YAY! My first fanfic! I'm sooooooo happy!
Summary: Mikan Sakura and her best friend Hotaru Imai finally get the chance to go back to their hometown in the countryside. What awaits her there? What will happen after the trip? NatsumexMikan and HotaruxRuka
Genre: Friendship/Romance (Friendship near the beginning and middle, romance starting at the end of middle...that was kinda confusing :P) and Hurt/Comfort (This story will contain a lot of hurt for Hotaru and Mikan. Who comes in? Hehehehe...)
Rated: T (for language and some scenes... but most of the time I would also give it a K+)
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice. I wish I did! :P
Breathe
It was a beautiful, sunny day outside. The birds were chirping, the squirrels were gathering nuts, and the trees were swaying, their leaves gently ruffling against the wind.
A cute Mikan Sakura was cheerfully whistling while her best friend Hotaru Imai rode her "duck scooter", fumbling with her blackmailing camera.
"I wonder what we'll be doing today, right Hotaru?" Mikan mentioned excitedly, shaking Hotaru's arm. "I hope we're not gonna learn more of that boring math Jin-Jin taught us yesterday! He's so boring!" Hotaru simply nodded her head once, not really paying attention.
When they arrived at the school, Narumi-sensei was already in the classroom, prancing around and singing, "Another school day! I'm so happy!"
Hotaru rolled her eyes, her fingers drifting towards her baka gun.
Narumi was in the middle of teaching when a sudden announcement interrupted while he was about to explain the Pythagorean Theorem.
"Mikan Sakura and Hotaru Imai, please report to the principle's office."
Mikan and Hotaru slowly stood, clearly confused. "You two are excused." Narumi nodded.
As they headed out, Ruka watched, confused. "What do you think happened?" He asked, nudging his best friend, Natsume Hyuuga.
"Hn," his silent friend replied. Natsume, with eyes narrowed, watched Mikan exit. "What did they do this time?" he thought worriedly.
Mikan and Hotaru stood in front of the door of the principle's office. "Should we knock?" Mikan asked uncertainly. Hotaru shrugged. "I guess we should." She rapped her knuckles on the fine wood three times.
"I'm so nervous!" Mikan exclaimed. "What's gonna happen?"
"Why are you asking me?" Hotaru asked, slightly annoyed. Just then, the door swung open. "Aah! Hello, dear students." It was the ESP, Kuonji.
Hotaru narrowed her eyes. "What would you like with us?" She interrogated, quite rudely, may I add.
"Come in, come in!" the ESP responded. "You'd be delighted to hear what I have to say."
"Seriously?!" Mikan screeched, jumping up and down, rejoicing at the wonderful news. "For reals?"
"Yes, for reals," the ESP smiled. Hotaru remained seated, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in a perfect o.
"Let's go pack, Hotaru!" Mikan yelled, grabbing Hotaru and heading out before shouting a, "THANK YOU!"
"Have fun!" the ESP smiled. They had no idea what they were in for.
The two best friends were standing at the train station, their luggage placed beside them. "I can't wait!" Mikan shouted. "I get to see Jii-chan again!"
Hotaru smiled warmly at her friend, her own heart beating like a drum. She could see her parents again. If only my brother, Subaru Imai, could come as well, she thought happily.
The train arrived at the station five minutes later. Mikan and Hotaru boarded it, their eyes sparkling and their mouths crinkled up into a smile. Even Hotaru.
On the ride, a little boy sat next to Mikan. He tugged at her sleeve after staring at her for a while. "What's your name?"
Mikan smiled. "Mikan Sakura. Yours?"
The little boy stiffened upon hearing her name. "Youichi Hijiri. I have no parents or siblings. Do you know your grandfather is dead?"
Mikan laughed heartily. "You have no parents or siblings, huh? Tell you what, I'll bring you home with me. And there's no way my strong grandpa is dead."
The boy just stared. "Where do you live?" Mikan rolled her eyes.
"Near the countryside. If you don't wanna come with me, you don't have to, you know."
Youichi narrowed his eyes. "I'll come with you."
Hotaru was soon introduced to Youichi, and they got along pretty well, as well they should be. Their personalities were very similar. As they arrived at their destination, Mikan took in a deep breath. It sure smelled like home, She observed quietly. Jii-chan, wait for me!
The three headed to the market for some food.
"Youichi, what would you like?" Mikan asked kindly, putting her hand on his head. Youichi responded by flicking her hand in annoyance with a, "Noodles."
