Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice.

Sex: The Intruder


I ran with much speed ahead, begging my feet to pick up in pace. It was certain that the two would surely run back into the abode and inform Natsume of my escape. No matter what words I chose to speak, they would most definitely be quick to disagree. I knew for sure that this argument would soon occur. Tis the reason why I had brought my pouch. Small it might have been yet it was able carry items in numerous amounts (one was what I carried for the moment). I had in my possession a small dagger I had stolen from Father. Yes it was terribly wrong yet not a single soul could blame me.

Black smoke reached my nostrils causing me to cough out in desperate need for fresh air. Walking along the passage was very tiresome with a horse not present. It would take me many sunrises to reach Stonegate if I were not to find a steed quickly.

I stopped walking and groaned from much annoyance. It might be that traveling on foot proved to be a flaw and with no map of assistance, I were not sure of the path I was headed. But was I to complain and cry for help when it was I whom did not wish to be ordered?

Alas! I shall overcome those flaws and be on my way once again. No matter what the other might had believed, I believed with all my heart that I would make it alive to Stonegate.

I took notice of my surroundings and groaned another time around. Located in a dense forest and with not so much as little light to guide my way, what could I do as of then? Turning around was not a bright idea if being caught was most definitely not in my agenda. I had few loaves of bread left in my carry case and even they could only last me a few morrows. The time I had reached Stonegate, if ever possible, I would be out of luck and starving whiles begging a passerby for food on those filthy streets.

Damnations! Hotaru might have been correct to say the haste I was in only would soon cause me trouble.

I quietly sighed to myself. Setting up a camp was the only option I could form in my mind and it was important to do so. I gathered myself and began searching for firewood in order to start a flame.

At my advantage, the forest was filled with many branches to be used. I lifted many of them and tossed all of each into a single pile. I sought for a flint striker which I as well had stolen from Father and lifted a rock white in color. The flint striker rubbed mercilessly against the rock, caused my arm to ach but soon after the tiresome work would mean no more and I would be at rest. And oh how great it was see my plan form brilliantly for smoke rose into the air. Fire spread onto the branches and quickly spread as I threw one at a time a small branch into its flames. In a few, a large fire flamed and brightened the night… as well as my spirit.

I took out the dagger in my possession and aimed it at the hem of my gown to tear the garment apart not so that it would reveal my legs. What was left was used as my head rest as I was very tired and needed to slumber. Lying on the dirt ground certainly was a new activity yet strangely, I found it quite comfortable.

/

Awakened by the cry of a wolf, I quickly stood up and gazed around. It was the dead of night and the weather was awfully cold which caused chills to erupt from my bones. Another cry sounded and made me yelp in fright. Instinctively, I grabbed my dagger and stood still awaiting any danger that would come my way. The sound of rather large footsteps came from my left so I hastily turned to face that direction. In between the trees was a shadow moving forward.

"Halt! Who hides amongst the dense trees?" I called. The shadow did not answer but moved forward. I gripped my dagger and heavily breathed. "I said halt! Who goes there?" I shouted.

"A fine gentleman," came a very gruff voice. The shadow morphed into the body of a tall male as it came closer. The fire had allowed me a visual image of the other being in this forest. He reached my line of sight and I could make a picture of his visage. He gazed at me as so did I to him and never left my stance.

"Who might you be?" asked I. The dagger was pointed at his form. His hands were gripping a sack which was soon dropped onto the ground.

The man raised both arms and laughed heartily. "I see you have me mistaken for a madman. I was only out hunting for wolves to bring back to my clan."

I narrowed my eyeballs at him. Was he a good man to trust? Hunting for wolves at the dead of the night with the sun yet to peak into the sky was strange. Sleep was much needed before a hunter could go hunt animals.

"If you do not believe it to be true, then to convince this fair maiden lurking about in the dark what shall I do?"

I looked him over twice before speaking. "Stand on your knees with both hands behind your head. Do not dare move as I come forward for I shall inspect you of any suspicion." He nodded his head and followed my words. I stalked closer till I were at his side and stared down at the man with the dagger under his chiseled chin. "Tell me, what do you call yourself." I ordered.

