Complete summary: Princess Naoko knows her father is a horrible ruler, but no one suspected his selfish ways would end in her being kidnapped. Now traveling through her Kingdom Aralon, across wilderness into the enemy country Honrako, Naoko and her servant friend Suki soon learn that their kidnappers, the four bandits of Quentia, might not be so bad after all.
A/N: The Honrako Palace is now in view, and the journey across the wilderness has come to an end (finally! I feel like this whole story took place in the woods or something). Will the bandits leave them to the mercy of Prince Takuya, or change their minds?
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Arigatou
Chapter twelve
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"That castle up on that mountain in the distance, is that our destination?" Suki asked, pointing to the one in question.
"That would be it. By nightfall we shall be at the bottom of that mountain, and shall finish the rest of the journey tomorrow." Yukio replied.
"Oh, it is most grand!" Naoko gasped. "Aralon Palace is no doubt finer, yet still, this Honrako Palace looks superior in size."
"I believe it is Princess. The Honrako Kingdom is larger then Aralon in general." Shinji noted.
"So then it will not take us long till we arrive at the base of the mountain? Nightfall you said, and then we stop?"
"That is the plan." Ryo confirmed. "Then the following morning we drop you off, and stay a day ourselves."
"Stay a day yourself? What do you mean?" Naoko enquired.
"After such a long journey, the Prince will of course allow us a night's stay at the castle. Then we leave the next day, once we are ready. It is another way for us to make sure Prince Takuya treats his guests with dignity."
"Guests? Hah! I laugh at such a faulty use of the word. We will be his prisoners."
"Don't think like that Princess." Mikitao said kindly. "You will spend some days in a luxurious palace, take a break from the rough wilderness and four very un-gentlemanly like ruffians. You will once again be around civilized society."
"Yes, and who knows, you may end up fond of the Prince. He may be an honourable man after all." Shinji added.
"When you put it in those words, it makes me dread it even more. If I were not a Princess with family worried about me, how I would have loved to become a bandit myself, or at least continue the adventure with you all."
"Yes, that would have been such fun." A little cheer reappeared on Suki's face as she thought about it.
"Maybe one day, when you're back home and feeling dull, we'll come and visit." Yukio suggested.
"Really?" Suki and Naoko asked simultaneously.
The four bandits exchanged looks.
"Nah, Yukio's was just trying to console you." Mikitao responded.
"Mikitao's right," Yukio sighed deeply. "There really is no way of us seeing you again after tomorrow."
"But why not? Why don't you come and visit? Break into the palace and come see us in secret." Naoko pressed.
"We will do no such thing, Princess. Once the job is complete, we move on and find a new one to accept." Ryo silenced the discussion with his intense tone.
Unlike the previous days of their venture through the wilderness, it wasn't long before nightfall came to pass. Yukio was accurate in saying that by then they would reach the foot of the mountain.
"This is the final night of our quest." Yukio announced, starting up a fire.
But he didn't have to say it, because of everyone knew this, and it was on everyone's mind.
"Naoko, you can use my blanket and pillow tonight." Suki said in a low voice as they sat by the fire, when no one else was listening.
"But what are you going to use?"
"Don't worry about me. I am not planning on going to sleep tonight, so it will be of little consequence."
"Not going to sleep! But Suki, you love sleep, almost as much as Mikitao!"
"I do, but tonight I stay awake with the stars until the sun rises. Do not be alarmed; I am not doing it alone. Yukio asked me, when we were riding today, if I would stay up with him all night as it is our last night. He wished to talk with me, as it is our last moments of knowing each other here on in." Suki's eyes twinkled a little.
"Oh dear, dear friend! What is to become of us? You are wholly in love with him aren't you?"
"Yes..." she mumbled, her cheeks colouring. "Yes I really think I am."
"Any yet he has not admitted any feelings of his own to you yet? There, I am sure he will do so tonight."
"I wish he would not." Suki moaned.
"Suki! Why ever not?"
