Also, I apologize now for any errors. I read it over but even I am imperfect so if you see something in these chapters that is a tad off or something, let me know! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
Chapter Two
"If I may introduce myself, I am Quartermaster Jonas."
With her on one couch and me on the other, Ino and I focused our attention on the stocky gentleman standing before us.
They had woken the both of us from sleep and while I was used to being up before the sun itself had a chance to rise above the horizon, Ino on the other hand, was not. I watched, masking my amusement the best I could as she glared Jonas down.
If only looks could kill.
And the poor man looked very much like he wanted to die right about now.
Swallowing nervously, he continued, "Lady Ino. Your father has asked me to serve as an emissary for any requests that you and your protector might have. Wants and needs alike, you need only ask and I shall deliver." Fingers tapping impatiently on the arm of the sofa she claimed, Ino sighed and chastised, "First of all, let's be clear of something. Jonah, was it?"
"Act-Actually, my Lady. It's Jonas."
"Unimportant. You work for me, not the other way around. I will ask for nothing. I will simply command and you'll obey. Otherwise, I'll see to it that you lose your job as well as your head. Understand?" She finished, eyes never once losing that heated glare.
He nodded quickly, apologizing wholeheartedly as he bowed his head in respect.
Unable to pretend like her arrogance didn't bother me, I sighed and rose to my feet, completely intent on returning to my room.
"I'm sorry. Did I dismiss you?"
Teeth pressing together until I felt an ache in my jaw, I threw her a look over my shoulder. One that clearly instructed her to piss off. She didn't so much as bat a perfect eyelash. Instead, she pointed an elegant finger at the seat I once claimed in a silent order for me to sit.
Though not without expressing my obvious agitation, I obliged.
Clearing his throat, Jonas continued with his little speech. "Also, Sakura, as Lady Ino's protector, there are some things that you should know."
"Such as?"
"First, you will be attending school alongside Lady Ino. You are required to follow her studies in case she may need extra assistance. The only time you will be apart from her is every Saturday. You will be allowed to explore the Sector within city limits to give you time for yourself. In the event that you are unable to keep an eye on her, another guard will step in until you are able to return," he informed.
I nodded, not entirely thrilled about having to attend school.
But I suppose it would be nice to have a higher education covered at no extra cost to myself.
However, I had a feeling that there was more to this story than Jonas was letting on. As if he could sense my skepticism, he quickly rushed out, "You will be meeting with another today. Sir Kakashi will be your overseer. He will instruct and inform you of any other important duties that you will have. Lady Ino will remain here while you and Sir Kakashi get better acquainted. Time is of the essence."
I didn't move.
Didn't bother budging in the slightest.
Taking the bait like I knew she would, Ino wasted no time in snapping at me. "Didn't you hear him? Time is of the essence." Smirk twitching onto my lips, I cooly answered, "I was simply waiting for your dismissal, Lady Ino."
Nails digging into the innocent fabric of the sofa, she swiftly rose from her seat. Arms folded over her chest, she leaned down until our eyes were perfectly leveled.
"You think you're clever, don't you Haruno?"
I knew better than to answer her question.
Shoving my hands deeper into my pants pockets, I simply held her icy stare as best as I could. Leaning to my ear, she whispered, "Let me be the first to tell you, you aren't. You think these are idle threats, they aren't. All I need is for you to give me a reason to have a bullet put through your skull and it'll be done, no questions asked. So I'll repeat, time is of the essence."
And like the obedient dog I was, I rose from my seat, apologized with a bow of my head and retreated to my room to prepare for the day.
And from the looks of it, a rather long day at that.
"What's the pup's name then?"
"Aris. Short for Aristotle."
"Ah. A lover of the philosophical sciences?"
Kakashi was more talkative than I had expected him to be. He also didn't look quite as I had expected. His silver spiked hair and mask covering the lower part of his face were magnets for my curiosity. However, what I was most fascinated with was the scar running along his left eye.
It was likely that he had gotten it in the line of duty.
Perhaps, if I grew fond of him enough, he'd come to tell me of how he acquired it.
For now, our conversation was light. I had taken Aris with me to meet him, figuring it only made sense seeing as we had decided to meet in some sort of desolate park. We had introduced ourselves and so far, not much information was received regarding my duties.
"Ah," I finally responded to his question, "He was the philosopher I admired the most. We celebrated his studies and ideas back where I'm from."
