DISCLAIMER: Gakuen Alice ain't mine. sigh
Thank you so much for the support and touching comments you guys gave me. My gratitude and appreciation defy words. And for the nth time, I'm really sorry for updating so late. Much as I wanted to update fast, I couldn't. I've been busy and of course I wanted to furnish this chapter for your delights. However, I'm not quite sure if I made this chappie as good as the previous one. Lemme find out. This chapter is also for Ruka and Hotaru fans. She's kinda out of character here. Read on beloved readers.
CHAPTER 5: The Revelation
Damn! What's Mizu doing here? The boy with red orbs thought furiously. He summoned all control to remain calm when he saw Mizu fondly put his arms around Mikan. He had to leave the room or he would have thrown fireballs at the purple-haired boy.
Ruka almost smiled when he saw flames at his bestfriend's eyes. He left Natsume at the park and went to Hotaru's laboratory. He preferred to leave Natsume alone for the meantime than catch all the Black cat's fury.
"Oh there you are, Natsume." It was Persona's voice that broke Natsume's deep thoughts.
Oh great… Just great... Another pest to ruin my day, Natsume told himself. "What do you want? Do you have an errand for me?"
"Oh nothing. Just a short meeting at my office." Persona replied and sighed. "Come along now…"
Natsume frowned. Now what's wrong with him? I've never seen him this bothered.
"So what's this meeting all about?" The boy asked impatiently when they entered Persona's office.
The mysterious teacher remained silent. He sat behind his table and removed his mask. Again he sighed and stared blankly on the floor.
Natsume frowned more. "Hey!" He snapped his fingers. "Speak up and let's be done with this meeting."
Persona cleared his throat. "I guess your wish has been granted."
"My what?!"
"You've been dying to get me out of your life even for just a day, right? Well congratulations you won't be seeing me for months… maybe years," he paused to see the boy's reaction. But Natsume just raised a brow. Damn this kid, he surpassed me for being so cold and unemotional, Persona thought. Guess I've taught him so well to be like that. "The faculty has decided to send me to Vienna to train some students there."
After seeing Persona's bothered face, Natsume can't help it to smile. "Now that's the kind of news I'd like to hear." Finally! Freedom at last! And good riddance, he thought. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some other things to do."
He was about to leave when Persona spoke again. "There's more. My absence may be the fun part for you but I doubt it if you'll like this particular part."
"And what is that?" Obviously, Persona caught Natsume's attention. He nodded in satisfaction. "I'll be out of your life but it doesn't mean that your trainings are over. As usual, you will have missions—"
"Stop beating around the bush and spit it out!" Natsume cut him off. Quite irritated.
"On your missions and trainings, you'll be having a team to work with, Natsume…"
"A team?!" Natsume shouted. "You must be kidding! Have you forgotten? I work alone!"
"Yeah, I know. But as you can see, I can't do anything about that. That isn't my decision, it's the organization's decision."
"Well do something about it! Darn it!" Natsume threw a fireball on one of Persona's priceless figurine.
"Hey! Don't wreck my office!" Persona calmed Natsume down. "I know how you feel. Why don't you look at it this way, having a team will make your dull days a little interesting, right? It's been years since you had a team. Don't you miss having one?"
"No, I don't!"
"Oh come on now… It wouldn't be that bad having a team. It's an organization's decision anyway. So we can't do much about that."
Natsume sighed sharply. "I guess I don't have any other choice, do I?" He sat on the couch. "And who might be these people I have to work with?"
"You already met him awhile ago back in your classroom. Remember the boy with the Alice of Water?"
"You mean Mizu?" Natsume grimaced.
"Yeah. He was one of your former comrades, right? That would make it less stressful for you." Persona replied. "I haven't met the other two though. Narumi said they had an intensive training in Spain so those boys are not going to be a burden for you."
"I see…" Natsume nodded. So Mizu's here for training and missions. But what's he got to with Mikan?
"Anyway, that's all for now. Narumi will introduce the rest of your team. And oh, by the way, I noticed that Mizu's fond of Mikan. Is she his girlfriend?" The mysterious teacher asked nonchalantly.
"How the heck should I know?" Natsume growled then stormed out of the room. Girlfriend, my ass!
