Hello dear readers!

It's a miracle that this is out on time. You see, two days ago, our internet providers died on us and thus I wasn't hopeful for a punctual update. However, they fixed it today and as you can see, Rewind chapter 10 is out on time.

Also, since tomorrow is Christmas Eve (at least, where I am), MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!

And so without further ado...

Chapter 10: The Gameplan, Natsume's Objection

After a soft knock and an even softer consent, Hotaru Imai let herself into Narumi's office. She had been summoned to this room not too long ago and for the past two years, there had only been one reason he would do so. The ebony haired girl strode into the centre of the room and faced the desk which was, of course, occupied by a certain blonde haired teacher.

"You asked for me," she spoke plainly, though she narrowed her eyes at the glowing (more so that usual) expression on Narumi's face. Something big was definitely up. However, she waited patiently for the meeting to carry on before asking any idiotic questions.

"Indeed, I did," Narumi chirped happily. This only disturbed Hotaru on many levels. She managed not to cringe and waited expectantly for an explanation. "I've got some wonderful news! Well, it's more of a hunch, but I have no doubt about it. I'm sure you'll be very pleased with it, Miss Imai."

Curiosity swept over the fifteen year old as she wondered what could be that pleasing to her. A seemingly outrageous idea formed in the back of her mind. Seeing as these meetings were only to do with one little girl, one occurrence in particular could set such a bright attitude on this teacher. She shrugged the thoughts away and waited for more information, she was not the type to rush into things. However, she could hardly restrain herself from getting a little bit impatient, "And that is?"

"It all started this afternoon – please, have a seat," he motioned towards the chair as he began his recount. "Dear little Ichigo approached me after class to ask for a larger uniform. I thought this to be peculiar since she only bought a decent sized one at the start of the semester. However, as she showed me, hers had become increasingly constricting. It seems, that Miss Hana had been undergoing some extremely rapid growth spurts."

He added extra stress on those last three words. Then, he met Imai's gaze. He was fully aware that the words meant as much to him as it did to her. She had, after all, been paying close attention to all of Mikan's tests two years ago when she was diagnosed with Gulliver's Effect. Her eyes widened in realisation as she noticed the nature of this conversation.

Narumi took this as a signal to proceed. "I also noticed some subtle differences in her radiance and physical maturity. Being her best friend, I'm sure you've noticed this to, am I right?" He watched expectantly as Hotaru pondered, paled and nodded. "I have no doubt you know that these are significant symptoms that suggest a return to normal age?"

Hotaru sat in silence as she registered the implications. Those were inevitable symptoms and Narumi was definitely onto something more than a hunch. She composed herself and in a very business-like manner asked, "And how have you handled the situation so far? What are your predictions?"

Narumi smiled knowingly, "If my calculations proved correct, she would be changing right about now. If not, already. With that in mind, I provided her with a middle school uniform, so that she won't be suffocated after the transformation. Actually, I'm expecting her very soon."

The sharp teenager was slightly startled at the sudden information but nonetheless, handled it maturely. "I suspect we'll need to be discussing formalities very soon. Regarding the transferring out, though the last method was successful, I feel that it could be improved by using other methods..."

Narumi nodded in acknowledgement but silenced her, "Of course, but first we should wait for her to arrive. Hmm, I think I hear something. I believe it's her. Or should I say, them." Hotaru listened and sure enough a pair of voices could be heard – quite loudly – coming down the hallway outside. The two voices were familiar, one was deep and husky, the other was high pitched though more mature. They seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument.

"Oh ho!" Narumi chortled. "It seems young Natsume has stumbled upon our little Ichigo, or shall I say, grown up Mikan." He chuckled a little more and clapped his hands in delight, "Who better but him? I'm sure they've missed each other and I wonder how they took it..." he grinned deviously as he imagined the possible situations, as if he planned the whole scenario himself. He'd clearly always been a fan of their relationship. In fact, he was one of the few who accepted it.

Hotaru sighed but decided it was for the best that the nosy black cat knew. It would save the trouble of inevitably explaining it to him later. She also rolled her eyes at Narumi's reaction. She was also one of the people who accepted their relationship, and perhaps saw it the earliest. In the depths of her heart, where her friendliness lay, she was happy for them. Then again, she cursed internally for not knowing about it earlier to record and/or take photos.

