Summary: AU They both wanted to adopt him—she, out of pity and he, for his own benefit, yet they refused to give the little kid up to each other. "Well, since you guys are totally attached to him anyway, why don't the three of you live together as a happy family?" Thus a complete trouble inside the house starts— an always-ecstatic mama Mikan, a killjoy papa Natsume, and a three-year-old Youichi completely amused at his new parents' 'relationship'. Oh boy.

Disclaimer: Do I have to repeat this over and over? I certainly do not and never will own Gakuen Alice. I own the story plot, but I give Higuchi Tachibana-sama the credits for making this anime though.

My Strange Family

House Rule 3: Give a Helping Hand

"I really love being alive. I love my family and my work. I love the opportunity I have to do things. That's what happiness is."

-Michael J. Fox

It is strange. So strange that he starts thinking if he should go back to the orphanage and find his senior Tono or just directly ask the two adults in front of him the reason why they are doing things wrong. As far as he knows, and remembers, Tono said that after two people did it, they would do lovey-dovey things and that one which he forgot. He's sure that it involves their lips and then they hug and go to room and then…

Ah, that's right. It's what they call kissy-kissy!

He smiled at the thought, and grunted after.

As much as he loves to see his papa and mama being sweet, he knows he will never be able to stand the sight of them kissing—first thing in the morning. His papa will surely have cooties, just like what Tono always warns to the boys around his age. But then, he isn't too sure enough if this scene in front of him is really good, because right from the time he set his eyes on the figures on the table, only silence ensued. But, wasn't it supposed to be noisy? They should be talking about how much they enjoyed last night when they are creating babies—his baby sister or brother!

Now, how is he going to make them re-enact the exact, same scenario that occurred last night?

Youichi frowned when his papa stood up and made his way towards the sink and placed his empty glass of milk. If one of them doesn't speak up, then, he'll be sure that he'll be in a very bad mood for the whole day. Very, utterly and painfully bad mood. And when it is bad, it'll be a long day of tantrums, and he always liked it back at the orphanage when he loses his temper in a noisy and an uncontrolled way, because he would always get what he wants in the end. He mentally sneered. Anyway, whether his papa and mama speak or not, it'll be alright, since he has a great ace which never failed him for so long, and if they start a nice conversation, it's great then. At least he won't get to use his 'secret tactic'.

At the sight of his papa—in that white long sleeves, black pants and gray necktie—leaving with his attaché case, he immediately took a spoonful of his cereal and ran towards him, ending up hugging his leg. Surprised, and what Youichi expected, crimson eyes looked down at him with a confused face, unaware that a pair of brown eyes is also staring at them in wonder.

Natsume raised his brow at him. What did come inside the head of this child to do such a very unexpected and bold thing? Well, he doesn't actually mind him being attached to him like that. But he felt a bit… awkward, since the three of them were in a very critical situation last night—Youichi being exposed to something he shouldn't see, Mikan because of embarrassment which he completely sensed and he—afraid that at that very second, he might just attack her. Thankfully, Youichi came before he could even stare at her body for the second time. And he knows too well that it will never do him any good. Truth is, he was really uncaring at typical scenes where girls, women throw themselves at him before, and he just didn't care. So how in the world did that woman turn the table 180 degrees?

He doesn't know, and he doesn't even want to know.

The child hugging his knees stared hard at him, and he assumed that he's clearly asking him for something before he leaves. Natsume kneeled down and placed his hand on his head.

"Is there something you want for a present later?" He gently inquired. To be honest, he was never good with kids, because he never got a chance to take care of one. He grew up surrounded with adults, and his state of thinking was influenced by the business veterans and experienced people who served as his playmates. Well, they are really playmates since he had already made in mind that business is only a playground for him—if he's unsatisfied with the game, he'll leave and find new one, or he himself will create his own, until the game the other kid started will eventually fluctuate because of the decrease of the participants. The ending always pleases him.

