A/N: Well, as promised after 20 reviews here's the continuation of the story… Hope you guys enjoy!

CHAPTER 5: In The Arms Of Another

Morning crept fast as Mikan groggily sat down on her bed while previously on a lying position. Her eyes were puffy red and the usual energetic smile she held were not plastered on her face today. She lazily walked towards her bathroom and fixed herself up. It was still early so she had all the time in the world to prepare for school. I waked up early… Must be the effect of 'that'… she thought.

Once she has finished her daily morning routine, she went straight to her classroom. She nervously held her breathe once she was about to open the door. She found that two boys were still not there and she sighed with relief. I guess Natsume and Ruka-pyon will skip class again since Mr. Narumi's is our first subject.

Unknown to her, everyone was staring at her suspiciously as she did not do her daily 'morning routine' such as greeting them a good morning with that goofy smile on her face.

Mikan sat down on her seat quietly and put her head down on the desk.

"Okay, spill" Hotaru said to her with her emotionless face still plastered on her face.

The brunette looked up from her sit and saw Hotaru looking down at her.

"Ohh, Hotaru-" she was cut off as two handsome boys entered the classroom and sat themselves on their usual place. Natsume eyed Mikan intently. Guess she's still depressed.

Ruka noticing this and gave Hotaru a knowing stare.

Something must have happened Hotaru and Ruka both thought at the same time.

After a few minutes a blue eyed boy entered the classroom and an eerie silence filled the room.

"Good morning Mikan-chan!" the boy greeted.

"Uhm… Good morning Ken-kun" she said with a small smile but sadness are evident in her eyes. Natsume saw this display of affection and was burning inside, literally.

Ruka who was beside him was sweating furiously and Hotaru invited him to join her inside her invention that protects people from any kind of danger.

Mikan and Natsume's eyes met. Mikan saw anger visible in the kuro neko's eyes and suddenly averted her eyes away from him. I saw it. She does love me or maybe at least like me. Something's up and I'm going to find out what it is. I'm going to make you mine Mikan.

Why is he looking at me like that Mikan thought.

All thought were interrupted when Mr. Narumi entered their classroom and everyone else settled down.

"Okay class, I have an announcement to make" the teacher chirped happily.

Ohhs and Ahhs can be heard echoing through out the room.

"You will be having a project!" he finished

Groans were next heard and some protests. The blond pheromone teacher ignored this and explained to them the mechanics of their project.

"You will have a what you call "Other people assessment" project"

"Uhm… what exactly is that sir? Iinchou asked being the voice of the whole class.

"Well it like this… You will be grouped by three and you will spend time with each other, one teammate at a time. For example, Mr. Jinno, Ms. Serena and me are a group. On day one, I will be spending my time with Mr. Jinno and on day two with Ms. Serena while on the third day both Mr. Jinno and Ms. Serena will spend their time together. Got it? You will write a two page assessment on how your two companions differ. Understood?" he finished

"Yes sir" everyone said

"Now I will give you this period to find your group and discuss the day when you will spend your days together, okey? Xiao class!" Mr. Narumi said while exiting the classroom.

Everyone started to stand up and look for their group mates.

After a minute or so, Mikan stood up and started looking for Hotaru wanting to ask her if she wanted to be group mates with her. Just then…

"Mikan-chan, want to be in the same group with me?" Ken said while he approached the girl and flashed her a smile but before she could reply Natsume was already by her side towering her and slightly covering a view of her from her so-called childhood friend Ken.

"Back off" Natsume said bluntly.

"What the… YOU back off!" Ken replied anger visible in his eyes.

"Guys stop it!" Mikan told them wanting to release the tension. Their classmates started staring at their display.

"She's not going to be in your group" Natsume said again implying the word not.

"Says who?" the blue eyed one interjected

"Grrr…" Natsume was getting very, very, very angry by now that the freak wasn't backing off.

"ARG! STOP IT YOU GUYS!" The brunette shouted obviously pissed off.

BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA

And the Baka Gun of Hotaru was unleashed! Hitting Natsume and Ken on the head.

"You bakas.. You three can be in the same team… The group are by three's, remember?" Hotaru told them all the while hitting the two with her baka gun and then dogging every hit as they were glaring at each other.

"But… but… Hotaru-chan" Mikan pleaded

"Baka.. This is the only way to solve the problem" with that she walked away going to her own group.

Great! Now I'm stuck with the two of them… If I made up my mind now… maybe… No! No! No! Mikan sighed and headed to her 'group'.

At last all were settled…

Groups were:

Group 1 – Natsume, Mikan and Ken

Group 2 – Ruka, Hotaru and Koko (Ruka and Hotaru agreed to be team mates to be able to closely watch their bestfriends just in case a war ensues.. hehe..)

Group 3 – Iinchou, Anna and Nonoko

Group 4 – Sumire, her friend and the levitation boy

And the rest of the groups are history………………

"I can't believe that freak and I are on the same group" Natsume mumbled incoherently

"I also can't believe my bad luck" Ken mumbled back who obviously heard what the fire alice holder said.

"Mikan is mine so back off freak!" he fired back

Ken faced him "Bring it on torch!"

"Torch?! Shut up water boy!" Natsume fired back literally. He now has a flame on his right hand ready to fire it at him.

"Natsume stop it!" Mikan said. What the hell! "So your taking the side of that water boy huh polkadot?" he snorted. "Your really are an idiot"

"Shut up! You high-and-all-mighty-you!" the now three star said fuming.

Ken watched them and was feeling jealousy inside of him. I won't let you have her Hyuuga. You do not deserve her. Not now. Not ever!

I will definitely find out the truth why your siding on him polka… I know your hiding something from me… I can feel it…! The raven haired top star student thought.

The two boys were interrupted when the girl they love told them about the pairings. "Okay, you two, here's how we're going to do it. On day one, you two will be together and on day two Ken and me and lastly on day three Natsume and Me. Got it?"

"How come he spends time with you first?" Natsume asked angrily

"Because… uhm… we've known each other much longer" she replied

"That's a stupid excuse polka"

"Hmnp!" Ken just smirked at Natsume and it really pissed the other boy but then he smirked back. Ken just shrugged it off.

Mikan and I will definitely enjoy our time together since our assessment day together is the Central Town's festival day. Natsume thought and smirked inwardly while walking away. But before he did so he pulled Mikan towards him and gave her a quick kiss on the lips which made everyone gasp.

"Bye for now 'my' polkadots" Natsume bade her goodbye while giving a gentle smile just for her.

Mikan couldn't contain her blush and tried to hide it with her bangs.

---In the back of the classroom---

"Don't worry, I think you still have a chance animal lover" Hotaru suddenly said to Ruka who blushed at this comment.

"What are you saying Imai"

Hotaru points to Mikan's direction while looking at him which made him blush some more.

"Admit it" she pursued

"I… I… Fine… I'm kinda jealous but I'm willing to let go of my feelings for her for Natsime. He's my bestfriend and I don't want him to think of anymore rival besides Ken" Ruka said seriously but still sadness evident in his voice.

"Don't be such a martyr, fight for your love idiot" the raven haired girl said while starting to walk away. "But maybe someday you will find someone who will love you as much as you do" she whispered.

"What? Did you say something? Imai! Imai!" Ruka said while watching the girl vanish along the corridors…

----------------------END OF CHAPTER 5------------------------