Thank you for everybody who read, followed and added Sakuras & Swords to their favorites! You guys ROCK!
I'm sorry if I wasn't able to update yesterday. Being sleepless (well 2 hours is still considered sleepless) for the past 48 hours I just really needed to crash yesterday. It's been very busy at work so I have to keep postponing writing since I was given a very important project to work on starting this week. But not to worry because I will keep updating!
xNatsuMikanx will vouch for me since we PM'ed yesterday and I said I was already typing up chapter 2 LoL. I couldn't really keep my eyes open while typing so I crashed and ended up sleeping the whole day. Also, I'm out for the weekend coz I'm gonna go to a party out of town. So I'm making up for it with this much requested long POV from none other than the Natsume Hyuuga himself ;)
And a special shoutout to Anilissa , I got ur PM , and thanks for looking out for me. Lovelots
Xoxo Lexi1989
Chapter 2: Close But Not Quite
NOVEMBER 2017
I walk along Hollywood Boulevard with my hands in my pockets. It's chilly today and I rub my two hands together to generate some warmth. I pull my cap lower on my head. I headed towards the nearest Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee. The coffee maker was broken. It wasn't the only thing that was broken the past 2 years. Friendship, spirit and my heart were the topnotchers on the broken list. Ruka and I are slowly coming to terms with what happened. We've tried to talk a couple of times without it becoming a wrestling match. It's been tough but at least there's an improvement. The girls weren't in touch most of the time. They still make us feel like traitors. I reach the coffee shop and stand at the back of a long line. I check my phone while waiting, to distract me from my own thoughts.
Koko Yome has tagged you in a post. 2 hours ago. I clicked the notification and roll my eyes. 9gag. Typical Koko. Someone brushed past me, hitting my shoulder abruptly causing me to drop my phone. He catches it with his hand in a swift reflex action.
"Whoops, sorry bro! Here you go." he handed me my phone and turned towards his companion who was next in line to order.
"Amanatsu! Why don't you grab a table and I'll order you your coffee." He said loudly. I inspected my phone to make sure there wasn't any damage.
"You-chan! You're embarrassing me you little dipshit! And yes I would like a Caramel Frappucino and an Oreo Cheesecake too!"
~All I want is nothing more~
~To hear you knocking at my door.~
'That voice.' I turned to the direction of the sound. It sounded just like her. I expected to see a brunette with hazel eyes but see the source of the voice was a redhead with blue-green eyes. 'Great, just great. You're imagining things again. She even likes the same things as her.' I mentally scolded myself. 'You see her everywhere, you hear her everywhere. But she's not here. Not anymore. God, how I miss her.' I order my coffee and sit in a booth by the window.
~Cause If I could see your face once more~
~I could die a happy man I'm sure~
"Really You-chan, I told you I'm fine." I didn't notice they were seated in the booth behind me. I try to tune out that voice so I wouldn't eavesdrop, but it was so compelling. I couldn't not listen. Even for just a while , I wanted to pretend it really was her.
"Amanatsu, you are not okay. Your uncle wants you to come to Tokyo. You can afford to do so! You're just too stubborn, BAKA!" the young lad retorted.
"You're forgetting I am your senpai, You-chan." Followed by an "OW!" from the guy.
I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.I remember how I would tease her mercilessly and she would get mad and hit me.
"Fine. Amanatsu-senpai." The senpai part was drawled out dramatically. "But seriously, do you wanna keep working your ass off when you could be just, you know, chillin?"
"I just want to, it's called getting a life, You-chan, you should get one too. Besides, I like it here better than Tokyo." She giggled.
'She even giggles like her. I must really be that crazy or desperate to hear/see/wish her in every girl that resembles her.'
"Amanatsu-senpai, why don't you go on dates anymore? Not everybody is like that jerk you know. Hajime seems like a cool guy. " 'So she's brokenhearted. ' I'm not sure why that caught my attention, but It piqued my interest to find out why.'
"I don't know You-chan." She sounded wistful. "No matter what he did, I loved him. But that's all in the past now. It's time we all move on with our lives, don't you think? There's no use crying over spilt milk. And there's always a rainbow after the rain. Everything happens for a reason. We may not know them now, but eventually, the pieces of the puzzle called life will fit together and give you the bigger picture " She said wisely.
'Nah can't be her. She wasn't that smart or wise.' I let my brain take over and tune out, watching as the city of Los Angeles started its work day. I get a text from Hotaru.
FROM: H. IMAI
WE NEED TO TALK. GOT BIG NEWS. WHERE R U? Received 8:00AM
I sent in a quick reply.
