Kaoru snuggled up against his brother and laid his head on him. He nestled his head against his brother's chest and drifted back to sleep. It was only by the morning light shining in that awoke Kaoru from his sleep and his fantasy. The illusion that his brother had returned to sharing his bed had been dispelled, leaving Kaoru to stare longingly at the empty side of the bed. He sighed, every morning the previous two weeks had begun roughly the same. While he was able to see through the continuous tricks that his mind would play on him, they were nevertheless reminders that he was alone in the mornings which always tugged on his heart. So with another heavy heart Kaoru began to prepare himself for school.

"Are you finished sir?" The butler asked.

"Yes, I am. Please thank the chef for me. It was another delicious breakfast." Kaoru said.

As the butler cleaned away one twin's empty plate he saw the other one enter the dining room. "I'm afraid, sir, that with you having to depart for school so soon the breakfast options may be very limited."

Hikaru huffed, "Just some fresh fruit will be fine then."

Kaoru looked at his brother, "There's no reason to be so rude. You're the one who got up late."

"I'm not being rude! And I couldn't help waking up late; my alarm clock didn't go off." Hikaru growled.

"Then it's time to get a new alarm clock! After two weeks of it not working even a poor commoner would have gotten a new one." Kaoru growled back before he stood up and marched out the dining room without another word. He could feel his brother's glare trying to burn through the back of his head. He ignored it and continued to walk on.

The next morning was another long drive to school. The twins had argued the whole way there. Hikaru didn't wait for their chauffeur to come around to open his door. "Will you just shut up Kaoru! You always act so superior to me, I can't stand it." Hikaru jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut. Kaoru sat in the car for a moment, both to collect himself and to give time for everyone who had just witnessed their spat to move along.

"Forgive my asking but, is everything alright between you two?" The chauffeur asked.

Kaoru looked up into the review mirror, allowing him to see part of the driver's face. "Just peachy." Kaoru mumbled.

"Is there some way I could help?"

Kaoru shook his head, "I doubt it. I don't even know what the problem is."

"Have you asked him?" The driver asked.

Kaoru sighed, "I have but he won't tell me. Well, the truth anyways, he just feeds me some line and then another fight starts. You heard our fight all the way here. It was because I was supposedly hogging the economy section of the newspaper this morning. Hikaru barely even looks at the newspaper most days let alone bothers to read the economy section."

"I'm sorry. I really wish I could help." The chauffeur said kindly.

"It's alright. Just talking right now has helped. Thank you." Kaoru looked out the window and saw that no one was staring any longer. "I best get into school now." When he saw the driver go to get out Kaoru stopped him, "there's no need. I can get my own door."

When Kaoru sat down at his desk with a huff Haruhi turned to him. "Bad morning?"

"Terrible." Kaoru groaned and laid his head against the cool wood and buried his head under his arms.

Haruhi reached out and rubbed Kaoru's back, "Care to talk about it?"

Kaoru shook his head the best he could, "No. It's complicated."

Haruhi sighed as neither one of the Hitachiin twins had let on about what ever had caused the friction between them. Each member of the Host Club, both past and present, had their suspicions about what caused the divide but none of them had any significant evidence to actually prove any of their theories. The only time that things were back to normal was during the Host Club, which boggled her mind because the Host Club was anything but normal.

"Arr!" Hikaru growled as he swung his sword at his brother.

"You'll never take my treasure landlubber!" Kaoru cried back parrying his brother's attack.

The small skirmish between the brothers was watched intently by their trio of girls. They oohed and awed at the twins' sword play. The twins had been practicing their sword play for years and were glad to finally be able to show it off. After another failed attack Hikaru allowed their blades to slide down to their hilts, allowing him to talk closely with his brother. "You're getting all sweaty Kaoru." Hikaru said, "Let's finish this then I can wash the sweat off of your body." The girls squealed.

