Karin-chan: Heeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyy guys! Here's the long awaited update to Family Complex! Sorry this took so long. A lot of things have been going on and we are also getting a new puppy soon! I'm very rusty so don't be surprised if this chapter and my writing really suck, but I hope it's still enjoyable and like the Family Complex you guys love.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice.
"I'm not here for your entertainment!
You don't really wanna mess with me tonight.
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
'Cause you know it's over, before it began!"
—U + Ur Hand by PINK
Family Complex
Chapter Nine:
Of Survival and Snarkiness
"Alright children, let's play a game!" the teacher called. Multiple children, all around five-years-old, all looked up and dropped their toys in order to crowd in a circle around their teacher. The woman smiled at them all in praise and began. "Let's play the Question game!"
Each child grinned excitedly at her declaration. The Question game was one where everyone got to win and got to share their thoughts. The teacher would ask a topic and each child was allowed to state what they thought was the best. Afterwards, she would give them all candy for being cooperative with so many different ideas.
"Okay! What should we ask about today?" the teacher asked. This caused many children to raise their hands and call out their ideas.
"Favorite Food!"
"Tv shows!"
"Stories!"
"Super Powers!"
"That's a good one! Let's do Super Powers today!" the teacher grinned. "Wonderful suggestion Kitsuneme-kun." she praised the boy, who blushed bashfully in return and his friend Mochu playfully smacked his head. "So everyone, if you were to have one super power, which would it be?" the teacher asked. A child raised her hand and the teacher called on them. "Yes, Hotaru-chan?"
"To make money appear out of thin air so I could be filthy rich." the black haired girl stated bluntly making the teacher sweat drop.
"Oh… that's a… very interesting power, Hotaru-chan."
"Telekinesis" Mochu chimed in.
"Flight!" Kitsuneme shouted excitedly.
"Super Strength!"
"Healing!"
"Lightening!"
"To read minds so I can know what my best friend is thinking." Kokoro Yome said. The girl with brown hair and a navy baseball cap lightly punched his arm with a smile on her face.
"You already do that, Koko." the girl told him with a laugh. Kokoro just grinned back. The teacher smiled fondly at the duo—they were always so sweet and adorable.
"How about you, Mikan-chan?" the teacher asked kindly. This caused the little girl's smile to drop and her brown eyes to look away. The teacher's brow furrowed in concern as she watched the child bite her lip several times before deciding to speak.
"To turn back time." At this, the teacher blinked, wondering why she would say something like that.
"Why is that, Mikan-chan?"
Kokoro's face also turned somber and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, but the little girl paid no mind to it, lost in her memories, gripping the chain around her neck tightly.
"So it's not my fault daddy's gone."
Mikan exited the bus in a sour mood. The grim aura stuck around her like a nasty odor. It was to the point that Natsume jabbed the question of her possibly PMSing that morning that she flung some of her eaten cereal into his bowl.
Her tormentors and Yuu looked at each other, not sure if they should actually try anything today as their midget of a future sister seemed ready to maul something. Tono even had the audacity to point above Yuu and mouth "send him in" to which Reo and Natsume glared at him since they were not willing to sacrifice their gentle brother to Mikan's wraith.
They followed her inside the school, planning out tricks to lay on her today. Yuu saw what they were thinking to proceed to beg that maybe today wasn't the best of days for his brothers to torment their future step-sister. However, before he could even talk, they all trained their eyes on Mikan who was walking by a couple making out right in front of her locker. Their mouths dropped a bit when she wordlessly shoved them to the ground, not caring if they yelped in pain, put in her locker combination, and then close it and walked away towards her homeroom like it was nothing.
"….are we sure we want to do this again?" Tsubasa couldn't help but voice out, gulping as he thought of what she could do to them.
"Yes." Natsume's eyes narrowed. "No matter what. She needs to learn respect. If we give up now, that means she's won."
"That's true." Reo drawled. "Though I wonder what's got her in a pissy mood."
"Maybe something's on her mind." Ruka suggested.
"Hmmm is that concern I hear in your voice, Ruka?" Tono teased. All the brothers turned their attention to Ruka, who in turn blushed heavily.
"N-no! Of course not! It's just that I'm wondering if now is a good time because if we do anything, it might not work with her already being in a bad mood!" Ruka stuttered out. They all looked at him like they didn't believe him causing his cheeks to become even redder if that was possible. Natsume watched him closely for a few moments before focusing straight ahead where Mikan once was.
Mikan seemed to have a permanent frown etched on her face as she clutched her necklace tightly between her fingers. The cool metal becoming sweaty from her clammy hands. Homeroom was its usual chatty and loud self when she entered—no one paying mind to her entering as she journeyed to the back of that class, still gripping the chain for comfort.
She hated days after nights full of dreams like that.
She didn't like those dreams—memories that were buried in the deepest part of her subconscious. Voices whispering to her things she doesn't want to admit. The distant sounds of rain pitter pattering violently and the thunder booming with the wrenching sobs of a woman and child in the back of her mind. Her grip tightened on the chain further, her knuckles becoming white.
"Scared of something?"
Mikan jolted violently and turned her capped head towards Natsume who was looking straight at her rather than reading his usual mangas. Mikan's eyes narrowed under the shadows of her cap, locking the screams and booms of thunder deep in her mind once more.
"No." she said bitingly.
"Really now?" Natsume scanned her with his crimson eyes. Mikan didn't avert her own in challenge. "You seem to act like something's out to get you. Afraid of monsters under the bed?"
"Not like you." Mikan hissed back.
"Is that so? Why else would you wet the bed last night?" Natsume stated this one loudly, drawing the attention of their classmates who snickered at Mikan's expense. Mikan growled and wrapped her hand around the collar of Natsume's shirt swiftly, yanking him up roughly.
"I'm not afraid!" Mikan yelled in his face.
"Smart words from someone gripping their necklace too tight—the chain will break if you keep it up." Natsume retorted back.
