"…Did anyone come in here while I was gone?" Mikan questioned as she entered her new and old room.
Covered in dust, everything was exactly where it was when she left. Fairytales littered the floor, her bed was unmade, a piece of clothing or two splayed on the floor in her mad dash to pack some things before she left and pictures of her friends and family on her bedside table.
"No. You can sort it to your liking and go and buy things in Central Town tomorrow."
"Sometimes I think you spoil me." Mikan hummed. He glared at her. "You know what's weird?" he said nothing. "I can't bring myself to completely hate you."
He looked at her with a mixture of confusion and annoyance.
"And I really should hate you for what you've done." She continued, ignoring his silence. "But for some reason, I keep thinking you probably are a good person deep down."
With those words, he left the room quickly, tossing a few last words over his shoulder, "If someone doesn't let you buy something, tell them who you are. Try not to waste all of the money you have."
She watched after him in amusement then turned to Yuuki. "Okay, Yuuki, you get to sleep in the room across from mine, right?" Yuuki nodded with wide eyes. "And Damien is sleeping down the hall. If you need something come to one of us. Preferably me. But if I'm gone, go to him."
"You're going to leave me?" Yuuki wailed, clinging to her.
"Shh, I won't leave you. I'll always come back to you – remember that."
She sniffled and nodded.
"Tonight you will sleep in here with me, though." Mikan went on, "Tomorrow we'll get you some bed sheets and necessities."
Mikan took her over to the bed and shook out the dusty sheets, and Yuuki sneezed loudly then giggled at herself. Mikan put her into the bed quickly, glancing at the clock. "It's eight thirty-"
"Early!"
"-But you're going to bed now. I will join you shortly." She dropped a pillow on her head before she could complain and started cleaning up the mess that had been left, holding up the clothes that were now far to small and tossing them into a pile in the corner of the room.
"Hello, Sakura," Damien greeted, inviting himself into her room.
"Greetings, Demon." Sakura was her name when they were on missions so no one would no her real name; Demon was his.
"I need your help."
"Forget it."
"Now, now, no need to be snippy. It's easy." He walked to her patio door and opened it quickly. "I just need you to help me get out of here."
"Why? Got a date already?"
"Jealous?" he asked and she rolled her eyes. "No, I just need to get out of here. So, can you help?"
"Meow."
"…What?"
"You heard me. I meowed. Do you mind it?"
"…Not if… You don't?" he paused and shook his head. "…Should I be concerned?"
"No. Here, I'll levitate you down to the ground." She replied, walking out on the patio to join him, and levitating him into the air.
"Easy now, I don't need to die."
"Yes, yes, so you say." Mikan repeated Mitsuki's saying. She lowered him down quickly, then called down to him, "How are you going to get back up?"
"I'll find a way. Or just tell Kuonji I left early; it's the weekend now, and I tend to head out early, unlike most."
"Alright. G'night, idiot."
"See ya!" Damien called, rushing away.
She stared after him, considering escaping for a while, but turned back around toward Yuuki and decided against it, instead going back to cleaning.
"Mommy, mommy, wake up!" Yuuki's inconsistent chatter woke her up the next morning. "Where are we?"
Mikan sighed and sat up. "We're at our new home, Yuuki."
A look of confusion past over her face before dawning in realization as she remembered the previous day.
"Today is a new day!" Mikan whooped, leaping to her feet. "A day of shopping!"
Yuuki moaned in distaste.
"Oh, shush. You get new toys and clothes and sparkly things."
"Like Edward Cullen?" Yuuki cried, eyes wide with terror. "I don't want no stalker!"
Mikan burst into laughter and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry. I meant like, artsy shit. I mean stuff."
"Yes, yes, so you say." Yuuki said, and Mikan smacked her forehead.
"We created a monster." She turned to one of her suitcases and picked some clothes out. "Go pick out some clothes for today." She ordered Yuuki as she slipped on a sky blue crop-top and a pair of jeans.
Yuuki obeyed, picking out a small sundress, and Mikan helped her into it and picked up a matching hat to stick on her head. "Meow!" Yuuki declared.
"Monster…" Mikan repeated, pulling on a pair of sneakers and tossing Yuuki a heavy jacket. "You are not going out there without a jacket, missy. There's snow on the ground still!"
"You're wearing a belly-shirt!"
"But I'm older, and older people get to do what they want." She grinned and Yuuki glowered at her. "Now, come, we have to catch a bus."
She pulled her complaining daughter out of her room and took off down the hall, pausing momentarily to see if Damien had found a way back in. His room was empty, so she assumed not, and continued down the hall. "Anyway, first I want to stop and tell Jamie I made it through the night. And I wanted to stop at the special-abilities classroom to see if I could talk to Tsubasa-senpai quickly… But then we'll go shopping."
"Don't like shopping!"
Mikan huffed in annoyance, "I'll buy you candy. Howalon! I'll buy you howalon." She picked up the still complaining Yuuki. "I'm transporting us to the front of the special stars rooms."
