Ok, guys, here's the next chapter. This one might be a bit boring for you all, but it's important stuff. I apologize if it's too slow. Don't worry, things will get more interesting. Anyway, read on my faithfuls!

3/24/10: Rewritten/Edited

Disclaimer: Gah! My brain is not creative enough to figure out how to make Gakuen Alice mine! Fail!

Natsume coughed harshly into his hand, spitting up blood. Groaning, he leaned back against the wall of his bedroom. He wasn't supposed to be released yet, but when Mikan had been released from the hospital, he released himself as well. There was no point in staying if she wasn't there. Besides, pain had been his constant state of being for ages now.

After that night he had almost literally dragged himself to her room, the adults had finally given up trying to separate them and had set up Mikan's room for them both. Natsume suspected they found this arrangement suitable anyway. He hadn't failed to notice that he and Mikan were under constant surveillance. The entire time that they'd been in the hospital either Narumi, Nodacchi, Sakurano, or Subaru had been watching over them. Even now, while they waited in the dorms before they would meet up once more with the high school principal, Narumi was in the building watching. He suspected the others were not far off either.

It was getting dark, so Natsume stood, washed his bloodied hands off in the bathroom, and headed towards Mikan's room. He was joined by Ruka at the door. Neither of them said anything as Natsume knocked, and Mikan told them to come in. He noticed her shove something into her pocket as they entered but she said nothing about it, so neither did he. Natsume grabbed Mikan's hand and Ruka set his on her shoulder as she concentrated on the stone once again glowing in her palm. Sakurano's Alice stone responded, transporting them once more to Principal Yukihara Kazu's office.

As they appeared in the room, Mikan noticed the Sakurano-senpai, Imai-senpai, Jinno-sensei, and her mother, Azumi Yuka, were also here. As she looked at her mother, her thoughts went to the bag in her pocket. Unsure what to say, she averted her gaze. Moments later, Noddachi, with Narumi, appeared in the room as well. Principal Yukihara nodded his head as he confirmed that everyone was present.

"Alright. Now, we have a decision that needs to be made, that has been delayed for too long."

Mikan shuffled uncomfortably where she stood. No one had talked about what had happened with her and Natsume that night. No one had asked why they were out in the middle of campus, so far away from this building where she was supposed to be. And even now, no mention was made of it. Of course, it probably hadn't taken them much stretch of the imagination to guess, what with the +10 years candy that had been scattered around the area where they'd been discovered.

"Please, take a seat. There is much to be discussed." Numerous chairs had been set up in the room, and everyone found one as the principal sat behind his desk. The air was so tense you could cut it with a knife. Mikan could feel Yuka's eyes on her, watching her. Narumi kept glancing over at Yuka, unsure how to act. No one seemed to know what to say.

Shifting uncomfortably once more, Mikan was suddenly very aware of the uncomfortable pressure of her bladder. Eager to have a few minutes to gather herself, she raised her hand, getting everyone's attention. Meekly, embarrassed, she explained herself.

"Erm…can I have a few moments? I need to use the restroom."

The principal looked at her in surprise for a moment, before nodding.

"Of course, but come back quickly. The bathroom is down the hall two doors, on the left."

Mikan nodded her head in understanding and bolted out of the room. Natsume watched her leave, concern etched on his face.

Mikan sniffled as she washed her hands in the sink. She was so confused. Obviously, she had made the wrong decision last time, but what was the right decision. Would they even give her a choice this time after she had fumbled everything so badly before? She was grateful the other students had been found and released after Natsume tried to blow up the Elementary School Building, but just because the Elementary School Principal hadn't chosen to round them up again yet didn't mean that he wouldn't. The entire school had been tense these last few weeks, as though hanging on a precipice. Tonight's decision could be pivotal and life changing for so many. So what was right?

As Mikan slowly made her way back down the hall to the office, dragging her feet, she was suddenly aware that she felt vastly older than she had even a few months before. She shivered as a cold breeze wrapped around her. Looking in the direction of the draft, she noticed an open door to her right. It was the same room she had stayed in with the others last time, with Hotaru, who was gone now. I bet Hotaru would have known what to do. I didn't even talk to her about it last time. I wonder if I hurt her feelings…

Keen on delaying her return to where the others were, Mikan made her way across the room, to the sliding glass door that had been left slightly ajar. She stepped out onto the balcony, closing it behind her. Shivering slightly at the brisk breeze that cooled the summer night, she wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against the balcony rail, looking out over the campus. The moon wasn't as bright tonight as it had been that night that she had stood here with Natsume five weeks ago, but it was still beautiful.

Sighing, she had a strange feeling of déjà vu as she tried to gather her thoughts. Wondering if she had hurt Hotaru's feelings made her consider who else she might have hurt with her rash actions that night. Both Narumi-sensei and her mother had wanted her to run away with them. She wondered how upset they had been when they realized she'd run off. Unconsciously, her hand slipped into her pocket and started fiddling with the stones from her mother. She felt a sharp ache in her heart at the idea that she could have made Narumi-sensei feel betrayed. She understood now, after those flashbacks, that he probably saw her much as his own daughter, a thought that both warmed and saddened her.

Ruka too. She hadn't talked to him nearly at all since then. He had always been there for her, yet she hadn't confided in him at that critical moment. She hadn't even told him yet that she had picked Natsume. She knew that he was already aware of her feelings, but still, it was only right to tell him straight out and make everything clear. She hated to hurt him that way, but he had a right to hear it from her.

Everyone was working so hard together on this. Even Jinno-sensei was fighting the elementary principal. It was amazing that they had even given her the choice on how to handle this in the first place. And yet she'd handled in so thoughtlessly, so irresponsibly.

Because she was afraid, then and now. Afraid of Natsume dying, afraid of her friends getting caught up in everything and getting hurt. She wanted to protect everyone, but how? She had overestimated herself last time, had thought the elementary school principal wouldn't be able to catch them, but they never even made it off the campus. And her stupid decision hadn't helped Natsume at all. Instead, he almost killed himself with his Alice.

She felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she felt all of the weight of the disastrous and ill planed decision that she had made. And now they had come full circle. It was time to make a decision again, and once more, she had no idea what to do. Nothing seemed like the perfect decision. No option seemed to keep her friends, Natsume, and the others safe.

Mikan was so wrapped up in her confusion, it took her a moment to notice the strange swoosh of air behind her. Before she could react, a cloth was place firmly against her mouth and her body was grabbed tightly in someone's arm. She tried to scream, tried to fight, but it was no use. When she inhaled deeply, hoping to get enough air to make herself heard, she smelled something strange. Everything in front of her began to spin and go out of focus. As she blacked out, her mind called out to the red-eyed boy that she'd grown to care so much for. Natsume…help…

Ok, so there's the next chappie. Lotsa fun, eh? As usual, R&R.