Kaoru growled in response, not because he was being in character but because he was slipping out. He found that he had slowly grown to despise the Host Club. It wasn't because he had grown bored with it, or because Tamaki was driving him insane, or that the girls demanded too much. No, it was because every day he came into Music Room #3 and was reminded how things used to be with his brother, even if it had only been a short while. For only a few days during the summer the act wasn't an act. It was real, and he had thought it would never end. But now he came to the Host Club and had to flirt with the man that had been causing so much pain in his life, he had to…

An intense pain shot through Kaoru's arm causing him to drop his sword to the ground. He grabbed his wrist and let out a scream that covered the gasp of the girls watching them. The next thing he felt were his brother's arms around him. "Kaoru! Kaoru! I am so sorry. I thought you were going to block it. I didn't mean it. I am so sorry. Why didn't you block it?"

Kaoru looked at his brother. He felt his warm embrace. He felt his breath against his skin. Kaoru looked into his brother's eyes the best he could. 'Is this just part of our act, or do you actually care?' "…hikaru…"

"Is everything alright?" came a voice from behind Kaoru.

"I accidently hit Kaoru. He was supposed to block it but he just stood there." Hikaru explained.

"Are you okay Kaoru?" Kyoya asked.

Kaoru pulled away from his brother's embrace and turned to Kyoya still clutching his wrist. "I don't know. It hurts pretty badly."

"Let me see." Kyoya said taking Kaoru's hand gently.

Kaoru winced as Kyoya's fingers carefully brushed over his wrist. Kyoya's look was serious, but then again when wasn't it? Kaoru didn't like the way the Shadow King was looking at him, but then to his relief he gave him a slight smile. Which Kaoru interpreted to be Kyoya's reaction to knowing the Host Club had just dodged a financial bullet, "I don't think anything is broken. It likely will just be bruised and tender for a few days."

The younger twin smiled at the vice-president. 'While Kyoya may only be paying attention to me because I make a profit. At least I know he genuinely cares if I'm hurt.'

"I would suggest you take it easy for the rest of the day, and put some ice on it." Kyoya advised.

"I'll go get you some ice Kaoru!" one girl volunteered.

"And I'll get a pillow you can rest your wrist on." Volunteered another.

While the third cried out, "And I'll get you a cup of coffee!"

Kaoru moved to a chair and looked at his brother who still stood on the floor, avoiding eye contact.

The next day at lunch another battle waged on. "I said I was sorry didn't I?" Hikaru growled at his brother across the table.

"Yes you did." Kaoru agreed sternly.

"Then why do you keep bringing it up and pestering me with it?" Hikaru protested.

"I'm not!" Kaoru shouted. "You are the one who keeps bringing it up."

"Why would I bring it up? I said I was sorry."

"I never said you weren't!"

Haruhi hit the table. "Will you two knock it off already? This whole routine is getting old."

"It's not a routine." Hikaru lashed out. "Kaoru just can't let things go."

"What's with you lately Hikaru? You've changed." Kaoru said coldly.

Hikaru stood up and grabbed his tray. "I'm out of here."

"Well so am I" Kaoru said leaving his tray on the table and walking out into the hall. He walked outside in need of fresh air, instead what he found was a small cloud of smoke surrounding a group of students.

"Hey umm… Hik…"

"Kaoru." The younger twin growled.

"Oh, sorry." Replied the smoker.

Kaoru was torn between tearing into the smoker and just continuing on. Instead he picked a third option. "Can I have one of those?" He said pointing to the cigarette hanging out of the guy's mouth.

"Sure." The smoker said, pulling the pack out of his pocket. He knocked one out into his hand and handed it to Kaoru. Kaoru put it in his mouth, and before he could ask for a light he found that a lighter was already burning the end of the cigarette.

"Thanks." Kaoru said. He then took in a deep inhale. He had smoked a few cigarettes before with his brother, but that didn't mean he did not cough after the smoke burnt its way through his body. After a few moments everything seemed more relaxed. When he was finished with his cigarette he crushed it under his heel and flicked it into a garbage can. He then went to walk away but stopped, he turned back to the person he had gotten the cigarette from. "Thanks again. I can't tell you how much I needed that."

"Where's your brother Hikaru?" asked one of the girls looking around the Music Room.

"I don't see him anywhere." Stated another.

"I don't think he's ever been late before." Said the third girl.

"Relax. I'm sure he just got held up in class. He's been so worried about his classes that he's been staying up all night and won't come to bed." Hikaru bemoaned.

The girls surrounded Hikaru, and gave him a sympathetic "aww…"

Kaoru gave a small cough, bringing the eyes of the group onto him, "Sorry I'm late. I had to meet up with someone before I could come here." Kaoru explained.

