It was dark- really dark. In fact, if Hikaru could say the type of color that it was in front of him, it would have been a bazillion shades darker than black. He didn't even know that was possible, but once again, reality had shut his thoughts down and replaced them with truth. There was no light source and he felt that he was extremely cold, as if a soft breeze was floating past him. There was an irritating beeping going on that made him want to thrust his hands over his ears.

However he couldn't move his arms, or yell, or tell someone to turn the racket down, so a small problem arose. As Hikaru found himself getting more and more of a headache from the constant beeps and robotic noises he felt himself being moved against what seemed to be an air like bed. He felt sheets being tampered with underneath him as they scratched against his legs, causing him to feel what seemed to be pain.

Hikaru felt his body flinch as his bandage wrapped leg was moved by gentle hands. He tried to open his eyes but found that it was nearly impossible. So Hikaru decided to listen to the sounds around him and try and get a feel of what was going on. Faint conversation drifted in the air as Hikaru struggled to make out the very slurred words.

"Excuse me Mam, as soon as you're finished with this patient would you mind taking the next floor and cleaning out their bedpans?" A smooth voice suddenly called out. The voice was calm and a bit cocky, but wasn't met with a figure. Something shifted near him causing his blanket to move up as warm hands suddenly touched Hikaru's skin. Tired moans met Hikaru's ears as, what he figured to be a sleepy body, was shaken awake.

"You'll have to excuse me; will you be alright by yourself?" This was a new voice to Hikaru's head. It belonged to a female this time for it was high pitched and seemed to be dipped in silk. Light started to enter into his eyes, but it was dim and came from straight above him in a sort of a harsh glare. Obviously the body next to him had given some type of reply with their head or hands, for he listened to the woman's feet walk out of the room. Hikaru sniffed the air- it smelled of rubbing alcohol and a scent that he couldn't quite place- but it was strong and although it didn't stink he hated it. For some reason it made him want to sneeze.

Hikaru sneezed cutely, sending his body bolting up as his eyes were forced open. Light flooded in, now blinding his eyes with white instead of black. Hikaru moaned and placed his hands over his eyes, carping over the fact that the light was burning his eyes and his muscles were so sore. He heard a small gasp beside him as his bed was pushed to the side, most likely out of shock by the person sleeping beside him. Hikaru groaned and held onto the bed tightly as he blinked and looked over to see who it was beside him. Of course he expected a nurse or even Haruhi to be besides her, but instead he was faced with a shocked tan face and a bright head of orange hair.

"Dad?" Hikaru whispered as he rubbed his eyes, the boy looked away from the blurry face, of which he was pretty sure belonged to his father since he was the only with orange hair like him. Things started to come into focus as Hikaru realized where he was. He was sitting on a hospital bed, the light blue walls blended lightly into the off-white curtains and bed sheets. The smell of medication and bandage glue stung the air heavily as he coughed a bit, his chest suddenly stinging with a fire. Hikaru placed his hands over his chest and looked around to see if his father had left- it had been too quiet in the room. He stared at an open jawed Kaoru and shrugged it off before he slipped his feet out of bed and- wait- KAORU?

"AH FUCK IM DEAD!" Hikaru said quickly as he panicked and threw his hands over his head. He wasn't ready to be dead! There was so much that he had left to do! What about Haruhi, had he really left her all alone! He didn't mean too! Oh God, all he wanted to do was protect her and now he was here, dead! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Hikaru slammed himself out of bed, pulling the IV attached to his wrist with him as he paced unhealthily, all the while Kaoru stared at him in shock.

"Hi-hikaru you're n-not dead!" Kaoru finally stuttered out, finally grasping the situation as he tried to walk over to his Brother. Hikaru mumbled under his breath as he held his head tightly. The boy turned back to Kaoru and pointed a shaking finger at him.

"Yea but you are! So I'm not dead, just crazy- GREAT!" Hikaru ended with a high pitched voice as he went back to hitting his head against the wall. Kaoru grabbed onto his shoulder and turned him around as gently as he could so that Hikaru wouldn't hurt himself anymore. Hikaru stifled a cry as he felt his hands on his shoulder, this felt so real, and he was so confused, the boy suddenly leaned over and held onto his brother tightly. If he could hold him for now he would.

"…Hikaru I was so worried." A teary eyed Kaoru whispered as he leaned onto his brother gently, wrapping his arms around him as well. Hikaru nodded slightly. Was Kaoru here to watch over him until he got well? He was so warm though, it almost felt like his brother was back here with him. The man took in a soft breath, inhaling the sweet scent of sweat and- cinnamon? Were angels supposed to smell like that? Hikaru lifted his head up as he continued to grip onto Kaoru's arms with a fierce fear. He didn't want Kaoru to go and leave him again- he didn't want his baby brother to slip away.

