Thank you for all the reviews. And since you did your part of the deal, I shall do mine xD
Chapter 5!
~Kyoko-tan
Writer: Kyoko-tan
Editor: Credit goes to Sakura-tan x3
Disclaimers: I do not own Romeo and Juliet, nor do I own Gakuen Alice. They are owned by William Shakespeare and Tachibana Higuchi respectively.
Recap of Chapter 4:
"Justice is served. Tybalt slew Mercutio; Tybalt has fallen. Prince, must reconsider Lady Rosaline's sentence. She has only served justice, that couldn't have been served any other way!" Sumire reasons.
"Reason with the attorney," Hotaru states.
However, all these noises were drowning away by his kiss. It's just the two of us —Romeo and Juliet; not having a care in the world.
This is a perfect, flawless moment, I'll never forget. And thus, the start of my life as Juliet Montague begins.
The First Scene of the Third Act has concluded.
Chapter 5:
From behind me, I can hear someone trying to open the door.
Pick. Pick. Pick. Pick. Creak.
"Mikan," Hotaru says. I jump from my position – which was in Natsume's arm – completely startled, while Natsume glares at the intruder.
"Wha… wha… it's not what you think!"
Hotaru smiles at my stutters. "The director would like a word with you, Mikan," She turns and leaves from the doorway.
I began to stand up – to trail Hotaru, when I felt Natsume's fingers graze mine. Our eyes linger for a moment, before I broke it off. 'Parting is such sweet sorrows.' I recall one of Juliet's famous lines. I collect the hem of the dress and made my way over to the director.
The director was standing with her script in hand and was talking with Narumi-sensei. I politely announce my arrival, "Director, Hotaru said you would like to speak with me."
"I did? I don't recall asking anyone to call for you."
"Eh?" I was dumbfounded.
"Though I did want to compliment you and Natsume for such a realistic performance. I'm sure you have captured the hearts of the audience. Keep the chemistry up!" She pats me on the back.
I blush at the comment. "I- I'll t-try my best," I bow and swiftly walk back towards the change room. I look around to notice that something was missing. No – not something, but someone. My heart sinks a little.
Standing at the doorway, I close my eyes. My fingers trail to my lips and recall the moments minutes before. Natsume~ I smile fondly.
"You're blocking the entrance."
"Oh sorry," I turn to see my best friend, holding my final act's clothes. "Hotaru!"
She walks past me to hang the dress on the hook. I follow her. "Hotaru~! You interrupted me again!"
She smiles and spins me around to unlace the golden wedding dress. "Mo~ You lied about the director needing to see me!" I whine.
However, instead of answering me, she inquires about my blissful moment at the doorway. "Thinking about Natsume again?"
"Eh?" I blush. "N-n-no!"
"It's obvious," She laces my last dress of the night. Unlike the other two dresses I wore this evening that were light colours, this dress was dark blue. The silk blue fabric was covered with a layer of lace. The lace starts out white near the waist slowly blend into black lace at near the floor. As for the top, it looks like petals of flowers that feathered down the back. Against my pale skin, the blue seems to "pop" out.
I settle in front of a dressing table and began to undo the messy bun in my hair. Through the mirror, I look at Hotaru, who was putting away the wedding dress. "Is it really that obvious?"
"Mhhhmm," she replies without looking at me. "So obvious that those who read Romeo and Juliet would realize how you change the story on the stage."
"Wahh~ what should I do Hotaru? What if the principal doesn't like it?" I began to dread the news. Tears were starting to form in my eyes. "…Then I can't see grandpa, waahhh~"
Hotaru comforts me and wipes the tears from my cheeks with a Kleenex. "You're face will become a wreck,"
"But, I-I'll feel –hic– horrible –hic–" I blew my nose into the awaiting Kleenex Hotaru holds against my nose. "I can't help it, Waahhh~"
Guilt washes over me, as I stare at my hands that clasp the Kleenex in my lap. Hotaru combs through my hair and puts it into a low ponytail. She then clips a flowery vintage clip in my hair.
