Chapter 19: Time

-0-

"What are you reading?" asked a voice. Miki looked up from the note she was reading, and gave a smile to her friend Ran.

"Nothing," She lied. It was a note from Takai. During New Years, both Takai and Miki grew close, closer than they were. The day that they left, he seemed different. The letter proved that. He said that he knew what she felt wasn't for him, it was for someone else. She didn't understand why he had written the letter in the first place... she didn't think she was getting too close to him... if anything, he was the one getting close to her. He seemed fine when he brought her the note, even rubbing her head when he left.

"You sure?" asked Ran. Miki nodded.

"Course. Besides, you shouldn't be worrying about that! Worry about what we are going to do at the lake this weekend!" cooed Miki, shoving the letter into her pocket. She was right. It was the weekend of their big trip to the lake, and they were almost there. Ran giggled like a little girl and moved in her seat and looked out the window. The trees rushed by making Ran excited.

"I've never been to a lake before..." Ran said softly, a dreamy look in her eye. Miki just laughed. She glanced at the boys across from them. Udo was reading a book, letting out a laugh here and there, and Natsu...

"..." Miki crossed her arms. All he had done the whole ride so far was stare at the ground with his arms crossed.

"You stupid cat," she spat, crossing her own arms. Natsu glanced up at her.

"Damn rat," he spat back. Miki glared at Natsu, but smiled on the inside. Since the announcement of the trip, Natsu seemed to be a bit brighter for he was stabbing back at her with insults but they weren't as witty as he used to come up with.

"Oh look, we are almost there," said Masa, looking up from the book he was reading. Udo looked up, marking his spot in his book and looked out his own window. In front of them was a beautiful log built house, extremely long compared to most houses. Ran grabbed Miki's hand and squealed. Miki grinned.

It took the group no time at all to enter the house. Ran and Miki were the first in. Ran held her breath as she looked around the house. The first room was the living room and it was the size of almost her entire first floor of her house. The house was built like a lodge so there were sofas scattered about, a fireplace with a roaring fire, pictures of wildlife upon the walls. Off to the side was a nice size kitchen and table. To the other side lead a hall. Down the hall were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each of the bedrooms had two beds in them each. Ran griped her luggage handle and looked at Miki.

"Lets go find our room," said Miki, grabbing Ran's free hand and walking down the hallway. They came upon the first room and pushed opened the door. Miki smiled as a nice scent of ceder engulfed her. The whole room was wood. The beds had wooden frames, the dressers were wood, the nightstands were wood, and the chairs were wood with green cushions. The entire room was wood with green accents like the bedsheets and curtains. Miki dropped her stuff and glanced at Ran.

"This is so our room," said Ran, hopping onto one of the beds. She squealed as she sank into the soft mattress.

"This is the softest bed I have ever been on..."

"Really?" asked Miki. She hopped onto the same bed as Ran and smiled. "You are right! Its so soft!" she bounced on the mattress and giggled. She was already having a wonderful time and they had just got there.

1-1

The sun was beginning to set and the teenagers sat inside, their eyes looking out the big bay window into the woods that overlooked the lake.

"Its a little too late for you guys to go out and explore, you can do that tomorrow," explained Masa, sipping his tea. Miki gave a little pout. She would have loved to walk by the lake at this time of day and watch the sun go down. She sighed but smiled. It didn't bother her, she was with her friends and it made the day so much brighter you would have never thought the sun was going down in front of her eyes.

"Lets play hide and seek," said Ran, smiling at her friends. Udo gapped at his sister.

"What? Are you serious? Hide and seek?" asked Udo, looking at his sister weirdly. At one of the only moments in history, Natsu had to agree with Udo. Hide and Seek? For high school students?

"That sounds like a great idea!" said Miki. She wanted to do something, and hide and seek was something that they could do.

"I'm not it!" cried Udo, getting up and dashing off. Miki grinned and got up as well and ran off. Ran looked over at Natsu, her eyebrow going up.

"Go and hide. If you are the seeker we'll be hiding forever," explained Ran, pushing Natsu away.

"I don't want to play!" he spat, glaring at Ran. Masa looked at Natsu.

"Don't be a spoil sport and go and hide." explained Masa. Natsu crossed his arms and glanced at Ran. Her back was to him.

"1... 2... "she began to say loudly so it echoed in the entire house.

Natsu grumbled as he looked around the house to find a hiding place. It was going to be easy to find them, for there was only one floor of the house. It would be a little hard to find them because it was a large house. He ran to one end of the house and his ears perked when Ran got to forty. He had ten seconds left. He ran up to a door and opened it. He stepped inside and closed the door. He sighed but he heard breathing and something warm near him.

