Summary:

For Natsume angels have never existed but when Mikan dies in a car accident he is forced to believe in the one thing he swore he wouldn't have faith in. AU (NxM)

Disclaimer:

Disclaimed in Part One.

T.K.'s Rant:

Part Two is out and this is officially done. I'm proud of myself for actually finishing this... *Phew* n.n Please enjoy the last installment.

Genre:

Tragedy, Crime, Angst, Mystery, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance, Slight Humor, Supernatural

The Guardian:


Tsubasa Andou, a twenty-four year old college graduate that owns the closet delivery service. Even since Mikan died I've taken her spot as a 'runner.' A runner is someone who runs the mail, deliveries, and store goods to the people in this small town for a small fee. Even though I absolutely hate Tsubasa for being… well him, he is my boss.

Ugh. I shudder at that word.

"Oi, Tsubasa!"

Since the shop was closed today I went to the next spot I knew he would be at. His woodshop.

"Eh?" Like usual he popped up out of nowhere with his ridiculous beanie and goggles. Ear plugs were of course blasting in both of his ears, so it's a wonder how he hasn't even lost his hearing yet. Seeing his blue eyes focus on me standing in the front he dusted himself off and tilted his head.

"Natsume?"

Tch, the one and only you stupid moron.

"I have a question baldie."

He always wore his beanie so I'd always call him this whenever I could.

"That's not a very nice way to talk to your senpai. What do you want squirt?"

Squirt? No one calls me… wait; have to stay on track here. Mikan first, solve mystery, kill Andou later.

Taking a deep breath I prepared myself for the possible oncoming conversation.

"What were the addresses of the houses that Mikan went to on June 20th?"

Even if I worked for him, we were specifically told not to ask for the addresses of the people due to confidentiality and policy rights. The only way to ask was if there was a mistake in the item that was delivered or if something broke the law… I figure this might contribute to the latter.

"Natsume you know I can't give you that."

"You don't understand Andou; I just need to see if Mikan delivered anywhere near her place. I don't care about the other deliveries she made. Hell, you can look at it and tell me. I don't care, just tell me if she was near her house or not."

"Tell me why and I might do it."

My brow slightly twitched. What the hell. I was trying to solve a murder and here he is blocking a perfect clue. If he wasn't going to show me I was going to break in back and find it myself.

"Do you or do you not? I don't have time for your shit."

I watched his behavior, and I noticed he was doing the same about me. We both ended up glaring at each other before the eldest of us gave in.

"Hang on; I think I still have the chart for June in the back."

I watched him walk to the back and retrieve a dusty looking board and scanned the contents only to throw it over his shoulder. Then he picked up the next board and did the same thing. Only after the third one did he find it.

"I thought you shredded these after each month." I replied as he appeared before me with the chart in hand.

"I do." He paused before scratching his head. "But I've been so busy with trying to finish school and watching over you twerps, hahaha."

You're funny Andou.

"Did she or not?"

I saw him yawn in an effort to look indifferent. He was starting to piss me off.

"I don't know, how about you look at it yourself kid."

He was about to hand it to me but before I could get a good grip on it he pulled it back and looked at me.

"First tell me what's going on and I'll let you look at it."

The Cheshire cat grin that appeared on his face made me want to smack; no too girly, it made me want to punch him until he was nothing more than a bloody pulp. As if I'd tell him. Prick.

"And if I don't?"

"No Board of June for you~"

Putting both of my hands together I began to crack my knuckles and ominously glared at my 'boss.' He was about to become no one's boss after this.


"…No…Fair…"

I was sitting on top of his wood rack; the board he was holding was finally in my possession. I looked down at Tsubasa's beaten form and scoffed. Due to my… generous ten punches, twenty-two kicks, and twelve scratches, I think I made my point that this was of dire importance.

Hell, it was nice to finally vent out the unnecessary anger I've been holding in.

"You're at fault for provoking the fight. Don't complain baldie."

Ignoring the moans from below me I jumped off the top and stood above him. The board in my hands and I was scanning the houses' addresses to check whether or not Hotaru's conclusion was right.

"Fuck."

She was in the neighborhood. Meaning…

"What?" I heard Tsubasa recovering next to me, looking over my shoulder at the information.

Stupid… ignorant fool.

"Mikan… you fucking idiot. Of course you had to stumble upon your own death. Damn it."

