A/N: This will be a three-shot story.

They toyed with time, and now they're facing the consequences of it.


Part I: The Reunion


"Even if you have lost your memories…" he whispered, "and the alice stone that you had back then…" he squeezed, his large arms engulfing a confused Mikan, "you are mine."

A gust of wind blew past her, she swallowed. Hot, Hot, her body screamed. She could feel the tears falling, the tears she always shed whenever she stared at the ocean, something, something that she knew she forgot but couldn't figure out what, or who. This.

"I feel that I have loved someone so much…" her tears wouldn't stop falling, the man in front of him felt so strange, and yet so familiar at the same time. She knew she was being ridiculous; she didn't know the man, yet her body longed him, it was as if her body knew who he was to her. She held him close, squeezing just as hard, if not harder because she wouldn't, she couldn't let go.

"Ah," a stone. She's seen something similar before, so familiar, so warm.

"I wish that when this stone reaches Mikan someday, she will overcome her lost memories and she will remember the person she loves the most" who was that? Who was talking? That voice felt so close, so nostalgic that it hurts.

She stared at those red, deep, eyes. The stone that was just in her hands a moment ago vanished. The memories that she didn't have suddenly start flashing before her eyes, and then it stopped. It stopped when she found him lying on the floor, not breathing. And then she screamed, eyes filled with tears and uncontrollable joy.

"Natsume…!" How could she ever forget this boy, this man, this man who made her crazy. The man she swore she would love forever.

"I miss you," she whispered.


"Imai saved our lives," Ruka mentioned with a smile, "we will find them." Mikan could only nod. She still felt dizzy, all the sudden happenings weren't helping, but she's determined to find her best friend. The girl who could do almost everything but still chose to sacrifice her life, to save Natsume, to save her. For her happiness, for everything that she missed, she wouldn't stop until the special girl in question was found.

Natsume squeezed her hands, intertwining with his and smiling directly over her. He stopped her tracks and gave her a long peck on top of her head.

"It'll be fine, Mikan. We will find them" she relished the affection that Natsume gave her. She closed her eyes and smiled, breathed in the natural scent that the flame user possessed. She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Thank you, Natsume."


"How do you think she's doing?" she asked, feeling a bit exhausted from all the walking they've done. He looked at her, taking in the face that he hadn't seen after years of constant avoidance. He smiled ruefully.

"She's your best friend," she smiled at that response. Of course. Her idiot best friend would be fine. She made sure of that. Hopefully that Hyuuga bastard took very good care of her when they met. She knew they eventually would.

"Do you think we'll be found?" she asked no one in particular. Her brother looked up, stars that shined through the darkness of the sky. He heaved a small sigh and replied.

"She found you in Alice Academy," she snorted, but smiled in response. "This time-loop is nothing compared to the bonds that you both have. Believe in the person you sacrificed your life for," he held her hand. Squeezed it a little bit and let go.

"I'm sorry, brother" she hung her head low. It was supposed to be her alone. He wasn't supposed to be here, but she dragged him here and she couldn't undo it.

"Hotaru, you're my little sister. Let your big brother act like your brother for once," he smiled at her. She looked away, wiped the tears forming in her eyes, and closed her eyes.

"Find me, Mikan."