Alice

A few months passed by and it was now summertime. The capital was busy as ever, but there was a new sense to it. It could be the joy of no war stories being told over the summer. It could be that they weren't living under fear. It could even be the change of the seasons. But for Zhōng, things were finally going upwards instead of downwards. "What's the package this time?" he asked his friend Tony.

"I told you a million times now, I'm not supposed to tell," said Tony.

"You shouldn't tell me, that doesn't mean you could," replied Zhōng. They were becoming good friends over the past few months. For Zhōng, the fact he was now in the black market was good but also his sister Xing found a job as well, meaning they could buy better clothes as well save for home since they were still living in the alley. Zhōng also knew that her job would keep her safe from unwanting eyes.

"You'll find out the details later, for now, let's help her," said Tony.

"Her?" asked Zhōng before seeing that they were a couple of meters from a house and standing in front of it, was a girl.

She was around their age, thirteen or fourteen. Her hair was blond and long with her eyes bright green. Even in a commoner dress, she looked pretty.

"Good morning miss, we came to help," said Tony as they approached her, breaking Zhōng's daydream.

She was moving some boxes in and out when she noticed them. "I don't think I nor my parents requested any help. Even if we did, we would have paid bigger and stronger men," she said.

"Well your parents got us at a very good discount," suggested Tony.

"Is that so? I honestly don't think my parents will go cheap for a job that needs to be done correctly," she said. Zhōng noticed that she was in control and no matter what excuse Tony could bring, she would know they were lying.

"Okay you caught us," said Zhōng, Tony was surprised yet mad that he wasn't given a chance to talk back now. "We're relatively new here and seeing someone from our age still unpacking, tells me at least you used to live in the old capital."

This shocked the girl, that he was able to read all that. "It must have taken him years to understand this." she thought.

"Darrius taught us that trick two weeks ago, you're using it now?" thought Tony, who was surprised and impressed that his friend had another skill in his arsenal. Zhōng was slowly perfecting his sword skills, his endurance was unbeatable, able to hide a little truth into a lie, and now able to read a person right where they stand or speak. He was glad that he still could beat him in economics and poisons.

The girl led them into the ruins of the old capital, she was searching for what was left of a collapsed home. This must have been hers since she knew the way to it as they begin searching for whatever was still valuable. "Man, I gotta tell ya." started Tony as wiped his eyebrows. "Who knew there are still valuable things even after the Old Purge." After the capital was taken, the empress allowed everyone in the empire to take anything they could find from the old palace. Dishes, paintings, weapons, jewelry, anything, and everything was taken. But when the things ran out, the purgers then looked into old capitol buildings, homes that were left behind and robbed them, leaving the family that lived there nothing. When the crime was let out, the empress ordered guards to defend what was ever left in the forgotten homes, and give the family of the home a year to clean it before it could be taken by anyone.

Zhōng looked up from where was searching and wiped his eyebrows as well. "Why her?" he asked Tony.

Tony then looked up from where he was searching. "I don't know," he said.

"You took a mission you have no idea about?" asked Zhōng.

"Mentor told me where to find her, that's it."

"Are you boys done chatting?" asked Alice, breaking their conversation.

"We'll talk later about it," murmured Tony as they got back to work.

As the day passed, they went home and Tony and Zhōng never finished the conversation. Zhōng stared at the fire Xing had made and cooked on. All he could do was think, what was the reason for her. "Zhōng," said Xing, breaking away his thoughts. Since it was spring, she wore a lighter cloak and her dress was shorter and made with lighter fabric since she works as a waitress at a tavern not far away. "You okay?" she asked him.

"Yeah I'm fine, just a lot has happened," Zhōng explained to his younger sister.

"You seem blank and dull," she said worriedly.

"Since when did you become my emotion meter?" joked Zhōng.

"Now you're teasing me." teased Xing and continued the joke as they both laughed. Although they were fourteen and eleven years old, they were still close together.

