***Chapter 11***

"It's not a dream stupid." Hotaru's cold voice snapped Mikan out of her agony. "It's your entire fault, anyway. Who asked you to push Nogi to me?"

"But you were going to have to sit down! I felt bad for you!" Mikan whined. Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Baka. Did I tell you to feel bad for me?" "But that's what best friends do! Aren't you my best friend?" She pouted. For once, Hotaru couldn't respond downright. The idiot was perfectly correct. What can she say?

"You're my best friend and I don't meddle in your business." She pointed out. Mikan bit her lip. Dang. She thought Hotaru couldn't answer. Ruka, on the other hand, sweat dropped. What a perfect lie. Since when didn't Hotaru tweak in Mikan's life? (I was thinking that both the boys were sharing this thought…) Natsume rolled his eyes.

"Mikan-chan! That was a great song, wasn't it?" The twins squealed. The gang was closing in. Mikan nodded like a robot. Her mood was sour. Who wouldn't when you learned that Natsume Hyuuga was your destined date? Okay, okay, maybe a couple of girls out there wouldn't. Well maybe no one except this idiot. Let's rephrase it, shall we? Is there anybody else out there that is an idiot like Mikan who would feel sour when she learned that THE Natsume Hyuuga was her destined date in the future? … Time's up! The polls have returned and there was NO ONE. Ugh. This girl's impossible. Let's get back to the story. I'm drifting again.

"Honestly, Mikan! What is wrong with you?" Sumire muttered with her hands on her waist. "Nothing…" Mikan bit her lip. "Stop that. You suck at lying." "So I'm told." She replied sullenly. Sumire rolled her eyes. What an airhead, this Sakura. Tsk.

"Sumire, cut her some slack. She's been through a lot. Her heels must be killing her right now." Koko intervened. Mikan brightened a little bit at this. At least somebody cares about her… The mind reader winked. "Some guys think you look pretty tonight." He whispered in her ear. Natsume, who was beside Mikan all this time, heard. He glared at Koko. The poor guy read his mind and backed off. Yuu chuckled. Natsume was acting funny tonight. "You got that right." Koko murmured when he passed by the class representative. Yuu was left a bit puzzled and surprised. He then readjusted his glasses and listened instead to the girl talk in front of him.

"Mikan-chan… Koko's right. You do look pretty tonight." Nonoko smiled. She then did a do-over of Mikan's outfit. Her gaze drifted over to Natsume's athletic build. Did I tell you what he wore? I think not. Well, he had a black over coat, black polo underneath and a blood red tie. He looked handsome. Stunning, even. He was already drop-dead gorgeous yet he wore a certain aura around him that drew people to him. He seemed to be clueless of this fact. It was odd. He usually had a cold, dark and bleary surrounding about his being. What could be the factor that made him so positive?

Hotaru was deep in thought. She had glared at Koko and thought to him to deactivate his Alice on her mind. She said she wanted some privacy. She had a lot to sort out. Her musings were cut short when she heard Anna praise Mikan and Natsume's matching garments. "You two are perfect together. I mean, the colours match. Red and black. Your hair is absolutely compatible with the style of the dress, Mikan-chan." Even Sumire acknowledged this. Just as nobody disobeys Hotaru, nobody can cross Sumire when it comes to fashion. "Your locks are much better down like that than in those childish pigtails." She pointed out. Mikan glanced at Natsume. His eyes were signalling I-told-you-so. Mikan rolled her eyes and turned back to the girls.

"Thanks you guys, but you don't need to praise so much. Any more of them and they'll get into my head…" She smiled mischievously. The others just took it as a joke. They knew Mikan enough to know that she's down-to-earth and would never get arrogant. They gang didn't notice Hotaru signal to Natsume to follow her. They stopped walking when they reached the shadows of the tree line. When Hotaru was certain nobody could hear them, she turned to the crow-head in front of her.

"You gave her that gown."

"That isn't a question."

"Exactly."

"So?"

"I just needed a confirmation."

"Is there anything else?"

"What's with the necklace?"

"She didn't have any jewelry."

"Why that necklace?"

"It matches the colour of her dress."

"Aside from that, the pendant is an Alice Stone."

"So? It looks good on her, doesn't it?"

"Really." Her hands were across her chest. Hotaru won't believe that Natsume gave that stone for no reason.

