I am so sorry for the long time it took me to upload this chapter…again. I'll try my best to upload faster.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice or the characters.

~!Thanks for the reviews!~

Tres: The Meeting

No, torture would not be the appropriate word. Merciless suffering, although two words, fit the description. Twas not the fact that my bed would have another occupant, but the idea whereas I would abide the rules. There was nothing I could find pleasing about this arrangement, and yet, I could say no more. How I wish I were a man at times so that I could escape and be free! I loathed the long tight gowns that caused me great discomfort. As honest as I could be, those gowns were not necessary and all they did was cause excretion to rise on my skin.

It was a wonder how women during the early ages lived through such disgraceful roles. Nursing wounds and carrying the disenchant diseases. Behaving as a mother and a slave to her husband was terrible. Much work in the castle was to be done if the woman was not brought up from a noble family.

Lucky was I to be born from a wealthy family. Hope was all I could cling to and what I hoped for was my happiness…

/

"Fix the hem of her gown and fasten ribbons around her waist." Mother instructed the Nurse and the first maid as she gazed sternly at me. Her anger had not subsided but had only risen to a level in which no brave man could tame her. The redness of her face glowed with frustration and the rushed pacing of her slipper-covered feet meant thoughts, horrible, horrible thoughts.

I had no knowledge of any decision made which would confirm my destiny. Mother and Father discussed such matters silently whenever, nearby, I would appear. My patience was thinning to a strand which could effortlessly tear apart and if such thing were to occur, my own frustration would break free from its cage.

The one I had sent for had chosen not to appear this day and the days itself were coming and going by quickly. Although wariness in me continued to live, an uneasy emotion overcame me whenever Natsume was in my presence. No, love was most definitely not a suggestion; it was a confusing emotion in which my actions would contradict how I believe to feel for the gentleman. May it be so that gentleman still was not his definite meaning? I calculated for him to be a suspicious man as I had seen him lurking about the castle grounds.

"This shall not be another time whereas my instructions will not enter that thick mind of yours, child!" Mother's voice rose. I winced at the volume which reached my eardrums and caused me to fidget. "Never have I ordered you to do one too many favors! This may be once whereas giving me your attention is strictly needed and all your attention is what I ask for."

Certainly that was a misstatement for all she ever spoke of were orders and often they were in my direction. "Marrying that man seems to not remind you of another favor," bravely I spoke. "Wearing such gowns and being rid of my equipment is in your favor… mother."

Mother puffed out a breath and closed her eyelids slowly. Her hands fanned her face as if it were very humid in the room. "Wherever have you learned such unruly behavior? Spoken words which only direct back to your parentage is not acceptable!"

Gentleness was most definitely not my definite description, for all I believed as of then was to interrupt Mother. "Marriage is not acceptable to I! And why shall I spend my years preparing feasts, nurturing children, and pleasing my husband? A woman, I say, is not what I have chosen to be. A woman is what you have forced me to become, with rights that do not exist. In all honesty, mother, I speaketh." Anger had clouded my mind and it was a terrible feeling. Bitterness and distrust against my parentage was all I could hold onto as of the moment.

Her eyes bore through mine as if it were a joust whereas whosoever tore their gaze would be pinned. Nostrils flared and ears twitched, it was then certain that the both of us had one thought in mind.

Her eyes had closed once again and a tiresome sigh escaped her lips. Her next words had left even the maid and Nurse speechless. "According to your father, punishment would only straighten you. Remorse is all I feel, and as of now, I most certainly agree that you may never be a child of mine."

Nurse had gasped and the needle the maid held strongly onto had tumbled to the ground.

That was when I knew I was one to feel remorse.

As mother exited the chamber, my knees gave away and I dropped onto the stone floor. The breath entrapped in my throat disabled me to breathe properly.

What wrong had I done? Why did the renaissance want to dispose of me? Where were the wanted answers which choose to hide away from me?

All the questions ran greatly in my mind. My body shook vibrantly but yet, even the slightest tear had chosen not appear. I was weak to weep and contain any further happiness.

I felt strong arms upon my small shoulders and gazed up. There was Natsume with uneasiness plastered on his visage. He lowered himself to my level and sighed before the feeling of warmth overcame me once his arms surrounded my frame.

It was not inviting nor was it to my comfort.

Quickly, I pushed his body away and arose. I frowned displeasingly at his shock and folded my arms.

"I beg your pardon; do not believe your embrace will be a solution to my troubles. Your mere presence troubles me so and your company only causes Mother and Father to be angered. When may it be that your parentage will retrieve you for if you are not away from this castle, I shall escape," I spoke with my eyes away from his view.

