Hello everyone. Finally here's the last chapter of Reluctant Hearts!

A million thanks to those who reviewed…namely…

Kisa-bun

Dark-Lady-Hel

enemrizza

Nils

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windlady, especially this one…my chat mate here in ffnet..hahahahaha…I know I owe you more than a chat...

To those who favorite-d this story…namely…

Courting Torment

crimsonjica

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Hina the half heart

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Love Tendencies

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To those who alerted this story…namely

'-MiNi-RAi-'

9'-'sachiko-chan'-'9

animefanatic15

crimsonjica

enemrizza

Hina the half heart

Kisa-bun

Love Tendencies

Nils

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Noodles Rice Tofu

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RandomWriterChick

Real Heroes Never Die

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VioletIsARockstar

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XxblackwingsxX

Thank you very, very much. You served as my inspiration while I was writing this last chapter. Thank you so, so much. *bows*

I won't keep you longer…here it goes…Sorry for any grammar mistakes and typos, if there's any, please kindly point it out...Thanks guys...

Standard disclaimers apply!

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Conclusion

The bright morning sun brought a lot of opportunities that morning. Just take Natsume for example. This day is full of opportunities for him to tease his favorite girl Mikan. Doors of opportunities to stop Natsume from teasing her (which we all know would be futile) opened up as well. And of course, how could Imai Hotaru pass up this opportunity to blackmail the poor guy that we all know as Nogi Ruka?

"Imai!" Ruka shouted, as the birds quietly resting on the tree tops were disturbed and took flight thus creating a chaotic dancing of the leaves, fallen or not in the Northern Forest.

"I swear, if you don't come back here, I'll…" he stopped midsentence to catch his breath. He is currently chasing the elusive blackmailer for the reason that we obviously know, by the means of riding a pretty ferocious horse.

"You'll what, Nogi?" Hotaru taunted, through the megaphone that she held, as she turned slightly to look at him, smirk always present. She was a good ten meters away from her chaser, as she was also aboard a horse. Damn her inventions for not being of great help this time, which really pissed her off. Good thing, she took Equestrian as her P.E. elective during her last year in the elementary school. Though she would prefer rising her duck scooter than the said animal.

Using only one hand, she tugged on the leash and made a full turn, quickly sweeping past Ruka, allowing him to have a glance of what the pictures were all about, which he never failed to see, thanks to his keen eyesight. It was a picture of him...milking a cow. It was part of his daily routine every morning. He helps the caretakers of the barn by doing something trivial like this, and to see how the animals are doing and, as usual, she is going to profit…again from his little goodwill.

"I never thought you'd enjoy milking a cow." The blackmailer mocked more as she was enjoying the chase. Ruka gritted his teeth. This is too much! They're already in their first year in high school, for God's sake! Hasn't she grown out of her blackmailing thing yet? Isn't she tired of making her bank account big and fat with all the money she earned from selling his photos? Come to think of it, he ought to have a share. It was HIS photos that SHE was selling after all. It was all because of him that she gets to count and swim in all those God-knows-how-many-rabbits. But this isn't the time to be thinking about his share! He has his nth pride on the line that he's going to rescue from her again.

With that, he huffed and made full turn as well. Unfortunately for him, fate wants to play a torturous trick on his horse friend, as an inconspicuous little snake slithered across their path which triumphantly scared and sent the horse on a rampage. It neighed noisily as it was trying to trample on the offending reptile. Ruka, who was holding the leash rather loosely, was thrown out into the air and had his back scraped on the trunk of the tree where he landed, three feet away from the commotion.

Hotaru didn't miss the action. She pulled over as soon as she heard the horse and saw how it ran and left its master, wheezing and gasping for air, with some intentional flinches because of pain. Her seemingly cold eyes showed worry and a bit of guilt,as she immediately rushed to his side.

The last thing that Ruka saw was her, mouth the words 'I'm sorry' before completely passing out.

"For Christ's sake, Nogi, please stop moving."

This was the first sentence he heard from Hotaru after the incident or rather the accident that happened. They were on her lab, with her treating his wounds-the first thing she did as soon as he regained his consciousness. How did they get there, he doesn't want to ask, though he's curios to know. He busied himself keeping his temper in check, if ever he opened his mouth, he might say things that he knows he would regret later on even though he badly wants to snap at her. So, he just contented himself with gritting his teeth and emitting occasional groans brought about by the stinging pain on his back whenever the ointment touch it.

