Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 7

It was another stressful day. Mikan drew out a sigh and walked towards the dining room. A week has passed, since Mikan Sakura met Natsume Hyuuga. Ever since that eventful meeting, Mikan tried her best to evade any places Natsume Hyuuga can be found.

Holding her cup of coffee to her chest, Mikan watched by the door way as Youichi did his homework. The young boy had started his homework as soon as he and his mother had finished dinner and washed the dishes. Mikan smiled to herself, Youichi was growing up into a responsible young man.

Mikan's mind drifted off to the past five years. She closed her eyes and smiled, Youichi meant everything to her. The day she came back to that orphanage to legally adopt a five years old Youichi as her own was the start of a new life for her. Making a promise to herself that she will always make Youichi happy and loved. That she would give him a happy childhood.

"Mom?"

Mikan snapped out of her thoughts. Her eyes focused on the young boy looking up at her. "Yes You-chan?" Mikan asked warmly.

The boy set down his pencil and rubbed his eyes. "Could you check my homework?" He took a sip from the glass of milk perched beside his books.

Nodding her head, Mikan walked towards Youichi and sat beside him settling her cup of coffee by her left. She picked up the pencil and carefully scanned the papers one by one.

"Mom?"

"Hm?" Mikan hummed, her eyes still on the papers.

Youichi finished his glass of milk. "Tell me the truth"

Mikan furrowed her eyebrows "Okay" she answered still focused on Youichi's homework.

"Why didn't you go out with Mr. Hyuuga?"

Surprised, Mikan looked up from the papers and turned to Youichi questioningly. This topic again? She asked herself.

Youichi looked at her expectantly, innocently waiting for her to answer his question with that milk mustache on his upper lip and his eye lids half-open.

Mikan smiled at Youichi and patted his hand. "Why are you so interested with me going out with Mr. Hyuuga?" she questioned back wiping the milk mustache carefully.

Shrugging sleepily, Youichi stretched his arms on the table top and rested his head on his arms. He turned back to look at his mom with the same half-open eye lids. He gave a yawn and blinked slowly.

"I want to have a father just like him"

Then Youichi closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Mikan was shocked. She looked at her son with wide eyes. Youichi wanted to have a father. For the past five years, Mikan thought she had provided everything Youichi needed. Reality hit her hard, there was one thing she could never give Youichi: A father's love.

…

If Natsume Hyuuga had to make a list of his 'Favorite Things To Do", attending parties would never be on the list. Ever. So there he stood on the balcony beside one of the pillars, overlooking the ballroom. It was the Annual Hyuuga Empire Celebration, an event he never wanted to attend ever since. Natsume Hyuuga was never a people person.

Taking a sip from his champagne, Natsume watched as his best friend made his way though the crowd curiously looking around with another male with dirty blond hair followed him suit. Natsume watched as the Ruka pull out something from his pocket and raise it to his ear.

Natsume fished his phone from his pocket. He answered the call in the first ring and simply said,

"Look up"

Ruka looked up and so did the dirty blond. Casually leaning on the pillar, Natsume smirked as dirty blond spotted him first. He pointed excitedly at him and grabbed Ruka's arm pulling him up to the stairs up the balcony.

"Aren't you supposed to be down there entertaining guests?"

Natsume smirked. He watched his champagne glass for a minute before turning to look at his friend. "Nice to see you back Koko" Natsume greeted as he turned to his friend.

Koko smiled brightly. "It's good to be back" he stood by the railing. "I heard form Ruka you got dumped" he cheekily commented.

Natsume sent Ruka a glare; the latter shrugged it off with a smile, taking a sip from his champagne. Koko laughed and casually sat on the railing. "First time a woman dumped you"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Natsume lazily looked at Koko. "Koko, it's either you shut up or I push you down the balcony"

Ignoring the threat, Koko smiled defiantly "Did you try sending her flowers?" he asked and made a thinking position "That's how I first got to talk to Sumire Shouda"

Ruka laughed. "You're actually courting Sumire Shouda?" He asked rather unbelieving. Koko nodded with a big smile "I actually started a month ago"

Ruka stopped laughing. "Koko seriously?" The latter gave another nod now sensing his friend's distress. Ruka looked at Natsume, who just shook his head.

"Koko" Ruka started unsurely. "Did you know that Mochu is courting someone for six months now?" The latter nodded now with furrowed eye brows. "What's he got to do with this?" Koko asked cautiously.

"The one he's courting is Sumire Shouda"

There was a pause.

With a sigh, Natsume looked down at the party. His eyes caught a familiar hair color. Brunette. Focusing his eyes, Natsume blinked. It's not her Natsume told himself. The woman had shoulder length hair and looked a lot older than Mikan Sakura. Yet, Natsume kept his eyes focused on the woman. The crowd parted as she and her escort made her way to a woman clad in a regal black dress, Kaoru Hyuuga.

"No way!" Koko exclaimed.

…

Stretching tiredly, Mikan closed Youichi's door and started heading for the couch. Maybe watching a little TV could help remove her distress. When Mikan turned to grab the remote control her phone rang. Ignoring the call, Mikan sat comfortably on the couch and turned on the television. Then the door bell rang. Lazily, Mikan stood up and opened the door.

