A/N: Warning: the very last chapter, contains fluff, random stuff and sexual undertones. Enjoy!

The beginning of a new chapter

The light flickering underneath the door was yellow; cheap commoner's light. It should have been a comforting warm color. Instead it filled her heart with unease.

Why am I here?

She knocked on the door. A young woman greeted her. She was pretty, with dimples in her cheeks and she was wearing pink pajamas. "Kairi!" She yelled. "You have a guest!"

"Coming-" there was the sound of thundering footsteps. "Oh-" Oh indeed. Haruhi stared at her ex fiancé.

"Um," the pretty woman sensed the tense atmosphere. "I'll just take care of dinner." She vanished.

"I won't stay for long," Haruhi broke the silence. This was easier than it should have been. "I just wanted to apologize for accusing you of sleeping with Renee."

"You know what Haruhi," Kairi interrupted, "It's too late."

"It has always been too late," Haruhi answered shortly. "We were bound to break up anyway."

"Oh is that how you always saw it?" red spots were appearing. "You-"

"I don't want to argue," Haruhi cut in. "I'll be leaving now."

"Kairi, dinner's ready!" the other girl sang from the kitchen.

Haruhi smiled. "I see you are doing fine without me." She left. She had a dinner to attend with her law professor.

…

The paper was covered in hearts.

Dearest Hikaru,

Did you know it's Valentine's Day? I am off to spend the day with my wife but I thought of you and came up with a brilliant game to play. We used to play games all the time when we were young. It's time to revisit them!

Each letter I have enclosed can only be opened at a specific time and only when you have completed certain objectives.

Love Kaoru,

Your savior of boredom on a single's nightmare day

Trust Kaoru to come up with yet another game! He relaxed in his bathtub, enjoying the warm soapy bubbles and stimulating scent of citrus.

"Mr Hitachiin, your uh have arrived," the maid poked her head in.

"Bring them in," he said lazily. It was time to divulge. It was time to return to the powerful man he had been before. He opened the letter that was addressed: Open when taking morning bath.

Dear Hikaru,

Cheap thrills won't do. I command you to get out and dress for the greatest thrill of your life.

Promise,

Kaoru

"Greatest thrill of my life?" Hikaru murmured. High heels clicked. The door creaked. The soft scents of jasmine and vanilla permeated the room.

"We can give you the greatest thrill of your life Mr Hitachiin," a silky voice murmured in his ear.

"Mmm indeed, what do you want us to do?" a warm hand massaged his wet shoulders.

He flickered an eye at the two girls. "Actually I change my mind," he said loudly. "Please leave." He felt slight regret as the girls strutted out. They had long sexy legs. Of course he had to have the best. Kaoru, he thought, your promise better be good.

Dear Hikaru

Go pick up some expensive sushi. You'll need the sustenance later. Go pick it up yourself. You need the exercise and the fresh air.

Love Kaoru

Expensive sushi? Hikaru wrinkled his nose, why would he need those? Shrugging, he ordered the maid to get him his long jacket and pulled out his phone, checking the maps: a long stroll down central road. The last time he had thought about expensive food like that was –

Stop. His mind smoothly stopped. There was a forbidden area of his memory that he had told himself not to go to.

The air was crisp. The autumn leaves fell leisurely, spotting the green grass with warm orange colors. One leaf was falling in a beautiful curved pathway. Hikaru stood still and watched it fall until it fell on top of a daisy.

Stop. Daisies were a painful subject.

The old fashioned cinema was covered in colorful posters. Distastefully Hikaru looked at them; an obscure film featuring two dumb blond girls. Renee had gone to theatre. He couldn't care less about her now. It was funny how he had used to be insanely obsessed with her. It wasn't healthy. She had him literally on a collar, treated him like dirt, isolated him from his brother and when she left him –

Hikaru shuddered. He didn't want to think about that former mere shadow of himself all those years ago. It had taken years to rebuild his personality. He had become the epitome of all men: sexy, powerful, charming. He had won her back within minutes, drawing her in with his artificial charm. But this time, his soul had been intact.

He would never lose his soul again. He almost lost it a second time.

Stop. Automatically, the memories that threatened to burst forth stopped.

Damn Kaoru, why did you stop me from playing with a couple of girls? Hikaru thought crossly about the turn of events earlier that morning.

Single on Valentine's day. It was too ridiculous to even believe. He was Hikaru Hitachiin! He ignored the voice at the back of his mind saying: You've been single ever since-

Stop.

Ever since you were with Renee.

"Hi, can I please pick up some of your special sushi?" He had arrived at the gourmet shop. He shook his head furiously, as if by the physical motion, he could clear his mind. The door bell tinkled. The ceiling was covered with paper hearts. Urgh.

