DISCLAIMER: Gakuen Alice isn't mine. That's all I have to say…
Here's another chapter of my story. Actually, I've just re-uploaded this chapter to fix some of the errors I've made to avoid confusion with the characters. Hope you'll like it. I've added a brief romantic encounter for the NatsumexMikan lovers. :-)
To Nils, thanks for the comments. I really appreciate it. :-)
Enjoy reading...
CHAPTER 9: The Dream
A soft breeze caressed Mikan's cheeks as the wind blew mildly. She inhaled the sweet scent coming from the wildflowers. She smiled at the bouquet she was making. She looked up and enjoyed the view of the meadow she was in when something caught her attention.
It was a small bush but its flowers were already blooming to its fullest. The flowers were bright red like blood and were blazing like flames as the wind blew softly between the petals. It reminded her of a pair of precious red orbs… of Natsume's eyes.
Mesmerized, Mikan stood and approached the flowers. She bent and stretched her arms to touch the flower when she saw another hand reaching it.
"Oh!" Mikan gasped. "You startled me!"
"Lo siento, I didn't mean to startle you," a soft voice replied.
Mikan frowned. I've heard that voice before… She lifted her face to see the owner of the voice and managed to contain another gasp. "Rinako?"
The stranger shook her head and smiled. "No, menina…"
Oh. Mikan peered at the girl. Her hair was the same color as mine only she's wearing it lose, she thought and wished that she wear her hair lose as well instead of in ponytails. Rinakos's eyes were black. Her eyes are almost the same color as mine only hers are with a darker tint.
She saw the stranger's eyes flickered but decided to ignore it.
"It's impolite to stare," the girl spoke softly again.
"Oh, s-sorry…" Mikan slightly blushed. "I… ah haven't seen you before. Are you a new student here?"
"Well… Not really…"
"Oh then a transferee perhaps?"
"Uhmm… sort of…" The stranger smiled.
A wicked smile but Mikan couldn't help but to be marveled at the girl's feature… Somewhat between cool and sultry. And she has that mysterious aura that gives me the creeps… The way her eyes flickered yet again… I couldn't seem to ignore that… I can't explain but there's something in those eyes that bothers me… Not a typical student… Who is she? Mikan composed herself but did not let her guard down. Her mind was calculating the possible reasons and tactics to get some details.
"You know you should be careful with that boy…"
"W-what?"
"The boy you were kissing the other night… Black Cat."
"How did you—"
"You should stay away from him before you hurt yourself again… He's a cold-blooded guy who cares about no one but himself."
"You… You don't know Natsume. He cares for his friends… Don't talk like you know everything about him or me. You don't even know about us," Mikan spoke in a grim tone.
"Oh I know you well, Mikan dear…" The stranger tilted her head and smiled.
"What the—how did you know my name? Who are you really?"
"I know how that boy made you cry a lot of times and by that, he doesn't deserve to be loved at all," she continued ignoring Mikan. "You don't deserve a guy like that. Don't be affected with his kisses, menina. He's just using you."
"Shut up! He's… Natsume… he's not like that…" Mikan clenched her fists. "He cares for his friends… And you don't know anything about him… his pain… his sufferings… So you don't have the right to judge him like that."
The girl stilled for a moment. "Mikan dear, I know how it feels to lose someone you love the most." She sighed. "Look, I don't want to fight or something. I'm just trying to help you… to warn you about that guy… I don't want you to get hurt again."
"You're trying to help me?" Mikan blinked. This girl is nuts. She'd talked bad things about Natsume that almost lose my temper and now she's saying that? She stared at the girl again. I'm not quite sure but it seems that she's somewhat familiar. I think I know her… Something was tugging from Mikan's mind but she couldn't get a grasp on the idea.
"Yes, I'm trying to help you.,, to convince you to stay away from that boy before he hurt you or you hurt yourself."
"But… I can't… Because I promised to myself that I would… stay by his side… to protect him…" And because… I love him. Mikan sighed helplessly. My training didn't help me forget about him… All the confusion made her weary.
The stranger heaved a sigh. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Think about it, Mikan… Think what he has done to you." The girl picked up a flower and gave it to Mikan. "Think of the pain he'd inflicted on you."
