Title: Seven Days of Bad Luck

Summary: Mikan’s horoscope said that she’ll have seven days bad luck if she studies hard. Trying to prove it wrong, she studies like hell… and eventually gets caught in something crazy… (NXM)

Genre: Humor/Romance

GlyNchaN:

I have a perfectly good explanation for this really really late update… Hmm… (what was it again? Oh right, I remember!)… there was something wrong with our internet connection and I’m without access for like a month.. Seriously, I was having withdrawal symptoms already… “sigh” …very tragic indeed… anyway… I was also stuck with paperwork for my thesis which is due on the last week of January... Huuu… wish me luck!

Anyway, Enough about me… I finally updated Seven Days!! Yey for me...

Oh right! This is also in celebration for me now acquiring GAKUEN ALICE’s FIRST VOLUME out in stores by TOKYOPOP!!! Whooo… The moment it arrived in a local comicbook store, I dashed out to get one… December 21... Hehehe… perfect!!

I almost forgot!! Sorry for the few SPOILERS here... you know, the thing that happened at the Christmas party... (in the manga) But I couldn’t consider it as a spoiler really... it only got mentioned.

DISCLAIMER : I don’t own Gakuen Alice or any of the characters. All rights belong to Higuchi Tachibana.

CHAPTER FIVE:

MIKAN’S BABYSITTER

It was almost lunchtime and she should be downstairs, eating a delicious meal. But no... She had to be somewhere else. She just had to be stuck with that damn special star.

“What am I doing here?” Mikan shrugged as she sat at the edge of his bed with a frown on her face. Of all places, she had to be in HIS room. She shook her head, still wondering how she even got there. Lucky for her, she was too preoccupied in hating Natsume to even notice the effects of the potion. As long as she didn’t remember Tono, she’ll be fine… for now.

Sure, she’d been inside his room a couple of times but that was ages ago, back when they were still in elementary. Now, things were different. They’re all grown up… or so according to her. Who knows what might happen since she considers Natsume as a huge pervert? She felt her insides shudder as to what he might do other than peek under her skirt.

“NOOOOOO!!” Mikan cried out, shaking her huge head. She tried to get rid of those horrible thoughts. ‘What am I thinking??’ She mentally scolded herself, slapping her forehead lightly. ‘That’s ridiculous… Natsume wouldn’t do that.’

“Shut it, will you?” Natsume’s voice sounded pissed at her annoying screams. “I’m not even at the same room as you but your voice still makes my head ache.” He snapped at her from a half-open bathroom door. God knows what he’s doing in there.

“You shut up! Of course I’d get nervous being stuck here with you. Who knows what perversity you might be up to! Anyway, I’m not letting you take advantage of me!” She screamed back at him, drowning her anxiety with anger.

“As if I’d do something to you. I’m not that desperate.” He shrugged, ignoring her complaints.

“Hah! I’m sure tons of guys would die just to be with me!” Mikan stuck out her tongue even if he can’t see her. Sometimes her logic seems to drift away.

“Die is the right.” Natsume answered sarcastically as he walked out of the bathroom with a towel covering his hair. It looks like he just took a quick shower. “That’s one way of putting it... since you probably would harass those ‘guys’ of yours.”

Mikan felt a rock fell on her head. She knew what he meant. “It’s not my fault I ingested that stupid potion!” Her fists clenched at the sight of him.

“Who was it that ate those cookies? Oh, right... it was you.” He threw a casual glare at her which she threw right back at him.

“Shut up!” His remark was way off line and she gritted her teeth the moment those words left his lips. “Damn you Hyuga!” She yelled with a shaky voice that caught his attention. “I hate you! I hate this potion! I hate this... This is the worst week of my life!!” Tears fell from her eyes but she successfully hid it by covering her face. She couldn’t take it anymore. The stress finally broke her.

Natsume fell silent. He threw his towel aside and hesitatingly walked towards her. His heart felt an unusual sting when she yelled that she hated him. It wasn’t the biggest secret ever. It wasn’t surprising since all they did was fight like kids. Still, declaring it out loud pains him but he wouldn’t let his demeanor slide because of it.

“I know I’m at the age where I’ll be experiencing love and all... but not like this!” Mikan sobbed and faced her mortal enemy with a pitiful face. She threw what’s left of her pride and was seriously breaking down. “I don’t want this... I even attempted to have my first kiss with Jinno-sensei!” She began bawl like crazy. It wasn’t even lady-like.

