This chapter was at risk of being out late. I had all these Christmas festivites to attend and Road Trip. But since I love you guys so much, I worked til midnight to get this chapter done. And all of this morning too. I honestly JUST finished. So excuse the maybe poor quality since It was a rush job. However, it IS longer! By two extra pages (cheers! and merry Christmas belated and Happy New Year)
Wow, I just discovered the 'traffic' tab when you sign in. I didn't even know it was possible to see how many hits you get. I was stupefied. I never realised that many people read my stories. I only judged it by the number of reviews. I'm a keen reviewer and i never thought that many people read and didn't review. I appreciate all my readers very much, now that I know you're there!
Without further ado (and to my great relief)...
Chapter 11: Conversations, Compliments and Confessions
Natusme didn't want to be here. That was for sure. In fact, just the thought of being in a room alone with the pedo, queer teacher made him want to throw up. Not only did he feel so disgusted by him that it was suffocating, he wanted to roast him alive.
But he had to do this. In the small train of thought he had had just before, he realised something important. He remembered something he had to do; someone he owed. In the recent events he came up with a way, albeit minor, to make it up to that person. This meant a lot to Natsume, so much that he'd ask Narumi personally.
Before he could cringe anymore or chicken out, he decided to get this over with quickly. Standing stiff and awkwardly, he cleared his throat to get the teacher's attention. Thoughts of getting it done and out of here replayed in his head.
Narumi looked up form his paperwork and was happily startled to see the stiff boy. "Oh, what do we have here?" he chided. "Natsume-kun, I didn't think you of all people would want to see me."
Natsume's words came out in a low growl, "It's not like I want to be here, creepy teacher."
However, Naru made no sign of having just been insulted. He looked more amused as he pressed, "But?"
"Tch," Natsume hated having to ask, this teacher especially, for a favour. "I have a request."
"Oh?" Natsume wanted to grill Narumi's lips so that he couldn't see that infuriating smile. "And what might that be?"
Natsume took a deep breath. It had to be now before he lost his shortening temper. "I understand that this is a classified issue but if you'll allow it, I have a certain student in your class with whom I'd like to share it with. They're completely trustworthy and..." he faltered.
Narumi raised an eyebrow, "And?"
The raven haired boy sighed, "...and I owe them one." He looked away, appalled at himself for saying all of this to that wretched teacher.
"Ho ho ho!" Narumi chuckled in a fashion reminiscent of Santa Claus. "How could I ever refuse such a polite request?" Though he was relieved at the consent, it was now that Natsume regretted ever saying it nicely. The blonde haired man would never let him hear the end of it. "Of course. But first, may I ask who it is?"
"Yuri Miyagi."
"Yuri-chan?" Narumi's eyes widened but he seemed thoughtful. Natsume nodded. "Well she is a smart girl and she's close to Ichigo. Actually, I already think she knows more that she'll let on – that cheeky Alice of hers. I'm completely fine with that, Yuri is a responsible kid. Although, I do wonder how you ended up indebted to her."
Natsume answered that last statement with a grunt. "Good," the boy said and he turned around and headed for the door. Now that he had gotten that done with and received pleasing results, he couldn't wait to get out of there.
"My, my," Narumi called out to the fast departing Natsume, "not even a 'thank you'?" His reply to this was an intense death glare courtesy of two flaming, crimson eyes, followed by a loud thud from a slamming door. "Oh dear," Narumi muttered, sweat dropping, "perhaps that was asking for too much."
Hotaru Imai had been expecting someone. She was sitting on one of the chairs facing the door of her laboratory in the early morning. It was 6:58 am and her guests should be arriving in two minutes. Although it was early, she was certain they would arrive on time.
The first of her guests would surely have been late had it not been for the robot maid Hotaru sent to wake her in a very... efficient... manner. A sinister grin graced her features as she recalled what exactly it was she had ordered her invention to do.
And the latter guest, well, Hotaru could be very cruel when describing what she would do to the former guest. The ebony haired ice queen knew that he would stop at nothing to make sure all was okay here.
Mikan was still dazed after waking up – or rather, having been woken up – so early in the morning. She shuddered at the memory of her merciless alarm. Her butt ached, she had a scratch on her arm and let's just say she was forced to take a morning shower. The rest could be left to the imagination.
