Hey guys, sorry for not updating for a long time, I had to study for Re-papers so didn't have time to update till now. So, I'll do 2 chapters to make up for it. For those wondering when anything is going to happen, I promise you the next chapter (a relatively long one) will reveal what happens to Mikan. Keep reading and reviewing! :)

Chapter 4

"What do you see Serina?"

"Not good, it's been like this for the past month. But this time I can't even see what they're doing. It isn't my place to say, but something bad is going to happen soon. Very soon. I suggest you have extra precaution that they're not allowed anywhere near Mikan."

"They're still after what she has?"

"The combination of her Alice is something more powerful than we'll ever know. Perhaps even more than yours Yuka. They're bound to brainwash her and use her for their own use. Your people, they'll need her more than you know. At least, this is what I saw before this month. It's an ominous month and as far as the spies tell us, they're growing in numbers and strength. Perhaps the Hyuga family can keep her hidden?"

"No, they know too much about the Hyuga's. She has nowhere to go. She needs to have a trained and controlled Alice. Someone who knows how to utilize it."

"Send her someone who's closer to her age, people who she can trust. People whom she'll be able to learn skills from. The world isn't as rosy as you picture it, and Mikan will have to assume that occupation soon. I'll keep an eye out for people who'll be useful for your daughter's survival and development. In the meantime, I know that Narumi and Misaki will be good tutors. They'll teach her all she needs to know."

"Thank you Serina. If something bad happens, you'll keep her safe won't you? Protect her? Be a motherly figure to her?"

"It's the least I can do, your majesty."

"You've been a loyal friend. Without you, I don't think I could have survived after Izumi passed on. Mikan never had a fatherly figure. I just want her to have a normal childhood, with her friends, to have a happy memory."

"She can Yuka, if you keep her safe."

"I hope I can. I really hope so."

"All right kiddies, whoever catches 3 fishes each will get a special treat which the chef has made! Chu~!" Once again, Narumi-sensei blew them flying kisses.

"I thought that we would be getting AWAY from them. Not fishing WITH them?" Natsume snarled with a disgusted look on her face.

"I'm sorry everyone, but Misaki said that I'd have to bring 2 adults to accompany us since she has to prepare for the party. Tsubasa has military training and I can't possibly ask our parents. They're the best choice I had." Pouted Mikan.

Sumire waved her hand in front of her face and announced, "Whatever, I'm getting that treat."

There was this strange glint in Hotaru's eyes as she stood near the stream with another invention of hers. "That is, IF, you can get the fishes BEFORE me curly." A dark aura started emitting from Hotaru's body. In her hands, she merely held a joystick while the rest of the children had fishing rods.

"HAHA! You're going to catch fishes with that stick of yours? No chance." Sumire retorted.

"You have 30 mintues before the sun sets. GO GO GO fish!" Narumi then started singing and dancing with the still smitten Misaki-sensei. Everyone started throwing their rods into the stream, Hotaru on the other hand, grasp her joystick with anticipation.

Suddenly there was a rumbling sound and the ground started to shake. "Earth.. quake?" Narumi stopped dancing and wobbled unsteadily on his feet. In a blink of an eye, a pink mechanical hippopotamus surfaced near Hotaru and opened its mouth, revealing hundreds of fishes jumping around.

"YOU CHEATED!" Screamed Sumire and she angrily threw her fishing rod into the river, stomping over to where Narumi and Misaki-sensei were sitting. She then crossed her arms and pouted.

Narumi merely laughed and said that Hotaru won't be getting the treat since she didn't exactly catch the fishes but she whipped out a device which had already recorded his voice. "All right kiddies, whoever catches 3 fishes each will get a special treat which the chef has made! Chu~!"

"Uh, haha, I did say that didn't I?" Narumi nervously laughed as the rest of the children sweat dropped at the side. Hotaru was cruelly replaying that line over and over again till Narumi agreed that she was the one who would get the treat.

Mikan, on the other hand, wanted very much to catch a fish with a fishing rod. Watching how Nobara threw the fishing rod, she decided to copy her actions. She huffed and threw it with all her might, however the bait didn't land in the water after a while.

"Eh? Where's my fishing hook? Shouldn't it be in the water? Nobara, have you seen it?"

At this moment, Nobara looked up at Mikan and immediately looked back at her fishing rod again. "Um.. Um.. Mikan, your hook is.."

"NOBARA, REEL! REEL!" Ruka pointed at Nobara's tensed rod and shouted. He then saw Mikan clutching her fishing rod, and he too saw where her fishing hook was.

"EH? REEL?" Mikan inquired.

"No not you, don't reel." Ruka remarked, staring at her.

Nobara then immediately said, "Huh? I don't reel?"

"NO YOU REEL!"

"DO I REEL OR NOT?" Mikan started to scream.

"NOBARA REEL! MIKAN SHUT UP!" Barking out instructions Natsume shook his head at their stupidity. "Nice underwear Mikan. Let me guess, today is, orange print."

"How'd you know Natsume?"

"Well, your fishing hook is pulling your shirt up, and your pants has dropped, ever so slightly. Sheesh, don't blind innocent people with those bright panties. Look at Ruka, he's turning red in disgust."

Mikan slowly turned her head and realized that her panties was in full view for everyone. Being stubborn, she didn't want to wear a belt to hold the baggy pants up, and as she stepped into the river, her pants soaked up the water and dropped due to the weight. To make matters worst, her fishing hook caught the end of her long shirt and pulled it up. Mikan just stood there dumbfounded, and steam was obviously streaming out of her ears.

Everyone else looked at Mikan, looked away, looked at her again and those that weren't already blushing beet red was laughing so hard that they started to cry. Including Narumi and Misaki-sensei.

"HAHA! Sorry Mikan-sama. I'll help you out. All right, whoever's caught a fish, put it in the bucket and bring it back to the palace. It's getting dark and you kiddies need your sleep." Narumi-sensei slowly unhooked the end of her shirt and gave her a re-assuring hug. Mikan stayed mute due to the embarrassment and will not even talk to anyone on the way back.

As soon as everyone reached the palace doors, they started to head in the direction of their respective rooms. Misaki, Mikan's personal maid ran up to her and urged her back to her room.

"Did you have fun Mikan-sama?"

Mikan stared blankly at her, refusing to say anything.

"Mikan are you all right? Why are you all red? Are you having a fever?" Misaki placed her hand on Mikan's forhead but didn't feel any difference in temperature. Narumi-sensei, after urging the rest of the chatting children to their rooms, walked up to Misaki and whispered the event into her ear.

"AHAHA! OK, I'm sorry for laughing Mikan. Let's get you cleaned up and you can eat dinner in your room." Misaki immediately burst out laughing.

Mikan knew that she would be the butt of many jokes for the days to come.