"Who's there?" asked the voice in the room. Oh hell... thought Natsu.

"Me," grumbled Natsu.

"Get the hell out!" said the voice, which was plainly Miki.

"FIFTY! READY OR NOT HERE I COME!" they heard faintly inside the small closet.

"I can't now unless we both want to be found out... stupid rat," growled Natsu as he tried to back himself against the wall as far as he could so he wouldn't be near the rat. He succeeded a bit.. he could still feel her body heat though. Miki closed her eyes, staring into blackness made her sick sometimes.

"This is your fault you know, why we are like this you stupid rat," said Natsu, not very happy about the situation.

"You know..." began Miki. "I'm glad you're back to your old self," she admitted. She didn't want to say anything about it, but it made her happy that he was being mean back to her. Natsu blinked, he didn't know what to say. She was happy... that he was calling her a stupid rat? He didn't understand her logic at all.

"What?" he questioned, his voice wavering a bit. Miki smiled to herself, knowing that Natsu couldn't see her.

"Before the banquet you were a little on the edge, but you still fought back... but after the banquet you seemed so distant that I didn't know what was wrong. It's kind of weird to not have you fighting back and arguing at me when I plainly put you down... so its kind of nice you're doing it now..." she explained. Her cheeks flushed a bit. She didn't understand why she was saying what she was... but deep down inside, she felt that it was because of her somehow he was feeling not right. Natsu stood there. He was about to open his mouth when a bright light entered the room.

"FOUND YOU!" cried Ran, a smile on her face. Natsu shielded his eyes and Miki rubbed hers. Ran grinned. "You guys were talking so I followed your voice.. good going," she said, winking. "Surprised to see the two of your in the same little closet, you two were being good right?" asked Ran, a big smile upon her face. Natsu grumbled.

"This is stupid, I'm not playing anymore. I'm going to my room," he grumbled. He shoved past Ran and walked down the hallway to his room. He opened the door and slammed it. He jumped onto his bed and looked at the ceiling.

I'm glad you're back to your old self

Natsu shook his head and rolled over onto his side. His eyes stared ahead of him. Why... why did she say that? It was puzzling him... she must have had some kind of motive. His stomach began to flutter and he punched his bed. This was stupid... she was stupid... His body loosened up as he began to think... He soon wouldn't have to worry about her or anything... he'd be locked up and that would be that... His eyes went from furious to helpless as his arm slid off his bed and his hand began to trace little shapes with his fingers on the ground. It was almost time and his life wouldn't matter anymore.

1-1

"WEEEEEE!" shouted Ran as she splashed in the water. The next day came quickly and all four teenagers were out and about. They had made the long journey to the lake that afternoon after they explored the house and grounds before they decided to take a dip in the lake. Ran shivered. "Holy crap its a bit cold!" she said, crossing her arms across her chest to keep anything that would be revealed a secret. Miki waddled into the water, shivering as well.

"You're right..." she said. She peeled away her towel and threw it onto the bank. Ran looked at Miki and squealed.

"Oh my gosh!" squealed Ran, running as fast as she could in the water "I love your two piece! Its so cute and its red," she said. She leaned forward and whispered in Miki's ear "and a little tempting for a guy to just come up and untie those cute little bows." Miki blushed. Ran was right. Miki's swimsuit was a red two piece with black around the edge of the top and the bottoms but on the sides of the bottoms tied into black bows and that was how they stayed up.

"Yours is just like mine!" retorted Miki.

"Yeah, but mine is one dull color, yellow. Yours is sexy," cooed Ran, splashing Miki with water.

"Gah!" cried Miki, splashing Ran back. The two began to run in the water after each other, splashing each other here and there.

Natsu sat in the tree closest to the lake. He laid on the branch that extended out over the lake and a tire swing was tied to the same branch. Natsu felt his branch shake and looked down. Udo was swinging on the tire swing. Natsu grumbled.

"If I fall off, I'm not going to be a happy camper," he growled. Udo cocked an eyebrow.

"You don't like to swim yet you have swimming trunks... this doesn't make sense to me," explained Udo as he stood on the tire swing.

"It's not my idea to have swimming trunks... Masa bought them..." mumbled Natsu. Udo shrugged and jumped from the tire swing into the lake. Natsu rolled his eyes.

"Natsu, get your butt down here!" cried Ran, crossing her arms in the water. She was under the branch he was in, the water up to her shoulders.

"No," said Natsu, sitting up on the branch and looked down at the others.

"Why?" asked Ran, tilting her head a bit, but not much because she didn't want to get water in her ears, at least not yet.

"I don't like water..." he began and his eyes darted towards movement. He hopped onto the branch then dived into the water. There was a splash and Ran wiped the water from her face. Don't like water... ha... she thought. Miki looked up when she heard a splash and looked at Ran.

