NATSUME NULLIFIED

CHAPTER 8: The Cupid Alice

"Pass the salt please."

Bam!

We all jumped in our seats and Shiro fell off my shoulder. I caught him before he hit the floor then nervously we all turned towards Natsume who had gone on to eat his breakfast as though he hadn't just slammed the unfortunate saltshaker in front of Koko. He looked at our stunned faces, "I thought you wanted salt."

"Err… thanks," Koko said uncertainly before mouthing to me, What's up with him?

I don't know, I thought in my head knowing he would hear it. I glanced at Natsume and then at Mikan, who was also acting strange that morning. She was quiet, and she shouldn't be with the prom so near. Something must have happened. I had these suspicions since last night when Natsume didn't turn up for supper. Regrettably, I've yet to find the opening to ask him about it.

"Hey Mikan, do you want to see what I'm wearing to the prom? I just picked up my dress," Nonoko said excitedly. Mikan gave her a wan smile.

"Sure Nonoko," she said listlessly.

Something was definitely wrong. For starters, Mikan should be eager to see what her friends were wearing. She should also be talking nonstop about their last minute preparations and the surprise anonymous donor Yuu found for her. I watched the girls exchange worried glances then to my chagrin, Hotaru turned the full blast of her icy glare at me.

I shrugged helplessly, totally at a loss. They didn't talk to each other throughout the meal and Natsume didn't even look at her when we left the table before the girls did. What was going on? We headed for our classroom and Mochu automatically took his post near the door. But when Natsume passed by he hissed, "Sit down."

"But— why?"

Natsume didn't say anything and I quickly jostled Mochu inside the room. Clearly, we weren't going to do our morning routine today.

"He's in a mood," Mochu muttered.

"A bad mood," I concurred, watching Natsume warily as he took his seat and fixed his gaze on the window. Actually, he seemed to be scowling at the window as well.

"What's going on?" Koko asked walking up to us in bewilderment.

"I don't know," I scratched my head, "Can't you pick anything up? Go on, figure him out." We nudged Koko forward but he skidded in his tracks.

"I read thoughts not emotions," He said fearfully, "And Natsume isn't really thinking clearly right now."

Suddenly, Yuu came into our classroom and joined our little circle. "I'm getting worried about Mikan. She seems upset. What's going on Ruka?"

I threw up my hands, "Why is everyone asking me?"

"You're the best friend…" Koko said.

"And the ex…" Mochu added.

"And the mastermind," Yuu pointed out.

"But I still don't know what brought this on," I glanced at Natsume who'd been motionless since he sat down. "Come on, let's ask him." Slowly, I walked up to my brooding friend, "Natsume, we want to talk to you."

He looked up, "Who's we?"

I glanced behind me. Koko and the others hadn't followed in my wake. I sent them an awful look and they scrambled over to join us. Natsume's frown, if possible, deepened.

"Is something wrong?" I started but he quickly looked away.

"No."

"Are you sure?" He didn't answer and I thought for a moment, "Mikan seems upset."

"So?"

"So… did you find out yesterday if she's got a prom date yet?" I ventured to ask. At once, the room temperature went up ten degrees and he shot us another angry stare.

"She doesn't," Yuu provided helpfully, "But she's really sad about something. Do you know anything about it?"

Again Natsume didn't say anything and we all stood there, waiting wretchedly for an answer. I had a really bad feeling about this, "What happened yesterday?"

We waited again then to my shock, it was Koko who burst out, "You what?" He looked momentarily weakened and he lowered himself to the nearest chair. We watched as they carried on a silent conversation. Natsume's hand formed into a fist but Koko wasn't done as he stared at our friend wide-eyed, "She said what?... And you said what!... No way… Natsume, you jerk!"

"Get out of my head Koko, or I'll break all your limbs," Natsume snarled and Koko moved back from him.

"What? What happened?" I asked.

"He went up to Mikan yesterday to ask about her date," Koko began in a harried tone, "Mikan said no, she did not have a date. And then she asks him if he'd like to go together—"

"And he turned her down?" Mochu guessed.

"That's not all he did," Koko continued, slamming a hand on the table in disgust, "Her question was, If the girl you ask says no, and nobody asks me, do you want to go together?"

"And what did he say?" Yuu asked worriedly.

"Hell no!"

"No!" We all said in unison, turning to him, horrified. I took a seat next to Natsume, "I don't get it. Why would you say that? What were you afraid of? It wasn't even a commitment. You were her contingency plan."

And as soon as I said it, I understood. Natsume looked back at me, his jaw clenched. Being the proud Natsume that he was, it was probably a blow to hear the girl he liked consider him her last resort. I couldn't believe it. He was hurt

Koko wasn't finished, "Yeah and to tell her that you can go with any girl while she shouldn't hold her breath waiting for someone to ask her is really low, you know that right?"

