Yay! I finally finished this!

Designing stuff is HARD. Especially since I just got back from freezing Tahoe where everyone is basically bundled up like penguins. Yeah, total fashion center, right?

Thank you to Google Images.

I apologize that I can't write a message for you guys, but my butt hurts from falling so much, my entire body is sore from falling too much, and I'm super tired from having to get up too much. I know, I know: no excuses, right? ...well, too bad.

Thanks to:

greentulip

JuSt To RaNdOm

Sakura Breeze

-Tribal Addict-

Najika Tsubasa-chan

bunnyjumps

moonacre99

ThatGirl96

You guys are awesome! Virtual cookie for you! If you don't like cookies...

What is wrong with you? No offense.

I don't own Gakuen Alice. Why do you think it's called disclaimer? XP

Never Again

Chapter 9

The date for the first photo shoot had finally been set, after much scheduling conflict.

Everyone arrived around the same time, cordially escorted by her secretary to another level in the humongous complex. According to Reika-san, the upper third or so of the building was used for photo shoots, unlike other companies that went to studios. Mikan Sakura wanted things done right, so she did them herself. Apparently, there was even an indoor garden somewhere and a swimming pool on the roof.

Mikan Sakura hired the best, and only the best. Aoi was going to be one of the make-up artists, and Misaki would be working as a hair stylist as well. Anna had offered to provide refreshments for everyone, and the intoxicating scents wafting out of the boxes on a nearby row of tables were enough motivation for any normal person.

The floor they had all gathered in was basically a hallway, running horizontally once one stepped out of the elevator area. The hallway was very, very long, and also wide enough to fit two opposite conveyor-belt like mechanism, which could be used to transport oneself to a far end, along with walking space. There were other, smaller halls branching perpendicularly from the large one, each with a sign next to it.

The group entered the first hallway, with a plaque stating

SUITE 1

DRESSING ROOMS 1-99

Reserved for Mikan Sakura, President

Underneath, it listed the names of all of the models in alphabetical order. Mikan handed each model a small ID card, clipped to a slip of paper. "Each room has its own keypad and code. While you are working for this company, I assure you that these rooms will belong to you only, and anything you leave will not be touched. No one will clean your room unless you have personally requested it. You may come in at any time to retrieve an item from your room, but you will be required to show your ID. If you are not involved in a shoot, you will not be allowed on set. Please respect other models."

"Your rooms should have all the clothing you will be wearing, today and in the future. If you stain or defile any piece, you will have to pay for it. You may not take any piece of clothing outside of these floors. There are also cover-ups and towels inside if you need them." Mikan bowed. "Go ahead and find your room."

Coincidentally, Natsume and Ruka were next to each other, and Hotaru was across the one on the other side of Natsume. As the others found their own room and grinned happily—the rooms had their own full-length mirrow, a bathroom, a comfortable couch, a large table, bean bag chairs, and some of Anna's goods, and a walk-in closet—Natsume noticed that there was no one across from him.

Mikan walked by, calling out, "I forgot to mention, if you are in, please indicate so by sliding your ID through the little black mechanism by the door." She continued, "Inside each room is a list with your names, call times, and clothing number. Please be on set at least fifteen minutes before your call time, fully dressed, so that we may have extra time in case of any problems. Hair and makeup will be done next to the set. Once you are completely ready, try not to move around too much."

Natsume bit his lip, wanting to talk to her, but afraid of a cold, distanced reaction. On the inside, he laughed rather painfully. When had he become so weak?

He opened his mouth to comment—on what, he wasn't sure—but suddenly realized that she was already gone.

Models like Sumire were accustomed to last minute fix-ups, dressing problems, whiny new models, and other problems. But Sumire had never worked for Mikan Sakura.

She walked carefully onto the floor indicated by the chart. She stopped short, astounded.

There were many sets, the closest of which had plain white backgrounds, cameras, and lighting all already set up. Others could be seen farther off with larger area and more equipment. Mikan herself was flitting around to different hairstylists and makeup artists, who were nodding as they worked on her friends' looks. Misaki and Aoi were not among the group, as they would be required to model for the current shoot.

Mikan's company would release an entire magazine dedicated to her new modeling group, with several different new lines within. There would be one evening gown line, one casual wear line, one teen/youth line, and one swimwear line for women, and one casual wear and one teen/youth line for men. Things from other Sakura lines would be advertised as well, but not as prominently, and a new perfume would get a spread. Any fashion news would obviously make its way into its pages as well.

At the moment, they were doing a few formal wear shots, Mikan's specialty. Yura was dressed in a beautiful strapless black dress with a gold waistband and elegant gold jewelry, and her hair was curled into a low chignon on the side of her head. Wakako was wearing a light green halter with bangles on her wrists and ears, and her hair was gathered in a side ponytail. Nobara was dressed in shimmering icy blue and purple strapless silk with crystals sprinkled around the dipping neckline and diamond jewelry, and her hair was left down, waving loosely about her shoulders. Yuri was wearing (to her delight) a halter dress of silver satin, falling in waves down her lower body, with navy ribbons around her neck and wrists, and hair sophisticatedly pinned up on top of her head. Shizune was dressed in a lavender silk with thin straps and complex embroidery climbing up one leg, black bands around her wrists and neck, and hair that was left down, but styled so waved over her shoulder and around one side.

