Summary: They've been best friends since they were kids. They vowed at each other that they will always be best friends forever. Yes, forever.

Chapter Four

When the night came, Mikan stayed inside the tree house, thinking. Who could that person be? Mou, no one should go inside the tree house except for me and Natsu-chan... Natsu-chan was the one who made that rule... Why did he...?

"Polkadots."

Mikan looked up and saw Natsume. "Konbanwa, Natsu-chan..."

"What are you doing here?"

"Nothing... I just wanted to stay here for awhile..."

"I see."

"Natsu-chan... I heard you talking to someone last night... Who was it?"

"Just someone." Natsume avoided her eyes.

"You said no one's allowed to go up here but me and you... How come...?"

"A trespasser."

"I felt you kissing me in my forehead, Natsu-chan," She pointed at her forehead. "And heard you say 'take care'. What do you mean by that, Natsu-chan? And why did that trespasser called you 'kuro neko'? And... Was he referring to me when he said 'little kitty'?"

"You were awake?"

"I'm not really that sure... I thought I was dreaming..."

"Tch. Nice dream of yours."

"So it was a dream?!" Mikan smiled.

"You just don't know what happened to me last night."

Mikan's face dropped. "How could I if you're not telling me?"

"It's none of your business."

"Why is it none of my business, Natsu-chan? I'm your best friend."

"Hn."

"Tell me what's wrong, Natsu-chan!"

"I told you, it's none of your business."

"B-but why?"

"Of all people, why did you pick me to be your best friend huh? Why did you offer yourself to be my best friend? You know I already got Ruka. Why not Imai? Or Ogasawara (Nonoko) and Umenomiya (Anna)? Of all people, why the hell me?"

"Because I want to..." Mikan looked at Natsume's crimson eyes. "Is it wrong? Are you telling me that... You don't want to be my best friend anymore?"

"Hn."

"Mou, you don't want to be my best friend anymore!" Mikan started crying.

"Fine. To tell you the truth, yes. I don't want you to be my best friend anymore. I never did. And anyway, who would want to be your best friend? Who would want to have an idiotic best friend, huh? No one would."

Mikan widened her eyes. "W-why?" Then she felt as if a knife stabbed her heart.

Natsume lowered his head, causing his bangs to cover his eyes. "I am not your 'Natsu-chan' any longer."

"H-how come... You were always there for me... But... You're not letting me be there for you... I told you almost everything about myself... But you didn't! This isn't fair!"

"That's right. Life isn't fair."

"Yeah! It isn't! Life isn't fair, it's cruel! It's mean!" Mikan cried then ran towards the door and climbed down.

***

The next day, Mikan didn't come to school. She was sent to the hospital due to her heart illness. The doctor said she just has to rest and avoid the things that would make her emotional.

"Mikan-chan, what is happening to you?" Grandpa held Mikan's hand who was lying on the hospital bed.

Mikan opened her eyes and looked at her Grandpa. "Grampa, I'll be fine, alright? Don't worry."

"Avoid thinking of the things that made your heart attack, okay, Mikan-chan?"

"Yes, Grampa..." Mikan looked at the ceiling.

"Would you like a glass of water, Mikan-chan?"

"Yes please, Grampa..."

Grandpa stood up from his chair and went to the mini-refrigerator to get a bottled water then he poured it on a glass. He went beside Mikan and helped her sit up then he gave her the glass of water.

"Arigatou ne, Jii-chan..." She took the glass of water and drank it. She looked at the clock and saw it was four twenty-five.

***

In the Academy, Natsume was ready to go when Ruka approached him.

"Natsume,"

"Ruka."

"Have you heard about Sakura?"

"Of course not. She didn't go to school." Natsume rolled his eyes and continued walking. "And I'm not interested on knowing."

"Sakura's in the hospital, Natsume..."

Natsume stopped and widened his eyes. That baka. I told her to take care of herself.

But then another voice came inside his mind. But it was the other day. Didn't you know it's your fault why she was sent in the hospital?

"My fault? How did it become my damn fault?" He muttered.

"What did you do, Natsume?"

Natsume can hear the firm of Ruka's voice. "It's none of your business, Ruka. And I don't... Care if she's in the hospital or not."

***

Mikan's heart started to ache again. "Jii-chan!" She screamed as she clutched her chest.

"Mikan-chan?!" Grandpa started to panic. He went outside the room and called for the nurse. (Mou, I'm not really good at medics... :[ gomen...)

Tears started escaping Mikan's eyes because of the pain she's feeling. Please... Calm down... Calm down!

"Mikan-chan, breathe! Breathe!"

Mikan breathed heavily and tried calming herself down. Slowly, the pain in her heart lessened.

"Breathe, Mikan-chan... Think of something that would make you feel better..."

Mikan closed her eyes and pictured the Sakura Tree where their tree house is located and she's under it, resting... Peacefully... With the Sakura Petals also falling on the ground... There, Mikan was sleeping with a smile on her face. I could rest here in peace. She thought. This is where I want to be... A peaceful and quiet place...

"A peaceful and quiet place..." Mikan whispered.

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