Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice does not belong to me...

I'm burning through the skies Yeah!

Two hundred degrees

That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit

I'm travelling at the speed of light

-Don't Stop Me Now, Queen

The teacher's staffroom

"Principal Yukihira, I must say I'm very surprised," commented Jinno-san, Mikan's math teacher. He didn't like her very much, and let's just say that the feelings were mutual. "Mikan Sakura shows no signs of having an Alice. How was she admitted into this school?"

"Jinno-san, please do not question my judgement. I have sensed an Alice within her, but I do not know what it is yet. Let nature take its course," replied Kazumi Yukihira, complacently.

"All right, Yukihira-sama," Jinno still had questions, but he knew it wasn't the right time to ask them. "Did you know that Mikara-san, the PE teacher, reported that Mikan Sakura demonstrated super speed in a volleyball game? Apparently, she left one of her opponents, who was a werewolf, with a broken arm."

The High School Principal, who had been calmly sipping his steaming coffee while looking over his documents, put his cup down abruptly.

"What!" he exclaimed. Mikan Sakura wasn't supposed to be showing any supernatural abilities yet... not until her seventeenth birthday, which was about a year away. If her powers were developing early, it could be a problem. It meant her powers were too large to be contained, and would be quite hard to control. Kazumi Yukihira had been an early developer himself, and was quite familiar with the problems it presented.

He put a hand to his head, and groaned. His niece was more problematic than she seemed. He'd better make precautions for any broken, burnt or irreplaceably damaged items during her transition period...

"Thank you for the information, Jinno. You may leave," he said, firmly. Jinno bowed, and left the room, leaving him alone to his thoughts. The High School Principal, despite his many years of experience, didn't know what to do or what to expect.

In Mikan's room

Mikan was more exhausted than she'd ever been after a game of sport. She really didn't know why. Sport never tired her this much, especially just one game. She'd had a long day at lessons, making notes, answering questions, and trying to become a better student. The people at this school were extremely competitive, but at least she had made some friends. She had a feeling that things were going to look up from now.

She turned off the light and prepared to go to sleep, but her mind stubbornly refused to comply. Every time she closed her eyes, a weirdly familiar pair of ruby red eyes swam in front of her eyes... Little did she know that a few doors down, a raven-haired boy was having the same problem.

She tossed and turned, and finally, sunk into a restless sleep. Her mind was alight with strange images, thoughts, and memories she never knew she had. Something deep inside her was changing.

Mikan's dream

A beautiful woman with long, shining brown hair and amber eyes hovered over her, tears streaming down her face.

"Mikan, my child," she said.

"Mother..." Mikan replied. She couldn't believe she was seeing her mother for the first time.

"Please forgive all of my mistakes. Believe me, I didn't mean to make them. I wish Izumi was here to see how well you've grown up. Forgive me for not being there to see you grow up. Forgive me for not being there right now. But I'm here to warn you about the future. Promise me that however hard it gets, and however desperate the times look, never give up," she said, her melodious voice ringing like chimes in the wind.

"I promise, Mother. I forgive you," Mikan said, tears now streaming down her face.

"I have to go now..." she cupped Mikan's face for the last time. "You look so much like me. After the transition, you'll be so beautiful." She slowly faded away, disappearing into the white mist.

"Don't leave me," Mikan cried out. She wasn't ready to see her mother go. She'd been wondering about her for years. Whether she'd look like her, if she was kind, whether she'd love her. Suddenly, a new figure appeared. It was an intimidating lady, with raven-black hair and ruby red eyes, who smiled at her kindly.

"You're Yuka's daughter through and through. I can see her fighting spirit in you. You'll need it. And don't be too harsh on my son, will you? He's got a good heart underneath that cruel exterior."

With that, Mikan woke up from possibly the strangest dream of her life. Who were those people? Was that really her mother, who she'd wanted to see for years? What did it signify?

She looked at the clock on her bedside table. It read 7.51 a.m. Time to get ready for school, then. Mikan walked to the bathroom to take a bath, and brush her teeth.

While looking at her normally uninspiring reflection in the mirror, she had the shock of her life.

Her brownish, amber eyes had changed colour to become a bright golden that burned with a fiery intensity. Her hair, which used to be brown, was subtly lighter, with blondish streaks running through them. It was shoulder length yesterday, but today it seemed to hang down in a silky sheet halfway down her back. Her skin seemed to shine from within, and looked almost translucent. She looked like a better version of herself, in every single way.

Mikan poked at her face in sheer astonishment. How had a complete transformation happened overnight?! She felt stronger, too. She was completely ache-free and her mind was clearer, sharper. She felt ready to take anything on. She grinned at the mirror. The changes were startling, but she liked them. They made her feel unique, and more worthy to be at Alice Academy, where everyone seemed unnaturally beautiful.

She walked to class with her head high. Unbeknownst to her, her transformation attracted whispers and looks from everyone.

"Whatever happened to Sakura-san? She was just average yesterday, but suddenly she's become completely stunning."

"Wow..."

"I didn't think that it was possible for humans to have golden eyes."

Mikan sat in her usual desk, next to Natsume Hyuuga, who as usual, paid no attention whatsoever to her. "I wish he'd pay some attention, for once," she thought.

Miraculously, he put down the manga he was reading, and actually glanced at her way.

"Hi," she said. Maybe he'll reply, just this once...

"Hi," he replied. He picked up his manga again, the very picture of nonchalance. Inside, his mind was reeling. Whatever had happened to Mikan's eyes? Weren't angels the only ones who had golden eyes? But Mikan was just a human... Perhaps she was something else, just like him... But she seemed so oblivious of her ancestry, and showed no powers at all. Perhaps he was just mistaken. Curiosity was raging inside him.

At the end of class, Mikan picked up her books, ready to leave to the next class. Or better yet, get some food.

"Wait," Natsume said, surprising himself. Where did that come from? "What happened to your eyes?"

"I don't know," Mikan answered. "Do you?"

"How would I know?" Natsume shrugged. "But if there's anything else you feel like asking me, go ahead."

Mikan was taken aback. The nerve of this guy! How could he act like a total jerk one day, and suddenly almost nice the other? But since he was offering, she'd better make the most of it.

"Sure. Maybe next time," she smiled, and left to her next class.

Natsume shook his head. What was wrong with him? Mikan Sakura and her secrets were driving him crazy.

Author's Note:

Sorry it took so long, I was really busy with exams and stuff... it was no fun!

Anyway, I'm back :)

If you liked the chapter, please leave a review in appreciation! Until next time.