Pride of Thieves Chapter 1, a gakuen alice fanfic

Pride of Thieves

.:Alright yes, I haven't updated for a while and now,:.
I'm just overwriting what I've already wrote but in
my opinion, this story was far from perfect and now,
it's time to make it perfect. Of course, I need to explain
much more about the characters, their past and feelings
for you, the audience, to actually understand what's happening.
.:Apart from this, just enjoy!!:.

1. Anonymous

-Revenge is sweet-

Oh and by the way, watch out for the –drips-. You'll know what I mean once you start reading!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Gakuen Alice and I never ever will! *cough* *cough*…or will I?!

This wasn't the life she wanted to live; all gloomy and prestigious, nothing coming off it, nothing exciting happening. Her life really was dull, colourless. It had been so since the time he had left her. Yes, left her, for good. No calls to explain why, no meet ups to at least say it was HIS fault not hers. I mean, who in their right mind would end a perfect relationship just like that? It's one thing to pretend you like a girl and dump her but this wasn't the effect she was looking for. No, not the certain effect at all. She had planned it all, engagement, wedding, honeymoon and soon to be a child. She had planned this all and much more, her head flying head over heels with the thoughts but that all was drowned wasn't it on that certain day? Yes, she was wrong coming to think that she could get him back, the life they had back. She was absolutely wrong about everything.

Mikan Sakura was living in depression.

It so happens on that certain day Mikan was thinking over what had come of her once again, a certain someone dropped a certain envelope containing a certain letter that was funnily, the answer to her problems. And it so happens that this very girl on that very day picked up her letter, her eyes swollen and red from crying and began to read.

Dear Mikan Sakura,

How I know your name and where you live, I cannot say but this letter is written for one reason. This reason brings you back to your past when you were going out with someone who might sound very familiar; Natsume Hyuuga. Believe it or not, I know about your past and things that came up between you and Hyuuga. In fact, I also know how to fix what happened between the two of you. Why I am bothered to even help the relationship you two have? Because I have experienced the pain and love that you have gone through. Also, you can say I am one of Hyuuga's acquaintances.

Natsume Hyuuga, the owner of the most wealthy and largest casino in Tokyo, the 'Royal H,' can only seem to be bothered to be amused when someone catches his attention. I know you want revenge. Either that or you want your lover's love again. I have a plan and if you think you want to follow it please reply back as soon as possible. Further directions will be written to you once the process has begun. I hope to hear from you soon Miss Sakura and remember:

'Never will you be happy when,

Hatred is in your heart'

Yours Sincerely,

Anonymous

P.S. Please look at the back of the letter.

The girl holding the letter was still, still enough to be mistaken as a statue. Her fingers that were tightly grabbing the letter intensified as once in a while, you could see they were shaking slightly. It was silent around her.

Then suddenly, the doe-like eyes that had just minutes ago been glassed over with awe were now burning with what looked like a sprinkle of fairy dust, and since they are either unreal or not invented yet, it was actually the delayed reaction of an excited feeling burning up inside the girl. She instantly, after gathering all her thoughts up, began to jump around in a frenzy. Finally, something that had brought some colour in her life, something that was surely to make her dull and drivelling life into something more adventurous, more excitement.

Realising that there was some other writing on the back of the letter, she turned it around. On the back, written in the same slanted and curved writing as appeared in the front, were four words which gave Mikan a shiver down her spine. It definitely wasn't the thought of how ridiculous and absurd the idea that was now, planted firmly into Mikan's mind. No, it was the thought of accomplishing it, the thought of dominating, planning and carrying out this plan that sent her into a back flip. For what was written on that single sheet of paper was the simple revenge she needed to overcome her depression.

Rob the 'Royal H'

Dear Anonymous,

I do not know a single detail about you or where you're from and since this is the case, some might think I'm crazy enough to write back. But that does not matter to me anymore. The fact that you know about the relationship between Hyuuga and I was really surprising as few knows the situation. Though I am very curious to see who you are and how you know about me, there are, of course more important issues to solve.

To your proposal, I…accept. Not because I want the idiotic, maniac woman-lover back, no, I just want the revenge I should've gotten a long time ago.

