Under regular circumstances, it would have been perfectly typical for Hikaru to wake up hungry in the morning with someone else in his bed. So why did something feel odd?

Maybe because it wasn't the morning. This wasn't his bed. And the warm, breathing body that his arm rested on was far too petite and feminine to be his twin.

He blinked a few times before the thought registered in his food-deprived brain.

This is Haruhi.

It was with a slight shock when the happenings from a few hours ago settled into Hikaru's thoughts. He suddenly felt extremely light headed—though maybe that was because he had skipped lunch—and giddy as he recalled the facts; he and Haruhi had just had sex. She was right here, asleep beside him. And something else lit up his world like fireworks. Hikaru closed his eyes and relived the memory while waiting for the girl to wake up.

--

Haruhi was having that dream about him again, whoever 'he' may be.

Nothing was clear. It was like someone had bad cable reception or something. Every detail was amazingly sharp at one point, and then it would blur and fade the next. Everything was amazingly familiar, and yet it was… different. Well, she didn't actually expect it to make any sense. It was a dream after all, and she had already had a few that were more bizarre than this one. Something stood out in particular about this fantasy though.

There must have been some explanation as to why everything felt so much more real this time—why every nerve in her body was seemingly ablaze, why her heartbeat was racing like it was. But right now, her head was too clouded with pleasure to even care about that little voice that used to be her conscience.

She was smiling when she finally woke up. It felt like she was on cloud nine, just floating along a thousand miles from the ground.

"What a nice dream," she murmured into the pillow, burrowing herself deeper into the covers. Then she felt someone beside her. Her smile evaporated, the cloud she was riding vanished in an imaginary poof.

"Ah!" Haruhi exclaimed.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No, no, it's fine…"

But Hikaru was already busy nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck.

"Eh?! What are you doing?"

He raised a puzzled face up to look at her. "Uh, snuggling? Isn't that what people normally do after sleeping together? Not that you would know," he snorted. "Considering that it's only your second time."

Haruhi's mind raced as everything came flying back and the entire world itself came crashing down on her when she realized she was naked. Her heart stopped beating altogether when she remembered the reason for her lack of clothing. She more or less lost the will to live.

"Haruhi? Are you okay?"

The girl remained unresponsive, as if trying to blend into the bed. After a stretch of silence, she raised a weak hand up to her temple as she put everything in a nutshell. The dream felt real because… well, in a sense, it had stopped being a fantasy. Basically, she had sex with Hikaru Hitachiin. She tried to wrap her mind around it and… it felt wrong.

Suddenly, she knew why. Oh my gods.

Hikaru watched her blanch and give no further response.

"Haruhi…?"

"Hikaru, it's been a weird day," she said. It alarmed the boy when he heard how faint she sounded. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I kinda…"

He was off the bed in a flash. "Sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything—"

"It's not that."

"—and I understand if you need time to think—"

"Yes, I do. So can you…"

"Oh!" he smacked his forehead. "You're probably starving! I'll grab something to eat! What do you want?"

"Nothing—I mean…" She raised a hand wearily to her temple. "I'd like some ootoro, please. Thanks. Oh, don't hurry!" she added as he got ready to speed out the door. "You can go and grab a bite yourself. I think I'll take a shower first…"

After he left, Haruhi slipped out of bed and searched for her clothes. Yes, she was definitely hungry, she thought as her stomach growled. But she had no appetite whatsoever, not after that particular realization. What she needed right now was time to think.

--

Kaoru exited the library. He had decided to remain there instead; their bedroom was right up the hall from Haruhi's, and he knew full well what had been going on in there. He had been so troubled that he tried to lose himself in a few books. He achieved his goal for a while; he was so absorbed in the pages of his read that he skipped lunch and only remembered his needs when his stomach began to rumble in complaint.

He didn't expect to bump into anyone else there, but he found his twin hunched over the counter. Hikaru hadn't noticed him yet since his back was to the entrance, and he was tempted to just run away from there. But that wouldn't get him anywhere. He supposed they'd have to talk sooner or later; why not now?

"Hey," Kaoru greeted a little awkwardly.

Hikaru turned around.

The younger raised a questioning brow when Hikaru's eyes narrowed momentarily.

"Something wrong?"

"No, nothing."

"If you say so," Kaoru bent over his twin to inspect his plate. "Whatcha eating? Let me grab a bite, you can't finish all that…"

After a stretch of tense silence, it became apparent to him that his older brother wasn't going to say anything first, so he started.

"So… You've been having fun with Haruhi?"

Hikaru almost gagged on his soda. "Wha—"

"I saw you," Kaoru admitted. "But it was by accident, I swear. I didn't stick around."

He nodded then. "Does it still really matter? About who got Haruhi pregnant?" The question slipped out by itself.

"Do you have a problem with it?"

"It's just pretty nonsense factor to me," Hikaru went on. He couldn't turn back anymore, anyway. "I mean, you were the one who went on and on before about us being genetically identical and all that. It just got me thinking."

"Thinking about what, exactly?" the younger asked slowly.

Instinct made the elder raise his walls. "You know… We were on level footing from the start. You tried your best to make sure that happened, anyway."

