Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice… :(
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Between Heaven and Hell
Chapter 3: The First Contact
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"Aoi! Fly down for a second."
Mikan paced back and forth as she called out to her mentee. She nodded her head slightly as Aoi floated down to Heaven's floor gracefully.
"Good. You practiced your landing."
Aoi smiled and nodded her head excitedly. "Of course! After the gathering last night, I felt so energized that I practiced all night on my landings!"
Mikan's face scrunched up at the mention of the gathering, as a pair of crimson orbs flashed in her mind. She shook her head. Now's not the time to think of that. She mentally scolded herself. "Are you telling me you never got any sleep?"
Aoi looked down at her feet and twisted her foot along the dirt surface. "No…"
Mikan sighed as she felt a small shock of a lie hit her wings. "Aoi." She knelt down and brushed a stray feather from her wings. "The only lesson from me today is this. An Angel should never lie."
Aoi bit her lip. "I-I know. I'm sorry Mikan." Aoi bowed her head in apology. Mikan sighed and gave the Angel a small pat on the head.
"We'll save today's actual lesson for tomorrow. So go back home and get a good sleep, okay? You'll need all the energy you can for tomorrow."
Aoi's ears perked at the news. "What are we doing tomorrow?"
Mikan smiled and put a finger to her lips. "It's a secret. So get a good night's rest and you'll know soon enough."
With a sigh, Aoi eventually nodded her head and waved a good bye to her mentor before flying down to the main villages. Mikan gave a small smile, as she saw her mentee waving and showing off her wings to the younger Angels around her.
Mikan let out a sigh and she closed her eyes, kneeling down to lay on the training ground hills. As the afternoon sun hit her face, she let out a sigh and turned her head to the side. She opened her eyes. The world had turned sideways. She gazed at the slowly moving pace of the clouds before her and shut her eyes again.
A pair of crimson eyes immediately flashed through her mind again and Mikan opened her eyes quickly and shot up from the ground. What was wrong with her?
"You're not training today Mikan?"
The brunette jumped at the new voice before letting out a sigh after realizing who it was. "Nope. Aoi hadn't slept since the gathering and honestly, I'm not really feeling in the mood to teach."
Hotaru nodded her head and sat down next to her best friend. "That's a surprise. You're usually looking forward to mentoring."
"I know," Mikan sighed and sat up. "I don't know. I haven't been feeling myself since the gathering I guess." She pursed her lips and gave Hotaru a frown. "I can't shake that feeling I that something bad is going to happen."
Hotaru rose her brow. "A feeling?" She paused and looked at the sky. "The last time you said that..." Hotaru trailed off and took a glance at her friend.
"Yeah. I know."
Hotaru looked at her friend and brought her hand up, flicking Mikan's cheek lightly.
"Hey! Hotaru!" Mikan whined, rubbing the small mark that was left behind.
"Don't worry too much baka. Worrying does you no good." Hotaru said, staring at her best friend.
Mikan frowned and bit her cheek. "I know, I know." She rubbed her cheek. "You didn't have to hit me for it."
Hotaru gave her a small smile. "I know."
Mikan playfully glared at Hotaru and shook her brunette locks. Stretching her arms out, she looked at Hotaru. "Somehow, I feel a little better." Mikan smiled and stood up, stretching her hand out. "So let's go now!"
Hotaru frowned looking at her outstretched hand. "Go? Go where?"
Mikan giggled. "It's your big day? Don't you remember? You're becoming a mentor today!"
Hotaru shook her head, but accepted the hand from her friend, standing up alongside her. "It's not for a couple of hours, baka."
"I know! But I was thinking of doing a little bit of flying before the ceremony." Mikan winked and without waiting for a response, she opened her grey wings and flew into the sky.
Hotaru rolled her eyes at her friend's behavior, but nevertheless shot up into the sky with her. And the two Angels flew to their hearts content.
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Natsume let out a hiss as pain emanated from his leg for the fifth time that day. "God damn it." He swore. He lifted a bit of his pants up and frowned slightly, his once brown leg, turned black.
"Nii-san? Are you okay?"
Natsume looked up and quickly dropped the edge of his pants back down. "I'm fine." He muttered. He narrowed his eyes at the concerned young devil in front of him. "Your form is sloppy though Youichi. Do the dive again, but this time, spread your wings further and when you feel ready to drop, swiftly bring them in."
