DISCLAIMER: GAKUEN ALICE BELONGS TO Tachibana Higuchi.

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Thanks so much for your wonderful reviews! Well, here’s the final chappie! Hope you guys like it! Enjoy!

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-xOx-

-Through a Cat’s Eyes-

-xOx-

By ‘orange-ideas’

-xOx-

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xOx White Day xOx

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The cat that gives chances for tomorrow…

“You’re late.” Natsume commented, leaning back on the wall, his hands in his pockets.

“I know,” Ruka said panting, his hands on his knees and face tilted down “I had to run an errand… for Imai.”

Natsume continued to stare at his best friend nonchalantly.

“Meow!” Natsume looked at his left where Ruka faced. Both saw Yellow running towards them.

Yellow leapt and Ruka caught him, startled. Yellow began to lick Ruka’s face ecstatically; Natsume didn’t allow Yellow to do that to him.

“Okay, enough Yellow.” Ruka put him down. Yellow put his two front paws on Natsume’s leg, asking for attention.

Natsume picked him up and Yellow perched on his shoulder, wagging his tail excitedly.

“Let’s go Ruka.” Natsume said walking forward. Ruka followed close behind with his white ferret that came hopping towards him.

They walked out of the boys’ dormitory and headed to central town.

-xOx-

The streets of central town were busy as usual. But today, the place was more jam-packed since an increasing number of males invaded candy shops, bakeries, jewelry stores and flower shops.

The date is March 13, a day before White Day.

Since last week, almost every male had their wallets cleaned out trying to buy the perfect gift… but today was different. There was already a rush among the men because of the limited supplies left in stores. A guy was even lucky enough to be able to buy a single rose!

The guys were just as stressed, or even more, like the girls were last Valentines. Meanwhile, the female population waited anxiously for their return gifts… but it’s weird to see many guys, all stressed-out, buying gifts for White Day while the one who received the most gifts last Valentines didn’t even give a damn about it. No effort from him at all.

But that’s just expected from the Kuro Neko.

“Kya! I hope Natsume gives me a return gift this year!” said one enthusiastic female.

“Me too! I gave him 5 boxes of chocolates last Valentines. That means I’ll receive 3 times as much!” squealed the other.

“Even if I don’t receive a gift from Natsume-kun, I still have 3 more guys I’m awaiting for my return gift!” said another proudly.

“Me too! But I don’t care if I only receive one as long as it’s from-”

“NATSUME-KUN!” screamed almost half, or more, of the female population in Gakuen Alice as the fire caster, together with his best friend emerged from the bus.

Yellow trailed behind them unnoticed, for the girls were too mesmerized by Natsume and Ruka.

“Ruka-kun is also with him! Oh! They must be here to buy me my return gift!” Said a girl.

“What do you mean your return gift?!? It’s mine!” shouted the other.

“You hags! It’s mine!”

“No it’s mine!”

And the war began.

-

“You know, you should first ask yourselves if there really will be an ‘it’,” said someone nonchalantly.

The females stopped fighting each other and looked at Hotaru Imai who was sitting outside a café eating crab roe watching the whole scene, expressionless as usual. Mikan sat beside her, looking at them in awe. There was icing on her upper lip; she was happily eating her cake until she heard the dozen squeals of ‘Natsume-kun’. This caused her to look up and see deranged fan girls fighting against each other. What a scene to remember.

“What are you talking about Imai?” one said annoyed.

Hotaru finished her crab roe before replying. “Even if Hyuuga is filthy rich, there’s no way he’d give a return gift to all his admirers.”

Her words shattered the hopes and dreams of the females.

“Let’s go Mikan.” Hotaru said standing up.

“Wait for me Hotaru!” Mikan finished her cake and ran after the raven-haired girl.

-xOx-

“Ne, Hotaru-sama… what’s white day?” Mikan asked as she examined the inventions in Hotaru’s lab.

