Boys
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.
A/N: Thank you guys so much for the reviews I didn't know how people would like my story since it's the first one I've actually posted. I appreciate it so much you guys are my inspiration!
Edited: 03/09/11 Just minor grammar mistakes.
Chapter Three
Heading straight for Hotaru's laboratory Tsubasa contemplated on his plans. He would need to pick a guy to play the part. Someone who was brave enough to stand Natsume's wrath and be a good actor. He would also need to be good enough to elicit some sort of response from the fiery boy, while being respectful to Mikan. Mentally going through the list of boys that he had known during his years in Alice Academy he instantly crossed out all her close guy friends. If he picked any of them Natsume would know instantly that something wasn't right because no one who considered them selves close friends would ever go against Natsume's unspoken claim on Mikan
Reaching Hotaru's lab he quickly knocked and hoped she was in. He didn't like the thought of searching the campus to look for her. Luckily the door swung open only after a few seconds and he was met with familiar violet eyes.
"Hotaru-chan good to see you I-…" Slam!
The door closed before he could finish his sentence. Dam. This was going to be harder than he thought.
"Come on Hotaru-chan don't be like that I need you for something." He continued to knock to no avail. "I'm willing to pay you." He offered.
The sound of a gun loading was all that alerted Tsubasa of danger before the door quickly opened and a shot rang out. Dodging at the last second thanks to years of missions and Misaki's fists he barely avoided the bullet that was now wedged into the wall behind him. Sweat dropping at the sound of the gun loading again and the glare that Hotaru sent him he pleaded with her.
"Now Hotaru-chan be reasonable. I didn't really mean to break your robot that one time during junior high I was just curious. And that time I borrowed one of your experiments, I apologize I put it back didn't I? And that time-…" This time a warning shot rang out causing Tsubasa to flinch but inwardly thank whatever Gods out there that she was being lenient today. It must have been his offer of money that she was still standing there waiting for him to get to the point.
"Shut up Andou just get to the point of why you're here and if you call me Hotaru-chan one more time I will knock your teeth out." She threatened.
"Sure, right no problem. Understood." He gladly agreed. "Can we at least talk inside this is kind of a delicate operation."
"How much do you have?" she asked.
"500 hundred rabbits" was his immediate reply. He hoped that it was enough money for now because he originally planned to use the money to buy something for Misaki in central town. But from how she was looking at him he guessed he might need to get more out. However, instead of asking for more she turned to walk back into her lab leaving the door open behind her, which he translated as an approval.
Silently letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding he started to make his way into the lab. He tried not to look too interested in his surrounding because finding interesting inventions in her lab was what always got him in trouble in the past. So he kept his eyes glued to the back of Hotaru's black shoes.
Hotaru on the other hand simply ignored the blue eyed prankster that was trailing her like a puppy. As long as he kept his filthy paws away from her inventions she would tolerate his company. She had some idea as to why he was seeking her out and that was the only reason he wasn't smashed against the wall.
Picking up her trusty purple screw driver she instantly went back to working on her newest invention. A machine that projected a holographic visual of one's thoughts. She was hoping to make it small enough to be able to skillfully place on an unsuspecting black cat so that he could stop hiding behind his I-don't-care-about-anyone facade. Diving into her own world once again consisting of math equations and scientific formulas she almost forgot the presence of one annoying shadow user until he spoke.
Tsubasa had been standing behind her for the last five minutes waiting for her to acknowledge his existence but after what seemed like forever he decided to break the silence himself. He was pretty sure that he had enough room around him to successfully dodge another of her baka-bullets so with a deep breath he decided to go for it. Here goes nothing he thought.
"Imai-san I'm sure you are aware of Mikan-chan's sudden interest in boys." He began delicately. Hotaru was sometimes very hard to talk to and could be as scary as Natsume, so dealing with her always called for extreme caution.
During his middle school years she usually left him alone and let him do as he pleased because Mikan liked him. But after he started borrowing her experiments without permission for his own conveniences that was when she started to become irritated with his mere presence. So he knew to step lightly around her from then on.
Hearing her silence as sign to continue he told her about his talk with Mikan and his own plans. He shared with her his own ideas and what he hoped to accomplish. Through out his whole spew Hotaru did not utter a word or give any indication that she was listening. Only the occasional pauses in her work showed him that she was taking his plan into consideration. After his speech he waited nervously to hear what she thought about his plans. He was sure he could come up with something great on his own but with Hotaru's help there was a greater chance that he could come out of this academy alive. Thankfully it only took a couple of minutes for Hotaru to reach her decision before she spoke.
