It had been a sun-filled Summer's day, where the remains of the cooling wind from Spring blew across the park. That day, children had littered the park, screaming and shouting with glee as they ran up and down the walk-ways, their mothers sitting primly on picnic blanket's that were unfolded across the grass, sipping glasses of cold lemonade they poured from their own pitcher. The chains of the swings creaked as brightly clothed children ran up the ladders, only to come skidding down the slides moments later.

Natsume Hyuuga smiled lightly to himself as he leaned back on the bench he was sitting on, positioned comfortably beneath the shade of a tree whose leaves where now fully grown back, a slick spongy green. Fiddling with a ring that hung around a chain from his neck, Natsume glanced down at the cool circle of metal that rested against the palm of his hand, a small smile ghosting his features. It had been a year since that unfortunate incident happened. A whole year of tears, moving on, and living peacefully again.

With a last glance at the ring he held in the palm of his hand, Natsume tucked the chain back into his shirt, the coolness of the metal seemingly comfortable against the warm skin of his chest.

Letting his eyes flutter close, as the sounds of light laughter from the children in the park surrounded him, pulling him into what seemed to be a blissful state, Natsume turned his face up, letting soft subtle rays of sunlight that filtered through the tree above him fall onto the side of his face. The beams of light from the Sun caught onto the dark black strands of his hair as he shifted in his seat. But all of these remain unnoticed by the raven-haired fire caster because one name keeps echoing in his head. The one name that made his world a merry-go-round, one name that made his heart beat a gazillion times faster, and the one name that he will never forget even if he meet the Death itself,

Mikan.

Mikan.

Mikan.

Strawberry-scented perfume, auburn tresses, butterscotch eyes, innocent lips, and the rosy hue of her cheeks. He still remembers every inch of her qualities as if he just met her yesterday. Her gentleness gradually made way to his impassive heart, making him get addicted to her in the process. Ironic really, for hi–

"Daddy?" a small voice snapped him out of his reverie.

He crooked his neck to face his, no, their daughter, Mitsume. "Yes, baby?" He asked in a gentle voice.

"I am tired of playing, daddy." The six year old girl pouted. Her eyes full of innocence and naivety.

"Then, where do you want to go next?" Natsume asked whilst knowing full well what her answer will be.

"Mr. Bear and I want to go visit okaa-san." Mitsume beamed as she clutched on a white bear stuffed toy on her hand. (A/N: just imagine the bear that Mr. Bean always bring with him, but instead of brown, it's white.)

"I knew that you're going to say that." He let out a chuckle and without another word, he held his daughter's small hands and off they go to see the said mother.

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Name: Mikan Sakura-Hyuuga

Birth date: January 1, ****

Date of Death: February 26, ****

'Heavenly soul, brandished with never-ending compassion,

May you rest in peace for all eternity'

RIP

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Seeing the engraved text in his wife's tombstone, Natsume couldn't help but reminiscence the happenings on last year's burial,

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The birds are chirping loudly, the wind is humming its natural rhythm; the leaves are swaying in sync with the wind. Yes, the nature is really wonderful today. Although, it's not that wonderful for Natsume and the gang, seeing that they don't really care about it. All they care about is the gorgeous brunette, resting in the coffin. Well, Mitsume thought she was resting, that is. She never thought that she will rest forever, but you can't blame her, of course. What do you expect from a five year old kid?

Clad in a black dress, Mitsume asked his father, a broad smile etched on her face. "Sugoi, Otou-san! All of us are wearing black! Why is that?"

"Because we have to" Natsume curtly replied. Mitsume was taken aback by this, but nevertheless, thought that her father was just in a bad mood.

The priest started, "We have entrusted our sister Mikan Sakura-Hyuuga to God's merciful keeping, and we now commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust: in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through out Lord Jesus Christ, who died, was buried, and rose again for us. To him be glory for ever and ever"

"Amen"

The time passed by rather quickly, and now they are now about to hurl the flowers on Mikan's coffin.

Cherry Blossoms scattered everywhere on the white coffin, significance of their final farewell to the brunette. At the same time, solitary tears, muffled sobs, and loud cries are heard everywhere as though to imply that Mikan will be in their hearts till the day they lost their breath.

After the said rite is finished, the hired workers began shovelling the land back to its place.

"Daddy, look! What are they doing to Mommy? Quick, daddy! Do something!" Mitsume shrieked. A horrified expression vividly etched on her face.

Bending down, as he grasped the warm little hand he held in his own, Natsume bent down to face the 6 year old girl, his daughter, in front of him. His expression flickering from a cocktail of pain, annoyance, anger and hurt to a faint forced smile, he reached up with a hand to stroke the side of his daughter's face. Natsume felt his heart wrench, as she looked up at him, her eyes are wide with innocence and questioning.

"Mitsume, do you love Daddy?"

"Of course!" She nodded as she beamed, while sticking the soft toy bear she held forward "...so does Mr. Bear!" She added.

Natsume laughed softly, as he gave Mr. Bear a gentle pat on the head, before stroking Mitsume's hair.

"Well, then from now on, it'll only be Daddy, Mitsume, and Mr. Bear. And once Grandmother Yuka and Grandfather Izumi settled in our house, we'll be one big happy family again."

"But–"

"Mitsume, please listen. Mommy has to go somewhere." His heart wrenched as he said those words.

"When will she come back?"

"Never, baby" Natsume smiled lightly before he added, "But we'll see Mommy someday." Natsume unconsciously glanced up the sky,

"Someday"

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Author's note: I know, I know! This story is supposed to be a One-shot, but I made it a Two-shot instead…Well, you see, what am I supposed to do? My hands are really itching to share this new idea formed in my head and my brain keeps telling me that I shouldn't have left the story hanging like that! I also apologize if this new chapter is really BORING. But it won't hurt to drop by a review right?