Sheesh! You'd think that since I write such short chapters, I would update all the time. Well…I would if I could, but I can't. You see, I'm working overtime and not getting paid; it's called HOMEWORK! What a pain. I'll update when I can. So yeah!! Chapter three…gulp…this one's probably gonna suck, cause I'm multi-tasking…as long as there are no hard homework questions, it should be half-way decent.

Last Chapter:

Persona and the headmaster chuckled evilly to themselves, enjoying the idea of Mikan on their side of the fight.

"Oh, Persona! If she won't join us…kill her."

Now…on to chapter three: …But you can't hide!

Mikan hurried down the crowded street. She glanced backward, fear evident on her thin face. She hadn't eaten much in the past few days. Not much time when you're on the run. Faces flashed in her head. She knew she had to be careful. Mikan was aware that the Academy was probably after her, too. Where was she to go?

Back at the Academy

"Your job tonight is simple. Just capture this alice user, and return here. If you can't capture her, kill her." Persona said, handing a boy, no, a young man, a photograph.

He glanced at it, then stuck it in his back pocket. Persona glanced at his pupil. There was a special prize to steal from under the noses of the AAO tonight. Persona grinned slightly.

"Poor boy, you don't even know who your prey is tonight. Hopefully you don't kill her. I worked to hard to get her back here!!" Persona thought.

The young man glared at him, then bounded away into the darkness.

Currently hiding in a dark alley

"Who's after me this time?" Mikan thought in exasperation. The figure had been trailing her for the past six blocks. She had crept into the alleyway in hopes they'd pass her by. No such luck. She watched the shadow come closer as they approached. She crouched lower to the ground. The shadow stopped less than a yard away.

"I'm not gonna hurt you. Can we talk?" a tired voice said, "Look. I'm from the Alice Academy, and it's my job to make sure when I return, you come back with me. Now, we can do this the hard way, or the easy way…pick one."

Mikan blinked as a harsh light filled up the alley. She quickly sorted out her options. She need to get away from the AAO, and what better place than the very "home" she left.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again with a snap. No way in hell was she gonna blow her cover now though! She quickly began using some of her stolen alices to weave a disguise. Pink hair, green eyes, taller….

"Look girl! Are you coming with me or not??" the young man suddenly cried, filling the entire area with light.

"Fine," Mikan scowled, "I'll come. But what do I get in exchange?"

The mysterious young man grinned wickedly. Mikan's heart began to pound and her knees felt like she had just run ten miles. He grabbed her arms and began to drag her away. Mikan smiled softly…this was familiar. If he had glanced back, he might have seen the old Mikan under the disguise, but he kept on running, from the danger, from his past, and from his heart. (Lol! Guess who??)

NEXT DAY

When Mikan awoke, she was in a strange room she didn't recognize. She heard arguing outside,

"Quit complaining about an easy mission, you fool! Do you want a difficult mission?!?! I tell you to find one girl, and you come back with her! Do you have to make such a fuss? How…Oh, forget it!" a voice thundered.

Mikan grinned despite herself. Persona…he never changed. He had been the only one to know she was leaving. She quickly slumped back onto the bed as Persona walked in with the one who had captured her the night before. She carefully studied Persona. He looked tired, the other guy however. She gasped lightly. It was…NATSUME!!! (If you guessed it, good job! If you didn't…good 4 you!) Natsume turned toward her and began to walk forward.

Natsume's POV

I studied the girl's face as I approached the bed. She looked almost innocent, but I had felt her muscles when I grabbed her arm. She looked like…her. Only with a bad hair job and emerald eyes. I didn't care though. There was something wrong about this girl, and I wasn't about to let Persona take her without finding out what it was first.

Normal POV

"I know you're awake," Natsume murmured in Mikan's ear, "So…" He suddenly grabbed her hair violently and pulled her head back! "Who are you and what is your alice?"

"Hey!" Mikan cried, "Cut it out you jerk! You could just ask like a normal person you know! Geez!"

"Hmm!"

Natsume let go of her hair and stepped back from the bed. Mikan began to rise into sitting position, but Persona coughed quickly as Natsume turned away, slightly pink.

"You might wanna get dressed first, Baka!" Natsume grunted, trying not to make a face.

Mikan blushed brightly, and listened to Persona as she quickly dressed.

"Welcome to the Alice Academy. This will be your new home until you graduate at the age of 18. Blah, Blah, Blah. Natsume will be your guide starting tomorrow. Now, Natsume, leave us. We have business to discuss," Persona grinded out.

Natsume left, slamming the door as he went. Persona shook his head, then turned to the girl, smiling. "So little one, how does it feel to be back?"