Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice. All rights belong to Higuchi Tachibana-sama.

Chapter 1- Encounter

Ohsaka library was really old. So old that most people had forgotten it even existed. Which was why it was pretty surprising when a young girl ran up its steps clutching a stack of books so high they blocked her vision.

"I'm late I'm late I'm laaaaaaaate!! Hotaru's gonna kill me for this!!", exclaimed the brunette. Her hair was tied up in pigtails and she wore an orange knee-length summer dress. And though the curious onlooker couldn't see them, her brown eyes were filled with anxiety.

"Twenty one..huff..twenty two..huff.. ugh that's thirty more steps to go. I'm so not going to mak- WAAAAAHHH!!"

CRASH!!

"Ooooh…That hurts…", said the girl rubbing her backside.

"Watch where you're going. Clumsy idiot.", said a cold voice.

"Why don't YOU watch where you're going bozo?!",she retorted still rubbing her butt.

"I had books to carry you know and they're awf.…", her voice trailed off as she saw the person she'd bumped into. It was a raven haired boy around her age. He was tall and well built but what caught her attention were his eyes. They were crimson red like blood itself and she would've drowned in them if it hadn't been for his expression. Or lack of it. Well..almost. His eyes gave away his annoyance and flashed angrily at her.

Wow, he's pissed. I don't blame him really. I did bump into him after all. Hold on a sec! Why am I siding with him? He should've known I could'nt see him! What's with that expression on his face? Like he couldn't care less!! And besides, My books fell down and he isn't even bothering to help me up or pick the books- oh…

Her thoughts trailed off as the boy bent down and started picking up the books one by one.

I guess I misjudged him after all. I must apologize. Just as soon as I get up.

"Are you doing that on purpose?"

She started when she heard him speak and looked up at him. He was looking down at her with an unfathomable expression while pointing at the skirt of her dress. Or rather,what was under it. Her cheeks grew bright with embarrassment as she realized her panties were showing. She pulled the skirt down hurriedly and glared up at him.

"Of course not Baka! I'm not like that! This is all your fault! Jerk!!", and then grabbed the books still in his hands and ran up the steps.

Of all the nerve!! I didn't misjudge him after all!! God, that was embarrassing. I hope I never have to see his stupid face aga-

BAKA!! BAKA!! BAKA!! BAKA!!

She was thrown off her feet as she was hit by what appeared to be four brightly coloured balls which were fist-sized. And which apparently hurt a lot judging by the wail she gave two seconds later.

"OWWWWW!!That hurts! Hotaruuuuuuuuuuu!!"

"You're late." The voice belonged to another girl of the same age. She had black hair and big amethyst eye's which were staring down at the brunette rather coldly.

The brunette had an odd feeling of déjà vu. The expression seemed familiar and so did the position.

"Aha!! This just happened outside!!"

"Whatever happened outside, I don't care, but would you please pull your skirt down Mikan? Your panties are showing. God forbid if a guy saw those."

"Ah!!That…..uh…heh heh.. …"

Hotaru sighed and pointed at Mikan again. Mikan eyed the object in her hand warily.

"Um..what's that, Hotaru? Its not a gun is i- "

BAKA!!

"Dont ask stupid questions. Of course it's a gun. My latest invention- The BAKA gun. It hits only baka's so I hope you have a first aid kit ready."

"Owwie…I'm really sorry..honest…",said Mikan, her eyes starting to tear.

Hotaru glared and pointed the gun once more. Mikan gulped visibly and forced her mouth into a smile.

"I'm not crying see!! I'm happy! I'm perfectly fine!! Ah hahahaha….ha ..ha..Um..Hotaru.Why'd ya call me here so soon? I would've come here later anyway. Did you want me to help you with something?"

"The day I ask a clumsy idiot like you to help me is the day I blast you off to the moon"

"I'm NOT clumsy!!"

"Oh is that so, Polka??"

"Yes it is!! I definitely am NOT clum..sy..uh…Polka??", Mikan frowned and realized the voice had come from behind her. Hotaru was in front and she didn't sound manly.A little robotic at times maybe..ok scratch that ..at ALL times..but not manly..She turned around and came face to face with the red eyed guy she'd met outside!