Hikaru stood up, "Kaoru, who is this person you would rather spend time with than me?"

Kaoru fell into his brother's arms, "Oh Hikaru, it's not what you think. You are the only person I want to spend time with."

Hikaru held his brother tight, "I won't let you out of my sight again. Being separated from you was too much to bear. My heart ached every second I could not see my darling little brother."

"I could not stand the space between us either so I rushed to you as fast as I could." Koaru responded.

Hikaru lifted up his brother's chin, and moved down to take his brother's lips in his, but as usual he stopped. Except this time it wasn't solely due to keeping the tension and teasing. His eyes narrowed briefly and he glared at his brother. "Kaoru, you've been smoking."

The girls gasped.

Once the driver closed the door behind Kaoru, Hikaru began shouting. "What is wrong with you Kaoru? Why would you possibly start something like that?"

"Geez, HIKARU, I can't possibly imagine why I wouldn't." Kaoru retorted.

"What do you mean by that?" Hikaru growled.

"If you can't figure that out, it is your own fault," Kaoru answered, "besides, why do you care?"

"Why wouldn't I care? I'm your older brother." Hikaru pointed out.

"Sure you are acting like it right now, but the past few weeks you could have fooled me." Koaru barked.

"You don't know what the hell you are talking about." Hikaru grumbled and grabbed his headphones from his bag and put them on.

While Kaoru was forced to listen to the music as it over flowed from his brother's head, he looked at his brother and thought about what may have gone wrong.

The week passed, and Friday afternoon came. It had been a long week but Kaoru had managed fine enough, after all he now had found a decent stress reliever. But his brother's aggravation continued to grow throughout the week and even the peace they had during the Host Club began to break. And things continued to change that Friday. "Kaoru, you're still smoking."

"WHAT!?" shouted a loud voice from the middle of the room. "One of my babies has started smoking!?"

Kaoru turned to his brother and glared. "You didn't…why…"

"Momma! Have you heard that our little Kaoru has started smoking?" Tamaki shouted.

Kyoya adjusted his glasses and checked his notebook. "I'm afraid that I have."

"Hikaru how could you…" Kaoru felt a pain in his chest, his brother had tattled on him. To Tamaki!

Hikaru looked at his brother with a hurt look on his face, "it wasn't me Kaoru. Why would I go to Tamaki of all people? Why would you even accuse me of such a thing?"

"Then who…" Koaru looked around. The three regular girls looked bashfully at their feet.

"Sorry Kaoru…"

"We did it for you."

"It's for your own good."

Kaoru wanted to shout at the girls; instead what remained of the host in him took a deep breath. "I thank you girls for caring for me as much as you do." Kaoru turned his attention away from the girls in time to see a blonde streak appear in front of him. "Hey boss…"

"Don't you 'Hey boss' me you little devil! I know what you are doing." Tamaki snapped.

Kaoru gulped and took a step back. "Which is?" Kaoru asked. He had learned long ago not to admit to anything so easily.

"You know what it is…" Tamaki looked around the room and leaned in towards Kaoru and whispered, "…smoking…"

"uhh…" Kaoru stammered.

Tamaki's emotional hardness dissolved and left behind a blubbering mess. "Oh Kaoru, where did I go wrong? What did I do to drive you to such a horrible thing? Is it because Daddy hasn't been spending enough time with you?" Tamaki grabbed Kaoru's hand and pulled it to his chest. "Just tell me Kaoru and I'll change."

Kaoru pulled his hand away from his whimpering leader. "Boss, you're scaring me…"

A hand was placed on Tamaki's shoulder, "If 'Daddy' is through with his scene, I would like a word with Kaoru."

Kaoru stayed his ground. While Tamaki was loud, awkward and making a large scene, it was greatly preferred to what Kyoya was capable of. Kaoru stared Kyoya down. The stare down lasted a few moments with neither side blinking. Then Kyoya's hand went up and snapped his fingers. Quincy and Kabiki appeared on either side of Kaoru. Kaoru glared at both of them, "traitors." They picked Kaoru up and carried him off to the dressing room while Kyoya followed nonchalantly.

Once he was let free he brushed off his jacket and glared at the two younger hosts. They quivered and made for the door, just squeezing by Kyoya as he walked through it.

