Hello, happy Monday! My god we're so close of Christmas and the end of year I can't believe how fast time passes. Well, I've got a surprise for you…well it depends if you want it or not! Read the author's note at the end of this chapter to find out!

Answering time!

lexy1989: It must be hard on you! I really hope you're sleeping properly. I really appreciate the effort you put to read my fanfiction without leaving it. You said something amazing, we're never too old for this! Thanks for being such a loyal reader!

An1nobara: Muchisimas gracias, sabes que eres la persona más dulce del mundo? No tienes que preocuparte por no comentar rápido, tú siempre lo haces y yo siempre espero con ansias ver lo que pensaste del capítulo. Yo también he estado enferma últimamente, en mi casa todos nos estamos enfermando también haha! Sii aún hay mucho que desconoces pero que pronto sabrás si sigues leyendo mi historia. En serio estoy agradecida por que siempre lees mi historia, sin importar el idioma!

Guest: Thank you very much for your support, you're the sweetest! I don't want you to think I'm cruel…so thanks to you I've decided to do something special for my readers, read the author's note in the end of this chapter to find out!

Guest: Awww thank you for loving my story! In exchange, I love you!

Anilisa: Sorry I think I made you misunderstand, I meant that since Youichi didn't collect pure souls anymore he would have a lot of free time to fall for Natsume's trap! You have a good eye, you're right in a few guesses but wrong in a few others. All the answers will be revealed soon, I promise! Please stick up until the end!

Loveisfun: I would do the same thing haha! But fear not, everything has a reason!

Diabula-Rasa: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you think the chapters are great, you guys make my days! Hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Sakura Shiragiku: Hahahah! Thank you so much for looking forward my story that much! Here's the new chapter, hope you like it!

Enjoy!

*Chapter 12*

"Since I'm the one who killed her", she said in a threat of voice, softer than a whisper. Her voice sounded both regretful and cold.

"What did you just say?", Natsume asked, startled by the brunette's statement. She on the other hand looked at him with her eyes wide open.

"Y-You heard me?", she asked in disbelief. She just messed it up big time.

"No I didn't. That's why I'm asking", he lied in justification receiving a sigh in relief from Mikan.

"It has nothing to do with you", she answered curtly as she opened the door. "I'll be sleeping downstairs", she said before closing the door.

He simply ran his hands through his hair, messing it even more. He could hardly believe it. The freaking soul collector was right. He even broke the deal with him for protecting her. However, he couldn't help but to wonder, why did she sound so sad about it? She doesn't seem like a killer. But again, she even clarified it herself.

His mind was a mess; he decided to go back to the underworld to talk with Ruka about this. Apparently Megumi, he shook his head, Hotaru; as she's called in this century, was Mikan's best friend before, who once both of them went to visit her grave. Second thing he knew, Mikan killed her best friend…who is Hotaru…who's now a half vampire. Something clicked on his head, "Mikan killed Hotaru", he concluded.

He locked the door for the past accident not to happen again; he opened the gate to the underworld. Ruka most have answers, for both Mikan and Hotaru and also his lack of powers.

"Explain it to me", Ioran demanded when he landed on his office.

"You moved the gate?", he asked referring that when he used the gate to the underworld he would land on his office but now he appeared on his father's office who didn't look so happy to see him.

He then recalled he had missed almost two days of his daily report. "I'm sorry dad I-"

"You were busy?", his dad interrupted him still with a frown plastered on his face. "I gave you one condition, can't you at least follow it?"

"Dad I-", he tried to explain but was interrupted again.

"You're not going to the human world anymore", he stated seriously, looking directly to his son's crimson eyes. He usually doesn't do this since they remembered him about his wife's eyes. So Natsume knew he was serious.

"No, dad. I'll take whatever punishment but please allow me to keep living in the human world", he then realized what he had just said. Why does he want to stay when the only thing he wanted 2 weeks ago was to leave that place! Was he going crazy? Certainly.

Ioran only raised a brow. It was rare to see his son losing his composure about such a small matter. There was something or someone making him stay and he wanted to know what it was or who it was.

"Fine but you better follow my rules", he explained snapping his fingers.

It was his way to call his butlers, apparently. In a few seconds, a tall man dressed in black entered, leaving a well-known cup of the crimson liquid. Ioran made a sign for him to take it and so he did.

"The deal is simple", the older Hyuuga started talking. "You must not fail to give your daily report "

"It won't happen again", he vowed.

His father nodded, giving him back the key. "Place it back inyour...I mean Ruka's office"

Speaking about Ruka, he needed to see him.

Hotaru closed the magazine she was reading, as she let out a long sigh. She couldn't get distracted, reading wasn't helping her anymore. She couldn't stop thinking about the face of that brunette girl. She was crying so desperately it seemed like if she had lost something important.

She couldn't help but to feel unable to understand the situation. She always thought that this girl was part of her imagination, since she only appeared in her dreams. Someone she created out of her solitude. Let's be real here, she loved Ruka but most of the time she spent it alone.

When she saw that girl, who she thought to be a character created by her, in real life; it kind of blew her mind for a moment. She couldn't even think but to move a side when the said girl tried to hug her.