The raven-haired boy muttered expletives and decided to go to the forest. That idiot! He gritted his teeth as a certain emotion slipped in… an emotion he thought he was not capable of feeling – Jealousy.
He gasped sharply at the thought. Jealousy? That's absurd! And ridiculous at the same time! However, thinking that Mizu and Mikan spent two whole years together in Spain and knowing the purple-eyed boy's reputation towards girls, Natsume wanted to burn him to ashes.
He was still battling with his emotions when he heard a huge splash. It came from the bayou! Someone discovered his private place… his sanctuary. Darn it! Who could that be? With this mood I'm at now, I could burn that intruder. Natsume jumped to the trees and went to the bayou.
He leaped and landed on the highest boulder near the water. Now where's that intruder? Natsume surveyed the place and spotted something. Female garments?
Before he could think anything else, his intruder surfaced from the water. Wide auburn eyes met his red orbs. And for a moment, it was like time stood still. Shock crossed both on their faces. He was looking at the face that had been taunting him for the past years… Mikan…
From the clear water, he could see droplets of water dripping from her cheeks to her lovely chin… Luscious lips slightly open from breathing… Her long silky hair hanging on her shoulders… A waist he could probably span with his two hands… The way she threaded in the middle of the water, arms swaying gracefully… And the sun rays penetrating the leaves of the trees were illuminating her place.
The boy recovered first from the temporary enchantment. Still, he couldn't take his eyes off Mikan. She was like a siren… A water nymph… A goddess of river… My angel…
My angel? He sucked his breath. Now where did that idea came from? He shook the idea from his head and started to climb down from the boulder. "You invaded my room and now my private place… You will pay…" He spoke slowly and grinned. A devilish one…
It was Mikan's turn to suck her breath. She rarely saw Natsume in that manner. It may be a grin, a devilish one from that matter, but it took all the animosity and coldness from Natsume's handsome face. He was like an ordinary boy… Without his unwanted Alice who enjoyed life to its fullest.
It was Natsume's soft cough that brought Mikan back to her senses. His words finally penetrated her brain.
Her eyes became chinky. "Your private place? I don't see your name posted anywhere. Not in the trees… Not even under the water." What's he doing here? Mikan panicked from the inside. And I thought I could swim here wearing only my birth suit. Good thing I left my under wears on.
She searched for the clothes. Found it! She started to thread towards her clothes but Natsume burned it before she could even get out of the water.
"Why'd you do that? Darn it!" Mikan shrieked.
"Didn't you hear me? I said you'll pay for invading my place…" Natsume took off his shirt and jumped to the water.
Mikan gasped. "Stay away from me!" She hurriedly went underwater and started to swim away from the boy.
"Hey! Wait!" Natsume went underwater and tried to catch Mikan.
Whenever he caught up with her, she swam faster to widen their gap. Finally he coped up with her again and grabbed her from her waist. He kicked from the water and surfaced with her. They were both gasping for air when they emerged.
"Let go of me!" Mikan wiggled to free herself from Natsume's arms.
"Stay still and let me catch my breath first! Goodness! Where'd you learn to swim like that?" Natsume said while gasping for air.
Mikan stilled her movement and let Natsume do the threading. She watched him catch his breath and felt guilty about it. I know Natsume's strong but water is not his forte…
The way she swam could pass for an Olympic swimmer or better. Mizu taught him everything about swimming in case she had missions on water.
Unconsciously she stared at his lips… Those sensuous lips that kissed her two years ago… She swallowed hard when she remembered again how firm those lips were and how she shivered the first time it touched hers. Her eyes moved upward only to gasp as her eyes met his.
"You're staring at my lips as if you're begging me to kiss you." Natsume said then grinned, flashing a perfect set of teeth. "Why you conceited –" Mikan stopped when he saw his face inching closer.
"N-Natsume…" Mikan's face flushed in deep shades of red.
The boy's face inched closer. Mikan could feel the soft breeze coming from Natsume's breath. Her heart was thumping violently when the boy stilled his face an inch from hers.
"You know I'm willing to oblige and give you the privilege to kiss me but I don't kiss my girl in front of a spectator." His stare passed over her shoulder. "Your boyfriend is here."