TO: H. IMAI
You do know you that texting in CAPS means you're shouting right? Starbucks at Hollywood Boulevard. I'll get your usual. Be here in 10.
Hotaru and I have fallen into an easy partnership. It wasn't exactly a friendship or a relationship. God forbid No. But being heirs of two powerful companies in Japan and not far from leading the world, we had to keep appearances up. We were prolonging this as soon as possible. We were trying to find a loophole. We both lost the freedom to choose who to marry. It won't stop us from loving who we love, but for as long as we aren't married yet, we weren't losing hope.
I am taken out of my reverie by the ruckus behind me. Apparently the ginger in the next booth had company. Around 5 to be exact. And they were a noisy bunch.
I look back out the window and stare at the heavy clouds approaching. The weather seemed to match my mood. I suddenly think back on those dark days a year ago. The morning I found out that Mikan had died was the worst day of my life. I remember the rage I had gone on in the hospital.
~When you said your last goodbye, I died a little bit inside.~
~I lie in tears in bed all night, alone without you by my side.~
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN MIKAN WAS CLAIMED BY RELATIVES? SHE DOESN'T HAVE FAMILY, WE ARE HER FAMILY." I was shouting then.
"I—I'm really sor-sorry sir, I'm just telling y-you wha-what I see on the morgue record." Said the trembling nurse.
"WHO WAS IT? WAS IT THAT BITCH HIMEMIYA? LUNA KOIZUMI?" I was holding her by the shoulders now in a death grip, shaking her. The guys had to pull me away and tried to calm me down.
The head of the reception area of the hospital came shortly after and explained that every record is confidential and they could not release any bodies without proof of relations. If I wanted information, I would need to be either a spouse or a blood relative. Since the body was claimed, they had signed a non-disclosure agreement of the parties involved. I laughed maniacally at her. She looked horrified. I whipped out my phone and showed her the youtube clip of my declaration of love at the Grammys.
"IS THIS NOT PROOF ENOUGH FOR YOU? WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED FROM ME?" I had spat out.
"I understand sir, but again, I cannot go by this hospital's policies." She said calmly. I lunged at her and woke up days after being heavily sedated. I had gone mental. I spent days in the hospital under heavy supervision. 'It's PTSD' I heard one doctor say.
I dreamt of her back then, when I was sedated. But what frustrated me is that when I woke up, i was finding it harder to sleep. I would spend days and days in bed, just wanting to go to sleep. I wished I was the one who died. I wish I died with her. And I tried, multiple times. Sleeping pills were the first since they were easy to get. I used the trauma as an excuse that I couldn't sleep. After a few failed attempts and visits to the hospital having my stomach pumped, Tono had put his foot down and gotten my doctor to stop writing prescriptions. It got to a point that they had to hide anything dangerous in the house. Ropes, Knives, Guns, or anything sharp or dangerous that I could get my hands on. I became a recluse. At first, the guys (except for Ruka who moved out) tried to talk me into going out. I was terrible back then. I could barely get myself to eat much less go out. I didn't care anymore. I wanted to die. I wanted to be with her so much. I breathe out a big sigh.
~But if you loved me, Why'd you leave me?
~Take my body, take my body.~
~All I want is, All I need is~
~To find somebody, I'll find somebody like you.~
Hotaru sits down at the booth across from me. She looked better now than a year ago. She was the one who smacked sense into me literally.
*FLASHBACK 1 year ago*
*SLAP* *SLAP*
"WAKE UP HYUUGA!" She slapped me hard on both cheeks.
"OW! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT IMAI? LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!" I rubbed both my cheeks and huddled under my covers.
"Are you just going to sulk here for the rest of your life?" She crossed her arms and didn't leave.
"What's the point in having one if she's not here with me anymore?"
*BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA*(Baka gun mock 60 bigger bullets, more chances of hitting target)
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?"
"Don't you think that you could have a better use of your time? Do you think Mikan would want this to be your life? If she really is dead and watching us down from her puffy little cloud in heaven, she would not be pleased. She would have known the truth the moment she died and she would have wanted you to fight back. To have a life! To move on!" She said quietly.
"….."
"Do you know what it's like to have someone you love, love someone else?" She asked me.
I looked at her but didn't say a word. I knew who she was referring to.
"No, you don't. Because she loved you back. Looking at something you can't have hurts too you know. And I lose someone I loved too. I lost both of them. But you don't see me sulking around being a hermit." She turned her back on me but stopped at the door with her head bowed.
"You said if.." I slowly walked towards her. A new light in my eyes.
