DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Gakuen Alice! The only thing I own here is the plot line and characters that I have made up and/or based on my life's situations.
Selfless
~Chapter 8~
"What the hell are we doing?" Natsume grumbled, dressed in jeans and his winter coat and accessorized with a scarf, hat and gloves as he walked out into the dimly lit streets.
"I already told you," Mikan said, wearing the same outfit with different colors and styles to it. "We're going to get a Christmas tree!"
Natsume went into the back of the van with Mikan right behind him. "At five in the morning?"
"Well, do you want to get a good one?"
Natsume sighed, "Yeah."
"Well, we have to," Mikan said. "It's Christmas eve! We have to get and decorate our tree today! It's tradition!"
"Why so last minute? Why not yesterday?"
"Because," she replied as the rest of their families came into the van as well, "I'd be way too tired and grouchy since that Christmas performance is yearly."
Natsume hummed in understanding. She did seem out of it yesterday. And everyone was extra careful with their crazy antics. It was as if they thought Mikan was a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any given point. The only person that ever went near her was he himself. Maybe that was why everyone just laid off of her.
"You guys ready to go?" Mikan's dad, Izumi, asked cheerfully.
"Yeah!" Was Mikan and Youichi's enthusiastic reply as the group started out, singing to songs on the radio.
Natsume sighed. "This is going to be a long trip."
This earned him a snicker from the group of people riding in the car with him.
"Mikan, Natsume, you grab one too!" Izumi said as they began walking in the early morning sun.
Mikan nodded, leading Natsume towards a bucket that held special saws to cut down Christmas Trees with. The both of them got one and trailed behind their group.
"What are we doing now?" Natsume asked, looking around himself in wonder.
"Looking for a Christmas tree," Mikan grinned.
He gaped at her. "We're going to cut it down ourselves?"
"Yeah!" Mikan replied. "This is our tradition! We go to this Christmas tree farm, look for our perfect tree, and then cut it down ourselves. It's really fun!"
Natsume couldn't contain the smile on his lips. "Sounds like it."
"It is," Mikan sighed, remembering past Christmas eves. "You should have seen us the first time we did this when I was five. I still remember the whole thing, surprisingly."
"Got a good memory, eh?"
"Hm. Yeah."
They walked quietly for a while, listening to the adults converse and Youichi point out different trees in giddy anticipation. And then, Natsume decided to speak.
"Do you think they'll let us go off and look at other trees?"
Mikan nodded. "We just have to tell them and hand your parents the saws."
Natsume nodded. "Then let's do it."
The two of them did as they were told and started off a different lane. They looked around them, trying to remember paths as to keep themselves from getting lost in the forest of Christmas Trees. Mikan pointed toward a dirt path, her finger carefully following a carriage going down it.
"Natsume, we're going to jump on it!"
"What?" Natsume looked at her as if she were crazy.
"It's free anyways. And they didn't mind it the other times I did it years ago. I'm sure we can," Mikan said, running towards the slowly moving carriage.
"You're nuts!"
Mikan turned to Natsume and grinned. "Maybe."
She grabbed hold of Natsume's hand and began running once more, Natsume struggling to keep up. Soon, they had caught up with the carriage, the man driving it motioning for the two to hop on.
"Ready? We're gonna pour on the speed and jump," Mikan panted.
"Y-yeah," Natsume replied, getting ready for her signal.
"Okay, ready? Go!"
They sprinted full on, running as fast as they could. And they both jumped onto the carriage at the same time, holding onto each other and panting all the while, trying to catch their breath. The people who were riding the carriage already were clapping and laughing at the display before them, adults talking about being young and in love. Mikan and Natsume blushed at those comments. But they brushed them off like they always did. What else could they do?
Once the two of them had caught their breath, they sat down on one of the free benches near the back. Mikan leaned her head on Natsume's shoulder as she closed her eyes, grinning. "Well, that was fun, wasn't it?"
Natsume shook his head in amusement. "You're nuts."
"You know it!" Mikan laughed, lacing her fingers in his.
Natsume gripped her hand and leaned his head on top of hers, closing his eyes as well. It felt nice just sitting like this. He could feel her warmth, hear her breathe, smell the scent of her favorite strawberry shampoo. It was like he was in heaven. He completely ignored all the giggles and coos given to them by total strangers and just relished in the complete calm between the two of them. He wouldn't mind staying like this forever.
The carriage ride ended all too quickly.
As the driver began getting the other passengers off, Natsume lifted his head from a blushing Mikan's. "We have to go too."
