Disclaimer: Cute-chan does not own Gakuen Alice. It belongs to Higuchi Tachibana-sama. I only own the story, the plot, the dialogues and my imagination and no, I do not own the characters of this story. Basically, they are the original characters of Gakuen Alice and it only means that the characters used in this story also belongs to the great Higuchi-sama :) Natsume Hyuuga only belongs to Mikan Sakura, and whoever gets in the way will be struck by the lightning from Jinno-sensei's stick.

Author's note: Another update for all of you :) Thanks for the nonstop support and encouragement that all of you are giving me. Without you my dear readers, I wouldn't be here and I would have stopped writing for a long time now. Way to go, cute-chan! Dramatic :) Well, who can blame me? I'm so touched! Haha. Well, anyways. On with the story.

Chapter 24:

Hard rain and the strong gust of wind are the only things that can be heard in the island of Hokkaido for the time being. It is chilly outside because of the wind, and the whole island is suffering from a flood. It's a good thing that the fruits and vegetables are safely kept in the greenhouse located beside the house, at least they are safe from being destroyed by the flood and strong wind. Looking outside the window, you'll see how miserable the island is. The land is being covered by the flood and the trees are being abused by the strong wind. They are nearly breaking free from the tight grip of their own roots under the rich soil, but hell, because of the stupid wind, they will soon be laying on the floor, unable to do something productive anymore.

A loud roar of thunder enveloped the whole island. Ah, definitely, it is a typhoon. Some people loves the typhoon since it gives you a cold weather but not a certain brunette girl. She was shaking uncontrollably and was clutching her blanket up to her head. Tears are forming into her eyes. Mikan Sakura's one great fear is the thunder. Ah, sweet.

It's already 1 a.m but still Mikan haven't got any sleep. Another boom of thunder and Mikan cannot hold back her scream anymore. She let out an ear-piercing scream that can even compete the loud strike of the thunder. And suddenly, the door burst open and in came was a raven-haired boy. Looking by him, you will know that he was awoken in his deep slumber. Eyebrows meeting and crimson eyes half open. He closed the door and stood at the edge of her bed.

"Screaming like a stupid girl. How pathetic. You know, you will wake up all the people in this place by that scream of yours." Natsume started. "Now, why the hell are you screaming in the first place?" Natsume can clearly see the tears in the corner of her eyes.

"T-T-Thunder!" Mikan said, her voice is shaking and pure fear is visible on her voice.

"Thunder? You're scared of thunder?" Mikan nodded her head like a child. "You're so stupid, little girl. It's just a simple thunder, it won't harm you." Natsume said, trying to comfort the crying brunette using his words (Natsume? can you really comfort someone by using harsh words?.

"But still, I don't know Natsume! But I'm really scared of thunder. I've been fully awake since that thunder came and ruined the first silent night of mine in this place!" Mikan complained. Just then, after she said those words, another loud thunder came that causes her to unconsciously throw herself into Natsume's arms, burying her face on his chest and transfer all of her tears and snots on his shirt.

Natsume was astonished, but soon recuperated. He didn't mind if his shirt is being drenched by her tears as he slowly wrapped his strong arms around her, brushing her long brunette hair lovingly, trying to ease the fear she was feeling. He was shaking in his arms, and he knows that she is not aware of their current position. After all, Mikan is an idiot for him. Well, Mikan is his idiot. Typical of her.

"Stop crying now, Polka-dots." Natsume said. He pulled Mikan away a little, but nevertheless, he is still holding her in his harms. "It makes you 99% uglier when you cry." He smiled and leaned forwards to capture her lips into a sweet kiss. He pulled Mikan closer to him and asked entrance from Mikan. Mikan obliged and gave Natsume the entrance he was asking. It was a sweet kiss that turned into a very passionate kiss. They broke their contact to gasped some air.

Natsume stood up and carefully laid Mikan back to her bed, pulling the covers up the shoulder. He kneel down and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, Polka-dots. Try to get some sleep. Don't scream like that again, you're going to give me a heart attack." He said and stood up, ready to walk away but Mikan pull his hand.

"Natsume." Mikan started. "Please stay for the night." Natsume turned around to look at her. "You see, I'm really scared of thunders. And I think, if you're here by my side, my fear will be le-" But Mikan was not able to finished her little explanation when Natsume put his forefinger on her lips, signaling her to stop.