"What's your point?"

"Well now, I got ahead of you this time, considering what me and Haruhi just did…" he replied. "So doesn't that mean I've won already?"

There was the tinkling sound of a glass being set down.

"You've won?" Kaoru repeated softly. He looked at his brother with disbelief etched all over his features. "What is this, some kind of game to you?"

Hikaru shrugged cynically. "It's just like the Which One is Hikaru game. But this time, whichever one of us gets chosen is the winner."

"You think so?" his twin asked. There was a definite edge in his voice. "And I suppose if you're the winner, you get a prize. I'm guessing that would be Haruhi?"

"Something like that, yeah."

Kaoru stood up suddenly. "It's nothing like that! You think this is a freaking game? You—"

"Hey," the other interrupted, rising from his chair as well. "I was only—"

"Shut up!"

"Kaoru, would you just listen to me—"

"Fuck you! Listen to me!"

The two were face to face; for the first time, one was shrinking in the other's glare. Mentally, Hikaru thought this must be some kind of payback for calling his twin a bastard earlier, but wasn't it a bit overboard?

"Haruhi is not a trophy," Kaoru said quietly, even though his voice was still quivering with anger. "And this isn't a game! It's never been!" He slammed his fist on the counter to emphasize. "Damn me for saying this, but… Right now I can hardly believe that someone as one-dimensional as you is my twin!"

"How lucky I am that you're so intellectual, then!" Hikaru said, his rage starting to match that of his double. "Because you're the one who keeps me in check since you're the fucking mature one! I can handle myself just as well!"

Kaoru snorted, causing his brother to flush. "You mean like how you're handling yourself now? Like a spoiled brat throwing a hissy fit?"

Before the other's snap could escape his mouth, another voice joined in.

"What's going on in here…?"

Haruhi stood under the doorframe. Her hair wasn't properly combed yet and it was still dripping wet; she had obviously hurried to get to the source of raised voices. However, when her eyes met the two tall figures who were practically glaring daggers at each other, she stopped in her tracks.

"Why are you fighting?" she asked with the air of someone approaching a sleeping tiger.

"No we aren't," they replied in perfect unison.

Of course, this only caused Haruhi to raise a skeptical eyebrow. She took something from the refrigerator and stuck it in the microwave for a minute, oblivious to the looks that the twins were giving her all the while.

"You're sure nothing's up?" she said as she prodded her meal with a finger to see if it was warm enough.

"No, nothing at all," was the chorused reply.

"Alright then, if you say so."

She was still unconvinced, but decided not to push matters any further.

"If you two need help with anything, you know where to find me."

"I don't need your help, don't worry" Hikaru called loudly in reply, but it was obvious to his brother that the statement was directed at him.

They watched Haruhi retreat to her room, bringing her food along with her. When the sound of her footsteps faded, the tense silence returned.

"You know what?" Kaoru said, facing away from his brother. "That's more than fine by me. From now on, you'll do everything on your own. That's what you want, isn't it? I swear that I'm never going to interfere with you again."

The elder couldn't bite his tongue quick enough to hold back his retort.

"Took you long enough!" His pride was a bit injured already, and he wanted to have the last say. But it turned out that Kaoru would have that honor.

"Wake up and grow up, Hikaru."

And with that, he left, leaving behind his very nonplussed brother.

--

How the trio managed to live through the awkwardness of yesterday was beyond them. Yuzuha had returned to find the mansion as silent as a cemetery. Not a peep could be heard. Anxious, she had headed for Haruhi and the twins' respective rooms only to find them already asleep in their beds. As a mother, she couldn't help feel even more worried that some kind of dispute must have come up during her absence. Anyway, she reasoned, what in the world were three teenagers doing in bed at nine o'clock in the evening?!

In the morning, things were admittedly (and if possible) more peculiar, even by Yuzuha's standards. Well, Haruhi and Kaoru went about things as usual. It was Hikaru that seemed to be troubled. He kept casting sideways glances at the other two all throughout breakfast and he didn't participate in the morning's chitchat. As soon as he was finished eating he announced that he would be waiting in the car.

"Without even dressing in your uniform first?" Yuzuha said, voicing out a tad of her concern.

Glowing like a stoplight, Hikaru hurried off and did the task. He then stormed out of the house and into the limousine as he had said he would do.

A few seconds later, his mother winced as she heard a thud followed by a string of colorful language, signaling the fact that her son had just tripped on the front steps.

"That is one distracted boy," she mused out loud. "What could be wrong?"

Haruhi gave Kaoru a deadpan look which he pointedly ignored. He wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin before clearing his throat and smiling at the two women in the room.

"Well Mom, we best be off too," he said.

"My, everyone's in a hurry today," Yuzuha commented. "Won't you fill me in on whatever's happening?"

Kaoru held out a hand to Haruhi. "What's happening is that we will be late if we don't get a move on."

The girl was still giving him a blank stare, making him feel as though she was looking inside him. The corner of his mouth twitched when he spoke again.

"Shall we, Haruhi?"

She took his hand and gave a polite bow to Yuzuha. "Thank you for the meal, Mrs. Hitachiin."

