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: Hiromi has suspicions, Aralon Palace is once again a home, and Suki is made the happiest woman alive.
So a while ago I asked you if you were a Princess what Princess would you be. Seeing as I doubt there are any boys reading this (am I right?), now I'll ask the question, what Disney/fairytale boy would be your Prince? I have a tough time choosing…
-
Arigatou
Chapter sixteen
-
"We will rest here for the night, and continue our journey back tomorrow morning." Hiromi stated once they had all slipped out of the dissolved gates and into the wilderness surrounding it.
Takashi and Kanitsu went to go take care of the horses and Yukio went to start a fire. The rain still poured on though the lightening had stopped, but Yukio's enchanted fire did not burn out.
"Welcome back ladies." Shinji said, walking up behind Naoko and Suki who stood to the side, watching everyone in total awe.
Had it not been minutes before when they were sleeping in warm, dry beds? Now they stood outside and the rain barely drizzled down on them, as the trees above instead mostly caught any offending drop. Not to mention, they were in a forest with a bunch of men: knights, bandits and a prince.
"It's good to be back." Suki yawned, though her voice carried nervousness in it.
"Suki…" Naoko whispered to her when Shinji went to the fire. "Are you shaking because you are cold and wet, or is it because you never thought you'd see them again? Are you anxious?"
"Oh Naoko!" Suki moaned, turning her face away in embarrassment.
The Princess looked over to the fire. Now Yukio, Shinji and Hiromi stood closely by it, in conversation.
"Pluck your courage and go converse with him." Naoko encouraged her.
"No, I couldn't. I feel as though a year has passed since I last saw him—them."
"I know." Naoko nodded looking around for the remaining two bandits, but in vain.
They were standing over by the horses with the two knights.
Suki and Naoko didn't keep away from the others for long though. Once Shinji and Hiromi got into a big debate about the role of musicians in a king's court, Yukio was free to wonder from them, and came to greet Naoko and Suki.
"You two don't realize how much we all missed you. Never were two ladies more appreciated among a group of outlaws."
"It is wonderful to see you again Yukio." Naoko smiled.
Suki kept her eyes to the ground and nodded along with what Naoko said.
"How have you been Princess?" Yukio asked her.
"Prince Takuya turned out not to be the great charming man I mistook him for."
"I wish I could say that was regretful, and yet I am happy seeing you prefer our company. So…" He cleared his throat, turning tentatively to her friend. "Suki, how have you been?"
Suki had no choice now but to take her eyes away from the ground and bring them up to match his.
"It hasn't been the same." She responded after a moment's pause.
"No, it hasn't. But who is to say it can't once be again?" His voice sounded like he was in a slight trance, as he peered down at her with his mysterious green and silver eyes.
"Excuse me," Naoko said, leaving their presence and walking over to Shinji and Hiromi.
Hiromi with a quick glance to his sister went on to make his point of the argument to Shinji, and Naoko got bored on the spot. She looked back at Yukio and Suki, who were now in some deep conversation, and she knew she couldn't go back. Moments later the two knights followed by the remaining bandits came back to the fire, having finished tending to the horses.
"Do you think it's going to rain for long? I'll have no sleep with this sprinkle of water." Mikitao exclaimed, interrupting Hiromi.
"Princess, why didn't you find something more suitable to wear for the weather?" Ryo half-scolded, pointing out that she had only put on a princess gown, and had no cloak to stop her from getting wet.
"Here, take this, I've got other layers on." He took of his top cloak and placed it around her shoulders.
"Arigatou bandit." The Princess thanked him with rosy cheeks.
"Hmm," Prince Hiromi mumbled to himself and then asked, "What is arigatou, Naoko?"
"It's what I say to show my appreciation." Naoko answered.
"Well, then arigatou to the lot of you for a very adventurous night, but I think we should all rest now."
"I second that." Mikitao called, his voice not as loud as it had been moments before. "Yukio, my blanket."
It took three more times for Mikitao to call before her got a response. When Yukio finally realized someone was calling him, he stopped saying whatever he was to Suki, and turned to look at the rest of them over by the fire.