"What was that?" she asked. Ran shrugged. Miki was about to turn around to look at the noise that was being made behind her but felt herself being gripped by the calves and being pulled under. She took a big breath before she went under. She opened her eyes and they tried to adjust as she felt hands begin to travel up her legs. She began to kick and felt herself get loose and pushed off the chest of her capture and swam to the top. She took a big breath and looked around. She traveled a couple of feet away from where she was and blinked when she saw that Udo was right where she was. A head popped up and she screamed. She slapped the figure and then slapped him again when she figured out who it was.

"You pervert!" she shouted. Natsu rubbed his head and glared at her.

"Sorry for doing you a favor..." he hissed so only she could hear him.

"I thought you didn't like water Natsu!" cried Ran. Natsu looked over at Ran and glared at her.

"I felt the urge to make a splash," he said. He swam towards the shore and got out of the lake. He grabbed a towel and began to dry himself off. Miki watched him and gave a little smile. He did do her a favor...

1-1

The sun was beginning to set and the sky was beginning to fill with dark clouds. The whole forest began to smell damp like it was going to rain. Miki was the last to climb out of the lake and grab a towel. She began to dry herself and smile at Udo and Ran while they dried off.

"That was actually pretty fun," she said, the smile never leaving her face as she finished drying herself off.

"Sure..." said Natsu, his eyes looking at the sky. Something didn't feel right... and he didn't like the feeling he was getting. Miki glanced over at Natsu then at the sky. It was going to start to rain soon.

"We should head back... dinner should be ready anyway." explained Miki, throwing her towel over her shoulder. Udo looked over at her.

"Whats the hurry? It smells like its going to rain and I love the rain," explained Udo, a smile upon his face. Natsu's ears twitched and Miki looked at Udo.

"I don't like the rain much, makes me tired," she lied as she headed up the hill on their long journey back to the cabin. Natsu watched her and soon was in tow.

"This is an evil hill... it wasn't bad going down it... but going up..." whined Ran as they climbed the steep hill. Udo brought up the rear and stopped. Ran noticed he stopped and she turned around.

"Come on Udo! I don't want to be outside when it starts to rain," she said. Udo looked at his sister then at Miki.

"I have something to say..." he said softly. Miki raised an eyebrow, along with Ran and Natsu.

"What do you have to say?" spat Natsu. Udo looked at Natsu and the looked down. His stomach began to flutter and he closed his eyes. No... his feeling wasn't right... he couldn't feel the way he did... it would just hurt him in the end.

"I have to say..." he began, "that I like rain. Yup! Thats it!" he said, a smile upon his face. Ran groaned and slapped her brother upside the head.

"That was stupid to stop us for you blockhead," she grumbled. Miki laughed and turned to walk up the hill.

They reached the top and Ran fell to her knees.

"I think... I'm going to die..." she moaned as she caught her breath. Miki giggled as she looked at Ran. She turned and scrunched her eyebrows. Someone was standing in front of them and she couldn't tell who it was.

"Masa?" she asked as she heard thunder overhead.

"Not quite," called out the voice. He walked a little closer and Miki froze. Natsu looked at Miki and noticed how still she had gotten and turned his attention to the person in front of them. His eyes went wide.

"Haruko..." he whispered. Haruko smiled.

"Natsu... Miki..." Haruko said softly, a smile upon his face. Miki stepped forward, not taking her eyes off of him.

"What are you doing here? You aren't well enough to be out on your own and its going to start raining," spat Miki, trying to make Haruko guilty he was out by himself. She knew he knew what he was doing, but she didn't like it... didn't like it at all.

"I'm here to collect something..." explained Haruko, his voice being calm.

"Collect something? What is it?" asked Miki, curious at what Haruko would be here to get. Haruko's arm raised and his finger pointed at the victim. Miki followed his point and her eyes landed on Natsu. Natsu's stomach began to flutter. Him... he had come for him...

"Why... why Natsu?" she asked, her voice wavering. She was confused... she knew he would be locked up but the former cat was locked up after high school... and they had another full year once this year was over so she was a little confused.

"All of the cats get locked up, its in their nature... and I feel that it is now the time for him to be locked up. Also, he has not broken the curse so he must be locked up now," explained Haruko, his eyes locking with Miki's. His gaze sent chills down her spine. Why? Just because he didn't break the curse then... and what made Haruko think that Natsu would break the curse? Natsu coughed and glared at Haruko.

"Hey, I have until the end of school, that is what you said... You're here for something else too, aren't you? What is it!" exclaimed Natsu, his anger beginning to swell up inside of him. He knew Haruko was here for something else, he just knew it. Haruko smiled, crossing his arms, and looked at Natsu.