Just before Mikan could punch her annoying tormentor, a hand gently laid on top of hers that was gripping Natsume. Her eyes found Ruka's—his blue eyes filled with worry for both her and his brother. Seeing the rabbit's gentle expression made Mikan's grip loosen, until she slowly released Natsume. She was about to sit down and ignore the boy from then on out before he opened his infernal mouth again.
"If you're not scared, then how about you prove it?" Natsume propositioned. This caught Mikan's attention.
"I have nothing to prove to you, Hyuuga-san."
"Says the person who wet the bed!" another classmate chimed in, making everyone laugh at her again. Mikan's eye twitched, wanting to murder them all, but knowing she would never be able to return to her boys if she did so.
"Fine." She bit out. "What is it?"
"Spend one night in the woods behind the academy." Natsume stated. Gasps were heard across the classroom. Everyone knew that it was prohibited to go into the woods behind the academy due to all the dangers in there and its vast size.
Anything to shut you all up… Mikan thought, her eye twitching in irritation at being surrounded by idiots. "Alright then—but we both have to do it. Otherwise I'll just think I'm better than you when I win."
"Fine." Natsume agreed, inciting more gasps. "But on one condition."
"Which is?" Mikan cocked an eyebrow.
"You have to tell us why you're so pissy that you nearly killed me today."
Mikan blew a raspberry and glared at him, not liking that condition. She didn't appreciate telling any of those jerks anything about her. However, she also didn't like Natsume challenging her with his games.
I have to get through this, she told herself, or I won't be able to return to school with Kitsuneme, Mochu, and Kokoro.
That reward was sweeter than any candy. All the torture she went through was so she could get what she wanted more than anything in the end. She couldn't stand this place, and she wanted to return to her normal life. She couldn't rid herself of her darling step-brothers or future step-father, but she could gain back her right to choose where she would be educated.
"Fine." Mikan agreed. "Not that you'll win anyway." she added.
"Tch. We'll see about that." Natsume said. He then got up, choosing to skip the rest of homeroom, and left the classroom. Ruka gave one last glance at Mikan before following.
Mikan sat back down in her seat, choosing to look out the window, lessening her tight grip on the silver necklace, but never once letting go.
"Natsume!" Natsume stopped walking, and waited for Ruka to catch up with him. When his blonde brother caught up, Natsume waited for him to speak.
"What was that back there?" Ruka asked him. Despite being the closest to Natsume, even Ruka had trouble knowing what the raven haired teen was thinking at times. "You almost got your lights knocked out of you for what you were saying."
"She's hiding something, Ruka." Natsume said. "I don't know what it is, but I'm going to find out." Ruka's eyes widened.
"Are you sure? Maybe it's nothing." Ruka suggested, not wanting to think Mikan was up to something.
"You are going soft, Ruka." Natsume told him, but not harshly. He was never harsh with Ruka. He then looked away to look out the window. "I don't want to take chances. I'm going to protect us."
He wasn't going to gamble when it came to his family.
"We aren't going?" Mochu asked bummed.
"Can't. It would be against the rules." Mikan said. She, Kitsuneme, Mochu, Yuu, Nonoko, and Anna were standing just outside the Alice Academy woods. Each of them had a worried look on their faces at the thought of Mikan spending the night in the woods by herself.
"But I packed everything!" It was true. He was wearing a camping back pack complete with pots and pans, a tent, an emergency raft, flares, and other things to be extra prepared. When Mikan looked at the back pack, he only said "You can never be too prepared, Dad."
Kitsuneme came up and placed at hand on Mochu's shoulder, smiling sympathetically.
"Maybe next time?" he suggested. Mochu exchanged a look with him, and then stood down, smiling at Mikan as well.
That's my boys… Mikan smiled at them as well. She took off her cap with a grin, bowing to Mochu and Kitsuneme and holding the hat to her chest and the other hand spread behind her back. To Kitsuneme and Mochu, they found this normal and grinned back at their good friend whereas Nonoko, Anna, and Yuu stared a bit in surprise that Mikan would display another emotion besides nonchalance. To those who haven't known her long, they assumed she had the emotional range of a rock.
Brown eyes sparkled with mirth and mischief when looking at her two friends. Honey brown locks covered her forehead a bit but they were able to see some small pimples on her forehead from wearing her hat all the time. Freckles dusted her cheeks where the shadow of her hat hides. They were shocked at how normal she looked, half expecting a fire-breathing dragon to be underneath with the blazing hot temper she possessed. Yuu couldn't help but smile at what he saw, liking the easygoing Mikan under the tough exterior she portrayed. He knew by standards she wasn't a goddess, but it was her spirit that made her beautiful to him.
Placing her baseball cap upon her head again, hiding her upper face once more, the moment was gone, and Nonoko and Anna approached her with encouraging yet worried smiles.
"Please be careful, Mikan-chan." Nonoko told her. Mikan nodded with a stoic expression. Nonoko was a little disappointed she didn't get a smile like Mochu and Kitsuneme got, but she supposed that Mikan had her reasons. Anna nodded with Nonoko to show her support.
"If anything happens, please get out as fast as possible. No contest is worth your wellbeing." Anna said.
"No promises." Mikan said, her pride getting the best of her. She thought about the price she would have to pay if she lost and cringed. She would not tell anything to that bastard.
"Please Mikan-chan," Yuu implored her, "Natsume-kun may be rough, but even he wouldn't want you to get hurt. Yuka-san would kill him anyway." In a burst of confidence, he grabbed her hands, ignoring the hammering of his heart at being so forward. "I know you don't believe me when I say my brothers have their reasons, but whatever Natsume-kun is thinking I can assure you he has a reason. He's not being malicious for no reason. However," here his face turned determined, "I won't let him push you around like this anymore if you get hurt."
Mikan stared at him from under her cap, wondering where this lion came from inside the squeaky mouse. Nevertheless, she was pleased that it seemed Yuu had some backbone after all. Nodding to him, she withdrew from his hold and saluted them before entering the deep woods.
