Hi sorry for the extremely long update, but here it is. I hope the kind of long udate makes up for some of it.
Disclaimor: I don't own Naruto, or the name Earce. I got that from the the Shadow, it's a good book, just saying.
"What!" He snapped.
From what I could tell he wore the same cloak and mask. I listened carefully to his voice. It sounded close to the other man's voice, but this time more commanding.
"You're the man from last night." I accused.
"Pardon?" He asked. I huffed through my nostrils as I lifted my hood slightly. I witnessed no reaction on his part.
"You're the man from last night." I accused again.
"I am sorry but I have no idea what you are speaking of." He replied. I clenched my fists, sudden anger rising.
"Stop acting so innocent, I know it is you." I heard the man tisk from under his mask. "Why were you there?" I asked. No reply. I repeated my question, but this time he turned and began to walk away. Quickly I grabbed onto his wrist. I spun him around and looked into the eyeholes of the mask. Cold dark eyes stared into mine.
"Why were you there last night?" I asked once again.
"How can I give you an answer when that wasn't even me?" He asked back. Maybe I was wrong. It isn't the first time I see a man walking around with a mask and maybe I'm confusing the voice. When I didn't answer back he hummed in what I assumed was amusement. "Now then if we are done here, there are places where I must be."
The man began to walk away but I tightened my grip, yanking him back.
"Where?" I questioned.
"I don't owe you that kind of information." He replied. I glared at him.
"That's no way to talk to a prince," I said. "Now then, tell me."
"I apologize for my rudeness my prince, but I must get to the neighboring country." He apologized before turning away. I sighed at his words. I don't usually like it when people call me "my prince", it is in fact distasteful. I shook my head before realizing his words.
"You're going to the neighboring country?" I yell. He turns towards me and nods his head. I run after him and grab his hand.
"Can I go with you?" I ask. He looks at our joined hands before looking at me. Embarrassed I let go. I could feel my face warm up just a bit as I turn away for a second. I turn my head back towards him and I see him staring at me. Suddenly he snorts.
"First you accuse me of intruding the castle and now you are asking me to take you to the neighboring country with me."I pursed my lips.
"Please?" I ask.
"No." Was his answer.
"W-why?" He turned his head in the direction of the forest at the end of the city, then looked back at me. Suddenly he begins to walk away. I walk after him telling him to wait, but ignores me.
"Please t-take me, I beg of you." I pleaded, falling to my knees. He stopped midstride and looked back towards me.
"Why do you seem to want to leave so badly?" He asked. I hung me head low and scowled at the ground.
"Because I know I'll never be granted freedom as long as I stay here." I answered. After a few long moments he replied.
"Fine you may come." I could practically hear the smirk in his voice, but decide to ignore it as I jerk my head up with a large smile on my face. I thank him as I stood up and he chuckled.
"It doesn't matter, if you want to come meet me at the church steps at dusk, if you are even a minute late, I will leave without you." He says before walking away.
I nod my head and yell a goodbye before I ran back to the castle. Once I got to the wall I felt around the bricks, pressing on them lightly. When I found the right one I pushed onto it. With a low thud the large brick fell. I climbed through the wall, not before making sure I was safe from being caught by the useless guards.
I tumbled down and landed flat on my bottom. As I stood up, I found myself near the stables. Thank goodness. I didn't see my father anywhere near. I sighed in relief before I hear a voice call me.
"Prince Naruto." I hear someone say. I look up to see one of the stable boys staring at me.
"Hello Kiba." I greet nervously. He sighed and held out his hand.
"Are you alright?" Kiba asks. I nod my head taking his hand. Giving him a bright smile I thank him. Kiba laugh at my antics. Soon my smile was replaced with a slight frown. Now that I think about it, will I ever be able to see these people again. Sure I am finally able to get out of here, not that I hate being here. But you could only stand to be forced to stay in one place for so long.
"My prince? Are you sure you are alright?" Kiba asked his voice filled with concern. I looked up towards him a smiled.
"Of course." He smiled back at me before nodding his head and getting back to work. I watched as he walked away with a frown. Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?
