Akatsuki-hime: Chapter 21 is finally here! I thought I'd never get this done. I finally had time to do so. Okay, some sweet moments between TsubasaxMisaki here! I know most of you don't like L but bear with him.
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 21
"Sakura-san, it's so good to see you again," Luna said happily when Mikan entered her office.
Mikan managed to put on a smile for her. "It's been a while, Koizumi-san," she said. "How was your trip?"
Crossing her legs, Luna elegantly placed one hand on her cheek. She had this poised look on her face. "It has been wonderful," she said. "The best part of all was seeing my brother again."
Her heart skipped a beat. Surely the brother Luna was talking about was L, Mikan thought silently. "How is L-kun?" she asked just to be polite.
"He has fully recovered," Luna replied in a slightly giggly tone. "In fact, he'll be studying in this academy again very soon. He's looking forward to seeing you again, Sakura-san. He still loves you until now. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees you now. I'm sure he'll be shocked to see you to have grown into such a fine beauty."
Although a bit happy about the compliment, Mikan felt herself shuddering at the mere thought of L. She still remembered what L did to her in the past, what he did to Natsume and Hotaru.
Harada Misaki looked away when she caught Tsubasa staring at her. They were having dinner at a fast-food restaurant in Central Town. The two have rarely gone out together because of Tsubasa's missions. And she couldn't count the number of times she stayed up late worrying about him. He would usually come back with either minor wounds or injuries, and she would sometimes wake up in the morning and find out that he's immobilized in the hospital. After dinner, the pair went to the park and sat down on a patch of grass under a tree. The stars were exceptionally beautiful tonight, and Misaki admired them in silence.
"You don't have to worry about me so much, Misaki," he told her, understanding the way she stared at him back at the restaurant. "I'd always come back for you."
Her anxiety can simply be cured with a brush of their fingertips, with a few words from him whispered to her ear. Every time she was close to crying, he would give her comfort and assurance.
A sigh escaped from her lips. She briefly gazed at him before looked down at her lap. "How long will you be chained to the academy?" she muttered, clenching her hands. "I know you're only doing the things you do because of me and your sister…but…I can't stand not doing anything about it."
Gently he placed a hand over hers. "Misaki…" He whispered her name so tenderly in her ear. "I may not like the things I do…but knowing that I still have you and my sister makes me go on. And even if the darkness takes every part of me, I know I can still find my way out because you'll be there for me."
The red-haired girl looked up and saw his eyes softening. "Tsubasa…" She leaned her temple against his chest. "You idiot… Don't treat me like I'm you're light or something…"
"Wings symbolize freedom for those who don't have them. My name means wings, but freedom is way out of my reach." Tsubasa gently pushed her away to look at teary eyes. "Well, it's out of my reach for now but it will be in my hands someday. When that day comes, you, me, and my sister will live a very happy life together."
"Tsubasa…" She cracked a smile and a giggle, and lightly punched his chest. "That sounded so cheesy…but I'm looking forward to the future you want."
Beneath the beautiful starry sky, the fresh smell of grass and nature; the feeling of their lips together burned a deep bond and passion over them, deeper than anything that may stand in between them.
"So, L Bradford is coming back…" Natsume, who was currently in Mikan's Special Star room, said, with his usual plain voice that masked his pure irritation for the aforementioned guy.
Mikan nodded. "Unfortunately…" she said tiredly as she sat down on the bed. "How are we going to deal with him, Natsume?"
He took a seat beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not letting him take advantage of you," he said. "If I have to fight him, I will. I'll do anything to protect you."
Gazing up at him, Mikan gently smiled. "Thank you… That means a lot… But please don't be so reckless." Her smile faded as she lowered her head. "You know how strong L-kun is."
Flicking her forehead, he cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. "You have no idea how much stronger I've become," he told her. "Remember, we haven't seen each other for three years. Did you think I just loaf around doing nothing all those years?"
Mikan blinked. "No…I guess not." She giggled. "I believe in your strength and I place my trust in your protection."
"Now that you've understood, go to sleep," Natsume said, getting off her bed.
"Huh? But I'm not sleepy yet."
Natsume could see it in her eyes that she was fighting sleep. "Can't fool me, you ditzy girl," he said nonchalantly. "Go to bed."
