Summary: "You are cute," They said. "Then tell me, why on earth don't I have a boyfriend-It's not like I am a damsel in distress or some kind of princess stuck in a tower who has a fire breathing dragon scaring off my suitors, right?"

A/N: So guys, this is my last one shot (two shot, I mean) for the month of May. I may not have any time at all to write one shots anymore so I immediately started typing out this story. This is about a modern day princess who is looking for her prince. This is my farewell to summer *sniff,* and to you my readers since I'll be on hiatus and will be back on June to end poker face. Start scrolling down people and enjoy!

This fiction is inspired by Shrek. I guess.

ooo

Fire.

What do you think of when fire comes into your mind?

For the entire population of Alice Academy, fire only means one person…

Hyuuga Natsume.

Who is Hyuuga Natsume if you may ask?

He's not just one of the seniors you would have the chance to encounter in the hallway. He is the Hyuuga Natsume. The only one who has the fire alice in the academy; the only one who has those mesmerizing yet piercing, crimson eyes; the only one who could make somebody melt, cringe or swoon with just one look; and the only one who can lure you into his trap—without the effort.

Fire is not only associated with his alice, fire is not only associated with his eyes.

Fire is associated with himself.

Touch him and you burn.

Play with him and you'll get hurt.

Grandpa told her not to play with fire.

And now she knows why.

ooo

A jerk as always, that's how Sakura Mikan describes Hyuuga Natsume. True, he's handsome as hell. True, he's as hot as the scorching son. True, he's as charming as a prince—but he's still one cocky, self-centered perverted bastard for her. Through the years she grew accustomed to his behavior and personality. But right now, all she wants to do is to rip his 'mesmerizing' crimson eyes off—those eyes of his that gave her all the trouble and embarrassment in the hallway.

Mikan managed to break her habit of bumping into someone and falling on top of the said person three years ago. She wholeheartedly trained herself to wake up early in order not to run in the hallway, to walk in a slow pace and never run, to watch where she is going and to pay attention to the people walking towards the opposite direction. She perfected it—everything was measured and planned.

Until she bumped into him.

Before he was always the person she bumps into, whether they are in school or in the dormitory—heck even in central town fate decided to play with them. After every single catastrophe he would always say: "Really, of all the tactics to get my attention you always choose bumping into me? Try to be creative sometime, polka." She would scowl and start screaming at him that the world doesn't revolve around him and all he would do is smirk at her, ruffle her hair and leave her gaping at him.

That's the exact reason why she planned her walk, all of her walks—she did not want to be in that situation again. Come on, they were seventeen now! Do you honestly expect her to sprawl on top of him and repeat the same things they did when they were younger?

No.

Now, back to the story—you see, yesterday, Imai Hotaru, her lovable best friend (please insert sarcasm), made her watch all those terrifying horror movies. She begged Hotaru to stop last night but she insisted and so, the two of them managed to finish three horror movies (Shutter as the worst for her) and then Hotaru left her saying she needs to sleep. She once again begged her to stay but Hotaru insisted to go back to her room or else she would shoot the hell out of Mikan. She agreed unwillingly and the rest of the night was filled with weird scratching noises, low moans, creaking of the bed and shadows moving inside the room. All of course is a figment of her imagination.

That's one of the reasons why she bumped into him a while ago.

The next reason is waking up late—her imagination went wild last night and managed to keep her up until three in the morning. The sandman visited her moments after that and then mister sun woke her up at six, she ignored him, her alarm clock rang, she smashed it against the wall, and her phone began to ring, she shut it in her drawer. She only woke up when she felt the sun's UV rays burning her—only to realize that she is late.

Hell late. That's mistake number one.

She bolted to her bathroom, hurriedly took a bath, brushed her teeth and dressed for school. She shoved all her things into her bag, locked her door and ran at top speed.

Mistake number two.

Mistake number three is when she did not pay any single attention to the people going the opposite direction.

The next thing she knew is bumping into someone and falling down on the floor bringing the said person with her. She groaned heavily against the man's chest as she tried to pull herself up. The man underneath her shared her groan as she felt his hand hold her elbow. She shut her eyes and tried to calm her heart. She needed to apologize for this trouble and reason out why she bumped into him.