Hotaru shrugged and continued to type in front of her computer.

“What? You don’t know?” Mikan said, surprised.

The reply she got was a shot from her best friend’s infamous baka gun.

“Of course I do. But it’s stupid so don’t think about it anymore.” Hotaru replied not taking her eyes off her work.

“Stupid? In what way?” the brunette asked massaging the bump she received from the baka gun.

“I told you to drop it.”

“But Hotaru!” Mikan whined.

“… if I tell you will you promise to leave me to alone today?”

“Hai!”

“Fine then. Listen well ‘cause I’m not going to repeat myself.” Hotaru twisted her swivel chair to face her.

Mikan nodded.

“Well, White day is like Valentines day, only, it is held one month after valentines. It is when the boys who received gifts, probably chocolates, last valentines, give a return gift that’s supposed to be 3 times the value of the received gift.”

Mikan was silent for a moment, probably absorbing all that Hotaru said.

“Oh! That’s so cool Hotaru! That means I’ll probably receive lots of gifts tomorrow! I gave chocolates to Yuu, Ruka, Natsume, Tsubasa-senpai, Kaname-senpai, Narumi-sensei, Misaki-sensei, Noda-sen-” Before Mikan could finish her list, Hotaru shot her with the baka gun once more.

“Keep dreaming.” Hotaru said stoic as ever.

“Does that also mean I’ll have thrice as many chocolates that I gave out? Oh! I hope they don’t buy me the ones with almonds-”

BAM! Mikan was sent flying to the wall by the new Baka Cannon.

“Don’t take it so literally. Now get out.” Hotaru said polishing her baka cannon.

-xOx-

For the rest of the day, Mikan Sakura fanatically searched the whole campus for her male friends whom she gave chocolates to. She caught most of them by surprise and they endured a 5-minute speech about her wish list. All of them were aware that Mikan waits their return gift but they try to remain oblivious to that fact.

-

“Ruka-pyon!” the blonde looked up from the dog he was petting and saw Mikan running towards him. He blushed

“Oh, hi Mikan,” he said trying to give more attention to the dog but failing.

“Ne Ruka-pyon, did you know I like milk chocolate the best?” she said.

Ruka looked at her. “Okay…” he was uncertain what to reply.

“And I really hate chocolates with those almond nuts,” She continued. “About the brand, don’t worry they’re not that expensive as Belgian Chocolates, I don’t care really; but I do like Kitkat, Hershey’s, Kisses and M&Ms!”

Ruka sweat dropped. ‘Why is she saying all this to me! WAIT! Does this mean she’s expecting a return gift from me? But I thought she likes Natsume!’ That time, Ruka’s face was red as a tomato.

“I like flowers as well. I think roses are the best- red roses! I also like tea roses- Ruka-pyon? Are you feeling alright? Your face is all red- like Natsume’s crimson eyes. Speaking of Natsume, where is he?”

Ruka just pointed out the window, his mind completely blank. Natsume was sitting under a tree reading his manga.

“Oh! Thanks Ruka-pyon! Later! Oh! And go to the clinic! I think you have a fever. Ja!” and Mikan ran off.

Ruka stood stiff as a rock, his face still scarlet. If you looked closer, you could even see steam coming out his ears! Clinic it is then!

-xOx-

“Natsume-kun!” Mikan called out, running towards him.

‘Natsume’s really smart! He’ll know for sure what I’m trying to say! Unlike Yuu and the others…’ she thought.

Apparently, it didn’t take a genius to understand what she’s saying cause she’s too obvious!

“Natsume!” she called out again.

Yellow, who was lying next to him, put his head up. Natsume glanced up and rolled his eyes, annoyed that she intruded in his silence.

“What do you want now Polka dots?” he asked curtly.

Mikan bent down and Yellow curled in her lap. She stroked his fur gently. “Nothing much.”

“Just came here to annoy me huh?” he went back to reading his manga.

