Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice, even the characters in this story. I only own the plot dears :)

Author's note: This is the second to the last chapter. I hope you like it all :D Please don't forget to review! :)

Chapter 26:

Natsume sat on the ground, feeling exhausted and gloomy. He hasn't eaten anything good since the last night, and his scratches and bruises are haven't cured yet. He only ate a piece of bread last night and nothing else. He didn't get much sleep. He glanced at his wrist watch and then looked at the people he's with inside the cell. They are all doing different stuffs, like nail cutting, massaging each other and the others just simply talking and fighting with each other. Natsume grunted. Suddenly, the police officer came inside, handing them a 2 packs of bread, 2 plates of meat loaf and a pitcher of water. As soon as the officer placed the food on the ground, the others are already having a snatching fight, trying to get some food. Yes, he was hungry, but seeing them go gaga over the food made him resist the urge of getting some for himself. Just then, fat man shouted.

"Hey stupids! Let Natsume-sama get his part first, you gluttons!" Fat man said to the other in-mates. They stop from their previous bickering and looked at Natsume, few are irritated while few are scared. "Natsume-sama, why don't you get your part first? This gluttons might eat this all if you don't do anything." Natsume scowled.

"Don't call me, Master, I'm not your master and," Natsume sighed. "Eat it all up, I'm not hungry anyways." Natsume said and buried his face on his elbows that is placed on his bend knees. The other just shrugged and continue what they are doing a while go.

Natsume raised his head and then sighed. He wiped his face with his both hands, feeling frustrated. 'God Mikan, what happened to you now?' He thought and buried his face again, trying to get some sleep. But then, he heard a familiar voice calling out name that made him raised his head automatically.

"Natsume..." The person said, voice trembling. It was full of sorrow.

And his heart clenched on the mere sight of the person.

Mikan slowly get out of the his father's luxury card as soon as Shiki opened the door for her. She was excited, but at the same time sad and nervous. She slowly walked inside the jail, with her father tagging along on her back. She was conscious at the attention they are getting, probably because of the tons of security they have with them. They entered the door and she looked at the class. It was really noisy, and she's sure that Natsume wouldn't like this place. She wander around her eyes, scrutinizing every cell that will catch her eyes. They were in-mates who are playing cards, eating while the others are fighting. Suddenly, fear enveloped her whole being. She's scared that Natsume might have been bullied inside since he was only new, but soon shoo the thoughts away when she remembered that Natsume is a strong guy.

Her chest clenched when she finally saw the man that she's been looking for. His head was buried on his elbow, looking sad and sorrowful. Her tears started to form as she quickly ran to where Natsume is currently placed. But before she can get any closer, her father grabbed my arm, stopping her.

"I'll give you 20 minutes. No more, no less." And he let go of her arm and she ran. She knelt down in front of him. The cell separating them.

"Natsume..." She tried to hide the sadness in her voice, but she can't. Her voice is trembling, and in any minute, She'll be crying already. Natsume raised his head and looked at the direction of the voice. His crimson eyes widened, joy crossed his face but it soon fade away.

"Mikan!" Natsume shouted, now facing her. He holds the cell bar, excitement running through his body. "How are you, Mikan?" He cupped her cheeks, slipping his two hands into the cell bars and he gave her a small smile, not minding if he's showing emotions anymore. Mikan is here and that's all that matters. Mikan smiled back at him, tears are visible in the corner of her eyes.

"I'm fine, Natsume. How about you? Are they treating you well here?" Mikan asked, she hold Natsume's hand that was on her cheeks.

"Don't mind me, I can handle myself. You're the one I'm worried about. Since yesterday, I always have this negative thoughts about you being with your bastard of a father." Natsume said, glaring at Reo at the same time.

"Natsume, I'm fine, don't worry about me." Mikan said and he turned his attention back to Mikan again. "Natsume, I have to tell you something."

"Not now, you can save it until I get out of this place." Natsume said sternly, determined to keep his promise. "And when that day comes, I promise you, I'll come and get you. I won't let you go anymore when that happens."

"Natsume, you don't understand." And this time, she removes the hands that are cupping her cheeks. She wiped her tears and continue."I'm leaving, Natsume."

