"There is only one happiness in life - to love and to be loved."

George Sand
1804-1876, French Novelist

Authors Note: Thanks to Hinami-chan for proofreading all the chapters!

Disclaimer: I do not own GA, it belongs to Higuchi Tachibana. The plot line through is based on Katorse (Fourteen) a Filipino Drama Series

Beta: Akahane-Scarlet Feather

CHAPTER ONE

HOME COMING

"Mikan-chan, let's play!" The nine year old Natsume pulled her along.

"Okay let's go!" The cheerful seven year old Mikan agreed, letting her friend drag her to their playground at the Hyuuga Farm. The Hyuuga's were the richest family in the country, having multi-million dollar businesses and commercial establishments all over the country. They were all famous, especially Natsume's older brother Ruka. Ruka was considered the golden boy of the family, leaving Natsume as the underdog.

"And I pronounce you as man and wife! You may kiss the bride." The other kid chortled while playing the priest at the wedding ceremony. Little Natsume kissed Mikan on her cheek lightly.

Mikan giggled lightly. "Ooooh! I had enough! I want Mikan to be my wife too!" The 11 year old Ruka whined. Natsume turned to give a look at his brother, glaring. "No way, Mikan-chan is mine so go and get your own wife!" Natsume shouted.

"That is so unfair!" Ruka exclaimed.

"Natsume-kun...Ruka-kun…Please d-don't argue!" Mikan stuttered while removing her made up veil. Ruka smiled at Mikan, making Natsume fume in jealousy.

"Don't worry Mikan-chan, my little brother here is just jealous." he said, teasing his otouto.

"I'm not jealous!" Natsume protested.

"Yeah, sure Otouto, sure…" Ruka said with smirk.

"Ruka-kun you're always teasing Natsume-kun!" Yumi proclaimed loudly, clinging to Ruka's arm.

"Yumi-chan," Mikan mumbled under her breath.

Eight Years Later

"Mikan! Hurry up you'll be late for school!" Yuka yelled out towards the bathroom.

"Yes, mom, I'll be there!" Mikan shouted back, washing away the bubbles on her long, auburn hair.

Yuka, Mikan's mother was the caretaker of the Hyuuga Mansion, while the Hyuuga's were out of the country for business overseas. She also started to control Mikan's studies since her father's death.

"Kaa-san I'm going now!" Mikan said before shutting the front door and running outside. Before going to school, Mikan's hobby was to visit the grotto at the inner green fields. Doing this made her remember her childhood memories with Natsume, and her other playmates. She gently touched the brick stones of the grotto, where the four of them used to always play.

Flashback

"I promise you, Mikan-chan, I will come back and when I do...I will marry you," Natsume said, putting the ring on her finger. The ring was not fancy or expensive; it was just a simple silver ring with no gems but for Mikan it was the most beautiful ring in the world.

"Natsume-kun, promise me you'll come back!" she said with tears running slowly down her flushed cheeks.

Natsume wiped the tears away gently while his other hand caressed hers with his thumb. "I promise Mikan I'll come back." Looking into his eyes, Mikan believed him, because she knew Natsume always kept his promises.

Flashback End

Mikan smiled softly, remembering Natsume's promise to her. Then she gently touched her ring, still on her finger after all these years. I'll always remember your promise to me Natsume-kun. Mikan thought.

I'm still waiting for you.

The Next Day

Mikan's deep hazel orbs looked up into the blue sky with glee. She stretched her arms fully into the air as she felt the soft breeze of wind brushing over her skin. She was so happy because of the news she had heard from her mother last night at dinner.

Finally, in almost 8 years, Natsume was coming back with his family. She was excited to see her childhood friend, playmate and the love of her life. Hyuuga Natsume, the one who promised her that he would marry her when the time came. Mikan looked down at the ring on her finger and softly touched it. All these years she had held onto his promise. That was the sole reason why she rejected every boy in the village who attempted to court her. She rejected them all because her heart was already taken by the only man she desperately remembers in her past.

"Mikan! Hurry and help me here," Yuka called for her daughter. Mikan immediately stood up as she heard her mom's voice. After dusting off her clothes, she hurriedly went to mother's side to help her with the last minute tidying of the mansion.

