A/N: Konbawa! ^^ My windows crashed and I had to re-intsall everything, sadly. Even had to get a new word processor. Its like 2 am and I am updating for you guys :o Gah, I couldn't keep you waiting could I? :D A greeeeeeatttt thank you to Lessthanthreeanime, sapphireangel09, , romance-san and BookNNerd1218! You guys are the most awesome people ever. :D I love you, tomodachis!

Lessthanthreeanime: Woah, you've been sneaky! Gah you're still special because you were my first. Reviewer, I mean xD I am glad to see you're liking the story so far!

: Balloon-san! ^^ Thank you! It means a lot that you'd do that for me, arigatou gozaimas!

BookNNerd12: Yes yes, I knew about the Yazuka thing, but if you read on you'll see why Natsume's an Italian Mafia (there's already a Yazuka lord in town, or should I say lady? * sly smirk *)

Anyway, I shall shut up now, please enjoy the chapter now, I'll upload more if you review so please do, minasan ^^

Bringing You Down

"Begin with the end in mind." - Stephen R. Covey

Mikan's POV

We sat on his Ashton Martin's bonnet, watching the sun rise into the horizon. The light was emanating like a brilliant jewel suddenly uplifted into the sky, his eyes were burning crimson when he looked at me and brushed my hair out of my eyes.

"I don't know what you are, Mikan Sakura," he said, suddenly, in a hushed whisper and kissed my cheek. I literally forgot how to breathe. I stared back, his bangs were untidily falling on his forehead, and yet he looked more handsome than any man I have ever seen.

Don't! The voice inside my head was begging me not to fall in love with him. I was so used to giving up all the precious things in life, that it wouldn't mean much more if I gave him. Was he really, precious? How could he be, how could I be selfish and sacrifice everything for a man I have just met? My grandfather's safety, Tsubasa's love.

Then I looked into his crimson eyes, the innocent curiosity, genuine, even loving.
How could I deceive him?

Maybe I needed time away from him. Away from him and everything about him that drew me to him. I needed to be alone. "Can I go home, Hyuuga-kun, for a bit?" I asked in a low voice, burying my face in his collar-shirt. "Sure," he said, and kissed the top of my head quietly.

He drove me back in silence. That's pretty much how we spent the latter half of last night. We parked on top of a hill, watched a movie inside his car, pop corn and everything. We laughed so much, I don't remember a time as good as this in my life. Then we sat on the car's bonnet and just cuddled together, our legs hanging from the edge of the bonnet, but not touching the ground completely.

Our farewell was bittersweet. I called Tsubasa over. I needed to see the real man of my life.

Natsume's POV

I was distracted all day. It wasn't like I wasn't used to women in my life. Heck I have been with so many its impossible to keep count. But this one was strange. There was something addictive about touching her creamy skin, or hearing her innocent laughter. Like if I just touched her silken hair it'd take away every feeling of pain I have ever felt.

And those are the thoughts of a person who kills people for a living. I smiled. What a joke. I walked into the underground lounge at Cafe Reverie and called for business. Two of my closest...associates showed up. "Report, Koko."

"We managed to hack into the Russian gangster's account. All of his money was confiscated. He was eliminated. The innocent people he killed, revenge taken. He also died leaving behind stables, cars, and estates. All of them will be transferred in your name immediately," he said with clarity.

"Double check if there's anything I can do for the people who work on these estates, also look at meeting I have for that new foundation I wanted to open, I haven't decided the cause yet. Take $1 million from that account and distribute it among my charities. Anonymously, of course. Also call up Mr. Jino and tell him the revenge for his daughter's death has been taken," I dictated as his secretary Anna took all the notes.

He bowed respectfully and backed off, sitting down for a drink. I ordered whiskey. "Kitsumene, what have you got?" I asked in a business-like tone. "We managed to track down the boy who's been stalking your sister. His intentions are unknown, waiting for further information," he said mechanically.

"Okay, go on," I encouraged. "We also managed to retrieve a profile on that girl, Mikan, you requested for, complete data. From birth to present. It's in the black file, at your house, top shelf, right drawer," he finished. I smiled. "Excellent, what else?" Kitsumene coughed, "Imai, Hotaru has..." he began but I cut him off. "I don't want to hear anything about her and her Yakuza," I stated as a matter of fact. Nonoko stopped taking notes. All four of them exited.

I sighed. It was exhausting, working on two fronts. If only Ruka knew about Imai's true identity. No, simple people like Ruka should not know. And definitely nothing about me either. I texted him.

Ruka. Meet me at La Chocolat in 20. Heading out for cold coffee, wanted to chat.
-N

Simple people like Ruka who showed up when you sent them a simple text message. Simple people like that were truly to be treasured.

Mikan's POV

The bell rang but I didn't answer. Tsubasa had a spare key to my house. I could hear him taking off his shoes, the cold wooden floor must be soothing his feet. I did not hurry to get done with my shower, but waited even longer. I wrapped the towel around my figure and stepped out.

"Hi gorgeous," he said seductively. He loosened his tie and smiled. I walked over to him, drying my hair with another small, pink towel. I sat next to him, tossing the towel I was drying my hair with on the floor. I kissed his lips lovingly. His smile widened.

"So this was the big emergency, huh?" he teased, taking off his coat and throwing it on the floor. I didn't answer, but unbuttoned his white dress shirt, exposing his smooth chest to my passionate longing. He pinned me down on the bed with his arms, grinning broadly and covering half of my body with his, our legs still hanging down from the edge of the bed.

I knew things weren't going to get beyond this. I wasn't one to rush into things. Tsubasa was here to stay, and he would wait. He was my dream, the man of my life. We dated since elementary, and we were prom royalty in high school. Everything had played out in our favor. We even joined the CIA together after graduating from abroad. I couldn't throw away for Natsume, could I?

His tongue found the entrance to my mouth, and he slid it inside, feeling the taste. I kissed back enthusiastically, a little too enthusiastically. Maybe I needed this. Maybe that was all I needed to get over Natsume. I began to undo the towel around my body but his firm hand stopped me.

"What are you doing?" his questioning eyes slapped me across my face. He got up and looked away. "You wanted to wait till we married didn't you, why has that changed now?" He asked me, solemnly, quietly, even sadly. I looked away too. I felt like I couldn't meet his gaze, even if he did try to look at me. "It hasn't changed, that wish," I stammered, trying to make sense, trying not to break.

He turned around, and taking my hands captive in his, locking his eyes with mine, asked sweetly, "Have you?" I couldn't say anything. He looked surprised, but then lowered his head. I stroked the star on his cheek. "Tsubasa..."I began but he silenced my lips as he placed his index finger on them to hush me.

"I love you," he said, and smiling, got up, picked his coat from the ground and walked out. I could hear his engine roaring, and him driving off in the blink of an eye. I buried my face in my hands and sobbed. What was I doing? I wanted Tsubasa, only because I didn't want to fall in love with Natsume. What was happening to me? I planned my whole life with Tsubasa and now suddenly Natsume was turning my life around.

This mission was going to take too much from me, but I was willing to take it head on. Natsume Hyuuga, you're going down. Even if I go down with you.

A/N: That's all for now! What do you think Mikan's going to do next, when personal feelings have already begun to interrupt her duty. Also, will Natsume discover the truth about Mikan? Comments/ suggestions / reviews welcome, minasan :D

XrossYuuki