The best things are unseen.

Chapter two

Authors note: I AM VERY SORRY for not updating sooner… It's been a hectic week because we've just started the 2nd quarter for our school, so I had to review, review, REVIEW! But I hope you like this second chapter; I've set aside a lot of stuff to write this, so I'd really appreciate if you read it. Also, please review so I could be motivated to write more!

I hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer: If I were to own Gakuen Alice, I wouldn't be sitting in front of my computer writing fanfictions right? So there. (I don't own it, blah)

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Mikan's POV

I looked back as I stepped out of the clinic. After 2 dull days in there, being tested and lectured, to my relief I was finally allowed to leave. The doctor told me more about my disease, Minusvipedia. It's acquired by birth; although you wouldn't know you have it unless you notice it. It strikes at a certain age, on my situation, 13 years old.

Until now, the idea terrifies me greatly. I keep on looking at the mirror beside my bed, thinking that I should memorize the way I look before I go blind. I also keep looking outside; the beautiful sky has never looked so remarkable. Well, in my situation, it would probably be the last time I'd see the sky so amazing...

What would it be like if I were blind? People say that its better when you're born blind, rather than going blind later on as you grow. I never thought about it really, but now, I ponder on that statement quite frequently.

I walked towards the hall going to the dorms. Which reminded me, how Hotaru has been such a kind friend lately, she brought me clean clothes, my stuffed toys and my favorite magazine yesterday. I really lit up when she did. She asked me what was wrong and what caused me to be dizzy. I didn't know how to tell her… I couldn't think of what to say; I was totally drained of words.

Those statements… "Hotaru, I'm going blind" or, "Hotaru, I have a disease that will make me blind soon" couldn't say. I couldn't dare make "blind" or "disease" come out of my mouth. It was like whenever I try to say those words, my lips would stick together and never part.

So, I lied. "Oh, the doctor said I just ran around too much" Then after that, I laughed nervously. She raised her eyebrow; of course Hotaru wouldn't believe such a lame reason. But strangely, she just nodded and left the room quietly.

I couldn't understand her, but I was happy she didn't question me for the truth. I suck at lying, and of course of all people, Hotaru would know that.

I entered my dorm, returning my clothes and things back to their original places. I looked at the clock, signaling 5:00 pm. "Classes are over" I thought, and left the room quietly. Some students were in their rooms, but some were just loitering around.

"I wonder where Hotaru is…" I thought, as I searched for her around the dorm. I bumped into Anna and Nonoko, they seem to be happy.

"Hey Mikan! I'm so glad to see you back"

Nonoko blissfully said; Anna followed.

"You must feel better now. I hope you don't get dizzy again"

"Yeah, I do feel a lot better"

"So, what's the reason for the dizzy-ness?"

My heart jumped.

"What Nonoko said, I want to know too, Mikan!

I fretted with my skirt, looking down, I answered…

"Well, the doctor told me… I was, running around too much!"

Anna and Nonoko giggled. What was so funny? Did they know about my disease?

"Oh, alright, that sounds just like you"

I guess not… whew.

"Yeah Mikan, just try to run around lesser"

"You had us all worried sick"

"Thanks for the trouble, you guys are the best!"

I embraced them both, and smiled. I guess I better get going and look for Hotaru.

"Well, I'll have to go for now. Do you know where Hotaru is?"

Anna thought for a while but Nonoko was the first to reply,

"Sorry Mikan, but Hotaru's in a meeting with her sponsors. But she told me that she'll return tomorrow"

I frowned and nodded gently.

"Well, alright Nonoko. Thanks anyway... You too Anna!"

I left them both and headed out the dorm's gates. I didn't want to hear the ruckus in the dorm; it started to hurt my ears. I followed the path leading to the cherry blossom field. It was Friday, so I didn't worry about curfew.

I looked for a nice Sakura tree to lean on; I wanted to reflect a bit. As I pass by the path, I gaze at different sights that catch my eye. I saw beautiful diamond-crested robins, flying around the tree's branches. I also saw dazzling butterflies, fluttering gently over some fragrant flowers.

After the scenic stroll, I spotted a serene-looking area. I got closer to that area and sat beside a cherry blossom tree and look up at the sky. It was beautiful… as usual.

It had strokes of orange and pink, sprays of red and purple as if beautifully painted on a blue canvas. I couldn't hear anything at all, only some grasshoppers chirping and the wind blowing gently on the blossoms of the cherry blossom tree; so I thought that this would be the perfect time to think.

"The doctor said in a week, I'm going be blind…" This thought repeated In my head like a tape recorder. "In a week, my world will be pitch black" I thought some more.

"I better make the most of this week, I should also tell everyone… eventually" I looked down on the ground and wrote some names on the dirt with my finger.

Yuu…Koko…Sumire…Nonoko…Anna…Misaki…Tsubasa…Mr.Narumi…Hotaru…Ruka…

Suddenly, a voice said,

"Hey polka-dots, how come my name isn't listed there?"

Of course, how could I be wrong? I'd know that voice anywhere.

