Hey guys! I'll keep the Author's Note short since this chapter is sooooo ultra-long. Hihi.

Anyway, so here you go. Enjoy. :DDDD

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

First Letter

"Mom!" Yuka thought she heard Mikan call.

Mikan? No. That's impossible, she thought. Her daughter's away. But then she was certain that it was her only kid's voice. How could she forget right? Hello? Since that kid was born, it has been the only voice Yuka heard - from her cries, to her giggles, to her screams, to her first ever word, to her complaints, to her retorts and everything else. How can she forget?

It's really Mikan.

"Mom!" Mikan called again, this time appearing in front of Yuka. Is she dreaming? Yeah. That must be it. Because as far as Yuka remembers, her daughter's still in the Imperial Palace. There's no way she'll be home right? Come on, Yuka, she thought. It's all a dream. Talk to her. What could go wrong?

Yuka looked at Mikan as she smiled that big grin of hers. "Hey Mom," she said. "I'm home. Did you miss me?"

"I missed you a lot, honey," she replied as she hugged her daughter. Oh how she misses her so so so much.

Mikan broke their warm embrace. "But Mom, I'm home now. You won't miss me anymore," she continued to smile.

Yuka's smile retained as well. "I know, honey. I know,"

The brunette pouted and shook her head in annoyance. "No, Mom. You don't understand. I'm really home. Like, in reality. Hello? Wake up!" she screamed.

"Wake up!"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Yuka woke up in a jolt, panting. What was that dream?

She shook her head and dismissed the disturbing product of her subconscious as a result of her utter longing for her daughter. That must be it. Well, who can blame her anyway? It has already been a week since she last saw the tinier replica of herself. Mikan's never been gone this long especially since this time, there were no phone calls received telling her that she's doing fine. Somehow, Yuka can't help but be worried as various Mommy questions flooded her mind.

Is Mikan alright in the Palace? Does she eat three times a day? Do they treat her well? How is her relationship with the Prince going?

Yuka slid both her feet by the side of their bed after kissing her husband's cheek.

Rise and shine, honey, she told herself, opening the curtains of their bedroom at the same time letting in the rays of the morning light.

She sighed. Mikan and the Prince.

Yeah, she saw that little interview they did. She remembered herself choking on water when that aired on TV. Well, she's the mother of that girl the Prince is kissing. Who wouldn't choke huh? Let's see. It's been a week since she left her daughter in the hands of the Nation's Royal family and that week passed by without any news of that said daughter. No news whether she's alive or close to death or anything. Then suddenly she pops out in the middle of her favorite Drama snogging the heir to the throne? Who wouldn't choke huh? Who?

Okay. Maybe she didn't snog him. But they kissed. Goodness knows how Izumi reacted when he saw. He wanted to rush to the Palace and kill Natsume. Good thing Yuka was able to stop him or else either Japan has to go fully democratic or Yuka'll be an early widow.

"Y-Yuka," Izumi muttered groggily from the bed. "Close the curtains….mmm….sleep…"

"Wake up, you sleepy head," Yuka replied instead. "You still have rounds to attend in the hospital, Dr. Yukihira," she said as she approached the bed and pulled her husband up. Successfully doing that, she continued, "No dilly-dallying Izumi. Go downstairs and don't go back to sleep. Patients are waiting for you, got that?"

The latter simply smiled angelically not unlike his daughter's and made shooing gestures to Yuka who was already exiting the room.

She shook her head agin and proceeded to Mikan's room first, just to reminisce. That's all she needs, she guessed, based from what she dreamt of. She must totally be missing the little brat and the only solution to that disorder she's suffering from is to visit her daughter's room once in a while.

Yuka slowly opened the door to Mikan's room the way she would when she still had to wake her up for school, gaining momentum before she startles the hell out of her.

Only this time, it was Yuka who was startled out of her own wits.

"HOLY - MIKAN!"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Mikan remembered running away from a Palace. She remembered her feet working their own way automatically and her sobbing her eyes out, letting her pair of legs take her where they want to. She also remembered fishing out a set of keys and entering a house then a familiar room then finally bawling her head out to tears until she fell asleep.