He slouched on the bed beside her and sighed deeply. He was never good with drama and this sort of stuff. The last thing he’d do was comfort the girl in front of him and say the cheesiest lines. “Stop crying, Baka. You’re making my ears hurt.”

Mikan ignored him and still whimpered and sobbed like a little kid... more like a sniveling snotty kid. “I-I... I even kissed sempai...”

“Well, for one thing... it that wasn’t your first.” Natsume stretched his arms and sprawled on his bed. The girl beside him fell silent and her face became pale. “You really were a bad kisser.” That did it.

“NATSUME!!! It wasn’t a kiss!!” Mikan screamed like a banshee and grabbed his collar, shaking him back and forth. She hated reminiscing those horrifying moments with him. This time, Natsume was successful enough to raise her spirits up... in a different way that is.

“Idiot. Not the one where you purposely bruised my lip...” He added, “The one after tha-“ He was cut off by the girl screaming again. She never got tired of this.

“Noooo!! I can’t believe you would purposely bring that subject up after all the hard work I did to evade it!!” Her shrill voiced echoed throughout the room. “That was a stolen kiss! I won’t count it as one!!!” Mikan was going berserk since she shook him more vigorously... her face turning bright red. If it was possible, smoke could’ve come out of that tomato head her hers.

“Will... you... quit... choking me??” He managed to say those words clearly. Usually ‘the Natsume Hyuga’ would’ve burned her hair for doing that. Remember that he was trying to comfort her in his own way...

“KYAAAAH!!” Mikan Suddenly released him the minute she felt the flame form on her palm. Well, at least he hesitated on burning her hair. “Oooow...” She winced in pain and lightly blew on the spot where the flame was, a moment ago. Upon closer inspection, there wasn’t any burn marks.

“Shut up. I had enough of your idiotic mood swings.” He snapped at her, quietly dusting his shirt. “I don’t understand why you’re making a big fuss about it.”

“I hate it when people force a kiss on others!!”

“Wasn’t that what you’re doing lately?” He quickly answered back. Her eyes widened at his response.

“Didn’t I tell you it wasn’t-“

“You still kissed that jerk, Tsubasa.” He told her, immediately cutting her off. By the way he talked, it seemed as though he was... jealous.

“Not that I wanted too...” She mumbled and averted her gaze from him. ‘What’s with him? Why is he worked up on that?’ She asked herself while her eyes made its way back to him. “Why so concerned?”

Noticing how his emotions started to surface, he had to do some damage control. “I almost forgot you kissed Imai too,” abruptly changing the subject.

“S-shut up! It’s not my fault! I didn’t mean to kiss her... or kiss Tsubasa-sempai... or attempt to kiss sensei...” Her voice started to trail off. “Or try to kiss Koko... and... and...“ She stopped before she could finish her sentence. Her face turning red once more...

Natsume had a bitter feeling on what she was about to say next. He narrowed his eyes and fell silent, constantly observing her actions. If his hunch was correct, she’d be...

“Tono-sempai...”

“Not that shitty Tono again!” Nastume pushed himself up and lunged towards Mikan. He didn’t want her to run off to that moron. There’s no way he’d let her.

“TONO-SEMPAI!” Mikan cried out, showing that she lost her mind again. Before she could react, her hands were held down as Natsume tried to control her. “Let me go...”

“Shit!” Natsume cursed as his legs pinned her lower body. She was putting up a fight and trying to break herself free.

“AH!” Mikan yelled in surprise as she noticed she was sitting too far on the edge. And with him restraining her, it wasn’t long before she slipped off the bed... along with Natsume.

THUMP!

It wasn’t surprising to see since they did fall down together. Mikan was underneath him... legs intertwined, her hair spread on the floor, bodies crushing against each other... even their lips were only millimeters apart. It wasn’t at all that surprising... except for the extremely slight tinge of pink found in Natsume’s cheeks.

It was too sudden... too sudden for the flamecaster to keep his cool and not to lose his poise. It wasn’t only her lips that were close to his. He could feel himself in contact with her soft body. Her chest pressed against his... There was too much skin involved.

“Damn it!” He cursed out loud, lifting himself to sit by her side. His eyes still focused on her face, gazing at the contour of her face... her eyes closed shut.

She was out cold.

“Hotaru, do you really think it’s a good idea for Natsume to be babysitting Mikan? I mean, wouldn’t they try to kill each other?” Nonoko asked while playing with her food. She didn’t have any appetite since she was too busy worrying about her friend.

