I'm really sorry to all my reviewers, but from now on I don't think I'll be able to respond to most of you. School is literally taking all my time, which is why it took me longer than usual to write a section that is much shorter than usual.

Still, thank to:

Essouffle

shainingu etowa-ru

ThatGirl96 - I liked the second better.

-Tribal Addict- - Someone's sadistic.

bunnyjumps

JuSt To RaNdOm

Thank you guys so much for putting up with me so far! More reviews are welcomed, cherished, and given their own guest room!

I don't own GA.

Never Again

Chapter 12

"I'm sorry, I can't let you in."

He couldn't believe he had come all the way here just to be shunted away.

"Sakura-sama is currently in a meeting," the stupid receptionist said.

"I demand to talk to her," he growled.

She bowed. "I'm sorry, I can't let you in. She's in a meeting."

"Well, I need to speak with her!"

"You'll have to wait, sir."

He fumed and paced, then turned back to her. "Get her out here, now," he hissed.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry—"

He made a swipe for the intercom, but she caught his hand easily. He yanked it back away. She continued to politely stare at him. He tried to burn her clothing, but nothing happened.

"Sakura-sama Nullified this entire building a few weeks ago," she said.

He growled again. A few weeks ago, he had come to confront her.

"Tell her I insist to be let in!"

She shook her head.

He made another wild grab at the TALK button.

She sighed.

"Excuse me, Sakura-sama, Tonouichi-sama, Yukimura-sama," one of Reika's assistants peeked through the door.

"Yes?"

"Okino-san just called. She said there's a very persistent man who's trying to get in."

"Did he state his name?"

"I think…" the assistant frowned, "I heard someone in the background saying, 'Tell her it's Narume Haruko.'"

Mikan frowned. "I don't know any Narume Haruka."

"Should I tell him to leave?"

"Tell him to wait ten more minutes. We're almost done."

"Yes." She bowed and closed the door.

Mikan turned back, a pleasant smile on her face. "I'm sorry for the interruption."

Both charmingly grinned and waved it off. "It's fine. We're done anyways."

"Has everything been signed?"

"Yes."

"Alright." She stood and bowed. "Thank you."

They mimicked her. "Thank you as well."

"When are we going to release it?" she queried.

Raiden and Tono both slung an arm around her shoulders on opposite sides. Raiden said, "Give us time to tell our employees first. We don't know who will leave."

"Then, in two days? That will give us both time," Mikan suggested as they walked down the hall.

"Yeah, that's good," Tono said. "But it's not like people are going to walk off if it's Sakura Kirakira, Raiden."

"Natsume, why are you here?" Mikan said as he came into view, ignoring the men.

Natsume was too shocked to speak, staring at the arms straining her shoulders rather than her face.

She felt a blush rising. She hastily pushed it back down and slipped away from the two older men's grasps. "What are you doing here?" she repeated.

His eyes narrowed. "I was waiting for your meeting to finish."

"Oh… So you're Narume Haruka?"

"What?"

"Never mind."

"Who's this, Mikan-chan?" Raiden came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her neck, resting his chin on her head.

Tono conked him on the head. "Mikan's ex."

"Whoa, really?" Raiden grinned, seeming unaffected by the violence. He craned his neck down farther and licked her ear. "What, jealous?" he directed at Natsume's narrowed eyes.

"As if," he spat. "Who would be jealous for an ugly cow?"

He wanted to take back the words as soon as they escaped, but she seemed indifferent. "If all you're going to do is insult me, you should leave. I have work to do. Yukimura-san, let go." She turned back, ignoring her koala.

"Wait!" Natsume grabbed her wrist.

Tono pulled Raiden back and away, saying, "Let's go, leave them alone." Just as Natsume began to move to Mikan, Tono clenched his wrist in his free hand. "If you hurt her, you will pay," he murmured dangerously.

Natsume rolled his eyes at the number of protectors Mikan didn't know she had—which included himself. "Why were you with them?"

Mikan sighed. "Are you that behind on the news?"

"I know, but how did you get so… close?" He had to work to keep his voice from becoming a snarl.

She sighed again. "Typical womanizers."

His expression turned sour. "So, are you helplessly in love with one of them yet?"

"Of course n—"

"Is it Tonouichi? Or that new boy, Yukimura?"

"No!" she huffed. "I'm not in love, you baka."

"…Oh."

She turned to stomp away, but he pulled at her wrist again. "What now?"

"Um… so, how did the meeting go?"

"Great," she said shortly, pulling away.

"So, uh, what's the deal?"

She looked at him disgustedly. "Since when do you care?"

"Since now."

"Yeah, sure."

Natsume flinched.

"You'll hear it on the news in two days," she stated with icy finality. "Goodbye."

He could only slump as her proud back disappeared.

"We have finally gotten the scoop on the merge between Sakura Kirakira and Cerise Magique! It seems that it will be as expected: Sakura Kirakira will buy Cerise Magique. However, Cerise Magique will keep all its employees. There have been some rumors about other parts of the deal as well. When the statement was released at a press conference, Raiden Yukimura had an arm around Mikan Sakura's waist!"

In momentary shock, Natsume pressed the gas pedal a little harder than necessary as the light turned red.

"There have been reports that the two have often been seen together at work."

His car sped out into the intersection.

"Some suspect that playboy Raiden has struck again—"

His hands lost grip on the wheel.

"—this time at the heart of cold diamond Mikan."

Tires screeched.

"Is he serious this time? Or is it just another game for him?"

People screamed. Himself?

"An insider said they heard the couple even--"

Sharp pain.

"--talking about marriage—"

Complete nothing.

"—Now over to Hikaru-san for the traffic report."

"There's congestion on 180, right lane blocked, mostly cleared off. New accident at intersection of Himeki Street and Yama Road, three car collision there—"

Mikan turned the volume down. It seemed she would have to take a detour today. She sighed.

Why couldn't people just drive carefully? Accidents were always so…annoying.