"Hn. It's not like she knows how to work it, right?" He rolled his eyes.

"She's an idiot, I know. But she'll be told about it in class."

"So?"

"She'll know about it someday."

"Will she wear it in class?"

"That's out of the topic."

"I don't see how."

"Hn. If she wears it in class, especially in the SA class, she'll be told of its meaning."

"Like I said: the hell I care."

"Won't she be suspicious? She might guess you were the guy at the lake."

"I'll play my usual game: I Don't Know Anything."

"She already knows your connection with Persona-sensei."

"Drop those formalities with that demon. He isn't worth it." His expression settled like granite. He doesn't want to talk about his other life. Who would?

"Whatever… It's your life…" Hotaru swivelled to return to their friends who were proceeding to the tables.

"Wait… Did you just say she knows about Persona?" His face was hidden in the shadows. His voice was in a deadly whisper. This was starting to fall in unstable ground. Anytime he might break.

Hotaru saw this. Her words were chosen carefully. "She doesn't know about the Ops. Only that you are protecting her from, quoted from you, that demon."

"Tch. And here I was, thinking that… Polka—finally knew about my identity…" He snickered.

"You hesitate to call her name. Why don't you just tell her? She'll probably still accept you. She accepted me, a blackmailer, as her best friend. I don't see how you will be any different."

"Hn. This is the first time in the 10 years that I have known you that you have given such wonderful advice. I never knew you had it in you." Natsume said sarcastically. Hotaru just scoffed. "You don't know me enough, Hyuuga. Shut up. Think about what I said. It just might help your miserable existence." The last sentence was said with her back to him. It was also said in a whisper but she knew that Natsume heard her perfectly. She walked swiftly back to her pack of friends and left Natsume to think for a while.

A few moments later, Natsume made up his mind and went after Hotaru. She was between Ruka and Mikan. He sneaked behind the inventor and whispered so that only she could hear. "I'll tell her someday. Just not now." He saw Hotaru move her head just an angle. Natsume took that as her response and proceeded behind Mikan. Everybody was seated back in their seats. This time the tables were joined together so that they had one big table all to themselves. Mochiage probably moved the tables.

Their talk earlier seemed to have been missed. They were now talking about the return of schooldays once again which was next Monday. Nobody liked it one bit. Except Yuu, of course. He's the only one who saw anything good about school.

"It sucks. We'll have to see Narumi again." Kitsu complained.

"He'll be wearing those outrageous outfits. How gay." Koko stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"Schoolwork. Assignments. Books. Jin-Jin. Argh! The horror!" He waved his hands in the air.

"Perfectly dismal." Mochiage agreed.

"You guys! It's not like it will be as bad as prison…" Class Rep Yuu tried to lessen their criticism of the Academy. They boys looked at him like he was a lunatic or something. Inchou felt so small. Mikan saw his distress and came to the rescue.

"Look at it from this perspective: You'll be able to see our classmates again!" Their gazes transferred to the brunette. Now they thought that another mad person has shown herself to them. Mikan rolled her eyes.

"Mikan, we can see our classmates any time we want. We're not going anywhere, remember?" Sumire pointed out. Mikan hunched her shoulders in defeat. There's no denying that NOBODY wants to return to the classroom.

"Anyway, as of now, why don't you just savour the moment? I mean, you are the destined date of Natsume-sama…" Sumire's voice trailed off. "'Sama'. Hn." Natsume scowled.

Mikan glanced at Natsume. He was wearing a grim mask. He smirked when he saw her stare. "Had enough?" He teased. Mikan grunted. "Like I'll ever consider myself lucky to be tied to this pervert." A smile was playing at the corners of Natsume's lips. He was trying to restrain himself from laughing. Her statement was completely opposite the blush in her face.

By now, some of the students were returning to their respective dorms. The Elementary Division Class A students were way past their bedtime. The Last Dance was technically over, but some hard-headed pupils plan to stay up late. Examples of these studs were our favourite GA characters.

About a quarter to one, they were headed to the park near their rooms. It was a warm night. The wind was blowing gently. Trees stood sentinel and towered over the whole park. A few fireflies were hovering about. Ruka had called for them and asked them to twinkle and blink near them. It was partly to have some company. The fireflies obliged and even created a small 'show' for the worn students. Mikan and company squatted down on the soft grass.

