Hey guys! Welcome to- or welcome back to 'Get Into The Groove'! It's been quite a while since I've worked on this fan fiction. Oh snap. Anyway, here I am, finally updating it! Hope you all enjoy this latest chapter for it. It may be a bit shorter, since in this one I'm focusing more on what the actual issue with the characters are. None the less, let me not further delay this!

As usual, it's in Mikan's POV, unless stated otherwise~

DISCLAIMER: Ya'll know how this rolls with all the other fanfics and what not. The people don't belong to me, but to Higuchi Tachibana. I just own this plot. :B

Chapter 3: Resolve

"Mom…" I begun, looking at the fair-haired woman before me, examining her, then moving my eyes to the sable haired man next to her. My idol. "What on Earth are you doing here? And with Tsubasa Andou no less?! Where's Kenneth?" I asked quickly, continuing to eye the pair. My mom didn't answer, just looked at me- and man, could I tell she was livid.

"Mikan…" Tsubasa sighed. "I have to be honest with you, since you haven't seemed to notice… there is no Kenneth. That's just me, hiding my identity." he explained.

So that's what it was! "Oh…" Oh… hell… no. "WHAT?! No WAY! Mom, you let me go on about Tsubasa so much for how long without telling me that it was Tsubasa I was actually droning to?! God, this is so embarrassing!" I clapped my hands to my now burning cheeks while Tsubasa smiled meekly.

"Don't talk like nothing's wrong!" My mom reprimanded me and I shrunk back immediately. "What the hell is the deal, with you prancing around with Kazu's group?!"

I bit my lip, preparing a response. "I wanted to get near Tsubasa… so I joined the fan club for Kazu's group since DST's fan club was full… But I had no idea uncle Kaz' managed them… and the lead singer challenged me and I couldn't back down… so I found myself in this mess…"

"So you actually joined those brats?! I thought you never wanted to perform! If you would have told me you enjoyed it, you would have met Tsubasa faster!" My mother shrieked.

I winced slightly. "At what price though?"

"Don't get smart with me, Mikan Sakura!"

"Tch. Pathetic as always…" I heard Natsume's voice plainly remark. "Still trying to execute your "revenge", using poor teenagers in order to accomplish it, Yuka Azumi?" Natsume walked towards us, joining in our circle, crimson eyes remaining locked on my mom's brown ones.

"You… don't you even get near me…" My mom stepped away from Natsume quickly. What the hell?

"Still blaming others, I see… you should stop running away and face it already. It's been years." Natsume stated simply. "Move on."

"You're one to talk, scum… You… you… murderer!" My mother yelled while pointing at Natsume.

Natsume's eyes narrowed. "I'm aware. I have to face proof every damned day. You think Aoi doesn't resent me sometimes?"

"M…murderer…?" I questioned aloud, although not meaning to. I quickly clapped a hand over my mouth. Stupid Mikan!

Natsume simply nodded. "My mother was the last thing Yuka had left after her husband died in an accident…. And she died giving birth to me… well, that's what manager Yukihira tells me." he explained.

"Don't even use that last name for that traitor!" My mom hissed. "And you! Don't talk about it like it's nothing!"

"B-but mom… how can you blame Natsume if his mom chose to have him…? Isn't he a… blessing sent by his mom…?" I questioned.

But my mom laughed dryly. "Who the hell you trying to kid? Even the boy's father knew he was a curse! He killed himself of the little devil child's sixth birthday! Then that moron Kazu took him in…"

"Mom! He was a kid! He's no devil…"I muttered, tears forming in the sides of my eyes. I would have never guessed Natsume led a life like this with the way he acts…I felt terrible… "And now he's a friend… so please don't talk bad about him…"

Natsume's eyes widened at my sudden declaration. "Mikan…"

"You want to associate yourself with this devil, so be it… you are longer a child of mine! Shiki will pass by to collect my things. Good bye, Mikan Sakura…C'mon Tsubasa." My mom nodded for him to walk off with her as she began storming away.

Tsubasa looked at me with a frown. He reached up and ruffled my hair before he turned around to run and catch up to my mom. I couldn't believe this. A warm tear rolled down my cheek and I tried to stop the onslaught of the liquid threatening to spill. That is, until Natsume took me into a warm embrace. He held my close and pat the back of my head with one hand. "I'm sorry, Mikan… this is my fault… I always cause trouble…"

I shook my head against his chest as I sniffled. No other words were spared after that as Natsume just let me bawl into his shirt…

…

"Are you sure you'll be alright, Mikan? I mean…I could take you back to the guys and your uncle… so you wouldn't have to be alone…" Natsume questioned as he popped the locks for the doors open. I wouldn't have figured he could drive. I guess today was a day filled with firsts- maybe not all the best ones, but whatever.

I opened the door and stood to my feet, looking back into the car. "I'll be fine. Thanks for the concern though… I appreciate it… really." I offered him a weak smile. "And thank you for today. I was going to be cut off from my mom anyway, so don't blame yourself, alright?"

Natsume strained to nod. "Okay… Good night then, Mikan." He gave me a small wave.

"Good night…" I gave Natsume my own brief wave before shutting the door. I watched him drive away before turning to my… house, I guess. It certainly wasn't a home anymore… and I was going to be the only inhabitant. Luckily, this house has been in the family for a long time, and it was already paid for. If I keep sending the bills under my mom's name, no one would know… I sighed heavily and unlocked the door, hesitantly walking in. I flicked on a light, and I could see things were already gone. Shiki certainly works fast. I dropped my shoulder bag and trudged upstairs, wanting to collapse on the bed and cry. I turned on the lamp in my room and jumped when I saw a figure sitting in Kenneth…Tsubasa's bed. "Who…"

"It's me, Mikan…" The boy lifted his head, and I could see it was Tsubasa.

