COMPLICATED LIFE
By: melodicAngel016
A/N: This is the last chapter… I have finished it early so, thank you everyone for reading and supporting this story… Chapter is dedicated to those who have loved this story and to those who are reading and reviewing this story… ^-^ Thank you so much guys… To those who are silently reading this, this is also for you… :D
Claerine, daa3fan, Iris Petals, XxpuffpuffxX, XxBluefangxX, UniquePancakes, Noeyy, MagicPanda, Lexie007, YamCAKE, dbzgtfan2004, DaPurpleDino, Larsie0316, yuki36, Anime Addick, cjthegreatest, Crazy-Hime, papaya, Liley, Chocovani, purple, .This, ruuridolls, I'mthegreatest, Hikariofmylife, mary joy, KashinoxIchigo4ever, akjupiter, xxxangelholiCxxx, Kylee-cat, miramisa90212, mermaid princess lilian, DarkyrawrXD, Tanet NT, Ana Carmela Serrano, Smori, NatsuMikan RuKan-lovetri, rinoakim, xIshaxx, rosycheck, sEcretMindLoLITA, ClearWing, Mitsu, Cometflare, Sweet as Cotton Candy, xfayex bbzx, Sakura-chan41, neko-chiidesu, The Meepsta, natsumeslover, xXxvenomprincessxXx, MiSaNaHyu…
CHAPTER 21
"Hey," Youichi nudged Mikan by her elbow.
"Hi Youichi." Mikan smiled. She was about to go upstairs but she was stopped by the silver-haired boy.
He held a sigh. So, will you tell me what's going on between you and my brother in law?" He asked.
Mikan blinked twice. "Brother… in law? Brother in law? Natsume?" She asked dumbfounded.
"What?" He asked. "Aoi and I are … items and I really respect Natsume-san being my brother." He coughed as he blushed slightly. "In case you didn't know, I was adopted by Uncle Hyuuga."
Mikan, trying to restore all the words Youichi was saying, just couldn't believe it. Her eyes widened and her jaws clung in open. "Why didn't you tell me? Why? Why? Why?"
"Delilah…" Youichi smirked, the same expression as what Natsume wears everyday.
"Hey, stop joking around, why didn't you tell me?" Mikan asked once again in an anxious manner.
He shrugged. "Well, you never asked."
"But you keep secrets from me!" Mikan cried. "And Aoi, I thought I'm her friend…"
"You're not just a friend to her, you know?" Youichi exclaimed in a more serious tone.
"What?"
"You know, she always tells me stories about you starting from the day she arrived here." He explained. Mikan was listening clearly. "…And how wonderful you are to be her older sister. I was intrigued by that so I decided I could come along with Auntie. And she was right; you are wonderful, Mikan-nee"
Mikan couldn't believe what he's saying. She didn't answer and Youichi took the opportunity to talk once again. "But why all of a sudden? Natsume wanted to break your engagement just a while ago, but you didn't do anything neither you do have anything to say!"
Mikan gulped. "I have my reasons." She said simply. "I don't want any of that to happen to me again." She turned back and continued running upstairs.
"Mikan!" Youichi called out. Mikan stopped. "He loves you. I know it."
Mikan glared at him. "I don't believe you." She continued running up.
=ooo=
Mikan closed the door behind her. Her knees suddenly felt weak that she landed on the floor with her knees. She couldn't believe Youichi's last statement. 'He loves you. I know it.'
Has the world gone mad? Those were lies, nothing more. They were only engaged because of some family business and protection. But the protecting thingy is over. Even if its business, she knew that she can survive by herself. She can be happy even if without money, even if without Love.
"Mikan, are you there?" She heard a knock on the door. It was her mother. Mikan slowly stood up and opened the door. "Honey, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly.
"Nothing." She replied.
"Then why are you like this? I know I shouldn't interfere with you and Natsume but what's going on?"
"We realized that we don't love each other?" Mikan answered unsurely. "I don't want to get hurt again, mom…"
"You still love Ruka?" Her mother asked. Mikan was surprised.
