***Chapter 7***

***Normal POV***

"Why are you so perky, Tsubasa-senpai?" That sentence put a stop to Tsubasa's silly acts.

He looked at Mikan. Misaki sighed.

"You know, Mikan, we've been trying all day to cheer you up. It's funny you only notice that Tsubasa here is perky." Misaki ruffled Tsubasa's already messy hair.

"Why? Do I look sad to you?" She asked with wide innocent eyes.

Tsubasa sighed. "You are so dense." He whispered.

"Did you say something, senpai?" Mikan turned around and stared at him.

"Nothing! I didn't say anything!" He raised his hands in surrender. "Is there anything bothering you, Mikan-chan? Anything we can help you with?" The shadow manipulator looked at the girl earnestly. He was deeply concerned. Mikan was his favourite kouhai. She was like his beloved little sister.

"Just promise you won't leave me behind and I'll be how you want me to be." She smiled a weak smile.

Misaki hugged her. "You know better than that! Of course we'll never leave you! Why would we?"

"Hey, no fair! Where's my hug? I want in!" Tsubasa chirped. He hugged both the girls.

Ruka cleared his throat. "We're in the middle of the park." He reminded them. He was watching them from a little distance. He thought them too weird.

"I don't care. We're way too comfortable." Tsubasa squeezed them tighter.

"Speak for yourself. I can't breathe!" Mikan wheezed. The high school boy laughed hard and let go.

"I'll take that as your promise." Mikan grinned and guffawed, too. The old Mikan is back!

"I'm so glad you're happy again, Sakura-san." Ruka beamed. "If you'll excuse me, I'll get Natsume now." He bowed and left.

The trio looked at him leaving and looked at each other. "Let's head back now. It's getting a bit late." Misaki suggested. The two older students led Mikan to her dorm. "See you tomorrow, Mikan-chan! We're going to the Haunted House tomorrow!" They waved and proceeded to their rooms a building away.

Mikan decided to skip dinner. She ate a lot that afternoon. The brunette took a shower and dressed herself for bed. She closed her window and pushed the covers. Her coffee coloured locks spread on the pillow as she lied.

She heard the pitter patter of feet as the students arrived from dinner. Eventually, the noise died and silence reigned supreme.

Hours ticked by. She couldn't sleep. Normally she lost consciousness a few minutes after her head hits the pillow. She was being tormented by that dream again.

No, that's not it. Tonight, she's just restless.

10 pm. She stood up and turned on her lights. She walked around the room.

10:30 pm. She was still walking in circles around her room.

11 pm. She made herself some milk.

11:30 pm. She sat down.

11:45 pm. She lost it. She put on her coat and stepped out.

It was a cold night once again. Another unusual freezing night.

Mikan heard a scuffle ahead. She walked noiselessly closer. The sound came from the woods. The now wide-eyed brunette shuffled nearer.

A few branches crackled as Mikan pushed them back. The girl stared at a hushed battle in front of her, eyes as big as plates, her mouth a perfect 'O'. Mikan composed herself enough to suppress a scream.

Fire was everywhere. A boy stood at the centre of it all. It seemed as if the flames were protecting him. Ice appeared out of nowhere and began attacking the flame caster.

He dodged the icicles easily. He missed one and was almost injured. Fortunately, the ice melted before it hit him and the water evaporated.

Could that boy be Natsume?

He turned and Mikan caught a glimpse of a portion of his face. Raven hair and burning dark eyes. With that one glance, she saw the fire in his eyes. So different from Natsume's dull look. Nah, it couldn't be. Yet, she just had to save the boy. She searched for the root of the ice and saw the silhouette a woman hiding in the shadows opposite her. The leaves were rustling there and there was frost on the leaves. Mikan concentrated all her Alice in that direction.

The ice attacks stopped. The person in the shadows left in a huff. The boy looked around him. He was searching for the one who intervened. His flames were still burning. He refused to lower his guard. For all he knew, it could have been a ruse. Because of this, the girl still couldn't see his face.

Mikan was tired. She put too much of her energy into that powerful burst of Alice. She stood up and turned to return to her room. She was sure she can sleep now.

