Chapter 11:
I pulled up to Aoi's mansion and got out. Youichi and Ichigo followed suit, finding their places behind me as they admired the beauty of the house. Together, we trudged up the fearful flight of stairs and reached the door.
I opened without knocking as this was like my second home. "I'm back!" I called out into the silent house.
"Where are we?" Ichigo asked, glancing around at the elegant architect and statues.
"It's Mina's house, isn't it?" Youichi asked as he followed me.
"You're right but her name isn't Mina; it's Aoi." I opened the door to reveal the siblings sitting on the couch, looking serious.
I raised my brow in urgent curiosity. "Why so tense?"
Aoi smiled. "Welcome back."
Natsume continued glaring harshly, sitting back and crossing his arms loosely. He gave no sign of acknowledgment nor did he bother to fix his attitude.
"Guess whose back?" Ichigo called, walking through the doorway with her arms outspread.
Aoi immediately stood up and hugged Ichigo who tightly embraced the girl in her comforting arms. They pulled apart and shared a glance, a low murmur, and then they turned to me with contained grins.
"What?" I asked suspiciously.
"It's your birthday in two weeks," Ichigo started, slowly creeping towards me.
I shrugged and collapsed beside Mr. Grumpy. "Yeah, so?"
"Shopping!" she squealed giddily, clapping her hands and turning to Aoi with an excited gleam in her emerald eyes.
I shook my head in disbelief. "Two weeks; you have two weeks and you want to shop now because…?"
Ichigo rolled her eyes as if I were being idiotic. "It's your birthday and you're finally turning seventeen."
"Not," I said repetitively, "for another two weeks."
"Stop being a party-pooper and come with us," Ichigo declared firmly. "I'll bring Kaori and the others also."
"Kaori?" I repeated, trying to recall where I had heard that name.
Ichigo merely waved off the trivial topic. "My sister; I'm inviting her friends along too."
I could feel the deal closing so I quickly set in my final card. "I have school tomorrow so-"
"Nope, school can wait." She held up her frail hand and smiled cheerfully. "But shopping can't."
I groaned and pushed off the couch, directing her down the hall. "You need to rest; I promise we'll go shopping tomorrow."
Youichi grabbed my shoulder as I passed by, looking from me to the brooding boy on the couch. I shook my head, signaling that I would introduce them at a better time.
"Now," I said, placing my hands on my hips. "Let's go home…unless you want to stay with Aoi for the night…?"
"No, I'd like to see my family again so could-"
"No," I interrupted. "You're coming to Kazu's; no place else guarantees your safety."
Ichigo looked at me for a long time, her green eyes analyzing my face. "I will never understand how someone so much younger than me could be so much smarter," she finally murmured in envy.
I smiled apologetically and hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, "Be glad; you and I both know the circumstances that made me this way. No one should go through something like that at such an age."
Ichigo hugged me tighter, burrowing her face in my neck. I did the same, relishing the comforting feel of her blond, silky locks against my cheek.
Ichigo pulled away and immediately returned to business. "Youichi, come drop me off. Mikan, can we take your car?"
"Sure; it's in-"
She didn't even wait for a reply, opting to stride out of the room before I could even finish my sentence.
Youichi rolled his eyes and hugged me tightly. "We'll need to talk later," he whispered softly in my ear.
I nodded, feeling the constricting chains tighten around my chest.
He subtly pecked me on the cheek and ruffled my hair. "Love you."
I smiled tenderly. "Love you too."
He walked backwards out the door, watching me watch him. We both had a tendency to hate saying 'goodbye'. Being a spy, we had lost track of those we had never seen again after uttering a farewell bidding…to even think of losing my brother was unbearable; so I made every moment with him count and he did the same.
I turned to Natsume, sheepishly scratching my head. "Thanks for the car…hope you don't mind Youichi using it…"
He continued glaring at me, his eyes only becoming colder.
"Natsume," I called, fidgeting with my clasped hands as I reluctantly asked, "Can you drop me off at my house?"
His crimson eyes narrowed more but he got up, albeit not without a few choice words to show his discontent.
I followed him to his car after hugging Aoi goodbye. After he pulled onto the main road I started to think.
