A/N: Yay, I finished this chapter sooner than I thought I would. I dedicate this chapter to K-May, because she's cool like that. Haha :)

Well, I hope everyone likes it… Please read and review? It would be much appreciated!

Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own Ouran High School Host Club. :(

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CHAPTER 2: WITHOUT YOU

Hikaru Hitachiin stared absently out of the window, completely unaware of Haruhi's questioning gaze. It was raining hard, and it was dark. Not the ideal setting for the date he'd had planned. However, his mind was already occupied with other thoughts. As much as he wanted to enjoy this date with Haruhi, he couldn't stop worrying about his brother.

Kaoru had been acting rather odd lately. Usually, the two brothers would walk home after school together; but only recently Kaoru had been walking home by himself, without telling Hikaru. The first time this had happened, Hikaru almost had a panic attack. The other members of the Host Club had had to calm him down enough to point out that they had all seen Kaoru leave a while earlier. Hikaru hadn't noticed.

He'd never been separated from his twin for more than a few hours, but he'd always known where Kaoru had been. But this…this had terrified him. Not knowing where his brother was or if he was alright; that was the most frightening experience he had ever had in his entire life. And Kaoru laughed it off; but his eyes...they always confused Hikaru.

Kaoru's actions today simply confused Hikaru even more. It wasn't that Kaoru had approached his older brother and – though it took some persuading – convinced Hikaru to ask Haruhi out. No, that wasn't that strange. It was the fact that there was something…changed about Kaoru, to say the least. Kaoru's eyes had given it away – they always did. Kaoru always was better at controlling his emotions; but Hikaru could always sense when something was upsetting his twin – it was all in his eyes. Except Hikaru doubted Kaoru realized how easily he could be read by his twin.

"Hikaru?" Hikaru was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of Haruhi's worried voice. "Are…you alright?"

Hikaru stared at Haruhi for a moment, before realizing she was speaking to him. He shook his head, blinking and trying to clear all thoughts of his brother from his mind. That wasn't important right now. Right now, he was on a date with Haruhi and that's what mattered at the moment.

"Uh…yeah, yeah I'm fine." He replied distantly, giving her a small smile.

"What were you thinking about?" Hikaru glanced around the quaint French-themed café that Kaoru had suggested, and then leaned in towards Haruhi.

"Just about how…cute you look tonight." Hikaru could see the slight blush on Haruhi's face and he could feel himself begin to turn red as well. He looked away, and smiled. He felt sorry for being so distant with her; he liked her, he really did. She made him laugh, and this was quite an accomplishment considering that he had only ever truly laughed with his twin before meeting Haruhi. She made him feel important, like an individual. He was happy that she could tell him and Kaoru apart. Someone had finally noticed that they were different, and that meant a lot to Hikaru. He found it easier and easier to open up to Haruhi and tell her things he had never told anyone except Kaoru.

Hikaru sighed, looking down at his obscured reflection in the coffee mug held by his left hand. He marveled at how alike he and Kaoru looked, yet how uniquely different they were in comparison. Hikaru had always looked up to his younger brother, despite how odd that sounded. Kaoru was always so calm and composed about everything, and Hikaru really admired him for it.

Although Kaoru had acted like nothing was bothering him, Hikaru knew better. The problem was that Hikaru had no idea what could be troubling his brother. What if something is really wrong with Kaoru and he tries to hurt himself? The thought crossed Hikaru's mind before he could stop it, and he bolted from his seat. Haruhi gave a small gasp of surprise, but Hikaru didn't notice. All he knew was that Kaoru was the kind of person who kept everything to himself, and Hikaru didn't doubt that Kaoru might do something stupid.

Hikaru dug in his pockets and came out with a twenty, which he laid on the table. Without a second thought for Haruhi or the date, he dashed towards the door.

"Hi…karu?" Hikaru spun around, finding himself face-to-face with Haruhi.

Oh…right.

"Where are you going? We haven't even eaten yet…." Hikaru sighed, taking her face in his hands.

"Haruhi, I'm sorry. I'm having a really great time and I want to finish this sometime…but I can't right now. Something's wrong with Kaoru…I'm afraid he might hurt himself…." He trailed off, worry and fear all over his features.