The board dropped from my hands as my knees collapsed. Arms wrapped around my shoulders to catch my falling form, I'd only assume it was Tsubasa, but above us I saw the slight vision of Mikan reaching out to me. Wings out, her eyes pleading again; she looked like she was about to cry or something like that.

The screaming that erupted from my chest couldn't describe how I truly felt. The tears that streamed down my cheeks as time seemed to freeze. The girl before me disappearing and the feeling of emptiness arose.

Tsubasa held me close then, his hand rubbing my head and pulling me into a hug. This was possibly one of the strangest ways to comfort another guy, but I didn't care. It was just another thing that kept me from going crazy.

I don't remember much of what happened after that, but his voice settled me down. Only a little though.

"Everything… will be alright."


Tsubasa had driven me home in fear that I might have another mental breakdown. I don't blame him for thinking that, I mean, if he collapsed in front of me crying at the sight of his dead girlfriend appearing before him, and finding out that she had died because she stumbled upon the death of her mother… I'd call him crazy and to buck up. He is a man after all.

He didn't do that though.

Which means?

He must be waiting to use this as blackmail. Smug bastard.

He must also think that I'm some kind of bipolar bitch suffering from a major PMS problem.

When his car stopped in my driveway I slammed his door closed with as much force as possible. Ever since I 'woke' up from my breakdown, I was in a seriously bad mood. If he even cracked one joke about what happened, or even anything remotely similar to a crack against my persona, I was going to kill that person.

No, they weren't going to just die; they'd be tortured and suffer a fate far worse than death.

"That's it!"

I didn't hear his car door slam, nor did I have enough time to react to his quick lightning action that made my feet fly away from the ground. My upper torso was hanging dangerously over his shoulder and my legs were being held tightly by his arms. Damn he's been working out.

He turned his head to look at my over his shoulder the same smirk over his face as he noticed my red-eyed eyes and disarrayed raven hair.

"Grow up would you man? I won't tell anyone of your crying fit, in fact I won't mention anything about Mikan appearing before you either. You should be glad to have spilled everything to me! I'll keep it a secret for you, but you can't be depressed anymore!" As if to make me feel better about me spilling my guts and acting like a child he smacked my butt with his free hand.

Not only did I lose my pride and ego during that last breakdown, I just lost something else in this very moment.

SNAP

Oops? Was that my sanity breaking, or was it his arm going out of its socket?

Dang, it was just the bush I pushed us into.

He managed to still hold me still over his shoulder, and I started to struggle against it.

I scratched.

I kicked.

Hell I even tried to bite him.

All failed of course.

He then retaliated by smacking me once more on my butt.

"Geez so un-cute. As if I'd let you beat me up again."

That. Was. It.

"Bastard! Let go of me you fucking prick! I don't care if you're my boss or not! I'll kill you, you homo! I'm going to murder you!"

..

We both stopped fighting against each other to face my porch where three people were staring at us. Youichii was grasping Hotaru's right sleeve, and in her left hand was her accursed treasure. That stupid camera was still flashing except the clicking system was muted. The smirk on her face was a bad omen. Very bad.

Standing next to her was her older brother. I'd seen him once or twice around town, but I didn't bother to say hi. Subaru Imai. A cold, calculating male… probably the same as Imai.

Fuck. My. Life.

"Thank you Hyuuga for the wonderful picture of you being childish. I'll be able to make more of a profit at school now with your fan girls."

"Imai… you stoic bit-!?" Stopping my tongue, I switched my mind set to 'kid appropriate.'

It probably wouldn't be good if Mikan knew I was cursing in front of her little brother. Actually, she'd probably murder me for saying those types of things. Ironic huh?

"Tsubasa, I suggest you let him go before—Oh too late."

Taking my chance I kneed Tsubasa in his chin and blithely flipped myself over his slumping shoulder.

"Ouch, son of a batch of cookies!!!"

"Nastume-nii-san? Why did Tsubasa-senpai call you a son to a batch of cookies?" I could see that his eyes held the intelligence of someone who knew what he truly meant, but he was playing innocent. Innocent kid.

Bringing myself to stand next to him I brought my hand over his gray hair and ruffled it.

"I'll explain it when you're older Youichii…"

"…M'kay…"

Stupid Baldie for making such a stupid insult.

The awkward silence enveloped us all as I apathetically fixed the collar of my shirt. The groans from Tsubasa were the only thing that filled the air now. Stupid Baldie.

