Disc.: GA's not mine.

Notes: I'm sorry if I haven't updated for a long time. Forgive me. And oh, thank you to all those who reviewed, favourited and alerted! You guys are the reason why I continue to write!

The Rounds

VII. Stranger

Natsume frowned.

'What's the problem?' he asked. But Mikan didn't budge. She remained seated on the cushion near her window. Her eyes trained outside without their usual 'fan girl' shine within them. They were cold, emotionless and deep.

Natsume tried again. 'Mikan?' She didn't even move a muscle. She just sat there, motionless and unfazed.

Natsume frowned deeper. What was wrong with her? Where was the girl who'd joyfully leap into his arms whenever she gets the chance to? Where was the girl who'd kiss him with every opportunity she gets? Where was the girl who'd use her faux sweet baby voice to 'attempt' to make him smile? Where was the girl who'd welcome him by provocatively sitting in her bed, her skirt hitched up seductively and her finger urging him to come closer?

Better yet, why was this girl completely different from the girl he'd gotten used to?

She looked so serene, so peaceful— heavenly, as a matter of fact. She was wearing an off-white flowing dress which added to her ethereal look. Her face was free of make-up unlike the times when he'd see her face thick with unnecessary make-up that made her look like a prostitute. Her hair was set up in loose curls and she was bear footed. She looked like a goddess.

Natsume has never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life.

'She…' Natsume tried to find the right word. 'She looks like a stranger.' He thought to himself.

'Oh!' A high-pitched voice woke him up from his reverie. 'What are you doing here?!' She sounded accusing. Mikan didn't even know what happened to her.

Natsume looked at Mikan. She looked like she was caught doing something bad. Her eyes were wide, her lips were set in a small 'o' and her face somehow appeared surprised. As if she never expected him to appear out of no where.

'I'm sorry,' She started with a sound unfamiliar to Natsume. 'I didn't hear you come in—Oh!' Mikan was surprised with herself, with her voice. She acted as if she did something wrong. She didn't do anything. She was just staring, right? Oh god, she hoped Natsume didn't see right through her that easy.

'Uhm…' She tried to think of something. Anything. She tried to think of an excuse. Fast.

To say that Natsume was surprised with the sudden change of her voice would be an understatement. Not only did she look different, she sounded different.

'Mikan,' He started cautiously. He took gentle steps towards her. Mikan's eyes widened more as he gently took steps towards her. She turned around immediately, as if afraid that he would see something if she continued to face him.

But she was too late. Natsume saw. Natsume saw her tears. She wiped them carelessly with her hands.

'I… I just don't know what's wrong with me today,' Oh great, even the words that were spilling out of her mouth was carelessly spluttering out. It was almost the truth. She mentally smacked herself while unknowingly wiping her tears with her hands again. She sniffed and folded her hands on her stomach.

She didn't want to face Natsume. She didn't want him to see her like this—so weak, so feminine (and not even girly), and so not her slutty self. What would he say? He would probably call the wedding off and find a sluttier girl out there. She didn't want that.

But then she felt his arms circle around her waist from behind. He rested his chin on her shoulder and hugged her closer, tighter. She found herself relax under his embrace.

'Shh…' Natsume whispered in her ear as he started to kiss her neck lightly.

Natusme didn't know why he was doing this. He didn't. He didn't know why he felt the urge to comfort her, to touch her when he saw those tears. He didn't know why. But what scared him the most was the fact that he was doing it voluntarily. He didn't feel disgust towards her.

Maybe it was because she wasn't herself. Maybe it was because she so different from what he knew. Maybe it was because she was a stranger—a beautiful, ethereal, fragile stranger. He didn't know.

But he did know he liked it. He liked doing it.

'What's the problem?' He asked for the second time of the day.

'Natsume, my sisters are dead,' She began, her eyes closing. She liked Natsume this way—gentle but still talking. Not like the one whom she spent her days with the last time. He was looking at her but not even listening. She didn't like that Natsume. But this Natsume, this Natsume, she liked. 'I was just thinking what would have been if they were alive…'

Natsume's heart stopped.

'Natsume, what's wrong?' Mikan felt him stiffen. 'Natsume?'

There was long silence before he answered. 'Nothing. I need to go.' He turned her around and kissed her softly on the lips. It was already a habit, an everyday thing when he kissed her. It was almost like breathing. 'Later, Mikan.' He stormed towards the door and almost slammed it.

Mikan stood, surprised.

The old Natsume was back.

To be continued.

I was really scared last time because I only got six reviews for the first day. I thought no one liked my story anymore. So, review? :)