His Dark, Kind Soul
Author's Note: Part 2 of 2. I hope most, if not all, of your questions will be addressed in this chapter. If not, expect it to be answered in the future. Ü Again, thanks to all those who reviewed the first four chapters. You guys are a real inspiration!
Chapter 5: She was Different
Present day, somewhere outside the Academy, Natsume Hyuuga at age thirteen
"Who are you?"
Natsume laid the package he carried on the floor then straightened. "I don't have much time. You don't need to know who I am. All you need to know is that I'm here on behalf of your granddaughter. I came to deliver her letter to you. Happy birthday, old man."
The old man squinted at him. There was a long pause then he continued in the same rough voice while waving a dismissive hand in the air. "Yes, yes, but what is your name, young man?"
Natsume blinked then repeated through gritted teeth, "I don't have much time. You don't need to know who I am. All you need to know is that I go to school with your granddaughter and she asked me to give you this letter—"
"You'd have wasted less time if you just told me who you are," the geezer scoffed. "But first, will you take off that silly mask?"
"I'm not at liberty—"
"You're at liberty to reveal yourself to an old man," Mikan's grandfather said sternly. "For I assure you, we can go at this all night."
"I'm telling you I can't reveal—"
"You're wasting your half hour," the old man pointed out and Natsume stopped.
"What did you say?"
"Tell me who you are."
He knows about the window, Natsume realized and suddenly he knew he could be on far more dangerous ground than he had anticipated. His gaze started flitting around the room but he could discern no signs of an enemy. The uncertainty irritated him.
"Would you just take the damn letter?"
"Well, you're certainly an ill-humored lad." Grandfather slumped to the floor, laying his cane flat on the wood. "I thought my Mikan would know to acquaint herself with more cheerful friends."
"Mikan is cheerful enough for all the students of the Academy combined," Natsume retorted. The conversation was such a waste of the precious little time he had. Quickly he pulled the letter envelope out of his pocket, laid it on the floor then bowed. That business being done, he grabbed the parcel and turned for the door.
"Black cat," the old man said musingly. Natsume paused and his hand went consciously to his mask. "So my granddaughter has sent me a black cat. How is she?"
"The letter would tell you."
"I'd like to hear it from one of her friends," he replied. Natsume didn't answer. "You are her friend, aren't you? It would explain why you've come here. You must care for her a great deal to have gone on such a foolish task. I know all about your kind and I've no interest to hear more. Black Cat, just tell me with your own lips, how is my dear Mikan?"
The old man knew far more than his appearance betrayed. He probably knew more than he had ever told his granddaughter. Natsume had not expected to find someone like him him. He didn't know what made him do it but slowly he turned around and took off his mask. His brain screamed at him to run out the door but instead he walked over to the mat and sat down opposite Mikan's beloved grandfather.
"She's all right."
And the window expired.
Seven years ago, Alice Academy, Natsume Hyuuga undiscovered
"Did you see Marie Akagi when she played doubles with Nanami?" one guy whispered to his friend. His eyes had a distinct leer.
"Oh yeah," his friend nodded. "She was wearing that short skirt that had everyone talking. Man, what a knock out."
"We stayed the whole game just to see her crossing court."
"Who didn't? Every guy must have been watching her especially when she made that smash during the third rally."
"Sweet."
Kira grit his teeth, remembering that play well. Marie had jumped so high and her form was perfect. The shot cleared the net for an easy point and the crowd cheered. What he hated was the fact that her skirt had ridden up her legs so high that he was pretty sure every guy watching on the sidelines wasn't watching the ball at all. He'd noticed the same reaction all throughout the game and he had never realized before what utter perverts his classmates were. After the game, instead of congratulating Marie he had yelled at her to stick to hockey. Marie didn't take his bossy suggestion too kindly. As of breakfast that morning they still weren't talking.
"Are you okay?" Kunimitsu asked next to him, noting the flush on his cheeks.
"I'm fine," Kira said gripping his tennis racket. "Let's begin."
Their two classmates weren't done talking, oblivious to the fact that Marie's best friends were standing nearby.
"And when her shirt started clinging to her chest because of the exercise…" The guy had that fantasizing look on his face and Kunimitsu glanced grimly in Kira's direction.
