Writer’s Notes: Alright, this is my New Year Special. It’s my make-up for not posting something on Christmas. This is just a short one-shot – another OOC one, I guess. Happy New Year!

Disclaimer: The drill doesn’t need to be repeated.

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5 Rabbits

By: Optatus Crepusculum

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The skies were clear, showing no stars and was as dark as a raven’s hair. It spread throughout the academy, allowing the lights glimmering from below to show beautifully.

The academy was adorned with numerous booths along its paths. The trees served as posts to hang the skillfully crafted lanterns that brought light to the dim oblivion of the night.

Of course, it wouldn’t be stunning unless there are students going here and there in their wonderful kimonos. Some were just strolling, some were talking, some were eating, some were playing, some were waiting for their friends, and some were finding the perfect spot to watch the fireworks.

It was New Year’s Eve, a special evening worth staying awake for at the prestigious school, Alice Academy.

“Hotaru! Iinchou!” a loud, childish voice spoke out. The two triple-starred students turned their heads, finding their adorable yet loud friend.

The brunette neared them excitedly. Her hair was tied into two loops, fixed by blue fake flowers. She was wearing a cerulean yukata that had light-colored sakura blossoms as its pattern. Its belt had three layers – the biggest being the darkest of blue, the medium-sized colored in azure hue, and the thinnest colored in a lighter dark tone of the same color.

She was dressed in all blue, unlike the other girls. Her yukata was unique yet cute, all the more reason for her boyfriend to love her more.

After six long years, she confessed to him on that starry night where he almost died out of shock. Nevertheless, it was one of her most unforgettable evenings. She never expected for him to return the same affection but for him to do so made her believe that miracles do happen. (A/N: Sorry for the hyperbole…)

“Nice yukata…It really looks good on you.” The blonde four-eyed lad commented, smiling.

“Arigatou Gozaimasu, Iinchou!” The brunette replied; blushing at the flattery as she nervously put one of her hands behind her head, looking down out of timidity.

She then shifted her hazel orbs to the raven-haired lass wearing a plain simple black kimono. “Hotaru-chan, that kimono really suits you.”

“Whatever.” The purple-eyed lass replied nonchalantly, turning her eyes to the two men behind the brunette. She then returned it to the brunette, not changing her usual stoic expression. “Shall we go?”

“Hai!” Mikan answered gleefully, raising her hand up in the air. With that, they began strolling along the pathway.

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“Natsume!” The brunette called out aloud, disturbing the fire caster’s peaceful perusing on his new manga.

“Nope.” He answered, knowing what she was about to say. The chocolate-eyed girl pouted cutely at his reply. “Meanie…”

Yuu adjusted his glasses and grinned at the brunette. “Uh, Mikan-chan, I think I agree with his decision…”

“Doushite?” she asked, being her innocent self.

“Pig…” Hotaru uttered, inserting herself in the conversation.

“Hotaru!”

They’ve been strolling around for the past two hours, and each time the brunette smelled something, she would call out to him, asking for money. Heck, she’d been eating so much that he felt like burning every food stand they passed.

“Idiot…” the crimson-eyed fire caster thought, sighing as they continued walking. He adored the fact that she wanted nothing else than food, but if this keeps up, she’ll lose her petite curves.

Nevertheless, he still had the same feelings – and that certain affection would be the cause of her heartbroken one day.

His missions for the academy won’t stop unless he’ll lose his alice like the rest of his family or die because of it. If he does lose his alice, he would have to leave the darn academy – almost the same as leaving her. It wouldn’t be that bad, but if he had left, there might be someone who would make a move and begin giving his girl coquettes. Now that was something he would never ever let go – he’ll kill that guy for all he cares.

“Oi, Ruka…” he said quietly as the blonde beside him turned his head. “Yeah?”

“Tell the idiot I wanted peace and quiet.” With that, he walked away from the group, heading towards a planned destination.

Ruka stared at him until his figure was out of sight. He then averted his gaze at him to the smiling brunette who was currently playing ‘Toss-and-Win’.

A hand tapped his shoulder, startling him out of his daydreams. He looked at the person who tapped him, only to find a raven-haired girl staring at him with an unreadable expression.

“What?” he asked.