Since you already know my address and I must say, I'm rather thinking you more of a stalker now than a person helping me, please reply back soon. I am interested in hearing your plan as soon as possible.

'Revenge is sweet'

Mikan Sakura.

After signing off her signature, carefully, and rereading the letter twice, Mikan was now more than determined to send the letter. Yes, as crazy as it sounds, Mikan Sakura, starting from now on will be planning, searching and finding out everything she can about the 'Royal H' (now who's the stalker!), ready to begin the difficult and somehow, nearly impossible plan of robbing the very casino itself.

Oh right. That didn't sound as convincing as she thought it would.

She sighed defeatedly, her mind already coming up with numerous amounts of excuses for her actions.

What if this 'anonymous' guy does not reply back?

What if this was just all a misunderstanding, a practical joke from someone inside Hyuuga's casino?

What if this was just one of Hyuuga's HILARIOUS new advertisements for his casino?

What if…

A loud crash was heard as the brunette stood up abruptly with all her might, her chair falling pitily behind her. She was NOT going to let herself run away again just like last time with Hyuuga. No, no way was she repeating the same stance; bullying herself to think of reasons why not to do it, cornering herself in with all these reasons, endless nights thinking of why, how, when?

No, this time she was going to think of why she was doing this. Why she was putting all her efforts into this plan and focusing on that as her target. Why?

Him.

That simple answer that meant so much to her.

It was definitely him.

But why? Why was she letting herself get all flustered up with him, his work, his life? Why? Deep down, she knew the answer. It really was obvious wasn't it? She was still hurting from the sudden break-up they had two years ago. Never was she letting go of the fact that HE was the one who had broken them apart. HE was the one that had tore her into millions of pieces. HE was the one that made her like how she is now. Oh how she could not forget that certain day. That certain day when she was crying herself to sleep, her eyes sore and red and her nose wiped with so much tissues it hurted. And now all she wanted was nothing more than a simple…

Revenge.

Oh yes, a simple and sweet revenge.

As the girl cackled to herself silently, her mind turning evil by the minute, she looked up at the clock hanging on her wall and gasped. It was nearly one o'clock and she had a meeting with Hotaru very soon. Knowing how impatient her best friend is, Mikan quickly grabbed her necessities and stuffed it all in her handbag, grabbed a coat and ran out of her apartment.

Walking down the busy streets of Tokyo, Mikan's high heels reverberated across the graphitised walls; as she neared the little French café she promised to meet Hotaru at. Halfway there, she stopped to look at her reflection in a shop window. She sighed. Nothing special, as always. Same brown hair tied up in a high ponytail, same style of clothing (though she had to agree, today's choice were a bit better than her usual sweatpants and singlet), same white skin that matched the flow of people walking beside her. Everything on her just looked plain, she looked plain. Sighing again to herself silently, Mikan shook her head furiously. Well, if I'm going to be in this situation, I'll have to make the best of it. Smoothing down the creases on her shirt and buttoning up her jacket tightly, Mikan continued on her way

Opening the door to the sound of chimes, she soon spotted the violet eyed girl sitting very gracefully at a small table at the back, glaring at a passing French waitress.

"Ho-ta-ru!" cried Mikan with a humongous grin on her face.

The popular little café was filled with people, all chatting ominously and drinking what seemed to be the café's signature drink – Chocolat Café – which translates to basically chocolate coffee. Looking around her now, Mikan saw that the walls were painted a bright yellow, making the mood inside quite cheerful. There were also bright orange and red silk curtains that hung from circle shaped windows and draped high over the ceiling which matched perfectly to the painted walls. Little scent candles were placed in the middle of every table and fresh flowers accompanied it in crystal vases. It's really no wonder why everyone was talking about this café all over town, it really does dazzle you!

Now, nearing closer to Hotaru's table, Mikan spotted another person occupying the seat next to Hotaru's right.

"Ruka-pyon!"

