Summary: AU They both wanted to adopt him—she, out of pity and he, for his own benefit, yet they refused to give the little kid up to each other. "Well, since you guys are totally attached to him anyway, why don't the three of you live together as a happy family?" Thus a complete trouble inside the house starts— an always-ecstatic mama Mikan, a killjoy papa Natsume, and a three-year-old Youichi completely amused at his new parents' 'relationship'. Oh boy.

Disclaimer: Do I have to repeat this over and over? I certainly do not and never will own Gakuen Alice. I own the story plot, but I give Higuchi Tachibana-sama the credits for making this anime though.

My Strange Family

House Rule 5: Entertain Visitors

"One day you will do things for me that you hate. That is what it means to be family."

- Jonathan Safran Foer

It was a deafening silence.

Ever since Natsume woke up and saw the man on the door, no word has been uttered except for her husband's single word of 'Persona.'

She was never used to this kind of silent treatment, and although her current family sometimes falls into silence when they are hanging out together, it was never like this uncomfortable. But still, who would not think that keeping your mouth shut is a good idea when some mysterious guy barges into your house and declares that he's going to drag your husband's butt away to some English-speaking country?

And what's more unnerving than to have that guy named Serio something staring at you?

Well, definitely, it's not a good scene for Youichi to witness since they were stuck in a situation where adults are the only ones who can solve this predicament. Anyway, she still doesn't know if her presence's even needed for this. Natsume can definitely take good care of it alone.

"I apologize for being rude earlier. Let me please introduce myself. I am Serio Rei, the right hand of the Hyuuga family's head master." The black-haired stranger stood up and bowed in front of Mikan, an act in which she returned with the same gesture.

"Ah, I-I'm-" And before she could introduce herself, Natsume stood up in front of her with his hands tucked inside the pocket of his white jogging pants and faced the man.

"What are you doing here?" Natsume's eyes glazed with anger.

Serio Rei, remembering that he hasn't told him his motive for coming, sighed and looked at Mikan for a brief moment before looking back at Natsume again.

"We were not informed about your sudden marriage and a kid's adoption. If Ms. Imai hadn't contacted your grandfather, we wouldn't know that you-"

"Serio." Natsume blatantly spoke, cutting off the other man's words. "You and I both know that I was never blessed with a long patience."

Unable to resist the tension any longer, Mikan awkwardly smiled. "W-Well, I think we need a good cup of tea. Let's go Youichi?"

The little boy nodded and reached out when she offered her hand to him, dragging their feet towards the kitchen.

Just as she thought, this issue is only for the two older guys to solve. Ah, but could this issue be so big that they actually needed to talk in private? What that stranger said truly bugged her, one part because it involves Natsume and another part because she's got a bad feeling of being in pain if Natsume would agree and go with him. But why does he even need to go to America if he's already living perfectly here?

On the other side of the room, Rei sat down defeated and nodded. He admits that he is already familiar with the following scenario, because this isn't the first time that he was told to bring the news to the Hyuuga clan's 10th generation leader that his grandfather wants him to go back to America. And it was like a continuous drill that it always ends with his master Natsume turning down the offer of taking over their business' branch in that foreign country. He was actually glad that the little child whom he had grown to take care of is now a man, and can finally make his own, smart decisions by himself.

During the first five years of his persistence—as Natsume would define it, he has always been hearing the same brittle answer of 'no' and same reason of 'business matters' from him—but seeing something different right now makes him believe that the upcoming verdict would likewise have the same effect of him, going back without the twenty-eight-year-old man.

To be honest, he's now being annoyed by the fact that the young man's grandfather has been getting more and more determined to get him back. But Natsume is like a son to him, and that old man is too stubborn to let his grandson do what he wants.

But what surprised him the most is that he actually adopted a kid just for business, and on top of it all, he agreed to be tied into someone he doesn't even love. Perhaps, because it actually didn't involve his personal feelings, that pushed him to surrender his 'World's Most Sought Bachelor' title.

"I am here because your grandfather wants you to come with me to America." Rei bowed his head, avoiding the stare he knew Natsume would possess the very second he delivered the sole reason of his arrival. As usual, the young master would expect that.

"I don't think discussing this would be necessary." His crimson eyes narrowed. Just like he predicted, the man who took care of him since he was a baby is here to tell him that his grandfather wants him to fly to States. The moment he heard him talking to Mikan, he knew he doesn't have any good thing to say, because when he's here, it always involves his old man.

And yeah, it was never good.

"Master Natsume…" He said gently. "…your family needs you there to help them with their current client."

"Hell they do." Natsume slumped down on the sofa and crossed his legs while massaging his head.

Ah, damn.

