Thank you may520, xXxNaNa-cHaNxXx, Pink Fire101, serina hikari, jeje-chan, natsumeNmikan, Kristsin, AnOn Is ThE nAmE, AnimeAddict428, russianpopprincess, iazuei, yamishun, -Noob-Author-, chocobangbang, -KateDominiqueXalice-, aizuhime, koolasapixels, Arahi Sakura and ladalada for reviewing the previous chapter:) The previous chapter wasn't very appealing, you have my sincere apologies for that... Anyway thank you everyone for your support:D I hope this chapter will be more enjoyable.

chocobangbang, sure we can be friends:)

CHAPTER 12

Northern Forest.

It was dark and quiet, emitting an eerie aura. Three shadows lurked in it, threading carefully into the centre of the forest. They stood apart from each other, each getting ready into a fighting stance.

"Go," commanded Persona, as he disappeared from the woods.

Natsume lunged at Yui, challenging her into a combat as fire appeared on his palms, but Yui dodged him and attacked Mikan Sakura instead, sending a tornado towards her. The tornado stopped in front of Mikan, and disappeared instantly as she nullified it.

Natsume stood on the spot, staring at Yui Hana. Why wasn't she attacking him?

He threw a fire ball at her as Yui whipped around, creating a gust of wind which protected her and continued to attack Mikan.

"What are you trying to do?" Natsume muttered as he leapt forward and landed in the middle of them, blocking both sides.

"Why aren't you attacking me?" he shot at Yui.

She didn't answer. Instead, she retrieved five ice darts from her pocket, aiming them at Mikan. But Natsume stood in front of her, refusing to budge.

"Move," she commanded.

"I don't think you understood what Persona said. He told us to train amongst ourselves," snapped Natsume as her darts caught fire.

"You're not attacking Sakura either," replied Yui coldly.

"This isn't working out. Let's do this one at the time," said Mikan calmly, "Yui-chan can have a one-on-one combat with Natsume first."

Natsume and Yui shot each other a death glare.

"Hotaru, I don't think this is a good idea."

"Of course it isn't. It's an excellent idea," said Hotaru Imai monotonously, as she lowered her head down, checking whether her camera was functioning well.

"But my best friend is involved in this," protested Ruka.

"So are you," said Hotaru slyly as she fished a photo out of her pocket and dangled it in front of his face, causing him to gape in shock.

"You…" Ruka was speechless, "How did you get that!?"

"That photo costs 300 rabbits, and if you want to know how I got it, that'll be another 100 rabbits."

"……"

Suddenly, Ruka thought of something.

"How about this as payment?"

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers gently. As he pulled away blushing, Hotaru Imai held her camera up, clicking vigorously.

"HOTARU-" Ruka stopped covering his face as he realized that the film was in his pockets. How could she take any pictures without film? He finally noticed, Hotaru wasn't trying to take pictures- she was trying to cover her face with the camera! He grabbed her wrists, lowering them as he caught sight of her face.

Tints of red appeared on both of her cheeks as the truth was revealed- Hotaru Imai was blushing.

WHAM!

"Baka," she muttered.

Ruka couldn't stop laughing as he rubbed his head. Hotaru looked away, cursing under her breath, though a small smile made its way to her lips.

"So was that worth the photo?" Ruka questioned her, smiling warmly.

"Yes."

Hotaru thrust the photo at him as he caught it and tore it into pieces immediately, "Great, now we don't have to do this anymore-"

Another yet embarrassing photo was dangled in front of him.

Ruka's mouth twitched slightly.

"HOTARU IMAI!!"

"On the contrary, I happen to have unlimited stock. Let's go now." Hotaru proceeded towards the Northern Forest, a GPS scanner in her hand.

Natsume Hyuuga and Mikan Sakura happened to be at the location where she was headed. If they're making out I can earn heaps of money.

She frowned at the third blinking red dot on her map. But who was Yui Hana, and what was she doing there?

Natsume Hyuuga panted heavily as he barely dodged a gust of wind, causing the strong force to inflict another cut on his cheek. His body was full of numerous cuts and bruises, and Yui Hana wasn't doing well either. Burn marks could be seen on her limbs, and she too was exhausted.

Finally, Mikan stepped in.

"Stop," she nullified both of their Alices, "I can't train if this goes on."

"True," Yui Hana replied, smirking. "I propose we don't use our Alices."

