Revised: 7-11-10.
Kay, here is Chapter 2! All of your guys' reviews made me a very happy author. Do you know what that means? It means you all get cookies! -hands out cookies- Thank you Thank you Thank you! I am like craving cookies now… o.o weird. I was surprised at how popular Ivan and Isabella were. Ha ha. Since you guys like them so much, maybe they'll come to Japan with Mikan… who knows? The only way is to read and find out! SO GO ON! HAPPY READING!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice for corn's sake! T.T
Rush
By: Tsuki's Angel
~Chapter 2~
-Back Again-
-Three More Years Later-
Mikan sighed. Today was her birthday. She was seventeen years old now. That means she had been in London for four years now. One more year until I return to Japan, Mikan thought. Ivan and Isabella were probably going to plan a surprise birthday party for her. Mikan actually got used to the small celebrations after the second time they did it for her fifteenth birthday. But she acted surprised anyways, just to make them happy. She was almost completed with her training, too. Right now, she was strong enough to defeat fifty sumo wrestlers without breaking a sweat. That was all thanks to endless training sessions with the cold-hearted Victoria.
Right now, Mikan was in her room, reading a book and drinking hot chocolate unlike everyone else who was at the New Year's dance. She didn't go because 1) Nobody asked her (big surprise there…) and 2) Dangerous Ability Students were not allowed to participate in any school events.
Suddenly, Mikan heard a knock on her door. It was Ivan and Isabella, no doubt. She set down her hot chocolate on the coffee table as she got up off the couch and went to go answer the door. She opened the door, prepared herself for the 'surprise' that awaited her and—
"HAPPY SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY, MIKAN!" they yelled in unison, throwing confetti into the air and blowing horns.
Mikan smiled. "Thanks," she said, letting them in. Isabella was holding a white box tied up with a ribbon. "What's that?" Mikan stared at it, afraid to find out if it's what she thinks it is.
"It's your cake! I made it myself!" she said. "I tried something new this time, actually. It's a cucumber melon cake." She smiled. "It's original isn't it? And I know you love cucumbers and melons!"
Mikan smiled as her eyes widened. You see, err, how should this be put? Isabella sucks at cooking. Mikan and Ivan never told her though because they didn't want to hurt her feelings. She always looked so proud when she was presented the cake. She had decorating skills, sure, but the thing always tasted awful.
"Oh. How wonderful! Thank you!" Mikan said, taking the cake. She took it to her mini-kitchen and opened it. It smelled strange. Ivan came to stand next to her. "It smells…kind of funny…like…pickles?" Mikan pondered this strange thought. She wondered what Isabella did wrong with the baking this time.
Ivan shrugged. "I don't know. She said she made it last night. Are you sure you want to try it? I brought an extra cake, just in case," he said.
Mikan handed him a fork and cut them a slice to share. "I don't want to hurt her feelings. I'm going to at least try it." Mikan raised an eyebrow at him, as if testing to see if he would chicken out.
"Why are you making me try it?" he asked, a bit grumpy, but taking the fork nonetheless.
"Cause I don't want to die alone," Mikan replied.
They took a deep breath, dug into the slice of cake, and placed it into their mouths. They chewed and after a moment, they both froze. Their eyes widened, and Ivan gagged and spit it out all over the floor. Mikan shivered in disgust as she unwillingly swallowed it, retching in response to the horrid event her poor taste buds had to go through.
"What the hell? There are pickles in this, isn't there?" Ivan yelled. "No wonder it smelled like that!"
"It's salty! Way too salty!" Mikan yelled. "The salt must've been absorbed into the cucumbers. That's the pickle tasting part." Mikan rinsed her mouth out with water in the sink.
Isabella came running into the kitchen. "What happened? I heard someone scream," she said.
"N-nothing! Just eating your cake! It's so good!" Mikan said.