I wonder if Koko knew just how dangerous the ground he was treading on was right now. Yuu looked aghast, "He said that? No wonder she's so upset."

"Well, it's not irreparable," Mochu said, "You can just apologize. Mikan would forgive you, for sure." We all nodded in agreement but he didn't look convinced.

"She doesn't want to talk to me right now," He said in a strained tone, "And I don't really want to talk to her."

"So that's it?" I said in disbelief, "Aren't you worried that someone will ask her while you're not talking? You're ready to give up your claim on her?"

His eyes flashed before shouting, "I do not have a claim on Mikan Sakura!"

"You don't?" The boys in the room turned towards us as one, their faces lit with hope. It was like every boy in Class B had a death wish. Natsume looked at them fiercely and they shrank back in their seats.

He turned back to us, "Look, just leave it."

Koko looked grim and he glanced at me dejectedly, "This one's a lost cause. He messed up. Big time."

"Would you shut up already?" Natsume said furiously and this time Koko cowered behind Mochu. Natsume slumped lower in his chair then attached his angry gaze to the window, shutting us all out again.

The four of us exchanged glances. Then sensing defeat, we all headed for our places while Yuu left the room. Through the back door, I glimpsed Mikan entering her classroom with Hotaru, looking quite gloomy. I wasn't going to leave this alone. Not by a long shot.

"Why would you say that?"

"I don't see what you're so unhappy about," Mikan said dolefully, "I already did as you guys asked. I invited Natsume to the prom."

"Yes," I said in despair, "But Mikan, to call him your last resort? You know how he is…"

I cornered Mikan in the corridor right after fifth period. She stopped long enough to hear what I had to say, possibly because I looked so anxious. However, when she realized what I wanted to talk about, her sunny smile was wiped off her face.

"I have my pride Ruka," she said looking stung, "You already said he refused to go with me. I didn't want to seem so eager. Anyway, after yesterday, I think you're wrong. He really doesn't want to be my date so you really should find him another partner if you're so set on setting up your best friend."

"He does want to go with you!" I insisted, not caring if I betrayed Natsume's confidence right then, "He's scared off any other guy who'd ever think of asking you—"

"He what!"

Okay, not good. So not good. Short of further damning my best friend in the eyes of his love, I paused to gather my thoughts. "Not on purpose. Everyone just sort of believes that Natsume will be asking you so…"

"So no one did," She said through clenched teeth. Then abruptly, she tugged on Hotaru who was passing by, "Did you know about this?"

Hotaru looked unfazed, "Who didn't?"

Mikan looked like she was near tears, "This is unbelievable. Why would anyone think that? Natsume's a jerk. Why would I want to go to the prom with someone that insensitive? Why would I even be friends with someone like him?"

Hotaru rolled her eyes at her theatrics, "You idiot. You just don't get it. Come on, we're late for our next class." Then she glared at me, "You better tell Hyuuga to stay out of my way today."

As Hotaru propelled Mikan away I stared after them in exasperation. I knew I had a hand in this. If I hadn't told Mikan that Natsume refused to ask her, she would never have called him her last resort. Then maybe by now, they'd be going to the prom together and I wouldn't have a splitting headache. Things were messed up. Mikan just said she didn't want to be friends with him; and Natsume also said he didn't want to talk to her.

I thought these two liked each other. Was I wrong?

I steered the little kid I had with me across the quad to join Yuu and Koko who were waiting for us. They were seated on one of the benches on the cobbled path and when they saw us near, they stood up readily.

"Hey Ruka!" Yuu called in greeting then his gaze slid to the three-year-old boy walking with me. His eyebrows rose.

Tenchi Aino had that effect on people who beheld him for the first time. His looks were striking, with curly golden hair, a deep set of blue eyes, and a beguiling face that was the epitome of innocence. At present, he was also small and adorable, with an appearance that just begged for girls to cuddle him. He also possessed a very interesting Alice that had fascinated quite a number of people.

Koko grinned, "Hey Ruka, where'd you get the cherub?"

"He's a Somatic type like me," I explained, "I borrowed him from class."

"Borrowed?" Yuu looked rather scandalized, "You kidnapped him? He's cute Ruka but that's a felony."

"Relax," I waved a hand in the air, "I'm babysitting. Anyway, there's something I want him to do for us." I watched in amusement as Koko bent down and started playing with Tenchi.

Mochu came over to join us, "Hey guys— whoa." He halted as his gaze fell upon little Tenchi. His brows drew together then he started glancing around.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for the little devil that goes with him," He quipped. Yuu laughed and I glared at all of them as Tenchi moved closer to me.

"Would you guys knock it off, you're scaring him."