She could still hear how she called her name over and over again, so desperately. Nothing had sense.

Suddenly someone opened the door. Hotaru turned to look at the man who entered the room. She sighed in relief when she realized who he was.

"Hey", the blond scientist greeted. "How are you feeling?", he asked taking sit next to her.

Hotaru looked at his mesmerizing blue eyes with an apologetic look. "I want answers, Ruka. I need them", she remarked that word like if it really was a necessity.

Ruka took a deep breath. "So it is time for us to talk about it, huh?"

Hotaru's eyes sparkled; he finally was going to tell her something. He was about to talk when the door was opened once more.

"Ruka", he spotted the blond one then turned his gaze towards the short haired girl sitting next to him on his bed. "We need to talk, in private"

Ruka turned to look at Hotaru then turned to see his best friend. "Can't we talk about it later?"

Natsume shook his head slowly, wearing a serious and slighty scary expression on his face. "I get it", Ruka said getting of the bed. However, a hand stopped him. "Ruka you were telling me something important", she looked hurt.

"I'm really sorry", he said placing his hand in his cheek but she removed it. "I'll be right back"

The door was closed once more leaving Hotaru alone, again. She pounded the bed with her fists.

"Stupid Natsume Hyuuga", she whispered.

"You lost your powers!?", asked a surprised bunny lover. "How's that even possible?"

"Well I don't know", Natsume complained. "You are the scientist, you should know!"

Ruka sighed. "I don't know everything, Natsume", he took a step closer. "Let's try your powers"

Natsume looked at him angrily. "I said I don't have anymore"

"I got that part already", he crossed his arms. "I want to see if there's really not a trace of them"

Natsume sighed in defeat. "Alright, try to pass through this wall", Ruka said, pointing the wall in front of them.

Natsume rolled his eyes, he already tried his powers before and they didn't work so what will change now? He exhale and then extended his hand to touch the wall. He was surprised by his hand going through it. He quickly pulled it out.

"It worked?"

Mikan turned her gaze to see the old wooden clock hanging in the living room; it marked 10:30pm. She sighed, unable to take Hotaru's face out of her mind. It's not the first time she has dreamed about her; however, it was the first time it felt so real.

She shook her head trying to focus on something else. She lay down in the sofa but then stood up after a few seconds. It was uncomfortable and she didn't even think of bringing a pillow with her. She sighed irritated as she started walking upstairs trying to make the less noise possible, for sure her mother and grandmother were sleeping by now.

She tried to open the door but realized it was locked. She cursed in her mind, why this guy always locks the door? So she went downstairs, looking for the keys. She was punished when she broke the door so her grandmother told her where the keys were for each room.

She opened the door finding a bright light she knew very well. "It was real?", she asked herself. She felt both surprised and excited. Her best friend was alive, she froze for a second, how's that possible?

There's only one way to figure it out, right?

Ruka arched a brow, "Have you being drinking?"

Natsume's brow twitched for a second. "I wasn't drunk for hell's sake!"

"I get it, calm down", his best friend said still smiling unconsciously. "Maybe being too much time in the human world affected your demon powers", he stopped for a moment. "Your powers are back and that's all it matters", he reassured.

"I guess so", Natsume crossed his arms.

"I have to go back", Ruka said patting his best friend shoulder.

"Wait", Natsume called out before he could leave. "I want to know more about Hotaru"

Ruka tilted his head trying to comprehend. "What for?", he asked with a tint of jealousy.

"Stop giving me that look, it's disgusting", he complained. "Like I would like that girl"

Ruka sighed again, this time in relief. "There's a connection between Mikan and Hotaru"

"Who's Mikan?", the blond one asked, clueless.

"Nozomi's great granddaughter", he answered as a matter of fact.

"You finally tell me her name", Ruka smiled.

"Anyway", he ignored his best friend comment. "Who killed her?"

Ruka stopped smiling. "I don't know. When I arrived to the scene fire was spreading all over the park and bullets were on the ground. I don't think it was one person's sin, but I also don't know why somebody would want to take her life away"

Natsume nodded, understanding. "I know Mikan was involved but I don't know who else"

Ruka's eyes widened, "What do you mean she was involved?"

"I don't know either. Youichi Hijiri was the one who first told me, and then she clarified it herself. However, I don't know the details"

Ruka pounded the desk. "Wasn't she her best friend?"

"There's still a big piece of the story we're missing", Natsume whispered.

"I can help you with that", another voice joined the duo.

Mikan!?

(Author's note) PLEASE READ!

I have a surprise for you guys! Christmas Eve is this Thursday so I wanted to give you something in return, since you've given me your support and that's the best gift ever. (I really hope this won't offend anybody's religion, please forgive me if I do.)

However, I want to update a small chapter (600 words) about what happens after Mikan appears to the scene. It's a small peek but you'll be able to know what happen Thursday instead of Monday! So what do you think? If you want leave me a review saying if you would like or not! If not I'll update regularly on Monday!

I'm looking forward your answers, thanks for all the support and happy holidays!