This is the second time in this day that he did that, the first one because of those stupid clients who refused his offer and now this—his old geezer who wants him back to America. Who ever said that to be a business man is easy? He practically needed his butt working out without delays; deal with people who are ignorant enough to know that one has always been equal to one—meaning, what they sow, they reap; and lastly, knock some sense on his family who think that doing his job is as easy as pulling his boxers down when he needed to urinate.

Why was he born into a world of idiots again?

"The last time I checked, there was a man named Andou Tsubasa on the damned list of that old man's most trusted person." He looked vehemently at him. "Why don't they let that Andou show what he's capable of?"

At that, the older guy sighed. He hated how logic was always used in the Hyuuga's bloodline.

"It's a serious matter, master Natsume."

"An issue that even that guy cannot take good care of?" Natsume bitterly sneered. "If that was the case, I would gladly see my old man shit in his pants in suffering."

Ah, yes, there are also good old times like this when Natsume would badmouth his grandfather, especially, when he's already asking for the impossible from the most impossible things—and that includes him, being demanded to leave Japan. If he doesn't have any unfinished work here, he might reconsider. The worst is, that's not at all the problem to be reckoned with, but the mere existence of his wife and son, whom he thinks would also prevent him from going. If he would just go back weeks from now, he surely wouldn't think twice of packing his things up, but no. Just the thought of leaving the two leaves an agonizing feeling in his heart.

Double damn for admitting that.

"Master Natsume, if you'd allow me to state my business here…" Rei paused and looked at him. "…I'm afraid that you'll hate me to say this but I was strictly told to never leave this place without you. Or if you want, you can just please bring your family with-"

"No one in this family will leave." A firm response from him sent Mikan peeking from the kitchen's window that's connected to the living room of their house.

Again, her husband is being so stubborn. What if it really was a serious issue? Is he really planning to turn down the man's offer? If she was in his place, maybe she could think about it, but she also understands that Natsume doesn't want to involve her and Youichi into his family issue—if ever it was a chaotic one. But still, this is the first time that she saw him in a dishevelled state.

"I suggest that you leave this family alone before I sue you of trespassing. Get out. Now."

Serio Rei has always been persistent, yes, but he also knows when to give up, especially, if Hyuuga Natsume starts to bring his threats out. Due to past experiences, being threatened by him never caused any good memories… and it just happened that he's more capable of engraving a traumatic event one can never really forget. To never provoke a Hyuuga was basically imprinted on his mind ever since he started working for them.

With a last sigh, he bowed and stood up, preparing for his departure, which he knew that will happen anytime as soon as he stepped his foot inside Hyuuga Natsume's humble abode. "I'll talk to your grandfather about this and have him understand your situation."

Mikan, who saw that the man is now gone, went out of the kitchen and walked towards Natsume.

"Natsume-"

"I'm going back to my room."

The only thing she did was to nod and sigh while Youichi looked at her in confusion and worry.

My Strange Family

"What? Natsume is gonna leave Japan?!" Sumire shouted, uncaring that the other teachers in the faculty are now looking at her in mixed annoyance and amusement.

It still irks Mikan how the other woman always wanted her first name to be paired up with her real surname when she's already married to their co-teacher Kokoro, and one of the annoying facts is that he didn't even mind it. Ah, so much for being married.

Unlike her, who exchanged vows with Natsume, she had shamelessly turned her papers to the principal afterwards that she changed her surname to, well, Hyuuga. It wasn't a big deal, but it's one of the ways to perfectly cover their act, even if it includes declaring that she's now married to one of the most powerful—and handsome—businessmen in the world. And that surname alone makes her think that he was hers and hers alone, like she's made to carry his name.

Ah, what the hell has she been thinking of?

Ever since that day when she kissed him twice, his face never left her mind, and whenever he's around, she cannot help but feel so giddy and excited. Even yesterday when she called him, she was actually nervous and expectant that he would not reject her offer of eating snacks in the park together—and she was very happy when he did not decline. She did not also know what pushed her to do something so bold—like hug him.

She just freaking hugged him yesterday!

Well, in a way, it wasn't wrong, since he's her husband already, and maybe, that could be one of her affection to tell the other ladies that the man is taken.

Excuse her for being possessive.

Besides, she was just thankful that he agreed to participate on their school's fun run, although she doesn't know why he immediately changed his mind. It's still a mystery to her.

But what caught her attention was the fact that he acted so different last night. After that man went out, he didn't say anything except for his single sentence of going back to his own room. Well, what the heck was that? It also worried Youichi when he didn't kiss her goodbye—erm, well, she wasn't actually expecting that… or maybe she was. Even so, she realized that maybe he did want to go, but he was just restraining himself because of her and Youichi.

