A/N-
Hello everyone! I am back with another chapter! :D
Now, a fair warning, some characters are portrayed differently than they are in the manga. It is supposed to be like that! Please don't rip my head off at the end of the chapter. :P
there are still a lot of feels but the plot is building, I promise.

So, let's begin!

Ohh yeah, Disclaimer- The characters belong to the great mangaka Higuchi Tachibana. I have settled for the plot. ( Like I had a choice *sigh*)

Chapter 2- A new Mikan

"…Mikan"

Narumi stood in front of the blackboard, thinking, his smile faltering with the second. He knew the situation had been altered to a great extent. He thought about the changes, the revelations and their effects. Initially, he had thought he would let the students encounter everything themselves but the apprehensions at display worried him. Should he warn them first? He smacked himself mentally for not planning this in advance. While Narumi was lecturing himself, most of the students had left their designated seats and were fast approaching the door with Natsume and Hotaru in lead. He forced himself between the students and their goal.

"Now, now. Let's not-"He was cut short because his hair had caught fire. Natsume's ferocious glare said it all. He knew he couldn't play around anymore. She was just too precious to them.

"I know you all want to see her but there is something you need to know before she enters." Narumi explained with the gravest expressions that had ever graced his face.

"Sensei, the time when we needed to know the story from you has gone. We'll now hear it directly from Mikan." Ruka replied. Anna, Sumire and Yuu nodded their heads in consent.

Narumi spoke again but looked directly at Hotaru because he knew that she would be the only one to see reason. "Everyone, I know you have been let down time and again by the Academy." Natsume snorted but Narumi continued anyway. "But it is crucial for you to know these things before you see her. I know you wanted to know this before but I was silenced by the authorities. Mikan's return, however, changes everything." He implored Hotaru to listen to him. Even though she longed to see her friend, she could tell that their teacher had something important to say.

"let's hear what he has to say once." Hotaru replied, deadpan.

"Hear what? His stories?" Natsume spat at her and made his way past Narumi towards the door.

"No Natsume. The truth. What made her leave, what has changed, everything." Narumi said trying to stop him.

"Why now Narumi?" Fire dancing in Natsume's eyes." I fought tooth and nail to find about her before but you walked out on me. Do you know what it felt to wake up one day and realize that you won't see the most precious person of your life ever? That she won't nag you like she always did. That you won't be able to see her smile again. That she won't be there."

Narumi stared at Natsume. That was all he could do at that point. He knew that Mikan had affected him the most but he learnt of the extent now. He could see the lad gasping for air, embarrassed by his little speech. He couldn't help but mirror the stunned expressions of the students. He realized this was the only window he would get to extinguish the fire of questions in everyone's mind.

"Be seated children and ask your questions. I will answer each and every one of them." The promise rang clear in his words. Yuu, Hotaru, Ruka and the others made their way to the seats. Natsume glanced longingly at the door but followed suit.

"Why was Mikan asked to leave the Academy?" Hotaru asked.

"Because Mikan's nullification Alice was feared."

"That's crazy! They fear her stupid nullification over my fire?" Natsume was shaking with anger.

"Yes. Every one of your Alices can be controlled and monitored by the Academy. Masks, bracelets, tattoos, something or the other was always there to manipulate your Alices. But not her. Her ability to nullify her opponent's strengths gives her immense power. The Academy had been trying to device something which would keep a check on her since the day she entered but failed. "What if she realizes this power and tries to usurp the Academy?" This is the true fear of the authorities."

"This is ridiculous. Mikan cannot do anything like this. She does not even have the brains to pass her examinations. Can't they see this?" Hotaru burst out.

"…No."

Hotaru had spilled out Narumi's torment. He went back to the times when he had tried, in vain, to convince the authorities of Mikan's innocence and gentleness. "No, they cannot and will not see this. They perceive her to be an imminent threat to their safety."

"Then why is she being allowed back?" "Where was she this whole time?"

"That's enough Narumi sensei. I don't appreciate people harassing my privacy like this." Nobody had noticed when Mikan had entered but there she stood basking in the sunlight coming through the window. Her voice rang through the room, penetrating and ..strident?

It was evident that she had changed. Her innocent pigtails had been replaced by one luxuriant ponytail. She had become leaner. The once upon a time clumsy girl was now holding her poise without any effort. But what struck everyone were her dead eyes. The forever warm and eager eyes refused to acknowledge anyone. There were no emotions in them. She walked towards the teacher with an air of authority, again, deadpan.

"Sensei, should I introduce myself?"

There was just a nod.

"Konichiwa. My name is Mikan Sakura. All the questions you have put up are personal. I don't think any of you need to concern yourself with them. So, don't poke your noses in my business again."

The gentle breeze outside, tapped the windows playfully like an innocent child, blissfully unaware of the circumstances but it did not receive a reply. How could it? The sunshine, which the Academy had waited for for two years, seemed lost in the mayhem of time. This thought was reflected in everyone's mind as well. Had Mikan really said that? Did she mean it? Half of the class waited for her to laugh any moment and tell them that she was pulling their legs' but that did not happen. She stood there lost in her own thoughts saying nothing. Or maybe she was saying a thousand things by ignoring them.

"What's the meaning of this Mikan? Poke our noses? Since when did a friend's concern become harassment for you?" Hotaru said, taking out her baka gun. She was aiming it at Mikan when she saw her eyes. Mikan glared at her with ferociousness foreign to her nature.

"You try and hit me Imai and I'll realize your worst nightmare right now in this broad daylight." Turning to Narumi, she said, "Sensei, I am tired from my travelling. I'll take the day off."

Mikan's once best friend was shaken and tear-streaked, her teacher was mortified and her classmates were terrified. The raven haired boy standing next to the window was waiting for her to glance at him just once.

Mikan Sakura left all of this and walked out of the classroom.

A/N- Should I be dodging tomatoes and eggs? Or something worse?
Things will be explained in the next few chapters people. Patience!

But why is it necessary to restrain Mikan's Alice? Why did Mikan interrupt when question on her whereabouts were raised? Where was she really all this time?
And why has she changed so much?

That's a lot of whys! Stay tuned if you want to find out the answers! :D

Please review and tell me what you think of this! Criticisms are always welcomed!

Aaaaaannnnnnddddd, THANK YOU reviewers! :D
BlackMaskedBeauty, pretty-awesome-girld7, p3ngueen, Zhun Yamato, AnimeMango and a Guest.
You guys are way too awesome! :D