Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Gakuen Alice.

Basic Summary: Mikan is dead, leaving everyone to suffer, especially Natsume. But upon making a deal with the devil, Mikan is given a few months to live. The deal? If Mikan is able to remember her former life with Natsume before she died, then she will be able to live. If not, her soul belongs to the devil. But will Natsume be able to save Mikan and himself from darkness?

The Will To Live

"If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, it was meant to be. If they don't their love was never yours to begin with."

Chapter One: Hide and Seek

Her breath came out in short gasps as she sprinted through the foreboding forest. The sun had set long ago, and was now replaced with a dimly lit crescent moon. She ran blindly, having no clue as to where she was going in the darkness of the night.

Stumbling over a tree root, Mikan hissed in pain as she collided into the ground. She scrambled to get up from the dirt, ignoring the cuts and scratches that now marred her porcelain skin. Forcing herself up, she broke into a wild dash as she tried to make up for lost time. The precious time was simply ticking away...Every second that passed by might be her last...especially in a game of life or death. If you managed to evade the hunter, you would be able to keep your life. If not, then death was the only option.

Evading the trees that blocked her path, she pushed onwards. A soft cry fell from her lips as the sleeve of her uniform caught onto the stray branch of a tree. Wasting no time, she tore her arm away quickly, effectively leaving the tattered remnants of her sleeve behind. To Mikan's horror, she ran straight into a clearing. Her sanctuary of troublesome plant life had ended.

There were no more trees to thwart her hunter...

No more bushes that might have had the slightest possibility to stop him in his tracks...

No where else to run.

"Did you really think that you would be able to escape me?" Mikan froze at the chilling voice coming from behind her. It was as deadly as a blizzard, but as quiet as a soft breeze. On instinct, she turned around swiftly, hoping that the voice was a figment of her imagination...something that had been conjured up in the midst of her anxiety and exasperation.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the only sight that befell her eyes was the dark, ominous exit into the forest that she had just come from. Mikan winced as the sound of rumbling thunder pierced through the night's solitude. The howling of the wind started to increase in volume as more rain clouds dotted the sky.

Everyone back at the academy was probably sleeping in their comfy beds, completely unaware as to what was taking place...if only they knew.

"You never had a chance, Sakura-san." Her heart skipped a beat as the voice slipped into her conscious once more. Whipping around to the sound of it, she came face to face with her hunter. There were a million things that she wanted to ask him, but none of them were voiced.

Smiling wryly, Mikan knew that she was staring death in the face. Persona stood a few feet in front of her as his eyes appraised her nonchalantly. She was trembling violently and it seemed as if her legs were going to give way any moment. What piqued his interest was how her brown honey orbs shone with not fear, but defiance.

"Why are you doing this?" Rather than coming out strong and assertive, it was fearful and meek.

"You are a large obstacle in Natsume's path. Obstacles must be eliminated when they are in one's way." Mikan felt a cold wave come over her at the blunt implication behind his words. Persona had never seemed the type to mince words. In this case, he followed through that stereotype quite accurately.

"Natsume has been following your orders, isn't that enough? He is the same Kuro Neko, that you know and love." The words were bitter and laced with hatred at the mention of Natsume's missions. "Every time he uses his alice, his life grows shorter. Why do you insist on making him fight?"

"He is a tool." Persona replied, apparently unfazed by the outburst.

"Natsume is human. He should have the right to live his own life and choose his own destiny."

A loud, cruel laugh came from Persona, his lips shaped into a sickening grin. "He has changed. He is no longer the same Natsume I knew."

Mikan shivered at the accusing tone in his voice. "Natsume is the same. Natsume was always, and always will be, Natsume." She took a step back.

"You are sadly mistaken." Persona closed the distance between himself and the girl.

"Then, why won't you let him be? I am nothing to Natsume, he thinks nothing of me." Mikan winced at the pain that gripped her heart at her words, but she ignored it. Letting out a slow breath, Mikan concentrated on steadying her breathing. Her heart was beating way too fast for her liking at the mention of Natsume.

"I warned him not to get close to anyone. It seems that he will have to pay the price with your life..." A loud crack of thunder resonated as small, cold droplets of rain began to drizzle down. She shuddered at the feel of the icy drops of rain on her warm skin.

