Chapter 6 Invitations

"That's great work from Natusme and Mikan!" clapped Narumi enthusiastically.

I looked at the large piece of paper that I was holding up, then back at Narumi. Was he crazy?? The paper was covered with beautiful pictures all right, but it was also covered with white feathers and dried glue. It looked nothing like the collage that we were supposed to make. Why? Because the pillow fight that me and Natsume had had ended up covering both the collage and us with feathers. Not to mention every surface of Natusme's room.

Natsume snickered, and I couldn't help but laugh as well. "You guys can go back to your seats," said Narumi, looking around for his next victims.

I reached my bench and sat down. "Wow, that dude has some problems. He called this good." I whispered, indicating the mess of glue and feathers.

Natusme, who had sat down beside me, snickered again. "Duh. I bet he's going to give us an A, just because we actually did the project in the first place."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Would he really give us an A?" Even though I wasn't exactly a horrible student, I wouldn't say that I was great, either. B's were normal, and getting an A was something that I would actually be proud about.

"Why, you've never gotten one before?" smirked Natsume.

"I have gotten A's before," I said, rolling my eyes. At least that part was true. I got quite a few A's when I was in fifth grade, not to mention first. (Retarded, I know.)

"Yeah right. That's the bell," said Natsume, getting up. He paused next to me, indicating that I should follow him. I sighed, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder. It hasn't even been one whole day of my servitude, and already I was regretting ever agreeing to the challenge. Natsume had made me do things from getting him a glass of water, to cleaning his table before he sat down. I was following him like a slave, and most people in the school were looking at me in such a weird way that it was obvious that they thought that something was up between me and Natsume. And the thing is, there was, it just wasn't in that way.

I had to admit that even if I weren't his 'slave', I still would've tried to talk to him. You know, like start a friendly conversation. The thing is, ever since I'd seen Natsume smile like that, it totally changed my opinion of him. He suddenly didn't seem like an arrogant toe rag, – ok, never mind, he still did, sometimes – but like an actual person. Someone who I might be able to consider my friend. Might. I was sure that one wrong move was enough to tip the small and capricious relationship we had to a deadly angle. (Okay, I might be exaggerating. It's more like 'one wrong move was enough to tip the small and capricious relationship that I had back to how it started.')

I ignored the stares that a lot of people were giving us (the girls mostly had jealous looks while the guys simply looked amazed) to walk beside Natsume. I wasn't eager to be the one to start the conversation, and I was trying to make up in my mind whether to ask Natsume to drop me off, or find Hotaru and beg her. I was certainly not in the mood to walk today.

My dilemma was solved as Ana and Nonoko barreled into me, (or should I say us?) and started blushing like crazy. In their arms was a stack of cluttered orange paper, a few of them floating down to the floor.

"Umm, hey Mikan…Natsume," they said in unison, fumbling with the papers. Ana handed one to me and Natsume, smiling uncertainly. "We would really like it if you could come…" she said, (I had a feeling that the last part was meant for Natusme more than me.) and before I could look at the flyer, they were gone.

"What's that, polka dots?" asked Natsume, snatching the flyer from my hands. I looked around to see if anybody heard his last comment, and saw that there were a lot more of the flyers all over the lockers, walls, even the clock.

I walked over to one of them, and narrowed my eyes. The heading on the flyer was in big, bold letters, 'Halloween party! Come one, come all!' and then there were these doodles of vampires, jack-o-lanterns, and bed sheet-ghosts. (totally childish) The date and venue was set on the bottom, in the same bold writing above, only smaller. I saw that whoever was hosting the party (Ana and Nonoko, by the looks of it) was renting the huge clubhouse at the edge of the school campus. And I knew that, as my friends were hosting it, attendance would be compulsory.

"Oh joy. A party," I said sarcastically. It was common sense I didn't enjoy parties one bit. (kinda weird, because with a successful business man – and I am not bragging – as my father, you would think that I would be used to going to parties all the time, but I wasn't. I hated them like hell. Most of the time, people got drunk, and started running around, acting like, well, drunks.

"Why? You don't like parties?" said Natsume from close behind me.

I didn't bother turning around. I knew that if I did, my heartbeat would accelerate, and I wouldn't be able to form a coherent sentence. "No, as a matter of fact, I don't."

"It's settled then. You're coming to the party, whether you like it or not."

I twirled around to glare at him. "Just who the hell do you think you are?" I hissed.

"Your master," he said seductively, twirling a strand of my hair in his fingers.

Using all the will power I had, (and ignoring the irritating looks that everybody in the corridor was giving us) I slapped his hand away, walking towards my locker. "Pervert."

Natsume ignored my comment, and walked next to me, saying, "So, I expect to see you at the party."

"About that, your rule only lasts for two weeks, and the party is in–"

"One and a half week."

He thrust a flyer in my face, and I saw that he was right. I groaned. Like being forced to go to parties while I was with my parents wasn't enough, I had to be forced to go to parties even without them. "I get it, I get it," I mumbled, deciding not to argue with him. I was technically his 'slave' for two weeks.

"You have to dress up. Any character."

I rolled my eyes. "Duh. Isn't that what you do at all Halloween parties?"

I opened the locker door, and was instantly shocked by the number of papers that spilled out. At first, I thought that it was just left by the old occupant, but then I saw my name written in fancy, red ink on one of the papers. I furrowed my brows, and lifted the piece of paper to eye length. On closer inspection, I saw that a small heart had replaced the dot in the 'i'. I grabbed a few more papers from the ground. All of them had the same thing written on them. "Oh. My. God." Don't get me wrong. I've gotten quite a few 'love' letters, but never so many from one person!! And especially not on my second day of school!!

