Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

I should go die in a hole and burn where I belong for leaving this update til sooo late.

I admit to my sin of procrastinating majorly and now that exams are over, I cracked my whip (well... actually... I'm just procrastinating my science project now but...moving on).

Yes, I feel like horribly poop for posting this so late. It lay half written for about 2 and a half weeks.

I bet I lost a ton of readers.

But I didn't give up on it as promised. May Madness just gave me the final boost (or dreadful guilty feeling). This is probably the second last chapter now too.

So, just read it, will ya?

Chapter 17: Accusations and Claims

"... I still can't believe you kissed her."

"WHAT THE HELL, KOKO? GET OVER IT!"

"Hey, hey! Don't injure the maimed!"

"Grr... besides, it's always me who has to kiss her. And I always have to steal it."

"Naw, poor Natsume. Doesn't that make you sound like a pervert? Wait a second... when else?"

"Shut up, Yome. You know all too well what happened at the Christmas ball four years ago."

"That I do." He grinned sheepishly.

Natsume stood up and a flame erupted on his palm. "I can very well extend your stay in this clinic, you know?"

"I'll shut up now."

"Good." He sat back down.

"..."

"..."

"...So..." Natsume's eyebrow twitched at the unwelcome sound. He'd have to deal with it though; it was his choice to stay by his friend's side in the first place. There was a dear price to pay. "Looking forward to any presents in particular this year?"

"What do you mean?" This time, his short brows narrowed.

"Oh, you know, a present... from a certain someone..."

"..."

"Come on! Isn't there something you want from her!"

"...I have my plans."

"Oh ho!"

"Tsubasa-senpai, you and Misaki-senpai sound like the sweetest couple!"

The cobalt haired senior sweat-dropped because though he had been telling her multiple incididents where he had been beaten good and proper by his dear old girlfriend, she still seemed sold on their lovey-dovey-ness. "Uh, yeah, something like that..."

"But-but it's true!" she argued. "You were obviously doing stupid things for her to get mad - though I admit it's kinda often - so she obviously cares about you. And you! You love her so much, senpai, it comes all out in your words! You wouldn't be having this love hate relationship if you weren't that comfortable with each other."

"Mmm," he conceded, "I guess."

She smiled victoriously.

"Hey, we're here." The odd party of a middle school girl, a senior school boy and a passed out blonde were greeted by a hospitable nurse at the clinic. The lady immediately took Ruka and the two to an empty ward and laid him down.

"I see." When she heard what happened from Mikan she smiled sheepishly at her and then at Ruka while Tsubasa choked on his laughter.

"So that's what happened," Tsubasa chuckled and heaved an amused sigh at the passed out boy.

"Koko, you hear that?" the black cat's ears perked up as he heard the familiar and angelic voice of a certain someone.

"What?"

"Mikan," he responded, "I hear Mikan."

"Dude, I think you love her so much that you're hearing things," he reasoned slyly. "Besides, why would she be in a medical wing?"

"That's precisely what I'm worried about."

Koko listened. "Come to think of it, I do hear some whiny noise in the other room, hehe. You aren't delusional after all, Natsume."

"Wait right here, Koko," and with that he upped and departed from the room with an anxious frown.

"Mm, Mikan," Tsubasa added, "if you value Ruka's peace of mind then I suggest you shouldn't tell Natsume."

"Eh? But why?"

Tsubasa smirked mischievously and sat down with a mock air of superior intelligence. "You see, dear child," he began, "Natsume is but a young boy going through a stage of his life where he can't... contain his inner beastly self. The poor, helpless child is rendered unable to control the hormones raging like crazy through his veins.

"You'll find that when a person in this situation develops... a strong attachment... to a person or thing – especially a person – they find themselves answering to the strong call of the green-eyed monster. Especially for such an emo... ahem... -tional child, the deep desire to protect what he regards as belonging to him is far greater.

"Also," he smirked as he realized he could take advantage of her confused face, "Natsume suffers from a mild case of retardedness and arrogant bastardness so if you know what's good for you, his anger tuned tourettes might just go off at Ruka if you tell him." He chuckled contentedly.

Mikan's face crumpled in confusion. "Eh? Huh? I still don't get it... what does that have to do with Ruka and Natsume?"