Afraid of what the person who sent her the wake up call would do if she was late, she marched in uniform to the laboratory. Actually, she was quite anxious in a good way about the events of today so she carried herself with enthusiasm. Despite the fact that she was sad to leave her friends, she was glad that she was able to say a proper goodbye and even happier to return to her old friends.
"What's with the goofy smile, Polka Dots?" asked a deep voice from next to her. Mikan turned to find none other than her favourite raven haired lad next to her. But his sudden appearance was, well, sudden and she was very visibly startled. The boy smirked at her reaction.
After recovery she looked at him curiously and questioned, "Natsume, you actually came, I really wasn't expecting that. Hotaru blackmailed you didn't she?" He nodded grimly to which she added, "I wonder how she could get you of all people..."
He eyed her with a pained expression and his eyes widened at the scratch on her arm, cursing under his breath, but made no answer. She shrugged it off and the two kept walking. Mikan was at least glad that he would be coming with her, it made her feel so much more confident. She gazed up at him with a grateful smile, but he just kept his head forward although she was sure he was aware.
Muttering, "Thank you," she leaned her head on his shoulder and slipped her hand into his. The only reaction Mikan could feel was the brief tensing of his arm but unknown to her, his eyes widened momentarily, the faintest blush appeared and a hint of a smile could be seen on his lips.
Half a minute left.
Amethyst eyes swept the room in boredom. After a quick inspection, her eyes rested on the door before her. As if on cue, it burst open without a knock. This, however, did not startle the girl in the seat. In fact, she was pleased that her guests had arrived on time.
There were two intruders, an auburn haired girl and a raven haired boy. The girl doubled over to catch her breath as she found herself in the safety of the laboratory and let out a giant sigh. "Thank goodness, we made it in time, Natsume." He didn't seem to react, he just stood there blankly. However, the amethyst eyes narrowed suspiciously at their intertwined hands.
"Hotaru!" the cheerful girl sang as she lunged forward for a bear hug. Unfortunately, she was stopped dead in her tracks as she collided with the baka gun and was left to sulk with a hoof shaped mark on her forehead. "Not nice..." she mumbled.
"You're a fourteen-year-old now, Mikan," Hotaru spoke coldly, "act like one." She lead the two to their seats and explained her plan. All of the equipment was prepared on the coffee table and so they only needed a briefing and assignment of tools.
Hotaru's explanation was brief and straight to the point, "Mikan, you will eat this Gulliver's candy and dress in your old uniform. Then you will proceed to class and break the news, using the same excuse as last time. Natsume, you and I will be spying from the outside, keeping an eye on things in case the idiot screws up. Take the panda earphones and the black kit. You will find the rest of the necessary equipment inside. It's that simple. Now don't screw up."
She gave Mikan the details of her 'departure' and Natsume his tools. She handed a wrapper to the girl and stated, "Here is your candy, it'll only last you probably an hour and it would be too risky to retake it so I spoke with Narumi and you'll be excused from class after that time or when you start to grow back." Mikan hesitantly took at it while Natsume glared at it in distaste. Hotaru then ushered her to the changing room.
A few minutes later, she emerged in an elementary school uniform as none other than Ichigo Hana. Natsume glanced doubtfully at her but she beamed him a reassuring smile. They were all about ready to leave when Hotaru spoke, "One last thing, you're going to need this." They watched as she produced a round, green pill from her pouch and held in the palm of her hand.
Mikan immediately recognised it and lit up. Without hesitation she took it and gulped it down cheerily. Natsume looked at the two girls in disbelief, "Th-that's the thing you gave her yesterday! What is it? Ruka and I thought you were giving her drugs!"
Mikan stifled giggles as Hotaru rolled her eyes and explained, "Idiot, it's just a pill that improves her acting skills and makes her a better liar. You know how well it's needed." Natsume mouthed 'oh' and let out a breath. Even Hotaru smirked a little at this. "Let's go."
Hotaru and Natsume were outside elementary Class B. They could hear everything going on inside using the panda earphones and thanks to a new contraption courtesy of Hotaru, they could see through the walls too. Hotaru had set up some sort of barrier around their station so that passer bys wouldn't notice them.
Ichigo entered the classroom with a perfectly saddened expression. "Hey everyone," she called out to the class, "I have bad news!" The students ears' perked up and some gathered around her. "I'm moving out of the academy, this is my last few days with you guys..." She frowned convincingly.