To show Isabella that nothing was going on, Mikan stabbed some cake onto her fork and shoved it into Ivan's mouth. His eyes widened and his face turned into the weirdest expression she had ever seen. It may seem like cruel and unusual punishment right now, but if anyone else was in her situation, she was pretty sure they would have done the same. And if not, they would have 'accidentally' thrown the cake out the window.
"Silly Mikan! You weren't supposed to eat it yet!" she said.
"But I couldn't wait!" Mikan said, waving Isabella off with a hand, before she realized Ivan was dying. "Oh, um, can you go set up the decorations you guys brought?"
"Okay!" she replied skipping out of the kitchen. Ivan then threw up into the sink.
"How revolting," Mikan said, disgusted. She wrinkled her little nose while Ivan glared at her.
"This was your fault!" he said.
Mikan giggled. "Yeah. It was," she replied.
Ivan glared at her some more then turned on the faucet to wash his puke down the drain. Mikan looked away. It was nasty. She opened the window just above the sink.
"Why'd you open the window?" Ivan said wiping his mouth after washing it out with water.
"So the smell of puke can go away," she replied, throwing the cake out the window. "And to do that."
He looked out the window and started laughing. Confused, Mikan looked out the window too. She sucked in a sharp breath. Looks like she had nailed their science teacher. Her eyes widened as she quickly closed the window before he found out who did it.
"That was priceless!" Ivan howled with laughter.
"We could've gotten into so much trouble!" Mikan said, scolding him.
"Hey, you're the one that threw it out the window," he said.
Mikan sighed. He was right. "Whatever," she said.
They walked back to the living room where Isabella ad set up some small, but festive decorations.
"Uh, Isabella," Mikan said, trying to think of a way to break the news to her.
"Yes?" she asked, completely oblivious as to what had happened a little while ago.
"Your cake fell out of the window," Mikan said guiltily. Her face fell.
"Again? The same thing happened on your fifteenth birthday party!" she said.
"I'm sorry!" Mikan said. She really did feel bad, now. Isabella must've worked so hard…
"It's okay! It's okay! I'm pretty sure Ivan bought another cake. You were supposed to have two birthday cakes, like usual, but now you'll just have to settle for one," she said.
Mikan sighed in relief. She was glad that Ivan had started the tradition to receive a cake from each of your friends. Although they always found a way to not eat Isabella's cake, they would always have another, which would be one Ivan would make or buy from Central Town.
"So let's cut the cake!" Ivan said.
Mikan nodded. She got the plates, forks and a knife from the kitchen and came back into the living room, setting it next to the cake on the coffee table. They had already lit the candles by the time she had gotten back. She took her seat in front of her cake as the lights turned off and nothing could be seen but the seventeen candles on the cake.
"Make a wish, Mikan," Isabella whispered.
Mikan closed her eyes and thought of a wish. What did she want most in the world? She thought about it for a minute. She wanted to be with Natsume, but she also wanted more. The perfect wish came to mind as she took a deep breath and blew out the candles.
"Happy Birthday, Mikan!" they both said.
Mikan smiled. It was nice to hear those words again. It reminded her that she was still very much alive. Ivan and Isabella were the only people that remembered her birthday nowadays anyways. They were both sitting at her sides so she pulled them both into a hug at the same time.
"I love you guys," Mikan said, grateful for such wonderful friends.
"We love you too, Mikan," Isabella said. Mikan smiled. This was one of the happiest birthdays ever. The only thing that could make it better is if her wish came true.
-Another Year Later-
It was January. Mikan's eighteenth birthday had come and gone. It was snowing outside and even though she was wearing a coat, she was cold because she had to wear that stupid skirt of hers. She had completed her training and was very strong. Mikan could easily take Natsume's place now. She was to leave for Japan in a couple of hours. Isabella was crying her eyes out when Mikan had told her the news. Ivan called the authorities and demanded that she stay. I have the strangest friends, Mikan thought. She had to admit though, she cried too. She loved those two. They had been through so much together.
