a/n: Eh... I can't believe I made another story. Oh yeah, before that, I wish you all readers a very late Merry Christmas. Did any of you go out for Crazy Day? ( Boxing Day ) That day is just a mess. The person I always feel the most sorry for is the cashier. They must be so worn out by the end of the day... sometimes I believe they actually buy insurance just in case beforehand... I mean, one of these days those crazy people are bound to trample over and murder someone. -sigh-
Anyways, carrying on. This story has a lot about Natsume and Mikan's mothers, because that's what the revenge is linked to. Natsume will probably be more aggressive in this story, and Mikan will be a tad more mature. Hotaru may have OOC moments, but that can't be helped, I guess.
Anyways, enjoy the story, please review, and I wish you all a belated Merry Christmas and a slightly early Happy New Year!
"That woman ruined my life… You must kill her and her daughter." Were the last words of the mother. The crimson eyed boy started crying. "Mom, I promise… I promise… I'll kill them all." –From Revenge
:Prologue:
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The little brown haired girl woke up with a start, hearing rustling noises from the kitchen. Rubbing her eyes, the little girl stood up and slowly opened the bedroom door. She only opened it a crack, and with her vision blurred by sleepiness, she saw her mom in the kitchen. Her mom was rushing everywhere, picking things up and stuffing them in a bag. When she turned to get something, she finally noticed her daughter's presence. They stared at each other for a second, and then her mom rushed to her and told her to go to bed. Sleepy, the little girl turned and shuffled back to bed. Her mom stood at the door for a second, as if reluctant to leave. Then she sat on her bed and put a hand on her daughter's head. "Whatever you do, stay strong, Mikan." She whispered.
And those were the last words the little girl heard before her dreams took over again.
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Mikan woke up with a start. She quickly scanned the room, and then let out a sigh.
She kicked her covers off and walked over to the bathroom, staring into the mirror. Ever since she was six—seven years ago, she had lived in this school. And it has also been seven years since her mom had mysteriously disappeared.
She remembered the day clearly.
Flashback
She opened her eyes and stretched. Then, blinking her innocent honey brown orbs, she leapt out of bed and walked to the kitchen.
As a six year old child, she felt something odd. That's when she realized that the apartment was empty. Everything was gone except some basic furniture. She vaguely remembered the night before.
"Whatever you do, stay strong, Mikan."
Mom… what did she mean?
Where was she?
She ran around the tiny apartment, screaming for her mom. But her efforts were fruitless. The fact was clear - her mom had abandoned her. Her mom was gone. She started to cry, big, fat, drops of tears tumbling down her innocent six year old face… now devastated. She curled herself into a ball and hid in the corner, quietly sobbing.
When night fell, her sobs had ceased, and all that was left in the tiny apartment was loneliness, darkness, and an abandoned child.
Day after day, Mikan stayed in the corner, crying when she wanted to, the aching in her heart far greater than the gnawing pain in her stomach.
Finally, one day, a man in his forties opened the door and entered. Mikan recognized him. He was the owner of this building. He was here for the rent. He let out an angry curse as he saw the missing items in the room, fury twisting his face. Mikan looked up, and then widened her eyes in fear, squeezing herself further into the wall.
The man turned around, and finally noticed the tiny figure in the corner and stormed towards her, yelling out angry, ugly words. He grabbed her by a skinny arm and continued yelling, but Mikan was too horrified to listen clearly. She made feeble struggles, screams escaping her throat, her voice hoarse from lack of use.
That's when a group of people in black suits entered, and a woman immediately advanced towards them, hitting the man on the back of his head with her elbow. He dropped Mikan to the ground, and she scrambled backwards, still screaming.
The man cursed and turned around, but stopped when he saw that he was outnumbered. The woman's expression was unreadable behind her dark sunglasses, and she snapped her fingers. A man came forward, holding a black suitcase. He dropped it, and it landed on the floor with a heavy thud. It snapped open, and the man gasped. The suitcase was filled with crisp dollar bills.
The man greedily grabbed the suitcase, eyeing the group of people. Then, with one last dirty look at Mikan, he escaped the tiny apartment.
The woman then turned to Mikan, sliding off her sunglasses, revealing two beautiful amethyst orbs. "Mikan Sakura, am I right?" She said softly, kneeling down and extending a hand. Mikan flinched. The woman touched her arm gently and whispered something. Mikan couldn't remember. She could only remember staring into her eyes.
The next thing she knew, she was at the academy.
And that's where she stayed.
End Flashback
Mikan sighed. There's no use thinking over painful memories.
She changed into her uniform and tied her brown hair into two pigtails. With a glance at the clock, she quickly grabbed her bag and was out the door.
Knowing that she had missed her time for breakfast (again), she started to head for class. She stopped on her way to her best friend's room. "Hotaru! Hotaru, it's Mikan!" She called, knocking on the door. There was shuffling off feet, and the door opened automatically. Mikan sighed. "You always have to do something to the rooms, don't you, Hotaru." Her friend didn't answer. She finished fixing some kind of machine and took off her goggles, revealing two sparkling amethyst orbs.
