A Tainted Heart
Gakuen Alice
AN: please read the last chap if you're confused. Review it motivates me to post!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice
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Chapter 2 - Goodbyes hurt
ScarletMidnight19
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Kazumi always tried to be the best uncle for his niece, always listened to her problems and always tried to give her the best advice that he could give. But sometimes his niece didn't need him, but her parents. And this was one of those days were the brunette needed them. Oh how he ached for his little brunette princess to be happy. So when Mikan asked about her parents, he had told her that he suggested for her to move in with them, when in reality her parents hadn't called, at least not this week.
He sighed.
His younger brother was something. A producer and a well known-one at that, his wife, Yuka was a model when she was younger and is now a designer with models of her own. Her family was doing great and it's not that they didn't missed their only daughter, when in reality they did, but with their busy schedules they could barely make time for the young girl.
Glancing at his wrist watch, it read one oh-nine. Being the headmaster of the most prestigious and well-known academy in Tokyo,Japan was no walk in the park.
"he should be up" he mumbled as he reached for his cell phone and dialed his younger brother
the line rang thrice before a deep husky voice answered the call "hello"
"Izumi, it's me" he answered leaning into his chair as he rubbed sleep out of his eyes
"Kazumi! What's up?" he could practically hear his younger brother's grin
"Have you talked to Mikan yet?"
"Hmm...no. Why?"
"I think it's best if Mikan moved back in with you guys" he got to the point
"Not that i'm opposed or anything but why is that? Last time I brought up the subject you said she didn't want to and was actually enjoying her school life"
He pursued his lips, the reason why Mikan didn't use her legal last name was because she wanted to be an ordinary school girl and not let anyone treat her differently, mostly with the knowledge that would come when everyone found out about her relation to him, the headmaster.
She had been happy, found friends who treated her like a normal person, because that's what everyone thought of her normal, with no connections or relations to anyone important, and she relished on that fact. Moving back would mean she would have to give up her freedom of being normal, and she didn't want that, but he had always stressed that one day she would have to give up that freedom and take on the responsibilities that her other siblings carried as well.
"Things have changed."
"Oh? How so?"
Really his brother could be such a pain "Izumi" he said through gritted teeth
"Kidding, kidding." he heard rustling from the other line, only assuming his brother was handling business before he called "What are you doing Izumi?"
"Ah, in the middle of a contract signing"
"Really, how unprofessional can you be me?"
"Hey you called me! Besides you and I know you would've kept on calling if I didn't pick up" a pause. Damn. He got him on that one. He stayed quiet as he heard murmuring on the other end of the line. He sighed as he grabbed his blue coffee mug and drank the tea that Lisa had served him before she left for the night.
"Kazumi?"
"Mikan will be heading back no questions asked. I'll leave you to your business, I'll be calling Rei to give him all the details"
"What? B-" He hung up. No need for him to ruin the surprise. And so he called his nephew giving him all the details he needed to know from Mikan's departure to landing.
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Mikan didn't know what to do, she couldn't head to her dorm, she just knew that Hotaru would be there waiting for her demanding an explanation as to why she didn't show up to classes, and she just couldn't face the inventor at this moment.
What could she do? Her eyes stung and she blinked the tears away, fanning her eyes as she inhaled and exhaled. "Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry." she chanted. Exhaling slowly she looked up at the night sky. "Curfew will begin soon, I better head back" she mumbled walking to the entrance of the girl dorms.
She knew she couldn't go to her room, and girls weren't allowed in the boys dorm after hours, so there was only one place she could think of, she only hoped she wouldn't kick her out.
Walking up the stairs silently, trying to avoid anything that looked Hotaru-related she made her way up to the fifth floor. Making a right turn she knocked on the fifth door on the right side. She fidgeted from side to side as she heard scrambling from the other side of the door.
The door opened and revealed Sumire with a toothbrush in her mouth. Mikan watched agape. Sumire raised an eyebrow, "Wha?", Mikan giggled "Can I come in?" the green haired girl stepped aside for the brunette to pass, Sumire raised her index finger in a wait motion and then pointed to the bathroom, Mikan understanding nodded her head and sat down in the girls green bean bag.
After a couple of minutes Sumire came out of the bathroom, a black mask covering her nose, she seated herself on her bed grabbing a mirror as she checked herself, "So what's up?"
"I wanted to ask, if I could sleep over tonight?" Sumire looked at the girl, then shrugged, Mikan beamed "Thanks, Permy!"
"Don't mention it" Instead of grabbing an extra pillow and blanket, the girl scooted all the way back making room for the brunette. Mikan looked confused. "What? You thought I was going to make you sleep on the floor?" she snorted "There's an extra pair of pajamas waiting for you on the bathroom, toothbrush is there as well. When you're done make sure to turn the lights off."
