Chapter one: The Attack (Princess Hanae)

"Here, drink this," I said, slipping a small cup into the small girl's hands. I held her steady as she slowly drank the tea from the cup.

"What was it for?" she asked softly.

"Mostly to help speed up the healing process and get rid of any lingering virus. I also added in a mixture to make you sleepy. An herb rest should help the process." She yawned cutely, and I grinned at her. "Rest well. I'll check on you when you wake up."

"Thank you, Han…." I smiled and kissed her forehead as she fell asleep.

I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me, writing 'Herb Rest' on her board. I checked on the many other patients that are healing within my makeshift hospital before walking to the reception desk.

"I'm heading home now, Yui-san. Make sure the nurses don't become lazy while I'm gone."

"I will make sure of it, Yo…. I mean, Hanae-san."

I smiled before leaving the building. I have a somewhat rule that says no one is allowed to call me Princess, Your Highness, or Hanae-sama in casual settings. It's annoying enough during the few balls I'm allowed to appear in long enough to dine with the guests.

My name is Hanae Haruno. I am the youngest daughter of King Kizashi and Queen Mebuki, the rulers of the Cherry Kingdom. Like my sister Sakura, I have bright, abnormal hair and bright eyes. Only I have waist length apple green hair and bubble gum pink eyes.

I'm known as the Cherry Healer. I can heal almost anything with a few herbs (A). Sakura says it's because I was trained by…..

"Hanae-san, look out!"

I yelped as a body tackled me to the ground five feet from where I had been standing. As we landed, I watched an arrow land and stick out of the ground in my place. From the angle, that would've gone through my heart if I hadn't been tackled.

"Naruto, what's happening?" I asked my blond friend/personal body guard. He helped me stand.

"I need to get you to the castle. Come on."

I let him lead me by the hand to my brown mare, Destiny. He mounted first, helped me up behind him, and set her off in a gallop.

A flaming arrow stuck into the ground in front of us halfway to the castle, making Destiny rear up in fear. I tightened my grip on Naruto until she calmed down and kept going. I shrieked as I was suddenly yanked off the horse by a rope around my torso.

"Hanae-san!" I bit back tears as the rope dragged me back to the person. "Release Her Highness at once! Who do you think you are?!"

"Naru…to!" I cried out as the rope tightened at the last part of his name.

"The Cherry Kingdom will soon be conquered by King Itachi. This girl will help serve his every need," a cruel voice sneered. A tear slipped out at his declaration.

"Unhand the Cherry Healer." I glanced up and saw many men of the village standing around Naruto. "You may take over this land. But you will not hurt our defenseless, innocent princess."

"Cherry Healer? You're the Cherry Healer?"

"H… hai!" I shrieked as the rope tightened further at my hesitation to answer the question.

"I was told you can heal anything. Too bad you aren't a citizen of Sharingan. His Majesty could've used you."

"Please let me go. You're hurting me," I whined softly.

"Release her!"

I looked up at the booming voice of the Captain of the Royal Guard. A fourth of the guard was now surrounding Naruto.

"I don't think I want to. The Cherry Healer will be a wonderful addition to our collection. That is, the collection of those who are hard to kill for any reason possible that have been killed by our own hands."

"You wouldn't dare."

I shrieked as my head was yanked back by my hair and a blade was pressed to my neck. I bit back tears as I thought up ways I could possibly save my still young life. But then I remembered: King Itachi is royally screwed up health wise.

"I'll heal him!" The hand froze, and Naruto looked at me horrified.

"Repeat that, girly."

"I've heard of most of your king's illnesses. And… and I know how to heal those I know of. I will become his personal medic."

"Hanae-san, don't," Naruto pled. I scrambled to my feet as the hand on my hair yanked me up.

"It's not up to me. But the king will find no problem in determining the fate of a little girl."

"But I do find a problem in you yanking said little girl around by the hair like a rag doll." I was instantly released, and I fell to my knees. Naruto knelt beside me and draped an arm across my shoulders for support.

"My apologies, Your Majesty."

"Bring forward the girl in question." I shakily stood again with Naruto's help and walked to the two great stallions. I looked up at King Itachi and Prince Sasuke.

"State your name," the prince ordered.

"I… I am Princess Hanae, the Cherry Kingdom's best healer."

"Why should we let you live, healer?"

"I can heal ninety-five percent of every disease known to man. I am currently working on the final five percent. If you let me live and… and leave my home as is, you will never fear death by any disease. Only of old age, and… and I can even extend that."

"We need proof of your abilities, not empty promises."

"Allow me to return to my personal hospital and send your sickest soldier with me. By morning, he will be the healthiest of you all."

"Very well then. Pein!" A man astride a war horse behind the Uchihas urged the beast forward. "Follow her to be healed. Report to me in the morning. Your words will determine her fate."

"Sir!" He dismounted to stand by me.

"Hanae-san, you don't have to do this," Naruto pointed out. I leaned up and kissed his cheek lightly.

"I'll be fine. Tell Mom to send Sakura-chan to assist me. Make sure our… guests are comfortable until they depart. And bring me my research journals just in case I can't instantly recognize a symptom."

"Alright." I let the soldier take me by the arm however roughly.

"Don't even think about trying anything," he warned as I led him down the path to my hospital.

"No matter who it is, I will never purposely let a patient die. You have nothing to fear from me, Pein-sama."

His grip loosened as we got to the hospital. After finding an open room, I set him up in it. Yui soon came in to set up my examination equipment as I lit a few purifying candles. I then set to work.

A: Hanae's abilities are a spin off from Tsunade's and Sakura's. But instead of her using healing chakra to heal, she uses herbs. And yes, it may seem like I'm making her some kind of all powerful healing expert, but that is literally her only strength. When she's in doctor mode, she is strong.

I hope you all enjoy this story. Also, I now have the sequel to Itachi's Pet up: She's Still Mine. Feel free to check it out.

Reviews are greatly appreciated.

-RozaCourt