"Yay!" Yuuki cheered.
"You're so lazy…" Mikan grumbled, flashing them to her destination, and walking in quickly. She whacked her head on Jamie's door to knock instead of the normal fist rapping. "You awake, moron?"
"I wasn't…" came the tired reply.
"Well, get up. I will be camping out here, waiting." She sat beside the door, motioning Yuuki next to her.
"You suuuck…" Jamie groaned from the other side of the door. "I'm going to take a long time on purpose."
"You do that."
"Be quiet or face the consequences." Hotaru's disorientated voice called from across the hall.
She caught Natsume exiting his room, an annoyed expression on his face.
"Sorry if I woke you up." Mikan apologized with an impish grin.
"Ruka told me you went insane yesterday." He stated, striding over to her. His eyes trailed over her shirt. "You shouldn't wear such revealing clothes…"
"Insane? Well, I guess I lost my mind for a few moments… and my clothes are fine."
"He said you said you got raped." He sat next to her and Yuuki.
"Yup." Mikan said, popping the P. A thump came from Jamie's room and they both turned to it. "Did you fall?" Mikan asked, suppressing a laugh.
"…No…?"
"You're an idiot."
"No, I'm half-asleep, thank you very much. Why did you wake me up anyway?"
"Me and Yuuki are going shopping and we need a bag holder."
"…I'm going back to sleep."
"Fine, I just wanted to say that I'm still alive. Good night."
Incoherent words replied, another thump and a curse.
Mikan stood up. "Well, I'm off."
Natsume stood too. "I'll join you." He offered quickly, eyes once again flitting unhappily over her shirt.
"Ah, I'm going to talk to Tsubasa-senpai…" she said, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "I guess you could join me later in Central Town…" she added uncertainly, "I'll be taking the bus there at eleven thirty…"
He didn't answer, instead sauntered out the entrance, and Mikan shrugged.
"Well, we're off to see Tsubasa-senpai now, Yuuki." She grabbed her hand and teleported to the special-abilities classroom, where she hoped Tsubasa was working on something.
She sighed in relief when she spotted him at his desk. "Tsubasa-senpai." She greeted walking into the classroom with Yuuki.
He looked up with shocked eyes as he caught sight of her. "Ah, Mikan…" he paused awkwardly. "What do you need?"
She sat down on one of the desks and Yuuki ran to look out the window. "First, I wanted to apologize, I was kind of harsh yesterday… how's Misaki?"
"A little shaken up." He admitted, frowning. "So am I…"
Mikan shrugged. "Understandable. Anyway, onto business." Tsubasa quirked an amused eyebrow. "I'm going to Central Town later, and I thought I could stop and see Tono-senpai. Where does he live?"
"Actually, I was planning on going down to talk to him this afternoon. How about you join me?" Tsubasa offered with a small smile.
"Sure. Where and when?"
"How about you meet me by the howalon store at one, hm?"
"Cool," Mikan said, getting to her feet and grabbing Yuuki. "See you later, Tsubasa-senpai." She strode quickly to the door, and said to Yuuki, "Now we're going to check in with Uncle Kazu."
Yuuki nodded and braced herself for the teleportation.
"Ta-dah!" Mikan declared as they appeared in front of his office, then opened the door quickly and pulled Yuuki in after her.
Her uncle looked up quickly, a smile adorning his face as he spotted her. "Mikan! I heard you were out of the hospital."
"Yes, uncle. I just wanted to tell you." Her gaze flicked to Narumi, who was seated beside her uncle. "Good morning, Narumi-sensei."
"Girly-man!" Yuuki shrieked and Mikan whacked her upside the head.
"I apologize, Yuuki is… young." Mikan said dryly, glaring at Yuuki.
"It's okay, Mikan-chan." Narumi said, waving it off. "You had a similar reaction."
Mikan coughed in embarrassment and Yuuki stuck her tongue out at her. "Well, that's all really…"
Kazu held up a hand as she started to leave, and she paused. "Mikan, yesterday Hotaru came to me and told me… something I wasn't aware of." He paused awkwardly, "Mikan… were you raped?"
Narumi's face twisted in shock and horror, and Mikan covered Yuuki's ears. "I should've known she would come and share. How much did you pay?"
"Mikan, she told me because she was worried. I didn't pay anything." He shook his head in disappointment. "That little girl, Yuuki, she's your daughter, right?"
Narumi looked horrified out of his mind as Mikan replied quietly, "Yes." A small flash of pity rose in his eyes. "Don't pity me; I'm happy I was." Horror and confusion. "Because now I have someone to love." She left quickly, sending a few more words over her shoulder, "I don't care to talk about my past; leave it hidden in the shadows."
She glanced at her watch, filling with relief as she realized that the bus would be leaving in five minutes, and quickly teleported to the bus stop.
"Onee-chan, why are you sad?" Yuuki asked, using sister instead of mother so no one could go and spread horrible rumors.
