A/n: Hellew! /waves I am very glad that everyone enjoyed the last chapter. Chapter 4 is here already, which means only 11 more chapters to go ;D Warning: Updates might be slow because of SATs but I'll try to juggle :

A shout out to the lovelies who took time out to review the last update: jAyesque (The Julie), Autumn Win-Dow (Jessica Win Win), Kuro Tenshi-Hime (Yuuki-sama~), EvilAngel12, 96bittersweetblackcat, Kuroichibineko, ABCMECBA, websterdevil, 24kk, Devilish Dream, Teehees, Milky Angel, phantom-san and especially Michelle Potter-Black-sama (:!

Day Four

"I hide my tears and pain when I am around you... but that doesn't mean that I have no heart just because I don't show the pain." -Summer

Natsume

I was greeted by the faint murmur of the wind as I stepped out on my king-sized balcony. It was chilly in December, not nearly as cold as the United States, but still enough to send you straight to bed with fever and a runny nose if you weren't smart enough to put on a thick jacket and socks.

Lazily, I slipped inside the warmness of the tub, sinking deep into the hot water. It burned my skin in the most pleasant way, and I found myself already falling asleep.

There was a loud knock three times on my door. I opened my eyes and I grunted angrily, a loud, "Who's there?"

"Your cousin that's who," a familiar voice greeted me. "Be dressed in 10, Hyuuga."

I clicked my tongue in irritation as I slipped into my bathrobe and dried my hair. I slipped on a pair of black boot- cut jeans, tall black boots, a black muscle tee with a white chessboard printed sweater on top, and a long black coat. I placed the diamond stud carefully into my ear and stepped out, finishing my outfit with a set of black gloves.

By the time I reached my Lamborghini, it occurred to me that the others, very conveniently, had left before. Good. Our mansion stood like a giant in an isolated part of town and it was a long, one hour or so, drive from and back to the fitting. I was about to climb into my car when I heard "Young Master!" in a croaked, old voice. I turned around and bowed my head respectfully to greet the old man.

"What can I do for you, old man?" I smirked as the butler put his hands on his knees, bowing as he panted. "Young Master, you can't leave yet. Young Mistress – is"

"Aoi?" I interrupted.

"No Young Master. Mikan-sama. Mikan-sama needs a ride to the fitting today. Hotaru-sama left with others and Mikan-sama is late for her own fitting. Mistress will be very unhappy so can you please take her with – you"

"No chance," I grunted as I climbed into the driving seat and turned on ignition.

I reversed and took a 180-spin facing the grand black gate. Through the gardens and out the gate lay the outside, alien, estranged Tokyo I hadn't forgotten. As I readied to go forward, my eyes caught a glimpse of a figure running behind the car frantically in the side mirror. I quirked an eyebrow at the brunette waving both of her arms in the air and running like the house behind her was on fire.

"What the…"

"NATSUMEEE!" she shrieked.

I felt something tighten in my chest. She said, no, shouted out my name as the most natural thing in the world. It sounded good on her lips. She waved with genuine warmth and that warm, summery feeling returned.

I sighed as I watched her get in, panting heavily. She put up her index finger motioning me to wait before she caught her breath to speak. I could help it, and before I could help it, I heard my laughter roar like thunder.

I saw her eyes widen, but seconds later I realized what I had done.

I… I laughed?

My eyes widened and so did hers. She took one final, deep breath and looked at me thoughtfully. I took my eyes away from her honey brown ones and glued them to the wet pavement as rain pelted the ground.

She shivered and I eyed her outfit warily. "Little girl…" I sighed in a clearly irritated voice.

"Eh?" She looked up at me, blinking those… fucking long lashes. Screw this shit.

I looked away and grunted in agitation and she looked down. Realizing what I was referring too, she scratched her head and smiled gleefully. "Sorry Natsume-kun!" I flinched at Natsume-kun but allowed her to continue with her explanation.

"Ano…" she began uncomfortably, "I slept in late because I was watching Titanic again and then in the morning Hotaru said she'll leave me for the fitting if I didn't get dressed in time and I didn't think she actually would because you know?" She questioned me with those innocent dough like eyes like I knew what the heck she was talking about and I found myself nodding like an idiot like I understood.

"I mean…right? Like it's my own fitting and Hotaru is like my BEST friend. Do you have a best friend Natsume-kun?"

My lips answered before my brain could think of an insult for her unnecessary probing.

"Yeah, Ruka," I said hastily, trying to get her to the point.

