Of Fortunes and Ferrets

Author's Note: Thanks for all the positive feedback so far. I really love this pair and I hope this fic could be a convincing story for them. Ü The pace and humor will pick up in the next chapters.


Chapter 3: The Best of Seven Hands

They were completely silent.

There were two benches at the pool area near the locker rooms. Hotaru had chosen one. Ruka had taken the other. Hotaru was sitting, with her legs tucked beneath her. She leaned her head against the wall and was trying to doze. Ruka was lying down on his wooden bench, staring at the high ceiling. The benches were perpendicular and were within hearing range of each other. But that didn't matter.

They had nothing to say to each other.

The two of them survived the years through bickering. The bickering was mostly on Ruka's part. Much of their friendship was defined by blackmail. That was mostly Hotaru's doing. This would be the first time that they would be alone together and so maybe the silence was protecting their fragile ceasefire. Ruka understood but he still wished she would say something.

After what seemed like hours, Ruka glanced at his watch. He stifled a groan. It had only been half an hour. He got up.

"Are you awake?" His voice rang through the still room, surprising even him at how loud he had spoken. But Hotaru didn't even flinch. Her eyes flickered open. Ruka cleared his throat. "I can't sleep."

"So?"

"So… how are you doing it?"

Instead of answering, Hotaru's eyes shut again. Ruka frowned at her dismissal but then she answered, "Closing your eyes rests your body even if you don't achieve REM."

"So you're not asleep?"

She snorted. "I'm talking to you, aren't I?"

All right, he deserved that. He watched her for a while longer then got bored and stood. He started pacing the width of the pool. A while later, he sat on the floor then started rummaging through his bag. He pulled out his paramedic kit and rearranged everything inside. Then he started poking through the pockets of his duffel bag.

"You're like a kid," Hotaru said suddenly. She straightened in her seat and smirked.

"I can't sleep."

"So you said."

"You can't sleep either," he pointed out. "I'm just more honest about it."

"Aren't you about everything?"

Ruka fished deep into his bag then pulled out a small box. He grinned. "Hey Hotaru, do you want to play cards?"

"Do I look that bored to you?"

"We'll play for rabbits."

"Russian poker, best of seven hands, winner takes the pot," she said briskly, getting up from the bench. She plopped down in front of Ruka and cracked her knuckles.

He chuckled. "That was easy."

"Deal the cards, Nogi."

"Not so fast. We need house rules."

"Full deck to deal for each round."

"Are we counting units?"

"Nope, just the better of the front, middle and back hand. Best of three determines the winner of the round."

"Bet placement?"

"After each hand is dealt. Agree?"

Ruka didn't have a problem with Hotaru setting the rules. Anyway, he didn't think she'd have it any other way. "Agreed."

They played the first hand seriously and Ruka won the round. He couldn't really tell if that irritated Hotaru. He shuffled the cards and dealt again. They arranged their cards in silence. Ruka wondered if this was any better than when they were feigning sleep. He glanced at his opponent but Hotaru's face was perfectly impassive. When they coined the term, 'poker face', this must be what they were talking about.

"Where did you learn to play cards?" he blurted out. Hotaru glanced at him, her expression never changing. "Did you come in knowing how? At ten years old?"

She shook her head. "A book."

"Oh."

"You?"

"My mom taught me," he said, glad that she asked even if it was just a formality. "We used to play at home. I was eight years old but she let me join the table."

"Cool," Hotaru answered briefly. She looked at her little pile of multi-colored catnip. It was one of the oddities in Ruka's bag that they were using for poker chips. She selected two red ones then tossed it into the pot.

Ruka matched her bet then broke the silence again, "Do you want to play Blackjack later?"

"Do you want to play seriously now?" she asked sarcastically.

He shook his head. "No. Actually, I don't."

"You said we're playing for rabbits."

"Right now, we're playing for catnip," he retorted. "Tomorrow, at daybreak, you can continue your greedy, mercenary ways. But tonight it's just pet food."

