A.N.

I am ever so SORRY that I EVER have been smothered by author's block and put this story on hiatus. I hope you can forgive me... Plus this story will also be under refurnishing... So it might take a while. And 'a while' in my clock is actually NOT a while. So I'm not sure how long it SHOULD take. So in the meantime, please enjoy reading this newly edited chapter 15. Have fun!

***Recap***

Koko, who was sitting where we last saw him, jumped from his seat and faced the newly-arrived couple underneath the doorframe. His frozen smile still crystallizing on his face, his head moved to the direction where the noise was loudest without taking his eyes off the two and hollered, "HEY, GUYS, THEY'RE HERE!"

Ruka, who was with Koko where we last saw him, twitched in his seat when he heard Koko's shout. Then he took a big intake of breath then stood up carefully. When his sapphire eyes revealed Mikan and all her splendour, he took another sharp breath. Damn, she's hot. Koko glanced at him disbelievingly.

Hotaru, who was using an invention of hers to make her invisible, showed up behind Mikan and Natsume. "Took you long enough," she said in a cold voice, scaring the living wits out of a jumpy Mikan who screeched when Hotaru appeared to appear out of nowhere.

"! HOTARUUUUUUUUUU!"

The inventor smirked then pushed a button on a device she had in her hand.

"Great. The game is about to start."

***Chapter 15***

Mikan, who was the first one to get back to her senses, was also the first one to speak because she was also the ONLY one who got kicked out of sanity. "Uhhh… What game? I don't remember hearing anything about a game…" She frowned. Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Of course not, dummy. You weren't here during afternoon classes earlier, right?" Mikan nodded slowly, realization dawning to her in extra slow motion. "Oh yeah… I was in the infirmary then. Of course I wouldn't have heard," she smiled an idiotic smile that was all hers.

Koko shook his head reprovingly at Hotaru. Knowing that the inventor had his Alice Stone, he decided to tell her through his thoughts. Imai, you shouldn't have lied to your best friend. It's just plain wrong. He added a little frowning picture in his message. He was replied very quickly. Buzz off, Yome. Or else I'll spread to the whole school all of your secrets. Especially that photo collection of yours of Shouda. Koko blinked. Buzzing off… Buzzing off… he thought desperately.

Hotaru, who was 3 meters away from the mind reader, scooted over to Koko. The boy, seeing Hotaru, immediately assumed that she was planning something. The inventor didn't react when Koko's mind was processing this thought. Koko used his Alice on her but drew a blank. Hotaru is good at making her mind go blank when she wants something from the sandy-blond guy.

Hotaru stopped in front of Koko and whispered to him in a voice that could easily be heard by everyone in the room, basically only Natsume, Mikan and Ruka. The others didn't come because they didn't hear Koko's holler because at the same time, Sumire was singing Don't Stop the Music.

"I need another Alice Stone. The last one was used up already." Then she smirked. Her back was to the three other people in the room, but poor Koko caught its full demonic force. The smirk might look angelic to people who aren't used to Hotaru, but to Koko, who has seen that smirk for years, that small smile meant disaster and catastrophe. Koko began sweating profusely, clearly seen by the trio on the other side of the room. Mikan, wedged between the two boys, couldn't understand what was happening at all. The other two, a whole lot smarter, could only sympathize with the poor mind reader.

"I guess there's nothing I can do." It wasn't a question.

Hotaru shrugged. "You can decline."

Koko brightened. "I can?" His smile this time was genuine. Perhaps Hotaru could soften up a bit?

"I'll think about it." She smirked that demonic smirk again. I guess there are some things that just cannot be changed by a simple true smile. Nice try, Koko. Sorry, but you did your best to protect everyone.

Koko sighed. Hotaru stepped back and let the others see what the boy in question was going to do. Koko closed his eyes and concentrated hard. Light slowly began to burst from his clenched fist, making Nosey Mikan curious.

"Ne, Natsume," she nudged the boy in the ribs and whispered to him, "What's Koko doing?" Natsume didn't look at her but rubbed the place where Mikan had almost punched him. "He's making an Alice Stone." Mikan's eyebrows were raised high like a flag on a flagpole. "Really? An Alice Stone? Cool!" Then she looked at Koko again. After a second, she nudged Natsume again, at the same place.

"What?" Natsume snapped. He was irritated and his side was starting to hurt. But it's not like he can't bear it, he's the famous Black Cat, after all. Mikan, too naïve to notice Natsume's plain irritation, didn't mind his tone. "I just remembered, what's an Alice Stone?" She was trying not to look into Natsume's eyes.

"Like hell I'll tell you." Natsume folded his arms. Mikan pouted, still not directly looking at the flame caster. "Fine, don't tell me. You're not the only one who'll know." She childishly stuck her tongue out at him, who smirked in reply.

