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Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice or the song

Author's Note: This song is really perfect for this pairing, almost as if it was written for them.

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Title: The Secrets in the Telling

Inspiration: The Secrets in the Telling by Dashboard Confessional

Pairing: Natsume x Mikan

Dedication: This story is dedicated to all the people out there who can't profess their feelings for each other freely. May it be because of society, peers, status and other circumstances that hinders us to be completely happy.

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Because they were forbidden to be together but they were contented with what they have and it was more than enough.

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"Do you like Mikan?"

He would scoff whenever this question is catechized. He would scoff before answering in the usual blunt manner.

"Like hell I would like that idiot" is what the almighty Hyuuga would always say.

But they know that beneath those words lies the truth.

He would cast a glance to her direction from his peripheral vision and would always be delighted by the profound smile on her face even upon his statement.

She knows.

And he would allow himself a small smile as well before dozing off once again.

"Get the hell out of here, Polka."

He would always order her in the same superior, condescending voice he uses at everyone, but in return, all she ever does was look at him with a mock castigating look and it's not even because of his rudeness.

Wait for me here will you?

"It's not your tree you jerk"

Sure I will. Always.

And after a series exchange of insults, still by the end of it all he would always, always allow her to sit beside him and savor the time the gods had spared for him to spend with her.

Then, amidst that long silence with just the two of them contentedly seated there, he doesn't have the choice but to stand just before the sun set and spare her one last glance before he leaves her.

No words are exchange; no formalities are uttered, because she knows.

Oh, she knows. She had always known.

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Natsume Hyuuga woke up in the middle of the night. He scanned the room he was in and could tell it was already midnight because the room was very dark and only the light of the moon was illuminating.

Inhaling a gulp of air, he immediately realized that he's not in his room.

The room smelled sweet. It smelled like strawberries and vanilla. It smelled—

It smelled awfully like her.

Then it hits him.

'Of cours.e I'm in her room' he realizes, 'The bed alone is a dead giveaway'

Yes, the small bed alone is a dead give away, not to mention the welcoming and warm aura surrounding the whole place.

Something that his own room had never possessed.

A figure is seated on the window sill and he knew right away that she was watching over him.

With all the strength he could muster, he turned to her and asked, "Why aren't you sleeping?"

And even in the darkness of the room, he could clearly see her smile.

"Well, because you're in my bed." she answered, deciding to humor him.

He managed to chuckle despite his current state, but immediately winced because of the pain that shot through his body.

He unconsciously ran a hand over his stomach and felt the rough texture of bandages. His usual stoic face softens a bit at the realization that she had cleaned and dressed his wounds.

He can't help but admit thatthis was definitely better than going to the infirmary.

He returned to the question at hand, "Why aren't you sleeping, idi-" he stopped mid sentence, deciding not to call his savior any insulting names for now as a sign of gratitude. "Why aren't you sleeping? Knowing you, you could pretty much sleep anywhere"

She smiled softly at the tinge of worry in his voice, she smiled at the thought that he did care and she giggled at his comment, a way to conceal her woe.

Her giggles died down and were replaced by a sad smile.

Tucking her knees closer to her chest, and burying half of her face in it she spoke, "I'm afraid" she uttered, "that this might be the last chance" her voice was shaky followed by a soft sob.

And even if her statement was so vague he had completely understood. And upon her answer, he shifted on the bed as gently as possible, so as to not exert pressure on his wounds, to give her space and reckoned her over.

She complied and the two of them lay there savoring each others warmth.

And despite the exhaustion the fire caster felt, he did not even so much as blink his eyes because he knew she might be right, that this might be the last chance. He didn't so much as blink only to miss a moment and neither did she.

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"Are you and Natsume a couple?"

She would pause whenever someone would ask this question. She doesn't get surprised by this inquiry because it seems to be catechized lately, but unlike her said 'boyfriend' she would answer this question in a more civil way.

She would pause for a second or so, smile and continue whatever she's doing. "No we're not" she would answer with a smile, "We're just friends."

And they would leave it at that because they know that whatever they say she would always give them the same answer.

He doesn't get irk with her answer. It had surprised everyone, because ever since the question had popped months ago, Hyuuga Natsume never once had lost his temper whenever Sakura Mikan declares that they're 'just friends'.

