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Chapterrrrr 7!:D Review please:D

Two figures raced through the Northern Forest in the dark, with the moonlight as their only guide. Branches and leaves whipped about as the pair went through the usually agility course. It had been a year since she had requested to train and go on missions with Natsume, four months since she received news of her grandfather's death. Mikan remained silent as she leapt from tree to tree, glancing at her partner once in a while, amused to hear him panting.

"Tired, Natsume?"

"Tch, not yet Polka."

As if on cue, Persona looked up and saw his two students emerge from the highest branches of the trees and landed in front of him, side by side noiselessly. Mikan grinned as she heard Natsume breathe heavily. Persona nodded in approval after revealing that they had improved the time they took to complete the course. Mikan punched her fist in the air with triumph while Natsume merely smirked.

Deep inside, however, Natsume was satisfied. It had been a year since he started training with Mikan. It started off shakily, causing Natsume to constantly worry about her. But as time passed, Mikan could do more than fend for herself. Since they started going on missions, both of them usually returned unscathed except for a few minor bruises and cuts, and a smile of victory plastered across their face. He gave a small smile as he thought about all that he had been through with Mikan.

If only she knew…

They automatically moved on to their next exercises which were the usually sit-ups and push-ups to tone their abdominal muscles. Persona watched in approval as he saw Natsume and Mikan going at the same steady pace. He swiftly turned around at the sound of a twig breaking. A limping figure clutching the side of his stomach stumbled out of the thick foliage and collapsed in front of Persona. Right at that moment, Mikan and Natsume turned and saw the familiar figure on the ground gasping for breath.

"NARUMI-SENSEI!"

The smell of antibiotics sickened Mikan as she sat on the sofa in Narumi-sensei's private ward. Nurses who came in to check on him once in a while seemed oblivious to Mikan's questions about his condition. She sighed in defeat as she sunk into the sofa. The door slid open and Natsume stepped in. He nodded at Mikan, acknowledging her presence and glanced swiftly at Narumi-sensei. He was still unconscious, but a peaceful smile graced his face. Natsume turned and focused on Mikan, the only reason why he would even think about visiting Narumi-sensei. A worried frown formed on his face when he saw Mikan dozing off on the coach.

He poked her.

"NANI?!" Mikan shrieked, sitting up straight.

"IDIOT! Quit yelling like a moron. Go back to your room and catch some sleep. Persona won't give us a break because of this setback," Natsume advised.

Mikan shook her head, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Her father was lying there, unconscious, and the cause of his injuries were yet to be known. She was his daughter. She didn't have the heart to leave his side. Natsume shook his head when he saw the concern in her eyes. He sat down next to her.

"I'll be here, you can have a short rest and I'll watch over him," Natsume muttered.

Mikan smiled and thanked him before dozing off. Natsume watched as Mikan breathe in and out slowly and softly. She looked so peaceful sleeping there. Natsume leaned forward and gently pulled Mikan so that half her body was lying on the sofa, her head resting on Natsume's lap. He brushed a few strands of her brown hair away from her face, letting a small smile escape. Soon after, he fell asleep.

The door slid open noiselessly and two pairs of eyes looked in and saw Natsume and Mikan sleeping. Hotaru smiled with satisfaction as she took a picture of the sleeping couple. She looked at Ruka and saw sadness in his eyes. Nudging Ruka with her elbow softly, she motioned him to leave the two alone.

Ruka leaned against the corridor, hands in his pockets. He felt happy for his best friend; that he had been brought out of the darkness and found someone he truly cared for. But still, he had lost her, after six years of hoping, wishing, and loving. Ruka sighed inwardly as he looked at his shoes, oblivious to the fact the Hotaru was standing next to him, waiting.

"There'll be others," Hotaru whispered, trying to comfort Ruka.

Ruka stopped wallowing in his misery for a moment after hearing what Hotaru had said. This was probably the first time he had ever heard her comforting someone and she wasn't very good at it either, which was no surprise. He turned and suppressed a smile, fearful of her Baka gun.

"What is it, Nogi," Hotaru demanded, pointing the Baka gun at him.

"Oh, it's nothing. Thanks Hotaru," Ruka smiled good-naturedly at her before walking off.

Hotaru stared at his retreating figure.

She was… blushing.

"Ow."

Narumi grumbled as he struggled to sit up in bed. He caught sight of Mikan and Natsume on the sofa, still sleeping. He smiled at the sight of the two. He glanced at the medical dip inserted into his arm and the bandage around his stomach. Flashbacks of events that took back the night before ran through his head. His eyes widened in fear. Narumi ripped off the needle attached to his arm and got out of bed a little too quickly. He collapsed on the ground, upsetting a jug of water on the nightstand, causing a clatter. Mikan and Natsume sprang out of the sofa wide awake, causing Narumi to chuckle at their reactions. He shook his head; having witnessed what Persona's training had done to them. They rushed to his side and helped him back onto the bed. Narumi thanked them and sighed.

"I have to talk to the headmasters."

"Now?"

"Yes now Mikan. The Academy is in trouble."

