Yes, yes, we all know I'm evil for leaving you like that. But! Now I have a chance to redeem myself with another chapter!

Six: The Threat

Hikaru and Kaoru were greeted with the usual "hello and goodbye" from their mother that night (meaning she had to go back to work). And as was the new tradition, they made dinner, but this time, no one got burned.

They ate in front of the TV, nuzzled against one another on the couch. They did not speak; they didn't need to. The past week for them had been like their own secret heaven. During the day, they would be two average twins, and by night, they would transition into a secluded love affair. It was almost as if they led a double life.

After he had finished, Hikaru began to move off of the couch, when he noticed that the boy beside him had fallen fast asleep. He smiled to himself and gave Kaoru a peck on the cheek, waking him up.

"Mm?" he grumbled, eyes still closed.

"Let's get you to bed, ok?"

Kaoru grunted in agreement. Hikaru took his arm around his shoulders and hoisted him up. He then half-carried, half-dragged his brother to bed. When he got to the room, he carefully laid Kaoru onto the bed and tucked him in.

"Hey, I'm gonna go for a walk, ok?" he said to his drowsy companion.

"Ok…" he muttered. Then, Kaoru turned over on his side and cuddled into a comfortable position. Hikaru smiled and then went for his coat.

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Hikaru hummed along as he listened to the sound of the leaves and twigs crunching beneath his feet. He loved to go for walks. They gave him time to think about the current situation in his life. Tonight, it came as no surprise that it was Kaoru.

He could have laughed as he remembered his old resentment towards him. He found it amazing that all of that hatred and bitterness changed in one week. Sure, he still hated the fact that Kaoru left for five years, he just didn't hate Kaoru personally anymore. And, so it seemed, he thought he never would again. Kaoru was here to stay, and Hikaru was never happier.

"Don't you know it's dangerous to be walking the streets at night?"

Hikaru was brought out of his thoughts with a thump. He turned to identify the speaker, to see a slender figure with cold, blue eyes.

"Hey…" he said, recalling her, "aren't you that Éclair girl? The one who wants to marry Tamaki?"

She smiled. "So… I really am infamous."

"What do you want?"

"Oh, that should be obvious. You just said it, yourself."

"I mean with me," he said a bit testy. She laughed.

"Very well. I can see you want to get right to the point." She walked over to him like a cat would a mouse. "You see, I was watching the little game you and your friends were playing today."

"So?" he snapped. There was something about this girl Hikaru simply did not like.

"Well, as I was watching, I saw the most unfortunate accident that that Haruhi girl endured. I noticed that you were the first to her side."

He crossed his arms.

"Care to get to the point?"

"Gladly. After your heroic aid, I saw the most interesting scene between you and your brother."

Hikaru's heart dropped into his stomach. What was she trying to prove? After seeing his reaction on his face, she continued with a smirk.

"Now, I have seen quite a few examples of family bonding, but I doubt that's what you two are up to."

"Alright, what do you want? Money?" She slid over behind Hikaru, as if observing prey.

"No, I have plenty of that. What I want is something a little more… self sacrificing." She traced her long fingers across Hikaru's shoulder and neck. It sent shivers up his spine. "I know that you know incest is a crime. But, if you don't want to suffer for your foolishness, then you will do what I say."

"What?"

She leaned close to his ear and said: "I want the girl out of the way. Do that for me, and I won't tell a soul."

He quickly moved away from her.

"What? You mean – you mean go out with Haruhi?"

"That right."

He could feel his world come crashing down around him. But that would mean… loosing a friend… perhaps two… and… and… breaking Kaoru's heart in the process.

"No," he defied. "I won't do it. There's no way you can make me."

"Have it your way," she said. "Just make sure to blame yourself when you and your brother are behind bars."

The harsh reality of what she just said burned into Hikaru's mind. No… he couldn't let his own brother go to jail… it would ruin both of their lives… and she was right… it would be his fault…

"Fine…" he said reluctantly. "I'll do it."

She grinned with victory. "Excellent. Oh! And one more thing. If you tell anyone about this, the police will be at your door the next day. And this includes your precious brother."

Hikaru's insides seemed to vanish.

"No… no, that's not fair! He should know!"

"Life isn't fair," she replied bluntly. "Get over it."

He gritted his teeth. He wanted to take her by her scrawny little neck and wring her out. Never in his whole life had he wanted to beat up a girl, but she was defiantly not the average girl. He had no doubt in his mind that she was pure evil.

Without another word, Éclair turned on her heal and walked off into the night. As Hikaru watched her go, he could feel his anger boil over. In pure fury and frustration, he turned swiftly and slammed his left fist into a mailbox that was standing innocently beside him.

Instantly, his knuckles began to throb, and he could feel some skin splitting open. But he didn't care. As he took his hand away, he could see little specks of red surrounding the dent he made in the thin metal. He observed his hand to see that his knuckles did in fact begin to bleed.

However, he ignored the pain and instead focused on the task ahead of him. How could he possibly lie to his brother? Especially after he reassured him he had no feelings whatsoever… he knew Kaoru would never trust him again after this… he knew Kaoru would hate him for it…

But… he thought, if it means Kaoru's safety… then… I guess I have no choice… His eyes began to water and a knot formed in his throat.

Perhaps… this is how it was meant to be…

Oh no! what will happen? And don't waist your time telling me how evil I am; I already know.

T.