"I suggest we go inside and talk about what you two discovered last night." Subaru was the first to break the silence for us. Well it was better than Hotaru's stoic commentary, and at least it came from a sensible human being.

"Yeah, come on Youichii. I'll get you a cookie and set up your game system."

I walked past the siblings with Youichii's hand in mine and showed him inside. I figured the siblings could let themselves in.

"Get up you trouble maker. You're the one who started it."

"Ngh… Damned brat… that hurt…"

I couldn't help but chuckle when Subaru called Tsubasa a trouble maker. Ah, justice was so sweet.

But I wouldn't admit it.


"If there is anything I need, I need to do it myself… but… Natsume… he's breaking. I don't know what to do. I've tried everything and he's still resisting me. Ruka… please help me. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm scared. I'm scared he'll get hurt… please I'm begging whatever power's up there to help me!"

.

"Please!"

The tears were flowing down her cheeks as she collapsed on the pile of wood. She managed to manipulate the space enough to show an apparition of herself, but she didn't know it would be this tiring. She saw how Natsume did see her. She saw the recognition flash in his crimson eyes as he spotted her trying to comfort him.

And then the rejection came.

"Ruka… please I'm begging you… come back. I know the darkness is a fickle thing, but come back… I'm begging you!"

"We don't have much time!"

Mikan shouted out. Her hands were trembling with each second that went by. She wasn't going to finish her mission. She was going to fail. He was going to die and that man would never be caught.

"Ruka…"

"…Ugh… what time is it… I felt like a truck trailer slammed into me… ouch."

"Oh my goodness!! Ruka, thank the heavens you're up. You have to help me please. It's no use… he…"

"What's wrong, why are you crying? Did something happen to Natsume?"

"No, but if I don't do something soon, he'll be in danger. Right now, Natsume, Hotaru, Subaru, and Tsubasa are discussing my mother's murder, and the fact that I was targeted. Oh… moe… he's calling me an idiot again. Nasty Fox…"

Looking at the wood piles around them Ruka sighed and brought Mikan to her feet.

"You tried to reach him didn't you? At this rate he won't believe in the angels. Right now he's so filled with hatred and the need for revenge that even if you do appear before him you'll get—"

"Rejected. I know. I felt it, but—"

He never felt this frustrated before, but Ruka raked his hand through his blonde hair and stopped. He never did that before. Actually, the only one who actually did that was Natsume. In more ways than one Natsume was leaving him with an impression. That much was for sure.

"Mikan, I know this is difficult to grasp but we can't do anything for those who don't believe. Over the past two to three months that you and I have been trying to convince him, either through Youichii and your voice, or even with the dreams… nothing's worked!"

"That's because… because he's stubborn! If… If Natsume…"

"There's not enough time Mikan. I can help you to a certain degree in this mission, but I can't help the living who denies us entirely. We can't materialize to those types, or we suffer the after effects of rejection. It's what you're feeling now. I'm telling you it's impossible."

"If he believed, would I be able to appear before him without breaking off?"

"…You don't have enough energy to do so; you'll wind up disappearing. Perhaps even to the depths of hell if you persist with this."

"But it's possible?"

The determination in her voice caused Ruka to sigh with worry.

"…Yes…"

"Let's do it Ruka. Please, help me with that much. I'll suffer the consequences when the time comes."

This seemed to be the last straw for Ruka and he snapped. His brows were scrunched in and his azure eyes blazed with anger.

"Why are you so selfless for him? All he's ever done nowadays has been rejecting you entirely. If he truly loved you he would have accepted everything about the angels when you appeared before him. Why are you always like that? When you died weren't you given a choice? Both of you were supposed to die! I know that because the one above told me about the circumstances. He said that you loved that boy so much that you decided to let him live. You took it upon yourself to take all of his dangerous wounds, and you even saved his life! Why?!"

"…Because I love him."

"And that's why? That's the only reason?"

"You'll understand when you love someone."

The silence erupted between the two of them as the time ticked away.

"…Mikan?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you…regret dying?"

"No… I chose the path I went on. If I were to survive, he would have died. Then the angels would have been meaningless to me. I chose to still believe in angels… and to also help Natsume. He's always been there for me. I know he loves me tenderly, despite his rough appearances and demeanors. So I figured it was my turn to save him."

Ruka softened when he heard Mikan's decision and slightly smiled back.

