Author's Notes:

First of all, I'm so sorry for mistakenly typed Tsubasa Andou into Tsubasa Endou. Extremly sorry here and I hope all of you can forgive me!

Secondly, -90 degree bow- I'm soooooooo happy all of you are supporting me and this pushes me forward to continue writing this fic. Free cookies for everyone!!!!

Oh, and thanks a lot lot lot for your wonderful review XD I hope you won't mind if I skip the 'a lot of thanks to' part. This can allow me to have a lot more time to write XD

Oh, by the way, I will give special thanks to the most favourite review for all chapter and the winner for chapter 15 is…. –drum roll- JC-zala!! I'm so happy you reviewed all the chappie and…. –sob- …I'm so happy XD XD

Okie!! Here's the next chappie, enjoy!!

Torn Between Love and Duty

Chapter 16: Falling for you

Mikan's POV

Feeling like I've been sleeping for years, I woke up, greeted by a heavy and nice scent of coffee.

Reluctantly opening my eyes, I focus around my surroundings.

I can see plain white painted ceiling above me. The walls were painted pale blue. The window curtains are very long and almost covering the sunlight beaming into the room.

Wait… this is not my room.

I found myself sleeping on a soft queen-sized bed. By the sides of the bed, are two beautifully carved bed side tables made of oak.

Something else caught my eyes. There was a beautiful shell decorated photo frame.

Curious, I picked the photo frame up.

In the picture, a ten year old Natsume stood there.

I giggled a little at his expression.

Still the same old gloomy face…

Even so, he looked so happy in the picture. The glint in his eyes told me that…

I moved my gaze away to a girl beside Natsume.

She looks a few years younger than Natsume.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

In the picture, she wore a white sun dress along with a pink picnic hat. She had soft, silky hair that reaches her shoulder with pale ivory skin.

What surprises me is that she has big beautiful crimson eyes that resemble Natsume's.

Suddenly, the door slowly opened. I look away from the picture to the door.

"Finally woke up, huh?"

I smiled at that comment. I'm relieved to see his familiar face.

"I like it better if you greet me normally." I paused for a while. "Thank you… Natsume-kun."

"For what?" He sat beside me, locking his blazing crimson eyes with mine.

"For…" I tried to sound casual. "…Everything."

He didn't say a word, as if he had a lot of things in his mind.

Feeling anxious for his reply, I tried to change the subject.

"So… um…. Natsume-kun… who's this girl in the photo?"

As if snapping from day dream, he looked into the photo frame.

He paused for a while. "That's… Aoi, my little sister."

I broke into a huge grin. "No wonder! You two look a lot like each other!"

Not noticing his serious expression, I continued, "Where is she? I wish I could meet her-"

"She's dead."

Natsume suddenly cut me off.

"…Huh…? What…?" I was shocked by his sudden reply.

"She died eight years ago… my families are all killed by the Alice Country."

I do not know how to reply.

No tears are shed…

No expression shown…

I felt guilty.

"I'm sorry!" I kept my head down, at the same time, clenching my fist. "I'm very sorry… I shouldn't have asked…"

Natsume looked startled at my sudden outburst.

There was a long pause. Neither of us moved or said a word.

Unable to withstand the awkward moment, biting my tongue, I climb out of the bed.

Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist.

Losing my balance, I fell back on the bed, my head resting on his lap.

"Natsu… me-kun...?" I blushed ten shades of red.

"I don't mind." He finally said with his eyes covered by his bang.

"Natsume-kun…?" I nearly lost my voice.

"...Baka…"

"…Eh….?"

"Baka!" He finally gave me his famous smirk. "That's nothing to be sorry about."

I was dumbfounded. "Demo…"

"Come on… I can hear your stomach grumbling."

He suddenly gave a light peck on my forehead.

"I hope you like toast."

Then, he closed the door.

I can hear my heart pounding hard on my chest, my face burning up.

I grinned widely.

…Natsume no baka….

…I guess that's why I fell for you…

Author's Notes:

Hai Hee…!!! Finished at last!! I hope you like this chappie!! Read and don't forget to review, CHAO!!