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A/n: Hi! I'm back! Well, sorry about that last chapter. I'm really sorry. It really sucked! So, now I'm giving you another longer and much better version of it.

I edited it, and so here I am, giving you my edited work. I enjoyed making and reading it afterwards.

I really did! So I hope you enjoy too, and please send me reviews! Please! I can't continue without any feed backs or reviews in return! Thanks…

But before we go to the story,

I would want to thank these people. Thanks for such awesome reviews! Mwah!

---------glenda23, Pink Fire 101, and babeemei, arigatou!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Chapter 4. Can Dreams be Reality?

With Mikan00000000000

As the man was beginning to enjoy things further and as he was about to reveal more of Mikan's chest and thighs…

Man: Ha!!!!!!!!! Why… am I b-urning?

The black cat masked boy picked up the poor girl. She was lying on the now terrible sight of the green grasses stained by fresh blood.

Not so far beside is the man who has 3rd-degree burns all over his skin.

Looking at the man he burnt, "Tsk… This is what fashion does to people." the masked boy muttered with sole antipathy.

And he jumped off to a tree and within 5 seconds, he disappeared along with the unconscious girl in his arms.

…

Birds are chirping happily. The sun has been smiling towards the inhabitants of Earth about an hour ago already.

"Hmmm…."

On a room lay a girl on a wide bed. Short raven locks scattered down the pillows.

Snoring softly, she stayed there still enveloped by white clean sheets. Little sunlight crept and warmed her face through the slit in the window curtains but the heat didn't even bother her. She must have been too exhausted the other day to even move and open her eyes, and wake up.

Cause usually, she's very sensitive to movement. Even the littlest things can go make her alert. But now, she's involved in deep slumber. She must be really tired… really tired.

…

With Mikan00000000000

"Damn!"

"Hmmm…"

The man was now moving in a faster pace and so…

"Hmmm… huh?" … the girl in his hands woke up.

It was the same man before, the same man when both she and Hotaru were still together. But why is she with him now? And why is she being carried?

"You…"

The masked boy didn't say anything but only lowered his race and started walking.

"…Ha!!!!!!!! Let go of me, pervert!"

On cue, the brunette's butt landed hard on the ground. It hurt.

Wonder why she shouted? It was just about the way the man was holding him. Her large jacket was hitched up that bared her thigh and legs and one of the stranger's arms was holding her by her exposed thigh when he carried her.

"Why did you slump me? Ow, my butt hurts!"

"You said to let go, idiot."

"You should have just put me down! Not like that! And why am I even talking to you?"

"Then, it's more than fine for me to go our separate ways now that you're awake."

The boy was about to leave when…

"Pls., I don't know where I am. Pls., help me."

"I don't have time for this."

Suddenly, there were loud chirping of disturbed crows nesting in the trees and sounds of rapid movements.

"Shit." he cursed

And by that, the irked brunette was again lunged into air by powerful arms yet again for another fast run through the trees.

"Hey! What…?"

"Just keep quiet, idiot." He said in a whisper.

"Hey!" 'How dare this man insult her?!'

A ball of somewhat energy past flew them and hit the trees.

'Damn! Getting away from them won't be easy now that I have some luggage with me.' The boy was now furious. He wants to stop on his tracks and face the people pursuing after them and fight but he just can't. He's lost a great deal of energy last night, and using his alice now would be such a bad idea.

Contrary, the brunette was also terrified by the minute. 'We almost got hit by some massive energy… we could've died. Are there people after us?'

'Don't cry, Mikan. Everything is just a dream. Yes, there must have been too many serious books Hotaru got for our reference and so I slept cause I can't understand anything about them! I'm just sleeping, I'm just dreaming.'

The boy suddenly spoke, "We have to hurry back to the academy."

'Hotaru, where are you? Even this is just a dream; I seriously want to be with you.'

The area cleared a bit. They've lost the enemy. But then, a big blue light enveloped the whole area. Blood scattered in a large amount.

'Hotaru, I guess we'll be separated until this dream lasts.'

Black space showed picture in her eyes.

…

The girl that was once before resting comfortably on bed consumed in slumber awoke only to shout beady-faced with sweat.

"No!!!!!!!!!!"

People entered the room.

"The mistress has woken up."

"Are you alright, young miss?"

The only response she made were wails of dread that sounded of disapproval.

"No… no, no…" her voice was faint.

"Young miss…"

"No, no, no!" She sobbed hysterically.

Those people that came to check her out who looked confused just resorted to her side to wait for their master's commands.

Their master would be here soon and by that, they'll know what the plans are and what to with the girl.

"No…"

…

With Mikan00000000000

Though still wanting to sleep more of her time, she was forced to go for a sitting position.

