Whoo! Lookie, lookie! An update! I meant to have this out last weekend, but...y'know...That thing called life is a real bitch, ain't it? Anyway, here's the promised chapter! Enjoy the un-beta'ed ness! I, personally, like this chapter, but the entire story's beginning tog get a bit repetative - main plot point, and then a twin interaction and something with Kyouya - but after this chapter, that doesn't really happen anymore. Anyway, without further ado, I bring you...:

Chapter Four:

Practice Makes Worse

"Kaoru, you coming out?"

"No."

"But -"

"No."

"Why not?"

"No!"

Hikaru sighed, leaning his forehead against the wood of the deep rich door. He had been standing outside the dressing room in the elaborate wedding home for thirteen minutes, attempting to convince his little brother to come out of the upstairs dressing room long enough to run through the rehearsal for tomorrow night. It was already dark outside, the inside of the upper hallway of the mansion-for-rent lit by low watt lightbulbs that cast soft glows across the softly painted; meanwhile, downstairs, preparations for the wedding preceded and a parent from both attending parties (Ootori Yoshio and Hitachiin Yuzuha) idled, directing chair placement and guest lists. Also attempting to regulate the chaos of the 'morrows wedding: the groom (but Hikaru hadn't told his twin that, fearing that it would cause Kaoru to regress further than he already had into the depths of the mansion). So, sighing, the older of the Hitachiin twins tried again.

"Well, at least let me in? If Mum screwed up your rehearsal dress, I'm sure I could make some adjustments."

"The dress is fine," was Kaoru's muffled response. "And the second I open the door, you'll drag me out."

"Ah, foiled again," and Hikaru chuckled. He sighed then. "C'mon, Kao-chan...For your darling big brother who's giving you away to your future husband." Silence; a shuffle, the sound of high heels clicking against the floor, then the sound of a lock sliding out of the hatch. "There's a good little sister. Now, let's go before Mother has a conniption fit."

Silently, the older of the red heads reached for his younger brother, threading an arm securely around Kaoru's waist before proceeding to half-drag, half-escort him down the hall and grand staircase.

"Hm, so this is what we would have looked like as girls," Hikaru purred into his twin's ear, cautious of any prying ears. "Damn...We're pretty hot...I'd do us." And he momentarily moved behind his (not so) identical twin brother bucking his hips lightly into Kaoru's backside and grinning evilly, digging his nose into the "woman's" neck. "Assuming, of course, that consoles you."

No response; not of shared laughter nor an affectionate rebuttal. Instead, Kaoru stiffened and then turned to shove him away lightly. "...Someone might see..."

Hikaru wilted, but kept an arm around his twin's waist as they made their way into the dining hall, unnoticed amidst all the hustle and bustle of chair arrangements and directions. "No sex play to cheer you up? C'mon, we always felt better after making some of our class mates squirm." He tried to laugh it off, but when he looked over to see an intense look of worry on Kaoru's face, Hikaru felt disconcerted. "Whats really wrong, Kao?"

"What's wrong?" the younger asked, his voice cracking. "What's wrong? I'm marrying a total fucking stranger, Hikaru!! On top of that, and Ootori and a male! Is that not wrong to you?!"

He had no answer, but Kaoru didn't really seem like he was fishing for one.

"And I have to lie about it - I'm not a good actor, and I am not a girl!! I have no idea what Mother was thinking, or if she even had a plan to get through this; and worst of all, I have to leave you in order to play house with that old man stuck in a boy's body. We...we have been in Japan for a little over a month, and I'm already getting married..."

"Kao -"

"Oh, Kaoru-chan! Hikaru-kun! You're here!" Yuzuha exclaimed brightly, waltzing over to them just as both the Ootori men turned and took notice of the twin's arrival. Still smiling, the Hitachiin matriarch looped her arm with Kaoru's, pulling her younger son away and toward the half-built alter, passing row after row of white fold-out chairs strained in garland and bustling butlers.

Kyouya stood under the lights, waiting at the end of the isle for his bride-to-be and mother-in-law-to-be. When they reached the end of the isle, Yuzuha all but shoved Kaoru into the Ootori heir's personal bubble in front of the alter before receding to talk timing and schedule and generally other things that didn't really concern them. "Alright, you two stay there - Hikaru, sit down and stop looking so moody. Now, Ootori-san, how long will this ceremony take...in a ballpark estimate...."

