Chapter 9: Recalling Memories

"Fool," Natsume said, letting out a small evil laugh.

I stared at him, confused. I tilted my head a bit as I watched him turn and face me slowly. "W-What?"

He walked towards me slowly, his hands in his pocket. He had the same face he had before – his bangs hiding his crimson red eyes – but he had a small smile that made my mouth hang open.

He patted my head gently then kneeled in front of me. I looked away, avoiding his gaze but that made it worst since everybody was staring at us but anyway, it's worse than making eye contact with him after what I've said.

But suddenly my world turned and my thoughts were taken away by the feeling of strong, hard muscular chest in my face. I blinked then looked up at his face. He was smiling. And that particular moment made me hug him back and smile. I sniffed then looked at him when he released me.

"Baka," I chuckled as he assisted me in standing up. I smiled at him while he stood proudly and successful. Everybody was awed by our doing. Some were even crying. Those over-emotional creeps. Tsk.

Just then, a girl screamed and I saw Natsume's face change into a frown. He took my hand then hid me protectively behind him.

"Don't," I protested as his frown got deeper. He was planning something, and bad. I just know it when I saw Persona and Luna walking side-by-side, Black Cat's guards walking behind them. They approached us and were now standing in front of us.

Natsume stepped back as I did. I frowned in disappointment. "Do you want me to call the police?"

"No use," He replied, holding my hand tighter. "The police will deny your request to arrest them."

Not if I called the Yukihara's private police.

I moved out of his protection and stood beside him. I would've made a call right now but there was no time. We were stepping back directly into a brick wall.

He stared at me confused. "I'll help you share the pain but if they do take you away, I'll see you again so don't worry. And by that time, I'll definitely prove that I'm worthy of being yours,"

He nodded, grinned then tsked. I smiled but made it disappear quickly as Luna approached us. And when she saw that Natsume was holding my hand, she took action.

"Guards, take Natsume away." She commanded. I panicked then kicked Luna in her stomach to make a run for it and to add for the pain, I was wearing high-heels. Though I failed – again.

They grabbed hold of Natsume's body and pulled him away. With all the strength I could produce, I didn't let go of his hand. But by doing that, Luna commanded the other guards to grab hold of me also. Then so, with them grabbing my feet, my other hand and my waist, it was useless to use my new move on them. One guard pulled and separated our hands completely.

"Let go!" I screamed out of my lungs. I struggled to get free but stopped when Persona himself walked towards me.

SLAP!

"How dare you filthy commoner have a relationship with my son when he's engaged!" Persona shouted to me, raging with desire to torture me right now.

"So what? Everybody has freedom to choose who they love." I spat at him. His face turned red from anger and pulled Luna to stand beside him.

"This," He pointed a finger at Luna. " – girl is the heir of the most successful company."

I raised a brow. "So?"

"If you don't follow her orders you'll get expelled from this world,"

"Is there even such a thing? If so, where should I go? Mars?"

"W-whatever!" He groaned in irritation. He couldn't even make up words to shoot right at me. Idiot. What kind of businessman is he?

"If you don't want to go to a lower status that you already have, don't ever show your face or have contact with my son again." Were the last words he said before they all walked out.

The guards behind me still didn't release me from their grasps. And all I could do was watch as they dragged Natsume away. I watched as he struggled to get free but failed. His eyes were wide as they stared into mine.

"Don't worry," I said as he moved out of my view. The guards released me and I kicked one in the butt as they moved away.

Without thinking, I grabbed my phone then called a chauffer, eager to go home and plot my revenge on them. I rubbed the sore spot on my cheeks then ran outside the amusement park. I quickly went in the car and waited for it to arrive home.

Time skip… in front of the door.

I went in, to be greeted by Kaoru-san. I stared at her wide-eyed. She was still here?

"Mou, Mikan-chan! I thought you were harmed by my husband! Why didn't you tell me that you were dating my son?" She said, dragging me to the living room where my family sat drinking tea.

What?

"How'd you know, Kaoru-san? A-and we're not d-dating!" It was a bit weird to say that in front of his mother while blushing a hundred shades of red.

I sat down in couch beside Youichi then took a deep breath. Youichi looked at me confusedly.

He frowned, his eyes giving a sign of fury. I see he noticed the mark on my cheek.

"Ne, nee-chan. Who slapped you?" Youichi stood up and cracked his fists making everyone shiver.

"Calm down!" I pulled him down to his seat then sighed in relief. Mom, Dad and Kaoru-san stared wide-eyed. Mom moved to sit beside me, dad pulled a chair in front of me then sat and Kaoru-san did the same.

"What?" They all shouted questioningly.

What a family…

"Who –" Dad started.

"Did –" Mom continued.

"This –" Kaoru-san pointed at the red mark on my cheeks.

" - To you!" Youichi finished. I shrugged as their faces went closer to mine.

"Persona did," I answered as their eyes became wider. Kaoru-san grabbed a nearby chair then carried it easily in her hands.

"His hands shall be cut off with his attitude!" She said, grabbing her car keys and marching towards the door – the chair in her hands.

"Uhh," Youichi interrupted. "Why a chair?"

