How's everybody's Valentines' day? :D Mine was very busy and tiring because of my academics. :(

Despite having a busy weekend, I posted this, because I know you guys are waiting. this is just a short chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 7-Darkness

She lay there in the darkness. She lay there, without knowing where she was. She lay there, shivering against the cold floor. She lay there, with her mouth covered, and her hands and feet bound. She lay there, with tears flowing from her eyes.

Mikan lay there, with fear consuming her heart.

She had been there for around three days. She didn't know who her kidnapper was, but she knew of his intention. It was not because of her family, he assured her. And also not of money. It was because she was the bait to capture Hyuuga Natsume.

She was never maltreated by the man. He made her eat, even if she didn't want to. He never hurt her. The ropes binding her weren't even tight. But the fact that she was being used to get revenge on her beloved was worse than any physical pain that could happen to her. Her lover's sake was what she thought of more than hers.

Suddenly, she heard gunfire. The shouts of the men got through to her. She curled her body, trying to shut out the horrible sounds, and hoping that none of her saviors would get hurt. And also praying that he won't be harmed by the criminal.

"Hyuuga Natsume, I'll kill you!" the man screamed. Then there was a single gunshot.

And then, everything became silent.

The only thing she could hear was her own fast heartbeat. Thoughts ran through her mind. Did someone get hurt by that bullet? Was it that man, or was it Natsume?

Then she heard the footsteps. She heard the door banging open. She felt someone take off her blindfold, and untie the ropes. The light streaming in from the corridor blinded her, but she didn't need to see who was the man hugging her close.

"Natsume…" she whispered, as the salty liquid spilled from her eyes. She felt the hug get tighter, and she heard him reply, "There's no need to fear. Mikan. Nobody will hurt you anymore."

"That…that is not what I feared about. I feared about your safety more than mine. It was you he was after, Natsume."

"I know, I know. But he will never touch me. He will never touch us, nor hurt us. I promise you that, Mikan. We will never be apart," he softly said.

But that was not true. The darkness both experienced during that crisis, the pain; it never disappeared. Their love for each other became the sword against them, and they feared that something, someone, would be able to hurt them again. And it forced them to a decision that hurt them more than anything else.

A month later they broke off.

"Mikan."

"Hmm?"

"You're daydreaming again."

Mikan started, and looked around to see Koko staring at her. She flushed, and quickly turned away, while saying, "I am not."

He raised an eyebrow at her, and said, "As if. I told you, you can't fool me."

He then got out of the car, and proceeded to her side to open the door. He added, "If you weren't daydreaming, then you would have realized we're already here, and you would have burst out of the car and into the house, much to Hotaru's irritation. But, as I do not have any energy to fight with you, I won't be asking anything more."

He gave her another of his signature smile, and told her, "So, shall we go in?"

He got a playful punch and a grin as a reply.

Hope you guys liked it! Please review! Thanks! :D