AN: Hey! I got some very inspiring reviews the last time I updated. It gave me the drive to write the next chapter faster. Thank you so much you guys!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own it. GA I mean…

Previously…

"Say your goodbyes Little Kitty. You leave tonight." And with that last statement Persona leapt from her balcony onto the dark forest outside.

The cold wind blew in through the open doors of her balcony and gently blew on her hair.

"Everyone, I'm sorry…"

She let out the sobs she was holding back as she curled and covered her face with her hands on he carpeted floor of her room.

Normal POV

Mikan's tears were starting to dry up when she decided to stand from the floor. "Do I really have to leave the Academy? Why?" fresh tears were starting to build on the rims of her eyes.

"I don't understand…"

With a heavy heart and her head bent low. Mikan started to pack her things.

Quietly.

Sadly.

There was nothing she could do.

She looked at her desk, whose walls in front of it were filled with pictures of her and her friends.

She smiled a sad smile.

"At least I had some wonderful memories with you guys."

After packing Mikan bathed. She was still moving sluggishly through her room.

Sure because she was reluctant to leave.

Her heart was heartbreaking.

She cherished every second she had left of the home she considered for five years. She stifled a sob.

"I shouldn't cry, or else I wouldn't be able to get through with this."

She brushed her wet hair. She yelped in pain when the brush hit a bump on the back of her head.

"Ouch! It was that hard huh? Damn that Persona! I swear if I could bash him in the head, then I'll just!!! Argh!!!". She wore her pigtails as usual, but the bounce in them when she walked was gone.

With a grunt she lifted her suit case and leaned it on the wall.

"I hope I still have time to say good bye to them." She sighed and went out her room hoping to find Hotaru in her room.

She was just two steps away from her door when she heard someone speak.

She froze.

"And where do you think you're going?"

The person's voice was raspy and seemed that he hissed when he spoke.

'That voice. It's him again.' Mikan was trying to shut the voice out of her head.

'Maybe I'm just imagining things. He can't be here. He told me I could say goodbye to my friends.'

She continued to walk. She was tired. Too tired with her grief that she didn't even try to figure out if she really heard Him.

Mikan was knocked out from her stupor when powerful hands pulled at her shoulders and shoved her to the wall of the corridor.

"Ow!" Mikan screamed from the impact of her head and the wall. She opened her eyes and saw the least person she expected to see… Persona.

"That hurts you freak! Let go of me!" Mikan trashed around trying to get free from an iron grip.

"I asked you a question and I expect an answer. I thought the lesson earlier today was supposed to teach you to respect me Little Kitty."

"Its gonna take more than that for me to respect someone like you!" Mikan glared back at Persona.

"Hn." The girl was feisty I can give her that. Persona thought. "Where were you going?"

"I was going to say farewell to my friends. You told me that I was allowed to at least do that. Or has that perverted brain of yours forgot what you said to me earlier?!"

A corner of Persona's lips curved in a sinister smile. "You're in the wrong direction then Little Kitty."

Mikan's eyebrows raised in question. "Hotaru's room is that way." Mikan pointed to the right side of the corridor.

"I know Little Kitty, but she isn't there. You see, everybody was evacuated during the attack, and they were moved to a shelter."

"Then take me there! I need to see her!"

"You should learn how to say please Little Kitty." Persona dug his fingers deeper into Mikan's shoulders. Mikan screamed in pain. "But that isn't where she is…"

"What? I thought, you said…"

"The inventor, the animal lover, and the Black Cat are in the hospital." Persona's smirk became wider as he saw Mikan's shocked expression.

Mikan gasped upon hearing that her closest friends were so injured that they were still at the hospital after all this time. She was starting to remember the attack again when the hands that held her shoulders released its grip. She looked up and saw Persona walking away.

"I don't have all day Little Kitty." Persona stopped and glanced back at her.

"Huh?" 'Does he want me to follow him?' Mikan thought.

Persona ignored her and started walking again.

"Uhm. You don't have to go with me. I could get there by myself!"

"But I doubt that you could get in."