The brunette pouted. "Fine…" She trailed off and looked at him lovingly. "Natsume, I can protect you too. I've gotten a lot stronger with my Alice as well. With our strengths, we can protect each other. Does that sound good to you?" She gave off a very bright smile.
Natsume stared at her, stirred by the concern and care she expressed for him. He wasn't even sure he deserved her protection. "Whatever you say…"
Mikan couldn't resist lying down and closing her eyes. "Natsume, we'll always be together, right?" she murmured.
He hummed in his throat and nodded. "I promise."
The next day in school, as Mikan and Natsume, a.k.a. Yukihira Ikuto, walked into their classroom, they were surprised to see so many flowers piled up around Mikan's desk. There were blue, white, yellow, pink, red, lime, and orange roses all together in one bouquet. Pink Carnations, Red Hydrangea, Cherry Blossoms, Daisies, and finally Tulips completed the set. It was like a garden of flowers has ground in the classroom. While Natsume had a pretty good idea of who might have given her those flowers, Mikan was clueless but absolutely thrilled. The flowers were indeed beautiful and refreshing.
Picking up the bouquet of assorted roses, she turned to the class with a smile. Her sunny smile made a lot of boys blush. "Okay, which one of you gave me these flowers?" she asked cheerfully.
Letting out a somewhat frustrated sigh, Sumire approached Mikan and took out a card from the bouquet. "You're pretty damn lucky… To think L-sama has eyes on you seems so unreal," she said as she handed the card.
Mikan's heart skipped a beat. "L? You mean L Bradford?" She immediately opened the card and read the writing:
Flowers for the beautiful lady.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
Love,
L Bradford
The writing was in English. She admitted that L had beautiful writing and he was romantic in many ways. However, Mikan was getting nervous. She didn't expect L to be there so soon.
For the rest of the morning class, Mikan couldn't concentrate. She kept thinking of what to do and how to deal with L Bradford if she would meet him again. When lunch break came, she immediately dragged Natsume out of the room and to the chemistry lab. No one was there in the lab at the moment.
"Yukihira-kun, what should I do?" Mikan asked, pacing back and forth. "L-kun is here… As if I didn't have enough to worry about."
Adjusting his glasses, Natsume leaned against a table and folded his arms in front. "Calm down," he said. "I'm not letting him do as he pleases with you."
"I didn't expect it to be this soon," Mikan said with a sigh. "Even though I liked the flowers, I still find L-kun creepy. There are a lot of girls in this academy to choose from. Why me?" She slumped her shoulders.
"I can guess why…" he trailed off as he sensed someone coming. "No one should see us together in here or else they'll be suspicious. I'm heading out." Quickly he ran to the window, opened it, and jumped out.
Mikan gasped. "Natsume, you idiot! This is the third floor!" She ran to the window, peeked out, and saw that Natsume was safe and sound on the ground. "Don't scare me like that."
He adjusted his glasses once again and turned his back at her. "Just be quiet. Someone's coming there."
"Oh yeah…" As she heard the door opening, she instantly closed the window and turned around. To her utter surprise, it was L Bradford. "L-L-kun?"
L gave off a devilish smile. "My, what a surprise to see you here," he said, brushing a hand through his blonde hair. His blue eyes, described as sapphire by many, seemed to burn with passion.
Instinctively stepping back, Mikan found herself back to back with the window. Of all the times, why did L have to appear now? Mikan felt like jumping off the window just like what Natsume did, but her body seemed glued on the spot. Step by step, he moved towards her in an elegant manner. His eyes were focused only on her. Any girl would have probably melted by his gaze, but she was not even close to being enticed. She was nervous. And when he was just inches from her, she found it a little difficult to breath.
She tore her gaze from him, letting her eyes rest on the floor. However, L lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. His finger cold against her skin, Mikan had the urge to push him away.
"You've become more beautiful, my precious Sakura," he said to her in a smooth, cool voice. "You always give off an atmosphere like flowers blooming."
So much had change in him, aside from his dark aura. He was still attractive, but his facial features were more refined and more perfect than before. He had a strong jaw line and a straight nose. He stood about 6'2" and has a slender but muscular body now.
