Disclaimer: I do not own any of Gakuen Alice. How I wish.


Chapter Seven: It's Party Time

Mikan sighed and sat in frustration on her bed. She couldn't decide on what to wear even after having raided her enormous walk-in closet. Beads of sweat are running down her temple because not only is she so undecided, but she also is time-pressured. It's ten minutes to four and it looks like she needs to get freshened up again. She looked around and that was when she realized how much of a mess she made in her room. For the last time, she stood up again and thought things thoroughly. "Oh gosh, what am I getting worked up for? It's only a welcome party.." she mumbled lowly to herself with hands on her hips. Although deep inside she was trying to impress someone.. for the first time.

A knock on her door interrupted her rumbling mind. "What?" she asked impatiently. "Miss Mikan, I came to inform you that Mr. Hyuuga has arrived as you instructed me." Mikan's personal maid said with all due respect to Mikan. Mikan's eyes widened in shock and she immediately said to her maid, "Okay, tell him I'll be there in a few."

Natsume arrived ten minutes earlier than the assigned time. He was looking so fresh, neat and with so much class in his Armani Suit. When he arrived at the gates of Mikan's mansion, he had to admit that it was absolutely stunning – fit for the high-class people who lives in here. The landscaping was awesome with the greenest Bermuda grasses and crystal clear water on the fountains. It's the biggest lot he has entered in so far. As he entered the home, he was shocked to see a really huge portrait of Mikan's mother and father on the wall. Yuka was younger than how Natsume could remember her so it must have been taken when Yukihira didn't have any affair with his mother yet.

The maids and butler guided him towards the enormous living room. "Miss Mikan would like to say that she will be here in a few. Would you like a tea perhaps, sir?" Mikan's personal maid bowed low to him. "Yes please." Natsume said as he let his eyes wander around the mansion. On the fireplace, he noticed a portrait of Mikan with her brothers with a goofy smile, presumably taken when she was eight years old.

"Yeah I'm coming.." Tsubasa said through his mobile phone and ended the call as he descended the grand staircase. He glanced at the living room and he noticed Natsume Hyuuga. "You must be Natsume Hyuuga." he said as he neared Natsume in a slow pace. "Yeah." Natsume responded as he stood up to shake hands with Tsubasa as a formal greeting even if how much he hated to. "How old are you, mate?" Tsubasa asked as he seated himself across him. "I'm seventeen." Natsume replied curtly. "Are you attending the same school as Mikan?" Tsubasa asked again. Natsume just nodded in response this time.

"You don't seem so talkative, huh." Tsubasa commented. "Hn." Natsume looked away. "I heard you used to work in various places before. Did you really not know about your identity or your father at the very least?" Tsubasa further questioned, irritating Natsume. "Actually, I'm not in the type who'd like to linger in the past so I don't really enjoy talking about what happened and stuff." Natsume tried to sound patient enough. However, Tsubasa kept on pestering him. "My brothers are really looking forward to meet you seeing as you had so much guts as to come here personally.. and alone. Are you really not threatened by whatever you hear about us when it comes to Mikan?" Tsubasa went on.

"Is there something you can do when Mikan desires to see me after this one time? I bet you can't go as far as to lock her indoors." Natsume sounded irritated now and Tsubasa was about to answer him when his phone rang. Tsubasa shook his head at Natsume and said, "There's no more next time, dude. I'll make sure of that. Excuse me." Tsubasa said as he picked up his phone and received the call then he went out to the garage to drive to his girlfriend's home to fetch her for the party tonight. Natsume had to admit that even though it was their mother and father who caused the death of his dear mother, he couldn't help but feel the same anger towards them all.

He glanced at his wristwatch and noticed that it already had been thirty minutes since four and Mikan is still upstairs, in her room doing God-knows-what. "Man, she sure is taking her time.." Natsume mumbled and just entertained himself by looking at the portraits hanged on the walls. He concluded that this family are fond of taking pictures and framing them then displaying them all over the household.

