Here's chapter 6! Remember Read, Enjoy and Review. ;)

Writer: Kyoko-tan

Editor: Sakura-tan

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 5:

Through the entire trial, I debated whether or not I should walk this path that I was about 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

Chapter 6:

I take a deep breath and squeeze Nobara's hands. I look for courage and support in her eyes. "I shall go back to my parents." A fake smile appears on my face and I began to stand up. Then, someone place their hand on my left shoulder preventing me from leaving. I turn to see Narumi looking at me. He shakes his head, as if he knew my plan.

He leans in and whispers, "Let's wait until the trial is over. Tono may have won the battle, but he hasn't won the war." Narumi sends me a wink.

Just then, Narumi lurches sideway to reveal Natsume's angry face. "Na – Romeo!" I scream. He turns around and walks away with a satisfied smirk. I ran after him. "Mo~ Romeo! Where art thou hit thee?"

I ran after him for several minutes – I lost count of how long, before I heard Hotaru's voice. SLAM. SLAM. SLAM. She slams her gavel three times against the sound block. "Attention back in the courts!"

I stop mid-way in my action of hitting Natsume and scurry back to my seat. Sumire whispers to me. "Where were ye? You were suppose to be comforting your poor mother,"

"You have father," I respond without looking at her. My eyes were concentrated on Narumi. He seemed really confident about the trial when he discouraged me for continuing my action.

"What were you talking about with Lady Rosaline?"

"Nothing."

"Don't give me the cold shoulders. You are planning something, aren't you?" I look into my mother's eyes.

"No." I grit out. If Narumi wants me to trust him, I will. After all, he is my sensei. Besides, at this moment, Juliet really despises her parents.

"Your Honour, I would like to call upon Juliet Capulet." Narumi request. Upon hearing my name, I got up from my seat and slowly made my way to the witness stand. I stand until Nonoko brings the bible to me.

"I swear, that I will state the truth and nothing more than the truth." She dictates again.

"I swear." I whisper, my eyes staring at book in front of me. Suddenly, it felt like a pressure is on my back. Everything is going to be dictated. I gulp.

"Can you tell us what happen on the tragic afternoon?"

"Lady Rosaline asked Tybalt to go with her to the authorities after he slew Mercutio," I begin to retell the story. "He refused. Being good citizens – caring for society's good – we were going to execute a citizen arrest. In the mist of Tybalt's struggles in attempt to flee, he fell on top of Rosaline's dagger."

Unlike Luna, the story that I told was true. We were going to attempt a citizen arrest. I look around the room, before stopping to meet Luna's eyes. She was sitting behind Natsume. Noticing that I was looking at her, she whispers something into Natsume's ear, a sly smile on her lips. Whatever she said, Natsume didn't respond. He kept his attention to the trial.

"What was the Accused tone of voice when she said 'An eye for an eye'?"

"She said it quietly; a slight disappointment in her voice can be heard." I look away from Luna to Narumi and respond.

"And where did this event take place?"

"Inside the church,"

"Can anyone outside hear what was going on?"

I thought for a moment. "No, that would be unlikely, because on that afternoon, it was a private ceremony."

"Are you positive?"

"Yes, I'm 100% sure." After all, it was a secret wedding between Romeo and I. I smile as I reminisce wearing the wedding dress.

"Did you invite Miss Scuttlebutt?"

I pause for another moment. Our wedding must be kept in the shadow. "I wasn't the one who held the ceremony," I whisper quietly.

"Then who invited you?"

"It is I!" From backstage a loud voice can be heard. He solidly marches on to the stage. He was still wearing his clothes from last scene.

"You are?" Narumi questions.

"I am the honourable swordsman and dreamer – Mercutio!" He exclaims. Mochiage waves his sword around. He bows and says, "The ghost."

The entire cast gasp at his entrance. Although we have much of the scenes right now were mostly improvised (since we didn't rehearse so far), we didn't think Mochiage would show up again. Let alone, as a ghost.

"Mercutio the ghost," Narumi directs his questions to him. "It's great to have first-hand victim here to give us their witness account. Can you tell us why you invited Juliet there to the church?"

"It wasn't only Juliet. There was Romeo, Friar Laurence, Benvolio and Lady Rosaline."

"And Miss Scuttlebutt?"

