I was going to post this much much earlier, but I forgot, and shit happened. AKA school and procrastination. So enjoy~

P.S, this story is kind of inspired by the manga Black Bird—which is actually highly inappropriate but oh well. And a friendly reminder that Natsume is OOC in the beginning. His personality will be quite like Koko's.

The story starts the day I was born.

Perhaps even before that, though I can never be sure.

It was the night of May 17, around nine, when I was born. It was a difficult pregnancy to start with, and I was due a week early. It was an anxious night for everyone when my mother's water broke and was sent immediately to the hospital.

Though it was difficult, I was born safely and my mother—though extremely exhausted—was also safe. In other words, it was a miracle.

Relief, bliss, glee. These were the few of the many complicated feelings that hung in the air after that. Relatives burst into the hospital room, wanting to hold the newborn and take a look at her.

"What will you name her?" My uncle, Kazumi Yukihira, asked my parents, my mom cradling me. My parents glanced at each other, beamed and announced proudly.

"Mikan Yukihira."

"Mikan Yukihira." Someone repeated thoughtfully, a voice that no one recognized. All eyes turned towards the door, finding an uninvited guest covered in a black cape, the only thing visible about him was his large, eerie grin. "What a beautiful name."

"Thank you." My mother, Yuka Yukihira, answered with a shaky voice. "Who are you?"

He chuckled, a dark sound that sent shivers down everyone's spin. "Who I am does not matter. I promise I will not be here long." He sauntered over to the bedside, no one was able to stop him. They were frozen in their spots.

"This child, indeed, will make a good bride." He chuckled again. "She will be able to give birth to a powerful being."

"I'm sorry, sir." My mother shielded me away from the man. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"My lady," the man lifted his face up, an eye—pitch black and endless—staring right into her. "Do you know what you have given birth to?"

No one said a word.

"This is the Lost Princess." The man answered his own question for her. "Only one will be born every thousand years. Her very being is made especially to attract the demons. She will become the perfect bride for the most powerful demon who will win her over. Her offsprings will be the rulers of the other world."

"You are insane." My mother hissed at him. My father, Izumi Yukihira, grunted in agreement.

"Oh, am I?" He laughed out loud, throwing his head back. "That's fine; don't believe me. But sooner or later you cannot run from the truth. You will see, who exactly it is that she comes to attract. You will see, and you will not be able to run or hide from her irreversible fate."

He took another long look at me—me, who was still a newborn child who knew nothing nor remember anything—and made his way towards the doorway.

"I will give you a date. Sixteen years from today, she will be taken away for the "competition" in the other world. You have until then to take care of your daughter and accept the truth." He bowed slightly, let out another eerie smile, and disappeared.

Of course, something like this was just shaken off as a bad joke, a stupid prank. After all, there are no such things as 'demons' or 'other world.'

They forgot it as time passed, as Mikan Yukihira grew up; speaking her first words, taking her first step, going on her first day of school, making her first friends, drawing her first picture, the list goes on and on. She—I—was normal, just like every other person was.

That was what everyone hoped.

Then came the month of April, the month before my sixteenth birthday. My parents were unusually nervous during that year, though they never told me why and I never really asked.

I figured it would pass, their nervousness.

But then one day, on April 17, exactly one month before my birthday, that was when it really started—my irreversible fate.

It started out like any other day. Me, waking up at about seven in the morning, going through my daily routine, going to school, coming home, doing homework, eating dinner. Around nine at night, my mom was in the kitchen cleaning the dirty dishes, my father in his study, working. Me? I was simply in the living room, lounging on the sofa and watching TV; I finished my homework early.

There was a knock at the door, a short, crisp sound that surprised me for a second.

"Mikan, can you get the door for me?" My mother called from the kitchen and I, reluctantly, stood up from my comfy spot and lazed over to the door.

Opening the door, I was greeted by a man I didn't recognize. His clothing looked a bit old styled, almost like those Victorian-aged clothing; a black tailor-suit, black dress pants, a black top hat with a crimson ribbon around it, a crimson tie. In his right gloved hand was a golden, fancy cane.

"Uh…" I was a bit wary with his presence; he seemed a little out of place. "Who are you looking for?"

"Is…" He started, his voice surprisingly smooth and sounded…young. I assumed he was old with his style of clothing and I couldn't see his face with the top hat covering it. "Mikan Yukihira here?"

"That's me." I answered, surprised and a little afraid.

"You…are Mikan Yukihira?" He asked, his tone rising a little with uncertainty, and I nodded, clenching the door, preparing to slam it in his face if he does anything suspicious.

"Mikan, dear, who is it?" Mom called, appearing behind me, her eyebrows knitting together the instant she laid eyes on the stranger. "Um, you are…?"

