Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice. Well, duh. I'm smart but not that smart. xD.
Me: Hi everyone! Hope you like this chappie!
Natsume: Argh… You're getting as loud as polka.
Ruka: What's wrong with that?
Me: Thank you Ruka-pyon! At least someone here is nice. Mikan, do you wanna do the honors of starting this chapter?
Koko: Honors. More like horrors. (reading Hotaru's mind.)
Mikan: Natsume is going to be in this chapter. I don't know why such a cold guy can have so many fan girls. But oh well… Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 2
Next morning, Hotaru was busy counting her pearls and shells at the breakfast table.
"Hotaru! Since it's a Sunday, do you wanna swim to the surface with me to explore?" asked Mikan in her loud booming voice.
"You baka! I just lost count of my pearls! Don't annoy me when I'm counting my pearls or I will make a Super Whirlpool bakagun especially for you. You don't want that now, do you?" said Hotaru with an evil glint in her eyes.
"O-of course not… but could you please, please come explore with me?" begged Mikan with her famous puppy dog face, again.
"Ugh, I'll go if you stop distracting me from counting my shells." said Hotaru coldly.
The two pretty mermaids surfaced from the beautiful ocean. It was late in the afternoon. The scorching hot sun hung high in the clear, blue sky. Surrounding it, were a few misty clouds bobbing around.
"Wow! The surface is always so pretty. I can hardly wait to try living on the land." exclaimed Mikan.
As they swam closer to the shore, Mikan wandered ahead. She arrived at the castle on the beach. She had come here many times to admire the high turrets of the castle. It was beautiful. She suddenly stopped. A human guy was coming towards her. Luckily for the rock she was hiding behind, she was shielded from his view. The human had raven hair with deep ruby coloured eyes. Mikan thought he looked kinda hot. KINDA. Her heart started beating a little faster than usual. She thought it was probably because of all the swimming she did and just ignored it. She watched curiously as he used a net to scoop a little fish out of the water and put it into a bowl.
"Oh my gosh! That human did NOT just do that! He has just taken the innocent little fish's freedom." Mikan thought angrily. Tears were gleaming in her eyes as she thought of the poor little fish. She was absolutely infuriated at the guy's actions.
Hmph. What a jerk. I hope he isn't the prince I'm engaged to. Nah, probably not. What did otou-san say his name was again? I think it was- Mikan thoughts were interrupted.
Another figure was coming towards the raven haired guy. It was another person. He was much shorter with light grey hair. Mikan thought he was the cutest little person on earth.
"Natsume nii-sama, what are you doing?" asked the shorter person.
Mikan was too busy thinking to hear what was said next.
Hmm... That name Natsume sounds familiar... Hmph... I still hate that raven haired guy. But the little one looks soo cute! thought Mikan as she started swimming back home.
What had really happened was:
"Natsume nii-sama, what are you doing?" asked the cute little boy.
"Youichi, what are you doing here so late?" asked Natsume.
"I was looking for you, onii-sama. What are you doing?" asked Youichi.
"This baka fish got its fin hurt. I'm gonna bring it back so it can get better. I'll let it go later. Though I don't know why I even bothered." replied Natsume in a bored tone.
"Onii-sama, can I have it? I'll take good care of it! I always wanted a baka fish…" said Youichi, getting excited.
"Hn." Was the only reply. (A/N Natsume was always a man of few words. lol.)
As Mikan was on her way home, she felt as if she had forgotten something, but couldn't figure out what it was.
"MIKAN! Baka! Where are you??" Hotaru called out with a hint of desperation in her voice. She was very worried. She had just swam down for a short while to pick up a shell. But when she surfaced again, Mikan was no where to be found. Hotaru swam faster towards the shore. She stopped abruptly. A human boy was walking towards her. He had blonde hair that reflected the suns rays, and crystal blue eyes. He spotted her before she had a chance to get away.
Ruka P.O.V
I was just having a short walk to get some fresh air when I saw a beautiful mermaid swimming around. She looked as if she had lost something. I was astounded as I had never seen a real mermaid before. This mermaid had dark hair and eyes that seemed troubled. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
"Come here, don't be scared. I won't hurt you." I whispered softly, hoping she wouldn't be frightened and swim away.
She looked surprised when she saw me. I don't think she heard me. Her skin looked pale and smooth. I tried calling her again. This time I was sure she heard. She hesitated before cautiously swimming nearer.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"And just why should I tell you?" she replied coldly.
Her voice was like music in my ears, and although her voice was cold, I knew she was actually a very nice person. I mean mermaid.
End of P.O.V
Hotaru P.O.V
Who the heck is this idiot? Who does he think he is? Asking for my name. Hmph. I thought as he asked for my name.
"And just why should I tell you?" I replied coldly as I scanned his face. He was pretty good-looking.
"I was just wondering. I'm Nogi Ruka by the way. You can call me Ruka." He answered.
"Imai Hotaru. Imai-san to you, Nogi." I said. He looked a little taken aback when I answered. I smirked. I suddenly remembered Mikan. My smile faded immediately.
"If you're done wasting my time, I'll be going now." I said coldly. Even though I appeared strong, I was really worried about Mikan. Finally, I decided to swim back to Cherry Palace. That baka probably forgot that I followed her here.
End of P.O.V
When Hotaru arrived at Cherry castle, Mikan was eating dinner with her family. She still hadn't realized what happened. It was getting dark and Mikan was starting to become worried about Hotaru. (A/N Aww Come on... How much more forgetful can you get...)
Hotaru came swimming towards Mikan.
"Hotaru!! I was soo worried about you! Where did you go??" Mikan asked.