I then walked back over to the wall and pushed the brick back in, making sure it looked no different than before.
"Naruto!" I heard someone yell. I winced when I turned around.
"Hello Father." I greeted as happily as I could. My father scowled as he walked towards me. When we were face to face he huffed irritably.
"Naruto, how many times have I told you?"
"I am sorry Father."
"How many times has it been? Three? I just don't understand it. You have never had a problem with the rules I've set for you. Why do you disobey me now!" I looked down, shame taking over me because is reality, they have only caught me three times. I have left the castle many times before already. My father sighed loudly. "I am sorry Naruto, I didn't mean to yell. It's just, I do not want anything to happen to you." I looked up. Knitting my eyebrows together I spoke.
"Nothing is going to happen to me. Why are you so fixated on that idea?" My father simply shook his head.
"Naruto, I-"
"You what!"
"Minato! Naruto!" My mother suddenly came rushing towards me and my father.
"Minato please," She gave my father a pleading look before looking at me. "Do not talk back to your father." She said sternly. I nodded my head in understanding.
"Yes, I am sorry mother, father." I told them. My mother smiled at me. I smiled back at, forcefully. I am leaving. I won't see her for a while. A part of me is scared now. It does not want leave. Despite myself, I break that part of me from that thought. It is either now or never. I want to see the world with my very own eyes. That traveler is going to help me.
I looked at my father, who had a wary look on his face. I forced a smile. Just to make sure he knew I was fine. He smiled back at and mouthed a sorry. My smiled widened reassuringly.
The three of us walked into the castle. I, being led by my mother, my father retreating to his library. Typical. My father just loves his library. My mother and I walked around the castle, no real destination. I made sure to take advantage of the situation. I am not too sure when I may be able to see her again. With that thought in mind, I need to make sure to see my father before I leave.
"Mother?" I call. She looks at me with a smile.
"What is it?" She asked. I look down to the floor, smiling nervously. Finally I look up and gave her a warm smile. By now we've stopped walking and I hug her.
"I just wanted to say that I love you." I replied. My mother gave me a bemused smile.
"What's this? Do not get me wrong, I love you too, but…" She trailed off. My mother began to chuckle at me. I merely shrug my shoulders.
"Nothing, I just realized that I have not said it as much as I should." I told her. My mother smiled at me, squeezing me tightly in the process.
"It's okay, I know, I love you too Naruto." She said. I smiled into her chest once more before letting my arms fall back to my side. But she did not let go. In fact her hold on me became tighter. I raised my arms again, patting her back.
"Uh mother?" She didn't answer.
"Mother…?" She groaned. My mother separated herself a bit from me and smiled.
"You do not give me hugs too often either, you cannot blame me for enjoying the moment while it lasted." She chuckled, this time at herself. I couldn't help but slouch a bit. I feel sorry. But I have to do this. I chuckle.
"Well I want to go talk to father." I tell her. My mother pouted a bit, but then smiled. She let go of me and sighed in content.
"Okay." She said. With a pat to the head she sent me off.
I walk to my father's library. I swear that man is in there far too much. But what could I say, he loved his books as much as I loved my garden. A sad smile slipped onto my lips.
Now that I finally have a chance to leave this retched castle, to see more than I've dreamed to, the jolts of anxiety are hitting me. Quite hard may I add.
As I open the door to the library, my father looks up. He smiles at me. Though I know that he's masking his sadness. For some reason every time I leave the castle, my father goes around moping the rest of the day while I'm not around. But of course I know this, my father is as easy to read as a book.
I walk over to the table my father is sitting in and sit down next to him.
"I see you've taken care of all your duties." I say. My father sighs in content. He isn't too keen on the large amount of work, but will do anything for this country. He just loves it so much.
"Actually." He pauses for a moment. "I have a couple more things to do, but upon your arrival in the garden, I was allowed to leave for a moment. Now I am merely sneaking about." He admitted. I huff at my father's actions. Which were nothing short of amusing.
