Adoration Kills Chapter 1: A Sakura Blossoms, a gakuen alice fanfic

Ooh, lookie! A new story!(: Okay, so this one came to me while snoozing off in history class one day, and I thought about it for a couple of days and I realized: this could turn into something big. So here it is, and I hope you enjoy.(:

Summary: Mikan Sakura, the daughter of the head of the Sakura clan, is the first girl born into the family in thousands of years. Despite this disadvantage, she is considered to be the best out of all the ninjas in the clan. When she turns sixteen, this means only one thing to her: she is ready to receive her duty. And it's not a "what", but rather a "who". The Sakura clan has served under the Hyuuga clan, a powerful line of rulers, for many generations. It is now Mikan's turn to take the role of the heir's protector, and shield him from the dangers that might come his way as he grows into the Lord of the Three Great Lands. The heir's name is Natsume Hyuuga. Fierce, arrogant, and dangerous is what he only seems to Mikan at their first meeting. But as she spends more time with him, whether it's in the battlefield or venturing out into the unknown, she realizes that he is so much more than what he depicts. And maybe, if she can fulfill her duty, maybe she'll find something bigger than making her clan proud.

We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming
What we'd have to go through
Now here we are
And I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you

-At the Beginning by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis

Chapter I: A Sakura Blooms

"From now until the day you die, you are to protect this man. You will let no harm come to him, and if it is necessary, be sure it is you that has to be hurt in his stead. Mikan Sakura of the Sakura clan, I am assigning you the duty to be Natsume Hyuuga's protector."

The trees whizzed by, my eyes only catching the blurry green of their falling leaves. My feet lightly tapped the branches with a quick jolt, and by the next second I was already ascending to the next branch, and the next after the next. The strands of my hair moved unanimously against the wind that weakly fought against me, shining only when it hit the feeble forest sunlight that shone in when the treetops parted. I kept my breathing steady, never letting it get ahead or behind for I knew I wouldn't last if my lungs and heart didn't work in the same steady rhythm.

Then again, I didn't ever recall letting that happen.

"My Lady," came a voice not too far behind.

I didn't look back. I knew he's close enough to hear me, because he's one of the few people that was fast enough to keep up with my pace. "Yes, Toshiro?"

"I'm still not sure you should do this."

I slowed my speed so that we were jumping side by side. I still didn't befall my gaze on him. "That's a little too late now, isn't it?"

"My La—"

"And besides—" I shrugged and leaped two step ahead, leaving him in my wake once more. "It's my duty. You didn't train me all these years, push me to be the best just so you can tell me to run away right before I can accomplish what I've been set to do." It was only then that I circled my head to him, letting my eyes fall at the sight of Toshiro's two golden beauties. I almost held my breathe in when I saw that they've lost their mirthful glow, and was now but a dying flicker of life in him. It broke my heart to see him so sad like this. "Toshiro, today marks the day that you will lose the title of my caretaker. I will not allow you to worry about me when you've got a baby on your way," I said, smiling.

His mouth twitched in shock. "My Lady, how did you know about that?"

"Oh please," I called over my shoulder. "Who didn't know about that? Fiora, Keel!"

Immediately, the presence of two beings came up behind Toshiro with such grace that it made proud swell up in my gut. To think, a month of strict rules can actually turn these eleven year-old twins into well-behaved little monsters.

"Yes, My Lady?" they answered in perfect unison.

"You knew about Toshiro's kid, right?"

Keel, the more playful of the two and the one who was quick to break his character faster, laughed and jumped on Toshiro's neck, struggling to not fall off as Toshiro made his jumps. He dug his nails into the underside of Toshiro's chin, and Toshiro, who was already immune to the pain (it wasn't the first time Keel had done this - heavens no) let him hang on."You dog! You've tainted Lady Kish is just three week's time. Wanna tell me your secret? I've been trying to court this girl named Ysabel, and let me tell you, she's a hell of a wo—"

And of course, Fiora, the sensible, mature, though as equally as obnoxious twin, slapped Keel off Toshiro, who made no signs to hide his blushing smile. In the back of my ear I heard Keel's tense yelp as he flew airborne, the tap of his foot on a tree that reassured me he regained balance coming shortly afterwards. Fiora flicked her fiery ruby curls over her shoulder, acting so sophisticated it drew a measly laugh from my lips.

