Dark Hood
Chapter 12
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor its characters but this story is entirely mine. Mine!
"What are you doing here?" I asked once we were all seated.
"Is there something wrong with me coming to see my beloved son?" smiled Mother, sparkling as she always did. "And how are you, Luna-chan?"
"I'm fine, thank you. But please excuse me, I... I still have some packing to do," she replied hesitantly as she looked at the both of us. No one wants to be caught in a Hyuuga son-to-mother talk.
She disappeared quietly into her room and I sighed, "What is it this time?"
"To put simply: you're being an idiot," Mother stated. Her eyes burned with a rage I hadn't seen since... the time I requested. "But I'm willing to hear you out. Talk Natsume."
"Talk about what? Why I came to Paris? I was offered a better job, Mother. I'd be more of an idiot not to take it," I grumbled.
"We both know you're skilled enough to run your entire company," Mother sighed, "I don't want to be here talking about such meaningless things. Why did you leave - not Tokyo? You know what I mean."
I bit my lip. I can't trust myself to blurt anything out. Not now. "Ruka... He's happy. Do you want me to spoil that?"
"And are you?" She stared directly at me. "Are you happy? Are you content with the way things have worked out for you? Are you glad that you are here in Paris because you were offered a better job? Well, are you?"
When I didn't answer, Mother gripped my hand. She was going to open her mouth but I interrupted before she had the chance, "Then what do you want me to do? You're being childish Mother. Sometimes... we can't all be happy. We don't live in a fairytale world. We have to work for our happiness and that's what I'm doing. I'm never going to steal it from anyone - especially from my best friend!"
She smirked, "Spoken like a true Hyuuga. That's the reason I let you leave the Hyuuga house. I regretted it many times: like when you bought that ugly apartment, when you wouldn't get a girlfriend, when you ditched the wedding interviews, when you -"
"I get the point," I muttered. I am one troublesome kid - No, son. Not a kid, I am a mature adult.
"You aren't showing anything other than stupidity. You don't 'work', Natsume. You have to fight! You have to get your own happiness. Have you spoken to Ruka about any of these things? Have you just let him remain arrogant? He'll be more hurt if you don't tell him than just stealing Mikan-chan away! You said yourself he's your best friend."
"Mother, this is useless. Too many people have told me this already. Can you leave? Thank you for visiting but I really don't have time."
"Just remember that then," Mother stood up to leave, "If so many people have told you and you didn't listen... I must've given birth to a useless son."
The words stung but I just shrugged. Let her believe what she wants to. This is my life and I chose it.
"Goodbye Natsume."
"Hn"
The chaps on the door never ceased. Koizumi must be away already if she hasn't answered it.
"For goodness sake, stop ringing!" I yelled. I pulled on a shirt and pulled the door open.
"Good morning Hyuuga-san! You don't seem very prepared for our tour today," she grinned. She skipped in without an invitation and gazed in wonder. "Wow! I still can't believe you got this place for free!"
I ruffled my flithy hair, "You researched?"
"I'm your secretary; not a stalker!" she pouted, "Anyway, if you don't hurry, you won't get breakfast. I've got the whole day planned out!"
"Whatever." I dragged myself into the bathroom to clean up.
Was everything a dream last night? I saw Ruka and... her together at the Eiffel Tower when I was with my secretary. And when I came back to Koizumi, Mother gave me a long lecture on life? What have I done to myself?
"You don't stop eating," I glowered at the girl next to me chomping on crepes. She stopped at every store or cart to buy one. I'm sure she's eaten every possible flavor.
"Well, it's good food," she smiled, her lips covered with Nutella from her current crepe. "Now, I'm kinda in the mood for-"
"If you're only here to take my money for food, I'm going home." I started to make my way down the street when she called after me.
"Don't be so heartless! Anyway, you know that Mikan-chan has come to Paris right?" she quietened down. I put my thoughts back to last night. Oh yeah... I hugged her. The relative of Sakura. "She's staying with me."
"I don't want to know."
She piped up again, "But she really wants to see you! She even thought about waiting outside your apartment until you appear."
"Thanks for the tip, I'll use the fire exit from now on," I smirked. "I'm not interested in her or how much she wants to see me." The ache in my chest clawed at me. "Why do you want to help her anyway? She's just your relative."
She was trembling slightly and when I was going to apologize or at least ask what's wrong, she raised her arm. A sensation on my cheek told me to touch it but I resisted. Her hand was glowing red from the contact. "You're... You're evil! You're heartless! You're insensitive! You're a complete bastard, Natsume Hyuuga! Mikan-chan is too good for you. Go burn in hell!" she screamed as she dashed away.