Sumire was wearing a dress similar to Mikan's at the party. It was deep forest green silk, with multiple thin straps on either side that weaved together in the back. There was a thin, smooth gold chain wound a few times around her hips, cinched together on one side and hanging loosely on the other. It hugged her curves delightfully until about mid-thigh, where is gently flowed out towards the floor. The chain was complemented with a similar necklace, though only wound once, with tiny emeralds wound in, and matching dangling earrings. Her hair was pulled up in a bun with a few curly strands dropping to her shoulders on either side, its natural green highlights notable in the rich black. Small white flowers protruded from the side of her bun. Her lips were painted with a light, shiny pink, and her eyes were greatly emphasized with dark eyeliner and mascara. She wore very little blush.

Nonoko was waiting for her, looking stunning in her royal blue one shoulder satin. It was like a strapless dress, but one shoulder was covered, and the cloth cinched together when it met the corner of the body. On the back, the cloth crossed over to the opposite corner. The neckline was sprinkled with tiny silver beads that gradually faded as one's eyes traveled down. A thin, glittering silver thread rested on her hips around her waist, with a very sheer white fabric falling on one side, gradually narrowing into a curved point about mid-calf. The satin clutched at her figure until her hips, where it hung in straight, gentle folds just above the ground. Her necklace was a delicate sliver of a chain, a round, dark sapphire resting in a circlet of silver in the center. Her earrings were dots, the same as the pendant. Her hair was brushed out straight, with the sides pulled together in the back and intricately braided with silver threads woven in. Her makeup was similar to Sumire's.

Anna was standing beside Nonoko, her dress a direct contrast. It was light pink satin, strapless, tightly stretching across her bodice until just below her hips. It stretched out straight all around until it reached the floor, creating a circle with about a two foot radius. The satin was covered with a thin, sheer material, slightly lighter and not quite matching up. A line around the hips, slightly tilted, produced a skirt above the original dress, slanted more heavily the same way as the line, but curved around and ruffled like a rose petal. She was the only one wearing elbow-length white gloves. Her necklace was a ring of tiny pearls, and her earrings were dot pearls as well. Her hair was all braided and twisted into a bun at the back of her head, and pure white daisies circled it. Her lips were a little darker than Nonoko's, but she wore less eye makeup and had heavier blush.

Aoi was advising Mikan with makeup, already dressed in a white silk halter dress that opened like a corset in the front to expose lovely crimson satin underneath. Oppositely, the bottom stretched outwards similar to Anna's dress. The white silk opened loosely above in an upside down curve, gently ruffling towards the ground. The white directly next to the crimson was edged with white lace, and the top was held by crisscrossing white ribbons. Thin white ribbons pulled the sides on the dress up, and crossed on her collarbones to connect around her neck. Her necklace was a slender silver rope with a brilliant-cut ruby glittering in the center, and her bracelets and earrings were thin silver hoops. Her hair was cut short and straight, curving slightly inwards near her chin. Her lips were painted crimson, and her eye makeup was lighter than Nonoko's and Sumire's to make her younger. She also wore more blush.

Misaki's dress was a darker pink than Anna's, with a neckline that dipped into a lower point and edged with black silk, and loosely hanging shoulders that connected to the corner and hung from her shoulders to halfway down her upper arms, with slits on the outside of the arm and black ribbons cinching the tops and sides together. A black ribbon was around her empire line, winding down tightly until just above her hips and back up again to crisscross snugly over her stomach area. Below the lowest ribbon line, the silk gushed freely, trailing in the back. Her hair was straight and layered to the bottom of her shoulder blades, and she had gotten black highlights. Her neck and wrists were wrapped in black ribbon as well. She wore heavy eye makeup, and her lips were the same shade as her dress.

Hotaru's dress was deep violet velvet, with a simple halter that dropped in a low point in the back. In front, the cloth went directly from the halter to a low neckline that ended in a point at the center of the empire line. The stomach area was tightly ruffled from the empire line to the top of the hips, cinching together with a vertical silver ornament so that the ruffled made a small upside down V. Around the knees, an echoing line produced ruffles similar to Aoi's, but hanging straight down. The neckline and empire line were edged with crystals. Her hair was flowing about her shoulders, but the hairstylist had somehow managed to weave in little silver beads. Her wrists and neck had black ribbons studded with crystals, and her earrings were diamond dots. Her eye makeup was dark, and her lips were dark magenta.

