Sorry for the late update. I hate to make my readers wait. I know I promised to update soon. I just can't think for the ending of the story.

Vote result: Hotaru didn't get the bite.

Thanks to those who had voted when the votes was held in my other GA story; 'My foe IS my fiancé?!'

(Ps. Please do not hate Natsumi Hyuuga. Natsume loves his brother very much. There are reasons behind his 'forthcomingunforgivable' action and you know them. I'm getting super hate-reviews about him. T------T)

Glad to know that readers from this story also reads my other two GA stories. Thank you so much.

Shireenpatrick: 'Be damned you Gina and Luna.'

Sarahpatrick: 'Enjoy this last chapter minna.'

'The Ugly Duckling' is dedicated to two of my dearest KKM fan buddies; Natsumedestiny and Blackcat0707.

Chapter 15 (Last chapter): United

"Hotaru," cried Mikan quietly at her best friend.Mikan couldn't believe her eyes. Hotaru was determined to shoot her already.

"Why Hota-chan?" asked Mikan in disbelief.

"Shut up," snapped Hotaru dangerously. Mikan flinched and tears began to form in her eyes. Gina smirked in satisfaction. She adores seeing sufferings. It made her feel happy, a pleasure gained to see in the pain of others. Those pathetic tears and cries from her victims had always becomes her remedies of her empty dark heart.

"Kill her, Imai," ordered Gina at once. "Save that precious Natsume for Luna," Her innocent-like features creases intriguingly as a smirk tugged on her cheery lips.

'If you betray me, you'll die,'

Hotaru Imai hesitated for a moment as those words echoed eerily in her head. She walked towards Mikan. Her steps were small and steady. Mikan stood there; scared, for she had always believed that the only person who she couldn't fight against was none other than her own childhood best friend, Hotaru Imai. Her purple cold eyes gazed emotionlessly at her hazels. Mikan was trembling. Hota-chan got bitten?

"Mikan," hinted Natsume alertly without taking his eyes of the approaching Hotaru. Mikan startled. She then realised that she's not there alone… as a matter of fact, they have a plan and she had to fulfil her mission. Doubtfulness stirred in her soul again. Would it work? She asked herself over and over again. Natsume noticed her silence. He turned to look at the girl. He knew what she was thinking about. "Don't worry. It'll work. You have us," he said promisingly. Mikan stared into his dazzling crimson eyes and got her confident back.

"Hmm," hummed Mikan confidently. She was thankful that she has a supportive boyfriend; though he may be pervert at times, and the trustworthy Arata Akira to be her companions to do this mission with.

"I'll protect you. I'll fight Imai. Do what you've come for. Steal those bitches' Alice. You can do it," whispered Natsume as he pulled his sleeves up. Mikan gasped as she saw fire blazing fired up till his arm. She couldn't let Hotaru to get hurt, not even by her own boyfriend. No.

"Stop it, Hyuuga. I'm safe," said Hotaru softly as she walked past him and towards Mikan and hugged her. Natsume was stunned to know that Hotaru didn't get the bite despite the fact that other did. Mikan froze in Hotaru's embrace.

"HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE DEAL IMAI?! DO YOU WANT TO DIE??!" boomed Gina across the room.

"Save others, Mikan-chan. I will always love you," whispered Hotaru into her ears and she whimpered. To Mikan, it sounded as if she had drawn her last breath and she's falling back… everything was in slow motion. Mikan eyes grew as she saw Hotaru's pale face and her raven hair was brushing against her face as she fell down. She tried to reach her but a figure ran past beside Mikan and caught her in time.

"Hotaru!" called Ruka panicked. He panted hard for he had run far and he held her body close. "HOTARU!" he shook her but she didn't move nor breathe. "No," whimpered Ruka quietly. "No," tears of anger formed in his eyes. For an unknown reason, he felt angry and she somehow felt very important to him. Though she had brutally blackmailed him and made him embarrassed in front of public all these years… not to hear her voice was too frightening to him. Tears ran down his cheek as he finally acknowledged that Hotaru's gone… and those two bitches are done for.

