Hello everyone! I soo hate myself. I had finished this chapter yesterday (at work) and forgot to send it to my personal email. (We're not allowed to bring pen/flash drives to work) so I had to write this chapter all over again :( Also I had been to a friend's birthday party and came home a bit tipsy and slept for 15 hours then went to see a couple of movies.. haha.. so apologies for the late update.
Xoxo Lexi1989
Chapter 9: ALL APOLOGIES
NATSUME'S POV
Hotaru tossed two guns in my lap which made me jump. I looked up at her, confused. So did the rest of the extraction team when she did the same to them.
"Taser guns. It will render any opponent you face incapacitated temporarily via an electric shock. I won't let you guys go in defenseless, but unlike your fucked up grandma, I don't want to put any blood on our hands either. Besides, what did you think those holsters on your hip are for?" She asked, her voice clearly annoyed but her face as stoic as ever.
She tossed us the rest of the gear. Earpieces for communications, Kevlar vests with mini camera attached, night vision goggles. Everybit of fancy tech that you could see in action movies. We went through the plan one more time before leaving.
"Ok, so Hotaru will land in the ocean about a quarter mile away from the island and take you nearer through water. Once there, we will be your eyes and ears so listen to everything we say." Sumire started.
"Yes mother." Koko replied earning him a smack to the head.
"We already determined there are two huts there. One must be for Mikan – established by the stationary dot since we started checking the heat signatures." She pointed to the screen where a 3d model of the island was displayed. There were red dots everywhere depicting the humans. We counted 23. Exactly the correct number of guards plus Himemiya, Shiki and Mikan. Only one was rooted to the same spot. The rest were moving about the tiny island.
"You will be dropped off, here" She pointed to an opening far from the tree line at the farthest end of the island. "Any red dots come your way and we will warn you."
"There are also small vials of glass pills in your Kevlar pockets. You will see they are clear. Those are non-toxic, sleep inducers. Throw them at your enemy and in seconds, they should fall asleep for roughly half an hour. Be careful not to be too near so that you won't get affected too." Nonoko added.
"Hotaru and Anna will remain on standby in Cool Blue Sky. Natsume and Youichi, your goal is to get to Mikan as quickly as possible. Ruka, Koko and Tsubasa, you will be their back up. We will try to take out the guards and Himemiya first before getting to Shiki and Mikan. Once you have them Cool Blue Sky will be airborne and waiting for your signal. She'll drop a bit and enough for you to climb in and we'll be back here."
"Ok, let's go." Hotaru murmured quietly. I averted my eyes as Sumire came to Koko and kissed him. Yuu was also at Anna's side in a flash to give her a tight hug. Hotaru led us to board the aircraft and we all buckled in. Anna and herself were in the pilot's chairs busy with the buttons and knobs.
"Cool Blue Sky, hatch is open and you are clear for take-off." Sumire's voice cut the silence and I could feel the whirring of the engine of the craft come to life. I closed my eyes. I was never fond of flying. Especially during take-off. That sudden jolt would sometimes make me nauseated, not that I would ever puke though. I waited for a jolt that never came.
"Cool Blue Sky, you are airborne and approximately an hour to your destination." Sumire's declaration made me open my eyes.
"Activating blend sequence. Please confirm." Hotaru pressed a couple of buttons on her panel.
"Affirmative, you have vanished." Wow. It felt like something out of a movie.
"How many times have you actually done this?" Koko was quick to ask, still excited.
"This would be the first. But I am a licensed pilot and Sumire is good at technology, not that you knew that." Hotaru's face was expressionless.
With all this ongoing, I had my hands clenched together tightly. 'Just hold on Mikan.' I rest my head on my hands and I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"We're going to make it." I look up to see Hotaru's lavender eyes staring at me. It startled me because it was different. The Ice Queen looked at me with a soft expression in her eyes. And just as quickly, she had strapped herself back on her seat. The ride carried on in silence. I could feel the aircraft descending and the soft splash it made in the water.
"Get ready guys. Two guards in the treeline about 20 metres apart." Nonoko's calm voice came on the earpiece.
Hotaru maneuvered the craft silently near the sand. We descended the craft and trudged silently in the sand. Taking out the two guards was easy since they weren't expecting company. They were easily tied up with their mouths covered to avoid them from shouting out warnings to the group ahead.
"Next batch of guards is about 50 meters ahead. Roughly 15. That leaves 3 with Himemiya." I nodded to Tsubasa who lead us in the darkness of the treelines. We walked swiftly but carefully. Avoiding stepping on things that would make a sound. We could hear their soft chatter and murmurs as we drew near.
"Use about 5 pills and throw them far. Make sure everybody is down before you proceed." Hotaru warned through the comms. We each drew out a clear pill from the vials in our pockets.
