Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 8

Mikan closed her eyes and tried to calm her nerves. This cannot be happening. She told herself. After leaving the high society life for five years, she will be coming back tonight. Just for tonight, Mikan Yukihara will come back.

As the big oak doors opened, Mikan nervously walked inside the dinner hall. All eyes were set on her. She raised her head and walk with poise. As confident as she may look, Mikan wasn't used to these kinds of events the same as before.

She released a bottled up breath. "This is gonna be one hell of a night Mikan" she told herself as she watched her father's business partners make their way towards her. "Yup, one hell of a night"

Smiling at each and every one of them, Mikan greeted them warmly with a hand shake.

…

Natsume was lazily looking around the dinner hall. Every businessman in the high society was all gathered here. With each and every one of them trying to get on his good side most especially on the good side of the Yukihara family.

As much as he wanted to bail on the dinner, he can't since this dinner was thrown in honor of Izumi Yukihara's legacy. Natsume had enough compassion to pay respects for the late Yukihara.

For other businessmen letting this business opportunity go was not a wise move. The Yukihara Group of Companies was one of the front runners in the business scene along side the Hyuuga Empire. In short, creating a good relationship with the Yukihara family is a good business move.

The first step is to engage in a friendly conversation with Kazumi Yukihara. If they could establish an even stronger friendship with any member of the Yukihara family, the future of their business is secured by the Yukihara Group of Companies.

But then again, this is a Commemoration Dinner for Izumi Yukihara. All business matters should be pushed aside. This was a night to celebrate all the great things Izumi Yukihara has done and contributed in the business scene.

When Natsume was walking to the direction of Kazumi Yukihara, he noticed the latter's settled gaze at the far corner of the hall.

"Mikan Sakura"

Surprised, Mikan looked up to see Natsume Hyuuga standing before her. Looking around in alarm Mikan made sure no one was around them to hear the name he just called her.

"Mr. Hyuuga?" Mikan looked behind him just to make sure. "I'm surprised to see you here." She continued rather but guarded.

With a smirk, Natsume handed Mikan a champagne glass "I'm surprised to see you here as well" giving emphasis. He honestly didn't know why he suddenly changed his direction when he saw her from the other side of the room.

Disbelievingly, Mikan shook her head. From all the places she could see him, why here? "What are you doing h—" she was cut off.

"Here?" Natsume finished Mikan's question. He took a sip from his champagne glass "I am Chairman and CEO of the Hyuuga Empire, I believe I deserve to receive an invitation to this dinner don't you think?" he knew he sounded cocky and arrogant but he couldn't help it.

Looking away Mikan rolled her eyes. "Right" she sarcastically answered. Arrogant jerk.

There was a moment of silence. He took this time to watch her and take in her appearance. She was as breath taking as before only this time there was something about her that really pulled him in, may be it was the red dress.

"You look beautiful in your dress" he suddenly blurted out.

Surprised again, Mikan looked up at Natsume with a blush unconsciously appearing. She looked down at her glass of champagne. "Th-Thank you"

Natsume mentally slapped himself. Where the hell did that come from? He asked himself. Then a thought hit him.

"The day we met," Natsume started again as he looked at her.

Awkwardly, Mikan turned to him "What about it?" she slowly asked him.

"Did you check out that time or were you just a visitor?" he asked her rather cautiously.

Mikan bit her lower lip and Natsume's eyes settled on the action. Mikan looked at her champagne glass again Why does he want to know? She asked herself. After a minute she answered back calmly "That's none of your business, Mr. Hyuuga"

"I would like to believe it is because—" he was cut off when Mikan held his arm. Her eyes settled on the oak doors. Yuka Azumi and Shiki Masachika arrived at the dinner.

Mikan looked alarmed. She immediately looked at Kazumi Yukihara who was already on his way to the door.

"Are you okay?" Natsume asked as he felt Mikan hold his arm tighter. Lightly shaking her head, Mikan turned back to Natsume. Before she could answer him, she caught sight of a blond man walking towards her and Natsume. Mikan recognized the blond man as Narumi L. Anju a family friend of the Yukihara's.

All of a sudden, a big stout man approached Natsume. "Natsume Hyuuga, Good evening!" The man greeted. Natsume turned around to see the man and Mikan took the opportunity to slip away from everything.

Natsume gave the man a nod in response. "Mr. Takahashi"

"I heard you were planning on running for statesman is it true?" Mr. Takahashi queried.

Distractedly Natsume looked behind him to see Mikan left him. "I haven't decided on that yet" he answered turning back to Mr. Takahashi.

"Well you have my vote if you do plan on running" the man commented as he patted Natsume's shoulder.

"Thank you" Natsume curtly nodded, his eyes scanning the room.

"So how are you enjoying the party?" The man still continued the conversation.

Natsume took a sip from his glass. "Pretty well" He was pissed, he couldn't find her now.

Mr. Takahashi laughed. "Have you seen Izumi Yukihara's daughter by the way?" he asked as he drank from his glass of wine.

"No why?" Natsume answered rather uninterested. His only concern right now was to find Mikan Sakura.

"I believe she attended tonight after disappearing for five years" Mr. Takahasi continued as he grabbed a canapé from a near by waiter. "I hear she is a great catch for any bachelor" he ate the canapé in one bite. He nudged Natsume playfully "You could be that bachelor"

Natsume scoffed. "I'm sorry Mr. Takahashi but I have to catch up with someone." He turned to the man. "It was nice talking to you"

As he was about to walk away he heard Mr. Takahashi say "If you are looking for her she went towards the balcony two minutes ago."

Natsume furrowed his eye brows. Who was he talking about? Izumi Yukihara's daughter or Mikan Sakura?

…

Kazumi stood beside Yuka as he whispered. "You are not suppose to be here"

Smiling at the people Yuka waved at someone and moved casually around the hall, "I have every right to be here. Izumi was my husband after all"

Shiki guided Yuka through the people until they settled on a cocktail table. "Kazumi, I believe my wife is right" Shiki started as Yuka held his hand. "She has every right to pay respects to her late ex-husband"

With a shake of his head, Kazumi maintained his composure. "As wrong as that sounded, I still believe you two have to leave"

Yuka looked at Kazumi. "Kazu, I came here to pay my respects to Izumi and to see how my daughter is doing"

"You won't find Mikan here" Kazumi retaliated.

"Why do you think is that?" Yuka challenged as she looked at Kazumi in the eyes.

"Mikan left the hall the moment you arrived."

…

This is ridiculous. He told himself. Natsume has been looking for Mikan for the past five minutes but she was nowhere to be found. Natsume went towards the bar and ordered a much heavier drink. Why was he troubling himself in finding a woman?

As Natsume scanned the room, he saw a familiar brunette in the middle of the hall. It was Yuka Azumi with her current husband Shiki Masachika.

Continuing his search, Natsume's eyes settled on the balcony door. The dinner bell rang. He ignored the sound and walked towards the door.

Natsume stood by the door. "This is where you ran off to"

Mikan was casually leaning on the railings with her arms wrapped around her body. "I just needed some fresh air" she answered back rather cold.

"Fresh air," Natsume repeated as he walked towards Mikan, leaning his arms on the railings beside her. Looking out into the distance he continued "We could walk at the park" he suggested as he glanced at her.

With a short laugh, Mikan turned to him. "Are you telling me to skip the commemoration dinner?"

Natsume shrugged "You seem like you're not enjoying yourself" he answered casually.

Mikan looked at him rather dubious.

Sensing her doubt, Natsume added. "And we could grab a bite along the way if you are that hungry" he smirked and offered Mikan a hand.

She gave him a small smile.