Author's note: How did you like the last chapter? I'M UPDATING SO FAST - IT'S A SIGN... I won't update in a while after this ahahha!
A shout out to 'FlowersOverBoys' again whose reviews and messages motivate me to write more *hugs you. Seriously, check out her CCSxGA crossover if you haven't and motivate her to write and update! 8D
And thank you so much to all of you who took the time to review. (:
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice or CardCaptor Sakura.
Warning: This chapter is not beta-checked, so forgive my horrible typos and hope that you can understand them!
-| Chapter Thirteen – Studying 'til we collapse! |-
Sakura stared in a daze, her emerald eyes blank and emotionless. Even though she was in class and staring at the teacher, she could hear nothing. Flashbacks occurred in her mind, her head hurting from over thinking too much. However, her train of thoughts were interrupted by Mikan.
"I hate tests!" cried Mikan. Sakura nodded, understanding Mikan. She hated tests too, especially Maths. Hotaru and the other classmates watched in amusement.
"Well, it is a painful thing for idiots to go through..." smirked Hotaru, flipping through the pages of a magazine. Yobita tried to calm things down.
"If you work hard and rank high in the grades for this test, you could be a candidate for the Best Student Award!" explained Yobita. Everyone disagreed. However, Yobita pointed towards a poster, in which enlisted the reward if one gets the Best Student Award.
"Sakura-chan, isn't that wonderful?" smiled Mikan. "You get to see your family for the week if you get the award!" Sakura smiled along with Mikan.
"Mm, so try your best Mikan-chan," cheered Sakura. Mikan tilted her head.
"E-eh? Aren't you going to try too?"
Sakura shook her head, smiling nervously. "Studying… isn't my forte…" The whole class looked at Sakura.
"NANI?! I thought you're smart like Natsume-kun!" cried Mikan, pointing to him. Natsume stared at Sakura, before getting a smirk and looking away. Sakura pouted a bit, before turning her attention back to Mikan.
"N-no, it's not like that," explained Sakura. The class however, just thought that Sakura was being modest so they didn't jump to any conclusions.
"Well, for one she's got to be smarter than Mikan," explained mind reader-kun.
"HEY! I'm not that stupid!" cried Mikan. The whole class laughed but Sakura noticed that because of her cheerful spirit, studying became more fun and enjoyable, as everyone was very determined.
-|φ|-
"Why is maths so hard..." grumbled Sakura, rubbing her head. She was currently studying while in the Dangerous Ability Class, however - most of the students were sent on a mission and Youichi was sick so he was at the school nurse. So hence, there was only Natsume and Sakura in the room. She wondered why Natsume was here with her. He occasionally made glances at Sakura, but continued to stare outside the windows.
"So you weren't lying when you said studying wasn't your forte?" She heard Natsume ask. Sakura looked up from her work and stared at Natsume.
"Ano... I just..." started Sakura. "...don't like maths."
Natsume nodded and stood up. He walked towards Sakura and sat down in front of her. "Look, if you do bad on any of your exams - it's an embarrassment to all the Special Stars." Sakura sweat dropped a bit and slowly nodded.
And so, the two spent a while going over maths problems. However, Natsume was beginning to lose his patience.
"Seriously," growled Natsume. "How the hell did you not get that..."
Sakura smiled nervously. "Ano..."
"Pay attention, you baka!"
"Hey, don't call me a baka! My Japanese Tests were higher than yours!"
Natsume tsked, but he rebutted anyway. "What do you want me to call you then, baka?"
"Hmph," pouted Sakura. "If you can call me baka, I'll call you baka-kun then!" Natsume glared at Sakura.
"Don't you dare call me that," growled Natsume. Sakura put her hands on her hips.
Instead of studying, the two ended up bickering.
However, their bickering was heard by Persona, he had finished his assigned mission and came back to witness the scene.
'It seems, the two have grown attached to each other,' smiled Persona. 'This is perfect, the more they care for each other - the guarantee that they'll listen if we threaten to hurt the other. Heh, and that orange kitten, Mikan - someone the Black Cat and Spirit Summoner both care for ; she'll be easy to manipulate anyway.'
Persona smirked and walked back to the Principal's Office, delighted to tell him the news.
"Mou, you don't seem to mind when Mikan-chan calls you names," smiled Sakura. "Ne?" Natsume glared, but turned away. Sakura giggled and smiled. "Mikan-chan, she brings you joy, hm?"
Natsume stayed silent for a while. "I suppose, she's like my light - that brought me out of the darkness..." Sakura smiled.
"You care for her a lot right?" asked Sakura. Natsume didn't reply.
"Same goes for you."
"Ah," started Sakura. "Mikan-chan reminds me a lot of my best friend - she's really cheerful and makes me feel cheerful as well." Sakura smiled. "Her aura calms me down."
"Aura?"
"Mm," nodded Sakura. "Due to my magic, I can see one's aura - or if I concentrate, I can sense them." Natsume turned around and raised a brow. "Ano, aura's are like...light that a person emits!" explained Sakura. "Everyone has different auras, with different colours. Mikan-chan is bright orange - symbolizing happiness and joy. Ano, yours is dark red - but little by little it's beginning to lighten!"