Mikan stared at the flower. "Who are you?" She asked but the girl was no longer in sight. Damn. She stared at the flower again. Its petals were deep red like blood and blazing like red flame. Just like the flame tattooed on her chest. Black Cat's mark. Flame azalea.
Mikan lied on her side as she stretched and opened her eyes. A dream? She frowned as she recalled it. Who was that girl? She stretched again and rolled on her other side. What a weird dream.
"Buenos dias, sleepy head…"
Mikan sat up from the bed and whirled to see Mizu sitting on a chair near her bed and watching her with great amusement.
"Mizu! Darn it! Don't come barging into my room like that!" She stood unaware that she was wearing a silk lingerie which was clinging to her body like a second skin.
The boy's purple eyes flickered at the site. "Well, well, well… Somebody's improving her taste in clothing."
Mikan gasped as she looked at herself. "Darn it! I forgot that I'm not wearing my pajamas! She threw a pillow at Mizu and hurried to the bathroom. "I forgot to wash my pajamas so I—Ugh! Why am I explaining myself to you? What are you doing in my room anyway?"
"What? I can't hear you. You want me to come there and join you?" Mizu teased.
"Don't you dare!" Mikan shouted from the bathroom while taking a quick shower.
The boy dropped himself on the bed while patiently waiting for Mikan. "She's so cute when she's throwing a temper."
"Now, listen up!" Mikan spoke while combing her hair. "I don't want you barging into my room like that from now on."
Mizu smile faded. "But Mikan, I've been doing that since we became partners in Spain."
"Yeah and I'm just lucky that I'm already dressed up whenever you came to my room." Mikan muttered and sat on the sofa.
"You're a bit crabby today." Mizu stood up from bed and sat beside Mikan. "That's not like you."
Mikan sighed. "I'm sorry if I yelled at you. It's just the I had a terrible dream."
"You mean a nightmare?" The purple-haired lad spoke and gently gathered the girl in his arms.
"No, not actually a nightmare… but it was really… weird." Mikan shrugged and told him about the dream.
"Weird huh?" Mizu contemplated when Mikan finished her story; his face was already serious and soft furrows formed on his forehead, "Really weird but…" he hesitated then dismissed the thought. All the while he was unaware that he was holding Mikan in a protective manner.
"Ano… Mizu?"
"Hmm?"
"It was just a dream… You don't have to hold me like I'm in danger or something," Mikan smiled and placed her head on the lad's shoulder. "Sometimes you're so overprotective, you know that?" She smiled again. "But I'm glad I have a friend like you. Well, Hotaru's my very best friend though."
"A friend huh?" Mizu pouted.
The girl chuckled. "Of course, not just a friend. A special friend."
"Special?" Mizu's eyes twinkled wickedly. "How special? Like a special friend who gives you a morning kiss?" He teased and inched closer.
Mikan pinched his both cheeks. "You're my special friend alright but don't abuse it." She stood up and went to the kitchen. "I'll go make us tea."
Mizu sighed and splayed himself on the bed. Special friend huh? For some reason, he grimaced at the thought then focused on Mikan's dream. A very unusual dream indeed…
But then… Could it be? No, impossible… He abruptly sat up. I'd better call Andrei and asked him about— His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
"Who are you?"
Mizu blinked at the question when he opened the door then returned a scowl to the stranger. "I should be the one asking that question. Who are you and what do you want?" He asked grimly.
"Hey DP, I heard someone knocking—Tsubasa-sempai!" Mikan shrieked and ran towards the door then threw herself on the young man's open arms. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you for the past week!" She grinned. "Chasing after Misaki-sempai again?"
Tsubasa laughed. "No, I ran some errands for Noda-sensei. And why would I chase Misaki?" He looked amused.
Mizu grunted. "Lo siento, but you guys are forgetting that I'm here." He snatched the girl from Tsubasa's arms and held her on his own in a protective manner.
Eh? What's this? Another jealous guy? Tsubasa secretly grinned. Mikan's beauty and awesome personality is really a knock out. "Mikan, since when did you allow other boys to sleep in your room? I thought you like the firecaster?"
