Kura: Hello minna-san…*looks at clock and sighs* I'm so tired lately…
Berry: *raises brow* really?
Kura: Yeah…
Berry: …Anyway…review replies…
Ellixx: (chapter 8) Eh…are you serious…? Geh, I'm so stupid for not realizing! . Thank you for telling me…I'll change it soon…maybe…-_-'' anyway, thanks for thinking the story is awesome! XD I hope you continue to support this story and now…ENJOY THE NEXT CHAPTER!
MiNsEi: Natsume will (most likely not) appreciate your support. *bows* Anyway, yeah…maybe…you'll all find out! XD I hope the next chapter is good too! I'm sorry the last was pretty short though…:P Anyway, ENJOY!
xXxvenomprincessxXx: Yup! :D It was…ehehehehehe Suzune teased Natsume and writing it just made me laugh! XD I hope this next chapter is just as good as before! ENJOY! *shares in evil laugh*
The Devils Song: (prologue) Thank you for thinking that this story is interesting so far but no, I don't think I've gotten my idea from the book Fallen by Lauren Kate…actually, I don't think I've even heard of that book :P maybe I'll try and read it… Anyway, please do enjoy much more! :D BYE!
Cookiedoughicecream2: ehehehehehehe. Natsume tried to burn me after writing that but Mikan saved me! Thank you Mikan…anyway…perhaps your assumption is true *wiggles brow* but I wish that Luna could die…*sighs* and no worries; I won't let Tsubasa die! XD Anyway, enjoy this next chapter! XD
Kura: So I don't own Gakuen Alice. Later on I'll probably get more energetic…for now…I…just…wanna…sleep…zzzzzzzz
Berry: …right…start.
Chapter 19-Good Bye and Hello
A dark and starry night…the snow fell to the ground like how flower petals would do so. With a soft crunching noise, people would walk through the snow, leaving their footprints which disappeared as more snow would fall to the ground. The night after Valentine's Day was nice in a way as couples were more than happy to let their relationships continue on and flourish into much more. As for little children, they would stuff themselves with the friendship chocolates they have received from their friends, parents, or even their siblings. Nobody was sad this day.
But to a certain boy, it was just horrible.
A little boy of the age five looked up into the sky with his blue-grey eyes. He shivered at the cold and looked around.
The areas was a small forest but it wasn't bad; in fact, it was comforting to know that those people would have a harder time to find him since he's so much younger and smaller but he knew better than to just let it go. Instead, he walked over to a large tree and spotted a hollow hole in the base of the tree. He crouched down and crawled into it, winching as a small branch touched his back in which his shirt seemed to be soaked of blood…his blood…
He sat down, shivering and placed his head on top of his head while his grey hair covered his entire face. Then, all of a sudden, large black feathered wings appeared and covered his body, shielding him from the cold and giving him warmth…but not the warmth that he really needed.
"…help…" He whispered in his small and childish voice.
"…help…"
Berry lifted her head as she and the others stood at the gates of the Village Pacimägix. She narrowed her eyes as Mikan and Ruka were saying good-bye to their friend: Tobita Yuu.
Yuu had decided to stay here in the village and stop the Academy from taking Anna whose parents had much appreciated the help. At the same time, Yuki and Yume decided to protect the girl as well.
"I'm gonna miss you Mikan-chan, Ruka-kun, Imai-san!" Yuu said as the three nodded with Mikan crying sadly.
"I'm gonna miss you too Yuu! I hope the school doesn't capture you otherwise…otherwise…" She started to cry harder, resulting in Yuu patting her on the head with Anna hugging her.
Anna looked at the crying girl in her arms and grinned. "Mikan-chan, make sure to cherish Hotaru-chan; if she gets captured again, I won't forgive you!" She said playfully while Mikan nodded furiously.
"I'll definitely never let those people get Hotaru again!" Mikan cried.
At this, Hotaru tched and looked away but you could see the faintest of smiles on her face. Berry raised a brow at this and shook her head. Then she looked at Yuu with a frown.
"Are you sure you don't want to come? It'll be more dangerous if you just stay here." She said and Yuu smiled.
He looked at Anna who smiled back and he looked back at Berry. "I'm sure; Anna-chan is also my friend and I really want to help her. I know that you guys can take care of yourself because of your powers. And besides," Yuu brought his hands to his mouth and whispered, "I think that Natsume would rather protect Mikan more than anybody else, ne?" He then gave a small chuckle. "Well, except for Imai-san of course." He said as Hotaru shot Mikan on the head with the baka gun again.
Berry smiled and nodded. "Indeed…you know your friends very well Tobita."