Eyes drooping, she witnessed something odd. A shadow was climbing up to a room and swiftly opened a window then stealthily went inside. Mikan was too tired to process the thought. After taking off her jacket, she crawled back to her bed and before her head could touch the pillows, Mikan was fast asleep.

That night, Mikan dreamed of the boy. The unspoken question in her mind was shouting to her throughout the night. "Who was that boy?"

***That Morning***

Hotaru already knew her best friend would be late in waking up again. She stomped her way to Mikan's room and threw open the door, irritation evident in her stoic face. How that came to be, I don't know. Let's listen and find out.

Hotaru looked around and scanned the area. She couldn't believe her idiot best friend could live in such a pig sty. A coat lay on the floor. Her eyes eventually rested on the sleeping figure on the bed.

"MIKAN! Wake up! It's already 9 in the morning and you're still in bed?"—This is what she wanted to say. But Hotaru is a woman of action and not of words…

Baka! Baka! Baka!

"I'm up… I'm up… 5 more minutes…" The sleepy girl raised her head up only to let it fall again.

BAKA!!! BAKA!!! BAKA!!!

"Ouch! Hotaru you meanie! You should have just been contented with the Baka Gun! You don't have to bring the Baka Cannon into this!" Mikan was ranting with tears in her eyes while clutching her badly bruised head that was adorned by 6 red lumps at the crown.

"Wake up."

"Fine. You win." The girl sat up and yawned. She proceeded to make herself ready for the outing later that day. She took a shower. When she poked her head around, she found clothes already picked for her. Her best friend is so nice. Mikan put on the clothes and went to the 'living room'.

Hotaru was sitting at the sofa/dining chair eating crab brains. Eew. "Want some?" She grinned evilly. "You should eat now. It's nearly lunch. You could have brunch."

"No thanks, okay… Hmm… Hotaru?" Mikan asked uncertainly. She flat-out refused Hotaru's offer.

"What?" she snapped.

"Uhmmm… I saw something last night. It was weird. I couldn't sleep so I went out. I put on my jacket and walked along the forest. That was almost midnight. About 11:45. I heard something so I went closer. There was a boy surrounded by flames. He seemed to be under attack by an Ice Alice. I nullified the opposing Alice and he looked around. I think he had the Fire Alice. He had raven hair."

Hotaru almost choked on her crab. "You saw his face?"

"No. I only got a glimpse of half his face. He had blazing dark coloured eyes. I couldn't see the real colour, though. The flames were too bright."

"What did you see after you nullified the ice? Did the fire burn away?"

"No again. The boy didn't let his guard down. He must be really trained. He dodged every attack on him. Who could he be? That's a question I keep asking myself all night. Could he be a member of that secret organization everyone's talking about? Or maybe he's a DA student? He looked about our age. Does that mean the rumour about students being forced to do missions is true? Could there be anything in this Academy that's not true? Does this further ascertain the chance of the truth about the lake?"

"You ask too many questions. You'll get even uglier if you worry like this every day. Didn't you promise Andou and Harada you'll be happy again from now on?"

"Right. Pffft… Wait a minute! How'd you know I made that promise? You weren't even there! Or were you?" She looked at her best friend reprovingly.

"I have my ways." That was her signature line. "Let's go." She said after Mikan had finished eating.

The line for the Haunted House wasn't that long. Everybody was a bit frightened and reluctant to go in. Especially Mikan. She wasn't scared yesterday because she wasn't really listening. Today, she has to put on a brave face and act as if she wasn't feeling petrified.

Auburn strands of hair fell on her white and gaunt face. Tsubasa laughed at her. Indeed, she was a bit irked. She forgot for a moment that she was scared. Natsume just glanced at her.

At last, the pack arrived at the entrance. Only Hotaru and Natsume didn't show any signs of terror. Ruka just held on to the rabbit that he carries along with him. He wasn't scared at all. He knew it was just Inchou. Actually, it was Koko who had to restrain himself from laughing. He found it so funny to listen to the terrors his friends were so troubled about. But one look from Hotaru and he deactivated his Alice immediately.