I gathered up the papers and started to stuff them into my locker, when I realized that the there was something else in it too. It was a beautiful bouquet of red roses, tied together with a white ribbon. As I twisted it around, I noticed a small piece of card pinned to the ribbon. It was in the same elegant handwriting as the papers.

Miss Mikan, I would be honored if I could meet you at the Sakura tree near the school entrance. There are many things that I have to say which cannot be explained in this measly bit of paper.

-A heart lost lover

I stared at the card, not sure whether to laugh my head off, start blushing like crazy, or to simply go to the Sakura tree and pummel the guy to death. Natsume settled that for me.

"Oh, he's going to get it now," Natsume muttered, smacking his fist into the palm of his hand.

"Who's going to get it now?" My voice sounded far away, as though I was listening, not speaking. At least I got the words right.

"That # who sent you those # letters."

I grimaced. I didn't mind it when people cursed, (in fact, I do it all the time ;)) but the way Natsume said it, it was… WOW… "That's ok, I'll go do it myself." I flexed my arm, smirking. Poor guy…NOT.

"Hello, anyone there?" I called, using a false, honey coated singsong voice that I had been practicing. It always worked on the unaware guy…

Sure enough, I shadow flickered, a twig snapped, and the leaves rustled. Creepy sound effects. Too bad its daytime. "Oh, hello Mikan. Didn't think you'd come."

I plastered a smile on my face, and turned to the voice. Even though I wasn't interested I guys, I had to say that this one was a very… unique specimen. His wild, brown hair had streaks of almost every color imaginable – (No, not blue or green, I mean reasonable colors) blond, gold, and even a few strands of red and black. He wore it almost down to his shoulders, letting the sun glint off it in a brilliant array of color. His eyes were a warm, summary green, the kind that I'd always wanted when I was little. "Are those natural?" I asked, pointing at his hair.

He grinned. "Yeah. So're my eyes. They change colors, you know."

It didn't seem that he was showing off, it just seemed like he was answering my question. I couldn't help but grin, too. "I haven't seen so much color since I went to the art show," I admitted, waiting to see his response.

"That's what a lot of people tell me…" he laughed, sitting down on a wooden bench, indicating that I should sit too.

"No thanks, I'll stand." No matter how much I liked this dude, I couldn't get over the fact that he had taken so much time (not to mention money) to get a bunch of flowers and paper into my locker.

"Fine then." He grinned wider, getting up. "Where are my manners?" he shook his head, extending his hand out to me. "I'm Hitoshi. It's my pleasure to meet you, Mikan," he said, bowing and tipping an imaginary hat.

I laughed, all my plans of punching this guy in the face forgotten. Maybe, if we sorted out this I-love-you thing, then we could be friends… Of course, he never gave me a chance.

"Mikan, would you like to go out with me for dinner?" he asked, his expression serious, but still smiling.

"Uhh, I can't, I have a…" I looked down, wracking my brains for an answer that wouldn't hurt his feelings. "I have to go shopping…in Central Town," I finished, still staring at the ground. Why couldn't I lie properly when I needed to??

"Oh, that's ok, maybe another time," he said cheerfully. I risked a glance up, and saw that Hitoshi didn't seem put down at all. The one thing I did notice, though, was that the color of his eyes had changed from a summary green, to a light, sea green. Creepy. Cool, but creepy.

"Bye, Hitoshi," I called, slipping out of the small hollow where the Sakura tree was kept, and straight into Natsume. He didn't say anything, but just looked at me with a why-didn't-you-beat-him-up? look clear on his face.

I sighed. "Well, he's just too nice," I started, answering his unspoken question. "If I just tell him that I don't like him, he won't want to be with me anymore. I want to break it to him in a nice way, so that we might still be able to be friends…You know what I mean?"

Natsume just raised his eyebrows, said, "No. I don't know what you mean," and grabbed my arm.

"Hey, where are we going?" I said, struggling against his grip.

He paused, and turned to look back at me. On his face was an expression of indifference, though I could swear that I saw a glint of anger (mixed with something else…something like jealousy?? I wonder why…) in his eyes. "Don't you have shopping to do in Central Town?"

"Shopping…? Natsume, were you eavesdropping?" I accused, narrowing my eyes.

"Answer the question."

"No. I just said that so that I wouldn't hurt his feelings." I admitted, feeling sheepish.

"So you're free?"

I couldn't help but notice the hopefulness in his voice. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Yeah, I'm free. What's it to you?"

He smirked in triumph. "Well, since you're free, I want you to go out with me."

I glared at him in disbelief. "Are we on TV?" I asked, ludicrously looking around for hidden cameras.

"Of course not, idiot. You better tell me your answer quick. But it doesn't really matter if you say no, 'cause you are my slave," he said, joyously skipping around. (Nah, I'm kidding. He just looked really arrogant)

"Then why are you asking me if it doesn't matter?" I asked, exasperated. (and furious.)

"Good point," he said, grabbing my arm again.

What the hell had I gotten myself into??

how is it?? you might be wondering why They're going on a date so soon, but i decided that the main part of the story isnt getting Mikan and Natsume together, (i mean, it is, but, well...you know what i mean, right??) but something else. Dont worry, it has nothing to do with missions, or people getting killed:) It's probably going to happen within the next few chapters, so look out...

Anyways, thanx for the reviews, guys!! if you dont think im too review-obsessed, do you think i could get 75 reviews?? Hehe, im really not review obsessed... Never mind, i think i am...

Ciao, i better go write the 7 chapter.

Next chapter - First Date. (totally not original, i know)