Natsume Hyuuga

The scene of a bleak, solemn Sunday afternoon in that ever-so-depressing surgical waiting room. The grey-coloured walls did nothing to uplift the already terrible mood. The posters of smiling families plastered on the walls made me want to rip them down. The ever-so-present smell of bleach and medicine filled up the surgical waiting room, the ghost of a smell that haunted the entire hospital. Silent murmuring and the light tapping of the footsteps echoed throughout the corridor nearby. I looked upwards towards the large doors that held the people who would determine whether this day would end in darkness or light. Based on how long I've been waiting, I'm leaning towards darkness but the silent voice in my mind is pressing on for that small hope.

"Onii-chan, do you think Mom will be okay?"

I looked towards my right, where my little sister, Aoi Hyuuga, was seated, accompanying me through this day. It seemed like God was painstakingly trying to ruin my life. I looked into her eye's, the windows to the soul. They were identical to mine, yet so different. While mine was mostly used to see the worst in people, Aoi was like a bright burning candle. However now, they was barring a hole into my own, filled with so much hope and desperation. I silently processed this, looking downwards, where I had placed my tightly-clenched hands on my lap. Those hands that used to bring so much joy to Mom, now could only be used to pray to God, who I was starting to doubt, slowly, as the seconds ticked by. I had to answer Aoi - be it the truth or a white lie. I opted for the whit lie, it was better that only I endure it, I didn't want to taint those eyes that had so much hope.

"I'm sure the doctors will make Mom better, so just press on Aoi." Aoi nodded her head vigorously. Looking silently at me, she took my hands and pressed hers against mine. She rubbed them against mine, like she was trying to provide some kind of warmth in this cold hospital. I was wearing a leather jacket, but the cold air-conditioning was a constant reminder, pressing against my back. We both instinctively towards the gates of death or life - literally. Above those doors, held up the sign that said - "surgery in process". We could only pray that Mom would win this fight against cancer, the illness that had been beckoning Mom towards death and the reason why she was in this hospital in the first place. Mom was hanging on the line between death and life, God knows where she would go in the end.

Suddenly, the light to the sign dimmed, going completely dark. Aoi and I shot up immediately, this was it, I told myself. The doors creaked opened and out walked out the doctors - Dr. Mori and Dr. Ito. They were walking silently, like they were mentally preparing themselves. Their shoulders were slumped and their lips were pressed in a thin line.

"How is my mother?" Aoi whispered silently. It was so quiet in that area you could hear a pin drop. Dr. Mori and Dr. Ito looked at us with a sympathetic expression.

"Mrs. Hyuuga has unfortunately passed on, we are sorry for your loss. We offer our condolences."

Aoi looked at me with such a hurt expression, her hands covering mouth which had hung in disbelief. Her eyes were shimmering, and soon the waterfall of tears were flowing out of those crimson-red eyes. She enveloped me in a hug and started to sob against my chest, where she had pressed her head against. My world had become an instance of silence, like a place void of hearing. It was like I had been thrown into the deep dark pits of the ocean, I could only hear that sentence that would change my entire future. I couldn't even in cry. I was in too much shock.

Kaoru Hyuuga.

The strong wife. The kind mother. The loyal friend.

Most importantly, the inspiration to my music - my soul of it.

And just like that, she had lost the fight to death. To cancer.

I remember when before the surgery, she had told me this.

"Natsume, whether I live or not, you must promise me never to ever stop loving and caring for your sister. Also make sure you find yourself a good girl to keep close by your side." She had said so simply, winking at me. I wonder if I could fulfil that last wish though. But I'm pretty sure not.

That was 5 years' ago.

Now, I'm just a 24 years' old man, taking care of my 17 year old sister - who was happily dating Yoichi Hijiiri, one of our family friends. I looked towards a picture of our family - our family before Mom and Dad had passed away, a happy family. I picked up the antique frame of ivory wood that held that family picture. Even as a kid, I had the same poker face, mostly contorted in a smirk or a frown that looked angrily into the picture. Beside me, my mom was hugging me and Aoi, who was on her other side, she had a face of pure bliss and she stared lovingly at Dad who grinning at her. Aoi was holding up a peace sign, with a care-free smile.

