Hello! I'd like to start by saying thank you for taking the time to click on this fic! It's mainly Natsume x Mikan, with a bit of Rukaru thrown in. There are elements of the story that come from the manga Kitchen Princess (and maybe a little from Yumeiro Patissiere as well honestly), and I'd like to start by saying that I don't own either of these amazing franchises in any way shape or form! I also don't own Gakuen Alice!
This first chapter starts with a flashback in Mikan's POV, and the rest is in Natsume's POV! I hope you enjoy it!
Goodbye. That was the only word that registered in my brain-Natsume never signed his letters with goodbye. He never signed them with anything. When I asked the others about why he could have possibly decided to sign the letter this time, they told me his secret. Natsume was leaving and this letter, coupled with his gift, was his way of telling me.
Goodbye...Goodbye….GOODBYE? That jerk! Couldn't he think of anything else to say to me? But….the gift that he gave me along with the note is gorgeous. Even now as I'm running to find him, the diamond-like stud in the middle of the necklace is shining brilliantly. The chain comprised of a pendant in the shape of a sakura blossom and was lined in gold. The short stem coming off the pink flower was decorated with pearls, and in the middle of the blossom was the diamond. Natsume has always managed to make me speechless, yet this time he did it without even being there.
I kept on running, clutching the crumpled note in my hand when I finally saw Natsume. Except he wasn't alone, and I could only stare horrified and confused at what was happening before my eyes. Tears dotted my eyes and I quickly whirled around, unable to bear the sight that was now ingrained in my vision. All I could picture was him, and with my only thoughts circling around escaping as fast as possible, I didn't hear the blaring horn fast enough to react. There was an intense pain in my body, and something warm and slimy pooled around me. The voices of random strangers called out frantically. That was when everything finally faded to black.
"Natsume! The flight to America is boarding now, so let's go!"
"Hn," I lazily replied to Ruka's frantic voice, before opening my eyes and staring at Ruka. He really does hate being late, doesn't he? Ah well, can't blame him-I've been known to fire a few employees myself for consistently being tardy.
"Natsume, come on. After we take over Serio Industries I have to get back to Hotaru. The announcement is in a week, so we don't have extra time to miss our flights. You can sleep on the plane," Ruka irately replied to my casual behavior.
"Hn...if that happens, then you'll just be a little late Ruka. The ice witch can wait a little."
"Please, Natsume. You and I both know that if I show up late she'll castrate me before sending me flying with that stupid gun of hers. Or worse-she'll cancel the engagement."
"Tch and you're worried about that? I would be doing you a favor, buddy."
"Look, I know you and Hotaru have your differences. But I love her and am finally engaged to her. So, and I mean this in the nicest way, shut the hell up about her!"
I smirked before staring at the dwindling line. It seems that my best friend has finally grown a backbone. Although he is wrong about one thing-I may pretend to hate Imai, but all said and done she is my cousin. I suppose you could say we have a mutual understanding and respect for each other. Except in regards to one situation….With that thought, I finally stood up and grabbed my laptop bag before standing in line for the flight. Ruka stood in front of me, constantly checking his watch to make sure the flight wouldn't be delayed. Honestly, Imai has changed him from the calm, albeit shy boy who used to follow me everywhere into this strong person who only seems to fear his fiancee.
Fiancee….that's right. I suppose I'm going to have one now as well. And it's the perfect opportunity to get my revenge on her. Mikan Sakura has no idea what's waiting for her. She'll rue the day she abandoned me and my whole family.
"Sir? SIR? Excuse me? Are you going to hand me your boarding pass or not? Other people are waiting to board the flight you know." I quickly glanced up to see the impatient flight lady with a single one of her perfectly waxed eyebrows raised at me. A glare made its way onto my face as I handed her the stupid paper-how dare she behave so rudely with me? Doesn't she realize that Natsume Hyuuga is standing in front of her?
"Err…. thank you, and have a… wonderful flight?" The lady meekly responded, shrinking away from my glare. I walked on through the tunnel and onto the plane before sitting in first class. I could sense Ruka staring at me disapprovingly from the adjacent seat.
"What?" I asked, irritably.
"Nothing. Just… Why so vicious towards the check-in agent? She didn't do anything to you really-at least not enough to get such a cold glare."
"Shut up Ruka."
"Heh, I see. You were thinking about Mikan again, weren't you? That's the only thing that could put you in such a vile mood. You know… you never did explain how she of all people ended up becoming your fiancee Natsume."
"Please. Didn't the ice queen tell you? She's best friends with that A-grade bitch after all."
"No actually, Hotaru refused to tell me. So you better tell me now!"
I sighed, knowing Ruka wouldn't give up until I explained the arrangement. With that, I proceeded to tell him about the conversation with my parents this morning.
"Natsume, dear. Do sit down for a moment. We have some...news for you." Kaoru insisted as she noticed her son get up from the breakfast table. I glanced up questioningly before sitting down next to Aoi again. My parents shared a nod before my father spoke up.
"You're getting engaged Natsume. To Mikan Sakura, from the Sakura family." My eyes widened in shock, and it wasn't until Aoi started choking on her milk that I fully processed what my father just said. Engaged? Mikan...Mikan Sakura? The same Mikan from my childhood who betrayed me completely?
"Natsume, dear? Please say something." My mother anxiously murmured. I could feel all three of my family members staring at me, anticipating my reaction.