The number was too big. They had to split up. They all found a buddy in their crowd and continued inside. Hotaru dragged Ruka with her. Ruka called to Natsume to help him. Mikan ran to Hotaru. By a misunderstanding, (or so they thought), Mikan had to go with Natsume.

As the first ghoul was in front of them, Mikan tripped over nothing and was sent spiralling into space.

Mikan braced for the impact. She covered her face.

"Kyaaa!"

The crash she anticipated did not come. Instead, her hand hit something soft but strong. Mikan looked up.

She stared right into ruby red. The colour of Natsume's eyes. Their faces were inches apart. She could feel his sweet breath on her skin.

She blushed and tried to look down. He was caging her. She couldn't move an inch. One of his hands was at her waist while the other was at her chin, forcing her to look at him. Their bodies touched. Ecstasy ripped through him and he had the crazy urge to kiss her and feel her lips against his.

He then started to close the little distance between them. Time stopped for Mikan.

His eyes were burning crimson. As she gazed at them, she felt like she could see eternity. They were so deep. Unfathomable. Bottomless.

Her eyes were warm melted chocolate. Eyes bright like the sun. Natsume wanted to stay that way forever, her body pressed to his. His eyes straight to hers.

Click.

"Well, Nogi, I think I just saw the scariest thing in this whole house. A baka in the arms of Hyuuga. Tobita is doing a great job at scaring us." Hotaru passed by and pushed a stunned Mikan closer to Natsume. They both fell and—

Click.

Ruka watched, astounded with his best friend's action.

For the second time of the day, time stood still.

Mikan stood up with a start. No way had she just done that. Wide-eyed, she looked at Natsume. He was squatting on the floor, letting his bangs hide his face. One time or the other, he looked at her reaction. Eventually, their eyes met.

The girl blushed crimson. When she looked around, there was nobody. Hotaru had dragged Ruka as fast as the wind and hid again.

"Well, Polka. You're a lousy kisser."

"How can you say that so calmly? And with such a straight face! For you information, that didn't count! It was a teeth kiss!" She said and stomped off. Natsume just stared at her back.

I can't believe that guy! He just sat there as if nothing happened! How dare he? Didn't he know he took one of the most important things to me? I mean, really! That jerk as my first kiss!

Her internal ranting stopped when she finally noticed the surroundings. The Haunted House! Great. She was alone. She remembered leaving Natsume there, sitting quietly. She felt somebody tap her shoulder. "Natsume—" She looked behind her.

"!!!!!" She let out a blood-curling scream.

Natsume heard her shriek. Baka. She knew she was inside this house. If she was going to be that scared, she shouldn't have walked around all by herself. Nonetheless, he ran swiftly to where the screech originated.

"A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a RAT!!!" She ran to the nearest post she could reach. It was a bit short.

"What a baby. You're scared of a small rat?" Natsume sneered.

"Na-na-na-na-na-na-NATSUME??? KYAAAAAAA!!!" She jumped out of his reach and landed on her butt.

"Aren't you a bit too old to be frightened of a rat?"

"Hey! It wasn't just any rat, you know! It was the kind of rat you see in horror movies! The ones mutated and created in some crazed evil scientist's lab and eats people's brains! It was big, almost half my size, and peered at me with bloodshot eyes! They were red, just like yours, except staring through your eyes is a bliss while looking through his was a nightmare come true!"

"Bliss?"

"Oh. You caught that, huh?"

"By Jove, Polka, are you falling for me?"

Not falling, fell.

"Can't you make a single remark without teasing me?" It was obvious she wanted to change the subject. Natsume let her steer the conversation to a new course.

"It seems like I can't."

Mikan rolled her eyes. "Eeeekk!! A-a-a-a GHOST!!" she suddenly shrieked.

"Jeez, what a whiner. It's just an illusion" The raven waved aside the creepy apparition who was making faces at them. It was funny rather than scary. It vanished like smoke.

"AAARRRGGGHHH!!! An endless black hole!"

He caught her by the waist and chuckled lightly. He circled around, still holding Mikan who was burrowing to his chest.