"Eh? Who's that?" He smiles innocently.

"She is the lady sitting behind Lord Romeo," Narumi points into the crowd of people. "She states that she overheard the commotion at the church."

Mochiage looks to where Narumi was pointing at. "Romeo! My friend, how I missed you. Oh and Benvolio. Wherefore art thee sitting here and not dancing the night away?" He says in a Mexican accent and waves gleefully at his two best friends.

Ruka smiles back at Mochiage, while Natsume glares at him. It seems he has not forgotten the curses that Mochiage has mentioned in his dying breathe. Finally, Mochiage recognizes Luna.

"Vile submission! You murderer, Tybalt!" Mochiage draws his prop sword. "Come, draw and we shall put our duel to an end,"

"Ahaha, what are you talking about, Mercutio?" Luna leans forward from sit and drapes her arms over Natsume's shoulder. He smacks her hands away. Taking a cue that she was unwanted, she stands up from the bleachers to cover her rejection. "Take a good look at me."

Luna stands and twirls in a circle. My dress threatens to rip apart. From my seat, I could see the seams ripping and her corset at the back was slowly, but steadily becoming undone.

Mochiage place his hand on his forehead, like those looking far into the distance. His face scrunches up in confusion, as he pauses for a moment to think. He points his fingers accusingly at Luna. "You're still Tybalt."

"How do I look at that man?" She screams and emphasis the word 'man'. "I'm a woman. W. O. M. A. N. Woman, don't you see?"

"…No I don't. In my eyes, you're still Tybalt. You'll forever and ever and ever and ever and ever be Tybalt. After all, what is in a piece of clothes? They change everyday,"

"Arrggghhh," Luna walks down the bleachers and grab the Mercutio's dagger, which was currently being held as evidence.

Apparently the audience and the cast were too busy and had their eyes fixated on this latest development to notice Hotaru whipping her baka gun version 9.0 from under her desk, until we heard its signature line.

Baka.

It hits Luna's hand and the dagger drops on the floor. "Miss Scuttlebutt, for posing a threat to those in court, you shall be escorted to sit behind the bars for the remainder of this trial."

Two men dressed in black suits walk out from behind the stage to escort Luna. "I don't need someone to escort me," She folds her arm across her chest. She held her head high and closes her eyes, just like a proud and arrogant princess.

It was suppose to be a cool act. At least it was, until she fell flat on her face after tripping on Tsubasa's outstretched legs. Trip. She looks up angrily from her near grovelling position. "YOU! You did that on purpose didn't you?"

"No, madam. I would never do such a thing." Tsubasa sarcastically says.

"You!" Luna got ready to pounce and strangle Tsubasa, but a fan stops her. It was Misaki.

"How improper of a lady," She sneers and joins in.

Luna was glaring at Misaki, ready to attack. "Miss Scuttlebutt, any more and you'll be restricted to attend the trial." Hotaru reminds Luna and continues to walk behind the bars. Luna begins to swiftly plop in the vacant seat beside Nobara.

"Mercutio, would you like to tell us why you invited your close friends to the church?" Narumi continues to question Mercutio.

"Ummmm…." I look at Mochiage, as he scratches his head. The secret wedding would soon be revealed if the cards aren't played right. We had to think quickly.

"We were practicing for my wedding," I blurt out. The room becomes quiet and all eyes were at me. I gave a knowing glance at Hayate. "You see, I have recently been engaged."

Through the crowd, my parents were beaming at me, like I was a shining star. As my eyes wander to Montague's section, I met Natsume's eyes. It held betrayal and hurt. Oh, how I wish I could hug him and tell him everything will be alright. But I couldn't, instead I continue with my cover-story. "I went to see, ummm…. The church a-and aisles a-and ahh, the ahhh…" I stutter some facts.

"We were seeing if we could have a double marriage," Mochiage joins in.

"Yes, that." I reply on autopilot. Once I responded, I realize what Mochiage had said. I look confusingly at him. "Eh?" Double marriage?

"Lady Rosaline and I were planning to marry later this month. Then, we thought it would be a good idea, if Mikan marries her lover with us." Mochiage states in one breath. He looks at Natsume's shock face and bows. "I'm sorry my friend. I didn't mean to take your girl from you, it was so sudden. It was love at first sight. I just couldn't hold back after seeing her pale face that fateful night."