Suddenly, there is a knock on the door.
Hotaru steps away from me to open the door, but she immediately closes the door again. Just before she closes the door completely, I catch a glimpse of Natsume's attire. He was wearing dark grey pants with white collar suit shirt. On top, he also wore a dark bluish-green trench coat.
"Wha-" I could hear Natsume protesting behind the wooden doors.
"Hotaru~" I pout and walk over to the door. My hand grabs the handle, ready to open the door once Hotaru lessens her grip.
"No pressure, Mikan." I gave her a nervous smile. "Go, your prince is waiting for you."
She opens the door to a stunned Natsume and Ruka, who were locked out moments ago. "I'm handing Mikan to you; you better take care of her," My best friend threatens.
"Tch, I know." Natsume looks away. The shadow hides his expressions from me.
"Sumire and Koko are almost done their scene with begging the authorities," Ruka states. "It's your turn next, Mikan."
I nod, but my eyes were on Natsume.
Distantly, I can hear Koko and Sumire walking back to their 'house'.
"Oh, and today for lunch I ate broiled lemon peppered haddock, with mash potatos and – " Koko was ranting again.
"Oh for pete heavens, can't you talk about something relative to the topic? Our niece is sentenced to death. DEATH!" Sumire screams.
"And one of our kins was killed." Koko still had the smile on his face. "Come now, relax. Once Juliet marries Paris, everything will be alright."
"Alright? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, because Paris is Prince Escalus' sister's husband's brother's nephew's son."
"Prince Escalus' sister's hubba-wa?" Sumire looks disbelievingly at Koko.
"Paris is one of Prince Escalus' kinsmen."
"Oh," Sumire says. "Now that makes more sense. Juliet! Juliet!"
Misaki appears on stage and Sumire calls out to her. "Great nurse, where is Juliet?"
"I'll fetch her right away, madam." Misaki runs backstage and loudly whispers my name. "Mikan!"
I stop staring at Natsume. "Yes, coming!" I whisper back. I quickly gather the hems of the dress and calmly walk onto the stage with the Misaki behind me.
"Mother, father. Welcome home!" I smile and curtsy.
"Juliet!" they both exclaim.
"How was the trip to the station? Have they lessened cousin Rosaline's sentences?" I inquire.
"No, luck." Sumire sighs. "How-"
"However, everything is fine once you marry Paris." Koko butts in. "That is because Paris is Prince Escalus' sister's husband's – "
"Anyways, in short our lovely daughter, we have decided that you shall be betrothed to Paris." Sumire interrupts Koko back.
"What's with the rush?" I exclaim. " I thought father said I was too young to be married!"
"But the situation has changed, dear Juliet." Sumire states.
"But-" I began to protest. My voice fades out to a croak. But… I'm married to Lord Romeo already, I can't be married again.
"No, buts! You wish your cousin to be freed, don't you? The wedding is to be held a fortnight from now."
"Mother!" I cry. "Father, stop mama and her nonsense!"
"Actually, it makes perfect sense. Once you are Lady Paris, you'll have the power to lower Lady Rosaline's sentence and she could be freed." Koko replies in the matter-of-fact tone.
"Nurse! You'll help me won't you," I turn to Misaki standing behind me, desperately trying to find an ally on this lonely battlefield.
"Well… Paris is a good man. He's flawless, rich and socially respected by many. Oh, Juliet, you have nothing to worry about." The Nurse replies. I look at her in sheer horror. Did she forget that I was married to Romeo and how she helped us marry?
"No," I took a step back. "NO! I will NOT marry him, you can't make me. You ALL can't make me." I scream.
"I'm falling, my lady." Koko cries in hope to capture Lord Capulet's devastation at his daughter's outburst. Suddenly, he transitions to a singing voice. "I'm falling, I'm – London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down~ London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady." Koko sings.