"…Don't leave me." Hikaru muttered. Kaoru let his head fall to the side, making it seem like Kaoru was really the confused one. Hikaru blinked somewhat as the door to the room opened and the nurse walked in and out of the room easily. Suddenly she rushed back in, finally noticing that Hikaru was out of bed. She held the same reaction as Kaoru did and just stood there for a few moments, jaw hitting the floor as she pointed a shaky finger at him.

"Sir you-you're not d-dead!" The nurse stuttered out. Hikaru laughed a bit nervously and shook his head. The nurse looked to him, then at Kaoru, and then back to Hikaru in a very blonde like manner. Something was going on that Hikaru wasn't getting. The girl rushed over to Kaoru, grabbing onto his other arm as she tugged at the end of his shirt.

"Wh-whats he doing up!" She suddenly asked Kaoru. That was when Hikaru suddenly went from confused, to hysterical. What the hell was the nurse talking to his ghost Kaoru for? Hikaru felt jealously stir up inside of him as he put his arms around Kaoru once more, pulling him to his chest as he peered over Kaoru's shoulder at the nurse. Was she an angel too? Hikaru put his head on Kaoru's shoulder while he held the boy close to him, no touchy his baby brother ghost-y…

"Ah- sorry to intrude! I'll get the others! They'll be glad to hear the news!" The nurse giggled out. Hikaru sighed and fell back onto a chair as he looked up at Kaoru. All he wanted was someone to tell him what the hell was going on, was that so hard now? Kaoru, reading his brothers mind as he often did when he was alive, bent down and took Hikaru's hand in his own gently.

"…Haruhi will be glad to see you're ok." Kaoru whispered with a small smile as he ran his fingers down Hikaru's hands. Hikaru nodded a bit, finally, the one woman that he did understand- Haruhi. Hikaru gave a breath of relief at even the small thought of her. When did he become so dependant on her? When did she suddenly go from his best friend to his one and only? When had this slow and steady change mess with his insides and turn them until everything suddenly seemed alright for a minute at her gentle smile?

"I don't want anyone else…just…just Haruhi…" Hikaru stuttered out. Kaoru's eyes widened a bit but he slowly nodded and he crept a bit sadly out of the room to go find the nurse. Hikaru moaned again and ran his hands through his hair as he sat in the chair thoughts running through his head as the boy ran his tongue over the cracked lips. He suddenly felt so tired and much more sore than he remembered. The clock on the wall ticked away without a care as Hikaru tapped his feet nervously against the noisy tile.

"Hikaru?" A soft voice suddenly called out. Hikaru's head popped up, he looked like a puppy whose name had just been called by its master as the boy suddenly jumped off of the chair, tipping it over as ran over to the woman that had appeared at the door. Her large brown hair flew off of her ears and shoulders as he hugged her fragile body to his. He felt her become tense as she let him hug her, though her own arms didn't wrap around him. He wasn't sure if it was for fear of hurting him, or whether she just wasn't reacting, however right now it didn't really matter to him.

Haruhi's hands tenderly wrapped over his shoulders with a bit of hesitation as she half hugged him with her fingertips pressing against his back gently. Hikaru dug his entire being into her; it felt like so long since he had felt her against him like this. It seemed almost as if it had been an eternity.

Haruhi slowly pulled away, her hand brushing off of his shoulder like a feather as she slowly sat down in a chair. He blinked at her and ran both of his hands through his hair to try and calm himself down. His chest burned badly and standing on his left leg was giving him too much trouble, so he in turn sat down as well before he looked back down at the ground.

"Haruhi I'm…I'm confused" Hikaru finally admitted as he rubbed his temple like she often did. His hands weren't as soft as hers however and didn't manage to get him into that calm state. Hikaru's leg twitched unhealthily as he looked down at the ground once more. Haruhi was so quiet it almost seemed to scare him. Hikaru flinched as he bit his lip, feeling tears well up in his eyes. He squeezed his eyes together painfully as he let out a shaky breath, taking in a soft sob.

"…I'm so confused." He muttered. Hikaru scraped his forehead with his fingernails as he suddenly threw his fist against the wall. He felt the cheap wall dent underneath his fist as he felt his body start to shake once more. His entire torso dove down; his face hit the edge of the chair as his fist hit the ground limply. Hikaru heard Haruhi's chair scoot as she got up. Her feet became larger as she headed over to him. Her hand ran down his neck and back lightly as he sobbed.

