Surrender

Chapter 7: The Final Paper

Natsume began breathing hard as he began to panic. ‘Oh my god! What if she gets pregnant? I didn’t even think about that! How could I be so stupid?’ He screamed in frustration.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. ‘Okay, if I go to Central Town today, I think I can get one of those Morning After pill things, and maybe some condoms or something, just in case. What am I thinking? I’m already assuming that something like that would even have a chance to happen again! It still might be safe to get.’ He sat pondering to himself about going to Central Town. Then he remembered, ‘I have to get her to take the pill once I buy it. Crap. That’s going to be a bitch.’

“Natsume?” A cheerful voice called to him. ‘Mikan…’

“Natsume?” The curious brunette walked up to him. He grunted back at her, “What do you want, Polkadots?” Mikan began to get mad, but then reconsidered. “We have to work on our project, Natsume.” She lectured. Natsume stared at her, but decided to be a somewhat nice. ‘I am a little guilty, plus I need her to cooperate with me.’ He glared at her a little, and then closed his eyes. “Fine, but we have to go to Central Town first.”

Mikan shouted with glee. She smiled brightly at the unhappy boy. “Thanks Natsume! How did you know I wanted some Howalons?” Natsume scoffed, “Baka! I simply told you that we’re going. I didn’t say we’re getting Howalons.” Mikan ignored him and followed him to the bus stop. Together they waited for the bus to Central Town.

Once the odd couple arrived at Central Town, Natsume tried to remember what store he needed to visit. However, a certain cheerful person was bugging him. “Natsume, what are we going to do?” Mikan asked him innocently. ‘Why the hell did I bring her? She’s just going to get in the way.’ Natsume regretted demanding her to come along.

Natsume was thoroughly annoyed. ‘Just let me think, baka! I’m doing this for you! I can’t let you get pregnant so young!’ At that moment, their classmate Kokoroyomi passed by and heard the thoughts Natsume was having. He immediately blushed. After listening a little further, he understood that they had sex. ‘Wow, Natsume sure moves fast.’ He thought to himself. He turned to Mikan’s thoughts, ‘Howalons? Are we going to get Howalons? Ahh! I want some delicious fluffy Howalons!’ ‘It looks like he needs help though. I guess I’m free.’ And he approached his two friends.

“Hi guys! What’s up?” Koko casually asked with a wide grin on his face. Natsume’s eyebrow twitched. “Nothing Koko. Why are you here?” Natsume thought at Koko furiously, ‘What did you hear? If you heard what I think you heard, help me distract Mikan.’ Koko responded accordingly. “Well, I just wanted some Howalons. Mikan, would you like to get some with me?” Mikan went all dreamy at Koko. “Yes! Thank you Koko! You’re the best.” The two trailed off towards the Howalon store. ‘I shouldn’t be long. Thanks, Koko. Don’t tell anyone.’ Natsume thought, intending it for Koko to hear. Koko smiled back at him. ‘Your welcome, Natsume.’

Natsume went in search of the store he required.

Finally, Natsume found the store he was looking for. He entered the gloomy looking shop. Inside, he found an older guy with dull brown hair, about 25 years old, flipping through a porn magazine. He glanced up when Natsume entered and closed the magazine.

“Can I help you?” The man asked coldly. Natsume told him what he needed. No questions were asked. The man packaged up Natsume’s purchases. Before walking out, Natsume decided to ask him a question. “How can I get her to take this?” The man peered disturbingly at him. “Just slip it in her food or drink. Or tell her to take them herself. Your choice.” Natsume grunted and walked out, hiding his purchase in his pocket.

Natsume met back up with Mikan and Koko, who were happily eating Howalons. “Oi, Polkadots. Let’s go! We have a project to work on!” Natsume glared at her, hoping she would hurry up.

Mikan brushed her self off and rushed to his side. She waved goodbye to Koko, “Bye! Thanks a lot!” And they boarded the bus back to the dorms. Natsume thought to Koko again, ‘Thanks. Really, thanks.’

Koko watched the couple board the bus and sighed. He had read Mikan’s thoughts while he was with her. Even though some thoughts were blurred by her alice, he got the gist of the situation. They had sex, but they were not a couple. However, he understood her love for Natsume. He knew Natsume had told her something that was reassuring, but he didn’t know what it was. ‘It’s only a matter of time.’ Koko thought to himself. He hoped Mikan wouldn’t get pregnant. It would hurt her if a scandal happened.

Back in Natsume’s room. Mikan and Natsume were arguing about their project. Again. It went a lot like the time before.

