Thank you glenda23, ayaxrei fan143, HoShiEKuniKidA, KenRik, Pink Fire101, cuteanimelover, Rukaru Xian, proffesional, may520, tinkerbellie, musicandlyrics for reviewing! HoShiEKuniKidA, I agree with you - Ruka should be a shy person, but lets not forget, they are 16 now. I also mentioned that he had become more outgoing since then. Anyway, thank you for paying attention to such details... I am proud to have gotten a review from you and the others! Thank you so much:)


CHAPTER 6

He leaned forward, kissing the brunette's lips for the umpteenth time in the day.

"Natsume!" Mikan exclaimed, punching him playfully.

They were both snuggling tightly in Natsume's warm and comfortable bed. Natsume was reading his manga, whereas Mikan was resting her head on his shoulder, doing her homework on bed. Natsume took his eyes off his manga for a minute, and eyed the pile of incomplete assignments on his bed. He proceeded to stare at Mikan who was biting her pencil in frustration, homework in her lap, her face showing pure concentration.

She had been struggling with the same question for half an hour. Natsume couldn't stand it anymore. He had taken 1 minute to solve that simple question at one glance, so why did she need half an hour to solve it? He poked her in the ribs, finally getting her to look up.

"Oi. Do you need help?"

"It's alright, Natsume," she flashed a sweet smile at him, "Go on and read your manga."

Natsume rolled his eyes as she carried on, trying to figure the question out.

"If you're going to continue solving the question with that brain of yours, you won't be able to finish the others in time," he pointed out, reminding Mikan of the remaining stack on the bed. But still, she refused.

"Don't worry, Natsume. I don't want to distract you from reading."

Natsume sighed. She just didn't get it, did she? He'd been pretending to read all along, seizing the chance to look at his favorite brunette. The manga was just a cover up. It's not like she'll understand with that brain of hers, Natsume gave a small smile.

"Here, I'll teach you," he held Mikan's hand underneath the blanket, and took her pencil with the other. As he started to write, he felt a throbbing pain in his head. No, not again… Natsume fought to stay expressionless, as the pain spread slowly across his body, towards his side. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his face slowly.

"Natsume, are you alright?" said Mikan anxiously.

"Baka, what makes you think I'm not?" he managed.

"You don't look too good, and your hand is shaking."

Natsume could not reply as waves of nausea hit him harder and harder each time. He felt weak as his eyesight blurred and darkness loomed on him. His body fell limp and slumped against Mikan's shoulder.

"Natsume!"

"Ruka…" Hotaru mumbled, her voice muffled as she was still burying her head into his back, "Do you love Mikan?"

Ruka opened his mouth to say something, but surprisingly, nothing came out. Why was it so hard for him to admit that he loved Mikan in front of her?

"Why were you crying?" he changed the topic abruptly.

"Answer my question first," said Hotaru firmly.

Ruka sighed. It was no use trying to avoid that question. He'd been asking himself too. Did he really love Mikan, or was he just holding on to the crush he had on her 6 years ago? He thought he'd outgrown his shyness and had become more outgoing, but in front of Hotaru Imai, all these changes just seemed like nothing. He got embarrassed when he was with her, and he felt nervous every time he saw her. He even found himself looking at her when he was with Mikan.

"Perhaps you could explain this feeling to me, Imai. When I'm with Mikan nowadays, I don't feel flustered and nervous like I used to anymore. But you," he sighed, "You, are exactly the opposite."

He turned towards her.

"You make me feel relaxed and nervous at the same time, you make me blush… You make me feel so many emotions at the same time," Ruka's face was turning a shade of pink now, "Imai, what have you done to me?"

Hotaru blinked and looked him straight in the eye. He immediately blushed furiously, avoiding her gaze. Did he just confess to her?

"I've made you fall in love with me, Ruka," said Hotaru smugly. Ruka looked down, trying to hide his blush.

"How do you know?"

"Because I feel the same way," she tiptoed and gave him a peck on his lips. Ruka was taken aback by the warm kiss, but he felt exhilarated nevertheless.

"Mikan…" he murmured.

The aforementioned was sleeping soundly on a chair beside the bed, her head resting on his shoulder. Natsume opened his eyes slowly and scrutinized the surroundings, wincing as his head still throbbed with pain. The clock on the wall showed 9 p.m. His gaze fell onto the brunette sleeping beside him, and the pain subsided instantly.