"Ruka…pyon?" She blinked. I flinched at the ridiculous name but couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I flipped my bangs to the side, giving her a good view of my jawline and enjoyed watching her blush. "Ruka Nogi?" I said, unsure if Ruka pyon and Ruka Nogi were the same person.

"Waw!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together like a little girl. "That's so cool!"

"What so cool about that little girl?" I clicked my tongue unable to understand how this girl's brain works.

"Hotaru is my best friend and Ruka-pyon is your best friend now we can all hang out together!" She chirped.

"And why would I want to hang out with annoying little girls?" I said in a monotone, focusing on the road.

"But… but… Hotaru and Ruka-pyon aren't annoying little girls…" she blinked.

"I meant you, you idiot." I said the obvious making her shudder.

"Yah… you just sound like Hotaru…"

"Well we are family." I added in a small note, more to myself than her.

Why were we straying from the topic? Why were we even having a conversation? The only people I had a conversation with, which FYI is a two way exchange lasting more than one or two sentences, is mother, Uncle Rei or Ruka.

Where did this… girl fit in?

"Oh yeah, so I was telling you," she suddenly said, bringing me out of my thoughts. "So Hotaru left me," she frowned cutely, "and then I was looking around when Oji-sama told me Natsume-kun hasn't left yet, so I thought Natsume-kun can take me!" She clapped her hands again, making herself comfortable as she put her feet up on my sleek leather seat.

"Hey!" I shouted and she froze, looking terrified. "Feet Off," I enunciated both syllables and she pulled her eyebrows together in annoyance. "What? You're screaming at me for… for THIS?!" She shouted back twice as loud as I had.

That's it.

"Get out."

"WHAT?!" She shrieked again in an ear-splitting voice.

"You heard me little girl…" I bit my lower lip. "Out!" I hit the brake and unlocked the car for her.

She didn't protest. She didn't fight back. She just looked at me with those pools of honey quietly, like trying to read into my head. She quietly slipped into her shoes and hopped out of the car. I didn't look back because I knew I'd change my mind, and sped up.

To hell with this girl, barging into my car as an unwelcomed guest, a free-rider who doesn't even have the decency to mind herself in my fucking car.

I took two deep breaths to calm down.

I had driven a good 15 minutes when I spun the car 360 degrees, pushing my accelerator down with full force as I sped back.

What the hell was I doing?

This girl was dressed in pyjamas and slippers and I had left her out on a snowy morning in the middle of nowhere.

My heart was beating fast, the kind of fast that makes your head throb. Suddenly guilt sprung up out of nowhere and I could feel myself drowning in it.

I didn't care about anyone but myself and that was a good policy to live by.

But this girl was a naïve airhead who wouldn't even know if someone tried to rob her or take advantage of her.

She would be put in a compromising situation: because of ME.

I saw my hands shivering on the steering wheel and sweat tickled down my forehead.

I jumped out of my car as I stopped where I had left her. The scarf she had wrapped around her neck was lying on the floor.

My heart started pounding.

I tried to calm myself down as I picked up the silk scarf. It belonged to my mother. She must have given it to Mikan as an heirloom.

That idiot… if something had happened to her…

What would I tell mother?

What would I tell myself?

Would I be able to live with myself?

I turned around in all directions, frantically looking around. In every direction I turned my head, for miles and miles there was snow. My hands balled into fists as I sank to the ground. I panted, all sorts of ugly scenarios involving Mikan springing to my head.

I caught a glimpse of smoke from my right and ran. No other thoughts could cloud my head at that moment, and my legs found a strength I didn't know existed.

I skidded to a stop as I nearly slipped on the ice but regained my balance, coming to a halt outside a shady looking ramen shop.

I saw the brunette sitting with an empty bowl of ramen next to her head on the table, her eyes closed.

I took a deep breath and relief filled my chest as I saw her sleeping. Before I could go in to wake her up my eyes froze and my feet glued themselves to the ground.

"What… the… hell?" I breathed.

A 40 year or so old man grabbed Mikan's arm, picking her up and dragging her to the back of the shop.

I saw several other men get up and follow.

I rushed into the shop, ignoring the many shocked glances, and sped for the small room at the back. I kicked the door open and it fell apart, just like I was falling apart inside.

I saw Mikan sprawled on the floor and the men around her like hungry wolves.

That's when my mind completely stopped functioning.

I just stood there motionless. My breathing slowed and all my senses went null.

And that's when I felt it again… pure rage.

Mikan

I was scared.

Unable to move but I was fully awake.

I could see what was going on around me and right now… everything looked like a nightmare.

I was scared.

I could feel my body go numb and my head was still on the table. I felt a rough tug on my arm, nails singing into my skin, propping me up.