"Because Naoko, if he does it will only make leaving his presence worse. I am to go with you of course, and he is to go with his fellow bandits. We are to part soon and it would only make matter worse should he profess love."
"That is madness! Should he indeed profess any kind of love, and even say, ask for your hand, you will of course accept and stay with him! What other way would you have it?"
"Princess Naoko! I am not going to leave your side for anything. I greatly doubt any proposals should be made, in any case. And you know I could never let you face such dangers alone. To be given to the hands of the enemy without me? Never!"
"Promise me this Suki; if Yukio should in reality mention anything of nuptials to you, accept him. Now, I know you will repeat time and time again that you will not abandon me, which is why if he does propose, you must tell him that once both you and I are safely back home, he must come for you. Tell him you will marry him then. Do not worry about what my father will say, I will help you escape the palace and be free of your servitude by then."
"That is a clever idea, thanks you Naoko." A merry glow crept back into Suki's features.
"Look, the men have finished tying up the horses and they come this way. I shall go to bed now, and I am most sure Mikitao will as well. Ryo and Shinji shall both vanish to go and be in solitude, which will leave yourself and Yukio to sit by the fire. Good luck Suki, and be strong." Naoko hugged her and got up to go find a distant place to rest.
- - -
"Well, how did it fair?" The Princess asked the next morning, when she found Suki sitting by herself near the on going fire.
"Unexplainable." Suki mumbled looking up.
"Unexplainable, you say? Where is Yukio?" Naoko looked around.
"He left a while ago to go catch some fish for breakfast. Everyone else is still asleep as you see." Suki sighed.
"He went to go catch some fish, and you did not follow? What has happened between you two?"
"Oh Naoko!" Suki sniffed. "It's been simply dreadful. After my talk with you last night, I had some tiny hope of him addressing marriage, but it never came. I stayed up as best I could, as he went on and on about the 'nice little adventure we all had', as he puts it. I fear we have both been terribly mistaken! He talked nothing of feeling or passion. He spoke as if I were some random acquaintance that he was to part with soon. He brought up a memory here or there, of our journey, and whenever silence came upon us, he'd break it with another quote of his, with meanings I could but far from understand. I eventually dozed off, as did he.
"Oh dear." The Princess mumbled.
"And when I woke up, I found myself leaning on his shoulder, and he soon stirred too, and discovered that I was awake and yet still resting my eyes while leaning on him!"
"Suki!"
"And of course the first words to pass his lips are his apologizes for falling asleep in such a way that I should happen to rest by him. Even though it was most evident it was my fault for falling asleep and leaning on him. Then he got up and left to go catch some breakfast. I couldn't bare to follow, not after it was so apparent I had been mistaken all along."
"Suki, calm yourself. This is all but a misunderstanding, I am most sure of it. Yukio loves you, he has to."
"What someone has to do, is not necessarily the same as what someone undeniably does."
"See, listen to what you say. You are starting to talk like him, with those kinds of quotes. How could he not fall in love with a woman who becomes accustom to his ways and starts to imitate them? He loves you."
"To be sure you are quite wrong. Oh, how I wish we were safe behind those castle walls already. Nay, how I really wish that this had never happened to begin with."
"Here he comes." Naoko whispered, seeing him emerge form the trees.
Yukio came in carrying a numerous amount of fish, as Mikitao would have him, and he set them down by the fire for cooking.
"Good morning Princess. How was your last night of sleeping in the woods?"
"It was better then most others, I would say. And how was your night, Yukio?"
A barely noticeable smile appeared on Yukio's face. "I would have to say ditto, to your answer."
"That is pleasing to know. Suki tells me you both stayed up and discussed our little venture."
Suki's eyes widened as she gave Naoko a reproachful look. She desisted the look at once though, as Yukio turned look at her.
"Ah, yes we did." He answered continuing to look at Suki. "Seeing as it was the last night, and it would be the last night of our association. After this, she as well as you my Princess, will no longer see or hear of any of us, sad to say."
"Regretfully sad." Naoko nodded.
"What is regretfully sad?" Shinji, who had just woken up to the smell fish, asked as he came over and sat down.
