It was under the clear night sky of Ninjago, in the silence of the Royal Palace, your small legs sped across the marble floor to outside. Sped across the vast grounds, being quick and careful not to be noticed. Using the shadows you could find. Ducking and hiding from guards that past. Surpassing the rising giggles you so wished to let out. Knew you couldn't otherwise you'd be caught.
And you couldn't be caught.
No not yet, you still had to see it.
Then you'd head back to bed and hopefully get there before...well your bed was discovered empty. Spring from the shadows wisp across the grounds. It could almost be mistaken for gliding it was smoothly done. And at a young age, running came easy to you...so did catching the scents of others. Along with hearing and most importantly...eyesight, at times. Allowed you to detect anyone coming near or approaching. So getting passed the guards was a piece of cake.
Cake...
Wonder what that taste like? A random thought that took your focus and you tripped over your feet, fell hard. A loud soft thud came from you, wonderful, picking the sound of the Royal guards hurrying to the noise, waste no time and spring up. After untangling your legs scurry up and flee the scene. Finding a tree, pounce like a feline and claw up. Take the highest branch you could, cower in the shadows. Hold your breath, the guards came.
Attentive as always. They surely took their job seriously. Weapons at the ready, go over the area quite a few times. Silly guards, you snicker behind your hand, they never looked up always down and around. Though as good as they where, you did complain about their lack of prowess and combat skills. Always willing to prove it, if you got the chance.
But, you sighed, he never would allow it. In fact you'd get scolded for doing so. Nothing new really.
Snickering still, they had yet to look up. Their backs to you, it was so easy and hard to resist pouncing upon them. Scaring if not startling them half to death, you'd drop down doing so, then entice a them to chase you. Blowing a raspberry, with a tongue out, turn heel and dash away before they realized what you did. They'd come bumbling after you, never able to catch you.
As fast a breeze, you'd been told.
It always came in handy.
Crouching further, remain still. Still as you could be, watch them carefully. A toothy grin curled on your lips, if you had a tail, it'd be slowly swaying back and forth. Sometimes you felt like you did, what an imagination.
The guards found nothing, of course they didn't, leave. You watch them, slowly stand and walk quietly to the edge of the branch. Kneel down and listen...they were gone. Went back to post.
Good!
Dropping down, land straight and with ease. You could continue, dash off, it took a few seconds for you to reach the speed you had before. Nearly there, your heart pounded rapidly against your chest. Grin wildly. Toss your hands up, softly yelp in joy. Take a sharp left, race over a few bridges and ponds. Almost like a white blur, under the light of the moon that hung overhead.
Something you enjoyed.
Your legs burned like fire, but you pushed through. It was worth it, even if they where running on fumes. It was worth it. Once you got there you'd let them rest for a bit and use them to hurry back to your bed.
Higher ground.
You needed higher ground, jumping like a checker piece push, throw a hand out. Grab hold of low branch, stick your nails in them. Hang like a cat for a moment, pull yourself up. Tiring but you did it. Take a moment to rest, jump to the next branch do the same thing as the first. And the same with the next few, almost slipped from a few. That didn't stop you, not like the fall would hurt, you've had worse. Going till you reached the top, pop your head out the leaves. Cast your eyes across the high wall of the palace at the brimming, bright lights that was Ninjago.
Reflected off your wide yellow eyes, lite a smile to your face. Flashed your...small rather tiny canines. The lights looked like dancing lanterns. From what you could hear, it sounded like a festival was going on. Not that you've ever been to one, but you've read about them. And it seem the city seem like one massive one, especially at night.
What it was like in the day time, you weren't sure. But had your thoughts. Taking it in a bit longer, close your eyes...for a moment.
Yeah.
It was nice.
Opening your eyes, give the view a few more seconds. Climb down, slowly.
It was easier, drop and flip off. Land perfectly. A shadow stepped out made its way over to you. Undetected. Ain't nothing you couldn't do! After all being the daughter of-
"Hunter!" came a sharp harsh voice.
That made you yelp. A hand shot out and grabbed you by the collar of your pajamas, held you a few inches off the ground. Trembles over took your body, they didn't care, feeling their hard eyes narrowing further and further on you...gulp softly. You knew that voice.
All too well.
The only voice that could cause these kind of trembles. "Explain to me," the continue scolding in their voice. "why I went to your room and find your bed empty? Hm?" you said nothing. They kept going, frustration or was it anger rising with each word. "Or the fact the guards came and alerted me of a strange sound they heard? Hmm?"
Again you said nothing.
Not a good choice. Cause they didn't like it. Shutting your eyes wasn't going to help either. Not even covering them with your hands, didn't stop Hutchens from removing the look he held on you.
