NATSUME NULLIFIED

Author's Notes: Thank you for letting this story reach over 100 reviews! It's great to know that you enjoy reading "Natsume Nullified" and I also like hearing what you think. Anyway, I'll be uploading the final chapter soon and you can expect that one to be pretty lengthy. I wanted to keep prom night in one chapter no matter how long it turned out.

But before that, here's the second to last chapter. Have fun! Ü

CHAPTER 9: All Screwed Up

I was accompanying Hotaru to her lab when we were suddenly accosted by Ruka who wore a smug smile on his face. He looked incredibly pleased with himself for some reason.

"Hey Yuu," He greeted pleasantly then turned a much warmer smile to Hotaru, "How are you today Hotaru?"

She looked suspicious, "Peachy."

"How's Mikan?" He asked, still grinning down at his prom date.

"She's all right. She's just polishing some details for tomorrow night," Hotaru said carefully, "You look happy about something."

Ruka beamed, "I wanted to give you something."

"Really?" Hotaru asked in surprise, an odd light in her eyes.

"The last time we went to Central Town, I saw something that reminded me of you. Yesterday I went back for it and now seemed like a good time to give it to you."

I smiled when I saw that Hotaru actually looked pleased. It wasn't like her to be so delighted about a gift from an admirer. Points for Ruka.

"It was perfect. It was so you," Ruka went on then with a flourish he reached into this small bag he carried and pulled out— to my consternation— a pink screwdriver. Almost at once, I saw Hotaru's face fall; and Ruka, seeming like as big as an idiot as his best friend, didn't notice. "Some girls get flowers but there's nothing special about that. And you don't like that sort of thing so I thought this is much better."

I willed him to look at me so that he could get the danger signals I was sending him but the fool only had eyes for Hotaru. The irony of it is that he totally missed the displeasure on Hotaru's usually stoic face. From neutral to negative one. I watched in dismay as Hotaru stared at him while he remained oblivious and continued to extol the merits of the screwdriver over any other romantic present. At length, he finally stopped talking, grinned down at his date and extended the tool towards her.

Hotaru gazed at the offending screwdriver for a long moment, and I waited wretchedly for her explosion with the baka gun. It never came.

Instead she reached out, took the screwdriver from his outstretched hand then looked up into his eyes with a scary smile, "Well, you're right. You sure know me well. Thank you."

She sounded pleasant enough though her eyes were throwing shards of ice. Maybe she was going to let this mistake slide. She clutched it tightly in her fist then we started walking again. I breathed out, glad that Hotaru was more forgiving than I thought.

Then suddenly she halted and glanced over her shoulder, reminding me irresistibly of the time she agreed to be Ruka's date. She spoke impassively, as though she was just remembering to inform him, "By the way Nogi, I'm not going with you to the prom anymore."

My head snapped to Ruka who looked like he had just been clubbed over the head. He looked faint then croaked out, "What!"

Heartlessly, Hotaru walked away, leaving the two of us frozen in place, shocked to the core by her declaration. I had to hand it to her. She totally, effectively, destroyed Ruka.

I knew then that this was going to be a long day.

After Ruka broke up with Mikan, he didn't seem all that interested in any of the other girls who tried to capture his attention thereafter. He became as immovable as Natsume and he remained that way for some time. Then suddenly, something happened. Hotaru happened.

It started harmlessly enough. Hotaru started taking pictures of him again after the break-up and their old enmity was restored. Then one morning Ruka shared the sad news that his pet rabbit had died. He was inconsolable for weeks. Worse, he couldn't seem to find the right pet to replace it. We all tried to help, suggesting all sorts of animals, from iguanas to gold fishes. None of them seemed to please him. They were too slimy, too difficult or too heavy. Then two weeks later, in a rare show of compassion, Hotaru showed up with a small cage which she gingerly placed on top of his desk. Inside was a snow-white ferret.

Shiro.

Ruka was shocked. Hotaru said that she did it because he was a much better subject when he was happy. He also sold more pictures if he had an animal with him and a new pet would allow her to rake in Rabbits. Cynical as it was, Ruka was elated. So to our surprise, apparently it was Hotaru who had found a way to console him at last.