Mikan nodded. She headed towards the bathroom and looked at the pajamas on the counter, an orange short sleeved plain t-shirt and navy blue loose fitted silk pants. She smiled, Permy knew her favorite color was orange. Undressing and putting on the pajama she proceeded to wash her mouth. After she was done she walked out the bathroom, turning off the lights of both the bathroom and the bedroom, she climbed the bed and made herself comfortable.
Well this was new. She never thought she would be sleeping with Permy. Sure she done that with Anna and Hotaru, but Sumire? Never.
She heard movement from Sumire and she turned her head to look at the green haired girl, she was looking at her, and it made Mikan a tiny bit uncomfortable.
"Why didn't you want to go to your room?"
Mikan sighed. "I had a feeling Hotaru would be waiting for me there, demanding an explanation as to why I didn't go to classes"
Sumire nodded, pleased at her explanation, she moved once again her back resting on the mattress and her eyes looking up the ceiling which Mikan now noticed held glow in the dark stars.
"Thank you Permy" Mikan spoke quietly
Sumire turned her head to look at her once again. "What for?"
"For telling me about what Hotaru and Natsume did. For you know, having my back"
"I wasn't the only one who had your back. Ruka tried to stop them you know. And now that you do know sooner or later Imai is going to find out, and Ruka will be the first they're going to suspect."
"That's not going to happen"
"You sound so sure"
"I'm serious Permy. They won't find out"
Sumire raised an eyebrow, looking skeptically at the girl "Mind telling me why you're so sure they won't find out?"
Mikan inhaled and then exhaled, her heart beat increasing a bit in speed, "I'm moving. I'm leaving to America tomorrow morning"
"...what?"
Mikan turned to face the girl a small smile playing on her lips "If i'm gone, they won't know anything. Right?" she asked as tears stung her eyes once again.
Sumire sighed. "You're so naïve Mikan. It doesn't matter if you leave and don't tell them anything, Imai will find out sooner or later, let's just hope that she finds out later rather."
Mikan nodded. A silence enveloping both the girls as they let their thoughts wander, and soon both fell asleep.
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Hotaru looked at the time once again, three thirty-three in the morning. She rubbed her eyes as sleep slowly gnawed at her. She huffed in annoyance and stood up, opening the door and closing it behind her, she left her best friend's room and made way to her lab.
"That idiot" she mumbled.
Hotaru had looked all over school with the help of tweedledee and tweedledum and still she didn't find Mikan. Aggravated she decided to wait for her brunette friend in her room knowing fully well that she would appear sooner or later, but, she never did. Annoyed and tired she left to her lab. Classes would start in a few hours and she at least had to get some shut eye so reluctantly she left.
No matter. There's always tomorrow. She knew that whatever her friend was going trough had to be something, considering her skipping class, and not returning to her room, which the latter was a new one, but she's sure Mikan would be fine enough to talk about it in the morning.
Reaching her lab she quickly changed to her pajamas and climbed to her bed, as soon as her head hit the pillow she fell asleep.
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"Oi! Mikan, Oi!"
The brunette swatted away the hand that was shaking her mumbling something about 'five more minutes' before snuggling onto the covers once more.
"Mikan!" The voice hissed, shaking her even more roughly.
Mikan groaned as she put the pillow over her, wishing the voice to leave her alone.
"Ugh! Really!" But Mikan didn't reply, still sleeping soundly.
"MIKAN!" The voice yelled as the warmth that the blanket provided was not there no longer, and she shivered as she felt the cold air, reluctantly opening one eye she groaned as sunlight overwhelmed her vision.
"Come on Mikan! Wake. Up!" Sumire gritted out as she kept on shaking her.
"I'm up, I'm up" Mikan groggily said as she rubbed her eyes.
"Hurry up! I don't know at what time your flight leaves but I do know you need to pack, so get your lazy ass up"
Mikan widened her eyes as she quickly stood up. Bad move. She stumbled a bit as a wave of dizziness came over her. Regaining her foot she waited for the dizziness to fade and made her way to the bathroom. She looked at her school uniform and then at herself, 'i'm not going to class so what's the point.' shrugging she washed her mouth, humming a tune as she did so. After some minutes she went out.
Sumire was fixing her hair, curling the two long strands that lay at the front. "You're not going to change?"
"Well I'm not going to class so what's the point" Mikan shrugged
A knock was heard, and both girls immediately looked at the other .
