DISCLAIMER: I don't own Gakuen Alice. However, what is written here is a product of my wild imagination combined with ideas from Gakuen Alice - my inspiration in writing.

Gomenasai for being away and leaving the story hanging for so long! There had been unavoidable events that happened. I do hope you would still read my story though. Here's another chapter to start the ball rolling again. Hope you like it. :)

CHAPTER 10: The Bodyguards

The boy with raven black hair kicked the door close before storming towards his bed. He shut his eyes tightly only to realize it was a wrong move. "Damn..."

Images of what had happened in Mikan's room suddenly flooded his thoughts. He shook his head but the thoughts kept drowning him.

He couldn't understand why Mikan was avoiding him. And it really pissed him off when she ran towards Mizu's arms and how the guy held her protectively. He couldn't stand any more of it so he decided to go to the girl's room to have a talk.

He was about to knock at the door when his trained senses caught the muffled voice coming from inside the room. He instinctively blew off the door.

The blood was drained from his face when she saw Mikan thrashing about on bed before lying completely still. He quickly rushed and held the girl in his arms. He tried to wake her up by tapping her cheek but the girl remained still. He shook her body as he called her name.

The firecaster was frantically shouting her name when Mikan finally opened her eyes. He was so relieved that he unconsciously held her tightly and lowered his head, kissing her surprised mouth. His mind swirled when his lips met hers. And oh, how he totally lost himself in the wave when she responded to his kiss.

He was pouring all his emotions and Mikan took them all, filling his longings and easing his tension. His worries disappeared. It felt like his anxieties were swept away. He found peace of mind.

He wanted to prolong the kiss but he sensed Mikan pulling away, finally ending the kiss. He felt empty and wanted to hold her again but he kept still and suppressed his emotion.

Natsume snapped his eyes open, returning to reality and with a sharp sigh, he stood up and fetched a bottle of Seedlip* from his personal ref. Ruka will have a fit if he finds out that I've snuck a bottle from one of my missions. Sorry pal, but I need a drink now, he shook his head at the thought and froze.

Natsume Hyuuga... the famous and reserved Black Cat... needs a drink?

And remember how you stammered a while ago? And how you've lost yourself with the kiss? You let your emotions out, boy… His mind spoke, rewinding what happened again.

The boy quickly opened the bottle, pouring the drink into glass before chugging the content. He grimaced at the taste. How did you end up losing your focus, Natsume? That is so not you. You are always calm and unemotional even on your toughest missions! And yet, you've completely forgotten all your training when it comes to that girl.

He poured himself another drink before sitting on the couch. Snapping his finger, he watched as the flame engulfed the log in the chimney; his face becoming serious again. The look on Mizu's face told me that there's something going on... And I need to find out what that is...

XXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

/ Somewhere in Alice Academy /

"Pardon me, miss..."

Anna turned, only to gasp, eyes widening at the owner of the voice. She couldn't help but blink a couple of times to make sure she wasn't just hallucinating. The girl secretly pinched herself. Ouch! It's not a dream either..."

"Miss?"

"Oh! H-Hai?" Anna replied in a startled gasp.

"Can you please direct us to Narumi-sensei's office?"

"Oh... I-It's that b-building over there." Her shaky hand pointed toward her left but her eyes never left the boy's face. "G-Go straight to the m-main entrance... ground f-floor... second d-door to the r-right," the girl stammered, holding her breath.

The boy flashed a dazzling smile. "Arigatou..."

Anna gulped and managed to smile back as she watched the young lads walk away.

She was still smiling when Nonoko tapped her shoulder. "Hey, you look silly smiling like that. What happened?"

The girl blinked a couple of times and gushed. "Oh Nonoko! I've never seen such a mesmerizing smile until now..."

"Eh? What are you saying?" Nonoko frowned.

"They were asking for directions..."

"Who?"