"I know," Mikan pouted. "I'm not stupid."
Natsume sighed, looking up at the sky as he stood. "I wish the ride would have lasted a little longer. It felt nice like that…"
Mikan blushed even more than before. "Come on, let's look for a tree."
Natsume nodded, helping the girl off of the carriage along with him. As the two walked around the farm, they pointed out possible candidates for their tree. As they got farther to the back, the trees looked better and better. And finally, at the very back, Natsume and Mikan stopped to stare at a beautiful one, it towering above them.
"That's the one," Mikan breathed.
"Perfect," Natsume whispered.
Mikan smiled at Natsume. "I'll call them up."
She got her cell phone out of her pocket, hitting speed dial to get to her parents' phone. She spoke with them for a little, giving the pair of adults directions as to where they were at. And after that, Mikan slipped her phone back into her jacket, leaning against Natsume in an intimate gesture. Natsume wrapped his arm around her waist, leaning his head on top of hers.
"It's cold," Mikan's teeth chattered.
It was then that Natsume found Mikan was shivering. He pulled her into a hug, her arms curling around his torso.
"Better?" he asked.
Mikan blushed. "Yeah, thanks."
They stood like that for a few minutes, waiting for the others to show up. And when they did, they turned and gave them a welcoming nod. The group said nothing about their position; just smirked.
"This is it, right?" Izumi said, observing the tree. "It's perfect! We'll get this one!"
"Let's get to work then!" Yuka said, Kaoru and Ioran making their way through.
They began cutting the tree, Youichi cheering and Mikan video-taping them from Natsume's arms. They laughed at how they were challenged to do their task, waiting for the parents to give up and let the teens try. But, they didn't. Natsume had an inkling as to why they didn't want he or Mikan to help. He couldn't help but smile in appreciation towards them.
Soon, the tree fell down, the group of people cheering and laughing all the way. Now, the next step was to get it all the way to the front… and they were in the back.
"Now what?" Natsume asked.
"Don't worry, there's a truck coming around. They'll drive the tree up," Mikan replied, smiling up at him.
Natsume struggled to keep the red off of his cheeks. Her smile was a dangerous weapon.
And just as Mikan had said that, the car came over to them, a couple of strong looking workers coming out and helping the adults with the tree, and settling it on the truck's bed. And then, the families began following it. Natsume scooped Mikan up, carrying her in a 'bridal position'.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Mikan exclaimed, blushing red.
"I'm carrying you."
"I said I was cold! Not tired! Hey, put me down!" Mikan struggled in his grip.
"But don't you feel warm right now?" Natsume asked, continuing to walk behind their families. "Tell me, and be honest."
Mikan calmed down, stopping her struggles enough to feel the warmth emanating from Natsume's body. She blushed as she cuddled more into Natsume's chest.
He smirked. "Thought so. Now let me carry you."
"But you'll get tired carrying me," Mikan said quietly.
"You're as light as a feather," Natsume smiled down at her, making her cheeks burn.
The rest of the walk, they didn't say a word, Natsume not letting her down even after they got to the front. He carried her to the car, just as he had done on the night of her performance after she collapsed from exhaustion. And he didn't even wink an eyelash when they were showered with attention from the weird adults that just love to act pedophilic and watch 'kids in love'.
Couldn't they see it was a one sided thing?
Natsume sighed at that thought. It was sad but true. Oh, how he wished it wasn't one sided. He'd be the happiest man on Earth.
The tree was up in the living room, waiting to be decorated by the families that were present. It stood tall and proud as if it were observing its surroundings, admiring the home that it was placed in. Natsume stood staring at it in awe, watching as the light reflected on its miniscule leaves. The decorations were soon brought in.
"Alrighty," Izumi said as he placed the box down in front of the tree (which was placed in the 'best' corner of the living room). "Let's get the decorations out and start hanging them up!"
Natsume carefully looked at each decoration, watching each one glint in the light of the fire. They were beautiful, the reds, silvers, greens and golds. They were the most elegant things he has ever seen… well, except for Mikan. Other than that, he was new to all of the Christmas decorations.
"What are you doing just standing around?" Mikan asked, carefully picking up a few ornaments.
"I-I"
"And don't say that you don't know what to do."
For once, Natsume had no idea what to say.
Mikan giggled. "Just pick up whichever ones you want to hang, and pick a spot on the tree to put it. But we have to make sure they aren't all bunched up in one place or obscuring the lights my Dad put up."
"Hn," Natsume grunted, picking up an intricate looking snowflake along with a golden carriage.