Mikan turned to Ruka who was still holding Usagi in one hand and holding the glass of punch in another. Just so you know, the punch hasn't been refilled yet. It's still half-full. (I like to be optimistic.) The blond boy blinked, unsure whether to answer her. He glanced at Natsume, who was staring at him with a blank look. Ruka then rested his blue eyes on Mikan's hazels and sighed.

"An Alice Stone is something that is pure Alice. I really can't define very well… But an Alice creates it whenever he or she likes it. Only…" He paused to think a little. "Only… It's pretty hard to make one, especially if you haven't tried it yet. Everyone in here has made Alice Stones. Probably even Imai. She's good at everything." He averted his eyes from Mikan's when he said Hotaru's name. It was a good thing that the brunette was looking at her best friend when Ruka looked away. Natsume was trying not to listen to their conversation.

"Oh, I see. Then that's what an Alice Stone is." Mikan's eyes were now glued to Koko's clenched fist. His face was scrunched up in concentration. Seconds later, the light eventually faded, and Koko was again wearing that ridiculous blank smile of his. He slowly opened his hand.

Mikan could not contain her anticipation. She rushed up to where Koko and Hotaru were and peered at what looked like an ordinary pebble, the size of a quail's egg. Mikan's face showed disbelief.

Koko shrugged at Mikan's thought. "Well, that's why we call it an Alice Stone. It looks like a stone, dimwit." Mikan pouted at Koko then turned to the nearly-forgotten Hotaru. The inventor kept her stoic face and blinked at the girl. "What's running through your small brain, dummy? You should really try to stop thinking. It's not good for idiots like you." She said this with the air of a doctor telling a patient she had cancer. Only she didn't look concerned like what those doctors do on television.

She turned to Koko, who was slowly inching his way away from the raven girl. "Give it up, Yome," her voice ringing with command and blackmailing. Koko paused, uncertain. "You know it will be futile if you don't give. I'll still publish that collection. Though, I might consider postponing it for a few… Days? Weeks? I'm not sure." She smiled sweetly. "If you don't want me to do it NOW, give me a reason."

Koko rolled his eyes. He gave up and handed over his precious Alice Stone and stomped to where Kitsuneme was. "Nice doing business with you, Yome," she called to his back. Hotaru stared at the small Alice Stone. It's bigger than last time. He must REALLY not want everyone to learn about that collection. She smirked and pocketed it. The great blackmailer sighed before turning to the expectant girl behind her.

"Hotaru, would you mind telling me why you took Koko's Stone?"

"Comparison," she replied flatly. With bored eyes, she looked at the girl. "I see you followed what the paper said. Did you bring what I asked you?" She held out one hand.

Mikan blinked. "Eh? Comparison? What for?" Seeing Hotaru's impatient glare, she stuttered immediately. "E-e-e-err… Y-yeah… I brought it… As you can see I'm wearing it…" She pointed to the necklace on her neck. Hotaru rolled her eyes in exasperation. "When I say bring, I didn't mean… Ugh. Never mind. Take it off and let me have it for a few days."

"Wh-wh-what? I-I-I… I can't do that! Natsume gave this to me a-and…" Mikan bit her lip.

"If you want it as a keepsake, I don't really care. Besides, I already told Hyuuga that the Sto-… Uhm… necklace will be in my custody for this week." At this statement Mikan raised an eyebrow directed directly at Natsume who was glaring at a certain amethyst-eyed raven who still had her porcelain hand waiting in front of her, still empty.

Like Natsume, Hotaru isn't known for her patience either. Head titled to one side, she massaged her temples with the other hand that wasn't aimlessly hovering in front of her. She called back Mikan's attention. "Mikan," she whispered dangerously. The said girl looked at her best friend and widened her eyes. "Oops… Yeah… Uhhh… You see—"

Hotaru, her fuse almost up, licked her cherry lips. "What should I see? All I see is an empty hand. Hurry up, idiot. We still have a game to play." Mikan blinked once and nodded. "I-I-I understand. But—" She looked at Natsume for help. The crimson-eyed boy rolled his scarlet eyes. "In short, Imai," he voiced out for Mikan, "she can't take the necklace off her neck if somebody doesn't help her."

Hotaru grimaced and rolled her eyes. "Why didn't you say so in the first place? Turn around, Mikan," she ordered. Mikan acknowledged and spun gracefully on her heel. Then she arranged her hair to clear her neck from any wayward strands. Hotaru touched the lock once and it unlocked easily. Then she held both now-free ends with one hand and smoothly eased it away from Mikan's neck.