Surprisingly, the boy shook his head and looked at his mama, who is still looking at them with desiring eyes to know what's going on between the unofficial father and the son—well, he'll make it official anytime soon, since it is part of their deal. But there's still something that pushes him to make them his family as soon as possible, but he cannot pinpoint it out.

His eyes met the woman's, and immediately, she looked down at her food, her face flushed. Wait. Isn't she supposed to be mad at him? Looking at him with eyes full of despise?

Natsume sighed and looked at the child once more.

"What do you-" "Papa, aren't you supposed to kiss mama before you leave?" His innocent eyes twinkled when both of the adults looked at each other again, and just as what happened a while ago, she stared down, a faint red colored her pale skin. This is really intriguing. If he would base her attitude from the past weeks, he expected she would never hesitate to shout at him and tell him how much of a pervert he is, and then she'd walk out and ignore him forever—which she didn't do. That is a surprise.

The child's adamant phrase was also surprising .The first time he saw him, he had already figured out that he was one heck of a bright kid—from his looks, his attitude and the way he acts. And that day when he sneaked inside the room, he knew he had something in mind concerning him and Sakura Mikan. His parents must be clever too. But anyway, why would he even make little Youichi here upset? Because he is his daddy, he'll be too glad to give what he wishes for. If it's a kiss for his mommy he wants, it's a kiss his mommy gets.

Natsume smirked at the thought. He realized they would be a very good pair of father and son. Ah, the thought of both men initiating a conspiracy against the lovely woman would really be a good start for their family.

Hiding his sinister smile, he looked at Mikan, and surprisingly, she paced faster on her way, walking towards them. Youichi looked at her, and he too did the same while standing up, and with a frown. In a moment, she already had his tie wrapped around her hand, her face—oh heck, her face dangerously close to his and still painted with a hue of red. Natsume heard her uttered a low 'sorry' before pulling him through his tie down to her, her lips landing safely just beside his—yes, beside. He was a bit disappointed so he decided to teach her where to hit the right direction, but when he was about to grab her, she suddenly ran towards her own room.

At the same time, he felt a light tug down at his knees again, only to find his son smiling widely at him. "Papa, I already like that present!"

Natsume didn't even notice that he automatically smiled, but Youichi did hear him say 'Me too.'

My Strange Family

Ruka found it annoying. He found it totally annoying that the second Hyuuga Natsume smiled for the uncounted time, he concluded that there's nowhere near impossible that he might pluck his hair from his head. It's not a genius action, but for the sake of waking himself up from the nightmare he encountered, Ruka decided that he'll do anything to keep everything back in its own place—and that includes him placing back the usual scowl and bland expression at his best friend's face.

"You know what, Natsume…" He paused and looked at him with his eyes half-closed. "…your plans of entertaining yourself through your 'wife and son' had completely gone awry. I can sense it."

Ruka isn't the type to suspect anything or anyone when things aren't going the way it used to be, but he realized that Natsume became a little… different. Last week, he's still the same, old arrogant Natsume that he met, and that's for sure, but ever since his best friend started to live with Sakura Mikan and Hijiri Youichi, everything got out of hand. Actually, he doesn't have anything against this piece of catastrophic occurrence in his life. In fact, he's slightly happy for Natsume that he's finally having a sudden change of heart, but he's also afraid that in just a click, his friend might be back to the way he used to be—ten times worst at that. Ruka knows that Natsume never loved anyone, except for his family and him. Ah heck, it sounded so gay. But anyway, if there would be one reason for this unbalanced situation to be more complicated, he thinks that the four-lettered word that he has been experiencing, what his best friend has been despising and as cupid would define it as love would really contribute a great amount for Natsume to be a completely different kind of person.

The said person frowned and turned his eyes from nowhere to his best friend sitting idly on the sofa just in front of him. "You know what Ruka?" He started. "I can always kick your ass out this building if you wouldn't get your butt back at work. As far as I remember, I am paying you to work, not to criticize my every action and plans."

It's a bad thing that Natsume is a genius—and can read minds.