He kept a joyful smile on his face as he announced his identity. "Koko is what they call me."

"And of what kin or nobility are you born of?"

His grin never faltering as he answered my demanding questions disturbed me. He gazed me straight into the eyeball when he had said, "I ask you, what nobility are you? The questions you ask me, I shall ask too."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Surely I had asked this man a question beforehand so why was he answering with another? I huffed. "Why must you speak in rhymes when not needed? Do you wish to mock me and anger me further?"

Suddenly, he rose (avoiding my dagger) and stood high above my form. "Yes, you might have but I have asked you too. Now to answer my questions, please do."

A jack's ass is what I could describe the man. In what land had he originated from to speak in riddles which I found highly un-amusing. This must have been trickery he was playing or I might as well be losing my mind!

"I see the maiden is filled with displeasure. Fear not for I shall have you in fits of laughter. If you kindly allow me the honor to please you, my origin of language should not matter."

I could only scoff at the man in an insulting manner as he bowed down with a hand placed on his chest. He had a mischievous grin on his face as he came back to the position he once was. He stood without any further motion whiles I gazed at him till no longer did I want to be looked upon. I crossed my arms and snapped, "Well go on you counterfeit jester! Do not keep me waiting long or I will attack at once!"

He viewed the surrounding then gazed at the ground under his feet. His knees had bent low and his arm reached for two pebbles (green and white in color) which in turn were thrown into the air and swiftly caught.

"Is that all you have to show? For if it is so, then I am hardly impressed by your buffoonery."

He stopped his actions and caught all pebbles in hand. "Can you not see the movement the rocks show as I toss them up?" I shook my head and frowned for he was very unentertaining.

"I shall throw them up and catch them by hand one at a time. Pick a stone and find it again and if you win, I shall stop my rhyme."

"If it is a challenge, I might as well accept. If I am to win then you must leave me your property and be gone on your way."

He raised a fisted hand. "If I am to win then a request is all I want from this fair maiden." I merely nodded and he continued. "As I throw the rocks once again pay heed and be dutiful."

It was difficult to follow the movement of the pebbles as he threw them upward and downward. This would make the game ever more difficult because as soon as each pebble hand landed in his palms, he closed his fists and hid his hands. He then revealed his hands again but still in fists and spoke, "Can you determine the hand that holds the white stone?"

This had been his plan all along. His movements were quick but it could never escape my eyes. As difficult as it might had seemed, surely the answer would come to me. The stone had landed in the right hand before he hid both hands behind his back. He must have wanted to fool me by making it as if the stone was placed in the left hand when hidden from my view, and then returned to the right. If it was so, the white stone would be located in the fist of his left arm.

I paused to make it seem as if I were having difficulty making a decision. Allowing him to see the confusion I was in was definitely not going to pass. Mother had taught me not to show any weakness but be gentle all at once. This was the only advice she had given me to which I found very useful. I stood up right and dropped my crossed arms to my side. Preparing myself to answer, I drew in a long breath then spoke, "I have come to a decision. The white pebble is in the palm of your left." I felt very triumphant as I said this and he seemed quite surprised by my answer. Slowly, one finger at a time uncurled, making me anticipated to see the stone. The stone came to view and left me silent.

"I win," came the low voice of the man. I wanted to glare at his hideous smile but stopped myself. I was already angered by the fact that I had lost. "I see you look unhappy and to be fair, I shall speak in rhyme-less sentences if that pleases you."

Yes I was shocked by his gesture but I knew better than to trust him so quickly. I rolled my eyeballs and sat down grumpily on the dirt ground. "Oh' tell me what you want so that I can leave!"

He crouched down in front of my form with arms crossed and placed atop his knees. "I wish to know why the maiden is sleeping in the woods. Do you have a home or are you a beggar?" I had to be wise and answer quickly or he would find my actions suspicious. I really did not want to be exposed not even a day after I had run from the home of Countess Cillaya.