Tired of another argument, Mikan hesitantly followed Persona outside of the dorms and to the medical facility of the Academy.

Outside…

As soon as they stepped out of the building, cool night wind started to caress Mikan's skin and sent her hair in graceful waves.

'The wind feels good. I was getting suffocated being with that Persona inside the building.' Mikan thought.

She was still following him and musing over the events of the past few days. Her feet knew where to go. She has walked this path for 5 years. She could get to the medical facility even with her eyes closed.

'I wonder how Hotaru is. I hope Ruka's fine since he got a nasty collision with that bear and the tree. They were trying to protect me and they ended up getting hurt. Nice move Mikan you were such a big help.' She scolded herself.

'I just wanted to help Natsume. I didn't want him getting hurt by another battle. But I did a good job at that didn't I?' Mikan was still busy with her guilt trip with her head stooped down and counting the clicks of her heels against the brick pathway of the Academy.

Click… click… click…

'Just me and the sound of my shoes, that's just how it's supposed to be I guess, to be alone…' Mikan wondered.

'Wait a minute! I'm not alone! I'm still at the Academy! Where's that damned Persona? Is he planning anything again?' but before she could go into a state of panic, Mikan saw Persona still walking gracefully ahead of her.

She stared at his feet. Were they touching the ground? Mikan rubbed her eyes in disbelief. His feet WERE touching the ground as he walked but his steps didn't make a single sound.

'What the?! Is he a cat or something? How could he walk without making some sort of noise? How does he do that?' Mikan was amazed. Talk about distraction. They were already nearing the middle school building.

'Hmmm… maybe I could run away from Persona when I get to the hospital. I could go and find Narumi-sensei and ask him if I could stay. I mean, Persona couldn't just decide my fate. I refuse to submit to what he plans! I could protect myself. I wouldn't be a trouble to anyone. Just as long as they allow me to stay here or they could just even send me home. Where do they plan on taking me anyway?'

Mikan was so busy thinking of ways on how she could get away from Persona when Mikan being Mikan was still as clumsy as ever.

Her foot caught a crack on the pathway and sent her hurtling forward in an ungraceful fall. She picjed herself up and studied the bruise on her knees. "Geez, another one."

What she failed to notice was that they were already at the Middle School building and that they were near the place where Natsume fought with the AAO. She was about to stand up when her eyes drifted to a spot in front of her.

Her mouth dropped. Whether from amazement, shock or fear she didn't know. But what she saw sent chills down her spine. Everything was dead. She tried to remember if Natsume had used his alice to burn that area. But she couldn't remember that happening. 'Maybe Persona did… after I passed out…'

"Enjoy seeing your handiwork Little Kitty?"

'Huh? MY handiwork?' Mikan thought. Sweat dripping from her temples as she remembered the day of her attack. She remembered the cold sensation rising from her chest and her pleading Persona to take Natsume to safety.

"I did this didn't I?" she asked. She slouched down on the pathway her head down, still trying to remember exactly what happened.

"Can you tell me Persona-sensei what happened? Please…" She felt defeated.

"Hn. What happened is what you can see for yourself. Everything died. Even those AAO that tried to kidnap you and Kuro Neko."

"I-I-I killed them?" tears were starting to flow from her eyes and cascade down her cheeks.

Persona looked at her. He could see the loss of innocence in the girl and the building up of guilt. Hn. Honestly he couldn't care less. Anyway, this was normal to happen, especially to an alice.

But before Persona could say anything. He saw he girl get up and held her back straight but with her head still bent down.

"I understand now… Why you want me out of this Academy."

"Hn. That and a few more reasons Little Kitty."

"I-I'm sorry for misunderstanding and… and… Thank you for saving Natsume from me." Mikan squeezed her eyes shut, trying hard to stop the tears from falling.

'I almost killed Natsume…' was all she could think about. 'I also endangered the lives of Hotaru and Ruka, and all the students of Alice Academy. I don't deserve to be here.'

A grunt from Persona told her that they have to go. Besides, she was leaving tonight and there isn't much time left either. Hesitantly, she started to shift her feet and follow Persona to the hospital.

