Hey there. Well, as I promised before, I'm going to write about the past. Mikan's and Natsume's I mean. 3 years ago, something sweet and horrible happened. So, I guess its official; this story's pairing is Natsume X Mikan. BTW, in this chapter, Youichi X OC. Tell me, should I put Ruka X Hotaru or Ruka X OC and Hotaru X OC or Hotaru X Yuu. I really can't decide. Reviews please and thanks so much for reading my story.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter 7: Story of the Past: Mikan's Bittersweet Memory (Part 1)
"Mikan," Ruka called.
"Ruka? What's up?" Mikan ran to Ruka and asked.
"It's near to the Last Dance, who are you dancing with?" Ruka asked.
"Well, I danced with you last year, so maybe I'll dance with…hmm…maybe Tsubasa" Mikan said.
"I can't think of whom to dance with. The only person I've ever danced with was with you. Remember when we were 10? Think of someone for me. I enjoy dancing for some reason," Ruka said smiling.
Mikan searched the crowd. Looking for anyone who'd be suitable to dance with Ruka as the Last Dance.
Her eyes fall on Hotaru who was sitting on a chair with her dinner on the table. Hotaru realized the glance and stared at Mikan. Mikan just smiled sheepishly and approaches Hotaru.
"Dame! (No!)" Hotaru said.
"Demo (But), I haven't even said a word," Mikan protested.
"Whatever you will ask I bet it'll be a stupid thing!" Hotaru said and faced back to her dinner.
"To everyone. Hey there. It's been a year since the last Alice Festival. I'm Jinnai Doumoto and I'll be the host for today. Now, here we have the invitations to the Last Dance couples. First up, Nogi Ruka." the Jinnai said.
Mikan stared at the stage. So who are you inviting Ruka? she wondered.
"He'd like to ask a certain special girl to dance with him. And that lucky girl is…Imai Hotaru!!!"
NANI!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to ruin Hotaru's mood. Why'd you have to spoil it? Mikan screamed to herself.
Hotaru looked stunned with a fork in her mouth and faced the stage where Ruka was standing with a lobster red face. She dropped her fork from her mouth.
"Will she accept the invite?" Jinnai asked.
The crowd of girls were screaming 'NO' or a 'WHY?' and also a 'Pick Me instead'.
Those girls are around 16 or 17, and Ruka is just 13. What are they screaming about? And what is Ruka thinking? Hotaru thought.
"Hotaru, would you?" Ruka snatched the microphone and asked.
Hotaru stood up and took a napkin and wiped her face. She walked to the stage with her normal cold face. She tilts her head up and saw Ruka's face then smiled.
"Why not?" Hotaru said and smiled the warmest smile she has ever made.
Ruka's lips spread into a huge smile.
"Oh YAY! I wonder if they'll be together from now on. It's the Last Dance's purpose after all," Mikan said giggling to herself.
"OK, so now it's Ryugizawa Sumire. She's asking if Hyuuga Natsume would dance with her. Will he now? He's never dance with anyone in the Last Dance, could Sumire break the record of dancing with the Academy's Black Cat?" Jinnai said.
Mikan looked around. She saw Natsume with Youichi's hand in his and his other hand with it seems to be Youichi's fried chicken.
"Are you going to dance with the witch, Natsume ni-san?" Youichi asked looking up to Natsume.
"It's called a 'bitch' You-chan and no, I'm not going to dance with her. She's not worth it," Natsume said letting go of Youichi's hand and gave Youichi his chicken.
"So who is exactly worth it?" Youichi asked back.
Natsume wiped Youichi's face which has the crisps of the fried chicken and just patted Youichi's head and smiled.
"No one you'd like. She different from everyone I know. I wouldn't really say I like her, but more or less is impressed with her," Natsume said with his hand on Youichi's head.
Youichi shoved Natsume's hand away and looked up.
"I think I know who that girl might be," Youichi grinned.
"Do you, now? I bet 50 rabbits you wouldn't know," Natsume said and crossed his hands over his broad chest.
"I'd dare to say it on stage with everyone watching," Youichi said.
"Go ahead, you'll be embarrassing yourself," Natsume smirked.
Please tell me he's joking with the fact that he's going to say it on stage. I don't doubt Youichi's guesses. It's usually correct. Just please don't say it on stage. Natsume begged.
"I'll be glad to embarrass myself. I'm CUTE!" Youichi said pinching his own cheeks then hopped towards the stage.
Youichi started to whisper something in the Jinnai's ear.
"OK folks. It seems that Miss Ryugizawa has been turned down. (Sumire fainted) Natsume used the young Black Cat to break the news. And now, it looks like Hyuuga Natsume is asking someone to dance with him." Jinnai said.
'What?', 'Who would it be?', 'I bet it's me' words filled the whole ceremony.