But maybe that was a dream…then she'd wake up only to find herself still in her luxurious suite inside the Palace.

So much for hoping, Mikan. They'll just get crushed. Now continue sleeping. It's your only escape. Come on. Sleep more. Sleep instead of crying. Sleep. Sleep. Slee -

"HOLY - MIKAN!"

"What? Burglars? WHERE?" the brunette shot up in alarm, looking around in panic then her attention finally landing on her surroundings. Where is she?

She looked around in confusion. She wasn't in her luxurious and gallant suite in the Palace. She's…somewhere familiar. By jove…she's back home! Right in her room and there before her by the door, unmoving, is her mom. Had it all been in a dream?

Mikan broke into a big grin. "Mom!" she cried as she rushed to the older replica of herself with shorter hair and gave her a big hug. "Mom! I missed you so so so much!"

Yuka woke up from her reverie. It's really Mikan - her only kid - who's stuck enveloping her in a big hug right now. Well, she can feel her, see her, hear her, smell her. She - by all means logical - is real. What the hell? The older brunette pushed her kid away for a better view, letting her hands lay dormant on the brat's shoulders. Mikan still smiled at her while Yuka simply looked at her zombie-wise, still couldn't believe.

Mikan cocked her head sideways. "Mom? Hey? You alright? It's me, Mikan!"

Let's say Mikan uttered those words right this second. Right now, with Yuka's disoriented state, Mikan's words will just register in the other's brain ten seconds after which - triggers a late reaction.

"Mikan?" Yuka repeated stupidly precisely ten seconds of silence after.

The said brunette frowned. "Mom! What the heck? Don't tell me you really forgot that you have a daughter named Mikan? Yes, Mikan, Mom. Mikan. Your only daughter? The one you had after you and dad got married, went to Europe for your honeymoon and had se - "

"Okay let's not go into detail please," Yuka finally woke up, slapping herself in the process. In Mikan's point of view? Her mom's nuts. Yuka meanwhile, massaged her temples. "What are you doing here young lady?"

Mikan's frown grew deeper. "I'm supposed to be here,"

Yuka raised her eyebrows. Now what is this kid talking about? Supposed to be here? She's supposed to be in the Palace! "What do you mean by that, Mikan?" she asked.

"Like what I said. I'm supposed to be here. I live here. Mom, are you sick?" Mikan asked.

It was Yuka's turn to frown. "No. Are you? What are you talking about honey?"

Mikan paused. What's going on? "Um, it's Sunday today right? Right after Saturday? I'm supposed to be meeting the twins later," she said, recalling her schedule.

Yuka raised her eyebrows. "What date is it Mikan?"

"December 4," she answered without any thought.

Yuka simply stared at her. "Honey, dear. It's already the week after, December 11."

Mikan's eyes turned as big as saucers. "Oh my god! I fell into a coma?" she shrieked.

Yuka couldn't help herself and thwacked her daughter. "No! You're supposed to be in the Palace right now,"

It was her daughter's turn to look confused at looked her. "What are you…Mom…that's weird. How do you know about my dream?"

"Dream?" Yuka asked worriedly. Did Mikan somehow acquire amnesia?

"Yeah. Me marrying the Prince. I dreamt of that." Mikan laughed. "But that's stupid. We don't have a Prince in Japan right?"

The older woman just shook her head. When suddenly, Mikan's phone rang.

"Hello?"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"Hello?" Hotaru heard over the line.

"What? What?" Tsubasa chanted behind his sister, trying to stop himself from grabbing the phone. "She answered yet?"

Hotaru glared at her brother then answered. "Where the hell are you, you idiot?" she asked in a tone of irritation.

It's currently 6:45 in the morning and Mikan's not home. According to Natsume, he hasn't seen her since past nine the last night and she hasn't slept in her room either nor was she found inside the Palace. People were worried sick about her not to mention she still has an interview to attend to an hour and a half from now. Right now the raven-haired lass wants to batter her with the upgraded Baka Gun 2001. Goodness, people thought she was kidnapped!