Well, why would he? After all, it is true. They are not a couple.

They don't pass or give letters with endearments written on it. They don't have those sweet names couples give each other. It's always 'Pervert' or 'Idiot' or 'Polka' or 'Strawberries' or whatever pattern of underwear she is wearing and whatever lame insult she would think up just to counter his affront. They don't go on romantic dinners, nor do they share a sundae on a café.

They don't do these things because they don't deem they're necessary.

The simple glances and touches were enough. The insults directed at each other were secret names because no one other than them could call the other that, not to mention it's quite original. And it doesn't bother them that they couldn't go on dates. A simple walk on the courtyard of the academy with their hands intertwined, staring at the stars on the dorm's roof top on nights that he's not away and the peaceful afternoons under their Sakura tree were more than enough for them.

And still they would always deny their feelings of amity to the other.

And they're contented with just that. After all, it's what keeps them bound to one another.

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He looks at her lying beside him. Her eyes are closed and she is sleeping, a smile still present on her lips.

He can't help but whisper a soft prayer of gratitude to the gods for letting him return alive and breathing once again. For letting him return to her.

He marvels at how comfortable she feels with him. No traces of any enmity or alarm towards the monster everyone thinks he is. The monster he thinks he is. He reaches out to touch her face and immediately pull at realization, the realization that he might taint her.

But the smile on her face says otherwise. She trusts him, even more than he can imagine. So he reaches out to her again and this time with all the courage he could muster, managed to caress her angelic face.

He was startled when she shifted and lifted one delicate hand to touch his calloused ones and he gently heard her murmur his name. A smile immediately surfaced on his face at how natural his name rolled out of her lips.

The clock is ticking and he knows it's almost time. He looks at her wistfully and for the nth time for that day tried his best to memorize her every feature.

Because he's just not sure when death will take him.

Away from his friends, the ones he has treated like his family, away from Ruka and most especially away from her.

He withdraws back his hand, unintentionally waking her.

"What's wrong?" she asked sleepily, "Do your wounds hurt again? Do you want me get medicine?"

She was about to stand up to get the pills that the doctor had prescribed for him to take when he suddenly grabbed her wrist and yanked her back in bed with him.

She was even more startled when Natsume pressed his warm lips to hers. At first, she was confused. They have kissed a lot of times but this kiss was different. It wasn't passionate or gentle or any other emotion that is usually present on his kiss. This time it was….needy. Needy and full of grief, almost as if he's saying good bye and letting her go.

He knows this'll all be over tomorrow. He knows that this dream will be over soon, he would have to wake up tomorrow without her and once again he would have to face reality.

And because he had long known that sooner or later, whatever this is that is between them would have to end one way or another. She would find someone better than him, someone that could protect her all the way and not just here in the academy and especially not for just a short while. Someone that wouldn't make her worry, someone that would be kind, loving and could give everything she wants. Someone that'll keep her warm when she's cold and would hold her tight and comfort her when she's sad and when that time comes he would just have to suck it all up and force himself to smile and wish her and that lucky bastard good luck.

It wouldn't hurt to be selfish just this time, would it?

"No," he says, "just…stay."

She was perturbed by his tone of voice. A feeling of déjà vu washed over her. It was just like that time when they were forced to sleep together for a night because of the prank that Tsubasa played on them.

"I'll give you back to Ruka tomorrow"

She knew this'll be the next words he would say. So before he could say it she crashed her lips to his.

"Don't worry" she says "You can't get rid of me that easily you know" she muttered rolling her eyes before sporting a reassuring smile.

He was caught off-guard with her remark. Even though it was meant to be a joke he had caught the meaning quite perfectly.

"I'll stay with you. Always."

He smiled at this. "Ah, yes. It is hard to get rid of you"

She pouted at this before giving him a chaste kiss on the lips and snuggling closer to his chest.

But even with her reassurance he can't help but think that if one day she chooses to leave him because she found that someone that would make her happy and it wasn't him, he would let her go.

Because he loves her and her being happy is more than enough for him.

But for tonight he decides to be selfish.

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Author's note: You know the drill. Reviews and constructive criticisms are very much welcome but please strictly on insult.

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