"Good Evening Mikan"

Mikan looked up to see Kazumi Yukihara lightly smiling at her, standing in front of her door way. Blinking two times, Mikan pushed past her surprise and greeted back with a hug.

"Hi Uncle Kazu!" opening the door further, she asked him to enter the apartment.

When they were both settled on the living room with tea served in front of them Mikan started. "Uncle Kazu what brought you here this late in the evening?"

Settling the tea cup down on the coffee table, Kazumi Yukihara turned to his niece. "You haven't been answering my calls for the past two days" he stated.

Looking away, Mikan coughed awkwardly "I was, kinda busy with work and stuff"

"Busy" Kazumi repeated. He took another sip from his tea and started again. "I heard you've been having trouble with bills and you stopped going to medical school."

"Uncle Kazu, you promised me you wouldn't meddle—" Mikan started in alarm.

Kazumi raised a hand to stop her. He calmly looked at Mikan and started again. "I promised you that I won't meddle with anything you do, but I did also promise Izumi that I'd look after you" He watched Mikan slump in her seat.

"I'm old enough to handle things Uncle" Mikan commented softly.

Nodding his head, Kazumi agreed with her. "Yes you are, Mikan" Mikan looked back at him. "And I am proud as to how greatly you have provided Youichi with everything he needs" He patted Mikan's shoulder "You are a great mother Mikan, your father will be so proud of you"

Mikan smiled at Kazumi. "Thank you so much Uncle Kazu"

Silence engulfed them as they drank their tea. "What about medical school?" Kazumi again started.

Sighing Mikan, looked at her cup. "I can't afford medical school right now Uncle" she confessed.

Kazumi nodded his head again. He looked at his niece. "Mikan your father left you a great fortune before he passed away" he started.

Mikan looked away quietly. "I'm saving it for Youichi's future". Kazumi looked at his niece. She was as selfless as she always was. It made him proud as he is right now. But if she continues this, Mikan won't be able to become a doctor as she always wanted.

This was a gamble but he was willing to give her this option. "Your mother," Mikan suddenly went stiff. "Has deposited a great amount in your trust fund to help you with your education even more than that"

Shaking her head angrily, Mikan defiantly answered "I will not touch that money, never" she stood up from her seat. "I will not touch that trust fund as long as I can provide for myself and my family" she repeated with finality.

There was moment of silence. Massaging her temple, Mikan turned to Kazumi "I'm sorry for the sudden out burst." She took a deep breath "Is there anything else you want to ask me Uncle Kazu?"

After a minute Kazumi answered "It is your father's fifth death anniversary on Wednesday"

Mikan stayed silent. Kazumi continued. "The company share holders are planning to throw a commemoration dinner in behalf of your father" he looked at a framed photo on the wall. "It is done with respect to your father's legacy" he added.

Mikan blinked. Without waiting for a beat Kazumi continued. "You are invited"

Taking her seat Mikan looked at Kazumi. "Uncle kazu, as thankful as I am with the board for arranging that dinner I just can't show myself in that society anymore" Mikan closed her eyes. "I don't want to see mom"

"I know Mikan," Kazumi intently looked at his niece. "That's why your mother was not invited"

Mikan looked at Kazumi. "Since they are not husband and wife anymore, I don't see why she has to be there." Kazumi stood up and fixed his coat and tie. "The board members wanted to see how you were doing; it would be rude to not attend"

Still, Mikan didn't say anything. Kazumi added. "Mikan, I am asking you to come back, just for one night. I'm sure Izumi would want you there"

Sighing Mikan tiredly looked at Kazumi, "I'll think about it, but I cant assure you anything"

With a warm smile Kazumi hugged Mikan then headed for the door. "Very well. I'll have someone send you your dress by tomorrow" he turned to Mikan "And I'll see you on Wednesday"

Shaking her head lightly Mikan smiled back at her uncle, "I said I'll think about it uncle Kazu"

…

Ruka entered his room while loosening his tie. He was exhausted from listening to Koko's rants on how unfair life was. I made him think though. Meeting Mikan after long years, may be he was given a chance to try and pursue her again? Ruka pulled out his phone from his pocket and composed a message.

Message:

Hey Mikan, still awake?

Taking off his coat, Ruka was about to send the message when he realized. He didn't have Mikan's number. He hopelessly sat down on his bed and groaned.

Natsume entered Ruka's room to see him sprawled on his bed. "You look upset" Natsume stated rather bored.

Ruka opened his eye, "Thanks for stating the obvious"

Sachi came running after Natsume and jumped on Ruka's bed. Natsume smirked and patted Sachi's head as he looked at Ruka. "So what's up?"

Ruka covered his eyes with his arm. "Remember the girl I was head over heels in love with?"

Sitting beside Ruka, Natsume grunted a reply while rolling his eyes. He looked at Sachi and Sachi looked back. Natsume raised an eye brow Same old story huh? Sachi bent his head somewhat nodding. Natsume smirked.

Ruka continued unaware of the unworded conversation between the two. "I didn't get her number"

Lady Monroe: Thank you for reading! Reviews will be well appreciated.