"Oh Nonoko!" Anna gushed again. "It's...It's like I've been to Olympus and had the chance to meet the Gods!"

"Er… Are you sick or did you hit your head?" Nonoko touched the girl's forehead. "Hmm... no fever… Oh I know! You must be hungry. We haven't eaten since breakfast."

"What? No, I'm telling the truth! I've seen the Gods!"

"Hai hai, wakarimashita..." Nonoko made a face and pushed the girl towards the cafeteria.

"But... but Nonoko-"

"Come on, I'll treat you to a meal today."

XxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Wake up, sleepyhead..."

"Hmm..."

A soft chuckle escaped from Mizu's lips. "Come on, senorita…" He gently poked Mikan's nose.

"Just one more hour, Mizu..." Mikan groaned. "… still... sleepy..."

"Ah, but I can't allow that," the boy spoke softly as he removed a strand of hair from the girl's face.

"Please?" Mikan pleaded in a husky voice, her eyes still closed.

"You skipped our morning exercises," he caressed her cheek. "I can't let you skip our classes as well."

The girl half opened her eyes and frowned. "You look like hell."

"Mizu chuckled again. "Look who's talking?"

After the bizarre dream she had on her afternoon nap, she spent her time with Mizu in the northern forest, trying to forget the dream. They ran the vast grounds of the forest and enjoyed the cold water of the river.

That night, Mizu insisted on staying in her room in case she would have another nightmare. It took an hour of persuasion before Mikan sighed helplessly and allowed him to stay.

She couldn't admit it but deep inside, Mikan felt relieved at the boy's presence. She couldn't whisk away the fear caused by the nightmare but she didn't want to tell him that. But for some reason, she felt relaxed and at ease whenever Mizu was around. The same feeling whenever she's with Hotaru.

Mikan reached and traced the dark circles around Mizu's eye with a finger. "Really, you look terrible. Didn't get enough sleep?"

"I barely slept senorita. I was watching over you while you were sleeping," he gave her a lopsided smile.

Mikan frowned. "Well you shouldn't-" She stopped in mid sentence as the purple-haired lad placed a finger over her lips.

"I was worried about you... You know me..." He traced the contour of Mikan's lips with his finger. Ah, if only...

She gently bit his finger, denting it with her teeth but not hard enough to hurt. "Thank you for worrying and taking care of me. But you see, I'm no longer the naïve and gullible child you met two years ago."

"I know, I know..." He pulled back his hand and made a face as he stared at the dent on his finger. "You've become... not just a swan... but a lovely swan with daggers hidden under its wings." Mizu grinned.

Mikan nodded and grinned back. "So you see, you don't need to worry much. We've been through tough situations but here I am, still in one piece."

The lad gently pinched her cheek and sighed. "Don't get so confident, senorita. And you can't possibly make me not worry about you. I mean... with that figure and lovely face," he gestured toward her. "Not to mention, your deadly punches. You haven't realized yet but you've become a trouble magnet." He made a face. "Andrei will skin me alive if I slack and get you in trouble." His gaze landed on the young woman's bandaged hand and sighed again. "In fact, I'm already in trouble."

"Hmm? What do you mean-," she followed his gaze. "Oh..."

"Yes oh... So you better get up and get sorted." He looked at Mikan, lips curving into that famous smile. "Or maybe you want me to join you for a bath?"

"Hah! In your dreams, loverboy!" She stuck her tongue out.

Mizu shook his head and laughed. "Oh alright, I'll give you 30 minutes. I better get going and get sorted as well."

"You better. Don't want to be seen by your admirers with that zombie look, do you?" She teased.

"Oh please… even with this look, I still look dashing, am I not?" He winked at her.

"My, my how self-conceited can you get?" Mikan threw a pillow at him.

The lad caught it and grinned, "Besides, what I want to see is the look on Natsume's face when he finds out that I stayed in your room for the whole night."

Mikan's eyes widened. "W-What?! No! Don't you dare! H-He might get the wrong idea!"