He stepped back, almost resisting withdrawing his touch. Leaning back on the table, he eyed her with lust. "Did you like the flowers I sent you?" he asked.
Mikan found herself staring at the floor again. "They were lovely…though it was a bit much…" she said, almost stuttering. "Are you trying to show off?" She found her confidence again.
"I have to let everyone know how I feel about you," he told her. "Even after all these years, I'm still madly in love with you."
Making eye contact, she clenched her hands hard. "I can't return your feelings," she firmly said. "I probably never will… I only love one guy and that's Natsume."
L's eyes seemed to turn a little dark. "Hyuuga Natsume is no longer in this academy. He was exiled as punishment for his crime. That lowlife is not worthy of you. Besides, you'll never get to see him again."
That's where he's wrong, she thought in her head. Natsume had come back to the academy for her under the guise of another identity. "I know I'll get to meet him again," she said. "If I have to wait for ten or twenty years, so be it… I will wait for him. My feelings for him will never change. It's best if you just give up on me, L-kun."
Eyes changing from blue to bloody red, L unleashed a telepathic force that shattered the windows in an instant. The sound of breaking glass froze every part of her body. She was again reminded of how strong and dangerous L Bradford is. However, knowing that his display of power was a mere threat, Mikan told herself to stay firm and to never let him have his way.
"I guess I have to kill that bastard Hyuuga," L said, smirking evilly.
Mikan stepped up to slap him across the face. "Don't you dare lay a finger on Natsume!" she uttered angrily. "I hate guys like you. If you hurt Natsume, I'll never ever forgive you, L Bradford."
L cupped her chin and leaned closer to her face. Their lips were almost touching. "You know, you're feistiness is just making me want you more," he said. "I'm confident that you'll be mine in the end, my precious Sakura."
"I'll never be yours!" she shouted as she unleashed a power wave of telepathic force, blowing L to the other side of the room. "I'm no damsel-in-distress, L-kun. I can take you on if you want."
Patting some dust from his shoulders, L got back on his feet. "Hmm… You're very strong. That's good. I'd like my girlfriend to be strong."
He was really testing her patience. "Who told you I'm your girlfriend? You're too conceited." She spun around to face the window. "L-kun, I'm not gonna say this again… Please…just give up on me and find another girl." Then she jumped off the window.
L brushed his hand through his hair as he laughed maniacally. "You're really the most interesting girl I've ever met, Sakura Mikan. How can I give you up when you're so cute and admirable? You're the only girl for me."
"You could've gotten hurt," Natsume said, grabbing Mikan by the shoulders. It was after school and they were in Mikan's Special Star room. "Why didn't you just run away from him?"
"I think it's best to confront him, so he'll know that he can't have his way with me," she answered with a bright smile, which only made Natsume frown even more. "Don't you worry, Natsume, I'm not the type of girl who can't defend herself. I had years of training. I can handle L-kun."
Grabbing her wrist forcefully, he twisted her arm around and pushed her down on the bed. "Have you forgotten that you're still a girl? Even if you manage to steal or nullify his Alice, Bradford is still physically stronger than you."
Mikan understood what he was saying and she agreed with him. No doubt that L Bradford's character screamed danger in every single way. "The chains that bind me to this academy get stronger and stronger…I wonder if they can ever be severed…" She sighed, hugging her legs close to her chest. "I'd like to keep a positive mind about things, but it's hard not to feel down about such major matters."
"You'll be doing missions starting next week," Koizumi Luna announced to a red-haired girl. "But you have to keep this a secret from your boyfriend."
The girl, clad in a black vest with silver trimmings and a grey belt around her waist, grey mini-skirt with a pair of dark-brown knee-length boots, answered the headmistress promptly. "Yes, ma'am…" Though her mind was in a state of chaos, she kept a calm façade. Only her gloved hands were balled into fists.
She was handed a black choker with a silver cross hanging from it.
"I've seen you fight. You're undeniably strong and agile. If it weren't for Andou Tsubasa, you would have been recruited a long time ago." The headmistress gazed at her with violet eyes full of pride and arrogance. "This special choker will amplify your strength and speed. Take it and wear it all the time, Harada Misaki-san."
