Strange day to be updating this one…. Whatever. Yeesh, cannot concentrate on anything else then this. .

Disclaimer: I don't own GA. If I did, the chapters would be out faster and Tachibana's hands would bleed. *Nervous laugh*

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Mikan giggled and stared at the baffled face of Natsume. Her hazel eyes flickered back to Ryuu, and he was still glaring at Natsume.

"Ryuu, sweetie, what do you mean?" Mikan asked, and Natsume shot her a glance, scowling.

Ryuu sneered at Natsume, "If he was really my daddy, he would have been around and helped mommy." Ouch, low blow. Mikan mentally winced as Natsume's face became a blank mask. Mikan bit her lip. Ryuu does have a point. There wouldn't be a problem if Natsume was around. Then again, he was banned from Tokyo. But he still could have come and found me in China! Internal battles were not Mikan's strong point.

"I am your father, Ryuu." Natsume stated plainly. Mikan watched the two glare at one another.

"Prove it." Ryuu stuck his tongue out at Natsume, "When's my birthday?"

Natsume was tongue-tied, and for a split second, pure rage flashed through his eyes before it was gone. Mikan never knew Natsume was one to get violent. The years have changed him.

"Why don't we go for dinner?" Mikan suggested hurriedly, attempting to defuse the situation forming between father and son.

The father and son exchanged evenly matched glares both with the infamous Hyuuga eyes. Their red eyes flared for a moment and calmed down.

"Fine." That was Natsume's way of agreeing. Ryuu buried his face in the crook of Mikan's neck and a tic appeared on Natsume's forehead.

Mikan laughed nervously, "How about we go to, um. . ." She prodded her brain for a lick of an idea of where they should go. Natsume sighed, cursing heavily and gestured to a black car—the same one from two years ago—across the street that Mikan hadn't noticed.

"I'll take us somewhere." Natsume had already started walking across the street when Mikan called out.

"Wait! Ryuu doesn't have a car seat!" She hugged her son tighter.

Natsume titled his head in her direction, a mocking smile splayed on his lips, "Keep him on your lap." Mikan chewed on her lip, debating whether to take him up on his offer or not. Finally she just went with it and joined Natsume at the car. She settled down onto the leather interior of the car, remembering the smell from the last time she'd been in it.

She buckled Ryuu into the car with her, holding him close. She swore if Natsume got into an accident, it wouldn't be an accident if she killed him. The trip left a shadow of paranoia around Mikan and she couldn't shake the feelings that something would happen.

The restaurant was surprisingly empty that evening when they entered. The host smiled as he led them to a table. Ryuu sat—insulted—that he had to sit in the high chair.

"I'm too old to sit in this." He snorted and Mikan giggled, quietly asking him what he wanted. Ryuu didn't know at the moment and Mikan went back to her own menu.

"What are you ordering?" Natsume asked gruffly, still peeved that Ryuu didn't acknowledge him.

Mikan eyed the menu and her mind went blank. "I, um, the rice?" Ryuu and Natsume gave her identical looks of surprise.

"There's rice with everything, Mikan." Natsume replied slowly, like he was explaining grade twelve math equations to a kindergartener.

"Shut up, Hyuuga." She retaliated rudely, and flipped through the menu.

"I think I'll have lobster. Yukihira, are you paying?" Natsume questioned smartly, chosing the most expensive item on the menu.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Natsume shrugged, sitting back in his seat, "You offered dinner. Or do I have to pull your weight and pay?"

Just as Mikan was about to snap some ill-mannered response, Ryuu stated, "Mommy and stranger are stupid."

Perplexed, the ex-lovers (maybe still lovers?) gazed at their son. Mikan's jaw fell slack and the innocent (?) two year old resumed looking for something to eat.

When the waiter came, Mikan ordered fried rice with duck, Natsume had crab (a cheaper version of lobster) and Ryuu had a simple order of wonton soup.

"What do you do now that you're in China, Natsume?" the question slipped from Mikan's lips and Natsume gave her a cocky look.

"I'm a teacher." Mikan spit out her drink and wiped her face, horrified.

"You had your teaching licence revoked!" She sputtered, and Ryuu raised his eyebrow.

Natsume clucked his tongue, "Tch. You're such a baka, Mikan. I work as a psychologist now." Mikan bit her tongue from laughing. It wasn't really her place to judge but seriously?

"Oh." That was what she could manage without laughing in his face.

"I want to be a teacher when I grow up." Ryuu commented, earning him a laugh from Natsume.

"You'll be a fine teacher if you become one, son. You do after all take after me."

"If he takes after you, he'll end up getting fired." Mikan mused and Natsume glared at her.

Ryuu watch Natsume apprehensively, "How can I know if you're really my dad?"

"You just will." Natsume stated, "I'd do anything for you and your mother."

Mikan pursed her lips. He'd have to say a hell of a lot more than that to make it up to her for barely contacting her at all.

Ryuu thought for a while, and when the food was served, their table had gotten significantly quiet. They ate their food, a sort of calmness as the atmosphere.

When the food had been polished off, Natsume split the bill with Mikan and Ryuu spoke.

"Thanks for dinner, Otōsan." Ryuu muttered, and a small smile crossed Natsume's face. Mikan had to smile along with him, and Natsume's face beamed when Ryuu let Natsume pick him up.

"Congratulation's, Hyuuga." Mikan punched his arm lightly and laughed. Ryuu stuck his tongue out at her, but Mikan could tell he was ecstatic.

The family of three left the building in a joyous mood, the tension dissolving along with the paranoia Mikan had felt earlier. As they neared the car in the almost empty parking lot, Mikan rested her head on Natsume's shoulder. Happiness bubbled in her stomach, and she felt Natsume kiss her forehead. She sighed with content. Things couldn't get any better.

Natsume set Ryuu down, and turned to Mikan. "You can't begin to imagine how much I missed you, Mikan."

She blushed lightly, and her eyes flickered to his, "I missed you too, Natsume."

He pulled her into the circle of his arms, and just for a moment, Mikan was transported back two years ago when she had him all to herself.

"Mommy, look at this rock!" Ryuu cried from across the lot. Worry flashed in Ryuu's parents eyes.

The sounds of squealing tires ripped them apart as they raced to get to their son.

Mikan felt as if she were running in jell-o. The earth shook and Mikan couldn't breathe. A car sped around the corner, probably in a part of an elaborate chase heading straight for Ryuu. They were never going to make it, Mikan realized with dread.

The child was far too frightened to move. The headlights flared and approached the child. "MOMMY! DADDY!" Ryuu screamed before the car hit him, sending him flying. At this point, Mikan had drove for her baby, a mere two feet away. The car stopped, its tires squealing loudly.

It felt like Mikan's heart was ripped out of her chest and torn apart. Her whole world had shattered in that very moment.

"RYUU!"

I am a very bad person indeed. Very bad. Yell at me all you like *puts in ear plugs*. I'm sorry I had to do that, as I love Ryuu very much. I'm not sure how many chapters are left, but I believe we have finally reached one of the most dramatic parts. I could make it longer, but who knows. : ) Review!

~Emerald~