Luna coughed frantically and threw the weak Arisu on the floor as though she's a piece of garbage. Their eyes darted at her. She vomited blood on the floor.

"Shit. I should have bitten her first," she muttered quietly as she wiped her mouth. "Sucking her soul without biting her is equivalent to losing two years of lifespan," she told to her cousin. Gina clicked her tongue in annoyance and rolled her eyes on her.

"I told you so. Serve you right," mocked Gina. Gina held her hand up and invisible chains glued Arata, Natsume, Mikan and Ruka to the wall. They struggled to break free but it was a useless attempt. Natsume was about to use his fire Alice when Gina used her Alice to knock his head to the wall into unconsciousness.

"Tsk, I have Telekinesis Alice now. I am glad that one of your friends had volunteered to give it to me," said Gina with a smirk. She was happy to own the Alteration Alice. To be able to transfer one's Alice to another was very useful.

Luna stared at Arisu. Arisu was crying and she was in great pain that she could only utter them with moans between her sobs. She was weak for three quarter of her soul had sucked out and her sight was darkening fast. Luna was about to reach for her to suck her remaining soul when—

"STOP!" growled Arata. His silver eyes were shadowed dangerously. "Don't. Touch. Her," he felt greatly responsible for his sister's condition; if only he didn't teased her a few months ago, she would never get the bite.

"Uuu… look who's talking," mocked Luna darkly and she took Arisu by her hand and sucked her soul in one bite.

Second death occurred in the room.

"No," cried Mikan quietly. Mikan can't stand it anymore.

"What's wrong Sakura? Enjoy the view Sakura. You are going to be the last person to be eliminated in this room. Do enjoy watching your friends die in front of your eyes," mocked Luna as she held her foot on Arisu's dead body.

"PUT YOUR F—KING FOOT OFF MY SISTER!" growled Arata but with a swish on her hand, a table flew and crashed on Arata causing him to faint too. Mikan gasped.

"No," cried Mikan again. Tears rushed down her cheek. Stress had caused her to be more determined to protect her friends. She had failed fourth time and will never fail this again. Hotaru's gone. Arisu's gone. Natsume's hurt and so does Arata. With Gina walking towards the unconscious Natsume and her penknife clicked open to reveal its sharp shiny blade, Mikan had had enough.

For a three star, she had pushed herself beyond her very limit. She activated her Nullification Alice and nullified everything on the massive ground of the academy. Within seconds, the troublesome Alice took reaction to the environment. Mr. Bear who was chopping woods, drop lifeless. Misaki-sensei's plants which grew magnificently with the help of his Alice turned back to what it should be: a seedling. Everyone in the academy who was hypnotized got back to their senses again. Those who got their soul sucked completely; sprang alive again. Four of them who were stuck on the wall fell hard on the floor.

Luna couldn't breathe properly. Souls which she had suck for the last twenty four hours had abandoned her and returned to where they belong. With that, she lost a great amount of lifespan and energy. Her eyes bagged, her voice cracked, her lips sore… she's dying.

When Ruka had released from the wall, he quickly ran towards Hotaru. Arata gained consciousness and ran towards Arisu. Within seconds, Arisu inhaled the air as she sat up straight. She panted hard as she got her conscious back. Her eyes which once dull and lifeless; gained its shininess. She began to cry and hugged her brother who hugged her back.

"Thank goodness," muttered Arata over and over again under his breath.

"Luna!" shrieked Gina as she held her cousin. She stared disbelievingly at her cousin and she glared at Mikan who was panting heavily on her ground. Mikan had overused her Alice.

"It's all your fault Sakura," growled Gina through gritted teeth and she used the Telekinesis Alice to banged her head to the wall.

BANG!

Mikan shrieked in pain. She was too weak to nullify Gina's Alice.

"MIKAN!!" screamed Ruka and Arata unison.

BANG!

