Disclaimer:

Gakuen Alice belongs to Higuchi Tachibana.

Chapter 4: Mêlée

I came to a halt as I finally reached the edge of the perilous Northern Forest. I was breathless then, an-hour-long run across the Middle Branch buildings had definitely exhaust my slender body. With the little remainder of energy left in me, I urged myself to walk into the much darker part of the woods, to where I could find a sanctuary, hidden under the shadows of the tremendous hulking trees.

As I walked deeper and deeper into the forest, a tingle of excitement rushed through my veins. Blissful memories flashed in my mind, I remembered the night I witnessed various colourful butterflies dancing near the river, the sight was spectacular, it was even 'breathtaking'.

It was night then, I realised. Nothing can be heard but silence. The forest was as peaceful as the night itself, I could even listen to the harmonious melody of the wind, lively accompanied by the deviating tunes of owls' hoots.

Lost in pleased thoughts, my right leg accidentally slipped between the roots of a massive giant tree. Losing my balance on that very moment, I stumbled down and rolled on the wet, dirty ground. I screamed in pain as my head hit something hard. I rubbed my head instantly, carefully trying to ease the shocking pain.

However, my body froze as I sensed liquid on my head.

Red coloured liquid.

Blood.

It was only a matter of seconds before everything went black.

But someone held my hands tight in surprise.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Flashback #4

Location: Middle Branch Division

Mikan's age: 15 years old, a week after Jii-chan's death

I couldn't believe my eyes.

I was awakened by the bright glaring sun; its light devilishly blinded my eyes while the heat slightly burnt my soft and tender skin. I sighed in frustration, for I had ruined a brand new day by impudently being late for class, again.

I hoped off my bed as quick as lightning and ran immediately into the bathroom. A quick shower cleaned my body; hence I changed into my smartly laundered uniform in a blink of an eye.

Hastily, I grabbed my bag pack in a hurry and shut the door of my bedroom recklessly behind me. In the rush of speed and anxiety, I had carelessly forgotten to lock the damn door before leaving.

However, I stood numb in front of my doorstep and gape at the miraculous vision before me. It felt heavenly looking at the empty looks of the hallway; I was finally free from the sickening whispers of others behind my back, whenever I walked through this narrow path.

"Her grandfather's dead you know,"

"She looks awful,"

"Ssshh! She'll hear us,"

I took a deep breath and restrained myself as I pushed the foul thoughts away from me. I was no longer feeling grief and dispirited because of my grandfather's sudden death; well at least I felt a whole lot better now. But even the slightest bit of memory that relates to Jii-chan would result in a tremendous change of emotions within me. Without my knowledge, I was gradually changing into a different person.

But despite of that, my heart ache in pain as walked pass the luscious-looking cafeteria.

They served delightful apple pies and cream cakes for breakfast!

How could I have possibly missed that!!?

Sheesshh, how could I think of such childish thoughts during serious situations as this?

I snapped my thoughts back to reality and ran across the majestic pave way in the garden close to the Middle Branch Main Building. I almost reached my destination when suddenly-

Droplets of crystalline water started to pour down from the wide blue sky.

I paused, confused by the abrupt change of weather.

The sun was shining fiercely bright a moment before and now-

It was raining???

I sighed helplessly; even Mother Nature was toying with my feelings.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, I reached the door of Class B, Middle Branch. I placed my hand animatedly on the doorknob to open it, but hesitated to do so.

I plodded a few tiny steps backwards, and examined my faint reflection in front of one the vast windows of the building.

My brunette hair was dreadfully soaking wet, my eyes were watery red and my clothes were drenched in rain water.

I looked ghastly.

Worst, behind that very door, stood the evil, diabolical, infamous, malevolent, (the list goes on), malicious Jinno-sensei.

I sighed.

Tough luck.

I was so dead meat.

Flustered, I moved back and forth restlessly as I thought of my next move. Contradictory to the biting cold air temperature, my body was perspiring heavily.

With all the love and courage in the world, I focused my youthful bravado energy, took an utmost deep breath and walked sanguinely into the classroom.

But-

My eyes widened in shock as I gawped at the unbelievable sight in front of me.

Where is everyone?

The class was empty; there was not a single soul.

I took a glimpse at the whole class. From one corner to the other, there wasn't even a slight clue of where they have gone to.

Damn it.

What have I done now?

