Herrrrroooooo!
Hope you enjoy the chapter! I'm really giving it some gas now :)
Drop me a review! I'd love to read them while I'm working on Chapter 16 today!
RxExR
Chapter 15: Consumption
"Daddy!" A little girl screams from outside.
A man with honey blonde hair and deep blue eyes comes out of the backdoor of a very modest house. He's wearing a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a few buttons undone. It's a warm spring day with a soft breeze trickling through the trees.
"What is it Mi-chan?" he asks coming over to where the brunette is squatting by a patch of dirt. Her yellow sundress is covered in dirt and mud. Her tiny hands are scratching at the dirty ground looking franticly for something.
"It isn't here!" she shrieks.
"What isn't here?"
"My plant!"
The man chuckles, "Mi-chan a plant can't grow in one day."
"But you said that if I put the seed in the ground, a plant will grow!" The brunette says her eyes are becoming misty.
"It will, but you have to give it time."
"I want it now." The brunette pouts.
The man scoops the girl into his arms and gives her a squeeze, "I know you're disappointed, but plants need water and sunlight and a little patience before they can grow big and strong."
The girl rubs her face smudging it with dirt, making the man laugh.
The hearty laugh that vibrated in his chest fills the girl's heart with joy. She was disappointed that nothing grew in her garden, but she knew her daddy knew best and if he said they would grow then they would.
That following summer, the girl's garden flourished with colorful flowers of all shapes and sizes. When winter came her beautiful plants died and she mourned them.
"Don't cry Mikan. Everything has to come to an end. Winter is the time of decline where everything goes back into the earth for a good long rest."
"But daddy my beautiful flowers. . ."
"I know sweetheart, but next spring they'll be back and more beautiful than ever because they'll be well rested."
She sniffled, "Okay."
As always her dad was right and the flowers started to poke out again when spring came. The girl laughed and smiled and danced around her little garden. With her father looking at her from the porch with that smile on his face, arm draped over his wife's shoulder, life never seemed more wonderful. Then that awful summer came and went and when the girl returned from her Jii-chan's house her beautiful flowers were gone. Winter had come early that year. The girl laid on top of that patch of dirt, willing the flowers to come back and take her to that place of rest where her daddy was. She could be just like Alice in Wonderland with the flowers talking and dancing while she and her daddy had tea. Mommy could come too and they could be happy just like before.
"She's sweating." A voice says.
"That isn't sweat." Another voice corrects.
"She's crying." A smaller voice adds.
I force my eyes to open slightly and try to think, but it's proving to be very difficult. I can see figures moving in front of me. Someone is sitting beside me I can smell perfume, but can't place the scent.
"Mikan? It's okay, we're right beside you." The voice says.
Mom?
A small towel caresses my throbbing temple.
"She can't go to work like this." A different voice comments.
"Poor thing."
I can see someone else standing by the window. Blonde hair is all I can make out aside from the tall stature.
Daddy?
My head is swimming between consciousness and unconsciousness. I can't remember why I feel so sad and weak.
My flowers.
And then like a faucet I can feel water streaming down my cheeks, "My flowers."
"What did she say?" someone asks.
"I couldn't hear, but she said something."
Daddy?
I open my eyes and see a familiar raven head girl sitting on one side of me and a bubblegum pink haired girl on the other side. And the blonde across the room is familiar, but his hair is the color of sunshine, not honey and that makes me sadder.
"Hotaruuuuu." I cry sobbing into her chest.
I didn't mean to fall into her, but the strength it took to sit up didn't stay with me to keep me up and I fell over onto her.
"If you get snot on my uniform I'll pummel you." She says.
But I can barely hear her over my wailing, "My flowers, my flowers."
"She's delirious. Ruka take Anna and Youichi to school. I'll stay here with this mess."
"But Hotaru-"
"Not up for discussion Nogi."
"Let's go guys."
I can see Youichi getting his bag, "Yoooooou-chan." I call.
He turns toward me and I can see a surgical mask on his face. Is this another delusion? I reach out from him, but he just continues to stare.
"Stay away. I don't want your germs." He says monotonously.
"Don't be mean." I whine.
"Everyone, just go. Before you catch whatever she's got."
Catch?
Hotaru returns me to my pillows and I can see she is also wearing a surgical mask. She removes her blazer which is now a little damp thanks to me and goes into the kitchen where the kettle is screaming. It feels like everything in my head is screaming. I use my sleeves to wipe my face.
"Don't do that. It's silk. Here." Hotaru says holding out a box of tissues.
I take a couple and dry my face and blow my nose which makes my head throb.
"You have a temperature of one hundred and two." She states going back to the kitchen.
"I'm cold."
"I'm making tea."
I cough several times and roll onto my side, "How did this happen?"
"Obviously you're pushing yourself too hard and not eating well enough."
"I eat plenty."
"Not healthy enough. You're eating too scarcely and when you do eat its junk food."
"Misaki cooks for us." I defend weakly.
"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner?"
"No just dinner sometimes." I confess.
"You need to cook."
"I don't have time."
"Make time. You look like you have the plague."
"Gee thanks."