"You… You knew I was in love with Ruka?"
Her mother sighed. "Yes." She answered simply. "And we are the reason why he broke you, Mikan, I'm sorry."
"What?"
Yuka bit her lower lip. "I guess you need to know. We told him that you're engaged and that's the reason why-"
Mikan gasped. "He told me that he doesn't like me." Mikan circled around in frustration. "And all this time, I knew that he hurt me but he didn't!" Mikan cried.
"Well, this was for your own good."
"I know, mom. I know."
"One question, have you fallen for Natsume?"
"I think I have."
"He's heading for his apartment, and he's plane will leave at 4.30 tomorrow morning."
"So?" She asked.
"Well, I'm guessing that you would stop him for leaving."
"But he already declined, mother! He already did!" Mikan cried out again. True to that, she was the reason why he declined. "And I have already made up my mind. I'll go to a monastery and I'll become nun."
"Mikan! You're a wonderful child, dearest. But why? I know you're a Catholic but I don't want you to be imprisoned at those four walls."
"What's wrong with being single forever?" Mikan asked.
"Do you hate your life?"
"No, but I have my reasons. Besides, there is my brother, Tsubasa. He's supposed to be the Heir of Sakura Industries."
Yuka sighed. "Is there no way of stopping you?"
Mikan smiled. "It's a democratic country, mom. After I graduated high school, I'll enter Tomo."
"Or after you graduated college with course of Law."
"I'll take four years political Science, just like my brother." Mikan answered simply. "Law consists of 10 years"
Yuka sighed once again. "Oh why do I have such stubborn little girl?"
=ooo=
"You said WHAT?" Ruka yelled out.
"I said what I said, Ruka." Natsume answered plainly as he throws himself towards his bed on his apartment. It was already night time and he already packed his things.
"But you shouldn't have done that!" Said his stoic best friend. Natsume didn't answer as he continued to read his manga. "What if Mikan had already fell for you?"
"Don't know."
"Do you love her?"
"Very much."
"Well, why did you leave her?" He asked again. "You should have at least told her that."
"I didn't because I think he's still in love with you?" Natsume asked unsurely.
"I thought we have already finished that topic?"
"Maybe."
"Natsume, come on!" His best friend tried to get him out of bed but failed miserably.
"I have my reasons why I have declined that engagement, Ruka." Natsume glared at his best friend. "But it's not yet time that I'll tell you. I have my own ways of living." He inquired.
Ruka simply groaned in so much frustration. . . How come he has a lame best friend that doesn't even have plans on telling something to him? All is nothing but mess.
=ooo=
Next Day…
Classes were resumed and the snow where falling softly from the sky. Mikan was reading a book when she heard a loud band from her desk. It was Sumire, looking furious as ever.
"What have you done with Natsume?" She asked. "And why isn't he here?"
"Gone back to Australia, about 4.30 am this morning and declined the engagement, that's why he's not here. And he's not coming back." Mikan then realized her words, 'he's not coming back.' She thought to herself. 'He's not coming back anymore because of me…'
She wanted to cry that very moment. She should have at least stopped him and went after him. But who is she to do such thing? They are only engaged because of some family stuffs and personal wants. She don't even know if he loved her all the way long. . .
"What?" Sumire asked. "Do you even realize what you just did?" She gasped as she rolled her eyes. "Mikan, if I'm in your position, I shouldn't just let him go, you know that?"
Mikan surely felt guilty as she bowed her head. Why does she suddenly felt that way? She should be happy that Natsume is gone. Now, no one is going to bother her ever again.
"Good morning." Ruka greeted. And Mikan soon realized that she has no special feelings towards him anymore.
"Good morning, Ruka." She faked a smile.
"Mikan, Natsume's-" Ruka was cut off.
"I know Ruka, I know."
=ooo=
By the end of class, Mikan still remained silent as ever. She suddenly realized that she had fallen in love with him. But why now? Why only now?