"You're welcome, sweetheart."

Haruhi felt her hand being tugged a little.

"Well, let's go," Kaoru beamed. "We wouldn't want to keep my dear brother waiting."

The two bid Yuzuha goodbye. When they were almost at the front door, Haruhi paused in walking.

"I wish you two would put an end to this fight now before it gets deeper."

The boy looked her up and down and saw that he wasn't getting out of talking about this.

"It's not a big deal."

"Yes it is," Haruhi contended. "Especially since you're fighting about me."

"Ah…" Kaoru said softly as he comprehended. "You heard everything?"

She nodded then sighed. "Look, I appreciate what you said back there. But you didn't have to react that way. It was completely unnecessary."

"No, I had to say all those things. You wouldn't understand," he replied with a face that said no offense meant.

Her doe eyes fixed themselves stubbornly on his amber pools.

"Try me."

A peal of small digital beeps suddenly announced itself and Kaoru was somewhat thankful for the distraction. He checked the source of the noise, which was his wristwatch.

"We have ten more minutes before we're officially late for school," he told Haruhi. "We better get moving."

--

The rest of the school day was spent in a rather dull fashion. Haruhi found that not having the twins constantly poking her while she tried to study was an alien sensation. While she rather enjoyed this lack of physical disturbance, there was still that voice in her head that kept her from focusing. In a desperate attempt to shoo it away, she turned her thoughts to the Host Club this afternoon. She wondered about how the twins would go about hosting everyone, considering the circumstances…

All in all, she didn't have a very good feeling about the club meeting today.

Today's theme was one that Tamaki had been dying to do for a while; fairies and elves (he was inspired after reading A Midsummer Night's Dream for his English class). They were to dress up in costumes that depicted things from a child's typical fairytale storybook. The male members had opposed to it, saying that the fantasy theme was too passé. But then Haruhi had unwisely chosen that moment to say that "None of our themes have ever been original, anyway. What makes this one so different?"

The comment earned her a French blonde half-strangling her with his embrace and the Shadow King's silent gaze that spelled out: If our customer numbers don't rise to new heights, your debt sure will.

Needless to say, Haruhi was already paying for it with her attire; a set of pearly wings and clusters of forget-me-nots in her hair to compliment the dress she wore. It was blue and made of a sheer, feathery fabric that floated about her knees. She made a whimsical fairy, but since she was supposedly a boy cosplaying as a girl, that was inappropriate.

Well, there was nothing they could do about it now.

"Irashaimassen!"

About a quarter of an hour was elapsed with no sign of trouble at the Hitachiins' corner of the school garden (where else to hold a fairy/elf theme?). Haruhi noticed that they were playing their part of mischievous elves quite well—they hardly had to exert any effort, anyway. She was taken away from observing them when her own guests began fussing over her.

"Haruhi, you look so pretty today!"

"Just like a real fairy!"

There was an impish chuckle as Hikaru appeared over her shoulder. Haruhi thought that it was like he had been waiting for this exact moment, but maybe that was just her.

"Do you like her outfit, ladies? It's a Hitachiin original," he said in singsong. "How do you think it makes our Haruhi look?"

"If you don't mind me saying," one client replied, blushing. "I think Haruhi makes a very lovely girl!"

Four pairs of male ears pricked up. Kaoru's had been strained since he saw his twin move towards Haruhi.

Hikaru knew they were paying attention as he made a display out of a huge sigh.

"That's it. We have to tell them about us, right Haruhi?"

"About… us?" she repeated vacantly.

A collective gasp rang in the area.

Renge rose up from her motor under the nearby gazebo, giving her signature laugh. When she jumped off to approach the club, her wings nearly fluttered for real (of course she was in the cosplay too).

"At last!" she began eagerly. "Could this possibly be the true item I have long been searching for? But if it is, what will happen to our precious 'brotherly love?' Is our Hikaru forsaking Kaoru for a newfound romance with… Haruhi? Oh, the drama of it all! I could eat five giant bowls of rice!"

"Hold it, Renge," Hikaru said. "You see, Haruhi and I are—"

He was drowned out by a number of moe-filled squeals, Renge the loudest of them all.

"This," she exclaimed. "This is the genuine article! An actual boy to boy relationship—?"

"No," the boy said loudly. "It's not like that. You see, Haruhi here is actually a girl."

A doubtful guest raised an inquiry. "If this is true, then why tell us now?"

Hikaru then snaked an arm around Haruhi's waist. "Well, we kept it a secret for a while. But there's no sense in that anymore, seeing as Haruhi and I are engaged!"


A/N: Wow, I actually updated!!! *cue the confetti and streamers* Sorry it took so long. I finally got over my writer's block!!! xD So anyway, back to the matter at hand...

Dundundun... So the news is out; Haruhi's a girl! And she's... engaged to Hikaru??? What will everyone say about this new revelation? And the twins are fighting (Kaoru cussed)! What'll happen now? 0.0

Lol, I think I went overboard with the drama factor here... But yeah, that's it. Pretty please, tell me what you think about this chappie... x)

Every time you don't review

a Unicorn dies.

Think of the Unicorns!!!

l
l
V