DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

J: This story just popped out of nowhere :))

Message in the bottle

im-your-genie

CHAPTER 1

Mikan Sakura is a 12-year old girl living at the seaside. She was born and raised at that place. Her mother, Yuka, is the only one she's living with because her father had left them and they have no other relatives left since her grandparents had disowned Yuka for running away on the day of her marriage which is just an arranged one. And after that, she married Kazuma, Mikan's father.

Mikan's walking by the seashore because she has nothing to do. Her mother is at work and she has no playmates except for Hotaru. Since Hotaru's away from the town, she's all lonely. She sat down and wrote her name with a heart on the sand.

Mikan's POV

Sigh. Mom won't be home until 6 and Hotaru's somewhere out of town. What am I supposed to do? I'm very bored here. I don't have anything to do at home and I don't have anyone to play with either.

I want something to do! I need something to do! I should do something! Ugh!

Hmm. Maybe, I could imitate those people in the dramas I've watched. It's when they place a note inside a bottle and let it flow on the sea.

In that way, maybe I'd also find my true love!

And maybe in time, he'll find me and we could live happily ever after! True love exists, doesn't it?

Oh well, I better get a bottle, a paper, a pen and something that he would give me when he sees me so that I will know that it's really me he's looking for.

But wait? What if it's a girl?

Naaaah… It will be a boy! I'm sure of that.

I went back to the house to get the things I need. After doing so, I went back to the beach and sat down at the same place I was a while ago.

While writing something on the paper, I sensed someone beside me. I looked up only to see crimson orbs staring at mine. I blinked a few times trying to recognize the person staring at me. I've never seen him here before, that's for sure.

"Uhm, Hi?" I said to him in a questioning manner.

"Hey." He simply replied.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Well, I found you sitting all alone so I decided to accompany you. What are you up to anyway?" He asked me.

"Well, you know those in the dramas, they let a bottle with a message inside float on the sea and if someone finds it, then that person is your true love! Pretty exciting huh?" I told him excitedly.

"Yeah, I guess so. Can I read it then?"

"Of course! Here it is. Read it out loud so I can hear it too."

"Okay… Here it is… 'Hello! You found this bottle and so maybe we're destined to each other. How are you? Where are you from? Wait, do you speak Japanese? I hope you do because if you don't then you wouldn't be able to understand these writings. By the way, I'm Mikan Sakura! Today is the 18th of January 2005 and I just turned 12 last January 1. So how old are you? Well, since I don't know you yet, you should find me okay? Show me this necklace when we see each other okay? Good bye and take care!' Are you serious about this? Come on. No one would bother reading this. That's reality."

"Well sorry, I don't want to live upon the reality. Now give me the letter and I'll put it inside the bottle with this necklace and I'll let it be taken by the waves." I replied as I took the paper from him. I rolled it and placed it in the bottle. I placed it in the water and before I left, I bid him goodbye.

"Good bye! See you again tomorrow. What was your name by the way?" I asked him.

"It's Natsume. Good bye to you too Mikan Sakura. And you won't see me again tomorrow… today's my last day here and I've been staying for about a week already." He replied.

"Oh, then this is good bye. I hope we'd see each other again. Take care Natsume." I held my hand as he shook it. I flashed one of my best smiles because I found a new friend. I walked away and went back to our house.

Natsume's POV

Hn. She's very different. I've been observing her these past few days and she's always alone. Doesn't she have any friends? Oh well, she's really cute and I think I'm infatuating on her.

I went to the sea to look for the bottle that she hoped to send to her future lover. After a while, I found it. It's a good thing that it hasn't been taken by the waves too far. After my searching, I smiled inwardly. Mikan Sakura huh? We'd definitely see each other again. I'd be looking forward to that moment.

After 6 years…

It's been six years since I last saw Mikan. She's has never left my mind since the day I came to know her. How would I forget her when I still have the necklace that she placed in that bottle that I've searched for in the sea?

Tch. It seems like she had put a spell on me. When will I be able to see her again? Maybe we won't ever see each other again. I was walking around the park when I saw a Sakura tree. I decided to sit down and take a nap to kill time. I fell into a deep slumber and I dreamt of someone…

I was walking in the middle of the woods and it seems like forever. I've been in the same places over and over again and yet I can't find my way out of here.