"Fair enough," Natsume eyed her cautiously.

"Sakura hasn't been fighting. We should have a one-on-one combat."

"Alright," Mikan Sakura accepted her challenge straightaway.

"Mikan," Natsume called out, "Be careful."

She flashed a smile at him and faced her opponent. Right now, Yui was emitting a killing aura. Why is she so serious?

Yui started to run towards Mikan, her fists curled up into balls. She ran with god-like speed and in a second, Mikan found herself kneeling on the ground, panting.

She… She used her Alice to gain speed! Mikan stared in shock. I'll have to nullify her Alice.

Natsume frowned slightly. He too, had noticed that Yui used her Alice.

Yui Hana lunged forward again, but this time, Mikan was ready. As Yui approached her, her speed started to decrease and Mikan caught her square in the gut.

She winced in pain, but regained her composure quick enough and kicked at Mikan, catching her off guard. Mikan blocked the kick with both hands, as she stepped backward, retreating for a moment.

"Come on Sakura, fight!" Yui Hana punched at her, causing her to be pushed backwards, her shoes grinding the ground.

Mikan finally saw a chance when she lowered her guard and elbowed her onto the ground neatly.

Suddenly, Yui clutched her collar and pulled her onto the ground, whispering something to her. Then she smirked, raising her fist, ready to strike down..

Before the blow met Mikan's body, Mikan felt herself being lifted up by a strong pair of arms as Yui missed.

"Natsume!"

"Baka, never let your guard down."

Natsume put her down, and started to walk towards Yui Hana.

"If you're going to attack her like that, you'll have to get through me first."

He aimed a blow at Yui's neck and she fell onto the ground, unconscious.

Suddenly, his body stiffened. He'd heard a very familiar clicking noise.

"Imai…" he growled.

"Hotaru!" Mikan seemed to have caught sight of her, and ran towards the bushes. Natsume grabbed at her ponytail and stopped her as she squealed, "Natsume! LET GO!"

Hotaru and Ruka emerged from the bushes. Hotaru Imai was clutching a thin rope, which appeared to be connected to Ruka's waist- Obviously he'd been dragged along.

And in her right hand, was that bloody camera.

Natsume snapped his fingers, attempting to burn it up but to no avail.

Hotaru smirked. "Fireproof."

"Natsume, what are you doing here with Mikan? And who's this?" Ruka gestured to Yui Hana.

"Let me burn that camera up before I tell you."

"Deal," Hotaru spoke up. "Let's get her back, and come to my room to talk."

Mikan was the one who ended up explaining.

"…… So we were training in the Northern Forest, and Natsume knocked Yui-chan out," concluded Mikan while Natsume slept on her lap.

"I see," said Hotaru expressionlessly. Then, without warning...

WHAM!

"ITAI!!" Mikan jumped as Natsume woke up suddenly to find her yelping in pain.

"Imai," he said dangerously, eyeing the Baka Gun in her hands.

"Got a problem, Hyuuga?" Hotaru Imai smirked, dangling her camera in front of him.

He shot her a death glare and motioned to Ruka, "Ruka, come here and sit in front of us."

Ruka stood up obediently and sat on the bedside, now placed in between Mikan and Hotaru. If anyone were to face the wrath of the Baka Gun, it would be him.

Natsume smirked. Imai wouldn't dare to hit his best friend… would she?

"Mikan, you baka," muttered Hotaru. "Why didn't you tell me you were going on missions?"

"I didn't want you to worry, and besides…" Mikan pointed at her Baka Gun, "That thing's painful."

"It's only effective when I use it on idiots," Hotaru shrugged.

"Try it on yourself then," Natsume muttered.

"What did you say?" Hotaru demanded, raising her Baka Gun as Ruka gulped.

"He didn't say anything! Right, Natsume…" he said pleadingly.

"Now we've given you an explanation, hand the camera over. Persona would kill us if those pictures were spread-out."

"What pictures? I never took any pictures." Hotaru grinned slyly, opening the camera to reveal that there was no film inside.

"……"

"Natsume! Calm down…"

Yui Hana woke up, a throbbing pain filling her head as she struggled to get up.

She frowned.

Natsume had protected Mikan Sakura. Again.

She shrugged. Natsume would be hers in no time. She'd just have to be patient.

A gust of cold wind filled the glass of water on her bedside table, as the water in it froze and became still.