Shiro became his constant companion ever since. That ferret is more than just a pet on his shoulder. It was a reminder that deep down, maybe Hotaru cared. I wouldn't say that's when it all started but I'm pretty sure Ruka never looked at her the same way again. As time passed, his attentions became more obvious whereas Hotaru became more inscrutable.

The thing with Hotaru was that she was incredibly blunt. Problem was she was also succinct which made her very difficult to figure out.

That day, Ruka was devastated. When Hotaru left us after her announcement, I thought he was going to collapse. Fortunately, he was able to make it to the front steps before losing all feeling in his body and managed to sit himself down next to Natsume. Now though, Ruka stared forlornly at the field where a couple of kids were playing soccer. He left it to me to fill Natsume in on what had happened.

I could tell Natsume was trying very hard to keep a straight face. Oddly, it was nice to see him a bit cheered up, even if it was at Ruka's expense.

He looked at Ruka dryly, "You're the guy who masterminded setting me up?" Ruka groaned and buried his head in his hands.

At that instant, Koko and Mochu came over to join us. A bright smile was pinned on Koko's face, "Hey guys!" He looked gleeful over something, "Insult me."

"You're an idiot," Natsume said obligingly.

"No, just say it in your head…" Koko instructed, still grinning widely, "Are you doing it? Are you?"

"Yup. I've called you other things too."

"Great! It's working," he held up his wrist to show us the silver band he wore, "I got a controlling device from Mr. Narumi this morning. See? Now, I can't hear a thing!"

"You chose to wear a controlling device?" Natsume asked with a slight frown.

"Yeah, but I put it on myself," Koko explained quickly, "I can take it off any time. With the prom tomorrow, people were getting way too loud." Then he turned gratefully to Ruka who had remained as still as a statue, "It was actually Ruka's idea. So thanks." When Ruka didn't answer he turned back to us, "What's the matter with him?"

I hastily told them and to my chagrin, Koko openly laughed. Mochu looked aghast, "You lost your date, one day before the prom. What are you?"

"Incredibly stupid, apparently," Koko chuckled.

"I can't believe the two most sought-after guys in school are dateless," Mochu said in disgust. At that, Ruka looked up with a scowl.

Quickly I intervened, "Lay off you two. It's not their fault they're so dense."

"Whose side are you on?" Ruka grumbled, finally breaking his silence, "I can't believe she broke our date. Why would she do such a thing?"

I looked at him in amazement, "You still don't get it? You really are dense." Four boys looked at me blankly. "Hotaru's upset because you gave her a screwdriver instead of flowers." In sync, they tilted their heads in question. I exhaled loudly, "You told her it's much more romantic than any other gift."

Mochu snapped his fingers, "Oh, that one I get."

"But it's Hotaru!" Ruka cried, "She loves screwdrivers!"

"I can give her a screwdriver!" I said impatiently, "Mikan can give her a screwdriver. Even Natsume can give her a screwdriver—"

Natsume pursed his lips, "I'd have given her a camera."

"Anyone can give her a screwdriver," I went on irritably, "Except you. Because you're not just anyone, are you?"

"That doesn't make sense at all."

Koko whistled, "No wonder she dumped you. You're so slow. She's a smart chick. No way in hell she'd go out with you."

Ruka lunged for Koko and it's a good thing Natsume had the presence of mind to restrain him. I glowered at Koko, "You're not helping." I turned back to our downtrodden Romeo, "Point is you're supposed to see her differently from the rest of us. Hotaru got a screwdriver from her date. She's a girl. She doesn't want to get stuff like that from her date."

"I'm a cold, insensitive jerk," He turned to Natsume, "I'm you." It was proof of the strength of their friendship that Natsume didn't lash out.

"Look at the bright side," he said instead and Ruka's eyebrows shot up at this revelation that there was a bright side, "You managed to hurt her."

"That's a bright side!"

"You matter Ruka," Natsume said in a long-suffering tone, "That's why a screwdriver just wasn't good enough. Hotaru expected more from you."

I stilled. Now that was unexpected. Mochu and Koko looked like they had been put in their places as well at Natsume's sudden display of humanity.

"Honestly, do you two have to do everything together?" Koko asked. Apparently, now that he had a controlling device, he was even more tactless. "I mean, right now you're both totally screwed. Ha! Screwed."