Sumire slaps herself on the forehead for her "husband" has gone off-topic once again. She raises her voice and scolds, "If you don't marry, consider yourself disowned! I don't have a daughter who is so stubborn! Have you forgotten how I raised you? You insolent child!"
"I'm not like you mother!" I spat back. "I don't marry for status, I marry for love. I will marry someone who I love and someone who loves me back, dearly. You can't make me." I repeat the last line. With that, I walk off to the side of the stage and collapse on top of a box in despair.
I cover my eyes with my hands, weeping softly. Misaki places her hands onto my shoulder in hopes to comfort me.
"You betrayed me, Nurse! You know I'm married to Romeo!" I wail without looking at her.
Misaki closes her eyes as she recites, "N-uh. The ceremony was interrupted with Tybalt's intervention; thus the bonding was incomplete. Besides, as long as he doesn't place a ring upon your finger, seal it with a kiss and spend a night with you – then that doesn't count as marrying." She pauses to wait for a response. Hearing nothing, she opens one of her eyes to see my dumbstruck face.
"EH?" I holler out.
(I was later informed that at this point, Natsume, who was listening in backstage, was also shocked. He whipped around and began to stalk towards the door that leads to the stage, with a fire ball lit up. Apparently, it took the entire backstage crew to pull him back. They later had to detain him in his change room.)
"Don't 'eh' me. Girl, you have bright future ahead of you, why wait for Romeo to get the courage to ask your parents and have a proper wedding? In this sense, Paris suits you much more than Romeo."
"Do you really mean it?" My voice etches with sorrow.
"I do."
"Thank you Nurse. You have comforted me well," I lie. In my mind, Romeo was still my Romeo, my one and only husband. "I shall retire to bed now."
"Of course, my lady. Good night." The lights on the stage dims. I quickly step of the stage as the backstage crew rush on to change the scenes.
Once the stage lights up again, the scene is arrange into a court room. The Montagues files in and takes a seat on the left bleachers, while the Capulets takes the right. Nobara, the accused, is led to the back behind the bars by the guards. Mr. Copperfield, the prosecuting lawyer – portrayed by Tono – begins to set fake documents on his table. On the other side, was Narumi (yes, he has two roles), the defendant's lawyer.
"Court, please rise." Nonoko says. All characters stood to acknowledge the judge walking in. It was none other than… Hotaru with her white wig! She sits down on her chair and directs the court to begin.
"Case code: 0012957369502948571034, Crown vs. Rosaline Capulet." Anna reads aloud.
"Do you plea guilty, Miss Capulet?" Hotaru asks.
"I do not, your Honour," Nobara calmly states.
"Then the persecutor may start with their opening statement." Anna directs.
"Ahem. Your honour, Miss Rosaline Capulet is being tried for second degree murder as she has committed a murder. In the witnesses' account, which you will hear later today, it states hearing Miss Capulet whisper "an eye for an eye"; clearly showing motive. The action was when the accuse stabs the now late Tybalt. As this case has both mens rea and actus reas, the Accuse is guilty with second degree murder." Tono concludes.
"The defendant may state their opening statement,"
"Your Honour. Today we bring two families, oh so pitted against each other. Two ancient household, both alike in dignity; as Shakespeare would say," Narumi passionately says. "Miss Capulet took it upon herself to serve justice, proving she is a responsible citizen. Since the Accused is innocent unless proven guilty, it is up to the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that my client, Miss Capulet has the intention to kill Tybalt."
Narumi sits down, before standing up to answer Hotaru's question: "What does the Accused plea for?"
"Ah~ Not guilt, madam." He bows, smiles and sits back into his chair. Tono begins the trial by summoning a Crown's witness – Benvolio.
"Benvolio, can you recap what happen the day Tybalt died?"
"Mercutio and I were walking by, when we saw Tybalt armed near Romeo and Juliet, so instinctively, we shouted his name to scare him off. He always had eyes for Romeo," Ruka begins to state the events. "Ummm…later, Mercutio dies and Lady Rosaline appears. The rest you know."
