Chapter 3: The Mission and the interference: Natsume's POV-
The first person I saw was Imai, she was running with a picture in her hand. "What the hell?" I thought and then saw Ruka running behind, chasing her.
"Imai! Give me that picture!" he yelled and I saw a strange glint in her eyes and she ran. Out of nowhere she reached into her bag and pulled out a bunch of pictures and
threw them into the air. One glided over to me and I picked it up and saw Ruka sleeping with his head lying on the desk, and a slight blush in his cheeks. He looked like a little kid, and I instantly knew why Imai took this picture. To sell to our soon to be crazed fan girls. I heard shouting and looked up to see Mikan, Youichi, and Aoi standing over Ruka while he rushed to pick up some pictures.
"Uh Ruka-pyon what's wrong?" Mikan asked and bent down and picked up one of the pictures. "Aw! Ruka-pyon you look so cute!" she said and he hid his eyes with his bangs, obviously not wanting to be called "cute". Mikan smiled and looked up and thats when she noticed me. "Perfect! Natsume's here! Now we have everyone!" she said and walked over before grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the group.
"Whatever" I said and she smiled and went on about how fun this will be, while I thought about the mission. Finally Imai made her way back over counting the money she made.
"Yay! Let's go" Mikan said and with that, we headed to town. Mikan and Aoi took the lead as Mikan pointed out varies things, Imai and Ruka were behind them arguing, well, Ruka was arguing, Imai was counter her money. Finally me and Youichi stood in the back listening to what Mikan and Aoi were saying, while I also looked around for Persona.
"Youichi, I have a seperate mission for Persona, it could be any moment, but when I do go, if I have any problems, I'll be in my normal form so I'll send you a message to come help. Is that clear?" I whispered and he nodded but seemed a little confused.
"What do you plan to tell her?" he asked and we both looked up and starred at Mikan who was gawking at a colorful dress in the window of some store.
"I'll tell her nothing, she won't even notice" I said and he nodded. When they started walking again my eyes drifted to every alley and every dark area. Why did he have to give me a mission on my first day? What was so important about a naive human that was attempting to hunt us? It's not like anyone would believe his stories, or would assist him. Also, he was human, they think they know how to fight or destroy kinds stronger, faster, and deadlier then they, but they are wrong. That's why I know for a fact no human will ever except one of us right off the bat. They will scream and hide, or try to kill us thinking they have the upper hand. I remember one of our old neighbors fell in love with a human. He got permission to expose himself and when he did, the women happened to have a gun on her, and being unable to attack the one he loved, he got shot and was killed. Persona who had been watching to make sure he didn't lie and say she accepted right away, immediately took the body and went back to our realm. Love...it's such a useless emotion, how can someone feel something that doesn't exist? Our neighbor for instance, he threw everything away for "love" when the women ended up shooting him in the end. Some love that was. My thoughts were interrupted when something sweet and sugary got shoved into my mouth. I looked up to see Mikan starring at me, she looked worried yet amused. After I swallowed the strange candy I glared at her. "What the fuck was that for?" I growled and she smiled.
"You looked like something you were thinking about was upsetting you. I tried to ask what was wrong but you were off in your own world, so I shoved a piece of Howalon into your mouth. It's a really sweet, really delicious candy, did you like it?" she asked and I saw her eyes sparkle as she put a piece of Howalon into her mouth.
"I hate sweets" I said bitterly and her smiled disappeared and she looked down. She looked truly upset about something, I didn't understand it. These humans, their emotions change for the stupidest reasons.
"Oh" was all she said, before turning around and joining Aoi outside the window of a jewelery store.
"Whoa that was a weird change in personality" Ruka said starring at Mikan who was back to her normal self, but I could tell it was an act. Something upset her. I can't understand what, but something did.
"Hn" I said and shook my head. "Stop thinking about her, there is no point worrying about a human" I thought and looked around. That's when I noticed Persona standing in the opening of an alley. "Shit" I said and ran past Aoi, Mikan, and Imai and over to the alley where Persona followed me inside.
"Transform now, he'll be here in a few moments. Hide on the roof until he comes in, he is wearing a black trench coat" he said before disappearing. I quickly transformed into my normal self and shot myself into the sky and flew onto the roof before pulling on a black hoodie that hid my uniform. That's when I saw him walk in. As he entered he pulled out some sort of gun, I believe it was a shot gun, and started walking into the alley. When he was near the end of the alley I was about to attack him when I heard someone.
"Natsume!" the person called and I looked into the entrance of the cave and saw Mikan standing there walking into the alley. The hunter heard her and turned around and grinned, but she didn't notice.