"Where you expecting someone" Mikan whispered in fear that it might be Hotaru, Sumire shook her head
"Who is it?" Sumire asked spraying hair spray on her two curls
"It's Ruka"
Mikan let out a sigh of relief, and went to open the door after getting approval from Sumire.
"Oh Mikan, hey"
Mikan only pulled his arm bringing him inside the room and closed the door.
"What's up?" Sumire asked applying a pink glossy lip gloss.
"I just wanted to see how Mikan was" he replied sheepishly
"Oh?" Sumire raised an eyebrow "And how did you know she was here?"
Ruka shrugged "A hunch"
Sumire snorted.
"But really Mikan, how are you?" He asked meeting the eyes of the brunette standing in front of him
"Okay, I guess" Mikan shrugged looking downcast.
Sumire saw this and grew annoyed, the girl was at her best when she was cheerful and smiley, not like this, depressed and sad. However, she knew that Mikan had a right to be sad, so she wouldn't say anything just this once. Instead she changed the subject.
"Mikan, you should inform Ruka about today" Mikan looked up at Sumire and then smiled a small smile. Ruka looked at the two. Confused.
"Inform me about what?"
"Ruka, I'm going to be leaving to America today, my flight leaves at noon"
"...what? But why?" Ruka asked confused
"My parents want me home" she managed to say.
Ruka pouted "Well have you packed yet?" he asked
"No" she shook her head "I was about to head to my room and start packing"
"I'll help you!" He said enthusiastically.
"What? No! You don't have to, besides you need to go to class you already missed the whole day yesterday"
"Eh, what's another day." Ruka shrugged "Besides you're only here for a couple of hours before you leave, so please let me help you"
"But-"
"Ruka's right." Sumire interjected "You're only here for a couple of hours might as well spend them with us, even if it is helping you pack. So what do you say" Sumire smirked
"You guys aren't taking no as an answer are you?" she asked her two friends who only smirked at her
"What do you think?" Ruka answered.
Mikan sighed. It was two against one. She wasn't going to win against them, "Okay, let's go"
Ruka and Sumire high-fived as they followed the brunette out Sumire's room and into her own, which was only a couple doors down.
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Natsume threw the apple up and down carelessly as he continuously caught it and then threw it back up, while he walked towards the sakura tree. He hated to admit it but his brunette 'girlfriend' was getting to him. He didn't know when it started but all he knew was that one day he woke up, and unlike the other days were he cursed the day, he actually looked forward to it. He looked forward to seeing the childish brunette, he looked forward to her smiles, to her hugs, to her insistent chattering, he looked forward to her soft delicate kisses. He hated to admit it, but he really enjoyed her presence and if she wasn't his girlfriend already he would've asked her to be his all over again.
However a thought stopped him. Imai. He would have to talk to her. He didn't need this to keep going, and the longer it lasted the faster Mikan would find out, and he wanted anything but Mikan finding out. He really really liked the brunette, and he wouldn't let this come between them.
Also he needed Luna to back off, she was starting to annoy him. He didn't know what Luna's problem was, but yesterday crossed a line. He didn't want anyone kissing him, but the brunette. He had made that clear yesterday when he told her off, the girl kissed him twice. Twice. And he was pissed.
No matter if she thought his relationship with Mikan was fake, he had caught feelings for the girl and he knew what happened was wrong. Mikan was special, and he didn't want her getting hurt.
The girl was something else, and she wormed her way into his heart and mind, he was unable to think about anyone else but the brunette.
'she really is something else' he though as a memory of the grinning brunette passed through his mind. He could feel his ears getting hot and there was no doubt in his mind that his ears were indeed red.
Reaching the sakura tree he climbed and sat atop his favorite branch, taking a bite from his apple as he waited for the brunette. Taking a mental note into talking to the stoic inventor about their 'deal'.
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"Are you sure you've got everything?" Ruka asked for the millionth time, Mikan rolled her eyes at him. "Yes Mom, I do" Sumire snorted and it was Ruka's turn to roll his eyes.
The trio walked out the dorms and made their way tentatively to the main gates, avoiding their classmates and teachers.
"This just looks like i'm sneaking out" Mikan mumbled as they hid when a classmate of theirs passed by
"Well in a way, you kind of are" Sumire pointed out as she got out of their hiding spot and began walking once again. Ruka nodded agreeing with their green-haired friend.
After hiding from their classmate for the fifth time, they reached the main gate. The headmaster waiting for her there. He hadn't noticed their arrival as he was busy speaking in the phone.
"Why is the headmaster here?" Ruka questioned
"Well" Mikan stressed "He's my uncle" She dropped the bomb and ran over to him.
"What?" Sumire was the first to speak. Sumire and Ruka looked at each other shock written all over their faces as they ran to catch up to the running brunette.