Yeah, I should.
What did I do wrong? I let my best friend have the happiness he deserves. He loves her, she loves him back. What else?
Natsume, you can never do anything right in romance.
Koizumi was locking the door when I came back. She had luggage.
"What's going on?" I asked. She flicked her hair and handed me the key.
"Here. I'm going back to Tokyo," she smiled kindly.
"What?" I frowned, "Why are you going back?"
She grinned, "You made it obvious to me. You aren't the Natsume Hyuuga I fell in love with anymore. Maybe it was your love for Mikan-chan that I found attractive or maybe I've changed... Either way, I never thought within two days I could figure it out. Thank you for everything and... I don't know if I should wish you luck for anything yet."
I smirked, "Just wish me luck for being less of a bastard."
Her eyebrows furrowed, "I wish you luck... for the future. I'm sure you'll be fine. Can I ask something first?"
"Sure."
"You've got a slap mark on your cheek... Who did it?" She traced the burning place my secretary slapped so violently.
"Just someone who knew I was a bastard," I smiled (for once in my life). "Thank you too Koizumi. If it weren't for you... so many things wouldn't have happened."
"Bye." She gave me a quick hug then she grabbed her suitcase and disappeared. There goes the my ex-fiancee. The one I thought i had something in common with. Of course I'm wrong. She's a brilliant person. I'm a useless, stupid, heartless... bastard.
"Natsume! I thought I'd never find you! I heard Koizumi was living with you," Ruka grinned at me.
"She was. She's gone now."
Ruka's smile faltered, "Sorry. Did she...?"
I shook my head. "It's her own decision. She's strong. She knows what she wants and she knows what to do now."
"Ah..." He looked around my suite. "Great place."
Oh, the apartment. He must be here to take them. I clenched my fist and stretched them out again. He's Ruka. "Do you want the keys?"
"Uh... Not now. Natsume, I came to tell you something." Ruka's eyes were concentrated on me. Why must everyone look straight at me? I get weaker when that happens. Well... Might as well get this over together.
"Me too."
The silence followed was something we were both foriegn to. The anxiety in the air was strange. "Where's your girlfriend?"
"Mikan-chan's at the hotel. I wanted to talk to you face-to-face... But now's not the time, is it?" He stratched the back of his head nervously. Even stranger... He never gets nervous like that around me much.
"So we'll meet up?" I suggested.
"How about the Moulin Rouge? It's close to our hotel."
"You got a hotel close to that place?" I shook my head. "Aren't you being a bit naive?"
"Hey! I had to get it on short notice!" he blushed. I laughed. It sounded like greek to me - if i can put it that way. How long haven't I laughed?
Ruka joined in too. He sobered soon and sighed, "We haven't had much time to spend with each other have we?"
"No"
"So tonight then. Just me and you. Private talk."
"Hang on," I smirked, "You aren't going to confess you're gay, are you?"
He punched me on the shoulder, "That's such an old joke!"
"I've done worst though," I shrugged. And we both sat down remembering the times...
"Bye, I'll see you tonight, Natsume."
"Hn"
I arrived quite early and it seems Ruka did too. "Oi Ruka."
He greeted, "Hey Natsume. How are you?"
"Doesn't matter. What do you want to discuss?" I plopped down on one of the stools. The bartender asked me what I wanted in flunt french and I depended on Ruka who obviously answered politely back. That's a half-french for you.
"Alright... Actually I was hoping you would go first. Good news then bad news right?" he managed to squeeze a type of smile but it looked so forced.
"Mine is bad," I replied bluntly.
"Oh... Then- "
"Are you willing to listening no matter how bad it is?" I asked. I knew the answer already. Why am I being so... stupid?
"Just tell me Natsume."
"Alright..." I took a deep breath, realizing this might change everything. Completely.
"Ruka, Natsume? What are you guys doing?"
Crap. I know that voice and obviously Ruka did too... Who else could it be?
End of Chapter 12
Sorry, I will not be updating for a little while because it's study week and then exam week then... Alright, so for a little while. But I will be back for March! And thanks for reading up until now. Reviews are appreciated.
riaanaa - True. Thanks for your review!
Crimson Flares - Same! I first really thought red was really... girly but I loved it after GA! Natsume all the way!
AnimeMango - As I've said many times, I've never planned the relative so what their hiding might not be exactly... special. Thanks a lot for reviewing AnimeMango!