Since I feel like a horrible piece of shiz, I have decided that I will give you the next chapter now. I hope that all of you who have been reading this from the beginning aren't mad at me with my constant slip ups and I hope that you are still here 'enjoying' my story. Thank you.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Gakuen Alice, no matter how much I wish it were true. Even Santa can't grant this wish.

Selfless

~Chapter 5~

"Where's Polka dots?" Natsume asked Karin, another waitress at the little diner he worked in. He had seen her in school that day, but she hadn't shown up for work. Natsume was getting a little worried for her.

"Oh, she said that she has to babysit her little brother today," Karin replied, picking up the tray of food as Natsume handed it to her. She knew exactly who he was talking about, since he always called her that instead of her name.

"She has a little brother?"

"Yeah. He turned four this year. He's really cute. I can't believe she didn't tell you!"

"She never says anything about her family at school."

"Well, maybe it's because it never came up in your conversations."

Natsume nodded, heading back towards the stove. "Hn."

They have a lot to talk about when Natsume gets off of work.

Mikan sighed as she walked to the door, finally getting her brothers to calm down. And she thought she was the middle child! Her big brother could really get on her nerves sometimes. He acted so much younger than her, it was very annoying.

She answered the door, opening her eyes wearily to find someone she didn't expect to visit. "Natsume?"

"Yo," he answered, lifting a hand as if to send her a wave.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, motioning for him to come in.

He shrugged. "You weren't at work."

Mikan smiled at him sheepishly as they made their way into the living room. "Sorry. I forgot to tell you that I had to baby-sit my brothers. And I forgot to tell you I have two."

"I only heard of one." Natsume replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, my older brother came in from college to visit today. And, well, let's just say he isn't the most responsible of all of us," Mikan giggled.

Natsume looked at her, incredulous. "So they left you in charge?"

Mikan gave him an offended look. "Hey, I'm responsible!"

"And how would I believe you with the way you act in school?"

"Natsume, you've seen me in class. I work hard and only speak when I'm allowed to or to answer a question. It's only outside of a serious environment when I act like my weird, bubbly self. So get used to it," Mikan pouted and crossed her arms.

Just before Natsume was about to reply, I blue blur came and dragged Mikan away from Natsume's side. "Stay away from my little Mikan!"

Natsume raised an eyebrow. "Your?"

"That's right! No one has the right to be near my little sister unless I approve!" A man of about 20 said, holding Mikan captive in his arms.

"And me!" another boy said, this one smaller and way younger than the two siblings. He puffed out his chest, trying to look tougher than he really seemed.

Mikan laughed and got out of the man's arms falling onto her knees and scooping the little boy into her arms. Nuzzling her cheek into his, Mikan giggled, "You're so cute my little Yoyo!"

"I'm not little!" 'Yoyo' pouted, but smiled and nuzzled his sister back.

Natsume cleared his throat.

"Oh," Mikan said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly as she stood back up again. "Sorry. Natsume, these are my brothers: Tsubasa and Youichi."

Tsubasa glared at Natsume, the star beneath his left eye crinkling. Youichi looked like he wanted to do the same thing, but he was too busy enjoying the feeling of his elder sister running her fingers through his silver hair.

Natsume could see the resemblance through the siblings, although their hair and eyes were different colors; Tsubasa blue hair and eyes, Youichi silver hair and green eyes, Mikan light brown hair and golden brown eyes. At first sight, if you just paid attention to hair and eye color, you wouldn't know that they were related. But if you looked at their facial features and their structures of face, they looked pretty similar.

"Natsume here is a friend from school. He also works at the diner with me, so we're pretty close," Mikan said to her brothers, trying to make it so that Natsume got on the good side of her brothers.

"Whatever," Tsubasa said, grabbing Mikan's wrist and dragging her to the living room, Youichi right behind them.

Raising an eyebrow in amusement, Natsume trailed behind the trio and watched the siblings bicker about Natsume being here. He felt disbelief when Tsubasa sighed and nodded his head, heading into a corner and crying in its shadows.

Mikan was about to comfort him when the doorbell rang again. This time, it was probably the pizza man. Mikan looked at the boys in the living room. Making eye-contact with all three of them, she gave them a commanding look. "Behave."