"Father! As a King you should keep to your responsibilities." I try to scold. But unfortunately my father just laughs.
"Everyone needs a break every once in a while, besides isn't also princes responsibility to listen to the king… his father." He looks at me with a stern look that makes me bow my head.
"I am sorry father, but did you not just say it yourself that everyone needs a break every once in a while, and that is what I am doing; taking a break from the castle." I replied. My father shook his head in disapproval. This action alone leaves me feeling unadulterated sadness.
"I understand that being in this castle isn't the greatest, but believe me when I tell you that there are things out there ready to threaten you, me, your mother, all of us. Especially, now with that intruder." He shakes his head with disgust. My ears perk up at his words.
"Intruder?"I ask, feigning innocence.
"Yes, last night there was an intruder, thank goodness nothing had happened to you." He said, patting my shoulder.
"W-why you think something might happen to me?" I ask nervously. Somehow I get the feel I don't really want to know though. My father shrugged his shoulders, locking his blue eyes onto mine.
"You never know." He replies. I stare at him with a half hearted glare. My father's paranoia is simply breath taking. Finally let out a sigh.
"I suppose you are right." I say, trying my best to withhold the need to roll my eyes. Then I stand and smile at my father.
"Well I will be taking my leave now." I say as I begin walking. I make my way towards the door and exit the library.
As I walk around the castle I make sure to look out the windows every once in a while. After some time, I realize dusk should be arriving soon. I smile. This is it. In a matter of time, I'll finally be able to go out and see the world, just like I've wanted. Quickly I run to my room to grab a new cloak, seeing as how my mother had taken my other one to have it washed, and a few pieces of silver and gold I have hidden in my closet. Just for special occasions
With my cloak now clinging around my neck, I cautiously walk to the garden. The sun should be setting soon, so I know most of the stable boys must have left already. I towards the wall cautiously. Now that it is closer to night, the guards will be getting to their posts. When I see there are not any guards, I run to the wall. I try my best to climb the wall as quickly as possible. I pant heavily as I sit down on top of the wall, my legs on either side.
Suddenly I hear the voice of a guard. My eyes widened and I quickly swing my leg over the other side of the wall. Carefully, but quickly I jump onto the tree. My body stiffens when I almost miss the branch. Luckily, I don't miss. I gulp hard as I hang onto the branch. After hanging for a few moments, I saw, and I let go. I land on my feet, and I brush back my hair. Looking up to the sky, my eyes widen.
"…even if you are a minute late, I will leave without you."
I am going to be late.
Quickly, I begin running to the city. I cannot be late, I refuse to. I smile when I see the city lights. I then begin to quicken my pace. Finally I am in the city. The crowd of people walking around me work as blockades and I bite my lip. Somehow, I am able to squeeze through the crowd and I make it to the church. I smile when I see the traveler standing there, looking up to the sky. The moment I walk onto the church steps he looks at me.
"I was beginning to think you were not coming." He says. For some reason that makes me smile.
"Were you hoping that I would come?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. He then looks away.
"Actually," He sighs. "I was hoping you decided not to come." I frown. "But no matter, we have to get going now." He begins walking in direction of the forest and I follow after him.
When I catch up to him, he reaches into his cloak and hands me a mask. It's white with blue marks on the cheeks, and is in the shape of a bird. I stare at the odd looking mask in his hands for a moment.
"It is to disguise you." He announces. "I am sure you would not want anyone to recognize you, no?"
I shake my head in response and grab the mask. I place it onto my face and smile at him, despite him not being able to see it.
"Alright then." He says. We continue walking in direction of the forest. After a few minutes of silence I look at him.
"Where are we headed to?" I ask.
"Earce." He replies. My eyes widen in surprise.
"Wait, but that-"
"Is the village said to be full of magical beings such as witches, warlocks, wizards, and so forth." He finishes for me. I bite my lip and furrow my eyebrows. If this man knew of this, then why would he go to such a place?
"Exactly, that place is-"
"Also said to be full of evil, yes I know of this. Do you have a problem?" He asks.
