Disclaimer: I don't own any of the main characters of gakuen alice. And some characters and stuff belong to their rightful and respected authors. I don't own anything except for the plot. But if I do.. I wonder how the story would end XD..

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Chapter 2: Her Dream and Decision

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-Mikan's POV-

I found myself standing in a pitch dark place and I hadn't seen even a single ray of light from any corner. The darkness restrained me from spotting any walls or even the floor I am currently standing on. Yet strangely, I can see myself amidst this space.

I craned my neck to the sides, looked up… and still saw nothing. I lifted my left heel, stomped it and made me realize that on the floor, I presumed, had there was a very shallow water around. Well, I can't see that too.

I huffed.

Where am I? I mentally asked for the nth time, despite that I hadn't received any answers whatsoever. I gulped. This place is already giving me the creeps.

*Splash*

I flinched in mixture of shock and fear. Then, I glanced to where it came from as that eerie sound turned me between fright and relief.

"Is somebody there?" I voiced out, directing it to the person that might be with me. I waited for a few long, silent seconds and no verbal response came. I opened my mouth to speak but my voice was caught within my throat as my heart pondered, my ears loudly rung and cold sweat ran down my back.

I don't like this! I thought in alarm, taking a step back. I kept my eyes flit from every direction as splashing sounds resounded. I don't know if this was a good idea since I surely don't wanna know or even see who was causing those sounds.

"Mikan…" an eerie yet unfamiliar voice sent me frozen on the spot as shivers ran up my spine.

"Ho—"I swallowed, "—How did you know my name?" I asked with all the braveness I mustered while taking another step back.

"Mikan…" It came again with its creepy, wavering tone that matched those horror movies and the splashing footsteps got even louder.

The neck thing I came to my senses was that my I was running my fastest. I then added more speed I could pull, I just want to get out of this place… but where is the way out! I squinted my eyes… whe—

*Splash*

"Oww!" I yelped after I hit the wet floor. I pushed myself up to run some more, however that plan I had left me when I strangely was able to finally perceive the floor. I should have felt a bit grateful for that but I can't at the very sight that the dim water showed that it was disturbed as little waves passed under the space between me and the 'floor'.

I again swallowed hard at the very thought that I wasn't the cause of it. I took a deep breath in but its usual trick didn't affect me the slightest when all I could hear was the ringing of my ears. I lifted up my legs in hopes of running much further, but that instant crushed when my fright had turned them wobbly and weak, resulting for them to fall back on the 'floor' with a splash.

I bit my lip while clenching my fists into tight balls. I wasn't one for admiring horror films, let alone fantasizing to experience them. And I know for sure, nobody was thinking of that. Hence, why am I in this crazy situation? And how did I even get here?

I gathered up my remaining courage and lifted my head up like this turn of events weren't enough. In an instant, my eyes widened with my heart pulling in a sudden stop.

"Mikan…"

Stupid run! A voice inside shouted and as much as I wanted to do that… I can't since I had already frozen in terror at the very side of a black hand and it was coming closer on every passing second.

Just then, I felt something wet grabbed my wrists, legs and feet that made me dreadingly look down. My jaw dropped, though no scream came since my voice had gone missing.

You've got to be kidding me. I thought, disbelievingly. Tiny versions of the hand that I saw merely seconds ago were not holding me as their hostage.

I shook my wrists in attempt to release myself from them, but it was to no avail. Panic then rushed through my veins as I realized that the water that used to simply reach a few centimeters below my wrists was now climbing up just above my wrists. And it's still climbing up.

I'm sinking!

I'M SINKING!

I let out a gasp, flicking my eyelids up as I sat up. My shoulders dropped while I took a few deep breaths in attempt to calm the wild beating of my head.

What kind of dream was that? I mentally asked, faintly knowing that I am inside my room. I lifted my hand to wipe my sweat on my forehead before closing my eyes as my dizziness made my sight blurry and spinning.

