Okay all here's the tenth chapter of The Prince and The Slave. I hope you all like it. I think this is one of the longest chapters I've actually written for it.
Thanks to all those who read and reviewed and added me to faves and alerts lists. I really appreciate it.
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The Prince and The Slave.
Chapter Ten.
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(General P.O.V.)
Pein led Sasuke, Neji, Naruto, Shikamaru, Minato and Shikaku to a secret bar at the other end of the town. None of the males complained. Sakura stayed by her brother's side. She was absently holding on to the basket of flowers she'd spent all of early morning picking. When they got to the bar, Deidara was there with Ino. Ino looked at Shikaku and Shikamaru nervously. "Stay here, I'll go and find Ten Ten and Hinata." Pein said kindly.
"I can go if you like." Sakura said softly. Pein grinned.
"Okay Sakura. You'd better put those flowers in water. Once the sun comes up they won't last long without it." Pein stated. Sakura nodded and ran off with the basket of flowers.
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(Sakura's P.O.V.)
I ran through the streets, towards Temari's home. As I ran up the stairs I ran straight into Gaara. I would've fallen on the floor if he hadn't caught me and held me steady. "Thanks Gaara. Sorry for running into you like that." I apologised.
"That's alright Sakura-San. Hinata and Ten Ten are inside. They just got up." Gaara told me, before he left. I decided I'd put the flowers in water after I spoke to Hinata and Ten Ten. I walked into the sitting room, where Hinata and Ten Ten were chatting.
"They're here." I just blurted it out.
"Who's here?" Ten Ten asked me.
"Sasuke, Naruto, Neji and Shikamaru." I replied. Ten Ten bit her lip. "They say they don't want to take us back, they just want to speak to us. Your sister is with them Hinata." I told them. Hinata nodded and stood up.
"We'd better get going then. I'll go and find my shoes." Hinata said quietly. She was wearing grey like me. Her dress was like an informal kimono and her hair was held back with a grey bandanna. She went off to find her shoes. Ten Ten followed me while I went to put the flowers in water.
"Do you trust them?" Ten Ten asked me, as I filled up a vase.
"Yes. At least I think so. I don't know any of them, as well as you all do, but I think they mean what they say Ten Ten. I know it sounds stupid, but something in Sasuke's eyes, in all their eyes, just told me they were serious about what they said." I told Ten Ten. She nodded.
"Well, your brother isn't going to let them take you, or any of us. So I don't think we have too much to worry about." Ten Ten replied. She too wore grey. It seemed to be the most used colour in the whole of Suna. She wore grey pants and a grey shirt. We heard Hinata come back downstairs.
"We'd better get going." She said gently. We all left the house then.
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(General P.O.V.)
Sasuke, Naruto, Neji and Shikamaru were just waiting for the other girls to arrive. Ino, now that she knew she wasn't being taken away, was quite friendly. She spoke to Shikaku and sat with Hanabi, talking kindly. Deidara watched the goings on from a corner. Ino was wearing a grey top, and skirt, and black shoes. She pulled her top closer to her.
"There's going to be a storm soon." Pein said cryptically. Sakura, Hinata and Ten Ten arrived at that moment. Hanabi's eyes lit up with joy.
"Hinata Nee-Chan! I was so worried about you!" Hanabi yelled happily. She flung herself into Hinata's arms and hugged her older sister tightly. Hinata hugged her back. The boys looked at the girls.
"Well you can all go and talk. I hear any screaming, I'll chop heads off first and ask questions later." Pein stated coldly. None of them doubted Pein's word.
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(Shikamaru and Ino P.O.V.)
Ino and Shikamaru sat in silence for a few moments. But Ino felt the need to speak. "Shikamaru I'm sorry." Ino said softly.
"Why are you sorry? You found your older brother, you should be happy." Shikamaru asked.
"I mean I'm sorry I've put you and your father into a bad position. If it's ever found out that I'm alive and well, then you and your father will be punished for hiding it. You were always good to me. Even though you're as lazy as they come." Ino stated, making both of them laugh.
"I understand wanting to be free Ino. I mean, why do you think I watch clouds so much? Besides, Father said you weren't in the nicest of places before you came to us. You've been like the sister I never had. I just wish you'd have said something to me." Shikamaru said softly. Ino grinned.
"Maybe I should've but I didn't want to risk the other's freedom by saying anything to anyone. We all know how harsh the punishment is for runaway slaves and anyone who helps them. I didn't want to make you involved." Ino replied. Shikamaru handed Ino a sack.