Two pairs of eyes shot daggers at him. But I saw Koko's point and sighed heavily, "You could both try apologizing. After all, Hotaru always insisted that talking works."

"I don't think they'll talk to them at this point," Mochu said with a frown, "I mean they both messed up, with best friends at that. They're probably abusing you behind your backs right now."

I sent him a quelling look, "Come on, just try it you two. What would you say if Mikan and Hotaru were here?" Then I proceeded to produce an illusion of both.

"Will you put that away?" Natsume and Ruka growled at the same time and the illusion vanished in a puff.

"We won't get anywhere with that attitude," I scolded, "The prom's tomorrow. Tomorrow! Can you really afford to be stubborn?"

"Yes," Natsume snapped.

"No," Ruka muttered then they both turned to each other in surprise, seeing that they weren't of one mind this time. He dismissed it with a shrug, "I'll think of something. I'll get Hotaru to forgive me. I have to."

"Hey Ruka!" Somebody called and we all turned towards the voice. It was Minoru Kusanagi from my class. He walked up to us cheerfully, "Is it true that Hotaru's not going with you to the prom anymore?"

I had to admire him for his gall. The icy expression that Ruka had not worn in years came back and he and Natsume stood up as one. The rest of us cautiously backed off.

"Yeah, what about it?" Ruka barked, in a very Natsume-like tone.

Minoru grinned, "Well, now that Hotaru's available, you think maybe she'd want to go with me?"

I sucked in my breath sharply. It was the stupidest thing I've ever heard and we backed away a few more paces. Natsume produced a fireball but Ruka beat him to it anyway. The gorilla came out of nowhere.

The news of Minoru's disappearance fueled the news of Hotaru dumping Ruka. By lunch time everyone knew and Ruka was being ogled by girls as much as Natsume.

He gritted his teeth, "What I don't understand is why they can't even give me time to come to grips with the news myself."

Natsume looked cynical, "They're not going to wait for you. Anyway, it's news because Hotaru's as much as a catch as you are."

"Thanks, I really needed that," he said sarcastically then bemoaned his luck when he saw yet another lovelorn swain approach his beloved Hotaru. "This is sick. Look at them flock around her. They've never done that before."

"It is one day before the prom," Koko reminded him.

"Yeah, and she had your protection before," Mochu added, "You did ask her pretty early. You blindsided everyone else. Now that she's free again, they think it's a second chance."

"Why did I ever lay eyes on that screwdriver?" He lamented then a few minutes later Hotaru stood up to leave the dining hall followed by a long line of admirers. I could have sworn she threw a triumphant look at Ruka. "I should've sent all those guys to intensive care, just like you did," He muttered dangerously, "Then they'd be too busy nursing their wounds."

"Minoru turned up yet?" I asked as casually as I could.

"Yes," he hissed, "I had the gorilla deposit him at the fountain area in Central Town. That low-life."

"You two are pathetic," Mochu suddenly voiced. "You can't even handle two women you really like."

"I'm sure Sumire's a walk in the park Mochu," Koko quipped.

"No, he's right," I spoke up, "You're so used to being chased after that you have no idea what it's like on the other side. Hotaru being difficult, I can understand. But Mikan?"

"Don't get started on that," Natsume warned.

Before I could argue my point, Youichi walked up to us, striding across the long length of the dining hall to join the High School division. Without hesitation, he took a seat next to Natsume, a grave expression on his face.

Youichi did this every now and then. The connection he began with Natsume when he was three years old had developed into a strong brotherly bond over time. I've always kind of seen the young Natsume in the way Youichi acted with his own fourth-grade class. Everybody there seemed to look up to him with a mixture of awe and caution. Yet around us, he dropped his guard. I can't really explain it. I just attributed it all to Natsume.

"What are you doing here Youichi?" Natsume asked openly.

"She's— she's—" He seemed flustered then changed tack, "I had to get away from my class and anyway, I was looking for…" Abruptly, he turned away from his hero, "Hey Mochu, I need some advice about this girl—"

Natsume bristled, "Why don't you ask me?"

