Title: Pursue the Trend

Summary: The hosts must grow up sometime and face the future. Kaoru has moved on, expectedly in the direction of fashion, but unexpectedly without Hikaru. Then the question is; who is the host that follows him?

Chapter 1: Disbelief

Warning: I write with both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. If it is something that will offend you, I ask that you do not read this fanfiction. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Ouran characters as they belong to Bisco Hatori.

Okay, this deals with fashion, which I know nothing about but tried to research in order to write this. Please do not flame me for this fact because I honestly am trying. Suggestions would be nice though. As well I had no choice but to use OC's so please bear with them!!! I know I have another fanfiction too, which will be my focus so this one will not be updated that often. Thank you and hope you enjoy the read!

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An alarm clock sits on a mahogany coloured cabinet, ticking away softly, long hand moving slowly toward the dreaded twelve, and once hitting it the most hideous of sounds erupts. Moaning softly, a young man, looking no older than twenty opens his eyes groggily, revealing a glazed amber shade. His eyebrows arch in what looks to be pain and pure annoyance. Yet, no matter how irritated he may be, it will not stop the ringing of the jittering clock.

Taking a slender hand from beneath the large white quilt, the young man manages to reach the clock, study it, and finally hit the black button on top. The ringing stops, and with a groan, he curls himself under the sheets, not ready to face the light of morning. It is the simple reaction of any student that is sleep deprived, tired and worn out, for it is the beginning of a new day. Soon a knock on the door to his room is heard, and the young man twitches at the disturbance.

"Kaoru Hitachiin!" a feminine voice calls out, "I know you are in there. Get up! We have Miyagi-sensei for first period today." She pauses, waiting for a response. The young man merely opens a single eye, still unwilling to move. He grins as he hears the girl outside mutter in annoyance. "Remember the last student that was late? I believe Miyagi-sensei gave him a bucket full of ice water and made him stand outside the classroom and put it-"

Snapping upwards from the bed, the man with auburn hair parted to the left glared at the door. "I get it, I get it Suzuki!" Sneezing from the lack of a shirt, the young man rubbed his pale arms and crawled off of the soft sanctuary. He cringed, while holding himself, as he heard a triumphant giggle. "I'll meet you at the café in twenty minutes okay?" stated the feminine voice, "And if you aren't there, you can forget about having the coffee that I owe you." Scowling, the young man stared at the door until he heard footsteps leaving his doorway. That stupid girl and her stupid deals…

Kaoru leaned back, stretching his body and sighing. Mind as well get cleaned up. Tidying his bed quickly, the auburn-haired man headed straight to the small bathroom connected to his bedroom. Cold water ran from the tap and Kaoru took a few seconds before splashing his face, in order to awaken to reality. Soon he followed up with other daily rituals, brushing his teeth with mint flavoured toothpaste, splashing his face with more water, putting on a tiny but of cologne, slipping on the floor…

"AGH!" Kaoru groaned, rubbing his backside. Mornings really did stink, but he didn't have time to mope because if he didn't hurry in the next ten minutes, his long awaited coffee would be gone. Rushing to a small closet, the auburn-haired man grabbed a black tank top and an orange shirt, slipped them on and then proceeded to put on a pair of black jeans. Still, he couldn't go outside without at least a few accessories! Rummaging through a few drawers in the closet, Kaoru slipped a silver chain on his neck, put a few clips in his hair and changed his current hoop earring on his left ear to a stud. Perfect, with two minutes left.

Kaoru blinked, amber eyes widening. Shit. Opening the door, Kaoru grabbed his black backpack and ran out into the hallway. Thank gods he had picked up his habit of packing his bag the night before. Rushing from his dorm and nearly falling over himself descending down a stairway, Kaoru Hitachiin had somehow made it to the cafeteria, unscathed and a minute late.

A girl with black hair, brilliant green eyes and a dazzling smile waved at him. She really was quite pretty, wearing a long brown shirt over a beige coloured dress, and held a green cloth bag. Kaoru sighed in relief. She didn't notice the minute had passed… Kaoru could only twitch as his hopeful thoughts were shattered. The pretty smile faded, and the dark-haired girl let a huge smirk take over as she revealed a cup of coffee behind her back. Taking time the trace her fingers over the opening in the lid, she lifted in to her lips and took a sip.

