At long last, the much anticipated 13th chapter…it just occurred to me that this is the number 13…unlucky mayhap? Ah well. It has been conquered. Onward we plunge to new chapters and more story revealed. Hope you enjoy.

[Author's Note 3/23/10:

Don't worry my dear readers; for once this note is not for me to tell you that I am quitting the story. Rather, it is to let you know that I will be updating it in short order. However, before that, I am going through and editing the earlier chapter. Chapter one is particular has had some significant changes. If you are one of my faithful from early on, I ask that you go back and reread the chapters I am redoing for continuities sake. If nothing else, at least reread chapter one. And be patient. I will have new chapters up soon. Thank you for your loyalty and support. As always, reviews are my life substance. Please let me know what you think of the revision to the first chapter if you read the earlier version. Thank you and I look forward to your continued support.]

Disclaimer: Nothing has changed in the last year…this story is still not mine.

Mikan set the HAM caller back in its spot above her desk and sighed. There is nothing I can do for Hotaru right now. I need to focus on what I can do, what I have to do. With this thought as her focal point, she pulled out the necklace she wore around her neck. Her friends' Alices were a comfort and encouragement to her, even at the darkest moments. During the week she had spent waiting for Natsume to wake up in the hospital, she occupied her waking hours beside him, stringing her newly received Alice stones onto her necklace. Now, Hotaru's, Nobara's, Tusbasa's, Ruka's, and Nodacchi's stones joined Sakurano's, Tono's, and Natsume's.

She held Natsume's stone in her palm a moment longer before turning to her desk drawer and opening it. Shortly after arriving in her new room, she had used Hotaru's Alice to help her create a false bottom for one of her desk drawers. She now opened that and pulled out the box hidden therein. Removing the lid from the box, she pulled out the bag of Alice stones that her mother had given her before she'd been taken that night. She had been lucky that the Elementary School Principal and Persona had not seen it necessary to search her. They had remained safely in her pocket throughout the entire horrid ordeal.

Next she pulled out the few other Alice stones she had managed to acquire on some of her missions and stash away without the principal's notice. One of these in particular she hoped would help her find the means to achieve her goal. Her brow furrowed as she examined the drab gray Alice stone. She wished she was smarter. No doubt Hotaru or Natsume would have figured out a solution long ago, but she couldn't turn to them. Not only did she not want to burden and endanger them, but she couldn't risk being overheard and having her plans revealed. With students like Hayami on campus, it was far too obvious how even the most careful conversations could be overheard. No, she had to keep her thoughts to herself, silent and hidden. Of course, Koko would probably be able to find out easily enough, but she knew he could keep it to himself. He didn't reveal people secrets – their inner heart – at least not the stuff that really mattered.

As Mikan stared at the stone in her palm, trying to focus, her vision began to blur. She was so exhausted from pouring herself into her studies the last several nights, among other things, that she could barely keep her eyes opened. Resigning herself to the reality that she would not be accomplishing anything further tonight, she placed the stones and bag back in the box and set the box back in its spot beneath the false bottom. Barely awake, she changed into her pajamas and tucked the necklace safely underneath before collapsing on her bed and falling dead asleep. Fortunately, when she was so exhausted, she would usually sleep so deeply that nightmares rarely disturbed her – a blessing she eagerly sought.

Natsume was not so fortunate. Fire seemed to surround him everywhere, taunting, threatening to destroy everything important to him and leave him unscathed and drowning in guilt. It was a common nightmare for him. But this time, he could hear her voice calling, screaming. It drove him wild with panic as he ran in desperation to find her, frequently tripping and falling only to drag himself back to his feet and continue running. Finally, he could see a form lying, writhing on the ground a few meters off. As he rushed to her side, he noticed the ground beneath her was solid red and spreading. So much blood. How could a person loose that much blood and live? Trembling, he reached her body and pulled her into his arms. He couldn't see where the blood was coming from, but it kept coming, spreading to the flames that circled them without touching them, intimidating and foreboding. Her mouth opened and closed like she was trying to speak to him but he couldn't hear her. Then she went limp in his arms, and Natsume lost his grip on reality, screaming in anguish.

Natsume shot up in bed, panting and coughing violently in turn, his whole body trembling. His sheets and pillowcase were drenched in sweat. Once he could take in enough air to catch his breath, he stumbled out of bed, one hand clutching his pajama shirt where his heart raced with adrenaline underneath. It felt so real. He had to see her. He wouldn't believe she was okay until he could see her alive and safe with his own eyes.

He reached the windowsill and quickly lifted it and climbed out onto the roof. Her room was just a few meters over, the window closest to his. He made his way carefully across the roof until he reached her window. Peering inside, he tried to make out her sleeping form on the bed, but it was too dark to tell. Cautiously, he slid open her window and dropped silent as a cat to her bedroom floor. He padded stealthily across her room to her bedside and sighed with relief as he looked at her sweet, sleeping face.

Oh, thank goodness. She's okay.

She looked so beautiful, sleeping there. Unwilling to leave just yet, he sat softly on the bed beside her and watched her. She looked so innocent and peaceful, like before. He was grateful the horrors somehow left her untouched in sleep. The same could certainly not be said for him. Sure that she was too deep in sleep to notice, he reached his hand out and gently caressed her cheek.

