I've updated! Just to warn you guys, after this chapter, I may not be able to update everyday. But I'm sure to update fast. Just probably not everyday. Note. Probably. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice

Chess Pieces On A Chessboard

Chapter IV (四): Snow White's Brother

"Hotaru! Help me... My parents, they..."

"Calm down, Mikan! I'm on my way. Where are you?"

"...Hospital..."

"Wait for me. Don't go anywhere, Mikan. You hear me? Don't you dare go anywhere!"

"..."

Sound of call ended.

"We're going to the nearest hospital."

"Huh? What? What happened? Who was that?"

"Mikan."

~-*-~~-^;-;^-~~-*-~

"Mikan!"

"Hotaru... Ruka..."

"This is serious. She called me by my name without adding -pyon!"

"Ruka."

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

"I can't pick you up later. There's an emergency meeting that I need to attend. I'll just notify Takashi-san to pick you up," Natsume said as he stopped the car in front of the school gate.

"It's fine," Yuzuki replied as he opened the door and went out.

"Yuzuki," Natsume called through the open window. "Let's have dinner together."

Yuzuki turned and look at his dad. "You don't have to. I'm used to it anyway."

Natsume glared. "We're having dinner together."

Yuzuki sighed at the obvious command. "Fine. Bye, dad."

"Bye." Natsume said before starting the car. And then he left.

"Yuki!" A high-pitched voice called from his left. He turned towards the voice to see a car leaving and a girl waving at him.

Nami ran to him and greeted him with a big, wide smile. "Good morning!"

"Tch." He turned away and headed for the elementary building, ignoring the girl who looks like she never had any problems all her life.

"Mou~ Yuki! You should greet back when someone greets you!"

Yuzuki remained silent and walked to their classroom with his hands buried inside his pocket while Nami continued ranting about his rudeness. Refusing to listen to her ear-shattering ranting, Yuzuki turned his attention on his surroundings which is not any better of a choice. Around them, students stared, squealed and murmured amongst themselves. He also noticed that their audience wasn't only composed of females like what he's used to. Boys' eyes pretended to be busy with something else but once in a while, wander to their direction.

Yuzuki glanced briefly at his partner who was still talking endlessly beside him. Well, it's no wonder why eyes would follow her. Though she's extremely childish and talkative, she has the face that is deserving to be admired. And the aura she's emitting was that of a little ball of sun.

Yuzuki shook his head.

He couldn't believe he was capable of describing someone with such words. Then there's this sinking feeling that he's seen her face before. He just couldn't remember but he will not strain his brain in remembering. It's probably not important anyways.

They arrived at their classroom and as expected, Nami greeted their classmates with a bright smile while he silently made his way to their seat. He was greeted by the girls on his way but he ignored them.

"What's wrong, Yuki?" Nami asked worriedly.

Yuzuki faced the window. "Nothing."

"Your lies won't fool me, Yuki. You may hide everything under that emotionless face of yours so that others won't see but I'm different. I can see past that mask and know that something's bothering you. It's a talent. Now tell me why you're in a bad mood."

Yuzuki could almost feel a bit of emotion on her words but he doesn't know which. He was never an expert on emotions and other people's feelings to begin with because he never felt them himself or even tried to understand them. With his almost uneventful life, it was to be expected.

Maybe someone like her would be able to make him understand. He wouldn't lose anything by telling her anyway.

"I saw a leech so early in the morning, hanging around my dad," he gritted his teeth as he told her.

Nami blinked. "Why don't you just kill it then?"

Yuzuki looked at her in disbelief. He was about to comment on her naivety but she continued and the next words she said gave him an idea. An idea his dad might not like but he will surely enjoy.

"Surely, you're much bigger and more powerful than some tiny leech."

Yuzuki's mouth twitched into a mischievous smirk. "Good idea, Nami."

Nami's eyes widened. It was the first time he called him with her nickname. It was always Yukihara, Yukihara. "You just called me Nami," she pointed out.

His eyebrow shot up. "So? Isn't that your name?"

