The Host Mafia

Chapter 6

Haruhi rubbed her arms over the soft, mini sweater that covered her arms. It was so soft and warm, and she didn't understand how. All she knew was that Kaoru said that it completed the summer look that could be worn all year around. Even the tights that the twins had convinced her to wear before they left were warm enough for the cool climate, and she had to admit, it did go well with the outfit. Even though she still believed that an actual model should wear it instead of her. The looks she were receiving seemed to be a mixture of awe, and confusion. The confusion, she believed was because of her wearing something that was obviously one of a kind.

"Alright. We got Kyoya's new gadget, Hunny's newest animal, the small weights Mori asked for, Tamaki's newest 'princely' item, and the fabric that Hikaru asked for. Do you need anything Haruhi? You still haven't bought anything yet to actually make your room...well, yours." Kaoru stated, and she bit her bottom lip as she pulled her cell phone close to her.

My room is fine just the way it is. I like it plain. She typed then showed it to him, watching as he sighed and shook his head. It was an arguement that she had with each of the members so far, and they still thought she should do something to make the room seem more...her. Thing was, she didn't really know what she liked. Everytime she tried to remember, all she could recall were the two years in hell with her aunt and uncle.

"Come on Haruhi. There has to be something you want to change about your room." Kaoru stated, and she bit her bottom lip. There was one small thing that she wanted, but just thought it to silly to ask for. It was soft, plush, and would probably stop them from pestering her for a bit. Glancing down at her phone, she started to type. This time allowing him to lean over her shoulder to see what she was saying.

Well...I've really been wanting one of those soft, plush rug things. Like the kind in Hunny's room. I like the way it feels, and that way I wont always have to step on the cold hard wood floor all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love the wooden floor, just not that it's always so cold. She texted, and glanced up at him. Slightly surprised to see a kind smile on his face as he laughed softly.

"Now that's a start. Come on, I know where we can get one at. You have to choose though, okay?" He asked, and she nodded her head. Starting to follow him through the crowded mall. It was her first time in being one that she could remember, and couldn't believe all the shops and restaurants that was in it. Even a candy store, that Kaoru said they always had to drag Hunny away from because of his sweet tooth.

"Would you like a free sample?" The voice caused her to still, and she jerked back slightly when a small lid of lotion was thrust in front of her face. She glanced up to see a smiling woman holding it toward her, she was wearing a black shirt with a red logo across the top, and black jeans.

"It's their newest creation. I will restore and tighten the skin, practically sending you back in time." The woman stated, and Haruhi couldn't help but think that she sounded as if she had rehearsed the line over and over until she had it memorized. A hand wrapping around her arm caused her to glance up to see Kaoru giving the woman a friendly smile.

"Sorry, but we're on a bit of a tight schedule. Maybe next time." He stated, and easily pulled her away. Haruhi glanced over her shoulder to see that the woman was already holding the offer out to someone else. She grabbed her phone and tugged on Kaoru's sleeve.

What was that exactly? She asked, and watched as he smiled.

"It's her job to try and sell a certain amount of that product. The free sample is to lure customers in, and then she'll try to sweet talk them into buying the product. It's common in malls, even though half the time the product doesn't work." He stated, she nodded and made a mental note to remember that so she wasn't conned out of money. She glanced up as they stopped in front of a furniture store, and walked in when he held the door open for her. It seemed to be one of the larger stores in the mall, and was packed with small furniture, area rugs, and other little nick-knacks. A young woman approached them with a friendly smile.

"Is there anything I can help you with today?" She asked, and she waited for Kaoru to tell the woman what they were looking for.

"Yes, we were wondering where you plush area carpets are?" He asked, and she watched as the woman seemed to take him in, a faint blush appearing on her cheek. The woman cleared her throat, seemed to glance at Haruhi in confusion for a moment, and then put her bright smile back in place.

"If you'll follow me, I'll show you exactly where they are. We have a wide selection to choose from..." Haruhi tuned the woman out, and glanced at some of the things that they passed. Taking interest in some of the lamps, and large cushion looking chairs. When they reached the area rugs, Kaoru turned to her.

"Go ahead and choose the one you like best, Princess." He stated, and she stilled when the woman seemed to tense slightly.

"So, your name is Princess?" The woman asked, and she shook her head. Watching as the woman frowned, and glare at her briefly. Haruhi blinked when Kaoru was suddenly at her side, arms wrapped around her neck and leaning down to stare at the woman.

"Her name is Haruhi. I only call her Princess because it's my special name for her, and only her." He stated, softly, and Haruhi blinked when the woman seemed to deflate on the spot. She gave a jerky nod, and straightened.

"Very well. If you need anything else, then just ask." The woman stated in a clipped voice, and for some reason Haruhi figured that she was mad at them for some reason. Pulling her cell phone up again she quickly typed as the woman walked away.

