Chapter 4

My

Question 9: Why did I challenge you to go to the Northern Forest when you first came to this hellhole? When you know the answer, go to Bear.

Mikan widened her eyes when she read the last three words. Go to Bear. Those three simple words sounded so evil to her. But don't get her wrong, she doesn't hate bear. No at all! It's just that every time Bear takes even one glance at her, he hits her. She sighed.

''Well, it can't be help,'' she whispered to no one in particular.

She jumped up from the bench and started to run towards Bear-san's house. While she was heading towards her new destination, Mikan remembers her first impression of Mr. Bear. She thought the bear was so cute and adorable until it punched and kicked her. That's when she learned the full meaning of ''Don't judge a book by its cover''. Yet, she learned to love Mr. Bear since he was always caring of his creator Kaname. Mikan remembered the time where Mr. Bear was stalking her because he wanted her to steal his originator's alice in his body. After that, Mr. Bear helped Mikan escape some older students who wanted to hurt her and in the process, he gets his body badly ripped. The caring brunette sewed him up, but he wouldn't move so she took him to Kaname. His creator sayed that Bear was just pretending to be asleep and that he was surprised that anyone besides Kaname showed him so much kindness. That very moment was when Mr. Bear befriended Mikan. However, Mr. Bear still hits or kicks Mikan, maybe even both, when he gets the chance.

Mikan was hiding behind a bulky tree, carefully observing Mr. Bear sweeping the areas around his cabin. He seems like he's not in a bad mood. Maybe this time he won't hit me! Mikan thought. The optimistic girl then revealed herself to Mr. Bear. She waved at him with a big grin.

''Good afternoon, Bear-san! I haven't seen you in a while. How have you-''

Suddenly, Mr. Bear showed a glint in his black beady eyes and attacked the poor girl with the broom.

''Ow! Ow! Ow! Bear-san!'' she wailed while rubbing her beaten butt.

He started to do hands gestures to Mikan. Since he couldn't talk, he used his hands to communicate.

''What are you doing?'' Mr. Bear kept doing his hands signals but now in a rapid motion. ''Oh! You want me to tell you the answer?'' He nodded his head. ''Well the answer is because Natsume wanted to see if I was truly an Alice. And I am!''

WHACK

''Ouchi! What was that for?''

Mr. Bear just shrugged which caused Mikan's lips to turn into a pout. He afterwards positioned 10th clue on her petite nose. The brunette depressed face into a cheerful one. She removed the note off her nose and read the letter.

''It's an 'M' this time,'' she stated aloud. Mikan then flipped to read the next clue.

Question 10: When did you first save me? When you know the answer, go find Ruka. Don't be an idiot and waste your time heading to his room. He's at the barn.

''Yes! Well, I'm off Mr. Bear! I'll see you later!''

Before Mikan could head towards Ruka's farm which is also in the Northern Forest, Mr. Bear smacked Mikan one more time.

''Ouch! Mr. Bear! Can you not hit me in the butt at least?''

Unexpectedly, Mr. Bear collapsed frontward to the ground. Mikan gasped and kneeled down to the lying bear. She shook him.

''I'm very sorry that Mr. Bear has no manners,'' a kind voice spoke.

Mikan looked up and her hazel orbs widened. In front of her was a creamy beige plush bear with a lavender ribbon on her left ear. She had the same beady eyes as Mr. Bear, but they were pink instead of black. Unlike grumpy Mr. Bear, this plush toy had a lovely smile that was made out of black strings.

''Um, who are you?''

''Oh, I'm Mr. Bear's wife, Mrs. Bear!''

''WHAT! MR. BEAR HAS A WIFE!'' Mikan exploded with shock written all over her face.

''Mhm! This old geezer didn't tell you?''

''Well, he can't talk you know.''

Mrs. Bear tittered with a graceful smile. ''Oh oops, I forgot.''

Mikan let out a chuckle as well. ''So how did you and Mr. Bear get together?''

''Well, Kanama-sama just created me a few months ago. He created me so that Mr. Bear wouldn't be lonely in that small cabin of his. It was hard to communicate with him since he didn't talk, but we worked it out somehow. He was a grumpy old man, but I was a crazy, silly girl. We balanced each other. Then we fell in love!''

''Aw, that's so sweet!''

''He gave proposed to me last week. Look, look here's the ring!''

She placed her hand in front of her face and showed off her ring. It had a big heart that was full of tiny rubies and on the outside area, there were diamonds.

''Wow, who knew that plush toys can get married!'' The two girls giggled at Mikan's statement. ''Well I have to run! It was so nice to meet you.''

''It's my pleasure since Mr. Bear and I don't get so much visitors. Please stop by and visit us again.''

''Will do!'' Mikan exclaimed with a beam. ''Um, what do we do about the unconscious Mr. Bear?''