Why did I remember that? Oh yeah. It's Mom's death anniversary today. Aoi had told me that I should play it for her. The piano. I had to remind her I stopped playing it after Mom died. Aoi insisted that I visited her grave and played her some music (recorded piano music). Reluctantly, I agreed, afterall, I could never win in in a fight against the stubborn Aoi.

As the graveyard was only a short walk away from the apartment complex I lived in, I took a short walk through the park to the grave. However there was one thing I hated about the park. It was opposite the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall - the place where I had received fame and glory.

"Natsume Hyuuga, winner of this years' piano competition - again!"

"Natsume Hyuuga - the human piano-playing machine strikes again!"

"Natsume Hyuuga, young piano prodigy at age 17!"

I didn't even know how I played the piano so well. I only played it because my Mom had an obsession for it and used to love me playing it for her. I remember when we had passed by a music store when I was 6. Mom had stopped by that shop just to peer into the polished window pane of the store. A faint smile was etched on her face. When I was 6, I had no idea what a piano was. When I first saw it, it was like love at first sight - the dark sleek look, the black and white keys, that bronze-coloured pedals, it was a dream to me. Mom seeing my interest for it, had grinned and bent down to look into my eyes, or her eyes, crimson red like hers.

"Natsume, I want you to know, that if you would like to play that," Mom said gently, pointing her fingers to the piano, "tell Mommy and I will get it for you." Considering the fact we came from a well-off family, I could have bought that piano that day. Instead, I shook my head and tugged at the edge of her skirt, pointing towards the entrance of the shop. Somehow, Mom understood what I wanted to say, she laughed heartily and together, we walked towards the shop where we signed up for piano classes. I think Aoi and Dad were shocked when Mom had broken the news to them. Aoi at the disbelief that I would even want to pursue the piano and my Dad at the fact I did not jump at the chance to buy the piano. I remember him laughing heartily and telling my Mom this.

"Kaoru, I think Natsume's going to be a really awesome pianist when he grows up!"

I guess I did. But not anymore, I had retired from the music world at the age of 19. Even so, I was recognised by many even when I walked out on the streets. Lucky for me, I didn't let fame get into my head, afterall, I had no interest to even continue playing the piano now. But I did earn quite a bit composing and transcribing songs.

The pink cherry blossom petals fell slowly - dancing in the wind. Children and their parents holding hands and walking happily around the park. The wind whispered and moved swiftly around the park, carrying the gentle strumming of the guitar. "I wonder if it's a festival today, " Natsume thought. As he walked by a large cherry blossom tree (aka sakura tree), he noticed a large crowd surrounding it and it seemed to be the source of the sound. As he edged closer into the crowd, he managed to catch a sight of some young kids around the age of 7 to 10 were playing some musical instruments - guitars, ukuleles, and harmonicas. Natsume caught sight of a signboard that announced that the performance was ending soon. Seeing this, many left the area. However, I stayed on afterall, there was no harm right?

"Wait a minute, guys!"

I looked towards the source of the sound - a girl. A lady actually, who looked to be around my age. She had light auburn hair in a ponytail and hazel eyes that shone brightly with enthusiasm. She was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, dark blue, close to midnight blue skirt paired with combat boots. She was running extremely fast, for a girl and she was clutching a case? A violin case to be exact. Upon seeing her, the group of children instantly felt happy and started to smile, spurring her on to run faster. Upon reaching the stage, she instantly opened her case and gently lifted it from its blue line case, the interior worn from faithful service to her. A Scott Cao Violin to be exact - the polished yet rustic auburn wood seemed to suit the girl. But I wonder how the violin would complement the harmonicas, ukuleles and guitars?

Placing it beneath her chin, she welcomed it like an old friend, gazing at the dark but clean fretboard, where countless hours of fingering for notes has caused the lacquer to thin. As she drew the bow across the strings, the children surrounding her appreciated her small segment. Small wisps of rosin float lazily above the instrument while soft and sweet music pours forth from its hollow body. Closing my eyes, I am taken to a special place - another fantasy world, where the notes flutter and dance, and come together to give me a visual image of this melodic yet melancholic piece.

