(Mikan's POV)
I just finished setting up the table when the ball rang. Wow, I looked at my wrist watch. A Rolex to be precise. They're early...
I put down my apron and opened the door. Natsume, Ruka and Hotaru were each holding a sleeping bag. I forgot to tell them that we're gonna be sleeping on 2 bed for me and Hotaru and Natsume and Ruka but I guess the floor is good too.
I forgot that I was still staring at them. "Polka, do I look that good for you to be gawking like that?" his face showed a smirk that was unbelievably gor-no! Not gor-ugh...i don't even want to say the word.
Alice was all up for war against Helios...but no,i cant let Natsume win again, so instead of going nut which he was probably expecting, I forced a smiled and said "Natsume, why don't u go jump into that Alice Lake I heard about? I'm sure the teachers or anybody for that matter wont mind cleaning up the blood after that."
his smirk got a bit shorter but was still there. "Why Polka, I'll be happy to go there provided that u come along with me into it as well."
I was about to retort back but then Hotaru vein popped out. Oops.
"If both of you don't shut up right now, I'll show and throw you into a place worse than that stupid lake." she threatens us.
Knowing Hotaru, she wasn't kidding so it was probably best to stop. "Come inside. Bags on the couch. Shoes in the drawer." I grumbled under my breath. (lets just assume that there is a no-shoe policy in bedroom here, shall we?)
they went inside-i gave a glare when Natsume entered and stomped his foot hard. He gasped at that one. Yes...-and I went to the kitchen to make the last preparation. Tea and juice.
The four of us sat down and began digging in after saying 'thanks for the food'.
"Wow Polka, I didn't know you could cook food that's actually not killing us." that was so a cover line. I know I saw his face a bit shocked when he took his first bite.
"Whatever, Natsume. Just keep on eating or no food at all."i continued eating my food in silence. It wasn't one of those uncomfortable silence. Not at all. Its just that, all of us prefer not saying anything in case someone choked and croak.
After we were done eating and all, we gathered our stuff, went into our sleeping bags on the floor with our own water beside us and began preparing for the worst. Our dolls just finished eating because Helios and Alice wouldn't keep their hands off each other(a/n: not in that way people. Hehehe)
Right now, our dolls were each snuggling beside us inside our sleeping bag. (The arragment: Natsume-Ruka-Mikan-Hotaru)
I didn't know where to start from.
"Umm....so, what do u guys, umm, want to know about?" I hesitantly asked.
"from the very start" they all said together. I know this is probably not the best time to make these kind of remarks but wow, now that's something u don't see or hear everyday.
I sighed and began rearranging the story in my head. 'it now or never, Mikan. Come on, Mikan. You can do it' I began chanting in my head. Well, more like self hypnosis.
I released the breath that I didn't know I hold.
"It started on 6 month ago." I began seeing the scene of that day in front of my eyes. I couldn't see Natsume, Ruka or Hotaru or any of them anymore though I was sure I was still talking by the fact that a small part of my brain made me felt that my mouth was moving so I must be talking.
Ahh...that day.
-flashback-
I just came back from school and got my grade for the small test my school made us do. I opened my shoes hastily and run to my parents room, ignoring the maids shouting at me- to put down my bags first and no running- and the fact my parents were home today! Mom and dad took a month holiday and left everything of the office work to my dad's temporary successor, Kichi.
I cant wait to show them my result because lately, they've been acting a bit weird. They hugged me like its gonna be our last hug...so I want them to smile again.
"Mom! Dad! Look what I-" I said as I slammed the door opened.
I expect to see my mom and dad sitting on their bed with dad arm around my mom's shoulder but what I saw was entirely different.
Shiro and Alice were in the floor beside my mother who was standing in front of my father, shielding him from something.
My mother fell and father screamed. He used his power on the man with a floating doll beside him but didn't have much affect. He used his other power- after they both turned they gaze on me for a split second moment- and made the guy and his doll disappeared with a lot of their blood on the floor.
The power that father used was no ordinary power.
It was the power that was passed down through generation. Once a generation, one family member must have it. When one dies, if there's no next kin, then it will stay inside the doll of the host and wait until a suitable person shows up.
My family knows that and that why every generation, a next kin must be there in case the current owner dies one way or another because the cost for using that power, is the death of the owners body and soul.