"That we all part tomorrow. They are to be handed over to the Prince today, and then after a day of rest, we leave the palace ourselves in quest of a new mission." Yukio answered, hooking up a fish to a stick and dangling it over the fire.
"To be sure, I have never heard of anything more sad." Shinji frowned sincerely. "If we were not extremely poor men, I wouldn't mind giving up the bandit job and living a more honourable life. But alas, this is our only way to make a living."
- - -
"Two Princesses?" A deep, exquisitely masculine voice uttered the question.
"Your highness, we present you with Princess Naoko and her lady-in-waiting." Ryo answered, grasping Naoko by the arm and urging her forward. Suki followed lightly from behind.
"Ah, so you are my dear captive." Prince Takuya nodded peering down at her. "You certainly treat your servants generously, what with such gowns." His eyes raked over Suki for the smallest of moments. "But no one shall ever hear me complain about a beautiful Princess."
Princess Naoko was not scared of him, though the bandits had said many things not in his favour. She looked him straight in the face defiantly, but her expression soon softened. It was not easy to keep a grimace looking at Prince Takuya. In his mid-twenties, the royal was respected and admired for his charming face and physique. He had the air of a warrior, noble and true. His smile was gentle, and his deep voice, even lower then Shinji's, irresistible. Standing over six feet tall, he exceeded the expectations one had for a Prince. In fact, no one had ever met someone so closely comparing Prince Charming, and the only downfall to that was that he was aware of it.
"Enchanting Princess, I can see such feisty independence in your eyes, it is most refreshing. I am no villain however, please try and understand that in times of war such tactics are used. I would never hurt you; your father would end up receiving you back no matter what his decision was. Ladies are not to be wounded in war."
Naoko nodded as she was trapped in his eyes. They sparkled like two big black diamonds, and she became hypnotized by then, unable to look away.
"Alright Takuya, we held up our end of the bargain and brought you the royal. We ask for one day's rest at the Palace, then our pay, and we'll be off." Ryo commented, snapping Naoko out of her memorizing stare.
"Your request is accepted. Now, Kioru," He said, turning to the servant who stood by the doors of the throne room, "Go at once and tell Pang that there are five extra guests in the palace that will be requiring bedchambers. Four of them only for tonight though."
"Right away sir." Kioru the servant bowed and left the room.
"Now," Takuya spoke elegantly, turning bad to his guests. "You are all free to explore around the Palace and gardens outside, till you wish to come back for slumber."
He turned his attentions to Naoko. "Princess, I would like your word that you will join me for dinner tonight. I shall give you a tour of my humble castle now, so you can become accustom to it and then the gardens after. What do you say to that?"
"I would love nothing more." Her voice had a dreamy tone in it, as she added in thought. 'Yes, I would nothing more then to hear you speak more. On and on, and say my name again, dear charmer.'
"Then shall we begin?" He said offering his arm, which she took gladly.
They both walked out of the throne room and out into the halls.
"I suppose we won't have to worry after all. The Princess seems most taken with him." Mikitao commented.
"It is the oddest thing. Usually Naoko is so shy around noblemen, she usually detests them. Always at balls and such, she could not stand the site of them. Yet now she is quite content with the Honrakonese Prince! I can not understand it at all." Suki bit her lip in perplexity.
"But he seems more of a decent fellow then I thought before. First impressions must have been lacking, I suppose. As long as the Princess is comfortable with him." Shinji added.
"Comfortable! She's more than that. The lady is clearly taken in with him. Never have I witnessed the Princess acting like that. She is like a happy little puppy happily following her master." Yukio shook his head in befuddled disgust.
"She is not!" Ryo refused to believe it. "You're quite mistaken. Naoko is too strong to fall victim to any man. She's being agreeable as to ensure that he treats her properly, there can be no doubt about that."
His three fellow bandits all looked at him with the same thought. 'Ryo's in denial'
"Prince Takuya was gracious enough to allow us to dwell in any part of his home. I say we all go for our own tour." Suki suggested, changing the topic.