"Yes, Andou, what exactly has this got to do with anything?" a cold, boyish voice interrupted.

Hazel and midnight blue eyes widened to find a raven haired lad leaning on the doorway frame. It was safe to say that his expression wasn't anything near pleased.

"Natsume!" Mikan exclaimed. "How long have you been standing there?" His expression said it all. Tsubasa started to sweat.

"If you value your head, Andou, I'd advise that next time you shut the door. I swear, if I'm called mildly retarded or an arrogant bastard or having anger tuned tourettes again, I will burn your precious beanie off, as well as your hair and part of your scalp."

"Uh...," Tsubasa chuckled nervously and turned to Mikan, "don't worry about all that, Mikan, I was just joking. I didn't mean any offense to people with those conditions. Now, I'm pretty sure Natsume wants to stay with his best friend. Come to think, didn't you say Mind-reader was here? Let's swap and go visit him." He spoke quickly and he winced at the thought that Koko was here because of Natsume. He practically dragged Mikan out the room. "Come on now!"

Mikan followed Tsubasa – who was being death stared by Natsume – out the door and he mumbled a quick apology. "Look, I told her it wasn't true. It's all cool now, right? God, Misaki would've given me a double-up of bruises by now..." With that, he scrambled out the door.

Mikan made to follow but beamed up at Natsume on the way out the door, "Haha, it's good to know that wasn't true. Right, Natsume? Though, he may have been right about the arrogant part. You can have Ruka now. I'll be seeing you."

Before she could completely disappear from the room, Natsume's hand shot out and grabbed her arm. She just barely saw his expression change to one she couldn't quite put her finger on. Her body fell limp at the sight of his eyes.

"Shadow freak wasn't completely wrong..." he whispered.

He pulled her towards him, closed his eyes and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. "... I don't like it when other people spend too much time with what's mine."

Mikan's eyes were wide with surprise and she was frozen on the spot; torso leaning on Natsume and neck titled away perfectly for him to lean in and kiss her. Natsume had also opened his eyes and was now staring seriously at her with his crimson orbs.

He sighed briefly and gently nudged the dumbstruck girl out the door. He then turned a stern eye to his sleeping friend. An even larger sigh escaped his lips.

"So it was you!" Koko gasped animatedly as Mikan and Tsubasa entered the room. "Dang, that Natsume has a built in Mikan tracker with supersonic hearing." He threw off the clean sheets to sit up on his bed and welcome a warm hug from the girl. "You give the best hugs, you know that?" he grinned. "But don't tell Natsume I said that."

Tsubasa laughed and agreed. Mikan pouted. "Quit it already guys!" she whined.

Her senpai threw her a narrowed eye smirk, "So now you know what we're talking about."

She stuttered, "Na-Natsume told me on the way out..."

"Ooh, now!" Tsubasa zeroed in on her, "And how exactly did he tell you?"

Mikan felt the heat creeping up her cheeks – only amusing the high schooler further – as she struggled to reply. Before she could pipe up, however, the sandy haired patient beat her to it. With his signature grin, he said none too softly, "HE TOLD YOU YOU WERE HIS AND KISSED YOU ON THE CHEEK! Awwww!"

Senpai and Kohai looked from each other to Koko who had his chin in his palm and was sitting cross legged on the bed. "How'd you know that?" the girl inquired with alarm. She looked hesitantly from Koko to her senpai. Tsubasa's lips were steadily and slowly pulling upward over time as he let Koko's words sink in.

"I may not be able to read your thoughts," he shrugged, "but fire boy next door isn't exactly a quiet thinker." Mikan's face exploded with colour and Tsubasa started howling with laughter.

"Oh, oh, I can't take this!" The senior clutched his shaking sides and managed between fits of laughter, "He acts all tough and BAM! He is the biggest softy in the world. Look at him. That romantic! HE KISSED YOU ON THE CHEEK AND SWEET TALKED YOU! I should probably be feeling all protective but what's there to protect from? That guy would probably be a helpless puppy if you tried to pull something on him. You've get him wrapped around your finger. Nice job, kohai, nice job!"

Mikan did not accept the quivering high five that was aimed at her; she merely stared at her senpai incredulously. She glared at him furiously until he lowered his shaking hand and managed to drag himself onto a visitor's seat. She slapped her forehead and turned to Koko whom she also found sniggering. She shot him a look and he bit his tongue.

