Hey hey hey, I'm sorry about the spring hibernation I went into. Its been a while! As usual, I won't say much but a couple pointers.
1. Brutal fight between the two characters you'd least expect to fight. No deaths... yet.
2. More characters!
3. That meeting that they were supposed to go to isn't until the next chapter.
Dedication: PandaBear8799
impatient reader : Aw, I'm not mad or pressured. : ) That's okay. And- IIIIIIII WWWWWWWIIIIIIILLLLLLL UUUUUUPPPPPDDDDAAAAATTTTEEEEE AAAAAAAA LLLLLOOOOTTTT ! ; p
PandaBear8799 : Yo! Brah! What's cookin' mah home skillet! *epic fail* Hehe, you my friend have asked the best question yet! The highlight review of this story. Hahaha! I nearly died laughing. Well, I hope you aren't disappointed but no. I am not a guy. I'm not really a tomboy either so I wonder what made you think I was one. I'm not offended, to be honest, I'm ecstatic! I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE THINKS I'M MANLY! I know I'm might have creeped you out by now but yeah. I'm the baby in the family and I have 3 older brothers so if my knowledge of video games was what lead you to think I was a guy, blame them. Yeah, I haven't really thought of creating OCs yet. I was just planning to incorporate just GA characters and find a place for everyone. Although I'm lacking on developing more characters into the story as you can see. Yup that's what I was aiming for. To stay far as possible from the original plot. Thanks for reading! ;3
Guest: You're AWESOME! Yesh yesh, I will.
Lover's Red Rose : I'm surprised you think so, I've been trying to make it different from the original and others have said that my mixture was perfect but that's okay. I'm currently thinking of ways as to how I could make it even more different. I took your review to thought and wrote this chapter that is very different from SAO. Keeping reading and I appreciate your review : ) Its helped a lot.
DEVIlishAngel00 : Okay, but since I answer everyone's review its only fair that I answer to your too : ) I was born in 1997 and you? Thanks a bunch! Yup and the romance is sparking between them : 3
nix : Well then you'll love him even more here! Thanks, they're getting a lot longer with each chapter I write. And my writing is getting a lot better to. You are so nice! I tried to add a bit more romance but I thinks there is only two fluffy scenes so its all good. Yeah Natsume is the easier character to write about, I can develop him a lot more than Mikan. Thank you and keep the advice coming! I appreciate it a lot. xD
Guest : I'm excited to write about them both! I will update with all my heart! Thank you and keep reading : )
Mi-Chan : Domo Arigato! Keep reading and thank you so much ^.^
blueabyss16 : Hahaha! It just seemed to me like something Natsume would say. Aw, thanks! I really love being humorous to someone. And you my friend, are just a super nice person : )
Mikan
Dear Shriveled-up-leaf-san,
I writing to you because I'm upset and Ji-san says to always let out your anger by telling someone else your problems and lifting the weight off your shoulders.
I close my eyes and smile, picturing an image of Ji-san telling me that violence isn't your personal output for anger. It is communication, never violence.
Of course I can't tell that perverted jerkface over there, so writing it down on a dead leaf is the next best thing.
I'm sure you want to know why I'm upset. Well, you see...
Moments after I found out I was the vice president for the Guardians of the Real that jerk face decided to sneak up behind me and delete the congratulatory message I was reading! He's the meany I have to tag along with. Wait, why am I tagging along with him again? That's right, he's my slave. Wait no, He is tagging along with me. That means if he is mean to me I can punish him, right? I really-
The leaf was snatched away from my hand and crumpled up in the palms of the person before me. "What the hell are you doing scribbling with a stick on a leaf?" My eyes travelled up to the raven haired figure hovering above me.
I opened my mouth to protest but then I glanced at my so called "materials" and sheepishly smiled. Okay, I admit, I looked like a freak and people were already starting to stare so I guess I should let it slide this time. I'll finish after I get my hands on some actual paper and pencil. I mentally reassured myself.
