"Author's" note: Okay people! I have decided my deadline for chapters would be on the Fridays. If I don't update on a certain Friday, it means I will probably do so on the next Friday. I have been waiting for people to complain that my updates were too long actually…and someone did! YAY…thank you…o.0 I am so sadistic, aren't I, but that's beside the point. Updates will officially be on Fridays is what I'm saying. Once again thank you all for reading Vampire Fangs and reviewing and bothering to read my note. All in all, happy reading!

p.s I'm STILL craving for twilight and L change the world!!! And my Birthday is drawing nearer, so get ready your reviews as my Birthday present!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice and it's a fact.

Chapter 9 – A weakness?

"Mikan–Chan, you must understand. We cannot keep you here, the shop will close down if you do," the shopkeeper stated, rubbing his sweaty palms on his apron.

"Close down?"Mikan frowned, "Why? We were doing so well last month?"

The shopkeeper avoided her eyes. It was true that with Mikan around, customers have been streaming in. Thanks to her carefree and helpful nature, many customers have stuck around, but he couldn't afford to lose the whole entire shop than Mikan. Besides, the Hyuga cooperation had offered a hefty sum of money, enough to renovate the shop three times just to remove Mikan and a bonus worth two cars just for him. This was just the thing he needed to support his son, who was attempting to start up a business.

"Sorry, Mikan-Chan, you are fired,"

"But…boss…wait,"

Mikan reached out a hand, but could only helplessly watch as the guilty shopkeeper made his way back to the shop, determined not to be moved…

This was not happening, her job, her only source of survival…it was gone in a flick of a finger.

Where? Where had she gone wrong? Her attitude? Her lateness in certain shift? Her work? Her recent absences due to someone?

'Meeting Natsume Hyuga' she answered herself dully. That was the only "wrong" she had suffered. Her body still remembered vividly the scene of him on her as he sank his fangs into her, trembling every now and then as each passing image flashed in the back of her head. Her hands unconsciously wrapped around her.

Up till now, she was still confused, scared and shocked though she tried her very best not to show it. She feared the vampire. She knows not of what he can do neither of what he will make her do, but she will not comply with his wishes. She will not go to the Hyūga's residence. Certainly not! She, Mikan Sakura, a human being, fully capable of doing the things she wants, will not do as Hyūga wishes. After all, she is strong though not strong enough to tell someone else of this god forsaken truth that Natsume Hyuga is a downright vampire. Who would believe her anyway?

'Tomorrow', she decided, she will start looking for a job and earn her keep, paying the tenant will come later. This little setback will not pull her down. Having gone through much hardship, this is only but one of them she will conquer. She cannot afford to change schools again. Besides, Hotaru is here for her and avoiding a vampire would not be hard…would it?

Nodding convincingly to herself, Mikan stride forward with renewed vigor. She must be optimistic and persevere up to the end. This was Ji-Chan's principle and she will succeed through it. Smiling, Mikan made her way down the path back to her small apartment, passing through the park as usual. This time, there were a few teenagers hanging around and the moon had not made its appearance known in the pale blue sky to Mikan's relief.

"Mikan-Chan,"

A soft spoken voice came from behind. Mikan swung around instinctively to meet the caller. She froze for a moment before addressing the girl.

"Aoi! What are you doing here so late?"

"Gotcha!" the younger girl exclaimed as she barreled into the brunette, dropping her bags full of necessities to the ground without care.

"O nee-san shouldn't have left the last time without my notice," Aoi stated unpleasantly, pouting as she did. Mikan laughed. She could do nothing to oppose. Natsume, that devil, had chased her out of their mansion when Aoi had conveniently gone to sleep.

Ruffling Aoi's hair fondly, the brunette reached down to retrieve the bigger bag, surprised to find it really heavy, but still manageable.

Aoi beamed, it was so typical of Mikan to help, but she could handle the bag very well on her own. Sometimes Mikan's help was excessive, but it was…gratefully nice.

"Don't you have a butler?"

Mikan asked curiously, prodding the bag with her free hand to show her point. Aoi shook her head.

"My brother doesn't like people in the house, so we don't have many servants. There are five or six at most. No butler though,"

"Your brother huh…"

The words trailed off, leaving an awful taste in Mikan's mouth. It reminded her of instantly of the vampire. Did Aoi know her brother was a vampire? Was she keeping it a secret while having her blood sucked from Natsume?

