Sorry it's been a while! This chapter is gonna be crappy cause I haven't been writing stories lately :P Enjoy!

Mikan's POV

I listened intently to Persona giving out directions. Half of my brain paid attention, while the other thought of each scene playing out while he described how we were to do this mission.

He turned to me. "You've gotten your training. You've gotten your preparation. You've gotten your partner." He made a little gesture towards the boy standing next to me. Natsume Hyuuga. "You're ready. No excuses."

"No excuses," I repeated.

"Now, once more, I'll explain what you're supposed to do. I'm guessing Miss Newbie wasn't paying attention enough, as she never does."

I flinched. I didn't dare to speak back, because my instincts tell me it's not one of those times. All I have to keep within me now is determination. Every little bit of it.

Suddenly, long, slender hands intertwine around my fingers, locking itself in completely. I've felt these before; it's every centimeter of touch had imprinted itself deep into my skin. Natsume. His hold seemed to mentally say Focus. Or it could cost you your life.

I tightened my hands in return to say I know.

But the way he made contact with my skin reminded me of our little rendezvous two nights ago, which then backtracked me to trying to explain the whole misunderstanding to Hotaru, who accidentally walked in at the boiling point.

Flashback

"Hotaru!" I called. I pushed passed anyone in the crowded hallway and focused on getting to her. She turned around just right before she entered the classroom and faced me dead on. She didn't say anything, but, being her best friend for who knows how long now, I knew she was waiting for me to talk.

"Uh, about yesterday," I began, avoiding her eyes. "I-it's not what you think. I-I-I-I…I mean, he, like, u-uh…"

I racked my brain. I couldn't possibly tell her the real reason. Knowing her, she'll get involved in a messed-up way, which can only lead her to danger. But if I don't, she'll just think that me and Natsume have something going on. And that, is something I don't want her to think. Even though she's my best friend, she also comes as a package deal with the name The Blackmailing Queen.

Oh, God! Why didn't I think this through before? Goddamn.

"Mikan."

I turned to her, but what laid in my vision was a dark hole. A dark, dark, DARK hole.

The next thing I knew, I slipped away sideways and watched a pink round ball shoot out of it and travel down the corridors, barely missing me by a couple centimeters. I looked to Hotaru, who was blowing at the tip of her baka gun.

"You're such an idiot."

"A-Ah?"

She sighed. "Look. You don't have to tell me." She placed her hand gently on my shoulder. "I'll wait. You probably can't say anything right now because it'll only lead to trouble, right?"

"O-Oh…" And that, that alone, is the one reason why I freaking love this girl to death. "…Yeah. Thanks, Hotaru."

She smiled. I was about to wrap my arms around and squeeze the living hell out of her, but she dodged me before I could even get close.

"Hotaru?"

BANG.

My forehead crashed down hard on the marble floor of the school. The sound of footsteps and shoes clicking came clearer to my ear. Which, thinking about it, had an annoying high-pitched ring echoing inside. I think…I think I just fell on the floor.

But why?

"Baka Gun version 2.04. If it misses, it doesn't stop till it hits its target."

Oh, of course. Baka Gun version 2.04; or as I call it, nemesis #2. I actually do remember Hotaru telling me about upgrading that demon gun of hers.

End Of Flashback

I snapped back into reality. Mild throbbing in my temple still remains.

"Your mission will be simple, considering you have extra baggage. Lilia, I want you to take care of Sakura. Natsume will be the one doing most of the work," Persona said.

To the right of Natsume, who was still killing my poor fingers, the redhead humbly nodded. Why she's still partners with him is something I'm not clear off. But, the more the merrier, I guess. And besides, it felt better if someone else is going. Despite the rigorous training I've received the last two days, I'm not experienced at all with missions. No experience, means no strong Mikan. And no strong Mikan results to another injury Natsume doesn't need.

"Your objective tonight" -Persona reached into his coat and handed Natsume a piece of paper with directions on it- "is to locate and breach into enemy territory. No fighting, just gather as much as information as you can."

I leaned into Natsume's shoulder to take a peek at what Persona gave him, but he immediately burned it. I heard Lilia slightly giggle at his actions. She smiled at me, a awfully friendly smile for someone who doesn't even know my first name, and so I felt like I was forced to smile back.

"Mikan, you might want to listen."

At the stern voice of Persona and Natsume's tightening clutch, I was compelled to concentrate. I quickly straightened my back with a reluctant push.

"The people you're dealing with are remaining members of Zero."

I blinked. That name sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it before?

"Zero…The anti-alice organization?" Natsume questioned.

"Yes."

Oh, that's right. It was that organization that Mom was part of. I've never admitted this to anyone, but I have always felt like I have to meet them. They are the only people that know much more about my blood mother than I do.

But why now? As far as I know, it's been years since we last heard from them. Narumi-sensei told me that they disbanded after Mom's death. So why now? Just when I've been accepted in the DA.