"What do you mean home?" Hotaru muttered impatiently again. What was this stupid girl thinking?

Everyone eyed her curiously.

"Come back, you idiot," she said again. Tsubasa tried to stick his ear on the phone but was hit by his sister instead.

"Oh ha-ha. I look so much like you that I can replace you in the interview. I didn't know that I look like a honking pig now. Are you insulting me?" Ruka thought he heard screaming on the other line.

"Are you telling me to marry Hyuga?" More screaming.

"Drag your stupid butt here, Mikan or I'm fetching you," Hotaru answered after a while. "And no, it doesn't consist of any vehicles but I assure you you'll be here before you can even say 'Money'"

"Now move,"

Hotaru shut her phone.

Tsubasa and Ruka looked at her, obviously waiting for her to spill.

She just looked at them for some seconds, prolonging their agony. Slowly, both of their eyebrows scrunched in agitation.

"What?"

"I…" Hotaru whispered.

"Spill! What?"

Hotaru's stare darted to and from both of the lads.

They still looked at her in anticipation.

Her mouth opened.

.

.

.

"I want crab fats,"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"Nooooo!" Mikan wailed, clinging on her bed post like some koala. "Nooooo! I won't go back there! Noooo!"

"IZUMIIIII!" Yuka shrieked as she pulled her daughter away from the poor post. "IZUMI WAKE UP AND HELP ME!"

Both heard loud and fast footsteps, some crashing and cursing and finally, Izumi Yukihira appeared, still alive by the door, looking panicky. "What dear? Who is it? Burglars? - MIKAN!" He cried in utter joy as he opened his arms wide for a big hug which the brunette accepted, replacing the poor abused post with her dad.

"PAPA!" she laughed as she hugged her dad as if she was merely five. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too my little angel!" he replied then broke the hug and instead, cupped Mikan's cheeks with his big hands and made her face up to him. "Are you okay, angel? Did they hurt you? Damn that Natsume, he took advantage of my Angel's purity!" he uttered while sniffing his big daddy tears away. "Let me kill him, Angel. Let daddy kill him!"

It was Mikan's turn to pull and this time, it was to stop her dad from murdering the Royal family. "No, Papa!"

"NO! SJFISHGJKSHFLSK. I'LL KILL THAT BASTARD!"

"PAPA! LISTEN! LOOK! LOOK!" Mikan called. Izumi looked back at his little angel, his murder face still on.

Mikan put on her cutest puppy face and said in the sweetest voice, "I LOVE YOU PAPA~"

"…" And just like that, from D: face, Izumi's face transformed into =w= ~ "Awww, I love you toooooo~ Aren't you the cutest thing, my Mikan-chan~" Izumi sing-songed, creepily like Narumi, as he hugged his daughter and rubbed his cheek with hers all the while, wiggling his butt like a gay. Yuka can't help but wonder why the hell she married this man.

"Mikan! Go back now,"

Both father and daughter looked at her as if she stole their lollipops and balloons.

"Don't you give me those faces you two!" Yuka scolded hotly.

Mikan turned to her dad. "But Papa~" she pleaded.

"Dear, no," Izumi said with conviction. "Mikan doesn't want to. Don't make her do what she dislikes. Besides, I couldn't bear the thought of that bastard Natsume taking advantage of my little girl. NO NO NO NO!"

"Mikan, I swear I'm dragging you to the Palace right now if you don't go back there!" Yuka threatened.

"But mommy! I don't wanna go back there!"

"Why Angel? Do they abuse you there?" Izumi asked worriedly.

Mikan unconsciously hid her battered hands. "N-no,"

"Do they feed you three times a day?" Yuka asked as well.

Mikan unconsciously remembered the Empress taking their breakfasts away. "They d-do," she lied.

"Then is there a problem regarding the marriage?" both asked in unison.