"You don't have to pull random reasons to gain chance in molesting me." Natsume smirked. "Because I'll be more willing and wholeheartedly happy to be molested by you." With that retort, Mikan blushed.

"Stupid perverted fox! It's not what you think it is! Stupid Natsume!" Mikan said and turned around, her back facing Natsume. She was totally embarrassed and she was sure that her face is red. Just then, she felt the bed moved and the next thing she knew, Natsume already placed his arm around her waist, his nose buried on her hair. She smiled when she realized what Natsume had said.

I'M SORRY ...

She turned around, still red in face but now, with a smile on her face. She cuddled his face on both of her hands and kiss the tip of his nose.

"Don't do that again, because the next time you do that again, I might surprise you." Natsume chuckled at this.

"Well, I would like to see that surprise of yours." Natsume said and pulled Mikan closer to him. He kissed her forehead. "Sleep now, Polkadots. I won't leave."

"You better keep your words, Pervert." Mikan buried her face on the crook of his neck and snuggle closer to him. Being wrapped in Natsume's arms, she felt safe and protected, never in her 19 years that she felt that away. Her father is always away for business and her mother died after giving birth to her. She was always under the supervision of the maid and she was longing for the love of the parents. Maybe that's the reason why she had chose to use the surname of her mother instead of her father. She knew he wouldn't mind. And from Mikan's perception, he was far more happy because she didn't use his last name. The hell with his father. She was always alone but not anymore. She have Natsume now. "Goodnight, Natsume." She said while smiling. And not long after, she fell asleep.

Natsume pulled her more closer and kissed her head. "Goodnight to you too. polkadots." MY POLKADOTS.

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK!

The alarm went off, signaling that morning has come. It is a very wonderful morning. Birds are chirping and the sun had risen. No trances of the typhoon was left.

The brunette stirred and try to reach for the alarm clock and hit the stopped button.

"Ahhhh..." The brunette moaned and snuggle closer to the soft thing that she was holding. She opened her eyes, expecting that the first thing that she will see is the handsome face of her beloved. She quickly sat up when she realized that she is hugging a pillow and not Natsume. She rubbed her chocolate orbs and looked around, trying to find the familiar person who appeared and hunt her on her dreams. She pouted when she found no traces of Natsume. She was about to get out of the bed when she noticed a tray on the beside table, there is also a letter. She grabbed the letter.

Polka dots,

Good morning, sleepyhead. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to wait for you to wake up. I have important things to sort out. Be back around 10:00. I cooked breakfast for you, so better eat it and satisfy your large stomach. Have a nice day, Polka dots. See you later. I love you.

Natsume.

"Mou, I didn't know that sweetness do exist in his vocabulary!" Mikan giggled. "I guess I'll forgive him." She took the tray and placed it on her bed. Natsume cooked all her favorites. Mikan happily eat all of the food. After eating, she took shower and went downstairs. She saw Kaede in the kitchen.

"Good morning Kaede-san!" Mikan greeted happily. The latter looked back and gave her a heart-warming smile.

"Good morning to you too, Mikan-sama! Natsume-sama said that he will go out for a while. Did he tell you?" Kaede asked, smiling.

"He did! He even cooked breakfast for me! So sweet of that jerk!" Mikan said. "Do you need help there Kaede-san?"

"Eh? You don't have to Mikan-sama! I can handle this by myself." Kaede declined.

"Oh no, I insist!" Mikan walked towards the counter and grabbed some vegetables and start to chop it. "And drop the -sama Kaede-san! Call me Mikan! It's too formal when you use that suffix after my name." Mikan smiled at her and continue her work.

"Alright Mikan-chan. If you say so." Kaede said, smiling at her and continue cooking.

Natsume walked around the big place of Central Town, looking for the particular shop that he's been looking for. He left at around 6:30am because the trip to Central is approximately 1 hour and half minutes. He didn't mind the long trip though because he has only one thing in his mind -- to buy that special thing that will bond him and Mikan forever.

Turning into the left corner, he found the store he'd been looking for. The shop looks classy yet small. He walked inside the store and was greeted by a middle-aged man.

"Good Morning, Mister. What are you looking for?" Instead of answering the man's question, he just nodded and browse the store stands. Wandering his ruby eyed, he caught something that really caught his eyes. It was a wide-gold band with small ruby stones. The ruby gems forms a Sakura petal. He looked at the guy.

"May I see this ring?" He asked.