Isabella was sitting by Mikan's side, leaning her head on her shoulder and sniffling.
"I don't want you to leave!" she said, crying all over again.
Mikan pulled her into a hug. "I don't want to leave you guys either," she said comforting her.
Mikan was very excited to get back to Japan, but then Victoria came and had a talk with her. She told her that since she was now in the Dangerous Ability Class and was to take Natsume's place, she was not to talk to any of her old friends. She had to do that in order to protect them from any danger because she was, after all, a very dangerous person now. Mikan was very upset when Victoria told her that, but then she remembered the reason she did all of this – it was to save Natsume's life.
Years ago, she had wondered why she had done it for him. Why she had spent night after night thinking about him, how he's changed, and how come she couldn't get him off of her mind. He was always so mean to her, anyways. So why? Then one night she had realized it – she loved him. That's why. It was the most obvious thing in the world, and she had decided two years ago to figure it out and admit it to herself.
Soon, it was time for her to go to the airport. It was time for her to leave. Isabella gave Mikan a big hug before she left, as did Ivan.
"I'm going to miss you, Mikan." Isabella said.
"Me too." Mikan said, her vision beginning to blur. She rubbed her eye.
"I hope you do well in Japan," Ivan said.
Mikan smiled at him. "I will. I'll try my best." she said, trying not to choke on her words.
"Ma'am, we have to leave, now." the driver said.
Mikan nodded to him, and then got into the car. She rolled down the window and waved one last goodbye to her friends as she drove out and away from what she called home for the past five years.
. . .
It was such a long ride. It was endless. Why is it that every time she's on a plane, she was depressed? The answer: Such is her karma. Mikan walked out of the airport with her suitcase rolling behind her. She saw the same sleek, black car that she rode in five years ago. She gave her suitcase to the driver to handle and got into the car. She waited a few minutes before the car started moving. They were now headed towards Gakuen Alice. She should be excited, but then why does she feel like jumping out of the car and flying back to London?
She nervously shifted in her seat, trying to see if the position she was in was causing her to be a nervous wreck. She fiddled with her hair and opened the window, letting in the freezing cold air. It felt good. Her flushed cheeks began to cool as she saw the familiar building come into view. Her school. It was still as big as she remembered. She saw the students that were on the campus stare at the car that was coming in. Mikan hurriedly closed the window and sunk down into her seat. She wanted to go back to London already.
As quickly as she could, she grabbed the suitcase from the driver and started walking towards the dorms she was staying in. She was getting more and more stares as she walked in the halls of her dorm. Mikan cursed Victoria for making her keep her old uniform. It stood out too much. She didn't even know why she had to keep the same uniform. She was in Japan now, not London. She sighed when the sudden realization hit her. Even though she was in Japan, and worked for Persona, she partly worked for Victoria in London, too.
Mikan gloomily entered her new room. It was a special star room, of course. It looked about the same, but it had more of a Japanese feel to it. It felt like home to her, but she knew that this place—this hell of an academy—was not her home. Then, she heard her door open. Mikan looked to see who it was. It was Mr. Narumi. When he caught sight of her, his eyes widened.
"M-Mikan…? Is that really you? You…look so different," he said.
Mikan scoffed. Of courses she looked different. Her hair was longer, and she wasn't flat like a pancake anymore. Natsume could no longer ridicule her on her chest size, now. She no longer put her hair into those silly little pigtails. Instead, she either put her hair into a ponytail, a half-ponytail, or she just let it down. It was naturally curly, so it looked nice that way. She was also much skinnier from doing so many missions. And now that she was much older, she wore make-up, too. It was usually something simple like silver eye shadow, black mascara, and some shimmer lip gloss. To put it all together, she was hot.
"Yeah, it's me. And haven't you ever heard of knocking? Geez. Learn some courtesy," she said.