Kaoru rushed over, scowling and grabbed the cup from her hands. "Suzuki, you really are a brat!" The young woman merely smiled back and replied snidely. "Tsk tsk Kaoru-chan! You know I only learnt this all from you!" "Yeah, yeah," muttered Kaoru, who couldn't help but grin. Suzuki was the only person who took a majority of the same courses as him as this school. Of course, since he was going to the Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo (1), with such a heavy workload, it was nice to have a friend that could help out. Plus, she reminded him of someone close, so it was an extra bonus.

"So Kaoru-chan, did you hear the news?" Kaoru looked from his coffee, at Suzuki questioningly. He shook his head, opening the lid of the cup and blowing in. Cringing suddenly, Kaoru placed the lid on the cup, saving the brown liquid from spilling. Narrowing his eyes, he glared at the woman beside him, who had her finger jabbed in his side. With pouting lips, Suzuki looked up at him in frustration. "You know I don't gossip unless it really is worth talking about, so stop looking so disinterested and amazed with your coffee!" Kaoru cringed again as another jab was made at his side. Damn, no matter where he went, he always picked crazy friends.

"Hai hai, just spit it out Suzuki." Emerald eyes brightened and Suzuki giggled, ready to begin talking about the news as they walked down the halls in the school. "Well you see apparently there is this new student that is going to transfer in for a year-" "So what?" asked Kaoru, completely unimpressed. Bad choice, as it earned another jab in his side. Suzuki continued, strutting slightly as if proud of the punishment she gave him. "Let me finish will you?" Kaoru nodded, holding his stomach in pain. Did that girl forget she wore those freaking manicured nails?

"Well anyway, the girls are all just in love with him because he is rich and quite the hunk…" Kaoru rolled his eyes, body able to stand again. This time he did not mention it out loud, in fear of being poked, but lots of kids that went to this school were rich as well. Not all of them, but quite a few. "And he is just as rich as your family, if not wealthier." This caught Kaoru's attention slightly as he had to admit, that was rare, but still not that interesting. "But the funny thing is, he has no experience in fashion and yet the chairman was the one who convinced the school board to let him come here for a year."

With a sly look, Suzuki lifted her bag between her head and Kaoru's. The auburn-haired man, drinking his coffee, spluttered the liquid out of his mouth and coughed at the sudden feeling. Suzuki put her bag down, happy to find no stains and laughed. Kaoru however, did not care and looked at Suzuki to inquire more. "You mean our chairman? The one who only recognizes a few students a year? The one who is rarely ever impressed? The one who has basically seen it all?!" The green-eyed girl nodded and pointed forward. "The one and the same, but we have class now, so talk about it later."

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Kaoru collapsed on his bed, exhausted and completely out of focus. He had somehow got through the day, pushing his dumbstruck feelings away. The auburn-haired man rolled over on his blue quilt and stared at the ceiling. So there was another student that the chairman had recognized, another student that wasn't him. Beside the dreaded alarm clock, was a picture frame, which Kaoru reached out to grab. In it held the photograph of him and another person, with the same eyes, hair, height and even smile. It was his brother, his twin, the one he was separated from.

Hikaru was amazing. His designs were innovative and nearly always impeccably executed. One, who knew the brothers, would expect that the designs by them were made through collaboration but Kaoru knew the truth, and so did the chairman. His older brother was brilliant, and had a goal for doing so well. In this room, with the support of Kaoru, he would finish his assigned projects and then merely sketch hundreds of pieces, dreams that women and men would just love to wear.

When the once a year look at portfolios came around, Kaoru was crediting for having a few good ideas but it was Hikaru who stood out. Designers from all over Japan came to look at these portfolios and Hikaru showed them he was the one person that could fit the position. Amber eyes looked out the window, blinking softly. Teeth gnawed back and forth against a trembling lip. Hikaru had surpassed him, and Hikaru alone had gone to America, to study in Parsons (2) of all places.

Kaoru shook his head and placed the picture back on the cabinet. He was not jealous or anything, because he knew Hikaru had the skill and natural talent to make it far but just when did such a large gap occur that it had to make the inseparable, separable? Large chocolate eyes, short brown hair and a gorgeous smile that could touch all. Kaoru felt his body curl over the bed. Hikaru was driven to see her, to see the girl ignorant of his affections.

It was a case of the impossible becoming possible and one genius chasing after another. Haruhi, she was always such a bright woman, but even Kaoru never saw it coming. She was the second student from Ouran to ever achieve such an inspiring goal. In all the years of Ouran High School, she was the second to be accepted in Princeton University. He did not know how she did it in terms of money, but in terms of intelligence, there was no doubt she had enough. Now, Hikaru had done the same thing, being accepted into a prestigious American school and was one step closer to her.

