The Spring of Immortality
Chapter 1:
The Prince of Konohagakure and the Queen's Guards

By: FreyaLin

"It's time," a young man stated as he stepped outside his chambers. The bright summer morning greeted him as he took in the scenery of the castle. He wore a white cape over a white chest plate outlined with the most royal blue ever to exist in Konohagakure. There was a silver dove insignia on both the breast plate and cape that matched the crown that adorn his head. He felt the warm burn of the sun on his long black shirt underneath his armor as he walked on with determination. Today would be a good day for what he hoped would be the stepping stone to claiming his birth right. He tilted his head slightly to glance up at the sky, pearled white eyes quickly retreated back to his destination. His tied up long hair whipped elegantly along his cape as he continued on. Walking alongside him was his most trusted guard, Shikamaru of the Nara Clan who wore a navy blue armor that bore the crest of his clan's. They were headed to the Queen's Hall and needed to look their best for what they were hoping to achieve.

They briefly stopped in front of a huge door. The golden patterns that encrusted along the metal tall door shown brightly while the guards pushed it open. As they walked into the room, they paused and knelt down in front of a screened wall. There was a faint smell of lavender that flowed through the room and all around were various flowers not native to the kingdom. The Queen, who sat sultrily on her whimsical throne, took down the fan she was holding over her face and signaled her maids to stop fanning her.

"To what do I owe the honor of your presence, my son, my prince?"

"Mother," The white eyed man greeted. "I am now of age to become the king, please allow me to look upon my kingdom with my own eyes," he spoke with utmost sincerity looking onto the floor, Shikamaru did the same. There was silence in the room, the smell getting the best of the prince. He looked up only to see his mother staring straight at him.

"Does the King know about your adventurous request?" she asked after a moment's pause. The Prince shook his head.

"He does not, my Queen."

"And you feel that you can ask such a request to me?" she mused as the Prince bowed his once more.

"My son. You are my moon," she cooed and laid her head on her hands. "It is much too dangerous to be outside the castle walls," she whispered in a melodic tone. Though he was skeptical, he could still understand his mother's worry. However, the need to see and understand personally the ins and outs of his kingdom was too important. There was a feeling of eeriness in the air that he could not describe. He felt an urge to leave the castle's gate to see his people, to confirm the suspicious feeling. The Prince stared at his mother hoping she would reconsider. This was something he would not be giving up lightly.

"If you are so set on finding out for yourself of the kingdom's well-being, then I cannot stop you." The Prince let up a small smiled. "And I am to assume that your actions will be kept quiet from the King until your return." Her voice resounded throughout the room. Though she looked to the Prince, the statement was not.

"Of course," he replied.

"I will bring Shikamaru with me, thank you mother." He stood and bowed gratefully and left, Shikamaru following closely behind.

"Prince Neji," Shikamaru stated, stopping the Prince in his tracks. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? What you see cannot be unseen." Prince Neji stared at him with a grim expression.

"It is precisely that you are saying this to me that makes it clear that I must." He reached a hand to Shikamaru's shoulders and squeezed.

As they reached Prince Neji's room, they found some old garments on the bed. "Mother's maids seem to have brought us civilian clothes." Shikamaru sighed throwing his sword onto the bed.

"This is so troublesome," he muttered as he put on a long sleeved black jacket and a green vest. He also put on matching pants and sandal like shoes. Looking at Prince Neji he saw him in a white robe like shirt with a black slash and white pants, wearing a similar style shoe as himself. He had pulled his hair down only to have it tied at the bottom.

"Shouldn't you cover your family's mark on your head?" Shikamaru asked just as they were about to leave. "Here wear this," he threw a headband of Konoha's insignia to the Prince. He nodded in thanks to Shikamaru, and looked at the mirror. At the sight of the mark, he let out a sad sigh for it was a reminder of his late sister's death.

He was told that his sister had died because some assassins confused him for her. Since they looked very similar despite the difference in gender. The only way to tell them apart was the mark on Neji's forehead. However that day, Hanabi ordered the towns artist to draw the mark on her head so she can play a prank on her mother. Unfortunately, she was wearing his clothes too when she was out picking flowers. And when the assassins found her they mistakenly killed her on the spot. The Prince blamed himself for her death. He had decided not to accompany her that day, and therefore could not protect her. Tying the sash behind his head he sighed a ghastly breath. Her death was his life.

Leaving the confines of the castle, through the servant's door, they entered the market place, or which the prince thought was the market place. It was a bit hard to tell since the only food that was out in the open were rotten and/or covered with molds. There were barely any people up and about, even on such a fine day. Neji was startled. Something was wrong after all. He thought to himself. They walked around the market place for hours. The Prince hoped that such a predicament was rare and that it has only occured today, but was from the look of some townsfolks he thought better. His people looked starved and ghastly. He had enough and turned to his trusted friend.