She smiled down at her. "I'm just a little worn out…" she glanced around for Natsume, blinking in disappointment when she realized he wasn't there, but shrugging it off as the bus approached.
Mikan looked around in boredom, eyes locking onto the howalon shop, and she made a mental note to remember where it was so she could meet up with Tsubasa.
Then her eyes caught sight of Damien, lounging under a tree, and she tugged Yuuki over to him.
His yellow eyes were closed tightly, and Mikan smirked as an idea came into her mind. She started forming a ball of water over his head, smiling as she imagined dropping it on him.
"Don't even think about it." He said suddenly, eyes opening quickly.
She grinned, the water ball flying into a nearby bush. "Busted?"
He nodded, and she went and sat beside him. "Did you sleep here?" she asked with a laugh.
He sat up and Yuuki plopped beside him. "I may have," he answered, "Don't really have anywhere else to go or be." He grinned slyly. "Unless you're willing to admit you missed me?" he leaned over to kiss her and she dodged.
"Ah, no." she explained at his weird look, "No more kissing me of your own free will. It's bothersome."
"Doesn't that give me more reason to do it?" He frowned. "You were never really sensitive about it before…"
"It's either stop or be beaten up." She paused, blinked, and looked into the tree. "Right, Natsume?"
Crimson eyes looked down at her, and Natsume hopped out of the tree. "How'd you know I was there?"
"I'm gifted." He rolled his eyes. "So, you here to join me on my journey of buying shi- stuff." He shrugged uncaringly, and Mikan turned to Damien. "What about you, Demon, you want to spend some of Kuonji's money?"
He got to his feet. "Always!" he linked arms with her and started dragging her into the crowds of people. "Last night I came across a place that sells good food. We should eat there." He paused, eyes flicking behind him to Natsume, who was following in annoyance, then to her shirt. "Nice shirt, by the way."
Natsume rolled his eyes and sent her a look.
She stuck her tongue out at him and allowed Damien to keep dragging her who-knows-where. "I'm not hungry; I need to get some stuff for me and Yuuki's rooms."
He rolled his eyes. "Like what? You don't need anything."
"I could use some new clothes, some reading material, and random stuff to annoy Jamie with."
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "That last one's a pretty good reason." He admitted at last, and Mikan pulled out of his grip and turned into a bookstore, instantly turning into the manga section. "Wow, they have nothing." Mikan grumbled to Damien, who scoffed.
"Are you kidding? There's like, a million things here!"
"Yes, but I have all of them back in America; they should be arriving here soon." She moved into the young adult isle. "Read it, read it, read it, sounds boring, is the Twilight series really considered a young adult novel series?"
"I heard it has a sex scene or something. I dunno."
"Well, gross. Vampires can't have sex – they're dead."
"Tell that to the author."
"Can we leave?" Natsume interrupted in boredom.
"We just got here." Mikan pointed out, scanning the shelves. "But yeah, lets leave." She added.
"I'm gonna stay here for awhile." Damien stated, eyeing a female worker. "Meet me later at the dance club."
"Central Town has a club?" Mikan asked in shock.
"Yup. Meet me there later its east of here. It's flashy, so you can't miss it." He waved as they left then turned to the worker.
Mikan turned away with an eye roll and went back out into the busy sidewalks, glancing around for a place to go, tugging Yuuki to her side so she didn't get lost. She looked at Natsume out of the corner of her eye. "So, where should we go?"
He shrugged. "You're the one who needs things, polka."
She ignored the nickname and scanned the area. "Well, I mostly need some things for Yuuki; bed sheets, clothes, etc., know any good places? Preferably expensive. As mentioned, this is Kuonji's money, and I do enjoy torturing him on occasion."
"There's only one that sells bed sheets," he pointed in the direction it was. "It's called Little Shop of Sheets. It's really stupid."
"Little Shop of Sheets?" Mikan asked with a grin. "Some sort of name rip off of 'Little Shop of Horrors?'" he nodded and she laughed. "That's so lame! The least it could be is a plant store." She started quickly in the direction he had pointed then turned around to glare at him as he walked slowly. "Be quicker!" She commanded, then grabbed his hand and pulled him at a quicker pace.
"I didn't even agree to come with you." He stated with faux boredom, his eyes fixed on their entwined fingers.
"Okay then," Mikan said, taking her hand away from his and placing it on her hip, "Leave." She challenged. He glared at her but didn't move so she grinned triumphantly, tugging him along again. "Didn't think so."
Silence engulfed them as they continued down the path, and Mikan blinked thoughtfully. "Hey, how's Youichi?" she asked blankly, "He must be seven now, right?"
"Eight." Natsume corrected. "He's fine."
"Did he miss me?" Mikan continued persistently. "He kissed me on the cheek once; that was embarrassing. Mind you Ruka kissed my other cheek right after that… and then you kissed me after that…" She trailed off awkwardly.
