Hey there people! Okay so... I want to thank Mystique0831 who has sent the most reviews for this fic of mine. I really am thankful. And to those who have given me reviews recently, thank you very much! And so I am presenting you guys the twelfth chapter of my fic. As I was and still am hoping... I really do wish that I would be able to finish this certain fanfic. I think that I am nearing the half of this piece of art. A few more chapters and I think I would be able to finish this fic. Anyhow, please leave a review! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

DISCLAIMER. I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE.

Chapter 12: Catching On

Mikan Sakura, to say the least, was very much confused. She has consulted onto her best friend about the most recent problem that topped her list. She has asked her best friend, Hotaru, for some good old advice regarding her problem about a certain raven haired lad. Although that's the case, it seemed that her best friend has refused to give her any help. She frowned and pouted as she did her best to let her friend give in to her demands. But to no avail, her best friend did not budge. But what upset her most was that it seemed Hotaru knew something about Natsume that she didn't.

Of course, the brunette tried her best to squeeze in details from her friend. And unfortunately for her, her friend is not that easy to give into her demands. The raven haired lass just kept her mouth shut. She seemed to be able to resist the 'charms' of her best friend. That or she was just really enjoying the fact that Mikan Sakura, a bright teenager, was having a hard time with something so obvious. Although, she seemed to let some clue escape her sealed lips. But of course, Mikan, being slow as ever on some things, wasn't able to get any of it.

It did not actually help the brunette that the boy in question is very much confusing her. It seemed like Natsume knew how to rile up her senses. It actually drives Mikan crazy. He does not have so much trouble in pulling the strings in Mikan's feelings. He seemed to have captured her. Not to mention that he seemed to have the said brunette completely by his grasp. And the brunette is actually not very pleased at every single one of his antics.

The brunette wondered how Natsume does it. He could stir up her feelings as if it was as easy as controlling a joy stick. It bugs her how swiftly he knows which strings to pull. After all she had dated a few guys back in her stay in America. But even if that's the case, not one of the guys could make her feel like Natsume does to her. He has her way to her heart. Just by existing, he seemed to let Mikan's emotions resurface. And not to mention he seemed to know really well how to make her flush.

Mikan was staring out the window. Clearly, the young brunette was lost in thought. She stayed like that for a good minute before taking her gaze away and into the mess of a classroom. The class is currently waiting for their fifth period teacher. And have clearly used the time to fool around, gossip or do anything besides making their time worth it. She frowned a bit at how easy going the class was and not to mention very much loud. Looking around, her eyes fell on Natsume's group. As she did so, her eyes were met by the familiar ruby ones of Natsume.

Immediately, the young brunette could feel her cheeks starting to get warm. Oh how she hated that effect he has on her. She shifted her gaze away from him to calm herself down and once she did, she let herself once more looked into his direction. Thankfully, this time around he was engrossed into socializing with his friends that he wasn't paying her any attention... not that he was paying her any attention whenever there were people around. She frowned at the thought.

Thinking back, it seemed that ever since that sleepover and he disappeared in the morning... or was it that he left once everyone was asleep? Either way, it started there. Monday morning the week after that, once she stepped into the classroom and saw the raven haired lad and approached him to ask what he meant in the note he slipped her, he pretended not to know what she was talking about. And then that very same day, when she was alone in the library doing some research, he was the one who made his move and talked to her which made her more confused than ever. Ever since then, it has been that way for the two. And Mikan figured that it seemed that that exchange would continue on if she didn't figure out that meaning of the note.

Her train of thoughts were interrupted when the door opened revealing their teacher. Almost immediately, students hurried back to their seats. The classroom quieted down. She whirled around to face in front just before she was caught staring at the raven haired lad. Moments after, the teacher cleared his throat and once more lessons begun.

Alas time flew by so fast. Finally it was the end of the day. Students grabbed their bags and hurried off. Mikan on the other hand was taking it one at a time as she gathered her things and fixed it before approaching her best friend. Hotaru, having been one who was first to get out, was waiting for her outside the classroom. She has a board expression on her face as she did which made Mikan pout. "I didn't make you wait that long!" she whined which was only returned with a shrug and the two of them were making their way to the field.

There was cheerleading practice today. And apparently, Mikan was looking forward to it somehow. Well, that was until she learned that they would be practicing at the field together with the football jocks. She let out a soft sigh as she shoved her things into her locker and changed into a sports bra and some sports shorts since the new members haven't been given their uniform yet. Once she was done and Hotaru was too, the two of them went to the field and was met with their fellow cheerleaders.