"On the count of 3…" Koko whispered. "1.. 2… 3" We threw our pills and waited. I watched as a guard who had stood up and yawned suddenly fell on the sand. Before the others could realize what had happened or get to him, they all either dropped forward or backwards and lay on the sandy beach. I pointed to the two huts before me. Knowing the one on the far left is where Mikan was. Tsubasa, Ruka and Koko proceeded to the other hut and threw in 3 pills in the window. That was enough to knock out the occupants for at least a couple of hours. I kicked down the door to the other hut and burst inside followed by Youichi.
"Fuck." That one word was enough to send everyone into a frenzy.
"What's wrong?" Nonoko asked.
"Shit! Mikan's not in there!" Sumire shouted. I could hear the footsteps outside and I knew Tsubasa and the rest were running to where we are.
"Tsubasa, hold it." Hotaru's voice was calm but I could sense the stress in it.
"But Natsume an-" He was cut off by Hotaru.
"Stay put."
Youichi and I stood frozen as a guard pointed a heavy machine gun at our head. I recognized him as a personal bodyguard of was dark. My eyes swept the room and saw that Shiki wasn't here either. Where were they?
"Well, well, well, come to visit your dear little Sakura, Natsume?" I turned my head to the sound of the voice and found Himemiya stepping out from the shadows. She dragged a groaning Mikan along behind her by her hair. I could see her tied up by her hands and feet.
"MIKAN!" My eyes lit up with anger. How dare she do this to the woman I love.
"Uh-Uh-Uh." She wagged her finger at me. "Take one step more and I will blow her brains out." She parted her trenchcoat and showed me a gun clipped on a holster on her hip. She took the gun and dragged Mikan to her feet in front of her, pointing the gun to Mikan's head.
"Youichi.. your hand is near your taser gun. When the guard isn't looking, reach for it and use it on him." Hotaru gave him instructions. From the corner of my eye, I see Youichi slowly reaching for his gun. I tried distracting Himemiya for her not to notice but Mikan suddenly spoke up. Youichi and I stood frozen.
"Leave *sob* me to die *sob* Natsume. You aren't *sob* meant for me. You are *sob* meant to marry Hotaru.*sob*" My heart ached. She hasn't known the truth yet.
"I'm not marrying Hotaru, Mikan. It's you I want to marry. I love you. It's always been you." I looked at her softly, pleading with my eyes for her to believe me.
Himemiya let out a maniacal laugh, throwing her head back. "You? Marry this piece of Yukihara trash? Do not fool yourself my dear grandson. She is not meant to stain the Hyuuga name or empire. She is meant to die." She put the gun again to Mikan's left temple.
"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE HIMEMIYA! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THIS! I LOVE HER!" I will not let Mikan die. Not tonight.
"But I do, Natsume. I really do. I have the right to prepare my empire for its next heir. No Yukihara will be producing an heir for me. Not now, not ever. "
Things started to happen fast. Youichi sensing the guard was distracted, got a direct shot to the guards chest with his taser gun. He skilfully retrieved the machine gun from the gun's hands and pointed to Himemiya, ready to fire.
"Do not fire. She's using Mikan as a human shield." Sumire was the first to shout out the thoughts echoing in my head. A shot was heard and I see Youichi on the floor clutching his leg. He was shot. The comms unit was bursting with voices. I took it out of my ear. I see Himemiya with the gun pointed to Youichi and I took that chance.
I pounced and jumped on her causing her to let go of Mikan. The three of us fell to the floor along with the gun. I struggled with Himemiya but she got to the gun first. I scrambled to my feet getting in between her and Mikan. I had the Kevlar but she didn't know it. If she shot me, it would leave one hell of a bruise but I would live. She pointed the gun straight at me.
"If that's the way you wanna do it. Looks like I'll have to find a new heir then. Goodbye Natsume."
I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the impact of the bullet but found myself lying on the cool sand. Mikan had pushed me to the ground and she was left in the line of fire.
"I love you too Natsume. I'm sorry." her voice was barely a whisper.
Himemiya pulled the trigger and a gunshot was heard.
"MIKAN NO!"
MIKAN'S POV
Something was wrong. I was woken up by the sound of Shiki's cries. I opened my eyes to see him bruised and battered on the floor. Himemiya's guard was kicking him in the stomach. He looked at me. 'I'm sorry' he mouthed voicelessly. He was then carried off outside and Himemiya came in.
"You are such a troublemaker you little piece of trash." She slapped me.
"You made me go to prison. You think you can escape here alive? Well, think again." Another slap to my face.
"Do you think I am going to let my grandson marry you and let your family take over my empire when I'm gone?" Her eyes flashed and i received another blow to my face.
I felt myself being taken out of the chair and my body ached and was stiff since I was tied up for so long. Himemiya dragged me to a dark corner of the hut. My head was throbbing from all the slaps I received and my vision blurred. The tears fell on their own from my eyes due to the pain. I thought of the people I loved. Natsume, I'm sorry. I love you. If I were to die now, I just wished I could see his face one last time. But I knew I wouldn't. I dont know how long she let me lie on the sand When the door suddenly burst open and the one person I longed to see was standing there. He was there with You-chan.