She hands me a cup of tea and sits on the edge of the bed.
"Is the face mask really necessary?" I ask before taking a sip.
"Precautionary. My brother's wedding is fast coming and I can't risk getting stuck in my house with all of the planning going on. It's like a construction site every day. Loud banging and yelling at all hours and that's just my mother and Shizune. The decibels rise as soon as Subaru shows up."
"Ah."
"In addition I don't want to take a chance catching your idiot germs."
"Of course."
"You look tired."
"I feel like I got hit by a truck." I say caressing my head.
"You were crying."
I don't respond. The sound of my dad's voice and the feeling of his arms squeezing me is still lingering. My throat feels tight.
"Something about flowers."
"I had a garden when I was little. I was upset because the flowers didn't grow fast enough. My dad told me to be patient. When he died I stopped taking care of it and the flowers stopped growing."
"And that invoked the sobbing?"
"No, for a moment I was drifting between my past and present. I just wish my dad wasn't dead you know? I could spend a whole day with him just talking and hanging out. Maybe plant another garden like the one I had before."
"It wouldn't be enough. And you'd have to relive the pain of losing him again."
"Maybe, but at least I'd get to say goodbye."
We sit in silence for a moment sipping our tea cups. I can't really taste the tea, but the hot trickle down my throat is very soothing.
"So why were you guys here?" I ask after a moment.
"Youichi called me." She replies.
"He called you?"
"He said he's been trying to wake you for some time and you wouldn't budge. I was with Ruka and we ran into Anna on our way here."
"I'm a little surprised you'd come to my aid."
"Youichi wouldn't have called if he wasn't worried. Plus Ruka tells me it's a friend's job to check on a sick friend no matter how high the risk of contamination."
"Stop, I'll start to tear up."
"Your trademark sarcasm is back so you must be feeling better."
"Not really, but I'm pretty resilient."
"I wonder if your current condition has something to do with this." Hotaru inquires as she holds up a black leather jacket.
My eyes widen a bit and my head starts to pound. I retreat under my covers with a groan. I can hear Hotaru moving around the apartment probably making more tea.
"So what moronic thing did you do now? If he gave you his jacket I'm guessing you went out in the cold without putting on a coat again."
"I was a bit preoccupied with putting my nose where it doesn't belong." I grumble from beneath my blankets.
"And where did your nose end up this time?" She asks sitting at the foot of my bed.
"The alley behind the bar; where Natsume and Reo were talking exclusively. Reo really wants Natsume to join up with him, but he has to do something first."
"Something like what?"
"I don't know. Some form of initiation. Natsume doesn't sound too interested so it could be something trivial."
"Nothing's ever trivial with Reo."
"Yeah but it sounds like he's working for someone else now, someone big."
"Reo's never worked for anybody, so it begs the question who would have the kind of pull to get Reo to be a good dog."
"Your guess is as good as mine. All I know is whoever it is has Reo running around like an errand boy. He had a 'pick-up' last night and I can only imagine what that meant."
"Shall we find out?"
"How?"
"It's not hard. I could wiretap his phone." She says simply.
"Isn't that illegal?"
She takes a sip from her cup, "Only if you get caught and I doubt anyone in Reo's circle is friends with the D.A."
"Okay, hold on. What exactly are we talking about here?"
"Well we're talking about finding out what Reo is up to and who he's working for and how it ties into Natsume. So while I look into it, you will keep Natsume busy."
"I'm in no condition to do that."
"Well you have to because if he does whatever it is he's supposed to do before I can find out what it is, I'll be wasting my time now won't I?"
"Yes, but I'm sick and I feel terrible I just want to sleep."
"You've slept enough. It's already Monday."
I pause for a moment, "Monday? That's not possible. I went to work last night. It's Sunday."
"No Misaki called in for you yesterday. She thought you were just tired."
"I slept an entire day away?" I ask trying to recall anything after I passed out after work on Saturday night, but my mind is a blank.
There's only darkness. It feels like Sunday, but Youichi and Hotaru are in uniform and Hotaru told Ruka to take everyone to school so it must be Monday. My head is starting to swim again.
"I can't believe it."
"Believe it." She says throwing the jacket to me, "I'll call Hyuuga and tell him you're sick. He should be over in a little while."
"Why would he do that?" I ask.
She rolls her eyes and pulls out her phone, "Don't strain your brain. I'll get him here, you keep him here. Even you can manage that."
I blow my nose again and push Natsume's jacket to the foot of the bed. I don't want to get cozy with that thing. Hotaru puts on her coat, leaving her blazer, and leaves without a word. Something beeps in the room and at first I thought I imagined it, but on the side table next to my fresh cup of tea is an orange cell phone. Hotaru's phone is white, so it can't be hers. I pick up the phone off the table and press the center button. It's an Imai brand fancy touchscreen phone. On the screen it says one text message from Hotaru.
It could be Ruka's or Anna's. I haven't gotten around to buying a cell phone just yet.
I click on the message icon and read the text.
