JC: Okay, an update, finally! I thought I would never get to upload this. Seriously, not only was I busy, but my computer was not cooperating with me. Now that the chapter is up, I hope you all enjoy the story. The past story will continue here. Of course, you’ll get to learn more about Luna Koizumi. There will be some romantic moments between our favorite couple.

Author’s Additional Note: The Sakura Family and the Hyuuga family are mostly composed of original characters taken from the Anime and Manga. Keep in mind that the Sakura Clan is rich and very influential. They are a world-renowned family, so it’s no wonder they are admired by people. Many characters in this story will be treated as celebrities or royalty. Some OCs will pop up later on to fill in the spaces.

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Sakura no Hihou

Chapter 16: Yue to Sakura

“Brother, what happened to you?” Koizumi Yue asked her angry-looking brother who had just stormed into her room. “And why is your cheek sore?”

Prince Masayuki knocked the flower vase off the table. He was dreadfully furious. He felt like he could kill someone any minute. “He’s nothing but a dismal bodyguard! What does he have that I haven’t got?!” he exclaimed loudly. He grabbed the teacup on the table and threw it against the wall. “How could a noble princess fall in love with her own bodyguard?!”

Calmly approaching her brother, Yue placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Fret not, dear brother,” she said. “That bodyguard is behind bars now. He is no longer a threat. And may I remind you that Sakuya-sama is still your fiancée.”

The hot-tempered prince heaved a deep sigh. “You are right, sister,” he said. “The princess will still end up as my bride. However, it irks me to know that her heart belongs to another man.”

“Do not worry… Sakuya-sama will learn to love you eventually…”

Koizumi Luna opened her eyes and stared in the starry sky. She was standing on the balcony of her room, with the calm breeze blowing through her hair. “You deserved Sakuya-sama more than anyone else,” she muttered under her breath. “I will never forgive Hyuuga Natsuhiko for what he did to you.” She clenched her hands tight. Rage present in her eyes, she walked back into her room and grabbed the first thing she saw—a rose from a vase.

“Hyuuga Natsume…” She brought the rose against her nose. “I will make your life a living hell.” She gripped the stem of the rose, not caring about the sharp thorns piercing through her skin.

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Cutting classes was a normal thing for Hyuuga Natsume. The teachers wouldn’t even bother go looking for him. His fellow classmates couldn’t care less as well. Natsume just didn’t feel like going to class because of one good reason—the new girl who calls herself Luna. She was a major bitch in his case and a mysterious one to boot. He had no idea who the girl was but she definitely knew something about him, especially his late mother. He made a little research last night in the research facility of the Dangerous Ability Class.

Koizumi Luna was first discovered by the academy at the age of three. She attended school at Alice Academy main for four years before she transferred to Alice Academy America. Her grades and athletic abilities were pretty average. Her Alice wasn’t that rare either, seeing that it was only Teleportation. She got promoted to Triple Star when she graduated from middle school. In her records, it was clearly stated that she only possessed the Teleportation Alice. However, due to her display of great flexibility and strength yesterday, Natsume was sure that she had more than one Alice.

Brushing his hand through his hair, Natsume leaned back against the tree with a sigh. Rather than thinking about Luna, he should think about things that would relax him. As he started daydreaming about his beloved Mikan, his lips slowly turned into a nice smile. However, the smile wasn’t permanent. It immediately disappeared as soon as she saw her materializing in front of him.

“I was wondering where you were,” Luna said, giggling sweetly, as she crossed her arms behind her back. “Did you just cut class to avoid me, Natsume-kun?”

He narrowed his eyes viciously. “How did you get in? Only members of the Sakura Clan and Hyuuga Clan may enter the Sakura Land. Outsiders need permission.”

She gave him a malicious smile. “Gosh, you are stupid, Black Cat. Here I thought you were a genius.” She shook her head as she sighed. “Come on, do the math, Natsume-kun. How on earth do you think I got in?”

Natsume’s eyes grew wide. “You…You’re a member of the clan?” he said. “Which clan?”