"Eh? No! This is DP—er… I mean Mizu. He's my partner back in Spain and I don't let any other boys sleep in my room—well he's different because I know him so well now and he's like a—"
"Alright! Alright! Come down, Mikan. I'm just teasing you. I get your point," Tsubasa spoke soothingly then turned to the other boy. "Hi there. I'm Tsubasa."
"Encantado." (Please to meet you.) Mizu nodded.
"Sorry about what happened awhile ago. I was really surprised to find a guy in Mikan's room… Well not unless you're trying to end your life early." Tsubasa cocked his head.
"Si, I get the picture."
Mikan gaped at Mizu. She was quite amused that the boy greeted and even talked with Tsubasa. Except from the members of Arcangelion, he's usually a snob when it comes to other guys. Then she grinned and whispered, "You do recognize tough opponents, don't you?"
Mizu raised a brow and tried to object but Mikan was already talking to Tsubasa. "So what brings you here, sempai?" She stepped inside taking Mizu with her. "Let's talk inside."
"Er… I'd rather not…" Tsubasa grinned. With that guy's sharp stares, I'd rather stay out and spare myself from bruises. "I just came by to tell you that I'll be going to Spain to train too."
"You're what?!?" the two jolted.
Tsubasa looked at their stricken face. "Ah… I don't know if it's just me but your reactions are telling me that it's not a good idea and I'd better not go."
"Yes!" Mizu said with conviction.
"No!" Mikan countered back. "I mean, it's good… I-It's just that we were not informed." She nudged Mizu. "Right, Mizu?"
"Si. It's very rare to our boss… er… I mean Mr. Hasegawa to not inform us first hand regarding this matter. Anyway, who told you to go?"
"Narumi-sensei…" Tsubasa replied while looking back and forth between Mizu and Mikan. "Is there something wrong?"
"Nada. I guess Narumi-sensei just forgot to inform me as well." Mizu shook his head. "Anyway, good luck then…" His eyes flickered. "I just hope you'll survive."
" Mizu!" The brown-eyed girl barked. "Knock it off!" She turned to Tsubasa. "Don't mind him, sempai. Anyway, since you're going to Spain, that means you've acquired new Alice. What is it?"
"Oh that… Well, I could capture a person's shadow and turn it against its owner… You know, it's like fighting your own self."
"Whoah! That is so cool!" Mikan's eyes twinkled. "Dang it! I wish I had Alice as cool as yours."
"Mikan, your Alices are cool too… In fact, they're not just cool… they're… astounding." Mizu placed his arm on Mikan's shoulder. "One of a kind… Powerful and amazing just like you."
"Oh quit pulling my leg, Mizu!" Mikan nudged him again in the stomach.
"Wonderful, isn't she?" The purple-haired lad asked Tsubasa.
"Oh yes. A really wonderful and amazing young woman… and the pretty face is an added bonus too…"
"Oh not you too, sempai!" Mikan flushed furiously.
Tsubasa chuckled while a corner of Mizu's lips twitched.
"I'd better go now." The older guy said while looking at his watch. "My ride will be arriving soon." Then he turned to Mizu. "Take care of this little brat, okay? She's sometimes stubborn but then again you already know it by now, huh?"
"Yup. And sure, I'll take care of this pretty little one. You don't have to ask."
"Good." Tsubasa nodded and smiled at the other guy's controlled animosity. Oh boy, this guy and the firecaster are really fun to tease. In fact I'd like to tease him more… He opened his arms towards Mikan. The girl stepped forward and hugged him. Yep, they're both the same. If looks could kill, I'd probably stabbed to death by now.
"I'm going to miss you, sempai."
"Same here…" He kissed the top of her head. "And… Could you look after Misaki for me?"
Mikan's face beamed. "Of course. But be sure to hurry back here or she might end up being with someone else. Like this other guy." She grinned.
The shadow manipulator looked at Mizu. He winked at the younger boy before lowering his head to Mikan's ear and whispered, "Oh, I doubt that. Misaki will definitely wait for me. And besides, I think that guy already has someone in mind. And I'd better let you go now before the other guy sees me. I really don't want to go to Spain with a broken limb."
