A/N: Hello there! I'm IceFireNeko, a new fanfiction writer, and I've collab-ed a story (does that even make sense?) with Crimson Citrus. Go check her out if you liked the story and her tumblr account (also Crimson Citrus)~
This fanfiction is based off a certain story that many of you may have heard of from a fairytale. It was really fun to write, so read, review, and enjoy! :3
Disclaimer: We don't own any of the characters or Gakuen Alice.
Chapter 1.
"Hmmm… Let's see. Dust the bookshelves. Check. Mop the floor. Check. Wash the dishes. Check. And polish the banister. Almost done."
Mikan Hibana sighed in relief, nearly finished with all her morning chores before the routine trip to the market. The brunette haired girl tightened her ponytail before picking up the rag. Suddenly, footsteps raced up the stairs. "Omigosh, Sumire! We finally got the invitation to the Coronation Ball! We can finally meet Prince Natsume! In person!" The older, strawberry blonde girl exclaimed to her younger dark-haired sister, her eyes shining in excitement.
She finally noticed her ragged step sister, Mikan, on the top of the stairway, and the shine in her eyes was immediately replaced with disgust. "Of course, little Hibana can't go. She's too filthy to even think of attending." Luna sneered. "How about this, Mikan. You can only come with us if you actually have a ball gown to wear there," she sarcastically proposed.
Sumire's eyes met Mikan's, and lingered for a second before she snickered along with Luna, knowing that Mikan would never be allowed to have the dress. She purposely smudged the newly cleaned part of the railing before brushing Mikan's shoulder as she passed. "Missed a spot," she called over her shoulder as she followed Luna to their room.
Mikan just went back to wipe the smudged banister once again, used to the constant stoning remarks from her stepsisters. While she cleaned it, she started to whistle a small tune. A dark blue bird and and a pink bird flew in through the open window. "Hi, Tsubasa! Hello, Misaki!" She greeted them in a cheerful tone, completely forgetting what happened just moments before.
Both birds chirped in reply, and they watched her finish up the last of her chores. Finally, she could escape the cold, cobble mansion and go to the open market. Tsubasa and Misaki perched on her shoulder as she went outside, where she could temporarily be free of her stepsisters.
Mikan skipped happily while carrying her bag of fruits and vegetables. A sale on the produce had let her save half her allowance for the first time in a few month.
"Wait, Ao! Come back!" A voice behind her shouted. Mikan turned and saw a squirrel scamper towards her with something glistening in its mouth. A blonde 'prince' like person was running after it.
Mikan bent down, and picked the squirrel up. She looked up and her eyes locked with the man's, who was panting a little. The squirrel, Ao, spat out a shining object that looked like a ring, and Mikan picked it up. "Oh, sorry. Is this little one yours?" She asked, amused.
The blonde haired man sheepishly grinned. "Ah, no. She's not mine, but she took my ring," he replied.
"Oh, is this it?" She held up the gold ring. Looking at it more closely, she noticed a small round ruby at the top.
"Yes, that!" He exclaimed. Mikan smiled at him. "Here you go," Mikan placed the ring in his palm.
"Thank you very much! My name is Ruka. May I ask what your name is?" He puts out his hand.
Mikan shook the hand and replied, "It's nice to meet you! My name is -" Suddenly, someone bumped into her and she tripped. "Ah!" Mikan yelled as she dropped her bags. Luckily, Ruka caught her before she fell. Mikan nervously scratched the back of her head and giggled. "Hehe, thank you, Ruka. I have a habit of being clumsy."
Ruka smiled. "Haha, its not a problem. I can meet you tomorrow at the center of town! Meet me there at noon!" Ruka shouted, before the bustling market place separated the two.
The next day, Mikan rushed to finish her chores before midday. She was so excited to meet the intriguing boy again that she even beamed at her stepsisters when they tried to rub in the fact that they were going to the coronation ball without her. "What's up with her?" Luna grumbled, but the girls were too occupied with choosing their dresses to pay much attention.
As Mikan prepared to go out to the town center, the door creaked open. She turned around and came face to face with her stepbrother, Kuonji. "It's nice to see you again, Mikan." He drawled eerily.
Mikan stuttered. "K-Kuonji, it's been awhile," she nervously replied.
