Chapter Thirteen:

|| Resolutions ||

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Haruhi crossed her arms and sighed heavily as she sat upon her bed. Semester had started and she found herself without anything to do on a day off.

In America she had always been busy during her studies, but now she was a full-time student with three days a week off. She had already recapped the week's study and done all her laundry, (she persisted in doing her own and not using the maids at her disposal.) Thinking she wouldn't have much time on her hands, she hadn't gotten a new job since Kaoru and Hikaru were letting her stay for free. Yesterday she had even visited her dad for a good few hours and helped him do some of his washing to pass the time.

But today she had a whole day ahead of her without anything that needed to be done.

Haruhi made up her mind to find someone to talk to and gingerly hopped off her bed towards her vanity mirror. She didn't mind how long her hair was becoming, but at home she preferred to simply have it tied up.

Satisfied with how she looked, (for practical purposes, not fashion,) she left her room and made her way to Kaoru's.

The door was wide open when she arrived and found him standing in the centre of his room, trying on less than expensive clothing.

"Kaoru, are those commoner garments you're trying on?" She asked disbelievingly, a large smile on her face.

The younger Hitachiin glanced up with a jolt of surprise and shrugged embarrassingly. "Well, you know I've been studying lower brand fashion. I was seeing how good I could look without expensive clothing. It's all part of my research." He replied defensively.

Haruhi leant against the doorframe and laughed. "Okay, I believe you. But why are you trying them on? Couldn't you use one of those plastic models in the spare rooms?"

Kaoru bit his lip guiltily. "Well, I could. But I was actually going to try and go to a commoner mall today and wanted to be less... obvious."

"Oh? What were you going there for? Do you think I could come?" She asked; her interest piquing at the mention of supermarkets.

The twin scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. "I won't say no, you can come if you want. But it will be intensely involved with fashion."

"Oh."

Sensing her disappointment, Kaoru smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, I've been trying to keep myself busy with expanding our fashion label. And I asked Mei to come with me."

"Mei?" Haruhi asked curiously. "I thought you never really got along with her."

"She's alright, especially now she doesn't seem so... fangirly. But I was joking when she was over the other day, if she's learning about fashion, and she's a commoner; she'll be very useful with our new label."

"Wow, I didn't think you had the guts to admit that." Haruhi replied with approval.

Kaoru walked past her as he tried to sort through some scarves and petted her affectionately on the arm. "One thing I've learnt through all our trouble is not to let someone of value go. And Mei can definitely help us out. It'll be win-win if it goes well. Besides, she gets a boost into a label that already has money, so she won't complain." His amber eyes shone momentarily. "I've been so occupied with Hikaru that I've forgotten how little I'm interacting with other people. I think today will be enjoyable."

"Alright, just promise me you won't fight with her?"

The twin smiled impishly as he secured a dark scarf across his neck. "Hey, I don't fight Haru, that was always Hikaru. Can't promise I won't tease though. After all, I have to have some fun." He winked for good measure.

Haruhi rolled her eyes as she took a step back. "Okay Kaoru, just know I warned you."

His laughter followed her as she walked back down the corridor.

Since the first twin that was usually far less busy, had already made plans, Haruhi decided to venture into Hikaru's office.

She had hardly even glimpsed at the room that he spent so much time in since she had arrived at the manor, and hoped he wasn't too busy to talk.

She found him seated against a window, a stack of papers lying idly in his hands as his gaze set upon the scenery before him. In the weak winter light his hair shone lighter, closer to his natural shade.

"Hey Hikaru, are you busy?" She called, almost hesitantly.

The elder Hitachiin seemed to wake himself from a daze before focusing on the woman before him. "Oh hey Haru, I didn't even hear you come in." He stood quickly and dumped the papers on the nearby desk and moved to pull out one of the chairs hidden behind the furniture. "Here, take a seat."

Accepting it gratefully, Haruhi sat down next to him and smiled slightly.

"So what brings you here?" He asked curiously.

"I'm bored." She stated in her blunt manner.

"Oh? Don't have anything to do? That's a first." He smiled to show the light teasing in his tone meant no harm.