"There is a 50% fail rate that Natsume will burn you alive rather than confess. What makes you so sure that he will take the bait?" she began.
"Hey at least it's a 50% chance right? Who knows, luck might be on our side and I won't have to utilize any of my other schemes." He shrugged.
"Your logic astounds me." She drawled. "But, if there's a chance that the stupid moron will finally find the guts to confess to the idiot. I'll take part in your little scheme."
Inwardly jumping for joy he reflected that his chances of survival rose from a 50% chance to at least 60. The Gods were surely in his favor today. Interrupting his mental happy dance Hotaru threw him some sort of panda shaped gadget than turned her back towards him as if to dismiss him.
"I'll contact you later this evening to tell you when to commence the plan. Preparations need to be made. So if you see Sumire, Anna or Nonoko tell them to come to my lab."
"Why do we need their help?" he asked.
"To make this whole scheme more realistic. If Mikan really was going out on her first date all her friends would know about it. That idiot doesn't keep anything from us. It make sense that her friends would be involved with getting her ready for her first big date."
Silently agreeing he was about to set off again when a thought hit him.
"So who's the bait?" he asked curiously. It had been bothering him since he told her his plan. He didn't know who would be willing to play the part but since it was Hotaru she could always blackmail someone into doing it. However, the next word out of her mouth totally threw him into a loop.
"You" she stated simply.
There was a second's pause before it clicked into his brain. He simply could not believe that she was doing this to him. His official survival rate sadly came down from a wondrous 60% to a 0.029%. There was no way Natsume would ever forgive him for being Mikan's first date fake or otherwise.
"What?" he shouted. "That wasn't in the plan! I never agreed to be bait. Oh god I'm going die. I'm going to die! Natsume's going to roast me and eat me. No he's going to stick a spike through my body and than roast me and feed me to Ruka's vicious animals." By this point Tsubasa was working himself into a frenzy. He had always teased Natsume in the past by subtly flirting with Mikan or hugging her longer than necessary. But those were all in good fun and all he ever got was a glare and occasional burned clothing. But this, this would not end well. He was not lucky enough to believe that he would be spared Natsume's masochistic tendencies. It wouldn't be just harmless glares, and burned clothing. Oh no this was going to hurt a lot.
Later the next day you could see Mikan and Tsubasa talking in front of the High school girl's dorm building. It was early that Saturday morning that Mikan had received a call from Tsubasa to meet her at the front entrance concerning her desire to date.
"Mikan just pretend that you and I are dating."
"But your married sempai why would I pretend to date you?" she asked confused.
"Yes but he doesn't know that." He mumbled.
"Huh, who doesn't know what?"
"Ah hehe no one" he answered nervously. "Just talking to myself." Clearing his throat he continued, "It's not for real Mikan it's…practice."
"Practice? For what?"
"For when you finally date someone. You don't know what to do on a date am I right?" he asked.
"Well… no." she admitted.
"Well that's what I'm here for. I promised to help you didn't I? And the first step is to get you to understand what you do on dates."
"Ah, now I understand. Thank you Tsubasa-sempai" she beamed.
"Good. Now Hotaru is waiting for you in her room. She said that she'd help you get ready for our date. She'll also explain a couple of things so I'll meet you back here in an hour okay?"
"Sure. Thanks again sempai." She waved and ran towards the girl's dorm.
Pulling out his cell phone he quickly dialed a number.
"Misaki, how's our health insurance? I might be needing it." Walking towards the boys dorm he listened to his wife's voice trying to memorize it incase it was the last time he was able hear it.
In the girl's dorm Hotaru, Anna and Nonoko were busy preparing for Mikan's first date. After Hotaru had explained the situation they had readily agreed to help. It was about time that something happened between the two. They had been dancing around each other for years. As soon as Mikan entered the room she was whisked away towards the bathroom to shower and change. The other girls all crowding and chattering around her about what to expect on a date.
"Just a peck on the cheek on the first day is fine" Anna blabbered on, "I usually never kiss until the third date."
"Yup, I agree" Nonoko piped in, "Never give out kisses on the first date. It shows that you're not easy and this will make them work harder to gain your affections."