Mikan had missed him. Yes, she wanted to go scream 'Mr. Narumi!' and give him a hug, but she was strictly forbidden. When she had said those words, Mr. Narumi looked surprised. She guessed he couldn't believe how much she had changed. It hurt her, actually, to let him see her like this. It was pathetic. She didn't want to let him see her suffering.
"Ah, well, yes. My apologies. Come with me Mikan. I have to take you to your first class," he said.
"Whatever," she said quietly and followed him out to the High School Division.
Mikan looked at everything. It all seemed so familiar, yet so foreign. There were posters on the wall stating that the Valentine's Dance was coming up, saying that the Somatic Ability Class was hosting a get together, and many other things. But one poster caught her eye. It was the Special Ability Class poster. It said that they were hosting a Valentine's Day event for couples. Her heart wrenched. Tsubasa and Misaki probably graduated by now. She was on the verge of tears when they finally reached the classroom. Mr. Narumi opened the door, and walked in. He motioned Mikan to wait outside the classroom for a bit. It gave her a chance to compose herself.
"Hello, my brilliant students!" he said. Mikan rolled her eyes. He hasn't changed a bit. "Today, I have a very big surprise for you. I would like to welcome back a very special student of mine."
He motioned Mikan to walk inside and she did. Time seemed to go in slow motion. Mikan's heels clicked against the floor and they echoed in the now quiet class—the dead silent class. Mikan stopped in front of the class, observing everyone. Such familiar faces, she thought. She was sure she was going to start crying and her mascara was going to run. She hadn't realized how much she missed her classmates. Everyone stared at her with wide eyes. They all started whispering. Mikan felt the excitement and surprise run through the air, and honestly, it scared her.
"Please welcome back, Mikan Sakura!" Mr. Narumi said.
Mikan kept a straight face. Did she smile? No. Did she say she was back and better than ever? No. Did she wave and say hi to everyone? No. Did she scream and yell out 'I missed you, Natsume' and jump into his arms and kiss him? Almost. But instead, she just stood there. Quietly. Waiting for Mr. Narumi to place her in a seat.
Mikan looked around the room for her old friends and found them. Hotaru looked beautiful. Her hair had grown a bit and now reached her shoulders. Permy looked pretty too along with Anna and Nonoko. Luca, Yuu, Koko, and Kitsuneme looked much more mature and handsome, though Koko still had that childish aura about him.
Then, Mikan saw the person she was longing to see for years.
Natsume.
Natsume's hair was exactly the same as the last time she saw him. She always loved his hair. He seemed pretty much the same, sitting in the back with a book at hand, but his eyes told a different story. His eyes stared at Mikan with such passion; it would make anyone crumble beneath them. His ruby eyes smoldered with questions. Where have you been? Why did you go? Why are you here now? Why did you leave me? Despite this, she still believed he was the same Natsume she knew. Except hotter. Much, much hotter. The issue here was that she wasn't the same Mikan he knew.
"Mikan, you can go sit next to Natsume," Mr. Narumi said.
Of course, Mikan thought bitterly. Put me next to him, why don't you? Make my first day back harder. Mikan didn't utter a word or even nod. She just walked to the seat in the back next to the window, right by Natsume. She sat down and placed her chin on her hand, facing out the window, ignoring the stabbing stares she was receiving. Ignoring all the whispers about her. Ignoring the fact that she was sitting next to the person she wanted to sit close to, yet run away from.
"Mikan?" he breathed out, looking at her with wide eyes. Those beautiful, maroon eyes…
Everyone got really quiet all of a sudden. Mikan didn't reply. She wasn't allowed to talk to him or anyone. She was alone here at Gakuen Alice. She wished that Ivan and Isabella were there. She could talk to them, at least. She wished so badly to see them again. She stared at the clouds rolling by. It was a really nice day out. The sun was shining; the sky was really blue.
But she felt like running back to her room and hiding from it all.
. . .