"Natsume!" I said, hoping I would drive him away. This of all moments wouldn't the time to annoy or tease me… And I was hoping he could bear with me, somehow.

"What's wrong with you little girl? You dizzy again?"

I looked at him and smiled, "He's helping me again" I thought.

"No… I'm fine; it's just that, I'm thinking"

"Thinking about what?"

"Oh, nothing"

Natsume casually went closer to me, both of his hands were tucked coolly in his pockets.

"Tell me, or I'll burn your hair"

Oh no… My hair! I don't want to be bald! Well, it's better to be blind than bald, that's what I always thought; so…

"OK! THE DOCTOR SAID I'M GOING TO BE BLIND IN A WEEK! Don't burn my hair…"

I covered my hair with my arms, hoping he wouldn't really burn my hair. I waited for a minute for his answer… 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4… Hey! Why isn't he replying? I slowly turned my head to face him. At my surprise, he was standing still as if he was frozen. His eyes seemed to be widened, as if he saw someone die or something. Was he really shocked about what I said?

"You… Idiot… Why didn't you tell me sooner!"

He screamed right at me, which made me flinch a bit.

"Well, I didn't tell anyone yet actually…" I said, looking down… "Busted" I thought.

"Why are you going to go blind?" Natsume said, as he sat beside me.

"A disease, Minusvipedia I think…" I looked at him and tilted my head. I wonder why he seems so interested.

"My cousin had that too. She's blind right now"

"She did? How did she deal with it?"

"She just went on with her life. She proved the world she can remain happy, even without her sight"

That surprised me… How can she go on with her life normally, if she can't even see anything? Her world's pitch black… She would also hear people laughing and she wouldn't know if their laughing at her or not, she would hear screams but wouldn't know where they'd come from, she'd never fall in love normally because she wouldn't be able to see anyone, she will never see herself grow, or never see her friends leave…

I didn't want that life… Not now… Not ever…

Tears started to fill up in my eyes. I thought about how terrible my life will be in a week… How scared I'm going to be… How I would feel like when the world I am in now will be full of darkness, how my new world would just be about feeling and hearing…

"Hey, you still here Mikan?"

Natsume snapped me out of my deep thoughts. The sudden sound of "Mikan" through my ears made me feel warmer though… I wonder why he suddenly called me Mikan?

"W-What Natsume?"

I wiped the tears from my cheek gently as I wait for a reply.

"You know, losing your sight isn't the end of the world, idiot. So stop crying already"

-Sigh- He went back to idiot again…

"Well, it's pretty hard to imagine life without sight! Don't you think Natsume?"

"Just remember…" He slowly looked away and continued. "You'll still be able to feel…"

Hmm… What did that mean? I knew what that statement meant, but coming out of Natsume? That's a whole new story!

"What do you mean?" I asked, hoping he would be kind enough to answer me.

"You really are an idiot." He looked back at me and smirked.

"Don't call me an idiot!" I blurted. Oh! He really gets on my nerves sometimes…

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Natsume's POV

I can't believe this idiot can be stirred out from sadness so quickly.

I mean, if I were her, I'd be locking myself up in my room by now. I couldn't imagine life without sight. I would never be able to see… Her…

I shook my head, trying to disperse the idea I was forming in my mind.

"You know your friends will be with you anyway" I said, trying to make her feel a little bit better. Of course, she deserves some comforting.

"I know. I'll always have you guys anyway" She smiled and looked up at the sky.

I wonder what's she thinks is so interesting about the sky? Oh, I get it… It would be one of the last times she'd see the sky. God, I feel like tearing myself apart.

I'd rather rip my eyes out and give them to her, rather than seeing her feel her way to the classroom with a walking stick. The idea of Mikan being blind struck me from in and out. Although I didn't show it, that idiot's got me scared… Really, REALLY scared.

She wouldn't be the same… The Mikan that gets on my nerves and at the same time, makes me go gaga over her will forever be gone… I can't believe this. I'd burn the disease if I could…

"Hey"

"Yeah Natsume?"

"I'm here for you"

Her face suddenly lit up with that remark. I saw her cheeks flush a bit, which made me feel like blushing too.

She tilted her head to the right; adorably if I may add. She must wonder why I said that. Actually, I'm wondering a bit too…

"Thanks Natsume… You're the best"

She leaned on my shoulder. Normally I wouldn't let her get this close… But this time, I'll make an exemption. She smelled good, like roses in bloom; her warmth felt so nice. Being there close to her, burned me up hotter than my own flames.

I liked the feeling, the feeling of being there for Mikan when she needed me. I actually could still be myself AND express how I feel. And for me, that's very difficult to accomplish.

She closed her eyes, which gave me a chance to glance at her beauty.

She was very beautiful… but… Soon she wouldn't even be able to see herself…

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I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! I certainly enjoyed writing this. Please bear with me if you think Natsume seems a little OOC. I will improve more on the POVs of Natsume when I get to watch the show again. Sadly ANIMAX doesn't bother broadcasting it again… jeez…

REVIEW OKIE? LOVE YOU!