But Natsume love his sister. He doesn't seem to be the type who would take advantage of the girl though if it wasothers the possibility was almost absolute. Still, she does look a little too pale for her age. What if she was ignorant to it all like she once was? What if telling her will make her react awkwardly towards her brother and put her in danger? But what if she was in danger now? A million questions raced through her mind, rendering the brunette dizzy. In a moment of rashness, she blurted out, "Hey, Aoi…do you know your brother…he…"

"Huh?" Aoi replied cheerfully, her smile was one of those who were in bliss.

Mikan was stunned, tongue-tied at that very moment. She couldn't retaliate. She couldn't say it. She was afraid of shattering that innocent smile of hers, she was afraid of losing a friend, of being hated.

"Nothing…" Mikan murmured, "Anyway, I will see you home, it's late for a girl on her own." Mikan chirped, recovering into her joyful state while masking her own worry.

It was a double-edge sword, this decision. She might have to face him again, but at the same time she would be able to determine whether a not Aoi was in danger. But Mikan did not thought much about it, in fact, thinking always hurts her mind. Besides, she couldn't leave Aoi alone. She would take her chances and this could not count as her willingly going to the Hyūga residence. Circumstances have just forced her to do so. She puffed defiantly, oblivious to the irony she had caused.

"Hey Mikan-Chan, want me to tell you a secret about O nii-chan?"

Mikan divert her attention back on Aoi, giving her quizzical looks. The younger of the girl merely smiled a sly one, pulling the brunette closer.

o.O.o.O.o

The Hyuga mansion was as grand as one can expect, not like a vampire's castle or haunted mansion at all. Greenery twirled in fanciful manner around the bars of the gate, barely allowing an onlooker to peep through. However, as the metal gates sprang open, an eerie creaking noise could be heard, so similar to that of witches laughing at the sad plight of the enterer or at least that was what Mikan thought of.

Once inside, you are greeted by a majestic structure with plenty of rooms. It could simply take your breath away and that was what it did to Mikan. She was stunned. She had not such a nice view as this when she left the last time due to the untimely presence of the night.

Mikan gawked at the stature of an angel standing in the midst of water, tipping her vase slightly to allow a small stream to flow out. Her features delicately craved, her wings spread out generously - a truly stunning piece of structure, worthy of praises. But Mikan could not help but notice the wild untamed grasses ringed around it. Her eyes narrowed towards the back where a big swimming pool was situated. She could only see a large patch of brown. The hedges by the side were not pruned too. She frowned. The place was in desperate need of servants.

Aoi swung open the two doors, stirring up clouds of dust.

"Tadaima, O Nii-san!"

"Aoi, don't…"

Mikan sneezed, pinching her nose with her fingers. Her eyes noted the crisis the house was facing: Cobwebs hung heavily on the ceilings, the curtains were not drawn, the carpet was dusty.

"He's not in…hmmm…the kitchen is this way,"

An unaffected Aoi led Mikan past the stairs into the kitchen.

Relief flood through Mikan as she set the bag down on the floor, happy to be release of her burden and out of the dusty hall. She slumped down on the chair, scanning her surroundings. The kitchen was unexpectedly clean, probably because they have a cook. For that she is glad, but there was a curious odour coming from somewhere.

Mikan raised her head to face Aoi who was unpacking the items. She was however horrified to find her putting everything in the wrong place. The eggs were put in the freezer while the meat was melting in the cabinets. Her mouth hung ajar. The rotting smell from the food was what she had smelt.

Springing into action, Mikan corrected the young girl of her mistakes, while throwing away the expired products still remaining in the fridge and cabinets. The garbage was gathered in one bag, conveniently chucked aside by Mikan, to be taken out later. Mikan turned to face Aoi. There was one thing that is undeniably obvious in this house. It is in need of servants. Her head lowered, her fringe shielding her eyes for effect.

"Aoi, I have decided…" Mikan' started.

"We will…clean the house spotless," Fire burned in Mikan's eyes while an impenetrable aura of determination surrounded her as she looked up at Aoi.

Aoi nodded fearfully at the sudden burst of energy, backing away slightly, but was still dragged into operation. Under Mikan's beck and call, she gathered all of the cleaning detergent, brooms, mops and pails. They then started the mountain of tasks at hand with one goal in mind – get this house bloody clean.

3 HOURS LATER

Aoi collapsed wearily on the floor, her eyes drooping, threatening to close. The job was only half done and it was only the hall, but it was way past her bedtime. She was glad however that the windows were sparkling clean, the curtains were drawn, the floor was dust free and the cobwebs were somewhat dusted off. Still, they have not mopped the floor or take down the curtain for wash. The curtains could wait, but she doubt Mikan would leave the floor.