Natsume smirked. "Yeah, he missed you. He stopped bringing you up after two years though, like he knew you wouldn't just magically appear."
"Ah-ha! But I did. Where is he?" Natsume shrugged then pointed to a store and Mikan veered into it. "I missed him, you know." She paused and glanced at him. "I mean, I missed like, everyone, but there's always this soft spot in me for the guy."
"Do you have a soft spot for me?" he questioned as Yuuki ran off to look at sheets with Pokemon on them.
"You take up a good chunk of me, Natsume." She stated, blushing lightly. "Mind you, about two thirds of it is wanting to punch you."
"What about the other third?" he asked, smirking as though he already knew the answer.
Mikan paused as her cheeks heated. "The other third?" she thought it over embarrassedly. "Uh… it would probably kiss the living daylights out of you."
"Well, why don't you?" he continued, smirk widening considerably. "I wouldn't mind."
She wondered how much brighter her face could get. "Don't tease my, jerk." She grumbled, examining the sheets Yuuki insisted on wanting – the Pokemon ones. "Remember, there's that part that wants to hurt you. And at the moment it is devouring the kissing one."
"Seriously, try it."
"You are getting dangerously close to being hurt." She glanced at Yuuki. "Grab two; that way you have an extra." Yuuki ran off to grab a second one, and Mikan turned to Natsume again. "Would you be terribly insulted if I beat you?"
"That sounds kinky."
"Oh my God, I don't know you. Please leave." Mikan lowered her head in humiliation, then went and paid for the sheets. "Deliver them at Jamie Swift's room later. He's a special star. Tell him that they're Mikan's." Mikan explained quickly then turned and left, Natsume at her heels.
"Bathroom!" Yuuki declared.
She rolled her eyes and turned to Natsume. "Do you know where they are?"
He started walking instead of answering, and Mikan followed with Yuuki.
She looked around, trying to remember her way around this place, but found it unfamiliar.
Zzzt.
Mikan reached into her pocket and produced her cell phone, flipping it open quickly, and sighing when she realized it was Arden sending a text, not Kuonji.
'Jade's wondering where you are. And Jamie keeps cursing you.'
She grinned then typed back quickly. 'Tell Jamie to keep quiet. I'm in Central Town with Yuuki, Damien and Natsume.' She glanced up at as they approached a small area with restrooms, and Yuuki instantly took off into one of them.
'Aren't YOU little Miss Popular?'
'Shut up. Damien went and chased after some chick in the bookstore and Yuuki's in a washroom. And Natsume's being a jerk.'
"I'm not being a jerk; I'm being me." Natsume scoffed over her shoulder and she shoved him away.
"Stop spying."
'None of those facts surprise me.'
'Well, they shouldn't.'
'Jade here! What did you do to my brother this morning?'
Mikan grinned cheekily even though they couldn't see her. 'I woke him up early, forced him out of bed, then when he asked why I woke him up, admitted that I didn't really have a reason. Oh, and he fell. Twice.'
'Well, he's not very happy.'
'Well, neither am I. Natsume's being a jel;cl';' Natsume smacked her hand in annoyance.
'A jel;cl;?'
'He smacked my hand to prevent insults. That was the result.'
'Oh. How was your first night in the 'Labyrinth Mansion?''
'Would you believe nightmare free?'
'No.'
'Good, it wasn't.'
'I won't question it.'
Natsume yanked the phone away from her, holding it above her head.
"Hey!" Mikan cried, reaching for it angrily. "I need to reply!"
He shoved her away and examined it closely. "You know we're not allowed cell phones at Gakuen Alice, right?" he questioned.
She glared at him and reached for it again, missing. "Kuonji likes to keep contact with me in case I'm in trouble."
"Why do you have a friend as a contact then?"
"Because Jade gave him my number." She growled and he started typing a reply. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she reached for it again and he dodged out of the way.
"And, send." He handed it back to her, a triumphant gleam in his eyes.
She looked at the message he had just sent and the instant reply. 'Sorry I didn't reply instantly; I was making out with Natsume.'
'Arden again. Jamie and Jade are hysterically laughing on the floor. I will soon be joining them.'
Mikan glared furiously at the gloating Natsume. "You suck." She grumbled. 'Shit! No! That was Natsume! He took my phone! WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING!'
'Arden has joined Jade on the floor. This is Jamie: Suuure you weren't.'
'I fucking wasn't you prick! I'm going to kill you all!' She turned and hit Natsume hard.
'Well, I'm going to enjoy spreading the rumor.'
'Don't you dare. I will see to it that you burn in the fiery pits of hell.'
'I'll enjoy my last moments.'
'Oh God, please don't say anything… this is already embarrassing enough to kill me. And Natsume seems to enjoy that…' She hit Natsume again.
'Oh relax, I won't. Yet. Oh, look there's Hotaru. I wonder what she would think of this.'
'DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT YOU ASS!'
