The Lady of My Heart: Chapter 3

#11: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
...xXx...

"Give me back the book!" a five-year-old boy said threateningly. His hazel eyes flashed sapphire as he said those words.

His identical partner grinned and his hazel eyes flashed crimson as he replied, "Practice with me, then I will give you back."

"I'm not going to practice with you, Ryusuke."

Ryusuke's grin faded. "Come on, Ryusuki. I'm bored. Please…"

"Do you remember what you did last time when I agreed to practice with you?" Ryusuki reminded him.

Ryusuke lowered his small head but only for a few seconds before he looked up at him with a smile. "Why don't you teach me how to control it?"

Ryusuki's eyes widened. "I will not! Remember what Okaa-sama said, no practicing our power."

"But—"

"What is this all about?" Mikan interrupted.

"Okaa-sama!" Ryusuki and Ryusuke greeted at the same time.

Mikan stared at them, demanding for an answer.

"Ryusuke asked me to teach him how to control the power we have, Okaa-sama," Ryusuki explained carefully, not wanting to upset their mother.

"I don't see that as a problem," another soft voice replied him.

Everyone looked at the source. It was a raven-haired woman with a pair of amethyst eyes and a pink lily symbol on her forehead.

"Is that really okay, Aunt Hotaru?" Ryusuke smiled at her.

Hotaru nodded. "Only if you remember to not hurt the guards."

"Great! Come on, Ryusuki!" Ryusuke said excitedly as he started dragging his twin.

"Hold it!" Mikan stopped the twins.

Ryusuke stopped immediately and the twins looked at their mother.

Mikan sighed before crouching down and hugged them. "Promise me to be careful."

After she released them, Ryusuke smiled brightly. "I will, Okaa-sama."

"Ryusuki, please take care of Ryusuke. I know you can do that."

Ryusuki nodded. "Hai, Okaa-sama."

With that said, the twins in kimonos ran to the dojo to practice their powers.

Hotaru broke the silence. "Why are you not objecting the idea?"

Mikan slipped her hands to the sleeves of her green kimono. "That day will come eventually."

"Have they asked about the fire?" Hotaru asked as she invited Mikan to sit beside her.

"Ryusuke hasn't noticed it yet, but Ryusuki…"

Hotaru smiled. "To be expected from the eldest."

"I told him it was from their father."

Hotaru looked at her in surprise and disbelief.

"Don't give me that look, Hotaru. I know what I am doing."

"Too obvious, I'm sure Ryusuki can figure it out sooner or later if he met him." After a moment of silence, Hotaru continued, "It's been six years, huh?"

Mikan nodded in agreement and smiled at Hotaru. "I can't imagine this life without you, Hotaru."

Hotaru returned her smile. "What are best friends for?"

Because of the strict rules from her father, the Lord of the Northern Lands, Mikan decided to run away from the castle with the help of her twin brother Akira. She settled in Eastern Land, but fate guided her to become the personal assistant of the Prince of the Eastern Lands for a year right after she arrived there. Now, she was with her best friend Hotaru Imai, the Princess of the Southern Lands. She and her twin sons were living downtown. For a living, she worked as Hotaru's personal assistant because she didn't want to become a freeloader in the castle. Of course, no one knew she was the Princess of the Northern Lands since she hid herself and her twin sons' royalty mark with her power.

...xXx...

"Enter," Natsume answered when he heard a knock from his shoji door. The door slowly opened and revealed a silver-haired teenager with a pair of emerald eyes. His silver bangs hid almost the entire red phoenix symbol on his brow.

"Greetings, Natsume-nii-sama," he greeted politely with a small bow.

"Greetings, Youichi," Natsume greeted back. "Pray tell, why you are here? Shouldn't you be in Gakuen Alice right now?"

"Well, I should, but Otou-sama had asked me to come back," Youichi replied honestly.

"That old man doesn’t know when to stop," Natsume muttered under his breath. He turned his eyes that held no room for arguments to Youichi. "There's nothing you can help about it."

Youichi sighed. "I don't know what's happening here with you, Nii-sama, but Otou-sama is worried about you."

With that said, he walked out from Natsume's room. Outside of the room were Tsubasa-nii-sama and their father, waiting for him.

"So?" his father asked hopefully, but Youichi shook his head negative.

His father sighed in defeat.

"Only one more person to call," Tsubasa said with a smile, and both Hyuugas looked at him quizzically.

Then, a few days passed away uneventfully. As usual, Natsume was working on his paperwork until a servant came into his room. "What is it?"

The servant bowed before informing, "Prince Ruka has come to see you, Prince Natsume."

Natsume blinked. "Let him in."

The maid bowed again and walked out from the room.

Moments later, a blond man with a pair of sapphire eyes and a red fox symbol on his forehead walked into the room.

"How are you, Natsume?" Ruka smiled while approaching his only best friend.

"Not so good," Natsume replied him with a sigh.

Silence filled the room.

"Did that old man asked you, too?" Natsume asked curiously.

"Huh?"

Not an intelligent answer, but Natsume took that as a sign that Ruka had come by his own.

"Did something happen?" Ruka asked confusingly. Well, from his own side, he was somewhat confused. Tsubasa had come to him and asked if he had free time. He only told him that he would visit soon because he had something to discuss with Natsume. Strangely, Tsubasa sent his gratitude for coming. He was really clueless on what was happening.

