Chapter 7

It was February 2nd. Alice Academy was, unusually busy of the preparation of the biggest event that year, International Alice Competition. Even though they had been chosen "officially" to represent Tokyo Alice Academy, Mikan and her friends still couldn't believe what Narumi-sensei explained on the very day.

"The school faculty had prepared for this test long before we announced the IAC to y'all…" he said playfully, "It was so well-prepared that I even amazed myself...First, we checked and checked the students' records, then we sent people to spy on the ones we think are the rightful candidates to our school. We observed whatever they did for around a week, then we looked for a chance to see how they act if they are in emergency situations!"

"You spied on us?" asked Natsume, his insides seemed writhing with anger, "How many times I have to teach you not to disturb anyone's private life?"

"We know what we have done might be rash, but representations needed for such an elite tournament as IAC are not easy to find. We have to handpick the students ourselves. It's not as simple as looking for clever bits inside your skulls, you know. IQ and EQ is severely needed for this tournament, that's why."

"You could just…"

"Enough all this talk. I'll explain more about the tournament tomorrow. You can have fun with your friends until that, and then we'll have to PRACTICE hard for this, understand?"

"Yes."

"Say 'Yes, Sensei.'"

"Yes, Sensei."

"Good! Then see you at 3 o'clock sharp at the school yard this Monday!"

So today was Monday, good grief. Actually, Mikan wasn't really pleased with her new status as an "official" Tokyo Alice Academy representation. She sighed before entering her classroom. Hotaru was a techno superstar, Iinchou was the king of high-grader illusionists, Ruka was extremely good, and Natsume was obviously outstanding. Well, count Yome Kokoro out anyway. Then what about herself? Everyone knew her as the complete one-starred lamer in class B. What will her classmates think about her?

"How could the baka join the IAC Tournament?"

It was Sumire all right, who else would have a first impression like that?

"I know about the brat Imai, Tobita, but that the baka Mikan Sakura joining the tournament holds no real significance for the rest of us!"

"Just say that you're jealous to her, "said Yome Kokoro.

"Shut your mouth. Because I know Narumi's a complete fraud, I ought to ask this IMPORTANT problem: I should be the one who will assist Natsume-kun in the tournament, I'm a Double!"

"One more word and I'll banish you with one or two Oni-blasts, "said Hotaru.

"Natsume-kun! Why are you with that baka?!"

Mikan, who was standing firmly by the door, was surprised by Natsume's arrival beside her.

"What's with all the racket?" Usagin and Ruka had arrived.

"I heard it, "said Natsume, "Something to do with the Strawberries."

Sumire quickly said, "Yes! That's it! We want to…"

"I suggest you shut up and sit, "said Natsume, "If you want to enter the tournament, you can take my place any time, who wants to engage in this utterly lousy tournament anyway? With Kitsune-tsuki wandering around, I doubt this will be enjoyable for all of you."

The whole class suddenly silenced. W-what happened? thought Mikan. Some of her classmates were as confused as herself. The rest looked frightened, curious, and pretended not to hear. What's with the flunky atmosphere?! Wait, it seemed more like icy than flunky. Icy and frosty.

"Kitsune…"

"He just said it."

"Kitsune-tsuki…"

Whispers suddenly filled the icy atmosphere, making it two times colder, and when Mikan was about to say something, Hotaru stood up. Everybody's eyes were on her.

"Wise move, Hyuuga, "That was all she said.

Mikan suddenly felt uneasy. Hotaru looked…creepy, what was actually happening? Just about twenty seconds ago the class was as carefree and intensive as ever…and after Natsume had mentioned Kitsune-tsuki, everybody changed. Iinchou looked worried, Sumire looked dumb, Ruka was panicked behind Natsume, and Hotaru was looking at Natsume like a mother eagle that was going to kill her prey.

"Shut your mouth, "said Natsume, "You ought to thank me I've never told anyone about that 'thing'. To cap it off, you even have some sort of fetish for Kitsune-tsuki."

