"Author's" note: Another chapter up. I apologise for the lateness. I'm glad for all your reviews. And I'm definitely glad that the story is progressing. ^^ Many have added my story to their favourites. I was definitely thrilled every time I receive one of the mails. Grins. Many thanks to all my readers and have a Happy Lunar New Year!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice and it's a fact.

Chapter 7 – Dreams

Every vampire needs a contract. At the age of 18, when one is considered mature, every vampire will have to enter a contract whether they like it a not, be it a one-way or a two-way. If not, the vampire would lose control of his instincts and be considered as a dangerous subject. Those vampires called rejects hunt human indifferently for survival. It is considered a disgrace if a clan has even a reject and it will be necessary for the clan to "clean up the mess they made" by erasing them from existence.

o.O.o.O.o

Narumi froze at the sight of the figure before him. His back stiffened as panic rose in his chest. Cold sweat drenched him entirely as he approached the site.

His instincts and worries were right. He had made a trip down to her work area to reassure himself, but look what he found, a still Mikan lying by her side.

"Damn,"

There was too little time to prepare. He should have kept a closer eye on her, but no, he had believed with Imai by her side and her own perfect instincts, it would be absolutely safe. He should have known better, after all this was Mikan we are talking about, careless naïve Mikan. Gathering his courage, he stepped forward. Each step was a torture for him, but hope had not abandoned him yet. He recalled the past events and sorely regretted not objecting to that old man's decision to send his granddaughter into a predator's lair when he was still alive. Damn. He increased his pace, his senses desperately finding a sign, an indication that she was alive, a sign that would calm his nerves.

His efforts were not in vain. Relief poured through him when he heard the faint, but sound breathing of the girl. She was still alive. A knot in his chest came undone as nervous laughter bubbled past his throat. He had not failed that old man.

A little soft-hearted sigh escaped his mouth as he crouched by Mikan, fondly ruffling her hair like he used to do in the old days. She would forbid him to do so now as it appeared childish to her opinion. He was greatly impressed yet depressed at her declaration to become mature. Genuine laughter now escaped his lips as he recalled the events of the past. Such foolishness the child had possessed then, he should have trusted…he should have trusted…He paused, laughter dying down at the base of his throat as he stared at what seem to be two holes buried into Mikan's throat, the work of a vampire. Instantly, his face underwent a drastic change turning a pale white. Red flushed across the cheekbones. Anger hummed in his veins as he noticed the dried blood cluttered near her skin. The air still hung thick of her scent. How could he have overlooked that?! He was late and careless.

Coldly staring at his surroundings, he scanned for the culprit. He had unconsciously stalled time for the culprit to escape. Now the vampire was gone. It would be difficult to trace a vampire who left no piece of him behind. A terribly skilful one.

Wrapping his coat around her small frame, he backed away from Mikan in sorrow and indignation. He would never be able to touch her fair skin again, seeing that she is now a gypsy to another if she survives. Perhaps if he managed to kill or obtain the approval of her master, he could. Still, it wouldn't be the same. Nothing will be the same again, since the brunette is dragged into the realms of the vampires. Was this part of her grandfather's plan? It saddens him tremendously, but at the same time he ponders and wonders why her? He frowned, creases lined his forehead. The vampire had not killed Mikan, for that he is tremendously grateful to the havens. However, that bastard made her his or her gypsy instead.

Mikan had shown no signs of struggles too. Therefore, it is most likely she knows the vampire. This was important information, as well as the information that the vampire is currently having his soft month, judging by the depth he sank his teeth into her neck. Narumi narrowed his eyes, determined to personally hunt down the vampire, but before that, he has tons of questions waiting to be answered. But the most urgent and in need of a reply was why had the vampire not taken her along, having made the girl a gypsy? Besides, this was not the time to think about such things, Mikan's life come first. She is still not out of danger.

o.O.o.O.o

"Foolishness! Did I not warn you to wait?! Now you have raised Hyuga's guard! Well done, well done indeed" Pink panther screeched through her teeth, sarcasm dripped venomously from her words. Her infuriated eyes burned right into the punk's golden eyes as they met, sending shivers down his spine. She was definitely furious. The frighteningly strong aura of hatred and killer intent tells it all.