"If what?" She looked up at me with a challenging look.
"If she really is dead. So you think she's still alive." 'There was still hope.'
"I didn't say that." She denied.
"You didn't need to." I countered.
"Don't get your hopes up Hyuuga. I'm just stating the facts. No body was seen, at least from our side. The only relative she has is her uncle Yukihara who has denied he claimed the body. I think something doesn't add up. I just haven't found the clue yet." Then she strode off without another word.
That was the start of her daily visit to me. Hotaru would calm me when I had nightmares. She would force me to eat until I got my strength back. We became partners in the sense that, we both knew we needed each other. Not romantically. Just emotionally. To heal the wounds that fate dealt us. To mourn for the loss of her best friend, my lover. She became the sister I never had.
A flash of red graces my peripheral vision. I see the redhead being pulled away by the silver haired guy towards the door with a last scared glance at me. Then they were gone along with the rest of their noisy entourage.
"Earth to Hyuuga" Hotaru snaps her fingers in front of me, looking annoyed. I look at her with a sheepish expression.
"Koizumi has been arrested. The slut apparently was stupid enough not to cover her plates that night when she ran over Mikan. Street cameras were able to capture her plates and the car was traced back to her."
"Does it still matter now?"
"Yes. Because she confessed to the murder but also admitted she was instructed to do so by your grandmother. Hereby, this is now being taken as a first degree murder case against Himemiya. And because of that, the whole clause of the arranged marriage is null and void if she is found guilty. In the assassination of Izumi Yukihara, Himemiya was never implicated because she used her own henchmen who were loyal to her. This time around, Luna, having found out we were (Air quotes) "Engaged", confessed that Himemiya planned to have Mikan killed to preserve the lineage and to avoid the Yukiharas from joining the empire."
"We're free?" I asked stupidly.
"Not yet, but we soon will be. We will need to ensure the proceedings go in order. Kazumi Yukihara is placing charges against Himemiya for Mikan's death."
MAY 2018 COURTROOM
Judge: Jury, have you reached a decision?
Jury Leader: Yes we have your honor. We the juy find the accused Himemiya Hyuuga, GUILTY beyond a reasonable doubt, for the murder of Mikan Sakura Yukihara. And in the case of Ms. Luna Koizumi, we, the jury find her guilty of first degree murder as an accomplice and for acting on the premeditated murder of Mikan Sakura Yukihara.
Judge: Thank you. Mrs. Hyuuga, you are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Ms. Koizumi, as you have cooperated during the investigation, you are sentenced to 30 years in jail with possible parole for good conduct. Bailiffs you may now take Mrs. Hyuuga and Ms. Koizumi. As the defendant has been found guilty, the legal matters pertaining to the agreement between Imai Tech and Hyuuga Tech will now be deemed null and void. Ms. Imai and Mr. Hyuuga, you are in this case, (with a soft smile) free to go.
Hotaru and Natsume: Thank you your honor.
SEPT. 2018
I cradled the phone in the nook of my shoulder and paused the game.
"What do you want Imai?" I asked gruffly. 'Just when I was about to kill some damn zombies.'
"Uhm, she's busy at the moment" said the familiar voice on the other end.
"Ruka?" I asked.
"Who else?" he chuckled.
"Why are you calling me using Imai's phone?" I asked, suspicious.
"Well, she's been actually wanting to tell you but you didn't have time seeing as you're busy on your game and all. We've been seeing each other for a few months now." He said. 'Wait, what?'
"Why was I not informed of this?" I asked, annoyed.
"You were too busy for the past month doing God knows what." He said simply.
"I thought we were best friends." I let the last two words hang in the air.
"Am I still? You haven't spoken to me for a while. I didn't think you'd still call me that after 3 years of fighting" He sounded sad.
I sighed. He was right "It was two and a half dumbass, and it was because you were too angry at me for.. "
"I know." He interrupted. "It was kind of unfair for me to do that to you, but we were all grieving. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you during a difficult time. She loved you, you know. And I knew that too. It was just hard for me to accept it at that time."
"I know. I'm sorry too. It was because of me that we lost her." I said sadly.
"It wasn't. I know you don't believe in destiny and fate and shit, but I believe it. I believe she was there to make you feel love and love in return."
"When did my best friend become such a sappy hopeless romantic?" I teased.
"Since he dated an Ice Queen." He shot back. "The band and the squad are meeting up tonight for dinner. It's her day today you know. You should be there too."
"I guess." I didn't really want to but I didn't want to break the thin ice we were standing on with repairing our friendship.
