CH 10: CATCHING HER FALL

She awoke to the alarm, rubbed her eyes and looked out. The view would have been perfect if not for her heavy heart. She got ready and ate her breakfast alone. She saw her friends coming in but they did not see her. She felt a pang in her heart, which was burdened with lot of pain when Natsume, Hotaru and Ruka joined them today. She ate quickly and left. She went to her room and started doing her work, which included other's work too. Since the day she kept away from her friends, which was 3 days ago, the fan club had asked her to do a lot of help, which she accepted since she wanted to keep her mind busy, even if it meant that she would have to work the whole day and night. She wanted to be back with them, she enjoyed her days then, but Luna's words rang in her head, 'Sooner or later you will be responsible for their, especially Natsume's and Hotaru's downfall'. She did not want that to happen.

She was relieved to see Natsume healthy again, at least no more trouble for him because of her. She was happy to see Hotaru having company. She was happy to see all their friends talking together. She was happy for them. Maybe she was just a burden till now. Her being absent should not make any difference.

On the other hand, the group was there to discuss what to do. Natsume had just come today, and Hotaru was free today. So they sat together. The others were happily stunned to find that Mikan and Natsume loved each other (Natsume turned his face away in fake disgust when Hotaru mentioned it), and felt sad about what Luna did to her.

Ruka- "That's it. So what should we do now?"

Anna- "Let's tell her that it is not true. We like her, don't we."

Koko- "Nah, one exception. Natsume here loves her." Natsume stared at him fiercely.

Yuu- "Stop it Koko. Let's go then."

Hotaru- "Idiots. You think I've been resting? Or do you think you can do better than me?" She asked in a most dangerous voice.

Nonoko- "Then what should we do?"

Yuu- "First we have to get her with us. Only then we can convince her somehow."

Hotaru smirked and looked at Natsume with evil eyes. Natsume sweat dropped.

Natsume- "What are you staring at?"

Hotaru just looked at him with meaningful eyes. Natsume caught the meaning. He shook his head.

Natsume- "No way. Don't ask me to. You are crazy."

Hotaru- "So are you. So it is fixed then. Enjoy and take all the time you want. But every day from tomorrow, pay me 1000 rabbits as late rent."

Natsume- "Tch. No way. You are cent percent mad."

Koko- "Um excuse me. What are you talking about?"

Hotaru- "It's decided Koko. We will leave it to Natsume to bring her with us. Let's think of later things later."

Everyone looked between the two deadly staring at each other. Then Natsume abruptly got up knocking his chair down and left. Hotaru smiled. The others just sweat dropped, but agreed with her.

Mikan's neck was crammed with pain. As it was a holiday, she spent the whole day at her small desk on her hard uncomfortable chair doing work. She just completed. The whole body was stiff and her butt pained. She decided to go out a bit, but not near the Sakura tree. She locked her room and walked out. She just came out of the building when Hotaru came to her,

"Oi idiot! Give this nasty thing to Hyyuga. And don't you dare say no." And she left immediately.

Mikan just stared at her all the while wishing to hug her. She looked at the parcel. It was small and packed. She did not want to see Natsume now, but denying her best friend was not good. She went climbed upstairs. As she came near the door, she trembled, and knocked softly. No answer. She knocked again. No answer. She waited for a while and knocked again. Still no answer. It was cold outside and she was stiff with cold just standing there. She turned his room's door. It opened. She peeked inside. No one. She thought she would just keep it inside and go away. She went inside the very home-big very beautiful elegant room. She put the parcel on the couch and turned to leave.

Meanwhile Natsume has just finished bathing. He was thinking of how to say it to Mikan. He came out, put on his dress, applied his deo, and heard a knock. He just went out of his bedroom to open the door, when he saw Mikan in his room placing something on the couch. How did she come here? What is she giving? Then Mikan started leaving. He felt a sense of urgency to stop her and hug her like crazy. She looked beautiful like always.

"What are you doing here polka?"

Mikan froze in her steps with her back to him. "Hotaru told me to give you this parcel that's all. I am sorry to enter your room without permission."

Imai, you are too fast. "Well apologize properly." He said leaning sideways on the wall.

"Well I am sorry Hyyuga."

What the hell! Hyyuga? "That's not the way. Turn around and look at me."

She timidly turned around still looking down.

"I said look at me"

She looked at him. Her eyes were full of fear. Fear of doing bad things. But everything melted instantly when her brown eyes met the soft and fierce crimson ones. There was something in them that she was unable to look away, however much she wanted to. He looked captivating with unbuttoned shirt showing his well built chest and wet hair which looked good.

"Very good. Now come here."

She walked towards him leaning on the wall. She stopped some 5 steps away from him.

"Now why are you apologising?"

"Um I came into your room without your permission."

"And why did you?"

"Well Hotaru asked me..."

"Not that idiot. Why did you come inside like that?"

"I just wanted to keep this and leave."

"You could have kept it outside."

"Hotaru gave it."

"So?"

"So I cannot leave it unattended."

"So you could have waited."

"Well you did not open it for long Hyyuga, and it was cold outside."

"What's with this Hyyuga thing? You were allowed to call me by my name. You even used to do it."

"I don't want to bother you anymore. I am sorry. I'll leave."

"Wait Mikan..."