"Ah, that. You have a nice taste young man." The man said and took the ring and handed it to him. "Your girlfriend will surely like it."

"How much is this?" Asked Natsume, still staring at the ring.

"It's a new design so the price is more expensive that the others." The man said smiling. "You see, it cost 30.000 rabbits." Natsume looked up.

"I'll take it." Natsume said and handed the man his credit card. "Savings."

"Right away." The man said and smiled. He placed the ring into a beautiful blue-velvet box with a red bow. He took Natsume's card and swiped it. After that, he handed to Natsume the ring and the card. "Good luck with your proposal, young man."

This time, Natsume didn't ignore him. He gave him a small smile. Although it's didn't reach his ears, at least it's genuine. "Thanks." And he walked away. He walked towards the bus station and held the box tighter to his hand.

"You better accept this, stupid Polka-dots." Natsume said, smiling and wait for the bus to come.

It was already 10:05 and Mikan is already bored. She's been waiting for Natsume since the time she had finished helping Kaede-san. She looked at the clocked and pouted.

"Stupid Natsume, he said that he will be back by 10. Where the hell is he anyway? He should have at least woke me up and accompany him! Baka. He better compensate with me!" Mikan said and turned the TV on. Just then, she heard the door creaked open. She turned her head and saw the guy she's been waiting for. She stood up and run towards the lad.

"Natsume! Where did you go?" Mikan inquired him. "You should have let me go with you." Natsume chuckled.

"You were soundly asleep, putting all your drool into the pillows. I didn't want to wake you up." He smiled. Mikan pouted.

"But still." She pouted more and Natsume can't help but to think how cute she was.

"Hey, you better stop pouting like that." Still smiling, he continues. "Hey, you know what? Let me do something for compensation. I'll treat you to dinner later. How's that sound?" Mikan finally smiled and squealed happily and threw herself to him.

"Okay, Natsume!" A few seconds later, they heard the door bell ringing. "Is that Kaede-san?" Natsume asked. Kaede is out to bring foods for the laborers.

"I don't know. Maybe!" Mikan said. "I'll open the door, ne? You go to the kitchen and get something to bite." Mikan said. Natsume nodded and kissed her cheeks lightly. They took their separate ways.

"Coming! Coming!" Mikan shouted, hoping that the person will hear her. She run towards the door and happily opened the door. "Hi there Kaede-san! Welcome back!" But before her, it was not Kaede-san. Her eyes widened in recognition. She stepped back.

"Shi-Shiki-san..." Mikan muttered.

"Good day, Mikan-sama." Shiki bowed. Mikan was dumbfounded. She just stare at the man in front of her. Her mind is full of question, negative thoughts and guesses.

'If Shiki-san is here, it only means that....' Without finishing it, her thoughts was proven right when the person she didn't expect to see came into the view.

"How are you dear daughter?" Reo asked her, not in the fatherly way but in a plain emotionless voice.

"Father..." Mikan said. Suddenly she heard Natsume's voice.

"Mikan, is that Kaede-san?" Natsume asked, just then his eyes turned emotionless when he saw who the intruder was. He didn't have to asked who the heck is that guy. With those auburn hair and from the look of Mikan's face, he was sure of something- he is Mikan's goddamn father.

"How did you know this place?" Natsume asked. Mikan was clutching his left arm tightly, and while his right hand moved on top of Mikan's hand, which is placed on his arm. He held her hand tightly, as if telling her that he won't let go.

"Let's just say I have my sources." He walked inside, scanning the place. "This is one hell of a small house. Anyway, excuse my rudeness. I would like to introduce myself to you young man. I'm Reo Mouri, Mikan Sakura's father." He ended his little introduction. He looked at the two and then smiled sardonically. "And I suppose you're Hyuuga Natsume?" Reo smirked. "My daugter's adviser and lover." He ended with disgust.

Author's note: Finally done with this chapter :) So tired, my butt is aching because of sitting for long hours. The chapter didn't turn out the way I want it. Pathetic author. Haha. But I still hope you guys like it. Anyways, so how was the chapter? Boring? I guess. Haha. Please excuse the grammatical errors though. Please leave a review dear readers :) It will truly make my day. So what now? Reo and Natsume met! Have any idea what will happen next? Oh, let's just hope that he will accept this forbidden relationship and be a good father to Mikan even just for once *wink*. Anyhow, please don't forget to review okay? See you on the next chapter! :)

- Cute-chan :)