The room erupts with chatters. "A Montague liking a Capulet? What has the world become?"

"Cydia, my white powder! With this, Romeo shall be mine!"

"Oh, this case gets more and more interesting." Another one joins in. "Ho ho ho."

Montague henchmen began to draw their swords, while the Capulets gets theirs out. "We shall not accept you to be fellow friends, Never!"

"For Montague!"

"For Capulet!"

"Silence." Slam. Hotaru orders; however the courtroom was too loud. She grabs the baka gun version 9.0, which was beside the gavel.

Baka. Baka. Baka. Baka. Baka. Baka. Baka. Baka.

"Your honour. Clearly, Miss Scuttlebutt testimonial are at question. How can someone, who had no access to a private church, hear of the commotion inside the church?" Narumi states.

"That was because – " Luna yells from behind the bars, as she grasp the bars.

"I object!" Tono raise his hand into the air, a sign to show he wants to make a point. He stands.

"That's right, my lawyer. Tell them that they are falsely accusing me with no proof," Luna smiles and let her arms drape over the bars.

Hotaru looks at Tono, "Your reason?"

"Oh, no reason really. I just wanted to yell 'I object'." Tono said. He sits down in his chair. "Please continue."

"What! You're supposed to defend me!" Luna screeches from behind. "I want to change my lawyer!"

'This is Crown vs. Rosaline… no duh the lawyer doesn't defend you.' I thought. The play is totally messed up by now. I sigh.

"Thus, Miss Scuttlebutt's testimony is questionable." Narumi looks away from Hotaru to the witness post. "Thank you, Mercutio and Juliet." Narumi bows and sits down.

"It's Mercutio the ghost," Mochiage corrects.

Then it was time for the cross-examination. Tono stands from his seat and place his hefty [prop] binder onto the stand in front of him.

"Ahem. Mercutio the ghost," Tono states, "Lady Juliet,"

"Yes," I look at him with honest eyes.

"Who's the lucky man?" Tono winks at me. I look down at my hands, twirling my thumbs. I had to avoid the glance from the bleachers.

"Tell them, Lady Juliet." Luna purrs, a smirk clearly plaster on her face.

"OBJECTION~" Narumi stands. "It's irrelevant to the case."

"Objection rejected. Witness please answer the question," Hotaru smiles. She was thoroughly enjoying harassing me.

Hayate strolls into the courtroom and bows. He walks into the room and pulls some "petty" cash from his pocket to give to Hotaru. In a quiet voice he says, "That's my future wife."

Hotaru willingly accepts his offers. He then walks over and drape his jacket over my shoulders. "She's fairly tired. It's been a long trial, won't you excuse her?"

"Very well," Tono replies. "No further questions."

He escorts me back to the Capulet's booth, one hand holding my back and another grasping my hand. Everyone in the row decide to shift one seat down to make room for me and Hayate. I sit down, making sure not make any eye contact with anyone in the Montague's booth.

I tuck my hand into the jacket, when I found a piece of paper. Carefully, I slip the paper into my right hand and unravel to read the note.

Meet me at 9 tonight at our usual place. – R.

(In order for the audience to see the note, the lights shone off-stage to an area where we wrote it with 'invisible ink'.)

I look up from my seat to look at Natsume, just as he was being called by Narumi. "Your Honour, I would like to call Romeo,"

Our eyes meet for a second. I scrunch the piece of paper and place it into a secret pocket sewn on my dress.

"What is your relation to the Accused?" Narumi begins to interrogate.

"…Cousin," Natsume pauses before continuing. The room becomes silent. "In-law."

The room gasp again. Ruka and Hotaru both sneak a glance at me. I try to hide my face.

"Does this mean Romeo's not single?"

"Lady Montague, what is the meaning of this? Were we not worthy of you to invite to their wedding?" Montague's friends waddle over in their poofy Victorian dress and begin to interrogate.

"No, I – " Aoi begins to protest. Her "friends" becomes more aggressive and began to whip their fans in her face. They loom over her, like Cinderella being bossed by her step-sisters.

"Explain yourself," They sent evil glares at Aoi. Of course, their evil glares cannot compete with Youichi's spirits. And thus, they were chased away. Youichi still remain a calm look on his face without looking at the intruders and continues to enjoy his moment with Aoi, draping an arm over her petit shoulders. His eyes were still fixated on the trial.

