Disclaimer: I do NOT own Gakuen Alice.

Hi everyone! This is my very first fan fic! Please enjoy reading it. I hope you don't get bored...

CONSUMING DARKNESS

Chapter 1:

"Yatta!"

I finally did it!!

My first art work…

"oka-san!!"

Where is she?

"Mom, where are you?"

I need to show this to her…

I need to find her…

Maybe she's under the Sakura tree.

"Eh??"

Why is she lying on the ground?

"mom?"

Is she sleeping?

What is this red liquid all over her?

BLOOD…?

"Oka-san… No…"

Don't leave me…

-*-*-*-*-

Clouds begin to uncover hues of orange and red shining from the east, rising slowly as time begins to pass. The once gray colored sky begins to enlighten and things of unknown shape and color begin to reveal their true self. As the sun rises higher above the sky, everything now is clearly seen.

Cherry blossoms were at full bloom. Humming sounds were heard as the birds merrily chirped. Finally, the morning came.

For some it was just another day, laziness reined their minds; they were too sleepy to wake up. The sounding alarm clock pisses them of, thus it ends on the floor and what remains of it was already burned. It wasn't the first of its kind, there were others before that.

Stupid clock…

For others, it was a day they hated to come for it brought nothing but the sun that brightly shined that it almost blinds your eyes, you fail to see what is in front of you and the falling leaves of the cherry blossom that brings back painful memories.

Don't leave me...

It was Monday. The beginning of another school day for Alice Academy. Some students were still preparing, others were already arriving at their classrooms.

Though she clearly knew she had to get up and get ready for class, she chose to stay frozen lying on her bed.

She didn't care if she would be late or if Jin-Jin would send her for the umpteenth time to detention and give her extra assignments as her punishment.

She didn't care at all.

The fifteen year old brunette stared at the ceiling, her beautiful brown orbs wide open while memories started flashing in her mind.

My first art work...

I need to show her...

"Oka-san"

DON'T LEAVE ME...

She looked up from the lady lying limply on the ground. She felt like someone was watching her.

She saw a man.

He was holding a knife covered with blood.

She didn't clearly see his face for the sun shined brightly that day and its blinding light blurred her vision.

But what was clear to her was his light blonde hair and his...

BAKA!

"Itai!!"

The brunette's thoughts were suddenly interrupted when she was hit by the newly upgraded baka gun care of Hotaru Imai.

She pouted her lips then she rubbed the large bump that formed on her head. She looked at her purple-eyed best friend and wondered why she hit her.

"Ho-taru...what was that for?"

Hotaru just stayed by the door and looked at Mikan. Her face was cold and expressionless but her eyes clearly showed the opposite.

"Baka." She calmly said.

She walked into Mikan's room and went to her closet. She pulled out her best friend's uniform. A blue checkered skirt and a white blouse topped with a black coat with blue linings.

Hotaru was wearing the same uniform. Both of them were already in middle school and they were of the same age. Mikan managed to pass her test with the help of her friends so she proudly graduated from elementary and she didn't have to repeat. Her star rank also increased and now that she is a double star her room was better than before. Her monthly allowance also increased so she managed to pay half of her debts to her best friend but unluckily it looks like the list never ended.

Hotaru laid the uniform on Mikan's bed. She took Mikan's hand and dragged her best friend to the bath room.

"Hotaru!! I can walk with my feet you know, you can stop dragging me now."

She was struggling to break free from Hotaru's hold when suddenly...

BAKA!

"Itai! That Hurts!! Hotaru!! You hit me again..!"

"If you don't want mountains to grow on your head quit moving and shut up. Baka."

"Ne, Hotaru stop calling me baka... I'm not an idiot...I was just thinking of something this morning, you don't have to worry about me, I'll get to class in time."

Hotaru let go of Mikan for they already arrived at her bath room. She took the shower and she opened it. Water came out and she pointed the shower at Mikan.

"No you won't. You were glued to that bed of yours. And besides, you're so stupid to realize the time."

"Waaaah!!"

" HO-TA-RU!! Yamete!! Yamete!! Stop it... I still have my clothes on!!"

She was now drenched with water and her clothes felt damp on her skin. She was shielding her face with her hands and her eyes were closed. Hotaru took Mikan's shampoo and began to apply it on Mikan's hair harshly. She still stayed calm and cool her face had no expression written on it.

Ten minutes had passed and Mikan was now changing. She was sobbing while Hotaru was just staring at her.

