So I'm a little late on update deadlines and such, but I have supper bad writers block, partly because I keep getting myself to think up new ideas and stuff, and it's getting out of hand. I mean, for Gakuen Alice stories I have roughly 50 ideas. Just for Gakuen Alice. I'm trying here. So, enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own GA

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My feet carried me into math class, and that was all I felt. Really, after finding out what a jerk Natsume was to his wives, I didn't want to be near him. I sat, staring quietly out the window, with Anna chattering to me about a new recipe she concocted. I pretended to listen, nodding and adding useless information when needed, but was more interested in the tree in the court-yard.

The door opened, and I knew immediately that Natsume was here. Partially because he was the only one not here and because most of the students in the room sighed.

The class went silent, and Natsume started talking about an upcoming test or something. I pulled my eyebrows together and stared out the window, eyes trained on the tree.

Natsume spoke softly, not ever addressing me. I really didn't want to talk to him. But, yet I did. What could I do but wait till class ended?

After the bell, I sat in my seat, waiting for the students to clear out. My excuse was I needed to speak with Natsume, seeing as it was the end of the day.

"Mikan, you can leave." Natsume sighed, placing his forehead in his hands.

"No," I said defiantly, "we need to talk." I stood up, and slowly walked to his desk.

Natsume didn't even look up, "Is it about my ex-wives?"

I wasn't even surprised. "Of course. I need to know if they told me the truth."

"What did they say?" Natsume moaned, pulling his fingers through his hair before pulling his head up. He gazed at me with half-lidded ruby eyes; lacing his long fingers together under his chin.

I nearly snorted, "As if. You tell me first what happened before I tell you anything, Hyuuga." He flinched slightly. Bingo.

A silence that lasted an eternity ended when he narrowed his eyes at me. "Fine. If you insist on it." He sat back in his chair, "Well, let's start from the beginning. My first wife, Aya, was a beautiful woman. And quite a few years older than me. She, enticed me, so to speak. Not as much as you, my infuriating Polka. However, since I was young, I was prone to teenage desires. Smoking—drugs—drinking, and gambling. I never intended to hurt Aya, but my hormones got ahead of me, and I did what I did. I found myself sleeping with Long and well, our marriage ended to say the least.

"Long was next. She, was another story. Probably the worst I've ever been. I felt, betrayed, I guess, because I felt it was Aya's fault we divorced which is total bull shit. I drank constantly while married to her, and found myself physically abusing her. I was disgusted with my actions, but was angry. She eventually, couldn't take it, and kicked me out. I was proud of her, but would have been happier if she sent me to prison for a few years.

"Leiko is next. After getting over my, rough patch, I felt things would get better. But when Leiko told me she wanted to be a singer, I lost it. I didn't want to share her, I didn't want her to leave me. I got jealous. I was with her everywhere. Then, when I thought she'd leave me, I distanced myself from her. She fawned after me like a cat in heat. But by this time, I was cheating on her left and right. I didn't want her anymore. So I left her for Luna. And you know the rest." His face stayed closed off from any emotion.

"Natsume. . ." These were the same stories I've already heard, but from different perspectives. "If you were like this, why did you become a teacher?"

He grimaced, "I hoped you would never ask this. Let's just say if I hadn't, I would have never met you." Sweet as it was, I wanted to know the truth.

"Please, Natsume, tell me." My voice was soft, pleading almost.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "When I was in college, during my third marriage, I decided to turn my life around, and wanted to help people. I wanted to keep students from falling into the same darkness I fell into. Especially innocent students like you. I graduated after I married Luna."

"Oh Natsume. . ." I felt like a parrot, repeating his name over and over again. I wanted to hold him, I wanted him to hold me. I wanted to feel his lips on mine. Did I love him?

A ghost of a smile braced his lips, as he stood up. He walked around the desk, and paused in front of me.

"Out of all my marriages, if this counts, none of them have ever made me feel the way you make me feel Mikan. It's illegal, and morally wrong, but sought out by every other girl in high school. To be loved by a teacher. You, the one girl who didn't want that, had it happen to her."

Natsume loves me? "What are you saying?"

He leaned forward, cupping my face with his hands, "It means, my infuriatingly stupid student, that I love you." I felt my body freeze up, as Natsume grabbed a strand of my hair. He lifted it to his lips, and kissed it before letting the lock fall through his fingers. "I'm glad you listened to me."

Tears formed in my eyes, and a blush splattered across my cheeks. "I—I love you too, Natsume." He smiled this time, a genuine smile. I felt my heart melt a little.

He bent, and brushed his lips against mine. Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach. I threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him. I missed him so much. Natsume wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer, as I worked my fingers in his hair at the base of his neck.

I smiled through the tears and blush, "I'm glad you told me."

Before he could answer, someone coughed. We went ridged. And jerked apart. We faced the open door, which we had forgotten to close.

Ruka-pyon stood there, stone faced, with Uncle and the board of directors.

Uncle raised his eye brow, "Well, Hyuuga-san, Mikan, we have some discussing to do. Follow me." He turned with the director, and left.

Natsume twined his fingers with mine, as he tugged me out of the room. He glared stonily at Ruka.

"I'm sorry." He whispered as Natsume and I passed. I gave him a small smile, and we exited the room.

In Uncle's office, their faces were stone.

"This is despicable!" The director spat, glaring at us, "a student and a teacher? A disgrace. You sir, are in deep trouble."

"Mikan, why did you let this happen?" Uncle asked quietly, starring at me through ancient eyes.

"Me! Why am I always in trouble! Nothing ever happened regarding mom and dad, and their relationship was just as bad as Natsume's and mine!" I cried.

Uncle froze for a moment, "That was different. That was years ago. This is now. Times have changed."

I gritted my teeth, "Don't blame Natsume! He's an amazing teacher! He's the only one who deserves to be teaching at this school!"

The director cocked his head, "What do you mean?" Natsume squeezed my fingers warningly, but I ignored him.

"He's trying to help students!"

The director debated for a moment, "Considering your teaching history, I'll give you a choice. Continue this relationship and lose your job and teaching license, or end it now and keep teaching."

Natsume clenched his jaw, and I was afraid of what he'd say. "No, I refuse to end it with Mikan. I love her. There's nothing you can do to stop it."

The directors face was solemn, "Then, today, I hereby revoke your teaching license. You will never teach again. For safe measures, you are to leave Tokyo, and never return. You leave Friday. Get out of my school." He swept out.

I felt like my heart was wrenched from my body. How could fate be so damn cruel?

*wink wink* *nudge nudge* How was it after I was gone? Like the new twist? I never meant Ruka-pyon to be a bad guy. Don't hate him! Review?

~Emerald~