A/N: I don't own this series.

The last and final chapter, I dedicate this to the people who have read this and reviewed it from the beginning to the end and also to my best friend who is about to graduate this year. Cheers! May you have pity on your future patients! Hehehe.

I don't own the songs which are used in this fic.

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Second Chances

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Special Thank You's everyone who read this story till the end.

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Chapter 6: Why I Loved You

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In life, we get only one chance to tell

What we really feel inside...

Learn to grab it before it's too late...

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It was 7:56pm

Mikan went to her usual place where her fellow choir members were and silently fumed that the jerk wasn't going to show up. She couldn't help but feel disappointed. "He must be outside." Mikan murmured to herself. Whenever she had a performance, the jerk was outside waiting for her to finish but rarely came in to see her perform. But didn't the jerk know that this time the occasion was important to her. It was her last time singing for Central Town. For the Academy. All she wanted was for him to watch her.

Just once.

Mikan shook her head. 'Face it, it would take a huge miracle to make him enter this music hall. His not coming, at least your other friends are here right now. Even Hotaru was here. So stop sulking and be happy. Concentrate on the program.' Mikan told herself. "You can do it!"

"Excuse me Miss Mikan, but somebody told me to give this to you if I won't, I shall have a slow painful death." A man said with a nervous tone.

Mikan looked at the guy who was practically begging that she should accept the gift. "Who is it from?" Mikan asked but the man left immediately leaving her with a small long box. Inside was a single red, half open rose with a message:

Don't mess up idiot.

Her head must have almost popped out when she twirled 360 like an owl, to see if he was really there. She couldn't help but smile when she spotted him the arrogant jerk but I-look-so-calm guy she fell in love. Natsume was actually here. He seemed to have talked to the music conductor cause the conductor looked pleased he was done talking with Natsume. Now the jerk was talking with Ruka, who was blushing madly because Hotaru pointed to sit next to her. No commanding them to sit down.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may you take your seats now. The program is about to start." The MC announced to the audience.

She smiled at Natsume and mouthed Thank you. Natsume rolled his eyes and gave her a sarcastic smile that said you're going to pay for making me go here.

She gave him a nervous smile.

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He checked his watch. 9:30pm. His heart felt as if it was slowly being squeezed. The show was about to finish. Finally. He was very tempted to burn this solo singer who was singing god knows what! He wanted to run out of this very room and destroy it and when asked why he did it. He would simply state, for the benefit of the next generation. But despite having to sit in hell, he found it fascinating watching Mikan.

His heart squeezed again when Mikan smiled at him and made a funny face at him.

No matter how far you run…it's still going to happen.

Mikan…

Natsume suddenly noticed everyone was applauding. 'Guess it's time.' He excused himself and saw that Ruka and Hotaru were curious to see where he was going…going straight to the music conductor again.

Mikan couldn't believe what Natsume was doing and suddenly felt as if something bad was going to happen. 'I wonder what the jerks up too now. I'll found out what it was later, got to concentrate on the last piece.' She flipped the next page that she was to sing.

Love will show you everything.

Why does this look familiar? Her eyes grew big when she realized…

It was her composition!!!

Her head snapped back up. The jerk!!!

"I know that the next song in line is a song that is worst than singing Barney's goodbye song." Natsume sarcastically announced.

Mikan looked at Natsume with murder in her eyes.

"So to save you from the boring song, I have asked this conductor to do us a favor. A fellow student from the Academy had a dream that she would be a singer, but idiots don't become singers if they don't make their first brave step." Natsume went towards Mikan. "So…are you going to be an idiot, sit there and do nothing…coward." And hit her gently with the microphone.

Mikan brightly smiled at him that meant your-in-trouble-tonight then grabbed the mic from him and watched Natsume leave the stage. She felt as if she couldn't breathe. She looked around and noticed everyone had her piece and was encouraging her with a smile. She heard her cue to enter. She opened her mouth but no words came out. It was if she forgotten the words that she had memorized for almost a year. Everyone was quiet. She was going to embarrass herself. All because of Natsume!!! She took a second look at him.

He was trying to tell her she'd regret this moment if she'll back out. She looked at her friends. They were all smiling. Encouraging her. Except for Sumire, who put cotton balls in her ears.

Mikan took a deep breath and waited for her cue to begin again. This time she closed her eyes and tried to imagine she was alone.

