Akatsuki-hime: Little young Youichi learned the secret of Mikan and Natsume's true relationship and swears to keep it a secret from everyone. It takes a load off Mikan's heart to have another person to trust with your secret. Major interaction between Ruka and Natsume will take place here.
Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice doesn't belong to me. Aikawa Hinako is a crossover character from Bitter Virgin. L Bradford here is a character I borrowed from Love Monster.
Plot Summary: They were in love with each other, but everyone didn't approve of it. Enter the lives of Mikan Sakura, a popular and well-admired girl, and Natsume Hyuuga, a genius yet an outcast detested by many, as they try to overcome obstacles and protect their love.
Chapter 10
When Mikan opened her eyes in the morning the next day, something was different. She realized there was fog veiling her balcony door. She jumped up to look outside, and then gasped in surprise. A fine layer of snow covered the front yard of the elementary school dorm. The current season was summer yet there was snow. What was going on?
A knock came from the door before she could open her closet door to change. She went towards the door and opened it only to see the bright and pretty face of Aikawa Hinako. "Good morning, Aikawa-san!" she greeted cheerfully.
Hinako bowed her head politely and greeted her back with a 'good morning' as well.
"Umm..Aikawa-san, question…" Mikan turned to look outside. "Why is it snowing? Is it winter already?"
"No, its still summer," Hinako said, giggling. "A new student came today. He's still a little kid, so it's not surprising if he can't control his Alice yet. His Alice is snow, by the way."
"Oh… For a minute there, I thought I slept through summer and autumn."
Hinako pulled a trolley into the room where a yummy spread of breakfast lay on top. "Here's your breakfast, Mikan-chan. I'll fix your hair after you eat." She prepared the napkin, the spoon, and fork.
"The food smells great!" Mikan said in a chirpy manner. "The cook sure whips up delicious meals. I never get tired of it. Speaking of meals, have you tried Anna-chan's desserts? They're the best! Plus, you get to enjoy her food's performance before you eat them. Her Alice is cool."
"Yes, I've tried her desserts and I love them," Hinako said. "The Alice of Cooking is the perfect Alice for Anna-chan."
Mikan nodded her head in agreement. "Yup! I'm glad she has the Alice of Cooking." She began eating breakfast. "So, how long is this snow going to last? I don't think it's stopping anytime soon." She said that while looking outside again.
Heaving a sigh, Hinako placed a hand on her cheek. "I honestly have no idea," she replied. "The teachers are having a hard time restraining the new student's power. He keeps on struggling. I know they're working on a Control Device for him as we speak."
Mikan took a sip of her milk and sat it back on the trolley. The mention of Control Device reminded her of Natsume's. He had an ear piece and a gold earring with red orb for control devices. For as long she could remember, Natsume had them on ever since she met him at. Mr. Hyuuga has told her that Natsume's Fire was too powerful, so control devices were needed to restrain it.
"Sometimes, a control device is not enough to restrain one's power," Hinako said. "Alice seals, marks of obedience, and cursed seals can be used as well."
"Seals? Marks?"
"They usually appear in elaborate designs or simply shapes like a star."
"Star…?" Mikan suddenly remembered the star mark on Tsubasa's cheek. "I actually met someone with a star mark. He's cool, outgoing, and has the face of a movie star. His Alice allows him to manipulate shadows and it's pretty awesome."
Hinako figured that the person Mikan was talking about must be special to her. "You never talk to me about this person before," she said. "May I know what his name is?"
The brunette was finished with her breakfast at this point. As Hinako started gathering the plates, Mikan spoke. "His name is Tsubasa," she said, "Andou Tsubasa-senpai."
Just then, Hinako dropped saucer and it broke into pieces when it hit the floor. Mikan got concerned and asked her if there was something wrong with her. "I'm so careless…" She knelt down to the floor and started picking up the pieces. "I apologize for this mess, Mikan-chan."
"You don't have to apologize, Aikawa-san," Mikan said. "But I'm kinda surprised. This didn't happen before. You were always careful."
Hinako smiled a little bit awkwardly at the younger girl. "I know… I'll be extra careful next time," she said. "You know, I'm also surprised. You're actually friends with Andou Tsubasa-kun. He's very popular among the students, even though he's a Dangerous Ability student." Her voice was a slightly strained when she mentioned Tsubasa's name.
"That's because he's friendly," Mikan said. "Well, Tsubasa-senpai is the only exception, while the other students of the Dangerous Ability Class are hated and feared. I've seen people bully Nobara-chan and You-chan…even Natsu…I mean Hyuuga-kun…"
"The Dangerous Ability class trains its students to take up missions for the academy," Hinako said, picking up the last piece. "And all of the students in the academy know this. The class is just too different from the rest."
"But that's not enough reason to treat them indifferently. The students of the Dangerous Ability class may be operatives, but they're still Alice Academy students. They should be treated fairly as well."
Hinako once again sighed. "I understand what you're saying, but you can't do anything about it," she said. "It's been like this for years now. And the Dangerous Ability students don't seem to mind it much."