"What about Ruka's?"
"E-eh?" asked Sakura. "Nogi-kun's?" Natsume nodded. "Um, he's aura was yellow, although there were hints of worry surrounding him." Natsume made a face that Sakura couldn't quite understand.
"Can you see your own aura?"
Sakura shook her head. "It's a taboo, to use magic on yourself," explained Sakura. "One cannot tell their own fortunes or see their own aura. Because they'll see what they want to see..."
"Huh?"
"Ah, what I mean is," smiled Sakura. "Magicians try to avoid using magic on themselves."
"I never thought magic existed."
"I never knew Alices existed," countered Sakura. Natsume frowned.
"Oi, get back your your Maths Questions."
'Hai, hai."
-|φ|-
DAY ONE:
Language exam:
Sakura groaned as she looked at her language exam. Narumi-sensei had gotten tired of coming with ways to prevent cheating – so he devised a plan. The exam was to write a love letter to him. She started to write.
When the language exam was over, Sakura felt so guilty from lying so much.
Science exam:
"This year, I have decided to give each of you these cacti to watch you. If they find any form of cheating, they'll punish you on the spot."
The Cardcaptor stared at the cactus she was given. It stared at her. She wrote an answer, it laughed. Annoyed, she changed her answer – it didn't laugh. Sakura smiled, even though the cacti were really distracting, it was useful that if she made a mistake – it would laugh.
Math and English Exam:
Groaning, Sakura watched as the two sensei had tagged teamed. The English teacher was watching through her glass ball while Jinno-sensei had his wand charged with electricity ready.
No one dared to cheat.
DAY TWO:
Cooking exam:
There was a huge tension in the air, where Sakura's cooking table was. Why? – Because she was paired with Natsume. Everyone sweat dropped and tried to mind their own business.
"In your assigned pairs, I would like the two of you to make clear soup and fried rice within the forty minute time limit," explained the teacher. "I will check each pairs work, taste it and give you a score out of 100."
"Oi, you better not make me fail the cooking exam," frowned Natsume, staring at Sakura. She pouted.
"Hmph, do you even know how to cook?" rebutted Sakura, smirking at him. He stayed silent for a while before answering.
"I can make clear soup."
Sakura smiled before turning her head around. "That's great! I'll make the fried rice then-". She felt heat on her head, and to her surprise she saw Natsume burning her hair. Quickly, she used her magic barrier and shook her head – making the flames go away.
"Please be very careful when using fire," reminded the teacher, not noticing the situation before Sakura and Natsume.
"Hyuuga-kun, you heard her. Be careful with fire!"
"Hn."
Despite their antics, the two managed to get 100 out of 100 for their cooking. Of course, as Special Star students it was expected.
Social Studies exam:
The card mistress sighed, relieved that this was the final exam. She was sitting next to Natsume this time – for Mikan had taken her spot next to Hotaru. However, she felt a dangerous aura walking towards the classroom. She shivered – in which Natsume noticed.
"H-H-Hyuuga-kun," Sakura whispered, tugging his jumper to get his attention. Natsume looked at Sakura weirdly and turned his head to the door.
An unknown teacher walked in. He smiled and introduced himself. "I'm here to substitute for your Social Studies teacher. My name is Serio."
The students all commented on his Alice Suppressors. Natsume and Sakura knew that only one person would have that much suppressors.
Persona.
-|φ|-
When the exam finished, Natsume looked at Sakura. She understood him immediately and nodded - Sakura summoned THE TIME to stop time in the classroom, as Natsume rushed out after the substitute teacher with Sakura following behind.
"Hey!" Natsume called out. "What are you trying to pull, Persona?"
Sakura stopped behind Natsume to catch her breath, before walking up next to Natsume. She frowned at Persona, wondering why he had a disguise on.
"Wearing that sorry excuse for a disguise," continued Natsume. "What's a creep like you doing showing up in classrooms?"
Persona smirked at the two. "It was orders from the Headmasters," he said, smiling with evil intentions. "They say your eyes aren't wild as they use to be – so they sent me to ascertain the cause myself. And well, I thought – I might as well learn about the kitten you've been hanging around lately."
Natsume's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?" Sakura stayed silent.
"It was rather enjoyable," explained Persona. "I would never think I'd see the day where you would sit quietly taking a test. Even though there's nothing for you to gain. After all, you have not a home or a family to go back to."
Sakura frowned. "Is it so wrong, for Special Stars to talk to certain people?" Persona smirked at Sakura's questions.
"The headmasters advise against their pet cat gaining any new favourites. Especially that kitten of a different colour."
"You're the ones that made her my partner!" shouted Natsume. Sakura knew they were talking about Mikan.
"That really wasn't what the Headmasters wanted," sighed Persona. "You had best be careful."
Sakura looked over to Natsume, who wore a face of mixed emotions. She frowned sadly and turned to Persona, who was beginning to walk away.