He paused considering then turned to me this time, "Hey Yuu, can I talk to you? There's this girl in my class…"

"Why you little runt—" Natsume growled and Ruka quickly placed a restraining hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

Youichi looked unrepentant, "Obviously you and Ruka have problems with girls."

"Obviously you're about to get injured."

"Shh Natsume, this could be helpful," I shushed him, "Go on Youichi."

"There's this new girl in class," Youichi began, a blush creeping on his face, "She's perky and smiles all the time. She's too loud and she cries easily but she cheers up even faster. She's driving me crazy but I can't stop thinking about her."

We all stared at him, dumbfounded. The reference was unmistakable. Ruka cleared his throat, "By any chance, did she come here to follow her stoic best friend into the Academy?"

"What? No!"

"What's her Alice?" Mochu asked, with a wobbly grin.

"She wouldn't tell us."

"Send her to the Northern Forest—" Koko suggested with glee.

"Shut up, all of you," Natsume said in annoyance. Then he narrowed his eyes at Youichi, "You're ten, right?"

"Yeah."

Koko let out a sharp bark of laughter, "What do you know Natsume? A kid after your own heart." This time Natsume really did hit him at the back of his head.

"So what do I do?" Youichi continued, unperturbed, "We're so different. I know I should forget about her—"

"No!" Mochu, Koko and I said at once. I gave him a vehement look, "Have you learned nothing? If you like this girl, you tell her!"

He blinked at the advice, "But she's—"

"You tell her before it's too late," Mochu agreed, throwing a sardonic look at Natsume who had his fists clenched.

"But what if—"

"You tell her before you turn sixteen," Ruka added then shrugged sheepishly at Natsume who seemed to want nothing more than to scourge us all.

Youichi looked hesitant, "What?" He seemed sorry to have approached us in the first place.

"Go tell her!"

"But we just met—"

"Go!" We said together and he shot to his feet in panic. Before he could move, Natsume grabbed him by the collar and made him sit back down.

"No!" He said loudly, "Don't listen to these idiots, they'll get you in trouble. You tell her when you're sure. You tell her when you're ready. But don't take too long. When you find out exactly how you feel, you speak up. Even if you're not sure where she stands."

There it was. Natsume's lovelife in a nutshell spoken by himself. I was mildly impressed. If anything, that declaration spoken with such decisiveness and calm was enough to affirm just how deeply he felt for Mikan. And how much he regretted what's happened. He should have realized that sooner. At this point Youichi was looking up at him in renewed admiration.

"Thanks Natsume," he smiled gratefully then left.

"Any part of that advice you'd like to take yourself?" I ventured to ask.

He scowled, "No."

Stubborn fool.

When classes were over for the day, I walked inside Class B to find Natsume and the others. The room was empty except for them. I expected to find Ruka moping but instead I found him looking rather excitable. He was carrying a large bag with him and he seemed out of breath.

"Where have you been?" I asked, brows together.

"I skipped afternoon class. I was in Central Town," He informed me. Then he placed the bag on the desk which Mochu eagerly inspected, "I bought every tie of every color imaginable."

"Why? Is there a shortage?"

"There is now," He said wryly, "I have no idea what color Hotaru's dress is. I have to be prepared."

"For what? You're not going with her," Koko said bluntly. Ruka threw a book at him.

"Yes, I am."

Mochu was examining his purchases. He pulled one out, an incredulous look on his face, "Magenta?"

"You know that color?"

"It's Sumire's dress. Can I have this one?" As Ruka nodded agreeably, I snatched the bag from Mochu and peered inside. There were at least a hundred neckties in there of every color known in the textile industry.

"You realize some of these colors wouldn't even look good with a suit," I said.

"I'd go in neon green if it means I can go with Hotaru."

I squelched the urge to tell him off for this extravagance that Hotaru would undoubtedly reproach him for. He didn't have to buy every tie. He could've just asked me to ask her for her dress color. Apparently, he preferred doing things the hard way.

"So now that you've got the ties, how are you going to get the girl?" Koko wanted to know. Ruka sat down.

"I have a plan."

"Really? Let's hear it," Natsume challenged.

"It's in the works," He griped.