"Hey, Little girl. I want to go to the nearby town, I hear they fight with weapons instead of Alices there. Besides that guild meeting isn't until tomorrow afternoon." Pervert-kun looked glared down at me, I'm assuming that half the purpose of his glare was to motion for me to get off my butt.
If Ji-san were here he'd tell me that people were flawed and that I should be lenient with them. So I replied with a smile, "You don't have to ask permission. We can go." I pushed myself up stumbling to the opposite side of his face and meeting his eyes. "That isn't permission. That's demand," he snorted.
My eyebrows narrowed and my mouth formed a straight line. "You're not supposed to demand to me! You're my sl-"
You know... Dead, shriveled up leaves don't taste good... I should know, I just had one stuffed into my mouth.
We decided on walking to the town since it would be a waste of teleport crystals when we really needed them. I am proud to say that I have made a very important discovery! Men walk very fast! Like, super fast! I tripped on four pebbles while trying to keep up. He won't let me hold his hand, although I don't see what's wrong with doing that? Friends can hold hands, right? In short, I'm clutching onto the back edge of his shirt and trailing along behind him.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the cutest thing ever! It was truly something to die for! I clutched the Pervert-kun's hand and dragged him over to a small animal shelter not to far away while he was in the midst of saying, "What the-"
It was a small barn filled with cute animals in every corner. There was even a giant yellow bird! I crouched down to the little bunny that I saw from a mile away. Pervert-kun gritted his teeth and was practically dying from the fact that he was the only boy standing in a barn with cute, fluffy animals. He pulls his hand free from my clutches and shoves it into his pocket. My actions must have embarrassed him because I've never seen him so red before.
It was annoying for him to find himself in a crowd of girls who were focused on giving him 'anything-but-sexy' smiles. My train of thoughts was stopped by the greatest idea ever! A mental light bulb flickered over my head. Punishment never seemed... cuter.
"Pervert-kun! Isn't this bunny so adorable?!" I said a little too loud, purposely, of course. Therefore the barn filled with animals and girls all snapped their heads along with their attention towards us. Did I mention we were standing in the center of the barn?
"I know about your fetish for male bunnies. And buying this bunny would be perfect for feeding your homosexual bunny thirst!"
I practically screamed that last part out. He didn't like it and you could tell since it was my turn to be dragged.
Now out of the barn he held me in a fearsome gaze. "Look little girl," his eyes dead set on mine he paused.
"Its Natsume. Not..." He continued saying through gritted teeth.
I clamped my mouth with my sleeve, laughing so hard I started to feel a pang within my ribs. He went so far as to telling me his name! The bunny squirmed around in my arms. I must've carried him out of the barn with me. I scratched it behind the ears and grinned. High five, Mikan.
We walked farther into the town and damn, it sure was buzzing with excitement. Apparently, a famous Alice user, used their Alice to make high-class weapons and is making a business out of them. That explains the throng of crazed trigger-happy people surrounding a store.
In the spur of a moment, a bullet shaped like a horse's hooves sprung out of nowhere and Pervert-kun pushed me to the side to avoid it hitting me. My heart rate picked up and that troublesome blush entered the landscape known as my cheeks. His eyes skirt mine and he scratches the back of his head. The silence seems to grow between us.
"And that is the demonstration of my latest invention, Baka Gun 2.0"
A monotone voice was heard and the owner of it was standing in the middle of the crowd, smirking while holding to what looked like the gun that had shot the bullet.
The crowd murmured and whispered things like, "Hotaru Imai is amazing" and "I wish I had her Alice." They formed a line, eagerly waiting to buy the girl's weapons. Her posture so rigid that it looks like someone has replaced her spine with a metal rod. The sight of her makes me feel like all the air in the room is heavier, bearing down on me.
The definition of cold and icy stood right there. Her purple eyes were glistening at the sight money. I swear I saw dollar signs in her eyes! She flicked her short, boy cut hair and had on a look that would intimidate the devil himself.
