Just a warning... There's like... Lotsa fluff in this chapter o.O ... Yeah, and if you get confused, a lot of stuff will be explained in the following chapter so don't be too discouraged. Read and review and thanks!
-Kasia/gal

Hitoriaruki: Walking Alone

Chapter Five: Ichigo Ichie

By: Kasia

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own Gakuen Alice... But if anyone knows how I can, do let me know! ;P

It was a steady sequence.

Natsume would sit and watch Mikan for a few hours, hoping for a change in her condition, until he would finally get so agitated with himself that he would stand. This was a signal to Hotaru, who was always waiting patiently in the corridor. She would silently step into the room, taking her place in another seat by the bed, and Natsume would leave, but not until after he saw her seated. Ruka would wait a few minutes before coming in and taking his seat next to Hotaru, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders as the stifled sobs threatened to come out, creating choking sounds in her throat. After an hour or so, she would get up and flee the room, unable to be quieted any longer, and Ruka would of course chase after her, though not before Sumire stepped in, grabbing Mikan's cold hand and rubbing it soothingly as she sat down on top of the sheets.

Then came the unknown sibling and the newly found aunt, each sitting in chairs on either side of the bed, the brother eventually standing with clenched fists but refusing to leave, Isabella only staring blankly at the sight of her niece in such a disheveled state. Sumire would stay in the room with them for half an hour or so before leaving to let them be alone, reassuming her post in the room across the hall, where she would wait with the door open and type the new information into her computer until Mikan's family, unspoken boyfriend, and best friend all dashed once again from the haunted form of their beloved.

Like I said, it was a steady sequence.

Mikan had been in a coma for over four days with no end in sight. Isabella had no alice copy that could cure this sudden disease, as was the case with Hotaru and her inventions. No, not this disease, which was so clearly a disease of the heart. They had set up one of Martin's servants to take notes of the words that Mikan stuttered, shrieked and whined in her dark, painful sleep, but they had only gotten one phrase thus far, and it was mostly not understandable. "Chased…li…must…et…ay…protect…st prot…th…" At least something like that. This of course meant nothing to any of them, though they all still poured over it for hours at a time, trying and failing to make sense of it.

It was around midnight when Natsume reentered Mikan's room and received the shock. She had woken up long enough to say something about being "unwanted", weeping and distraught, before falling back into her troubled sleep. He rushed to her side to find that she was struggling as though against binds, though there was obviously nothing holding her down. She went on like that for twenty seconds or so before coming back down into a hot, feverish slumber. He ordered a servant to bring cold water and a rag and as soon as they were back he began lightly wiping the sweat from her forehead, a shudder running down his spine as each spasm overtook her, forcing her to struggle yet again.

Ruka, breaking the chain, came in to sit beside him, pained every time he looked at Mikan or Natsume in their depression. He searched for the words that would give his friend comfort, words that would do something for him, but none would come. Natsume sighed - a long, sad sigh that seemed to seep from his very soul - setting down the cloth and dropping his head into his hands.

"Unwanted," he muttered under his breath, so quietly that Ruka was unsure whether or not he had intended for him to hear. "How could she ever possibly feel unwanted? This is Mikan, for crying out loud, she's loved by everyone. There's no one on the planet that could ever possibly dislike her!" Despite the situation, the corners of Ruka's lips tilted slightly upward, Natsume's words so biased and yet so true that he couldn't help it.

"I know," he sighed, "But how do we make her see that? Can she even hear us now?" Natsume looked up at him with hopeless eyes, just watching.

"Wait," Ruka blurted, his face lighting up. "I'll be right back, I have an idea!" He dashed from the room, leaving Natsume feeling confused and curious, though his face had naturally went back to its unemotional state. Ruka came back a few minutes later, shock rushing through him as Mikan broke into another unmerited fight with her invisible ropes. He carried a small journal, which he quickly flipped open, reading from the first page.