Youichi grabbed the microphone and said, "Sakura nee-chan. Natsume ni-san wants to dance with you."
Mikan stared at Youichi, mouth dropped. So did Natsume.
"You all heard the boy. Our Black Cat wants to dance with the richest girl and possibly the cutest in class 1-C of the high school division. Sakura Mikan. Will she accept the invite?" Jinnai asked and a spotlight flashed in Mikan's direction.
Natsume was stunned and flashed a glare in Youichi's direction. Youichi just smiled.
"So how about it, Mikan?" Jinnai asked again.
Mikan walked over to Jinnai and asked for the microphone.
"Natsume. I'm not accepting it," Mikan said.
Everyone was shocked. No one would ever turn down the Black Cat's order. Natsume was frozen.
"If you really want me to dance with you. Ask me yourself," Mikan said and gave back the microphone to the announcer.
"You've heard it people. Mikan wants a straight forward question from Natsume, will he do it?" Jinnai said. Now the all eyes and the spotlight were on Natsume.
"Natsume ni-san? Are you going to?" Youichi asked tugging on Natsume's jacket.
"Oh, what the heck," Natsume said and walked to the stage.
"Here you go," Jinnai said handing over the microphone to Natsume.
Natsume coughed a little before making the announcement.
"Mikan Sakura of 1-C, would you dance with me for the Last Dance?" Natsume said facing down.
"Come on Hyuuga. You can ask better than that. Said it louder. HONESTLY!" Jinnai said. Everyone cheered on with the announcement.
Natsume stood up straight. Faced Mikan who was just standing waiting for the right words to come out from Natsume.
Natsume nodded and said, "Mikan. Would you or would you not dance with me for the Last Dance? If you decline, I would have to burn the whole ceremony until you accept my invite. Now nod for a yes and walk away for the destruction of the ceremony." That's really the best I could do. Natsume thought.
That's the Natsume I know. Mikan giggled at the thought.
'Go on, Mikan.' 'Come on, accept it already.' 'What's wrong with you, Natsume?' words cheered the whole base.
Mikan smiled and nodded. Natsume smirked a little and both of them stared at Youichi who's still chomping on his chicken. Then they all smiled.
"Strange pairings we're having this year aren't we?" Tsubasa showed up and said.
"So you've finally asked her, haven't you Hyuuga?" Misaki popped up and said.
Mikan smiled and Natsume walked away.
"Hey, Mikan. Over here," Ruka shouted at the buffet corner.
"RUKA!" Mikan shouted and rushed over.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"We're official," Ruka said.
"Official to what?" Mikan asked confused.
BAKA!!! (The sound of the normal Baka Gun [the new version did not exist yet)
"As in we are a couple," Hotaru said.
"OW! OW! OW! That hurt Hotaru," Mikan said pressing on the bump on her head.
"It wouldn't have if you were smart enough to not ask a stupid question," Hotaru said putting back her Baka Gun in her backpack.
"Hey, Natsume," Ruka called out.
Natsume faced Ruka, and then he walked over with Youichi.
"See. Everything worked out fine," Youichi said smiling.
"Something's not perfectly done yet, you know," Mikan said. Everyone looks at Mikan.
"We all are going to dance later, what about Youichi?" Mikan grinned evilly.
"I'm only 10. I don't really need to dance. I don't want to. Natsume ni-san didn't dance when he was 10," Youichi pointed out.
"You-chan. Ni-san has never dance," Mikan said.
"See. I don't have to dance either," Youichi said then ran to get another chicken.
"Should we make a plan?" Hotaru asked facing Mikan.
"Yeah. But who'd dance with the son of the devil?" Mikan asked.
Everyone laughed. "Who's the devil?" Hotaru asked.
"Who else?" Tsubasa said facing Natsume.
Natsume saw that then he burnt a slightly bit of Tsubasa's hair.
"HEY! YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!" Tsubasa pointed out.
"Never insult me," Natsume said.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Ne, are you Youichi's friend?" a girl pulled on Mikan's dress.
She had ponytails just like Mikan when she was 10 only a slightly bit shorter and thicker.
"More or less. What's your name?" Mikan said crouching to the height of the girl.
"Umm…is Youichi dancing with anyone?" the girl asked.
Tsubasa bent down put his hands on the girl's shoulders. "Do you like Youichi?" Tsubasa asked straightforwardly smiling.
The girl just blushed.
"AKANE!!! Get away from him," Youichi shouted and pulled Akane from Tsubasa.
"He's a bad guy. He likes to seduce people then kill them the next," Youichi lied. Akane just nodded and believed what Youichi said.
"Heh, like father like son," Tsubasa said pissed looking at a chuckling Natsume.
