DISCLAIMER: Yep. I know… Gakuen Alice isn't mine… *so sad*

I know… I know… So sorry for updating so late. I've never been so busy in my life. Hope you guys still want to read my fanfic. I'm trying so hard to make it better. Read on, dear readers. Hehe

CHAPTER 8: The Evasion

"Ohayo, minasan!" Mikan greeted cheerfully as she entered the room.

"Good morning, Mikan." Ruka smiled.

"Morning, Ruka-pyon!" She smiled back and stared at the raven-haired boy beside him. "M-Morning, Natsume…"

"Hmph!" The boy grunted and resumed reading his manga.

Eh?! What the heck is wrong with him? Mikan frowned.

"Stop staring at me and go to your seat, polka-dots." Natsume grunted without looking at her.

"Why you—"

"Buenos dias, mi amore!" Mizu cut her off and snaked his arms on Mikan's waist. "Where were you last night? I miss you…" He gave her cheek a soft peck.

"Oh how sweet!" Nonoko exclaimed. "Such romantic words to hear in the morning."

"Eh?" Mikan shook her head. "Now wait a minute, you guys—"

"Yeah, and with a morning kiss too!" Anna giggled. "But why on the cheek? Don't boyfriends kiss their girlfriends on their lips instead?"

"Yeah. I saw Hotaru and Ruka doing that yesterday in the hallway when they thought no one's around and… Oh oops!" Nonoko gasped. "S-Sorry Hotaru!"

Ruka was blushing hard while holding Hotaru's hands, preventing her to shoot her baka gun at Nonoko. The genius inventor was flushing deep shades of red as well.

Mikan smiled at the couple. "Now, now, listen you guys. You got it all wrong. Mizu isn't my boy—"

"Oh I'm willing to oblige for that kiss," Mizu cut Mikan off. He held her chin and slowly lowered his head.

Oh's and Ah's filled the room as everyone waited for the kiss.

Suddenly, a flame ignited from Natsume's palm just before Mizu close the gap between him and Mikan. "Cut that disgusting scene. Mr. Narumi's here."

Everyone returned to their seats with disappointment on their faces. "What a kill joy…"

Disgusting huh? But he did that to me last night! Mikan thought irritably. And to think that I find him sweet that night! "That pervert jerk!" Mikan was not aware that she said that in a not so loud voice.

"Eh? What was that, Mikan?" Mr. Narumi softly frowned but with a smile on his lips.

"Huh? Ah… N-Nothing, Narumi-sensei!" She faked a laugh, her face red as an apple. So embarrassing! She gave Natsume a sharp look before concentrating on the teacher.

A corner of the raven-haired boy's lips lifted a smile when Mikan gave him that sharp look. He couldn't help to feel a bit happy when he prevented Mizu from kissing her.

But that happiness was washed from his face when he saw Mikan grabbing Mizu's hand after the class and dragged the boy outside the room. "Darn it…"

/ Mizu's Room/

"Ne, Mizu… What was Rinako like"

The purple-eyed boy almost spat the tea he was drinking. "Who told you about her?"

"Baka! It was you. You even called me by that name…"

Mizu remained silent. He walked to couch and sat. Mikan followed and sat beside him. She could see the hesitation in his eyes. But I might not have another chance if I let this one pass.

"Mizu-kins?"

The boy smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "You only call me by that pet name if you're going to ask a favor or you're eagerly curious about something."

Mikan pouted. "Yeah, yeah. But you're not bailing out of this. So you better speak up. ¡Aqui, ahora!" (Here, now!)

Mizu sighed again. "Alright…" He took Mikan's hand and held it firmly between his as if he was getting strength from it. "Back then, the organization has only three members on field missions- myself included, then Natsume and Rinako. She has the Alice of Barrier but Natsume didn't allow her to go on missions. He'd been very protective of her. She was… Natsume's first love…" He gazed at Mikan but the girl remained passive.

"Rinako, despite her protests, stayed at the base to track our movements during our missions. She may look tough on the outside and had strong willed… but her physical state was the opposite. She had a weak heart and susceptible to sickness. That was why Natsume never allowed her to come on field missions. And yet she never failed to protect us during missions." He paused and took a deep breath.

"As you already know, my senses are so well-developed than that of a regular person. And not to Natsume's knowledge or maybe hers too, I can sense her a couple of yards away on our missions… protecting us with her barrier." Mizu's face grimed and unconsciously held Mikan's hand firmer.