" 'August 17... School will be starting again soon. I can't believe we're all officially freshmen! Hotaru and I went with all our friends to a movie tonight, though I barely watched it. I was too happy watching Ruka and Hotaru holding ha'- … Okay, next entry… 'September 4. First day back! It was great, except… Well… Natsume seems to be avoiding me. Oh, and everyone keeps calling me a "greenie", what the heck is that! It's really bugging me, but when I asked them what it meant they just called me a baka! They don't call Hotaru or Ruka greenies! Oh, by the way, they're dating now. Kawaii! I'll write more later, opening exams tomorrow. Bye! -Mikan' "

The two men peered down at Sakura, glad to see that she was beginning to calm. Ruka continued.

" 'September 26. Can you believe it - I aced the test we took last week! And in Jinno-sensei's class, too! No, not the one I wrote about last time, that was ages ago and I did as bad as Sumire for the first time in three years… No, this was different, and Jinno-sensei looked perfectly livid as he handed it back to me. Heh, take that, now you know the true power of Sakura Mikan! But okay, in other news, Ruka, Yuu and Sumire are all in the middle of a two week training session with Narumi-sensei; they actually went out of the school grounds to do it and we haven't seen them since! Hotaru has holed herself away working on some new invention, big shocker there, but she's being way more unsocial than usual, which I credit to depression due to Ruka-pyon's absence. Just my guess. Natsume is still avoiding me, and I honestly don't know what's with him, but I ended up spending the whole day with Koko! Not that I really mind or anything… And why would I actually care what Natsume thinks or does? sigh I just wish I knew what was up. -Mikan' 'October 13. Natsume invited me to go to Central with him on Halloween. Says he has something to te'-"

Natsume grabbed the book, keeping Ruka from finishing his sentence. He motioned his thumb toward the door, not uttering a word, and Ruka instantly understood, nodding as he stood and left, shutting the door behind him with a smirk. Natsume carefully reopened the book, turning each page slowly until he reached the entry Ruka had gotten to. Mikan seemed to be poised, waiting. He cleared his throat.

" 'Says he has something to tell me, though I can't imagine for the life of me what. He didn't show any emotion whatsoever, as usual. Honestly, he's nearly as bad as Hotaru! Ah, time for class (I'm in lunch now), bye! -Mikan' " He took a breath, knowing what would come next. " 'October 30, a little past 2am (okay, so it's really November 1, whatever!) … Just got back and wow, do I have news! He had something to tell me alright, the big jerk!' " Natsume cringed. " 'Honestly, I was so excited that I've barely slept all week, and all he says is, "Baka, you actually thought I was serious? You're stupider than I thought!" Yeah, okay, perverted, cruel, sick, sarcastic, idiotic jerk!' " He stifled a chuckle. " 'I can't believe he did that to me! He's so… so… URGH! He's not right in the head! Gah, I'm so mad, I'm going to find someone to spar with!'

" 'November 17. Alright, now I'm really confused. He said that he blew me off for a really good reason. (Wish he would've told me that at the time…) Then, yesterday, he said he needed to talk to me and that I should go meet him by the Northern Woods. Yeah, like I was gonna fall for that again! So, I stayed in my room, stretching and preparing for the 5:30am practice session I had with Shishou this morning. Only - get this - he showed up, and not at the Northern Woods, but at my door! I expected him to be furious that I'd stood him up, but he wasn't. He was flushed, like he'd been running, and the first thing I heard out of his mouth, of all things, was "I'm sorry." Wait, say what! I mean, this is Natsume we're talking about! I stared at him, confused, then asked, "What are you talking about?" I could swear I even quirked my eyebrow, I was so lost. "…I know you're mad, but I have a really good reason this time." I just kinda gawked at him. Okay, looking at him got me nowhere, though I admit I enjoyed watching him look so apologetically desperate - it was just so unusual. "Alright Natsume, I have no clue what you're talking about."

