MISPER

Love of Two

The next day, Natsume visited Mikan. He was terribly nervous; had not felt that way since… Since school… Kami… He had no idea what to do, how to react, how to behave…

As he walked into her room, she was lying on her bed, her son sleeping in the small bed next to her bed. She looked better, her cheeks had more colour and her eyes were brighter. She was talking to a doctor and smiled gently. Natsume's chest tightened.

She was so beautiful.

She was such a wonderful person and he failed her. He and his team failed her. She had to save herself.

He walked into the room just as the doctor was about to walk out. ''Good morning inspector. Please don't torture her too long.''

Natsume nodded. ''We'll just talk.''

As the two were left alone in the room, the tension rose. Natsume did not dare to look at her for a moment. Then he walked forward and stopped next to her bed. ''How do you feel?'' he asked, glancing at her.

Mikan cleared her throat and smiled tiredly. ''All right now. Didn't think I would make it out there.''

Natsume sat down, the weight of the whole event finally too heavy on his shoulders. He felt the uneasines in his chest and guilt eating him up. ''I'm very sorry for what had happened. If we had done something sooner, you wouldn-''

''Yes. That's true.'' She interrupted him and Natsume felt the pang all over his body. ''But if it hadn't happened, some other girl would be lying in the autopsy, and he would still be out there.''

Natsume looked at her. She was gazing at him. ''I'm not angry with you.'' She told him. ''And I don't hold grudges. I admit, I felt frustrated back then, but I understand why you couldn't do more. If a hormonal, pregnant woman would nag me every week about something that made no sense, I would shoo her away too. Well… It wasn't you who did it, but I know why one would do that.''

''I believed you.''

''I know.''

Tension and silence.

Natsume fidgeted with his fingers.

''There's a horde of journalists and reporters outside who want to see you.'' Natsume told her. Mikan blinked. ''Why?''

He snorted, relaxing a little. ''You're a sensation, Mikan. The girl who singlehandedly got away, killed the serial killer, and brought a child to the world. You're a national hero.''

''Oh…'' she averted her eyes. ''I just did everything to get him safe.'' She glanced at her son.

''Yeah…'' Natsume whispered. ''You did.'' He wanted to take her hand, but he was afraid she would push him away. He wanted to tell her something else, but he was afraid she might reject it.

''I heard you made quite an uproar after I disappeared.'' She smiled warmly. It made him feel terrible longing. He sighed, not able to hide his concerns.

''I did… I- You were suddenly gone and just a few hours before they had thrown you out of the station, and I just… I snapped…'' he sighed. ''We went through all the evidence you brought us and we followed every trace, and we knew it must have been somewhere where you were held captive – but we weren't sure… Luckily, the volunteers had found you… We'd still be wandering around there, and maybe find-'' he could not bring himself to say it.

''No… I'm all right. I told you that I can take care of myself.'' Her smile warmed his chest and made his heart beat a little faster.

''Mikan…'' she looked up in shock at the strange tone. ''I thought he would kill you. I thought we were too late. I thought I messed it all up, and if we had found you dead I'd seriously had to think about changing my working place.'' He suddenly blurted out. Mikan watched him in surprise, feeling nervous. ''Why?''

He was silent for a moment, his chin leaning on his fists. ''The thought of you dead… I wouldn't be able to handle it. I… You know I… You're someone dear to me.'' He admitted, glancing away and back. ''I think of you as someone special.'' He continued, grimacing as if in pain. ''And just thinking about what might have-''

She put her hand on his wrist and pulled it down so she could take his hand. She played with his fingers, a little nervously. She stared at his hand, and then looked up, her cheeks rosy. ''Natsume Hyuuga. What are you trying to tell me?'' she asked softly, waiting; expecting.

Instead of answering her question, he stood up and leaned down at her, taking in her big eyes, red cheeks and her wonderful body. He kissed her. She kissed right back. When he pulled away, she was smiling, pulling him down for another kiss.

''Natsume…'' she whispered once their lips parted and their faces were close together.

''I like you Mikan Sakura. I almost went mad when-''

''I like you, too, Natsume Hyuuga.'' She admitted, blushing even more. ''When I was there… I was sure you and your team would eventually come and save me. I thought so much about you I almost went mad, and I-'' he kissed her again, this time longer, like they were right before dying.

Once they parted again, he sat back on the chair, holding her hands. His face held a bright colour and he was grinning happily. They suddenly heard the baby cry and Natsume stood up to take a look.

''Can you bring him here?'' Mikan asked, a smile on her face.

Natsume glanced at her and then at the baby. He was a little afraid. Carefully, he took the baby into his arms, held his little head in his palm and brought him to Mikan. She took him and swayed him back to sleep. ''Ssshhh, love. Sleep now.''

Natsume watched them and he felt the punch of emotions filling his chest. He felt proud and he felt so much love for the two beings as if they were his. Mikan glanced at him. ''Come here.''

He came, crouched down next to the bed, put his arm around Mikan's shoulder, and caressed the little one's head. He was so beautiful. ''What's his name?''

''I thought about Youichi. What do you think?'' she asked him, her eyes inviting him into the family circle. He accepted right away. ''I think this is a wonderful idea.''