"M-my boyfriend? B-but I don't have –" She stopped again in mid sentence when she saw the flames in Natsume's eyes.
She looked behind her and saw Mizu standing on a boulder with equal grim set of lips as Natsume's. What's with this two? I thought they were comrades before?
"Mizu-kun, how'd you find me? I haven't told you about this place…" Mikan tried to break the tension from the two, unaware of Natsume's arm still on her waist.
Mizu remained silent. His eyes still locked on Natsume's then moved to Mikan and focused on the mark on Mikan's chest.
So the bastard in Spain did tell the truth… She has the mark of Black Cat… For some reason, his heart constricted at the thought.
FLASHBACK
"Lastly, do a lap around the academy," Mizu instructed Mikan.
"Eh?! B-but that's a long way—"
"Stop complaining! We need to strengthen your stamina."
"B-but…"
"No more buts. Now run along, señorita." Mizu waved at her. "And be careful…" Mizu added softly.
Mikan pouted. "Oh alright! You boys really make it hard for me!" She gave Mizu a deadly look before running towards the forest then gritted her teeth when she heard Mizu's bark of laughter.
Hundred crunches and climbing and jumping on high places for warm up. And for the main training, bone-breaking martial arts, swimming two hundred meters, walking on dark places without tripping while solving hard puzzles on the way and doing parachutes from such a high place. And lastly, for a cool down, running around the academy. These were the special training Mizu made for Mikan.
I never dream of doing these things everyday! Darn it! Does Narumi-sensei know about this? Mikan was in deep thought when she noticed that she was no longer familiar with the place.
Uh oh, I must have taken the wrong turn. She started to head back to where she came from but couldn't find the way out of the forest. Mikan calmed herself down. I shouldn't panic. I'm going to be a member of an elite group.
She was walking for hours when she heard something. Voices! I hear voices! It must be Mizu and the others looking for me! She sighed in relief and started to walk to the direction where she heard the voices.
"Hey guys, I'm here! Thank goodness! I was about to—" She stopped… Her eyes went wide a fraction… And held her breath… It wasn't Mizu and the others…
"Wow… Well, well, well… What a lucky day this is…" The boy with dark shades spoke. "We have a visitor guys and a cute one too." The other four guys grinned.
"What are you doing in a place like this, little girl?" The other boy spoke and walked towards Mikan.
"I w-was kinda l-lost… C-could you tell me the way out of this forest?" Mikan replied. I must not panic… Darn! How come I can't see their nightmares? How the heck did I activate that Alice? She thought hard. Darn it! I don't know how I did it.
"We can show you the way, miss… But come join our little party first."
"N-no… T-thanks. My friends must be worried by now…" Mikan stepped backward. "S-sorry to disturb you… I-I'll find the way out myself…"
"Not so fast, little miss." The boy grabbed Mikan's arm.
"Let me go!" She tried to pull her arm but the boy had a tight grip. "I said let go of me!" Fear started to crawl her skin. Wait… It… It was like… the first time I came here…
"Yeah… That's it… It's another test, right? For me to become a member…" She looked at the boy grabbing her arm. "Alright now… Your plan's busted. You can let go of my arm… It's starting to hurt, you know…"
The group looked at each other for a while then burst out laughing. "What the heck are you talking about, girl?"
"I never thought Japanese girls are quite comical," one of the boys said, his shoulder still shaking from laughing.
"Cut the commercials and let's get on with the party," the leader of the group said grinning.
"Yeah!" The others replied in unison.
Oh no… This is for real… Mikan used her full strength to break loose but the other three grabbed her other hand and legs. "No stop! Let me go!" She shouted hysterically. Then she saw the leader removed his jacket and walked towards them.
"No…" Tears started to form from Mikan's eyes. "Don't come near me…" She choked from her tears and sobs. This… can't be… happening…
Her heart was pounding hard as she saw the leader a few inches from her, "No! Stay where you are!" But the leader ignored Mikan and knelt beside her.
"Hmm… Soft skin…" The leader said while caressing Mikan's face.
"Don't touch me!" Mikan shrieked and bit the boy's hand.
"Why you little viper!" He shouted and slapped Mikan.