"Would you like the special?" the girl asked brightly, fully immersed in the day's festive atmosphere. She fluttered her hands towards sushi that were arranged in flower shapes. The whole package looked like a bouquet.

"No thanks," he immediately answered. They were disgusting.

"Hey! I know you!" the girl's brown eyes widened. "You're Hikaru Hitachiin!"

"So what if I am?" He answered, bored. He looked at her properly. She was a commoner. He smiled. She blushed. That wiped the smile off his face.

"My friend had to live with you for a week!" She said excitedly.

Too aware of the memories that were threatening to burst out, he remained silent and pretended to be occupied with browsing through the catalogue. It was an old copy of Vogue.

International designer to watch for: Hitachiin Designs.

Bemused, he traced the photo of himself and Kaoru on the magazine's page. Decorated around the box were cartoon pictures of daisies…

Stop.

"Can I get the sushi bouquet," he said abruptly, taking his wallet out from his pockets. He was already calculating the money.

The girl was looking at him shrewdly. "My friend would prefer these," she pointed at another sushi packet, which was packed in a bento box.

"Who's your friend?" Hikaru said rudely. "I don't care," he handed her his credit card.

"We don't take credit cards. Our machine broke."

Cursing, Hikaru digged his pockets for spare change. Like he carried spare change! "Here-"

"Um," she seemed embarrassed. "You can afford the bento box with this amount-"

Cursing again, Hikaru shook his head impatiently, "Look just get me whatever."

Screw Kaoru and his mad ideas. How was this going to lead to him having the greatest thrill of his life? Where were the women he so desired? Where was the fun on Valentine's Day?

He flicked his phone open, fully intent on calling a taxi to take him home. That was when letter number 3 popped up in his inbox.

Dear Hikaru

You are going to meet a very talented lady on 51 Williams St.

Kaoru

Talented hmm? Was this the greatest thrill Kaoru was promising? He had never heard of anything amazing on Williams St. More to question, how did Kaoru knew of such talent? Laughing to himself, he thought of telling Kaoru's wife about his brother's previous experiences. She would kill him. Strolling out along the street, he was suddenly in good spirits again, fantasying about the mystery lady.

"How may I help you?" the toothless lady greeted him when he knocked on the door of 51 Williams Street.

"Uh-" Hikaru stared at her grey hair, tummy and the rags she wore. In particular he eyed her sagging breasts with utter disgust.

The incense smell coming from her clothes really turned him off. Where were the red lights? "Talent…" he muttered more to himself than anything. Was his brother really leading him on a wild goose chase for this elusive so-called talent? "Sorry wrong house." He told the old woman who looked like an old gypsy.

"You were looking for talent yes?" she looked at him eerily. Her eyes were ringed in white. She raised her arms. Her sleeves were purple and covered in strange symbols. "I can tell you what you are yearning."

"You're a fortune teller," Hikaru realized. "Kaoru sent me to a freaking fortune teller!" What utter crap! What the hell had gone in his brother? He was definitely getting out of there!

"Two roses. One poisonous. One the elixir of life."

Hikaru froze. Poisonous rose? Stop.

"Let me read your palm," the old woman reached for his hand.

"Wait," he snatched his hand away. "How did you know about the roses?"

"What roses?" she took his hand again. She suddenly screamed. "You-"

"Holy crap," Hikaru yelled back. "What the hell?"

"So much pain," she said softly. "Release it."

"I have no freaking idea what you mean," Hikaru said loudly. "Now if you would excuse me-"

The woman continued muttering under her breath. "You are a trapped child. From birth trapped in twin bodies, from teen years trapped in a handsome body, now trapped in the tangles of denied love, not quite a man-"

"Excuse who you're saying is not a man!" Hikaru huffed.

"You need to release those memories, overcome your pride and seek what you truly desire."

Too pissed, he walked away.

Dear Hikaru,

You need to go to the supermarket and buy a pair of handcuffs, a lock and a key. There's something that needs to be released and these items will help you realize it.

Kaoru

Ah, Hikaru smiled. That was better. Whistling, he snuck in the department store and picked up the kinkiest looking handcuffs, a red key and lock. Feeling bemused he checked Kaoru's next letter.

Dearest Hikaru

You are going to gate crash a party. Walk onwards.

Kaoru

Hikaru smiled to himself. He liked this better and better. Yes it was best to be optimistic about his brother's plans.

"Smile!"

Caught unaware, a flash was directed at him. A straggle of girls had surrounded him.

"Um," the girl in the middle looked mildly embarrassed. "I'm about to get married, this is my hens and I have to ask you a question."

"Marriage," Hikaru openly scorned. The other girl looked shocked and shot him a look of pure disapproval. He didn't like her. She was one of those annoying women who were judgmental and looked down on everyone.

"Well," the girl getting married looked glassy eyed. Was she actually drunk? In the middle of the day? "I have to ask you for a piece of marriage advice."