“Natsume, did you like the chocolates I gave you last Valentines?” Mikan asked.

“Which one? I had so many I couldn’t remember yours.” But the truth was that it was only Mikan’s that he ate.

Mikan looked crestfallen. “Oh… well anyway,” she tried to act cheerful. “Tomorrow’s white day right?”

“So?”

“You must be pretty busy preparing the return gifts for your fan girls…” she said.

“I don’t give a damn about that.” He answered bluntly.

Mikan’s fake smile disappeared. “I see… well, I’ll be going then… Ja…”

She laid Yellow on the grass and hurried away, disappointed.

Natsume watched her run away, cursing himself for what he did.

“Meow.” Yellow said to him.

He looked at his cat and patted him on the head. “Yeah… I know…”

The wind blew and carried the cherry blossoms with it. Natsume stood up, Yellow perched on his shoulder.

“… I’m an idiot.”

-xOx-

-The Next Day-

-White Day-

Mikan Sakura looked outside the window and sighed. She was the only gloomy character in sight for everyone was too busy celebrating. The boys celebrated for their female partners accepted their gift, what a relief for them! The girls were over the moon upon receiving a gift, even if it’s not from the Kuro Neko. Speaking of the Kuro Neko, Natsume Hyuuga was nowhere in sight. Mikan couldn’t care less… she wished.

“…I had so many I couldn’t remember yours.”

“I don’t give a damn about that.”

Mikan, dense as ever, couldn’t understand why she felt so hurt when Natsume said those words to her yesterday. He always says mean things to her, but this time it hurt the most.

‘Why should I care about that jerk! I’ll probably receive gifts from the others…’ Mikan thought.

Then, someone gave a fake cough from behind. Mikan glanced back and saw it was Ruka, red as ever.

“Uh… here!” He shoved the box of chocolates to Mikan and ran away fast.

Mikan blinked in surprise. She laid the box on her desk and untied the white ribbon that fastened it. She opened it and found white chocolates shaped like rosebuds.

That seemed to cheer her up. “Thanks Ruka-pyon!” she called out.

‘He’s so sweet, unlike his best friend!’ Natsume occupied her thoughts again. Mikan stood up and walked out of the classroom.

Cold amethyst eyes trailed her every step…

-

“Meow!” Yellow said to his master. His yellow eyes meeting Natsume’s crimson ones.

“I have no time to buy her a present. It’s too late.” Natsume whispered as he stroked Yellow’s fur.

Yellow stared at his master unblinkingly, as if to say ‘Don’t give up!’

Then, a figure of a man blocked the sunlight where Natsume and Yellow sat. Natsume looked up and saw Persona.

Yellow hid behind him.

“What’s this? My little pet is talking to an animal? How sweet…” his voice was full of sarcasm.

Natsume glared at him. “What do you want now?”

“You know exactly what I want. Now come, you have work to do.” Persona turned and walked away.

Natsume stood up. He glanced back at Yellow and said “Tell Ruka.”

Their eyes met for a split second, and the two black cats went separate directions.

-

Yellow ran as fast as he could, trying to find Ruka. He ignored the frightened stares and peeved comments the people gave as he passed by.

“Ah! It’s a black cat! Bad luck! Bad luck!”

“KYA! Oh please don’t come near me! Please don’t!”

“Shoot! That damn cat passed by the comfort room door! How the heck am I gonna pee now!”

Then, a girl stopped in front of him, unlike the others who scurried away. Yellow stopped below her and looked up. Stoic amethyst eyes stared down at him. He recognized her. This was Hotaru Imai.

Hotaru bent down and picked him up. “You’re Hyuuga’s cat.” It was a statement and not a question.

“Meow!”

“I have something to settle with your master about my idiot best friend. But right now, we need to find Nogi.”

Yellow perched on her shoulder and Hotaru got on her flying duck.