"Shit!" I nearly yelled in my head as I watched the man approach here. I was about to jump down and get in his way but remembered the rule. "What the fuck am I going to do?" I growled and watched Mikan looked at the man.
"Well well well, who do we have here, a female, I didn't think they sent the females on solo missions, let alone to fight a hunter, you must be strong, for one of those monsters" he said and I nearly screamed out loud. He thought she was one of us? How much worse can it get? Also she's just standing there like a idiot.
"What do you mean?" I heard her ask and saw her take a step back, and he responded by taking a step forward.
"Don't play dumb with me, I know what you are, you're one of those monsters from the legends, all my life I've been hunting your kind, and now, I finally can kill one. To bad your in your human form though, but maybe when you die you'll transform back" he said and I saw her eyes widen in fear as he raised the gun. At that moment I didn't give a damn about the stupid rule, out of impulse I jumped down and landed in front of her right when he pulled the trigger. I grunted as I felt the bullet sink into my waist, almost immediately I felt the hot blood start dripping out of the bullet hole. I ignored the pain and picked her up bridal style before shooting back into the now night sky. I flew up high so no one would be able to see us and sent an S.O.S. message to Youichi telling him to finish the job. When we were on the edge of the city I landed on the roof top on a big building. I placed her down before sitting down and leaning against a wall.
"What are you?" she asked and I looked up and saw her starring at me. She looked concerned, and curious, what was wrong with this girl. I didn't even think when I started talking.
"They call us the "dark angels" but you think of me as a monster, like everyone else" I said and she walked over and knelt down next to me.
"Monsters don't save people's lives. Who was that man?" she asked and I looked up at her, unsure of what I was doing.
"A hunter, he's been trying to find and kill my kind his entire life as he said, somehow he was convinced you were one of us, sorry about that" I said and she smiled.
"It's not your fault. Oh my gosh! You're bleeding! His bullet hit you!" she panicked and lifted my hoodie slightly. I saw her bite her lip as she tried to ease up the clothing without hurting me. I grabbed her hand and closed my eyes.
"D-don't, you don't have to pretend your-" I started but she but me off when she pulled her hand away and lifted up the sweater. Her eyes widened in fear as she looked at the bullet hole.
"Oh my god you need to get that fixed" she said then it seems like she remembered something. She stood up and walked to the edge of the building and looked out towards a field like area. "See that house right there, that's my house, I live there with my Jii-chan, right now he's at martial arts, do you think you could get us to my house so I can fix you up?" she asked and looked back at me. I must be losing my mind due to blood loss but-
"Yeah" I said and stood up before picking her up, bridal style again, and launching into the air. It was a little difficult flying while holding someone, but she was very light, That only problem I had was when she'd accidentally shift her weight and hit the bullet wound. When we made it to the house, I landed in the back so her neighbors wouldn't see and she lead me through the yard and into the house using the back door.
"Just take a seat on the floor, I'll get the medical supplies we have, do you want anything to eat or drink?" she asked and I starred at her in disbelief. Why was she being so nice? If it were me I would be completely rude to someone like myself. I guess she feels like she owes me something for saving her life, that's why she's even bothering with me.
"Water" I said plainly and she nodded and headed into another room. I looked around the home, there wasn't any lights, just a few candles that weren't lit, and the windows allowed the moon light to leak through. The room had thick hard wood floors and walls that were very similar. The house reminded me of a yoga retreat, or some kind of shrine. It was actually very creepy, it amazed me that a girl like Mikan could live here with only her grandfather. It made me wonder what happened to her mother and father. I heard a door open and looked up to see her walking back with a big box, and a glass of water. She handed me a glass then put the box on the floor and took out a lighter and light all the candles in the room before taking one and moving it closer.
"Sorry, we don't have any lights, we don't have electricity, Jii-chan is very old fashioned. I know it's lame, but I don't mind it" she said and sat down next to me and opened the first aid kit. She pulled out a needle and a roll of stictches. She pulled out a couple of bottles and bandages and placed them on the floor. She took the needles and poured what looked like rubbing achohal on it and disinfected it before threading the stictches and turning to me. "Uh would you mind taking off your shirt" she asked and I saw a slight blush on her cheeks. I grabbed the sweater and the shirt on the uniform and pulled them over my head before placing them behind me so she couldn't see them. She moved closed and looked at me nervously. "This might hurt" she said and I glared at her.