A splatter of blood was on the wall. Mikan screamed again. It felt as though her head was tore opened. Her sight began to waver and darken. She felt a rush of wind and she knew that she was heading towards the wall again but then it stopped. Ruka caught her in time before she reached to the ground. He swivelled and saw many icicles pierced into Gina's body. Her body froze as gasp escaped her parting lips. Slowly, she looked down at her body in horror. It was an ugly sight. Blood was oozing at every tip of those icicles. She turned to look at her back and saw Arata had his hand held towards her with his eyes shadowed.

"A-A-ra—" before Gina could finish, she dropped dead on the floor.

Silence strolled in after that. No one dared to move. Gina's death was indeed terrifying. A last moan from Luna, and she was no longer breathing. No one noticed her. She died alone and unloved.

Natsume coughed loudly and he sat up straight to gain balance. He just woke up.

"Natsume," called Ruka alertly. Natsume darted towards him and saw unconscious bleeding Mikan in his arms. He dashed towards them.

"What happened?!" he gasped and took Mikan from him. "Is she alright?" Ruka nodded.

"She's alright," he said.

"Thank goodness," cried Arisu as she approached them. Then it hit Ruka.

"Hotaru," he gasped and ran towards her. She was still lying down on the ground; lifeless. Ruka was shocked. "Why isn't she's alive again?" asked Ruka as his voice cracked. He bit his lips in frustration.

"I don't know, Nogi," answered Arata quietly. "This is the first time I heard Luna used her Alice without biting someone. I don't know what the consequences would be," Ruka's chest panged with great worrisome and panic.

"No," cried Ruka as he held her body and buried his head on her cold shoulder. "Please wake up, please," he cried and hugged her tighter. With no blackmailer in his life, he felt so empty. Though she had always embarrassed him, or always used him to gain more money, ordered him to used his Alice for her experiments, bullied him badly… he would do anything to get that life again. Not be able to hear her voice nor see those glittery purple eyes again, it scared him to hell. The emptiness was eating him. He wanted her back. Natsume lips thinned as he felt sad for Ruka. Arisu and Arata hesitated on their ground.

"Don't leave me alone, Hotaru. I-I love you," he sobbed again.

"Let go off me you cry baby," snapped an emotionless voice. Ruka startled and turned to look at her. Ruka gasped and saw Hotaru was staring back at him. Without thinking twice, he kissed her. Hotaru was stunned to have her first kiss stolen by him and she held her baka gun and shot him. Ruka was send flying across the room. "BAKA! How dare you?! 10 000 YEN for that!" she growled angrily at him. Ruka chuckled.

"As long as I would not lose you again, I'll do anything," smiled Ruka. Hotaru face went scarlet.

"B-B-BAKA!" stammered Hotaru and she walked towards Mikan. "L-Let's s-send her to the h-hospital, H-Hyuuga. Let's l-leave t-this s-silly p-person alone," finished Hotaru. Natsume obediently followed her. Before he left the room, he winked at Ruka and gave him a small smile.

"Don't worry. She loves you too, Ruka," he said quietly.

BAKA!

A shot was given towards Natsume but luckily it wasn't that hard. If it was, he might drop Mikan by reaction.

"I heard that, baka Hyuuga," snapped Hotaru without looking at him. Natsume could swear that he felt the radiant heat from her. He chuckled inwardly.

"Whatever," he muttered dully. The principals came and the Akira Twins explained the situation. Ruka ran and followed beside Natsume who carried Mikan in bridal style towards the hospital.

"Um… Natsume, can I ask you a favour?" asked Ruka. Natsume grunted; which meant 'yes'. Ruka went nearer and whispered into his ears. Natsume's face remains stoic as he listened to his request… but when Ruka finished it, his eyes widen in horror. He stared at Ruka disbelievingly.

"Are you sure?" he asked him awkwardly. Ruka chuckled upon hearing him.

"Just do it," shrugged Ruka.

--

--

After two days, the prestigious Gakuen Alice was back to normal. Uh… did I say normal?