Hotaru: Baka, this is a prototype of a phone I'm developing and seeing as how you're too stupid to buy one for yourself, I'm giving you this one. It's not a gift. You are my guinea pig for research purposes. –H
I hit the reply key and thank her. I spend the next twenty minutes exploring all of the little icons on my new phone. It isn't until there's a knock at my door that I remember that I'm supposed to be keeping Natsume busy.
I get up from my bed with some difficulty and take a detour to the bathroom before going to the door. Lucky I did because I look like a train wreck. I yank my hair up into a bun and rinse my face. His knocking is getting persistent.
"Coming!" I call out which sets off a new wave of coughing.
My throat feels like there are a million tiny needles coating it. I straighten out my pajamas and head to the door. I peek through the peep hole and see Natsume's raven hair and ruby eyes. I open the door and to my surprise he's actually wearing a school uniform. Being Natsume, his blazer hangs open revealing a disheveled white shirt minus a tie and several top buttons.
"Natsume, what brings you here?"
"You still have my jacket." He says walking right into my apartment.
"Won't you come in?" I mutter shutting the door.
"Imai said you were sick and I don't want my stuff contaminated."
"Aren't you sweet?" I comment falling into my bed. My head is starting to feel light again and I don't think it's because of my cold.
He picks up his jacket and examines it. I roll over onto my pillows and sigh. I can't remember the last time I had a cold, especially one that is as bad as this one. I slept for over twenty four hours and had a touch and go with delirium.
"Shut the door when you leave." I tell Natsume.
He looks skeptical like he wasn't expecting me to kick him out. Where is my usual barrage of questions and snarky remarks? I guess I really am sick. I just don't have the energy to go along with Hotaru's plan right now.
"Aren't you going to lock the door?" He asks.
"At some point, but right now I can't be bothered to move."
"You're stupid enough to leave your door unlocked for some pervert to just walk right in?"
"Well there's already a pervert in here so I think I've reached maximum capacity for perverts. The others will have to try again tomorrow."
He rolls his eyes and looks like he's trying to decide whether to stay or go.
"If it means that much to you, I'll get up and lock the door." I force myself to sit up.
"It's not like I have anything else to do." He says before I can stumble out of bed.
I settle back against my pillows, "Good then you can go lock the door and bring me some soup."
"Tch." He walks off and I think he might leave, but I hear the door lock click in place.
He sits down on one of the stools and swivels himself.
I wait for my coughs to subside, "Come on. Have a heart. There's soup in the fridge all you have to do is heat it up. The sooner I feel better, the sooner you can leave."
"I could use this time to get away from you. I wouldn't have to worry about eavesdroppers."
"I'd follow you, phlegm and all." I blow my nose into fresh tissue.
"I doubt that."
"Sure I would and then when I drop dead in the street you can explain to Hotaru and Youichi how that happened on your watch."
He narrows his eyes at me, but I just smile weakly, "Soup please."
"You owe me."
"Owe you?" I ask as he opens the fridge.
"I'll enjoy having you indebted to me."
"Indebted?"
"What are you a parrot? I help you study and warm your soup, that's at least two favors. Not to mention putting up with you and your antics."
"My antics?" I say before succumbing to a new series of coughs.
He places the bowl in the microwave and punches a few buttons to heat up my soup. I sip some of my tea that has gotten lukewarm. After a few minutes the microwave beeps and Natsume manages to give me my soup with a spoon and no attitude. He removes his blazer and sits down on the edge of my bed.
"Don't get too close. You might catch something."
"Like I would want to catch something from you. Those stools hurt my back." He replies lying down across the foot of my bed.
I bite back my tongue from saying something smart and eat my soup. We're settling into that weird place again. Where I don't despise him as much and we're not going at each other's throats. He just lies there with his hands behind his head and his eyes closed. I drink a spoonful of soup and will my headache to go away. The silence is nice, but it's also bugging the crap out of me. He's just lying there probably on the brink of sleep and I'm eating soup.
"Hey Natsume."
He sighs, "What?"
A knock at my door interrupts me and Natsume gets up to answer the door. Hotaru hasn't sent me another text and I'm not really expecting anyone so I wonder who it could be.
"Well, well, well, isn't this a surprise." A familiar voice says.
Tsubasa
Just what I need.
"And you are?" Natsume replies.
"Cheeky brat, I used to be your sempai. Tsubasa Andou. I was captain of the lacrosse team a few years back."
"Fascinating. What do you want?"
"Bad attitude as always." Tsubasa replies walking past him into the apartment.
I concentrate really hard on my soup so I don't have to see the look he'll give me for not only being around Natsume, but having him in my apartment. Again. Tsubasa walks around to the other side of my bed and I look up like I didn't hear him come in.
"Tsubasa, what brings you up here?" I say in my most sickly voice.
"I heard you were sick and had to come see how you're doing. Are you alright?"
"More or less. My fever is making my head pound and making me see dancing sheep, but other than that I'm just peachy." I reply before having another coughing fit.
He places his hand over my forehead and 'hmm's, "Yeah you're definitely warm. I thought I just missed you going to work. I didn't know that you were all cooped up in here with that."
Natsume doesn't respond and goes into the bathroom and closes the door with a slam. Tsubasa sits down next to me and for a minute I think he might start to lecture me, but he just puts his arm around my shoulders and gives me a hug.
