This will be the second to the last chapter. I am thinking of making an epilogue as well after chapter 10 but we'll see how it goes! ;)

Also Secrets was just recently updated so head on over and check out who the mystery savior was.. in case you haven't yet. XD

I'm off for the weekend starting Friday so expect that the next chapter for TGND may be posted before I leave, if I ever get around to finishing that plus one more day of work + laundry + getting packed for my 3days 2 nights trip out of town. LoL.

By request, Seiren Rindo, here ya go kouhai!

Xoxo Lexi1989


Previously:

No words are ever enough to express how painful it was to see the sight of my first love, hand in hand with his one true love, walking away from me. But I knew I did the right thing. And somehow, I knew deep in my heart, I would be ok. Maybe not now, but someday.


CHAPTER 9: CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE

Mikan

He parked the car after travelling hours away from the city. We've each been sitting in silence after we ran from the chapel. It's the first time we've ever been together alone since that night that we were interrupted at my apartment. I'd panicked when I drove them both away and packed up and left. I went to the only person who I knew I could trust. Hotaru.

I only told her the basics. What happened at the apartment. I left out the part that Nobara slapped me. Only that Natsume had somehow gotten wind of where I lived and came to the apartment unannounced, professing his love. To which she had responded with "Now I know where your missing spare key went.". And that was it.

Fast forward to the chapel where I stood up to object only to be countered by the objection of his bride to be. It certainly wasn't your ideal 'Stop the wedding' kind of moment but it saved me from having to do it myself. I wasn't even sure I would really go through with it. But when his crimson eyes met mine then and there, I knew there was no turning back.

Just right after she speaks up, all hell breaks loose. But I paid no attention to the vicious looks and murmurs I felt and heard directed towards me. I didn't mind that Hotaru was filming this or that Koko found the scenario amusing or that Ruka looked like he was about to shit his pants in panic and confusion. No. Nothing mattered except him who was standing at the front, looking at me with those gorgeous crimson eyes. I see her take him in her arms but feel no jealousy because I knew she was letting him go.

He takes a step towards me and it gives me an opportunity to look at her. To thank her silently for her sacrifice. It was one that I didn't ask her to make but nevertheless I am thankful to her for it. I see the pain in her eyes as she watches him walk away and I am overcome with an overwhelming sense of guilt. She shouldn't be left to do this alone. By Kami's grace, I was able to somehow telepathically relay my message to him. That he shouldn't just walk away. That he should take ownership of this turn of events as much as she took the first step to do so. We owed her that much at least.

They faced the crowd like the powerful couple that they would have been if this wedding had gone through without a hitch. And they got past it. They stopped the wedding. And he was finally free. Disowned, probably. But free to live his life.

"Please take care of Natsume-kun, Mikan-chan. I entrust him to you." She told me as I approached. I was ready to face the crowd but she ushered us away. I admire her for being brave. She may just be the bravest woman I've met.

"Go now. Be happy." We went. Now here we are. What now?


NATSUME

The ride gave me time to think back on the whirlwind events of this afternoon. It was almost unbelievable. But it only takes one glance to the beautiful woman in the passenger seat to ease my doubts. I was finally free. Broke, maybe. I'll find out soon enough. But free.

I recalled how desperate and hopeless I'd been just this morning. I went back to Mikan's apartment to find it empty. It looked like she'd left in a hurry. Her clothes and personal effects were gone and only the big furniture was left. I was devastated. I remember calling Hotaru who's phone routed to voicemail. Not that I was expecting her to pick up. She's probably with Mikan now to God knows where. With the kind of money she makes (excluding her extortion from blackmailing) she could afford to go anywhere in the world without having to break a sweat, or her bank account).

I called the next person I knew would understand. Shouda. We looked everywhere we could possibly think of. But to no avail. Mikan didn't want to be found. And I was left with no choice. I drove Shouda home, and asked her to please come to the wedding. I needed all the support I could get. She said she'd try but I knew she really wouldn't come. She mumbled something about looking for her invitation card and I didn't push it. I left her at her doorstep and prepared myself for the biggest mistake in my life.

Boy, was I wrong.

