Chapter 16

Another busy day gone by and another one is about to start.

Though Mikan and the others are very tired they don't intend to stay in bed the whole day since its Christmas day and Youichi's birthday as well. Mikan needs to rush at central town that early in the morning because she needs to buy another gift for Youichi since she can't give what she prepared for him or people would get suspicious. She didn't ask anyone to go with her because she knows they're busy. She insisted on going alone and plan to give her gifts to her friends when she comes back. And so Mikan went to Central Town alone.

What should I get Youichi? Mikan was asking herself while riding the bus to central town.

"Hey Mikan, why aren't you with your boyfriend?" one guy from the bus asked.

"Huh? I don't have a boyfriend?" she answered.

"Aren't Hyuuga your boyfriend?"

"No, I heard it was Itsuki"

Mikan chuckled "They aren't my boyfriend, their just my friends"

"Really, but you were so sweet last night at the dance"

Mikan blushed "It was just a friendly dance. Natsume does not have much girl friend so he asked me, and as for Itsuki I am her very first girl friend in the academy and I am his partner as well"

"Oh, is that it? Does that mean you can still go out with other guys?"

"I can do whatever pleases me"

"Then can you go out with me?"

Mikan was surprised with that question but manage to find the right answer "Maybe some other time when things are not that busy for me"

"Really?! I'll be waiting"

"Where the heck is that girl?" Hotaru asked irritated. They've been looking all around fort Mikan since they didn't saw her in breakfast and she's not in her room either.

Lucky for them they bump into Natsume's group.

"Have you, by any chance saw Mikan?" Yuu ask.

"Mikan? She's at central town" their foresight friend said.

"What?!" everyone looked at him.

"She took the first bus this morning"

"Is she alone?" Ruka asked.

"Yeah"

Mikan on the other hand kept on sneezing since she arrives at central town. Someone must be talking about me. She thought then she continued heading for her destination. She plans on buying another stuffed toy for Youichi but this time she's going to buy the one that is already made and she's also planning to buy the charm bracelet that she saw the last time she went to central town.

How funny that everyone was thinking that me and Natsume are together. But thinking back to what happened last night, I too am wondering what am I to Natsume. I just can't understand what's on his mind. Sometimes he so caring and sometimes he's such a jerk. I hope someone could answer my question. Mikan finished buying her gift for Youichi and she went straight to where she found the bracelet but to her disappointment they're all gone.

She was heading back at the bus stop when she noticed a familiar tent. It's the fortune teller's tent, she's back. Subconsciously she walked to the tent. There's no line since almost everyone are busy celebrating Christmas. What am I doing here? She asked herself when she entered.

"Looks like you have no idea about what happened yet" the lady greeted her. It was the same fortune teller as before.

"Huh?" Mikan is puzzled.

"Come and take a seat. I'll tell you what you want to know" Mikan took the seat. She knows what she needs to do since she already met the fortune teller. "You're not using the necklace I gave you" she said in a quite sad tone.

"I'm sorry but I forgot about it and .."

"You're not sure if that really is for you. When the time comes the locket on that necklace will open on its own and questions will be answered but right now what you need to do is prepare yourself."

"Prepare for what?"

"once you get out of this tent, went straight back to the dormitory and find the only person who has a communication to your most important person outside this Academy, then you'll know what I'm saying."

Though puzzled Mikan did what she was told. She went straight to the bus stop and waited for the bus. While waiting, Mikan felt really nervous, she doesn't know why, but her heart is beating faster. Grandfather. The only person that Mikan cared for that is outside the Academy. Please be ok.

Kaname is walking in the woods heading for Mr. Bear's cottage. He wanted to visit him and greet him. While on his way, he was thinking only about Mikan. Why do I have to feel this way? I told Mikan that it's fine with me if she doesn't feel the same way for me, but I can't help feeling hurt. It's no surprise that she likes Natsume. From the very first time I saw them together I know; they feel something special for each other.

Kaname arrive at the cottage still feeling depressed. When he opened the door he found all his creation inside having fun.

"Good morning everyone" he smiled at them.

"Master" they run to him very excited. Because of that he noticed someone there that he didn't made.

"Who are you? Who is your master?"

"I don't have a name. My master is Mikan Sakura"

"Mikan? Mikan is your owner but who is your creator?" I am the only who should be able to make such stuffed doll.