As the glowing bugs did formations in the air, the gang oohhed and aahhed. Wouldn't you? Anyway, here's how they were seated, left to right. First row: Natsume, Mikan, Hotaru, Ruka, Sumire, Koko. Second row: Kitsu, Nonoko, Yuu, Anna, Mochu. You may have noted that the high school students are currently out of the picture. They'll explain in the future. Just wait.

So… Mikan wasn't very warm about sitting next to Natsume but being next to Hotaru seemed to appease her spirits. Ruka was dragged beside Hotaru. Sumire was thrilled at being between two boys, especially since the two were good-looking. (Rolls eyes) Mochu had a date, but she had excused herself early and slept. (Sorry but I don't know the name of the divination girl… I'll update this part when I finally know her name… Gumen…) The second row people sat in that order just because they wanted to. There was nothing to it.

At the stroke of one thirty, the girls, except Hotaru, were starting to nod off. Ruka noticed this and dismissed the fireflies after thanking them for a wonderful demonstration. As the swarm was flying off, the group stood up and proceeded to their dorms. They were all getting kinda sleepy. They were walking pair by pair. Mikan and Hotaru walked together. Behind them were Sumire and Koko. Natsume and Ruka were not far behind.

Mikan was mumbling about being Natsume's partner. She was complaining to Hotaru while half-asleep. It was clear what she'll be dreaming about tonight. Perhaps nightmare would be better suited in her words. Anyway, Sumire heard her complaint and strongly opposed the sleepy-eyed brunette. "Girls will kill to be in your place. I should know. If only you weren't my friend, I would probably hurt you." Hotaru couldn't help but hear and glare at Sumire. Mikan didn't take notice. She was only half-conscious at the time to process the thought. But Hotaru heard. "I'll take note of that." She murmured only for Sumire to hear. The inventor glanced at Natsume next. The other raven returned her stare. He had heard too. Hotaru stole a peek at the blonde boy beside Natsume. He was peeping rather curiously at Natsume then Hotaru then back to Natsume again. He apparently knows more than he dared speak. This has to be investigated.

Later on, they finally arrived at the Middle School Division Dormitories. The girls bade goodbye to the guys and headed to their rooms at the farther end of the building. The boys were separated from the girls and resided at the opposite wing. Mikan appeared to be too tired to dress herself for bed so Hotaru stood guard over her.

***The Next Morning***

"Wake up." A cold voice penetrated through to the girl's dreams.

"Five more minutes…" She sleepily murmured.

"Wake up." This time it was more urgent.

"Shut up." She threw her pillow to where she thought the voice came from. She missed by a mile. Familiar? Well this time, instead of the offender smirking and thinking what an idiot this girl is, the owner of the voice boiled mad and let out a very large and cool-looking gun. It was the Baka Hand-held Tank 6000.

BAKA! (BOOM!) BAKA! (BOOM!) BAKA! (BOOM!)

"You sleep in a room that is not yours and tell the owner to shut up?" A steel-hard voice rang in the deafening silence. Hotaru didn't shout. Her voice was magnified by a special megaphone that is yet to be introduced to the public. She was boiling hot yet the background showed black clouds, thunder and rain. Imagine Sunako of Yamato Nadashiko when she came out of the well. The background then was cut and copied to this scene. Do you get it now?

Anyway… Mikan held her badly bruised head. "Ouch… It hurts, Hotaru… You're such a meanie…" She pouted. A medicine box flew to her direction. "I won't have your idiotic blood on my carpet. Wash up and return when you have finished. I will be with you presently." The door automatically opened and a mechanical hand pushed Mikan out. Another hand opened the door to Mikan's room while a boot kicked her butt off Hotaru's. She landed in front of her mirror. It showed slightly-curled coffee hair on top of a shapely head. Two bright brown eyes shone underneath the tangled mess. They were highlighted by long black eyelashes that naturally seemed to be holding mascara and eye liner.

The event last night took its toll on Mikan's angelic features. Eye bags hung underneath each orb. Ugh. If Natsume were here he would have told her already what a mess she looked like. Wait a minute! What the heck was she thinking? How'd Natsume sneak his way into her mind? Pause. Delete. Space. Enter. Got that, stupid dumb author? Hey you! Look at me when I'm speaking to you! Don't walk away! Dang.

