Vatala Darkmist, Tamaki is an odd character... But we all love him! Don't worry! Kyoya and Haruhi will run into each other soon... JackoLillie, Thank you so very much! That really means a lot to me. Chloeandderek, I promise Kyoya will show up in the next chapter! :) KraZiiePyrozHavemoreFun, Haruhi probably would wait at an information booth... If she can find it! But have no fear! She'll be rescued soon! DominoTyler, Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that you're enjoying it! And I loved Honey's logic too! It made sense to me... Manga reader 125, I was honestly in the middle of thinking up a Renge chapter when I read your review! Great minds think alike :) Hope you enjoy!

Four

Haruhi was getting tired of walking around the mall with no idea where she was going. There had still been no sign of any of the other Host Club members, which left Haruhi wondering how big this mall actually was. With a sigh, she took a seat on a bench and watched the people walking past her. She hoped that she would spot a familiar face eventually. However, after a few minutes, boredom started to take over and Haruhi felt like curling up on the bench and going to sleep. However, she knew that wasn't an option, so she stood up and decided she better begin looking again. Just as she started walking away from the bench, a familiar voice called out her name. Her heart surged with hope and she spun around, hoping to be face to face with one of her friends. As she was turning, she realized something strange. The voice that had called out to her wasn't a male's…

"Haruhi! What are you doing here all alone?" Renge asked cheerfully as she approached Haruhi. Her arms were full of shopping bags, and Haruhi couldn't help but wonder how she was able to carry so much at one time.

"Renge…" Haruhi said in a surprised voice. "I'm… I'm not alone… Well, not really, I mean. I'm here with the rest of the Host Club, but we got separated. I've been trying to look for them for quite a while now."

"That's terrible!" Renge trilled, her eyes wide with sympathy. "Well, never fear! I'll help you find them! I know this mall like the back of my hand. I bet we'll be able to find them in no time!" She grabbed Haruhi's hand and began walking quickly, dragging the brunette behind her.

Haruhi stumbled slightly as Renge pulled on her hand, but quickly regained her footing and followed her. "Um… You don't really have to do this…" she said uneasily. "I'm sure I can find them sooner or later. Besides, I have a bit of an idea as to where they might be. I remember them saying something about a store with the word 'lace' in the name."

Renge stopped and looked back at Haruhi with a puzzled look. "They must have been talking about Frills and Lace, but… Why would they want to go there? It's a girl's clothing store. I can't imagine what a bunch of boys like you guys would want at a store like that."

Haruhi's eyes widened and she felt her stomach drop. She had forgotten that Renge didn't know her secret. How was she supposed to explain her way out of this one? Her mind was blank and she couldn't form any words. "Um… Renge… You see…"

Renge squealed suddenly and placed her bags on the ground. She spun around and wrapped her arms around Haruhi, hugging her tightly. "Oh Haruhi! I understand now! Everything makes perfect sense! I can't believe I didn't see it before! But now… Oh I understand perfectly!"

"Um… really?" Haruhi said, squirming slightly in her friend's embrace. "I'm sorry to have kept it from you, Renge, but I hope you realize that it was completely necessary and there wasn't really anything I could do about it."

"There's no need for you to apologize, Haruhi!" Renge replied, looking at her friend with overdramatic, teary eyes. "I wouldn't have expected you to just come out and tell me that the entire Host Club was getting together to get me a present."

"What…?" Haruhi asked incredulously and she narrowed her eyes at the other girl. "A present?"

"Of course!" Renge said with a wave of her hand. She scooped her bags up off the ground and motioned for Haruhi to follow her. "There's no other logical reason for a bunch of guys to be shopping in a girl's clothing store expect that they are buying a gift for their female friend. It's obvious that you are all trying to thank me for being such a wonderful manager for the Host Club."

Haruhi bit her lip to suppress a groan. She smacked her hand against her forehead and sighed. At least she didn't figure out the truth… But still, this means we're actually going to have to get her a present…

"I can't imagine why you would go to Frills and Lace to get me a gift though," Renge said, oblivious to Haruhi's exasperation. "There are some really great video game and cosplay stores in this mall. You would find a much better gift for me there. In fact, Otaku Heaven isn't far from here. Do you want to go in there and we can pick something out together? I'm sure we can also find some great cosplay for the club to do too." Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Haruhi's arm and began pulling her in the direction of the store.

"Actually, Renge," Haruhi said, trying to pull herself free. However, the other girl was surprisingly strong. "Renge… I really think I should try and find the others at Frills and Lace." Haruhi shuddered. Just saying the name of that store made her stomach churn. "But I can tell them to come and check out Otaku Heaven when I finally find them. I'm sure they won't be opposed to the idea."

"Nonsense!" Renge said, stopping at the entryway of the school and letting go of Haruhi's arm. "You and I will pick out something together and ask the person at the register to put it on hold. Then, I'll help you find the other Hosts. I'll leave and then you can tell them that you found the perfect gift and go pick it up from the store! It's a great plan! I know it sort of gets rid of the surprise effect, but I can pretend to be surprised. I'm really good at doing that. I've been doing it to Daddy for years."

Haruhi let out a defeated sigh and she nodded, following Renge into the store. She looked around in bewilderment at all the different cosplays and games that were scattered around the store. Renge darted around, looking at different things and exclaiming each time that she had found the perfect gift. Haruhi merely stood in the center of the store and watched the other girl gawk at the merchandise.

Suddenly, Renge let out an ear-piercing shriek. Haruhi jumped and quickly rushed to where her friend was to make sure everything was alright. However, she stopped when she saw Renge hugging another girl, babbling about having not seen the other person since their last anime convention. Seeing this as her only opportunity for escape, Haruhi quickly ran from the store and resumed her search for her fellow Host Club members. She hoped Renge wouldn't be too angry with her when she realized that Haruhi had left, but she couldn't stay there any longer. She made a mental note to let Kyoya know that Renge was now expecting a gift from the Host Club.

He's not going to be happy about that… she thought bitterly. And I can guarantee the cost of whatever they buy her is going to be added to my debt too…

I'm really interested in what you have to say and what you think will happen. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Please, tell me what you think! The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update! Thanks for reading!

Mew Painappuru