Mikan had turned away, but stopped when he called her Mikan. It was a first time. And hearing her name from his husky voice was really... well she could not name that feeling. She suddenly felt some movement and before she knew, her room keys were in his hands. He was still leaning on the wall, now on one leg, other folded back to rest on the wall. He looked at her keys.

"Please give me my keys. I need to go to my room."

"You are staying here tonight."

Mikan was shocked in fear. She did not expect that. She walked towards him, not just two feet distance away from him.

"Give them please. Let me leave. I should not stay here."

"And why not?" He asked in a mocking tone, still watching the keys in his hands.

"I am not of this room. I have my own room. And I am not staying on someone else's room."

"Come and take it then."

She stepped forward but he immediately snatched back his hand. She tried to catch his hand with hers. First on the right and then on the left, all the while unknowingly moving close. Natsume was taller than her, he held his hand high. Mikan looked at him about to say something. It was then she realized that they were almost close, she could even feel his breath and smell him. He smelt so fresh, felt so warm, looked so sexy, that she was intoxicated. Her eyes were locked in his. She looked and looked and just looked, and suddenly realized what she was doing. She was doing all wrong, she was not meant for this. She backed away, to be just pulled by Natsume's other hand. He held her waist, pulled her close, turned around, and put his hands on both her sides, so that in a moment she was the one on the wall, and he was standing locking her with his body close to hers. Her heart started beating very fast that even he could hear it. He smirked,

"So you won't stay in a guy's room even if you loved him." His tone was seductive, his mouth near hers, and eyes still fixed.

Mikan gulped. She was getting nowhere. She put together her remaining consciousness to reply,

"I don't love you. You got it all wrong. Why would I do that. Let me go."

"You tell me Mikan, why won't you?"

Her heart started beating two folds. His voice, his smell, his eyes, his body, his looks, his expression, his heart, his everything pulled her. She tried to control herself. She looked down and whispered in a very low voice,

"I don't love you." She said nodding her head sideways a little.

He was out of control now. She smelled great, felt great, and looked so tempting that he could not stop himself anymore. He lifted her chin up with one finger, locked eyes with her,

"Let's see if I can change that..."

And he kissed her. An electric surge passed through both the bodies. Mikan heart now had no control, it was beating crazy. Natsume heartbeat became fast too as he rubbed his lips with hers, kissed her and kissed her. He tried to be gentle. Mikan was not responding. She had very little consciousness left which told her that everything was going wrong, that she should not give in, that Natsume was better without her. But the kiss was like 'Oh my god'. Natsume wanted more and more of her. He pressed his body against her body, letting it touch every nook and cranny of her body. The move sent a jolt through Mikan, she forgot everything. She gave in. She kissed him back. That was move enough for Natsume. He lost his mind. He became rough, one hand on her waist pulling her closest, one at the back of her head, pushing her closest. He did not even let her move her head, kissing her like crazy. He licked her and kissed her throat. Mikan could not hold her moan with pleasure. He took the chance and put his tongue inside her mouth. The tongue went deep inside, sucking her, exploring her, tasting her, and he felt crackers burst inside him. Mikan had no more thoughts, only ultimate desire, like she could not live any longer without the kiss. His tongue moving inside touching every part was making her feel dizzy, and she could not hold any longer. Her legs gave away but Natsume held her up now, now both hands holding her back. He separated after a long time, after some 5 minutes, still holding her, and panting for breath.

"Wow" was the only word he could say.

Mikan was panting hard. She never felt this way before. Her lower body was throbbing. She felt his member down become hard as he kissed. She had her hands on his shoulders tightly for support. She looked at him, first so attracted, but then her face changed to fear. What have I done? What have I done? Oh no. I need to get out of here. Go Mikan. Run. But being weak and held by strong arms helped not. Natsume leaned his head to her ears to whisper seductively,

"Now what Mikan? Now do you love me?"

...

He kissed her ear, in fact nibbled it. It made her shiver. An unexpected moan passed from her.

"I cannot. I should not."

"I know you do. You were the first to confess it 3 days back. And I don't know what you feel now, but I am not letting you go. You are stuck with me. I love you."

Tears filled her eyes as she heard it. He loved her. Natsume loved Mikan. She pushed him away. Natsume moved back enough to look at her face. Mikan was torn between decisions, torn between her desire and Luna's warning. She wanted to say everything to him, that he should not be with a meagre like her, that she was not worth it, that he will only face troubles with her, but her voice was lost.

"Mikan, you are not unlucky. And I don't care what trouble we have to go through, let's go through it together. I want you to be with me, unless you have a better reason than one given by that stupid Koizumi."

"I... am not worth you. I don't deserve you. I am not good at anything." She said looking down.

"Mikan you are beautiful, you are optimistic, you are cheerful and cheering, you make things exciting, and it is you that has filled my life with joy and reason to live. I don't want anything else. Just say it Mikan. Say that you love me, and I will never leave your side, as much as I know you will never leave mine."

"Natsume, I... I Lo... I love you. I never wanted to leave you. I love you." And she put her head on this chest, hugging him tight. Natsume felt a burst of joy. He hugged her back and lifted her bridal style to take her to the bedroom to his bed. Mikan blushed. They both lay there, hugging each other tight, with Natsume giving occasional kisses all over her face and neck. They slept that way, both with a smile on their faces.