"I still don't understand why you have to kill me. Even if Natsume is changed, nothing can change him back to his former self."

Persona smirked at the determined girl before him, shaking his head as if lecturing a mere child...which was exactly what she was.

"If you died, Natsume would change back to the way he was. He would know his place and that he will never be able to win against me."

He bent down to her slowly, relishing in the newly developed fear that was now clouding her eyes. Inclining his head towards her ear, Persona whispered softly, "I want him to know that he will never be able to obtain happiness as long as he lives."

With a cry of anguish, Mikan pushed away the unwanted contact. Taking a few steps back, she shook her head vigorously. She was still trying to deny the inevitable even though it was right in front of her...

"I want him to know that no one will ever be able to save him. Not even the one whom he considers his most important person."

Mikan felt salty tears run down her cheeks as she took a few steps back. This couldn't be happening. She was going to die and she would never be able to see Natsume again. Scratch that, she would never be able to see anyone of her friends ever again...no one. Shaking her head once more, Mikan broke out into another run as she attempted to make some distance between her and her hunter.

Suddenly a revelation occured and Mikan stopped running as sense slowly began to don on her.

What was the point of running? She already lost. She sank slowly to the soggy ground, paying no heed to the mud that was staining her skirt. Mikan was drained of energy, hope, and will.

Sobs wracked her frame as the tears poured from her eyes. This was the end. There was no need for anyone to tell her that anymore. Mikan winced as she felt a harsh tug on her pigtail, forcefully pulling her up from the ground.

Time was up. The game was over.

Natsume hurriedly made his way through the forest, ignoring the occasional snag of his clothes on the bushes nearby. A horrible feeling had been gnawing away at him from the inside out. He had fought with Mikan again and in her anger she said she was going to take a short walk.

Natsume could have cared less about where she went or what she did. That is, until the sun sank well beyond the horizon.

Mikan was petrified of the dark and there was no way in hell that she would wander around outside alone when there was going to be a thunderstorm. She wouldn't be able to last by herself. The rain fell down in torrents, showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

Natsume's pace staggered to a halt as a remnant of clothing came into view. It was a sleeve from the academy uniform, swaying in the wind from its place on a thicket. His heart clenched in fear at the sight as he continued onwards. The wind roared louder, as if in protest at his actions.

Reaching a clearing, his narrowed eyes scanned the area as he searched for something...anything. Natsume's eyes widened in fear as he found what he was looking for. Off in the distance, almost beyond Natsume's line of vision, was a figure lying on the ground.

It wasn't moving.

"Mikan." Paying no attention to the falling rain, he ran to where the figure was. Natsume was going to be sick.

There was blood everywhere. Her body was beaten up, bruised, and there were cuts all over. She was almost akin in resemblance to a broken rag doll. "Mikan!" Natsume lifted her from the ground and cradled her softly, praying that she would respond.

A shattering cough erupted from her mouth as Mikan's eyelids fluttered open. "N-Natsume?" A look of relief spread across Natsume's face at the sound of her voice. There was still hope.

"Yeah, I'm right here polka dots." Mikan smiled brightly, her face aglow with faux life despite the obvious pain in her eyes.

"Natsume...I thought I wouldn't see you again." Natsume could feel his heart breaking at the look on her face. Even in pain she was still trying to be happy...

"Don't be stupid. It's not like you are going anywhere. You are staying right here." Here with me...

Mikan giggled before a pained expression came over her. Shivering slightly, she cuddled closer to him, holding his intent gaze with hers. "Its so cold Natsume..."

The rain was cold, but not cold enough to elicit the violent shudders coming from the girl. The rain was making her condition worse than it already was. Natsume felt his heart constrict in worry as he continued to stare into her broken gaze...her empty eyes...

Taking off his jacket, he tenderly placed it around Mikan. It wasn't much, but it was the only thing he could do. "I have to get you out of here Mikan, I'm sure you can still get some help. There is still time."

Mikan shook her head slowly as tears began to fall from her eyes. It was hard to distinguish the rain from the onslaught of tears... "I'm so glad you came Natsume...I didn't want to be by myself...its so scary..."