Come to think of it… he hasn't told her anything about his family. She hasn't too—ah, wait, she almost. Yeah, almost. And he was being a jerk that time, so she wasn't able to continue what she was gonna say.

That damned business freak.

"What the hell, Mikan?! Are you even listening?!" Sumire shouted now, that everyone inside their room started to glare at her.

"Gah, remind me again why you are a preschool teacher, 'mire." Umenomiya Anna, another preschool teacher, shook her hand in annoyance when the green-haired woman expressed her anger through the use of her mouth, and man was she so flabbergasted whenever that woman screams—it makes her wonder how Koko and little Kasumi deal with her every day.

"Don't mind her, Anna. She's just shocked." This time, Tobita Yuu smiled without turning his eyes away from the craft he's working on.

Mikan sighed. Things start to heat up in their room once her husband's name becomes the subject. Before, their attention—man or woman, gay or straight, have always been directed at the celebrities that they hate, and she admits that she too always joins their 'hit-that-star' conversation. In other words, it was their way to criticize those actors, actresses, models, singers and that other whose faces make its way to television screens.

But that habit of theirs started to crumble ever since Hyuuga Natsume came to picture.

It was a shock for them to actually know that Sakura Mikan decided and agreed to marry Hyuuga Natsume—whom the ladies once fantasized about, even Sumire. And she was really laughing inside when she told them that she personally knows Hyuuga Natsume. Ah, she still remembers their individual expressions that time.

"I think Natsume wants to go." She smiled a small one and looked outside. Sooner, it would start to snow… it would start to get cold. Mikan frowned. She doesn't have any good feeling about this. "Who wouldn't if it involves your family? If he wants to, I think he should."

"Well, I don't think so." Finally, the green-eyed girl calmed down. It is a relief… for all of them. "If he wants to go, I think he'll say that himself. Trust me. I felt that bluntness runs on that guy's system."

Maybe, she's right.

Always rely on Sumire's instincts.

"I'd be glad if you were right."

Anyway, Mikan herself felt that too. Right from the first time they met, she knew that Hyuuga Natsume is a guy who loves to voice out what's running inside his big, intelligent brain. And she did feel that giving him impressions—bad impressions would literally make her beg for mercy not to carry out embarrassing things that he discovered about her.

That man is just so straightforward!

And to hear that he could threaten that man last night, she could not decide whether she would go search for more bad side from him or just let her mind-set be put to its peaceful stability.

Argh. It really isn't good to think of someone like that when he's already stressed enough to deal with his own problems in office and obviously, in his family.

Standing up, Mikan smiled and waved her co-workers goodbye before walking towards the place where Youichi is playing.

Visiting her husband would be a very good idea, she decided.

My Strange Family

Natsume lazily sat down on his black, swivel chair, almost annoyed at how their meeting went out. First, there were some technical problems—the woman who was assigned for the presentation was not fully equipped with things that she needed to—in his own Hyuuga vocabulary—impress those simple-minded car freaks. And to add insult to the injury, that was the second despising thing he hated when it comes to job, and that employee of his was too dumb enough to notice that he was already and silently giving her a glare. Thankfully, the presentation ended up well.

Because he was actually the one who saved her butt and his company's name.

He groaned.

The second one was all about his secretary accidentally spilling a hot coffee on one of the clients' suit, and since he's not used to apologizing because of others' fault, he had Ruka talk to the idiotic secretary's 'victim', and again, they were spared, and they did not refuse his offer.

He sighed and massaged his temples grudgingly.

It did not actually end there.

He never thought that one of his greatest workers, Harukaze Mochiage, would be the one to be the reason of their current downfall.

The reason?

A simple fact that he got into a fight with a man last night and that man turned out to be one of the most important clients of Natsume.

It was a big mistake for him to assign that war-freak into the information department.

Turning his body away from the table through his swivel chair, Natsume closed his eyes and threw his head back. This day could not get any worse.

Suddenly, a soft knock from the door was heard, and he let out an angered 'Come in' without looking at the new occupiers of his office. He audibly growled, followed by his act of loosening his black tie and removing his black coat from his body. It is almost snowing yet his body is suffering from a hot temperature. It was truly ironic.

Still he didn't move an inch, and put his arms on the armchair instead.

"What the hell do you want?" He said and opened his eyes. "I remember that I've made myself clear five minutes ago when I said that I don't want to be disturbed."

"I guess we'll just leave." An onslaught is fired out on his mind when he heard her soft voice behind him, and startled, Natsume looked back and stood up, seeing her give him an apologetic smile. Ah, the little boy is there too, a sad frown creeping up on his chubby face.