Hotaru and Mikan picked a spot a few meters away from the others as they did their own stretching. Thankfully, their team captain aka Mikan's stepsister, Luna, is late today. And thus giving Mikan some time to chat with Hotaru. Once more the brunette decided to try and get her best friend talking. "So," she said starting a conversation.

"You are not about to start another conversation about that note are you?" Hotaru asked knowingly which made the brunette frown in disbelief.

Mikan looked at her best friend and let out a soft sigh. "It's just very confusing," she admitted. "And you stubbornly trying to keep your mouth shut on whatever thing you know is not helping me."

"I know you to be a very smart girl Mikan," Hotaru replied as she did her finishing touches of her stretching. "And I know that you're not stupid enough to not follow up on the clues lying around. For all I know you already know the answer to your question but knowing how hard-headed and stubborn you are you just refused to see what's ahead of you."

The brunette's eyebrows furrowed at that and a scowl went up to her beautiful face. She was clearly taking in whatever her friend has given her. Did she just gave her some advice or was she just plain insulting her? Her train of thoughts was broken when she heard the shrill voice of her step sister rang aloud beckoning everyone to listen to whatever she needs to say. Shaking her head, she jogged towards the group and rolled her eyes at whatever Luna said before starting the practice.

For two hours the whole team was practicing. It seemed that Luna was timing their practice with the football team because once she saw that the jocks took a break, she too called everyone's attention and told them that they could have 10 minutes. Mikan rolled her eyes at this as she went to grab a water bottle before going to Hotaru's side. "I think she just joined cheerleading because it's the closest to the football team," Mikan commented and was returned with Hotaru's nod. The two continued to watch Luna as she fixed her hair before making her way to the other side of the field where the jocks were resting. They could see her approach Natsume, who seemed to scowling at her appearance.

Mikan found herself frowning at Luna's actions. She knew all too well what the girl wanted by crossing the field to the other club. And she found her frown to deepen some more when she saw Luna touch Natsume's arm as she tried to flirt with the raven haired lad. At that, Mikan held her breath. She watched with hawk like eye as she anticipated for Natsume's actions. She sighed in relief when the lad shoved the blond away from him.

Hotaru eyed her friend and immediately a smirk surfaced. She elbowed the brunette which made her turn to her. At first the brunette was confused as to why the raven haired lass was smirking at her but then it downed to her. She let out a soft gasped and immediately she was as red as a tomato. She stammered as she tried to explain herself, save her from whatever teasing Hotaru would like to offer her. "I... I... It's not what you think," Mikan said stuttering as her blush deepened some more than it could.

Hotaru's smirk grew as she eyed her friend mischievously. "Oh, I wasn't thinking anything Mi-kan," she said. "Besides... no need to be defensive my dear friend."

Mikan frowned as she crossed her arms. She let out a 'huff' as she looked the other way. "I am not being defensive," she said trying to sound as uncaring as she could but miserably failing.

"Ha! See there you go being all defensive as you are," Hotaru retorted. "I know you Mikan. I'm your best friend for Pete's sake!"

Mikan looked at Hotaru and sighed softly. She stared at the raven haired lass for a while not knowing what to say. Alas, she uncrossed her arms and let it fall by her side. "What do you want me to say Hotaru?" she asked defeated.

"How about your real feelings? Maybe then you'll see what's in front of you," her best friend replied as she looked at her seriously. "Admit it Mikan. You like him."

"Like who Hotaru?" she asked trying to act as if she doesn't know what her friend was talking about.

At this Hotaru frowned at Mikan. She shook her head and looked towards Natsume's direction where Luna was still trying to flirt with him. A bit frustrated, Hotaur run a hand through her raven locks before looking at Mikan once more. "Natsume Hyuuga," she said finally. "You like him Mikan. I can see that. I've never seen you act like you're acting towards him to other guys."

Mikan blushed once more and looked at Hotaru. She stayed silent for a while as if trying to think of something that would prove that she does not like Natsume. But to no avail, she sighed in defeat and nodded her head. "Fine... I like him. I like Natsume Hyuuga," she said finally. "But... I can't trust myself to accept the truth Hotaru. I can't, not until I find out what he meant by the note, what he meant when he said he knows me."

