Disclaimer: I don't and can't own Gakuen Alice even if I wanted too. It belongs to Tachibana-sensei.

I know it's been awhile but here's the tenth chapter of Eternity. This is probably the shortest chapter that I've written for in this series. But still I hope you enjoy reading it. :)

~Eternity 10~

Mikan's POV

The ride back was not really long, but I felt it took forever to arrive. It's probably because I was expecting that when we do arrive, I'll finally see Natsume again. Unfortunately, he wasn't. We were currently walking to Ken's unit since he insisted that we stay there until Natsume arrives. At first, I disagreed since I didn't want to impose but he said that it was alright and his wife wants to meet me apparently. Natsuhiko seemed to agree with Ken so I reluctantly agreed.

After a flight of stairs, we finally arrived at his unit. He knocked at the door and was immediately opened by a woman.

"Finally!" She said as soon as she opened the door.

"Sorry for the wait," Ken replied sheepishly. She just giggled and looked at us, Natsuhiko and me.

"You must be Mikan! Oh, can I call you that?" She inquired happily. I was overwhelmed by her enthusiasm that I just nodded and smiled.

"Then Mikan it is! I'm Me— Oh my, you really look like Natsume!" She said as she went to Natsuhiko. Natsuhiko just looked at her indifferently.

"And with the same attitude, I presume," she concluded, nodding to herself.

"Honey," Ken stated, faking a cough. She looked at him with a glare.

"What?"

"Can we get inside first?"

"Oh, oh! Yes, how rude of me, let's get inside Mikan, Mini Natsume!" She said as she ushered us inside.

"Make your selves at home," Ken said as he took off to the kitchen. With that, his wife immediately dragged us to the living room.

"Well, since my introduction earlier was cut short I'll introduce myself again… I'm Mei, Ken's wife, you can call me Mei, Mikan-chan," she introduced sheepishly, as soon as we settled down at the couch.

"It's nice to meet you, Mei-san," I replied smiling at her slightly.

"Likewise, Mikan-chan and?" She glimpsed at Natsuhiko. I nudged Natsuhiko, glancing at him expectantly.

"Natsuhiko," Natsu mumbled. I smiled at him; like father like son.

"I've heard a lot about you from Ken!" She started, clapping her hands.

"Really? I sure hope they are good ones," I replied. If they're not, Ken, I hope you're prepared, I thought. She laughed and nodded happily. From then on, she continued to tell us stories, like how she first met Ken on a subway when she accidentally spilled her coffee at him while on her way to work. She also told us about her first meeting with Natsume.

"Natsume was very, very anti-social," She started. I giggled slightly, nodding at her.

"He's been like that since way back," I replied.

"That's what Ken told me too, but still I was a bit taken aback with his demeanor," She mumbled awkwardly.

"Well, at least his wife is a bubbling ray of sunshine like me!" She stated happily. I smiled at her. I don't know if I was still fit for that description since I know for sure, for the past months I wasn't that happy. I shook my head and continued listening to Mei when I Natsuhiko called me.

"Mom," Natsuhiko whispered.

"Hmm?" I replied still listening to Mei.

"Can I go out for a bit?" he said. Eh? He wants to go outside?

"Eh?" I yelped which made Mei stop and looked at me curiously. Natsuhiko shook his head.

"What's wrong, Mikan?" Mei inquired.

"It's nothing, Natsuhiko's just asking me if he can go outside," I said unsurely.

"Sure he can," Ken said, appearing suddenly with drinks on his hands.

"He's right, Mikan, it's safe here anyways, besides I think he's getting bored with our conversation," Mei agreed. Natsuhiko blushed slightly at her statement.

"Alright, just don't wander that far okay?" He nodded and excused himself, leaving me with the Hanazono's.

Natsuhiko's POV

Finally! I was getting really bored in there. Well, I tried to listen attentively and not be bored, but I can't help it. At least, mom's preoccupied in there. It was a good thing uncle suggested to stay in his unit until dad arrives, even though he has dad's spare key, because if that wasn't the case, I bet mom's tearing up right now in dad's apartment.

I sighed as I made my way downstairs. I was taking my time walking when I heard footsteps. Oh? Someone's on his way up, maybe its dad? As the footsteps were getting closer, I find myself looking at the same raven hair I have. Man, he has the same hair as dad and me, I thought grimly as I observed the guy who was slowly walking upstairs. I was about to ignore him when he muttered something.