He doesn't know why but the second he saw them, his fatigue vanished away in a moment. It's impossible, really, but these two sure have an idea on how to get him on his shaking knees just by producing a face that an anti-pity like him hated. Whenever it started, he doesn't remember, but his world, being fumblingly wrapped around their little fingers without a single complaint is an indisputable proof of his growing affection for them. Even his sister cannot even do that.

"Wait. I'm sorry." He finally apologized.

If Ruka was here, it'd be a damned afternoon for both of the boys—as the animal-loving guy would freak out because of a single sorry that elicited from his mouth and Natsume himself for apologizing in front of Ruka. Again, that will never happen. Not in a million light-year.

He swallowed a good amount of his own saliva and walked past his table, leaning the lower part of his body back on it.

Without a warning, Youichi ran to him and hugged his knees, preparing himself to bring forth his unshed tears that were kept hidden since last night.

To be honest, he's very happy when his mama told him that they're gonna visit his papa, because he knows that he is not feeling well since the man from last night came into their house. And if that guy is the one who caused uneasiness to his father, then might as well start to hate him… because his papa's discomfort clearly saddens his mama. And she, without the usual, genuine smile on her face is the last thing he wanted to see.

The businessman sighed and picked the boy up, gazing at Mikan with a look of hopelessness.

"I'm sorry about that. I'm just… tired." Natsume patted the boy's head when the latter encircled his arms protectively around him, an additional action when he buried his face on the crook of his father's neck.

Mikan nodded and offered him a warm, understanding smile, an expression from her that he decided he's not getting tired by looking at.

"I can see that." She half-laughed and walked towards him and went on. "I hope you don't mind me thinking that it's got something to do with what happened last night." Mikan bowed her head down and frowned when he paused to look at her and immediately shook his head gently.

"Natsume…" Again, she looked at him and smiled sadly while she settled on the idea of touching his left cheek. "…you should take a break. You look so pale."

He flinched when her palm made a direct contact on his face, and surprisingly, in a short moment, he sighed and leaned on her hands.

"I think I should." He smiled back and put Youichi down who's now looking up at him with a small smile of his own. "It's not everyday that my lovely wife and smart son visit me anyway." Natsume winked at her and she giggled, playfully smacking his chest.

"I-diot." She said and looked at his crumpled suit. Mikan pulled him closer to her through his necktie and grinned. "You don't even know how to make yourself presentable even in that poor state."

He raised a brow and placed his arms around her waist, pulling her body closer to his. That felt good, he thought, like her body is perfectly made to fit his own.

"I thought that was your job?" He scoffed when she snorted. "Oh please, don't make it sound as if I'm a bad husband who puts all his troubles as an addition to his wife's burdens."

Mikan glared at him. "That's not even acceptable, Mr. Hyuuga." She pulled his tie hard in which she received a response of a groan and a vehement stare. "On the contrary…" Her gaze softened.

For her, seeing Natsume in this situation really troubles her, and she wonders if she could even help him lessen or completely take his problems away from him with her own, aloof ways. That would be a better subject of discussion inside her head.

"…I think I'm the one who gives you troubles." Mikan sighed. He looked away.

"That's not true at all. I'm the one who decided not to go. And it's my own choice." He paused and searched for doubt in her eyes. There was none, and so he continued. "Trust me. I will never fall asleep in another house without a loud voice from you."

Smack.

"That hurts, Mrs. Hyuuga." He glared at her once again. She gave it back, and when she realized he had called her by his surname partnered with an honorific used for married women, her face flushed.

"S-Shut up! I was being serious there, you know!" Annoyed, Mikan removed his arms from her waist and turned her body against him, huffing and crossing her arms. She mentally smiled when he laughed and pulled her again, only this time, he hugged her from behind.

"Sorry." He whispered. "But I'm also serious."

Youichi, sensing that he's completely being forgotten by his parents, shrugged and sat down on the soft sofa, smiling at the thought of the progress of his parents' relationship. And oh, it would be better to solve cases while having himself resting on the soft chair like what they have in their house. Yes, cases, like the question of why his mama's face is red at the moment.

He's now happy since his papa said that he's not going away, and they are making him all pumped up again to play as their matchmaker. He sneered. That cupid dude is useless, unlike him who's doing a pretty good job on making them closer every second.

Anyone who's gonna tear them three apart will suffer from innumerable consequences, care of his very own, little hands. Thinking of some examples he saw on television (and a few more advices from his lovely papa) on how to torture someone will be a great time to spend his day when he's bored.

"Natsume!" A loud voice coming from the door echoed, and Youichi frowned at the person who had some guts to disturb his mama and papa's lovey-dovey moment. Somehow, the guy is also a handsome one, with his blue eyes and blond hair. He shook his head. His papa is still the most handsome man ever created on planet. And he's the second one, just like what his mama said.

