Chii: Konnichiwa, minna-san! I'm really sorry for the ultimately late update!

I've been so busy this summer that I completely neglected this story! I'm really sorry!

And thanks to all those who had reviewed, is reviewing, and will review!!

And also those who actually enjoyed reading my crappy creation!

Arigato to the nth power!!!

Conscience: Jeez, I beg you… Spare us from your nonsense…

Chii: CONSCIENCE! YOU'RE BACK!

Conscience: Back? What back? I have no back. I don't even have a body. I only consist of letters and punctuation marks. I am a mere metaphor representing your inner conflicts and negativity. Mind continuing with the story?

Chii: You're such a smart-ass…

Conscience: I'm only as smart-ass as you can be, and that goes to show the depth of your personality. smirks

Chii: Why you little--!

Disclaimer: No matter how I wish, Gakuen Alice can never be mine.

This chapter is dedicated to all the SDS, the Society of Degraded Students, especially Cami-chan, who thought up the idea for this story.


Chapter 7- Revelations and Realizations

Natsume let Mikan sleep in his arms throughout their escape.

He laid her gently on the soft grass by the Sakura tree's shade.

All was peaceful.

Until…

"Kuro Neko…"

Here we go again…

He recognized the voice, but suspicion arose in him because he had not sensed his mentor's presence, which he normally would have.

"What now, Persona?" the raven-haired teen growled without looking at the source of the call.

All that answered him was the sound of muffled laughter.

What the-?

The Kuro Neko whipped around; this time he was sure that it wasn't the dreaded sensei.

"Imai…" he narrowed his eyes dangerously at the amethyst-eyed inventor who was in a position that clearly suggested that she had been hiding in the bushes.

Imai Hotaru grinned evilly at him, one hand clutching a panda-shaped instrument.

"The Voice Translator: it can record any person's voice, and when used as speaker, can transform your normal voice into any voice it has recorded; can also translate spoken foreign languages correctly. Limited offer only, until stocks last."

Nogi Ruka emerged beside the trademark blackmailer, smiling sheepishly.

His sapphire orbs found his best friend's fiery ones.

"Ruka,"

Just as the fair-haired teen opened his mouth to apologize, Hotaru cut him off.

"Where did you bring Mikan?"

Her coldness was indeed comparable to Natsume's.

"For a walk," he replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!

An endless stream of bullets from the Baka Cannon was Imai Hotaru's next contribution to the conversation.

Having been attacked by surprise, an endless stream of well-picked swearwords and curses flowed from Natsume's lips as he tried to get up.

"Nogi," Hotaru addressed the stunned teen by her side.

"I'm taking this baka to its room. You talk to that baka you call friend."

He watched apprehensively as the Ice Queen loaded the still sleeping Mikan into her duck scooter and flew away.

Saying that Imai was worried is an understatement. Ruka chuckled to himself as he refreshed yesterday in his mind.

The inventor had been trembling silently as they headed back to the school for dinner after an unsuccessful search for the cheerful brunette and her partner.

Her beautiful face was devoid of emotions, but it was evident that she was paler than usual.

As the two stepped off the scooter, Hotaru stood still for a moment. The glow of the sunset illuminated her figure, raven hair dancing in the wind.

He caught a glimpse of her face. Tears had formed in her lavender eyes. Knowing how worried she was, Ruka silently clasped her delicate hand.

She looked up at him in surprise, but he merely squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"We'll find them."

"Natsume," he called out tentatively to the boy.

The crimson-eyed fellow sighed and flopped down under the Sakura tree.

"Was it a mission?"

Natsume shook his head without looking at the blonde lad.

"Then where were you? The academy was infiltrated by the Organization last night. I assumed that the two of you were on a mission,"

"That baka went out in the middle of the night when I warned her not to. And she was the reason why those bastards from the AAO came," the fire caster drawled casually.

Ruka sat down beside his best friend and patted Usagi. Silence enveloped the two for several moments before the dark-haired teenager spoke once more.

"Ruka… I'm sorry,"

The animal lover furrowed his eyebrows at Natsume's apology.

"You're sorry for what, Natsume?"

The aforementioned gazed at the morning sky, careful to look at anything other than the cerulean orbs of Ruka.

"I can't let go of her…" he finally uttered after seconds of hesitation.

The boy beside him smiled serenely upon understanding what Natsume whispered.

"I already did," he simply stated.

Natsume faced him at last, face showing shock and confusion.

Ruka smirked upon seeing his reaction.

"Hey, that smirk's mine," Natsume informed him.

"It seems like we're getting each other's attitude," laughed the accused. His cold friend snickered in response.

When they finally quieted down, Natsume declared, "Polka-dot's better off with someone like you,"

Ruka sighed. "I already told you, I've let Sakura go,"

"Why?"

Warm crimson orbs met calm blue. "Natsume, you're always looking out for my happiness… And I found it in someone else. It's time you claim your shot at being happy,"

"And who's the unlucky girl who replaced Polka-dots in your heart?" teased Natsume.

Ruka blushed and immediately avert his face from Natsume's sight.

"A…Ah- It's um- it's ah…um-!"

Natsume smirked at seeing his friend's hesitance.

"It's that Imai, isn't it?"

"Ho-how- How d-did you-?!"

"You are an idiot," Natsume confirmed.

"And you're a coward,"

"Moron,"

Ruka grinned once more. "You sure have changed, Natsume,"

"So?" the flame caster replied casually.

"How 'bout a bet?"

"A bet on what?"

"First to confess gets… say, a thousand rabbits?"

Natsume smirked. "You're on. And speaking of change, I'll go change my clothes, okay?"

"See ya at breakfast then, Natsume,"

Natsume raised a hand in farewell and walked to the dormitories.

Ruka, however, slumped against the Sakura tree.

Why did I think of such a bet?! How the hell am I going to confess to Imai? DARN!!


Chii: I finally finished this chapter! Yahoo!

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