Hi guys, I'm sorry for the very late update. I was at a busy point in life and decided to put the story to a pause. I'll try to update regularly now. Your reviews help greatly so thanks to everyone that did! Anyway, read and enjoy!

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Today is a very big day. Everything had to go right, especially for Mikan. She literally jumped out of her seat during dinner when she heard the news.

A few days ago…

Natsume was playing with his peas not sure how to make his announcement. He never had to do this kind of thing, but he knew Mikan and her grandpa needed to be informed that his family was coming over to visit him.

"Oji-chan?" Natsume asked, getting his attention.

It wasn't till a few months ago that Natsume finally started calling Mikan's grandpa oji-chan and not Mister or Old man. Her grandpa now saw Natsume as his grandson as well and wanted the bond to be reciprocated.

"Yes Natsume?"

"The thing is…well it's my dad and sister-"

"Did something happen to them?!" Mikan blurted with worry.

"No," He answered, annoyed that she just made this conversation longer than it needed to be. "They want to visit on Friday. I was wondering if that's okay with you."

"Of course it is. Why would you even need to ask me that? I actually wanted to meet your dad for a while now." He wanted to add some insulting words to the man, but didn't want Natsume to feel uncomfortable.

Mikan flew out of her chair singing "I'm gonna meet Natsume's dad. I'm gonna meet Natsume's sister."

He sighed. This was not going to end well.

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"Natsume" She shook him again and this time yelling louder "Natsume!"

He groaned. "what?" His eyes slowly opened to the most bizarre scene he had ever seen. Mikan was wearing a light pink cherry blossom print kimono with a spatula on one hand and to top it off there were several tears spilling down her cheeks.

If it were any other person they would be laughing hysterically, but since it was Natsume, he didn't. "Get off my bed baka. And why are you crying?"

"M-my cooking is all burnt!" Now that he woke his senses, he could smell something burning. "and ji-chan was supposed to be back with the vegetables but he still hasn't returned. And you're still sleeping and they can be here any time now!"

"Calm down. They're coming at 7 today and it is now…" He grabbed his digital clock from the side table. "8:45. Great. I was supposed to sleep in today but because of some crazy person I couldn't" he mumbled.

Knowing she wouldn't let him go back to sleep, Natsume got up to wash up.

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3 minutes later…."why are you wearing a kimono?"

"This is a very important meeting Natsume! We're meeting your family for the first time and you're seeing them after a year. Your outfit is in the living room. Be Right Back." She said with a bright smile.

"..…"

"what's wrong?"

"I am not wearing that"

Mikan was holding a black and gray yukata made in Natsume's size. "why not?! You wore it a few months ago!"

"That was for the new years festival! When everyone wore it. I'm gonna wear whatever I want. If you want to look like an idiot, go ahead," he said before slamming his room door.

"hmph. Fine! Well at least help with the cooking baka!"

"No thanks!"

"ARGHH!" She yelled and ran into her room as well.

They stubbornly remained in their rooms for the next thirty minutes. "That Natsume. Who does he think he is? Won't wear what I tell him. Won't help me with anything. Never plays chutes and ladders when I ask him to. Always calls me names…." Her rants became more and more irrelevant.

Meanwhile in Natsume's room, he laid on his bed playing with a strange red stone in his palm. I thought if I woke up late this day would be shorter. If only there was something that could make time go faster and I'd be done with it already.

Oji-chan finally came home with grocery bags in one hand and a newspaper on the other. "Ji-chan where were you?! Nevermind that, I can finally start cooking (for the second time)."

Her oji-chan laughed before hitting the rolled newspaper on her head. This made Natsume chuckle. "J-Ji-chan! What was that for?!"

"You crazy granddaughter, do you want to serve them cold food? Why would you cook almost 12 hours before they come. And go get changed. We'll be going somewhere in a few hours."

Mikan's face brightened, "Really! Where?"

"It's a new store," he explained, "I'm sure you guys will love it. It's called Alice in Wonderland."

Natsume, not sure why, felt uneasy hearing the name.

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"WHOA!" Mikan shouted in excitement, "These toys are awesome! I can buy one right ji-chan right?"