Ruka frowned. What the hell is Natsume doing?

Ah, right. That must be Sakura Mikan, he thought.

Natsume, not at all alarmed, lazily raised a brow at him and finally pulled his right arm away from the squirming woman in front of him. He promised to have a great 'talk' with him later once Mikan and Youichi are out of this.

"I'm sorry to disturb you…" Ruka swallowed when Natsume glared at him and continued. "But the directors and your client are on their way here."

Before he could even continue, three men already entered his office, looking very appalled at the sight of HCI's Chief Executive Officer hugging an unknown woman. The first one wearing a white suit in his mid-50s coughed and looked at Natsume.

"Well… I think we should talk privately Mr. Hyuuga."

Natsume frowned. "I thought I've already told you that I will never give you the concept unless you agree to my terms and conditions?" He let go of Mikan completely and she silently and politely walked towards Youichi. "We're through about this issue. You may leave."

The second man with green hair who is close to his age glared at him.

"What the hell do you think, Hyuuga? You're not our own boss to have you dictate us what we're gonna do." He looked at him from head to toe. "Your employees do that dirty job for you."

Natsume, whose anger at this point is rising again, calmly replied as to not scare the youngest occupier of the room. Youichi hasn't seen him getting angry after all, and it would be bad for him if he sees it, or worse, he might even avoid him due to his nature.

"Just think whatever you want to. I refuse to respond to your inquisitions. That's all I can say." He looked at Ruka, urging him to escort the three men out and when the blond was about to do so, the third, gray-haired man sighed.

"Mr. Hyuuga, I was totally disappointed in this one. I was actually expecting that you could even consider other's ideas concerning that new project we're planning, but you had to be a heartless person. You should-"

"I think explaining ourselves to him would be useless." The green-haired man glared at him again and sent him a smirk. "Hyuuga is totally an airhead, of course. That's why he was considered to be only a candidate for his grandfather's-"

That was it. Hyuuga Natsume closed his eyes and his restraint to punch the guy's face went tumbling down. Ruka, on the other hand, bit his lips in fear that Natsume really may kill the guy. He pitied him. No one, ever since they were just kids, had the guts to even send Natsume a terrifying look, or say something about him on top of that.

Yes, there was one, he remembered, and if he wasn't on that scene on that day, Natsume might have really hurt the guy badly. That's why even he doesn't displease him in any way possible. Not that they don't have a good relationship as best friends.

Slap.

And then silence ensued, followed by Ruka's own gasp and Natsume's small 'What the-?'

Five pairs of eyes looked at the scene in bewilderment.

"I…" Mikan paused, her brown eyes looking at the green-haired guy in pure hatred. "…I double dare you to repeat what you said, bastard."

When he didn't answer, she slapped him again, this time, on his other cheek.

"That term suits you more. And that classy business suit you're wearing looks a filthy rag combined with your attitude." Her tone rose a bit higher, not minding that all eyes are now looking at her, and her husband's very own with pride.

"Try insulting my husband again and I'll make sure no company in this world would hire you ever again." Mikan ended her sentence with a frown. That was the first time she snapped, but actually, it wasn't in her plan at all to interfere with their conversation since she knew it would only concern business, but when that guy started to badmouth Natsume, she realized it was her time to give him a little 'wake-up' call. And she smiled in satisfaction when she saw that two, red-printed hand-marks on the guy's face. It suits him more, she mused.

The said guy glared back at her and raised his arms, attempting to hurt her when his hand stopped.

"I'm afraid you're crossing the line, Yukimura." Natsume's cold voice boomed in the room that sent even Ruka and Mikan shaking. "I could tolerate what you said about me, but I will never let you step ever again here—much more forgive you for trying to hurt my wife." He sneered at him. "You know what I can possibly do to you, to your business…" Natsume paused and pulled down the other guy's tie with an outraged force. "…and most especially, to your little secret."

Natsume gave him a malicious smile when he glared at the people in the room. "I-I have no idea with what you're saying, Hyuuga." A pause. "So there's no use in-"

"Anyway, I could always file you a case for trying to inflict a pain on my pregnant wife."

Silence.

"What?!" Mikan shouted and glared at Natsume, who closed their distance and silently leaned his face near hers.

"In exchange of my agreement to join the fun run, you have to get along with my act." He whispered and she nodded, realizing that he was suggesting an act. This serves the guy right, anyway. Natsume looked at them again, ignoring Ruka and Youichi's surprised and happy expression respectively.

"Besides, don't you think it would benefit me to see a guy suffer from the same horrible account he did a year ago?"

And that was enough for the guy to walk out of the room shaking in fear.