Hotaru shrugged. "Fine, but if you don't transform my catnip into realizable rabbits tomorrow, you'll pay for it in pictures."

"What makes you think you'll win tonight?"

Her eyes flashed. "I always win."

"Then you've never played me."

"Oh, you are so on, Nogi."

"I said, don't take it seriously," he said impatiently. "Can't you take your mind off the cash for a couple of hours?"

"No," she said shortly. "Show me your hand." He laid out his cards. "Rats." Hotaru tossed her cards at the center pile. He laughed, happier about getting a reaction out of her than winning.

Ruka gathered the cards again then shuffled them. Hotaru got up to fetch two water bottles from her bag. She tossed one to him then sat down. She positioned herself against the wall and leaned back. He smiled inwardly. Hotaru had just signaled for a break without a word.

"How long do you have before Weller gets here?"

"Two weeks," she said. "Three of us are competing for the contract. It'll be tight."

"You'll do fine. You rack up dozens of investors a month."

Hotaru sipped her water. "Actually, the Academy asked me to make two presentations. I did my research and it turns out Brighton Weller is the more profitable choice so I dropped the other one."

It made him frown. "That's how it is with you, huh? Returns, profit and the bottomline."

"That's how it is in the real world."

"Maybe but it doesn't have to be about that all the time," Ruka muttered. He started playing solitaire. "You could live a little. Hang out with the gang more. Maybe even date."

Hotaru raised an eyebrow. "Date?"

"You're fourteen, why is it so surprising?"

"I'm Hotaru Imai."

"I know who you are," Ruka retorted. "Really, I get enough of that, 'I'm-so-and-so' crap from Natsume. What makes you think your reputation dictates anything?"

"It's not that." Hotaru looked sardonic. "A guy would have to be crazy to go out with me. Crazy or stupid."

"Why?"

"Because I'm mean and greedy," she said bluntly. "I'd run him ragged. He'll go broke. I'd dominate him."

"I don't believe that," Ruka said. "You're much too ambitious, Imai. Running the life of some poor schmuck wouldn't be high on your list. You wouldn't have the patience for it. You'll be too busy earning cash to even care what the guy does." She blinked at him. Ruka played an ace then realized his companion had grown silent. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just surprised. I didn't think you knew me that well."

"Know thy enemy," he said wisely. He dealt out threes to finish his game. "I spend a great deal of my school life trying to figure you out. And I know you don't lack for admirers."

Hotaru snorted. "Oh yeah, I've got losers promising to rob banks or jump off bridges for me."

"Cut them some slack," Ruka returned. "Some boys tend to act like idiots around attractive girls." This time, her head snapped to him. The startled look on her face was genuine. Ruka grew confused. "Come on Hotaru, you must know you're beautiful."

"Yes." She looked at him with wonder. "But I didn't know you thought so."

"I'm not blind. You're not my type but I know you're pretty."

"I'm not your type?"

"Yeah, like I'm not yours," he said carelessly, "Even if I am a school heartthrob."

"True enough." She watched Ruka gather the cards again when he was done with his game of solitaire. Without having to ask, he began dealing out the cards to finish their seven-game tournament.

"What you need is some guy who has a life of his own that doesn't revolve around you," Ruka went on as the cards flew to life in his hands, "Which brings us back to you and dating."

"You're encouraging me to go on dates?"

"Yes." He noted her amusement. "Have you ever?"

"Sure. In fact, the last time was with… Natsume."

That brought him up short. His hand stilled over the deck and Ruka absolutely stared. "Hyuuga?"

"No, Rodriguez," she said dryly. "Of course, Natsume Hyuuga."

"You went out with Hyuuga?!" Ruka asked, rapidly severing all ties of friendship and dropping first-name basis. Hotaru smirked at the dumbfounded look on his face. "When was this?"

"A year ago… when you were with Sakura," she mocked.

"Oh." That clarified it but his chest still flinched slightly and there was no explaining that. He finished dealing then quickly picked up his cards. He said no more.