"All right!" Mikan exclaimed brightly. "Hotaru, what are you—" Mikan turned to Hotaru, who already had two plates full of crabs and lobsters.
"I should've known," Mikan turned to Youichi. He stared with his emotionless teal eyes. "I'll be right back!"
Mikan wandered to a ramen shop. The owner was talking quickly and animatedly with a customer, and as soon as he spotted Mikan, he stiffened.
"Are you, by any chance, Mikan Sakura?"He asked cautiously.
"Well, yeah! How'd ya know?" Mikan asked cheerfully. Without pausing for his answer, she added, "I'd like two bowls of ramen noodles please!" She was about to pull out her wallet when the owner quickly shook his head.
"No, I'll give it to you for free," he quickly uttered, twiddling his fingers nervously. "You're gonna need all the money you can get." With that, he quickly rushed into the kitchen without another word.
That was weird, Mikan thought. Oh well, I'll just wait for the noodles then!
After drumming her fingers on the wooden table for ten minutes, an employee hurried out with two bowls of steaming hot ramen noodles. He gave a quick, "Thank you" and a bow and ran back into the kitchen.
"What's wrong with everybody?" Mikan asked Hotaru as she gave Youichi his noodles and a pair of chopsticks and slurped some of her own. "I got free ramen and the employees seemed scared of me." She pouted. "I hope they don't think we're weirdos." Looking around, she noticed shoppers everywhere were eyeing them warily, their eyes filling with sorrow.
Hotaru shrugged, her mouth full of crab. Swallowing, she replied, "When I went to purchase some seafood, everyone didn't give me a second glance. Did you do something wrong?" She grabbed some more crab from her almost empty plate.
"I don't think so," Mikan frowned. "Ne, Youichi, what do you think?"
Youichi remained as still as a rock, eyeing his noodles. Mikan caught a glimpse of sadness in his eyes. "This is weird! Even your eyes have that I'm sorry look!" She shrugged. "Oh well."
Meanwhile, Hotaru felt worried. Something was definitely wrong—she knew it. What happened? Does Youichi know? She glanced at him. Whatever 'it' was, Hotaru knew it was bad.
Mikan, Hotaru, and Youichi made their way towards Jii-chan's little cottage. It was awfully quiet, Mikan noted. Usually, Jii-chan would be outside greeting her with a huge grin. Or he would be bathing in cold water, testing his "old" strength.
The ESP was quietly watching them on his "TV" screen. It was almost time.
Mikan skipped to the front door, her hands twitching in excitement. She knocked twice, having an aura full of excitement. I get to see Jii-chan again!
She waited. It had been one minute and there was not a peep. Hotaru held her breath. Youichi squirmed uncomfortably, preparing.
She waited some more. Two minutes. No sound.
Three minutes. Silence.
Five minutes. None.
Mikan turned to Hotaru in fear. "What should I do? He might be cooking, and he can't hear me!"
Hotaru slowly walked up to her and squeezed her hand. Her face showed traces of terror. Her eyes were brimming with sincerity. "Try opening it."
Mikan turned to the door and tested the doorknob. It was unlocked. The door swung open, creaking loudly. Youichi winced.
"Ummm...Hello?" Mikan timidly whispered. "Are you there, Jii-chan?"
Complete silence.
"Jii-chan!" Mikan spoke louder. "Where are you?"
Hotaru and Youichi waited. Nothing.
"JII-CHAN! PLEASE COME OUT!" Mikan yelled out in fright. "It's alright. He's just on a walk." Trembling, she fell to the floor. Hotaru quickly dropped down to comfort her. She didn't speak.
Youichi stood awkwardly. "I'm sorry. Here." Youichi handed her a letter.
Shaking, Mikan took it and took a deep breath. "Here goes," She muttered, and opened the letter.
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA CLIFF HANGER! Sorry it might be boring in the beginning! But I swear, the next chapter's gonna be much more interesting. Next chapter release date: February 23rd.
PREVIEW:
Mikan sobbed uncontrollably. Why—WHY?! Why her? Hotaru rubbed her shoulders soothingly. Taking out her baka gun, she said, "Don't worry. Let's go to my house and talk this out with my parents."
Later:
Hotaru's mouth dropped. Her arms shook, her legs shook, and her amethyst orbs slowly filled with shocked tears. "No. NO!" She screamed.
Natsume and Ruka worriedly talked about the two girls—
See ya next time! Thnx!
-My Creative Notebook