"Who'd have thought Marie Akagi would fill out so well…"
That did it. Without warning Kira threw the tennis ball in the air and served. The ball went out of bounds and took out both of them one after the other. Kunimitsu's jaw dropped then he started laughing. The coach blew her whistle.
"Samushiro! What the heck was that?"
"Sorry coach, accident," Kira called back in a not so remorseful voice. Their classmates lay on the ground in a temporary comatose.
That was the first of Kira Samushiro's many retaliations to a guy whose attentions to Marie Akagi became too marked. He wasn't handling her popularity very well and the more admirers she got, the more ill-tempered he became. What was worse was that he took out his bad mood on Marie and this led to many arguments. Kunimitsu was pretty sure Kira was aware he was acting stupid but what kept him from confessing his feelings remained unclear.
"Why would you stay at Central Town that late?" Kira growled one day at lunch when Marie informed them she couldn't join them for a study group because she was hanging out with Ichiro.
"I believe it's called a date," Marie said, rolling her eyes.
Kunimitsu looked up from his lunch as all kinds of warning bells went off in his head. Kira had barely touched his food. He was too busy glaring at Marie to worry about hunger.
"Since when do you date?"
Marie's eyes flashed and had Kunimitsu been in Kira's place, he'd have backed down then. "Since now, okay? Is that a problem?"
"Ichiro's a jerk. You shouldn't go out with scum like that."
She looked at him incredulously. "Ichiro has been our friend since we were ten! When did we decide he was scum?"
"Just now. I forbid you to go out with him."
"Forbid me?" Marie laughed. "You are being all kinds of stupid, Samushiro." She gathered her things, not finishing her lunch. "Watch your friend Kunimitsu. It seems to me he's grown difficult while I was away."
"You've no idea," Kunimitsu muttered when she had gone. Kira glared at him. "What? It's true. I don't know why you can't just admit that you're jealous." Kira mumbled something then stood up too leaving Kunimitsu alone at the lunch table for the fourth time in a row.
That went on for some time. Marie had a steady line of suitors and Kira fumed not so quietly in the background. Kunimitsu had to play mediator and it wasn't a very comfortable position especially when Marie would ask him point blank what was wrong with Kira. Of course he could answer that easily but not without revealing something his best friend wasn't ready to share. So he fibbed and made lame excuses and though Marie could see through him, she let him defend their stubborn friend.
After six months they finally reached a breaking point. It was during the Alice Festival, one night before the dance. Marie had just come home from a date and was astonished to find Kira waiting inside her room. They had always been welcoming about their bedrooms but breaking in when the other wasn't around had never been done. It was a breach of trust and they were already on thin ice.
"What are you so upset about?"
"I don't think he's right for you," Kira said through clenched teeth.
"You don't even know him that well—"
"I know you," he cut in. "That should count. I don't like thinking about you and him together." He cringed at how childish that sounded.
"Kira," Marie began softly. "I think we both knew this would happen sooner or later. I've watched girls flock around you for years and I never said anything about it."
"That's different."
"How?"
"You had nothing to be jealous about," he said tersely. "I never looked at any of them."
Marie blinked, surprised by his admission. "You're jealous?"
"Yes!" Devil fly for what he was about to say. "Crazy jealous. I want to beat up every guy that comes sniffing after you. I want to lock you up to make sure you never go on another date again. I want everyone to back off and leave us alone."
"Why?"
"Because… because I'm jealous," he finished lamely and didn't continue.
She stared at him. "Is that all?"
"…Yes."
"Do you have nothing else to say to me?" Marie whispered but he didn't reply. She should've stopped but weakness made her press on, "Kira, do you want to be with me?"
It wasn't the reaction she expected. Kira paled, his complexion going white as though the question mortified him. He didn't answer. Even she was surprised at how sharply her heart stung when he didn't speak again. Damn the man, Marie thought in disappointment. So close to the truth and he just jumped back as though it would cost him his life.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that," she backtracked, carefully averting her gaze. "It was completely assuming." She opened the door in a clear and hasty dismissal. "I think we both need time to cool our heads. I'll see you tomorrow."
Still a bit muddled, Kira stepped out then quickly snapped to and turned. "I didn't—"
"Good night Kira."