Mikan sighed. It was finally lunch time. Half of the day was over. She wasn't really sure if she could handle anymore of this. She couldn't do it. She wanted to run away. She wanted to go back to London. She just missed them all so much, and not being able to tell them that let alone talk to them, was just too much. Mikan kept getting stares and weird looks all day long. Everyone whispered about her and how she's changed. Mikan wasn't surprised. She wouldn't say anything to anyone. She felt like a mute.
Mikan sat alone under an oak tree for lunch, even though there was snow on the ground. She curled up into a ball to keep the heat from leaving her body and she hid her face in her knees. She was starving, but she was afraid if she ate anything, she would throw up. Then, all of a sudden, a shadow loomed over her. She looked up. It was her old friends. Oh. My. God, she thought. What the hell am I supposed to do now? She blinked before calming herself down. She kept a straight face.
"What?" she asked icily. If she were to stay away from them, she should at least make sure they stay away from her first.
Anna looked at Mikan worriedly. "M-Mikan?" she whispered.
She ignored her. "What do you guys want?" she said, emotionless and sighing. She faced away from them.
"We want to know what happened to you," a voice said.
Mikan turned around to face them once again. She'd know that voice anywhere. Natsume. She stood up, brushing the snow off of her and walked straight past them all. She was going to keep walking, but sudden impulse kept her from doing so. She turned around halfway, making sure they didn't get a clear look of her face. If they did, they would immediately know she was heartbroken.
"You want to know what happened?" Mikan smirked. She might as well tease him, no? "Well, baby, that's just none of your damn business," she said in sickeningly sweet voice.
Natsume's eyes widened by a centimeter. She rolled her eyes. She knew she was going to get this kind of reaction. She was definitely not the same Mikan they all knew. She was now just a heartless mission dog that was trying to protect her friends by staying as far as she possibly could from them. Although her teasing was fun, she thought she over did it a bit. Poor Yuu looked as if he was going to faint and Luca…he looked downright confused.
"That's not the Mikan we know," Hotaru said, speaking up and breaking the tension in the air. She was staring at Mikan with that same emotionless face, but her eyes told a different story. Her eyes were full of sadness and confusion.
"Whatever. That Mikan isn't here anymore. You might as well give up trying to get her back." Mikan took a step forward, getting ready to leave. "I'm gonna go. I'm bored anyways," she added before turning back around to leave, and then stopped again.
"Oh, and a piece of advice," she said, walking up to Natsume. She poked him in the chest. "I'm in the Dangerous Ability Class. I am a Special Star. I am a very dangerous person. You don't want to get near me."
She left them dumbstruck and full of questions.
She hurried away before they could see her break down.
Mikan spent the rest of the day alone. She was so upset. Maybe she should ask Persona if he could transfer her back to London. It just wasn't going to work out here. Knowing Hotaru, she wasn't going to rest until she had all the answers to her questions. She wasn't a genius inventor for nothing. Mikan wondered what Ivan and Isabella were doing. Maybe it would be better to go back to London. She would be far enough away to protect them.
. . .
Mikan was sitting in her desk. It was the start of a brand new day. Her second day back in Gakuen Alice, and hopefully her last. She waited for Mr. Narumi to shut up and leave the class already. What was he saying anyways? She decided to listen, and was shocked to hear it.
"It seems like we're having a flood of new students here at our lovely academy." He chuckled. Mikan wondered what he was talking about. She almost slapped her forehead as she realized what was going on. Mr. Narumi continued, "We have two new students here at Gakuen Alice," he said. Mikan looked at him intently waiting for him to say the two new student's names. She knew who they were. She was just waiting for the confirmation. "Please welcome Isabella Tarial and Ivan Owens!"
Mikan looked at her friends and inwardly groaned. Don't get her wrong or anything—she was happy that they were here. She just hoped they didn't go through too much trouble to get here. She knew how Victoria got when someone asked her for a favor. All in all, she couldn't believe that they were here! They were keeping their blank expressions as Victoria probably told them to. Mikan sighed. She finally had someone to talk to. Then, Isabella spoke up.