Today, today I bet my life
You have no idea
What I feel inside
Don't, be afraid to let it show
For you'll never know
If you let it hide

She opened her eyes and looked at Natsume, so he'll know that this part was for him.

I love you
You love me
Take this gift and don't ask why
Cause if you will let me
I'll take what scares you
Hold it deep inside
And if you ask me why I'm with you
And why I'll never
Leave
Love will show you everything

Mikan then looked at the whole audience not caring about her fears anymore.

One day
When youth is just a memory
I know you'll be standing right next to me
I love you
You love me
Take this gift and don't ask why
Cause if you will let me
I'll take what scares you
Hold it deep inside
And if you ask me why I'm with you
And why I'll never
Leave
My love will show you everything
My love will show you everything……

She closed her eyes when it was about to be finish. She didn't want to see their immediate reaction.

Silence.

'Oh well, at least I tried.'

And then there was a thunderous applause.

Mikan opened her eyes. Everyone was giving her a standing ovation. Everyone was cheering. Even Sumire was shouting, "That idiot is my classmate!"

Hotaru was filming her.

Ruka was smiling at her.

Natsume was…Where was he?

She got off the stage and went towards them. Congratulations were thrown at her from left and right, she just bowed and said thanks. "Ruka, did you see were Natsume went…I can't find him." Mikan asked slightly disappointed that he didn't wait for her to finish.

"He saw it till the end." Hotaru said behind her.

Mikan couldn't help but smile brightly. "Where is he?" She asked again.

"Oh yeah…Natsume gave me this and told me to give it to you when your done thanking your stupid fans." Ruka said smiling proudly at her. "I'm so proud of you Mikan."

Mikan gave Ruka a quick hug. "Thank you Ruka." She then read the note that simply stated.

Find room 308 here, be there at 10:05. Don't be late stupid. Don't change your clothes.

How typical of him.

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She said her goodbyes to her friends and told them she was to meet Natsume somewhere. Hotaru looked at her suspiciously but gave her small cellular phone and commanded Mikan to call her at once if she needed backup.

There were few people left at the music hall when she went to search for room 308. She remembered that room was not being used at the moment due to some new renovation.

She entered the door.

It was kind of dark, so she'll eventually murder Natsume if he came out to just spook her. But as she went forward, she saw some candles lit up. A small window was open and wind was gently coming in. When she came to the middle of the room, the first thing she noticed rose petals were scattered on the floor. The few candles that were lit had a sweet aroma. And then there were two chairs. One chair had a guitar while the other had a bouquet of pink roses. She couldn't help but smile as she went towards the chair with flowers.

"Who said I can't be romantic?"

Mikan jumped a little when she heard Natsume speak from behind her. She approached him and smacked him lightly. "I almost fainted you know."

Natsume pretended to rub the sore spot "But you didn't right?" Natsume said with disappointment.

Mikan gave a soft chuckle and smelled the flowers. "Thank you for the flowers." She said blushing. Natsume then took her hand and made her sit down on the chair. Mikan was confused but decided not to argue with him.

Natsume breathed deeply, picked up the guitar, sat down and strummed it for awhile.

Mikan was about to sarcastically ask him when did he ever learn to play the guitar but stopped when he started to sing. Natsume didn't look at her but concentrated with what he was doing.

I'm not a perfect person

There's many things I wish I didn't do

But I continue learning

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

Mikan was surprised with today's events. But seeing Natsume sing…she would carry this secret to the grave.

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

and the reason is you

Natsume caught a quick glance at Mikan who was smiling at him. Immediately he concentrated on what he was doing.

I'm sorry that I hurt you

It's something I must live with everyday

And all the pain I put you through

I wish that I could take it all away

And be the one who catches all your tears

Thats why I need you to hear

Mikan didn't know that she was starting to cry. She wanted to hug Natsume badly.

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

And the reason is

You

When he first thought about this idea, he cursed himself thinking he was turning gay. But now he was half way through, he did what Mikan did. Looked at her with sincerity that everything he was saying, he meant it.

I'm not a perfect person

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

And the reason is you

I've found a reason to show

A side of me you didn't know

A reason for all that I do

And the reason is you

Silence.

He was about to speak, defend himself for doing something stupid but Mikan spoke first. "The jerk can actually, sing."

Natsume jerked his head up and scrawled at her. "Hey! Why you little twit, just because you can sing means I can't!" He said standing up putting the guitar down.