"Keel," she stated. "Please don't embarrass yourself in front of the Hyuuga heir. You will dirty My Lady's honor."

I could already imagine how Keel emphasized his eye roll. "Come on, Fi," Keel whined. "It's not like you're the one who's been assigned to be his protector. Forget about marrying the guy—My Lady called dips."

I found my hand ready to snap Keel's head off it if wasn't for Fiora beating me to it.

"Keel," I said after the impact, "you okay?" I heard that slap, and I could faintly feel it as if it resonated on my cheek as well. Fiora was always the hitter.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice cracking. "Fi, I was just kidding."

"You idiot! I-I'm way too young for the Hyuuga h-heir! Don't even j-joke about that!" exclaimed a flustered Fiora, seeming like she didn't even hear what Keel said.

I sighed. "And you forgot to add that that will never happen. I'm his protector, and nothing more will be of our relationship."

"E-Exactly!"

"Fiora, don't force yourself."

"O-Okay!"

"Yeah, Fiora," mocked Keel in a sing-song tone. "Stop blushing."

"Oka—I mean, Keel, you brat!"

I laughed. Though a dreaded laugh, because I foretold the minute we reach the Hyuuga Palace, the twins will probably already have had ripped each throats out, and Toshiro would most likely be in too deep dreaming about his wife and newborn that he wouldn't be fit to introduce me to the Hyuuga clan, which was the sole reason why he was escorting me there. Keel and Fiora were just backup in case foolish enemies decided to ambush us on our way there, since I was in no condition to fight seriously today unless I wanted to be late for the ceremony. Despite them only being eleven, they're as deadly as they come, and despite their status being under me, I wouldn't mess with neither Keel, nor—and especially—Fiora.

Sighing and listening to their ridiculous quarrel like some toddlers made it much harder for me to jump with no reveling pressure loading onto my shoulders. With every step on these thin branches, and with every hop that ascends my body into midair only draws me closer to the place where I will forever be chained to.

How crazy and unbelievable it was…that it's been eight years since I've known of the news that I would become Natsume Hyuuga's shield till death. I could still picture it clearly in my mind—the day Father told me of my future, as if I was some doll that would obey quietly with no objections.

Well, I was.

I often reminisce about his hard eyes boring into mine, how he stood like a menacing tower in front of me when in actual reality today, he's but a couple inches taller. His mouth moved, and for some reason, I can never recall what he said to me if I tried at the moment. But ten, maybe twenty minutes later, I'd remember. I would always remember.

He said, "From now until the day you die, you are to protect this man. You will let no harm come to him, and if it is necessary, be sure it is you that has to be hurt in his stead. Mikan Sakura of the Sakura clan, I am assigning you the duty to be Natsume Hyuuga's protector."

Those were the very words that drove me through anything. Anything.

The Sakura clan was a family of ninjas, and not just any; we were considered to be golden. We were many things: a bird with dignity, a jaguar with a brain, a flower with color, an assassin with class, and above all, we were servants with honor. Being born into this name, it's a given that we were to serve the almighty Hyuuga clan. Our life was practically planned out for us the minute we breathe our own air. I was no exception, I was way too far from that.

When I turned five, I had already began sculpting my skills—skills such as hitting targets dead center from three hundred feet away, and surviving in the wilderness with nothing but natural resources, and camouflaging to stitch myself in the world of darkness, and overall combat. These abilities usually come to a child when they hit the certain age of eight (also the age that they are told they would work for the Hyuuga clan in another eight years) but for some reason, I found my calling three years early than what I should.

