Chapter five: Who is she?

Next morning, Natsume got up and began to get ready for the class, there was a knock on the door. "Its me, can I come in?"

"Come in, Ruka"

Natsume was pulling on his shirt. "What's up?" Natsume asked.

"Nothing just wanted to walk to class with you. A lot has been happening lately" Ruka said.

"Hn"

Natsume Went into the next room to find His manga, Ruka noticed a photograph and picked it up. It showed Natsume and his sister Aoi burning crackers but there was also another person in the back, who seemed vaguely familiar.

He was staring at the picture trying to remember that person. By now, Natsume had returned, "Ruka did you see my…." he saw Ruka staring at the photo. Ruka looked at him "Natsume who's this?" he asked. "An acquaintance from a long time ago" He said as he snatched the photograph away from him. Ruka, by the look on Natsume's Face, understood the matter to be closed for discussion.

"We better start……we're running late." Ruka said. "Hn"

Ruka was thinking about the photograph, as he walked to the class. They were greeted by a number of fan girls, as they entered the class. The class looked a lot cheerful than usual Ruka noticed that Megumi and Mikan both were absent.

Narumi entered the class and the class settled down. Narumi just glanced at Megumi's place before beginning the class. Mikan walked into the class ten minutes late. "You're late Mikan – chan" Narumi said. "Gomenasai Narumi-sensei" She said and walked back to her seat. Everyone was surprised to see Mikan like this. She didn't even wait For Narumi – sensei to respond. Narumi cleared his throat and dragged the attention towards him and continued the lesson.

After the class Yuu Tobita approached Mikan "What's wrong Mikan-chan?" he asked. "Yeah what's wrong Mikan-chan? You're unusually quiet today" Anna and Nonoka appeared.

" Huh?" " Nothing's wrong minna" " I'm fine" Mikan said and smiled. Shouda appeared by their side "Yeah Mikan you should…… no WE should be celebrating today. that devil hasn't appeared today" she said pointing to Megumi's seat.

Someone cleared their throat and they all turned round to find Megumi "Wishing for your death Shouda?" she asked menacingly. Before anyone could say anything Jinno entered the class and they went to their places.

After a few more classes they were free to go. It being a Friday evening, everyone ran out excitedly having plans for the weekend. Everyone piled out of the class at last only Mikan and Hotaru were left. Mikan was about to leave when Hotaru called. "Hey, sleepover at my place. Tonight." she said and left.

Hotaru was walking back to her laboratory when she saw Megumi she was about to ignore her when she saw Natsume a little distance away from her. This intrigued her, she took out a bee like looking robot and maneuvered it towards them using a remote control. She created a hologram of bushes (that seemed quite real) and hid behind them. She started watching the transmission on a small screen.

Megumi was walking towards the tree upon which Natsume was resting. Upon closer inspection she seemed quite tired. Her eyes were bloodshot and she had dark circles around them "Hyuuga , new mission. Now!!" she said. Natsume just looked down at her. If he did feel angry or frustrated , he obviously hid it well. He jumped down and landed softly beside Megumi. Megumi led the way as Natsume followed behind with his hands in his pockets.

Hotaru removed the invention creating the hologram and opened her fist for her robotic bee to land on. She started walking towards her laboratory again. "Hm …… why did Natsume follow her without a question?" I never knew him to be so obedient "And what's wrong with that Igarashi? And she does missions for the school as well?" Hotaru kept musing to herself.

Somewhere else in the academy, Ruka was walking along a corridor towards the barn. Piyo was not eating anything since the day before nor was it listening to anyone, hence Ruka was called in. He walked to Piyo and tried to figure out what was wrong with her. After a while he was able to locate the site of pain in her foot. He found a big thorn in her sole and it was bleeding badly. He tend to the wound and calmed her down and gave her food. He left after it began eating. He was passing by Natsume's room when he thought of visiting him. But when he approached the room he found it locked. Must be another mission he thought dejectedly. Natsume why won't you tell me anything? He thought as he started walking back to his room. Then he remembered the photo he saw earlier that day. Who was she? He thought. He didn't notice where he was going, he stopped just in time as he was about to bump into some one. "Gomenasai" he said. And lifted his head to see who it was. It was someone from the high school division judging by his clothes. He just gave Ruka a stern look before walking away. Ruka saw him pop a bubble with his bubble gum as he left and then it clicked. "Yes!!" Ruka shouted out loud, everyone in the corridor turned to look at him half annoyed and half curious. "Oh!! Gomen ne" he whispered and ran towards another corridor. Once he was out of their sight, he slid down along a wall. I wonder why I didn't notice it earlier he thought. It was Megumi. But how does Natsume know her and why doesn't he tell me? he kept thinking as he stood up and walked back to his room.

Meanwhile Mikan was in her room lying face down on her bed. She was thinking about something when suddenly her alarm went off. She got up and turned it off. It was time to get ready and go to Hotaru's room for the sleepover. I wonder why she wanted a sleepover when usually she cant stand me sleeping in her room she thought. "Oh well" she said as she walked over to her closet and took out her yellow pyjamas with white panda print on it. She combed her hair into two braids and started walking towards Hotaru's room carrying her pillow and bed spread.

She knocked on the door and it opened by itself to reveal Hotaru wearing lilac coloured pyjamas and holding a remote control. Mikan walked in and sat on the futon laid on the floor for her and smiled at Hotaru. Hotaru gave her a disgusted look before saying "You look 30% more ugly when you smile in sadness", Mikan stopped smiling and looked up at Hotaru, who continued in a softer tone "No need to pretend before me Mikan". Mikan just looked at Hotaru and hugged her. She started crying and Hotaru patted her on the head. Hotaru detached herself, went and got her a glass of water. Mikan was staring at the floor, she didn't even lift her head when Hotaru gave her the glass of water. "Please Hotaru" she said. "Forgive me I can't say anything right now." she said and she tried to get up when Hotaru pulled her down.

" Baka!! Who said I was forcing you to tell me?" " Just remember I'm here for you. Ok?" She said, Before throwing a box of tissues on her face " And clean your face you look ugly" She said. "Mou! Hotaru!! You're so mean" Mikan said As she picked up the box of tissues but there was a genuine smile on her face " Thank you Hotaru" she mumbled.

They both watched a movie and had a pillow fight. Obviously Mikan was beaten as Hotaru was using about ten remote controlled pillows, as she sat sipping orange juice watching Mikan. They started playing a few board games and time passed by quickly.

At last, they settled down to sleep at around 12:30 AM. Un bestknown To one another they were both thinking of the same person.

What does she have against Natsume? Mikan thought

Why did Hyuuga obey her without a word? Hotaru thought.

Somewhere else, Ruka was lying in his bed, looking up at the ceiling. How does Natsume know her? He thought.

" Who is she?"…. Was the last coherent thought of all three Before they drifted off to dreamland.

Authour . Ano, this is my first story here so i dont care what u guys think of it.

Koko . (uses his alice) She really want's You to review.

Authour . Koko!!! (starts chasing koko)

Baka!baka!baka!

Authour. (flying into the northern forest) You're so mean Hotaruuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!

Hotaru . (blowing smoke out of her baka gun) watcha staring at? go and review.

Mikan . healthy criticism is accepted. she's new so dont be harsh on her.

Author. Arigatou Mikan!!