She couldn't believe it. She should have at least stopped him from departing away. Now, all she has is her apartment and not their mansion anymore. Her parents felt sorry for her about engaging her. They went back to Australia but left Mikan in Japan because she insisted in coming. If she's there, maybe she could meet him again. And if she meets him again, what is she supposed to say?
"Everything is just too late." Mikan mumbled as she tried to sleep. "I'm sorry, Natsume."
Years later. . .
MIKAN'S P.O.V.
My parents and my sibling went home again after four years. And I also have graduated Political Science, though I know I should have also taken Law School too and pass the BAR Exam to be an official Lawyer. But it will take long. But I think that isn't a bad idea either way. It could be a good medium to forget about my past memories that kept hunting me like a nightmare.
Or maybe it's only my conscience? Either way, It's killing me to hell.
"Honey, are you really sure about this?" My mother asked me for the umpteenth time already and I'm really annoyed by this. Ever since my father started driving, mother kept asking the same questions over and over again.
I sighed, "I'm sure that I'm sure about this." I assured her as I smiled weakly. "Don't worry, okay? I can handle myself here." I clasped my hands with hers in it. I was still inside the car, my mother kept on stopping me from getting out and so does my brother and father.
"Mikan," Tsubasa called me out when I was about to open the door. "Just think of it deeply. You are leaving us apart, you know that?"
"Well, you can always attend mass." I said wryly.
"Four years inside that convention?" Dad countered. "It's a living hell Mikan."
I sighed once more. "Dad, that place is not hell. It's Holy." I implied. "And I have already thought of this some other times. I came here once and asked the priests if I can be one of them and they said that I should think of it first. They gave me a year to clear up my mind on the year before I graduated from Political Science. If I don't show up after a year, then that only means that I'm not really up to becoming a nun." I explained.
"I guess we can't really stop you." Mother exclaimed with a sigh.
"Well, if that's the place where you're happy, then we'll be happy also." Dad smiled at me.
I opened the car door and went out smoothly. Well, this is it. Only steps away for becoming a monk. I looked back at my family. "Visit sometimes, okay?" I inquired.
"Sure thing." They both chorused. Then I went there walking. I brought with me a backpack with some of my things. I didn't bring any clothes cause I know that they will be providing it and I don't want to carry such heavy baggage.
I turned around again, they were still there but I noticed that they have smug smiles on their faces. Wonder what that means. After they noticed that I was looking at them, they looked at me for one last time and bid goodbye. With that, they closed the car door and went away.
So much for looking back, I suddenly bumped to someone. That kinda hurt a little. I looked at my front, only to reveal a pink haired girl with sweet baby pink eyes. Basing from her look, she was a nun here. Well, she dresses like one and to think that she is so young about in her twenties. Oh, even if she's wearing a headdress, her bangs were flowing out of it so I knew it's pink.
"Oh I am so sorry, miss." I said apologetically as I bowed. "I wasn't looking to where I was-"
"I'm sorry too deary…" She spoke then she put a hand on her forehead. "Oh man, I think this is not the place where I deserve." Now, she covered her face with both of her hands. Is she… crying?
I pitied her so I came closer to her and rubbed her shoulders. "It's alright, Miss. What do you mean that you don't belong here?" I asked.
To my surprise, she burst out crying. "I thought, I thought this is the right place where I belong, but no! I don't belong here! I belong to the person I loved most!" She suddenly cupped my shirt surprisingly. "I thought I have finally made up my mind that I will be a nun here forever and ever and ever, but I was wrong! I should have just thought of it deeply with all my heart and soul, you know what I mean?" She continued crying. "So I am warning you, child. If you are going to become a monk, think of it clearly!" She pointed a forefinger at me as she glared at me.
I looked at her incredulously and nodded. "O… Kay… I finally made up my mind that I am going to be a nun, so if you'll excuse me…" I was about to walk past through her right when she blocked my view.
"Oh, sorry…" She smiled.
"That's okay, what's your name?" I asked as I went to her left, but unfortunately blocked it again.
"I'm Misaki." She said simply.
