Chapter Five: An Irritating Birthday Party

"Wow! This place is so HUGE!!" Mikan exclaimed, looking up the house, while Hotaru expressionlessly walked through the shining gold front gate into the vast mansion. Realizing this, Mikan quickly dragged her luggage into the house, trying to catch up with Hotaru's pace that had stepped into the house.

"Hey! Wait for me! You heartless brat!" Mikan yelled out of her frustration.

"Well, it's not my fault that you had to gawp looking at the house," Hotaru replied, taking off her shoes.

"You meanie!" Mikan mumbled. She ran into the house and once again, astonished at the sight of the living room. It was very exotic, yet it was surprisingly gorgeous.

"Wow! It's lovely!" Mikan yelled. And, a sudden realization hit her hard.

"Nee, Hotaru, whose house is this?" Mikan asked. This early morning, Hotaru came to Mikan's house and ORDERED her to pack her things quickly and dragged her out of the house, without saying goodbye to her grandpa, or even her parents.

Without another word, Hotaru heaved Mikan out of the house, and did not say anything until they were in the car, which was driven fast out of the town.

"We're going to the city. I have something for you. And, I've already asked your parents, and they said okay," Hotaru explained, and everything was silence once again, until they were at the house.

"It's my house. Come on, I'll show you your room. It's upstairs," Hotaru replied.

Mikan went after Hotaru into her room and she tossed her bag onto the bed, yanked open the curtain, revealing the wonderful sight of the lake outside.

"Kirei!" Mikan mumbled.

"Enjoy yourself," Hotaru said, before going out of the room.

"Yeah!" Mikan replied, without knowing that Hotaru was already out of hearing distance.

Unable to decide what to do, she lay down on the squishy bed and closed her eyes. Before long, she had dozed off, as she was very tired from the unexpected journey. She didn't wake up until it was very late in the evening.

"You better dress up or it'll be late," Hotaru said out of nowhere, stunning the still heavy-eyed Mikan.

"Late to where?" Mikan asked, still confused.

"Someplace," Hotaru said in her final manner, leaving Mikan speechless.

"And wear the dress in the closet. It was a gift from someone," Hotaru added, before leaving Mikan by herself to get ready.

Slowly, Mikan walked towards the closet, sliding open the door, and found a blue-white dress, hanging stylishly, gleaming slightly with the aid of faint sunset, including a pair of matching shoes on the closet floor.

She took out the dress, admiring the soft silk material a moment or two, and put it on the bed, fearing that she would be late for 'what-ever'. She took a towel from inside her bag, and went into the toilet to freshen up.

Mikan looked very exquisite in the neck-and-shoulder-exposed light blue outfit, her hair held high in a loose bun, with a single white rose to embellish her appearance. She put on a light make-up with slight lipstick to top it off.

She went downstairs, and was greeted by Hotaru, who was wearing a simple, yet attractive lilac gown. Hotaru took her hand, and led her outside the house, into the car waiting for them. Once they were seated, Hotaru pulled out a strap of black folds and tied it onto Mikan's eyes.

"Aww… Come on Hotaru... you don't have to do this. Just tell me where we're going," Mikan pleaded.

"No I won't," Hotaru replied coldly.

"Why not?" She still doesn't want to give up.

"Because I don't want to," she replied.

Just when Mikan was about to retort, she heard a 'CLICK' and Hotaru said, "Do you want to try my new and upgraded BAKA gun? It really is efficient,"

Pouting, Mikan shut her mouth, not wanting to fight with her best friend.

After about half an hour, they arrived at the place. Hotaru took Mikan's hand and led her into the hall. And….

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" came a loud chorus.

Puzzled, and eyes blinded by the bright light, she finally adjusted to her surrounding. There were lots of people there, standing in semi circle, her friends, grandpa, her parents, and even her fiancée, Natsume who was standing to her left. There was a pile of presents stood at the end of the room.