'…That better have been one of Natsume's perverted tricks, baka. Also, I think we need to talk.'
She turned to Natsume, waving the phone like a maniac. "Hotaru read that you idiot! Argh!" his smirk only widened. '…Oh… hey Hotaru… yeah, that was Natsume. Don't worry, he's just… being Natsume…'
'While I'm in contact with you, I want to tell you NOW that I am thinking of many horrible ways to force the truth of what happened out of you.'
'Oh, well that's pleasant. And maybe next time instead of telling my Uncle, who will then say something to Narumi, you will keep something to yourself, hm?'
'Sorry for caring about my best friend.'
'Suggestion: Find a new best friend. Mitsuki, Jade and Jamie are my best friends now, and I have changed beyond repair; I think you know part of the reason now.'
'…Were you really raped, Mikan? And what do you mean 'part' of the reason?'
'I mean there is far more to it than that. Being raped was easy. This is probably a discussion we should have face-to-face so you can watch me be taken into the hospital again and try to kill myself.'
'I'm heading to Central Town at one. I am going to hunt you down.'
'Good luck. Would you mind handing the phone back to Arden or Jamie or Jade so I can once again try to deny this perverted problem…'
'Whatever.' A few moments later another message came. 'This is Jade again. I would like to thank Natsume for that laugh. Jamie is grinning like a madman.'
'I hate you.'
'Jamie: Love you too.'
'I hate you the most. I told you NOT to give the phone to Hotaru! Argh! Now she's going to hunt me down and kill me!'
'Apologies, but we must be going. P.S. Haha.'
She turned to the still smug Natsume and stomped on his foot. "You despicable, perverted jerk! Jamie is probably going to help Hotaru spread that rumor." She sat down and groaned into her jeans.
"Sorry, I wasn't aware I was a bad kisser."
Her fist shot out and she punched him in the knee, causing him to sit too. "I hate rumors! They ruined my life back in America…" Sensing his curiosity she continued, "People always spread awful rumors about me and Jamie and that Yuuki was ours and that's why I acted so motherly to her…"
He was silent for a moment then his arm found it's way across her shoulders. "Well, at least boys won't look at you… and girls will leave me alone."
"Is this what that's about?" Mikan asked, head rising out of her legs. "You want to keep boys away from me? That's pathetic."
"What? No. It was a joke. I'm just trying to cheer you up."
She glowered at him. "Well, you failed." She said harshly, getting back to her feet as Yuuki came out of the bathroom. "You've made me feel like I'm your possession. And I'm not." She glared down at him. "I'm not your anything anymore."
His face took on an emotionless look as he looked back at her, and she turned to smile at Yuuki. "It's time to go see Tsubasa-senpai now, Yuuki."
She nodded and took Mikan's hand and she started away as Yuuki sent a glance at Natsume, who hadn't risen. "Is Natsume-nii coming?"
Mikan turned back to look at him, then turned away again. "I don't know. If he wants, he can come, if he doesn't, he can stay here. But I promised to meet Tsubasa-senpai at one, and- oh crap. Hotaru said she was coming to Central Town at one." She turned to Natsume. "It might be wise to hide." She advised then turned away. "If you want us, we will be going to the howalon store."
She took off quickly with Yuuki, scanning the area for the howalon shop she had seen, then sighing in relief when she spotted it a few minutes later. "I don't see Tsubasa-senpai anywhere…"
Yuuki tugged at her hand and pointed a little farther ahead, where Tsubasa and Misaki were being chattered to by who she recognized as Tono, who looked much the same. Tsubasa looked frustrated as Tono ranted to him about something, and Mikan approached behind Tono, hearing his complaints. "Is she really back then? Because everyone is talking about it, rumors are everywhere but I haven't seen her! She must be in your class or something, right? I mean-" she tuned him out as Tsubasa caught sight of her and smiled in relief.
"Oi, Tsubasa-senpai, this isn't where we agreed to meet up." She said, purposely ignoring Tono.
He grinned sheepishly. "We were… caught."
Tono turned in shock and froze when he saw her, dumbfounded.
"Well, you were so excited to see me a minute ago, I thought I should make an appearance and shut you up." Mikan explained, turning to look at Misaki, who avoided her eyes. "Misaki-senpai… I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday." She bowed in apology and pushed Yuuki forward. "This is Yuuki, by the way."
Tono gaped at her wordlessly.
"Oh, Natsume's with you?" Tsubasa questioned, eyes going behind her.
She turned, eyes landing on Natsume. "I guess he is." She looked back at Misaki. "I really am sorry…"
She looked up and gave a small smile, looking at Yuuki. "So Yuuki's really your…?"
"Yup. I'd say I'm proud, but sometimes I'm not." Yuuki turned and tried to bite her. "That's why." She picked her up and handed her to Misaki gently. "She likes being carried."
"Wait a minute!" Tono finally managed out. "You're really back?"
She rolled her eyes. "No, I'm not. I'm just here because I'm not."
