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 Twelve

For months, Mikan Sakura has been trained by Persona for the upcoming missions. She was given the name of "meikyuu" for "mysterious". Every day, Mikan is late because her training is every night. It was hard but Mikan was very determined to train for Natsume. While Natsume was oblivious of what was going on. Why? Because he is used to Mikan's being late. So what's new? Well, there is something new. Between Mikan's trainings, she and Persona found out that she has another Alice --- Alice Stealing. Persona was using his Alice against Mikan for harder training when Mikan accidentally stole it thus forming a black Alice Stone in her hand. Persona was pretty amazed at that and thought it would be very helpful for Natsume not to know that it was his little kitty who was helping him in his missions.

After three months of training, Mikan has grown stronger. Persona was pretty proud of her because Mikan was easy to train and she can control her Alices perfectly now. Only three months! Can you believe it? Mikan really improved!

Then the day when Mikan and Natsume would be working together came. Mikan was wearing a ninja suit and her hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her eyes were the only ones seen but she was wearing green eye-contacts so Natsume didn't recognize. Instead, he glared at the two.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked.

"This is Meikyuu. Your new partner for the missions." Persona prohibited Mikan to speak because Natsume will know her voice.

"I told you I do not need anyone." Natsume glared at Persona. Hard.

Persona smirked. "Really now, Kuro Neko? Anyway, Meikyuu. This is Kuro Neko and the two of you will have to work together in order to finish the missions. The mission is very important. You have to get the Alice Stones back from the AAO."

Mikan nodded.

"Why not just let this bastard do the mission then? If you think she's better than me, fine. I'm quitting. You have her anyway. And I don't care." said Natsume.

"Hold up, Kuro Neko. Quitting would make your love ones suffer."

Mikan looked at Persona, wide-eyed. Quitting would make your love ones suffer.

Natsume glared at Persona, thinking of Ruka and Mikan. "Leave them alone."

"I can do that," Persona smirked. "Just do as I say."

Natsume muttered. "Fine."

The three went out of the Academy. Hopping from trees to trees and roofs to roofs, Mikan thought of what Persona just said. Quitting would make your love ones suffer. What did he mean by that?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she accidentally bumped Natsume's back. "Damn, watch it, you bastard!"

"Go---" Mikan bit her tongue, stopping herself from apologizing.

"Focus, Meikyuu." Persona warned and Mikan just nodded. "We're here."

Mikan looked at her surroundings. She got puzzled. All she could see were warehouses. She expected themselves barging into a big mansion, going to a basement, and entering a secret lab or something. But no. Just warehouses. She wanted to ask Persona what they're doing there but suddenly, gunshots were heard.

"Take cover!" Persona shouted then the threesome hid between a narrow alley-way. The three took a peak.

"You see the warehouse which has a blinking long antenna?" Persona asked.

Mikan nodded.

"The two of you has to go inside there. The Alice Stones are hidden behind a big barrel of gunpowder." Persona explained. "I have to stay here to take care of the AAO members. Do you understand?"

Mikan nodded again while Natsume tsked.

"Go!"

The two ran towards the said warehouse but Mikan kept her eyes on Natsume while he was running ahead. So this is how a mission goes. She thought then suddenly she tripped. Typical Mikan. She bit her lip to keep herself from screaming.

"What the hell?!" Natsume shouted. "Tch. Whatever." He continued running.

Mikan looked at Natsume's back, frowning behind her ninja mask. If he knew it's me, he would have helped me... She stood up and followed him. Oh well, gotta finish this mission. Then after this, Natsume won't have a mission again... Mikan giggled to herself.

When she reached the entrance of the warehouse, she saw Natsume surrounded by black-suited people. Oh no...

"All alone here, boy?"

The rest laughed.

"You don't want to mess with me." Natsume said in a dangerous voice.

"You don't want to mess with me." One mimicked. "Right. You were the boy from before right?" He smirked. "Has your Master send you alone here yet again? You might need some bodyguards, boy!"

Natsume, being annoyed, lit fire in both his hands.

The AAO members pointed their guns at him.

Mikan widened her eyes. Okay, time to show myself! She ran swiftly, like the one on her training, and knocked each of the guards down, hopping from one head to another. Hard. She landed in front of Natsume and ran a hand across her neck, smirking behind her mask. Easy as pie.

"You didn't have to do that. I can take care of myself." Natsume coldly said and looked for the big barrel.

Mikan frowned. Take care of yourself. You can't even touch those bad guys. She rolled her eyes. Suddenly, someone covered her mouth with a hand. Good think she was quick, hitting the person's stomach with her elbow.

The guard muttered an "oof" before passing out.

Wow. I could use my skills when Natsume is teasing me! Mikan grinned. Alright, on with the mission. She also looked around and saw a big barrel on the very corner. She was about to approach it but Natsume blocked her way. "I saw it first."

If Mikan didn't have a mask, she would have stuck her tongue out. She looked at the barrel and saw something on the floor... It was connected on the barrel! Mikan followed her eyes. It sure was a long wire... Mikan widened her eyes when she saw what's on the other wire. The torch hanging from a post. A thought hit Mikan. If Natsume pushes the barrel, the wire will pull the torch down... It will light the "wire" and then they only have seconds to escape the warehouse. Or worst, the place. Wherever they were.

"Na---" Mikan bit her lip. She just ran towards him but too late. Natsume has already pushed the barrel. Baka! She looked at the torch falling down and as she predicted, it lighted the "wire."

"Where the hell?! The Alice Stones aren't here, for goddam's sake!" Natsume shouted.

A trap! The AAO must have known that Persona knows where they hid it and changed the location! Damn it! Mikan widened her eyes. She grabbed Natsume's hand and was about to pull her with him when Natsume pulled his hand away.

"What the hell are you doing?! Can't you see we have a problem here?!" Natsume shouted.

Mikan trailed the wire. Almost on the barrel! Big barrel of gunpowder! Mikan can't keep her mouth shut anymore. She shouted. "I can see the problem, Natsume! If we don't get out of here fast, we're gonna die! Do you here me?! Die! They set us up! They changed the Stones' location! And we're running out of time! If that...!" She pointed at the wire. "reaches the damn barrel, we're DEAD! OKAY?!"

Natsume widened his eyes. Mikan didn't explain further. She grabbed Natsume's hand but he pulled away again.

"What the---" Mikan stopped when she saw him glaring at her.

"Mikan."

Mikan widened her eyes. Her sight started to blur. "E-explanation later, okay?! We have to..." She stopped when she noticed the wire is closer to the barrel. "Go..."

"Fine, you idiot. But you've got LOTS of explanations to do." He grabbed Mikan's hand and they ran towards the exit.

It was puzzling how Mikan's heart didn't attack yet with all those hopping and running but just as when they were about to reach the exit, Mikan felt her heart throb then her knees fell on the floor. She clutched her chest.

"Mikan?" Natsume called when he noticed Mikan's hand slip from his grasp. He turned around. "Mikan!" He kneeled beside her. "Attacking again?"

Mikan managed to nod. "G-go, Natsume..." She clutched harder on her chest.

"What the hell are you saying, Mikan?!" Natsume shouted. "I promised that I won't leave you anymore, right?!"

Mikan fell on the floor. Of all the times it can attack, why now? "I can't move..."

Natsume carried her in his arms but when they reached the outside, everything went blank.

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

huwah~! sorry for the very late update! i've been really busy with schooooool!

mah, merii kurisumasu, minna-san!

hope you liked this chapter O_o

i don't even have any idea what "wire" i was talking about!

i am VERY SORRY!!!

(cries waterfall tears)

XxAnoniimouSxX