She yawned, staggering towards the stairs, but somehow missed a step and found herself falling. The next thing she remembered, Mikan was carrying her up to her room, changing her clothes and tucking her into bed. Mikan disappeared later down the stairs with a little protest from Aoi. But Aoi simply couldn't care less. She desperately needed her sleep and Youichi's blood. That idiot had not come today. Chucking down a vial of blood down her throat, she groggily place the vial back in her own personal freezer before sinking into bed.

Mikan put the cleaning tools away in the storeroom with great satisfaction. Finally, it's clean. The hall is cleaned! She beamed, twirling around happily before falling flat on her back. It had been a rush of adrenaline cleaning such a large place. She could feel a great sense of achievement creeping up on her.

She sat back to admire her work. The floor seemed to gleam back at her, thanking her for her hard work. The ceilings were in sight, clear of cobwebs. Oh, she would love to take down the curtains and wash them, but she felt the energy draining out of her. It was too grilling; her muscles were aching, her hands were raw and sore. Her body was shutting down, but there was still much to do. The staircases were not polished yet. The doors were not cleaned. The carpet still rather dirty need to be taken to the cleaner.She reckoned she will have to come for it another day, but she will call it a day for now, though quite reluctant to do so. After all, there was school tomorrow and it was clearly late in the night. She felt a slight twinge of guilt for dragging Aoi in as she got up, but this was her house too, so there wasn't really an excuse. The door creaked opened.

"Tadaima,"

"Okaerinasai,"

Mikan responded as a reflex, before she gulped, realising who she was responding to. She had obviously overstayed. Without any reservations, she dashed towards the exit. Her path however was easily blocked by the vampire, who had seized her hand and pinned them both behind her back against the wall, planting her in yet another human cage. Their bodies only inches away from each other.

"Oh, so you came,"

He had his arrogant smirk on again.

"Not for that reason," Mikan retorted, her voice slightly trembling. She had to be strong.

Natsume glanced at his surroundings, appearing pretty satisfied.

"I see you have done your job,"

"I only did it for Aoi, seeing you are such a selfish bastard to let your sister live in such a condition. So release me now, Hyuga,"

Mikan hissed.

Natsume narrowed his eyes at the insult. He will never mistreat his sister. The reason that the pathetic house was in this state was due to the incompetence of that fat lady who only came once a week. She had no right to judge him this way with such prejudice against him. Besides, he was planning to get a new set of staff last week, but it had just been procrastinated till now. He will certainly get his revenge on the brunette. He smiled creepily at the girl as an idea struck him.

"Surely you would like to be rewarded for your hard work," He leaned forward, whispering the next two words teasingly into her ears.

"I-chigo ka-ra,"

Mikan's eyes widened as she blushed shades of red. Was it her or is his voice surprisingly husky today. It's so… Her eyes squeezed shut, her mind refusing to fill in the blank. She must not submit to him. Her face was unexpectedly heating up. 'Must be the heat and the work,' she thought, but that is not the crisis now. She needed a clever remark. She needed to outsmart that cocky guy, but her brain isn't processing anything. In fact, it was hurting again.

Mikan shifted uncomfortably, her body brushing unintentionally against his and the heat suddenly intensified. How wonderful.

"I could keep you here all night until you can't go to school," Natsume continued mockingly. He nibbled mischievously on the brunette's ear, satisfied with his little payback. He had expected the brunette to squirm, but the only reply he got from her was a "Huh?".

Natsume frowned. This can't be right. He retreated, only to see a very confused look on the brunette. She didn't get it…She did not get the last sentence. My god, how dense could this girl be?! Natsume resisted an urge to slap his forehead, but he was not done yet.

But before he could start again, two hands clamped over his ears and a seemingly impossible thing occurred. Natsume Hyuga blushed. His head instinctively turned away, shielding the faint tinge of red on his cheeks.

Seizing the chance, Mikan grabbed her bag and rushed out of the house, amazed yet smug about the thing she discovered through putting it to test - Hyuga's weakness. Mikan didn't want to believe it, butAoi was right about it. Mikan grinned wearily as she trudged home. She had something to defend herself against the vampire now…or does she?

Back at the Hyuga residence, a very shocked Natsume stood, but broke into a laugher as he came to his senses,slumping against the wall.If the brunette thinks that she had gotten his weakness, she was terribly wrong. She cannot escape his clutches.

Grinning, he made his way up the stairs. Tomorrow would certainlybea decidingly amusing day. But before that, a certain sister of his should be tortured to death. Perharps there was an element of truth in him "mistreating" his sister.

Ending note: It's pretty short, but the next one will be longer, so please give me my Birthday present.