Natsume sighed and told Ruka about his father's antic that he was sending his older brother Tsubasa to talk to him about something. Something that was absolutely not important for him. Lastly, his father was sending his little brother Youichi to ask him what happened with him.

Ruka laughed at the end of the story.

"What are you laughing at?" Natsume glared at him.

"I'm sorry, Natsume." Ruka tried to hold his laughter. After calming down, he spoke, "It was her, right?"

Natsume stayed silent.

"If I'm not wrong, you've been looking for her for years now."

"Six years," Natsume stated at once.

Ruka brought his right hand to his chin and started rubbing it before saying, "Quite long."

"I think she lied to me about her name. I've been looking every corner of the lands and your father's, but still, I couldn't find her."

Ruka looked at him sadly. He knew how his best friend had suffered so many years to look for the girl he loved until now. "Except for the north and the south."

"Not the north," Natsume replied.

Ruka looked at him questioningly.

"She told me she ran away from the north, so that would be left the south to look. I don't have any connections to the south. Do you?"

Ruka shook his head.

"I thought so," Natsume muttered softly.

"Don't worry about it, though. We still have a chance."

Natsume raised an eyebrow, and Ruka continued, "We can talk to the Princess of the Southern Lands in two weeks’ times."

"How?"

Before Ruka could answer, Natsume's father joined them.

"Am I interrupting something?" the older man asked no one in particular.

Ruka looked at Natsume warily before giving a small bow in greeting. “Lord Hyuuga.”

"I hope you enjoy your stay here, Ruka."

"I will. Thank you, Lord Hyuuga," Ruka replied with respect.

"With due of all respects, Otou-sama, what is it that you want?" Natsume asked calmly.

"Natsume, I only ask for this once. Why won't you obey me?" his father asked almost pleadingly.

The silence made Ruka shift nervously, feeling more than uncomfortable.

Lord Hyuuga sighed inaudibly. “I see. Well, I guess this conversation is over. Whether you like it or not, within a year you must find a wife for yourself, or I will get you one from my own judgment."

Natsume became furious instantly. "We have talked about this. You have no right to decide who will become my wife, Father."

"That’s where you're wrong, my son. I have the right when you couldn't find one within a year," his father said sternly before leaving the room.

When his father was out of the room, Natsume slammed his desk hard, and his Fire Alice started licking out from his clenched fists.

"Calm down, Natsume."

Natsume glared at Ruka with his crimson eyes.

"Calm down," Ruka repeated.

"Damn it!" Natsume cursed under his breath as he tried his best to calm down.

Ruka sighed in relief as he knew how dangerous his Alice was. "As I said before, we can talk to the Princess of the Southern Lands in two weeks times because of this." He handed him a letter, which was taken by Natsume immediately.

Natsume Hyuuga, the Prince of the Eastern Lands,

We proudly inform you that we will hold a reunion party at Gakuen Alice Hall on the next two weeks. We shall give you more details about it if you wish to attend the party.

The Head Principals of Gakuen Alice Japan,

Shiro Yamazaki
"How did you get this letter?" Natsume asked curiously.

"I have my own letter, but I just saw a maid who was about to deliver this letter to you."

Natsume nodded in approval. "How are you so sure that the princess will attend the reunion party?"

"I'm not sure, but we have a chance, right?" Ruka shrugged.

"Do you think you can ask her?"

Ruka blushed. "I will ask her for you, Natsume. The princess was my partner when we attended Gakuen Alice years ago."

Natsume stared at his best friend with narrowed eyes. He likes her. After a while, he nodded. "Then we will use this chance." I will find you, Mika, or whatever real name you have. He vowed while gripping the letter.

...xXx...

Reunion, huh? Akira smiled. I can use this chance to see my nephews again.

"Sakura-san," he breathed out.

Sakura petals started gathering and formed Sakura. She bowed at Akira.

"Please relay a message to Hotaru that I will visit her next week to discuss the reunion party."

Sakura nodded. She turned back into Sakura petals and flew to southern lands only to find the said princess read the same invitation letter along with Mikan. She bowed at the princesses. "Prince Akira asked me to relay a message to Princess Hotaru that he will visit next week to discuss the reunion party."

"Tell him we will expect his arrival at the Rose Garden," Hotaru said at once.

Sakura nodded and flew back to the northern lands.

"Are you going to the party, Hotaru?"

"Yes. This reunion is only held every five years."

Mikan mouthed an 'o,' and Hotaru added, "I think Akira also wishes to see his nephews."

"Yeah, it's been a while." Mikan smiled.

The said twin boys came back from their training, but Ryusuke had a few small cuts and grazes.

"Ryusuke! Are you all right?" Mikan gasped in shock as she rushed to him.

Ryusuke smiled up at his worried mother. "I'm okay, Okaa-sama. Ryusuki always tried his best not to injure me."

Ryusuki walked to his mother. "I’m sorry, Okaa-sama."

Mikan smiled and kissed Ryusuki's forehead. "I'm not blaming you, Ryusuki."

With a smile, she inquired, "Both of you did your best right?"

They nodded in unison with happy smile on their faces.

"I have good news. Uncle Akira will visit in a week’s time," Mikan informed gently.

"Great!" Ryusuke exclaimed happily, and Ryusuki smiled. "It's been a while since his last visit."

Prev Chapter 1—The New Assistant Chapter 2—The Disappearance Chapter 3—The Invitation Chapter 4—The Reunion Chapter 5—The Truth Chapter 6—The Meeting Chapter 7—The Lady of My Heart Next