Finally! I wrote another chapter! After all the writer's block and projects, I have completed it! Ahh, it's nice to be sick at home and just be able to type X3 I'm sorry for the wait! Please enjoy!

I think you would be the coolest person ever if you listen to Monster by Skillet. And if you like it also listen to Hero by Skilet. They sorta tie into the storyline, and they're just awsome like that.

I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE!

I cried for who knows how long, but I know I cried hard; And Natsume stayed with me the entire time. I didn't try to stop; I just let the tears flow until they ran out.

Finally, my sobs became soft hiccups. "Maybe I should make it a routine to cry every ten years…" I attempted to joke.

He gripped my shoulders and pushed me away to arms length. "Why do you have to act so strong? It's obvious it's just a façade."

"It's not an act! I'm strong because I have to be. Everything that's happened to me in my life has made me into who I am today. And it's obvious that you just don't fit in with us. Why don't you just run home to your 'castle' where you belong?" I shoved his hands away and stood up.

He stood up as well. "Why can't youact like a human being!?!" He raised his voice.

"Shut up! You're going to wake everyone. Why cause any more trouble then you already have?"

"Don't avoid the question." He pressed.

"My life is none of your business, so stay out of it. You don't know me." I walked away back towards where we the group was sleeping. Hotaru was already awake and motioned me to sit by her. I quickly moved to where she was, which was as far away from Natsume as possible.

"So what happened?" She muttered under her breath. It was so soft you could barely tell her lips were moving.

"I'm not in the mood." I murmured back, hoping she would drop the subject. She did, but not the way I was expecting.

"Fine, don't tell me, your best friend. The one who's known you since we were six, but go ahead and talk to that Hyuuga boy. Better yet, cry on his shoulder for all I can. Thanks, Mikan."

"I wasn't-"

"Shut up. I can tell you were crying. You have tear stains, your eyes are slightly red, and it's the same look in your eyes that you had ten years ago. And I can see Hyuuga's shirt is wrinkled and is damp. Don't bother lying to me. Now when you can let me into your guarded life again, let me know." She had a fierce look in her eyes, as well as hurt and disappointment.

She got up to wake up the others, slightly nudging them, which brings them springing to their feet. That came in handy in case there was an emergency…

We were hanging out in the woods. Every once in a while, we would go to the forest and just goof off, like we were normal kids on a playground. We had just gotten a new recruit, named Nobara. She was fourteen years old, just like me. She was quite fast and nimble, but slightly awkward in her proportions. Even though she was lanky, her long legs came in handy and she was light enough to easily lift herself onto ledges and such.

We were all climbing trees and playing hide and seek. It might seem childish, but to us, it was timeless. This was the first time in about three months that we have enjoyed playing in the woods.

After we finished the game, which Nobara won, much to my surprise, it was late. We decided that we would just spend the night in the woods. Since Nobara had only been with us a little less than two weeks, we all sat in a circle and got to know her a little better.

I learned that her family was in the mob, and that she's wanted out for a while. Also, it turns out, did her mother. "It wasn't my choice to be born into this life," is how she phrased it. She had been sneaking out of the house since she was eight or nine.

"My dad would come home late, most of the times drunk or high, and sometimes both. It drove my mom crazy. There was usually yelling, and sometimes crashes. I remember that my dad threw a clay mug a made at her head, and missed, thank God, and it broke slamming against the wall. I was screaming my head off at him, and he hit me for the first time. It was right on my temple, too. I had such a headache…

"Anyway he would also beat my mom. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore, and we decided to leave. I guess he thought we were going to the cops, 'cause he called the mob on us. You see, my mom isn't that fast, and saying she's not athletic is an understatement. I think her body was weak from getting hit so much too. So she made me promise, when we left, to keep myself safe and only me. When we were being chased down, she told me to run, so I did. I managed to hide and later get away, but she was shot."

We were all silent after that, but she told us she didn't want any sympathy, and that she was over it. She said she knew her mom was proud of her for listening and being able to move on with her life.

In the middle of the night, Misaki nudged me awake. She heard footsteps, and I did too. They were running towards us. Nobara was slow to get up; she was just getting to her feet when the men came. We immediately started running, but Nobara was not with us.