The punk made no comment even though he had realised the folly of his mistake. He merely watched warily as the lady fumed, harshly throwing every curse she practically knew at him. He too was mad at his followers' incompetence, leaving them to both in cages of rejects to rot or get drained, but at the same time he felt a twinge of guilt for not heeding her advice. Normally, being the head of such a large notorious clan, he would have blown his top and killed her at the rate she was criticising that pea brain of his, but he needed her for his goal to be reached. She was a brilliant strategist, just not the type to execute them, just the material he needed. He, to her was a punk of power, perfect guinea pig to carry out her plans. She was making use of him; he was making use of her, both controlling the other, both seemingly gaining from this partnership. However, the punk was no longer sure that it was this case, he seem now to be solely dependent on her, what's more was that he couldn't move an inch even if he wanted to. With the atmosphere so tense that it could kill such a great person like him, he could not afford to lose his pitiful life. He could hardly even breathe.

The Pink panther finally grew silent as she paused in deep thoughts. After much awaited and uncomfortable silence, she finally speaks in a cold, purring, soprano voice.

"I trust you will not do anything unnecessary; I need to plan the next move. We shall let them enjoy for now."

With that, she threw a frosty glare at the punk before leaving the room in cold empty silence. The punk sagged, mentally reminding himself not to incur her wrath a second time. He was sure he could not withstand it another time.

o.O.o.O.o

The world is heating up. My head rings painfully with every throb. I feel weak and feeble just as I was when I suffered the blow. Oh why does he always do this to me? This is worst than hell if I am not already in it. Something is changing. Something within me is stirring. A memory?

There is an old man standing in front of me, dressed in traditional costume. His bald head gleamed in the sunlight as sweat ran down the sides of his head. His deeply lined face seemly stern but worried. Who is this familiar figure, standing directly in front of me? Who? I shook my head clear. Oh Silly me. How could I have forgotten him, the one who brought me up, the one who loved me so dearly even though he did not dare to show it? I beamed, moving closer towards him. His arms were crossed before his chest, always his unusual way of welcoming me. I smiled, his name forming so easily in my mouth, but his name came from behind me instead.

"Ji-Chan!"

A smaller version of me ran past the present me.

"Baka! You are all dirty again,"

The old man's gruff voice chided the child. Hitting the child lightly on her head, he turned away from us, walking away. Wait, isn't this the last time we met until he disappeared.

"Ji-Chan!"

I called as he walked past me, unknowingly that I am there. The smaller version of me was following him happily.

"Ji-Chan! Don't go!"

My hand reached forward to grab his, but slipped right through. It was then did I realise he cannot hear me. Desperate, I turned to the child.

"Stop him, please, stop him"

But my younger self merely skipped forward, unknown of the disaster that lies ahead of her.

This is ridiculous, but I seem to envy myself and hate the child before me. Why do I feel this way? Why won't he look at me?! Why doesn't he see me? Why isn't he hitting me on the head? Why am I letting him go? Why…why…am I remising of the past…

The scene before me shattered into pieces and I find myself falling once more as I had into "unconsciousness".

o.O.o.O.o

It's here again. Another memory? No, a vision.

I'm calling someone. Who? The name that rings so pleasantly on my tongue as if perfectly fitted for it, but I can't hear it, neither can I see the person whom I'm wishing for. A certain sadness enveloped me, a certain loneliness crept into my heart. Why? It's killing me so. Why won't it stop?! This excruciating pain from the heart, this bitterness I feel. The air around me seemed to be crushing this small fragile body of mine. Please, someone, make it stop. Tears dripped, coursing down my cheek uncontrollably. Who knows if they were tears of despair or pain? My hand automatically reached for my neck, something was there, engraved deep in my skin. A mark?

"Mikan, dear child"

A pure, weak yet beautiful voice curled over me, breaking me away from my trance-like state. I was more than aware of the smooth fair hands that lay warm on my cheeks, refusing my urge to look back.

"Return to the world you belong and look forth," they say. I felt calmer. The pain was ebbing away.

"Help him…" her voice came again, this time a soft whisper, fading away. Who? I shouted in my consciousness, but she was gone and my eyes reluctantly flung open. The world of light cordially welcomed me back with the sight of my godfather's back.