"I wonder…Hey, Akane, come here a minute," Mikan asked.
"Is this nee-chan nice?" Akane asked Youichi.
Does she asks advices and believes everything from Youichi? Is she crazy? Everyone thought. Natsume just laughed a bit.
Youichi nodded. Then Akane walked towards Mikan.
Mikan whispered something to Akane. A minute later Akane's face was blushing red and spreading a huge smile.
"So how about it?" Mikan asked finally.
"Arigatou Gozaimasu," Akane said nodding continuously.
"OK then. I'll be going, Gambatte, ne? (Good Luck, OK?)" Mikan said and rushed off into the crowds.
"HAI!!! (YES!!!)" Akane shouted.
When Mikan was out of sight, everyone was busy talking their own topics.
Youichi walked to Akane who's still smiling broadly.
"What did Sakura nee-chan say to you?" Youichi asked.
"Betsuni (nothing). I'm just very happy," Akane said.
Natsume went over to Youichi and whispered, "Mikan's planning something. Akane seems to be like her."
Youichi nodded.
"Attention everyone. We have a special announcement. A little kitten is asking the young Black Cat to dance with her. Mikan will say it out," Jinnai said.
"Ne minna-san (Hey, everyone), the little kitten as Jinnai put it is asking the young Black Cat to dance with her. Akane Daijo is inviting Youichi for the last dance. What do you think he should answer people?" Mikan shouted.
YES! YES! YES! (Everyone echoed)
Youichi looked stunned. Natsume chuckled. He expected Mikan to come up with something like this.
Youichi looked over to Akane who's still smiling broadly.
Youichi smiled. "Do you really want to dance with me Akane?"
Akane just nodded.
"OK. Then I accept your invite, little kitten."
Akane ran and hugged the so-called young Black Cat.
"I love you, Youichi," Akane shouted.
Youichi blushed damn red at the sound of that.
"WOAH!!! No one expected that from the little kitten," Jinnai said surprisingly. Everyone was shocked. So was Natsume.
"Hey, You-chan. When I said Akane is like Mikan, the only thing that differentiates the both of them is that Akane is a whole lot more straightforward than Mikan," Natsume whispered to Youichi.
Youichi just nodded without moving an inch.
Akane let go of Youichi feeling embarrassed. Youichi is still in a state of trance.
"I'm sorry for doing that. That wasn't the right time, wasn't it?" Akane said. Mikan hopped along side Akane.
"Now, did that go well?" Mikan asked.
Akane looked up to Mikan and smiled. "Perfectly. It's just like you said. He'll go into the position of a trance and in 3, 2, 1…" before Akane finished Youichi fell to the ground.
"0, perfectly on time. How'd you know that Sakura nee-chan?" Akane asked Mikan.
"Like everyone said. Like father, like son," Mikan said and smirked in the way of Natsume.
Natsume frowned. It's as if she's saying she knows me well. Heh, no one knows me well other than Persona and Ruka.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"EVERYONE, THE LAST DANCE IS STARTING!!! GET YOUR PARTNER AND MAY YOUR LIFE BE AS PERFECT AS THIS," Jinnai announced.
Everyone is getting excited and enthusiastic. They gather in groups and some in couples.
"Shall we?" Ruka asked Hotaru.
Hotaru smiled and nodded.
The sweet melody has started the dance. Everyone was in place except for Natsume and Mikan.
"Natsume? Doko des ka? (Where are you?)" Mikan said looking around for Natsume. He's gone.
The wind is blowing quite harshly tonight. Something bad is going to happen, or maybe, something hasMikan thought.
Mikan's POV
Natsume…where are you? I asked myself. The last time I saw him was when he was teaching You-chan how to dance. I didn't even know that Natsume could dance, never mind teach.
You-chan now is dancing with Akane. Ruka's with Hotaru. But where's Natsume?
MIKAN………MIKAN………
I faced my back. I could've sworn I heard a voice calling my name. The tree. The wind is blowing very hard yet the tree does not move. That tree, the Sakura Tree Natsume used to lie down on.
I rushed there. All the sakura petals have turned black. Dark and sad. The wind blew again and the voice speaks from the tree.
Step into the Forest of Silence where you'll meet your friend,
Who's calling continuously on your name right till the end,
Near the sacred rocks is where you may find,
Your destiny that lies behind.
"WHO ARE YOU?" I shouted. Facing everywhere around me.
That voice, is familiar. What should I do? My friend? Does the voice mean Natsume?
The Forest of Silence, where is that? It's familiar.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This is how it turned out for the story. It seems that there's a lot more in the past. Awwww…I wanna get started on the 'finding Ruka' part. Oh well, I'll finish the Past in the next chapter and we can move along to the Search. Give me some ideas on what should happen. R&R. Thanks for reading.
