I hope I made this chapter worth the wait
It's fairly long... :P
I've just been so busy with dragonboat I haven't really had time to do anything
Like I actually didn't play RO for a good 4-5 days _
Which is pretty nuts lol
Well anyways here's my next chapter...enjoy
The Next day
Since the only clothes Natsume had were his ripped up assassin's uniform, Mikan decided to take him shopping for clothes while she works on mending his uniform. He refused the offer and stated that Ji-Chan's old clothes are sufficient until his uniform is mended. However, Mikan paid no attention to what he was saying and dragged him out of the house and into the market.
Before they left the house, Natsume was able to grab a baseball cap and the sunglasses in an attempt to conceal his identity.
She dragged him into a local tailor shop who have clothes already made and does custom jobs as well.
Mikan talked about the tailor the whole time going to the shop. It seems like she has been to her shop before and loved the custom dresses she has done for her.
When they got to the shop Mikan cheerfully skipped in and greeted the owner.
Natsume looked around carefully to see if anyone has followed them before entering the shop himself.
"Hi Mikan-Chan. You're all grown up now and already into your second job class! Time flies by so fast. So how have you been?" The tailor made small talk with Mikan.
"I've been really good. I just changed into a priestess recently actually. I still have a lot to learn." Mikan said humbly.
"Well I'm sure you'll make a fine priestess." Then the tailor notice Natsume standing not too far behind Mikan. "Oh, I see you have brought your boyfriend here today."
She said as she pointed to Natsume.
Mikan blushed and denied it, "No, he's not my boyfriend. He's just a friend that I met while training."
She gave Mikan a knowing looked, winked and chuckled. "So what can I do for you two today."
"Oh, actually we're just here to look at some of the clothes you have already made. He needs some new clothes." Mikan stated.
"Ah, let's go over to my display room so he can pick out some clothes. Are you looking for anything yourself? A new dress perhaps?" She asked as she led them to the other room.
"I wasn't planning on getting anything myself today. I loved the dress you made for me last year. But now that I'm an adventurer I don't wear a lot of casual clothes. I'm in my uniform most of the time." Mikan pointed out.
"That's true. Then what about your friend? I thought he was an adventurer as well." She asked.
"Oh, I'm trying to mend his uniform right now. So I thought we could pick up some clothes for him so he doesn't have to wear Ji-Chan's clothes all the time." Mikan said with a soft laugh.
"So that's why the clothes he's wearing right now look familiar. But I haven't seen that style in a long time. Ji-Chan must have kept it after all those years. Don't worry, I'll make sure your boyfriend there will leave here with some new clothes that will look good on him." She winked at Mikan then went to Natsume and started taking his measurements.
While the tailor was taking his measurements and examining his looks, Mikan looked around in the display area. Once she made her way to the area where all the dresses were, a particular dress immediately caught her eyes. It was a white halter dress, done in the princess cut style. The dress part was tampered and was shorted in the front and longer on the sides. There are roses and vines that climbed along the hem of the dress from the edge of the tip on the side towards the middle in the front and back. She took the hanger the dress was on and examined it in awe until a loud thud distracted her.
She turned her attention towards where the noise came from and saw that the tailor had shoved Natsume into the change room and shut the door on him. She giggled at the sight and then turned back to the dress. She picked up the dress from the hanger and walked over to the change area.
"Can I try this on?" Mikan asked.
"Ah yes! It was such a pity that this pretty little dress was still sitting on the hangers. Why don't you take that change room on the left? Your friend is in this one." The tailor replied pointed to the change room Natsume is in right now.
Mikan nodded and went into the change room and changed into the dress. Once she finished changing into the dress she stepped out of her change room and walked to the mirrors. There were several full length mirrors set up so you can look at yourself from different angles. The tailor commented on how she looked in the dress while she admired it in the reflection. Just as she finished twirling around, Natsume stepped out of his change room reluctantly.
She flashed him a bright smile and looked him up and down.
"You look good in those cloths." She told him.
A faint blush appeared on his face but he quickly hid it with his bangs.
Then he walked up to her and examined her in the dress up close.
Mikan's heart started to beat faster at their closeness.
Then Natsume reached around her and pulled at her hair.
Next thing she knew, her hair spilled over her shoulders.
"You look better when you leave your hair down." He told her as he pocketed her hair bands she used for her her pig tails.
She blushed a deep red and muttered a small thanks and turned to face the mirrors again.
Mikan loved the dress so much she decided to buy it.