"You know," she started, attention focused on the task. "You're lucky, no broken bones or internal damages, only a very bad case of abrasion." She said smugly.

Really, how evil can this girl get? Instead of apologizing, she would rather talk about how lucky he was to be spared from that life threatening situation: As if he needed any reassurance! He just clenched his jaw and glared pointedly on the wall. 'Patience, Ruka…' he chanted in his mind.

After sometime, the dabbing in his back stopped, without so much words passing between the two of them. Cool air rushed against his back which was warm because of the ointment, when she left momentarily and returned with some clean bandages.

"Raise you arms, Nogi." She commanded in her whispery voice. He didn't budge. His only movement was the deep heaving of his chest and back because of hi breathing.

Hotaru raised an eyebrow fro his lack of compliance. She should be yielded, especially when she's trying to be kind. She sighed. Being true to her nature of not repeating herself, she forcefully lifted Ruka's arms away from his side.

"OUCH!" He yelped, as he placed his arms back down, and turned to her with a feisty glare. "What was that for?!"

She matched his glare evenly with her own. "If you did what you were told, you didn't have to get hurt." She said calmly, though her eyes are telling something different.

He just scoffed then scowled and turned his back to her again then lifted his arms. Hotaru smirked, loosened the bandages, bended a bit and started her work.

As much as Ruka hated himself at that moment, he can't seem to stop looking at her hands working its way across his midsection up to his chest. He took note of how light her touches were, as it followed the bandages' trail, also, of how it was so delicate. He imagined it to be calloused and rough from all the work that she's doing-hammering metals, twisting wires and cables and other whatnots, and was surprised to find that it was the contrary. And for some odd reasons, he wondered, what would it feel like if she actually touches his chest. He was sure that it would feel like feather…simple, soft and… Wait! He shouldn't be thinking of her that way! She's The Imai Hotaru, his sworn mortal enemy that would wipe him out of existence.

He was about to kick the very inappropriate though out of his mind when a very unusual feeling brought him back to reality. Aroused feelings brought by an innocent action. Just as Hotaru was about to finish wrapping his upper body, she lost the end of the bandage, making the wrap loose and in an attempt to catch the loosened end, caused her hands to brush his chest faintly, she probably didn't notice, be he most definitely did. As subtle as it was, the touch was enough for his heart to take off hysterically and for his breathing to be laborious and soon, beads of sweat were already forming on his forehead, welcoming the new sensation. Suddenly, he was aware of everything she does; her comforting warmth on his back; her arms almost enveloping his body and her slow steady breathing.

He heard her sigh, and took the end of the bandage hanging loosely at his side and continued with her work. 'So much for wishing…' he thought and was aware of her hands, yet again. He caught her by surprise when he placed his hand over hers, to stop it, when it was venturing near his heart, afraid that she might feel the extreme drumming of it in his chest. But the move only made it worse, as he felt his face and body go warm. He looked at her and saw how shock flitted in her eyes before she raised an inquisitive eyebrow. That's where he realized what he's done, and cursed himself inwardly. He stared at her for a moment, trying to compose an answer.

"The bandage…" he started his eyes never left hers, as well as her hands are still caged with his. "It's…tight." He finally managed to get out.

Her face returned to its usual façade as she whispered a small 'oh', then her eyes directed to her hand held loosely by Ruka. He followed her line of vision and took his hands off, and lifted his arms again.

'What the hell, Ruka!' he thought to himself as he can't wipe the now deepening blush on his flustered face. Little did he know that Hotaru also sported the same kind of blush when she felt a wave of electricity course though her body, the moment his hand held hers.

Now, come to think of it…falling doesn't seem bad at all.

When Natsume and Mikan 'officially' got together during their second year, everyone knew what consequences it would bring, especially to Ruka. It was on everyone's knowledge, even of Mikan, when Natsume, unable to hide anymore, told her that Ruka, was 'upset' because they got together when she asked as to why Ruka walked out when she announced the good news.

