Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 5

The rest of the morning stroll passed by with both Natsume and Mikan lightly conversing with each other, there were petty arguments here and there, but surprisingly, Natsume found himself admiring her; he never saw it coming but he admired her and her sense of honest opinion.

She stands with what she believes in and fights for what she know is right.

He enjoyed spending time with her: Natsume found it rather pleasing, he never had any conversations like this ever since his sister left for Europe and never expected to have one with a woman such as Mikan.

Sometime during their talk, Mikan took off her sunglasses and that gave Natsume the opportunity to see her eyes better. It was after, that Natsume became conscious of the fact that he much preferred to see her eyes than to have her hide them back behind those ridiculously large sunglasses.

Watching her smile and hearing her laughter. Also made him realize that he was drawn to a woman he met in just met a few moments ago.

For now comfortable silence enveloped the two as they watched a joyful Youichi play fetch with an ecstatic Sachi not far from them.

"Youichi…" Natsume started with Mikan turning to him with a curious look. "Youichi is a bright kid;" he focused his eyes on the boy "he's different from any other kids"

From his peripheral vision, Natsume saw Mikan smile, a thoughtful expression on her face as she too looked at her son. "I love Youichi and," she glanced at Natsume.

"If it wasn't because of you," she continued. "Youichi would never be like how he is right now"

Natsume looked at her quite surprised. "Me? What did I contribute in his up bringing?" he asked her skeptically.

A sad smile appeared on Mikan's face "Youichi was bullied because he was always reserved and indifferent…But the truth is Youichi…" There was a pause and Natsume waited.

There seemed to be a debate in Mikan's mind, but before Natsume could further understand the situation. Mikan changed the topic "One time they were assigned to read an article about a public figure so he read an article about you on the newspaper, and I don't know, one day while we were having dinner he said he wanted to be just like you" Her warm right hand lightly enclosed his left. As surprised by her touch, he couldn't manage to create a straight face.

"Thank you"

That smile, her touch and the sincerity in her voice. Natsume felt an unfamiliar feeling stir inside him. He stared at her for a while until he felt her hand move away and her smile directed to another person.

Youichi just came back with Sachi.

"Mom! Did you see that catch? Did you see it!" Youichi looked thrilled. Mikan smiled at him and nodded her head. As much as Natsume liked Youichi, he just wished he hadn't come back yet.

…

The four of them started to walk again, Youichi and Sachi a meter ahead while Natsume and Mikan followed suit. Comfortable silence and the feeling of their arms brushing against each other was something they both didn't complain about.

When Mikan heard a snap shot from a near by bush. She stopped and Natsume did the same. He watched her as she discreetly glance back at the bush.

A man holding a camera was behind it, failing to hide properly. He raised his camera again and Mikan gasp turning back around just in time to block herself from the shot. She again wore the sunglasses and quickly walked pass Natsume and towards Youichi.

Natsume glared and signaled his bodyguards to grab hold of the man. When the man was caught and pulled away, Natsume caught up where Mikan was; he was disappointed to see her wearing her sunglasses again.

"Sorry about that," He took a step near Mikan and she took three steps back taking Youichi with her. He noticed her action "Is there any prob—" before he could finish his question Mikan cut him off.

"It's about time for me and Youichi to go back" Mikan informed Natsume while warily looking at her watch.

"Mom it's still too early" Youichi butted in, a pout clear on his face. Mikan shook her head. "No You-chan, I'm sorry but I still have some work to do and you know that" her voice was sweet and apologetic.

Natsume narrowed his eyes; he didn't want them to leave too soon. "I agree with Youichi, I at least owe you both lunch"

Mikan shook her head stubbornly. "I'm really sorry, we can't Mr. Hyuuga" his eye twitched at the change of name, "I have to attend to things right now and I can't leave Youichi here alone" she took Sachi's leash and handed it to Natsume, their hands momentarily touching.

"You could leave me with him" Youichi hopefully suggested "I mean you two are friends now right Mom?"