She changed back into her Priestess uniform and paid for her dress and Natsume's new clothes. Natsume snatched his cap and sunglasses back and put them on before stepping outside the shop.
"Why did you buy the dress anyways? When will you get a chance to wear it? Adventurers usually always wear their class uniform." Natsume pointed out.
"But it was so pretty I couldn't resist!" Mikan replied with a pout.
"What good would it do if it's just hanging in your closet?"
"If there's no reason for me to wear the dress I'll just have to create one." Mikan said then she went very quiet walking in deep thought.
All of a sudden she exclaimed loudly. "I know! Why don't we go have a picnic today in our secret garden? That would give me an opportunity to wear the dress!"
"Comon, Natsume, lets hurry back home so I can make us a picnic basket!" Mikan grabbed his hand and dragged him behind her as she started to run home.
Once they got home she ran straight to the kitchen to see what she could make for her picnic.
Natsume leisurely walked into the kitchen, "Hey, you do remember I shouldn't really be going out right now. I'm supposed to keep a low profile."
Mikan stopped looking in the fridge for a second and thought about that.
"That's ok! I can always go there first and memo the location. Then I'll warp us directly there. No one knows about the place anyways so we'll be safe." Mikan said with a bright smile.
Natsume sighed, "I don't know about this."
Mikan pouted and gave him her best puppy face look, "Please Natsume. Let's go on a picnic. I really want to have a chance to wear my new dress. Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top." She begged him.
Natsume wanted to say no but he couldn't resist her cute puppy look.
"Plus, after I get the memo for the warp we can go to the garden any time we want! Wouldn't that be great?" Mikan added.
Natsume sighed there was no use arguing with her when she's as stubborn as he was, "Hn."
"I'll take that as a yes." Mikan said happily and turned back to the fridge and started taking food out to prepare.
Once all the food was prepared, she instructed Natsume to put everything into a picnic basket while she went to get the warp.
She cast agility up on herself and ran to south Prontera field as fast as she could.
Once she got the co-ordinates of the location, she saved it in her communicator and teleport back home.
She changed into her newly brought dress and went to the living room to find Natsume sprawled out on the couch daydreaming.
"Hey, are you ready?" Mikan asked him.
He nods in return.
"Alright then, lets go!" Mikan said happily and brought out a blue gem to cast her warp.
Natsume picked up the basket of food and stepped inside the warp, Mikan followed right after.
They appeared in the middle of their secret garden.
Mikan immediately took the basket from him and took out the blanket and spread it out on the grass.
Natsume watched her as she kneeled down on the blanket and carefully took out all the food and placed it on the blanket.
"Comon, sit down and eat." Mikan said cheerfully.
He sat down on the other side of the blanket while Mikan happily started to eat.
The picnic was a nice and relaxing way to enjoy their afternoon. Natsume leaned against the trunk of a tree and read his manga after he was done his food.
Mikan packed away the empty dishes and sat beside him.
"What are you reading?" She asked while trying to peer into his book.
"None of your business." He replied.
"Aw, comon, can't you be nice to me?" She asked with a pout.
"You've been bothering me all morning, little girl."
"Humph, I'm not little." Mikan replied.
Natsume ignored her and continued to read his book.
Mikan started to get bored with no one to talk to. Eventually her head landed on Natsume's shoulder and she drifted off into dreamland.
Natsume felt the weight of something on his shoulder and looked down. He found Mikan's sleeping and using his shoulder as her pillow.
He brushed away a lock of hair falling onto her face. His eyes roamed over her sleeping face as he caressed her softly. She looked so cute and peaceful while sleeping. His gaze was drawn to her soft pink lips as it looked so inviting to him. He blushed at his thoughts and quickly drew away his hand and stared as his manga.
He attempted to read without success because of the temptation beside him.
He gave up trying to read and decided to follow her into dreamland. Maybe their dreams will connect and he will find her there.
Natsume woke up from his nap because of loud screams.
His eyes snapped to attention for fear that he was back in the dungeon.
He looked at his surrounding to find that he was still in the garden with Mikan sleeping beside him.
More screams and shouts could be heard beyond those trees that kept this their secret place.
"Hey wake up." Natsume nudged Mikan.
"Mmm, what time is it?" Mikan asked groggily.
"I don't know. But wake up. Something is happening." Natsume said as he pushed her off of him and stood up.
Mikan rubbed her sleepy eyes and then stretched out her arms.
"That was a good nap." She commented happily but a piercing scream brought her out of her sleepy state.
"What was that?" She asked with alarm.
"I don't know, but there seems to be a commotion outside." Natsume replied.