"You'll figure it out soon, you're a smart lady Mikan," the raven hared lass replied. Mikan was about to say something as she opened her mouth when Luna came back. A small scowl was on her lips as she looked at everyone. She glared at whoever she liked. And with that they started practice.

The day ended. And soon, the girls were at the changing room getting a quick shower before changing into some comfortable clean clothes. Mikan was one of the girls to finish first. She sighed as she dried her hair with a blower before deciding to wait for Hotaru outside. She clutched her bag as she just stood there minding her own business. She let her mind wonder off as she leaned onto a wall. But moments later she was brought back into reality when she felt someone grabbed her arm and drag her somewhere. Her eyes widened and she just opened her mouth to scream or something when she saw who was dragging her away.

She blushed midway but quickly regained herself. Slowly, the blush left her cheeks as a scowl came up to her face. She looked at the raven haired lad as she tried to tug her arm away from his grasp. She tried attempts to get her arm free from his grasp but to no avail he was just so much stronger than her. Moments after, she just resigned herself from making an escape and just let him lead the way. He finally stopped and turned to face Mikan who was still scowling at him and glaring.

"What do you want?" she asked.

Natsume ruffled his hair and let out a sigh. "I just want to talk," he said.

"We could have talked just fine there. You don't have to drag me here," Mikan replied as she looked around. "Besides, what do you plan to talk about anyway? You never really talked straight in front of me. You just confuse me even more whenever you do. You don't get straight to the point Natsume. You're always hiding behind some cryptic reply every time I ask you about all this you're doing."

Natsume raised an eyebrow at her. Clearly, he seemed amused at the outburst of the brunnete. He continued to stare at her for a while before sighing. "I'm not gonna answer that," he said simply which earned him a glare from Mikan. "Why won't you tell me?" Mikan asked him.

"It's because you look like you're not ready yet," he said which earned him a confused looked from Mikan. He ruffled his hair before leaning down and kissing her. And when he pulled back, he whispered onto her ear. "You can't see what's in front of you Mikan. I know that deep down you know what I am talking about this whole time but it's just you seem so stubborn to turn a blind eye towards it."

Mikan frowned at what he said. She furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him. It's funny how he seemed to know her. Or why he seemed to think that he knows her. But then again, Hotaru said the same thing not long ago. She let out a sigh of frustration as she let herself think of something... anything to say to him.

As Mikan struggle to get a hold of herself, Natsume was examing her. He watched as her facial expressions changed from confusion, anger, frustration and then to defeat. Shaking his head, his eyes fell around her neck. The raven haired lad frowned a bit when he saw that her neck was bare. "Where's your necklace?" he asked her which ended Mikan's train of thoughts. The brunette looked at him a bit confused. "Excuse me?" she asked him.

"Are you deaf of something?" he asked. "I just asked you where your necklace is."

Immediately, Mikan's hand came up to her neck. Her eyes widened when she didn't feel her necklace there. She stood there in panic for a few seconds before regaining her confusing. Her clouded mind finally clearing as she let herself relax. Of course she's not wearing it, she placed it safely in her bag before practice. She was about to say it to Natsume when she realized the frown that was on his lips. It couldn't be because she wasn't wearing the necklace was it? Besides, he doesn't seemed to care about it before why now?

Mikan let her hand fall to her side as she looked at Natsume. She scowled a bit as she clutched her bag. "Why do you care anyway?" she asked. "It's not like you're the one who gave it to me or something."

At that Natsume flushed a bit. He shrugged his shoulders acting cool and all. "Whatever... I was just wondering. It's not like I was the one panicking or something," he said in defence and Mikan raised her eyebrows at him.

"Are we done here yet?" she asked him. And when he didn't answer, she turned around and went away from him as fast as possible. She let out a soft sigh once she was out of his sight. It took her a few moments to compose herself and once she did, she went to find her friend. She found the raven haired beauty waiting for her by the bleachers and she smiled a bit. "Sorry, something came up," she said which earned her a raised eyebrow from her friend which she just shrug off.

Once they were at the parking lot, Mikan was thankful enough to see only Ruka. She let out a sigh of relief and smiled at her friend. Just then an idea came into mind. Wasn't it that Ruka mentioned to her that he is Natsume's cousin? And they seem to be so close to each other. Mikan smiled sweetly as she made her way to Ruka much to her best friend's displeasure. Because, whenever Mikan act so sweet around someone, she is in need of something in return.

