Edited version. Enjoy.
Love beyond Magic
Written by LunarChan
Chapter 4
Good Luck, Natsume-kun
-MIKAN SAKURA-
They let me in, first. Making sure I wouldn't escape. The house wasn't really small. It had a nice dining place. A small but neat kitchen. A fireplace beside the sofa where you could warm your cold feet. It was like our house. This was just smaller.
"Thank you," Natsume murmured and the girl closed the door.
Her hair was black and it was curly at the ends… It looks cute. Her face brightened up a little. "Anytime…"
She went straight to the kitchen. "Are you guys hungry?"
"Yes, thank you." Natsume said. As soon as he said that, my stomach growled.
Their heads turned at me and I blushed scarlet. I turned my back on them and sat beside the fireplace.
-xXxXx-
I sat on the bed while they both sat on the ground. Because this house was small, we have to share in one small room.
"Where will you sleep?" I asked.
"Do you want us to sleep there? And you'll sleep here on the floor?" Natsume asked. His eyes were a bit gentle, but cautious.
"Hmp." I looked away and lay down. I covered myself with the blanket. "So mean. I was just trying to be nice."
I turned my back on them. I'm sleepy but I can't sleep… I can feel them both staring at my back. Don't they know that it is rude to stare at people? I glanced at them and to my disappointment, they were staring at me.
"Don't stare at me." I turned my back at them again, trying to sleep. "I can't sleep."
Geez. How can I sleep? Even though I'm sleepy… I still can't…
Maybe they think I'm still trying to escape… But how can I escape with this small room? With a window so small only a child could fit in? And when I walk quietly, the wooden floor will still echo my steps.
I sighed and closed my eyes, forcing myself to sleep from their glares burning on my back.
-RUKA NOGI-
I watched her as she dazed into sleep. I was waiting for this time. Where Natsume and I could talk.
"Natsume…" I began.
"Hmmm?"
"Who is she?"
"Who?" He gave me a puzzled look.
"The owner of this small house."
"Ah." He understood and stared at her. The sleeping girl. "Nobara Ibaragi. A friend of mine."
"Ah." Her light snore ended up our conversation… And I remembered a question that I want to ask him about. "Natsume?"
"Hm?"
"What was in the picture before…? You seemed mad…"
His face went rigid and I knew I was right. He's mad. Seriously mad. His hands balled into fists against the floor.
"It's her picture." Natsume's eyes were filled with rage. "Picture of her. She's tied up and a little bit dirty. Like she was kicked…"
So that's why… That's why he's so mad…
-A SERVANT AT MIKAN'S HOUSE-
"Why're you breathing so hard?" I whispered and opened the mail.
What the…? This isn't her handwriting…! I quickly hid it inside my apron, afraid someone might see me.
"Damn that Natsume…." He yelled. "He threw a grenade here. We didn't know he was carrying so many dangerous things with him."
I rolled my eyes. Of course anyone would carry dangerous things when you're going to face the danger. Sometimes, he's a little dumb.
"Anyways, I just called to say… She was being helped. Or I should say… Her friends are helping her… I saw a mail here. I thought she wrote it.. They copied her writings and signature. Good thing I knew well how bad her handwriting is… they might be a problem…"
"That's why you should take care of that." He concluded. "Find out who they are. And let's see how to eliminate them."
"Fine." I gritted my teeth. He's making himself superior. "That's all. Goodnight."
I hung up and put the broom and the dust pan on their proper places.
All my efforts were not going to be in vain. I'll let you see… If you're not going to face us, then… Let's face your loved ones in hell.
I smiled grim as I walked in our quarters and got my towel and nightdress…
She's going to regret everything she's done…
I got inside the bathroom and threw my maid's dress on the laundry basket… Just a little bit more… Just a little bit time to wait and I'll no longer pretend to be a maid…
My eyes closed as I opened the shower and the hot water hit my face.
-NATSUME HYUUGA-
I stood up. "Ruka, watch her for me. I'm going to speak to Nobara."
"Ah, fine." He muttered a little sleepy.
I headed downstairs, each step making a sound. I hope she's still awake. I saw her peeping against the wall of her kitchen. "Oh, Natsume-kun? Still awake?"
"Yeah." I answered as I got to the bottom stair. "Can I use your telephone?"
"Sure." She went back to washing the dishes.
-xXxXx-
"H-Hello?" I heard his sleepy voice at the end of the line.
"Hello, Kitsuneme.." I whispered. "This is Natsume… You've got to help me… There's much that I need…"
-NOBARA IBARAGI-
I watched him as he mumbled quietly over the phone.
Natsume… I think he's in a bad situation right now. I don't know how bad… But…
He hung up and was surprised that I was watching him. I wiped my hands with a towel.
"Thank you." He said and started to go upstairs.
"Natsume…" I began to say. He stopped and turned to look at me. "Who is she?"
"Who?"
"The girl… She seemed quite awkward this evening…"
"Oh. Don't worry…" Natsume snickered. "She's Ruka's girlfriend. I believe her name is Mikan Sakura."
"Oh." I felt relieved.
"Is that all?" He asked.
"Natsume… If ever you need something…" I smiled. "I'm just here."
"Uh, yeah." He nodded. "Thanks."
I watched him go upstairs.
Good luck, Natsume-kun… I hoped for the best.
-RUKA NOGI-
Natsume came back with a little smug on his face. I wonder why.
"Ruka…" He began and he closed the door shut.
I waited for him to continue.
"You can sleep. I know you're a little worn out and all…" He sat on the floor. "I'll wake you up when I need you…"
"Uh, sure…" I got one of the bags we had. The one that we had our clothes on… And used it as a pillow… It's not too long before I've fallen asleep.