"Yes, Koizumi-sama," Misaki replied.
Misaki lay awake that night. She stared at the black choker Luna had given her, gazing at the silver cross that dangled. She wanted to get her mind off of the headmistress. She knew that she had gotten herself in a dangerous situation, but she had no choice. In order to save the one she loves, sacrifices must be made.
A tear escaped from her eye. She covered her eyes with her arm and let out a frustrated growl. "I'm sorry…Tsubasa…" she muttered. "But I can't just stand around and do nothing while you…" She rolled over to the left and sighed. There were a lot of times where she wished that weren't Alices. If they had no powers, they would probably be just a normal couple, she thought.
She could still remember the day he confessed his feelings to her. For a lot of reason, she had always known, had always waited for him to say it first. And when he said those three special words, she was so happy, even though they were tipsy at that time.
Tsubasa and Misaki were dead drunk, celebrating their last two days as high school students in Alice Academy. After getting to the dorms from the bar, Tsubasa and Misaki were slumped against the balcony doorway. They sat drowsily, staring at the stars, leaning against each other.
"I think I'm gonna have to sleep over. I can't walk in this condition," Tsubasa said, rubbing his temples.
Misaki pulled his cheek. "No way you're gonna sleep here. Go back to your room now," she demanded, but the guy shook his head in a comedic fashion. "Leave or I'll give you a black eye."
Tsubasa let out a hearty chuckle. "Fine…I'll leave…You're so pushy. Just let me rest for a bit."
They sat in silence, bearing with the headache.
And then Tsubasa spoke…
"You're very beautiful, you know…"
Misaki shrugged. "Yeah, right…" She pinched his cheek a little hard. "You're really, really drunk."
"I-I'm not kidding," he said, putting on a somewhat serious face. "Why do you think almost all the boys in school go gaga for you?"
"Whatever…" She tried not to sound impatient, but he was really annoying her.
They remained leaning against each other for support when they went into the room. They found themselves sprawled on the bed. They could no longer stand up. They had drunk more than they could handle. She fell on top with him. He had his arms around her waist as he snored lightly.
"Misaki…I love you…" he said, sounding so weary. "I love you…I've always been in love with you." His arms around her tighten.
"Don't play with me, Tsubasa. Now let go."
"Why won't you let me love you more than a friend?"
She was at loss for words. Swallowing hard, trying to hide her embarrassed face, she lightly slapped his face. "You're crazy and drunk."
He laughed and smiled proudly at her. "I'm crazily in love with you, Misaki, and that's the truth."
He was drunk, she reminded herself. "Shut up already and get out of my room. I wanna sleep now."
"I love you," he told her once again. "Do you love me too?" He looked up at her. His eyes were passionate.
"You're a moron, do you know that?" she retorted.
"I'm dead-serious, Misaki. I love you!"
She kicked him off the bed. "SHUT UP!" Seeing him sitting up and slumping his head on the bed, Misaki covered her face with her hands. "You've never let me in before… You didn't want me to love you more than a friend and now… I just don't know anymore."
"You know the reason…" he answered, and she started staring at me. "To protect you I had to know my boundaries…I know you're not supposed to go with me… But I can't help it anymore."
"Tsubasa, even after we graduate, we can't escape from this academy. We'll continue to serve them. We have no freedom."
"I KNOW!" he shouted back. "BUT I'LL THINK OF A WAY! I'LL THINK OF A WAY TO GET YOU AND MY SISTER AWAY FROM THIS ACADEMY!"
Sitting up, she slapped his face. "STOP SAYING SUCH THINGS! YOU'RE JUST MAKING ME MORE WORRIED, OKAY?"
Tsubasa pulled her down with him and kissed her on the lips. Indeed she was surprised by such a bold move, but she didn't hate it. She let him run his hands through her hair and body. He let her wrap her arms around his neck as they savor each other's taste. Nothing else mattered anymore. They were drunk, but they were also in love.
Misaki pulled the bed sheet over her head. "Tsubasa, let's share the hardship together," she muttered, closing her eyes. "You shouldn't walk on this path alone anymore."
Early morning the next day, Tsubasa, Nobara, and Mikan went out for their routine job around the campus. The three were clad in their gym clothes, with the girls' hair tied in two low pigtails.
