DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Gakuen Alice nor do I own its characters! They all belong to the brilliantly wonderful Tachibana Higuchi! I only own the story plot and my randomly made up characters! :D

Last time on City of Runaways

(Late updates r bad!)

"Oh, well, it was nice talking to you. I'll see you soon, okay?" Dad smiled, standing up to walk Mikan to the door.

"Yes, I'll see you soon" Mikan gave me a smile too before she left.

Dad turned to me, a serious look on his face.

"Natsume…"

City of Runaways

~Chapter 4~

~Natsume's POV~

"Dad" I cut him off, "don't you think it's wrong to do this to them? I mean, didn't those kids look pretty happy being the way they are? Shouldn't we just let them be?"

Dad shook his head and sighed.

"Natsume, you just don't understand. If we were to help them out and get them back to their parents, they would be so much happier and living would be all the easier." Dad stated.

"It's not right" I said.

"Natsume" Dad said sternly. "Just help me help them out. Try to befriend Mikan. She is obviously their leader. If you befriend her, then you'll be able to get into their hide out. Then, we could get them all to go to their parents with the help of the police department. Of course, they will not be arrested."

I sighed. Once Dad gets like this, there's no turning back. I nodded and cursed silently underneath my breath. This is not going to be good.

I trudged to my office, mad at the fact that Dad is making me do this. Why don't I have a say in this?

I worked for a few hours, getting more and more tired of this work. I'm bored. I looked at the clock and found it was already 7. I guess I can go now. I called Dad to tell him that I was leaving and I grabbed my bag and jacket, locking my office behind me. I walked down to the parking garage and got into my car.

I don't really want to go home right now… I'll just go to the park. The park is in the middle of Tokyo; just a little bit away from Hyuuga Corps.'s office building. I parked my car on the curb and strolled down the sidewalk. I sat down on a bench after a few minutes, thinking about the task Dad wants me to fulfill. Why would I want to take away the runaways' home? I'm sure they are perfectly happy the way they are. It seems as if Dad is the bad guy here, wanting to destroy those kids' homes and lives.

I swear I will not help him with this!

Rustle

I turned to the noise behind me. It seemed to be coming from up in the giant Sakura tree. I waited and watched for who or what was coming down. Two converse covered feet landed on the ground without a sound. Long, silky legs were barely covered by short, tight fitting shorts and there was a white tank top covering a curvy body. Shoulders were perfectly rounded, smooth as can be. I bet they would be soft if I touched them. I stopped my gaze at the face bestowed to me. The face of an angel; amazing, big hazel eyes and silky, light brown hair flowing messily down her back, making her look sexy. Perfect facial features, rosy cheeks and red lips. Perfect eyebrows and long eyelashes.

Then, I realized who this beauty was: Mikan Sakura.

"S'up" Mikan greeted, standing up to her full height. Her long, slender fingers combed through her hair once.

A cold breeze shot past us and I shivered. But, Mikan stayed perfectly still, not affected by the wind.

"Are you crazy? It's fucking freezing out here and you're wearing that?" I stood up and took off my jacket, wrapping it around the girl's shoulders. I seriously do not know what has gotten into me.

"I'm not cold" she stated, trying to take off the jacket.

"Just wear it" I said, zipping the zipper up myself seeing that she wouldn't. Obviously.

"Hmp" she pouted. Honestly, with her wearing an over sized jacket and messy hair with short shorts like that, it made me want to grab her and kiss the living daylights out o- What the FUCK am I thinking! Shit, I'm going crazy!

"What are you doing out here?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"I should be asking you the same thing." She answered me bluntly, crossing her arms over her chest. Actually, she has good sized- GET A FUCKING HANG OF YOURSELF!

I took a deep breath in and out and looked Mikan in the eyes. "Just answer my question."

She shrugged. "I was bored."

I rolled my eyes at her response. I shoved my hands in my pockets and sauntered back to the bench, sitting on it lazily. Mikan followed suit, sitting right beside me. We sat in silence, not one of us daring to break the silence. I don't know what to say actually. I'm kind of panicking…wait, why would THE Natsume Hyuuga be panicking? That's ridiculous! It's impossible for me to panic because of some mere girl, let along a criminal. Stupid!

