Chapter 5

Last time…

Outside, dark clouds started gathering, and soon, it started to pour. The group of Alice students in the cafeteria had long finished their breakfast and were heading back to class. They looked up at the sky and a certain blonde stroking his rabbit commented to his friends, " Heaven seems to be crying about something sad…"

The group nodded as they proceeded to their classroom.

Little did they know how true Ruka's words were... If only they knew…

27th November, day of Natsume's birthday (4 in the morning).

"Mikan-chan. Are you really going? Must you really? I will be so lonely if you do. Can't i change your mind? Nothing? Nothing at all? " Narumi-sensei walked beside Mikan, holding her already baggage.

Smiling sadly at her favourite teacher who doted on her like his own daughter, she shrugged her shoulder and focused on the road in front of her.

Narumi sighed softly. He had noticed the change in the sweet and gentle girl since a few weeks back. It was sudden and it caught him off-guard when he entered the classroom only to notice that was ignoring and avoiding Mikan. What shocked him most was the language her close friends used on her. Such harsh and cruel words would make anyone lose hope, even if it was the most hyper and positive person on Earth.

He watched as Mikan withdrew herself and her eyes started to have a blank look just like how her MOTHER looked like in the past. He was worried. He was sad. On top of it all, he felt guilty. Guilty that he was of no help at all, that all he could do was to encourage and cheer her up (which is obviously futile). When she came to him the night before, telling him that she was transferring, he was shocked.

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Flashback

-knock knock-

Narumi was in his dormitory going through assignments. It was 1 in the morning and he did not expect anyone to be awake at all. Curious as to who was at the door, he stood up and opened it.

"Yes? Who's there?"

"Am I disturbing you oto-san?"

Narumi looked down to see his favourite student/ daughter and was alarmed. She was so disheveled! Her hair was unkempt and her eyes were puffy and blood-shot. He ushered her in and got her a cup of her favourite hot cocoa.

He sat beside her on the edge of his bed staring at her silently while sipping his own cocoa, waiting for her to start the conversation.

After a while, Narumi seemed to realise that Mikan wouldn't be opening her mouth to raise the subject.

"Mikan-chan, Is anything the problem? If there is, won't you let oto-san know? Maybe I can help?" at least I could, this time. Narumi thought to himself.

Staring at her cup, Mikan replied him in a soft voice," I'm going to America."

Narumi had sort of guessed what she wanted to talk about, but THIS was not what he had expected! Going to America?

"Mi-chan. You don't mean the Alice Academy of America do you?"

Slowly, Mikan took another sip of her hot cocoa before nodding at his question.

Narumi's eyes bulged. 'Is she for real? America is so far away from Japan! She wouldn't be able to see her friends, her family or even Natsume! WHY?!'

Narumi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

"Mi-chan. This is no joke. The America school IS our sister school but their system is totally different! It is no joke! Their students there are all elites and their teaching system is…." Narumi paused as a chill ran down his spine just thinking about it.

"Anyway, it is not a place for fun Mi-chan. Please think carefully wouldn't you?"

Mikan glanced at her beloved teacher's face.

"I'm not joking. I've received a request mail from them saying that they want me at their school and I've already accepted it papa. I'm just here to let you know that I'm leaving in 3 hours' time and I'm here to say goodbye." Tears once again pooled in her honey eyes.

Narumi was really shocked.' THEY requested for her to transfer? THEY wanted her to become a… become a monster?! What's more, she's willing to become one?'

Mikan looked at her father's face and watched as he struggled with her answer. She watched as the shock was replaced by anxiety than by resignation. He looked into her eyes, his tears pooling in it. At that instant, Mikan felt a spark of happiness. Happiness that there was still her father/teacher who loved her, treasured her and didn't want her to leave.

She reached out slowly and hugged him, tears streaming her own face. In the room then, there was nothing except silence and soft sobbing from both father and child.

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Back in present

Something cold touched Narumi's face. He looked up into the purplish grey sky, watching as snow fall from heaven to the Earth. Looking down at the face of his beloved student, he smiled gently and patted her head as they proceeded to their destination.

"Mi-chan. Have you said goodbye to your friends? Do they know you are leaving?"

Pausing shortly in her steps, Mikan replied," Umm… Not really. I didn't tell them anything as they were ignoring me remember? But I did leave a note behind for them. I just didn't tell them I went to America. Oto-san, don't tell them where I went ok? Please?"

Narumi smiled and nodded his head, holding the side of Mikan's head and pulling it softly to his sides.

A shiny limousine was slowing visible in the snow as they walked closer and closer to the front gate – The spot where they were going to separate for who knows how long to come.

A guard appeared just when they reached the side of the limo, taking Mikan's luggage from Narumi's hands. While the guard placed her items into the boot of the limo, Narumi opened the door for Mikan and allowed her to enter the car.

As Mikan stepped into the inside, she was dazzled. Never in her life had she ever seen such gorgeous interior of a car. It was so big and spacious that a king-sized bed could be placed in it and a person could still get in and out easily. What's more, it comes with a refrigerator (filled with her favourite foods) and it even has a TV console!

This luxury seemed to have told her how her life is going to be from here on. Gulping, she turned back to her father and smiled awkwardly at him.

Narumi seemed to have noticed that Mikan was starting to realize what her choice meant and how it would go on from here. As she gave him a smile, he smiled back gently and with all his love and hope, he kissed her forehead.

"Mikan, this handphone is a present from me to you. No one else has the number except for me and as long as used in campus, every call or mail is free-of-charge. If anything happens and you need someone to talk to, just give me a call. Remember this Mikan. You have chosen this path and you must face it no matter what. Be brave, be strong. Most importantly, don't give up on hope no matter how harsh things may get from now on. Your light is now dimmed by people whom you thought were you friends but it is not extinguished. Mikan, keep your light burning and keep believing. As long as you have hope and believe, you can go on even in the darkest darkness. Remember Mikan that you have people who loves and treasures you. People like me and your mother. We may be apart, but our hearts are forever linked. Come back to us soon Mikan, we'll be waiting here for you with open arms. Love you."

Sniffing softly, Mikan kissed her father's cheek back and whispered," Love you oto-san, and oka-san. I don't promise anything, but I swear I WILL return no matter what. Byebye. "

As they broke their hug, the guard informed them that it was time to leave. As the guy closed the door and returned to drive the car, Narumi took a few steps back and waved to his daughter who was again crying. The car shuddered and came to life as it started to make its way out of the Academy Gates.

Still waving to the crying Mikan, Narumi-sensei watched as the car slowly disappeared from his sight.

"Byebye my little Orange. Come back soon."

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Hi people! ((:

I'm finally back!

I'm so happy to have received so many reviews asking me to update this fic. –tears- I apologise for making you beautiful people wait for so long but I'll be doing my best to finish this fic! (:

So this chapter is one for Narumi and Mikan, the cute father and child. I hope it wasn't too boring! I know that many of you don't want me to drag this freakin' fic and want to see the Mikan when she returns, but please please let me take it slowly. I feel that something is not right if I just skip and don't type everything which I've thought of properly.

Don't worry, I'll force myself not to disappear for so long anymore. Since my common test is ending in 2 day's time, I'll then have 2 weeks to do this fic! Yays~! ((:

Even though I'll rush to complete, I'll keep you guys in suspense so I'll only update when I feel like it! –evil laughter-

BUT! Even though I said 'when I feel like it', I'll be sure to do it at least once a week so you guys won't hate me so much! (:

Oh, and I'm really trying my best to write a long chapter so ya, please give me your support! ((:

Love you guys and do review! (:

-Fuyuhii