Here's the next chapter!

03/25/10: Rewritten/Edited

Disclaimer: How many ways can I say "not mine"?

Mikan sat silently beside Natsume, struggling with herself. More than anything else, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and cry. No, I can't do that. I have to be strong. For everyone, but especially him. I can't let him worry. She hadn't spoken to him yet. She couldn't find words. What to say? What could she tell him? She didn't trust herself to keep everything inside if she opened her mouth. So she sat silent beside him throughout the entire class.

She was not deaf to the whispers, but she had expected them. The idea of there being a special star level student in the elementary division in the first place had been unbelievable. For there to now be two must see ludicrous in their minds. Especially her. But it didn't matter. She hadn't chosen this ranking; she hated what it symbolized, but she would carry on, despite the consequences she was sure would come from her sudden elevation, the jealousy and suspicion. And of course she had known what would come of being a dangerous abilities student. She had seen Natsume, had seen her mother and Luna. She knew what to expect.

Besides, she had chosen this for herself. She would carry it with courage. Because she had something to fight for, something she had to do. And if this was the best way to do it, she would to the best of her ability.

Still, her soul felt weary. She despised herself in so many ways for what she'd become. But the price wasn't too great. It could never be too great.

A heavy tension had settled over the class. Throughout the rest of the day's class work there seemed to be an almost oppressive air on the students. No one was really sure what to think, what to say. Mikan was back. But what had happened? There were so many mysteries, so many strange things that were happening. Confusion, suspicion, anger, relief, so many emotions swirled through the class. Only Koko seemed nearly untouched, perhaps because he had listened to such a conglomeration of thoughts on every emotional spectrum his entire life that he had become almost immune to it.

As soon as the bell rang, Natsume rose, pulling Mikan's hand, leading her quickly out of the room. Ruka watched them leave, feeling torn. He wanted to follow, wanted to be there for Mikan. But somehow he felt now was not the time. Natsume and Mikan needed to be with each other right now. He couldn't intrude. Sighing heavily, he stood and walked out of the class. Perhaps if he went to the animal stables, he could distract himself for a while.

Some of the students, namely Yuu and Sumire, made as if to stop them, anxious for Mikan (Yuu) and wanting to know what had happened to her (Sumire). But something about the pair told them now was not the time.

Natsume hurried down the hall, pulling Mikan along behind them. Once they were out of earshot of at least most of the class, Mikan finally found her voice.

"Where are we going?"

Her voice was soft, monotone. Natsume almost missed it, but his heart tugged as he heard her voice again for the first time in so long. But it wasn't the same. It wasn't the voice he had so longed to hear. This wasn't the cheerful, optimistic, indomitable Mikan he had so desperately wanted back. But still, she was Mikan, and he ached to put her back together, to help save her from the darkness she was drowning in.

"We're going to find Narumi…or that uncle of yours. Somebody, anybody who can get you out of here, take you away where they can't hurt you anymore."

Mikan froze, forcing Natsume to stop as well.

"No."

He spun around, looking at her in disbelief.

"What?"

Surely he'd heard her wrong. He hadn't even said yet that he wouldn't be going with her.

"I said, no. I'm not leaving. I've made my decision. I'm staying here."

"No, you're not," Natsume said, his voice clipped. "You're getting out of here, and you're going tonight. Somewhere far away where that conniving principal and that monster can't get to you anymore."

Mikan shook her head, but Natsume wouldn't accept that.

"Mikan, please, you have to leave. I can't just stand by and watch them destroy you like this. I know better than anyone what they put you through. What they do to you. What they make you become. I can't let that happen to you. At least, not anymore than it already has. I know you're worried about us, but please, Mikan, you need to leave."

He was nearly pleading with her, but on her face he could clearly see that she was unmoved. Natsume could feel himself getting angry. He hated seeing her so empty, so broken. Why couldn't she see that she needed to leave? For his sanity if nothing else.

"It's not so bad, really. I'm ok. I don't want to leave."

"NOT SO BAD?!" Natsume snapped, pouring out all the anger that had been building up inside him over the last few months, all the worry, all the fear. "Have you seen yourself?! Mikan, have you seen what they've done to you? You're not the same. You've changed."

When she dropped her eyes, he reached forward, roughly grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer, forcing her to look at him.

"What did they do to you, Mikan? Where did they take you?" He demanded. She remained silent.

"Tell me!"

"Nothing! They did nothing to me!" Mikan snapped, pulling away from him angrily. This isn't how she'd wanted it to be. This isn't how she'd wanted to reunite with him. Why did he have to be so pushy? Why couldn't he just let it go? It was her decision to make after all, not his.

"I'm fine, okay? I don't need to go anywhere."

