Hey guys just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who is reviewing etc and just wanted to tip you off that my exams are coming up so its going to be like no updates for at least two weeks. Sorry. Normally, I'm all for ditching some homework for updates and stuff but these are my G.C.S.E s, well some of them so its kind of important. Anyway, enough doom and gloom…enjoy!

Chapter 3- Unmasked

Mikan POV

Chapter start

I rolled my pen across my desk under my right palm. I was still all riled up about Natsume's so-called 'disappointment' in me. Who the hell does he think he is? I tilted my head to the side and glanced up at his handsome face. How can such a hot guy be such a jerk?

And to make matters worse I freakin' loved him! I sighed, still staring at his handsome face. Of course, he was leaning back in his chair, already finished the work that I hadn't even started.

His crimson eyes met mine and I scowled at his smirk.

Did he seriously think I was going to just forgive him after he made me blush like a buffoon and he just left me standing there, acting like he didn't want to be seen with me?

Yeah, so not going to happen.

He winked at me, which caused me to scowl harder before turning away from him, raising my chin high, as if noting affected me. I heard him chuckle under his breath and I badly wanted to poke my tongue out at him but I wasn't going to sink to such childish actions because of him.

I moodily flicked my pen across the desk but I wasn't expecting it to skid right off the end of the desk and clatter to the floor. I stared at the place where my pen should've landed with wide eyes.

Great.

Now I had two options.

Ask Natsume to ask Ruuka to get it for me…

Or

Lean over Natsume to get Ruuka's attention.

I couldn't just get up and get it- the teacher would freak and I couldn't just yell to Rukka either as this too, would get the teacher to freak on me.

Teachers didn't seem to have much patience with me today. Probably because I spend most of the day zoning out- for good reason- but I doubt they would understand.

Not that I want to tell them. It's not the recommended thing to say to your teachers.

I moved forward to reach across Natsume since I had decided that speaking to him was out of the question when I heard a soft tapping on the glass beside me. I twisted towards the sound, my brown plats flying by the abrupt motion, my brown eyes searching closely for the movement.

I jumped slightly as a face appeared in the window. Instinctively, I reached behind me to grip onto Natsume's hand but the appearance was brief and the face was gone before I could say or do anything.

"What?" I heard Natsume say.

I kept my gaze on the window. "Didn't you see that?" I whispered through unmoving lips. I was too shocked to function my body parts properly right now.

I felt Natsume tug on my grasp, but since I didn't let go he ended up pulling me round to face him. "What did you_" he began.

"Mister Huuga and Miss Sakura," the teacher called, I twitched knowing we were going to get fried. "I hope this work isn't affecting your love-fest."

I choked in indignation while I felt Natsume stiffen beside me. The whole class spun round in unison to look at this so-called 'love fest' between stupid ol' me and the class hottie.

The teacher needed to get his facts straight.

Me. Natsume. Love fest. In the same sentence?

I don't think so.

I shoved this bitter thought away before I could start dwelling in self-pity.

"No, its nothing like that." I muttered, letting his hand go quickly.

"They're holding hands?" I heard someone shriek across the classroom. That would be Sumire. Yeesh!

"Have you two completed the work?" the teacher snapped. He gave me a pointed look.

Crap.

"Uh…" but before I could stall the teacher was marching up the aisle of the classroom. Towards me.

Damn.

I glanced down at my full book and then across at Natsume's empty one.

The teacher drew closer.

Wait! My full book and his empty one?

I looked across at Natsume and he winked at me.

Oh. I get it. He is saving me.

Wow. Unexpected.

The teacher stopped at the edge of the row and leant over Ruuka, craning his neck to see 'my' work.

He ignored Natsume altogether.

Phew!

"Humph!" he hissed before walking back to the front of the classroom.

Natsume casually swapped our books back.

With out looking at me.

"Thanks." I said.

He nodded.

Wow, back to no talking again is it?

I was tempted to say this out loud but since I couldn't be bothered to argue I just kept quiet.

*After lessons in the girl's dorm area- Mikan's room*

"I never knew you and Huuga were so close." Hotaru mused, standing by the door of my room.

