Chapter 2

A/N: I apologize for being so irresponsible when I said I was discontinuing the story, After all, I shouldn't be so impatient and so selfish to close the story on its first chapter.

-Gomennasai-

From now on, I will update Burgundy Crown once a week.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice, all rights belong to Tachibana Higuchi

*(O)*(O)*

"You never know what worst luck your bad luck have saved you from,"

Cormac Mccathy

Mikan felt her eyes widened as have slowly looked up, to find burning crimson eyes looking back at her with a smug smile.

The man standing above her was tall and lean, baring an elegant jaw line that curves right below the ears and long raven locks dangling over his neck.

Her hateful eyes glared at him as her hand quivered at the notation of being caught. He noticed immediately and folded his arms in front of him, staring at her like a predator catching a prey.

Mikan felt a strange knot on her throat as her heart pounded up and down. She was sure no one was following her, her hearing was amazing and she knew nobody ever comes to this part of the town. So, the only thing that made sense right now was that he already know she uses this place as her hiding spot. Mikan huffed and stood up tall next to him.

"What do you want?" She spat out angrily. Yet, if one looked close enough, they can see the nervous look in her yes, hidden by a wall of self preservation and disdain.

Natsume raised an eyebrow at her sharp words, "well well well..." He looked around his surrounding, admiring the strong stance of the cracked walls and murky mud as the sound of water dripping from pipes echoed loudly enough in his ears. "Is this how you speak to someone who caught you in your act?"

Mikan looked taken back, "Humph! Well if you caught me already, why aren't you dragging me to a cell me claiming the reward for yourself? Eh? Why are we still chatting here?"

She sent him a disgusted face and felt her toes curling together.

Suddenly he was in front of her, holding her chin up with his long fingers, "Frank, aren't we? I like that behavior of yours."

Mikan shivered as she slowly backed away from the man, eventually realizing she was force into a corner. Fearing for her life, her eyes searched for an exit. He looked at her cockily, "trying to run? I'm afraid that won't work.."

She wasn't paying any attention to him as she analyzed the amount of space between him and the wall, she's small enough. Rather thin and lanky, and she's fast. Mikan paced herself. After all..

She shoved him aside and ran. Natsume widened his eyes at her quick movements as he chased after her.

There's no way she's getting caught!

Natsume groaned, 'this girl...' He looked around, an empty beer bottle on the streets. Eyebrows furrowing, he grabbed it and rolled it on the floor. She was too caught up in running that she didn't notice he had stopped chasing her, when she turned around, it was too late. She tumbled and tripped over the bottle as she landed on her face. Moaning, Mikan felt the ground scratch her skin.

"I told you there was no point to run.." He finally said, though obviously exhausted exam exasperated by the noticeable panting, his raven hair tousled by the wind.

She gritted her teeth as she tried to sit back up, wincing at the pain. She realized her cloak was rip and cut into shards when she tripped. Sighing in annoyance, she looked at him tiredly. "O-ok.. Whatever you say, ... I won't run anymore, I promise you."

Natsume shook his head at her, smirking as he pointed at his head. "Dear child, do you believe that I don't use my head?"

"What the heck is wrong with you? You caught me... Are you torturing me on purpose?oh sir," Mikan gulped, "I might have stolen a bit once every then, but I assure you I do not deserve this. Come on and handcuff me."

"So you want to get caught in be thrown in a cell for god knows how long?"

"What choice do I have?"

Natsume chuckled at this, "true... But I'm going to offer you a deal. Pretend to be my girlfriend and I'll let you go."

Mikan looked at him in surprise as she wrinkled her forehead, "excuse me?"

"Deal? I have a arrange marriage today, if you bring me out of it, then I'll forget about this whole incident."

"Well, how do I know you're telling the truth? You can use me and trick me."

Mikan stated worriedly.

"I never back out of a promise," He stared at with solemnity as his crimson eyes burned into her brown orbs, Mikan bit her lips as she thought about the offer.

"D-deal..." She pondered thoughtfully, "Only if you promise you will keep you promise."

"But first, who are you?"

He raised a hand to neaten his hair as he replied, "Natsume."

Mikan scowled as she carefully rose up, one arm gripping her cloak onto her as her head filled will unease. "That's it?" She carefully spoke, suddenly questioning if she really should accept the offer. Lets face it, who would trust someone who only told you their name? She might be a lowly thief, but she is not dumb.

Learning to survive on her own, she knew what kind of people can be trusted, this 'Natsume' guy, actually, is his name even Natsume? He gave her a lingering feeling of suspicion.

"That's all you need to know about me, for now," His voice lowered into a teasing tone as he continued with an eyebrow raised, "That's funny, you're smarter than I thought."

She glowered at him, 'what's that suppose to mean?'

"I thought you would trust anybody who will help you."

Mikan felt her head throb as she hiss back a retort, "I can say the same for you! You seriously think I look like that type of person?"

"I hate to say this, but you got an idiotic look to you, how you tie your hair back into pig tails, how old are you?"

"Excuse me, unlike you, I don't have servants fanning me at home, it's hot out here. Pig tails help keep my neck cool."

He laughed, "enough about this, what about you? What's your name?"

Mikan hesitated, should she really give him her real name? Well, it doesn't really matter anymore, she guessed.

"Mikan."

He curl his finger as he beckoned her to come,

"Good choice.. polka dots..."

She looked aghast as she stuttered, outraged, "w-what... h-how..."

Natsume simpered, "when you tripped."

"..PERVERT!"

Mikan's POV

I was born to a poor family, surviving on the crumbs herby parent's hard work as they tried their best to support ourselves, selling hand-sew sweaters near the big market.

I wasn't allowed a proper education, to go to school or have a private tutor, our family couldn't afford the expenses. Therefore growing up, I was only taught the basic necessities of life, how to cook, clean, do laundry, count, sew, and most importantly, bargain.

It was a time so long ago, where everything was so different. Like a distant fantasy.

We lived in a small cottage surrounded by bushes and tall trees. Clothes were sewn together scrap by scrap.

When I was born, I cried a lot, my mother often told me. But whenever she hugged me, I would stop and start giggling. I enjoyed hearing stories of my childhood, she told me I was naughty and liked to explore around, but I smiled a lot.

I use to thought my life was perfect, I didn't think anything was wrong with it, but I guess that was just my unknowledgeable ramblings.

Until.. That happened..

..

..

I began living off the streets as an orphan, begging for money and crying every day. But there was no one to hug me anymore. Life was truly difficult and I realized the hardships without my parents.

That's when I knew I couldn't support myself by begging and holding my head low, it's about surviving now.

Author's Notes: I'm sorry for the short chapters, but next chapter, the drama will start again!