You never lose by loving. You always lost by holding back.

Anonymous


Warning: The plotline is very sensitive through. It contains some typical issues in our society like Teen age pregnancy, Sexual References, Coursing, Underage Drinking, Underage Smoking if you are offended then don't blame that I didn't warn you twice for reading this story.


Chapter 3

Unrequited Love


Mikan vomited non-stop through the early morning. It was a good thing her mother was a heavy sleeper. Baby, I promise I will never get rid of you I will raise you well. So please help mommy now, okay? Mikan spoke internally, caressing her flat stomach.

She was startled when out of nowhere someone grabbed her wrist. "Ruka-kun what are you-!" She never got the chance to ask him when Ruka started to drag her out of the mansion.

"Ruka-kun, why-please let go!" Mikan exclaimed, trying to get out of Ruka's hold, but she was feeling too exhausted from the constant vomiting.

"You're pregnant, right?" Ruka started.

What? Wait, how did he-?

"No, what are you saying?" Mikan asked, denying the truth.

"Natsume told me Mikan, so there's no need to lie," he said softly.

Mikan turned to look in Ruka's deadly serious eyes. She couldn't help but to start crying again. "Now that you know the truth what will you do, huh? It will never change the fact that I'm pregnant! Yes I know that you're disgusted in me now-being pregnant at fourteen years of age. So are you satisfied now, finding out that I am not that innocent girl anymore?" Mikan burst out.

She couldn't contain her problems and heartache anymore. She wished she was back to the stupid, carefree girl she once was. Now she knew too much. She knew her one true love didn't want her child-their child. Knew that he will never take the responsibility of their actions. Knew that she was really a fool to believe that he would love her back. Because he loves someone else that's not her.

"I'm a fool to believe that he could love me like I love him. I never imagined that he would forget what he promised me! I'm such a fool to believe him, I'm such a fool to hold on to his promise knowing that it was just a promise between two kids, but Ruka-kun I know in my heart that I love him and what he promised to me years ago was real and I just can't…I-!" Mikan cried, hiccupping every now and then from the force her sobs were carrying her.

Ruka pulled her into his warm embrace, making her calm. "I'm sorry, Mikan-chan," he said.

"What should I do? I really love him! I love Natsume…" Mikan whispered.

"Mikan-" Ruka started.

"Ruka-kun?" She asked, looking up into Ruka's deep sapphire eyes.

"I'm willing to be the father."

Mikan was taken back. Did she just hear right? Ruka's willing to be the father of my child? But that would be unfair to him and his relationship with Yumi…And I can't drag him into my mess.

"No…I'm sorry Ruka-kun but I can't involve you in my problems like that."

Ruka just smiled at her as he pulled her against him again for another hug.

"Well I'm just offering my services," he replied, smirking.

"There's no need for it Ruka-kun, I can take care of myself." Mikan was now smiling slightly, despite her predicament.

From the inside the mansion, Natsume could make out the two silhouettes of Mikan and Ruka embracing each other. He couldn't stand to watch the little touching moment and jerked close the black velvet curtains on his window. He could feel a pang of jealousy in his heart.

"Shut it Natsume. You don't like her, you like Yumi and that's all," Natsume growled aloud, trying to convince his heart of something that wasn't there.


Back outside

"Ruka?" a voice rang from behind them.

Both Mikan and Ruka turned to look in the direction of the voice.

"Y-Yumi…why are you…?" Ruka stuttered.

Mikan immediately broke away from Ruka's arms.

A tall and elegant brunette approached them, her pristine white three inch heels clacking on the stone driveway. Her suit was an elegant two piece with a slinky mauve pencil skirt and a frilly blouse with no sleeves and pearl buttons. Her chin was drawn to a beautiful point and two blue eyes peeked out from beneath a skillfully concocted chestnut colored chignon. This was Yumi, Ruka's girlfriend and Natsume's heartache.

"What's going on here?" Yumi asked suspiciously, looking between the two.

"Ah, Yumi this is Mikan. Remember her? She was our play mate…" Ruka quickly announced, introducing Mikan to his girlfriend.