She tasted blood from her lips but ignored it. The pain inflicted by the boy made her temporarily forget her fear. Why can't I use my Alice? Darn it! Just when I need it the most! I must think of something for me to escape… I must— Her eyes went wide when she felt the boy's lips on her cheeks. She quickly turned just in time to avoid him from kissing her lips.
"You're quick eh?" The boy grinned. "But let's see if you can do something about this!" Mikan gasped when the boy grabbed her shirt and ripped it.
Unable to move, the fear started to creep to the horrified brunette again. All her hopes flew away from her… Somebody help me…
Her eyes went wide again as the boy bent towards her. She was in panic… Tears started to cloud her sight… Help me…
A figure of a boy formed in her mind… The figure had hair as dark as the raven's feathers with pairs of red orbs… Please… Please… Help me…
She closed her eyes and finally shouted the figure's name. "Natsume!"
Suddenly Mikan's body emitted a blue light that momentarily blinded her ravagers. And from all the fear and pain she had been through, Mikan succumbed in a faint.
Back at the park, Alex saw the beam while they were waiting for Mikan. "Mizu, what's that blue light?" He pointed to the beam coming from the forest. It was like a laser bursting to the sky.
A sudden leap of fear stroke Mizu's heart. "Andrei, hurry!" Without a word, Andrei levitated together with Mizu and flew towards the light. Yuri dashed to the site while Alex and Nat teleported.
"What the heck just happened?" One of Mikan's attackers shouted when the light subsided. "That light almost blinded me…"
"Yeah. I thought I was a goner." The other one replied. "This kid is really something, right boss?"
But their leader remained silent. They saw his face became pale. "What is it, bro?"
"She said Natsume just before she fainted… And look at that…"
"Huh? Look where?"
"The thing on her chest, you idiots!"
It was glowing… More like blazing in its brightest red… Emitting a red flame… It was…
"The Black Cat's mark!" The boys exclaimed. "How come this girl has the mark of the famous Black Cat?"
But before they could think of an answer, a windstorm came and threw the group away from Mikan. It was Yuri. He gritted his teeth when he saw Mikan's clothes where ripped. He quickly removed his jacket and put it on the girl. He was cradling Mikan when Mizu and Andrei arrived.
"Mikan! Are you alright?" Mizu took Mikan from Yuri and held her in his arms. But the girl was still unconscious. He muttered expletives while the silver-haired guy cursed silently when they saw the bruise on her lips.
Alex and Nat arrived last. They have to teleport meters away from the site. Alice of Teleportation belonged to The Healer and must not be seen by other students being used by a kid in Kindergarten division.
"When I arrived here… her clothes… were ripped—" Before Yuri could finish his sentence, Andrei started throwing lightning volts on Mikan's attackers while Alex used his Glock to shoot the ones who tried to run away.
"Hey guys, stop that! You shouldn't use Silverfox's and Deathstalker's Alices in public! You'll blow our cover!" Nat yelled.
"You can't stop them." Yuri spoke. "I've used Knightmare's Alice of Windstorm just a while ago when I saw those bastards surrounding Mikan."
"And look at Andrei… I've never seen him that angry," Mizu uttered then sighed. "Don't worry, Nat. Alex will just erase the part of their memories where they saw Arcangelion's Alices being used by us."
Mikan moaned and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Andrei and Alex using their abilities on the group. "Yamero yo…" Her voice was hoarse. "That's enough!" She shouted and used her Nullification Alice to dispel their Alices.
"But Mikan, these guys—"
"I'm alright, Alex. Just a minor bruise. You guys just came in time."
"You sure you're okay?" Andrei asked her in a low voice but his eyes still showed fierceness for the boys who hurt her and fear for something that might happened to her.
She sweetly smiled at the silver-haired boy. "I'm fine, big bro. They'd be pushing up daisies before they could even have me."
Everyone sighed in relief. "Yup. That's the Mikan spirit alright."
"And as for you bastards, your memories will be erased from the time you saw Mikan in the woods." Alex aimed his gun at the group.
"Darn it! Knowing the true identities of the members of Arcangelion, this could have given us a lot of money!" The leader sneered. "And the girl who bears the mark of Black Cat…"
"Mark?" Mizu frowned. "That's absolutely ridiculous! She couldn't possibly have Natsume's mark." Could she?