Of course, that one was very much expected. Then it'll be followed by a sudden change of personality. It always does, right? Many guessed that he would be inconsolable for weeks, months even, years, maybe, before he finally accepts the fact that the two clearly belong to each other. Some believed, his classmates, especially, that he would eventually turn back to himself again, after some reflection and realization. He was Ruka, after all, the kindest and understanding person next to their dense Mikan. Others speculated that he would become cold an unapproachable, even to Natsume. He suffered too much already. This would be the last shot, after the so many ones he tried to ignore.

So, imagine their initial astonishment when Ruka entered the classroom, all smiles, and took his usual seat in the back of the room, beside Natsume, only half of the class was there, excluding the couple. Immediate gasps and flagrant murmuring filled the room, while others settled to gaping like fishes.

"What's wrong?" He asked, so casually as if nothing happened. The confrontation last week was non existent. Like everything was normal, when he noticed that he was the center of their unashamed attention. The room went silent, now everyone was unable to look at him. Yuu, was the one who decided to break it.

"Uhmm, Ruka? Are you alright?" He asked hesitantly.

The latter returned a curious stare, and then broke out into a smile. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" he said naturally. Yuu sighed in relief. Well, Ruka's smile seems so genuine, so maybe, he's really fine. He had the whole weekend to reflect about what happened and maybe, decided that there's no point in grieving over something that was never yours, or rather his for that matter. Yuu smiled at his good friend.

"That's good." He said then went back to his seat.

Unsurprisingly, the couple didn't show up in class. It was Hotaru that informed Mr. Narumi that the two wouldn't be attending for the rest of the day. Natsume wanted to give Mikan some free time to keep her mind off from the confrontation for a while and to cheer her up. Mr. Narumi completely understood. But they still weren't in for the biggest surprise of that day.

If the astonishment from what happened on the morning wasn't enough, there definitely won't be any words for what they're feeling right now. It was during lunch time when they discovered that Rukas wasn't fine at all. They namely-Koko, Yuu, Kitsuneme, Mochu, Sumire, Anna and Nonoko were sitting on their usual place on the cafeteria. Having seeing Hotaru walk inside and remembered that she'll be alone since Mikan wasn't there, they invited her and she accepted graciously, in her own subtle way. They did the same when they saw Ruka, almost if he hadn't immediately taken his seat beside a redhead and some of their upperclassmen, which happened to be all girls.

"Oh, maybe they have something to tell him. Anna said, lowering her hand as she was the one who waved at Ruka when he was scanning the area. Apparently, she wasn't noticed.

"But what would they tell him?" Yuu interjected. Hotaru who was busy typing at her laptop raised her head and looked at them, not fully aware of their conversation.

"I hope it's just the matter of telling something." Nonoko said, and then eyed Sumire, who was narrowing her eyes at Ruka's direction and the girl next to him. "What's up Sumire?"

"I know that girl," She said ignoring the question. "She's Shizuka, 3rd year…but, what would she want from Ruka" She suddenly asked. "I mean, she's not even a Somatic Type, right?' She referred to Yuu, who also looked in the direction.

"Yes. She's a Latent Type. I see her during mixed classes." Yuu agreed to her assumption. Hotaru, who now knows what or rather who they were talking about as well, looked and true enough, Rukas was chattering too cheerfully with their upperclassmen. She blinked for a few times, her face emotionless, and then returned to her work. She didn't notice the strange look that Koko gave her.

"Then what the hell is Ruka doing with those girls?!" Sumire exclaimed, only enough for them to hear.

"Chill, Sumire!" Mochu patted her shoulder. "They must have a reason for calling him or it can be the other way around. Anyhow, I know Ruka knows what he's doing." He said and the others nodded in affirmation, except from Hotaru and Koko, who was already frowning, but the others don't seem to notice.

"But why isn't he taking leave? " Obviously Ruka wasn't showing any signs of leaving. Sumire was getting edgier and edgier by the second. She doesn't have the silly stupid crush on him and Natsume anymore. If that's what you're thinking because of how she's acting. It's just that her cat-dog instincts are telling her that something is not right.

They remained quiet fro a while, that is until, they saw Ruka drape arm around Shizuka's shoulder and pulled he closer to him. The girl didn't resist a bit. In fact she even seemed to enjoy it!

No one from their group dared to speak, their eyes disbelieving what they have just witnessed. Sumire slammed her hands on the table.

"WHAT THE FREAKIN…mmhhmmp…" she started to shriek her lungs out, fortunately, Mochu was quick to cover her mouth and prevent her from any embarrassing situation. Too bad it wasn't fast enough for them not gain any audience. Yuu stood up and faced them.