The bright blonde headed boy who seemingly always brought a pink rabbit around with him looked brightly up at Mikan. His hair was combed back into a 'John Travolta' style which surprisingly suited his style of clothing. He was wearing a loose t-shirt in the colour of brown all tucked in at the edges with a belt across his jeans. A denim jacket was pulled over his shoulders and leather boots hugged nicely across his legs. He looked like a model. Well, actually, he had always looked like a model, ever since Mikan met him when they were ten. Taking this to the fact, Mikan can feel a strange aura around her which probably had something to do with all the girls passing out.

Now, looking across at Hotaru, her eyes darting from one girl to the next, she understood the reason for Ruka's presence.

"Ruka-pyon and Hotaru… are going out, right?" Mikan asked slyly, her eyes stealing a glance at under the table where their hands were itching across to one another.

The couples' eyes widened in surprise at how quickly Mikan figured this out, being the blunt one out of their group. While Ruka's face became quite red and he started stammering into his words, Hotaru's face stayed the same – hard and unemotional though her violet eyes turned and also glared at Mikan. Mikan giggled in response and plopped down on the seat next to Hotaru's left.

"Come on Hotaru, tell me everything! What happened between you two since I last met you guys? I knew there was something going on before but couldn't exactly put my finger to it. But I'm definitely happy for you guys!" beamed Mikan whilst jumping up and down on her chair.

Hotaru's glare became even icier and her hands started inching towards a pocket inside her jacket.

"I can't wait to hear what you guys have been doing. I mean I haven't seen you guys since graduation and I really wanted to contact you Ruka-pyon but Hotaru here told me you moved. Where did you move to anyway? I asked Hotaru but she wouldn't tell and of course like anybody else, I became more curious so I tried to find you but every house that had Nogi on it in the Tokyo Addresses Page did not appear to have your name on it."

Stopping to take a breath, Mikan looked at Ruka for an explanation. All this while, Hotaru's hand inched closer to her jacket pocket.

"Well?" Mikan asked impatiently.

The couple had not given her a response at all nor a greeting since she came to the café and Mikan was becoming impatient. Surely, they called her here to discuss their relationship.

Mikan had not seen Ruka since they graduated two years ago at Alice Academy. With Hotaru, it was only once in a while as she was busy managing her own company, also not to mention the American businessmen who had come to ask her for her hand in marriage. As rumours say, they never came out alive!

It had been a busy year for them all, Ruka suddenly disappearing without a word, Hotaru starting her business and…Hyuuga occupying the seat as head of the 'Royal H.' Yes, it had been a very busy year and not only was she alone for most of it but not everyone made it their New Year resolution to have a reunion for their class. Thinking back now, Mikan felt very lonely and whenever Hotaru called her to ask if she had time to go out, she always became elated enough to make herself believe that all was well with her friends. If only she-

"Sakura," Ruka interrupted her thoughts.

"Uh…I thought I told you to call me Mikan now but anyway, yes?"

"I haven't been disappearing, well; I guess I sort of have but not permanently, at least not without telling you guys. As you have guessed correctly Hotaru and I are going out and well, we've decided to keep it a secret, at least for now, but Hotaru of course wanted you to know."

"I knew it! I knew you called me here to tell me about this!" cried Mikan.

This time, Ruka looked to Hotaru, almost pleadingly, his eyes having a look of worry in it. Hotaru rolled her own but her hand which almost was inside her jacket pocket dropped as she looked Mikan in the eye.

"Mikan," Hotaru whispered. "I know this is going to be hard for you to hear us out but please listen. Ruka had all this time been staying with…Natsume Hyuuga." She said his name very slowly, watching Mikan's reaction after every syllable.

Mikan stopped. Her body stopped, her whole life stopped.

It was him.

That bastard really was getting into her everyday life now wasn't he? Not that she wasn't thinking about it before. Suddenly, a feeling like huge flames were engulfing her insides, burning every hope, every love she had to crumpled bits. Oh yes, that feeling. That feeling of pure hatred, of hatred more powerful than any she had ever experienced. Yes, she for once, hated someone. And not JUST hate but oh yeah, hate hate. Her eyes burned with flames as her fingers began clenching into a ball.

-Drip-

After watching Mikan's reaction to what Hotaru said, both Ruka and Hotaru exchanged worried looks.