Haruhi couldn't help but smile. All this time she had been worried that he was completely bored with her. She had been so confused, but now it all made sense. He had been worried about Hikaru. How sweet.

That's when what he was saying really sunk in. '…I'm afraid he might hurt himself….' Hikaru stopped smiling immediately and nodded in understanding. "I can…come with you. If that might help…?"

Hikaru frowned, biting his bottom lip in worry and frustration then nodded. "Yeah…that would help a lot."

Haruhi nodded, taking his hand in hers and squeezing gently. The warmth of her small hand surrounding his suddenly made Hikaru feel much less worried and a little more confident as they left the restaurant.

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Meanwhile, Kaoru Hitachiin was slowly packing all of his belongings into a large suitcase resting on his and Hikaru's bed. He didn't really need to take all that much. Wherever he was going, (he wasn't exactly sure where) he'd have plenty of money to start all over again.

Without Hikaru.

The thought made him pause, and he almost began to unpack his things and re-think his decision; but he knew he had to get away. He had to leave. He couldn't stay here like this…. All the sinful thoughts he'd had about his brother…. He knew that if he didn't leave soon, he'd end up telling Hikaru the truth. And Hikaru would be repulsed…would hate him….

Kaoru returned to his slow process of packing. He took his time; he had a few more hours before he expected Hikaru to return. By that time, he'd be long gone. No one would be able to track him down either, since he hadn't (and wouldn't) tell anyone about his plans.

He felt a pang of jealousy stab at his heart as he thought of Hikaru and Haruhi…alone….

Probably confessing his love right now, He thought bitterly, laughing. His laugh sounded hollow and emptly, emotionless.

If they had never met Haruhi, none of this would have ever happened. They would still be inseparable; but now their bond was broken and it could never be the same.

Kaoru stopped packing, and sunk down onto the bed. He closed his eyes, trying to hold back the tears, but they fell anyway. Embarrassed, he wiped them away and stood up quickly, beginning to pack faster now.

Now, he just wanted to leave and be as far away from this place as he possibly could by the time Hikaru returned. Most likely with Haruhi, Kaoru thought sadly.

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Half-an-hour later, Hikaru and Haruhi arrived at the Hitachiin residence. Haruhi had opted that they walk, claiming it was healthier and would help clear Hikaru's confused and worried mind; he agreed.

They hadn't talked much on the walk home. Normally, this would have annoyed Hikaru; but under the circumstances it didn't bother him much at all. They both had enough to worry about anyway. They were just glad to have each other's company.

They were silent as they walked through the front door and into the kitchen. Haruhi gave Hikaru an encouraging look and for the first time since they had left the restaurant, let go of his hand. He nodded.

"Kaoru?" He called out, trying his hardest to hide the worry and fear in his voice. He began walking past the dining room and into the hall. "Kaoru? Are you home? Kaoru!" Hikaru began climbing the stairs, Haruhi not far behind.

Kaoru froze at the sound of his brother's voice. As he heard Hikaru's footsteps as he walked upstairs, Kaoru began packing frantically. He had to leave before Hikaru saw him. He had to….

"Kaoru!"

There wouldn't be much time….

The door swung open with a bang, and Kaoru could sense Hikaru's presence in the doorway even before he saw him.

"Kaoru!" Hikaru's voice was full of confusion, as he watched Kaoru who was now trying to close the suitcase. Unfortunately, Kaoru had over packed and no matter what he did, the suitcase refused to close. "Kaoru…what are you doing?" Kaoru ripped open the suitcase and began flinging things out of it, until he could finally close it. "Stop it! Stop it, Kaoru!"

As he picked up the suitcase and turned towards the door, preparing to make a run for it, Kaoru felt a pair of strong arms tear the suitcase from his hands.

"Hikaru – move!" A wave of anger and frustration seized Kaoru, and he shoved Hikaru violently against the wall. "You shouldn't be here…why are you here? Why is all of this happening?" Kaoru was talking more to himself than anyone else, though he knew Hikaru had heard him. He yelled in frustration and ran towards the door, but Hikaru was already there blocking his only way out.

"I could ask you the same thing. Kaoru, what is this all about?"