"Well, uhh…" The oldest guy started. "I think we will reconsider this, Mr. Hyuuga, since you got a lot of pressure on you with your… pregnant wife."

The two guys excused themselves afterwards and Ruka ran to them before mouthing a 'Talk to you later' to Natsume.

The black-haired guy smirked and looked at Mikan who's now having a red face. "Well, that was a great idea, don't you think?"

She could only sigh and nod.

"Mama, papa…" A grinning Youichi looked at them in happiness. "…I'm having a baby brother or sister already?"

That's another issue to be taken care of—in the eyes of Youichi, that is.

My Strange Family

Natsume reached out to the cup of coffee on the table while staring at the television news. It was already midnight but his eyes don't even cooperate in his mind that wished to sleep his night out. He can even barely manage to get the details on the news since he felt so very tired—physically and emotionally, but not in the sissy way. He's far too engrossed in thinking of the possibilities of renewing the contract and creating new ideas but he really can't think properly.

"Natsume?"

Good. She's also awake.

He looked back and smiled at her.

"What's wrong?" He asked and sipped his coffee. "Can't sleep?"

She nodded and walked towards him, deciding to sit down when he offered her to sit beside him. "I can't."

Silence crept up and the only sound heard is the murmurs from the television. Natsume looked at her.

"Is Youichi sleeping soundly?" He asked her and she nodded again. "I see."

Mikan silently stared at him. For once, she thought she might really say that she had already fallen in love with this guy sooner, but decided to keep it to herself. She has been contemplating on it for a while, but she thought that letting him know about it would just make it too harder for the both of them when the time comes that they needed to separate ways. Besides, it might just be the reason that would push him to go to America. She doesn't wish for that to happen.

Anyway, silently liking him would still be the best.

"Hey, Natsume." Mikan frowned at her own decision of calling him. She doesn't know why she did it, but it felt good. Rolling his name on her lips makes her feel so happy, yes, but it wasn't good when she's stuck with the person whose name she just called! What in the world is she gonna tell him?!

He looked at her and raised a brow. "What is it?" He asked, and when she didn't answer for a while, he stood up and prepared to bring his coffee on the sink. But then, she called him again so he stopped. Natsume looked back at her again. "What is it?" He repeated his question.

Mikan stood up as well and walked towards him. "I…" She started. "…I just want to know if… if it would be alright if I-" She looked at him wide-eyed when she realized that she was dragged to the sofa back again, the cup on the floor forgotten, and her new position below Natsume totally intrigued her.

"N-Nat-"

"Say, Mikan." His eyes looked at hers amusingly. "I was pretty impressed with your words a while ago. That makes me feel that we're really a married couple." At that, Mikan swallowed. Well, she did just that earlier because she was really pissed at the guy's attitude. Although she still doesn't know what that guy meant by 'candidate'.

Silence again, and the sound of the television seemed too loud for the both of them.

"What if…" Natsume affectionately stared at her. "…we just get you pregnant for real?"

Mikan embarrassingly looked at him. What in the world does he mean by that? Well, based on the movies she watched and the books she read, when a guy asks a woman to do something… intimate, it just meant that the guy likes the woman, unless he's suggesting for a one-night stand. But what she found in his eyes doesn't at all tell her that what he's asking her is just for entertainment. It was pure sincerity, like he asks him to do it with her and only her.

But what could be the result to this? In later times, they would eventually break off their contract. The thought alone makes her feel so pressured and disappointed.

Natsume too didn't even think twice on saying that, because he's already sure of it. It's true that he was satisfied at her little tantrums a while ago, but he was also glad that she stood up for him. That also meant that she unconsciously prevented him from tainting his hands. Even so, he wasn't at all happy when she did the work of humiliating that bastard for him.

"Natsume, why are you kidding-"

"I'm serious." He made that face again. That same face when she thought she would just fall down on her knees and tell him that she indeed likes him. It was like a responsorial communication between them, she, through words and he, through his own actions. The minute he protected her from being hurt, she knew her heart had caught by this guy, but she cannot even let him know about it. Damn, she's being too repetitive lately, but she guessed that that's what a person in love can do.

"It'll hurt." Was her single answer, not realizing that it was actually a synonymous phrase concerning the issue between them now.

"I know. It's the first time for the both of us after all." He looked at her strangely. Of course it'll hurt! Doesn't she know that? But unknown to him, it doesn't concern their physical attributes being involved in the activity he's suggesting to do with her and her alone.

Oh shit, shit, shit. This is the first time he asked that trembling with anticipation, but he had to be a fool. He's inexperienced at this, he admits, but that was because he's saving his little pride that starts with v and ends in y, and he's always making sure that he'll give it to the one he loves the most.

Hell. He just did not admit that.