"Ah, pardon me." The man said, his tone friendly. He lifted his hand up to his hat, and took it off with a graceful swoosh. The face that was hidden underneath was one I did not imagine in the least.

The man—boy?—was very, very young, about my age or a little older. He was tall with broad shoulders, his jaw well chiseled, and his skin was pale, but not like that of a women's. He had incredibly handsome features, and an aura of maturity, messy raven hair, but what stood out most was his eyes.

Crimson eyes.

Is it even possible to have that color for eyes? They seemed to glow and see right through you when he stared at you; captivating, alluring. Almost as if you would get sucked right into them if you weren't careful.

He smiled at us, his eyes twinkling and his features lax, friendly. "Good evening. My name is Natsume Hyuuga and I am here to take Mikan Yukihira away."

"Natsume…Hyuuga?" Mom repeated a little uneasily. "I don't understand what you're saying. You've mistaken—"

"I believe," he spun his hat in his hand skillfully, almost as if he was bored, "that fifteen years and eleven months ago you were told that she would be taken away, yes?"

Color drained from my mother's face as I stood there absolutely confused. "You…You are—"

"That's right." He smiled a little wider. "Time's almost up, you know?"

"You've mistaken." My mother stated again firmly. "You're a month too early. Her birthday is next month."

"Mistaken?" He laughed, the sound sending pleasant shivers down my spine. "No, no. I haven't mistaken at all. I was told to come a month early so that she would get used to her new life earlier. It would be a real hassle if we took her away on her birthday. I bet she'd have a lot of pressure too." He shrugged a little. "You know—what do humans call it?—homesickness."

"Oh." Mom's tone fell. "I…see."

"Yeah." He nodded. "Now, you say you are Mikan Yukihira?" He leaned down a little and looked into my eyes. I gulped and nodded. His eyes narrowed slightly, looking up and down, analyzing me. Practically undressing me with his eyes.

Finally, I snapped.

"Are you done looking?" I hissed, instinctually covering myself with my hands. His eyes widened slightly, as if surprised, before he threw his head back and laughed loudly.

"You are Mikan Yukihira?" He said between laughs, holding his stomach. "You got to be kidding me!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked angrily, stomping my foot and he had to lean against the doorframe to steady himself, holding out his hand and trying to control his laughter.

"Sorry, sorry. I just can't believe that the Lost Princess is a little girl like you." He finally settled down with a few chuckles.

"Lost Princess?" I repeated, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Hm?" He glanced at me, then at my mother who shifted uncomfortably behind me. "Don't tell me you haven't told her anything?"

"We…" Mom choked the words out. "…Haven't."

"Then I believe it's best you tell her." He crossed his arms impatiently. "I doubt she would believe me."

Mom nodded and held me by the shoulders, leading my farther away from the door. Then she started explaining what happened on the day of my birth, what that mysterious man told her.

"Are you kidding me?" I burst after hearing the story. "Demons? Lost Princess? Other world? Are you people out of your mind?" I turned towards 'Natsume' who was still at the doorway and pointed rudely at him. "Mom, you believe in what these people are saying?"

"Yes." My dad answered for her, coming out from his study. His usual cheerful expression replaced with a grim one. "We can only believe it now that they have actually sent someone to take you away."

"Hold on a second." I backed away, a laugh bubbling from my lips. "No, no, no. I'm just me, not a 'Lost Princess' or whatever. Demons don't exist."

"Sorry, little girl." Natsume butted in. "It's the truth. I'll be taking you now that you know the truth."

"Wait." Dad shielded me away and I was grateful for that. "What if we don't allow you to take her away?"

Natsume lifted his brow, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "'Don't allow me,' huh? Sorry to say, you're not the ones giving me permission. This is a must. Of course, there are consequences if I don't."

"Consequences?" Dad asked. "Like what?"

"You guys don't know?" Natsume asked, surprised.

My parents shook their heads. He furrowed his brows, looking confused, but then his expression darkened and he swore under his breath. "That damn old geezer…"

He sighed. "Well," Natsume ran a hand through his hair. "A Lost Princess is born once every thousand years, and if we can successfully take her back with us, then our world will prosper for the next thousand years. Whoever marries her can be the ruler, and she will also produce the heir to the royal throne. If we can't take her back, then our land will be in chaos and destruction. Basically, every negative thing you can think of will happen: war, economic collapse, murder, anything. Simply speaking, our fate in the next one thousand years is depending on her."

"That's only for your world, right?" Dad countered. "It has nothing to do with us."

"True." Natsume nodded with a smile. "But our worlds—even if you can't see it—are intertwined. Also, that's the future your beloved daughter was destined to fulfill. The sole purpose of her birth is to prosper our land and bring her husband good fortune." He shrugged. "I cannot promise you she will have a bright future if she stays here. Early death, bad marriage, bankruptcy. She almost has no future here."