Yuu chuckled sheepishly. "I don't really think so…" He said with a small blush.
Berry smiled again and extended her hand. Yuu looked at it before smiling and taking and the two shared a small shake as they smiled at each other. As Berry retreated from it, she reached into her pocket to take out a small pendant and handed it to Yuu who looked at it in confusion. "This is…?"
"This is something I have created; it'll help in the time coming. Whenever you need help, Suzune or anybody in my family will appear. It's not our real selves." She continued when Yuu started to oppose of it. "It'll merely be copies. Before we have ever met any of you, we would always gather up our power and place it in a gem of true power. This gem is not a mere Alice stone. It's something entirely different and can only be used by a sorcerer. I have made it so that you can use it. We have made much more than this so don't worry if you believe we should have it instead. And also, if you do not want us to come out, strength and our power will come forth in you until you let it go and it'll return into the gem." Yuu looked at Berry with a frown.
"…Is…is it okay to take this?"
Berry smiled. "Of course; right now, you'll be protecting this village correct? I do hope you will do well. Protect it along with my cousins and their mother and father." She said softly. "If they are take away, life will just get destroyed in front of your eyes…I've experienced that long ago…" She whispered.
Yuu blinked. "What?"
Berry blinked and shook her head. "Nothing…well, it was nice traveling with you, even though it was a short time. May the stars watch over you and protect you." She said before turning around and heading off.
At this, Ruka and Hotaru followed. Mikan gave another good-bye smile and wave to Anna and Yuu before chasing after them.
Yuu looked at them before looking at the pendant.
"You should be thankful."
"AH!" Yuu turned to see Hiraki looking towards the retreating figures.
"It's a highest honor for non-sorcerer's to obtain such a magical item; even if they're Angels or Demons." Yuu looked at the pendant and frowned.
"Then why give it to me?" He asked softly.
Hiraki then smiled. "She must trust you well. Besides, you must be stronger than you think for Berry to think so highly of you." Yuu chuckled sheepishly.
"…I-I see…" He said softly.
"Yuu; Hiraki, hurry up! It's almost time for dinner!"
Yuu and Hiraki turned to see Nagi, Suzuka, Yume, Yuki, and Himeka going into the gates while Anna stood closer by them, waiting. The two yelled in playful anger and ran after them.
"Don't leave us behind!"
"Meanies!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Hey, kid…you alright?"
The little boy slowly opened his grey-blue eyes to be greeted with red crimson ones and his eyes widened before he backed away, whimpering when the bark hit his back and he cried out in pain.
Natsume cried out in shock as the boy fell to the ground, his eyes shut tight and his once dried yet stained shirt now gaining a darker red color. Natsume narrowed his eyes before reaching in and grabbing the five-year old boy gently and holding him. The boy looked at Natsume with fearful eyes and moved to try and escape but it caused more pain and his eyes suddenly started to see stars before he blacked out.
But just before he did, he saw a boy with raven black hair and his deep crimson eyes looking at him with worry…a strange emotion that he had never saw in the eyes of those he had lived and sheltered with. A strange emotion indeed…
Much Later...
"Oi…boy…kid…wake up…geez, he's been asleep ever since I've found him. Not only that; I've been separated with that damn Suzune because of that damn woman. Damn it…"
The little boy opened his eyes, wondering who that was. Similar… He thought as he continued to listen to the voice that penetrated the silence that surrounded them. Then the voice disappeared and the boy looked to see someone older staring at him with his emotionless red eyes. He shuddered in fear before starting to sit up but winced at the pain that suddenly came and disappeared but not all the way.
"I wouldn't try to get up; you're really hurt." The boy looked to see the older one getting up and sat closer. Then, he reached over and the young boy closed his eyes, waiting for the pain but nothing came; only gentle hands that tried to lift him.
He slowly looked up as the older boy slowly sat him down gently. The older boy sighed and examined the younger boy's back. "You're really hurt. There's dried blood all over your shirt." He muttered but said nothing more as though he wished to no longer invade in the boy's privacy.
"…" The grey-blue eyes boy looked down. "…" He uttered something so soft that the red eyed boy lifted a brow and stared at him.
"What?" He asked.
"…Youichi…" The little boy said softly.
The older boy stayed emotionless before a small smile appeared and he said, "I'm Natsume."
Youichi looked at him with his eyes filled with nothing. Natsume frowned at that before reaching forward, watching Youichi close his eyes in fear, and then patting him on the head. Youichi stiffened at first but relaxed as he felt Natsume's warm hand comfort him and he opened his eyes to look at Natsume.