"I guess all of your running around has finally caught up with you." He jokes.
"I guess so. It was bound to happen I suppose." I take another spoonful of soup.
He reaches over to the end table and grabs my poetry book, "I didn't know you liked poetry."
"It was my mom's. It has a saying for everything."
"Oh really?" He says somewhat amused.
He thumbs through the pages and reads over some of the phrases, "Which one is your favorite?"
"I don't really have a favorite. My life is ever changing and I always find a different one to fit my situation and inspire me."
"That's really nice." He comments.
Natsume leaves the bathroom and narrows his eyes, "Shouldn't you be working or something?"
I open my mouth to remind him of my predicament, but his eyes are narrowed at Tsubasa and not me. Tsubasa who didn't miss a beat just glared back at Natsume.
"I'm the landlord. My job includes knowing the well fare of my tenants who also happens to be a close friend."
"Well she's still breathing so you're work here is done."
"I wonder how much longer that will be with you in here. You're not exactly Mr. Trust worthy."
"Tsubasa I can handle myself, plus Natsume just came by for his jacket."
"Good then I can escort him out."
Natsume scoffs, "I'd like to see you try."
Tsubasa stands up with a mischievous smirk on his face and the tension between the two thickens. Afraid that this might turn into a physical altercation I leap out of bed and push them apart.
"Enough. My apartment isn't used to all this alpha male energy. You two need to-"
The abruptness of my leap sends a new wave of headaches my way and I sink to the floor. Two pairs of arms reach out for me instinctively and I can feel the tension has returned.
"I got her Hyuuga." Tsubasa says with a fake smile.
"Don't you have a desk to man?" He snaps.
"Not with Mikan here by herself."
"She's not by herself."
"Like I'm really going to leave her here with you."
"Guys." I call weakly.
All this fighting is mentally exhausting. They help me back into my bed and Tsubasa covers me with my blankets. I know he's worried because as far as he's concerned leaving me alone in my apartment with Natsume is just as bad as throwing me in a shark tank wearing a fish head bikini. Natsume is mutually not fond of Tsubasa which begs the question as to why he doesn't just leave.
Must be a guy thing.
"Tsubasa you should get back to the desk. Natsume can't do anything to me even if he wanted to, not unless he wants to catch this plague."
Tsubasa looks skeptical and Natsume defiant, but he finally leaves my apartment after giving a fair warning. Natsume takes a seat at the foot of my bed with a huff, "I hate that guy."
"The feeling appears mutual." I comment picking back up my soup bowl.
"What is he your boyfriend or something?"
I snort, "Not even. He's engaged FYI, plus he's like four years older than I am."
"None of that would matter to some people."
"Well it matters to me. Misaki and Tsubasa are like my older siblings."
"Does he know that?"
I raise an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you're actually jealous."
"Like I would be jealous of a guy like that."
"I don't know, you seem grouchier than usual." I tease.
He picks up my box of tissues and throws it at my head. Needless to say my reflexes are more than impaired. I yelp and rub my nose, "What was that for?" I demand.
"For being annoying."
"I don't know why so many girls fawn over you. Look at the way you treat a poor sick girl."
"A poor sick girl who also happens to be my stalker."
"I do not stalk you!" I defend placing my bowl down on the side table harder than I meant to.
"Tch, sure you don't. And I suppose you don't have a crush on me either."
"Me?! Have a crush on you?! You're the one who can't keep his hands off me. You would totally kiss me if you had the chance!"
Yelling at Natsume isn't helping my throat or my head. And just when I think I'm about to pass out midsentence Natsume places his hand over my mouth and crawls up beside me forcing my head down on his chest. I mumbled my protest, but his hand is practically cemented to my face.
Where's a big mucus filled sneeze when you need one?
"Just shut up for a minute." He says.
Under normal circumstances, I would wiggle and squirm and kick and bite, but I have no strength in my body to even think complete thoughts and before I could gather myself, a thick blanket of sleep smothers me into unconsciousness with only the thumping of Natsume's heart tying me to the present.
I don't know how long I was out, but when I wake up my bed is empty and my throat is dry. There's a glass of water on the side table and I drain it in two big gulps. My head feels less like a construction site and I'm not seeing any sheep, so I must be feeling a little better. I pick up my phone and the time reads a little after two in the afternoon. I have two text messages from Hotaru wanting to know if Natsume was still at my apartment. I look around, but it doesn't take me long to realize that I'm alone.
I start typing a reply to Hotaru, apologizing for my failure when my apartment door opens.
"Geez Natsume! Scare me half to death why don't you."
He just kicks the door shut, turns the lock and brings his convenience store bags to the kitchen counter, "I thought you'd sleep into next year. You almost crushed me with that big head of yours."
"I didn't ask you to be my pillow."
"You were about to pass out from talking so much. I did you a favor. That's another thing you owe me."
I roll my eyes. I must be feeling somewhat better because I have the strength to maintain some annoyance with him. He empties the contents of the bags onto the counter. Mostly snack foods like chips and cola. He makes room for his sodas in the fridge and tears open his bag of chips.