"Shikamaru."

"Yes, your majesty?" Shikamaru replied undeterred by their surroundings. He had seen all of this before and though it was unfortunate, there was nothing he could do. He even warned the Prince that he wouldn't like what he saw and from the horrified look on the Prince's face, he was right.

"We are heading back to the castle. I must speak with father about this," he replied and walked back. Shikamaru just sighed and followed.


When they arrived back to the castle, Prince Neji went straight to the main hall. He knowing full well the King was in a meeting and it was exactly why he chose today to go out of the castle.

"I'm sorry your lordship, but his Majesty has ordered that no one see him during the meeting," a guard said blocking the Prince's way. "That also included family." He glared at them with his beautiful misty eyes; inquiring fear to the guards, but still they did not budge. They were far more afraid of what the king would do.

"Shikamaru," he sighed. The man behind him nodded lazily and formed a sloppy stance.

"Please your Lordship!" said a guard before he was paralyzed by Shikamaru's shadow technique.

"If you say anything, I will kill you," Prince Neji glared as he took the guards' swords and placed it around their necks. "Now, please stay quiet." Pushing them aside, he made his way to the door.

"…Princess Hanabi…" he stopped before he pushed it open. He raised a brow; they were talking about his sister. He leaned in more, wanting to hear more of their conversation.

"Yes," came a loud deep voice that Neji knew to be his father. Although he couldn't hear very well, he was able to make out a few chunks of information. "…died by my own hands…Hanabi found out my plans to… that country in which is rightfully mine…in agreement?"

The Prince's eyes grew wide; his father had killed Hanabi. His beautiful sister had tried to stop his father's madness. He was confused and shocked. But knowing who his father's was, he knew the King was cruel enough to do just that. His hands trembled angrily at the thought. She was just a child, and his father just took her life away. He kicked the door open to reveal a satisfied smirk on the King's face.

"Ah, my son, how good of you to join us instead of pathetically lurking in the shadows," he sneered as his councilmen laughed. Prince Neji walked up to face his father, dragging the two guards' swords behind him.

"Our people are starving, the only food they have are rotting away in our land, and all you want to do is take over another country." Neji stated calmly, each word projecting louder and louder. His father was unfazed. "Not to mention that you killed Hanabi. She was your daughter-!"

"You have the nerve to criticize me about how I run my own kingdom, when you didn't even know of the circumstances until this very day!" he laughed aloud causing the room to erupt in laughter as well. Prince Neji tsked in anger knowing full well his father was right.

"And as for Hanabi," the king boisterously started, "you and I both know she never could keep a secret." He then smirked and leaned forward. "Besides, I only need one heir, don't I?" Completely consumed with anger Prince Neji quickly threw one of the swords at the King, only to have it blocked by his royal guards.

"Unless you can kill me, son, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and be the little fool you were raised to be. Or else I will do to you what I have done to Hanabi. If worst comes to worst I can always reproduce." The King threatened. And though the Prince wanted to retaliate, he knew he was at a great disadvantage. You may have won this round father, but I will not rest until Hanabi has her vengeance. He turned around and walked off to the sound of the King's jeer.

"Shikamaru," he said coldly, returning the other sword to its owner. "We leave to mothers' now." Shikamaru got out of his stance and walked off, leaving the guards to be punished by the king.

"You have the look on your face, like you are about to do something extremely stupid Prince Neji." Shikamaru glared accusingly. Neji just smirked at how his friend knew him so well. "You know that I will follow you where ever you go my Prince," Neji nodded in acknowledgement. When they got the the Queen's chambers, Neji knocked once and entered the room leaving Shikamaru outside.

"Mother," he stated as he walked over to the Queen who sat on the balcony. Since the screen wall was gone, Neji was able to see his mother fully. She was extremely beautiful; her skin was a beautiful creamy color, her hair as black as a black widow's. She could be compared to an angel sent down from the heavens. Her beauty caught the eyes of many, including the King. She only married him because he promised to cure Grandfathers illness. But, grandfather is dead anyways, he thought bitterly.

"Neji, why are still dressed in commoner clothes?" She asked as the wind blew her hair smoothly. Her voice seemed to have flowed in the wind like a soft melody of a piano.

"Mother," he started again. "I...I don't know what to do".

His mother simply smiled. It was an enchanting smile that would have stolen soul's if there were anyone else in the room.

"Do you trust me, my moon?" she asked quietly and stroked her son's loose hair. Neji looked to her hand and nodded.

"You are the only one besides Shikamaru that I can trust anymore," he murmured softly completely letting the overwhelming fact hit him. It wasn't long before his shoulders slouched in defeat. How was he supposed to avenge Hanabi and save his people from the mad King. He let out a deep sigh and looked to the burning incense on the railing.

