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

Fifth Letter

"Hey, listen, listen!"

"What is it now, Sachi?"

"I have something to tell you guys!"

Sigh. "Sachi-chan is so noisy,"

"What are you being noisy for early in the morning, Newspaper girl?"

"You're one to talk, Minami-san. I wasn't the one hated by Natsume-sama himself!"

"It would be nice if you would just tell us instead of being noisy, right Wakako-san?"

Four girls looked at the black-haired vice president of the Natsume-Ruka fan club. "Well then, do tell us, Sachi,"

Five pairs of eyes and ears instantly turned their attentions to the said girl.

"Yesterday, as I was passing by the mall, I saw that Yukihira girl with Natsume-sama in Starbucks with my eyes,"

"And so? What do you want to see them with, your nose?"

"Shut up Minami-san! Anyway, that girl gave Natsume-sama a present…some sort of junk necklace and you know what Natsume-sama did?"

"What are we, psychics? You're the one who saw what he did. How do you expect us to know? Idiot."

"He threw it away?"

"NO! How I wish! He smiled at her!"

"NO WAY!"

"YES WAY!"

"Highway?

"Expressway."

"NO!"

"YES!"

"Uh, Riisa, what are you doing?"

"You might need these,"

"No, thank you. I told you, I saw it with my own two eyes and I'm sure I saw it right! I don't need your glasses, Riisa,"

"But that's impossible,"

"Just like your dream of marrying Natsume-sama?"

"Hey!"

"And not only that, Natsume-sama asked her to make him a bento!"

"Ungh, I hate that Yukihira girl. What's so good about her?"

"I know right? To think she and Natsume-sama acted so lovey-dovey during the interview. What did he see in her?"

"He himself said that she's an idiot!"

"His idiot,"

"Ungh. We're willing to be his idiots too."

"Whatever. We need to destroy that Yukihira girl to Natsume-sama."

"You're right. And I know just exactly what we should do,"

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

"Ah, it's been a while since I stayed in Japan," the youngest Hyuuga sister smiled as she gazed outside the window of her brother's study.

As usual, it's freezing outdoors and the plants are already dormant for the incoming fruitless season so that the only scenery Miyabi was lucky enough to set her sight upon are the Pine trees outside. So yeah, there's not much to see. But it's quite refreshing to see some parts of her home country. She finds it quite a regret though that she has to revisit the wonderful country during winter where nothing blooms from its soil and seeing more snow drifting here and there just reminds her of England.

The weather is always bleak there - too cold, rarely sunny. It's a monochromatic country with a very nostalgic feel to it - like living the past during the present. Well, that attributes to the fact that England is a very, very old country already. But even so, Miyabi has come to love it. She just hoped that after all the years of being away from her motherland, the next time she sees it again, she'd see it in its full glory. But oh well, she really had some urgent business to do here.

"Ah," she sighed and crossed her slender arms. "But I've never thought that I'd be back during winter. I really wanted to see the flowers in bloom," she muttered bitterly then walked away from the dreary landscape and peered from her brother's back to see what he was so engrossed of.

Work.

Another sigh escaped Miyabi's lips then settled herself on the chair beside her brother's desk instead. "Onii-sama," she called and glanced at the said man. Ioran continued with his work, as if hearing nothing. "Sigh. You're always busy with work aren't you?" she said. "I never thought that my returning to Japan would be this lonely,"

Ioran still continued to work. On a given free day, he would have loved to talk to his beloved sister until sundown but the papers he was accomplishing at the said moment are very important so he couldn't afford to dally just to entertain his sister's needs - even if she is his proclaimed 'princess' when they were both younger.

"What are you working on anyway?"

Still no response whatsoever except for pen scratching on paper.

"I really want to see flowers." Miyabi sighed. "Maybe I should get a trip to Okinawa? The weather is warmer over the south right? Ah, England is such a cold country."

