A/N: I am sooo sorry for the wait on this. Why is college the worst thing ever invented. Not to mention I had some trouble writing this one out.. Ugh.. Hopefully I can get the next one out faster. Tell me what you think? :P
The sun was shining brightly over the Hidden Leaf Village by the time they finally left. Naruto had been late, which the Princess was assured was to be expected. Birds chirped pleasantly in the thick forests surrounding the gate the group set off, led by Ayako and Lee who was curious to know every last detail about her village. Sakura chatted with Haru behind them and Naruto seemed to still be half asleep and brought up the rear with his hands behind his head. They had decided to walk, as not to arouse more suspicion then necessary to anyone who might be searching for them along the war. After a few hours, they stopped by a clear little stream for lunch. Sakura pulled a bundle of rice balls from her pack and set them on the grass in the center clearing where they had all relaxed.
"So Princess.." Naruto started as the group began to eat.
"I told you not to call me that Naruto." She scolded lightly. "But yes what is it?"
"Oh right.. Ayako." Naruto corrected himself with a small scowl. "How far is it to your village? I mean are we in for a long journey here? Because I know Sakura didn't pack enough food for that."
"It sounds like your whining Naruto." Sakura warned.
Ayako laughed. "Well, it took us a day and a half to get here running, so it will probably take us about twice that walking."
"Why are we going so slow anyway. I must have missed this decision." Naruto huffed and crossed his arms.
"Quit complaining will you!" Sakura's tone grew threatening and she narrowed her gaze at him.
"Are they always like this?" Ayako asked Lee quietly, as the other two Leaf ninja began to argue.
He smiled brightly. "Oh yes. Arguments are inevitable and it will likely end with violence."
"Sakura!" Naruto yelped as she hit him on the back of the head.
"You're being so obnoxious." She rolled her eyes and took another bite of her lunch.
The blonde rubbed at his head. "Well geeze, you didn't have to hit me."
"The reason we are moving slow is to keep suspicion low in case there is increased security in the areas around the Sun Village." Lee answered. "It is for safety, there is no need to fight yet."
"Not to mention we might have someone tailing us.." Haru said anxiously. He was having trouble relaxing and had not spoken hardly at all since they left that morning.
"A tail?" Sakura glanced over her shoulder and scanned the trees.
Ayako sighed. "There's nobody following us. I would have sensed them, and if I didn't, we're with three capable ninja's who would have picked up on something. Please try to relax Haru."
With a sigh he looked down at his hands. "You're right of course Princess."
"You're so high strung." Naruto seemed to have recovered from the attack on his head and poked Haru's shoulder. "Just take a breath and relax. We're here to protect you remember?"
Embarrassed, Haru nodded and took Naruto's advice. He took a deep breath. "I apologize."
"Don't be sorry Haru. We're all nervous." Ayako assured him, with a few nods from the Leaf ninja. "But everything is going to be okay. Just try and remember that."
The young man seemed to relax fully after that and they settled into the clearing to finish their lunch.
The sun set and the group decided to stop near a rocky cliff for the night. After the full day of walking everyone seemed fairly exhausted and soon, even Naruto was silent and sleeping. Ayako remained awake until she was sure everyone was asleep. The rest was well deserved. She stood with a sigh after a moment and slipped away into the trees.
The princess knelt in front of a small stream a few feet from their camp. She scooped the clear liquid into her hands and splashed it onto her face. Silvery moonlight made the surface of the water like a mirror as she stared at her own tired reflection with slight disgust. Her hair was a mess and deep circles sat like bags beneath her dark blue eyes.
"You look absolutely terrible." She said quietly as worry and doubt began to flood her mind. She was worried about her village, and about Haru and now about her new friends
A rustle came from the bushes behind her. Her reflexes kicked in and in an instant and a flash of silvery light a kunai knife formed from moonlight appeared in her palm. She turned and leapt in the direction of the noise.
"Princess it is me!" The figure yelped as she faltered and stopped with the knife aimed at his throat.
"Lee! What are you doing sneaking up on me like that! I almost killed you!" She took a few deep breaths, trying to recover from the near miss. She held the knife tight in her hand but her other palm came to rest lightly on his chest.
"I did not know you were out here." He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the tree she had pushed him against in her rapid attack. "If I had seen you I would have said something." He added breathlessly.
Ayako glanced at the kunai and in a moment it disappeared and she stumbled back embarrassedly . "I am so sorry Lee. I just was trying to relax. I suppose it didn't work." With a shaky laugh, she collapsed to her knees onto the grass and ran a hand through her hair.
"What are you doing out here so late Princess?" Lee asked as he sank to the grass beside her.
"I could ask you the same question. I thought everyone was asleep." She countered easily.
He looked up at her from his still shaky hands. "Never miss an opportunity to get in some night training. That was the initial plan before I was ambushed"
"Training? This late?" She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her cheek on her kneecap to keep her careful gaze on him. "You are a wonder. Why are you training this late."
"Oh no that is just not true." He said bashfully. "My philosophy is that simply you must never miss an opportunity to better yourself. What are you doing out here Princess?"
She sighed and closed her eyes. "Paranoia's keeping me up I suppose. I was just making sure there wasn't anyone following us."
Lee blinked a few times, than smiled softly. "If that is bothering you then I will stand guard tonight. You look exhausted."
"Well that's sweet of you to offer, but it's really not necessary. I'm just afraid."
"What are you afraid of? Naruto, Sakura and I are here to protect you, no matter what. I can assure you, you have nothing to fear Ayako." He explained as he began to stretch out his long legs.
She watched him for a moment. "Yes I know but.."
"But?"
"But you don't know what Takeshi is capable of." She bit her lip. "I can't let anyone else I care about get hurt. You understand don't you? I just can't let anything happen to Haru or you or the others."
He stopped his stretches and turned to her. "Do you blame yourself for what happened in your village?" He asked suddenly.
She looked down at her hands. "Everyone does. If I can take him down now then I'll be able to restore my village. But I can't do it alone. I'm just not strong enough. I never have been."
Lee nodded thoughtfully. "Do you believe in yourself Ayako?"
She looked up. "What?"
He turned to her and after a brief hesitation took her hands in his and smiled. "You must believe in yourself to make any dream a reality. No one ever believed I would become a ninja, but I pushed myself every day and now here we are. You are strong and capable and you must believe that for yourself before anyone else can believe in you." His voice was soft and full on encouragement.
The princess sighed. "Believe in myself huh.."
Lee cleared his throat awkwardly and pulled his hands back. They sat in silence for a little bit. Ayako chewed on her lip and watched the sky. "Takeshi thinks he's superior to me in every way. He doesn't think I can do anything to him. He thinks himself invincible." She confessed and took a breath. "I want to prove him wrong."
"I believe in your dream." He assured her. He hopped to his feet to return to his training. "Go get some rest. I promise I will stand watch until morning."
She stood as well. "Are you sure? You really don't have to do anything like that."
He gave her a thumbs up. "You have my word. Do not worry Princess. Nothing will get past me."
"My hero."
Ayako returned to the clearing, after reluctantly leaving Lee to stand guard. She sighed and curled up on the soft grass beside Haru. Soon she slipped into a light sleep, and tried not to worry about the days to come.