The Wake-Up Call

''I'm on it, don't push me dammit!'' Natsume Hyuga yelled into his phone, but did not end the call. He sighed as he had to listen to his friend who told him to get a grip on himself and find an apartment today. ''The landlord's family is already here, Natsume. You'll have to sleep over at mine, and Hotaru won't like it.'' Ruka told him patiently, knowing that if Natsume had wanted, he would have found a new apartment already, but he was simply too lazy.

''Ok ok ok, I get it. I'm just across the street from the new place all right? I'll ask if they still have a free room.'' The black-haired man scratched the back of his head and sighed. He did not realize that he received attention from all sides just by standing at the traffic lights. It just turned red, so as many others, he was waiting for the green signal. With his jeans and black T-shirt that showed off his well build body, he looked like a model from a magazine. But it were the red eyes that caught the most attention. Women and men tried to catch his eye, but he was far too occupied with glaring at the building at the other side of the street and listening to his friend's whining.

''Don't worry, Ruka. I won't be camping at yours today, and tell your queen that she can stop planning murdering me.'' Natsume pulled the phone far away from his ear once he heard Hotaru's scream in the receiver, letting him know that she had heard him and that she would not stop planning his assassination.

Natsume groaned once he heard the couple bicker at the other side of the call. ''Sorry, Nat. Hormones and such, you know how that is.''

Well, no. He did not know. He did not have a pregnant girlfriend, or a girlfriend for that matter. And he made sure to remind Ruka of that information once again. ''I know, I'm sorry. We're just worried about you. They told you they need the apartment months ago, and you didn't go looking for a new one until now. Natsume, why don-''

''Yeah yeah, so I forgot, all right. I was busy.''

''Busy forgetting your ex?'' Ruka came right to the point, and Natsume growled in annoyance.

''She's in the past, has been for some time. I worked on the new project as I've been telling you since it started, but obviously someone hasn't been listening.'' He barked back, not liking the subject at all. Yes, he had been moping around since his ex left, but he was more or less over her and he stopped wasting his time and worked. It robbed him of time and energy, which led to forgetting about his apartment problems. But he is on it now.

The light turned green and the mass of people in front of Natsume moved forward. He was one of the last to start walking. ''Look Ruka, I'm ok. You and Imai don't need to worry. I'll find a new apartment today and tomorrow we can already start moving things, all right?''

Natsume was too absorbed into the conversation to notice the noise around him. Brakes were squeaking, car horns were blown, and people screamed.

''I hope you really find one, Natsume. We'll have a huge pro-'' that was the last thing Natsume heard, before he looked up and to his right to hear and see the crashes. A truck lost control and his brakes did not work. It was winding up the road, hitting cars that were still waiting at the red light for the pedestrians to cross the street, and racing uncontrollably towards a frozen Natsume.

Ruka heard the noise through the phone, and was yelling his name, but his friend was in shock, moments before being almost hit. The front of the truck was a meter away from his terrified form, an even more terrified truck driver screaming, when someone grabbed Natsume's arm, and pulled him to the other side a second before the truck drove over the space he had been standing in. The vehicle hit another truck into its back and both of them crashed to the side, rolling once, making the mass of people run away to the side. The vehicles stopped and smoke came out of the machines. A small fire broke through and for a moment, people around the accident did not move, still being in shock. Then finally, a woman moved and ran towards the truck's front. Many others followed her and together they quickly pulled the unconscious truck driver out. He was bleeding and had many injuries, so one of the people started giving him first aid. Another group of people took care for the other truck driver that was hit, but he was still conscious and had 'only' a broken arm.

Calls for medical help started and people finally awoke from the shock completely and gave help to those that were hit on the truck's way to his final hit. Luckily, not a single person had been driven over.

Natsume did not come to his senses yet. He was still clutching his phone, not hearing Ruka and Hotaru screaming his name. He was in shock. He was not aware that he was sitting on the ground, someone kneeling beside him, gripping his arm. He was breathing hard, his body starting shaking, as he finally blinked in realization.

His senses finally awoke, and he heard the screaming, the sirens, the panic. He smelt the fire and burned tyres. He finally felt pain all over his body as the adrenalin rush settled down and the shock made him shake. He heard Ruka's voice and pulled the phone to his ear in a daze. ''I'm ok.'' He told him and ended the call.

His body sacked together and he would have lied down if there had not been a hand on his arm. He looked up to the side and only now noticed the woman beside him. She was breathing hard, starring and gaping in shock at the chaos in front of her. She was also shaking as a leaf on water. When she felt his gaze on her, she turned to him and locked her eyes with his.

He was mesmerized.

''Are you ok?'' she exclaimed as she came to her senses. She turned her whole body towards him, her long brown hair falling over her shoulder, her perfume reaching his nose. Her hand that gripped his arm shook him lightly. With her other hand she touched his head, then cheek to check for any injuries.

