Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice or any of its characters. It belongs to the wonderful Tachibana Higuchi but the plot is mine. :D

Thanks to: Lessthenthreeanime, RachaelinaRose, stars-dream18, xXShizuruXx, LunarChan, karin, ashley6445 and Sakura Keiko (and I am quite sure Mikan's surname is Yukihara only).

Miles Away From You

Chapter 3: Unpleasant Surprises

~by UnRoMaNtIc ReMoTe CoNtRoL

I glared at koko and his laughter immediately died down. He let out a cough and opened his mouth to speak something but before he could start Permy blurted out.

"Are you Mikan Yukihara?"

I nodded. As I examined her it reminded me of one of those arrogant girls that I had thought of the previous night. Permy realizing that I had been lost in my own little world waved her hand in front of me. I smiled sheepishly and apologized her. She continued with whatever she was going to speak as though I hadn't said anything. Jerk.

"I wanted to talk to you. I have heard that you are offering your house on rent."

"It's not the whole house. We are just…"

Before I could make it clear that it was only a room instead of the whole house, she abruptly cut me off. God, if she could stop ignoring me. She waved her hand in front of me like I was some sort of fly lingering around her, tempted by the foul smell of her perfume.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter. The point is I want it." she said as she fished out a rubber-band from her purse and neatly tied her long green hair into a pony tail.

That stupid Permy. What does she mean by whatever it is? For heaven's sake if she would let me finish once. She is pissing me off. Wasn't the trouble that came along clinging to me all day long enough? I twitched and looked at her. She cocked a brow at me. She straightened up and put her hands on her hips.

"Look, permy" I started, trying to suppress the anger evident in my voice only to receive a glare from her. Koko laughed from beside me. Ignoring both of them I continued. "It's not the entire house. We are just offering one of the rooms of the house on rent and so…"

"It still doesn't matter, it's the same. I am just saying that I want that room." She hissed viciously, again cutting me off. I swear to god I would just … ugh… if she would just stop cutting me off, I would be so much grateful to her and what exactly does she mean by it's the same. Can a house and a room ever be the same? Does it seem to her that we are beggars who can't afford to stay in a 3BHK house? Do I look like a beggar from any angle?

"You will have to talk to Hotaru." I said bluntly. Seriously, Permy is so… annoying. I feel like banging my head.

"Hotisuhy?" she repeated after me. O.K. this was the height of it. I bit my lower lip in frustration. I could no longer bear it. She was getting onto my nerves. I could feel the heat rising on my cheeks and without even looking in the mirror I could say that my cheeks must have been showing a bright shade of red due to the boiling blood.

From the corner of my eye I could see the blonde becoming uneasy due to my fury. Koko realizing that I had reached my limits came by my side, gently tapping me on the back gesturing me to calm down. I let out a huge sigh trying to calm myself down. After a while my temper had eased a little but it won't be wrong to say that I was still furious.

Suddenly, koko spoke. I could have said that he had brought up some random topic to divert my attention but I was proven wrong.

"Mikan, do you remember I talked about my friends wanting a place to stay in the morning? He looked questioningly at me. I thought for a few moments trying to recall the events of that horrible morning and nodded.

"Well, here are they. He turned aside so I could have a glimpse of those two." I glanced at them and turned my glance back at koko who was then to my surprise staring at that Permy like she was some angel who had descended on earth. Oh, please she was not that beautiful. I smirked mentally without knowing that I was rolling my eyes at him.

Permy in the meanwhile, was getting annoyed due to koko's continuous stares. Permy who was typing something on her cell spared me a glance, which I was very sorry for and opened her mouth to ask.

"Am I going to get it or not?" she hissed. I opened my mouth to reply but I was cut off.

"You won't."

God is it just my imagination or people love cutting me off. I looked at the raven haired boy. He was leaning on the wall; his face calm. His voice was clear and firm with determination. I could feel the confidence in his voice. I could see the red eyes that were shot at me and I don't know why but it sent shivers down my spine; something that only Hotaru was capable of. I instantly withdrew my eyes and looked at Permy who was frowning. Speaking of Hotaru I wondered where on earth she had disappeared. She should have probably reached by now.

"Excuse me?" Permy babbled baffled.

The raven haired boy half-scowled and muttered something under his breath which I believe was stupid and repeated the same thing.

"You won't."

"Who says that?" Permy said declaring the war. Both of them started their mini war of staring at each other and continued it for a while with hatred burning bright for either of them in their eyes.

Now, I think it was time for me to speak. After all it was me who was going to take the ultimate decision. Yes, I um... am the QUEEN! Okay cut it. The tension between them was rising by the minute. So, I immediately walked towards koko speaking somewhat hesitantly.

"koko, you do know right, that Hotaru won't allow… two boys to stay?"

Koko shrugged. From the corner of my eye, I could see the blonde becoming uneasy. He looked disturbed by what I had said. Koko looked like he wanted to say something but instead he opened up the pet bottle of coke and started drinking it. Suddenly, the blonde spoke, "Oh, its ok. We are gay. I uh… mean that I and Natsume are gay."

Koko immediately choked. That boy, Natsume looked like someone had died and Permy um… well I can't explain how she looked. Koko continued to cough and after he stopped, there was nothing left in particular except silence. Koko was looking disturbed. The blonde looked like the world was coming to an end and I can see the reason. His um… boyfriend Natsume was showering daggers at him. Obviously if I would have been in his place I would have done the same thing. After all announcing that you are gay in front of everyone. I mentally agreed with myself. Hmm… hmm… it makes sense.