"Uuuuuuug..." Kaoru slumped dejectedly, feeling slightly sick and wishing he had never left the dressing room.

"Is something wrong?" the cool voice of Ootori Kyouya spoke from next to him.

"Ah, no, Ootori-san..." Was the enthuthiastic response.

They were quiet for a second as both their parents attempted to coach the violins to play the wedding march slower. And then: "I believe if we are to be married, it would due good for us both to be on the same name basis - as you have insisted I call you by your first name. Otherwise, people may find it inappropriate."

"Alright," Kaoru agreed, nodding. "Alright."

"Do you dance, Kaoru?"

"A little, Kyouya."

"I could coach you if you'd like. Or hire a coach."

"Attempt to teach me in one night - when we're not even supposed to see each other?" the red head scoffed. "You could be good, but no one's that good. In one night."

"Subtle improvements make all the difference," the brunette responded, seemingly despondent. In fact, it seemed that Kyouya was willing to be anywhere other than where he was at the moment, a feeling Kaoru knew all too well. Did that put them in the same boat, then? ...No...No, Kyouya was a boy, and not hiding that little fact.

"Well, I'll try not to step on your toes, then," he hissed back sourly.

"Did I do something to deserve such animosity from you, Kaoru?" Kyouya asked, tired of beating around the bush. Calculatedly, the twenty-one-year-old brushed his glasses off his nose to polish them on his silken shirt hem. "I don't recall offending you, but if I inadvertently did, I apologize."

Slightly taken aback, Kaoru was silent for a moment, frozen with his mouth hanging open. He, honestly, hadn't expected to have Kyouya pick up on his obvious disgruntled-ness so easily, and now he felt open, exposed and didn't like it. "I...well...I don't know anything about you and you know nothing about me. Doesn't that bother you? At all?"

The silver-framed spectacles were returned to their perch, and piercing grey eyes attached to the amber orbs. "I trust my father's match-making abilities - if this hadn't been a good match, neither of our parents would have suggested it. This marriage is just a formality; you see, we have the next year of our life at least to figure out if we're going to get along, and our companies have that year to either converge or split apart completely and untouchably. Either way, we have plenty of time to get to know each other."

"You...you don't believe in dating, do you?" Kaoru asked, mouth open again. "Haven't you ever gone on that one magical date with the one person who make you feel every single emotion at once?"

"I've never had time to properly date, nor have I felt the necessity to."

Kaoru sighed, relaxing into a sulk. "Well, I hoped to go on that date before getting married."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, then."

Yuzuha was screaming at the man adjusting the lighting, and extremely bright lights flooded the podium, making both of the soon-to-be newly weds to raise hands to their eyes in defense against the assault.

"I...I don't blame you, I guess..." Kaoru told the other sneering at the light until it was (mercifully) turned off. Blue flashes were imprinted on the inside of both their eyelids. "But I am going to take it out on you."

"That's rather childish, don't you think?"

"I don't ca -"

"Alright!! Alright, that's it! I'm done - whatever we didn't finish tonight, we can take care of last minute tomorrow. Seven in the morning!" Hitachiin Yuzuha's voice echoed a bit, and was quickly followed by the clatter of several chairs being knocked over. "Hikaru, Kaoru. Let's go."

"Coming, Mother," both twins echoed in unison, one standing and the other making to step down from the barely raised platform of the alter. But then, they both paused for different reasons; Kaoru stiffened and Hikaru glared.

"I don't believe I told you how...strangely pretty you looked tonight, Kaoru," Kyouya's breath ghosted over the back of his knuckles, slender fingers holding even smaller fingers before lightly brushing his lips over the pale, warm flesh. For a fraction longer than a second, the younger Ootori stayed like that, kissing the back of Kaoru's hand, and then Hikaru coughed.

Unbiddenly, Kaoru blushed.

"I look forward to tomorrow. I'm sure you will look excellent tomorrow - dancing or not." Hand slipped from hand, and, if possible, the Hitachiin's blush deepened.

"He kissed my hand!"

"I saw..."

"And - and - he kissed my hand!!"

"Did he slip you tongue..." Hikaru glowered.

"MY HAND!!"