It was still sad, though, for the Dangerous Ability students to lead a life different from the other students in the academy. Mikan would like her friends in the said class to be able to have a good and normal school life, but she knew it was impossible under the circumstances.
He must be crazy. He was actually thinking of doing it. Well, his conscience would not give him a break unless he does it. He wasn't prepared for it. He had gotten up early in the morning, no real intentions in mind for how he was to conduct the day. Looking up, Nogi Ruka took a moment to admire the birds soaring through the sky. Smiling, Ruka turned his sapphire eyes down to the rabbit he was carrying. His little white friend was such an adorable thing and it was his usual companion. He asked the rabbit if it was necessary for him to thank a really apathetic person.
Ruka's mind paused at the memory of him being caught in the net. He got caught in the net after he saved an animal from a trap. He didn't expect a net to be there. He could've gotten out easily from the trap. Use his Alice, call for his animal friends, and then he'll be free as a bird. But a certain raven-haired guy had to come along and saw him. However, that same guy helped him. Still, he wasn't sure what had possessed him to actually plan on thanking him. Almost everyone in the academy didn't want to go near him. The reason for that was rather obvious.
He was walking along the path towards the elementary school building when he encountered the person he was just looking for. Hyuuga Natsume was sitting on a bench, reading a shounen manga. Ruka wondered how he was going to approach to him. Natsume wasn't the most approachable guy in the school or the friendliest. Taking a deep breath, he moved towards the flame-caster slowly. And when he was right in front of him, his rabbit jumped from his arms and onto Natsume's lap.
Natsume looked from his manga to the rabbit. The cute rabbit brushed its bushy face against his tummy, and he just raised a brow before he shifted his eyes on Ruka. "Mind getting him off of me before I decide to burn him to ashes," he said in a threatening voice.
Ruka got nervous. "I'm sorry." He picked up his rabbit from Natsume's lap and scolded it for jumping out all of a sudden. But he wondered why his rabbit acted sweet with Natsume. The only people his rabbit was comfortable with were the ones with good hearts like Mikan and himself. Since his rabbit wasn't afraid of Natsume, he guessed that the guy wasn't all what he seems. "Hey…Can you spare me a minute?" he asked.
There was a moment of silence, and Natsume just stared at him coldly. "Make it quick," Natsume said. "I don't want to waste my time with you." He shut his manga close.
"I…I just want to thank you," Ruka said, lowering his gaze to the ground.
"Thank me? What for?"
"For saving me the other day in the forest…"
Natsume shrugged. "I just happened to pass by. I didn't intend to help you in the first place. Besides, I'm sure you could have gotten out by yourself." He rose up from the bench and tucked his manga under his arm. "Now then… Is that all you have to say?"
"I have one more question," Ruka said as he pictured a smiling Mikan in his head. "What do you think of Sakura?"
Narrowing his eyes, he turned his back at Ruka and started walking away. "That clumsy girl is just my partner," he said.
"Is she only a partner to you?" Ruka asked, sounding a little anxious. "I mean…You're not interested her?"
Natsume was getting suspicious of Ruka. "Why the hell are you asking me this?" he grumpily said, throwing a hard cold glare at the blonde.
To be honest, Ruka wanted to know if Natsume was interested in Mikan just like the other guys in school. There was no doubt that Mikan was super popular and admired by guys. "It's because…" Ruka turned his head away. His cheeks have flushed red. How should he put it? He didn't want to tell Natsume about what he thought about Mikan. "It's nothing. Forget what I said."
"Weirdo…" Natsume walked away, feeling a little pissed. It was obvious. The expression on Ruka's face said it all. It seemed like he has a rival now. But he wasn't worried much. Mikan already belonged to him. There was no way Ruka could score one on Mikan.
It was after school that Mikan decided to visit her favorite spot under the cherry blossom. As she leaned her back against the tree, she looked up at the sky and drew a deep breath. She suddenly felt like singing a song to cheer herself up.
Kizukeba itsudemo
Soba ni irukeredo
Honta wa kirai?! Suki?
Mousou nano?
Jibun no kimochi ga
KURIA ni mietara
Redeii demo HOSUTO demo
Kamawanaiyo
Suki ni natteku
Riyuu wa minna
Chigauyone kedo
Maybe You're My Love
A clap caught Mikan's attention as she turned around to take a look at who was cheering for her.
"I've never heard such a lovely voice before."
Mikan's face darkened. He was the least person she expected to see. "What do you want?" she asked. The last time she met L, things really didn't go so well. He even wanted to take her away from Natsume. Furthermore, L and Natsume weren't in good terms.
"I'm sure you still remember me," L said, brushing his fingers smoothly through his blonde hair. "Most girls do." He smiled coolly at Mikan.
"Yes, L-kun, I remember you," she replied. But she really didn't want to stay another second with him.
A mischievous glint came upon L's blue eyes. "How about a request, Sakura-san?" he asked. "May you sing a song for me? I really fell in love with your angelic voice. And the song your singing was catchy."
"I'm sorry. I'm not in the mood to sing anymore." She remembered Natsume telling her not to get close to L no matter what. "I better get going now."
L grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him. "Don't go just yet," he said. His voice was suave. "Please stay with me a little longer. I want to get to know you better."