I heard gun shots, but there was no dying scream or any alert that she was shot. It guns quickly stopped firing. I like to think that she got away, but the odds are against me. And not everyone makes a scream when they die, they moan or grunt, and I would've been too far away to hear it; but it makes me feel better thinking that she's alive somewhere, living her life like her mother would have wanted her to…

"I think it's time to move out. Look, it's almost sunrise." Hotaru said, all emotion gone from her voice, leaving no trace of the conversation we just had.

Tono threw us each a granola bar that was wrapped in paper towels to eat. We can't carry anything that would make noise, like how wrappers crinkle. We all walked swiftly through the woods, eating in silence. I stood next to Tsubasa, suddenly aware of how small I really was. No, I'm not small, I'm not weak. I am strong. I am power. I am…I am a human…No! I am strong and nothing can hurt me. I continued arguing with myself, and I kept hearing Natsume's voice. "Why can't you act like a human being!?!" Well, I have nothing to compare myself to, so I am who I am. I don't want to be that scared little girl I was.

"This tastes like shit…" Natsume muttered under his breath.

"Suck it up, or get out asshole. It's not like we're gaining anything of you being here." Hotaru said sharply.

"Ohh, Hotaru! Feisty! Ow ow!" Tsubasa joked.

There was more silence.

"So what's the plan?" Tsubasa asked Tono.

"The Hell I know. But I think we should get at least ten miles between us and the scene."

Misaki spoke next. "I think we should avoid hijacking another car. Can't be too repetitive. We should also get a map or something."

"Newspaper." Was Hotaru's simple answer.

"Hmm…all good ideas. I think we shouldn't plan on appearing in the next town, or if we do, do it in the middle of the night. Too close and we don't know if we were spotted."

"True. But we should at least try for a newspaper, gotta see what's goin' on in the world." Tsubasa said. We all nodded in agreement.

We walked for quite a while; almost until noon. We took a break to eat lunch. And, much to Natsume's joy, it was another granola bar. I walked over to Hotaru. "Can we talk?"

"Me?" I could hear thick, thick sarcasm.

"Yes. Please." I was prepared to beg.

"No." She started walking away, so I grabbed her arm. She whipped around and slapped me, bringing all the conversations to silence. "No means no. Now leave me alone." She walked away, while I cradled my cheek. Nobody dared move.

"I'm sorry!" My voice sounded funny, but I wouldn't cry. Why am I getting so emotional? What's happening to me? I can't become soft.

She slowly turned, with dead eyes. "I don't care." She walked over to Tono and sat down, casually eating her granola bar.

After lunch, we continued walking; and saying it was awkward was an understatement. We found a town around eight o' clock or so. We camped near the edge of the town, waiting for late night.

Misaki volunteered to take the first watch, and suggested we all take naps, just to reenergize. My tired legs and worn-out soul weren't complaining.

I was woken up at three, and saw everyone already sitting up. I also couldn't help but notice Hotaru was as far away from me as possible.

"There's no use in us all going to get a newspaper, so…any volunteers?" Misaki asked us, looking around the circle.

"I'll go." I volunteered. I needed some time to myself anyway. Tono handed me fifty cents, just in case there wasn't one lying around on the street.

I walked through the streets, sighing to myself. I kept in the shadows on impulse, not because it was on my mind. I guess I was wondering for about ten minutes or so, where I found a newspaper lying on a bench. I hurried over to grab it, and started leafing through it. A certain article, or rather ad, stood out to me.

It was a picture of Natsume. And a 'Found' reward written below it. Great, now we're wanted kidnappers.

Whew! I did it! *Pats myself on back and does a happy dance* You know it's been so long that I don't even know who reviewed last chapter :/ I IS SORRY! Next chapter I'l be sure to thank all my reviewers X3 Becuase I love you all! 3

Umm...I will try to update soon, but I have learned that I don't trust what I say about posting a new chapter -.-' Maybe I'll start typing the next chapter today while I'm home sick...? Or take a nap X] Who knows?

Reviews are appreciated, 'cause, you know, YOUR MUM....okay nevermind that's just lamee! X] But I do love reviews. They make me special ;)

Luv ya! :)