I had my doubts about Ruka's scheming ability ever since the whole fiasco with Natsume but he seemed determined enough. I just hoped it didn't involve anyone else's Alice. He should know by now that won't work and Hotaru would probably never speak to him again if she found out he tried to use the same devices on her as we did on Mikan.

At that instant, the back door suddenly burst open and Mikan walked in with a purposeful stride. From the corner of my eye, I saw surprise register on Natsume's face as he snapped around, following her progress across the room with his gaze. Without hesitation, she stalked up to Ruka and slammed a hand on the table.

"How could you!"

"Excuse me?" Ruka blinked.

"Hotaru!" She hissed, "My best friend!" She added as though we hadn't known for years.

"Oh, about this morning," Ruka started, "Well, I—"

"You hurt her!"

"I didn't!" Ruka denied at once but none of us rose to his defense.

In all honesty, I was proud of Mikan. She had been giving Natsume the cold shoulder for almost a week but now she purposely entered a room where he's in just to tell off someone on behalf of Hotaru. That was so like her.

"Yes, you did," Mikan said, shaking in annoyance. Her attention was focused solely on Ruka and not on the other person in the room who was staring at her. "Did you know how excited she was when you asked her to be your date?"

Ruka looked flummoxed, "She was?"

"Well…" Mikan sputtered, "I can't really be sure. She never said so and Hotaru's pretty much expressionless. But trust me, she was happy. And that little stunt you pulled this morning? That was disappointing."

"I didn't think she'd take it so badly," Ruka mumbled, "She never seemed to care before about anything I did."

"Not care?" Mikan repeated shrilly, "Ruka, don't be stupid. The fact that you managed to upset Hotaru should tell you that you actually mean something to her. I thought you knew her better. How can you be so thoughtless!"

That last statement seemed to spark something in Natsume because he suddenly stood up, rigid and aggravated, "Don't talk to him like that."

Mikan turned to him, as though she had just seen him. For a moment a cold look passed between them and I squirmed. A soap opera was unraveling in front of my eyes. Mochu and Koko didn't even bother to hide that they were gawking.

"Why not? My best friend got hurt. He deserves to be told off."

"Not by you," Natsume snapped, "Send Imai in here if she wants him yelled at so badly. It has nothing to do with you."

Mikan ignored him and addressed Ruka again, "How do you plan to fix this? The prom is tomorrow and I can't have Hotaru upset. I used to think she was so lucky because you asked her early on. I thought, 'Hey this is Ruka. Ruka always treated me well. He'll take care of her.' Boy, was I wrong."

"You're not wrong," Natsume said through clenched teeth. He rounded the desk to come and stand in front of Mikan, "Ruka's a good person. It's your best friend who overreacted over something as senseless as a screwdriver."

"It's not senseless!" Mikan cried, "I thought it was impossible for someone to hurt Hotaru. And he did it, just like that."

"Mikan I—" Ruka began but Natsume cut him off.

"He's sorry, all right!" His tone was rising, "And he's trying to correct things. I mean look at him, he's splurged on ties."

"What good does that do?" Mikan returned her eyes flashing, "Hotaru won't even speak to him because he decided to be stupid at the last minute."

I frowned, sensing instinctively that this conversation was going somewhere different. Next to me, I saw Koko slowly remove his controlling device and stare at the two of them curiously. We were all too smart to interfere.

"He wasn't being stupid," Natsume defended, "He was doing something nice but Imai just took it the wrong way."

"In what other way could she have taken that?" Mikan hissed.

"Well, she could've understood," Natsume argued, "She could've realized that maybe he was just having a hard time getting through to her. She could've been more patient and maybe if she stuck around a little longer he would've gotten things right."

At that Koko nudged me and I had no idea why. He nodded towards Natsume and I saw the emotion he was trying to hide.

"It's not as easy as that," Mikan responded, "You can't think too clearly when someone you care about does something hurtful."

"Well maybe Hotaru should have realized that she hurt him, too!"

"Well maybe Ruka should be more honest next time!"

"Maybe Ruka was trying to be honest! Maybe Hotaru just said something that completely threw him off!"

"Then Ruka should have said so! Instead of— instead of—!"

"Instead of buying her a pink screwdriver," Koko jumped in, diffusing the situation slightly.

"Yeah!" Mikan agreed, "Anyway, he should know by now, Hotaru really cares about him!"