Natsume looked at her expectantly only she looked back at him offering an apologetic smile "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Hyuuga"

Before both had the chance to turn their backs on him, in alarm Natsume motioned forward and caught Mikan's hand. An action that surprised Natsume himself.

And before he could stop himself, "Could we at least schedule a time where we could both have dinner?"

Mikan looked up at him surprised. Did he just say, what I think he said? Youichi had a knowing smile on his face. Mikan opened her mouth and closed it again. She didn't know what to say.

"Would tomorrow night, 7pm, be alright with you?" Natsume asked again rather hopeful.

Mikan seemed to contemplate on the offer. She closed her eyes, it seemed like she was gonna say yes, but Natsume didn't expected what happened next.

She pulled her hand away and started to take a few steps back. "Tomorrow is a Sunday, I'm really sorry but I can't. I'm busy." she gave him an apologetic smile.

Up to this point, Natsume can't understand what he is doing anymore. Natsume walked up to Mikan's side and blocked their way, Youichi gladly stopped his tracks. "Like you said, it's a Sunday, are you sure you're busy that you can't or you just won't? Can't you cancel it? It is a Sunday, right?"

Mikan looked at Youichi and he looked back at her, he was giving her an encouraging look. Mikan looked upward and inwardly groaned, she wanted to say yes, but she knew this was wrong in so many ways.

She sighed and looked away avoiding eye contact. "Things are complicated right now…" She said glancing back at her watch "We have to leave, let's go Youichi. We have to go. Thank you for the lovely walk Mr. Hyuuga. Have a great day"

Mikan briskly walked away patting her left chest to calm herself down. You did the right thing Mikan, it's the right thing Natsume's words affected her heart too much. Natsume on the other hand looked at where Mikan left, though a stoic face showed once again, a feeling of disappointment was washing over him.

What did I just do? He asked himself.

…

"Natsume" Ruka greeted from the couch, "How was your walk in the park?"

Natsume dropped beside Ruka and released a deep breath. He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. Ruka raised a brow at his friend's action and offered a can of coke.

"What happened?"

Sachi barked and settled below Ruka's feet. Keiji closed the suite door and walked towards the living room.

"Keiji, will you please enlighten me as to why my best mate is like this?" Ruka asked as he patted Sachi's head.

With a light laugh Keiji looked at Natsume then to Ruka. "Master Natsume was, how you say, 'dumped' by this very amazing lady in the executive suite below."

Ruka turned to his friend, stunned. "You were dumped?"

Natsume glared at Ruka. "And you said you gave up on women…ha"

Ruka gave a laugh and patted his friend "She's interesting. I'd like to meet her" he looked at his friend a smile on his lips "A woman who resisted your charms" He looked at Keiji "I can't believe it!"

Natsume brushed Ruka's hand away and stared at the window. He ran a hand through his face and took a swig of his coke. Sulking.

…

"Natsume Hyuuga asked you out on a date" Anna stated.

Mikan took a bite from her sandwich and nodded her head slowly then corrected the statement "Dinner, not a date"

"And you declined" Anna continued in a low voice.

Mikan nodded her head again while sipping from her bottled water.

PAK!

"Ouch! What was that for?" Mikan cried as she pulled herself up from the floor.

"That was for being an idiot"

She looked at Anna who was comfortably sitting on her chair with both her hands raised innocently. "I wasn't me"

Mikan turned around, rubbing the sore bump behind her head. "Hotaru!" she called out angrily "Is that a way to greet your best friend?"

"What's this I heard that Natsume Hyuuga asked you out on a date?" Hotaru took Mikan's seat and stared at her best friend.

"Aren't you suppose to be in a business meeting in Switzerland?" Mikan asked and Hotaru just stared at her nonchalantly.

Clearing her throat, "It was dinner, not a date" Mikan clarified as she grabbed a new seat.

"It's the same idiot" Hotaru retaliated as she took Mikan's sandwich.

"Tell me everything"

It was a command Mikan knew she should not turn down. Sitting down on her chair Mikan took a deep breath and started from the top.

Lady Monroe: What do you guys think?... :)