I'm sorry about the crappy updates. I have major writers block, but I'm trying to update. Once again, I'm sooo sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own GA

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I wrung my hands together nervously, as I waited for an answer. I currently stood in front of Tanaka Aya's house. The front porch creaked under my feet, and I gazed monetarily at the rose vines winding up the side of the house.

I heard clattering from the other side of the door, and was soon greeted by a small boy about 7, with brilliant red hair and dark blue eyes. His chubby face was tilted up at me, a smile and dimple present on his face.

"Who are you?" He asked, voice slightly too mature for a kid.

I smiled at him brightly, "Hi! I'm Yukihira Mikan! Nice to meet you! Is your mom home?"

His blue eyes narrowed slightly, but yelled, "Mommy! There's a Yukihira Mikan at the door!"

Then, the women I remembered from the photo rounded the corner, a small girl in her arms who reminded me of Aya, but with black hair instead. Aya eyed me curiously, and I wondered how to proceed.

Still smiling, I said, "Hi, I'm Yukihira Mikan."

Aya put the girl down, and walked closer to me, hesitant, "Tanaka Aya. How can I help you?"

Before I could think, I blurted, "Were you once married to Hyuuga Natsume?"

All of Aya's emotions snapped shut, and her eyes narrowed at me, "Why?"

What excuse did I have? "Um. . . I'm Natsume's girlfriend." It sounded like a question. Aya caught on quickly.

"Uh-huh. Yes. Pray tell me child, why do you look so young then?" Aya questioned, tone clipped.

Excuse! "I just finished pre-med. I'm 24." I prayed on my life I looked at least 19.

Aya eyed me once, and nodded stiffly, "Alright then. What can I do for you then?"

I bit my lip, "What was it like being married to Natsume?"

"Wonderful," Aya replied sarcastically, "my ex-husband was a terrible man. He gambled, smoked, and drank. I'm sure he's cleared up since then, seeing how he's a teacher, but he used to be dreadful to be around." Aya's children had long since disappeared.

I'm sure my face fell slightly before I asked, "Then why did you stay with him?"

Aya's eyes softened, "Because I loved him. Or thought I did. He had a way to play with people's emotions. He drew me in, and repealed me at the same time. I wanted him, but I also wanted to leave." Her facial features hardened once again, "But, that man will drop you once he finds someone either prettier, or more infuriating. Once you stop amusing him, he'll leave you for someone else. Like Chinese prostitutes."

Aya had finished scornfully. Deep down, I felt bad for her. "Are you sure?" I pressed.

She glared at me, "Do you mind? I hate bringing up the past, girl. You may think being Natsume's toy is a good thing, but once he's done with you, you'll want to crawl into a hole and die. Trust me, I know."

"Aya, please, tell me your not serious." I begged, not wanting to hear this again.

Aya was slowly shutting the door, "Miss. Yukihira, I'm always serious. Now, please leave, I have children to feed." The door shut, and I felt dead inside. After one visit to one ex-wife, I wanted to kill myself.

Time to visit Long.

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20 minutes later, I parked in front of a shabby looking building. The exterior looked like it was rotting and the grass was dead and yellow.

I gulped as I neared the front door to the house. The second step buckled under me, and I squeaked. Pulling myself up quickly, I went to the door, and knocked.

A man with blood shot eyes answered the door. "Who the fuck are you?"

I gave him a faint smile, "Yukihira Mikan."

He leaned closer, the smell of alcohol rolled off him. His wife beater was stained and greasy. "What do you want?"

I tried to peer around him, "Is Kato Long Er here?"

He scoffed, "Bitch went out for groceries. Be back in, five minutes." He stared at me for a moment, undressing me with his eyes.

"Oh, I guess I'll come back." I turned to leave, trying to get away from the disgusting man.

He caught my wrist, slippery fingers clasping on my wrist. I resisted the urge to vomit. "No, stay until she gets back."

I gulped, "If you insist." I jerked my hand away, and followed him into the house.

"Kenji." The man introduced, and pointed at a patched couch. "Sit." I complied, wondering why the hell I bothered to come here.

Kenji sat extremely close to me, his smell of alcohol sticking to my nose.

"Why do you want the bitch anyway?" Kenji questioned, and his arm fell over the back of the couch, hand resting on my shoulder.

"I just wanted to ask her a question." I responded, tensing when his hand lowered.

"I see." He said slowly, "she'll be back with the son any minute." Just then, the gorgeous Chinese women walked in, with a small boy oddly resembling her, bags of groceries in her arms.

"Ken, dear, can you help me?" She asked, obviously not seeing me.

Kenji scoffed, "Fuck off. I'm watching the game."

"I'll help!" I offered, quickly standing. Long gave me a surprised look from the other side of her bags.

"Okay?" I grabbed a few from her hands, and she showed me to the kitchen. The boy held onto her skirts (or mini skirt in this case) shielding himself from Kenji.

