a/n: Yes yes... I updated again. I promise I'll update The Thief of Hearts! I will! -determined glint in eye- But for now, I like writing for this story.
Anyhow, in this story, I'll be making the gang appear a lot, as I have not done in my other stories. I always forget about them. And by the time I remember and want to put them in the story, I have no way of working them into the plot. Yes, I've told you I'm an author who just writes whatever comes to mind... Anyways, the people who'll appear most are probably Anna, Nonoko, and Iinchou. Maybe Koko. He just doesn't talk a lot. Just imagine him there, I guess. Anna and Nonoko will appear a lot like twin sisters here, but that's how I always imagine them. And Iinchou... I really like this character. But it took me some time to realize he was a boy ( I'm kind of slow at these things... haha... ).
:A Stab on a Wound:
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"Mi-kan!" Iinchou said, shaking his friend for the umpteenth time.
"Huh? Oh, hi Iinchou." Mikan said absently, pulling a strand of her brown hair out of her eyes. Iinchou frowned. "What do you mean, 'hi'? I was here for the last hour!" Anna and Nonoko started giggling, looking like sisters. Hotaru gave Mikan a sideways glance, sipping her cup of hot chocolate. "Don't mind that baka. She's always like that." Hotaru said.
Mikan, for once, didn't seem to hear Hotaru's insult. "Are you sick, Mikan? You're acting all weird." Iinchou said worriedly. Anna and Nonoko also peered over her. "You're all spacey." They said at the same time. Mikan waved them away, slightly irritated. "I'm fine."
Koko poked Mikan's forehead, causing her to cry out loud. "What did you do that for, Koko?!" She cried, rubbing her forehead. Koko smiled air headedly and said, "Mikan is thinking about the two new students!"
Mikan stared at him and then punched him. "I told you not to read my mind, Koko!!" Anna and Nonoko looked at her gleefully. "Mikan-chan is thinking about boys! This is wonderful news!" They giggled. Mikan swatted them away. "What are you, my mom?" And she sat back in her chair, fuming. "Mikan, don't be mad. They were just teasing." Iinchou consoled. Then he hesitated. "But what is it that's making you worry?"
Mikan sighed and crossed her arms, looking at her friends surrounding her. "Well… didn't you notice something odd about the two? Well, not really the two of them, but the dark haired one? Natsume Hyuuga?" Her friends exchanged glances, shaking their heads. "Not really. Except that they're super popular!" Anna exclaimed, extending her arms. Mikan sighed and rolled her eyes. "It doesn't take a genius to notice that."
Mikan furrowed her brows, remembering that look Natsume had given her today. Why would a boy she had never met before hate her? Hotaru studied her friend and said, "Did he do anything to you?" Mikan shrugged and said slowly, "Well… you see… the new boy, Natsume… he seems to hate—"
"Do I hear my name?"
The voice chilled her to bone, and she whirled around. Her friends also looked up, curious of the new student.
There, Natsume stood, with Ruka behind him, looking slightly disturbed. Natsume looked down at her, with a scowl on his face. "So it's you." There was a threatening tone in such a simple sentence, and with the way he was looking at her, Mikan suddenly felt small. But she bit her lip, refusing to let him scare her. She looked right up at him, refusing to falter and back off. She won't let him get the better of her. And she had to find out why he hated her.
There was a tense silence, in which the two had a staring contest, their eyes hard.
"Why, it's Natsume-kun!" Mikan's eyes snapped back, and she found herself staring at the back of Sumire Shoda. Natsume was still staring at Mikan with hardened eyes, not even distracted by the presence of Shoda-san. Noticing this, a frown creased her beautiful face ever so slightly, but was then replaced quickly by a pleasant smile. She put a slender hand on his arm saying softly, "I'm Sumire Shoda. I believe we'd be talking sometime?"