"…Why do I have to suffer this headache…" I muttered under my breath. I swallowed. I rested my hands on my lap, gluing my eyes onto them. It was relieving that that nightmare was only a dream. Well, nightmares are dreams.

Bad dreams.

Just then, my eyes widened in realization.

But… before that dream… I paused, quiet uncertain as I tried to remember what had happened before that. Nii-san… that room… blood… were those also a part of my dream?

My head hurt—"O-Ouch!" I yelped and cringed at the stinging pain when I lifted both of my hands in attempt to massage my head.

Don't tell me that…

I dreadingly gazed at my right wrist and finally perceived that it was bandaged.

…so it wasn't a dream.

"You're finally awake!" A familiar voice cut in. I looked up and only to realize that my mother was briskly yet hastily went to the side of my bed.

"Oka—"

"You're finally awake…" She repeated. Her hug was soo tight but was warm and full of emotions. I bit my lower lip, hugging her back.

"I'm sorry I made you worry…" I said. I didn't want to make her feel that way.

Ever.

I feel like I'm a bad daughter now and—

I blinked as I found myself staring straight onto my mother's eyes. She had broken the hug and had her hands on my shoulders. By the look of it, she knows what I wanted to ask her.

"Okaa-sama… had Onii-san woken up yet?"

She looked down, shaking her head, "No, he hadn't."

I bit my lower lip. My heart shattering even more.

That can't be…

"How long…"I swallowed the lump on my throat while focusing my eyes on her."…had he been asleep?"

"A week," She looked up and her hand touched my cheek.

What? A week? I thought in shock. Did I… did I failed?

"But it's a relief that you're finally awake, Mikan."

I smiled rather weakly before hanging my head low to hide my face underneath my bangs. "I would have preferred if he had woken up before I could…" I murmured.

Onii-san…

"Don't say it like that, Mikan." I heard my mother say.

I shook my head.

That would have been much better…

I gazed at her once more. "Can I see him?" I saw the disagreement stretched across her face. I added, pleading and I felt my tears started to gather, "Please, Okaa-sama,"

Concern was displaying mostly on her gentle eyes. "You have just woken up and you have lost a lot of blood. You need to rest a bit more."

Her comforting voice didn't calm the turmoil I have.

"No. I'm fine." I firmly said regardless of the dizziness flooding my mind. I slightly turned, telling her that I am not doing what she had said.

"Tatsuya is not gonna like it if you would push yourself." She reprimanded, stopping my movements with her hands on my shoulders once again and restriction dominating her eyes that my protest was left stuck at my throat. "Don't worry. I'll tell you if there's a progress on him."

"I want to see him." I insisted. I don't care if he won't like what I am doing,

I wanted to see him… I need to see him.

I clutched onto my blanket.

I bit my lower lip. As much as I wanted to fight back, disobey her and walk out from here, I found myself holding back my boiling emotions in. If I do those… I'll be adding more burdens on her. With that, I let her do what she wanted and she tucked me in my bed. She patted my head that I moved my eyes and our eyes met.

"You'll see him soon. No need to worry, Mikan." She said, though her voice was hinted with sadness, worry and reassurance.

"Take some more rest, alright?"

I nodded, meekly.

"I'll go check him out." She then shot me a weary smile that I smiled my own and she left.

By the sound of the door being closed, I pushed myself up again. I lowered my head as I bite my lower lip in attempt to contain my agony.

I failed… but I have to see him.

Then, I swung my feet on my bed's edge but I massaged my temples as my head's dizziness started to kick in. I heaved out a lugged yet irritated sigh, I can't be stopped by this little hindrance.

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After quiet sometime, I finally entered his room and then I dropped my knees on the carpeted floor and my eyes darted on him.

Did I forget something? I couldn't help but wonder at that.

"Onii-san, please wake up and tell me you're fine…" I desperately told him as I held his hand. I gave it a squeeze… though nothing came in return. I bit my lower lip and it took me a few seconds to realize that my tears had started to spill.