"I'm sorry that you had to choose the hard way so we could talk." Kyoya said.

Kaoru remained silent.

Kyoya noted the silence. "Hosts are supposed to be moral upright figures."

"You make it sound like I killed someone or gave an orphan a fake Rolex, or wore stripes with polka dots(mixed fabrics)." Kaoru huffed.

"I don't think you realize the seriousness of your actions. You are currently breaking numerous club rules and violating your contract." Kyoya said.

Kaoru grinned, "I'm so scared."

Kyoya gave Kaoru a bone chilling look, which stripped the grin off of Kaoru's face. "As I was saying, because you are breaking so many rules and violating your contract, Host Club policy states that you are to be released from the Club."

Before Kaoru could respond the door burst open and in marched an angered Hikaru, and in tumbled Tamaki as he had been leaning against the door trying to eavesdrop, when it was flung open. "Don't you think that's a little extreme?" Hikaru shouted.

"This isn't your issue Hikaru." Kyoya said.

"Of course it is my issue. You're talking about kicking my brother out of the Host Club. Did you ever stop to realize that if Kaoru goes, so does the 'brotherly love' package? He's my partner and I can't do it without him." Hikaru explained with a fire raging in his eyes.

"I'm afraid my hands are tied. Rules are rules." Kyoya explained.

"Well then they're stupid rules. The punishment doesn't fit the crime. Sure my brother has a small vice, but who doesn't? If anything we can add it to the act and become multidimensional." Hikaru countered.

"If we were to make an exception for Kaoru then we would…" Kyoya began.

"Hey Boss, did you ever think that this would break the family up? Isn't family supposed to accept each other, including their flaws?" Hikaru asked the blond who was still dazed on the floor.

Tamaki stood up shakily. "Mommy, we can't break up the family…"

Kyoya sighed, "Very well Hitachiins, you seem to have out maneuvered me this time."

Hikaru grinned at his victory, while Kaoru just stared at his brother perplexed.

"However, there are some concessions that Kaoru will have to agree to if he wishes to remain." Kyoya said.

"Fine what are they?" Hikaru asked.

Kyoya tore a page from his notebook with writing already on both sides. Hikaru's smirk once again faded, as he realized that a pre-written list meant that Kyoya had simply tossed the fight and that it all had been part of his plan. Kyoya handed the paper to Kaoru and then left the dressing room.

Kaoru climbed through the open door into the backseat of their limo. Kaoru stared at his brother. He still couldn't believe what had happened. His brother had come to his rescue. Perhaps things were changing after all. "Thanks Hikaru…"

"You better be." Hikaru teased. He then sighed and dropped his head, "I can't believe you thought I told Tamaki."

"I'm sorry, but the way you've been acting lately I thought you had." Kaoru explained.

Hikaru glared at his brother. "What do you mean the way I've been acting lately. You could be a little bit nicer I just saved your ass."

"Well I never said I needed rescuing, now did I?" Koaru fired back.

"Please, if I didn't go in there you'd be out of the Host Club right now." Hikaru said.

"You're a moron Hikaru. Kyoya got exactly what he wanted. He played you a like a violin." Kaoru said moving his arms like he was playing a violin.

Hikaru knocked his brother's arms down. He didn't like being reminded of it. "Maybe I should have just let you get thrown out with the garbage. Then I could actually have some room to breathe."

Kaoru looked at his brother for a moment then turned away. A few minutes ago things had seemed like they were magically fixed between them, now once again they fighting. The brief glimpse of hope made this new fight all the more painful.

Kaoru was in his room. It had been a couple days after he had fought with his brother and their interactions had decreased even more than they already were. He was at his desk trying to read from an old leather bound book that his mother had picked up for him the last time she was in France but he found himself not getting the satisfaction that he was used to from reading such old literature. So it was when a knock on the door came, Kaoru welcomed it most eagerly. "Yes?"

"Master Kaoru, a young mister Haninozuka for you." replied a drab voice.

"Send him in." Kaoru called back.

A minute later a small blonde boy came through the door. However, Kaoru was taken aback by Honey's appearance as his typical smile was not on his face. "Honey-senpai, what brings you here?"

Honey gave a faint smile that did not help relieve the unusual seriousness. "I've come to talk to you Kao-chan."