"So what's his Alice?" Koko asked as he held out a hand for Tenchi to clutch. The kid reached for him and started swinging it playfully.

"Cupid."

"Yeah, I know he looks like an angel, but what can he do?"

"It's called a Cupid Alice," I said and they looked at me in confusion, "He releases this type of pheromone that can amplify existing feelings in people that causes them to be strongly attracted to each other."

"What good does that do?" Mochu wanted to know.

"Well, let me put it this way. If he uses his Alice on you, you'd be marrying Sumire tomorrow."

He blanched, "Back off kid."

"So what are you planning to do?" Yuu looked worried, "You're not seriously planning on… um… unleashing him on Mikan and Natsume are you?"

"No, that would be thoughtless," I sniped, "I just want to make sure that the feelings we're insisting are there… are really there. Tenchi can tell."

"Sounds good," Koko grinned, "Let's get this show on the road."

We strolled through the quad, looking for either Mikan or Natsume. We spotted Mikan at the tea pavilion with the girls while Natsume was a couple of yards away reading, still wearing a scowl. Once again, we crouched behind some bushes and peered at Natsume.

"So Tenchi," I said kindly, "I have a question. Do you see that boy with dark hair over there?" His bright blue eyes scanned the crowd and he nodded. "How about that girl with the long hair drinking tea?" He nodded again, "Can you tell me if that girl likes that boy?"

Tenchi's face scrunched up in concentration. Then he grinned happily, "She does."

"How about the boy? Does he like her?"

He repeated the same process then his face broke into a gleeful smile, "He does! Very much."

"Great, that's all we needed to know," I turned to the others with a confident grin, "Boys, we carry on as planned. I don't care what it takes. I am bringing those two together if it's the last thing I do."

"So what do we do?" Mochu asked, back to business.

"I know this guy," Koko began, "His Alice is to—"

"None of that!" Yuu cut in, "At this rate, every guy in the Academy will have to fear Natsume for the rest of their lives."

"You make it sound like we're going to fail."

"Right, because our track record says otherwise," Yuu returned.

"I agree with Yuu," I said with a sigh, "We should just try talking to Natsume again. Knock some sense into him, get him to apologize—"

"Uh, Ruka, what's he doing?" Mochu asked pointing at Tenchi. I turned around and looked at the adorable midget who had his arms raised.

"Wow, he's glowing," Koko commented.

"Tenchi, what are you doing?"

"I'm releasing my fairy-mones!" He said enthusiastically and my gaze went from him to Natsume. He was standing up while his manga lay uselessly on the ground. From where we were, I could see that he was now wearing a decidedly goofy expression, with a lopsided smile that only his fan girls would call endearing. He was staring with a dazed expression towards the tea pavilion.

"What's happening Ruka?"

"I think Natsume is being attracted to Mikan," Yuu answered before I did. Our heads turned towards Mikan just as Natsume started walking. Mikan's expression remained clear, as though she still had control of her wits, and she continued talking to her friends.

"I thought you said this was a two-way thing," Koko pointed out, standing up to get a better view. Mochu stood up as well.

"It is."

"I don't know. Mikan looks like she's not affected at all."

"Does that mean she doesn't like him?"

"No way, there must be another reason why she's not affected. Not affected…" I murmured then suddenly Yuu and I exchanged a look of horror.

"The Nullifying Alice!"

"Tenchi stop it!" I cried and he brought his hands down with a pout. I looked back at Natsume but he hadn't stopped walking and the entranced look lingered on his face.

"Why isn't he stopping?" Mochu asked.

"I don't know but we have to do something!" I shot out of the bushes and rushed to Natsume with the others following behind. "Natsume!" He didn't turn, "Natsume!" When I got close enough I grabbed his arm but he wouldn't look at me.

"Mikan…" He said in a broken voice then wrenched his arm free to keep walking. I pulled him back harder but he started to fight me.

"Natsume, you can't," I said hastily, "You shouldn't. You're not yourself."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, still wearing that lovestruck look, "I have to tell her how I feel. Now." Then he shoved me aside with enough force to send me to the ground. He didn't get two steps away before Yuu and Mochu threw themselves at him and they landed on the ground with a thud. Together, we dragged him forcefully behind some trees.

"Stop it Natsume!"

"Let me go!"

"Get a hold of yourself."

"I have to talk to Mikan," He struggled against us pushing limbs out of his way. I tackled him from above then tried covering his mouth with my hand, which he immediately bit.

"Ow!"

"Get out of my way," He cried, still thrashing about, "She might leave. I have to talk to her. I have to tell her something."

"No, you don't."

"It's important."

"You waited six years to tell her," Yuu grumbled, "Try waiting another five minutes, why don't you?"

