Author's Thanks

Thanks for the following reviewers:

hilyn/ hilyn28

trisha1511

glenda23

aaya-aaya

ridley-silverlake

zephyrlight


Author's Notes

Thank you for your reviews. You people are wonderful.

Third Chapter

Ruka's New Job

Mikan's POV

I sit here looking at a male teenager with red garnet eyes and black hair. He's been called the 'black cat'. I dunno what to call him… I just dub him plain Natsume. "Mikan…" he mentioned my name one more time. "I told you," he continued, "don't ever bother try to find out what's going in my head." Haah… Not that again! Why is he so stubborn! I'm just here to help! What's wrong with that?

"You already told me that a hundred times! Why Natsume, WHY?" I raised my voice at him.

"Because MIKAN! I DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE THE DARKNESS YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE!"

"YOU ALREADY TOLD ME THAT TOO!"

"AND MAYBE YOU SHOULD START LISTENING TO ME!" he shouted. I was speechless. I couldn't say any more. Why? Why is it so hard? Why does he unceasingly seem to prefer to isolate him self when I'm here to be with him?

Muzzle had filled the air. I couldn't think of anything more to say or to ask. Or I just don't want to ask him anymore. He always gives me faint answers… There's no use to try so hard to pull it out of him. I just wanna say that if he wants to be alone, then I'll live him alone! But I'm not like that… And I don't wanna be like that to him…

"I'll see you at the Academy tomorrow." He stood up and told me that. "I'm going back there to see you. Ok? So don't be sad…" Then he left our spot. I didn't reply to him nor said anything. I'm left here again… Oh Hotaru… I don't know if your brother's party is good news or a bad one.


We have no classes due to our schedule the next morning. I couldn't succor thinking about what happened between Natsume and I last night. I dunno what to think anymore. One thing's for sure is that I still care for him… I don't really know why…

I decided to go to Ruka's dorm to ask him if we could have breakfast together. I always intuit comfy whenever I'm with him. He always says nice things and they somehow make me feel better.

I wear my prevalent strolling clothes and took enough Rabbits if ever he doesn't treat me out, hehe. Ok, so here I am, heading for Ruka's place.

Pretty soon, I finally found my self going up the stairs that leads to his dorm room floor. Hmm, I hear peculiar sounds. What could they be? Sounds like onerous stuff. I jogged up the last steps then I found my self staring at a corridor with boxes in front of Ruka's door.

"Hey, what's up Ruka?" I adjured when I saw him by his door.

"Oh Mikan, what brings you here? I'm just getting ready to move my things." He replied. He doesn't look so tired… Maybe he just started.

"Moving? Why are you moving?" I asked in curiosity. Don't tell me he's going away just like Natsume!

"I had a special assignment; no, not an assignment… more of a job I suppose."

"What job?" I leaned over to the boxes. Seems like he's taking all his stuff away from his dormitory.

"You see Mikan, one of the headmasters of the Academy has a daughter. I dunno why I'm the one who's been assigned to live with them. I'm sorta befitting his daughter's bodyguard."

"Oh! I guess that's good news! You'll be living in a mansion in the Academy!" I said in cheerfulness.

A/N: It's my fic so I'm making some stuff up.

"I guess…" he replied. He doesn't seem too pleased about it.

"But you'll be busy though… You'll have school and work at the same time." I told him. I didn't mean to be so negative about this news… But I just want him to know some of the inferences he might encounter.

"I know that… But they told me that the job wouldn't be too hard or complicated. Well, I guess I'll know later when I go there." He replied while packing the last of his things.

"I see… Well, let's go grab some breakfast before you go there!" I finally told him the cause of my visit.

"Sorry Mikan… I'll be briefed during breakfast in the mansion. Maybe some other time…" He answered while taking hold of a familiar gadget in his hand.

"Oh ok… That's no problem… Hey, that's one of Hotaru's inventions, right?" I referred to that object he's holding.

"Yeah, I borrowed it from Hotaru so I don't have to carry my luggage. Hehe?"

"Want some help with that?" I asked even if I'm starting to starve.

"No thanks Mikan… The gadget can do it. Thanks anyways."

Hmm… He seems occupied… Maybe I'll just ask Hotaru to breakfast. I sure hope she's not busy. "Ok then Ruka, I'll just get some breakfast with Hotaru. Ok?"

"Sure Mikan, see you later."

"Yep, see you later Ruka!" I waved him goodbye then I ran off.


I had breakfast with Hotaru. But after that, I didn't hang out with her because she told me that she's gonna be busy making some new stuff. Hmm? Why am I the only one not busy here? Or I just forgot to do something? Well… Whatever it is, it's just gonna have to wait until I remember what it is.

