Hey! It's me again^^. Did you like the last chapter? If you do, you could leave a review. If you don't, then leave one also XD

Every review counts! And I even like those negative feedbacks (if there were any. And I would be grateful if you don't review any negative things just because I like them...haha^^) because some of them have explanations or suggestions to help me improve my story, thus, making me a better writer ^_~ Thank you for those who write PMs every so often =)

Chapter 4™

The room was filled with people surrounding Mikan asking a handful of questions about her and her life. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, not knowing how to answer their questions one by one. Natsume and Ruka sat wordlessly at one of the love seats while Sumire was on the other trying to flirt with them...especially to Natsume. Natsume looked bored (somehow Narumi managed to force him to come) and couldn't care less that Sumire was lolling her head from side to side as she admired him; he didn't want to waste time and energy for his fan girl instead he just glanced lazily at Mikan's room. However, Ruka seemed to want to listen closely to their discussion but he didn't want to leave his best friend alone.

"Do you like this place...?"

"Where's your favorite spot...?"

"Your favorite subject...?"

"What food do you like...?"

"What's your favorite color?"

Everybody stopped and turned to look at Koko for the last question. Sumire rolled her eyes, approached Koko, and smacked the back of his head. "What kind of question is that?"

"I want to know…" he winced.

"You could've just read her mind you airhead," Sumire yelled at him.

He cringed, "Well, you guys were asking random questions that Mikan can't even answer at once so her mind was clouded up! Why would mine be any different?"

It took a minute for them to take in what he was trying to explain before they all blushed and stepped away from Mikan for her to breathe properly again. And just then they realized that they were moving towards Mikan little by little like she was some kind of a prey. After a minute, she relaxed.

"I really liked the school," she began. "My favorite subject is , I think, would be P.E. because I am too lazy to do homework or study for exams...or try to remember the lesson", she winced. "But I like fluff puffs and my favorite color is orange. Oh, and I don't have a favorite spot yet."

"Ooh, you're so cute! I am Ogasawara Nonoko by the way," a girl on Mikan's right suddenly said. "My Alice is Chemistry and I like to experiment on different kinds of chemicals. The more dangerous the better. Nice to meet you."

Mikan beamed, "Cool! Can you show me sometime?" she nodded.

"All right! It's nice to have new friends!" Soon, the rest followed Nonoko and introduced all about themselves to her while munching down the food they brought.

^.~ ^.~ ^.~

Mikan's P.O.V.

Fourteen cans of soda, two large sized Piattos™, three boxes of fluff puffs (which they made Koko buy in the supermarket at this late of an hour for my sake) and a whole lot of talking and making friends later, we happily collapsed on the large couch in the middle of my living room. While lying there, I took a peek around my living room to look at the "damage" - if there were any – that we made. Okay so it's mostly in shape, only because we didn't dwelled in anything else other than the three couches on my rug – my poor, trapezoid shaped rug. It was in terrible shape. How terrible? It was supposed to be the shape of a circle...and it was crammed with bits of spilt food and soda. Other than that, the long couches were not in their original places and the table was filled with over-and-done-with food. I winced and continued looking.

Where's Natsume?

Hmm...maybe he got tired of Sumire's flirting and left. I stifled a laugh thinking about Sumire and in all flirting mode trying to catch Natsume's attention. As I looked, I saw a boy sitting alone with a bunny in his arms. I remembered him being with Natsume when they showed earlier. Pushing off of the couch, I launched myself in the other next to him. I couldn't help resist patting the bunny's head.

"It's so cute," I said and when the bunny moved slightly, I smiled broadly.

He blushed but smiled hesitantly, and then he extended his hand to me and said, "My name is Ruka Nogi. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, I didn't want to leave Natsume alone."

I patted the head of the bunny once more. "You already know me, right?" he nodded. "So you and Natsume are best friends?"

He smiled, "Mm hm. Hard to believe, right?"

"Very." I giggled. It was very unbelievable; but I just met him so I don't really know much about his personality. He noticed this and blushed. Good thing the rest was warped into their happy places; completely dazed with their own thoughts to even notice us having our conversation – even Sumire, who was passed out and could only hear faint sound through her extraordinary sharp ear.

"Where is he? I didn't hear him leave."

Ruka looked at me for a moment and replied, "He left earlier when you were busy with them."

"Where did he go?" I asked again. Couldn't he say everything in one go?

"I don't know."

"Do you have a clue where he is?"

"Not really..." he said in a low voice.

"Hmph..." I pouted. It's hard talking to a guy with few words; I really want to ask many questions. If talking to Ruka was hard, then I can't imagine talking to Natsume... if I ever talk to him again, I guess. He hadn't said anything after that; he just kept looking at his rabbit and glancing at me from time to time. Is he alright?

