Chapter 17: Babysitting

-0-

Saturday nights at the small little house in the woods were usually quiet and calm. Dinner started out fine; Masa, Miki and Natsu eating dinner quietly. Miki and Natsu didn't dare look at each other, Miki still fuming over the dance and Natsu ignoring her because she was the rat. Masa just laughed inside, knowing that the two were just acting childish. As he slurped a noodle into his mouth, the phone rang. Miki and Natsu ignored it their eyes closed as they ate their noodles. Masa groaned softly and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Masa speaking," he spoke. Miki and Natsu opened their eyes, their focus upon the surprised face of the dog. They heard several hmms and mhmms. Their eyes focused upon him as he hung up the phone and went back to eating. He felt the eyes upon him and put his bowl down.

"Well..." said Natsu. Masa smiled.

"Akina and Tani are coming over tomorrow, you two are babysitting them." Masa explained, sipping his cup of tea.

"What the hell do you mean!" exclaimed Natsu, slamming his bowl of noodles to the table and standing up. "We are spending out Sunday watching over two kids who can take care of themselves?" shouted Natsu.

"Yup."

"Like hell I'm doing this!" shouted Natsu, a growl emitting from his throat.

"If I'm doing this, so are you you stupid cat," explained Miki, glaring at him. Natsu looked at her.

"Hell," he said, turning and walking up the stairs. Seconds later a loud bang was heard for a slamming door. Miki sat her bowl down.

"Stupid ass cat.." she muttered. "excuse me, I'm going to bed..." said Miki. She walked away and soon was in her room as well. Masa watched as the two left and sighed softly. He didn't mention that it was on the orders of Haruko. He felt that if he mentioned Haruko's name, they really would not do it... He leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. Those two...

-0-

"Sup." said Tani the next day. She stood there, Akina by her side.

"How are ya?" asked Akina as they walked in. Miki sat at the table, her eyes fixed on the television. Akina plopped down next to Miki, imitating her position. Tani smiled a bit and looked over at Masa.

"Where is Natsu?" she asked.

"On the roof." said Masa, a smile upon his face.

"Stupid Cat," Miki whispered. Tani looked over at the stairs and made her way to them.

Tani walked up the stairs and stopped. There were several rooms on that flor, how was she suppose to know which was Natsu's? She opened the first door and looked inside. She shut the door. It was to nice to be Natsu's room. She ended up at the end of the hall. She opened the door and smiled. The room was somewhat messy and the faint smell of Natsu's cologne filled the air. She noticed the window sliding door was opened slightly, a faint breeze touched Tani's skin. She walked into the room and walked towards the sliding door. She pushed it opened and walked out onto the balcony. She turned towards the house and looked up.

"Natsu!" she called. Nothing. "Natsu get down here!"

"Shut up!" came a faint voice. Tani's eyes narrowed.

"Get your ass down here before I come up there and get you!" she shouted. A head peaked over the ledge, red eyes looking at her.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"You are suppose to watch us with Miki," explained Tani. She knew she didn't need a babysitter, but it was the principal of the thing that him and Miki were suppose to look after her and Akina."Now get down here" she said.

"Tell that damn ass rat she can look after you herself." he explained, his head disappearing.

"Well, this damn ass rat is going to drag the stupid cat down to watch these too," came a different voice. Miki stood next to Tani, her arms crossed. "Get down here now!" she cried. Natsu's head reappeared and he looked at Miki.

"I refuse, they don't need a babysitter," he hissed.

"Get your butt down here now," she said. Natsu glared at her but he slowly made his way down. Tani watched as Natsu obey Miki and her eyebrow cocked. Why was he being passive now?

"I suggest we go to the park," said Miki. Tani's other eyebrow cocked.

"Whatever floats your boat," said Tani. Miki smiled.

"Akina suggested it," she explained.

-0-

Natsu sat in a tree, watching as Akina skipped around the park, running between the swings and climbing on the jungle gym and sliding down the slid. Tani swayed on the swing. Miki sat on the bench, a book in her hand. Natsu nestled on the branch he was sitting on and closed his eyes. Tani blinked and stood up.

"I'm bored," she said. Akina giggled as she slid down the slide. She looked over at Tani and cocked her head to the side. Miki sat her book down upon the ground and looked at Tani.

"What do you want to do then?" she asked. Tani smiled.

"I wanna go to the mall. I have extra money to burn and its doing nothing sitting in my pocket," said Tani. Akina smiled.

"Thats a great idea!" exclaimed Akina, jumping up and down a bit.

"Okay then, we're going to the mall!" exclaimed Miki, a smile upon her face. She had a little money of her own, and was really looking to buy a couple of new black or red ribbons to put in her hair. Natsu opened his eyes and sat up straight on the tree branch.

"Are you freakin insane!" exclaimed Natsu. Miki looked at him, crossing her arms.

"What do you mean?" asked Miki.

"It is dangerous, there are a thousand people there at a time and we could easily transform." explained Natsu, glaring at the girls below.