Inside the Hospital…

'We've been walking forever in this hospital. Where is that Persona taking me?' Mikan sighed the scent of the Hospital was making her nauseous. It was bringing haunting memories to her. Like the time when Natsume was kidnapped by Reo when they were 10 years old.

She was still busy remembering the memory when they stopped infront of two steel doors and Persona inputting something on a keypad. When he finished the two doors slid open and they stepped in the corridor behind the doors.

"You have twenty minutes."

"What? Twenty minutes?! Who could say a proper goodbye in twenty minutes?!" Mikan screamed at Persona. Her temper getting the better of her yet again. There was just something about that man that could put her in a fit of rage and annoyance.

She looked at him but she could feel the glare that Persona was throwing back at her. Her temper dwindled. She was still indebted to this man and she was the one who validated it just moments ago. She let out a sigh.

"Hai. I apologize for my behavior. Twenty minutes it is then."

"Good."

Mikan ran towards the rooms that were lined at the left side of he hallway, not wasting a second of her twenty minutes to say goodbye to her friends.

The first door had the name Ruka Nogi on it. "Ruka's the first to hear it then."

She went in the dimly lit room and saw Ruka asleep on his bead. She saw bandages wrapped on his head, arms, and those that peeked from behind his pyjama top that probably wound around his chest.

"Ruka…" Tears were starting to fall again.

"I'm sorry Ruka for causing all of this. I'm so sorry that I repaid all your kindness towards me with all these injuries."

"Ruka, can I ask a favor? Would you take care of Hotaru?"

Ruka was starting to stir from his sleep. Someone was talking to him, and that someone was talking in a very sad tone of voice. He was trying to open his eyes but he felt that they were too heavy. 'Damn! They must have used some sedatives on me.'

He could hear his visitor telling him apologies and asking for a favor. 'This voice, It's Mikan. Thank Kami she's still alive and I hope she's well!'. If only he could, Ruka would have smiled knowing that Mikan was up and about, but what shocked him was what she suddenly said.

"Ruka, please… take care of Hotaru for me. You… you're the only one she trusts besides me and Iincho. So, please take care of her, especially when she would know that I'm gone."

'What is she saying? What does she mean when she's gone?! Where is she going? She can't go anywhere! Natsume needs her! We all need her to keep us from falling to darkness and despair. You can't leave Mikan.!'

"Take care of Natsume too okay? Well, I guess I don't need to tell you that huh? He is your bestfriend anyway… but still, he could get lonely most of the time and he could really get careless in his missions." Mikan smiled sadly, feeling nostalgic remembering the times Natsume visited her in her balcony every after his missions and having tea with her.

"You've always been kind to me Ruka. Thank you for everything. I will never forget our friendship. Sayonara Ruka-pyon…"

Ruka wanted to scream! He wanted to stop her but his body wouldn't move. He has to stop her. Has to ask for reasons why she was leaving… he heard the clack of the door closing.

'she's gone… I couldn't stop her… Sayonara Mikan…' and he fell into unconsciousness once again.

Outside Ruka's door…

Tears were still streaming down Mikan's eyes. She covered up her mouth to stop a sob.

'Stop it Mikan! You shouldn't cry. You have to be strong. You're doing this for their sake!'

Mikan inhaled deeply and calmed herself. She knew that it was going to be harder to keep her self from crying especially when the name on the next door she was going to was Hotaru Imai.

She inhaled deeply again as she opened the door. She was startled when she saw another person inside the room. The person was standing next to a sleeping Hotaru and holding her left hand. There was green light emanating from where he touched Hotaru.

Upon hearing that someone came in the room. Subaru turned to see a distressed Mikan. "Hn. Sakura, I'm glad to see that you weren't hurt in this unfortunate incident."

"Subaru-san! What are you doing here?"

"I was asked to join the medical team assigned to them." Mikan could see the worry and care in the eyes of Hotaru's usually indifferent older brother.

"I-I'm sorry Subaru-san. It was my fault why Hotaru was injured."

