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CHAPTER 8

She ran along the corridor silently, knocking out every guard who stood in her way. The raven-haired fire caster beside her was doing the same, their movements were almost synchronized.

We're almost there… she thought triumphantly as they ran past room number 75.

77…79…81…83…Room number 85!

They stopped short, breathing heavily. Breaking in had been easier than she'd expected, but she had noticed something weird going on. Every time she used her Alice to nullify the guards' Alice so that Natsume wouldn't have to use his, she'd feel a searing pain creep up her side momentarily.

"Mikan," said Natsume Hyuuga, interrupting her thoughts, "Are you alright?" Her face was slightly pale, and he was getting worried. I've got a feeling something's wrong, but what is it! He started to feel frustrated.

"Yeah," Mikan nodded.

"Let's finish this together," Natsume gave a small smile, immediately regretting it as Mikan gaped in shock.

She stared at him incredulously.

"You…" she spluttered, "You SMILED!" she practically squeaked.

"Shut up, baka!" hissed Natsume angrily, reverting back to his normal self. He rolled his eyes and covered her open mouth. That idiot, it's not like she's never seen me smile.

Mikan's eyes shone in excitement, "Do it again!" she said in a muffled voice. She felt ecstatic- Natsume had actually smiled for her.

"We're on a mission, Polka Dots, a mission!" said Natsume warningly, "Now snap out of it and be serious!"

Mikan grunted in reply, muttering something that he couldn't hear. Something about perverts and panties.

"Wear your mask," said Natsume, putting on his black cat mask. Mikan wore a simple white mask which resembled Persona's.

"It's… uncomfortable," murmured Mikan.

Natsume ignored her and touched the tip of the silver door knob with a finger. The door knob started to melt slowly and he pushed the door open cautiously.

The room was dark and cold. Mikan folded her arms around her body, looking around as Natsume took a step forward.

He immediately retreated, dodging a rush of strong wind and Mikan stepped away in confusion. What was happening?

Suddenly, Natsume dropped down to his knees, clutching his throat. He breathed heavily, gasping for air.

"Natsume!" Mikan crouched beside him, not knowing what to do.

"I can't… breathe…" he gasped as Mikan stared at him in horror. His face started to pale as he collapsed onto the ground.

"Natsume!" cried Mikan, hugging him tightly as tears streamed down her face, "What's happening?" she closed her eyes and whispered. Don't die… Don't leave me…

"Baka, stop crying."

Mikan opened her eyes in shock and found Natsume staring at her, a smirk plastered on his face.

She was speechless.

"You saved me, Polka Dots. You nullified that girl's Alice," explained Natsume.

Mikan hadn't even realized that she'd used her Alice. My only thought was to protect Natsume... Wait a minute, that girl and her Alice…

She remembered the slip. Yui Hana… Alice: manipulating air.

Mikan finally understood why Persona had given her the Alice-controlling device.

Natsume got up and pulled her towards him, hugging her protectively with one hand.

"Come out now," he said coldly.

A figure stepped out of the shadows slowly, facing them.

"Imai-" Ruka started as he saw his blackmailer pass by in the corridor.

She walked straight past him, not even bothering to look at him.

"So that's it, isn't it? It's all Mikan that matters."

Her voice kept ringing in his head, making him feel worse.

Don't I love Mikan? Why do I feel like I'm cheating on her? Damn… He clenched his fist tightly. Somehow he had a feeling that he had made the wrong choice that day.

"I-IMAI!" he yelled, rushing towards her.

"What are you doing here?" she said icily.

Mikan stared at her piercing sapphire blue orbs, and her jet black hair which reached her shoulders. She wore a black long sleeved shirt and a mini skirt, revealing her long and toned legs. Her face was pale and sharp, and though pretty, she emitted a killing aura. Mikan could feel Yui Hana's cold gaze on her, and she shuddered.

"I asked you a question," she said slowly, giving Mikan a deadly impression.

Mikan blinked.

"We're not wasting our time explaining," snapped Natsume. He held on to Mikan's hand and whispered to her, "Use your Alice and protect both of us."

Mikan nodded and squeezed his hand tightly.

"Then I'm not wasting time listening to both of you," she shot back, and snapped a finger, as if waiting for something to happen.

Nothing happened. Yui Hana widened her eyes in shock.

Natsume smirked and turned to Mikan, "Give me the bracelet."

She placed the silver bracelet on his palm as he walked coolly towards her. He held her wrist as she tried to struggle and a click was heard.