He saw Natsume smiling faintly. Youichi felt a strange feeling…it was…warm and he wanted to stay with Natsume…to be protected by Natsume… Youichi slowly closed his eyes again as his strength started to fade from him from running away earlier and he muttered something before he fell asleep. "…nii…san…"
Natsume's smiled softly before slowly holding onto the boy and standing up. "Youichi…huh…" He muttered before turning around and leaving the area and forest.
As he walked out, he noticed four figures walking down a path in the middle of a clearing, only to realize that it was Ruka, Berry, Hotaru, and…Mikan. Natsume quickly ran after them but not as fast to make sure that the boy would get injured any further.
Mikan, who was behind the entire group, heard the soft pattering of feet running towards them and soft panting, she turned around and then widened her eye and blushed deeply upon seeing who it was. "N-N-Natsume!" She cried out and the others turned and widened their eyes as well.
"Natsume, I thought you were with Suzune!" Ruka cried as he rushed towards his best friend but stopped when he saw the young boy in his arms. "Who's that?" He asked as he looked at the boy but then his eyes widened. "W-What happened to him?" He cried out.
The rest too rushed up to Natsume as they saw the boy. "What happened?" Berry asked as Natsume looked at her.
"No idea. I saw him in that forest after Suzune and I were attacked and-"
"You guys were attacked?" Hotaru asked with suspicion. "Are you sure?"
Natsume nodded. "I have no idea where Suzune is now and-"
"I'm right here." They all turned to see Suzune in the air with white wings sprouted from his back. "I was looking for you." He said with a scowl as he floated back down. Everybody but Berry and Youichi stared at him with shock.
The wings disappeared as Suzune looked at the boy and frowned. Berry had the same expression before going behind Natsume and pushed him back towards the forest. "What the hell are you-"
"We have to heal that boy before we go on." She said as everybody followed her but then Berry noticed Natsume not following and she sighed. At that moment, Mikan noticed it too and walked up to him and took a hold of Youichi.
"I'll carry him Natsume your arms are probably tired." Natsume blinked as Mikan smiled at him and saw her taking a hold of Youichi before turning around with Youichi now in her arms and walking after the others. Natsume saw how she looked at the younger boy with a gentle look and he gave a faint smile but it disappeared before anybody would have noticed.
Mikan looked back. "Natsume, hurry up!" she screamed in a soft voice to not disturb the sleeping boy. At that, it kinda irked Natsume as she never treated him with such gentleness but he ignored it and just stalked after the others, going past Mikan who blinked at the sudden behavior change. "…Natsume…?"
Within minutes, they arrived at a way smaller clearing in the forest and far away from the road. Mikan gently laid the boy down in a small bedding of soft leaves that Ruka had small squirrels bring to them. Then Berry turned to boy over and slowly and gently, took off his shirt.
Gasps and muffled shouts were heard while Suzune cursed so loudly that Berry glared at him but nobody really care for before them was a scared back with bruises, half-healed scar and fresh cuts that seemed to have came from a leather whip of the young boy unconscious in front of them.
Mikan had tears in her eyes as she stared at the young boy. "…W-Who…who would do such a-a thing…?" She whispered as she carefully touched the boy's cheek with such gentleness and fear that she might even hurt him.
Natsume too had anger in his now dark heart as he looked at the boy with anger boiling up in his heart then he just couldn't sit there but then an assuring hand rested on his shoulder and he turned to see Ruka with the same angered face as his but his eyes said to not go. Natsume clenched his fist and then let it go, sighing angrily. Ruka nodded approvingly.
Then Berry held her hands above Youichi's back and looked at Suzune who then placed his hand on her shoulder. They both nodded before closing their eyes and their bodies glowed before a strange symbol in the color of blue suddenly appeared on their brow while their hair stared to flow upwards as if a small wind was blowing from underneath them. Mikan's eyes shone with recognition before she too sat closer to the boy, held her hands above the boy's lower back and her body shone as well. A strange symbol different from Berry's and Suzune's appeared on her brow but it had no color.
Natsume, Hotaru, and Ruka stared with amazement before Mikan let out a cry of pain. She winced as she started to pant unevenly.
Berry opened her eyes, as did Suzune and they both looked at Mikan with their now golden eyes. "Mikan, stop; you know that using this Alice can hurt you…very badly…" Berry said. Mikan giggled before wincing in pain.
"I…know…but I want to help. Besides if I keep using it, maybe my body will become accustomed to it and it won't damage my body like you guys." She said with a smile.
