Hi Everyone. I am sorry i have become slow in updating but i m too busy these days.

I want to Thank my reviewers:

Babee-angel

Sunkised-chan

Mae2605

XXMikanXX

Chin-92

Yamishun

xXDreamy-MushroomXx: my fav reviewer, u r the 1 who gave me guts to write, so Thanks for that.

DeathAngel-Lavenda: Thanks a lot for encouraging me n your suggestions.

okaix

Someone: u should have left ur name atleast. so i could thank u...

love-Mikan

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Chapter 9

It has been two months since Mikan and Kia have been living in Hyugga Manor. They were now an inseparable part of it.

This place was lacking so much without these two. Natsume thought as he came downstairs for breakfast. He found an irritated yet patient Mikan forcing Kia to drink milk.

"If you don't drink this quickly then you will be late for school Kia. So please hurry up." Kia just kept ignoring her sister's words.

That was when Natsume took over.

"Kia if you don't drink this ASAP then I'll not get you any chocolate today."

"Mean Natsume." Kia muttered as she drank milk at last, Natsume just chuckled while his father laughed.

"C'mon Natsume we are late."

"So?"

"So will you please hurry up."

"I wonder if Kia bothers Dad as much as you bother me, when he takes her to school?"

"Natsume…" Mikan warned.

"Whatever, we're not late yet so quit worrying."

When Mikan went to the cafeteria during lunch with Anna and Nonoko, she found the rest of the gang already there. They seemed to be discussing something but stopped upon her arrival.

She looked at them suspiciously.

"What were you guys talking about?"

"Nothing Important, just continuing a class discussion." Natsume replied quickly. Too quickly for Mikan's liking but she let it pass.

In the next few days Mikan could see that the whole gang was up to something and they were not telling her about it. It also seemed as if Anna and Nonoko were purposefully keeping her away from everyone else.

By the third day, Mikan was angry enough to beat them all up. They were pointedly avoiding her, keeping a secret from her and then they even had the guts to expect her to be normal. But whatever she did, and however she tried to ask them or even trick them, they just were not telling her anything.

"Fine be that way.' She shouted at Natsume on the third day.

"Really Mikan you are overreacting. We are not planning anything. You are imagining things. You should see a doctor." Natsume smirked.

"Is that so Hyugga?" and with that she walked out from the nearly empty classroom where they had been arguing.

Natsume never expected her to do what she did next. She completely ignored the whole gang. It was as if they did not even exist. She sat with her other friends. In fact she took a taxi home instead of going with Natsume.

It had been two days since Mikan started ignoring them, ignoring him. He was mad and really wanted her back but they were both stubborn, yet Natsume found the situation unbearable, especially coz she seemed unaffected.

Mikan woke up feeling depressed. She missed them, but she was sure they did not care. If she mattered then why were they keeping secrets from her? With a sigh she got up and stretched. She got ready, and then her eyes fell on the calendar. She was forgetting something, but what. Was today special? She thought so, but she did not remember the occasion.

That day too went as the last two days went. No talking to any of the gang, acting as if they were not there. It was tough considering that she had been doing the same at home with Natsume.

Classes were over for the day and Mikan was walking out, when someone stopped her. She looked up to see Ryuu standing in front of her. He had not dared to come close to her ever since she had slapped him.

"Get out of my way." Mikan snapped.

"Such attitude Sakura, you should be more careful. Your dear friend is not here to protect you anymore." His tone was mocking.

"And what makes you think that?"

Mikan did not need to turn around to know who it was.

Natsume stood behind her, glaring at Ryuu.

"So the credit card got here at last." Ryuu was smirking. At their incredulous looks he continued, "What you don't get it? C'mon Hyugga you are her credit card and her driver if I remember right. I never thought I'd see you being used so well. That is why I am here, to congratulate the girl, who did it."

"You are a fool." Natsume said calmly.

"Am I? You are just saying that to keep her spirits up." Ryuu nodded towards Mikan who was close to tears.

"You just don't get it, do you? In her life I am replaceable, but she is indispensable to me. I can't even imagine life without her. I do what I do for her coz I want to, not because I should or she wants me to. Next time I see you near her, I'll let my fist do the talking."

He took Mikan's hand and led her away, leaving a thunderstruck Ryuu behind him.

When they reached the parking lot, Natsume turned to face her. But before he could say anything, Mikan hugged him. He smiled as he held her close. He knew tears were falling from her eyes.

"Stop crying. I told you I don't ever want to see tears in your eyes did I not?"

"Shut up and just hold me."

Chuckling Natsume did as he was told. When she finally stepped away from him, he was still smiling. After wiping her tears away, he led her to the car and opened the door for her, acting like the perfect gentleman, that he was, NOT. Mikan knew then that something was up.

They drove back home in silence. They walked into the mansion to find complete darkness as even the windows were curtained. Mikan looked at Natsume, confusion in her eyes, but he just shrugged and stepped inside, disappearing into the darkness.

Wondering what the heck was up, she too walked inside.

BANG!!!

The sound, and the sudden bright light took Mikan aback.

She was showered in golden dust. All her friends were there. The whole gang was still in the clothes they had worn to college, as they had come straight here to check up on last minute preparations. A big banner hung behind, explaining everything. It said: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKAN!

Her face lit up with a lovely smile. So this is special about today.

Her friends had been preparing for her party for days and so had to ignore her. She was filled with joy as she was wished by all of them, and they actually sang for her. She blew out candles and cut the cake. The first bite was for Kia and the next went to her best friend: Natsume.

The party was a smashing success. Mikan was thrilled and her joy made them all happy.

It was late evening. They had been partying for hours and now most of the guests were gone. Just the gang, and the residents of Hyugga Manor remained.

Mikan looked at Natsume, who was lying on a couch. They were all in the main living area of the Manor, and every single one was lying down. Not even one person was able to even sit, that was how tired they were. Kia was actually asleep in Kendiar's lap.

Then Natsume stood up and walked up to her. He took her hand and they walked outside the double doors that led to the private garden, behind the manor.

When they were out of sight of the house, Natsume turned towards her.

"Don't ever do that to me again. Fight with me, shout at me even hit me if you feel like it, but don't you ever ignore me again."

"Natsume…"

"It feels like hell, when you act as if I am a part of the wall. It's perfectly fine if you are mad at me, heck its even fun, but when you ignore me… "

"How was I supposed not to get mad? You guys were trying to get rid of me all the time." she just had to retort.

"I know… I'll try not to be so obvious about secret plans from now on but just don't ever ignore me again. "

" I promise."

With a smile he pulled her into a gentle hug.

Hi everyone. I'll b updating soon this time, as i have already decided what to write in th next chapter. But i m moving to Canada, so m busy with that. I'll update as soon as i get time to type!!