"(sniffing) Hotaru... you're so mean..."

"Shut up. You're a baka. Hayaku, or we'll both be late if that happens I'll charge you with 100 rabbits."

"Hai! I'll stop talking.."

Mikan eyed herself at the mirror and checked if she looked nice. Satisfied with how she looked, she brushed her hair and tied it into pigtails. She turned to her best friend who was sitting on the bed while taking pictures of her.

"Ne, Hotaru… why are you taking my picture? You see me every day you don't have to take my picture you know…"

"See, you can't shut your loud mouth even just for a minute. And besides I don't want your picture. It's ugly." Hotaru replied who was still busy with her camera.

"Sou ka. Eh? Then why are you taking my picture?"

"…"

It was obvious. She took her picture for business purposes. Mikan's photos were one of her best sellers, she grew into a beautiful, cute and innocent girl and boys started to admire her. Actually they created a fans club for her. But Mikan, being dense and innocent, thought that they just wanted to be her friend. Members of this fans club were the ones who always order and purchase Mikan's pictures from her. They made her rich and that's why she always had her camera with her.

"Hotaru?"

"…"

Hotaru has had enough of having such an "idiotic" conversation with her best friend so she stood up and grabbed her hand. She pulled her until they reached the door. She closed it and she started to walk ahead of Mikan.

They silently walked through the hallways and out the academy rooms going to the middle school building. Mikan amazingly was not being noisy because she was busy with her own thoughts.

Hotaru, thank you. If you didn't come get me I would surely be under my blanket sheets right now crying unaware of what may happen. You really are my best friend.

"Hotaru?"

"…"

She went in front of Hotaru and beamed a smile at her.

"Hotaru…

Arigatou!!"

With that she turned and merrily skipped ahead of the raven-haired girl. Hotaru stopped her tracks and stared at her best friend's back. She flashed one of her unusual smiles. Really, this idiotic, clumsy girl could make her smile.

"Do itashi mashite. Baka, you're always welcome."

-*-*-*-*-

Kuso! Stupid clock…

It was the first clock he burned for this week, now he had to go to central town and buy another one. He was so lazy to get up and go to class. He was so damn sleepy, he only had 3 hours of sleep, and he needed it badly.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Darn it!

"Go away Ruka."

He was sure of it. He knew his blonde- haired best friend was the one behind that door. He felt his presence and no one would ever dare to do that if he treasured his dear life.

"Natsume? May I come in?"

A boy about fifteen with blonde hair and blue eyes gently opened the door and peeked inside.

"Hn."

He knew what his raven-haired friend meant with that. He didn't say yes but he knew he was welcome so he went in and closed the door behind him.

"Ohayou Natsume. Glad that your back."

Natsume was now getting up from his bed heading for the bath room. His head ached and he really felt dizzy but he managed to walk his way to his destination. He just came back early this morning from one of his missions. He was drained. Exhausted.

"I won't go to class today. Go now, you'll be late."

He washed his hands that were stained with blood. He remembered the incident he encountered last night. He killed again, with his own hands. The blood on his flesh wasn't his own; the smell of it nearly suffocates him to death.

I need you now...

Mikan

"I just came to see if you're alright. I'll go if you say so; I'll be back later Natsume. Don't tire yourself, rest first."

With that, Ruka left his friend. He closed the door and made his way to the middle school building.

Natsume

Worry was written all over his face. He really cared for his stubborn friend. He knew Natsume had to do this to protect someone he loves but seeing him in this condition every morning is unbearable.

Onegai, stop this already.

-*-*-*-*-

As they walked pass through the Sakura trees, Mikan's lively smile suddenly turned upside down. Once again, she remembered that day.

Hotaru noticed the brunette's change in expression, she suddenly wondered why. Every time spring came Mikan was like this. She was always late for class and she wasn't her usual self. This is why she came to get her this morning. She also felt something very different from her smile.

Her smile. It showed sadness, pain, agony and

Anger...

Anger enough to kill anyone.

Mikan was lost in her own thoughts while looking at the swaying branches of the Sakura tree.

It's been 10 years since you left me.

I know why I'm here...

But I won't forget who I am...

Okaa-san...

Once again her thoughts were interrupted when they finally arrived at their classroom.

"Ohayou Mikan-chan! You're early today, I see you came with Hotaru!"

A lively blonde haired guy greeted her while fixing his glasses. He was the class representative and most of his classmates call him Iinchou. He is one of the class's honor students, Yuu Tobita along with Hotaru Imai and Natsume Hyuuga.