I failed…

I lowered my head and pleaded. "Please… open your eyes."

I shut my eyes close as his words rung in my head and that lead me to open my eyes once more while another emotion started to engulf me.

I held his hand tight.

"I won't let them off with this." I said with hatred and anger. "I truly won't. I'll make them pay for this."

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I sat on my usual chair situated just beside his bed while dazedly staring onto his still unconscious form. The silence had been my companion, but I faintly cared. I couldn't care for anything. I just wanted to see him open his eyes right now and—

I almost jumped on my seat at a sudden weight on my left shoulder. And then, I looked over my shoulder and saw mom. Her eyes filled with concern. I wanted to give her a little smile, but I only managed to flash her small one before I averted my eyes back to him once again.

"Okaa-sama, I'm aware that Ojii-sama and Otou-sama had taken action," I however paused. I had known those for a few days now and today was when I decided to ask. "But have they gotten any lead about the culprit?"

Silence engulfed the whole room.

With that I felt remorse blooming in my chest. I was about to speak up, though someone beat me to it.

"There was a report from our private spies that the closest suspect was a maid who had disappeared right after the incident," I heard her release a sigh,"But unfortunately, her whereabouts are still unknown."

I nodded in understanding, clenching my fists while disregarding that stinging pain from my wound.

So it's that blonde made, huh. I thought with anger and hatred filling my mind. Though, those were dispersed somewhere else as I felt a hand on my head.

I blinked.

"You haven't eaten lunch. I'll take your post while you eat, is that alright?"

I nodded and stood up while at the same time, masking my facial expression and I spun on my heel.

"Alright. Thanks." I told her with gratitude and sincerity in my tone and I gave her a hug. She was obviously taken a back—if her slight flinch was a sign—though she return the hug, matching the tightness I gave her.

Please watch him for me. I wanted to tell her that, but I can't that I even restrained from displaying these swirling emotions stirring inside of me.

That would only call for my plan's end before I could even start it.

I then released the hug and flashed a smile, making it look like my usual ones. "I'll be leaving now." I bowed and walked passed her. I couldn't shake off the feeling that on my every step, my mask cracks… drastically.

I felt my fingernails dug themselves onto my palms as if they're knocking some sense inside of me—which was effective since my resolution once again came.

I can't back down now.

I grabbed hold of the knob. I was about to twist it, if it wasn't for the words that the voice had that rendered me motionless.

"Mikan, you aren't leaving, are you?" I pointed out hesitation was greatly present on her last words.

I spun on my heel and saw her facing onto my direction. "Of course not." I reassured. I then bowed and left the two of them.

Once outside, I glanced to my right and left and was fortunate to find not a single soul. Just like that, I let my weak mask fall. I leaned on the closed door and but my lower lip as I felt myself gradually shattering even more than I already am.

…How could I lie to her like that…

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Somewhere…

"So, you have accomplished your mission, hm?" Came a male voice whose owner was bathed with shadows.

"Yes, master." A blonde lady answer with a necklace in her had. She had a victorious yet evil smirk hanging on her red lips as she placed the necklace on the table. "But attaining that one was not an easy task—" She admitted, standing in outmost poise."—that I even doubted if I could even return here."

The man in the shadows held the necklace. For a few moments, he scrutinized it with an evil smirk on before he threw his gaze back towards the blonde lady. "Have you obtained the information I needed?"

Her poise visibly cracked but she regained her cool, "Um.." She cleared her throat, like it was pulling herself together. "I'm afraid but I didn't got any… I have searched all over the mansion, manipulated their house servant but it all narrowed down that private information about them, most especially their treasured spells are exclusively for the family. Moreover, even that bastard didn't let a single word to slip until the last minute,"

"I rather had that expected." He said, half-satisfaction and disappointment lacing his voice as his fingers held the necklace.

"Do you have a back-up plan, master?" Politeness enveloped her tone.