Hotaru correctly guessed his mind must be running wild with highly unlikely romantic scenarios of her and Natsume and decided she needed to interrupt. She cleared her throat. "Why did you break up with Mikan?"

"How long did you two go out?" Ruka asked instead, his irritation evident.

"Two or three dates, it wasn't a relationship," Hotaru said shortly the repeated, "Why did you break up with Mikan?"

Ruka knew her tone meant the subject was over so he reluctantly moved on. "It was… complicated. Mikan didn't really want to be with me. Even when we were together, I always felt like she wasn't completely with me. You know?"

"No, I don't know," she said bluntly. "As far as I do know, you gave up on her."

"It was a mutual decision—"

"Oh please. If you tried harder, it could've worked out. You gave up first and the stupid girl didn't know what to do."

He sobered. "Hotaru… Natsume said… did I break her heart?"

"Did I not shoot you that day?"

"I thought you did that on principle."

"Yes, the principle being that you're not supposed to get away with hurting her."

His face was full of regret and it was Hotaru's turn to be annoyed. A year ago, this moron had hurt Mikan. He was trying to be noble but such sacrifices were just so pointless when he could've been on his way to a happily ever after. It was one more reason why she didn't date. She didn't like people giving up like that.

"We were happy for some time," Ruka said wistfully as he moved his cards around. "Mikan's so cheerful, it's catching. When she gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her. It was like dating a snowball."

"A snowball?"

"You know how snowballs start out real small but when it rolls downhill it grows bigger and gains momentum. It's impossible to stop so people should just clear the way."

"I've never heard it put like that before."

"Anyway, Natsume needs her more than I do," he said decisively. He matched the catnip Hotaru just tossed down. "When I was with her, I knew it for sure. And Mikan needs Natsume too."

"You are such a sucker," Hotaru said. She laid out her cards and he did the same. The ice queen finally won a hand. Ruka had to give her points for not gloating. He collected the cards for their fourth hand.

"There was that other girl you liked, Mikan told me, the one older than us."

"Rika Eldenworth." Ruka's lips curved into a smile. "She was pretty. Too bad, she wouldn't give me the time of day. I think that's kind of why I liked her. She was never a fan girl. In fact, she pretty much ignored me."

Hotaru snickered. "Pathetic. Seriously Nogi, if you're only attracted to girls who don't want you then you should be hopelessly in love with me."

"Come off it Imai. I'm not that desperate."

Hotaru fired her baka gun but because she missed him by a head, he knew that was only a warning shot. He glowered. "Just when I think I can be comfortable talking to you, you go do things like… point taken. You don't want me to be too comfortable."

"Exactly."

The fourth hand went to Hotaru again and so they were tied at two. They were about to begin the fifth. All of a sudden, Ruka wanted to play another round of solitaire just to slow things down. He had the feeling Hotaru would want lapse back to silence when their play-off was over and he was enjoying the conversation too much. He shuffled the cards, taking his time. Then he eyed the baka gun Hotaru still kept ready.

"Hey Hotaru, how about a more interesting wager?" Ruka said as a light bulb went off in his head. "If I win the next hand, you'll stop shooting me with your baka gun."

She snorted.

"For the rest of the month?"

"Please."

"For the rest of the week?"

"As if."

"Until we get out of here?"

"Okay."

"Okay?" He looked stumped then beamed. "Great!"

"But if I win, you'll give me free pictures," Hotaru said wickedly. "In any pose I ask for." He swallowed. Of course, there had to be that.

"Agreed." He started dealing. "But I don't see why you need my pictures. They're hardly profit compared to what you're earning now."

"One can never have too much, Nogi."

"Greedy."

"We've already covered that," she said primly. They set their cards quickly, almost as though they were in a hurry to find out who would win this one. Ruka finished first then waited until Hotaru was satisfied. She looked really focused.

"When you imagine the future, do you see yourself swimming in cash?" Ruka asked off-handedly. "Humor me, Imai. What would you consider better than a million bucks?"

