Chapter 3: Shadows Cast

Little Falcon:I *think* I'm going to be busy again this month but I'll try my best updating so please be patient okay? Read and review a lot because that might just speed up the update.

Standard Disclaimer: I only own that idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth.

A smirk appeared on his almost perfect face as his amethyst orbs reflected the surprised pigtailed girl. "Just when I was starting to think this place is boring,"

Her pupils dilated as she saw some of her furniture hover from the floor and fly directly at her.

*****

Every minute seems to take forever. His crimson eyes watched the second hand move in slow motion. His patience growing thin with every tick. "Natsume, if you stare any harder at the clock. It might burst into flames," he heard his sensei call his attention but he didn't bother to even look at him.

"A-re, Gin-kun's not here?" Narumi-sensei finally noticed the empty seat beside the flame alice user and so did everyone else. "Where's your partner, Natsume?"

"He's not my partner!" He snapped as he slammed his hand on his desk, mirroring his agitation. His temper was at the brink of breaking. There was only one partner he'll accept and that's certainly not Midou Gin.

Boom! A loud explosion from the nearby old building took everyone's attention away from Natsume and to the source of the commotion. Out of the crumbling wall burst two figures. One seems to be chasing the other.

"Isn't that…" one of the girls pointed at the one doing the chasing. "… Gin-kun," Indeed, with his signature silver hair proved his identity. "But… who's the one he's running after?" their eyes turned to the girl about their age dashing for the woods.

Rocks, sticks and all things that can be levitated began to rise from the ground and target her. With an excellent display of evasion skills, the girl was able to avoid all of them almost without breaking a sweat. "Stop it, Night!" she yelled as she jumped out of another attack.

The alice inventor's eyes widened in recognition of the girl's voice. That voice… it's Mikan! Hotaru immediately turned around to help her friend. The animal lover and also her lover, Ruka, also had the same thing in mind while Natsume was already out of sight when they realized that it was Mikan down there.

Her uniform caught dirt and mud as she ran deeper into the forest, ducking out of branches and jumping at high roots. Even without seeing, she knew she was targeted still.

The amused smirk on his face faded as he lost sight of her. I know that she's fast but I wasn't expecting her to be THIS fast. All the things that hovered awhile ago now landed on the ground heavily.

Night's alice of range allows him to target anyone as long as he can see it. It only wears off when he can no longer see his goal. Skillfully, Mikan climbed down the tree she was hiding in only when she saw him pass. Taking her opponent by surprise, she quietly made her way to him.

"Found you," Gin's melodic tone said even when his back was still against her. In an instant, vines darted from almost everywhere and pinned her to the nearest tree trunk. How did he… Her chocolate brown eyes saw the accumulated dew on the leaves were enough to betray her attack.

"Alright, Night. Let me go, if anyone sees me like this you'll be…" flames burst in between them just when Gin was a foot away from her. This is bad…

His blood boiled dangerously as he caught sight of her helpless state while the model slash singer eyed her like a piece of meat. His flames roared even through his crimson eyes he made a fire ball from thin air. "Natsume…" he heard her strained voice and that just added fuel to the fire.

"Hmmm," Evading the flames, Gin faced his appointed partner with the same amused face as before.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" As the flames around them grew, they changed from yellow to blue.

"Wait, Natsume!" she yelled her lungs out but she knew Natsume can't hear her words now. Tsk! This is what I'm afraid of. Finally, she tore the edges of her uniform where the vines impaled her then jumped in between them.

Searing furnace at one side and flying darts on the other but neither made her think twice about intervening. "BOTH OF YOU, CALM DOWN!!!" there was an explosion of her unusual aura and together with that their alice were nullified on the spot.

As she tried to catch her breath, her eyes wandered from Gin to Natsume and finally to the hoard of people that were watching the terminated battle. Not good…

The tension in the air was filled with sweet smelling flowers and with it, everyone's mood lightened… except for the one who uses the nullification alice. Judging from what Narumi-sensei can see, he already had a vague idea about what happened. A helpless sigh escaped his lips before he flipped his bangs and announced "Everyone, this is Sakura Mikan. Our new student,"

As if she wasn't covered in grime and dirt, Mikan stood stiff and bowed formally. It was only when Natsume placed his blazer on her shoulders did she realize the state of her attire. Heat flooded her face immediately.

"You three, in my office, NOW," Narumi said with a smile still plastered on his ever-handsome face.

Her gaze wandered to the blazer on the chair as she tidied herself up before meeting with her sensei. Even if everything turned out crazy, seeing the flame caster act that way made her feel… protected and loved. Suddenly, pain wracked her body. Her strength diminished entirely. Even breathing was pure agony. Trying to regain her composure, Mikan closed her eyes and tried to numb the pain and as it worked she tasted something metallic on her mouth. Wiping it off with her hand, her pupils dilated upon seeing her hand stained in crimson.

"Mikan, are you ready?" Natsume's voice made her jump. Automatically, she hid all traces of blood. Thankfully, her body cooperated and she was able to act as if nothing happened.

"Are you alright?" this was the side of him that he only shows to this special person. His crimson eyes were gentle as his hand brushed her pale cheek.

"Hai, no need to worry," she reassured him with a bright smile that he returned instinctively.

"By the way, Mikan, did you know why that bastard attacked you?" Natsume tried to keep his cool. Even though the hand that held hers were shaking with anger.

"It's his way of 'greeting'," she replied honestly, making Natsume's eyebrow rise in inquiry. "You see… Night and I…"

"…work together," Out of nowhere, the person in question appeared with the same smile plastered on his perfect model face. Automatically, Natsume stood in between them with his eyes glaring at him like a criminal.

Little Falcon: read and review…