Hey there everyone. Thanks for the reviews. Wow! Everyone really wants to know what happens to Ruka, huh? Well, I won't spill the beans whether he's in a good condition or not, but the thing of it is. He is…I CAN'T TELL YOU! Just wait till the next chapters!!! Enjoy the 5th.
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Chapter 5: Persona Reveals a Secret
"Mikan, would you like to dance?" Tsubasa said asking for Mikan's hand to dance.
That question really startled Mikan. She gazes at Natsume who was still smirking, facing the roof.
"Give me a minute Tsubasa-sempai," Mikan said tugging on Natsume's jacket.
"If you wanna dance, go ahead. I'm still busting out to get Ruka, got it?" he said as he raises his right palm to the air to blow the rooftop.
"NOT A CHANCE!!!" Mikan shouted and pulling his hand back down.
"Just spend some time here first, no one will suspect anything after we've done a few dances and be gone," Mikan whispered to Natsume's ear.
"You know very well that I hate to delay things," Natsume raised his eyebrow.
"At least go dance with those fans of yours, just PLEASE don't destroy the building," Mikan pleaded.
"Ruka's life could be at risk! Who knows if he's kidnapped by the Anti-Alices or Perso-…Ah, Never mind," Natsume shrugged when he was about to say Persona and looked away.
"I know you care for him Natsume, but if you leave suddenly, it will interrupt the whole ceremony and everyone will be worried. You'll be making this a whole lot harder. And no! Persona wouldn't kidnap Ruka…he'd just…" Uh-oh!
Mikan put both of her hands to her mouth in shock. I shouldn't have said that name to him. He doesn't know I'm training with Persona.
Natsume stared at her when she said Persona.
"We DEFINITLY have to talk. NOW!" Natsume said pulling on Mikan's wrist heading for the back stage.
"I'm sorry Tsubasa. I'll be righ-" Mikan didn't manage to finish her sentence and was dragged to the back stage.
"How do you know Persona?" Natsume asked pinning Mikan to the wall.
Whoa! This feels like déjà vu. This definitely has happened before. Mikan thought.
"I repeat! How do you know Persona?" Natsume demanded.
"Look. I just met him a few times outside. It's not a big-"
"I want you to stay away from that guy! You have no idea what type of Alice he has. He could kill you the minute you look away!" Natsume said and punched his fist to the wall.
Mikan nodded. His fist started to bleed quite badly. Mikan saw his hand and her face was white.
Oh Natsume. If only I could tell you that it's only to save you. I'd follow everything you ask me to as long as you live. But this the only sure way I can make sure you live. Mikan said to herself.
Natsume let go of her, put his bleeding hand in his pocket and turned back to go to the stage.
"Wait," Mikan said pulling on Natsume's bleeding hand. He turned and faced Mikan.
She tore a minor bit of her lower dress into a long piece of cloth and started to wrap Natsume's hand in it. Natsume blushed and look away from her eyes.
She finished wrapping and let go of his hand.
"We don't wanna make a scene with your bleeding hand now, do we? We'll leave and find Ruka as soon as possible. Trust me," Mikan said caressing Natsume's face. Then, she left to see Tsubasa.
"Strange. For the past years, no one would dare to look at me and smile or make me smile never mind touching me. I give them the death glare and they turn away. Mikan's different, absolutely different," Natsume smiled as he whispered to himself.
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Natsume nudged Mikan after she danced with Yuu.
"I'd appreciate it if you stop dancing with other people, do you have any idea how it feels like?" Natsume said and smirked at her.
"My, my. Hyuuga's jealous? Hey Tsubasa, another dance?" Mikan mocked and shouted at Tsubasa.
Natsume just glared at the giggling Mikan and can't help but to spread a half smile.
"We'll leave in a bit. It seems Ruka isn't here yet. So we'll check it out in a few minutes. I think he's somewhere in Central Town," Mikan whispered.
"How'd you know?" Natsume asked. Then Tsubasa showed up and took Mikan's hand for another dance.
Mikan nudged Natsume and Natsume yelled a little 'OW'. "A girl's natural instinct." She said.
Natsume nudged her back and she faced him with a glare.
"That hurt BITCH! And since when do you have 'instincts'?" Natsume said with a little smile.
"Take that back, I'll deal with you later," Mikan said and turned away for the dance.
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Mikan's POV
Natsume seems unhappy. So does Hotaru. Should I go ask her?
Then I saw a gun in Hotaru's hands.
That's not a good sign. I'll stay away from her for a while. I thought.
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Natsume nudged me.
"I think it's time to leave," he whispered.
I looked around. It sure seems like the best time to leave. Everyone and I mean everyone is dancing. They won't notice us.
I nodded.
We rushed to the main door of the hall and its lock by some kind of Alice.
"I'm glad you exist Mikan," Natsume mocked.