"Well, nice to meet you Sister Misaki." I smiled at her but she seemed annoyed by calling her that and addressing her 'Sister.' I got to her right again but I was blocked again. Is it really coincidence or is she making it on purpose?
"Nice to meet you too, Mikan." She smiled as she blocked me again on my left.
"Okay, now if you just - wait, you know me?" I suddenly stopped.
For a moment, I saw her face became pale. She laughed out nervously and started waving her hands at me. "Oh, of course I do, you silly little child. We knew all about you. All sisters did and all nuns did."
"Well that's unnecessary." I said simply. "For starters, nuns that are old here don't know anything yet about the newcomers. And so, newcomers don't know anyone yet and they're not going to talk to anyone yet during their first year of stay here." I simply implied. My observant and thinking skills suddenly came out.
And again, she grew pale. She bowed at me and shoved me to the front door of the church. "There, sorry for the coincidence, Miss Sakura." She bowed again and went away, then again, how come she knew my surname? And more importantly, why did she bring me in front of the church when newcomers were supposed to be at the monastery by this moment?
Just as an answer, she ran back towards me and gave me a sign of the cross. "Please pray first before you go to the abbey, alright?" She smiled and went away quickly. So that's why she pushed me suddenly in front of the church's door. But I have the feeling that there's something wrong here. The main door of the church was closed but it wasn't locked at all.
Well, what bad can praying do? I inhaled deeply and pushed the door. It was pitched black. Why am I here again?
"Hello?" I asked and it echoed towards the room. "Hello?" I asked again, to no avail. I decided to go out when hints of light became visible. Little by little, the room became more and more perceptible to me.
I was stunned by what I saw. I was in the middle of the isle and beside the seats had designs and flowers, like some wedding event is going to be held. I gulped. Maybe this is the wrong place to pray after all. Maybe there is really some kind of wedding that is going to be held here.
There are so many flowers. . . White carnations, white Roses, white Dandelions and Jasmines. There were also pink and white Sakura petals on the floor.
I don't know why but I suddenly felt nervous. Maybe I should go out then. But there was a part of me saying to continue walking and my legs seemed to have a mind of it's own that I continued walking slowly.
I knew very well that I always wanted to have a wedding. Simple or grand, I don't care just make sure it's a wedding. But after the event where Ruka said he didn't liked me, I was back again to my first goal on becoming a nun.
But then, after I met Natsume, everything seemed to go back in time again. I realized that I have loved him. And it hurts that I realized it when it's too late. The saying is really true that you will never realize how important or how special the person is to you until they're gone. And I know I will never see him again.
Never.
He broke our engagement and yet I don't even know if he likes me or loved me. Maybe he didn't because he declined. I decided to come at the monastery only to forget every heartbreaking chapters of my life. And I guess there's no backing out now.
Thinking all these things makes me feel so empty and let alone, sad. How I wished that he'll be here. I missed him already.
Tears dropped by from my eyes. Thinking those miserable moments of mine were really nothing but endless nightmares. I wish I can build a time machine only to make things fine starting from the past. This is enough and this is just too much. Is the abbey the right place where I belong? Or is it with Natsume whom I know that I can share my life with other than the four tall walls of an abbey?
"What took you so long, princess?" A voice echoed around. I suddenly stopped at my trance and looked around. I saw no one. But I was pretty sure who it was. There was only one owner of the voice.
Natsume? I thought. But sadly, it was only my imagination.
"Don't you remember me?" The voice said again. Then it hit me, this was no imagination at all. There he was. The man was standing at the side of the isle, like waiting for his bride. I pressed my lips to a thin line as my eyes became watery as ever. I couldn't believe it. Natsume is here. He's here for crying out loud!
"Natsume…" I whispered as I positioned my hands on my mouth. But my words only echoed because of the silence. We are the only ones here so I guess that explains it.
He smiled in relief as I continued walking to him. Man, how I missed that smile of him, though I know there was hints of sadness behind his fine smile, and his messy hair and most of all, his scarlet eyes. "Glad you remembered me."