My parents flinched, and Natsume grinned slyly. "On the other hand, if you let me take her away with me, she will be treated as a princess; better yet, a queen. Everyone will fight for her hand in marriage, she will live a good, long life." He fingered his hat. "Besides, I'm not giving you an option at all. I am taking her away. Whether it's now or a month from now. That's final."

"I'll let you take her away," mom said after a few seconds of silence, "only if you promise we will see her again."

Natsume seemed troubled at this. "I'm not the guy in charge, to be honest. I can't make that promise." He wagged his finger. "However, if she marries me, I will make sure she will be able to see you guys again. So you better pray she falls for me."

Dad turned around and held me by the shoulders, his face in panic. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but please marry that guy! Mikan, I beg you!"

"Darling," mom tried to pull dad away as he continued shaking me senseless. "She can choose who she marries."

"But he said he'll make sure we see her again!" Dad wailed and I almost glared at him.

"I'm never ever going to marry this guy." I grumbled, glaring daggers at Natsume who merely smirked at me.

"My, my." He teased. "Never say never, my princess."

"I'm not your princess!" I screeched and he, much to my surprise, came into our house and took me by the arm, dragging me out.

"Ah, I'm very late on schedule. I'll be taking her now, ja ne!" He called out halfheartedly, checking his pocket watch (I can't believe they still exist).

"Wait, wait, wait!" I screamed. "I never said I was going with you!"

"I told you," he said exasperatedly. "It's not an option."

"Then let me pack my things!" I tried to pulled my arm back, but he was really strong.

"There's no need, we will provide you with everything." He reassured, not even slowing down even when I dragged my feet.

"At least let me hug my parents goodbye." I begged. "I don't know when I'll see them again, right?"

Natsume paused, and I almost bumped into him. He gave me an impatient glance before letting go of my arm and practically pushed me to my parents. "Fine, but be quick. I haven't got all night."

A little lost, I hugged my parents goodbye tightly, tears stinging my eyes. Is this a dream? I want it to be a dream, I don't want to leave. Mom and dad hugged me back just as tightly, kissing me on the cheek and forehead, whispering good luck and goodbye.

"Done yet?" He asked, tapping his feet and checking his pocket watch again.

"Yes, yes." I grumbled, taking one last look at my parents before following Natsume out the door.

He led me around streets, alleys, odd corners, finally taking me to a forest. Our town was quite small, surrounded by a large forest, and barely anyone was brave enough to enter it. They say that if you go into the forest and get lost, you never come back out again. I was panting heavily and tired when we arrived at the forest, a little spooked out by the darkness within it.

I thought we were going to stop here or something, but then Natsume started dragging me into the forest.

"W-Wait." I croaked. "We're going in?"

"Yep." He stated casually, still pulling my aching arm.

"Where will I be living, by the way?" I asked in attempt to calm myself down. I never liked being in the dark.

"At my house." Came his answer.

I froze.

"Huh?" I stared at his back; he didn't slow down a bit.

I shrieked. "Living at your house? You, a boy, and me, a girl, living together? No way!"

Natsume growled, covering his ears. "So what? Gender has nothing to do with anything."

"Yes it does." I exclaimed. "I will not be living in the same house as a stranger, not to mention, a boy! Who knows what will happen to me; I might get raped or something!"

"Please," he rolled his eyes. "I won't rape you."

"You never know." I backed away.

"I won't." He promised convincingly setting his hand on my shoulder almost comfortingly. I seemed to be paralyzed by his beautiful eyes, my fear completely forgotten. Then, breaking the spell, he smirked. "But your virginity will be mine."

I didn't even have the time to react when he suddenly set his left hand on my waist, his right hand under my knees and lifted me up bridal style.

"Wha—" I started, absolutely scared senseless, and he merely grinned boyishly at me.

"I think it's best if you don't look down." I was even more confused by his words. I was almost ready to slap him and order him to put me down, but he looked up at the sky, the moonlight from an opening in the trees illuminating his face, making him look even more breathtaking. He had a serious expression on his face as he stared up at the sky, like he was searching for something, and I froze.

Then, after a second or maybe less, the spell broke and he smiled his mischievous smile again. He bent his knees slightly, slightly, and I was wondering what he was going to do.

But, as if I hadn't had enough surprises that night, two giant, pitch black, bat-like wings sprouted from his back, spreading out and completely covered the moonlight from my sight. They flapped once, twice, picking up the dust and grass on the ground, then, before I knew it, we were already in the sky. The moon seemed to be right next to me.

I shouldn't have looked down.

Yes, so this is where it starts. Comments, critics and suggestions are all very welcome! I've already written up to the 4th chapter, but haha I'm still not going to update fast because you should all SUFFER! Jk, it's because of school. That's my excuse for everything. :P

Please R&R!