Thankfully, it gave my father an upper hand. Being head of the clan and having a reputation to protect, it rid his stress of bearing a daughter, or in this case, me. A girl born into the top class of the Sakura clan, the class that will have its heir to carry out its duty, was unheard of until my mother gave birth to me. No one denied the fact that I was a disappointment to my father in the beginning, and that he wished for nothing more than for me to be a boy. No one denied that, not even Mother. Not even me.

And maybe that's why I was so advanced than everybody else. Maybe Father's scrutinizing stares, his judging scowl, the way disapproved my hair when it was mid-arm's length, and the way he tried so hard to kindly hide all of his bitter emotions from me encouraged me.

But for that, I love him. I love Mother, too. For pushing me past my limit at times, I love my clan and never have I ever thought about being a burden to them because I was the best of the best. I knew, deep inside, they came to learn how to accept me and now, they truly did love me; vice versa. It's a good feeling - knowing that you earned your parents' love by working diligently for it.

As for the Hyuuga clan, the only type of personal information I was knowledgeable about them was that they had a son that needed a protector. He's around my age, maybe a couple months older, but it's close enough. The head family consisted of the Eldest Brother Natsume Hyuuga, the Youngest Sister Aoi Hyuuga, High Mistress Kaoru Hyuuga, and Lord Akihiro Hyuuga.

They were powerful people, having ruled over the three Great Lands for well over thirty years, and their ancestors for thousands of eons. The Hyuuga clan had in their possession the fairest properties, the heaviest gold, and according to the rumors, they're the most beautiful men and women that have ever walked this Earth. And we, the Sakura's, had the fortunate opportunity to serve and protect them and their historic heirlooms ever since the earliest of their dominant reign.

Have I said that they're the supposed to be astoundingly beautiful? Oh, right. I did.

I was not allowed to question this fact to anyone. It was utterly disrespectful. Though I did take in hints and subtle giveaways. Like when Fiora's cool facade collapsed when the Hyuuga heir came into verbal converse. That's one, and it's not the first.

But setting aside everything, I hoped the heir was not as beautiful as they say—that they're exaggerating to get on the Hyuuga's good side. I hoped the mistress of the clan gave life to an ugly baby, because if he's pretty, it'd take me a while to get used to him. Beautiful people were always intimidating. I hated that.

Father and Mother will most likely already be ready and waiting at the palace. When I woke up this morning, I've been told that they left early to get in some extra preparations for when I arrive to receive my duty. No doubt that Mother will be wearing her formal robes, the robes she only dressed herself in once in a decade. She picked out my clothes, too, because she knew very well I couldn't dress to impress for my life.

Father will be there. And once I walked up the Great Palace steps, he'd look at me and smile as if I was his greatest accomplishment yet. He won't notice the long, cascading traditional bow wrapped around my waist, or the flowing, auburn hair that swayed side to side beside my hips, or my lenghtened eyelashes that I couldn't help but bat, or any of my feminine traits. What he will notice, though, is my elegance when I come to inherit the sword from the Lord that will protect the heir. He will notice only my pride in being one of the best Sakura ninjas in generations, and the justice I will bring to my family name. He will notice me and all my feats I've passed, and smile as if I was his greatest accomplishment yet.

And I will smile back because it's true.

By the time the bright sun decided to initialize it's slumber, Toshiro, Fiora, Keel, and I were marching up the steps of the Great Palace. I somehow managed to put the two siblings back under control—a task impossible, often—and Toshiro was already focused even without my consolation. I lead the three as they strode behind me, silently but not one bit deadly.

The thought of walking these stairs alone suddenly hit me, and with it I was thankful they're there by my side. We exchanged no words of comfort, nor did a mere reassuring hand fall upon my shoulder, but their presence, and the memories I've made with them that lead to our strong bond now, gave me an unusual giddy feeling that's enough to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest.

My attention darted to my left where the sun would soon sleep under the horizon. The Great Palace stood on a high hill with all its perimeter observing out over the land for hundreds and hundreds of miles. It overlooked almost everything from forests to neighboring towns and even kingdoms. The rivers in the distance were a thin line of baby blue that weakened in the presence of the parting sun, and the clouds wrapped about the place where it would rise once again tomorrow. It's as if they tried to cover the sun's absence that we humans were so inferior to and would mercilessly die if it would so happen to disappear; it's as if they didn't want us to worry. I have never thought that clouds, who were only made up of simple air and water, were so generous.