“You’re thinking too much. It’s Natsume and Mikan we’re talking about!” Koko told her. He was sure that there’d be no problems. “It’s about time those two got together. What better way is there than Natsume taking care of her? Ne?” He smiled smugly.

“That’s true but I doubt that they’ll be getting together. Natsume’s too stubborn.” Nonoko answered back, finally taking a bite at her sandwich.

“Getting together or not, I’m still getting some good footage over here.” Hotaru said with her hands firmly gripping the small screen on her lap.

“Hidden camera? Nice.” Koko complimented the inventor, giving a thumbs up then peeked through the screen. “Wait. You don’t have some in our rooms too, do you?”

“There’s nothing worth selling there.” She answered flatly and continued on with scanning though the video of her best friend.

“Man, that’s a harsh way to put it...” Koko shrugged and took a sip on his drink.

“Natsume would literally burn you guys if he heard you talking like this.” Ruka warned them. The blonde walked to their table, glancing at the pink monitor.

“Geez, pyon-pyon...” Koko mocked. “Don’t be such a spoilsport. Aren’t you even curious to see-“

“He’s my best friend. Why should I spy on him?” Ruka pulled a chair beside Nonoko and glared. “I thought you guys’ll figure something to counteract the potion.”

“I’m trying to... but I just found something strange. It won’t exactly last seven days after all...” Nonoko stated then bit her lower lip.

“What? Then how long...?”

“I’m still not sure if I’m right. I’m getting to it though.” Nonoko assured her friend. A lot of things were on her mind so she found it hard to concentrate. The guilt is still getting to her.

“Just tell me if something comes up, okay?” Ruka nodded and turned to the two classmates whose eyes were fixated on the screen. “So what’s the status over there?”

Koko and Hotaru raised their eyebrows at him. A minute ago he was scolding them, now he wants to know what’s happening. Hypocrite. “That’ll be 100 rabbits first.” Hotaru said.

“Waitwaitwait... look, Mikan’s waking up!” Koko declared happily, waving his hand to Nonoko to come and watch.

“No fair, what’s happening?” Ruka complained and cocked his head to the direction of the screen.

“I thought you didn’t want to spy on your best friend?” Koko asked slyly, moving aside, giving the ‘hypocrite’ some space to look over.

“Ugh... what happened?” Mikan groaned, placing her hand on the back of her head. ‘Owww... it hurts.’ She thought to herself while slowly opening her eyes... “WHAT’S THIS??” She yelled bringing her hands to the sides of her head. ‘A blindfold?’

She felt a blindfold covering her eyes. Remembering what situation she’s in, she didn’t complain anymore. Actually, she’s quite thankful for it. At least she won’t get in trouble. The only problem left was that she didn’t know where she was.

Her stomach started to grumble again. She did feel she was hungry. “No use complaining... I guess I’ll have to find someone.” She said happily and stretched her legs and arms while a yawn escaped her lips. Shifting to a sitting position, her hands unmistakably hit something.

Out of curiosity, she brought her other hand up, tracing the object beside her. It was soft... a person? Feeling her way through it... her hands felt an unusual bump. “What’s this?” She asked aloud, squeezing softly... trying to figure out what it was.

“Don’t go groping people the minute you wake up, baka.”

Her ears twitched at the sound of his voice. Realizing what he meant, her hand froze. Her heartbeat grew faster and louder. Most of her blood came rushing to her head because of it. She did find someone... but did she have to find him ‘that’ way?

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” She jerked her hand away and came falling off the bed, landing on her butt. “Eeew!! My hand!” She continued to scream aimlessly, unable to accept it. Unable to accept the fact that she...

“Shut up will you?” Natsume yelled back at her more annoyed than ever. Her shrieks became louder.

“AAAAAAHHH!” She shook her head with all her might, trying to forget that embarrassing ordeal no matter how dizzy she might get.

Her cries stopped when he finally gave her a smack on the head. “Stupid ugly stupid girl! I could’ve gone deaf because of your yelling.”

“B-but... I... I...” Mikan was trying to grasp the right words to say. “I TOUCHED YOUR DOODLE!!” She wailed loudly. “How can I get married now??”

Natsume hunched his brow up and stared at the idiot by the floor. “Doodle?”

