Everyone, sorry for the extensive delay of this chapter. I've been very busy these last few months; years rather. Nevertheless, I do hope I would make it up to you through this chappie. Oh and one more thing, because of GA's recent chapters, my perception regarding Persona boosted up another different level. God, his past was just so terrible. Beware for twist and turns when it comes to his character here. But then again, those will be for later chapters.

And also, I thank you for the reviews.

Enjoy!

Summary: Natsume and Mikan is a couple now. Unknown to them, Ruka's brokenhearted. Mikan discovered her Stealing Alice and found out Natsume's still doing missions and it's dragging his lifespan. Persona discovered Mikan's alice and made a deal with her concerning her new alice and Natsume. What? Natsume's out of the academy! And Shiro neko appears!

Disclaimer:

I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Chapter 15

Youichi stared at the auburn-haired girl beside her, her hand was intertwined with his, giving him the essence of warmth and security. After all, she did save him a just a while ago. Said girl was whom he shared with a bond which was fairly equal to a sibling-like relationship. "Onee-chan" as what he refers to her. His thoughts wandered off on how he could have easily trusted and liked the girl the first moment he saw her. He, in any case was definitely not the type who gradually opens himself up to others and much more to the extent that he had clung and sought for her whenever he feels depressed. There had been only one person to whom he feels the same sibling-like affection as he had now to the girl. Natsume Hyuuga. His 'onii-san' gave him this sentiment of refuge before. Yes, before. His big brother was not in the academy anymore. It has been at least a year now since Natsume left or rather got kicked out of the academy. Persona had announced one day, on one of their DA meetings that Natsume had 'lost' his alice. Youichi gritted his teeth as he recalled that the man didn't even elaborate. He can still remember his shock and the other DA students' reactions the moment Persona broke the word to them.

Flashback

The dangerous ability type students immediately settled down the moment they heard the familiar delicate clacking of heels motioning towards the room. The cold and unfeeling presence crept throughout the already dim-lighted quarters as they wait for their class moderator. Intimidating they may be to other students outside their alice types, they had silently confessed to themselves that Persona's not one whom you would like to cross.

The soft 'click' from the wooden door immediately cut down all possible noises left as Persona smoothly entered the room, dressed in his usual black coat and his trademark white mask. A scowl was etched on his pale face and they could feel slightly narrowed eyes scrutinizing all of them. With one last glance sweeping the room, he straightened up, and the scowl was replaced by a satisfied smirk. He then cleared his throat before he began speaking, his voice as cold and menacing as usual, "Seeing it is prudent enough for all of you to not notice as he was rarely present during alice classes, then I assume you would think nothing in particular had recently happened."

Now, all of them were confused. They have no idea what Persona was talking about, though no one dared to make fuss about it. At least, not yet. "I would no longer intend to make this any longer." Persona paused for a while, his gaze planted on Youichi, his cold smirk still present. Youichi tried hard not to avoid the man's gaze, mustering all of his courage to prove to himself that he would be able to not cower under the gaze.

"Last night, our 'once' precious black cat had to leave the academy. He..ah, dropped out." The masked man continued, pausing again and his blood red orbs sweeping a look around until finally locking themselves on the young ghost manipulator. Now, everyone is at fuss. All heads turned to the empty seat that Natsume Hyuuga 'rarely' occupies. What Persona said made sense. They hadn't noticed. They didn't take particular notice on his absence for all they thought he was normally ditching again. They haven't had any single clue that kuro neko didn't attend because he didn't want to but for the reason that he simply can't.

For Youichi, everything seemed to stop. Tears slowly streamed down his face. "Why? How?" These are thoughts that kept repeating over and over again in his mind. And as if Persona was able to read his thoughts, he held up his hand to silence them. "Now, I assume all of you wanted to know why." Without waiting for an answer, he continued. "He had lost the Fire Alice last night." To say that the ghost manipulator's shocked was an understatement as he stared wide-eyed at Persona, who in turn has sported yet again another smirk. Persona gestured towards the door before looking back at them.

