Can You Keep A Secret? Chapter 11: Rebound, a gakuen alice fanfic

Here's another update for you guys! :)) BTW, Can You Keep A Secret? is almost one year! So, on April 22, the next chapter will be posted to celebrate CYKAS?'s first anniversary! (Cheers!) By the way, guys, can you suggest an ending for this fic? I keep on thinking and thinking and thinking and I come up with tragic endings. (Laughs.) So, yeah, I know not most of you read the Author's Blocks anymore, but, hey. Some oughtta read and reply to this plea of mine!

Thanks for those who reviewed the previous chapter! potatoandtomato, LNLestrangexx, xStarryEyedGirlxx, natsuk0, Ruby Romance, redsakuanbo, Cutenatsumexmikan, musicanimegal, l3vA, .x, chainedheart999, yExhiNa sAkUrei, greentulip, huyutfsakura, RandomChibiDemon-chan, 'x-KiRa09-x', NatsuMikanAnimeAddict (Yeah, RukaRu ROCKS! I'd love to write about them soon!), x'bLuE-AnGeL'x, Sabaku Sousou (Yeah, sure. :), 1wingedangelX, Hahahaha, '-MiNi-RAi-', Amethyst Petals, Ayama Mitsuki, Xim-no-writerX, JuSt So RaNdOm, technicolor_ruby (Doing nothing pretty much inspires me to write. When I've got nothing to do, I think a lot and it gives me more ideas regarding my stories. So if you want to write more, do less. (Laughs.).

And those who reviewed the related one-shot: Through Nobara's Eyes! potatoandtomato, l3vA, xStarryEyedGirlx, .x, chainedheart999, Blissful Delight, greentulip (Yes. :), RandomChibiDemon-chan, thundra18.

Can You Keep A Secret?
Aminatsu032

I wasn't really sure anymore what I was doing in front of his office. After my unknown disappearance and the previous encounter, I still wasn't sure that I was ready to see him yet. And after the incident with Ruka, I realized what shame I've brought myself to.

But I had to do what I had to do. I had a job and I had to send money to Mom and Jii-chan as soon as possible. It was a good thing they didn't have any source of communication with the world over there, so news about my so-called "engagement" haven't reached them yet. It was a good thing there no other people in the office besides him.

"How long are you planning on standing there?"

I cringed. His voice sent shivers and chills down my spine. I slowly turn around, as I faced his piercing blood-red eyes.

XI: REBOUND

I was sitting on my desk at Flame, slowly drumming my fingers at the table repeatedly. It was seven in the evening and there were barely any more employees left in the building. HECK, I didn't even know what I was still doing here. But, in a moment of deliberately thinking, I suddenly remembered why I was there.

I was waiting for him. And by "him", I meant Natsume.

I glanced at my wrist watch, groaned and continued making rhythmic noise. After about five seconds, I stared at his office door and finally stood up. I knocked thrice at his door before I entered.

"Hey, Boss-guy, until what time are you planning to –" I stopped talking when I saw Natsume lying on his black, leather couch sleeping.

Inwardly, I smiled. He must be pretty tired after a long day at work, I presumed.

Slowly and quietly, I tiptoed to the other side of the room and crouched down so that my face would be at level with his.

I continued smiling as I cautiously extended my left hand and brushed his hair off his angelic face. It was then I heard Natsume mumble something under his breath.

I tilted my head, failing to hear him. "What was that?" I asked in a soft voice.

"…bara," he repeated, this time more audibly. "No…bara…"

Suddenly, I felt my heart tighten in pain. It was like all the veins and chambers blocked off everything and stopped producing blood. It was painful – way painful than anyone could imagine.

"Nobara," he said again, this time clearer than crystal.

I felt hot tears well up in my eyes. "No, please stop," I begged him softly, backing away. But he continued calling out to Nobara's name.

"Natsume-kun?" I heard somebody say from behind me.

I whirl around, only to find a tall lady with black-gray hair and silver eyes approaching. I closed my eyes and covered my ears as I took more steps towards the door, but no matter how I shut my eyes, I still saw and no matter how much I blocked off my hearing, I still heard.

"No! No! No! Go away!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I kept yelling, but Nobara didn't stop at her tracks. She continued walking towards Natsume's sleeping figure like she didn't hear me at all.