"Uhm... ano, what's your Alice?" I asked, lacking of other things to say. I glanced at the jumbled group of people in the couch again and saw that they were intently listening to what I guess were us two. Their drowsiness was now gone and they were leaning to their left, their ears perked up as they listened to every word we were saying. I blushed and looked at Ruka to see him almost red with embarrassment. I couldn't help it and bursted into laughter. And, if it was even possible, Ruka blushed even more; which made me laugh even further.

After I calmed down, I saw my new friends (specifically Nonoko, Anna and Sumire) all over him. I think it was time to leave; I have a feeling that if I don't stop this, they would sooner or later suffocate him with their questions. They were already starting.

"Okay guys! Time to go!" I hopped out of my chair, pulled Ruka out of the Bermuda Triangle and brought him through the door while luring the three away from their prey. After they successfully waved them off – using Koko as bait - Ruka sighed, leaning against a wall. I started to giggle again.

"Why are you laughing?" Ruka, for the first time since I saw him, smiled genuinely at her.

"Nothing." I grinned gleefully, "It's just that you blush really, really often." He tried to hide his blush but it showed anyway.

"See? You do that every time! Are you gay?" I suddenly asked. It took a moment to realize what I just said and covered my mouth with my hands. "Sorry, I'm just curious. And I thought it was weird that Natsume has a guy friend so... maybe he does becau -"

"No. I swear I'm not... gay." he grinned at me. Now it was my turn to blush. I can't believe I just ask that to a guy I've just met! Ugh, I'm so stupid! Anyway, I've already done it so what's the use of blaming eh? ^^

"Ruka."

We were suddenly interrupted by a voice coming from the side of the corridor. I took a peek over Ruka's shoulder and saw Natsume leaning onto the wall across and far away from us, glaring, I think, at me – I mean Ruka and me. He must've been standing there for a while. I turned to Ruka and saw him wince.

"Uh...I-I have to go." He smiled at me sheepishly. As if he'd done something wrong. "See you later – err – tomorrow."

"Okay." I smiled, hoping it would soothe him from whatever's bothering him. "What's wrong with Natsume?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. "He just wants to get back to the dorm already."

"Oh, okay." I nodded. "Can I walk with you guys to the front porch?"

Ruka seemed to be hesitant so I took a cautious step backward to my room. "But if you don't want to it's okay-"

"-No, no." he defended quickly. "I want to but..."

He looked over to Natsume but I couldn't see his face. And it seems like he's asking for permission from him. Suddenly, Natsume grumbled, muttered a 'fine', and started to walk towards the stairs. I smiled and walked beside Ruka to catch up with Natsume.

^.~ ^.~ ^.~

Normal P.O.V.

They walked quietly to the porch of Mikan's dorm. Mikan's other friends begged to sleep at her place so she had no choice. They were probably arranging their things on her bedroom. It was really late and the Academy doesn't tolerate students wandering around the school at this hour so the two would have to be careful if they don't want to get caught. But Natsume was fond of sneaking off so it was not so much of a problem for him. As they reached the exit of the building, Natsume's sluggish stride jerked to a stop. He quickly turned to his right and looked keenly through the window there.

"What's wrong Natsume?" Ruka asked. There was a hint of alarm in his tone of voice.

Natsume straightened his stature and glanced at their direction. He didn't say anything. He just continued to walk. Ruka and Mikan exchanged glances and followed him quietly as they did earlier. Mikan was appreciating the pictures they were passing, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere around. Ruka, however, was sensing Natsume's clenched muscles and the occasional fleeting look he gives in their location and to Mikan. They reached their destination without a single word from the three.

"Mikan," Natsume suddenly said, not looking at her. It was a bit of a whisper that only the two could hear. Mikan was taken by surprise and blushed hearing her name being said by Natsume but it wasn't obvious due to the darkness.

"Go straight to your room." He commanded, his voice tight and biting. "Don't stop until you've reached it. Lock your door and close all your windows. It's better if you sleep with that Permy girl."

Mikan nodded seriously, awed by the words he just said to her – even though she couldn't understand why she has to do those things. She answered in the same hushed tone. "But why-"

"-No buts." He insisted. "Ruka."

Ruka nodded and ushered Mikan to enter the building. "We'll explain in the morning okay? Be careful."