The door shut on his face and a dead weight settled in his chest. Kira leaned his forehead against the wood, wanting to bash himself for having been such a coward in there. He knew what she wanted to hear. He had wanted to say it too only the burden of so many ramifications echoed in his head and froze his tongue.
Alone now in the hall, he whispered one out loud, "You're not safe with me Marie."
It was an Alice Academy myth, a fairy tale many students believed: Two people who had the last dance at the Alice Festival Ball would stay together forever.
Kira and Marie weren't believers. During their whole stay in the Academy, they had never chosen anyone. Since they were eleven, Marie had the perfect excuse because she always played the piano as the accompanying music during that part of the event. Kira on the other hand was usually away on a mission or else he just mysteriously vanished. It was both a frustration and a challenge to the girls who adored him.
That year Kira was once again sent on a mission. Still raw from his exchange with Marie, he was in a very tetchy mood. Kunimitsu was thankful they were only hired bodyguards for the night. He checked his watch. The Alice Festival Ball was an hour over. Though they were off campus they were also dressed in tuxedos, black ones that matched the formal event they were made to attend. He was patrolling the ground floor and he knew Kira was also watching the same scene from the balcony. He scanned the second floor and spotted his friend wearing an ominous look.
"Ooh, Wolf's in a brooding mood. Kind of makes him look like a dark, mysterious stranger," Mahiro whispered, sidling up to him. "Hot."
"Stop checking out your captain," Kunimitsu chuckled. "I'm going to talk to him. You and Griffin okay down here?"
"Please. This is a slumber party compared to our other missions."
"A 'yes' would have been enough," Kunimitsu said dryly. He let his gaze travel then smiled admiringly. She was wearing a long, elegant black gown that was stylishly cut but also efficiently so because it allowed her ample room to run if needed. Her hair was pulled up to make her look older and the controlling devices lent to her made excellent accessories. "You look very nice tonight Sheridan."
"Why thank you Ironsmith," she whispered then impulsively planted a kiss on his cheek before edging away to continue her rounds.
Kira turned away from the scene below then checked his wristwatch as well. If they didn't leave soon he was going to miss the last dance. Not that he had anyone to dance with. The knowledge that Marie wouldn't even look at him at this point should convince him of that fact. Still, he had wanted to see her play. He loved watching her because she always looked so charming, incomparably beautiful no matter how many times he'd seen her perform…
"You know it's only going to get worse."
Kira glanced at his friend, somewhat annoyed that Kunimitsu had a good idea of what he was thinking of. "What do you mean?"
"Marie's beautiful. I'm sure you've realized that," he went on without hesitation. "If she's convinced you're not interested in her, she's not going to wait around."
"I wouldn't ask her to," Kira said, his face reddening.
"But you want her to, which is no different had you asked her," he said cleverly. "Look, I know why you're holding back. We all worry about the same thing but we can't let the Academy get in the way all the time." Kunimitsu didn't look at him directly, as though too self-conscious to do so. His eyes scanned the dance floor. "And anyway, you should know I've got your back. I won't say a thing about her and the Academy won't ever know."
"I don't want to put her in danger."
"Neither do I but I think she already knows the risk she's taking." When Kira looked startled, he snorted. "Marie understands us. Understands you in a way your sorry ass should be eternally grateful. So stop being a jerk and just give her an answer."
"You make it sound easy. It would be if I weren't so afraid."
"The renowned Wolf is scared?" Kunimitsu looked amused then punched his friend lightly on the arm. "That's good because then you'd never let your guard down. Besides, if you weren't nervous about confessing to her, you wouldn't be human."
Kira exhaled then gave a low, self-deprecating laugh. "I'm hoping that's a compliment." His friend laughed too and Kira's heart eased a little. In the hall, the clock struck nine o'clock. They were almost done and may even catch the end of the festival.
Kunimitsu mused, "I wonder if Marie will talk to you at the dance."
"I wonder if she'll talk to me ever again," he said dryly.
"I wonder why the two of you are talking about this now," Kurt grumbled. They both looked up and realized they had nearly missed the signal from their handler. Setting aside their adolescent woes, they both turned off their receivers and followed Kurt who discreetly leapt out the window.
Marie settled on the piano seat and got ready to play. At the dance floor, several couples assembled for the last dance. The boys smiled bashfully at the girls who stared back all dreamy-eyed. When she was younger she scoffed at this scene, usually with Kira by her side. They had always been cynical about it. They were never fanciful enough to believe that one dance could dictate the rest of their lives. But tonight the scene cut her particularly deep.
