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Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with the franchise of Gakuen Alice.
Hotaru, who had been watching in stunned silence with Iincho, Ruka, and Natsume (who didn't look stunned, but was at least silent,) suddenly bolted forward. "Mikan!"
But before she could get any closer, Natsume grabbed her wrist. She kicked him, hard, in the knees. but he didn't loosen his grip or look away from Mikan, or, more specifically, her chopped hair. "Let go of me, baka!" Hotaru yelled, trying to pry his fingers off. "No." he said firmly. "Are you blind? Something's obviously wrong with her."
Since he hadn't spoken in so long, everyone was shocked into silence. Hotaru, defeated by Natsume's crushing logic, went back to intently watching Mikan.
She and Luna glided majestically through the crowd, awed students making way for them as they passed. Eventually, only one didn't move.
Hotaru and Ruka groaned. Tsubasa-senpai.
Tsubasa blinked at Mikan in shock. "Chibi?" he asked hesitantly. Even with Mikan's new wardrobe and apparent attitude, he still automatically braced himself for a flying hug.
One didn't come.
Luna glanced ever so subtly at Mikan. Mikan lowered her sunglasses back over her eyes and smiled at Tsubasa patronizingly, which looked very odd considering he had a good six inches on her. "Senpai." she said sweetly, with an insincerity a toddler could see through. (A/N I think that's an HP quote. It's from somewhere.) "How nice to see you again. Are you well?" Without waiting for an answer, she blew past him, not even touching him. He gazed after her, openmouthed.
Luna trotted after her, a small satisfied smiled on her face. As Mikan strode away from Tsubasa, the back of her neck was exposed by her short haircut.
There was no soul-sucking mark. (A/N Ha! Fake-out!) Mikan had chosen to come back arm-in-arm with Luna of her own free will.
Hotaru blinked after them. "What's wrong with her?" she managed. "Mikan's nice. And stupid."
But Natsume was already walking away, trailed cautiously by Ruka. Hotaru's eyes narrowed. "You know," she called after him, "you don't look nearly as impressive walking away as you do standing your ground."
His steps didn't falter, but Ruka broke into a run to catch up with him.
Luna caught up with Mikan, grinning fiendishly in a way only Luna could grin fiendishly. "That was brilliant, Mikan! And here I was thinking you couldn't act! Keep this up, and you'll do great." She reached out to grasp Mikan's shoulder in what was supposed to be a friendly gesture.
Immediately, Mikan's hand rose and slapped Luna's away. "Don't touch me, you b-" She took a deep breath, regained some composure, and started again, her voice still hostile.
"Look, Kazoumi. I'm not doing this for anyone but myself. This is my life on the line, not yours, so I wouldn't be so blase about it if I were you. You are not to touch me, or suggest we are anything but friends. And-" She poked a finger to Luna's neck, her tone menacing, "-you-are not-to touch- Hyuuga- or Imai. They're my job, got it?"
Luna smirked over Mikan's accusatory glare. "Still a bit ticked about last time, huh? Relax. Let's just find Narumi for now, 'kay?" She took Mikan's hand and dragged her towards Narumi-sensei's office. Mikan slid her sunglasses back into place, and her heart clenched.
I'm really sorry, Natsume, Hotaru...
But I've got to be the one to keep you safe this time. I really don't think you can help me this time.
I used a lot of italics this chapter. Probably more on the way. Anyway, please R & R!