"You are a smart pussy cat. Yes... I'm here for one other thing. This thing belongs to me and I've been waiting for this moment ever since I was little... Miki... I love you, now come to me, you rightfully belong to me..." explained Haruko, walking forward, his hand extended for Miki to take it. Miki's eyes went wide.

"I... I... I don't love you though... I can't go with you... and I'm not some prize that you can claim yours!" she shouted, tears near her eyes. She didn't understand why she wanted to cry at that moment, something inside of her was beginning to go crazy... the rat inside of her felt like this had happened before and feared that whatever happened in the past was going to repeat itself.

"I'm the God Miki, everyone listens to me. This whole trip was set up, don't you see? Natsu, didn't ever think that this was set up, so close to the end of the school? I set the whole thing up with Masa, who was a loyal dog and did what I said... The only thing that I didn't expect were your two little friends coming along... Its a pity that I Ryu will have to erase their memories later..." said Haruko, a little fake pout crossing his face. Ran looked at Haruko, the whole conversation going over he head.

"Erase our memories? What the hell are you talking about? Miki!" Ran shouted, her voice scared. Udo knelt next to his sister, not sure what to make of this situation. Haruko began to approach Miki and Natsu stepped in front of her. Miki looked at the back of Natsu's head and her heart began to pound. Inside herself, the rat was getting more and more agitated... this all seemed familiar, like it happened in the past.

"My, my, the pussy cat being brave?" asked Haruko, a tease spraying from his words.

"As long as I'm here and you are there, you aren't getting anything that you want Haruko... and that is a promise, you bastard" said Natsu. He was angry, every part of his body was aching. He wanted to fight, fight Haruko. He ran forward, his eyes set on Haruko. Haruko wasn't getting him... or Miki not as long as he could help it. Natsu raised his right arm to punch Haruko but Haruko grabbed his right wrist and twirled him and grabbed the juzu beads from his left wrist and pulled them off and jumped back.

Natsu fell to the ground and his eyes went wide. He looked at his left wrist. His bracelet... was gone. His eyes looked at Miki before he could feel his body beginning to mutate. He felt his bones begin to grow and his flesh melt. He let out a loud howl as he transformed. It had been so long... so long since he felt the pain, since he felt useless and scared... Miki watched as he transformed and her eyes went wide. Her hand began to twitch, wanting to cover her nose from the horrible smell of rotting flesh but she stood still, her eyes glued to Natsu. This form...

She is so lucky she didn't have to see him.. Sleep my little rat and pray you will never have to see his true form... pray little one and good night...

This.. this must have been what the person who put her to bed that night said about Natsu... He must have turned into this horrible creature the night that Sakura and Mamoru disappeared and lost their memories...

"M... Miki... do you change into a horrible thing too?" shouted Udo. His body was petrified. He was now hugging his sister, looking at the horrible figure in front of them.

"No... no I don't..." said Miki, her eyes glued onto Natsu. Udo began to shake.

"Why do I feel like you're lying?" said Udo, hugging his scared sister. Miki turned her head and looked at Udo. Because I am... I do turn into a horrible thing... but... Miki looked back at Natsu not that horrible...

You will die alone... you're the rat...

Tears formed into Miki's eyes. She was scared... she didn't understand what was going on... Her eyes locked with the fully transformed Natsu's. Natsu looked into Miki's eyes and his skin began to creep. She was crying... she saw his true form.. she'd never except the stupid cat ever again... She would never see him again... that damn rat... would never see him again and he would make sure that he'd die alone... Haruko would have one thing he wanted... Miki... and Natsu couldn't do anything about it. Natsu turned towards the woods, and let out a loud howl as lightening struck, followed by thunder. He dashed towards the forest while the rain began to fall. Miki's eyes went wide and it took her what seemed like hours before she ran after him.

"Natsu!" she called. He had to come back... he couldn't hurt himself... she couldn't let that happen. Haruko watched as the rat dashed after the rat. A smile was on his face. The time had come... his true form was revealed and it scared Miki senseless... and he would make sure that she would stay scared... Haruko soon dashed after them, leaving the twins back in the cold, both of them not daring to move.

1-1

A/N: Dun dun dun... I hope you enjoyed this chapter.. I feel like putting off the last chapter for I don't want the story to end. Someone mentioned to write a sequal... I don't think I'll be able to, I think this story will end itself... I might write a story just devoted to the Tohru story that I did early in the story, for I feel like I can develop that a lot to make it a nice size story :) I'm going to cry during the next chapter ;; this sucks.. I don't want to end it, but it must end :( Until next time!