Last chapter…

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice yada-yada-ya…

Natsume POV

I keep hurting her even when I say that I want to protect her. So what makes me think that I can even love her? That I'm allowed to? Those five stupid syllables. Suki-tte ii na yo. The final kiss of death. I said them to her. In some aspects it's a relief in others a burden. Knowing that every time she is hurting- physically, emotionally, or mentally there is a chance that I won't be there to hold her and comfort her. In that way those words will only damage her and give her false hope. Now I can remember why it was so difficult to say them to her long ago. I don't deserve to be able to love others. I only cause pain to those who come in close contact with me. Aoi, my father, Ruka. They were put though hell because of me. I look at the girl in front of me. My eyes burn. I focus my gaze over her shoulder to the tree behind her. It is easier than looking into her hazel eyes. I take a step forward.

Mikan. Fragile Mikan. Strong Mikan. Stupid, immature, undyingly optimistic, and naïve Mikan. She was a childish idiot when I met her. She probably still is. But she reminded me that I was still a child. She was the cure to the poison of the academy. Every time I was with her I only wanted to protect that small precious thing from Persona, the elementary school principal, and any other person that wanted or could possibly hurt her. I was the only one allowed to make her cry because if I didn't then we both could get too attached. The moment the elementary school went down in ashes I knew it was too late. We were already attached. It would be too difficult to say goodbye so I let her go. After all this time I thought she'd given up on me. I thought she probably never felt the same way about me as I did for her. Now I can tell that I made her cry one too many times. And for who's good was that for?

The academy did not change me. It did not affect me. Mikan did.

I take another step towards her but not towards her. She stands absolutely still, eyes never leaving my face, waiting for my next move. I pass her and move towards the tree. It is identical to the one I used to climb whenever I needed to think. Mostly about her. As I ascend I send a silent pray to whoever might me listening to give me the strength to continue on. I've never been much of the religious type. A reach the branch that I was napping in only a few minutes ago and realize how much simpler life had been 10 minutes ago. She reaches the branch shortly after I do having followed me up. She sits only a few centimeters away. There is a silence.

Who is there for her now? Does she have a boyfriend? Does she like anyone else in that sense? People have always been drawn to her so it would make sense if someone else did love her. I'm being selfish keeping her here and telling her that I love her. But that stupid story with the birds. It must have been about us. She still believes there is a chance. That's why we're both still here. The fated pair. I scoff. It's almost some sick joke now.

It stretches on…

No one says a word…

Her finger bumps mine. I fight off the instinctive finch. Once… Twice… The third time I grasp her hand. Her hand is cool to the touch, clammy even. She's nervous. Or angry at me. Or both.

"Natsume," she says in a low voice. She turns to look at me opening her mouth to say something more. I don't let her. I lean forward and press my warm lips to her cool ones. She doesn't respond at first then suddenly her lips start moving against mine in a slow steady rhythm. She tastes like Mandarin Oranges.

Mikan POV

"Natsume," I say his name somewhat hesitantly. He's holding my hand. Just like when we were young but the feeling is slightly different. This feels more permanent. It feels less like the next second we'll have to run and more like we have the time to just sit here silently and hold hands. I believe in him. I believe that this is him. If I didn't then I wouldn't have followed him up here. I turn to look at him. There is so much that I want to tell him about. How I'm so happy that he's here, how much I've missed him, and how I always knew that we'd meet again. Especially how I'm not mad at him. I have no reason to be. These are tears of joy streaming down my face. There's so much that he needs to know. I want to tell him that I've always loved him and I still do. I open my mouth to continue not quite sure where to start…

His lips touch mine. I hesitate in surprise. I don't know what to do. His lips move with a slow persistence. I kiss him back. I feel the warmth of him radiating into me through our hands, our lips, touching so gently their barely there. It's the kind of warm tinge that starts there and slowly moves through my body. Up my arms, across my still wet checks and nestles gently in my heart. I shut my eyes and lean into him when he suddenly pulls back. He presses his forehead to my mine and looks into mine. His crimson eyes look lighter and less tense than I have ever seen them. My checks grow hot under his gaze. I cast my eyes down breaking his intense stare. He breaks way but still holds my hand.

