A/N: Well, as you may have noticed, the previous chapters have been waaaaaaaaay too short for my taste so I made the last one a bit longer. My dear readers, if you want Natsume to convey his true feelings, please review and tell me. If nobody does so, this story might end up without a kissing scene. Now, I don't want that. Ho-hum. I guess if nobody reviews nobody likes my story and I may have to cut it short. I don't want that either. Darn. And I already had an ending scene…*pouts* I promise you you'll love that… Please review then… THANKS!!!

***Chapter 6***

***Normal POV***

***After Hotaru Left Them***

"Everybody, please. There's nothing wrong with me! See!" Mikan flashed a big smile. Nobody was buying her lame excuse. After all, nobody fainted without a reason…

The brunette slumped in disappointment and frustration. She realized nobody was going to believe her. She took an apple from the fruit basket they brought and munched at it instead. Anna even brought a picnic basket filled with goodies.

Everybody was talking about random things. The roller coaster, Anna's stall… Mikan was feeling a bit uneasy. It seemed like nobody wanted to talk about a particular subject. She wanted to find out what.

"So, have you guys seen Natsume lately? I mean, I've been asleep for a day right? Where is he? He's my partner. Shouldn't he be here?" She asked out of the blue. She thought everybody was just startled with her sudden question. She didn't know she had hit the jackpot. She took a bite out of her apple.

Mikan stared innocently at the silent crowd. Ruka broke the silence.

"Uhmmm… Imai-san didn't want to tell you this but… Natsume's been missing since he left me at the festival…" The blue-eyed boy was hesitant.

Mikan just stared at him, an incomprehensible look in her eyes.

Tsubasa spoke up. "Hey, Mikan gets out tomorrow right? Let's all get together and enjoy the rides! My friend Megane mentioned a Haunted House by the Latent Ability class!"

"That's true! My class is hosting a Haunted House. I would really appreciate it if you all paid a visit…" Yuu seconded.

The conversation branched off to other topics and stayed away from the touchy one.

Throughout their whole visit, Mikan was uncharacteristically silent. She did smile when Koko read Sumire's mind and embarrassed her. She replied to any question asked of her. She appeared to be listening but had a far-away look. Perhaps Ruka shouldn't have told her? Nah. She needed to know.

At the stroke of eight, the nurse earlier barged in and broke up the party. Visiting hours were over. Only two people were allowed to be left in the room to guard the patient. Hotaru still hasn't returned. She was walking around outside.

The small crowd bustled out of the hospital's doors and found Hotaru outside. They informed her that visiting hours were over. Then they walked back to their respective dorms after they agreed to keep the appointment about the Haunted House mentioned earlier.

Hotaru went inside. She tiptoed to the room. The door was unlocked. The door squeaked a little as she opened it. She poked her head in. Mikan's eyes were closed. Tsubasa was sitting in the corner. He was hidden but he could see Hotaru clearly.

The best friend sat beside Mikan and held her hand.

She's worried about her. How nice. Why doesn't she show it? Thought Tsubasa. A while later, He excused himself and went to the canteen to give them some time alone.

***Mikan's Dream***

'Mom, where are you going?'

'To the movies, dear. We won't be gone for long. Don't stay up for us okay? Now, good night and sweet dreams…' Mother tucked me in bed and turned around. I watched Father take her hand halfway across the room and lead her to the door. I jumped out of my bed and followed them to the hallway. Mom looked back and saw me. Her auburn eyes were warm and giddy with excitement. She smiled and waved. She proceeded through the door and into the car.

I watched it drive away from the window. That was the last I saw of my parents.

Things began to be all blurry… What's wrong?

I was at school. My best friend was changing schools. I don't know why. The grown-ups said she was special. She needed to go to the school where there were special people like her. My grandfather consoled me and told me she'll visit soon. I wouldn't listen. I ran to her house. She wasn't there.

I went back to school. It was about to close. A car was parked there. The kind for rich people. A familiar raven head was going inside. I couldn't remember her name. My last memory of my best friend was her back from walking away from me. She was going to a place I couldn't follow.

It became all blurry again… A change in scenery?

This time, it was dark. The lake was in front of me. A silhouette of a boy was all I could see he was emerging from the shadows. He wasn't walking away from me.

At last! A person who won't leave me!

He reached out his hand to me. Another step and his face could be seen.

I walked forward in anticipation. My clothes were wet and it was freezing.

He took another step and I before I saw his face--- I woke up.

***Normal POV***

It has always been like that for Mikan. When the person takes that step, she would wake up because of something. Most times it would be her alarm clock. Sometimes it would be Hotaru with her Baka Gun.

It's been a few days since that encounter in the lake. The Alice Festival was still going on. Natsume arrived the day Mikan got dismissed from the hospital. Hotaru keeps on staring at Natsume quizzically. He ignores her.

Once, their glares met. They were at the back of the crowd. Here's the interpretation of their eye conversation:

N: Why haven't you published those photos yet?

H: The hell you care. You should just be happy I didn't.

N: What's with that look? Do I owe you something?

H: Lucky for you, you don't. I know a secret Hyuuga. One of your deepest and darkest.

N: What do you know? It must be an empty threat.

H: You think I do empty threats, Hyuuga? By the way, there are two. She held up two fingers.