Mikan couldn't help but laugh at Natsume who was blushing. She then stood up and approached him. "But you're my jerk." Mikan said smiling.

Natsume rolled his eyes and then hugged her tight. "Yeah and you're my idiot." He said softly inhaling Mikan's scent. He then remembered the gift he had. "Turn around, idiot."

Mikan obeyed him and was surprised when he brushed her hair and placed necklace that had a simple diamond heart shape pendant on her neck.

Natsume who took pride in Mikan's shock reaction suddenly felt uncomfortable. "And just because I sang means you can blob it out to the whole class-" She then put her finger on his lips and smiled. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Natsume took her hand and kissed it. "I know. Cause I'll have a great time cooking you." He said softly and embraced her again.

Lightning flashed and a loud thunder broke them apart.

Mikan looked out the window and sighed. "It's going to rain… c'mon, let's get something to eat before we get back to the Academy. We'll get wet if we don't leave now." Mikan said grabbing the bouquet of flowers with her before extending her hand to Natsume. "Let's go." Natsume took her hand and she never noticed that his was trembling.

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They were about to go get something to eat when Mikan's phone rang. "Hello."

"Mikan, you better get back to the academy now."

She smiled at Natsume and mouthed, Hotaru. "Why what's wrong." Mikan asked Hotaru while walking.

"Your grandpa is here and-"

"Whaaattttt!!!" Mikan asked happily halting ay once.

"You idiot! Can you not scream!? Just come back now. Click."

Mikan had a big smile on her face. "Forget about dinner, let's go back to the academy."

"Why?" Natsume asked slowly.

"Grandpa is here." Mikan happily announced. "Grandpa is here!" She said as she waited for a taxi to pass by. The rain started to pour but Mikan didn't mind it at all.

"Why won't we just stay here at central town, just for tonight..." Natsume said.

Mikan laughed, her eyes filled with excitement. "Stupid, grandpa is here. I haven't seen him for years! I want you to meet him also. " Mikan not caring if she was getting soaked by the rain was filled with so much excitement.

Natsume looked up towards the dark sky and looked at Mikan's excited face. 'You only get this one moment before another chance comes your way again to tell the person you love…because you will never know… that moment may never return again.'

"I love you." Natsume said softly.

Mikan stood still and slowly turned around to face him. "What?"

"I love you Mikan." Natsume said firmly this time.

She looked at him confused. "I know that Natsume." Mikan felt as if something bad was happening. "Natsume are you breaking up with me?"

Natsume who was about to tell the only girl he loved was accusing him that he was going to break up with her.

The silly girl.

"What would make you think that idiot?" Natsume asked.

"You've been acting strange all day… at first I was glad…but now your scaring me. What happened in the dream? I just didn't destroy your manga didn't I?" Mikan asked seriously.

Natsume didn't know what to say to her…how to tell her that he was going to lose her.

"Natsume, I destroyed the other issue didn't I?" Mikan asked again.

Mikan looked so serious, he wanted to laugh. He shook his head. "I want to tell you why I loved you." He went to Mikan and took both her hands and tried to warm them both with his fire ability. "Ever since I came to the academy, I thought it would be better off alone, so that no one would see the pain I felt. But then you came… and you were able to give me back emotions I thought I no longer had. You made me learn to hope and dream again."

Despite the rain, Mikan knew she was crying.

Natsume continued smiling at her and gently touched her face while trying to brush away the rain from her face. "You turned my life that was once filled with darkness and turned it into light. And I was scared. I was scared because I was hanging on to you so much that they would find out that you were my weakness… that's why I tried to push you away. Hurt you." Natsume said quaking. "But you always came back. Then I finally realized… you weren't my weakness, but you became my reason to live. You were the only one that made me say different things then what I originally planned to say. I suddenly found myself waking up every morning, to make sure that I'll hear your annoying voice." He said smiling.

Mikan laughed.

"I love you Mikan, and I want to say thank you for letting me know how it felt to be loved."

Mikan hugged him tight and shared a passionate kiss in the rain. "I'll always love you Natsume."

"Taxi Miss?"

Mikan turned to see a taxi pull up and nodded at the driver. "Let's go home Natsume."

Natsume looked at the driver. It was the old guy. Then he realized that they were at the same spot like in the dream. Mikan had already gone inside the cab. "Natsume…" her hand outstretched. "Coming?"

