Chapter 2: Just Focus on Me

My sincere gratitude to everyone who has read, reviewed, put this story in their Favorites List and Alerts List. Some even did more than two of those and it definitely made me smile. To everyone reading this, wherever nation you come from, may you find something to smile about this week.

Shout-out to seemasakura, layliaman98, Sakura695, Mikan2007, tohruyuya, , Haruhi-chan131 and to the Guest who reviewed last April 28.

Also, my thoughts on what you said, beloved Guest! I believe that everyone in the fandom continues to hold Gakuen Alice in their hearts and one day they'll have a fresh zeal for it again. That's what happened to me. I was in elementary when I first watched the anime and I didn't even finish it. Then last month, seven years out of University, I read the manga from start to finish and here I am writing. Sorry for the drama.

Gakuen Alice and its characters are the wonderful creations of Tachibana Higuchi.

Desire and necessity are not mutually exclusive.

Featuring what one can and will do, together with something that was and was not just.

The next day almost seemed like a blur to Mikan. Well, no one could blame her. A lot had happened the day she returned to the academy.

Mikan's day started when Jii-chan woke her up with a booming voice. He had already prepared breakfast for all of them. After breakfast, an ever-sparkling Narumi-sensei arrived, driving a car from the academy.

"Good morning, everyone! Especially Mikan-chan! Today is the day of your gloooorious return to Alice Academy! And I will be your personal driver."

He twirls a delighted Mikan in the air and hugs her tight. A little too tight for Natsume, as always. Ruka taps Natsume's shoulder quickly, shaking his head and smiling, preventing him from frying Narumi. Natsume settles for his signature glare instead but Narumi pretends not to notice.

Mikan talked with her grandfather for about an hour before they set off. He waved and watched them leave until their car turned the corner away from the street.

Mikan hugs her smiley pillow, a farewell gift from Jii-chan. Her final moments with her grandfather lingered in her thoughts.

Jii-chan takes both of her hands and looks into her eyes.

"Mikan. I wish nothing but for you to continue smiling. You will always be welcome here, child. Be brave. Write often!"

Jii-chan then wiped her tears but he was crying too. They hugged each other tightly.

Mikan didn't realize she fell asleep on Natsume's shoulder until he shook her awake because they already arrived at the academy.

Her friends held a big welcome party for her at lunch time. Koko proudly stated that his girlfriend was the chief organizer and that he helped every step of the way. Sumire smacks him. Kitsuneme does too, just for kicks.

"You two look very good together!" Mikan claps enthusiastically.

"Hmmph. Why wouldn't we? You're not the only one who can be happy, you know."

"I didn't mean it that way, Permy!"

Yuu quickly comes between Mikan and Sumire.

"Come on, everyone! It's a good day, Mikan is finally back here with us. No fighting, please! Now, why don't we all start eating?"

Anna had given them a feast. Udon. Roast beef. Pepperoni pizza. Macaroni and cheese. Grilled chicken. Five different crab dishes. And more. She told Mikan that Hotaru had helped upgrade her kitchen so it wasn't as time-consuming as it looked to be.

Mikan thought that was the end of the party. She was about to thank all of them when the gift-giving ceremony suddenly started. Yes, even Natsume gave her a gift. He did warn her to open it only when she was alone.

In the afternoon, Mikan read through the documents about the High School Division that her Uncle Kazumi gave her. She remembered him but he didn't tell her about her parents yet, fearing it might trigger a breakdown.

Reading made her head ache, but Mikan persevered. She wanted to adjust to academy life as soon as possible. Mikan didn't want to be an embarrassment to her uncle and grandfather. Avoiding Bear's punishments was another motivation. She had enough of those in Middle School.

Despite Mikan's earnest pleas, Hotaru left to work on a blueprint of some device she didn't bother explaining to her best friend. Ruka had gone off to the barn with Natsume, Youichi and Bear. Yuu patiently answered her many questions.

The hours passed by quickly and now even dinner had ended. Mikan was finally by herself in her room.

"This must be the busiest Friday in my life, but I'm glad I'm back."

Mikan changes into her pajamas. Unpacking everything from her suitcase will have to wait. Nonoko offered to help, but Mikan wanted to do it on her own.

Mikan looks at the huge pile of welcome back presents in one corner of the room. Her friends got her cute pencils, pens and notebooks. She also received scented stationery, stickers, a photo album, three ribbons, five hair ties, two headbands and a hat.

Earlier, Koko whispered that they all wanted to give her Fluff Puffs but Natsume said he'd buy it for her himself.

Mikan picks up the box that contains her favorite present. Yes, she already decided that it was her favorite since it was from Natsume. She opens it carefully.

Natsume had gifted her a silver bangle engraved with the phases of the moon. She puts it on, loving how it felt on her wrist. If she opened it in front of everyone earlier, she was sure she would have burst into tears and hug him for a long time.

"So, he didn't want that romantic scene? Hmmph. Surely he must have read at least one manga with a sweet moment! Or maybe not."