The Emperor continued with his work. Despite his concentration pacing normally to his papers, he also listens to Miyabi's rants although it doesn't show. So yes, all the while his youngest sister has been babbling about her want to see those collections of petals, his ears had been hers all along. That's why when the doors suddenly banged open, revealing his beloved wife, an ingenious idea occurred to him. Well, let's just say he's trying to shoot two birds with one stone, shall we?

"Ioran!" Kaoru called before even stepping into the room. "I've heard that Miyabi's back already. How come I didn't know about this? I was in Macau yesterday so I didn't - " she stopped as she saw the black-haired woman sitting on the chair, her arms crossed, looking at her with those black eyes. For a while there, Kaoru's rosy lips opened and closed like a fish then recovered. "Oh, you're here," was all Kaoru said rather coldly.

Miyabi shrugged. "Indeed," she said with sarcasm.

The Emperor finally looked up from his mass of papers to the two ladies before him. "Ka-chan, is there something you need?"

"Great. When it's his noisy wife, he looks up but then he ignores his sister he hasn't seen for fifteen years," Miyabi muttered inaudibly then shifted her black eyes to the Empress in front of her.

Kaoru hesitated for a moment. "Nothing. My question has been answered," she said in the same cold voice, her crimson orbs slowly traveling to Miyabi from head to toes. "Live," she added.

Miyabi smirked at her in an annoying manner, ticking Kaoru's patience off.

"Is that so?" Ioran smiled. "Then, while you're here, why don't you have a walk with Miyabi here to the Palace greenhouse? I - "

"What?" Both ladies exclaimed at the same time.

"Ioran, what are you - "

"Onii-sama, are you cra - "

The said man raised a finger to silence both. "Ah, ah, ah," he smiled. "I'm sure both of you would love to hang out together after all these years right? And Miyabi here expressed her strong want to see flowers. So I thought, why not? I would love to join you - "

"Then go yourself!" Kaoru broke in.

"Yeah! I'd rather have you with me," Miyabi said indignantly.

Ioran smiled - the smile that sends shivers up both ladies spines. "But I am too busy with work. Now if I may, off with both of you," he continued to smile.

Too scared, both raven-haired ladies exited the room with chills still crawling up their skin.

They hate it when he does that.

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

Mikan was dead tired. And by dead, she means it literally.

She had to wake up really early to cook that blasted bento not to mention, have a heated debate with the chef to let her use the Palace kitchen. That place is so damn big, by the way, that Mikan thought it could cook up enough food for a whole town. She doesn't understand why it has to be so gargantuan. Okay, so maybe the whole Royal Family has so many members but it's not as if they meet in the Palace. As far as she knows, they spend their reunions someplace else. Okay, enough with her frustrations.

So yeah. She woke up early for the bento. She still doesn't understand why the darn Prince would want a bento - of all things - when they eat lavish sumptuous chef-cooked meals everyday. But then, again, Natsume has his own share of weirdness and she promised him so yeah. She was able to make that bento.'

Now, Mikan isn't exactly an expert in the kitchen. That's more of Anna's trait but she did try her best not to burn the kitchen okay? Besides, she had the Palace chef to aid her. Just aid. Not cook so she was pretty sure she didn't do half-bad. Besides, the Palace isn't in the middle of an arson right now right? Hey, that has to count for something.

But the thing is, she was so tired and sleepy from all the exerted effort that as soon as she sat on her desk at school, she instantly fell asleep. Until lunch. It's a wonder that no teacher threw chalks at her to wake her up. Now she wishes someone should have because Natsume isn't on his seat already and she has to give him the stupid bento.

And it doesn't help that Hotaru and Ruka are missing in action again.

So yes, Mikan woke up, all alone in the Alice classroom with no signs of post-its whatsoever to signify their whereabouts.

The brunette cursed and rushed outside, bumping into a familiar girl.

"Ow," Mikan muttered, rubbing her forehead. "I'm sorry,"

The girl looked at her in a weird way. She has long straight black hair and Mikan can't help thinking that she has seen the girl somewhere before. She just couldn't remember where.

"Are you alright?" the brunette asked her.