I was at a brawny man's side.

He dragged me to the very back of the small ramen shop and pushed me on the floor through a black door.

The room was some sort of storage room with no windows and just one door. I tried to look around and saw men… scary, broad, ugly men staring down at me like I was their meal.

I wanted to cry but my body was completely numb.

Those were the worst 30 seconds of my life.

One person… If only one person could help me right now…

Tsubasa's face flashed into my mind, his ocean blue eyes full of loving, tender care. His bright smile, his long dark curtain of hair…

Natsume.

It really was Natsume. I didn't need to see his face to know. I could, for some odd reason, always feel his presence. He whipped in through the door like a gust of wind, knocking it to the floor. His hands were balled into fists and he tensed as he saw the number of men, before his eyes met mine.

And he went completely still.

I wanted to hold my hand up to reach him but I couldn't do anything.

I wanted to cry but tears wouldn't come.

Then time went into fast forward.

Natsume's kick sent a man twice his size flying into the corner. He was like thunder, striking down each opponent with a deadly accuracy.

One hit and every man in the room was down.

He turned to face me and bent over to pick me up. Some of my strength returned and I wrapped my frail arms around his neck weakly, tears stinging at the corner of my eyes.

He closed his eyes and his arms were wrapped securely around me. His head rested on my shoulder and his bangs fell handsomely all over his face.

Before I could break down and cry my eyes widened in horror.

Out of nowhere a man was behind Natsume with an empty beer bottle in his hand.

I pushed Natsume out of the way with whatever remaining strength I had and put my arms up, shielding my face as the cold glass made impact with my skin, shattering into many pieces.

I looked around at him, tears in my eyes. Before my vision blurred, I saw his hand extended towards me, his eyes wet.

Then everything went black.

Tsubasa

"You look handsome," Kaname patted my shoulder and I turned to smirk at him. "Anjou's pretty neat huh?" I remarked.

Right on cue Narumi Anjou, my tux designer, danced into the room wearing a pink frilly shirt with black skinny jeans. I laughed at his ridiculous outfit, Kaname was too kind to do that.

"For a designer," I said cockily, "You sure dress like a clown," I jeered.

"Pfft!" He waved his hand dismissively. "You're the star!" He joked, referring to the birth mark on my cheek. "Let's look at you!" He snapped his fingers twice. "Turn around."

I rolled my eyes as I turned around for the eccentric designer.

"Now is that a good looking groom or what?" He whistled appreciatively.

Just then, my knees felt weak and I fell to the floor. Kaname and Narumi rushed to my side, and Hotaru came barging right through the glass door with Ruka behind her.

"What's wrong?" Kaname sank to the floor next to me.

"Mikan."

"What happened to Mikan-chan?" Narumi blinked.

"I think something's wrong," I felt knots forming in my chest and my ability to breathe severely compromised. "Hotaru… my heart... it's hurting," I looked up at her, tears in my eyes and saw her shocked eyes staring into my panic stricken ones.

"I'll call her right now," she said as she pressed a number. She had Mikan on speed dial.

Natsume

I threw kicks around, focusing on hitting crucial spots that cause temporary paralysis. In an adrenaline rush, I knocked down my opponents in one blow and saw Mikan stir. She was moving again.

I bent over and picked her up, helping her adjust herself in my embrace. I don't do hugs, but comforting her was the only thing I wanted to do at that moment. I held her tightly in my arms as I closed my eyes and rested my head on her shoulder.

She wrapped her dainty arms around my neck, patting the back of my head slowly as if to say its okay.

I guess I was the one who needed the comforting more than her.

Suddenly, she pushed me sideways, and before I could register what was going on, I heard the sound of glass breaking.

Mikan had put up her arms, covering her face. Pieces of glass stuck to her skin and her arms bled heavily, a man towering over her as she looked at me one last time before she collapsed.

I saw her writhing there in pain as she lay in a pool of blood.

I growled as I knocked the man down, making him bloody with my fists.

I winced in pain as I felt a knife cutting into my shoulder blade but I kept my screams in.

Mikan was lying helplessly on the ground, just bleeding.

Tears fell out of my eyes. I hadn't cried in god knows when. I screamed as I knocked down two more men who came in through.

Pulling the knife out of my back and throwing it on the floor, my head felt dizzy. My eyes watered in my own pain mixed with Mikan's.

I pulled her on my back, wrapping her bloody arms around my neck securely, as I pushed her weight up, my elbows supporting her legs by holding her knees in place as I ran out of the shop.

Snowflakes fell all around us and I was glad to find my car still where I left it.