"That sounds most admirable. The garden's where we should start in." Yukio agreed.
"Oh uh, arigatou my lady but I have to go check something out with Mikitao over in the stables." Shinji answered quickly. "Ryo I think you should come with us too."
Ryo looked at Shinji and could not suppress a grin. "Sounds good. Sorry Suki, I guess you only trapped one bandit for that little walk of ours."
"We don't need them. Three's a crowd after all." Yukio stated, and he walked out of the throne room with Suki.
"What is it we have to see in the stables?" Mikitao asked turning to Shinji.
Shinji laughed and Ryo shook his head saying. "Mikitao, don't make me strike you in the head."
- - -
"That was a most delicious feast. I never knew Honrako held such delicacies."
"My breathtakingly lovely Princess, I am appalled at such news. I can only hope your father takes his time to send for you, so that you may stay here and become accustomed to our ways as much as possible. There may be a day when you choose to reside in Honrako after all." His voice hinted at something that caused Naoko to blush.
All the guests were sitting in the royal drawing room late that evening, though the Prince refused to address anyone other then Naoko. They sat side by side in conversation on the same divan, as the others sat on separate futons. Mikitao, Shinji and Ryo were all sitting to one side lightly talking, but in reality listening to every word the Prince said. Suki and Yukio stood by one of the room's grand windows in deep conversation.
"Your highness is a very bold man." Naoko stated after a pause.
"And your ladyship is a most teasing women." He retorted.
"I, a tease? Explain yourself sir for such a thought." She asked playfully.
"Why my maiden, you are a tease indeed. With your graceful figure and beautiful features. With your refreshing choice of words and expressive glances. You are a tease I say!"
"Indeed Prince, you are most mistaken. For I mean not to tease you or any man so."
"You there, bandits." He said in high spirits, addressing the three who sat together, "You have ventured with this lady for a while I'd say. Is she a tease or not? I must have a third opinion on this."
Shinji and Mikitao looked at each other and shrugged and Ryo turned to look at Naoko.
"She is the biggest tease of a woman of my acquaintance."
"Ryo! You are supposed to take my side." She argued.
"Ah, but he cannot, for you have threatened him too with your ways it would seem." Takuya sighed. "Now, it pains me to leave such a presence as yours, but it is getting late. I suggest we all adjourn for the night and see each other in the good morning. What say you Madam Tease?"
"I say I agree. It is time for rest." She answered getting up.
- - -
The next morning after breakfast, the bandits were preparing to take their leave.
The Prince, Princess, and servant stood in the grand hall entrance to bid them farewell. The Bandits of Quentia could hardly recognize their lady friends. Suki had taken a bath during the night and had rid herself from all the grime she accumulated in the forest. Her hair was fresh and clean, and she was wearing a servant's outfit, only this one wasn't as nice as the one she had on before. Naoko had also taken a bath and rid herself of all the dirt. Her hair was now styles as a proper princess should have it, and she was wearing a stunning grown. She was no longer their Naoko, now she was just some heavenly Princess, looking regal and yet distant from them.
"Good-bye my Princess." Shinji was the first to step up to say farewell. He took her hand and kissed it gently.
"And goodbye dear Suki." He then turned to her and took her hand and kissed it.
"Oh, I'll miss you so much!" Naoko protested, and she and Suki both forgot about protocol for a second, and hugged him.
Prince Takuya was a little shocked at their behaviour. He wondered how they had grown so close to the bandits, but he said nothing as the others said their goodbyes.
"Naoko, I'll always remember how nice you were to give me your food." Mikitao smiled, "And Suki, I'm proud to know there's a woman out there that enjoys sleeping in late hours as much as I do." He tentatively hugged both of them.
"Good bye Princess, you've been quite a friend to have." Yukio shook her hand, but she pulled him in for a hug.
"And goodbye Suki, I know I won't ever meet someone I can talk with as I have done with you." Suki tried to hold back her tears, but they came gushing out, and she hugged him goodbye.
"Bye." Ryo said to both of them, and turned to walk away.