Sumire barely had time to take in her friends' stunning appearances before she was whisked away by a man in a tuxedo. All of the male models were dressed in tuxes, with ties that matched a girl's dress. Koko, who was still holding her waist, had a deep green tie with thin gold stripes. Yuu was showing Nonoko his navy tie, Kitsuneme was holding his light pink one with disgust, Ruka was wondering why he and Hayate both had violet ones, Megane was trying to hide his bright pink tie from Tsubasa who had the same, Subaru and Sakurano were comparing their lavender ties, Rui was dancing around with his ice blue one, Mochu was looking for a light green dress, Kaname was fingering his silver tie, Youichi was turning nearly as red as the red on his red and white tie, and Natsume and Tono were praying a girl with a crimson dress would appear. And for those of you who noticed that there was no black tie—Yura had requested that she not have a partner because of her very possessive boyfriend who was not part of the group.

"Where's Mikan?" Sumire asked Koko.

Koko seemed rather preoccupied with keeping her away from… well, all other males on set. His eyes seemed darker than usual. "What was that?"

Sumire stopped, refusing to move any further. "Quit it, you idiot. These guys aren't going to steal me away or anything," she snapped, rolling her eyes.

Koko growled softly—extremely unusual for him—and slumped into a nearby chair, his head gingerly held in his hands. "I kind of understand Natsume now," he muttered. "When your girl looks frickin' hot, you can't help feeling insecure."

Sumire narrowed her eyes. "Are you implying that Mikan normally looks hotter than me? 'Cause Natsume-kun's pretty much always like this."

Koko used one eye to glare at her. "Of course not, but I'm not as bad as Natsume. He's always kind of—"

"I can hear you," Natsume drawled as he strolled over. "Where's Polka-dots?"

"Don't you think you're getting a little old for that name?" Sumire sighed, deciding that drooling over Natsume would NOT be good for Koko's sanity.

Koko was already glaring at Natsume, protectively placing one hand on Sumire's waist.

Natsume ignored him, and repeated, "Where's Po—"

He was cut off by loud shrieks and squeals from the entrance. They all turned, to see Mikan struggling through the crowd of girls. All of their jaws dropped.

Mikan was wearing beautifully deep, crimson satin. It was strapless, cinched together at the empire line with a black ribbon. Sheer black fabric was cinched with the satin on her bust, and the dressed deliciously hugged her figure until it began to fall in folds around her hips, and continued to follow her legs' shape down to the floor. Below the empire line, black lace hung down, ending about half a foot above the floor. The bottom of the dress flowed outwards near the floor, trailing behind her. The border was a white ribbon, a thick black band, and then white lace at the edge. Separate crimson sleeves that started below the shoulder and ended at the wrist were edged at the bottom in the same way, but with more white lace extending across the hands. A black band crossed the tops of the sleeves and the neckline. Her neck had a thick black ribbon as well, and her ears were studded with ruby tears. Her hair was twisted into a thick bun on the side of the base of her scalp, with a net studded with rubies. Her lips were crimson, and her eye makeup was heavy, with tiny crimson swirling designs on the sides of her eyes.

Sumire casually stepped on Koko's foot with her stilettos.

"YOW!" he screeched. "What the *beep* was that for?!"

She smiled sweetly at him. "To wake you up from staring at another woman."

He bitterly growled again in reply.

Sumire waltzed away.

"Natsume, Mikan looks really—" Koko froze when he saw Natsume's face. "Oh, crap." Sumire, you idiot!

----

"Why the hell are you all dressed up?" Natsume snarled at Mikan.

She looked at him coldly. "I'm a model as well."

"But you—"

"Mikan-chan!" Tono reached out to hug her, but she held his face at arms' length.

"Don't mess up the dress."

"You look like a vampire," Natsume spat angrily.

She ignored him.

"You can't even design formal clothing for males?"

She walked away, but he followed.

"I can't believe you've made it this far with your cra—"

"Let's get started!" Everyone hastily resumed their work as Mikan clacked away from a very irritated Natsume. "Everyone, we'll be starting at Set 28. Please follow me. Once we finish the entire group shots, we'll do the girls together, and then into color groups. Finally, the girls will do individual shots. We will probably only get to start the girls together today. Please cooperate with us so that we can finish quickly."

After a while of tiring but fun posing, everyone finally relaxed. They had managed to finish the girls' shots together, and tomorrow they would be doing the color groups.

"Thank you everyone!" Mikan smiled. "We got quite a bit done today. Thank you for your cooperation. Please be sure to properly stow your outfits."

After he had finished changing, Natsume leaned on his door, waiting for Ruka to come out. Suddenly, Mikan came out of the door across from him. He could only gape in astonishment, as she was dressed in a casual tank top and jeans.

"Hello, Hyuuga-san," she nodded, dropping her phone into her purse. She turned to lock the door.

Suddenly frustrated by her detachment, he continued his earlier rant. "Your designs are a lot worse than I thought."

She barely stiffened.

"I can't believe you've made it this far with those weird designs."

She turned, jaw clenched, eyes icily hard.

"I'm starting to think those articles about you sleeping with executives might be true," he smirked. "You know, I have connections as well, and I can't be worse than what's-his-face—"

SLAP.

BANG.

"I hate you."

Review!

Suggestions for this story or new ones are welcomed.

BTW, I added Yura's boyfriend after I realized that I hadn't given her a pair, and I was too lazy to switch a guy over. =1