Living As Each Other
By Yonoko Ishizari
Summary: They heard something about a certain legend, but didn't realize that it was all true. Something happens unexpectedly, that will shock all of them. Just wait and see…
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice or any of its characters. Right, Sune?
Natsume: Don't call me 'THAT'!
Yonoko: Catch me if you can… (runs around teasing Natsume)
Natsume: So, you want to play huh? (creates a fireball)
Mikan: Stop it, Sune! Don't harass our authoress!
Yonoko: Listen to her, you BIG MEANY!
Natsume: What makes you think that I will listen to you, strawberry? And YOU! (points at Yonoko) See what you've done? Now, even that strawberry uses that nickname thingy of yours.
Mikan: YOU BIG NASTY PERVERT! How did you know the design of my underwear? Are you peeking at my door again?
Natsume: You are such a dumb person, you know? For every entire week, you wear the same design of underwear. So, it shouldn't be a problem knowing what you're wearing now.
Mikan: AND HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT SCHEDULE OF MINE?
Natsume: That's for me to know, and for you to find out.
Mikan: NAT-SU-ME! (shouts angrily)
Natsume: Good. You're saying my name the right way again.
Yonoko: Forgetting about your sakka(it means writer) here…
Natsume: So, are you ready to face me now?
Yonoko: Let's see, a fireman's truck, check, protective gloves, check, safety helmet, check, Taru, check. Everything's OK.
Hotaru: How did I get involved anyway?
Yonoko: You're my friend now. And besides, Sune's flame is no match for your inventions.
Hotaru: You're right about that. Hey, wait a minute, that's just flattery.
Yonoko: Just do what I say.
Natsume: Finished talking? I can't wait to barbeque you.
Yuu: Wait, people. What about the reviews?
Yonoko: Oh yes. I almost totally forgot. Thank you for the lovely people that appreciated my story though it's my first time. Don't worry. I'll make my story even more interesting and I hope that you'll support me all the way.
Yuu: That's our authoress!
Yonoko: Yahoo, me! Get ready for second chapter. Enjoy reading!
Chapter 2: Is It For Real?
"Uhm…yeah. I'm going to go now, see you around!" Mikan said hurriedly then left Hotaru. She runs so fast that she bumps into somebody.
"Gomen nasai, Ruka," Mikan said with an I'm-so-very-truly-sorry look.
"I'm alright, Mikan. Don't worry. It's my fault actually. I'm not looking where I'm going," the blond boy said calmly while hiding the blush on his face.
"You're not ok, Ruka. Look, your face is bright red. I have to take you to the clinic," Mikan said worriedly while slightly holding Ruka's cheeks.
"Stay away from me! Oh, I'm so sorry. That just came out of my mouth unexpectedly. By the way, why are you running so fast huh?" Ruka asked.
"It's just that Hotaru has a new invention again, and she said that she can't wait to test it on somebody, and somehow I got the feeling that it's going to be me again," Mikan said with a sweat drop.
"That Imai's going too far sometimes. Are you sure that you are her best friend?" Ruka asked curiously, seeing that Mikan is always hit by Hotaru's most favorite invention, the Idiot Gun.
"Why do you ask? I know that Hotaru's a bit weird and don't show her real feelings at all, but deep inside of her I know that she truly cares about me. And I think that the reason why she keeps her cool side is that she doesn't want anybody know her weak points. By the way, why are you running so fast, Ruka?" Mikan asked.
"Your friendship with Imai is just so complicated. It's one of the wonders of the world. And I'm running so fast because I can't find Natsume anywhere. Have you seen him?" Ruka asked.
"No, I haven't seen him since break time," Mikan replied.
"Oh, I see. Well, nice bumping into you. I'm going to find him now," Ruka said before leaving.
"That Natsume, where did he go now?" Mikan said, talking to herself.
"I know a place where he might have been!" Mikan said while going to that direction.
After a minute or so of walking…
"So there you are, Natsume! Ruka is looking all over for you," Mikan said cheerfully, then sat next to Natsume. They are in their most favorite spot in whole of Alice Academy, the cherry blossom.
"Why are you giving Ruka such a hard time of finding you? You can just simply tell him that whenever you are lost, you're just resting here beside this cherry blossom. It's that simple you know?" Mikan blabbered.
"I just want to rest now, strawberries. Now, go away," Natsume said lazily.
"He's your best friend, so he should know where you are. Don't you care that he's worrying so much about you?" Mikan asked.
"Shut up! Don't act like you really know me! We're not close or anything like that so don't bother telling me such crazy things. I know that Ruka worries about me so much. I know that, because he is my best friend, but can you let us handle our own problems and worry about your own problems. And seeing as it is, a noisy person like you knowing about this place is already enough. I picked this place as my quiet spot and you already ruined THAT atmosphere," Natsume said harshly making Mikan cry.
"Sorry for being such a noisy person! Sorry that I annoy you a lot! Sorry for being myself! But this is my true real self and no one, and I really mean no one can take that away from me! But I have to ask you one favor though. Since you really don't own the property, can I stay here every time I have a problem? It just feels so relaxing in here," after Mikan said that, she fell asleep.
"Little girl, wake up! Ok, if you want to, I will let you stay here whenever you have a problem, but don't sleep right here, right now. Wake up!" Natsume said before he himself drifts to sleep.
Yonoko: They are now having their most wonderful dream. Let's start with Mikan, shall we?
Mikan's Dream:
"Hotaru, Ruka, Yuu, Grandpa, Tsubasa, Misaki, Mr. Narumi, the special ability class, all of my loved ones are here," Mikan said with cheerfulness.