...Wait.

"Why are we doing this?" said Lilia. "I mean, it's been so long since we've heard from them. Are they still-"

"Are they still trying to take the academy down?" I interrupted.

Sorry, Lilia, but I had to be the one to ask this. My mom was part of Zero, so I think I should be too. And, I have a feeling the answer is going to clear my mind off one thing that's been bugging me lately.

"That's what you need to find out. Now, no more questions, we're running late."

"But-"

"Natsume, you lead. Be back before the usual time. Oh, and Sakura; do not lose your mask. That is your life, so protect and keep it on at all times."

Without any further commands, the Black Cat released his grip on my hand and dispersed unto the highest branches. Lilia took no more than a second to follow.

I stayed behind.

"What are you doing? You're going to lose them."

"Is this why I was assigned into the DA just now?"

Persona was quite taken back by my question, even if he didn't show it.

"It just seems too weird. You and Principial Kuonji have known about my two alices for who knows how long, I bet. Yet, you didn't tale any action towards it. Then, when you relocated Zero, I was suddenly thrown here. Persona, tell me, is this true?" The tone of my voice implied that it was more of an order, rather than a query.

"Mikan."

I whipped around and gazed upwards. My vision seems to have gotten better, because I could make Natsume out despite that he was blanketed by a thick layer of darkness. He squatted on his feet, with Lilia right beside him.

"Come on," he called out.

I circled back around to Persona to finish our conversation, but he was no where in sight. All that was left of his presence were his two footprints imbedded in the wet soil.

I cursed under my breathe. I knew the answer; I just needed someone to confirm it so I could believe it on solid ground.

Eventually leaving my stance, I ascended to where the other two were, just landing smoothly on a branch adjacent to them. I figured I've kept them long enough.

"Don't ever be alone with Persona," Natsume whispered as he came next to me. "And next time, make sure you're someplace where I can easily see you."

He ventured on, leaving me no time to response at his over-protectiveness. I heaved a breathe and decided to obediently follow what he tells me to do. He's the one with more experience, anyways.

Fixing and adjusting my mask, I sprung my legs and began to trail behind Natsume.

"Jerk, huh?"

I glanced to my side to find the source of the sudden and unknown voice. What came to be was a white mask like mine, but was highly decorated with flames and such. Lilia's ruby red curls flowed in perfect form after her, hitting the air with every hop she took.

"Like, just because we're new, he thinks he can boss us around."

Huh, so she's new too? "I thought you're used to doing missions?"

She laughed. Genuinely, at that. "Nope. Just started about a month ago. Hi, I'm Lilianna Sirth. As you can guess, I'm American. I just learn fast when it comes to speaking other languages."

I shook her imaginary hand with my imaginary hand. "Sakura Mikan. Sorry, but I'm thinking I'm going to be some heavy excess baggage," I greeted, recalling back to what Persona depicted of me.

"No sweat. It's probably the same for me. Besides, I didn't want to leave you with Hyuuga." Just off in the distance, I swear I saw a pair of glowing eyes glare at us when Natsume was mentioned. "He didn't give me any pity whatsoever when it was my first. I could've died, you know!" Lilia exclaimed, shouting the last sentence quite loudly.

I smiled. "You know, on my first day here, he tried burning my hair."

"Ha, seriously?"

"Yeah. He was like, 'Answer me in five seconds. If you don't I'll burn your hair.' He acted all high and mighty, but when he couldn't burn me after so many tries, he just said, 'It's only because I'm worn out.' The thing is, I accidentally used my alice, and he didn't even notice it."

Lilia laughed again. It was sort of a mixture of both that and screaming. Since I can hear every sound she made, I ended up giggling with her.

"I could so imagine him saying that!" She imitated Natsume's usual smirk, adding her own flair and taste of humor to it. " 'I used my power up because I was showing off in front of girls. So I can't burn your hair now.' "

I practically bursted my lungs out. It wasn't the way she said it, but the way her face copied Natsume's was genius.

I'm starting to like her. Well, I am the type that always like everyone right off the bat, but she gave off a different vibe. Kind of like Hotaru's when I met her so many years ago. Just, she's more lively and talkative.

Not to be conceited or anything, but she reminds me of me.

We kept talking as if we were taking a random stroll in the middle of the night, when we halted right before pouncing on Natsume's back. He stood lifeless while his eyes scattered the skin of the cave below our feet.

He turned around to us. "We're here."

The chill wind blew, caressing all of our skin. I looked to Lilia, who nodded reassuringly, and towards Natsume. He didn't do anything.

No more laughing, or fun. It's time to get the party started.

Uhm, the last line was sort of a joke...just a bad one -,- I'm not gonna explain it, so you guys can figure it out for yourself.(:
Oh and heads up, I'm going back to the Philippines until August 2nd, so I won't be able to update till then. I'm gonna be washing my underwear by the streeeam! :D
Stay smexy!