The girl nodded. "Um," she said meekly. "Are you…Yukihira-sama?"

"Eh?" Mikan blushed. Sama? Sama? Sama? She called her Yukihira-sama? Wow. That's a first. Mikan can't help but grin inwardly. "Y-yeah?"

"Waaaah," the girl smiled shyly. "I've never seen you this close," she giggled. "You're cute,"

Mikan blushed more. These compliments are doing her no good. She began to giggle. "Why, thank you," Mikan smiled. "You're cute too,"

"E-eh," the girl fidget. "T-that's not true. Um, is that…a bento?"

Ah. Mikan looked down on the square box she had been clutching. Right. Bento. Natsume. "Ah! Yeah. Hey, have you seen Natsume?" she asked.

"Natsume-sama? Yes. He said something about meeting someone by the gym and eating home-made lunch," the girl responded quietly. "Could that be you, Yukihira-sama?"

"Ah," Mikan remarked. "Y-yeah. Maybe. Thank you - what's your name again?"

"Kurosaki Kaori," she smiled cutely.

"Well then, thank you Kuosaki-chan. Bye!" Mikan fled and waved.

Kaori waved back as she smiled. Sure that Mikan was already gone, she instantly fished out her phone and made a call.

"Hello, Minami-sempai?" she called. "Yes. That Yukihira is already on the way. Part 2 may commence," she grinned evilly.

Sweet revenge.

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

"Ungh, the flowers wilt at the sight of you," Miyabi muttered as she cupped a rose on her palm.

Kaoru and she are currently walking through the Palace greenhouse seeing as it's the only place where flowers bloom and she wanted to see flowers so badly. Actually, Kaoru is not her ideal company for this kind of thing or for any kinds of things for that matter but because of whatever her brother pulled out, they're now both stuck with each other. To think that she and Kaoru have a reallllyy long history with each other.

"Are you sure it's not because you touched them?" Kaoru replied back, following the youngest Hyuuga sister's trail. They had been admiring the flowers for quite sometime now and it's freezing outside. "I can't believe you haven't changed a bit and it's already been fifteen years," she muttered, glaring at Miyabi.

The onyx-eyed woman put both hands on her hips, striking a pose. "Of course. It's an art staying this young and beautiful," she said with a smirk, showcasing her perfect slim body. She was wearing a black turtleneck and long pants so her figure really showed. What an eyesore.

"Idiot. I meant you're still a brat. Dream on. This," The Empress posed herself. "Is called gorgeous. 36-25-36." she bragged, smirking.

Miyabi raised an eyebrow, unaffected. "I didn't know gorgeous took on a new meaning - one that involves wrinkles the number of the Palace's wall cracks," she smiled fakely and went on with the flowers.

Kaoru was left gaping at her like a fish. Recovering, she caught up with her husband's sister. "I so do not have wrinkles! Start wearing glasses, brat," she muttered.

"And don't be so proud of your waistline, hag. Twenty five isn't as idealistic as my twenty two,"

"If it involves a nonexistent bust like yours, then no thanks," Kaoru laughed. "Flat as a board,"

Miyabi glared at her. "Oh yeah? At least mine won't sag like rotten papayas unlike yours,"

Damn brat. She has a point there.

"But anyway," Miyabi continued, sniffing a tulip. "You've done a good job as the Empress. The perfect epitome," she smiled, admiring the flowers.

"Really."

"Yeah. Perfect epitome of old-aged."

Kaoru flushed the shade of her eyes in rage.

Miyabi laughed.

"Brat,"

"Hag,"

"Flat-chested,"

"Rotten papaya,"

"Idiot,"

"Ugly,"

"Would you please stop this nonsense? Goodness," Kaoru exclaimed out of nowhere. "I can't believe we're acting like immature children,"

Miyabi glanced at her. "Speak for yourself,"

Kaoru glared. "Another snide remark Miyabi and you're flying back to England without an aircraft whatsoever. I'll make sure of it," she spat venomously.

