Mikan woke up with an early start. Hotaru didn't even have to try her new invention on her just to wake her up. She couldn't sleep well last night. She was still bothered by Natsume's silence yesterday. It was unlike him for he would usually give the last word and his infamous panty remark.

She proceeded to fix herself and did her daily rituals.

Yawning, Mikan stretched her whole body. They had begun walking along the hall leading to their classroom. "Hotaru," Mikan drew Hotaru's attention to her "an odd thing happened yesterday."

Hotaru's impassive face darted towards her. "Odd things happen to odd people." She commented.

Mikan gave a pout at her. It's really hard to have a very normal conversation with people like Hotaru. Every word she gives out is considered a word from an idiot which she isn't. And it's only her thinking that she isn't. Although Mikan is easily frightened and problematic to handle when she's in panic given a chance she's quite brave and agile.

"What do you mean by that?" she questioned stupidly. Hotaru honoured her with a glance again then just shrugged her shoulder in reply. It's really hard to explain to a slow-minded creature like Mikan.

Soon she gave up trying to find some answers from Hotaru. "Anyway, Natsume was having mood swings lately. I can't point a finger to it but I know something is going on in his mind." Hotaru signed and looked at Mikan, "The only mind that doesn't have anything going on is yours" Hotaru retorted. Obviously trying to induce some sense unto her about her IQ.

And Mikan didn't even notice that Hotaru was trying to demean her. Mikan eyes widen like she discovered some deep secret. "Maybe he had his period yesterday." She concluded, bewilderment written in her face. Hotaru gave out a sigh hearing her best friend's antics. 'The joke wasn't even funny.' and her thoughts exactly.

'But boys can't have periods, or could they' from Mikan's mind herself. She yawned again.

o 0 o

The bell rang the second time and on cue the students went to their respective seats. The class began from boring to annoying. As the class proceeded, Mikan yawned from time to time. She's already drifting to slumber from the lack sleep.

Natsume eyed Mikan from behind his manga book. Instead of listening to the teacher he would rather read hi manga. Since the start of the class he noticed Mikan's lack of energy and decided to observe her and find out the cause. He already had a plan in mind to keep her away from Andou. And the first step is to brand her his.

At the end of the class, as soon as the teacher got out of the classroom did Mikan break. She almost fell but two arms supported her limp body. While Mikan doze off Natsume adjusted their positions so that her arms were wrapped loosely around his waist and Natsume's left arm around her waist. His right arm supported her head to his shoulder.

Ruka almost fell from his seat when he saw the pair. Sure he had expected them to be close to each other not only because they are partners but also because the only name of a girl that came from Natsume's mouth was Mikan's. But this sudden show of affection from Natsume is too shocking to ignore.

Hotaru's only reaction was to take a picture of a very rare phenomenon. It could be presented in History or considered a legend. She could sell it for a thousand rabbits.

To the others point of view Natsume is holding Mikan far too protectively. His action obviously didn't go unnoticed by their classmates. His reputation for being a cold-blooded fire wielder was destroyed in an instant. But a glare from him, that reputation was back again with addition. Mikan being HIS girl.

o 0 o

The preparations for the upcoming festival were already in action. The students from the different category of Alices were busy preparing. They only have one goal and that is to win.

The Special Ability class proceeded to their meeting. They have to come up with a good idea to surprise the other Classes.

In the middle of the meeting an arm snaked around Mikan's neck. Knuckles rubbed on her hair profusely. This action caught her by surprise. She then turned her head to her attacker.

Grinning from ear to ear, "A little birdie told me that something is going on between you and Natsume-kun." Misaki asked joyously.

"E-eh? I don't know what y-you're talking about." Mikan struggled to be freed. "Sempai, p-please, I-I can't breathe."

Misaki let her go at once but still waited to be answered. This kind of rumour can't be ignored easily. And direct information from the cause of it is just what she needs to satisfy her. "Come on Mikan, we're friends, remember?"

Mikan sweatdropped. "I seriously don't know what you mean." And it's true. Honest little Mikan doesn't have any clue on what was happening. Yet, evil Misaki won't give up.

"You know, about the hug you guys shared." She said. "Eh?" was Mikan's reply while tilting her head to the side in confusion. It seems like Misaki's patience is decreasing. "It happened inside your classroom, the hug that is." She tried again.

"I'm sorry. I really have no idea on what you mean." All she remembered was that she slept the whole time inside the classroom. Our little brunette doesn't have any clue on what will happen to her in the future.

o 0 o

It's already nightfall and the plan is about to be done. He had planned this step by step. A mistake can't be tolerated. His happiness depends on this mission. He would accept going low as to do this kind of thing than let others have her.

He sneaked out of his room and proceeded towards a certain attic bedroom. He passed the corridors until the door of his objective is in sight. He opened it slowly, careful not to wake the sleeping figure. He walked across the room with stealth like a cat and approached a certain drawer. He then opened it and scanned for the very best qualified for his plan.

His red eyes glinted in the dark. 'There you are. We'll be friends starting today.' He did a mental laugh. He took hold of the best he could get for a sure victory. 'You'll assure my victory, my friend.'

Before he took his leave he gave a last glance at the sleeping figure, smirking he retreated to his room.

A/N: Second chappie ends here. Hope you guys had the heart to tolerate it. Reviews...reviews...reviews...hehehe