"Natsume…" I mumbled again. But confusion is clear in my mind. Why is he here? Is he getting married to someone? Well, I guess I'm too late. Thinking of that fact makes my heart sunk in again. "W- Why are you here?" I asked. "Are you getting married? Well. . . Congratulations." I mumbled softly but enough for him to hear.
Great, everything is just so late now. So, the convent is really where I belong.
"Soon." He bit his lower lip. "And soon is tomorrow." He offered me a genuine smile again.
Soon, huh and tomorrow? The girl must be really lucky and happy to have him. I gulped as I stopped at my tracks. I smiled. "Congratulations again." I bowed again. I turned around so I can get out of this hell hole. The girl sure is lucky. I know that I'm going to be hurt and I know that it's starting already. But I should be happy for him. No matter how I loved the person, all I wish for him is to be happy.
And I don't care if I'm the only one suffering the consequences in life. As long that he's happy, I'm happy. As long as Natsume lives happily with the person he loved most. I shouldn't interfere with them.
"Don't you want to know who the girl is?" He asked simply and I stopped at my tracks. I wiped the tears forming in my eyes. Do I really want to know who she is?
"Well," I stammered. "Whoever she is, I. . . I know she'll take care of you."
"What do you think, Miss Sakura?" He asked as I heard footsteps coming my way. "Is the lucky girl going to love me or not?"
I gulped. What's wrong with him? "Of… Of course she's going to love you. Whoever she is, she's really lucky to have you."
"And I'll be as lucky as her as well." He implied. Okay that's it. I have had enough of heart breaking chapters in my life. Once is enough, two is too much. I decided to walk again, only to be stopped by an arm that is wrapped around my waist. "If she really wants to marry me." He added again. But there was sadness in his voice.
Confusion ran over me.
"Mrs. Natsume Hyuuga." He whispered to my ear. "No, Mrs. Mikan Sakura Hyuuga, how does that sound to you?" He asked in a soothing manner. My eyes became wide. It's like my breathing suddenly stopped. I slowly turned around.
"Oh my…" I whispered. My eyes went hot and watery again. "No way, was . . . was that a proposal?" I asked, still unbelievably surprised.
He smirked. "Well yes it is…" He kissed the tip of my nose.
Tears came out my eyes. "Seriously?"
He nodded. "I'll be lucky if I will have you." He said simply. He was amused as he gave me three white roses that are being held by a colored paper and wrapped with a red ribbon. I was still surprised.
"For me?" I asked and he nodded with a smile.
"And I'll be lucky to have you as well." I smiled but it suddenly dropped to form a frown. "Then why did you break the engagement in the first place?" I asked.
"It's because I don't want to chain you and trap you leaving you with no choice." He started. "If we're still engaged, then you are only going to be forced to marry me. I have loved you ever since the time I laid my eyes on you."
"Then why didn't you just tell me that?"
He shrugged. "Maybe because you still like Ruka?" I looked at him crazily. How did he know? And as if he was reading my mind, he added, "Mikan, I know everything. And the reason why he said that he doesn't like you because he knew all along that you're going to be engaged with me."
I smiled as I pinched his nose. "I know that. Mother told me everything."
Then his expression became unreadable again. But his eyes were saying that he's nervous.
"So, you're not going to marry me, huh?" He asked.
I planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Of course I will, Natsume." I winked at him playfully. He only smirked.
"I knew you'd say that." He commented.
I was going to talk again when he crashed his lips with mine, kissing me fully, passionately but gently. Oh how I missed his kiss. How I missed to touch him. I responded to him and the kiss went deeper.
"I see you really missed me." He said as he smiled in between kisses. I pulled back, only to see him yearning for more.
"No way, you missed me." I teased. He smiled again. Then he caught my lips again, and pulling me closer to him.
"Are you still going to the convent?" He asked again.
I simply replied, "No."
Then our make up session was suddenly interrupted by a cough. I looked around and saw our families staring at us. "You know, wait till the wedding is over and you can do whatever you want." It was Natsume's dad.
