AN: thank you for all the reviews, alert and favorites. I really appreciate your support that's why I try to update soon. I would like to acknowledge my reviewers xSapphirexRosesxFanx,(Sorry if I made you wait for chapter 3 for a month. Hehe. I really have personal problems that's why I can't think clearly), xXBluefangXx, babee-angel, Crimson-Midnight-Moon, ruinechan, Kuroichibineko, BeHind ThY HaZel OrBs, Crimson-Midnight-Moon, SweetKaiariChan, PaTchoRa, and HeideeMay (yeah I have a lot of mistakes here and I will try to fix it if I can but don't expect my grammar because I really suck in it.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.
CHAPTER 4
It has been a month since Mikan and Natsume stayed in this town far away from Tokyo to escape. Mikan enjoyed her work at the café and became closer to Anna, Nonoko and of course the hottest man alive, Natsume. She made a lot of friends in her first week of stay. She was introduced to Yuu, Anna's boyfriend and Nonoko's Koko. Also, because of misunderstanding, a lot of fan girls envy her for being Natsume's fake girlfriend and some became her enemy. Even though Mikan constantly deny their relationship, he does something that people will think that they were really a couple. It caused Mikan to be really annoyed.
"Kyaaa, he's so handsome!" one of the girls in the café squealed which attract the attention of people around including Mikan and Anna. "I wonder if he had already a girlfriend. If not I will do anything to make him mine." said the other one. The rest giggled. One of them approached him and smiled at him sweetly but poor woman, Natsume just look at her uninterested and ignored her.
Mikan heard the costumers and thought. 'They are so annoying. Seriously, what did they see in him? He's a jerk, handsome, sometimes kind and sweet… wait, what did I say? No! No! No! Erase that… can't they understand that he has a girlfriend and that's me? Arghh, not again where are these bad thoughts come from? Shoooooooo. Shoooooooo.' Mikan banged her head on the counter.
"Mikan are you alright? What happened to you?" Anna asked worriedly at her friend. She continued banging her head and only stopped at the voice of the person that caused her frustration.
"I could help you bang your head hard on that counter if you are planning to die polka. I would love to do the honor."
"What did you say pervert? Did you really hate me that much that you want me to die?" she glared at him but he noticed that there is a hint of sadness visible in her eyes.
"Tch, if I really want to then I should never help you escape when we are at the train station with those men following you." Mikan began to smile a little. She turned on her back and don't talk to him.
"What's with her?" Natsume asked Anna confused on her behavior.
"I don't know. All I can remember is that when you entered this café, she begun to bang her head repeatedly." Anna replied.
"Hn. So childish." Natsume exited the café without another word and Anna was left there dumb folded but sooner smiled. Who wouldn't if you are living with them that almost every day that you see them fight and make up. For her, it was another lover's quarrel.
'My gosh, what is happening to me? Why I am hurt thinking that he hates me that much? What is this feeling I have every time he comes near me? My heart beats faster and I really feel so conscious around him. And, when those girls swoon on him, I really wanted to scream at them to back of… argh what is this? Am I jealous? It can't be. It can't be that I am falling for him. No! But this feeling just feels so right. He was there when I need someone to help me. Even though we fight almost every day, I feel safe and happy with him.' Mikan thought and clutch her heart. That was when she finally admitted it to herself; indeed, she is falling in love with him. She has also decided that she will keep it until she truly fallen in or fallen out of love.
A while later, she was still in deep thinking when her reverie was cut with the chime that indicates a costumer has entered. She stopped on her track when Natsume emerge from it. He stand in front of her and tossed a box of Howalon in front of her. She stared at it and smiled widely. "Thank you so much." She happily grabs the box and ate the sweet candy. Natsume on the other hand smile secretly and just like that, they are friends again without the word of apology. He was here after his work at the office if he was not tired and they will go home together.
Elsewhere…
"Damn where is Mikan? I am really worried about her. It was been a month since she called me. I wonder if she is okay or not." Tsubasa was pacing back and forth his room.
"Will you stop Tsubasa!" Hotaru snapped at him. "We cannot do anything but to wait for her call. I'm sure she is fine whenever she was. She's an Idiot but I believe in her that she can take care of herself. She is strong and determined woman."
"Yeah she's right Tsubasa. Your panic will lead you to nowhere. Don't worry, I am going to look for her and inform you right away if ever I have a chance. We should be careful because Reo and his father are watching our every move." Ruka, Hotaru's fiancé said.