Mikan sits on her bed, feeling the exhaustion creep in. Not a minute later, she hears her window open. It was Natsume, of course.

"Can I get a hug?" Mikan opens her arms to her fiancé.

"Keep your voice down. And I didn't come here for just a hug," Natsume says, but he does hug her.

"Ah. That feels good. Thank you. Now I feel super energized."

"I'll be here every night," he says without preamble.

Mikan pulls away from his embrace and gapes at him.

"B-b-but N-n-natsume... you can't...you can't do that..."

He smirks and traces the bangle on her wrist. "I can. And I will."

"Surely you're not serious. Right?" Mikan blushes.

"Oh, Polka Dots. I can assure you that I. Am. Perfectly. Serious. Now… what am I going to do with you?"

He leans closer but Mikan turns away.

"It's…it's been a… long day, isn't it?"

Natsume sighs, leans back and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Yes, it has been a long day. We didn't have a single moment to be alone. Not one."

"Please don't be mad, Natsume."

Before he could make a biting remark, Mikan kisses him. He feels that familiar fire again. She wonders if she feels it too.

Natsume pulls her closer. Mikan digs her fingers on his back. It sends shivers to his whole body. He wonders what else she would do. He wants to find out. Badly.

But by some unimaginable force, Natsume is able to halt. No, not tonight. She had just come back today.

They are both breathing heavily. He kisses her forehead gently instead.

Natsume briefly wonders about what happened. Yesterday, he was apologizing and today he even held himself back. He must be terribly out of his mind. This isn't like him at all.

"You should sleep now," he says while tracing the bangle again.

"Hold me close. Every night," Mikan whispers. She doesn't know where those words came from. What she does know is that she truly desires what she just said.

"I will," Natsume desires that too.

A few hours later, Natsume finds out that it is absolutely necessary to be by her side when she sleeps.

Because suddenly Mikan is sobbing and trembling, caught in a nightmare.

When she finally manages to stop crying and shaking, she tells him in a scared voice that she saw a woman dying after an explosion. Then the scene changed and she saw a room where there was a man's corpse covered with dark marks next.

Mikan tells him that she feels that she knows them, should know them, but she can't remember. And she wants to remember, needs to remember them.

Natsume wants to tell Mikan that it was just a nightmare, but he can't. It was a nightmare but it was not just a nightmare. She dreamt about the death of her parents.

Subaru had warned them. Nightmares about her past were a possible adverse effect of regaining her memory. Natsume was all too familiar with nightmares himself.

"I'm here, Mikan. I'm here. You're safe," he tells her, again and again, stroking her back until she falls asleep.

As he himself surrenders to sleep, Natsume wonders how he can keep Mikan safe from her own memories.

When he opens his eyes again, Mikan is looking at him. She gives him a small smile, which he returns. Then his eyes find her wall clock. He frowns. Time to go before he's discovered. Natsume kisses her quickly and gets up.

"Thank you for taking care of me last night, Natsume."

"I take care of what's mine."

"I love you."

"Me too."

Later that day, Hotaru hands Natsume a pouch.

"For her nightmares," she says and walks away.

Natsume opens it and finds lavender patches. It won't prevent the nightmares but it will at least help calm Mikan.

"I am still the Queen of Dodgeball!" Mikan screams at the top of her lungs as she drops on the ground, laughing. They decided to play that afternoon, just like old times.

"Don't be so cocky! We let you win today. We won't hold back next time." Sumire says, also on the ground.

"I don't have to read your mind to know you're lying," Koko says.

"I guess you did great today, Mikan," Sumire allows.

Mikan tries to make peace with her.

"Aww, Permy. You did very well, too. You almost hit me a couple of times."

"Ugh, I let it slide yesterday because it was your first day back. It's Sumire, not Permy! And I will definitely take you out in record time next time we play. Mark my words."

"Well, Mikan. Your athletic abilities must have caught the eyes of all the boys who confessed to you," Kitsuneme quips.

Suddenly a ball is kicked far, far away.

"I'll get that ball," Natsume says coldly and leaves.

"Mikan's grandfather did say a lot of boys confessed to her," he protests after his shoelaces are incinerated.

"You didn't have to announce it," Yuu reprimands.

"I'll follow him," Ruka says.

"I'll do it, Ruka-pyon. I'll bring the ball back. Don't worry everyone!" Mikan waves before running off.

Mochiage scoffs. "Bring the ball back? Bring your man back."

After an hour, Mikan finally finds the ball. She dusts it off and goes to find Natsume, hoping he's cooled off.

As expected, he's up on one of the branches of his favorite Sakura tree.

Mikan sits down and places the ball by her side. She then leans back on the tree, places her hands on her lap and closes her eyes.

"You didn't have to follow me," Natsume says a minute later.

"Why? Would you rather that it was Ruka-pyon here, then?"

"If you're here to pick a fight-"

"Natsume, I'm here because I want to be alone with you. Finding the ball was an excuse, of course, though quite tiring. You did sent it pretty far. I'm amazed it didn't burst or something. Must be made of some tough material. And well, finding it gave me time to think of what to say to your grumpy face but evidently I underestimated your temper."

