Read, Enjoy and Review! I hope you don't mind my writing styles had changed. Thanks to those who had reviewed last chapter! Love you readers and buddies!! AND DON'T KILL TAKASHI! PWEAS! T—T
This chapter is dedicated to buddy cute18386 for making me her editor to write her story (My little secret) together with her cute plots. Thank you, Helen-nee. This chapter is for you!
I'm trying to write a POV chapter. This chapter is an experiment though, but I will not rewrite this chapter. I shall leave it as it is.
Natsume X Mikan
MY FOE IS MY FIANCÉ?!
Chapter 13 So near yet so far
Written by Sarah Patrick
Takashi's POV
The dawn cracked, little streams of sunlight shone through the sky. One of the many rivulets poured down on a face, owned by a sleeping beauty. Her face glowed under the beam. I never knew that someone could be that beautiful. Not that I had never seen girls or having girlfriends before, but this girl was different. Amongst all girls I've met, none of them were as stunning as Sakura Mikan.
I felt like a stalker to enter her room without her permission so early in the morning. I knelt before her bed, beside the princess whom that stupid Hyuuga Master Natsume loved so much. How little he was informed on the rules and regulations of being a Family Master and an Alice Master, was really a huge advantage for me. Furthermore, I even told the other Masters to stay out of this business especially that Prince Nogi, Imai…and even Mikan herself. I was glad that she was now my slave. She had to obey me. She was not allowed to talk to Natsume anymore because I forbad her, but the problems now lay on those idiots Akira slaves.
My fist balled in fury as their faces flashed on my mind.
"How dare they blackmail me?" I growled through gritted teeth quietly. I was furious. Just because they were from the knight Akira Clan, protector of the Sakura Clan since the day the Alice Flame was created, that doesn't mean that they could still protect the Sakura Clan from us Hyuuga. They were too late to protect them. Supposedly, they were no more Knights since the day ancestor Hyuuga Ryuu and Sakura Hitomi were bonded as Master and Slave status. The Sakura Clan was no longer the leader of Alice Flames anymore to represent Alice users in the Human world. Now, the seven Alice Masters are representing us Alice users according to our ability classes.
I heard a soft groan and my eyes shifted back to the sleeping girl. She shifted sleepily in her bed and faced the other way.
"Shoot," I cursed and snapped my finger at once. 'Can't she just stay in one position?' This was the fifth time I had to change my place to the other side of the bed, but this time, with a presence of another guy who came out from the bathroom. He was wiping his raven hair dry with his towel. When our eyes met, he froze on his ground, giving me a bizarre scary death glare. 'Why must their bathroom connected?!' I frowned and rolled my eyes.
"What the hell are you doing here?" barked Natsume. I rasped and stood up straight.
"Is it a crime?" I chuckled and gave him a smirk. He pursed his lips. His silence amused me. I stuffed my hands into my pockets. "What are you doing here by the way, Natsume?" I sneered. He hesitated and avoided my gaze.
"I was just--um."
I smirked. I can't help to enjoy seeing that he was trying to give me a reason on his presence here. Being a substitute Family Master was not as bad as I thought… but damn, I wish I was permanently replaced. At least what his stupid brain had registered me as Mikan's fiancé would be true then. Can't he see that engagement was not something easily be replaced with a snap on one's finger?
"Yes?" I prompted, sneering. I was actually felt the excitement to poke him to anger even more. He choked and glared at me again. I bet he then realized that he was trying to play reasoning with me. He continued to dry his hair again with his towel and turned his back at me.
"None of your business," he retorted quietly and entered his room through the bathroom again. I stood there, composed. It was so good to see him soaked in frustration. But it wasn't enough to me. The vengeance that I felt was even greater, I still can't forgive him for sending most of us Hyuuga Clan to Paris, just because his dear brother wanted to go there. He may think that we didn't hear the true reasons of Natsumi for wanting to study there, but he seemed to forgotten that even small rumors that sparked in one corner could be heard by those who were thousand miles away.
"Tch, you are really stupid Natsume," I chuckled.
Flashback (Ten Years back)
Natsumi's POV (A/N: N'tsu-e / Natsu-e--Natsume. Pronounce: ent-su-eh/nat-su-eh)
My brother, N'tsu-e stared at me with his lips parted partially. His probing eyes were on me. Confusion and horror was written all over his face. I sighed in disgust and shook my head. I don't know what else I should do to convince this young Master to let me go and leave for good from this family… I hated to be here--not that I hate to be with him, I just hated to be surrounded by other Hyuuga members. Natsume was and always be my precious brother. I loved him.