"We should find out if anyone needs help." Mikan said as she quickly stood up.
"And do what? Don't go looking for trouble, little girl."
"I'm a priestess! I have to help people if they're in trouble." Mikan replied and started to walk past the bushes and trees that hid the garden.
Natsume muttered a curse and followed behind her. "You're not even in your uniform. People will treat you as a civilian instead. Don't get in their way." He reminded her.
"So? That doesn't mean I'm not a priestess. A doctor is still a doctor even if he's in casual clothes."
Just as she said that Mikan emerged from the trees into the open field.
Natsume quickly cloaked while following behind her.
They quickly surveyed the area.
There were a bunch of novices all unconscious on the ground.
A bunch of first class kids running around the place in panic.
The Prontera gates have been shut and the two guards that have been on duty are trying to protect the fallen from a big dark human looking figure riding on a huge black horse.
The figure was swinging his board sword down at the guards. One managed to evade the blow but the other blocked it with his shield. The impact of the sword on the shield created a dent which made the shield useless.
"What is an Abysmal Knight doing here? It should be in Glast Heim! But I still have to help them somehow." Mikan muttered to herself and started running towards the monster while casting support spells on herself. Natsume cursed and followed behind her staying in cloaked form.
Just as she got there, the monster managed to knock one of the guards onto the ground. He stared up at the monster in fear and waited for him to strike. Just when the monster's sword was inches away from his face, an invisible barrier turned green as it deflected the blow away from him. The monster gave a furious roar and looked around to see who dares interrupt him killing his prey.
The guard thanked the Gods for saving him and scrambled out of the way.
Mikan cast heals and support spells on the two guards as the one that had fallen went to help the younger kids and the other one stood behind to fight the Knight.
The monster saw Mikan and pulled the reins and directed the horse towards her. Mikan saw him coming at her and used the skill Holy Light to shoot a ball of energy at it.
Her little ball of energy didn't as much as scratch him but she did not give up.
Mikan readied herself to cast another barrier on herself as it brought it's sword down on her.
However before it's sword reached her barrier it was stopped by twin daggers. Natsume materialized in front of her and used his daggers to block the sword.
He gave out another furious roar and swung his sword again harder this time.
Natsume noticed the monster's intention and grabbed a hold of Mikan and rolled away from the attack.
Mikan cast support spells on Natsume so that he be stronger against the monster.
"Good thing I brought my daggers just in case." Natsume muttered, "Stay here and support me from a distance." He commanded Mikan.
Mikan nodded and focus her attention to support him while Natsume went back to fight the monster.
Natsume was fast and ran beside the monster and attacked it from the sides. When it turned towards the side Natsume was, he moved to its other side. He was doing really well dealing damage here and there but it aggravated the monster even more.
The monster roared and summoned two khalitzburg at it's side.
The undead soldiers attacked Natsume and slow down his movements.
Mikan focused on healing him whenever a monster was able to hit him and tried to hurt the undead monsters by healing them as well.
She managed to kill one of the khalitzburg before the other one knocked Natsume down.
"Natsume!" she cried out in alarm and cast a barrier on him just in time before the Abysmal Knight's sword hit him.
Natsume rolled away and stood up again.
Just as he was able to strike again a loud voice called out, "Storm Gust."
Immediate, harsh wind and snow came down like a blizzard attacking the two monsters.
The snow gave Natsume a chance to drive his dagger into the heart of the knight as it was badly hurt and distracted.
The knight screeched as it died and vanished on the horse along with the khalitzburg it summoned.
Mikan ran to Natsume and immediately started checking for injuries.
The wizard walked towards the two while Mikan was tending to Natsume.
"What did you think you were doing Mikan?" A voiced asked and Mikan recognized it instantly.
"Hotaru!! It was you that saved us?" Mikan asked.
"No, the tooth fairy saved you. Do you see any other wizards around here?" She said sarcastically.
Mikan looked around to find only find novices and people in their first class around here. Some acolytes have started healing the wounds of the ones that are still conscious but there were many that were unconscious on the ground.
"Thank you Hotaru! Be right back. I need to check up on all the ones that are still unconscious!" Mikan said and cast agility up on herself and ran to check on each one of the poor unconscious novices.
"Who are you and how do you know Mikan?" Hotaru eyed Natsume suspiciously.
"I don't need to answer any of your questions." Natsume replied coldly and glared at her.
