Yey, more than a hundred reviews! And so many people making this a favorite story of theirs. *tears of joy*
Chapter 17-Caught
Hotaru watched her best friend's face drain of color and her eyes widen, as she laid the photographs on the table between them. It was a reaction that she expected, so no look of surprise crossed the raven-haired woman's features.
That is, until the brunette's eyes turned very serious, and her lips pressed into a thin line, all in just a matter of seconds.
She looked at Mikan with shock. Then she looked at her husband, and saw an expression that mirrored hers. She turned back to Mikan, and saw that her expression changed once again. There was a bitter smile playing on her lips.
"I knew you'd be the first to find out," she said quietly. She picked one of the pictures, and looked at it dotingly. Then she continued, "And I won't be surprised if you're angry. Hotaru, I guess you got Koko's clue, huh?"
"Yeah, I-"
There she was cut off by a sudden sound. They all turned to see Natsume enter. He had a pained expression on his face, something that Mikan only saw once.
All color, if there was still some left, drained from Mikan's face. Her eyes widened once more. Surprise wasn't the only emotion in her eyes; mixed with it was anxiety and panic. But she didn't move from her position. Neither did her best friend.
Ruka, on the other hand, stood and walked towards Natsume, obviously trying to block the view from him. He tried to sound upbeat, as he greeted his friend, "Hey, Natsume! What are you doing here? Don't you have work?"
At the sound of her husband's voice, Hotaru started. She immediately reached for the photographs, but she froze when she heard Natsume say coldly, "There is no need to hide it, Hotaru. I already know."
Then he turned to Mikan, who avoided his eyes. She stammered, "H-how did you-"
"I learned about it in the worst situation possible," He replied, his voice full of pain. Then he recounted what happened back in his office.
"Hello, Natsume."
"You…" he whispered. He knew that voice; he could recognize it anywhere. After all, it was the voice of the person who hurt his Mikan. He clenched his fists tightly, as he said, "What do you want?"
A derisive laughter came from the other end, and it made him angrier. He repeated his question, only that he raised his voice higher, "What do you want?"
"What do I want? Isn't that question already a cliché? You, amongst many people, would know the best answer to that, don't you? And as usual, it's a bargain."
By his tone of speaking, Natsume could deduce something that made his heart beat faster and dread sink into his soul. He shouted, "What did you do to Mikan?"
Laughter once again reached his ears. His enemy, in a very amused tone, replied, "Oh no, it's not your beloved who is the other end of the bargain. Though they are a part of her, and a part of you too."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, don't you know? So that Yukihara kept it from you, huh," the caller said tauntingly. He continued, "I guess I'll be the one to tell you then. I have your children, the fraternal twins Sakura and Sora."
Silence.
Shock-filled silence engulfed them all.
Just like how the blackest smoke snuffs out any light, the news snuffed out all the words from them.
Nobody moved. Only their heaving chests signified that they were still alive. Otherwise they could be easily mistaken as life-sized dolls.
That is, until Mikan turned to look at Natsume, trying to search for even the slightest doubt in his crimson eyes. And when she found none, tears fell down her cheeks.
And a scream shattered the silence.
Yes! Yes yes yes, my dear readers. The thing that you all are thinking of is true. And not only one, but they have two children. How fun is that?
Originally, they only have one child, but I changed it because...I don't know, I just think it's more fun if they're twins. Who agrees with me?
Please review! :D