My Missing Piece
Chapter 7: Secrets and Care
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The wind blows smoothly across the entire city. The rustling sound of leaves and the sweet songs of the blue birds ring a beautiful melody to the ears. It is another beautiful day but a certain brunette feels a little down. She walks back and forth across the living room while tapping her chin with her finger and her hand on her hips. She's thinking about the most arrogant guy she knew in school.
~Mikan~
Okay. Why am I like this? Why is my heart pounding? Why am I thinking about that person? Why am I...? Ugh, I shouldn't be. I must not worry about him. Anyways, nothing terrible could happen to him right? With his flexes and all, he couldn't have been hurt right? Ugh, this is giving me a headache. He shouldn't have called me last night and left me a blank message. If he didn't I might not be like this now. That call might be one of his pranks though. He might've been so bored if that's the case. BUT what if something bad really happened to him? And he called me to ask for help. My mom told me that a person won't call someone without a reason. It could be nonsense but still there's a reason. So what might be Natsume's reason then?
After thinking for about an hour, I decide to pay him a visit. Almost immediately, I change my clothes into something comfy protecting me from the cold wind outside – a brown turtleneck sweatshirt, skinny jeans and flats. I take my red jacket before I leave my room.
Since there's no one home, I just walk out the house, lock it and leave the house key under the floor mat that says, "Welcome".
The white cottony clouds covers the sleepy sun so the air is much cooler. Good thing I wear thick clothes. After walking for a bout several blocks, I reach Natsume's apartment. Oddly, I feel chills run down my spine. It appears old and deserted but the inside is way better than the outside. Only four rooms are occupied in this three storey building. I haven't seen the other occupants yet so I assume they're all working. Without second thoughts, I hurry to the third floor where his room's located.
To my utter astonishment, the door to the Rm. 007 is wide open. I hurry inside only to see it in a complete turmoil. Then something – someone – catch my eye. In the corner of the room, in the kitchen, a man's body is sprawled on the floor. There are drops of blood all over. Suddenly, my lungs tighten making me hard to breathe. My heart beats faster than usual.
No.
Natsume.
I rush towards Natsume, unmindful of the clattered glasses around. All I care about is him. What happened here?
His face is badly bruised. There's blood spilling from his mouth. I shake him by the shoulders, repeatedly calling his name. But it's no use, he didn't even stir.
Catching my breath, I quickly grab my phone and call the hospital. "Please hurry up!" I say. I didn't dare to move his body, afraid I might cause him more injury. I manage, however, to put away the shattered glass from where he lays.
After just a couple of minutes, help came. Thank God they're here!
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"He's stable now. Good thing, you called us. If he stayed in that condition a little longer, he might be in a critical condition now. For now, just let him rest." The doctor says once he got out of the operating room.
"Thank you," I reply, letting out a deep sigh. Finally, I'm relieved. I don't know what I will do if something worse happen to him. I really don't.
With a smile on my face, I walk towards Natsume's designated room.
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~Natsume~
When I opened my eyes, I see the white ceiling in front of me.Am I dead? I know I sound weird but that's just the first thought that came into my mind. Last time I remember, I was in my apartment on the floor. Then I feel a slight squeeze on my left hand. Painfully, I struggle to look at that thing on my hand. To my utter surprise, it is Sakura's hand on mine.
I really am dead. NO doubt. Sakura's here. Why is she here…with me?
After a few moments of staring at her, she begins to stir awake. My heart begins pounding. I could have hide from her now if only I could move. Sad thing is, I can't move an inch. My whole body feels rigid. Now that I think of it, how long was I asleep?
"Natsume? You're awake?" I hear Sakura say. She stretches her arms and yawns sleepily.
I nod as much as I could. Even just that hurts.
What happened next certainly had taken me aback. She literally jumps onto me with arms wide open. She embraces me hard, so hard I thought I'd suffocate. But I admit I like it.
Then I heard a faint sob.
"A-are you crying?" I ask, suddenly worried.
"I'm so glad you're alright… I was so worried," she whispers in between sobs.
I put my hand on her back once I could move it again. "Shh don't worry. I'm okay now."
Once she stopped, she starts throwing me questions I don't quite know how to answer. I mean, how can I possibly tell her that I was battered by several men who kidnapped me? I just can't.
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~Flashback~
I was walking towards a girly looking store (It's pink) to buy something for Sakura. No special reasons. I just wanted to give something to her. However, before I reached the block I saw men walking suspiciously around the store I was heading. They wore black suits just like any other bodyguards of our company. They looked very suspicious. Instinctively I hid at the nearest post I saw.
"Are you sure that Huuga kid's coming here?" he heard one of them say.
Hyuuga? No. Natsuki.
They must be those bandits who're after us. I won't let them get my brother. I need to do something.
Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw my brother walking towards the store. He's still so far, that's why the bandits don't notice him yet.
Without second thoughts, I walked towards them. Just as I thought, they immediately approached me.
"Mr. Hyuuga?" the one who approached me asked.
"Yes?" I casually replied.
"Your father sent us to get you."
Almost immediately, I went straight to the van which stopped in front of us. I can't cause any delay because they might see Natsuki. The moment I sat on the van, two hands covered my mouth. Then everything went black.
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I was tied to a chair when I woke up. The room I was in was dishevelled like it was passed by a tornado. Its wooden walls were slightly torn. Out of nowhere, the ringing silence was disturbed by sound footsteps, getting louder each second.
They kept asking me questions I don't want to answer and I don't know how to answer. However after losing their patience, they started punching and hitting me with things to get the answers they want. When they're done, they left me alone. Unknown to them, I've been trying to untie the rope in my hands all the time. After few more struggles, I've succeeded.
I ran as fast as I could, as much as I could.
Running after being beaten was evidently exhausting. That's proven. I could no longer feel my whole body. My limbs, muscles and everything were already numb when I managed to reach my house.
Water. I need water. So immediately, I went to the kitchen. But the moment I held the glass, all my energy left me. I fell down the floor. Shattered glasses pierced my skin but I didn't feel it. I was so exhausted. Then everything went black.
~End of Flashback~
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Of course, I won't tell her that. I can't possibly tell her that I'm a Hyuuga and Natsuki is my brother. I can't tell her that I got beaten because I tried to save my brother. I can't. So I better think about some valid reasons.
"So what happened?" I hear her say that snapped me back to reality.
"Ah. Well some drunk men beat me when I was going home. I was really exhausted so I fell asleep while getting some drink." I explain.
"Oh okay… but make sure not to get into fight again. And don't get near drunk men again. I don't want you to get hurt again, okay?" she says, flashing that caring smile of hers.
She's so thoughtful and sweet.
"Thanks… Sakura."
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~End of Chapter 7~