“Why don’t you figure that out for yourself?” She walked up to him and flicked his forehead. “Anyway… This place seems to be your favorite hangout. Tell me, Natsume-kun, with your bloody eyes, what sort of dream do you see?”

“Dream?”

She traced her finger from his forehead down to his lips. “Your dream… I hope it’s not about the princess…” she said, taking a step backward. “You, who thrive in the dark, must never be with someone as dazzling as the sun. It’s only a matter of time until the curse will finally end your life.” She spun around on her heels and disappeared from sight.

He clutched his chest. He leaned back and pounded his fist against the bark. “Screw you…” he muttered angrily. “I will never let go of her.” Luna may be right about his life being short, but he had planned on enjoying it with Mikan to his last breath.

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When Hotaru told her Natsume skipped classes again, Mikan couldn’t wait to get her hands on Natsume. She was going to give him a piece of her mind. “I told him not to skip classes so many times!” she exclaimed as she and Ruka walked through the hallway of the high school building. “Grr… Natsume is so stubborn!”

Ruka chuckled. “Calm down, Sakura,” he said. “Natsume is just being Natsume…”

She crossed her arms and huffed. “Skipping classes is not going to get him on people’s good side you know,” she said. “Jin-jin’s going to punish him if he finds out.”

“But you’ll help him out, won’t you?” Ruka asked.

Mikan smiled. “Of course, I will!” She then stuck out her tongue. “Even though I’ll get scolded too.”

The two got into some intense training that afternoon, leaving them practically immobile when they were done. She managed to get home without being suspicious. She went to the bathroom, her emotions unrecognizable. She was quite surprised on how stronger she was now. She has mastered all the Alices that were given to her, she had heightened senses and super-human skills, and the best part was the fact she could practically nullify any Alice over a great distance. Still, the face in the mirror was not at all happy. She felt rather uncertain. After she brushed her teeth, she worked on her hair. She splashed her face with cold water and wiped with a face towel. She half-ran back to her room only to find HIM there.

It seemed like a marvel that he was there, his arms waiting for her. He reached out to her, and her heart thumped unsteadily. “Come here, polka-dots,” he murmured, taking her into his arms. He rocked her for a while in silence.

“Why did you skip class today?” she accused, touching the collar of his uniform.

“I was bored and I can’t stand your geeky inventor friend.”

She pouted. “Stop insulting Hotaru and being bored is not a good excuse for skipping classes. Natsume, what’s your real reason?”

“I was seeing another girl.”

Mikan raised a brow. “Haha… Very funny…” She pulled away, and his eyes gleamed. “Natsume, you’ve gotta stop getting on the teachers’ bad side. You do know how they feel about you, right? I know there aren’t a lot of people who had come to respect you yet, but if you work hard on that attitude of yours, I’m sure you’ll be more welcomed.”

He rolled his eyes away.

She groaned. “I guess it’s hard to get rid of that I-don’t-care attitude of yours.”

His eyes then grew very soft. “Do you love me?”

She blushed uncontrollably. “WHAT?! Natsume, why are you asking me that?”

“Just answer me, Mikan,” he said her name delicately. Again he pulled her into his arms. “I want to hear those words.”

“You already know about my feelings,” she reminded him, ducking her head.

“Stop wasting my time and say it…”

She hid her face against his shoulder. “I love you, Natsume,” she whispered.

“You are mine now and forever,” he answered simply.

There was nothing more for her to say for the moment. Seeing Natsume act so compassionate was a rare thing for her. However, there was this nagging feeling inside her. She felt like there was something bothering Natsume.

---

The kitchen was bright, happy, which was the complete opposite of his mood. On the other hand, Mikan was looking cheerful as usual. Since it was a Saturday, Mikan was free to visit the Hyuuga household.

“I asked permission and they said I can use the kitchen,” Mikan said pleasantly. “What do you want for breakfast?”

That threw him for a minute. “I’m not sure. Do what you like.” His brow puckered.

She smiled, hopping up. “Then I’ll make you pancakes!”

