My heart did a weird wrench as we passed the huge, intimidating gate again. I guess I still wasn't used to this…extravaganza yet. The limousine kept driving down the perfect path with its perfect hedges. After a while, the car slowly pulled to a halt, and as soon as I stepped out of the limousine, the familiar suit-stereotype figure that was my Ojii-san came into my view.

"Ohayo, Mikan-chan. Please, come inside." I sighed quietly. Geez, jii-san was so polite even when he was around family that it almost felt artificial. This 'family' that we were meant to be was so different from my last one. Sure, it was considered 'fake' and could be called a semi-scandal, but back then, it felt so safe and warm. Now? It was like I was skating on thin ice in a dream, and the ice could break and bring me tumbling into the harsh, shocking cold of reality at any moment.

*

"Now, starting from today we will have you attend classes on a weekly basis to refine your etiquette, Mikan-chan…"

I was seriously starting to space out by now. It wasn't like I didn't know about it already, and while ojii-san had startled me somewhat with this piece of news it was little to worry about and I was already sinking back into a stupor. I mean, what on earth did he expect?! I freaking spent the entire day out as well as a whole night and even some of this morning flinging patience from depths in my tolerance reservoir that I had never previously had to explore at a certain baka hentai, and I was meant to not fall asleep in a lecture? Hello, kami-sama? Could you please lower the hurdle so I can get over it in my half-asleep state? It would be a piece of strawberry cake for someone like you…

Yeah, right. Like a god would listen to a moody, mentally protesting sixteen-year-old. He'd probably think I was having my monthlies and tell me to raid the refrigerator for a carton of chocolate ice cream. Which wouldn't help in the least.

"…You will be tutored every Tuesday and Saturday afternoon by a tutor I have especially selected for you, Mikan, and hopefully soon you will be presentable to the public…"

Yes, and I'm going to stand being remolded into a shiny golden trophy. Thanks, Ojii-san. I've totally dreamt about that happening to me. Becoming your latest achievement really makes my day.

"…I have quit your job for you, seeing as by now you have probably realized there is little need for an occupation while you are under my care…"

I didn't know he could quit my job for me. Hell, I didn't even know I was legally under his care.

…HOLD ON.

DID HE JUST SAY HE QUIT MY JOB FOR ME?????!!!!!

Oh, no he didn't.

Instantly I felt myself disconnect from the conversation, my brain cogs turning like mad in a panicked frenzy. But as it sunk in more, it became increasingly obvious that Ojii-san would indeed quit the job. Hello? He wouldn't even let me go to Westfield because it was a 'commoners'' place. What were the chances of him letting me work at a small greasy fast food restaurant? Absolutely zilch. And the reason I took on the job in the first place was to support the family financially. Now? I'm the freaking heiress of a multibillion dollar company. The sheer thought of Sakura Industries running out of money in my lifetime would send anyone into peals of laughter. But what about Anna and Nonoko? How had they reacted to this? What were they thinking? Were they disappointed, or confused? Did they … hate me?

What about Mum and Dad?

"Mikan...?" Hurriedly I brushed my hair back, snapping out of my thought train and looked up at Ojii-san. He was looking at me with a slightly concerned expression on his face. Wow … he was worried. Like any normal girl who gets showered with affection by their (doting?) grandfather, I melted. This was, what, the first time he was actually appearing to be worried about me. Heck, he didn't even bat an eyelash when I was with Hentai!

"Are you unwell? Would you like to continue our conversation another time?" Again with the formality … that totally killed it.

Feeling my cheeks warming up, I pulled my lips up in what I hoped to be a smile, and said, "Oh, I'm fine, Ojii-san. Just a little tired, probably. Everything's happening incredibly fast, so…maybe I'll rest after or something. But please go on." Please, do not go on; I want to go back to sleep. But I didn't want to be rude. I really do hope he can hear my signals to not continue, which I am sending desperately with every fiber of being.

Nodding, he resumed his topic.

Apparently, every fiber of my being isn't enough. Damnations.

"In case you were wondering about your … foster parents, I have thought about their … upbringing of you. They have done an exceptional job, even though they experienced financial difficulties. From the report, they have taken care of you extremely well, despite the fact that you are related to them in no way whatsoever. As Shizuka-san also worked for my company diligently and loyally for twenty years, I have decided to promote him. I have also come to the decision that they will … reside near you. I am well aware that you miss them, and the nearby neighbourhood is quite empty, with many newly constructed buildings yet to be occupied. They are expected arrive sometime late this afternoon with all their belongings."

Yawn. What was that? Excuse me, Ojii-san, but as you may or may not notice your only granddaughter is currently dying of fatigue from fending off a certain Hentai this morning. Which, I might add, was technically you're fault because you were the one who set him up with me! Oh wait … what was that he said about Mum and Dad?

"Meanwhile, I have also withdrawn you from the school you currently attend. The reports I had read about Alice High School had unfortunately fell far short of my expectations. So I have made a request for you to be transferred to Alice Academy, a very well-known prestigious school which offers only the very best. I am also aware that you would feel quite…awkward without knowing anyone in a new environment, so I have also applied for two more positions, which will be given to your friends Osagawara Nonoko and Umenomiya Anna."