"Cousin-in-law means that young Romeo could have married husband of one's cousin to husband, husband – " Koko rambles again.

Sumire elbows Koko in the ribs, "Oh, shhhh. You're drawing unwanted attention, Lord."

Narumi continues to ask his questions. "Do you agree with what other witnesses have said that Lady Rosaline killed Tybalt because of self defence?"

"Hn."

"Thank you. Your Honour, I think this is enough proof to say that my client did not intentionally kill Tybalt and that she is not guilty."

"Mmmm. Miss Rosaline is proven not guilty; however Miss Scuttlebutt, because of lying under oath, you are sentence to 4 years of serving the Capulets as their servant. Case closed."

"Court." Everyone rises and watches Hotaru leave the stage.

"Lady Juliet," Nobara runs to give me a hug. "Thank you, I knew I could trust you."

"What was that about a double marriage?" I whisper back.

"Ummm… Well, while you were busy with Romeo; I got to bond with his friend Mercutio." She whispers back. "Let's talk about it later,"

"Ohhhh, my niece Rosaline. Did they treat you poorly?" Sumire ask in a British accent. She opens her fan against her face, before snapping it shut again.

"I'm fine," Nobara curtsy.

"Come now girls. We must hold a ball tonight." Sumire grabs both of us by the elbow and whisk us away. She hollers back to Koko, "Lord, please tell everyone!"

I look back to see Natsume. It seems I won't be able to meet him later tonight at our usual place. "Ro – " I began to call out, when I notice my surrounding darken. I was backstage already.

"Lower the curtains! Dim the lights!" The director yells. "Get Capulet's dance party like in Act 1, scene 5, ready!"

I look around the room, but I couldn't see Natsume anywhere. I quickly scribble a few words on a piece of paper before. Then I hear Hotaru telling me it's my turn. Narumi was already on stage, changed into his Friar Laurence's clothing. I clutch the piece of paper tightly close to my heart. Then I quickly walk onto the stage, careful to make sure the steps were rapid, but still feminine.

"Friar!" I call. "Please give this to Romeo for me, it is urgent. You must definitely give it to him!"

"Of course, my lady." Narumi takes the paper from my hand. "Have a safe trip back, my lady. It's raining outside."

"Thank you." I bid farewell and exit the stage again. On stage Narumi then passes the paper to another Friar, portrayed by Tono.

"To young Romeo," Narumi says distantly. They both exit the scene, and on stage a new scenery was presented – The Ball.

A beautiful Tennessee waltz begins to fill the air, as all the Capulet and invitees began to fill the stage. Girls began to dance with their counterparts, while males told outrageous jokes. While all this was going on, I continue to stand in the corner next to my partner – Hayate as he animatedly chats with Sumire, Koko and Nobara.

"It's going to be the biggest wedding Verona, Alice has ever seen." Sumire exclaims with excitement.

"There will be cakes, drinks, decorations and the whole world will be giving their blessing to you two." Koko rambles about the wedding plans. "And we can cause even more news by bringing up the date to…say, the day after tomorrow!"

"Yes, the day after tomorrow!" Sumire joins in. "If that's fine with you of course, Lord Paris."

"Anything is fine," He smiles and looks at me. "Is that fine with you Juliet?"

My world stop. The day after tomorrow. Romeo, my beloved Romeo. There's no time left for me to see Romeo. Our short-lived romance will be history and will be forgotten by him. I sniff quietly. I grip Hayate's arm tighter for support.

Hayate reaches into his pocket to pull a jewellery box out; popping it open to reveal a beautiful diamond ring, yet I was unfazed by this.

To me, the diamond looked like a polished piece of coal.

However, for the best of both families – Romeo & I – I drew up my courage to take the ring in my hand. In a sorrow voice, I whisper my response.

"Yes, the day after tomorrow."

The Third Scene of the Fourth Act has finished.

Did you know?: Well, since I'm sure you readers have notice already; I changed the plot after Tybalt's death to better suited this story.

Reviews are appreciated, so if I get at least 2 more reviews, I'll update the next chapter. Also, just a heads up, Sakura-tan is going to update When Princess and Prince Meet after 1 more review! ;)

- Kyoko-tan has signed off -