Tono turned to Tsubasa, shocked by the attitude. "Mikan's attitude isn't like this!"
"Oh, yes it is." Mikan replied. "Seriously, Misaki-senpai and Tsubasa-senpai have accepted my changes – with good reason, considering what I told them. You'll have to as well."
He fainted.
"Well, that went well." Mikan decided after a moment. "Maybe I'll tell him what happened later – when I'm not with Natsume."
"You haven't told him yet?" Tsubasa asked curiously. "Is that why lover-boy is mad at you?"
"No. It isn't easy to share what happened. You can understand that, can't you, after what I told you?"
He nodded, sparing a glance at the annoyed Natsume. "Well, ah, this little reunion with Tono didn't work, did it?"
She looked down at his unconscious body. "Not at all." She glanced around carefully. "Ah, I think we should leave now. Hotaru's going to come look for me and Natsume and murder us."
"Should I ask why?"
"Natsume nabbed my phone and told Arden, a friend of mine, that we were making out. And Hotaru read it. And I told her I was raped, and that the rape was the easy part…"
Tsubasa looked torn between laughing and pitying her. "Well, you've definitely been through some awful things, Mikan."
"I know. I was there." Mikan joked dryly.
A small smile cracked on his face and he turned to Misaki, who was still holding Yuuki. "Hey," he turned to her again. "Can we watch Yuuki for awhile? Get to know your daughter?"
She looked at Yuuki, who stared at her blankly. "Do you want to spend some time with your senpai's, Yuuki?"
She nodded blankly, but smiled.
"I leave her in your hopefully capable hands." Mikan said, "I'm going to go look for a dance club now."
Tsubasa blinked in surprise. "The dance club? I'd avoid that place if I were you."
Mikan shrugged. "I'm supposed to meet up with a friend there."
He nodded hesitantly. "Well, be careful."
"Will do." She waved farewell. "I'll pick Yuuki up later tonight at your room." She pointed to the east and started walking, "Onward!"
She could imagine Natsume's eye roll.
"Are you coming?" she asked him curiously. He blinked once then followed her slowly. "Oh my God, you're so slow." She whined, grabbing his hand and pulling him along quicker. "Hotaru could find us any minute you know." She said, looking through the rows of shops. She stopped in front of a flashy building with a sign so bright she couldn't read it. "I'm going to go ahead and guess this is it." She pulled him in, scowling at the overly loud music and flashing lights. "Ugh, Damien would like this place." She scoffed to herself, looking at the skimpily dressed girls. "See?" she said, turning to Natsume, "This top is very appropriate. At least compared to these people."
He didn't reply and Mikan led him over to a counter at the side, sitting in a barstool fashioned seat.
"I don't like this place," she decided as some boys gave her passing looks. "When I see Damien, we're leaving."
"Aw, not even one dance?" Mikan turned around, blinking through the weird lights and faced Damien. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. "One dance, then you can leave, okay?" She glared at him. "One. That's all."
She hesitated then turned to Natsume, shouting above the music, "I'm going to dance once with Damien, then we'll leave, okay?"
He blinked in reply and Mikan followed Damien through the people, scowling as people bumped into her uncaringly.
A song Mikan didn't know started playing ridiculously loud and Damien started dancing. Or, rather, side-stepping to the beat like all of the other people were.
"This is an insult to dancing." Mikan stated, not moving.
He rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't say that if you hadn't been trained professionally." He grabbed her hands and forced her to move.
She sighed soundlessly and 'danced' with him, relieved when the song ended and she started making her way back to the seats she and Natsume had taken.
Empty.
She mentally cursed him, glancing around.
A familiar hand grabbed her waist and twisted her around, and a scream caught in her throat as it tightened in her terror.
David smiled at her. "Mikan, what are you doing here?" he asked wickedly.
She glanced around desperately, looking for Natsume or Damien.
Damien was dancing with another girl, too absorbed with her to notice Mikan, and Natsume was still gone.
She froze, biting her tongue.
He pulled her towards him, hands going to the bare skin on her stomach, and she jerked away, finally regaining her movement.
He grinned, blue eyes sparkling evilly. "Where's Natsume, Mikan? You're savior?" he asked, pulling her back toward him roughly.
Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing them, instead freezing to the spot.
His hands wrapped around her as he tried to get her to dance.
"Why are you still here?" she rasped, swallowing with difficulty.
"Me and Alexandria are leaving tomorrow morning." He winked at her. "That leaves more fun for us."
"You should be with your girlfriend." She insisted, fingers curling into her palms, nails digging into her skin as she tried to regain herself.
He rolled his eyes, looking in a direction she presumed Alexandria was in. "She's dancing with another boy or four over there." He explained, "That's why I'm glad you're here."
"She's your girlfriend; you should tell her not too." She tried to pull away from him weakly, heart seizing in horror. 'Help me! Natsume, if you couldn't before, now's the time!'