"Speaking of being careful, whatever information we have should be only between the three of us. And Tsubasa, if I say three, it does not include your girlfriend. I don't trust her." Hotaru said calmly but glaring directly to him.
"But, Misaki is my girlfriend and she said that she really cares for my sister. She wanted to know if she is fine." He argued.
"That's what she said, but I doubt it since I have researched that she was adopted by Persona which loyally work for the Mouri's."
"Yes she told me that but you know that she leave them now because she is sick of them, she hate them." Tsubasa defended her love.
"Tsubasa, just do whatever Hotaru said, I believe in her that no one will be trusted." Tsubasa sighed heavily and give up since he knew he will never win. "By the way Hotaru, are the papers are ready for Mikan to leave Japan?"
"Yes they are ready and all we need to do is find her." She replied.
Ruka's phone rings so he excused himself and answered it. As he talks on the person on the line, a worried expression etched his face. After the call, he went back to the two. "I am really sorry to say but my informant said that Reo and his father have secret spies in all the airlines here in Japan. Also, because of their influence, they will be notified by the airlines when they see her. They also heightened their alert and check all the documents passengers have. So, even if she will be able to pass on the guards, real or fake documents won't work."
"Damn, so that means Mikan will never be able to leave Japan." Tsubasa banged his fist on the table. 'Mikan, wherever you are, please stay safe. I will do anything to end this problem.'
"If Mikan knew what really happened to your father and jii-chan then I am afraid that she would choose to marry that bastard. I can't let her do that so we need to think of possible ways to save them. Mikan did not deserve to suffer." Hotaru stated.
"Yes, we won't let that happen. I love my sister so much."
"Anyway I'm going now. I will just call you. I will do anything to help her. She is like my sister." Ruka stand and kissed his fiancé. "Take care Ruka." "You two stay safe."
It was exactly a week since Ruka, Hotaru and Tsubasa talk. Ruka is a veterinarian and now in a far town for his client called for his service. He was hopeful that he will see Mikan in this place. Fortunately, after treating the dog of his client, he went to the café where Mikan works.
The bell chimed so Anna greeted the new costumer. She called Mikan to hand the newly bake cookies. That's when Mikan's eyes widened. Mikan put down the tray on run to him. She hugs him tightly for a minute and tears forming on her eyes.
Meanwhile, Natsume entered the café and was startled by the scene. He lowered his head and a feeling of sadness and anger wells up within him. He clenched on his fist and walk away. He was noticed by Anna but said nothing.
"Ruka, I'm so glad I see you again! I miss you all. How are they doing?" Mikan asked him.
"Thank God Mikan you are safe. We are so worried about you." before she could reply, they were interrupted by Anna.
"Oh. Sorry, before anything else Anna this is Ruka, my friend. Ruka, this is Anna, my friend and my boss." After she introduced them, Mikan asked permission to talk to him which she did grant.
They are in the bench in the park as the sun set in the horizon. "Uhm. Mikan I'm really glad that you are safe. Don't worry for us because we are okay. Your brother and Hotaru really miss you."
"I also miss them a lot. I want to go back home to be with them but I can't."
"Yes it's hard for us all. We will do everything to make you safe. Mikan, I'm afraid to tell you that you cannot go back soon because Reo hired people to guard your house and Hotaru's. We have to be more careful. I will call later Hotaru and tell that you are safe." He said.
"Can you call her now? I want to talk to them." she insisted.
"I'm sorry Mikan but I tried to call her already but she did not answer. That only means one thing; it is not safe to talk about you right at this moment."
"Why? What do you mean it's not safe? Is she in danger?" she begun to panic.
"Relax, she is not. We have decided that we will talk only about you in a secret place. Hotaru don't know if your house or hers were tapped by a hidden camera. We cannot risk your safety." He explained.
"I…I understand. Sorry for everything that I've caused you, for the trouble that my family have." She sobbed while Ruka comfort him in an embrace. "Shh, don't worry about us. We were friends right? We will do everything to help you." she looked at him smiling faintly. "Thank you."
"Uhm, There's one thing more you have to know."
"What is it?"
"You have to stay here because Reo make sure that you cannot go outside the country."
"I see." She mumbled softly.