It didn’t take her more than 20 minutes to whip up six pancakes. She sat the food on the table, and poured maple syrup on it.

“You’re not gonna eat?”

“I already ate before I left.” She grabbed the milk carton and poured the milk into a glass. She then grabbed a knife and fork and gave it to Natsume. “Can I get you anything else?”

“You act like you’re my wife,” he blurted as he started slicing the pancakes.

“Well, I am going to be your wife in the future,” she said blissfully.

He rolled his eyes, trying not to look happy about it. “Just shut up and let me eat now,” he said.

She sat at the table, watching him as he took a bite. She studied his every movement. It made him self-conscious inside, but he was good at remaining composed. She cleared her mouth to speak. “What do you want to do today?”

She watched him frame his answer carefully. “A date in the city would be great.”

She gulped. “Not outside please… Otou-san and Narumi-sensei are out of town today. We can’t ask for their permission.” She thought about it for a while. “How about starting our day with a nice walk around the land? Then we could go to Central Town after that.”

“No way…” He stood up and pulled her out of the seat. “Let’s go.” He dragged her toward the exit where they met up with Koizumi Luna. His brows immediately furrowed. She was not exactly the kind of girl he would like to see early in the morning.

Luna plastered a smile on her face, a smile that Natsume despised. Her smile was no more than a fake. She just wanted to look nice in front of Mikan. “Ohayou, Sakura-hime,” she said in cheery voice, making Natsume sick to his stomach. “Where are you off to on such a fine day?”

A surprised expression was present on Mikan’s face. “Koizumi-san? I don’t believe this. What are you doing here? I mean…I don’t want to sound rude, but how did you get in the land?”

The flame-caster already knew that answer to that. However, he still had no idea which clan Luna belonged to.

“I actually came here with Noda-sensei,” Luna replied. “He wanted me to help him with something. Unfortunately, he went time-traveling. His Alice seems to have its moment of folly.”

Mikan was convinced with that answer. “I see… So, what are you planning to do now, Koizumi-san?” she asked.

“I’ll probably explore the land a little bit. After all, this is a chance of a life-time. But I’ll get scolded by other people here if they see me without the company of a Hyuuga or a Sakura. I don’t want to be a bother, but…” Luna sent her sweetest smile to Natsume. “Natsume-kun, I hope you don’t mind taking me on a tour.”

He knew she was totally annoying him on purpose. He would like to spend the day with Mikan, not her. Nevertheless, it was a good opportunity for him to find out more about her. “Fine then,” he agreed. His lips pressed together into a cautious line.

A gasp escaped from Mikan’s lips. “You’re actually okay with it?” She sounded edgy. Her heart started to ache a little. But I thought we were going out today… She wanted to say that out loud, but it would be totally rude and selfish. “Well…You guys go enjoy yourselves. I’ll head back to the mansion and play with Kayuki-chan.”

A guilty feeling inside, Natsume looked away, deliberating.

“You can come with us, Sakura-hime,” Luna said.

“Are you sure?” Mikan asked.

The blonde girl nodded. “Besides, I have something important to show to the both of you.” She looked at Natsume with disapproval. “And this concerns about the curse.”

Mikan’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “The curse? What do you know about the curse?”

“It’s time to reveal the whole story to everyone,” Luna pointed out. The princess moved closer to Natsume and gazed at her, waiting for the next move. “I’ll show you how despicable Hyuuga Natsuhiko is, Sakuya-sama…” In a blink of an eye, Luna grabbed hold of their arms and activated her Alice. After that, everything went black for them.

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With love that burns as bright as the sun, Princess Sakuya freed Natsuhiko from his prison cell and escaped from the land. It was a hard decision for the princess, knowing how it would affect her grandfather. But she had no other choice. The man she loved was Natsuhiko and she will never ever marry Masayuki. Upon reaching an abandoned house deep inside a forest, Sakuya and Natsuhiko made a solemn vow to always be at each other’s side. After that, they kissed and finally united.