This girl was a natural talent. She had poured her heart and soul into that piece, anyone could tell. What stunned me more was the fact that she moved so easily with the violin. Most violin players was constricted by the violin, forcing them to stay in one place - like a person glued to the floor. Most could not coordinate their upper body with their lower body. This girl just pulled it off like it was no big deal. Her movements were graceful, refined and elegant - gently swaying to the music, her chin moving as her thin and flexible fingers moved along the strings.

When it came to the end of her solo and time for the children to join in, more people were gathered around then before. They were obviously transfixed, some swaying along to the music, some videoing her, some even moved to tears and most, like me were appreciating the music, letting themselves be teleported to the soulful world of music.

When the children joined in, all of them played their parts seamlessly. I realised how wrong I was - the violin offered the guitars a soulful voice to the voice while the harmonicas made it more vibrant. The girl in particular, wasn't concerned by the fact she was video-taped - or she was just lost in the music. How she managed to play the song pitch-perfect without the score marvelled me - especially because it was so complex.

When they were done, they received an standing ovation. When the girl reached out a hat she miraculously produced from her case, the crowd stingily walked away. I guess they weren't true fans of classical music. The children upon seeing this, frowned and looked silently at their feet like they were disappointed. The girl upon seeing the crowd walk away, anxiously called after them, her brows furrowed together like she was displeased by their conduct. When she saw how down the children were, she instantly walked over to them and gave them an enormous smile.

"Guys, don't be upset! You did superbly, didn't you see the crowd just now?"

"Mikan-onee san, it was only because of your violin that they even came over. Besides, in the end, nobody gave us any money…" One of the boys told her depressingly.

"Pssh, who cares about money? We can always raise more funds for the orphanage you know. And nobody likes my music, see, none of them gave us money!" She fired back, pointing to the empty hat, filled with only a few yen.

"I'll donate." I unexpectedly said, interrupting their conversation. I walked confidently and fishing out 25 000 yen from my wallet and plopping it into the lonely hat sitting quietly at the corner of the stage. The girl, Mikan, instantly turned around to find that the hat had more money. When she caught sight of me, she must have guessed I had donated the money as she flashed me a smile and politely bowed at me.

"Domo, arigato (thank you in japanese), mister!"

"Hn, only because you looked pathetic standing there with puppy eyes trying to get money, and failing terribly." I told her. This girl was too happy for my liking.

"Hey mister, don't be rude here! Can't you appreciate some good music?" She pouted, putting her hands on her hips and looked crossly at me. At that moment, a cool autumn breeze went by, blowing a different array of leaves from the ground into the sky. Without waiting for my reply, she turned away from me and peered upwards to the sky. She closed her eyes, as if she was enjoying the breeze and Mikan's skirt unexpectedly lifted up. Unfortunately, I caught sight of something I wasn't supposed to see. Her underwear. Worst of all, the pattern on it was polka-dots.

This girl is real mature.

Well, as much as I enjoyed teasing her, I had been distracted and I needed to visit my Mother's grave now. I guess this was it.

"Bye Polka-dots. And by the way, I'mNatsume Hyuuga." I said simply, strutting away casually, in time to see her reaction. It was certainly funny just watching it. From anger, it went to confusion, then disbelief, finally, shock and horror. The children surrounding were shocked beyond disbelief.

"YOU PERVERT!" She shrieked, not caring that I was the musical prodigy. I smirked and continued making my way to Mom's grave.

Mikan… I'm sure we will meet again.

AN: Hey guys, if you know me from my other story All Is Not As It Seems, I'm sorry to break it to you but that story will remain discontinued. You know that feeling when you have writer's block and no interest to continue. Yeah, that was what happened. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this and hopefully I will update frequently – maybe once or two times a week or even once a month! Cross your fingers guys. Read and review!

Thanks! BTW, the characters belong to Tachibana-sensei

In the Next Chapter, we get to learn about more about Mikan, the gifted violinist ;)