"Oh," She went back to her usual state. She blinked. "I don't know,"

We all fell down anime-style and returned to our usual state immediately.

"Oh don't worry! I'll get my revenge on him soon. On the ball to be exact. So all of you don't have to worry," I assured them as the all nodded respectfully.

I left after a few minutes of comforting, heading to my room sighing. Why does it seem that something bad happens every single day? It gets on my nerves sometimes.

I turned on my laptop then went looking for someone to chat. Natsume's been off since forever. I only saw him a few times since I came to Japan.

"Shouda Sumire requested to view your webcam. Would you like to accept or cancel?" The computer declared and asked. I tilted my head for a bit.

"Why would permy want to chat?" I asked to no one as I clicked the accept button. Suddenly, a window popped up and viewed Sumire, Koko, Iinchou and Misaki-senpai pushing each other, trying to get their selves into my view.

"Mou, stop it already! I haven't seen you in almost a week and yet you're like this!" I pouted, over then eventually smiled as I saw their shocked faces.

"I told you she was on view already!" Sumire stuck her tongue out at the three. Misaki-senpai rolled her eyes then waved her hand in front of the camera, blocking the view.

"Hey! Move you hands of the camera senpai!" Koko pushed her again, making Misaki-senpai pound him in the head.

Koko dropped to the ground, moving out of view. "Itai!"

"Oh come on!" I declared as they all stopped and sat quietly. "Much better," I grinned then laughed.

"So what happened when you were there Sakura-san? Imai-san didn't send us any information she promise so we came to ask you," Yuu said. I chuckled. I'm guessing they paid Hotaru a large price and didn't get anything.

"A lot actually," I thought about the things, recalling it.

"First thing is I became a bodyguard." I started. They all stared wide-eyed and mouth wide-open.

"What happened?" Sumire jumped up and down from excitement, her hands clapping in the process.

I rolled my eyes – trying my best not to remember. "Don't want to remember."

"Oh fine!" They all said in unison. I laughed. My typical friends from France.

"Anyway, why are you guys still awake?" I asked. It was like 5 in the afternoon and it was 1 in the morning there.

"Well, Sumire here wanted to see you. Well, not like we don't want to but we'll see you in Monday's ball anyway. By the way, we're leaving tomorrow morning for Japan. Isn't that awesome? And we still haven't slept yet!" Yuu started to talk. My eyes widened and I laughed.

"T-That has g-got to be t-the l-longest spe-speech I've ever heard from Yuu!" I said while laughing. I wiped away the forming tears and held back my laughter. Well, they were staring weirdly at me.

"Sorry," I apologized looking down. They giggled.

Misaki-senpai yawned and looked at me with tired eyes. "Well, I guess were off to sleep, Mimi."

I smiled, remembering that old nickname they used to call me. They all agreed with Misaki-senpai and bid good-bye. You know, sometimes friends are like my hair. They stick through with me with everything I do. Always butting in my business without my permission. Well, at least I have friends like them.

Why did I even compare them with my hair?

After using my facebook account which was filled with hundreds of friend requests from persons I don't know, without knowing it, it was already 8 in the evening. And to think that nobody even dared to call me for dinner.

I sighed, turning off my laptop. I walked lazily to bed, desperately waiting for Monday.

I rolled over, hugging my over-stuffed pillow and thought about some things.

What if the ball wasn't moved and it stayed the same. What if I didn't tell mom that I hated Japan so much.

Without knowing, I fell into a deep sleep.

TIME SKIP

1 AM – SUNDAY

I rolled to another position, trying to get my ears covered – but the ticking just won't stop. There was too much noise. I didn't know whether it was coming from the outside or inside nor do I care about it.

Yes, I fell asleep but the noise just woke me up a minute ago.

Annoyed, I shot up and looked around to see nothing but the clock ticking. But I already confirmed that it wasn't the clock.

I stood up, alarmed but still sleepy. I didn't have full concentration and focus on this but I can sense something I know it.

I rolled my eyes then sat on my desk chair. "Just come out already, Luna." I said.

She went out of the darkness, wearing a brunette wig and brown contacts. My eyes widened.

"Am I dreaming or is that me or Luna?" I asked to her. She had a grin like joker's – creepy but simple. She laughed sarcastically then.

She took off the wig, revealing her blonde hair. "Nice that you recognized me."

"Well, duh." I slapped my cheeks and bit my lips, trying to force myself not to sleep.

"Hmph," She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I need to have a conversation with you, bitch."

"Speak for yourself. You're the bitch here. But before you say anything else, just get to the point. I'm tired because of what you did."

"Anyway, I'm not dumb or dense like your boyfriend and I know that you're a Yukihara so I'm just getting to point."

"Like I said, now spit it out already. Are you going to kill me? And he is not my boyfriend… yet."

"Well, not you exactly. You do know that my father is the leader of the best assassin group here in Japan do you?"

"No, why should I know that. I'm not a stalker or something." I spat at her then smiled sheepishly.

Her face turned red from that simple thing. "Just cut the interruptions already, you fucking bitch!"

"Alright, Alright! That's why I told you to get straight to the point,"

"You know that ball tomorrow right?"

