Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Chapter 18

The moment Natsume Hyuuga's eyes caught sights of Mikan Yukihara's entrance in the great hall everything around him tunes out as he watched the beautiful woman being welcomed by a bunch of socialites standing by the door. Natsume took his time and admired the beautiful Yukihara heiress from a distance. When the socialites left her alone, Natsume prepared himself to go down and welcome Mikan. Then Koko and Ruka entered the picture and he stopped on his tracks.

Natsume took another sip from his champagne as his eyes carefully watched things unfold from below with an unnoticeable scowl on his face. During the whole encounter, Natsume kept a close eye on the trio, especially when he saw Mikan gave Koko a second too long hug. A strike of jealousy rushed in Natsume's veins and bitterly thought How does she know Koko?

Just at the right moment, Koko looked up and exactly caught Natsume looking at them. Natsume just rolled his eyes at Koko and turned his back on him, obviously pissed and still jealous.

Mochu stopped talking and looked at Natsume with a raised brow. "Natsume, you alright?"

Natsume just gave a curt nod "Yeah, I'm just getting aggravated at some guests in this benefit" he answered back finishing his champagne.

Mochu took a sip from his scotch and looked below. "I know what you mean." He looked back at Natsume. "To tell you honestly? I'm feeling a bit annoyed at Koko"

Natsume looked up at Mochu his empty glass in hand, "Why is that?"

With a shrug, Mochu looked back down at the hall, "He's been getting to close with Sumire and it's pissing me off."

Natsume didn't say anything and just gave a nod. It's better if just keep quiet abut this one. He sighed. I've got problems on my own and it's somewhat related to what you have.

With a light shake of his head, Natsume looked back down at the party and saw Ruka lead Mikan to the dance floor and his jealousy turned up a notch. Nice move Ruka. Natsume thought bitterly as he watched the two sway together to the music.

"Okay this isn't going to work" Mochu announced as he finished his scotch.

Natsume looked back at his friend. "What won't work?"

Mochu raised his empty glass with a sheepish smile, Natsume nodded. "I'll need a refill as well."

Just as the Natsume and Mochu were heading down, from above the balcony, Natsume saw Mikan walk away from Ruka in a hurry. That was his chance to get to her. Easily excusing himself from Mochu, Natsume made his way down the hall first to where Mikan went.

Just as he reached the hall, Natsume carefully looked around and spotted Mikan at the end of the room taking another glass of champagne from a waiter. Making his way towards Mikan, Natsume noticed a group of familiar business partners approaching her a few feet away.

When Natsume looked back at Mikan, he saw her easily compose herself and place a simple smile on her face. Quickening his pace, Natsume gracefully took another glass of champagne from another waiter and made a bee line towards Mikan.

"Ms. Yukihara it's good to see you back in the lime light" One businessman, Natsume can recognize was one of Izumi's old colleague.

"Mr.—" Before Mikan can greet back she was cut off when a hand snaked around her waist.

"Mr. Takahashi" Natsume Hyuuga greeted with a hand shake. "Gentlemen" Natsume acknowledged the other men with a curt not.

"Mr. Hyuuga, hello" Mr. Takahashi greeted back with a knowing smile on his face when he saw Natsume's arm around Mikan's waist. "I can see that you and Ms. Yukihara here are getting cozy with each other no?" He asked with a playful tone in his voice.

Natsume just gave him a curt nod and Mikan a too sweet smile. What the hell is Natsume doing? Deep inside Mikan was asking herself. Then she blushed a bit when Natsume pulled her closer to him. She looked up at him in surprise. Natsume just smirked at her.

Not far from Natsume and Mikan stood Ruka with a look of disbelief on his face. As if sensing his best friend near by, Natsume gave Mikan a light kiss by the temple. Mikan was surprised; the group of men surrounding the couple smiled at Natsume's action, obviously oblivious to the message Natsume was sending Ruka. It's my time with Mikan, respect that. Natsume gave a side glance at Ruka's direction.

"Have you finally decided about the statesmanship?" One businessman beside Mr. Takahashi asked. "Because you should really consider it, you have the support of the business community behind you."

Recovering from Natsume's surprise kiss Mikan looked up at him just after she heard the statement. He's planning to run for senate? As if hearing Mikan's thought, Natsume looked down at her with a small smile that only she could see, then turned back to answer.

"Still deciding on it actually" Natsume coolly answered, taking a sip from his glass. "With the company at hand, I'm still not quite sure where my political endeavors stand."

"I agree with Mr. Hiro" Mr. Takahashi commented. "If you do decide to run, you'll become the strongest candidate in the line up, especially" he looked at Mikan kindly "when you have the support of the Yukihara family behind you."