"Junk food? There's soup and iced tea and you duck out to get chips and soda."
"There goes your nose again, where it doesn't belong. My mom is a doctor; I get enough lectures at home."
"Obviously not enough." I mutter deleting my text to Hotaru.
Natsume is still here. Please tell me you have something so I can get rid of him! -M
I hit send and settle down against my pillows. A small box falls into my lap, "What's this?"
"Can't you read?" He asks.
"You bought me cough medicine?" I ask skeptically.
"My mom gives it to me and Aoi when we get sick." He says chomping down on his chips.
"And I'm supposed to trust you?"
"Don't you?"
I think about my answer and just rip open the box. How much do I trust this guy? I trust him to be a pervert and a womanizer. I trust him to do something stupid with his life. I trust him enough to be alone with him on multiple occasions. I trust that I can handle him, in sickness and in health. Not that I'm marrying the guy or anything.
I pour myself the recommended amount of medicine and knock it back like Natsume would do with a shot of alcohol. It tastes awful, but I keep a straight face and screw back on the bottle's cap. I set it down on the table only to come face to face with a cup of tea. Natsume doesn't make eye contact with me as he holds out the cup. This level of attentiveness is probably new and embarrassing for him. I just take the cup quietly and drink some small sips.
He sits down on my bed, "You need a TV."
"It rots your brain." I say taking a sip.
"Well that shouldn't be a problem for you."
"Aren't you cheeky today?" I remark putting down my tea cup.
I stare at the side of his face watching his jaw muscles move as he crunches down on his chips. He looks relaxed and once again I find myself feeling as though Natsume Hyuuga and I do this sort of thing all the time.
"Hey Natsume?" I call out.
"What now?"
"Why did you come? Was it just for your jacket?" I find myself asking.
"Why else would I come to a place like this?" He replies
I don't reply. As strange as it seems, part of me is a little let down. All the time we spend together and the declarations I've made yet it feels like nothing has really changed between us. He's still sour and I'm just a thorn in his side. Why am I even bothering? Everyone should be free to live their own life the way they want. No one should deprive them of making their own choices.
No matter how wrong and stupid they are.
A warm, firm hand is placed on my forehead. I look up to find Natsume's ruby eyes staring at me intently.
"Your fever has gone down, but you're still warm." He says.
I just blink at him, not knowing what to say. He moves his hand to my cheek and then down to my neck, before standing up and going back into the kitchen.
"I came because I was curious. You're always running around like a crazy woman, it was hard to believe that you were bedridden."
It still wasn't enough. What am I waiting for? For him to say that he cares? That he was worried? When did I become this girl? This foreign creature I don't even know how to begin to understand. My heart feels fluttery from the warmth that still lingers on my skin. I need to wash up, some cool water will do both my head and body good. My legs are a little shaky as I stand, but I manage to get to the bathroom and lock the door. I ignore my thoughts, emotions, and skin sensations while I turn on the water in the shower. I dedicate my entire shower to washing my body and hair. Being sick always makes me feel like I'm covered in phlegm and sweat. A hot shower followed by a cool rinse is exactly what I needed. It's easier to breathe and I feel a lot less disgusting.
The only problem is my clothes are in the bedroom and Natsume is in the living room, which means I'll have to walk past him in a towel. Not feeling too comfortable with the idea, I stall for time by drying my body and blow drying my hair. I stall for more time by washing my face with some face wash Nonoko gave me and making faces at myself in the mirror. Being completely dry makes me feel a little less vulnerable, but a towel being the only line of defense between my nude body and Natsume's prying eyes keeps me stranded in the bathroom.
"Are you dead in there?" Natsume's voice calls from behind the door.
"No!" I say a little louder than I intend.
"Well hurry up and get out. Ruka is on his way over."
"Okay!"
I pull my hair up into a bun and unlock the door. I take a deep breath and open the door slightly. Natsume is lying on my bed looking at his phone. I quietly exit the bathroom and make a beeline for the bedroom.
"No one wants to look at your toothpick body." Natsume comments without looking up.
I just slam the door shut. The nerve. I admit that I'm not the curviest thing around, but I'm most certainly not a toothpick. I slip into some underwear, silently fuming over Natsume's insult. For a guy who seems hell bent on getting cozy with me, he sure knows how to make me feel less than attractive. I pull on my black leggings and pink pleated skirt and to top it off I slip into a pair of pink leg warmers and a cotton candy pink blouse.
As I button the last buttons on my blouse, the bedroom door opens and Natsume sticks his arm through the space. He holds out my ringing cell phone with 'Hotaru Imai' blinking on the screen. I take the phone and hit the answer key.
"Hotaru?"
"Don't sound so confused. Caller ID is supposed to assure you of whose calling." She says.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Is he still there?"
"Unfortunately."
"Ruka should be on his way over to relieve you of you babysitting duties."
"But I'm having so much fun." I mutter cradling my phone on my shoulder so I can lace up my boots.
"Well you sound better."
"Probably the medicine Natsume bought me." I say before I can stop myself.
Natsume doing anything half way decent for me just for the sake of doing it rubs my insides the wrong way. I can't let my guard down now that he and I are getting into some weird pattern in our not-relationship.