"Sorry about that! Please continue your meals." He said, then took his seat as fast as he finished. Sumire was still shrieking, although it was already muffled by Mochu's hand and was pointing toward Ruka's way. Hotaru glared at her for a moment because she disrupted her work, and sighed, then followed the direction where her fingers were pointing, and saw something which you cant see everyday. Aside from the arm draped around the girls shoulder, Ruka was now lusciously sniffing the girl's hair and whispered something to her ear that made the girl giggle like stupid.

At that point, Hotaru experienced qualms on her insides. She wanted to strip her sight away from them, but her eyes are failing her. The qualms won't go away no matter how much she tried to calm herself on her mind. Thankfully, all through this her face didn't betray her. Her expression remained perfectly flawless. But it won't last long. She had to get out. She had to snap out of it. She had to…

"HOTARU! Snap out of it." Her breathing hitched a bit as she felt hands rocking her shoulders back and forth. She become alert again as she focused her sight on the person in front of her. Koko, Koko who was looking at her alarmed at the same time with some kind of pitiful understanding. She shook her head infinitesimally and repeatedly blinked, until she slump her shoulders. Only he and Anna, who was adjacent to her, saw what happened. The others were busy controlling Sumire.

"What's wrong Hotaru?" The concerned Anna asked. "Are you feeling sick?"

Hotaru closed her eyes and massaged her temple, indicating that she's not feeling well.

"You should take a day off." Koko said, but his tone was implying something more.

"Koko's right." Anna approved. I'm sure Mr. Jinno would understand. We'll explain to him what happened, so don't worry." She said reassuringly.

Hotaru took her hands off her head and opened her eyes again and looked at them. If Anna's was of pure concern, Koko's look was more…urgent. It's as if he wanted her to leave. She heeded this as warning.

"Maybe I should." She mumbled, then shut her laptop close and arranged it in her bag and stood up. "Thanks." She said before she left. A relative shattering of something vital kept ringing in her ears as she quickly made her way back to her dorm, not sparing them another glance.

Natsume got tired of Ruka's charades and shameless flirting, three months after he was branded an official player. They didn't expect that Natsume would last this long in holding back. The Black Cat wanted to punch Ruka, whether he's his best bud or not, senselessly, if not for Mikan who always act as his mediator. They empathize with him. After all, Ruka was treating him like a stranger. Maybe he would've handled it better if Ruka was to treat him as an enemy. At least Ruka recognizes him. But this…they can all but feel the flame of anger Natsume was emanating. Or maybe, that one is part of the many reasons, mostly focusing on Mikan. She has been so upset because Ruka wouldn't even talk to her, which send her to the verge of crying, but instantly repels it when Natsume starts to threaten them that he would beat the living daylights out of Ruka, and also their classmates who can, only but shake their heads whenever they heard something 'new' about Ruka. Clearly, things were getting worse.

Ruka, found himself being pushed by his 'girl-of-the-day' in one of the lockers after the bell rung that signaled the end of the mixed classes. He smiled at the girl who practically threw herself into him.

"What's up?" he asked, when the girl who was latching his neck advanced in an attempt to kiss him. Nope, he never gives kisses, and definitely not to this girl. He placed his hands on her shoulders in order to restrain her.

"Oh, come on!" the girl pouted, un-cutely. "Let's just give them something to talk about." She said flirtatiously, twisting some of Ruka's hair in her fingers, then let it travel from his nape, down to his chest. Ruka wondered how far her hands would go if he hadn't stopped it and placed it back on her sides.

"I would prefer if they talk about ME." He answered, her questioning expression, then lowered his face and gave the girls neck some light kisses.

Some of the students started, some glared, and others looked blankly, while his friends looked apologetic, sighed and didn't stay longer. Yup, they really have something to talk about. They remained like that after sometime. He continued lavishing the girls neck relentlessly, shifting from light kisses, to licking weak spots, while the girl writhed in pleasure in front of him, when he suddenly felt heavy, or was burning a hole in him. He opened his eyes and saw that the people are slowly dispersing; due probably by the girls moaning which in his opinion was deeply disturbing. He was just kissing her, so why sound as if they were having sex?! Really, after all the people are gone, he's going to leave the girl done for. But the uncomfortable sensation only grew bigger, that he was forced to lift his head to check where that thing was coming from. Eventually, he came eye to eye with a certain raven haired girl, a few feet away from them…from him.