"Mikan, please let us go on," Hotaru said.

Mikan nodded her head slightly, her face growing red.

"Ruka hasn't been living in a house of course, Natsume being a rich bastard as he is; he has been living in the 'Royal H' casino which Natsume now owns. Ruka was employed to be Natsume's partner in running the whole casino. This was before you were…uhhh…," Hotaru stopped midsentence, unable to say the word she was thinking of.

-Drip-

"Dumped," said Mikan indifferently.

Hotaru smiled.

"Yes, before you were dumped. He accepted the employment and worked with Natsume for half of the year. Things started going wrong when he heard he dumped you. Ruka, after hearing what he did to you, charged into Natsume's office and asked what was going on. Before he knew it, he was fired. Now, I know what you're thinking Mikan, Ruka was Natsume's best friend and well, you cannot really say he is now but Ruka believes that Natsume wouldn't have done this in his own will. Sure, I agree with you as I know the idiot he is, but even I do believe that firing Ruka, his childhood best friend, at least was a mistake."

Ruka smiled at Hotaru warmly, his hand grabbing hers in her lap and a look fo adoration on his face. Mikan looked away at the two. It somehow reminded her of the past and the burning inside her settled down a bit. Misinterpreting this, Ruka gave her a small smile.

-Drip-

"Natsume is not an idiot Sak-Mikan and I'm sure you know that better than either of us," Ruka replied gently, nodding his head towards Hotaru and himself.

-…-

Uh oh.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE IS NOT AN IDIOT? ARE YOU CRAZY RUKA-PYON! HE IS THE MOST DISGUSTING, UGLY, IDIOTIC, SADISTIC, MEAN, HIGH-TEMPERED, SPOILT, TERRIBLE, WOMAN-LOVER, MANIAC, RICH BASTARD I HAVE EVER KNOWN IN MY LIFE!" Mikan bursted out, unable to control all the fury that she had inside her.

Her chest was panting heavily, heaving up and down quickly, her arm stretched high above her head, her other hand curled into a fist and slamming the table. Customers stood up to stare at the cause of the noise, others just sat speechless, their food halfway to their mouths. Everyone in the cafe was silent; mouths wide open in shock at how loud this little girl was. Even Hotaru and Ruka were a bit stunned by Mikan's fury but knowing Mikan since they were little, they quickly pulled themselves together.

Well, one was quicker than the other.

'BAKA BAKA BAKA!'

A crash was heard as the small body fell off her chair and onto the floor. A gun was outstretched by a pale hand and a devastating expression was on the blank face. Every customer in the café stood up to get a better look at the unconscious girl. The object hidden in Hotaru's jacket pocket has been taken out.

"Ohhh…wh-where am I?" moaned a small voice.

"Baka, what were you thinking of crying out at the top of your lungs while I was in the café?"

"Hotaru?! Oh…don't tell me you used your baka gun on me!" cried Mikan.

No replies came back so Mikan gently pulled herself up and wobbled unsteadily on her two legs, balancing unsuccessfully.

"Sak-Mikan, about Natsume," Ruka stopped mid-sentence as Mikan held up her hand, her eyes just once ago blurry, now full of flames.

"I know what you are thinking of Ruka-pyon and I'm going to change that idiot for good because you and Hotaru deserve much more! That bastard needs to learn his place! I propose that we rob his very own casino!"

There was silence as Hotaru and Ruka stared at Mikan incredously, taking her words in. Her eyes were serious and had a blaze of flame that covered all colour and iris. They knew that when Mikan is like this, she'll never in her whole life change her decision as her determination is very strong. Ruka shook his head.

"Mikan, you're joking right?! Do you know how hard it is to rob a casino and to actually get into the casino itself!" cried Ruka.

"That's where you'll come in handy Ruka-pyon…you're still one of the staff right?"

"No, I'm already fired; I won't even be allowed to go into the casino anymore."

"Well, then we'll have to think of another plan right Hotaru?"

The two looked at Hotaru; Mikan with a pleading expression while the other having a disapproving face. Hotaru just grinned wickedly as the spotlight shifted to her.