She answered without pause, "An invention that helps people a million times over."

Ruka was startled. He wasn't really expecting an honest answer. "You're a sap."

Bam!

"I'm a sap with a baka gun," Hotaru said as she blew the holster. Ruka lifted himself back up, rubbing his head sheepishly. He started reassembling his cards that had comically flown off in every direction. It was her turn to wait.

"When I imagine the future, I also see Mikan happily married to some fool lucky enough to find her. Good enough?" Though not often, Hotaru could be sweet on her best friend.

"First name Natsume, last name Hyuuga?"

"If he shapes up."

"What about you?"

"I'll be happy with my millions."

"And that's enough?"

Hotaru shrugged. "I'm almost done convincing myself that it is." He didn't answer. It was such a somber way of looking at the future. "Ready?"

Hotaru laid down her hand first. Ruka whooped with joy then laid down his. She gave a strangled cry while he jumped up and started doing a little dance. Hotaru pushed the cards in annoyance and upset the catnip. Ruka returned to her, still grinning madly.

"This has got to be the best of seven hands."

"Are you done?"

"Aww, be a sport Hotaru," Ruka said. "The ceasefire only lasts for a couple more hours and you got one more shot in."

"Just deal the cards."

"No."

"No?" she growled.

"You look ready to injure someone," Ruka teased. "I don't want to play anymore if it means making you angrier."

"Nogi, you are such a—"

"I'm kidding." He sat down. "Really, you're so uptight. I was just checking if you'd shoot. But then, you're really big on honoring deals, aren't you?"

"You blathering idiot," she muttered. Ruka stopped joking because Hotaru had turned away. They were on the sixth hand. It was funny that he was counting down in his head. Hotaru didn't seem as concerned.

"Should we go back to playing for rabbits?"

"Definitely."

"Aren't you afraid that one day you'll be taken for your money?" Ruka asked casually after he had dealt and they were putting their cards in order again.

"By the time I'm that rich, I wouldn't be on the market for a life partner," she said with certainty. "Besides, I'll only go out with boys who have their own money."

"You're not even looking for romance?"

"I'm not that kind of girl."

"Well, I wouldn't want to be taken for my money. That sucks."

She didn't reply and the rest of the sixth round went by in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable this time. When they revealed their combinations, they were back to a tie with Hotaru walking away with a victory from her full house.

"Oh, this is exciting," Ruka said while Hotaru remained indifferent. "Yeah, your face says you're not impressed but I know you're gunning for a win. Well, so am I."

"Nogi?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you talk so much?"

"I'm making up for you," he said, not put off. "It takes two to make a good conversation but you're not doing your part so it's all on me. No problem."

He smiled candidly, and at the most unlikely moment, that's when Hotaru understood why girls found him so attractive. He was attentive and likable and easy to be with. He had no hang-ups or reservations. Somehow he had managed to coax even her to share. But it wasn't just good looks or clever dialogue. Ruka Nogi could be downright charming.

"Last hand," Ruka said, clueless of what she was just thinking. "Do you want to deal?"

"Why not?"

She took the cards and dealt, not as deftly as he had but the cards still flew swiftly. The seventh hand. She hadn't noticed how quickly time had flown by. Mikan had said something like that. Something about not noticing the minutes passing when you're with someone—

"What's wrong?" Ruka asked when she suddenly sighed heavily. She shook her head. There was no way she was sharing her thoughts. He had prompted her to respond enough times that night.

"Could you just shut up for this hand?"

"Um… sure." If he was vexed by the sudden change in her mood, he didn't comment. Hotaru didn't mean to be terse. It just happened naturally.

Ruka wasn't sure what he did. For a while she had been responsive but he could see Hotaru was shutting down now, as quickly as the card game came to an end. One step forward, two steps back. He wasn't surprised that was how it was with her but it irritated him nonetheless. He studied Hotaru for a while, breaking down the code that was her façade. A twitch in the eyebrow, her lips in a straight line, her eyes slightly narrowed. Hotaru was trying to figure something out. He hoped it was just the cards.

