This is the response to A Child At Heart by Ariisha-chan, my best FFN friend ;). This ish for youuuu~

Disclaimer: I'll never ever ever own Gakuen Alice. :)


A Man At Heart

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A home didn't need to be built with a roof.

O

It simply had to be somewhere you felt safe,

O

and somewhere that could stand any obstacle.

I've Perfected Imperfection.

Mikan really should've stayed home and faked a lethal disease.

She was thirty-nine years old, and yet here she was covered with bruises and tiny scratches, lost in the dark woods with a seven year old.

When danger seemed near, they would both jump in fright. Well, Mikan would. As they edged towards the dark figure that was shrouded in darkness by the withering trees, her heart raced faster with her hand curled around the seven year olds hand.

Watching the little boy stance himself protectively in front of her not only left her in awe, but the warm feeling you get when you were safe and sound when you're… home.

Mikan tightened her hold on him and felt as if the warmth that radiated from this little boy's body had magically transferred into her own.

The way he held the blunt stick firmly in front of them as they stepped closer to the dark lingering figure…

There was something about the seven year old that captured her breathless.

Suddenly, it hit her like lightning.

Whenever she was with him, her heart would stop the nervous fluttering – she'd realise she was safe. The way he mocked and sneered at her – she'd realise behind those empty words were supposed to be endearing and heartfelt, making her feel wanted. Now that he stood in front of her, in such a way he'd receive the first and hopefully only hit, made her realise what he really was in her eyes.

A seven-year old son with a father's heart.

Or in other words, a little boy with a man's heart.

And soon enough, the darkly lit figure stepped in the beaming moonlight, revealing the face of Natsume Hyuuga.

He looked at the Youichi and Mikan, and spoke up in the deafening silence, "Are you both alright?"

She spoke aloud for Youichi who appeared vulnerable, like a child who lost his favourite toy, "Yes."

The only sentence that replayed in her head was the only thing that kept her moving forward despite every painful step she took.

I was home.

O

Youichi had the heart of a determined and brave man.

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While she, Mikan Hyuuga, held the heart of an innocent child,

O

but to be honest, they were never the perfect mother and son.

I've Perfected Imperfection.

Bwahahhaha, yes, Natsume and Mikan's son is Youichi and yes, Natsume and Mikan are happily married :P. I haven't done anything like this in awhile so it's rusty and ewwwww-ish. I hope you liked it though :) Review if you likeeeeedddd :D

I hope you liked it, Liliiiiiiiiiii!

~Joy. P.S. I was inspired by Lili's story, A Child At Heart to write something similar but different, if you catch my drift.