She couldn't tell if he was just fooling around with her or he has a hidden agenda. One thing for sure, she wasn't going to let L take advantage of her like last time. "Just tell me what you really want from me?"
"What I want?" L cupped her chin and leaned his face closer to her. "I want you, Sakura-san, and I'm not lying."
Mikan's expression changed from serious to a curious one. "What do you mean you want me?" she asked. "Do you want me to be your friend or something?"
L sweat dropped, but he didn't fail to keep his calm façade. "Sakura-san, I want you," he said. "Do I have to explain it?"
Tilting her head a little to the left, she placed a finger on her cheek. "I absolutely have no idea what you're trying to say to me," she said. "Wait… I know!"
"So, you understand now?" L was positively smiling at this point.
"You don't like Hyuuga-kun, so you want to take me away from him and make me your partner in school instead."
L fell down anime-style, but he got back on his feet quickly. "Sakura-san, I didn't know that you were so naïve," he muttered under his breath. "But I guess that's what adorable about you. I won't hate you for that."
"Thanks…I guess…" Mikan never thought that L would have a comedic side too. "Can I go now?"
"No…" L was back to his cool self again. "I won't let you go unless you kiss me."
Mikan looked appalled. "Eh? Why should I?"
"Just one kiss would—" He got cut off by the ringtone of his cell phone. "Tch… What now?" He pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and answered it. The caller was the Dangerous Ability moderator, Persona. Whenever Persona calls, L knew there was a mission for him again. Well, he loved doing missions.
When the call ended, he gave Mikan a cunning smile. "It's mission time again," he said. "Black Cat is coming too. Honestly, he just slows me down during missions."
"Another mission…" Mikan grew sad, knowing that Natsume has to do a mission again.
"Looks like I have to get a kiss some other time," L said, and Mikan just flushed red. "You're a lot cuter when you blush like that."
Mikan puffed up her cheeks and turned her head away. "If you're just teasing me, then it's not funny," she said.
L let out a chuckle. "You're not only cute, but you're interesting as well," he said, spinning around on his heels. "Well, I'll see you soon." He then walked off.
"L-kun is one weird guy. Why did he say he wanted me?" Mikan muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. "But he does seem kind of nice, though he's doesn't like Natsume. Then again, Natsume doesn't like him too. The feeling is mutual." She scratched the back of her head as she chuckled awkwardly.
Walking towards the room, Mikan couldn't get her mind off of L Bradford. When she met him the first time, she got felt some bad vibes from him. However, the second meeting was a little better. Maybe it was possible to be friends with him. She already has lots of friends from the Dangerous Ability Class, so why not add another one? But the problem was Natsume. She was sure he won't allow it.
As she was nearing her dorm room, she saw Hotaru standing right in front of her door. She didn't expect to see Hotaru there, but she was real happy. "Hotaru, what brings you here?" she asked. After the swimming class, she and Hotaru haven't hanged out nor have a chat for quite a while.
Hotaru looked at her with her usual stoic face. "I know I haven't been much of a friend to you lately," she said in monotone. "But I have a perfectly good reason for this. I won't tell you the reason just yet—even if you beg me too. If you're thinking I don't want to be friends with you anymore, then you're definitely wrong. I came here to clarify that."
Smiling happily, Mikan lunged forward and gave the inventor a big hug. "Hotaru, I shouldn't have doubted you!" she exclaimed, and Hotaru tried to get her off. "I'm glad that we're still friends."
"You're too emotional, dummy," Hotaru said, looking a little annoyed. "If you won't release me, I swear I'll use my invention on you." And her threats were always serious. It wouldn't be wise to mess around with her.
Mikan pulled back to face Hotaru. "I know I'm emotional," she said. "But you're too uptight, Hotaru. Why did you have to go cold on me all of a sudden if we're still friends?"
Hotaru heaved a sigh. "Weren't you listening to me?" she muttered. "I have a reason and you don't have to know it." Without further ado, she pulled out a capsule from her pocket and dropped it on the floor. The capsule then transformed into a scooter, and Hotaru boarded it immediately. "I have to go now. Don't cause any trouble for me, dummy." After that, she zoomed away on her scooter, leaving Mikan biting the dust.
"She's so complicated…" Mikan said with a pout. "Kinda like Natsume sometimes…" Speaking of Natsume, she remembered that he had a mission again. She began to feel nervous for him. She silently wished that he would come back in one piece.
End of Chapter 10
Akatsuki-hime: Well, what do you think of L now? He's interested in Mikan. Is it because he has a crush on her? Or is it because he wants to use her? And what's the deal with Ruka? Well, it's kinda obvious, isn't it? Natsume and Mikan fluff in the next chapter. Okay, I'll see you in the next chapter. Please leave some good reviews. NO FLAMING!! I absolutely think they're pointless.
Preview for Chapter 11:
"Alice stones are special stones which contains a person's Alice."
"She was saved by the academy, yet ironically the academy is deceiving her until now."
"I'm going to have a little talk with this stupid cat."
"I can't believe this. I didn't think you would be stupid enough to be friends with a murderous bastard like Hyuuga, Nogi!"