Should've brought some bug spray. Mikan thought irritably as she swatted at the bugs flying around her head. It was getting close to sunset and she hasn't seen any sign of Natsume. For the millionth time she wondered if he was really in the woods or if he swindled her into going in here in hopes of her dying and being rid of her forever. Probably left me to rot… Mikan thought bitterly, pulling at the bridge of her cap. She can't believe she fell for Natsume's tricks again, but the price was too high and he was getting under her skin way too much.
"You have to tell us why you're so pissy that you nearly killed me today."
Like hell I will! Mikan yelled in her head. You're not getting anything out of me, Hyuuga! Unlike you, I play to win and not to fool around with stupid crap like you!
She would not spill any of her secrets to those devils. Every last one of them was the bane of her existence. To let them in was like selling a piece of her soul away. Yuu has earned her good graces, but she doesn't trust him enough to confide in him things that it was hard to tell her good friends about. Only Koko knew everything—knew the true pain she felt. At times she wondered if Hotaru knew as well. Hotaru would look at her with understanding—with acceptance. Despite not knowing the full story, Hotaru knew of her pain and accepted it full heartedly.
"So it's not my fault daddy's gone."
Her hand drifted to the silver chain around her neck. Mikan clenched her teeth and walked on, refusing to entertain her dream any further. She hated those dreams. Those nightmares that reminded her of her sin. She knew it was her punishment to live forever in guilt, with multiple reminders telling her so, and never be relieved from it. Still, the pain was always fresh like a wound being brutally reopened over and over again.
Rustling leaves woke her from her musings. Mikan's ears became alert as the hair on the back of her neck stood erect. A feeling of being watched crept up her spine.
Oh please for the love of God not let it be ghosts! Sweat dripped down Mikan's brow as anxiety crept up inside her chest like a disease spreading throughout her body. Her hands clenched and she walked faster, not wanting to stay still. As she traveled, the rustling grew louder and more erratic.
Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap!Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap! Mikan's brain went into overdrive as she started to run. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute and the rustling grew louder still. She cursed Natsume in her head for making her do this. All the superstitions of the woods from earlier running through her head. Was Natsume really this determined to screw with her mind? Would she really die out here?
Not keeping track of the noise, the rustling of the bushes was in front of her, causing her to skid to a violent stop. Sweat dripping and heart about to burst out of her chest, Mikan's hands clenched.
Oh fu—
BAM!
"Don't be upset. She gets it from Mom." Nonoko jumped and turned to look at the boy called Mochu. The other boy, Kitsuneme, nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry?" Nonoko said, confused at what the boy was saying.
"Mikan—she's always like that." Mochu elaborated. They were all still standing outside of the woods. None of them could bear to leave knowing their friend was in there by herself. "She gets it from Mom. You'd be surprised but Mom is actually worse. She won't smile unless Dad's around." he added.
At this Nonoko looked even more confused. Who was Mom and Dad?
"Errr… I think you made her more confused, Mochu." Kitsuneme said. He smiled at the blue haired girl in a sympathetic manner. "Sorry if we seem to speak in riddles. We're used to being around people who understand what we're talking about."
"Um… no problem." Nonoko replied, blinking.
"What do you mean 'Mikan's always like that'?" Anna decided to speak. Yuu also paid attention to what these strange boys had to say. Kitsuneme and Mochu shrugged.
"Just like we said. She's always like that with people she's not really close to. Luckily we had Kokoro around when we were getting to know her otherwise we don't think she would've warmed up to us as fast." Kitsuneme said.
"Give Dad time—she'll come around. You can't push her or else she'll push you even farther away. Let her call the shots and you should be good." Mochu added. He nudged Kitsuneme lightly who nodded determined. Then the two of them turned and started walking away.
"Wait! Where are you guys going?" Yuu called. Were they really that unconcerned with what happened to Mikan?!
"We got something to take care of." was all Kitsuneme said before the two of them walked off.
"Well, they are certainly an interesting bunch…" Anna commented. Nonoko nodded in agreement. Hearing steps, they turned to find Yuu walking in the opposite direction. "Eh? Tobita-kun? Where are you going?"
Yuu turned to them with a determined expression. It seemed alien on the usually shy and submissive boy, but they found that it also suited him.
"I'm going to get help."
"Oh. It's just you, Permy." Mikan held down the frying pan and surveyed her handy work. There was Sumire on the ground with a bump on her head and swirly eyes. Coming to her senses, the green haired girl sprung up in outrage.
"What was that for?!" she screeched. Her head was pounding like a truck hit it. Not to mention how the hell did she even have a frying pan?
"I stole it from Mochu when he wasn't looking." Mikan said, as if she could read Sumire's mind.
"I should sue you for assault!" Sumire pointed at her in anger. Mikan just blinked at her.
"This is coming from the person hiding in the bushes like a creeper." this caused Sumire to blush in embarrassment.
"Hmph! Well at least I wouldn't be scared by some bushes rustling." Sumire stood tall and tipped her chin up to cover up her faux paus. This caused Mikan's cheeks to turn red also in embarrassment. She tugged at the bill of her cap and made a cough.
"Sooo why exactly are you out in the woods, Creepy Permy?" Mikan asked nonchalantly. Sumire bristled at her like a cat.
"Who are you calling Creepy Permy?!"
"You obviously."
"I told you to stop calling me that!"
"Sure thing, Loud Creepy Permy."
"Don't add onto it!"
"Loud Creepy Permy Pervert."
"Gyaahhhhhhh!"
"Ruka-kun." Yuu called out. The blonde haired boy looked up from his textbook. Yuu looked down at him intently letting his brother know he meant business. Ruka complied by closing his textbook and giving him his full attention.
"Natsume… he thinks Sakura-san is up to something." Ruka told him. "I know his methods are… extreme but you know Natsume just wants to protect us…"
"Do you think we really need protection from Mikan-chan?" Yuu asked him with a disapproving frown, expecting more from his brother. Besides himself, Ruka was very kind, even if he tried to hide it with his "tough guy" persona to stand by Natsume.
This made Ruka freeze. His first automatic response was to say "yes", but did they really need protection from their future step-sister?