"Exactly." Mizu's grin widened, his eyes twinkling.

"Why you-"

"Hey, I'm just teasing you, senorita," he held up his two hands, chuckling. "See you in a few." He went out of the room, gently closing the door behind him. Now I have to worry about Natsume. I don't think I'd be able to hide and evade him anymore. He sighed. Sooner or later, I have to explain what happened.

He took a quick shower and put on his uniform. "Damn! I'm still good-looking even in this school uniform." He smirked at himself in the mirror. "And this look is starting to be troublesome as well." The boy sighed and tousled his hair. And yet I still couldn't have the girl I want most... He tousled his hair again a couple of times before going to Mikan's room.

/ At the Classroom /

"Ohayou, Mikan!" Anna said cheerfully.

"Hmm...'hayo..." Mikan said, more yawn than words.

"Didn't sleep well last night?" Hotaru said with a worried look on her face.

"I did... just still sleepy... is all." She smiled as she hid her bandaged hand. Nobody else knew about the dream except Mizu and the accidental discovery of Natsume.

"Buenas dias, senoritas," the purple-haired boy flashed again his dazzling smile.

"Good morning, Mizu." Anna and Nonoko greeted in unison while Hotaru just rolled her eyes.

"Hai, minna, settle down, settle down, my lovely students." Narumi spoke as he entered the room. "I have an announcement to make."

Everyone scooted to their seats.

"Now, is everyone here?" The teacher asked cheerfully.

Just then, Natsume entered the room. He glanced sharply at Mizu then gave Mikan a worried look before claiming his seat.

Mr. Narumi cleared his throat. "W-Well, I guess everyone is here." Oh boy, this is going to be really interesting. He cleared his throat again. "Starting today, we're going to have additional exchange student… students rather. I want you to treat them nicely, okay?

"New classmates, huh?" Mikan yawned again and leaned her head on the desk.

"Princess, you're being impolite," Mizu whispered and leaned forward to gently tap Mikan's shoulder.

"No, I'm not... Just...sleepy..."

"Hey, don't you dare fall asleep on me," the young lad whispered again.

"Mhmm..." Mikan murmured.

"Mikan-" Mizu stopped as he sensed a familiar aura and quickly looked toward the entrance. "Wake up, Mikan! Hide your bandaged hand or we'll be in a lot of trouble than we are now," his voice full of urgency when he spoke again. He tensed when he sensed another familiar aura. "Mikan?" He looked back at the girl. Damn! She has fallen asleep!

Gasps escaped from the female students as the exchange students entered the room. "Great... I'm never gonna find a girl if these damn guys keep showing up." The male students groaned and shook their heads. "Why do they have to be so damn-"

"Handsome!" A female student whispered.

"Kawaii!" A few giggled.

The three newcomers introduced themselves and flashed their smiles, making the females swoon and looked dreamily at them.

"Alright then," Mr. Narumi cleared his throat. "Let's see... there are a couple of seats at the-... Eh?" His sweat dropped as one of the newcomers nodded at him and followed the others who were already talking to the other students. In less than a minute, everyone was seated.

"Er... right... Well, let's get on with our topic for today." The teacher said cheerfully.

The students were awfully quiet as the lesson continued. Mizu sensed the stabbing glares of the raven-haired boy behind him and sighed. This is getting more interesting...

Natsume gave Mizu another set of deadly looks before scrutinizing the new students. His fists clenched when he noticed how the newcomers strategically asked the other students and took their seats – at the front and on the either side of Mikan.

The room was spared with the heavy atmosphere when the bell rang. The students quickly stood up and left the room, leaving the three transferees, Mizu, Natsume and the sleeping Mikan behind.

"Whew! I thought I'd die of suffocation back there..." Koko huffed.

"Eh? Doushite?" Anna worriedly asked.

"The newcomers seem to have interest on Mikan too..." Nonoko shrugged.