"Anyway, nice disguise here Mikan- chan, I really don't know it was you until you hug me." He smiled as he ruffled her hair. "Hey! Don't ruin my hair." Mikan pouted. She cut her hair short and dyes it black and wears blue eye contacts.
Natsume was watching television while Anna was cooking their dinner when Mikan arrive with Ruka.
"Hey, Natsume this is Ruka. Ruka, this is Natsume, the one who help me to escape at the wedding." Mikan introduced them with each other. Ruka smiled while Natsume look at him with a blank face. "Hn." He said and walk towards his room. "Wait Natsume, dinner will be served shortly, aren't you going to eat?" Anna asked.
"I'm not hungry."
"What's his problem Anna? Is there anything wrong happened to him?" Mikan asked worriedly which Ruka did notice.
"I…I don't know. He arrived here first and just seated at the couch the whole time." Anna lied. She knew what made him so upset. Nonoko arrive later and they eat their dinner. They talk for a while. Mikan put Natsume's food on the tray and went upstairs. She knocks on the door with her free hand.
"Natsume, I know that you are hungry. Come on you should eat, I brought you food. If there's a problem you can talk to me. Please, don't be like this!" she said.
"Go away Polka. I said I'm not hungry and I don't have any problems. I'm just tired from work no need to worry." replied of the man on the room.
"But-, okay fine I will just leave it here in front of your door." She stubbornly said.
"You're so stubborn polka; you won't change your mind won't you?"
"Nope."
Natsume sighed heavily and opened the door. He was greeted by the smiling face of the woman who caused his anger and sadness. He grabs the tray and slammed the door into her. Mikan's vein popped out. "What a jerk! He slammed the door in my face. Hmp. How dare he do that to me." She went down fuming in anger.
'Argh, Why am I feeling this way? Natsume you were out of you mind. So what if she is with that blond? You don't care. She hates you for being a jerk to her so that's what you get. Now that her boyfriend is here, she doesn't need you anymore. What is happening to me? Am I falling for her? This can't be. But why did I feel sad and angry at the same time? Oh no. I think I'm going insane.' He disheveled his hair out of frustration and just decided to eat since he is truly, extremely hungry.
After an hour, Natsume went downstairs to the kitchen. On his way, Anna and Nonoko are in the couch watching TV. Anna approached him and said in a low voice: "You know Natsume, don't be so childish. Ask first before you jump into conclusions."
"What are you saying?" he said emotionless.
Anna chuckled. "haha, so you are acting now innocent? I know why you are so upset."
"I…I do…don't know what you are saying." 'Great I stuttered' he thought.
Anna's smile widened and leaves him alone. He was about to gone upstairs when Anna commented. "Nonoko, where did you place Ruka for him to sleep?"
"He was beside the room of Mikan on the right. Why?" Nonoko replied. Natsume stopped on his track.
"Oh nothing, I'm just asking. He was really kind especially to Mikan. Too bad he can't stay here longer since he needed to talk and see his fiancé, to Mikan's best friend." She said louder for him to hear clearly.
Natsume's eyes widened. 'His fiancé,' ' Mikan's best friend' he really misunderstood them. He slapped his face for acting that way. 'Great, just great, the two of them are probably laughing at me now.' He continues to go to his room with smile on his face. He was really relieved that Ruka and Mikan are not a couple.
Ruka is in his room dialing his fiancé's number. He was able to contact her and tell her about Mikan. He was able to explain everything about her from where she stays and the people with her. Hotaru was relieved that her best friend is safe.
In the Sakura mansion, Tsubasa is with his girlfriend Misaki when Hotaru called. He is reluctant answering the phone because Misaki is there. However, he decided to answer it when Misaki told him that she will go to the restroom. Hotaru explained everything to him and told him that his sister is safe and is staying at the far away town. Likewise, he feels very happy and relieved to know that Mikan is doing fine and is in the hands of good people.
Unknown to him, his trusted and beloved girlfriend is listening intently to their conversation at the door slightly open. When the conversation ended, she went outside and dialed a number.
"Hello Persona, I have information for you about Mikan Sakura."
Sorry to say this but please understand if I don't update sooner, it is because I am slightly depressed this past few months and hopefully soon recover. I really feel so empty (sorry for being dramatic) and some fictions here affected me much since it contains too much angst and I stopped reading it.
But…don't be angry, I will continue my story. It's a promise of a lifetime. (It's my ninja way. haha)
Love lots ;)
mel