I lay Mikan down in the backseat as I climbed into the driver's seat, my tyres screeched, fighting against the snow as I rushed to the nearest hospital.

On my GPRS, there was a hospital not far away from where we were.

I pressed the accelerator full down and sped, cursing the snow for slowing me down. There was a blockade in front of me and police men were waving colored lights.

I stopped abruptly as rolled down my window.

"Sir you cannot proceed further— there"

"Shut up!" I growled angrily. "I have an injured person with me. I need to get her to the hospital!" I shouted but he shook his head vehemently.

"A landslide has blocked off the route. There's no way you can go!" He fought back and I held my head in my hands, feeling utterly defeated.

"Wait, she's bleeding!" He shouted as he looked over at Mikan in the back seat. "This is officer Shinji, do you roger?" He waited for the static as I looked up at him. "Send in the paramedic's team on route 107 immediately. There's an injured person here. I repeat. There is an injured person here."

I climbed out and cradled Mikan in my arms as two police men rushed to me with a blanket. I wrapped her fragile body in the blanket and she pushed herself into me, moulding into my form. "It's going to be alright," I combed her hair through my fingers. I kept repeating those words to her, though I didn't know if it was going to be alright or not.

The paramedic's team arrived with a doctor and a nurse, strapping Mikan to a stretcher.

I followed them into the paramedic's van as they cleaned her wounds with alcohol. They injected a pain-relief fluid into her arm and I held her hand as she cried out in pain. There was a small injury on her head and they covered her up in bandages.

The doctor looked at me and smiled. "Don't worry. Your wife will be just fine."

I wanted to protest but I winced horribly in pain. "Sir… is something wrong with you?" The doctor asked, alarmed at my sudden display of weakness.

"No, it's nothing, thank you –doc"

"Oh my god!" The nurse clasped her hand on her mouth. "His shoulder blade is bleeding!"

I cursed under my breath and the doctor asked me to take my coat off.

I obliged reluctantly and the doctor treated my wound. "This is a big injury. I'll treat it, but you might feel pain for a few weeks."

After the doctor had his way with me and securely bandaged my arm and shoulder, I asked the police for a place to spend the night.

It was evening and the sun was setting on us already. I couldn't go back because of the intense snow nor forward because of the landslide.

"There's a guest house about 20 minutes' drive east. Do you want directions?"

"No, thanks Senji. Got it."

I drove as the sun set and Mikan slept soundlessly in the backseat. When we arrived at the inn, we were received by an old man with snow white hair. "What can I do for you children – oh!" He exclaimed as he saw the bandages on Mikan's arms. "A room for two please," I said briskly, my bones screaming out the tiredness.

"Er, certainly," he hurried to the counter and pulled out a key. "Your name, child?"

"Natsume H."

"Please go ahead!" He handed over the keys to me and I appreciated how quickly he got done with the formalities.

I climbed the creaking stairs as I made my way to the top floor. There were 3 flights of stairs until I finally reached the assigned room and clicked the door open. I sighed heavily as I lay Mikan down on the double bed and pulled out the cleanly folded sheets.

I sat next to her for a few minutes, gently stroking her hair. I took in all of her features, the long ness of her lashes, the curves of her heart shaped face, slightly bruised. I flinched as I caressed her cheeks with my thumb. My eyelids felt heavy and I… I…

Mikan

When I woke up I felt something heavy on me. I opened my eyes, which felt really heavy and tired, and gasped as I saw Natsume sleeping soundlessly on top of me. He was still in a sitting position on my bed, but his upper body was stretched over me, his arms lazily sprawled across my stomach, his face buried in my chest.

I blushed. I had never been this intimate with another boy before… let alone my future husband's brother!

Oddly enough… none of it felt uncomfortable. He slept innocently, and I pushed his long tresses out of his picturesque face. His eyes were troubles, eyebrows pulled together, lips turned into a frown.

"It's just a nightmare, Natsume," I whispered into his ear, and unconsciously I pressed my lips onto his cheek. He relaxed before returning to a peaceful sleep.

As I touched his head, I felt his body temperature. He was as hot as coalworks!

I clasped my hand over my mouth in shock. All I remembered was having the beer bottle smashed on me. But now this beautiful boy was sleeping on top of me.

And he was burning in fever.

The smile on my face fell as I realized.

Natsume was really sick.

A/n: Quite an intense chapter huh? XD This chapter is for the Julie who's first day of school starts today! 3 I hope you have a great day BBG, starting your day with Natsume x Mikan of course ;)

I am really stretching myself to update long and interesting chapters for my readers, so please leave a review to keep me going mina-san!