"It's getting late," he says after a long pregnant silence. "You should get home soon." I sneak a glance the sky for the first time and am shocked to see that the sun is already down. Aww, hell I'm in trouble. What time is it anyway? I didn't cal Yuka to tell her that I'd be late. I think back to earlier this day and find it oddly difficult. I remember staying late after school for something… Despite his words Natsume doesn't let go of my hand.

"Will I…" I leave the question in the air.

"If you have that much free time," That jerk is starting to act like himself again. He looks at me again. "Only if you want to." He amends.

"Then…can you promise me something?" This is all I need to hear.

"What polka?"

"Promise to meet me in the sakura tree. No matter where we are even if we're separated," I pause to gather my thoughts. "Promise to meet me in a sakura tree and wait for me. That way where ever we are… we'll be together." My voice is shaky by the end. I hold out my pinky. He looks at it condescendingly.

"How old are we baka, ten?" he takes his pinky into mine. I smile at him. That all I need to hear. He gives me one last glance and leans in to give me a kiss. I hope it tastes like Mandarin Oranges.

That's all folks… Well okay, just because I'm a little fickle.

Natsume's House- Aoi POV

He unlocks the door. He is a full hour late for dinner. I clench my teeth. The least onee-tan could do is call if he's going to be late for dinner. Now his onigir is cold. That idiot had me worried more than usual.

I'd gladly accepted psychiatric help after leaving Gakuen Alice, but he never quite recovered. Before, even when I couldn't see him I knew something was wrong. Sure he'd always been the angry brooding type but the atmosphere was wrong then. When I finally got over my fear of…myself and I convinced myself that it was okay to see. That when I did I wouldn't be afraid of what I saw in the mirror I saw him. I might be eleven but I'm not stupid he was heart broken. I prance to the front door to meet him hoping that he wasn't out drowning his sorrows.

"Natsume, nice of you to join us for dinner!" I say only slightly sarcastic. He looks up at me. His expression is different than I'm used to. Sure I've only just finally readjusted to being able to see again but this was different. He looks… like a teenage boy… in love. I don't know whether to be happy for him or disgusted. Great one more hormonal teenage boy on the loose.

"Sorry Aoi-chan." He sure doesn't sound sorry. He's happy-ish, which is better than his usual dark self. "I'll try to be on time tomorrow." He says sheepishly.

"Where were you? Did something happen?" this was getting weird.

"Just out," he pats my head affectionately. Well this is something to get used to. He's acting like is old-old self. Before we were hunted down. I smile up at him.

"Well, stupid onee-tan, you let your food get cold. I'll heat it up for you." I run into the kitchen. Stupid brother.

Mikan's House- Yuka POV

"Mikan you're late," I look up at the clock relieved that my daughter got home okay. "We have a guest." Mikan looks up surprised. It's a rarity to have guests. The only person who comes to see us is…

"Naru!" Mikan screamed running into the arms of the blonde haired man lounging on my couch.

"Mikan-chan, you look good in your high school uniform." Naru said sitting Mikan down next to him. "Just like your mother." I give him a small smile. That man will never change. Mikan clings to his neck like a monkey.

"Naru-sensei, how are you?" she asks into his hair.

"I'm doing fabulous. Touring the country actually. I plan on visiting Kyoto next week." He pulls her back and looks at her. "You look really good Mikan." He touches her nose. "You must be tired? Go upstairs to get ready for dinner. I hear Shiki's cooking so make sure you look cute." Shiki snorts from the kitchen.

"Hai!" Mikan responds already up the stairs. My eyes follow her.

"She seems really happy," Naru says once she's out of earshot.

"She must be happy to see you. It's been a while." I respond. Shiki sits down across from me.

"That's not it it's something else," Shiki says taking a sip of his herbal tea. "She's normally happy to see Naru but this is different…"

"You're right. I wonder what it is?" Naru shifts his hair behind his ear. We all look at the stairs.

"I guess she's just a teenage girl," I say. Mikan appears at the top of the stairs sporting her usual attire-cute shirt that I made for her and skirt.

"I guess your right," Naru takes a sip from his tea.

Now that's all. I'm keeping this story listed as in-progress because I plan on revising previous chapters. Read and Review!