"What!"
"Why?"
"You're allowed?"
"Huh?"
"No!"
Her many friends showered her with questions and comments. Accordingly, she recited the story of her uncle adopting her and how she'd be schooling with him. She pulled it off incredibly well that Natsume would have to commend Hotaru for her miraculous concoction. In fact, even he would have been swayed had he not known the truth.
"When are you leaving?" asked Mamiyu.
Ichigo gave them a melancholic smile, "Tomorrow." Many gasps and objections could be heard and Natsume found himself not liking her increased popularity. "Yeah, tomorrow morning I'll be here for first period then I'll have to go. I know, it's sudden, but what choice do I have?"
"You can always just stay here," suggested a blushing, blue haired boy who looked like a miniature version of Tsubasa. Natsume's fist clenched and Hotaru eyed him with suspicious amusement. Suddenly, the pencil that the young boy was holding went up in smoke. There were a few screams and mild panic but Ichigo subdued them, all the while glaring daggers at the spot in the wall where she knew her friends to be.
Hotaru, however, seemed fine with the small mishap, if not, slightly glad. She knew the reason behind it and it actually felt good. She turned to the furious Natsume. He looked at her and suddenly a helpless expression painted his face. Hotaru had a sinister smirk as she stated bluntly, "500 rabbits and I'll shut up." Natsume furrowed his brows but grunted in agreement, to Hotaru's delight.
The class had seemingly calmed down and Ichigo gave an angelic, apologetic smile. "I'm going to miss you guys too, but I'll be sure to write!" After a short conversation concerning the matter at hand, Narumi waltzed in through the door signalling everyone to be seated.
"Good morning, class" he greeted merrily. "Before we starts, I'd like to ask Ichigo-chan to head to the reception. You have to fill out a few papers, if that's okay. I'd say there are a lot of them, hm, I think it might take you the whole day... not to fear though, your teachers have been notified." The class started muttering and as she stood up they shot her sad looks. Their last few moments with her were to be shortened.
"Oh, Yuri, you go too," Narumi seemed to add as an afterthought, "I'd like you to escort Ichigo there, you can return afterwards." Yuri obediently agreed but flashed a glance at the spot on the wall where Natsume and Hotaru were hiding behind.
She gazed directly at Natsume as if the wall were non existent. She shot him a questioning look and proceeded to the door with Ichigo. Natsume glared back. For a second he forgot about her Alice, but of course, she knew they were there. Natsume also picked up that this was Narumi's plan for a chance for him to tell her.
He glanced to his left to find Hotaru staring quizzically at him. He sighed but she cut him off, "Narumi already told me. What I'm wondering is how you became indebted to her." That was the second time he was asked that question. Was it really that odd for the Natsume Hyuuga to owe a ten year old girl?
"Tch," he rolled his eyes and snorted. He had no intention of ever answering that question. Yuri was a gifted kid who was a lot more that she seemed, Natsume would give her that. When he looked at Mikan retreating to the door he realised how much he really owed her. The world, Natsume settled as he sized up Mikan's value. But he knew that it was even more.
Hotaru took down the barriers in time for the two girls to exit the classroom. They both turned to the two seemingly older students and made their way to them. Yuri followed silently and calmly, despite not knowing much of what was going on. Hotaru appreciated that trait about her.
Ichigo bounced joyfully to her two best friends and presented an award-winning grin. "We did it!" she cheered softly so as not to interrupt her classmates beyond the wall, "We pulled off day one!" She shivered in excitement then noticed Yuri who was slightly behind her. "Huh? What's Yuri doing here...?"
Hotaru sighed and placed her hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "I'll explain while your changing," she informed as she lead the way to the bathrooms. "How much candy do you have left?"
The little girl felt around her mouth and answered confidently, "Not much but just enough for when I'm changing." And with that, the two best friends disappeared down the hallway.
Natsume was left alone with Yuri who waited patiently for things to play out. Having not found any more solid information from the recent events, the young girl shot Natsume a 'what was that all about?' look. The raven haired boy beckoned Yuri to walk with him as he started, "I've got some explaining to do."
The girl nodded in agreement and followed her sempai. How better to retell a long story than on a walk? Plus it got their suspicious voices away from the classroom. Yuri listened silently as Natsume retold the entirety of Mikan's situation: who she really was, how she got there, and how she got back.