Now Natsume's eyes snapped back briefly, and he said tonelessly, "I don't have time for you." Then he eyed her up and down and said with a slightly sarcastic tone, "By the looks of it, you probably don't have time for me as well. You probably waste it talking to the mirror." Then he glanced at her hand and removed it from his arm like some dirty piece of garbage. He even dusted his arm off. Then he looked straight at her and said, "Piss off."
There was a silence, and everyone stood stone still, shocked at what they had just seen and heard. For once, Sumire Shoda was rejected! The girl immediately covered her face and ran off, probably to the washroom, with her followers trailing after her. Natsume sighed, irritated. Ruka looked at him worriedly.
Ruka wanted to suggest that perhaps Natsume was a bit too harsh, but he knew he wouldn't listen to him. No, not anymore. He would just shrug it off. Ruka's voice wouldn't reach him. Natsume would just find another way to vent off his anger. But it just wasn't enough. Whether it was hurting someone or destroying something with his Fire Alice, he was still angry.
And he won't stop until he had his revenge.
Mikan stormed her way out into the court yard, fuming. She found a Sakura tree and plopped down, crossing her arms, her anger rising every second. Who does that jerk think he is? Humiliating another classmate in front of everyone! And being so rude! Being so arrogant! The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
That's when she noticed someone on the tree she was sitting under. And although the person was hidden by the Sakura blossoms, she recognized that raven black hair. That Natsume jerk! She immediately thought, and jumped up, shaking the tree.
"You! Who do you think you are? You're such a rude, arrogant jerk! You humiliated another classmate in front of everyone! And you act as though it didn't matter! What is wrong with you?! Stinky Natsume!" She yelled, stamping her foot.
Finally, the Sakura blossoms rustled, and a boy peered down at her. "Man, can't I get any rest around here… Mikan?" Mikan's mouth dropped open as she saw who it was. "Tsubasa-senpai! I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, and stopped shaking the tree. Tsubasa laughed and sat up. "Seems like our little tangerine is a little upset today." Mikan blushed a little and mumbled, "It's not my fault."
Tsubasa smiled, as if to say 'what are we going to do with you', and patted the empty spot beside him on the branch. "Here, why don't you tell me who this 'Stinky Natsume' is?" He looked as if he was about to choke on his own laughter. Mikan blushed again, and climbed up and sat beside her senpai.
So Mikan told Tsubasa the whole story, from the beginning of his arrival, the hateful eyes, the bullying with Shoda-san, and his arrogant attitude. The whole time Tsubasa listened closely, cocking his head to one side, as if deep in thought. Finally, when Mikan was finished ranting about what a jerk Natsume is, Tsubasa leaned back on the branch and said, "Well, it sounds as if this Natsume is quite a character."
Mikan frowned. "But… his attitude isn't all that bothers me. But… senpai, is it possible to be hated by someone you don't know?" Tsubasa didn't look at her.
He somehow had a dark feeling about all this. Natsume… Hyuuga… Hyuuga… where did he hear that name before? Raven black hair and crimson eyes. Doesn't that sound like… He stiffened. Could it be him? If it's so… then he's back for…
"… Senpai?" Tsubasa was snapped back to reality and he looked at Mikan. "Sorry, I was spacing out. What did you say?" Mikan blinked, and then repeated her question. "Is it possible to be hated by someone you've never met before?" This, again, reminded of Tsubasa who he was. If it was him, and he's back… then… he quickly shook this away. "I'm sure it's a misunderstanding. By the way he's acting, he probably treats everyone so." And he forced a reassuring smile.
Mikan smiled and played with a Sakura blossom. "You know, it feels really bad to be hated, so I try really hard not to hate somebody else. That's why I always try not to hate my mom…" Tsubasa's eyes softened. "Mikan…" "I often complained and wondered why mom left without a warning and abandoned me, but I realize I still love my mom. There were times I thought I hated her, but…" She closed her eyes and clasped her hands to her heart. "… I just really wish she'll come back."
Tsubasa put an arm around her and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, she'll be back. She probably has her reasons." And he gave her a smile. Mikan smiled back, but Tsubasa could see the tears sparkling in her honey brown eyes. Sure, mom will be back… but… The thought of her mom's return was something that had encouraged her through the years at Alice Academy.
