Hey all:D The week's almost over so here's another chapter. It's kinda short I think, but I'm not used to writing a lot at a time, so I'll break them up into chapters. Thanks to all those who have reviewed and faved:D

Please continue reviewing(:

Chapter 8

There, under the Sakura tree, they sealed a promise.

One that probably wasn't going to last for long.

Chapter 9

All was peaceful.

The full moon shone brightly in the cloudless night sky, illuminating the school grounds and bedrooms of students who lay fast asleep in their beds. Not a sound could be heard throughout the entire campus of the renowned Alice Academy, except for the occasional rustle of leaves and branches when a breeze blew past them.

Two students stood next to a withered tree in the middle of an opening in the Northern Forest. As a requirement when undergoing missions, both wore their high school uniforms. They waited for their teacher in silence, anticipating his entry anytime soon.

"Punctual, that's good," Persona commented as he emerged from behind the tree.

Anyone would have jumped upon his sudden appearance, and his students had to get used to it, especially Mikan, who had thankfully overcome the sudden shock and surprise upon Persona's stealthy appearance. Mikan and Natsume stood side by side facing Persona, awaiting instructions. The latter observed Mikan and Natsume and was satisfied to see the absence of fear and hesitation in them.

"You two ready?"

The pair nodded and Persona handed out their masks to them; Natsume's being that of a black cat, and Mikan's being that of a white cat. Natsume held the mask in his hand as he watched his partner put her mask on at the corner of his eye.

Flashback

"Natsume…"

"Hn?"

"You… You better take care of her."

"Tch. She's such a klutz."

"I mean it Natsume. I won't forgive you if anything happens to her."

"I'll protect her."

"You better; with your life."

End of Flashback

"You alright?"

Natsume nodded before turning towards his partner and studied her. Over the years, she had learnt the seriousness of missions and the importance of keeping her emotions out of the way. Her eyes that usually reflected her innocence and joy were replaced by expressionless cold ones and anyone near her would have been able sense the deadly aura she emitted; all from the moment she put on the mask. She would no longer be the Mikan Sakura that everyone loved. Instead, she would be known as the infamous Shiro Neko who stood by the Academy's notorious Kuro Neko; a deadly combination. The thought of how Mikan Sakura and Shiro Neko being the same person would have been intimidating to all, but to Natsume, she was still the beautiful, yet clumsy girl that he had known all along. It was a relief that no one knew about Mikan going on missions; the teachers and they themselves had kept it under the wraps so well that even Hotaru didn't seem to know about the missions.

Or so they thought.

"You know the rules, and your task. Be back by dawn."

With that, Persona disappeared into the darkness.

Natsume gave the signal and they ran towards the main gates of the Academy, where the security guard, who was all too familiar with the activities of these students, would grant them access to leave the school compound. The pair raced through the forest, having their faces occasionally swatted by stray branches and leaves. They knew the route to the headquarters of the Anti-Alice Organisation by heart, after going there countless times on rescue missions and so on. Mikan stole a glance at her partner next to her and lost her focus momentarily as she began to drift into her thoughts.

Flashback

"Mikan…"

"Yes?"

"I don't want you to go on this mission."

"Eh? But you agreed with the other teachers that Natsume and I are to be in charge of it!"

"I have my reasons for wanting you to stay."

"And I have my reasons for wanting to go, with Natsume. Don't worry about it."

"Then be warned, my daughter. Lock your emotions in your heart; don't let them be seen by others."

"I will, as usual, sensei."

End of Flashback

Standing by the window of the Faculty Room, Narumi watched as the main gates of the Academy swing open noiselessly and spotted two familiar figures leaving the Academy. A knot formed in his heart. He was ashamed of himself; ashamed of the fact that he had allowed his adopted daughter to go on this mission, where she would come face to face with her, and find out the truth. Finding out the truth would mean that all that Mikan had ever believed in was a lie. Finding out the truth would mean that the ones closest and dearest to her were all in fact liars. Finding out the truth would break her heart.

And he had let her go; just like that.

"She'll be fine."

Narumi turned towards the direction of the voice and was surprised to see Jinno standing next to him, sipping a cup of tea as the frog on his shoulder croaked.

"She's grown stronger over the years; mentally and physically. She'll be fine."

Narumi forced a smile.

"It's good to see you speaking up for her, Jinno."

"She reminds me of her."

"I know."

"I've been treating her the way I have because I don't want this to happen again, not when it's finally coming to an end."

"I know how you feel."

"Go take a rest. I'll update you when we receive any news from the two."

"Alright then, thanks Jinno."

Jinno-sensei looked up at the moon, flashbacks of the past playing in his head. Right from the beginning, he knew that special attention had to be paid to Mikan; especially because of her Alice. He knew that he had never been fair to her; and a student like her, whose fun-loving and determined attitude won over the hearts of many around her including him himself, should never have to go through such an unfair treatment. Through it all, she displayed a commendably strong fighting spirit; but the problem was that Mikan was exactly just like her, causing Jinno to clamp her down even harder. He sighed and gazed at the full moon.

I'm sorry, Sakura.

Up in the highest and sturdiest branch of an oak tree, Natsume and Mikan stood side by side, paying attention for guards and any sudden movement around the perimeters of the Headquarters of the Anti-Alice Organisation. Come to think of it, the both of them had not set foot anywhere near the Headquarters for almost two weeks now; that is until they found Narumi-sensei badly wounded during their training. Mikan twitched upon realizing that all was quiet.

All too quiet, in fact.

"They're at their weakest, remember. I'm not surprised that most have left the Organization," Natsume muttered, as if he had just read her mind.

"Some would have remained," Mikan reasoned logically.

"Trust me," Natsume replied and Mikan could sense him smirking behind his mask.

"Fine. Just this once though. Let's go."

"Wait…"

"Yeah?"

"Be… Be careful, alright?"

"I will."

Both jumped from the tree and landed on the grass softly before speeding off towards a secluded part of the fence that surrounded the perimeters of the Organization's Headquarters. Natsume faced his back to the barb wire fence and bent his knees a little with his palms overlapping one another in front of him. He nodded at his partner who stepped on his open palms and boosted her up and over the fence. She landed successfully and was joined by Natsume soon after.

They ran along the side of the building stealthily, careful not to set off any of the alarms scattered over the place. Mikan spotted the air vents and motioned towards it, only to be stopped by Natsume.

"Tch. Since when did the famous Kuro Neko and Shiro Neko squirm through air vents?"

Mikan smiled at Natsume's smirking face; he was right spot on. She nodded in agreement when he pointed upwards, meaning the roof. She looked up and studied the height of the building and her surroundings, piecing a plan together. A soft whistle startled her and she turned towards the direction of the sound; upwards. There, up on the roof, stood Natsume, and it didn't take brains to figure out that he was smirking beneath the mask.

"Oh, wow. Thanks huh."

In a flash, Mikan was up on the roof standing next to him, with the aid of crates and a powerful jump. Persona's training had definitely paid off. They crept towards a sky window, careful not to make a sound. They crouched next to the window and cautiously looked in. Both were surprised at the sight that greeted them.

They had been to the Headquarters countless of times and were used to the sight of a dozen men patrolling the area with the floor congested with communication machinery, sometimes with a hostage tucked in a corner behind crates. But no, not this time.

It was deserted.

Except for lone figure standing in the middle of the floor.

She was wearing full black attire and her auburn hair was tied up in a bun. She seemed completely unarmed.

This spells trouble.