Youichi nodded his head at his mentor's words and began his dive again. As he flapped higher into the sky, the silver-haired devil concentrated hard on one spot before spreading his wings and shooting down. As he neared the ground, he tried the best he could to bring in his wings and his body spun in a circle. Youichi gave a slight smile at his first successful dive and he flapped twice before reaching the ground again. He glanced at his mentor to get his approval. But Natsume had his eyes closed, his face scrunched up from some sort of pain.
"Nii-san…are you sure you're okay?" Youichi asked, hesitantly reaching out to check his mentor's condition. Natsume didn't look too good. The normal rugged and tough looking devil that was normally seen every day was becoming drenched in his own sweat, the weakness of his body emitting in flashes.
"I'm fine Youichi." Natsume mumbled, brushing off his mentee's hand. He took a step forward and bit back a grunt when his injured leg hit the ground. "Keep practicing those dives and I'll check back on you later." Before Youichi could say another word, his mentor flew up into the air, leaving him behind.
Youichi sighed and kicked at the ground. "I hope you're alright…"
As soon as Natsume arrived at his home, he ripped off the portion of his pants to reveal the condition of his injured leg. The blackness was spreading, quicker than ever, he might add. He gingerly touched a patch, and winced as a sharp pain shot through his body. Natsume pinched the bridge of his nose and slumped down on the wooden floor, debating what to do about his almost-completely blackened leg.
"Natsume are you here? I noticed Youichi training by hims-" Natsume's headshot up and instinctively put his hands over his leg. Ruka's eyes went wide, once he noticed the slump on the floor. "N-Natsume, your leg! It spread!"
"No kidding. I didn't notice, dumb-ass." Natsume growled. He moved his hands away, seeing it useless to cover it anyway.
"Why is it spreading? It should have disappeared a week ago like how it normally does." Ruka said, inspecting his leg gingerly.
"Tch. Don't ask me. Ask the one who gave it to me."
Ruka shut his eyes and rubbed his temples. "I guess after becoming Head, his powers increased as well."
Natsume clenched his fist. As if Persona needed anymore power already. Natsume delicately moved his leg and winced at the pressure of pain building up.
"We have to get help for you, Natsume."
Natsume chuckled darkly. "Help from who? The doctors here? Once they find out this was given to me by their precious Head, they wouldn't do anything but praise me for the gift that was bestowed upon me."
Ruka frowned, but couldn't say anything against his friend's accusation. He glanced at his friend's pained expression, and bit his lip. Maybe… "The," Ruka paused and looked at Natsume's black leg. "The Angel."
Natsume's head snapped up. "What?"
Ruka nodded his head and matched his face with Natsume's. "That Angel, from the gathering. Mikan Sakura. She said she could heal you."
Natsume instantly shook his head. "Fuck no. Like I said that day, I would rather be legless than have an Angel's help."
"But Natsume," Ruka pointed as the black continued to spread, rising up. "Look. The blackness is spreading fast and I'd bet my life, it will spread past your leg and reach the rest of your body before the fort night is done." Ruka looked at his friend. "You will die by the next full moon."
Natsume looked away and clenched his fists together, staring silently as the blackness inched closer and closer up. God damn it. He thought. He closed his eyes and thought back on the night of the gathering. Mikan Sakura…Damn that saintly creature….
Flashback
Natsume grimaced slightly as he watched Gakuen Alice erupt into meaningless banter once the gathering was over. Although this gathering was meant for interactions between the two realms, never once did Natsume mingle with the other side. His precious time was more important to him than spending one second wasting his breath with the 'others'.
A small body bumped into his injured leg, and he bit back a growl. "Oi, Youichi. Watch it." Natsume said, narrowing his eyes at his mentee.
Youichi gave him a shrug of apology as he looked around the crowded grounds of Gakuen Alice. "What's happening now Nii-san? Is that it?"
"Pretty much. We are given some time to talk with the other side as part of our truce." Natsume said, frowning at the Angels before him. "But we rarely interact with them." He scowled. "Who in the right mind would?" He muttered under his breath. Youichi didn't hear the last comment as his dark grey eyes scanned the terrain, excitedly. Natsume sighed and nudged the boy in the shoulder. Youichi looked up at his mentor.
"Just hurry up and do whatever you want. I'll come and find you when we are about to leave. But behave. I'm not going to deal with any mess you create."
Youichi nodded his head eagerly. "Of course, Nii-san!" And before Natsume could utter another word, the little devil was lost in a mass of dark wings.