" 'His eyebrows went really tight. "The Northern Woods. Two hours…ago…?" I looked him square in the eyes. "I never went. You don't think I'd fall for that twice, do you?" His eyes narrowed at me. "So… You stood me up?" He looked ticked… And maybe somewhat hurt, if that's possible. "Judging from your previous words, you don't have much room to get mad." "Judging from your previous silence, I do." "Pride getting to you again? I accept your apology, for the second time." "Good, it's awfully annoying having you ticked at me. Makes teasing you pointless." "I bet." It was about this time that I noticed our faces were too close together, and I of course pulled away, stepping backwards. Only, I tripped over the rug Anna gave me and totally lost my balance before falling back towards my nightstand! To my astonishment, Natsume leapt forward, grabbing my arm and somehow managing to keep himself balanced. He pulled me towards him and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck. (Don't say a word - I was just trying to hold myself up, duh!)

" 'Our noses were practically touching when I looked up, and it sounds weird, but I felt strangely secure. He whispered 'baka' and for some odd reason neither of us moved. We just stood there and stared at each other, and I can promise you that I was pretty lost in daydreams by the time he spoke. "Tomorrow morning, front entrance, ten." I blinked and he pulled away, starting back down the hallway. "Wait, what are you - …You mean… A date!" He glared at me over his shoulder, but I saw him turning red, heehee. -Mikan' "

Natsume stopped, again sticking his hand in the water dish and pulling out the washcloth, using it to wipe Mikan's forehead. He remembered it. All of it. So clearly that he could recall her bright pink exercise outfit and matching ponytail holder, just one, holding her hair in a tight and high braid. He remembered the way it looked more curly than usual when she showed up the following morning in khakis and a pretty lavender sweater, saying how she really wanted to see the new movie in town. He remembered her running under what must have been the last tree on the grounds to still have leaves, and he remembered her sticking out her tongue to catch the snowflakes that started falling right as they reached Central Town. He even remembered the smell that lingered on his coat after she gave it back, as he had lent it to her with some sarcasm about her not bringing one of her own.

Yes, he remembered it, all of it, so very clearly.

Leaning toward her, he placed gentle kisses on her forehead and cheeks, then wiped the sweat away once more before standing again to his feet. As expected, Hotaru entered immediately, taking the cloth in her hands. Natsume could only think of one thing that would wake Mikan now. He rushed to the library, finding Isabella in a brown, comfortable recliner.

"Where is she?" He demanded, ignoring Isabella's stifled gasp of shock and the tears on her face. She looked at him for a moment.

"W-who?" She stuttered. Mikan's twin brother leaned forward on the couch nearby, eyeing Natsume.

"He means our mother," he explained to her. Natsume nodded.

"But… Takeru and Mikan's mother is on a mission, I can't just -"

"Answer the question if you ever want to see your niece out of that bed again." Takeru, the obvious heir of his mother's dark Japanese hair, leaned back into the sofa, folding his book and placing it on the end table beside him. Isabella put a hand over her mouth, wide eyed.

"Do you honestly think I wouldn't have gotten her myself if we knew?" Takeru's voice was monotonous.

"We never know," Isabella mumbled hastily, "Her missions are confidential."

"We do."

The group turned to see Sumire and Hotaru standing at the door, mini-computer open in Hotaru's hand. She looked completely devoid of emotion, making Natsume think to himself that Ruka must be glad to see her back to normal. Natsume sure was; a blank-faced Hotaru meant another invention, another breakthrough, another chance, and they could all use any of that at a time like this.

"Where?" He asked, mimicking her tone.

"On the continent north of here," she explained, analyzing the data in front of her. "It should take a day of traveling and a few days of searching to find her."

"Anything else?" She pulled a small vial from her pocket.

"This is from Anna, it will keep Mikan's mother from using her alices on you." He took it and examined it, his eyes slowly looking up.