Ruka massaged his temples and sighed. "Natsume, what I'm saying is… you've been smiling like a fool in love for the past few hours." He stood up and pointed his index finger on Natsume, earning himself a deep frown from the bachelor's face.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, let me tell you." Ruka sat down again and looked at Natsume intently. "First, you let Mochu off the hook."

Natsume frowned. His best friend is being more annoying than Imai. "I don't see anything wrong with forgiving him, Ruka."

"He's late!"

Natsume almost laughed, his best friend is actually squealing like a fan girl asking him to avoid having a real girlfriend.

"Sure you can forgive him if he did other stupid things, but he was late, Natsume. He was late. And we both know that you've always hated tardiness." Ruka closed his eyes and opened both of his palms, emphasizing the last few words that came out of his mouth. "You are totally different. What's happening to you?"

Even he himself doesn't know how to answer that question.

The black-haired guy stood up and walked towards his glass window, staring down at the sight of people keeping themselves busy because of the upcoming season. Christmas, huh? It has always been a normal routine for him to see acts of people running to and fro just to prepare and buy gifts. Thinking, he wondered what his son and Mikan would want as a present.

Oh hell.

Frustrated, Natsume walked back and slumped down at his black, swivel chair, thinking that maybe, Ruka was right. He actually noticed it too—he, easily forgiving his employee for being late, considering that tardiness is the sole thing that he hated the most when it comes to job. Even at the conference meeting, he had gladly welcomed a few suggestions from his workers, which he doesn't normally do. Yes, of course, there are times that he needed ideas from them, but asking them has always been his last choice when he runs out of things that he has to do. Natsume groaned and slammed his fist on the table not too strong, and that made Ruka look at him with an indifferent expression. As expected, he didn't flinch at that simple action of the red-eyed guy.

"Natsume-"

"I don't even know what's happening."

Ruka sighed and nodded, letting silence take over for the two of them. He knows Natsume too well. If he doesn't answer his questions, there would be no doubt that his intuitions are correct.

"Anyway, whatever it is…" Ruka found himself smiling at the company's CEO, by which he received a blank stare from him. "…I'm supporting you. And count Hotaru at that."

But really, he's too sure about one thing: Natsume likes that Sakura Mikan girl.

My Strange Family

Mikan sighed and stared hard at the telephone, wondering if calling Natsume would be a great idea, since what she did this morning was too embarrassing to still have a heart to give him a phone call. She didn't know what made her do that, but Youichi's pleading face and Natsume's irresistible one were like magnets—she got attracted to them the time she laid her eyes on those two.

For the second time, she sighed loudly and diverted her attention back again at the telecommunication thing in her grasp. Funny how calling someone had been an easy task for her, but remembering what occurred this morning, she doesn't even know how she'd be able to dial his number without letting her fingers shake at the mixed emotions playing inside her. Maybe, the reason was about last night—that fateful night when she almost lost her mind at how dangerously close she became with Natsume. Of course she was a bit mad at how he acted like there's nothing wrong, and on top of it all, he was being a jerk again when he stopped her from talking further. She was about to tell him the biggest fiasco in her life concerning her family. And here she actually started thinking that he's a really nice person.

Fortunately, Youichi is now soundly asleep in the sofa after eating lunch and giving him a bath. He isn't a really handful child, and for that, she's very thankful. But what he did a while ago, she's sure that it got something to do with last night's scene. And also, she denied the fact that her heart beating fast was a severe reaction to that one, and she's determined to say that it doesn't mean that she likes him. Yeah, she's very sure about it.

Mikan hesitantly lifted the phone cord for the second time, her courage decided to be expressed. Her fingers danced carefully around the pad, and when she made up her mind, the keys on the telephone were gently pressed down, her hands shaking from anticipation.

Wait. Anticipation?

Finally, she heard a ring, and thinking that she would actually talk to Natsume, she immediately thought of ending the call. But before she could even place the phone back to its rightful place, the ringing stopped, and she found herself wanting to listen to the voice on the other line.

"Hello?"

She shivered. Natsume's voice is too deep.