He had crashed a hen's party. A small one. Really Kaoru? At least he could hook up with one of them right? That's what you did at a hen's party right? He had no freaking idea about the rites of marriage.

"Marriage is a way of securing your company," he said without thinking. "It's stupid. You don't need it."

"That's not a piece of marriage advice!" the judgmental girl looked pissed. "Marriage is about love and-"

"Yeah it is," he interrupted her rudely and looked at her interestingly. "Are you a virgin?"

"That is completely inappropriate to ask-"

Feeling suddenly reckless, (after all it was Valentine's Day and he was crashing and he happened to be the devil of all men) he looked at the bride and all her virginal bridesmaids,

"You want some real marriage advice?" He said slyly, "You have to try it before you buy it. Want to spend some time with me?"

Laughing, he walked on, leaving them all shell shocked. Too bad he had crashed a virginal hen's party. Where were the wild girls?

"Have you ever been in love before?" A little child holding a heart shaped balloon peered at him with her blue eyes.

"Yes I have," Hikaru said without thinking.

"Could you give this to her then?" The little girl was really cute. She gave him a heart shaped balloon.

"Umm…" how could he break the harsh reality to a little girl? He was never that great with little kids anyway. "The girl I love won't love me back," he said as gently as he could, "She's going to hurt me. They always hurt you. So it's best not to even get started on love."

"What?" the girl's blue eyes widened. "How can they not love you when you give them this balloon?" So naïve. Before he could admonish her again, she was waving a piece of paper in his face. "How can they not love you when you complete this mission of love?"

"Uh…" he was starting to lose his patience.

Love Mission

Find something that symbolizes being alone.

The person you love will be able to make you feel complete!

"This represents being alone," the girl pointed at her bunny rabbit. "I'm going to find someone who has another bunny so the two bunnies can be together!" She skipped off to join her sisters – the virginal bridal party.

"…."

"By the way," she yelled back, "I think you're a coward for not trying to find the girl you love!" His annoyance at her increased. How dare a little girl tell him that he was a coward?

Dear Hikaru

Go buy the girl you're going to meet later today something she would like,

Kaoru

Huffing, Hikaru stormed to the city's infamous lingerie store. Oh yes, it was Valentine's Day, he was Hikaru Hitachiin, screw whatever the girl was going to like, he was going to buy something for her to please himself.

G strings yes.

Corsets yes.

Edible body lotion, hmm…. Strawberries and chocolate; why not.

String, ribbon, yes.

Costumes yes.

With a basket full of scandalous stuff, he paid at the counter; ignoring the suggestive looks the saleswoman was giving him.

"Have a fun night sir," she grinned, giving him a beautifully packed anonymous brown paper bag.

So, where was he going to meet this mystery girl?

Dear Hikaru,

I have reserved a spot for you and the mystery girl at Noir, the new French restaurant.

Kaoru

It was 7pm.

"I have a reservation at 7pm for two," he told the man who was politely greeting guests.

"Oh yes," he smiled. "For Hikaru Hitachiin. Come this way."

He must have been sitting there for a few minutes, browsing through his phone and fantasying about how he was going to spend his night when-

"Hikaru…"

He looked up. Felt like he had missed a step and was plummeting down. He swallowed. All confidence gone. That very character – epitome of sexy, charming, smart – gone. "Hi Haruhi," he finally said calmly. "Long time no see. What are you doing here?" It was very robotic the way the words spewed out.

"I'm here to meet my law professor," her forehead was wrinkled in puzzlement. "Nice coincidence to see you," she added with a bright smile. She was dressed in a very nice coat.

The smile sent his mind in to scrabbles. He actually had to grab the table to steady his hand, which had begun to shake. "I'm here on a date," he said, staring not at her eyes but her cheek.

"Oh…"

"Miss," the waitress motioned to Haruhi. "This is your reservation table." She pointed at the chair facing opposite Hikaru.

"Umm…" Haruhi frowned.

"You must have some mistake," Hikaru spluttered. "I got this table first." After such a long day, there was no way he was going to forgo his reservation spot. He wasn't going to forgo the mystery woman with extraordinary talent his brother had promised him.

Biting her lip, Haruhi smiled pleasantly at the waitress. "I booked this a week ago. If this is some mistake, please just give me another table."

The waitress looked extremely uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, we're booked out. It's Valentine's Day. The reservation does say a booking for a Hikaru Hitachiin and a Haruhi Fujioka."

Haruhi sighed. She flipped out her phone. "Yes, yes I can please speak to the professor?"

Hikaru's phone beeped. Relieved, Hikaru jumped for it and opened Kaoru's last letter.

Dear Hikaru,

I thought I would leave you alone and let you deal with things yourself but you are such an idiot! Sorry, I had to intervene. Have a good look at the girl sitting opposite you. Do you remember now?

