Author's Note: This is my first fan fic so excuse all the mistakes and stuff. But just enjoy it yeah? I promise to make this as interesting as I can. But considering my skills, it'll be tough. Hahaha. Ohhh well. Bear with it. Just don't bite me. =P

Chapter One: Driven Away

The heavily clad guards dragged the young girl across the hall and shoved her towards their master.

"Princess," he lifted her chin. "I assume you have already decided on whether to help me or not."

She cast her eyes away, her eyes of sorrow and grief. The princess crouched silently at the man's feet.

"I have been patient with you Reiko, very patient. Is killing you parents not enough to make you See for me?" He laughed menacingly.

Reiko's eyes filled with tears. Rage and hatred pulsed through her veins. But no matter how much she hated him, she knew very well, she was powerless against him.

"I told you," she looked at him in the eye. "I can't. Even if I could, I wouldn't do it for the likes of you, Nakuto."

Nakuto glared at her, then with one swift movement, he slapped her so hard she fell to the ground.

"All I ask, Princess," he stood from the imperial throne, his voice raised. "Is for you to help me foresee the future, to help me See the way to my victory in conquering these lands. Is that too much to ask?"

"I do not foretell of what is never destined to come." She replied defiantly.

"Very well then," he stepped towards her. "If you will not See for me, then you shall not. But I have given you your chance Princess. I've given you countless chances. And now you shall suffer for your insolence."

With that, he gestured to the guards to bring her away.

Reiko sat in the dark. It had been days since the guards threw her in there. Days since Nakuto tried to use her. Well, it did seem like days to her. Who knows how long I've been in here, she thought.

She hadn't eaten since the day she was thrown into the dungeon and she was starting to feel the pain in her stomach. And the dark didn't help her either. There was no source of light at all. She wept in her isolation.

Then she heard noises and suddenly a bright flash of light blinded her.

"Reiko!" a familiar voice called out to her.

"Ayame! Ayame!" she called back reaching out into the air, her eyes refusing to open in the light. After all, it had been many days since she saw light. Her eyes couldn't adjust to the sudden brightness.

"Hurry princess, this is no time for reunions. You have to escape. To Konan, and the Empress. Quickly! Hold my hand and be quiet. I cannot risk having us caught."

Reiko held her faithful servant's warm hand and stumbled along, not knowing where she was. She was still blinded.

"Ayame, I cannot see."

"Do not worry, Princess. It is only temporary. No talk right now. We cannot be heard."

She obeyed, holding Ayame's hand, following blindly. Finally, she felt the touch of grass upon her legs. We must be out of the palace grounds already, she thought.

Suddenly a scream pierced her ear when a twang of an arrow sounded. Ayame's grip on her loosened.

"Reiko! Run! Just run! I'll hold them back, just run Reiko, don't let them find you!"

"Aya-"

"Run child! Don't worry about me!"

She ran. It was night, and Reiko could see a little better. She ran and ran, not knowing where she was heading. When she finally stopped, she found herself in a forest. The moon was hidden behind the dark clouds. And that was the last she saw.

"Hey Kouji!" the flame haired bandit shouted. "I found something!"

Kouji came running towards his friend. "What is it-"

The two stood looking at it.

"Genrou, Is she dead?" Kouji asked.

"How the hell am I supposed to know? You check her pulse." Genrou snapped.

"Why should I check her pulse? You check her pulse." Kouji snapped back.

"Cos' I don't wanna touch a girl." Genrou shrunk back in disgust. "I hate girls."

"You're such a sissy, you know that? And I wonder how the hell you got to be leader." Kouji muttered.

"Shut up! Just check her pulse alright before I burn the crap outta ya."

"Ok ok! Do you have to threaten me?" Kouji knelt beside the girl and held her wrist. "She's alive."

"Well then what are you waiting for? Bring her there!" Genrou said. Both of them knew exactly where there was.

Heyah! I read through this again, corrected my mistakes, and replaced the original entry. I hope everythings alright. If not, then.. I'm worse than a bat. haha.