"Mikan…" he caressed her soft and silky hair lovingly, and her eyes fluttered opened.

"Natsume… you're awake," she smiled at him, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Yeah, how long have I been unconscious?"

"You've been unconscious since this morning," Mikan tried to stifle a yawn, not succeeding as Natsume held her wrist and looked her in the eye, "How long have you been here?"

"I… just came!" Mikan smiled brightly as Natsume glared at her.

"Didn't I mention that you were a bad liar?"

"……"

"You've been here the whole day, haven't you?" Without resting! Natsume wanted to add, but he was sure that Mikan knew very well what he was trying to imply.

Before Mikan could answer, the door creaked open. A tall figure swept in, a malicious smile etched on his half concealed face, and they recognized him instantly.

"Persona," Natsume growled, putting an arm around Mikan's shoulders protectively. Mikan stared at him coldly.

"Ah, great to see you again, Natsume. It's been a few days since you abandoned your missions."

"Don't make me repeat myself," said Natsume, his expression unreadable as his bangs covered his eyes, "I won't accept anymore missions."

"You're making a mistake if you think you can protect all of your friends, Natsume. Miss Sakura might be able to defend herself, but what about Ruka and the others?"

"Tch," Natsume looked away, but Persona's words had definitely got him. Mikan noticed that and shot Persona a death glare.

"Well, are you ready? We have loads to catch up."

Mikan felt the grip on her shoulders her loosening, as Natsume shifted away, getting up with tremendous difficulty.

"Natsume…" she called out softly.

He turned around, gazing at her and said, "Sorry, Mikan."

Mikan felt tears welling up her eyes. Every time he left for missions, she always had a feeling that she would lose him forever- a void of emptiness always filled her when she saw him turn and leave. You're hurt, Natsume… Don't go… The words were stuck in her throat, refusing to budge. She gulped, watching Natsume walking slowly towards the door with Persona, his figure seemed so vulnerable.

If she couldn't stop him, the only way was to…

"I request to work with Natsume."

Natsume whipped around in surprise. Persona smirked. He had expected this to happen.

"What makes you think that you qualify to work with my Black Cat?"

"Try me," replied Mikan coldly.

"A practical test?" Persona's thin lips twisted into a wicked grin, "Alright, if you insist," he stepped forward.

A ring of raging fire appeared in front of them, separating Mikan and Persona.

"Natsume! Don't use your alice!" cried Mikan.

Natsume leaned against the wall for support and said, "Leave her alone, she's not getting involved in… this," as blood trickled down his mouth.

Taking a deep breath, Mikan stepped forward and nullified his Alice. Persona folded his arms, satisfied.

"You pass, Miss Sakura."

Mikan ignored him and rushed forward in time to catch Natsume who slid down the wall, unconscious.

"Natsume…" whined Mikan pitifully, tugging at his shirt wildly.

Natsume ignored her and tried to focus on his manga. But with his favorite idiot pulling at his sleeve and calling his name every 3 seconds, it was practically impossible for him to concentrate.

"Natsume, stop ignoring me…"

"……"

Mikan heaved a big sigh and flopped back against the Sakura tree. It was no use. She'd been pestering him for an hour already. She was tired, and most importantly, thirsty.

"I just wanted to be close to you... since there was no way you would refuse the missions."

"……"

"I'm sorry… I just wanted to stay by your side, Natsume."

"……"

"I won't change my mind, Natsume. I want us to be together, no matter what," Mikan finished her sentence and stood up slowly, heading towards the academy.

Suddenly, Natsume gripped her wrist swiftly and tugged her down. Mikan stumbled into his arms as he hugged her tightly. She could feel his slow and steady heartbeat, and the warmth of his body.

"Baka…" he murmured.

They remained silent for a few minutes. Then Natsume loosened his grip slowly, allowing Mikan to face him.

"Don't get hurt, Polka Dots, or I won't forgive myself for it."

Their faces were only centimeters apart. Natsume smirked and pecked her lips, catching Mikan by surprise. Her expression softened and she closed her eyes as they locked lips once again, allowing herself to be pulled into a deep and passionate kiss.

We'll be together forever, no matter what happens…