He looked up at the sky for the last time before looking at Mikan with a smile. "Yes."

From the rear mirror Natsume saw the old man smile at him. "To the Academy, I suppose."

"Yes sir! My grandpa is waiting for us." Mikan cheerfully answered. They took off slowly.

Mikan took Natsume's hand. "Thank you for this wonderful day."

Natsume felt as if he couldn't breathe. Any moment he knew he was about to cry, so he just embraced her hard.

"Your welcome." Natsume said.

They stopped.

It was the intersection.

A red light.

5…

He remembered when he first met Mikan.

4…

Her first smile at him.

3…

Her first rescue mission to save him.

2…

Their first kiss.

1…

The car moved.

A green light.

He breathed heavily.

Once again, he felt as if everything went slow.

His last thought was…

The first time he told her he loved her.

Crashhh!!!

Baaam!!!

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Ringgg!!!

Ruka was about to kiss Hotaru and say goodnight when her phone rang.

"Yes." She said in the dull voice.

"Is this Hotaru Imai?"

"Yes, and you better hurry up with whatever your-"

"Miss Hotaru, someone instructed me to contact you…there's been an accident."

Hotaru's eyes went wide. Tears were forming. She dropped the phone.

Ruka felt his stomach go cold. "What happened?"

She hugged Ruka tightly and cried.

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Hotaru and Ruka both went inside the patient's room

Ruka didn't know what to do. Everyone was still shocked.

Ruka approached the bed. "I'm sorry…Natsume…"

"Natsume wouldn't want to see you like this idiot." Hotaru said coldly.

Mikan looked at her two closest friends. She didn't want to see her grandpa yet…she was happy that he was here…but she didn't want to see him like this. She knew why Hotaru said that. She wanted Mikan to get mad, to cry or do something. But since she found out…

Since she learned…

He died.

She still couldn't accept it. It was hard too.

But it hurt, because she did want to cry.

She turned away from them. "That jerk… he told me he had this dream… he had a dream. He was terrified. I asked him what happened and the jerk told me I destroyed his manga." She felt the tears suddenly form. Her heart was aching from the pain. "All day…he tried to tell me… tried to tell me… which I knew before… all he wanted to tell me was that he loved me." She felt the tears fall. Both Ruka and Hotaru came to hug her. "Falling for him wasn't hard Ruka… but the stupid jerk just wanted to tell me he loved me." With that, she just broke down and cried her heart out.

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Four days later.

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A funeral was set for the flame caster. Everyone who knew him mourned. The whole academy was at lost for the flame caster. But no one grieved for his lost than Mikan Sakura. Everyone was worried about her. Her attitude that they were used to, have somehow faded away. She was just silent and would lock herself in her room.

Today was the day when they were to bury him.

Mikan watched everyone who gave a little speech and farewell to the guy who she will always love. She would be the last one to give a final speech. A few hours later. Mr. Narumi stood up. "And now for our final eulogy, Ms. Mikan Sakura.

She got up from her chair and gently squeezed Hotaru's hand, to assure her she was fine. She went up the podium and saw all the people who came to his funeral. "I'm not very good at expressing how I feel because I tend to mix things and say things that are not related to the topic." People gave a gentle smile. "So I decided to write a song… because Natsume always said that I was better off writing composition." She gave a sad smile.

You're with me
Til the bitter end
What we had transcends
This experience
Too painful to
Talk about
So I'll hold it in
Til my heart can mend
And be brave enough to love again

A place in time
Still belongs to us
Stays preserved in my mind
In the memories there is solace

Never too far away
I won't let time erase
One bit of yesterday
Cause I have learned that
Nobody can take your place
Though we can never be
I'll keep you close to me
When I remember

Glittering lights
Incandescent eyes
Still preserved
In my mind
In the memories I'll find solace

Never too far away
I won't let time erase
One bit of yesterday
And I have learned that
Nobody can take your place
Though we can never be
I'll keep you close to me
And I'll remember

A place in time
Still belongs to us
Stays preserved in my mind
In the memories there is solace

Never too far away
I won't let time erase
One bit of yesterday
Cause I have learned that
Nobody can take your place
And though we can never be
I'll always think of you and me
Always remember

Love

You're never too far

Everyone present at that moment, was filled with the emotion that she was feeling right now.

Mikan looked at all of them with a smile not minding the tears flowing. "It's sad that he can't be with us… but he would always be forever remembered with us in our hearts."