"I'll pick you up in a half hour. Remember to bring a coat this time."
She hangs up without a goodbye and I leave the bedroom. Natsume takes his phone away from his ear and slips it into his pocket. Something tells me to keep quiet, but the fact that he's hiding a phone call is very suspicious. Then again I have a reputation for being a tad nosey.
"She lives." He says.
"Barely. My mother always said the best way to fight a cold is to get up and fight. Lying in bed being miserable just makes it worse."
"I believe doctors recommend rest."
"Rightly so, but I have a life to live and I don't intend to waste away in this bed." I say pulling the sheets off the mattress.
I'll have to wash these later. Hopefully I'll have time to do so after Hotaru and I return from wherever the hell she's taking me. Natsume leans against the kitchen counter and I can feel him watching me as I put the couch back together and replace the coffee table in the center of the room.
"No please, don't lift a finger to help." I huff.
"You seem to have a good hold on it." He replies.
"I'm sick, remember?"
"You look fine to me."
"You're unbelievable." I mutter walking into the kitchen.
"I've been told." He says with a sigh.
"That wasn't a compliment." I clarify pouring myself a glass of iced green tea.
I stand opposite him leaning against counter taking a long drink from my glass while he stares at me. I want to say something snarky, but only childish remarks come to mind. I stare back at him trying to muster the same indifferent expression on my face. He pushes back his hair with one hand and sighs.
"What's taking Ruka?" I ask.
He just shrugs and takes a swig of cola.
I put my glass down on the counter, "Thanks by the way. I know this isn't how you wanted to spend your day especially with me, but I appreciate it."
"I already said I didn't have anything else to do." is his reply.
"I know, but you probably could've found something."
For the second time today, Natsume Hyuuga's palm ends up on my forehead. My fever has broken I can tell by my lack of headache and delirium, but my cheeks are starting to heat up. His hand moves down to my cheek stays there. He's looking at me intently and I bat his hand away.
"My fever is gone. You can stop checking on me nurse."
His strong hands find their way back to my cheeks and I'm locked into his ruby eyes. I want to ask him what he's doing, but the power of speech has abandoned me and I can only stare with my mouth slightly agape. He's bringing his face closer to mine and I can't breathe. Everything inside me is panicking and screaming, but on the outside I'm perfectly frozen.
"Natsume? Mikan?" A voice calls from the door.
And just like that, reality returns once again and I remember how to breathe. Natsume heads to the door and walk right past Ruka, who I'm guessing didn't see anything.
"Let's go Ruka." Natsume says and before Ruka can protest, Natsume is already out the door.
We just wave at each other as he jogs after his friend. I sink down to the kitchen floor and will my heart to return to a normal pace. What the hell was that? I just froze? Like a giant idiot, I just stood there. My first kiss was about to be stolen by someone I'm reserved not to have any weird feelings towards and then the moment presents itself and I freeze. I can respond to Natsume's normal antics with ease and sarcasm, but just now? What was that? Something in his eyes? Or maybe I do still have a fever?
"What are you doing?" someone asks me.
I look up, "Hotaru. I felt a little dizzy, so I just sat down."
"Did you rest at all or were you too worried about Natsume alone with your unconscious virtue?"
"No I did rest. I think I'm just getting the tail end of it. That medicine is like magic." I say standing up.
"Are you ready?"
"Where are we going?"
"Reo's hideout."
As I put on my coat and grab my keys I spot Natsume's jacket still sitting on one of the stools. For some reason, it makes me smile.
"I'm bored." I whine taking another bite of my snack cake.
"It's a steak out moron. It's not like the movies." Hotaru says from behind her high tech binoculars.
"We've been here for hours. Natsume ditched Ruka an hour ago I don't think he's going to show up."
"Shhh. I can't hear what they're saying." Hotaru snaps.
Hotaru and I are sitting in a black SUV parked on the side of a deserted street under the cover of some low hanging trees and untrimmed bushes. It was a bit of a rush thinking that we would be in stealth mode spying on Reo and his crew, but after several hours of coke snorting, alcohol drinking, and watching mindless television, I'm officially bored to tears with watching these guys. And if one of them starts the big boobs vs. big butt debate I'm gonna lose it.
Hotaru has gone through the trouble of wiretapping Reo's phone so she could hear phone calls. She even has a program that allows her to hear their conversations by accessing the phone's microphone. A lot easier than planting bugs she says. Her binoculars have a million different settings like night and heat vision. She even brought snacks.
"Probably another boobs vs. butt debate." I mutter blowing my nose.
"Something about a pick up."
I roll my eyes, "Surprise, surprise."
"Someone's coming."
It's pretty dark out, but I can make out a single head light heading towards the old warehouse, a one story rundown shack practically in the middle of nowhere. The engine of the motorcycle revs and then cuts off. I pick up my binoculars and try to make out who arrived. All the guys in the warehouse came outside to see who it was.
"Natsume." Hotaru said.
And it is.
His arrival pleases Reo and he's ushered inside the warehouse. Hotaru adjusts her binoculars and turns up the speaker on her laptop so we can hear what they're saying.