"It's gold, in case you need anything. You are like family Ino. If you need anything, just send a messenger bird. Nobody checks the messenger birds coming into our estate because of my father being the debt collector. You know, noble's privacy and all that, it's troublesome." Shikamaru said.
"But I can't read and write Shikamaru." Ino said softly.
"I know you'll learn. You're smarter then you give yourself credit for. Don't be troublesome, just make sure you let us know how you're doing." Shikamaru stated.
"I will Shikamaru." Ino said kindly.
"We're going to tell the king that you died on your way to Suna. We gave you a funeral as a mark of respect towards the Kazekage's laws and your bodies were burned. No one is going to question it. If you need to come into Fire Country, keep your identities hidden, just in case the King does think we're lying. It's troublesome but it'll keep you girls alive." Shikamaru stated.
"I understand Shikamaru." Ino said. She hugged her former master and he hugged back.
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(Neji and Ten Ten P.O.V.)
Ten Ten and Neji stared uncomfortably at each other. Neji wordlessly handed over Ten Ten's small pack. Ten Ten's eyes went wide, as she grabbed the pack and hugged it to her chest tightly. She then searched through it, and found her locket, shined to perfection, and her diary. She couldn't help but throw her arms around his neck and hug him tightly. "Thank you, for bringing it back to me Neji!" She exclaimed happily. Neji felt his cheeks burning but soon managed to get it under control. Ten Ten let go of Neji and looked at him questioningly.
"I admit that I looked in your pack, and at your diary." Neji stated calmly.
"Why?" Ten Ten asked. It was a simple question, without malice, hate or judgement in her tone.
"I wanted to know more about you Ten Ten. We've known each other since we were eleven, yet your past was always a complete mystery to me." Neji stated. Ten Ten nodded her understanding. "It was my father's grave." Neji said softly. Ten Ten blinked. "That you used to see me crying at on your birthday. It was my father's grave. He was killed when I was eight years old, during the war with Cloud Country. It hurt to lose him. My mother died when I was born, and he was the only link I had to knowing my parents really. He was the one that looked after me. I only came to live with Uncle Hiashi after my father's death. We'd never kept slaves or even servants before that." Neji stated. Ten Ten smiled.
"Thanks for telling me Neji." Ten Ten said. Neji gave a small smile back.
"Thanks for not belittling me or trying to mock my pain. Thanks for understanding how I felt, even though you didn't have to." Neji replied.
"I know what it's like to lose the people you love Neji. I want to try and help others like me." Ten Ten stated.
"I know you will Ten Ten. It's not even a question of if, just when." Neji replied. "Let me know how you're getting on. I'll find a place you can send messages to. I put a bag of gold in your pack. Keep it and use it when you need to. You have been a friend to me Ten Ten. So if you need anything..." Neji trailed off.
"Don't worry Neji. I'll let you know how I am somehow." Ten Ten said softly.
"And make sure you hide your identity if you end up in Fire Country. If the King decides he doesn't believe the story that we'll tell him, then he'll inform his soldiers to keep an eye out for you." Neji stated sternly.
"What are you going to tell the King?" Ten Ten asked.
"That you died in the desert. That we gave you a funeral as a mark of respect to the laws of Suna, and the Kazekage, and then we left and went back home." Neji replied. Ten Ten nodded.
"That should work. Especially if Prince Sasuke agrees to it. I still think the King will keep a look out for us anyway somehow. He's always been suspicious from what I've heard." Ten Ten said. Neji nodded.
"Just be careful." Neji replied. Ten Ten nodded and they started speaking about other things, not wanting to leave a serious atmosphere between them.
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(Naruto and Hinata P.O.V.)
Naruto and Hinata sat in one room, as Hinata waited for Naruto to say something. "I know why you ran away Hinata-Chan. It's not like you never told me about it before. I wish you'd have said something when you ran. I'd have given you some gold to keep you guys going for a bit at least. I was worried that something bad might have happened to you." Naruto said kindly. Hinata smiled gently.
"I know Naruto-Kun. I just didn't want to get you into trouble. If anyone knew you helped us escape, you'd have gotten into such trouble. I wanted to spare you and your parents all that misery." Hinata said softly. Naruto grinned widely.