Then he heard rushing footsteps descending the staircase. He presumed it was already Mikan Sakura. "Oh my gosh Natsume, I'm so sorry I made you wait!" Mikan said as she made her way towards Natsume. She looked so pretty with her fully lined, strapless, butter cream dress featuring a spring-inspired rosebud print that reached until her mid-thigh. She paired it with pale pink tights, olive green wedges, and a charm bracelet. Her lipstick was a happy shade of pink and her dress revealed her creamy skin tone. She had her hair in a low and messy chignon which complemented her overall look making her look sexy and eye-catching. Fit to be his date for tonight, worth the wait.

"Ah, it's okay. Let's get going?" he said then he added, "By the way, you look great." this made Mikan blush lightly, making her look so cute. "Sure." Mikan said and went with Natsume. "Mikan, won't you at least introduce me to Mr. Hyuuga here?" Yukihira's voice rang out through the room and Mikan looked up at Natsume who was a head taller than her and turned to her father. "Dad.. I thought you have gone ahead already." Mikan said as she gave her father a hug. "Natsume.. this is my Dad. Dad, this is Natsume.." Mikan said as she went to Natsume's side to introduce him to her father.

"Hello, Yukihira-san.." Natsume had this smirk on his face when he noticed the shock on Yukihira's face when he recognized him. Natsume held out his hand and said, "I'm very pleased to meet you.. again." Natsume hoped he heard the last word and he guesses he did because he cringed. Despite that, Yukihira took Natsume's hand and shook it but immediately let go of it. "You are.. Iora-san's son?" he asked in almost disbelief and partly in shock. "Yes, Dad. Now I'm afraid we really need to get going." Mikan said, oblivious of the tension between her father and Natsume. Natsume simply cracked a smile and said, "Oh well, it's about time we go. See you later, sir." Natsume purposely put his hand around Mikan's waist as they went out of the house leaving Mikan's father still in shock.

"Sorry but.. I don't think I'm comfortable in this position." Mikan said when they finally got out of the house. Natsume let go of her without a word and the driver opened the car for them. Mikan entered first then Natsume shortly followed who still in deep thoughts. "Is something wrong, Hyuuga?" Mikan asked. "No, nothing." Natsume said as he shook his head. "Okay.." Mikan shrugged.

A few minutes later, they have finally arrived at Natsume's place where it was already lively and a lot of media men were already there, snapping pictures of whatever that they took interest in. "Young Master is here." one announced from among the crowd which caused the media to gather around him and the security guards immediately took cover so that Natsume and Mikan could pass through.

There were questions such as, "Mr. Hyuuga, how does it feel now that you are enjoying all these things when before you were just an ordinary citizen?" or "Miss Mikan, how does it feel to be Mr. Hyuuga's date for tonight?" and there were even, "Why was Sakura Mikan chosen? Are you going out?" Natsume did not say anything while Mikan politely answered most of the questions thrown at her with her undying sunny smile as they made their way inside the mansion where no media were allowed as of the moment.

"Natsume!" Aoi called out. Aoi looked stunningly gorgeous and hot in her black vest dress in animal print, with cage effect back panel and high-waist jersey skirt. "Hi, you must be Mikan. I'm Aoi Hyuuga, Natsume's sister." Aoi held out her hand and Mikan gladly took and shook it. "Yes, I'm Mikan. Nice to meet you Aoi." Mikan said with her charming smile. "The others are already waiting for you both. A friend of yours is already half-drunk." Aoi giggled. "Let's go!" Aoi said as he walked ahead of them both.

"You don't seem so alike. She's too cheerful.." Mikan commented. "Hn, just because we're siblings doesn't mean we have to be the same in all things." he replied. "Well, you've got a point there." Mikan shrugged and continued to walk with him. "Mikan!" a flustered Sumire called out. It so happened that the teens already gathered in a group, just waiting for Natsume and Mikan to come. The boys wore suits but in a not-so-formal way, putting their own spin on their outfits. However, the girls looked like they were competing for Miss Head-turner tonight. Sumire wore a strapless sweetheart neckline, bustier jean dress with black chiffon cascading ruffles plus gray tights and three layers of pearl necklace which varies in sizes.