"Uhh…" Mikan paused and looked blankly at the wall. "…Natsume?" Why did his voice have to be so… so awesome and hot? Shaking her head from the inappropriate thought, she gripped the phone handle tightly, not minding the possibility that it might crack at the force she's putting. Anyway, Natsume can buy one again, if that happens.

For a while, she didn't hear a sound, so she guessed that he was on a meeting, so she decided to say goodbye and talk about him later, but when she was about to speak, he made the move first.

"Hold on a sec, Mikan." She trembled at how he called her. If she's not mistaken, that would be the first time that he called her by her first name. Usually, he'd refer to her as you, and today actually came as a big surprise. "What did you call for?"

Oh yeah, why did she call again? Ah that's right. Her co-teacher and best friend, Anna, asked her to come to school for a meeting even though it's Saturday, and as much as she hated to leave Youichi alone, she thinks that it's still important to attend their general meeting, so that left her without any choice but to call the last person she thought of asking for help—to take care of the little boy.

"Umm… ahh, I am needed in school for a meeting… and uhh, I would like to know if you could-"

"Take care of Youichi?"

His voice sounded a bit too excited, and disappointed at the same time. Now, why would he…

"B-But if you have other things to do, it's alright!" Oh good grace. She hopes she didn't sound too upset at that.

"No, it's fine. In fact, I'm on my way home now."

Silence.

"O-Oh, okay, then. Take care."

"Yeah, thanks. I'll be there in five minutes."

She almost dropped the phone. Natsume is already coming home!

My Strange Family

It wasn't too long enough since she made that call, but Natsume did come at exactly 3 pm, five minutes after she called him. Mikan stepped aside to let Natsume go inside, and she decided that she should leave anytime soon, since the meeting will start at 3:30. The brown-haired woman kneeled down at the head-level of Youichi, who woke up right after she ended her call with Natsume. It's a good thing that Youichi isn't too attached to her to prevent her from going, and he's also glad that he'll be with his father for hours.

"Youichi, mama will come home as early as she can, so behave yourself, okay?" She smiled when he nodded while still rubbing his eyes. "And…" Mikan paused and turned to look at Natsume who's looking at her with a confused stare. She wonders if he'd be surprised with her next words. "…please don't give papa a hard time, is that alright?" Again, he nodded and she grinned. "Okay, that's settled. So what do you want me to buy you before going back?"

For a moment, Youichi stared down and put his chubby index finger on his chin, thinking of the offer his mama had asked him. His face turned into a knowing smile.

Mikan swallowed. Natsume's eyes widened.

"Mama…" And he looked at Natsume. "…why don't you kiss papa goodbye now?"

And she was right all along. Mikan regretted the very second that she asked what he wanted. How could she forget that it also happened this morning when Natsume asked Youichi the same question, in a different form of words? Unfortunately, Youichi's answer is still the same. Of course she cannot do that for the second time! Just reminiscing of the first time she did it makes her feel so embarrassed, but repeating the process? Now, that would be something she could not bear to do... not when Natsume's already involved enough, and looks like he's not interested at all.

"E-Eh, but Youichi, you know…"

"You know, Mikan…" Natsume spoke and looked at Mikan with an amused face. For the second time, she swallowed. This father and son would be a good tandem for her to do such action, she concluded. "…disappointing little kids isn't something that entered my mind, considering that you are a pre-school teacher."

Mikan frowned. She doesn't have a single clue where this handsome—erm, guy in business suit is taking the conversation to. A bad event is an apparent result, she mused.

But then, does he doubt her professionalism?

"What do you mean by that?" She muttered. Natsume smirked and crossed his arms. Oh hell.

"Well… I think you're most capable of doing things that would please your precious little students." That's true, since she can never say no to their irresistible, pleading faces when they are determined to get something that they want, and the thought of them crying when she refuses is just too cruel of her. And she wasn't cruel at all. "So… does that mean that you fail as a teacher?" That's the last thing she wanted to hear from anyone. It just makes her feel so… insulted.

Mikan looked at Youichi who's looking back at her in dismay, unaware of the hidden amusement from Natsume. And maybe, if she could just stare carefully at the kid, she would notice the same expression he has with his adoptive father.