Leisurely, I moved towards the nearest seat, pulled out the chair and sat on it calmly. Feeling defeated, I clenched my fists and knocked my head repeatedly on the hard wooden desk.

I remembered then, my clothes-

They were still undoubtedly wet.

My body began to shiver ridiculously. With this kind of chilly weather, the class was freezing cold. I hugged my body tightly, trapping any source of heat left in me.

Suddenly, I felt warmth around me.

Natsume was sitting on the chair beside me; his mesmerizing ruby eyes watched me attentively.

Puzzled, I straightened my back instantly.

Oh yeah, I got it. It must've been his Fire Alice.

Hurriedly, I placed my hands on him and nullified his Alice completely.

"Baka," he mentioned cold-heartedly.

"You'll die if u won't stop using it," I replied.

"Whatever," I heard him mutter under his breath as he looked away from me.

I was aware of the fact that I was eminent for my idiocy, but seriously, I wasn't that stupid. Natsume was one of the Dangerous Ability Type students; a class which places students with significant and bizarre Alices, each and every one spectacular in their own way albeit the dangers and jeopardy they may cause to others. For profuse years since the Academy was formed, the class remained a secret that was kept defensively from others, never to be questioned and never there were answers.

However, there were hideous rumours of the mysterious class. Some said that the students were sent on missions by the higher administrators, missions thatmay possess harmful threat to their own lives.

I knew for the fact that those weren't just rumours.

For I have seen a bloke with raven hair wandering around during night for the past five years of my life in the Academy.

And although he seemed to be keeping the matter hidden from others, I knew he was secretly suffering alone, for his powers were draining his life force from time to time.

His condition worsened every time he uses his Alice.

And that was why I was determined not to let him use it in front of me.

"Natsume…,"

"Hn,"

"Where are the others?"

"Central Town,"

"What?? Central Town???? But we're supposed to have class with Jin-Jin!"

Natsume turned his head towards me and looked straight into my eyes with deep curiosity.

All right, I knew I wasn't the type that looks forward for Jinno-sensei's class.

But…Arghh…

I hate Natsume. He knows me too well.

In fact, he-

I gave a little gasp as I suddenly remembered that my hands were still on his.

"Gomen, I…"

I pulled my hands slightly away from him when surprisingly-

He caught my hands promptly on that very moment.

My heart seemed to be beating faster than ever as he slowly pulled me closer to him.

I felt arouse by the pressure of his body so close to mine.

We were two inches apart when suddenly-

"You have zits," he commented coldly.

"You MORON!! I'll kill you Natsume, I swear I will!!!"

"Whatever," he replied heartlessly.

I jumped on him and started attacking him beastly. However, despite of my hard efforts, he evaded my attacks easily.

But then-

There was that voice.

That beautiful voice.

Mayumi-chan was standing right behind us.

She stared at me lividly.

What the-?

I paused my thoughts.

Could it be that she was-

Jealous?

End of Flashback

VVVVVVVVVVVVVV

I opened my eyes weakly.

My head was burning in pain, I shrieked wildly as I felt a sudden jolt through my brains every few seconds. Hastily, I urged myself to sit on the soft bed I was laying on and carefully examined the place I was in.

I startled as the door of the room suddenly opened. Hotaru walked in with a bottle of medicine, a basin of warm water and a small towel.

"What's that for?"

She stared at me dumbly.

I suddenly came to realise that those were for my injury. I cursed myself, why didn't I think of it earlier?

I remembered the incident in the forest.

"Hotaru, thank you, for bringing me here," my cheeks blushed slightly as I said those few words to her.

"I didn't. You were sitting on my doorstep like an idiot," she muttered.

"What?"

But how-

If Hotaru wasn't the one, who was-?

Author's note:

I'M BAAACCCKKK!!!!

SORRY for the late update!If I could get a penny for every single version of Chapter 4 I wrote, I would be rich by now. Yeah , all of it went into the dustbin!I was soooo upset with my 1st version of Chapter 4, then I did another one and it was worst. But I kept on trying (for like 20+ times)and wallaa!!I came up with this. Maybe the number 4 is just NOT my lucky number.But bear with me people, later chapters will be much faster,can't have done it without u! I'll try my BEST!!! Please review!!

By the way, thanks a million to lysabelle, li'l kitty, salaxyoohMaRsKiLLeRs, and YAC!!

You guys are the best!!
Review Review! I wanna know what u think of this story! I'll try harder next time!! definitely!!
peace!

I don't appreciate flames though...

hahah!!!

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