"It has, hasn't it? You know what I want, don't you? Now, I've given you enough time to think. Be my wife." He demanded.
"But-but, Kuonji! We're step-siblings! It's not right for us to get married. Don't do this." Mikan urged him.
Kuonji just grew more irritated. "I've already told you before that it doesn't matter if we're step-siblings! As long as we love each other, we can get married." He practically yelled at her. "I didn't just convince Mother to marry your dad before she died for the heck of it!"
Mikan cringed at the sound of his voice. "No. I don't want to marry you! Please, just please leave my room." Mikan walked to the door and opened it pointedly.
Kuonji just squinted his eyes and glared back at her. "Remember that I was the one that let you stay in this house instead of the orphanage. Just you wait. You will marry me one day." He stated as he leaves the room. Mikan sighed.
It was nearly noon when she finally walked out of the cobble manor. "Oh no, I'm going to be late!" Mikan hurried into the town square, searching for the familiar blond sweep of hair. Finally, she found him next to the bakery, purchasing two sweet cakes. "Oh there you are, Ruka!"
He turned around. One arm was holding a white rabbit, and the other held the box of pastries. "Just in time." He smiled at her. "Follow me." He led her to a quiet area near the outskirts of the marketplace.
"Here, take a sweet cake." He offered the petite pastry to Mikan, who gratefully took the sugary morsel. As they both nibbled on the cakes, Mikan noticed that there were many woodland creatures surrounding Ruka. Besides the rabbit, many birds perched overhead or around him, and even some squirrels and skunks roamed the place around them without fear.
"So," Ruka asked almost shyly, breaking the silence, "Are you going to the coronation ball this week?"
Mikan looked at him with a mixture of sadness and surprise. "I can't. My stepfamily wouldn't allow it, for one."
"You don't seem like the type to just sit at home, though." Ruka replied.
"You could sneak out of the house," Ruka suggested.
" I don't have a dress.."
"I could get you one."
She listed a few more reasons as Ruka listened and countered them all.
"Why do you want me to go so badly?" Mikan finally asked, suspiciously eyeing her new friend.
"Um. Well… I have something to confess. I'm actually the son of Louise..."
"Wait, the second richest noblewoman in the kingdom? Why are you at the marketplace then?" Mikan's eyes widened.
"It's not important. The thing is," Ruka explained, "I would have gone to my best friend's coronation already, but my mother is forcing me to go meet other young women around my age in order to find a suitable bride." He went a little red after stating his purpose. "If I actually know someone there, she might not be as forceful."
She stared at him for a little bit, before giggling at how awkward he looked. "I'll try my best..." She finally promised, before a realization struck her. "By your best friend, do you actually mean-"
"Prince Natsume Hyuuga, the heir to the throne and my best friend since we were young. I could introduce him to you at the ball, if you'd like. You can never miss his raven hair or his ruby eyes." Ruka stated. "But be careful though, because he is known for his cold aura sometimes. I don't even know why people call him the Fire Prince."
They talked for a little longer, comparing how different their lives were, before Mikan noticed how late it was getting. "Oh no! I forgot about the time! I'm sorry Ruka, but I have to go before they get suspicious." Mikan exclaimed.
"It's getting dark, though. I better walk you home." Ruka offered. They walked back, and Ruka quietly took note of where she lived.
The front door opened as Mikan was about to open it, and Kuonji stood in the doorway. He glared daggers at Ruka, who shot back his glare with his own cool gaze.
"Oh wait," Ruka started, "I forgot to ask you, who are you?"
Before she could answer, her step brother yanked her inside and slammed the door. As soon as Mikan was pulled in, he immediately grabbed her wrist. "Who is he?" He snarled.
"J-just a friend. Nothing more, Kuonji." Mikan stammered, before slipping out of his grasp and running into her room, shutting the wooden door behind her. He didn't pursue her, but her heart was still racing after that encounter.
A/N: Thanks to kitsunesenpai for coming up with Ruka's mom's name: Louise
Kudos and Cookies to you!
Update: I've updated the story to include what had happened with the 'stepmother' of the story. Sorry if you looked forward to it, but I already had the whole plot laid out and it didn't include her :(
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Look forward to the next one :3