"Aw, sweetie, I think it was a sweet gesture," the matriarch fluttered highly as she kicked off her expensive shoes once the door to the Hitachiin mansion closed. "Most arranged marriages start out with tension - the women always fear there will be no romance and that they will have love-less unions, and Kyouya-kun was probably trying to break that tension. It was sweet."

"What the hell do you know about arranged marriages, Mum?!??" Kaoru demanded, wiggling out of the skin-tight tan over-coat he'd put on over the green silken rehearsal dress. "You and Dad, like, eloped or something!"

This ruffled the woman a slight bit, and she blushed behind considerable amounts of rouge. "I think I'll retire for the night - it's late. See you in the morning, boys."

And she left them in the hallway, Kaoru's face still flushed and Hikaru brooding quietly. They watched her retreating back, glowering and chewing the sides of their cheeks until she was safely up the stairs and out of hearing range.

"Motherfucker!!" kaoru exclaimed under his breath. "It's like he knew!!"

"If he had known, he wouldn't have done that, would be?" Hikaru grumbled. "I don't think he's that smart."

"Oh, he's smart! I can tell. Too smart - I don't think I can pull this off! I don't even look like the type of girl the others are married to!" Together, the twins as well began to climb the stairs and turned into their bedroom, pushing open the door violently and all but throwing themselves onto the too-small bed. This resulted in both twins scrambling, the mattress being pushed off the frame, and two, sprawling red heads landing on top of each other, laughing a tad bit.

"trust me, Kaoru, you look like a girl," Hikaru panted after the laughter subsided a bit. Gently, he looped an arm around his brother's shoulders and pulling him down on his chest, ear to heart. "But you don't act very lady-like. You might give yourself away."

Kaoru snorted and pushed up, hands on either side of Hikaru's head. His eyes were wide, and painted lips in a full-on pout. He was breathing in a pant as well, but breathily and ultra feminine. And then: "Oh, Hikaru...How could you be so mean? You always say such mean things to me - I'm just a tender, innocent, female and you...you...you're breaking my heart!" A tear glistened in the corner of his eye, then fell, smudging mascara and eyeliner together in a black trail of paint.

Hikaru's breath caught in his throat. "Kao -"

Fump! Fumpfumpfump!!

Somehow, Kaoru had managed to obtain a pillow, and from his vantage point on his twin's hips, thumped the older boy over the head a few times in quick succession a couple times before Hikaru managed to get the upper hand and flipped his twin over, pinning his hands and wrists.

"Oh, you're such a little brat!" He was laughing again. "Ootori's in for a tussle on his wedding night."

"Psh, as if," Kaoru gave up fighting with a wry smile on his lips. They stayed that way for a second, and then Hikaru leaned forward, brushing his nose ever-so-lightly against his brother's, and when the pinned Hitachiin did not turn his head to the side, the other twin descended, kissing him lightly on the lips. They faltered like that for a second, until Kaoru felt a tongue probing through his lips and although it was strange and (he knew) unnatural, he tilted his head back and opened his mouth.

They kissed for a full three minutes. Eyes closed, bodies heating up and soft, fluttery moans barely escaping their lips. Hikaru allowed Kaoru to sit up, the pin turning into straddling as hands cautiously roved over chests, fake breasts, shoulders, necks and hair. And then, just as it seemed appropriate for Kaoru's hands to begin unbuttoning his brother's shirt, they both retracted at exactly the same time, scrambling back from each other as if they had been burned.

Harsh breathing, flushed cheeks, and swollen lips.

Tenderly, Kaoru held a hand to his mouth, filled with conflicting emotions and desires. He attempted to speak, but no words came out. He swallowed before shakily trying again. "What...what was that for?" Large amber eyes watched as his mirror image shrugged, purposefully looking away.

"Just making sure he didn't get your first kiss."

"I've kissed plenty of girls, Hikaru."

And here there was no suitable answer. They stood, undressed and crawled into bed. They held each other the same as they did every night, but somehow, this time seemed different, regretful. This time they were saying a sort of...wordless goodbye.

The Ootori residence was quiet, and yet semi-busy. The sun had barely risen, and already the estates occupants were up and dressed and moving about. The entire extended family had flown into the country from exotic places like Russia and Europe, and most of the rooms were filled by cousins and uncles, as well as the select friends of the family who were also staying within the residence.