He arose and frowned as well. His fists were clenched tightly and his anger had risen. He stepped away and leaned against my dresser.

"You are not one to discuss such matters with me when trouble is all I receive," he paused and stepped closer to me until I were trapped between his arms. "Coping with situations as such is a wise thing to do. Neither do I want your childish arguments nor your say in this marriage. Follow what I speak of and you may never reach harm."

I was not frightened but unacceptably nervous. I gazed hard at him and pushed his arms to the side then said, "Truly… you are mysterious and I… I loathe it.

/

"Hold still Milady or the needle will prick at your skin," said Nurse apprehensively.

I mutter an apology and sighed tiredly to myself. Standing in the same position far too long caused an ache in by back and sore feet.

"Why do you not stop removing your attention from this world and answer?" Natsume spoke. He glanced at me with those crimson eyes, and then returned to his scroll.

I scoffed lightly and held onto my bedpost while Nurse tied the waist ribbon.

"I see no reason for you to disrupt the peaceful aura here. Go along and play with those imaginary friends I often see you in deep conversation with." I snorted in a way which was very disturbing to the head maid for she shot me a displeased look and turned to my wardrobe.

Natsume smirked at me and said, "Pardon me, fair maiden; have you not mistaken me for yourself? It seems to me you consider speaking with no one in sight a normal behavior." He raised his eyebrow at me.

Baring my teeth, I turned around hurriedly and trotted to his side. "How so, may it be that such false knowledge would come to your mind? If only Nurse and the maid were not present, I would shut that foul mouth of yours!" I said in a hushed tone. "In the presence of a woman, a man should not be observant of her gown fitting." I hissed.

"My mouth is foul you say, but is it the truth you speaketh? Afore you had taken a liking to my inviting lips and your cheeks had become scarlet," manically he grinned.

"It is the truth I speak of!" I gasped, "How may I ever come to take you as my wedded husband when your scornful actions are not viewed? Those words you speak of are nothing but mere fables!" A scowl was then present on my visage.

He only shook his head as a response and pulled my arm down so that I was at his leverage. His face traveled closer to my own and stopped just a couple inches away. His other hand followed suit to the back of my head and his mouth found its way to my ear. I shivered in disgust and prepared to escape but his hold only tightened.

"Another time around I say this to you, following the rules would be the right decision. Never shall you know who may be speculating you. Anyone, remember, could be the culprit." He whispered softly as his warm breath brushed against my ear.

Pulling my arm away, I looked down at him questionably. Whatever the meaning was for his statement, I would have to prepare for any consequences soon.

Just when Mother had reentered the chamber, Natsume pulled me into an embrace. Mistaking it for a greater meaning, she rejoiced and suggested that Natsume could take me to town and feast at the taverns.

Still unwary from Mother's statement earlier, I took one long breath then spoke up. "M-May I be accompanied by my dear friend Hotaru? I am a bit uncertain around my soon Husband and my friend can assist me in my needs. Disturbing Natsume with such trifling complaints can be tiresome and Hotaru is one to succumb to I." I pleaded. It took her awhile before she had agreed and pushed me to the screen.

My torturous soon husband and I made eye contact, he smirking and I glaring. He had only made matters worse, but surely those were his full intentions. He gathered his scroll and dismissed himself from the chamber, most likely to read in the garden.

After my dress fitting, I was told to leave the castle immediately with Hotaru and exit the grounds with Natsume along. We reached town and entered a small poorly built tavern.

"Never have I had such a delicacy as this." Hotaru said as she took another bite out of her meal which had been ordered delightfully. "What is this?" she asked the one who had prepared the whole feast.

"It is fresh eel," the cook answered. I scrunched my nose in disgust for the idea of eating such a meal was disturbing. I never was one to eat sea creatures, especially 'delicacies' made by filthy cooks. This was a reason why I disliked my surroundings and often kept myself prisoner in my chamber.

"Will you not order a meal? I am sure that body of yours needs meat to add on more weight." Natsume asked me in a hysterical tone. I narrowed my eyes at him and folded my hands onto my lap.

"Whether you are calling me rawboned, bovine or unbeautiful, I care not. Insult me all you want but I shall not listen to that voice of yours."

He placed his elbow onto the table (not a proper manner to follow) and rested his cheek on his knuckles. Those tantalizing, crimson eyes never left mine. My every movement was looked upon, his never wavering eyes kept me unfocused. I gazed at my lap in irritation while scooting closer to Hotaru whom gobbled the meal down without so much as being ladylike.

