I know I said that this chapter would be called "A day of freedom," but I had a better idea and changed it. Sorry to lead you guys on, but you got the better edition. Enjoy!

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CHAPTER 3

A SECRET IS REVEALED

"And this is the town market…" Tsukune said. He, Yukari, and Mizore were doing exactly as Moka wanted them to do: giving her a tour of the town. Tsukune was leading the way, while Moka strutted along behind him. Yukari and Mizore trailed along at the end of the line, Yukari nervously walking along, while Mizore was acting like nothing was wrong and doing that thing where when she walks it looks like she`s floating. Moka was looking around, absorbing all of the sights and sounds that the town had to offer. There were so many things that the town had that the castle didn`t! Houses, the marketplace, horse and carriage… Moka was in awe (though she was doing her best to hide it)! Tsukune looked back at her as she was looking around and smiled.

"It`s interesting isn`t it?" Moka was startled out of her gazing by his voice. She looked at him, blushing that he was able to tell how she was feeling.

"Y-yes. Yes it is." Moka said. Tsukune laughed at how uncomfortable she obviously was. Moka`s blush deepened. "Are you making fun of me?" Moka asked in a somewhat commanding voice while jabbing her finger towards him.

"No, princess!" Tsukune quickly said, waving his hands in front of himself like a shield. "I would never insult you like that!"

"But I`m about to." Mizore said, interrupting. Tsukune gestured that she shouldn`t say anything, but for once Mizore ignored him. Moka turned towards the purple-haired girl and put her hands on her hips.

"Well, then go ahead. Insult me." Her tone was standoffish. They made eye contact, and Mizore began to speak.

"I don`t think that you care about the people. You are probably only visiting us to make yourself seem better when you become queen." Moka stared at Mizore, slowly becoming enraged.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Moka nearly screamed. "Everything looks fine!"

"Exactly; looks fine. Don`t take everything at face value. Take Tsukune for example-"

"That`s enough Mizore!" Tsukune cut her off with a pleading tone. "Please don`t say any more…" Tsukune whispered desperately. He turned back towards Moka, hoping to shrug off her last comment, but when he saw Moka`s face he knew it wasn`t going to be that easy. Her face was a mixture of curiosity and determination, but mostly curiosity.

"Tsukune, what is she talking about?"

"Princess, I-"

"Tsukune, tell me!" Tsukune sighed, knowing that he wasn`t going to win the fight. He and Yukari shared a glance, then they both looked at Moka.

"It would be better if I showed you…"

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Moka was shocked. Before her was a cabin-like house. It`s door was rotting, the roof had holes, and the house was obviously too small for the four people that Tsukune said it contained (him, Yukari, his mom, and his dad). Moka turned to the brother and sister duo.

"You live here?" Tsukune rubbed the back of his neck and blushed while Yukari found something very interesting on the ground. Moka quickly realized her mistake and tried to fix it. "Um, I-I mean…"

"Tsukune! Yukari! Mizore! Is that you? Who`s your friend?" A female voice cut through the air, saving Moka of the embarrassment of trying to fix her stupid statement. When Moka looked, she saw a women who couldn`t have been more than 30 years old leaning out of the rotted door. She had short brown hair, and was wearing an apron that defiantly had seen better days.

"We`ll be right there, Mom!" Tsukune called back. He turned towards Moka. "Princess, I`m going to introduce you to my family. Please don`t mention taxes." He begged.

"Taxes? Why?" Moka asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, you see…" Tsukune struggled for an explanation.

"The taxes are the reason that we live in this shack." Yukari said matter-of-factly. Tsukune, Moka, and Mizore all looked at the toddler, who, oblivious to the stares, skipped towards the house. "C`mon everyone!" she said, turning around and waving to the group. Tsukune shrugged and followed her, and Mizore did that gliding-thing behind Tsukune. Moka slowly followed them, thinking about what Yukari had said. It`s because of the taxes…

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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that`s that! Next chapter there will be a big plot point, so I hope that you all stay tuned! By the way, I`m getting the feeling that my chapters are too short. Could you tell my your opinion?