She saw the signal. Everyone was ready. Her fingers fell gracefully upon the keys and the dance began. Marie played brilliantly, her heart going into the piece and the melody carried all the emotions that circumstance wouldn't let her convey.
She understood what Kira feared: that he would bring harm to those he cared about. The Academy would find any cause to blackmail him and he believed being alone kept those he loved safe. Despite knowing all this, she had the nerve to mess with his mind by hinting that she wanted to be with him. That was a cheap shot for a friend who was supposed to understand him. The conversation last night actually shamed her; but it also hurt in a way she couldn't help. She wanted to understand Kira's silence yet at the same time she had wanted him to answer.
Kira, do you want to be with me?
Just as the question struck her again, the wind carried a new melody to the quadrangle. Marie nearly faltered when her heart lurched, recognizing at once the musician responding to her. For a moment some of the couples stopped to listen to the tune that accompanied her piano in a perfect pitch. She turned to the audience distractedly but there was no sign of him. He was playing in the shadows, dancing with her like a phantom.
Accepting that, Marie closed her eyes and kept playing, basking in the music of Kira's solo violin. His music was glorious. His heart was in his piece, reaching out to her. Marie continued playing, her eyes misting over as his melody rose and fell with her own. She didn't know where he was but he played strong and true, blending their instruments in an unforgettable performance.
They weren't believers of the Last Dance but that moment was different. In the way he knew how, away from the eyes of the Academy and those who may wish to harm her, Kira had given her an answer. There was no last dance like that before and no other like it that came after.
Present day, Northern Forest, Natsume Hyuuga at age thirteen
Mikan checked her watch. It was almost half past twelve. She glanced at her classmates who had broken up into small groups. Several had set up blankets near the edge of the mount and they had laid a couple of lanterns on the grass that cast a dim orange glow across the glen. They moved in shadows and once in a while some sparklers would go off casting momentary brightness in flickers. A while ago some of the boys had started shooting rockets and bangs sounded overhead.
"This was a great idea Mikan," she heard someone say and she turned around to nod gratefully at who had spoken.
"Thanks Anna."
"We should do this again at the end of next quarter," Nonoko said excitedly. "I could mix something that would create an even better fireworks display!"
"I'm sure you could," Mikan said encouragingly. She smiled again then moved away. She scanned the crowd one last time. Natsume Hyuuga still had yet to make an appearance.
She spotted Koko and Kitsuneme who were loudly discussing the papers they had by the light of one of the lanterns. To divert herself from her melancholy thoughts, she walked over. They had always been good for a distraction.
"I need more light here!" Koko cried then indiscreetly Kitsuneme snatched Mochu's lantern.
"Hey!"
"It's for the greater good, buddy," Kitsuneme told him. Mochu made a face then just walked off, knowing it was useless to argue.
"Hey guys," Mikan greeted, taking a seat next to Kitsuneme. On the blanket next to them, Hotaru, Yuu and Ruka sat, listening in on the conversation. "What are you two discussing in the darkness?"
"We're revising our timeline," Koko said proudly then with a flourish he unrolled a long sheet of paper with hastily scrawled dates, events and a number of corrections. "This line represents Kira Samushiro's stay in the Academy. The other line shows the White Wolf's notorious adventures."
"We managed to map most of the events by moving back and forth for about ten years," Kitsuneme said excitedly. "We figured that if we found the exact date Samushiro left the school and the day the Wolf disappeared— bam!— we'll know what happened to him."
"How would you do that?"
"Easy! We're going to list down all the important things that happened on that day then select the most likely cause for his departure."
"Err…" Mikan tried to choose her words carefully but Koko read her mind.
"Yeah, yeah, it sounds flimsy," he admitted, "But it's our best bet. Anyway, if you look at our timeline, we've come up with pretty good stuff."
"According to your timeline the White Wolf jumped the Alice Academy Ravine at least three times," Mikan observed, scanning their chart.
"Isn't he amazing?" Koko said, unfazed. "That doesn't even count the time Natsume said he used a glider."
"But don't you wonder why he would feel the need to jump the ravine then come back each time? And why did he disappear after that last jump?"