"Is it the same one?" I angrily sneered-I had to double check first.
"...Yes. Yuka and I recently had a talk and we thought since you were childhood friends maybe it would be alright…"
"Alright? ALRIGHT? Did you even THINK about what that bitch did to me? And not only her - Youichi too! That Bastard completely IGNORED Aoi and broke her heart. HOW could you engage ME to HER of all people?" I shouted, completely unaware of the shocked look in Aoi's eyes from seeing me lose my cool so easily. I just couldn't believe my parents would be insensitive enough to engage me to that woman of all people. Mikan Sakura, the girl everyone thinks is an angel. But I knew her true colors-she's nothing more than a two-faced banshee who leads everyone along on a string before dropping them when she's done.
"Na-Na-Natsume I didn't mean to…" Kaoru stammered, clearly frightened by my outburst and language. I never swore in front of my parents.
"NATSUME HYUUGA! Apologize this instant for your language! You will be engaged whether you like it or not! We need this for the benefit of the company. Only by merging with them and combining the shares can we grow further! Whatever happened in the past happened-don't dwell on it now" Ioran interrupted furiously.
"HELL NO! I'm not going to marry her! Pick someone else who will benefit the company even more-that devil can go straight to hell for all I care! You don't command me or my life, and I refuse to even sully my eyes with the sight of that bitch, or her brother!"
"Nii-san… You don't have to worry about me. I'm completely over Youichi now," Aoi shyly interjected. I stared into her eyes, clearly seeing the lie in them. Only I knew how she still cried for that bastard from all the pain he gave her when he completely cut Aoi off. Hmmm….pain. The idea suddenly started churning in my head and I realized this was the perfect opportunity to exact my vengeance. After all, even god couldn't stop me from destroying the idiot who hurt my sister. Plus it would give me the chance to hurt Mikan Sakura the way she hurt me.
"Natsume, even Aoi says it's ok. Look I know that your past with her is like a beautiful garden filled with weeds, but even then you don't know what actually happe-" Kaoru began before I interrupted her.
"Fine."
"Fine?"
"Fine. I'll get engaged with her mom-but only for the sake of the company." And for my revenge, I thought deviously, a plan beginning to formulate.
"OH! Wonderful Natsume! I thought it was going to take a lot more convincing, but I suppose you still love her don't you? Oh, I'd better go inform Yuka and Izumi right now! Your flight is going to leave soon also right Natsume? You'd better hurry up!" Kaoru happily exclaimed.
"And that's pretty much what happened Ruka."
"Natsume...I highly doubt your mom's theory about you accepting because you still love Mikan. So why did you really agree?" I glanced at Ruka before looking out the window. He was right about that. It wasn't love I felt for Mikan Sakura. It was absolute hatred. Hatred that was going to fuel my quest to make her life miserable. I smirked before finally answering Ruka's query.
"Let's just say that when I'm done with Mikan Sakura she'll wish she had never crossed paths again with Natsume Hyuuga."
Ruka simply scoffed before saying, "Natsume. I know what she did wasn't fair to you at all. But are you really going to go through with this? Why stay in the past; marrying her won't help anything. Auntie Kaoru and Uncle Ioran are also pretty understanding, so I'm sure if you keep insisting on not marrying her they'll agree."
"Sorry, Ruka. But I'm-"I broke off when the plane started jerking around. I swiftly glanced up towards the front with a glare.
"Excuse me, folks! But it appears that the weather conditions are only worsening. If I continue to fly on, there's a high chance we will crash in this storm. For this reason, and I realize that this may cause many of you inconveniences, I have to land this plane right now. We are currently flying above Greenland, and will therefore arrive at their airport. Representatives from our airlines will be waiting outside the gate; please ask them for help in scheduling another flight tomorrow if the weather lets up. Once again, I apologize for any problems this creates. However, safety is our utmost priority-you can't do anything if you're dead after all!" With that final horrendous announcement from our pilot, the plane began its descent into Greenland.
"Just great! I told you we couldn't have any delays or else I'd be late for the announcement! Hotaru's going to murder me Natsume! Why does fate have to be so cruel to me?!" Ruka began whining. I simply ignored his complaints and thought about what to do next. I suppose after we land we'll have to book a flight back to Japan so Ruka doesn't miss the announcement. After that, we can come back to America to deal with Serio Industries.
We finally landed and I headed away from a panicky Ruka by gate A46 towards the nearest flight representative.
"Excuse me, but when is the next flight back to Japan?" I asked, a bored note lacing my tone.
"Oh...let me check for you sir," the lady responded, clacking away at her computer. "It would appear in four days, sir! The weather is supposed to worsen in the next few days, so no flights will be coming or leaving the airport for a few days unfortunately. Shall I reserve one spot on for that flight?"
"Reserve two-Natsume Hyuuga and Ruka Nogi. Is there a place nearby we can stay until then?"
"HOTARU?!"
I immediately whirled around after hearing Ruka's surprised shout before the flight representative could answer me. There, in front of my eyes, was Hotaru arguing with another flight representative. She glanced up at Ruka, shock filling her eyes for a brief second before her emotionless facade resumed. She nonchalantly cocked an eyebrow at the two of us before walking over. And that was when I saw who was standing right behind her. Mikan Sakura.
Anyways! There's Chapter 1! I hope you all enjoyed it-I'll be posting the next chapter soon!
3 Breezylyn