Alright. I've been doing some reading and realized I really need to edit this. Don't worry it wont take very long. I haven't been able to update recently because of an array of different reasons; school and my laptop finally dying after a pretty (not really) faithful three years being the most prominent. Anyway I'm just going to go through and edit some stuff I'm not completely satisfied with, probably nothing major so you don't have to go reading it again if you've already read it.

If anyone has any questions about certain words, like say Gakuen for instance, there's a little bit at the bottom of every chapter that should explain anything that comes up.

I don't own Gakuen Alice.

Masquerade Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Forced

The once clear blue sky was blanketed by a thick cloud of smoke. The smoke rose from a house surrounded by fire trucks, police cruisers, and ambulances. Sirens were blaring, people were screaming, but the little girl heard nothing.

A ten year old girl sat on the front lawn across the street from the burning house, staring at her hands. Her eyes were wide and unbelieving, and her snow white hair and fair skinned face were covered in soot so thick you couldn't distinguish the pale hue of her hair and skin.

The girl clenched and unclenched her hands. Not noticing the people scrambling about trying to put out the fire that was now trying to spread to the adjacent houses. Not noticing when two police officers walked over to her and bent down to speak with her. Not noticing when one officer took her shoulders and tried to shake her from her trance.

"I think she's in shock." The officer said to his partner as they watched the girl open and close her fragile looking hands. "I don't doubt it. We've recovered four bodies from the flames and it has been confirmed to be her parents and siblings." The second officer replied, with sorrow and pity lacing his words.

Before the men could raise an arm to motion over a doctor to check on the girl, she looked up at the men as if just noticing they were there. They paused and observed her as she dropped her head down to her lap, more in shyness than shock.

They could see that she was calming down though because her eyes were slowly drooping to a calmer expression. She stood up on unsteady legs and the police officers thought to take their chance to question the girl.

They stopped, mouths open, because they realized the girls gaze was fixed on something over their shoulders. They turned to see a long, black limousine making its way smoothly past an ambulance and cruiser. They turned and strode over to the limo, momentarily forgetting the girl.

As they approached, a door opened to reveal a tall man dressed in mostly black clothing. He wore black boots and a long black coat that came down to his knees. There were four buckles on the front keeping the jacket closed. Black bangs fell over a simple white mask that hid the upper half of his face, only revealing his nose, mouth, and chin. He had numerous rings arranged on his fingers of all different colors and sizes, and a hoop ear ring on his left ear.

The man stepped out and conversed with the officers. The girl saw the masked man gesture in her general direction with a pale ring adorned hand. The officers nodded to each other, obviously coming to a decision. They spoke to the masked man once more and the man inclined his head towards them.

He made his way gracefully towards the girl. Her eyes narrowed at his approach. She didn't know why but she felt terribly exposed standing in the middle of the lawn with the man still walking to her. She looked for an escape to her sides, still confused as to why this man alarmed her. She had an incredible urge to run away, but it was too late. The man stood there in front of her.

He looked down at the girl. He had seen her look around for some sort of escape as he approached. He was slightly interested in the girl now. Not even his "favorite" student had realized him for what he was this quickly, and he was considered a boy genius.

He had told the police officers—what were their names? Oh yes, Will and Phil—that he was a teacher for the government. This wasn't a lie, because he was. The part that was the lie was that their school was going to offer—the officers said her name was Tara—Tara a spot at their school and take care of her. He was not 'offering' her a spot at the school because she's coming to the school whether she wants to or not. Also, there was a very high possibility that she would get hurt on a regular basis at the school, considering the 'class' the school principles were going to put her in. But her sleeping arrangements, food, and any other medical attention she might come to need would be taken care of. So it was true enough.

Tara was careful not to look at him, though he was sure that she was aware of every move he made. He let his eyes drift to the crumbling, flame engulfed houses across the street. The flames had spread two houses down on either side of the house. The corners of his lips tugged up into a small smile. He directed his gaze back to the girl and was slightly surprised, though he didn't show it, to see that the girl was looking straight at him.

She had very unusual eyes. They were a deep golden orange color, like the color of a backwards sunset; red in the middle fanning out to a thin yellow ring around the edge of the iris, every color orange imaginable in-between. He was quite used to unusual eye colors, though this was his first time seeing somebody with orange eyes. After all, his "favorite" student had crimson red eyes himself.

The girl was looking straight at him with her eyes like the sun, trying to look beyond the mask that was obstructing her view to his eyes. His smile smoothed as he looked down at the girl. She was glaring at him with the same distrust and fear as his most beloved student. Her natural talents aren't just good they're phenomenal. Saying anything less than that would be an insult.

She glared at him. She glared at him harder then she glared at anyone. Not even her siblings. Remembering her brother and sister was beyond painful but it reminded her not to lose focus. That was difficult to do with this man around, he was just infuriating. What's he smiling at?! Does he think there's something funny about people burning to death?! Why is he here?! What does he want?!

