I am so so sorry for updating really late… I was busy with our upcoming examinations that I couldn't find time to write another chapter. So sorry though. Also, I would like to thank all those who gave reviews. I really do appreciate it. Considering any comment is a wonderful comment. Hehe.

So guys, I know it's been long delayed but here is the 10th chapter of this fic. I hope you enjoy it and please, don't forget to review.

Disclaimer: Wishing this work was my own would be a disgrace to all writers out there. Gakuen Alice, I will never own you. Though how hard I try, it will remain a fantasy.
A short recap to begin a new chapter...

"Hmph… Looks like the tree found a way to make me confess to Polka after all."

"Natsume…"

Natsume turns around and finds her staring intently at him, looking both shocked and dazed.

Flashback:

When our fire caster opened his eyes, he was shocked to find himself in a clean hospital room instead of a crowed Central town.

"Natsume, good that you're awake. How are you feeling?"

What? Did the idiot ask me about what I feel about her? Am I hearing this correctly?

Our fire caster wanted to give a sarcastic retort but what came out was quite the opposite.

"I love you, Polka dots." WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED? I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY THAT!!

Obviously confused with such a reply, Mikan asked, "What did you say?"

"I LOVE YOU POLKA DOTS!! DON'T MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF."

"Ok, ok... But that still doesn't answer my question."

"What?"

"I asked if you are feeling better but by the looks of things, I think you're feeling much better."

"…"

Soon, an eerie silence enveloped them. So Mikan decided to break the silence.

"Hey Natsume, do you mind if I leave? I need some fresh air."

"…"

Mikan walked out of the hospital ward and went off to her room.

She was very disturbed hearing such words from Natsume. His words kept playing replaying in her head. And as soon as she found herself in the comfort of her own room, she took a long shower, hoping it would lessen the tension inside of her head.

She came out with a refreshed body but not exactly a refreshed mind. Well in fact, the more she thought of it, the more confused she got.

Why did he say he loved me? I thought he said he despised me? I thought he wanted to confess to another girl? Maybe that's the reason why he won't tell me who he's going to confess to?

Seeing that her room only made her thoughts all fuzzy, she went to the sakura tree to think things over rationally. She sat down near the tree's base, leaning her back on the hard bark of the tree.

Or maybe he was hallucinating?? Yeah, maybe that's it. Hallucination. It does get the better of us sometimes, now doesn't it? Now I feel more like an idiot for getting all worked up about it. He probably didn't mean it. Yeah, that's it. But why do I have the feeling like I wanted him to say it. I love you, Polka dots. Stop daydreaming. He didn't mean it. He mustn't. I mean how about that girl, right? Right? I feel so foolish for deep in thought when everything was just a misunderstanding. Wait, Natsume must be worried that I took it seriously. He didn't want to say that to me but to the girl he likes. He even said it himself. I better return to his room and reassure him that I wasn't disturbed by it.

"Yes! I should definitely do that," she said out loud. She said it with such a jubilant voice but when one listened carefully, he could hear a hint of sorrow.

So she went back to hospital only to find out that Natsume had been discharged just moments ago. So she decided to go to his room when she thought she saw Ruka and Natsume talking in the halls.

And by the looks on their faces, she could deduce that they were indeed both a troubled pair which was quite unusual considering that they try to keep their faces as stoic as can be. She slowly approached the two, in hope to surprise them, but what stopped her from moving any closer was that conversation they were having. Although she could only hear bit by bit, she was a bit shocked with that Natsume mumbled to himself.

"… confess to Polka after all."

Confess to Polka? I'm the only one he calls that. Confess? So he did mean it? What? Am I hearing correctly?

"Natsume"

End of flashback

"Ughh… It's good to see you up and about. I was just about to visit you in your room but seeing you here with Ruka-pyon, I guess everything is well. So I'll be going now." Turning around and starting to walk back to the sakura tree. Suddenly, Natsume gripped her wrist.

"Mikan…"

Slowly tears came running to her cheeks. She forcefully tugged her wrist out of his grasp and ran away.

Ruka then approached his friend, "You should go after her. Properly explain things to her. There's no way you'll get away without telling her the truth this time."

"…"

Ruka went to his room. I hope everything goes well. You definitely deserve each other. I don't want either of you to keep suffering.

As he walked back to his room, he heard a very distinct voice saying, "Very good, Nogi. You've done your part well. Today I'll spare you of any photo shoots. But tomorrow is a new day, I've already warned you."

"Thanks."

"But in order to regain my lost profit for the day, Nogi, you must pay me 500 rabbits."

"No way I'm spending my money. I'm saving enough money to buy that innocent bunny from that cruel pet shop in Central Town."

"Very well. Suffer the consequences. Hope you enjoy every fan girl drooling over your picture practically near to tears while looking at the innocent bunny..."

"Fine" I should have known there would be a catch to this.

Back with Natsume's search

So Natsume started looking for our brunette of course in a rather obscure manner. He wouldn't wanna destroy his image, now would he?

Looking first in her room, then later in the classrooms and all the other places she could be in. And then it hit him, "The sakura tree, of course. I should have gone there first."

So he made his way to the sakura tree only to find the person he was looking for talking to the tree.

"I'm so confused Mr. Tree. I thought that he was talking about another person not me. He doesn't and will never deserve someone like me. He is too perfect to sink down to a level of my imperfection. I don't want him to suffer anymore. Seeing him all bloodied up every after his missions, breaks my heart way to much," slowly tears ran down her porcelain face, truly, a most unlikely sight; seeing the girl who lifted up the downhearted people with tears upon her face.

"But you know what Mr. Tree, when I heard him say those words, I somehow felt uneasy. My heart started to beat so fast that I could hardly breathe. I wanted to scream and allow tears to fall but I don't want it to seem like I was bothered in anyway as he might have been hallucinating. I never wanted to impose on him…"

"Hallucination, is it?" said a soft yet deep voice.

I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

Yey… Another week, another chapter. Hopefully, by next week I'll be able to finalize my thoughts and actually finish this… Hehe

I definitely need your reviews and comments. Also, if possible, try to give points to improve on so if ever I continue writing fics, I'll be better and be more efficient as well…

Ok?? Thanks a lot.

Till then…