"What did you say?" Mikan gritted her teeth. This feeling is actually so nostalgic, only this time, they are at a different place and with Youichi in front of them. "I dare you to repeat that, Natsume."

At least she's still calling him by his first name.

"I said…" He stopped and his sneer didn't falter. "…you fail as a teacher. You can't even give what my son wants." He secretly grinned at the last sentence. Ah, her reaction when he starts claiming Youichi as his son never fails to amuse him. "Doesn't that just prove that you cannot be a good mom and teacher?"

Natsume knows he hit the nail when he saw her glare at him. Anyway, he's unaffected. And he's sure of it.

"Are you challenging me, Hyuuga?" Her sentence excited him, and he found himself smirking widely at her, an affirmative response to her question.

Mikan frowned. She had always hated that everyone thinks that she's too weak to overcome something, and when her pride and dignity is on the line, she could not care less with what her next actions would be. Especially, if a Hyuuga Natsume initiated the duel.

Clenching her fist, Mikan instantly walked towards Natsume, and in a split second, she had patterned her moves with the one she did this morning—the only difference is, Natsume, who was half-surprised and half-amused, is being caged in her arms… her arms around his neck.

Natsume truly didn't see that coming.

And before he could stop from restraining himself to continue what he was about to teach her earlier, she had already pulled herself up and met him face to face, immediately planting her soft lips on his for five seconds with her eyes closed.

For the second time, he became disappointed that he's being left again when he's planning to deepen their first kiss. On second thought, having their son watching them kissing would be too scandalous now, wouldn't it? But at least, it was worth a try since Youichi finally smiled again—or in his eyes, it was a mild sneer, just like his.

Mikan disentangled her arms from Natsume' nape and she turned her back at him, her face in a full shade of red.

"Y-You better reserve all your energy when I come back."

And then she's gone.

Natsume whistled. He knows that she's talking about an upcoming argument tonight. But he can't help but feel excited about it, since the way she carried her last sentence before going away sounded a bit perverted on his ears.

He surely can't wait for her return.

My Strange Family

Natsume frowned when he caught Youichi staring at him. It is true that he likes this child very much, a different view from what he had a few weeks ago. He thought it would be for money that he accepted the deal of adopting him, but his eyes clearly tells him that they are alike—so lost and so lonely. Maybe, that's one of the reasons why he enjoys getting in a conspiracy with him when it comes to torturing Mikan.

It's just that, he doesn't like the way he stares at him with serious eyes.

"What is it?" Natsume asked, his voice a little low.

"Umm… papa." The little boy returned a frown and pouted. Youichi looked at the bathroom when Natsume's about to enter. The older guy sighed.

"Do you want to take a bath with me?"

He nodded.

"But didn't mama already give you a bath?" Natsume flinched when he saw him nodding with a disappointed aura. "Fine. But, don't tell her that you take a bath again, okay? Mama will surely kill papa." And that was enough for the young boy to smile widely at his decision. For a bit, Natsume felt that his heart swelled a little. He feels like a real daddy now.

Right after removing both of their clothes, the business tycoon carried Youichi to the bathtub and both guys settled down, sitting—Youichi facing Natsume.

"Papa…" The boy looked up at his papa who had his eyes closed, his arms on either side of the tub.

"Hm?" Natsume answered without opening his eyes. It's a new feeling to him to have a little boy taking a bath with him. It's weird, but in a good way. In fact, he hopes that he could spend more time with Youichi like this—always taking a bath together and wiping crumbs off of his face when he eats. It just felt so great. Hah. And he's so delighted that he's the one to experience it first, unlike Ruka who has a girl but hasn't taken care of a young child.

"…what does it mean to do it?" Youichi frowned. Curiosity is really killing him. Yes he knows that the result is to have babies, but he also wants to know how it is done.

Natsume opened his eyes and found another pair staring cutely at him. He groaned. Never did he use such words—not until he met the two.

"It?" He asked and the lad nodded. "What it?"