"Persona-san, is there something about that 'kitten' that makes you and the Headmasters so worried?" asked Sakura. Persona glared at Sakura, which made Sakura flinch. "Is it because someone troublesome had the same Alice?"
"You," he began, glaring at Sakura. "…should be happy that the Headmasters haven't begun to take in your friend. Although, you are in the same position as the Black Cat. This will be your last warning – disobey me and punishment will be expected." He walked to Sakura and stared at her. "Well, it's better to be safe then sorry."
Sakura flinched and stared back at Persona, who took out two bracelets. They were gold, with silver lined borders. "Nani, what are those?" Persona smirked at Natsume, in which Natsume glared. Persona grabbed Sakura's arm, and quickly attached the bracelet. Sakura gasped in shock and quickly took her hand away. She touched the bracelet, feeling dangerous powers residing in it.
"Alice Suppressors, like Natsume's earrings," smiled Persona. "Disobey us, or use your Alice too much and well, I'm sure the Black Cat will explain that to you." With that, Persona walked off. Sakura felt a sudden electrical current in her body and stumbled, dropping to the ground.
"You okay?" Natsume asked. He looked outside the window and frowned. "Alice Suppressors, as their name says - suppress Alices. Also, they release electrical shocks if Persona wishes." He looked at Sakura. "Though, I got use to it I guess. Now the shocks are just a mere pinch."
"... Alice Suppressors," muttered Sakura. Natsume frowned and watched as Sakura tried to get up. "I don't think they work on magic. Though, I still felt that electrical shock." Sakura poked her finger at the bracelet, trying to break it with her magic. A spark was seen and Sakura felt another shock. "Eek!"
"You cannot take of the suppressors," explained Natsume. "Only a teacher has the power to - well, namely Persona and the Elementary Principal.
"I will break it, just watch me," smiled Sakura. "Everything will be alright!" Natsume didn't say anything and walked off back to the classroom, with Sakura following behind.
-|φ|-
The two walked silently back to class, in which Natsume noticed the classroom had not moved. The whole area was yellow and everyone was standing still.
"This is my magic," Sakura smiled. "Time, dispel!" Natsume watched as the classroom began to become back to normal, and everyone was moving again. "No one has noticed us leaving."
"Show me your deck of cards one day…" muttered Natsume, retuning back to his seat. Sakura nodded and sat in the desk in front of him.
"Curious about magic, hm?" She asked, giggling a bit. Natsume grunted.
"Ne~ How did you two Special Stars do?" asked a classmate. Natsume turned his head around, while Sakura smiled.
"Mm, I think I did well," she replied cheerfully. "Though, maths was quite my worst one…"
"Idiot." – she heard Natsume whisper. She stepped on his foot. "You want to fight?" Natsume growled and his palm began emitting flames. The class flinched.
"Nani, what did I do?" asked Sakura, smiling innocently. Mikan rushed and hugged Sakura – protecting Sakura with her nullification Alice.
"Natsume-kun, stop bullying Sakura-chan!"
Natsume tched and turned away, with Mikan and Sakura giggling.
"Thank you, Mikan-chan."
Mikan laughed and skipped to Hotaru while Sakura smiled and watched as everyone was having fun.
"This happiness…it won't last," she heard Natsume mutter. Sakura smiled sadly.
"…I know."
-|φ|-
"That Kinomoto child has given me an empty Alice stone!" yelled the Principal – furious at the stone not working.
"Impossible," replied Persona, inspecting the stone. "This is indeed the Alice Stone that was dropped by our guards – however it seems as though it has been used."
"Heh, then maybe that stupid Black Cat used it," growled the Principal. Persona smirked but shook his head.
"No, he knows better to not do that – and it seems the other child does not know how to use an Alice Stone. Usually, the stone would fade in colour, not retain it." Persona was right. The Alice Stone was still bright blue. Normally, when an Alice Stone is used, its colour would fade away.
The Principal frowned. "Are you suggesting that the lady who had it drained the power out somehow?"
Persona nodded. "Kinomoto's hometown, is very unusual. Especially that of the Daidouji residence – we cannot capture the daughter that we assume has an Alice. Not only is she being protected by her mother and company – but also by a strange force."
"Force?"
"Yes," replied Persona. "The guards reported that it's the same force that prevented them from retrieving the stone. It's a barrier-like force – one that even they could not break."
"Tch," growled the Principal, noting that his plan in blackmailing Sakura had failed. "So how will we get her to obey us?"
"Don't worry Principal," smiled Persona. Seeing that smile, the Principal smirked back. "It seems she had grown attached to the Black Cat and his kittens, so as long as we have our grasp on the Black Cat – getting her to obey us will be easy. Also, I've put on Alice Suppressors on the Spirit Summoner."
The Principal grinned.
"Well done, Persona."
-| Chapter 13 – END |-
Author's note: And, this is a short chapter this time. I wanted to combine this chapter with another, but it didn't flow that great so you guys have to settle with this. More Natsume and Sakura moments oho I'm beginning to enjoy writing their moments.
But no, this will not be a NatsumexSakura story :'D Sakura and Syaoran foreveeeer!
Also Mikan and Natsume are the fated couple ehe.