''Oh don't worry about him! He'll be fine! I just gave him a knock in the head, that's all!'' she responded while clutching his ankles and dragging him to the house. Before she shut the door, Mrs. Bear shouted,'' Goodbye sweetie!''

''Bye bye!'' the hazel eyed girl responded while waving at her. When Mikan saw the door close, she turned around and smiled to herself. ''Well off to Ruka-pyon! I don't want to keep him- AH!''

Abruptly, a black stallion galloped his way towards the young girl. Mikan stumbled back in fright at the unexpected entrance, but then sauntered to the magnificent charger. She brushed his long flowing mane.

''Hey boy, where did you come from?''

NEIGH

''Did you Ruka-pyon send you here?" she asked with curious eyes. He nodded. ''Are you here to take me to him?''

The stallion nodded his long head again. Mikan's smile grew into a larger one. She quickly hopped onto the horse and afterwards, she lightly kicked her feet on the mount's body. The stallion raised himself and kicked his front feet up. Mikan almost flew off the horse, but held on tightly. The majestic mare began to gallop to Ruka's farm. The young teenager was clutching firmly his elongated neck. She never rode a horse before. This was her first time.

Sooner than expected, the horse and Mikan reached the barn. She hopped off the steed and patted his torso.

''You're a fast horse aren't you,'' she commented. The stallion responded in a loud whinny. Mikan chuckled. ''Thank you.''

''Sakura-san!''

Mikan turned her head and witnessed Ruka running towards her and his trusty steed. The blonde gently positioned his palm on the stallion's neck and guided him to the stables where the other horses are. Mikan followed the two of them. She watched in silence as Ruka secured the gate.

''You have one amazing horse here, Ruka-pyon,'' Mikan remarked while petting the stallion's head.

''You know he's only a baby. He may look like an adult horse, but he isn't.''

''Really! That's amazing!'' Mikan exclaimed with an ''O'' shaped mouth. ''What's his name?''

''I didn't have the chance to name him yet.''

''Oh, then can I name him?''

''Sure, Sakura-san!'' he answered with a warm smile.

''Let's see, his name will be…Lightning! I know it's a cheesy name, but it fits him.''

''Lightning? Why Lightning?''

''Because he runs as fast as lightning!''

''Oh, I see,'' Ruka replied with a nod of his head. ''So what's the answer, Sakura-san?''

''Eh?''

''The answer to clue number 10?''

''Oh yea! I forgot,'' she confessed while scratching the back of her head. ''When Natsume was kidnapped by Reo, Permy and I saved him!''

''Correct!''

''Yea!'' Mikan cheered while jumping up and down.

''Here's the 11th clue,'' the sparkly blue eyed lad said as he handed her the next question.

The chestnut girl eagerly took it and read it.

Question 11: What was the first snack you gave to me? When you know the answer, go to the dining hall.

Mikan then flipped to the other side to examine the next letter. ''It's a ''Y''. So it's now ''Will you be my''! Be my what, I wonder?''

Ruka sighed and lowered his eyes. He could already tell what the sentence spelled. He was happy for his best friend, but inside his heart he was gloomy. He had his chance, but Natsume went ahead of him first. Ruka knew that he would make Mikan happy and that's all he needed to know to let go. But before he let completely of his crush, he wanted to do something. He leaned in and pecked her softly on the cheek. When Ruka looked back at Mikan, his face turned completely red.

''I-I-I-'M SO SORRY, SAKURA-SAN! P-P-P-PLEASE F-F-FORGIVE ME!''

''Ruka-pyon, it's…it's alright! There's no need to say sorry,'' his friend said with an awkward grin. ''But why did you kiss me?''

He was silent for a couple of seconds. Ruka didn't want to tell her he had a crush on her ever since they were 10. It would make Mikan feel all mixed up inside and shatter Natsume's plans.

''Remember when we were 10 and I kissed you at the Christmas Ball?''

''Y-Yes…''

''It's the same kiss as this one. A kiss of gratitude. I just want to thank you for everything, Sakura-san,'' he confessed with a sincere smile.

Ruka-pyon didn't lie. It was true. It was a kiss of gratitude. He wanted to thank her for making him feel all these different kinds of emotions and feelings.

''Oh, I see. Well since I want to thank you too…,'' Mikan then leaned in and gave a chaste peck on Ruka's cheek. ''There! That's a kiss of gratitude from me!''

''S-S-Sakura…''

''Well I have to go Ruka-pyon! See you later!''

Before Ruka can say anything, Mikan dashed off from his sight. He took his hand back and stared with gentleness at the disappearing girl. He knew he did the right thing.

''Natsume, take care of her.''


Aw, good job Ruka-pyon! Your such a good friend! Please keep following me folks! Bye bye!