"I couldn't stop her from doing that. She was so stubborn and yet I couldn't even hold my ground especially when she looked at me with her dark eyes. My heart softened at a sight of her just like Natsume's heart softened as he looked and held her..."

"And you loved her…" It was a statement coming from Mikan.

Mizu became anxious and thought if he would deny Mikan's statement. He looked at her, still passive from their conversation. "Yes." He whispered in submission. "But looking at them together… how happy they were before… I couldn't spoil that happiness just because of my feelings."

"Did she know about how you felt for her?"

"Yes… I accidentally told her about that… And yet she just smiled at me… I know then that she really loved Natsume and I can only be her friend… And I respect that…"

"Unrequited love, eh?"

"Yeah, you can say that…" The smile didn't reach his eyes. "I asked her not to tell about that to Natsume. I didn't want to create a gap on our friendship. As long as they're happy… as long as Rinako's happy… that's fine with me… I can live with that…"

"How did… How did Rinako…" Mikan's voice trailed off, not sure if she wanted to continue her question. Of course, she already knew the answer.

"How did Rinako die?" Mizu finished her question; his face went grimmer. "It… It was during one of our mission… She… She t-took the bullet that was meant for Natsume…" He gripped Mikan's hand harder but she didn't complain and remained silent. "I told her not to come but she didn't listen… When we lost connection from the base, she hurriedly went to the site ignoring my warning."

The purple-haired boy gritted his teeth. "She was exhausted from the running that time and couldn't produce the barrier immediately. Instead, she blocked Natsume from the shot with her body." He tightly closed his eyes. "I s-saw blood gushing from her chest… I saw her d-dying… And Natsume… For the first time, I saw him crying… Yet I couldn't do anything… I lost my two best friends from that incident—when Rinako passed away and when Natsume left Spain and stayed here in Japan…"

Mikan felt Mizu's body quivered. "If only I could do something back then… If only I could trade places with Rinako… Then maybe I could still see them happy… I could still see Rinako's smile…" His voice quivered. "I'm worthless…"

Mikan's heart tightened. "Hush now, don't say that…" She gathered the boy on her arms. She knew he would be deeply crushed if they continue their topic. "It was nobody's fault… Not Rinako's, not Natsume's and definitely not yours… It was an accident… A sheer work of fate."

They sat in silent for a moment, not moving an inch; Mikan still holding Mizu. He felt her warmth and it calmed him. It felt good.

"Mikan?"

"Hmmm?"

"Haven't I told you… Rinako… I mean she looked just like you… except for the eyes… Hers was dark."

"Yeah…Dark as the night…" Mikan murmured.

"What?"

"Er… nothing…" Mikan shook her head. "Anyway, do you think… that's the reason why Natsume is so aloof at me since I came here? Because… I remind him of… Rinako?"

"…"

"Mizu?"

That's what I'm intended to find out, the lad thought instead he said, "Surely he has other reasons why he acts like that towards you."

"And one of them is because I look like his girlfriend."

"Oh Mikan, that's not what I meant. I—"

"I get your point, Mizu." Mikan smiled. "But considering how he avoids me or how he threw insults at me… Or how he pisses me off whenever I tried to be close to him… Maybe I do really remind him of Rinako… that's why he hates to see me…" Mikan whispered. "He doesn't care… even when I told him that I love him…" The last sentence was uttered very low but the words were picked up by Mizu's keen senses.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's drop this nonsense subject." Mizu stood up. "For whatever reason Natsume has, don't let that get into you, okay? He's just stubborn." He sneered. "And whatever things that had got to do with Rinako was all in the past." Then he held his hand towards Mikan. "Come on, let's go for a walk or better yet, let's go to Central Park. I miss eating fluff puffs."

Mikan nodded and took his hand. "Yeah, you're right. Let's bring Ruka and Hotaru too." I can't let Mizu see this pain I feel. And still I don't know what those kisses back then meant or why Natsume acted like that… I don't care anymore.

She smiled at Mizu when she saw him frowned at her. I'll live, another pain won't mind… Because I never want to see those pain in Natsume's nor Mizu's eyes again… Not if I can help it.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

/ P.E. CLASS, TRACK FIELD /

"Whoah! Look how Mikan runs!" Anna's jaw dropped.