Without speaking the truth, I told a lie. "I-I am a beggar who has no home. I travel many times to keep myself alive. Being a maiden, you might see me as frail and unable to fend for herself. But I'll have you know that I am the toughest of them all. Due to this, people know me all around as the infamous beggar."

His eyebrows rose as if to look taken back but his eyes gave away what he felt.

He did not believe me. Why would he think so either way? It was a lie to begin with and I did not look like a beggar either. My gown was tattered but it could be seen as once beautiful and very elegant. My lies could never convince even a hog that could understand the language of a human being; if that were even possible.

"You do not look like a beggar but a wealthy lady who had gotten herself caught in a knot," responded he. I frowned and turned away.

"If I am not worthy of being a beggar then leave as you might. What I speak is the truth and the truth is only I speak of." I heard movement from him and I saw him from the corner of my eye, stand up on his feet and look down on me. I was waiting for him to leave but he did not look as he would be gone any time soon. Preparing to growl at him, I changed my position to face him and parted my lips but was interrupted.

"I believe you. If it is true then I cannot judge you for who you are. I am somewhat like a beggar as well but I do not always ask for meals or coins. I am strong enough to hunt and kill. What you may be doing in the forest might not be what I should pay heed to but listen. Come with me and I will bring you to my clan."

"And why should I follow you? Who knows what men like you can do with the 'strength' you say you have? I am not easily fooled." I snarled angrily.

He sighed to himself but didn't make any move to throw back anger. He only grinned again as he had been doing this whole while and crouched down. "Trust me when I say that I would never harm a female. I only wish for you to be out of harm's way. There are many wolves lurking about in the night and you might become their early meal if we do not hurry and return to the clan."

"Had I not said that I could fend for myself? Why do you want to assist me? After all, we have only just met and you do not know what I am called." I wittedly said.

"Then allow me the honor to know your name," he delightfully said.

Revealing my true name was not proper to do. I had to extend the lie and said, "I am called Ellaera." I knew not what came over me to dare reveal a name to the man that I had barely come to know. My barriers were beginning to fall apart and this was terrible.

"I now know your name so let us flee as we still have the chance. I will carry you luggage if you allow me to." His hand stretched out.

"I never agreed to leave," I interjected.

As fast as that reply came, growling noises were heard from the distance. I did not need him to tell me what it was for I already knew the answer. The wolves were coming. Instinctively, I grabbed my belongings, held them close and stood to begin walking onward.

The man was still standing at the fire watching me leave. I turned around and place an arm on my waist. "Well what are you waiting for? The wolves are coming and I do not want to be eaten alive." His laugh filled the night as he scurried behind me.

And off we went.


"Where are we going," I said as I desperately tried to be in pace with the man walking ahead. It was dawn and we were still in the forest heading to who knew where and I was drenched in sweat. My gown clung to my skin, disabling me from walking any quicker as the man was doing. He had confessed that the home of his clan was a bit far from the sight we were located but I had not anticipated it to be this long! My slippers were beginning to wear out and the grip on my carry case was loosening. My fingers ached oh so terribly and my throat was dry from not being quenched with water. I knew not how I might have been so idiotic to trust the man and follow him but it was certain that this torture was enough punishment. "Have you not heard my question?" He didn't answer but continued walking ahead. This made me bubble with irritation, causing me to lift my carry case and fling it at his back. Just as it was about to strike him, he changed direction and by body came tumbling forward.

Tired, I lied down on the grass without making a move. The man had stopped walking and turned around.

"What are you doing on the ground? Can you not see the hurry we are in for you to simply rest?"

I huffed and sat up to face him. "If you were a gentleman you would have answered me afore and offered to help me. I asked you kindly where we were but you had ignored my voice."

I could see frustration forming on his visage as I sat there unmoving. It was clear to me that his jolly appearance had only been an act and this was his true appearance. "Ellaera, look around and answer me what you see."

Not knowing the reason behind his question, I carefully answered, "A dense forest is what I see."

"Then how might I answer you as to where we are located? Not once, nor twice, but it has been multiple times where you repeated the same question and multiple times have I ignored your voice to keep my body at rest!"