Class D of high school division was buzzing in excitement. The news that Mikan had become a special star wasn't the only thing that shook the ground. The well known foes; Mikan and Natsume, had officially become a couple. Although these were hot news, but the story of how Ruka had blackmailed Hotaru to be his girlfriend was even more interesting.

"Really?!" cried Mikan who just came back from the hospital. Anna shook her head frantically. "Hota-chan is Pyon-pyon's girlfriend?! Whoa…" gawked Mikan in amazement as she stared at Ruka who was blushing furiously at the back of the class. "How did it happen?"

"Tsk… can you just leave Ruka alone, polka? That poor boy is dying in embarrassment," snapped Natsume as he hugged her from her back. Anna sighed in admiration.

"Aww… You two look so cute together," she sighed again. This time its Mikan's turn to blush.

"We're not!" she began as she struggled to break free from his embrace. "He's a pervert! Who would love a pervert? I hate him for calling me Ugly Duckling," snapped Mikan as she glared at him.

"You're still my Ugly Duckling, you know," whispered Natsume quietly. Mikan blushed even more.

"Anyway," began Mikan as she cleared her throat. "Tell me about Hota-chan and Pyon," Mikan ignored the fact that Natsume pulled her and made her seat on his lap beside Anna. Mikan wanted to hear the story and it wouldn't be nice if they talked about it in front of the bashful Ruka. So they decided to seat in Nonoko's place.

"I'll be sitting here for a sec," Natsume told Nonoko who was sweeping the class as he pointed at Mikan. She nodded as she knew that Mikan wanted to hear Ruka and Hotaru's story and she too decided to join in.

-

After Mikan was send to the hospital, Hotaru had decided to stay beside Mikan.

"Both of you may leave us. I'll take care of her," snapped Hotaru at Ruka and Natsume. She took a chair and sat beside Mikan. The fact that Mikan had saved her life made her gain more respect and love towards her best friend. Her eyes darted towards the two boys again who was still standing in the doorway. "Well, shoo, go,"

"Take good care of her, Imai," said Natsume and he left. Ruka remained in his ground.

"Nogi," began Hotaru coldly. She doesn't like the idea that he had snatched her first kiss. Ruka approached her.

"Nogi," repeated Hotaru. "Go," it sounded more like a death threat than a request. Ruka hesitated for a moment but then he continued to approach her.

"I love you," he said and silence came rolling in. Hotaru felt herself blushing scarlet. It doesn't take long before Hotaru recovered again.

"Well, too bad that I don't feel the same, Nogi," snapped Hotaru. Ruka eyebrow rose.

"Hotaru," began Ruka but Hotaru cut him.

"It's Imai to you, Nogi," Ruka then chuckled.

"I knew you would say that," he laughed inwardly as he shook his head. Hotaru was puzzled.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked him.

"Too bad… that means that there is only one way to own you, Hotaru," shrugged Ruka knowingly.

"How is that?" asked Hotaru curiously as she backed away.

"This," Ruka took her by her waist and kissed her. Hotaru pushed him away at once.

"Nogi!" Hotaru eyes widen in dismay. The 'weakling' animal lover whom she had always blackmailed and bullied… was braver than she thought.

"Did you catch that Natsume?" called Ruka loudly. Natsume appeared before the door.

"Yup," he said shortly as he shook the camera in his hand. Ruka smirked at her.

"In one hour time, if you still reject me… I will sell this picture. I might get more earnings than you, Hotaru. Imagine in the daily academy bulletin, first page, 'Hotaru kissed Ruka', isn't that interesting? I don't mind though, but how about you?" Hotaru couldn't believe her ears and eyes. She, the famous blackmailer in the academy, was blackmailed by her number one blackmail victim. Hotaru covered her mouth. A threatening smile began to tug on her lips and she failed to control it. She burst into laughter. Ruka was shocked… or to be specific, scared to death. He had never heard her laughed and he began to waver. 'Hotaru is going to kill me for sure,' he thought. He was too young to die. He's just seventeen.