The whole class seemed holding their breath at this point. Mikan had no idea of what was happening at the moment, but noticing Hotaru's expression, she knew she really had to settle this before the situation worsened. Just as she about to say a word to Natsume…

"Natsume, quit it, will ya?"

Ruka finally decided to break the silence.

However, that wasn't really necessary, because suddenly the bell rang and Natsume didn't want to answer him back, so the class atmosphere was slowly returning back to normal.

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Hotaru's mood hadn't been changing a bit when she and Mikan were walking side by side along the corridor after school that day. They were going to meet Narumi-sensei, but since the others thought Hotaru needed some time alone, they left her with Mikan, who was her best friend anyway.

"Hotaru?" Mikan suddenly blurted out, "Are you okay?"

"Don't ask about such trivial stuffs, "she replied coolly.

"Hotaruuuu…do you hate me?"

"Maybe."

Maybe? Mikan immediately cried beside her. Hotaru was as cold as usual, and Mikan was just as lame…but something wasn't right with her friend, Mikan would know that even if anybody else didn't, and right know she noticed that her Hotaru's mood became substantially worsened. Hotaru walked so fast that Mikan stumbled once in a while in her attempts to catch up with her.

"Hotaru…what ails you? Did Natsume say anything wrong to you?"

Upon hearing those words, Hotaru walked even faster.

"Hey, wait up!"

"It's unexplainable, "Hotaru said with a crisp voice, "But it hurts."

"I don't get it!" said Mikan.

That was rewarded with a good ol' baka bullet.

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The school yard was packed with students when they arrived. Narumi definitely invited other students to watch their practice or whatever. That Narumi…thought Hotaru, Thanks to me he is able to do whatever he wants to. Why? Because Jinno is still on his bed, dreaming wildly, having nightmares all this time…Well, I see none of the teachers can find an antidote to my Oni-blast.

In spite of the crowd, no ordinary student was standing in the middle of the school yard. Hotaru could see Narumi's slender figure and the rest of the school faculty (minus Jinno) from afar, standing inside that empty space which was shaped like a wide circle. They must have applied a barrier around that space.

"Mikan!"

"Ah!" said Mikan, "Misaki-sempai!"

"How are you? I heard you've been chosen to represent the school! Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Misaki! What about you?"

"Those teleporters and fox ghosts really freaked my out! But Tsubasa and the others came just in time. Well, we couldn't pass the trial though…"said Misaki, "Those spirits wouldn't budge even after we attacked them with everything we got."

"Then how could you survive?"

"Some teachers came and we teleported with them, out of the forest. The mist was still there when we last saw the forest, "she explained, "Those creatures were really creepy. What are they?"

"They are something Kitsune-tsuki left a long time ago. Do you know Kitsune-tsuki?"

"Of course I know. Everybody must know. They are stealth experts, they can kill anybody with determination, I mean, they're cruel…"

"Yeah, we know that, right, Hotaru?"

Hotaru didn't say a thing.

"Listen…" Misaki grabbed Mikan's shoulder and looked at her with glinting eyes. Her face was so solemn that Mikan kept looking at her eyes.

"You gotta be really careful because you two are going to engage in this tournament, "said Misaki seriously, "The point is not winning or losing, but saving your own lives. You are all preys for Kitsune-tsuki in this tournament, because there's no turning back. The number of representations died in this tournament is not just a few, yet they still hold this silly life-betting game. I am personally relieved I am not chosen for this risky tournament."

Mikan didn't know how to reply. She could only nod. Hotaru's lips were tightly pursed.

You are all preys for Kitsune-tsuki, because there's no turning back…

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"Now, let's start this little practice!"

Narumi had gathered the obviously "chosen" students inside the wide circle-shaped space. Hotaru looked around her. As promised, there were 15 students in total. They looked like ordinary students, except for the three small stars shining on each of their uniforms. Two of them even got a Special rank. One of them was obviously Natsume. Looking at that ever-scowling face, Hotaru felt her anger reverted. Damply, she turned her head back to Mikan, who was excitedly examining every single person around them like a fussy and feeble child inside an extremely bizarre toy store. As Hotaru had predicted, Mikan kept asking questions about oh-so-trivial things as she was trapped in an oh-so-baffling situation. How annoying. Where was vandalism when you needed one?