"Prayers answered, polka-dots." A voice hissed behind her, and she was pulled back abruptly. "Don't touch what belongs to me." As simple as that, Natsume was pulling her towards the door at top speed and Mikan stumbled to keep up with him.
He turned as soon as they were out the door and started towards one of the many forested areas around the Gakuen.
She went with him, uncomplaining as she tried to register what had happened, head spinning so violently she shook with it.
He trapped her against one of the trees, hands gripping her shoulders painfully tight, head bowing low so she couldn't see his expression. "I don't care if you disagree – you're mine."
She burst into tears and tried to slide down the trunk of the tree, but he held her up. "N-Natsume," she hiccupped between sobs, "W-where did you come f-from?" she swiped at the tears awkwardly, trying to regain her dignity.
Finally he looked up at her, eyes clouded with undying fury. "I never left," he whispered, "I saw that guy and went and looked for you, and I heard you screaming for help… but you weren't, were you?" He paused and she sniffled pathetically, shaking her head, and he said more to himself than her, "Our bonds are still that strong…"
"Why are you still here?" she choked out, wiping her eyes again. "I keep pushing you away, why do you keep coming back…?" she sobbed again and continued, "I'm so awful to you, but whenever I turn around, you're there again…"
His chin rested lightly on the top of her head and his arms went around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "Idiot," he sighed against her head, "I love you, from now until forever…"
Her last restraint broke and she cried harder. "Why?" She sobbed into his shirt, "I keep pushing you away… why, why, why?" Her arms wound around him and she arched into his body, clinging tightly, crying uncontrollably. "You idiot…"
"Mikan…" his voice echoed with pain. "Do you really love Jamie more than me…?" he asked uncertainly.
"Natsume, I-"
Click
She paused then ducked to the ground, pulling Natsume down with her, just as a bullet flew by them and Hotaru stepped through the trees, Ruka at her side.
'Should've seen that coming.' Mikan mused, standing up and stepping away from Natsume. "Good afternoon, Hotaru-chan, Ruka-pyon." She said, stoic face back.
Hotaru scowled. "I want you to tell me what's going on. Now."
Mikan frowned. "Well, I greeted you…"
"Don't play innocent with me," she hissed, stepping forward threateningly. "I've waited four years to hear your voice again, and you won't even come near me."
"You're correct."
She gritted her teeth and turned to Natsume. "Hyuuga, what do you know?"
He shrugged, uncaring mask up again. "She was raped, she knows who raped her, she has a kid, she refuses to tell me anything about her past…" he paused thoughtfully and Mikan glared at him. "Her attitudes changed, she's cold, and she has the fourth alice shape… Shadow and Misaki know what happened to her. And a couple of her friends, Mitsuki, Damien and Jamie."
Hotaru nodded, pleased that Natsume had cooperated. "And what about you two?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Don't think I didn't see you two… embracing. What happened to not being touched?"
"Natsume just saved me from possibly being raped again. I kind of forgot because I was crying so hard." Mikan stated dryly. "Can I leave?"
"No. You said something that implied that other things happened to you, and I intend to find out what they are."
Zzzt
Mikan took her cell phone out of pocket, relieved to get away from the questions. "What do you want, Arden?" she asked into the phone, casting a look at the very annoyed Hotaru.
"Jamie, actually."
"Oh. Well I don't want to talk to you, you traitor."
"Yeah, whatever. Are you okay? My Mikan senses were tingling."
"Your Mikan senses? Who are you, Spiderman?" she scoffed, backing away from Hotaru a few steps.
"Yes. So? What happened? I could hear you like, screaming your lungs out in the back of my head."
"Just a run in with the devil."
"Kuonji?"
"David." Mikan corrected, biting her tongue.
"…Where is he? I have an ass to kick."
"Well, that's wonderful, but frankly I don't need you to do that. I could do it myself, but when I see him I freeze and cry and shit. It's my job to beat him for what he did." Hotaru's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Are you kidding me? Now that I know what he did to you, I'm killing him.' He snarled with anger. "If I ever see his face again, he'll be lucky to come out alive."
"Yes, well that's very touching, but Hotaru is giving me a scary look."
"Oh… Well, you are okay, right? He didn't do anything?"
"I think… he was going to rape me again..." Mikan admitted, glancing at Hotaru again. "But I'm fine, really. Natsume came to the rescue, unlike you Spiderman."
"Ha-ha-ha." Jamie retorted angrily. "Well, I'll leave you to be threatened. Bye."
"Ja ne." Mikan said, flipping the phone shut and glaring at Hotaru. "Okay, so you can keep questioning me now, Jamie's gone." She paused thoughtfully. "How about you ask me questions, and I'll answer them with yes, no and maybe."
Taking to the idea, Hotaru smirked. "You were raped, correct?"
"Yes."
"By the person named David I'm assuming?"
"Yup. Hey, can I ask a question?" Hotaru didn't reply. "Are you and Ruka-pyon dating?"