Expect Hotaru Imai to send some bothering shivers down your spine when you lock gaze with her. She by far, is the person he knew to have such expressive eyes, though habitually empty, she makes sure she uses to her advantage especially if aggravating people. And that's exactly what she's doing right now. He was so sure that his eyes showed surprise and the slight parting of his lips could attest to that. There would be nothing in this world that he wanted more at that moment but be torn away from those enthralling eyes. But there's something in there that made him want to swim deeper and not to look away. He noticed that he was so rigid; she could be mistaken for a statue, if not for her chest, rising and falling with her every breath…and those eyes again. It was smoldering, burning with unspoken anger. It was…tortured, tired, spiteful, disgusted…and many more, but he was definitely sure that there's one word that could describe it. And before that he can say that, at that moment, the two of them only existed, or the world existed only for the two of them, she turned and walked away.

All of a sudden, he felt dejected and revolted. He would've lingered in the feeling more if not for he girl, who was presently drawing circles in his arms. He blinked.

"Ruka, what's the matter? Why did you stop, babe?" she asked. He looked at her threateningly, and pushed her away and decided to leave, leaving the girl, shocked and scared to her core.

A very distinct sound of a hand colliding with a face echoed in the hallways. Everyone proceeded to what they would usually do when things like this happen, especially for the last three moths- stop and stare. But this time instead of glaring and murmuring with disapproval, everyone was motionless and was basically dumbfounded. They never imagined that all the drama would go this way. Never would they see that Ruka would be receiving a slap from none other than Hotaru. 'Why' was their entire question. They never dated! Never flirted, never ever had any close interactions up until now, for her to slap him. Or is there something that they didn't know? Even their classmates were beginning to doubt. They were all shocked as well. Mikan gasped and placed one hand on her mouth on Natsume's hand the other. Natsume smirked and it was evident in his eyes that Hotaru earned a new status of respect from him. And Koko was scrutinizing the both of the two.

Time stood still for the both of them. Ruka was facing the side, hand on his swelling cheek, while Hotaru stood straight in front of him. He breathed deeply and then risked a look at her, hurt and anger marked his feature.

"What…" he started, but she interrupted him, her aura getting colder.

"I thought you're different…" she said and everyone stopped breathing to hear what she has to say next but she let it hung there. She turned away and left, the sound of her footsteps was sure to burn in their memories.

Ruka on the other hand felt relieved rather than humiliated as he found the one word that he's been looking for. It was what he saw in her eyes during that day, and realized at the dawn of her words.

Disappointment…

She was disappointed. He disappointed her, with the stigma that he has done. Though it brought an unsettling feeling at the pit of his stomach and a sharp pang at his heart, he forgot it momentarily. All the heaviness and guilt washed upon him, but the abnormal thing was, he doesn't care. It didn't matter. He was elated and finally awake. He felt so damn good that she slapped him.

He wouldn't ask for a better wake up call than this.

Ruka woke up with a start, when he found himself doused in cold water that late morning. He sat upright and glared at the wretched person who dared disturb his sleep, only to see Natsume, smirk on his face, eyes bored but relieved, one hand on the pocket, the other, holding a stupid bucket.

"Glad you're awake, Sleeping Beauty." He jeered, amused.

"You could've wakened me up in a nicer way, Natsume." Ruka said as he stood up and shook some water off him.

Natsume started to walk off, and Ruka immediately followed.

"Why?" Natsume asked. "Would you have liked it better, if I burned your hair?" he said nonchalantly.

Ruka just scowled at him. "In that case, thanks a lot!" he said sardonically, ruffling his hair free from water.

Natsume ignored his sarcastic banter. "You expect me to be nice to you? After making me worry, because I found your room empty and no one has seen you and where you went off to, just to see you here snoring your ass out?" he said. Ruka would've smiled at his best friend's 'concern', if not for the next thing he said.

"Believe me, it wasn't reassuring, especially after what happened to Imai." He was walking casually, while Ruka stopped dead on his track.

"What happened to her?" he asked in a grave tone.

Natsume ignored him again, when Ruka caught up with him and placed a stopping hand on his shoulders.