"Anyway, Koko," she began sharply, remembering something to change the topic to. "Natsume's birthday is soon, and you're his friend – not to mention you've been holed up with him for a couple days now. You must have some idea of what he wants. I can't think of anything. Plus, you know Hotaru's got me broke." She fidgeted with her fingers, brows furrowed in concentration that was evidently getting nowhere.

Koko examined her and wondered what to say. Should he tell her of his coincidental conversation with him before? All that could be heard in the following few seconds were Tsubasa's wheezing and Mikan's thoughtful hum. Finally, he decided, "Actually, Mikan, I think you should just trust Natsume. Or rather, ask him on the day. He never really said he wanted anything in particular. Besides, Mikan, I'm sure for that lovesick kitten, time with you is more than enough."

Her ears coloured and she looked down but she made to protest, "But-!"

"I bet you don't even see each other much. In class, you can't act overly familiar with each other because of... ya know...and though his ploy is at least preventing suspicion, any observant random could guess that he's definitely been in a better mood since you got here. I bet half the class thinks he's got a crush on you."

"Eh-!"

"Chill, Mikan. You haven't been paying much attention to him in that respect too. So, my best bet is that you should at least spend more time with him." She considered him thoughtfully. That was the best idea yet, and it was something only she could give. Plus it didn't require a single Rabbit. "You know, some lovey dovey action should brighten up his day," he added.

"KOKORO YOME!#$!" she screamed spontaneously.

"I said to chill! I was only kidding..." he held his hands up defensively as the girl continued to fume in embarrassment and outrage. "But, I'm just saying; every kiss, even that one just then, has had to be stolen. It makes the boy doubtful, you know; never getting on in return. That places it at stolen kiss number three."

"Ouch." Tsubasa had recovered. "Even Misaki takes the wheel every now and then."

Mikan looked from one boy to the other with wide eyes. She didn't think her face could get any redder. Was it... did she...? Did Natsume actually expect that sort of thing? It never really crossed her mind. She admitted she got butterflies when he did it but she never thought that she'd be expected to... didn't Natsume deserve that too? Was she being unnecessarily mean to avoid him in class? Her lip trembled and she looked like she was about to cry.

"Woah, Mikan," Koko sensed the mood and tried to calm her down. "It was just a thought, if a bit sudden. I forgot you were twelve until a while ago. Don't cry!"

"Yeah," Tsubasa inputted and beckoned her to him, "don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with. We're just teasing." She looked up at him with glassy puppy dog eyes and listlessly walked into his open arms. "Dammit, if he makes you ever cry like this, then I will get protective."

He squeezed her as Koko carefully got of bed to console her too. He placed a hand on her arm too. "Yeah, we didn't think you'd react like that. He's right. No harm meant. No pressure at all. We're guys, Mikan, we're stupid. That was too sudden."

"No," she sniffed. "I'm sorry. That was just a bit sudden for my liking. D-does Natsume really feel neglected like that? I mean, I like him and everything but... but... Have I really ignored him that much? I don't want him to think I don't care. It's just..."

"Shh," Tsubasa hushed. "No, he's a lucky guy. I'm sure he doesn't feel that way at all. Again, don't let him make you feel uncomfortable. You were just saying so yourself, awkward relationships are a no go."

"We're not in a relationship," she acknowledged. "I just want it to be Natsume and Mikan... like it used to be... always."

Koko agreed with Tsubasa's thought, she's so cute! as he humoured her, "It will be."

She sniffed again, "Thanks. Sorry again, it's all so sudden. Next thing I know, I got tears and..."

"Hormones, kid," Tsubasa laughed, "you get used to them."

She hugged him again and Koko chuckled too. Glad that's over, Koko heard Tsubasa think and he couldn't agree more. The mood in this ward just kept changing too fast...

The temperature rose. "Wh-what's going on here?"

Well, there you have it. I don't know how she became moody. I think I mentioned before that I make it up as I go... Yes, I will try to update faster now that exams are over... not promising anything. But yes, of course I'll finish this story. If you think I deserve a review (since I still feel horrible for not updating in so long) then pretty please do. I'll treasure every one! That, I can promise. The moon is my witness ;)