"Tsk," Hotaru gritted her teeth and was about to go back when an arm gently went around her waist and pulled her back. "I am worried too but Natsume is in there and it seems like Mizu knows those people. Let's just hope everything will turn out fine."

Hotaru sighed and looked up at Ruka, "I can't even do anything to help her... She doesn't tell me anything nowadays..."

"Shh... She's one tough girl and with my best friend in there, I'm sure Mikan will be safe." Ruka's arm tightened around the inventor's shoulder and kissed her forehead. "Come on, let's grab something to eat."

Hotaru smiled weakly and nodded.

XxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

With a poker face, Natsume walked towards the sleeping girl and slowly lifted her, cradling her in his arms. "Move..." He spoke darkly when one of the exchange students blocked his way.

"I don't think so. Mikan is coming with us..."

"Alex, stop. Let him be... for now."

"But Andrei-" the Japanese-American lad clicked his tongue and stepped aside when Andrei gave him a sharp look.

"Hear this... Take care of Mikan. If anything happens to her, you will answer to me..." The blonde guy spoke softly; he let Natsume feel his aura to show how serious he was.

The raven-haired boy did not reply. He walked towards the door and as he passed the blonde guy, a small flame suddenly sparked a couple of inches away from his face. "I admire your courage. You didn't even flinch even when my fire almost burned your face," Natsume smirked and gave them one last look before leaving the room with Mikan still sleeping on his arms.

"Uh... Yuri?" Alex tapped the blonde guy. "You okay, pal? Oi, Yuri?"

"T-That... that was pretty close..." Yuri swallowed the imaginary lump on his throat and shivered. "I thought he's really going to burn me. I couldn't move..." He wiped the sweat on his forehead.

"And where do you think you're going, Mizu?" Andrei tilted his head nonchalantly.

Mizu stopped and slowly turned to Andrei. He was tiptoeing and trying to get out of the room undetected when the silver-haired lad called him. "Ah... hehe... I was about to… show your rooms?" He scratched the back of his neck nervously. Shit, he's smiling... That's not good.

"Good. We can also discuss as to why Mikan's hand has bandage on it," Andrei smiled again.

The purple-haired boy gulped. Ay caramba! I am so dead.

XxxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Natsume decided to take Mikan to his room. I'll be damned if I let those guys disturbed her sleep. He gently laid her on his bed and tucked her under the blanket.

He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat.

For almost an hour, Natsume just sat there, watching the girl sleep. He sighed and carefully held her wounded hand. Back then, I could easily read you like an open book. But now... you've become a wall... that I couldn't penetrate. What have they done to you?

The girl suddenly moaned as if having a dream. Still holding her hand, Natsume leaned forward and whispered softly, "Shh... It's okay, you're safe. I'll protect you."

Mikan unconsciously held the boy's hand with both of hers as if it was her lifeline.

After a while, the boy started to feel sleepy as well. He slowly let go of the girl's hand and stretched. He stared at the couch and grimaced. I'm going to have a nick on my neck in there.

His gaze landed on the wide span of his bed. It's my bed, why would I need to sleep on the couch? Besides, we've already shared my bed before.

He moved to the other side of the bed and carefully laid himself a couple of inches away from Mikan. He was about to close his eyes when Mikan turned toward his side and snuggled him as if the cover was not enough to give her warmth.

A corner of the raven-haired boy's lip twitched upward. You may have learned to mask your emotions but you are still like a baby when you sleep. He gathered her in his arms and gently placed a kiss on her forehead only to stiffen when he realized what he did. Damn it... He sighed and stared at the girl in his arms until he succumbed to sleep.

Mikan felt warm as her consciousness was being pulled to wake. She felt relaxed and light. Above all, she felt home. A smile tugged on her lips as she slowly opened her eyes and saw two wonderful red orbs staring back at her.

"Good morning," Natsume greeted, his voice still husky from sleep.