"Well Ruka has loved Hotaru for a long time!" Natsume burst out, taking us all by surprise, especially Mikan who looked stunned. In his seat, Ruka sputtered.

"Don't tell her that!"

"It's not about you Ruka," Koko said softly. The four of us watched at the edge of our seats as Mikan and Natsume finally had it out. Natsume had stalked as close to Mikan as he dared while she stayed frozen at her spot, still fuming at him.

"Well he sure has a funny way of showing it!" She said distractedly.

"That's because he's an idiot, all right? He doesn't know how!"

"Well at least we agree on something! He is an idiot!"

"Now wait a minute—" Ruka reacted to the unintentional insult.

"Stay out of this!" They yelled at the same time and he backed off, choosing to stay silent like the rest of us. For a long moment, Natsume and Mikan stared at each other.

For the umpteenth time, I wondered why they didn't just profess their feelings and be done with it. Why did they have to make things so much harder for them both? Mikan looked like she was ready to cry and Natsume seemed to hate himself more the longer he shouted at her. But neither backed down. I watched them do this to each other for years; always too willful to admit something so important.

"He's not right for her," Natsume said quietly, "He doesn't deserve her."

"It's so like you to say that. But don't you realize that I haven't listened to you for six years? She's as stubborn as he is. They're perfect for each other," Mikan said gazing at him intently, "But if he gives up now, he may never know it."

"It's just a prom. It's not the rest of their lives at stake."

"Maybe not," Mikan said still not taking her eyes off him, "But she will remember the prom for the rest of her life and she'll always wonder why he wouldn't dance with her even just once."

Natsume looked away first, "You silly girl."

There was brief silence then Mikan seemed to decide that the discussion was over. Her eyes left him and she turned to Ruka instead, "Hotaru cares about you. That's all you need to know. Fix this."

Then with one last look at Natsume, and the slightest hesitation, she left. To my utter disappointment, he didn't go after her. He dropped to a chair, his hands linked together, looking even more dejected than he'd been the past few days.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"I'm fine," Ruka answered to my left.

"Not you," I grumbled and Ruka moodily leaned back in his chair. Sometimes, it just confuses me how either of them became such a catch.

Even I was amazed at the dirty looks Ruka received from the girls the moment he stepped inside the study hall. I was seated at a desk with them, discussing tomorrow night with Nonoko, my prom date. We broke off our conversation when the noise level dropped noticeably; alerting us of Ruka's approach and the disgruntled stares the others were giving him. Bravely, he walked on then stopped next to Hotaru. She looked up from the book she was reading and regarded him coolly. I tried to read her expression, as I knew Ruka was also doing, to catch a trace of the feelings Mikan insisted were there.

I might as well have been reading a turnip.

"There be my prince and his insensitive purchases," she said impassively. She closed her book and raised an eyebrow in question.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" She asked, sounding almost amused.

"For the screwdriver," he said though it sounded stupid even to me, "I'm sorry for giving you a screwdriver. But come on, it can't have been that bad that you won't go to the prom with me." Hotaru didn't reply and she continued to stare at him with no expression at all. Ruka looked like he was going to crumble at her feet, "Come on Hotaru, I said I was sorry."

"You're forgiven."

His face lit up, "So we'll go together?"

Hotaru shook her head, "No."

"But why?"

"I don't think it's wise Nogi," She said almost harshly, "People might get the wrong idea about you and me. I mean, they might think we actually like each other."

"But I do like you!"

"Hmm, I guess that takes care of your half," she said and I honestly felt sorry for Ruka. Like I said, an angry Mikan was one thing but an angry Hotaru? Unyielding.

"Hotaru please, don't be like this," Ruka pleaded but she merely gazed at him. At length, Ruka finally gave up. With a sigh he held out a small box he carried with him and laid it on the table. She made no move to open it. Ruka mumbled, "Even if you don't want to go with me, this is still yours. I bought it for you and there's no way I'd give it to anyone else."

Then looking like a lost child, he left the study hall. When he was gone, we all watched as Hotaru popped open the white box. Inside was a beautiful corsage of white roses twined with a purple bow. It was then that I saw it. In the faintest way, Hotaru's expression cracked.