"I told you Natsu-e," I began as I cleared my throat. I really, really, really wanted to tell him the truth of my departure, but knowing him, he would definitely feel devastated. "I just want to be around new people with new environment. Who knew I might find myself a Blond girlfriend?" I joked and nudged playfully on his arm. By the look on his face, I knew he didn't buy it.
"Don't lie to me, Tsumi," he stated quietly. "I know you." I looked away. I can't stand it to lie some more and stared into his crimson eyes at the same time. It was difficult. He was--the Alice Master and Hyuuga Master. I can't lie to him. It was a horrible sin to lie to Masters. I looked down on my feet as I leaned against the table.
"I'm sorry Natsu-e," I whispered. I could feel his body stiffened before me. "I just can't take it anymore," I let my head fell on his shoulder and the tears that I tried to hold back began to roll down my cheek. "I just can't, Natsume, please let me go," I whimpered. I knew he understood what I meant.
The Hyuuga Clan had treated me like a piece of shit because I had Ice Alice and to their greatest disappointment, I was born to look identical with N'tsu-e. N'tsu-e had always been their greatest idol, stood after our ancestor Hyuuga Ryuu. The nickname they gave me--'Master Natsume's brother' with that loath tone was too sore for my ears to hear it.
I too, am a human being with feelings… can't they just remember my name even a bit?
I was sure that my name and Natsu-e's were almost similar.
"Alright then," he finally piped up. I went rigid at once. Was he serious? Was he really allowing me to go to Paris? To study in Alice Académie of France… alone?
"If that is what you wish for Tsumi," his voice was gentle. "I shall grant it to you, but with one condition bro," I looked up at him. I stared at him promptly.
"You are not going alone, I'm sending Takashi, Mizuki and others there too," I went horrorstruck. I can't believe that he was going to send our cousins there together with me. I want to get away from everyone who bares the name 'Hyuuga', not to be followed by them!
"What?!" I choked. N'tsu-e held a hand on my face. I scowled and gave him a slight pout.
"Don't disobey me, brother, you either follow what I say or you are not going to set your foot out of this house anymore," he warned me with a chuckle. That was the second time he made this sort of agreement. The first was about if I wanted to go either to Gakuen Alice or stay at home and study. Obviously, I chose the second option. I don't want his friends know that he had an awful brother like me--it would be a huge scar on his splendid reputation.
"You are not awful, Tsumi," he stated strictly, reading my expression. I stared at his stoic face and suddenly he gave me a twisted smile. "I invited a good friend of mine to stay over,"
"You what?!" I began in horror.
"--and he said he can't wait to meet you, Tsumi," he added with a smirk. I flushed. 'Can't – wait?' I mused. I never had any friends before and to know that one of Natsu-e's friends was coming over to see me made me feel pleased.
"Really?" I gasped, before I remembered in chagrin that I was Natsu-e's awful brother again, "No! You can't! He'll hate you! He'll hate you because of me, N'tsu-e! I'm a bad luck person!" I stammered and I tripped on my foot. I nearly kissed the carpet as usual, but luckily Natsu-e took my arm.
"Gosh, Tsumi, I never thought there are two idiots klutz in my life," he muttered nonchalantly with an irritated sigh. I scowled at him.
"OH, so now there's two idiots klutz?" I whined. He nodded and I rolled my eyes in reply. "Gee, I didn't know I have a rival, Natsu-e," I added sarcastically and pout slightly. "Who is the second person anyway," I asked him interested.
"You have lost your position as the first one, Tsumi," he smirked teasingly. I frowned in disgust, glaring at him at the corner of my cerise eyes.
"Sakura Mikan," he added casually and slipped his hands into his pockets. I gasped.
"A girl?" I mused out loud. "I thought you were one-woman man, Natsu-e. What happened?" I grinned at him. He gave me a glare. The grin on my face disappeared in a flash, I began to gulp.
"Um, Sakura Mikan as in Master Sakura Mikan, supposedly to be your slave, is that the Sakura you are talking about?" I asked him again. He nodded, "The very same,"
"Oh," I squeaked quietly. What a twist I thought. He was in love with his fiancée whom he had no idea who she was and now began to like the girl who supposed to live with him since little as a slave… "How is she like?" I asked enquiringly.
"Annoying idiot whine-head loudmouth girl," he said in a breath. I stared at him, slightly taken aback. I never heard him talked about a girl like this before. But according to my experience, what were negative to him had always meant the opposite. Could it be that he really liked this girl? What about his fiancée?
"Is that so?" I mused out loud again. I was about to ask for more when he suddenly jerked forward.
"Ah, you are here," he gushed toward the person behind me. I swiveled and saw a beautiful blond boy about the age of seven, like us, entered the library. I froze. I found it weird to talk to other people. He came and smiled at me.