Before I knew it, lunchtime is coming and I'm not sure if I could have a decent meal with anyone this time. I wish I could have lunch with granpa… But he's so far away… I can't see him now…

"Hey Mikan!" I heard somebody call behind me as I walk by the cafeteria. I always knew that someone would be hanging out around here.

I looked behind and saw none other than… "What's up Natsume?"

"I told you I'll be here in the Academy, right little girl?" he responded with his annoying masculine voice.

Trying my best to shrug off this nuisance, I just said, "So… What brings you here anyways? I thought you don't need to be here anymore. … You wanna see Ruka, I suppose? … Better to tell you, he's gonna have a job."

We started walking side by side as we enter one of the Japanese Restaurants. He uttered, "I'm not forbidden to go here, ya know. And prior to that, who says I'm gonna be here for a long time anyways?"

"Oh! So you're leaving soon? Lucky me!" I said as I approach a round table near the curtains.

He sat in front of me then replied, "Yep, soon! So… Sounds good that you want me to leave early."

I put down the menu that was covering my face, "I didn't mean that. I was sarcastic… or sorta joking..!"

"Tss…" he muttered then he started to look at the menu. "Stop fooling around." Yep, he never changes. He's always like that. I'm sorta getting used to it- is that a bad thing or a good thing? "Hey little girl," he began again, "you mentioned that Ruka's gonna have a job. Is he leaving too?"

"Nope." I faintly replied.

"Right… I don't think he's gonna leave anyways. What job is it?"

"I'm not sure."

"Hmm!" He slightly grunted after that. "What are you having? My treat…" Well, well, looks like Natsume's good side is turned on again. That's a very good start.


Ruka's POV

"It's almost five." I whispered to my self as I glance at my wristwatch. I stand here by a big window in my new room. I've been briefed this morning… no biggie. This job isn't too complicated like they said. It's like baby-sitting everyday a grown up female. I spent most of my time by fixing my room. All my things are in order now and there's nothing much I can think of doing next. I just remain here in my newly well-designed room doing nothing interesting.

I'm here for my so-called job, right? Well, to be honest, I haven't seen my client. She's not home when I came here for breakfast. She's not even around during lunch. Now, sunset is coming soon and I'm pretty sure her classes have ended by now. So… Where could she be? It's normal for teens to hang out before going home… but she knew her so-called bodyguard would be waiting for her… She didn't even bother to come home early. This signals that she isn't too easy to deal with. Hope she's not as bratty as I think she'd be.

I went downstairs; try to familiarize the new place. She's not in the living room. She's probably not home yet. Why? Maybe she doesn't wanna meet me. That's possible, right? I sat at the couch in front of a huge TV. I began watching old time favorites…

A few programs have passed and still no sign of her. I'm getting bored of the television… I better go out to the woods and say hi to my animal friends.

"I'm just going out for a while. I won't be too long I suppose." I told the butler when I went out the front door. He nodded like I just said hello to him. Hmm… That's not much of a problem.

I began walking in the streets of the Academy. I wonder what Mikan's doing… Hmm… I don't want to get the wrong idea but I guess she's with Natsume. That's good for her I think. So here I am, trying to get close at the woods. That's funny, why isn't the birds around? They hang out here most of the time…


Natsume's POV

I'm no weakling- that's for sure. I'm indecisive- that's another thing. Haah… I can't seem to understand how I feel. I like my work, but sometimes I don't. Now, another mind-bugling thing is this what I'm having with Mikan. Sure, nothing's officially really going with us… But we all know there's something. I don't know what to do about it… Sorry.

I guess I could start by telling her something… That could lighten her loads of worry. I know she worries about me. I've known her since we were ten. She was always like that. I guess that's one thing what I liked about her. She seems to care about the inner me- although she knew so little.

Now look at me, thinking of a lot of things I'm usually careless about. Ok, start now. "Hey little girl!" I called out to her.

"WHAT?" She frowned at me. "You've finally realized that I was walking way behind you?"

No. "Yeah. Now come here." I didn't. I thought she was just walking by my side. I didn't notice that I was walking fast and unconsciously left her.

She approached me with her still frown. That's no good. I don't like that. "That's no good. I don't like that."

"Don't like what?" she uttered.

"I don't like what you're wearing." Ok, I lied. What she's wearing is fine. I just can't tell her that I don't want to see her frowning. I wanted to tell her that… I just can't. I dunno why either.

"Sooorrryyy!" She sarcastically replied. Now she's irritated with me. Hmm…

"Never mind that. I don't mind anyways. You still look the same."