"I have a bullet hole in my side, and your worried about a needle hurting me? Idiot" I said and she narrowed her eyes at me before sticking the needle into my skin. It hurt a little, but it was more like a pinching feeling, and before I knew it she was taking scissors and cutting the stitches. She grabbed the bandage and wrapped it around my waist a couple of times and smiled before wiping her forehead.
"There" she said started putting the stuff away. "How does it feel?" she asked as she placed the bandages in the back and I sat up straight and took a deep breath.
"Uncomfortable, but not bad" I said bitterly and pulled my shirt and hoodie back on. I stood up and stretched a little. It didn't feel that bad, just a little uncomfortable. I knew I would have to take it easy for the next week, which means I had to leave the missions to Youichi and Ruka. True Aoi would want to help, but I rather her stay away so she doesn't get hurt.
"So why do I never see your...kind around?" she asked and stood up and looked at me. She didn't look afraid, she didn't even look nervous. She actually looked the same she did in school when she was talking to me in her human form.
"We aren't allowed to show our true forms to humans. But some of us change into our human forms and go to school. That's what I do" I said then instantly regretted saying that. She was obviously going to ask more questions.
"Oh really? What do you look like in your normal form? What school do you go to?" she asked and I turned around and started walking to the back door.
"None of your business" I said and I heard her following me. I opened the door then felt her put her hand on my arm. I turned around and saw her starring at me.
"At least give me a name" she said and I sighed. What could I possibly tell her? 'Oh my name's Natsume but it's just a freaky coincidence that a new kid just moved here named Natsume. "You see, you remind me of someone...his name is Natsume he just moved here, he is cold to everyone, and arrogant, and perverted and a jerk" she said and I clenched my jaw, wanting to smack her in the head. "But I feel like theres more to him, I want to get to know him but he pushes me away, and I think he hates me, so since you two are so alike, maybe you could help me understand him" she said and my eyes widened. Why would a girl like her want to understand me? I thought she hated me and was just nice...and why does hearing her say that make me...happy?
"the names Honou" I lied and turned around again. "I don't know if I can help you with..him. We'll see" I said and started walking towards the door again.
"Okay...but come back in three days so I can check on that. Thanks" she said and I nodded, opened the door, and took off into the night sky. I didn't understand a thing that happened. All I knew was three days from now I would appear at the back door of that house in my normal form. I knew it was wrong, that if they found out she would be in a lot of trouble, but I would protect her.
'"I swear I'm losing my mind...why am I bothering with that human" I thought and closed my eyes. I wouldn't think about it now, there was no point of it. The only reason I would go back is to make sure I can get myself fixed up without having my mother worry. She already was a mess since our father died 3 years ago. If she found out I was shot while on a mission, she is bound to try to kill Persona for letting it happen. I did have to tell Ruka though, because I needed advice. What could I do about this girl? And why did I have this strange feeling? "Never mind that, just go home" I reminded myself and entered the portal to my realm. When I got to my house, I walked in and my mom looked up.
"How was the mission? Where'd you go after that?" she asked and I shrugged before walking upstairs to my room knowing Ruka would be waiting for me.
"Did Youichi take care of that hunter?" I asked when I got into my room and closed the door and Ruka nodded. I walked to the closet and took off my hoodie and uniform and through on a plan white tank top before taking off my school pants and putting on jeans.
"Aoi is at Youichi's place, no what happened to your side?" Ruka asked when I sat down in the chair and pulled out the book I found today in class. I looked up and saw he was starring at me with a worried expression so I stood up, closed the window and locked the door, before checking my surroundings to make sure no one was listening.
"I was on the roof waiting for the hunter, when he came I was about to jump down and get him but that girl Mikan came in the alley. He thought she was one of us and was about to shoot her, thats when I dropped down and took the bullet before picking her up and flew as far away as possible. We were on a roof of a building at the edge of town and she started asking me questions and for some reason I fucking answered her. Then she noticed I was bleeding and told me to go to her house with her so she could fix me, which she did, then I gave her a fake name and she asked if I would come back in 3 days so she can check the bullet hole, and I said I would" I whispered and I saw his eyes widen.
"Are you going to tell Persona about her seeing your true form?" he asked and I thought about it. I should, and I knew that, I didn't even like humans, why should I try to protect a girl I didn't even know well? Also she would tell everyone about me by tomorrow, who knows what could happen after that. Knowing her best friend Imai she would try to find us as proof, and everyone in that classroom seems like they've know Mikan for a while and would trust her right away. So I should definitely tell Persona and get her memory erased.
"No, I'm not telling" I heard myself say and I saw his eyes widen again. I have no idea why I said I wouldn't tell, something was definitely wrong with me. That's when I saw Ruka smiling. "What are you smiling about?" I asked bitterly and he just shook his head with that smile of his still plastered on his face.