The next day, Masayuki discovered that her fiancée and Natsuhiko were gone. He ordered his guards to search for them. After a long day of searching, the guards returned only to inform Masayuki that they were unable to locate the princess and the bodyguard. Masayuki was completely furious at this. The clan leader felt that his granddaughter was happier in the hands of Natsuhiko and told Masayuki to let them be. However, Masayuki wasn’t going to accept it. He was obsessed with Sakuya and he was willing to do anything to get her back—even if it means killing Natsuhiko.

After one month, Natsuhiko and Sakuya returned to the Sakura main household to face the leader. The two of them begged for his forgiveness alone. Much to their utter surprise, the leader told them that they didn’t do anything wrong. He understood that there was nothing wrong if two people were in love. He admitted that he was furious at the beginning, but he was happy that his granddaughter had finally found her true happiness. Hence, he was willing to accept Natsuhiko into the family. Sakuya and Natsuhiko were absolutely thrilled. But, clearly Masayuki was not. Not only was he furious at Natsuhiko for stealing Sakuya away from him, he was also angry at the clans for approving their engagement.

On the day before the grand engagement party, Natsuhiko received a death threat from an anonymous sender. The letter stated that the princess will be assassinated if Natsuhiko does not accept the challenge. Worrying for the safety of his beloved, he went to the described place in the letter at the stroke of midnight.

His breath stopped as he felt someone coming. His eyes zeroed in on a particular path. He took a half step, angling himself between the cliffside.

He emerged from the forest edge, ranging a dozen meters apart. He continued cautiously toward Natsuhiko, exhibiting the natural respect of a warrior as it encounters another warrior. “So good of you to come…” he said in a relaxed voice.

Crimson eyes suddenly turned serious. “I knew it… I knew it had to be you who sent that letter.” He prepared to pull out his sword.

“Was I that obvious?” Masayuki asked, his expression incredulous as he took an involuntary step forward. They stared at each other for a long moment, and then Masayuki smirked. He walked toward Natsuhiko, quite close, and then extended his hand.

Natsuhiko carefully eyed him, aware that he was up to no good. “What are you planning?” he asked.

“Let us shake hands, Hyuuga. I admit defeat. You are clearly the right man for Sakuya-sama.” His voice was courteous, kind.

“This is a surprise,” replied Natushiko.

“You don’t sound too happy, Hyuuga.”

“I’m not.” Most analytical part of his mind warned him that he was dangerously close to snapping from the built-up tension inside.

“You really mean it.” Masayuki’s eyes assessed him with interest. The irises were nearly black, just a hint of ruby around the edges. Folding his arms, he let out a deep sigh. “Hyuuga, tell me something, tell me how much you love Sakuya-sama…”

Natsuhiko stood firmly. “Sakuya-sama is like the sun to me. I cannot help being attracted to her. I love the princess more than my life.”

“Good… Then I’ll have no problems eliminating you at this very moment.”

Immediately backing away, Natsuhiko pulled out his sword to strike. However, Masayuki was in front of him in a flash. He didn’t see if Masayuki used his hand or his foot, it was too fast. A crushing blow struck his chest—he felt himself flying backward, and then heard the crunch as his head bashed into the rocks. The rocks buckled due to the impact. He was too stunned to feel the pain. He couldn’t breathe yet.

Masayuki walked toward him slowly. “I cannot simply let go of the princess. I love her too much as well,” he said. “You are a nuisance, which is why I have to eliminate you.”

He ignored the deranged prince, scrambling on his hands and knees. Masayuki was over him at once, his foot stepping down hard on his back. Natsuhiko heard the sickening snap before he felt it. He couldn’t hold back his scream of agony.

“Would you like to think your last request?” Masayuki asked pleasantly.

Natsuhiko tried to activate his Alice but to no avail. His Alice was blocked for some reason.

“Try as you might, your Alice will never work. I have cast a barrier around you earlier. I wanted to make sure I finish you for good. With you gone, Sakuya-sama will be mine.”