Kyouya, youngest of the Ootori's and recently of age, had woken early and milled about his quarters for most of the morning, suffering not from nerves, but from over thinking, over calculating his wedding. There were many variables left up to chance with any wedding, although in this union it was mostly things directly related to the bride - although any flaws she had were redeemable by means of mistress, and any personal issues that grew between them were of little matter to him, as Kyouya rarely intended to see his wife, and certainly did not count on spending any quality time with the woman, although...he had to admit, there was a certain alluring quality about here - a mysterious one that matched her brother's sulking nature. It seemed like Hitachiin Kaoru had a secret, and there was nothing that either Kyouya, nor his brothers, enjoyed more than a brain teaser...

He decided it was a good time to shower at about six; to bathe thoroughly before dressing in the personally tailored pants, shirt and jacket that had been hung in his closet some time during the night. Warm, hot water ran through his hair, down his face and over his body in a calming, cleansing sort of way before swirling around the drain, While he showered, Kyouya's mind couldn't help but to wander, again.

Would Kaoru be willing to have children without peer pressure -if so, how many? Would that seemingly obsessive, possessive older brother hinder any approach he attempted to make on the younger woman? How, exactly, had his father intended to reap profits by taking over the Hitachiin business? How did he intend to do so now? Was it really worth marrying this girl really worth a couple extra million in stocks and the (inevitably fragile) safety-net alliance?

Kyouya turned off the water and stepped out to dry himself.

Was that foul attitude and pessimistic outlook going to follow them into the marriage? If she cheated on him, what would the reasons she give be? Too much work on his part? Not enough romance? (Oh, the options were so numerous). What would be her terms and conditions for playing the part of 'happy-wife' in front of others? Money? (That had been Yuki's.) Freedom? (That had been Fuyumi's.) That aforementioned affair? (That had been Matsuki's.) Was Kaoru a redhead all over -

"Oh, sorry, senpai. I didn't realize you were in one of the various stages of undress."

The Ootori had emerged from the bathroom, towel slung low around his hips and hair still dripping, only to find Haruhi lounging on his couch across from his bathroom door, feet perched upon the coffee table and reading a magazine. She was the only other person in his rooms, and he was otherwise naked, and yet she was unfazed by his partial nudity, the same for him and her presence.

"You look lovely in the bride's maid dress, Haruhi," he commented, crossing toward the the closet and passing behind the couch. Her head did not turn to follow his movements; in fact, the woman didn't look up from her reading at all, and casually flicked a page.

"Thank you," she said. "I feel like a cow, though...Are you excited?"

"Over what?" he threw over his shoulder, pulling his undergarments up his legs before removing the towel and making to step into the finely cut, pleated slacks.

"Don't tell me you don't feel at least a twinge of anticipation about your wedding day," she cooed in semi-disbelief. "Even if it is an arranged marriage, a marriage is a wonderful bond between two people."

Turning to her, Kyouya began to pat dry his hair and torso. "Tamaki rubbing off on you, or is your pregnancy making you a hopeless romantic?"

He could practically hear Haruhi shrug. "Both, I guess...Do you like this girl?"

"She's...opinionated, loud, snappish, severally attached to her brother and too bold for her gender," he recited, pulling on the tailored dress shirt and casually striding over to sit opposite Haruhi. On the way, he paused to pick up a different magazine - some financial rag - and used it to shove the brunette's heeled feet off his coffee table.

"Well, I like her. She seemed to be a real nice girl, albeit a little reluctant in everything. A little bothered by children, but not snotty or anything." She smiled. "Opinionated? Loud You know who that sounds like?"

Kyouya groaned. "Tamaki..."

"Yes, Tamaki. Darling Tamaki..." A smirk. "Anyway, your sister sent me in here - we need to leave in eight minutes for the wedding home. After all, it's your wedding day."

Alright! Pre-emptive strike against flamers! I know, everyone seems a bit sexist. But, if you think about what I'm trying to demonstrate here, the higher class children were raised in a very sexist atmosphere, where women had their place and men had all the power. So, thus, Kaoru's a real-step-OUT of that norm and he knows it. Well, Haruhi's a bit out of the norm, too and - OH! BTW! She makes another apperance! I'm likin' her, so expect more! And more Fuyumi, and sadly, less Hikaru until the plot calls for it.

So, yes, review! I write faster. And - what? What?! The preview! Oh, well...in one, hyphenated word...."THE-WEDDING-(NIGHT!)" Stay tuned!