But now… it has already been seven years…
She blinked back tears and forced a smile. "Oh well, Tsubasa-senpai, I'll be going back to the school now. Sorry to disturb you when you're sleeping again." Tsubasa grinned and gave her a thumbs up. "Don't worry; you can come to me anytime." Mikan thanked him and jumped off the tree, saying good bye.
Tsubasa hesitated, and then said, "Hey, Mikan, is it possible if you could get me to meet this Natsume?" Mikan thought for a second, and then nodded. "I guess, come at lunch time tomorrow." They agreed, and then Mikan left.
Mikan smiled along the way, feeling triumphant, somehow. She felt as if her anger had diminished after talking to her senpai. Tsubasa-senpai always had a way to make her feel better. Or maybe she just needed someone to talk to. And Tsubasa-senpai was always there. Always there… She shook this away and skipped all the way back, in a good mood. In fact, she felt as if she could befriend that Natsume, as much as a jerk he was.
Little did she know that it was a big mistake.
Natsume threw aside the manga he had been reading and took out another. He was feeling irritated and restless. Ruka observed this from the other side of the room, silent. Then, he finally said, "Natsume, what's bothering you?" The crimson eyed boy, as if just realizing his friend was in the room, threw aside the manga he had just taken out and let out a frustrated sigh.
Ruka was surprised by the gesture, and he watched as his friend looked out the window. Natsume hasn't been the one to show his emotions… not since his mother died, anyways. Ruka found this as an encouragement, and he asked, "Was it that girl from today?" Natsume didn't answer. Ruka lowered his eyes in disappointment. He knew it was too good to be true.
They continued on in silence.
Natsume was still staring out the window by dinner time, and it worried Ruka. He stood up and shook his friend, reminding him to eat dinner. Natsume was still deep in thought, and he gave him a dismissing wave. "I'll come." Ruka sighed. Then he sat down and went back to what he was doing, looking at Natsume from time to time.
Finally, after a while, Natsume stood up and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Then he turned and started to leave his room. Ruka quickly stood up and followed him out, feeling invisible. It has always been like this. Ever since Natsume's mother died. Ruka could only smile sadly. He was used to this now.
He quickly caught up to Natsume and started talking again, despite the fact that he knew his friend wouldn't be listening to him.
Night time at Alice Academy was basically free time. Most people chose to hang out in the cafeteria or the courtyard, and a few would stay in the halls. It was more of a casual time, and you could choose to wear your uniform and wear casual clothes. Most people prefer to take off their uniforms, especially when everyone is tired of wearing them all day.
Everybody loved the night time at the academy, perhaps because of the freedom, but mostly because with their casual clothes, they actually looked like normal people. Although everyone believed they were 'special' because of their gift, it was also a secret known fact that, actually, everyone strived to be normal. To be one of them. To be one of the people from the outside world.
But of course, no one spoke that out loud.
After all, the academy is full of secrets.
And unknown desires.
"Mikan, over here!" Anna waved Mikan over. Anna was also wearing her casual clothes, a navy blue dress that matched perfectly with her dark hair and gray eyes. Mikan greeted the rest of the group and sat down with her meal. "Mikan-chan, are you feeling okay now?" Iinchou asked, studying Mikan with a worried glance. "Mm-hmm, I'm okay. I talked to Tsubasa-senpai and now I'm alright!" And she smiled to reassure them.
Anna and Nonoko did their giggling thing and teased softly, "Mikan is spending a lot of time with her senpai! Could it be? Could it be? Oooh!" Mikan blushed and punched them playfully. "Stop that!" And the two started giggling all over again. Iinchou laughed and patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry; they're just teasing you again."