I walked down the aisle devoid of any emotion. I decided it was fair for me to treat this like the business deal that it was. As unfair as it was to Nobara, it would have been more unfair for me to pretend to love her and make her hope. She knew how I felt, but she opted to go through with this. I'm only doing this for my family. The wedding march reaches a crescendo and I know she's entering the chapel. I watch her waltz in on her father's arm, smiling so happily and I am awash with guilt.

Yes. Guilt. I feel guilty for wishing it was Mikan who was in a pristine wedding gown walking towards me on the aisle. I wish Mikan was the one marrying me. I wished for it with all of my heart. I feel like I'm betraying Mikan by marrying Nobara. Her father offers her hand and if Ruka didn't nudge me, it would've seemed like I was ignoring them, which I would have happily done.

The priest speaks up and I space out. I tune all the words out. Until I hear the gasps and whispers behind me. My eyes roll as an involuntary reflex. This is a wedding, you'd think people would be more respectful of the sacrament of marriage. It was only until the priest looked alarmed that it dawned on me that something was wrong. I turned towards the commotion and see the most wonderful sight. Mikan in a sexy red dress, paired with simple make-up and her hair in an updo with small curls framing her face, standing amidst a shocked audience, looking directly at me.

"Young lady in the red dress standing in the back, do you object to this wedding?"

I held my breath waiting for her answer. I can feel Ruka stiffen next to me and I see Koko giving her a thumbs up sign. Hotaru is sitting in a pew a few rows down from the entourage with a smirk on her face and her hand attached to a camera. From the corner of my eye I see the rest of the gang outside the church doors. I knew they didn't come for me. They came in silent support for Mikan. I couldn't blame them. Mikan was more of a friend to them than I ever was. My eyes travelled back to Mikan and I could see she was torn and panicking. As she opens her mouth to deliver an answer, I hear the words that I badly needed right now.

"I object to this wedding!"

I turn towards Nobara with a bewildered expression. Chaos erupts and she is bombarded with questions from her parents. I look towards Mikan, worried for her safety all the while Nobara tries to reason out to her angry parents. The Ibaragi family was very powerful and anyone who goes against their family need to be wary. I feel Nobara trace my face with her gloved fingers and pull me into a tight embrace.

"Go and be happy. You're free."

The Gods must have heard my desperate please for a miracle. I hug her back, expressing my gratitude the only way I know how. I was always better at actions than words. My priority now was to get Mikan away from this place. I know my family will be mad, but I also knew they would forgive me someday. I take a step towards my beloved but the look in her eyes stop me in my tracks.

I can see the guilt in Mikan's eyes. I took one look at Nobara, and I could see the fear in hers amidst her false bravado. I knew I had to do one more thing before I left this life for good. I took Nobara's hand and headed over to the podium to address the pandemonium in the chapel. She turned to me one last time before letting go completely.

"I love you."

I must admit if you were her family or friend you'd say my response was a bit on the dumbass side. Thank you and I'm sorry. Not exactly what any girl or woman would want as a response to 'I love you'. But then again I was never one to mince words with anyone. Now here I am a few hours later, with the love of my life, sitting quietly next to me in the car.

I would normally be bothered by Mikan's silence since she is the noisy, bubbly type. But given our experience earlier, I let her have some time to her thoughts. The GPS in my car indicated that we were at our destination and the sudden voice that filled the car seemed to rouse her from her own thoughts. She stirred from looking outside the window and looked at me. We sat there staring for quite some time before we both burst into a fit of laughter. Nervous laughter.

"Where are we?" She asked and he shrugged before responding.

"Beats me, I only saw this note in the car saying the GPS is programmed and to follow it." He gestured to the note on the dashboard.

"You don't think it's a trap right?" She picked it up gingerly and read it.

"FOLLOW ME – GPS"

"Let's go and find out." He said and he got out of the car and went to her side to open the door for her. Together hand in hand, they walked towards the small house they could see a few feet away.


It was a beach house but it was locked. Neither had any clue whose it belonged to and there weren't any signs that someone was inside. They walked the perimeter of the area and when they didn't find anyone around, Natsume suggested they go down to the seashore.

They took off their shoes and left them on the porch, walking barefoot towards the ocean. The sun was setting and they stopped and sat on the sand to spectate in one of nature's most amazing natural views. They still didn't talk about what happened earlier. Theirs was the kind of relationship where actions spoke volumes than words. They were comfortable in their silence as long as they were together, especially now that they were free to spend their future with each other.