Hehehe. Tough luck, Mikan-chan. So… After conversing with the invisible writer, Mikan continued to assess her reflection in the mirror. Her hair looked like it was a lion's mane. She tamed her rowdy locks and began to notice her garments. She wasn't wearing the gown Natsume gave her anymore. But she doesn't remember preparing herself for bed. Hotaru must have used her inventions to dress her up. It was sweet, in a way. At any rate, Mikan headed off to her bathroom and started her morning activities. She knew Hotaru hated waiting.

Ten minutes later, Mikan was standing in front of Hotaru's room. All students of the academy are equal but the pupil has the liberty to redecorate his/her room. Mikan was satisfied with hers so she didn't make any changes. Hotaru extended hers and added a home laboratory. She also has a large bathroom with a Jacuzzi and tub. All this she managed to do with her allowance. Mikan would like to have a tub too but she wasted all her money on Howalons. Natsume's, on the other hand, we have to yet explore.

Mikan knocked. No answer. Mikan knocked again. There was still no answer. Mikan blew a fuse. She pounded on the door. "Hotaru, open up! I said OPEN U—" The door opened to reveal a pissed off inventor who was holding her latest invention: the Baka Rocket Launcher. It automatically loads a missile when it finds a target. When aimed at a normal person, no change happens. But when pointed to an idiot, it fires immediately. Mikan had no chance and was hit for the second time in thirty minutes.

"I will not say ouch anymore. It hurt like crazy but I think can bear with it." Mikan's eyes were dimmed for a moment. She was talking nonsense for a second. Hotaru rolled her eyes. She let her best friend in. Mikan thumped to the couch zombie-like. "I'm afraid the program was too much for your teensy brain. Thank you for giving me this information." Hotaru smiled a little smile and wrote on a notebook she was carrying. "Uhh… The sea bed is full of lots of animals… Oysters… Uhh… Pretty ponies… Hihihi." Mikan continued to mutter to herself.

"Mikan, school starts tomorrow. Have you finished the assignments Jinno has heaped on you?" Hotaru sat down across Mikan. Mikan snapped out of her reverie about 'pretty ponies on the sea bed'. "Oh yeah… I completely forgot about that… No… I haven't even started yet…" Her voice was still misty. She was trying to recover from the pain and surprise that blitzkrieged on her a while back. Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Typical idiotic Mikan. You should have at least done one page. Fine. You don't have to pass it. I'll make a way you won't flunk his subject." She said this as if she didn't care at all and everything was so easy.

"You really need to stop blackmailing the teacher, Imai." A voice came from the doorway. Mikan and Hotaru snapped their heads to that direction. Two familiar silhouettes stood there. "Hyuuga, who invited you here?" "I invited myself. You invited Ruka." Mikan looked at Hotaru then Ruka then Natsume then back to Hotaru. "You blackmailed a teacher?"—short pause as Mikan thinks things through—"You invited Ruka-pyon?" "It does not concern you. If you cannot understand, it means 'it is none of your business.' Do you hear me?" "I'm not that stupid as to not know the meaning of your sentence." Natsume faked a face of surprise. "I'm appalled! You actually know a statement like that." He scoffed.

"You guys are impossible to please. When I do something idiotic, you sneer or hit me in the head. When finally do something right, you can't believe that I was the one who did it. Honestly! Don't you have any trust in me?" As she was saying this, she had stomped over to where Natsume was standing and stood on tiptoes to level her eyes to his. She stared through them with all the concentration she had. Natsume just kept silent and returned her glare only his was more gentle and allowing. Mikan's stare was no match to Natsume's even though his was set in a minimum level. Eventually she felt herself being engulfed by his tantalizing blood red orbs. Before she was lost into them…

"Hyuuga, get a life. You don't want to be tied to a butthead like her." Hotaru cut in. Ruka sweat dropped. Could these people act like their age for once? Man! What is it with him and weird people?

"Mikan, let's go. Nogi will be accompanying us. If Hyuuga wants to come too, I really don't care. It's his damned life." After the words barely escaped her lips, Hotaru was already out the door and Ruka with her. Mikan blinked twice before following while Natsume walked the opposite path. 'I guess he doesn't care…' Mikan thought before dashing to catch up to her two friends.

It was a beautiful summer's day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, not a cloud in the sky got the sun in my eyes and I-- won't be surprised if it's a dream… Hey, isn't that a song? Anyways, I'm drifting again. So the weather was good, so what, right?

