AN: I think I might write the final chapter tomorrow. It's my best friends birthday on Friday so I wanted to be finished by then but don't worry I won't try to rush it to fit everything in. If I need to split it up I'll just post on Saturday =]. Thanks to britishmexi27, Crimson Darkness and BubblySunshine190 for your reviews. It certainly seems things are looking up for the step brothers =D...I'm pretty into happy endings so expect a lot of cheesy moments next time hehehe.

The next Wednesday was so bright and sunny it was even enough to brighten the exterior of a usually very cold girl.

"It was so nice of you to share your watermelon with me," Mikan said happily, the juice of the watermelon dribbling down her chin.

"You are so messy," Hotaru replied, wiping at her friends face with a napkin in the way a mother would to a small child, but she couldn't help but smile. The weather was just so damn cheerful.

The two girls sat in the backyard, letting their legs dangle from where that sat perched on a retaining wall, the sun warming their skin.

"I went out with my uncle last Saturday," Mikan said suddenly, to see the old man.

Hotaru just nodded, she had finally been informed of his existence after he had joined Mikan's family for dinner.

"He's pretty nice," Mikan said thoughtfully, "his kids call him Jii-chan, he said I can call him that too if I want to."

"Are you going to see him again?" Hotaru asked, surprised.

"Yeah probably," Mikan nodded, "I wanted to tell you about that actually. My Uncle is planning on moving down there with him. He told me on Saturday but he'd already told Daddy on the night Jii-chan had come to dinner."

"Why would he do that?" Hotaru asked bluntly. "You're Uncle is successful. Why would he want to go move to some far away village?"

"I think it's because he didn't have a family, like a wife and kids or anything. I mean before Daddy moved us into his house I think he was a pretty lonely guy," Mikan replied, "When he found out about what Jii-chan does he told me that he wanted to help him so he doesn't have to worry in case anything were to happen to him. He also told me when he was younger he wanted to become a teacher but he was encouraged away from it, so that probably has something to do with it too."

"What's going to happen to this place?" Hotaru asked, gesturing to the house behind them, "Is he going to sell?"

Mikan shook her head no. "Not right now anyway, he said that Daddy can take care of it whilst he is away but I think it's because he didn't want to kick us out," she grinned mischievously.

Hotaru snorted with laughter, she knew from experience how hard it was trying to shake off one Sakura she didn't know how somebody could get rid of three.

"So you're not moving again?" Hotaru checked, she would be sad if she lost Mikan a second time.

"Nope I'm yours forever!" Mikan cried before wrapping her arms around the short haired girl tightly.

"Get off," Hotaru swatted her away, "it's too hot," but she smiled despite herself.

"How has your Dad been lately anyway?" Hotaru asked with interest. It did bother her how down Izumi had been. She remembered how upbeat he had been when she was a small girl and had come to play at Mikan's house. When they played dress up he had joined in, he was there to catch them when they were learning how to ride their bikes and when they had started messing around with the piano he taught them how to play heart and soul.

So when Mikan smiled at the question Hotaru's spirits were further lifted.

"He's taking about buying another motorcycle," Mikan giggled, "he bought a new helmet the other day and it had a Teddy on it."

"He's a bigger idiot than you," Hotaru smiled again, even wider than before. She paused to pop some more watermelon in her mouth before continuing.

"Speaking of idiots," she continued, "Ruka's idiot brother was getting ready for a date the other day. It must have been the first one he has ever been on considering the way he was acting."

"Aww," Mikan cooed, "I wish I could have seen." Then she suddenly giggled, "I used to have a big crush on him you know, when I was a little kid. It seems so silly now."

Hotaru only rolled her eyes, "I remember you idiot. You used to fall in love with everyone when you were ten. I don't think that there was anyone who escaped your notice."

"Except maybe Natsume," Mikan smiled evilly, "isn't it funny. I hated him so much when we were kids. He was such a jerk."

"I don't see what's changed," Hotaru replied dryly.

"He's so sweet though," Mikan sighed. "Oww," she cried, rubbing the spot where Hotaru had just smacked her on the head.

"Don't get all mushy on me Baka or I'll leave," she threatened. "What has he done to you anyway," she asked, narrowing her eyes with suspicion. "You're more secretive lately I can tell."

Mikan turned bright pink, "I-what-um..I have no idea what you mean Hotaru," Mikan stammered.

"He did do something!" Hotaru said accusingly.

"No, not exactly," Mikan replied hastily.

"Oh please Mikan, you could never lie with any success," Hotaru said firmly, "what did he do to you."

"I told him that I loved him," Mikan said quickly. It wasn't strictly a lie, that had happened. It just wasn't all that had happened, but Hotaru seemed satisfied with her answer.

"That explains it," she said, still a little sceptical. "Just make sure he keeps his hands to himself."

"Shh," Natsume said running his hands over the soft skin of her back, "someone will hear you."

"Mm Natsume," Mikan said in protest, "get off of me."

He looked down at her where lay on the floor beneath him, slightly breathless with her cheeks flushed a pale pink.

"Why should I?" he asked, still tracing his fingers over her naked skin.

"I have to go to dinner soon. You're not even supposed to be in here," she hissed, looking around her bedroom.

"Do you want me to leave?" he asked before moving her hair away to kiss her neck, his hot tongue causing a shiver to run through her like a bolt of electricity.

"No," she whimpered slightly before lolling her head to one side.

Natsume only smiled before moving away from her and handing her her discarded T-shirt.

"Go on then, you better get going."

"Do you want to eat with us?" Mikan asked.

Natsume looked as though he had been shocked, "are you nuts, I don't want people to know I'm here," he replied. "I'll wait for you."

"Aren't you hungry?" she asked.

"I already ate," he assured her, "now hurry up."

"And you'll stay here?" she confirmed.

"Mm," he replied, pulling her closer again to give her one final kiss before he sent her on her way.

"Okay," she smiled, bouncing out of her door just as her name was called for dinner.