Hotaru was going for the sexy and sophisticated look in her slim fitted silk dress in cross-over bandage style in black and blue printed shades. The sexy and sophisticated look is heightened through double straps finishing in a crossed effect on the back. She matched it with a pair of Jeffrey Campbell Wrecker platform high heels in black and a striking red Fontanelli Italian Leather Bag.

Luna Koizumi went for the seductive look with her red silk strapless dress which reached until her mid-thigh with quilted bodice, ruched waist and sweetheart neckline. She matched it with red Mary Jane pumps with a huge red flower on it, a gold watch face necklace, and a red Chanel bag. "Hey Natsume." she said sweetly as she pushed Mikan lightly, making Mikan distance a few inches away from Natsume while Luna clung onto Natsume, pouting her luscious red lips. Natsume ignored her and talked to the guys instead. However, Luna kept on clinging onto Natsume and looked at Mikan to make sure Mikan saw it.

"Oh, that whore. Doesn't she know that you are Natsume's date for tonight?" Sumire said loudly that Mikan had to hush her. "Quiet down, permy. We don't want to cause a scandal 'round here." Mikan said. "Whatever! You look so gorgeous tonight babe. So is Hotaru.. just look at her. Oh damn, I'm going lesbo on the both of you." Sumire laughed. "We should put her on quarantine, Mikan." Hotaru said as she took a sip of her drink. "Mikan.. is that you?" someone called out from behind.

It was Ruka with a smiling Aoi beside him. "Oohh, it's Nogi. Go Mikan.." Sumire giggled. Hotaru pushed Mikan to Ruka and left her there, dragging Sumire with her. "Oh hi, Ruka." Mikan greeted. "Oh, you're friends with Mikan?" Aoi asked. "Well, yeah. We hang out a lot before.." Ruka answered while Mikan just smiled awkwardly. Suddenly, somebody called out Aoi that she had to entertain, leaving Ruka and Mikan alone for the moment. "How have you been?" Ruka asked as he inched himself closer to Mikan. "I've been good, sort of busier now though." Mikan tried to keep the conversation light.

Ruka and Mikan happened to be friends and perhaps more than friends in the previous years. However, Mikan only sees him as a "best friend" instead of the other meaning of being more than friends. As for Ruka, he's completely aware of his feelings for her and is pushing his luck in becoming perhaps her lover. The last time he confessed to her was back in Middle School. His dad used to work for Sakura Corp. so he always got the chance to see her even in the most ordinary day. When he confessed he was rejected and that was when things became quite awkward between them.. especially for Mikan. Mikan did her best to avoid those kind of talks whenever they see each other and when his father decided to make his own business, independent from Sakura Corp., they no longer see each other very often and Mikan was quite thankful about it since it meant that they wouldn't get to talk and bond with each other like how they used to.

"I miss seeing you everyday." Ruka began the kind of talk that Mikan wanted to escape from all the time. Mikan laughed lightly and said, "Yeah, those good old days when we hang out together with everyone." "I miss being alone with you more." he said as he looked her in the eye. Mikan broke the eye contact and said with a laugh, "Well, I can hope we can bond with everyone again. We have grown so much, haven't we?" "Mikan, I hope by this time you've made up your mind.." he hinted. "Oh, Ruka. I don't think it's really great to talk about these kind of stuffs here.. Why don't we just enjoy ourselves at the moment? Come on, let's join them." Mikan said, grabbing his arm at the same time towards a big crowd of teens who are mostly girls.

"Oh, there you are. Someone's been looking for you, let's go. Hey Ruka." Natsume said as he grabbed Mikan from Ruka and greeted him at the same time. "So you're friends with Ruka, huh." Natsume said. "Uhh well yeah, sort of." Mikan smiled. "And you're friends with him too?" Mikan asked. "Well, he's my best mate. My foster family.." Natsume replied. "Oh. By the way, who was looking for me?" Mikan asked. "My guardian said he wanted to meet my date." Natsume said. "You have a guardian? What kind of guardian?" Mikan asked again. "I'd really prefer it if you'd stop asking." Natsume said in his irritated tone again.