With that, she grabbed her wallet and walked towards the front door, leaving an awed Natsume and two pouting brothers in her wake.

Natsume was about to take a seat on one of the couches when Tsubasa materialized right in front of him, scowling at the tall boy who was almost his height. "You'd better not be hurting her."

Natsume's eyes widened. "What? Who'd wanna do that?"

Tsubasa's eyes narrowed. "Don't act stupid. Mikan always used to be picked on and bullied. And why would a boy that seems popular with the ladies be with my little sister unless he's here to play her or tease her to no end?"

"P-popular with the ladies?" It's true that he was always surrounded by girls, but why would that make Tsubasa furious? "W-wait, she used to be bullied? Who'd in their right mind bully her? She's perfect; absolutely amazing! You'd have to be stupid not so see how beautiful she is! It makes no sense!"

For a second, Tsubasa looked surprised. And then, he smiled. Rubbing Natsume's head (which annoyed Natsume to no end), Tsubasa grinned at Natsume. "I approve. But don't think that you're home free. I still got my eye on you!"

Youichi came up to the two and wrapped his little arms around Natsume's leg, looking up at said boy with big eyes. "Be nice to Mikan-nee!"

"Tsubasa-nii!" They heard Mikan call from the doorway, her slight foot falls barely heard, "Set up the table, will you!"

"Alrighty, Kiddo!" Tsubasa laughed, leaving Natsume to assist his younger sister.

He grabbed the pizza box from Mikan- said girl muttering 'thanks'- and they both walked into the dining room. Youichi grabbed Natsume's hand and dragged him into the dining room behind the other two, showing him to one of the seats before taking one himself.

"Youichi," Mikan began, raising an eyebrow, "did you wash your hands yet?"

Youichi fiddled with his fingers. "…No…"

"Go wash your hands and I'll make you your plate, Mikan said as she dried off her own hands.

Youichi pouted but did what he was told anyway.

"You too Natsume, Nii-san. Go and wash your hands! Don't worry, the food's not going anywhere."

The older boys sighed and trailed their way to the kitchen sink, taking turns to washing their hands. And once they were finished, they sat down. Mikan placed plates with pizza on them in front of each boy. And once that was done, she got some for herself. Natsume watched her in confusion as she walked to the refrigerator and grab out a bottle of ranch dressing. And he wrinkled his nose when she placed it on the side of her plate and dipped her pizza into it and commenced her meal.

"That's gross," Natsume said, watching Mikan take a bite of her pizza.

"You haven't seen gross until you see Tsubasa-nii experimenting with his food. It's absolutely horrible!" Mikan exclaimed, feigning gaging.

"So you're saying that what you're doing isn't gross."

"Exactly."

"Prove it."

"Alright."

Mikan went into the pizza box and tore off a small slice of the peperoni pizza. Placing it on a different plate, she placed some ranch dressing on the edge and made her way to Natsume's side. She sat down in the empty seat next to him and grabbed the slice of pizza. Dipping it into the dressing, Mikan told Natsume to open his mouth.

"What?" Natsume asked nervously.

"Open your mouth, stupid. If I let you feed yourself, you'll chicken out."

"N-no I won't!"

Mikan raised an eyebrow. "Sure. And I'm the Easter bunny. Now just open your mouth and take a bite!" Mikan said, raising the slice of pizza to Natsume's lips.

A faint blush coated Natsume's cheeks as he looked awkwardly to the pizza slice and to Mikan's determined face. He sighed. He knew that she wouldn't stop until he just obeyed her and did as she told. So, he opened his mouth and allowed Mikan to feed him.

Natsume's eyes widened as he chewed. It was actually pretty good! It tasted awesome!

Mikan smirked at his reaction. "See? What'd I tell ya?"

Natsume rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. So, what, are you gonna feed me now?"

Mikan blushed when she realized what she had just done. "N-no! Feed yourself!"

And with that, Mikan dropped the pizza onto the plate and made her way back to her seat, once again eating her food. "Jerk," she muttered beneath her breath.

Natsume couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping his lips.

"We're home!" Mikan's parents called as they stepped into the house.

Natsume had stayed over after dinner, all of the kids talking and bonding, trying to get to know each other better.

"Welcome home!" Mikan chirped as she shifted Youichi in her lap. He had fallen asleep as Mikan hummed a little tune while watching the boys play video games. Who knew guys like Grand Theft Auto so much?