You'll understand when you love someone.

"…I think… I get what you're saying." He paused, and decided to bring up the next subject in a modest way.

"But I think it was because you died… that he isolated his belief."

"So it was my fault then Ruka?"

"In a way."

Raising her head, the golden strawberry hair danced around her body. Adorned on her were simple white raiment's and her wings plucked out from behind granting her one last flight.

Lifting her left hand to her young companion, she smiled warmly at Ruka.

"Then, let's fix that, right Ruka? We may be dead, but the belief is there… it's just buried underneath the grief… otherwise Natsume wouldn't be able to see me at all."

Shaking his head Ruka nodded in agreement and grasped her outstretched hand.

Mikan… I can see why Natsume loves you so dearly. Perhaps I've fallen in the same spell?

"Yeah. Let's go Mikan."


"As requested I pulled the autopsy report for Yuka Azumi."

Wait, so he wasn't the one who did the autopsy?

"And…?" I asked anyway. I didn't like the way this was going.

"She died of a bullet wound to the chest concavity. Just like the report said she had died from one bullet, found in her lower left side of her back."

Hotaru took a bite from her crab brains once more. "The angle is a bit off; don't you think Nii-san?"

I glanced at Imai and then back at Subaru.

"Correct little sister. The angle was indeed odd so I looked at the pictures that were left untouched. It didn't give me much information and in fact, if I was the one doing the autopsy, I would have said suicide was out of the question."

"So you didn't do the autopsy then Subaru-senpai?" Tsubasa piped in from his corner of the table.

"No I wasn't Andou; I was in the Netherlands performing a brain operation."

"Really Subaru-senpai? You're certified to do brain surgery?"

"Baldie, I'm giving you ten seconds to shut the hell up."

"…"

"Continuing on, yes do to some unseen events I was out of the country and when I came back it was too late to check the case out. The person who checked the body ordered an immediate cremation and that was the end of that."

"I think…" Hotaru started, "that the man that did this autopsy is the one behind everything that has happened behind the scenes. All he had to do was commit the murder when Nii-san was out of sight and do the autopsy himself. Or he had paid someone within your company to destroy the evidence. Nii-san I hate to say it but your department may have a few rats."

I clenched my jaw as this conversation took a turn for the worse. Someone was playing it safe in the background and killing. What was the reason for killing Yuka Azumi? We already knew that Mikan had inadvertently stumbled upon the crime scene thus resulting in her death but what about Yuka?

There was so much I wanted to know, but there weren't enough answers to these questions.

"I thought something was up but I didn't have enough evidence. I suppose it's time to set a trap to catch them in. I need your help with it little sister."

"Sure Nii-san, anything for a price of course."

The chuckle the two of them shared was indeed creepy.

"And who…?" All three of us stopped our conversation to look at Tsubasa who was examining his tea cup. Without realizing it, the air had been tensed so much that it kind of hurt to breath.

"Who did the autopsy of Yuka Azumi… and why did he kill my little Mikan?"

"My little Mikan? I think you mean to say: 'Natsume please kick my ass for even thinking such thoughts about your girlfriend.'"

"Chill Hyuuga, I think you can let Andou live for a while. We still have a murderer on our hands." Hotaru said.

I didn't bother to snap at her or Tsubasa anymore until we solved this thing once and for all. Then I could have all the revenge I want. I must persevere.

Subaru unperturbedly placed his cup back down on the table and crossed his hands together.

"The person who did the autopsy was none other than Rei. Rei Serio."


"So you found out all of that information from your friends? Amazing, absolutely spectacular Natsume."

I gritted my teeth as he brought the gun from underneath his coat. A silencer was attached to the pistol.

"But I was surprised when you called me out all by yourself. You even went so far as to a secluded area such as this warehouse. Aren't you afraid of dying?"

I stared at his hands which delicately held his gun. Yup, one shot and I might wind up dead for sure.

"Well I have to be frank. Although your deductions were spot on, I'm afraid I'm going to have to deny the truth you've obtained. I never touched Mikan Sakura's brakes, and I may have done the autopsy for Yuka Azumi but I never committed the crime. I didn't murder those two."

What?!

He's lying.

But if he didn't murder them then who did?

"You liar. A murderer wouldn't admit to the crime if they were sane anyway."

The clanking sounds of the water pipes above and the scuffling of our feet filled the silence that erupted between us. Suddenly his eyes darted to my left side towards the crates and shrugged.