Mikan looked at both her parents' expectant faces - seeing that they'll simply be more worried and in pain once they know her predicament. Besides, what can they do against the ex-Empress? Even Natsume's mother cowered before her. "N-no,"

"Then what?" They asked, now seriously worried. As much as they miss their daughter, they know that the place she truly belongs in is the Palace. There is a much bigger reason behind why which overshadows their duty as her parents.

Mikan who all the while found the ground reallllly interesting finally looked up to her parents' faces and smiled.

"Nah," she said, making a beeline for the door. "I just missed both of you. Bye Mom, bye Dad," she waved. "I'll be back home again in two weeks," she said and walked away.

"Honey, don't you mean in three weeks? Three more weeks before you get married. Don't rush things!" Yuka reprimanded, still worried.

"I'll send you off, Angel!" Izumi called, running after the brunette.

Mikan smiled sadly, her back on her parents.

No, Mom. After two weeks. This will be over. Two weeks - not three. Two weeks and I'll be normal again.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

"And where have you been, young lady?" an icy cold voice welcomed Mikan back to the Palace.

There, in front of her is the ex-Empress, looking more annoyed than ever. "Well?" she asked sternly.

"I - " Mikan started.

"No excuses!" she cut off. Mikan flinched. "Not sleeping in your quarters over the night, vanishing like a bubble without any traces or word! Then you dare try to become the most respectable lady in the country? You are not fit to be the future Empress! Shame! What did I tell you about mistakes?" she asked venomously, as if preying on Mikan.

"One error, one whip," the brunette whispered, shutting her eyes close as she anticipated the stinging hit of the old woman's whip on her hands.

Swishp!

"How dare you?" Mikan heard the old woman cry in anger. Slowly, the brunette unfolded her eyes and saw Natsume in front of her.

"Natsume?" she whispered. The raven-haired lad's back continued to face Mikan.

The ex-Empress scoffed. "Two rebellious souls to be the rulers of the Nation! I see now how incompetent the Palace have been upon my absence! Prepare!" she scolded and skirted away.

"Natsume?" Mikan called again, facing him. There, on his cheek is a big gash, spewing blood the color of his orbs. "Natsume!" Mikan panicked and fished out her handkerchief, aiding Natsume's big wound.

"Idiot, where have you - " he started to say.

"IDIOT!" Mikan cried, tears bubbling in her hazel eyes. That made Natsume shut up. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT? LOOK AT YOU! YOU'RE BLEEDING! IDIOT!" she cried more.

Natsume let a smile slip, patted Mikan and said. "You said it yourself, because I'm an idiot," he said.

Mikan looked up. Natsume put his mask back on, stoic. "Now go, little girl. Or don't tell me you wanna look like a rag next to me during the interview?" he smirked at he walked away, Mikan's handkerchief still aiding his wound.

"NATSUME YOU JERK!"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Hotaru watched her best friend as she fidgeted in front of the cameras. She cursed inwardly. It's obvious she's nervous. That's not good - not at all. Only ten seconds before the airing. Hotaru frowned.

10

9

Tsubasa looked at his sister and smiled, understanding. "Mikan-chan!" she called.

8

7

Mikan looked at him.

6

He motioned for her to smile with his hands.

5

Mikan simply frowned more.

4

Hotaru looked at her brother. "Idiot. Tell her," she muttered, suppressing a little happiness.

3

"Smile!" Tsubasa shouted.

2

Mikan doubted for a moment then relented.

1

So that when the whole Nation finally saw her, she was smiling the biggest and most radiant smile of hers.

Natsume caught her hand and squeezed it. The brunette looked at him as he looked at her back intensely, all this being captured and aired on TV. Mikan smiled then both of them faced the cameras.

They looked like a lovely couple.

"Good Morning, everyone," The interviewer announced. "I'm here in the Imperial Palace together with…who else? The hottest, most famous and of course the newest Royal Couple! I am proud to present to you an exclusive interview from His Royal Highness, Prince Natsume Hyuga and his lucky Cinderella, Ms. Mikan Yukihira!" she introduced then looked back at the two, cameras zeroing on them.