Natsume slightly smiled at his mentee's behavior and sighed, looking up at the full moon above him. How he remembered his first gathering and the excitement he once felt. Natsume shook his head and started retreating back to his spot, underneath the Sakura trees. How that feeling changed once he grew older. As he swiftly maneuvered his way through the crowd of devils, a voice called out to him.
"Natsume! Natsume!"
He groaned slightly at the female's voice, debating whether to run, but decided against it since that would cause too much attention. "Luna." He said, once the she-devil caught up to him.
Luna smiled and quickly hooked her arm into his. "I tried looking for you before the gathering started. I saved you a seat." She said, giving him a pout.
"I didn't ask you to do that." Natsume answered, sliding his arm out of her hard grasp. Luna gave him a glare and crossed her arms.
"I always save you a seat. I know you're not dumb enough to forget."
"And I know you're not dumb enough to know I wouldn't even consider sitting next to you at these stupid gatherings."
Luna bit back a profanity. "God, what did Head Persona say to you yesterday that got your panties in a twist?" Natsume growled and Luna smiled, knowing the real reason behind her crush's anger.
Natsume glared at the devil in front of him. "Why the fuck are you even here Luna?"
Luna opened her mouth to respond when a deep voice interrupted her. "Now, now Hyuuga. That is no way to talk to a lady. I thought I taught you better."
Luna instantly jumped and bowed her head at the voice, while Natsume clenched his fist tightly at the approaching devil before him. Head Persona smirked at the boy and stopped in front of the couple, wiggling his index finger to signal Luna to lift her head. He smiled down at her as Luna averted his eyes from his gaze.
"Koizumi, I presume?"
Luna nodded her head quickly and curtsied. Natsume rolled his eyes at her behavior. "Yes Head Persona."
Persona gave her a cheeky grin and glanced at the boy next to her. "Hyuuga, I do believe you owe this beautiful girl an apology for your profanity."
Natsume snarled and glared at the man before him. "I'm a devil. We don't apologize."
Persona smirked. "You do, when your Head orders you to."
"Like hell I will."
"I thought I warned you not to mess with a Head."
"And I thought I made it clear to fuck off."
Luna looked back and forth between the two devils and gulped, shaking her arms out before her. "U-um, Head Persona," She instantly winced as two pairs of glaring orbs stared back at her. "I-it's alright. Natsume never means anything he says to me. I'm used to it."
Persona glared slightly. "You should have realized our conversation isn't about you." Luna's eyes widened. "For a devil who I heard was quite clever, you really are as stupid and clingy as the rumors have stated."
Luna's mouth dropped slightly and she turned to Natsume in confusement. Natsume narrowed his eyes and brought his hand around her waist and shoved the girl behind his back. "I think you should be the one to apologize now Head Persona." Natsume said, biting back his tongue at the mention of his name.
Persona let out a small laugh and turned his back. "Still quite the womanizer Hyuuga. Such amusement you give me." He paused before turning around, glancing at his protégée. "How's the leg of yours doing by the way?"
Natsume spat at the ground and Persona smirked. "We leave in 10 minutes Hyuuga. Inform the rest will you?" And before Natsume could utter a response, Persona instantly dissolved into thin air.
Luna blinked her eyes twice before shaking her head, looking at the devil in front of her. His broad, muscular arms were still around her waist, holding her back. "N-natsume?" She whispered.
Her voice must have shaken him out of whatever daze he was under because he instantly pushed her body to the ground. Luna winced at the impact but looked up at him again. "Natsume!"
"Fuck off Luna. And I seriously mean it."
Luna watched as Natsume briskly made his way toward his Sakura tree. She sighed and picked herself from the ground, touching her waist, still remembering the way his fingers curled up against her skin protectively. "So you really do have a heart don't you, Natsume?" She whispered to herself before turning around and walking away to inform the rest of the devils of their departure.
Natsume angrily shook his head and closed his eyes while pacing toward his tree. God damn that man. God damn him to the Pits of Hell! Those around him stayed well clear away from the explosive devil. His wings were beginning to glow crimson red as his anger began to fill his body. What gives Persona the right to treat him that way? How he fucking wished he was never chosen to be that man's mentee. How he fucking wished he never even had to meet the guy.
With his eyes still closed, Natsume muttered profanities under his breath, not caring whichever direction he was going on. He knew the direction to his Sakura tree by heart, and he knew nobody would get in his way.
That is, anyone paying attention to their surroundings.
Natsume's eyes flew open when a soft body crashed into him, sending him and the culprit to fall to the ground. His eyes widened slightly, as a stray grey feather landed on his face. What the?