"My blanket." Mikitao answered to Yukio's look of wonder.
"Oh, right." Yukio took off his sack and pulled out flour blankets and pillows.
"Arigatou." Mikitao acknowledged, grabbing one of the blankets and pillows.
"Here you are Suki." Yukio said gently, passing one to her.
"And Princess?"
"No, I will not be in need of one."
"But—"
"Don't worry Yukio, you just give one to Shinji and use the other one yourself. I have Ryo's cloak so I'm alright."
"As you wish." Yuki said, passing one to Shinji and he kept the other for himself.
"That is a great idea, keeping blankets for night. We had to bear with the cold." Takashi yawned, sitting down by a tree.
Those who had blankets spread them out to sleep on, and those without them went to look for a dry spot to sleep by. Naoko looked around and found a tree, so we're back to this then? Just marvellous, she thought sarcastically.
Before sitting down to sleep however, she edged over to where Ryo was, leaning by a boulder and looking up past the branches at the sky. The rain had ceased now, and the winds had calmed down.
"What are you doing?" She asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the sereneness of the moment.
Ryo looked down at her for a second and a smirk crept upon his face. Then, with another look to the sky he replied, "I am looking at the clusters of stars, after all, nothing's more enchanting then a shooting star."
He looked back down and even in the darkness was able to catch the slight colour in Naoko's features.
"You seem a little flushed. Is my cloak too warm?" He mocked innocence.
"No, I am in a good state of temperature. Just what you said, it sounds so familiar…"
"I've said it before, perhaps that is why." He suggested, looking back up.
Naoko knew she had only dreamt of it that night, but she said nothing of this. Ryo was about to continue on when Prince Hiromi approached.
"Naoko, please you must rest now." He put a hand on her shoulder and guided her away from Ryo.
"Sweet dreams, Princess." Ryo called as she left, causing her to blush further more at the thought.
Hiromi looked down at his sister and noticed her sudden change of mood and began to wonder.
- - -
"Rise and shine sister."
Naoko her eyes and saw her big brother crouched down beside her.
"Morning dear brother." She answered, once she was able to open her eyes.
"We are getting a quick move on today. Your friend the magician fellow gave our horses some sort of food that's going to make them travel faster. The sooner we get back the sooner father is out of distress. Nine days or so."
"Yes, we had better get a move on then." Naoko agreed, standing up and taking off the cloak she wore.
Moments later Suki was awakened up, and that meant everyone was now eating breakfast and preparing to leave. Naoko offered Ryo back his cloak but he told her to keep it for now, as they had many more days in the forests of Honrako and Aralon. Mikitao and Takashi were having a battle of who could eat the most, but after a while Yukio refused to give them any more food and reminded them that they all had to begin the journey back soon. Shinji went to wake the horses up, and soon they were all ready to depart.
"Here Naoko, let me help you mount my horse." Hiromi said, giving her a hand.
But Naoko took one look at his horse and shook her head. "No, you have a giant war horse like Mikitao. I couldn't possibly ride that, I need something slightly smaller, and not as rough on the journey."
"I…suppose so." The Prince scratched his head at the thought.
"Princess, ride with me, like usual." Ryo offered.
"Yes, I think I will, arigatou."
So he helped her mount and once again Hiromi couldn't help but be suspicious, though he said nothing more. The rest of them mounted, and Yukio insisted Suki ride with him just as before so she did.
- - -
The days it took them to travel back could best be described as, an experience. No more good then bad, as it is never easy for two ladies to put up with seven men, though the same could be said vice versa. If one positive thing could be said in light of all this, it was never dull and conversation never sparse. Midway between the journey, they had run into a couple of more Aralon knights and a messenger along with them.
"My father sent you?" Hiromi asked, once the messenger explained what they were doing traveling to Honrako.
"Yes my Lord. Some of the knights sent out to find Princess Naoko returned some days ago, claming that she was now in the Prince's clutches. I am happy to see you are no longer. " The messenger bowed his head to the lady, "Your father has sent us to go offer up a trade, for the war and his country. He has become most ill over it."
"Father ill? Then we must hurry back and tell him the good news!"