"Don't let him kiss you at all" was Hotaru's monotonous advice. "If he tries, blast him with this newly remodeled baka gun. I made it to fit in your purse." She handed her a small black gun with a 3 inch sized nozzle. Shrugging off their disbelieving stares Hotaru simply replied that it worked better than pepper spray because depending on which setting you locked it on and how hard you pulled the trigger it could knock out your opponent.
Sweat dropping Anna and Nonoko wisely chose not to comment. Mikan on the other hand was enthusiastic that Hotaru had given her one of her inventions and for free.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you Hotaru-chan! You're the best" she gushed. Grunting in annoyance Hotaru pushed her away and stood by the door, as far away from her hyperactive best friend as possible.
"Just tell that freak to watch what he does." She stated.
So with Anna styling her hair and Nonoko doing her make up and Hotaru directing and giving suggestions they were done with 15 minutes to spare before the date. Bringing Mikan towards a full length mirror they waited for her approval. They watched as she took in her hair, her clothes and her make up, seeing the smile on her face they deduced that she liked what they did to her.
Mikan's normal straight brown hair was pulled out from its customary pigtails and curled to frame her face. Choosing to put only light make up on their friend's face. They used a hint of blush, mascara and strawberry flavored lip gloss. They had her in casual wear. Sporting a white stylish shirt with skinny dark jeans and black peep toe heels. The only jewelry she wore was the necklace containing the red alice stone she had gotten when she was 11 and a pair of silver hoop earrings. Throwing her a cute red purse they stood back and admired their work.
Mikan wasn't one to wear clothes other than the customary uniforms and comfortable clothes such as sweats and t-shirts and jeans. The money she got every month was spent on food or paying Hotaru. So she usually didn't have enough for miscellaneous stuff such as shopping for the next trend. How she ever stayed so skinny even after the amount of food she inhaled daily was a mystery to them all but they shrugged it off to a high metabolism. So seeing her in something other than a uniform did wonders to her curves. Checking the time, they gathered around Mikan to wish her good luck.
"Okay Mikan just be yourself no need to feel nervous or scared everything will work out in the end." Anna started.
"Yeah and if you think the dates going bad just give us a text or make up and excuse and we'll be right there to pick you up." Nonoko added in.
"We should actually develop some sort of code in case the date goes sour." Anna commented. "I know we'll call you 15 minutes into your date, that should be enough time to determine if the date's worth it or not."
"Oh come on Anna give the guy a break give him 20 minutes at least." She argued.
"Ano, what are you guys talking about?" Mikan asked. "Why would I be nervous and why do we need to make up a code?"
"Bakas" Hotaru's monotonous voice sounded out. "Did you guys forget this is not a real date there's no need for Mikan to know any of these stuff for now."
"Hehehe, right sorry" Anna apologized.
"Ano, do you guys usually get nervous before a date?" Mikan wondered.
"Well sometimes." Anna confessed. "When I really like the guy I do. I remember when I went out with this sempai of mine he was so dreamy. He had brown hair and the most gorgeous green eyes. Before the date I was a wreck going through my whole closet twice and Nonoko's to find the perfect outfit. But he ended up being a total jerk. Figures, all the good looking ones are so full of themselves." She shook her head. "But my first date with Yuu was amazing. I was so nervous at first but he was so sweet and caring that I totally forgot it after the first 5 minutes." She sighed.
"So it's normal to feel nervous when you go on a date with someone you really like?" she confirmed.
"Yup" Nonoko answered her.
"I see" she murmured wishing that this was a real date so she could at least experience some of the same things that her friends had experience. Maybe if she had gone on dates earlier she could have shared in the knowledge of secret dating codes and signs. She was clueless when it came to all this.
"Don't worry about it baka." Hotaru nudged her towards the door. "Tsubasa will make sure you have a good time." Nodding her head absentmindedly she headed down to the entrance to meet her first unofficial pretend date.
While the girls were having a blast gossiping and pampering Mikan for her date. Tsubasa on the other hand was a wreck. He had been jittery and jumpy since he had left Hotaru's lab this morning and by mid morning he was a big bumbling basket of nerves. Thankfully Hotaru didn't hate him enough not to lend him some of her fire proof spray and hair gel. He had spent a good 20 minutes making sure each and every square inch of his body was properly sprayed, thrice. He spent another 20 minutes looking for alice proof clothing in Central town and the next 45 minutes hiding up a tree until it was time to get Mikan.
