Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice and it's characters. Never have.

Summary: Gakuen Alice characters in a Medieval setting.

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Their ages are 16 for Mikan and Natsume, 17 for Hotaru, Ruka and the rest…

The Kingdom of Alice

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Chapter 3: Keeping One's Identity Secret

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Previously: Hotaru left the village to go to the Kingdom's capital. Mikan got worried about her so she decided to follow her. Ryu accompanied Mikan. They are now on their way to the capital.

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Mikan and Ryu are now heading for the kingdom's capital. (they are wearing the same type of clothes only different in color. The laces on Mikan's dress are now orange while Ryu's pants are black). They were riding a coach pulled by two horses. Ryu was controlling the coach while Mikan sat beside him. She couldn't help but feel excited to go the capital. She hasn't set foot out of the village even once. This is because she wasn't allowed to. She doesn't know the real reason why but she thinks her grandpa is just being overprotective.

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"I can't wait to go to the capital and see Hotaru again. Tell me Ryu-kun, you've been to the capital, right? Tell me what it's like there?" asked the bubbly brunette.

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"It's not that interesting. There are a lot of people and…." he hesitated to continue when he remembered something. 'Mikan. She doesn't know about alices'

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"H-e-l-l-o! anyone there?" the girl asked as she waved her hand in front of him.

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"Huh?"

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"Aaaaannd?... What?" she asked.

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'Darn! I didn't see this one coming. (sigh)This is really a problem. We can't let anyone know what her alice is because they'll immediately find out who she really is. Hmm………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I know, I'll just tell her what her alice really is and somehow convince her not to keep it a secret. But how?... Got it!'

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"Ryu-kun? You there?" she asked while snapping her fingers in front of him.

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"Mikan, Do you know what your alice is?", he asked.

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"Huh? Alice? Is that some kind of trick question? "

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"No"

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"Are we playing a game?"

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"No"

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"Is it some kind of food?" she said as she rubbed her stomach indicating she was hungry.

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"NO!(sigh) I'll tell you while we stop here and eat for a while" he replied.

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Ryu began to tell Mikan everything about what an alice is and the types of alice that exist while she stuffed her face with food they brought on their way. (Every one in the kingdom has an alice)

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"So what's your alice then? How about Hotaru's alice and mine too?" she asked, still stuffing her face with food.

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"I have the earth alice. I can control the ground we are standing on. Hotatu has the innovation alice that is why she's good at inventing stuff, it's not just because of her intelligence. You, on the other hand have two alices: Nullification and Ability Theft or Copying Alice." He said as he calmly sipped his tea.

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"Really? How come I've never noticed it before? And how come you never told me about the "alice" before?" she said as she placed a finger on her chin.

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"Your alice is only evident if other people use their own. How can you use your nullifying alice if there is nothing to nullify? You never asked about it anyway. It's a common knowledge you know. Why do you think this place is called the ALICE kingdom?"

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"Oh. I guess you're right." She answered seemingly satisfied with the answer.

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'Good thing she's simple minded. No one else would be gullible enough to be satisfied with that excuse' He thought.

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"Mikan, Listen. It we are gonna go to the capital you're gonna have to follow everything I say. Otherwise we'll return to the village immediately."

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"Huh? What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

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"Take this" He said as he handed her a yellow stone.

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"What is this?" she asked.

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"It's an alice stone. It's basically a stone that contains an amount of a persons alice. That one is a barrier alice stone." He said as he pointed at the stone the brunette was holding.

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"What do I need it for?"

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"You can NEVER tell anyone about your alice."

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"But why"

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'Here goes my dumb explanation. I hope she buys it'

"People with the nullifying alice and the ability theft alice are thrown in prison."

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"eh? But why?

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"Think about it Mikan would you be happy if people took away your alice and/or render your alice useless? It's better if you don't mention it at all." he said, hoping that she'll believe him.

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"Oh. That's harsh. So you want me to tell people that I have a barrier alice instead right?"

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'yes!' "YES"

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"ok Ryu-kun" she said as she smiled at the boy. "Thanks for protecting me"

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They finally finished eating and decided to rest for a while. (Yes they were eating the whole time). Ryu was laying resting his head on a rock when he overheard Mikan talking to herself.

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"Hi my name is Mikan Sakura! Nice to meet you.. No that's too formal. Hi I'm Mikan Hotaru's best friend, I have a barrier alice. Hmmm… no not good enough" she whispered to herself loudly. (is it even possible to whisper loudy?)

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Apparently, she was practicing her speech for when she makes new friends. She is a very friendly person after all.

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Suddenly, Ryu realized something. 'Mikan Sakura, Sakura Mikan… wait a minute'

His eyes widened with the sudden realization.

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'Her name!' He hit himself in the head mentally.

'Her name is the biggest give away for her identity. Sakura is a name that only people with royal blood posses and SHE was the last "Sakura". Mikan is the name of the princess. The Tangerine with one leaf is her emblem. She even has it as a birth mark at the lower part of her nape. (Her birthmark is the same as her emblem; it is shaped like a tangerine with one leaf) It is the same symbol found in Mikan's Pendant. (sigh) I can't believe there are still a lot of holes left uncovered. What's the big deal in hiding her identity anyway?'