"Natsume-kun?" she called, again, this time softer.

I couldn't bear it. I wanted to push her away and kill her and throw her off at a dump-site or something. And then I'd do the same with Natsume when I'm done with him.

I turned towards the door and ran to it, attempting to run away, but as I twisted the door knob, I realized it didn't bulge at all.

I looked back at Nobara frantically. She was now staring at Natsume with her eyes and said nothing.

I continued sobbing and opening the door, when Nobara suddenly turned her head at me.

"What are you going to do?" she asked with her high, soprano voice. "Are you running away again?"

I covered my ears one more time. "No," I mumbled. "No, just get out of my head! JUST GET OUT!"

I sat up on the bed screaming. I just stopped when I realized I was in a room and that I was just having a nightmare.

I panted heavily and calmed myself down when I heard somebody by the door.

"Knock-knock?"

I turned my head around clearly to see who it was.

I sighed when I realized there was no danger. "Ruka," I said.

Ruka smiled as he looked at me with his sky-blue eyes. "How are you feeling?" he asked with a tone of genuine concern.

I tried to force a smile. "I'm feeling better, thank you," I assured him.

Ruka shook his head slowly as he approached and sat at the edge of the bed. "If by better, you mean at screaming, well, you're getting good at it," he said, in a way it was a joke or something serious.

My expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry," I said. "I was just having a nightmare."

Ruka nodded. "I know," he told me softly. "There was never a moment you weren't moaning or screaming."

I frowned and sighed. "I'm sorry," I said again.

Ruka laughed lightly. "No, its okay," he assured. "It's normal for people to have bad dreams when they're sick."

I nodded, looking out the window, just like what I did when I was trying to avoid a conversation.

"I was the one to find you," Ruka said, as he reached for a damp towel.

I looked at him. "O-oh," I mumbled when I suddenly remembered what happened the night before. "Thank you."

"…and I did what you ask me to do," he continued.

I tilted my head on one side, confused. "Eh?"

Ruka smiled again. "I didn't tell Natsume," he told me.

I flinched when I heard Natsume's name and I was quite sure that Ruka noticed because he quickly changed the subject when he mentioned his name.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, handing over the towel.

I shook my head and opened my mouth to say something, when a soft grumble was heard in the room. It was my stomach. Stupid, stupid stomach.

Ruka let out a chuckle. "I'll take that as a yes." And at that, he left the room.

I sighed in dismay. I really appreciated Ruka's attempt to cheer me up, but somehow, I figured it'd take better than that to make me feel better again.

The visual image of Natsume and Nobara was flashed in my mind again and I felt my heart break into a million pieces. I bit my lip hard, holding back the tears, when I noticed something white move by the door.

I turned my head immediately to see if I was just seeing things or not. Finally, I rolled my eyes. What the HECK was I doing? Of course there was nothing there, what the heck could it be?

I rubbed my temples slowly, trying to calm myself when, in my peripheral vision, I saw it again. The white, small, round thing that kept on moving.

I whirl around and crouched down, looking for it, but I still couldn't.

I narrowed my eyes and my body stiffened. After a moment, I finally decided to get out of the bed and look for whatever it was that kept moving around and was scaring the heck out of me.

I looked at the corners of the room first, then around the door and everywhere else at the room before I finally decided to look under the bed.

UGH, I shivered. I always had traumas about underbeds. I remembered when my Jii-chan would scare me, telling me that the Boogeyman was living under my bed and that if I left any food on the floor or socks or toys or did anything Grandpa disliked, the B-Man'd show himself and take me to a gay-bar or something. Well, yeah, it was absurd now, but thinking of it back then with all the twisted wearing G-Strings, I'd rather engross myself in a week of cleaning-duty.

I slowly poke my hand under the bed first, in case I find something, but all that I felt were dust-particles.

I groaned loudly as I wiped all the dirt from my arm. I took in a deep breath before I finally looked under the bed, only to find two blue pebble-eyes staring right back at me.

My eyes widened in shock as I screamed and backed away hastily.

Immediately, Ruka came running from the kitchen and to my aid.

"What is it?" he asked, obvious in his tone that he was worried.