"Oh, I remember you now Mikan! It's nice to meet you again after all these years," Yumi smiled, dazzling.

"Uh…yeah me too," Mikan replied back timidly.

"So…Yumi what are you doing here? You didn't tell me that you were coming to visit," Ruka scolded lightly.

"I just wanted to see you, didn't you miss me, love?" Yumi responded while gently grabbing Ruka's cheeks with both her hands.

"Uh…of course I missed you!" While he said that, Ruka was looking in Mikan's direction the whole time.

Mikan felt uncomfortable in this situation so she decided to try and escape. "Uh, Yumi-san do you want some coffee or juice?" Mikan asked in a usual servant manner.

"You don't need to, I'll be fine," Yumi replied brightly, still clinging to Ruka's arm.

"Well by all that means I should get going," Mikan muttered under her breath.

"Mikan…" Ruka tried to protest.

"Yes, Ruka-botchan?" Mikan asked without looking at him.

"…Nothing, I just wish you a goodnight."


Later

"So when did you arrive in Japan?" Natsume asked as he leaned over the couch, trying to get closer to Yumi.

"Just yesterday, but I'm going leaving again this afternoon," Yumi answered after delicately sipping her coffee.

"Why don't you spend a week here this time?" Natsume suggested. He really wanted to be with Yumi, even if it meant as just being friends. "Aniki will be happy if you stay longer," Natsume wheedled.

Yumi just smiled at Natsume. "I'm sorry Natsume-kun but I'm really busy, maybe next time. Uh…by the way, where is Ruka?" Yumi asked cautiously.

Natsume stood up. "Where are you going?" Yumi asked, surprised, while looking at Natsume.


"To find Ruka, I'll tell him to see you," Natsume said flatly as he left Yumi behind.

In the kitchen, Yuka and Mikan were busy preparing lunch. "Mikan, can you get the cabbage inside the fridge?" Yuka asked, while hurriedly cutting some carrots and potatoes.

"Looking for this?" said a voice from where the fridge was.

"Ruka-kun?" Mikan asked quietly. "What are you doing here?"

Ruka motioned for her to keep quiet and follow him. Mikan turned to look at her mother still busy chopping. She left the kitchen slowly to follow Ruka outside. "Ruka-kun, Is there something you needed?" Mikan asked once they were outside the entrance.

"Nothing, I just wanted to see you," Ruka said, making Mikan blush.

Noticing Mikan's uneasiness, he decided to correct his words. "Easy little girl, I'm just joking," he said, smirking at the blushing girl. "So when will you tell Yuka that you're pregnant?" Ruka asked.

Ruka watched Mikan as she shook her head. "I don't know Ruka-kun, I can't…I don't know how to tell her. I don't have the courage to tell her my situation," Mikan replied worriedly.

"If you want, you can still tell them that I'm the father."

With that, Mikan looked at Ruka's face searching for any signs that he was joking with her again. However, she only found seriousness. "I already told you Ruka-kun you can't…I need to face this on my own and plus it's too unfair for you to take the responsibility that you never created in the first place," Mikan protested bitterly.

Ruka was about to object when Natsume came into view. "Ruka, so there you are," Natsume drawled, looking at Ruka. He turned to glance at Mikan. "Yumi's waiting for you in the living room."

'Uh ok, I'll see you then, Mikan-chan," Ruka said hastily, leaving Mikan behind with Natsume.

Mikan was about to leave as well when Natsume grabbed her wrist. "So this is what you really are-" Natsume started.

Mikan barely turned to look at Natsume. "I beg your pardon, Natsume-sama?"

"You should know what I mean, you're a flirt!" Natsume accused glaring at Mikan.

"What are you saying? I'm not a flirt!" Mikan whispered angrily. She didn't want everybody to hear their conversation.

"Then why are you sticking with my brother! Don't deny it, I saw you two last night and just now so don't deny the fact that you're a flirt!" Natsume flared in reply.

"Ruka-sama and I are just friends!"

Natsume scoffed. "Don't make me out to be dumb! Maybe that child inside you is not mine and you're just telling me that it is because you're head over heels-" He was cut off when a teary eyed Mikan slapped him.