"Ready?" Hotaru said gamely. She was eager to end this contest. She dumped the rest of her catnip at the center pile. Ruka did the same. Hotaru laid out all thirteen cards in one flourish.

Ruka looked down at her hand then immediately folded. "What can I say? You win."

"I knew it!" Hotaru said gleefully, momentarily forgetting herself. She rested against the wall with a self-satisfied smirk. "When will you pay up?"

"At breakfast," he promised. "I'll count out the catnip."

"Seven hundred forty-two rabbits," she said promptly, making him laugh.

Hotaru watched craftily as he shuffled their hands together. Again, he was taking his time about it. With a quick eye she watched the cards clap together and saw a couple of face cards mix with her hand. She froze then her gaze went to Ruka. She was too bemused to feel any anger. For some unknown reason, this guy…

"Ruka, why did you agree to help me?"

He met her gaze. "You made a tempting offer."

"You could've skipped the meeting in the library altogether," she pointed out. "Don't think I didn't know that. It was a favor that you showed up at all."

"You asked me so I had to."

"Because you're a pushover?"

"No," he chuckled. "Hotaru, for all the grief you put me through, I like to think we're still… well, friends."

"You must have a really broad definition of the word."

There was a twinkle in his eye. "It has to be to still include you in it. We are friends, right?"

He'd put her on the spot. Hotaru paused and Ruka was grateful she had taken the question seriously. "I suppose."

"Anyway, friends help each other out. They're able to forgive the unforgivable." He grinned. "Friends have long talks like we did just now."

"I get it. Yeah, we're friends, if only because it's unavoidable." Hotaru smirked. "Friends also pay up when they lose a wager, right?"

"I think that applies to everyone. I'll pay when we get out." He laughed then his gaze flitted to Hotaru's cheek. "How's your wound?"

"Not so bad."

"Let me check."

Ruka moved on impulse. Before she could react, he already had his hand on her cheek and was gently running a thumb over the mark as he peered at the blister. He realized what he was doing when she did. Hotaru's hand went to her baka gun but then she remembered their wager and froze. She was sadistic, yes, but she was also a person of her word. She was trapped between the wall and Ruka but she couldn't shoot. He could have backed off too but he didn't.

Hotaru wasn't a fan of romantic comedies. She watched them with the girls but she never particularly enjoyed them. So faced with a situation where she herself was the heroine, she wasn't certain how a normal girl would act. She stayed where she was and just stared back. After all, Ruka seemed perfectly content to look at her with the same warm smile he'd been giving her all night. It wasn't hard to tell what they were both thinking.

"Did you plan this?"

But Ruka looked sheepish, not smug. "I wish I was that smooth."

His hand moved to her nape and her eyes shut when he closed the distance between them. Then suddenly it was his turn to halt. Hell must have frozen over because right then he really wanted to kiss Hotaru Imai and it looked like she was going to let him. The timing, the build-up, the circumstance was perfect for the moment. But something held him in place.

"Have you ever been kissed, Hotaru?"

Her eyes opened. She didn't say anything but he knew the answer. Of course, no one could have gotten close enough to try. He was amazed that he did, but given their history, it just wouldn't be right. With regret, he moved back.

"Don't waste your first kiss on me," he mumbled while something inside him protested. "It should be with someone you care about, even the slightest."

Hotaru didn't know what to say. What could she have said to change his mind? Why would she bother to try? This happened all the time in stories but it wasn't like them to just suddenly fall into intimacy. They weren't that sort of friends.

The silence was tangible now. All amusement was gone from his face. There was no censure on hers. The moment hadn't been embarrassing for either of them but it gave them pause, a reason to think. Were they disappointed? Were they relieved it didn't happen?

"You'll regret passing up this chance, Nogi," Hotaru said at last. She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.

He laughed, "Probably. Let's just hope I get over it."

"We are not talking about this—"

"Ever again," Ruka agreed. "Even at the threat of death—"

"This never happened," Hotaru finished.