“My alice is useful! You just don’t understand!”

“You can’t even fight with it, idiot. Give up.”

After an hour of arguing Natsume sighed. “Write whatever you want. I don’t care.” He took out a manga and began to read it. Mikan shrieked at him. “Fine! I don’t need you to help me!” She took out some paper and began to write.

Natsume watched Mikan over his manga for a few hours. Casually he would flip through the pages, pretending to read. Finally, Mikan stopped writing. “There! I’m done. You’ll just have to live with it.” She taunted in Natsume’s face. He replied with nothing but a blank look.

Mikan turned to leave the room, and Natsume pulled her onto the couch beside him. “Don’t go yet.” He said softly.

Mikan calmly sat down next to him. Her heart began to pound. ‘What does he want?’ She thought to herself. Natsume shifted beside her. He went to his desk drawer and pulled out a small package. “I want you to take this. Take one now, and take the other 12 hours from now.” He pushed the package into her hands.

Mikan looked at the package questioningly. It read on the cover, “Plan B.” She didn’t understand what it was. “What’s this for?” She asked Natsume, thoroughly confused. Natsume grunted and sat next to her. He looked away and muttered, “It’s so you don’t get pregnant.”

Mikan’s eyes widened and she gawked at Natsume. ‘Pregnant? I didn’t even think about that. Oh… I can’t believe he got this for me. I guess he would look bad if he got someone pregnant.’ Mikan became solemn and she got up to leave. Natsume tugged on her again.

“Where are you going? I told you to take it now.” Natsume looked at her, pleading her with his eyes. Mikan looked at him nervously, “Okay…” She went and got herself a cup of water. She took the first pill.

An almost inaudible “Thank you,” fell out of Natsume’s mouth. Mikan smiled gently, “It’s fine.” She opened the door to leave. “Wait, Mikan…” Natsume started to come after her. “You don’t need to say anything, Natsume. Goodnight.” And she left the room.

Natsume considered going after her. “Shit! I don’t want it to be like this.” He cursed at himself. He wasn’t sure how to mend the situation. ‘What is she thinking? Maybe she is regretting it…’ Frustrated, he noticed the paper Mikan wrote lying on the table.

He read the entire thing and rubbed his temple. “That stupid girl. This is a horrible paper.” He pushed it aside, and began to write a paper of his own.

Mikan arrived in her room. As soon as she closed the door, she began to cry. “I know I shouldn’t expect anything from him. I just wish that what he said was true. It wouldn’t hurt this much if he hadn’t said he loved me.” She curled into bed clutching her locket in her hand, and cried herself to sleep.

When Mikan woke up in the morning, she took the second pill. ‘At least I won’t get pregnant.’ She thought to herself as she prepared for school.

Natsume picked up the paper he wrote last night and brought it to class with him. He hoped he would run into Mikan this morning.

Mikan sulked as she walked slowly to class. She didn’t care if she was late. The paper was due today, and she hoped Natsume brought the paper she wrote with him to class. If not, she didn’t care anymore. It wasn’t something they wrote together anyway. ‘That jerk! He made me do everything myself.’

She bumped headfirst into someone. She began to fall butt first to the floor, but someone caught her. She looked up into Natsume’s crimson eyes. Her eyes became wide. She jumped out of his arms and nervously said sorry. She jogged a bit to escape from him. Once she was out of his sight, she slowed back down.

‘She’s wearing polkadots today.’ Natsume thought to himself, a smirk rising on his face.

Narumi walked into the classroom. He wore an extravagant sailor suit. He smiled brightly at the classroom. “Good morning class! Your assignment is due today!” The class groaned with reluctance. “Good news! You have no other classes today. We’re going to do something a little different. One person from each pair will read their paper to the class.” The class erupted into chaos. Students shouted “No!” Some students cried, and some screamed. Everyone was talking, except four students. Hotaru, Mikan, Natsume, and Ruka were all silent. Ruka had a deeply flushed face.

The class impatiently listened to each paper. It was excruciating. However, the class learned how other people viewed each other. Students were amazed by how different everything was when they thought about how they could work together, or how they could oppose one another.

Finally, Mikan and Natsume’s turn came. Before Mikan could say anything, Natsume handed her a paper. She groaned and got up in front of the classroom. She began to read the ten page paper.

“This paper is about how Mikan Sakura and Natsume Hyuuga can work together with their alices.” She began. She continued to read and realized that this was not what she had written.