"Isn't it a good thing that Bradford's going to be on guard duty for the Prime Minister of Japan today?" Tsubasa said.
"Bradford-sama will not bother you, Mikan-chan," Nobara said, noticing the sad look on Mikan's face.
Mikan sighed. "I hope Natsume doesn't get discovered. No doubt L-kun would hurt Natsume again." She stopped jogging as she felt her cellphone vibrating. "Someone's calling me. Go ahead without me."
"Hurry and catch up with us, okay?" Tsubasa said, waving his hand.
"I will!" Mikan replied.
And then the two went off.
As they reached the track field, Tsubasa and Nobara went to sit under the shade of a tree nearby.
"Ibaragi, ever thinking of getting yourself a boyfriend?" Tsubasa asked out of curiosity as he reached for his water bottle.
The Ice Princess flushed red a little. "A-A b-boyfriend…? I…I don't think I'm good enough to have a boyfriend," she said nervously. "I'm probably no good in keeping relationships."
The Shadow Prince chuckled at her. "You're more than good enough to have a boyfriend," he said, patting her shoulder. "Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? You're really gorgeous…Of course, I still think Misaki's the most beautiful in the whole world to me…But you're quite the prize yourself. And I know you've been an eye candy for boys since middle school."
"B-But…I don't think I should get a boyfriend… With the things we've been doing, I think it'll be difficult to maintain a good relationship," Nobara said sadly, lowering her head. "You're lucky to have Harada-san. She's such a strong girl. She always stands by you no matter what."
His lips curved into a smile as he thought about his girlfriend. "Yeah…Misaki's really great…" He sipped his water bottle and then gazed out on the field. "She's smart, good at sports, outgoing, and strong. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. But…Lately…All I've been doing is making her worry. Some boyfriend I turned out to be…"
"The headmaster is just full of lies, isn't he?" Nobara muttered, looking at the same direction as him. "He said that he'll free your sister once she graduates from high school. However, it was only his ploy to keep you here. I'm in the same situation as well. Do you think we'll ever get to spread our wings?"
Resting his arm on his bent knee, he gazed down on the grass. "Wings symbolize freedom for those who don't have them. My name means wings, but freedom is way out of my reach."
Nobara grimaced. "Yes…You're right about that…" Then she caught sight of Mikan approaching. "Look, it's Mikan-chan."
"Wonder who called her."
"It was probably Natsume-kun."
"But Mikan doesn't look happy at all."
"I wonder what's wrong."
When the brunette was in arm's reach from them, she dropped down on her knees. "Tsubasa-senpai…Nobara-chan…" She wrapped her arms around herself as she trembled.
The seniors immediately moved to her side and grabbed hold of her shoulders.
"What's the matter, Mikan-chan?" Nobara asked worriedly. "Are you in pain?"
Mikan merely shook her head in reply.
Tsubasa swallowed hard. His mind was telling him that bad news was going to surface.
"You-chan…was taken away by L-kun…" Mikan said in a shaky voice. "He took You-chan with him on the mission. I've already tried convincing Koizumi-san to reconsider her decision on putting up You-chan for missions. I even volunteered to do extra work for her. But…But L-kun…" She shook her head vigorously. "This can't be happening. I know it's only guard-duty, but still. I don't want You-chan doing missions. What if they'll assign him to a more dangerous one next time? I don't want his hands to be tainted." She shut her eyes tight, holding back the tears.
Nobara and Tsubasa looked at the brunette sincerely before staring at one another.
"Is it impossible to obtain the wings we desire?" Nobara questioned. The feelings she held were a mixture of sadness and fear.
"I don't know…" was all Tsubasa could say to her. He really didn't know anymore.
End of Chapter 21
Akatsuki-hime: If you want some passionate moments between Mikan and Natsume, wait for the next chapter. LOL. I really mean it, though. L is going to be a real pain, I can assure you, but I have big plans for him. A special someone is going to make her official debut in the next chapter as well. It will be a real shocker for everyone. But I'm not telling who.
Preview for Chapter 21:
"Are you sure you're in your thirties? You look like a high school student to me."
"Onee-chan, I…I did a terrible thing."
"Looks like the former queen has returned."