"…this is going to be hard to hear Hikaru…but we were attacked…you…Kaoru…and I…we were attacked." Haruhi whispered as she stopped consoling him. Hikaru looked up at her, he nodded somewhat before taking her hands in his own. His head fell again as he kissed the top of her hand.

"I know Haruhi, then Kaoru got shot and-" He suddenly noticed Haruhi's grip on his hands tighten as she leaned in, letting her head rest in front of his own so that he could look into her eyes. She was concerned and he could tell. Had he said something wrong? Haruhi's bright brown orbs stared into his as she rubbed his hands tenderly.

"…Hikaru. Kaoru didn't get shot. You did." Haruhi put simply. She seemed like she was talking to a five year old. Hikaru sighed, not knowing why Haruhi was making such a big deal of this. Didn't she understand what he was trying to ask? He knew that he had gotten shot, and he was slightly amazed that he had in fact not died from it.

"I know I know, but….Har-Haruhi…he's here. I know how crazy it sounds but Kaoru…he's here! Even though he's dead…I…I heard him…I've been hearing him for a while, in my dreams when I'm walking, and now- now I've seen him! Haruhi I think I'm gonna die! I really think that's why he's here!" Hikaru suddenly called out as he started to shake in fear. He didn't want to die, he really didn't. He wasn't ready to leave yet! Haruhi suddenly blinked before pushing the bangs off of his head.

"…Hikaru…Kaoru isn't dead. When those men attacked me Kaoru got knocked out. They went to shoot me and you…you jumped in front of me. They were horrible men. Even though you were near death they went and shot you again. They came after me, and in a last attempt effort I shot one of them." Haruhi softly whispered as she looked back down at the ground. Hikaru was now more confused than he had ever been in his entire life. Haruhi was supposed to make things clear, but his vision was becoming even more hazy.

"…Huh?" Hikaru finally asked as he let his head fall to the side in confusion. Haruhi, seeing this face, blushed and looked back away. She held Hikaru's hands again before giving out a soft sigh. She was obviously trying to think of the words to tell him of the story. It must have been hard to deal with the boy in such a state. The woman suddenly pulled her hands away, and crossed her arms to think.

"You've been in the hospital ever since. If I remember it's been around a few weeks or so. You were in a coma like sleep, everyone thought that you were going to die because your condition slowly got worse each day. It was weird though, you seemed almost happy- then you'd cry- or smile."

"It was if you were dreaming, almost as if that dream was sucking you in. That was until last night, your wound suddenly reopened in your chest. We thought that was a bad thing, but it turns out that your wound started healing on it's own, and your life started coming back. Just this morning I saw some red on your cheeks. Kaoru's been near you this whole time, trying to talk to you and such. He even let you listen to your beloved Mp3 player." Haruhi said, suddenly laughing as she put her fingers to her lips, before pointing to the Ipod on the desk.

"He said it would speed up your recovery." Haruhi finished. She didn't even notice the look on Hikaru's face as he covered his head with spread out fingers. There was no way! Why would Haruhi play with his head like this? Was she really saying that everything had been a dream in his coma state?

"Wait…you said my wound reopened last night?" Hikaru suddenly asked. He didn't lift his head from his hands, but only waited for Haruhi to answer his question. She didn't answer with words, but merely nodded, seeming almost too cool and calm for the situation.

"…so dying in my dream…let me live in this world?" Hikaru slowly muttered to himself. Haruhi's head perked slightly as he talked to himself. She asked him something, but he couldn't answer her. He only stared at the floor with eyes that held a mixture of regret, happiness, tears, and fear. Haruhi walked back over to him, seeing that he was not in fa t alright.

"Hikaru?" Haruhi asked gently. Hikaru suddenly threw his head up, his hands grabbing her wrist. He stared at her, her small frame, her face- now full of fresh bruises and cuts- and those small pink lips that he had longed to kiss ever since he got his taste of them. Her brown orbs looked a bit taken off guard, but he merely stared up at them. She held a look of confusion and unsure worry. She hadn't ever seen him cry and worst off she probably didn't even know why.

Hikaru suddenly choked down a whimper as he looked at the wall. Those eyes didn't lie. This was the first time she had seen him in such a weak state, this was the first time that he had ever held her hands like he did now, and she had never felt his lips upon her own.