"Huh?" The girl stared at him. "What do you mean?"
Tsubasa chuckled and nodded towards Mizu. "He's just like Natsume… so protective of you."
"Oh."
"That guy seems very close to you." The purpled-haired guy commented when Tsubasa left.
"Eh? You jealous, DP?"
"Quit calling me that. Someone might hear you." He hissed. "And what if I am jealous?" His face was dead serious.
Mikan stood frozen on the boy's statement. Could he really be jealous? Then a spark suddenly tingled on her mind. Or… could it be that I'm also reminding him of--
"Gotcha! Mizu suddenly exclaimed and pinched Mikan's cheeks. "You really thought I'm jealous huh?"
"Why you! Comeback here and lemme give you a good spanking, you conceited oaf!" She rushed towards the boy. He's just teasing me… I'm just thinking too much… She sighed in relief.
"Hey now, calm down. I'm just kidding-- Oh hey! Watch it! You could have rendered me paralyze with that kick!" Mizu laughed and yelped as he avoided Mikan's chops and kicks.
XXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Mikan found herself standing in an open field. Where am I? What is this place--Oh! She covered her face as the wind blew hard on her before finally turning into a soft breeze. She slowly opened her eyes and froze.
She couldn't help herself to blink a couple of times. "What the-- Cielos… T-This place… It's… breathtaking…"
From a bare field, the place transformed into a field with wildflowers blossoming everywhere. On the center was a wisteria tree. Its flowers swayed gracefully from the breeze. She walked towards the tree while examining the flowers on the way.
Lavender… Lilac… Clematis… Clustered bellflower… Long-stalked Crane's bill… Mikan frowned a little. She looked back to where she came from and saw the place were covered with meadow beauties. Most of the flowers were in different shades but with the basic color: Purple.
Amazing… Some of these are not in season yet… And this one grows only in Spain… She breathed the scents. "It smells heavenly…" She closed her eyes only to open them again when she sensed a movement from the wisteria tree. "Who goes there? Show yourself!"
"¡Ah, muy bien!" The figure gracefully jumped from the tree and landed on the ground with a soft thud. "And I thought your senses where no longer as sharp as before. I was wrong." The stranger smiled at her. "Hola, menina. Como esta?"
"You…" The girl in my dream… Am I dreaming again then? "Who are you?" Mikan stepped back.
The stranger softly chuckled. "Calma, menina. I have no wish to hurt you."
"Why won't you tell me your name?" Mikan unconsciously posed herself to a fighting stance. I must not let my guard down. Her aura really bothers me.
"You'll know it soon enough but for the meantime, call me whatever you like." The girl said cheerfully and picked a flower. "Anyway, do you like my garden?"
"Oh yes, it's lovely-- Hey! Don't change the subject! What do you want?" Mikan hissed. "Why are you in my dream--… This is a dream, isn't it?"
"Hmmm… Maybe…" The girl smiled. "Look, I'm not an enemy so you can relax now, por favor. I mean you no harm."
Mikan relaxed a little but she kept her guard up. "You haven't answer my question. What are you doing here really?"
The stranger tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Why, I just wanted to talk with you. You've been doing a fine job these days."
"Job?"
"Avoiding Natsume, of course." The stranger smiled sweetly. "Keep it up."
Mikan managed to contain her gasp. "How did you-- Oh! Never mind! You probably won't answer it anyway." She looked at the wildflowers again. "I see you're fond of various shades of purple."
"Oh! Aren't they lovely?"
"Yeah. But why only purple?"
"They remind me of a boy I know… He has purple hair and eyes… I miss him…"
Mizu? Nah, must be a coincidence… "And where is this boy?"
Mikan saw the stranger's eyes clouded for a few seconds before returning to her cheerful state. She smiled at her and said, "Actually, I don't know but I know I'm going to see him soon." There was conviction on the stranger's eyes that Mikan found a little disturbing… alarming…
"You're weird. This place is weird. And I'm definitely having a weird dream." Mikan took a deep breath and exhaled softly. "Oh well, might as well play along with it." She inhaled again and savored the scents of the flowers from the wind. "So what do you want to talk about?"