What was that for? She asked, listening as he laughed in her ear and straightened away from her.

"She thought she had a chance with me, and I basically said I wasn't interested." He stated, and she couldn't help but think that there was more to it than that. But she knew that trying to get information from the twins was like trying to catch a cloud. Sighing, she glanced at the options she could choose from, and ran her hand among them. Stilling when she rubbed across a navy blue one that felt amazing to the touch. She faintly heard Kaoru 'hmm' slightly, but ignored it when he didn't say anything. She glanced at the price tag, and was surprised to find that it was the cheapest one of the group, but she was thankful for that.

"That the one you want, Princess?" He asked, and she nodded. He smiled, pulled it out of the rack, and held it over his shoulder. He started toward the check out, and she typed on her phone.

What about you? Don't you need something? She asked, and watched as he shook his head.

"Nope. I'm good." He stated, swiping the card the Kyoya had given him when the cashier rang up the price. She blinked, but accepted it and followed him out of the store and toward the front revolving doors. She smiled as the limo pulled up without them evening having to call it, and started to grab a few bag to help load up the trunk. Only to still when the limo driver quickly took the items himself. She sighed, there was no way she was going to get used to that.

"No worries, Princess. It's part of his job. Now come on, lets grab a quick bite, then head home and finish those gloves." Kaoru stated, she smiled and gave a small nod. Stepping back to go into the mall again, only to gasp when Kaoru suddenly tackled her from behind just as a loud 'bang' echoed around them. She tensed as she heard something whiz over them, and grunted when Kaoru dragged her to her feet and ducked behind one of the stone blocks that supported the building. A moment later a bullet slammed into the concrete, sending small chips of it flying.

"Damnit! You've got to be kidding me." He growled, pulling out his own gun as the people caught in the middle suddenly scattered into the building. She whimpered as another bullet hit their shield, and clutched at his shirt.

"Easy, Princess. You've got to stay calm and collected in these type of crisis. Listen, I want you to text the others, tell them what's happening." He whispered, she nodded and quickly grabbed her phone. Hitting send to all once she was done, and leaned back into him as another fire was shot.

"Damn. I can't get a clear shot from this angle. Hell, I don't even know who's shooting at us." He growled, and she looked up to see his face irritated. She blinked when he inhaled, and pressed her to chest. She watched from the corner of her eyes as he eased his head to the edge of the concrete block, and peered around it. The sound of his growl didn't help ease her tension one bit, and she winced when he moved suddenly to cover her as another shot was fired.

"What the hell? I've never seen this guy before. So why is he shooting at us?" He growled, and she blinked at him in confusion. Her eyes met his, and he seemed to be giving her an apologetic look.

"Sorry, Princess. This is going to be a little rough unless we get a break." He whispered, as another bullet sent more concrete flying. She gave a whimper, and blinked when he straightened and lifted his gun beside his head, the muzzle pointing upward. He had closed his eyes, and seemed to be meditating slightly. When he opened his eyes again, they were as cold as ice, and looked as if he was ready to kill, and in some way, she figured that he was. He twisted his arm out into the open, toward the area where the shots were being fired, and squeezed the trigger three times in rappid succession. She tensed when another shot was heard, not by his gun, and he hissed as he quickly pulled his hand back in. She gasped when she saw a thin trail of blood running down his forearm. She followed the trail up, and winced as she saw the dark hole right below the crook of his elbow.

"It's alright, Princess. I've had worse." He growled, and switched the gun to his other hand. She grunted when he suddenly flipped them, his body pinning her to the block wall, but still shielding her from the flying concrete. She watched as he used his good arm to fire more shots, waited for the return fire, swallowing when it didn't return. Had Kaoru managed to hit the man firing at them? She clutched his shirt when he started to ease out, and bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood as he glanced around their shield. When another shot echoed, and Kaoru cursed as he jerked slightly she knew he had been hit. She grabbed his face and went wide eyed as she saw a thin trail of blood begin to run down his left cheek. The bullet had only grazed him, but it was enough that she wanted this to end. She didn't want to see him getting hurt like this, and she was afraid that if this continued for too long, one of them would eventually run out of bullets. She tried to do the math in her head on who had fired the most shots, but couldn't think straight with the panic going through , a siren split through the quiet, and she gripped his shirt tighter when he peeked out again.

"He's gone now. Come on, we have to go, Princess. If the cops follow, Kyoya will be able to handle them better than me." He stated, grabbing her arm and escorted her to the waiting limo. She got in without a fuss, but quickly moved to his side when he slide in. Touching his arm and cheek in silent question, and watched as he smiled.

"No worries, like I said. I've had rougher than this. Kyoya will have the doctor already at the house by the time we get there, I'll be fine." He stated, and she swallowed. Not really believing him, but knew that there was nothing she could do, so she nodded and sat silently beside him. Trying to figure out who would be targeting them, and why.