Wow, this update is late! I'm sorry, guys. I've had a few issues, but not enough for me to be as slack as I have. Forgive me?

And I think I say this every chapter, but hopefully the next update will be quicker.

Also, a late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, if you celebrate it!

Chapter 13-

Time passed, and all of a sudden it was Hana's birthday. After a morning full of celebrations and birthday punches, Hana was officially sixteen. As was their family tradition, Hana's mother took the day off work despite Hana's unease.

"But what if you get sick and actually need a day off?" Hana fretted, "I know your job doesn't give you many days off. You shouldn't take a day off for something like this"

"Your birthday isn't 'something like this', it's your special day. So don't feel guilty. You've earned it"

And regardless of Hana's many protests, she took the day off work. Unfortunately, Hana's birthday had fallen on a Friday, so she had to go to school. Her stomach churned. After Hana and Kyoya's talk at the park, they hadn't spoken to each other since. Countless questions had taken place in the little dark corner of Hana's mind, and, althouh she'd loathed it, hope. She'd begun to hope in Kyoya again.

'I know it's stupid' Hana inwardly grimaced, 'But what would he have to gain from confessing like that? And what did he mean by saying he wanted me? His words totally contradict his actions! So what am I supposed to believe? What side of Kyoya is the real one? Or are all sides of Kyoya him?'

"God" Hana muttered to herself as she walked into her class, "I've never been so confused by a person in my life. What is your deal, Kyoya? And why am I thinking of you on my birthday!?"

"They say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness" the twins, as usual, jumped out of nowhere, adding their not so helpful input.

"Good morning to you, too" Hana gave them her brightest smile.

Haruhi walked over, "Hey, Hana. Are you coming to the Host Club anniversary party this weekend?"

"What party?"

"It's a party to celebrate the Host Clubs origins" the twins chimed.

"Not interested"

"It's also very exclusive" Hikaru added, "Not many people can get in"

"Still not interested" Hana deadpanned, "Parties aren't my thing. Especially parties thrown by you rich people. I'd be way out of my comfort zone"

"Oh, c'mon Hana" Haruhi persisted, "We can use it as a party to celebrate your birthday! Oh, and it's kinda late, but happy birthday"

"It's your birthday?" Hikaru recoiled, horrified, "And you aren't having a party?"

"No" Hana said, unnerved by his odd reaction, "That's the usual for me. What's wrong with it?"

"But you're sixteen! What happened to the whole sweet sixteen thing!?" Kaoru demanded, "No. You're coming on Sunday. No excuses. It was meant to be to celebrate the first birthday of the Host Club..."

"But we can make it partly for you" Hikaru finished, "The Boss would love it too. He loves sad stories"

"Just because I don't have birthday parties doesn't mean my life is miserable" Hana rolled her eyes.

The looks they gave her said it all.

"Okay fine, maybe my life isn't extraordinarily fun" Hana relented, "But I don't need to go to this. I'll honestly be happier without it"

The three of them scrutinized her, then glanced at each other and nodded in unison.

"So what should we get for food? Now that it's Hana's birthday, we need a really big cake, don't we?"

"We need a private band to sing the birthday song for her, definitely"

Hana sighed.

"So that's the story" Haruhi earnestly told Hana's mother, "And it would really make us happy if you could let your daughter attend the birthday party Sunday evening"

Hana sat sullenly to the side, silently fuming. She'd vehemently objected to going to the party, and she'd vehemently objected to Haruhi's visit to 'convince' her mother to give permission for Hana to attend the party. Haruhi had paid both no heed, and followed Hana to her house and then proceeded to sweet-talk Hana's mother, which was not an impossible feat.

"Of course Hana can go!" Her mother beamed, "I think it's great that she has such good friends at her new school. I've been so worried. She isn't the most sociable person, you know? And besides, she spends too much time at home. I'm always telling her to relax and have some fun!"

"I've always been more of an introverted person-" Hana tried, but her voice was drowned out by Haruhi's enthusiasm.

"Thanks so much! I'll take care of her, and I'll get my father to drive her home, it's no fuss. We don't live far away"

"I don't need to be babysat-" Hana reprimanded.