For a moment, Youichi looked down and thought of the right words on how to explain it, but when he remembered what happened last night, he grinned at him. "That one, papa! Tono on the orphanage said that a daddy and a mommy without clothes meant that they are doing it, and the result is baby, right? Right? And you said last night that you're creating a baby, my little brother or sister."

Natsume visibly swallowed which didn't pass Youichi's eyesight. "You-Youichi… I think you're still too young to-"

"Is it because you cannot give me a baby? Papa, maybe I can help you make babies with mama."

Natsume knows that Youichi is suggesting an all different idea, but it sounded perverted to him too, and he can't help but get a bit angry at the thought of others joining him and Mikan in a… wait. Is he jealous of his son? Or more importantly, why would he be jealous when he and Mikan are not even a real couple in the first place? Why would he even get jealous when he doesn't have feelings for her? Or maybe… just maybe, he does have a teeny-weeny, little admiration for her. Yes, just a tiny bit.

"I'm afraid you can't."

Youichi shivered at the sudden change of the tone of his voice. Why did he suddenly turn to be mad?

"I mean… it's supposed to be for mommies and daddies only, Youichi. It would be bad if a child sees his mama and papa doing… uh, it. Good children should just wait till a baby appears." Natsume, now with a gentle voice, explained, careful not to deliver more complicated explanations that would harm the child's mind at a young age, and he doesn't want his son to grow up a pervert. It's weird, but why is he giving him hopes that he might indeed have a little sister or brother?

Youichi nodded in understanding, his doubt already cleansed away. Ah, so babies are actually made in secrecy.

"So, does that mean that only you and mama are allowed to do that?" The boy inquired with a smile, in which he received the same expression and an instant nod.

"Yes, only I and your mama are allowed to create your little brother… or sister."

Youichi grinned. "Then… then can you make me one?"

Natsume laughed at the child's innocence. Did children seriously think that making babies is as easy as drawing a circle?

Strange, but Natsume found himself answering his question with a chuckle, Youichi's eyes in a complete confused state.

My Strange Family

Mikan found it difficult to breathe in her casual dress when she saw Youichi grinning widely at her. She knows that it will never do any good, especially if he's looking at her with that face. Her body involuntarily shivered. "Umm… Youichi? What are you doing in front of mama's room?" She asked. The kid smiled and looked at his papa secretly, who is preparing the dinner for the three of them.

"Papa said…" He paused, and leaned closer to Mikan. "…I'd have a baby brother or sister, if I prevent mama from coming to her room and sleep with papa instead."

Silence.

"Dinner is rea-" Natsume came out of the kitchen and swallowed when he caught sight of Mikan walking to him with a sweet smile pasted on her face.

"Na-tsu-me." It was sickly sweet that he frowned when she glared and threw the pillows from the sofa at him. "I fully hope that you reserved all your energy tonight."

Yes, he's definitely going to lose all of his energy dodging the things she'll throw at him tonight.

My Strange Family

Typed on: December 11, 2012

4:41 a.m.

Posted on: December 11, 2012

Author's Notes: Yo, I'm back! First, I would like to say thank you for putting up with me guys, and sorry if it took a little longer to update this. You see, I would come over at my aunt's house every Saturday for church activities, and last Sunday, I was about to write but I had a tough battle against constipation. It sucks, I know, and I just also escaped from sore throat's wrath. Ah, I wish I could be forgiven, haha!

Anyway, I was really surprised to have many reviews and alerts, and that made me feel so honored! *grin and a peace sign just like prince 'stupid' H**a from G*****a *

So, I would like to thank the following:

Kimberley Maria

isecretlywrite

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bellward13

Syao Blossoms

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scribbles'04

Roxii Like A Puma

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HeArTlEsS pAsT

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Guest

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Ah, please do forgive me if I wasn't able to reply to some other's comments/messages, I was taking a rest and upsetting my mom and dad is the last thing to do for me, so again, I apologize.

And! I hope you enjoyed this one!

See you on the next chapter!

-Erieh Yamazaki