I did this weird little gaspy thing and whirled round to face her. "W-w-what?"

"I'm not and idiot- unlike some people. I realise what's going on." She said, shaking her head slightly before slipping out of my room.

I gawked at the door, my mouth opening and closing. I had a terrible feeling that I resembled a fish. Good job no one is around.

Why does everyone seem to think Huuga and me have something going on? We don't! Jeez!

I may wish there was something going on but that's different.

I changed out of my pleated skirt and the rest of my school uniform and into a pair of jeans and a hoodie.

I skipped over to my desk to tackle the homework. I had a pretty decent room now, since I was upgraded from a no start to a one star.

You could be a three star…you could have everything…if you only changed and acted your true self…

I slammed the door shut on that little voice and went to sit down when a voice- a out loud one this time- made me jump causing me to loose my balance and I ended up twisting mid-air and hitting the floor.

Painfully.

"Hello Mikan."

I glared. "You." I retorted.

"Yes, it is me." He smiled, adjusting his white mask on his nose. "How are you? You seem to have had quite and eventful day."

I pushed myself up off the floor and stared at him. "What are you doing here?" I practically snarled.

He tutted. "Now, now Mikan. No need to get vicious."

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" I repeated, folding my arms determinedly.

He sighed, flopping down onto my bed, his black coat fanning out round him.

I twitched, annoyed. Yeah, that's right; just go make yourself right at home you jerk!

"Well, let's see." He said, tilting his head back in thought. "I want to bring out the real you."

I spluttered. "Excuse me?"

He laughed, a hypnotising sound. A sound that you knew you shouldn't listen to but not being able to stop. "I can help you do great things Mikan- greater than anyone ever before. All you have to do is be yourself. You won't have to act. No more acting. Just be you."

I slowly picked my chair up off the floor and set it upright. "What are you saying? You want to make some sort of deal with me?" I asked carefully.

He clapped. "You truly are a clever girl. I always knew that." He smirked at me.

I scowled. "What do you really want?" I asked.

He smiled innocently. It almost made him look nice. Weird. "A deal."

"How can you be sure that this deal will work? You don't know me. How can you know that this is all true?" I pointed out.

"Are you tired of pretending Mikan?"

"No." I huffed angrily.

"But you admit that you pretend?"

"No!" I shouted.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Well…yes…" I corrected reluctantly.

He smirked, basking in his glory.

Douche.

"How do you even know this?" I studied him, trying to work him out.

"I've been watching you." He stated simply.

"I have become aware." I grumbled.

"I've realised that your much like a caged bird Mikan. You are trapped. You want to be free but you don't quite know how to do it. I can help you. Let me help you." He almost seemed like he was pleading with me.

I sighed.

"Think about it Mikan. You know I' right. I'm the person who is going to help you stop pretending, not increase your distrust issues."

"Get out. Now!" I growled, pointing a finger widely.

He laughed. Then sighed, looking forlorn. "Well, I was hoping that you would make the deal. Mean as it would save Natsume and all." He sighed again, slowly getting off my bed and stretching.

"What? Wait! What did you just say?" I gasped, rushing forward and catching his sleeve.

"I'm assuming you now about Natsume's fourth alice problem…?" he began matter of factly.

"So its true…" I whispered, horrified.

"Of course." He replied, shrugging.

"Oh no. How do you know?" I desperately tried to keep it together.

"Welllll…. he has been working for me for the past four years now."

"You monster!" I snarled, repulsed. "How could you?"

He shrugged. Again. "Meet me at the tree tomorrow. This time. You know the one."

"Oh no you don't. I'm not finished yet. What_"

"The tree tomorrow. Be there." Then he disappeared.

I let out a little growl of frustration.

And I was still trying to wrap my head round the fact that Natsume is keeping some pretty nig serious secrets.

Oh my god…

End chapter!

Wow, sorry guys. This chapter seems pretty shitty =/ my deepest apologies. It isn't long and it seems just…blah.

Sorry.

Next chapter will be up after exams now.

REVIEW PLEASE!

Xxx