"But as a replacement for his loss, there will be someone who will be joining us." As if on cue, a silhouette of a figure emerged from the shadows. Silky long brunette hair framed the newcomer's face, some stray locks falling just beneath chocolate brown eyes. It was a girl who looked no older than a middle school student. And true enough, she was sporting said division's uniform. What could be classified as a beautiful face was ousted by the utter coldness of her expression.

"Sakura Mikan. Special star. Stealing Alice" Her voice mimicked the coldness of her eyes.

End of Flashback

"Is there any problem, Youchi?"

Without even realizing it, he was squeezing his Onee-chan's hand. Raising his eyes to look at her, he shook his head in negation. Youichi. Why did it feel like he wasn't accustomed to the name when it was coming from her? Back at that day when he first met her, she had always addressed him with it. So why did he secretly want her to call him Yo-chan for once? Shaking himself of these thoughts, he made it in time to be aware that they had come to a stop. Looking around, he realized that they were already at the deeper part of the Northern Forest. This was DA's meeting place for the time being.

"I swear Persona, it was a fake mask! I don't know how she did it but she tricked you!" It was Hayate's desperate voice that greeted them when they entered the clearing, passing through thick trees that keep normal students from locating the place. From one side, Rui, Nobara and the others were silently watching the scene before them. Hayate and Persona were in the middle, the latter had a dangerous hint of amusement on his face. Never a good sign. Hajime stood behind Hayate, his face not bothering to hide the frustration he was feeling. He knew that Matsudaira was only making it worse. How could have Shiro Neko possibly replaced the mask?

The set of footsteps drawn all eyes to the two figures approaching. At once Hayate pointed an accusing finger to the taller of the two. "There she is- " He was immediately cut off by silencing hand from their masked moderator.

"Hijiri Youchi, Shiro Neko. You're very nearly late." The masked man's voice was deceptively pleasant. "I've just heard a very interesting report about you Shiro Neko. Hayate here," Persona paused to gesture almost lazily to a still agitated Hayate. "..claims that the mask you were wearing right now is a fake. By any chance, is it true?" His tone was of sheer sarcasm by the time he continued.

"Stop playing clueless Persona. You know that isn't possible." It was Mikan's blunt reply as she moved forward letting Youichi fall into a step behind her. She had a feeling as to where this is going. And she didn't like it one bit.

The low chuckle she got in response proved it. "Oh? And why is it the case then?"

From behind her mask, she narrowed her eyes to glare at him. "The only one who could remove the mask is the person who put it on in the first place. Which in my case, is you." The statement got out through gritted teeth. Bastard. She knew that he was relishing the fact that she was declaring her powerlessness and his control over her.

"Correct. Come over here, Shiro Neko."

She had little choice in the matter. As much as she despite being anywhere near him, Mikan moved along towards Persona. And once the gap was close enough, spidery fingers reached out in an attempt to take off the porcelain white mask. The attempt was successful. The mask easily detached once it came in contact with Persona's grasp.

"See now, Hayate? Can you still say that the mask was a fake?" Persona's attention was completely adverted to the Wind Alice user who was inwardly seething all this time. To his credit, Matsudaira had wisely quelled all the arguments that threatened to spill out of his mouth. Slowly, he shook his head, both fists clenched tightly from his sides.

Persona wasn't nowhere near done, however. "Maybe you ought to see for yourself. Retrieve your own personalized mask at my office after class. I've been receiving reports on your excessive, not to mention pointless use of Alice anyway." His tone was tinged with casual finality, completely ignoring the barely suppressed horrified look on Hayate's face. He then turned around facing the previously masked brunette. "Punishment's not over yet, Shiro Neko. I hope you didn't get too hopeful." The malicious smile on his lips was met by a defiant glare but the masked figure wasn't in the least bit fazed as he slipped on the mask to his favorite student's face.

Once he straightened up, the small group that was quietly observing the whole ordeal with nothing short than apathy on their faces, seemed to perk up, their attention visibly becoming serious.

"I believe we've wasted enough time." Persona swiftly shot a meaningful gaze to Hayate's direction, the latter evidently failing to suppress the reddening of his face. At this, Persona returned his gaze to the small cluster of students before him. By this time, Hayate, Hajime, Youichi and Mikan had proceeded to join the previously waiting group.

