Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice, nor its characters. All credits belong to the creator, Tachibana Higuchi.

Natsume's POV

I was already following Imai when I faintly heard Mikan's door close. I was so close on getting my chance to talk to her. But damn Imai, always having to butt in.

"Dammit Imai, where are you going" I shouted after her, when we got outside of the dorm rooms.

"Just keep on following me, Hyuuga." She said

"You still didn't answer my question" I said. All I got back was silence. And that pissed the hell out of me.

I decided to run up to her. I was about to put my hand on her shoulder so that she could face me. But before I could do that, she turned around swiftly and coldly said, "I'd prefer if it you kept your hands to yourself, Hyuuga"

I realized we were outside where no one would hear us. I looked at her. And at that moment, I was fed up.

"Why didn't you let me talk to her?" I demanded.

"Because you were going to talk to her about senseless things" she said simply

"Senseless things?" I chuckled humorlessly, "So you're saying, details about her past is senseless?"

I saw her narrow her eyes at me. "She doesn't even remember you. What makes you think she's going to trust what you say?"

I was about to open my mouth to say something, when she added, "This was your choice four years ago. I'm sure you thought of the consequences that came with your decision. You knew that she wasn't going to remember you. "

"That doesn't mean I should never talk to her" I said angrily.

"That's true," she mused, "But that doesn't mean you can go around telling her useless things. And now because of you, she's probably going to be freaking out until someone tells her what's going on" she said with an eye roll.

"Then when should I tell her?"

"Only when and if, the situation calls for it" she said, "But then, according to my sources; she's going to be safe now. No one is going to come after her anymore. But that's only if you keep away from her"

"If the higher ups knew that you were still involved with her, they're going to come after her again. But that's only if you're involved with her. And if you're not, then she's safe"

I saw Ruka emerge from the shadow as his face was illuminated by the moonlight.

"She's right, Natsume" he said, "Mikan's safe. There's no need to worry, for now"

"Why are you here, Nogi" Hotaru asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I was just taking a nightly stroll when I heard two people talking" Ruka said, shrugging.

I heard those two talking, but I was in my own thoughts. I didn't fail to notice the extra comment when Ruka said Mikan was only safe "for now".

"Natsume" Ruka said, "Let's go back to our room"

I looked at Imai. "But, I still need to-"

"I'm not going to stand outside in the cold any longer because of you, Hyuuga. I'm going to go inside" Imai said, already walking off.

Ruka chuckled at this, "She's still the same as when we were little, huh" he said.

I didn't respond and was about to walk back to my own room, when I heard something.

"You know, even though I told her not to talk you, that doesn't mean she'll listen to me. She always did whatever she wanted. It's up to you if you want to keep her safe" Imai said.

I turned around to ask her what she meant by that, but Imai was already gone.

"Hey Natsume," I said, "Let's go to this playground!

We were at the swings, when he decided to push me on it. For the first time in a long time, I heard him laughing. Even though he was just laughing at my reactions on how high I was going.

Suddenly he stopped me, and made me face him. "Mikan," he said, "do you think you'll ever hate me?"

"Why would I ever hate you? I could never hate you, stupid!" I exclaimed.

He nodded, and smiled at me. "I hope you keep that idea for forever" he said.

"Forever and always" I affirmed.

Then out of nowhere, I heard tires screeching on the pavement next to the park. I saw Natsume looking at the cars.

"Natsume? What are you looking at? What are they doing here?"

"Bye Mikan, I have to go for now. Remember what you said earlier" he said as he hugged me and walked towards the car.

"NATSUME!" I shouted, trying to run up to him. "WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

My actions were futile when a sea of people wearing black suits were creating a blockade between Natsume and I.

I woke up when Hotaru started shaking me. "Mikan" she said worriedly, "Wake up!"

"Huh? Hotaru?" I said groggily. "What's wrong?"

"You tell me baka, you were squirming in your sleep and whispering things" Hotaru said.

"Oh… I don't know Hotaru, I was just having a weird dream. Natsume was in it" I added sheepishly.

If Hotaru was surprised, she did a good job on masking it. "Natsume?" she said offhandedly, "what was the dream about?"

"It was weird! We were at the park, then all of a sudden these men came and took him away" I said. Then I remembered what happened before I fell asleep.

"HOTARU" I whisper-shouted.

"What" she said, slightly alarmed.

"What were you and Natsume talking about earlier?" I demanded. "And don't try to play it off either! I'm on to you!"

She raised her eyebrows. "Take a wild guess" she said boredly.

"There are a million things to guess from" I said warily.

"Well then" she said with an eyeroll, "I guess you're never going to find out"

"Hotaru, what are you keeping from me" I seethed

She sighed. "I wasn't planning to tell you this, but since you seem to want to know so much, I guess I'll tell you" she said

I nodded happily.

