The shrill trilling of his phone finally roused Hikaru from his sleep, and he raised his head off the pillow as he blearily groped for it. His hand finally closed around the cool metal and he flipped it open, propping himself up on his elbows and noting the two previous missed calls on the display as he answered it.

"Hello?" he yawned sleepily.

"Its about time you answered," a cool voice replied on the other end. "I've been trying to call you for the past hour and a half."

"Your pardon, mighty Otori-san," Hikaru dead-panned. "I wasn't doing anything important like sleeping, having woken up twice in the last six hours to check on my brother."

"And how is Kaoru?" Kyoya asked, ignoring the insult as usual.

"He seems to be doing better." Was that a sigh of relief Hikaru heard from the other boy? "Why? What aren't you telling me this time?"

"The doctor mentioned yesterday that Kaoru might get worse, but if he is doing better as you say, then I guess we've nothing to worry about."

"How much worse?" Hikaru asked, pushing himself up to sit cross-legged on the bed, and trying to scrub the sleep from his eyes with his other hand. "Your doctor must have made a mistake, he was a lot less warmer when I last checked on him."

"Like I said, it was only a possibility. Hopefully Kaoru will be back to normal by Monday."

"I hope so, too." Hikaru stifled another yawn.

"You should go back to sleep," Kyoya advised, his voice softening a bit. "I'm sorry to have woken you, I was just worried."

"Its okay." He combed his fingers through his red-brown hair. "Listen, about yesterday…"

"Forget it, we were all…"

"I just want to say I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted."

The boy smiled to himself. "And what are you doing up this early anyway?"

"Tamaki and my sister dragged me out for a morning jog through the park."

"Ah, sucks to be you then," Hikaru replied, grinning.

"Yes, thank you for your sympathy."

"So… I'm going to check on Kaoru now."

"Alright then, take care of yourself, too."

"I will."

The two boys said their goodbyes and Hikaru hung up. Pushing the sheets off him, he rubbed his eyes again and went to check on Kaoru just in case he had gotten worse while he'd been asleep.

Quietly, he slipped into Kaoru's room again and knelt by the bed like he had being doing for the past 24 hours or so. Carefully he peered at his twin's face, only to notice that it was not as flushed as it had been the day before. A gentle touch to the boy's forehead felt cooler as well. To Hikaru this was a good thing. Kaoru seemed to be getting better.

He ran his fingers lightly through his brother's hair a few times, watching the other boy's chest rise and fall with each breath, before getting up to open the curtains a little bit. When he turned back to the room again, Kaoru was slowly opening his eyes.

"You shouldn't be waking up," Hikaru admonished gently. "Sleep is good for you."

Kaoru gave a weak chuckle. "If I sleep anymore, I'm afraid I'll turn into Sleeping Beauty or something, and then where am I going to find a handsome prince to kiss me awake?"

Hikaru sat on the edge of the bed. "Right here." He leaned over and nuzzled his beloved brother.

Kaoru nuzzled him back. "I'd let you, if it didn't mean I'd be passing you my germs."

The older twin chuckled, then stroked the younger's head. "Can I get you anything? Are you hungry? Do you need something to eat?"

"Hikaru, sshhh." Kaoru touched his hand. "I'm alright."

"You must eat okay, you need to keep up your strength. I don't want you to get worse." He gently squeezed Kaoru's fingers. "I made a promise to look after you."

"Well, maybe some water would be nice."

Hikaru lept up to get it, came back and gently cradled his brother's head in his arms to help him slowly drink it. Kaoru pressed his cheek against his twin's chest when he was done and snuggled against him. He loved having his brother so close to him, had longed to curl up with him these past couple of nights, but he was not about to risk his twin's health for his own selfish desires. As it was, he hated to have Hikaru worry so much about him.

"You're doing a good job," he murmured.

"Kaoru?" Hikaru glanced down at him.

The younger twin looked up into the identical hazel-green eyes. "Mom would be so proud of you." Oh if only he could make those eyes light up again like they just did.