"Don't you think you've played him enough? Besides he's already solved half of your crime, you might as well answer his questions about the other half."

What…

...

What?!

Before I could turn an arm snaked around my neck and the object of a pistol braced itself against my back. The cold of the metal seeped through my cotton shirt to my overly heated skin.

"I suppose so Serio. He's about to die anyway."

Wait a moment. This voice?

This was…

"It's been awhile hasn't it Nastume. I believe it's been about two years since we last met?"

I was shocked.

Rei Serio, our supposed murderer, was standing in front of me. He was relaxed, calm, and completely cool about what was happening in front of him. The gun that he was holding easily slipped back into its holster never to touch the daylight again.

Then there was the man behind me.

Kuonji. It was Kuonji Mihara.

This was Mikan's step-father who disappeared a while back.

"What was it you asked me that time? Ah yes, 'Sir can I ask your daughter out?' Hahaha, such good times…"

Staggering my breath I absently nodded to his ranting. My thinking process began to over fry itself as the connections to both cases made sense now. At least in a strange way.

"Why did you kill her mother?"

I had lost this battle, but that didn't mean I couldn't find out who did it, and what the motive was.

My finger absently played with the ring on my middle finger.

"You mean Yuka?"

I was tempted to say: "Why yes, your fucking wife!" But I kept it to myself.

"I killed her because she owed me money."

Money?

"I suppose you wouldn't know since I silenced the police but she went into debt. She was trying to pay off everything she owned, and I, being the loan shark I was, offered her an escape. If she married me I would keep supporting her and her two children from the debt troubles of this world. But one night I got bored and left. That was about two years ago.

I then took what she owed me and almost broke her. Physically and mentally, but somehow she managed to stay afloat."

I nodded in acknowledgment. "That was when Mikan got that job with Tsubasa."

"Correct. Mikan had no idea why her mom was in debt, but she helped out whenever she could. The struggle between two beautiful women, I thought it was intriguing to watch them futilely struggle to make ends meet… so I left them be.

Except… three months prior… actually on June 18th to be exact, I got a call from Yuka. She had somehow managed to get my phone number and even complained that she was tired of the money payments she had to pay. She had told me that she was sick of it all and basically told me that the deal was off between us.

After that I planned to get rid of the problem before it even began. If she broke the deal off between us, I wasn't going to let her go as she pleased. She already knew who I was and was even using that as leverage to get back at me. She always said she'd call the cops and 'tattle' on me if I didn't attend Mikan's recital or Youichii's soccer games.

Two days later I appeared at their home, Youichii's birthday, and hoped to get rid of all three. Though what I found was Yuka all by herself. Apparently Youichii wanted to have his birthday at your house and was celebrating with Mikan's 'new boyfriend.' It was ridiculous how trusting that woman was. When I said that I was here to drop off Youichii's birthday present she let me in and out of the rain.

It was a perfect set up for revenge.

What would someone do if she died? Would they call it a murder? A suicide? I was scared that I would get caught for this crime, but when the crime was done I called Serio and asked him to remove any evidence linking her to me."

I didn't bother struggling in his grasp, nor did I bother mentioning the fact that he was choking me. Only after a short laughing fit did he loosen his grip and shove me away from him. Falling forward I landed on both of my arms and grunted.

"Face me Natsume. Turn around slowly. I won't kill you yet. I still have my story to tell after all."

Grimacing I pushed myself up, not quite kneeling, but not quite sitting. It was slightly uncomfortable but I paid no heed to my pains.

"Everything was going alright until I looked outside the window. There she was, soaked to the bone, and running back to her car. I thought she had seen me kill her mother, and that left me with one more problem. If she had gone to the police I'd be finished and I'd get no more money. My business would run dry and I would wind up in jail.

I couldn't let that happen.

The rest you happen to know, correct? Her brakes weren't working properly, and when she went to get them fixed in July I saw it was a perfect opportunity to pay the engineer not to fix it. He looked the other way and gave her back the car."

I couldn't stand it so I decided to interrupt his story.

"Was the deer your planning too?"

The dark look that crossed his face made me want to throw up where I stayed. This man was actually twisted. Crazy, demented, and twisted.