"Brr. I'm scared." she replied sarcastically.

Kaoru glared at her again. "Why are you even here? Aren't you supposed to be helping Richard right now?"

Miyabi spared her sister-in-law a quick glance and sighed. "Yeah, I'm supposed to. But Mother…she's…"

"Ah, now that's an old hag,"

Miyabi glared at her. "Don't judge her. She's changed."

"Riiiiiight. Then why are you here?"

The onyx-eyed woman frowned and paused.

"To stop her.'" she replied after a while and faced Kaoru seriously. "And you have to help me,"

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

Something is fishy.

Mikan was sure of it as she walked to the gym. Why would Natsume want to eat his bento by the gym? It's not the best place to hang out, okay? It smells weird there - sweat and stuff. So why? Isn't he supposed to eat it at the cafeteria, as usual? And if not - then rooftop is a better option. But gym? Really?

"Natsume-sama? Yes. He said something about meeting someone by the gym and eating home-made lunch,"

Mikan paused inwardly. Natsume said something? Said? But he rarely speaks even when he's with Mikan more so outside the classroom alone. Somehow, Mikan is starting to doubt her actions because certainly, this is so unlike Natsume. He just doesn't say something about whatever he's going to do. He's like a cat - mysterious, quiet, and purposeful. So why?

Then Mikan shifted her attention back to that black-haired girl, Kurosaki Kaori. She seems really familiar. Mikan swears she saw her before. But where? The only girls she's ever met in this school are all Natsume die-hard fanatics. Those three girls at the cafeteria, those two journalists and…that girl who tried to trip her. That's it! That's her. The girl who tried to trip her with the same black hair.

That's why she looked so familiar. Wait. So it means that all she said…was…a hoax?

Mikan stopped on her tracks, realizing everything too late. She's already by the gym and there, in front of her are four girls. That girl who tried to claw her in the cafeteria, Miss Magenta, that vice-president who heard her say Natsume's an idiot, Wakako Usami was it? Then those two journalists: Riisa and Sachi.

Somehow, Mikan doesn't have a really great feeling about this.

"So you've come," Miss Magenta began haughtily. "Mikan Yukihira. I didn't expect you to be much of an idiot,"

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

"You," Hotaru muttered icily to her cousin, Natsume. "What did you do to Mikan yesterday?"

They were currently in the cafeteria, as usual, ignoring its annoying buzz. They were waiting for Mikan, actually. Ruka tried waking her up to no avail so they decided to leave her - or more like, dragged Ruka with them to the cafeteria cold-heartedly. Hotaru already has her own plate of seafoods and Ruka, his healthy vegetable meal; but Natsume? He refuses to eat.

Natsume glanced at her then went back to ignoring her.

"Hyuga," Hotaru called icily. "I'm talking to you,"

"Obviously," Natsume replied, laced with sarcasm. "And I'm ignoring you,"

Hotaru glared at Ruka instead who cowered. She was talking about that moment when Tsubasa dragged Ruka out of Starbucks to leave the two alone. Turns out, Hotaru wanted everything that happened yesterday and Ruka failed to give her everything since he left and Hotaru's recording-earring planted on Ruka wasn't able to capture the little couple's cute moment. So of course, she was pissed.

"Y-your brother dragged me out, okay? Don't blame it on me, Imai," Ruka defended himself.

Besides, he's still not over the fact that she gave him a sudden piercing out of nowhere. And although Hotaru already retrieved that weird earring, Ruka had to put another through his earlobe just to avoid looking weird. Well, he looked extremely handsome with it anyway.

Natsume toyed with the necklace Mikan gave him. What's taking her so long? He's hungry.

"I can hear your insufferable stomach from here, Hyuuga," Hotaru said coldly, digging in on her seafood fest.

Natsume glared at her.

"If you're waiting for that idiot just to eat, then I'm going to tell you. Newsflash: she's not bringing your stomach. It won't kill you to eat, Hyuuga," Hotaru teased.

"Concerned, are we?" her raven-haired cousin smirked.

