Ok, so this is my first story. Please don't criticize it for no reason, ok? Ok. But you CAN give helpful comments.

Mikan~ 17

Natsume~ 18

Hotaru~ 17

Ruka~ 17

Disclaimer~ I don't own Gauken Alice.

On with the story!!! :D

Memories~Chapter 1

I was running swiftly through the forest. The dark figures were slowly gaining on me.

Have to stay ahead, stay alive. I sharply turned a corner and behind a tree, concealed by the dark shadows. They didn't see me and kept running, in the direction they thought I was running. I breathed as silently as I could, but I was sure the whole forest could feel my heart racing. Have to get away from them…

I silently stepped out of the darkness. A twig snapped behind me. I turned around a quickly as I could, but it was too late to defend myself.

I'm sorry Mikan….

The dark figures rushing towards me were the last things I saw.

~(A week earlier)~

I blinked awake when the sunlight hit my eyes. I sat up in the bed. "Natsume?" was the first thing out of my mouth. There was no response, so I looked around. He was nowhere to be found.

I threw off the covers, and a chill hit my body. I was confused until I looked down and realized I was naked. Memories of last night hit me and I blushed.

I leaned over the side of the bed and found my clothes. I put them on, and then went in search of Natsume.

I finally found him standing on the balcony outside his room, looking out at the garden below.

"Natsume?"

He looked at me and smiled. His eyes…they were so full of sadness and love….

He walked over towards me and kissed me.

The kiss seemed like it lasted forever, but yet ended so quickly….

"Mikan."

That got me out of the daze I was in. I looked up at Natsume with my full attention.

"I have to go for one last mission. I may be gone for a while, maybe even till after graduation, but I promise, as soon as it's over, I will come back to you."

The words took a little bit to sink in, but it finally hit me. These missions… I could never hate anyone more than them…

"But Natsume…." My eyes started to fill with tears. "After graduation? That's almost two months…"

He hugged me tightly. "Just one, final mission. Then we can live together in peace. Forever. I promise." And with that, he left.

If only I had known, right then, that I would not see him for four years.

A/N~ Sorry it's so short ^^' Next chapter will be longer, promise. :)