"Fuck." he said. I wanted to cry out but Himemiya clamped a hand over my mouth. I saw a guard point a gun to them and I tried to shake off the tears blurring my vision and her hand off my mouth but I didn't have the strength.
"Well, well, well, come to visit your dear little Sakura, Natsume?" I groaned as Himemiya stepped out of the shadows dragging me by my disheveled hair.
"MIKAN!" He shouted. He took a step towards us.
"Uh-Uh-Uh." I heard Himemiya say. "Take one step more and I will blow her brains out." There is no way we are coming out of this alive. She drags me up by the hair and I feel something cold on my temple. It was her gun. I had to do something. He has to live.
"Leave *sob* me to die *sob* Natsume. You aren't *sob* meant for me. You are *sob* meant to marry Hotaru.*sob*" I couldn't help it. I would rather just die than have him hurt because of me. My breath and words came out in between sobs. I hung my head down. I didn't have the strength to hold it up anymore.
"I'm not marrying Hotaru, Mikan. It's you I want to marry. I love you. It's always been you." I am surprised to hear him repeat the words. That day at the recording studio. When he told me it was me that he loved. I struggle to pull up my head and look at him but I couldn't. Just then Himemiya laughed and pulled up my head along with her laughter. I looked at Natsume.
"You? Marry this piece of Yukihara trash? Do not fool yourself my dear grandson. She is not meant to stain the Hyuuga name or empire. She is meant to die." He was looking at me wild eyed and angry at his grandmother. I felt the gun again at my temple.
"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE HIMEMIYA! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THIS! I LOVE HER!" His words were enough to give me strength. I decided. He must not get hurt.
"But I do, Natsume. I really do. I have the right to prepare my empire for its next heir. No Yukihara will be producing an heir for me. Not now, not ever. "
I heard a groan and I see the guard pointing a gun at them on his knees in the sand. Youichi was now holding the gun and pointing it at Himemiya. But I was in front of her. I looked at Youichi and i willed him to feel my thoughts, how impossible it was. 'Do it. Please.' It's the only way to end this. But he shook his head. I felt the gunshot and it made my ears ring. I cry out as Youichi falls to the sand , clutching his bleeding leg. Himemiya had shot him. Then the next thing I know I am on the sand as well. Natsume and Himemiya are struggling next to me. The gun was lying on the sand a little farther away. I struggle to stand with the binds that hold my feet and hands. And then I feel strong arms around me and pull me up to my feet. It was Natsume and he was between me and Himemiya.
My eyes widened at the realization and i automatically looked at his hands. They were empty. That meant..
"If that's the way you wanna do it. Looks like I'll have to find a new heir then. Goodbye Natsume." She said, pointing the gun towards us. This is it. Anytime now, she will pull the trigger.
I pushed Natsume to the floor and close my eyes waiting for the bullet to piece through me.
"I love you too Natsume. I'm sorry." I whispered.
"MIKAN NO!"
END OF CHAPTER 9
Another cliffy.. I'm that addicted to them lol..
Anilissa – I didn't actually play in the rain but yes, you should try it at least once in your life.. it's fun. I was actually caught in a rainstorm when I was on my way home from errands LoL… And yes Shiki ain't that bad.
frozenbutterfly here's the next chappie! This story is almost to the end but I have new ones in the works :)
RavenAcA3 – Ally—chan! I know, I just wanted that chapter to be about them. How even though they are far apart they still think of each other. :) and even this chappie is about them still :D
Nikinora96 – yes, another plot twist from last chapter. Here it's another cliffhanger haha.. and yes, boys will be boys… LoL
xNatsuMikanx – Hey there my friend! Don't fret about being late in reading.. I know u r busy with work and stuff and I totally understand. :D
chewybillabong – no worries :) School is important and I encourage the rest to follow your example. Studies are definitely important. Work is too. Balance should be achieved and think of it this way: You can treat yourself to a fanfiction binge after everything is done and taken care of. Exams, deadlines, projects, you name it. :D I hope your exams went well!
I won't be shy in case any readers haven't checked out my works yet.
I have 2 more ongoing stories along with Crimson Rose.
Delicious Taboo – M Rated
The Guy Next Door – M Rated
And I have 1 completed story and 3 oneshots. (The first one is not so good though since it was my first fan fic and I didn't stray too much from the manga)
You Are Mine – Completed Rated T
You Belong With Me – Oneshot
Realize – Oneshot
I'm Sorry – Oneshot
Thank you for everyone who left a review and PM'd me. Also those who set my stories and myself as a favorite and followed. You guys inspire me to write more.. :)
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xoxo Lexi1989