"I knew you would discover something odd about the accident. That was why Serio was so concerned about your memories. I figured you'd spill to him since he is your school nurse and guidance counselor, but I figured out later that you suspected him the most. That was when I knew I had to get rid of you before my perfect murder would forever remain unsolved. Yes, I was behind the deer in the Northern Forest. I was behind everything, watching from the shadows as you discovered what truly happened. Whether it was with that Hotaru Imai, or Tsubasa Andou. I knew exactly what you were doing."

I dropped my head as the nauseating feeling started to pass through me.

All this time… I thought Mikan died in that accident. I thought she was murdered because she witnessed something she wasn't supposed to see… Instead I found out not only that, but this was the bastard who did it.

My Mikan… was left… to inevitably die… at this man's hands.

"Well, are you satisfied Natsume?" The smirk that crossed his face signaled the end of our conversation, and the thoughts that came to mind crossed me so fast I couldn't stop it from happening.

Was this the end? Was this where we draw the curtain on this charade and call it game over? Has this endless cat and mouse game come to a close… and I just happened to be the mouse?

Taking a deep breath I breathed in slowly, ranging how long I had before this ended.

"You should have minded your own business."

And the gun fired off.


If there was ever a time to believe in them I suppose this was a good a time as any. I was going to wind up dead anyway and… if I was forgiven for rejecting them… maybe just maybe I would be with Mikan once again. It wasn't like I rejected the whole idea… but the thought of accepting them would be… too painful to bear.

I've lost Mikan.

And now I've lost myself too.

I couldn't imagine how painful it was going to be when that bullet would begin to tear through my flesh, ending my pitiful life… and the waiting felt like a life time.

"What… the… how… you're…!"

Somehow my eyes had squeezed themselves shut throughout this entire time, and when I brought myself to open them I saw the most beautiful thing in the world.

Long wisps of her hair swung lightly in an ethereal way around her bodice. Her face was facing mine, and I could tell that she was in pain. The way her eyebrows tucked in as if in worry, her wide hazel orbs filling with tears. Behind her pure white wings beat slowly up and down keeping her feet from touching the ground.

"Natsume…"

Why?

"Are… you alright?"

No…

"You're… not hurt are you?"

Not again. Mikan… you idiot! Why didn't you let me take the bullet?

Why are you here!

My eyes narrowed to her dress, the way it was beginning to stain that pure white cotton with crimson blood. Her blood.

Kuonji was shaking behind her, his eyes wide with fear. The fact that the gun slipped from his hands and clattered with a heavy thud was ignored by me as Mikan softly floated to my surprised form on the ground.

Her hands began to cup both of my cheeks as if to make sure I was alright, but I wasn't sure of anything anymore. My arms, unbeknownst to myself, began to wrap around her and brought her small form to me. She felt real. She looked real. The pain that was evident in her eyes was there.

"Why… I thought… you… died…"

I mumbled the same thing Kuonji just said a moment ago.

"Silly Natsume." Both of her hands wrapped around my neck in warm affection and she began to cradle her head on his shoulder between the crook of my neck. "It's... because you have always believed in angels… you just lost your way… is all. I'm glad I… reached you… in time… because… you're… fine…"

Her words came out distantly and very choppy. My hands, my shirt, and pants showed signs of blood loss, but I knew it wasn't my blood. It was hers.

Bringing my hand to her cheek, I felt the warmth leaving her and she began to slowly get cold. When she noticed my worried expression she gave me something I wasn't expecting to see in this lifetime or the next.

It was her smile. That beautiful thing that made me fall in love with her. That ray of hope and warmth of sun that brightened my day. She was… my life.

"Mikan…"

Gosh how I missed her.

Kuonji and Serio both started to baffle something about another one, and I knew that there was another one of them behind me watching me closely.

"Rei Serio, this is the police. We have the premises surrounded. Release the hostage and no one will get hurt!"

I brought my attention to the warehouse door that was being banged upon. Looking at my ring I couldn't help but smirk.

"Did you really think I would come here on my own? I think I've said this before but I don't back a losing horse." I was talking to Kuonji and Serio, but they didn't seem to care, or they just didn't hear me.

What they didn't realize was that Hotaru and Subaru planned for this to happen. They even set up the perfect warehouse to get them. Well, it was to catch Rei Serio, but Kuonji was an unfortunate twist to this murder case.

I felt her hands clench my back and I brought my attention straight to Mikan's. She was getting paler.

