Clara: I really wish I had a better sense of smell. You see, Eika ran away twenty-four hours ago, and I want to give her a just punishment for some of the misery she's going to put us all through.

Catalina: I think she's just hidden really, really well. You remember how she said she managed to be the last person to be found in a game of hide and seek with someone really stubborn.

Clara: It took three hours for them to give up during an outside game and she was wearing bright yellow.

Catalina: I'll keep searching while you post the fic.

Clara: Deal.

Eika: (in the backyard, lying down in the tall grass on a small hill that connects her yard to the neighbors. She isn't actually in the grass, she's hiding the same way she did when she was younger except curled up a bit tighter: A slight dip in the hill that's covered in moss and 2 tree stumps that almost connect on top. Catalina has already stood on the tree stumps to look for her. She's wearing light brown pants and a pale green shirt speckled with stains from the moss, causing her to be almost invisible.) [A/N: I really did do that once.]

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Like magic, a few minutes after they disappear the chain on my cage is drawn into the ceiling again, and I sit on the bed, not getting too comfortable. I smile when I see who greet me this time: Princess Eiko is nowhere in sight, and King Zidane is still red in the face from embarrassment. He opens my cage after locking the trapdoor, as is routine. But something's different this time. There are two new knights in the room.

And Lady Freya has a chain in one hand. I stop smiling.

I knew they would beat me eventually, just get it over with.

"Clara, meet Tomy and Kat, your personal armed guards for this trip."

"Hi!" They both call out.

I stay still. What's this all about?

"You're still a criminal, remember." Reminds Queen Garnet. "The chain will be attached around your waste at all times. They're responsible for hanging onto the other end."

So they're my keepers. I nod. Lady Freya walks into my cell and ties the chain around my waste using a complicated slipknot. If I stick a pinky into the seventh hole on the left and yank while pushing down on the right side it'll come undone and lie in a tangle on the ground excellent for tripping people.

I look over my guards. They both have brown hair, one pulled behind her head, the other hanging straight. The taller has plain brown eyes and hair, the other hazel eyes and light brown hair. They both have empty sword sheaths. "I'm Kat," Introduces the shorter.

"I'm Tomy," Informs the other.

"Clara."

"Can you read?" Quizzes King Zidane suddenly.

"Yes." I answer firmly. One less difficulty to deal with until I can escape.

"Then tell me what this says," He implores, producing something, opening it, and offering it to me. I walk out of the cage to accept it, expecting a blow any second. I take a seat in the empty. . . chair, then look at the strange symbols.

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind. 2 of us will help you, whichever you may find. 1 among us seven will let you move ahead, The other transports the drinker back instead. Two among our number hold only nettle wine, Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line. © Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

Ok, one symbol at a time. . . nope, still doesn't make any sense. I squint at it, vainly trying to make sense of the arcane symbols. . . no such luck. "And they lived happily ever after?" I guessed the end of what was probably a brainwashing tale told to young children.

"If you can't read, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Just admit it," Consoles King Zidane.

"I can read. I just don't know all these words."

"Liar."

"Fine, I can't. Happy?" I ask him, extremely cross.

"Yup."

"Fine. After setting up camp I have the delightful duty of teaching you to read." Inserts Queen Garnet, smiling slightly.

"Whatever." I tell her, crossing my arms, a protective method from sudden blows. In this case it also helps me to look domineering.

"Young lady, you should treat us with respect. Here we are doing something nice for you, and you act like you don't care. You should be grateful we're sparing the time and effort to teach you. Reading is a highly valued skill- "

"You do realize I'm not listening?" I interrupt the teaming crap. Who then turns to steaming crap.

"YOU UNGRATEFUL DELINQUENT OF A GENITAL!!!!" At this sentence everyone stares at him.

"You DO realize that even I can think up better insults?" Asks a disturbed Princess. "Not to mention ones that make more sense." General agreement with this statement.

"Do you want any breakfast, Clara? There's a hard hike ahead of us." Informs Beatrix after a pause. I shake my head, avoiding eye contact. Eye contact shows respect, and I don't have that for these people.

"Very well. We leave for the trail in an hour." Says Lady Freya, and I go back into my cage, expecting to be locked in and lowered to the ground once more. They do as I predict.

Back in my little island in the sky I pick up my little flute and begin to practice. I do a scale; slowly making sure every finger is in the correct place. I then start a tune a happy little tune, one Catalina taught me. One that means danger. It SOUNDS happy, with all it's little high notes and trills, but the words that go along with the tune are about hiding, being hunted, and staying hidden.

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"Time to put into operation 'Prisoners Personality'." Orders Zidane the instant Clara's out of the room.

"Indeed. She should be much more relaxed in the forest, and we can find out just how strong she really is." Inserts Freya.

"Races, contests. . . you're really putting this kid through the works. And I'm supposed to hang onto her chain the hole time." Moans Kat, Full name being Katherine Steiner. Any wonder why she's being trusted to hang on?

"Hey, I have to hang on too, ya know," Interrupts Tomy Angel.

"Alright, you two." Inserts Eiko, trying not to smile. "Let's get some breakfast, and you get some heavy duty pruning gloves. You'll need them."

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Leopard Dance? You've been bugging me to kill Michimi. Let's just say I'm considering it.