"But you always call me by my last name. It suddenly feels like we're close friends. Ahhhh! I'm so happy!" She hugged him in happiness making Yuzuki shocked and suddenly aware of their classmates' stares and the supressed giggle of their teacher whom he hadn't notice enter.

"Idiot! Get off me," he growled as he pried her off him.

"Ahhh~ I knew I made the right choice when I partnered you two up," the teacher sighed dreamily.

"The bell rang five minutes ago, teacher. When will you start?" A student impatiently asked.

The teacher coughed and composed herself. "Oh, right. Anyway, our first activity today would be...," she trailed off prolonging the suspense while her students wondered what their teacher thought of this time.

"Role play!" Some cheered while some groaned when the teacher announced their activity. Nami was one of those who cheered and Yuzuki was one of those who groaned.

"But why!" One student whined.

"Because this would be a preparation for next month's project," the teacher explained. "We would be doing a role play and we will be competing with other classes. The principal and two other teachers would judge your performances."

"But I don't wanna!"

The teacher shook her head. "Sorry, sweetheart. It's the decision of the head of the English department. Now class, group yourselves into five!"

"Yosh! Yuki and I are group mates!" Nami announced while Yuzuki shook his head, feeling embarrassed at himself and for the girl.

Girls and boys raced to them in hopes of joining their group but alas, only three people are needed and the first three who got to them was the lucky ones. The others sulked before grouping themselves into five. Albeit, half-heartedly.

"Okay, everybody has a group?" She asked and when her students nodded, she grinned. "First, talk amongst yourselves on who will be the leader."

The students began talking and deciding the leader. In Yuzuki's group, there was a problem. They couldn't decide who will be the leader between Yuzuki and Nami. The three people from their group argued while Yuzuki and Nami watched them. The latter, not knowing what to do.

"Yuzuki-san should be the leader!" Argued one girl and was supported by the other girl who both seems like his fan girls.

"I think Nami should lead," said the guy who was secretly glancing at Nami.

Yuzuki noticed this and his eyes narrowed. He likes her huh, he thought before glancing at the girl beside him who still looked troubled. Unfortunately for him, the girl of his dreams has no idea.

Yuzuki held in a chuckle.

"What? Do you want to be the leader, Yuki?"

He snapped out of his thoughts and faced Nami who was looking at him in concern. "I refuse."

The two girls whined at his reply. Stubbornly insisting that he should lead. Hearing this, Nami was still troubled and Yuzuki noticed. He sighed. "Look, Nami. You're the noisy one, you lead."

"But—" Nami and the girls started to say but Yuzuki interrupted with a glare.

"No. More. Word."

Hearing the finality in his voice, Nami sighed and decided to do as he say. "Okay fine."

"We've decided, teacher! I will be the leader!" Nami shouted with her right hand raised.

"Will you stop shouting? You're breaking my ear drums," Yuzuki hissed irritatedly.

Nami looked at him. "Will you stop being grumpy?"

"No," he replied blankly.

Nami smiled, annoying him further. "Then no."

Yuzuki rolled his eyes. Tch.

"Okay class, settle down. Leaders come to me and pick one from this box," the teacher instructed. The leaders from each group stood up and went to the teachers. Nami was third. "Open the paper but don't let others know what you got, okay? After that, go back to your seats and discuss about what you are going to do. Remember, don't tell anyone the contents of your chosen paper."

Nami picked one and opened it. As soon as she saw the content, she quickly folded it and gave it back to the teacher. With a big grin on her face, she went back to her seat making her classmate curious on what she got. After every leader has chosen one and went back to their respective seats, the teacher asked if anyone has a question.

Raising her hand, Nami retains the grin on her face. "Can we alter the story a bit, teacher?"

The teacher thought for a while before nodding her head. "If you wish, you may do so but don't alter the original story too much."

"Sure, teacher!" Nami replied.

Yuzuki wondered what the girl could be thinking. She has this look in her eyes that was very familiar to him. A look he had seen before but doesn't seem to remember. Yuzuki shrugged at the thought. Whatever it is, he has to keep his mind on what she might be planning.

"What did you get, Nami?" Asked one of the two girls.