The man, that the blonde referred as her master, simply remained his silence while another evil smirk surface on him.

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-Mikan's POV-

I stared onto my dresser's mirror with my reflected image in it. I then brought my right hand up whose wound was taking its recovery in a very slow pace. I used it to slightly pull my clothes collar downwards that revealed a black tattoo that looked like an hour hand of a grandfather's clock.

I bit my lip at the look of it before I released the collar and examined myself, going back to my plan.

I need to change my look.. and I'll start with my hair.. I snapped my fingers and my hair magically changed to blonde.. The same hair as that intruder. I snapped them again without minding the dizzy sensation that's wrapping me again ..Pink.. hm.. not suited..and I snapped them again and my hair color turned chocolate brown.

I stared at myself and an idea came to my mind and decided to try it. I snapped my fingers again and saw my hazel brown eyes turned azure blue ones. I followed his hair and.. eyes color.. I'm taking this look.

And now my name..I rested my chin on my left palm since I can't lean on the other ..maybe I'll should stick on my first name but.. my last name should be changed.. I gave a few silent moments of thinking of a family name but I have to be careful as to not choose one that might blow my cover off. I turned my head to my distant window and saw the sky, green mountains, buildings and my eye caught something.. pink tess.. Sakura tree.. Hm.. how about Sakura. Sakura Mikan.. and a satisfied smile crept on my pink lips.

Night came on the same day..

-Normal POV-

Mikan took the unlighted, woody path to the mansion's walls; she can't take the lighted paths since she's just going to be turned over by the roaming guards. She had her chocolate brown hair in a messy bun as her azure blue eyes keenly watched for any obstacles. A bag pack hung on her shoulder with few of her belongings in there.

She finally stood before the tall, solid walls. She can't waste anymore time since the mansion's security would be on top level any time soon. So she pulled her sword that was stuck in an upward position from her back and brought it on her side.

The sword was a reward she had gained just a few months ago, the sword's cover was white and so was its handle. The blade was light gray. It had a twin blade whose color is opposite of hers; but it was kept for the reason that it was intended for her brother but he didn't took the same path as her, so it is not reserved for the upcoming generations of their clan.

She murmured a spell and the sword took a new shape of a wand; a beginners plain ivory wand. She bended and let its tip touches her ankle and again murmured another spell.

This 'sneaking-out' this would have been too easy—she thought with mild disappointment and annoyance as she stood on her feet again and made a eye measurement of the wall –if I just know how to teleport myself to the place I wanted.. she thought bitterly.

She made an initial jump on the nearby branch and gathered her strength on her right foot and jump over the wall. She landed on the sidewalk, stood straightly like nothing happened but didn't look back to the place she just left. And she started to walk off to the train station.

She made a short stop on a certain store and there she cut her hair. And throw her cut hair on the trash bin; and continued her way to the train station.

At the train..

Mikan sat all by herself while her eyes darted outside of the window. Her eyes narrowed as a flashback replayed itself in her mind. It's in that place..

Flashback..

When she bumped into the maid and before she saw the strange necklace; she saw a tip of a what-seemed to be a red card. Then, the necklace took her attention.

She lifted her hand to attain it but someone took the necklace.

"Go-Gomen.. Mikan..s-sama."

Mikan stood up and stared to the maid. She was sure she saw the real thing. An identification card but.. she had no answer as to why the lady had one.

End of Flashback..

The person I'm looking for is hiding in Gakuen Alice..she thought revengefully but she made sure not to surface her boiling anger on her facial expression.

.. tomorrow is the start of classes.. then she trailed off.

Unknown to her, a pair of observant eyes had been watching her from a distance.

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Author's note:I hope you enjoyed chapter 3^_^ Thanks for the alerts and adding this story into your favorite :) and the review of Iloveallanime15 .. your question would be given answers on the coming chapter:)

I'm still doubtful on what the next genre is.. sorry =.='

See you on the next chap^^

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