Berry and Suzune sighed but allowed her to continue. In a few minutes, Berry, Suzune, and Mikan stopped only to have Mikan fall down unconscious next to Youichi. Hotaru quickly sat next to her and lifted her to her lap to see Mikan breathing heavily.
Hotaru glared at Berry and Suzune. "What happened?" She asked with a 'answer me or else' tone.
Berry's brow lifted up slightly before she sighed. "It's a unique Alice that Suzune and I have. And when I say that, I mean that ONLY, Suzune and I have it. Mikan only got it because…umm…" Berry paused, unsure if she was allowed to tell the three of Mikan's hidden Alices: SEC; the Steal, the Erase, and the Copy, along with her Insertion Alice. The only Alice of Mikan's they know is the Nullification Alice.
Then, she opened her mouth to tell, knowing that secrets are not good for this 'mission' when Suzune gripped her shoulder tightly and she looked at her brother who held her gaze and shook his head slightly. It's her secret. Give it time and allow her to tell them someday. After all, she trusts them. He sent her that thought.
Berry's facial expression turned sour. Apparently not enough…
Then the two turned to Hotaru who held an impatient look in her eyes. "We gave her our Alice stones after she begged for it." Suzune stated. Hotaru raised a brow at that but gave no objection to that fact.
But Natsume's eyes narrowed as he saw the two avoid the three's gaze now before letting it go and looked at the unconscious Mikan. Then he heard Ruka saying, "Well, it is night right now; we might as well rest for walking tomorrow."
Everybody nodded before they took out blankets from their packs and Ruka got his friend squirrels again to bring the softest leaves so everybody could lie on them. Natsume looked at Youichi and laid his blanket on top of the little boy and yawned before lying down next to Ruka and Youichi. On the other side of Youichi were Mikan and Hotaru besides Mikan. Suzune and Berry was above the others.
Within minutes, the forest was silent once more…
Slowly, grey-blue eyes opened to see the small light of the morning sun that had not yet rose to be seen very well. He blinked and looked at the sky that was slowly turning to its normal light sky blue. Pretty… He thought as he saw a cloud slowly dart by.
"So you're awake?" A small quiet voice made him turn to his side quickly to see the same red-eyed boy who held him much earlier: Natsume.
Natsume gave a smile and sat up. He looked up at the sky with longing desire in his eyes that Youichi wondered why. "If you're wondering why, it's because I want to see somebody. I don't where she is anymore though…"
Youichi looked at him before sitting up and scrambling to sit on his lab. Then he hugged him. Natsume blinked when he heard the younger boy speak. "Thank you…" Natsume smiled and patted him.
Then the two heard a yawn and turned to see Mikan stretching before looking at them with tired eyes. They then lit up when she saw Youichi awake and she crawled up to him with a smile. "You're awake! That's good. How are you feeling?"
Youichi stared at her blankly when Natsume poked his head and he looked at the older boy. "She helped heal you." He said in a nonchalant tone. Mikan glared at him.
"You didn't need to tell."
Natsume rolled his eyes. "Whatever. You wanted that told anyway an-"
"I did not! Don't just judge me like that!" She cried. "Gah, you're acting just like you did back at the villa-" She paused and looked down. Natsume noticed that and Youichi blinked in confusion.
"…Polka?" Natsume called out and he gave an inside smirk when he saw her trembling, not from crying but from anger. He was amused when all of a sudden, she gripped the grass from beneath her so tightly that she ripped them from their homes and he gave a soft chuckled when she did the same action.
Mikan had stopped however when she heard his laugh. Did…Natsume…just laugh…? She thought as she looked up and gave an eep when she suddenly saw Natsume's face really close to her. "N-N-Natsu-mrph!" Her eyes widened when she felt his lips on hers. Even his eyes widened and he quickly moved away from her as soon as he took her lips.
The two were blushing furiously when a cute laugh was heard and they turned to see Youichi laughing. Then something clicked in Natsume's head and he realized it; somebody pushed him onto Mikan. He looked at the others who were still asleep. The only ones awake were Mikan, Youichi, or himself. He gave a darker blush when he realized who pushed him: Youichi.
He gave a small glance at Mikan who had wide eyes at Youichi. Did she figure it out too?
"Natsume-niichan and Polka-neechan is funny!" Youichi said childishly.
Silence suddenly overtook the three with Mikan suddenly frozen, Youichi looking between the two with a confused face, and Natsume holding his hand to his mouth, trying not to laugh while his eyes held shock and amusement.
Mikan twitched, turned to Natsume, and screamed, "BAKA NATSUME!"
At this everybody woke up, all drowsy and angered (well in this case: Hotaru, Suzune and Berry) of being woken by a loud scream of our beloved brunette.