"Mikan Sakura made me."

Mikan? No it's not possible. I am the only one who has this ability, no one should be able to make this. They can make a finished product move or talk but in a different way not in the same way I do. Especially not Mikan. With his confused thoughts Kaname went out of the cottage and started looking for Mikan.

While looking around he found Mikan's friends.

"Excuse me; do any of you know where Mikan is?"

"we were also looking for her" Ruka said with a puzzled look. What does this guy want from Mikan?

"She's at central town" Hotaru answered.

"Is that so? Could you please tell her when she comes back that I am looking for her?"

"Sure"

But before Kaname could walk away…

"Hey guys there's Mikan" Anna look at the approaching Mikan.

"Why didn't you tell us you're going to central town?" Hotaru asked her

"We were looking all over for you" Ruka said.

"There is something very important I want to talk to you about" Kaname look at Mikan.

"Later guys, I need to talk to Mr. Narumi. Has any of you seen him?"

"We haven't seen him yet. Why Mikan, is it really that important?" Yuu asked her because they noticed that Mikan is somewhat worried about something.

They were all waiting for an answer but they didn't get one because she already ran off and went looking for Mr. Narumi.

"That girl what's her problem? We went looking all over for her and this is what we get." Sumire said irritated.

"But she seems worried about something" Yuu said.

What's wrong Mikan? Why are you keeping things from me? Hotaru asks herself while looking at the direction Mikan went.

Without anyone noticing, Natsume followed Mikan.

"Hey " he called out but Mikan didn't hear him so he just continued following her.

They ended up the faculty where Mikan found Mr. Narumi.

"Mr. Narumi there's something I need to ask you?" Mikan said to him as soon as she got close to him.

"What is it Mikan?"

"My grandfather, you went to see him right? How is he?"

"Umm, Mikan"

"Tell me Mr. Narumi, did something happen to him?"

"Mikan, you're grandfather, he's…he's"

"What happened to him, please tell me"

"He's dead Ms. Sakura" Mr. Jinno told her since Mr. Narumi can't say it.

"You're lying. That's not true, that can't be true. Tell me Mr. Narumi, Mr. Jinno is lying right?" Mikan's sight is starting to get blurry and her voice is starting to shiver.

"It's true Mikan."

"NO, no, it can't be true" Mikan is started stepping back.

"I'm so sorry Mikan. I should've told you earlier but…" Narumi tried to get close to Mikan. To hold her tight but she was stepping away from him and when she reached the door she ran out quickly with tears streaming out of her eyes.

Natsume was just standing at the door so heard everything. He saw Mikan ran with tears flowing out her eyes. She didn't even notice him standing there. Subconsciously after seeing Mikan's teary face, Natsume run after her.

Those were the most painful words Mikan has ever heard. She couldn't believe what she just heard or rather she won't believe it. But no matter how many times she says that to herself, it still hurts. All she could do right now is run away, anywhere, until she got tired running.

She stopped at the middle of the woods, sat down the grass and sob. I don't need to cry, there's nothing to cry about. These aren't real. This is all just a dream.

"Mikan" Natsume appeared from her back.

"What are you doing in my dream Natsume?" she looked at him.

"This is no dream Mikan and you know it"

"No, this is just a dream" her tears started flowing again.

Natsume kneeled beside her. Hold her shoulder and lift her head to look at him. "Cry it out Mikan, it will ease the pain"

Upon those words, Mikan was not able to hold back her tears anymore and burst out crying on Natsume's shoulder. Natsume just rub her back and didn't say a word. He just let her cry it all out.

It took a while before Mikan's cry turn in to sobs and not long after that she fell asleep in Natsume's shoulder. Natsume felt relieved when Mikan stopped crying. Without her knowing, Natsume carried her out of the woods. When they were almost out, Natsume found their other friends looking for them.

They were all shocked to see Natsume carrying the sleeping Mikan.

"What happened?" Hotaru asks first.

"I'll tell you later, for now, I need to get her to her room." He answered they all headed for Mikan's room with Natsume still carrying Mikan.

Some of their friends already left but some stayed and wait for Mikan to wake up. Hotaru, Sumire, Anna, Nonoko and Kaoru were sitting around Mikan's bed. Natsume, Ruka, Tsubasa, Itsuki were standing at the door. Misaki, Tono, Kaname, and Youichi were sitting on the couch. While they were waiting Natsume told them everything. They feel sorry for her but someone think of it as an opportunity to make her hate the Academy.

