AUTHOR'S NOTE AND DISCLAIMER: Gomenaisai gomenasai gomenasai! Due to completely scholastic reasons, I haven't had the time to update this story for ages. I really am sorry, and hope you guys will still read this. Here's chappie eight, folks, and I hope you will like it. Please read and review. I DON'T OWN GAKUEN ALICE!

Chapter 8

"Blackthorn making its way up her shins

Hera always was in a twist

Her love never cherished, she would always pine

For Zeus who always frolicked mindlessly among the Columbines…"

"Hotaru, I don't want to stay in this place any longer. Working here is quite bad enough! I don't want to eat my dinner here tooooo," Mikan Sakura puffed up her cheeks and glared at her best friend in defiance, "You know how stubborn I can be, so pleeease, let's go home!"

"…"

"Hotaruuuuu….Pleeeeasssee…Dinner with that pervert would be so awkwaaaaaaard."

"And why would it be awkward?," Hotaru turned away from the painting she was scrutinizing, and swung around to meet the eyes of her cousin, "Did something happen?"

"Um, anou…Etou…"

Despite her attempts, Mikan was held captive in Hotaru's knowing gaze. Amethyst met amber, and for a split second, Mikan felt like time had stopped.

"Well?," raising a brow, Hotaru tapped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.

"Nothing! Nothing happened at all! Heh," Mikan finally got the lie out of her mouth. Cold sweat trickled down her back, and Hotaru's unwavering stare did not do anything to help. I can't let Hotaru know about what happened earlier, she thought nervously.

"Well, if nothing happened, then there's no reason to refuse. Besides, we'll be having caviar and all those gourmet foods whilst we're here, so we must stay," the omniscient inventor concluded, heading towards the dining room.

"But I want to treat Youichi to a nice burger tonight."

"We'd just bring him some food from here. All the burgers in our town are nothing compared to the food we're about to have."

"But he sounded so excited when I told him we're having burgers for dinner!"

"He'll be happier with caviar, idiot."

"But-"

"We'll be having dinner here, then we'll get your burgers when we get home," Hotaru's eyes glinted dangerously, sending shivers down her best friend's spine, "After dinner, we'd be on the road for about two hours, and knowing your metabolism, you'll surely be hungry again by the time you reach home," she continued firmly, "Then you can have your burger."

Mikan bowed her head in defeat.

I am so dead.

--

Sumire straightened the creases of her gown and examined her reflection in the mirror.

Perfect.

Lightly brushing on a bronzer on her cheeks, Sumire still couldn't help but feel annoyed by Natsume's decision to invite the new model to dinner.

I might as well look prettier than her. Hah! Natsume would realize his mistake and take me back!

Pleased with her appearance, she left the room and proceeded to the dining room.

I'll show them!

--

Silver dinnerware clanked loudly on fine china, emphasizing the awkward silence in the dinner table. Mikan observed the people who were present, from the stranger on the far end of the table, to the painter who sat next to her.

This is so uncomfortable, she thought, staring at the half-eaten gourmet lamb chops on her plate. Looking up, she accidentally met Natsume's stare, and she let out a small gasp of surprise as the intensity of his crimson orbs hit her in full force.

So much sadness concealed behind a fiery façade.

Realizing how long she was staring, she coughed softly, hiding the slight blush that was starting to spread on her cheeks.

How embarrassing.

She then shifted her glance, choosing the stranger at the far end as her new object of interest. The girl's heavy make up intrigued her, and so did the hair sprayed coif that she sported.

I wonder why she went over the top for a simple dinner.

"What are you looking at?"

The girl's sudden question startled the brunette, and she struggled to think of an answer.

"Um..You see…Er-"

"You can't just stare at me like that, newbie!"

"I was just wondering who you were. Please don't shout at me," Mikan found herself trembling slightly, throwing Hotaru a pleading look that screamed for help. It was unfortunate, however, that her gluttonous cousin was simply absorbed in stuffing her mouth with buttered crabs, thus not paying attention to her plea.

"Well for your information, Sakura, I am one of Natsume-kun's favorite models," Sumire retorted, lying through her teeth, "So if you think you're special at all, you're completely mistaken! You're nothing at all, compared to me, Sakura. You're just another wench that poses for money, so don't you dare stare at me with those judging eyes!!!"

Clearly hurt by the stranger's ruthless accusations, tears started to form on Mikan's eyes, as she grasped for words.

"I..I didn't mean to offend you…I-"

"That's enough, Shouda," Natsume's voice resonated in the room, bringing Sumire's bullying to a halt, "You have crossed the line."

"But Natsume-kun-"

"Get out of my sight."

Sumire got off her chair, sobbing uncontrollably. Her make-up was starting to run, and as she headed out of the room, she heard a tiny voice call her name.

"Sumire-chan."

Turning back, she found Mikan Sakura's eyes staring right at her. Glaring she screamed, "WHAT?!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Please don't leave. I'm sorry I had to spoil your dinner," the newcomer uttered, bowing apologetically. Turning to Natsume, she said, "Please don't send her away, Hyuuga-san. I beg of you."

Sumire let out a spiteful laugh.

"You're a filthy hypocrite, Mikan Sakura! Don't you go all nice on me, you b*tch! I don't need your pity! And besides, I don't want to share a dinner table with a whore like you!"

Still laughing, Sumire Shouda left the room.

--

Natsume Hyuuga lit a fag, sucking in the sweetness that the nicotine-filled stick offered. It was a peaceful night, and right after he bid his new model goodbye, he returned to his garden to relax under the Sakura tree he so dearly loved.

Today was really productive.

Reminiscing about today's events, he frowned upon remembering what ensued in dinner time, and Sumire Shouda's bitter accusations towards his new stunner. Shaking his head, he let out a gust of smoke.

I have to do something about that girl.

Natsume's ears perked up upon hearing the rustling of leaves. Quick as a cat, he jumped up and stood in a position that would intimidate the intruder. And in the shadows, Persona materialized, wearing an unmistakable smirk on his face.

"Greetings, my little kuro neko."

Natsume flinched upon hearing the irritating nickname that the man gave him. He could not, for the life of him, understand why his father had chosen this creepy man to be his godfather and guardian. Worse, the creep had to live next door. Scowling, Natsume turned to look the man full in the face.

"What do you want, Persona?"

"Now, now kuro neko, is this the way to greet your godfather?"

"Quit the game, bastard."

His lips stretching into a sinister grin, Persona cleared his throat, realizing that Natsume Hyuuga's patience was wearing thin.

"Impatient as ever, black cat."

"You're still a jerk no matter what, godfather."

"I heard that you have gotten yourself a new model."

Mikan, Natsume thought, his godfather's statement etching itself into his brain, He's interested in Mikan…

Pulling himself together, he smirked indifferently and asked, "What's it to you?"

"Where did you pick up such a stunner, kuro neko. I myself am impressed by your taste."

"Get to the point."

"Fine," the sinister man said, sighing, " I am offering you a proposition. Your new model, for a hefty sum of money, plus the contact details of one of my best former models."

"Screw off, Persona."

"Think about it neko-chan. The girl isn't t that special. Give her to me."

Turning back towards the mansion, he looked at Persona over his shoulder. The man looked at him expectantly, waiting for his answer.

"As I said, dear godfather, screw off. She's MINE."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hope you liked it. Please drop a review before you leave.. =)