Music filled the chamber, and loud cheers were heard, wishing Mikan a long and happy life. Natsume took hold of her hand and as quickly as fire burns, warmth spread throughout her ice-cold hand, due to the long ride and from shock. Surprisingly, Mikan squeezed his hand, which made him blushed from embarrassment.

'Darn it! She's looking very gorgeous! Hope I'll be able to control myself until party's over,' Natsume thought to himself, after a few moments of staring at Mikan, her hair, brown eyes, long exposed neck and those glossy lips…

'Get a hold of yourself!'

Her parents came to her, smiling, and kissed her on her cheeks and forehead, wishing her Happy 18th birthday. Grinning broadly, she said her thanks and hugged them. Soon, people started to scatter around to have drinks and enjoy the party, leaving the two standing and looking around the place.

"Wow! This is great! My 18th birthday! I'm finally eighteen! I totally forgot!" Mikan said. She turned her head towards Natsume and showed her most lovable smile to which she had never given to anyone before.

Stunned, Natsume blushed redder than ever, hid his face with his raven bangs, and looked away, trying to hide his complexion from being seen by her. Mikan noticed it, and wanting to tease him, she said, "You never change, Natsume. Come on, let me see your face,"

"Tch!" He replied.

Giggling slightly, she brought her hand near his cheek, cupped his chin and slowly trying to make his face turned towards her, which he followed without any resistance. Her heart skipped a beat, seeing his red skin and his eyes still looking away from her.

Taken aback, she took both her hands away, from his chin and hand, blushing furiously, her heart beating madly, she hurriedly walked towards the table where juice is served, trying to compose herself.

'What was that?!' she muttered. She turned around, peeking to see Natsume's reaction, but what a disappointment, he had gone from where he had stood.

'Guess I'll enjoy myself tonight,' and reluctantly took a drink.

Then suddenly, her vision became pitch black, as someone's pair of hands had covered her brown orbs.

"Guess who?" the voice whispers into her ears. Mikan recognize the voice, it belongs to Ruka!

"Kyaaa!! Ruka! I missed you!" Mikan exclaimed, and hugged him tightly, as if she wasn't going to let go.

"You look beautiful," Ruka praised her, and kissed her head in the most loving way. "Happy Birthday," he added and handed her a small package with a red ribbon on top.

"Arigatou gozaimas! Can I open it now?" He asked jovially. And he nodded.

Seeing his agreement, she tore open the wrapping politely and discovered a pair of gold earrings beautifully decorated with diamonds.

"It's beautiful,…" she mumbled. Then, her hands moved up to her ears to take off the old ones she's wearing and replaced it with Ruka's gift.

"It's perfect! All my effort worth it! Do you like it?" He asked.

Without hesitation, she nodded and took his body into her arms again.

"I'm glad that you like it! By the way, where did you get this dress?" Ruka asked after releasing Mikan from his firm grip.

She made a turn before saying; "A friend of mine gave them to me. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes. Very beautiful," He replied.

Natsume's POV

'Shit! I almost went out of control just now! That idiot! What was she thinking? Using the smile to rip me apart! But… that smile was the one I longed for… those warm lips, with her taste upon my mouth… get a grip!!!'

I slumped limply on the nearest chair. I feel like just looking at her is draining my whole energy away. I glanced around to make sure that she wouldn't see me.

'I need a drink,' as I was nearing the table, a scene shocked me. Really shocked!

Another man is hugging my precious girl! And very tightly too!

'Ruka! I missed you!' She had said that! RUKA…

'Kuso!' blood drained from my body, leaving me in numbness. I had to get away!

"Hey Natsume!" someone called my name, but I couldn't care less. I thrust away the hand that had tapped on my shoulder and fuming, I stomped out of the hall, loosening my tie, and taking off my coat. My whole body is burning!

A secluded area! That's what I need! It was at the corner of the hotel, where there were no lamps to illuminate the place, and on top of that, the tree is numerously branched so the leaves can camouflage me. I ran towards the tree.

