TAMAKI POV

What have I done? Tamaki thought miserably as he attempted to breed two species of mushrooms.

He was disgusted with himself. How could he stoop so low as to punch his best-- sorry, former best friend? Tamaki wondered if someone had noticed yet that Kyoya's glasses were broken. He would never forget what it felt like to feel them crunch beneath his fist.

Tamaki felt his reasons were noble. Mother kissed Daughter; that's not how things worked! Daughter and Father were supposed to get married and run away somewhere far enough to keep Daughter safe from the evils of the world. That's what any good father would want for his daughter, safety from evil. Perhaps his way was a little extreme, but that proved how much he loved his daughter. My daughter. . .

"I'm sorry, Haruhi," Tamaki muttered, "my. . .daughter."

Now that he had the chance to think rationally, Tamaki realized then how odd it was that he called her his daughter. Of course, he'd always known that she wasn't really his daughter, but he loved her like his daughter. That was the only kind of love he could call it, the only kind of love it could be. There couldn't be another way to describe his love for her: a father for his daughter. He wanted what was best for her, and he was completely selfless when it came to her happiness. Too selfless to be brotherly love, and Tamaki never wanted to compare his love for Haruhi to that of the twins for each other, so fatherly love it was. It couldn't be anything else.

Right?

Tamaki frowned as he thought of the way Hikaru loved Haruhi. He could be dense, yes, but when it came down to it, he would do anything for Haruhi. Wasn't that the way Tamaki felt? Hikaru couldn't love Haruhi in a fatherly way, not with the way he wanted Haruhi dressed. But, Tamaki thought guiltily, I wanted her all to myself when she wore those outfits. What kind of father was he?

Maybe it isn't fatherly love. But what kind of love could it be, if it wasn't fatherly or brotherly? Could it be romantic?

Tamaki took a deep breath. "Perhaps," he said quietly, timidly, "I could grow to love her . . . romantically." His face blushed a deep red as he admitted it.

A large group of girls left the third music room, gossiping happily about Kyoya and Haruhi's forbidden love. They hushed as soon as they saw Tamaki look up at them pitifully. Every single one of them shook their heads disdainfully before walking out, each whispering about Tamaki. His face fell even more, and he returned to his mushroom population.

"Why won't you two work together?" he muttered as he continued his attempt at creating a new species of mushroom. They were perfectly compatible; both had the necessary qualities for mating. Why wouldn't they get together?

Maybe one of the mushrooms was a bit . . . overbearing. Maybe he was too over-the-top for her to handle. No matter how down-to-earth and patient she was, she just couldn't rein him in. She just couldn't control him, no matter how hard she tried. Finally, she just gave up and refused to put up with him.

Tamaki shook his head and chuckled sadly. "You know you're life is in the dumps when you relate your life story to a mushroom," he said with a sad smile. He set the "female" mushroom down and picked up another. "I won't trouble you any longer," he said to the original female.

Should he keep trying to control himself? Is that why Haruhi was running off with Kyoya? She couldn't handle him anymore? Tamaki sighed. Should he just leave her alone and forget the whole thing? Perhaps he could try to calm down and be a more ideal . . . partner for her.

She wasn't his daughter anymore. Haruhi was his love.

Speaking of his love . . .

"Har-Haruhi?" Tamaki called out softly as she closed the door.

She turned around. "Yes, Tamaki-senpai?" she asked agitatedly.

He choked on the words that came next. "I-I'm sorry, for ruining this day for you." Tamaki took a deep breath. "I shouldn't have punched Kyoya."

Haruhi's eyes widened. "Apology accepted, senpai," she said, startled. "Just make sure you apologize to Kyoya also."

"He's not happy, is he?" Tamaki asked, still controlled, still calm.

She chuckled. "That's certainly an understatement."

Tamaki nodded his understanding and stood up to brush himself off. "Are you going home now, Haruhi? I can give you a ride," he offered, sounding a little sad.

Haruhi shook her head no. "Thanks for the offer, but no. I-I'm going to Kyoya's house, actually." Tamaki noticed immediately that she stumbled over her second sentence. Was it because it was a foreign thought to her, or because she didn't want to? Perhaps she was nervous about being alone with him?

Regardless, Tamaki didn't pounce on the subject. He merely shrugged and said, "All right. Safe trip to Kyoya's, then." He held his hand out to her. Baby steps, he thought.

Haruhi's eyebrows raised, but she shook his hand. "Thanks, senpai. I'll see you tomorrow at school." She turned and started walking down the hall.

"Good bye, Haruhi!" he called down. She turned around and grinned before continuing on her way.

HARUHI POV

It's hard to stay mad at Tamaki-senpai when he's in a calm, normal mood. He apologized, and he sounded almost sad. I wonder if he's going to apologize to Kyoya.

TAMAKI POV

Tamaki allowed himself a small smile at Haruhi's retreating back. "She is beautiful," he muttered. "I'm glad I realized it before I gave up on the competition."

"Still consider yourself a competitor, then?" asked a voice behind him. Tamaki turned around and watched Kyoya walk to him before turning back to see Haruhi turn a corner. Kyoya chuckled slightly. "She is a beauty, isn't she?" he murmured.

"Kyoya?" Tamaki asked, surprised that Kyoya would say something like that. I thought he was only in it for the business. Could he love Haruhi, too?

Kyoya turned to him, glare on his taped glasses. "Yes, Tamaki?" His walls were back up.

He'd never admit he said that. "Take care of Haruhi this evening," Tamaki said after a sigh.

Kyoya nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise," he replied. "So, are you still in the running?"

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise," he said with a nod. He chuckled lightly. "You might want to go after her; she is heading for your limo."

"Why so civil, Tamaki? Why so polite?" Kyoya asked, glare still present.

Tamaki shrugged. "I don't see any reason not to be. I want this to be a clean war, you know."

Kyoya looked at him with a thoughtful look for a while. "Interesting thought, Tamaki. I always planned for it to be clean; I'm glad you think so, also."

"Of course." Tamaki took a deep breath, still keeping his eyes on the path Haruhi had taken. "You do understand that I can't let Haruhi be with someone who doesn't care about her, right? It's not a personal vendetta against you. I just want to make sure Haruhi is loved and taken care of for all of her life. That being said, I apologize for punching you."

Kyoya smirked before putting his hands in his pockets and walking away. "Thank you. And if that's how you feel, then so be it."

KYOYA POV

"You couldn't possibly know how I feel for her, you fool," Kyoya added under his breath.

Author's Note: Hey, everyone, thanks for reading! Doing a Tamaki-centric chapter was certainly different, but it was fun. ^_^ So, I just wanted to send you guys over to my newest story, called Sight. It's a lot different from this one, but I'm rather fond of it. Give it a read and review, if you guys don't mind. :) Thanks for all the love and support this story has gotten so far!