I want to thank:

x - DragoN-PriestesS - x

Sunkised-chan

Yamishun

xXDreamy-MushroomXx

Chin-92

Thank you for taking the time to review my story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen alice.

Chapter 7

"I never thought you could be so irresponsible Natsume." Mr. Hyugga said coldly.

"I neither was, nor am irresponsible, and you know it." Natsume replied in a flat voice from his seat beside Mikan. They were having a confrontation with his father after the latter's meeting with the two people Natsume had seen on the porch.

"Is that so? So what are you? A Knight in Shining Armour for this damsel in distress? She is responsible for her parent's death for God's sake and you want me to hear her side of the story?"

"She is responsible, the same way you are responsible for my mother's death. You of all people should understand."

Kendiar Hyugga had never been rendered speechless before, but his only son had managed to do it.

Correctly interpreting his look Natsume continued, "You thought that I did not know? I was seven at the time, I knew and understood. I never blamed you Dad, but I do expect you to give Mikan a chance. I have complete faith in her and that should be more than reason enough for you to trust her."

"Lets hear your story then Ms. Sakura. You have gotten yourself an excellent lawyer." Mr. Hyugga said to Mikan with a fleeting glance in Natsume's direction.

Mikan's Story

"I had a happy childhood. My parents loved me a lot and I was a responsible and nice child. When I was nine, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was in its last stage and nothing could be done about it. I saw my mother, so full of life before, just wither away. In under a year from the diagnosis, she died.

I became a loner. I was sad but I was not going to share my pain. I was afraid I would lose anyone I came close to.

Two years later my father remarried, but not just anyone, it had to be my mother's best friend. I could not bring myself to forgive them, so I refused to talk to Sharon. We had been close before but I saw her marriage with Dad as a betrayal. It was a dreadful shock to them.

I became a troublemaker, just to hurt them."

Tears were pouring down Mikan's cheeks as she remembered all the things she did. Natsume held her hand tightly. She gave him a watery smile before continuing.

"When Kia was born, everyone expected me to hate her as well, but I loved her. I would act that I did not care in front of everyone, but whenever I could, I used to care for her and play with her. Sharon soon realized how much I loved Kia and she was very happy, that I had accepted my stepsister even though I had not accepted her.

Kia was 17 months old, when my parents died in a car crash. They were going out for dinner.

Before they left, Sharon accidentally dropped Mom's picture. I was furious. I shouted at her, I said terrible things until Dad slapped me. They went away, Sharon was in tears. I hated myself for what I had done but I did not apologize.

It was mid night when the cops came with news. I never forgave myself for it. No one knows the cause of that accident but I wondered if Dad had been preoccupied with me while driving? It is my burden to bear."

Mikan was silent for a while. Natsume was surprised to see that his Father looked sad and sympathetic. This is unusual.

After a few minutes Mikan started speaking.

"The people you met today, Mr. and Miss Beckett, are relatives of Sharon. And the only living relatives Kia and me have. After my parent's death three years ago, they took our responsibility.

They moved into my parent's house. At first they seemed really nice, especially Miss Carine Beckett. I was lonely and filled with guilt, and she was soon my confidante and only friend. Her brother on the other hand, did not talk much but he was not hostile either."

"In a matter of months, the truth came out. The Beckett's did not give a damn about me, and as for Kia she was just an inconvenience. I took care of her, I did all the house chores and I was bullied and verbally abused by that stupid man. They always played on my guilt regarding my parent's death to keep me under tabs. All they wanted was Dad's money and our house. I grew up being beaten and emotionally blackmailed everyday.

I learned not to trust, the hard way. I could not protect myself, but I never allowed them to come near my sister. She was my responsibility and I never let them even touch her. For some time, Cadis had been looking at me strangely, then one day I learned about a whole new form of abuse. There was nothing that I did not do to stop him, but I was helpless. I was an apprentice in marshal arts, but he was too strong for me. He never raped me, but he…"

Mikan had her eyes closed tightly as he tried to block out the terrible memories from herself. It was the things Cadis did to her, that had terrified her when Natsume had kissed her. Then she felt Natsume hug her. He held her tightly, whispering words of comfort to her. If she had not told him everything beforehand, she knew she would never have been able to say all this now. He was her strength. She had been terrified when she had told him, but now she was just sad.

