Chapter 21

:[Mikan's PoV]:

"Ne, Natsume, how's gammy in London?" I ask, breaking the silence in the car. Natsume was brooding, thinking about something deep. I didnt know what though. I am sort of afraid that it might be about somethung bad, but I took comfort in the fact that I was tucked into Natsume's side and he was unconsciously twirling a lock of my hair in his fingers. He was being sweet.

"Fine." Is all he says.

Meh.

"Do you still miss your grandma?" I ask again. This time, Im asking about her other grandma, the one who'd died.

"Yeah." Came his short clipped answer.

Natsume was close to his grandparents from both parents. But I know that he's closest to his mom's mother, Grandma Nagi. She was sweet and kind. She'd once been a writer, and Natsume loved her books. But the reason for his extreme adoration for the woman was her fierce protectiveness for Natsume. She's closest to his heart.

Gammy Mira is his father's mother, who is now in London with her business. She's pretty close to Natsume, but the distance was a bit too far for much bonding between them.

So somehow, Natsume was fonder of Grandma Nagi.

The ride home was spent in comfortable silence between Natsume and I. His hands drew lazy patterns in my skin, sometimes combing through my hair. He'd plant a kiss on my forhead on occassion, gave me a peck on the lips once.

Overall, it was one sweet ride home.

The car pulls up on the curb of oir apartment building.

Well, at least, it TRIED to pull up.

But the road and the cement was littered with people everywhere.

"Damn the Paparazzi." Natsume mutters under his breath. As soon as he does, as if triggered, the paparazzis turn towards us, and flashes light up the outside of the black bentley. I could see lips moving, but their voices were absorbed quickly by the soundproofing of the car.

Usually the paps left me alone, since my life was basically an open book. Everybody knew about every inch of me. I was Japan's, afterall.

But today, like the predators that they are, they swoop in to catch some juicy piece of news from us. Tomorrow, the tabloids would be full of some sort of sham scandal, another attempt at ruining the image of the royal family.

I wonder what they have on us, on Natsume and I this time?

It may be something close to "Royal Couple, destined for doom?" Or along the lines of "Sweetheart Princess now a Rebel?"

Nothing new.

As soon as our car manages to find some space among the sea of people, men in black shuffle to create a human barrier lining the walkway from the car to the front door. Natsume opens the car door, and the voices of tens of media men fills my senses with questions like, "Is it true that Natsume-sama had an affair?" and "Is it true that Mikan-sama tried to run away with a waiter?"

Totally ridiculous.

Natsume and I ignore them all and walk hand in hand to the door. Our guards gave us cover. As soon as I was inside, I sigh in relief.

"Those people are vicious." Natsume comments with a grimace, his fingers splayed at the small of my back as we enter the elevator. The guards stay behind by the entrance of our apartment building, trying to keep the paps at bay.

The mirrored doors of the elevator start to close.

Suddenly, Natsume grabs me and gives me a full-on kiss, his tongue dipping into my mouth.

Lights flash as cameras go off before the doors clank shut.

Natsume continues with his assault, and I have no choice but to melt into his kiss. My tongue dances with his and we find a rhythm. Natsume wraps his hands around my waist, tugging me close to him. I reach up and slip my fingers through his hair, bringing his head down closer to me.

The elevator dings open and we stumble into the hall, not letting go of each other. We are a frantic mess of limbs, and we only make it a few steps from the elevator before natsume hoists my up, an arm behind each knee. I wrap my legs around his waist, pressing my hips to his. My skirt bunches around my waist.

I find the evidence of his arousal through the thin cotton of my underwear. I moan in pleasure and I feel his groan rumble through his chest.

A bang sounds as he slams me into our front door, his left hand letting go of my knee to fumble into his pockets for his cardkey. His mouth never leaves mine as he swipes the key into the lock. The door clicks open, and Natsume carries me through the doorway.

I use a leg to kick our door closed.

(*u*)

:[Hotaru's PoV]:

The tinkling sound of ice hitting glass fills the quiet as I set down my empty scotch glass.

"Another?" Ruka asks from across the counter, tilting the bottle of a 200-year-old scotch. We are in his massive penthhouse, in a building a few blocks from the royal palace. He'd imvited me up for a drink when the town car pulled up in his curb. I accepted, needing the burn of alcohol and the numbness it brings. Stupid idea, maybe, having a drink with my crush, but I dared not care about it at the moment.

I nod at Ruka.

He refills our glasses. Quiet descends upon the room again. I keep my eyes trained on my sweating glass. I hear, rather than see, Ruka taking a sip of his scotch. When I look up, I see his glass is empty again. 'A sip of his scotch' was an understatement.

"Careful." I mutter.

"Careful with what?" He asks, an eyebrow raised. "I've been careful all my life. See, I love Mikan. Natsume's my pal. And I've been CAREFULLY treading that line so that I dont destroy anything! Goddammit, I'm tired of being careful."

I only stare at him.

"If I hadnt been careful, maybe Mikan would be with me right now!" He says as he refills his glass, filling it completely.

"I seriously doubt that." I say.

"What?!" He snaps.

"If you hadnt been careful, you would've destroyed your friendship with Mikan." I roll my eyes and sip my scotch. "You couldnt have done anything, bunny boy. I think that whatever happened, Mikan and Natsume wouldve still ended up with each other."

Ruka laughs bitterly. "Really?"

"From the first moment, they were... Destined to be happy. Things were at work, gears were spinning... Pawns were used." I say, even though I doubt that destiny had anything to do with it. Fate? More like a raven-head psycho woman.

Ruka gulps down his scotch. He sets his glass down halfway, his face twisting in a grimace at the strong burn of alcohol. "You're right!" He says, his voice a little too loud for my liking. "WHY DID I EVEN BOTHER!" He walks around his kitchen counter toward me. He places a hand on my shoulder. "Tell my why did I even EVER love her? She's cold and heartless and... And..." He trails off. His blue eyes find mine. "Your eyes are violet."

Uhh... "Yes...?" I say, slightly uncomfortable with where this conversation was going.

His hand moves from my shoulder to my cheek. I shiver beneath his touch, goosebumps rising up my skin.

"Your eyes... Dark... Mysterious... Like the night sky..." He says, his knuckles brushing my skin, sliding down the side of my face. "But where are the stars?"

I inhale sharply, shocked. What is he saying?

His fingers find my lips. His forefinger traces the contours of my mouth. His eyes fall from mine to my lips, their beautiful blue darkening... with desire.

An unknown feeling rockets through my veins from the tips of my fingertips and toes to gather in my stomach. I feel something pool in my gut, dripping down to my pussy. My panties start to dampen at the dark glints flashing in Ruka's eyes.

'Stop...' I want to say. A part of me is telling me I shouldnt. Ruka doesnt love me. He never will... And I shouldnt. Shouldnt give in to this desire.

But another part of me WANTS him to release his frustrations on me... In me. Wants him to give himself over. Wants me to give MYSELF over to desire.

He's drunk... He probably wont remember... And I want it, I want HIM so much...

Should I?

Or shouldn't I?

Oh dear. Things are getting hot and steamy down here.

So, I hope this chapter is not yet considered as Rated M.

IT WILL BE YOU GUYS WHO WILL DETERMINE IF I SHALL CHANGE RATINGS! LOL

So... Should Hotaru do the deed? Or not? Your choice ny sweets.

YES- PEP will become Rated M

NO- PEP will stay good for teens.

And Mikan and Natsume... Well, it shall be my choice. Lol.

Go ahead and give me your answers!