Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 2

Clad with only just his towel, Natsume got out of the shower. He walked towards the mirror and stared at himself. His eyes lingered at the scar on his left arm for a while until he finally stared at his eyes. Crimson to crimson.

His eye brows knitted together and he walked away, noticing the faint smell of strawberries on his way out. He looked back at the bathroom one final moment and closed the door.

He changed into his clothes and walked out of his room.

Going to the living room, Natsume saw Ruka on the couch beside Sachi. When Natsume entered the room, Sachi immediately jumped off the couch and welcomed his master.

"Natsume your mom just called" Ruka stated as he watched Natsume take a seat across from him and Sachi settling by his master's right leg.

Patting Sachi's head, Natsume didn't look up. Ruka continued "She said the Hyuuga Empire celebration was on Friday, just to remind you"

Natsume grunted. He leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. "Is Aoi attending the party?"

Ruka shook his head. "Your mom didn't say" he answered before he sipped his tea. There was a moment of silence in the room.

"Are you attending the party?" Natsume asked his voice low, as if to say if you say NO I will kill you.

Nodding his head, Ruka gave a charming smile "I will, if you go and find a date" He was mocking Natsume.

Narrowing his eyes, Natsume gave Ruka a glare. "No"

Chuckling, Ruka sat up and grabbed a sandwich from the table. "Why don't you give dating a chance?" he took a bite and chewed, waiting for a reply he knew would never come. After swallowing he continued, "I mean your last one wasn't as bad as the first one right?"

Shooting Ruka an even rougher glare, Natsume stood up and pulled out Sachi's leash from the near by table. "I gave up on women a long time ago Ruka" he adjusted Sachi's leash.

Ruka gave a laugh. "But women will never give up on you"

Natsume shook his head. "You go find a date yourself, if you're that interested" a smirk appearing "And you're gonna have to attend the party whether you like it or not-"

Ruka raised a brow, Natsume continued. "-if you still want to work on your clinic."

Ruka stood up in protest "That's not fair!"

Natsume flicked his hand in the air as he head to the door "Remember, I'm rich and I can do anything I want". Before Ruka could retort back Natsume opened the door and said "Sachi and I will be back before lunch" and closed the door.

…

Youichi just finished reading his manga. He sighed and looked around. He was bored. He glanced at Nobara and quietly got out of the kitchen without anyone noticing and walked off.

He easily slid out of the employees' quarters and wandered around the hotel. Youichi passed by the hotel lobby and observed the people walking in and out of the hotel premises; he looked over at the door and saw a crowd of reporters and paparazzi barricaded by men in black suits and shades. They reminded him of some characters in a movie, shrugging, he turned away.

Youichi then strolled over to the function rooms, there was a wedding reception. Rather then peeking, Youichi walked away and headed for the elevators.

"Youichi what are you doing here?"

Youichi turned to the person and slightly inclined his head. "Uncle Narumi?"

Narumi L. Anju smiled at the little seven year old in front of him. "Why are you alone? Where's Mikan?" he asked as he walked over to him.

"I got bored at the kitchen so I sneaked out" Youichi answered easily "I'm looking for mom, but I can't find her anywhere" he finished as he looked around the hallway.

Narumi nodded in comprehension. "Do you want me to help you find her?" he offered.

Youichi shook his head. He made a once over at what Narumi was wearing. A black tux. "You're attending the reception?"

Narumi looked down at his clothes and nodded.

"Go. I'm sure they need you there" he saw the elevator doors open. "Well, see you around Uncle Narumi"

And with that, Youichi entered the elevator and watched it close as Narumi stared at him. He pressed a button to a random floor and moved back to a corner. He looked around the elevator's mirrored walls examining himself on how different he looks in different angles. When he looked up, he heard a ting and the elevator doors opened, revealing a guy with raven black hair. His jaw almost dropped.

Natsume Hyuuga was standing in front of him with a black labrador beside him. He entered the elevator with his dog and three men followed him behind.

When the door slid close, one guy wearing the same suit those guys in the lobby spoke. "Master, it is not ideal for you to stroll out of the hotel premises"

Youichi looked down at the dog and it looked back, he compelled him to pat him on the head.

Natsume barely glanced at the bodyguard "As far as I can remember as Sachi's owner I have the responsibility to walk him around the park." His voice bored and cold.

Youichi smiled and looked at the dog. "Sachi, so that's your name"

Natsume looked down at Youichi. "Yeah his name is Sachi" unexpectedly, his voice was friendly. "He's a friendly dog. May be too friendly to be exact"

He caught a glimpse of Youichi's fondness as Sachi tried to lick his face. Natsume saw the manga Youichi was holding and asked.

"You read mangas?"

Looking up Youichi nodded. "Yup"

"What are you reading now?"

He raised the manga in his hand. Youichi looked at Natsume and asked.

"You read mangas too?"

Natsume smirked and knelt down. "I have a whole collection of them at home"

Youichi's eyes grew big. "No way! You have a manga collection? That's awesome!"

He gazed at Youichi for a while, his eye unusually warm. "What's your name?"

Smiling slightly, Youichi held his hand to Natsume "Youichi Sakura" Natsume took his hand and shook it. "Natsume Hyuuga"

"Oh, I know who you are" Youichi answered smugly, patting Sachi in the process.

The elevator tinged and they all went out. "Really?" Natsume asked suspiciously. "What do you know about me then?" he raised a perfect brow, clearly challenging the young boy.

Youichi thought for a while and slid a hand inside his pocket "I know that you own the Hyuuga Empire and that you're the CEO. I know your company record and your consistent stand on social responsibility. I know that you're a probable candidate for Senatorship but you're still considering the idea since business is your priority."

One of the bodyguards looked down at Youichi.

"Are affiliated you with the press?"

Youichi looked at him incredulously, and rose an eyebrow "Mister Shades, I'm ten years old"

The other bodyguard towered over Youichi and asked suspiciously "Your parents are press people aren't they?"

Rolling his eyes Youichi answered "I only have my mom and she's upstairs, working"

That's when Natsume drew the line. "You and you" he pointedly looked at the bodyguards "Call your replacements." The two nodded their head and quickly walked off. Natsume turned to Youichi.

"Sorry about that"

Shrugging his shoulders Youichi looked cool. "Nah, it's nothing. You are pretty high profiled" he bent down again and patted Sachi.

"Well, I gotta go. I was nice meeting you Mr. Hyuuga" and started to walk away.

Natsume smirked at the kid before he could turn to a corner, "Hey, Youichi" he called and Youichi looked back. "I think Sachi wants you to walk with him around the park, you up for it?" Natsume asked, Sachi barked.

A smile appeared on Youichi's face "Yeah, I am" and he ran back to Sachi. When Natsume was handing him the leash.

"But, I have to ask permission from my mom"

Natsume looked at him for a while. "I'll come with you"

For some reason he wanted know who this kid's mother was.