"Your tattoo."
"M-My what?!" Suddenly Mikan's entire body tensed. "How did you--"
"Why don't you just remove it?" The stranger cut her off.
"You think I haven't tried?" The brown-eyed girl said tersely. "Now, tell me… Who told you about my tattoo? I kept the mark nor the person who gave me this well-hidden. And the two people who only know about this swore to secrecy." There's no way they'll ever tell that secret.
The stranger tilted her head again. "And the one who can only remove that tattoo is the same person who did it, right?"
Mikan remained silent. She stared at the bluish-purple rose not far from where she sat to hide her emotion. No… There's no way this person know who gave me this--
"It's Natsume who gave you that mark…" The stranger spoke slowly. " Why don't you let him remove that?"
Mikan's head jerked up. Adrenaline kicked in and her senses sharpened to its fullness. "You… Who gave you all these information?" She stood up; shields strong as iceberg.
"Ahora, don't do anything drastic. There's no need for that--"
"Answer me, now!" Mikan greeted her teeth and posed for a fight.
"Por favor, Mikan… Calm down…" The stranger stood up.
For some reason, there was something in the air that stirred at the stranger's movement. The soft breeze was gone. Even the wisteria tree stood silent. She can control this place? But this is my dream! I should be controlling this! Mikan thought barely controlling her emotion. She tried to use her Dreamweaver Alice. It's not working! Is she using Alice? Then, how's this? She released enough energy of her Nullification Alice that could disperse other Alices within a mile. It's not working either! Panic crept through her skin.
"Relax Mikan, please." The stranger's voice was soft and soothing.
And to Mikan's shock, she felt her shield lowering. What the--
"Please… Calm down…"
Mikan felt herself sinking beneath the stranger's voice. Her eyelids started to feel heavy. Her iceberg shield started to melt fast. No! She stepped back as the stranger approached her. She felt the lowers brushing her legs and slightly winced when a thorn scratched her.
She looked at the flower at the corner of her eyes yet not wanting to remove her focus on the stranger.
She summoned all her willpower and tried to block the stranger's voice. Then she lowered her hand to break a rose stem while maintaining her other hand posed for a possible attack. "Don't come any closer! I've had enough of this!" I have to get out of this dream!
"No! Don't do that!" The stranger begged.
She gripped the rose stem and felt the prick of its thorns. If this is a dream then I shouldn't be feeling pain. Am I in a trance? Is this trance channeling or something?
"Mikan please stop that! You're gonna hurt yourself."
The place seemed to waver as the pain increased. Alright then… She gripped the stem harder pushing the thorns through her palm deeper. Wake up, Mikan! She thought hard as the pain seared. There! She saw the field vanishing. More pain! She gritted her teeth again to contain herself from shouting. The stranger's voice already dissolving. She couldn't help to close her eyes tightly to contain her tears.
Wake up, Mikan! Wake up… Open your eyes and wake up…
She tried to open her eyes again but she no longer could. Her eyelids were to heavy. But I must wake up…
Damn it, Mikan! Wake up or I swear I'll wring your lovely neck!
She managed to smile at her thought. She sounded like Mizu when nervous. Then she frowned. Hold on… She focused again on the voice on her head.
Wake up, you idiot! You have to wake up! There's no way I'm going to lose you!
Lose you? She frowned again. Lose myself? No, that's not right…
She listened again. No… That's not me… It's not my thoughts at all… The voice was somewhat familiar. She tried to open her eyes again and focus on the faint voice. She was lost in the pain.
That's it! Fight! Fight Mikan! Wake up, please. I don't want to lose you now…
There it was again… That aching thought… That familiar voice… Who is it? She balled her fist and gathered her remaining strength.
Mikan bolted from her bed and gasped for air. She opened her eyes and glanced wildly at her surroundings. "What-- W-Where am I--"
"Oh thank goodness!"
Mikan stiffened as she found out herself enclosed in a pair of arms… with fierce embrace… and with achingly familiar feeling… It felt as if she belonged in those strong arms.
"I… I'd thought I'd lost you back there…" There was relief on owner of the voice she heard in her dream.