I pointed a finger shakily under the bed. "S-s-s-something...over there," I said, my voice shaking as I slowly look at Ruka teary-eyed. "B-B-B-B-B-Boogeyman!!"

I could tell now that Ruka was holding back his laughter. "Boogeyman?" he asked, in between chuckles.

I banged my hand on the floor, repeatedly, trying to get his full attention. "I saw it! There were two-eyes! Th-they were blue! And they were staring right back at m - "

Ruka cut me off. "No, I don't think that was the Boogeyman you saw," he said as he crouched down at the bed. "Usagi," he called. "Come here, boy!"

I tilted my head to look at whatever evil being he was calling from the underbed, when I saw a small, white figure emerge from the darkness.

I blinked twice. "A...rabbit?"

Ruka laughed. I noticed how his shoulder went up and down as he did and I couldn't help but smile at his carefree personality. "See? That wasn't the Boogeyman," he assured.

"Y-yeah, but what is a rabbit doing in your house?" I asked, almost too quickly that I made it look like I was WAY defensive.

"Apartment, actually. My house is on Kyoto," he corrected, smiling. "And, Usagi is my pet."

I looked at the rabbit as it hopped its way towards Ruka's lap.

"You have a pet rabbit?" I asked, still in the state of shock. I mean, Ruka was like the manager of Flame's Kyoto branch, right? So he must be super busy with all his work, yet he still finds time to take care of animals?

Ruka nodded as he petted the rabbit. I realized he looked pretty much like an angel. With what he was wearing – light blue polo and white pants – his golden-blond hair, aqua eyes and peaceful expression, the only thing that was missing this time was wings and he'd be in and out of that large, golden gate up there in the sky.

Suddenly, I found myself laughing.

Ruka turned to me and raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?" he asked, almost sounding offended.

"Nothing," I said, still giggling. "It's just that, you look so cute right now, Ruka-pyon!"

Ruka raised an eyebrow again and grinned. "Pyon?" he said, repeating my suffix.

I smiled smugly. "Yeah," I said to him. "It kinda suits you so from now on I'm going to call you that from now on."

The blond boy shook his head slowly as he released Usagi from his arms. "Well, I'm going back to the kitchen for your food."

I nodded as I stared at the white rabbit, which tilted its small head at one side, as if examining me.

I smiled and extended both my hands. "Usagi, right?" I said in a soft tone. "I'm Mikan. I'm your friend."

Usagi continued to stare at me, unblinking, but after a while, it finally hopped towards my direction and into my arms.

I felt Usagi's soft fur against my bare skin and it was then I realized I was still wearing the olive dress Natsume had given me.

Natsume, I sighed inwardly.

"I should really stop thinking about him," I mumbled softly as I rubbed Usagi's head. "It's becoming unhealthy."

Usagi cuddled closer, as if it understood what I was feeling. I smiled as it rubbed his head against my neck.

I let out a giggle and I stood up as I let go of Usagi and headed to the hallway. "Come on, I've gotta ask Ruka if he has some spare clothes."

I placed the pair of chopsticks in my plate and clapped my hands together once. "Thank for the meal!"

Ruka smiled as he stood up, taking his and my plate with him.

"Thanks for the extra clothes and the food, Ruka-pyon!" I said in appreciation.

Ruka's clothes were a lot bigger than my size, but I felt comfortable in his over-sized sweatshirt and jogging pants.

Ruka flashed a smile. "Well, with you back to your normal self, that must mean you're feeling all better."

I stayed silent for a while, when I suddenly remembered Natsume with his comment. "Yeah, thank you."

I heard Ruka sigh as he turned to face me, this time, with a serious expression.

"Natsume's really worried, you know?" he said in a soft voice.

I flinched at hearing his name. "Oh," was all I could say.

Ruka sighed again as he acclaimed his seat and looked at me straight in the eye. "Look, I don't mean to barge in with the both of you or anything, but when I received Natsume's call, saying you went off running somewhere, I heard genuine concern from his voice," Ruka said softly.

I crossed my arms and looked away. "Really," I mumbled.

For the first time, I saw Ruka frown. "Sakura-san," Ruka said. "Natsume's been my best friend ever since and it's probably the first time I've seen him this concerned with somebody in his whole life. And I can assure you, he's still looking for you because since last night, he hasn't stopped asking me if I saw you yet."

