I should be on a hiatus. Zz this will be it till my examinations end. Posting this because jo told me to -.- So update your story too woman:D

Okay so thank you cablecarloves for being my 60th reviewer!:D And others for reviewing and favouriting and such. Hopefully, by the next chapter I can list the 70th reviewer 8D
Or maybe 80th!:D lols.

So thank you guys again:D Review this too?

I'm going back on hiatus I promise ):

Chapter 10

"It's too late, Kuro Neko. This is the least I can do for my daughter."

She lowered her arms, and gravity sent the icicles plummeting towards Natsume.

Chapter 11

Natsume tore through the dusty road, leading him deeper into the forest, and closer back to the Academy. He gritted his teeth in anger and frustration as branches and leaves whipped past his face, occasionally wincing from the searing pain that came from his ribs.

Idiot… You're an idiot.

He stumbled for a moment and regained his footing, carefully shifting his arms into a more secure position, so as not to cause further discomfort to the brunette in his arms. Natsume cursed inwardly; the trail was enveloped in darkness as clouds masked the moon, making it difficult for him to navigate about. Of course, Kuro Neko could have easily made his way through the leafy foliage, light or with no light. But no, this was different. He couldn't afford to lose his way amidst the frustrations, confusions and despair. Heck, with the way he was acting and feeling, he could no longer uphold the image of the feared and reputable Kuro Neko. He had lost it.

Flashback

Natsume stood helplessly as the icicles plummeted towards the ground. The pain coming from his body from the explosion proved to be too much for him to bear. It would be today. Today would mark the death of the infamous Kuro Neko. Jeez, that was pathetic. But still, the fact that he had rescued and saved others over his years in service did somehow serve as a form of consolation for him.

Thoughts of death disappeared as he glanced around. From the corner of his eye, he saw Mikan trying to form a nullification barrier over him. It worked, but barely. The usual strong glow that would have surrounded him was replaced by a weak, wavering one.

Perhaps. Perhaps he could be saved.

End of Flashback

Natsume heaved a small sigh of relief upon seeing the familiar clock tower which stood in the middle of Central Town, overlooking the Academy. However, reaching the Academy was only the beginning of a nightmare. He cursed upon seeing the walls that surrounded the Academy, remembering about how had electrocuted him during one of his escape attempts years ago. Come to think about it, it had been ages since he had thought about it. The Academy was no longer a prison; it was his home. She had shown him how contented one could be living in the Academy, and on top of that being the reason why he had stayed on in the Academy. He glanced at the brunette in his arms as he sped towards the main gates of the Academy.

As he ran past the walls, he noticed a certain section of the walls which was comparatively new as compared to the rest. He smirked to himself upon recalling the fact that it was him who had destroyed the walls during one of his escape attempts from the Academy six years ago. It was then when he was about to succeed that Narumi-sensei had intervened and knocked him out with his Human Pheromone Alice. It was then that he met Mikan for the first time. He chuckled inwardly upon recalling that how her skirt had somehow slipped off as she ran towards Narumi-sensei for protection from him. Her scream could be heard at least a mile away as he fled on Ruka's giant-sized falcon, or whatever it was called. Tch, it was a wonder how he managed to find something as huge as that.

Flashback

Natsume's eyes widened in horror; not because Mikan had given up on forming a barrier quick enough to protect him, but because of the fact that she was racing towards him, hands stretched out in front of her. Heh, that's funny. It was as if… it was as if she was going to run and push him aside.

Oh, hell no.

End of Flashback

Natsume cursed under his breath. The guards at the main gate froze for a moment when they saw a disheveled Kuro Neko running towards them, yelling at them to open the gates. They glanced at each other and nodded. The gates of the Academy swung open, creaking noisily with every inched it moved. Natsume nodded at the guards as he turned in; a small way of showing his appreciation. He cursed, once again, upon seeing the long stretch of path in front of him that led towards the Academy's hospital, inwardly grumbling about how pointless it was for the Academy to build unnecessary dreadfully long paths. Fatigue was already wearing him down and his body was commanding him to stop; the pain limiting his movements. His mind screamed at legs to continue at top speed and they obeyed. Using an elbow, he shoved the doors of the hospital open.

"She needs help NOW."

Those four words proved to be more powerful and effective than how students would tremble at the threats of receiving the dreaded detention from Jinno-sensei. A doctor and nurses rushed to the aid of Natsume, with one of them wildly pushing a stretcher down the hallway towards them in hope to avoid the wrath of a seriously pissed off Kuro Neko. He lifted her gently onto the stretcher and ran side by side with it as she was pushed towards the Operating Theatre. By now, her breathing was faint and light; this was hell for Kuro Neko. He cringed when he saw her coughing out blood.

Black blood.

"A Curse Alice," the doctor muttered under his breath with a tinge of worry. His words however, were loud enough for the Kuro Neko to hear it. Natsume remained silent; Yuka must have used her Curse Alice with her Ice Alice. It was indeed strategic of her; but her desired results turned disastrous the moment Mikan intercepted. Without a doubt, it was completely and totally his fault. Never had he felt such guilt, remorse and self-hatred.

He should have been the one on the stretcher.

He should have been the one with the two stab wounds from the icicles on his torso.

He should have been the one suffering from the effects of the Curse Alice.