The wind once again caressed my body with a message that seemed to be saying You'll do fine. Breathe. Calm down. Make your clan proud. I looked on the roofs of the village houses, and the people who were as tiny as fire ants form the view all the way up here. I felt as if I could sprout wings and fly over the world.

This is going to be my home from now. I could look at this anytime I want.

A tiny grin played on my lips as I ducked my head to try and hide it from my three comrades. I'm supposed to be composed, to act professional which meant no smiling. After boring my stare on the marble staircase, I finally got the grin off my face. I don't want the Hyuuga clan to get a bad impression of me from the very start, so I made sure to keep my gaze down at all times. No peeking to either of my side because I know the breathe-taking scene will only force another affectionate expression.

But I couldn't help but think, that after this dubbing, I could've sneaked off to this spot, and starde out to feel like the world in was my hands. I could've smile as much as I wanted then. Just...just get through this. Okay, Mikan?

The thought only quickened my pace.

"My Lady?"

"Mm—I mean, Keel?"

"Are you nervous?"

Yes. Yes. So very, so. "Absolutely not. I have been preparing for this for months. Anxiety will not come to me at this moment."

"She's nervous," Fiora whispered to her brother discreetly. "Look at her. My Lady's fidgeting."

"Hush, Dae'chi twins. Let My Lady concentrate."

I tried not to pay too much attention to the fact that I was fidgeting. My bones shook as it got harder and harder to stand still by each passing second. I couldn't even dream of what will happen if I start to perspire.

But luckily, I had at last reached the top of the stairs and what—or more like who awaited me, calmed my aching heart along with my nerves.

"Mother. Father."

Mother's eyes danced with anticipation, her lips curving into a warm smile. "Mikan. You're here."

As I expected, Mother dressed in her robes—her once-in-a-decade-wearable robes. Her hair was up in a bun decorated with fancy ornaments, and she had applied lipstick, as well. My mother is gorgeous, even without any help. I had sometimes grown envious of her natural beauty; I wondered why I hadn't inherited that trait so essential in being a girl. But at this moment, I was glad she kept it all to herself, because she's the only one who can make that kind of elegance work.

Father was the same as always— with the lines on his face that hinted years of laughter, his sturdy structure that would not be knocked over by any kind of wave, and his leader-like aura. This was the man I respected very much, and was the last man I wanted to disappoint. I quickly straightened my spine, only to stop halfway because I had already done so on instinct.

He nodded in my direction, as I curtsied with Fiora while Keel and Toshiro bowed in return. "Father," I addressed.

Mother and Father stood side by side, their shoulders touching. Behind their figures were maids and butlers lined up in a perfect row with hands behind their backs and neatly combed hair. Their gaze was pointed on the ground beneath their feet, a sign of high regards, and behind them, at last, were the Hyuuga Mistress and Lord.

They sat upon thrones that differed in size—the Lord's overpowering—but both treasures were twinkling in the dim light, all sides of its perimeters embedded with valuable jewels I only have heard of. Even so, the thrones might as well be called simple chairs in the presence of the Mistress and Lord.

I couldn't help being astonished. They were angels. They were as captivating—maybe ever more than Mother, who was the white dove in our Land.

I curtsied again for them.

"Mikan," Mother said as I rose, "I suspect you had a pleasant journey?"

"Yes, Mother."

"I'm sorry we left with no word. Big day, today. Yes?"

"Yes, Mother."

She glided over and brushed my hair behind my left ear. She cupped my cheek. "Oh, my child. It has finally come. Did you put the bow on by yourself?"

I laid my hand atop hers. "Yes, Mother," I answered, lightly smiling.

"It looks exquisite."

"Yes, Mother."

"Toshiro. Keel. Fiora. Thank you for escorting my daughter safely."

"Mistress," they all replied.