I flipped my hair and snorted. "Had you not been the one who said your clan was where you were headed? I merely followed your footsteps which proven to be incorrect. I say you have not a slightest clue as to where we are as of now."

"Then why ask me!"

"Would you stop your shouting and tell me whether we are close? Arguing further will lead us nowhere as of the state we are in now!" I hollered. It became silent as the two of us clamed ourselves to have a descent conversation. "Now, all I wish for you to do is tell me how long are we then I will speak no further."

He immediately replied, "We're almost there. But if it kills you to walk on your feet," he turned around and crouched down in my view, "then climb onto my back and I will humbly carry you until we reach the clan."

I did not think twice before tightening my satchel and climbing onto his back. I could feel the strength his arms held beneath my palms. It was quite impressive as I had seen him to be weak and jester-like with the idiotic rhymes that came out of his mouth. He had proven me to be wrong in my judgment and for his sake, I declared to not trouble him the rest of the way. He lifted my carry case and wrapped its handle around his wrist then stood up.

"Good Lord woman! I have never lifted anything as heavy as you are before! Are you sure you are a beggar for no beggar can weigh as much as you!" I pouted but chose not to reply to his insults with words but with force. My hand swiftly went up and drew downward onto his head with as much strength as I could gather.

"Insulting me will do you no good. I will not stoop to your level of mockery and only be angered further," I formally replied.

"Yet you are not the one carrying yourself," he muttered. I sneered at him and said no more. Any distractions would only keep us long.

We walked (or I was carried) along the forest for many hours and along the way, we rested a bit to find water and food nearby. There wasn't any fresh water to quench our thirst so we had to bet on our luck that neither of us would become ill on the filthy water. I had gathered berries growing in a bush and packaged them in a large leaf. In order to seal them in the leaf, I ripped up my gown sleeve and tied it around the leaf in a very tight knot. When our rest had sadly come to a stop, we walked once again. There wasn't any word that could describe the irritation I was feeling along the way. It was clear as the sky to me that the man had no idea as to where we were headed. If it were not for my declaration, I may have spoken an insult to him but I did not want to anger him further. Let alone begin another heated argument. After sunset, a clearing could be seen up ahead and I could almost smell the scent of burning wood. I could not contain the excitement I felt as we neared and rushed on ahead, not bothering the call of me false name from the man behind me. All too suddenly, I found myself caught in a rope by the feet, swinging with my arms above my head, and a sword's pointed head staring me in the eyes.

"Who are you and why have you come here?" a very low voice demanded. Being in shock, I could not answer him but continued to stare in fright of the pointed sword.

"She's not an enemy!" the familiar voice of the man I was with shouted in desperation. I could hear many footsteps rush to my side as the rope tied around my feet slowed its swinging motion.

"Then who is she? Why have you brought her here?" a hoarse voice came from beside me along with wheezing noises erupting from his or her mouth.

I heard a sigh and a hand held onto the rope. "She's just a mere beggar! No harm can she do to us!"

"Oh I don't believe a word you speak. A mere beggar you say she is but look at her gown. You can see the worth it might have been had it not been for the filth covering its true appearance," came the hoarse voice again.

"I say we poke her with our spears to see if she has jewelry hidden on her!"

"No, the satchel and the carry case should be investigated! I am sure we will find something even worthier than jewelry!"

Any moment know I would soon find myself dead by the hands of these mongrels! I had to speak on my behalf before any of my belongings were taken away. "I beseech you fellow people; please do not label me an intruder! I only come in peace with this fine gentleman beside me whom desperately tries to speak for my sake. The words he speaketh are the truth… so please do take them into some consideration."

"She tells a lie!" a person shouted.

"She cannot be trusted! I say we kill her!"

Oh how dreadful this feeling was to be hung upside down and with no chance of escaping. My arms were growing limp by the second and if I wasn't saved any sooner, I wouldn't live to see the day of my freedom. Being free of this world was not what I wanted at all. Why were the people so stubborn to listen as I spoke? Did I truly look as if I were a diabolical criminal whom plotted to intrude and harm them? I was wearing a gown for goodness sake! Criminals did not prance around in gowns while holding swords.