"I guess you really are a little girl." Natsume teased.

Mikan realized his touch and shoved him away from her being. "SHUT UP! You heartless bastard! Let go of me, PERVERT! EEEEKK! A monster spider!"

It was Natsume's turn to roll his eyes. He sent a small fireball through the HUGE spider. It disappeared, too. He then turned to the cowering girl, his hands on his hips.

"Hn. Tell you what, I'll make a bet with you," he whispered in a seductive tone that his rich, velvety voice naturally is, "I bet you can't get through this house without a single shriek, scaredycat." He smirked.

A nerve popped in Mikan's head. She stood up. "Humph. That's a deal then," she said to his face.

"If I win, you'll be my slave and will follow my every order, no questions asked, until I say stop." A small smile played on his lips.

"But if I win, you can't tease me ever again."

"That's a little mild."

"Those are my conditions,' the brunette said haughtily. "Or do you want something more drastic?"

"Nah."

"Good."

Neither of them offered to shake hands. Any unwanted body contact would be devastating.

"Trial starts now."—Natsume

No matter what obstacle or terror presented itself in front of them, Mikan promised herself to keep silent. Whenever she was tempted to screech, she just bit her lip, balled her hands into fists and refrained from any sound.

Every now and then, Mikan's eyes would dart to Natsume in their own accord. She was still thinking about that 'accident'. It helped her forget momentarily that she was terrified. Her mind was too busy stuffing the memory to the farthest and most secluded part of her brain which, unfortunately, isn't so far-flung (the farthest part of her thinking organ, I mean). As a result, she keeps on gasping and blushing. A fright pops out, she gasps. Then she reddens and the scare goes away.

Every now and then, Natsume would glance at her, checking if her sanity was still intact. Then, after confirming that she was still sane, usually after a second or two, he would look away.

They were finally nearing the exit. Unknown to them, Hotaru and Ruka were tagging behind the couple, keeping surveillance. They, of course, heard the bet.

"Natsume's going to lose. Sakura-san's good with suppressing her screams."—Ruka

"We'll see about that."—Hotaru

"What are you planning to do?"

"Just a little tweak here or there…"

"Why do you want your best friend to lose, anyway?"

"Cuz it's funny."

Ruka groaned inwardly, knowing that Hotaru's up to her old tricks again.

"Alright! Only two more scares and we're outta here!"—Mikan

"Hn. Whatever."

"You're no fun. Not even a squeak out of you." *pouts*

"I'm not scared of things I know aren't there."

"Oh."

Both were startled when they heard a loud bang somewhere near them.

"What in the world could that be?"

"The hell I care. Probably a student got too frightened and decided to get out the hard way."

"Oh." Why didn't I think of that? I could tell Natsume to break out of this hellhole with his Alice!

"Don't even think of asking me to break you out of this hellhole with my Alice. Unlike you, I use my Alice wisely."

"Oh." *pouts*

"If you ask me to, the bet is off and I win."

"Humph."

Suddenly, their surroundings changed. Instead of cold and dreary, it became cheerful and a bit bright. A spotlight shone and concentrated on a box that sat on a cushion a stone's throw away from where the duo was standing.

"Tch. That's not scary at all. Tobita's losing his touch."

Mikan was turned away from the curious object. She immediately recognized it when she faced it a moment later.

"KYAAAAAA! Howalon!" She dashed to the spot, all dignity forgotten. The lid was now slowly opening, revealing the treasure within. The girl excitedly groped the bottom of the box, hoping to find some Howalon. Her hand wrapped around something and her eyes shone. She withdrew her hand and held out to Natsume—

"Oh look, a hand."

"A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a WHAT? AAARRRGGGHHH!!!" She fainted.

"I-i-i-i-i-imai-san, isn't this a little too much?" Yuu sweat dropped.

"No. Actually, it's wanting." Hotaru whispered something to Inchou's ear.

His eyes bulged after listening to the inventor. Hotaru witnessed the boy's change of expression.

"It wouldn't hurt the two of them. Just a prank, right?" She wore an evil grin. Yuu shivered but continued to follow Hotaru's orders.