A/N: I'm sorry I didn't update yesterday! I had a bit of a wild weekend, Jesus. Anyway, albeit a day late, here is chapter 9. Sorry it's a short chapter.

Chapter 9: It's Time


Mikan no longer danced around in his head so passionately. Now, she only danced softly, swaying her arms. Natsume still missed her, but no longer in such an excruciating manner, rather it became a dull and stubborn ache.

An ache he could forget from time to time.

His job marched towards him inexorably.

HURRY UP, PLEASE IT'S TIME.

The summer heat tried to linger on, but it was time. Time for autumn, time to work, time to finally go forward.

Natsume threw away all the metaphysical books he had bought, as he didn't have a use for them any longer. He didn't need to cling onto fantastical ideas to feel close to something that did no longer exist. No, he needed facts; verifiable, accountable facts that were supported by evidence, which in turn kept him on his two feet.

Once work started, a routine started to form. At the laboratory from 9am-5pm every weekday; gym on Mondays and Thursdays after work and appointments with Serina every Saturday morning. Sunday was resting day.

This continued.

HURRY UP, PLEASE IT'S TIME.

Autumn left dead leaves, and winter's chill engulfed Tokyo, taking everyone by surprise.

Natsume wasn't happy. But he wasn't unhappy. He was just there, doing everything, on auto-pilot. A vast improvement, in the eyes of his friends. A tragedy, in the eyes of Serina. He had become a hollow man; head filled with facts, no better than straw. His voice was a dry voice, which whispered gruffly and passionlessly.

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

"Christmas party at mine!" Koko exclaimed jubilantly, as he shuffled quickly into Natsume's flat, as soon as November disappeared.

"It's so cold," Mochu said, through chattering teeth. "You're heating better be on or else—"

"Christmas party?"

Luca looked at Natsume with an exasperated look. "His new tactic in Plan 'Get Sumire Shouda to take me seriously'."

Natsume frowned. "How will cooking a turkey make her take you seriously? That just makes you sound like a bigger joke than you already are."

Natsume hated Christmas. No surprise there.

On his birthday, neither Mikan nor his parents had called him. Only the people in the room, Serina and his little cousin had bothered to call. And in contrast, Jesus gets billions of people singing for him, on the date of his most-likely-historically-incorrect date of birth? Life was clearly not fair unless you were the esteemed son of God.

"Mistletoe. MIS-TLE-TOE. Come on!" Koko cried, as he took his scarf off along with his gloves. "It's a fail-proof plan. It's THE PLAN. A bit of mulled wine, good food, Frank Sinatra Christmas collection, crackling fire, Baileys, and mistletoe equals ho ho ho!"

Kitsune-me smiled at Natsume, clapping him on the back familiarly. "Either way, we get food so don't complain."

Mochu grumbled about Natsume's house being too cold.

Natsume offered to get them all a drink. He went to the kitchen, and Koko followed him. Koko dangled his arm around Natsume, in a brotherly way. Natsume saw right through it – this was Koko's strategy to get what he wanted.

"What is it, Koko…" Natsume testily asked.

"Yeah. So, Christmas. You think you'll come?"

Natsume sighed. "Why not. I like Christmas food."

Koko beamed, clearly excited. "Excellent, excellent." His grip on Natsume tightened, before he let go of him completely. Then, in a forced casual voice, he mentioned, "I'm, well… I'm inviting Mikan."

Natsume didn't say anything. Ah. This explained the arm.

"I mean… I can't not invite her. That's rude. She's my friend too…"

Natsume hadn't seen, heard, touched, smelt or tasted Mikan in a good few months. The swaying Mikan in his head started to dance; crescendo, crescendo—twirling like the storm in the snowglobe, the ballerina trapped in the small universe of snow—

"I understand."

Tentatively, Koko asked, "Does that mean you're not coming?"

Dare he? Dare he venture?

He stayed silent for a good few seconds. "I'll go."

Would this be for his sake, or Koko's sake? Or perhaps even Mikan's? After months being a coward and doing nothing, was it alright for him to suddenly pop up like a daisy in spring? Did Mikan want him to stay buried in the snow? Would she hate him even more if he appeared after all this time? Would she perhaps not come at all because of him?

Unaware of the unanswered questions in Natsume's head, Koko beamed, unable to contain his happiness. "That's great! 21st December. My crib. Bring wine if you can." Koko spun around, "Man, I'm so proud of you!"

Luca later told him he was also very proud of Natsume. It may seem patronizing, but that's what Natsume needed to hear. He called Serina and let him know of his decision. They both agreed it was a good idea.

Why now? Where did this courage come from?

HURRY UP, PLEASE IT'S TIME.


A/N: Please don't hate me too much for it being short. I'm still feeling so disorientated from the weekend, whoops.

StarElsie: Why did he kiss her? I suppose just to feeling something rather than nothing. Not that it did him any good. Thanks for the review!
AiramEnayle: Ahhh! I'm sorry the chapters haven't been interesting or inspiring to you! But now I think about it, I never planned to make it inspiring as it is a tragedy. But not interesting, damn! Sorry! Any chance I could get some constructive criticisms about that? I'm always wanting to get better, so :) Mikan's opinions coming up next, in the last chapter. Thanks for your review!
Mystique0831: Glad you liked my portrayal of Luna. She's the character I feel most sorry for. Thanks again for your review. See you in the last chapter!
darkang3Ld: Sorry I didn't see you yesterday! I hope you had a good weekend. Anyway, thanks for your review!
xNatsuMikanx: Yeah, I feel most of my readers would have stopped if they had sex... I wonder why though, as I don't view it as this holy and sacred ritual, but that's probably because I'm older than most of my readers (I think). I don't think Natsume would have been betraying Mikan, as they are broken up... I don't know, shmeh. Hope you enjoyed this short chapter. See you tomorrow for the last chapter!
MitsukaiYuki: Your dedication to your fics and fans is inspiring! Makes me feel bad for not updating yesterday, whoops. And yup, Natsume just needs a kick in his ass, not therapy haha. They will meet in the next chapter, fear not!
AnimeMango: No problem. I think most of you were so against it anyway, haha. Thanks for the review.

More T.S. Eliot allusions. Yeah, if you hadn't already guessed from all the allusions and my penname... I'm kind of in love with him.

LAST CHAPTER COMING UP!