One way or another

Mikan's memory was tampered by the anti-organization before she was saved by the others. Which memory was lost? Will she regain it? Or will she just leave it at that?

-- *edited* 11/21/09

"Hurry up!" Natsume said, "We're nearly there"

15 years old Natsume, Ruka, and Yuu were running fast toward a bush where Hotaru's invention was hiding. Natsume was carrying Mikan in bridal style while the other two were keeping as look out preventing anyone in their way to prevent them from rescuing Mikan.

Finally, they arrived at Hotaru's machine and quickly got in and they were off in less than a minute heading for their academy. Hotaru placed the machine in autopilot and turned her attention at the rescued brunette.

She was seated on one of the chairs, with her head lolling on her shoulders. Mikan was wearing a black flowing gown with shiny beads circling her waist. She was wearing an inch or two glittering choker that seems to reflect any light it catches. One of her stilettos was gone, probably somewhere lost in the forest. Her now waist length brown hair was let down, making her look like a ragged doll.

"How did you get her?" Hotaru asked them after awhile

"Yuu created an illusion of you, she followed it without question and we had to shot her with a sleeping draught so we don't arouse suspicion" Ruka answered, his chest falling down rapidly after their run in the forest

"Oh" was all Hotaru said

Mikan's hand twitched and she slowly opened her eyes. She looked around her surroundings, her eyes slowly being filled with laughter and joy. She focused on Hotaru and smiled.

"Hotaru," she whispered "you're really here," she shook her head, waiting to see if her will disappear right in front of her, then blinked with her smile growing bigger, "what took you so long to rescue me?"

"The damned academy won't let us fetch you," the other reasoned "we have known your place for about 5 months already."

"Only if we rescued you before this event it would have been a lot harder infiltrating their security" Yuu stated

Mikan turned her attention to him and smiled softly "I've missed you, Yuu, Hotaru"

Obviously she hasn't seen the other two of her rescuers. Hotaru looked at her then at the other two. Mikan looked at the other two and smiled brightly "How have you been doing, Ruka?"

Ruka was near in tears when Mikan said that, it was the first time he heard her voice in five long years. "I'm great... you?"

"Never better," then she yawned "well, a little sleepy I guess"

Ruka chuckled as well as Yuu but it came out as a sob. The two of them hugged Mikan crying and not caring what they looked like. They've missed their friend. Mikan patted their backs and assured them it was not a dream. When the two finally let go, she noticed a guy his age with violent shade of violet hair just staring at her, happiness filling his eyes.

"Hello..." Mikan greeted confused. She looked at Hotaru mentally asking who the other is but she just stared. She turned to look at Ruka who only smiled hesitantly.

Mikan wasn't satisfied with their 'answers'. The brunette slowly brought her hand up towards the last rescuer and said "Thank you for rescuing me. My name is Mikan, you are?"

"You don't know?" Ruka asked in a whisper

"Are you being serious, Mikan?" Yuu asked

"Why would I even bother to ask if I already know the answer?" Mikan chuckled, humor in her song like voice

"He's your lover" Hotaru stated

Mikan looked at the guy whose eyes now were not full of happiness anymore. She slowly let her outstretched hand down and searched her memories on anything about the guy in front of her-- but can't find anything.

Who is he? What was he to me? Were we in love? Damn it! Who is he!

Everyone was now looking intently at her. Mikan smiled and said teasingly "I've missed you so much dearest" she giggled and grabbed Natsume's hand with hers and held on tightly.

Ruka and Yuu sighed; they thought Mikan really forgot about Natsume and their time together. Mikan smiled again, but Hotaru and Natsume noticed it did not reach her eyes. She was lying.

---End of Chapter 1