Natsume remembers what happened last night. Apparently, Mikan did as well.

Natsume sighs, leans back and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Yes, it has been a long day. We didn't have a single moment to be alone. Not one."

Mikan had suffered a nightmare and yet here she was, seeking him after his outburst. He sighs, jumps down and sits next to his fiancée. Her eyes are still closed.

"You should lean on me if you if you're tired, idiot."

Mikan does and opens her eyes.

"I am yours and no one else's, Natsume."

"It's good that you know that."

"Though, I think I would be disappointed if you didn't show even a hint of jealousy." Mikan laughs.

"I wasn't jealous, Polka Dots."

Mikan sits up and places a hand on his cheek.

"You're pretty cute sometimes."

Natsume swipes her hand away and glares at her.

"Cute? If you're trying to make me mad, you're doing a very good job."

Mikan shakes her head. After hesitating, she sits on his lap.

"And just what do you think you're doing now?" Not that he dislikes it.

"Trying not to make you mad," She laughs and Natsume locks her in his arms.

"Then kiss me."

And all of Natsume's anger washes away. Kiss and make-up. And make out. He could get used to this.

Mikan still had the same nightmare that night.

The lavender patches shortened the time for her to calm down. Her nightmares continued night after night. And while he was there to soothe her every time, Natsume wished he could do more. Mikan swore that being by her side was more than enough but it definitely wasn't enough for him.

After two and a half continuous weeks of the same story, Natsume, Hotaru and Ruka accompany Mikan to see Subaru in the academy's hospital.

"Give us a moment." he says. "I won't keep her long," he adds, when they hesitate.

"And one more thing. Dear sister, take that spying device away."

Hotaru glares at her brother before retrieving her small and well-camouflaged (at least she thought it was) listening device.

Mikan doesn't tell them what she discussed with Subaru, but she is smiling like nothing is wrong when she comes out of the room.

"You three look too serious! Who do you think I am? I'm Mikan and I will not, I repeat, will not be put down by any bad dreams!" She even pumps her fists in the air.

Hotaru hits her with a retractable boxing piggy glove which sends her to the end of the hallway. Ruka runs to her and helps her get up.

"Are you okay, Sakura?"

"I can feel that Hotaru really loves me." She laughs.

Hotaru watches Mikan running back to her while Ruka apologizes to a nurse who tells them to keep quiet.

"I'm attending a three-day future tech convention in Central Town which starts tomorrow. Take care of your stupid fiancée."

"You don't need to tell me that."

"I'm her best friend, Hyuuga. It's my duty to say sappy things like that from time to time," she says.

When Hotaru pesters her brother later, Subaru tells her that he strictly adheres to doctor-patient confidentiality.

The terror of her nightmares did not show on Mikan's face during daytime.

She was still her usual self yet surprisingly better at academics. Not spectacular, but not failing at any single subject. By a point or two.

"I can't believe an upgrade to your brain could actually happen," Natsume tells her.

"I had to survive. Bear's punishments are as bad as Hotaru's. I went through hell in Middle School if I failed one subject by even a single point."

"Speaking of your murderous stuffed toy, Youichi's waiting with it in the Elementary School section. Apparently you told him you and I were coming." Natsume scowled.

"It? Bear is my friend! And don't you like to see your baby brother?" She takes his hand and they head off to the Elementary School Department.

"He's not a baby anymore. And you shouldn't speak on my behalf!"

Some teachers greet them when they arrive, but Narumi and Jinno are absent. Misaki tells them that "the pathetic excuse of a teacher" was currently in the greenhouse, slaving away as punishment from stealing from him for the ninth time that week.

Serina consults her crystal ball and tells them that Jinno was currently using his Alice on Narumi. Misaki's slave was taking too much time repotting color-changing sunflowers to count how many colors it has.

"How many colors does it have Misaki-sensei?" Mikan asks.

"Forty," He answers, obviously proud.

Youichi eventually leads them away. They sit on a bench and eat potato chips. Bear was sharpening his axe.

"You've really grown so much!"

"You told me enough yesterday."

"But it's true!"

"Of course it is. Now shut up and let us eat in peace," Natsume says.

When it came time for them to leave, the second Natsume hugged all of them tightly.

Bear was going back to his cabin in the Northern Woods and Mikan wanted to accompany her friend but one murderous look changed her mind.

Natsume arrived at Mikan's room at the usual hour that night and she lay her head on his lap. She whines about Hotaru, who had ignored her over dinner.

"Aren't you used to it by now?" he says irritably.

"Yes, but still," she pouts.

"Just focus on me." Natsume pinches her cheeks and she sits up, trying to do the same. He succeeds in pinching her cheeks five more times before she gives up.

"Alright, alright. You've got my undivided attention. My poor cheeks have suffered enough for one night."

"Keep it that way."

"Huh?" Mikan says as she massages her poor cheeks.

"I want your undivided attention. Just focus on me."

"You really are cute." And her cheeks suffered more that night.

End of Chapter 2