Koko and Kitsuneme looked at her indulgently. The latter placed an arm around her shoulders. "Dear, myopic Mikan, that's exactly what we're trying to find out!"
"What did you just call me?"
"Short-sighted," Yuu provided. "They called me the same thing when I warned them about the absurdity of jumping a ravine more than once."
"Tch, you guys just don't get it at all," Koko said with an air of superiority. Nobody bothered to correct him and so he opted to jibe at Yuu's chosen Alice Academy alumnus. "And I suppose you and Mochu managed to prove that Taro Nakajima did go back in time and saved Lord Clavell from being assassinated in 1852."
Yuu blinked. "Why yes, yes we did."
"Oh yeah? Well… where's your timeline?" Kitsuneme challenged. Yuu backed off and Hotaru rolled her eyes.
Mikan turned to their other friend to dispel the friction. "How about you Ruka? How's your report coming along?"
"Ahh…"
"Don't tell me you haven't started!" she exclaimed after his prolonged silence. "The paper's due in one week!"
"You know how Natsume is," Ruka said sheepishly. "He says he's not doing the stupid assignment. He doesn't like talking about the past… or the future for that matter. He's a live-in-the-present kind of guy…"
"Well, his present grade point average will be in trouble if he doesn't do this report," Mikan pointed out. "So will yours."
"I'm not worried so much. Natsume will pull through. He always does in the end anyway since he doesn't like getting me in trouble."
"Such faith," Hotaru remarked. "It's so pathetic, it's admirable."
Koko glanced around then addressed Mikan. "Speaking of which, where is your boyfriend?"
"Koko! I told you to stop calling him that," she said sternly, a faint blush creeping on her cheeks. "He's not my boyfriend."
"And whose fault is that?"
She blinked then turned to her friends for help but they all looked amused. "I honestly don't know how to answer them anymore."
"Where is Natsume?" Yuu prodded.
"I don't know." Mikan looked out to the ravine. "He said he'll be here but he's coming late. He's… doing us a favor."
Doing them a favor was their code for Natsume's missions. As soon as she brought it up, everyone seemed to sober up a bit at the absence of their friend. Koko and Kitsuneme had odd looks on their faces as though they weren't sure whether they should lighten the mood or act serious for a minute. Mikan forced a smile on her face.
"Don't worry, he'll be here soon," she said with certainty.
"How can you be sure?" Hotaru wondered.
How can she? With Natsume, there weren't any guarantees. He did as he pleased and came and went as he wanted. They could never guess what he would do next and there was certainly no consistency in the way he treated Mikan. But somehow, in her heart, she just knew when he would show up. She knew that if she expected him, he would come. She couldn't explain it either and she had nothing to hold on to, but she understood his character and understanding him also meant having faith, even the kind you couldn't explain.
"He'll be here. We'll just have to wait for him."
Five years ago, Alice Academy Campus, Natsume Hyuuga at age eight
These were the stories told to Natsume. Kunimitsu had narrated how Kira once rigged an exam to send Marie home while Mahiro had spoken excitedly about the two of them performing together during the Festival. At eight years old, Natsume didn't quite add things up. It was clear Kira and Marie were very good friends and his young mind stopped there.
From the clinic Kunimitsu had led him down the cobbled road until they came upon a lighted glen with a single rusty bench. Kira sat there with his arms spread across the back, looking quite relaxed. He had looked up when he heard them approach and waved. He and Kunimitsu had exchanged a few, muted words then Ironsmith cheerfully left him behind. Natsume sat next to his guardian in awkward silence.
"This is such a waste of time," he grumbled at last when Kira didn't say anything. He seemed entranced by the snowflakes descending around them. "What are we waiting for?"
"We're waiting for Marie," he answered candidly.
"Why would she be here?"
"Because I promised I'd come." He looked at Natsume. "She takes walks in the morning. On most days our Mixed Class is busy but I join her whenever I can."
It clicked. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No," Kira said, a little too quickly. "She's not. She's… a special friend."
Natsume snorted. "That is so lame."
"You think so?" Kira looked amused then grew pensive. This time the pause was shorter. "You know I don't have family outside. If I have any living relatives, I don't know where they are. If I had stayed outside the Academy, I'd have made nothing of myself. That's why I have a curious attachment to this place."