"Toshiro, Izumi and I will take care of the introductions. Go home. Miss Kish is in need of your attention."

Told you, I thought as I felt him stiffen. So badly did I want to turn around and gawk at his expression that is most likely trying to hide the blush as it's making its way around his cheeks.

"Yes, Mistress."

"Same applies to you, Dae'chi twins. Give your mother my greetings. Now, have a safe trip back, you three."

"Mistress," they echoed once more.

I felt a bearing emptiness when they departed, like I don't have my pillar of support holding me up anymore. But I realized, as I stared at who I have left, there was Father, and there was Mother.

She dropped her fingers on my shoulder and squeezed it lovingly. She then put it at the small of my back, leading me towards Father.

Once we reached him, he stood by my side and as a family of three, we began our way to the Mistress and Lord.

"Father, I apologize for my delay. I wish it had done none any casualties."

He chuckled softly. "You are nothing but early, my child. We were expecting you at nightfall. It is—" he closed his mouth for a second, pondering in his mind. And then, "—nearly the appointed time."

I never really did know how he could do that: how he could know so many things if he just thought about the matter for a split second. It amazed me, this talent of his. "Then, I apologize for my low accurateness."

He shook his head as we had just passed the long line of black and white servants—the maids to my Mother's left and the butlers to my Father's right. My parents both nodded to their sides politely. "No, child," Father whispered. "It is good."

I couldn't say anymore after that, because we were now standing in front of the Mistress and Lord, the two, possibly most powerful humans on Earth yet. Mother curtsied, while Father and I bowed.

I was no girl in their eyes, I am a protector. And as far as anyone has ever taught me, a protector bows for their masters.

"Oh, my." The voice was rather high, like a melodious ring of chime bells. It was the High Mistress. "A lady bowing? How unusual."

The evident disappointment in her tone made my heart dropped. What? Did I get that wrong? Is my clear, clear memory of Toshiro teaching me this lesson blurry? I lowered my bow closer to the ground. "I apologize, Mistress. I had n—"

Mother then laughed, making my alert senses flinch. "Kaoru, must I remind you how this poor child has been raised?"

The Mistress laughed, too. "Oh, no. That's not needed, Yuka. I hear enough from the rumors. Quite a treasure, I know."

"Quite, quite. Are you aware of when she brought home a messenger pigeon?"

Her eyes grew large. "No, not yet. Please, do tell."

And off, they went. I was far too amazed to keep my bowing stance, so I lined my spine back up and the only thing I could at at the moment was stare at Mother, who smiled and laughed and told the story of when I prevented another war between two of the three Great lands, and then to the Mistress, who exchanged her mirthfulness with the same quality.

I felt Father tap my shoulder. "You don't know?" he murmured, leaning towards me.

"No. Father, what is going on?"

"Yuka and High Mistress have a past together. They have been close aquaintances ever since the age of eleven."

"What? How come she has never told me?"

He shrugged. "Even I didn't know until recently."

I sneaked a peek at Mother. "She is..."

"Amazing," he finished, so full of admiration it made my insides ache.

I nodded.

The little talk between the two continued for a reasonable amount of time. In the beginning, I listened intently, searching for words or hidden meanings that contrasted Father's given. But they were amiable with each other, and they actually seemed like old friends whose spark never died. If that is true, then Mother really is amazing.

Though there there was something off in the Mistress that I had to suspect. She acted dignified, and she posed herself as a High Mistress should, but...there was something off about her. Maybe it's the way she put abrupt emphasis on words, or when she draws her head back, actually chortling. Or maybe it's because although there seemed to be a dominant feel around her, she didn't quite enforce it. And suddenly, all those stories I've heard about her might and prevail seemed so distant and untrue, and that this woman who stood on a much higher status than I was actually just a common Queen who owned the earth.

After what seemed like too long of a while, the Lord decided to finally take action. He cleared his throat at first, but it did the two chatty women no change. He coughed louder the second time; still no alteration. The Lord seemed so hesitant as he knotted his eyebrows together in close contact, and after nibbling on his bottom lip, he opened his mouth.