Suddenly, a loud voice voice boomed from the other side of the door, "I can't believe that jerk. I don't get him or you, Strawberries."

"So I'm Strawberries now? What happened to Polka Dots? Besides, we have to see him anyway, you said so yourself!" Make that two angry voices.

"Strawberries is more suited this situation... or do you prefer Polka Dots? Just get it over with already!"

"Neither! Fine!"

A low grumbling could be heard, followed by an audible, "hmph!" Next, an impatient knock was heard on the wooden door.

"Oh dear," Narumi muttered in a highly amused tone.

The door swung open to reveal a pair of students, back turned to each other. One with long, auburn hair and the other with messy, raven hair. Upon noticing that they could be seen, the girl turned to face the two people looking at them expectantly from inside. Aware that her sudden appearance may cause some trouble she found it difficult to start, "U-um..." She said with a defeated smile, scratching her head.

However, the people inside were far from surprised, they acted as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The blonde haired teacher stood up and spread his arms as if meeting a long lost friend, "Mikan-chaaan!~ Oh my, look at you. How you've grown – teehee – and look at the fine young lady you've become." Mikan could feel a little heat to her left but let it slip.

Despite Narumi's usual psychopathic ways, she still thought this was a little to relaxed for something as big as this. She tried again, "Oh, um, nice to see you too, but um..."

Suddenly, a cool and slightly irritated voice could be heard to the left of the room, "He knows already, baka. And I do too, so save us from your idiocy. Besides, you should too, seeing as you knew where to come and from that uniform of yours."

"Oh," Mikan managed. She sweat-dropped at her own stupidity while Hotaru and Natsume rolled their eyes. "Well you see, it wasn't really me who figured it out. Natsume sorta stumbled across me and pointed it out...yeah..."

Hotaru closed her eyes in an apparent act of calming herself, "You should thank the heavens that it was him who found you."

"Mmm," Mikan hummed meekly in acknowledgement. She didn't need to look to know that a smirk was present on Natsume's face; she'd rather not confirm the suspicion.

"Well now," Narumi clapped his hands together in delight, "take a seat, you two, we have some things to discuss. I'm sure most of you know the drill from two years ago – except you, Natsume, but you're a smart kid – so let's begin!"

"Or I could leave," Natsume muttered coldly.

"What was that, Natsume-kun?" Narumi didn't fail to hear. "You wouldn't be thinking of leaving poor Mikan to settle this poor ordeal by herself, would you?"

A vein in Natsume's temple threatened to explode. He was fully aware that Hotaru was there for moral support but he wouldn't risk hurting Mikan's feelings, especially now after that promise. He wanted to barbecue Narumi, but pressing issues prevented that from happening. He'd just have to sit through this and tolerate it as best as he could. For Mikan.

Natsume shifted in his seat but made no indication of leaving. At this, Narumi was satisfied and he continued, "Good. Now, the issue of transferring in and out, that's the biggest thing. Minor details can be settled later, leave them to me. Miss Imai, you said you had some proposals concerning that topic...?"

All heads turned to Hotaru who seemed about ready to give a full presentation. "Well you see, though last time's effort proved successful, I was able to pick out some weaknesses and from those, possible improvements. There was one major issue that seemed the most hazardous and I felt that was where the modifications should centre.

"I have taken this into account and fashioned a game plan – if you will – on how to proceed with events this time around. It should be able to be placed into action immediately for I already have the necessary preparations, that is, if you will consent. But first, I shall explain to you my findings and proposal.

"The most unstable aspect of the operation two years ago was the lack of proper farewell. Things happened very suddenly. Namely Mikan's mysterious and sudden disappearance with lack of any warning before that. This gave way to much suspicion between the class and I'm sure was very unsettling for many people." Hotaru sneaked a glance at Natsume and luckily he wasn't looking.

"The postcards were effective in lessening the suspicion but at the same time were insufficient. The only redeeming feature that was on our side two years ago was time. The miracle can work wonders on the mind. After a lengthy period, people got used to it. However, this weakness should not go unnoticed purely because it happened to be successful last time around.