"Are you okay?" I started.
Natsume growled, not even bothering to reply.
I looked out the window. "What happened while I was gone?"
He remained silent.
"Natsume," I said harder, turning my interrogating gaze towards him. "What happened while I was gone?"
"Tch," he scoffed, harshly glaring at the road and pressing the gas down.
I was unfazed as we far exceeded the speed limit. However, when he began to involuntarily slam my head on the window every turn, I almost snapped.
"Natsume Hyuuga," I yelled, "calm down and stop driving like we're being chased!"
Natsume looked at me for the first time upon entering the car. He seemed surprised that I was there. Then, he turned back to the road, slowed down so that we were abiding the speed limit and quietly bowed his head. The remainder of the car ride was silent.
After a short time, we pulled into my drive way. I got out of the car and quickly walked to the door, deciding Natsume needed some space. When I opened the door I was tackled by Anna, Misaki, Sumire and Nonoko.
I fell onto the porch and stared incredulously as they squirmed in delight, all vying for my attention by yelling over one another. Anna's blue eyes shined brightly and Sumire's hair seemed to be permed to perfection.
"Will you four get off me and tell me what's going on?" I asked dubiously.
They all got off and recomposed themselves.
I waited for them to coherently tell me what was happening. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Natsume lazily striding to catch up to me.
"Guess whose back?" Misaki said, barely containing her happiness as she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside
"I don't know; who?"
Then, I saw a familiar figure creep out from the shadows. My amber eyes widened as everyone stepped away, allowing us to have space. It was the same black hair that now fell over his forehead and the identical dark blue eyes that beamed with joy and excitement.
"Rei!" I yelled, practically jumping into his expecting arms.
"Mikan," he tenderly replied. "How have you been? How are Aunt and Uncle?"
I pulled back slightly, keeping my arms loosely tied around his waist. "They're good - just in the hospital for a couple of days. How long do you plan on staying in Tokyo?"
He frowned and tightened his hold around my waist. "Only for today."
"Rei," I said, pouting out my lip and staring up at him with doleful eyes. "You have to stay longer."
He laughed and led me by the hand to sit around the table with everyone. As we passed Natsume, I noticed his tense posture and harsh glare. He was even more pissed – at that moment it was the most angered I had yet to see him.
He muttered, barely inaudibly, "That damn bastard."
I cast him a befuddled look but continued following Rei. We sat down on a love seat and yet Natsume tried to squeeze in beside me despite the several other available seats. I furrowed my brows at him but he ignored me and continued staring straight ahead.
"Mikan," my uncle said, a smirk plastered on his face.
I skeptically looked at him through narrowed eyes. "Yes?"
He leaned forward and placed his face in his palm. "I want you and Hyugga to have a kid."
I felt my jaw drop open as I stared at him in complete and utter shock. Hyuuga froze, his eyes wide and disbelieving. Slowly, I registered everything; Hyuuga and I having a kid…
I slammed my fist and stood up in outrage. "You want me to what? You want your only niece to have a kid so young and with someone she doesn't love? I can't believe you I can-" I began to hyperventilate just imagining this scenario.
My breaths became erratic and my lungs seemed to be incapable of breathing. "Hyuuga…and I," I wheezed between gasps. "Having a kid? A kid? My God…A kid?"
Maids instantly rushed to my aid, frantically trying to help me.
"Mikan-sama, are you okay?" asked another.
"Mikan-sama, do you want water?" one asked
I eagerly accepted the water and regulated my breathing, realizing that I had taken hold of both Natsume and Rei's hands. I pulled mine out of Hyuuga's, beyond confused as he looked at me with a blank stare.
Why wasn't he outraged? Why was he so calm? What the hell was his problem? Did he not care about having a kid with me? My mind became so hazy and overbearing that I could almost feel tears. I'd have to lose my virginity to this boy?
"I'm fine," I curtly said.
Kazu clasped my hand tenderly and forced me to look at him. "Allow me to elaborate before you jump to conclusions."
I took a deep breath. He was right; I was jumping to insane conclusions. I was his sole niece – practically his child. There was no way that he'd ask such a thing of me…especially because he wouldn't want me to do that as well.