"Good morning," Mikan smiled as she placed her palm on the boy's cheek. "What a nice dream this is… You're a very pleasant view to see first thing in the morning..."

"Hmm… This isn't a dream..." The boy whispered, gently pinching her cheek.

A few seconds passed. Mikan blinked once and then twice. Slowly, she started to be aware of the boy's warmth... how they were closely cuddled to each other... his arm around her waist... their lips just an inch away from each other and his breath gently fanning her face.

Mikan could feel her face turning red. She quickly rolled away and leaped out of the bed. "W-Why am I here?" She turned around to hide her flustered face. "Where's Mizu?"

Natsume scowled. "You were with me the whole night, on my bed, in my arms. And yet, you're looking for another man?" He shook his head and sighed, "That's very insulting."

"I-I'm sorry b-but I'm j-just... W-Well... I m-mean..."

The boy sighed again. "Relax, nothing happened if that's what you're asking... though I feel kinda sorry now that I didn't take my chance to do something... you know... with you..." His lips twitched upward seductively.

Heat rose to Mikan's cheeks. "Y-You... you perv!" She turned around only to stop on her tracks when she sensed a familiar presence. Her heart was going into overdrive as she slowly walked toward the window. And there she saw, standing outside under the window, a group of young men looking up at her. Her eyes widened and started to panic as she saw one of the guys levitated towards her, opened the window between them and pulled her in his arms.

Natsume quickly stood up and snarled, creating fireballs on his palms.

"Natsume, please don't!" Mikan pleaded. "I'll be fine. I'll come back later and explain, I promise."

"You better be." Natsume growled and extinguished the flame on his hands as he watched the other lad carry her and gently place her down on the ground. He gathered all his patience and masked his emotions when he saw Mizu smirked and gently hugged the girl. He quickly moved away from the window and stormed out of his room.

"Daijobu desu ka, Mikan? Did that Hyuuga boy do something to you?" One of the boys checked her arms and scanned her face.

"I'm fine, Alex. But what are you guys doing in here?" She frowned. "When did you arrive?"

"Yesterday. You were asleep in the class, jeez! I told you to stop doing that!" Yuri ruffled her hair.

"We're going to stay for a couple of weeks as exchange students," Andrei spoke softly and gently held her wounded hand, placing a healing stone on it.

"Thanks Andrei but it was just a small-" She was cut when he placed a finger over her lips before checking her bracelet.

"Oh, I didn't notice that crack. I must have banged it against something during my workout." She frowned again.

"That's okay. We'll get it fixed. Just don't remove it, okay?"

"I know, I know." She purses her lips. "Why do you keep on insisting to wear this thing? It wouldn't hurt me or anything if I take it off whenever I'm taking a bath-"

"No!" The boys said in unison.

"Ugh! Fine but seriously, I'm not going to use my other Alice in here," she whispered, "...so this Alice limiter is really pointless."

"You promised," they said again in unison, all pouting, except for Andrei who gave her a serious look instead.

"Hai, hai, wakarimashita!" Mikan sighed in defeat.

"Alright, let's get you sorted. Our class is going to start in half an hour," Mizu patted her head and pulled her towards her dormitory.

The other three, again, situated themselves around Mikan while walking.

"Really? What are you guys, now? My bodyguards?" She groaned.

The young men just chuckled as they continued to walk.

*Seedlip is the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, solving the ever-growing dilemma of 'what to drink when you're not drinking ®'. While not technically a wine, this bottle merits some attention—especially from cocktail lovers.

I know… I know… This chapter is not that good *sighs* I'm still gathering my thoughts and waiting for my "Mhegzhea tingle" to work properly. Anyway, now that "the bodyguards" are in the Tokyo branch, how will Mikan handle the pressure between them and Natsume? What is the bracelet all about and why do the boys keep on insisting for Mikan to wear it at all times? Find out in the next chapter - The Bodyguards Part 2.