“WAAH! No man will ever want me!!!” She was now throwing a tantrum and kept hitting the floor. You could almost sense a vein popping on Natsume’s head as he raised his hand to smack the girl on the head once more. Mikan really needs to pull herself together. “OWW! What was that for??” She yelled as if she could sense his infamous glare.

“I should be the one to be screaming like that since I’m the victim here, baka!” He flicked his finger on her forehead and got off the bed. “Just forget it.”

“How could I forget something like this??” She complained to him, grabbing his leg so he would go far. “Don’t you leave me here-”

...wrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Listening carefully, there was a strange silent humming noise in the room. Natsume quickly scanned around for any suspicious looking object. He had a bad feeling about that dumb noise.

“Hey! Are you even listening to me??” Mikan cried out, waiting for Natsume to answer her questions. He only shushed her bitterly.

Paying attention on his bedside lamp, it reflected light suspiciously. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on the small object on top of the lamp. “Shit...” Natsume cursed as he saw the object clearly. The source of that humming noise, a minuscule lens.

With fast movements, he seized the black lens and looked at it directly.

“Imai, you’re dead.”

Koko shuddered at the glare Natsume gave them from the screen. “Do you think its time to run and hide?”

“I told you not to spy on him.” Ruka said in an annoying ‘I-told-you-so’ voice.

“Shut up, Nogi.” Hotaru scoffed at him and sighed when the screen became blank. She figured Natsume would crush that camera of hers. It annoyed her since it was expensive to make one. She’ll have to find some way for him to pay her for the damage he caused.

“Well, let’s get out of here before Natsume burns us then eats us for dinner.” Koko reminded them again before grabbing Nonoko to make a run for it.

“What about Mikan? Who’ll-“ Nonoko asked them only to receive a weird look from her friends. “What?”

“Forget about her. She won’t die. I on the other hand, still want to live.” Koko added, “If you could only read Natsume’s thoughts right now...”

“Nice knowing you.” Ruka waved goodbye to them and made a quick getaway.

“Traitor! If we go down, you’re coming with us!!” Koko yelled, chasing after the blonde animal lover.

“Now where did that idiot go?” Mikan slowly walked across the hallway with her loose blindfold covering her eyes. She knew the dangers if she were to lay her eyes on a person, that’s why she’s on blindfold and peeking down to see where she was walking to. Dumb idea as usual.

After Natsume stormed out of the room, she did her best to kill some time. Somehow, it felt like years so she wanted to see what happened. Hotaru’s room wasn’t far from where she was right now. At least she’d have some company rather than stay in that special star’s room.

She was practically bored to death. Even if Natsume told her to stay in his room, her stubbornness took advantage of her.

“Not was it right of left? I forgot...” She scratched her head. It was obvious that she was going in circles now... Afraid to look up, how can she know which side of the dormitory she was? Considering her bad memory too.

“RUN!!” She heard a familiar voice shout from afar.

Turning her head towards the voice, she called out, “Koko?”

“HOTARU!! SAVE ME!!!” Koko shrieked as if he were being chased by something dangerous.

“Gee, I wonder why he’s screaming like that...” Mikan managed to make her ways towards the stairs and arrived at the lounge. It was silent and it seemed empty.

The lounge was large and she had trouble finding the exit. Even if it seemed empty, she couldn’t risk it. What if she saw some random person? Who knows what she might do to them? Mikan sighed heavily, wondering when the dumb potion will wear off.

Everything was too messed up. She was now alone, lost in the lounge. Who in the world gets lost in the lounge anyway? This was the worst possible thing that could happen to her... worse, what if she ran into trouble? More trouble...

“Ow!” Mikan yelped as she fell on the floor hitting something... or someone. She secured her blindfold just in case. “Sorry.” She apologized and stood up.

“A blindfold? He, watch where you’re going.” A deep male voice said. It didn’t belong to someone she knew, that’s for sure.

‘An upperclassman? Yikes, I better get out of here.’ She thought worriedly. Why did these things happen to her... and she was alone too. Turning the other way around, she walked away to avoid them. “I’m sorry, I’ll be on my way then...Ouch!” She fell once more. ‘Another one?’

“Watch it!” An even scarier voice said. Compared to Natsume’s ruthlessness, she’d rather have that pervert than these strangers.

“S-sorry...” She mumbled then pushed her way aside. Things got worse when one of them grabbed her wrist. ‘I swear the Gods must hate me.’ She thought to herself bitterly.

“Do you think you’d get off that easily? It’s all because you’re wearing that dumb blindfold.” One of them said to her. She can see it now. If she doesn’t run away, trouble awaits her.

