"Second chances do come your way. Like trains, they arrive and depart regularly. Recognizing the ones that matter is the trick."

Chapter 21

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

She laid at the heart of the sanctuarium. Her auburn hair, well combed and neatly sprawled on the stone which holds her body. She was dressed on a black gown, a crown placed over her head. Her body which was badly beaten was slowly healing, her humanly colors returning. Her gold bangle glows.

Creatures of the Hyuuga realm, all of them, held hands together as they chanted a magic spell. 3 days of kneeling and chanting… it's nothing compared to her life. They love and care for her as their Princess as they witness her televised sacrifice for their Prince and they want her back as much as Natsume.

She was being resurrected.

"It will work, your majesty. Just trust the process." Stern said as he looked at the lifeless eyes of Natsume who was staring at Mikan's body. He hasn't spoken a word since the day she died. Nor did he refuse to move from his spot.

"Dilectus meus mihi et illis sequentibus consurgetis de foramine age iam defuncti. Manus in manu non erit super id nisi mors tenuit nos non est absque amore vivemus in omni vita teneamus."

A bolt of energy sweeped through the land.

Her eyes opened, but instead of auburn, it was emerald.

She slowly sits up. She observed her surroundings.

Where am I?

Her body was restored to perfect shape.

And then she remembers everything.

A man slowly walked in front of her as flocked of creatures bowed on her presence. The man seemed speechless and shocked to see her alive.

He said nothing as he hugged her for dear life. She embraced him back.

"Natsume…" She whispers in his ear.

"You're really back." He said as he embraced her more tightly this time.

"Did you get your money? I put a tracker-."

"Shut up. It's not MY money. It's ours. Don't talk about useless things right now…"

Millions of creatures rejoiced as the news spread.

Two bundles of joy were placed on her arms.

"Oh my. They're perfect!" She said in excitement as she observes and hugs them.

"They're our exact copies, and the fire…" Natsume said as he stood beside her.

"They've got your gift?!" She exclaimed "They're so precious."

"Meet Takahiro and Seiichi." The prince said as he give them their names.

"Takahiro and Seiichi, such wonderful names. I love you so much! Welcome to the world!" Mikan said as she cradles them.

You're useless.

You're just a slave.

You're not worthy.

Get the fuck out of here!

It's been a month since she was resurrected and there were flashes of voices in her head like this frequent times a day, Natsume was with her every time. Sometimes it happens in front of her sons, sometimes when she's alone in her room at night.

He was always there with her during his free time and they're in awkward moments and there's a troop of security just for her 24/7.

She knocked on his office as she was told to enter. The Prince was having a conference with his officials. They all curtsied at her.

"Am I disturbing you? Should I go back later?" She asks.

"No, not at all…" Almost all of them answered in unison.

They automatically stopped as the prince got up from his seat and proceeded to her.

"Uhm, hi…" She said awkwardly at him, unsure how to treat him. She curtsied as he waved at her to not do it anymore but she did.

"Yes? Is there something going on?" He said as he led her to the garden.

"It's just…" She started but hesitated.

"Say it… anything…" He said softly, observing her.

"I wanted to go back to earth, if you'll allow me, your majesty." She said, not looking at him.

He was silent for a while. "Why?"

"The kids… our kids... " She started. "They're not safe with me for a while. I've been having episodes on my mind that sometimes I can't control what I'm doing…" She gulped and looked at him in the eyes. "It's just for a while until I've controlled it. Besides, they should learn to live on how we'll be in the future…"

"You've been having panic attacks?" He asks as she nodded."And what about how we'll be in the future? I don't understand, Mikan…" He said softly, completely clueless.

"I meant that… you're my ex-husband now, right?" She said.

Ex-husband…

Divorce papers...

Oh, shit.

"If you remarry,I would be out of the picture…" She pondered, her expression in pain. "My sons wouldn't be mine by then… And… and…"

He embraced her and kissed her on the lips.

"I will not remarry anyone other than you so stop overthinking everything, Mikan…"

"I don't want to marry you again, Natsume." She said and sighed. "I'd be endangering your life again… I can't let anything happen to you and our sons… I'll leave for your safety… This is my second life and I'll be spending it protecting you…"

"I don't need protection… and I'm the one who should be protecting you. You always treat me like I'm a weakling, Mikan." He said, hurt with her words.

"It's not that!"

"Then what is it? You wouldn't die if you've just given me the trust..."

"I'm just afraid that… that if something happens to you, I'd be alone and I can't carry on, Natsume! I just… can't. You're too important." She said gasping as her mind turned blank. She's having an episode.

"Shhhh…" He held her tight and kissed her head. "It's fine… I'm right here."

"Fine. I'll arrange something. Just promise me you won't do anything stupid…"

She nodded and smiled. "I'll try my best."

"Come on…" he said as he helped her up her seat. "I'll see you at dinner alright?"

"Alright."

"Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved."

A/N: Should I continue?