"Hey, Mr. Maruchi. Listen up," she said in a cold voice. Mikan laughed on the inside. She got his name wrong. It was Mr. Narumi. "You are going to place me in a seat near Mikan, understand?"
"You do that for me, too," Ivan said.
Everybody turned their heads to face Mikan. She ignored all of their ogling and kept her gaze on Isabella and Ivan. They smiled, looking at her. Narumi gave them their seats, which were the two vacant seats in front of Mikan, and of course they were wearing the same uniform as her too. They walked up and took their seats just as Mr. Narumi left the class. Mikan sighed.
As soon as the door clicked and Narumi was out of sight, Mikan was glomped by a blonde-haired girl. Isabella squealed as she hugged Mikan tighter. "I missed you so much, Mikan! I know it's only been a day, but I couldn't handle being away from you! Victoria was so mean!" If possible, Isabella hugged her tighter. "Promise me you'll never leave me again!"
Mikan struggled under her tight grip. For something so tiny, she had a monster grip. "Okay, okay, Bells. Get off me. I can't breathe." Isabella didn't seem to hear her. Mikan blew out a breath of air. "Didn't Victoria give you specific instructions?" Mikan emphasized her words, indicating that Isabella was supposed to remain emotionless.
At that statement, Isabella let go, and sighed. "Oh yeah." Her face fell but she shook it off and smiled brilliantly again. "Okay then, hi, Mikan!" Isabella said, starting her greeting to Mikan over. Mikan shook her head, chuckled, but smiled back. Isabella really couldn't keep that smile off her face. She could feel the class boring holes into her with their gazes. She could feel his staring boring a crater in her.
"Hey," Mikan replied. "What on earth are you guys doing here?"
"We came here because we missed you," Ivan said. Mikan smiled inwardly. They did the same thing for her as she did for Hotaru.
"Wow. You guys are something," she commented.
Ivan shrugged, "It's what friends do."
Mikan grinned, "I guess so."
Ivan laughed a little saying, "Victoria's gonna murder us, isn't she?"
"Meh," Mikan said, waving the thought off. "I don't follow her orders much anyway."
"Class already begun," Isabella interrupted, giggling. "We should definitely study, right Mikan?"
"Whatever you say," Mikan said, completely ignoring the 'studying' part and staring out the window again.
Isabella brought a book to class while Ivan simply did homework. She could tell that it was homework from London, which he had to complete and send in since he left so abruptly. Mikan didn't know what to do at this point. She got what she wanted, so maybe she should stay. It would be harder with all of the rumors going on about her, but she should manage.
The hardest part about being in Japan was that she couldn't talk to Natsume. Natsume was the one person she wanted to see again. Of course she wanted to see Hotaru and Permy and the others, but she was in love with Natsume. She wanted to hold him and tell him her adventures in London, but then some creep from the AAO would probably come and take him hostage so they can get a chance at killing Mikan.
And she just couldn't do that to him. Mikan was interrupted from her thoughts when the door slammed open. She thought it was Narumi, so she didn't look, but then she felt the icy aura in the air and the class seemed to get nervous. Her suspicions on who it was were confirmed when her eyes caught jet black hair and dark, blue eyes.
"Victoria…" she whispered harshly.
Isabella glared at their DA teacher, and said in a hushed voice, "She's supposed to be in London."
Ivan spoke up in an equally low voice, "There was no way she was going to let us off the hook."
"Mikan, Isabella, Ivan. Come," she said with malice in her voice.
Mikan already knew why she was here. The three had their first mission in Japan. Victoria had to tell them where to go, what to do, and when to get back. The said teens got up and out of their seats and left the classroom with their Dangerous Ability Class teacher. Mikan snuck a glance back at Natsume. He didn't look happy. Mikan's lips formed a thin line as she held her breath and continued to walk behind Victoria.
. . .
