This basically the first fluff in this story - and you better believe there's more to come.

I wrote the first 5 chapters or so a few month before the last ones so there may be a change in writing style (and the story basically develops from AFTER chapter 6), nonetheless, I hope you enjoy. This is still one of my favourite chapter ^ ^.

CHAPTER 3: HOW HARD IT IS

Mathematics. One thing you don't progress in after seven years away from school education are equations and fractions. It was a struggle not to raise my hand for every question I came across. Inchou was nice enough to try to explain it all, but I guess I had just missed too much. That, or I'm just plain dumb. Hotaru must have concluded the latter and so simply put her helmet on and did her work.

I was nearly in tears by the end of class. I breathed the biggest sigh of relief as the bell sounded.

"Mikan," said the teacher.

"Hn?" I responded.

"You have missed a great deal of work while you were away. We may have to enter you into a tutoring program."

"Um, ok."

"A tutor will be selected for you by the end of the week... unless you have any suggestions."

I ran this through my mind. I knew the perfect person! Of course, I yelled, "Hotaru will do it!"

He looked at Hotaru, who was standing by the door, "Miss Imai, are you willing to do this?"

"I'm far too busy," she stated. "Besides, you can't teach a stupid dog any tricks."

"H-H-Hotaru?" Rejection.

B-b-but, Hotaru! She walked away leaving me shattered and, once more, on the verge of tears.

"I'm sorry Mikan," said the teacher sympathetically, I guess he thought that was a little harsh too. "I shall have to arrange a tutor for you."

I nodded and raced out the door to whine at Hotaru. But when I got to the hallway, I found myself alone. Hotaru was no where in sight. I sighed and began walking towards my Special Ability Class. As I walked alone, I found myself wondering who would tutor me. And then –

"Polka!"

"Natsume!" I cried, happy to see him. I rushed towards him. Then I remembered what I had heard during break.

"Natsume! How could you?" I said, my voice suddenly stern. "I can't believe what you did after I left! You could've hurt yourself really badly. You shouldn't go doing those things for me. It doesn't help anyone."

"They dobbed on me, did they?" he said, a glint in his crimson eyes suggesting a plan for revenge brewing in his brain.

"Yes they did. And don't you go reprimanding them about it either. I left this school so that I wouldn't hurt anyone any more. How do you think it feels to come back and find out I had caused that much pain?" I nearly choked.

I waited for his smart-alec comeback, which he always had ready. Instead he said something so unexpected, "Do you know how hard it is to live without you?"

Speechlessness hit me. I stuttered, "Na-natsume..."

But before I could properly respond, he grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him. And then... and then he kissed me. It felt like a long-restrained relief kiss. What is with this guy and unexpected kisses?

After a few stunned moments, I kissed him back. I guess you could count this a belated 'nice to see you again' greeting. We stayed there basking in each other's presence. He was real.

Our lips parted and he said, "There, I'm all better now. So will you stop scolding me and listen to what I have to say?"

Hm? Oh right. I was still a bit dazed. Wait... he had something to say? I shut up and listened (yes, this is entirely impossible had it been anybody else, in any other situation).

"You were headed to your Special Ability Class, right?" he began.

"Mmhm, has it changed rooms?"

He smirked. "No, you're not in Special Ability any more, remember?"

Wh- oh yeah! It all came back to me now! I was in dangerous ability, that's right. Baka!

"Were you sent here to fetch me?" I asked as realisation became apparent on my face.

"No," he replied. "I just thought you wouldn't be smart enough to figure it out yourself."

It's nice to know that he cares.

Ok, I hope you liked that. The next chapter should be up well withing the next 3 days (and if I get lots of reviews, the sooner :P).