"That's very generous of you. We are in your debt"

Hana slumped, defeated. Haruhi and her mother turned to her, sympathetic smiles on their faces. But if Hana wasn't mistaken, there was an evil glint in their eyes, as though they were about to subject her to a torture full of excruciating pain.

"So, about dresses..."

As it usually was for the Host Club, word got around fast. In a matter of minutes, all the Host Club knew about Hana's lack of correct attire for the party on Sunday (even Kyoya, much to Hana's chagrin), and within hours, all their fans knew of Hana's attendance. The party had know been dubbed, 'The lost puppy charity project' by Tamaki, who, as expected, had burst into tears after hearing Hana's so called sad story.

"We will find you the perfect dress tomorrow, Hana!" Tamaki had announced proudly into her phone. She hadn't even known he'd had her number, "Don't worry!

"I wasn't worrying" she had muttered.

Now it was Saturday morning, and judging by all the commotion outside, the Host Club had arrived. Sure enough, a minute later, there was a knock on the door. Hana opened it to reveal Haruhi.

"You're cross-dressing again" Hana said, as a way of greeting, "Any particular reason?"

Haruhi grinned, seemingly comfortable, "Word of the 'lost puppy charity project' got around fast. We've got the Host Clubs regular customers-"

"Fangirls" Hana corrected.

Haruhi huffed, "Fine, fangirls. Anyway, they're coming along to watch us shop. They're treating it like a soap opera. They've got tissues and everything. So I have to protect my secret identity"

"A soap opera" Hana echoed.

"Yeah, the whole rags-to-riches thing"

Hana nibbled at her bottom lip, then gave Haruhi the best fake smile she could muster, "Oh, what a pity, it turns out I can't come shopping today, anyway. I have to water my um, plants"

Haruhi just stared at her, then shook her head, "I honestly don't know whether or not you thought I'd believe that. C'mon, we're going"

"But Haruhiiiiii" Hana whined, as Haruhi grabbed her arm and dragged her outside, "I don't wannnaaaa goooo"

"Stop acting like a two year old" Haruhi scolded in one of her rare burst of anger, "You're going shopping today and that's final!"

Hana cowered.

"Oh, come on, it's just shopping! Just think of it like we're shopping for food or something!"

Hana cowered.

Haruhi softened her tone, "It'll be okay. If you want, I'll tell Kyoya to make the fangirls go away, and I'll make sure the twins don't make you wear anything too revealing. I'll even stop Honey from stopping at every cake shop along the way. What do you say?"

Hana breathed out slowly, relenting, "Okay..." She muttered, "It's just shopping. Clothes shopping. With the Host Club..." At this, she gave a full body shudder, then turned to Haruhi with pleading eyes, "Haruhiiiiii"

"It's just shopping!"

Haruhi was true to her word. The fangirls were politely dismissed by Kyoya, who addressed them calmly but with an undertone of steel. Needless to say, they left quickly. She then rounded on the twins, threatening to shave their hair off if they tried anything remotely sneaky with Hana. After that, she turned to Mori and asked him to keep Honey away from any cake shops. Mori nodded and gave an affirmative 'hm', and that seemed to be enough reassurance for Hana to embark on what she thought would be the worst day of her life.

"We're going to the Emporium!" Tamaki announced proudly, "Only the richest and most influential people get to shop there. I'm sure they'll make an exception for Hana" he flashed her a quick grin while she seethed. He probably hadn't noticed that he'd insulted her, "Anyway, this is an operation of most importance. Men, I trust that you will stay true to your roles! Honey, make Mori look cute! Kyoya, do your notebook thing that you always do! Hikaru, Kaoru, run into a giant ditch somewhere!"

"Hey!"

"And Haruhi, provide Hana with moral support! Make her feel confident about her image, and should the question 'Do I look fat in this?' arise, it is your duty to answer it correctly, if that is possible. Honestly, there's a high chance it won't be! Everyone, understand?"

"Roger!"

"Then let's move out!"

Finished with his motivational speech, he charged toward the limousine parked. Kyoya walked past her, brushing past her gently as he moved to sit in the front. He inclined his head towards her slightly, and his lips curved into a half smile.