And finally, the moment we have been waiting for…
BAKA BAKA BAKA
"Shut up Mikan; I'm trying to sleep." Mikan turned to see the other four grumbling about lack of sleep. Natsume shook his head disapprovingly at Mikan while continuing to pat Youichi's head who sat on his lap again.
Mikan bit her lip. "But Natsume kissed me AGAIN and told the little boy that my name is polka!" She cried out while she tear-stained eyes held frustration and anger. Everybody (except Natsume and Youichi) widened their eyes at the "kiss me again" part.
Youichi tilted his head to the side confusingly. "…is…that…umm…no?" He frowned as he wondered what to say.
Ruka chuckled. "It's not 'no' but 'wrong'." Ruka said with a smile directed towards the young boy. Youichi looked at him and turned his head away as in embarrassment.
Instantly, everybody but Suzune and Natsume thought, how cute!
Youichi then looked at Mikan. "Namae." Mikan blinked.
"Eh?" was her intelligent response.
"Namae." He continued to say while pointing at the Angel.
Mikan pointed at herself with a questioning look and Youichi nodded. Natsume sighed. "Just hurry up, polka."
Mikan glared at him before smiling at Youichi. "I'm Mikan, Sakura Mikan; nice to meet you…ummm…"
"Youichi." Youichi responded.
Mikan smiled. "Hello Youichi-chan!" She said before patting him on the head as well. Youichi then closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her hand. It was nice. It was something he has never felt before…
"Well, since we're awake, there's no point staying here. We might as well get going." Berry said before Suzune stopped her.
He looked at Natsume. "By the way, how did you escape that weird Angel?" He asked.
Natsume frowned at the memory. "I had to use something…" He said softly, suddenly remembering how he tried to kill her while smoke had covered the two. He remembered how he tried to use his "special" move (refer back to Chapter 13) on her but she evaded it so easily. He clenched his fist at that memory.
Suzune narrowed his eyes before Ruka asked, "Who are you guys talking about?"
The two turned to him. "We were attacked by this weird Angel with ugly short hair and stupid looking blue eyes." Natsume stated.
Everybody sweat dropped but Hotaru frowned. "You mean with ugly strawberry-blonde hair?" Natsume and Suzune nodded. "Shit, I never expected her to come after us." She muttered darkly. Then she turned to them. "That Angel's name is Koizumi Luna. She was Tobita's and mine's partner in searching for the children of the prophecy." She explained. "We hated her though. She's the ESP's favorite and a real bitch." She said darkly. Suzune and Natsume nodded in agreement while Ruka and Mikan looked at each other uneasiness and Berry narrowed her eyes. "Also, this girl probably wants to kill Tobita and me. Plus, her Alice is a mystery, even to the students of Heaven Gakuen Alice."
Berry sighed. "Damn; if we had Hikari, we could figure out her Alice…"
Everybody sighed and looked up. "Well, we should get going. That Angel might find us." Everybody agreed upon Ruka's words and stood up to pack. Youichi watched in the sidelines and as they all finished, the young boy turned to leave them when a hand rested on his shoulder.
He turned to see Mikan smiling at him. "Where are you going You-chan?" She asked. Youichi shrugged and then turned to leave again when all of a sudden, larger and warmer hands quickly picked him up and he felt himself land on a strange and new position. He looked down to see himself on Natsume's shoulder.
"E-Eh?" He said in confusion and noticed everybody smiling at him.
"You're coming with us Youichi." Natsume stated.
"…N-Nandesuka?" He asked in a small voice.
Natsume looked at him and suddenly, Youichi was looking at gentle eyes…eyes that he had never seen before… "Because you need us." He said softly before he started walking with the others following after him.
Youichi just continued to stare at him with wide eyes before they softened and he placed his small hands and his right cheek against his black hair and gave a small smile. Arigato… He thought.
Kura: YAY! YOUICHI JOINS THE GROUP!
Berry: But Yuu left…
Kura: Yeah…T^T
Amu: Hey, long time no see.
Kura: Yo! Amu! Well anyway, almost time to go!
Amu: What? But I just got here!
Kura: Too bad! I have to complain about my life! SCHOOL IS HORRIBLE!
Amu: …
Berry: …
Amu: What, that's it?
Kura: Yep! :D Well, BYE EVERYBODY! Please do leave a review! Criticism is welcomed because they can hep me!
Amu: Hep?
Kura: Yeah, I suddenly remember this character from Suite Life of Zack and Cody who always mispronounced help! ^^
Amu: …Okay…
Kura: Anyway, BYE MINNA! MINNA DAISUKI!