I tried my best to ignore Ruka-pyon's words because I knew he was lying. Natsume didn't care for me. He was more concerned with that Nobara. He didn't care where I was! And if he did, it'd be because he'd have nobody to play his "fiancee" - oh, wait, he did. Nobara was there.

"What happened, anyway?" Ruka asked. "If you don't mind me asking."

I bit my lower lip. "I'd prefer not to talk about it."

Ruka sighed, yet again as he stood up. "Well, sooner or later, Natsume's going to find out you're here. But I really suggest that you go talk to him now."

I scoffed. Talk to him, PFT – what the heck was he saying, I wasn't gonna do that!

I stood up and sat on Ruka's maroon couch, next to Usagi who kept on nibbling on his carrot.

I reached for the remote on the coffee table and turned the television on. They had news about the latest fashion trends and it led to the make-up and hair products. I suddenly saw a familiar face. That hag was that witch from the engagement party. The one that said I came from "unexpected" roots. Heck, the moment I find out how many repairs she did with her face and how much plastic surgery she's undergone, I'd reveal her from the fraud she really is!

"Miss Sawako Hime had also recently attended an engagement party of Igarashi Kaoru's son, Natsume Hyuuga and his soon-to-be bride. And when asked about her opinion at the couple, Sawako-sama said,

"Well they are both very promising people," I heard the witch say as I glared at the TV. "Something you don't really see everyday."

I groaned, wanting to reach for the remote again and turn the TV off, when another headline aroused my attention. She was so showbiz.

"Meanwhile, there had been news about Sakura Mikan, Hyuuga's fiancee, disappearing after the engagement party. Igarashi Kaoru claimed the news was fake and that Sakura was currently on a vacation with her family – a break from all the stress.

"Back to you, – " I turned the TV off.

It was only then I realized what kind of mess I was making. I didn't have the slightest reason to be mad. There was nothing between us, and soon it'd all be over. I felt even worse when the thought of Kaoru covering-up my mess was now glued unto my mind.

I sighed. I have to do the right thing now, don't I?

I stood up and headed towards Ruka's room.

"Yeah," I heard him say as he talked to the phone. "I promise I'll call you if I find out where she is." - Ruka glanced at me - "Okay," he said, finally, before ending the call.

"Who was that on the other line?" I asked, though having an idea to who it was.

Ruka frowned. "Natsume," he confessed. "I can't lie to him anymore."

I sighed and looked away. "Alright, I'm going to talk to him," I said, catching Ruka's expression to brighten up. I held up a hand before he spoke. "In one condition."

"Just name it," Ruka said, grinning.

I held out a laughter. "You have to come with me to see a movie," I told him.

Ruka-pyon's face was suddenly filled with utmost curiosity. "What movie?"

"When I said "name it", I didn't precisely mean "go overboard"," Ruka said quietly, rubbing his temples slowly.

I laughed on how he restrained himself from getting mad after I told him what we were gonna see. That's right. I asked him to come see PEKACHU vs. MEGA PEKACHU with me!

"Satoshi!" I heard a mother call from nearby, softly but firmly getting her son's attention. "Stop showing-off your belly! Or else the Boogeyman's going to take you to a gay-bar!"

My jaw fell down at the threat. Where the heck have I heard the words BOOGEYMAN and GAY in the same sentence before – oh, that's right, I have a GRADPA.

"How long is this movie?" Ruka asked in a low voice.

"SHH!" I told him. "It's starting!"

"In a far-far galaxy where the planet Peka-Peka lies, there lived the PErfectly KAwaii MONsters – or, as we call them, the PEKAMON – " ("Kawaii", meaning "cute" in Japanese) I covered my mouth when I saw Ruka's reaction. Even though the lights were pretty dim and I couldn't get a clear view of his face, I was about a hundred percent sure he had his eyes widened in grim shock.

His reaction eventually made me wonder how Natsume would react the moment I brought him to the movie. I mean, he'd probably hit me with a mallet or something and drag me headfirst outside the nearest exit and -

Wait. What am I doing?

I asked Ruka-pyon to come with me because I wanted to get my mind off Natsume before I finally faced him. But how am I supposed to do that, when I'm watching this movie all I think about is him?