"Tou-san...where…am…I?" I managed to croak out, literally surprised at this stranger's voice. Nevertheless it did work, I caught his attention.

"Thank god you are awake!" Narumi swung around dramatically, wrapping his arms around the blanket and me. After much wordless persuasion and choking, he finally released me.

"So…where…"

"The school's sickbay," he cut off my sentence as he poured a glass of water and handed over to me. I gratefully gulped down the liquid in an instant. It did soothe my throat a little.

"How long have I been unconscious?" I curiously implored. My head is starting its protest once more. The events before I woke seem to be far and vague from me. Using both hands I cupped my face, messaging my temples in the process. Huh? Wet? My face is wet. I cried? When?

"Kan? Mikan?"

"Yes!"

"Do not scare me again by sleeping another three days," he paused, noting my pale features.

"Are you okay? You have been stoning for a few minutes,"

I shook my head all too eagerly. He raised a suspicious brow, but kept his peace. I was glad he did. I couldn't answer if he were to ask. He somehow looked pretty worried about something. Aware of my gaze, he flashed an uneasy smile at me. He is definitely hiding something from me, but I don't really have the strength to find out.

"I have to go. Take care of yourself, okay? I'll pick you up later and bring you a new set of clothes. In the meantime, do rest," His hand appeared to reach for my head, but withdrew hastily. It took my apartment keys instead.

I nodded dizzily, waving an unsteady hand as Godfather left. I was still feeling rather weak and drained though I have been asleep for three whole days. If I'm not going to be expelled from the school, I'll probably be sack from my waitress job. I released a heavy sighed. My head is still getting pounded by a steel hammer and the old wound at the stomach is acting up again. Speaking of disasters, this all reminds me of that guy. Wait…that guy…that guy…isn't he…eh…a…vampire?!!!!

"AHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

The memories before I conked out were all coming back to me. I really did scream all my lungs were worth though only for a few seconds. It was pretty worth it considering what I have been through. I ended up almost puking my lungs out after that. My hands reached for the nape of my neck. Indeed there were two little holes there, but this action…it really seems nostalgic… But the main point is, that idiot Hyuga took my blood for lunch without my consent! Wait, according to Bram Stroker…does that mean I'm a vampire! NOOOO!!!!! This cannot be true. This certainly isn't true; I don't feel any change in me. Everything seems the same. I prodded my canine. It feels…normal. I sighed. Perhaps this was all just a bad dream. Maybe if I rested and closed my eyes, everything will return to the way they were when I awake, to the time when Ji-Chan was still alive, the time when I was still naïve, carefree and happy. The time where I didn't know anything…

o.O.o.O.o

Imai Hotaru was not one to be inquisitive about things. She is not one who asks and ponders, but having not seen her best friend in 3 days was too much for her. Sure, she had chided the brunette harshly for bring onions and garlic to school, but knowing the optimistic brunette this shouldn't have been the reason for her absence.

Classes were never the same without the brunette. The cheery atmosphere she brought with her was never there. The class seemed to be deprived of her loud ringing laughter and her nonsensical chatters. It was all too boring and many have noticed it though some were terribly glad to see the brunette gone. Everything was the same as before.

On the other hand, Natsume Hyuga has been behaving abnormally or so she sense. True, he still skips classes and doesn't give a damn about being late, but something in his behaviour was different. He seemed bothered by something though he was successfully suppressing it.

Two mysterious incidents as these are certainly no coincidence. They are definitely linked and Hotaru is certainly going to get to the bottom of this and Ruka Nogi is certainly going to help her. A malicious glint could be spotted in those violet eyes of hers as she stared at the blonde. She was sure he noticed and wanted to know what's going on with Natsume too. She had been pretty annoyed the previous two days when she received limited information from her poking. Therefore, the only available source of information currently would be Natsume Hyuga, the man itself. O how she will enjoy when she successfully get the information from him. An evil grin presents itself to her lips. .

Ending note: Well, who would like to see Hotaru corner Natsume? (along with sweet Ruka-pyon) Hands up! Maybe I should include that, but I'm planning kind of not to. Anyway, reviews appreciated!!!!