Mikan was appreciating the beauty of nature. She stood there for a few moments and glanced around her. Blank-minded Mikan forgot that she was among company. Typical. So when she looked beside her, there was nobody there. Hotaru had already left her and probably dragged Ruka with her somewhere. So she was stranded with nobody to accompany her. Poor poor Mikan. She then thought of just wandering around until she found the couple. Her feet dragged her to wherever.

When she finally looked up, she realized she was at the Sakura Park near the Middle School Main Building. Her feet seemed to automatically move to the shady tree where Natsume usually crashes. Her peripheral hearing revealed that there wasn't only one person there. She emerged after swatting some branches out of the way. Her eyes immediately darted to see two figures squatting beneath the Sakura Tree. Natsume was happily playing with somebody. She came closer to see who it was.

Youichi was playing Don't-Let-The-Ghost-Get-Caught-By-The-Flame with Natsume. They were laughing heartily. A little friend ghost was running—should I say floating?—around while being chased by a ball of flames. It was kind of sadistic, really. The ghost was moaning all the time and the leaves were being burnt to crisp. The ghost and fireball disappeared when Mikan took a step and a twig snapped. The two boys instantly focused their queer-coloured eyes to the stunned brunette and the laughter stopped. She impulsively raised her two hands in surrender. Why you ask? Blame it on instinct. The way those two guys stared at her… It was bone-chilling.

"What are you doing here, old hag?" Youichi asked with the inattention of a three-year-old. Mikan cringed at the title 'old hag.' This boy learned his manners from the best. The best and rudest influence. Natsume. "I was lost." "How could a sixteen-year-old girl get lost in a place like this? Even Youichi knows his way and he's only three." Natsume looked at her with amusement now. He thought she was an intruder earlier. Nobody comes to the Sakura Park except him and You-chan. A while back Mikan comes here, too.

Mikan rolled her eyes. She seems to be doing it pretty much lately. Was it in these days? (Shrug. Don't ask me… I just write stuff) Anyway... Youichi once more turned to Mikan. "Old hag, are you onii-san's girlfriend? You danced with him last night. It was the last song. They said it was special." This time it was filled with real curiosity.

"Uhmmm… You-chan… It's not—" Mikan stammered. "Youichi, could we talk about something else?" Natsume said. Youichi shrugged. "Old hag—""Could you not call me 'old hag'? It's distracting." Again Youichi shrugged. That must mean a yes. "Ugly lady—" "Ugh." The little boy dismissed the interjection. "You looked really ugly in that dress last night." Mikan eyed Natsume and a smirk played on her lips. "Tell me about it." She agreed. Youichi seemed a bit surprised at what she said. He grinned. He looked like an angel when he smiled like that. Clip on a pair of wings and he's ready to play the harp on the clouds.

Natsume sniggered at her expression. "Hey, are you falling for this little guy? What a pervert!" He sneered. Mikan blinked her eyes thrice before launching into defence mode. "What do you mean? Of course not! How could I? He's like the younger brother I never had!" Youichi eyed her with distaste (?). Or maybe it was agreement? It's not really easy to say, he's got unemotional eyes like Natsume.

"Then what does that make us? Related siblings?" Natsume frowned. Why was he frowning?

"If onee-san's my sister and onii-san's my brother, you can't be together. That would be incest. Eew." Youichi stuck out his tongue in disgust and faked a shiver. Well that was what none of the two middle school students anticipated. What a weird thing an elementary student would say. The more because it was Youichi. He never says things like that.

Why was Youichi suddenly lukewarm with Mikan? He's usually bratty and spoiled around her. Mikan put Youichi under her microscope. His usually bored eyes were staring at her intently. The green-grey eyes had the same effect on her as Natsume's did. They were so deep. It seemed like anytime she would be lost within them and can never get out ever again. Mikan hugged the Howalon box a bit tighter. Oh yeah! She had a box of Howalon with her. Before she lost Hotaru and Ruka, Mikan had gone inside the Howalon Store and bought a medium box. In her absentminded state, she completely forgot she was clutching it with her.

Mikan followed Youichi's gaze and it rested on the Howalon box. So he was dying to eat some, huh? She opened the box with deliberate slow motion. In her peripheral vision she saw Youichi's eyes widen just a little bit. Natsume was smirking. What was Mikan up to? Let's watch and see.