"Which is?"
Chewing the inside of my cheek, I shook my head, "Nowhere important."
It hurt to admit it but I'm sure Kakashi understood. Once you became a protector of Sector Royalty, you were bound by death. None ever returned home. They either failed their mission and were executed or still worked for the royal family they served.
Looking for a reason to change the subject, I asked, "What exactly do you do anyways?"
Leaning back against the bench, eyes cast upwards, he drew in a breath. "I'm an overseer, for all of the royal protectors. You are not the only one, both fortunately and unfortunately enough for you." Shock evident on my face, I couldn't suppress the slight peak of interest stemming from his words.
"There are others?"
"Of course. Twenty-four of you to be exact."
"How?"
"Well," he began, fingers weaving through his hair. "Best to start with the basics. There are twenty-four sectors, each with it's own head. The heads of each sector will only procreate once every so often. They do so around the same time to ensure that each new heir or heiress comes of age together."
Mind quickly pulling the information together, I took a shot in the dark.
"So the children of the sectors train until they come of age. Whoever completes the exams and beats everyone else becomes the protector of the new heir of their sector?"
Chuckling softly, he ruffled my hair, "They were right. You are a smart one."
Knocking his hand away, I sighed in relief. So there were others like me. I wasn't the only one enduring this hell it would seem.
Picking up on my curiosity, it would seem that Kakashi already had all the answers I seeked.
"Each of the twenty-four heirs and heiresses will attend this university. Rather than placing them in one fancy academy where they'd all be sitting ducks, they are placed here to blend in. With their protectors mixed in with the group, it makes their lives that much easier. As if it were ever difficult to begin with," he finished jokingly.
My lips twitched softly.
Yeah, as if.
"So what do you do with the other twenty-three like me?"
Shrugging, he simply replied, "I keep you all in check. I make sure none of your skills are lacking when we meet up on your day off. I'm an outlet for when you need to vent and I deal with incoming and outgoing reports that threaten the safety of the royal heirs. You all will meet next Saturday so look forward to making new friends and possible enemies."
Rolling my eyes, I called Aris over, securing his harness as I rose to my feet.
Brow raised as Kakashi continued to remain seated, I asked for the sake of asking, "Anything else I need to know?"
Finally, with a grunt of annoyance, he too stood. Nodding, he answered, "While it is currently uncertain as to whether or not this will apply to you, I'll warn you now. It is forbidden to pursue any romantic relations with any of the heirs. Many of them have already been promised to either other heirs from this country or from another. It is cause for immediate punishment and rest assured, they won't go easy on you. As for other protectors, while not forbidden, it isn't recommended. Some of you may die or may not be permitted to see each other after the heirs graduate. Not the best predicament. You're better off alone."
Alone.
As if that was anything new for me.
I'd been alone for years and solitude was something I had perfected. After all, it was written in my creed. I am nothing, I come from nothing and I'll die with nothing.
"Mama?"
"What is it dear?"
I debated for the longest time, if it were appropriate for me to ask such a question. Yet as most children my age were, I was a tad on the curious side. Knowledge was power after all. On the other hand, curiosity killed the cat.
I didn't want to end up being the cat.
I watched the spoon swirling around in the bowl of lukewarm milk before forcing my eyes to my mother's. Chewing my lip, I cautiously asked, "Mama, why don't we have a lot of money? You know...like the princess' family?" The hardening of her eyes was immediate as was my regret of asking the question in the first place.
Ceasing her washing of the few dishes we did have, she closed the distance between us, drying her hands on her dress.
"Where is this coming from?"
I shrunk down into my seat, feet dangling a few inches from the floor.
I might not have been old enough to understand some things but I understood other things better than most. I didn't hate the princess. I didn't hate anyone. I was just...confused. I simply wanted to know why things were the way they were.
Why were we less fortunate than her?
Understanding the conflict going on within the depths of my heart, my mother sighed. Taking my chin, she softly said, "Everything happens for a reason, my love. I believe that the ultimate ruler has a plan for everyone. That we are all a part of something much bigger than we know. But to achieve that, first we must learn our place. Do you remember yours?"
I nodded.
Of course I did. How could I forget?
"My place is here. Once my training is complete and I come of age, my place will be beside Lady Ino. Serving her until the day I take my last breath," I huffed, staring hopefully back into my mother's empty blue eyes.
