Chapter 4: Rough times

A/N: Hehehe :D… SORRY SORRY SORRY TTOTT! Please don't kill me or hit me until the end of the chapter! *angry mob of readers chills* OK, I'm really sorry that I made you wait so much for the forth chapter. I hope you liked the last one. It was funny to write about Mikan finally snapping. What are your thoughts about Sumire? Is she a bitch or she has a reason for acting like this? Tell me your thoughts. Also, in this chapter we will have a new POV. I think it was time for her to express her own thoughts. Also, do you know who is the driver presented in the last chapter? But since it passed so much time I think you already know.

Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice and his characters are still the property of Higuchi Tachibana Sensei and the plot idea comes from Lunar x princess Senpai (two awesome persons I will never met in this lifetime). I will leave you to read.

Three hours before Mikan was summoned at the landlord's mansion

Nami POV

I hated it. I hated Daiki, I hated his freaking friends, I hated myself for being so weak, but… right now the only person I thought as being the one who gave us this life, that I wanted to hate so much but I wasn't able to judge… it was a man that I don't even know but I should have lived with and trust him without doubt… it was my daddy.

My father, someone I didn't even met. Someone who should have read me stories before bed-time, who should hug me all day long and play with me, who should have told me to stay away from other boys (even thought I already have Uncle and Natsuke do that every day), who should protect me from nightmares, the monsters under the bed and be my hero… Who should live with me, Natsuke and Mommy.

Even though he wasn't with us, I knew some things about him. Mommy made sure we will know who our father was. I knew he liked spicy meals, chocolate, reading crime novels, annoying Mommy, playing with Natsuke… how he would spent time choosing stuffed toys and dresses for baby girls, how he would think of names for me and guess if I will look like Mommy or like him…

Mommy showed me one time a photo of her, him and a little boy (I couldn't believe that was big brother) in their arms. I remember I was angry that day. Almost everyone tells me that I'm a really cute child. People would think you're lucky for being beautiful or cute.

I learned the truth… through the hard way.

In this village the children use to go to the city to learn. Since we don't have so much money and the village doesn't have a school, Mommy took the choice to teach us herself. Anyway, it's good that kids go to school and all that but when they come back… they're different.

It was summer time and almost all the kids came back home to pass time with their parents or their grandparents. I was like four and I think (or so I eavesdropped from Natsuke and Mommy) almost all the boys that came back began to give me compliments or little gifts. I thought it was fun at that time and I still think like this until… the other girls became annoyed. I will always believe it was the worst summer I ever had. Bullied, lied to, rumors following me everywhere I went, called mean things… all this during a month. If it wasn't for Natsuke, I don't know how I will have survived. One day, one of the girls, who was a drama queen, called her bigger sister. All those mean words, towards me and Mommy… I can't even repeat them… nor do I want to. Not since I found out what they meant.

And the only one I could find as guilty was… daddy. For leaving us alone, for disappearing like he never existed in our lives, for letting us live this unmerciful life!... For not sharing those beautiful and ugly moments not even once with me… For everything bad that ever happened.

When Mommy heard what I was saying and I looked at her face… I felt like the cruelest person on earth. Even thought she was crying her heart out, she was still hugging me, trying to calm down and singing me my lullaby (she composed two lullabies for me and Natsuke). To one of the most idiotic persons that hurt her. (A/N: This memory I will make it as an Omake in a bonus chapter)

I knew she was crying because of my pain and because she missed him. It was not the first time I saw her. She just hides her tears to look strong for me and brother. Sometimes when she thinks that she is alone… I catch her crying, whispering daddy's name. I think crying is the only way for her to free herself from the pain. Even thought this 'freedom' just lasts a while.

Right now I have just three conclusions clear in my mind. First, I will make sure I will leave one day this village full of strangers and enemies, together with Mommy, Natsuke and Uncle. Second, no matter how much Mommy or I love him or miss him, I will never forgive Daddy. Or at least, not so easily if I will ever meet him. I'm thankful that I have Natsuke's support on this one thought. Third and the most important right now, for me and brother to escape from Daiki and his idiotic minions and get home safely.

"Do you think they lost our trace?" I whispered to brother since I didn't want to give them any clue of where we are.

"Maybe, but I'm not one hundred percent sure since the freaking Tom is not so dumb in exchange of the other two."

Some minutes passed. The silence was a torture. Not supporting anymore all this tension I was about to tell Natsuke I'm going to see how is the situation outside, when Natsu (his nickname) beat me to it.

"Hey, it's quiet. Too quiet for my liking… I'm going out to see what the heck is happening out there." And he left.