"Should I have made something different?" she asked as they calmed down from their laughter.

Zhōng looked at his sister and smiled at her, "You did nothing wrong, I'm confused about what happened today." he said to her.

"Are you sure?" she pressed on, Zhōng shot her a look not to press but also a look of confusion. "Because even on a rough day you are still drooling for my food," she said, scooping a bowl out. "And there it is," she smirked as Zhōng realized he was drooling.

"That's cruel," said Zhōng, glaring at his sister for what she did.

"Learn from the best," she said, scooping out another bowl.

The next day, after escorting his sister to the tavern, Zhōng went his way to the bar where he worked undercover. Today he was supposed to continue his work on helping Alice with Tony. When he entered, the bar was busy, there were grumbles and shouting everywhere. Zhōng found a spot and Tony was waitressing him. "You're ready to go?" asked Zhōng.

"Can't, Mentor wants me to run the bar, he wasn't expected to be this busy," said Tony pouring Zhōng a drink.

"You're setting me up aren't you?" said Zhōng, even on busy days, Tony was still able to get out and do stuff in the black market.

"No, I'm not, we need this bar to stay open if we want to continue our 'business'" said Tony, setting down the drink.

"So are we not going today?" asked Zhōng.

"I'm not, you are, Darrius wants you to," said Tony.

Zhōng took a drink from his glass and said, "You're setting me up." he set down two gold coins and walked out to find Alice.

Zhōng and Alice went back out to the ruined capital to begin searching for things but they were heading to a different spot than yesterday. "Isn't your house furthermore down?" asked Zhōng.

"It is, but I want to check something," said Alice. She leaned over a crater formed from the siege of the capital. Suddenly the rock beneath her gave away making her lose her balance.

"Alice!" cried Zhōng, he reached and grabbed Alice's arm just in time before she tumbled down into the crater and pulled her away from the edge. "You okay?" he asked, she was still panting while he held onto her arm.

"I'm alright," she said looking at the arm that had held her, something poked her. She reached for the cuff of the sleeve and slid it up to reveal Zhōng's watch. She looked up at him with a suspicious look.

"I got it from the pillage," Zhōng said. "She isn't convinced," he thought.

"And you got this from it as well?" she said, reaching behind Zhōng to unsheath the Ninja Sword. Before it was shown out in the sun, Zhōng grabbed her other arm to prevent it.

"It's a Valtryek," said Zhōng, hoping she'll let it go.

"Really Former Prince Zhōng?" asked Alice, she caught him so she could reveal him. He shot a cold look back at her, his dark blue became even darker telling Alice to let go of the sword. He sheathed it back into his place once she did and his face turned back to normal. "Tell me, what does the black market want with me? I assume you work for the black market."

"I work there, I don't know." said a defeated Zhōng.

"Does your friend know?"

"He knows who I am, but he claims he doesn't either."

"And you took the job?"

"The market isn't what you think. You don't know what I've been through," said Zhōng.

"And that makes you stalk me? I could have you arrested," said Alice.

"But you had a feeling since yesterday, so why didn't you?" asked Zhōng, he was getting frustrated with her.

Before Alice spoke she calmed down. "Why would I betray someone whom my father fought for?" she asked him.

"Your father?" questioned Zhōng, "Where is she going with this?" he thought.

"My father fought for you in the first three of the eight years of the war, he was injured and had to return home and never called for war again." started Alice as Zhōng listened. "But after the siege, the purge began and we couldn't get protection for our belongings. The guards labeled us as loyalists, and so people could take anything from our home they wanted. My father hated that the now empress turned a blind eye to us and others. She made us suffer when she promised to make things better." Alice started to cry, Zhōng noticed she was the one to help her family make money like he was. He wanted to comfort but he couldn't find the urge to touch her.