"What!" Natsume shouted, making Mikan scared for a while. "What are you saying, you're leaving? You're going to leave me? You're giving up on us? You're stupid Mikan!" Natsume shouted hysterically. Mikan cupped his cheeks to avoid him in getting away from her.

"Natsume, it's not like that." Mikan stopped, looking at his crimson eyes straightly, trying to make him understand that she would never give up. "It's just that, I have to do this." She leaned her forehead in the bar cell.

"Why?" Natsume said, leaning also his forehead, just in the same angle with Mikan's.

"I want to get you out of here." Mikan explained. "This is the only way, Natsume. Hope you understand." She closed her eyes.

"You shouldn't have meddle! I could make a plan to get out of here instead of giving off your freedom!" Natsume said, raising his head. His eyes burning in anger. "Who do you have to be so selfless, Mikan? I should be the one protecting you! Not the other way around."

"Do you really think I can just watch you being locked in this creepy place, Natsume?" Mikan also raised her head, looking at his eyes. "Don't make things hard for us." Natsume didn't answer. He just kept his head low, his fist clenching. "Natsume, I know you're smart. You're not an idiot. I know, by now, you already realized that this is the best thing for us."

"You're coming back right?" Natsume knuckles becoming white. Mikan smiled sadly, although Natsume can't see that. She cupped Natsume's cheeks again, only to be shocked that Natsume's eyes are wet by tears. She wiped the tears away and smiled again.

"Yeah. I'll definitely come back." And she was sure of her answer. She doesn't care if she have to turn her back on her own father, but no matter what happen she'll be coming back. "I'll come back for you, Natsume. You'll wait for me, right?" And her tears now are continuously flowing already from her beautiful chocolate orbs.

"Heck, I will." Natsume said. "Even if it takes forever, you'll still see me waiting here for you." He kissed her forehead, although his lips didn't touch her forehead because of the cell bars, it was fine with them, 'cause for them, they are already satisfied to reach each others hand. "No matter what obstacles we have to face, and even though we are both standing in the both ends of the world, remember that I will always find a way to reach you."

"Natsume..." She looked back at her father with her pleading expression. "Please, for the last time..." She muttered silently. Reo seems to be disgusted, but nevertheless, he conducts a shoo gesture indicating that he's allowing her. The officer was already in the cell's door, unlocking it and as soon as the door was unlocked Mikan ran inside the cell. Natsume stood up. Mikan immediately threw her arms around Natsume, hugging him ever so tightly while crying on his chest. Natsume hugged back. In that very moment, they didn't care if they are making a scene or if they are attracting every attention because all they care is how they held each other.

"Although we're miles away, Mikan, remember that we are always close by heart." Natsume whispered against her hair. "We already met each other halfway, and I'll do everything to make it happen again."

"Natsume, before, I always thought that money is the thing that keeps the world alive, but when I met you," She broke the hugged and smiled sadly at Natsume, her fresh tears flowing continuously. "money becomes no option to me, because the moment I laid my eyes on you, all I want is you to be on my side always."

Natsume smiled back at her.

"I'm glad you feel the same." He leaned his forehead into her, his arms around her waist securely. "I love you, Mikan Sakura. Always remember that."

"I love you too, Natsume. Wait for me, alright?" Mikan said. "Don't you dare replace me with that Koizumi, because if you do, I'll make sure to murder you by my own bare hands."

"No luck for that." And they leaned forward to give each other one last lingering kiss. Their kiss is full of promises, love and hope. Natsume slanted his lips to deepen the kiss. After a few seconds they broke it.

"Natsume, let's meet each other someday in the same place we've first met. The place where we threw away all our principles and troubles. The place that will lead us to euphoria forever." Mikan said smiling. Natsume smiled and nodded.

"20 minutes is over, Mikan. Let go now before the two of you makes us barf." Reo said and Mikan was pulled back by Shiki. Shiki dragged her outside the cell and the officer locked it again. Natsume remained standing, his right hand inside his pocket, gripping the box that he was supposed to give to Mikan.

Mikan and Reo started walking, but before Mikan can completely walked out the place, she looked back at Natsume, waving at him while smiling.

"See you soon." She whispered and left the place. He took out the box out of his pocket and opened it. He stare at the ring inside before closing it again. He gripped it tightly.

"Yeah, see you soon." Natsume whispered and smiled sadly.