"Ohayou gozaimasu Iinchou..." Mikan replied.

She managed to show her smile even though those memories were slowly eating up every single happiness she could feel in her heart.

She walked to her seat while smiling at anyone who would greet her. She wanted to get to her place. She wanted to get there badly, sadness begins to rein her heart and her only hope of finding happiness was found at the seat beside her.

Natsume... I hope you're here.

Finally she reached her seat. She didn't notice his presence when she entered the classroom but still she hoped that he was there.

She sat down on her seat as she looked at the empty chair beside her. She felt more sadness reining over her. Mikan looked at the wall clock above their black board. The time read 7:55 am. She felt hope coming back to her. Classes still aren't starting.

Maybe he will come soon.

The clock ticked and time started to pass. It felt like she was waiting for an hour for she was staring at the clock but in fact only five minutes have passed.

Where is he...? Please come...

KRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNGGG!!

The bell has rung. It was time to start class. Students of Class B started to get to their seats. They were excited to begin their class, for today a new teacher would be in charge of them.

Everyone was happy. Their smiles were beaming except for three certain persons, the raven haired girl who always had her poker face on, a brunette who felt nothing but pain and blonde boy who was patting the rabbit on his lap.

Ruka was seated next to none other than the evil-geeky, black-mailing queen, Hotaru Imai. For some reason, even though she always black mailed him, and nearly shot him to death with her baka gun, he still felt weird, unexplainable feelings around her. She wasn't warm, sweet or affectionate. She was the opposite of those, yet he felt very comfortable around her.

And she's just the one that he needed right now.

He was so worried about his best friend. He didn't know any way to stop him. He knows that if Natsume continues his recklessness, he would surely die. Not because his opponent may assassinate him, not because of bullets that may hit him or knives that may struck him but because of his own alice. He surely would be eaten up by his own power.

His eyes now started to get wet, but he was unaware of it.

Hotaru, being very good at reading persons, eyed the blue-eyed boy beside her. Aside from Mikan, there's also another person she cared about. This blonde boy possessing the animal-pheromone alice. She cursed herself. She always thought it was stupid of her to feel comfortable around this guy. She hated it that she always had her guard down whenever he was near her.

Seeing that he was down she decided to do something to divert his attention.

CLICK!

Ruka's thoughts suddenly popped. He looked at the young lady beside her.

Damn!

She showed the newly produced photo to him.

"Crying Nogi, I wonder how much money this would bring me."

The picture showed Ruka patting his rabbit, Usagi, and a small tear drop showed just below his eyes. It may seem like it's a "gayish" view. But it wasn't. Ruka has the looks and with that tear forming just below his eyes just made him more handsome.

"Oi Imai! Give that back to me! You can't sell that! You have no right to do that!"

"Whatever. This is mine. It's my property. I can do whatever I want with it." She replied calmly while staring at his photo.

A smirk then formed on her mouth.

Ruka saw her smile, it wasn't really a big beaming smile but it was still a smile. And he was happy to see one. Very happy. Happy enough to make him forget even just for awhile all his sad thoughts.

You may keep that... just show me your smile.

Always...

-*-*-*-*-

Its branches graced with every blow of the wind, like feet moving to music. The sun rays were streaming through its leaves. The sakura tree. Indeed it was a beautiful sight to behold. And somehow it calmed a certain raven haired boy for it reminded him of someone.

It reminded him of her.

Mikan…

The throbbing pain he felt in his head awhile ago finally eased. He felt safe under this tree. He was calm and he was at peace. He lay on one of the tree branches, both of his hands cushioning his head and his charming face covered by his manga.

He wasn't asleep. He was busying himself with memories of him and a certain baka. His baka.

He smirked at the thought. He hated it at first. He ignored her and teased her until all hell breaks lose, hoping that she would finally stop going near him. But it seems that whatever he does, even if he peeked under her skirt, she never stopped talking to him.

She was always there for him, and he feared that they would get to close. He feared that he would fall for her. For some certain reason, he felt that he may cause her harm if she went near him. The burden of protecting his dear someone was already enough for him to endure. If he got to close to Mikan, then he knew he should protect her too, but the burden of it was too much for him to bear.

And all he could do to show his love was to watch her constantly from afar.

Is it good? Please review, tell me if its boring or ugly... I would really appreciate it if you would criticize my story, negative or positive citicism is accepted. Thanks for reading!! =)