"I'm Ruka, nice to meet you Natsumi," he gestured kindly. I felt awkward, but I can't help to smile back at him for remembering my name. The prince was the first person who remembered me.
"Nice to meet you too," I mumbled timidly. "Um…" I began, poking both of my index fingers together. I don't know if I should ask him what was badgering in my mind.
"Yes?" he prompted. His azure eyes shimmered gently. I hesitated a moment.
"Don't you dare, Tsumi," growled Natsume quietly. He knew what I was about to ask. I gave him an enormous grin.
"Tell me Ruka, who is Sakura Mikan?" I knew I was in trouble, but heck, Natsume and I with my new first friend; Ruka had so much fun chasing around the yard, teasing Natsume non-stop with that Sakura girl. One day, I would like to meet that girl. If my brother liked her, she must be an interesting kind of person. I wonder if she would like to be my friend….
End of Flashback
Mikan's POV
I stood under the shower. Fierce warm droplets were spraying on my hair, streaming down to my feet. The hot shower was steaming the bathroom. I couldn't believe that Takashi was in my room earlier. The thought of it made me feel sad and insecure. Where is Natsume when I needed him the most?
I punched a fist to the wall in chagrin. I don't deserve him anymore. My eyes burnt with anger and sad tears. If Takashi wasn't my Master now, longed I would have told Natsume that I still am his fiancée. I knew that he don't know about this. It was his fault for not going to the meeting when we were six, when Masters were informed about the new rules and regulations on their responsibilities. I bet that Natsume don't even know that he was still a Hyuuga Master as well as an Alice Master. Takashi was just a substitute, same goes to Natsumi.
My eyes slowly traveled to Natsume's bathroom door. I was crying hard. I could see his mood with one of my many Alices. It was so dark, he was so miserable. I noticed that since yesterday, he had been very quiet and only to look at me when I was around. I couldn't bear to stare into his probing eyes. I didn't meet his gaze for the whole day yesterday.
How I wished I could just embraced him to comfort him. Shared his pain, shed the tears for him and throw that misery off his chest. I loved him, but for me to let him be that way--alone, was tearing my heart apart.
I could smell his cologne scented the bathroom since I entered and noticed faint traces of his presence here. The thought of us sharing the same bathroom soothed my troubled heart a little. He was so near yet so far…
"Natsume," I wept quietly. I wanted him, I needed him. I missed how his strong arms wrapped around me, with his lips in my hair. I walked out of the shower place, letting the water ran wastefully. I took my towel and wrapped around my body, gathering my pace slowly toward his door. Once there, I stood there, just staring at the door before me. I leaned against the door and slowly fell down to crouch. That was the nearest I could get to him. I wanted to be with him so badly. "Natsume," I whimpered and my body began to shake hard as tears streamed down my cheek.
Natsume's POV
I knew Mikan was in the bathroom now. I could hear the sound of shower rushing down on the floor. I leaned and sat against the bathroom door. That was the nearest I could get to her. That stupid Takashi forbad me to meet her.
"Tch," I rasped in frustration and hugged one of my knees. My forehead pressed on my knee cap. I swallowed in difficulty. I had a sleepless night last night and I knew there were more of that await me ahead. I felt so empty, like there was a gigantic hollow in my soul or a huge portion of my body was missing. I was as good as dead.
"Mikan…" I whispered. Her pretty face appeared before my mind. I missed her smile. I loved her so much; I would do anything to make her mine again. I would sacrifice anything, just to be with her again. Oh, god. Please hear my prayers.
I clutched my shirt where my heart was beating painfully in my clouded chest. My other hand rubbed on my aching forehead. Men can't cry, but I found that hard to believe now. It seemed harder for me to hold back the urge to cry, but I still haven't shed a tear. I had to be strong. I must. School holidays ended this week. All of us had to get back to finish our final semester of high school by then. Mikan is my classmate, and I knew I can't break down in front of her. She would get worried and probably blamed everything on herself…
I closed my eyes, grasped my hair in grieve and leaned my head back on the door. I could smell the scent of her sweet shampoo. I smiled a little. At that moment, I felt as though she was so close to me. I opened my eyes at once, forgotten that she was not beside me because I had the urge to grabbed her into my arms. I sighed exasperatedly. Though she was near, but we were separated by this door.
"Mikan,"
END OF CHAPTER
I know. Too romantic and sad! I need to finish this story fast; I have no time to write anymore. I MIGHT be in Hiatus mode till Christmas! – Gasp! - I'll try my best to find any free time to update! Hope you enjoyed that! Review!
--Sarah Patrick