"Mikan you know what? I'm going to agree with you on this one. We have to put the bastard in his place and why not start by robbing his casino. Bring it on!" Hotaru smiled playfully.

"Hotaru!! I knew you would agree. Yes! See Ruka-pyon, it's not that difficult…we three can do this right?"

Ruka stood with a menacing glare on his face, his hands in his pocket and his back stiff with frustration.

"No," he answered solemnly.

"No? What do you mean no? Ruka-pyon we need you! We really need you! Oh come on Ruka-pyon!" Mikan pleaded.

"No."

Mikan's face turned into a pout as she crossed her arms together, her nose stuck haughtily up in the air. She turned her back on Ruka and stalked off in the opposite direction. Ruka sighed.

"Hotaru…," he began.

Hotaru held up her hand as if to say she already knew what to do. As she jogged up beside Mikan, she laughed at how furious her friend had become. Her face was bright red from chaining up the insults she was going to burst and how with each step it looked like she wanted to kill. Mikan turned briskly to Hotaru.

"What!?"

"Baka, what Ruka is trying to say is that it would take more than us three to rob a whole casino," Hotaru explained. "We'll need more people, for instance, others that can benefit us in the fight and ones that we can trust to keep our plan safe, right? Either that or I'm building a robot to crash Hyuuga's casino down and in the meantime, crash him down too."

A look of mock horror crossed Mikan's face. "I never knew you were a murderer Hotaru!"

Hotaru shrugged. "I guess it runs in the family."

Mikan laughed and replied, "Getting back to your other suggestion, we'll just need to find more people and it'll be easy right Hotaru?"

Hotaru just raised her eyebrows.

Easy?

Mikan really is an interesting girl.

"RUKA! I'M SORRY! WE'LL JUST HAVE TO FIND MORE PEOPLE! THAT'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY RIGHT?" shouted Mikan in Ruka's direction.

A huge sigh could be heard from the other side and a shout of 'IMAI' ran through the chilling air. Mikan laughed and ran back to where Ruka was standing, no doubt misunderstanding what Ruka was saying again. Behind her, Hotaru followed, her face not the same expressionless mask that she always wore but now, the playful Hotaru that once as a child, began building a friendship with a certain brunette.

As the three began walking back home in their own separate ways, Mikan sensed someone watching her. Stopping abruptly, she turned to look, expecting a drunk pervert. Seeing no one behind, she became more suspicious.

"I have a black belt in karate and I tell you, I'm not afraid to use it right here, right now, so come on out and fight like a man!" cried Mikan.

Though the girl's heart was beating faster than a steam train, she knew that turning away from trouble brings you to it in the end so facing it early allows her to be safer.

Suddenly, a rustle came from within the bushes and a black figure jumped out. Blinded by the setting sunlight, Mikan half-shrieked and toppled over to the ground bumping her head in the process. Sitting up, she couldn't see a thing but she could hear and she knew the person was coming closer.

"S-s-stay away! I'm warning you…I-I'll kick your butt if it's necessary!" she cried helplessly.

As the figure came closer to the girl, it stopped. Looking up, Mikan noticed a pair of dazzling ruby eyes that glinted across with the sun, creating a small rainbow within his shadow. She also caught a glimpse of raven hair that flew daintily in the light breeze, flowing gently like fine feathers. Looking more carefully now, Mikan realized the person was a man, and by the looks of it, very much taller than her. She gulped and took her words back. Beating up this guy wasn't going to be easy at all.

"I don't think that would be necessary, you see, though I am a man, a worthy man indeed may I add, I find that hurting this perfect face of mine (the man gestured to his damn face) is not worth the trouble," the man drawled boredly. "Don't you think so…Mikan Sakura?"

How he said her name, so sly, so…so…familiar. His voice, his way of speaking and standing, that smirk…it was all too familiar to her. Looking back up at the transfixing red eyes, Mikan gasped.

"You!" she cried pointing an accusing finger in her opponent's direction.

Natsume Hyuuga, the owner of the wealthiest casino in Tokyo, the Royal H, strode out of the shadows of the setting sun, not bothering to hide neither himself nor his smirk anymore. As he came closer to his prey, he cocked his face to one side, mocking a disappointed look.