He frowned angrily and held onto her hand desperately. "You aren't alone anymore, Mikan. You will never, ever be alone." But please, dont leave me alone...

Mikan gave him a small smile. "Natsume, please don't make this harder on yourself. You know that...nothing can be done anymore. This is it."

"Please Mikan...Everyone is back at the academy. Hold on and don't you dare give up on me now." I want to be with you forever...

Mikan shook her head softly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I can't Natsume. I can't. It's too hard..."

This couldn't be happening. He finally found the girl that changed his life...the girl who he swore to protect...the girl who he wanted to grow old with...the annoying, caring, bubbly girl that he loved more than anything else in the world.

And she was dying.

"Mikan...I'm so sorry."

Mikan felt her tears spill once more at the sound of his voice. It was broken and dead. She gripped onto his hand tightly as she braved another smile. Another broken smile. Another smile that no longer carried the innocence and life that complimented it so well.

"Natsume...I love you." Mikan laughed quietly at the expression on Natsume's face. It was a mix of bewilderment, shock, and pain. Mikan's happiness was short lived as she began to cough once more, blood trickling down from the side of her mouth.

Natsume was speechless. Hadn't he always wanted to hear those words coming from her mouth? Yet the situation was anything but happy.

"There were so many things that I wanted to do with everyone...but now..." Mikan flinched as she closed her eyes in pain.

"N-Natsume...it hurts so much."

Natsume was an emotional wreck. His raven bangs stuck to his face from the rain and Mikan was soaked to the bone.

He couldn't save her. When it mattered most, he let her down. He wasn't there to protect her from whatever happened. Judging by how beaten up she looked, someone had intended to kill her. And if that person had his way, he wouldn't get caught, and would get away with murder. At this rate, it seemed that the person succeeded.

Mikan was dying, and the only thing that he could do now was comfort her.

Natsume hugged her to his chest in desperation. "Mikan...don't leave me." Mikan shivered at the intensity in his words.

"I don't want to Natsume...but I'm tired..." Natsume held on tighter, trying to convince her to stay with a single action.

"Please, you can go to sleep...but for now, just stay with me." Natsume knew he was being selfish, but he wanted her to stay with him...even if it would only be for a few moments longer.

Mikan nodded her head slowly looking into his crimson eyes. It pained her thinking that she would never be able to see those eyes again...never be able to see him again.

"I'll try, Natsume."

Natsume's eyes lost their intensity and was replaced with grim resolve. "Thank you, Mikan."

"But, Natsume, could you do me a favor?" Natsume nodded vigorously, never releasing her from his gaze.

"Anything."

"Could you stay here with me...?"

Natsume felt bitter amusement rise up within him. "You can bet on that." Mikan smiled in thanks as she tried to snuggle closer to Natsume, praying that this would never end.

Hours passed as the furious downpour minimized and the sun began to rise, painting the skies with beautiful hues of pink and orange. It was breathtaking.

"Oi, polka dots."

Mikan raised her head weakly as she lifted her head to look at him. "Yes, Natsume?"

Natsume looked at her in evident pain, his heart beats growing erratic. "I love you too."

Mikan let out a gentle sigh as she smiled at him. "I'm glad." With those two words, her eyes drifted shut, a peaceful expression finally lighting her features.

"Mikan...?" Natsume shook her slightly, but to no avail. "MIKAN!"

Natsume's guiding light had gone out.

A/N: Ick. How was that? XD It was my first attempt at angst, so don't be too harsh. XP I also admit that Natsume was probably kind of OOC, but what can you expect? The love of his life died. Oh and, um, don't kill me for making Mikan die, it's going to get better, I promise. ;P Hopefully I was able to portray the emotions good enough? Was it kind of unrealistic? If so, tell me so I can use it for future reference. In other words, I gladly accept constructive critique. Reviews inspire me to write faster, so they do help me write. If anyone has any question regarding slow updates, etc., you can check on my profile. It should have all the answers you are looking for. Please review if you want me to continue. I won't bother with the story if no one likes it. xD So, love it? Hate it? Think I could have done better? If so, leave a review and I promise, I will definitely answer you. :D