"Meet us there, 9 o'clock at the Sunset Tower Hotel. We've got reservations for a fancy dinner night. Apparently that youtube sensation Crimson Rose is performing and the squad is a big fan of hers."
"Alright. I'll be there." I said and hung up.
FAST FORWARD TO THAT NIGHT
"Shit! I'm late!" I woke up at 10pm and sure enough I have 10 missed calls from Imai and 15 from Ruka.
"Sorry. I know, I'm late. I fell asleep. I'll be there in 15." I texted them and got ready. I got there at 10:45. 'Just great. Imai is going to kill me.'
"You're late Hyuuga." Imai's expression was murderous.
"Thanks for stating the obvious Imai, I'm sorry, I fell asleep. Dinner is on me tonight." I said, mentally cursing myself. This is gonna cost me a fortune. Imai was always fond of revenge by ordering pretty much the most expensive seafood on the menu. Either that, or blackmail.
"Alright. Forgiven. Let's go in and order. I'm famished and in the mood for some lobster and red king crab." She said with an evil look in her eyes.
"You had better brought your credit card with the highest credit limit." Ruka muttered under his breath to me. I punched him lightly on the shoulder and turned to greet the others. Sumire was now dating Koko. Tsubasa was of course with Misaki (they were already engaged). Anna and Yuu had broken up but were still friends. Nonoko surprisingly was still single. Kaname was also there with Kitsu and Tono.
"Hey guys, it's been awhile." I said. Then got engulfed in a very big group hug.
"Can't breathe here guys." I said, struggling to get out from the middle of that ruckus while they all laughed.
"We missed you too Natsume." Anna cutely said with a wink.
"Natsume.." Sumire said, slowly taking her hand off from Koko's arm and walked towards me.
"I- I'm sorry for all those stuff I said to you back then." She said not quite meeting my eyes. Her eyes widened in shock as I walked towards her and hugged her.
"It's ok, Shouda. We were all in a bad place. I understood it all. But what matters is that we remember her. She was one of your best friends, of course you would be angry. But that was all in the past." I said, wiping away the tears from her eyes.
"Thank you Natsume." She said meekly and walked back over to Koko who gave me a thumbs up sign.
"Well, let's go and eat, shall we?" I asked.
We walked into the packed dining hall. The maitre'd had greeted us and had told us that sadly, the show was about to end. Crimson Rose was about to sing her last few songs. He led us to our table and had a waiter take our orders. I let Ruka and the others order knowing a lot of food was coming our way anyway. The maitre'd was talking to a blond guy in the corner. The stage was empty save for a stool in the middle in front of a grand baby piano. Just as our food arrived, the lights dimmed. Then I saw her.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, with her last song for tonight, let's give it up for Crimson Rose!"
She stepped on the stage and we locked eyes. She looked beautiful. She was wearing a silver dress, much like what Mikan had worn before. Everybody was busy eating. I couldn't stop staring at her. She looked so familiar. She looked like Mikan but she had fire engine red hair and blue-green eyes. 'Where have I seen her before?'
~You see me in hindsight, tangled up with you all night, burning it down.~
~Someday when you leave me, I'll bet these memories, follow you around.~
~follow you around~
I didn't know what was up with this chick but her voice was mesmerizing. And so was her eyes. I felt like I was the only person in the room and she was singing just for me. Her eyes were deep pools of emotion. I never really liked Taylor Swift. She wasn't that bad, it's just that her songs are normally for teenagers with love problems. And she reminded me of Mikan who was so stoked at having sat next to her during the awards shows. Hotaru elbows my side and tells me to eat. I ignored her, never breaking my gaze off. I knew the song was ending. I didn't want it to stop. It stirred me to the core. She was crying silent tears yet her voice never broke. I was still staring at her.
'God I must look like a creep to her staring all the while.' I thought to myself.
The lights came on. Everybody, including us was on their feet and clapping. She gave a small bow, a small smile and left. I wanted to go after her. I made to step out excusing myself but Hotaru held me down.
"Sit down and eat. Your food will get cold." She said. I made no move to argue and sat back down.
"Crimson Rose was so cool. And her voice is just so amazing!" Sumire said loudly.
"Her name is Crimson Rose?" I asked stupidly.
"Well, that's her stage name. I believe her name is Amanatsu Hinata. At least that is what the fanboys are saying." Koko explained. "The maitre'd said it was her birthday today and she's celebrating it here." He added.
"Hn" was all I said, keeping my real thoughts private. It really was that Starbucks girl a few months ago. I remember that guys she was with call her Amanatsu. I wanna find out more about her. It was crazy. I felt like a boy with a crush. But it didn't feel like that at all. It was like I needed to see her.
