Chapter Seven: Good News
Mikan woke when the sun shone on her eyelids. She sat up, feeling sore all over. Yesterday's events ran through her head and she was bitterly reminded of the disappearance of her Grandpa.
She sniffed and smelled tea. Someone had placed a mug with hot tea on the table next to her bed. There was a folded note with her name on it. It was in Hotaru's handwriting.
Come down to the infirmary when you wake up.
She flung her feet out of her bed and rushed for the door leaving everything behind. The infirmary! Someone must be injured. She rushed down the stairs and skidded to a halt. A group of people were sitting down outside the doors.
Misaki saw her first. "Geez! Mikan, you're still in your nightgown."
Mikan glanced at the group of people recognizing everyone and more from yesterday, minus Natsume, and then down to her gown. Her gown was very sheer, she was basically naked.
"Ahhhhh," she said fumbling and blushing.
An older solider, unbuttoned his jacket and handed it to her.
"Sorry," Mikan said. "Thanks Sakurano," she said to her superior. One of the soldiers that used to work at the temple before enlisting.
Mikan watched as the door to the infirmary and Hotaru's older brother stepped out. He was always busy as he had the ability to heal. A most valued ability and respected power in Cloud Alice. It had its limits but still he was in a lot of demand and always traveling.
"What's going on?" Mikan asked. "Who's hurt?"
Hello Mikan," Hoataru's brother said to her. "Your Grandpa came back late last night. He's just woken now."
She stood momentarily transfixed. Her grandpa was okay. Relief flooded out of her and a smile broke out across her face.
"You can see him now."
"Grandpa," she cheered walking in. He was propped up against pillows in one of the middle beds.
He smiled weakly as she approached. "Mikan, my child."
Tears streamed down her face as she reached for his hand. "You're okay."
Hotaru's brother spoke now. "He has slight paralysis on the left side of his body. He will be bed ridden for a while until we can hopefully cure it. I've done the best I can."
"Paralyzed?" Hotaru asked.
He shook his head. "Yes. Unfortunately I do not know how or why. No one does."
"I'll be fine," Mikan's Grandpa croaked, "I never liked that side anyway. Always giving me aches. Go bother someone else now Imai."
Everyone was cheerfully celebrating Grandpa's return and slightly limited mobility when he suddenly asked to speak to Mikan privately.
"Sure, Grandpa." Mikan shrugged to her friends and they made to exit the infirmary.
"Hotaru," he called to her, "stay."
Hotaru stopped in her tracks, reached out a hand and griped Ruka's shoulder, forcing him to stop as well. She directed them back to the bed. Mikan was confused by the exchange.
"What is it Grandpa?"
"Mikan," he started. "You must promise me something. Indulge your old man."
"Anything!"
"You must never go outside, and always smile."
Her eyes fluttered rapidly trying to discern what he said. "What?"
"Hotaru," he nodded to her. She nodded back in understanding. She was to make sure Mikan never stepped outside.
"You can't keep me cooped up in here! What kind of promise is that?"
"It's for your own good."
"My own good? What does that even mean?"
"Mikan," he coughed suddenly, causing her to worry. "It was a shadow that did this to me."
"A shadow?" Ruka asked.
"How did you get away?" Hotaru asked.
"Yes," another cough, he spoke slowly now. "It was awful, an icy chill, it engulfed me, my leg, and it grabbed me. Consumed me. I don't know how I got away. I can't remember what I saw. It was all a blur. I'm sorry."
Mikan felt out of the conversation. She didn't understand. "What does this have to do with me going outside?"
Her Grandpa looked into her eyes now. "Mikan, you cannot let them get you. You must stay safe." He turned to look at Hotaru and Ruka. "You must keep her safe."
"What?" Mikan was still confused. She watched as Hotaru's brother made his way back to them.
"We should let him rest now, sorry."
"Mikan," her Grandpa whispered. "Promise?"
She didn't answer him, instead she squeezed his hand. She couldn't lie to him, but she could only keep one of those promises; she had no intention of staying within the walls of the temple. There was no way, especially now. Things were getting serious. She glanced to Ruka and Hotaru. Ruka eyes were moving quickly, he was deep in thought, concentrating hard. Hotaru was eyeing the door.
Ruka spoke first, "I need to go." He turned toward Mikan. "Sorry."
"Yes, I have business as well," Hotaru said marching out the door.
"What? Okay." Mikan replied lamely watching them leave together. She returned the coat she borrowed from Sakurano, thanking him again, and sighed.
