Me: Hi everyone! Here is the new updated version of the prologue. I hope you all like it.

Naru: Took you long enough.

Mai: Yeah, I thought you forgot about us.

Me: I could never forget about you!

Naru: *rolls eyes* Sure.

Mai: Silver doesn't own Ghost Hunt. Please R&R!

3rd person POV:

It's normal to see death and gore when you're at war, but there are some sights that are just too gruesome for some eyes to see. Especially if those eyes were green and belonged to a child. There he stood frozen in fear, watching helplessly as chaos erupted in the courtyard. Flames had crawled up the banners that he was so proud to stand under, multiple bodies of soldiers that he knew by name littered the ground, bleeding, wounded, dead. When he came to the window this was not the sight that he thought he would see. He had been roused by the soldiers shouting and had thought that they had gotten into an argument about cards like they have before. Never had he thought that his home would actually be invaded.

A crashing sound from the corridor's door startled him, and quickly, he blew out his candle leaving it on the windowsill. Crouching low, he got into position in a little hideaway under the window, looking for his small dagger in case the enemy had managed to make their way inside the castle. The door came down, and illuminated by a torch was a man in familiar garb. Seeing that it was one of his soldiers, he came out of his hiding place but still took his sword with him. The soldier threw his arms around the boy and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Houshou, thank God you're alive!" he cried, holding his son closely.

"Father, what's going on outside?" Houshou asked, holding back the tears of relief that his father was alright. It was a brief relief, as his father pulled away only to keep hold of his hand. He pulled his young son behind him at a brisk pace that quickly covered ground but allowed for Houshou's shorter legs to keep up.

"We're being attacked. One of our own soldiers double-crossed us. He raised the gates and allowed an enemy army to invade the castle." he snarled, anger bubbling through his veins. Shock and fear gripped the young boy.

"What are we going to do?"

"I am going to fight with my men, but I need you to go on a very special mission."

"Like hunting for deer?" he asked, wondering how his typical 'missions' of hunting deer or checking in on the nearby villages would help them in the predicament that they were in.

"No, it will be much more important than hunting for deer." His father pressed a brick and opened up a secret corridor behind the wall. "Quickly, there's not much time." The duo ran down the corridor to what looked like another hidden door. Houshou's father drew his sword and carefully opened up the other wall, making sure there were no enemy soldiers in the area. The coast was clear, and once again the knight sheathed his sword. When Houshou managed to walk through and catch his breath he noticed all of the pinks. A small bundle was thrust into his arms by his father, and in udder shock there he was looking into the sleeping face of the newborn princess.

"Father?" Houshou asked, looking at the man in confusion.

"Houshou, I need you to listen to me. The king and queen have fallen. This child is the only hope for our kingdom. Your mission is to take her to safety and protect her at all costs. Do you understand?"

"But father, what about you?" Houshou asked, not understanding what his father had planned with this escape. A sad look came over the strong man's face as he cupped his son's cheek in his calloused hand.

"I will stay here and fight with my men."

"But father-"

"Houshou, you are the son and Paige of the head of the guard. As such you have a duty to follow orders. You will take the princess to safety and you will protect her. This is not up for debate, do you understand?" His father said, gripping his shoulders tight enough to leave a bruise. Houshou winced, but looking at the fire in his father's eyes he knew there was no reasoning with him. In defeat, he looked downcast to the sleeping child in his arms and sighed.

"Yes father." he said, tears welling up in his eyes. His father nodded before moving to the bookcase in the room. He pushed it to the side, revealing a hidden door underneath.

"This door will take you underground. At the bottom are supplies that you will need for your travels. Continue down the path. Don't stop for anything. It's about a 5-mile trail. It will lead you to the mouth of a cave where you will officially be out of the kingdom of Sakura. When you exit it follow the written directions to the letter. You must meet with your aunt Bara. Show her this seal and she will know exactly what to do." he said, placing the seal of the Takigawa and Taniyama clans into his pocket. With one last brief hug, Sir Takigawa and Houshou separated. "I love you, son, make me proud."

"I love you too father." he said, fighting back the sob that wanted to tear through his voice as the order did to his heart. With a final glance, Sir Takigawa gave Houshou the torch and sent him through the tunnel. Houshou went down far enough to be out of the door's way and turned around for one last glance at his father. Tears rolled down his face as the door closed, enveloping him in darkness. He wanted to rush back up and bang on the door. Beg his father to come with him, but he knew he could not. He looked down at the sleeping princess and steeled his heart from the waves of emotions. Survive.

Following his father's instructions, he began his way to down the stairs. It was not too far down before he came to the bag of supplies. Placing the torch in the wall holder and shifting the sleeping child in his arms, he looked through to see what was placed in the survival bag. To his surprise, there were three hefty bags of gold coins, a map, container of pickled plums, a canteen of water, and medical supplies. What surprised him the most though was the knight's sword that laid underneath the bag. It held the crest of the royal family of Sakura, and thoughts of his father made his knees weak. However, not letting his emotions get the best of him, he slung the bag over his shoulder and continued down the path.

He felt that he must have walked for hours down that path. His legs were sore and the torch was beginning to burn low. He prayed that they would make it out of the cave with a light on their side. Every now and again, Houshou would look down at the sleeping babe and see if she had woken from the jostling, however, much to his delight and surprise she stayed silent and asleep. Just as the last of the torchlight burned, Houshou could see light coming from the end of the tunnel. Excited to finally have reached the exit, he ran the rest of the way bursting into the sunlight. He had to shield his eyes as they adjusted to the morning light, but when he did, and he lowered his hand his blood ran cold at the sight. The castle that he loved, the only home he ever knew was in flames, burning to the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes, knowing that there was no way that his father made it out alive, he fell to his knees and sobbed into the bundle.

This disturbed the baby girl, and with a soft chubby hand, she reached up and touched the face of her savior. Houshou looked down at the girl with a blurry vision and saw cinnamon eyes staring back at him. He wanted to curse the child for making him leave his father. As if sensing his hostility towards her, the child's eyes welled up, and a piercing cry rang through the air. It startled the boy and it was luck that he did not drop her. In fear of the enemy being around to hear the baby's cry, he bounced the child while making shushing noises he had seen the queen do to her before her untimely demise.

Like a charm, the infant calmed, and instead of crying she now laughed and reached both arms up to him. Looking at that smile, his heart melted, and he could not be mad at her as she too had lost her entire family and home. Holding the bundle closer, he took out the note that was in the bag. It gave directions as to how to get to Tsuki and how to find his aunt Bara. With a new resolve, he stood up and began to make his long trek, carrying the future of his kingdom in his arms.

'I will protect you, Princess. I swear it to you, my fair Mai.'

Naru: The detailing is better.

Me: Thank you. ^_^

Mai: Please Review!