A/N: So I'm starting a new (well, not so new because I've kind of written this for quite a while now) on-going story, because I've decided to discontinue...or postpone 'Life WIthout You Is Not Considered Life". I hope this series gets a good response from you guys, reviews really motivate me alot! ^_^ Btw, the title in Japanese is read as Unmei no Itazura for those who are curious, and the English translation is just beside it, "The Trick of Fate".

Disclaimer: I do not own GA or any of its characters, though I wish I did. _ Just Natsume will do... LOL.

Enjoy! ^^

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CHAPTER ONE

THE THOUGHT OF BEING TOGETHER FOR A LIFETIME

It was a very sunny day for spring. Cherry blossoms were on their full bloom, the wind smelling of fresh green indicating the welcome of the vernal season, and small birds were happily tweeting in appreciation of the lovely weather. Gakuen Alice, seemingly rejuvenated by the weather, buzzed with a cheerful clamour as classes start again after spring break.

Fifteen minutes before the class, Natsume was silently reading his recently acquired manga. It was a present from Mikan a week ago when he was confined in the academy's hospital. Natsume was moderately injured from a mission during the end of spring break, but due to Persona's insistence—or rather, 'order', he had to go to the hospital to recover from his wounds. It was not as if Persona cared for him at all, it was for him to get back to missions in a good condition as quickly as possible. He mentally cursed at the thought. Riveting his attention back to his manga, Mikan flashed into his mind, jumbling his thoughts once again. When his classmates—well, 'friends', learned that he was confined, Mikan, being Mikan, rushed over to the hospital and made a fuss out of how cruel Persona is for making him go to such dangerous missions, and he should not go anymore, and the same old things she kept telling—no, 'screaming' at him about matters in the Dangerous Ability Class. Good thing he was 'sick', that's why he had a reason not to speak or answer her, because it would be tiresome to explain complex things like that to the girl. During his stay at the hospital, Mikan was always there, of course. Always checking on him and keeping him company—in a mix of lengthy stories, weird and stupid questions, persistent nagging, and shouting when he starts ignoring her. Though it sounds extremely stupid for Natsume to admit, he didn't care at all how annoying Mikan can get…as long as she's by his side, he was happy and contented.

Shooing the cheesy thought away, Natsume recalled how Mikan showed up, thoughtfully, with the manga he was currently holding.

Natsume was savouring the quietness of his hospital bedroom…for at last, no one was with him or came to visit. It gave him real time to rest and freedom from annoyance at whatever whoever was doing in front of him. He sighed. But being stuck in this white, medicine-smelling space is boring the hell out of him. He wanted to go rest outside—specifically at his favorite Sakura tree. Though, he was told that he would be discharged in two days. Ugh, two more days.

Natsume, feeling utterly pissed off from lying down for three days already, tried to stretch his body by sitting up. As he was trying to, the injuries in his thighs, and especially the one big cut on his back, stung intensely from an unexpected movement. He cursed as he continued to sit up…he was almost there already anyway so there's no point in getting back to lying down.

As he successfully sat up, he cursed once more at himself for being such a wussy that couldn't even do simple things. Then he sighed. "Now what?" He asked himself. He had nothing to do…he just sat up without thinking what would he do after that. He cursed again. Natsume turned his head to look over his table…there were fruits, flowers…what the heck, biscuits, and loads of other food, water…and that's it. He huffed an annoyed sigh. Those idiot friends of him didn't even know what he would really need.

He observed the room, for the nth time since he got confined, and his wandering gaze stopped at the chair beside his bed. A gray jacket was hung over the chair…where Mikan had been sitting three hours ago. It was the jacket that Natsume lent her when they took a walk around Central Town during Christmas Break and it started snowing. Mikan wanted to return it but he said she can have it...which made her happy.

Natsume's right eyebrow shot up at the sight. Speaking of that idiot, where did she go? And leaving her jacket… She was really stupid, now the chilly spring breeze would envelope her slender body so easily and she might catch a cold. He shook his head in annoyance. Where did she go anyway?

Remembering the last conversation they had, in between his constant snatches of nap while Mikan was telling an incredibly long story about a fishing outing with Hotaru and her grandpa, Mikan finally caught him taking a nap and not listening to her story.

"Natsume!!!" Mikan screamed at him, waking him up of course. He bet she has more effect than any alarm clock in the world. He felt his eardrums ringing.

"What, Polka?" he answered in a clearly annoyed voice, using the childish nickname for her whenever he's annoyed with her.

"Mou…"she pouted and crossed her arms below her chest. God, Natsume whispered to himself, she looked so cute doing that and it was wiping his annoyance away.

"Don't do that, you know. It gives emphasis to your not-much-of-a chest." Natsume said coolly, hoping to get back at her for stealing his nap away.

Mikan tread closer to him and shouted—causing his eardrums to ring more. "Arrrghh! I have them now, for your information, and they're growing in a fast rate since I'm in puberty!!"