"Okay," I said, "I'm listening."
Kazu cleared his throat and started, "Your father and his company have decided that the amounts of agents we have are not sufficient. At the rate we have been recruiting people over the last few years, we won't have any agents by the end of ten years."
I nodded, slowly seeing where the entire 'child thing' was coming from. "And you can't just hire more agents; they need to be scrutinized and labeled as loyal."
Kazu's eyes grew hard. "Your father and I can't stand thinking about you having a child – especially with someone who you don't love, yet. However, we have been watching you two and we've come to an agreement that everything will work out."
I narrowed my eyes in confusion. "What will work out?"
My uncle merely smirked.
I remained quiet pondering on what was going on. He still hadn't gotten to the 'child thing' yet. There were myriads of questions screaming in my head but I kept my lips sealed, waiting expectantly for him to continue.
"Mikan," Kazu finally said, watching me seriously. "Basically, we need new recruits for our agency. All of you," he said, indicating everyone in the room, "have been paired up with the opposite gender. We've done this pairing based off records and observations so not to worry, everyone has an appropriate partner – even if you don't think you do." Kazu gave me a pointed glance.
I shrugged him off and glanced at Hyuuga from the corner of my eye. He seemed to be digesting this all too well. His mesmerizing eyes lazily watched my uncle as he leaned on the palm of his hand. I softly scoffed and looked back at my uncle.
"We do expect you to eventually have a child and help us with the agency," Kazu said, weighing my reaction.
I looked out the window, refusing to accept any of this. Rei's hand clasped mine tightly, almost warning me to stop acting so childishly. This wasn't just a mission; it was a life altering favor. I hadn't even thought of having a child; I wasn't even seventeen yet.
Kazu held up a paper. "This is your marriage certificate, Mikan. You and Hyuuga are now Natsume and Mikan Sakura. You will go to an adoption center within the hour and adopt a child at the age of nine months." I opened my mouth to protest but Kazu shushed me with his hand. "The meeting is set; all that you have to do is act in love, mature and motherly."
"In love?" I squeaked, dreading the thought of hanging off Natsume's arms with love-struck eyes.
"Yes," Kazu replied, his eyes firm and final. "In love. Couples are always happy and love-struck so you need-"
"Not always," I grumbled under my breath. "That's why there are divorces."
Kazu narrowed his eyes and stood up, obviously losing his patience with me. "This is a mission, Agent Yukihara."
I flinched at his formal and harsh tone. It was always work before family and emotions in the spy business. Kazu was reminding me this with a single sentence.
I stood, my face stoic and 'prepared'. "Yes, General."
Kazu's eyes flickered in remorse. "Get going."
I nodded and walked back to my room to get changed, choosing something that made me appear older. With a few touches of makeup, deepening the color below my cheek bones and arching my eyebrows more, and a wave of my curler, I appeared as though I were a twenty-year old woman.
Nodding in satisfaction, I exited my room and found Hyuuga in the living room. He appeared older as well, having highlighted his sharp features with shadows of makeup. He didn't say a word as he presented his hand which I took.
He led me to the car, opening the door and closing it shut behind me. I was surprised by his adoring demeanor. With that thought in my mind, I too fell into character. When he slid into the car I brushed his forearm and smiled tenderly when he glanced at me in shock.
Natsume shifted his gaze to watching the road. "This isn't what you want," he stated simply.
I peered at him from the corner of my eyes. "Maybe not; but it's a missions."
Hyuuga stared at me, narrowing his eyes in speculation.
"Sir and General's words are absolute."
"They're your family," Hyuuga muttered, seeming somewhat disbelieving. "Call them Uncle and Father.
I glanced at him, not comprehending his sudden need for me to call Sir, my Father or General, Uncle. "In my house, there are ten people – not five."
Natsume eyed me curiously, knowing I only had my parents, Kazu and Youichi.
"There's me – Mikan – then there's Agent Yukihara. There's Youichi, then there's Agent Hijiri. There's Mom and Dad and then there's Sir and 'Mam. There's also Kazu and General."
The rest of the car ride was silent.