"Sakura-san," I heard Ruka-pyon say from beside me, "is something the matter?"

I shook my head and smiled. "I'm fine."

And the whole time I stared at the screen, failing to get him out of my head.

Darn it, Natsume. If only you knew the effect you have on me.

I heard the cars honking and voices of different degree while Ruka and I sat on the concrete boundary of the Tokyo Bay.

"Well, you've got to admit, the movie wasn't that bad, right, Ruka-pyon?" I asked, still not getting over with Ruka's expression the whole time we were watching.

Ruka grinned. "I suppose so."

I laughed.

When Ruka glanced at my direction, I notice him extend his hand towards my hair.

"Eh? What is it?" I asked, slightly backing away in hesitation.

"Don't move," Ruka said, as he continued. "There's just something in your hair."

I suddenly felt a blush on my cheeks. What the hell? I wasn't supposed to be feeling this!

I opened my mouth to thank Ruka when everything suddenly blurred in front of me. One minute Ruka was there, and the next, he wasn't!

I frantically looked in every direction when my auburn eyes widened at what I was seeing.

It was Natsume – he was there! He stood there with his hand grabbing unto Ruka's collar and the other in the air, ready to punch him any moment.

"Natsume! Stop! What are you do –" I started, in attempt to call unto his attention, but he ignored me.

"Ruka," he said, his voice cold and piercing, "what are you freaking doing?"

It scared me how Natsume delivered his words. It was like he was ready to kill anybody in anger – even if that person was his long-time best friend.

"Natsume! Wait!" I stood up, quickly approaching him and trying to calm him down, when he shot a very painful glare at my direction.

At that moment, I felt like my heartbeat could stop any moment now. The way he looked at me was scary. It was scarier than any other time I'd seen him angry at someone before. And the more painful realization, he aimed it right at me.

Natsume tightened his grip on Ruka's collar. "You promised you'd tell me once you've seen her," he said, every word filled with pure rage.

I half-expected Ruka to tell Natsume that it was my fault Ruka wasn't able to tell him that he found me, but, instead, Ruka kept silent and looked away.

It was then Natsume clenched his jaw and aimed a strong blow on Ruka's face, leaving Ruka defenseless on the ground.

I gasped and quickly ran towards Ruka's aid.

"Ruka-pyon!" I screamed, before I yelled at Natsume, who still looked at Ruka with anger.

"What the HECK, do you think you're doing?!" I yelled at him. "You just punched your BEST FRIEND for FREAKING HELL'S sake!"

Natsume's ruby eyes turned to me. "JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP AND STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!"

I stopped breathing.

At that moment, I stopped breathing. Natsume hated me. I could see it – by the way he looked at me with those cold eyes. He was angry – no, he was furious. At me. At me, of all people!

Natsume sucked in a deep breath and shook his head in dismay, before he finally turned around and walked away.

I didn't know how it happened. It just did.

I slowly pressed the ice-bag on Ruka-pyon's face, sighing.

"O-ow," he softly complained, pressing the ice-bag unto his bruise himself.

I sighed. "I'm sorry."

Ruka looked at me with a confused expression. "What are you sorry for? You didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes, I did!" I snapped. "If it wasn't for me, this never would've happened! If...if I hadn't told you not to tell him and –"

Ruka cut me off. "Look, it's okay..."

"NO IT ISN'T!" I suddenly yelled, finally giving in. Uncontrollably, tears suddenly fell down my eyes. "It's not okay."

"Sakura-san, there is still something you can do," Ruka said.

I looked at him, teary-eyed. "What?" my voice cracked.

He smiled at me, wiping my tears away. "Talk to him, like you told me you would."

I shook my head fast the moment he said "talk". "I can't," I said. "I can't. I can't. I can't."

"Stop saying you can't," Ruka said. It amazed me how much patience he had with my negativity. If It were my mother or my grandfather or anybody else, they'd be punching me in the face, telling me I was childish and stupid.

I sighed and wiped the tears off my face. "Okay," I said, finally giving in. "I'll talk to him."

"How long are you planning on standing there?"

I cringed. His voice sent shivers and chills down my spine. I slowly turn around, as I faced his piercing blood-red eyes.

I opened my mouth to say something, when Natsume spoke before I did."