"Hyuuga was about to tell you about your birthday plans" she said

"My birthday plans?" That was something I definitely did not expect. "But my birthday isn't until January and it's only October…" I said suspiciously

"Do you not know that I like to take my time planning for big events, especially since you're turning 17" she said slowly

"OOOOH. That makes sense. Heehee. Why did you have to make it sound so suspicious though? You and Natsume made it sound like it was something really major" I said giggling

"I don't know, it makes things more suspenseful. It would've worked too if you weren't so keen on knowing" she said sighing.

"I'm sorry! But you know I'm naturally curious"

"It doesn't matter anymore, just keep it a secret okay? And go to sleep now, baka. It's 3 in the morning"

"Yeah… I am kinda tired, now that you mention it" I said groggily. I felt my eyes slowly closing, drifting off to a deep sleep.

Hotaru's POV

I realized that lying to her wasn't the best thing to do in the world. But as I heard her breathing evenly, it was obvious that she was sleeping without a care in the world. And I plan to keep it that way. I am not going to let Hyuuga ruin her.

I tiptoed out of the room with my cell phone to make a call.

"Hello, Ruka speaking" he said groggily

"Nogi. What I am about to tell you, you are not to tell Hyuuga under any circumstances. Understood?"

"Imai? What are you talking about?" he said, sounding more awake.

"Mikan asked me what Hyuuga and I were talking about, and I said that it was for her birthday-"

"And she believed you?" he said incredulously, "Is she that gullible?"

"It seems so. And please try not to interrupt me anymore" I said warily

"Oh, yes. Sorry about that. Continue, please" he said

"As I was saying, I said it was for her birthday, because I don't want her to know anything about it yet," I heard my voice drop down to a whisper, "But I lied earlier, when I was talking to Hyuuga, I said she was safe. I'm afraid that the same thing may be happening again"

"I don't get it" Ruka said

"She's starting to remember," I said "She had a dream of the day when Hyuuga first left"

Ruka sounded alarmed when he said, "What, really? I thought her memory was wiped from that point on though"

"That's what I thought," I said agreeing, "But then I suppose seeing Hyuuga again triggered her memory back somewhat. She just doesn't know it. So subconsciously, she dreams about it"

"What do you plan to do about it?" he asked

"I don't know yet" I admitted, "But if these dreams become more often, then she's going to piece things together and eventually remember. And then things are going to become more troublesome."

"Hotaru" he said, "why are you telling me this information?"

"Because you are the closest person to Hyuuga. I need you to update me on what he plans to do with Mikan" I said

"But you told him to stay away from her though"

I snorted, "Do you seriously believe that he's going to listen to me?"

I heard him chuckle and say, "Touche," I heard him sigh before saying, "Hotaru, you should go to sleep now. It's late"

I looked at the time on my phone, it was already 4:04 AM. "Crap, you're right. Remember Nogi, you will not disclose this information about Mikan to Hyuuga. If I find out that he knows… lord knows what will happen to you"

I heard him gulp before saying something but I decided to hang up and go back into the room to finally sleep.

Mikan's POV

When I woke up I saw Hotaru still sleeping peacefully, so I decided not to wake her up. I checked the time on the clock, it was barely 10 AM. I started to think of the dream that I dreamt of before Hotaru woke me up. I couldn't think long before I heard Hotaru shift around in her bed.

"Mikan?" she said groggily.

"Yes?"

"Get me coffee"

"… Why can't you get-" I whined.

"Now" she demanded.

After I got her, her coffee, she seemed more peaceful. "Let's go to central town today" she said.

"Central town?" I asked, "What's that?"

"Just an area near Alice Academy where we can go shopping"

"OKAY! YAY" I said happily.

-x

We were walking on the streets of Central town. I looked around and saw that it was filled with so many vendors on the side. I got distracted while looking at the Howalon. They looked so fluffy and delicious tasting that I almost started drooling.

I was so immersed by the Howalon that I didn't even notice that I got separated from Hotaru.

"Oh my god, I got lost" I thought frantically. I patted my pockets to check if I had my phone, but just my luck, I didn't have it. I must have walked around alone for about an hour until a man came up to me.

"Hello Miss. If you're not busy, I wonder if you would like to try some samples" he said

"Samples? Of what?" I inquired.

"Of our new fruity concoction. It should energize you completely, considering you look somewhat tired"

I nodded. "That's true, I am tired," I admitted sheepishly, "Sure, I'll try a sample"

I took a sample cup and was about to drink it when Natsume suddenly appeared and swatted it out of my hand.

"Natsume? What are you doing?" I demanded.

"Saving you" he said simply.

Hi guys! Reviews & Constructive criticisms are highly appreciated.

For some reason, this chapter took a while for me to write. I kept on deleting things, and rewriting, trying to make it perfect. I know it's still vague but slowly you guys will understand what's going on ^-^