"I'm such an idiot," he said and I couldn't help but reply to his statement.

"That's an understatement," I said thinking that he was dad since his raven hair resembled dad's hair so much. He immediately looked up and familiar crimson eyes stared at me. It wasn't a coincidence that his raven hair resembled dad's hair, it was because it is him.

"Dad," I instantly muttered in great displeasure. His eyes widened.

"Natsuhiko," he whispered, after regaining his composure.

"…"I have a lot to say to him actually, but I don't know where to start so I ended up saying nothing at all.

"Where's your mom?" He whispered, looking down.

"At Uncle Ken's," I replied blankly. Silence greeted us afterwards. None of us made a move, more like we couldn't move. Dad's probably thinking about things through, while I was thinking about talking with dad first before letting him meet mom. I'm going to give him a chance to redeem himself; I'm giving him our trip's duration. If he doesn't get his act together then, that will be ugly. I was about to call him when he beat me into it.

"Natsuhiko," Dad called again. I looked at him expectantly.

"Let's talk for a while," he muttered. I nodded and he didn't waste any second to go down the stairs, I followed.

As the two of us walked, nobody attempted to interrupt the silence that was enveloping us. I glanced at dad; he was walking with his hand in his pocket. He looks calm on the outside, but who knows what's going on with his mind right now?

After a few minutes, dad stopped walking and I looked around the area. He brought me to a nearby playground. There weren't any kids playing since it was evening already, so we had the playground all to ourselves. I took a seat on the swing while dad remained standing.

I glanced at dad and he seemed deep in thought so I didn't speak. He was the one who wanted to talk anyways so I kept silent. It didn't take long before the silence was interrupted.

"I… Did you tell anybody else?" He asked awkwardly.

"Nope" Because if I did, for sure, I wouldn't be here talking with you. He let out a big sigh, so it was bothering him that much. He was silent again afterwards. I couldn't take the silence anymore so…

"Why did you do it?" I whispered. Asking the question I really wanted to be answered. I mean, he was doing well the past years, why now? Why change now? What's different this time around?

"I… really don't know," he answered after a few seconds. My grip on the swing chains tightened.

"You don't know? That's a load of bull and you know it dad," I replied sarcastically. He remained silent.

"How could you do that to mom? To us? To your family?" I asked, standing, my voice getting louder. Seeing as he made no attempt to answer, I continued.

"You're not the dad I used to look up to," I mumbled as I clenched my fists.

"What am I supposed to do?" he breathed out, looking at me with sad eyes. My eyes widened slightly. Here was one of the rare instances when dad let's his guard down.

"Do you think your mom will forgive me?" he continued.

"…" I… I really don't if mom would forgive dad. I can't say for sure. For the past months dad neglected mom, mom changed too. She became depressed and guarded trying to stay strong for us.

"I'm so stupid I shouldn't have done that, what if she never forgives me? What if she left me?"

"Dad, why did you take so long to all realize that?" I whispered, shaking my head.

"I don't know!" He roared.

I was taken aback by his voice.

"I don't want to lose Mikan, I don't want to lose my family, I don—"

"Then stop being pathetic and do something about it dad!" I shouted, glaring at him. His eyes widened at my outburst.

"You can start by being good again to mom," I whispered.

"You really are my son, Natsuhiko," He replied, finally calming down.

"We're here for a week dad, surely you can make things right, within that time span?" I smirked at him. That's right, I'm sure dad can fix this, I believe in him. I just hope that mom forgives him.

"Who do you think am I?" He said cockily while ruffling my hair.

"My dad?" I grinned. He smirked at me. Even though dad didn't tell me about his affair, it's not like I need to know the details, all that matters is that he's willing to mend his relationship with mom and us again.

Natsume's POV

After our talk, we decided it's time to head back to the apartment. I have to admit it feels good to take out these bottled up emotions inside of me. I'm glad that Natsuhiko didn't shun me away. He must really love Mikan. I sighed, man, my son's love for his mother is greater than mine? I can't afford that.

I glanced at Natsuhiko. It's like I'm seeing the child version of myself. I smirked; well he's my son after all. We arrived at Ken's unit and I braced myself. Beyond this door is the reality I need to face. One… Two… Three… I knocked on the door.