Grinning, she answered. "Snow White."

The girls' mouth formed into an 'O' but they still don't understand why she was so happy about that. Noticing the looks on their faces, Nami giggled. "I already have an idea but we won't stick only on the original story."

"What's your plan, Natsumi-sa...n," the guy asked, trailing off at the end as he was about to call her with 'sama' as the honorific. Yuzuki noticed the small detail and stared at the guy who quickly noticed his stare and became twitchy on his seat.

Knowing nothing about the staring–boring holes that was going on, Nami explained her idea. "According to the story, Snow White was an only daughter," she started and the girls who were listening intently, nodded their heads.

"Her stepmother would grow jealous of her and hire a huntsman to kill her. I thought that it would be interesting if the huntsman was secretly her twin brother," she said excitedly but quiet enough not to let other groups overhear.

"How would she get lost on the woods then?"

"He would bring her to the woods and instruct her to find the dwarves' cottage who he had helped out before. He would give her his coat that the dwarves had given him so that they wouldn't scare her away and help her instead. When they parted ways, the huntsman would kill a young boar and take it's heart to the Queen as proof that Snow White is dead. And then yada, yada, yada the huntsman would secretly watch over Snow White yada yada yada. He also learns that Snow White had met the Prince and would be protective of his twins sister yada yada—"

"We can't understand a story full of yada yada yada, Nami." Yuzuki rolled his eyes while the girls giggled causing Nami to pout and the guy to blush slightly at the adorable display.

"As I was saying—" she started but Yuzuki interrupted her again.

"You were saying yada yada yada," he said earning him a glare from the usual cheery girl. He was surprised that she was even capable of glaring and quite good at it by the way.

Yuzuki sent her a bored look which she rolled her eyes at and continued with her story. He had to admit that teasing her made his mood lift. It was very satisfying.

"We'll go with the original story but we will make the huntsman's role bigger by making him the princess' twin brother who was separated from Snow White when they were born. And..." Nami went on.

After the explanation finished, it was time for another step. Deciding who is who. "Who will be Snow White?" One of the girls asked.

"I don't know but I want to try the evil Queen!" Nami said excitedly.

All four stared at her and simultaneously shook their heads. "Impossible."

"Eh? Why not!" Nami whined.

It was Yuzuki who answered her. "Because you're too childish to be the evil Queen."

She grimaced and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not childish. Humph!"

"Says you," Yuzuki muttered.

Before a fight breakout, the guy spoke out. "I think you should be Snow White, Natsumi-sam—san." He inwardly slapped himself as he nearly slipped again.

Yuzuki caught on. He smirked, "That suits you. Be Snow White then." All the while glancing at the anxious boy in front of him.

"Really?" Nami asked, not quite sure.

"Yes! Definitely!" The guy answered rather quickly.

Nami smiled. "Okay then!"

"The characters left are the Mirror, the Queen, the Prince and the Huntsman," said one girl.

"Yuzuki-sama should be the prince!" The other girl, who was obviously the worse of the two fan girls exclaimed.

"No! He'll do the prince," Yuzuki pointed to the other guy who was visibly shocked but Yuzuki knows that he was pleased deep inside.

"If that's the case then you'll be the huntsman," Nami pointed out. Realizing what she said, she grinned. "You'll be my brother!"

"Tch. Is there any need to be overly excited?" Yuzuki frowned in annoyance.

"Psh. Mood killer," Nami muttered and pouted to herself.

"I'll take on the Queen then," the worse girl said while sighing.

"I'll be the mirror and the narrator. We could really use it." The other girl said but on that point on, nobody was listening anymore.

After a five minutes, the teacher called their attention and announced the order. Nami and her group was the last to perform. They were also told to stop talking as the plays are going to start.

—

Nami's group went back to their respective seats after their performance. She had to admit, Yuzuki was a good and serious actor. He played the huntsman quite well but Nami noticed him occasionally taunting the guy who played the prince.

"Good work everybody! I will be selecting the best story from the play you performed and it will be what we will be using to compete with other classes. I'll announce it tomorrow," the teacher said as she prepared to leave.