"I accept," said Hotaru with a small smile on her pretty face. Ruka startled.

"Accept what? The blackmail or being my girlfriend?" stammered Ruka. Hotaru walked towards him and gave a peck on his lips.

"Both," she said. "Came back after one hour and I'll be your girlfriend," Ruka was stunned. A smile cast on his handsome face as he slipped his hand into his pocket.

"I can't wait," he muttered and left together with Natsume.

-

"Whoaaaa----!" clapped Mikan in admiration. "So sweet," she shrieked and she blushed. Natsume smacked on her head.

"You're too loud, little girl," grunted Natsume. He stood up without telling her and she fell on the floor. Mikan pouted as she massaged her butt.

"Baka! At least you should tell me that you want to leave!" she pouted again. Natsume was clearly in a bad mood.

"Tsk, whatever," he snapped and left the classroom with a bang. A smirk cast upon Mikan face after that. All eyes darted to Mikan.

"He didn't notice at all," she told the class. The class gave her a thumb up. "Quick minna! He'll come back again!" alerted Mikan and they scrambled towards the cupboard and get ready for Natsume's birthday party.

--

--

NATSUME'S POV

Tsk. Call herself my girlfriend but then she didn't even know that it's my birthday today. Tsk.

Not that I really care about it. I just want Mikan to pay more attention to me today. I had loved her since four and after so many years, at last I could be her boyfriend. I wonder what her idiot brother that shadow freak would think about our relationship.

Gowd. Talking about that shadow freak, why on Earth is he here?

NORMAL POV

Andou Tsubasa stormed across the Gakuen Alice field. When he heard about his beloved sister, Mikan was hospitalized; he tried his best to come back to Japan again.

"Oy, Hyuuga!" called Tsubasa dangerously. "What did you do to my sister?" Tsubasa grabbed Natsume by his collar. Tsubasa had always known that Natsume will always bully his sister, but to make her hospitalized, Natsume had just pushed his patient beyond his limit. Clearly, Tsubasa had taken everything wrongly.

"I did not do anything," said Natsume dully. He seems not to be bothered by the fact that Tsubasa wanted to 'kill' him. Tsubasa choked.

"A likely story, Hyuuga," mocked Tsubasa. "YOU THINK I'M GOING TO BELIEVE THAT?!" he bellowed.

"ONII-CHAN!" shrieked Mikan at once and she came running to them.

"Imotosan," gasped Tsubasa and he let go off Natsume. Natsume fell on the ground painfully. "Are you alright, Mikan-chan?" cried Tsubasa as he hugged her. Natsume grunted in annoyance.

"Ano… Onii-chan," began Mikan as she struggled to break free from his strangling embrace. "What are you doing here?" asked Mikan.

"I am going to kill this boy for making you hospitalize!" growled Tsubasa angrily. Mikan giggled and hugged Natsume's arm.

"He's my boyfriend, Onii-chan. I love him," said Mikan; ignoring her brother's horror expression.

"W-W-W-W-W-W-WHAT??!" roared Tsubasa disbelievingly. "Break up right now! I hate him! I hate him!"

"Onii-chan!" shrieked Mikan angrily and pouted as she hugged Natsume's arm tighter. "It's my life. I love Natsume. You should be happy for me," pouted Mikan again. Tsubasa was taken aback. Natsume felt glad that she loved him but his stoic face remains emotionless. Tsubasa bit his lips.

"Alright then, Imotosan. As long as you are happy, I don't mind," smiled the shadow manipulator, but then he darted towards Natsume. "If you laid even one finger on my sister, you are done for," he warned him darkly. Natsume clicked his tongue.

"Tsk… Whatever," snapped Natsume dully and hugged her. Tsubasa snorted.

"LET GO OFF HER! NO HUGGING! NO KISSING! AND… AND… NO SEX TOO!" he boomed. Mikan slapped his hand angrily.

"Onii-chan!" called Mikan; feeling displeased. "Go back to Paris!" snapped Mikan at once and Mikan dragged Natsume back to the high school building; leaving her brother, scowling.