"Don't be silly Natsu, mostly girls knock into people, so we can shield you from the girls," explained Akina, smiling. Natsu crossed his arms, his eyes glaring at them.

"I am not standing next to that stupid cat," said Miki.

"I'm not standing next to that stupid rat," said Natsu.

The mall was buzzing with Sunday shoppers. The soft noise of talking filled the air as the zodiac group walked through the mall. Natsu walked next to Akina, his arms crossed. He was upset that they were at the mall, but he was a little happy that he wasn't next to Miki. Now, if only they wouldn't get bumped into, he would be happy. He eyed the girls next to him. He began to wonder if he should try to step in front of them whenever they were in danger. He shoot his head. He was a knight, he was a cat. He looked ahead of them, his eyes keeping a close lookout for any type of female that might threaten him.

Tani's eyes went wide and she grabbed Akina's and Miki's hands. She pulled them with her and ran towards a store. Natsu's eyes followed them.

"Damnit! WAIT FOR ME!" he cried, dashing after the group of girls. Tani entered the store and stopped. Books. She smiled and let go of the girl's hands and began to explore the bookstore. Akina smiled and skipped off towards the little cafe part of the bookstore.

Miki walked through the bookstore, her eyes wandering while her fingers touched the spines of the books on the racks. She stopped at a section and pulled out a book. Her eyes eased a little as she read the title, Cats Verses Mice. She put the book back and read the other titles of the books in the section. Every book in that section was dedicated to the relationship between cats and mice. Miki gave a little sigh. Why must the cat and mice always be enemies? Why must...

"Hey!" came a voice. Miki looked up, her thought flying from her head. Natsu walked towards her in the aisle, his eyes glaring at her.

"There are to many people... can we just get out of here?" he asked, his shoulders tense. He really hated the mall, a lot more than he hated going to school. Natsu closed his eyes, the thought of how many times he was almost fell into or pushed into and it gave him the shivers... To erase all their memories... to leave a place that actually socialized him and he felt welcomed.. Miki rolled her eyes as she looked at the tense cat.

"We are treating Tani and Akina out so when they want to go home, we'll go home," explained Miki. Her eyes caught a little movement behind Natsu, and soft little giggles. Her eyebrow cocked as the sound got louder and seemed faster. Natsu put his hands in his pockets.

"I say we go home n..." he was cut off when he felt hands grab at his chest and felt a body against his. He looked down and noticed Miki, her hands gripping his shirt, her eyes fixed upon something behind her. He looked over her head and noticed two girls running down the aisle. He felt the tension near his chest get loose and he rubbed where she had gripped.

"You could have told me damnit," he hissed. Miki glanced up at him.

"Oh shut up," she spat, turning around. She stopped in her tracks as Tani stood there, Akina by her side.

"Lets go," said Tani, a bag in her hand. Akina licked off the whipped cream from her hot chocolate and giggled.

-0-

The clock in the mall struck six chimes, announcing that it was six o'clock p.m. The group of four slowly made their way towards the escalators and elevators. Tani held several bags in her hands, Akina held a few and Miki and Natsu held zero. They made it towards the elevators when Tani stopped.

"I just remembered something!" she said. The rest of the group turned towards her, a look of question upon their faces.

"I saw this really pretty necklace and I told myself I was going to buy it and forgot to! I'm going to go back real quick," Akina smiled.

"I'll go too!" she cooed.

"Alright... we'll meet you at the front... but don't be too long... Its starting to really storm," explained Miki, as a loud thunder rumbled. A bright flash was seen in the skylight above them, a there were a couple of childish screams from far away.

"We won't take long!" cooed the two as they ran off. Miki turned and pushed the button for the elevator. Natsu looked at her.

"You... are taking the elevator?" he mumbled.

"Course, its so much nicer than the escalators and it won't take as long," she explained. Natsu's ears twitched.

"What if... someone gets in there and bumps into you?" asked Natsu. Miki looked around as the door to the elevator opened.

"Do you see anyone close?" she asked as she walked in. Natsu took a fast look and shook his head. He followed her into the elevator and turned around. The doors began to close but a shout was heard.

"Hold that elevator!" Miki's eyes went wide as she heard and pushed the close button to make it close faster. It was close to closing, but a foot stopped it from shutting. Hands pushed opened the door, and a woman stood there huffing.

"Woo... almost lost it... Hurry up!" called the woman as she walked into the elevator. Natsu looked at the lady, his eyes a little fearful... Hurry up? Miki looked out of the elevator and noticed a small group of women walking towards the elevator. Miki scooted in front of Natsu and backed up against him.

"What the hell..." he said, looking down at Miki, trying to push him to the corner with her back.

"Look out the door..." she whispered. Natsu looked up and saw several ladies walk into the elevator. Natsu felt his back his the wall and he stood there, stuck between the wall and Miki's back. The doors shut and the elevator began to move but there was a small jolt. Miki watched as a small woman fall into her, pushing her against Natsu hard. Natsu's arms moved, his hands landing upon her sides. Miki pushed the female up and slapped Natsu's hands.

