up to….My completive twin was making it a race between us, for which of us would capture her first kiss…..there by winning the girl from the other.

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"Hika, we really shoudn-"

"Shhh." Softly cutting off her words. He lightly holds a finger to her lips as he softly speaks. "Haru, can I just?" Hika slowly moves closer until Haru's back is pressed against the cobalt blue pool tiles.

Her chocolate eyes stare up into his. "Hika, I want to but-"Her eyes nervously fall away from my advancing twin, catching sight of my unblinking eyes. Causing her to quickly pull away with blushed cheeks. "No Hika, I'm sorry I just can't be the one." She abruptly turns away from Hika, sadly speaking as she quickly wades through the heated water.

Hikaru tries to catch her by the arm. "Haru, Stop don't leave!"

"Sorry, Hika, I just can't." Haruhi slips from his grip, shaking her head, climbing out of the heated pool. Small swirls of steam drift from her wet body. Her teeth immediately begin to chatter as her hand extend, grabbing a white terrycloth robe from the back of unused deck chair. Swinging the dry white robe over her wet shoulders. The back of her rode frails out as she swiftly runs away from the pool and my shattered twin.

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Her dripping chestnut strands stick close to her chilled alabaster skin while she races pass my stunned body. "I'm sorry Kao." I could see tears begin to stream from miserable eyes.

"Haru!" My brother turns to watch our brunette friend runaway. His golden eyes scowl in my direction, before he quickly leaps out of the pool with heated steaming water cascading from his body, splashing against the frozen ground. "I should have known! You just had to be here!"

"Hika, I didn't do anything." Tossing up two hands in defense, taking a step away from my drenched fuming twin.

"You missed your chance!" Hika takes a step forward. "You couldn't help yourself, you just had to mess things up for me too! Sharply poking a finger at my chest. "I'm sick of you always getting in my way."

Roughly knocking his hand away from my chest. Stepping forward so my brother and I were face to face. "Your way? You're the one strolling in the damn room with the entire club behind you!"

My older brother was taken back with my heated words. "You were trying to stab me in the back!"

Fling out an arm towards the pool. "And you weren't just doing that, a few minutes ago?!" Realizing just screaming at each other wasn't accomplishing anything, it's certainly not fixing the problem. Letting out a frustrated sigh, taking a step back from my irate twin. Lifting a hand, running my fingers in my hair. "Hika, this isn't working, we tried…maybe we should just ask Haru which one she wants between us."

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Hikaru sharply nods, crossing his arms across his bare chest. "Yeah, I think you might be right, along with some much needed space between the two us." Turning his back away from me.

"Hika, don't say that." Stepping forward to my twin, timidly placing a hand on his shoulder.

He jerks his shivering back away. "Look, I'm just being honest." Picking up a white robe, flinging it over his shoulders. "When we get back, we both go to Haru and demand she makes a choice between the two of us." Hika roughly ties his robe around his waist. Letting out a frustrated sigh. "Whichever twin she doesn't pick ….leaves the other two in peace. No interference. No contact. Agreed?" Holding out his hand.

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Stunned, my golden eyes glance to my brother's offered hand. "Fine, if that's what you want? Agreed." Begrudgingly taking my twin's hand, firmly shaking it. Not really sure if I wanted to go down this road.

"Fine, it will be nice not having you always hanging around us." My older twin speaks sharply as he walks away with his hands tucked into his pockets. All I could do was stand frozen in the night sky watching Hika stomp off in a huff as his form becomes smaller and smaller.

End of Flashback….

End Kaoru's POV.


End of chapter 21, and believe it or not I'm almost done with chapter 22.

Hey thanks so much for your unbelievable support, the story is now just 4 followers away from 100 .Which has never happened to one of the stories before. So it's a bit exciting to say the least. Thank you so much.

Well, I want to finish the other update so I'm off.

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Thanks for taking a peek. Alimackatjac