"It's pointless to have a fight with you. Besides, I had the chance to kiss a precious girl…" The leader grinned. "She may be just a young kid from the outside but her body told me that she's enough of a woman…"
And that was it. Mizu's patience finally snapped. His eyes turned in its deepest shade of purple and instantly froze the boy.
"H-he's the… Dark… Phantom… Darn it…" The ice-covered boy thought before he lost consciousness.
"Caramba! Mizu, you didn't have to do that." Yuri shouted out. "We all know that he's lying. Right Mikan?" But the girl was already fast asleep in Mizu's arms.
"We better take her back to her room." Nat held Mikan's hand and examined her. "Except for the bruise, she's perfectly fine." The little kid bent and kissed Mikan. "There… I healed her bruise. You can take her to--" His sweat dropped. He saw fumes on his comrades' eyes except for Andrei who remained passive.
"Why you little pervert!" Alex hit him in the head.
"Come on you guys, knock it off." Mizu said, his eyes already returned to its original color. "Nat, teleport Mikan to her room. Yuri, tell grandpa about what happened here." Then he turned to Alex. "You know what to do about their memories, Andrei and I will search he place if there are any other students who saw our Alices."
Everyone went off to do their errands when Andrei spoke. "Do you think that guy's telling the truth?"
"I don't know… I mean I'm not quite sure if I should believe that bastard…" he paused. "…It's been ages since Black Cat decided to live in Japan…" That guy… He didn't even write not even once!
"Maybe the bastard told us that crap just to cover his humility." Andrei replied.
"Yeah. Maybe that's it. He was, after all, a leader of a gang. He told us that to save his pride. Besides, Mikan didn't say anything about Natsume…" Or she doesn't want to talk about him at all…
"Anyway, let's get this over with," the double silver boy, both his eyes and hair, started to search the place.
Mizu sighed. I want to ask Mikan about the mark… But I don't know how I will react if she does have it…
END OF FLASHBACK
Mizu cleared his throat and whisked the thoughts away. "You know I can't sleep long…" Mizu said, "…without you by my side, querida." He added then flashed his most sensual smile at Mikan. She gasped when he felt Natsume tensed and the water grew warm.
"Now Mikan darling, we need to hurry up." He turned to Natsume. "Lo siento (I'm sorry), Black Cat but my Mikan and I need to talk in private." He cocked his head at the boy while emphasizing the word "my".
Mizu waved his hand. A portion of water formed into a hand. It lifted Mikan that made Natsume groan as he was forced to let go of Mikan. He didn't like the emptied feeling. Then the mass of water landed Mikan softly on Mizu's arms.
"Cielos! (Heavens!) Look at you, you're trembling. Now where are your clothes?" Mizu asked and surveyed the place.
"I… A-ano… It was…"
"Oh forget about those clothes!" Mizu removed his jacket. "Here put this on." Still speechless and confused, Mikan did as she was told. Back in those times in Spain, I could have been badly burned in this kind of situation, Mizu thought. Have you become diluted, Black Cat?
"Mizu-kun just what the heck is going on?" Mikan asked cutting the boy's thoughts. "You could have been burned to ashes, d'you know that?" She whispered.
"Si. I know, señorita." He winked at the girl. "Thanks to you he would never do that."
Mikan was about to snapped back when the boy spoke to Natsume. "Sorry for ruining your private party, amigo." He lifted Mikan again. "Hasta luego, Black Cat." (See you later, Black Cat.) Then he jumped to the trees.
Damn you, Mizu… Natsume gritted his teeth. He sunk to the water and swam back and forth… Pouring his anger… Stroking the water in a punishing way…
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Cielos! What are those?" Horrified, Mikan inspected Mizu's arms with bruises. They went back on Mizu's room after the incident at the forest. Damn! Mizu cursed silently. He was battered all over. He forgot about the bruises and unconsciously removed his shirt. Mizu was already used to see Mizu half-naked since he was his tutor during their swimming class.
Mikan's eyes widened a fraction as she held the purple-eyed boy's chin. "Who did that?" She examined the corner of his lips. It was already turning blue. She didn't notice that back in the forest since her attention was on Natsume.