What if she really IS hiding something? Ruka's conscious countered. There were so many that were before Mikan. Many that wanted to use them or their father. They played nice, but in reality they were cruel and without remorse for their actions. What if Mikan was just like them? He didn't think his father and his family could take another heart break like that. They just wanted their family to be happy. It was their job to protect the family.
And then he remembered this morning with Mikan and Natsume. How she gripped his shirt so hard Ruka thought she would rip through it. She was ready to hurt Natsume and Ruka knew it. She fought with fire and so did Natsume. It was like dormant volcano and Natsume was the force of nature to cue the eruption.
It seemed he didn't care if he awoke another force of nature with his pushing, but Ruka didn't want to see his brother self-destruct.
He knew how hard this must be on Natsume more than any of them. Their father getting remarried must be bringing up bad memories.
After all, if one's own mother can hurt you, then what does that mean about the rest of the world? Ruka thought to himself.
"Natsume thinks so." was all Ruka could say. This frustrated Yuu greatly.
"I'm not asking what Natsume-kun thinks!" Yuu retorted, having enough with his brother. "You know Natsume is being out of hand with this! What happened in the past if clouding his judgement now to the point of someone getting hurt!"
Ruka looked away in shame. He didn't want to admit it, but Yuu was right. Yuu looked upon his brother and sighed, calming his stance, but still keeping his serious expression.
"Ruka-kun…. I know Natsume-kun wants to protect us…" Yuu started. "But maybe… maybe Mikan-chan needs protecting as well."
And Ruka remembered how tightly she gripped onto Natsume. How her hand held steady and ready to strike at any given time.
But he remembered how she held her necklace with a shaking hand tighter.
It was dark by now, and Mikan and Sumire were forced to settle down somewhere. Mikan sighing at how quick this task took an annoying turn and Sumire swatting at all the bugs. Settling in a small clearing among the trees, the two decided it was best to stay put during the dark.
"Ugh, where's Natsume-kun?" Sumire moaned out sadly. Her eyes were watery as she was stuck with this infuriating midget and not her precious Natsume. "Natsume-kuuuuuuunnnnnn!"
"Hyuuga-san's not here, as you can see." Mikan said. Sumire glared at her.
"Like I would believe you! I know this ploy of yours is just to get close to Natsume-kun!" Sumire stood up and poked Mikan in the chest. "As if I'd let Natsume-kun be alone with you!"
"So you came all the way out into dangerous woods to be alone with me instead—I'm honored." Mikan said, plopping down on a log. She rubbed her arms to gain warmth. "We need to build a fire if we're going to stay warm."
"Pssh that's easy!" Sumire said, waving her hand up and down in a prissy fashion.
"Oh really?" Mikan asked, raising an eyebrow. She sat with her legs and arms crossed and stared up at Sumire.
"Yes, it's quite easy." Sumire replied, flipping her hair.
"I can't build one." Mikan voiced out. Sumire lost her haughty posture and blinked at her.
"Eh? What? That's silly! It's easy—you commoners just don't know how to do it. Here!" Sumire bent down and grabbed two sticks. She rubbed them together and soon a spark shown and the fire ignited. She gave a triumphant grin at her success. "See? Easy as pie."
Mikan watched in mild amazement that Sumire actually knew how to do something besides making her eardrums bleed and ruining perfectly good groceries. She then tapped her finger to her chin as gears were turning in her mind.
"We're going to need firewood." Mikan announced. Sumire nodded in agreement.
"You should go get it since you don't know how to keep a fire." Sumire told her.
"But what if I run into Natsume-kun?" Mikan faked a gasp and placed her hands on her cheeks to make herself look like a blushing maiden. Sumire's ears perked and she jumped up faster than a second.
"Never mind! I'll get it!" with that, Sumire ran off with hearts surrounding her at the thought of running into Natsume for a rendezvous in the woods.
Mikan watched her leave with a smirk on her face and leaned back in satisfaction. Her brown eyes drifted towards Sumire's backpack.
Wonder if she has anything to read in there….
"Mochu! You got us lost again, didn't you?!" Kitsuneme exclaimed, waving his arms. They were standing in the middle of the woods with no people in sight.
"I didn't get us lost, Kitsu!" Mochu proclaimed. He held up his Indiana Jones compass. "See! I've been following this compass the entire time!"
"Yeah, but what about the map?" Kitsuneme asked him with tears in his eyes. This caused Mochu to blink.
"Map?" he questioned. He then took a thinking stance. "I didn't know we needed a map too…"
"You didn't know you needed a map?" Kitsuneme asked shocked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Not really. I was more concerned with the possibility of white water rafting in dangerous rivers."
"So you didn't pack one?!"
"I figured since I would have you and Dad I wouldn't need it." Mochu said. He looked around. "Speaking of which, I wonder how Dad is doing right now."
"Probably a lot better than us." Kitsuneme said.
"Nah! Remember all of our camping trips? Her and Hotaru would make us do all the work cause they were usually lazy. Unless a gullible person dropped out of the sky, she's probably worse off."
"We need to find her then." Kitsuneme said. "I don't like Mikan being out her by herself."
"Me neither," Mochu said, "Dad wouldn't let us be alone here and plus, Hotaru and Koko would kill us if we didn't do something." Mochu looked around. "Now which way are we going?"
"This is why you're navigationally challenged!"
"This is good fish." Mikan complimented. She was surprised at how much Sumire knew about survival in the wilderness. Nonetheless, she was thankful the girl was gullible enough to do everything herself and not involving Mikan.
Though I have to admit seeing her spear fish was pretty cool… Mikan thought as she turned a page of the fuzzy pink book from Sumire's backpack.
"Huhuhuhu It's super easy if you know what you're doing." Sumire smirked arrogantly. "I guess you could learn something from us every now and then, huh?"
"You sure got me." Mikan deadpanned, half expecting Sumire to call her out on her sarcasm. Sumire 'hmphed' and crossed her arms.
"You know, Sakura-san, you act tough but in reality you're just as pitiful as you claim the rest of us are." Sumire countered.