“No!” Natsuhiko croaked. “No! I will never—” And then something smashed into his face, throwing him back. Over the pain of his chest, he felt the sharp rip across his scalp where a jagged rock cut into it. And then the warm wetness began to spread through his hair with alarming speed. He could feel it soaking the shoulder of his clothes, hear it dripping on the ground below. The smell of it twisted his stomach.

Through the nausea and dizziness Natsuhiko saw the prince gave him a malicious smile. “You are weak, Hyuuga,” he said. “How can someone like you protect the princess, much less be her husband to be? I will make sure you will never see daylight again. I will cast a curse upon you.”

This cannot end like this, was all he could think as the flow of blood from his head sucked his consciousness away with it. His crimson eyes were closing. He heard, as if from underwater, the powerful Alice of Curse. He could, through the long tunnels his eyes had become, the prince’s dark shape coming toward him. With his last effort, his raised his hand. His eyes closed, and then his Alice attacked Masayuki.

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As he drifted, he dreamed. Where he floated, under the dark water, he heard the happiest sound his mind could conjure up—as beautiful as it was ghastly. He was brought back by sharp pain slashing my upraised hand, but he couldn’t find the strength to open his eyes. But, through the heavy water, he heard the sound of an angel calling his name, calling him to the only heaven he wanted.

“No, Natsuhiko, no!” the angel’s voice cried in horror. “Please don’t die!”

He wanted to comfort her. He wanted to hug her. But he couldn’t find the power to move.

“Hiyomi-san, what should I do?!” she called, agony in her sweet voice. “Natsuhiko-san, please no!” She was sobbing tears.

There was a point of pressure against his head. It hurt. As that pain broke through the darkness to him, other pains came. He cried out, gasping, breaking through the dark pool.

“Natsuhiko-san!” the angel cried.

“He has lost a lot of blood, Sakuya-sama,” a calm voice informed the angel. “You have to heal him.”

“I have been trying to heal him, but my Alice is not working for some reason.”

“How is this possible?”

“And I also see black marks on Natsuhiko-san’s face… Hiyomi-san, what’s happening to him?”

The sharp pains were fading. There was a new scalding pain in his heard that was overshadowing everything else. It felt like someone was burning him.

“S-Sakuya-sama,” he managed to mutter. His voice was so heavy and slow.

“Natsuhiko, can you hear me? I know it’s hard but I will do whatever it takes to save you. So…Please…stay strong, Natsuhiko-san. You know very well that I love you…”

“Sakuya-sama…” His voice was a little clearer this time.

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Please do not risk your life to save me,” he whimpered. “I-I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you.”

“I know, Natsuhiko-san…”

Natsuhiko then let out a scream of pain. “My chest…it’s burning!” he uttered, finally breaking through the last of the darkness. His eyes fluttered open.

Her voice was frightened. “Natsuhiko-san?!”

“Sakuya-sama!” he screamed. He realized his eyes were closed again. He opened them, desperate to find her face. He found her. Her face was twisted into a mask of indecision and pain. “The pain...”

The princess’s face was drawn. Natsuhiko watched her eyes as the doubt suddenly replaced with a blazing determination. He felt her gentle fingers on his burning chest, locking it in place. Then she leaned close to him, and pressed her warm lips against his. At first the pain was excruciating. He wanted to scream and thrash, but he managed to stay put for her sake. Then, slowly, writhing calmed as his chest pain disappeared. He felt his consciousness slipping as the pain subsided.

“Sakuya-sama,” he said in a low voice that she could hear. “I…I love you…” And finally he blacked out.

To be continued…

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JC: Can’t say there’ going to be an update anytime soon. I am experiencing a really bad case of writer’s block. No inspiration and whatsoever! I need to get my mojo going again if I want to finish this story. I swear I’m really going to finish this no matter how long it takes. I just don’t like to leave stories without ending. That’s not my style. In this chapter, Natsuhiko was finally afflicted with the curse. How it spread in the family—you will find that out next time. For now please leave your reviews or feedbacks. I’ll be waiting for them.

Next Chapter: “Akuma no Ribidou” (The Devil’s Quickening)