Mikan smiled and the both of them walked over towards the tree, looking over at all the things that were already hung. Mikan took the lead and put her ornaments wherever she thought best. Natsume followed her, trying to do the same as she was, except with different ornaments and places. They laughed together as they spotted embarrassing home-made creations that Mikan had made years ago. To her, they looked stupid. But, Natsume always insisted that they were the most adorable things he'd ever laid his eyes on… other than her. And those comments never ceased to make her blush.
Soon, all the decorations were put up and the group was admiring the tree. "Don't forget the snow!" Yuka said as she gave a handful of white glitter to everyone.
Youichi was the first to throw his 'snow' on the tree, laughing the whole way through. The others followed, laughing and smiling as they threw their share both on the tree, and each other.
Natsume never had so much fun in his life.
As soon as everything was over and everyone had calmed down, they all stood back to admire the tree. Their eyes laid upon it, taking up every shadow and shimmer of light that was refracted from its stance. Natsume was mesmerized. He didn't know that people could do something so wonderful, but have fun doing so at the same time. He was impressed.
"So, what do you think?" he heard Mikan ask him as she moved to his side.
He was silent for a moment, before he spoke out the only word he was able to: "Wow."
Mikan chuckled beneath her breath. "Yeah, I know. One of the most beautiful yet."
Natsume looked down to Mikan, only to find her smiling up to him with the sweetest smile he'd ever seen. He couldn't keep the smile from his lips, the corners of his mouth twitching up in happiness and joy. The two collapsed on the couch, looking up at the tree towering above them.
"Well, don't get tired yet," Yuka said, heading towards the stairs with Youichi. "We still have that party to go to!"
Natsume raised an eyebrow. "Party?"
"Mhm!" Mikan hummed. "We have this yearly get-together for our family one of the towns us Sakuras reside in. We rent out halls and stuff. It's always formal because there are usually some important people invited. I have idea why, but, there is."
"I'm coming too?" Natsume asked.
"Yeah, we can invite anyone," Mikan replied. "One guest per person."
Natsume nodded. "Right."
"Tsubasa-nii is going to be there," Mikan grinned, standing up and leading Natsume up the stairs. "You'd better be prepared."
Natsume groaned. "I hope that I'm mentally prepared for that."
Mikan laughed. "That's really messed up!"
"I'll take the room, you the bathroom."
"Alright," Mikan said. "Your parents have your clothes."
And with that, Mikan went to her parents' room as Natsume went to his.
Natsume was grumpy. His parent had practically dragged Natsume away from the Sakura household because they wanted Mikan's dress to be a complete surprise. And what sucked was that so did the Sakuras. He and his family had left the house way before the others so that they could get to the party before them and surprise the crap out of Natsume.
Now, they were standing outside of a ridiculously large mansion and waiting for their friends as limos and cars pulled up the drive and left just as they had come. Natsume was becoming impatient. It didn't take that long to get ready, did it?
Natsume noticed a very familiar car come up the driveway behind a long limo, waiting for the people to leave the driveway so that they could finally have their entrance. But it looked as if the person in the limo was taking their sweet time. Natsume scowled. That familiar car was Mikan's. And he had to wait for these twits to move before he would be able to see Mikan in all her extravagant glory. Why was the universe trying to torture him?
The family finally got out of the limo; but not without the slutty, strawberry blond sending Natsume a flirtatious (disgusting) wink (twitch). He let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding when they were gone. He definitely didn't want to run into that slut again.
His eyes made their way to Mikan's car, the butlers opening up the doors and allowing the family to get out. First came Izumi, then Yuka, Youichi after that. And finally, the last door was opened so that Mikan could step out.
Natsume gulped when he saw a beautifully adorned foot step out of the car, heel clacking against the cement. And then, there was another boot covered foot. Soon, the whole of her legs were visible. And then, out stepped Mikan, dressed in the most… amazing thing Natsume had ever seen. The dress was red in color, matching his tie. And then, it was as if it were 'Santa Clause style' with the white fuzz on the neckline and hem, black leather belt with a giant golden buckle, and the sleeves adorning said white fuzz on its end. The dress was off the shoulder, hugging her shoulders to stay in place. The skirt flowed, ending at mid-thigh. She wore a red scarf wrapped around her neck and black, thigh high leather boots with little golden buckles on the outsides of them. Light make-up accentuated her face and her hair was curled expertly. She was like an angel.
Well, at least he thought so.
Natsume fought the blush that was beginning to coat his cheeks as Mikan made her way to him.
