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 6

The next day, Mikan was awoken up by the opening of the door. She opened her eyes and slowly sat up. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw who the person was and it made her really happy. She smiled big and waved her hand. She was not expecting him to come at all but... Here he is, right in front of her!

"Ruka-pyon," She greeted.

"Ohayou, Sakura." Ruka smiled gently at her. His angelic features made Mikan's heart sort of... melt. Maybe if Ruka was the one who is here, she'll feel better. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm just fine, Ruka-pyon." Mikan smiled big. She doesn't understand. Why does she feel so light today? As far as she could remember, yesterday her heart ached like crazy. She even heard her grandpa say "She's dying..." to someone. She didn't know if her grandpa was talking to someone or something. She just heard it and everything became blank again... Then she started whispering Natsume's name. "I'm so happy to see you!" Mikan added.

"I'm happy to see you too, Sakura. And to see you well and smiling this morning really made my worries disappear." Ruka said. "Has Natsume visited you?"

"Natsume?" Mikan's heart, upon hearing her best friend's name, ached a little. Was yesterday only her dream? "I... I don't know, Ruka-pyon..." She looked down.

"Hey, is there something wrong? What happened to you, really?"

Mikan looked outside the window where birds are chirping, flying around the trees. "Natsume... He never wanted me to be his best friend."

Ruka's eyes furrowed. How could Natsume say that? How could he do that? Natsume knew Mikan's condition. Why does he have to worsen it? "Was that the reason why...?"

Mikan nodded. "Yes, Ruka-pyon... He's the reason why my heart attacked." She looked down at her lap, clenching her fists on her blanket. "He told me that he's no longer my Natsu-chan..." She looked at Ruka. "Am I really that bad a best friend?"

Ruka sat on the edge of Mikan's bed and placed a hand on her head. He smiled. "Of course not, Sakura. Don't believe everything that Natsume says."

Mikan didn't answer.

"Let me tell you, Sakura. Don't ever give up on being his best friend, okay?"

Mikan smiled widely. "I won't, Ruka-pyon!"

There was a knock on the door then a doctor came in. "Sakura-san?"

"Good morning, Doctor!" Mikan smiled.

The doctor looked at Ruka then at Mikan. "You seem very happy today, Sakura-san." He smiled back. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel better now, Doctor." Mikan said cheerfully.

"I see, I see." The doctor nodded. "If this continues, maybe by next week, you can go home."

Mikan smiled widely. That's good news! "Really?!"

"Yes, Sakura-san." The doctor chuckled.

Mikan looked at Ruka. "Heard that, Ruka-pyon? I'm going home! I'm coming to school again!" She was almost jumping on her bed.

Ruka chuckled. "Take it easy, Sakura."

"Very well then. Maybe you should visit her often now. I've never seen Sakura-san this energetic until I saw you with her today." The doctor told Ruka.

Ruka nodded. "I will, Doctor. If that will make Sakura better then I really will."

"That's great." The doctor smiled then he turned to Mikan. "Take care now. I'll send breakfast for you." Then the doctor left.

Mikan was never excited like this. She's going home if she feels better! She can't wait.

"Sakura, I'll be visiting you, okay?" said Ruka.

Mikan blushed and her heart started pounding again. Does she still have her feelings for Ruka? She forced herself to smile. "I would be happy." She said.

"Every afternoon, right after school, I'll go here. Maybe I'll ask Ogasawara-san, Umenomiya-san, and Imai to visit you as well."

Upon hearing Hotaru's name, Mikan looked down. It seemed like the past just came back: when Ruka found out that Mikan likes him and when Mikan found out that Ruka likes Hotaru. "Alright. Thank you, Ruka-pyon."

"You're welcome, Sakura. I bet Ogasawara and Umenomiya will be so happy to see you. I'll ask them to prepare a nice meal for you." said Ruka-pyon. "Expect us, okay?" He smiled.

Mikan looked at Ruka and smiled back. Oh well. Past is past. It's time to move on, right? And anyway, she and Ruka are already peace. "I'll hang on to that, Ruka-pyon!"

"Great."

"I can't wait."

"Sakura?"

"Yes, Ruka-pyon?" She was still smiling.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything, Ruka-pyon!"

"Well..." Ruka wanted to ask her while he was looking out the window but he felt like it won't be sincere so he just looked straight at Mikan's eyes. "Do I still have a chance?"

Mikan blinked. And blinked. And blinked. "Huh?" Was her only uttered word. She didn't know exactly what Ruka was talking about.

Ruka sweatdropped. Typcial Mikan. He then turned serious again. "I mean..." Okay, wrong question. Change it, change it! "Sakura, do you still like me?"

Mikan froze upon hearing the question. Does she? Do I? "I..." She stuttered. "I... W-Well..."

Ruka's eyes remained on Mikan's.

Mikan looked away, blushing. "Why are you suddenly asking me that question?"

"I'm serious, Sakura. Answer."

Mikan looked at Ruka, wide-eyed. "I..." She pouted and nodded.

Ruka smiled. "Great to know that."

"W-why?" She asked.

Ruka sighed. "You're the only person I'll talk to about this so... Listen okay?"

Mikan nodded.

"Well, you see..."

Flashback

Three years ago, Ruka and Hotaru were eating a cake in a restaurant. Ruka already had his courage to tell Hotaru his feelings and this is the time.

"Imai?"

"What, Nogi?" Hotaru looked at him blankly.

"I want to tell you something."

"What is?"

Ruka heaved a deep breath and after letting it out, he looked at Hotaru's blank violet eyes and said. "I like you."

Hotaru's hand, which was holding a fork, stopped halfway from the plate. "What?" She asked.

"I said I like you, Imai."

"I see." Hotaru placed the fork down and looked at Ruka. Her lips started forming a small smile then she actually laughed.

Ruka blushed in embarrassment. It was a rare thing to see Hotaru laugh and he should be happy but why does he feel so embarrassed?

"Really now, Nogi? What did you eat awhile ago?" Hotaru chuckled then her expression returned to its blank state. "I'm sorry, Nogi."

Right then and there, Ruka heard his heart being smashed into pieces.

"Friendship is all I can offer."

Plain and simple.

End of Flashback

"Oh..." Was the only word Mikan could say. She can't believe Hotaru actually broke Ruka's heart.

"Now, I know what you felt when I told you that I like Imai. It really hurts and I'm sorry..." Ruka looked down.

Mikan smiled. "It's okay."

Ruka looked at Mikan.

"Thanks for sharing it to me though. Is there something I can do?"

"Sakura... Can we start over again? Let's be close like before. I don't want you to stay away anymore."

Mikan held Ruka's hand and smiled. "Sure, Ruka-pyon."

~~~~~0o0o0o0o0~~~~~

if this chapter sucks, let me apologize. T_T

i'm not thinking clearly right now, hahah!

i don't know why...

but yeah...

please bear with me. T_T

oh, and thanks for the reviews :]

XxAnoniimouSxX