Natsume's breath hitched and he got goose bumps all over his body when he felt her fingers.

''Can you hear me?'' she asked concerned and tapped him lightly on the cheek. A few other people gathered around them, checking if he was all right.

''Yeah…'' he started, his voice hoarse. ''Yeah, I'm ok. Not hurt.'' He told her, staring into her eyes, still completely in shock. She nodded, but kept looking for injuries. ''I thought he was going to run you over.'' She whispered, tears making their way into her eyes. ''I've never seen an accident like that, and you were standing right in the middle of the street. I was walking behind you and noticed- Did I pull too hard? Is your arm ok?'' she rambled, now looking at his arm.

Natsume could not avert his eyes from her. She was like an angel. She had saved him. She had pulled him from the street when he could not move. She had saved his life. She had saved his life. His life would have ended if it were not for her. He was staring death in the eyes. But she pulled him out of the way.

His mind was a wreck and later on he would be surprised at his ability of being so dramatic, but right now… ''I'm ok.'' He repeated. ''Thank you.''

She did not listen to him. She let go of his arm and put it around his back to help him sit properly. ''Has anyone called the ambulance?'' she called, turning her face up.

''Already here.'' Said someone from the crowd and people made space for two doctors that made their way towards Natsume. Natsume looked around. There were five ambulance cars, two fire engines and many police cars, closing the street and trying to make order. How much time did already pass?

Both doctors crouched in front of him and the woman beside him, and opened their bags with medical equipment. One of them flashed Natsume's eyes and checked him for any injuries; the other did the same with the woman. ''You are still in shock, sir. Here, drink some water and stay seated. I will be over soon.'' The man told him slowly and Natsume nodded. A moment later two police officers came, asking for information. It was the woman beside Natsume and many other people who explained what had happened. Other police officers asked questions other people.

Natsume watched the situation around him. The officials tried to make order and help people. There were many reporters and photographers, but there was no chaos anymore. After some time, Natsume finally woke up from his daze and breathed in. He was alive. He was alive. He just survived a massive accident. Thanks to the woman beside him. He turned to her once more and blinked in surprise as he noticed she was staring at him, too. He was confused and he could not think right, but when she smiled at him gently, he smiled back. And then they laughed.

They laughed so hard that the people sent for the two doctors again. ''They're just in shock. It's a normal reaction. Let them laugh it out.'' One explained and focused on other people.

The sitting pair laughed hysterically and a few people did too, just to relax again. The girl wiped tears from her face and took Natsume's hand. ''I'm glad you're ok. I've never done that. Pushing people from the street, I mean.''

Natsume shook his head. ''Yeah… I'm glad you did. I owe you my life. Thank you.'' He told her earnestly and squeezed her hand. She nodded. ''Of course. Anyone would do that.'' She slowly stood up, her legs slightly shaking, and helped him up, too. He did not let go of her hand and continued staring at her. She felt a little embarrassed at the attention, but did not comment on it.

''Can you walk?'' she asked and he nodded. ''Come, let's go for tee. We need to snap out of it.'' She pulled him behind her into the cafe nearby and they sat down. The whole situation calmed down; they were already removing the trucks and broken cars, and people went their way. A few waiters and waitresses still glanced out of the glassy cafe to see if there is still something going on, but all in all, the officers and other workers had it all under control.

''What can I bring you?'' the waitress asked, noticing their stressed state. ''Have you two witnessed the accident?'' she asked concerned.

''Yes, we were in the middle of it. But we're all right. Balm tea would be great, please.'' The girl answered with a gentle smile and looked at Natsume to confirm if he wanted the same. He nodded.

''Balm tea it is. I'll bring you some sweets, too, to raise the sugar.'' The waitress smiled and left.

Natsume watched her go and then looked at the girl opposite. She smiled at him. ''I'm Mikan Sakura, by the way.'' She bowed her head slightly. ''Natsume Hyuuga. Nice to meet you, Sakura-san.''

''Nice to meet you, too, Hyuuga-san. I'm glad you're all right.''

Natsume shook his head. ''If it weren't for you, I'd be a pancake now.''

Mikan chuckled weakly, nodding. They were silent for a few moments. ''I've never witnessed an accident like that. It was terrible.''

''Yeah… I didn't even hear anything, before the truck was right in front of my nose. How did it happen anyway? Did you hear the police say anything?''

''Yes, the brakes of the truck didn't work and his handbrake wasn't strong enough to make it stop and broke in his hands. He tried to stop by making slight crashes, but it got out of hand. You were damn lucky, Hyuuga-san.'' Mikan explained, her eyes glassy.