It didn't take long for someone to open the door. As expected, it was Ken who opened the door.

"Yo," I greeted casually, hiding my nervousness. I could feel Natsuhiko snicker slightly behind me. He's a Hyuuga all right.

"Took you long enough man," Ken mumbled, patting my shoulder quite hard. I glared at him. It didn't take long before my eyes wandered around looking for the familiar brunette hair of Mikan.

"She's fell asleep on the couch, she must be so tired," Ken said as he took a seat in a chair near the television. Nodding, I glanced back at Natsuhiko and gave him my apartment key.

"Go back first, I'll take care of your mom," I muttered as he nodded and went upstairs. I sighed as I entered Ken's unit and went straight to the couch. As I saw her, my gaze immediately softened.

There she was sleeping so deeply in the couch, breathing ever so softly. Her brunette hair that was scattered on the couch has grown longer since the last time I saw it. I caressed her angelic looking face. I frowned at the wrinkles that were never there the last time. I kicked myself mentally; we all know that I was the cause of such wrinkles in her face.

"Man, she's been anxiously waiting for you, where the hell have you been anyways?" Ken inquired. You're wife's been waiting for you and yet you had the time to meet your affair, Nice going Hyuuga.

"Let's talk some other time Ken," I replied sadly as I carried Mikan gently, bridal style. Mikan unconsciously wrapped her arms around my neck. So it wasn't my imagination that she grew thinner. She's as light as a feather now. I frowned, must be another effect of my stupidity.

"Natsume…" she whispered as she buried her face in my neck. Even when she's sleeping, she's still dreaming about you.

"Alright, but you better be prepared," Ken muttered as he opened the door.

"Hn" I silently thanked Ken for all he did today before leaving his unit.

As I was carrying Mikan towards my unit, I can't help but feel shit as I stare at Mikan's sleeping face. The weight of me being a douche the past months is getting heavier. We were near my apartment door when Mikan suddenly started gripping my shirt tightly. I thought she woke up but her eyes were still closed.

"Natsume… don't leave me…" She whispered as tears fell in her eyes. My eyes widened as I remembered Natsuhiko's messaged to me. Every time that mom has a nightmare it's always about you having an affair… The guilt and regret that was inside of me grew.

"Mikan, I'm here," I whispered as I kissed her forehead. After saying that, Mikan's face calmed down and she was sleeping soundly again. I mentally hit myself again. You are one douche bag, Hyuuga.

I knocked as softly as I could in order for Mikan not to wake up, also hoping that Natsuhiko could hear it. Fortunately for me, Natsuhiko heard it and he opened the door as wide as he could so we could enter. As soon as I entered, Natsuhiko closed the main door and opened my bedroom.

"Thanks," I muttered as I immediately went inside and placed Mikan in the bed gently.

"Have you eaten?" I inquired as I glanced at Natsuhiko who was standing at the door frame. He shook his head.

"What do you want for dinner?" I stood up and was about to go to the kitchen when he stopped me.

"It's fine dad, I'll cook something for dinner just go stay with mom," he replied as he left the room, leaving me alone with Mikan again. I sighed as I sat on the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry, Mikan," I whispered as I brushed some hair off of her face.

"I hope you forgive me for everything," I continued, as I watch her sleep. I was about to go to the comfort room when Mikan slowly opened her eyes.

"Natsume?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I know that's it has been a good long while since I've updated this story. I have updated somewhat regularly with 1000 yen romance unlike this one. But as I've said before, I will finish this story! I think it would just take awhile before I do. HAHAHA. sorry :(

As compensation for uploading so late, here's a preview of the next chapter.

"Natsume, I want to try that one!" I squealed as I pointed on the stall near to where we were resting.

"Are you sure you're not a pig in disguise?" Natsume teased.

"Mou!"

"Dad, stop teasing mom about her 'healthy' eating habits," Natsuhiko said as he chuckled lightly. So much for not teasing me.

"Natsuhiko you aren't really helping me," I mumbled. Both of them snickered at me.

"I hate you both" Their laughter just increased.

For all those who read and reviewed in my previous chappie, I give you my thanks!

Reviews are very much appreciated. Also, this chapter is not beta-ed so if you spot on some mistakes, I'm sorry.
Well that is that, Ja! See you next chapter! :D
-Raku-chama-