"I already know what you're going to say," he said, emotionless.

I sighed in relief. At least I was going to do less talking -

"- And you better just leave because I don't want to hear it."

My eyes widened. "Wait, WHAT?"

Natsume glared at me. "I said leave," he repeated. "I don't want to see your face here ever again."

"No, wait!" I insisted, refusing to do what he says. "It's not what you think it is! There's nothing going on between me and Ruka and - "

"I said I didn't want to hear it, didn't I?!"

A vein popped in my forehead. This was one stubborn man.

Quickly, I slapped him with all my strength.

Natsume looked at me, confused, touching his cheek. "What the heck - ?"

"Oh, would you stop complaining?!" I boomed, lifting both my hands in the air. "At least, I wasn't kissing anybody!"

Natsume's eyes widened at my statement. For a moment, he was silenced. "You saw that?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes in sarcasm. "Well, of course I did," I said, trying to sound like it was completely okay with me. But I knew it wasn't. I knew very, very well it wasn't.

Natsume looked away. "That meant nothing," he said.

"PSH," I scoffed. "I don't want to hear it," I said, crossing my arms.

"So, what, you're now using my words against me?" he said, narrowing his eyes.

I shrugged and bit my lip, debating on whether I'd go with this conversation, or just leave and hide with Usagi for the rest of my damned life.

"I told you," Natsume said after a while, this time, softer, "that meant nothing."

I rolled my eyes again, failing to hold back my tongue. "Since, when did a kiss mean nothing, Natsume?"

"Nobara was never staying here for real," Natsume said. My heart suddenly ached when I heard him say her name. "And she's also engaged now." He paused before continuing. "That kiss was merely goodbye."

I was silenced. I was kind of thinking he'd say something like, "I kissed her because I love her and I want her to replace you as my fiancee because you're an absurd girl with childish dreams who wears polka-dotted panties." But he didn't. Thank GOD he didn't.

"O-oh," I finally said. "Th-that's kind of a shame, really. Wouldn't you love to have her with you? I mean, you're so perfect together and - "

Suddenly, Natsume grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him. He leveled his mouth to my ear. "I'd rather have you instead," he whispered.

I felt blood rush to my head. "Wh-what the heck are you talking about?!" I asked, frenzied.

Natsume smirked. "You ran away because you were jealous?" he suddenly asked.

"Y-you punched Ruka-pyon in the face because you were jealous!" I countered, composing myself from all the nervousness I was feeling with him so close to me.

Natsume said nothing. Instead, he placed his free hand at the arch my back and pulled me closer to him. Ever so lightly, I felt something brush against my hair. His lips? I didn't know. And I wasn't sure I wanted to.

"Maybe," he finally whispered, sending chills from head to toe. "I really shouldn't be very possessive of you," he said softly, it almost didn't sound like him. "But I can't help it."

OH MY GOD WHAT THE HECK IS HE DOING TO ME?! Was this some kind of seductive joke he was planning from the very start! If it was, it was working and he should stop before my heart gives in and finally explode! I mean, is he drunk or something?

I quickly let go from his grasp and took gigantic steps backward.

"Well, now that's all settled," I said slowly at first, taking steps towards the elevator. "I'd-better-go-and-take-off-before-it-gets-too-late!"

I dashed towards the elevator and reached for the button, when Natsume's hand covered it before I had the chance to press.

"I really have to go - " I said, not quite sure where to go, truth be told.

"Stay," he simply said. I felt a warm hand on my elbow.

And, surprisingly, I did stay.

Faye: (Laughs evilly.) Everybody hated Natsume-kun in the previous chapter, but we gotta love him, right? (Winks.)

Misaki: Mikan, you shouldn't give in that easily towards Natsume. You still play hard-to-get!

Mikan: E-eh?

Faye: Oh, she has the next chapters to do that! (Winks, winks. :D)

Sumire: I'm still waiting for my one-shot!

Faye: Oh, I dunno. (Winks, winks, winks. xD)

ANOTHER G.A. CHARACTER IS GONNA GET INTRODUCED THE NEXT CHAPTER. GUESS WHO HE IS THROUGH YOUR REVIEW!
(One of the people who guessed it right can have their own character added in Can You Keep A Secret?!)