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4 Years Passed.

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Mikan was on her way to the place that Natsume took her before his accident. She shared the place with her very close friends. Every year on Natsume's birthday and death anniversary they would come up to the place and spend a day or two.

I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
And ended to soon
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark gray sky
And I was changed

When she reached the top, the sun was setting. As usual the place was breathtaking.

"Hey Mikan, your late." A man accused her.

Mikan turned to find Ruka. She smiled at him. "Sorry, just had some things to finish."

"Ahh that doesn't mean you won't receive the baka gun." Hoatru said coming out of the house with her old gun

Yep, even though we have graduated, she still kept her baka gun.

Mikan gave her an apologetic smile. "Where is he?"

Hotaru decided not to go through her plan. "Fine. Your lucky his here." She went inside the house. Ruka followed her in.

Mikan was happy that they were still together and were to get married next year.

She looked again at sunset.

In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry

Nothing much had changed since his death.

The AAO and the Academy still continued with their silent war.

Hotaru still made her inventions.

Ruka became a great Veterinarian.

Youichi now lives with her because he thinks of her as his closest relative.

It had taken 2 months to learn to smile again.

And 6 months to hope once more.

She touched her heart pendant that Natsume once given to her.

It was late in September
And I'd seen you before
You were always the cold one
But I was never that sure
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark gray sky
I was changed

Indeed she had learned to dream and hope once more.

She laid the pendant down.

"Mama, Uncle Youichi doesn't want to give me ice cream." A little boy came out.

In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry

"Baby it's almost dinner time, we don't want to spoil your dinner right." Mikan said smiling.

The young Natsume looked at his mother with puppy eyes. "B-but can I have after dennor?"

Mikan chuckled. "As much as you want baby."

He stuck his tongue at Youichi. "Mama says I can have lator." As he went inside and made his Uncle Youichi worry on what he was going to do next.

I wanted to hold you
I wanted to make it go away
I wanted to know you
I wanted to make your everything, all right
I'll always remember...
It was late afternoon

Mikan smiled at those two. Youichi treated the young Natsume as if he was his younger brother, who was a Xerox copy of his father.

In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry

Before she was uncertain what her future was going to be like.

"Mama, are you coming?"

Now with her friends still with her and a baby that would remind her forever of he's father.

She smiled at him. "Of course baby."

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Somewhere

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Three men sat in a small room with a glass of brandy in their hands. They were having some sort of conversation meant only for them to hear.

"So it's been four years now eh." An old man who was sitting across the furnace asked the other two who were sitting with him.

"As usual, we always meet once a year." Replied another old man.

"So he hasn't awaken, I assume?" asked the third.

The first man who spoke, sipped his brandy. "No."

"Do you think he'll remember?" Asked the second man.

The first man just looked at his brandy. "It would be better if he didn't"

The second man agreed. "Yes, it would be much better if he didn't have his…past memories."

The third one who was mostly silent decided to speak. "But you do know we have one problem."

They looked at him. "We did not expect it…another to appear."

They all became silent.

Yes. They did not expect IT to happen.

A maid came inside the room and went to the man near the furnace and handed him a letter. It took him a minute to realize what he was reading. He told the maid she could leave.

The other two were curious about the letter and waited for the man to speak.

The man drank all his brandy and stood up. "He has awakened." And then left the room.

The other two who had remained, looked at each other and decided to follow.

The letter which was now forgotten was on the floor.

The eldest of the Hyuuga family is finally awake from his coma.

Indeed…the wheels of fate had started to roll again.

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The End.

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A/N: Ok the fic is done. I hope you guys liked it. Every song that I used is not mine. So please don't sue me. Anyways, please review me and tell me what you think. Oh yeah, to those who would be reviewing this last page, I'll be telling you something about this plot. .

Thanks again!

Jan. 23/07- Yesterday I submitted two chapters, chap 5 and 6. But there was one problem... You can't just Kill Natsume Hyuuga by a car crash. So thus, make a cliffhanger. But then my buddies from college came over to the house so I asked my younger bro to upload the final chap… the problem was…I forgot to save it, the scene that I decided at the last minute to put up or write. So that's why when my friend called me up asking why I killed her favorite character, I was surprised. I looked at it and voila, the ending had a missing scene. Sorry.

Feb.26.08

Edited most of the chapters.