Chapter 11

Grandpa

The morning came faster than anticipated, and the two girls were ready to leave as soon as they got packed. But Hachi-san wouldn't permit them on their journey on an empty stomach, and so she started off in the kitchen as Mikan and Hotaru packed another few things into their backpacks. Hachi-san insisted they bring some of her home-cooked buns and a few juice packets.

Hachi-san sure was a kind, considerate, and hospitable person, and the two were grateful they met her. As she prepared three breakfast trays, the two girls seated themselves in front of her small rectangular table. The sun was rising and the birds chirped, and the view from the dining room's windows was spectacular. They could see the horizon and a few farms that lay ahead of them; a herd of cows grazed not too far away. The land was mostly of vegetable fields and it was no wonder Hotaru came this direction, she knew there would be shelters and small villages around.

The kind elderly woman finally came in the room and placed three trays of steaming food on the table. Their meal consisted of delicious grilled mackerel, a bowl of miso soup and steamed rice, and a few pickles as a side dish. They happily ate their meal and when they finished they helped with the dishes and were on their way, with Hachi-san waving goodbye as they trailed along the earthy road. They waved their farewells and when Hachi-san was o longer in sight, they started to chatter about their destination.

"You think grandpa would be thrilled to see us?" Mikan asked timidly as Hotaru fervently looked at her compass, a good meal always got Hotaru in a good mood.

"Well, let's see, you're his granddaughter whom he hasn't seen for over five years…" Hotaru said skeptically. "Of course he would, silly."

Mikan beamed.

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"I'll be searching for food, Natsume." Ruka said, putting on a blue sweater and a black wig. Natsume chortled, Ruka scowled teasingly. "I'll be back before lunch."

"Sure…" Natsume replied.

After a few minutes Ruka had left, Natsume started his secret training. Placing a rug on the floor, he sat on it and started.

"Come on, I got to learn this damn thing."

He sat in pure concentration, closing his eyes and thinking only about the aura but to no avail. After three hours of meditating, nothing happened and Natsume was disheartened.

"Crappy aura…" He swore under his breath.

After a disappointing trial, he stood up, wrapped his rug and snatched the ax beside the fireplace. He decided it was better to do some physical training.

As he stepped out, Ruka had finished shopping for food and only managed to buy a pack of uncooked rice, two cans of tuna, and a bottle of water. They had to make do with the money they had. While they stepped in the cabin, something moved in the midst of the forest and though it was slightest sound, the two of them heard it. They glanced at each other, nodded and slowly walked inside the cabin. Ruka shut the door behind them.

"Someone followed you?" Natsume whispered.

"I hope not…" Ruka replied in a whisper.

"Quick, you grab our backpacks and let's jet out of here."

Ruka nodded and obeyed Natsume, packing everything they needed, making sure he did it away from the cabin's window where he could be seen. They made seem as if they didn't notice a thing, as the spy pulled his binoculars and focused his attention to Natsume, who cleverly yawned and pretended he was taking (superb acting considering he once worked as a spy for Alice Academy.

As soon as Ruka packed, Natsume slowly walked away from the window and he slipped his backpack around his shoulders.

"Let's go through the escape door."

"We have an escape door?" Ruka said, looking astounded.

"What, do you think I was on vacation the whole time I was away from school…sheesh?"

Natsume pushed the fireplace sideways and it revealed a trapped door, he opened it and Ruka got in first.

Suddenly, the door burst opened and Natsume was halfway down the trapped door. To his ultimate surprise, it was the least expected person he would have seen in that moment. But it was him!

"You guys think I didn't know, huh?" Tsubasa-senpai said, grinning.

"Tsubasa!" Ruka exclaimed, his voice echoing below Natsume.

"What the heck are you doing here!?" Natsume revolted.

"Nice welcome, shorty." Tsubasa teased, shutting the door and setting himself down on a sitting stool. "I'm here because I followed you, and I also know about his place."

"But how?" Natsume scornfully asked, helping Ruka up. "Do you know how much you're risking yourself-?" He paused. "You are the only one, right?"

"Nah, I brought someone." He said sarcastically, stretching his arms. 'You really think I'm stupid, huh, Natsume…course I didn't bring anyone."

"So…you're the one that made the noise a while ago?" Natsume questioned.

"What noise?" Tsubasa asked. "I came as quietly as an ant."

"Shit!" A loud bullet sounded, and it hit the wooden floor of the cabin. Tsubasa looked dazed, for a while he couldn't move. "Come on stupid, get in the trapped door!"

Another bullet, only this time it scraped through Ruka's arm. There was cry, and Ruka passed out.

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"Grandpa!" Mikan squealed as she neared her old house. "Grandpa!"

"Sshhh!" Hotaru snapped. "Don't make a scene!"

"Oh whatever…" Hotaru said, exasperated as she saw Mikan run ahead and banged on the front door.

"Grandpa! It's me, Mikan." She cried out impatiently.

A woman opened the door and Mikan looked taken aback as she took a step back.

"Who are you?" the woman said, bemused. "I don't think I've ever seen you around here before, and who are you calling Grandpa?"

Mikan just stared and Hotaru caught up with her. Suddenly, big beads of tears trickled down her cheeks as she said, "He's gone isn't he?"

The woman raised her eyebrows and then the weirdest thing happened, she laughed.

"Oh honey, no, no!" She paused for a breath. "He's inside!"

Mika wiped her tears off, pushed the woman aside and ran straight to the room she remembered was her Oji-Chan's. Hotaru followed. And there was Grandpa, wrapped up on his sleeping bed on the floor.

He stared at Mikan for a moment, trying to recognize her. It couldn't have been her, she looked so grown up. She had long hair, still the same hairstyle, and womanly figure.

"Yu-" Grandpa cried. "-ka…?"

"Huh?" Mikan said. "No, grandpa, it's me! Mikan."

"Mikan!" grandpa gasped, as he ran to hug his granddaughter. The two embraced each other and cried. Hotaru looked and Grandpa reached his hand to her and embraced the two of them.

"Grandpa!"