An exclamation point blinked on top of Mikan's head. "I just remembered," she said when Hotaru had taken a step back and placed the Sto-(sorry) necklace inside a glass case beside her hi-def microscope, "Why do you want to keep it? It's Natsume's anyway…"

"Like I said, comparison. I need to compare those two. I just think I ought to check whether my hunch is correct," Hotaru replied bluntly. She then took out the same controller she had earlier from her pocket and pushed a green button. The lights suddenly adjusted, turning lighter and less hurtful to the eye.

"Eh? Why do you need to compare? What hunch?" Mikan REALLY wanted to get into her best friend's head. "I have a hunch that if you don't shut up, I won't be able to prepare this room for the activity later. So clamp your trap and sit down." Hotaru pointed to the lavender sofa that just appeared out of the wall. Mikan tapped the wall behind her to see if it was hollow, too. No such luck.

"Mikan, that wall has a window, so how could there be a panel behind that? Honestly, Mikan, act more your age." Hotaru frowned then shook her head. "Moreover, Ruu-chan, kindly call the others." Ruka nearly let go of Usagi in surprise. He almost at the same time composed himself and ran a hand through his golden hair.

"I-I-I-Imai-san… I don't know how you managed to get that info, but—" he took one look at the raven girl in front of him then blushed, "But—Ugh. Never mind. I'm going to go get them." Ruka, still blushing, slouched and covered his face with Usagi them swiftly exited the room to enter the adjacent one where the others were.

Natsume almost laughed at the old nickname. He remembered the times when Ruka and he were still with their families back at their hometown. The flame caster sighed. How long has it been? 8 years? The two of them have been in this place since they were 8. That makes 8 years now. How was Ruka's mother now? Only four more years, eh… Four more years… Four long lonely fricking years… His crimson eyes unknowingly darted to the brunette girl beside him. Maybe they won't be TOO lonely after all…

"Natsume? What's wrong?" Mikan looked completely worried. "Hey! Listen to me, Stupid Natsume!" She lightly slapped his cheeks to get his attention. Natsume's once-glazed eyes suddenly turned sharp. "I heard you the first time. Shut up and let Imai do her work." He slapped Mikan's hands. But instead of slapping them away, he had slapped them to his face, if you understand what I mean. His warm and rough hands were warming Mikan's cold and smooth hands. Heat started to trickle to Mikan's already pink face.

"Why are you cold? The air con is not on, you know." Natsume murmured in a low voice, low enough for Hotaru, who was standing across the room, not to hear him. Mikan's face flushed crimson this time. She was starting to take the shade of Natsume's eyes. "U-Uhhh… Y-y-yeah… I-I… The window was open…" She looked down. Her palms were tingling. Shocks of electric waves were coursing back and forth through her hands.

All the windows in the room suddenly closed with a snap. Mikan and Natsume's attention automatically riveted to the only other person in the room. Hotaru had her thumb pressed on a button. She pushed another one and the door behind them locked, too. Hotaru's calm eyes sought them again. "Why are you standing? The sofa's waiting." The hand holding the controller was pointed to the lavender sofa again.

Mikan turned around to walk closer to the resting spot, her hands tightly clashed together. Natsume sauntered not far behind, hands in his pockets. "Ahhh… Heaven…" Mikan sighed as her butt hit the soft foam. The flame caster rolled his eyes then sat down beside the girl. Since the sofa was not so big to begin with, the two had to sit quite close to each other. Mikan turned away, not wanting to experience that electricity in her hand again. Plus she was blushing.

Natsume watched her actions through his peripheral vision. She wasn't looking at him at all. The flame caster grimaced. Did his actions bother her that much? He looked down. He saw Mikan glance at him briefly then look away almost immediately. He smirked. Hn.

A moment later, sounds could be heard coming from the corridor leading to the other room where the rest of the gang were. As the seconds pass, the pitter-patter of feet on the richly carpeted floor gets louder and louder as the crowd approaches. The murmurings of the people were clearly audible.

Koko's voice was above the din. "Oh man!" he said, "This party's great!" He hi-fived with somebody who seemed to be Kitsuneme, his resentment towards Hotaru earlier forgotten.

The mixed words receded somehow. Kitsu spoke up. "You got that right. The food, the entertainment, plus the service! How much better can Imai get? She's already the best!" Another hi-five.

"Would you PLEASE stop those hi-fives?" Sumire shrieked, her hi-pitched voice carried (much to Hotaru and Natsume's dismay) to the living room, "You are annoying me!" A muffled scuffle (which sounded like a cat scratching something while hissing loudly) occurred followed by some suppressed laughter, probably from Tsubasa and Misaki.

Mikan giggled from where she sat. Hotaru snorted. Natsume massaged his temples as if they were hurting very bad.