"I'm so sorry. My best friend made me watch those horror movies, I did not sleep well because of my imagination, I woke up late—I am hurrying for class, I wasn't paying attention—" she babbled on.

"Shut up, Polka." Came an irritated drawl underneath her. She turned her head upwards and stared at the person she bumped into.

It was Natsume.

Of all the freaking people she could bump into why did it have to be him?

There is no God. He is so cruel.

But there are still advantages to this situation. The last time Mikan studied Natsume's face closely was three years ago—when she last bumped into him. The first advantage: she is on top; she would have power over him in case he tries to do something wicked or perverted. The next advantage: after this squabble she would be able to run away from him first to avoid further embarrassment and the last advantage: She could study his face in a point blank range—one of ever girl's dream in the academy. Her hair fell gently on his face as he looked at her. His raven hair was thrown back, making her see his forehead and eyebrows. It was rare to see his forehead after all his hair covers them. Her eyes traveled to his nose—his perfect patrician nose, she would kill anyone to have his. He shifted his body and she put her hand on his chest, the last time she touched his chest, she was so sure that it was not this firm. God, missions and training can do a lot to a person's physique. Mikan adored his eyebrows too, they were thick starting from the glabella then they would narrow slightly to the end. It wasn't as thick as a bush; it was just as thick as a paint brush's brush. Finally her gaze landed on his eyes.

For Mikan, the most interesting part of his face is his eyes. Other than they were crimson in color and mesmerizing to look at—they were unique, sometimes his eyes would be crimson, sometimes they would turn into a shade deeper depending on his mood.

Mikan's eyes went from his mesmerizing crimson eyes down to his perfect lips—all she could think about right now is to kiss him, until he snapped at her, "Want to suck my face off, Polka?" and then she died.

Her insides felt cold and she never felt so embarrassed her whole life!

Her cheeks immediately flamed up as she gaped at him. Natsume did not move, he simply kept his eyes on her and smirked at her expression. "Well?"

She blinked twice, "H-huh?"

He rolled his eyes and sat himself up, Mikan yelped as her bum hit the floor. She kept her hands on his arm as she gulped, he actually saw her ogling at his mouth and now he's asking her about it.

"I said—"

"I heard you," she blurted, "no, I don't want to suck your face off. It just happened that the only thing I could look at," 'without getting lost into your eyes.' she added mentally, "is your pi—lips, I mean." She blushed at her statement and pulled herself up. She coughed and looked away.

"Once again you managed to get my attention, polka. Keep it up." she ignored him and chose to stare at the wall in front of her.

Natsume remained seated on the floor for a while until she peered at him—only to find his gaze on her skirt—

He whistled, "Looks like you matured already. Even your underwear improved—I like it, though personally I prefer thongs." Giving her a mischievous smile, he sauntered off.

It took her several moments to let his words sink in; she muffled a scream and cursed him inside her head. The perverted jerk saw her underwear and he had the gall to tell her he likes thongs! What a way to start her day!

What on earth did those girls see in him?

ooo

She likes him.

She likes him a lot.

That is Mikan's realization as she stared at her lunch. She honestly could not believe it—she likes him. She likes Hyuuga Natsume—the hottest, most charming, smartest guy in the academy. The same guy who tormented her, burnt her hair when her guard is down, the same guy who teased her mercilessly about her underwear, the same guy who defines fun as giving Sakura Mikan hell, and the same guy who took her first kiss. The moment she asked that question to herself she started to list out mentally the reasons why girls like him—and it hit her, she likes him.

She bloody likes him—just like all the girls in the academy.

All the girls like him, even Hotaru mind you. Hotaru gains almost half of her profits from selling his pictures or some items he threw away (even his toothbrush), but Hotaru likes him because of the money he gives her. She doesn't like him romantically. It was strictly business. Unlike hers.