Her ji-chan chuckled and nodded. "Both of you pick one you like."

Natsume, on the other hand, was being skeptical. These toys did not seem normal. He could've sworn the eyes of the doll followed him when he walked past it.

"Natsume look!" Mikan burst out, dancing with the pillow she was holding. "it's a dream catcher! It says that I can dream about the person I love if I sleep on it. I'm going to buy this. But then again I do want the seeds that will grow into singing flowers or the hat that will make me smart if I wear it or-."

"Do you really believe in all this stuff? Baka."

"Natsume haven't you ever read Jack and the Beanstalk," she remarked.

Natsume rolled his eyes at the ridiculous defense.

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Mikan tried to find the customer service table holding the cash her ji-chan gave and the pillow.

She could see no one standing behind the cash register, so she looked around finally spotting a lady in a room at the back of the store. She called for her and the lady smiled indicating, with her hand, for Mikan to come closer.

"What's your name?" the lady asked.

"Mikan Sakura," she firmly responded.

"Who did you come here with?" The lady further inquired. Mikan wondered what was wrong with her voice. It sounded like she had caught a cold.

"My ji-chan and Natsume."

"Oh Natsume? Is that your brother?" She mused. Mikan noticed the many earrings she wore and the cross tattoo near her left eye.

"No… but we live together."

The lady smiled. "I see."

Mikan, beginning to feel uncomfortable, said, "I want to buy this," handing the money.

The mysterious looking woman asked her to put the money on the table, not making skin contact, and smiled. "Thank you. And please do…come again," she said in a rather grim tone.

"Mikan…Mikan" She could hear her grandpa calling for her. She ran to the sound. "Where were you?! I was worried sick."

"I went to pay the store owner for my toy."

"The owner is right here Mikan." She looked to see a young man standing behind the counter.

Mikan turned to point at the lady in the room but could find no one standing there.

"She really was there. I gave her the money. I promise." The store owner looked to the oji-chan.

"I'm sorry. My granddaughter can be a bit silly at times."

"No worries." The store owner went to the back to check and picked up the money that was left on the table. He chuckled, "Next time look for the register kiddo." He gave a smile. "So that'll be the dream catcher and…"

Natsume passed a card he picked randomly. He wasn't really interested in the toys here.

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As they walked back home, Mikan, still upset with the situation, went up to Natsume and whispered, "You believe me right?"

"About what?"

"About the lady I met."

"I don't care."

"But isn't that weird Natsume. How did she just disappear?" Natsume grew bored of the conversation. She was making this into a bigger deal than it should be.

"She was strange," Mikan continued, "She had all these earrings on and a tattoo by her eye. She looked scary."

His eyes widened. "...What kind of tattoo was it?"

"A cross."

Persona. How did he even get here? He thought about the store owner and his name, Goshima. He started questioning the convenient location of the store as well. Why would someone open a store at a deserted neighborhood with only a few houses?

"What did you talk about?" His tone was rushed.

Mikan smiled wide. "So that means you believe me Natsume?"

He gave no comment but waited for her to explain.

"Well, she asked me my name and who I came with…Oh yea she was wondering if you were my brother. As if, you don't even call me your family."

"What did you tell her?"

"I said nope and that you live with us."

His heart continued beating fast. He didn't think they would go this far to get him. But why was he talking to Mikan? What does he want with her?

"If you ever see her, don't talk to her. Run away or come to me if I'm near."

She nodded, not fully understanding the situation. She was just glad somebody believed her.

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Mikan put the rice in the rice cooker. Her and her ji-chan were preparing the chicken to bake it. Natsume even helped, washing and chopping the vegetables.

Between the cooking and Mikan's rant to look proper, time flew.

It was now 6:58. Mikan settled for a white dress with a pink rose on the side of her waistline. Natsume had on a casual tee and jeans.

This whole week he was worried about his meet with his dad. He had thoughts of escaping town for the day. Any way to avoid it. But now….

Knock knock.

"They're here!" Mikan cheered running for the door.

…He was determined. Determined to make a deal with his dad once and for all.

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