"Mom, do you think Natsume-kun and Ruka-kun will recognize me?" Mikan suddenly asked while washing the dishes at one of the many marble counters in the kitchen.

Yuka turned to look at her daughter with her eyebrows raised. "Maybe," she replied doubtfully, "But Mikan, eight years have passed and I'm sure that all three of you have changed somewhat from your childhood." She resumed thoroughly wiping off the water droplets from the plate she held in her hands.

I hope he can still remember me, as well as his promise to me. Natsume-kun…

"Oh! Before I forget, Mikan…talk to the young masters with high manner. Even though you were once all friends, they are still your employers, understand?" Yuka reprimanded her daughter. Mikan nodded her consent; both her mother and she were just servants. And no one could ever change that fact.

Before sleeping, Mikan couldn't help but think of what would happen tomorrow. Tomorrow, she could finally see Natsume.

She couldn't fall into a dreamless sleep because Natsume was running around in her thoughts. Mikan couldn't help but to giggle and try to contain a squeal. She probably looked nuts to anyone who walked in on her, but she couldn't help it. Finally, after years she can see him again. Mikan hugged her pillow to her chest tightly, as she thought of what would happen when the two of them met. Eventually, she was able to drift away into a deep slumber.

When morning came, Mikan and her mother woke up early to prepare the welcoming feast for the Hyuuga Family. Mikan couldn't help but have a smile on her face the entire time she was preparing the table, only minutes left until she could finally see Natsume again! Less than a second later, they finally heard a horn from outside the doors.

"They're finally home! Come Mikan, let's welcome them," Yuka whispered excitedly to Mikan, who was frozen to the spot. This was the first time in years since she felt like this. What is happening to me…I can't move my legs or my hands! Mikan's hands were trembling.

Finally, she stiffly moved her two legs to open the door and peek outside. The first ones to hop out of the luxurious black car was the famous Hyuuga Couple. Hyuuga Takeshi and Hyuuga Harumi. Both of them greeted her mom with warm smiles.

The second one was Ruka. God he became very handsome! He wore his shirt in a clean and sophisticated manner. Any girl, sane or not, would think that he was a complete refined gentleman, but when he sees Mikan he shoots her a warm, friendly smile.

The last person was the one she has waited to see the most. Mikan had waited for this moment to happen for years. It seemed like her world just started to move in slow motion when the man with raven hair and deep crimson eyes left the car.

It's Natsume!

He was wearing a black shirt, sleeveless so that the cloth exposed his broad shoulders. Silver dog tags hung from his neck to rest on his chest and he had chosen to wear a pair of blue faded jeans. A ruggedly handsome look. Natsume smirks at Mikan when he caught her staring at him. Mikan could feel her heart beating so fast, faster than she could ever imagine. A blush began creeping onto her cheeks.

Mikan was brought back to reality when her mother called her to attention. "Mikan, help me in here!"

She quickly complied with her mother's command and hurriedly tried to help her to bring the luggage inside the house. However, Ruka beat her to the first faded brown suitcase.

"Ruka-kun…" she uttered softly. Ruka just smiled at her as he carried his own luggage away from her hands. "I never let girls hold my bags for me," he said, smiling at Mikan.

"No! I can't let you do that!" Mikan protested, attempting to take the bag from Ruka's hold. Much to her dismay, he raised the bag out of her reach. "Ruka-kun please! It's my duty to-"

"Na-ah Mikan-chan!" Ruka said while letting out a soft chuckle. Mikan glanced at her childhood friend with a big smile on her face.

"Stop flirting Ruka or else I'll tell Yumi," Natsume said, breaking Ruka and Mikan's moment.

Ruka just looked at his little brother with an amused look on his face. "Why, is otouto jealous?" he teased.

"Why should I be?" Natsume said with sarcasm in his voice, giving both of them a glare.

"It's because Mikan-chan is your wife, like old times," his brother replied, with his own signature smirk etched onto his face.

"Wife? Cut the crap." Natsume put his hands inside his pockets and walked away, leaving Ruka and Mikan behind.

Mikan stared at Natsume's retreating back.

Has he changed? Did he forget his promise to me after all of these years?