"KAZUMI OJI!" Mikan yelled as she ran straight to him, hugging him, and catching him off guard as he stumbled a bit.
"Oh! Hey Mikan! Ready?" he asked, still with his phone placed on his ear. Mikan nodded. "Okay just a sec." He said and resumed his conversation on the phone.
Sumire and Ruka looked from the headmaster back to Mikan. Uncle and niece. Uncle. And. Niece.
"How come you never told us before?" Ruka questioned softly a little hurt she didn't trust them enough with this information
Mikan sighed "I wanted to be treated normally, and if people found out that the headmaster and I were related, well you know, pandemonium." She reasoned
"Well that's true. I guess we understand were you're coming from" Sumire spoke
"But even if you had told us from the beginning we wouldn't have cared" Ruka started "We like you because you're Mikan. Just Mikan."
"Crybaby Mikan. Clumsy Mikan. Naive Mikan. That's the Mikan that we care for" Sumire looked away a tint of pink on her cheeks.
Mikan beamed at them. She shouldn't have had worried to much, they obviously didn't care and still regarded her the same. No special treatment, no nothing. Just regular old Mikan for them. She really couldn't believe she had such amazing friends.
"Mikan, ready?" Her uncle turned to look at her, Mikan nodded.
"Well this is goodbye." Mikan looked at her friends. Ruka frowned, and Sumire lips were in a thin line. Mikan smiled sadly at them. She now wished she could've gotten closer to them. After all it was them who told her the truth despite it being heart wrenching she appreciated them for it.
Mikan dropped her bags and ran to hug them. Ruka more than welcomed it, Sumire stiffened at the contact before relaxing into the warm embrace.
"I'll miss you guys" Mikan sniffed
Sumire laughed "Don't miss us too much, or there won't be anything left to miss" Mikan laughed "besides we're always a call away"
"No matter what, we''ll always have your back." Ruka said as his voice wavered
"If anyone gives you a hard time, make sure to call us so we can fly over there and beat them up!" Sumire grinned as the trio pulled from the hug, Ruka nodded.
"Don't hesitate to call us. Got it" he said sternly, Mikan could only laugh. "Got it"
Tears prickled at the edge of her eyes and she didn't dare let them fall until she was inside the black car and gone from view.
"You sure have good friends. They really do seem to care for you" Her uncle, who sat beside her, told her as his eyes stared at the two pre-teens who waved goodbye to them from the back tinted window until they were out of view.
Mikan sniffed as her tears fell "They're the best" she managed to say.
Her uncle looked at her smiling sadly as he hugged her, rubbing her back as she cried.
Goodbyes really do hurt.
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"Akane-chan!" Mikan yelled, running to her as soon as she saw her guardian and friend, waiting for her
"Mikan-chan!" Akane yelled back with as much enthusiasm as Mikan, embracing the girl as soon as she crashed into her.
"Akane-san it's good to see you again" Kazumi bowed in greeting
"Yukihira-san, still as lively as ever" Akane bowed back, well she inclined her head, as Mikan still wouldn't let go.
Kazumi chuckled. "Akane-san, Please take care of Mikan you know how she can be" Akane chuckled at that statement "Don't worry Yukihira-san, Mikan-chan is in good hands"
"I know. Take care Akane, say hello to Rei for me would you." he added with a wink, Akane's ears turned slightly red, she coughed "Of course, take care old man" he nodded, a slight bit offended at being called old.
Akane pried Mikan's hands from her, intertwining their hands together instead, "Let's go Mikan-chan, our flight is about to leave so we should go now" she stated
"Hai" the brunette replied and then turned to give her attention to her uncle "Sayonara oji" she let go from Akane's grasp and gave her uncle one last hug before running to the entrance of her flight. Akane bowed and said her goodbyes before following her young charge.
Once they boarded the plane Mikan felt a sense of calm settle over her. A change of scenery would do her some good. Although she would miss dearly her friends, she realized she needed this. She would come back one day, face both Natsume and Hotaru. Until that time comes though she needed to think about herself first. Looking out the window she said goodbye one last time, not to her uncle who she could no longer see but to Japan itself. This was her home and it saddened her that she had to leave. She had good memories here, bad memories as well. But Japan was always home, and it hurt to say goodbye. Turning her head she saw her guardian looking at her worriedly, Mikan tried to smile but from the look of Akane's face, she could only guess she failed miserably.
"Don't worry Mikan" she said as she grabbed hold of the brunette's hand "Will be back, promise" and as she said those words they took of into the sky, leaving Japan and heading to America, where her new life awaits.
Goodbyes really do hurt.