"Don't worry," started Zhōng, "I'm hoping to rise through the ranks as does my friend and when the empress hears us and invites us, I will slay her where she stands and retake my place on the seat. When I do that, I will ensure all the people who suffer under her will be restored and wealthier than ever." he stated, showing his darker eyes once again as he turned his back to look at the new capital building.

"And what about the princess? Will she suffer the same fate?" asked Alice carefully.

"I have her do the lowest life for what is called of me, I will not hurt her I can never do it."

"But I thought you already did," said Alice confused.

Zhōng's eyes went wide, he turned back around to look at her confused. "What?"

That night, Zhōng's face was pale white, he couldn't believe what Alice told him. "How could it be true under my very home?" he thought.

"Truman? Brother? Zhōng?" said Xing worried about her brother. "Say something, the stew is finished, I manage to get rice as well." She tried to bribe him.

"I'm not hungry." Zhōng finally said.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he said and wrapped his cloak around him tighter.

"Well, I take it your day was good?" said Tony. A couple of weeks ago, Zhōng showed Tony where he and his sister were hiding or resting. He told Tony his plan and all he needed to do was wait.

Zhōng suddenly got to his feet and pinned Tony by surprise. "Did you know?" he screamed in Tony's face.

"Know what?" said Tony, surprised and confused.

"About the now Princess Zhen being in my prison for the Eight-Year War?" his face was getting colder and colder, it was menacing.

"I heard she was." stammered Tony, trying to find out why he was angry at him for that.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you knew." shrilled Tony. Zhōng's face suddenly came back to normal, he let go of his friend and stepped away as Tony tried to regain his breath. It soon began to go pale as he took the information in.

"I'm sorry," Zhōng said to Tony.

"It's alright, I'm sorry I wasn't there," he said.

"She knows, it's only a matter of time before she tells. She'll do anything to regain favor with the crown," said Zhōng before running out of the alley and into the streets.

"Where's he going?" asked Xing.

"Oh, no," stated Tony, he knew where and ran out as well leaving Xing confused and worried.

Zhōng perched himself on a roof not too far from the wall. However, he was looking beyond the wall, searching for something. "Where are you?" he said to himself. Suddenly something caught his eye. A window lit with a silhouette of a girl, it looked like she was taking her clothes off of her and putting something new on. "Found you."

He leaped off the roof and charged to the wall and ran up until he had grabbed the edge. He started to pull himself up before hearing, "Wait don't," before being grabbed by his legs.

He looked down to see a blond girl holding onto his feet. "Alice?" said Zhōng.

"Don't, please don't," said Alice, hugging his legs tighter.

"I have to see her."

"But you'll be arrested and executed."

"I have to make sure she knows I had no idea."

"Do you want to leave everything behind?" asked Alice. Zhōng suddenly remembered Xing, he suddenly ran away without letting her know. Her black with a hint of blond hair and her green eyes pleading innocence. If he left her, she would have nowhere to turn.

Zhōng looked up to see the window once again, the light was slowly fading then suddenly vanished he took a long sigh then said, "Let go of my feet." Alice complied, she let go and landed on her feet then Zhōng dropped back down and looked up at the wall. "How did you grab me?" he asked.

"I just did what you did," said Alice.

"Impressive," noted Zhōng looking back up the wall. "How about tomorrow, let's see what you can do."

"Are you serious?"

"You could be useful for us in the black market, if so whatever the reason to meet you could be conquered by talent." said Zhōng.

"Deal, what time?" asked Alice.

The next morning, Xing smelled something as she woke up. She rolled around to see her brother was trying to cook. "Good morning," he said to her. "I, uh, wanted to apologize to you for what happened last night. It wasn't your fault and it will never be," he said, handing a plate of blizzard food.

Xing covered her face, but her giggle couldn't contain her as she burst out in laughter. "Oh brother, if you ever get a girl, she better know how to cook better than you." she said as she giggled more. "Come on," she got up and walked out of the alley as a confused Zhōng followed her.