I'm not sure if I'm suppose to take that as an insult or a compliment.
I stared at the door knob. Sure enough someone has put an Alice spell on it.
I touch the knob and it suddenly opens.
"I guess we're lucky, today," I said facing Natsume who just smiled.
We got onto the bike and sped all the way on the path to Central Town.
I had a troublesome feeling that something bad was gonna happen on a delightful night like this.
I hugged Natsume when he drove in the limitless speed of my bike (Hotaru did some experiments that makes the bike the fastest vehicle on Earth).
I looked up to the sky and saw it dark. No moon, no stars and no wind. I looked to the side of the forest. No sound of the animals only the trees whispers.
This is a bad omen. I sense an evil aura. I thought.
Then Natsume made an Emergency Break. I nearly fell off of my bike when Natsume caught me by the waist.
I turned to the front to find out why we stopped.
"Persona," Natsume said twitching at the sound of the name.
I felt stiff. I'm just staring at the direction of Persona.
I got off the bike and walk straight to Persona's arms. I didn't want to but it's like my body is moving at its will.
"Natsume, how delightful to meet you again. I guess you've met my new apprentice," Persona said smiling slyly and readjusting his mask.
"You said you let me go because of there's someone better than me! You released me from that darn curse of reducing life spans. Now, why the hell are you taking Mikan?" Natsume shouted.
I looked up at Persona. He looked at me and smiled.
"My dear boy, THIS is the 'someone' who's better than you, and as for why I am taking this girl is because she made me an offer I can never refuse," He said smiling in the direction of Natsume.
Natsume stared at me. "Is that the reason for when Miss Aniya said you were protecting me even more than others?" he asked.
I just shrugged. I don't know how or what to reply to him.
A/N: Sorry for putting this in the middle of the story but I'm just trying to explain the offer if you don't understand. Well, Mikan realized she gained another level of her Alice and found Persona. The offer is written down there; Persona needed her Dissolves Alice and upgrades it to a Stealing Alice (by practicing) whereby she could steal other people's Alices (just like her mom in the manga). I'll explain more about her Alice in the next chapters.
"It is, isn't it? What in the world were you thinking when you said that?"
"HOW DO EXPECT ME TO THINK?!" I shouted. He was stunned.
"WHAT? YOU EXPECT ME TO JUST SEE YOU USE YOUR ALICE AND DIE IN FRONT OF MY EYES?!?! WHEN I REALISE MY ALICE COULD DISSOLVE THE LIFE SPAN CURSE I HAD NO TIME TO THINK!!!" I shouted again, tears rolling down my eyes.
"I found Persona; I realize you were more or less being used by him for tremendous missions which reduce your life spans. I CAN'T THINK OF HOW IT WOULD BE IF YOU DIE!!!"
"I made an offer, yes. I offered my soul so that you'd be released and I could dissolve your curse…"
"But you could just tell me and I might've…"Natsume interrupted.
"You might've. MIGHT. What would you possibly say? WHAT WOULD I POSSIBLY ASK?" I shouted.
"Hey Natsume, come here for a while, I just need you to touch this and your curse is over, could you do that?" I asked mockingly and showing him the Alice stone.
What's gotten in to me? I'm not supposed to react this way. I knew this was coming, why in the world am I acting this way? I thought
"Besides, of everything that I asked you, you reply a NO, I couldn't think of anything else Natsume, I love you! I want you to live! Not live in a dark world but live with the joy and happiness of the world! I'm so sorry if you'd actually prefer to stay in the dark and if you think I'm selfish but accept the fact that you are no longer of the Dark Community in the Underworld. You don't belong there! YOU NEVER DID!" I shouted and Persona let go of his hold on me.
Natsume just looked at me. She said it. She told me the truth that I wanted to hear. But why was it so painful? It's as if she's saying that she's leaving me and she's moving to the other side of the world, never wishing to meet me ever again. Stabbing me over and over again.
"You belong with everyone, Ruka, Koko, Hotaru…everyone. I've made myself a promise and a deal with a demon, and I don't intend to break it now. My first mission is over," I said walking towards Natsume.
"Mikan," Persona said. I turned back and faced him.
"You have another mission which you have to complete it for 3 days starting from today," Persona said, "Your mission is to get Ruka back. Alive or dead."
"Wakarimashta, (Understood)" I said then he vanished.
I walked towards my bike where Natsume was standing like a frozen sculpture. I got my helmet and revved up the engine.
Natsume touched my hand and asked, "You knew all along didn't you, the fact that I'm on missions and stuff."
I nodded.
"Hmm…Ruka was supposed to be the only one to know of that. How did you-"
"I followed you Natsume, for the past years I've been stalking you. I use my Alice to nullify my presense so no one would realize I'm there. I saw you fought Ryo (Reo?) and his members. You walking around with Shizuka and Daidouji-sempai (These two people are one of the members of the Dark Community). I've even followed you to the Underworld." I interrupted.