"We brought-… Mikan, who is this?" Her father's statement was cut off when he saw Natsume sitting in the middle of the living room, the game paused and Tsubasa's actions frozen in mid-air as he was about to ruffle Natsume's hair again.

Mikan looked at Natsume and then at her father. "Oh, this is my friend that I was talking about: Natsume. Natsume, this is my father, Izumi."

"Oh, Natsume, you're here!" Natsume's eyes widened. Was that… No, it couldn't be.. his…

"M-mom? What are you doing here?" He asked, staring wide eyed as his mother, Kaoru, and his father, Ioran, entered the room with Yuka.

"Well," Yuka began, going up to Mikan and hugging her daughter, "we saw these two out on the streets with their suit cases," she pointed to said objects, "and noticed that they had no place to stay. So we offered for them to stay with us until they could get back on their feet!"

"What?" Natsume asked, incredulous.

"Isn't it great, Natsume?" Kaoru said. "You get to stay here with your friends!"

"B-but they already did so much for us! We can't just-"

"Oh, no it's fine!" Yuka said, patting Natsume on the head. "Now, Mikan, help Tsubasa and Natsume to your room, they'll be staying in there with you. And show Mr. and Mrs. Hyuuga to the guest room, okay?"

Mikan, still a little bit stunned, nodded her head. "Okay, please… f-follow me."

Mikan did just as her mother had said, as if she were in a trance. She showed the Hyuugas where everything was and where the bathrooms closest to their rooms were (the guest room had its own bathroom) and so on. And by the time everything was settled, Mikan had learned the names of Natsume's parents and had found out a whole bunch of embarrassing stories about Natsume and vice-versa.

As Mikan put Youichi into his bed, Tsubasa and Natsume showed up at Youichi's door.

"I'm going to sleep in here," Tsubasa said. "I don't think that I'll survive the night if I'm stuck in a room with that idiot!"

"I'm not an idiot," Natsume replied coolly. "But it's obvious that you are."

"Am not!"

"Tsubasa, shut up." Mikan said and Natsume let out a snicker. "And Natsume, knock it off."

Tsubasa gave Natsume a smug look. "You two had better sort out your differences because Mom expects you two to stay in my room. So deal with it."

The boys sighed and the trio made their way back to Mikan's room. She looked at the two as she gathered her clothing. "Alright, guys. I want you two to get along and I don't want to hear any of your bickering. I'm going to shower, so when I get back, things should be exactly as they are now. Alright?"

The boys nodded and Mikan walked out of her room, trailing her way to the bathroom. And once the bathroom door closed, the two boys began a glare war.

"You're so annoying," Tsubasa growled, sitting down on the floor next to Mikan's bed.

Natsume sat on the desk's top. "You're the one who enjoys running his fingers through my hair so much."

"Shut up! You're just making it sound wrong!"

"How so?"

"You know exactly how!"

"Nope. I don't."

"You're making me sound gay!"

"You know," Natsume said, crossing his arms, "that category in discussion isn't funny. Quit trying to make me laugh. And you're the one who brought it up, so wouldn't it make you the one who is making it all sound that way?"

"Argh! You stupid idiot!" Tsubasa yelled, standing up and storming towards Mikan's door. "I'm going downstairs. Don't follow me!"

And with that, Tsubasa slammed the door behind him, stomping down the stairs. It was quiet for a little while- Natsume quickly changing into his pajamas- until he heard Youichi crying from his room.

Natsume poked his head out into the hallway. Most of the lights were off, the only ones coming from the T.V downstairs (probably Tsubasa) and the other from the bathroom where Mikan was currently in the shower. The adults had probably went to sleep.

Natsume wondered what to do. He couldn't go downstairs and tell Tsubasa about Youichi waking up; he'd just scream his winy little head off. And Mikan was still showering. He was embarrassed just thinking about going into the bathroom to tell her as she was doing so.

So, he took a deep breath and went into Youichi's room himself, telling the young child that he was there and he had nothing to be afraid of.

"Hey, Youichi," Natsume whispered, sitting on the edge of his bed. "What's wrong?"

Youichi sniffled as he sat up and wiped the tears from his eyes. "I had a bad dream."

