ONCE IN A DREAM AND I LOVE YOU SO

CHAPTER 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice or Alice Academy. However, Noah, Neil and Nami –the kittens are my property and result of my freakily over active crazy imagination. If you want to use them, you have to ask for my permission as under the rules of the www (dot)fanfiction(dot)net. Thank you.

Mikan might seem a bit out of character in this story as it is a story about mikan's change in character and how she turned back into the sweet, lovely and bubbly girl she was.

This chapter has been edited as it seemed a bit immature to me. However there isn't much change in the basic plot of the chapter. It was edited basically to remove any grammatical errors. Tell me if you like this one or the previous one.

italics- previously/ flash back

Previously

breaking her chain of thought, she took a deep breath. Over the years she had matured, both physically and mentally. Any one in her shoes would have. She glanced at her bedside drawer and then opened it. Taking out a snapshot she looked at it, her lips turned into a smile. "I miss you," she said almost in a whisper. Taking a last look at the picture she placed it back inside the drawer. She sighed and went back to a dreamless sleep.

Back in the photograph stared at the camera three enchanting alice users. One of them had crimson eyes and raven hair.

Mikan was woken by the ring of her clock. She got up and stretched her muscles. Glancing at the clock she made her bed and changed into her track pants. When she glanced at the clock again it showed 4:16 a.m. She locked the door to her dorm room and went to get some training. She started to jog at a mild pace and threw some punches in midair. She glanced at the sky and saw the spotless horizon. "It's going to rain today," she thought and continued her morning regime.

Over the course of time mikan had been raised to the level of a special star student. Not only her alices had developed, but her skills in education had gotten much better than her fellow classmates. If compared, she was ready to graduate from the school. This enabled her to enjoy many more benefits that also came in with her designation.

Mikan jogged for half an hour and then worked on her alices and combat skills for a few more hours. She returned back to her room. Just as she unlocked her door, her only neighbor opened his door, slammed it shut and went away mumbling something about lack of milk this morning. Mikan could not help her self from smiling at the grumbled words as well as the distressed appearance of the boy.

Mikan hurried inside to get ready for her day. She did not want to get late for her class.

"Ohiyo Minna-san," Mikan said, entering her class.

"Good morning, Sakura," some replied while others nodded. Yuu greeted her back with a hi.

Mikan examined the class and then went to sit next to her friend. "Hi Hotaru," she greeted her best friend.

"Morning," Hotaru replied in her monotonous tone. Over the years she had remained the same, although she had also matured physically and mentally. "Hey Mikan, can you help me with my math homework? I can't seem to understand this problem," Anna asked. Anna had started dating the blonde class representative. "No problem, Anna, of course I can help you?" Mikan replied with a small smiled as she sorted out her friends problem.

Soon, a blonde boy and raven haired boy entered the class. As he Passed her the blonde said, "Morning, Mikan." Mikan replied with an, "Ohiyo, Ruka." "Hi, Hotaru," he said and gave the raven haired girl light peck on her lips. Ruka had gotten over his first crush soon after his best friend had started dating her. He had developed feelings for her a few months after that and they had started dating soon after Ruka had bravely proposed to her in the central town. A contract retailing unlimited pictures had also been signed. They'd gone steady after then. The raven haired boy glared at the brunette and was met by the same reply. The school bell went off signaling the start of the period and a blonde teacher entered the class.

"Ohiyo Minna-san," Narumi said enthusiastically. "Morning," the class grumbled in reply. He had been their homeroom teacher since...forever- even if there was a substitute for him half the time. "So class today-," and he began with the day's class.

Mikan had been avoiding him lately. Refusing to go out with him, talk to him- hell, and even sit with him. She had taken back to sitting with Hotaru, and she hadn't even looked at him for some time. What had he done? Since he had returned back from the dreaded mission against the AAO she had been like that. He didn't even remember anything. He had woken up to see his orange carpet covered in blood stains, by he had only gotten a scratch on his right arm. So whose blood did that belong to?

"Mikan," he called, but she quickened her pace as she tried to get away from him. With his training and skills he easily cornered her at the end of the corridor. The last class had ended a few minutes ago.

"What's with you, Mikan? You've been acting strange lately," Natsume said. Mikan looked at him directly into his eyes. There were tears in her eyes that she had been trying to hold back.

"Natsume, it's nothing," she replied in a quivering voice.

"Have I done something, Mikan? Please, tell me."

"No, Natsume, it wasn't you. You're not at fault," she replied rather assertively. it seemed she was trying to tell that to herself and the others than to him.

"Then what?" he asked.

"It's over," she replied.

"What?" the boy asked confused.

"Us. It's not working Natsume. I'm sorry," Mikan said and broke away from him, ready to leave.

"Why Mikan? Tell me!" Natsume shouted. She looked back at him- pain and ache present in he eyes. He could see and feel it.

She left without a single word.

He fell to the floor, sobbing to himself. He had hurt her and he didn't even know what he'd done. And now he had lost his world.

Natsume didn't notice when the class ended. He slipped off to sleep in his usual stance until the lunch bell rang- signaling that the schools day was half way through. He got up and was about to leave for lunch when he saw someone, and memories that had just been reeled back replayed in his mind. He had wanted answers- he still wanted them.

"Sakura," he said, calling a certain brunette. Mikan looked at him. The rest of the students left the class, not wanting to be involved in one of their arguments. They always ended the same way, straining the relationship between them even
more. Whatever of the relationship was left. Somehow they couldn't even become friends again. It had left him hollow, and over time the emptiness had been filled with anger and frustration.

"What is it, Hyuuga?" Mikan demanded.

"What did I do?" Natsume asked.

"Hyuuga, this is enough. Get over it. It's been four years- move on," Mikan said, moving to leaving the room without even glancing at him.

"Mikan," he whispered and she stopped dead in her tracks, finally looking at him. "That night it was you, wasn't it?"

She still didn't reply, but her eyes had widened. This was the first time he had mentioned it.

"That's why you broke up with me, isn't it?" his voice echoed over the room. "I had hurt you" he continued.

"Move on Natsume, its over," her voice rang in the room. She was about to leave when she head, "Have you?"

She glanced at the source of the voice and left. Natsume knew she was still there, stuck at the same moment as he was- Under
the Sakura tree.

*After the break*

It was very unusual of Jin Jin to be late to class. Everyone was busy chatting, sleeping, flying, inventing, or doing nothing.
But the excited spirit and enthusiasm was brought to an abrupt stop with a phone ring. Since nobody in the academy but the teachers and principles had them it was a surprise.

The phone was picked up and a conversation was held in utter silence. Then the certain someone rose from her seat. The voice rang, "Minna-san, I got bad and good news. The bad news is that Mr. Jinno has taken ill suddenly. Must have had that pudding at lunch." The class laughed. A crimson eyed boy stood from his seat and was about to leave the class when he heard, "and the good news is that I'll be substituting." He stopped in his tracks and went back to his seat. He didn't want to miss the class when she was teaching- for his own good.

I have got an awesome sweet wonderful beta that went through this chapter. Thanks Shikyo Kuranosai Rebirth

Please leave me some loving guys. It won't take long. Leave me a review.

~Cara g