"With this in mind, I formulated a plan, taking all things into consideration and propose a new system of dealing with the transition between classes," she sounded extremely confident in her plan and it seemed to rub off on the other inhabitants of the office.

"Hmm," said Narumi rubbing his chin, "sounds good. Let's hear it."

"My hypothesis is that a proper farewell and informing from Mikan – or Ichigo – herself should erase all doubt. Give it a day or two of preparation and then the 'short-notice move' should be recognised well. It will also give you a chance to say a proper goodbye to your friends. From all the whining you did to me last time, you'd be content with that. Also, I'm sure the academy would love to run tests on you and I think that'd take a little under a week, so you'll have time to send a postcard to the middle school informing them of your return."

"Good plan, good plan!" Narumi commended.

"You're right, it'd be nice to say a proper goodbye... last time was... well, difficult," Mikan agreed, not thinking of the implications that Natsume soon voiced.

Natsume coughed briefly and then spoke, "Yeah, yeah, and how exactly are we supposed to get 'Ichigo' to say goodbye when Mikan here is a fully pledged fourteen year old?" He narrowed his eyes aware that the genius Imai would never have overlooked such a stupid thing.

"Oh," Mikan, being the dense girl she was, just realised, "yeah, how?" A thought formed in the back of Mikan and Natsume's minds and they began to get suspicious.

Narumi chuckled while Hotaru donned an evil grin, "How else?"

Two equally shocked expressions appeared on the the couple's faces. "G-Gulliver candy?" Mikan gulped.

Natsume slammed his hands on the coffee table and stood up, "Have you all gone crazy?" Everyone in the room was fully aware of what that candy had done to Mikan last time. Natsume was burning with rage at the preposterous thought of risking it again. He definitely would not. He would never again risk losing her. Never! So he couldn't let these two controlling freaks do that to her.

Everyone was slightly shocked at his outburst but most of the people (save probably Mikan) were aware of his concern. "Calm down, Hyuuga," Imai ordered with a calm voice, "we're not stupid and we care about Mikan too. Do you think we'd risk that again?"

Natsume narrowed his eyes as Narumi explained, "What we've learned from previous tests is that once a person has suffered from Gulliver's Effect and recovered, they are immune to ever having that disorder again. Therefore, it's guaranteed to be fail proof. Miss Imai here is a sharp thinker." He nodded towards her.

Natsume sat back down but was still extremely unsettled. He looked desperately at Mikan but she didn't notice. Instead she beamed, and this sent Natsume's heart sinking and soaring at the same time. "OF COURSE I'LL DO IT THEN!" Natsume put his head in his hands. There was no use.

"Great!" Narumi said in a sing song voice.

Hotaru nodded, "I'll have the preparations completed by tomorrow, I'll send you a script and basic information about your move sometime tonight. Meet me at my dorm tomorrow morning before class, you too, Hyuuga. I'll ask Haruo-sensei about it tomorrow, I have no doubt he'll consent." A mischievous glint was caught in her eyes at the last sentence. She obviously had blackmail material on him.

"Roger!" Mikan saluted and flashed a smile at Natsume which put him somewhat at ease. At least she was happy about it. He grunted in reply but soon after lost himself in a trail of thought.

"Alright," Narumi concluded, "I'll settle all of the minor details about Mikan's transfer so you shouldn't worry about that. You kids are dismissed. Good luck tomorrow."

All the students got up, gathered their belongings and then left Narumi to do his work. All of them except Natsume.

Sorry to leave you on another small cliffy, couldn't resist. However, now you know what's up, I'm hoping to get the gameplan over with in one chapter, so you'll find out next update. Oh and if I'm feeling generous for Christmas, I may have an early release. Check out my profile (which I'm constantly updating) for update dates and progress on chapters.

NOTE: Most of you have predicted that this story will soon end, and it's true, the plan was to finish it up in another three chapters or so, HOWEVER, I do have a clear idea for another arc and hazy ones for maybe another after that. It's all UP TO YOU guys whether you want any more of Rewind. Review me your thoughts and depending on them, I may set up a poll.

So please, review! I'll count them as Christmas presents :3