"Well we'll have to see what happens tomorrow" he said and I nodded. I flipped threw the pages of the book, and actually found myself wanted to read it, so I placed it on the desk to my right and decided I could use it later. "Um you might want to wash our uniform and get the blood out" he said and I looked on the floor at my white shirt and saw it was now a bright red in the place I got shot.
"I got another one just in case something like this happens" I said and set the pile on the floor on fire. "I can't let my mother find that, or Aoi" I said and he nodded and watched the fabric burn. I opened the window so the room could air out before taking off the tank top and unwrapping the bandage. The stitches she put in where done very neatly to my surprise. There was still blood caked onto my skin, but taking a shower would fix that, so I told Ruka to make himself at home and I was going to take a shower. I grabbed the tank top and a pair of sweat pants and boxers and went to our bathroom. My people adopted only a few things from the humans and that was plumbing and electricity. We didn't have computers or ipods cars, just basic lighting, running water that was heated, and tvs. Also the people who did missions were given cell phones. After I took a rather uncomfortable shower due to the stitches and got the blood off my skin. I got dressed and re-wrapped my waist before I went back to my room and hung out with Ruka. "So why did you let Mikan try to follow me?" I asked and he looked up.
"You see Imai was selling pictures of me again and I was trying to stop her while Aoi was trying to get Youichi to take a picture with her, we didn't even notice Mikan slip away until after you sent Youichi the S.O.S. that's when Youichi looked around and asked where Mikan was. I'm guessing he figured that she had something to do with you calling the S.O.S. since she seems like the kind of girl to always get into trouble" he said and I grinned slightly. "So what caused you to save her and let her take care of you and answer her questions?" he whispered and I looked out the window and shrugged. I really had no idea.
"We're done talking about her" I said bitterly and I heard him chuckle but I ignrored it. The door opened and Aoi and Youichi walked in, our was smiling and Youichi was starring at me obviously wanted to know what happened.
"Hey Natsume nii-san, why were you so late?" she asked and I shrugged and lifted my shirt showing them the bandage. She gasped and walked over and threw her arms around me in a tight hug like she did whenever I got hurt. "Oh what happened?" she asked and I pushed her away like always.
"I was reckless" I simply said and looked at Ruka motioning for him to keep his mouth shut. He nodded and Youichi walked over to me starring me up and down before simply saying.
"I took care of your mission" and with that he left, causing Aoi to follow him screaming at him. I watched them and for some reason couldn't help thinking about me and Mikan.
"Well I should probably go, I never went home, I came in here through the window to wait for you, mom probably thinks I was eaten or something" he joked and one of my eyebrows lifted up in confusion. He laughed and left leaving me to read and relax. For some reason I really wanted to see Mikan, while I also dreaded tomorrow knowing she will tell everyone about what happened today. It wasn't very long until I fell asleep, with her face in my mind.
When I woke up, I was sore, I put my new uniform on and messed up my hair before going down stairs. Aoi was rather quiet, knowing that if she opened her mouth she would tell mother about my waist. When I finished breakfast, I got up and pulled Aoi with me outside as we headed to the portal to meet Ruka.
"Natsume...what is love?" she asked and my eyes widened and I looked at her. "I think I love Youichi, but I don't know, do you love anyone?" she whispered and I looked ahead and shook my head.
"I will never fall in love" I plainly put and she nodded. "It's not a bad thing, but my life style...who I am..it just can't be loved" I said and she looked at me with sad eyes.
"We're done talking about this" I said and she nodded and looked down. When we got to the portal Ruka and Youichi were already there. Aoi looked up and saw Youichi and immediately looked down, blushing. I looked at Ruka and he took a deep breath. "Let's go" I said and he nodded, thinking the same thing as me. "Today is going to be brutal". We stepped into the portal, and I walked faster leaving Youichi and Aoi in the back and now I was walking next to Ruka. "Don't tell anyone about what I told you yesterday" I said as we headed toward the school and he nodded. When we got to the classroom girls immediately crowded around us asking if we wanted to go on a date with them or something.
"Everyone shut up! As the Natsume-Ruka fan club president, I command you all to make room for them" a girl with green curly hair and green eyes said then she walked up to me. "Hi Natsume, I'm Sumire Shoda, your fan club president!" she shouted and I glared at her.