Natsume blinked. She was smiling. Smiling. Normally he would be happy to see her smile, but this time the smile wasn't directed towards him. It was directed to the new students, who he guessed are Mikan's friends. He was so confused. What happened to the idiotic imbecile he knew? He had to admit though, some things that changed about her he liked. Like the fact that she was so freaking hot. She wasn't that little girl he once knew anymore. She grew up. But he didn't like the fact that her attitude changed.
Natsume was dumbstruck when she told them that she was in the Dangerous Ability Class. His thoughts wandered to Persona. If he did anything to harm Mikan, he would personally rip the guy's head off. There is no way that he would let Persona control Mikan. He had enough of that in his past years. He knew what it was like. Mikan won't suffer as long as he was there.
And, she was a Special Star? That just made him wonder: What the hell happened to her during those five years? And what was she doing with that Ivan kid? Natsume's anger skyrocketed as he thought of the way he looked at her. She seemed a bit too comfortable around him.
Natsume was definitely not buying that she was dangerous. Whether she changed or not, Mikan couldn't do a thing to harm a human. He knew it to be true, but somewhere in the back of his mind was totally denying the fact. With a look at the new Mikan, it was getting harder and harder to believe.
She said that he should stay away from her. But how could he? He loved her. He loved her back then and even now. He wanted to know who had the right to mess with her, and who had the right to take her away from him in the first place. He never liked the academy and he was pretty sure his hatred for it was going to multiply tenfold.
Then the door opened. A woman with sleek, black hair and pale skin walked in. She looked fairly young and had a lot of jewelry on. He didn't know why, but as soon as he got a good look of her, he didn't like her. He noticed Mikan tense up beside him.
"Victoria…" Mikan whispered.
"She's supposed to be in London," the Isabella girl said, angry.
"There was no way she was going to let us off the hook," Ivan replied.
"Mikan, Isabella, Ivan. Come," Victoria said.
Mikan, Isabella, and Ivan got out of their seats and followed her out. The class grew quiet. They were all staring over at the door which Mikan had just left from. Where was she going? Natsume kept his gaze on the door when suddenly Hotaru and Luca walked up to him. They had been dating for about two years now. Natsume looked up at them.
Hotaru crossed her arms, a serious expression dawning upon her face. "Listen up, Hyuuga. We are going to find out what happened to Mikan over those five years, and you are going to help whether you like it or not," she said giving Natsume a death glare that very obviously stated – 'Help us or die.'
He shrugged. "Whatever," he said, pretending not to care. He really did care, actually. He wanted to know what happened to Mikan just as much as everyone else.
"Don't act like you don't care, Hyuuga," Hotaru snapped. "Everyone knows you love her."
Natsume took in a sharp breath and narrowed his eyes at her. Since when did everyone know? He thought. He definitely didn't tell anyone. He didn't even show it.
And as if she read his mind Hotaru said, "If you want to know how everyone knows, well, it was pretty obvious," she sneered. "You got all depressed and even angrier than usual after the day Naru told us she was gone."
I'm an idiot, he thought. He couldn't believe he didn't notice the way he was acting. It took him by surprise. After Mikan had left, Natsume became completely antisocial. He even refrained from talking to Luca. He skipped class more often and just sat around campus, thinking about her. He nearly slapped his forehead. He did make it too obvious.
"So, are you coming, Natsume?" Luca said.
Natsume looked at him then merely nodded. He got up and out of his seat as he followed Hotaru and Luca out of the classroom to who-knows-where.
. . .
Mikan was in the Northern forest. The place brought back memories of giant chicks and a crazy bear. Victoria said that they were to infiltrate the newest AAO headquarters.
"This is going to be the hardest mission yet," she said looking at her nails. She glanced up at the three. "You are to leave this afternoon. I will give you the directions to where it is then. I called you all out here because we need to have a single training session before you go."