A pale pink color graced Hana's cheeks, and she looked away. Right into the manipulative faces of the twins.

"We might have promised Haruhi we wouldn't do anything" Hikaru whispered to her.

"But after that sexual tension? No way!" Kaoru smirked.

"What sexual tension!?" she hissed. He ignored her. The twins had perfect synchronization, as always.

They opened the door for her, gesturing inside, "After you"

Hana glared.

She lasted thirty minutes.

They'd dragged her into so many stores that she could hardly remember the worker who'd helped her put on frilly, pink abominations, let alone the store names. The stores were huge, and the dresses had price tags with numbers so high she'd felt like she was going to faint. Guilt kicked in, and while she'd tried to reason with them that they didn't have to buy her a dress, they'd swatted away her protests as easily as swatting a fly.

"Hana, try this one on!" Hikaru called, holding up a blue dress. In Hana's opinion, it was too girly. She couldn't imagine her wearing a dress like that, let alone looking good in it.

"Hana, my dear, what about this?" Tamaki showed her a dress that reminded her of a banana, "It's like my hair! That way, you can remember me always" he winked.

"Hana-chan, this one is like cake!" Honey smiled cheekily, "You should wear it!"

"Hana, over here!"

"Hana, wear this!"

"Hana!"

They'd surrounded her, holding up their instruments of torture. Hana froze.

"Guys!" Haruhi scolded, "I told you not to do this! It's her first time shopping in this kind of store! You're freaking her out! Now apologize!"

"Sorry" they mumbled.

Then Tamaki, energetic as always, got down on one knee and grasped Hana's hand. He looked up at her through his perfectly styled hair, teary-eyed, "Hana, I'm so sorry" he wept, "I understand that being in a new environment that is much better than your own is daunting. I apologize for being blind to your feelings. But never fear!" His voice took on a more dramatic tone, "I vow to be more conscious! So, onto the next store!"

"Stop!" Hana burst out, "That's enough! God, I can't take it anymore!"

They all froze, staring at her in confusion.

"I've shopped with you" she said, more calmly, "And obviously, your methods of shopping are not working. Because let me tell you this quite clearly... I HATE THOSE DRESSES! AND I WILL NEVER WEAR THEM FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE!"

"Ahhh!"

"M-monster Hana!"

"Save us!"

Hana stood there, a blush creeping it's way onto her cheeks as she fought to regain control of her temper. As they cowered before her, guilt wormed its way into her heart. They had just been trying to help, and it wasn't their fault she hated shopping. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. It was working too, until that familiar, smooth voice cut in.

"If I may make a suggestion" Kyoya said, holding up a dark blue dress, "I think Hana would prefer this"

Whilst the others had been furiously searching for the perfect dress, Kyoya had stood to the side, observing the antics of the Host Club without participating, as usual. Hana was certain he didn't care about what she wore. But now, staring at him, and his dress, which she would reluctantly admit did look good... Memories assaulted her.

"Oh, Hana. You amuse me. Mood swings? I thought I was being polite"

"Yes, Hana, I bought you a boat"

"What were you thinking!? What would've happened if I hadn't come!? The whole point of this was that one of us would be there to alert everyone and save the other. Hana, what the hell-"

"You may not be in love with me yet. But you will be soon. I will haunt your every dream.

Whenever you have a spare moment you will think of me. You will be my intoxicant, and I will be your drug. Hana Kaneko, you will love me"

'Sometimes, I think you're nothing more than a slave to your sister'

'Hana, I might not be the world's best conversationalist, nor am I the most emotional person, but I know that I want you"

Why was she thinking of these things? Sure, Kyoya didn't always act as the devil incarnate, but she'd known him long enough to see who he truly was. He was sick, twisted, used emotions for entertainment, sacrificed everything just so he could inherit his father's company. Kyoya was definitely not her knight in shining armor.

So why... Does that not matter to me? Logically, he and I are incompatible. Logically, I should hate him. Logically, I shouldn't even be in lo-

She snapped her thoughts away from that particular line of thought, and gave him a smile, "Funny, I was just going to make the same suggestion"