Haruhi's Birthday

Chapter 7

Mikuru left the building with a mission- to find an awesome present for Haruhi. "I'm going to find something epic, something that she will remember and absolutely love. Something that she will take with her wherever she goes, like maybe a Tamagotchi." Mikuru thought this thought as she rounded the corner to the shopping district. She had about $20 in her purse at the moment, but she had a special credit card with no limits on it (courtesy of the Time Travelers). Mikuru had no idea what to get for her friend. "Maybe if she hadn't told us so late." The girl thought. Her main problem was the fact that she was so indecisive. She could probably go to all the stores here and not find anything at all. This wasn't going to happen this time though. She was on a mission. A mission that she was determined to complete.

The first store Mikuru stopped by was Bed, Bath and Beyond. As soon as Mikuru walked in, she was bombarded with the scent of fresh lavender and other aromatics that the store is famous for.

"Bed, Bath and Beyond will be closing in an hour," said a voice over the intercom.

"That is definitely enough time," Mikuru said happily. She was sure that she could find something here. She was on a mission.

"Okay," Mikuru said. "What does Haruhi like…?" Mikuru browsed through the aisles, looking for something that Haruhi may like. She picked up a box that said " Rejuvenating Sea Salt Scrub" and read the directions. "For those with dry, course and/or rough skin." Mikuru put it down, deciding that it sent the wrong message. She picked up some sweet smelling perfume. "To lightly refresh with the scent of lovely orchids full abloom in the summer sun," The package said. Then it said, "Hides even the most unpleasant odors." Mikuru set that one down too. She was determined to find something that would not offend Haruhi.

She picked up some lotion. "Medicated to remove even the toughest scars and cellulite."

"Does everything in this store offend?" Mikuru yelled. A lady who was standing next to Mikuru glanced at her and briskly walked away. Mikuru felt embarrassed. "I'll find something…" Mikuru said.

For about ten minutes Mikuru wandered about the store.

Then she found it. The

The ultimate present.

It was a perfume set that was wrapped in a beautiful basket that could be reused. As far as Mikuru could tell, it had no offensive statements. Its aroma was awesome. The gift was not too big and could be gift wrapped easily.

"Yes!" Mikuru said as she grabbed the basket. It was the last one left. She hurried to the checkout line. "And just in time…" The lady who was checking her out was nice and young, probably doing the job for extra cash while in college. "Did you find everything alright?" She asked.

"Yes…well no," Mikuru responded. "Everything in this store would make an offensive present."

"Tell me about it," the lady replied, "I had to learn that the hard way. Well, actually this basket thing has been selling like hotcakes; lots of girls buy 'em and boys buy 'em for their girls. So I guess that's not offensive. We offer gift wrapping; would you like that service for only an extra five dollars?"

Mikuru shook her head. She left the store looking and feeling relieved. She began to do some window shopping just in case she found anything better. There was this store named "Epic Tees" and it looked interesting. Mikuru entered it. Inside there were racks of clothing that all had one special quality—they lit up and played music. "Holy sh…" Mikuru trailed off. She began shopping not only for Haruhi, but herself, Kyon and maybe even Yuki and Itsuki. But she'd give them their shirts afterwards so that Haruhi would not get jealous.

Mikuru had found some outrageous clothes. She found shirts, pants and even some light up shoes. She got one particular shirt for Haruhi though. It said "Bitch of Action." Mikuru laughed at it. It described Haruhi perfectly.

She went to the checkout line. As she was waiting, someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned toward the tap, and no one was there. Mikuru was confused. Suddenly, a voice she recognized said "Hey!" Haruhi was in line right behind her.

"I didn't know that you shopped here."

"I don't usually…"

"I know that the shirts here are so crazy. I love the ones that play music."

"Yeah…"

"And I totally got the shirt that says, well let me show you…" Haruhi reached into the shopping bag and revealed a shirt that said "Bitch of Action". Mikuru just stared at it.

"Doesn't it describe me perfectly?" Haruhi asked.

"Yeah…" Mikuru said downhearted.

"I love it; I just had to buy it."

"What if someone was going to buy that for you as a present?" Mikuru asked quietly.

"Oh, wow, I didn't think of that." There was a moment of silence between the two girls. "Oh well, I guess I'll just return it then. But I'm pretty sure that no one would get the exact same t-shirt as me, for me. I mean that would be a real…coincidence. "

"Yeah…" Mikuru didn't know what to say.

"Did you know that their selling this cute perfume basket at Bed, Bath and Beyond?" Haruhi asked as she tried to keep the conversation going. "I bought that too, you should check it out."

Mikuru felt crushed. "Yeah…" The lady did say that it was selling like hotcakes.