Long set the bags down on the counter, and I followed her example. Long stared at me for a extensive moment, before saying, "What do you want?"

"About your ex-husband Natsume. . .?" I trailed off, noticing the glaring on her face.

"What about him?" She asked flatly, pulling an eight pack of beer from the first bag.

"What was it like being married to him?"

"Fucking misery. My ex-husband was so drunk most of the time, he beat me merciless. I want to send that fucking bastard to hell." She caught my flinch, "You're his new concubine, aren't you?"

I nodded, biting the inside of my lip.

Long rested her elbows on the counter, "To tell you the truth, I still love that man. I guess that's why I picked Kenji. Hoping Natsume would notice and save me from this hell hole. But then again. . ." Her voice softened, "If I hadn't been with Kenji, I wouldn't have my precious Naoki."

"Hey, whore! Bring me a beer!" Kenji called from the other room. Long nodded to herself, and pulled a beer off of the plastic holder. She opened it, and smiled.

"Why do you stay with him if he treats you like crap?" I inquired.

"Reminds me of Natsume. Not so much in looks, but personality. Do you mind? I hate being asked questions by my loves new toy."

"Bitch! Are you deaf! I asked you to bring me a beer twenty seconds ago!" Kenji roared, and Long flinched.

"Coming dear!" Long shot me a nasty look, and went into the living room, Naoki clutching to her.

I followed, curiosity getting the better of me. Long handed Kenji the beer, and he took a sip. And immediately spat it out.

"Are you trying to fucking kill me?" He demanded, throwing the can away and back handing Long. Her head snapped to the side, and I gaped, unable to move.

"What's wrong?" She asked, voice brimming with tears.

Kenji spat at her, snarling, "That was the wrong fucking brand you dumb bitch." Kenji wrapped his hands around Long's upper arms, and shoved her against the wall, slamming Naoki in the process, "Get the correct brand next time you two cent slut." Tears streamed down Long's cheeks.

Kenji punched her lower abdomen, and let her sink to the ground. There, he kicked her side, and grabbed Naoki's collar.

"Stop!" The boy cried, only to be thrown across the room. I ran out of the house, dialing 9-1-1.

They answered on the first ring, "9-1-1 emergency, how can I help?"

"Please! I just witnessed a man abusing a women and their son!" I cried into the phone, stumbling into the car and locking the door.

"Calm down miss, where are they?"

I rattled off the address, and tried to take a deep breath. The police said they'd be there soon. I had to get away from there. So I drove. I drove in the general direction of Leiko's place.

My breathing strangled me, as the images of Long entered my mind. Natsume was like that at one point?

When my mind had relaxed, I was parked in front of Leiko's mansion. From what I remembered, she was single. Let's hope it stayed that way. I so do not want another run in with an ex-wife's boyfriend.

My only problem now was, how was I going to get in? Could I lie my way in? Who was I kidding, Yukihira Mikan couldn't lie herself out of a card board box.

I sat in my car, pondering possibilities, until a man in a security coat slammed his fist against the window. I jumped and gaped at the man, completely baffled. I rolled down the window, "Yes?"

"Can I help you miss?" I'd been getting that a lot lately.

I twisted a strand of chocolate brown hair around my finger, "Well, you see sir, I need to speak with Miss. Leiko—"

"Denied. Get out of here before I force you." The man said gruffly, rubbing his stubble.

"About her ex-husband Hyuuga Natsume." I finished my earlier thought drily. The man looked taken back, surprised.

"I wasn't aware the Misses had an ex-husband. . ."

"Better get your facts straight, then." I said. The man nodded thoughtfully, and considered his options.

"Alright. Ten minutes." I was positive this guy hated me, but if it concerned the 'miss' then it was okay. I slid out of the car and followed the intimidating man up the drive. He pointed to the door, and mouthed '10 minutes' to me. I nodded.

I stepped up to the door, and rang the bell. Soon, like as in just after I took my finger off the bell, the door opened, and a small, Japanese woman stood there, face stoic.

"Is Leiko there?" I asked, and the woman narrowed her eyes at me.

"Miss. Leiko is in the powder room with guests," She started to shut the door, "Come another time." I stopped the door.

"It'll only take five minutes." I pushed myself in, and the maid yelled at me.

I wasn't even sure where I was going, just hoping I'd make it to the powder room. Stairs, empty rooms, more stairs. Finally, I heard laughing voices from my left, and had found the powder room.

I burst in, panting slightly. Leiko eyed me, and so did her guests.

"Who are you?" She asked, rather rudely, and took a drag from her cigar.

"Yukihira Mikan." I introduced, "I came to inquire about your ex-husband."

Instantly, Leiko's face was a mask. Her guest gazed at her curiously, "What's wrong, Tsuki?"

"Nothing. Come, child, I'll answer your question." She put emphasis on the last word, and I knew she'd only tolerate one question.