"What do you want?" Tara said in a bone chilling tone. The man seemed unaffected as he scrutinized her. After a short pause he answered in a clear tenor voice. "I'm sure you know exactly what I want, but maybe you don't so I will explain." Tara's eyes widened a fraction then went back to her previous glare within a second. This would go unnoticed to most people but not to him. He was trained to see those sorts of things, but he still couldn't help but see the raw talent in her. She can hide her emotions well too? This girl is very… interesting. Not a normal child at any rate.

"My name is Persona and I am a teacher at a school funded by the government, but this school is no ordinary school. It is a school for people with certain talents." He paused to take a breath. "Children go there to hone their abilities. These abilities are called Alice's, hence the name Alice Academy. The school would like to have you as a student because you, as I'm sure you're aware, have an Alice.

"You won't have to worry about food or clothing or a place to sleep, those are all provided by the school. Most students are taught from age three to eighteen, but there are occasionally those Alice's that go unnoticed by the school." Persona purposefully looked at her. Tara's eyes narrowed.

"Your saying I'd have to stay at this 'Alice Academy' until I'm a legal adult? And I suppose, since I've never actually seen an Alice, that you keep all of the students locked up inside to perfect their abilities and only let them out when your sure they're not a danger to anyone?"

This little girl figured all of that out from that little bit of information? He decided there was no point in trying to lie to her, she would see right through that. And if she refuses to come then he would just have to resort to force.

It's odd though, most children her age would have denied having an Alice, but she didn't. She must not want to bother since there's no way that she didn't have an Alice… because she did. "Yes you are expected to stay within the grounds until you have mastered your Alice."

This answer didn't surprise Tara. She knew there was no point in trying to lie. She had an Alice. They both knew it. The proof was all around them. She had started the fires and there was no point in denying it. I started the fires that burned down my home and family. I destroyed the only place that even remotely resembled a home in my entire life. This thought aggrieved Tara.

Tara replied to Persona, "That sounds like prison to me. If I went there I'd never get out." He too expected that sort of answer from her. She was right too. Chances are, if she went there she would have slim chances of leaving. She continued, "But that's not all, is it? There's something more to it. I'm all set for eight some-odd years… but what do you guys get?"

Ah... So she's noticed that we want something in return. She understands how the world works: nothing's free. But it looks like I'm going to have to use force. Oh well, might as well tell her any way. It'll save time in the long run.

"You're expected to work for the school. There are certain students that have abilities that are," he paused here to look around at the fires that were now starting to be put out, "… more dangerous than others. These Alice's are useful to the school and those students that have them are classified as Dangerous Abilities Types. They do tasks for the school that help keep the school and its students safe."

"I understand." She said while fuming on the inside. So? I'm just supposed to be some sort of super guard dog to them huh? Well, there's no way I'm going to Alice Academy.

"I'm sure you already know that I won't go willingly." She finished glaring at him full in the mask. "Yes, I've already considered the possibility however, you're coming whether you like it or not." Persona said taking a step nearer. Doing so made Tara notice the large gap there was between them. That was odd. He couldn't be worried about personal space considering just how far he was from her. Maybe he didn't want to touch me?

He took another step forward as he raised his arm. He went to grab her, but she side-stepped him at the last second, appalled that he was actually going to force her to go. Tara also wondered why he was wearing a glove. Had it been there before? He probably has some sort of Alice. So I was right, he doesn't want to touch me. I should avoid touching him as well. Something tells me I don't want to find out his Alice from a personal experience.

Persona went at the girl again, and again she dodged. He wasn't trying to fight the girl. That would draw attention and he didn't want attention. Though, this girl was just packed with surprises. She was doing great at dodging him. From what he knew, the most athletic thing the girl did was run during P.E. But this little game of cat and mouse had to come to an end.

Tara knew she didn't have a chance against him. She was a ten year old girl and he was a grown saw as Persona's hand shot out quick as lightning toward her. It was so quick that she almost didn't notice when he hit her on the side of the neck. Almost.

It was nearly painless as the blackness invaded her vision. Her thoughts slowed as unconsciousness overtook her. Her petite body went limp and before she hit the ground she was caught by Persona.

He carried her in his arms to the limo. The police watched him curiously as he walked past. They obviously didn't notice his little scrap with her because they didn't try to stop him. He heard one whisper, "Poor thing, must've fainted." He scoffed. They don't watch things properly.

He slipped into the limo, strapping Tara into the seat beside him. The glass that acted as a screen between him and the chauffeur slid down. He said two words,

"Alice Academy."

Gakuen = Japanese for Academy so Gakuen Alice would be Alice Academy. See?

So? How was it! Did you like it? Well don't just sit there, Review!!