"Mikan… Hold on, I'll get you to the hospital…"

She was alive…

"No… Natsume… I'm dead… No one can see me… but you guys…" She explained softly, her eyes slowly losing its light. No. No! Mikan, stay with me please.

"It's time."

I froze as he placed his hand on top of my head. His warmth was emanating in an ethereal way just like Mikan's was before. When my hands felt like it wasn't holding anything I looked down at Mikan who was beginning to burst into light.

"M-Mikan!"

"I'm sorry… Nastume. My stay… can't be prolonged anymore. I lo—"

He voice, and body both disappeared in a bright cloud of light and that left me groping the air where she last lay.

"Don't go…" I shouted, the tears that I had been holding back slipping down like tendrils of water flowing.

"Mikan accomplished what she needed to, so she had to go."

Angrily I rose off the ground and turned to face the blonde boy. He looked like a prince, or at least a French man. His blonde hair; his bright blue eyes. He was dressed in all white just like Mikan was. On his back was also a pair of white wings that fluttered as if it had a muscle twitch.

"You're…"

Recognition crossed my mind as the boy softly smiled.

"It's been a while… Natsume. You have a wonderful girlfriend. I'm jealous."

The soft chuckle that escaped his lips caused Natsume to look away. This… couldn't be… him. Ruka Nogi. This boy was the one who saved him from being lost in the forest. That was way back when he was younger but… he couldn't possibly be… dead… could he?

"I thought you moved…" I mumbled out and that was when Ruka placed his hand over his best friends' eyes.

"Live Natsume. You've always had a guardian angel with you, now you have another watching from above."

And with that he burst into light and left Natsume alone with the two men.


"Natsume!"

I awoke from the floor of the dark warehouse. There was a bustle of activity around us as the police jumped up to catch Kuonji and Serio.

What had happened in that small relapse?

Why were Tsubasa, Hotaru, and Subaru here?

"Thank the gods you're alright man! When I saw the blood I thought you were dead for sure!" He was kneeling in front of me, his hands probing me to be sure I had no injuries. The only thing that was injured was my knees and elbows. "When we heard the gun shot I thought you were dead!"

Shaking my head, I raised my hand to push his face away from me and gradually got up. Hotaru was staring at me with some earnest, hoping to figure out what had happened.

"Here's your evidence Imai." Slipping the ring off, I tossed it to her and she smirked.

"Hope you turned it on."

"Of course I did. I didn't risk my life just so I could hear Kuonji and Serio blab about their lives."

Tsubasa tilted his head in confusion. "Wait, what is that?"

Hotaru gave a small smirk. "A voice recorder. I gave it to Hyuuga here so that he could get the evidence we need to put those two in jail."

I saw that Tsubasa had put his hands together as if he had a revelation.

"Ah! So that's why Natsume was wearing a ring. I thought he had finally gone crazy and decided to slowly go towards crossdress—ugh!"

My fist slammed into the back of his head. My other hand grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him back to his feet.

"What was that? You asking to die you homo?"

The nervous laughing fit Tsubasa burst into made Natsume twitch even more.

"…No… not at all…hehehe…"

Dropping him like a lump of forgotten potatoes, I turned my attention to Subaru and Hotaru.

"What happened to Kuonji and Serio?"

"Police arrested them both, and they went willingly. It was interesting to hear them mutter stuff like, 'She was dead,' and 'why was she here?'" That was when Hotaru chipped in.

"Yes it was so interesting I even video-recorded it just for blackmailing purposes. Say, Hyuuga, who was she anyway?"

I was about to say it was Mikan, but Tsubasa wrapped his arms around my neck. He went so far as to strangle me.

"Gragg!?"

"It's a miracle you're alive man! Huh? You're turning red… you okay?"

His Cheshire cat smile appeared on his face as he tightened his hold. My own hands were scratching and clawing at his arms to loosen, and I was kind of hoping to kill him. Maybe I could convince Subaru to cover it up for me?

Nah… I'm not Kuonji. I won't be like those two.

When he loosened his hold I grabbed hold of him left arm with my right and took a step forward; then with full force I flipped him over and stomped on his shoulder. Menacingly I stared at him.

"Try that again and you won't be having children for the next few lives you have."

And with that the case was closed.


The next day I arrived at the graveyard with two bouquets. One was for Mikan, and the other was for Ruka.

In the time that I had between the arrests and buying the flowers I had managed to snag information about my best friend from when I was younger. According to the reports Ruka Nogi died from a terminal illness. He was the son to a famous star, but being a child he never really made his debut.