"...In the next few days I will be making my way over to Lady Hinata in Kusagakure. I will be there to discuss marriage prospects, and you will come with me." If he wasn't so accustomed to his mother's voice he would have said yes to anything she said, but he was her son and it only brought him confusion. He looked up to see her smile form a smirk he had never seen on her face before. The glint in her pupilless eyes was also new. It was as if she was planning something but he just didn't know what. He figured, though, that being away from the castle should be the first step right now.

"I will go with you," he agreed and watched as his mother's grin grow.

She took his hand into hers and gave him an emerald necklace that was embraced by golden chains. Neji took it and raised it towards the setting sun, the emerald began to glow, illuminating his face.

"For luck, we will have a wedding as soon as you come back home. This necklace was given to me by your grandfather; I want you to give it to your bride. Maybe, if you are really lucky, it will lead you to her." She winked as Neji chuckled and shook his head.

"When we come back with my bride," he humored aloud. "...how will this-" he began before the Queen placed a a finger on his lips.

"In due time, you must not question me from here on," She stated mystically and he hesitantly nodded.


It took about 2 weeks before the Queen and the Prince were off to Kusagakure. With about half of the kingdom's best knights guarding the carriage, the Queen and Prince rode on within the early morning hoping to get the Kusgakure by sundown. Though Neji knew he could trust his mother, he was still confused about the whole ordeal. How was this supposed help him? He wasn't sure if she even knew what he meant when he had asked for her advice. But before he could even attempt to ask, his mother spoke first.

"My moon, have I ever told you the story of the Queen's Guards?" Neji looked up to his mother with the quirk of his eyebrow and shook his head. "It is quite a long story mainly told to crying girls, but in short, a beautiful princess was set to marry a young king from a neighboring land. As she was being courted by the King, she personally met with every knight and warrior of the kingdom and thanked them for their service. Unbeknownst to the King, she had seduced her way to every knight's hearts. Weeks after the King had married her, he died during his annual hunt. The princess, now queen, was set to rule over the land. However there were many in the council that disagreed. Therefore to prove her worth she set about creating a loyal group of men who would fight for her protection and rule, she would then name them her guards. The council laughingly agreed for they did not believe the queen had the ability to call upon those in a land she was not born in. It thus became a surprised when all of the kingdom's knights and warriors rose up to join the Queen's Guard. She then banished the council and ruled in peace."

Neji listened thoroughly, trying to find the meaning behind the story. But before he could say anything the carriage stopped. Neji knew for a fact that it was far to early for a break, and neither he nor his mother made a move to request for one. He looked to his mother instinctively to make sure she was fine and was met with a knowing smile.

"It is time." Neji watched as his mother took to leave the carriage. He moved to follow but she pushed him back and pointed to the seat she was sitting on.

"The bench is hallow, you will change into the clothes and then come out. There is much to say and so little time," she stated before shutting the door. He reached over to the seat and lifted it up. He found the same clothes he was wearing the day he went to the market. Changing quickly he was stepped outside to see his mother staring off into the distance of where they came from.

"Mother-"

"You and I are not who you think we are. There was so much hidden from you. I only regret that I have no told you enough. Despite my influences, the King has many eyes." She stated without looking at him. She raised her arms and the sound of armor hitting the ground resounded around them. She untied the heavy cloak to reveal a simple purple robe and turned to look at her son. "You will head to Takigakure, not Kusagakure, Shikamaru will see to it that you make it there safely," she nodded behind him. Neji turned around to see Shikamaru also in his outfit from before.

"Why am I going there instead? And why does it sound like this is the last time I will see you?" he furrowed his brow. She offered him a smile before he heard faint horses in the distance.

"Take these horses and go now. I will meet with you in Takigakure," she said as the armored knights ran in behind the carriage to create a human wall.

"We have to stay off the road and I'd like to have some daylight to help us," Shikamaru started to push Neji to the horses.

"Wait, Mother! What-" Neji protested before he saw the soldiers off in the distance. "Those are the King's Army. Mother!" He turned back and Shikamaru shook his head.

"Sorry Prince, orders are orders," Shikamaru muttered inserting a needle into his arm. Just as he was about to yell at Shikamaru, things got hazy and he could feel Shikamaru grab him. He heard the horses and yells of the soldier come louder. Right as Shikamaru placed him on the horse and got on himself, he heard his mothers melodic voice.

"Do not worry about me, my moon. For, I have my Queen's Guards."


2016 EDIT A/N: I have begun to basically re-do this story. There is going to be a lot of editing, so please be patient with me for the next few months.

And I know that Hanabi is actually Hinata's little sister, BUT for the sake of this story, she is Neji's little sister.