Thanks to all who reviewed.

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Chap 3: Run

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Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE

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"Where's Mikan?!"

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Mikan's POV

Natsume ran out of the door. I didn't know what happened that made him to hastily leave like that. As far as I know he didn't have any missions right now. He's supposed to be resting while inside the Academy. He might get hurt…Natsume...

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Flashback

2 years ago…

It was past midnight when I got out of bed coz I couldn't sleep. I grabbed my robe and made myself some tea. I opened the two french doors that led to the balcony.

Brrrrrr…. Its cold tonight, I said and proceeded to sit on one of the lounge chairs of the balcony. I took my seat without taking off my fluffy slippers and pulled on my robe more tightly to keep the cold out.

The moon was out and it was so beautiful. Eerie but still beautiful. It cast its dull light around the academy. The buildings, the trees in the forest, the pathways that in the morning would be busy carrying kids to their respected classes glowed in the presence of the moon.


Who would ever think that things in the light could look so beautiful in the dark? Mikan thought. Even the things you took for granted during the day emits its own beautiful aura at night.

A soft wind swept through the academy and sent sakura petals dancing in the air. I watched the petals as swirled around the air. I imagined they were pixies playing and laughing with each other. It made me smile. As I watched the petals glide softly to the ground, I saw something or rather someone coming out from the dark pockets of the forest. I strained my eyes to see who was it that was strolling in the night so casually.

He must be very brave walking around like that. I mean, there are a lot of strange things in that damn forest that could even give you nightmares till you were old and dying.

I focused my eyesight at the stranger once again. It was hard to see since there were more petals and leaves falling. Then through a clearing of falling leaves, I got the chance to see the person clearly.

The way he walked, the way his hair moved at each step, I have watched the image of that boy for the last 5 years. There was no mistake, it was him. I stood up and walked to the edge of the balcony and placed my hands on the railings.

"Natsume!" I shouted. Hopefully, loud enough for him to hear but low enough not to wake the entire Academy. He stopped walking. Good. He heard me then. I was waiting for him to make some kind of reply but he just stood there looking towards me.

What's his problem now? He could at least wave a hand to acknowledge my presence. Hmpf!!! He's just so annoying! He looks okay and doesn't seem to be hurt. I know he just came back from a mission. That was obvious enough. Still, its not nice to stare.

I was beginning to get frustrated with the staring fest between me and Natsume. Might as well go back to my seat and drink my tea if he was just going to ignore me. My tea was getting cold anyway, I thought as I looked back at the cup of clear brown liquid on top of the small coffee table on the balcony.

I was still looking back at my tea and was slowly slipping my fingers from the railing to reach for the cup when a strong wind blew. It caught me unaware and I held on tightly on my robe that was starting to whip at my side. My hair was being blown everywhere. The sakura petals that were on my balcony floor were picked up by the wind in a circular manner and was going around me.

"Aahhh!" I cried. I closed my eyes to protect them from the dust and debris the wind was slamming unto me. Then I realized something. My robe wasn't whipping and flailing at my side anymore. My hair rested on my back once again. I'm quite sure that the wind was still blowing since I could still hear the rustling of leaves and swaying of the trees. What was going on?

I decided to open my eyes and looked at the scene infront of me. The wind was STILL blowing. How come its not affecting me? My alice couldn't do this. This wind was made naturally and not by some alice that I could nullify. My eyes grew wide. Nothing is making any sense.

And then I felt it, someone was with me in the balcony. When or how that person got there I didn't know. But I was certain. Someone was with me. I started to shake as I glanced at my left where the stranger was standing. I only saw a tall figure of a man. I was so scared. I remembered those AAO thugs that tried to kidnap us from years before. I was about to scream for help when I heard the figure speak. "Oi, Polka! What are you doing coming out of your room in a cold night like this?"

I looked back up at the figure once again. My eyes were now adjusting to the dark and proximity of the one standing next to me. "Natsume?!" so it was him who blocked the wind that was trashing me around. Hmmm... Natsume's being nice. It made me smile. Then, the wind died down, and all was left to stillness once again.

"Hn. Who else did you expect little girl?" "Or would you rather see that Andou guy instead of me standing in your balcony?"

"Huh?" "Tsubasa-sempai? Why would he want to be here anyway?"

She's still as dense as ever, thought Natsume. "Never mind"

"Ne, Natsume do you want some tea? I just bought some delicious tea from Central Town yesterday and was about to have some when I saw you." I smiled at him.

"Tch. Whatever."

I always took that remark of his as a yes. I smiled then pointed to one of the lounge chairs so that he may have a seat while I prepare our tea. i went back inside my room and rushed to the small kitchenette. 'I left Natsume out on the balcony'. 'Oh! Its cold out there. I better give him a blanket when I get back.' I was smiling while making the tea. I was glad that Natsume wasnt as cold as he was 3 years ago. He talked more now and doesn't seem to mind people around him anymore.

I understood from long ago that Natsume wasn't that cold as people knew him to be. He was just shy. He didn't get along with a lot of people since he was young so that was why he lacked some of those what you call 'people skills'.