"Nothing." Kaoru glared at his brother, then glanced past him at the door. If only he had packed faster, he could be far away from…all of this…. If only he hadn't have been such an idiot.

"Kaoru! Why do you always do this? For once, can't you just tell me what's wrong with you!"

"Hikaru…please. Don't make this harder than it has to be. Just get out of my way." Kaoru kept his voice calm, not looking directly at his brother. He thought that if he did, one of two things would happen. He would either completely blow up at his brother; or he would completely break down and confess everything. Kaoru couldn't let either of those things happen.

"Kaoru!" Hikaru took hold of Kaoru's face, forcing his twin to look him in the eyes. Kaoru tried to look away, but Hikaru refused to let go. "How can you just stand there and tell me nothing's wrong, when it obviously is?" Kaoru remained silently. "Now look me in the eye and tell me nothing's wrong."

Something snapped inside of Kaoru and he pushed his brother violently off of him. Kaoru had had it. He no longer had any control over his emotions.

"Hikaru, fine. You got me. Do you really want to know what my problem is?" Kaoru was now so far gone that he couldn't have stopped even if he had wanted to. "It's you, Hikaru. It's you – it's always been you. You're always with Haruhi now and I'm always left behind…alone…." Kaoru's voice trailed off, his expression now turning from anger to pain, confusion and hurt. Tears formed in his eyes, but he blinked them away; he forced himself to look at Hikaru. "I hate her." His voice was low, but Hikaru could sense the malice in his voice.

"Kaoru…." Hikaru whispered, staring at his brother in complete shock. "Kaoru…please, no…." Kaoru glared at his brother with a look so intense that he doubted Hikaru would ever forget.

"Do you really mean that…Kaoru?" A small, sad voice came from the doorway. Kaoru could hear the hurt in her voice, but he didn't care. As Haruhi's figure appeared in the doorway, Kaoru's eyes widened in shock then narrowed in anger as he turned to his brother.

"What is this? What is this?" He pointed rudely at Haruhi. "First, you completely ignore me and don't even acknowledge that you're doing anything wrong. Can't even realize when something's wrong with your own twin?" Kaoru closed the distance between himself and Hikaru. They stood face to face, but Kaoru's intense glare made Hikaru look away. "Now…now, you bring her here. To our room. To…to…." As much as Kaoru tried to stop it, the tears flowed freely down his face now.

"No! Kaoru…no!"

"Hikaru, I've had enough of your lies! JUST SHUT UP!" Before Kaoru even realized what he was doing, he felt his fist connect with the side of Hikaru's face.

Hikaru backed away in horror. He touched his cheek where Kaoru had punched him, and felt the bruise that surely had to be there.

"Kaoru…you punched me." He said slowly, dumbly. He looked over at his twin, confusion in his face. "Do you really hate me…that much, Kaoru?"

Kaoru was staring down at the hand that he had used to hit Hikaru with a surprised expression, then looked up into his brother's face.

"Hikaru…no, you idiot. I love you. And that's why I'm leaving." Before anyone could say anything else, he ran from the room leaving even his suitcase behind. It didn't matter anymore. He just had to get away. Tears spilled down his face and blurred his vision. He pushed past Haruhi, who was staring at him with a frightened expression. He ignored her and kept going. He flew down the stairs, passed the kitchen, and threw open the front door.

Kaoru could hear Hikaru following him, but he didn't care. He would keep running until he died if he had to, but he couldn't face his brother again…after what had just happened. He flew down their driveway, ignoring the calls of "Kaoru, wait!" behind him.

Kaoru paused in the middle of the street and looked behind him. Hikaru paused, and Kaoru saw that Haruhi was right behind him. "Just go away, both of you! I need to get away. Just let me go. Hikaru, I hate --" He screamed.

Kaoru heard the sound of tires screeching; he smelled the burning rubber. Kaoru felt something hard collide with his body, and he was pushed to the side. His head connected with the concrete.

Everything went black, but before he lost total consciousness, he heard a frantic voice screaming "Hikaru!" over and over again.

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A/N: Mwahaha, cliffhanger! Umm, I hope everyone liked that. It actually turned out longer than I had expected.

Next chapter should be up soon.

Please review :)