This was one of the many advantages of being a child. While we were chased by the three idiots we went into the woods since it was easier for us to pass through between the trees and the bushes. My idiotic cousin and his friends will always choose the streets of the town to play and because we didn't wanted to be annoyed by them, Natsuke liked the wilderness around the town and my favorite hobby was to collect flowers, medicinal plants and wild fruits. So it wasn't a problem to take the forest as our playground. The only problem: Mommy has made clear a long time ago to not play too much or too far in the woods. Yes, there were wild animals but we usually played in zones closer to the civili-uh, how it was? Cibilition… no way… civilision… no… OH GOD! CIVILIZATION! Man, how I hate it when I can't get right big words. Anyway, Uncle caught us once while he was coming back from the mines but he promised us he won't tell Mommy only if we will be really careful while we play. It was one of our many secrets. One day when we were coming back from our morning job (me and brother are helping the old grannies with house chores or pulling the weeds off), we decided to take a longer route beside the rocky hills (I still believe those are mini-mountains). Not many people passed through there so it was perfect. Yes, even though we're kids, we like to be more alone. Mommy said that Daddy was the same and he will let only people he cared to approach him. At least he wasn't so dumb. Well, as we went down the path, I saw a flower higher up the rocky hill. Natsuke saw me watching the flower so without saying anything he went after it. As he was taller it wasn't so hard for him to reach it. As he climbed down I realized what flower it was. It was a Soldanella alpina, or traditionally called, a Snowbell. They were little, and with a light shade of purple. It was December at the time but the snow still didn't fall and those types of flowers would grow on the mountains of Europe, so it was kind of weird of their presence in those parts. But at the moment the only thing I thought was how lucky I am for having one of those in my collection.

When Natsuke finally climbed down, his foot slipped but he caught balance quickly. Prepared to make fun of him, I was snickering until he told me to shut up and approach him since he discovered something. It was a small opening behind a dead bush. The bush being so thick of branches and without looking carefully, nobody could've discovered the hole.

Brother told me to not approach it and forget about it. I'm Nami Sakura. So, naaah, I don't think so.

I jumped in. If it wasn't for the sight in front of me, I would have called my brother a sissy for worrying so much.

It was… beautiful. The inside of the gap, or I should call cave, was like a place from a fairy tale. For first, the space was GIGANTIC. At the moment, I remembered all the stories the grannies would tell to the children about a dragon that lived in these mountains a long time ago and that he hid somewhere, the big treasure of a foreign king. Jewels, gold coins, pearls, accessories that only the royal could were, you name them.

Maybe I'm a little girl who should fantasize about being a princess waiting for her knight in shining armor. However, as I said, I am Nami Sakura. And I don't believe any of that. Not even my brother. We lost that innocent part of us when we saw how the real world is so cruel.

We didn't told anybody about this place since we decided it was gonna be our secret place. The place where no rumors or bullies can enter. Our only calm place.

I felt quite sad that I couldn't tell mommy where it was. Well, if she knew, she wouldn't even let us anymore in the forest. I can't understand why she is so over-protective over us. I think Natsuke knows the reason but he won't tell me anytime soon.

Back to the present.

"C'mon Nami, get out. It seems we are safe for now."

"Okay brother."

As soon as I got out, we began to run, holding hands. I always liked this part of the chases. Brother would always hold my hand while we are running. It makes me feel as if we two are against the entire world. As if together we are indestructible. As if... Natsu was filling daddy's role of protecting me.

Well, all that is good comes to an end. The bad part was that it was too quick. Those bastards caught us. Heck, and by their smiles I won't like at all what are they planning.

"Since we finally finished this stupid game of catch, how about we would share to these orphans our plans, guys" Said Daiki with his stupid grin present.

"What plans? I thought we didn't had any-OUCH! What was that for?! "Way to go Brainy, you really are the sharpest tool in the shed.

"Shut up! You are really an idiot, you know that?!" And way to go Ratty Tom. At least he didn't lie this time.

Giving a hit to those two, Daiki finally snapped "Just shut up, both of you! I can't believe this!" I couldn't control my laughs anymore and I let a small giggle.

"And why the hell are you laughing, you bitch?! Huh?! "Maybe I shouldn't have done that, but, eh, neither the next words I shouldn't have said. It was just too tempting.

"Well, at least, I've got a brain in comparison with you three, bunch of annoying cry-babies!" And I really pushed the line. (A/N and I really can't swear well today)

I think Daiki and his crew gave me the worst glare I've seen until that time. No words were needed. I knew that I and brother were done.

Without a word, just sharing a glance, they began to push us through the woods. At first, I began to worry for where they were taking us. But after a while, I began to recognize the vegetation and I realized they were taking us in a place we shouldn't even think about. The back garden of the mansion of the landlord Rei Serio was just in front of us.

Taking a glance at Natsu's face I just knew we were in deep problem. That man, Serio, made a long time ago known the fact that whoever entered his property without his invitation would need to pay great consequences for such disrespect. There were also many scary rumors about the house being haunted and the staff actually being ex-assassins. I didn't want to prove right or wrong any of those rumors.

"Finally. Let them go." Daiki ordered the other two in an emotionless voice.

And just like that we were condemned.

"Prepare to run, little shit-heads."

"No, you can't do that, Daiki! At least let Nami go! I will take it all, but don't make her go into that house. " Natsu pleaded with him. I was powerless. I knew he won't accept anything Natsu proposed. We were doomed.

