Chapter 4

Mikan's pov

The memories came rushing back as I remembered the times this girl named Hotaru and me were together. I could remember from the very first time she ever spoke to me, to when she told me that I looked 30 less uglier whenever I smiled. Along with those pleasing memories came the not so pleasing though. The ones from when the blood dripped from my mother's fingertips and the ones that held the effect. The ones that made me become what I am now and are now causing my best friend pain.

I looked back up at Hotaru and said, "Gomen nasai Hotaru-chan but, I think I forgot how to smile…so don't…waste your time with me anymore. Gomen nasai." when I was done I just ran away, leaving Hotaru shocked and alone. It was hard enough to run away from my best friend but, even harder after saying something as depressing as that. I didn't even know why what I said just came out involuntarily. It made me feel worse when I didn't hear her duck scooter chasing after me. I didn't even hear her turn it on.

Hotaru's pov

I stared at her back getting farther and farther away from me, once again. I felt tears threatening to drop from my eyes but, I kept them in as best I could. When Mikan was nowhere in sight I let myself show some emotion, falling to my knees and whispered to myself, "Mikan…I'm not wasting my time. I'm only wasting it when I'm not with you, trying to make you happy."

Natsume's pov

Once again, I was sitting at my Sakura tree reading my D-gray man manga with Ruka playing with his rabbit, Usagi. It was all very calm and peaceful until…some baka came running up to the tree, and started bawling all over the place as if we weren't even there. So annoying, I thought too myself.

Mikan's pov

I ran and ran not looking back and not knowing where I was going but, as I looked up I found myself looking at two boys with confusion in their mesmerizing eyes. I was about to break down but, I didn't even know what I was doing still standing there like an idiot looking at them with pleading eyes. I didn't care anymore though and started bawling all over the place.

"WAHHH!!I don't know what to do anymore everything is just so complicated! Argh! I swear one of these days I'm gonna end up killing myself!" Wait, what the hell am I saying? I can't kill myself but, I wouldn't make anybody else sad. So, it doesn't really matter.

(A/N: sorry about the sudden mood swing but, I did it for three good reasons. 1.I couldn't take the agony; 2. My mind went blank about agony and depressiveness; 3.some song I was listening to made me get some stupid sense of humor -I guess-)

Abruptly, I stopped and stood. "Uh…sorry about that. Okay, then, you never saw anything," I told them as I started running towards somewhere a bit more private. Could I be any more stupid!? I felt my face getting red as I remembered the way they looked at me. Gosh, did I really look that stupid?

I was slowing down to a walk when I finally found a little building with a black rusty bench by the front wall. I sat there looking up at the sky as I cried silently sobbing and trying to block everything away. I recalled the many times people I loved would tell me to always smile no matter what, so I tried it but only managed to smirk. I kept on trying, and trying…and trying…but only ended up dreaming.

Normal pov

Mikan was sleeping there with a head full of nightmares when a dark figure jumped into sight at the same time another much taller figure walked out of the building behind her. The smaller figure threw something to the taller figure.

"Here goes your precious disk, Persona,"

Persona, the taller figure, looked over to where Mikan was and smirked. Natsume saw this and also looked at the brunette.

"What about her is it that interests you?" asked Natsume curious as to why Persona was giving the brunette he'd seen bawling all over the place earlier any attention at all. Questions started forming in his head as to why the brunette was here or was she even a student here, since she didn't have the uniform on. Mikan looked so peaceful compared to the earlier events in the day. Natsume noticed this and couldn't help but wonder more about the little girl than he usually would with any other. This surprised him.

"Nothing that concerns you, yet. You are dismissed Kuro Neko."

Persona walked over to the girl and shook her awake, and when I say he 'shook her' it wasn't very gentle. Mikan finally awoke shocked and somehow frightened by Persona. (A/N: Well, who wouldn't with all that black on him! heehee) Mikan opened her mouth about to say something but, Persona beat her to it.

"I know who you are and what you're Alice is," his voice sounded as if he were mocking her. Mikan was confused and had already gotten over her shock so, she told him

"Nani? I don't even know my Alice, yet,"

"Oh, but you will once I tell you…"

"Hontou!? Please tell me! Onegai?" she said pleadingly as her eyes shined chibi style.

Persona looked at her, trying to find something that meant it wasn't time to tell her. He found nothing contradicting to her interest.

"You're my little sister." he smirked as he watched brows come together in confusion.

"Hountou…?" her voice came out slurred as if the information was overwhelming, "how…?"

Natsume heard this for, he had been to curious to actually leave. He didn't expect to discover so many things in just a few minutes, especially about Persona. He decided to keep listening, just to see what else he'd find out.

"Hai, your mother never told you because she never thought this would happen so quickly," he sighed and went on, "I guess it'll take time for you to get used to this, but I swear I'm not lying."

"Oh… no, don't worry nee-san!" she flashed him one of her warmest smiles. Strange how something so sudden can bring you back to life well, halfway back to life at least. Maybe because it meant she wasn't alone anymore because, she had her newly-found brother. Even though he seemed a little strange he still seemed nice.

"Come on. I'll escort you to your special star dorm," Persona took her hand an started leading her out of the woods.

"Hai!"

Mikan was back to her cheerful-self for now.

"Ah…almost forgot." he stopped and turned back around, "Hyuuga! Leave, or I'll give you another mission this very moment, and trust me I've got plenty more to also keep your mouth shut!"

"Nee-san what will happen if everybody else were to find out?" Mikan asked innocently.

"I'm not sure."

And with that said they walked off to the dorms, the stars shinning over their heads, and Natsume, completely puzzled, drifted off to dreamland.

END CHAPTER 4