Victoria gave them an evil smile and giggled. And suddenly, the ground shook and a boulder came flying through the air at Mikan. Victoria was causing a small earthquake at the same time. Luckily, Mikan knew exactly what to do. She crouched down and thrust herself into the air at the boulder that was flying towards her. She threw her fist at it and used her Ice Alice. It immediately froze and burst into a million pieces. Mikan fell to the ground and landed gracefully on her feet, the debris from the boulder falling all around her.
"Very well done," Victoria stated. She wasn't really paying attention to Mikan. She was staring past her into the dense woods behind her. Mikan looked back and saw nothing.
"Good job, Mikan!" Isabella cheered.
"Don't congratulate me just yet. She had only just begun," Mikan said.
Her next attack was at Ivan. He of course, just made the boulder explode. Isabella set the boulder on fire, and then froze it. After that, she threw ice shards at it, making it turn into falling ash. The training went on and on and on for hours. Mikan was beginning to wonder if they were getting near noon. She was prepared for this mission. It was nice to have a challenge once in a while.
. . .
Hotaru led the two boys to the Northern Forest. She wasn't sure if Mikan was going here, but she had a hunch. She walked into the forest and took the path to the clearing. If anything, they would get closer to finding out what happened to her in the past five years if they followed her. They reached the clearing, and Hotaru smiled in triumph. She found her. Natsume and Luca were looking at Mikan in plain sight of the scary woman they saw earlier. Hotaru shook her head at the stupidity of the two.
She sighed as she took the back of their shirts and pulled them behind the tree. They couldn't risk getting caught. She didn't know what would happen to them if they were. They spied on the four people from behind the tree. Hotaru's eyes widened along with Luca's and Natsume's. Mikan had just jumped into the air, and destroyed the boulder that was headed towards her as if it was nothing at all.
Natsume stared at Mikan as if he didn't know her. There was no way that was her. He couldn't wrap his mind around the thought. Mikan landed on the ground and wisps of her hair flew around her. She had a serious expression on her face, and at that moment, Natsume knew that was Mikan. Even if she changed, that was Mikan's serious expression. He had it burned into his memory from the day she saved him from Reo.
Hotaru looked at the teacher to see what she was doing. She was looking in their direction and all of a sudden, Hotaru had an awful feeling the woman knew they were there. Mikan abruptly turned her head sharply to face them, but before she could catch a glimpse of them, they quickly ran off. Hotaru had no intention of getting caught. She knew when to run. Once they got out of the forest, they stopped to catch their breath.
"What…was…that?" Natsume spat.
"How am…I supposed to know?" Luca said, gasping for air.
"Mikan really is dangerous…" Hotaru said.
The boys stared at her with the same expression. Tiredness and confusion. Hotaru couldn't believe that her best friend was now some dangerous freak.
. . .
It was noon. Victoria had given Mikan the directions. She sent Isabella and Ivan to the second AAO headquarters to stop some type of bombing infiltration. Because Mikan wasn't listening to Victoria too well, she really didn't know the specifics of her friends' mission, but she wasn't surprised that she was separated from them. The only thing she knew now was that she was alone.
Again.
Mikan had to complete this mission with all she's got. Victoria strictly told her to use any of her Alices to get this job done. Mikan stepped onto the ship waiting for her at the dock. The headquarters she was going to was on a deserted island near Japan, so she was to take a boat there. Victoria said to do what she usually did from there. Mikan tightened the gun strap on her thigh, and zipped up her leather jacket halfway. Here she goes. Victoria's words were still ringing through her head.
"Don't disappoint me."
Mikan honestly didn't get it. She had always fulfilled her missions. She never disappointed her. The words just made her wonder: What kind of mission did she get herself into?
Well, that's it! I am so tired. Sleepy Tsuki-chan… Ah, well I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. I tried my very best to update as soon as possible. You know what would make me happy? A review! Please, please, please review! Don't be shy! It will only take a second!
Edit: Yeah, well, I think this is better. :D
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