Hotaru pointed her staff at Natsume in a threatening way. "You will if you know what's good for you. Why are you hanging around my best friend? Ji-Chan said she was out with someone in her favourite spot. When I got here I found you two and the Abysmal Knight. Even though you're in civilian clothes you seem like a skilled fighter, but she has never mentioned you before. Who are you?"
"You don't scare me. I can hit you and interrupt your spell before you even finish casting it." Natsume stated flatly.
"Oh, but you won't hurt Mikan's best friend would you? She would be very upset if you did that." Hotaru said with victory in her voice knowing she had the upper hand.
Natsume glared at her harder knowing that she was right.
Just as he was about to reply Mikan came back to them and launched herself at Hotaru.
"I missed you Hotaru!!" She cried.
Hotaru quickly cast Naplam Beat and the invisible balls propelled Mikan away from her.
"How many times do I have to tell you, no hugs." She reminded her coldly.
"But Hotaru! I haven't seen you in so long!" Mikan cried.
"And who's fault was that? You pulled that disappearing act last week. You know how worried I was. Then you come back apparently as a priestess and you don't even bother to come find me." Hotaru chided her.
"Sorry Hotaru. You guys were so busy previously I didn't want to bother you when I came back. I thought you would still be busy studying your new skills." Mikan said while playing with her fingers.
"Baka. Who is this guy?" Hotaru asked.
"Oh, right! Hotaru, this is Natsume. Natsume, this is my best friend Hotaru." Mikan got off the ground and introduced them.
Hotaru and Natsume continued their glaring contest as Mikan continued to talk.
"He's staying with me right now! He was injured so I couldn't exactly let him go out and continue training and staying out in fields with monsters. Plus, his sister is in the Prontera hospital. So staying with me would make it easier to visit her."
Hotaru broke off their glaring contest to look at Mikan. "He's staying with you?" She asked in disbelief. "Ji-Chan allowed it?"
"Yup!" Mikan responded happily.
Hotaru sighed.
Then she gave Natsume a don't-do-anything-to-the-baka look.
Natsume responded with a who-would-touch-her look.
"Hotaru, why did you come out to this field? You haven't come here since we were novices." Mikan asked.
"I was looking for you. Ji-Chan said you were out on a picnic at your favourite place. I didn't expect to see you throwing yourself in front of an Abysmal Knight." Hotaru said to her.
"Eh, heehee" Mikan giggled nervously.
"I couldn't help myself. When I heard that people were in trouble I just had to come help."
Hotaru sighed, "You better go home and wash your dress before the stains stay in your dress." She lectured Mikan.
"Oh no, my new dress!" Mikan exclaimed while examining the grass stains and mud on her pretty new dress that she got while fighting with the knight.
"That will teach you to go running into a fight like that. Remember, you're a priestess now. That means even more responsibility then before, so you can't just run into battle without thinking properly. What if he wasn't here to protect you? What if I didn't show up?" Hotaru asked her.
"But you did!" Mikan said cheerfully.
Hotaru glared at her for that response.
Mikan lowered her gaze onto the ground and fidgeted with her fingers, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't let anyone die. But I promise you next time I'll be more careful. I won't run blindly into battle again."
Hotaru nodded satisfied with her answer, "Comon, lets go home."
Thank you people who reviewed:
Natsumi: Thanks for always reviewing :) You were the first one for the last chapter. Good luck on your exams!
Yuuki36: Yeah...Ruka is a really nice guy...but Natsume...needs her :) Do you play RO too?
mikansumexevah: I'll try to make them a pair...I like the RxH pair too...that's why he was really looking at Hotaru when she was in the Mage uniform ~evil grins~ Must have gave him an eyeful to look at :)
minori13: I was gonna try to put Aki in...but that somehow fell apart this one...Needed to get Hotaru and Natsume to meet first...
2Lazy2MakeAnAccount: :) I was too lazy to make an account for the longest time...but a lot of people don't turn on anonymous review and i wanted to review for people. I'm glad you like my fic enough to review
o0fuYuHAnAsHIrAZuKI0o: yes there was an issue about the whole priestess dying pantie thing. But you know what's stupid, dancer/gypsys uniform are bikinis _ I think that's just as bad as the whole pantie thing. I'm glad you enjoyed the last couple of chapters.
HyuugaYingLang: I liked the DB thing alot heehee so I thought we would do it :) People don't really hang out there anymore...and now there's something called Bloody Branches that summon only boss type monster (mini and mvps) quite good if you have chars that can kill them. But really...I think it's just screwing up the RO economy even more.
And thank you people for adding this to favourite story :) It makes me really happy
Please review. I'll try to get more people together in the next chapter and get some more development going for those evil people