"Meh, my mother can live with it." Mikan shrugged, turning another page to read by the firelight.
"Rightttt. I know my parents would be ashamed to have someone pitiful as a child." Sumire flipped her hair and then placing her hands on her hips. "My father's a doctor and my mother's a debutante—it is only right to give them a good, ladylike child."
"By spearing fish like a barbarian?"
"My father taught me, okay?!" Sumire blushed as she recalled how zealous she was getting them food. "He's a nature enthusiast! I bet your father has taught you some weird stuff."
"How to sing Disney songs and to hit a home run, but that's about it in the category of weird." Mikan replied, shrugging and continued to read.
"That's it?"
"Well he's dead so yeah, that's it."
All went silent in their makeshift camp after that statement. Sumire stared at her in disbelief that she said something like that so bluntly and passively. Nonetheless, years of etiquette from her mother taught her to swallow it.
"I'm… I'm really sorry." Sumire told her shocked.
"Don't be. It's not your fault." Mikan shrugged. She turned another page. "Soooo what's up with you and Hyuuga-san?"
"Eh?" Sumire asked.
"Natsume—why are you so obsessed with him and his brothers?" Mikan elaborated.
"Oh!" Here Sumire's eyes became starry while she fold her hands together, her cheeks blushing. A dreamy sigh escaped her lips. "They're the most handsome boys I've ever seen! Not to mention kind!"
"I think they're faking it." Mikan pointed out."
"No it's true!" Sumire retorted. "They saved me from being bullied before! There I was being bullied by girls who were jealous of my mother and decided to put me down and then they showed up just as these girls were about to beat me up." Sumire paused to make another sigh. "They were like princes! It was like a scene in a shoujo manga!" she exclaimed.
Dear God what is WRONG with this school? Mikan thought. "I see…" Mikan choked out.
"Hmph. Someone like you could never understand what I'm talking about anyway." Sumire crossed her arms and turned her head in a snotty manner. "All you ever do is cause problems for the princes!"
"Hmm, is that so?" Mikan raised an eyebrow, turning another page. "Such a shame.."
"What is?" Sumire asked, also raising an eyebrow.
"That you haven't learned to say anything intelligent to me." Mikan replied. "For someone who wanted me to pay attention to her threating notes, you haven't yet caught my interest." she continued. Sumire's face blanched and then became red as a tomato, jilting in shock. She looked like a child caught stealing from the cookie jar.
"Gah! What?! H-How did you know it was me?!" Sumire spluttered out. Mikan held up the pink book she was reading with a deadpan expression.
"It's amazing what you find out from interesting reading material." Mikan said, as her lips upturned in a teasing smirk. "Though I think I found out too much information on what you want those bastards to do to you." At this, Mikan's smirk turned into a grossed out expression. "I really didn't need those images in my head, you know."
"GAH! My diary!" Sumire shouted, racing to Mikan and trying to steal it from her. "Give it back! That's private property!" Mikan evaded her, still holding the book like it was a priceless jewel.
"Well then you shouldn't leave me with your stuff." Mikan retorted, wanting to laugh. "Though I have to say, the part where you want Nogi-san to ballroom dance with you towards Hyuuga-san and Andou-san who are all princes so they can make you a woman as Tonouchi-san and Mouri-san dressed in only speedos say dirty things to you while Tobita-san reads poetry dressed as cupid and the brat rests on your bosom as your adoptive child was pretty silly." At this, a snicker escaped her mouth and Sumire was mortified.
"Noooooo! Don't tell anyone!" Sumire got on her knees. "Natsume-kun and them will never speak to me again if they find out!" It was true—they would never fall for her if they found out what she wrote in her diary!
That's an understatement… Mikan thought, knowing her step-brothers would probably try to eliminate her in her sleep, make it look like a suicide, and go on with their lives. Or worse, use her for her information.
"Hmmm," Mikan said. "I could always… forget this ever happened." Sumire went starry eyed.
"If you get those stupid fangirl buddies of yours to leave me alone." Sumire's soul cracked.
"What?! No!" Sumire hissed at her.
"Why not?" Mikan lifted an eyebrow.
"Cause then you won't be taught a lesson!" Sumire pointed at her. "You will get away with terrorizing Natsume-kun, Ruka-kun, and the other princes and we have to protect them from you!"
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe the rest of the world may need protecting from them?" Mikan sweat dropped.
"You're always causing trouble for them and act all arrogant like you're better than everyone! Our academy is very prestigious and you act like we're all a bunch of flies on your shoe. Not everyone can get in and you act like it's all a game!" Sumire declared, hands on her hips.
It was silent between them, the crackling fire only making noise. Sumire's fierce eyes were intense and determine, staring down at Mikan as she sat by the flames. The silence was broken as Mikan opened her mouth to speak.
"'Oh Natsume-kun, right there upon my big bosom'." Mikan quoted.
"Gah! NO! I didn't mean it!" Sumire was back to begging.
I never said I wouldn't take advantage of her. Hotaru would be so proud.
Meanwhile, in Germany a black haired girl with violet eyes was tinkering with her latest invention she would be presenting in her advanced engineering class in three days. Suddenly, she sneezed.
Which one of those idiots is talking about me now?
"Oh come on, you act like I killed your cat." Mikan said offhandedly as Sumire lied there with her soul hanging out of her mouth.
"She's… she's a demon." Sumire whispered.
Man, I'm bored again… Mikan thought, leaning back. Looking up, she saw the sky, wishing there were more stars out. The stars reminded her of Koko, of how he was so far away, but still under the same sky.
"If I fall asleep like this… the first thing I'll see when I wake up… will be you…"
Will you be here when I wake up, Koko? Mikan pulled the bridge of her cap down. A flash of a little girl, little boy, and an older man holding a bat and demonstrating how to swing correctly appeared in her mind. 'Cause I really need you right now…
The flames crackled on, being her only answer.
