Meh. Just read it.

Chapter Four: The Basics

The chilly night wind caressed Mikan's checks as she huddled her knees closer to her chin. She had been hiding behind a tree while Persona, on the other side, gave two DA students their assignments.

One of them was Natsume Hyuuga.

"Be back before four," Persona instructed. "And I expect no nuisance when you return. Natsume, Lilia." The two of them nodded.

Just right before they left, Mikan caught a glimpse at Natsume under the dim moonlight, but making sure he didn't see her. He had his Black Cat mask on as he jumped onto a nearby branch swiftly. He was dressed differently than normal, too; he wore jeans with a whip attached on its side and a black hoodie that was cut from the should down. On his left hand, Natsume wore a glove without the ends, letting air hit his fingers. Beside him, she couldn't help but notice a girl with fiery red curls. His partner, she thought. And although she, too, was wearing a mask, she assumed that inside laid a beautiful face.

As soon as Lilia and Natsume dispersed deep in the woods to start their mission, Persona called for Mikan to come out.

"Let's start."

It was close to midnight, approximately around 11:30 P.M. It was only yesterday that Mikan had been assigned in the Dangerous Abilities. She didn't accept it so lightly, but, under a certain condition, she would willingly begin her missions.

'"Pair me up with Natsume."

Now, her term admitted, she was to initiate training with Persona in order for her to be ready.

"I don't go easy on beginners," said Persona.

"There's no beginners here."

"Just because your alice is powerful, doesn't mean you are," he warned, circling her. "I'm training you at night because that's when all of your assignments will take place. It's useless if we do this at day." Mikan nodded her head, saying she understood. "We'll start with the basics. Combat. Combat without Alices. Transportation."

"What's transportation?" she questioned, taking her stance.

"First; combat." he ignored her, much to Mikan's annoyance. "I'll come at you, and you try to block me in any way you can. Remember, there is no light. You can't just rely on your sight to guide you."

He began running towards her and disappeared halfway. "Hear me. Sense me."

Following his guidelines as best as she could, Mikan activated her alice. All that was left was to pinpoint where to focus it at.

She heard leaves rustling proceeding from her right, so without a second to lose, Mikan raised her hand to stop the incoming danger. Sure enough, just inches from her palm, Persona's mask came into view. He smiled as felt the powerful restraint on his alice.

"Good. You have instinct," he praised. The brunette felt a sense of pride swell up in her. "But, that's not enough."

He slid his foot under Mikan's, causing her plunge into the brown dirt. "Never lower your guard when with the enemy. Now, stand up. I assume you want to be done before Natsume gets back, yes?"

At his comment, she quickly got back on her feet and readied herself again. "Next. Please."

Showing a charmed smile, he began training her. Seriously, this time.

About three hours later, Mikan's body was full of cuts and scratches. She panted at every step she took, but she never fell. Persona was amazed at how far she kept going without any time to rest.

'She will definitely prove to be a valuable addition', he thought.

By now, Mikan had already learned all three basics to the mark where she can stop. But, because of her ambition to protect Natsume, she kept going.

Transportation was the hardest obstacle for her because it required the most agility and stamina.

"You will need to be brisk when coming to and from your mission', Mikan remembered Persona's words in her mind as she practiced jumping from tree to tree. "Transportation is being able to jump great heights and disappear like mist when running. You saw how Natsume and Lilia exited? That's transportation."

She landed softly on the grass from thirty feet high and breathed heavily as she faced the masked man who crossed him arms on his chest.

"You will need to be able to do that if you want to protect him." "There," Mikan said, panting. "I have…the basics. What now?"

The wind, who accompanied her from the start, blew again and toyed with Persona's long, black hair. He stared off into the distance as if he was awaiting something. After letting Mikan regain her breathe, he said, "Time to go."

She watched his think lips curve into an eerie smile.

What?…

Then, startling Mikan, a bush rustled, being followed by a familiar tone.

"Come on, Lilia. We're here."

She silently watched as two figures gradually appeared from the shadows of the forest. Natsume had the half-conscious red-head strapped on his back while he struggled to simply walk.

He heavily breathed as he gently dropped his partner on the floor beside Persona. "Here," he said, handing him and envelope. "Mission accomplished."

Persona tucked it beneath his coat. "Easy?"

"She's just weak."

The older man laughed. "Yes, of course."

Natsume turned around, ready to go back to the dorm, when he saw another girl just across from him. In pigtails. The darkness of the night veiled her face, so he couldn't identify her.

He stared for quite a while, not bothering to care that she did too. Something about the gleam in her brilliant brown eyes reminded him of someone. Not just anyone. Someone.

He couldn't believe it, but he gave it a shot."Mik-" he began.

At that syllable, the frozen girl, now aware that she's in the situation she wanted to avoid in the first place, quickly circled around. Distraught roped her heart as she swore under her breathe.

When she caught the sound of footsteps nearing her, only one command filled her brain.

Run.

Just out of his reach, Natsume observed as the mysterious girl hopped away with her hair flailing loosely in two after her.

He didn't stop her from going, for he was too shocked to even do anything.

Is she who I think she is? Why is she here?

Knowing only one person could answer his questions, he furiously spiraled back around, but to no avail, no one was there. Not even Lilia. She must've been taken back to her dorm by Persona.

Natsume gritted his teeth.

Mikan, you damn idiot!

NEXT CHAPTER HINT: it's gonna be steamy.(;

Stay smexy!