"It's not like anyone would believe it anyway." Ruka rubbed the back of his neck. He was self-conscious but he had to know. After everything that was said tonight, he had to be certain. "Hotaru, did you ever consider… us?"

"Us?"

"You and me, getting together."

"Of course not," she snorted. "You?"

"Of course not," he repeated then wondered if he was being honest. "Anyway, I wouldn't stand a chance against your other suitors."

"Why?"

"I'd never rob a bank for you," Ruka joked then said in afterthought, "But as your friend, maybe I'll jump off a bridge."

"Even if it's a long fall?"

"Even if it's fast and hard," he averred.

"Dork."

Ruka picked up the deck then started shuffling. He didn't know why he couldn't look at her directly. "Do you still feel like playing?"

Hotaru glanced at her watch. "Three hours to go. Why not?"

"What game?" he asked then glanced up. He wished he didn't. Her smile, the open and good-humored one she was wearing just then, could've knocked him out because it was so rare. Apparently, Hotaru was done gambling.

"Go Fish."


The doors creaked loudly when they finally drew open. Ruka's eyes adjusted to the morning light entering the room. His back ached horribly at the sitting position he had taken while asleep. He looked down at Hotaru's sleeping form. They had shared the same bench but she was lying down on her side, with her tousled head next to his hip.

"Wake up, your majesty," he murmured almost affectionately to the ice queen. "The doors are open."

Unlike Ruka, she was alert at once. She brought order back to her hair by sweeping her hands through them then began gathering the towels they had used as blankets. They fixed their things in silence.

"Hotaru? Ruka? Where are you?" came Mikan's voice. Ruka picked up his bag then hurried to the door. "Oh my gosh! Maybe they wasted away being trapped in here all night."

"Great, let's go look for their bodies then," came Natsume's response.

"Natsume!"

"Pipe down, no-star. It's too early in the morning."

"Hey guys," Ruka interrupted before they could launch into an argument. They turned to him and Mikan grinned widely.

"Good morning, Ruka! How was your night with Hotaru?"

"Oh yes, how was your night with the Dragon Lady?" Natsume snickered.

Ruka quelled him with a look. "It was fine." His gaze went back and forth between the two of them. "Have you two been together since daybreak?"

Natsume snickered. "She came to my room. Practically attacked me, the pervert—"

"I did not attack you!" Mikan protested. She tried planting her hands on Natsume's lips but he immediately ducked and gave a little chase. "I was worried because Yuu said the building went on a lock down and Hotaru wasn't back yet. So we came to check first thing."

"You don't need to make excuses—"

Ruka grinned when Mikan jumped up to throttle Natsume. "Hanging out together before breakfast. If I didn't know better, you two are making a habit out of it."

"Jealous much, Nogi?" Hotaru asked airily as she breezed past them. Mikan yelped then rushed off after her friend.

"Hotaru! Wait up!"

"Bye Hotaru," Ruka called after her. "I'll pay the pot at breakfast."

"Don't bother," Hotaru responded with a smirk. She began walking backwards and Mikan caught up. "I know what hand you were holding, Nogi, and I don't take charity."

He was surprised that she knew he had let her win, and that she was gracious enough not to take advantage of it. He laughed cheekily, "So will you be paying me instead?"

"As if," she sniffed. "Not after what you tried to pull." She spun around then briskly walked away with Mikan.

"Are you jealous?" Natsume suddenly asked. Ruka looked at his friend in question. "That Mikan and I were together this morning."

Ruka watched Hotaru disappear at the bend then slowly shook his head. "No."

"So how was your night? All limbs still intact?"

"It was all right," Ruka responded absently. "Quite fun, really."

The fact that Hotaru had only shot him thrice in the course of the night was an achievement. When Hotaru and Mikan were out of sight he abruptly remembered that he had spent half the night mildly irked. Ruka slid a glance at his best friend then suddenly frowned.

"So… you and Hotaru…"