I do not own Gakuen Alice, so I disclaim.

O. Chapter Thirteen .O

x. Mikan-chan .x

I shifted on the bed, unable to recognize the linen that covered me. It wasn't my everyday texture. I slowly turned my head to the side and squinted my eyes to adjust to the darkness.

I blinked once, twice, thrice. But still, I could only see is plain darkness.

I sat up and fell back as soon as I did. My head throbbed so hard, I feel like it's about to explode any minute now. Strained tears subconsciously overflew from my eyes. Now, my silent hiccups are chocking me, in melody with my heart's obvious 'lubdub'.

My chest's about to vomit as I sat back up, noticing the sensation of not being alone; I caught sight of a sudden movement inches away on the side from where I sat.

"You're awake." The voice accused, stoic and cold. The lights turned on in melody with her words' period.

I met the gaze of stoned lavender eyes. I look at the sophisticated stranger and had my eyes dangle around the site of where I was in. The room was unfamiliar, yet homey to my senses. And suspiciously has no windows.

"You're in the HQ underground safe house." She said, leaving me in a jigsaw. She walked towards the wardrobe on the room's edge and rummaged there quietly.

I just looked at her back, picking things out.

"How long have I been here?" I asked out loud, trying to remember how and why I got here.

"Around three days ago." She answered and continued on with what she's doing.

"Why can't I remember?"

"You were unconscious then." She simply said and laid a pair of black leather boots on the floor and went back again to the closet.

"Why is that?"

"I'm not in liberty to answer that." She threw me a pair of lingerie. This, I remember were from Madame Maxilliea.

She hung fish-net stockings, a black customized jacket, a white-sequenced sleeveless shirt, and a black and white-striped school-girl skirt.

"You don't stare at clothes, you wear them." She snapped, irritated and walked out of the room.

I slid down the bed to find myself stripped off from any garment. I blushed and hurriedly wore the given clothes.

As I zipped the boots on mid-leg, soft knocks came on the door.

"Good afternoon, Heiress-sama." She bowed lightly with her right fist on chest.

I looked up and smiled, "What's up?"

"Miss Imai asked me to introduce myself and do you a make-over, Heiress-sama." She said and walked over. As she went directly under the light, her features grew clear and evident.

She had a straight, dark blue hair and cheerful eyes under her supporting bangs. "I am Nonoko, Heiress-sama, and I will be your personal assistant and secretary." I nodded. "Hey there, Nonoko."

She led me towards the vanity mirror. She silently curled my hair, divided and tied it to pigtails. She damped my face with light foundation, put on heavy eye make-up and scarlet red shades of lips.

"You look perfect, Heiress-sama." She complimented and left me be.

x. beep-boo-boo-bee-bap .x

Strange. I've been greeted by uncommon people since I woke up in a foreign place, yet I felt comfortable. And never did I think to get out of the room and tour around. I sensed a heavy barrier around that kept me inside.

After I was left alone by Nonoko, I've been circling around the room. I entered the walk-in closet and found cocktail outfits, formal wears, casual attires, and sweats which were all new and fashionable.

Also, a number of sneakers, doll shoes, pump heels, stilettos and boots were layered to partner each costume.

I opened and closed the drawers inside and found jewelleries in gold and different gems and minerals. I had to strain to stop myself from wearing each of them at the moment.

I finished my closet tour and sat on the nearest cushion when some things hit me.

3 days ago.

Unconscious

My head throbbed in pain as it remembers the sensation that it tried to forget.

Throbbing

Screaming

Then a familiar feeling waved over me. I was confused and hurt.

Hurt

Why was I?

I rested my head on my hands, hoping that the feelings that won to overwhelm me would grow numb and simply disappear.

x. Natsume-kun .x

The water was peaceful. Warm and cool at the same time. I swam and laid on it for more than an hour now.

The sun was gentle on its surface, also on me as it showered normally on its day.

I did little back strokes and stared at the sky- vast, calm and wonderful.

After another half hour of mooning, I floated back to shore and towel-dry my hair and body. I wrapped myself with a plain robe as I trudged on the shell-less white sand towards the private beach house of the island's owner.

The glass doors slid mechanically as I opened and closed them behind my back.

"How was the water? Did you have a nice swim?" Mr. Sakura asked, looking up from the morning paper.

I wagged my hair and scrubbed it again with the towel. "It was pleasant." I said and walked towards the kitchen.

"The coffee's black. It's still on the pot." He folded the paper and sat silently on the couch, gazing at the sea that stretched just outside the residence, beyond the glass doors.

"How about cream and sugar?" I asked, opening and closing cupboards.

It took him a moment to answer, just as I got a ceramic mug from the counter.

"None. Just bitter coffee in the morning," He sighed and went outside to walk around the island, like what he does every day since we got here, three days ago.

I drank the coffee while staring at the marble floor.

The place was quiet and deserted, except on the evenings when the creatures of the night's forest come alive.

My stomach grumbled. I poured the unwanted contents of the mug on the sink, washed it up and put it back in place.

I climbed the stairs to my room, took a shower and changed to a pair of cargo shorts and plain, round-neck, white shirt.

I made bacon and cheese omelette for breakfast and toasted slices of bread.

After my breakfast alone, I walked towards the den, where piles of new-released films were burned to dvds. I placed the disc on the player of a movie I thought I had seen before and let its noise drown the emptiness of the house and lull me to sleep.

x. Mikan-chan .x

She gripped the chair's arms, waking up in a start. She fell asleep.

Something was clearly up, she thought. And I don't have any hints of it. What is it? Where's her dad? Natsume? Where am I? What am I doing here?

She clutched her head as it throbbed harder with every thought she made. She shrieked, there was nothing else to do to subside the pain, so she had to let it out.

Almost simultaneously, the door flung open and tight arms were wrapped around her.

"Mikan, Mikan." He whispered.

Her eyes shot open and looked up. Before her brain could administer what she should do, what the questions she should ask, she hugged him as tight and gushed everything out in drops of heavy tears and headache.

"Daddy, what's happening to me?" She sobbed.

"You're alright, my daughter. You will be. Everything will be fine." He loosened his hold on her and smiled, encouraging her to do the same.

She looked at her father. There were so many things that she wanted to ask...but she chose the one that bothered her most.

"Daddy..." She looked him in his eyes. "Who am I?"

He stroked her cheek. "It's time, now." He helped her up and led her out the windowless room.

x. beep-boo-boo-bee-bap .x

I need your reviews yo. 2 chapters at once. Apology gifts for being late and lazy.

Also, If ever there are/were typographical and grammatical errors, pardon me.

Sincerely,DrScribblesDoodleyy xoxo