Sunlight drifted on Mikan's face, making her stir. A groan escaped her lips as she sat up, rubbing her head at how she slept on the hard ground. She stretched and yawned, glad her baseball cap kept her from getting a lot of dirt in her hair. However, the sound of Sumire's breath hitching made her pause at her actions to examine the girl.
The green haired girl was shaking like a leaf in the wind on the ground, her mouth opening and closing in a soundless scream. Mikan raised an eyebrow in confusion. Was she really that scared of Mikan spilling the beans about her pervy thoughts?
"Hey, Permy, relax. I told you I wasn't gonna tell anyone. What's your problem?" Mikan questioned. The girl only slowly shook her head and pointed a shaking finger for behind Mikan.
Mikan's shoulders tensed as she turned her head and was faced with a black snout and large, fuzzy brown head.
Oh fu—
"RRRRRRROOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Mikan and Sumire both screamed as they scrambled up to run. The bear roared again and began chase on the poor girls.
"What kind of school keeps a bear on their grounds?!" Mikan yelled as she pumped more energy in her legs.
"Don't blame this on me! I didn't know a bear lived here!" Sumire shouted back at her. The two ran through the woods, dodging branches and trees coordinately. It seemed though that the bear had the same avoiding skill for he kept up with them.
"If we weren't being chased by a bear, I would complement your ability to keep up with me!" Mikan told her while jumping over a large rock.
"Thanks!" Sumire smiled at her spinning to dodge a tree. Her face then blanched "Ew! We're getting along! Don't compliment me again!"
"Whatever you say Permy!"
"Don't call me that either!"
The resounding roar from their pursuer cut off any more debate on the matter. The two girls sweated bullets as they pumped more adrenaline into their legs to make them go faster. Crashes rang throughout the forest as they pushed through bushes and streams to get away from the bear. Mikan knew they couldn't be running forever, especially since the bear was intent on not letting them get away.
"Hey look! We can climb that tree!" Sumire pointed to a large tree up ahead in a clearing. Mikan turned her brown eyes towards where Sumire pointed to.
"You first!" Mikan shouted at her, skidding to a stop in front of the tree and holding her hands out. Sumire quickly put her foot in Mikan's hold and Mikan flung her up to catch a branch. The thunderous stomps of the bear grew closer as well as its roars. At the last second, Sumire was able to reach down and help Mikan up before the bear collided with the tree. A loud thump sounded and shook the tree. Mikan snickered at the display and Sumire let out a laugh in relief. The bear recovered and shook its nose, glaring up at the two girls. Something glinted in its eye and Mikan and Sumire's relief was short-lived as the bear started slamming itself into the tree to rattle them out. Sumire let out a scream as Mikan grunted, the both of them holding onto the branches tighter.
"There she is!" "Mikan-chan!" "Sakura-san!"
Mikan and Sumire looked to find Anna, Nonoko, Yuu, and Ruka have arrived on the scene. Anna and Nonoko let out a gasp at the bear and Yuu and Ruka went into a defensive stance.
"Sakura-san, are you alright?" Ruka shouted.
"Ruka-kun cares about me!" Sumire squealed with hearts in her eyes as Mikan rolled her eyes under her cap.
"Get out of here, idiots!" Mikan yelled at them.
"We're not leaving you!" Yuu responded, though when the bear turned his attention to them, he gulped. The others backed up when the bear left the tree to travel to them. Ruka got in front of them quickly.
"Get in a tree! I'll distract him!" Ruka told his brother and the two girls. Anna and Nonoko nodded and went for the trees. "Yuu! Go to the trees!"
"But—"
"Go! I won't let you get hurt!"
Before Yuu could run though, the bear got close and Sumire's eyes were wide as she yelled.
"Fetal position! Fetal position!"
Ruka and Yuu dropped to the ground like they were told. The boys' hearts were pounding as the bear approached. It started sniffing Ruka and nudging him gently. Mikan, Sumire, Anna, and Nonoko all watched horrified that something would happen to the boys. However, the bear continued sniffing and nudging Ruka, who continued to remain still.
Mikan clenched her teeth, not liking the situation. She hated being on the sidelines and if she didn't do something soon, Ruka and Yuu could get hurt. Disregarding her dislike for her future family, she knew that it would be wrong of her if she didn't do something.
Not to mention her mom would also murder her where she stood.
Climbing down the tree, Sumire watched her in shock.
"Oi, what are you doing, stupid?!"
"Something stupid." Was Mikan's reply. She dropped quietly to the group like a cat landing on the ground. Creeping closer, the bear didn't notice her as he was busy licking Ruka's face.
Dear God, He thinks the rabbit's his cub!
If she could get close enough, she can get Ruka and Yuu to the tree, with hopefully the affection for Ruka slowing the bear down. Ruka, seeing Mikan creeping closer, stiffened in fear for her, and the bear noticed. Turning his head, the bear growled, recognizing Mikan. The bear took a defensive stance, roaring at her. Preparing to defend Ruka and himself, the bear started towards her.
"Dad!"
Mikan's head sprung up, and there they were. Her boys right when she needed them. Mochu and Kitsuneme were racing towards them. Mochu grabbed a can from his pack and prepared to throw it.
"Batter up!" and the can sailed through the air. Mikan watched it soar through the air, feeling everything in slow motion.
"This game is dumb, daddy." Little Mikan said, sticking her tongue out. Her dad squawked at what his little girl was saying.
"Dumb? No! You're just not giving it a chance, Mikan-chan!" her father chided, placing his navy baseball cap on her head. The big cap covered half of her face from its size. The sight was so adorable her father couldn't help but laugh. "You haven't even tried swinging the bat."
"Cause it's dumb." Mikan responded, turning the cap backwards so she could see. Her father couldn't help but smile fondly at his child and bent down to her level.
"Now come on, try it at least once. Please—for me?" he asked her. Patting her head, he added, "Just pretend it's your mom's broccoli flying at you and you don't want it." In response, Mikan stuck out her tongue in disgust from her mom's broccoli causing the man to laugh. He turned to Kokoro who was waiting patiently with a baseball mitt on his hand. "Okay, Koko-kun! Try throwing the ball again! Mikan-chan, make Papa proud!"