"I wish I could do more for you." His fingers stroked through Kaoru's hair again.

"You do enough for me. I love you, Hikaru."

Hikaru leaned down and kissed his brother's forehead. "I love you, too, Kaoru."

They remained together like that for a while, till Kaoru finally drifted back to sleep in his brother's arms. Once hikaru heard the sound of his gentle deeper breathing, he knew it was safe for him to move without waking him. Carefully he laid Kaoru back down and tucked him in, placing another soft kiss on his brow, before heading back to his own room to wash and change.

He had another long day ahead of him.

His phone was dancing on his bed again when he stepped out of the bathroom, damp and with only a towel tied loosely around his waist. There was no number registered on the display, so he wondered who it could be as he answered it.

"Hello?" Then his eyes widened. "Mom!"

"Darling, how are you? How's Kaoru?" Lady Hitachin asked.

"I'm fine," Hikaru replied. "I think Kaoru's getting better, too. What about you? Is everything ok over there? Its quite late for you isn't it?"

"Yes, I'm fine, so is your father, and yes it is rather late. We just got back from one of the after-show parties a little while ago," she replied with a chuckle. "Is Kaoru awake?"

Hikaru braced the phone against his shoulder. "He's sleeping right now." Shedding the towel, he slipped into a pair of boxers. "I guess I could wake him if you want to talk to him." He pulled on a pair of dark brown, knee-length shorts.

"No, no, let him rest." She sighed. "Hikaru, is it hard for you? Taking care of Kaoru all by yourself?"

"No Mom, of course not!" Hikaru replied, a little indignant that she would think Kaoru a burden to him. "I can do this, you said you trusted me."

"Its not that I don't trust you, darling. I know you're doing a wonderful job. You must be, if Kaoru's getting better. Its just that…"

"What?" Hikaru asked when there was a slightly longer pause. "Mom?"

"I might have to extend my stay here till next Saturday. There are a couple of people here who are interested in franchising the label to other parts of Europe and unfortunately they are only free to meet after Monday."

"Then you should stay and see the deal through," he said. "Kaoru and I will be alright."

"I would hate to disappoint Kaoru though, and I guess I'm worried that I'm stressing the two of you too much."

The older twin sat on the bed, still shirtless. "You shouldn't worry. Kaoru's strong, and so am I, you said so yourself. We'll take care of each other till you get back."

"So I did. I just don't want you two to think that I'm putting my job before you."

"We've never thought that at any time, Mom. We know you love us, but your job is important too."

His mother gave a gentle laugh. "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you two are growing up."

Hikaru smiled. "Maybe we are."

"Well don't grow up too fast. I'd still like to keep my little boys around a while longer."

"We'll always be your little boys, Mom," the boy replied fondly. "I don't think anything will change that. You should get some rest now, we'll be fine over here."

"Alright then," Lady Hitachin relented. "Tell Kaoru I love him and I'm sorry I couldn't be back when I said I would. Give him a kiss for me too, will you, and take care of yourself, too."

"I will, Mom."

"I love you, Hikaru"

"I love you, too."

Mother and son bid each other goodbye. Hikaru tossed the phone back on the bed and pulled on a beige shirt. Then he stood up, about to go downstairs and grab a bite to eat when there was a soft knock on the door, followed by the butler's voice.

"There are some guests to see you, Master Hitachin," he called.

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A/N: I'm glad Ch 8 went over well with you readers ) ... while i know the Twins are the main focus of the story, i do enjoy writing about the reactions of the supporting cast as well... it makes for interesting writing and hence reading, wouldnt you say so? Hani in particular is a joy to write, and i really enjoyed writing for Fuyumi as well, and i'm sure you've all seen her in episode 24 by now..

In this one, we focus on the Twins... and Lady Hitachin makes an appearance again - sort of... i REALLY like writing for her, she's so cool. this also has the after-effects of the Hikaru-Kyoya arc, and i figured Hikaru's at least humble enough to know when he overreacted...

Till next time, enjoy!