The words were still spinning around in my mind as I tried to push them all into a nutshell. Alice Academy? Did he mean the Alice Academy? Alice Academy, the 'genius' school which only gave scholarships to the smartest students in all of Japan? Alice Academy, the school which demanded five million yen or more in donations yearly? Alice Academy, the school which only the rich could afford go to? Oh, hell. Chaotic new high school with lots of rich snobby people, watch out; savage barbarian and long-lost heiress of Sakura Corporations, Sakura Mikan is crashing through her dirty jungle in a deadlock with you.

"Mum and Dad are coming to this place? Today? Nono-chan and Anna-chan are coming? With me? To a new school? To Alice Academy? As in the Alice Academy? Have their parents…I dunno…approved? Oh my god, thankyou!" I seriously wanted to glomp him right now, for being such an awesome grandpa.

"That's alright, Mikan. And the answers to all of your previous questions are 'yes'.

"Oh, and just to let you know, in case you need any assistance at your new school please feel free to contact Hyuuga Natsume. After all, he does also go to Gakuen Alice."

So maybe he wasn't such an awesome grandpa. Damn.

*

"Morning…" I yawned and rubbed my eyes, while tottering in my heels. "Sorry, my alarm clock broke. I dunno how, but it did…"

"Morning, Mikan-chan!" a cheery voice greeted me back. "It's OK!"

I turned towards the voice. A person was sitting at a little round coffee table, a mug of something hot and steaming in front of him.

I stared.

1…

2…

3…

4…

5…

"Are you a transvestite?" I shot bluntly at my so-called 'tutor'. To my disappointment, he merely smiled brightly at me.

"Why, no. But you must be the dear Sakura Mikan-chan your Ojii-san has been looking for so long. I am Narumi-sensei, and from now on I will be–"

"I know, I know, my etiquette tutor…" Sighing, I leaned back in my seat and studied him more closely. So far I found that the word 'feminine' pretty much summed him up. He was all blonde curls and girly but surprisingly good-looking features. He would look so much better if he trimmed the curls, and traded that gross outfit for a suit … an Armani one that looks good on …

Whoa girl! I mentally slapped myself for referring to that person. No, no, no, no, no, no, a million times no!

Back on the subject! But I thought what had really been sending the maids into giggling fits today at the sight of him was what he had decided to wear to my first lesson.

A maid's costume. That's right. The black and white maids costume that was practically made of 100% lace, completely decked with frills, got full marks in the feminine department, and was pretty much the definition of cute on females. Which equaled, what, 400% gross on males?

No matter how much he denied it I wasn't gonna believe he wasn't a cross-dresser. The evidence was all in front of my eyes. And believe me, my eyes were perfectly fine. I'd never needed glasses in my life, and I wouldn't need them anytime soon.

"Hmm. I see what your Ojii-san meant when he informed me of your communication methods. Well, today we won't be addressing that issue, but…"

"But…?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"We will be learning how to have tea in the Western manner!"

Oh, kami-sama. The cliché. I resisted the doubtful expression that was about to surface on my face, not wanting to further make a bad first impression on my sensei.

*

"No, no, like this."

"Like this?"

"No, like this."

"…But aren't they the same thing?"

"… Erm, no …"

This was failing. FAILING, I say. Honestly, I was sipping! Except I was being told that I was gulping. My god, Narumi-sensei was so damn fussy. Dude, who would freaking care at a tea party if my pinky was 180 degrees up, and my head tilted to the right. Wouldn't the other people be too freaking busy with their own freaking pinkies and teacups? Anyway, wouldn't it just be a hell of a lot easier if I didn't actually attend any freaking tea parties? Problem freaking solved!

Sighing in defeat, he looked up at me with a new resolve shining in his eyes.

"Alright, we'll let that rest for the moment. Meanwhile, since we still have much of the lesson left, we will start on dancing!"

Dancing? Oh, surely he must not mean that dancing.

"Bush dancing?" I asked, forcing a chuckle. "Oh great! I did bush dancing in year three and it was awesome! I mean, everyone is practically …"

"No no Mikan-chan! You really are very funny! No, not bush dancing. Ballroom dancing."

Oh, %#$.

My grade did ballroom dancing in Grade 4. My partner was completely and utterly terrified of me by the end of it, to the point that when I passed by the nurse's office at the end of the day he was still sitting in there with bandaged feet, curled up in a ball and swaying back and forth like he had lost his mind in fear. That scene was horribly debilitating to my psychological confidence, and I never regretted sitting out when everybody else moved like swans on the wooden floor.

"Narumi-sensei…I'm not sure we should focus on dance today…I'm not sure we should focus on dance any day. Unless you want to end up spending a month on break with all your toes broken…"

"Oh, don't worry about my well-being, Mikan-chan. Of course I won't be dancing with you. You see my dear friend Serina-san who is a professional dancer will be demonstrating with me today. Together we will show you the classic; waltz." He swept a hand in the direction of the door as he spoke and I saw an elegant woman glide in. She had pretty features; high cheekbones, full pink lips, slim figure and long, luscious hair.