YAWNing, she stretched her arms and feet.

'Ouch.'

Her arms ache. Even her neck, and her legs and feet. Her whole body feels sore. It's as if she only got rest this time after running for a day nonstop. And she had bandages all over her too. Her skin colored of dried black blood.

"I must look like a zombie."

Mornings are meant to be nice. Obviously that's why one would greet 'Good morning' those people he/she knows.

Now, things aren't going nice.

"What's with these people? I'm trying to get some sleep here." She was complaining loudly.

Now she's in a bad mood. Who wouldn't be?

Who wouldn't be if you're trying to get some rest, and people around go shouting because of reasons you don't even know and destroy your feel of relaxation felt on a nice soft and warm bed?

As her vision totally cleared, she realized….

This was not her room.

And, there's a totally large full circle hanging over the horizon shadowed by black heavens and twinkling little lights!

Darn! How stupid she is.

Mornings are always happy cause they start a new beginning every day. This time of the day was not morning. It was obviously night time.

Though, it's weird why there's a sense of familiarity for her in this room.

Where was she?

The groans and screams of pain that originally woke her up once again echoed through the walls.

It was followed by lectures. It belonged to a man.

Mikan steadied on a pose, made no sound, as she intently listened to the conversation.

"You imbecilic fool! What if the enemies got you? You're gonna put things at risk!"

"I-I won't remain here f-fore-ver." It was followed by a cough clearly showing that the one who owned that cough was badly injured and physically stressed.

"Well, my dear boy, I think you know you won't be able to get away far from this academy without being dead first." He smirked.

"…"

"If you think an escape from here would do you good, think again."

With the noises long gone, she silently contemplated her situation and in what great trouble she's in.

"I wondered who that poor guy was. His voice, I think I've heard it before. Who could've been that heartless man? Humph! Child abuse is every where these days."

She just sat there on the bed where she previously slept in. While staring at space, her eyes unintentionally caught something at the side. It was a mirror, wall-length.

She stood up, eager to see her face. She's conscious when it comes to her looks even at her age. Many boys at her school adore her and she strives to keep that reputation of hers. Split ends would even destroy her world.

When she looked upon her reflection, her mouth gaped wide, hanging until it touched the floor (literal of course).

"W-what t-the?"

And a scream followed afterwards.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

She just destroyed the peacefulness of the night.

Natsume was currently on the sofa in the house's living room. He just started to close his eyes a minute ago and now he was about to completely doze to sleep for a nice way of replenishing his lost energy when suddenly a scream of horror that belonged to a girl awakened back his senses.

'Damn!'

A voice from behind menaced the insides of the room.

"The girl, she's awake."

"Don't get inside this matter, Persona."

"I don't need to. I'm not interested."

Back to the petrified girl,…

She was shocked to death.

Why does she look like this?

She almost hasn't recognized herself.

Her hair was scattered and wildly tangled like those of vines from thick rainforests. It seemed that she hasn't brushed her precious hair for a month! Though, it's now longer than before.

Her face looked matured. Why does she look old?

Her body is way too different from before. Though she admits she loves this body of hers than her usual one. Her skin is of the same fair complexion.

And her clothes, it's so…

"Kyaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! No! I have dreams as a child! I couldn't have my life lead to this kind of, this kind of… No!!!!!!!! Am I a prostitute?!!!!!!!!"

The door opened and some guy with a mask stepped in.

"Could you stop shouting?"

Upon seeing the guy, her mind started to recollect things that could connect to what's happening.

…………..process ongoing in a stupid girl's mind success: 1..2...98.. 100………

'Idiot! I'm in a dream! Now, where's Hotaru? I hope we get reunited in this dream soon.'

With a confused look, "…But this seems so real." she said.

"What seems so real?"

'Yes, I know this is a dream so if I do anything, it won't truly matter, right? It won't cause every thing's just an illusion in my head, right?'

But then, she realized she was in front of a guy with her having an appearance like, like… No! Even though she doesn't know this guy and if this was only a dream, she can't loose her pride and dignity of being thought of being a low kind of girl in profile to any one in the race of men!

Her clothes revealed her legs, only covering the part that really needed cover.

Actually, what she knew was that this clothing on her was a large coat intended for malling in winter. Before, it was very big for her size and now it fitted her perfectly.

What a transformation she must have been through. She was only a child, and now she's a teenager.

She blushed as she noticed that the guy just stood there. Though his eyes were covered by a mask, she was sure he was staring at her whole.

And so she blushed when she realized the hem of the coat was so open it almost bared her breasts.

Instead of shouting at him for what she thinks he's being a pervert, she stuttered in asking for a blanket or a towel to cover her body instead. Her face looked grateful.