"Well we're already involved now." Naruto stated. He handed a pack to Hinata. "It's some of your things. Also there's some gold in there. After all, you had to help clean up after me for the last two years. So you earned it." Naruto stated. Hinata smiled gratefully at Naruto. If nothing else, Naruto had always been easy to serve. To Hinata, he'd been a true friend.
"Why is Hanabi here Naruto-Kun?" Hinata asked.
"She overheard us talking and begged us to take her with us. She wanted to see you and spend some time with you, in case she never saw you again. She's been missing you Hinata. She sees you like a mother." Naruto replied. Hinata nodded.
"I'll need to spend some time with her." Hinata said softly.
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(Sasuke and Sakura's P.O.V.)
Sakura stared at Sasuke. "I never had you down as someone who'd care about a slave. You didn't exactly treat me kindly when I first got given to you." Sakura said coldly.
"Look, my father is the King. He's the one that insists on slavery. My brother, Itachi, is exactly the same. He's also the eldest, so I won't ever inherit the throne unless he dies without an heir. Which means that if I want to help any slave, I have to be careful about what I do. If my brother saw me being especially nice to you, he'd make sure my father took you away and sold you to someone else. Anyone else could be far nastier then me, and I'm sure you get my meaning." Sasuke said kindly. Sakura nodded.
"I'll admit, you weren't so bad to me. That doesn't mean that I'll trust you straight away you know. It was your father's damn slave collector that had my parents murdered. I watched them die, and nothing is going to change that. Your father has caused a lot of pain. If what you say is true, then I hope that you do sit on the throne one day, and get rid of slavery." Sakura said kindly. Sasuke nodded.
"I know we're not exactly friends, and we haven't known each other long. But you seem to have made an impact on me Sakura. Just make sure to let us know how you're doing. Just send a message with Ino to Shikamaru. His messenger birds are never searched." Sasuke said. Sakura smiled.
"Fair enough." Sakura agreed. Sasuke decided to go on and explain what they were planning to say to the King on their return, and Sakura listened intently.
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(Pein, Deidara, Minato and Shikaku P.O.V.)
"You do realise what a risk those boys are taking to let those girls live freely?" Minato asked Pein.
"Yes I do understand. That's why I'm allowing this. I just don't want my little sister hurt anymore. She watched our parents murdered by that damn, snake bastard, Orochimaru. She was sold in an auction and given away as a gift. She doesn't need to suffer anymore." Pein replied. Deidara agreed with a silent nod. He looked at Shikaku.
"Thanks for buying my sister un!" Deidara said. Shikaku looked at Deidara carefully, as if trying to figure out whether he was serious or not. "I'm serious un. She told me what happened, or what would've happened if you hadn't come along un. I know she's grateful. So am I. She said she was never abused or harmed by your family un." Deidara stated. Shikaku smiled.
"She was an eleven-year-old child. I didn't want to see anything bad happen to her. She was also a well behaved kid. She never gave us any trouble." Shikaku replied. Deidara nodded and the group waited for the others to return. Hanabi was running around the room, looking at various objects, waiting for her chance to speak to her sister.
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(Hinata and Hanabi's P.O.V.)
Hinata came out of the room she'd been speaking with Naruto in. She saw the four men stare at her incredulously. "Hanabi?" Hinata called out. Hanabi stared at Hinata and ran over to her quickly. Naruto walked over to his father, and Hinata took Hanabi's hand. "Let's go and talk Hanabi." Hinata said kindly. Hanabi nodded, and Hinata led her along the corridor to the room she'd been talking to Naruto in. Hanabi went and sat down and Hinata sat next to her. "So, what's on your mind Hanabi?" Hinata asked. Hanabi's eyes filled with tears, as she launched herself into her sister's arms from her seat.
"I missed you so much Hinata Nee-Chan! I never even get to hug you anymore! Father was so awful! He's given me some stupid governess to try and make me act the way he wants! Like any governess is going to replace you Nee-Chan!" Hanabi exclaimed through her tears. Hinata hugged her little sister gently.
"It's alright Hanabi. Because I'll always love you, and as long as I live, I'll be thinking of you. I promise that I'll send you messages, and let you know I'm alright. I'll keep in touch with you somehow, Hanabi." Hinata said softly. Hanabi looked up at Hinata, tears still streaking down her cheeks.
"Will you really Hinata Nee-Chan? Do you promise?" Hanabi sobbed out. Hinata nodded.
"I promise you Hanabi. I'll never forget about you. I didn't want to leave you. If I could, I'd stay with you now." Hinata said kindly.
