Dark Hood

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor any of its characters but this story is entirely mine.

"I screwed up," he moaned at me again. His face was completely red from the intake of alcohol.

"I know," I grunted as I heaved him into the car, "You've said that more than a billion times."

But he just kept whining on and on about how he shouldn't have been in a bar. Honestly, Ruka is the weakest when it comes to alcohol. Plus if he was upset about being caught by his girlfriend in a bar, why was he here again?

"God Natsume, maybe I should have never asked her out... I'm just hallucinating about Hotaru sometimes. I think I'm cheating on Mikan-chan..." he mumbled sleepily. His puking session must have tired him out because now he isn't asking for more alcohol like before.

"Whatever. I'm taking you home," I told him as I started to drive to his home which is miles away from mine.

It's only been two weeks since I last saw her.

She's still working as a maid in Hyuuga house but from what I heard, she kept her word and shut up when they ever spoke of me. Also, she's taken a month long vacation which was apparently 'planned' to begin with. I've not been stalking her or anything but she never appeared anymore in her apartment.

When I was home, I wouldn't hear a single noise coming from the other side. It's not like I tried listening, but there was certainly not a single life-form next door. She's definitely hiding...

Speaking of apartments, Ruka's is huge.

He's a successful vet, but I didn't know how much that could earn you before Ruka bought a super expensive gift for Imai then moved into this super apartment.

Tired and annoyed by his constant whining, I flipped him onto his bed and just left him there. I knew I probably had to stay over tonight. It's 4am and I'm too lazy.

So in my dirty clothes, I flopped onto his couch and closed my eyes. It was quite easy to go to sleep after all the vodka I took in too. Now the thoughts of her and our most recent encounter won't flood my mind...

"Natsume! Get up!" screamed Ruka and pushed me off.

"What the hell was that for?" I groaned, rubbing my sore head. The hangover plus the painful hit on the ground made everything worse. Not to mention, Ruka's loud voice in the morning.

"Your damn phone is ringing again! And it's just making this hangover worse..." he moaned and rubbed his temples.

I was about to snapped back an insult on how he wasn't the only one with a hangover but my phone distracted me. The thing was on overload!

63 Missed Calls, 82 Messages and 57 Voicemails. Not too bad... The majority (once again) was from my mother but this time the office had called me and also some of the cilents. I quickly called back as Ruka sauntered back into his room with some pills.

"Hello, is that you Hyuuga-san?" asked Tobita in a distressed voice.

"Hn. What'd you call so many times for?" I sat down on the couch, waiting for Tobita's cries of distress.

There was some muttering then Tobita answered, "Sir, Andou-san has requested to see you and he won't leave until he does. I've tried to explain that you won't be in until later and to book an appointment but he -"

"Whatever. What else?" Andou was never the best cilent you could have. I hated him the moment I saw him. Our meeting wasn't the best.

"...Also, Narumi-san has invited you to some type of party but he won't give me details - it's a private party. And Koizumi-san is looking for you again."

"Is that all?"

"No... Mikan-chan has come in with a resignation letter. I told her you weren't in and to come back to see you about it... Hyuuga-san?"

"Tell Andou I won't see him until tomorrow; I'm taking today off. I'll call the bastard (Narumi), " I almost commanded Tobita.

"And what about Mikan-?" he started.

"Just leave her be," I snapped.

"Y-yes sir. But if you're taking the day off..."

"You're in charge. Don't do anything rash or I'll fire you," I threatened.

"Y-yes s-sir. I'll try not to d-disappoint you," he replied shakily.

"Hn" I switched off the phone and took out the battery. Now I can sleep in peace...

Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

"For God's sake Ruka, open the freaking door!" I screamed in rage at my friend who was peacefully sleeping in his comfortable room.

He barked back, "I can't. I'm feeling sick!" Then the puking noises continued.