"Glad you came man. I really am. I thought all you Hyuuga's were the same. Only good for money and never getting your hands dirty. But you? I can see you're a true visionary. Someone who isn't afraid to grab life by the balls you know? I respect that."
"What do you want Reo? You've been giving me the runaround for weeks. Are we going to do this or not?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course. We thought we'd take you out on a test drive first. You know, before the Bossman gets his hands on you."
"Test drive?"
"Heh, his mouth was practically watering when I told him you were a Hyuuga. I can hear it even over the phone. He plans on making you his top gun. Speaking of which…"
The sound of rustling against plastic is heard and Reo hands Natsume something, but heat vision can't pick it up.
"Know how to use it?"
A distinct click confirms what I already suspected.
"Don't be stupid." He replies placing it in his waistband.
"Oh and this." Reo says handing him something else.
"What's this for?"
"Think of it as a job perk."
"Reo, it's time." One of the other guys says.
"Pack it in boys. Time to collect." Reo announces.
Four of them file out of the warehouse and into a black car.
"What do we do?" I ask Hotaru.
She starts the engine appears to debate with herself. After a few minutes she follows their route into the city. She waits until we merge with traffic to turn on her headlights. They don't seem to notice as they talk and joke inside of the car. A sick feeling is building up in my stomach. Are we just supposed to watch this?
"Hotaru what are we going to do?" I whisper.
"He hasn't done anything yet." Hotaru says blankly.
"But Hotaru. . ." I begin.
But I can't finish because I don't know what else to say. He has the gun and God knows what they're going to do on this 'test drive'. I think I'm going to be sick. The car pulls up in front of a rundown building and the four boys exit the vehicle and mount the stairs. Hotaru continues past the building and turns the corner of the next block.
"Knock, knock." We hear Reo say.
"What the hell took you guys so long?" someone says in a harsh whisper.
"Whoa, hold on Monte. Do you have our money? Bossman was very clear on no more freebies."
"Are you kidding me Reo? I told you I'd pay you later." Monte says desperately.
"Sorry we're under new management and I can't do you anymore favors. Blow is an expensive habit you know."
"You said you would give it to me!" The boy yells.
"Calm down Monte. I'll put in a good word for you next time, but the fact is you still owe me money. Can't have that."
"What the hell?!"
There's a scuffle and loud 'oofs' as someone punches Monte hard several times. I doubt it was Natsume or Reo. I don't think Natsume would hit someone unprovoked and as for Reo, I'm pretty sure he likes calling the shots.
"Now you're going to get me my money in three days or my friend Natsume here is going to put a bullet in your brain. Got it?"
There's a loud thump and a groan.
"Good. Tell your sister I said hey."
"Hotaru I don't want to do this anymore." I whisper.
"Mikan don't be ridiculous." She says.
"This is not a tv show Hotaru! This is real. I lived this before and I don't want to do it again!" I yell.
Hotaru doesn't say anything else and just starts the car. The ride back to my apartment is silent and awkward. I didn't mean to get so upset but I feel like a big failure. I can't stop Natsume from doing things like this and I'm kidding myself if I thought otherwise.
"I'm sorry." I say after the awkward pause.
"Don't apologize. I expected this to happen." She says simply.
"You did?"
"Of course. I felt that you needed to get a taste of what you were getting into. You can't change people Mikan. You can only hope that your presence in their lives can cause enough of a disturbance to make them want to change themselves. What Natsume does or does not become is up to him."
"I was being stupid again."
"I think the appropriate word is naïve, but don't be too down on yourself. You have a savior complex that's understandable given your situation. Now if you don't mind I'm going to go home and take a hot bath."
I say goodnight and walk robotically back to my apartment. It's a little after nine and Youichi is slumped on the couch reading while Misaki washes the dishes. Her pink locks are pulled up into a ponytail and she bobs her head to the music coming from her ear buds. I toss my keys onto the side table and ruffle Youichi's hair. I tap Misaki on her shoulder and she jumps.
"You're back early." She says.
I pull one of her ear buds out so she can hear me, "Yeah more fruitless endeavors. You didn't have to do the dishes."
"Don't be silly. You're still sick in my book so go take a hot bath and I'll warm up some more soup. Go on." She says shoving me towards the bathroom.
I smile a bit and follow her instructions. The hot water soothes my body, but my mind is far from being at ease. The thought of Natsume with a gun under his shirt beating up druggies in rundown buildings is enough to keep me up all night. I know I shouldn't care. I know it shouldn't matter to me because it's not my life. But it does. It bothers me to my core and I just want that feeling to go away, but I know it won't. He's under my skin and I thought I was under his. Enough to keep him away from that life, but I was obviously wrong. I bother Natsume, but in a childish way. I'm like a mosquito buzzing around him, but that's it, nothing else. I am just a bug.
I put on a pair of cotton pajamas and eat soup with Misaki and Youichi. I force myself to talk about stuff at work and ask Youichi about school. I feel completely out of my head. That is, until Misaki points out Natsume's leather jacket to me.