Hotaru hit Mikan on her head.
"Hey!! What was that for?" Mikan whined.
"Baka. Let me refresh your memory. You invited me to explore the surface with you." Hotaru replied.
"Huh?" Mikan was confused. But she remembered after a while. "Oh... I'm soo sorry!! Hotaru! I totally forgot! Please forgive me!" pleaded Mikan.
"Fine." Hotaru was interrupted before she could finish.
"Thank you, Hotaru! You are really my best friend!" Mikan said happily.
"Wait! I haven't finished. I will forgive you. But it will cost you, 3 pearls and 5 shells to be exact." said Hotaru smirking.
"Hotaru! All you care about are pearls and shells…"cried Mikan in a huff.
In the morning, everyone was silently eating their breakfast, trying to savor every delicious bite. Suddenly, Mikan remembered something important.
"Oh yea!" she said loudly. Her voice echoed in the large dining hall, giving everyone a shock. "Otou-san, I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes?" said Narumi.
"I was just wondering, what is the name of the guy I was engaged to? I forgot…" Mikan said.
Narumi smiled as he said, "Mikan dear, you have to try to remember his name. His name is Prince Natsume. When do you want to start living on land?"
OH MY GOSH!! Wasn't that the name of that jerk I saw the other day?! Am I really engaged to that guy? But it's my duty as princess of Cherry… Sigh. What am I going to do? I guess I'll just have to bear with it. She thought.
"Oh, I'm not sure…" Mikan replied.
Damn, slow reaction. What was she thinking about? I'll ask her later. Thought Hotaru.
"Hey, baka, I'm going to the surface later today. Coming or not?" Hotaru asked. It wasn't really a question, it was more like an order.
"Of course! I love the sun and the clouds. Anyway, can we go meet up with Nonoko, Anna, Yuu and Koko for lunch?" asked Mikan.
"Sure. Mikan dear, when do you want to start living on the shore?" said Narumi.
"I…. Don't know." replied Mikan. I might as well hurry up and get it over with.
"How about next week? Then you can have more time to say a temporary good-bye to your friends." said Narumi.
Mikan sighed softly before answering. "Okay."
"Baka, let's go. We have to get you ready." said Hotaru.
"For what?" asked Mikan.
"Lunch, ugly." replied Hotaru bluntly.
"Wait! I haven't finished my breakfast." retorted Mikan, trying to stuff all her food in her mouth.
"Too bad. You're as slow as a turtle." said Hotaru emotionlessly as she dragged Mikan away from the dining table.
Mikan was wearing colourful, uniquely shaped seashells on her pink-ish purple tailfin. Her brown hair was tied in two high ponytails. Her best friend stood beside her. She had elegant flowers scattered on her blue tail. Her raven hair fell just below her ears.
"How do I look?" Mikan asked nervously. Hotaru stepped back to have a better view of the beautiful princess in front of her.
"Hold on." She replied as she leaned over to pull the hair ties holding the brunette's hair together. Mikan's hair fell on her back, floating in the water.
"That's better. A girl your age shouldn't tie you hair in two pig-tails. It looks too childish." said Hotaru. A rare smile painted on her face.
"Arigato Hotaru. You look great too!" cried Mikan.
"Let's go." She replied.
"They're late… Again…" sighed Nonoko.
"Ahh… I guess it takes time for someone as cute as Mikan-chan to get ready." said Tsubasa, smiling.
The four friends had invited him to tag along. Anna, Nonoko and Koko guessed how their energetic friend liked this particular senpai. Yuu on the other hand was curious about it but thought better than to bother them with such a small matter.
Mikan and Hotaru were rushing to the dolphin stop. The dolphin bus was nearing the stop.
"We're gonna make it!" exclaimed Mikan. Suddenly, she tripped ever a freakishly large sea rock and fell flat on the sand. Just as the dolphin bus left the stop.
"Hoee!! Wait Mr. Dolphin!!" shouted Mikan as she, along with a frowning Hotaru, swam as fast as they could, trying to catch up with the dolphin bus.
"We missed the dolphin bus…" Mikan said, with a hint of disappointment in her tone.
"We can catch the next one." replied Hotaru, softly.
"Okay, in the meanwhile, let's talk!" said Mikan.
Everything is going according to plan. Thought Hotaru. (A/N Remember? She wanted to talk to Mikan.)
"What happened on the day you ditched me?" she asked, getting straight to the point.
"I did NOT ditch you. I just forgot…" defended Mikan.
"Whatever. Just tell me what happened." answered Hotaru.
Mikan explained everything word from word, except the part where her heart beat faster.
"Figures, I guess you'll be engaged to a jerk then." said Hotaru.
Before Mikan could reply, the dolphin bus came. They got on and the whole topic was forgotten. At least by Mikan… Hotaru's mind was busy whizzing away with thoughts on what she had just heard.
I'll think of a plan to get the jerk prince away from Mikan. In the meantime, I just have to keep an eye on her. Pondered Hotaru. Before long, they reached their destination.
End of Chapter 2
Me: Okay! I don't think the ending was good, but oh well…
Youichi: You're right. It was stupid.
Natsume: Good boy, Youichi.
Luna: Why the heck aren't I in the story yet?!
Me: I get it!! Gosh, just stop complaining will ya? I'm trying as hard as I can. And Luna, you'll come in soon enough. Be patient.
Anna: I think it was good.
Tsubasa: Yea, it was. So review my chibi please!
Me: Yay!! Arigato Tsubasa-senpai.
A/N: Thanks to my Beta! She has helped me heaps.