Disclaimer: Do not own anything other than this story's plot.

- - - - - -meLria-chan- - - - - -

Summary:

Everyone got the huge shock of their lives when the ruthless, cold and arrogant bad boy Natsume Hyuuga started to court the sweet, kind and cheerful angel Mikan Sakura.

Chapter 3

It's been one whole day.

One whole day since he was admitted to the hospital.

One whole day since he was shot and chased by a group of unknown bastards.

One whole fucking day since he last saw Mikan Sakura, his unannounced guardian angel. And man, how desperate he was to leave the suffocating place. Not because he's allergic to the hospital's environment, not because of the doctors and nurses (even though they're annoying), but because he wanted to see Mikan Sakura again.

Does he sound obsessed now? He can't help it, he became too attached the moment she decided he deserved her help.

Don't worry, you're safe now.

He missed her sweet scent of vanilla and strawberry which he breathed a handful when he buried his face on the crook of her. He wanted to hear her soft, melodic voice that didn't fail to soothe his nerves. He wanted to...

He wanted to strangle Ruka right now.

"What?" He growled at Ruka's knowing smirk. Ruka's smirk widened at his annoyed expression.

"You've been staring into space for a while now. Won't you tell me what's making you so edgy the whole day?" He watched in amusement as Natsume snorted in return, arms crossed over his chest and eyes averted away as if he was embarrassed for a moment.

"I was thinking, Ruka."

He lifted a brow. "About..?"

"About that gang who attacked me."

His playful mood instantly disappeared as he turned serious. "Natsume, Mochu called me last night when he didn't find you at your apartment. He had a clue who the mastermind is."

Natsume narrowed his eyes. "Spill it."

"Persona."

"I don't know him." He announced, surprising Ruka.

"But the guy you knocked out cold in the convenient store said that Persona has a personal grudge at you for what happened in the past! Are you sure you don't remember anything about him?" Natsume thought for a while, trying to recall if he met someone having the name of Persona before.

"As I've said, I don't know him. That guy could be lying."

Ruka pondered the possibility of it and noted to call Mochu later. Then he turned back to his teasing mode. "Anyway, who was it?"

Natsume frowned at his seemingly incredulous question. "Are you listening to me?"

Ruka laughed after realizing what Natsume meant. "I'm talking about a different person, Natsume. Wait, who brought you here in the hospital last night?" Natsume paused, an image of a brunette with hazel eyes crossing his mind.

"Why are you asking, anyway?" Ruka shrugged.

"Well, to say thank you for saving the famous and dangerous Natsume Hyuuga. Did you shoo him away?" Natsume rolled his eyes, a bit annoyed that Ruka knew him too well.

"Whatever."

Ruka grinned. "I'm taking that as a yes. Well," He then stood up. "I guess it's time for me to leave since it's near midnight already. Are you sure you're going to be okay all by yourself?" He knew what kind of relationship Natsume has with his family, so he was hesitating to leave the latter in the hospital.

Natsume nodded in understanding. "I'm used being alone, Ruka. You of all people should know that." Ruka sighed.

"If you say so, Nat. I'll be back tomorrow night after school." That was Ruka's last words before he disappeared behind the door. Natsume stared up at the ceiling, drifting once again into his thoughts.

"We will meet again, Mikan Sakura. Just you wait."

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Mikan was grumpy. Her friends noticed it.

Sumire stared at her. "What's wrong with you? You're unusually quiet today." Koko, who sat on Mikan's right, put his left arm over her shoulders.

"Is something bothering you?" Mikan smiled at him.

"I'm fine. I'm thinking about the guy I brought in the hospital. I wonder how he is doing."

Hotaru, who sat on Mikan's left and across Sumire spoke up. "Then try visiting him, stupid."

Mikan pouted. "Even if I wanted to, Satsuki-san won't let me go." Sumire frowned a little and looked at Tsubasa who was sitting beside her.

"What do you think?" Tsubasa thought for a while. It was kind of suspicious.

"Well, do you wanted to see him today after classes?" He asked the brunette.

"But Satsuki-san won't let me visit!" Mikan whined. Hotaru rolled her eyes as she stuffed her mouth with a crab roe. They were currently in the cafeteria for lunch.