"Nada." (Nothing.) Mizu shook his head and walked towards the refrigerator. He took a can of soda and put it on his lips as a compress then tossed another can which Mikan caught single-handedly.
"¡Creo que no! (I don't think so!) You're black and blue and you say it's nothing?" Mikan sipped from her can. "Come on now, what happened?"
Mizu snorted then winced when he felt the pain on his bruises. "That damn Ruka…"
"Ruka? What about him?" Mikan eyes twinkled. "Oh wait a minute, lemme guess. You were trying to hook up with Hotaru."
"No, I'm not!" Mizu snapped. "I was just trying to help. It looked like that they needed one…" The boy sat on the couch beside Mikan.
FLASHBACK
"Don't cry, señorita." A voice came from the trees. Hotaru grabbed her baka gun and wiped her tears. She looked around and found a pair of purple eyes looking back at her.
She frowned at the unwelcome guest. "Mikan's friend…"
"Me llamo Mizu, señorita." (My name is Mizu, miss.) He flashed his perfect set of teeth. "And you're Hotaru, right? What's a beautiful lady doing in a gloomy forest like this?"
"None of your business… Leave…"
"Oh but I can't." Mizu slightly frowned. "Tell me, who made you cry like that? I'll give him a punch or two. Seeing a girl cry really breaks my heart."
"I said it's not of your business… Leave!" Hotaru aimed her baka gun at the young lad.
"No, I won't."
The genius inventor pulled the trigger but didn't hit Mizu. The bullet just passed over his shoulder. "No wonder you're Mikan's friend. You're stubborn as her."
"Yes, I am. And so are you." The boy smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. Suddenly his face became serious. "I know I don't have the rights to ask you why you cry. But then, if pulling that trigger would ease part of your pain then go ahead and shoot. I am but a willing target." His face softened as he spoke.
Upon hearing those words, in her rarest emotions, Hotaru Imai, the genius inventor, softly wept. "I… I never… cry like this… I never cry… at all…" The girl sniffed.
"Hush now." Mizu gathered her in his arms. "This is like a déjà vu only it was Mikan I had in my arms back then." He wiped her tears with his forefinger. "Now tell me what made you cry." He removed his jacket and put it on Hotaru.
The girl went silent for a moment as if weighing if she should tell the reason or not. "It's Ruka…" She chose to reply. She would have shot him the moment he didn't choose to leave. But for some reason, it felt comfortable… talking to him… being in his arms. His caring voice and soothing words helped her to feel a little better. It was like talking to her bestfriend Mikan… Her sweet and trusted friend….
"Ruka? He's your novio (boyfriend), right? So what about him?"
Hotaru sighed and started explaining about her letter to Ruka and how they ended up together. "I shouldn't write that letter…"
"You do love him…" Mizu concluded while nodding.
The girl stiffened the thought for a while. "Yeah… I love him…" She uttered, finally admitting her feelings. "I don't know when I started loving him… But the problem is…" She paused… Pain crossed her eyes. "…he doesn't love me in return."
"What makes you sure he doesn't love you? I know when two couple loves each other. I saw it in his eyes. Same thing as I can see in yours." Mizu raised her chin with his forefinger.
"You do realize that I might shoot you with my gun, don't you?" Hotaru said raising a brow. She literally felt better just talking to this guy. Mikan really knows how to pick good friends. "For sure, my idiot best friend already told you about me…"
"Yup." The purple-eyed lad grinned and inched closer. "But I don't mind…" He teased.
"Get your bloody hands off my girl!" It was a voice filled with anger and danger at the same time.
"Ruka…" Hotaru managed to contain her gasp while Mizu took his time removing his finger on her chin. "Como esta, amigo?" (How are you, friend?)
Ruka gritted his teeth and frowned when he saw Hotaru's misty eyes. "You're crying…" He furiously turned to Mizu. "You bastard! What did you do to her?" But before he could reply the blonde boy punched him on the face.
"Oh my, you're so extreme!" Mizu wiped the blood gushing from his lips.
"Ruka gave him a fierce look then ran towards Hotaru. "Honey, are you alright?"