Her eyes fall on me and she gives me a patronizing look. Like the way people sometimes look at children when they act too adult. After what felt like decades, she turns the opposite way and continues to sell her weapons. My whole body tightens before I try to shake off the impact of the look she gave me.
I hear a distant voice yelling at me to turn around. I glance over my shoulder, seeing a body run towards me. I walked over to it out of curiosity only to trip over an uneven ledge in the sidewalk and would've fell flat on my face if he hadn't caught me.
He is the young man that was approaching me. He has a spare upper lip and a full lower lip. His eyes are so deep-set that his eyelashes touch the skin under his eyebrows, and they are light blue, a dreaming, sleeping, waiting color.
His hands grip my arms, but he releases me a moment after I stand upright again.
"Thank you," I say.
He smiles at me, "I believe that bunny is mine."
I look down at the creature that was cradled in my arms and raised my eyebrow at him.
"Oh! So this is yours then. I'm sorry."
A generous smile reappears onto his face, "That's fine. Uh, I'm Ruka."
He introduced himself with a hint of shyness in his tone. He extended a hand out for me to shake.
"Mikan!" I replied, clamping my hand onto his and showing off my signature heart winning smile.
I giggled after looking at the little bunny and the boy reunite. He looked cute when he held the bunny in the palm of his hands and while silently cooing to it.
"Ruka-pyon...," I giggled creating a nickname for the boy. He was red with embarrassment and let out a sheepish smile.
Its an embarrassing joke to him but its hard for me to fight off a smile. That is, until Natsume's eyes shift to our connected hands and all the humor drains from me. His expression sends a chill through me. Is he... jealous?
It wasn't long before I retrived my answer. Natsume walked up to us with a scowl playing on his mouth. He glared, burning a hole through me and then through Ruka-pyon.
Greeting each other was far from what they had done. Some say that girls have the ability to communicate without words, but guys?
Natsume's glare was enough for Ruka-pyon to sense displeasure. He quickly let go of my hand but returned the glare to Natsume. And here I thought Ruka-pyon wasn't the type to glare or even harm a fly.
Natsume formed a flame in the center of his palm and smirked at Ruka-pyon's understanding of what he wanted. An indicator up in the air signaled that a challenged was issued. Oh no, was the first thought that had crossed my mind. Its too late I can't stop the fight now.
"If your gonna start a fight. Fight fair." Ruka-pyon's glare transformed into a grin. Is there something I'm missing? What is up with this sudden 'guy telepathy'?
I felt my heartbeat everywhere, even through my toes. My breath hitched and my eyes were as wide as a deer in the headlights.
"You can proabably guess that my Alice isn't as powerful as your's. So-"
Ruka-pyon didn't even have to finish his sentence. In a spilt second Natsume aimed a punch towards him but Ruka-pyon darted it at the last minute.
Ruka-pyon put his hands up into balled fists. I see determination in his eyes that wasn't there before. Does he really think he can win? Oneshot to the head and Natsume will knock him out cold.
That is, if Natsume can actually hit Ruka-pyon. Natsume tries a punch and Ruka-pyon ducks, the back of his neck shining with sweat. He dodges another punch, slipping around Natsume and kicking him hard in the back. Natsume lurches forward and turns.
I wince, inching my eyes away from their fight. When I was younger, I read a book about grizzly bears. There was a picture of one standing on its hind legs with its paws outstretched, roaring. That's how Natsume looks now. He charges at Ruka-pyon, grabbing his arm so he can't slip away, and punches him hard in the jaw.
I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. I snap to attention when Ruka-pyon kicks Natsume in the side. Natsume gasps and grits his teeth like he is about to growl through them.
Natsume smirks at Ruka-pyon and without warning dives, hands out stretched, at Ruka-pyon's midsection. He hits him hard, knocking him down and pinning him to the ground. Natsume punches, and Ruka-pyon moves his head out of the way, but Natsume just punches again, and again, until his fist hits Ruka-pyon's jaw, his nose, his mouth. I clenched my fist hard, I just needed something to squeeze. My fingernails biting into my palms, this is the first time I prayed for someone to fall unconscious. HP bars inched closer to the end, if it wasn't them who were fighting then I would've actually enjoyed watching this fight.