She inserted one hand into the fancy cube. Her hand circled around a fluff puff. She dramatically drew it out. This she gave to Natsume who looked at it in curiosity. She pushed it nearer to him and he took it reluctantly. Every move they made didn't escape the notice of the little boy between them. He did everything in his power to hide his emotions but his usual bored eyes betrayed him. They were sparkling like stars in the sky. He might act mature and too old for his age but when it comes to sweet things, he was still a child underneath it all.

Natsume held the cotton candy between his fingers. It was colour pink. It must be strawberry-flavoured. Mikan took another Howalon from the box and simply popped it in her mouth. Youichi's shoulders slumped to his sides. Natsume was aghast. This wasn't the Mikan he knew. The thought must have been evident in his face because Mikan raised an eyebrow at him. With only 8 out of ten Howalons left inside, Mikan closed the lid. Natsume's crimson eyes widened. At the next motion, his fears were put to rest.

Youichi, about to cry, sniffed and looked at Mikan with puppy dog eyes. "You don't need to do that. Here." She said and handed the whole box to Youichi. His eyes shone like the sun. He reluctantly took the box. He reopened the lid and dug in. Mikan smiled gently.

"I knew you would do something like that." Natsume said. Mikan looked at him with what-the-heck-are-you-saying look in her chocolate orbs. "You are too nice." He smiled a genuine smile. For a while, Mikan couldn't breathe. Her heart stopped then started again, this time faster. Her breath was knocked out cold from her. He was too gorgeous.

After a moment Mikan managed to speak. "You know, Natsume, you look better when you're like that." "Hn?" He raised his perfect eyebrow. "You know, when you smile. All the worry and loneliness seem to be not there at all. It's like a completely different you." She smiled gently. He smile could light the whole town. Natsume's crimson eyes softened like butter when heated. Damn was she so gullible. "…" Natsume started to close the small space between them.

"Like I said, incest." Youichi broke in. He had a piece of Howalon in his hand. Mikan and Natsume stared at the grey-haired boy beside them that they completely forgot was there. He popped the candy into his shapely mouth. "Anyway, nee-chan, I'll tolerate you as nii-san's girlfriend. Just don't make out in front of me. That would be disgusting." He stood up and took the last Howalon and handed it to Mikan. Mikan smiled and took it. She hugged Youichi right after that. The boy shrugged and proceeded to find a barf bin to dump the now empty Howalon box. Natsume and Mikan stared at Youichi's retreating back.

"That boy's deep. He's too deep for his age." Mikan pointed out. Natsume agreed. "Sometimes I doubt if he's really three. The way he talks seems like he was 8." Mikan sighed. Her stomach growled. "Great. I'm hungry and Youichi finished the box. He only left me with the last one, though. At least he thought a little about me." She smiled dreamily.

"You really are an idiot." Mikan snapped her eyes to Natsume's. "What do you mean?" "Everybody knows that the last Howalon inside the box is the best." He leaned back on the tree trunk. His arms were situated on his raven head. "Oh. I didn't know that. Then behind that stubborn façade of his is a very warm heart." She giggled. "What are you laughing about now?" Natsume demanded. "He's so much like you, Natsume. Cold and heartless on the outside but loving and lonely on the inside. The two of you only need companions." She looked into his blood red eyes.

"Don't get too close to me. I may just hurt you." Natsume's eyes were stone cold. Why does he have to tell the truth? I would have been better to lie than to face the bitter and harsh reality in front of him. "You don't need to be part of the darkness I'm in. Stay where you are, in the light." Mikan couldn't understand.

"I don't care if you're in the darkness you say you are. I'll pull you out of there. I promise." She smiled, trying to cheer him up. "Don't make promises you can't keep." He stood up and jumped to the topmost branch of his Sakura Tree. Mikan sighed and climbed after him. Unfortunately, she wasn't very good at it so she had some scrapes and bruises. Natsume couldn't bear it. She was tearing up. "Sheesh. What a crybaby. Why'd you come up here, anyway?" He reached out his hand and Mikan took it. They soon were sitting on the sturdiest branch Natsume thought would hold the two of them.