And so they now had five more men added to their merry group of travelers, and continued along back to Aralon Palace. Within the next two days they had arrived in Aralon, and then it took a little over two more days before they reached the borders of a village just shy of the palace.
The Bandits of Quentia asked if they could stop at the village, as to make accommodations at a tavern, but Prince Hiromi insisted that tonight they'd be welcome to stay at the palace. The offer was gratefully accepted, and so they all made their way back to Aralon Palace.
Once past the gates, and through the front grand terrace, they were received by the guards stationed at the entrance, and let in. The first thing Hiromi did was run through the grand foyer and then the rest of the palace, where he found the stairway leading to the next level, and so on, until he managed to find the stairs to the west tower, where his father rested. The knights all departed from the entrance and went on their own. Suki quickly went to the little servant corridor to fetch Akiko and Kana, who came almost immediately.
"Princess!" Akiko cried, running into Naoko's embrace.
"Princess, what—" Kana was unable to finished as she looked alarmingly at the four bandits who stood by her side.
"Oh Kana, Akiko, you remember Yukio, Shinji, Mikitao and Ryo, don't you?" Suki jolly voice and cheery countenance put the ladies-in-waiting at ease. "We've reformed them, can you believe it? They're quite the gentlemen now."
"Oh," Akiko giggled, as her gaze turned to Shinji and she completely forgot how they had frightened her before.
"I see." Kana pressed her lips thin in disapproval, but said no more.
"It is most comforting to be in one's own home again." Naoko exclaimed, taking a good look around the place.
"It is quite late though mistress, possibly you should get some rest after such a tiresome trip." Kana urged.
"Yes, you are right." Naoko nodded, though it was still early in the evening, as the sun had just set.
"Off you get then child." Kana, placed a hand her Naoko's back and pushed her to the stairway in the distance.
"I think we all should be getting sleep." Suki noted.
"Oh, are you men to stay the night?" An enthusiastic smile spread across Akiko's face.
"We are, my dear lady." Mikitao answered. "Rest sounds wonderful Suki, good thinking."
"I suppose I'm still considered a servant around here," Suki sighed, "so I'll show you to your rooms."
- - -
Naoko rolled over in her bed while moaning and shoving her head under her pillow. Someone was knocking at her door; they had been for sometime and had woken her up. What was worse was they wouldn't go away. She knew it was too early to rise because usually she did so when the servants came in to draw her window curtains open, present her with new clothes, and start a warm fire for her. No one had come, yet Naoko always left her door unlocked for the help to come in. She realized this must be something urgent if the person was knocking on her door to get her up so early.
She managed to finally pull herself out of bed, and quickly got a shawl around her before opening the door.
Suki stood there and she looked on the verge of tears. By the anxious look in her eyes, Naoko couldn't tell whether they were happy or sad tears though.
"Suki, whatever is the matter?" Naoko gasped at the site.
"May I come in?"
"Certainly."
Suki stepped in and closed the door behind her. Taking a seat on a chair to one corner of Naoko's chamber, she took a deep breath and began to talk.
"It is more unimaginable then a dream."
"What is? What has happened? And why are you awake at such an early hour? The sun hasn't been up long, has it?"
"Just above an hour I should think. Oh, I am sorry to wake you early, but it is so dreadfully important."
"Then go on dear friend, and forget I mentioned the time."
"Naoko, it really is a dream. A true dream. I arose with the sunrise, because I was requested to."
"Requested to? Someone asked you to wake early you mean?"
"Well," Suki stretched out the word slowly, and suddenly blushed. "They are leaving today after all. Your brother only granted them one night's stay and so later this morning they are to leave. That's why he said that he wanted to talk to me before he left, and so asked me to meet him in the orchards just after sunrise."
"He? Do you mean Yukio?"
"Who else would I mean but him! Oh Naoko, I went to the orchards, expecting to find him waiting to talk to me. You know Yukio, always talks of nothingness with his quotes. I expected we'd be talking for sometime, but I was wrong. The moment I walked through the vine leaf entry and he saw me, he drew near, naturally."
"And then?" Naoko induced, when Suki stopped talking and was finding it hard to continue.