"Amazing!" Nonoko's eyes sparkled. "And look how Mizu keeps up with her!"

The girls of Mizu's fans club shrieked as the handsome boy passed their way. He flashed his sweetest smile at then which made the girls faint.

"Damn it, Mizu! Don't do that!" Mikan yelled.

"Do what?"

"That! Making those poor girls faint! They might her their head or something!"

"Oh! Are you jealous?"

Mikan smirked. "Fat chance. Now, this is a race. Be serious about it or I won't be satisfied on my victory!" She grinned and picked up her pace leaving the boy a couple of feet away.

Mizu sighed. At least, she had forgotten our conversation about Rinako. He doubled his pace to catch up with Mikan.

The whole class watched the two ran with open mouths. Mikan ran with swiftness and grace. She was like a gazelle. Mizu, on the other hand, was like a panther with his stealthy yet powerful steps. And in seconds, he outran Mikan to the finish line.

"Dang it! You just got lucky this time!" Mikan said while slightly panting.

Mizu chucked as he reached for a towel and wiped the sweat on Mikan's face.

"Ah, how sweet!" Anna giggled.

"Uh oh…" Ruka shook his head when he saw his best friend's hands slightly quiver and heat emerging from it.

"Hey, lovebirds. Better break it up or you might start a blood shed." Hotaru said nonchalantly while eating her dessert.

"Eh? What do you mean by that?" Mikan frowned.

"Idiot." Hotaru sighed and slightly titled her head on her right side.

Mizu followed and grinned. "Oh now I get it." He lowered his head and whispered to Mikan. "Over there on the bench."

Still frowning, Mikan followed the direction Mizu was gazing. Then she stood still and gasped when a pair of red orbs met her auburn eyes. For a moment, they stared at each other as if they were the only persons in the field.

Mikan broke the trance and lowered her gaze. "I… I'll go ahead and take a shower," She murmured and headed to the shower room.

"Ah… Okay…" Mizu said. Eh? What happened? That's not the reaction I was expecting. He looked back on the bench but Natsume was no longer there. I guess I was wrong… Mikan is still thinking about what we've discussed yesterday.

Mikan sighed as she drenched herself in the shower. Mizu didn't say directly that I'm reminding Natsume of Rinako… But still… She sighed again. I should keep my distance from now on… It might ease the pain he's feeling… She lathered and soaped to her body.

But what's with the kiss? What does it mean? She unconsciously touched her lips and remembered how the boy softly kissed her in the garden… Natsume's firm lips… His sweet breathe… His intoxicating smell… His broad chest… His… "Argh! Just stop your delusions, Mikan!" She scolded herself and smacked her head. "Just keep your distance and everything will be alright!"

"Keep your distance? Can you really do that?" A voice softly chuckled.

"What the—who goes there?" Mikan turned off the shower and opened the cubicle's door but she was alone.

"¡Mierda! (Shit!) Am I losing my wits?" The girl shook her head. "My imagination's playing with me. I'd better hurry up or I'll be late on my next class." She finished her shower and hurriedly put her clothes on.

"¡Hola!" Mizu greeted her outside the shower room but his eyes were somewhat worried.

"What's wrong?" Mikan asked.

"I should be asking you that."

"…"

"Well?"

The brown-eyed girl sighed. "There's nothing wrong. I'm fine, really. There's nothing to worry about."

Mizu stared at her for a moment and shrugged. "Alright, whatever you say." They went to their next class holding hands. She ignored the burning stare coming from the boy on her back. She also resisted the urge to look back. During lunch break, she skipped meal and waited for Mizu in the garden.

And at Hotaru's place, she tactically excused herself when Ruka came with the raven-haired boy. "Oh hey, Mikan! Good timing. We're going to Central Park. Wanna come?"

"W-well… Er… That's g-great… But Mizu and I have p-plans for today so I guess I'll pass…" She explained, her eyes remained on Ruka.

Natsume secretly nudged his best friend. "Ah right… But mind if I ask what will you guys do?" Ruka asked with innocent face.

"I… Er… Mizu wants to go swimming and uh… We'll be meeting our comrades… I mean friends! Y-yeah friends… from Spain…" Mikan winced inwardly from her lies.

"Oh really? Then can we come too? To meet your friends…" Ruka's sweat dropped as Natsume nudged him again. Darn it, Natsume! Why don't you ask her yourself?