-xXxXx-
"Ruka…" Natsume shoved my shoulder.
"Hmm?" I muttered. Too tired to speak.
"I'm heading out." He spoke.
"Eh?" I sat straight. "Where to?"
"Kitsuneme and I will meet. He's going to give me those things that we need. We used the two gas bombs we have last night…"
"Oh… Hey, Natsume." I eyed him. "Did you sleep at all?"
"Yes. What do you think I am? A machine? I did. Around two in the morning."
I glanced at my watch that says six a.m..
"Be careful." I advised as he got out. I noticed that he had new clothes on. He must've taken a bath.
"Yeah." He closed the door.
-NATSUME HYUUGA-
I put on a cap and strolled towards the bus area. I wonder how we will survive. I'm running short on cash… Should I…?
No… I shouldn't. Anyways, when I get the five million dollars, I'm gonna go and pay everyone that I owed.
I leapt inside the bus, fished out the coins in my pocket, put it in the coin box and sat on the front row. I lowered my head.
-RUKA NOGI-
I took out fresh clothes from our bag and headed downstairs. I hope Nobara is awake.
"Hello… Ruka-kun." She knew me?
"Uh, Hi." I politely replied. "Can I use your bathroom?"
"Sure…" She pointed a small room beside the stairs. "Thanks."
I started walking and turned to face her again. "Oh, I almost forgot… When the girl – Mikan – wakes up, kindly tell me and don't let her go out…"
"Sure." She nodded and laughed. "Overprotective, eh?"
I gave her a puzzled look and went to the bathroom.
-KITSUNEME-
I saw Natsume wearing a black shirt with a black cap. He wore faded blue jeans and a worn out rubber shoes. Too casual.
I waved and he saw me. He ran towards me.
"Yo, Natsume." I snickered. "Looking cute eh? Is it a girl?"
"Shut up." He sent me death glares and I just laugh it off. "Give me."
"Yes," I handed him a bag. "Those will pass bomb detectors on the bus, but be careful."
"No need to remind me." He opened the bag and checked the things inside. "I'll pay you next time."
"Sure, sure." I nodded. "Just be sure to pay me up…"
"Of course." He closed the bag and slipped it on his shoulder. "I don't run away from the problem."
"Right." I teased.
"Running away only increases the distance from the solution…" He muttered and started to walk away.
"However, is facing the problem the solution?" I asked. And I shouldn't have asked. He stopped walking, he was taken aback by what I said.
"Bye, bye." He just muttered and skidded away.
Good luck, Natsume-kun. I wished him the best of luck.
-MIKAN SAKURA-
I woke up and stared at the different ceiling. Different room. Different… So that wasn't a nightmare. Wasn't a bad dream. If this was a dream, I do wish to wake up. I sighed as I folded the blanket.
Where were those two? Good thing. They weren't staring at me.
I headed downstairs. I saw Ruka watching the television. The girl was cooking, I could smell the fried rice and my stomach grumbled.
"Oh, you're awake, Mikan-chan…" The girl smiled at me. She knew my name.
"She's Nobara Ibaragi." Ruka introduced. He was now beside me. "Natsume's friend."
"Oh, H-Hi." I smiled. "Nice meeting you… Thanks for… everything."
"You're welcome." Nobara smiled and went back to cooking. Ruka went back to watching TV, too.
I sat on the dining chair and settled there. "Where is Natsume?"
"Just off with some errands." Ruka answered.
"Oh." I let the subject drop.
We heard a knock, a minute later.
"Coming." Nobara said loudly. She wiped her hands and ran to the door. "Oh, Natsume-kun. Welcome back."
Natsume walked inside and sighed. He was wearing a black shirt with a drawing of a bear. He turned to look at me and I looked away at the same instant. I wonder where he went…
-NATSUME HYUUGA-
"I stink!" She complained loudly after cleaning the dishes. "I stink, I stink, I stink!"
Nobara laughed. "There, there. Don't cry. You can use our bathroom."
The brown-haired girl frowned. "I don't have any clothes with me."
"Oh." Nobara smiled. "I'll give you some."
"EH? Really?"
Nobara nodded. She seemed entertained by the girl.
"Thank you, thank you." The girl smiled back. They both went upstairs and Nobara sent me an 'i-want-to-know-what's-happening' look.
-NOBARA IBARAGI-
I let her in my room. She looked amazed.
"Wow… Your room is beautiful…"
"Thank you." I fished out some clothes. "Here."
"EH?" She asked. "So many?"
"For future usage." I smiled. "I think you run away from home…" I gave her a puzzled look.
-MIKAN SAKURA-
"Y-Yeah." I nodded. I don't know why I am covering up for those two. Even though they kidnapped me. I wonder what's wrong with me.
She suddenly laughed. "For love, eh?"
"For love?" I was confused.
"You're Ruka's girlfriend, right?" Nobara accused. "Don't deny it… Natsume said so."
I felt my face heating up. "H-He did?"
"Yep." She nodded. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
"You'd better not…" I frowned.
She laughed again. "Don't be embarrassed."
-NATSUME HYUUGA-
They both went downstairs. Nobara laughing silently, but still gave me the 'i-want-to-know-what's-happening' look.
While the girl beside her gave me death glares.
I just turned my back on them and watched the TV with Ruka, though my attention wasn't on the television. It's filled with the future… What'll happen. We can't stay hidden here forever… And I can't endanger Nobara…
Author's Notes:
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I hope you had fun reading. :)
Ja.
~ LunarChan (Edited as of 09-02-11; 8:36pm)