"Oh," Natsume had a lot of experience with those. "Well, it wasn't real. So you don't have to worry…. What was the dream about?"

"Onee- tan," Youichi sniffled. "She was smiling and then she went away. I didn't see her. And no matter where I runned, I diddent find her."

Natsume couldn't keep the smallest of smiles off his face. It was kind of cute the way Youichi didn't know how to use correct grammar in his sentences. It made Natsume wonder how he himself was like when he was younger.

Natsume sighed and gave Youichi a reassuring smile and pat on the head. "Don't worry. Your Onee-san won't leave you. She'll always be there whenever you need her. I'm sure of it."

Youichi looked up at Natsume with hopeful eyes. "Reawy?"

Natsume grinned and ruffled the kid's hair again. "Yeah, really."

"What's going on in here?" the two boys turned towards the voice.

"Mikan-nee!" Youichi cheered as he leaped out of his bed and into his sister's awaiting arms.

"Hey, Yoyo, what happened to sleeping?" Mikan asked as she carried him towards his bed where Natsume was.

"He had a nightmare," Natsume said for Youichi, getting off of his 'seat' and helping Mikan tuck Youichi in.

"Aw, it's alright, Youichi," Mikan said, speaking in a gentle voice and giving him a sweet smile. "You don't have to be afraid. Big sister will be here with you whenever you need her."

Youichi smiled and nodded sleepily as Mikan pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Natsume and I are going to sleep now, too, okay?" Mikan said.

Youichi nodded and closed his eyes, instantly drifting off into dreamland.

Silently, the two of them made their way out of the room and shut the door behind them quietly. Without speaking a word, they went into Mikan's room and shut that door too.

"So, what happened with you and Tsubasa- nii?" Mikan asked, going towards her bed to sit on it.

"Well, we had a little spat and he decided to cool off by destroying his mind with television," Natsume replied, sitting next to Mikan.

"Hm," Mikan hummed. She looked up at the ceiling and then out of her window and at the darkened street. Natsume marveled at how the stars twinkled in her bright eyes. "It sounds like you two would do that."

Natsume nodded, in a some-what trance. "Yeah."

Mikan turned her head towards Natsume and sent him a smile. "Well, it's late. We should get some sleep."

"Really?" He asked. "How late?"

Mikan pointed to her alarm clock that read 11:23. "Oh," Natsume muttered. "Yeah, that's pretty late."

Natsume stood up and looked at Mikan who was still sitting on the bed. "So where am I sleeping tonight?"

Mikan looked around her room, humming a question to herself. "It'd be rude to make you sleep on the floor, wouldn't it?"

"Oh, I don't mind," Natsume said. "I've slept on worse."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

There was a silence between them as they had a little staring contest. Mikan sighed and broke their eye contact first. "I guess I'll need to get you some extra pillows, huh?"

Natsume nodded. "That'd be nice."

Mikan left the room and came back with a pile of pillows that she had gotten from the closet in the hallway.

"Here," she said, handing them to Natsume. "You can use as many as you want."

Natsume nodded, taking a few and placing them where he'd rest his head (near the head of Mikan's bed). "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Mikan turned off the lights and laid down in her bed, laying on her side so that she could still look at and talk with Natsume.

"Hey, Natsume?" she whispered.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking up at her and staring at her eyes. They were still so bright in the dark.

"What do you think it's gonna be like from now on?" she asked. "You know, with you and your parents living with us?"

Natsume shrugged, his movement still visible thanks to the light of the moon seeping through the blinds. "It's definitely gonna be different."

Mikan sighed. "Yeah, you could say that again."

"I just hope that I don't have to sleep on the ground for the rest of the time that we stay here."

Mikan looked him in the eyes. "I asked you if you didn't mind sleeping on the ground."

"Yeah, and I don't."

Sighing, Mikan scooted a little farther into her bed. "Get up here."

Natsume gave her a confused look, propping himself up with his elbows. "What?"

"I said, 'get up here'. You can sleep up here tonight. I really don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

Slowly, Natsume stood up. Looking down at Mikan's small figure huddled in blankets, he asked, "Are you sure?"

Mikan was thankful that the shadows were able to hide her blush. "Yeah. Now get in here before I change my mind."