"No way! That wasn't a dream! It couldn't be! Haruhi it was so real! I felt everything, I felt my own tears, and your skin was just as soft as it is now. I even dove in front of a bullet for you! I felt it! I really did! I'm not crazy, please! Please believe me!" Hikaru nearly screamed out. Haruhi stared at him for a little while before slipping her hands out of his. She went over and grabbed a chair with a bruised wrist, before dragging it in front of him. She sat down and crossed her hands over her lap.

"…I believe you Hikaru…it's ok…tell me about the drea-….experience." Haruhi whispered encouragingly. Hikaru pouted at her, was she telling the truth? Did she really want to hear his side of the story? She didn't think he was crazy or confused? Hikaru didn't dare look away from her eyes for they told him more truth than he could ever get by himself. He slowly nodded and brought his knees up on the chair. It was going to be a long day.

And so Hikaru told her everything, from page one to the end of the story, though he left out the parts that would even insist that he was in love with her. So really, instead of entrusting his feelings with the one that he had obsessed over after Kaoru's death, he lied. Haruhi was understanding of everything though, she simply nodded, and he swore he even caught a glimpse of water in her eyes as he described the agonizing feeling of watching Kaoru's death in front of his own eyes.

"Hikaru didn't you think it was strange that you actually saw the flashback just by the few details that I gave you though?" Haruhi asked raising an eye brow at him. Hikaru suddenly became tense and blushed, throwing his eyes back down at the floor. He really hadn't thought about things like that. In fact…now it was kinda making sense why he could see what was going on with Haruhi when he wasn't even near her. His blush became a deep red however as she continued to nit pick at his sad portrayal of reality.

"Besides, no matter how sweet that death of yours was. Don't you think that's kind of pathetic that somehow the man that killed your brother was waiting outside the bar for me? Plus don't you have any sound trust in our police force? Wouldn't it be more logical that they wouldn't go after me, and after the better clues that they would have gotten off of the crime scene? I mean, the two men that jumped us are already in custody. Besides- no matter how cruel the fan girls may be, I'm fairly sure they wouldn't be able to put up a stunt like the one you mentioned." Haruhi muttered.. Hikaru felt a sweat drop fall down his head. Sometimes he really wished that Haruhi didn't have to be so logical.

"Besides Hikaru! Your father lives in Japan!" Haruhi finally busted out. Hikaru bit his lip and put his hand over her mouth. It was pretty sad how he had not even realized all of the faults in his life with the alter Haruhi. He sighed and leaned his forehead against Haruhi's. So this was really the real thing huh? He was back to his 'normal' life, and would most likely be heading back to the normal routine. That meant no more bonding time with Haruhi and more fighting for her love with five others.

So now all he head to do was figure out whether the situation was what manipulated Haruhi's feelings into his favor, or whether that was what she hid underneath those beautiful eyes as well. Or maybe he had just imagined up all of those confessions and kisses to suit his taste? No…that was real. He knew that was real. Someday, someday soon, he would tell her how he felt. He would tell her on the day that it would make her happy to hear it. Right now things would be a bit hard for her to know his feelings inside, and so he would keep it to himself.

When the time came, he would know.

He wouldn't burden her any longer.

"…I'm sorry…I guess it's just been so long since I was able to bug you about weird stuff like this. We really…we really all thought that you were a goner. I felt so horrible." Haruhi whispered seriously. Hikaru felt himself come out of his dream room as he smiled. The boy reached over and rubbed the top of her head gently. Haruhi looked up with teary eyes her hands still attached to her lips nervously. Hikaru blushed even deeper than he thought possibly and twitched angrily. Maybe he would burden her one more time. Hikaru slowly took her hands off of her lips and leaned down, snatching her lips.

The door slammed open and a bunch of sounds like whimpering and fake crying escaped from the hallway.

Hikaru rolled his eyes and leaned away to stare at a very present and still annoying Tamaki. He was still in shock, pointing his finger at Haruhi and Hikaru. Hikaru sighed and rubbed his temple, so troublesome that one was. He smirked and looked back at Haruhi, kissing her forehead as he patted her hair gently.

"Ah! It's nice to see you too Grandma!" Hikaru called out happily. Well he was in a hospital, and believed to have gone to another dimension, why not reap the benefits of being crazy? Tamaki didn't seem satisfied but he didn't hit the boy, he merely ran off, screaming something along the lines of 'MY POOR DEFLOWERED DAUGHTER'. Haruhi blinked, trying to think of a reason that he had suddenly kissed her out of the blue. She didn't buy the crazy excuse, which he didn't really expect her believe anyways.

