Hello, oh dear. I have one huge apology to make. I promise, I have never left a fanfic like this beyond two weeks let alone months, but I can explain.

One I had major writers block and was considering taking this off because of it, which again I have never had to do before.

Two, I kept it because I was determined to overcome it...

Three, I have had A-levels this year and to be fair, they have been such a pain and incredibly time consuming, but all my exams are over now and I have had time to work this out so hopefully the writers block is sorted. I hope any of my previous reviewers do not hate me, and that they enjoy this chapter to make up for it. This will not be happening again and I promise to work on this as I have the time to focus on it properly again now.

Again, many apologies, but please do enjoy and review! Thankyou!

During the weeks that followed, things remained busy at the Host Club, though it was during this time that Kaoru had learnt more about Sarina. The thing which had initially surprised him the most was the discovery that she was in the same year as he was, Kaoru simply assuming that she was a freshman. But it wasn't just that which surprised him in comparison to finding out that Haruhi knew of her.

'Yes, Kyoya-Senpai told me about it that morning you and Hikaru were late,' Haruhi had responded to Kaoru's falsely casual mentioning of her.

'Kyoya-Senpai?' he responded great two people know...soon to be three...he thought with a sigh, knowing that information didn't evade his highness for long.

'Why are you asking anyway Kaoru?' Haruhi then asked, regaining the younger twin's attention.

'I just wondered if you'd seen her...I heard we had a new transfer...'

'Well I haven't seen her,' Haruhi said thoughtfully, 'it's a surprise she hasn't found the host club yet...' she added, the thought never crossing Kaoru's mind. It was inevitable...as with any girl at the Ouran High School, the host club was a desirable one that attracted many guests on a daily basis, and even if they had favourites, Kaoru and Hikaru were two in one. They of course had never been without one another, and that was the way it appeared to their clients and guests.

As the hosts entertained that afternoon, Kyoya did something quite unusually and requested to speak to Hikaru and Kaoru despite them having guests. 'Hey! We were in the middle of out "which one is Hikaru" game,' they both remarked indignantly.

'I shall offer my deepest apologies in a moment to those guests, but for now I need to ask whether you will be hosting for the cherry blossom festival.'

'I didn't realise we had a choice,' Hikaru replied leaning against his brother.

'Not everyone will be hosting I don't think. With it being a symbolic day I am aware Tamaki will want to have some time alone with Haruhi.'

'Time alone?' they both repeated with raised eyebrows, Haruhi's voice cutting in smoothly.

'Keep your minds clean,' she said, her tone denoting her weary expectancy of them seeing things in the wrong light. 'Not that I see what the fuss is. Yes the blossom festival is pretty I'll admit, but where does anything romantic come into it? Besides it will leave the club two hosts short,' Haruhi remarked, the twins commenting

'She's hopeless...' in a knowing tone, suggesting they were fast giving up on even trying to understand her after spending a year with this futile effort.

'Well seen as you've volunteered yourselves for the festival it shouldn't be a problem,' Kyoya remarked smoothly, checking something off his clipboard. '...and the extra guests can be divided between myself, Honey-Senpai, Mori-Senpai and you two,' he said trailing off as Hikaru and Kaoru muttered,

'We never volunteered...'

Though as Haruhi looked on, she knew it was better not to disagree with Kyoya, the numerous additions to her debt being proof of that. In fact it was only really thanks to Tamaki that she'd had the entire debt written off, Haruhi have been told that it was just handled like that, though she held onto her belief that Tamaki had paid it himself, not that the Princely-type host would ever admit to it...and as for Kyoya...Haruhi was sure there would have been more money involved for him to not say anything, though she remained cautious now around the more precious valuables in the room, being determined not to let history repeat itself. Though her fond thoughts of Tamaki didn't last long when she heard him romantically declare her name...

Give me strength... she thought rolling her eyes as Tamaki took her hand, spinning the bewildered girl round and kissing her hand delicately before offering her a rose.

'A delicate red to symbolize a prince's love for his princess...' Tamaki remarked, the blush running across his features as he stood dramatically.

'So Kawaii!' the guests exclaimed, tears welling up in their eyes.

'Well there goes our show for today,' Hikaru and Kaoru said in unison, watching their guests crowd in with the others to watch Tamaki and Haruhi.

'Tamaki-Senpai, must you do that here?' Haruhi said in exasperation. 'Don't you have guests to entertain?'

'I may do...but it is wrong to lead on another lady when I feel so much heartache from being without you-'

'Oh seriously!' Haruhi remarked throwing her hands up in the air 'I'm not one of your guests Tamaki, so stop acting so dramatic and over the top. Try being yourself for once!' she snapped unintentionally, Tamaki looking at her for a moment in surprise, the other hosts also being slightly shocked by her outburst. The hosts knew Tamaki could be a little overbearing sometimes, but it was rare for Haruhi to get so frustrated, particularly since they had started seeing one another. Though it was as hurt then came to Tamaki's expression that Haruhi found herself averting his gaze in immediate guilt, the rose he had given her slipping from her grasp as she walked away in frustration, a fierce blush upon her cheeks...