We got to the adoption center which was a brick building with vines scaling its side. Hyuuga opened the door for me and we walked into the building emitting a giddy feel with me having a goofy grin on my face as we squeezed one another's hand.
When we opened the door, we saw little kids running around and laughing. A true smile spread across my face as I watched them interact innocently.
We entered another room off to the right to see a middle-aged woman who could have been no more than thirty-five with blonde hair and wise, green eyes.
She stood up to greet us but stopped in her tracks. "You two appear young…" she sifted through the papers before her and nodded, releasing an understanding sigh. "That's because you are. Are you sure you're ready to adopt at the age of twenty?"
I nodded, my eyes shining in determination. "It's always been our dream to have a child, but I've been diagnosed as…" my voice tampered off and I held my hand over my mouth, feigning heart-wrenching depression.
Natsume rubbed soothing circles on my bicep, cooing soft words to ward off the sorrow.
The woman stood. "You're…infertile?" she uttered gingerly, as if afraid to break me.
I meekly nodded, taking a deep breath and removing my hand, presenting a tight smile. "I apologize…"
Natsume hugged me tightly to his sound and flashed the lady a hint of an apologetic smile. "We discovered recently and are still attempting to wrap our minds around it."
I nodded and sat down in one of the two chairs. "But just the thought of adopting a child makes the pain go entirely away." I looked up at Natsume with shining eyes. "It's better this way, actually. Why conceive a child when there are millions without a home?"
Natsume nodded and sat in the chair beside me. The woman's eyes glowed softly as she retook her seat and double checked our documents.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sakura, it says here you two are currently upholding stable jobs." She eyed us with acceptation. "To be a lawyer and a doctor at such an age is amazing – unheard of if I may say so myself."
"We both excelled in high school, graduating at the age of sixteen," Natsume said. "Then in college we found our drive and passed all necessary courses within two years. We decided we'd work ourselves so that we'd be dependent by the age of twenty." He grinned bashfully. "Look where we are now; adopting a child and upholding jobs magnificently."
I laughed lightly, beaming at the 'past' we had mulled through and where we were now.
The woman smiled brightly. "Truly unheard of," she muttered. "I'm Renee by the way. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to first see how you and the child interact, okay?"
We both nodded exuberantly.
"Bring in the kid," she ordered to the woman standing at the door.
The kid? My brow twitched at her use of words. Did he not have a name? Or were these people too lazy to name him? Hyuuga squeezed my hand, warning me to keep my façade in place.
The lady returned and placed a bundle in my arms. His eyes were a dazzling hazel and his few locks of silk hair were a golden blonde. I stared at him for a moment and he stared right back. I couldn't help but find this child to be a miracle. He slowly smiled and began to prattle softly, waving his arms and legs in joy. I realized a wide smile had overtaken my face and that I couldn't wipe it off.
I looked up at Natsume who seemed mesmerized by the child's joyous antics. Our gazes connected and he smiled for the first time I had ever seen. His face glowed as the child caught his pinky and began to suck on it with his five teeth – three on the top and two on the bottom.
Natsume's finger seemed to pacify him as his eyes slowly blinked. He looked from me to Natsume and me again. His cheeks were chubby – as per usual for an infant – and his stomach and thighs were bulging.
"He hasn't started crawling yet," I remarked in a soft, tender voice.
I knew that an infant lost all his baby fat as soon as he started to exert himself by crawling, cruising and walking. Even so, I didn't mind the fat; I loved every inch of this baby.
"What's his name?" Natsume asked.
"He doesn't have a name so you two can name him," the lady said. "However, I will warn you: he is a fussy child that is always seeking for something to mess up."
I looked down at the child again, my eyes scrutinizing his passive, cherubic face. He didn't seem loud or annoying to me. In fact, he seemed to have an intelligent – albeit mischievous – glint in his eyes.
"What's his background?" I asked curiously.
Renee took out a few papers and scanned the words, offhandedly reading aloud, "He was left at the hospital…the mother was able to flee immediately after birth and when the police looked for her name through all the databases they found that she had used an alias and that she had disguised herself so that they wouldn't be able to find her…they brought him here after a few weeks – he had jaundice – and we've been taking care of him since."