According to Hotaru, it was Sumire's job to spread the word that Mikan had gotten her self a date this afternoon and they were due to leave for central town an hour after noon. So by now the whole academy should have gotten wind of the word. Cursing the evil genius for his current predicament he wished for the last time that someone else could take his place. He had graduated years ago and was married for goodness sake. All these teenage drama and dating schemes were supposed to be over and done with.
Reflecting on how Hotaru had gotten him into agreeing he thought back on their previous discussion.
"Stop whining Andou it's not like you. Besides Ruka's animals wouldn't eat you. You'd give them a stomach ache you're too irritating to consume." Not paying him the least attention she continued to work on her invention.
"I'm not doing it" he told her firmly trying to put up a brave front. But at his words Hotaru merely raised an eyebrow at him as if to say do you really want to fight me on this. Well yes. Yes he did because he was no longer the reckless, single guy he was back in middle school and part of junior high. Now he actually had a wife to care for and future children to think about. Risking his life because a certain pyromaniac was to stubborn to confess seemed a stupid way to die. As if reading his mind Hotaru shrugged her shoulders and deemed him with an answer.
"You're the only likely option Andou. Name me one other guy who pisses him off like no other because he liked to get close to Mikan but wasn't able to dissemble him."
"Tono" he instantly replied. Tono had been worse than he was and he knew for a fact that Natsume hated him while Tsubasa was merely disliked.
"Tono is in America and will not be back in Japan for another two months. Besides he'd kill Tono after that stunt he pulled on Mikan's 12th birthday." She stated waiting for him to continue.
"Ah, um, your brother?" he floundered trying to find any other guy other than him to go along with the plan. But at her deadpanned look he knew it was hopeless.
"Yuu? Mochu? Koko? Ruka?" he continued, he was that desperate.
"Yuu is currently dating Anna, Mochu is in the process of asking Nonoko, Koko is with Sumire and Ruka is off limits." She stated giving him a glare that said don't ask questions. "You are the only likely candidate that Natsume will not be suspicious about. He has not seen you or heard from you in the last four years and has always been insanely jealous of how close you are with Mikan. Don't think I didn't notice how you used to goad him into a temper when Mikan was around."
Nervously rubbing the back of his head he neither confirmed nor denied her statement.
"Besides I predict that your participation will most likely produce our desired goal- his confession so you shouldn't be complaining. It is your plan anyways I've merely provided you with the people, materials and the place." She shrugged. "And if that still doesn't convince you I still have pictures of you sneaking into Misaki's room during junior high carrying a pair of lacy underwear and a matching bra. I'm sure your dear wife would like to know where her favorite lingerie set is currently hiding." She eyed him silently.
Turning slightly red Tsubasa sputtered "It was a dare okay! A stupid dare. I was going to put it back after but I accidentally spilled some coke on it and tried to wash it" he grinned sheepishly. "Lets just say I'm not the best person when it comes to mechanical things."
Glaring at him in a no-really? Expression he wisely kept his mouth shut. He knew that arguing with Hotaru would be pointless but hey a man's got to try. At least he could tell his wife that he died fighting.
The sudden sound of voices awoke him from his thoughts. But when he heard the familiar voice of one fire wielder he paled. Crap, crap, crap he thought please don't tell me he's looking for me. I haven't called my lawyers yet. Trying to stay hidden in the leaves he brought his shadows closer to him to obscure him from view. Peeping from the foliages of the tree he saw Natsume glaring angrily at nothing in particular and Ruka unsuccessfully trying to calm him down.
"Natsume calm down. It's just a date. You make it sound as if he's going to rape her." Ruka rolled his eyes.
"And what if he attempts to? I knew that guy was up to no good. He was always being all touchy feely with her when we were younger. I should have known to look out for that stupid pedophile." He growled.
"Uh Natsume he's only 4 years older than us." Ruka pointed out.
"Tch too old for her."
"Oh? Then who's not too old for her? You?" At that comment silence greeted him. "If it bothers you so much, why didn't you ask her out first? You've had 7 years. The fields been practically wide open for you."
"I can't" he growled.
"Yes you can! What could possibly be holding you back?"
"Tch, you wouldn't understand."
"Than make me understand" Ruka exclaimed frustrated. They had had this conversation many times but Natsume always seemed to avoid it at the last second but not this time. If rumors of Mikan's date this afternoon were true, he didn't know what his friend would do. He knew that the news devastated him deep down but it was frustrating that he wasn't doing anything. All he was doing was complain. It wasn't like him. So he waited patiently for an explanation.
