Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club or any of its characters.

*This story is my property, so no stealing, thanks.*

A/N: Ahhhhh it's been so long since I updated! If you've been waiting for this chapter impatiently, then I give my humblest apologies. I've had major writer's block combined with a very busy schedule. And I didn't think it would be.. um *cough*2 months*cough* But finally here it is! Haruhi-Kaoru one on one! epic music Maybe that's a bit over dramatic, but I am very excited to post this. Hope you enjoy chapter 3!

It was long after the sunset had fallen on the horizon. By now, the sky outside was dark and cold. The chill seeped through the glass, fogging around the edges of the window. Vaguely, as Kaoru pressed his forehead to the glass, he wondered if Haruhi had made it home safely. He'd heard Hikaru arrive home not long ago. Many halls and doors away, Kaoru had faintly made out the echo of the front door, and his brother's voice calling a servant. Eventually, muffled footsteps sounded in the hall, passing quietly in front of his door before fading away. But Kaoru didn't care. His brother could ignore him for now. Sooner or later, he'd have to come to pass with what he'd done, whether he liked it or not.

It had been a quiet day for Kaoru. After Hikaru and Haruhi had left, Kaoru disappeared into his bedroom. There he stayed until the afternoon, letting his mind run blank, calming down. At some point, he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling but not seeing anything but his brother's face. This 'calming down' thing wasn't working; all he could think about was what Hikaru had said. Only when a maid came in to bid him to lunch could Kaoru forget about the fight, if momentarily. After that, the rest of the day passed rather swiftly. And now, although he could not quite remember how, Kaoru found himself back on his windowsill, his forehead on the window.

Kaoru yawned widely, and pulled back from the window. His whole body ached, and he felt completely brain-dead. Running his fingers through his hair, he yawned again. Maybe it was time to get some sleep.

Slowly, he reached up to unbutton his shirt. But before he could, he heard a soft tap on his door. Turning towards the sound, he wondered who it was. Maybe it was a maid or something. He'd just shoo her away. But upon opening the door, he froze. Instead of a dark uniform and apron, the girl in front of him was wearing a colorful scarf wrapped around her shoulders, her deep brown eyes staring at him from under her dark hair.

Kaoru could feel his face redden as Haruhi looked at him curiously. He thought she'd already left for home. After all, it was getting late. And to be honest, her arrival caught him off guard; he was a little taken aback. Haruhi must have sensed his confusion, because she spoke up quietly.

"Do you mind if I talk to you, Kaoru?" she asked. She raised her eyebrows anxiously at him. Kaoru snapped out of his daze.

"Of course." He replied quickly, stepping aside to let her through. She tentatively walked through the door, and sat down on the bed. Kaoru looked up and down the hallway. Making sure that Hikaru wasn't nearby, he closed the door softly. Walking across the room, Kaoru sat down beside her, letting a puff of air escape the covers. Running his fingers up and down the creases of the sheets, he could feel her eyes watching him closely.

The silence hovered in the air between the two teens. Kaoru's face flushed, slightly embarrassed at the awkward pause. He wasn't quite sure what he should say to her. Why was she here? Maybe it was about the fight or something. Kaoru's jaw hardened at the thought of Hikaru and Haruhi, chatting away together on their date. Had Hikaru said something about him to Haruhi? Beside Kaoru, Haruhi cleared her throat a little.

"Kaoru?" She began cautiously. The sound of his name tensed Kaoru up slightly, sending the blood rushing to his face. He glanced at her slowly, noticing how unnaturally quiet she seemed. Usually, it was Haruhi's way to say things head-on and blunt, yet at the moment she seemed…tentative? She began to speak again.

"Kaoru, I heard you guys fighting this morning." She flushed a little as she said this. Kaoru raised his eyebrow slightly, knowing why. But it didn't matter that she'd heard them. He nodded, willing Haruhi to continue.

"You guys sounded really mad at each other. And you started crying." Kaoru blushed, thinking of that moment, staring into her eyes. At that moment, he'd felt completely heartless, devoid of feeling. He felt so broken that staring into her eyes, he barely comprehended the connection. Haruhi continued on slowly.

"What did Hikaru say?"

Kaoru could feel the anger rising steadily in him at his brother's name. Out of anyone he knew, only Haruhi would understand his point of view right now. For a split second, he considered just letting it all come out, spilling everything he'd felt to her. But taking a deep breath, he knew she didn't need that kind of drama from him. He shrugged his shoulders a bit, and tried to brush it off.

