Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. There, I have nothing else to say. Isn't this the lamest disclaimer I've done so far?
The Princess and the Rogue – His and her fairytale
I love Kakashi – normal
I love Asuma – Kurenai thinking (italics)I love Kurenai – Asuma thinking (bold)
Yay! Ramen with Hinata! – Naruto thinking (bold with italics)
Chapter 12 – A NewQuest
"Now, now don't fidget, you won't fit the dress properly if you do that."
"I'll fidget as much as I want."
"But your highness you must look well in front of your people."
"They probably wouldn't care what I look like. I look like me anyways."
"Obviously, your nursemaids didn't teach you proper etiquette."
"Screw proper etiquette, just let me wear whatever I want. I'll look good in it, trust me."
"But my lady!"
"Fine. I command you to leave me alone and let me wear what I want."
"But…"
"You want to be tried for treason?"
"N-no, Kurenai-hime."
"Good. Now go."
"Yes your highness."
The lady-in-waiting left the room. Kurenai sighed a breath of relief. The stupid dress they tried to get her into was the most uncomfortable thing in the world. She took off her dress and reached for an article of clothing in her bag. From the very bottom, she pulled out a dress she never wore but bought the day she escaped from the fortress. I didn't really buy this dress… technically it was Asuma; it was his money…She sighed again.
It was almost two days since she left Asuma and she missed him and the rest of the group already. I wonder what they're doing right now. I hope they aren't looking for me…That night, she had left the inn, and she went to the castle and followed Tsunade's instructions. When she had showed the guards the medal, they brought her immediately to the royal chambers where she saw her parents for the first time. She didn't seem surprised that her mother and father were the queen and king for some reason. She felt numb and unresponsive as the King and Queen embraced their daughter. They asked her questions about how she got here and when she was freed but she never once mentioned Asuma. She had to protect him. Finally, they had sent her to bed without knowledge of the prophecy or the reason why she was locked up in a prison for sixteen years. Even so, she felt no anger, only loneliness.
She started to put on the dress. Gazing at her reflection, she sighed for the hundredth time today. I wish I could see the expression on Asuma's face when I wear this. Thoughts of Asuma had probably crossed her mind as much as she sighed.
The door opened abruptly and in came her so-called mother.
"Kure-chan! I hope you're feeling better today. What happened to the dress you were supposed to wear?"
"It was uncomfortable, besides emerald green isn't my colour. This suits me better," Kurenai said to her mother, the Queen. She adjusted the straps of her crimson dress. Asuma said I always looked good in anything crimson. She smiled and took one last look at the mirror. She could see that her mother sighed behind her.
"Well, crimson was always your colour since you were a baby…" she admitted. She went over to her daughter and straightened out her dress.
"Mother." Kurenai inwardly winced at the word. This woman was never her mother but she needed answers, even if she had to manipulate her own flesh and blood.
"Mother," she said once more in a more demanding tone. "Why was I locked up in that fortress for so long? Was there really a prophecy made about me when I was born?"
"It's not my place to answer these questions dear. Besides, I don't want you all flustered when our people is about to meet their princess."
"What do you mean it's not my place? You're my mother!"
"I'm just saying… your ahh… father should tell you."
"I'd ask him but he's busy doing something or other apparently."
"Umm… He won't be busy soon…"
There was a knock on the door.
"Your majesties, the King wishes your presences on the royal balcony."
"Time to go Kure-chan," said the Queen. They all walked out and they soon were in the doorway that led to the royal balcony where the King would proclaim important news to his people.
"Hear ye, hear ye! Our princess, Kurenai-hime has long been gone and has come back into our presence! All hail Kurenai-hime!" proclaimed the King.
"ALL HAIL KURENAI-HIME!" cheered the people.
"To all the people of my kingdom and to all that have the will I give thee all a quest! To the one who manages to climb this perilous high tower I've constructed over the last two days will have the hand of my daughter whether he is a peasant or prince!"
"WHAT?" yelled Kurenai. She looked at the tower; it was perilous all right. At the bottom, shards of glass encircled it as if were a moat after a few metres, briars encircled the tower until almost it reached the place beneath the window, which was covered in long spikes that were in turn covered in spikes. What the heck?
"Kurenai-hime, please follow us. Two strong guards dragged Kurenai to the entrance of the tower. They pushed her in through the door and quickly did the hand seals that would seal the door so that it no longer opened. Kurenai saw a long flight of stairs. She sighed. I might as well climb them. It's not like I'm not used to being imprisoned. After a few hours she managed to climb to the top of the tower, which had only one room with many luxuries and supplies. This might look nice but it's still a prison. She sat unhappily at the window… watching… hoping… Asuma…
Asuma knew that news of Kurenai would come soon. Anxious as he was, he waited but his presence brought on a wave of depression on the group, therefore he usually isolated himself, waiting. Finally news of Kurenai came to him.
He was walking down the village square to clear his mind when he saw a crowd gather around the royal balcony. The King spoke but Asuma heard no sound. He saw Kurenai behind him, in the shadows. It wasn't until the cheer of, "ALL HAIL KURENAI-HIME!" he heard noise. Before then, he was too distracted by Kurenai, his Kurenai to take any notice of anything else. And then it hit him. The announcement.
"To all the people of my kingdom and to all that have the will I give thee all a quest! To the one who manages to climb this perilous high tower I've constructed over the last two days will have the hand of my daughter whether he is a peasant or prince!"
It was his chance. A quest? Involving Kurenai nonetheless. There's no doubt that I'll do this. I will save her. He looked at the tower. It isn't so bad… that hag did give me a useful object after all… not to mention a very valuable addition to the group…
TBC…