"Well, well, it seems that you have finally recognised me, though your proclamation a second ago was just a bit too rude for my liking."

Silence followed that within which was only interrupted when Mikan screamed out nothing more than another "You!"

Natsume raised his eyebrows. "Polka, I think you owe me an apology." He said the sentence slowly, as if teaching a baby the letters of the alphabet.

"You…you…you," Mikan stammered, her face growing red, her cheeks puffing out into a dangerous position. "You son of a b****!!"

This time, her whole body shook with anger. Everything was pouring out of her the second she saw him, she figured out who he was. Her fist clenched and unclenched in a menacing manner and her eyes were burning with the very same hatred as before as she stared at the person she all-so loathed. But all this did not frighten Hyuuga. He was just standing there, ignoring the fact that she had just called him an insulting name as well as looking at her boredly, as if a tantrum from her was as shocking as finding a hair on a baboon.

"Tsk…tsk…Sakura, if you call that an apology, I wonder how you'll do when it comes to a time when you have to beg for something."

Mikan stood up, her head still dizzy from the bump before, but already was she thinking of a clever come-back.

"I never had begged anyone for anything and guess what Hyuuga, I never will!"

"Oh really? Why do I remember that time when you were begging me to go to Central Town with you Sakura? Or did you use a sneakier method…something like bribery perhaps?"

He threw Mikan a knowing glance.

"Why…you…I…never…but…you can't just bring up things when we were young! That's…oh…I don't know, centuries ago! And anyway, why the hell are you here you stalker?"

"Well, why can't I be here? I was just out for a walk."

Mikan stared at him incredously. Did he think she was THAT dumb? Dense maybe but not dumb. "Hyuuga, your casino is way out over there."

Looking at Mikan now and wearing a playful smirk on his face, Natsume put on a mock confused look.

"Oh really is it now? Can you just show me where it was again?"

Mikan sighed, exasperated.

"There Hyuuga! There! If you cannot see it, you seriously need to get to the optometrist!"

"I'm sorry, I still don't know where you're pointing to."

Mikan shook her head furiously at the triumphant smirk on his damn face. Oh how she wished to just wipe that smirk off.

Pit, pat, pit, pat.

Wet rain droplets started coming down from the grey clouds above. The sky, so black, you could see nothing was ripped apart with a flash of lightning and soon, a thunderous sound came from the heavens above. Great, it just had to be raining now in this particular moment where Hyuuga was just standing in front of her. Another catastrophe to add to her day. As the rain grew faster and heavier, Mikan's clothes slowly got drenched in the liquid. Her hair, soon, was plastered to her face, her clothes stuck to her body tightly. She didn't move and nor did the person standing opposite her. The two just stood there with menacing glares on their faces.

After what seemed to be an hour, Mikan's body started getting stiff. With a final glare that made even the all-famous Hyuuga move just a centimeter to his right (or maybe he was just getting stiff too), she shook some of the water from her hair and clothes, thanking god that the night was at least warm and humid and that she won't catch a cold that easily.

On the other hand, Natsume stayed in the same position, watching Mikan attentively, his ruby eyes piercing into her as if x-raying the insides of her body. Mikan shivered slightly and sighed.

"What?!" she asked, irritated.

"Nothing," drawled Natsume boredly though now, he broke out of his stance and walked towards her, very slowly, as if an attacker watching his prey's move and defence before deciding on a way to catch his next dinner.

Mikan stepped back a step, her heart beating fast. They were already, before, very close, now, he was standing straight in front of her, exaggerating the differences in their height. As he swept down swiftly into a crouch beside her knees, his lips almost touching the tip of her ears, he blew a cold breath into them. Her body trembled violently as he stood up and cocked a crooked grin at her.

"Why?" she asked, her heart unable to control her emotions anymore, tears seeping down the side. "Why do you have to appear again at this time? I was already great without you, healing the best I could. Why?! Why do you have to come back?!"

In the end, Mikan cried out her words ferociously, her voice seeching through the dark night. She wasn't sad anymore, no, more to the point of angry. Yes, angry, the hatred boiling up inside her again.