"It was just something stupid, our tempers were running high. That's all." Even as he spoke, Kaoru knew she wouldn't buy it. She was too persistent. Sure enough, she frowned as she replied, her tone gently plying.

"I don't really think that's it, Kaoru." She took a deep breath and looked at him straight in the face. Inwardly the force of her gaze was a bit unsettling. Those eyes… Mentally kicking himself, he stared right back as she finished.

"Tell me the truth. I want to help you."

The light from the bedroom lamp glowing through her hair, and illuminating her face. Her deep brown eyes sparkled within their depths, and her face was rosy from the fresh air of the market. Thinking back to his fight with Kaoru, he remembered his brother's words:

"If you wanted to date her, maybe you shouldn't have let me have her!"

As much as he didn't want to admit, his brother was right. If he ever wanted a chance, then it was time to make his move. Looking into her eyes as best as he could, and with a deep breath, Kaoru spoke three simple words.

"I love you."

Haruhi barely moved, her eyes widening just slightly. He exhaled, not realizing he'd been holding his breath. The words were out; there was no going back now. He rushed on speaking, trying his best not to talk too fast.

"Ever since I've met you, I've loved you. At first you were just like a sister to me, but then suddenly I just started falling for you. And Hikaru feels the same way, I know it. But Hikaru made his move before I did, and now… it's just…" He paused, searching for the right words. "It's too late for me."

Haruhi watched him as he spoke, her eyes still wide. Once he finished speaking, she didn't move, but looking at her, Kaoru could see her blush ever so slightly. Looking down at the floor, he tried to block out the voices screaming in his head. Had he said too much? Was it too abrupt? He'd just ruined everything; she'd never feel the same way, he knew that from the beginning.

After a few moments, Kaoru felt something gently touch his hand. Looking over, he watched as Haruhi laid her hand atop his, closing her fingers around his. Haruhi looked up at him.

"Did the fight have to do with… me?" She asked expectantly. Kaoru considered lying to her, to keep this from progressing, but slowly he nodded. She drew back a little at his answer, but continued to hold his hand.

"I'm sorry." She said.

Immediately Kaoru knew he was too late. He could see it in her eyes; love, yes, but not the kind he was looking for. He should've known that she would never feel the same way he did. Haruhi looked away from him, and talked quietly.

"I've always loved you too, Kaoru. Both of you. But to me, you are like my brother. I will always love you and be there for you, but not in that way. Besides," she said, looking at him with hesitation, "I think Hikaru needs me more."

Between the two teenagers, there passed a look of understanding. They both knew the way Hikaru was. Being two of the only real people in his lives, they both tried to let him grow and become someone independent of who he had been in the past. And although Kaoru hated the fact of what Haruhi said, he knew it was true. He would survive in the real world. Unlike his brother, he was not dependent on people. He would be okay. But when everything was said and done, would Hikaru be able to make it alone?

Kaoru nodded, and sighed. Looking at Haruhi, he could feel his eyes start to well up.

"I'm sorry I never told you this sooner. Maybe if I did, things would be different."

Haruhi smiled a little, and pulling his hand towards her, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Startled at the action, Kaoru tensed up, but slowly he hugged her back. The two sat there for a moment. Drawing back almost reluctantly, Haruhi smiled at him, and put her hand to his face, brushing away a single tear. She smiled.

"I will always be there for you, Kaoru. Don't worry."

Kaoru managed a small smile, despite how he really felt. He knew it would never happen from the beginning, but even so, it was sad to think about either way.

"Thank you." He said.

Haruhi glanced at her watch, then stood up. She turned back to Kaoru.

"I think I should probably go."

Bending down, Haruhi leaned towards Kaoru. Tentatively, she kissed him on the cheek, barely brushing her lips across his face. Kaoru froze up, his face blushing bright pink. Slowly she drew back, her face showing the smallest of smiles. Then without a word, Haruhi opened the door and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Kaoru was still frozen when she closed the door behind her. After a moment, he fell back on his bed, his mind spinning with confusion. Rather pleasant confusion, it must be said. When he'd kind of gotten over what happened, he sat up. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he knew what had to happen next. And though he wasn't really looking forward to it, it was necessary. Despite their argument, after his conversation with Haruhi, he knew for sure that this kind of stuff coming between the two of them wasn't worth it. It was time to have a talk with Hikaru.