Lie Down With A Lion

by claire-chan143

Archaeologist Mikan Sakura is prepared for almost anything when she returns to her family home in Kyoto, Japan ….. Except the news that her brother, Ruka, has just been seriously wounded in a sniper attack in Central Town. She rushed back to Tokyo to be with him, only to come up against no-nonsense Natsume Hyuuga, who was slightly wounded in the attack.

2. Prologue

She lifted the receiver, but didn't get a chance to say hello. "Mikan." She barely recognized her brother. "God…" His voice was weak, breathless.

Mikan gripped the phone hard. "Ruka? What's wrong? What-"

"I made Natsume call you. I… damn."

"Are you in Tokyo?" She could hear sirens in the background, people shouting, and felt panic rising in her throat. "Ruka, talk to me! What's going on? Who's Natsume?"

A fat bumble bee landed on the rim of her tea glass. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think as she waited for her brother to answer.

"I've been shot. I'll be okay"

"Ruka!" She jumped to her feet. "Ruka, where are you? What can I do?"

Another voice came into the line. "Miss Sakura? Natsume Hyuuga. I work with your brother. Is someone there with you?"

"No. No, I'm here alone. Ruka-"

"He wanted you to hear the news from him. A paramedic's with him now. We've got to go. I'll call you as soon as I can with more information."

"Wait – don't hang up! Where was he shot? How bad is it?"

"He took a bullet to the left upper abdomen." Natsume Hyuuga's voice was professional, unemotional, but Mikan thought she heard ripple of something else. Pain, dread. "Paramedics are coming for me. Sorry, I've got to go. We'll get you more information. I promise."

His words sank in. "Have you been shot, too? My God-"

The line went dead.