The bell rang, signifying their break.

"And there goes the bell. See you tomorrow, class!" The teacher smiled before going out of the classroom.

Students rushed out of the classroom while Yuzuki waited for someone. And no, it's not Nami. "Aren't you going yet?" Nami asked.

"No. Wait for me outside, I have something to talk about with Prince." The said guy who played their prince flinched.

"Okay. Just be fast. I don't wanna wait long," then she went out of the classroom. By now, the only people in the classroom was the guy and Yuzuki.

"What's your name?" Yuzuki asked after a minute of silence.

"K-kei. Koizumi Kei," the guy stammered.

Hearing his last name, Yuzuki's eyes narrowed into slits. It can't be, he thought. Maybe this guy was just unfortunate to have the same surname as that woman. Maybe that's it. He shouldn't just assume. He has to make sure.

"Koizumi? By any chance, do you know someone named 'Luna'?"

Kei blinked. "Yes. She's my older sister. Why? How do you know her?"

And it all came crashing down. Damn.

"She came to our house this morning," he gritted his teeth. In front of him, stood that annoying woman's little brother who has a crush on Nami.

Of all people.

Kei frowned in bewilderment. "Huh? But I thought she went to the house of the Hyuuga's."

Yuzuki stared at him with blank, dead eyes.

Kei gasped when he came into realization. "You're a Hyuuga?" He exclaimed.

Yuzuki placed his hands on his pocket and stared at him. "Just an advice: Give up on her."

Kei's eyes widened. "What? Why would I do that?"

"As you know, she's dense to the point of stupidity. She will never notice your feelings." Yuzuki headed to the door but stopped when he heard Kei's question.

"Do you like her?"

There it is again. First his father and now that woman's little brother. How ironic. The world really is too small.

"Yes," he answered straight shocking Kei. "But not the same way as you do."

Then he left. Leaving Kei to ponder on his words. He didn't like Yuzuki at first, with the way he carried himself arrogantly and the way he looked at things seems like he knew everything but after talking with him, his impression of him had changed. Maybe he wasn't that bad.

"Finish? What did you two talked about?" Nami sprang in front of Yuzuki as soon as he stepped out of the classroom with the usual smile on her face.

Yuzuki rolled his eyes at her and continued walking. "Not your business. Now shut your mouth and let's get something to eat before my mood this morning return."

Getting what he meant, her mouth formed an 'O'. She grinned, grabbed his arm and dragged him to the cafeteria.

Sound of door opening and closing...

"How are they?"

"Family of the patient?"

"She's the daughter."

"..."

"What is it, doctor?"

"..."

"What..."

"I'm sorry."

"If I..."

"We're not sure..."

"..."

"Sakura..."

"Mikan..."

End of Chapter

Woooshooo! I actually took a long time to write this one. I searched for some fairy tales other than the most known but none of them would fit in this story so I ended up giving Snow White a twin brother. Haha! I just noticed. Readers are more curious about the bishop than how everything ended up like that. Hahaha!

Reply to the Reviews:

StarElsie: Whoa there! Hold your horse! ;) She just made her appearance. Wait till later. :D

me enamore de ti: Awwww. Thank you! I had to google translate your review and thank you very much! Btw, Thank you Google Translate. Hahaha!

Liyan: Oh there will be more bonding of course! They have one here and the next one too. :)

AiramEnayle: Natsume was only 10 or was it 11 when he debuted in the manga. And he already thinks like an adult. Adult. Not teenager. I'll explain further when I get to Natsume's chapter.

Krusette: I won't make them see each other so soon, of course! And no. They never saw each other. They might be in the same area not once, not twice, maybe more but they never saw each other. That's how I'll do it. :)

XxShirayukixX: Of course! Hotaru is important as much as Natsume and Mikan so of course she will.

BlackMaskedBeauty: What is this shameless advertising? Huh? Don't you know that what I'm saying is just one big joke and I'm actually laughing while writting this? Huh? Huh! I did check out the story you mentioned and I didn't not enjoyed it. I repeat, I didn't not. XD

-MitsukaiYuki