"I still look what? Look pretty?" she gazed at me with her innocent brown eyes. Her frown had completely disappeared now. That's good.

"Of course… not." I just can't be nice to her, OK? I just can't do it! Oh man…


Ruka's POV

I find my self walking alone in the common woods of the Academy. It's just a plain tree after tree after tree… nothing new… just real weird that I haven't seen the animals yet. They should be here…

Hmm… Now that I've come a bit far… I can hear them- the animals that is… I continued my walking trip until I can finally see some of the animals. "Hey..!" I called one rabbit that is obviously looking away. I wonder what's keeping them so busy. I walked a bit more until I finally found my self staring at a big number of animals. I looked around and I noticed one student sitting on a low branch. "Nice Alice you got there…" I muttered.

"Oh? You think so?" it was a very cheerful voice. "The animals adore me just like I adore them. I don't lose them in reverie like you do…"

Hmm? The person seems to know my Alice. "Oh really?" I responded as I gaze up to the person who was keeping the animals so occupied.

"Can you sit here for a moment? I'm sure the animals would love to see you."

"Sure." I replied. Then I jumped over to the lower branch. It was sorta getting dark already. The sky had turned orange for the sun had started to set.

"It's a beautiful sky, isn't it? I'm fond of orange. Hehe!"

That's a pretty neat thing to say. Hehe… I looked at the person I'm talking to. She's a female with long red hair and a pair of blue orbs. She's familiar. "Why do you prefer hanging out here? For the animals I suppose?"

"Mm…" she began, "That's one thing… But the real reason is…"

"What?" I gently asked her while looking at her face.

"You wouldn't believe me if I tell you." She uttered while looking down to the ground. Knowing the animals, they seem to care for her. How cute. "You see… My dad hired a personal bodyguard for me… He reckons that it's necessary for me to have one."

"Well, well, well…" I smiled. Just my luck, e?

"Huh?" she looked up to me. In a matter of seconds, her blue eyes sorta united with mine.

I continued smiling at her when I stated, "I presume that you're staying here because you don't wanna go home because your dad just hired a bodyguard for you. C'mon… I think your dad did a nice thing for you. A bodyguard won't hurt, would it?"

"Well no…" she once again looked away from our eye contact. She's now gaping at the setting sun. "But I just thought that he doesn't trust me much… And what if the bodyguard's mean and nasty…"

"Don't jump to conclusions. I think your dad didn't hire a bodyguard because he doesn't trust you… Maybe he just wants to make sure that you're safe." Kind words of mine, heck. I only do this to Mikan. But I think I don't anymore, do I?

"Hmmp!" She snapped then looked back at me once again. "What do you KNOW..? You're not the one who's gonna be trapped by a bodyguard!"

I chuckled at her little tantrum, "Hahaha! I know your dad just wants someone keeping an eye on you. I'm not mean and nasty and I promise you, I won't trap you."

Her eyes widened in an instant. "You mean…" she gasped and her blue eyes danced a little. "My dad hired you Ruka? … I mean, mister Ruka?"

"Wow! You already know my name!" I grinned at her. I can't believe it. She's so happy.

"Oh! This is very good! I'm so relieved! This changes everything!" She said in big smiles. That's nice; the animals seem to become happy too now that they saw her smiling.

"Well? Shall we go home then? It'll soon get dark you know…" I told her after I hopped down to the ground then offered my right hand to her. She took it and pretty soon, we found ourselves leaving our spot and saying goodbye to the animals.


I'm glad to say that supper was fine and we've refrained to our rooms again. In case you're wondering… she's Timi… The one I met in Imai's party. What a coincidence, don't you think? Now, I'm just walking over to the Bathroom for an extra bottle of Shampoo- I have none in my personal bathroom, hehe. I happen to see Ms. Timi because I'm walking outside her bedroom and her door is opened ajar. I waved at her and she waved back while she talked on her cell phone.

I arrived at the Bathroom and before I knew it, I'm walking on the same corridor again. The Shampoo wasn't hard to find and I'm passing by Ms. Timi's room again. Looks like she hasn't managed to close her door yet. I casually peaked thru her opened door and oh my… what a sudden change of scene! She's madly yapping thru her cell phone. Seems like a while ago she was happy. Hmm? I wonder what got into her. Oh well… I shouldn't butt in her business, do I?

Or not now at least…


Author's Notes: Sorry Natsume - Mikan fans… The chapter was sorta more on Ruka. But I promise you I will get better with your reviews. I wanna hear what you have to say… REVIEWS EVERYONE!