“The nullification alice is very helpful. It can act as a shield against other alices that may be harmful. In combination with the fire alice, it can be very powerful. The emotions of the nullification’s user can strengthen its power. It can disarm enemies, allowing the fire alice to attack them.” As Mikan continued to read, tears formed in her eyes.

“The nullification alice can also protect the fire alice’s user. It can prevent him from doing harm to others that may be accidental, as well as preventing harm from himself.” Tears gently rolled down Mikan’s cheeks. The class was silent in awe.

As Mikan finished reading the paper, she wiped the tears from her eyes and faced the classroom. “Thank you.” She said to the class, but only meant it for one person.

The class began talking amongst themselves. “Did they write that together?” “That was so touching.” “I bet she wrote that by herself.” “Why was she crying?”

Mikan walked to her seat and cast her eyes at Natsume. He met her gaze and gave a small smile. Mikan blushed and quickly took her seat. ‘I’m glad she’s happy.’ Natsume thought to himself.

Narumi looked at the paper Mikan had handed him. He then looked to the class and smiled. “Now, that’s the kind of cooperation we like to see.”

After class, Mikan followed Natsume out to the sakura tree. When they arrived Natsume sat against the tree and closed his eyes. Mikan sat beside him.

“Hey, Natsume…” Mikan said, waiting for him to reply. He didn’t say a word, so she continued. “Why did you write that paper?” Mikan peered at him curiously and Natsume replied flatly, “Your paper was stupid. You don’t know how to write you stupid little girl.” Mikan smiled and sat back, “Thank you, Natsume. It was wonderful. How did you think of all those things?” He remained silent. 'Easy, they're true.' He thought to himself.

They sat like that for a few minutes before Natsume opened his eyes. “Did you take the second pill?” Mikan jumped a little and nodded, “Yes, this morning.” Natsume closed his eyes and grunted. ‘I’m glad.’

Mikan sat beside Natsume silently biting back so many emotions flowing through her. ‘I want to kiss him! No, I want to hug him. No, I want to thank him. I want to yell at him! Arg! I’m so confused!’ She decided to leave.

Mikan silently stood up and began to walk away. Natsume felt her move and he opened his eyes cautiously. “Where are you going, Polkadots?” He calmly asked her. She said nothing and continued to walk away.

Natsume stood up and grabbed her wrist. “I said, where are you going?” He turned her around and realized she was crying. “Let go of me, Natsume. Just leave me alone.” She tried to wriggle out of his grasp, but he wouldn't let her leave.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in a softer tone. Mikan collapsed to her knees. Natsume followed suit as he held her shoulders. “Mikan?” She sobbed in reply.

Natsume hugged her close to him, smoothing her hair with one hand. She sobbed into his chest and tried to push him away. He hugged her tighter. “Natsume, let me go…” She sobbed. “Why are you doing this to me? Why are you hurting me?”

Natsume kissed her forehead. “Mikan… I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.” Mikan’s sobs slowed. Natsume tried to comfort her and explain at the same time. “I never wanted to hurt you. I just… it simply… I didn’t mean to take advantage of you. I love you, Mikan. I was only trying to express my love to you.”

Mikan stopped crying. She looked up into Natsume’s warm crimson eyes. He kissed her forehead softly. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry…” He whispered.

To his surprise, he felt Mikan’s soft lips touch his. He pulled away and looked gently into her shimmering hazel eyes. “Natsume…” She whispered, caressing his face with her hand. “I love you too.” She nervously looked into his deep passionate eyes.

“Mikan…” Natsume whispered as he softly kissed her. Happiness overwhelmed him as he kissed her lovingly.

Hotaru's camera made a soft CLICK! as she took a picture of the two lovebirds. 'I'll keep this in the Mikan Birthday Album.' She quietly snuck away from the scene.

After a short time, they stopped kissing and looked at each other. Mikan gazed into Natsume’s passionate eyes and confessed to him, “Natsume, you didn’t take advantage of me. I’m glad it was you.” She beamed her smiled at him. Surprisingly he smiled back, “I’m glad it was you, too.”

A few hours later, Mikan and Natsume were arguing in his room. It was over something stupid, of course.

“You eat too slow, idiot.” Natsume blankly told her. Mikan screamed back at him, “I do not! You eat too fast!” She shouted, waving her finger at him furiously. They bickered at each other for a few minutes before Natsume got fed up with it.

He aggressively pulled her onto his lap on the couch. He kissed her gently. Mikan blushed, “Natsume?” He smiled gently at her and asked, “Mikan Sakura, will you be my girlfriend?”