"I… ah… Well…." Mikan stammered.

"Oh come on, Ruka. Honestly! We should leave them with their friends." Hotaru said coolly. "I mean I'm pretty sure they miss Mikan as she misses them too… And we don't want to get on their way… So we should let Mikan hang with them for today. Right, Mikan?"

"Er… I guess so…"

"Right. But promise me that you'll join us for a picnic tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah… Sure…" Mikan sighed in relief and mouthed the words "thank you" to Hotaru when the two boys were not looking.

"Ah… I see…" Ruka greeted his teeth when Natsume kept on nudging him. "Well… If that's the case then we really shouldn't disturb them and save the introductions next time." He gave his best friend as stern look.

"R-right… I'll introduce you to them next time." Mikan smiled when she noticed the stern look on Ruka's face. Hotaru… Ruka… I owe you guys big time…

"Yeah right… It seems your guy is currently flirting with that girl…" Natsume finally spoke.

"I-I'd better go now…" She ignored the boy. "See you later, Hotaru…Ruka…Er… Bye." She ran towards Mizu who was making a girl blush from head to toe.

"Come on now, loverboy. Stop hypnotizing the poor girl." Mikan smiled at the girl and pulled Mizu away.

Mizu chuckled and placed his arm on Mikan's shoulder. "You jealous, mi amore? Don't be. You're still my number one."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever!" Mikan snorted and walked faster.

"Hey! Slow down! I don't want to trip in front of a girl." Mizu complained. "What's the rush—Oh, I see…" He grinned when he saw the couple and Natsume a few yards away. He waved at Ruka and Hotaru then winked at Natsume as he pulled Mikan closer to him.

The flame caster gritted his teeth so hard that the genius inventor and blonde boy actually heard the grinding of his molars. His eyes almost emitted flames.

"Well, we'd better go now." Hotaru whispered to Ruka.

"Oh right…" Ruka murmured. "Uhmm… Natsume, you still coming to— … or not…" He sighed as he watched his best friend leaped to the trees.

Hotaru held Ruka's hand. "Come on. Let's leave him alone for now."

"But… He's…"

"Sooner or later he'll come to his senses… He still doesn't want to admit it to himself." She smiled and held his face. "It will all be alright."

"I guess so…" The young lad kissed the tip of her nose. "It will all be fine… Just like us…"

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

2 weeks later…

"Mizu, where the heck are you?" Mikan frowned while gripping her cell phone. It took five attempts before Mizu picked up his phone.

"Spain, señorita. I have to run some errands for Narumi-sensei." The boy replied.

"Darn it! You should have brought me with you!" Mikan hissed while peering at the forest.

The purple-haired boy was caught between Mikan's pleas and the piercing glares of Natsume whenever he was dragged away by Mikan to avoid the flame caster. He sighed in relief when he was called by Narumi.

"I'll be back very soon…" Just let me breath for now. Sooner or later Natsume's going to burn my ass if this keep up. "Mire, Mikan… It's been weeks… You don't have to do this—"

"Are we back to square one again?" Mikan's lips thinned.

"¡Ay caramba! Alright! Alright!" Jeez, I'd rather face Natsume's flame than this girl's rage. I just have to bring these documents to Grandpa—"

"Hurry up then!" Mikan cut him off again and ended the call. She flipped her cell phone back to her pocket.

Mizu's purple eyes focused on his phone when he heard the busy tone. "¡Mierda! She hung up on me again." He shook his head and went to Mr. Hasegawa's office.

Mikan sighed irritably. I promised to keep an eye on him… To protect him… But I have to do that in a distance…. I just have to stay away from Natsume… For him to forget the past… his pain… I don't want to cause him pain just because I remind him of Rinako… "Mizu, work with me here… I'm sorry for using you like this to get away from Natsume… But… It's just that… I'm…" Mikan sighed again. "How am I going to explain it to Mizu while apologizing at the same time for using him?"

"Mikan?"

The girl tensed as he whirled. "Oh, H-Hotaru…"

"Why are you talking to yourself? And what the heck are you doing in here?" The genius inventor asked.

"I… ah…"

"We're supposed to meet at the bus station thirty minutes ago. Everyone's looking for you…"

"W-Why?"

"Duh! We're going to Central Park today, remember?" Hotaru's eyebrow rose.