The girl gasped silently as she recognized the voice. How could she ever forget that voice? "Natsume?" She pushed him gently but the guy wouldn't even budge. "N-Natsume, I'm alright now… You can let go--"
Before she could even finished her words, soft yet firm lips claimed hers. Her senses reeled. Her mind swirled at the waves of the boy's thoughts. Anger… Worry… Relief… Pain… and there's one more… Longing… So much longing it hurts.
Mikan was filled with the boy's emotions and she was drowning… melting… Without really meaning it to happen, her arms went up to his shoulders as if for support. She couldn't think straight and she was deep underwater… The kiss was filled with emotions yet if was soft… So soft… Kisses had never been this soft before…
And she responded to those soft kisses… She wanted to fill the longing on those kisses… to let the pain go away… to cease those worries… The boy moaned to her response and tilted her head to deepen the kiss, changing the pressure of his lips on hers. She sighed contentedly as he pulled her closer. She felt warm and safe. She allowed herself to flow…
Mikan could hear her heart as well as the raven-haired boy's heart pulsating between them and was mesmerized by the powerful thuds. She wanted to feel those thumps with her hands. Then she realized that her hands were still balled into fists. She tried to lower her right arm and unclenched her hand but she winced as pain registered to her melted brain. Her palm was somewhat sweaty too. She half-opened her eyes to peek at her hand.
Blood.
The sweaty and watery stuff on her hand was blood… Her hand was bleeding. She was torn between the firecaster's sweet kisses and pain from her bleeding hand. Then her brain started to function.
The dream… Purple garden…
The stranger… The tattoo…
Rinako!
As if splashed with cold water, Mikan abruptly pushed Natsume away and stood. "Na-Natsume… W-What do you think you're doing? H-How come you're hear?" She could feel the flush building on her cheeks.
Natsume felt a sudden emptiness and fought the urge to pull the girl back to his arms. He cleared his throat. "I… ah… I came here to talk to you… to… ask why you're avoiding me…" He looked at the girl and his eyes landed on her swollen lips.
He wanted to kiss her again. She was never that responsive. She was-- Damn it, Natsume! What is wrong with you? You're ruining your chance to talk to her properly! He silently cursed and mentally hit himself.
The boy cleared his throat again. "I w-was knocking at y-your door w-when I heard you screaming." Damn! Why am I stammering? He exhaled sharply and nodded towards the door. "I blew the door up and--"
"You what?!" Mikan jerked her head towards the door and groaned aloud forgetting the awkward situation. "Did you check if the door was locked or not? Oh great, how am I supposed to explain that to the teachers?"
"To heck with the teachers! I thought you were being attacked and when I saw you, you were thrashing from your nightmare and I couldn't wake you up! Do you know how worried I am?" Natsume snapped.
"I…" Mikan sighed. "I don't mean to make you worry… and… thank you… really… If it wasn't for your voice I heard, I don't know if I would able to wake myself up…"
Natsume's eyes soften as he stared at her. Mikan avoided staring back. Then the boy's gaze landed again to her moist lips. He noticed then that her lips were a bit swollen. He couldn't keep his eyes away from those luscious lips.
He silently cursed himself again and decided to stare at the carpet instead. He frowned at the dark blotches on the carpet. His dizzy mind cleared up when he realized what those blotches were. Blood!
Natsume hurriedly snatched his handkerchief from his back pocket and wrapped it on the Mikan's hand. "Damn it! Why haven't I noticed that wound on you hand?" He swooped her off her feet and carried her back to bed. "Stay there and don't even move!"
Mikan was dumbstruck as she watched Natsume went to the bathroom and came back with a medical kit. He sat beside her and reached for her hand. "Let me look at your wound."
"No! I m-mean it's just a small wound. I-I'll clean it up myself--"
"Give me your hand!"
Mikan sighed and held out her hand. She couldn't argue with those determined red orbs.
He glanced around the bed to find the cause of her wound and clicked his tongue. "Where in the world did you get this wound?" He shook his head. "These are nasty cuts from sharp object… like thorns…" He clicked her tongue again. "Try to be more careful, okay?"
