This was for iu_community's Kris Kringle Event which was held last year if I'm not mistaken. I wanted to revive my account which has been dead for some years now and I'll be starting with the fics that are piling on my "fanfics" folder.

Theme: Beginning

Fandom: Gakuen Alice

Word Count: 500

A/N: I think the fic's quite random. *0* Still, I hope I don't contradict anything in the anime/manga since I only used the things I remember. I'm sorry for any OOC-ness. Also, I am not sure about Mikan's relationship with Natsume here. ^^;

Fireworks of Tomorrow

"Here, for you," a certain brunette smiled as she handed her companion something which somehow resembled a bear.

"What's this? A pig?" the receiver nonchalantly asked in disbelief, eyes carefully scrutinizing the stuffed animal she gave him.

"No! It's a teddy bear!" the young girl cried out in protest and sighed. "I guess it isn't good enough."

"Good enough? For what?" Natusume asked at the last gesture made by the girl.

"Well, you always helped me when I'm trouble so I wanted to make it up to you," Mikan fidgeted her skirt as a tinge of pinkish hue crawled up to her cheeks for reasons she does not know. All she wanted was to thank the lad and all of a sudden her heart started beating fast. "Ah whatever," she said to herself as she shook it off.

Natsume, on the other hand, gave no response but just stared at the bear. One could actually tell that the creator wasn't exactly a skilled one. Some areas weren't proportional and the eyes weren't even. That aside, the thing that bothered him most was why a bear? Added to that, it was handmade. The latter part seemed self-explanatory since the young girl wanted to express her thanks but the first part actually bothered him. He knew that she knew that he didn't like all things cute. What's cute anyway? Heck, he even wonders why those annoying fangirls thought that Ruka's animal friends are cute. So why?

"You don't like it?" Mikan asked with a disappointed look.

"Iie," Natsume lied. He wanted to yes, since it was the truth but it seemed that something controlled his tongue and he ended up saying the opposite.

"Uwah! Look! The fireworks! Ahh how beautiful," Mikan squealed as colorful fireworks illuminated the night sky.

While Mikan was busy watching the fireworks, Natsume looked at the bear one more time. This time, he noticed something he failed to see a moment ago. A dried stain of blood; his eyes widened at the sight and he immediately glanced at the brunette beside him. Mikan seemed to notice that her companion has turned to face her so she turned to him.

"Is something wrong Natsume?" the brunette inquired. The lad merely shook his head and looked up the sky. There, countless twinkling diamonds were spread across the heavens. If it weren't for the fireworks, the night sky wouldn't be as colorful and blissful as this. He then brought out his free hand and gently grabbed hold of Mikan's soft hand. She immediately turned to him at the sudden gesture but didn't protest. A smirk graced the black cat's lips.

After the fireworks cease and everyone goes to sleep, they'll wake up to a brand new tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, nothing will change; he'll still love her and protect her no matter what. And added to the list: he'll treasure this bear she gave him. Not because he found the meaning of cute in it but because it WAS from her.

-FIN-