"Are you worried or something?" Mikan asked all of a sudden.

"What do you mean?" I asked, completely perplexed.

"Well, you have this weird look on your face; it makes you look as if you are constipated" she laughed.

I scowled at Mikan. "I do not look constipated."

"Hey, just saying" Mikan defended, trying her best to stop laughing. She failed.

"Shut up" I muttered, completely annoyed.

"H-hey, don't be so grumpy" Mikan laughed uncontrollably.

"Quit laughing at me" I got more and more annoyed. I could feel myself forming a slight blush.

"Heh, you ruin the f-fun! Haha!" she laughed.

"Hn. Whatever."

I just sat and watched as Mikan tried her best to calm down her laughter. It wasn't until a few minutes later that she finally did. I continued to scowl at her as she got her breaths back to even.

"You done yet?" I asked, my eyebrow twitching.

Mikan took one look at me and covered her mouth, trying to stop her laughs from escaping. She finally burst out laughing, holding her stomach as she did so.

"No! Ahahahahaha! Ah ahahahaha! Heheheha! Oh my gosh, you look so funny! Hahahaha!" she laughed cutely.

I felt my eyes soften as I watched the beauty in front of me. No matter how annoying she is right now, she's still cute. It took approximately 17 and ½ minutes for her to calm down. And when she did, she looked at me with tears of laughter in her eyes.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it" she breathed out.

I gave her a small smile in return. Wait, why am I smiling? I never smile! Not even in front of my family! What's going on with me?

"Hey, you should smile more" she commented.

I blushed a bit, looking away from her. She giggled.

"There's no need to be so shy! Aww, never mind! You can look shy all you want! You look so cute!" she gushed, making me blush even more.

"What's up with you?" I asked her. "I never thought that you'd act like this after seeing your tough side."

"Hmm, well my Dad used to say that I have a very colorful personality" she commented, placing a finger on her chin.

I chuckled a bit at her statement, thinking she is very cute.

"You should laugh more often too" she stated, sending me a bright, sunny smile of her own. I blushed.

"Hn" I muttered, speechless.

"Ne, Hyuuga-sama?" she asked innocently.

"Hyuuga-sama?" I asked, my stomach suddenly feeling weird.

"Well, yeah" she placed a hand at the back of her head sheepishly. "You've saved me so…I want to let you know how I respect y-"

"Call me Natsume" I cut her off.

"Natsume-sama?"

When I heard her say my name like that, I felt even more butterflies in my stomach. I turned my gaze towards her.

"Nah, just Natsume." I said, trying my best to look stoic and uncaring.

"Natsume-sama it is!" Mikan clapped her hands together in excitement.

I sighed. I guess there's no changing her mind. I will just have to live with it. But I swear that someday, I'm gonna make her call me Natsume.

"What was your question?" I asked, trying to hide the fact that I'm a little annoyed.

"Oh, um, does that make us friend?" she asked innocently.

I saw complete and utter innocence and serenity in her eyes. She looked so cute, so beautiful. I gave her a curt nod as she squealed with joy.

"Yay! New friend!" Mikan laughed as she jumped on me and gave me a hug.

I stiffened at her sudden movements. For a few seconds, I just sat there, unmoving. Then, I found myself hugging her back. Honestly, I am very lost. What happened to that tough tom-boy who cross dressed when I first met her? What happened to that strong young woman who never ceased to amaze me with her talents and toughness and strength? Well, I guess she just amazed me once more. She really does have a colorful personality.

"By the way" Mikan started seriously, "what time is it?"

I looked at my watch and my eyes widened. It's already freaking 10! I checked my phone really quick too and noticed I had a million new messages and missed calls and texts. Damn, I just worried my whole family.

"It's 10" I stated as I sent Mom a text that said that I am fine and I'm going home soon.

"Wow, that late already? Time really does fly" Mikan stated coolly, stretching her arms above her head.

I nodded, closing my phone and shoving it in my pocket.

"Welp, I gotta go" Mikan said, taking off the jacket and handing it to me. "See you around."

