CHAPTER 7
Mikan kept her head bent as she bandaged Natsume's bruised hand. He must have really punched Toya's face really hard. They went straight to Natsume's room after the incident. She still hadn't answered any of his questions. He looks murderous! Mikan has never seen Natsume that angry with her. She felt pain in her heart that it feels like she's dying. She bites her lip hard to refrain from crying. What must I do? She has never been in this kind of situation before. But one thing is for sure. This is her problem. She must somehow work out things by herself. She vowed.
"Natsume... the scene you just witnessed... it's not what it seems..." Mikan stammered.
"I'm glad that you can finally speak. I was wondering what happen to your tongue. You better have one damn good explanation, Mikan. " Natsume replied coldly.
Mikan shuddered inwardly. It pains her to see Natsume so hurt, whether physically or emotionally. And it's her entire fault, her conscience blame her. She somehow manages to speak.
"He said his name is Toya. He said he has a message from Narumi sensei that's why I went with him. He suddenly hauled me into the forest. He said... he likes me. He began to scare me then I said that I must return to the party. He began to became desperate and abuse me. That's the scene you witness." Mikan was amazed at herself. Where she manages to drawn out that lie is a mystery to her.
"I see..." Natsume still coldly reply. He turned his head away from her and looked at the window. Mikan felt her self control started to slip. He does not believe her! She can't bear it that he's treating her so badly.
"I'm really sorry Natsume... I know that I am always causing you trouble." Mikan whispered. She finally breaks down. Tears are silently streaming down her cheeks.
"You little idiot! I said I'll return for you. You should have waited for me. Do you have any idea how I feel Mikan? How I felt when I saw that bastard wrapping his stupid arms around you? " Natsume angrily asked.
Mikan shook her head slowly wildly. She enveloped her arms around him and hugged him desperately.
"Please don't be angry anymore. I can't take it." Mikan sobbed at Natsume's chest.
She needs him! The warmth coming out of his body is so comforting to her tired body. It's like coming home. She realized. Her actions seem to calm Natsume too. He sighed dejectedly and returned her hug. His rigid back begins to relax. He tilts her chin and stared deep into her eyes.
"I don't want you to go near that Toya ever again. As much as possible, I don't want you away from my side, so that I can always be there to protect you." Natsume ordered sternly. She nodded in agreement and snuggled closer to him. if only they can stay that way forever.
"And if I ever caught you in such a situation again... I don't know what I will do. " Natsume warned.
"Yes sir." She answered modestly. Weird as it may seems, she likes his possessiveness and strictness. It doesn't suffocate her at all. She smiled at him and gives him a peck in the lips. She's really lucky because he loves her so much!
"Well Ms. Sakura, You've been a very bad girl today. You actions will be reprimanded immediately." Natsume carried her towards the bed. His face is still serious, but his eyes betrayed him.
"Natsume... But your hand... It's injured..." Mikan protested, her face flushing as Natsume starts to undo the zipper in her dress.
"Don't worry. I can guarantee you that I am going to be too occupied to notice the pain..." He whispered in Mikan's ear. He kisses her lips passionately and Mikan felt herself returning with the same ardour. The day will never come that she will be able to resist him... She let the tide of pleasure to carry her away...
The next morning...
Mikan slowly tiptoed out of bed. She grabs one of Natsume's white shirt and Hotaru's Pig style cell phone. Phones are still not allowed in the academy and Hotaru's invention is very convenient. It can only communicate and used inside the academy. Hotaru made units for each and one of them. For an amount of 300 rabbits! She winced as she remembered paying the outrageous amount to her greedy best friend. She continues to walk slowly towards the bathroom. She closes the door and felt relief that Natsume hadn't woken up. She dialled Narumi sensei's number.
"Good morning! Narumi here." He answered immediately.
"Sensei, Good morning. I'm sorry to call you so early but something horrible happened last night..." Mikan explained in detailed what happened. She described Toya and his horrible message from Reo.
"I know Toya. I never thought that he will be capable of such actions. He is a three star student. He uses his teleportation Alice expertly. Actually, I just got the news that he is missing. He did not return to his dormitory last night."
"Where could he be? I'm scared Sensei. I don't want anybody to know about my improved Alice." Mikan whispered.
