Chapter 26: This is not what I signed up for!

I would try to use my Sage Mode, but there's not enough time.

Guard: "What do we do?"

I would ask him to go to Konoha to get some reinforcement but they'll never make it in time.

The rogue ninjas bust into the palace. I recognize their headband. They're from the Sound village! The village that belongs to Orochimaru. Did he order them to do that? But why would he?

"What do you want?"

Sound ninja: "Money, the palace, the women, everything! And no one will stop us."

"Did Orochimaru send you?"

Sound ninja: "So you know him? No he didn't. We were bored and we heard the Daimyo's palace was unprotected. Didn't think a Konoha kunoichi was all they hired for protection."

They kill all the guards in the palace while they're making their way towards Hotaka and me. From what I see, they're not using any sound jutsu. They're definitely weaker than Dosu, the sound ninja I fought in the Chunin exams.

Hotaka: "Bodyguard! Do something!"

"I'm analyzing the situation here! Stop distracting me!"

One of the sound ninja appears behind Hotaka with a kunai, ready to strike him. They might not be strong, but they're definitely quick. I grab Hotaka by his hair pull him downwards. I then stab the ninja with my own kunai.

Hotaka: "AAH! My hair!"

"No time to whine, the rest are coming."

I extract my sword from the snake in my mouth. This time it's the normal sword that I first stored. I guess I need to be in Sage Mode to get the other sword… This'll have to do I guess. It's more than enough to take care of these weaklings. But come on… ten against one is a little too much…

The sound ninja attack me all at once.

Hotaka: "We're so dead!"

"No we're not."

Here's my new sword technique that I invented myself. I call it the Beheading Dance.

"Beheading Dance."

I slash the sound ninjas' heads off with quick and controlled motions and with graceful steps. They then all fall almost at the same time, their heads chopped off. Usually, I avoid killing enemies, but on top of attacking the Daimyo's palace and endangering my mission, they're rogue ninjas. It's my duty to get rid of them.

Hotaka is on the floor, trembling.

"It's over, Hotaka-sama. You're safe."

I have to admit, I like him much better when he's speechless.

Hotaka: "I… I can see that…"

He gets up and straightens his kimono. He tries to put on a straight face, but I can see his lips are still trembling.

Hotaka: "S… Servants! Cl… Clean this mess up!"

Even in this condition, he still has the strength to order people around. I put my sword back and go back to standing next to Hotaka.

Hotaka: "You stink of blood… Clean yourself!"

"Yes, Hotaka-sama."

I prepare to leave when he stops me.

Hotaka: "D… Don't leave me alone!"

"How am I supposed to get cleaned up then?"

Hotaka: "I'll go with you."

What? No way! I'd rather stink for the rest of my life.

"I'm sorry, Hotaka-sama, but I refuse."

Hotaka: "You will do as I say!"

Now that's one thing I won't be nice about!

"Look, I might be your bodyguard, but I'm not your property! I have my own pride and will do what I feel comfortable with!"

Hotaka just stands there, speechless. I guess I made my point.

"Now if you don't want me to leave you alone, I'll make an earth clone that'll stay with you until I get cleaned up."

Hotaka: "That sounds good…"

Was I too much? He seems like he's actually sorry. That's a good change.

The year is almost over. Hotaka is much less annoying than before, although he still gets on my nerves sometimes. I think he's starting to understand what respect means.

Or so I thought…

Hotaka: "The year is almost over, which means your mission is as well. However, I want you to become permanently my personal bodyguard."

"I can't. I have other duties to attend to back at Konohagakure."

Hotaka: "I won't take no for an answer! In fact, I want you to be much more than just my bodyguard."

"What do you mean…"

Hotaka: "I want you to become my wife. That way, you won't be able to leave the palace, even if you wanted to."

"You're kidding me…"

That jerk! As if I'll ever comply to that! The problem is, he has much more political power than me. The only one who can help me stop this is Lady Tsunade. I'll send her a message via a snake. Much easier than a bird or a human, for that matter.

Hotaka: "When my parents come back in two days, we will hold our wedding."

Gaara started popping up in my head at the mention of marriage. I felt like something is squeezing my heart. If Lady Tsunade doesn't come before it's too late, I'll never be able to see Gaara again. More like, I won't have the courage to look him in the face… I could always escape, but leaving before the mission is over is a great offense to the village.

Two days pass by. The Daimyo and his wife are back. I hope my message made it to Lady Tsunade…

Hotaka: "Father! I want to announce you that I have decided to take Akia's hand in marriage."

Daimyo: "Oh! That's wonderful! The wedding shall be tonight!"

"Tonight?"

Hotaka: "Tonight is too late! Let's do it now."

"NOW? I did not agree to this!"

Daimyo: "What? You say that you do not want my son?"

"I don't! He forced me!"

Daimyo: "Is that so?"

Hotaka: "Don't listen to her, father. She's just overwhelmed."

That little…

That's when the palace doors suddenly, and violently, opened.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Lady Tsunade: "I beg your pardon, Daimyo-sama. Akia cannot get married."

Daimyo: "Why is that?"

Lady Tsunade: "She would be much more helpful for the Land of Fire as a kunoichi of Konohagakure. Without her, a lot of missions will be left unaccomplished."

Daimyo: "Hm… You've got a point there…"

Hotaka: "But father…!"

Lady Tsunade: "Akia is a skilled kunoichi, but she does not know the first thing about marriage. The most beneficial thing to do would be to let her go back with me to Konohagakure and to fulfill her duty as a ninja."

Daimyo: "I understand… You may go then. I count this mission as accomplished. Here's the rest of your money."

We get the rest of the pay and head back to Konoha.

"Lady Tsunade, thank you…"

Lady Tsunade: "I wouldn't dream of losing a ninja like you. I did what I had to do."

"What about the village?"

Lady Tsunade: "Don't worry. Shizune is taking care of the paperwork for now."

I'm glad that's over… The Daimyo was easier to convince than I thought he would be. It will take a while before I accept any other missions having anything to do with the Daimyo's son…