"I hate make up," she sheepishly smiled at him.
Natsume smiled, his blush getting the best of him. "You look beautiful."
Mikan blushed as Natsume offered her his arm. She graciously accepted his arm as he escorted her into the mansion, the rest of their group watching with amused looks.
Once they stepped into the hall, Natsume found himself breathless. Everything was intricately designed and beautifully created. It looked as if this place had cost thousands of dollars. There was an enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the dome ceiling, little lights reflecting off of their bodies and hanging from gold suspenders. The whole room was a crème color, the tables placed beautifully with white table cloths and red roses in vases on top. Plates were set with their reserve cards placed in front of each. And there were lots of people there. They were all dressed up in fancy clothing- gowns and tuxes. He was suddenly happy that his parents had gotten him his annoying tux.
"Amazing, right?" Mikan asked, looking around the room in awe as well. "It's always something huge and different. No one wants to be out shined in our family. So, they do crazy things like this."
Natsume looked down at Mikan. "So, you're saying that your family is rich?"
Mikan blushed, looking down sheepishly. "Well… yeah. My Dad is the head of the Sakura Industries and all the Sakuras have at least one branch being managed by them. All the children will inherit a part of it someday.
"You too?"
Mikan nodded. "Me too."
Natsume let out a breath. That was amazing. He had no idea that the Sakuras were rich; not with the modest way Mikan and her family was living. He only thought that they were just well off.
"Do the others know about this?" Natsume asked her as they made their way to their table, the waiter leading them.
"No," she answered. "Unfortunately not. I don't think that I'll ever tell them. Well, unless I have to."
"Why?" Natsume asked, pulling out Mikan's chair for her.
"To keep them safe," she said, sitting down in her chair and giving him a thank you smile. "There are other companies that would do anything to take us down. And by anything, I really mean anything."
"I'm guessing that's serious," Natsume sat down as gracefully as he could.
"It is."
"Hn."
Soon, they were called to attention and all people looked towards the front of the room. And they were welcomed by Izumi, the speech starting with a huge hit.
Natsume pulled Mikan towards the stairwell that he had seen earlier as he had led her to the dance floor for the waltz. It was wide and elegant, made of marble just as the rest of the floor was. The two of them climbed up half way and sat in the middle of it.
"How long does this last?" Natsume asked.
"Usually, there's a final speech at midnight and then everyone leaves." Mikan answered him, looking down at all of the dancing people from the dim staircase.
"What time is it?"
The two of them looked at the grand clock centered in the room. It read 11:50. "Ten minutes to go," Natsume uttered.
"I'm so tired!" Mikan groaned, stretching her arms above her head. "I just want to sleep!"
"I second that," Natsume chuckled.
It was silent for a couple of minutes before Mikan decided to speak. "Ne, Natsume?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you see those mistle-toes placed all over the room?"
Natsume looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "I've never seen one, remember?"
"I know. But we all know that they hang from the ceiling!" Mikan grinned.
Natsume smirked. "Whoever spots the most mistle-toes wins."
"You're on!"
Mikan and Natsume looked around the room, pointing out the odd plants hanging from the ceiling. Finally, Natsume knew what they looked like. He could easily steer clear of them when crazy girls chased him around Christmas time.
The two of them laughed as they called the same one at the same time, 'jinx'-ing each other over and over until they couldn't breathe. They gave up on that one and went on to the other ones.
Natsume fell onto his back, laughing harder than he ever did. He listened as Mikan's laughter chimed along with his, liking the sound of it. He caught his breath, finally opening his eyes. And when he did, he froze. He stared up at the thing that was hanging up on the ceiling in amazement.
"N-Natsume," Mikan said, looking at him with an eyebrow raised. "What are you looking at?"
He said nothing, only pointing up at the object that currently held his attention. Mikan looked up and her eyes widened in surprise. It was the object in which they were having a game about. And it hung right above them.
Hanging innocently from the ceiling was a beautifully grown mistle-toe.
~Chapter 8 End~
Sorry if I spelled mistle-toe wrong. I have no idea how it is written! Gosh, and I keep on saying that I used to be on the spelling team. XD
Anywho, sorry for the late update! I'm a busy girl... I joined the swim team. It's so much fun but so much work! o.o And I have practice monday through friday from 3 to 5:30. So, I have less time to work on my stories. Sorry! :(
But thank you all for waiting and I really appreciate your reviews! They make me happy! :)
So, please, REVIEW for the next chapter! :D
~xXPaintingRealityXx logging off!