"Hunger does wonders to your brain, Hyuuga,"

"Then shut up,"

The two continued to eat while Natsume continued to stare at the pendant, playing with it.

"Hey, I wonder what they're going to do?"

"I don't really care. She's a little eyesore."

"Eh. But still. It's Wakako-san's group we're talking about. Besides…won't Natsume-sama be furious if he finds out?"

"Exactly. So - "

Natsume looked up at the two girls. They shut up and paled.

"Natsume?" Ruka asked worriedly.

"Spill." was all Natsume said, coldly.

"W-we saw Yukihira-san head to t-the gym. U-uh and…Wakako-san's g-group was there. It's like…t-they're bullying h-her a - "

The girl wasn't even able to finish her sentence as Natsume rushed to the gym, cursing.

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

"What is the meaning of this?" Mikan asked, her body in full defense form, arms out stretched, ready for fighting.

The girls just raised their eyebrows at her. "You look plenty stupid, Yukihira," Sachi said. "Too bad I don't have my camera. I could use a good headline."

"Shut up. What is it with you guys? Leave me alone," Mikan replied, still clutching the bento.

"Easier said than done," Riisa remarked.

Minami smiled. "How about this. We leave you alone if you leave Natsume-sama alone."

"Are you an idiot?"

"Excuse me?" Minami gasped. "You guys, stop me. I'm going to kill her."

Mikan ignored that. "Look here okay. Let me get these things crystal clear for your fogged slow minds,"

"One more insult, Yukihira and I won't regret beating you up," Wakako said for the first time.

"Whatever," Mikan stuck her tongue out. "So as I was saying. One: Your Natsume-sama chose me okay? I didn't choose to be his wife. I got no say in this so shut up. Two: I am soooo not sticking to him. Hello? We live in the same house because of some stupid tradition and you expect me to keep my distance? Sure. Tell that to his grandmother. I'm sure she'll fry you dead in less than a second. And lastly, third: You think if I leave Natsume he'll choose you? HA. Dream on, stupid,"

The four gaped at her in disbelief. Did she just insult them?

"This bitch," Minami spat. "Damn you!" She screeched and attacked Mikan, opting for her hair.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Mikan screeched back, hugging the bento, thus, unable to protect her hair from excessive pulling. Darn it, her hair doesn't matter as long as she protects the stupid box of food. That's so logical but why is she doing that? For that jerk Natsume who's missing in action now that she needs him to help her.

"Get her, Minami-san!" Sachi cheered. Mikan still hugged the bento, although she really is itching to pull this bitch's hair out too.

She started kicking Minami's shin. Well, it worked. She yelped in pain for some seconds before lunging at her again. This time, Mikan tried to avoid her through sidestep - which failed.

Hugging the bento safely against her chest, both she and Minami tumbled down the sloppy ground. It didn't stop there, Minami still tried to stand up and kick Mikan. In fact, she was about to do so when Wakako stopped her.

"Minami," she hissed. "Stop it!"

"But why?" Minami smiled savagely. "It's just getting at the best part. Come on, kick with me,"

"N-no. Minami-san," Sachi quivered. "T-that's…"

"Get away from her, you bitch," a smooth baritone was heard.

Minami froze in place. She knows that voice well. Slowly, she looked at its owner, fright welling up in her. True enough, Natsume was there, his messy raven hair blocking his eyes. Minami swore.

Crap. He's angry. All four froze in place. Mikan, still unable to stand up, looked at her fiancé. "Natsume?"

"Leave," Natsume growled. He was shaking. It was obvious that he was so furious. The four were still frozen in fright.

Wakako started to speak first. "Natsume-sama…i-it's not - "

"LEAVE," Natsume shouted. The four cowered back. Even Mikan was a little scared. "LEAVE. NOW. I'm warning you. DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME? LEAVE."

The four started scurrying fast away from both.

"Natsume?" Mikan whispered.

The lad collapsed to the ground and cupped his forehead with his right hand, his bangs still blocking his eyes. Mikan can't help noticing how he seemed so…tensed. It's all over his aura.