Kokoro stuck his tongue out in concentration, which the parent found to be adorable, and tossed the ball towards Mikan. Mikan got into the position her dad instructed her and intently watched the ball flying towards her. When the ball came close enough, she tightened her grip on the bat and swung with all her might.
Mikan gripped the frying pan with everything she had and swung. The force of the can connected straight with the metal of the frying pan making a large clang sound before it launched straight forward at the bear.
The can was swung with so much force that when it connected with the bear's face, it caused the bear's head to be flung to the side and he was shot into the air, flying into a different part of the forest. Everyone stared in shock at what had just happened.
"Eh?" Ruka blinked.
"Wow…" Yuu, Nonoko, and Anna voiced out.
"Alright! Dad's Super Saiyan Strike!" Mochu gave a thumbs up and his teeth sparkled. Kitsuneme was still looking up into the air in wonder.
"Hmmmm that seems like a new record." he marveled.
"What just happened?!" Sumire exclaimed, climbing down from the tree.
"You act like you just saw something particularly odd." Kitsuneme noted.
"That's because it is odd!" she responded.
"Eh, Shouda-san? What are you doing here?" Nonoko asked with Anna looking at the green haired girl in similar confusion.
"Eh? W-well, it's nothing really…"
Mikan exhaled and stretched from her spot on the ground. Her arm was throbbing from the swing, and she was slowly coming down from the adrenaline high. Looking up at the sky, she took deep breaths, not believing what had just happened, but also somehow believing it at the same time.
"Sakura-san?" Mikan's brown eyes turned to Ruka and Yuu, who were standing above her with identical smiles on their faces. They each held out a hand to her to help her up. A part of her almost didn't want to take it, remembering that because of these boys her life was becoming this chaotic.
But they came to save your ass too. A voice reminded her. With that, Mikan grinned up at them and grabbed each of their hands in a firm grip. They pulled her up from the ground and let out relieved chuckles.
"Well… that was certainly interesting." Ruka announced.
"I never thought I'd see something like that either." Yuu added, laughing. Mikan snickered as well, feeling herself for once at peace with these intruders in her life.
"Meh, you'd be surprised at how normal those occurrences can be when you're around me." Mikan grinned. Ruka and Yuu looked at her fondly.
"Well then—guess we'll have to stick around more often." Ruka grinned at her. Yuu nodded as well. This made Mikan smile back, uncertain about the future between them, but choosing not to dwell on it right then.
There's more important things to focus on right now. With that thought, Mikan's expression turned serious "Tobita-san, Nogi-san… about Hyuuga-san…"
"He's here." Ruka answered, looking to the side. "He's holed up in the cabin that is in the woods. I can show you the way, but Sakura-san—I know you think Natsume is a bad person—"
"No, he's more like that annoying fly I can't kill."
Woah! That brutality! Ruka and Yuu felt an arrow shoot through them at her bluntness.
"—but he's really not. He's just extreme when it comes to protecting himself and the people he loves."
"So… I should forgive everything you guys do because it's to protect yourselves?" Mikan asked dubiously. "Did you consider how pretentious that sounded before it came out of your mouth?"
"We're not saying you should excuse us, Sakura-san," Yuu spoke up, "But we're saying please don't think our brother as a monster. We're people just like you are, and unfortunately, we chose not to think of you as a person, and that my brothers will come to regret I'm sure as I have." Yuu explained. "Natsume has been hurt deeply before, and I'm asking because of that to please be the better person and not try to do what we did by not thinking of you as a person with feelings." Yuu and Ruka bowed their heads to her in order to ask for forgiveness.
Mikan didn't respond. After moments of silence, she bent down and grabbed the frying pan, placing it through one of her belt loops. She then walked passed them and looked around.
"So… where's the cabin?"
Ruka and Yuu straightened up in surprise and looked to Mikan with her back facing them. All of a sudden, their faces turned bright red and they looked down again.
"S-Sakura-san…" Ruka voiced out bashfully. He pointed to her legs. "Your jeans got ripped."
"So? These are an old pair—that's not surprising."
"W-well, w-what Ruka-kun is trying to say i-is…" Yuu trailed off. Mikan raised an eyebrow at him.
"You guys act like clothes don't rip—just lead me to the cabin."
"B-but.."
"Come on, I'm tired and I want to get this over with." She then held up the frying pan. "Or else I'll send you flying too."
"O-okay then…"
Natsume fiddled with his phone while sitting in the log cabin deep in the woods. Mikan was stupid to think he'd actually do something like spend the night in the woods without having some kind of arrangement up his sleeve, but he supposed that it was her problem for not doing her research. He figured he would leave in another hour and then head home, his point proven and his reward of his step-sister spilling the beans of her pissy mood waiting for him.
Suddenly the door to the cabin slammed open and there stood his future step sister looking stone cold and furious. She stomped up to where he was sitting at the table and jutted his chin up with a frying pan.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't clobber you, you snake."
"Snake? I just happen to know about this cabin and you didn't. That's you not doing your research, midget."
"I don't care by this point. I'm done with your games." Mikan slammed her hands down on the table. "I'm done playing. I'm done with the sass. I'm done with this childishness just because little Natsume isn't getting his way."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he hissed back at her, not liking the way she insulted him.
"Don't play with me anymore dammit!" Mikan shouted, grabbing the collar of his shirt and yanking him up to her face. "I nearly got killed by a bear and your recklessness almost got other people hurt, and the fact that you're not feeling sorry for it pisses me off!" her hold tightened.
"You don't know anything." Natsume bit back at her, gritting his teeth.
"Oh I don't? Tell me then, Great Natsume Hyuuga!" she shoved him back. He gripped the table to prevent himself from falling backwards. He took something out of his pocket and slid it roughly on the table.
"Take it. Name your price and get the hell out of our lives. I am tired of this act you and your mother are putting on. I've seen it before and I'm tired of the fakeness you guys are sickening me with. Name your price and then leave."