"Can't I just come with you?" Hanabi questioned.
"I wish I could take you with me. But what would Neji-Aniki tell our father? It would be too suspicious and people will be looking for you Hanabi." Hinata said softly. Hanabi felt tears welling up in her eyes again.
"I'll miss you so much Nee-Chan." Hanabi sobbed out, as she clutched on to Hinata tightly.
"I'll find a way to see you somehow Hanabi. I promise you." Hinata sobbed back. Tears were now dripping down her own cheeks. The two sisters stayed close together, crying, and hoping for their own miracles, hoping to see each other again in this life.
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(General P.O.V.)
The next day, after Shikamaru had told everyone they could send messages through him, the boys all got back on their horses, Minato and Shikaku also got onto their horses, and Hinata lifted Hanabi up to sit in front of Neji. "Make sure you look after yourself Hinata-San." Neji said softly. Hinata nodded.
"I will Neji-Aniki. You'll hear from me." Hinata murmured. The goodbyes were said and the group rode away.
"We'll be leaving tomorrow." Pein told Sakura.
"I thought we were leaving at the end of the week." Sakura replied. Pein shook his head.
"We'll have to leave earlier. If the King doesn't believe them, which is very likely, then he'll send soldiers here to confirm the story. If even a glimpse of you is caught then the king will not only start hunting you girls down, but he'll punish all those involved. Suna would also be destroyed in the crossfire." Pein stated. Sakura nodded her understanding. One thought flashed through her mind.
"Why would Sasuke risk so much for me?" She thought to herself, as they prepared to leave the next day.
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Sakura, Ino, Hinata and Ten Ten, were all sat in a wagon, with Temari, Gaara and Kankuro, as it left the city. Kankuro, it seemed, had taken very little persuading to go with Gaara and Temari on their little journey. During their journey, which Pein had said would take the day, Temari was teaching Ino some basic reading skills. As Shikamaru had predicted, Ino caught on very quickly, and soon enough Temari was teaching her other things. Reading was a skill that was coming along very nicely. But soon enough the ride was over. It was dark when they arrived. Pein and Deidara told everyone to get out of the wagon. They did as they were told. Even Gaara behaved perfectly. Sakura blinked as she looked around. "Pein, there's nothing here!" Sakura exclaimed.
"You'll see in a moment." Pein said. That was when a metallic trap door opened up from the sand covered ground. The group's eyes widened considerably. "Welcome to Akatsuki." Pein stated, as he led the group into what appeared to be an underground village. Sakura, Ten Ten, Ino and Hinata couldn't believe their eyes. Even Temari, Gaara and Kankuro were impressed. "Okay girls. We're going to go and meet your teacher in a moment. She's going to look at your weak points and work on them." Pein stated. They followed Pein past a shop, and felt awed by how well ventilated the place was.
"How did you build this?" Ten Ten asked.
"We followed some old designs, from way before the King took over. The foundation was already here. We just fixed it up. It was originally created by a group of people know as the Army of Galel." Pein replied. They soon reached a larger building, where Pein stopped. A woman with blue hair ran out of the doors and threw herself into Pein's arms. Sakura blinked, a little confused and surprised by this. Pein noticed Sakura's confusion. "Sakura, this is my fiancé Konan. Konan this is my little sister, Sakura." Pein introduced. Konan grinned.
"Hey Sakura. You know it's nice to meet you. Pein told me a lot about you and your parents. Are they here?" Konan asked. Sakura looked down at the floor, feeling tears well up in her eyes.
"They were killed in a slave raid, Konan." Pein said sadly. Konan bit her lip and hugged Sakura.
"I'm sorry kid. I didn't mean to upset you. Don't worry though because you're safe here." Konan said reassuringly. "You're all safe here." Konan addressed the group. Everyone nodded.
"Is Konan going to be our teacher?" Hinata asked.
"Nope." Pein replied cheerfully. That was when a woman with blonde pigtails stepped out of the door of the building in a green jacket. She smirked as the girls stared in awe at the presence she commanded. "This is Tsunade. The most legendary medic fighter to exist and she is going to train you." Pein replied.
"You'll be in for a rough ride so you'd all better get some sleep." Tsunade stated cheerfully.
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That's the end of Chapter Ten. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please R&R and let me know what you think. You got to see who's going to be training the girls, some conversing and some tears. Love to all you readers and please feel free to R&R. I always appreciate it.