"Yeah what about it?"

"My father asked me to kill your father,"

"What about it?"

"God! You're so annoying! I'm killing him unless you and I switch places when your father introduces you at the ball to everyone. You do know when I put on the wig, I look exactly like you right?"

"Yeah, except you had major plastic surgeries and I didn't,"

"How dare you!" She shouted and tried to slap me, but failed.

"Anyway, you have two choices. Have me be Mikan Sakura Yukihara and you become Luna Koizumi at the ball – no! I mean for the rest of your life or have your father killed and you get the throne to Sakura Corporations. What do you say, Yukihara? Yes or no? You have till afternoon to decide. I'll call you by then. And don't bother turning off your phone, it's useless. Bye," Luna rolled her eyes, and jumped off the open window with the wig in her hands.

I yawned, not having any serious expression or something. "What a bother to my plans," I said while yawning. I slumped off to bed then hugged the pillow once more.

"That's too easy. Good thing that this room has a daily recorder." Was the least thing I mumbled before I slept once again.

Morning. 8 AM

I grabbed my phone, making a phone call to the Yukihara's private police.

I just woke up two hours ago, ate breakfast, and took a bath and nothing special. I didn't panic about what Luna said to me during that time. I just have to prepare, that's all.

"Moshi, moshi," I greeted as someone picked up the phone. It was the General, as usual. He always answers the phone when I'm the one calling. We were god friends back at that time.

"General, I have a few requests to ask of you and your army." I started. I walked over to the snack bar and took a bar of chocolate with me.

"Ah, Mikan-chan! Anything for you, my student. What may that request be?"

"I need about 5 of the best students you got there to come to the ball with me. Is that okay? Oh and I need them dressed in casual. I'm taking them shopping," I asked taking a bite from the chocolate bar. I looked around to check if anyone was there and found none.

General Kaito chuckled with his deep voice. "No problem, Mikan-chan! Oh and about those boys, their awfully young – about your age so take care of them. Have them do whatever you want. I'll make them come over there in thirty minutes. Alright?"

I giggled then took another bite. I swear I'm gonna be fat and someone will be awfully mad if I got fat. "Alrighty then! Thanks so much General!"

I ended the phone call with a laugh. I frowned then went to my room to change my clothes.

I changed them to a black mini skirt that ended 3 inches above the knees. My top was a simple black and white hoodie with sleeves that reached my elbows and it fitted me perfectly. My shoes –well a pair of simple white flip flops. As for accessories, a black newsboy cap, a stylish side bag and a bracelet that Mom gave to me. My hair was tied to a high ponytail, the end of my hair ending with slight curves as it bounced up in down. And that took me 15 minutes to change.

As I went down the stairs, some maids greeted and the doorbell rang. Akira, the head butler immediately took action to open it but I interrupted him on the process.

"Don't worry, I'll get it." I said gently. I ran towards the gates and saw General Kaito himself standing behind the gates, smiling.

"Ah! Kaito-san!" I grinned, saying his name without formalities.

"Morning, Mikan-chan or should I say, Mi-chii," He grinned then laughed a bit.

"Mou, I'm not a child anymore!" I pouted, well like a child. He used that name when I was still in training and he was my teacher and that was when I was still a five year-old.

"Anyway, here's what you requested. Top five best students of Kaito Shimizu himself!" He said proudly and sarcastically as he opened the door of a limousine. I rolled my eyes then looked at who'll step out.

"Top five," He declared with a look. I giggled and watched as a young red haired boy stepped out of the car and stood beside general.

"Top five, Yamazaki Shiro." I announced, grinning. I knew all of them. Well, I sneaked into my father's office once and found the list of the top five – also known as Team A.

General looked at me stunned, so did the boy. "Eh?" General said, confused.

"Don't worry, I know them. I already did. By the way General, thanks." I smiled at him as he nodded then sighed.

"Oh well," He gave up, his excitement vanishing. "Ok, step out boys. She already knows who you are and let's see if she remembers," He challenged. Shiro rolled his yes, annoyed.

A green haired Judo prodigy stepped out. Easy. "Okimura Shuji,"

Followed by a blonde one. "Chris Anderson,"

Next, a brown haired guy. "Izanagi Kei,"

Then a yellow haired guy came out in a tuxedo. What the hell I said casual not formal. "Kawasaki Ryo,"

Finally, the top one. Well actually at the time I snuck into father's office to get something, I didn't actually saw the last page of the paper so I don't know this one.

"Wait!" I interrupted, whispering something to General.

"What?" General asked, turning to me.

"I don't know what this guy's name is." I whispered to him, blushing a bit.

General laughed then faced me. "Don't worry. You'll recognize him. You've known each other for 3 years already and you were so young at that time."

I pondered. The only person who would fit with that description would most probably be –

I immediately turned my gaze to the car. A black haired boy stepped out, my eyes widened and I felt tears building up. I took in a deep breath as the wind passed by.

"Yamamoto Shin," I said, his cold black eyes staring into mine.

Do you want Shin to be Natsume's rival?

Is the question for this chapter! Anyway, I gotta go! I'm still in the middle of exams. LOL I'm not even studying. Ja ne!