Of course I have a problem! If I had known he was going there, then I would not have asked him to take me with him.
"If you would rather not come with me, I have no objections against it." He states. I gulp hard. I begin to weigh my options. Either I stay here and lose my chance to see outside the city or I go with this man to Earce and see the outside world. Well, what do I have to lose; it was either now or never.
"I will continue on this journey with you." I tell him. He snorts.
"Very well." He says. Somehow, as he speaks, I get this eerie feeling. Rather than addressing it, I brush it off.
For the rest of the walk to the forest, we walk in silence. When we finally get to the forest, he stops for a second and then continues. I raise an eyebrow at his actions, but I dismiss it. As I pass through the trees, I feel an odd sensation in my chest. It was as if something was released from me. I then figured it was probably a sense of relief from finally leaving the town.
For a short time we continue walking before he abruptly stops. I bump into his shoulder slightly, but he does not respond to it.
"Here on out." He begins. "You will do as I say." He turns around towards me and stares me down. "If you do not follow what I have set for you, I will have no qualms against sending you back there. My word is law, you hear me." I step back in slight fear of his words. I nod my head quickly and gulp hard.
"Good." I can hear the smirk in his voice. Suddenly this deal we have set up is not as good as I thought it to be. But what can I say? There is a price to freedom, or… whatever this is.
Kushina smiled as she walked next to one of the maids. As a former peasant, she took it upon herself to help out the maids every once in a while. She felt it would simply kill her to let someone else do absolutely everything for her.
"My Queen, it's fine, really. I can handle this myself." The maid insisted. Kushina shook her head.
"Oh nonsense, succumbing to such laziness will be the death of me." She stated. The two women laughed together, relishing in the moment. But suddenly Kushina felt a strong pang in her chest. She then collapsed to the floor, panting heavily.
"My Queen!" The maid said in concern. She knelt down to Kushina and put a hand on her back. Kushina's head then shot up and she scrambled up to her feet.
"Wait, my Queen!" The maid yelled, but Kushina ignored her. She had more important things to do. She had to check on Naruto.
"Naruto!" She yelled. Kushina ran to the kitchen, but did not find the boy there. She then ran to the dining room, the throne room, Minato's library, the east wing. The boy was not in either places.
"Naruto!" She yelled again, tears began to well up in her eyes. She began running up to her son's room. When Kushina got there, she slammed the door open.
"Naruto. Baby, where are you?" She called for him, but of course no answer. Kushina rushed to the boy's closet and opened it. She saw a cloak was missing. Kushina then knew the boy had left. Which was not much too surprising. But this time, Kushina knew he had left.
Kushina let the tears fall from her eyes with a loud cry. She fell to her knees and cried into her palms.
"Kushina!" Minato yelled as he ran into the room. He had been following his wife, since she had rushed into his library and then left as if she were looking for something. Now as he entered his son's room, he knew what she had been looking for. Naruto.
"Sweetie what is the matter?" Minato asked. It was not abnormal for the boy to leave. It was infuriating that the boy had left once again that day, but she had not cried so much over it before.
"He left Minato!" She dried. Minato kneeled down beside Kushina and hugged her.
"It is okay honey, I will send Iruka for him." He tried to reassure her. Kushina shook her head and hugged Minato tightly.
"No Minato, he left! He left the city, I-I can feel it." She said, putting a hand over her heart. Minato furrowed his eyebrows together. He separated himself a bit from his wife.
"W-what do you mean? The barrier, it should be-"
"I do not know." Kushina interrupted. "But, he is gone Minato. Gone!" She wailed. Minato's eyes narrowed. He then let go of his wife and stood up.
"Hiruzen!" Minato yelled. Hiruzen Sarutobi, a knight, ran to Minato.
"Yes, my Lord?" He said as he bowed.
"Gather your men; we are assembling a search party." Minato announced. Hiruzen furrowed his brow.
"A search party, for whom?" He asked. Minato began walking ahead of him.
"Naruto.
Those guards aren't very good are they? Hehe! So I hoped you liked the chapter, and oh! Thank you for the reviews!
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