Thank youces07, wizardwitchgoddess, serina hikari, koolasapixels, luve-anime, Aminatsu032, chocobangbang, wyona22, cupidsangel, musicandlyrics, funny sakura, -forsaken-girl-, ladalada, -KateDominiqueXalice-, Pink Fire101, Sie-sama, tinkerbellie, aizuhime, yamishun, jeje-chan, may520, Arahi Sakura, -Noob-Author- and natsumeNmikan for reviewing Chapter 10! Thank you so much for your support :)

Serina hikari, thank you for your support! Of course we can be friends ;D

-KateDominqueXalice-, I'm fine, thanks :D

CHAPTER 11

Mikan Sakura was on the verge of fainting.

The passionate kiss had drained the energy out of her, yet she was left wanting more.

Natsume was certainly an excellent kisser.

"Natsume…" she murmured, as she slid down the wall, being caught by Natsume before her head rushed to meet the ground.

"I guess that was too much for you," he smirked, lifting her up gently.

"You seem perfectly fine," Mikan snapped. He was NOT supposed to seem perfectly fine!

"That was because I devoted myself into that kiss, and you didn't."

"What makes you think I wasn't devoted?" Mikan pummeled his shoulder with her small fists.

"Then explain this. Why am I not fainting on the spot?"

"I'm not fainting on the spot either!"

"Oh yes you are," drawled Natsume as he lowered his head, kissing her on the forehead, "You need some rest, little girl."

As if hypnotized by the kiss and his good looks, Mikan felt like her eyelids were going to crash down any moment. Her vision of Natsume's stunning features became bleary, as she closed her eyes slowly, resting her head on his shoulder.

Natsume smirked.

Suddenly, Mikan's eyes fluttered open as she lifted her head, pecking him on the lips before resuming her sleep.

"You need some rest too," she whispered, smiling.

Natsume stared at her sleeping form, stunned by her sudden actions.

Why are you so damn cute!?

He carried her into his room and placed her carefully on the bed, before slipping out silently.

He owed his best friend an explanation.

"Hotaru."

"Oi, why are you crying?"

"Imai, what have you done to me?"

"I'm sorry… Please... Stop avoiding me."

"I love you."

Hotaru Imai leaned against the wall of a school corridor, clutching her baka gun tightly against her chest. It hurt so much… It hurt to think of him. She'd been afraid and avoided him.

Hotaru Imai wept.

"I'm sorry, Ruka…" She threw her emotionless features aside and broke down on the floor sobbing, "I'm sorry I ran away…"

"That's not important," A familiar figure appeared, drawing her into his embrace, an attempt to stop her tears from flowing.

"Ruka…?" Hotaru was utterly shocked.

"That's not important," Ruka repeated firmly, "I just want you to answer this."

"Answer… what?" Hotaru's voice faltered.

"Don't make me wait any longer, don't make me guess anymore. Just give me an answer."

Hotaru could feel his heartbeat racing. She bit her lip hard.

WHAM!

"OUCH!" Ruka rubbed his head in confusion. He'd just faced the wrath of Hotaru Imai's baka gun. "What was that for!?" he pointed at that cursed contraption accusingly.

"For being such a baka," said Hotaru as she regained her composure.

"……"

"I answered that a long time ago," she permitted herself a small smile as she got up, walking away.

"Huh?" Ruka was still in a daze.

She thrust a thin recording device at him and he barely caught it. A note flew into his hands, with her neat handwriting on it.

Back at you.

Ruka switched the recording device on.

"Hotaru."

"I love you."

He heard his own voice being played over and over again.

Back at you.

Ruka Nogi smiled.

He ran forward and caught up with her, their hands intertwining instantly. Hotaru tried to suppress a smile by looking straight and avoiding his gaze.

Coincidentally, Natsume was walking along the corridors too, hands in his pockets. As he looked up and saw them, he smirked.

"Hey Ruka."

"N-Natsume!" Ruka spluttered, "I-"

Instead, Natsume just walked past them, giving him a light slap on the back.

"Good for you."

Ruka smiled inwardly.

Finally, the pairings were correct.

Mikan woke up, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Hey, Polka Dots." Natsume was lying on the bed watching her, a smirk plastered on his face.

"Hey Natsume… Wait a minute, Natsume!?" Mikan sat up in shock, scanning her surroundings, "What am I doing in your room!?"

"You fainted after we kissed."

"I did!?"

"Sure you did." Natsume pulled her towards himself and wrapped both arms around her, widening his eyes in shock as he felt her body temperature.

"Next time, it'd be wise to speak up if you're cold," he muttered, activating his Alice, "Especially when the person beside you has the Alice of Fire."

"I'm cold," Mikan murmured, snuggling towards him.

"Ruka's with Imai, so you needn't worry about giving him an explanation."

"I don't think my ears are functioning well, because I heard you saying Ruka was with Hotaru," said Mikan, frowning.

"Baka," Natsume poked her head away, "Your ears are functioning exceptionally well."

"Then it must be you. You're spouting crap, Natsume…"

Immediately, Mikan yelped out loud as one of her hazel tresses caught fire.

"NATSUME!"

"How many times do I have to tell you little girl," said Natsume exasperatedly, "Ruka's with IMAI!"

Mikan's jaw dropped.

"WHAT!!!!?"

"You will be accompanied by two partners during your first mission tonight." A masked man leaned against the wall lazily, smirking at his new apprentice.

He dodged an icicle neatly, touching it as it sizzled away.

"I don't need any partners," Yui Hana tied her jet black hair up, putting her mask on.

"This is only your first mission, so don't get too cocky," Persona warned, putting on a glove and touching her on the cheek, "Or else…"

"Shut up!" Yui Hana threw an ice dart at him as he caught it with his bare hands.

"They're here," said Persona simply.

As two people approached, their bickering voices could be heard.

"... Burn my locks! How could you!?"

"That was because you were being an idiot."

"Next time, I'll activate my Alice whenever I'm with you-"

The figure was cut off as Natsume Hyuuga clamped her mouth and sealed it with a kiss. A surge of anger filled Yui Hana as she saw who they were.

"Natsume!" Mikan Sakura covered her mouth with one hand as he pulled away, and pointed a shaking finger at him accusingly.

"You were being too noisy."

"You-"

"Ahem." Persona coughed loudly, causing them to look up in surprise.

"Yui-chan!" Mikan recognized her instantly. Yui cringed at the name she was called.

"Your mission tonight will be simple. Go to the Northern Forest and train amongst yourselves. You will only stop when one of you gets knocked out."

Silence ensued.

"What the hell?" The three exclaimed in unison.

"Your standards have to be raised."

Natsume and Mikan exchanged glances.

"That's not even a mission-" Mikan protested as Yui interrupted, "Fine. We'll do it."

Natsume raised an eyebrow.

"Then go now. I'll ensure that the forest is off limits until the next morning," Persona smirked.

Yui Hana shot a death glare at Natsume and disappeared into the forest. I challenge Sakura.