Xing led her brother to the tavern and entered with her brother following her. Mrs. Jones looked up from what she was doing, startled before realizing it was Xing and a boy. "Ning I thought I told you I will not take early…" she said before trailing off as she tried to recognize the boy.

"Mrs. Jones, this is Truman." introduced Xing.

"Ning, you're here early, come help me here," yell Mr. Jones from the kitchen.

"It's an honor to meet you," said Mrs. Jones before turning around to ensure her husband wasn't looking to bow to him.

"No," said Zhōng, stopping her, "The pleasure is mine. Thank you for looking after her," said Zhōng referring to Xing. Suddenly, his stomach growled and the smell from the kitchen reminded him he hadn't eaten yet.

Mrs. Jones just giggled then said, "How about you stay to have something to eat? Ning, you heard my husband." Ning nodded and went to help Mr. Jones while Mrs. Jones found a table for Zhōng to eat. As Xing handled customers coming in, Zhōng ate the breakfast he was served. It had been a while since he had so much food, but he disciplined himself because he was going to train Alice and didn't want to puck.

After breakfast, Zhōng ran to find Alice. They agreed last night to meet each other in the old capital. When Zhōng arrived at the spot they agreed with, he saw Alice was waiting for him. "Sorry I'm late," he said.

"It's okay, I wasn't waiting long," she said. She was wearing a light leather jacket with black tight pants with ankle low black shoes. "So what are we doing first?"

"Catch me," said Zhōng with a devilish smile on his face.

"Catch you?" asked Alice, confused.

"Catch me if you can," said Zhōng before suddenly bursting away.

"Hey! No fair!" shouted Alice as she chased after him.

Zhōng weaved this way and that, from streets to allies and sometimes taking the roof. He thought he lost her but she held on and was gaining. "Okay Zhōng, playtime is over." he thought to himself. He kicked it into high gear and his body became a shadow. However, Alice held on, Zhōng noticed a wall and ran up and over it. On the other side of it was a courtyard, a courtyard Zhōng knew well.

Alice managed to get over the wall to follow him, she lost time and was determined to get it back. However, Zhōng was still there looking into the emptiness of the courtyard. She looked up and recognized they were in the old capital palace grounds, Zhōng's old home. But Zhōng wasn't looking in the courtyard exactly, he was looking at the window wells that had bars. "She probably saw or heard me playing out here," said Zhōng, finally breaking the quietness.

"Come on," said Alice as Zhōng looked at her. "It's your turn to chase me." Zhōng nodded and got back up. They left the courtyard, but he felt like he could still hear his old friend scream.

A couple of hours went by as they continued playing their game when Tony finally arrived. "Well you guys seem to have a lot of fun," he noted. "brought you guys a snack." holding a picnic basket in his hands

Zhōng and Alice stopped their game and helped set up a place to eat. As they opened the basket, the smell of fresh bread hit their noses. "Now where did you get this I wonder." teased Zhōng at Tony.

"Oh, you know that tavern," said Tony, confirming Zhōng's hypothesis.

"How do you know which tavern?" asked Alice, noticing there was a connection between it and Zhōng.

"Oh, that's where-" began Tony loudly before seeing Zhōng's face darken and threatening. He couldn't figure out why until he looked around and remembered they were out in public. "His sister works." he whispered to Alice.

"She's alive as well?" she asked.

"And hard-working as I am." noted Zhōng.

"She might work harder than you," jabbed Tony.

"You better be careful what you say next." said Zhōng as he dropped his left hand onto the hilt of his Longus.

"Are you sure you want a rematch?" asked Tony, they both remember the last time they fought.

"I bet it'll last a lot longer this time."

"That's because we've been practicing."

"Which means I could win."

"In your dreams."

"Boys," said Alice, stopping their argument. "When will you guys ever learn?" she said and took another bite of her bread.