Adrenaline pumping, my chest throbbed, my heart beating like there's no tomorrow and my mind is all blurry. All because of a girl. The only girl I have feelings for. As I sat, my body shook with anger. An irritation that I never experienced in my life is attacking me! My eyes felt hot, my face red, and blood was filling up my head like a giant balloon waiting to explode!

I wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Not a grunt, not a word, not a yell. I'm totally at a loss.

Remembered the gift that I just bought yesterday, I clutched the small red box inside my pocket. I wanted to give this to her on her 18th birthday. I guess I won't. What a waste! Maybe I should just throw it away. No use to me. But, I kept holding on to the box. I kept it in my pocket. What should I do?

End of Natsume's POV

Mikan and Ruka chatted for quite a long time, to catch up with each other, since they haven't meet like ages.

'Where the heck is Natsume? I want to introduce you to Ruka,' She looked around restlessly.

"What's wrong, Mikan?" Ruka asked, noticing her agitation.

"Gomen. I need some fresh air. I'll be back," She replied and dashed towards the door, leaving Ruka all by himself.

'Where the heck did Natsume go?' she asked herself. Ignoring of her high heels, she ran along the sidewalks, looking up for him. At her last willpower, she rested under a tree, catching up for breath, without knowing that Natsume was just at the other side, very bothered with the hugging scene that he just witnessed.

Not wanting to give up, she stood up once again and she made her way around the tree, where she found Natsume.

"NATSUME! Found you!" she exclaimed. Alarmed, he looked up, just to see an exhausted but still smiling Mikan, who had been running all around to find him?

'Why does she even care about me? I'm nobody in her heart,'

He slapped her hand, which was trying to touch him, to calm him…

"Don't touch me with your dirty hands that touched him!" He shouted.

"Itai!" She could feel an evil aura surrounds him. He's infuriated! About what?

"What are you so furious about?" She asked, trying to soothe him.

"Ask for yourself! Hugging another guy right in front of me! What do you think that made me feel?" He bellowed, trying to throw his anger at her. After all, she's the one that made him fell to this state.

"Do you mean Ruka?"

"Of course I meant him! Since I met you, you can't stop saying his name. Even when you're in my arms, you called him. You don't even bother a bit about me! I'm your fiancée! Darn it!" The feelings that he's been bottled up have exploded! His face was covered with his bangs, but Mikan saw a drop of water trickled down his cheek.

"Natsume, hear me out! Ruka is…" but her words were stopped by his.

"I've had enough! I don't want to hear anymore!" and with that, he stood up and walked away, leaving Mikan dumbfounded and speechless. Only after he's gone that she regained her awareness. "Wait! NATSUME!!!" but, he's already nowhere to be found. She fell on her knees and her brown orbs was rapidly producing warm salty liquids…

Mikan's POV

What should I do? He's mad at me. Did I do something wrong? Hugging another guy? That was just Ruka, darn it!

But, he cried… I saw it, even just a drop, I hurt him… what should I do? Someone please tell me…

With that, I cried harder than ever. I've lost him!

For like hours, I sat there hurting myself, until I felt a pair of familiar hands wrapped around my body, hugging me warmly, but not as warm as I had hoped for. The only body warmth that I need is HIS. But, where is he?

I knew it was Ruka that's lifting me, even though my vision is blurry, and my head is spinning and my body feels weak but I can still recognize him. I've lived with him for as long as I can remember.

"Ruka, I can't find him. Where is Natsume? I need to find him. Please let me down. I hurt him badly. I need to see him," I begged Ruka.

"No. I can't let you go. You're too weak to even walk. How can I let you go?" he replied.

"I need to see him. I need to apologize to him. I'm sorry Nastume. I'm sorry," I muttered and soon passed out.

When I opened my eyes again, all I could see was blinding white light, piercing into my eyes and quickly, closed them again. I blinked several times and finally adjusted to the surrounding. All I could see was heads of my family members. Dad. Mom. Ruka. Grandpa. And Hotaru. Where's Natsume?

And once again, tears flowed out and I cried as loudly as I could.