"Mou.. Didn't know you were the rude type." Mikan said in a low voice. "I heard that." Natsume said calmly. "Eh? You heard that?" Mikan asked. Natsume just rolled his eyes. "Oi, Narumi. She's here." Natsume said to a blonde man who was a bit shorter than him but taller than Mikan. "Hello." Mikan said, bowing low in respect. "I can't believe it's the famous Sakura-san!" Narumi said as he air-kissed Mikan. "You look ten times more gorgeous in person, dear." Narumi complimented as he winked at Natsume as if to say, "Great choice. Thumbs up." Natsume just rolled his eyes.

"Our Natsume here is a great guy, Mikan-chan.. can I call you that?" Narumi giggled. "Yeah, sure." Mikan said with her trademark sunny smile. "Oh that's great! Natsume-kun, I'll be borrowing your date for awhile okay? Don't worry, I'll be returning her as soon as I can." Narumi winked again. "Fine." he said as he got himself another drink. A tipsy Luna came over to Natsume and said, "Want to try my drink?" Natsume did not mind her and just carried on drinking his own. "I hate the fact that you keep on ignoring me." Luna whispered then she kissed him.. hot and fierce. Then something suddenly flashed, it was a camera. From one of Luna's friends.

Natsume pushed her back lightly since she was still a girl and said, "Make her delete that picture. Now." "No way. That would become a great hit!" She giggled. Natsume sighed and left her. "Hey! Don't leave me here." Luna staggered, trying to focus in spite of her wavering eyesight. However, Natsume did not look back at her and just carried on walking. Koko whistled as he put his arm on Natsume and said, "You are Luna's new target. How cool is that?" That sent Mochu and Yuu laughing hard. "Where's your date, man? Did she run off or something?" Mochu asked. "No, she got borrowed." Natsume answered. "What? Really? Okay fine then, just introduce us to your best mate! He's around, isn't he?" Yuu said.

xxx

"I have some business to attend to right now since your father's friends and as well as your father has arrived. Will you be kind enough to look for Natsume and bring him to me, Mikan-chan?" Narumi said as he stood up with Mikan. "Sure. I'll be back in a few." Mikan said as she went on to search for her date. "Hey Mikan! Where are you going?" Sumire asked. "I'm looking for Hyuuga. Have you seen him?" she asked. "Yeah, he's with his friends. Come on, I'll lead you to them." Sumire offered. "Why, thanks. Where's Hotaru?" "Apparently, she's off somewhere talking with her brother's friends who are advertisers and she thinks it's a good opportunity to promote her "humble" inventions to them 'cos they might want to advertise them." Sumire laughed.

"That girl sure loves money." Mikan laughed. "Uh-huh, well me I love parties!" Sumire laughed and Mikan laughed as well. "There they are!" Sumire pointed when she spotted Natsume out of the crowd. "Ohh, I didn't know he is friends with your special someone.." Sumire teased. "Permy! How many times do I have to tell you that-" Sumire cut off Mikan by saying, "I know, I know.. Now go on and call your honey." Mikan was about to retort again when Sumire raised her hand and said, "I said go." Mikan sighed and went on to call Natsume.

"Hey Mikan!" most of the people greeted. "Hey." she greeted back. "Done talking with Narumi?" Natsume asked. "Well yeah, and he is sort of looking for you." she said to him then turned to the group, "I'm afraid I need to borrow this guy for awhile. His presence is needed out there." "No prob." most of them said and then they carried on having their own fun. Ruka smiled at her and she just smiled back. "The grown-ups are here and he'd like to introduce you, I bet." Mikan said.

"That sucks. Never thought this would be such a great responsibility." Natsume muttered. Mikan laughed and said, "Feeling the weight now, eh? I might as well learn from you since I probably would be taking over soon enough." Later on Mikan and Natsume spent an hour of their lives discussing and answering utterly boring grown-up things with the oldies. It surprised Mikan that her father wasn't so inquisitive about Natsume's past and he doesn't even ask Natsume that much and it looks as though Natsume is much more interested to answer her father's questions more than the others'.

When the small business talk was over, it was time for the teens' party. Good thing it's already the weekend tomorrow, they can all crash at Natsume's place if they can still keep up with everyone. The teens gathered under Narumi's command and with three claps, Narumi announced, "Okay now ladies and gents. The house is all yours 'til morning!" The teens whooped and one teen even volunteered himself to be the DJ of the night. "Hey I wasn't informed about this post-party!" Mikan shouted at Natsume through the blasting speakers. "Now that you know, you might as well enjoy." Natsume replied at the same volume so that they could hear each other.

