THANK YOU

Denii05, Star Sapphirex, Konnichiwa Minna, Yue-Ryo, younggem, twili, nikz135, cute-azn-angel, Xian-pyon, FallOutGirl11, Moon at Twilight, -Kate Dominquexalice-, Aminatsu032, Shiori's Notebook, flamecrest, LuckywithToxic, krizzia hidalgo, simple but special and Unfulfilled and chihiro hiroshima for reviewing the first chapter. Your reviews made me REALLY happy. I thought no one would review because I was gone for such a long time. Anyway, thanks again! XD

Disclaimer

I don't own Gakuen Alice.

--

The Song of Flames

Chapter Two

By Keiko Oda

--

"I am…Hyuuga Natsume of the Red Fire Clan" he breathed.

Mikan gasped for air.

"And I am here…to kill you"

--

It happened so quickly.

Before the innocent fifteen year old knew it, her mind was clouded with the smell of smoke. She could feel the tips of the flames brush her skin and the smell of ember intoxicated her so and she couldn't perceive what was happening.

What was happening? Mikan felt too exhausted to even think about it. But she could hear the caw of a raven. No, it was louder than a raven. It was something else. Something more majestic than a plain old raven. Something grander. Something magical.

And through Mikan's blurred vision, she saw two gigantic wings spread out from the opposite side of where Natsume was standing. Mikan blinked, tears rolling down her eyes. It looked like one of those birds she had seen the other day. It was a phoenix.

And as that thought processed in her head, flickers of events began flashing in her mind.

There was a boy and a girl. And the two were being engulfed in huge flames of wind. They held each other very tightly, as if they will never let each other go – no matter how hard the flames tried to separate them both.

Then she heard a voice. It sounded like it came from the boy.

"This is the end" he breathed, holding the girl close. "But when I see you next time…"

The grip began loosening. "I won't let you die"

I won't let you die.

Mikan's eyes shot open. "I won't die" she uttered.

And then she said again, "You promised"

She didn't know why she said that, but she did.

And after she uttered those words, she felt the fire cease.

And she collapsed.

--

"Is she alright?"

"Yes, she just fainted. She'll probably come by soon"

"What happened?"

"I don't know. We found her and the new student lying down – both suffering from second degree burns"

"That's really strange"

Mikan opened her eyes slowly, she found herself in a white bed.

She couldn't distinguish the place because she could still feel the ember intoxicating her lungs. But after sometime, she realized she was in the school clinic because she could hear her classmates' murmurs from behind the curtain.

Mikan stirred a bit, still drowsy. She turned around and found Natsume, asleep on the bed next to hers.

He looked so serene when he was asleep. Unlike when he was awake, he looked completely innocent. It was unbelievable.

Mikan noticed there were a few ashes on the edge of the bed he was lying on.

What was with this guy? Mikan thought, examining the ashes.

"Guys! She's awake!" Nonoko said from behind the curtain.

The nurse pushed the curtain aside. "How are you feeling, Ms. Sakura?"

Mikan rubbed her head. She had a slight headache, but other than that she felt fine.

"What happened?" she inquired, for her head still felt fuzzy.

"You and Mr. Hyuuga were found lying down on the grass – both suffering from second-degree burns" the nurse said, with a perplexed expression on her face.

"How could've you gotten a burn?" Anna laughed. "You weren't around any flammable items"

Mikan sat up. Flammable items?

She turned to Natsume and all of a sudden, she saw a flicker of red stir inside the blanket.

Mikan blinked.

"Were you carrying any flammable items, Ms. Sakura?" the nurse asked.

The transfixed teenager simply shrugged.

"Maybe Natsume was"

--

For some weird reason, Mikan couldn't really remember what happened. She could remember though, the time she could see fire surround her, but after that – nothing more.

The day passed like a breeze and before Mikan knew it, it was dismissal time.

As she packed her stuff, she remembered Natsume.

"Ah…Koko-kun, have you seen Natsume?" she asked, looking at her classmate Koko who was busy arranging the papers.

"I think he's still in the clinic. I haven't seen him since what happened" Kokoroyomi replied, shrugging.

Maybe…I should check up on him. Mikan thought, placing her books inside her bag.

Or maybe I shouldn't. She contemplated, changing her mind.

Mikan closed her eyes and sighed.

"Why do I feel like I HAVE to see if he's alright? I bet he's doing fine! Plus, I've got homework to do!" Mikan groaned, kicking her desk.