Tony and Zhōng looked at each other for a moment before Tony said, "Maybe never."

"Well that's news to me." joked Zhōng, they laughed and continued to eat their snack.

The next day, Zhōng and Tony were working on the budget and times to work. "Ugh, I hate dealing with little to no money." complained Tony, as he had papers that listed spending, income, taxes, and members of the bar and the black market.

"What's wrong with that? I'm surviving." said Zhōng as he looked at the schedule.

"That's because you don't have a house yet and aren't paying any taxes yet." said Tony as he crunch more numbers. He looked to see Zhōng nodding his head in agreement. "Since meeting Alice you have come more alive and not as mysterious." thought Tony as he frowned at something.

"What do you mean yet?" asked Zhōng, noticing that word.

"Well, you've been saving up, correct? You must be close."

"A couple more thousand and yes."

"He's really close." thought Tony, his frown becoming more and more depressing. "Tonight," Tony said, Zhōng broke his gaze at the schedule to notice him for the first time. "You need to get Alice to meet us at the square tonight." he said while looking at his papers.

"I'll talk to her right away to see if she can do it." said Zhōng, he turned and left the room.

When the door closed behind him, Tony looked up to see a bottle of alcohol left by his mentor or another member of the black market. He took the bottle although he was underage and drank from it. "It's going to be a rough day." he exclaimed before getting back to work.

Later that night, Zhōng was waiting patiently for Alice to come. He was waiting two blocks away from the square leaning on a pole as he looked to find her. The streets were quiet, there were barely any people walking around, most were guards on patrol. "If only you know where to look." he thought to himself. He noticed while they patrol they seem to be scanning everywhere as they were looking for something, that something was him and his sister.

Alice came up to him just a couple of minutes later. "Sorry I'm late." she said.

"I don't mind." said Zhōng as he scanned his surroundings. "Are you nervous?"

"Do I look like I am?" she asked. Zhōng took notice of her and she seemed calm and excited.

"Then we better not keep the mentor waiting." said Zhōng, as he led the way to the square.

When they arrived at the square, Zhōng saw only three people. Tony and two others he didn't recognize. "Where's Darrius? Shouldn't he be here." he thought as they came closer.

"That's her." claimed one of the two as the other walked up to them and checked Alice out.

"Seems to be a great fit." the other one said. With a motion of his hand, a prison cart with men holding on to the sides came galloping in.

The men jumped off the cart and grabbed Alice. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" exclaimed Alice. "Let go of me." she said as she struggled.

"Let her go!" exclaimed Zhōng as began to draw his Longus for mech mode.

"If you know what's best for her, Dual Bladed Ninja, then you shall stand down." the second said as he had a whip ready and a crossbow pointed at Alice.

"Help me!" cried Alice as they carried her into the cart. Zhōng was frozen; he wasn't sure what to do. He knew the only way to save her now was with the Ninja Sword. However, if he moves for it or activates it, it would mean the end of Alice or the discovery of his identity. "Help me!" she cried out again. She looked at Zhōng with tears in her eyes, Zhōng couldn't look at her, he turned his head away as the door slammed shut. He never saw her face again.

The cart drove away as the first handed Zhōng the reward. "Her father was a coward in the war, he deserves to lose something for his failure to protect the prince." he said as he walked away.

"I'm sorry." said Tony as he came up to him afterward.

Zhōng looked at the bag, it had enough money to get him a home. "If you were, you would have told me or done something to prevent it." said Zhōng as he threw the bag on the ground and walked away.

Xing woke up to her brother crying. "Something must have happened." she thought. He never comes home late crying, usually, he'll be too tired to show emotions. "Brother?" she asked as she approached him. Zhōng jumped himself out of his bed and hugged her tightly. He continued to sob, Xing couldn't figure out why but she knew better not to ask. "I'm here brother, I'm safe." she said.

"I know, Xing," said Zhōng, "I know."