Summary: They've been best friends since they were kids. They vowed at each other that they will always be best friends forever. Yes, forever.

Chapter Nine

Flashback.

"Goddamit!" Natsume groaned as he slid on the grounds, wiping away the blood from his mouth. He was given a mission yet again and this time, it was harder than he thought it would be. He turned to the person wearing a white mask on his face. "Persona, why the heck were those stupid Alice Stones stolen?! Shouldn't the school be the ones responsible?! They should have doubled the stupid security, for goddam's sake!"

"It isn't the Academy's fault, Kuro Neko. The AAO got their plans assembled before they stole the Stones." Persona started attacking one of the Anti-Alice Organization members.

Natsume followed. He aimed on Reo Mouri, the leader of the AAO. The bag of Alice Stones were on his hand.

"I can see our little Kuro Neko isn't focused today, is he?" Reo smirked. "Did something happen?"

"Shut the hell up!" Natsume activated his Alice and threw it on Reo who just dodged it easily. He has to finish this mission as soon as possible. If he failed...

"Kuro Neko, focus!" Persona shouted, dodging an attack.

"Listen to me." Reo said then the two stopped.

Damn it. He's using his Alice! Natsume thought, trying to fight Reo's voice.

"Why don't you guys just go home and take a little rest?" Reo smirked.

Persona, being the "greatest" as he was, wasn't able to avoid Reo's Alice.

"Go home!"

Then, by itself, their bodies ran away.

~At the Academy~

Natsume punched the ground, groaning. "It's the Academy's goddam fault!"

"You failed your mission, Kuro Neko."

"How the hell am I gonna finish the goddam mission, Masked Bastard?! I haven't had enough rest, for hell's sake!"

"And the Kuro Neko speaks of resting." Persona smirked.

"You had a hard time as well, stupid." Natsume muttered but Persona heard it.

"You know, Kuro Neko. Keep those precious people close to your heart. Never let go of them." Persona's smirk grew. "Never leave them alone. Because if you did... You might lose them."

Natsume thought about his best friend, Mikan, who was at the hospital while he did his mission. "Don't come closer to her." He spoke dangerously. "If something bad happened to her, I swear I'm going to kill you."

"Threats, Kuro Neko, threats... Are more stupid than warnings." Persona shook his head.

Natsume clenched his fists.

"If you like, let's have your littly kitty with you on the missions. Anyway, she has the Nullification Alice, yes? She can protect you from Reo's Alice."

"No!" Natsume shouted.

Persona smirked then he walked away.

Natsume rested for awhile then after a few minutes, he went to visit Mikan at the hospital.

End of Flashback.

***

Mikan woke up, stretching her arms and legs when...

"Oh my God, Mikan-chan!" She heard her grandpa shout.

Mikan's eyes widened, taking away her sleep. "What is it, jii-chan? What?!" She exclaimed.

Grandpa pointed at Mikan. "Mikan-chan, why are you bleeding?!"

"Nani?!" Mikan looked down and saw her shirt with blood. But it was already dried. She turned her head above her shoulder and tried to look at her back. Handmarks... Mikan widened her eyes. Natsume!

"What happened to you, Mikan-chan?!" Her grandpa started panicking. "I'm going to call the nurse!"

"Chotto matte, jii-chan!" Mikan called which made her grandpa turn to look at her. "This blood isn't mine..." She whispered.

"You committed MURDER?!"

Mikan sweatdropped but she felt like laughing. Where on earth did her grandpa get the idea? "Jii-chan," She said gently. "Natsume was here last night... And I... I think this is from him..."

"Oh my. What happened to him?" Grandpa covered his mouth.

"I... I'm not sure, Jii-chan... He didn't seem to be hurt though."

"I see, I see. We'll call his house later and ask if he's alright, okay, Mikan-chan?"

Mikan nodded.

"Hora, hora. Let's get you cleaned up. I'll get your clothes."

***

Afternoon came and at around five o'clock, Ruka came with a box of chocolate.

"Konnichiwa, Sakura."

"Konnichiwa, Ruka-pyon!" Mikan smiled.

"I brought this for you." Ruka smiled back, handing Mikan the chocolates.

"Huwah!" Mikan's eyes started sparkling. "Arigatou ne, Ruka-pyon!" She opened it and started eating.

"How are you feeling, Sakura?"

"I'm fine, Ruka-pyon!" Mikan smiled.

"Natsume..."

Mikan stopped her hand half-way then looked at Ruka, eyes widened. "What happened to him?"

"He didn't come to school awhile ago." Ruka frowned.

"Oh?" Mikan looked down. Something did happen to him... Mikan looked at Ruka and forced a smile. "Neh, maybe he cut classes again, Ruka-pyon? Don't worry much. I'm sure he'll be in class tomorrow. If... he won't cut classes."

Ruka thought about it and smiled. "Maybe you're right, Sakura."

~~~~~0o0o0o0o0~~~~~

waaaaaah! T.T

i'm screwing up again. :((

can anyone give me ideas? xD highly appreciated!

oh by the way, sorry for the late update. T.T

we just had our monthly exams. T.T

and yeah, i had to study.

and since it's over, i can update but...

i'm having mental block. xD

waaaahahahah. T.T

sorry... =(

XxAnoniimouSxX