Ruka punches Natsume in the ear, knocking him off-balance, and wriggles free. He comes to his knees, holding his face with one hand. Pain didn't exist in this world but pride did. And a lot of it. Ruka-pyon kicks Natsume at his side sending him sprawling on his back. The sight of Natsume clutching his ribcage made me want to stand between him and Ruka-pyon. Of course this was a battle between them and I couldn't interfer with the rules. I clenched my eyes closed and heard a series of kicks, thumps and groans. I waited for it all to end.
I opened my eyes and it was all over, Natsume was propped on his elbows on the floor glaring. Anger overflowed his eyes. His HP bar was at the peak of turning red, which meant critical.
He had lost.
And from the looks of it,
I think that was his very first loss.
"Would you please stop sulking."
He remained facing towards the window, holding a stringent glare, as if he was trying to burn a hole through the pristinely cleaned glass. He continued to murmur things like, "Stupid bunny-boy." I could've sworn I saw him briefly twitch with the word, "Sulking." That was the only word that could define him now.
Pride was sure important for this guy. A shatter of the barrier of pride that he's built can lead to something as critical as this. He's pretty much broke the record for staring at a cottage window with not a word spoken and the same standing position for the longest period of time. His knuckles were white from being in that balled up fist structure for that long.
Wisps of air was heard as I flipped through the newspapers that I found sitting on a desk, scanning my eyes over anything that seemed idiotically interesting. Even I scoff or a simple "tch" from him was enough to make the unsettling feeling stirring within me stop. I couldn't help but feel it was my fault that he is in this state right now.
"Hey did you know they started a newspaper publication in this game?" I said, in attempt to take his mind off of things. He hasn't utter a word yet but at least he turned away from the window. Keep trying, Mikan! I mentally chanted.
Back in the real world, I was brought up constantly told to cheer up people when they're in a pickle so you would know that the optimistic nature was in my blood.
"Look they're holding a fishing contest on Floor 4 tomorrow! Oh-oh! And- awww! A couple got married and adopted a baby NPC! I didn't know you could do that here?!"
He shrugged indifferently, "Tch. Insane."
I held my breath. Do my ears deceive me? I jumped to my feet and tackled him with a bear hug. I laugh, half relieved and half hysterical. My body shakes and I cover my face with my hands, "No way! You finally said something!"
He stiffened and lost his balance. With a thud we collided into the floor together. I was pressed on top of him while he held me in place by my waist with his eyes widen in consternation.
"You know, you are the toughest person to cheer up. Ever! Like, nobody else is a drama queen like you are when they are upset. Seriously!"
He stared at me and kept staring. I don't look away. He isn't a dog, but the same rules apply. Looking away is submissive. Looking straight into the eyes is a challenge. Heat rushes to my cheeks. What will happen when this tension breaks? I realized the position we were in and as if on cue, my stomach drops like I just swallowed a stone. As if a jolt of electricity phase through me I stumbled to my feet. Minutes of silence follow after that.
He sat up and sighed, "You're heavy." He said breaking the awkward silence.
...what? ...huh?
Oh hell no.
I grabbed the nearest throw pillow and shuffled it into his face. He grabbed my wrists and threw me to the floor. Laughter escaped my mouth as he tickled me to death, and then began our war for the last tickle/ throw pillow dominance.
"It's on."
Hiya! Wow that was a long chapter. Hope you all enjoyed that fight between Natsume and Ruka. Yeah, its pretty much a 'friends-become-foes-and-then-friends-again' type thing so if you disliked the interaction between Hotaru and Mikan / Natsume and Ruka, don't worry it'll all be over soon. I'm trying to change things in the plot so it won't be exactly like both the animes.
PS: My birthday is in 3 weeks! You guys should review more to make me happy.