Of course he knew the reasons but he was thinking of what would happen if she was discovered. '

Let's see, firs of al they might not believe her. Most of the people there believe that the princess is dead after all. They would just think she's crazy and throw her in the asylum. That's not that bad, is it? OFCOURSE IT ISN'T IT'S WORST THAN BAD IT'S REALLY REALLY BAD! (sigh). Then again they might believe her and she could JUST get assassinated. I won't let that happen to her, ever!'

(just in case you were wondering he IS in love with Mikan)

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"Mikan, I don't want you to use your real name once we get to the capital" He said to the girl.

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"Why not?" she asked

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"Uhm… 'think, think, got it' you see they probably have records of names of the other people with the same alice as you."

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"So?"

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"So… since most alices are inherited they might draw the correct conclusion on what type of alice you have. Take my family for instance my father has the earth alice and so do most of the Yukushima Clan. Meaning most of the people with the same alice type as you are probably Sakura's as well. Do you see my point?" He said to the confused girl.

(Yukushima is his surname. I made it up. Sorry if it's bad)

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"Ow, I understand… (sigh)" she said. " anything else?"

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"Well you should hide that pendant of yours. You don't have to take it off just make sure no one can see it. You might get robbed you know. I also want you to wear this hood most of the time we are there. 'I wouldn't want anyone staring at you or drooling at the ground you walk on. I just might kill someone.' It will be easier for us this way" He handed her a white cloak that had a hood. It matched her dress perfectly.

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"O-ok" she was a bit confused but she knew her best friend only wants to protect her even if it seems that it's a bit too much.


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The next day they finally arrived at the capital. It was HUGE. It was separated from the outside by a thick impenetrable wall. They arrived at the entrance. There were several guards on near the drawbridge. Upon arrival, their coach was immediately called to a halt as one of the guards approached them. He looked at the boy with black eyes then at the girl with a hood covering her head.

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"State your name, alice, and your business here." The guard said in a commanding tone. (in this place it is a custom to include your alice in your introductions)

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"Yukushima, Ryu, earth alice. We are here to visit a friend." He said as he bowed his head a little to show respect.

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" and you? Your name please" Said the guard.

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"Oh yeah I'm MI-mmm" Mikan was not able to continue when Ryu used his hand to cover her mouth preventing her from giving her identity.

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"MImmm?" the guard was starting to get suspicious.

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"Uh.. h-he-he he… She's M-miyu S-sak-ke. 'yeah that would do' Miyu Sake" He told the guard nervously.

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'Sake? Miyu Sake? I sound like I'm some kind of alcoholic beverage' Mikan sweatdrops at the name Ryu has given her.

("sake" is japanese for wine right?")

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-"ok you may pass" the guard finally said

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-'Whew, that was close. . . Too close' they both thought.

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Within the walls of the Kingdom Capital (A.K.A. central town)

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"Wow Ryu! It's so big" Mikan said while her eyes turn into stars due to amazement.

"How do we find Hotaru here, Ryu-kun?"

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"She's probably at the academy. People who are aged twenty and below go to the academy in order to train their alices. It is a learning institute designed with that particular purpose. Stay here while I ask for directions." he left her on a bench in a middle of a park as he looked for someone to ask.

"Ok. But are there even classes during weekends?" she asked but he already left. "Well, we are talking about Hotaru. She probably studies even on weekends."

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Ryu was heading back to where Mikan was for he was already done asking someone for directions. He was about to get to her when he bumped into someone.They both fell on the ground.

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"Watch where you're going Idiot!" a certain boy said. Ryu couldn't see his face because he also had a hood on, but he did get a glimpse of his eyes. He had deep crimson eyes.

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"Hyuuga." Ryu said with a hint of irritation in his voice.

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"Yukushima." The boy replied with equal annoyance. He removed his hood. "Still no respect, eh?"

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"Sorry, your HIGHness." Ryu answered in a mocking tone filled with sarcasm.

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"You haven't changed a bit have you? Same annoying pest huh?"

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"Same arrogant jerk, huh? Still dressing up to escape the pressures of palace life? What's wrong can't handle the pressure?"

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"Don't talk to Natsume that way you don't know him at all. It's not his fault he has to be prince it's that princess' fault for not showing up to claim the throne for herself" a certain blond interrupted.

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"Ruka don't get involved in this" Natsume told his bestfriend.

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"But.." Ruka tried to say but he was cut off.

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"He has always been destined for the throne. Even if the princess returned he is betrothed to her so it wouldn't have made a difference. It can't be changed until he turns eighteen, then the engagement would be void" Ryu said.

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(This is one of the many reasons why Ryu dislikes Natsume. He feels that Natsume is blaming the princess for his own hardships plus he's engaged to the princess. To find out how they met read the next chapter)

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"Hn. Lets just finish what we started a year ago, shall we?" Natsume said as a fireball appeared on top of his palm.

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"Let's. And for the record, YOU started it." Ryu answered. Then the ground started shaking lightly.

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Both of them were about to attack each other when…

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"Ryu? What are you doing? Is he your friend? Are you playing a game?" a certain hooded girl appeared from behind the trees. (They were in a park with a forest.)

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To be continued…

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Read and review please. . .

Tell me what you think but please be gentle..

I know it's kinda slow but I really didn't want to leave out any details so sorry.

And please inform me if I have committed any grammatical errors at all. I must have overlooked because I don't proofread.

Sorry and Thank you!