Chapter Two

"The Girl"

Recap:

"Very well. Midnight Cat, you can go back now." Persona ordered her. Seeing her already pale is very dangerous.

He called Nakamishi to follow him. Yamata Kari or Black Mist seeing Mikan still not walking away decided to near her. She smiled towards Mikan but Mikan was getting dizzy and sweating a lot. They decided to come back together because according to Kari, she will treat first Mikan. When they were near the exit of the forest, Kari noticed Mikan was not following her. When she turned around, she saw Mikan lying on the ground.

...[*_*]...

"Hurry up! Jinno-sensei is coming." Koko ran fast to his seat as the whole class became silent and fixed themselves. Soon enough, the door opened revealing a middle-aged man with a very mad face. He walked towards the front of the black board and looked at his students. His eyes clearly shown strictness and discipline. The students' curiosity arose when they found him staring or more like glaring at a seat which is owned by a brunette. He breathed in deeply as he spoke.

"Where is Sakura?" He was clearly annoyed. He even muttered in a very low voice how a special star student should be disciplined and bla-blabla. But truly, he knows where the certain brunette is. He was told by Narumi of Mikan's location. As soon as he was informed, he was pitied the student and agreed to excuse her but not to tell anyone. Yet, he is not someone who will show such emotions for he is known as the strict-Jinno.

...[*_*]...

Meanwhile, Yamata Kari walked towards a certain room where she always visit whenever a mission is accomplished. She slowly opened the door and noticed that the one whom she is visiting has till not woken up yet. She brought some food and a flower. She carefully placed some flower on the flower vase and turned her attention to a certain brunette. She found her beautiful even sleeping. The blanket suddenly moved and big eyes opened revealing two beautiful and innocent orbs.

"Kari-senpai?" Mikan looked at her senpai as her face clearly shown innocence.

"Yes, Mikan? Do you need anything?" Kari pitied her junior at her current state today. Not that it was worse than before but she knows how tired she is. She always know that Mikan is a strong woman but it isn't right to punish her like this.

"Ano, I'm sorry you had come all the way here again." Mikan told her senpai as she noticed a tear drop from Kari's eyes. She tried to move a bit but her body was really aching. Still, she found a way to touch her senior's hand as Kari spoke.

"Mikan--" Kari wiped her tears as she held Mikan's hand in between hers, "it's alright for me. Besides, I might worry more if I don't know your condition. You know I treat you as a sister. This is nothing you know." she continued.

Mikan smiled to her senpai. She knows how much Kari give importance to her. "it's kinda funny though." Mikan suddenly said. "Huh? What is funny Mikan?" Kari hunched up her eyebrows trying to understand Mikan. "These. I mean I am always here and you always visit me. This room is like my second room." Mikan suddenly laughed as Kari's face shown a complete surprise.

True, this has been Mikan's room since she was first hospitalized after her first mission. Her first condition back then was really heart-wrenching. She was covered with blood and bruises. But Mikan, didn't give up and continued to train more so as that not to happen. Yet, she was always like this. The room was basically her type. Kari chose this for Mikan's convenience. The walls were painted white, sides were green and double lines in the center were in green too. Large cherry blossom were painted around. The room wasn't small but not big either. There was a bathroom, a bedroom for the patient as well one large green sofa and a small one. There is also a mini refrigerator for food and other conveniences. Two windows were covered with curtains in green and pink. The ceiling were painted with tangerine and was lighted by a chandelier. It is a cozy one.

Kari regained her composure as she lightly smacked Mikan's head. Although she doesn't show it, she knows that Mikan is really pained by what she said. She is the one who understands Mikan the best. "I don't want you to think like that. Although you are mostly here, I hope one day you can be freed." Kari was clearly serious in what she said.

"I.. I know. Don't worry senpai." Mikan looked down as some tears fell.

"Oh. Come on. Don't cry, I just want you to be happy." said Kari. She stood up and sat at the bed behind Mikan. She Hugged her and rubbed her back.

"No, I'm really happy that you are here Kari-senpai. You are the only whom I can run into since you're the only one who knew about my missions." Mikan was crying then as she said those. "I'm really tired right now. Still I have to face Jinno-sensei's assignments."

"Ne, Mikan, I'll help you. Now you should rest first. The doctor said that you can be released today." Kari told Mikan as she let go of her. Mikan on the other hand, nodded and slowly laid down. When Kari was sure that Mikan is already asleep, she went out of the room to go to her classes.

Unknown to them, someone was there as everything happened. The person went inside the room as he slowly approached the sleeping brunette. He pitied her so much. He wanted to kill the thing that caused her this pain. He wants to hold her but he can't. He wanted to help her but he can't clearly do that. And as he vanished, he whispered some words that only the two of them can hear. Don't worry, I'll save you, my sister.

...[*_*]...

"Anyway, let's start the class." The whole class was flabbergasted when Jinno-sensei said that. Who wouldn't? He, the strict-Jinno just ignored the absence of Sakura Mikan whose detention is like a hobby before. Back to the class, Jinno-sensei fixed his glasses and coughed a bit. I think I already made her stay there long enough.