They left a cloud of dust as they passed, and also a crowd of dumbstruck faces.

Hotaru Imai was truly a genius for understanding even a cat’s thoughts.

Even Koko couldn’t read a cat’s mind.

-xOx-

“Kuso…” Natsume cursed as he walked back to his dormitory.

He used his alice to much; that left him all drained.

He was about to open his door when a single sound stopped him.

“Meow!”

It wasn’t only Yellow who was waiting for him.

“Imai, what a surprise.” He said nonchalantly.

“Hyuuga, your cat is more sensible than you; I bet you’re mortified to hear that.” Hotaru said as she laid Yellow on the floor.

Natsume picked him up but didn’t reply. He still had his back facing Hotaru.

“Mikan’s down in the dumps today,” Hotaru said.

“So?”

“It’s because she hasn’t received your return gift yet. She thinks you hate her more than she thought you do.” She continued.

“And what does that mean?” he snapped at her.

“Like I said, your cat is more sensible than you are. He understands the true meaning of white day.”

“And what is that?”

“That you’re never too late to return a gesture.” She explained briefly.

“Gesture?”

“Yes, gesture and not gift. You love her, don’t you?”

Yellow stared at Natsume who couldn’t respond.

Hotaru smirked. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue Hyuuga?”

After a minute of silence, Hotaru turned to walk away. But before she did…

“Misaki-sensei has wonderful roses in his green house, well, that’s what Mikan said anyway.” Hotaru glanced at him one last time before she left.

Her footsteps echoed and she disappeared into the darkness, leaving Natsume to contemplate on his next move…

Luckily, Yellow was by his side…

-xOx-

-The Next Day-

“Hotaru-sama! I love you! –smooch!-” Mikan kissed the pillow she was hugging, dreaming it was her best friend.

It was Saturday. After a week of heavy schoolwork, and maybe personal problems, Mikan could finally sleep without worrying about being late.

RRRRIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG!

Mikan jumped out of bed in surprise. She fell on the floor, head first and her alarm clock fell as well, leaving a huge lump on her head.

“Ouch!” Mikan said rubbing her sore head.

‘Stupid alarm clock! Why is it that when I don’t want to wake up- it wakes me up! It should go the other way around when I have classes!’ she thought sourly.

SCRATCH! SCRATCH! “Meow!”

Mikan looked at the direction it was coming from; the door.

“A cat? What would a cat be doing outside my door? And at this early too?” she said to herself as she opened the door.

Her eyes widened.

Yellow sat there. A single stem of rose in his mouth.

‘Natsume…” she thought in disbelief. She kneeled down on the floor and Yellow laid the rose on her open palm.

Mikan’s cheeks grew red and her heart beat faster and faster every second.

Yellow then turned around, and a small, scrolled piece of paper was secured in his red ribbon.

Mikan took it and opened it. It was a note from Natsume.

Baka,

Don’t get any ideas. I gave some of your chocolate to Yellow so this is his return gift…

Then, in a much smaller size, this was written:

I’m sorry if this only came today. I hope I’m not too late.

-

“Meow!” Mikan was awakened from her sudden trance.

She smiled at Yellow and said “Thank you.”

She stroked him and Yellow purred in reply.

With one last look, Yellow scurried away to find his master.

Mikan watched him run away.

When he was out of sight, she twirled the rose in her hand.

She smiled.

“This is from Yellow?” she said to no one in particular. “But Natsume… you’re a black cat as well. So thank you.”

-

The cat that reconciles friendship…

The cat that helps resolve hardships.

The cat that gives chances for tomorrow…

The Kuro Neko’s cat is named Yellow.

-Never END-

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Well? How was it? Please leave a review! Out of the three chapters- this one was the most enjoying to write! (I tried to add some humor) Hmm, who knows, maybe I’ll write another one shot about White day )! Well, please don’t forget to leave a review! Thanks very much!

Ja ne!

-‘orange-ideas’