Author's Note and Disclaimer: The idea for this fic just popped into my head while I was trying to catch some sleep. My other fic, Deadly Nightshade will be updated soon. Read and review! I DON'T OWN GAKUEN ALICE.
The destruction of his mask. That was the little flaw that he hadn't managed to see. Little did he know that something as simple as that could set off the trigger to a tragic turn of events. And as he set his last target on fire, the dawn of what he had to do loomed upon him.
He couldn't help but feel unbelievably stupid.
It was supposed to be just another mission. Same old instructions. Knock down the bodyguards. Kill the target. Never, under any circumstances, show your face.
Persona was threatening him as usual, though this time, it wasn't Aoi who was in danger.
After Aoi's departure from the academy, Persona pursued another potential blackmail material – Mikan Sakura. Natsume was once again bound to serve the academy, in exchange for Mikan's safety. And Mikan, oblivious to Natsume's dilemma, continued life as usual not knowing that she was being constantly stalked.
Mikan.
Natsume felt a huge pang of regret upon thinking about the bubbly brunette. Knowing Mikan, she would probably be devastated upon learning about Natsume's alice accident. The most painful part of his disappearance would be not seeing her again, without even telling her what he really felt. The loudness yet sweetness of her voice, the curls of her soft brown hair, and the way he always drowned in her amber eyes all seemed so distant right now, and try as he might, he couldn't grab a hold of any of them. It was ironic that he felt so cold and alone, though his alice always kept him physically warm.
What exactly happened earlier? How did that bastard get hold of a camera?!
The fight that took place earlier was not different from all his other fights. In fact, the bodyguards were pretty lame, and the main target himself was a big, spineless coward.
Unfortunately, his mask was torn from his face in hand-to-hand combat. Just as he was about to pick it up again, a camera flash went off, and his mask was blasted by several bullets. The said photographer was able to escape, most probably on the mission to spread the picture of Natsume's face everywhere.
Murderer.
He was used to being talked about for things he didn't do. But this time, there will be a picture to prove it. There will be solid proof that he was indeed a cold-blooded killer.
Do not implicate the academy. Kill innocent people if you have to. But never allow anyone to link your activities to the academy. If there is no other way, you know what to do, Kuro neko.
These were Persona's exact words.
And as the blue flames of his own alice devoured him, only one person stayed on his mind despite the excruciating pain.
I'm sorry, Mikan.
A hundred miles away, in the heart of Gakuen Alice, Sakura Mikan woke up drenched in cold sweat and with tears in her eyes…