"T-That's not what I meant." Mikan's face reddened in embarrassment. Just as she thought, he's thinking that she was talking about the effects of their… possible-to-happen escapade. She turned her head sideways, avoiding Natsume's impossible eyes, and she knows that if she continued on staring at him, it would lure her to agree at his request. Well, she likes it too, yes, who wouldn't anyway?

Natsume is a handsome, smart guy, who already has his own company at the age of twenty-eight, and he's someone any woman could wish for.

In other words, she's too lucky to have this guy hovering above her, asking her to do something any girl would say 'yes' to.

"I mean… we're only bound to live together for months." Bitterly, she said it. "What would we obtain from this?"

As much as she hated to admit it, agreeing to this and then forgetting that this time existed when they part ways later on would be more painful than to have him inside her.

She shook her head at the thought. She's becoming a bit perverted when she's around Natsume.

But instead of answering, his look only intensified, and the last thread that connects his sanity and his heart snapped, resulting in him leaning down to meet her neck—with his lips, more accurately when her head's actually turned to other side.

She moaned.

"N-Natsu-" And he stopped. She frowned at the loss of tingling sensation.

"You definitely liked it." He smirked at her and she glared at him, half-embarrassed.

"Shut up." said Mikan, and avoided his gaze. "What are we gonna do about this if we separate ways? It would be too painful." The last sentence came out as a whisper, and she can't even stop herself from having a misty-eyed face.

Natsume raised a brow at her. Is she telling him that it would hurt her when they had a divorce?

The hell. He isn't even planning on letting her go. She is his.

And his alone.

But still, it made his hopes high that maybe, just maybe, she does love him.

"That's why I want to do it." Natsume simply said. "To have reasons not to be away from you."

Her eyes immediately widened and she looked at him.

No way is he suggesting that…

Her thoughts and doubts died down when he had her body encaged in his arms, his lips landing on her very own, starting a heated battle between them. Just the two of them.

Ah, that felt good. It was like Natsume to tell his words through his actions.

"Papa? Mama?"

A voice interrupted them.

Natsume sure loves Youichi's little, melodious voice ringing inside their home, but if this would be a drill whenever something good between him and his wife comes up, he'll make sure next time to tire the kid the whole day just so he can have a sound sleep, and maybe, there would be no destructions afterwards.

He'll consider on telling him to behave if he wants to get his little sister or brother.

Mikan, seeing that Youichi had seen them once again in a very compromising situation, pushed Natsume lightly and stood up, walking over to Youichi.

"Erm… Youichi, do you want mama to sleep with you?" Mikan nervously laughed and faced Youichi whose eyes are alternately looking at her and at Natsume. Thankfully, he nodded and faced Natsume one last time.

"I'm sorry about that, papa." He bowed politely and looked at his mama up whom he found was looking at Natsume with a small, embarrassed frown.

Natsume smirked at her and mouthed a 'Later'.

Once the both of them got out of his eyesight, his smirk faded and was changed by a frown of his own, throwing his head back afterwards.

Ah, realizations are never new to him, but this one that occurred in his head just brought back a small, genuine smile on his lips.

Yeah, screw his 'neither strings nor emotions attached' principle.

He just has to change that line later on.

And oh yeah, screw that stupid cupid too.

My Strange Family

Smiling happily, Mikan walked on the roadside, preparing to buy some few grocery items that they needed since they are running out of raw foods on the refrigerator. Thank goodness and there's no classes, since they are preparing for the upcoming fun run.

Natsume would join.

Her heart skipped a bit at the thought of her husband.

Ah, silly her. It was just last night since that fateful event occurred, and she's feels as if it happened just a minute ago.

She wondered what the two has been doing now, and her doubts rose when she found Natsume a while ago—before she went out, bringing out numerous toys from his car. That must be for Youichi, no questions asked. But why would he buy so many toys for him? Is he even planning on making him play all that in a day?

Now, now, that would tire Youichi out.

She was about to enter the door when a hand stopped her.

Mikan looked up and saw an awfully familiar, red eyes staring back at her.

"Are you Hyuuga Mikan?" It was an old man, and she hesitantly nodded before the man continued. "If it's not so much bother, please come with me."

At first she didn't agree, since he's a stranger, and it would not be good if she comes with a stranger—and she's even married. What would people think?

"Don't worry. I can be trusted. I'm Natsume's grandfather, Hyuuga Yukio."

She found herself riding with him in his black car, her errand was long forgotten.

My Strange Family

"Umm…" Mikan awkwardly looked inside the classy restaurant and sighed. Why did she go with this old man again?

"We can make this conversation plain and sweet, or long and painful." His eyes totally gave out an aura like Natsume, she thought. She also decided that he dresses elegantly like her husband as she saw him wearing business suit.