"Natsu - "

"Idiot!" he spat.

Mikan frowned. "Hey now. I was the one bullied here okay? Don't you go rude with me Mister. If you hadn't - HEY! NATSUME WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Mikan screeched as Natsume swept her off the ground and carried her bridal style, away from the gym to who knows where.

"Natsume! Put. Me. Down." Mikan screeched, all red in embarrassment. People are starting to notice them. "Leave me alone!" she screamed.

Natsume just looked at her and smirked.

"Never,"

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

"It sucks," Natsume stuck his tongue out to Mikan, finishing the bento.

Mikan just gaped at him. "It sucks and yet you finished all of it. Wow," Mikan commented, laced with sarcasm.

The brunette was still irritated at Natsume for carrying her bridal style all the way from the gym to the rooftop. Define FAR. Mikan never knew that he was that strong. Well, yeah. When he put her down, he was already out of breath but who asked him to carry her like that though?! It was so embarrassing Mikan wanted to die right on spot. She was sure that they will be the headline of the school paper the next morning. Damn Natsume and his eccentricity. But still…she felt a little…giddiness?

Argh. Shut up Mikan.

"Whatever," Natsume replied. "I was hungry,"

Mikan pouted, thinking. "But hey Natsume. You don't have any favorite food,"

The Prince glanced at her and smirked. "I do,"

"Really? What?"

"Secret,"

Mikan pouted more while Natsume tried so hard not to burst out laughing. Feeling a little drowsy, he tipped his head sideways so that his head was resting on Mikan shoulder. Obviously surprised by the sudden skinship, Mikan blushed and stuttered endlessly.

"N-Natsume, w-what t-the heck are y-you doing?!"

"Shut up, Polka," he mumbled, eyes closed. "I'm sleepy. Wake me up after an hour and a half,"

"What?!" Mikan screeched. "But the next period's going to start already!"

"I'm going to skip,"

"Skip! No, no, no. You may be skipping but I am walking," Mikan huffed, looking at the head on her shoulder. "Walking back to the classroom so don't sleep! Darn it, Natsume,"

He sighed. "Ungrateful brat. Even after I saved you?"

"…"

"Fine!"

Natsume smirked victoriously.

Mikan looked up the sky and wondered. She sighed inwardly. It would be nice if time would just freeze.

"Natsume," she whispered sadly. "What would you do…if I leave you? What would you do…if you find out that I'm not your bride after all?"

To Mikan's surprise, Natsume stirred and looked at her, crimson eyes blazing with resolution.

"I'd chase after you," he replied. He was awake?

"I'd chase after you and bring you back,"

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

December 15, 20XX

Dear Natsume,

You are definitely crazy.

Chase after me and bring me back? Are you crazy? Ahhhh. I'm so mad at you right now. And what's with that bridal style of carrying you did today?! Are you nuts? That was so embarrassing that my heart won't stop beating until now. Why are you so weird today huh? You've been spouting a lot of nonsense. First that 'Never' thingy like I meant what I said about you leaving me alone. Are you serious? Aghhhh…what's wrong with you? You make me all flustered. Are you sick? Seriously Natsume? What the heck is wrong with you?! Aish. I want to smack your head so hard! Wake up!

But…

Thank you. :")

Yes. I'm thanking you for saving me today. If you hadn't come…I don't know what would have happened to me. I might have been beaten up so bad I wouldn't be able to walk. Well, although I said that…it's not as if I can walk properly now. I sprained my ankle so that means I have to endure limping for a while. Sigh. Why didn't you arrive earlier?! Haha. Just joking. But seriously, thank you. :) For always being there for me.

I don't know why but when you said that you'd chase after me and bring me back if I leave, I felt really…happy. Will you really do that? Because see, Natsume. I'll leave soon. Really leave you. When I leave, will I find you in front of our house, wanting me back? Will I?

Because…somehow, I find myself hoping.

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

Love,

Mikan.

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