Smiling, the interviewer asked. "So, how do you feel?"

She was looking at Natsume. It was obvious she likes him like all the other girls around. As for the object of affection? Well, he's trying his best not to roll his crimson orbs. He ignored her. It was getting awkward.

Crap, Mikan thought. This isn't good. Damn you Natsume and your PMSing.

The brunette smiled at the interviewer instead and giggled. "Don't worry about him," she said, stealing the cameras. "He's just nervous."

Natsume's disks enlarged in shock. Tsubasa wanted to laugh out loud. Damn, she caught him there.

"Polka," Natsume warned.

"Polka? Isn't that cute! You have pet names for each other!" The interviewer batted her eyelashes. Natsume wanted to puke while Mikan sweat dropped. "Why Polka?"

It was Mikan's eyes' turn to enlarge. She looked at Natsume. He's not gonna…

He smirked.

"I saw her - "

"Ilikepolkadotsthey'recute!" Mikan muttered. Natsume stifled a laugh which was caught straight on cam. So far so good.

"Yeah, she does. In fact, her b - "

Mikan thwacked Natsume. "Don't!"

"Aww, don't you think they're just cute!" She old woman fangirled. "You seem so close!"

"No," both chorused.

"You even answer together! Come on, tell us about how you met,"

Natsume paused. "She threw herself before me," he smirked.

"Gasp! I did not!"

"She did?"

"Yeah. I guess my charm worked on you the first time huh, Hon?" Natsume continued to smirk. Mikan wanted to smack him right this instant! What the hell is he talking about? She shuddered at the last word.

"No! Actually, he was the one head-over heels for me. In fact, he almost kissed me on the first night, right, hon?" Mikan smirked. HA. Sweet revenge. If only you can see Natsume's face right now. Priceless!

The interviewer? Well, she's having the time of her life. "First night! Does that mean…" she eyed them meaningfully. Mikan turned instantly beet red.

"Yes,"

"No!"

"Oh ho! Which is it?"

"No, seriously. Nothing happened between us,"

"Never even shared the same bed?"

Mikan twitched. "We did but - "

"Once?"

"Actually, twice," Natsume smoothly replied.

The interviewer was obviously digging a gold mine right now. Mikan? The only thing she wants to dig are Natsume's sockets. Why did he have to say that?

"Okay, maybe twice but absolutely nothing happened." Mikan amended.

Eyebrows shot up.

"Answer out of the line mister and my dad's frying you into a shish kebab. Just you dare, hon," Mikan half-joked half threatened.

Natsume raised his hands in surrender on the cameras and smirked. "Sorry, this lady got me wrapped around her lovely little fingers, I'm not answering anything." he smirked sexily. Mikan was sure all the girls in Japan are squealing their throats out right now. "Mr. Yukihira, peace," he smiled.

Even Mikan wants to squeal. Wait. No. Error.

The interviewer laughed. "Okay. It seems like the Prince's no longer spilling anything. Shall we move on to the rest?"

Mikan smiled. "Sure,"

"Alright. So aside from the *cough* naughty *cough* things you did on your first meeting. What do you think of each other? Prince, you first,"

Natsume looked at Mikan, rendering her self-conscious. What does he think of her?

"She's an idiot,"

"Hey!"

"She's my idiot," he smirked.

The interviewer gushed. "What about you, Yukihira-san?"

Mikan quit glaring at her fiance. "He's…"

Natsume looked at her.

"Go on,"

She huffed then smiled.

"Natsume's a jerk. He's an idiot, irresponsible, cocky, rude, devil of a Prince," she smiled. Everyone froze. What was she saying? Does she wanna die? "But," Oh, there's a but. "I admit. My fiancé is drop-dead gorgeous and a lot of girls will be wanting my head after this. They worship him like some saint and at first, I was like, 'What's so good about this guy? He's a jerk,' Seriously guys, he is. Wake up," she smiled. "He's not perfect. Your Natsume-sama's not perfect. He has his bad sides okay? But he also has his good sides. As I spend more time with this handsome idiot, I realized something. Hey, this guy you're all going gaga for?