"I will begin to count: ten, ni-" I couldn't hear anymore Daiki's voice. Natsu grabbed me by the hand and we started to run. I knew they won't count until zero since they just wanted us to suffer.

It was like a maze of flowers. There were so many species but if it would have been more beautiful if they weren't wilted. If I think about it, the garden was really big since at the middle of it we also found a fountain. But we didn't stop to admire it and just continued to run. I remember a set of stair and a girl was getting out the door which connected the living room with the garden.

We just passed through and since she was holding something in her hands, she dropped whatever it was by the scare we gave her. I didn't have any chance to look at her face or to say sorry. I remember just a shriek and the sound of something being broken. Maybe a plate or something made of glass, I'm not sure.

From there on everything becomes a blur. Everything was becoming hazy and the only thing I could hear were shrieking, swears, the laughs of Daiki and the other idiots but most of I could only hear crashing. It's as if it was on loop. The only thing I'm sure of is that Natsu never let go of my hand during all that chaos.

At a point, everything just stopped. We got caught by the staff of the manor. It was over.

"Hey, you brats, I'm going to kill you for what you have done, understood?" The guy who caught Natsu was quite loud. Too loud for my liking.

"Oh, Hayate, don't be such a grumpy grump! At least you got a cutey!" Ok, I didn't know what gender was the person who was holding me and this is totally weird.

"Oh, just shut up you perverted gay!" And now I'm sure it's a man. This just gave me an idea.

Turning my head towards the gay person I faked the sweetest voice I could muster"Cute lady, would you please convince that meanie old man let us go home? Please, please, please." Man, that was disgusting AND fake.

"Oh, look at her, isn't she such a cutie? It would be such a loss to give them to Persona! " Wait, who?

"Why do you even care?! After all the cleaning we done, they came and destroyed everything! And who the hell are you calling old man, you brat?!" This guy is really getting on my nerves now. "And you know that if we don't tell him about this rascals, he is gonna cut our pay!"

"Oh no! Then how am I gonna buy my beauty products?!" Are you joking me?!

"Oh please, nice lady! It wasn't our fault, some bullies chased us until you got us! " Nice save Natsu! I can feel your pain so god, please stop making fists!

"Uh, I don't know what to do! Beauty or this little prince?" Ok, now I'm literally stifling my laughs and Natsu glaring at me doesn't quite help.

"Gaah, I don't care what you do, but I need tha-"

"Matsudaira, Amane, would you stop making such a ruckus? I don't pay you for making a fool out of yourselves." A new voice made its presence in the hallway.

Suddenly there was a deadly silence. That icy cold voice, and these idiots shocked. This is bad.

We finally were let down, but they were still gripping at our shoulders. It was as if they became soldiers in front of their general. I kept my head low as being scared to see who was in front of us.

"Excuse us, Persona-sama." They both apologized simultaneously. Slowly, I raised my head to face the one they called Persona.

It was him. Rei Serio, the landlord of Death. We are done.

"Hmm, what do we have here?" He began to come closer. I tried to back away instantly but I was met with the legs of the gay, fixed just like a statue.

"These children are the intruders who vandalized the house, Persona-sama." Thank you so much for your help, gay man.

Natsu, panicking, began to protest"No! It wasn't us! We were just framed!"

"Did I ask you anything, little kitten?" With a glare sent towards my brother, he shifted his view to me. "Although, in exchange I would like to talk with this little kitty over here. What are your names, my dear?" Those eyes, so cold… but it was as if they were pulling me in, drowning me.

"Natsu and Nami Sakura." I'm sorry Natsu but this guy is too weird for my liking.

"Sakura… Are you by any chance the children of Mikan Sakura?" This voice will surely appear in my nightmares from now on.

Natsu beat me to it"Don't you dare get her in this mess!" Again, I didn't have the sensation this was Natsu. It's as if he was older, as if… he was Uncle or Dad.

With those final words there was set again a deadly silence. Only this time Natsu and this man had a staring contest going on. A tiny detail of this confrontation was that Natsu was glaring daggers at him and if looks could kill, that man would be already burning in hell.

"Hmm, I didn't see any resemblance with Kuro Neko at first since you were so civilized but it seems you still got something from him. Unlike your little sister who must have got her obedience from her mother." Wait, is he talking about Dad?!

"Do you know our father?!" Why did I even ask that?! It's as if my body reacted just by the tiny little hope that this man knew our father. Realizing the mistake I've done, with fear, looked towards the face of Natsu.

Betrayal. All the color faded from his face just because I asked of that man,… for getting my hopes up. Soon afterwards, his face turned emotionless and turned his gaze to the floor making me unable to see his eyes. He must have been so angry and disappointed.

Ignoring my question, Persona began to walk away while giving orders to a boy with bandages – when did he even appear, I don't know – to bring mommy to the mansion to talk with her about the 'mess ' we have done.

It was clear Daiki has made a good job on his revenge.

A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope you liked it. As crazy as I can be I appreciate your support. And remember please that I have a poll in my account about this story so please fill in with votes. Peace.