Suddenly, the door opened revealing a girl with shoulder length black hair and emerald green eyes. She walked forward until she is in the center of the front of the classroom. The sun rays emphasized more her pale skin. She was a bit skinny so she was like a kid although her eyes are kinda deep. Some boys whistled but others just shrugged. She is cute but not really their type. But a certain raven-haired lad got her attention. He didn't notice that he was staring intently at the girl as the girl stared at him too. They broke their gaze as Ruka coughed.

"Introduce yourself." Jinno-sensei instructed as the girl spoke. "Hello, I am Nakamishi Rina, 16 years old, from Tokyo." Her voice was small and a bit childish. One girl raised her hand, " Sensei, what is her star rank and alice?" Jinno-sensei looked at the girl as he spoke, "She is a double-star alice and she has the wind alice." One boy raised his hand. "Sensei, if she has the wind alice, why is she a double-star?" This time, Rina spoke. "I haven't mastered how to use my alice that's why."

Jinno-sensei asked them if they have any question for her as one raven haired girl suddenly asked, "What type do you belong?" Her voice was like a venom that made everyone's hair stand. Rina was confused why was this girl a bit hostile to her but she still answered her question. "I am --" Jinno-sensei spoke suddenly, "That will still to be decided, so she still don't know." Hotaru just shrugged as she turned again her attention to her invention. Then, Jinno-sensei told Rina to sit beside Natsume as Mikan was absent. She nodded as she walked towards the seat.

When she was there, she looked at Natsume who was now covering his face with a manga as he thought about a girl. Rina sat at the seat still looking at Natsume hoping him to be friendly but not one can be seen. Hotaru turned around to look at them as she glared. Ruka noticed this as he looked where Hotaru is glaring then he noticed where, at his best friend and Rina. Why on earth Hotaru is glaring at them? He thought but then a certain mind-reader heard him. Koko gasped as he noticed it too. Hotaru glared at him as if she was conversing with him. Koko gulped as he spoke on Ruka's mind. Hotaru said that you should keep out of her business if you don't want her to sell your newly taken photos, the one which you are gaping like a gold fish. Ruka looked at Hotaru as she glared at him that sent shivers on his spine.

...[*_*]...

The whole day ended just like the others. Natsume went on their Sakura tree hoping to see Mikan there. But he didn't see her there so he decided to rest there and maybe he could sort out his thoughts there. He sat at the bottom of the tree as he opened his manga and started to read. But in his mind, he couldn't forget a certain girl. He don't know why this girl keeps appearing on his mind. What was her name again? Ah, Rina. He was confused why he keeps on thinking about Rina. He was in his own world when he smacked himself with his own manga as he heard a giggle. He looked around and saw two emerald eyes.

"You were like a total idiot there." Rina spoke as she put her two hands on her back.

"Tch, go away." Natsume icily said.

"Huh? Are you shooing me?" Rina asked. "But then again, can I sit down? Hmm?" She blinked her eyes as she neared her face on Natsume's.

"Yes, Ia m shooing you. And obviously you can't sit down."

"Tsk, Tsk, such a bad guy? I'm just asking for a seat. If you don't want, then I will--" Rina walked to his side as he held her arm tightly.

"Didn't I tel you not to sit, and—"

"And what?"

"And don't flirt with me because you're not my type and I have a girlfriend." Natsume told her as he let go of her.

"I certainly am not, so if you don't want then I'll just go. GOODBYE!" Rina walked far away as Natsume massaged his forehead with his right hand. He didn't even notice another presence as he was still staring at Rina's direction.

"Natsume, are you alright?" a voice spoke from one of the branches. He looked up and saw none other than--

"Strawberries?"

"Mou, Natsume don't be like that. Didn't you miss me?"

"Tch, why would I miss you?"

"Alright, then I'll just go. Hmp." The person jumped down as she started to walk away. But before she was a meter away from the tree, Natsume hugged her form behind.

"Mikan." Natsume inhaled her strawberry scent and kissed her hair.

"I thought you didn't miss me?" Mikan turned around as she stared at Natsume's crimson orbs.

"Hn." Natsume let go of her as he sat on his former place. He looked at her as she blinked her eyes out of confusion. "What?" she asked. "Sit." Natsume told her and tapped on his lap. "Eh?" She blushed as he pulled her and she ended sitting on his lap. "

He hugged her then she put her head on Natsume's neck. Natsume then studied her. Her long brown hair was laid down with some of her hair half pony tailed. Her face were quite pale as before but her cheeks and lips were pink. She didn't put make up which emphasized her natural beauty especially her deep innocent auburn orbs. She was clad in a simple apple green halter dress but still looked elegant on her. She was just wearing green flats that showed her small feet. Mikan looked at Natsume because he was quiet. Natsume noticed this then brushed lightly his lips to her. Mikan looked down blushing. She became Natsume's girlfriend for almost 2 years but still she is like an innocent child who always blush when they do this sweet stuff. That's why Natsume treasures her very much.

He held Mikan's face and kissed her. She gave in the kiss as Natsume place his hands around her waist. Mikan on the other hand place her hands on Natsume's chest. He kissed her cheek so that she can breathe but he kissed her again. She responded to the kiss as Natsume tightened her embrace on her. Their kiss was passionate and full of love. They stopped and both of them wee panting. Natsume kissed her hair as she caressed Mikan's back. It was always like this. Whenever they kiss, Mikan would easily give in because she felt the warmth of Natsume inside her.

Mikan's head was on Natsume's chest when she asked,

"Natsume, who's that girl?"