"I-I… W-why—"
"Of course, she's alright." Mizu cut the girl off. "I haven't done anything to her. Though I'm curious how her lips taste like. If you didn't come and disturb us, I would have kissed her."
"Why you sonofa—" Ruka rushed towards him and threw powerful punches at Mizu. Whoah… He could really fight.
Both were with the same built but Mizu was a better and more experienced fighter. He could dodge Ruka's blows but he didn't expect a white rabbit coming from the bushes. "What the--" He was momentarily stunned as the rabbit started scratching and biting him. On instinct, he covered his face with his arms while trying to pull away from the rabbit. Darn! I didn't see that coming! I forgot about his pet.
"That's enough, Usagi." Ruka commanded. "Let me handle this… This is my fight."
Better call Nat for these scratches, Mizu thought then turned to the blonde boy. No wonder he's Black Cat's best friend. They're both cool but really fierce when provoke. Boy, I really like teasing these guys.
Ruka walked towards him, his hands clenched tightly. "Listen, Hotaru is my girlfriend. Touch her again and you're dead."
"We'll see about that." Mizu's purple eyes glistened with amusement. He smiled and posed for a fight. I won't hold back. He deserves a good fight.
Hotaru who was standing a few meters from the boys, was still speechless. I've never seen Ruka this furious. Why? He shouldn't react like that, she thought. I should be the one being mad because of his blackmailing.
She held her breath and closed her eyes when she saw the two started to fight again. But her eyes flew open when she heard Ruka groaned from pain. She saw him winced while wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. She looked at Mizu. The corner of his lips were swollen and stained with blood, arms with bruises and cuts and yet he was still standing.
They were about to throw punches again at each other when a bullet hit the ground a few inches from their feet. "I have your bodies as my next target." Hotaru said in a low voice but her eyes told them that she was serious. "I may not be a crack shot but at this distance, I'm sure I won't miss so you guys better stop this fight."
"B-but Hotaru, I'm just protecting you from this bastard." Ruka winced in pain as he spoke. "H-he made you cry…"
"No, he didn't!" She whispered. "You did…"
Ruka was stunned. It was just a whisper but the words totally shocked him. "I… I did? B-but how?"
Again, tears blurred Hotaru's eyes. "You invaded my laboratory, read my letter and with that you've blackmailed me to be your girlfriend." She brushed the tears from her cheeks. "You knew my feelings towards you so you decided to use that on me. You showed our classmates that you cared for me…"
"B-but Hotaru… I--"
"Shut up!" Hotaru hissed. "I thought I could make you like me too… So I played along." She sat on the bench and let her tears flowed from her face. "I'm so sick of your sweet gestures. I mean, who am I kidding? I know that deep inside you're laughing at me… That finally you got even with me from all the things I've done and played on you."
"Hotaru, please let me explain." Ruka pleaded. He couldn't stand to see his beloved girl crying. It hurts him more.
Mizu couldn't decide to laugh or be irritated at the scene. It was as if he was watching a drama scene from a movie shoot. He could see that it was all a misunderstanding. He cleared his throat. "I really mean to intrude but if I don't, you two might just end up feeling sorry for just not listening to each other." He walked towards Ruka and helped him to stand up.
"I don't need your help, you—"
"Silence!" Mizu cut Ruka off. "Don't be so stubborn!" He helped him walked towards Hotaru. "And you young lady, sit down!" He commanded when he saw her stood up. "Now I want you guys to talk things over."
"But—"
"No more buts! Jeez! You kids really don't understand the value of a relationship." Mizu shook his head. "If you love a person and you were given a chance to say it, you should say it in front of that person… Say it out loud… Or the moment will just past away… And you might not have another chance to say it." For a fleeting moment, pain crossed in Mizu's eyes. But before the couple could notice it, his eyes went back to its normal glint.
"You need to hear each other's side." He turned to Ruka. "Rest assured that I didn't harm your girl. Mikan will definitely have my head if I do that. Sorry about the bruises, pal." Then he turned to Hotaru. "Señorita, I don't know much about this boy but he's Natsume's best friend. That alone will prove that you're boyfriend is a good man. Black Cat doesn't like to be with people that would hurt other people for bad intentions and do things which are against his principles." The purple-eyed boy tapped Ruka's shoulder. "I'd better be going then. See you guys later."