"AH!!", she exclaimed pointing at him,"You!! How dare you follow me here you stalk..er??", as he calmly walked past her and straight upto Hotaru.

"Hello Natsume. It's been a while.", said Hotaru.

"Yeah it has. Two years actually", he said.

Mikan ran to Hotaru and said,"You know this guy??"

"For quite a long time actually",he drawled,"We're childhood friends. But then again, I don't suppose you'd know about it would you now, Polka?"

"Polka?? Why are you calling me Polka? You're so weird.Hey..hold on a sec…",she trailed off as the light dawned on her "You PERVERT!! You looked!! You're despicable! You're disgusting!!You're –!"

BAKA!!

"Hotaruuuuuuuu…could you stop doing that…..it hurts.", said Mikan weakly.

"Please excuse her for her stupidity. She can go quite overboard sometimes",said Hotaru to crimson eyes.

Ooooh that Hotaru. Why does she have to apologise to HIM?? Stupid Hotaru..Stupid red eyes..Come to think of it, I dont even know his name..and Hotaru seemed to be expecting him too...uh..expecting him??

"Ah!!", Said Mikan again this time pointing to Hotaru. "You knew he was coming didn't you??"

"I did Mikan, would you please stop being so surprised about everything?"

"Oh..ok..so why is he here?", Asked Mikan standing up.

"I was going to tell you when you interrupted Baka. Mikan meet Natsume Hyuuga. Natsume, Mikan. He's here on important business. And dropped in today since he knew I'd be here."

"Important business", frowned Mikan. "Then he'll have to talk to Ojii-chan since Ojii-chan owns the library. But Ojii-chan isn't here right now.He's on vacation and wont be back for a month."

"I know. And your grandfather put YOU in charge since Narumi sensei isn't here either. SO technically you're the owner right now.", said Hotaru. "Which brings me to the point", she said turning to Natsume ."You said it was extremely urgent Natsume. What IS your business here?"

Natsume sighed and stared up at the ceiling. It was decorated with paintings of mythical creatures but looked like it hadn't been cleaned for decades.

They'd be happy to be rid of this godforsaken place , he thought

"It's pretty simple really. My father has taken an interest in this..library..and so he decided out of the blue that he..well..would like to buy it.",he said "He's offering a pretty good price for it and it's-"

"No."

Natsume thought he hadn't heard right. "I'm sorry",he looked at Mikan." What?".

"I said No. Ojii-chan would never allow it and neither will I. I've grown up in this library and love it like a second home. So no, you cant have it."

"But we're offering-"

"I dont care!!", yelled Mikan." This is my final answer. You can take your money elsewhere! We dont need it!!" She turned her back on him and strode away."Come on Hotaru. Lets go"

"Go where? We're already IN the library you know",Hotaru pointedly said.

"...I don't care!! In that case lets just send Mr. Natsume Hyuu whatever pervert out!"

Hotaru sighed, looked at Natsume and was surprised by what she saw. In all her life she'd never seen him so...shocked..and pissed off. "Let it go for now Natsume",she whispered. "That was a it of a shock for Mikan. And me too", she added as an afterthought.

Me three. thought Natsume. It looks like this is going to be harder than I thought.

He exited the library and started walking down the stairs his hands in his pockets.

That damn Persona's NOT gonna like this

"So you failed", echoed a cold voice in the damp, dark corridor.

"Yeah I did. So what asshole?"

"Watch your tongue little boy. Else that pretty face of your's might undergo a…transformation."

The boy gritted his teeth.

Damn gay bastard. One of these day's I'm gonna burn him and that stupid gay voice of his to hell!!

"But no worries. We just want one thing after all. The library is of no concern. You are to infiltrate tonight. And just so you don't screw up", said the man holding the boy's chin with one gloved hand. "Just so you don't screw up, I'll send a few friend's with you. You know team 5 very well I presume."

The boy jerked his head away. "Of course I do. We'll go tonight."

"That's a good boy.And remember, failure will not be tolerated."

This is my first chappie minna-san!! I hope you like it!! Please do review and no flaming please!! Arigatou!!