I quickly shook that thought away from my head and kneel beside my parent who were beginning to breath slowly. Tears were gushing out and I didn't try to stop them.
Mom and dad each put a hand that was almost covered entirely by black color on my cheek. I know what those are.
Death marks.
"Mikan honey, remember... no matter what... happens... go to Gakuen Alice. Your... uncle will be there to ...help you and u will ...recognize him.... so don't worry. Remember... that... no matter what. Do u understand?" my mom said between gasped. I mutely nodded my head.
"Mikan, in my drawer, there is a letter, u will know what to do with it when u have read it. Shiro and Alice will assist u if anything happens. Take good care of yourself and them." my father reminded me. His voice was a lot steadier than mom was. I did the only thing I could. Grip their hand hard and nodded.
At the same time, I tried to use my alice of nullification to erase the death mark but no use. I couldn't get rid of what was killing them because I was too weak. Too weak...
they both saw the paper in my hand and smiled. "congratulations, Mikan, my love." my mom said. Her voice were getting lower. Her breath was getting shallower. Tears were coming up more faster.
"And dear, we forgot to say this." they looked at each other for a while and said to me "welcome home, Mikan." my heart was thumping hard than ever hearing those words. It didn't sound like 'welcome home'. It sounded like a goodbye.
their hands slowly slid down from my cheek. The tears stopped coming and everything seems to stop.
I gently shook their bodies. "Mommy? Daddy? Wake up. Don't leave me. Wake up. Wake up..." and then, everything went black.
-flashback ends-
"The house maid founded us after that. I was taken to a hospital. I missed their funeral because I was unconscious for a week...i didnt even get to see them go..." I trailed off.
Shiro and Hotaru put their hands on my cheek and wiped the tears that were slowly coming down from my eyes.
After I calmed down a bit, Ruka asked "What did your father said in his letter?"
I didnt answer his question. Instead, I told Alice to take the letter from my drawer. She magically transported and gave it to me.
I opened the letter and put it in up on the floor behind my head so that everyone could read it.
I imagined dad's voice saying the content of the letter.
Mikan,
when u get this letter, your mother and I wont be with you anymore. Know that we'll always love you no matter what. Your mother had a dream about this and she predicted it would happen in a month. That's why we took a leave for a month so that we could be with you, not knowing when the time will come.
Mikan,
Life holds many challenge. Your father and I experience that the hard way especially when we wanted to get married. I was just a String and your father were an Ancient. We had to go through many ordeal to get where we are. Mikan, if you fall down once, get your sorry butt up again because a Sakura never gives up.
I saw in my dream that you would blame yourself for what happen but dont! We dont want you to think like that. We love you and its not your fault. It was destined to be like this. If we didnt die right then, then we would have died in another day. Maybe by the same method so no matter what, dont ever blame yourself 'cause the Mikan I love never gives up and never does that. Oh wait, your father is pestering me to write his part again.
My little tangerine, Mikan,
from now on, I want you to be on your guard. Lately, someone had been plotting to kill us so that he could control the Dolls company.
Remember that the company holds many benefits because almost every client we have there is Strings and Ancients. So, no matter what, I want you to go as fast as you could to Gakuen Alice. Your uncle will be able to protect you there.
Underneath here, is our will.
I, Yukihara Sakura, give all my possession to my daughter, Mikan Sakura when she has turned legitimately 18. until then, she may use my money only for educational purpose. I name my brother, Kazu Yukihara Sakura as her legal guardian.
I, Yuka Azumi Sakura, hereby relinquish everything in my possession to my daughter, Mikan Sakura when she has turned 18. until then, she may use my money to support her daily needs only. I name her godmother, Kaoru Hyuuga to be her second legal guardian.
Yukihara Sakura Yuka Azumi Sakura
Mikan,
no matter what happens , you'll always be in our heart. Remember that. Make a lot of friends there. Dont get into trouble much. Be cool and calm. Dont forget to brush your teeth and and take care, our only love.
PS: 1)tell your uncle to give you a special star. I made sure Kaoru makes sure of that so dont even try to run away from it.
2)Tell Kaoru-sempai to stay off those candies.
oh and, your MP3 is in under your drawer sweetheart. Remember? You put it there so that Alice wouldnt get her hands on it.
Love, Mommy and Daddy.