That's when it had come to my mind.

My sword… the sword which was now located in the grimy arms of a middle-aged man.

"She has a sword so she is a thief! She wanted to steal our gold and silver!"

"No she had not planned to do so! All she wanted to do was rest here because her plan was to travel to Stonegate!"

Silence ensued and the only noise that could be heard was the popping from the flames of the large bonfire. The silence did not last very long though, someone snapped out of their revere and moved forward with the sword. Fearing that the sword was meant to pierce me, I panicked and shut my eyes tight without so much as a small whimper coming out and silently prayed for death to be put in a pause. All in a second, the rope snapped and my body came plummeting to the ground head first. The moment my head had meant to ground, I found myself surrounded in complete darkness.


I woke up from the feel of a damp cloth on my temple and opened my eyes. It had taken a while to adjust them to my surroundings before I hastily sat up only to fall back down.

"Be careful or you will only hurt yourself," an unfamiliar feminine voice spoke. I turned my head in the direction of the voice in caution and saw a rose hair woman in a servant's gown pouring water into a small bucket. She stopped her actions and walked over to my side to lift the damp cloth then placed the cloth back into the bucket. As she squeezed out the liquid, I took notice of my surroundings. Currently, I was in a small room as it seemed and there was not much to see. There were only a few supplies and a small bed woven from leaves. Aside the bed was a small wooden crib where an infant slept soundlessly. My lips tugged upward at the sight of the infant suckling its thumb as it slept. It almost made me want child. I turned away from the beautiful sight and looked up at the covering of the room. It was all made from wood and leaves along with the wall covering. It indicated that the people whom lived in this 'home' were of the lower class.

What was I doing here to start with?

Flashes of the scene which occurred earlier came into mind as it all fit into pieces. I had been knocked out after being cut down from the rope. But who was this woman tending to me as I lain?

"Who are you?" gently I asked. The woman did not answer but brought the re-damped cloth back onto my forehead and moved back and forth on my visage. Once she had finished, she dropped the cloth back into the bucket and came behind my head.

"You are all sweaty so I propose you get into the bath and wash yourself off before I announce to you who I am," said she as I was slowly propped up into a sitting position. She placed my left arm on her shoulder and wrapped her right arm around my waist to help me stand on my soles, then I was lead into a small room which had a dug in bath with females around placing heated rocks into the water to heat it. I was left to stand on my own as the rose haired woman went to speak with another woman then came back to be with the woman towing behind. "This is Sumire. She will assist you with your bath since you are not all that well yet," the pink haired woman introduced then walked back into the room she was in before. I gave the other woman a small smile but to my annoyance, she returned the gesture with a glare.

The nerve of this peasant! If I were not keeping my status a mystery, I would have had her punished for her rude behavior towards one who was above her. But definitely not wanting to start trouble, I only brushed off the rudeness and proceeded to follow her when she motioned me over.

"I assume that you are well enough to undress yourself, seeing that you can walk properly," she said to I who could not keep my eyes off the strangeness of her hair. It was as if an octopus had attacked her head and left her hair in disarray! Even if a peasant, should not a female care for her hair? "Are you listening, I said you may start to undress yourself!" she growled.

My patience was thinning but I had to obey. There came the trouble where undressing myself in front of all these women made be terribly uncomfortable. I hardly allowed my maids to enter the chamber when I bathed so to have many eyeballs gaze at my form was very difficult to handle. I turned around and faced Sumire as she raised a brow at my actions. "I do not want to bathe in the sight of the woman. I would rather… no… I would love to be alone as I bathe," firmly I said. Sumire scrunched up her nose and stalked closer to my form with a finger which in turn jabbed at my chest.

"You must believe you are special that shooing all these bathing woman would be at your request," she jabbed my chest once again. "Women are women so why fret over the sight of one? Have you originated from a home where your parentage treats you as a princess?"

"All I wish is to bathe alone! Is it too much of a request to handle?" I shouted. The argument caught the attention of the other females and the rose haired woman rushed in and stood in between us ladies with arms rose.