Mikan sighed to herself. Natsume is a guy any girl would want, brains, handsomeness, coolness, the smirk, the messy hair, those killer eyes—that bad boy look and of course his lips. Mikan blushed at her thoughts, why is she thinking about his lips right now? She could still see them as if he was so near, his lips were not red as an apple but it was pink, a soft kind of pink. She felt her heart flutter as she imagined herself leaning over him and brushing her lips against his.

A loud choking sound broke Mikan from her reverie. Immediately her amber eyes turned to the direction of the sound. It was Koko, and he was choking. Sumire and the other girls gasped as they stared at him while the guys started to growl viciously. Koko grinned slyly as he tried to calm himself down

In an instant eight pairs of eyes narrowed at Koko.

"What can't a man choke on his own lunch here peacefully?" Koko exclaimed holding up his two hands. "I haven't read any of your minds, honestly!" he stared at all of them in fear. Eight people immediately brandished their alices. He shook his head and denied, "I promise! Hell Hotaru, no, shoot Ruka instead, please!"

Mikan couldn't help but feel sorry for him. People always want to kill Koko for poking into their minds; personally she thinks his alice is a blessing and a curse at the same time.

"I am glad that you feel that way towards me, Mikan. I am so lucky to have a friend like—" immediately realizing his mistake; Koko clamped a hand on his mouth.

Mikan's jaw dropped as she stared at the person who she pitied a while ago—He just read her mind! Her heart sank—when did he start reading her mind? From the very first when she realized she likes him? She narrowed her eyes at Koko.

"No, Mikan I swear I just—"

She immediately hurled the apple from her tray and hit him squarely in the eye. He yelped, fell off his seat and started whimpering and saying, "I thought she's harmless since she's a defense type… Oh god, she could throw…"

People from the other table noticed the commotion and stared at Mikan. She actually felt satisfied that she hit him but then she felt so embarrassed. Sumire and the others found her action intriguing and all of them smiled slyly at her. She strode towards Koko who was still whining on the floor.

"Get up, we need to talk." He did not move, "I would drag you out if I have to." He stayed on the floor; she sighed exasperatedly and hauled him up and out of the dining hall.

ooo

She pushed him to the wall and released a muffled scream in her hands. Koko gulped at Mikan's reaction and prayed for the ground to swallow him up. He really does not want to get hit by another apple or probably her fist right now. His left eye is pounding. After several seconds, she composed her self, tied her auburn hair into a messy bun and glowered at him. She meant business.

"So, spill—how did you read my mind? Why did you read my mind? And when did you start reading my mind?"

Koko's hazel eyes widened as he fidgeted, "look, we can talk about this nicely, Mikan."

"We will talk about this nicely." She cracked her knuckles and smirked evilly. "Spill."

He swallowed, "your guard was down, and so I took advantage. After all, I never managed to read your mind—the last time I did so was when we were still ten. I only read your mind when you said you pitied me."

An eyebrow rose at his answer, "I could be nice—but I seriously could be mean. Now, tell me the truth or your right eye will get the same attention."

"When you realized you like him." he blurted.

Her jaw dropped, "What? That—that—that was the first thought I had when I ate my lunch! You better not say anything about this or you'll wake up in the hospital Koko!"

"What if Hotaru decides to shoot me? Or Sumire decides to claw me? Or better yet," he smiled ruefully, "what if Natsume burns me to know your secret?"

She turned red, "it's just a simple crush Koko! It's not like I want to be his girlfriend!"

"But you want to kiss him—who knew little Miss Mikan would want to do something perverted-" she clamped a hand on his mouth with a glare.

"Shut up. Shut up please. I don't want him to know. Hell, he'd tease me forever!" she removed his hand from his mouth and knelt in front of him. Koko gasped at her action, "please, keep it a secret. I'd do anything!"

"Mikan, get up—people would think—" several boys gave Koko lascivious looks and gave him thumbs ups. He groaned, "Get up! People would think that you're—"

"I'm what?" she hoarsely replied, "Please Koko I'd do anything!"

He tugged at her arm, "Mikan get up—" another group of guys sniggered at them. "Oh jeez, Mikan. They'd think you've given me a—a—"

"A what?" she asked curiously.

Koko sighed at her innocence. "Nothing. Come on."

ooo

"You're not my type, but you are certainly cute."