"You knew that I was a virgin when you took me! You're my first Natsume so please stop accusing me of something that I didn't do!"

"You just admitted that you are easy to get!" Natsume retorted back.

"Natsume-kun, what did I do wrong to make you treat me like this? I'm in love with you, that's why I gave you my virginity! And this is what I get? Insults from you, of all people!" Mikan cried. She could feel the tearing pain in her heart. "Yes I'm pregnant, but I will never do what you want me to do to my child."

"Mikan, did I just hear you right? You're pregnant?"

"Mom!"


Later

"Who's the father?" Yuka asked in a deadly tone of voice. She continued to interrogate her daughter over the identity of the father, but Mikan just stood there, crying in the kitchen. She didn't know what to do. Natsume already told her that he would never take the responsibility. "I'm asking you Mikan one more time, who is the father?" Yuka shouted, losing her patience.

"Mom, I'm-I'm sorry…so sorry!" Mikan said while hiccupping.

"Mikan, please, just tell me who the father is! Tell me how far along you are…" Yuka pleaded as she looked desperately upon her daughter.

"Natsume, go in there and help Mikan," Ruka said, glaring at his brother.

"I don't know how to," Natsume replied, drinking another one of his boundless beer.

"Help her, Natsume, or else you'll be sorry that you never did anything!" Ruka replied to his brother's indecision in a threatening tone while Natsume just glanced on with an amused look on his face.

"Why, Aniki, already falling in love with Mikan?" Natsume said smirking. "What about Yumi? Are you going to dump her for a fourteen year old girl who's carrying my baby?"

"You don't know anything," Ruka growled angrily.

"Okay, I'll go and help her…because of you." Natsume stood up, leaving Ruka behind.

"Mikan please just tell me who the father is!" Yuka demanded once again.

"Mom, I don't know-I mom…I'm so scared!" Mikan stammered while crying.

"I will take responsibility."

"Natsume-sama?" Yuka gasped.

"I am the father and I will take responsibility."

"Natsume-kun…" Mikan muttered, disbelieving, under her breath.

"Natsume-sama you are the…" Yuka repeated with uncertainty in her voice.

"Yes. I'm the father so I will take responsibility, so get over it already. I will take her," Natsume said wrapping his arm around Mikan's shoulder.

"Natsume-kun why did you-" Mikan whispered.

"I just want to clarify this with you: I don't have plans to marry you. I only care about my baby inside of you, and nothing more. To tell you straight, I love someone else, so I can't love you the way you want me to," Natsume mumbled for her to hear, making Mikan's heart shatter into million pieces.

It was too painful for her to know that the guy she loved the most couldn't return her love back. Moreover, the worst part was that she believed in him, that his promise was real and that he would make her dreams come true, to be together with him for the rest of her life.

But I love you Natsume-kun, I will take risks just to be with you even though I'll get hurt in the process. I will still continue loving you…


"So now how do I tell this to our parents?" Natsume sarcastically exclaimed while crossing his arms on his chest. Mikan and Ruka were seated across from him.

"You will tell them that you and Mikan are going to get married after high school," Ruka responded flatly.

"What! Marry, us? No way! You know that I'm not ready to get married!" Natsume said childishly, stomping his foot.

Ruka glared at his brother. "Why didn't you think twice when you took her virginity then? You have no right to act like that."

"Ruka-kun, please it's okay-!" Mikan started to say but the boy next to her interrupted swiftly and furiously.

"It's NOT OKAY!" Ruka yelled, bashing his fist on the arm of the sofa.

"You don't know anything!" Natsume shouted back.

"But unfortunately I do! I know how irresponsible you are Natsume. You need to face this problem! This is a serious thing. Mikan is pregnant with your child for crying out loud!"

"Did we hear right Ruka? Mikan is pregnant with Natsume's child?" All three kids turned around to see Hyuuga Harumi standing at the doorway. Her husband was crossing his harms in the same position as Natsume, with a disgusted look on his face. However, the raven head mother's eyes were wide open; she was in shock of what she had heard.