Mikan blinked. "Yes…we can consider supporting Natsume if he decides to run" she awkwardly commented, not fully sure why she joined the conversation.

"Mr. Hyuuga would win without a doubt, with beautiful Ms. Yukihara as his lucky charm." One of the men commented. "She is quite a charmer, you'll win people's votes with her around" Mikan just blushed and gave a small smile. Where are they going with this? Natsume and me? We're not even an official couple.

Natsume just smiled at the comments of his fellow businessmen. Feeling a boost of confidence from the previous comments, Natsume slight pulled Mikan even closer to him as they all talked regarding future corporate projects.

"Well it was great talking" Natsume started. "But if you'll excuse us gentlemen, I'll have to steal away Ms. Yukihara for a moment" he continued and guided Mikan away from everyone who were all smiling and nodding in comprehension.

With his arm still on Mikan's waist, Natsume guided her through the hall effortlessly. Just as people gave them way to where ever they were both going, they also earn surprised reactions from everyone they pass by. But of course, both were oblivious to the reactions.

"Mikan Yukihara and Natsume Hyuuga are dating?"

"If those two end up together they'll be a power house couple."

"We have a new celebrity couple in the house!"

"Since when did Yukihara and Hyuuga start dating?"

"How can you have this power over people?" Mikan asked incredulously as they cruised through the hall smoothly.

Natsume glanced down at Mikan "What power?

"Where ever we go, people clear out of your way like the red sea." Mikan commented lightly as they both walked through the cleared space.

Natsume just smirked, "Like I always say, I'm the President and CEO of the Hyuuga Empire. I just have that power over people." He said rather confidently, knowing full well that Mikan gets pissed when he says that.

"Ego maniac" Mikan irritatingly commented, letting Natsume hear it.

"Where are you taking me anyway?" Mikan asked as Natsume was guiding her away from every guest trying to talk to them and he kept a possessive hold on her waist. Natsume guided Mikan out of the hall and into a secluded corridor.

When Mikan was sure they were both alone, she broke away from Natsume. " Natsume?"

Natsume just looked at Mikan taking in how beautiful she looked tonight. Why can't I just can't stop looking at you? Natsume thought to himself.

"You're a vision." Natsume complimented.

Mikan blushed.Why is he acting like this? "Th-thank you"

Natsume walked closer to Mikan and held her hand. "Thank you for coming with me" He looked at Mikan's eyes.

Looking away, Mikan bit her lip. "I didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone."

Still holding Mikan's hand, Natsume smirked. Then he turned Mikan's head to face him. "You still owe me an explanation, you know?" his voice was showing patience.

Mikan felt it and looked up at him. "I'm ready to hear it from you." Natsume continued.

…

When Ruka saw Natsume and Mikan leaving the room, he immediately paced to follow their direction. Natsume you gotta play fair. He told himself. I'm not giving up on Mikan.

Just as he was tailing the two, Luna Koizumi appeared in front him. "Nogi! I'm shocked to see you here" Luna suddenly announced, pulling Ruka by the arm.

Ruka didn't acknowledge her, his eyes still on Natsume and Mikan.

Luna was persistent. "So Ruka? Do you know anything about these ridiculous rumors going on around here?" She sweetly, hooked her arm with Ruka.

With no other choice, Ruka looked back at Luna irritatingly. "What rumors are you talking about?" he almost barked at her.

"That my Natsume is dating that Mikan Yukihara girl" Luna bitterly answered.

"What?!" Ruka looked at Luna in surprise. "Everyone is thinking that they're dating?" He repeated, a pang of hurt and jealousy ran through his veins. This can't be true.

Immediately looking up Ruka looked at where Natsume and Mikan went. After a few second, Ruka luckily caught sight of the two which were almost out of sight. When he was about to run after them, Luna kept a tight grip on his arm.

"Will you get away from me?" Ruka irritably ordered.

Luna didn't budge but kept a sweet sickening smile on her face. She knew she could use Ruka to her advantage, knowing the fact he was head over heels in love with Mikan Yukihara. "Care to assist me to Natsume?" She asked a little too sweet. "You know that I can solve your problem with Natsume. Just let me know where he is" Luna proposed.

Ruka looked back down at Luna. I can have Mikan all to myself, if Natsume is out of the picture. He knew what Luna wanted to do was morally wrong, deep inside him Ruka wanted to play fair.

Ruka looked up, Natsume and Mikan are almost out from sight and it was impossible to shake Luna away. He had no choice and pulled Luna with him as he quickly followed the path he last saw Natsume and Mikan went. Luna had a victorious smirk on her face as she fell in step with Ruka.

