CHANGES & KISSES

Chapter 6

It was already past midnight but Mikan couldn't sleep.

Why do I always keep thinking about that pervert?

For the past weeks, she had noticed that Natsume was avoiding her and Ruka like a plague. And it hurts. She doesn't know why but she misses the time when he would often tease her.

She went outside the dormitory to get some fresh air. Suddenly, she heard some noise at few distance ahead.

"Who's there?", she called out.

She turned back to run back to the dormitory, but something seemed to be pulling her to check the noise out. She gathered up her courage and slowly walked to where she had heard the noise.

I hope it's not a ghost! She was scared but her legs seemed to have a mind of its own and continued to approach the location of the noise.

She was surprised to see a man on the ground and he seems unconscious. His profile looked so familiar! She quickly kneeled down and turned him to her. Since the moon's light was brighter than usual, she quickly recognized him.

Natsume!

"Natsume! Natsume!", she shook him, trying to wake him up. "Oh God, what happened to you?"

There was blood all over him.

She lifted his head to her lap, then searched for a pulse. He's still alive!

"Natsume, wait here. I'll call for help.", she told his unconscious form.

She was about to stand when he suddenly grabbed her shirt.

"M-Mikan…?" His voice was weak and seemed trying to confirm who she was.

"Yes, it's me, Natsume.", she replied, wondering why her name sounded really nice when he spoke it.

His eyes opened and stared at hers. His hand lifted to her cheek and caressed it. She grabbed his hand and noticed that he was holding on to something.

"Yeah… it's you… Polkadots.", he smiled weakly.

"Natsume! You…!"

"You… You look much better with your hair down.", he added before losing consciousness.

"Natsume! Natsume!", Mikan cried. She gently laid his head on the ground then ran to seek help.

Mikan was walking back and forth with worry along the hospital's corridors when she heard footsteps rushing towards her. She saw Ruka, still in his night clothes panting when he reached her. He then grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Mikan! What happened? How's Natsume?"

"I'm not sure… I don't know what happened. I was just went out for a walk when I found him like that.", she explained.

"Damn him! What the hell was he thinking?" Ruka was so frustrated. The past 2 months, his mind was occupied with Mikan that he failed to notice what was happening to Natsume.

Natsume seemed to be accepting more missions than usual and he was more withdrawn. But Natsume kept on assuring him that he's alright. Fool that he was, he believed him! He was supposed to be his bestfriend and he didn't know what was happening to Natsume!

Ruka sat with his head bent on his hands.

"Ruka… I think Natsume's going to be alright…", Mikan comforted him.

"I hope so, Mikan… I hope so…"

"Mikan! Ruka!"

They saw some of their classmates rushing towards them.

"How's Natsume?

"Is he alright?"

"What happened?"

They were all worried about him. Mikan hid a smile. Despite Natsume's dark reputation and indifferent attitude, many still liked and admired him. Not because he's good-looking and popular, but because they know he's a good guy and he protects what is dear to him. Although he's not showing it, they know that Natsume had already considered his classmates as his friends.

They heard the door of the operating room open and the doctor went out.

"Don't worry. He's okay now. He's currently resting so it would be better if you'll visit him tomorrow."

Sighs of relief were heard from the group.

Mikan returned to her dormitory and went to the bathroom. Yikes! I look a fright! Her face and clothes have several bloodstains.

She quickly took a bath, then got dressed for sleep. She was about to climb to her bed when she saw her stained clothes on the floor. She picked it up and was about to place it inside the laundry basket when something fell.

A bracelet?

Mikan picked the bracelet but it was full of blood. She went back to the bathroom and washed it clean. After drying it, she examined the bracelet and was surprised.

This is the bracelet that I wanted!

Why is it with Natsume, she wondered, then smiled. I never thought Natsume liked bracelets… hehe… (idiot!)

Now that I'm holding it, it's much prettier than the last time I saw it., she thought. She lifted it up, admiring the way the stones, especially the rubies on the hearts glittered. One heart turned, and she noticed that something was written at the back.

She turned it full, and there it was written Natsume. She smiled again. So, this really belongs to him, eh? She turned the other heart and her smile faded. She could hear the rapid and heavy pounding of her heart. At the back of the heart charm, a name was also written, and it read… Mikan.

Well, it's actually Natsume and Esa! Hahaha! Hope you'll look forward for the next chapter. :-) Thanks everyone for your reviews!