Slightly I frowned and turned to face Natsume. "You need not to gaze at me for this whole while." I stood up and grabbed my satchel in a hurry. "Now if you would so much as excuse me, I would like to leave this mediocre environment."

He stood up as well and followed me out, to my dismay. Hotaru sat in her chair, very much enjoying her meal and ignored us as we left the area. I wanted to shout her name to get attention from her but then I decided it would not be wise. There were too many gentlemen roaming around the tavern and they would take it as a threat when one female would not act as a gentlewoman she was.

A couple minutes later…

To say I did not like Natsume accompanying myself would not be the complete truth but then it would not be a complete lie. His rude remarks had ceased and his voice wasn't heard through my ears, mainly because I refused to listen. He walked beside me with one arm dangling at his side while the other kept a hold of his sword. His sword, it was strange as to why he would carry such a dangerous weapon especially around this part of the kingdom. Almost all peace was kept and no one would dare start a tussle. If such tussles were to occur, the one whom began a fracas would have punishment determined by the King.

The king, no one spoke of him for he was a scary man. There were many canards spoken of the entire royal family I would often hear. There was not a soul who had seen the face of the possible heir of the kingdom because the king never allowed his child to appear.

Many believed that the king had a daughter who would appear at the royal tower during the night. There were others whom believed the mysterious child to be a son who appeared as a female because of the queen. The queen herself was very much loved but also had a secret that the patronage of the kingdom would speak of daily. Many thought she held the face of her husband and very little accused her of marrying a man who could be of the same parentage. As disturbing as that fable could be, I could never see both royals being of the same kin.

"How long do you plan to stay in a frozen state?" Natsume's voice spoke out. He was waving his hand in my view to catch my attention.

I found myself blinking a couple times before turning to Natsume. Clearly he was irritated but he held back any possible oncoming insults.

"Oh' sorry. Just in slight daze I was but now my attention is here. What matter do we need to sort out?" I asked as I started walking to the market.

"We need to send out the invitation scrolls for the wedding, as a request from your mother," explained Natsume. I huffed as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I see no reason for the distributions so early." I said in disagreement. "It is not as if the wedding itself were important."

"The wedding is in no less than two months, your mother wants preparations done in time and I have already agreed." He narrowed his eyes at me when I had ostensibly listened as I glanced at my surroundings time to time. "I suggest you listen for this information is needed in that mind of yours… if you can contain it all."

I hissed at him with my eyes narrowed as well. "Hope, I say, that your eyes might as well be open as you sleep for I will strike you hard! I have said this more than once and I shall say it again; never may I marry a man like you. I shall not be forced to be a wife nor a slave!" I turned away in order to run but the female civilian walking in front of us had abruptly turned around as well and landed on the soiled ground. I hurriedly offered and hand as a kind gesture. The civilian took my hand but as I was pulling her up, she pulled back and had me land face first on the ground.

I sat up quickly and glared with all my might. "What is the matter with you? My gown is soiled and as of now, Mother's anger will double!" I shouted at the female.

She glared back at me and scoffed. "Why shall I allow my dress to be soiled and yours to be clean? You had knocked me onto the ground so the same must have been done to you! I say we are even now."

I brought myself from the ground with my hands and quickly brushed my dress. This action was not wise for the marks had only grown. The maiden on the ground rose as well and folded her arms. She sneered at me and rolled her eyes.

"You, my dear, are no gentlewoman! You… you… you hobbit! I hope a lady is not what you believe yourself to be!" I spoke. Natsume behind me had snorted and turned away when the female gazed at him.

The female tapped her foot on the dirt ground and shook her head. "I see not a reason to continue this argument." She glanced at me then returned to Natsume. "That man you are with, I wish for you to leave him. Your frame does not complete his and your mannish behavior you contain is horrible. Even so, your bosoms are not even bosoms of a female."

My eyebrows knitted and my annoyance had only grown larger. Whoever this female was, I would see to it that the castle dungeon would become her new home.

"My frame is just as I was born with. Do not insult it for your large bosoms are viewed as bags of sagging sand." I glared. Exhaling a breath, she lifted her hand to my cheek but another hand had grabbed hers. I turned around and looked towards Natsume who looked past me and to the female.

"Let her be and go on your way," sternly he said then threw her hand aside.

The female feigned a cough and glared in my direction. "Why are you accompanying this ogre? Surely your anger had not subsided and you had chosen her for your pleasure? An apology is what I had sent yet you chose not to lend me your ears!" she shouted in a shrill tone.