And yeah, his attitude is definitely an heirloom that was passed on to Natsume.

"I'm sorry sir, but-"

"I want Natsume's happiness." He started and looked kindly at her. "And I don't have anything against his choice of wife. To be honest, I liked you when I was told that you're actually a kind woman." He smiled.

She too did that same, but it was a really small one. Mikan still doesn't know if she should trust him already.

"But, I presume that you already know that he has bigger responsibilities in America than in this country." He paused for a while and looked at the window before going on with his line. "Natsume is my only heir, and no one is suitable other than him."

She nodded. That cannot be doubted, coz she herself admits that Natsume is a real successful man and can do everything he wants.

"I approve of your relationship with him, even if you do love him or not."

At that, she swallowed. She sure loves the guy, she thought.

"I am sickly now, and very soon, I know I'll die, so please, Mikan…" Mikan frowned when he called her by her first name. "…if it's alright, please convince him to go to US with me."

She doesn't know why but her nod made her feel like everything's going to be bad from now on.

My Strange Family

Mikan silently sighed before opening the door of their house, and surprisingly, she was greeted by the sight of Natsume glaring at her. She nervously swallowed and walked past him.

"Where in the world did you go, Mikan?" Natsume hissed and held her arms tightly. She winced and sighed when his grip loosened a bit, pulling him through his hand, and when she saw no sign of Youichi around, she pushed Natsume against the door and pulled herself up, a heated kiss making its way in between them. Unsatisfied with her action, Natsume pulled her closer—much closer than their previous ones and deepened their kiss.

After a minute of session, Mikan broke the kiss and stared at Natsume. Hard.

"Natsume." She called out, and he looked down at her with a frown.

There was something about the way she said his name, and Natsume is determined to find that out. But the next words from her didn't even make him do a single move of investigation, as Mikan herself brought out her issue.

"What if… what if you go to US?"

That sent his glare directing back at her. "What the hell do you mean?" His glare even flared up when he realized that she might have encountered Rei again, and forced her to make him agree.

On second thought, Rei wasn't like that. Once he told him not to interfere, he'll do just that.

Natsume angrily pushed her away from him and closed his eyes.

"I thought we're over talking about this?" He gritted his teeth without opening his eyes. "Why is this brought up again?"

Instead of answering, Mikan silently walked near him again, hesitant to touch him. But in the end, she found herself tapping his cheeks and he growled, immediately slapping her hand away.

More than the sting that she felt on her hands from the force he produced, the pain of not caring and pushing her away she felt from him truly hurt her.

There was a silence between them, and when she decided to take back what she said, he spoke in a venomous tone.

"I thought you were the one who'd support me from this." Mikan kneeled down and her face immediately scrunched up, an immeasurable amount of liquid in her eyes started to gather up. "And you're the one to betray me?"

"Natsume, that's not-"

Her words were cut off when he walked past her and stopped before completely vanishing away from her sight. With that, her tears started to fall on her face and she was sure that the worst decision she made in her life was when she selfishly agreed to the old man's request without considering Natsume's feelings.

And his words even made her feel more miserable.

"If that's what you want, I'll leave."

My Strange Family

Typed on: December 18, 2012

5:39 p.m.

Posted on: December 18, 2012

Author's Notes: Finally! An update! Haha! Anyway, I'm really sorry if it took me days to update this, I was really having a hard time coping on some things, like, you know, last Friday was my parents' anniversary, and yesterday was my mom's birthday! :3

I would like to thank you guys for putting up with me up until now. And you know what? You are the reason why I kept on writing. Your words make me feel and think that I can be a very good writer.

So, anyway, before anything else, I would like to thank the following:

squareecircleee

ayakachi

Hanisakura

Prick 'n Improper

spica14

DEVilishAngel00

bloodelfprince1

riaanaa

rosbaten

roxshane

Natsumes Love

CandyMari

mapleroxy

Dessert Princess

SyiRahzz

.965

Flowers In the Wind

Chikaameliaa

PandaLove22

ANIME'luva'NAMED'HaVeN

ryeochii

MizuKaze53

Nen Z

mikanisdaboss

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EchizenRyoma

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xxxStarlightAngel

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Guest

Natsuki Rin

To all the guests who have been reviewing, you don't know how much I'm thankful! I'm just kinda sad that I cannot thank you through a personal message, but anyway, I hope you understand. ^^

Please forgive me for any grammatical errors and mistakes. I'll try my best to improve my writing skills. ;)

And oh, I hope I'm not boring you with the flow of the story. And yes, the real story starts here.

So anyway, I have to go now, since I still have one more household chore to do, haha. Goodbye!

See you on the next chapter!

-Erieh Yamazaki