"I-if mom finds out you came here…" I started nervously.

"I told her I was spending the night at Kaname's, so don't worry. Also, I couldn't care. She needs me too much to do anything brash." Tsubasa explained as he stood to his feet.

My lips started quivering, and I ran to him, hugging him with all my might. "Tsubasa… why?! Why is mom doing this… why…?" I cried onto his shoulder as he gently rubbed my back.

"She's not satisfied with her husband's death…" Tsubasa replied. "She still blames your uncle for his death… before you were born, the three of them were performers themselves, along with Natsume's mom… and there was an accident where a light fixture fell… Kazu couldn't get to your dad in time and well… it fatally wounded him. Before he died, he asked Kazu to take care of your mom, and for the both of them to continue performing."

"They didn't, didn't they? Since they have us out there now…" I cut in, sounding forlorn.

"Kazu couldn't. He quit his own dream, and decided to take in Natsume a few years later and have Natsume live his dream. Natsume had it so bad, so Kazu thought it would be good to give him a chance to shine. Yuka was too broken to continue it herself after Natsume was born shortly after and Karou died too, so she found me, abandoned. She asked Shiki to take me in and started training me to oust Natsume. She found Natsume to be a demon who finished taking away what mattered to her…" Tsubasa finished explaining.

I pulled away from the hug and looked at Tsubasa. "Why do you perform then…? Why would you perform with such goals?"

Tsubasa managed a broken smile as he lifted a hand and wiped my tears. "It's all I have. I've never had family or anything… Shiki and Yuka were always the closest thing I had to family… and I was too happy after meeting you, Mikan…" Tsubasa averted his gaze to the ceiling now. "Also… I want to give Natsume the opportunity to outshine me."

"Tsubasa…"

"And now that he has you with him, I'm sure he can do it." Tsubasa began hugging me closely again. "If it's anyone I want to destroy what I've become… I want that to be you, Mikan. You can do it. You can wake your mother up…"

I hugged Tsubasa tighter myself. "I don't wish to destroy anything… I'll bring us all together…I promise…"

Tsubasa nodded as he broke our embrace and brought me to my own bed. "You should get some sleep… you had a long day…"

He turned away to walk off, but I caught the sleeve of his shirt. "Thank you… for coming to see me…"

"… No problem…" He smiled as he made his way out. I watched the door way as I slowly drifted to sleep…

…

Start today and show us how you feel… make your way, it's time to choose…

I groaned as I picked up my cellphone. "Hello…?"

"Mikan Sakura you absolute idiot. Come to Yukihira's office NOW." Hotaru's chilling voice filled my ears. Aw hell, I forgot to call her back yesterday after that disaster! I'm done for…

"Y-yes Hotaru! Right away!" I quickly muttered as I hung up the phone and jumped into the shower and quickly threw on some clothes.

I ran the whole way to the building where I had to go to, almost getting mowed down by countless cars. This was perhaps the craziest mad dash I've ever had to make in my life. I pushed open the door to the large building- the studio where many bands practiced, and quickly shoved my way through the crowd and onto the elevator. The wait was dreadful, and when my stop came, I rushed out, ,running to Yukihira's office. I burst through the doors. "I'm here for whatever you need me fo-- eh?" I stopped mid sentence as I started, completely confused at the sight. The only ones in the room were Hotaru and Natsume. "What's going on?"

"The first day, and already made the tabloids, Mikan…" Hotaru narrowed her eyes as she handed me the news paper. In the first page, I see three photos… one of Tsubasa, Natsume my mom and me… another of Natsume hugging me… and the last, of Tsubasa exiting my house.

I groaned as I read the headlines, 'New Young Pop Idol Mikan Sakura Already Involved In Forbidden Love- A Love Triangle With Sensations Tsubasa Andou and Natsume Hyuuga.' "Oh God, c'mon! Why the hell can I never get a break…" I sighed heavily.

"What the heck was Andou doing at your house?" Natsume questioned, his eyes also narrowed.

I ran a hand through my hair. This is ridiculous… "Tsubasa happens to be a friend of mine… although I never knew that…"

"You're joking…" Hotaru asked in her usual monotone voice.

"Not at all…" I walked further into the room, looking between the two raven haired teens. "Kenneth… that's Tsubasa in disguise."

"You mean all this… for nothing?" Hotaru questioned.

"Not really." I shook my head. "I would have never known if it wasn't for this… anyway, he was checking up on me yesterday is all."

"Ahh…" Natsume shrugged his shoulders. "That doesn't really matter anyway. What I really wanted to call you in for was… Well… I inadvertently dragged you into this mess, and well… you don't have to further involve yourself with Iridescent Flames if you don't want to. You can quit working with us if that's what you'd like."

"You chump." I simply responded.

Natsume bristled. "The hell?! Who the hell you callin' chump?!"

"You." I jabbed a finger on his chest. "So you 're just going to lay down and die? Accept what my mom is doing to you? I know I'm not giving up, I've found my resolve. Are you?" I gave Natsume a cheeky grin.

He looked taken aback, but then shot me a smirk. "I see… so that's your decision. Well, polka dots, it's good to see you're permanent with us."

"It'll be a pleasure working with you boys more, pervert." I shook his hand, sealing the deal. "To beat my mom, we'll need something different." I mentioned, deciding to get that out in the air.

"That's true. We've been using the same method as her…" Natsume mumbled, running a finger under his chin.

"Can all your boys sing?" I questioned.

Natsume nodded. "Why?"

"I have an idea…"

End of Chapter 3: Resolve

That's the end of the third chapter! If you can, please spare a moment to leave a review! :D Let me know what I did wrong, what was good, what isn't, your general thoughts- anything. C: They're much appreciated. Till next time~!

-The Painted Skies (Sama)