"What happened to her?" he demanded.

"I'll rather have you see it for yourself, Ruka."

"Please Natsume." He begged. He never begged him like this before, but if he did, it means that he's really desperate.

"Fine, but change first. Frankly Ruka, you stink." He said.

"It was Ruka's turn to ignore him, but followed all the same. He doesn't care if his best friend thinks he stinks, he's worried about Hotaru. What had happened this time?

Ruka was streaming beautiful curses under his breath as he made his way back to the dorm…again. Apparently, dousing him with cold water, first thing when he woke up wasn't Natsume's only idea for a payback. After he finished his shower, he insisted that Natsume tell him what happened, but before his 'going to be ex-best friend' start, his stomach protested in hunger. He didn't know why he let Natsume made him eat first before telling the story, but after he did, Ruka was so sure that he threw up all he ate.

"Damn him. One of these days, I really have to put him in his place." He said angrily, slamming his door and proceeded immediately to the bathroom, where his thoughts led into depressing one.

'Hotaru couldn't possibly do that…' he thought, as he mindlessly filled the tub with warm water.

'She can't. She wouldn't, even faced with so much pressure…she simply wouldn't, for Mikan's sake, at least.' He thought, disappointment painting his feature. Then he felt the water rush out of the tub, did his thoughts coursed back to where it was before.

'At least I don't have to see Natsume again. Who knows what other schemes he has on his sleeves?' With that he shrugged and took a quick shower.

Meanwhile, Hotaru was already glaring daggers at Mikan who was walking back and forth across the hospital room. She was irritated to hell by her dense best friend's footsteps resounding in her room.

"Where is he? He's supposed to be here, thirty minutes ago?" Mikan mumbled to herself. She stopped short when she heard Hotaru sigh and went to her side at once.

"Is something the matter? Are you hungry?" she asked. Hotaru just rolled her eyes on the infamous question that she's been hearing for every five minutes.

"I told you, I'm not." She said, resting her head on the pillow comfortably. Then a growling stomach echoed in the room. She looked at Mikan.

"Are you hungry?" she asked this time. Mikan blushed and looked at her, frowning.

"Mou… I am…but Natsume is not here yet. He said he's going to bring food." She wailed. Hotaru had to think of something to get rid of her. If she stopped walking, she would never stop talking…which in Hotaru's opinion is much worse than the annoying footsteps.

"Then why don't you just get it for yourself." She said, closing her eyes, already expecting her retort.

"But, Hotaru…I can't leave you alone." Mikan said indignantly but curled back when her stomach complained again.

"Go." Hotaru said. "You can always bring it here and eat here."

Mikan lighted up, but hesitated. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked.

"Just go before your stomach eats you up." Hotaru said menacingly.

"HOTARU!" and with that she left.

Hotaru sighed. 'Great, she's gone.' She thought as she slowly tried to sit. Her eyes roamed the white room viciously. She hated being in there. The room was bringing out the worse in her, instead of helping her relax. After sometime, being positive that Mikan would be back a little later, she stood up, painstakingly, and went out; now's the time to be a bad girl and ignore the doctors recommendation to stay at her room for the meantime. She knows what she's doing and she knows what's best for her, if she wants to heal fast, and it's not staying in this room. She needs fresh air…badly.

A high pitched scream made Ruka…and Natsume run the rest of the hallway to Hotaru's room and to find Mikan disgracefully slumped on the floor, sobbing.

"Polka-dots, what happened? "Natsume, who was on her side, instantly, embraced her, learning Ruka on the doorway.

"Hotaru…" Mikan lamented. At this, Ruka's ears perked up and he was the one to ask.

"What happened, Sakura?"

"She…she…she's missing!" she wailed again.

"Calm down, Polka-dots…" Natsume said, in his own manner of comforting. "Start from the beginning." He said while patting her head, and helped her stand up, the food forgotten on the floor.

"Well," she sniffed. "I left her to buy some food since I was really hungry because you said that you'll be here, but you were late and…"

Ruka needn't more reasons to start sprinting and search for Hotaru. He passed through every hallways of that floor, and when found none; he proceeded to the lower level, until he was outside the edifice, running relentlessly. He never bothered to ask bystanders and other personnel if they happened to see someone with her feature. His legs gave up on him, when he was already at the back of the building. Breathing heavily and sweating profusely, he leaned on a wall for support.

