Chapter 10

Instead of pure white angel wings… the feathers were fading into a black color. Her clothes stayed the same though. All of the sudden, a beam of light shot up from her body, encasing a small space around her. She summoned Nyx and Athena back into her mind as she gently lifted Ki into her hands. The light still emitting from Mikan's body now became black, just light enough to see her in it. The window then smashed as she neared it.

Nobody could get close. They could only watch as Natsume struggled to move one step closer… but failed.

"I see that we are not wanted here… but if we are... then only saddness awaits us now... so fine. We will leave and reside somewhere else. It had been nice to have mortal friends again even for a little while." She said this with bangs covering her eyes when everyone noticed 5 tears drop from her eyes and turn into ice crystals with a small flame inside of them. "Those are my special crystals, suck on one end, and fresh water will come out. Also, once you put them on, only you or I can remove them. These are for Natsume, Ruka, Koko, Yuu and last, but not least, Hotaru as a thank you for all of the things you have done and put up with. We are sorry for bothering you with our problems, only to leave you now. We may meet again, but don't count on it."

"No!" "Don't go!" "PLEASE!" these cries were heard from the class as she turned to leave.

Suddenly, Hikaru, Kazu and Fai appeared before her outside the window, unaffected by the powerful aura. "Get a hold of yourself, Mikan," said Hikaru, now in his true form. Kazu and Fai were also in their true forms. "It is obvious they don't want you to leave."

"No, my mind is made up. I cannot be hurt this way by mortals any longer. Ever since that incident, no human has ever shown me a true smile… how I wished to be wanted, needed. But I guess that only gods and goddesses will ever truly be glad I'm there." As she said this, everyone stared at her.

Even Permy felt a pang of guilt. She continued, "I have lived so long… too long… maybe I should just disappear. What's the point of living?"

The black aura that was surrounding her gradually started to disappear. Once it did, she folded her wings and dashed out of the room, unable to look at anyone in the face right now. No one except Natsume, Hotaru, Ruka, Koko and Yuu went after her, tears in their eyes, except Natsume. They all grabbed their crystals before leaving though.

Mikan ran into the Northern forest, into the darkness. It started to rain butshe never lost her pace, when she tripped over a tree root and welcomed the darkness as it engulfed her.

However, she was scared. After all of that, she was scared of not trying. 'Help! Anybody… please… I'm right here… please help…'

MEANWHILE…

Natsume and the others were frantically trying to find her and the rain's not helping. Hotaru used her inventions to get through the trees faster. Koko, however, can't pick up Mikan's mind. As a result of this, they decided to split up. Hotaru gave them all communicators to let them all know when one of them has found her… and off they went.

Natsume was in the middle of wondering why he was so desperate to find this one girl, when he heard something, 'Help… I'm right here… please…' It was Mikan! But the weird thing was, it was in his mind he heard it.

As he kept moving, the voice got louder and louder when finally, he found her.

She was one big mess! Her hair was no longer in the ponytails, she was drenched and covered in mud from head to toe, and when he lifted her head, it was stone cold.

"N… Na… Natsume…" she managed to whisper, "Thank y-you…" those were her last conscious words as she lay there. White as a sheet, and not because of the cold, Natsume called everyone and told them his location and to hurry.

Hotaru, who was the closest, stared wide-eyed at the sight. Mikan and Natsume were both looked like ghosts as she looked at their pale faces. "Is she alive!!??" Hotaru asked as her tears threatened to fall, "HYUUGA!! TELL ME!" she demanded.

He gave a reassuring nod, but she still had gotten out her duck scooter with the side seat which Natsume and the lifeless Mikan sat in. She notified the other three to meet her and Natsume at the hospital, telling them the situation.

Once they reached it, they didn't even bother to get out. Hotaru rammed her scooter right into the door and into the emergency room where tens of nurses surrounded the strange vehicle.

"GET THIS GIRL TREATED AND FAST!!" she exclaimed as they directed their attention to Mikan, who was tightly wrapped in Natsume's strong arms.

He reluctantly let go as she was rushed into a secluded room. So they had to wait outside it. By this time, the other 3 had gotten there, panting. They were given new clothes, hot coco, and seats nearest to the door, knowing that they would never leave.

Hours passed… and all they could think about was Mikan. What had happened since they met her… and her smile that she had shown only a couple of times… real smiles. 'Mikan...'

HEHEHEHE (as a side note: that's 'evil' giggling) Cliffhanger tune in tomarrow for more!