"This is unruly behavior," he said. "for a Master-of-Arms child. It is shameful. This willy and foxy nature of yours. What do you have to say for yourself?"
What could you say? Part of you just wanted to laugh, felt it rise on your cheeks. Try to push them down with your hands, but it was hard. Of course it was, Hutchens wasn't surprised. Sighed, set you down, took your hand. Firmly.
Walked off.
"Child," he began. As always, you tried hard not to mimic his speech. "you behavior does no represent the Royal Family or myself. Gifted as you maybe, you quite insufferable. Your behavior reflects my own, the Emperor and Empress expect a protector. You are to be tasked and duty bound in serving the Royal Family, how can they trust you if you decide to do things such as this? Hmm?"
Your eyes had wondered as did your mind, not hearing much of what he said. He wasn't surprised again. He just hoped that one day you'd..
"Father?" you question, walking up the steps inside the palace. "The city, it is very interesting." Stop and cast your eyes back. "Something always seems to be calling me to it. Why is that?"
Hutchins huffed. Pulled you inside. "Enough of your chattering, Hunter. The city does not call to you, you are mistaken again with your silly imagination. Now," he remained on his reprimanding and lecture. A finger in the air. Waved a it bit as he started to...list one..duties and expectation. "You have duties that is required of you, first you must adhere to the rules. Second, you must be diligent. Always!"
The same tune.
"Third, you must-"
His words you heard, but you cast them aside. Hum to yourself, begin skipping, stopped only when he tugged at you. "Pay attention, child!" He snapped lightly. You giggled, caused him to sigh and shake his head. It was clear what he was saying you cared little for. "Come," he reached out before to the door knobbed. "Let us put you to bed. You have training in a few hours."
Opening the door, he takes you to your bed. Your room was a decent size, Hutchins didn't share it with you. No. He had his own, which was just about two doors down. Releasing his hand, race and spring onto your bed. Bounce a few times, before being settled by Hutchins.
"Calm yourself child," he managed to grab a hold of you. Set you down. Looked you over for a moment, brushed a few strands of your thick, white, wavy hair from your face. Used his sleeve to clean the bit of dirt on your nose. "honestly, you must control yourself. You need to learn. Of all of Ninjago-"
"Father?"
He dropped his eye to you. "Yes?"
Your eyes lite up with the question. "Was mother like my? Hmm?"
Hutchins grew quiet for a minute. "Your mother was who she was."
That wasn't really much of an answer. "What was she then? Did she look like me? Hmm? Where did she come from?" You fire off questions, one after another. Hutchins barely managed to catch them a bit. "What did she do? Wha-"
Hutchins put a hand over your mouth. "Enough. As I said before, your mother who she was." Your eyes dropped, not a single question answered. He saw it. Raised a hand and placed it on your head. Gave it a pat. It managed to stop the rising tears. In soft and low voice, Hutchins gave a different answer to you. "We have been through this, you know, there is little I can tell you of your mother. But, know this," he used his hand to move your head back so your eyes meet his. "you are more like your mother than you know."
Sniffing a bit, manage a smile. "C-Can you tell me a story? About her please?"
He took his hand back. "No. Not yet." His normal voice returned. "It is quite pass your bed time. You have been awake long enough. Now, rest."
Crossing your arms, huff. That didn't stop him from paying you down and covering you. Tucking you in a bit tighter so you would not move. And you didn't tried to test it out, find out you couldn't. Pleased to see this, Hutchins bids you a good night and leaves. You didn't sleep instead laid there awake, thoughts ran through your mind. About so much, mostly about the city...that you still felt this calling...yearning. Unsure why, but you did. Like it spoke...or maybe it was just the wind. That wasn't all either, through the window the moon in all its white and fullness could be seen. It lite up the sky so bright...so kind..so gentle. Like a soft touch, beamed its luminous light into you room. Rose a small smile.
It was hard not to look at it, every time you did...such a calming feeling that seemed to whisper (or it was your imagination) for you to sleep. Your eyelids suddenly became heavy, try as you might, you could not fight Sleep's spell, and let it take you.
It always took you, even as the years passed, and over the years you grew. Both in skills and in some way discipline. Under Hutchins watchful eyes and guidance, you grew. Still, you enjoyed you nightly outs of wonder. That hadn't changed or was going too.
Nothing really did, besides age, but something did change in the Royal Palace and this time it wasn't you. No, you didn't play a prank or anything. It was quite a surprise really. A new addition was to be added to the Royal Palace. A person!
The new princess.
Everyone was presented to welcome this new...princess. Dressed in your ceremonial attire, a long flowing emerald green kimono with golden twigs accented on it. Your hair, now longer, reaching just under your shoulder blades was pulled back in a respectable up-do. Stood next to Hutchins in the throne room, awaiting the princess's arrival. With the Emperor and Empress standing regally, awaiting their daughter.