He was living in a backwater town such as this to just avoid the presses… but when he was told that he had cancer… he was forced to stay here. I learned from his mother that Ruka absolutely hated being trapped within those hospital walls, but when he saw the chance to escape, he did. He found himself in the woods and voila there was me, fresh meat, and scared stiff since we had just moved here.

From there he showed me the way out and we became close friends. Five months later I had stopped hearing from him and assumed he moved away.

That wasn't the case. His illness took a turn for the worse and couldn't live past the first operation.

Reaching my first destination, I kneeled in front of his grave. Also in the same graveyard cemetery as Mikan was; and placed his bouquet neatly at his grave.

"Sorry I didn't know about your death Ruka. You must have been lonely… Please, take care of Mikan for me. She's a bit of a handful, but she's a bucket of sunshine when you look past her idiocy."

The wind lightly picked up and the soft chuckle entered his ears.

"I'm going to visit Mikan now. Talk to you later Ruka."

Rising from my spot I walked to the opposite end of the graveyard to where Mikan resided. At first I thought about doing what I did at Ruka's, to kneel and talk to her… but instead I didn't do either. I just stood there like an idiot and waited.

"Staring at her tomb won't bring her back."

"…I know."

Turning around I saw Hotaru there, all dressed in black, with a bouquet of her own. Tsubasa was standing behind her with a rope around his neck and his hands were full of snacks.

I thought he looked ridiculous, and I was sure my face showed it.

"What the hell are you doing, baldie."

"About that…Hehe…" He started, but he was interrupted by Hotaru.

"He's my slave for the day. He lost at mahjong, if you're wondering."

"Hn."

"It's not like I wanted to be a slave! She cheated and then when I called her out about it she pulled out some embarrassing pictures of me getting dressed!! She blackmailed me!!"

Ignoring the idiot I sat down in front of her grave and starting organizing the flowers in a fashionable way. Then I took Hotaru's and did the same with hers.

"And the world moves on…" Without you.

Running my hand down her grave stone, I looked up at the sky to see the porcelain angel at the top.

"Natsume, I know Mikan is in a better place… and I know she wouldn't want you getting depressed over her. Like you said, the world moves on… and so should you."

"Maybe… I think I needed some closure before I could though. One last time with her I guess."

The clouds from above began to break out of its dark gray color, and the light from the sun shined through like a ray of hope. It would be just like her to do that too.

Soaking in the light I glanced up at those clouds in wonder. Would she be there?

"Hyuuga. Look."

Giving my attention to Hotaru she was pointing to my shadow that was stretching far beyond Mikan's grave, and there I saw it. Two wings were fluttering behind me; two arms were snaking around my neck as if to hug me.

The warmth of the hug began to fill me, and I couldn't help but feel relieved. She was fine.

"You're alright then?" I asked.

The wind rustled my hair.

"I'm glad."

For once a genuine smile crossed my face and I didn't care whether Tsubasa was pointing at me in horror, or the fact that Hotaru was snapping pictures galore at the two of us.

"Hey… Mikan, I love you. You know that right?"

I watched her arms tighten around my shadow and the clouds shifted further to show the entire sun. My shadow was beginning to move with the clouds… and then it was gone. The sun, my light, and my shadow disappeared.

"Goodbye." I repeated, and looked up at the sky.

Then I rose from my spot and faced the two of my friends.

It's been awhile since I've used that word… friends.

"Let's get something to eat."

After all, I had done what I needed to do… now I needed to move on. It was what we both wished for.

"Glad to know your appetite's back man! What do you want? Crab Brains or Howalon?"

"Ew. No. That's disgusting you Homo."

"I'm ignoring the fact that you called Crab Brains disgusting, but I want real food. Let's get Japanese."

"Whatever." I said and walked away from the grave.

Tsubasa moved toward me, leash forgotten, and grabbed my collar.

"You're paying of course."

I raised my fist to hit him but he started to run ahead of us. Hotaru walked past me as well, seeing that the cost was not hers to pay.

Damn the both of them.

"Tch. Whatever, but I order what you're getting Baldie."


I never believed in angels… well, until she came.


"Do you believe in angels now Natsume?"

"Yes, since you're my angel."

"So corny."

"Shut up Polka dots."


T.K.:Read and Review.

You know what to do.