My jaws dropped. "No way…" I mumbled. "What are they doing here?" I asked Natsume, though I wasn't looking at him. Our families waved at me and I waved back.
"I have this all planned." Natsume pinched my cheek as he let go of me. "The red Carpet, the flowers, the proposal? Everything." I was still dumbfounded that very moment. So, is that the reason why my parents were having a hard time stopping me just to make sure that every part of this proposal is perfect? No way.
Hotaru and Ruka were also there. Well, Hotaru is capturing video of us but I didn't mind. So, they're a couple now, huh?
"Yo, Mikan-nee!" Aoi shouted. "What are you still doing there? Come here already."
"Come on?" Natsume positioned his hand in front of me. I grabbed it and intertwined mine in his. So this is finally the end of my complicated life.
The next day, the church we're in the last time was the place of our wedding day. So that's why it was closed.
Also to my astonishment, the lady I saw yesterday with the name of Misaki was my brother's fiancée. Although life was a bit unfair, I was thankful to Misaki that she only acted as a nun yesterday. That's funny, isn't it? And I haven't still seen her even in pictures. Man, what's up with my brother not telling and describing her to me?
Natsume also said that he asked help from my brother and from Misaki, his fiancée, to stop me. And that explains why she was dressed up like a nun yesterday.
Maybe this was all planned by fate and destiny?
And yesterday, Misaki cried because she only knew me by pictures that my brother gave her. She's hugging me so tight because according to her, this was the first time that she met me personally and looks like she doesn't have the plan to let go of me. She cried and said that she's been longing to see me. But that good old brother of mine just stopped her from meeting me.
And the sudden hugging-so-tight scene was stopped by Youichi. He said that Natsume wanted to see me and so, Misaki let go of me but continued crying. Is she really in her twenties? Boy and I thought I was childish. Also from yesterday, Youichi kissed my cheek and congratulated me. Well, he's not that bad from the way I remembered.
Natsume gave me an engagement ring yesterday and it was a silver one with red stone heart in the middle of it. I told him that it was bad luck to see his bride before the wedding but he didn't give a crap about that. I only saw him with a huge smile plastered on his face.
And now, wearing a halter white gown, beside the man I loved the most and in front of the altar and in the eyes of God and the other people, we are finally getting married.
Ruka was our best man and Hotaru was the bride's maid. Next year will be Misaki and Tsubasa's wedding. But why are we the first one to be wed again? Oh, never mind.
"Do you, Mikan Sakura, vowed to be Natsume Hyuuga's loving wife, in sickness and in health, in poor and in wealth, and till death do you part?"
"I do." I said simply as I inserted the ring on Natsume's right ring finger. The same question was pronounced by the priest to Natsume and the same thing Natsume answered and did as mine.
"I may now pronounce you Mr. And Mrs. Natsume Hyuuga." The priest paused as he looked at Natsume. "You may now kiss the bride." The priest smiled.
Natsume got rid of the clothe that was above my head. He was happy. And I have never been happy in my whole entire life either. He pulled me by my waist and whispered, "You look beautiful, Mikan." I smiled. And without another word, he planted a soft kiss on my lips. The others cheered and so does the priest.
Natsume was the one to stop. "Sahyuu Hotel would be our next stop, Mrs. Hyuuga." He said as he bit his lower lip and winked at me. I knocked his shoulders playfully. I know exactly what he meant by that.
"My husband is a pervert." I said mockingly. He only smiled.
"I missed you, you know that?"
"So did I." I said simply.
So, this is going to be the start of our new story and the end of. . .
My Complicated Life.
-END OF STORY-
A/N: -sniffs- Hey, can anyone lend a tissue or a hanky? Waah! This story is finished already. Still, I don't want to end this but it's needed. You shouldn't start one if you have no plans on finishing it. That's all… And I'm so sorry about the cliff hanging stuffs… ;p Thanks again everyone. I'll miss writing this story and this story as well.
Cheers!
Take care!
~melodicAngel016
-May 19, 2011-