"So, how far along are you?" the Hyuuga head asked sternly, looking at Mikan as if she was a bug that needed to be squashed. Yuka came up behind him and managed to catch his question. She quickly realized what the situation was going along the lines of.

"Takeshi-sama we are-" Yuka started.

"I'm asking your daughter, not you Yuka," Takeshi said while he faced the trembling girl in front of him.

"Um, I really don't know…" Mikan started as she clenched and unclenched her hands. Please someone help me!

"Natsume, say something to protect her!" Ruka whispered furiously to Natsume.

"Yeah, whatever." Natsume stood up sluggishly and went up to Mikan's side. "Father, I want Mikan to stay. I still want to see my child."

There was an awkward silence. Takeshi heaved a sigh, rubbing the narrow bridge of his nose in deep thought. "All right," he sighed, "but we still need to talk about this later. And Sakura, I need you to sign something for me…Alone," Hyuuga Takeshi said as he motioned for her to follow him.

"Mikan…" Yuka said in a hesitant voice.

"It's going to be alright mom," Mikan smiled assuring toward her mom before leaving.

Yeah right, at least she's out of my sight. She was giving me such a fucking headache. Natsume thought as he sat on the lounger with his eyes closed.


"I want you to bring the document tomorrow. I will be waiting."

Hyuuga Takeshi was talking towards the phone then hung up. He turned his swiveling chair to face Mikan.

"I will get straight to the point: I will never let you in my family," Takeshi said this coldly, making Mikan shiver. Unconsciously she gripped her arm for support.

"I want you to sign some contract papers. The conditions are: you will never tell anyone that you're pregnant. Second, I will give you money including an allowance expense and money for monthly check ups. Lastly, after you give birth you will get out of our lives." Takeshi continued a bit hastily after seeing Mikan's shocked expression. "Oh but don't worry, we're still going to support you with a tidy amount of five hundred thousand every year."

He wanted her to leave after she gave birth. He wanted her to abandon her baby in exchange for five hundred thousand.

"Is that clear Sakura?" Takeshi asked sternly.

"Sir, I'm sorry but I have to go." She tried to stop herself from crying in front of him. She had been insulted to the point it was physically hurting her.

"Think about it, Sakura." Mikan heard him say before she left his office.


Once she was outside, she found herself crying silently. She was deeply hurt.

Do I deserve to be treated like this?

"Mikan-chan?" Ruka's voice held worry in it. "Why are you-" he was cut off when Mikan hugged him, burying her face in his broad chest.

"Is there something wrong? Did father say something to you?" Ruka asked as he rubbed her back lightly to comfort her.

"It really hurts, Ruka-kun, it really hurts!" Mikan cried in a whisper.

They didn't know that Natsume was listening to them. Hn, you should just admit it to yourself Ruka that you're secretly in love with that girl and you are just using Yumi to hide the obvious fact. Natsume thought as he walked silently away from the scene he had just witnessed.


Authors Note: Thank you for reading! I hope all of you enjoyed reading this revamp or BETA'ED version of The Promise! I hope you leave a review. Tell me what do you think about this! Please do suggest all things you want. I don't mind Criticism's through I will use them as material to improve. Just to tell you guys. English is not my mother tongue. I know its not enough reason to excuse my horrible grammar. LOL.. Please don't burn me! and yeah this is AU. So i hope you don't mind. Yeah, but this is FANFICTIONwe can do anything right? Its Free!

Also thank you to those who reviewed the previous chapter! I hope you'd like this!

Disclaimer: I do not own Alice Academy or Gakuen Alice but I do own YUMI (OC), by the way, through. The plot is inspired by the Filipino TV drama series Katorse which is Fourteen in English. But halfway through it. the Plot will turn and changed in my original ideas. So, don't sue you'll just waste your time. I do not have a money to get a lawyer.

Warning: The plotline is very sensitive through. It contains some typical issues in our society like Teen age pregnancy, Sexual References, Coursing, Underage Drinking, Underage Smoking if you are offended then don't blame that I didn't warn you twice for reading this story.