"My Dad and brothers are going to kill me! I have to call them like, right now!" Mikan panicked and quickly got her phone from her bag and long-pressed 1, which is her speed dial number for her dad. "Oh no, Mikan! Don't be such a killjoy! Your date tonight will take full responsibility, don't ya worry!" Koko shouted before he grabbed Mikan's phone and placed it on a basket where all the phones of the teens who do not wish to be contacted by their parents are placed and is labeled "Isolated Stuffs". "What?" Mikan panicked even more as she attempted to grab back her phone from Koko's grasp.

"Come on Mikan, let's enjoy!" Mochu grabbed her to the dance floor to dance. "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna be decapitated! Do you even know what that means? Where's Hyuuga? I need to talk to him!" she shouted her lungs out, not that it mattered since all of the people inside the place are shouting at the same volume plus the music was blaring through the state of the art speakers. "He's over there!" Mochu pointed to the seats at the side where a lot of teens were drinking. Then Mikan spotted Natsume.

She stomped her way towards Natsume and made sure he noticed her. "Hyuuga I need my phone back!" she complained as she plopped down beside him on the couch. "Relax, enjoy the party." Natsume calmly said while taking another sip of his drink. "My head's gonna go off the moment I get home, how am I supposed to relax?" Mikan clutched her hair in frustration. "Then have some." Natsume said, referring to his drink. He wasn't really saying that she should have some because he guesses she couldn't tolerate alcohol like the last time.

Mikan looked at him drinking from the corner of her eyes and raised her brows. "Won't you get into trouble drinking that stuff? I mean, you are under-aged and all." Mikan said. "That law is almost never enforced." Natsume shrugged without seriousness in his voice. "Fine then, give me some." without waiting for his response or approval, Mikan grabbed his glass which he put down for quite awhile.

"No." Natsume said in a rather bossy manner as he held onto his glass firmly. "Why not?" Mikan retorted. "You have low alcohol tolerance. Do you even remember the last time? You strayed away from your friends and ended up asking a complete stranger to drive you home. What a nuisance." Natsume said as he grabbed his glass. "But you were the stranger and you weren't a bad guy." Mikan insisted as she tugged on the glass. "Still, you're too much of a trouble when you're drunk." Natsume countered. "Not if you're the one responsible for me tonight." Mikan flashed her charming smile at him. "Or are you saying you're not responsible enough?" Mikan teased. Natsume let go of his glass and placed a newly-opened bottle of liquor on the table and said, "There, help yourself." Mikan grinned and poured herself a glass of the alcoholic drink.

Without hesitation, she drank it down in one gulp and wiped her face. "Why do you guys want to drink this stuff? It's so.. unpleasant to the stomach!" she complained. "Then stop drinking, idiot." Natsume said, grabbing her glass and helping himself to another glass. Later on Mikan went on and on drinking full glasses that she couldn't quite make out the things around her. "I want.. more.. I'm nuf yet drunk..." Mikan said with her speech all slurred and as she attempted to reach for the glass which Natsume raised so high.

"You are already drunk, idiot. You're really an idiot for not knowing the difference." Natsume said as he continued to raise he glass and bottle of liquor higher. "Come onnnn Natsumeee.." Mikan begged as she climbed onto Natsume's lap to grab the beverage. "What the.. get off me." despite having said that, he still continued to raise the beverage. Finally, Mikan gave up. She remained seated on his lap though, it looks like she did not notice the position she's in.

Natsume secured the beverage behind the couch and Mikan just stared at him long and hard. "What if... I kisssss youu, will you gif me theee drinnk?" Mikan's eyes were already drooping but she was still determined and very much persistent. Mikan frowned and held Natsume's shoulders then she leaned in and whispered, "You betta gif me sum afta thisss.." Then she kissed him on the lips and while she was on top of his lap too.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a strawberry blonde girl taking pictures of their every move..


Yay me, I finished another chapter! Hope to read your reviews :)