Mikan suddenly turned to him and stood up, holding out her hand to him.

"What?" He asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

She answered by pulling him up and facing him with a sweet smile on her face, before breaking out into a song. (A/N underlined bold italicized stanzas are sung together, (bold italicized) is Natsume and bold italicized words are Mikan's part ;) )

~Take my hand, take a breath~

~Hold me close and take one step.~

He chuckled and without any second thought followed her lead.

~Keep your eyes locked on mine.~

~Let the music be your guide.~

He joined in, recalling the words by heart.

~(Won't you promise me?)~

~Oh won't you promise me, that you'll never forget?~

~(We'll keep dancing)/ To keep dancing~

~wherever we go next.~

He twirled her around in the sand as they waltzed without a care in the world.

~It's like catching lightning, ~

~The chances of finding~

~Someone like you.~

~It's one in a million~

~The chances of feeling the way we do~

~And with every step together~

~We just keep on getting better~

~So can I have this dance (Can I have this dance)~

~Can I have this dance?~

He held her close to him, savoring the moment.

(Take my hand, I'll take the lead)

(And every turn, will be safe with me)

(Don't be afraid, afraid to fall)

(You know I'll catch you through it all)

His smooth baritone voice cut through the ocean air with a knife. It was music to her ears. This was only the second time she'd heard him sing. (A/N refer to chapter 2)

(You can't keep us apart)

Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart

(Cause my heart)

Cause my heart

is wherever you are.

They sang and danced together on the sand, oblivious to their surroundings, eyes locked on each other, voices blending in perfect harmony.

~Ohhh, no mountains too wide, no ocean's too wide~

Coz together or not, our dance won't stop

Let it rain, Let it pour~

~What we have is worth fighting for~

~You know I believe that we were meant to be~

~Oohhhhh~

~It's like catching lightning, ~

~The chances of finding~

~Someone like you.~

~It's one in a million~

~The chances of feeling the way we do~

~Way we do~

~And with every step together~

~We just keep on getting better~

~So can I have this dance (Can I have this dance)~

~Can I have this dance?~

~can I have this dance~

~Can I have this dance?~

They stopped dancing and just stood there, looking at each other lovingly. She closed her eyes as she felt him inching his face closer to hers for their long awaited kiss.

"Did you guys just sing a High School Musical song?!" Mikan gasped and hid behind him as Natsume sighed and rolled his eyes before looking towards the intruder who killed their moment.

"What are you doing here?"

END OF CHAPTER 9


Guess who the intruder is and next chappie will be dedicated to you! XD

SO, I really love this song from HSM 3 and couldn't really resist. XD

Credits to the awesome writers who wrote this song! (in short, I don't own it)


ANNOUNCEMENTS!

I will try to update TGND before leaving for Samboan town for the weekend ;) (it's a town near the shoreline and they have a lot of waterfalls there too!) #SummerStartsNow

I will update and get back to the story cycle once I'm back ;)


KitsuneSenpai18– I might do an epilogue after chapter 10 which features a few years after the story ends. I miss you!

iiAriya – I hope everything is all good now. Wag kana umiyak. Smile na :) thank you!

newroz – thank you! And thanks for reading White Angel's story too!

bukspiks – yep. But we all learn from our mistakes, hopefully she does too. And why do you pity Mikan?

Moonlight Flower Light – you are welcome. And I hope you like this chappie!

Lovely Demon Heart – thank you! Enjoy this update! :)

Seiren Rindo – I miss you kouhai! Hope everything is all good where you are! And by request here is Mikan/Natsume POV ;* yeah well my trips only consist of the weekend so I'm still able to work on these stories during weekdays. If and only if I get hired for that other position means I may be a bit busier at work but we'll see ;)

suenethakchan – hey pal! It's been awhile! Thank you! Hope to read some updates from you soon!

Nivchan – well, in love, there really will be people that will get hurt :(

MaFerSk – Wow! Awesome reviews! Thankyou! And goodjob on your story too! Thank you for keeping up with my work. ;)

jejeje xD – Who knows, I might get inspired to do a Nobara fic 'll see ;)


Story cycle update:

The Guy Next Door – Delicious Taboo – The Scam – Secrets – Karaoke Nights

Let me know what you think!

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Ja Ne!

xoxo Lexi1989