"Oh! Oh yeah… I forgot…" Mikan faked a laugh. "I'm getting forgetful this days…"

Her best friend stared at her for a moment. "Is there a problem?"

"Eh? No, no problemo…"

"You're lapsing in Spanish. I don't know if Mizu noticed this but you developed a habit of lapsing in Spanish when… let's see… either your are nervous and hiding something… or it's about Natsume…" Hotaru tilted her head. "And I believe it's about the latter."

"What? Oh no, no. It's… It's just that Mizu and I were just busy and… and we're checking if the Spanish branch has small missions for us to kill some time." Mikan blabbered unconsciously.

"Missions?" Hotaru frowned.

"M-m-missions? Oh right." Mikan mentally slapped her head. "Y-You already knew about our track and field club right? W-well, Grandpa- I mean Mr. Hasegawa g-gave us a mission to recruit some students interested in our c-club." Please… Please… I hope she's convinced with that…

"Mikan?"

"Y-yes, Hotaru?"

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Mikan gulped. "I-I'm not h-hiding anything! N-no secrets, right? I'm honest… I'm loyal… Soy fiel y madura en mentalidad tambien… Pero soy mentirosa a veces como hoy… No! No hoy pero—"

"You're lapsing in Spanish again…" Hotaru cut her off while shaking her head. "Alright, I know that whatever you're hiding—"

"I-I'm not—"

"Stop. Let me finish." The raven-haired girl placed her index finger on Mikan's lips. "I'm not going to force you to speak today. Whatever you're hiding, I know it's for the best. But once it's over, you better tell me whatever that is, okay?"

Tears welled in Mikan's eyes. "Oh Hotaru… Thank you…"

Her best friend hugged her. "Just be careful, okay? I'll leave you to Mizu's hands. Ugh! I don't like him because of his habit of flirting but I do trust him in protecting you."

"He's trustworthy and strong."

"He was Natsume's former comrade, right?" She saw Mikan's bewilderment. "Ruka told me that." She continued. "Though I don't know what sort of organization they were in at that time, the fact that Natsume agreed to be his comrade means Mizu must be really good."

"Yes, he is. Oh Hotaru, I promise that once everything's settled, I'll tell you everything."

"Right. And lemme guess, that would be a hundred years from now?" Hotaru snickered.

Mikan smiled sheepishly.

"Mikan…"

That voice! Mikan stood frozen. "H-Hotaru, I…ah…"

Hotaru rolled her eyes. "I guess you're not coming to Central Park with us since you're having a date with Mizu." She spoke making sure that the boy heard it.

Mikan groaned before leaning forward to give Hotaru a peck on the cheek. "You didn't have to do that."

Hotaru grinned. "Oh damn me, I'm such a cruel person."

"Oh how right you are." Mikan chuckled. "I'd better go now. See you later." She gave Hotaru a quick hug before running towards the dormitory.

"What the—Hey Mikan, wait!" Natsume shouted but the girl ignored him. "Chikushou!"

The genius inventor smiled at his curse. "You got it bad."

The boy gave her an irritating look. "D'you know why Mikan's avoiding me lately?"

Hotaru shrugged. "She didn't tell me… I was hoping you could tell me the reason. But then, that's what you've been telling her from the start, right? To stay away from you…" She noticed a very rare emotion that crossed in the boy's eyes for a fleeting moment—pain.

"Where is she going now?" Natsume asked; returning to his cold state.

"Oh, you didn't hear me a while ago?" Hotaru raised a brow.

"You said she's having a date with Mizu…" Natsume replied through his clenched teeth. "But where exactly are they going?"

"Sorry, she didn't tell me either." She tapped his shoulder. "Wherever they're going, I hope they'll have a great time."

"Great time, my ass…" The boy muttered.

Hotaru forced not to smile. "Oh, by the way, everyone's already at the bus station. You coming?"

He sighed sharply. "Nah, I'll pass. Tell Ruka I've got something else to do." He leaped and vanished through the woods.

Hotaru's really good on handling things. She knows when to take actions and when to keep silent. She's one of a kind. Ruka, you lucky boy! Hehehe Too bad, they aren't like the other couple. Yep, just when Natsume started to make his move, Mikan decided to keep her distance. Dang! What's Nastume's next step be? A kiss perhaps? Hmmm… And talk about the playboy Mizu with a serious face? Something's definitely wrong. Find out more on the next chapter—The Dream.