"Aye me! Why must you fight with so little as a proper introduction? Hast one done wrong to the other for if it is to be true, please confess!" She faced Sumire and said, "What seems to be the problem for you two to be in an argument in so little time?"

"It's the 'princess,'" sarcastically, she said as she pointed to I, "having the other women in the bath disturbs her. She ordered me to shoo them away and let her be alone as she bathed."

The rose haired woman placed an arm on the octopus headed woman's shoulder and spoke, "If that is what she wants then let it be. She might be shy around the bodies of other women so there is no need for a dispute."

"B-But madam," she was halted with the raise of a hand.

"Do as I say; shoo the women from the bath and lead them into their chambers. They may return when our guest has gotten herself comfortable."

The octopus headed woman shot me a glare which I returned with my tongue in a childish manner. I did not care what she would think of it. All I cared was to have the bath to myself. It might have been selfish to request all the other women to leave but I was not to blame. It was how I was raised my Mother. I was delighted to see the other women gathering their attire and leaving the bath but it was disturbing to witness the looks they gave me.

The look or murder.

But that frightened me not. I was a brave lady and the mere looks the peasants gave me would not warn me off.

When all the women were gone from sight, excluding the rose haired woman, I turned to her and curtsied in gratitude. When I lifted my head, I saw the look of confusion plastered on her visage. It must have been the curtsy I had just performed.

Darn Mother. It was her whom taught me to curtsy when thanking another woman and because of the memory, I had given away my identity. I just knew it!

"Why do you curtsy like a noble woman as such?" she asked me.

Quickly I said, "Before becoming a beggar, I had worked as a maid for my master and his wife from childhood. It was my master's wife who taught me to curtsy as such when thanking another female. And to thank a man was to kneel on the ground and kiss the man's hand." Lies were beginning to come out very easily as I thought of them. I had to admit, it was quite an accomplishment and I believed they were sounding more believing than ever. Luckily for I, the truth went right over her head and she took the lie as fact.

"I understand," said she. "You may begin your bath. As I turn around, remove your gown and leave in on the floor then hop into the bath then I will turn back around and take your gown to be cleaned." I nodded and she did as she said she would. I hurriedly removed my gown and dropped it on the ground then sat in the very warm bath. My long hair hid me features as she turned around to face me and took my gown with her. Out the room she went and I was left in the silent bath to think properly.

When I had finished bathing, I called for Sumire (whose name was the only one I could remember) and asked for a towel which she sought for and threw at me when returning then left. I got out and wrapped the towel around my waist then walked towards the entrance of the bath. A neatly folded robe caught my sight and I crouched down to pick it up. My hand had reached it the same time another hand clutched it which caught me by surprise. Immediately I gazed up and was staring into blue irises of a man.

Being in the state I was in, my only response was to scream and jump backwards. Sadly, I stumbled over a rock and tumbled back into the bath… with the man still gazing.

END OF CHAPTER


Author's Note: Okay, so I am by far the slowest person ever. I take way too long to update but at least it wasn't as bad as the other one which took me approximately four months to upload. And to make up for my slowness, this chapter was slightly and I mean just slightly longer than how I would usually type.

Now, the point that the story is in will be slowed down a bit because I'm busy writing down added plots to the story and connecting them all together. I'm sorry for not describing in proper detail about where Mikan was and how not much had occurred. I constantly kept changing my idea for this chapter and what would or would not be added. In the end I came to this. I took Sunday off to finish the chapter before going back to study mode tomorrow just so that I could get that out of the way.

I'll update Unlikely Romance, my short story, next then go back to RM. Once I finish unlikely Romance, I will once again start updating The Future, another story of mine and post up my re-done chapters 7-whatever chapter I am on for Not My Prince: Real Story. And just in case if anyone thought the Real Story part meant based on true story, which is not completely true. I'm just saying this in advance but I did take events from my life and added it to the story itself to make it seem more high school life like.

The title of the chapter is six in Latin; I didn't just randomly write sex if some people thought I did because that would be just weird. LoL C: I started chapter seven already so that I will be ahead of the game!

So… you know the drill…. Review… please? And continue reading!

From,

ME