She sulked the whole way back to her room. Everything had been so cryptic and she didn't understand. Her Grandpa didn't want her to leave. Was it because of her not having wings? Not being able to escape quickly enough? Did he know something secret about her and why did Hotaru and Ruka have to leave suddenly? She was so frustrated.
She slammed her room door behind her and leaned against it. Her eyes scanned her room, to the open balcony, her unmade bed, the now cold cup of tea by her bed, and to the black jacket folded on her dresser. She walked over to it and held it in her hands.
Remembering the last week and change of pace she thought deeply. Had she been acting cowardly and foolish? Yeah, she shouldn't have run away. She should have acted more rationally, instead of endangering herself and others around her.
Quickly she changed out of her nightgown, slipping on a simple white dress. Gripping the black jacket she left her room and headed downstairs. She had to start somewhere and if she was going to break her promise anyway she might as well just get it over with. She found Koko's room and gently knocked.
She heard fumbling around before an answer. "Yeah?" Koko called.
"It's me," she said, "Mikan."
She heard movement on the other side of his door and suddenly he cracked it open slightly. Koko stood between the door and the frame, shirtless. "What's up?" he asked casually.
"Ah, sorry," she averted her eyes.
"It's fine."
"Okay. Well," Mikan raked her brain for words. "I was wondering if… uh maybe. You could show me where, uh, Natsume lives." She looked up at him now and noticed a half open grin on his face. "If you can, I guess." His grin kept getting bigger the more she fumbled for words. "I have his jacket you see?" She held it up for him. "I just thought th—"
"Oh for the love of God!" a girl called.
Mikan's eyed widened. "Is that Sumire?"
The door swung open and there she stood. Her curly hair was slightly messy and her clothes were wrinkled.
"In the flesh."
Realization dawned on Mikan. "Oh my God! Am I interrupting something here?"
Koko turned to Sumire. "She wants to go see Natsume."
"Yeah, I heard," she said rolling her eyes. "It's a bad idea."
"I'll buy you the biggest batch of Howalon from the market," Mikan said hopefully.
Howalon was a delicacy from the market. Pure fluffy goodness. Mikan watched as they stared at each other for a while, occasionally their expressions would change. It was like they were speaking telepathically.
"All right," Koko finally said.
Mikan smiled, "Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's great! Thank you so much."
Sumire, tired of her new found bubbliness sneered. "Get that smile off your face. Let's go."
"Okay," Mikan replied.
Mikan kept close behind them to their annoyance as they left the temple. So she broke her promise immediately, but at least she was keeping close to two angels she figured were strong. It wasn't until they were near the marketplace that she gradually distanced herself from them.
"So where are we going?" Mikan asked.
"Just follow," Koko said.
They weaved in and out of the town in places Mikan had never visited before, down alleyways and through buildings. She felt like they were purposefully leading her astray so she wouldn't remember the way back, that or they too didn't know where Natsume was. Mikan noticed that the angels frequenting the areas also looked different. They weren't as bright looking, and even dressed in darker shades. She had no idea such a place existed. Near the temple the dress code and angels that frequented the area were almost always pristine.
Suddenly, Koko stopped in front of a small pub. It was eerie looking, with a dark look to it. She would have passed it by otherwise.
"Koko, we should check somewhere else first," Sumire stated. Mikan noticed her eyes darted around the alley.
"He always knows where he is though," Koko told her.
Sumire nodded to Mikan. "We should check somewhere else."
"Fine, fine." Koko rolled his eyes at her.
They made to leave when the door to the pub opened slowly. Mikan watched as Sumire stiffened slightly.
A tall figure now stood in front of them. His skin was tight and ghastly, he looked ill or something. He was dressed in dark navy pants with a white shirt. It kind of freaked Mikan out. He had piercings littering his ears and nose, and dark hair that fell across his face.
"Koko, Sumire," he spoke, his tone was almost demeaning. "Won't you come in?"
Wordlessly Koko followed him in. Sumire, quietly pushed Mikan down on the bench in front of the pub. "Sit here," she hissed quietly. "Don't talk to anyone."
Shocked Mikan watched as they entered the pub, leaving her alone on the bench. She frantically looked down the street they were on. Everyone seemed to keep to themselves; they kept hidden and rushed everywhere. Mikan had no idea such a place existed in Cloud Alice. These angels didn't look good, they looked troubled and sketchy.