Mikan saw the piece of paper on the table was a check. A blank check. Her head bowed down—her cap keeping her face in the shadows. Her shoulders started shaking and her fists clenched.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Sign the damn thing."
However, instead of giving Natsume the satisfaction, she swiftly took the check.
"You wanna know what your money means to me?" she asked lowly. She then ripped it into shreds, the pieces falling to the floor.
"Absolute bullshit."
Natsume just stared at her in shock. His crimson eyes remained unblinking as he watched the pieces fall to the floor. He was then knocked out of his seat and the next thing he knew was that he was on the floor. He was so much in shock that she actually tackled him that he didn't register she twisted her cap backwards so he was staring up into fiery brown eyes.
"You want to know what I find sickening? That you keep putting up this goddamn front that because you guys were hurt, it gives you the right to do whatever you want to anyone else! News flash! Everyone gets hurt! Everyone has problems! You don't turn people away because you aren't getting your way! You should try to be sympathetic towards people because they've been hurt—not hide behind others and use your hurt as an excuse to do wrong to others!" She shook him and then got off of him. Natsume sat up, watching her walk towards the door. "And if you guys ever try to bullshit me with this nonsense again I will pummel each and every one of you with my frying pan! Understood?"
Natsume stayed quiet, watching her with a mixture of shock and awe. He blinked a couple of times, the silence passing between them. Then finally he spoke.
"Whatever you say, Polka dots."
"I can't believe my pants ripped and showed my underwear!" Mikan held her head in her hands. Kokoro slurped Mikan's pepsi soda beside her on her bed. He snuck into her room this time as Yuka and the boys were all out in the living room unaware of his presence.
"Yeah, totally killed your epic speech, which I would've given a ten for delivery but a zero for all the way execution. At least you clobbered him with the frying pan. What made you decide to wear polka dotted panties that day anyway?"
"You know I like polka dots! We've been hiding that from my mom for years what with her trying to make me feminine!" Mikan then punched him for drinking her soda without asking.
"Right. Right." Kokoro good naturedly replied. Mikan let out an "Ugh!" and fell back to the bed, looking up at the ceiling. Her eyes thoughtful.
"Hey… Koko?"
"Hm?"
"Remember when my dad tried to teach us how to play baseball?" Koko also took on a thoughtful look.
"Ah, yeah! I remember you said the game was dumb before even trying."
"And dad telling me to think of the ball as mom's broccoli."
"And you totally missing the ball—Ow! Hey, it's true!"
"Yeah…" Mikan said. "Those were the days."
"Good days."
There was another moment of silence between them. A hand reached up to her necklace to hold it.
"…I miss him."
Hands touched and fingers interlocked in comfort.
"I know."
Karin: There! Finally finished! Sorry if it was bad and not what everyone was expecting but I wanted to put more character development in this chapter rather than romance. Hope you all enjoyed!
Replies to Reviews:
StarElsie – Yes! I hope the entire chapter was just as enjoyable as the sneak peak.
komaeda – Yes, I'm trying to return to fanfiction writing this summer after everything that has happened. I'm getting back into Kingdom Hearts right now so I'm hoping to write something new for it.
keixseth – Thanks for letting me know that the manga has ended. I have to finish it. Yes, I'm trying to finish this story so hopefully I will keep going.
Moonj2300 – I hope you liked to Koko and Mikan interaction then. Sorry it wasn't much, but I figured I should put a Koko cameo at the end. I'm glad you like Mikan's personality.
AJSan17 – whether or not Koko has feelings for Mikan is actually up to interpretation. I don't think I would want to do something about directly stating something like that because I feel it could be ruined. It can go either way and that's what I want to convey rather than "oh, it's set in stone." I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations.
cc – I'm glad you like tomboy Mikan. I hope you liked that I put in her love for polka dots and printed underwear. And yes, Narumi and Yuka are a pair in this XD
LoveTempt – glad to see you still like the story. Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. I am trying to finish. My boyfriend is encouraging me to keep going with this one because it's my most popular story and everyone loves it.
GhibliFan – lol I hope this chapter was up to your expectations.
Kalliope – I actually have several Koko/Mikan oneshots such as Sweet Simplicity and Unexpected.
Guest – Thank you! Glad you enjoy it.
AquaTerarrium – Yes, Ruka is a pervert lol. And yes, this brushed up on Mikan and her dad rather than romance.
bloodelfprince1 – I'm going to try to see this story to the end. My boyfriend is encouraging me to get back into my writing. Though I feel drawn to Kingdom Hearts again so I might be writing for that section as well because I love Naminé.
Alexxis T. Swan – I want to read Artemis Fowl and Percy Jackson. I don't really like Meyer's writing because I feel she goes off on a tangent in her Twilight books, but I can see why you also say she is good for first person because I do seem some qualities she is good at. I actually recently heard Miley Cyrus does a lot which I didn't know, and I am happy she does and feel bad people look at her for the wrong reasons. I do like her song Wrecking Ball as well. I'm glad you remembered my story after all these years. I was also able to mature more as a person and lots of things happened that really threw me in a ringer but I'm getting better and hopefully going to finish this fanfiction.
Schatze – I don't do consistent updates sadly so I can't say. I also am getting a puppy so I really can't guarantee a quick update.
CrystalLetter – I really hope I didn't screw up any of your expectations of Mikan and this story. I felt that maybe I screwed up with some of the delivery in this chapter, but I hope it was okay. I'm still very rusty with writing so I'm not in the best shape.
PaRaNoId rOsE – Thanks! I hope Mikan didn't disappoint this chapter. This was basically to convey that Mikan was the one to kinda bitch slap Natsume out of his front.
Angele – Hopefully this update shown how badass Mikan can be at times lol
. – Thank you! Hope you liked the chapter :D
Guest – eh? Is that an anime?
CiaoKawaiirina – I'm glad you like it. I will try to put more Youichi and Mikan bonding in if I can.
Pingin – thank you so much for letting me know that. I tried to change it but it probably still sounded fake. Sorry.