"Yeah, it's a bit strange actually. I really don't know what to do with myself."

"Was Kaoru busy?"

Haruhi tilted her head to the side as she considered his question. "Yeah, he decided to go to the mall with Mei. Weird, huh?"

From his quick responses, she surmised he was trying to distract her. Perhaps he just didn't appreciate company when he was studying, but he could just outright tell her from the start. Haruhi began to feel the determination to get him out of the office, whether he wanted to or not.

Hikaru's dark amber eyes glowed with pleasure. "Kaoru hasn't really left the manor without me voluntarily for a long time, this is a good development."

"Do you want to go for a walk, Hikaru?" Haruhi asked unexpectantly.

"Uh, what? It's freezing out there Haru!" He exclaimed.

The lithe woman before him grinned and stood up; reaching forward to take his hands and pull him up with her. "Come on Hikaru, we're getting you out of this office. And if it's too cold for you, put a jacket on." She told him sternly.

And with that she stood guard, waiting for him to make a move, daring him to object. Finally, he sighed deeply and shrugged carelessly.

"It's not like I have much of a choice." He drawled.

Haruhi smirked.

The two found themselves walking around the expansive Hitachiin gardens, with snow falling slowly around them as they huddled close.

Wrapped in thick fur coats, Haruhi wasn't too fussed by the cold, and Hikaru had kindly allowed her to borrow a cap to put on her head to stop her head getting cold.

They made a funny picture, determinedly plodding along through the weak snow, while at the same time managing to look as if they didn't enjoy it.

The elder Hitachiin hadn't said a word since they exited the manor, but Haruhi sensed he was comfortable with the situation.

"You know, I kind of miss the old you." She announced suddenly. "Maybe not the pranks so much, but you were always the more mischievous of the two."

Hikaru frowned slightly as she grinned at him.

"Then again, I do like the maturity. I mean, it wasn't the best way to learn to grow up, but you've handled it so well."

"I-, um, thanks." Hikaru answered awkwardly, uncertain whether she had been complimenting him the whole time or not.

"Soon the case will be over, and things will go back to being normal. You'll see." Haruhi told him optimistically.

Hikaru eyed her cautiously and then found himself wondering why he was so adamant at finding fault in her words. She had been through tough times in her life as well, and if she had gotten through, so could he. After all, he still had Kaoru to support him, and now Haruhi as well.

"You've become more open, less quiet. It's nice." He finally answered, almost shyly.

Haruhi sobered and gazed at him thoughtfully. She had never assumed she was getting louder, but perhaps it was a natural effect to try and draw out the old personalities of the twins. She kept moving along, glancing at the trees around her absently. Quickly she realised he wasn't with her and looked back to find him a few paces behind.

"Hikaru?"

He was looking downwards, with his dark hair obscuring his eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"I've been thinking..."

Haruhi turned around and blinked owlishly. "Yes?"

Hikaru stepped forward so he was almost level with her.

"I've been in a pretty bad mood for the last few months, and some of it I can't fix right now. I have so many nightmares Haru."

She simply nodded for him to continue.

"But things have started to look up since you came to stay here. To be honest I didn't think it was a good idea to start with. However now I realised some things I've been childish about. I'm not going to let the company drag me down anymore. Maybe I'll still be upset afterwards and that might take time to fix, but I'm done bringing myself down." He declared.

"Hikaru, does Kaoru know this?"

"Not yet, I want to do this on my own without him. Then maybe he can see I'm stronger than that, and he won't worry so much. I hate seeing myself destroy him Haru, I won't do it."

Haruhi smiled sincerely, her dark brown orbs glowing with happiness. "I'm so glad you said that, Kaoru isn't the only one who is worried, you know. You still have the Host Club behind you."

Hikaru nodded solemnly, and then surprised her by reaching forward and clasping her in a hug. "Thanks Haru."

Her eyes widened in shock, before she closed them and returned the hug with equal warmth.

"Now, do you think we can get out of this cold?" He asked when they parted.

She simply rolled her eyes in reply.

A/N:

Phew, that was a long one compared to the others. But I had fun writing it!

- Mae.