I chuckled at the thought of a polite and blushing Natsume. That would be so cute, but I like him just the way he is. His cold demeanor and harsh retorts always earned him a title of a delinquent, but I knew he was more than that inside. In his own way he unknowingly made his friends seem special by the way he acted. Ruka knew that, and so does Hotaru even though she would never admit it.

I knew too, that for me he was special, that I in fact loved him….

Still smiling, I was carrying the tray of tea out of the kitchenette and grabbed a blanket from my closet. I pushed through the French doors and saw Natsume standing at the edge of the balcony, his back on me. That was the same spot where I was sanding when I saw him earlier.

I studied his back. It has become broad and toned. It was no longer the built of the boy I met long ago at the gates of the Academy, but it was becoming to look like the built of a man. Natsume is becoming a man? I blushed at the thought of it.

I looked a him again when I heard him say "Liking the view Polka Dots? If I was anything like that Imai friend of yours, I would be charging you for every second you stare at me." He was smirking.

'Why you arrogant bastard!' I thought. If eyes could only shoot daggers he would be dead by now. He's not gonna so have this moment.

Instead, I just answered "Tough luck jerk, I was just thinking if what was better, to give you a blanket or to let you freeze to death?" for the first time, he didn't argue back. Huh? He's not saying anything? What the?! Is he really okay? Maybe he was just tired from his mission. Yeah. Maybe that was it.

I placed the tray on the coffee table and picked up the two cups and slinging the blanket on my right arm. I walked to his left side and looked at him. His head was bent back, and he was staring at the moon.

He…. He…. He….. looked so handsome…. His face was glowing from the moon's rays and his raven hair was reflecting the moon's beams. He was wearing a thick black wool turtle neck that had long sleeves. He had black pants and had on black boots. Simple but very striking. I wondered how his enemies could think of even hurting someone who looked this beautiful. Oh yeah, I forgot. His mask. The Kuro Neko mask that envoked fear to anyone who was unlucky enough to see it.

I looked back at him more closely. His eyes were different. They weren't the eyes of the mocking and arrogant boy they all knew. They looked serene. So this is how Natsume looks like when he's happy. I smiled then chuckled at the boy beside me.

I guess I disturbed him with my small laugh because he snapped his head back and his eyes were once again back to those cold crimson eyes. I sighed. Good Mikan, you just ruined the moment with your stupidity, she scolded herself.

"Here, your tea, and I got you a blanket too. It would be such a hassle having you freeze to death in my balcony." Mikan smirked. Oh well, might as well continue our everyday game of insults and arguments...

"Still as stupid as ever, I see."

"Whaaaaaat???"

"Idiot, I don't get cold because of my alice."

"Oh yeah, right, I forgot that. Hehehehe." I laughed.

"So, what made you so interested in the moon? You were staring at it for a long time." I asked.

"I was just thinking..." " that even the dark night needs some sort of light. Not a light as intense as the sun but something as vital." He said as he looked lovingly at her.

"Eeeehhhhh???? Moon? Intense? Vital?" I was getting confused. What does he mean???

"What were you doing out here in the cold anyway Polka Dots?" Natsume said after seeing Mikan's confused expression to his previous statement. 'I guess she haven't realized it yet. That it is her that lights up my darkness. Maybe now is still not the time…

"I couldn't sleep. So I decided to come out and enjoy the view."

" Why weren't you walking around like before and resting at the old Sakura tree instead?"

"Somehow I didn't feel safe walking around tonight." "I knew you weren't at the Academy and that means that you were off on a mission. That's why I decided to stay here instead."

"And how precisely did you know that I was off on a mission?"

Its either Ruka told her or that Imai was spying on me again and told her I was on a mission. They are so gonna get it tomorrow for telling the Baka.

Natsume never wanted to let Mikan know about his missions anymore because he got irritated with her nagging and scolding whenever he comes back. But deep inside, Natsume just didn't want Mikan to get worried. He needed her smile. It was for him more than enough reason to live.

"It was cold. That was why I knew you were not here."

Normal POV

Natsume's eyes grew wide in shock. He felt his cheeks burn with what Mikan had said. He was struck speechless. He would never have thought that this dense, childish, and stubborn girl could say something that led everything about him to her...

If a person was smart enough, he could decipher the real meanings behind those words, and Natsume is smart enough. Somehow... Their hearts were connected...

It took awhile for Natsume to revert to reality. As he was about to throw an insult to Mikan for her statement he looked to his side and found Mikan fast asleep on one of the lounge chairs. She looked like an angel who decided to descend to earth from heaven. Natsume stared at her. Long eyelashes cast shadows on her lovely face. Her skin glowed with the pale moonlight and her luscious lips showed a small smile. He reached out to touch her face. It was so smooth and soft. It felt like feathers were touching his fingertips.

This is heaven and I'm with an angel...

After realizing that it was already 2 AM. Natsume decided that it was time to leave. He carried the sleeping Mikan in his arms. But as he lifted her up, her scent invaded his senses. She smelled like strawberries. He imagined what it would be like to sleep and wake up at something like this. He shook the thought away. He needed to get Mikan inside the room. He was tired and getting drained as well due to his mission.