She then gestured him a signal, one which he immediately understood. He nodded in reply and was about to say something when the chocolate-eyed girl interrupted them.

“Ruka-pyon, where’s Natsume-kun?” she asked, nearing them as she cuddled the panda stuff toy she just won.

The blue-eyed animal lover stared at her before answering. “He said he wanted peace and quiet, then he left off.”

Doing the inevitable, the chocolate-eyed girl frowned sadly, looking down. “Where is he? And my birthday’s almost here…”

“Mikan?” Ruka called out worriedly.

Startled, the brunette shook her head to shove the pessimism off. She was never one to let life’s downs to get to her. “I’ll go find him!”

It was unavoidable – she left the group and ran off to who knows where; she would miss the event just to see him.

“Let’s get going.” Hotaru said, breaking the silence that engulfed them.

“I guess we should.”

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He glared at the masked man, trying to limit his desire unto showing his real rage towards him.

“Natsume! Where are you?!” a familiar, childish voice yelled out, worrying the fire caster even more.

The black-haired man smirked, removing a black gun from his long, black coat. “It seems your little kitty is here to find you. How sweet of her…”

The fire caster widened his eyes as his wretched trainer, Persona, pointed the gun at the nearing brunette girl. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, but I would…” With that, he slowly triggered the gun, with the fire caster completely frozen on the spot.

“Natsume! Where the heck are you?!” Mikan yelled at, nearing the spot where the two lads were yet not noticing them at all.

Persona then pulled the button, on the verge of killing the fire caster’s special kitten right before his crimson orbs. All Natsume could do was stare, he was frozen in the spot, all because of his stupid ego. Now, his precious brunette would die. ‘I can’t afford to lose her…no…”

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His crimson orbs widened while the black-haired man beside him had his mouth opened out of shock. The fireworks went off, shedding light enough for the brunette to notice them.

“Natsume! Look what I found!” she yelled nearing them as she held out her hand, showing a 5-Rabbit coin in her hand.

Flashback

Persona pulled the trigger, and the bullet made its way to the brunette. On the other hand, the brunette was looking left and right when something shiny caught her eye.

As she picked the item up, the fireworks began to light up the sky. She found 5 Rts. – and just avoided the bullet when she went to get it!

End of Flashback

Persona immediately left the scene out of humiliation, leaving the couple alone.

“Hey, Natsume, what’s wrong?” the brunette asked worriedly as the raven-haired lad was still in the middle of shock of the event. “Natsume?”

Shaking his head rapidly, he turned his gaze to the brunette. “Yeah?”

Before he knew it, she embraced him tightly, letting go of her panda. She dug her face unto his chest, trying to prevent her tears. “Don’t run off like that.”

Without warning, the crimson-eyed lad hugged her back. “Happy Birthday, idiot.”

“That’s a heck of a greeting…” Mikan complained, pouting at him. “Where’s my present?”

He simply pointed to the sky. The brunette lifted her head to see what it was, and surprised to see one of the fireworks saying his greeting earlier.

Again, without warning, he pulled her closer, locking their lips. It was a gentle, tender, loving kiss, and she responded to it. When they broke, she rested her head against his chest, staring at the fireworks that lit up the dark oblivion. “Arigatou Gozaimasu, Natsume-kun…”

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“She dodged the bullet because of a 5-rabbit coin?! You’ve got to be kidding me!!!” Koko said, rolling on the floor with his hell-of-a-maniac laughter.

It turned out that Hotaru and the group was responsible for the firework that served as Natsume’s gift for the brunette. Right now, they were discussing what happened and they were laughing non-stop after hearing their story.

“I never knew that!” Mikan whined, blushing out of embarrassment.

“Hello? I’m more humiliated than you since I got up so much a fuss about your death when you just dodged the bullet not even knowing about it…” Natsume pointed out, glaring at his loud girlfriend.

“I said I’m sorry darn it!”

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End of Story

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Writer’s End Notes: Hahahahaha!!! I dunno where I got this idea from…Anyways, don’t forget to review! I’m still working on Yummy Love Chapter 8. Thanks for the reviews! I’ve reached 100!!! Yey!!!

To those who haven’t read it yet, please read it! I really appreciate reviews!

Happy New Year Everyone!

P.S. Don’t bother putting this on your Story Alert list since it’s already complete.