Mikan shook her head, collected her things and left the classroom.

The hallway was silent. The only thing she could hear were her footsteps dragging across the hallway.

And then, she came by the clinic.

Mikan hesitated a bit. Should I enter? What if he's not there? Why am I so concerned about him?

She finally made up her mind and entered the room.

--

"Ms. Sakura!" the nurse said, surprised at Mikan's presence in the clinic.

"Umm…Is Natsume still here?" Mikan asked, clearing her throat.

"Yes. He's still sleeping." The nurse said, sighing.

Mikan placed her things on the bench. "Do you want me to take after?"

"What?"

"Umm…I can watch him if you want. You look tired"

"That's okay, Ms. Sakura. I'm fine, thanks"

Mikan nodded.

"Can I check on him?"

"Go ahead"

Mikan entered the room where the beds were. She drew the curtains and found Natsume still sleeping in the bed.

She took a footstool and sat beside him, resting her chin on her hand.

He looked so peaceful. The orangey sunlight cascaded upon the bed, making dust particles visible to the eye. Mikan smiled. She hated to admit it but this Natsume guy was downright attractive. From his jet black hair to his ruby eyes which were closed at the moment.

Mikan touched his hair and smiled. "Why do I feel like I've known you forever?"

Natsume stirred.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered. "I've only met you recently"

Natsume stirred once more.

"I know you"

And at that moment, Natsume opened his eyes. Mikan jumped a bit but remained sitting.

He sat up and rubbed his head. He affixed his eyes on the fifteen year old.

"Oh. It's you" he said, scowling at her. "What are you doing here?!"

Mikan gulped. "I went to check on you"

Natsume rolled his eyes. "That wasn't necessary. I'm fine"

Mikan didn't say anything. She was distracted by the sound of her heartbeat.

The raven-haired boy stood up to get his jacket. And when he did, something fell out of his pocket.

It wasn't a cell phone or a wallet. It was something else.

It was a blue orb. The blue was the type of blue you'd see in fire.

For awhile Mikan thought it was a toy. But what would Natsume be doing with a toy?

The orb hit the corner of the room, casting the attention of Natsume who immediately froze.

"Damn" he muttered, staring at the orb.

"What's that?" Mikan asked.

"None of your business!" Natsume yelled, walking to the orb.

Mikan stood up from her stool and dashed for it. She took the orb into her hands. It was warm.

"What's this?! Some kind of egg?" Mikan asked, tapping the orb.

"Let go!!" Natsume demanded, trying to grab the orb from Mikan – but her grip was too firm.

"This isn't some kind of witchcraft thingy, is it?!" Mikan asked, still examining the curious object.

"Dammit! Let it go!!" Natsume yelled, taking Mikan's hands and began trying to free the orb from her grasp.

"STOP IT!" Mikan shouted, and all of a sudden she lost her balance and fell on top of Natsume.

BOOGSH.

"OUCH!!!" the fifteen year old yowled, bumping her head on Natsume's.

"STUPID!" Natsume hissed, his head hitting the wall.

Mikan opened her eyes and found herself centimeters away from Natsume's face. She could feel his warm breath breathing on her chin and his red eyes were affixed on hers.

And she could feel his heartbeat.

And it was just beating as fast as hers.

"Natsume…" she muttered.

And his heart beat faster.

"G-get off me" he said, his cheeks flushing.

And all at once, the orb began to flicker a yellowish light.

Natsume's eyes widened.

The light began filling the orb and then it began flashing numerous times.

"What's this?! Some kind of video game?!" Mikan yelled, watching the orb beginning to crack.

"I can't believe it!!" Natsume yelled.

And then the orb shattered into a thousand pieces. Blue shards of glass scattered around the room.

"What's happening???"

Then the light ceased. And Mikan saw something she thought she would NEVER ever see.

A phoenix, a young phoenix lay among the flames that the orb had left.

"How could've you woken it up?!" Natsume said, beads of sweat trickling down his temples.

The raven-haired boy stared at Mikan who was now dumbfounded as ever.

"I…I d-don't know…" Mikan stammered.

And that was the moment Mikan realized that she wasn't as ordinary as she thought she was.

--

Waha. If you don't get it, you will soon!! Haha. As you go through the chapters, it will get clearer and clearer. ANYWAY. Please leave a review. I'd appreciate it! Thanks! XD

Much love,

Keiko Oda XP