Ending and Beginning
Chapter 13 - how to turn and read a new chapter
The season of spring ended and summer began. Everything is the same in Gakuen Alice, as if nothing occurred, as if the Dark Prince never appeared.
Mikan and Natsume walked hand on hand in their summer uniform. They walked past the students who gave way to the two of the most powerful alice weilders in the student body of the whole school.
The two of them seem stoic but deep inside they are worried not only for themselves but also for the other students. The source of their worry is the Dark Prince. He said that he is currently the strongest of the agents in AAO, meaning, he is second only to ZERO, the leader of the organization.
Mikan knows how powerful ZERO is. Not only her alices and control are amazing, even her hand-to-hand combat is superb. She only wishes that her training served its purpose and she can face ZERO, if not equally then at least enough to distract and to take time to rescue others.
Natsume felt something when he spoke to Dark Prince but can't pinpoint what. He felt something like nostalgia. However, it is impossible to be so. He couldn't remember of encountering with Dark Prince in his life before, therefore he brushed it off.
The day went by quickly. The gang noticed Mikan and Natsume's uneasiness. They knew that it was about the infiltration of an AAO agent in the academy but they did not inquire further knowing that the two will tell them if they are ready.
That night the two went to sleep reluctant to stay away from each other, they shared a chaste kiss on the lips before they went to their own enormous rooms.
-sun-moon-dreams-
It was very late. The moon was on its highest peak. No one in the Academy is awake except from Mikan.
She felt a presence crept inside her room. The trespasser is very good in hiding his presence, if Mikan did not heighten her senses, he/she would have caught her off guard. Even Natsume can't sense the intruder if he was in Mikan's place.
"Mikan…" the intruder muttered with his husky voice.
Mikan did not move.
He sighed. "I know you're awake."
Mikan slowly sat up on her bed. She looked at the masked man who sat on the edge of her bed. "What are you doing here, Dark Prince?"
He chuckled. "I have no intention of hurting anybody…just….just talk with you."
Mikan knew that she had heard of this voice but she can't remember. "Who are you?" she whispered.
He chuckled. "I'm hurt, Mikan. You don't remember me?"
Then it clicked. "No….it is….impossible…you're dead! I saw the building crumble down…."
He shook his head. "Someone saved me." He slowly took off his mask and revealed a face of an exact replica of Natsume with green orbs.
Mikan felt tears roll down of her face. "Natsuki…." She hugged the man so tightly that it seemed that he will disappear if she let go. "You're alive…" she sobbed.
Suddenly the door opened. "Mikan!"
Mikan looked at the other man in the door. "Natsume.."
"Who?" Natsume asked. He was jealous of the fact that HIS Mikan was hugging another man but he knew that Mikan isn't the kind of girl who will betray others. He knew because it took time for her to move on…to notice him.
Mikan smiled at Natsume. "Come." She whispered.
Natsume obeyed and sat on the bed.
Mikan held Natsume's hand. "It's your brother, Natsuki."
Natsume's eyes widened. He looked at the other man and surely he saw his own reflection except, the other had emerald orbs.
"It is our first meeting, brother." Natsuki said with a gentle smile on his face as he embraced his brother.
Natsume got over his shock and reluctantly embraced back. It was very rare that you see him respond to that, making it visible how happy he is. It's not every day that you see Natsume hug another.
"Sorry to break your love scene, boys, but I am curious as to why you are here, Natsuki. What is it that you want to talk about?"
Both men glared at her for calling that brotherly reunion a love scene.
She laughed. "You really are twins." She said.
Then Natsuki laughed as to Natsume a small smile decorated his face.
After they have finished laughing, Natsuki's face became serious. "The two of you, would you join the AAO?"
Mikan and Natsume's eyes widened.
"But….they do evil things." Mikan muttered.
He shook his head. "No, the AAO is only countering the actions of the Academy."
"But..they killed mother and father."
"It was the Academy, Mikan. Those agents were spies from the Academy. They killed your father. Your mother was replaced. They made one of the caught spies into the exact image of your mother making the other spies kill their own comrade."
"Then..my mother is…" tears began to form her eyes, tears of hope and joy.
"Yeah, your mother is alive." Natsuki confirmed.
"Where is she?" Mikan asked.
"She is in the organization. In fact, she is our leader…ZERO."
Mikan and Natsume were shocked. How many times were they shocked this night?
Natsuki chuckled. "If I keep on surprising you, I won't be surprised if you suddenly have a heart attack." He joked lightening the mood.
"But we can't leave the other students here in the Academy." Natsume said.
"Well, the Academy is actually safe but the Elementary Division's principal, Kuonji, isn't. When your mother was still in the Academy, Kuonji used her and threatened her until she can't take it anymore. She ran away with your father and created the organization hoping that she can save the alice weilders from the principal."
"How about Persona?" Natsume asked.
"Oh, him? He's our spy. The best spy at that. When he was a kid, he couldn't control his alice so your father would nullify his alice. They became great friends together with your mother. They told him their plan and they promised to save him. For years, Kuonji used him and he almost lost hope but when he was twelve, your mother rescued him when his alice began to eat him during one of his missions. When he went back to the academy, he became a spy. Anyway, I need to go. The others might realize that there is an intruder. Bye."
Then he vanished leaving the couple alone.
Mikan felt Natsume's uneasiness. "What is it, Natsume?"
He remained silent.
"Natsume" she said with threat in her tone.
"Will you get back with him?" he asked.
Mikan did not answer.
"I understand." He whispered with hurt in his voice. He began to stand and walk away when Mikan hugged him tightly.
"Baaa-ka. Natsuki knew about us since knowing him, he would have watched the two of us. I'm sure that he knows that I really love you and that the two of us are now only friends. Do not worry." She reassured him.
"Are you sure?" Natsume asked hesitantly.
"I am. You have shown me how to turn and read a new chapter, moving on from a good part of a story with a promise of a better in the next part."
Natsume hugged her as the two fell asleep together in bed.
-sun-moon-dreams--sun-moon-dreams--sun-moon-dreams--sun-moon-dreams--sun-moon-dreams-
Author's Note: Merry Christmas to everyone! I am very thankful to those who always leave reviews behind!
Sorry that I did not update immediately for I really have trouble in thinking of the continuation. I was also busy in buying and wrapping gifts for my family and friends.
Anyways…I hope you enjoy. And I'm happy to congratulate you because those who reviewed and guessed that Dark Prince is Natsuki and ZERO is Yuka, are all CORRECT!!!!
Snow! Halt!
Please don't cover his footprints!
Wind! Cease!
Please don't blow away his scent!
I'd rather die than be separated from you!
That darkness that surrounds you be damned!
Who says I am pure?
Who says I am the light?
I'd rather be tainted by blood…
Than be away from you!
So please…take my waiting hand….