"I know Mikan. Don't worry, all the teachers are aware of the situation. We will not stop until we find Toya and Reo. For now, please avoid being alone. With Toya's teleportation, he is a formidable enemy." Narumi warned.
"Yes, I will. Please take care sensei." Mikan hang up the phone. Something is not right here. How come a good student like Toya would join Reo's twisted beliefs? And where did he go? She finds everything confusing. But it is good to know that Narumi sensei is supporting her. It is comforting to know that she is not exactly alone in this debacle.
She walks out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen. She decided to make breakfast for Natsume. Good thing they also bought groceries from Central Town yesterday. This is after she scolded him for not eating enough nutritious food. His refrigerator is now brimming full. She decided to prepare him some toast with bacon and sausages. She also prepared freshly squeezed orange juice. She put it all on a tray and carried it towards the bed.
Mikan stared at Natsume's face sleeping form. He really looks so cute and young when asleep. She tenderly pushes some of his hair that has fallen into his forehead. Natsume's eyes open sleepily.
" Good morning! Look, I cooked breakfast for you." Mikan showed the tray proudly. He slowly sits up in the bed and Mikan lays the tray in his lap.
"Thank You. Now this is how I always want to start my day." He grins at her and starts eating the food with gusto.
"I wanted to surprise you." Mikan confessed shyly. She never thought that cooking for somebody you love can feel such a good accomplishment.
"You know, you will make a really good wife someday." Natsume winked at her.
"Really? Err... thank you, I guess." Mikan suddenly feels flustered. Come to think of it, they do look like a newlywed couple! She portrays the domesticated wife while Natsume is the workaholic husband. Come to think of it, she bet that Natsume would make a good husband too.
"The only missing part in this scene is a baby, and then were a family." Natsume teased her. Mikan almost snorts out the orange juice she is drinking. She coughs painfully and Natsume worriedly slaps her back.
"A baby?" Mikan asked dazedly.
"Why not? I do want to have some someday, four perhaps."
"Four?" Mikan repeated incredulously.
"Well, I like kids a lot. And I can't wait for the day that I will eventually have them with you. You're the only person that I want to have them with." Natsume is looking intently at her reaction. Mikan felt herself reeling with this new information. Of course she loves kids too. She can't think anybody but Natsume to father her children. But it's still too early to think about them. Too early!
"Well, you sure think far ahead." Mikan laughed nervously. Natsume shrugged and carry on in eating his breakfast. Mikan wondered what their baby will look like.
"Maybe it would be a beautiful baby boy! He is the spitting image of you because he has your eyes and hair, and maybe also your temper. I am going to have such a hard time taking care of him." Mikan laughed. She imagines a little baby Natsume stubbornly playing with fire.
"Maybe we will have a girl. A little cute crybaby in pig tails and skirt. I will definitely be busy trying to keep her out of trouble." Natsume grins.
"Hmmmph." Mikan pouts. She feels a little offended.
"No matter what he or she is, I will surely love and protect them." Natsume said solemnly.
He grips her hand and kisses her on the forehead. Mikan felt her heart bursting with joy. She never thought that it would be possible, but he made her love him more! He may not be like other boys who are affectionate and showy. But he sure knows what to say and do in the right time!
She smiled happily at him and rested her head on his shoulder. She must be strong. She can't let Reo destroy all her dreams. She will fight no matter what happens!
Mikan listens to Jinno sensei's lecture with renewed vigour. After what happened last night with Toya, it made her appreciate the things she takes for granted. Like school for instance.
She is no longer scared with Jinno sensei by the way. Actually, they are now very close friends! They now laughed about the things that happened back then. Like the time he proclaimed her to be a no star! She winced as she remembers that day. Well he did apologize for that. It doesn't really matter to her anymore. What matters is that Jinno sensei save the life of somebody very important to her. That special person who only she and Jinno sensei who knows is alive. Mikan smiles as she remembers that person.
Serina sensei knocks on the door and motioned Jinno sensei to come to her. She whispered something in his ear. Their backs are facing the class so she can't see their faces.
"That is all for today class. I'm sorry but I have to go. Don't forget to do your home works." Jinno sensei said and hurriedly left the room with Serina sensei. That is really odd. Something is wrong, she thought.