She sat up straight and started speaking again. Natsume still had his arms around her.

"I learned to live with what I had and take everything in my stride. I wanted to run away but I could neither leave Kia nor take her with me. I might survive on the street but a young child could not.

After I turned seventeen, things took a turn for the worse. Cadis lost his job and started drinking all the time. My father's trust sent enough money every month, it made sure that we did not starve even when most of it was spent on liquor.

The day that I finally ran away, I heard those two talking about me.

Flashback

"What are we going to do about Mikan?" asked Carine in a worried voice.

Mikan who had been going to the kitchen to drink water, stopped upon hearing her name.

"What about her?" Cadis replied.

"She is going to be 18 soon, and then she'll inherit everything and might even become Kia's guardian. She'll throw us out for sure."

"So that is what you are worried about. I have already thought of a plan."

"What is it Cadis?"

"I am going to marry her."

"What the heck are you saying? You are 15 years older than her."

"That makes it even more tempting. Now listen to me before you protest. I have thought it all out. An underage is allowed to get married if they have the permission of their guardian, so you give permission and I get married. After that, everything that is hers now, will be ours."

"It's a good plan but she will never agree."

"She loves that little brat. Every time she says no, I'll break a bone in Kia's body. I am sure she'll agree soon enough."

"What if she tries to run away?"

"Her sister is ill. That is why I did not take her to the hospital. She won't dare take her along when she's ill and neither will she be able to leave without her."

"When are you going to tell her?"

"Tomorrow."

"Good thinking brother. Now our goose is going to lay golden eggs forever."

Mikan heard chairs being pushed back in the living room, signaling that the two were getting up to leave for bed. She ran back to her room, without making a single sound. She lay there for a half an hour, thinking. She was not going to let this happen. It was high time she took her destiny in her own hands. Within an hour, Mikan packed necessary items in a rucksack and got ready to flee.

Flashback Over

"I just had to stay away for a few months, until I turned 18. Then I was free from them. I waited for more than an hour, to make sure both of them were asleep and fled the house with Kia in my arms. I had saved a lot of cash over the years, so I decided to leave the city. But I had not counted on being caught by thugs. I was running away from them when Natsume found me."

The room was filled with a pregnant silence. Then finally Mr. Hyugga spoke.

"It seems I owe you an apology child." His voice was gentle and kind. "I have all the facts on you, I had them with me the very next morning after your arrival in my house. I kept quiet, as you were my son's responsibility. Your story matches the facts much better than that of those two. Also Natsume trusts you and I him. I'll deal with this matter. Rest easy, you are my prodigy from now on."

"What about…" Natsume started speaking but his father cut him across.

"They will not go unpunished. They came here expecting me to hand over Mikan and Kia to them, but now i'll hand them something completely unexpected. I am sure you want to take retribution yourself, but it's better if I do it. After I am done with those two, even you will pity them." Kendiar said in a voice filled with venom.

"Now enough emotional talks, I am famished. How about all of us have dinner together?"his tone was light once again.

"Sure Dad."

"Thank You" Mikan whispered to Kendiar as he passed by her. He smiled. His son was a good judge of character.

After dinner, Mr. Hyugga had a private word with Mikan.

"Mikan even if that accident happened because of you, your parents would never hold it against you. My wife cheated on me and I divorced her. I loved her but could not forgive her. I never allowed her to see Natsume after that. One day she came and begged my forgiveness, she said she loved me and it had been just a mistake, but I did not relent. She committed suicide that day. I am the direct cause of her death, but I still face myself in the mirror, living alone is my punishment for what I did to her. You on the other hand were not so much at fault. The driver of the truck that collided with your father's car was drunk. Your guardians kept it from you, to manipulate you. Don't feel guilt. Live up to become, what they wanted you to be. Wherever they may be, I am sure they are watching you. Make them proud."

Mikan had no words to express her gratitude; she gave Kendiar a grateful smile before leaving for her room. She had a father again.

That night Mikan slept in her room, alone. But she slept peacefully, smiling like an angel. There were no nightmares and no guilt. Natsume's father had taken away her guilt as well as her fears.
At last Mikan's story is out. I hope you like it. I myself think it is a bit of an anti-climax, still i m waiting for reviews to tell me if it's good or bad. Please Review!!