A soft moan escaped the creature's mouth and Natsume's eyes narrowed in irritation at the girl on top of him. A soft pair of brown orbs blinked her eyes, her mouth gaping open slightly at the mess she had just made.
"Oi. I thought Angels were supposed to be delicate and graceful. Clumsy girl." Natsume muttered, brushing the grey feather off his face.
The Angel before him shook her head. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to fall on you I swear. I wasn't looking an-"
"Shut up. I honestly don't care. Just get the hell off of me."
The Angel's face instantly blushed, after realizing their position and got off of his chest instantly, her knees folding down on the ground, brushing the dirt off her pure white dress. Natsume sat his body to a sitting position and rubbed his neck. Thankfully, the Sakura tree root broke his fall. He quickly glanced at the small Angel next to him. His eyes trailed over her long brunette hair, and small-featured body. He knew her, every Devil did. He's seen her at every gathering, but never this close. To be completely honest, Mikan Sakura was indeed a beauty. He didn't deny it. It's only natural. He was however more intrigued by the pair of grey wings that set her apart from every Angel around her. He had heard stories from other Devils of how she had gotten her pair of wings, but never before had he cared enough to know why that had happened. Natsume shook his head. No. He still doesn't care. He looked ahead of her and noticed a pair together, staring at both of them. Ruka…and that Imai Angel was it?
Natsume sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What is going on today?" He muttered.
Mikan bit her lip and Natsume's eyes instantly fell on her face. "U-um, I'm sorry again. Hyuuga-san."
So she knew his name. Natsume's eyes narrowed, and tried to get up, instantly wincing when he forgot about the stupid injury to his leg.
"You're hurt." Mikan gasped, her hand absentmindedly brushing the small black scar on his leg. Natsume recoiled at her gentle touches and instinctively slapped her hand away.
"Who said you could touch me you filthy Angel?" Natsume said, his anger from before coming back to him. Well, at least he had something to distract him for awhile. He weakly picked himself off the ground again and glared at Mikan.
Mikan let out a huff and got up from the ground as well. "You're dangerously hurt, Hyuuga-san." Mikan said fighting back her slowly rising anger at this hardheaded devil before her. She glanced down at his leg. "I can treat it for you." She continued, her brows scrunching together. Although he was rude, she could never turn down a creature in need.
Natsume growled. "I don't need an Angel's help." He looked past her shoulder. "Ruka, hurry the fuck up before I die from this heavenly stench."
Mikan's eyes narrowed and she folded her arms. "We may be from different realms Hyuuga-san," she poked Natsume in the chest angrily. "But it's my duty to help those who are in need, and looking at the condition of your leg, I can already tell that if it's not treated properly," Her voice grew soft. "Well, let's just say, I hope you'll enjoy walking with one leg from now on."
Natsume eyes widened for a second before replacing it with a glare. She can't be telling the truth. No way in Hell could someone, even an Angel like herself could tell with just once glance at the wound. "Tch. I'd rather be legless than accept help from the likes of you." He snarled back at her. Mikan opened her mouth to retort back when she was interrupted.
"Natsume, maybe you should accept her help."
Mikan turned her head and let out a held breath as Ruka spoke up. Hotaru Imai trailed a few lengths behind him, her head slightly bowed at the scene before her.
"I don't need an Angel's help."
Ruka opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by that Imai girl. "If he doesn't need help, then it's no use arguing."
If she wasn't an Angel, Natsume would have actually thanked her. Mikan let out a small huff but slowly nodded her head. "Fine. Have it your way." She glanced down at Natsume's leg before looking at him again.
Their eyes locked, and Natsume couldn't help but feel a wave of calmness hit his system. He quickly glanced away. "Stupid Angels…" he muttered under his breath, knowing the brunette in front of him could hear him perfectly well.
Mikan frowned, and turned to Ruka. "Please watch over him, Ruka." She bit her lip, debating whether she should continue. "I-I sense a bad feeling coming from him."
Ruka glanced at Hotaru for a second, before nodding his head. "Of course, Sakura-san."
"We should go now Mikan." Hotaru said, turning her attention to Mikan. Mikan nodded her head and glanced at the two devils again.
"I would say it was nice to finally meet you Natsume Hyuuga," Mikan smiled slightly. "But that would be a lie. And unfortunately Angels don't lie." Mikan gave Natusme another small look, before grabbing her friend's hand and began making their way to the middle of the clearing.
Natsume watched the retreating Angels, narrowing his eyes at the set of chocolate orbs once again before her grey wings disappeared in a sea of feathers.