Natsume, not caring about the scream, but the content of it, smirked. "So…you're letting me know that you're in your puberty stage and you're…" His smirk grew wider. "Oh, so that explains why you've been getting irritable lately and shouts more often than before."

Mikan flushed at what Natsume was implying. Of course he was talking about having periods which was associated with fits of anger. That was true for her though…because she was having her period right this very moment. She flushed more. She dug through her mind for something to say to revert the conversation out of the period subject of matter.

Mikan looked at Natsume with eyes that looked sad. "It's just… I think you're getting bored, that's why I was telling you stories. Sorry if you're getting sleepy over it."

Natsume, seemingly affected with the sad look in her eyes, let the period discussion off for the meanwhile. He answered in a cool voice. "I am bored and sleepy, but don't be sorry for it."

What he said apparently made Mikan's mood brighter, and so she smiled at him with that beautiful smile of hers.

"Okay, if you're sleepy, go on and sleep first…while I'm gonna have something not boring for you when I get back."

Natsume looked at her questioningly. "Hey, what are you—"

It was too late, Mikan was rushing out of the hospital bedroom already. She waved at him and shouted "I'll be back in a couple of hours so sleep well!"

Natsume was left there alone, finally, so even if he was kind of puzzled at what Mikan was up to, he allowed himself to finally get some good sleep.

***

…Couple of hours ago? Natsume thought, remembering what Mikan said. She sure took her time.

As Natsume stared at her jacket, he quietly wished Mikan would get back soon. He shook his head at his cheesy-ness. He really wouldn't be contented without Mikan near.

Then, as if hearing his wish, a slam of the door was heard, and Mikan's appearance spilled from the door. She was holding a medium-sized paper bag…and Howalons?! So, she went shopping at Central Town for herself?

As she walked towards him, Natsume noticed that she was wet from…drizzle, perhaps. What a careless girl, he thought. When Mikan reached where the bed was, she put the paper bag on top of his bed, near his upper body, and beamed at him.

"Look what I got for you."

Natsume didn't say anything and grabbed the paper bag to look inside whatever Mikan got for him. He was expecting more Howalons or food, but… he saw, perhaps, 10 manga volumes inside. He looked at her in disbelief.

"Well, I remembered there was some book sale today at Central Town, and you said you were bored and I noticed no one brought you something to read, and I know that's your favorite pastime so…uhm, yeah, I thought it would be better to buy you manga than tell you my stories, hehe." Mikan explained as she was flushing from tiredness…and embarrassment, maybe.

Natsume looked at Mikan with those emotion-filled gazes he reserves only for Mikan. Certainly, this girl really knew what he needed. But that's not it…it was these little actions of her that made his heart swell with a million of emotions. He cursed at himself again for being cheesy, but he realized he shouldn't suppress it that much. He decided to let it out for today.

"Mikan…" he murmured, his raven bangs covering his eyes.

"W-what?" Mikan asked, kind of nervous at his reaction.

"Come here."

Mikan fidgeted and hesitated, but she still inched closer to Natsume.

As she was a foot away from him, Natsume reached for her arm and pulled her closer to him for a tight embrace.

"Thank you." he whispered into her ears. He was not skilled with expressing feelings through words, but maybe…this will do.

Mikan turned red from the sudden embrace and the soft expression of gratitude from Natsume. From how many years of knowing Natsume, she knew that she made him happy from what she did. She felt pride at making Natsume happy.

"And…" Natsume, in a coarse voice, added, but hanged what he was about to say.

Mikan, breaking away from the embrace a bit to look at him, puzzled, asked, "And?"

Natsume, in answer, put a small bath towel on top of her head and started to dry her drizzle-wet hair. Mikan blushed hard again.

While drying Mikan's hair, Natsume said, "Next time, don't be careless and leave your jacket when you're going out. And…at least go find an umbrella when it's raining outside. You might catch some cold."

Mikan, totally embarrassed with the situation, looked down and just nodded in silence.

"And…" Natsume whispered, stopping what he was doing.

Mikan, puzzled again by the hanging statement from Natsume, looked up to meet his crimson orbs. As their gazes matched, it felt like time stopped for the two of them.

"I love you." Natsume said in a serious voice, then continued to dry Mikan's hair. He may have looked cool and composed, but deep inside, his heart was throbbing as hard as it could get.

Mikan was unable to say anything or move an inch as Natsume went on drying her hair. She was too astounded with Natsume's overt display of his feelings and emotions just now. Natsume and she had been a couple, well, officially, during the Christmas Ball on their senior year of middle school. It had been 2 years and a couple of months already but Natsume telling her his feelings directly were one of the rarest moments they ever have. And today is one of them. And the fact that his words and actions went straight to her heart… meant everything to her.