"Bandit! Don't you dare!" Naoko objected ardently. "You're not leaving without a proper goodbye!"
He turned around and walked over to Suki. He shook her hand awkwardly, and she was too nervous to try and hug him. He then faced Naoko and bowed his head in respect. "Princess."
"Ryo! Step forward so I can embrace you goodbye."
"No, I think I won't. It's not suitable for a Princess to do so to a common thief." He said stepping away.
"Ryo." She pressed.
"No, I believe the man is right. You really must act accordingly Princess." Takuya spoke up. "Now you outlaws, here is your money, so be off with you."
"Our thanks your lordship." Ryo's voice was like ice.
Princess Naoko looked at him in wonder, but he determinedly avoided her glance.
Yukio took one last longing look at Suki and then turned his gaze to the ground.
Two servants brought out a huge sack of gold and Mikitao took it from them.
After fitting it into Yukio's sack the men all walked out of the palace and left the ladies behind.
- - -
End of ch.12
A/N: Just another reminder, updates from now on are going to be quick because there are six chapters to go, and I want to get them posted before September.
I hope my reviewers like LONG replies, because it looks like that's what you'll all be getting for your reviews from last chapter. Just take a look yourself…
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LialaSword, hey thanks for the review! I'm glad you like the story, I promise not to keep you waiting (honestly, how could I when I've just got those chapters lined up to update) and I'm excited that you're excited about the love interest! Every time someone reads my story and reviews it's like I'm reading my story for the second time, seeing it through someone else's eyes, so thanks! I'm flattered you're interested in the sequel too!
Narnialover, let me just add that I also love Narnia (but am an obsessive reader too, so either way), I'm really sorry about confusing you! Let me explain! So Ryo's having some feelings that he doesn't like, right? So he's blaming it all on her, he thinks she's like trying to seduce and charm all the bandits so they let her go. So before, he was thinking he'd turn it around and be charming to her, and see how she likes it! Basically it's just a desperate attempt for him to stop feeling for her what he does, but he can't change it. As for your suggestion about what the bandits could do…okay, do me a favour and stop suggesting these things because just like your review for chapter 4, once again you are tapping into your psychic powers and that's not fair! Oh, and does Naoko feel anything for Ryo, hmmm…like you said, it seems like she doesn't, but are you quite sure?
Tami, so you watched the whole FB series? Yeah, I own it too, it's good and all…but the manga takes the story so much further, so if you like FB, you should read it! Right now I think it's up to 21 volumes in Japan, though over here in the North American continent, we only got up to volume 14…aren't you just a little bit curious as to who Tohru ends up with, and if the curse is ever lifted? I looked it up (couldn't help myself), and am very happy about the outcome, that's all I'll say. Now…as for my story, yeah, Naoko and Ryo aren't biting each other's heads off here, are they? With just a little time left traveling together I guess they are finally tolerating each other's company.
like i'd tell you, Ryo and Captain Li Shang…the more I think about it the more I am certain that Shang was partly an inspiration for Ryo (that's pretty much how I pictured Ryo anyway, you know muscular, strong and tough, and the ever loving commander/captain of the troops. Not to mention, not that great with the ladies…did you see Shang's clumsy attempt to compliment Mulan at the end, hah!). I'm glad you found this chapter funny, and yes, I did enjoy writing the "do you love me?" part, and as the story goes on further you'll find them asking each other that a couple times more, though of course the answer will always be…
Necia, now why would you think Naoko and Ryo are fibbing? What a strange idea! Oh, okay, they probably are…or at least, Ryo is, because he knows how he feels, but Naoko is still in denial and I'm not sure she realizes it yet herself. I feel bad for Yukio and Suki too, why am I torturing them, I don't know, but I blame Ryo, he has more control over than story than I do! I have Mulan and Mulan 2 on dvd too! But I haven't watched Mulan 2 yet because it was a gift that I have yet to open…maybe I should get around to that. Is it any good? (Probably not as good as the first). And yes, Ryo is my Li Shang all the way.
-rayko.