'What a doting parents they are...' the trios and dolls sweat dropped thought.
"I came 6 month late because there were a lot to take care of and some trouble to handle with." I said.
"What trouble?" Hotaru asked skeptically.
"-Sigh-I was ambushed a lot when I walk to and from school. Kichi decided that it would be too dangerous to walk anymore so I began to use the company's car. Kaoru-she told me to call her that- stayed with me till I come here. Oh and, she gave you a letter Natsume. Alice, please get it for me"
once again, the other letter were transported to my hand and I gave it to Natsume.
he didnt read it. I guess he wanted some privacy. Well., it is his letter. Not mine.
I folded the letter back and put it near my heart. Tears started coming again. This time, I didnt try to stop them. Hotaru, Ruka and even Natsume put their arms around me.
As I cry, I drifted to sleep with my hand still linked with them.
(Hotaru's POV)
So that's what happen. I swear, if anyone tries to hurt this idiot, i'm gonna kill them. Judging by Hyuuga's aura, he thinks the same too. Bunny boy's aura was not killing aura but it was close.
"Hyuuga, lets carry her to bed. The floor is killing my back." I said to him.
"Is Imai already getting old?" he put up his idiotic smirk. I aimed my Baka Bazooka at him. Nana aimed her mini Baka Bazooka at Helios.
"Hyuuga, if your dont want to lose a limb, carry her to bed. Now." I ordered.
Helios looked like he wanted to say something back but Nana's sound of loading the bullet made him think otherwise.
"Fine" he grumbled under his breath. He carried Mikan bridal style—Nana took a picture of it with her mini camera—and put her on the king sized bed.
"Hyuuga, you and Nogi could sleep in the guest room." there's no way i'm letting the boys sleep on the same bed as us.
He didnt say anything back. He just took Helios with him and went to the guest room with Ruka and Kairi behind him.
Nana, Shiro and Alice slept on the special made dolls bed beside ours. I pull the cover to Mikan's chin and drift to sleep myself with one of her hand intertwined with mine.
(Natsume's POV)
"Ruka, you can go to sleep first." I said to him as we put the bed cover to our laps.
"No, I want to read the letter with you." he said back.
"Fine. Suit your self." he went closer to me with his doll on his head and Helios on my shoulder.
To my idiotic son, Natsume.
Why did she have to go and say that? I sighed and opened the letter slowly.
I hope you and Aoi doing fine over there. Just to say before I forget, from now on, your mission will only be given only 4 time a month instead of 8 time. I talked a bit with Kazu when I dropped off Mikan there. I wanted you not to do it anymore but Kazu said no can do. I'm sorry I couldnt see you. I was in a hurry. Forgive me. And plus, you now have special permission from Kazu to sent me letters but only once a month. Cool, eh???Sorry I bragged. It was Mikan who asked that for me.
She's very nice. I hope that you'll take good care of her. If I find out that you made her cry or whatever( and trust me, I will find out), I will make Kazu go to you and give you a beating since I couldnt do it myself. I'm sure he'll be happy to do it without me telling him to.
Natsume, your mother and I are doing fine. We're about to go to London because I wanted to paint the Eiffel Tower. I plan to put it at the muzium. I'm so excited! Your mother is happy because while I paint, she get to shop till she drop. We plan to stay there about a month. Dont worry, the muzium is taking care or the bills so dont go ninja on me.
I guess I dont have anything else to say. Take care of yourself, your sister and especially Mikan. She had a rough time as I'm sure you forced her to tell about and I want you to support her. She's the daughter of I and your mother's best friend and I want her to have a happy life while she's there.
Love, Your Mother And I.
PS: This is your mother. Stop reading manga at night already( I founded out through the housekeeper of the special dorm). It could damage your eyesight! And I do hope that you'll use the remaining time to be with your friends more! Or not, i'll make Kazu demote you to 2 star. You dont want that now do you because only 3 and special stars get to enter the special part of the library and borrow their books. Hehehehe. Sorry. Couldnt help to put the laugh.
'What the?' I thought. I smiled a bit though. Now I dont have to do any mission's so much. Thanks mom and the secret love of my life, Mikan. Yes, I have been in love with that idiot since we were kids. Dont rub it in. it took a lot of my guts to admit it.
I drifted to sleep with the letter neatly tucked on the table lamp beside me.