Cute. That was what Koko told her earlier when she asked him if he found her attractive even. He looked shocked at her question but then answered anyways. She was not convinced by his answer. If she is cute for him, why isn't anyone asking her out? No one has ever dared to ask her to accompany him to go to the Central Town. Ever. Maybe Koko was just trying to boost her self-esteem up so that she would not feel down. Maybe Koko lied to her to make her smile. She growled at his dishonesty. She shouldn't have trusted him in the first place.

"For the nth time, Sakura Mikan. You are not ugly." Koko said through gritted teeth. They are all seated together in the library, eyes poring over books and brains working non-stop as they read books after books. Jinno had been cruel to them for the past few weeks and so all of them are studying their asses out.

"Stop reading my mind." She snapped. Natsume, who was sitting next to Mikan, seemed to be nonchalant about the happenings. He is not studying at this moment. He is too smart to study.

"Why who said that you're ugly?" Natsume asked.

Mikan gave him a cold stare, "You who else? You're the only one telling me that since I came here, and now look at the damage you've done. Now I am thinking that I am ugly. All thanks to you."

He shrugged.

"You are cute," Ruka agreed. Mochu and Iinchou also nodded in acknowledgement. She sighed—either they are good friends or they are down right liars.

"Then tell me, why on earth don't I have a boyfriend?"

The three guys gulped at her question. She smirked, they are lying.

"Mikan look," Iinchou explained, "You are cute—" Natsume scowled at him, he shuddered, "but maybe people are intimidated by you."

"Intimidated? I doubt that someone even likes me!"

Koko sighed at her statement, "That guy—" he pointed to the one scanning through the spines, "is stalking you since you were thirteen, the guy seated next to that girl in that table has a crush on you. The guy standing with his other friends wants to ask you out right now but is afraid to do so since you are with us. Iinchou had a crush on you when we were ten and Ruka still likes you up to now—though as not as much as before." Ruka turned beet red at his statement and glowered at Koko. Mikan froze for a moment at his revelations.

"It's not like I am a damsel in distress or some kind of princess stuck in a tower who has a fire breathing dragon scaring off my suitors, right?"

When the 'fire breathing dragon' was mentioned, surreptitious glances were directed on Natsume who looked so interested in the book Ruka was reading.

"You may never know," Hotaru drawled menacingly, "the dragon maybe in love with the said princess." She cast another knowing look at Natsume.

"A dragon is for a dragon. A princess is for a prince." Mikan reasoned out.

Anna frowned, "but the dragon fell in love with the donkey."

"That's because there's no other dragon present in the story." She reasoned out once more. "But if there was another dragon in Shrek I suppose the dragon would've fallen in love with the other dragon. Besides, the dragon and the donkey are not compatible. He's a mammal, while the dragon is a reptile."

"Why are we talking about animated fairytale movies?" Natsume asked. Mikan ignored him.

"Well, what if there is no prince in this story?" Sumire asked.

"Then the princess must settle for the dragon." Iinchou said.

"Right. The dragon fell in love with the donkey and the prince fell in love with the princess—but then if the donkey and the prince were not around, there's a possibility that the dragon will fall in love with the princess. "

"Are you trying to say that I settle for a girl? The dragon in Shrek is a girl." She pointed out.

"Set aside the genders," Hotaru snapped. "We're changing the story."

"I do not want to have a relationship with the dragon! I want a prince"

Koko grinned at her and kept his voice low enough for only her to hear, "but the thing is, your prince is the dragon."

Mikan frowned at him—Koko associated Natsume to the dragon. "Then I have no hope, the dragon does not like the princess and will never like the princess."

"Don't worry," Koko assured her, "the dragon will like you. Dragons like virgins."

Mikan thwacked him with her book.

ooo

A/N: Yes, Koko has a lot of exposure here. I like Koko. I actually fantasize about having a love triangle between Koko, Mikan and Natsume. Now that we know who the dragon is—let's see what will happen next. I decided to make this a two shot. This story is hell long and I was annoyed at how long it is. So I'll update this after I finish the next chapter. Leave a review guys!