“You see, there’s a perfectly good reason why I’m wearing a blindfold...” Mikan explained and flashed a smile. “You see, I turn into a monster when I’m able to see.” She told the lamest lie possible. This is the reason why Jinno-sensei never lets her off the hook. Although when you think about it, it was partly true.

“You think we’re dumb?” The man hissed, grabbing the end of her blindfold and pulled it off. “Now, apologize properly.”

“Oh, crap. Not again.” Those were Mikan’s last words before the potion struck her.

Her eyes fell upon on the man in front of her. His appearance looked typical of a bully... Spiky hair, brown eyes, and a sinister smile. Nope, she definitely didn’t know someone like him.

“Hey Keisuke, should we get going now?” One of his friends asked. He simply shrugged his shoulders and glanced at him.

“Just a minute,” He turned his head to red faced Mikan. “Huh? What’s with you?” He noticed on how she was breathing heavily... wearing that goofy smile.

“Do you believe in love at first sight?” Mikan asked playfully, taking a few steps closer and placing her hands on his cheeks.

“Hey, Hey! Aren’t you a little bit close?” He lightly pushed her away but Mikan didn’t budge.

“Keisuke?” His friends looked at the two, baffled.

Mikan was now leaning her head to kiss the random guy but her head was screaming...

Noooooooo!!!!!

“Nooooooo!!!” Mikan went back to her senses but unfortunately punched the guy straight in the face.

“Holy Shi-“ He brought his hand to his lip, noticing how it was bleeding. “You little...”

“I’m normal? Wheee...” She jumped for joy but came to a stop when her eyes went back to the man she just punched hard. “Oh, no.” Her cheeks flushed again... feeling aroused. “Crap.” She couldn’t empower the potion entirely. Worse, it’s returning.

“What the heck is your problem??” He angrily clutched her collar and glared. Mikan gasped at how cute he looked , pitiful and all. Somehow, it turned her on... don’t ask why.

“I don’t know what came over me... I’m sorry.” She brought her hand to stroke the side of his face. “All I want is a kiss from you...”

“You do?” He asked in disbelief. Nobody ever wanted him since he looked so scary. It was the first time a girl asked for his kiss. “Seriously?” His lips now curved to a smile. She felt her stomach churn at the sight.

“I... I...” Mikan blinked hard. Her senses were driving her crazy. She didn’t want to experience these things again. And with the worst of luck, some random guy’s taking advantage of it! Who knows what they might do...

The man lowered his head to kiss Mikan on the lips. Her hands were shaking. It was different from last time. She couldn’t muster up the strength to punch him again. She tried as best as she could but all she could do was whisper a name... his name.

“Natsume.”

As if on cue, the flame caster entered the lounge with a face that could kill. His deadly stare paralyzed the other men in the room. They didn’t have to ask who he was. His ruby eyes gave it all away. He quickly paced to the pig-tailed girl, enraged at the sight he saw.

Natsume didn’t think twice as he punched the freak dead on the face. The guy fell on the floor, wincing in pain. Pulling Mikan behind him, Natsume looked at them fiercely. His intense glare bore holes through their eyes. No one dared to speak except the one on his feet.

“You bastard, who the heck do you think-“ He swallowed his words at the sight of fireballs formed around him. The ruby-eyed fire caster meant business. They were only a few seconds away from being scorched alive.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Natsume hissed at the cowardly upperclassmen, who were on the verge of peeing in their pants.

“H-hyuga... We’re sorry!!” The men kneeled in front of him, begging to let them be. Natsume’s eyebrow twitched only shows he wasn’t amused by their groveling at his feet.

“You guys are dead-“ Natsume was cut off by the sound of the girls sniffles. Mikan was crying? He turned around to see her on the floor, shaking nervously. The group of guys took this as an opportunity to escape while Natsume knelt before Mikan, not knowing what to do.

“Na-natsume...” Mikan breathed his name as tears fell endlessly from her eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Hwaaah!!! Was it cheezy? Boring? I’m sorry about it... I have too many things on my mind lately... but I always ease up whenever I write fics... although I don’t know if it’s a good job though...

Anyway, thanks for the reviews!! If you have something to say, why not click the review button and write away... I’ll get back to you as soon as possible...

Thanks again for taking your time to read and review my fic!!

Consider this as a New Year’s present? Haha... Is that enough for you guys to forgive my late update?