'Hotaru, where are you?' he murmured, letting his eyes scan the area. Not long enough, he noticed a distinct bob of black amongst the green bushes. Without second thought, he dashed into the bushes, and came across the girl he's been looking for, reclined on a tree trunk, dozing off serenely. He sighed in case, quite positive that nothing terrible happened to her because of her position. He collapsed at her side with a laconic thud, and respired deeply, then tilted his head on his side, so he came face to face with Hotaru.

It's true that she's not much of a beauty, but for him, it is breathtakingly enough; she's outstandingly intelligent anyway. She may not be the friendliest person you'll ever meet, but she's the sincerest friend you'll ever have. She's cunning, unpredictable and revengeful, but for some twisted reasons, those are few of the things that he loved about her.

He smiled at this thought and placed a hand on her cheek and caressed it tenderly. How he wished that they could stay like this forever. He closed his eyes and matched the rhythm of her breathing, savoring every moment before it's gone.

He was contentedly stroking when he felt a hand rest on his arm. He opened his eyes and predictable met hers that was bearing innocence and curiosity. He blinked distractedly for several times before realizing that their proximity is too close for comfort and instantaneously jerked away from her. She flinched and seemed to back off a little as well.

"I'm sorry." Ruka said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

She looked away for a moment. "What are you doing here, Nogi?" she asked her voice soft but her eyes intent.

"I-I was looking for you."

"Why?" she pressed.

He was starting to come up with an answer before he remembered his mission.

"I should be the one asking you that." He said with a hint of accuse. "What are you doing here and moreover, why were you confined?" he asked, miffed. "Sakura was crying because you were missing."

He bit his tongue when he saw her lowered her head and appeared disheartened. Did he say something wrong?

"Ho-Imai?" he asked uncertainly.

"Of course." She said, and then mumbled, "It's because of Mikan…"

"What?"

"Nothing." She said, looking at him in the eyes squarely. "I should probably just go back." then motioned to stand up, if not only for the sharp pang that coursed on her insides, particularly at her chest. Ruka was swift to catch her, as now she is in his arms, head on his shoulder, her fast intake and outtake of air fanning his neck.

"Be careful now." He said, fighting the blush that was decorating his cheeks. And they stayed like that for a while. She wasn't pulling herself up and he wasn't initiating a push.

She pondered for a while, having loving being held on by the guy she loves and hating it at the same time, and because she knows that it all meant nothing to him. Her voice wouldn't ring in his head like his was ringing in hers; her thin line of a smile wouldn't make him smile as his would always make her whenever something remind her of him; her eyes wouldn't hunt him, even in his sleep like his was her constant companion in her dreams; and her 'warmth', if ever she has one, or is one, wouldn't make him wish that they could be this way for eternity like his was making her crave and hope fervently for more.

She used to blame him for making her feel the emotions she felt and is still feeling. She tried to hurt him, but it backfired tremendously on her as she found out that she couldn't, she wouldn't, and ended up asking herself, and him of what's happening to her. Dreadful for showing instability and vulnerability, she ran away with a broken heart and tortured mind, tried to seek comfort in the cold water and where did it get her?; In that forsaken room, with white washed walls.

Convinced that she's got to stop all her madness, she resolutely agreed to risk everything that they have now. May it be successful or not, may he accept it or not, at least she would achieve the peace of mind that she was searching for. She can always move on, hopefully, and this wouldn't have to add up on the list of the things that she would regret later on in life.

Drawing courage that she never had before, she spoke in a not too demanding or not too desperate voice.

"Do you think it's possible for you to love someone like me?"

He went stiff at her words. Now that was unexpected. 'Of course." He would have wanted to say severely. 'Because I do...' But that didn't sound right. He's not even sure if she feels the same way, ad why did she ask such question.

"Wh-why are you asking that?" he stammered.

"Please just answer it, R-Ruka…"

You wouldn't know how excited he felt when she uttered his name. it made him want to pull her closer and hug her tightly but he can't let his feelings get in the way for it may ruin the little happiness that he's experiencing right now, for he was so certain that it would be even harder to get where he is now. But she wants an answer, and he wouldn't want to give her something that she would just think of 'out of pity'. Damn, if he'd only listened to Koko and formulated a well articulated speech of undying devotion, this wouldn't be so hard. He needs to answer; his conscience wouldn't let him off easily if he didn't. He sputtered in his mind on the lines that he was thinking of saying to her, but if it didn't sound so cheesy, it sounded like it came out straight from romance novels. Without having anything better to say, he just sticks to the first thing that came to his head.