"You're a sap."
Kira chuckled. "I don't have siblings so my classmates are the closest thing. I never had a home so this campus is the best I've got. The Alice Academy is my family."
"Even after everything they put you through?"
"I didn't used to think this way," Kira admitted. "I hated this place. I was a really angry kid when I got here. I was destructive and unreasonable."
"What changed?"
"I met the right people. I got to know my class better and I let them know me. They became important to me and I wanted to keep them safe. I could only do that if I stayed with the Dangerous Ability class. So no matter how hard it got, I stuck with it."
"You were willing to sacrifice yourself—"
"I was ready to die for any of them," Kira averred then he tipped his head backwards and the snow kissed his cheeks. "Except Marie. She was different." His expression grew fond and he closed his eyes in quiet admiration. "Her I wanted to live for."
It was then that it came to light. His tone, his words, and the purposeful way he had rushed out of the clinic— it was all because of her. This mood, this snow, it truly was different but not in the sorrowful way Natsume had supposed. There was nothing to fear in this snowfall. It was delicate, not brutal or vicious. This was Kira's Alice when it was at peace.
"You're stupid in love."
Kira laughed then straightened in his seat. "You say that now, but you're only eight. I'm actually wishing you the same fate one day."
"If you care about her so much, why not just make her your girlfriend and be done with it?" he asked impatiently.
"Not now, not here… not yet." Kira's eyes clouded over. "I won't promise her my life when it's not my own."
"She's not dating anyway," Natsume grumbled.
"But she is," Kira said, "Sometimes. I told her Yohei wasn't a bad choice, remember? She already knows how I feel but we've got no rules, no promises. It works for us. We're not playing games. We're just going by everyday."
"You're going about it all wrong," he insisted. "If I were you, I'd make everyone back off."
"She's safer like this, Natsume," Kira said quietly. "Besides, I don't plan to stand still forever. Our time will come but until then..." He trailed off and stood up. Natsume turned to where his gaze had gone and came to his feet as well.
Marie walked up to the bench, looking quite at home in the snow-white scene. When she spotted them, she smiled but also wore a look that wasn't quite anything else Natsume had seen on her. She took a seat next to Kira and they started conversing as though meeting this way was commonplace. Her heart was in her eyes. No question, this was a girl in love and even his inexperienced self recognized it.
Indeed their time will come but until then they go by everyday.
Present day, Northern Forest, Natsume Hyuuga at age thirteen
"We should set off the last display soon," Anna said. She glanced at her watch then addressed the others. "It's half past one."
"Yes, but…" Mikan trailed off. Some people were already yawning. They had kept up the revelry for as long as they could but the energy was dwindling. Still, it didn't feel right. She glanced down the path then bit her lip.
"We can't wait any longer Mikan," Yuu said, noting her concern. "We'll have to clear out soon. I'm sure Natsume would understand."
"All right," she said with resignation. Mochu and Kitsuneme took the last set of fireworks and brought it to the platform. Meanwhile, Mikan wandered off to Hotaru, hoping to cheer herself up.
Ruka watched her with sympathy. He walked to the path leading to the main campus then checked the time. Natsume really was taking longer than expected. He had said it would be a quick mission but if it were, he should have arrived by then. He must have taken a detour.
"Come on Natsume, show up…"
"We're almost ready," Kitsuneme called out. "But before that let's recognize the fine work of our very own Hotaru Imai and Nonoko Ogasawara who put together this last exhibit!" They all cheered then Kitsuneme went on to make different and somewhat ridiculous acknowledgements. Ruka was a bit grateful because he was buying Natsume some more time.
Ruka decided to break away from the group and try to see if his friend was at least close by. He walked through the woods using a small flashlight. Then suddenly to his right he heard a twig snap and there was some rustling. He whirled around then almost yelled when the minute light shown upon an ominous figure and he came face to face with a black cat's head.
"You scared the hell out of me!"
"Sorry," Natsume said, pulling off his mask. He looked really tired as though he'd run a hundred miles without rest. Even in the dim light, his face was visibly ashen. His shoulders drooped and his clothes were noticeably disheveled.
"Natsume, you're bleeding."
"It's only a scratch."