Confused was I and I turned to Natsume for answers but his gazed was firmly planted on the female.

"What is it that she speaketh?" I asked him. He ignored my words and narrowed his eyes but it seemed as if it were not directed to her but the ground itself.

"Behave thyself and leave these grounds." He proceeded to step closer to the female and lowered his head. Small whispers were heard but I could not determine the words. Frustration was what I felt and I wanted to take my slipper and hurl it at the ignorant man and his lady friend.

Groaning, I turned around and headed back to the castle. Soon after, light footsteps were heard behind me.

I appeared at the castle in what seemed to be hours, Natsume still at my side. He had not asked about my condition, or assisted me nicely in the small quarrel. A true gentleman, indeed! He had not even glanced my way!

I entered the castle, properly avoiding mother on my journey to my chamber. If she were to see the catastrophic mess of my dress, she would have my head! I started to rid my body of the unsightly dress, but to my surprise, Natsume was laying upon the bed, watchingme! I gasped loudly and covered myself with the dress.

"Have you no manners, boy? You do not stare at a lady in her undressed state!" I narrowed my eyes. He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "With your figure, you could have very easily fooled me." I stomped over to him, seething. "I'll have you know that I am a woman of beauty and I have arcs at my hips!" He rolled his eyes and looked away, but did not continue to answer me.

He gathered himself on the side of the bed to which I rested on. Hurriedly, I pulled on my nightgown (the only one mother had left) and climbed atop my bed. I tried to push him to the unaccompanied side but his large body resisted my push. He turned and glared at me. "What, I ask, are you doing?" he said with irritation. His face was illuminated by only the moonlight, but I could not remember having turned the lights off. I contained a blush, seeing him so tired and his eyes so soft made him look like an entire different person.

I kept myself strong and gazed straight at him with hard eyes. "My dear, you are resting on my comfortable area!" Aggravation was his expression as he contemplated whether to move aside or lift my arms from his body. He finally mumbled lowly and moved to the other side.

In the dark hours, I rested further away on the bed as I could, but I could not slumber with the thoughts of my future in my mind. How could I possibly be at ease when every waking moment of my life would be decided by my parentage? Still, the visitor had not arrived and the only way to leave the marriage was if I were to escape and disguise myself as a man.

/Next Morning/

Morn had begun and my rest had not reached my eyes. Natsume lifted himself off the bed and walked to the already warm bath the maid had set for he and I.

Sub sequentially, I removed the blanket from my body and walked to the wardrobe, pulling out my wash cloth and herbs then walked to the bath which was now open. As I began to remove my nightgown attire, Natsume, who was fully clothed, had shown himself behind the screen. Clumsily, I slipped on the wet path and tumbled into the bath.

I could hear his snickers as desperately, I climbed out of the bath. I coughed out the liquid that disabled my proper breathing and threw my wash cloth at Natsume which he caught at ease.

"Even at morn you chose to cause accidents." He smirked improperly.

"What is it that you need?" hoarsely I said.

Pausing for a second, he gazed at my state which caused his disturbing smirk to grow wider. Realizing what he gazed upon, I covered my chest and turned the opposite direction but sadly, I could not cover the small blush that rose on my cheeks. Oh' how I wanted to leave the scenery before he could even catch a glimpse of my expression but if I were to turn around, he would be satisfied. And satisfaction was what I did not want him to gain.

I acted hurriedly and dropped myself into the bath with my back still in view and my nightgown attached to my skin.

"D-do not enter this screen or... I-I will so much as order the castle guard to harm you." I hesitantly spoke aloud then lowered myself into the bath.

"Are you bathing in your night attire? Your mother will be upset and I am positive that you wish not for your Mother's anger," he said in a humiliating tone.

"I do as I please. Now, retrieve whatever you are searching for and leave this chamber at once. I do not want your lewd intentions lurking about and destroying my environment." I firmly said then lifted the herbs from the stone ground and applied them to the bath. I could feel his presence behind me and his gaze still on my form. "Leave now so I can bathe in peace, Natsume. I see not the reason why you continue to stay in place and bother me so." I said once his stay had exceeded over my limit.

"There appears to be whip lash marks visible through your nightgown," he murmured softly.

I turned to him and gazed at him blankly. "Who may be at fault that I am given these marks, I wonder?" His eyebrows had joined together and his lips were formed into a tight line. I returned to my bath and look down at my palms. "Just go and I will not speak of any further insults," quietly I said.