'It's now or never…' he chanted in his though, and then took a deep breath.

"Of course." He said, trying to be smooth. "Because I do…" There, dropped the bomb. He shut his eyes firmly, waiting for her backlash.

He felt her tear away from him, although he wants her back in her arms, he resisted the urge to, behaving himself. She didn't say anything. When the uneasiness of her quietness became unbearable, he dared to open her eyes and see her reaction. Unprecedented shock shook him when he saw something he never had the nerve to imagine.

She was crying; she was looking hurt and joyous at the same time, but still, she was crying and he regretted having opening his mouth. However cute she was to marvel at, it bugged him and tormented him that she was crying because of him.

"Why are you crying?" he asked desperately, cupping her face between his hands and bringing it a little closer. The excruciating feeling leveled up when she didn't answer and more tears flowed as she was nearing breaking down.

"Damn it Hotaru! Why are you crying? Don't do this to me!" he exclaimed in despair.

"D-do you really mean that?" she croaked in a very un-Hotaru like fashion.

"Of course!" he exclaimed again, and then wiped her tears. "Of course." He repeated softly, but it didn't comfort her, instead it sent her to a frenzied fit of sobbing. He couldn't think of anything else to do anymore, so he just grabbed her into an embrace.

"Why are you crying?" he asked again.

"I-I never thought…I know that it's impossible for you to love or even like someone like me…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry." It came out muffled but he heard her anyway.

He pushed her to get a good look on her face and hoping that if she sees his, it would persuade her to believe that what he's saying is true.

"Look at me." He started. "It's not impossible. You deserve it. And you shouldn't apologize. You have nothing to apologize for. I should be the one doing what you're doing."

"But…"

"It doesn't matter, alright? I'm here, I'm yours…and I love you! I don't know why, but I do."

"But…"

He didn't wait any longer as he crashed his lips into hers, her tears mixing with his as his body was itching to be near to her. She didn't protest nor made a move to pull away, but she granted his wish as she pulled him closer, her hands gripping his back and his hair, her lips responding in his kiss with fervor.

He deepened the kiss more in an attempt to describe how overwhelmed he felt when she held onto him. As much as they wanted to dwell on the kiss a little longer, they detached from each other, though his hands remained on her cheeks, while hers were on his shoulders.

"You can reject me if you want." He said, bumping their foreheads together. "But please, don't disbelieve it when I say that I love you, because I truly do. You don't know how I wanted to have you by my side; to kiss you, to hug you…Y-you don't know how much I longed to call you mine… he confessed.

This time, she was the one to instigate the kiss, by bringing him closer and circling her arms around his neck.

"I believe you…" she said in between their kiss. "I love you too…

All the angst, all the heartbreaks that once submerged in the cold water, all the depressions were forgotten when they consumed their selves in this passionate happiness. Sometimes, it just takes a lot of courage and hope. Finally, these reluctant hearts, which were too proud and too scared to love, found their place where they truly and will forever belong.

The End

If you're wondering, what the first two stories (the ones in italicized...yup, them...) are, let's just say they're..."the start of it all". It's just a little insight on their past and how they came to be, although I know that it doesn't have any connection with the main plot...but I do hope you liked it... that's the fluff, or semi fluff, that I've promised you guys...oh well, enough of my rambling...

PLEASE KILL ME!!! KILL ME NOW!!! I beg you!

This is, as you can see, my poor attempt to write a story with a melodramatic, puke inducing ending…so please, if you're willing to kill me without batting an eyelash…please do! Embarrassment will do the job if you won't! But then again, I guess I'll just have to swallow it up…Please, oh, please, review this one… My life depends on it now…hahahahahahahahaha…anyway, again…THANK YOU! You're such beautiful people to have supported me this long. Thank you very much!

This is going to be my last author note for the year…er, well let's all hope that I'll be back in business after adjusting to college life.

I guess this is it, minna? Hope that you enjoyed reading this one!

Keep up the good work always and Stay safe!

Lots of love,

Spring Emerald