Shou-chan: Hey guys! I'm new here and this is my first fanfic! YAY! XD Because I just started high school, I'm going to be really busy with my tons of homework and projects...so I won't be able to update regularly... T.T Please forgive me for that :D Hope you like my story! R&R :)

Numb Heart

Chapter 1

Alice Academy is a school for students with special inborn powers called alices. In this school, the students may train, develop and strengthen their alice.

It was a dark, cold November night. Two men were talking in the Eastern Woods Near the Junior-high dormitories in Alice Academy.

"You're late, Natsume" spoke the first of the two. He was a tall dangerous man wearing a long black leather coat and a mask that covers the upper portion of his face.

"Hn" was Natsume's only reply. Natsume Hyuuga is younger than the two, yet just as dangerous. He was wearing a mask with the face of a black cat. He had raven black hair and wild crimson eyes that showed a murderous glare.

"You have another mission," spoke Persona "but first, let me introduce you to your new partner." Just as he spoke, a figure leapt from above a nearby tree onto the ground beside Persona. Instinctively, Natsume readied for attack, but Persona stopped him. "This is Kitsune, your new partner. She is to assist you in your missions starting today."

The figure that leapt from the tree was actually a girl wearing a fox mask. From what Natsume could see, she was slim and pretty, and had long waist-length brunette hair.

Natsume smirked. 'What could a weakling like that do? She would just be a burden in my missions.' He thought.

Persona seemed to know what Natsume was thinking. "Don't underestimate her, Natsume. She is much stronger than she looks. Why don't you try fighting her yourself?"

Natsume began to attack. With his Alice of fire, he shot a flaming ball at her. But with a wave of her hand, it vanished.

"What!?" spoke Natsume, surprise evident in his voice.

"She has the alice of nullification, so I'll say it again, don't underestimate her."

"Tsk. I'll just have to do close combat."

He tried to attack her, but she dodged him. But as soon as she leapt away, her mask fell off, revealing a pair of beautiful hazel eyes. Natsume stopped his attack, shock coursing through his brain. Her eyes were blank and dead-looking.

Once again, Persona seemed to know what Natsume was thinking. "That's all for today, the mission is cancelled. Back to your dorms."

*The next day*

"My name is Mikan Sakura! I'm a new student! Nice to meet you!"

Natsume couldn't believe it. His missions' partner was also his classmates!? And to make things worse, Narumi-sensei, their gay teacher, assigned him as her partner! Natsume scowled at the sudden turn of events. Although something was different. His double-partner, just the day before, was cold and indifferent. But now she's smiling!? "Tsk" he smirked. He knew what was going on. Her smile is fake. She wants to keep secret her true self.

As soon as class ended, Mikan left the room followed by a girl with raven black hair and piercing amethyst eyes. As they reached Mikan's room, the raven-haired girl locked the door.

"What should I do, Hotaru? Pretending to smile all day, it hurts." Mikan said, clutching her chest as she collapsed onto her four-poster bed.

"You'll just have to bear with it. There's nothing we can do." Hotaru Imai, owner if the invention alice, is Mikan's best friend. They've been together since they were kids and couldn't be separated since. Hotaru is the only person left who whom Mikan trusts, loves and shows her emotion to.

"And I think that Natsume guy knows that smile was fake. What should I do if he finds out!?!" Mikan said, hysteria in her voice.

Hotaru approached Mikan and hugged her. "Its okay. He wont find out. I'll protect you. No one can harm you. Your secrets are safe with me."

"Thanks, Hotaru…"

And Hotaru left the room as Mikan fell asleep…

"MIKAN! RUN!"

"NO! OKAA-SAN! I CANT LEAVE YOU!"

GO! NOW!!!"

Sobbing, the 12 year old girl left her mother and ran to the forest behind their home. Though no matter how hard she tried not to listen, she could still hear the shouts coming from the home she left.

"LUNA! STOP THIS!" cried Mikan's mother.

"NO! YOU BETRAYED ME! YOU STOLE HIM FROM ME! HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO BELIEVED IN ME!"

"HE WAS USING YOU! HE WAS USING YOUR ALICE!"

"STOP LYING!"

"I'M NOT LYING! BELIEVE ME!"

"SHUT UP!"

BANG!!!

And Mikan jolted upright, waking from her nightmare. She was clutching a silver locket dangling from her neck, the last gift her mother had given her. Tears were streaming down her face. The only word she could mutter was "Okaa-san…"

Shou-chan: Luna is the bad guy huh? :P

Ikasashimi: Haha! She's always the bad guy! :))

Tearless Sonnet: yup :

Shou-chan: OMG! Hey Warmers! hope you like my story!