"Nogi, I want her to sing at our wedding." Hotaru broke the silence.
"PFFFFT WHAAAAAAAT?" Koko had spit out his wine and unfortunately sprayed it on Sumire. Sumire hit him with his clutch and went to the restroom followed by Nonoko, apparently unfazed by the news. Ruka looked at us sheepishly.
"You." I pointed to Ruka. "Explain."
"Well, ehehe, I didn't want to steal the attention from her night tonight. But yes, Hotaru and I are engaged. I proposed to her last night and she said yes."
"You suck at being a friend, you know that Ruka?" Tsubasa joked. Koko looked livid. The rest were just laughing.
"What did I do?" He said.
"You could have at least told us! The girls already knew, and here you are telling your best buds in the whole world last!" Koko had his hands up in an exaggerated gesture. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, you know, when she said yes, we got kind of busy after…." Ruka trailed off after seeing Hotaru bring out her mini baka gun out of her purse.
"Congratulations Ruka." I said quietly. "And please don't make Hotaru cry, or I will personally smash your face until you become unrecognizable." Eyebrows raised at my sudden declaration.
"She saved me from my own self-destruction. I owe her my life. She deserves to be happy." I said simply.
They wanted to go out to a bar after to celebrate. I excused myself and said I had some thinking to do. They let me go. They know this day is always hard for me for the past 3 years. We had decided to sell the mansion when I started getting out of that funk. It reminded me too much of her. I couldn't bear to come home every night to an empty bed with my empty heart. I had moved into Eastown Apartments. Tono had been bugging me to come back into the music industry as a solo artist. I had been hesitant to do so. But after seeing Crimson Rose perform, I realized I missed the music. I missed making music. I sent Tono a text and asked to meet with him next week . I should at least start getting back in to this while I'm young. Mikan would've wanted that.
I figured it was too early to go home so I took a stroll. I went to the grassy area near the lake at Macarthur Park. I lay down in the grass and looked up at the stars.
'Mikan, wherever you are, I hope you are at peace. You're the only woman I ever loved and ever will.' I didn't notice that tears were falling from my eyes. I had already cried before. Never with anyone watching, like now.
'I miss you. I love you forever and always my Mikan.'
And here ends chapter 2
What will happen when Natsume re-enters the music industry?
How will Crimson Rose react when she is asked to sing at Hotaru's wedding?
Stay tuned to find out!
Also so as not to confuse the timeline, it was 2015 when Mikan 'died' so this is just following the timeline of 3 years after as stated on chapter 2 ;)
On to the answers on the reviews! Hihihi
Chewybillabong – here's more for you! :)
Anilissa – the story is based in Los Angeles CA like with Sakuras & Swords, as discussed with Shiki-san from chapter 2, Mikan/Amanatsu/Crimson Rose didn't want to leave Los Angeles. And regarding Hotaru and Natsume, well, this chapter answers it ;) there's still more twists to come though so stay tuned!
Nikinora96 – Niki-san! It's more of an ongoing writing process. I come up with an idea, start typing, re-read, scrap some parts, keep some, then add some, then get another bright idea, then re-do the whole process till im satisfied I have it the way I want to. Just like with this chapter. I had an idea yesterday, started typing, felt I was stuck, slept, went to work, and ended up typing and re-editing this at the same time doing work. (my boss is away for 2 weeks so ..i have more time to write hahaha) and you are equally as awesome as me for reading, following and reviewing ;)
xNatsuMikanx – here's the much awaited chapter 2! I couldn't keep everyone hating on Natsume and Hotaru but there will be more plot twists so keep on following ;)
Sakura Shiragiku – here ya go! Thanks for following and loving it.
Also a special shoutout to those who just finished reading Sakuras & Swords and left reviews! 48 reviews in less than 2 weeks! Well 47 excluding my last one to answer the reviews LoL. But still! Kyaaaaa you guys make me so happy!
Guest – here's your request this chapter was inspired by 'ALL I WANT' by Kodaline. Natsume didn't sing it though, if this was a movie, then this would've been a background track to that moment. And you were right. This song gave me all the feels T_T
EchizenRyoma – they don't know yet so stay tuned.
RavenAcA3 – I'm glad that I was able to bring out all those feels with my story (sorry for making you cry though) and here is the sequel. :) Thank you for your awesome review and loving how and what I write. I hope I can make you guys proud and satisfy your expectations. I'm doing my best to keep you on your toes with all that's going on!
You guys totally rock and inspire me to write more!
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Xoxo Lexi1989