"Ouch!" Mikan winced as he cleaned the wound.
"Oh sorry…" Natsume lowered his head and gently blew on the wound while placing some antiseptic.
Mikan felt the flush returning on her cheeks again. She was not used to the gentle Natsume like what he was now in front of her.
"Feel better?" Natsume asked as he raised her head.
"Yes." Mikan whispered as their gazes locked on each other.
And again, time stood still. Mikan started to melt again with those hooded eyes bored into hers. Natsume couldn't help himself from staring into those lovely eyes that hunted him for years. He couldn't accept the strange feeling before… but now…
The space between then were getting smaller as seconds passed by.
"Mikan…"
"Natsume…"
Their lips were bare inches from each other. The girl could feel the boy's soft breath fanning her face. She felt herself flowing toward him. His lips were almost brushing hers… She only had to raise her head to close the gap between them.
No… Mikan summoned all her control yet again and lowered her gaze.
Natsume sighed. "M-Mikan… Look… I… I'm--"
"Mikan!"
Their head jerked up towads the door and saw Mizu hurriedly ran towards them. "What happened? I saw your door and-- Your hand!" He collared Natsume and snarled, "What did you do to her?"
"Mizu! Stop it!" He didn't do anything!" Then she flushed as she remembered the kiss. She mentally shook herself. "He helped me…"
"Helped you?" He let go of the boy and gave Mikan a confused look.
"Yeah… I… ah… was having a bad… a really weird dream… A-And he woke me up."
"A dream?" Mizu frowned. "About what?"
"Well… It's her… The girl I was talking about before…"
The purple-haired boy nodded and turned towards Natsume. "Lo siento, Natsume… I'll take it from here."
"Oh no you don't!" Natsume replied with gritted teeth. "I need to speak with her and I wanna know what's going on in here! I demand an explanation--"
"I'll go to your dorm and explain it all later," Mizu spoke seriously.
He maybe a playboy and happy-go-lucky person but even the Black Cat doesn't want to see that serious and determined look on the water-manipulator's face.
"I-I'll be just f-fine, Natsume. Don't worry…" Mikan said meekly. "And thank you again."
Natsume exhaled sharply and left the room.
"Wow! That's the first time I saw him obey you without even arguing." She tried to sound cheerful.
"Your dream, Mikan… Tell me all about it." Mizu said while placing bandage on her hand.
"It's n-nothing really. I--" She stopped and sighed at her partner's serious face. She explained about the dream and how Natsume end up saving her. She has excluded the kiss that had happened between them.
"Listen Mikan, If you have the same dream again with the same girl, try to wake yourself up and don't listen to her… And don't injure yourself, please!"
"Mizu, it was just a dream. Don't worry about it--"
"But I am worried!" Mizu snapped. "You hurt yourself because of that dream and I don't want to think what would happened if Natsume didn't come here to wake you up." He sighed sharply. "Just… Just do what I told you, okay?"
"Alright then… If that would make you feel better then I'll do what you've told me to do…" Mikan gave him a reassuring smile.
"Good." Mizu sighed again and held her chin up. "It would be such a shame if one of the elite members of Arcangelion didn't die on battle but on her dream, right?" He grinned and then frowned at her lips. "They're swollen. Have you been biting your lips in your dream?"
Mikan blushed and pulled her face from the boy's hold. "Y-Yeah. Natsume told me t-that I was biting my lip during my dream. Anyway," she stood up. "…I'm going to make us some tea."
Mizu replied as he watched her disappeared from the kitchen door. I'd better tell this to the others. Andrei might have some ideas on this.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you." Mikan shouted from the kitchen. "The girl in my dream… I think she's very fond of purple."
Instantly, the boy looked stricken. "I definitely have to tell this to Andrei." He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Oh mierda! I have to explain things to Natsume as well! He clicked his tongue and immediately dialed Andrei's number. "Andrei, ayudame por favor. (Andrei, help me please.) We might have a problem."
Oh wow! Things are getting intimate between our two heroes huh? Want more intimate interaction between Mikan and Natsume? Or better yet, make Natsume even more jealous? Find out what's it gonna be on the next chapter-- The Bodyguards.