"I wanted to see through your eyes. I won't leave you." She answered plainly. "You'll get hurt if you stay with me. Keep distance." He warned. Mikan wouldn't hear any of it. "I won't listen to that kind of crap. See here, mister, when I said I won't leave you, I meant I won't leave you. I don't care how badly bruised and scraped I will be, I'll bear it." She pointed to her cuts. "I didn't mean only physically."

"I don't care. And neither will your friends. We'll be by your side always. Remember that, Natsume. You're not alone. You never were. And you never will. I'll make sure of that." She looked at him. He stared at her back. The rays of the sun lit up her already shining face of Mikan. She looked so beautiful. Damn. He'll kill himself if ever this peaceful face ever cries. He'll kill over and over again whoever wanted to hurt her. He swears he will.

Mikan broke away from his agonizing ruby eyes. She glanced at the horizon. "Hey, Natsume, I never knew the sunset could be seen from here. Did you?" She didn't look at him. If she did, she would have seen the longing and loneliness that was buried in the rubble of Natsume's life. Damn. Why did he have to be in a situation like this? "I always knew. This tree's branches tower the high wall that is built around the Academy."

"Oh. Well have you seen how beautiful the sunset is?" She asked. This time she peeked at him. His face was now blank. There wasn't any emotion portrayed there. His features shifted a little bit and he managed to look thoughtful. The way he sat there on the tree, he was like a god had set his foot down from heaven. It was a sight fit for Leonardo da Vinci to paint. The fading light highlighted Natsume's god-like features. Did God send Natsume here just to show me how insignificant I am? Mikan thought.

"I have never given a second thought about the sunset. I have always just thought that another day has just ended. And how the night with its welcome darkness will soon follow." Mikan fell silent. "I have never thought about it that way. I like to think that when the night comes the moon and the stars will be accompanying it, like an entourage. They will watch over me when I sleep in the darkness of the night." She smiled a little smile. "I wish I could see things from your perspective. You're way too positive." Natsume stared at the setting sun.

"Then try." Natsume looked at her. His expression was one of bewilderment. "It's not hard. Try to think that you aren't alone. You have always somebody with you. The journey of life is still long. You have enough time to practice." She smiled her hundred watt smile. It slowly faded away when she saw Natsume's agonized expression.

"You don't know what you're talking about. Life will end sooner or later. Sometimes some people's time is nearer than others." "What are you talking about? No more of that nonsense. I told you, you're not alone. Anyway, if what you say is true, then that person should live his life to the fullest. Make lots of friends. Tell the person he loves his feelings. Jump off a building. Stuff like that." She chuckled a little. "I'll take note of that."

Mikan smiled once more. They spent the rest of the evening watching and finding the constellations in the night sky. Natsume was good at it. When it was nearing eight pm, Mikan stomach grumbled.

"Oops… I forgot to eat lunch… Probably even breakfast… That box of Howalon was all my food." She bit her lip guiltily. Natsume rolled his eyes. "Stand up." He ordered. Mikan stood up and held her balance by holding on to the tree trunk. "What now?" She demanded. "We'll go to the Dining Hall." "Uhmmm… How?" "We can do it the simplest and fastest way." "I'm afraid to ask." She bit her lip even more. She could make it bleed, you know!

Natsume grinned and in one fluid movement, Mikan was in his arms, bridal style. Mikan's eyes widened. "Enjoy it while it lasts." Natsume teased. He saw the blush in Mikan's cheeks when she realized the position she was in. "AHHHHHHH!!!!" "Quit shouting." Natsume ordered. They were now jumping from tree to tree, branch to branch. The way he was doing it, they were flying. "Boy, you move like a cat." She mumbled under her breath. Natsume smirked but she couldn't see it. You don't know what you just said. That's what they call me, Black Cat.

A couple of minutes later, they saw the familiar lights of the Mess Hall. Natsume jumped down from the tree they were on currently. He landed without a scratch. "You really want to die early, don't you Natsume?" Mikan said after Natsume let her down from his arms. He just smirked.

"Ohh… What I would do just to wipe that smug look off your face." She scowled. Dammit, she looked so cute.

"I'll take note of that." "What are you doing? Compiling a note book?" "Actually, you're not far from a good idea. I won't make a material book, just a mental one." He smirked again. "Yeah right. It would suit you very well since you are completely mental." She rolled her eyes and went inside the building.

Natsume just smirked and followed her.