"Then, as he approached I imagined he would greet me and start with conversation. But none of that. Once close enough he put forth his hand and took mine in his, and, and—"
"Suki" Naoko said calmingly when she realized Suki was to overwhelmed to go on.
"I'm sorry, let me finish now. Even at that moment as dazed as I was, I expected to hear a quote pass his lips, or some wise words I would not understand. Instead, he spoke in a way I've never heard him do before. He spoke honestly, passionate and bold, and yet he couldn't have made plainer his intentions. He declared his love and his devotion. He made it very clear that he had never any intent to marry until I came along. And now we are to wed."
"I knew it would be so!" Naoko almost squealed with delight, throwing her arms around Suki and squeezing her tight.
"I am happy you knew, but suppose next time you could tell me beforehand?"
"Suki, I told you he would propose! I just knew he would. Oh, I am so happy for you! Where are you to live?"
"He has already spoken with his comrades and told them that he was resigning. From now till the wedding he will be busy looking for respectful work, and then we shall wed and live in a nearby village."
"Perhaps, there is work for him here. No I don't mean a servant; he is a free man. I mean, he has skills that could be easily applied to the job of a knight. Suppose my brother was to take him as another knight. Yukio could work his way to the top with his talent."
"What an idea! Oh, if Yukio should agree with it, that would make our wedding day so much sooner."
"You must go and tell Yukio then, before he sets off. He is setting off with the rest of them, no?"
"It is so. Though once they reach the village he is to separate from the bandits and as he no longer works with them."
"But you know Suki," Naoko responded after a moment's thought. "I remember Shinji once said he wished he had a better job then a bandit. Maybe he would also like to become a knight."
"That would be glorious. To keep in contact with both of them." Suki nodded.
"Yes, to give the bandits a better way of living…I shall have to ask my brother about it."
- - -
End of ch.16
A/N: oh no, two chapters left? Can it be? Oh yes. Don't think everything's fine and dandy yet. You forget Naoko's father, the King, who will want all four bandits dead for their involvement in kidnapping his daughter. They've got one more obstacle to get through…
So many guys to choose from!
Shang, Hercules (drool), Aladdin!(more drool), The Beast, Prince Charming? (yawn), Ken as a Prince from the Barbie movies, John Smith, Mogley (Jungle book, live version), the Tramp (if you were a dog), Wesley (Princess Bride, anyone?), Remus Lupin (okay fine, he doesn't belong on his list but I still love him!), and neither does Mr. Darcy or Mr. Rochester (I wish), but the list goes on!…
…but in the end I think I'd go with Garret, from "Quest for Camalot". He's the blind guy living as a hermit in that scary forest, he's got wicked speed with the staff he uses as a weapon, and he's lonely because he thinks no one would ever accept him, hence him living alone in the forest. Hell, for him, I'd go live in wilderness and be a comforter (the sympathetic person, not the blanket…though I wouldn't mind serving as his personal blanket :D).
-
Narnialover, yes you were right, which is why I called you psychic. Good question about Naoko…I think it's a little bit of both, actually…she has feelings for him, I mean she's been dreaming about him (mwhahaha) but at the same time, they love to tease each other so I think it's both. Plus she's just happy he came back for her.
Laurashrub, the longer, the more welcome, don't worry. I swoon too, it's these blasted teenage hormones, mixed in with the summer heat. Takuya is not completely gone I'm afraid, he'll be interfering in their lives again in aprox. three years (cue in sequel). Afterwards you are free to chase him and beat him with a bottle, as long as it's him and not me, for resurrecting him for the next story. As for the girlish scream, yes, pretty-boy princes are known to have them and it can't be helped I'm afraid.
Traceykiwilee, whoa you said very good twice, so that must mean it's extra special very good. Awesome! Hoped you liked this chapter as well!
like i'd tell you, hahaha, glad you liked the line, it was fun writing Hiromi saying that. Poor guy, wait till he finds out what's going on between his sister and the rugged bandit. As for the "Do you love me?" thing, well expect to see it at least one more time. It seems these two won't stop asking each other it until the answer is different.
-rayko.