"Well, I'm sick of your damn - Shut up!" I yelled at the door but it just kept ringing more bizarrely. Finally, I got up and stomped over to slam the door open. "What is i-?"

Standing there (unexpectedly), was a brunette dressed in a pretty floral dress with a horrified expression on her petite face. "N-nat... H-hyuuga-san. I came to see Ruka... He said he was sick," she explained.

I turned my back on her and muttered, "Whatever. He's in his room."

She doesn't show up anywhere and suddenly she's here. What the hell? It's so damn annoying. She shut the door quietly and walked over to the kitchen for some reason.

I ignored it and pretended that I was sleepy - which I was. Just not as much as before.

Then I heard her enter Ruka's room so I shut my eyes...

"AHHH!" the combined screams shocked me and made me jump off the couch.

Then Mikan came back out with a blushing face, leaning against the now shut door. "I-I... H-he... I'm going..." she stammered unsurely and scrambled out of the apartment faster than a leopard. No wonder she's able to hide from me.

Curious, I stepped into Ruka's room. But once I went in, I wished never did.

We sat silently at the breakfast table. Ruka acted awkward and I tried to control my laughter which never ceased to go.

I scoffed down the croissant hoping it would calm me then spoke slowly as to not laugh, "So why...?" My voice wouldn't let me continue the sentence. It was just too unnatural.

"I was going to shower," Ruka answered, bright red, "Then Mikan-chan came in..."

"Then... what about...?" The smirk was already appearing.

"Usagi covered me."

Finally, we both cracked.

It lasted for around five minutes. My stomach hurt at the end of it.

Honestly, he was like Adam before he ate the fruit.

"Anyway, back to what I wanted to talk to you about before I got drunk..." Ruka started, finally sitting up properly.

I nodded as a sign for him to continue.

"Do you think I should break up with Mikan-chan?" he asked like he had last night. His eyes were seriously, watching me and waiting for me to give him needed advice.

My heart seemed to thump for some reason. It felt like he was investigating me. Like he knew I had some type of relationship with Mikan. I gulped, "Why would you consider that in the first place?"

"I told you! Because I still have feelings for Hotaru. Yesterday, I bumped into her and... And I suddenly wished I wasn't with Mikan-chan. Then after that, I realized I might be mistreating Mikan-chan. It's like I'm cheating on her," he sighed.

Then dump her. Something in me wanted to say that. The bad friend inside who wanted to take advantage of this situation however I don't see how ruining my best friend's relationship would benefit me.

"You like Imai. We established that years ago. But do you like this girl you have right now?" I asked making sure I didn't say her name. I felt as though it might... do something to this conversation. So I quickly added, "Do you have anything to drink?"

"Haven't you ever liked anyone before Natsume? When you feel like... you have to speak to them or something? Then when they call your name, you get this fuzzy feeling? Well everything I'm with Hotaru I feel that. Then I realized that might not be love. When Mikan-chan calls me, I'm always content and smiling. All that tension and nervousness I get is gone. I like Mikan-chan. But I just... really like Hotaru as well..." He looked down to the floor.

"Then why did you ask her out and not Imai?" I headed over to the kitchen so I wouldn't look Ruka in the eye. Why was I feeling guilty and upset? It's so stupid. Call your name? Fuzzy feeling? No.

"B-because... Damn it Natsume! Can't you just give me an answer? Should I dump Mikan-chan and pursue Hotaru or keep my relationship with Mikan-chan and forget Hotaru?!" he burst out.

My throat ran dry.

I always felt, when I saw younger and saw cartoons which had a devil on side of someone's shoulder and an angel on the other, that it was stupid. Wouldn't everyone go for the angel? Because we all know how to tell bad from good. But now...

What was going on? I can't make my best friend lose a girlfriend because I... Because I what? Do I like her? Oh god, no...

End of Chapter 7

Hey guys, sorry for the super late update but I've been busy. Exam week... But I'll make up for it! I promise! By updating two chapters today!