He had been away for so long. Why now? Why did he have to appear now? Was it just to mock her? To take her down again and bury her in the midst of depression? She had been living in a sad world once he had left her, for good. She had always wanted to see him, to feel him just once more but she battled through all this, her heart ripped countless amounts of times.

Natsume, now looking at her intently again, his eyes searching her face, gave a small sigh. Mikan looked up. She swore that she could've seen a small smile he had just tossed over but it all disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. He looked sad. He really did. For once in his life, the bastard actually looked as sad as a normal person and for that just one tiny moment, Mikan felt a small guilt for him. Had her words really affected him that much? But all these thoughts were distinguished when he turned his back to her and started in the opposite direction.

"I hate you Hyuuga! I hate you!" Mikan cried out childishly as she stomped her foot up and down on the wet concrete.

Natsume stopped and silently chuckled to himself, sadness all drained out of him. Raising a hand, he called out to her, "Polka, hatred is not a happy thing…"

She stared at him as he set off again towards the setting sun. His hair was playing against the light breeze and the way he drifted off towards the shadow of the trees made Mikan sigh. Suddenly, she noticed him for the first time that day. What he was wearing, the way he walked, the way his hands were positioned around his body, she noticed them all. Not only that but also, she just couldn't help but notice how great the clothes looked on him (though no way in hell was she going to admit it) and how with every step, he looked positioned, ready for anything. I guess that just comes naturally when you own a very wealthy casino but not only that but it looked like he knew what he had to do and he was willing to give up anything for it. Mikan knew that that was not from owning any casino but that was just Natsume. Well, the Natsume she once knew at least.

Coming out of her trance, Mikan mentally cursed herself. Why was she being like this again? She knew that they were off, done, broken but why did she still have hope left?

Hope.

The wonderful feeling of hope was still buried inside of her, in a small dark corner where only if she tried very hard would she notice it. All that fury and hatred, was it really necessary?

Yes. Definitely yes. She was not going to let a small encounter with the person whom she was robbing from getting her into devastation again. No way was she backing down again.

No way.

The next morning, the sun was just peeking out behind the green hills and droplets of dew were still hanging on the tips of flower petals and leaves. A washed out brunette that had fallen asleep on the hard wooden floors of her bedroom woke up gingerly, her head aching from all the crying she had done last night and her body stiff from the cold. Yes, as embarrassed as she is, she admits that she was crying last night. Though all those powerful and touching thoughts she had tried to convince herself with was said with such determination, she still failed to believe in herself.

Mikan had not washed herself since she came back from her uneventful reunion with Natsume and she wasn't even bothered to change out of her drenched clothes either. Her hair, now dry, was sticking up all over the place and her clothes that had enough wrinkles to suit an old lady still had wet spots here and there. She sighed. Getting up, and grabbing fresh new clothes from her wardrobe, Mikan started on her way to the shower. After taking a few steps, she heard the familiar sound of the postman delivering the daily letters, not that that would be a grand event a few days ago but from the time Mikan had posted her letter to this 'anonymous' person, that all changed.

Mikan stepped out of the shower and wrapped her towel around her body, tying it in with a knot on her side to keep it steady. As she looked through at her reflection in the steam covered mirror, she pulled a face. Though she did look much better than before, now putting on her fresh clothes and all, she still had the same appearance as a small child. Her face, still rosy red from the heat made her look extremely like an old fashioned doll and her hair that curved around her face was in the same style she had had for the past five years. Nothing changed in her, well, almost nothing entirely. She was still the same Mikan that started Gakuen Alice ten years ago. The same Mikan who, at graduation, forgot all about the sad goodbyes to her friends and instead, enjoyed the fun. She knew she was plain; from head to toe. Though there was one good aspect to her and she knew that was her personality. Maybe some, like Shouda couldn't stand her but from all the friends she had had at Gakuen Alice, she knew at least, she could get along with people…well, excluding Hyuuga that is. Her attitude also made her much more cheerful. To everyone she meets, she considers them a friend. Whether they're as cold as Hotaru or as bad-tempered as Hyuuga, she still considered them a companion. She guessed, that was what makes her get along in this world. Mikan sighed again and came back to where she stood in her bathroom and with one last swift comb of her hair; she swept out of the room and went downstairs to get the morning mail.