When Mikan entered the car, she was silent and she was just looking at the window, trying to memorize every features of the place where she grew up and met wonderful people. Her friends, the people she learned to call her family and of course, the guy that made her realized that she can be loved by everyone. Tomorrow, she will leave this place, but nevertheless, she's not that sad because for her, her sacrifice is worth the wait since Natsume will be out of that hell and can go back to Gakuen Alice. She heaved a sigh when she heard her father spoke.

"You chose the right decision, dear daughter." Reo said proudly. "By this decision, it is sure that you're life would be in paradise in the future."

She smirked.

"No, you're wrong." She looked at her companion whose beside her. "I just put my life in hell and made a freaking contract with a devil, Reo Mouri." She answered with bitterness, making Reo froze in his place.

Natsume sighed. Finally, he was already back on his old apartment. A few hours after Mikan went to the prison house, the officer declared that he is already released. He even saw a letter in his door from the principal that he can go back in Gakuen Alice and continue teaching.

Gakuen Alice.

The place bring backs many beautiful memories of him and Mikan. The time they first met and the time they confess to each other. And he's sure that Gakuen Alice would also be the place where he will meet her again.

Someday.

He sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling for a couple of minutes. The house is gloomy and lifeless without Mikan's annoying voice and clumsiness. He smiled sadly. Right now, he already missed Mikan and he has the urged to go and steal away from her bastard of a father in this very moment but forget about it when he remembered that Mikan's sacrifice if he would do something drastic now.

He looked at the end table beside his couch. There, a photo frame with their picture together. It was their first photo together, taken in this very apartment when Mikan first set her foot in here. Mikan insisted on taking a picture of the two of them for souvenir purposes. How childish. Mikan lips was kissing his cheek in the photo while his left arm is wrapped around her shoulder. He smiled. He was glad that they took this photo, at least there is something that can help him ease his nostalgia.

He slowly closed his eyes and just a few moments later, he was already in deep slumber.

THE NEXT DAY :D

It was 9:00 in the morning when Mikan and Reo arrived at the airport. When Mikan get out of the car, she was shocked to see her friends in the airport, waiting for her arrival. Hotaru was emotionless, Ruka eyes are full of sadness while the others are sniffing.

"Everyone, what are you doing here? How did you know that I'm-" but she was cut off by Hotaru.

"And you didn't even consider to inform your best friend that you are leaving. Do I really have to hear it from someone else?" Hotaru said, it was emotionless but if you know Hotaru better, sadness are visible on her voice.

"Hotaru, I'm sorry. It's just that, I don't want to see all of you sad before I leave." Mikan said. Reo coughed.

"15 minutes. Better hurry up." And Reo walked away.

"If not for Tsubaki-san, you would have left us without saying goodbye, you baka." Hotaru said. Tsubaki is the Sakura's caretaker. "Do you really intend to leave without telling us?"

"Hotaru, I'm really sorry." She said, she restrained herself from crying. But when Hotaru hugged her tight, she lost her will and just let the fresh tears to fall. "Hotaru, I'm really sorry!" And she hugged back.

"You're such an idiot. I can't believe you're my best friend." Hotaru said and broke the hug, her violet eyes are wet from tears. "I will miss you, so better come back or else I'm going to hit you with my baka gun." She smiled.

"Of course, Hotaru." She smiled back. "Please look after him, Hotaru. Don't give that flirty teacher a chance to flirt with Natsume." Hotaru gave her a small smile.

"I'll make sure that she won't be able to touch even the tip of Hyuuga-sensei's finger." Hotaru wiped Mikan's tears. "Take care of yourself, you baka." And Mikan chuckled.

"Same to you, Hotaru." And she hugged her again before Hotaru pushed her to the others.

"Mikan-chan, we will miss you. Please take care of yourself always. We would miss your bright smile!" Nonoko and Anna said in unison. She hugged the two and looked at Koko and Kitsuneme, who are sniffing on their white handkerchiefs.

"Poor handkerchiefs, they got all your snots, you two!" Mikan said, trying to sound cheerfully. "Now give me a hug, you two dumbass!"

"Wah! Mikan-chan!" Koko and Kitsuneme hugged the petite girl, crying their eyes out. "We would miss the bullying we used to do everyday!" She hugged back.