He described the events of yesterday evening from the point where Yuri left off. He subtly stressed how much Yuri's actions had supported him and how much he felt he owed her for that. Then he continued to recount how he found her, leaving out the kiss of course, but he was certain his emotions must have gotten a tad excited at that point in the story so Yuri probably knew something happened. However, she respectfully didn't ask.
They had successfully walked all the way to the reception and back – so as not to arouse suspicion – when Natume finished his explanation. They were about to arrive back at the classroom when Yuri spoke, "Thank you for trusting me enough to let me know, Natsume-sempai. It really was my pleasure." Natsume allowed her a rare smile. "Actually, I wonder what Ichigo – I mean, Mikan-sempai – looks like when she's older..."
As if on cue, the barrier where Natsume and Hotaru were formerly posted dissipated to reveal two middle school girls. "You're finally back!" Mikan exclaimed but was shushed by Hotaru who gave them an 'about time' glare. However she also shot an 'I trust you told her everything?' look at Natsume who nodded.
"Wow," Yuri broke the silence of the telepathic conversations, "Ichi – no – Mikan-sempai. Is that you?" Mikan blushed at being addressed as a senior but none the less, showed a shy smile and nodded. "Hmm," Yuri continued bluntly, "you got really pretty when you're older, Natsume-sempai is a lucky guy!" Now it was Natsume turn to fight blushes.
Sensing the awkward silence – though she and a particular ebony haired middle school student were slightly amused by it – Yuri bade them farewell, "Well, I should get back to class now. Thank you again, Natsume-sempai. Be sure to visit, all of you!" With a wave, she entered her classroom leaving the three middle schoolers to themselves.
"I'm leaving," Hotaru stated without emotion, "Mikan, Narumi wasn't joking about the paperwork. Natsume, I know you just came from there, but take Mikan, will you? Bye." With that, she stalked off leaving two sweat dropping teenagers.
Mikan and Natsume walked in comfortable peace towards the reception. However, the peace was ruined when Mikan began to whine. "I'm glad Yuri knows and everything," she complained, "but she didn't have to tease us that bad. She even told me I was pretty! I haven't been told that since Christmas Ball all those years ago and I spent so long getting ready..." It was clear she was doubtful.
At this statement, Natsume examined her properly for the first time since he found her face down on the path. The boy found himself wondering if she had even looked at a mirror since she changed back. Yuri's words were completely true. Sure, he used to call her ugly when they were young but now, he had absolutely no right to lie.
Her skin was firmer and flawless and as pale and delicate looking as porcelain. Her auburn hair was so much longer and if it were out and not tied into a tight ponytail, it would reach her waist very easily. It was also much wavier and her fringe framed her face beautifully. There was light colour on her cheeks and it made her face look all the more perfect. Her hazel eyes were sparkling and as always, reflected her mood clearly.
Her height was up to the bridge of Natsume nose. Her legs were long and slender, as was the rest of her. Natsume couldn't even begin to describe the feeling that swept over him as he realised she was no longer the eleven year old girl he knew from long ago. As cliché as it might sound, she was a teenager in full bloom.
Without ripping his gaze away from her he stated, "Yuri's words are always sincere. I know that for a fact. And I wholeheartedly agree." Mikan stood stock still as he searched crimson eyes for a confirmation whether he was telling the truth. The words had taken her aback. After all, he was the one who used to call her ugly. Now he was saying the complete opposite. In fact, ever since she changed back he was marvellously out of character.
However, she couldn't find any sign of lying. This merely caused her to blush again. She glanced up shyly at him. She already observed him yesterday in class but her heart still fluttered when she saw what the three years had done to his already handsome face. "Mm," she responded, "not so bad yourself, Natsume."
He replaced a smirk on his face – to her dismay – and chuckled, "Of course."
She scowled and pushed him gently as she screeched, "Ugh, obnoxious jerk!" Maybe he hadn't changed so much after all.
Actually, that was the longest chapter yet! Pretty good for two and a half sittings, right? I guess that made up for the cliffhanger too. Also, excuse the OOC towards the end... but it's fluff anyway and you guys soak that up like sponges so haha. Chapter process is, as always on my profile and constantly being updated. So thank you very much and drop a review PRETTY PLEASE!