"He must've forgotten it again. I'll leave it with Ruka tomorrow." I tell her casually so she doesn't get any ideas, but I'm pretty sure she'll grill Tsubasa later, but that's okay because Misaki isn't much of a gossip.
Misaki leaves and I put Youichi to bed. He looks like he wants to ask me about today, but I just tell him I'm fine with the most sincere smile I can muster and tuck him in. I'm pulling out the sofa bed when there's a knock on the door. Probably Tsubasa to check up on me again is what I think. I glance through the peephole and see that familiar raven hair and chiseled jaw. My stomach drops into my foot. I don't want to speak to him because I know I can't talk to him without giving away that we'd followed him. I go to the kitchen and retrieve his jacket. I open the door just wide enough to shove the jacket through, muttering a 'Here' before trying to close the door again, but his foot stops me.
"What's your problem?" He asks raising an eyebrow at me.
"Nothing I'm just tired so can you please move?" I say not even looking at him.
He pushes his way into our apartment before I can make a move to stop him, "Is your boyfriend here or something?"
"Don't be stupid." I mutter.
"You're the one being stupid." He retorts.
I sigh blowing my bangs skyward, "Why are you still here? I gave you your jacket, so just go."
"You're mad." He states.
No duh.
"Why would I be mad? You think I care what you do?" is my reply.
He reaches out for my face, but I slap his hand away, "No! Don't touch me. Stay away from me and stay away from my brother. Just get out."
He smirks bitterly, "So that's it huh? Well that didn't last long."
I yank up his shirt revealing the butt of the pistol, "Neither did you."
He pushes down my hand and we just glare at each other. I know I've given myself away, but I'm just so mad that I don't even care.
"'Phlegm and all' huh?"
"I already told you, didn't I?"
"Yeah I guess you did."
"Now please get out. I won't follow you again. You stay away from me and I'll stay away from you."
He takes a step toward me and towers over me with his glare. I don't back down. I never back down. I just stare up at him with the nastiest glare I can muster. I just want him to burst into flames at this point.
"And what if I don't want to?" He says darkly.
My heart gives a little flutter, but my anger is more prominent, "I can just call the police. Possession of a weapon and probably drugs, the press would have a field day. Maybe your parents might even disown you."
"I'm a Hyuuga. No one tells me what to do." He announces.
"Someone should. Just get the hell out Hyuuga. Maybe some girls are into the whole gang thing, but not me. I don't want in my home and I don't want it near my brother."
"Well don't you sound like a grown up." He mocks.
"Someone has to be."
"You're so full of it."
"Excuse me?"
"What are you deaf? You get all preachy about saving me and now all of a sudden you want to give up and tell me to stay away from you. I didn't ask for you to stick your nose in my business!" He yells.
"Well I'm sorry I did!" I yell back.
"Too late for that isn't it? But here, you still want to help me?" He says pulling the gun from his waist and holds the trigger side towards me, "Go ahead. Put me out of my misery. Go on Mikan, save me."
I push his hand away from me, "You spineless bastard."
"Yeah well screw you. I didn't ask for you or any of this."
"You're just a coward. Too afraid to do anything with your life so you just throw it away. I've seen what a guy like you becomes Natsume. I'm not going back there again."
"No one asked you to."
"You think I like this?! You think I like feeling this way or saying these things? Well newsflash, I don't. I hate seeing you and not being able to know what you're thinking about. I hate this feeling I get when you're around and when you're not around I hate wondering where you are. I hate that you're in my head. I hate feeling so comfortable with you, but you know what I hate most of all? I hate not hating you. I just feel sorry for you. Maybe I do have some kind of savior complex. I don't know. All I know is that I don't want you to go somewhere I can't follow."
We just stare at each other in silence. I want to take it back. When did this happen? When did my mouth start to say things that even I didn't know were true?
"Idiot." He says after a moment and I think I might cry.
I know I'm stupid and a moron and naïve, but I can't take back what I said. Natsume Hyuuga is a womanizer. He's mean, sadistic, and drinks a lot. He doesn't really have any friends and is on the road to becoming a gang member. He's everything I want nothing to do with, so why can't I stop? Like a moth to flame I continue to go to him. I can feel the heat and I back away, but I go back like the stupid moth. He puts the gun down on the table and sighs running a hand through his head in frustration looking at me the whole time. I want to cry, but my eyes refuse to shed tears so I stand there like a child waiting to be scolded.
He mutters curse words under his breath and slams his fist on the counter and before I can say anything to retract or defend my outburst his hands finds their way to my face and he kisses me hard.
Right on the lips.
Among all of the sensations I've felt since I came here, all of the discomfort, distrust, and disgust, I've never felt as horribly wonderful as I do with Natsume Hyuuga's lips pressed firmly against my own. All of the bad and good balled into in this one moment. The warmth from the flame starts to burn, but I can't pull away.
And like the moth, I've become utterly and devastatingly consumed by my flame.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! And yes this is they're first official kiss, but as much as you may love me for writing it, you'll probably hate me for the next chapter! But that's all you're getting out of me! Who knows I might change my mind ;)
Ain't I a devil?
Toodle loo my duckies!
Lots of Love
Chi-chan