Natsume started walking towards the room with Mikan in his arms. He looked down and saw her snuggle up against his chest. He smiled.

He laid her down on the bed and covered her with a blanket. When he was about to turn away and leave, he heard Mikan groan and say, "Natsume….. don't leave." She whispered silently but loud enough for Natsume to hear. "She's dreaming." He said, and walked to her side and bent down his head and gave Mikan a kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight my Beloved". He then left the same way that he had come... from the shadows.

That was how it started that Mikan's balcony had an almost nightly visitor who enjoyed sipping tea with her.

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Mikan's POV

A few moments after Natsume left, Narumi burst in the door. I heard him say something about AAO getting inside the Academy and taking us somewhere to the Northern forest.

The AAO?! No! They're after Natsume!

I glanced around. Everyone's attention was directed at Narumi-sensei. This is my chance I thought. Its now or never. I have to help Natsume.

I slipped silently out of the room and dashed to where I thought Natsume could be. I was already out of the Middle School building and was about to turn the corner heading towards where the shouts were loudest when I collided with something.

"Ouch!" I rubbed my back. I was about getting ready to blast that person's eardrums to kingdom come for stalling my pursuit of Natsume when I heard him speak.

"Baka! I thought I told you to stay inside?! Don't you ever understand a thing that I tell you?"

"But…. But… Narumi-sensei said that the got inside the Academy gates and I know that they're here to get you. They were always after you!"

"I know that Idiot! But I just cant stay behind and watch. Protecting all of you is my responsibility! Don't make it harder for me you baka!" he glared at her. Natsume hoped that Mikan could understand. He didn't want any of his friends to get hurt or worse getting kidnapped by the AAO, especially her…..

Tears were starting to blurr my eyesight and were now sliding down my cheeks. What Natsume said hurt me a lot. It made me feel useless. I just wanted to protect and help him. So... I just make his job harder?

"But! I just want to help you Natsume!" I said through some sobs.

"I don't need your help! Now go back!"

As Natsume shifted his body, I caught sight of the scene behind him. Shock turned to terror when I realized what I have been seeing. Bodies were strewn on the ground. Blood was everywhere!

I started to shake uncontrollably. My legs buckled from under me. I saw smoke and fire break out on the horizon. Was I in hell? "What is this?!" "Nooooooo….." Tears started to flow. Alice Academy, my home, the place where I met my now very dear friends was being ransacked by an army of men in dark clothes.

They're destroying our home!

I cried even harder. The thought of death and despair was new to me. I have no idea how to react to it.

Suddenly, I felt being lifted to my feet and the ugly scene was blocked by something dark and soft. I looked up and saw Natsume was holding me in his arms. I cried on his chest while muttering "I'm scared Natsume. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright Mikan. I'll protect you." Natsume hugged me tighter. Then he held my shoulders and looked me in the eyes and said "Now I want you to go look inside and look for the rest of the class. Once you found them, don't get separated okay? I know they are on their way to somewhere safe but they're not that far off yet. You could still catch up." "Now go!" he pushed me away from him.

After taking a few steps back "Come with me Natsume"

"No, you know I can't."

"But Natsume…." I pleaded.

"Go Now Mikan!"

He called me by my name again. I turned around to run back inside the building when I heard a man's voice. I stopped in my tracks and turned to see the owner of the voice.

"Ah! Kuro Neko! I'm glad that you finally showed up. I was beginning to think that you were somewhere else hiding." As the man with dark brown hair and gray eyes finished talking, a number of men and a woman showed up behind him.

"Tch. Who would want to hide from you anyway?"

I felt something strange. These people were not ordinary alices. They were strong... Very strong.

No! Natsume can't figt them alone!

"Natsume! Be careful they're different! Their alices feel different!"

"I thought I told you to go Baka!" Natsume was shocked to see that Mikan was still there. It didn't bother him that these guys were different from those AAO thugs he usually fought but what bothered him was that Mikan was going to see him in his darkness. She was going to see him spill blood and end lives. Knowing her, she would be too devastated. She might not want anything to do with him after this if that happened. she could lose her precious inocence...

Natsume was snapped back from his reverie when he heard the man with brown hair speak again. "So you even brought the nullifier with you, eh Kuro Neko? You're making our job easier by the minute."

What? Natsume thought. Then it dawned on him. They're after Mikan too!!!

"Run you Baka! They're here to get you too!!" Natsume shouted.

I started to run towards the building. The AAO wants me too? Why? Would Natsume be okay?

Natsume heard Mikan's hasty footsteps slowly fading. 'She's gone. Good. She doesn't have to see the monster that I am' Natsume told himself.

"Looks like you're gonna get what you came here for. But sorry to disappoint you that its not what you planned on getting, Idiots!" He smirked and pulled out his infamous Kuro Neko mask from his jacket pocket. They are going to regret coming after me and Mikan, he told himself.

"Come and get me…… if you can"

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Author's note: This is mi 1st fanfic. Your reviews inspire me to write...