"Ruka-pyon," she called out in her sickly sweet voice. The oblivious blond boy turned to her and smiled brightly being the ever gentleman that he was. "Are you going to come over and have dinner at my place together with Hotaru and me?"

Ruka thought about it. He turned to Hotaru, who seemed to look at him with her usually poker face. Shrugging his shoulders, he nodded his head. "I think it wouldn't hurt if I have dinner at your place. I'll just tell Natsume that I'll be late. I'm staying with his family you know."

Mikan nodded in understanding as she smiled widely and went inside the car. She was followed suit by the two as they made their way to her house. The three hang out doing their homework and such. And once dinner was over, Mikan pulled Ruka to the side. Of course, she asked for Hotaru's approval on talking to Ruka privately. Although knowing the raven haired lass, she knew that she would find a way to eavesdrop on them. Mikan let out a soft sigh as she stood in front of Ruka a bit uneasy in asking anything about Natsume to him.

"So what is this about?" Ruka asked as he watched the uneasy girl pace back and forth in front of Mikan. "You seemed a bit uneasy there Mikan."

Mikan let out a frustrated sigh once more before stopping in front of Ruka. She looked him in the eye before looking back down at her feet as she tried to think of a way to ask him. There was a long silence between them as Ruka shifted in his feet a bit confused. Finally, Mikan opened her mouth. "I... You're pretty close to Natsume right?" she asked him.

"Well of course. He's my cousin Mikan," Ruka replied. "And as far as I'm concerned he is my best bud. I mean, no offense to you."

Mikan shrugged at that last comment. She looked at him with hope in her eyes. "So you tell each other everything?" she asked him. "Please Ruka. I... I need to find out who he really is and what he knows about me. I just can't go on with this confusion. Hotaru said that I already know the answer. Even Natsume said it! But I don't Ruka. I don't know. Please help me."

Ruka let out a soft sigh. He looked at the brunette in front of him. He has grown to love her like his very own sister and it just pains him that she was just so confused at what was happening in front of her. Of course, he understood why. She came here and only thought about re-claiming her position as a member of the family. She came back because she wants her father to see her as his daughter and yet she's in a middle of whatever it was between her and Natsume. And of course, he knew. He knew what Natsume meant. He knew what his cousin is planning. And he knew why the raven haired lad wouldn't tell her who he was.

"What do you want me to tell you?" he asked her after awhile.

The brunette looked up at him. Immediately she could only think one question. And it's the only question that has been bugging her for a few weeks now. A question she clearly refuses to acknowledge before... until now. "I... I want to know... I want to know if we knew each other when we were kids," she said finally. "Is she that childhood friend I was always telling you and Hotaru about back in America?"

Ruka ruffled his hair as she looked away from Mikan. For a moment he didn't know what to say. Should he tell her the truth? Or should he just give her a clue? He started pacing as he gathered his thoughts. Finally letting out a soft sigh, he stopped his tracks and faced Mikan. The brunette was watching him intently. She was waiting for his reply. She needed to know. She has to know. Agian, the blond boy ruffled his hair as he looked Mikan straight in the eye. "Yes..." he said. "Yes he is."

Mikan's eyes widened in shock and her mouth agape. She blushed a bit as she started to walk back and forth. Ruka watched the brunette as she paced in front of him. He was a bit worried on what the brunette's reaction would be. "All this time," she was muttering to herself. "I have a feeling about it but I ignored it. He is my childhood friend?" She let herself take in the news for a while before turning once more to face Ruka. "But why? Why didn't he tell me?" she asked. "It would have been easier if he told me!"

"I don't know the real reason Mikan. But if I have to guess, it might be because he thought you don't feel the same as he does," he said which confused Mikan a bit. "Well, that's just about the help I can give you Mikan. But all the rest is up to the two of you." And with that Ruka left Mikan with her train of thoughts.

Oh God. Please don't sue me! I know it's not the best chapter that I have made. I actually made it a bit confused. Lol. Sorry if you would find this a bit disappointing. But I hope that you would like it! Please continue to like the fic. And I really really am sorry if this particular chapter is not that good. :( I really am a bit disappointed at myself for this one. Anyway please REVIEW! REVIEW REVIEW!

P.S. Who is a fan of Harry Potter here? I'm thinking of doing a Dramione fic. :) Is anyone of you a fan? Do you want me to write one?