"Alices? As in plural?" She nodded and he gazed at her, bewildered.

"The nullification alice, like Mikan, and at least one more… I don't know what to call it, but it's basically the same as Koko's mind-reading alice. There is one influential difference though, and I couldn't make anything to guard you from it, though I imagine that if I called Anna and Nonako they could have it ready in a few days."

"No way." Blunt.

"I didn't think so," she continued, "So here's what it does… She can erase your memory - selectively or completely. Be very weary." He nodded and she handed him the computer, somewhat hesitantly. "Take it, each of these buttons will show you exactly where we are at any time. It will be useful. Besides that, I can send you any new finds from one of the computers here."

"Wait, how did you get that information?" Isabella asked, amazement covering her countenance.

"Haven't you heard?" Sumire asked skeptically, "Hotaru's the best hacker in the business. Not that she uses it for the wrong kind of purposes, mind you…" Sumire winked at Isabella, who was entirely speechless.

Natsume nodded again at Hotaru, this time gravely, before turning and rushing from the house, whispering to the two girls as he passed.

"Take care of her."

Takeru stood, following after him. He finally caught up with Natsume in the main lobby area.

"I'm going with you."

"Fine."

Mikan's mind was in chaos. She could see at least fifty different scenarios, all playing through her mind at the same time and all clearly needing proper evaluation. They were possibilities. Unrealized realities. Glimpses of the many thoughts of the future. Three in particular flooded her senses and emotions beyond any of the others.

Hotaru ran, hard, with her long dark hair flowing behind her as she made her way down the mountain of damage that had once been a house. No, not a house, a mansion. A beautiful, magnificent, wonderfully furnished mansion. She dashed forward, jumping from board to board, trying to hold her balance and Mikan could almost hear her telling herself that she was almost there, almost finished, almost safe. She looked at the bottom of the collapsing rubbage pile to find her friends all waiting, watching, hoping. Mikan saw herself covering her face with both hands, eyes peeking through her quaking fingers. Ruka was glancing around, trying to find some way to get to her, but Hotaru was nearly there. Every time Mikan saw it she knew that this was it. This was the part. This was where it ended. Hotaru slipped and fell, as always, her body sliding down an overturned door and smashing with a terrifying thud into the wood below her, the wood that was only feet away from Mikan. The group rushed to her limp form, Ruka grabbing her, turning her over, checking her pulse. The answer was always the same.

Throughout the present, still intact mansion, a scream echoed along the walls.

Someone was sitting. A boy, so young. His mother sat next to him as he grinned at his newborn little sister. The mother looked vaguely familiar and it always took Mikan a moment to realize that it was in fact an older version of herself. She reached forward, gently rubbing the top of the boy's head and kissing his cheek. Then she leaned back, cuddling the infant in her arms and trying hard not to cry. "My poor daughter," she whispered, "You'll never get the chance to meet your father… He would have loved you more than the world…" And in her deepest, darkest depths, the young, present-day and unwed Mikan would know… Know so much that she could smell the odor that had resonated in the funeral house, know so well that she could still hear the many condolences, know so gravely that she could see that face… That pale, dark face, as Natsume laid in his casket.

Screams were replaced with stifled sobs as Ruka hurriedly continued dipping the cloth in the basin and wiping the young woman's drops of sweat.

This time it was herself. She sat, looking exactly the same as she did now, cradling his head in her hands and weeping. It was almost over. She couldn't even remember what, but she could feel all strength draining from her as she offered it up, giving the last of herself to change her beloved. When he finally vanished from her grasp, the grass beneath them seemingly unmarred by his presence, she poured one last ounce of strength into the air, bidding it to him as she fell back, heart slowing to a stop and breaths receding to nothingness.