You wondered who this girl was, all you knew was her name...Harumi. An interesting name, quite the opposite of your own. She must be thrilled becoming part of the Royal Family. Many would die to be in her place. This new girl, she'd come in with the biggest smile on. Her eyes too. The moment she laid her eyes on her new parents they'd be filled with love.
Yeah, that's how she'd come in.
Picturing it in your mind, for a moment close your eyes, open them, feeling a hard nudge in the side. "Open those eyes!" Hutchins hissed softly. "Be ready! She is arriving. Stand up straight."
Doing as you were...well ordered, stand at the ready. The guards do the same, in a few seconds the large doors open and all eyes and heads turn to them. To the small...child...no small girl at least..either eleven or twelve you weren't sure. Except, there was no smile on her white painted face. It was long and heavy. Her eyes weren't filled with thrilled...no...it was..oddly sadness. Ready to cry...they were also filled with something else, there was some sort of vacancy in them..despite how beautiful she looked in her royal green kimono, white cape with a collar and red flowers, and golden headpiece. She looked like a princess.
Truly.
Yet, as she walked across the throne room..did not seem feel like a princess. Each step she took..her face hung further. While the Emperor and Empress smiled, welcoming her into their open arms and love. She did not embrace it.
It...was sad.
"Hunter." Hutchins placed a hand on your shoulder, pointed to the girl with his eyes. "You shall watch her. Do you understand?"
You nodded. "Y-Yes father. I do." Reply. Eyes still on Harumi. "Yes, I shall. I will do so."
Words you would live up too, for the rest of day you did not follow Harumi. No, you had training to do, but you did manage to catch glances of her and feel..her eyes upon you. When you turned to her, she'd be gone.
Something had to be done, musing over it for the remainder of the day, finally decide on what you would do. When night came, when all was nearly rested you slipped out of your room, down the halls. Being careful not to be seen, hurried your way to Harumi's room. Find two guards before it.
Damn it!
Oh well, you smirk, there was always another way. A way you knew. Finding a window leap out, nails out stick them into the palace wall. Sniff the air, pick up Harumi's scent follow it, climb your way there.
In her room, Harumi sat in silence...stared blankly before her...this life...this life wasn't...
"Hey!"
A voice whispered, startled the girl. She looked around, there was nothing. It called again.
"Hey! Hey!"
Now alert, her heart racing Harumi sprung from her bed. "W-Who is there?"
A snicker was heard, frighten Harumi gets ready to call the guards. "Whoa! Wait!" Your hand shot up outside the window, waved to her. The girl was surprised. Pulling yourself up, pop your head up, and smile at her. "Whoa!" You whistled. "I didn't know you had a different hair color." You notice her light blonde hair. "Looks nice, anyway," you swing yourself over and into her room.
She backed up. "W-Who are you?"
That's right you didn't say anything. Dust yourself off. "Oh, my apologizes, Princess." Give a little bow. Chuckling still. With a canine grin, something that surprised Harumi. "I'm Hunter. It's nice to meet you."
That didn't explain much. "That's just a name." Harumi hissed. "Who are you? Tell me or...or I'll call the guards!"
"Please don't!" you hold up your hands. "If you do then my father will grab me by the tail and well...yeah. I'm actually not suppose to be out this late. I just came because, well, I wanted to see how you where doing and was also wondering if I could show you something that might well...give you a smile." Hold out a hand to her. "What do you say?"
Harumi's eyes drop your extended. She wasn't sure if she should or shouldn't. The smile you had one wasn't...threating..no...it was actually..nice. "What did want to show me?"
Holding tight, Harumi tried hard not to scream, when you leaped out her window. To down below, you were crazy! So crazy! You even laughed. "Don't worry, I've got you princess!"
Flipping in mid air, ready yourself for landing. A tree came into view, you had to time this just right. Harumi hoped you would. Or else...
"Yeah!" you landed well. Lightly. On a branch, that just happened to be there, thank goodness. "You doing alright?" You called back to her.
All she could do was nod. Glad to see, you tell her to hold on and jump down, land. Rush off. Harumi's grip tighten, the wind whipped against her face. She had to bury her face into your hair. If this was her end...at least she'd be able too...
"Hey," you call to her. "open your eyes or your going to miss it."
Something was wrong, Harumi felt it...there was no movement. Everything had...stopped and there was this gentle breeze. A breeze that opened her eyes and...a gasped escaped from her lips.
Before her a sight she'd never thought she'd see again.
The lights of Ninjago City...it was beautiful. So beautiful. They danced like holiday lights. Smiling to yourself at her reaction, saw...her eyes light up for the first since she was here. Turn to gaze upon the sight before you.