He's just human.

And I like him that way,"

Mikan smiled at Natsume, the latter smiling back.

"Wow. That was…so enlightening. But I heard that you didn't have a good relationship with him and even called him gay,"

Both paused awkwardly. Well it's true. The idiot thought he was really gay but that's bad publicity. She can't just 'fess up like that. Uh-oh.

Mikan laughed. "Well it's true. I told you," What was she up to again? "This guys' not perfect. He doesn't even smile! Hello? So like I said. Natsume's gay." Mikan smiled.

"Gay?" the interviewer repeated.

Mikan nodded. "Gay in a sense that despite how you think of his cold and grumpy personality…Natsume's happy. Trust me. And of course, gay in a way that he's the only guy - straight guy - I met who isn't afraid to show how much he cares for other guys - his friends. I think that's the manliest part of him yet, right, Natsume?" she smiled.

"Tch."

"So he's not gay as in he's homo?"

Mikan laughed. "Goodness, no! What an absurd interpretation. And by the way, you Press people owe me my first kiss because of that!" Mikan joked.

The interviewer laughed. "Alright. Now that that's settled. I've been aching to ask this. If you don't mind telling us, what happened to your cheek, You Highness?" she asked, referring to Natsume's band-aided cheek.

Mikan looked at Natsume worriedly.

He simply smirked.

"I rescued a damsel-in-distress for a second time,"

Mikan blushed.

Understanding, the interviewer gave a last meaningful look on the camera, ending the show with a bang, saying, "And so there you have it Japan. Our own Prince is in no way gay and is slowly but surely, I tell you, marching inch by inch to his own sweet marriage with this bright lovely lady. That's all for this Royal exclusive interview. Thank you both for your gracious time and this has been Hachiyama Shiori from StarSpot!"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

December 11, 20XX

Dear Natsume,

Hey. Do you know why I'm writing this? It's because…I'm about to leave in two weeks. I know. I'm supposed to marry you right? But…well…I guess that's not going to happen anymore. Your grandma has some other plans for us. When I leave, you'll finally meet your bride. Your real bride. It's not me. Bet you're happy. Haha. I'm not.

Did you know why I was late today? Why I went home? It's not because I miss my parents. It's because…I wanted to run away. I heard last night. After two weeks, I'll have to leave. Like I said, your real bride will have arrived by then. I don't even love you. Don't be assuming, jerk. I don't. But then, why did I feel really sad knowing that I'll be leaving? Leaving you? Leaving everything? That I'm not meant for this? That I'm not your bride? So I wanted to escape. I did. But Hotaru called me back.

I didn't want to return either. I thought, 'What's the point? I'm not the one supposed to be by his side.' Mom tried to drag me back. It's not because of Mom or Hotaru that's why I came back. It's because of you. You're a jerk. You're an idiot. You're annoying. But like I said earlier, you're imperfect. I'm not blinded by your glamour, you idiot. You're still human. I wanted to tell the world that. I wanted to shout…NATSUME HYUGA'S HUMAN YOU STUPID PEOPLE. Haha. Stupid. I know. What's the point in telling them that?

I dunno. :P

I just wanted to tell them that you're you. You're not who they think you are. You are not some perfect handsome guy. You're more than that.

I saw you.

You're human.

I like you for who you are.

Not romantically, of course. But I like you.

Thirteen more days Natsume. Thirteen more letters. Thirteen more messages for you. Thirteen more days with you.

I'm not giving up on this yet, don't worry.

Love,

Mikan

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Told you it's long. Was it boring? Gawd, sorry for the interview. It's sort of…i don't know. Messy? What do you think?

So. Mikan writes letters for Natsume for her remaining two weeks! So yes, you'll be reading all of them, don't worry.

By the way, I've got the plot laid out in front of me…I'm just missing fillers for the two weeks. Any suggestions? ;D

Come on. Suggest! Need help here! REVIEW! Tell me if you Liked it or Hated it. Okay?