"Mikan, let's go and have a picnic at the beach. That will be great fun!" Hotaru said with sparkles on her eyes.
"Oh Hotaru, you can now fully express yourself with nothing to hide," Mikan said excitedly.
"What's wrong, Mikan? It seems that you have lost your mind in the clouds again," Hotaru said with a smile.
"Let's have some fun at the beach!" Mikan is now in good spirits. It seems that this wonderful dream is beginning to be a reality for her.
"We're going to the beach everyone!" Mikan's grandpa said.
"I'll drive us directly to the beach, and to a very special place that Mikan will surely like afterwards!" Mr. Narumi added.
"Help me cook here, Mikan and Tsubasa, and you too Ruka. Prepare all the other equipment and place it in the car, the rest of you. We're going to have so much fun that everyone will forget who they are, and just have fun with us for all eternity," Misaki said with a small smile placed on her lips.
"Start with it, guys," Misaki again.
"I'm so happy, happy, happy, but I think that I'm forgetting something special. Well, must be my imagination," Mikan said to herself.
Natsume's Dream:
"Hello, Natsume. So, you are awake already," Ruka said.
"Why? What happened to me?" Natsume said while his eyesight was in a state of dimness.
"You passed out on me, you know? I was so worried about you," Ruka said with an expression that Natsume can't understand.
"You were worried about me? I think that someone already told me that you're worried about me, but what the heck? Tell me, you aren't worried about me now huh?" Natsume asked.
"I'm not worried right now, ok? By the way Natsume, do you know anyone with a dark expression, a creepy glare and wears a mask?" Ruka described.
"Why? Did he do something to you? Are you hurt?" Natsume asked.
"He didn't even touch me, Natsume. And he has a message for you. He said that you did a great job, they don't need your Alice anymore, no more missions are to be given to you, and that someone precious to you will not be harmed. What does he mean by that?" Ruka asked in an I-want-to-know-the-truth tone.
"Don't fret, Ruka. It's all over. Our hardships are all gone, and I can live my own life now with my own terms," Natsume said.
"That seems to need a big celebration! I know! I'm going to plan a party especially for us when no one can even disturb us the slightest bit! And I mean no one!" Ruka exclaimed.
'Where have I heard that line before? It's seems that time is repeating itself. Oh now, what am I thinking? The academy won't give me missions anymore, so that means that I am now free from doing things for them. I must celebrate with my best friend at times like this, but why do I feel that something's not right. Why do I feel this kind of emptiness inside me? Shocks! What's happening to me already? I'm talking with my own mind' Natsume thought.
Yonoko: Let's go back to Mikan's dream.
"This day is so much fun! I would like to spend all the days of my life like this. 'Are you really sure?' Hey, someone's talking in my head" Mikan said with a bit of nervousness.
"What's wrong, Mikan? Is everything alright?" Yuu said with slight loneliness in his voice.
'There's someone that needs you out there. Try to remember very carefully. It's the person that you care about and maybe…love' the person in Mikan's mind said.
Natsume's dream:
'You're having so much fun that you are forgetting someone that could change you. Someone that offers more than you seek. It is someone, a person that you're willing to die for. Try to remember everything.' it's the person in Natsume's mind.
Both in their dreams;
'Seek the place where your heart leads you. It's a special place that only you two know. The path that you seek can be hard to find, but with courage and determination, it could be easy to find. After which, you shall now make a wish. It is a wish that can be granted if it's for the one that you truly care for. Find your way to the path of light. Don't be deceived by what you see. Those things are merely distractions that will force you to have an endless night. Go forth and seek what you truly desire. This is henceforth our last message' it's now two persons that spoke in unison in Mikan and Natsume's mind.
'Who is that person that they are talking about?' Mikan and Natsume thought in unison.
'Natsume!' Mikan thought.
'Mikan!' Natsume thought.
As soon as they thought that, the people around them became much nicer to them, but they said again in unison, "This is only a wonderful dream! I have to go back!"
After that, there came a path of light, and the two decided to follow it. Once they found the place, namely the cherry blossom, they gave their wishes and POOF! They came back to reality, but what is this?
Mikan woke up feeling kind of strange, so is with Natsume. They looked at themselves and thought that they were dreaming again. Then, they looked at the person beside them…
"What happened to us, Natsume?" Mikan asked.
"Do I have to spell out the obvious?" Natsume said irritably.
Do you want to know why they are acting like that? It's because, looking at the person beside them is like looking at a tall mirror seeing their own reflection…
Yonoko: So, do you like the second chapter?
Natsume: Of course they don't, Yonoko. They will not like it if I don't. OK?
Yonoko: (sobs) That's so mean for you to say.
Natsume: The first reason, you annoy me so much like strawberries over there. (pointing at Mikan) Second, that Sune as a nickname for me is just so lame. Thirdly, don't get the wrong idea that I like that girl, ok?
Yonoko: But I didn't say anything about YOU liking her. (evil eyes staring at Natsume)
Natsume: How come you always like to pair up a dumb person like that to me?
Mikan: Hey, I heard that, Sune!
Yonoko: (sobs) But you just look so cute together. Isn't that right, readers?
Natsume: Whatever you say, just don't make cutesy and romantic scenes between me and her alright?
Yonoko: I haven't even started yet, but don't worry I'll make sure that it will never happen. (winks at the readers) Then whispers, "Just kidding."
Yuu: (sweatdropped) Here we go again…
Yonoko: I'll really appreciate your reviews, people. Your commentaries and suggestions will be a great help to me. And please help me with my SUNE problem. He is acting so strangely when we're talking about a certain brunette. You know what I mean. Well, ciao, and I hope that you enjoyed reading!