…

Mikan looked directly in Natsume's eyes. "The first time you saw me, I was cleaning your bathroom floor" Mikan looked to her side.

"That time when you met me at the suite, I was forced by Anna to wear those clothes, then you came in, I had no choice but to make you think I'm staying in the suite, not cleaning it." Mikan explained. "I'm a maid of the Alice Hotel."

"A maid that was actually, an heiress of the Yukihara Group of Companies" Natsume clarified, he shook his head. "Mikan, I don't care if your Mikan Sakura the maid or Mikan Yukihara the heiress."

"Are you really sure? Would you have taken a second look at me if you knew I was just a maid and not an heiress?" Mikan asked suddenly skeptical. "You, Natsume Hyuuga Pesident and CEO of the Hyuuga Empire, would go out on a date with a hotel maid?"

"Why not?" Natsume answered back.

Mikan laughed bitterly. "I'm sorry to say but sa much as I want to believe you I can't" Mikan took a deep breath. "Just the moment you saw me in the bathroom, that stare you gave me. It made me ashamed of my job. I felt so degraded."

Natsume tried to calm himself down, "What do you want me to do?" He helplessly asked. "If I knew that I would be inlove with you that moment I saw you in that bathroom, I would have introduce myself to you while I was taking my clothes off."

Mikan gave a small laugh. "You would huh?" Mikan asked disbelievingly although a blush was slowly appearing as she thought about him getting undressed.

Caressing Mikan's cheek, Natsume leaned his forehead over Mikan's and looked at her. "I love you Mikan whether it be Mikan Sakura the maid or Mikan Yukihara the heiress." He repeated.

With Natsume's touch and his word of acceptance, Mikan truly felt how much Natsume loved her. Everything was alright between them, but then she was dubious again "Are you just saying these so you could have my support when you run for senate?" Mikan asked.

Natsume gave a light laugh and pulled Mikan in his arms. "I could care less about the statesmanship" He looked directly into Mikan's eyes "As long as I have you, I'm contented." He smiled, the type of smile that always took Mikan's breath away.

Taking a deep breath, Mikan looked up at Natsume. "I have priorities Natsume and I have to put them first before us."

Natsume looked down at her, and then asked "What priorities?"

"Youichi, his studies, my studies, my family, the Yukihara Group…" Mikan looked up at Natsume with teary eyes. "Those priorities Natsume"

With a nod of his head, stepped closer to Mikan "Can't I be in that list of priorities?" It's as if he was pleading. "I want to be part of your life Mikan and I want to be part of Youichi's life as well. I'm willing to help you out with everything."

"Natsume, I've already made so many mistakes and I wasted so much time. I just don't want to make things worse." Mikan explained.

Holding Mikan together, Natsume assured her "You won't. I promise." Mikan could just hear the promise in his words. "Just tell me I can be part of your priorities, that I can be part of your world."

Mikan kept her eyes on Natsume. "I know you're used to getting your way—" Mikan started.

"Yeah, until I met you." Natsume immediately answered back. Just tell me what I want to hear, Mikan.

Mikan bit her lips and closed her eyes, Why does he have to be so stubborn and persistent? "There' are millions of women who are just dying for you to look their way, Natsume—" She was cut off again.

Natsume was laughing, "Then why are you making me work so hard?"

Holding Natsume's hands, Mikan couldn't hold back her feelings anymore, I guess I ran out of excuses Mikan thought to herself "I'll only tell you this, you and me, can't go anywhere beyond this evening."

Without holding back anymore, Natsume pulled Mikan nearer. Before their lips met he told her in a whisper. "Well then, you should've worn a different dress" then closed the distance between them.

When Ruka and Luna arrived at the corridor, Natsume and Mikan were gone.

…

Just as Natsume and Mikan got out by the back door, a black limousine was waiting for them. Natsume's bodyguards were surrounding the perimeters to make sure no one would see them.

When both were inside the car, it drove off . "So where are you planning to take me?" Mikan asked as she snuggled closer to Natsume who in return kissed her lovingly on the forehead.

"A place where I can have you alone" Natsume simply answered as he held Mikan's hand. He looked at her and kissed her hand. "Since I only have you for tonight, I'll make the best of it"

Mikan blinked up at him. She was so in love with this man and he was so in love with her. The she remembered something, "I have to be home by eleven." Mikan suddenly blurted out.

Natsume looked down at her his brow creased, "Why?"

Pulling out her phone from her clutch, Mikan answered "Youichi's rules." She gave her phone to Natsume, making him read Youichi's text messages.