Paradox took a good look at the man standing across from him. He must've been in his mid to late twenties, but age had certainly treated him well. The man's long black hair seemed like the haircut of a young boy, straight and choppy, but suited him well. Like he had grown right into the haircut, it was a perfect fit. The pale man stood tall. His broad shoulders were upright, giving him nearly perfect posture. But out of all the things paradox noticed, it was the matureness in this man's red eyes. It had been a while since he had a good look at Natsume Hyuuga.

Now of course, Paradox didn't keep track of time much, he only showed up when he supposed to. He had no idea if he was even in the right point in time so he looked over at the Older Natsume and asked a simple question.

"How old are you?" Natsume rolled his eyes.

"Twenty-five. I'm here just like we agreed."

"Good! I'm here on time, right place, right time. It happens most the time you see, almost always, but there are some times I slip up. Sometimes I accidentally forget to show up at all! Had to make a post it for this one. I do believe I've already done this a few times in the past, but time is always changing! It's quite hard to wrap your mind around, I know, but bear with me Natsume-kun." Paradox would have rambled on, but he was interrupted by a flame an inch away from his nose.

"Where. is. my. son?" Natsume asked.

"Natsume-kun, why don't you sit down?" Paradox gently nudged Natsume's hand away from his face and tried to look as sincere as possible.

"My wife is in the hospital, and has no idea the baby she just gave birth to a week ago is missing. You tell me where my son is." Natsume's voice was shaky, his face broken. His eyes looked even a little shinier than normal. If Paradox didn't explain the confusion, Natsume would crack.

"You remember years ago when you and other members of the Academy went back in time?" Natsume's despair turned into confusion.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with the baby's disapperence," Paradox started. "I don't think you realized how much you disturbed the time continuum. When you did, the continuum picked a random point in time to effect both you and Mikan-chan."

"So what you're telling me is that we're feeling the consequences for saving Imai...now?" Natsume asked.

"That's right."

"Then how do I save my son?" Natsume wasn't a complete idiot. He knew from past experience that Paradox had helped save the lives of him and his friends. Not to mention, Mikan. Without Paradox, would Natsume even have Mikan? He wasn't sure when, but something told him Paradox was a huge reason Natsume could be with his wife.

"As of now, your son is safe. He's fallen into the past, and is being taken care of by a group of people." Natsume wasn't relieved yet.

"Well what if they hurt him, or decide to adopt him, or give him away and leave him to di-"

"Natsume," Paradox interrupted. "He's 13 now." Natsume faltered.

"How is that possible?" Paradox gave a hearty laugh.

"How is anything possible? Especially with all this time stuff, I've got no idea why the hell any of it happens!" Natsume wasn't sure why this guy was laughing, but it wasn't making him feel any better.

"So what now? I go back in time, grab my son, come home, and give my wife a thirteen year old?" Now that didn't sound like fun. It didn't help that Mikan didn't know about their baby being in the past to begin with, but now, if he had to tell her that she missed the first thirteen years of his life? Oh god, she'd be broken.

It didn't help that Mikan only got to hold her baby once before the baby's alice type appeared and had to be taken to emergency care. Natsume was terrified their baby would inherit his alice shape, and after seeing the look of utter terror on Mikan's face, he would never forgive himself. Surely there was another way.

"If you brought your baby back into this time, he'd be a baby again. Time would stable itself and the thirteen years of his life in the other time would be erased. Most likely forgotten." Thank God. "We need to go soon, though, if we're going to make it on time."

"In time for what?"

"You'll see." Natsume really didn't like Paradox being this mysterious, but he was the only Natsume's only hope. "Just be prepared for things to be a little like your Dangerous Ability days." Natsume didn't like the sound of that, either.

The firecaster had ten minutes to talk to Mikan if they were going to make it, "on time." She was laying in her hospital bed, flipping through a baby name book, when Natsume walked in.

"Hey there," he called to her in a quiet tone. She looked up, and a smile spread her cheeks. She reached out her arms and Natsume walked into them. "How are you feeling?" he asked into her shoulder.

"Better! I think I finally got used to this hospital food," she answered laughing. He broke their hug and pressed a kiss to the top of her forehead.

"I love you, Mikan," he whispered. "And I'm so sorry."

"For what?" she asked genuinely confused. For leaving you, for not telling you. I'll be back though, you count on it. He didn't answer, and instead pulled her hands to his lips. "Natsume, whatever it is, you can say."

"It's nothing," he decided dropping her hands.

"You're silly!" Mikan stuck her tongue out, giving a hearty laugh. With one last kiss to her forehead, Natsume whispered a final "Get some sleep, polka dots."

Paradox was waiting for him outside the door, standing against the wall breathing slowly. Natsume took one at him and against his own judgement realized he'd have to trust this guy.

"Alright old man, let's go get Kenji back."

Sorry for the late update! Our lives are extremely busy, but we wanted to make it up to you with a little futuristic NatsuMikan. This chapter was written by Neverlookback756, and edited by EdwardElric108 and Sonic-Keyblade007