"Idiot, don't you get what he means? He's asking because we will help you visit the guy." Mikan brightened.

"You would?" She asked her friends. Sumire rolled her eyes playfully as Koko patted her back. Tsubasa smiled.

"Of course, Mikan. If it will make you less worried. So, are we on?" He asked in mischief. "For our plan to work we have to convince Satsuki-san to let Mikan come with us later without him getting suspicions."

"I'll call Mikan's mom for our alibi." Hotaru announced.

"I'll bring my car." Tsubasa presented.

Sumire and Koko looked at each other. "We'll convince Satsuki-san to agree with the plan." Mikan laughed.

"I love you guys. You're the best."

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"You don't know his name?" Sumire all but exclaimed in disbelief. Mikan nodded.

"I forgot to ask. Well, how can I when he's in that condition? You don't know how scared I was after seeing him!" Mikan then turned to Hotaru. "But Hotaru can help me with it, right?"

Hotaru snorted. "Pay first."

"Hotaru!" Mikan whined. Tsubasa laughed from the driver's seat.

"Typical of Hotaru. We're here." He pulled the car in the parking lot of the hospital and turned the engine off. He turned to the backseat where the three girls sat. "So, who shall accompany Mikan inside?"

Sumire looked away. "I'm not fond of hospitals. So, I'll pass."

Mikan stared at Hotaru with pleading eyes. "Will you–"

"No. I'm tired. Take one of them." Hotaru pointed to the two boys. Koko immediately raised his hand up in volunteer.

"I don't mind."

"Then, I'll stay. Koko, you make sure no one will recognize Mikan inside the hospital. Be quick, okay?" He instructed just like a big brother. Well, he is actually older than them by one year, so he's like their older brother they never had and their favorite senpai. Mikan and Koko got out of the car and together they went inside the hospital grounds.

Mikan went to the information desk where a nurse was stationed. "Excuse me, do you remember a guy who was taken here the other night? He was shot in the stomach." The nurse typed some keys on the keyboard while staring at the monitor then looked back at her.

"May I ask if you are related to the patient?"

Mikan shook her head. "No. But I'm the one who brought him here." The nurse went surprised for a while.

"Oh, you did? Wait, I'll check what room he was in." Koko looked over Mikan's shoulder.

"Why didn't you tell us that he was shot? He might be dangerous!" He whispered, a bit bothered.

Mikan shook her head in assurance. "He's not that bad."

Koko was about to pull Mikan away for further questioning when the nurse piped in.

"He's in room 806. Just go straight that corridor and turn left." Mikan smiled at her.

"Thank you." Mikan instantly turned on her heels and pulled a slightly hesitant Koko as she started to jog in hurry.

Right after they disappeared from the corridor, a figure of a raven-haired lad who was in a wheel-chair came out from the director's office which was a few doors away from the information desk with a blonde-haired lad behind.

Ruka pushed Natsume's wheel chair towards the hospital's front door. He was supposed to bring Natsume back home, which was in his apartment. No, he doesn't live with his parents anymore since he turned sixteen. And it's been two years already.

"Hurry up, Ruka." Natsume grumbled under his breath as he noticed that some of the people inside the hospital grounds, patients or employees, were staring at him. Ruka sighed and complied with his request. Even he was getting annoyed at the unwanted stares around.

If only they came out early then they might have stumbled into Mikan and Koko.

"Aiko," The nurse in the information desk looked up at the mention of her name. Seeing Mia her co-nurse, she smiled.

"It's your duty now, eh?" Mia laughed at the teasing winks Aiko was giving to her. It's because this duty was originally not hers.

"Stop with that. You'll be late for the last ride in the bus station so hurry up." The woman rolled her eyes playfully and gathered all her things.

"I know, mother. See you tomorrow," Mia waved goodbye. As the door closed, she opened the first folder from the pile of documents she brought. It says:

Name: Natsume Hyuuga

Status: Discharged.

- - - - - -meLria-chan- - - - - -

The last part was just a guess. I don't know what was written in a discharged patient's form. So bear with it. Haha