By the time she arrived at the front door, the weather outside had really brightened up and with this, Mikan's inside became much warmer. While saying a quick hello to her neighbour and grabbing her mail from her mailbox, carefully avoiding the spider living right next to it, Mikan looked through them carelessly.

Electricity bills, water bill, advertising new hair products that don't work, anonymous letter, the new issue o-…anonymous letter?!

Mikan hurriedly looked back to the letter that had no stamps anywhere on the front and had the same curved scripts she had encountered before. On the envelope it wrote, To: Mikan Sakura. Mikan quickly turned the envelope over, and ripped open it, finding a thin paper inside which had printed in it the details of her next plan. As she looked around her, wary of anyone peeking, she quickly turned on her heels and headed into her house.

Grabbing a seat in the kitchen and dumping the other envelopes onto her table top, she quickly thrusted herself into the seat and read through the letter in front of her.

Dear Mikan Sakura,

I am very glad you have accepted my proposal and I look forward to working with you in the future. I may tell you now that I am going to show you who I am in the near future so please don't think of me anything like a stalker. But for now, please follow my instructions carefully and map out this plan.

Your first instruction in our plan is to gather your team or 'gang' would be a more precise word. You need people who you can trust and who can trust you as well. May I remind you that this is a very dangerous plan to carry out so please do not choose carelessly but instead choose wisely. Not only can they be trusted but they can assist you in this plan. I know from knowledge that you and Hyuuga have Alices. I may inform you that I do too, so this won't be a secret between us. Those who have Alices can assist you in your plan.

The number of people is up to you but please remember how hard it is to set foot into the casino. If you think that you're going to stop in the middle of all this, please tell me now because I do not want to waste my time, though I know you're not going to because you have the courage and determination to go through this.

Choose wisely and best of luck,

Anonymous.

P.S. I told Hyuuga that you called him all those names. I can tell you he wasn't the least bit happy!

As Mikan read the last few words, a light smile began spreading across her face. Hyuuga was angry with her words, huh? Well, serves him right.

This 'anonymous' really does respect her opinion, not like some bastard she knows (you know who I'm talking about). He told her to choose wisely and comforted her that he really was no stalker at all. She also laughed at the humour he made in the end. This person, if he really was a guy, was probably Prince Charming for her. How he talked with such elegance and warmth and really, how she called her Miss Sakura really was adorable.

Coming back to the letter in front of her now, she laughed at her stupidity. This person obviously does not want a lover. He may already have a girlfriend and only wants to help her out with HER love life. She shook her head from the thoughts and concentrated back to the top of her table. There lay her other unread mails and an issue of the Tokyo Hot Magazine. As she peered closer to the figure printed on the front, she rolled her eyes. Of course, it was the totally hot and irresistible Hyuuga Natsume who, on their front cover was described as the genius of our times. Pfft…she really did know better. He isn't more of a genius than he is of a hippo. Rolling her eyes again, Mikan looked down upon his familiar face, this time, staring closely and she knew that what her anonymous pen pal wrote was true.

She definitely was going to follow this plan through…

To the very, very end.

Thanks for reading!! So sorry for rewriting it again. I was at first, actually thinking about deleting the whole story and forgetting about it but the plot was just too juicy not to try and write it out. I hope that this was a better chapter than before. Yes, longer and I hope a better version that helped explain more about Mikan's and Natsume's past.

And for now, I cannot tell you anymore. Sorry!

Chapter 2 will be up in no time!! I promise! Already got half it done (since chapter 3 from last time is already written!!)! Aren't you proud of me? Jokes, jokes. Alright, I'd better stop being so foolish.

So…watcha think? Good? Bad? Very, very good? Very, very bad (please god forbid)? Please, please review!

Oh! By the way, I forgot to mention, this chapter was dedicated to a very special friend –Emily- who helped tons and tons! Thanks!!

Sakurano-san