Though once she had shut the door, Tamaki had been left to slowly sink into his corner of woe, Honey distracting the guest's attention with his cute appearance as he hopped onto Mori's shoulders...

'Well that was unexpected,' Hikaru remarked, Kyoya nodding as he made a slight sideward glance to the door.

'It isn't uncommon for Haruhi to get annoyed with Tamaki once in a while...' he remarked calmly, the twins glancing to one another before heading to the door themselves.

'You're hosting...' Kyoya reminded them without looking up from his laptop as he sat opposite it.

'Nah, our guests have been taken care of by Honey-Senpai and Mori-Senpai. Besides you already interrupted us when we were in full flow,' Hikaru and Kaoru shrugged.

'So we're gonna go and check and Haruhi,' Kaoru added, his voice always seeming slightly softer compared to his brothers. Though as they left the room and walked down the corridor, Kaoru and Hikaru looked outside to see Haruhi sat by the large pool of water that was adorned with a large stone statue...

Going outside to her, Haruhi was at first seemingly unaware of them, though as they came to stand behind her she said calmly, 'shouldn't you both be with the host club?'

'We could say the same to you,' Hikaru suggested.

'But, our guests have been preoccupied by Honey and Mori-Senpai' Kaoru added,

'So we thought we'd come and see you,' they concluded together.

'You want to know why I stormed off like that don't you. Well if you've come to play jokes or try and annoy me I'm not in the mood,' she said still looking away from the twins who now exchanged more serious glances. So sitting on either side of her, Kaoru gained Haruhi's attention by putting his hand gently on her shoulder.

'We're not here to mess around, we wanted to make sure you were okay,' he said genuinely, brushing his amber hair back slightly, 'you don't often get that angry with his highness.'

'In fact you don't even get that angry at all anymore,' Hikaru continued.

'I just hate it sometimes,' Haruhi said in frustration. 'He treats me like I'm some guest of his, and I know what the guests are to you. Sure you flirt with them and act out their fantasies through your "types," but in the end, none of them mean anything to us do they? They're just part of the roles we play...the way Kyoya makes the money to keep the Host Club going.'

'Is that what this is about? You think Tamaki-Senpai doesn't care about you?' Kaoru asked gently.

'We all do! You should know that!' Hikaru said in a more agitated manner, though upon meeting his twins gaze, his tone softened slightly. 'Of course our lord cares about you. He might act annoying...over dramatic...and eccentric. But the way he tries to show his love for you is genuine. Haven't you noticed he has hardly any guests now?'

'Well I-'

'...and how he keeps considerable distance from them. He entertains them sure, but he doesn't take their hand or anything like he used to. He's cut himself off from the guests in that way because his interest is in you...and you may think it's false...but him declaring his love for you...' Kaoru said softly presenting her with Tamaki's rose...

'It's genuine every time...' Hikaru finished, Haruhi looking into Kaoru and Hikaru's eyes and smiles before down at the red rose she had been given.

Reaching out with nimble fingers to delicately take the rose from Kaoru's hand, Haruhi carefully looked over it, thinking of the hurt in Tamaki's expression before she had left and stood up. 'Thanks,' she said with a weak smile, the twins standing up and leaning now casually into one another.

'No problem,' they grinned, watching Haruhi return inside.

Yet it was only as they went to return home later that afternoon, that Hikaru suggested Kaoru join him at the stables while he practised his riding, it being the only activity the twins didn't partake in together, following Kaoru's want to find more differences between them. Though Kaoru enthusiastically agreed to come and watch, finding it impressive how well his brother was able to ride and control the horses whilst driving a carriage. It being something the host club planned to use for the cherry blossom festival before the host club started their all-day session in the grounds of the prestigious school.

So as the twins returned inside to collect their bags from the host club, they mused over the differences the host club had taken following Haruhi and Tamaki starting a relationship. Whilst the structure was quite the same, it was true to say that Tamaki had taken on fewer guests, deciding that they would be better suited to the other hosts, even giving Kyoya some time away from his paperwork as he personally hosted some of Tamaki's former guests. Though he handled the matter appropriately as normal, and performed in a naturally professional manner. Yet as they went inside the room, the last of the days guests were just leaving, the girls waving goodbye to the twins, who returned with polite nods and wide grins that left the girls swooning over them, the twins high-fiving one another as the door closed. Though the first thing that they noticed was the absence of Tamaki...

'Where is his highness?' Hikaru asked,

'Tama-chan and Haru-chan went out for a while,' Honey beamed cheerfully, 'and holding hands too!' he added Kaoru smiling at this news, though remembering the look on Haruhi's face at seeing the rose Tamaki had given her again, it evoked some emotion as he had considered what she had said.

It was true that the host club was largely business-based, its attraction of customers gaining much profit, though the profit often went towards the extravagant costumes and set that was changed frequently to create different and unique atmospheres for the guests. Yet somehow Kaoru wondered how the guests could be okay with the idea of adoring guys they would probably never get to date...though he supposed if they were okay with that fantasy, they couldn't really say no. After all, everyone found there soul mate in the end...didn't they...?