End of Flashback
He pinched his nose bridge at the memory. Mikan Sakura…Even though Natsume was a stubborn creature, he finally realized what that Angel said on the night of the gathering was true. He groaned. God damn his life. "Say, I agree for that thing's help," Natsume muttered. "How would she even help me? The next full moon is in 11 days. I'll be dead by then."
Ruka bit his lip again and swallowed. He turned around and stared at the dark grey walls that surrounded them. "I-I might be able to help with that."
Natsume's eyebrow rose. "What do you mean?"
Ruka brushed his fingers through his golden locks and sighed, turning back around to look at his friend. "Hota-I mean, Imai-san. She gave me a device during that gathering, that allows our realms to contact each other."
Natsume narrowed his eyes at the new information. "That freak of an Angel you keep talking to at every gathering?"
"She isn't a freak!" Ruka interjected. "She's just different."
Natsume's eyebrow rose at his defense for her and Ruka shook his head. "Just, trust me will you?"
Natsume shrugged his shoulders. If he were anyone else, he would make a bigger deal in regards to Ruka and Imai's 'relationship'. But to be completely honest, Natsume didn't care. He knew Ruka was smart enough and Imai wasn't as dumb as other Angels he met once or twice to break one of the three rules. "Whatever Ruka. Do it."
Ruka nodded and took a small crab shell out of his pocket. Natsume's eyebrow rose.
"You actually carry the invention around with you?"
Ruka let off a small blush. "I-I keep forgetting to take it out of my pockets."
Natsume rolled his eyes. "Whatever. What the fuck is that thing anyway?"
"It's a crab shell, made to work like a cellphone of sorts." Ruka answered. "If I tap this button, it should connect with Hotaru's shell." He muttered, pressing the only purple-blue switch on the shell.
The shell glowed lavender, and Ruka brought the phone to his ear. After waiting a few seconds, Ruka smiled and gave a thumbs up to Natsume. Someone had picked up.
"Hotaru! It actually worked!" Ruka said excitedly. "Now, I know you told me to use this only for emergencies." Ruka paused and almost dropped the phone in surprise when a loud voice came out from the crab shell. "Bu-But it is an emergency!" Another loud voice echoed out and Ruka sighed. "No, Hell still exists, and humans have not determined our existence." Another loud voice. "No, Hotaru, please don't hang up!"
Natsume gave Ruka a glare and Ruka gave him a sheepish grin. 'You're a devil,' Natsume mouthed to him. 'So act like one.'
Ruka bit his lip and turned his back to Natsume and spoke again. "Look, either you listen to me, or someone's death will be upon your shoulders." Silence was followed, as Ruka glanced back at Natsume and looked down at the phone. "Hotaru? Hello? Are you still there?" After another moment of silence, a soft voice echoed out. "Yes…I'm sorry for having to do this Hotaru, but we really need your friend's help. Mikan Sakura." Ruka bit his lip as he listened to her reply. He nodded her head and took a glance at Natsume. "Yes. Yes, I understand. We'll take full responsibility if something happens. We really need your guys help though."
Natsume rolled his eyes at Ruka's almost desperate tone while talking with Hotaru Imai and stared at his leg, wincing again when he poked it. He sighed and rubbed his temple, anger starting to roll inside of him. The next time he sees that Persona….
"Natsume?"
The crimson-eyed devil looked up and Ruka was holding the crab shell out to him. "Hotaru said she'd help only if you convince Sakura-san yourself."
Natsume groaned. "She's a freaking Angel. Meeting before a gathering is against the rules, even I know that. What makes you think I can even get this idiot to help me?"
Ruka shrugged his shoulders and gestured toward the crab shell again. "I don't know, but if Hotaru can convince her to even talk on this invention of hers, Sakura-san might at least be willing to listen to what you have to say."
Natsume stared at the Angel's invention and shut his eyes before letting out a breath. "Tch. Just give me the damn thing."
Ruka gave a small smile, and put the shell into his hand. "Try to be nice will you? You aren't talking with another Devil." Natsume muttered a 'whatever' before pressing the shell to his ear.
The first thing the devil heard was a small static buzz. Natsume frowned slightly and was about to speak when a soft, musical voice resonated into his ear.
"H-Hello?"
Natsume took a glance at Ruka before speaking. "I need your help."
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A/N: Is it bad to say, I have absolutely no plot in my mind right now for this story? I am honestly letting my characters tell the story for me. Still, I hope you guys enjoy! Peace!
04.08.15