He should have been the one suffering.

Not Mikan, not the least her.

He signaled to the doctor and nurses to start preparing for the operation on Mikan. Understanding what he meant, they left him alone with Mikan lying on the stretcher just in front of the doors of the Operating Theatre. Once certain that they were alone, he leaned forward towards her and stroked her hair softly.

"I failed to protect you. I failed to. You're a fighter, and you'll be okay… You have to be. Please Polka, I'm pleading with you. I have so much to talk to tell you. It's not the end, so hang in there… Mikan. I'll be waiting for you," Natsume whispered as he stroked her loose auburn hair.

He stood up straight and frowned upon noticing a stray tear slipping down his cheek and falling onto Mikan's. The sight of it would be enough to convince anyone that Hotaru must have switched Natsume's mind with another who was more… in touch with his emotions. With that, he wheeled the stretcher into the Operating Theater noiselessly, where the doctor and nurses with Healing Alices stood aside, waiting for further instructions from the doctor. Natsume took a final glance at Mikan before leaving the Operating Theatre. He turned, closed the door, and stood there for a minute in silence, reflecting and hating himself for failing to accomplish something so simple. It should have been him. Accusations rang in his head over and over again as he hurled his right fist at the wall over and over again. His train of thoughts was interrupted by a nurse, whose eyes narrowed at the sight of blood trickling from his fist.

"We've informed the Faculty about the situation and they'll be here shortly."

"Hn."

The nurse's eyes widened in horror as the Kuro Neko collapsed, calling for another stretcher upon seeing the amount of blood that had seeped through his uniform.

"You said you'll protect me."

"I'm sor-"

"You said you'll be there for me, whenever I needed someone."

"Please…"

"You lied, Hyuuga."

Natsume jolted awake and was greeted by the sight of a white-washed ceiling. He remembered having the exact same dream a year ago but soon forgot about it after seeing how contented and safe Mikan was when…

Mikan.

Flashbacks of the attack and the race home to save her life crept into his mind. Natsume sat up immediately, fighting against a sudden pang of dizziness. Gritting his teeth, he tore the IV drip needle inserted in his arm, resulting in sharp cut through his flesh; but this was nothing as compared to the pain and guilt he felt deep down inside of him. Natsume dashed towards the door and was about to slide it open when someone else on the other side did, revealing Ruka. His crimson eyes met the stoic gaze of his best friend; Ruka's once calm and collected expression was soon changed into one that was of hatred and angst upon registering the fact that Natsume was standing in front of him. Natsume nodded slightly, acknowledging his presence and took a side-step away from Ruka, only to be blocked by him.

"You were supposed to protect her, Natsume."

"…"

"Now she's lying in the Intensive Care Unit, coughing out blood every once in a while, on the verge of slipping into a comatose. She's in great pain, and you're standing here, alive and well. You call that protecting her with your life, Hyuuga?" Ruka spat, emphasizing on Natsume's last name.

"Let me see her."

"It's the Curse Alice. One of the most powerful curses was used together with whatever had stabbed her. You said you'd defend her with your life, but it turned out to be a load of bull coming from the famous Kuro Neko. What right, do you think you have to see her, eh Hyuuga?" Ruka snarled, drawing a fist back. Natsume simply stood there as Ruka launched his fist into his stomach. He stumbled backwards a little before gaining his footing once more. The pain was unbearable, considering the fact that his injuries from the mission were nowhere close to healing. Ruka was right, and he deserved any form of brutal punishment as if it would make up for what Mikan was going through right now.

BAKA!BAKA!BAKA!BAKA!

Both boys rubbed their sore heads, cursing under their breaths as they turned and saw Hotaru standing at the doorway with her infamous Baka Cannon in hand.

"What the hell, Imai. Leave us alone. Hyuuga's getting what he deserved," Ruka growled.

Hotaru studied Ruka for a split second. Her heart fell a little after hearing his words. Perhaps, she was wrong about the fact that what he felt for Mikan was mere infatuation. Ruka, the gentle and calm animal-lover, was beating up his best friend over her best friend, and the one he loved. Perhaps, she was holding on to hope just a little too much. Perhaps, she should just, let go. That would be for the better, wouldn't it?

Shoving those thoughts aside, Hotaru glared at Ruka. Indeed, he had every right to bear a grudge against Natsume; even she had planned to make Natsume pay, but in her own way. Ruka's actions disgusted her.

BAKA!BAKA!BAKA!BAKA!

"You shut up Nogi. Your childish behavior and rash actions annoy me. This isn't going to help that idiot lying in the Intensive Care Unit. Besides, do you think she'll forgive you if she learnt about what you did to Hyuuga? I know that idiot inside out; she won't forgive you Nogi. Think about it; you've got more sense than you think you do. Leave us."

Ruka, stunned for a moment, glanced at Hotaru's stoic expression and back at Natsume before turning to leave, storming down the hallway as he left. Once certain that Ruka was out of sight, Hotaru cleared her throat and faced the fire-caster. Both stood facing each other in silence for a few seconds before she broke the silence.

"Healing Alices won't work on her as the Curse Alice has to be removed from her system completely. What do you say, Hyuuga?"

"Let me see her. I know what to do."

"Save her and I won't kill you like I had planned to."

"Leave it up to me."

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