She suddenly felt conscious of her attire. It was a bright white dress, much brighter than any other article of clothing on the street. She started fumbling with the hem of her dress and scrunched herself up hoping to make herself appear smaller.
Mikan was sitting, staring at a piece of paper that was caught underneath a rock. It rustled in the wind. She had been waiting for at least fifteen minutes. She was getting tired. Someone suddenly plopped down next to her on the bench. Startled she looked over at him. He had a curious look on his face.
"You're not from around here," he stated.
Mikan forgetting Sumire's warning not to talk to anyone replied, "No. I'm not."
"What brings you to this side of town, miss..?" he probed.
"Mikan Sakura," she said. "I'm looking for someone."
"Mikan, eh? I'm Hayate. You know, maybe I know who you're looking for. I happen to know a lot of people." His arms stretched out as to prove his point.
Mikan brightened at this. Koko and Sumire did seem to abandon her. "Yeah! Maybe. His name is Natsume."
At this Hayate stared incredulously at her. "Natsume?" Now he smiled. "I know him!"
"Wow, really?"
"Yes. Here," he said standing up, "I'll take you to someone who knows where he is."
"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much Hayate."
"Anything for you my sweet angel." Suddenly he grabbed her by the arm and Mikan felt a dramatic shift in the air. He yanked the door to the pub open and pushed her in.
Mikan looked around the pub. It was dark inside. It took some time for her eyes to adjust but she could make out some groups of angels. Girls and boys littered the tables, some had their wings out and they were letting the boys touch their wings. Mikan wondered what kind of place this was. Letting others touch your wings so freely was unheard of by the temple, but these folks were doing it so carelessly. She wondered what they were feeling, and exchanging between each other. What drove these angels to be so careless with their feelings and projections?
"Hey Persona!" Hayate called commanding Mikan's attention.
Mikan watched as he dragged her over to the bar where Sumire and Koko were sitting. The person from earlier, Persona, was across from them leaning on his elbows.
Sumire sneered at Mikan. "I told you not to talk to anyone."
Persona straightened from his position. "What is it Hayate?"
He pushed Mikan forward so she stumbled into the bar. "This little girl is looking for Natsume."
Persona's eyes flashed with interest. "Oh." The tone in his voice was playful. "What a cute little kitten," he directed at Mikan.
Mikan sensed something fowl from this guy. He did not seem like a good angel. He looked dangerous with his hard eyes that stared coldly, and his long bony fingers that were now moving to cup her face.
Mikan recoiled at his touch. She felt him trace her jawline and she shivered.
"Natsume, huh?" he asked her. "What do you want with my black cat?"
Mikan stared. What was it with this guy and calling people names related to cats?
"I just need to see him," she said plainly.
"He's a little busy," Persona explained. "You know I could use a cute little kitten like you around here," he added.
"No thanks." Mikan was getting annoyed now. She glanced at Sumire and Koko, they sat transfixed in their seats. Koko was nervously picking at his pants.
"How about I determine that for you?" Persona said. "Show me your wings," he demanded.
Mikan stood up straighter now and stared him in his lifeless eyes. "No."
Hearing her rejection, Hayate grabbed her again. "Hey girl," he said forcefully. "Persona asked you to do something so you do it."
Mikan wanted to leave and so she told the truth hoping it would make him lose his interest.
"I don't have wings," she said flatly.
She heard Koko groan and mutter a curse word. Hayate stared at her with disgust, and Sumire hid her face in her hands. Persona was the only one who seemed delighted by her words.
He started laughing. It was a long laugh, his lips didn't even curl. "You," he started, "You are the little kitten from the courtyard? You let Yuu escape."
"What?" she croaked. Yuu? Mikan blinked. Was this guy involved with that situation? Was he some sort of boss that made others do his bidding?
He tutted at her. "You see. Yuu owed me, and you let him get away. So now, you owe me."
"I don't owe you anything!" Mikan snapped back at him. She grabbed Sumire and Koko by their wrists. "And neither do they. We're leaving." She pulled them off their stools.
She saw it now. Amusement danced in his eyes. He was actually enjoying this. Hayate moved to stop them but Persona told him to stop.
"Mikan," Persona called after them, "You can try to fly, but you don't have wings, so you won't get very far." It was a warning. "I will find you, after all, you do owe me."
Mikan stopped. She turned sharply curled her hand into a fist and swung. She hit him square in the jaw. He stumbled slightly. His eyes were malicious now. Mikan realizing what she had done quickly rushed out the door before he could retaliate.
She ran. Koko and Sumire followed.