Quite the story this child had. He seemed to have it tough from the start. Now, here we were, about to bring him into a dangerous, unwelcoming world…My heart almost broke. How could I be so cruel?
"Sir and General's words are absolute."
I almost shook my head in disgust with myself and Sir. How? That's all I wanted to know: how?
"How long will we have to wait until we can formally adopt him?" Natsume asked, playing with the child's hands.
Renee leaned onto her knuckles and watched us play with the child. "Well, since the mother clearly did not want to keep this baby from the start, the court has already terminated all original rights from the mother and father. This makes things a lot easier."
We eagerly listened, nodding along at the perfect moments.
"Normally we would have you come here a few more times to visit the child and see how everything is coming along. In this case, you wouldn't be able to bring the child home until six months and we wouldn't be able to formally hand him over until a year."
I glanced at Natsume in a panic, knowing how my father needed us to have the child right away. He cast me a 'calm-down' look and we looked back at Renee.
"However," she said, a smile gracing her lips. "I can tell that you two are perfect. This child has never reacted so well with any potential parents and that says a lot about the two of you and you're relationship with him." Renee leaned back and eyed us carefully. "Besides, I've gotten a letter from the government to allow you to take him home upon the first visit."
I almost rolled my eyes, chiding myself for ever thinking Sir would allow such a nuisance to happen. Of course he'd pull out the government card. Instead of reacting as such, however, I furrowed my brows in confusion, glancing at Natsume to 'see if he had any idea what this was about'. He shrugged.
"Why would the government do that?" I asked innocently.
Renee stared at us for a minute and then sighed. "I'm not sure; maybe because of your amazing feats and apparent talent. Even so, I feel comfortable sending him home with you." She passed us an envelope. "Here are the papers and such that you must fill out to seal the adoption. Bring it back whenever and we'll sign the kid over to you."
Natsume took the envelope and stood up, helping me up as I continued cooing to the boy.
"Thank you," we said in unison, our eyes gleaming in excitement and happiness.
Renee smiled and waved. "Also, his birth certificate is in there. The mother never signed it or anything so, sign your names and the child's name and bring it to the indicated hospital."
We nodded and left the building. Hyuuga was quiet as we got into the car. I continued watching the boy watch me in amusement. This was now my child – mine and Natsume's.
"What's his name going to be?" Natsume asked, not taking his eyes off the road and driving carefully.
I pondered on his question for a long time, propping the child on my knees as he stood and began to sway as he tried to stand on his own. His hazel eyes shone in determination and his golden mane glowed in the sunlight. He appeared to be a gift from Heaven.
"How about Haru?" I replied.
Natsume thought about it for a minute. "As in spring."
I nodded. "His hair reminds me of the sun on a spring morning and his hazel eyes make me think of nature thriving from the dirt."
Natsume smiled softly – the second time I'd ever seen such a beautiful thing – and rubbed the child's head. "Haru."
I brought my face close to Haru's and began to coo excitedly to him. "Haru's a good boy! He loves the spring; Haru is our good boy."
Natsume rolled his eyes and pulled into my drive way, helping me and Haru out. "You'll take care of him right?"
I looked at him, trying to gauge whether he was serious or not. "I'll do my part and you do yours."
"What's my part?" he asked, already turning sour.
"Being a father," I said, stopping in my tracks and staring into his crimson eyes. "Natsume, this is our child. He needs our help to eat, go to the bathroom, change, speak, walk, crawl, learn, go to the bathroom, everything. He needs us."
Natsume shoved his hands in his pockets and watched our child. He began to bite on the inside of his mouth, an anxious gesture I had never seen.
"You're his father," I said softly, putting Haru in his arms.
He awkwardly held the boy, watching him as he squirmed in his hold. When Haru found Natsume's pinky, he was pacified again, seeming fascinated with the width of the finger.
Natsume chuckled softly. "Our child, huh?"
I smiled and walked past them. "So you can change the diaper and bathe him."
"What?" he hissed lowly, storming behind me. "Why me?"
I scoffed. "Because I'll do the rest: feeding, sleeping, shopping, etc."