Ruka panicked. Mikan was completely still now, but not in the pleasant, oh-good-she's-finally-resting sort of still. She was deathly still. He instantly sent the maid to get Hotaru, roughly checking for Mikan's pulse. Nothing. What the heck was going on? Every five seconds she was acting completely different, like she was in some sort of mood swing. He had been through this entire process at least three times already, and he was sure others had watched as she did the same thing in this sad, desperate state. Luckily, Hotaru came in right then and instantly started checking Mikan's vitals, pulling out small electronic knick-knacks to get the job done. After confirming that she was, in fact, alive, Hotaru took the seat next to Ruka and wearily leaned her head on his shoulder. Too much going on all at once, she thought to herself. Too much.

With the hint of a smile, she lifted Mikan's hand and gazed at the gorgeous engagement ring. It was white gold - Mikan's favorite - with diamonds and sapphires decorating its top. Raising her head, Hotaru leaned forward to examine it closely. She carefully moved to slide it off Mikan's finger - she would have bet anything that there was something written on the inside - but Mikan shuddered when the ring reached her knuckle and Hotaru took the hint, sliding it back on. She turned and grinned at Ruka. Mikan's feelings for Natsume were so strong that she shook at the thought of being separated, even if only from a present he had given her. She must have known that he had left… They were bonded.

Ruka flushed when Hotaru flicked her eyes toward the ring, then back to him, taking his hand in hers. He reached his other hand into his pocket, rubbing his fingers over the velvet case, just to be sure it was there. Now wasn't the time… Not yet.

The two stared at each other, Hikari shocked and entirely exhausted. She had spent all night trying to lose him, trying to escape. On habit, she surveyed her surroundings. Wood. Forest. Oak? Her eyes traveled back to the man standing in front of her. How was it possible for him to be breathing so steadily? Only one man had ever been able to keep up with her, and he was dead. A stupid mistake mixed with a typhoon out at sea. Mother Nature had a way of knocking everyone off their high horse, didn't she? Not that he had ever been arrogant. Loving, kind, powerful, but never arrogant. He was dead, regardless.

That's why, while the man standing in front of her looked exactly like him - built, tall, light-haired, - she knew better than to fall for it. Plastic surgery could create all that, and it wasn't like no one had tried this on her before. Still, it was impressive that he had stayed with her this long. Raising her eyebrow, she met his gaze.

"Why are you so determined to follow me? I know you're exhausted, you don't have to fake otherwise." Her voice rang out with an icy annoyance.

"I do believe I've explained that already," he said coolly. "And you know as well as I that I'm not pretending." She watched him, cautiously examining him from head to toe. He stayed completely still under her inspection, watching the emotions flicker through her eyes. She showed nothing on the rest of her face - nothing but the plain annoyance that she had intended him to see - but her eyes showed everything, at least to him. He saw disbelief, hope, rich sorrow and finally crushing acceptance pass over them and he had to stop himself from moving forward to comfort and assure her.

"Who are you?" She breathed the question simply and calmly.

"Isn't it obvious?" There was only kindness - that far too familiar kindness - in his voice.

"Prove it," she demanded, tone challenging and nearly masking the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

He was behind her in a second, arms wrapping around her waist, hand finding hers and quietly dropping the shiny objects into them. The chain she had dropped that fateful night. The gold band he hadn't removed once since. She gasped, holding them up and staring at them in awe. If anyone else had done this, she would have spun around and knocked them on their face, demanding to know where they had found these sentimental pieces, but he wasn't anyone else. As soon as his arms had wrapped around her, she had known. Still, when he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek, she quite nearly dropped both of the timeless prizes (and would have if his hands hadn't clasped her own shut).

"It's me." She turned, slowly raising her eyes to meet his, free hand stroking his face.

"…Edward…"

Wowie, lotsa fluff this chapter, eh? Review review review (or I'll stop writing, MUAHAhahahahaha!) and let me know what you think! I added a ton of characters, didn't I o.O? No flaming, please, L O L ! (Okay, so I probably wouldn't stop writing... But I really want reviews, so please please please give input . !)