MISPER

Mama

''Why do you think he's going to show up here?'' Natsume asked Mikan and glanced at her. She was sitting on the co-driver's seat, her big round belly attracting his attention. Her hand was caressing it, while she was staring outside through the window.

When I followed him around, this was the place he most often came to. I didn't think it was that special, but now that I think about it…'' she explained, glancing at him.

Natsume sighed. ''Let me guess, you didn't tell us anything because you wanted to take a look first. Most probably one of these days.'' He raised his brow at her and noticed the blush spreading over her cheeks. ''Yesterday… But you called and, well…''

She brushed her nose with her knuckles, one of her signs of feeling uncomfortable. She munched at her lip, Natsume's eyes catching the sight. He quickly pulled himself together and looked to the front. ''One of these days I'm going to lock you up…'' he muttered.

He heard her click her tongue and tried to suppress his smile as she glared at him. She noticed his half smile and huffed, her hand quickening up the motions on her belly.

''You're lucky it's me you're talking to.'' He told her and moved in his seat, felling a little stiffed. ''So what where you planning to do? Walk around, take a look inside then go? Maybe take a photo?''

''No…'' was her immediate reply. She tried to keep silent but… ''Yeah… Take a photo or two… Maybe catch him with kidnapping a girl…'' she glanced at him, a little unsure about his reaction.

Well, for one his smile was gone. ''And what if he saw you? What if he targeted you?''

She gulped. ''I admit I haven't thought about that.''

''Figures.''

She played with her fingers. ''I'm sorry, Hyuuga-san. I know I'm causing you trouble. I know I'm not much of a help.''

Natsume sighed. ''It's not like you're not helping. You did the dirty work and because of you we've come so far, but…'' he scratched the back of his neck. ''You're putting yourself out there, Mikan-san. If he catches you, you're the next one.'' He told her seriously.

Mikan was about to reply when they noticed someone walking past their car.

Natsume's radio crackled, one of his co-workers speaking. ''Natsume-san. That's him. We're waiting for your order.''

''Wait.'' Natsume cracked into the mic and leaned through the window. Persona himself walked past them, cowered in black. There were dozens of police officers hiding in civil cars, waiting for the order.

Persona went into the old, shoddy building, not noticing the people watching him. The police waited in anticipation for Natsume's orders. He checked his gun and his vest, and spoke into his mic. ''We're going in. Keep it quiet.''

Before he stepped out of the car, he turned to Mikan. Her eyes were wide and frightened. But she held herself together, clasping at the seatbelt. When she looked at Natsume, she blinked and suddenly, she seemed determined and brave.

''You stay here. If it gets loud, lie down and hide. There will be several other police officers outside in case the situation escalades.'' He instructed her, his hand on her shoulder. She nodded, not saying anything.

They stared at each other for a second, tension palpable. His eyes glanced down to her belly, then up to her lips and stopped at her eyes. ''Do not move.'' He ordered again, his voice a little softer than before.

Then he pulled away, opened the door, and walked out. Several police officers, armed and protected rushed as silently as possible to the entrance door, windows and to the back of the building. They surrounded it completely and waited for the sign. Natsume and his colleges looked through the window but did not see anything.

Then suddenly a movement inside. Persona's voice rose for an octave in an angry scream as he argued with someone inside. This was a sign enough and the police broke in.

''Freeze! Police!'' someone screamed as they rushed in. Natsume was one of those first people inside. Persona froze in surprize. A heavily injured woman sitting on the floor, with arms tied to a pole.

Persona cursed loudly and pulled out his gun, aiming at no one in particular. He knew they would not shoot him as long as he held someone hostage. ''I'll shoot her head off if you don't fuck off!''

Natsume held his gun and hands up in surrender; the others did not. He looked at the injured woman. She had a swollen eye, her nose was bleeding and her lip was jagged. Her hair was cut at different places and her whole body was wrapped in a ripped dress that used to be white or blue. She seemed as if she had not eaten for a long time and Natsume would not have recognized her if not for that look she gave him. He knew that look. It was the same look Mikan Sakura wore very often.

It was Yuka.

His heart almost leaped out, but he tried to calm down. ''You're surrounded Persona! There's no escape!''

And this is when something strange happened. Persona smirked. ''In your dreams cop.'' He crunched down next to a shivering Yuka and laughed into her ear, whispering something that made her whimper and beg to 'not do it'. Then he untied her and pulled her up, her wobly legs almost giving in.

Without a warning, he started shooting around and hit Natsume in his arm. Gunfire broke and all Mikan and the other cops outside could hear was screaming and shooting. Worriedly, Mikan stepped out of the car and saw the other cops get ready to interfere.

Then it became silent.

For a moment.

Suddenly a car came driving through the garage door at the other side of the building, crashing the door to the ground, breaks squeaking, then speeding up. He crashed a few police cars in the way, shoots following him but not hitting him, and then disappeared on the street.

''Follow him!'' screamed Natsume who came out running with his gun aimed at the disappearing car, and his arm bleeding. A few police officers jumped into their cars, following the escaped.

''Call an ambulance!'' yelled another. The others searched the area for other criminals, but it looked like Persona was the only one involved. Mikan stood next to the open door of the car, her eye wide and concerned. She rushed towards Inspector Natsume, giving him first aid. She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and bandaged his shoulder. ''Are you injured anywhere else? What happened?''

''Sakura, what did I say about staying in the car?'' he growled, putting his gun away. Mikan glared at him, sirens surrounding them and an ambulance car stopping next to them. ''I think it's safe, isn't it?''

Then he looked at her. ''We found her.'' He stated seriously, holding her stare.

She was looking at his injury as he told her that. Her hands stilled and slowly she looked up. Her eyes watered and she put her hand over her mouth to stifle a cry. She looked away from him to the side and saw police officers helping a woman out of the building.

She made a few wobbly steps towards her. Yuka Sakura was half-naked, heavily injured, and very weak. Two men helped her walk, holding her under her arms, examining her injuries. A few other police men were also injured from the aimless shooting Persona did, but no one was dead. Luckily.

''Mum…'' Mikan called weakly. Yuka looked up, her heavy eyes catching Mikan's. She gave a weak smile. Tears rolled down Mikan's cheeks and she walked towards her mother, soft whimpers and cries escaping her mouth. She did not dare to hug her for she looked like she might break in her arms, but once she was standing in front of Yuka, the woman put her hand on her daughter's cheek and wiped away her tears. Her fingers were still soft, but dirty with blood.

Then she fainted.

The ambulance helped Yuka right away and Natsume also got his arm properly treated. He watched as Mikan sat down in the ambulance car next to Yuka, crying loudly while holding her mother's hand. He stared at the brave woman who pushed them on and helped them find the guy. At the woman who was strong enough to hold herself together until the very last moment.

They eyes met and they stared at each other for a moment.

Then the door of the ambulance car was closed. It drove off to the hospital.

AN: I'm alive I'm alive… I'm sorry for the long delay. I needed a time out and I took a vacation (I didn't have internet there, so…). Keep reading my stories, because that's what makes me happy xD