--

--

Although Natsume was happy that Mikan had told to her brother that she loves him, but the fact that Mikan still hasn't wished him nor acknowledged that today was his birthday, pissed him off badly. He got many present from his fan girls and he burned them to crisp but he didn't get any from her. He snatched his hand away from Mikan and walked in the opposite direction.

"Eh? Natsu-kun, what's wrong?" asked Mikan; puzzled.

"Nothing," snapped Natsume at once. Mikan giggled. She knew him well. "What?" asked Natsume in annoyance as he turned to look at her.

"Nothing," she giggled again and was about to leave towards the class. Natsume doesn't like her answer. He took her by her hand and pinned her against the wall.

"Natsume!" cried Mikan angrily. "It's school hours. We have to—" and her voice was muffled, muffled by those lips of Natsume which crashed to hers. Mikan felt heat crept to her face as she found it hard not to respond his kiss.

"Na—" began Mikan between the kiss, but Natsume found this as an opportunity to deepen the kiss. He channelled all his frustration in the kiss causing Mikan to feel dizzy for she couldn't breath. Defeated, she kissed him back.

BAKA! BAKA!

Natsume was thrown to the side. Mikan froze in her ground. Her eyes then darted to the angry Hotaru.

"Don't you dare to touch Mikan like that!" she snapped darkly. Ruka who was about to leave the class saw what had happened and gasped. Natsume eyebrow rose as he sat up straight. He chuckled.

"Are you saying that it's okay for you and Ruka to do that but not us?" Ruka and Hotaru blushed scarlet at once. Mikan can't help but to grin. The students of Class D began to pour out into the corridor.

"It looks like we can't do it indoor, Mikan-chan. It's too small," informed Yuu Tobita at the auburn in disappointment.

"Do what?" asked Natsume curtly as he stood up right and dusted his pants. Mikan turned and gave him her trademark smile.

"Your birthday party, Natsu-kun," Natsume startled. She knew. He coughed feebly.

"Heck. Don't bother about that. It's sunny outside and I have a request," said Natsume dully and he smirked.

"Anything for the birthday boy," shrugged Daiki and the class murmured in agreement. Daiki gave him a smile and he owed him.

"Let's play hide and seek," he said and stared darkly at Mikan.

"Well sure. It's has been thirteen years since we played it," agreed the class president.

"It'll be fun. Just like old times," said Koko in excitement. Mikan pouted. She knew Natsume was teasing her about their almost first kiss in the bush and he will demand those kisses later on. "Want to join us…" began Natsume as he held out his hand. His crimson eyes shone intriguingly.

"...Ugly Duckling,"

OWARI!! (The End)

AH. Gomene. I tried to think of an ending but I just can't think of one. Sorry if I disappoint you. I did tried my very best to write a good ending. It took me one whole month to come up with one. OOC isn't it? Tsk. How bothersome.

I received a few Private Message (PM) from readers regarding my upcoming GA Story; 'No boyfriend, No party?' (I got the 17th PM a couple days ago about it), I shall do that right away! (After I updated other stories of course) A humour/romance story for you!

THANK YOU READERS FOR READING, SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAD READ AND REVIEWED, AND PUT THIS STORY INTO THEIR FAVOURITE TOO! THANKS.

I am so happy to see the reviews almost reached 300 (or perhaps it's already over 300) THANK YOU SO MUCH!

TO sHirO-kOi : Is the ability stealing alice really like that? She need to kiss to activate it?!!!! OMG!

icedprincess6063 CherryBlossomSakuraPetals animexanime obsessed ladalada Norlyn Jean yamaharuka truc.mi Misaki-chan Daemon Koneko adrinazailan90 animefreak94296929 crimsonfire3 minahoru Neko Mimi143 dominiqueanne kyatoraina-chan arya21 cute-azn-angel

AND MANY MORE!!

Hope you enjoyed reading the whole story. Reviews much appreciated no matter when you read it. ;p

::sarahpatrick::