Mikan laughed along and was just starting on her meal when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Sumire Shoda looking down at her. Surprisingly, her followers weren't with her. "Mikan Sakura, I believe?" She said. Then, without waiting for an answer, she said, "I need to talk to you for a second." Hearing this, Hotaru, who was silent before, raised her head, suspicion obviously flickering in those amethyst eyes. Mikan raised an eyebrow. Shoda-san… talking to her? For as far as she knew, she had no business with her.
But she excused herself from the table anyways, and followed the girl out to the halls.
"Natsume, look, there are stars outside tonight!" Ruka stopped and stood at the window, staring out in the night sky. Natsume stopped walking to, and his crimson eyes flickered briefly to the window. He placed a hand on the glass. It felt icy cold against his palm. After all, it was early December. It was starting to freeze.
He glanced at the stars that were flickering against the night sky and turned away. That's when he heard the voices.
Shoda-san had a sweet fragrance of some kind of flower, probably some expensive perfume her father had sent her. They were rich, after all, Mikan thought. You could also see that by her 'casual' clothes. All by famous designers, and of course, expensive looking. Mikan sighed. Must be nice to be rich.
Shoda-san finally stopped walking and turned around. The hall way lights were a bit dim. They stood at the corner of the halls, and Mikan played with her fingers, wondering what Shoda-san wanted to talk to her about.
"You guys lived in one of the run down apartments before, I heard." Mikan snapped her head back, surprised. Why was she talking to her about this now?
But the girl just continued. "You didn't have a lot of money. Your mom didn't have a decent job. You would've been on the streets. Your dad left you too… heard that he died. But who knows?" Shoda-san said, a smirk playing on her lips. Mikan took a step forward, clenching her teeth. "What do you want? Why are you saying all this?" But the girl didn't answer. She just went on.
"You're not pretty or useful like your friends are. You're so average—at best. Look at you—your clothes, your hair, you grades, your Alice… I can see why you're only a pathetic one star." "Shut up!" Mikan turned around and started to walk away, furious. So this is what she wanted. To hurt her.
"Running away, hmm? Just like that mother of yours." Mikan whirled around, her hands trembling with anger. Shoda-san smirked, triumph in those moss green eyes. "But I don't blame her, wanting to abandon someone like you. It was for the best, anyways."
"Why are you saying all this? I have nothing against you! My past has nothing to do with you!" Mikan burst out, seconds away from slamming her fist into that pretty face. Shoda-san smirked and grabbed her wrist. Mikan winced. She never knew that this girl was so strong. The girl pulled her closer and whispered in a deep, threatening tone.
"If you know how ugly your past is, and how ugly you are, then you should know your place. You're not good enough for anyone. Just like that mother of yours. You are useless and unworthy of anyone's love. And of course, you should stay away from Natsume-kun. He is mine. He's the treasured Special Star of this division, and you don't deserve him. You got that?" And with a menacing smile, she let go of Mikan and shoved her backwards.
Mikan stumbled back, and looked up, only to see Shoda-san regarding her with cold eyes. "You should know your place, Mikan Sakura."
Mikan couldn't hold it in anymore.
No one insults her… insults her and her mother.
She was ready to hit her, when out of no where, three boys ran out and slammed into her. With the air knocked out of her, Mikan fell heavily to the floor, with the boys pinning her down. She struggled, but they were much stronger than her. Shoda-san smirked and kneeled down, putting a finger under her chin. "You're nothing. Natsume-kun is mine."
And then, she stood up and dusted off her clothes, as if being near Mikan was unsanitary. Then she snapped her fingers, and with a flip of her hair, she left, with the three boys trailing after her.
Mikan sat there, tears welling in her honey brown eyes. They didn't fall. She just sat there, on the cold floor, in the dim hallway, her heart silently cracking.
When Hotaru finally found her, all she could do was lead Mikan back to her room.
Natsume listened to all this. His eyes traveled down the hall to that girl. Then he removed his gaze and turned around. He felt Ruka do the same. "That… was…" His voice was soft, and he didn't continue. Perhaps he couldn't find the right word.