"Looks like their hiding something isn't it? This is the first time Jinno sensei ever cuts his class short." Permy suddenly said interrupting her thoughts.
"Yes, they look very suspicious." Mikan admitted.
"Maybe they're secret lovers." Permy chuckled.
"That's absurd." Mikan laughed at the idea. Mikan turns and glances at Natsume at the back. He and Ruka are talking excitedly, maybe about basketball. Natsume did say they are going to shoot some hoops later. She peeks at Hotaru who is seating at her front. She is eating her favourite food, the one with crab brains or something. She shudders with disgust.
"By the way Mikan, I can't wait to tell you about what happened last night! You've met Peter right? The half American, half Japanese? Guess what? He's now my boyfriend!" Sumire giggles uncontrollably as she tells another one of her stories. Mikan smiles supportively at her friend. It feels wonderful to be normal and pretend that nothing is wrong. But somewhere at the back of her mind, she knows that she can't pretend forever.
Time passes very quickly that day. Before they knew it, they were on their way to the gymnasium to watch to infamous basketball game. The place is already full with adoring fan girls waiting to see their crushes. You can't really blame the girls. Just the thought of the dozen most handsome young men in the academy all in one place is enough to make them swoon. Not to mention that these young men are wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts. And that their muscles are ripped, their bodies' slick with sweat.
Mikan, Natsume and the rest of the group arrived at the gym still talking excitedly about the game. Natsume has his arm around Mikan's shoulder, the other one holding a basketball. Mikan felt uncomfortable because of the other fan girl's envious looks. It may take a little more time to get used to it.
Natsume stole a quick kiss in her cheeks and grinned at her. "Wish me luck?" Mikan felt her heartbeat race. He looks so handsome! His face is alive with excitement. His team is wearing a blue uniform, and it suits him very well.
"Do your best. Please take care." She grins back. Natsume left as the buzzer rung. The game is about to start!
"Go Peter!" Sumire screamed jumping up and down. Wow, she's really supportive. She even made a banner for him.
"I think I better go. My time is very precious you know." Hotaru said looking disgustedly at the fan girls. She took out her Pig style cell phone and walks away.
The referee blows his whistle and the game officially started. Natsume jumps and immediately took hold of the ball. He expertly dribbles it and runs fast towards their basket. He did a layup and he scores! The fan girls scream madly. Mikan felt herself gleam with pride. That's her boyfriend! She cheered as loud as she can.
The game continues with Natsume's team leading by 7 points. She can't believe how much fun she was having. But her throat is starting to get itchy with all the screaming. She needs to replenish. She must buy some for Natsume too.
"I'll be back." Mikan said to Permy. Permy doesn't seem to hear her because she is so busy cheering for Peter, who happens to have the ball right now. Mikan exited the gym and started walking towards the cafeteria. Nobody seems to be around; they must be all at the gym.
Toya suddenly appeared in front of her and placed a hand in her mouth.
"Don't bother struggling. I won't hurt you. I am here to bargain with you."
Mikan nodded in fear. Toya released his hand and smiles treacherously at her. His eyes look empty and expressionless. Everything about him seems cold. She shuddered.
"Leave this academy. And we won't bother you anymore." Toya announced.
"What?" Mikan asked shakily.
"I think I already made it clear. If you continue to stay in this place, we will destroy your life. We will hurt everybody that you love. Do you want that Mikan? Will your conscience allow that?" he laughed harshly.
"But don't worry, were not that inconsiderate." he continues. "We will give you enough time to decide. Consider this as a warning."
"I won't do it!" Mikan answered forcefully. This academy is her life, with her friends and Natsume.
"We will see. I'll be back." Toya was about to teleport when Mikan grabs his arm and stops him.
"Why are you doing this, Toya?" Mikan cried.
"You did this to me!" he answered ruthlessly. Then he was gone.
What? Mikan thought confusedly. She hasn't done anything to Toya, she is sure of it! But what must she do? Must she stay or leave?
-End of Chapter-
This is a really long chapter. I got so inspired because a lot of you gave the last chapter so many reviews! Thanks you guys! I never thought that my story will get this far. Sorry if sometimes it's so cheesy and mushy, I can't help it. LOL. It's my fantasies and I just hope to share it to you guys. Anyway, please keep on reading. Things are going to get pretty serious... (wink)