Looking at those eyes only made my heart ache that much more.
Knowing that she wasn't at all who she used to be was unsettling.
She pulled me against her, lips pressing against my temple as she brushed back my hair. I allowed her to hold me, softly whimpering as she fought to pull herself together. It hurt, knowing that I couldn't help her.
All I could do was sit here.
Helpless and depending on her to be strong for the both of us.
I made a vow that night, losing myself to my thoughts shortly after she tucked me in. I made the vow that I would train harder. Day in and day out. Study whenever I could and learn as much as I could. Hoping that maybe someday, I'd get my mom out of here.
Put her in a house on top of a hill where she belonged.
To repay her for all of the nights she spent wiping away my tears with no one to wipe away her own.
Unfortunately for me, life saw it fit that I'd never get the chance to repay her. So at the tender age of eight, I was left to pick up where she left off. Wiping away my own tears with no help from anyone.
Kill me.
I'd be okay with it.
I'd accept my death with dignity, I needed only someone to deliver the striking blow. Of all the demeaning things I'd ever been subjected to. This was undoubtedly the worst. Looking in the mirror, I sighed, trying to come to terms with Ino's first attempt in pissing me off.
"A collar."
"Uh huh." Kakashi chuckled, leaning in the doorway as I inspected the strap of leather around my neck. The sad part, it honestly wouldn't have been that bad. A simple leather black band wasn't too hard to ignore.
No.
The worst part was the tags.
With every move I made, the silver tags with my name and address for the apartment jingled about. Mocking me. Reminding me that I was nothing more than living, breathing property. And there wasn't a doubt in my mind that Ino knew exactly what she was doing.
She knew the control she had over me and wasted no time in exploiting it.
"Please tell me I'm not the only one who has to wear this," I groaned, already planning on ditching the stupid thing the first chance I got.
"Lucky enough for you, you're not. All protectors must wear them," Kakashi informed me, providing me with a small bit of relief. At least I wouldn't look ridiculous alone it would seem. Ridiculous none the less but not alone at least.
Feeling a little less defeated than before, I begrudgingly accepted my newest piece of apparel.
"Where is the little brat anyway?" I asked, knowing fully well that Kakashi wouldn't rat me out for saying anything like that.
Clearing his throat, he corrected, "The Young Lady, has been escorted to a dinner for the evening. All of the heirs have arrived and are meeting for the first time. The protectors will have a similar, though not nearly as extravagant meeting as well on Saturday. You might see a few of them around campus before then however. Should you have the time, you could always try making a friend early."
"I'll pass," I quickly tossed the idea, "I'm not here to make friends."
"You'll need them Haruno. You can't be a loner all your life," he joked with a playful ruffle of my hair.
Brushing away his hand, I shook my head. "Why bother?" I mean honestly. What was the point in making friends? It wasn't like we'd be friends forever. The man had said so himself. We'd either die or get whisked away back with our respectful heirs only to never see each other again.
I'd stick to riding it solo.
Life was a lot simpler that way.
"Well then, if I might make a suggestion?"
Already regretting it, I nodded for him to offer his suggestion. "I assure you, this job gets very stressful kid. You might be made of stone now but even you have urges I'm sure. If you're not going to make any friends, you better enjoy yourself as much as you can. If you catch my drift. You seem like a charmer so I doubt you'll have much trouble. Girls like the dark and broody type for whatever reason. Plus, one night stands seem right up your alley."
Arching my brow, I brushed past him, refusing to respond to his comment.
The last thing I was focused on right now was getting any.
When would I have time for that shit? I sure as hell couldn't bring a girl back here. Not unless I wanted to have her killed for indulging in a little carnal pleasure because I couldn't control myself. Honestly, I'd be better off just sticking to my work. And one night stands? Those things never ended well.
And on top of that? How was I supposed to pick up a girl if I was literally supposed to be at Ino's side every waking moment.
She wouldn't let that shit fly, not while she was around.
After all, I was her property. And whether I wore the collar or not, I was entirely too sure that she'd be keeping me on a very short leash. Little did I know, it was only going to get that much shorter.
End chapter two! Also, fun fact, I was high out of my mind when I wrote the first chapter. I thought it was a pretty dope idea but I apologize if the following chapters aren't as good. I've been disappointingly sober as I wrote the others lol.