"Out of my way ugly" I said and she blinked before she started to fake cry and scream something like 'your so mean! but I still love you!'. I made my way to my seat and looked around. I saw all of Mikan's friends but no Mikan, which was strange. Even Hotaru Imai was already here arguing with Ruka...sort of. I rested my head on my head and starred blankly at my desk. Some how I couldn't help but worry why she wasn't here. Did I scare her that much that she couldn't even come to school? I started to panic, thinking that something bad happened to her, I didn't even notice the teacher walk in.
"Good morning student's, I'm Jinno-sensei, now let's begin with the class rules. One, absolutely NO talking, two, don't be late, three, all those who are late, or don't turn in assignments, will be given an automatic detention, and finally, attitude is NOT permitted. Now-" he sad but was cut off when the door swung open.
"Sorry I'm late! I over slept" a girl yelled and I looked up and amazingly I felt amazing relief, and felt at ease when I saw Mikan panting, obviously tired from running. The teacher pulled out a pointing stick and pointed it at her, almost violently.
"You young lady, what is your name" he growled and she looked quite frighted as she stood up straight. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, bowing her head in respect.
"M-Mikan Sakura" she said nervously and put one hand behind her back and laughed cautiously. Jinno didn't seem the least bit surprised when he heard her name and simply stood up straight and faced the classroom before closing his eyes.
"Ah, I've heard of you from your teachers last year, always late, loud during classes, constantly getting into trouble. Detention, after school, if your late you will have another detention" he said and I saw her jaw drop before she was about to say something. "No buts, go to your seat" he growled and her head bowed as she sulked over to me.
"Morning" she said softly and I nodded in acknowledgement. We sat in silence as Jinno taught us, and I noticed Mikan dozing off. I noticed Jinno turn aorund to write something on the board.
"Ms. Sakura, answer this question" he said and she didn't hear since she was asleep. "Ms. Sakura?" he said and I saw him start to turn around so I kicked her. Her eyes opened startled and she looked at me with accusing eyes. "Ms. Sakura answer the question" he demanded and I saw her eyes widen in horror.
"The answer is 32" I muttered softly and she blinked, obviously surprised, before examining the board as if she trying to come up with an answer. I have to admit, she was a good actress.
"Um is it 32?" she asked and he starred at her in disbelief before nodding and turning around. "Thanks" she whispered and smiled at me. I looked at her in response before turning my attention back up front.
"Why were you late" I demanded softly and she blinked. I could see she was thinking about something, probably her encounter yesterday with "Honou". I turned my head so I was looking at her and she looked down.
"I had a rough night, so I over slept" she said and smiled but I saw it didn't touch her eyes. I narrowed my eyes at her and she laughed nervously.
"What happened last night" I questioned and she looked forward almost like she was in a daze, but I saw nervousness in her gaze.
"My old friend Honou got hurt, and I had to help him, nothing that big, but the wound was pretty bad, I couldn't just not do anything" she said and I stared at her in disbelief, even if I didn't show it. She wasn't telling me about what happened? That was strange, I'd figure a girl like her would blab this to everyone. "Where'd you go yesterday?" she asked randomly and I looked with her with a questioning look. "Shit don't tell me she found out I was Honou" I thought but I just kept the questioning look on my face. "We were all hanging out, in the city, then you disappeared, I went looking for you, then I.....saw...Honou, but I didn't see you" she said and I saw a bead of sweat form on her forehead. She was trying to hide what happened yesterday, I didn't understand it.
"My mom called, she was freaking out" I said simply and she looked at me, obviously unsure on what I said. "Ever since my father died, she's been over protective" I said and she looked down.
"I'm sorry about your dad. When did he die? Recently?" she asked and I looked out the window and rested my head on my hand.
"3 years ago, he was shot. My mother freaked out after that, she's been very over protective about me and Aoi lately. Whenever we come home hurt, she thinks we were attacked or something. It's ridiculous" I said and for some reason I couldn't help but tell her stuff about me.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't have a father either, he died before I was born, my mom told me that he died the night I was conceived, he was also murdered. My mom died when I was 2, she was in a car accident. I don't remember her that much, but my Jii-chan tells me a lot of stories about her. Apparently I was just like my father but looked like my mother" she said and laughed slightly while wiping a tear from her cheek.
"Don't cry. Crying over someone whom you can't remember is a waste" I said and she looked at me. "Isn't it enough knowing they are in a better place? Don't you think they rather see you smile then cry over them? Your crying face makes you 20 times uglier" I said and her cheeks inflamed with anger before she laughed.
"That's what Hotaru says. Thanks Natsume, I feel better now" she said and smiled at me and this time it was a genuine smile. I felt like smiling too, I didn't, but I felt that I could. That scared me. Why was this girl having this kind of effect on me?