I'm back! :P

Summary: Mikan Sakura and her best friend Hotaru Imai finally get the chance to go back to their hometown in the countryside. What awaits her there? What will happen after the trip? NatsumexMikan and HotaruxRuka

Genre: Friendship/Romance (Friendship near the beginning and middle, romance starting at the end of middle...that was kinda confusing :P) and Hurt/Comfort (This story will contain a lot of hurt for Hotaru and Mikan. Who comes in? Hehehehe...)

Rated: T (for language and some scenes... but most of the time I would also give it a K+)

Disclaimer: Don't own Gakuen Alice, never will.

Breathe

Chapter 2

As soon as Mikan opened the letter, she flinched. Let's see..., she thought, as she read the letter out loud.

Dear Mikan,

I'm sorry. I wish I could've greeted you. Or, at least, have seen your face before I left. The time has come for me to move on.

I'm sure you must be very confused. Youichi here, is your cousin, who also doesn't have any parents anymore. I took him in one day while you were in school. One week after, my right leg started hurting badly. I ignored the pain. As time passed, it hurt even more. Soon, I was taken to a hospital after a great fall. At the hospital, the doctors told me I had a tumor in it. Before long, I would die.

Youichi tried to help me by doing all the chores. I stayed in bed for the time being, and he done a good job. Please take care of him.

Now where would you live? You might wonder. Gakuen Alice became your permanent home. When you get the chance to come back, you can stay at Hotaru's place. Feel free to come visit me.

Right now, I'm at the hospital writing this final letter to you, Mikan. I've sent Youichi to you so he could give this letter to you. Thank you for being there for me.

Don't give up. Keep smiling, and it will be alright.

Your Loving Grandfather

Mikan faltered at the end, tears dribbling down her porcelain face. Your loving grandfather. Without saying anything, she slammed the letter on the ground. Standing up, she clenched her fists.

"I'll be... in the bathroom," she murmured, her heart pounding against her chest. And she ran.

Closing the door slowly, she sank to the floor on her knees. It will be alright, she repeated in her head. Suddenly, she burst into tears.

"NO! NO NO NO! JII-CHAN'S NOT DEAD!" She punched the wall in insane fury. Mikan sniffed, her tears still streaming down her face like a waterfall.

Hotaru knocked on the door softly and came in, not even waiting to hear her tiny, "Come in!"

She sat beside her, her fingers twisted uncomfortably. She didn't know how to comfort Mikan. She couldn't say, "I know how you feel,", for that would be a lie.

Mikan sobbed uncontrollably. Why—WHY HER?! Deciding that it was the only thing to do, Hotaru rubbed her shoulders soothingly. "Don't worry. Let's go over to my house and tell my parents about this. They probably know. They can help you."

"Can they?" Mikan asked, her tear-stained face blooming with hope. "Thanks Hotaru!"

Youichi was still standing, his tiny arms laying on either side of his body awkwardly, as if not sure what to do. "Let's go, Youichi!" Mikan exclaimed cheerfully. "We're going to Hotaru's home!"

Meanwhile, at Alice Academy...

Natsume and Ruka were sitting in the shade of a sakura tree. Natsume was reading manga, while Ruka was absentmindedly talking to him about the two girls. "Do you think they're alright?" Ruka uttered, stroking his rabbit slowly. Natsume looked up from his manga and replied, "If they were sent home by the ESP, their "situation" must be bad." Ruka processed this piece of information in his head, thinking about what Natsume had just said.

"Yeah, you're right," Ruka agreed, and continued stroking his rabbit. In his head, he was secretly praying the girls were okay.

So was Natsume.

Hotaru's pace quickened as the distance between her home and them slowly decreased. Almost there, almost there! Hotaru's mind screamed. Home, home, home! Hotaru was so focused on heading home that she almost forgot Mikan's situation. So, as Mikan started to sob again, Hotaru's hand slipped into hers, giving Mikan a slight smile.

Mikan wiped her tears and her mouth curved upwards. Thanks, Mikan gratefully mouthed to Hotaru. Youichi's emotionless face stared at the two friends, noticing their strong bond. He smiled. And they continued onwards to home.

Hotaru stared at the door of her home, her mind completely blank. Finally! She knocked on the door, her hands twitching in excitement. Mikan blinked innocently, waiting, and Youichi's heart started beating like crazy. Hearing no response, Hotaru rolled her eyes. She opened the door with ease and looked around. "Mom! I'm home!"

There was no response. Youichi cleared his throat, trying to break the silence. He didn't need to, for at that moment, Subaru Imai came charging through the door the trio just passed through. "Where's Hotaru?" Spotting Hotaru, he grabbed her arm frantically and said, "Please don't cry. I'll explain." He glanced at Mikan. "Hey." Mikan nodded in reply.

Youichi awkwardly stood again, immediately thinking he didn't belong. He stepped out of the door and gave the "family" some space. He stared into the sky, his teal eyes full of emotion. What will happen to us?

Hotaru confusedly looked at Subaru. "Why are you here?" He took a deep breath. "Our parents are gone."

Hotaru's orbs widened. "Like, on a journey or something, or... Gone?" Subaru chuckled. "I guess you could say both," he muttered. "They died from a car crash a few hours ago." Mikan's hands clenched in fear.

Hotaru shook her head in rejection. "You're lying." Subaru shook his head. "No, I'm not. They found out you were coming home and rushed, I guess." He uncomfortably cleared his throat. "Anyway, Mom got injured in the head while Dad was hurt in his ribcage, which damaged his heart. They're at the hospital now," he added.

Hotaru's mouth dropped. Her arms shook, her legs started to shake as well, and her amethyst orbs slowly filled with shocked tears. "Impossible." Her brain couldn't process the information. "It can't be true! They're strong!" Hotaru muttered, tears dribbling down. "They'll survive." Subaru shook his head sadly. "They're already dead, I told you."

Hotaru accusingly pointed a finger at him. "Why are you not crying?" Her eyes filled with more painful tears. "How come you're still...okay?" Subaru stiffened. "Crying isn't being strong. They're gone." He replied. Softening, he added, "So don't cry."

"How can I NOT cry?" Hotaru screamed. She ran upstairs to her room, leaving a trail of tears. Mikan swiftly followed, giving Subaru a weird look. Softly, she said, "Sometimes crying is the only thing to do in these situations. She's showing another side of her. Her tears show her love for her parents. I think that's what 'strong' is." With that, she disappeared upstairs.

Subaru eyed the spot where she disappeared. "That kid's not half dumb," he muttered.

Youichi, who had been listening the whole time, mentally agreed.

End of this chapter!

Thnx!

-My Creative Notebook