"Mikan!" He began to call, "Have to talk to…"

"Where's Tenchi?" I looked around. We had to move faster. Apparently, the girls had seen the commotion and were heading for us to investigate.

"Right here!" Koko cried, running up to us, carrying Tenchi by the waist. He set him down next to Natsume, "Come on little man, turn it off."

"I'm trying," Tenchi said, looking scared as Natsume became more violent. The girls were closing in on us. My pulse raced.

"Come on, you can do it."

"Let me go!"

"Hurry up!"

"Natsume stop it!"

"I love you!" Natsume yelled a second before his expression cleared. We all went completely still then held our breaths as Natsume's expression went from shock to horror. His actions rushed upon him and registered in painstaking detail. The moment it did, the look on his face was terrible to behold. For a moment, none of us could move and we stayed there in a perplexing mass of limbs. Behind us, the campus had become eerily quiet, in the aftermath of that awkward confession.

Blessedly, it was then that Mochu's quick-thinking skills decided to manifest themselves. He took a deep breath then stood up, "I love you Sumire!" I could tell he was trying his hardest to sound like Natsume. He moved into view and welcomed his girlfriend, "I love you!"

Sumire looked up at him in confusion, "I love you too, hon."

"Aww Mochu!" Mikan gushed, "That's so sweet!"

The other girls simpered in agreement. Red-faced, Mochu reached out to grab Sumire's arm with a determined grip then he led the other girls away by continuing his avowals of love. When they were gone, I breathed again.

"Get off," Natsume voiced coldly and Yuu and I scrambled to our feet. Koko coughed needlessly. Natsume stood up as well and for a long while, nobody spoke. "You—"

"We're sorry Natsume!" The three of us cried, bowing together in front of him. Tenchi quickly imitated us. Natsume looked unmoved.

"How could you?"

"It was an accident," I said quickly, "I swear. We didn't mean to."

He looked at us in contempt. Then without a word, a backward glance or any sign of clemency, he walked away. I would've borne it better if he had yelled.

I felt like the lousiest friend in the planet. I couldn't blame Natsume for being mad. So mad in fact that for the second night, he skipped dinner. When we had met each other in class, he wouldn't talk to any of us and I had to endure the rest of the afternoon under intense heat emanating from my seatmate. If I were in his place, I'd be furious too but I wasn't one to let this quarrel stretch.

That same night, I walked out onto the roof, guessing correctly that he would be there. Tentatively, I approached and Natsume didn't turn around to greet or stop me. I settled down next to him and there was brief silence.

"I'm sorry."

"Shut up."

"It was an accident," I plunged on cautiously, "I just wanted to be sure about you and Mikan. It wasn't supposed to happen that way."

"You made a fool out of me."

"We didn't mean to. We only wanted to help."

"After I told you to leave it?"

"Fine, we're scum, all right?" I said desperately, "You've got to believe me when I say that I never wanted to hurt either of you."

He didn't answer at once and I stayed where I was, wretched. Then finally, Natsume sighed, "I know."

"You do?"

"Of course I do," he said softly, "You just come up with the worst ideas."

"Yeah," I admitted. There was a long pause, wherein both of us continued to stare out into the campus. Tentatively I asked, "So are we still fighting?"

"It's like fighting with my brother," he said grudgingly and I mustered a smile. He leaned back on his arms, "Where'd you get the kid?"

"He's from my mixed class," I said, "A Somatic type."

"That kid should be a Dangerous Ability type," he grumbled and despite everything I laughed. Natsume smiled briefly. Then without looking at me he asked, "Didn't any of you think that maybe I would've asked her if I were left alone?"

I blanched, "You were going to ask her?"

"I might have."

"Then why didn't you just say so!" I burst out then I cradled my head in my hands, "Oh no… no, no…"

"What are you so bummed about?"

"Natsume, there's something you should know," I began then as quickly as I could I told him everything; I started with the Dream Alice and all the things we told Mikan; I explained why she asked him the way she did; and I ended my story with the conversation I had with her this morning. Part of me was glad to have finally fessed up but the bigger part was just scared of his reaction.

"So you guys pretty much messed up?" Natsume asked darkly.

"Yeah, pretty much."

"So why am I still talking to you?"

"Because… we're like brothers?"

He looked amused, "I wonder if you're allowed to pitch your brother over the roof."

"As a favor to you maybe I'll jump off myself," I said grimly. Natsume laughed but I remained sober, "I want to help fix this."

"I think you've done enough," Then finally he turned to look at me, "Ruka, I need you to back off. Stay out of my way, okay?"

"But—"

"I'll fix this," he said seriously, "But my way, my time— even if it's after the prom."

Mutely, I nodded then his last words clicked, "So you wouldn't mind if she goes with someone else?"

Natsume fell silent then lay down on the roof with a slight frown, "Oh, I'd mind."