She shut the door to the powder room, "What do you want to know about that son of a bitch?"

"What was it like being married to him?" I asked, taking a small step back.

Leiko chuckled humorlessly, "Like hell froze over." She stared at me more closely, "Ahhh, you must be his new concubine. Congrats. Anyone would love to be a mistress."

I ignored the last jib, "May I ask why?"

Leiko snorted, crossing her arms, "That bastard claimed to love me, but basically cheated on me with anyone who had breasts and breathed. He was so desperate at times, I wondered if he was necrophilia because of the smell of rot on him. Turns out he just slept with the grave keepers daughter. That man suppressed my dreams of being a star. Once we broke up, well, look where it got me. Sure, I make millions of yen, and have a fabulous life, but at what cost? I lost my husband, and now am a lonely old women."

"Your 27." I pointed out, and she glared at me.

"Listen, kid, you're what, 20?" She waited for my confirmation, "Take my advice, if you don't want to fuck up your life with his bull shit promises of love and happiness, leave him. Forget Hyuuga Natsume existed, and move on." Noticing my expression she said, "Or marry the guy. You'll be miserable for the rest of your life. His name haunts you. So be my guest. Marry him and be fucked, or dump him and be happy."

I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off, "I have guests. Good bye."

Leiko turned and slammed the door in my face.

I didn't know what to think anymore. Natsume, did you really do this to all these women?

Before I knew it, I was driving down a street in Tokyo, and a sign caught my attention. Wisteria-san's. The front window advertised fortune readings. What did I do? I pulled up in front of her building, got out of my car, and bee-lined it for her shop.

I entered, the place's weird smell hit me, but didn't stop me from searching for her.

"Can I help you?" Jeez! How many times am I going to hear that?

I twisted around, and a beautiful women with dark, mauve hair and smoky grey eyes.

"Um, yeah. I'm looking for Wisteria-san? I would like a reading." I said hesitantly, and she grinned.

"Found her. Follow me, miss." I followed Wisteria-san to the back, where she seated herself in a giant plush black chair and I took the seat opposite to her.

"Yukihira Mikan." I began, only to be interrupted by her laugh. "Did I say something. . .?"

Wisteria wiped away a fake tear, "No dear. It's just, your man Natsume-sensei was here ten minutes ago. Stormed out muttering obscenities."

My eyes widened, "I didn't think Natsume would believe in this."

Her grin grew, "He doesn't. My employee, Natsume-sensei's friend forced him to come here. He got a reading of his future, and didn't like it. Then he got called by his wives." I bit my lip. Woops.

"Sorry?"

"Not at all. Now, do you wish to hear your future?" Wisteria asked, and I nodded.

"Yes. . . I see, your visiting your sick grandmother! Oh, I'm sorry darling, she'll pass away within the next few years." My face fell, "Hmm, you'll come back to Tokyo, broken. You'll call Natsume-sensei, but have no answer. You find him at the school handing in his resignation. You'll be surprised. Natsume-sensei will bring you outside and tell you he never cheated on you and will ask you to marry him. You'll pop out a couple of kids and happily ever after." Wisteria finished.

I was majorly confused, "Then why was he upset by the future if it turns out like that?"

"Because I gave him a different reading." Wisteria told me, and I was even more confused.

"But—"

She cut me off, "You and his futures are intertwined. I gave Natsume-sensei the worst case scenario and you the best future. Fate isn't always exact. Your future isn't all laid out in front of you. There are thousands of different outcomes to this story, and I'll tell you now, both of the ones I told you and Natsume-sensei probably won't happen. Mikan, it's not fate who decides our futures, its ourselves. We, humans have the ability to change what fate has done. That's why you'll never get a correct answer from a psychic. The future is so complex, even we can't pick the right one. Anything humans do can alter their path, for better or worse."

I let Wisteria's words sink in, "So, what your saying is my future all depends on how Natsume and I act?"

She sat back in her seat, "Exactly." I let out a sigh of relief, and stood up.

"Thank you Wisteria-san!" I hugged her from across the table, and she returned the gesturer.

"We'll be great friends, Mikan." Wisteria muttered, and I couldn't help but want to agree.

So I did. "We will."

I wasn't sure what would happen in my future, but I guess that's what the fun part will be. As long as Natsume and I work together, we'll be fine. I hope.

Then a thought occurred to me, when I pulled away from Wisteria, "Wait, since Natsume left angry, something tells me you didn't tell him what you told me, right?"

Wisteria winked, tapped her nose and said, "Nope, not at all. All the more fun this way."

"All the more fun this way." I agreed, and we hugged again.

LOL! I can't believe you guys honestly thought I'd tell you the plot before it happened. I'm not like that. Give me some credit here. And oh, thanks if your still reading this even if you thought I was serious in the other chapter. So now you know why his wives called him. And you know, that Natsume AND Mikan's scenarios WILL NOT happen. Just thought I'd clear that up. . . Review!

~Emerald~