Natsume pulled back when she snapped at him, eyes wide as he realized how upset he had gotten at her. It wasn't her fault. She wasn't the one he was angry with. Calming himself, he thought carefully about what to say next. Why had he stayed for so long? Why had he allowed them to use him? For the sake of others. She must be doing the same. They most of coerced her, promised her something.

"Mikan, what did they promise you? What are you trying to do? Who are you protecting?"

Tsubasa, perhaps? He had been moved out of the dangerous abilities class when she had disappeared. But that didn't seem big enough. There had to be more to it. But what? What did she think she could achieve by staying?

"I just want to stay, that's all." Such a careful answer. Natsume could feel himself getting angry again, but he held it back, instead reaching out to her again, speaking gently.

"How can I help you if you won't tell me? How can I save you?"

Mikan pulled back from him again, eyes looking sharply at him, stern, determined.

"I don't want you to save me. I don't need to be saved. Mind your own business, Natsume."

Her words were so cold. Natsume pulled back like he'd been stung, trying to hide the hurt in his eyes. He tried to remind himself that she'd been through a lot. That she probably didn't mean it. Still, he couldn't rid himself of the feeling of betrayal.

As they stood there silently – the atmosphere between them strained – they heard footsteps coming quickly down the hall. A moment later, Narumi rounded the corner. Almost immediately his eyes found Mikan. Natsume saw a mix of emotions play across Narumi's face before the pheromone user moved closer to them.

"Finally. Maybe you can talk some sense into her." Natsume said acerbically, trying to hide the pain and betrayal he felt inside behind an angry façade. Narumi shot him a questioning look before turning back to Mikan.

Mikan watched Narumi come towards her, a strong longing building up inside her. She wanted so badly to just rush into his arms. To let it all out. To cry and be the little kid she'd been before. To let him comfort her like the father she'd never had, because this school had destroyed him. But she couldn't do that. She had to be strong. She couldn't break, couldn't let them see her pain. Then they really would make her leave, and all her efforts would be for naught.

"Mikan?" Narumi asked questioningly, surprised when she didn't immediately throw herself into his arms. He wanted nothing more than to hold her, reassure himself that she was back, that she was safe. But as he looked closer, he felt his heart sink. Because reflected there in her eyes was what he had most wanted to protect her from. Like Natsume, he saw mirrored back to him familiar eyes. Eyes that looked like his once had, like Natsume's, like Yuka's.

"Oh, Mikan." He whispered softly as his heart bled for her. He understood all too well how the principal and his tasks could rip one of their very soul. Taking a deep breath, he continued, speaking softly, so they wouldn't be overheard. "Mikan, the high school principal would like to speak with you. If you'd come with me."

"I don't need to see the principal." Mikan stated firmly. Narumi stared at her in surprise. Observing her, his thoughts immediately turned to her mother. Yuka would not like this Mikan. This was everything they had all tried so hard to prevent. History was repeating itself. "I've made my decision. I'm staying here."

"Mikan, please, let's at least talk this out."

"No. I've made up my mind. I'm staying here. If you want me to leave, you'll have to drag me out." Her eyes narrowed, daring him to argue.

Natsume scowled, and Narumi watched her in concern. But he knew he wouldn't be able to sway her. Mikan was stubborn, and he could clearly read in her eyes that she'd set her mind to something. Rubbing his forehead, trying to rid himself of the headache he felt coming on, he sighed wearily.

"Very well. I shall pass your message on. But still, I think your uncle you like to see you regardless. Won't you at least let him see for himself that you are back and…well?"

Mikan shook her head, dropping her gaze to the floor. She didn't want to hurt her uncle. She had so little family and had not even known of their existence for so long that she wanted to treasure them with everything she had. But she didn't know what she'd say to him, couldn't bring herself to face him just yet.

Narumi walked closer to her, leaning down to look at her on her level. "Alright, but should you need anything, anything at all, or just want someone to talk to, you can come to me anytime."

Natsume snorted irritably. "Who'd need you?" he muttered, admittedly still feeling bitter about Mikan's cold attitude toward him. Mikan simply nodded, dropping her eyes, tired of fighting with them, tired of holding it all in. She had thought it would be so wonderful to be reunited with everyone. She had missed them all so much, especially Natsume. But now all she wanted was to be alone again. At least alone, she didn't have to hide.

"I'm tired," she said softly, "and I've got a ton of studying to do, so I'm gonna go to my room now, ok?"

She wasn't really sure who she was asking, but she walked around Narumi without another word and left. Narumi and Natsume watched her quietly, deep concern etched on Narumi's face, and a grimace on Natsume's. Once she was out of sight, Natsume turned and walked the other direction without a word to the flamboyant teacher. He wasn't sure where he was going, but he needed to pull himself together. Narumi's eyes followed Natsume as he left. This is not how things were suppose to happen. How had everything gone so far wrong?

So there's the next chapter. A lot to digest, I suppose. Hope you liked it. R&R.