Where am I? I walked some more and finally, I saw hope. I saw a silhouette of someone. Not minding who the person might be, I followed that someone.

As I get nearer to the person, I've discovered that it's a girl I'm going after to. The closer I get, I see a clearer view of her face. A meter away and I will be able to see her face more clearly.

I held her arm and made her face me but what I saw was someone whom I think I've never seen before. But she really looks like Mikan if you make the 12-year old Mikan a couple of years older. But then, she can't be Mikan because how the hell would I be dreaming of her when I really don't know her current appearance, right? So, she spoke certain words almost whispering.

"Natsume, remember me? Let's go out of here. It's getting darker every minute."

"Huh? Ah, okay." I replied immediately without answering her question. She held my hand as we walked out of the forest and again, it seemed endless. Just when we were about to exit the place, she suddenly disappeared into thin air.

I suddenly jolted after having that weird dream. What was that all about? Is that girl Mikan? Coz she really looked like an older version of Mikan. Is she dead or something?

What the hell am I thinking about? I stood up and walked back home to continue my sleep there.

Heck, I'm not a street person so I wouldn't sleep here though it's rather comfortable doing so.

So I went home only to be welcomed by a visitor. There are two girls sitting on the sofa in front of my mom. The younger looking girl looks like the one in my dream!

What the heck?

"Oh Natsume, come here… sit down. This is Yuka and her daughter Mikan." My mom stated.

"Ohh, it's nice to meet you. I'm Natsume Hyuuga." I politely uttered while holding out my hand to the mother and after she shook my hand, I held out my hand to her daughter also.

"Hi Natsume, I'm Yuka Sakura. You can call me Auntie." The mother said.

"Mikan Sakura here." The daughter replied while smiling so beautifully.

What?! So she's Mikan eh? I thought they just have the same name but heck, it's her! I was in trance upon knowing that she's the girl I met six years ago. And damn, she's even better looking than before.

"Natsume, Yuka is my colleague and my best friend. It was just yesterday that I had my contact with her. After those years… ahh, how I miss our college days." My mom said while having a reverie.

"You know Natsume, Mikan's almost the same age as you. She was born a few months after your mom had given birth to you. Maybe you'll even like each other! After that, you will date each other then marry!" Auntie Yuka said while daydreaming.

Tch. Old women and their stupid minds.

But really, I wouldn't object if it's Mikan I'd be dating.

"Mom! Quit it. We just met you know!" Mikan somewhat irritatingly told her mother.

Doesn't she remember me at all?

Damn it. Who would forget this handsome face?! Tch. Stupid girl.

"Yuka, I've prepared dinner. Since you're here, why don't you join us today?" my mom offered.

"Oh Hikari, we'd be happy to. Thank you." Auntie Yuka thanked my mom and then we proceed to the dining room.

We ate our dinner while my mom and auntie were exchanging stories. I didn't utter any word while eating and Mikan was no different. We both ate our foods silently.

After dinner, Auntie Yuka decided to help my mom with the dishes so I just went outside the garden to have some fresh air.

I sensed someone's presence and it surprised me that Mikan is there standing beside me.

"Hey." I simply said.

"Hello Natsume… How are you?"

"I'm okay… And you?"

"I'm good, thanks."

"So, it's been a while. We meet again eh?" I uttered while showing her a small smile.

Ahhh… It's been a while since I last smiled. I don't know why, but there's something in her that makes me want to smile.

"What do you mean? I don't think I remember having an encounter with you before." She confusingly stated.

"What? You mean you don't remember? I was the one who you've talked to when you placed a message and a necklace in a bottle before letting it be taken by the waves." I explained trying to make her remember.

"Ohh… I remember… Now I wonder what happened to that bottle. Has my prince found it already? What do you think?" she asked me dreamily.

"Maybe he already did. It's been years since that day so someone probably found it already." I told her.

I wouldn't say that I was the one who got the bottle... or rather, searched for the bottle. That would just ruin the moment. It'll be nice to see her daydream about who the guy might be.

"Really? I hope he'll search for me soon so we can start our happy life together!" she uttered excitingly.

"Yeah." I plainly replied.

Oh Mikan, you have no idea about what you are talking about.

END OF CHAPTER 1

J: At first, I wanted this to be a oneshot. But then, my mind has changed :)) Now I want this to have more chapters :)) Sooo.. Reviews?