Thanks for the reviews!! You have no idea how much they boost my morale!! They helped a lot!! I hope this chapter doesn't bore you!! It'll pick up more in the next one!!

To dominiqueanne : Thanks for the review!!

To starrynight3800 : Read what Persona said in the previous chap, carefully!! Anyway, you'll know in the next couple of chaps!!

Thanks for the review!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice. All rights belong to Higuchi Tachibana-sama.

RECAP :

"But no worries. We just want one thing after all. The library is of no concern. You are to infiltrate tonight. And just so you don't screw up", said the man holding the boy's chin with one gloved hand. "Just so you don't screw up, I'll send a few friend's with you. You know team 5 very well I presume."

The boy jerked his head away. "Of course I do. We'll go tonight."

"That's a good boy. And remember, failure will not be tolerated

Chapter 2 – The Midnight Mission

"Are you sure, Mikan?", asked Hotaru, her eyes betraying only the slightest hint of worry. "I know today was a bit of a shock for you but don't you think this is just..um..overdoing it",she said, warily eyeing the heavy stack of books Mikan was staggering under.

"No Hotaru", Mikan gasped out." Definitely not!! Who knows?? He might just come around again and ask me more about the library and the books in it and if I don't know about them, it would give him all the more reason to belittle me!! That perv!!", she said making a fist with her right hand carrying the books with the other. "I'll show him!! I'll show him what the Sakura's are made of !!"

"That's all very well Mikan", said Hotaru backing away and watching the books in Mikan's left hand lean all the way to the right." but if you're not careful, you're gonna -"

CRASH!!

"-fall. There. What did I tell you? You are so clumsy."

"Oooeeer", managed Mikan."I seem to be falling a lot today don't I…My butt's in serious need of a massage.", and she looked at Hotaru pleadingly.

BAKA!!

"Disgusting. Don't look at me like that stupid girl. I'm going back home now.", she coldly said, turning away with the Baka gun in hand and walking towards the library door.

"Hotaruuuuu…hidoi…", said Mikan weakly. "You don't need to leave you know. That was supposed to be a jo-"

"I'm really busy today, so I can't stay over. When you're done, put the books back and turn off the lights. Don't fall asleep on the books; you'll get your drool all over them. And cover yourself with a blanket before you start reading. It gets chilly in here at night and you may catch a cold. Then I'll be the one taking care of you and who knows- I may catch it myself. If you do catch one, I'll charge you every time you sneeze. So take my advice and don't stay up too late. Goodnight.", said Hotaru her back facing Mikan and slowly walked out the door.

Mikan blinked a couple of times, registering all she had been told and then gave a small smile.

Arigatou Hotaru.

Even tough Hotaru was pretty cold all the time, inside she was a really nice person. And the scolding she'd just given Mikan was her way of showing how much she cared. Though she would've rather died before telling Mikan she cared about her, first. Mikan had known Hotaru since she was six and Hotaru had always been like this. She never expressed her feelings directly, she either scolded or blackmailed Mikan into doing the right thing when she wasn't.

That's why I love my best friend so much. But even so, she thought adamantly, why on earth didn't she ever tell me about this Natsume guy?? I mean, she hardly ever tells me anything, but it would have been nice knowing about her other friend's. NO wait. I don't want to know Natsume and never will. Darn pervert. Oh!! That reminds me!! I must start reading right away!!

Now where would be a good place to read?? Hmm..Ah!! I know! I'll read in the restricted section!! Its nice and cozy and I could probably find more books I need in there. But Ojii-chan told me never to go in there without his permission….

She cast her eyes around a couple of times.

First to the left. No one there. Now to the right. No one there either. Now to call out.

"Ojii-chan!!", she said in a loud stage whisper. "Ojii-chan!! If you can hear me I'm going to the restricted section to read these book's!!". She waited a few seconds and then-

"Thank you Ojii-chan!! I promise to be careful!!"

And giggling, she made her way to the restricted section of the library. The restricted section's door was small and partly camouflaged to match the décor and wallpaper. But since it hadn't been used for ages, it looked like the wall itself. It took Mikan some time to locate the doorknob.

"Found it!!"

And at that instant the lights went out!!

"Wow. I guess I wont have to turn the light's off after all…", her voice trailed off as she realized how quiet the library seemed. And it was dark as well as creepy...

Shake those thoughts off!! Shake those thoughts off! She thought shaking her head side to side. You've grown up in this place and it's NOT scary! So stop thinking it is!! , she scolded herself mentally. But she still couldn't shake off that feeling of foreboding.

"I know!! I'll get the lamp we have kept inside for these occasions!! But I really wish Ojii-chan would get the wiring checked. This has happened three times this month already..."

She grabbed the lamp from a little cupboard inside one of the rooms and lit it. Then she slowly made her way with the books to the basement of the library to where the restricted section was.

"So where do you think we should start looking for it first?", asked a blonde boy who was flying through the air.

"How about we start going through the rows labeled 'D' and 'T'. Its bound to be there somewhere." said another blonde who looked almost exactly like him.

"Um...Ano...I don't think that would be a good idea. We don't have much time..." said another boy who was dirty blonde and wore glasses.

"Yuu is right. We don't have much time and we need to finish this by daybreak. And besides", said another honey blonde glancing to the right at the second blonde" It's an important book. Do you seriously think they'd keep it in a place where normal people might find it? That would be absolute stupidity.", he said shaking his head.

(A/N: Help!! Too many blondes!!)

The fifth boy hadn't said anything and seemed to be deep in thought. The honey blonde looked at him and said," So what do you think Natsume?"

(A/N : Ah!! Finally...)

"There's bound to be some kind of secret passage or a safe or even a restricted section in that library. Ruka, you can use your Alice to ask around once we get there. Let's not waste our breath talking. We'll need our energy to search."

The four other boys nodded and silently continued running (and flying in one case) toward the library. To avoid detection they sometimes had to jump on rooftops and trees. They were highly skilled and well-trained and it showed in the fact that even though there were five of them, not a sound was to be heard.

The library suddenly loomed in front of them and they all slowed down.

"So this is it ,hunh", said the flying blonde.

"Yes it is.", said Natsume putting on his mask. "Men. Mission Commence!!"

"Roger that", echoed the four voices as they slipped silently into the building.

I hope you guys liked it!! I know, not much action but I promise the next one will!!

Even anonymous reviews welcome!!