We walked into the house. I bashfully walked into the living room where everyone was and Natsume trailed behind me, his ears growing red in anger.
"We are taking turns – with everything."
I turned around and took Haru from Natsume, laughing at his irk. "Don't worry Natsume, I was only kidding."
I set Haru on my hip and turned towards the probing eyes. Natsume stood by my side, watching as Haru gleefully waved his hands at everyone, loving the attention.
"Yeah," I said in my baby voice, "wave 'hi' to everyone. They're you're family from now on."
"You got the kid," Kazu said, sounding pleased.
"The kid?" Natsume said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
I glared at my uncle. "He has a name, you know?"
Everyone eyed Natsume and I as if we were crazy, watching as we slowly reverted back into the mushy parents that we seemed to be around Haru.
"Sorry, Mikan," Kazu apologized. "Would you mind telling us his name?"
I lightly bounced him on my hip, smiling brightly as he laughed. "His name's Haru."
Hotaru got out her camera and took a bunch of pictures. I knew she'd use them to blackmail me and Natsume later. I looked up at him by my side and we smiled at one another, having thought the same thing.
"What do you plan on doing with Haru?" Misaki asked. "I mean, are you going to train him?"
I stopped bouncing Haru and stared down at him, not daring to look at my uncle. He remained quiet, however.
"Answer the question, Kazu. What do you plan on doing with him?" I firmly demanded.
He sighed. "Yes, I am going to train him. He's going to become a spy; like I have said before, we need new recruits."
Haru didn't deserve that – he deserved to be normal and happy. But I knew it wasn't Kazu speaking, but General. There would be no objections.
Kazu stood and took Haru from me, acting like the uncle I knew and loved. He lifted Haru above his head and prattled along with him, beaming happily.
Rei came up beside Kazu and playfully poked his chubby cheeks and swinging his legs. The sight of Rei was priceless; I couldn't keep the smile off my face. Natsume, however, shifted uncomfortable, obviously not liking how Rei was touching Haru.
"You're parents called, by the way," Kazu said, handing Haru to Natsume. "They had something they wanted to tell you."
"Mom and Dad called? What did they want to talk to me about?" I asked.
"It's best to hear it from them."
I gave him a concerned glance but still took out my phone and dialed the hospital number.
"Hello. Central Tokyo Hospital; what can I do for you?" asked a familiar yet unknown voice. I tried to pinpoint the voice to where I had heard it before but couldn't, due to the noise in the background.
"Yes, hi. Can I speak to Mr. and Mrs. Sakura please?" I asked.
There was a brief pause before she said anything. All I could hear was her deep breaths and I knew I had met her previously, I just didn't know where.
"I'm their daughter, Mikan Sakura."
She remained silent for a long time. I could only hear her breathing erratically on the other end.
"Yes, of course," she finally said, barely above a whisper. "I'll put your call through to their room.
I raised my hand to rub my temple as I tried to remember where I had heard her voice before. It was strangely familiar, almost nostalgic.
Natsume watched me, lifting a subtle brow as if to ask what was wrong. I lightly shook my head, dropping my hand and momentarily giving up on placing her voice.
"Hello?"
I smiled, snapping out of my thoughts. "Hey, Mom. It's Mikan." It sounded like she was doing much better and I was glad.
"Oh, Mikan. Guess what?" Before I could so much as reply she happily said, "You're birthday's going to be huge. I have everything planned out. It's going to be a masquerade ball!"
"What?" I squawked, not believing my ears. "Hell no, Mom! I just want a regular party."
"No ball?" she asked, her enthusiasm deflating.
I shook my head in exasperation. "No; a DJ, food and a simple theme is all I need."
Mom was quiet, obviously disappointed. I waited for her to chirp an 'okay' but it never came. She was really disappointed.
I sighed. "Can you plan it for me?"
Mom took a sharp intake of breath. "Really?"
"Yeah," I said, closing my eyes and hoping I wouldn't regret this. "Just nothing too eccentric, okay?"
"Okay, Miki! Bye."
I stared at the phone, watching as the 'Call Ended' sign blinked across my screen. I tenderly smiled, thinking of how much I loved Mom.