Kaoru stood up and walked over to the couch in his room and ushered Honey to join him. He already knew that Honey was going to lecture him about smoking as all the current members of the Host Club already had. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"How is everything in your life Kao-chan?" Honey asked.

"Same as it has been for a while." Kaoru answered with a shrug.

"How are things with Hika-chan?" Honey inquired.

Kaoru paused, it was a question he asked himself every day and was always unsure of the answer. He tried to think of an answer to give to his friend but he couldn't think of one.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Honey asked.

Kaoru looked at Honey, while he didn't look or act like someone you could go to for advice, Kaoru had done just that numerous times and was always glad that he had. But Kaoru wasn't sure if Honey could help him in his present situation. While Honey did have a brother unlike most of the current Host Club, he didn't have as close of a relationship as Hikaru and him had, even before things got complicated. He muttered his internal discussion under his breath.

"I know you and Hika-chan are really close, and that this fighting has been rough on both of you." Honey began, "I want to remind you that you can talk to me about anything Kao-chan because we're friends and that's what friends do. They help each other when they are struggling."

Kaoru looked at his friend and smiled. Although he knew that he wouldn't take Honey up on his offer, it was still nice knowing that Honey was willing to help. Instead Kaoru remained silent, and Honey took that as a sign to continue.

"I don't know what has happened or been said between you two since we left your house after you got released from the hospital but it has caused distance between the two closest people I have ever met. You're even closer than Takashi and me!" Honey stopped and blinked. His eyes then grew large as they turned and stared into Kaoru's amber eyes, while his mouth opened and closed a couple times. Honey then blushed.

"Honey-senpai, are you okay?" Kaoru asked, concerned about the rather strange behavior of his friend.

"Kao-chan, when did you and Hika-chan do it?" Honey asked innocently.

Kaoru was taken aback. "What?"

"It was on the yacht wasn't it? No it was while he was nursing you back to health, wasn't it? Did you two play doctor?" Honey asked rather excitedly leaning forward.

Kaoru wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the questions that Honey had asked, but he didn't because they weren't that absurd after all. While they didn't have sex, Kaoru felt the only thing that had stopped them were his wounds at the time. But then a question formed in Kaoru's mind, would this fight even have happened if they did have sex, or would it be worse? Could it be worse? Also why was Honey asking him about sex? And how did he know about Hikaru and him? "Honey…how did you uhh…"

Honey laughed, "You're not the only one Kao-chan. Nothing is sweeter than forbidden fruit. Not even strawberry shortcake."

The information that Kaoru had just received took only a moment to process before rendering an image of Mori with his head between Honey's open shirt, tenderly licking one of Honey's small nipples, while Honey giggles and says "Stop it Takashi, your tongue tickles." He stared blankly at Honey.

Honey looked at Kaoru, "speaking of cake…do you have any Kao-chan?"

Kaoru gave his friend a large smile happy to be relieved of the suddenly awkward situation, "Let's go see."

Author's Note: Merry Christmas everyone but if you don't celebrate Christmas than have a very great Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed your Christmas (Wednesday) present. At least this chapter ended on a much happier than the last. This happy note wasn't in the first writing of the story. I added it later and now glad that I did. Remember everyone that another chapter will be posted in a few days, so keep your eyes peeled.

A big thank you to the latest round of reviews. And thank you to those that have favorited or decided to "stalk" this story. Now time to talk with my lovely reviewers. WindlessHarmony: go ahead and stalk the story. I'm sure it won't mind and neither will I. :) I have noticed the same thing about Haruhi's role as the bad guy in numerous twin fics. I don't understand the hate either, but my years of reading Gundam Wing fanfics certainly prepared me for such hate. Ratty4949: you found angst in one of my stories? Nah, that can't be true. ;) But on that note, one of my current stories I'm writing is an OHSHC AU fantasy story that will have significantly less angst. Well atleast compared to my other stories. EternalFalsity: I know, poor Kaoru. When writing I often bum myself out, don't know if other people are the same way. Damn my connection to characters. Daringly Delightful: How could I do this? I'm a cruel heartless bastard, that's how. Mystery Guest#2(or #1, the world may never know): I hope you were able to wait. If not, I guess I better update my firewall. ;)