"So, where's Ruka?" Natsume asked coldly.
"He's with the Anti-Alices in Central Town. They're holding him hostage to lure the Academy out," I said as a-matter-of-factly.
"In that case I'm following you," he said facing me.
I looked at him. He's in his usual cold self when I first met him. The person who cares of nothing other than Ruka. The person who acts cold only to avoid people getting hurt. The Natsume I fell in love with.
He got on the bike behind me.
"Hold on tight!" I said smiling and sped all the way to town.
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Natsume's POV
We arrived at a deserted town. Mikan for some reason could transform into some decent clothing. Blue tank top with a sleeveless leather vest unzipped, Blue knee-length tights and ankle black boots. She looks kinda cute, Ruka would love to see her in that.
Wait, Ruka has Hotaru. Damn it. I would've loved to tease him with this topic.
"Come on, I sense an evil aura near the Ferris wheel. Let's go," she said running towards the theme park.
But I sense Ruka to my west. She must be wrong. She could just sense the Anti-Alices. Ruka could've just escaped.
I ran. I ran the total opposite direction of Mikan. I definitely sense Ruka this way.
The sense is getting stronger…
"Well, well, well. Ryo was right. You'd come to save that boy the minute you sense him," a voice said.
I searched for the source. Turning and turning my head.
"Now, DIE!!!"
A flash of light begins to perform in front of my eyes.
"LIGHTNING STRIKE!!!!!!!" that voice shouted.
I saw the light and I felt the power, nothing that I could do could stop that shot. It comes straight towards me-.
"NATSUME! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!"
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The minute I open my eyes were the time when I was in the hospital. Lying down in a patient's clothing.
"Oh, Natsume. You're back," Sumire said.
"W-what?" My body started to gain balance of the movements around me. I felt that something was wrong.
I got straight up. "WHERE'S MIKAN??" I shouted.
Mr. Narumi pushed me back down. "She's in the operation room; Imai-san is healing her. Her Nullifying Alice has improved remarkably, but it's being use unconsciously too. So she might not fully recover from the accident. Imai is getting electric shots from her wounds."
(It means that Mikan's body is fighting Alices even if she passed out. So since Subaru Imai is using his Alice to heal her wounds, it won't heal properly because she's nullifying it bit by bit)
"How bad is she?" I can't think of anything else to ask.
"Quite bad. A broken leg, some of her bones are fractured, internal bleeding and burnt skin. It's a wonder she survived. The Anti-Alices left after what happen. There was a loud scream. Mikan's, I mean, and a huge light, we canceled the ceremony immediately," Mr. Narumi said.
"We searched everywhere for the both of you (referring to Mikan and Natsume). Suddenly as me and Miss Ryugizawa was searching at the corner of the forest, Mikan approaches us with you on her back, she manage to walk from the town to search for people in her condition. Her face was bleeding, Sumire nearly passed out," he said then Sumire hit his head.
"The operation is over," Imai-san came into my room.
"Well, how is she?" Sumire asked. I couldn't ask that. I was helpless last night. I was like a sitting duck down there. Then Mikan pushed me and received the shot. I couldn't see anything other than white light and a huge scream. Then I fainted.
"She's fine, more or less. I couldn't do much. All her bones are healed and I stitched her internal bleeding. But I couldn't do anything about the skin. Electric energy flows through it. As my hands got near, it shot me. Now, until she calms down, she won't heal that well," Imai-san admitted.
I got up from bed, determine to find Mikan and apologize. As I got up, I fell to the floor.
"What happen to me?" I asked, looking at Imai-san.
"Mikan put some of her Alice energy in your body to prevent you from any Alice attacks when she dodged for you. She didn't have time to make a shield of her own and got shot," Imai-san said.
"Even in that condition of hers, after she heard the helicopter of the Anti-Alices' retreat, she gained consciousness and carried you out of the scene. She dropped a few times on the way and that's how you got minor scars and cuts. She found Mr. Narumi and fainted because of the loss of blood," he added.
"How'd you know? You weren't there," I asked curiously as Sumire and Mr. Narumi helped me get back up on the bed.
"A friend of mine, Nimoru-san has a memory Alice so he read Mikan's memory. Don't worry. He only read the recent memories, nothing of the past," Imai-san said reassuring me.
If Mikan didn't remember what happen 3 years ago, I don't intend to let anyone else do. I thought.
"Shall we go visit her?" Mr. Narumi asked. Usually I'd ignore what ever word he said but this is an exception.
I nodded.
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Here's my 5th chapter. Please review it so I could improve more on my writing. Tell me what you think ok? Thanks. (REVIEW ONEGAI) Ja Ne.
BloodyHolly