The group started to walk again. From the sound of it, two people were limping. Even if Mikan couldn't see her, she knew that Sumire was sticking her nose up haughtily. "Well of course it has to be great," Sumire was saying as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "This is IMAI HOTARU we're talking about. She's the only one that could do all of this (Mikan imagined Sumire waving her hand around) all in a few hours' time."

Mutterings of agreement could be heard. "PLUS," Sumire added (it seems like she's not finished yet), "We paid a LOT to make Imai host this party."

"Yep. I paid all of this month's allowance just so I could attend..." said a whimpering Koko. Kitsuneme agreed. "I'm completely broke."

"Ha," snorted Sumire, "it's because you men are too busy playing with your videogames that you don't have enough time to study your frickin' lessons. So the Academy only gives back what service you do to them."

Beside Mikan, Natsume twitched. What this hellhole has paid me is not enough to cover what I have lost and gone through. They owe the people I killed their lives, for Pete's sake! And my conscience along with it. He started to shake his head as he desperately tried to erase those memories of death that haunt him to this second.

Natsume, I wish I could wipe away that expression from your face. I cannot bear to see you in pain. What in the world could be so evil to make you suffer so? It is not worth it, Mikan thought.

Koko halted for a second and tilted his head to the side. Is my Alice acting funny? Did I hear those just right? What the hell was THAT? With wide eyes still on, he and the rest of the gang rounded down the corner and his brown eyes scoured the area for the expressions on their faces that may confirm to him what he just heard was real and not just his mind going haywire.

But what he saw were blank faces devoid of all emotion. No way for him to confirm. He looked at Hotaru to see if she heard it, too, but the Alice Stone was not in her hand, so it would be impossible for her to hear them.

But Hotaru as well had seen for a fraction of a second what has flittered past their faces. Emotions of pain and untold horror for Natsume, compassion and pity for Mikan. As a genius, she was able to deduce what had been going on in their minds. She had not been deaf not to hear what Sumire said and not blind not to see Mikan's hand slowly inch to Natsume's shoulder but stop halfway. Mikan, if only you knew, you would suffer in his place, I know, Hotaru thought.

Koko stared at her, agape. Now IMAI's getting weird? I better stop eavesdropping now... Koko deactivated his Alice and pretended not to know anything.

The Invention Alice of Hotaru has completely changed the surroundings of the receiving room. Now, instead of a single sofa, a few dozen bean bag chairs scattered around the room that was now surrounded by every game in the arcade you can think of. It was a gamer's haven! Of course, the boys ran to the very-real-looking Counter Strike adaption of Hotaru's. The girls jumped on the bean bags (yes, even Misaki). Crumpets courtesy of Anna popped at your hand whenever you thought about it. Mikan thought about the magic of the crumpets so much that soon enough her hand would almost burst from the number. In the whole expanse of the night they spent partying, the four people forgot (or almost forgot) the problems they were currently experiencing.

Natsume stopped smirking at Mikan's tries in vain at hitting a zombie on You vs Zombies (courtesy of Imai) and leaned casually on the wall. He was trying not to think of anything else besides the way Mikan would cutely pout whenever she hits game over or the way he would make a face whenever the zombie bites her head or the way she would dance a victory dance when she shoots a zombie-head clean off. Then he would unconsciously smile to himself and his expression would soften.

"You know, Natsume-kun, if only you weren't going to break her heart, I would root for you," a voice from his side suddenly said. "Well, Andou, you needn't worry about that part. How could I break it when it's not mine yet?" Natsume retorted.

The shadow manipulator chuckled a bit. "Do you actually believe that, Natsume?" he said after a while, "'cause I don't." Natsume only looked at him. Tsubasa shrugged and walked away. Then he paused and spoke without looking at the fire caster, "Whenever I hear that that sadistic Persona-somebody beats you up and a few others like us just so he could be satisfied with himself, I can't help but feel the need to be stronger. I want to be strong, too, you know?... For the woman I love," he added in a whisper and cast a sidelong glance at the laughing Misaki. Then Tsubasa continued walking.

Natsume's mind was far away as he ran those words over and over in his mind. Maybe that kage has a brain hidden in that thick skull, too, he smirked.

He pocketed his hands and continued to stare into oblivion, oblivious to the fact that a pair of black eyes were staring at him back.

A.N.

Ok..Ok.. I broke my oath and made a slightly different ending to this chapter than what I already had in mind. So this chapter, which is ridiculously titled Game Time, is supposed to have a game, actually. But I had a lot of trouble choosing WHAT game would be used, so there is NO game at all. And for those who want a clarification, Tsubasa here is actually also a member of the DA class. I don't know why, but he just is. The story is better that way.

I'm starting a new fanfic entitled FATED ENCOUNTER... So if you're interested, please read and review. I guess that is all, have a NICE day.

Love,

Nice