She turned around, taking off her gloves. "Personally, I think they should thank me. It takes a great deal of work to install and create these systems." Mikan just laughed. "You should charge them for these 'services'." Hotaru paused, and there was an evil glint in her eye. "Hmm… perhaps I will."
Mikan quickly pulled her friend out, recognizing that evil glint. Her money craving friend was at it… again. They continued on their way to class, Mikan chattering endlessly on, while Hotaru was thinking of some new formula for her new invention.
Down the hallway, Mikan greeted numerous classmates and friends, smiling cheerfully despite the dream from this morning. Hotaru just looked at Mikan. The inventor knew clearly that her friend was suffering from those dreams… or perhaps, nightmares. Yet she couldn't do anything about it. Watching her hiding her wariness under cheerfulness hurt her.
Memories… were so strong. They could bring so much feeling, as if you were enduring it right now.
Yet… Mikan may be stronger.
As Mikan made her way to her classroom, she didn't notice a pair of eyes staring at her from the dark corner of the halls.
The man was dressed in all black, with a mask upon his face. His lips curled up in an unpleasant grin as he turrned away and looked at the file in his hand. "Mikan Sakura." He said. Then he looked back at the brunette, chattering on cheerfully. He walked away. We'll see how long that smile of yours can last. You'll end up just like her. As he passed a pot of fresh flowers, they immediately wilted.
His eyes flickered over to the flowers and grinned unpleasantly. He gently took the flower by its stem and played with it between his fingers. "That girl doesn't know someone's out to get her. But... she'll know soon. She'll realize. Just like she did..." He looked at the wilted flower. "How beautiful it was..." He whispered.
Then he crumpled it with his finger, destroying it.
The dry, colourless petals fell to the ground pitifully, followed by the rest of the dead plant.
"... Pity that no one can save her."
"That woman ruined my life. You must kill her and her daughter." Were the last words of his mother. Natsume started crying, holding his mother's lifeless hand. "Mom... I promise... I promise... I'll kill them all."
Natsume Hyuuga woke up and sat up in his bed. It took a while to realize where he was. His new school. The flash of memory at his mother's words reminded him why he was here. He looked out the window and then looked at the framed photo on his bedside table. He picked it up and stared at the woman in the picture—his mother.
His mother had a serious looking face, and her smile was small, the kind of smile that said, 'I'm smiling but I really don't want to'. Natsume frowned. His mother looked so unhappy. And it was all because of them…
He stood up and took the pills in his drawer. With this kind of body, I don't know if I can keep the promise I made with my mom anymore...
He turned away and walked into the bathroom for a shower. After he washed, he changed into his uniform. He looked into the mirror and scowled in disgust. The only reason he was putting up with this was so he could avenge his mother. And now… so close…
He walked out and picked up his backpack, slinging it over his shoulder. He took one last brief glance at the picture on his bedside table, and then closed the door behind him.
His friend, Ruka, was waiting for him outside, leaning against a Sakura tree. When he saw Natsume coming, he stood up and smiled, shaking his blonde hair out of his gray blue eyes. Natsume looked at his friend and nodded. His friend smiled in return.
They walked along the court yard to the academy, Ruka talking all the way. He knew Natsume wouldn't be listening. But he just wanted something to occupy the silence.
The two were childhood friends. You couldn't really tell now. They barely talked.
Ruka thought of this sadly. He remembered when they were little, when Natsume was still… Natsume. They would talk and play games like normal kids. But then, that year when his mother died… Natsume became another person. Ruka could still remember the day they had the funeral. His crimson eyes were so empty. He seemed as if he were in a trance. No sound escaped his lips, and there was no movement from him.
He stood still.
Stone still.
Ruka could still remember the day Natsume came up to him and said expressionlessly, "Good bye, Ruka." Ruka didn't understand that time. He didn't understand why he was saying good bye. He pulled on Natsume's shirt and looked up at him, confused. "Where are you going?" Natsume scared him. Suddenly he seemed so grown up. So serious.
Natsume didn't say a word. He just pulled away and took a few steps back. Ruka looked at him, surprised. They locked gazes briefly, and then Natsume turned away. "Mom was so sad…" Something caught his throat, and he quickly turned around and ran off.
Ruka stared after him.
What happened?
After that, Natsume changed completely. Although he was always surrounded by people, namely fan girls and other boys, he seemed so alone. Amongst all the smiling and laughter, he seemed so dark. Ruka would watch from far away, helpless. He used to think that Natsume was just mourning over his mother's death. But it was more than that.
Natsume changed. His eyes were full of hatred. They were wild. Blood thirsty. He wanted revenge.
This dawned him, and although Ruka was unclear who it was, he knew he had to save Natsume. He had to save his friend.
And he had to save whoever Natsume's out to kill.
a/n: Yes, the end shows... uh... Natsume's thirst for revenge. I actually can't really imagine Natsume as a small kid. An innocent kid. Ruka, sure. But Natsume... I'm afraid that's a little difficult... heh. I admit this story gives you a bit of a morbid feeling. I've never actually tried to write like this before. A little horror and suspense genre, maybe? But it's nice to try and write in a new genre. Anyways, I hope you liked it, and please review!