MISPER

Reminiscence

''The whole north place is a wide area…'' muttered inspector Nogi to himself, concerned about the whole process.

''Don't worry, we have so many people, we could cover whole Japan.'' Natsume replied, as his phone ringed. ''Yeah?''

''How many teams are there?'' asked Jinno over the phone. He Mochu and Tsubasa were checking the map picture of the are on the computer, an app showing them exactly where their people were.

Natsume looked around. He was standing in front of a wide forest with meadows at each side. The area was slightly to the north from Tokyo and an ideal place to hide someone. It covered several kilometres, but it was not unpopulated; there were holiday cottages and parks at certain places, and even a village nearby. Still… It was a huge place.

There were at least hundred police officers and twice as much volunteers. To Natsume's surprize, people did mock the police for their failure, but jumped to help when the opportunity showed. Young fireworkers, police probationers, medicine students, students in general, and many other random people with time and will decided to help the police with the search.

Natsume and other officers in charge explained to them what to do, and how to direct the searching dogs, and had them all prepared for days of searching. Never before has such a helping action happened in Japan before. As Natsume thought before young pregnant women are nations treasure, and people felt the hurt themselves if one of the girls carrying a child in her disappeared or was murdered.

''We've got more than 300 people; that's thirty teams, the number varies, but yes…'' Natsume told his boss, glad so many people came, but focused on the search.

''All right. We have the whole area covered, you just search every centimetre of the place.''

''No worries, boss. We'll turn every stone. I'll make sure of it.'' Natsume told him and ended the call.

''All right!'' he called to get everyone's attention. ''You know what to do and you know how to do it. Be thorough. We've got to be efficient and quick. Two lives are in danger and we have to prevent their loss. Understood?!''

Everyone nodded. ''Let's start!''

That's how the search started. Hundreds of people were walking over the huge area, examining every spot on the ground, while the dogs sniffed around. Natsume was determined to find her. Even if it was the last thing he would do.

When Mikan woke up again, her whole body hurt. She moved around, sat up and then did a few exercises the doctor told her to do if she ever felt like this. Only there was no room to move too much. She stretched her legs and arms, rolled her shoulders, and massaged her neck. It helped a bit, but the physical could not help with the mental.

She had been in this small space for Kami-sama knew how long and it was slowly making her go mad. The darkness made her feel uncomfortable but she still had that flashlight she could use whenever she felt like it. Right now she wanted to save the light for another time. Who knew when would it be useful.

The food would last for some time, but she knew with her appetite… This would not last that long.

''Stupid Mikan. Just why did you have to eat so much?'' she talked to herself. It calmed her down. In a place of silence and no space, one could easily lose his mind. She did not yet.

''I just hope the little one would get the most of it. If we ever get out, I'll start doing sports. I know I promised mom that I'd start forever ago, but… This time for real.''

She thought about her mother. Her beautiful mother who was now lying in the hospital. She survived. Thank Kami. She was ok. Although… Would she ever be able to forget? Or at least cope with it? Who knows… But she was sure she would. Her mother was strong. And for her, she would try to survive this. She would try to get out of it. At least, she would try to get her baby out. She did not care what would happen to her.

If she was lucky, inspector Natsume and his team would find her.

''Heh… Yeah…'' she spat sarcastically. ''As successful as they were until I dirtied my hands…''

But she knew Natsume Hyuuga was searching for her. He was most probably going mad because of her. He told her this might happen and she knew he was right, but she did not listen. On the one hand it was good – she found her mother, but on the other… Now it was her, who was trapped here, waiting for Kami-sama knew what. Maybe he really wanted to take her baby and kill her.

Her baby…

Her innocent baby.

She should have done the abortion. Then this would have not happened. But she loved this child already. Even though she did not even remember the father – she had been far too intoxicated for that – she knew her child would be adorable. She would do anything for him. Anything…

Tears made her way down her cheeks. She sniffed and wiped them away. She did not want to cry, but the hormones were making her feel so emotional. And thinking about her mother, her baby and the situation she was currently in, she simply did not know what to do.

She seriously wished the police would find her.

Inspector Natsume had promised her he would lock this bastard up.

She hoped he would find her.

She knew he was working like mad. He told her he was worried about her before. Who knew what he felt now.

''I hope he's desperate.'' She whispered, wishing for him to come and save her. She wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him what she felt. When he had visited her that evening, she almost admitted to him she liked him. She had almost kissed him. She knew he wanted to kiss her too; it was obvious, but he was in his uniform and was not allowed to do anything about this.

But his lingering hand, his piercing stare and his gentle words, whispers to not worry, that everything would be all right, let her know they were on the same page.

''Natsume…'' she whispered.

''Natsume, Natsume, Natsume…'' she cried burying her face in her hands. She just wanted to live happily. She just wanted to live.

She wanted her child to survive.

And she wanted to come out alive too.

Then she felt the strong cramp.