"Were you punished just now?" Ruka asked when he saw that there was a gash on his friend's leg and some scrapes on his arms. Natsume ignored him and instead his gaze went over Ruka's shoulder to the glen where the others were.
"Is it over?"
Ruka smiled then on cue the sky suddenly burst into color and there was a responding cheer. Mochu had just lighted the last of the fireworks and it was in time to welcome the Black Cat into their fold.
"You made it," he said. "Come on. Everyone will be really glad to see you."
They made their way back in silence while more happy booms sounded overhead. When they broke through the clearing there was a collective shout as some of their classmates welcomed Natsume. He ducked his head to hide his face, a little embarrassed by the attention. Koko patted him on the back and Mochu quickly thrust a soda can in his hands. Ruka grinned as Natsume was herded this way and that as they greeted him like a missed relative. Imai and Ogasawara's half-hour display illuminated everyone's faces with fancy colors, making everything seem even more jubilant. Ruka was right. Everyone seemed really happy to see him.
I was ready to die for any of them.
Natsume quickly looked around, dodging groups with Ruka in tow. Then finally he caught sight of Mikan who stood near the crag wearing that sunny smile that always seemed to gratify him.
"Hotaru, it's absolutely brilliant!" she cried in excitement, dancing around like she didn't have a care in the world and Natsume wished he could share in that with her. He could feel his Alice running through him in a gentle hum, suddenly calm after the mission. A realization came to him then: his Alice had always been angry, wounded and resentful… until Mikan came to the Academy.
She was different.
Seeing his best friend was momentarily transfixed, Ruka took the lead and cleared his throat, "Mikan, look who's finally here."
"You made it!" Mikan exclaimed and the look on her face was full of sincerity. She ran to Natsume then grabbed his wrists, making him hurry forward and nearly causing him to trip on a branch in her haste.
"Idiot!"
She didn't say anything and pointed excitedly at the fireworks, one hand tucked in his. That radiant smile was still pinned on her face, effusing in Natsume warmth not even his Alice could create. And he thought yet again that she was the most beautiful thing in his life right then.
Her I wanted to live for.
"Mikan," he began and she looked at him at once because he had used her name. "I… I…" Why was he so nervous? His voice grew scratchy. "You should see this."
He reached into his pocket for the cellphone Hotaru had given all of them two Christmases ago. He flipped it open then went to the Gallery before handing it over to Mikan. She looked confused but when she saw the picture on the screen, she gasped.
"Grandpa…?"
"Scroll down," Natsume said gruffly then he turned away because her eyes began to tear almost instantly.
There was a picture of her grandfather inside their living room, then another of him grinning straight into the camera phone. She continued to view the photos and could barely stop her tears when she saw those that were taken with Natsume. The old man had apparently wrestled him into the picture. There was one that showed the Black Cat clearly trying to get away and yet another of him scowling while her grandfather beamed.
"There's also a recording," Natsume continued haltingly. Mikan found the track he indicated. It beeped once then her hand flew to her lips as the tears finally spilled over.
My dear granddaughter, I'm glad to know that you are doing well. The young man who came assured me of it. I am in good hands too since Taka and Ms. Shido always come to check on me. You need not be concerned and simply take care of yourself so that you may come home to me healthy and spry. Until then, my heart stays with you and I will have faith that dear Natsume will take care of the rest.
It was wretched to watch her in silence. Natsume had never seen Mikan's shoulder shake so violently. When she finally dropped her arm and looked at him, she stared with such undeniable affection that it made his face heat up.
"What?" he said roughly.
His tone didn't deter her. In one leap Mikan was in his arms, hugging him unashamedly in front of everyone. His response was immediate as he gathered her in, accepting this simple reward for a whole night's work. Somehow, it really did make everything worth it. The others who noticed quickly turned away to watch the fireworks but a smile lingered on their lips.
At length, Mikan leapt down. "Natsume, only you could've found a way. You're the best!"
He looked smug and was thankful that it was too dark to see the color that had risen up his cheeks. "Yeah, I am."
So saying, he took her hand again and they watched the end of the fireworks in comfortable silence. They weren't officially together but everyone seemed to know their feelings anyway. They had never bothered each other with promises, focusing more on the here and now as their lifeline to happiness. And yet, for that night at least, Natsume could imagine that he had the rest of his life to spend with Mikan Sakura.