Mikan blinked. The statement was nothing new to her. She had heard it almost every time Natsume and she left the school for missions. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's alright Otou-san, Natsume and I will have it covered," Mikan chirped.

"No."

"Nani?"

"You don't understand. I need to see them NOW!" Narumi yelled.

Mikan shrank back in fear. She had never seen Narumi-sensei lose her temper; no, not even at her, especially not at her. Narumi realized his mistake and apologized profusely. Natsume, being the sensible one, told Narumi that they would get the headmasters to meet him in the hospital ward. He held Mikan's arm as he dragged her out of the ward.

Narumi turned and look out of the window, staring at the Academy grounds which were enveloped in darkness, the moon not in sight.

Darkness…

Mikan and Natsume strolled towards their dormitories in silence, thinking about the day's events. Mikan turned and looked up at the window of Narumi-sensei's ward; the curtains were drawn as he was having a meeting with the headmasters of the various school divisions.

"It has to be really serious, eh Natsume?"

"Yeah, but they'll let us know about it sooner or later," Natsume replied.

Mikan nodded her head, somewhat comforted by the thought that they would be told the cause of Narumi-sensei's injuries. She was determined to help Narumi-sensei and the Academy. Without doubt, the cause was the AAO; no other organization could have done something like that. Mikan turned towards the right at the forked road where the girls' dormitories lay ahead. She was surprised to see Natsume still beside her, when he should have gone in the other direction.

"I'll walk you there. It's late."

Mikan grinned at her partner. It warmed her heart.

"Good morning everyone!"

"Good morning Mikan!"

Mikan walked towards her desk and saw Ruka and Natsume at their places which was the row behind hers. Ruka was stroking his rabbit, staring into blank space. No prizes for guessing what was on his mind. It didn't help much that the brunette greeted him cheerfully; his heart bled. He shifted 

his gaze to his best friend who was sleeping next to him, an opened manga on his face and legs on the table. Mikan sighed and leaned forward to snatch the manga covering her partner's face. Just then, his hand shot up and grabbed her wrist. Mikan shrieked and grabbed the manga with her other free hand and smacked his face repeatedly. Ruka, who was unfortunately caught in the middle, sighed to himself. He stood up, causing Mikan and Natsume to stop and look at him walk out of the classroom. Mikan blinked in confusion as Hotaru fired her Baka gun at Natsume.

"Be sensitive, you idiot."

Natsume froze for a second. He felt a pang of guilt when he recalled how close Mikan and him were getting. Not once had he stop to think about how Ruka had felt. Natsume turned towards the window and leapt off, scoffing at the sighs of admiration from his fan girls.

The Classroom

The class turned their attention towards the door, expecting Narumi-sensei to come in. To their surprise, and Mikan's horror, Jinno-sensei stepped in with the usual frown on his face. He marked the class attendance, instead of Narumi-sensei. Whispers amongst the students could be heard, most of them worried about him. Narumi-sensei was not one who would be absent for class without telling his students personally where he would be. Jinno-sensei cleared his throat and the whispers died off.

"Free- period today, lessons will resume tomorrow."

The class erupted in cheers, all quite forgetting about Narumi-sensei, except Mikan. Jinno-sensei raised an eyebrow when he saw Mikan approaching him.

She's got guts.

"Sakura, just the person I have to see. You're needed in the faculty now, with kuro neko."

Mikan nodded her head and left without asking further questions. Her actions went unseen by all her friends, except Hotaru. She shook her head sadly. It had been a year since Mikan started training with Persona but Mikan had yet to breathe a word about it to her.

Her best friend.

The Sakura Tree

Meanwhile, Natsume ran towards the Sakura tree, expecting Ruka to be there. Indeed the latter was; stroking his rabbit and staring into blank space. Natsume walked up to him, hands in his pocket. They stood there side by side in silence, both not quite knowing what to say.

"Ruka…"

"You don't have to apologize or anything Natsume."

"May the best man win, eh Natsume?"

"Ruka…"

"It's cool. It won't affect our friendship. Promise it won't yeah?"

"Alright then."

"I'll be off now, there's free period today. I overheard the staff talking."

Ruka turned towards the direction of the barn when they were interrupted by the shrill voice of Mikan. He remained in his position, back facing Natsume and the approaching Mikan.

"Natsume! We have to go!"

"Hn."

Ruka walked away.

The Faculty Room

The door creaked open and Natsume and Mikan stepped inside. All the teachers were there, including Narumi-sensei who was resting in his seat. The mood lingering in the room was dead serious. Mikan cleared her throat.

"May we be of some assistance?"

Jinno-sensei directed all staff, including Persona, into a small meeting room, locking the door and drawing the curtains. Natsume stretched his hand out and flicked his partner's nose, annoyed by the fact that she was busy whirling about in the roller chair, oblivious to the mood in the room. She stopped immediately and sat up straight. Natsume rolled his eyes. Persona cleared his throat and began the meeting.

"The AAO is at its weakest. You two will bring it down completely. Tomorrow night."

Mikan's eyes widened. Natsume nodded.

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