Hotaru gave him his jacket. "Better cover those bruises."
"Gracias, señorita." He replied then walked towards the inner forest. His lips twitched for a smile when he saw the words thank you that formed on Ruka's lips.
The two who were left behind, sat in silence. It was like forever when Ruka finally broke the tension. "Have you asked Amanatsu about the letter?"
"What letter?"
"The letter I took from your room…" Ruka replied with a frown on his forehead. Was it all a misunderstanding? Hope rose from the boy's heart. There's still a chance for them.
"What has Amanatsu got to do—" She stopped, took her cell phone and dialed her laboratory's number. Her eyes were full of questions and doubts.
"Ms. Imai's laboratory. How may I help you?" Amanatsu answered the phone cheerfully.
"Amanatsu."
"Oh hi, Ms. Hotaru…"
"Did Ruka give you a letter?"
"A letter? Oh yeah." The Mikan-look-a-like robot replied. "Mr. Ruka asked me to give it to you but you were so busy back then so I placed it in your drawer."
"…"
"Ms. Hotaru? Hello? You still there?"
"I… I'll see you later…" Hotaru replied before she hung up. Her cheeks started to turn pink as her eyes went misty.
"I gave back the letter just before we had our first date." The boy spoke after a while. "I was so happy when you came. I thought you'd stood me up when I gave back the letter…" He winced at the pain caused by his bruises. "All the while I thought you're happy too… Now I know why sometimes you're cold and distant."
"Y-you can't… blame me…" Hotaru sniffed. "I… I thought you're just getting… even with me…" She sobbed.
Ruka held her hand. "I will never do such things." He wiped her tears. "I thought I'd never have the chance to say this but… Hotaru, I love you since the day I first saw you."
The genius inventor gasped at what she just heard. "During those times you played tricks on me, I acted like I was so angry co'z I was afraid when you find out how I really felt and that you would just laughed at me." Ruka continued. "You don't know how happy I was when you accepted me as your boyfriend… I love you, Ms. Hotaru Imai. I always have… I always will."
And from a long silence, Hotaru finally smiled. This time it reached her eyes. The kind of smile that Ruka saw for the first time. "I've dreamt of you saying those words. Now it just came true." She wiped the bloodstains from Ruka's lips. "Thank you."
"…"
"Let's treat your wounds. Wait, can you stand? I'll call Amanatsu to help—" Hotaru stopped in midsentence when Ruka pulled her close to him. "Do I have to throttle your lovely neck for you to say the words I want to hear?" Ruka held her chin, his eyes buried on hers.
She smiled and held Ruka's face. "I love you too, Mr. Ruka Noda." She whispered the close the gap between then and kissed him ever so gently…
END OF FLASHBACK
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Damn that Mizu!" The boy with ruby eyes muttered as he got out of the water. He put on his clothes and left the bayou. "That bastard has a lot of explaining to do!" He jumped on the trees, burning all the branches that blocked his way. The hell I care if the whole forest burnt to ashes!
In less than a minute, he got out of the forest and rushed to the dormitory. Darn it! Why am I so mad? He outta have a really good reason for all of these or I will definitely burn his ass!
Without a warning, the furious Natsume kicked Mizu's door. "Mizu! You owe me a lot of explanation, you sonofa—" He stilled. What he saw really mad him froze on his tracks… Shock was all over his handsome face.
Standing in the middle of the room was Mizu. On his arms was Mikan, who was still wearing only her underwears under Mizu's jacket. The girl was smiling as she lovingly touched the boy's face.
From Natsume's eyes, he saw intimacy between the two… He saw Mikan's unscathed smile… The smile that was rarely given to him… yet Mizu got it without a sweat.
"Damn you, Mizu…" Natsume clenched his fists as flame surrounded it. "You're dead!"
Finally! Hotaru admitted her feelings towards Ruka! Good for them. Hehehe… But uh oh… Looks like Natsume's really really really mad! Watch out Mizu… Harhar… So what do you think will happen? BTW, violent reactions and flames are still welcome. :-) Next stuff, meet the girl who was said to be Natsume's first love and was also secretly loved by the Dark Phantom. Who's this girl? Find out on the next chapter – The Girl From the Past.