"Look, look, Hotaru! That guy over there got a Special star on his uniform! Is he greater than Natsume? What do you think about it, Hotaru? Hotaru?"

Hotaru gave her nothing but a mischievous smile. You'll be surprised with the number of Special stars in the tournament, missy, She thought. But wait, that's not the point. Right now she was tending to teach the kuroneko a little lesson. Well, forget the 'little' part, coz it would be BIG.

"Huh? Why are you smiling, Hotaru? Are you happy now?"

The answer was yes and no. Or whatever, coz she didn't care anyway.

"Listen up, boys and girls!" said Narumi loudly, "I think there have already been many speculations between you about what sort of competition this tournament will be. I can only say it will be a safe tournament so have fun in it!"

Not if Kitsune-tsuki joined the fun. They would instantly change the tournament into a haunted house game.

"We gathered you here to tell you about some important things…" said Narumi, "First of all, there will be three rounds in the tournament. You will compete with the other chosen representations abroad. About the rounds…we cannot tell you what they are."

"What?!"

The students exchanged anxious looks.

"But don't worry because they are 100 percent safe! Now then…"

Narumi showed a very dramatic smile.

"I have no worries because I trust all of you. I just need you to be careful to the main perpetrator of the most dangerous problem in the tournament…"

Narumi's tone was so frightening that some of the students shivered a little.

"The main perpetrator…?" Mikan asked blankly.

Kitsune-tsuki...thought Hotaru.

"But because of your satisfying performances in the trial, I assume you can pass the tournament just fine." Narumi cleared his throat before continuing. "…Kitsune-tsuki's main weapon is their foxes after all."

And the situation once again reverted. Almost all of Hotaru's seniors gasped, held their breaths, and exchanged shocked looks on their faces. However, this time those reactions were quickly turned back to normal. Sure, Hotaru thought, they might have known about Kitsune-tsuki's household name in this tournament.

"So today's main activity is the 'GHOST HUNT'!" said Narumi cheerfully.

What the…?! What was that coming out of the blue?!

"As I've already said, our main priority is to keep you safe from those pesky fox spirits, but you yourselves must also can defend your own heads from them! So now go! Go and bring back one of them! All of you!"

That was such a sinister, passionate command!

"But, sensei…" said a scowling high-school student, "The teachers said that nobody has ever managed to catch even one of them!"

"That's why you have to! If you can catch just one of them and change our current unlucky position, we might win the advantage! Can't you understand? Conceivably, Jinno won't agree with me about this but this is neither a wind nor a joke! This is for your own sake!" he emphasized the last sentence.

Narumi sure looked much more serious than ever. Oh, and he even mentioned Jinno, so it was a lucky thing Hotaru "nightmarized" him. By the way, it seemed that Jinno hadn't woken up till this very day. Would Narumi find the guts to do so if she didn't? After all, those foxes aren't good things to be played with in this silly hunting game. Why? Because they could take the hunters part whenever they want.

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"So now what should we do, Hotaru?"

Mikan and Hotaru had arrived at the forest where they first met the misty foxes.

Good question. What the hell should they do here? Coming back proudly after fulfilling the mandatory with a ferocious fox spirit was as easy as winning ten International Alice Competitions in a row. When Hotaru was busy thinking, something suddenly appeared from a bush near her.

"Yikes!" gasped Mikan.

"Don't worry, it's just…" said Hotaru, "Usagin? What are you doing? Where's Ruka?"

"Watch out! Watch out!" it said, "Ruka-kun…Psycho…a weird psycho appeared and attacked Ruka-kun! Kitsune-tsuki!"

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A/N: Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry X'Mas and Happy New Year, everyone! I still got plenty to do, ack, maybe I can't get the next chapter on time again, but don't worry, I'll continue it, or my e-mail friends will beat me up, lol. RxR!!