"I didn't do it on purpose," he whispered. Miki grumbled softly. This was not the situation she wanted to be in.

"What happened?" asked a small lady. The thunder rolled, and a loud crash was heard. Natsu began to blink. He could hear the rain outside and his eyes felt droopy. He was getting tired, the rain did that to him.

"It seemed like the elevator stopped." said a voice. Natsu's eyes blinked again. That voice.. wasn't female. He looked over to his side and noticed a male standing right next to them. Miki looked to her side too, her eyes wide.

"What... did you... say..." she said, a surprised tone to her voice. There was a male... standing next to her... How did he slip in without her seeing him? She began to panic on the inside. She could save Natsu from being transformed from all the females... but now there was a slim chance that it was she who could transform. The male turned and looked at her. He began to smile.

"Why, I said the elevator stopped," he began "But now it doesn't seem like a bad thing," The hair on Miki's arms stood upright. She didn't like his tone. He was hansom, she gave him that much, but his tone...

"My name is Erik... and you are...?" he asked, his eyes meeting with hers.

"Um.. I'm Miki..." she said softly, a little timid.

"Miki, that is a very exotic name I might say. It fits you though... You have the most interesting eyes I have ever seen... colored contacts?" he asked, leaning against the wall. Miki glared at him.

"Its natural," she explained. Erik's eyes lit up.

"Really... and your hair..." he asked, his fingers moving a couple of bangs from her eyes. A hand pushed away Erik's hand and Miki looked behind her. She had totally forgotten that Natsu was right behind her. Erik's eyes changed from friendly to annoyed. Natsu had been watching the whole thing, and it was pissing him off just how Haruko dancing with Miki did.

"Who are you?" asked Erik, his eyes glaring upon Natsu.

"My name is Natsu." replied Natsu.

"What relation are you to this young lady?" asked Erik, his eyes looking Natsu up a down. Red eyes and orange hair.. it seemed odd that both him and Miki would have such different colors of hair and eyes than a normal person. He figured they were brother and sister... cousins, something like that.

"I'm her..." began Natsu. What was he... he bit the inside of his lip... what could he be... "boyfriend." he finished. Erik's eyes popped up, the same as Miki's. Natsu began to wrap his arms around Miki's waist when the lights flickered and there was a massive jolt. Natsu's grip around Miki tightened and he pulled her towards him, turning her so she faced the wall and he pushed her towards it. He closed his eyes as he felt a body press against his in the back. He took a deep breath and felt the elevator stop and the lights flicker more. He heard footsteps and he slowly opened his eyes. He was still there. He looked down and noticed Miki had covered her eyes with her hands, and she quivered a bit. Natsu pulled away from her, and Miki opened her eyes. She glanced behind her shoulder and noticed Natsu pulled away from her. Her heart pounded. Why, why had he done that when he had more of a chance on getting transformed than she? She pushed away from the wall and walked out of the elevator, Natsu walking after her. She felt awkward. the whole thing was awkward. She stopped and looked around. She felt eyes upon her and she looked in the direction on where they were coming from. Erik looked at her. Their eyes locked, but Miki was brought out of the stare with a forehead touching her shoulder. She turned back and noticed orange hair. She glanced back and Erik was gone. She looked back at Natsu.

"What the hell are you doing?" she asked. Natsu pushed away from her, his eyes droopy. He had seen the pouring down rain and felt extremely tired.

"Shut up... ya damn... rat..." he said softly. She rolled her eyes. What a stupid cat...

-0-

The two of them walked towards the front, and Tani and Akina sat there, looking in their bags. Tani looked up and frowned.

"What took you so long?" she asked.

"Elevator decided to stop," explained Miki, sitting next to Tani. Akina looked over at Natsu.

"You look so tired, why?" asked Akina.

"Rain..." mumbled Natsu, running a hand through his hair. It was part right, but also he was quite tired from his experience in the elevator. He hoped to God he wouldn't have to do that again... it was quite a bit of work.

The group walked out the front of the mall and heard a honk. They turned and noticed a car pull up. The window rolled down and Masa looked at them.

"Would you care for a ride?" he asked. The group smiled and made their way into the car, the girls in back and Natsu up front. Masa put the car in gear and pulled away from the mall. After minutes of silence Masa finally asked.

"So... what went on today at the mall?" Miki covered her eyes and put her head against the back of the seat. She didn't want to get into the story of the elevator... She rubbed her head. To much stuff happened... and she couldn't comprehend it all.. she just needed some time alone right then.. to think... Why must cats hate mice?

-0-

A/N: I've been waiting to write this chapter since I thought of it... but now that its over, I'm so sad ;; It basically turned out how I wanted it, edited stuff through it but its cool. I hope it isn't bad, I had so much writing it. I'm so glad people are still reading it, but its soon going to come to an end and I will be so sad ;; So watch out for the next chapter! Chapter 18: Realization Ta-ta for now!!!