I jumped as a hand was laid on my shoulder only to notice that it belonged to Hotaru. I sighed and glared at her for scaring the shit out of me at such a time when I had been engrossed in my thoughts. She frowned and looked at our dearest guests.

.;.

Half an hour later Hotaru, I, koko, Natsume and the blonde whom I assume is Ruka were standing in the living room of our house. Everything was explained to Hotaru. She was in deep thinking before she spoke up.

"Sumire how much money can you pay?" Hotaru asked. She was holding a writing pad with a pencil tugged in her hand almost ready to note down Sumire's answer like it was some sort of interview.

"1000 dollars." she replied nonchalantly.

"For…"

"For 4 months."

"And you two?" Hotaru asked pointing a finger at the duo.

"1500 dollars for 2 months." Natsume replied with a smirk making its way on his lips that soon disappeared as Sumire spoke again.

"2000 dollars."

"2500"

"3000"

"3500"

"4000"Natsume finally spoke letting out a sigh and glanced at Sumire who was biting her lip in disappointment and Hotaru um… judging from her face she was enjoying it because she was smiling. As far as I knew Hotaru, she would smile only if there was some special occasion or if it was something related to money.

Just as Hotaru was gonna declare Natsume as the winner Permy shouted loudly,

"5000"

"8000"

and it was decided.

.;.

It was 9 at night and I was seated in Hotaru's room while she was counting the dollars. I heard the door of the house crack open and went to take a peek. It was just Nogi so I went back in Hotaru's room. After she finished I asked her.

"So?"

"We are still 4000 dollars short." she replied with a sigh.

I plunged on the bed and Hotaru glared at me telepathically telling me, baka-get-off-my-bed. I cursed her mentally. I got up and was just going to shut the door when she spoke.

"Call Hyuuga. I want to talk to him."

I mumbled an ok without turning back and made my way into the now duo's room.

Natsume's POV:

I swear to god I will kill Ruka once he comes back. Presently, he is with koko trying to explain that he had just pretended that we were gay so that we could get the room. But I swear once he comes back I will murder him. I clenched my fists tightly thinking of it.

The door of the room opened and I saw Ruka. I could see the tiredness in his eyes. I could just imagine him trying to convince the invincible koko. But that doesn't mean I am going to spare him, no not at all.

"Ruka." I speak calmly gritting my teeth and clenching my fists even tighter making them slightly pinkish in shade.

Ruka immediately realizes what was going to happen. Good. It will be easier for me. I move towards him and he steps back in fear.

"Nat-sume, I… I can explain." his voice staggers as he speaks.

"Ruka, is it my imagination or I am seeing fear in your eyes?" I hiss venomously.

Ruka steps back further.

"Ruka, I swear I am going to change the map of your face." I threaten him.

"Natsume…"I could feel his voice trembling with fear and without wasting further time I make a dash for him.

BANG!

Mikan's POV:

I finally reached their room. I extended my hand to turn the knob of the door but I stopped when I heard a bang. I debated whether to open the door or not. After a few seconds I found the courage and opened the door. My jaw dropped as I saw something I believe I shouldn't have seen.

Nogi was lying on the floor with Hyuuga on the top of him. His hand was holding Nogi's collar. Nogi's t-shirt was tugged out and I could partly see his bare chest. It seemed like Hyuuga was too anxious to um… uhh… fuck with him. Both of them were looking at me with a question mark on their faces. The blonde sighed. Maybe because I saved him from that Hyuuga who was forcing him to… um… never mind.

I stood there for a few seconds until a blush made it to my face. I bit my lip and spoke.

"Sorry, to interrupt you guys. You can continue with whatever um… you um… were doing." I finally finished and headed straight to my room without bothering of Hotaru or whatsoever work she had with Hyuuga. It was … damn it so embarrassing. Before I shut the door of my room, I heard a scream which I think belonged to Nogi. That Hyuuga ugh… what did he just do to Nogi? Yuck. At least they could lock the door. Without embarrassing myself further I shut the door and plunged in my bed trying to forget what I had just seen.

Natsume's POV:

I made a dash at Ruka. Ruka in an attempt to flee tripped and fell down with me over him. I clenched his collar and was about to raise my hand to punch him square in the face when the door opened.

That Yukihara girl was standing frozen there. Ruka sighed at her inappropriate timing and I glared at him. As I watched her, a blush made its way on her face and within minutes she was redder than a rose when she sullenly spoke,

"Sorry, to interrupt you guys. You can continue with whatever um… you um… were doing." saying so she shut the door and disappeared. Seconds later I realized what she meant. I took a notice of the awkward position I and Ruka were in.

No! It can't be true. It can't be true. She thinks I was ... I shouted.

"IT CAN'T BE TRUE. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

Notice:-At the near end of the chapter, Mikan thinks that it's Ruka who is screaming because Natsume was … just ... understand on your own ok? But actually it was Natsume who was screaming and you are mature enough to understand why, I guess. And about the chapter don't ask me why I wrote this o_0 You could just imagine how my face must be looking while was typing this. So, don't ask me. Don't ask me. I just …, forget it. Review will you? (Mind you but I rightfully deserve it!)

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