"What… What are you doing?" she said, dumbfounded. Yui Hana looked down and stared at the silver bracelet which hung loosely on her wrist. She tried to take it off, failing miserably.

"Mikan, let go now. It's safe."

Natsume turned towards the girl who'd tried to suffocate him earlier.

"We're from the Academy."

"The… Academy?"

"We have orders to escort you there."

"The Academy… Is it safe?" she whispered suddenly.

"… If you want to escape this place-"

"Bring me there," Natsume was cut off by her desperate plea. He sighed, fully aware that with such a useful Alice, the Academy wouldn't miss the chance to force her into doing their dirty work.

"Follow us."

Before they could take a step forward, a familiar voice was heard.

"Don't move."

Natsume and Mikan whipped around in surprise. Reo!

The redhead walked slowly towards them, a smile plastered on his face.

"So we meet again huh."

Yui Hana stared at him in bewilderment.

"The girl is ours. Hand her over," Reo Mori said curtly. Natsume snapped his fingers, trying to create a fire but to no avail.

An Alice barrier had been built. A group of men in black suits stood behind Reo.

"As you can see, Natsume, this girl is very important to us. Now hand her over," he said sharply.

"Over my dead body," snapped Natsume as a ball of fire appeared on his palm. Reo stared at him in surprise, "How did you…"

His gaze turned to the girl in the white mask. He smiled in amusement.

"Could this be… who I think it is?"

Mikan Sakura was tempted to take her mask off and show him her powers now, but refrained from doing so. She continued to concentrate on nullifying the Alice of everyone in the room except for Natsume and Yui. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead. She frowned slightly. Why was it getting harder and harder to use her Alice?

Without replying, Natsume threw a ball of fire at Reo. He dodged it neatly, smirking.

"My, my, Natsume, how aggressive of you," he said pleasantly, taking his earring off as he leaned towards Natsume.

"I don't have time to play with you, so hand her over," he whispered into Natsume's ear, using his voice pheromone Alice, but Natsume showed no sign of defeat. Reo stepped away from him and looked at Mikan, "So it is you, Mikan Sakura. You've become so… powerful."

"…"

"And that makes you much more valuable."

His expression hardened suddenly.

"Let's get down to business now. Get them," he ordered, as the men in black suits advanced towards them.

"All of you! Use your Alice at full power!" Reo commanded.

Mikan braced herself for the incoming attacks. It came all in one shot. She could feel their Alice penetrating her body continuously and being nullified in the process. She wanted to scream in agony, but forced herself to concentrate on nullifying the attacks.

"Mikan…" Natsume could feel her hand trembling badly, "What's wrong?"

Mikan shook her head slightly and continued to set a nullifying barrier between them and Reo's gang.

Her power was at her maximum. Mikan could feel the strength of her body being drained away slowly, her body starting to sway slightly. No… Mikan pleaded. I have to protect Natsume…

Reo Mori watched her from the corner of his eye. He smiled sinisterly. It was time.

"Now, for the finishing touch," he whispered.

"NO MORE RESISTING!" he bellowed at Mikan's direction, using his voice pheromone Alice at full blast.

That was it. Mikan collapsed onto the ground and coughed out some blood, as she tried to fight back the waves of nausea which hit her. She had never felt so weak in her whole life. She couldn't hear anything anymore, as her vision became bleary, darkness looming on her. As she slowly drifted into unconsciousness, her last thought was none other than Natsume.

"Mikan…" he gasped.

Everyone standing in the corridor gasped in shock.

"R-Ruka..." Hotaru Imai stammered, "What are you doing?"

The aforementioned had wrapped his arms tightly around her waist from behind, reminding her of the scene that occurred in her room just now. She caught a glimpse of his head resting on her shoulder, and blushed furiously.

"I'm sorry..." Ruka whispered as his grip on her tightened, "Please... Stop avoiding me."

Hotaru was too shocked to utter a word.

"Ruka... Let go, everyone's watching-"

"I don't care!" he yelled as Hotaru's shoulders trembled slightly, "I don't... care," he repeated in a softer tone.

"Ruka..." said Hotaru warningly. As much as she hoped that Ruka wouldn't stop, she still had to deal with the pairs of eyes staring at them.

Ruka loosened his grip and she felt slightly disappointed, but nevertheless relieved.

Little did she know that Ruka had something much better in store for her.

He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around quickly, causing her to feel slightly dizzy. He seized the chance straightaway and the next thing Hotaru Imai felt, was his lips crashing on hers.