After 3 hours Mikan woke up.

"Grandfather, where is my grandfather? I need to see him" Mikan bolted up from bed as if she had a nightmare.

Seeing how Mikan was acting Hotaru hug her tightly. "Oh, Mikan" Hotaru wasn't able to hold back her tears.

"So it wasn't a dream after all?" Mikan hugged her friend back while crying. Everyone else just watched them.

When Mikan calmed down…

"I came and talk to Mr. Narumi after we brought you here, he asked me to give this to you" Natsume walked close to her and handed her a letter.

Mikan stared at the letter, then she looked at Natsume. She reached for the letter then said "Thank you but I would like to be alone for a while" she looked at her friends.

"Are you sure?" Hotaru asked her.

"Yeah"

Everyone walked out of the room with hesitation but that's what she wants so they can do nothing about it.

"I'll come back later" Mikan heard but she didn't bother looking who said that.

When she heard her door closed she opened the letter with trembling hands.

To my dearest Mikan,

I miss you so much. It's a good thing that Mr. Narumi always assures me that you are doing fine. I know you will always do good wherever you may be. Don't let anything get in your way. Just be yourself and everything will work out for you.

Mikan, always remember that whatever happens I will always be with you and you'll always be with me. Take care of yourself for me.

I love you and I miss you,

Your Grandfather

Mikan was crying while reading the letter. He wrote this as if he knew that he is going to die. Why, why do this have to happen? She was still crying when she noticed that there is something else written in it so she read it.

This would be a surprise to you as much as it is to me, I just found out recently that your mother is still alive. She visited me and somehow she knew that you are at Alice Academy.

Mikan was surprised. She doesn't know how to react. My mother? I never thought I had one. With that Mikan's sadness is mixed with some sort of anger.

"Do you think Mikan would be ok?" Ruka asked Hotaru. After leaving Mikan's room, they went to their other friends who were just outside the dormitory waiting for them.

"This time I'm not really sure. Her grandfather is the only relative she has"

"What about her parents?" Nonoko asked again.

"I never met any of her parents. From the day I met her, it's always been just her grandfather and her. She never mention anything about her parents."

"this must be a really hard time for her" They were really sad for Mikan. They don't even feel like celebrating Christmas anymore. Even Youichi doesn't feel like celebrating his birthday, though he always pisses Mikan, he also like her as his big sister.

"Poor Mikan" Misaki said. She, Tsubasa, Tono and Kaname went to the cafeteria after leaving Mikan's room.

"This would be very hard for her" Tsubasa said.

"Yeah and all we can do is stay by her side" Kaname added it seems that he already forgotten the reason why he was looking for Mikan earlier.

"I wonder how she would deal with this?" Tono asked.

"I wonder how Mikan is doing?" Narumi said looking out the window.

"Why don't you go see her" Mr. Misaki suggested.

"I can't. Not now. I know she's angry at me"

"How would you know that? Knowing her, she will understand why you didn't tell her sooner." Ms. Yamada said.

"Maybe, but in my condition, she would start blaming herself" Mr. Narumi was looking really pale and in deep pain. He can't even walk around much. After they told Mikan what happened to her grandfather the pain in his chest that he was feeling hurts even more and it never stop hurting since then, that's why Mr. Misaki and Ms. Yamada accompanied him to his house.

"This is a sign for us to make a move" Itsuki said. He and Kaoru was in Kaoru's room. "After what happened, Mikan will sure hold a grudge against the Academy. It would be easier for us to convince her to join the anti-Alice organization"

"I don't think it would be that simple, because after what happened, her friends will surely won't let her out of their sight."

"I can talk to her without arising any suspicions."

"Fine then, I'll leave it all to you" she smiled but her smile wasn't a smile of satisfaction it's more of a jealousy and irritation. She doesn't want Mikan to be in the same organization as her. She irritates her, if it wasn't an order she wouldn't take part on it.

Outside the Academy…

"Why did you have to do that? I thought you want her birthday to pass without a hassle?" Reo asked the lady in a fortune teller's dress.

"What happened was unavoidable and she needs to know about it?" The lady said while taking off the thick dress she was wearing.

"How do you think she's taking it?"

The lady didn't answer she looked at him.