"Kaoru-chan? You in there?" Suzuki's voice was heard, muffled by the door shut in front of her. If one listened, they could hear the slight concern that she held. The amber-eye man sighed, shutting his eyes and forcing himself up. Again he was moping around, and probably gotten to many people worried over his worthless depressive self. "Yeah, what is it Suzuki?" Kaoru stared at his feet, disappointed that he could not manage to force out a more cheerful tone.

"Let's go get something to eat okay? It's nearly seven thirty." Kaoru touched his stomach and gave a disgusted expression. He honestly had no appetite but to survive in this school, he couldn't deprive his health too much. "Yeah coming." Taking his time, the younger Hitachiin twin walked towards the door and placed his wallet in the back pocket of his jeans. Before opening the door however, Kaoru let his eyes look to the other side of his room; the side that was desolated and only held a plain bed and empty shelves. If only Hikaru was here…

Opening the door, Kaoru was greeted with a bright smile and Suzuki's attempts to be utterly cheerful. The black-haired girl took the hand of the depressed man and basically dragged him all the way to the cafeteria. "You know, Tachiba-sensei was such as drone fest today right?" Kaoru smiled weakly and nodded. He really just couldn't muster up energy today. Suzuki continued anyway, trying her best. "I mean, we should so totally set up trick. How about you bring that annoying alarm clock of yours and set it under his desk-" "Haha…" Kaoru grinned, placing a hand on the dark-haired girl's head. "Thanks a lot Suzuki." The emerald-eyed girl grinned back, cheeks slightly flushed. "Hey, that's what I am here for."

"Are you guys acting lovey dovey again?"

"Ugh, you jackass!" Suzuki ran over to a man that was fairly tall with short blonde hair and a pair of glasses. Taking his shirt by the collar, with an unusual amount of strength, she pulled the man down to face level. "Do you know how stupid you are Kiran?" The man held his hands up in defense and looked at Kaoru for help, who merely arched a brow and sat at a table to watch the scene.

"Suzuki, don't get too riled by this idiot."

Kaoru smiled tensely, resting his hand on the back of his hand. "Mei-san, you say that yet you are stepping on Kiran-san's head…" The girl with dark tanned skin and heavily applied makeup glared at Kaoru, and did not lift her foot off of the tall man's head. "Well this guy is a total creep!" explained Mei with a flush on her cheeks, "He is nothing like a gentleman like Tamaki is!" Kaoru let his hand fall back onto the surface of the table. Sometimes he forgot the fact that Mei was part of his previous life.

A small clank was heard as Suzuki placed a tray full of pork cutlet rice bowls at the table where the auburn-haired man sat. Somehow during the whole commotion, she had gotten the time to buy dinner. As politely as possible, the black-haired girl placed the bowls in each corner of the table for the four friends. Kaoru watched her with slight interest as Suzuki took a deep breath afterwards and stretched her fingers. What the heck was this girl doing?

Whipping her hand out and nearly impaling Kaoru, she wiggled her fingers in the direction of the three university students. "Pay me back now people!" Suzuki raised her foot and slammed it on the chair in front of her. "No way in hell am I treating you people tonight!" Kaoru rolled his eyes and smiled, handing her a few bills. Soon Mei followed, crying as her wallet went empty, and Kiran rubbed his sore head, also crying. It was uncertain whether he was crying from the pain or the loss of money as well.

Suzuki smiled, counting the bills in her hand. Placing the money in her bag and clapping her hands together, Suzuki gave charge. "Itadakimasu!" The four young adults shouted and began their meals. Kaoru ate slowly, having lost his appetite and not being helped by watching Suzuki and Mei shoveling the rice down their throats or seeing Kiran inspecting his food as if some sort of bug was inside it. He looked at the bowl with fried pork, bean sprouts and steaming rice. Kaoru sighed, using his chopsticks to poke at the food, taking a bite here or there.

Amber eyes paused to look up at his friend who wore thick lipstick. Mei dropped her chopsticks to the floor, looking behind him in awe or fear. He wasn't quite sure. Kaoru turned around, his eyes widening as well. Anyone but him, anyone.

"Kaoru Hitachiin, this will be your new roommate," introduced the student recognized as head of the dorm arrangements, "He is an upperclassman and his name is Kyouya Ootori. The chairman would like you to watch over him. Please take care to show him around the facilities."

Black eyes, hidden behind a wall of glass, jet black raven hair, a stance oozing of pure indifference and a style sense that anyone would call cool yet pristine. Indeed, the man standing in front of him, wearing a sleeveless yellow shirt and black pants was Kyouya Ootori. He had grown taller, still stood above Kaoru and instilled and awkward sense of fear. The raven-haired man stared down at him and lifted his glasses, then extended a hand.