Natsume thumbed to the next page of his manga. After that moment, Mikan kept more or less silent the whole time, but still attending to him or asking random questions, while he read the books Mikan bought for him. Though the contents were sillier than what he usually reads, he didn't mind at all. It was the effort that Mikan put into getting him the books which mattered to him anyway. And that night, Mikan stayed with him at the hospital bedroom, saying she'll just sleep in the sofa. After a couple of arguments, Natsume gave in and tossed his pillow and an extra blanket to her. Mikan smiled at him and said thanks, while she decided to push the sofa near his bed so that she would know if he needed something. Hah, as if she would wake up. That girl was really a sleepyhead so there would be no way in hell that she'll be up for him—which is what happened. He huffed, ending his recollection, when he looked outside the window. Speaking of the sleepyhead girl, that Mikan idiot was late for class again.

"Ohayou!!" came a loud and cheerfull greeting from the door. A voice, like spring, indicating new hope and fresh innocence. Natsume knew very well whose voice that was.

Some of their classmates greeted her back, some just nodded, some showed annoyed looks--which included Mikan's best friend, Hotaru.

Mikan came dashing towards Hotaru to hug her. "Hotaru, oha------------"

BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!

Natsume casually rolled his eyes. It was like a morning routine for the two of them, and Mikan didn't ever get tired of being hit by her so-called 'best friend'. Up until now, he couldn't understand their relationship. Though Natsume understands that Hotaru actually does care for Mikan in her own way, just like he cares for her in his own way.

Instead of wailing like a dumb cow like she used to when they were still in elementary, now that they were in junior high school, when Hotaru hits her, she just makes a face and then smiles—the smile that everybody, especially Natsume, loves. Mikan had changed a lot over the years, more mature, but still innocently beautiful, he guessed. Mikan also chose to change her hairstyle, now, she laid down her long straight brown hair with soft curly treases at the end. It made her look prettier.

Natsume closed his book and rested his back against the chair. Mikan was coming towards him after exchanging a quick chat with her best friend. Before speaking to him, Mikan quickly greeted Ruka, then proceeded to her seat which was beside his. Just like the way it was ever since that fateful day in elementary school.

"Ohayou, Natsume." She beamed, like she usually does, and took her place beside him. She put her bag on the floor and stretched. Then she moved an inch closer to her boyfriend.

"Ohayou." he replied. Though this was like a routine too, he never gets tired of greeting her every day. Because it meant another new day of being with her. Though, it took him a long time of getting used to simple things like greetings, and not answering by 'Hn's or grunts to her because it would always create an argument between them. Or rather, scolding shouts from Mikan.

"You're late again." casually teased her. Natsume was already used not to call her idiot or Polka in her face and in public, well, except if he's annoyed at her. Maybe he too, matured a bit.

Mikan made a face. "You had me stay up all night, that's why."

He made a small smile. They were together last night. Because yesterday was the first day of the full bloom of the Sakura trees, they did their own, private Hanami (sakura watching) under Natsume's favorite Sakura tree. They cooked (A/N: Yes, both of them, helping each other :p) bento for lunch and other finger food for snacks and some confectionary which Mikan learned from HE class. Natsume looked for a good spot, cleaned the vicinity, and put a picnic mat and umbrella. They spent almost the whole day together yesterday just relaxing, watching the sakura, and talking about various things. Though they were just contented to be together alone. At the course of the afternoon, Mikan felt sleepy so Natsume let her sleep with her head on his lap, while he spent the time reading manga. Then when night came, they packed up their things, returned them to their dorms, changed into their yukatas, and met up at the rooftop of the middle school building to watch the fireworks lit up by the Hanahime members.

"Thanks for the flowers last night." Mikan whispered, her face showing a tint of blush on it.

Natsume looked at her and gave a small smile, then he grabbed her hand from under the chair and squeezed it tight. He might still be not good at expressing his feelings through words, but he hoped that his actions could make up for it…at least for the meantime, when he's still learning how to be more verbally expressive. They have their lifetime to spend with each other anyway, so he guessed there's no need to rush. He smiled inwardly at the thought…and snatched a glance at Mikan beside him who was still blushing.

Lifetime with Mikan. He loved the thought. He felt a warm gush of emotions overwhelming his chest.

However, Natsume's thought was interrupted as their adviser walked inside the room.

"Okay, class, it's time for Trigonometry!" Tono-sensei, yes, Mikan's beloved Tono-senpai and Natsume's hated Tono of Special Abilities who became a high school teacher of the academy, shouted while walking towards the blackboard.

While Tono was taking the attendance, Natsume let his mind wander about life with Mikan in the near future...leaving his hand intertwined with Mikan's under the desk.

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Were you confused a bit at the beginning?? Yes, they're a couple here already for 2 years and a couple of months. ^_^

What do you think of the story? This will probably be one of the few 'light' mood chapters of this story since it will get dramatic soon.

Please REVIEW!!! Click the green button and REVIEW PLEASE! ^^