"I am sure all of you have noticed the increasing number of missions lately. You've done well, of course." There was something painfully close to pride in his voice that made all of them raise their chin a bit higher than usual. Simultaneously too. Only the keenest out of all of them would have been able to catch the split second quirk of their mentor's lips. "The higher-ups, especially the Elementary School Principal, think that it is best to increase our number. The original plan was to recruit students from the Special Ability Class. They showed the most progress over the past few years after all. But then, it has been decided that we will be selecting from the other two classes as well." There were a couple of murmurs that the DA moderator easily quelled. "By the end of the week, I will give all of you complete list of…candidates. Aside from our ghost manipulator, each of you will be given a partner. You'll be one of the evaluators whether they are to be accepted or not. After the given time of evaluation, you will pass on your reports to me. The higher-ups however, have the final say."

By the end of his speech, he was met by different reactions. There was no mistaking on Hajime and Rui's satisfied expressions. Hayate looked unsure. Dear sweet Nobara and Youichi's concern were written all over their faces. And even if Shiro Neko's face was masked, her clenched fists were enough to give her away.

"As soon as the number of operation comes back to normal, would the recruits be sent back to their original ability classes?" It was Shiro Neko who dared to ask, her tone a complete mask of indifference. Though Persona knew better. He didn't waste time on pointing that out.

"I thought you knew better now. But it seems I was mistaken." When he paused, he had generally focused his gaze so that it would seem that he was addressing them all. "Once you've immersed yourself in the darkness, there is no coming back." His eyes landed solely on Mikan again. "One could have been able to escape from it, but who knows? The shadows might just find a way to bring that unfortunate escapee..back."

He had the gall to sound innocent and sounded terrible at it.

"What did he mean by that?" was the irate thought that lingered in Mikan's mind. She had surely understood the first part but his last statement somehow gave colder chill down her spine. And when Persona spoke again, his announcement really brought down the ice inside her chest.

"Ah, you might be interested in this tidbit of information. One of the candidates.." He paused drinking in the carefully hidden anticipation in their faces. "..is a returning student." The sharp intakes of breath were enough as he didn't bother to see the rest of their reaction. But he did particularly enjoy Shiro Neko's rapidly paling face that he caught from the corners of his eyes.

"Come, Nobara." It was the same voice that created the silence which ended it as well. Then with a dismissive wave of his hand, Persona retreated away, a meek yet unhesitant Nobara moving to follow him.

The moon's already high up when he saw her again. He couldn't be mistaken with that signature mask of hers, so much in contrast yet the at same time similar, with his former one.

He couldn't sleep even at that late of hour. He had never been able to since he left the academy. The nightmares were too much of a burden to give him the bliss of sleep.

He was approaching the balcony for some cool air, careful not to wake Aoi who had long succumbed to peaceful slumber.

He was halfway there when he had heard it. No, his 'vacation' seemed not to have dulled his carefully sharpened senses.

It was not her slightly limping form that caused his heart to skip a beat.

Rather, it was the curious gleam of silver around her neck.

It was a silver locket.

From behind the curtains, Natsume watched as Shiro Neko leaped up to the window that leads to the room next to his.

Reviews are very much appreciated!

Natsume : And I thought I was the meanie. Heh. Disappearing like that. What do you have to say for yourself?

Me: Nastume, you jerk! I have my reasons. Two of them include grades and school. Hmp.

Natsume: -Sticks his tongue out (still nonchalantly ofcourse )- Just admit that you're lazy.

Me: No! I mean..alright, but just a bit! Ok, another reason! I've somehow lost inspiration in writing this fic.

Natsume: What brought your inspiration back then?

Me: -beams- Rei-kun of course!

Natsume: Who the hell's that?

Me: -gasps- You don't know? O.O It's Persona of course! Don't you just want to go give him a hug?

Natsume: …….

Me: Natsume?

Natsume: I'm gonna go find Mikan.

Me: Ok! I'm gonna go look for Persona anyway. –takes off shouting 'Oh, Rei-kun! Oh wait, wait, do you prefer Persy-chan instead?'-

Natsume: I never though I'll say this but good luck on hiding, Persona. –smirks- Or maybe not.