He sighed before walking away. I knew he was soon gone after the chamber door had closed and the chamber itself was silent. I removed my nightgown entirely and threw it above my shoulder, onto the ground then lifted the cloth which was placed on the ground as well. Scrubbing myself entirely, my foot had hit an object in the bath. I felt around in the water and lifted what seemed to be a stone, a red stone in fact. I held onto it tightly and placed it on the bath table then lifted myself from the bath to dry my body and await the maid's arrival.

/

"Where art thy maiden? My patience has only grown weaker and I cannot wait any longer." I spoke aloud to myself as I tore through the belongings of my new bedroom mate. No longer could I tolerate the presence of Natsume and keep my emotions under a mask. His mere being caused me much irritation even by a slight glance, and the way those foul lips of his stretched into a smirk made me moonstruck. He only contributed in reminding me of my position which lead back to the awful and very constricting dresses.

I sighed in relief while gazing at a pair of trousers which belonged to Natsume. They were lengthy and wide in size but a dagger could cut through the material and the trusted Nurse would assist me.

My chamber door opened and in came my visitor I had been waiting tiredly for. She removed her robe and tossed it upon my bed as she followed after. I gazed at her in irritation for I had waited long for her presence which had chosen to reveal itself many days after the scroll had been delivered.

I crossed my arms and gazed sternly at her now amused expression. "What is the meaning of your late arrival?" I asked angrily.

She merely laughed at my tone which only made me angrier. "Still not a lady now? Many epochs it has been since I have visited you. Your visage has grown womanly, but your behavior does not change even the slightest bit!"

I huffed at her and began to stand upright with the trousers behind my back. "The scroll stated that I would be in need of your assistance. No longer do I wish to communicate in anger so do not speak so rudely of I."

She only continued on with her laughter and said, "Oh' don't get your braies in a knot for I have an excellent solution to your problem. That is if you pay me greatly."

"Nonoko," I began but was cut off.

"It is Lady Nonoko." She corrected which I saw no reason to act upon.

"A lady you are not for your father is an exiled noble. How shall that entitle you to be a lady when your family is not of nobility?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

Her cheeks had swelled out and turned rose red. She inhaled then exhaled a breath. "I have the solution to your troubles but I shall not share it if ye plan to embarrass me. Besides, my mother is a countess so I do receive the title of a noble."

"Hurry, lady Nonoko for I do not wish to wait any longer. Give me your solution and in exchange, I giveth ye a sack of gold." I demanded.

She cleared her throat and folded her hands onto her lap. "My great uncle Rowan profits on potions in his shop which is located in Stonegate. His potions are very much forbidden and if one were to tell of his shop, he would be exiled. If so, we could travel and receive a potion within a matter of thirty days total."

"Stonegate is much too far and dangerous! How would I ever be able to reach there with two months' time afore my wedding?" Frantically, I shouted. "There is much work to be accomplished and my dear friend Hotaru is within my castle. I could never allow her to be without an occupant."

She waved her hand in front of her eyes and smirked. "Tell your parentage that I have come to take you to my mother's noble family to teach you the lessons of becoming a lady. It is as simple as it can become."

I gasped. "I could never tell my Father, especially Mother, a lie such as that!"

She giggled softly and smiled. "It is not entirely a lie for we will rest at her castle and as we are there, we could assist you in becoming womanly not only in visage but in personality."

What could I do? I was then frightened to make a decision. If I were not to leave and receive the potion, I would become a wife. If I were to leave the castle and receive the potion, there would be consequences during the dangerous path. It then had reached my knowledge that Natsume could not be left in the castle.

"What should I do about the boy?" I asked tiredly.

"Boy?" Nonoko questioned.

I rolled mine eyes and said, "The one I am to marry, Natsume."

"Oh' that troublesome lad. If it comes to desperate solutions, do not speak of the travel to your parentage and escape without the lad or he will come along." She tapped her lap lightly then spoke once again, "Or he can come along the way and we leave him at the noble home of my mother."

"I would rather escape without their knowledge if it comes to such decisions." I quickly added.

"So then this shall be the final decision. Arrange your luggage and tell that dear friend of yours to do the same. We shall leave the next morrow." She stood up and gathered her robe and walked to the chamber door. Afore she had opened it, she turned to me and grinned. "Allow me to rest in another guest chamber."

I merely nodded and followed her out. May it be so that deceiving would be my definite meaning.

END OF CHAPTER

A/n: Thanks for reading, please review!

P.S: Look for clues; you'll understand what I mean in the later chapters.