Natsume stood there for a second before nodding. He slowly climbed into the bed next to her, feeling their bodies slightly brushing in the small, twin sized bed she had. He tried his best not to lose control and just pull her into an embrace and never let go. He succeeded, but it wasn't that easy. After all, the feeling was pretty strong.

"You know," Mikan whispered after a moment's silence, "I think things will be pretty fun."

Natsume sighed. "Yeah. Me too."

And again it was quiet. This time, Natsume broke the silence.

"Polka dots?"

Mikan slapped Natsume on the arm. "You freaking jerk! Why'd you have to call me that? We were finally getting along!"

Natsume raised an eyebrow. "Finally?"

"Yes, finally! It was the first time you didn't annoy me at all in any conversation!"

Natsume was silent for a while before he spoke. "Then what can I call you?"

Mikan was stumped. That question again, huh? "Just call me Mikan."

"But everyone calls you that. I want to give you a special name that no one else can call you except for me."

Mikan blushed. She hoped he couldn't see the red on her face in the dark. "Calling a person by their name… that's the most unique thing to call them. A person's name gives them personality, spunk. It gives the person the last bit of 'umph' to complete them as a person. Besides, it's not the name people use; it's how they say it. The way someone says another's name… it tells people just how close they are to each other. You know what I'm saying?"

Natsume was quiet for a little, processing the words Mikan had just said. In a way, she was right. People around school said his name differently. Meer acquaintances just muttered his name without any warmth added. Friends had more warmth and enthusiasm. Close friends had joy and personality mixed in with that warmth. And Mikan… the way she said his name was like the sweetest honey to him. He adored the way she said his name, and it always made his heart beat faster whenever she called out his name with her song-like voice.

Natsume wrapped his arms around Mikan's waist, stealing a gasp from her lips. "Fine," he whispered in her ear, causing her to turn her body towards his and him to her. "Good night… Mikan."

The first time he said her name, and it sent her heart into a marathon and butterflies to attack her tummy. The way he had said it was beautiful. She'd do anything for her name to pass through those lips again. She blushed, just thinking about the tone he used as he had spoken the short phrase into her ear. Sighing contently, she shut her eyes softly, letting sleep begin to take over her. And by the feeling of Natsume's grip around her waist, she'd have to say he was falling asleep as well.

"Good night… Natsume," she whispered, falling asleep not before wrapping her arms around Natsume's neck and entangling her hands into his silky hair.

And their consciousness-es were lost in the realm of dreams.

~Chapter 5 End~

Longest chapter yet! Over Three thousand seven hundred ninety words! Amazing, ne? XD Hopefully, I can make chapters this long. And I hope that this has made up for my epic dumbness. Does it? If it does, please drop a review to tell me what you think!

And speaking of reviews, you all know what time it is! :D

It's my I'm thankful speech! Now, here's a thanks to all those who have reviewed for chapter four, slip up chapter four, and for those who have added me to their faves/alerts although I showed stupid authoress-ness. And those people are…

xxliyoraxx

.xXx

pikacheery14

12star98na- thanks for telling. Srry…

Ummmm- thanks for letting me know.

Syao Blossoms- sorry I didn't notice until a while later.

NotBeing Mean here- Sorry.

Mizuki Shin- Haha! Yeah, wrong story! My sincerest apologies! But I'm glad you liked it! :D

XxpuffpuffxX- Haha! Sorry!

Now, for the real story's reviews…

Papaya1212- I'm glad you like!

L1ttle Miss Dreamer- Thank you! I'm glad you like it! And thank you! I'll need it.

Mizuki Shin (again)- Thanks for reviewing again! I appreciate it! And I hope that you continue to enjoy my writing! Thanks!

natsumexmikanforever- I'm glad you like it! Aww, you've got me blushing, reading your review. I'm glad that I'm doing this correctly! :D I hope I don't disappoint you further on with the development with the story. And I hope you enjoy! Oh, and if you have any ideas on making a better summary (cause I know it sucks), please do tell.

OoO-Ahsee-OoO- Haha! Soooo Natsume! XD Yeah, I always knew Persona was a good guy at heart! Makes me happy! Thanks for the review!

Well, that's it. I hope you all like it! Please put in a review and tell me how I'm doing! And I'll make sure to try and make the next chapter just as long as this one!

Now, REVIEW! Please?

~xXPaingingRealityXx logging off! :D