"Did you hear what the Accused said before killing the deceased?"
Ruka makes eye contact with Nobara behind the bars, before looking back at Tono. "No, I was too far."
"Thank you, all of my questions have been answered."
Narumi stands and begins his cross examination. "You mentioned that 'Tybalt has eyes for Romeo', could you expand on that point, please?
Ruka gulp. "Uhh… Well there are mixed emotions. Being from two families who hold their grudges against each other, Tybalt originally loved to challenge Romeo to duels. We thought this was the case when me and Mercutio saw them inside the church, but it was shocking when Tybalt declared his love for Romeo."
Everyone on stage gasp and ladies began to hold up their fans next to their face to gossip with the girl beside them.
"And Mercutio, why did he duel Tybalt?"
"He was protecting Romeo and Juliet. He was later killed by Tybalt."
"Thank you, your Honour."
Tono calls his second witness: a citizen who was shopping for groceries at the market. Her name was Ms. Scuttlebutt. As she walks on to the stage, she bats her eyes at Natsume, before smirking at me. She sits at the witness stand.
"Place your hand on the bible and swear to say the truth, only the truth and nothing more than the truth," Nonoko instructs.
"Pssshh, I swear by the moon." Luna emphasises the last word.
Tono takes a sip of water before addressing the witness. When he notices Luna on stage, who was wearing Juliet's first dress, he stutters: "Ms – yeur Scuttlebutt,"
I laugh at Tono mistake, as most of the audience did. Instead of Miss, it sounded like Monsieur, a French way of saying Mister. Tono corrects himself. "Ms. Scuttlebutt, ahem. Can you tell us what happened that day."
"Of course. That girl," She points at Rosaline, "stabbed me."
"Stabbed you?" Tono questions.
"I mean, Tybird!"
"Tybalt," Tono corrects.
"Yes, the she-man."
"Can you elaborate? Perhaps, what you were doing, what you saw and what you heard."
"I was shopping at the market, when I saw a commotion. When I turned around I saw that girl." She points at Nobara again. "She mumbled 'An eye for an eye' and then stabbed me in the back. IN THE BACK!"
Tono clears his throat and looks at Hotaru. "Everyone knows that 'An eye for an eye' is used to get revenge or punish others. Therefore, the Accused had the intention. This witness also mentions how she saw the Accused stab the deceased, ultimately leading Tybalt to his death."
Both family gasp as motive and action have been established in this case. It was clear that Nobara would be sentenced of second degree murder. Luna continues to smirk at the witness' stand.
"We'll resume the trial in 15 minutes." Hotaru announces.
During this time, many people came to give us their condolences. Sumire began to weep into Koko's shoulders, as he reads peoples' mind. I got up from my seat to talk to Nobara behind the bars, stopping a brief moment near Natsume to give him a curtsy.
"Lady Rosaline," I began. She looks up and smiles sadly when she sees me.
"Lady Juliet."
I try to cheer her up. "Don't worry everything will be alright."
"No it won't, Lady Juliet. The prosecutor has proven – " She trails off and looks away.
"You trust me don't you?" I grasp her hands in mine. She nods. "I'll get you out of here – no matter what it takes."
Through the entire trial, I debated whether or not I should walk this path that I am to pave. However, with every question answered by witnesses, it began to become clear to me. I finally realize that this path would allow this play to end happily ever after with both families happy. The Montague and Capulet can live their own lives. My parents would be proud. And lastly, Romeo can be with Rosaline… his previous lover.
All this can happen,
if…
I marry Paris.
The Fifth Scene of the Third Act has concluded
Did you know?: So Luna makes another appearance; thus a new name. A more appropriate name – Ms. Scuttlebutt. In actuality, "Scuttlebutt" is slang for gossip. Fitting, no?
I would love to hear all your thoughts, so please review. ;)
-Kyoko-tan has signed out