"What I heard is that one of her inventions exploded on her. As far as I know your alice doesn't cause self destruction of machines doesn't it?"

"But she used that invention to protect me."

"What she did was her choice. Hotaru being a level headed person wouldn't do anything that she would regret. I would even say that she will be proud knowing that she saved her bestfriend."

Mikan's tears were starting to pool in her eyes. She was leaving her bestfriend behind, the friend she chased across the country just to be with. She felt helpless, that the reason for leaving was because of her herself.

"Subaru-sempai, will you say goodbye to Hotaru for me?"

Subaru sent her a lazy stare. "Hn."

"please tell her that I have to go and I wouldn't know when I'll be back. I don't know exactly where I'm going too but tell her not to worry coz I'm not going against my will, and that she mustn't look for me. Although, please tell her that someday, when its already possible, I'll come back."

"Hn."

"Ahhh… Well… I shouldn't be bothering you Subaru-sempai. Arigato." Mikan bowed and turned towards the door.

"What is your real reason Sakura-san?"

Mikan stopped in her tracks. "Reason?"

"As her brother that would be looking after her from now on since her best friend is leaving her, I would want to know."

Mikan slowly opened the door and was about to close it when she answered in a soft whisper. "To prevent this from happening again…"

Subaru heard her. He knew that Mikan was making a huge sacrifice just to keep his sister safe. "Arigato Mikan…:

Mikan was slowly making her way to the last door of the hallway. Her mind still lingering on the thought that she wouldn't be able to be with Hotaru any longer. She lazily opened the door to Natsume's room.

She stood by the closed door and looked at the unconscious form lying on the bed. Her heart started to beat rapidly.

Natsume was sleeping, he didn't have that much bandages on him like Ruka, but she knew that his injuries were eating him up on the inside. It was the damage of his alice that weakened him.

She came next to his left side and studied his face. she smiled weakly. Natsume looked like he was getting fair rest. He needed that. She knew that under normal circumstances, Natsume was always alert and on the lookout for anything causing him to be constantly tired. Right now he looked well rested, without a care in the world. Without worrying…

He looked so innocent and… handsome. Mikan had to chuckle. She'd die before letting the pervert know that she thought of him as handsome.

She remembered her memories with him, and under his watchful eyes, he always protected her and taught her how to be strong. He protected all of them, their friends, while bearing all the guilt on himself. He was never selfish and that was why his friends adored him.

And now… she was saying goodbye to the boy who mattered so much to her. She felt that she was betraying him, to be leaving as she is.

Tears started to fall uncontrollably, landing on Natsume's hand. Mikan feeling that Natsume would wake and find her crying beside him would only cause him to scold her, wiped the tears off of Natsume's hand.

Even though how much she wiped, she couldn't keep his hands dry. Her tears wouldn't stop falling.

"I'm sorry Natsume… I'm sorry…" she still kept wiping at his hands.

She looked up to his face again and was relieved that he didn't wake up. A knock was heard on the door and Persona's voice penetrated to the room, telling her that her twenty minutes was up.

"I didn't say goodbye yet…" Natsume… I wonder how he would react when I'm gone. Would he be happy? Would he be sad? Would he even remember me? More tears started to flow when her hand reached out to Natsume and brushed his bangs aside. She leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. "Take care Natsume-kun."

She was about to turn and leave when an idea went through her head. She wasn't able to say goodbye properly to Natsume. How could she at least let him know that she said goodbye.

She ripped a piece of paper from Natsume's medical chart from the foot of the bed and wrote at its blank back side… After writing, she folded the paper and tucked it under Natsume's left hand. Feeling her strength giving out, she ran to the door and out to where Persona was waiting for her, before she lost her reason o leaving them.

Mikan was already sitting in the car where it would take her to her destination. She remembered what she wrote on the piece of paper she left for Natsume, and tears started to fall one more…

-

Sayonara Natsume

Mikan

-

"Please forgive me…"

-

AN: hey, hoped you liked that chapter. Sort of sad wasn't it? well... I still like it.

Don't forget to review though... You know it inspires me.