And with that, the girl started walking down the sidewalk the way that I will have to go.

"Hey, d'you need a ride anywhere?" I asked as I jogged to catch up with her.

"No, I can walk" Mikan stated.

"Now there's the tough side I know" I teased her, elbowing her softly as I smirked.

"Shut up!" she laughed, gently pushing my elbow away from her.

"I have two questions for you" I stated, sounding serious.

Mikan looked at me. She scrutinized me but nodded none the less, signaling me to ask away.

"First of all, how old are you?"

"I'm 16" she stated bluntly. "You?"

"17" I answered. "Anyways, second question is don't you go to school?"

"Well," she started, "since I am obviously a runaway juvenile criminal, I do not go to school. But that doesn't mean that my intelligence is nothing. I am obviously clever and smart in many ways."

"Oh, you are using big words now?" I teased.

"Shut up! You know that I'm smart" Mikan stated.

"S.M.A.R.T isn't a good thing though" I stated.

"Huh?" she asked. "Why not?"

"Since you asked, I will tell you" I smirked. "S.M.A.R.T actually means Sexually Molested And Raped Twice."

Mikan's jaw dropped in total surprise. I blush coated her cheeks and her eyes grew wide.

"That's so gross!" she practically screamed.

"Shut up, you're gonna wake up the whole city" I growled.

"Well, I guess they have to live with it, don't they?" Mikan retorted, forming fists and settling them on her hips as she glared at me. She had stopped walking by now along with me.

"They wouldn't have to live with it if you'd just be quiet" I stated coolly.

Mikan was just about to retort until she froze, wide eyed and staring at something behind me.

Curious, I turned around and noticed a male figure standing underneath a tree. Mikan zoomed past me.

"Tsubasa-senpai!" Mikan called, jumping onto the said man as he twirled her around in the air.

Mikan and that dude laughed together, enjoying their rejoice. I just stood there, a weird feeling coming over me. Could it be…jealousy? No, it can't be. I can't be jealous!

"Mikan, you grew up so much!" The guy gushed as he set her down. I noticed the dude had dark blue hair and eyes, a lean figure, and a black star tattoo beneath his left eye. He wore a yellow beanie on his head and wore simple jeans and a white shirt.

"You're different too" Mikan stated, analyzing the dude.

"Ehem" I fake coughed to grab their attention. And guess what? I succeeded.

The both of them looked at me. Mikan then smiled sheepishly. She turned to the dude and whispered something before they both turned towards me. I gave them a suspicious look.

"Natsume-sama, this is my senpai Tsubasa Andou. Tsubasa-senpai, this Natsume Hyuuga-sama" Mikan introduced us.

"Nice to meet you. Thanks for saving my little kohai" he smiled, extending a hand to shake.

I ignored it and muttered a "hn."

Andou took his hand back and scowled. "Rude much" he muttered to Mikan who giggled.

"So Mikan, how is everything?" he asked, turning his attention to the said girl.

"It's going great!"

"Yeah, I thought so. You were a great leader even though you are younger than many of the runaways."

Mikan shrugged. "I do my best."

"I heard the password changed."

"Yeah, it did." Mikan's gaze met mine for a second before she turned back to Andou, motioning for him to lean in a little.

Mikan tip toed and whispere something into his ear so that I couldn't hear anything. Okay, I'm getting pretty annoyed. A few seconds later, she pulled back and nodded in approval.

"Hm, that's clever" Andou praised. "Great job."

"Thank you! Eh, well, it's time to go now…" Mikan turned to look at me. She walked up to me and patted me on the shoulder. "Have a safe trip home."

Mikan retracted her hand as I nodded as if wishing her the same. She walked up to Andou once more and looked back to me. She gave me a small wave.

"Come on Tsubasa, lets go" and with that, they were off.

I went back home myself, arriving at about 11. I had a quick dinner and told Mom and Aoi the story since Dad wasn't here yet. I then went to my room and got ready for bed. As I drifted to sleep I thought of the earlier predicament I was in. I wonder who Andou is to Mikan.

~Chapter 4 End~

Hey! Well, another chapter done! I hope you all liked it!

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