Hotaru's cheeks tinted pink and Ruka's was tenfold.
"Well, I'm going to say yes."
"You've started singing to let out your anguish?" She continued instead of answering.
"Indeed."
"You have the fourth alice shape?"
"Yes."
"Does that have anything to do with Hyuuga not having it?"
"Yes."
"That girl yesterday was your daughter?"
"Yes."
She paused, running out of yes or no questions, then finally asked one that made Mikan's heart stop, "Did something happen to your grandpa?"
Mikan remained silent.
A look of fear crossed Hotaru's face as she imagined Mikan's grandfather. "Mikan, he's alright, right?" she demanded.
Mikan looked at her blankly. "No." she stated emotionlessly.
Hotaru flinched. "He's alive though? Right?"
"No."
Hotaru laughed nervously. "You… you're kidding, right?"
"No."
Hotaru slid to the ground, a look of sadness appearing on her face, and she barely managed to ask more questions, "Does his death have anything to do with your change?"
"Yes."
She looked down momentarily then her looked up abruptly, furious. "Does Kuonji have anything to do with his death?"
"Maybe."
"Did he kill him?"
Mikan smiled. "Kill? No. Not technically."
"Not technically?"
"Kuonji doesn't want to 'taint' himself like that. Like with my father – he made Persona kill him, remember?" She backed away from the trio. "Questions, questions, questions, all about grandpa and me. Why don't you ask about something else?" She turned away and started out of the secluded area. "The past is forbidden to talk about, and I've broken the rule. Again. I have to get Yuuki."
A mechanical claw dragged her back and Mikan glared at Hotaru. "This is new."
"You're not going anywhere."
"I'm not?" Mikan asked, "You think this can restrain me?" with the snap of her fingers it crumbled apart, and Hotaru dropped the remote in shock. "You are looking at a girl with four years of training, missions and thousands of alice stones inserted in her. A measly contraption of yours can't hold me back."
Hotaru fumed and Mikan backed away again. "I will be off now." She teleported away before any of them could reply, appearing before Tsubasa room and knocking loudly on his door, hoping he was there.
The door popped open and Misaki peeked out, grinning. "Mikan! Yuuki is fine, you came to pick her up?" Mikan nodded and Misaki dragged her into the room.
Tono was unconscious on the couch and Tsubasa and Yuuki were sitting in front of a Snakes and Ladders board, Tsubasa with a very serious face on as he examined the board.
"Uh, Tsubasa-senpai?" He looked up and smiled at her. "Has Tono-senpai been unconscious since I left you guys?"
He nodded, turning his attention back to the board and crying out sadly as Yuuki won.
"And you didn't think of splashing water on him to wake him up…?" He looked at her, stupefied. "I guess not. May I do the honors?" Without waiting, she dropped a wave of water on him, and he woke up with a girly shriek.
Tsubasa broke into laughter and Misaki grinned.
"Woah," he shook some of the water off of him. "I had a dream that Mikan came back…"
"Dude, she is back." Tsubasa grinned and pointed to her as she sat down beside Yuuki on the floor.
"What? No, that's impossible. And cruel," he added unbelievingly.
"You know, maybe I'll just leave." Mikan offered with an eye roll. "It doesn't matter if he believes or not."
Tsubasa ignored her but Tono looked at her weirdly. "See? Mikan doesn't talk to her senpai's like that."
"Yes she does." Mikan replied.
"She does," Tsubasa agreed. "Kid's got attitude."
"Mikan doesn't have attitude." Tono insisted.
"I'm not eleven anymore, I've changed. The worlds a cruel, cruel place." Mikan snapped.
"Not for Mikan."
"You know what, I'll just take Yuuki and leave. You guys can try and convince him, but frankly it's annoying me. I've had enough issues for today, so I'm going." She got to her feet with Yuuki and started for the door. "You can tell him some of what happened if you want. It doesn't matter."
She shut it loudly then turned to Yuuki. "And now, Jamie's room for your sheets. And yes, we're teleporting. It's a lazy day for me today."
"Poof!" Yuuki declared as they magically appeared in the special star dorm.
Mikan rolled her eyes and knocked on Jamie's door then glared at it when she received no reply. "Well, I'm going in, anyway." Mikan grumbled, inviting herself into Jamie's empty room. "Ah-ha!" she walked over to his bed where the package of sheets was laying. "Well, at least he was here when it arrived."
She grabbed a piece of paper and pen from his bedside table and wrote a quick note, grabbing the sheets, Thanks for accepting the sheets, Spiderman. "And we're off again! Reminder, I'm still lazy, so we are teleporting again." She paused as her eyes landed on Jamie's open yearbook, the page that David's picture was on open, and Jamie had drawn a mustache on his face. She grabbed the pen again and added to the note she had written: P.S. Nice mustache drawing, O Mature One.
She grinned and grabbed Yuuki, who declared rather loudly, "Poof!" again as Mikan teleported them back to her room in the Labyrinth Mansion.