N: Two? *raises one eyebrow* you know two secrets? Tell me then.

H: Meet me later.

"Fountain near your tree." Hotaru voiced out.

Everybody turned to look at both of them. Even Mikan. She was moody lately. She's not as cheerful as she once was. Ever since Ruka broke to her the news, she's been a bit quiet. Everybody thinks this.

Actually, what's got her so silent were those dreams. They were punishing her. She couldn't sleep outright at night. She's scared. Those dreams haunt her. As much as she wanted to see the boy's face, she didn't want to be reminded of the people who left her behind. She's torn between two opposites.

The group was to visit the Haunted House the next day. Everybody was exited, except Mikan, Hotaru, and Natsume. Those last two really didn't care. They were anxious about their meeting that afternoon. Mikan was just, well, you know, not really listening.

The party broke up the usual six scampered to who-knows-where but I really don't care about them at this time. Mikan was pushed with Tsubasa and Misaki, obviously wanting to cheer the girl up. Ruka was uncertain. He was always with Natsume but Hotaru was looking daggers at him.

"Go with Polka, Ruka. I have an appointment with Ice Queen." Natsume smirked. Hotaru just rolled her eyes. Blondie *don't tell him I said that, he'll kill me* followed Natsume's advice and ran after the three retreating backs.

***At Their Rendezvous***

"Spill." Natsume ordered.

Hotaru doesn't like to be bossed around. She's the one that does the bossing. She glared at the boy who was staring at her calmly. He's not scared of her. He smirked.

"Lake. Mission. You figure it out."

"I don't need to figure it out. I'm not an idiot. How'd you know?"

"I have my ways. So you're her soul mate, huh? That's interesting."

"Shut up. That legend's not true."

"Are you sure, Hyuuga? Might be, Maybe not. Only time will tell."

"Time won't tell. Time is against me."

"What, because you're that 4th Alice Type? The life-draining one? Limitless? What has that got to do with fulfilling your destiny?"

"Hn. You won't tell? That's interesting." He quoted her. It wasn't a request. It was a confirmation.

"It's not my business."

"Good."

"Don't 'good' me. If she gets hurt or cries because of you, I'm telling."

"Fine."

"You don't have to worry. I'm a woman of my word. But, I will tell if I see it fit."

"Whatever. So the deal is, she can't be sad or cry or get hurt because of me?"

"That seems to be about it. Mind, not even a frown of a tear."

"I wasn't planning to let her do that."

"I kind of thought so."

Natsume was getting uneasy. He wanted to change the topic.

He suddenly smiled. "The Blackmailing Queen is worried about her best friend. How touching."

"Don't insult me, Hyuuga. She's delicate. By the way, that deal about your picture is still on."

"Crap. I thought that was done."

"No. The festival's not over yet. The game's still on." She smiled. It wasn't evil. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Hyuuga. Have a nice day."

The lavender-eyed girl left and didn't look back. She was heading to her lab.

Natsume walked over to the shady Sakura Tree. He stared at the sky. He went through the latest mission.

They wanted him to eliminate a drug lord in Kyoto. The whole task took about ten minutes. His battles weren't usually that long. The most would be half of that.

The Academy used him for his Alice. They knew he was Limitless. His lifespan will shorten with every use of his Alice. That was the fourth kind Hotaru was talking about. He landed in the hospital because of the excessive use of his Alice.

A couple of months ago, he would have wasted his life away. That's what he's been doing. When Mikan arrived, she filled his dark life with light. She was like the sun. She was all smiles. Her laugher was music to his ears.

In the darkness there was nothing. He was nothing. Then Mikan barged in and set fire to his spirit. She introduced to him the wonders of life. She made him feel important. A man with an unwanted Alice was reborn. He may never fully get away from the darkness, but someday, somehow, destiny was telling him that there is a flicker of light just for him.

Natsume wouldn't have recognized these this soon if Hotaru didn't make it known to him. She somehow saw through him and pushed him closer to Mikan. Natsume chuckled. She was deeper than he thought.

Anyway, he realized this now. He will do anything to keep that smile on her face. He will throw his life away to save hers.

He may not want his Alice, but he needs it to protect Mikan. Who cares if he dies? If Mikan is happy because of it, he'll do it without hesitation.

Whoever knew he would be this martyr? This wasn't like Natsume at all. This just shows how much that idiot has changed me. He thought with a laugh.

"This is new. Natsume, you're laughing?" Ruka appeared out of nowhere.

"How'd you get here?" Natsume apparently looked a bit surprised. The animal lover sat down beside the flame caster.

"You didn't notice me because you were concentrating too hard with your thoughts."

"Hn. Whatever." He went back into his stoic mask again.

Ruka was a bit disappointed. "Oh. Anyway, what were you thinking about? Sakura-san?"

"It's none of your business." The boy replied gruffly.

"Really? Hmmm… It's dinnertime. I thought maybe you wanted to eat. You must be hungry after tagging along them all day. Especially after that talk with Imai-san." He was concerned.

"Tch. You shouldn't have worried. Come on," he said, standing, "the cook's cooking special for today." He flashed a smile.

The two walked side by side to the Mess Hall. It's going to be a long day tomorrow.