She just couldn't shout at this guy, a guy now staring at her adoring her. Now she feels she's the best etched maiden he saw his life.

One more thing, this was also the guy who saved her from that man who… Who was that man again? Yeah, that's right, that yucky guy was the one who proudly called himself as the 'King of the Streets'. What a pen name!

But then, anger flared inside her as the man; instead of offering her anything good or words that would calm her panicking other self of thinking this may not be a dream; gave her words she didn't want to hear, at least from a.. stranger.

"Why should I? Why should I give you anything for cover when I'm enjoying the view, whore?" The guy who she thought was her knight and shining armor at first had told her.

"Whore?" She mimicked in a low hushed tone.

She bowed her head clenching her fists and repeated again, "W-whore?"

And when she lifted her head again to face the damn irritating proud bastard, she found herself goaded more by a teasing smirk.

"How dare you!" Her voice was calm trying to pry off rage.

"Hn,… ugly and dirty slut, I kinda love this fashion sense of yours. It's so pleasing to the sight."

"You…" She pointed at him accusingly.

"How could you call a 10-year-old a whore? A prostitute?"

"Even your excuses are as dumb as you. But well, nothing to be shocked. Whores are dumb. They post nude just to earn money knowing no other job to make food."

This guy's cooking her in the heat and flare of her anger.

Not anymore having the power to afford control of stopping herself from outrage, her mouth opened wide ready to talk back.

"Mikan Sakura's no whore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

She lunged forward to at least give him a smack on the face or at least painfully take his hair off his scalp. She was near success when she felt the man's arms steady her a little distance from him.

"Too bad you didn't know you can't hit some one like the black cat."

Mikan continued to give attempts of punches. But she dared not to give a blow with her feet. Her coat was so short for her now tall legs and if she raised her legs, her privates might even be exposed to this man.

She tried and tried.

Punch to the left.

Punch to the right.

Punch at his face.

Success hasn't not yet been attained; he easily dodged and blocked them, or held her so tight she couldn't move.

She hadn't slept much cause she was awaken by those voices not a while ago. And it even turned out that, that boy's voice was really his, the conceited guy who loved bad luck (According to most people in society, black cats indicate bad luck, right?). That's why it sounded familiar to her ears

How dare this man wake her up! And now, how dare this man slur her!

pant pant pant

She hasn't been able to put a scratch on him but she's determined to hit him until her body falls to the point of giving up.

After all, her favorite saying was of Thomas Edison's: Many of life's failure are of those who haven't realized how close they were to success.

Who knows? If she gives another punch, it might hit the man.

"This is insane!" He was by now tired of blocking her dire hits, though he was quite amused of which his pleased face was hidden beyond his mask.

"I'm in no mission. I won't hurt a girl physically cause I'm obviously no gay."

And that's when his lips landed over hers.

This time, Mikan completely lost. This time Natsume earned another medal for success. Success in calming her down.

It was through a kiss.

And not just that, attached with this success was actually the fact he enjoyed the kiss. If this lady was a prostitute, why didn't she know how to kiss?

Must be playing nice to wear some fake grace as a woman.

When the contact was broken, she shouted at him bewildered.

"That's it! Stop this dream now! Where's Hotaru? Where am I? Am I still in CSTI? Why don't I look myself? Why have I grown much instantly like magic?! Where's me being a 10-year-old? What's going on? I need to go home now!"

"What are you talking about?" 'Who's this idiosyncratic girl?'

"And,…"

She blushed.

"my mom would hit me if she found out I've been just given my first kiss!"

"What the hell are you talki..?"

"And I didn't enjoy it a bit!"

"Shut up."

"I want to go home! Hotaru! I would want a more pleasant dream of me being with Natsume-kun (she's referring to Natsuhiko since his full name is Natsuhiko Meiji)! Oh not in this dream, Natsume-kun, pls., I would like a sweeter one."

(A/n: Mikan was pleading dramatically with hearts as eyes. Of course, by this the black cat thought he was the Natsume referred by her. It's because of her pleading and she was facing him.)

"Natsume…?" He voiced out faintly with disbelief.

The guy stilled and grabbed the collar of her coat that made her—for the first time after they met—actually fear the guy.

"How could you have known the black cat's identity?"

She gulped. She even felt the surroundings' temperature increase.

'No way. What a dream this is!'

She nervously laughed, "Can dreams be reality?"

Some one interrupted the two.

"He knows who you are. You've got no choice but to kill the girl."

A/n: Hehe, a cliff hanger! Now, pls RxR.

Thanks)

Next deal:

Chapter 5. Neither enemies nor friends