Mikan cocked her head to the side, pursed her lips and nodded, making her way to the corridors. She looked back and saw the two boys looking at her and blushed. She headed for the stairs and up to her room. But as the two boys got farther and farther, her realization that she was afraid of the dark was getting into her head and walked faster. She couldn't help her mind picturing images of scary creatures coming out to get her and at the same time Natsume's words got to her. Getting scared by the second, she decided to run and sprinted off to the fourth floor. She got in the room so quickly that she fell down when the door shut closed and slumped to the wooden carving of it. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was pairs of slippers, shoes and bare feet. She looked up and saw her friends at halt holding cleaning materials and looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"Are you okay, Mikan?" she saw Nonoko asked but her mind hadn't been able to analyze it; she was too occupied by the thudding of her heart. After a few seconds, she snapped and quickly stood up, dusting her skirt.

"Ahehe…nothing, nothing," she winced. "I guess I was just scared of the dark."

"You got that right." Sumire suddenly appeared from a makeshift door. "I heard you running from the second floor up."

"Oh…" Mikan winced. "Well okay then, I've realized I'm afraid of the dark and I'm sleepy. Let's sleep."

They finished arranging the furniture and brought their sleeping bags to Mikan's bedroom.

"Where do you think you're going?" Sumire slammed her arm across the door before Koko can enter with his blue sleeping bag and two bags of chips.

"I thought we were sleeping in Mikan-chan's bedroom?" Koko asked, confused.

Sumire rolled her eyes, "As if it wasn't obvious enough. You're a boy!"

"...So?"

"Well...well..." Sumire looked everywhere but him, trying to think of an appropriate answer. "Uuuhhh...You're a BOY! Isn't that enough? You can't sleep at an all girl group of people in Mikan's or anybody else's room!"

"What could I possibly do with a whole group of girls in pajamas?" he asked innocently. He even tried the all-out puppy dog face but Sumire could see his mask and to the pervert he is.

Sumire grimaced, "Nice try. Out! You'll sleep on the couch."

"But-" he tried to reason out.

"No."

"But-"

"Nodda."

"Buut-"

"I said no!" Sumire stomped her feet. "Get in the couch you pervert!"

Koko looked pleadingly at Mikan (who is plopping down her bed), "Sorry Koko. I'll make it up to you."

"It's okay," Koko pouted. He walked lazily to the couch and let his body fall to the soft mat.

Sumire slammed the door shut and stomped to the side of the bed, face first. "Aagh! Stupid Pervert! Now my night is ruined."

"They're always fighting," Nonoko commented.

Hotaru rose up from Mikan's side. "Maybe they'll end up together," she said in a low voice.

"I HEARD THAT!"

"Calm down, Sumire." Mikan sweat dropped. "We're all tired. Okay, goodnight!"

"Goodnight!" they all chorused.

"Goodnight!" Sumire angrily huffed to her pillow.

^.~^.~^.~

Two shadows fled from tree to tree, wary of being caught by the Academy's security – well at least one of them are.

"What happened back there?" Ruka asked, trying to keep up with his best friend's swift pace.

"Later." His voice was low and ice cold, his eyes looking up ahead.

Ruka was aware that there's trouble ahead because of Natsume's slight glances at their surroundings and his quick strides that was unlike him. They arrived at their dorm but the building was already dead closed, all the lights were turned off so they made their way at the back and to the window of their rooms on the third floor. Ruka quietly called his pet hawk and they climbed in to get to Natsume's window. Opening it, they quickly climbed in and out of the hawk. Ruka patted its head and the hawk turned to go. When he looked at the room, he found Natsume dialing in his phone and then putting it beside his ear.

"You saw? Damn it you're the Academy's security here. Yes, yes I know. It wasn't following us...The Girl's Dorm... -okay" with that he shut his phone and threw it to the couch.

"Natsume, what's up?" Ruka eyed him as he searched for things in the drawer then at the back of the TV set. He went to the couch and sat down, holding his rabbit close to him.

"There's a person outside the Girl's Dorm," he said, not bothering to look at him.

"What?" Ruka shot up from where he was sitting. "Who?"

Natsume gathered his stuff and practically ran to his bedroom, "I don't know. I'm going to sleep."

Ruka stood warily at their living room; he didn't know why his best friend was going to sleep when there's a person – probably a minion of Persona – was camping outside the Girl's Dorm where Mikan was staying. He shrugged and went to the food cabinet to get some chips. Then he grabbed a book and went back to the living room.

After an hour of reading, he decided to hit the hay. He placed the book back to the bookshelf and headed to his bedroom. Halting his step, he looked at the closed door of Natsume's bedroom. He stared at it for a moment and thought of Natsume inside the room. Due to his curiosity, he opened the door, expecting his best friend bundled up in covers and a manga covering his face (he's grown comfortable in that position)

But there was no one there.

^.~^.~^.~

HeEey!^^

I hadn't been able to update this soon because I had a –It's safe to say- hectic month. A dozen of quizzes, lots of homework, study habits, annoying brother, stupid mind and exams...so that should explain itself. And by the way...I am posting this hours from my last exam so... =) =) =)