"Uhh…Hikaru. I'm…I'm gonna go get something to drink." Haruhi suddenly whispered as she got out of the chair she was sitting in and headed out of the door. She didn't look angry, or sad, or happy really. He couldn't read her emotions, but for the moment it didn't matter. He had plenty of time to learn how to read her, just as she learned to tell the two twins apart.

Hikaru smiled to himself before looking back up at the doorway. A rather scared looking Kaoru stood, hugging his hands against the doorframe before he took a tender step in. Hikaru blinked, before realizing that he must have freaked Kaoru out before knowing that he was alive. Hikaru let out a big mouthed smile as he looked at the boy in front of him. His skin wasn't pale, there was a huge amount of sparkle in his eyes, and his limbs were most defiantly moving. The sun shined outside, and he felt a little better than he ever thought possible. Hikaru suddenly let out a childish laugh before bursting into a run at his brother. Kaoru let out a small shriek as Hikaru wrapped his arms tightly around his brother, sending them both to the ground.

"I LOVE YOU KAORU!" He yelled out with such great enjoyment that tears actually leaked out of his eyes as he laughed. Kaoru stared at his brother before he slowly nodded and wrapped his arms, relieved, around his brother. Kaoru closed his eyes and dug his head into his brother before slowly letting go. Hikaru noticed that his eyes were looking at something over Hikaru's shoulder. Hikaru turned his head and noticed that Haruhi was standing at the soda machine. Her head leaned against the glass, her eyes were peacefully closed, and her hands were resting against her sides in her pockets.

"…Go ahead. I'll go see when they'll let you out, since you seem so full of energy." Kaoru laughed out. There seemed to be pain in his sentence somewhere though. Hikaru looked down at his brother. Did he make up his feelings for Haruhi in his dream too? He couldn't understand his brothers reasoning for holding back that almost obvious look of love from his brother's view, but there was a reason.

'…he's probably trying to protect me…' Hikaru whispered in his mind as he sighed and nodded before getting off of his brother. Kaoru rubbed his shoulder and nodded before walking toward the main desk. Hikaru took this as his cue and headed over to the girl. Haruhi looked back over at him before giving off a light smile. Hikaru leaned against the wall, his own hands fussing with the slip in his medical gown. He had never been so happy about having boxers on in his life. He stared at the almost polka dot, but not quite square pattern on the light blue slip before turning his head back to Haruhi. He wanted to start up conversation, but didn't know how.

"…Haruhi I've always wondered, you didn't know us for very long before you figured out how to tell me and Kaoru apart. As smart as you are I find that's rather odd unless you were like secretly stalking us or something. Which I wouldn't blame you for! We are naturally charismatic." Hikaru slipped out. Haruhi blinked for a few moments before giggling and turned back over to him. It took her a few moments before she softly answered-

"…I never make the same mistake twice."

Haruhi turned from him, her slender back facing him as she let out a great sigh. Hikaru was nearly dumbfounded by her answer as he twisted his face together in an attempt to recall a time when they had ever played with Haruhi the 'Which Ones Hikaru Game' and won. Nothing came up however, and instead of letting Hikaru ponder on his thoughts- Haruhi stuck out her hand as she turned a bit to face him.

"…you must be starving. I can take you to the cafeteria if you'd like." Haruhi whispered. Hikaru stared at her hand for a bit. Besides the fact that he was not in fact hungry, and the thought of anything in his stomach made him want to throw up, Hikaru slowly put out his hand. Haruhi intertwined his fingers with his own, thought it was different from before. She seemed almost like a mother, taking his hand in such a way only to make sure he didn't get lost. However Hikaru smiled, his eyes draping halfway.

That beautiful hand…such soft fingers rubbing against his own. That hand that would lead him through much more than he could ever imagine. That hand that wouldn't only take him where he needed to go, but would lead him without a fuss. That hand…that would lead him toward a better future- just as it had always done before….

"…Thank you…Haruhi" Hikaru whispered.

"You say something?" Haruhi asked.

"…Nope! Now let's go get some food! I'm starving!" Hikaru laughed out as they started down the hall way. He let her lead him with a large smile as he laughed and scooted closer to her.

"Hey Haruhi can we get some cookies? You like cookies right?"

"No, too sweet."

"What if I eat it off of you?"

"…No…."

"You're such a fun spoiler Haruhi"

"Well then go find someone else to lead you around!"

"Ahhhh waaaaaiiiiitttttt Harrruuuhhiii! I'm injured remember! Saved your life! AHH! COME BACK! STOP RUNNING!"

It was at that moment that Hikaru realized that it wouldn't be so bad starting the story over again.