"K-Kaoru? I'd hate to intrude, but th—"

"Oh, hush Aki! I want to ravel more about how Mikan Sakura prevented a war," she snapped, glueing her eyes to Mother and swatting a graceful hand at the Lord.

"Y-Yes, my Love, but it is almost nightfall, and we must initialize the ceremony."

The Mistress clicked her tongue as she rolled her eyes, and my mother finally stopped talking to look between the two with amuse.

"It was only going to take another minute."

"Kaoru."

"Oh, alright," she said, throwing her hands up. "Mikan, my dear, you must forgive me to my impoliteness."

"Please. I am not worthy of your apology."

She clapped and then laid her forearms on the armrests beside her. "Now. The night is almost upon us. Mikan Sakura of the Sakura clan, tell me, why are you in our presence?"

I sighed to myself. Finally, finally it all begins.

I pursed my lips. "I am Mikan Lorel De'Sho Sakura, daughter of the head of the Sakura clan of hidden ninjas. High Mistress Kaoru Hyuuga, and Lord Akihiro Hyuuga, I am before you now to accept my duty as your honorable son's protector."

"Why should we trust you with our beloved's life?"

"I will protect him. I will shield him at all costs. If anyone has to be hurt, I will make sure it is me in his stead. I will never let harm graze him, and as long as I am alive, I will continue to do so."

"Then," the Lord began taking over, "Mikan Lorel De'Sho Sakura of the Sakura clan, daughter of clan head Izumi Sakura and Mistress Yuka Sakura, prepare to take oath—" I raised my left hand while my right covered my heart "—and repeat these words with honesty.

"I, Mikan Sakura—"

My knees were buckling as I hid the fair tremble in my voice. "I, Mikan Sakura—"

"Swear on blood oath that I will do my best—"

"To protect, to care, to nurture, to love—"

"The life that has been handed to me—"

"And I will never cease to fulfill my duty for as long as I live."

"Almost there," Mother whispered to me.

"I will not speak against the family name—"

"Nor will I betray them."

The Lord smiled. "And let my blood boil in my veins if I speak lies."

"Let my blood boil in my veins if I speak lies," I said, closing my eyes.

The Lord nodded in approval, turning to Father. "You have raised her well, Izumi."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Dave?" he called.

Father stepped back, making way for a for a butler that came from the line of butlers off to the side. He held a pearl white cushion in his hands which had a dagger resting upon it. The handle was painted in pure gold that shimmered, and midway was where an encrusted deep-crimson ruby laid, full of glory and fame. He dipped his head when I took the weapon in my hands.

"You will take that knife and use it to share your blood with my son. This is a pact that you must undergo." He stood up, the Mistress rising as well. "Bring him out."

I wasn't sure what I was expecting. When Mother said, "Oh, here comes the heartbreaker," I might have expected a God with the face of a heavenly cherub. But then I remembered how beautiful people intimidated me, and with new high hopes, I coaxed myself to expect a boy with many scars running across his face, a too-big-of-a-nose, chapped and dry lips, and maybe, for a bonus, monkey ears.

As I skimmed through all the possibilities running through my mind, I realized that my imagination can go on forever thinking about him, and whether he was exactly what I thought of him to be or not. Problem was, I wasn't sure what I was expecting.

A workaholic or a procrastinator.

Kind or evil.

Fair or unjust.

A ruler or a tyrant.

A Lord or a prince.

Dauntless or a coward.

And the two that only really mattered—whether he will bring out my insecurity or let it shy away behind my bravery where it belonged.

The heir was rarely outside the palace walls, and because of that, his identity had not been cleared to the Great Lands yet. Since he was next in line to rule, his life was always targeted and therefore, must always be protected, too. A person with eyes that had seen the heir in reality was not common. But it wasn't as if he lived in solidarity; he had his family members and his crew of maids and butlers. There were countless maids, occasionally butlers, who couldn't help but spread the word of that they had laid their sights on the heir himself, and what he looked liked, acted like, smelled like. The complication laid here—not everyone's stories correctly lined up. Some had said they wanted to faint out of happiness. Others ran away and vomited. The truth couldn't be exposed under these circumstances, so it had to stay hidden where it was.