"Good afternoon, Mikan-san, Narumi-san. Shall we begin?" She enquired. Narumi opened his mouth to speak, but then hesitated a moment before the words came.

"Ah, not quite yet. Mikan-chan, you'll need a partner too. I assume from your Ojii-san's report to me that you have met this person before."

Please, I prayed, don't let him be Hyuuga-hentai. Please. I'd rather have Tezuka-san. His personality is light years away from Hyuuga's.

Suddenly the back of my neck prickled, and instantly I realized that once again we had a visitor. I turned around slowly in my seat.

It wasn't Tezuka-san, to my dismay. It wasn't even a maid.

Leaning against the doorway in all his glorious, devastating sexiness (and, of course, the signature Armani suit) was the man whose presence I dreaded the most; Hyuuga Natsume.

"Hello, Polka."

*

One, two, three, one, two three…

"Gah, stop stepping on my feet, you hopeless case."

"Shut up, hentai! Not all of us are born with the ability to waltz!" To prove my point, I slammed my (three inch heels covered) foot down on his foot. I inwardly cheered; I could already see the bruise blooming.

To my chagrin, he didn't even wince. Instead, he smirked. "Oh, so you admit that dancing's your weakness?"

"Shut up!"

"Now now, children, don't fight. Mikan-chan, please don't use inappropriate language. Natsume-kun, try to be more tolerant."

Tolerant…my ass. But this was the first time I heard someone chide Hentai for being such a prick. At that moment it was so hard to ignore the smirk threatening to take over my lips.

I looked up in time to see the scowl on Hyuuga's face. This time a giggle slipped out before I pulled my hand from his and muffled the bouts of laughter that came afterwards. Heck, I wasn't even sure why exactly I was laughing but it definitely had something to do with his expression. I mean, he scowled all the time but for some reason it was just so funny.

"What?" Hyuuga snarled at me, scowl becoming wider. I laughed harder; it was almost comical how the average person had a whole dictionary of expressions to use, yet Hyuuga, the so called prodigy, had successfully managed to limit his emotional vocabulary to a mere two. Soon, I was practically rolling on the floor, clutching my stomach with tears running down my cheeks. Narumi-sensei and Serina-sensei soon stopped after when they heard my gasping for breath and rushed to me, bombarding me with questions.

"Are you alright, Mikan-chan?"

"What's wrong, Mikan-chan?"

"What happened?"

"What did Natsume-kun do to you now?"

The last question made me stop, only to realize I had the dreaded hiccups.

"No-hic-thing," I quickly, standing up again. "I w-hic-as just la-hic-ughing. Nothing!"

The two looked skeptical, but with some pretty scary glares courtesy of Hyuuga, they fell completely silent.

"We'd better end the lesson today," Narumi-sensei said, slinging his tiny bag over his shoulder. "I'll see you both next lesson; we'll be continuing ballroom dancing! Ja ne!" And with that, he and his puffy maid's outfit floated out the double doors of the ballroom we were practicing in. Serina-sensei gave us a small, soft smile and glided out the door after Narumi-sensei.

*

I turned to Natsume, a frown etched into my face.

"What are you doing here, you moron? I thought I gave you enough tomatoes to occupy you at your house." He smiled trouble.

"I've already finished them. Thank you for your lovely…present." I inwardly shivered at the tone of his voice, casual on the outside yet holding a dangerous edge to it.

"Your very understanding jii-san has been sympathetic with my current condition and has ever so kindly offered his hospitality and opened his home to me while I deal with certain issues I'm having at mine. So perhaps for the next week I shall be staying in this mansion. Of course,you are also a host and I am, after all, the guest. I am expecting this stay to be very a most memorable period of time. After all, we wouldn't want ties to be…strained, now do we?"

Mustering myself, I stared back solidly into his blood-red eyes.

"Please, do not occupy yourself with concerns about the satisfaction of your stay here. I will, of course, do my best to make this place a warm and comfortable place to be. After all, we wouldn't want ties to be…strained, now do we?"

His eyes hardened. "Indeed," he said shortly. Then, without even glancing at his watch, he continued, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. I will see you at the dinner table." I waited until he reached the door before I interrupted him.

"Hyuuga."

"Yes?" His voice was neutral as I looked him in the eyes again.

"The main dish will be chicken, gravy and mashed potatoes tonight." To my satisfaction he actually looked mildly surprised, before reverting back to his trademark smirk.

"Then let us all wait in anticipation to see what the humble spud can do."

Well, here we go, guys! Chapter 6 is UP! We hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, especially after our extremely long update. But it's nigh time we had some fun! so…*drumroll*

We are opening our doors to YOU! Because we could use some side characters to fill in some of the student body at Gakuen Alice, we would like for our awesome readers to participate and create some people for us! Just create somebody you think would make a decent school student and tell us about them in a review! After all, we need to know what you guys want in order to improve My Princess life. We look forward to hearing from you guys!

Until next time,

My bittersweet ending and ScarletInk314