'Well you did well in getting Haruhi to return, it was better for the guests to see Haruhi and Tamaki making up,' Kyoya noted as he closed his laptop for the day and readjusted his glasses. 'This term has been quite profitable and with the Cherry Blossom festival it is sure to finish well.'

'Haii!' Honey said brightly, 'I can't wait till the festival; there will be so many sweet things to eat! And the blossoms are so pretty...'

'Yes well I think traditional Kimono is the plan for attire, but as you know it will be hosted from the gardens, so there is much to prepare...' Kyoya remarked.

'Ready Kaoru?'

'Yes,' Kaoru nodded, coming from his reverie and catching his bag as they bid the other hosts goodbye, Kyoya reminding them about the time to be at the host club the following afternoon.

'Yes, yes, we know,' the twins said in unison, glad to be out for the day as they went down to the entrance of the Ouran High School where their limousine awaited them.

Getting to the stables where Hikaru and Kaoru had one section that was privately owned, Hikaru went to get changed whilst Kaoru went to stand over by the ring where the horse-riders trained and practised. This was where Hikaru had spent a lot of his time practising for the recent Ouran fair, his time being spent more with the horse and carriages together rather than the horses themselves. So once the fair was over in the time that the term had ended, Hikaru had continued learning to ride horseback whilst Kaoru had taken on art lessons, wanting to learn about watercolour painting and sketching, the idea of watching his brother horse-riding making Kaoru think he may find a source of inspiration.

Though as Hikaru changed into his riding clothes, he then went into the stables where two identical chestnut stallions were kept, Hikaru going in with each of them and spending some time with them before putting on the saddles and reigns and leading them both out into the field beside the ring where they could graze while he prepared to train. Yet as Kaoru waved to his brother, he then heard the gate click beside him and turned to see another rider about to enter the ring, some thin curls of her red hair just being visible through the edges of the helmet, Kaoru recognising the girl as she turned slightly.

'Sarina...' he murmured, the girl apparently hearing him as she turned to see him and smiled a little, clearly not expecting to see him there. Though as she went to speak, she was nudged in the back slightly by her own horse; Sarina turning to stroke his muzzle softly. Kaoru noted that her horse was a stallion like his brothers, though completely black with one white hoof and a white star marking just above his eyes. So mounting him, Sarina began a gentle trot around the ring, soon quickening the horses pace to a gallop as they cleared the first jump, Kaoru watching her intently as she rode with precision, her expression never altering as they did farther and higher jumps, her horse clearing them with considerable ease as she rode. Though it was as Hikaru came beside his brother, that Kaoru looked at him with a smile.

'Sure you don't want to try?' Hikaru offered,

'Positive,' Kaoru nodded, 'I'm happy to just watch,' he smiled, Hikaru nodding as he patted his horse gently before leading him into the ring, Sarina apparently noticing as she slowed to a softer pace, allowing Hikaru to come in and begin the circuit she had just done. Though what surprised Kaoru, was the way she then approached him on her horse and dismounted.

'Hello,' she smiled,

'Hi,' he responded a little shyly, not expecting her to have joined him.

'I didn't expect to see you here,' she remarked softly, 'is that your brother riding?'

'Yes, I said I'd come and watch him, you ride very well,' he complimented, Sarina looking up to her horse fondly as she nodded.

'It's only because ebony is so well behaved. He's a very tame horse,' she smiled, 'do you not ride?' she continued softly, her emerald eyes distracting him slightly.

'No,' he said shaking his head slightly in an attempt to redeem himself, 'it's more of a hobby my brother enjoys and one of our few differences' he finished.

'Well, I just wanted to thank you actually...you were very kind to me on my first day,' she smiled, 'though I must apologise for not approaching you sooner. You must think badly of me...'

'No, not at all,' he replied looking up to her horse and smiling himself. 'I should have spoken to you sooner, and I would never accept a ladies apology when I should take half of the blame,' he remarked, Sarina watching as Kaoru slowly stroked Ebony's muzzle, his touch gentle as he long slender hands ran over his face, the horse nickering quietly as he stayed in place for Kaoru.

'He likes you,' she noted, Kaoru continuing to smile when Sarina checked the time, 'ah; I'd better get going...I need to get Ebony back before my driver arrives to collect me. It was nice speaking to you though,' she said, coming out of the gate to leave a little regretfully, Hikaru looking over at the pair curiously as Kaoru stood in place for a moment before moving to close the gate for her.

'Well I – I mean, it would be nice if perhaps you'd like to talk again?' he suggested without thinking through how to say it, Kaoru never thinking he would find it hard to know how to speak to a girl in all his years as a host..

'I'd like that...' she returned softly, Kaoru feeling a little heat rising in his cheeks, as he nodded, Sarina bidding him goodbye as she walked away with a final glance and smile, Kaoru not realising his brother was watching him as the older one of the twins quickly picked up his pace again before Kaoru turned back, feeling an overwhelming amount of emotion at the thought of seeing Sarina again...

Well where will this take them, and what does Hikaru think of this new girl Kaoru has been speaking too?

Will all be coming up in following chapters.

I hope I am forgiven now, and I shall do my best for the next update.

Please review, thankyou!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x