"Oh Mikan, I miss you." Natsume was surprised at the lump in his throat, but swallowed it back. "I'm sorry for being angry with you. I'm just so scared for you. I hate to see you hurting. What can I do to bring you back to me? Why won't you rely on me? Why won't you turn to me? Why Ruka?" His eyes travelled over her delicate face once more, trying to stamp out the feeling of loneliness that threatened to overwhelm him. "Oh Mikan…"

Sighing heavily, Natsume climbed onto the large bed enough to lean over her and place a gentle kiss on her forehead. With that, he climbed back off the bed and returned to his room. Once the window slid shut, Mikan rolled over on her side, a tear rolling down her cheek. I'm sorry Natsume. I want to rely on you, I do. But I can't let you try to stop me. I'm sorry. Tears continued to overflow from her eyes as she tried to fall back into a now restless sleep.

Mikan groaned as she rolled over to escape the sunlight coming through her window. She felt like she had barely closed her eyes. She thought for a good long minute about trying to just go back to sleep and sleep the day, since it was Sunday, and they had no class. But her stomach decided at that moment to make its presence loudly known. Resigned to the inevitable, she dragged herself out of bed and made her way downstairs for breakfast.

Ruka had sat next to Natsume in the cafeteria out of habit, but now he shifted uncomfortably and stared at his food. They had hardly said to words to each other since the day Mikan had come back. Somehow he felt that Natsume was angry with him, but he couldn't understand why. On top of that, there seemed to be something between his best friend and Mikan as well. What had happened between the two of them? Other people might have leapt on this opportunity, but Ruka wasn't that type. He wouldn't take advantage of the rift between them to try to get closer to her. He knew they were meant for each other. So then, what was the problem? More than anything, he wanted to bring them together again…but with neither talking to him, he couldn't even guess where to start.

Just as he was thinking this, Mikan came down the stairs, blurry-eyed and in her pajamas. She stumbled to the counter to get her breakfast, and then stood feeling lost and confused, wondering where to sit. Ruka, seeing this, decided it was high time for him to take matters into his own hands. Smiling brightly, he turned in his seat and waved at her, beckoning her to join him. Her eyes shifted uncomfortably to Natsume, whose back was towards her, before she gathered her resolve and walked over to join them. Before she had the opportunity to move to sit next to Ruka, away from Natsume, he moved over and indicated for her to sit between them. She hesitated and then sat.

Natsume glanced at her from the corner of his eye, wondering what he should say. She looked so tired. He wondered why. When he had left her room last night, she looked like she had been sleeping well. He almost asked her before he remembered that he had snuck into her room uninvited in the first place. It would be awkward if she knew he'd been there.

Ruka watched the pair as they stared at their plates, searching for something to say to lighten the situation. He settled on the only thing that came to mind.

"That's a lot of food? You sure you can eat it all?" He grinned as Mikan looked up at him, confused, then back at her plate.

"Huh? Oh…" She had been eating Special Star meals for a week now and hadn't even really noticed. Now as she looked at it, she couldn't help but smile a little. It sure was a lot of food. She could only imagine what Hotaru would say if she saw it…probably something like how Mikan owed her for this and that before proceeding to pick stuff off her plate until there was practically nothing left for her. Hotaru could be such a glutton. This thought made Mikan giggle.

That happy little sound brought Natsume's head up immediately as he turned to look at her in surprise. That little grin that graced her face while she looked at her food was almost like having the old Mikan back. He shifted his gaze to Ruka, who grinned at him encouragingly. Natsume took the cue.

"Baaaka. If you eat all that you're gonna be so huge even that big new bed of yours won't be able to hold you." For a second, he wondered if he had gone too far as she turned her head to scowl at him, but the twinkle in her eyes set him at ease. Then she stuck out her tongue, an act that had him staring in awe.

"Well, somehow you're bed hasn't given out yet, so I think I'll manage. I certainly won't make things worse for you by sharing with you, jerk."

Ruka laughed at the look of mock condescension on Natsume's face as he retorted.

"Why would I want your food, idiot? I have the same thing, remember?"

Ruka cut in, purposefully eyeing Mikan's plate with longing.

"Would you mind sharing with me? Those eggs look lots better than mine."

"Of course, Ruka," Mikan smiled sweetly at him, shooting a taunting look at Natsume. Before either of them could react, Natsume's chopsticks shot out and snatched the aforementioned egg, shoving it in his mouth. Ruka and Mikan stared at him, dumbfounded. Natsume chewed and swallowed with an overly noisy gulp.

"Just didn't want Ruka infected by your food. Who knows what your germs could do?"

Simultaneously, all three started laughing. The sight was so rare and out of the blue, it drew the attention of the entire cafeteria. Everyone stared at them baffled. Their friends watched the trio's antics, confused but relieved. The whole cafeteria's mood felt immensely lighter, the tension of the last week diffused, like the clouds had been chased away to reveal a bit of sun.

As they laughed, Natsume caught Ruka's eye behind Mikan's head. Thank you, he mouthed, truly grateful. Somehow, he felt like Ruka had started the healing process. Maybe they'd make it through this after all. He knew nothing had really been resolved, but things like this couldn't be rushed. One step at a time…that was the only way to heal deep wounds. She had taught him that.

Ruka nodded in understanding. He was relieved. The two were talking to each other again. After this, it was up to them, but at least he had done what little he could.

Narumi watched from his place in the doorway, feeling the first spark of optimism that he had felt in days. These were the children he knew. These were the children who could take the world by storm with the strength of their bonds and the warmth in their hearts. This was their hope.

So how was it? Did it make up for the long absence? Or did it reveal how out of practice I am? Well, as usual, I live and breathe for reviews so R&R!!