Don't be such a coward. Take her on a date you both deserve. She won't break your heart. I promise. I investigated her thoroughly. No diary, no nothing.

Love Kaoru

Who the hell was Kaoru talking about?

"You didn't?" Haruhi was shocked, babbling into her phone. "You didn't arrange to have dinner tonight? Oh but-" She paused. "Okay, I'm sorry it must have been a mistake. I shall see you tomorrow."

She hung up. Eyes narrowing, she glared at Hikaru. "Is this your idea of a joke?" she hissed. She was clearly angry.

Hikaru didn't hear what she was saying. He was staring at her. The way her eyes were full of frustration at him. The way her mouth twitched. The way her face was tinged with pink from the cold outside. How cute she looked. How beautiful she was.

"Is this some kind of joke?" she deadpanned again. "Hello?"

The week he had spent with her. The fashion show. The ups and the downs. The storms and the delight. The warmth. Memories flooded back. He felt the fear being flicked away.

"No this is not a joke," he found himself saying. That character flooded back. He was sexy, charming and utterly irresistible. He also had a soul again.

"Would you like to go on a real date with me?" He asked sincerely.

The annoyed expression on her face hit the pause button. "Uh…"

"This is for you," he said quickly. As if he had always originally intended, he untangled the heart shaped balloon from his hand and gave it to her. He waited.

She stared. And stared.

"Entrée," the waitress thankfully interrupted. A beautifully adorned platter was carefully placed on the candle lit table. Oysters. Decorated in heart shaped pearls. A water fountain splashed in the middle.

Hikaru watched her eye the fancy food. "I may as well," she said quietly, sitting down. Was it the food or was it him?

"Hey Haruhi," he said boldly, feeling his charm still surging through his blood, "I've always wanted to try something."

"What is it?" she said suspiciously, her hand one centimeter away from an oyster.

"Look at me," he instructed. Brown eyes looked at amber eyes. Hikaru trembled. He reached out, grabbed her hand and gently guided it away from the oyster. I'm not a coward, he thought intensely at the infuriating girl he had met earlier. I'm letting my pain go, he thought at the stupid fortune telling he had met earlier, and I'm going to drink my elixir of life.

He touched her chin and tilted her head. She didn't move. Smiling, he leaned in closer. Her breathing was shallow and sent warm vapors over his lips. Her mouth was slightly open, her lips soft and pink.

It was the best kiss he ever had.

Dear Kaoru,

This girl is very talented. She didn't even have to do anything to make me feel like this.

Love Hikaru

"Ladies and Gentlemen, there's a little game we like to play. Please read the slip of paper on your desk," the hostess announced.

They had consumed dinner in relative quietness. Haruhi reached for the paper first. She was still red in the face. "Uh," she glanced at him shyly. He could still feel her soft lips on his.

Love Mission

Find something that symbolizes being alone.

The person you love will be able to make you feel complete!"

"What did you say?" Hikaru was aghast. Suddenly Haruhi was rumbling through the inconspicuous brown paper bag in the meticulous way she had.

"Don't go through that!" Hikaru grabbed the bag back, his heart pounding.

'Hand cuffs," Haruhi wondered out a loud. She gave him a smile that sent shivers down his back. He felt his manly confidence crumble. "You can be the lonely prisoner," she exclaimed happily, snapping the handcuffs on him. She must have been happy for the game to distract the quietness that had ensued after the kiss.

"Haruhi," Hikaru told her, "We don't have to play the restaurant's stupid childish game." He couldn't believe she had put handcuffs on him.

"Childish?" Haruhi raised an eyebrow, looking slightly hurt.

"I mean symbolism on love," he hastily corrected, blushing at the words.

"Now it's your partner's mission to find the thing that will unlock the loneliness!" the hostess finished.

"There's a key-" Hikaru told Haruhi quickly. He wanted to be out of the handcuffs. He wanted to kiss her again.

"I found it already," she smiled.

"Okay good," Hikaru was relieved. "Do you want to- No DON'T!" He couldn't warn her of the brown paper bag with his hands hand cuffed. It was too late.

"What's this?" She pulled out the scandalous items. Her face turned thoughtful.

Hikaru wanted to die on his seat. Why the hell did the mystery woman have to be Haruhi? And why did he buy those items? His manly confidence crashed to the ground. He was in pure agony of embarrassment.

"I think I'm going to keep you locked up." There was laughter in her voice.

Damn the stupid game!

Damn Kaoru!

Somewhere faraway, his twin was laughing at him.

The end

A/N: Thank you to all my faithful readers! Without you I would have never finished this story. I hope you all enjoyed it! I also hope the story explained all the characters stories and the plot made sense. Yeah, it turned out very AU. Oh well. It was fun.