"I can't do it to her Ruka. I can't." Running his fingers through his hair. "What if I die in the next mission or the mission after that? Where does that leave her? I couldn't bare to cause her anymore pain than I already have. She can barely stand me as it is."
"Shouldn't you give her the chance to decide for herself?" he asked quietly. "A relationship is not just about you. It's about her too. It works both ways."
"Yeah. But I don't have anything to offer her. With how things are looking right now I'll never be rid of the Academy. They'll have me working for them as their dog for the rest of my life until I die." He scowled frustration clear in his ruby red eyes.
"So your going to let her go without even trying?" he asked in disbelief. This is the guy that he had willingly given up his crush on Mikan for? Someone who was too cowardly to even act upon his feelings and be man enough to try and make her happy? He understood what his points were. Missions were getting more difficult and dangerous for him and the elementary school principal was trying all he can to keep Natsume under his thumb. However, since the discovery of Mikan's uncle who luckily was the high school principal, he had fortunately left her alone.
In Ruka's mind the last 7 years of their lives were spent fighting against the elementary school principal and so far they were succeeding. The most frequent thoughts in their minds were the beliefs that they would be out of the principal's control once they were in high school and than out of the academy. However, he knew that even after graduating from elementary school Natsume was still under the principal's thumb. Back than the middle school principal did not care to interfere because although Natsume was pretty he was still nonetheless a boy. A species she despised. Staring at his long time friend his resolved strengthen.
"We can fight him Natsume. Just as we've always had. Now is not any different. With the added benefit of Yukihira-sensei at our side Mikan will be safe. Only one more year buddy and we'll be out of this hell hole."
"So you say but I doubt that they'll let me out of this place. I'm a danger to the public remember? Regardless of what you or anyone else tells him, the principal will not readily part with his toys." He answered with a blank face. Clearly the few minutes that Ruka had given him to think was enough time to get his usual cool composure back.
"So that's it than? You don't mind seeing her date one guy after the other until she finally finds someone she can one day marry and settle down with? Have family with? Could you really let her go?"
As each of his questions sounded Natsume's fist and reign on his emotions tightened. He wouldn't, couldn't react to Ruka's proddings. He knew that this day would come and he had been avoiding it for years. Wishing, hoping that someone would give him another day longer, another year longer to stay by her side. He consciously tried to ignore each twinge of guilt he felt when he threatened or turned away another of her suitors. He argued that they weren't good enough for her. They were too boring- she'd get bored after a little while so no point in trying. Too dangerous- one had the alice of invisibility which included the ability to turn someone else's clothes invisible, or too full of themselves. Those, he immediately burned and threatened with cauterization, they just wouldn't treat her right. She needed someone that could show her that she was special and loved. Someone who wasn't afraid of their feelings and who could make her happy. Someone who he knew couldn't be him. She would never be happy with him.
"You don't know that" Ruka answered him.
Not knowing that he had said the last part out loud he inwardly cursed himself.
"Look Ruka I appreciate the help and everything but I don't deserve her." He stated walking away towards the girl's dorm.
"So… your not going to spy on her date?" he questioned.
"I didn't say that." He smirked. "I'm going to make sure that Shadow freak keeps his hands to himself." He continued walking, "Coming Ruka?"
Shaking his head Ruka ran to catch up with his best friend. He was stubborn but one of these days he'll see that someone like him deserved happiness too.
Meanwhile high up in the tree Tsubasa sat waiting until the coast was clear. Quietly he dropped down from his perch to contemplate all that he had heard. Hotaru would like to know what transpired here but he felt that it was a little too private to share.
He could relate to an extent what Natsume was feeling because he felt almost the same way about Misaki. To him Misaki was someone that would become tainted if he were merely to touch her. But after years of torment, guilt and debating he had decided that if she could accept him just as he was. Tainted and imperfect, he would cherish her above all else. In this kind of situation it was best if the person realized it themselves. If pushed self doubt and loathing could taint the relationship and he didn't want that. So for now he would keep the conversation to himself and hope that Natsume would come to his own realization.
A/N: I had a lot of fun writing Tsubasa's character I know it might be a little OOC but it was all in good fun. I'm not exactly familiar with Tsubasa's character so sorry if he doesn't exactly act like Tsubasa. This is also my first time writing especially Gakuen Alice so bare with me. Anyways review and tell me what you think.