Natsume felt embarrassed. ''I know, I should have paid attention. I was on the phone wi- shit.'' He quickly pulled out his phone, realizing that Ruka and Hotaru did not know if anything serious happened to him. He looked up at Mikan sheepishly. ''I'll just return a call to let them know I'm all right.''

''Of course.''

Natsume called Ruka and he immediately answered. ''Are you ok?! What happened?! We heard noise and screams and-''

''I'm fine. An accident happened. I was pulled off the street to not be hit, so it's ok.''

''What do you mean it's ok?!'' Hotaru yelled into the phone and Mikan smiled at Natsume when he moved the phone away from his ear. ''We thought you died! Do you want me to go into labour now Hyuga?! I swear to god that I'll make your godchild hate you!'' Hotaru soon lost the phone as Ruka pulled it away from her. The waitress brought them their tea and chocolate sweets, giving them a soft smile. Mikan mouthed a thank you and sniffed at her tea.

''So what happened, Natsume? Where are you?''

''I'm at the cafe Neko, in the building with the apartment.''

''All right. Stay there. We're coming.'' And he ended the call.

Natsume stared at his phone in annoyance, but then looked back up at Mikan. ''Sorry for that. My two friends were worried.''

''No problem. It could have been a huge problem for them not knowing what happened to you.''

''Yeah… If I had started looking for a new apartment weeks ago, this would have not happened.''

''What do you mean?''

''An ad for a free room in an apartment in this building was on the internet and I decided to check it out today. It's on the 8th floor of this building and I was supposed to see it today. I was angry at my nagging friends, at my old landlord, and at myself while on the way here, so I was a little… put off… I guess…''

Mikan stared at him with big, surprised eyes. ''Really? I was on my way here today earlier from work, because someone was supposed to come and have a look at my empty room in my apartment. My roommate just moved out…''

Natsume stared at her in surprise. ''Which floor?''

''The eight. Apartment 825.''

''You must be joking…'' he muttered.

They stared at each other for a few more seconds, before bursting out in laughter.

''Kami-sama… This is such a coincidence… I can't believe it.'' Mikan whispered and sipped at her tea. It was really good.

''Well… I guess this is a sign that I have to get this room.'' Natsume grinned, his heart beating faster. He felt a little dazed, and confused, but very happy, and he could giggle like a girl if hearing something funny.

Mikan stared at him, her eyes searching for something. She grinned back. ''This is a sign then. I'll show you the place after your friends arrive, so not to worry them.''

Natsume nodded, feeling all giddy and fidgety. He drank his tea and took a bite from the chocolate sweet. It was very good. As he was about to say something else, when the door of the cafe burst open, making the customers look up in shock. Natsume chuckled. In came a very upset, and very pregnant Hotaru Imai, completely out of breath, and her blond boyfriend Ruka Nogi. Natsume waived to make them notice him and stood up. Hotaru started marching towards him with a death glare, while Ruka seemed relieved.

Natsume smiled. ''Alive. See?'' he told them playfully and Ruka grinned. But not Hotaru. No, not Hotaru. ''I swear you're going to be the death of me Hyuga. I almost brought the child out because of you and I still have a month to go.''

Natsume chuckled and stepped out of the booth, pulled at Hotaru's arm and let her sit at the place he sat before. Ruka followed, and Natsume sat down next to Mikan. Only now did the two of them notice her. The poor girl was blushing, but smiling at the same time.

''Hello there. We haven't met yet.'' Ruka started.

''I'm Mikan Sakura, nice to meet you.''

''She saved me.'' Natsume told them and all three looked at him. ''And she's my new landlord. Or roommate.''

Mikan giggled and Ruka laughed. Hotaru rolled her eyes. ''So, you're the one who pulled him from his certain death.'' Hotaru said, finally smiling. The pregnant woman was beautiful, Mikan thought.

''If not me, someone else would have done it, I'm sure.'' She replied with a gentle smile. Natsume shook his head. ''No one else noticed me. I would have been dead if it weren't for you.''

''Thank you for saving him.'' Ruka told her and Hotaru nodded. ''I hope it made him wake up from his daze.'' Natsume glanced at him, at Hotaru, and then at Mikan. He smiled. ''Yes. Yes, I'm awake.''

Mikan returned his gaze, a little confused, blushing in the face. She cleared her throat, as the waitress returned to take orders from the couple. Natsume's arm was pressed against hers and she could smell his perfume, and feel his muscles. Her heart was racing. ''Um, the room… The room is big and spacy, and you'll have the view over the park over there.'' She rambled nervously, not noticing the knowing smiles from the couple opposite them.

''When can I move in?'' Natsume asked, staring at her like a child at a wonder.

''Now. Um, I mean… Whenever you'll have time..''

Natsume nodded and smiled brilliantly at her. ''Then today it is.''