"Mikan-chan! Don't forget to always review your notes everyday so that you won't be given a detention, okay?" The timid Yuu said. Mikan stopped hugging Koko and Kitsuneme and faced Yuu.

"Of course, Yuu! And I want to say thank you for always coaching me whenever there is a graded recitation." And she hugged Yuu. Suddenly, she saw Hotaru signaling her something, and for the first time, she comprehend it quickly. She broke the hug and turned her gaze to the blond boy who is silently standing in the corner. She smiled on his direction.

"Ruka-pyon..." Mikan muttered. Ruka turned his back, trying to stopped his tears from flowing. And to his utter shock, he felt Mikan hugged him from behind. "Thank you, Ruka-pyon. For always being there for me." He holds Mikan's arms that is wrapped on his waist, letting the tears he was controlling a while ago flow freely. A few seconds later, Ruka removed her arms and turned around, smiling sadly at Mikan.

"You take care of yourself, Sakura-san." Mikan nodded and gave him one last hug before turning around to everyone.

"I better go now, or else father will get mad." She gave Hotaru one last hug before started walking. And for the last time, she looked back to her friends, trying to memorize their face before smiling and waving at them. They waved back.

As Mikan's figure becomes smaller every second, more tears are flowing on their eyes.

And when Mikan went inside the airport, they knew that Mikan is already gone.

"The idiot is gone," Hotaru said, her eyes puffy. She looked at the sky, letting the cold wind touched her face. "but I'm sure she'll come back."

"Imai is right, Sakura will come back." Ruka also looked at the sky, imagining the smiling face of his first love. "And someday, she will be with us again, telling to us her experiences and will smile brightly at us once again."

"You're being cheesy, Nogi." Hotaru said mockingly, but a small smile is present in her face. "Let's head back now. That baka pleaded me to look after someone." And they walked away, keeping the bright smile of Mikan Sakura in their mind.

Natsume Hyuuga fixed his crimson eyes to the big gate of Gakuen Alice, thinking that once again, he will be setting his foot in this place again. He slowly walked inside, not caring at the students who are obviously murmuring and whispering something unpleasant against him. And when he reach the faculty room, a beautiful blond was leaning on the wall, who seems like waiting for someone.

Nevertheless, he continued walking, ignoring the blond. But when he was about to enter the door, the blond blocked his way by stretching her arm in front of the door. Natsume just looked ahead, not glancing to the woman who blocks his way.

"Back off, Koizumi." He said sternly. "I still have class."

"You haven't change a bit, Natsume. Moody as ever." Luna said, looking at Natsume in a flirting way. "I thought that student of yours changed you? Why are you still acting like that?"

"Leave Mikan out of this." He shoved Luna's arm away. But being the persistent one, Luna grabbed his arm that made him looked at her.

"Natsume, students are only for students. The same with, teachers are exclusively for teachers." Luna said hardly. "So, accept the fact that the two of you can never be together and forbidden to love each other freely. You can have me, instead." And she smirked, thinking that the words hit Natsume but Natsume grabbed her arm ungently.

"Sometimes, the love that lasts forever is the love that can never be." Natsume started, making Luna's eyes widened in shock. "As long as Mikan is here, your feelings will remain unrequited. So I suggest you to look for someone else and be happy for me instead. Because even if you're the only girl left in this world, I won't replace Mikan for someone like you." With that, Natsume shoved Luna's arm. "Good day, Koizumi-sensei." And he walked away, leaving Luna in daze and tears.

DISMISSAL

It was already dark yet Natsume continued his way towards the balcony of Gakuen Alice. He carefully sat on the balustrade, inhaling the fresh air that touches his face. He raised his head to looked at the dark sky, few stars are giving off the light that brightens the night and the view of the moon that shone above is very relaxing and refreshing.

"Mikan..." He muttered before a small smile grazed his handsome features. "I wonder if you're looking at the same sky just like me."

MEAHWHILE

Mikan silently sat at the airplane seat, picking with her food. And unconsciously, she looked at the sky. She gave a small smile before whispering to no one.

"Yes, Natsume. I'm looking at the same sky just like you."

And she hopes that he could hear her.

Author's note: That would be the second to the last chapter. The next chapter would be the last. I've put a drama in there, but I don't think it can make you cry dear readers, but I still hope you like the chapter. Please leave a review :D See on the last chapter! :)

`Cute-chan :)