But I—oh, lucky, lucky me—couldn't be under the same circumstances. At least, not anymore.

"Mikan Sakura, I present you my humble son, Natsume Hyuuga of the Hyuuga clan."

After I bowed along with Mother, Father, and all the others, I trailed my eyes slowly to him. They dragged along the concrete ground, then up the small group of steps that lead to the porch where the Hyuugas stood, and finally, my sights were on him.

...Heavens.

A prince? A Lord? A god? A monster? Intimidating, is he? No, none of the above. I couldn't explain the feeling—I couldn't explain him. Not because the words wouldn't come to me, but because they were all rushing in too fast that my brain couldn't process and make them into sentences briskly enough. And all those maids and butlers whose rumors I thought were nothing but garbage, I was urged to thank them for speaking the truth. I wanted to faint. I wanted to vomit.

I wanted to do both.

I couldn't rip my stare away from him as he stepped down the porch steps with grace and power I had never felt before. He was just so captivating, seeming as if he brought out the sun's light which had died just moments ago. His raven hair, his pale skin, his blunt expression that played so, so well on his face; I took in everything I can in each second, trying to materialize him in my mind so I wouldn't be surprised about it. Because if I didn't now, I might stutter at the last measures of this oath. How undignified.

It wasn't until he was inches away from me that I noticed his eyes. Red like the dagger's ruby. Red like the burning flames in a fire. Red like blood, and red like pain and beauty.

Dear God, guide me through this. He was just...so much more than what I expected. So much more.

"Mikan Sakura," spoke the Lord. I snapped out of my conscious state and attempted to focus as much as I can with this angel next to me. It was hard.

"Take the dagger and slit the skin on your wrist." I did so. "Natsume Hyuuga, my son. Take the dagger and slit the skin on your wrist."

His eyes didn't meet mine as he took the knife. They were pointed on the weapon, weapon only. Stop. Stop, I told myself as my vision bore into the calm and indifferent face of the heir. Look, he's not even looking at you. Do the same. When he gave it back, I copied his actions and glued my eyes on the dagger. They instinctively traveled to the handle, then to the ruby which already reminded me of the heir's eyes, even when I only had a second to see them. This is extremely hard.

"Sakura Mikan. Take your blood, and hold it upon Natsume Hyuuga's own. This represents the unbreakable bond that will soon come into form between your two fates in the near future."

I bit the inside of my jaw as I held my dripping wrist above his. My blood slowly rode along my skin, accelerating only when it dropped onto Natsume Hyuuga's slit. It merged with his in a matter of seconds, sending chills down my spine when I couldn't differ my liquid from his.

"My son. If you will."

He mirrored my actions, though holding my forearm to steady my vigorously moving cut and when he did, I flinched at the sudden contact—warm, firm, and so steady as if this isn't something to be nervous about. I didn't even notice I was shaking this much. His blood, when it met mine, felt like a warm, slithering snake had wrapped its curved tongue around my wrist, cautiously and deadly. I gasped.

He didn't. He didn't do anything, show anything.

Mikan Sakura, I swear you are the most biggest fool.

"Good, good."

We both turned to face the Lord, side by side though not touching—heavens no—as he smiled down upon us, a smile that I couldn't return at the time. Mistress Kaoru, Mother, Father; they all smiled.

"Then, with the blood oath done and sealed, I, Akihiro Hyuuga, hereby declare Mikan Sakura of the Sakura clan as Natsume Hyuuga's sole protector."

Beside me, I felt the Young Lord stiffen at his father's words. He casted me a lazy glare - for what, I didn't know - and turned on his heels as he walked away.

Woahhh, sorry, it's pretty long. But if I tried to shorten it (which I did) it wasn't as good, so I just kept it the way it is. Haha sorryy! I hope you guys liked it, and I'll definitely come back with another exciting chapter. Thanks so much for reading, and please review!

Stay smexy!