Natsume stuffed his hands in his pockets and started to return to his room. He had lost his appetite, watching that scene. Ruka seemed to feel the same too. They walked silently back, both in their thoughts. Both of them thought of that girl, and how devastated her eyes looked as Shoda-san said those words.
"Natsume…" Ruka said softly, and nudged his friend gently. Natsume looked up, and saw that girl… Shoda-san walking towards them with a smile. "Hello, Natsume-kun, Ruka-kun." She said sweetly. Natsume gave her a sideways glance. "Perhaps you have forgotten the incident last time?" Shoda-san stiffened a little, but then recovered quickly. "Oh, you're so mean, Natsume-kun! I'm sure that was just a joke." She added a giggle at the end.
Natsume's thoughts flashed back to that girl in the hall, and the words Shoda-san had said, and he felt a quick stab of scorching anger.
The next thing he knew, he was watching the girl rolling on the floor, screaming and crying and grabbing her enflamed ebony hair. He felt his heart beat quicken, and the flames that licked at the girl danced in his blood crimson eyes. "Natsume!" Ruka said. His heart wrenched. He had seen Natsume do this so many times. Yet he was helpless. Natsume controlled the flames.
Natsume jerked away from Ruka and started walking away.
Ruka followed him, and they walked back to their room, until Shoda-san's screams could not be heard.
"Mikan…" Hotaru said softly.
Hotaru had decided to bring Mikan to her room. After she cleaned up the scratches small cuts she had, she brushed Mikan's hair and then put her in bed. But what scared her was that Mikan didn't speak the whole time.
"Mikan…" She repeated. This time, Mikan pulled the covers over her and she stayed like that. Hotaru sighed. Her attempts were fruitless.
Hotaru had an idea what Shoda-san had done in the hall. She wasn't stupid. But she was angry. Not just for her friend, but at herself. Mikan was too naïve to know what Shoda-san could be up to. But she knew. Yet she never warned her friend. She just watched her get up and leave. What was she thinking?
She crumpled her fingers into a fist and watched her unmoving friend. "I'm sorry, Mikan…" She whispered. Mikan moved slightly, and slowly removed the blanket from her head. There was a moment of silence, then Mikan trembled, "I-I'm sorry too, Hotaru…" And then she started crying.
Hotaru held her while she cried.
Then, finally, Mikan pulled away and wiped away her tears. "I'm sorry, Hotaru. I cried again." She sniffed and forced a smile. "I have to be strong. But then…" Hotaru watched as her eyes clouded over. "I couldn't help it… my mom…"
Hotaru knew about Mikan's mom and what happened before Mikan came to the academy. After all, it was her mother that had hypnotized her and brought her here. And she knew that Mikan was trying to be strong, and at the same time, wait for her mother's return. But Shoda-san only gave her a dark feeling that the day might never come.
Know your place…
"Hotaru, Shoda-san told me that I should know my place, and leave Natsume alone. But…" She hesitated. "What did I do?" Hotaru sighed. Mikan was still Mikan. "I think Shoda-san wanted to warn you to back off. She feels threatened since you're Natsume's partner. You're closer to him that she is."
Mikan lowered her eyes and lay down again. "Hotaru, does that mean I should ignore Natsume? I hate to do that to a new student." She said sleepily, her eyelids becoming heavy. "What should I do, Hotaru?" The female inventor put a gentle hand on her friend's forehead and said, "Do what you think is right." "Really, Hotaru? But…" Her voice trailed off, and it seemed that she had given in to slumber.
Hotaru rubbed her own eyes sleepily and smiled vaguely at Mikan. "Good night, Mikan."
But somehow, a feeling told her that she should've told Mikan to stay away from Natsume.
a/n: Yes, this is a longer chapter than before. As I've said, I just write whatever comes to mind and I go with the flow, and I just kept typing and typing and this is what came out. Eh... Oh yeah, sorry about last chapter. I forgot to put dividers in two parts of the chapter. I hope none of you were confused. Sorry... Anyways, I hope you liked it, and please review!