"Nice to meet you."

Kaoru twitched. What the hell was with that greeting? Their families had known each other for years, not to mention the years they spent in Ouran together… Especially, the last year he was there… Amber eyes reflected hesitation and fear. Kaoru soon snapped out of his stupor however, as a slender hand placed itself on his shoulder. Turning to Suzuki, he watched her give him a concerned glance and smile softly to reassure him. "Say hello to him Kaoru-chan."

"Oh, right!" Kaoru stood up and took the man's pale hands in his own. "Nice to meet you Ootori-san!"

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Kaoru sat on his bed, eyebrows twitching as the raven-haired man inspected the room. He looked out the window into the night sky in order to distract himself yet each footstep made caused him to cringe. He had been living here alone for two months now, and this sudden intrusion by someone that he knew was bothering him greatly. The auburn-haired man sighed heavily, elbows on his knees and hands supporting his head. Why couldn't he just say something? Everything that happened was four years ago. Surely they could talk just as friends by now right? Turning to Kyouya, Kaoru opened his mouth but paused, observing the fact that Kyouya's glasses glowed eerily in the light from the lamp.

"So you go by Kaoru-chan now?" Kaoru felt himself wince in response. "Not really, it's just Suzuki who calls me that." The auburn-haired man looked for any change in expression but the black-haired man had remained to look emotionless. "So only Suzuki (3) calls you that?" Kaoru nodded, still not sure what his senpai wanted. It had always driven him crazy that in Ouran, the only person that he had a hard time reading with Kyouya. Well this subject was bothering him anyway so he mind as well change it.

"I'm guessing you are going to take the marketing course here right Kyouya-senpai?" began Kaoru with an anxious laugh and twiddling of the fingers. "So that is why you were recommended by the chairman. After all, you were a genius at making the girls in Ouran buy our stuff. I mean, you even made a profit, albeit only a small one." Kaoru felt beads of sweat form. He was rambling now. "Remember that time you sold off Haruhi's notebook-"

"So it this Suzuki-san, is she your girlfriend?"

Kaoru felt the blood drain from his face, his body trembling in fright. "Of course not Kyouya-senpai." The man with opaque eyes placed himself beside the younger man. Kaoru nearly jumped out of his skin, but somehow remained sitting still. How could he even think that they could merely be friends? Kaoru felt himself flush a deep scarlet, old feelings burning through his chest again. He had given up on it. He honestly thought it was only a fling for Kyouya… It couldn't possibly be true.

The raven-haired man leaned towards Kaoru, using a hand to caress his flushed cheeks. His other hand traced the slender arm of the amber-eyed man, causing the boy to tremble. He was so close, but just before he could get any closer, Kyouya paused and gave a slight look of question. "May I?" Kaoru felt an embarrassed smile cross his lips. Kyouya was asking now of all times? He was always clumsy when it came to things like this. Kaoru nodded, too happy to speak.

The older man leaned in, capturing his lips in a soft kiss. Kaoru fumbled, not being in a relationship for years, and kissed back foolishly, nose knocking into Kyouya's. He turned away, red with embarrassment. Kyouya smirked, causing Kaoru to turn redder and more timid. Cupping the auburn-haired man's face, Kyouya guided Kaoru back into the kiss; this time, without any mistakes. Kaoru opened his mouth, losing breath, nervousness and all sense. Amber-eyes clenched shut as Kaoru submitted, letting Kyouya take control.

He couldn't believe this was happening.

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(1) – Bunka Fashion College – This is an actual college in Tokyo but I do not know anything about it. I am just using it as a setting because I wanted to set this story in the 'real world'. Do not take this story as factual knowledge about this college okay?

(2) – Parsons – Again like above I know nothing factual about it. I just know it is a famous fashion school in the United States. As well, it is affiliated with Bunka Fashion College so I thought it would be a good connection to use.

(3) – Use of Names – Kyouya is trying to emphasize the fact that Kaoru does not use a honorific ending for Suzuki's name. It wasn't obvious, I know.

Phew… I dunno why but after writing this all, it was extremely hard but I somehow like it. Oh, if using these settings offends people, I will change the names of the schools. The reason I didn't however, is because the story is much more realistic than me making up random facts that people will have to remember. Please review if you liked it and thank you for taking the time to read! Dang I am obsessed with this pairing…

IkuiTenshi