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.Heaven's Gate: Princess.

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One: Fire Country.

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It was a long journey, from Water Country to Fire. It took Sasuke a whole three days to finally arrive in the forest of the country. It took him another day to arrive at Fire Country's gate. He stopped and looked at the enormous gate. On the top of the opened gate was a Kanji writing that said "Fire".

Izumo and Kotetsu spotted him. They jumped and landed in front of him. Sasuke looked at the two shinobi with his dark eyes. They wore the shinobi uniform from Fire Country, Sasuke could see that. Green vest with red spiral on the back, the metal protectors on their heads got a symbol that must be the country's symbol.

"Have you got any business in the country, young man?" Kotetsu spoke.

Sasuke looked at him once again and then turned to his bag. He took out a green scroll and handed it to him. Kotetsu opened it and then read it. Izumo narrowed his eyes, he looked at Sasuke suspiciously.

"I understand," Kotetsu said, closing the scroll. He moved aside and Izumo followed him although his eyes never left Sasuke. "Wait here, someone will come and bring you to the palace."

Sasuke nodded once and the two shinobi went back to their post, Izumo was still staring at Sasuke.

"I don't like the kid's look," Izumo whispered to Kotetsu when they were on their post. "Something tells me he's not someone to be trusted."

"I feel the same thing," Kotetsu started to scribble some stuff down on a piece of paper. "But he's the bodyguard sent for Princess Sakura. Even though we don't like him, he's going to be the one protecting our Princess."

Izumo sighed and turned back to his own paper and started writing as well.

"You know if Hideyoshi Kuno gets his slimy hand on the Princess we would all die," Kotetsu reminded him again.

"I know, I know," Izumo shook his head. "You don't have to go into the details, I already know." He looked at Sasuke and sighed again. "I just hope that boy has what it takes to protect the Princess. What she possessed inside her is too dangerous to fall into the hands of people like Hideyoshi Kuno."

Kotetsu nodded and looked at Sasuke seriously.

"I think he have what it takes," he muttered. "I mean Matsuo Tabi himself said this boy is the best shinobi they have."

"Let's cross our fingers and hope so." Izumo said.

A shinobi in white vest and black pants came not long after, she was wearing a cat mask and there was a red tattoo on her left arm that looked like the symbol on the protector but was different in shape. She carried a long katana on her back and scrolls around her waist. She bowed in front of him before introducing herself.

"My name is Ten-ten," the shinobi said, her hair was braided and was almost passing her waist. "I am an ANBU, one of the Princess's special guards. Follow me."

The ANBU leaped up toward the sky and Sasuke followed. Ten-ten waved at both Izumo and Kotetsu and they waved back.

"ANBU…" Sasuke muttered, he narrowed his eyes as he looked at the shinobi in front of him. Ten-ten stopped suddenly and they stood on a red roof. She pointed to the distance and turned to him.

"Over that clouds, is the palace, you'll get lost if you don't tie yourself with me," she took out a rope from her bag and gave it to him; Sasuke snorted but did as he's told. "You are quite proud of yourself aren't you kid?"

Sasuke glared at her at the word "kid".

"Let me tell you something about us ANBU," Ten-ten looked back at Sasuke's glare. "ANBU is short for Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai, meaning we are the Special Assassination and Tactical Squad. You don't want to mess with us, kid. I see you are strong but you really shouldn't underestimate others."

"I heard you let your guards down the other night when Matsuo Tabi stopped the intruder for you," Sasuke said. "I don't see the part on how professional you all are."

"Oh then Matsuo Tabi missed the part that at the time we ANBU are not yet called," Ten-ten stroke back. "The captain of the palace's guards had no idea how dangerous the threat was already. After the attack, they panicked and called us right away."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. And then he was holding back a gasp on the next second.

"You really don't want to mess with us, kid," Ten-ten's katana was around his neck. "If you're not the one sent to protect the princess I will kill you here already."

It was quiet for a few moments and then Ten-ten withdrew her sword from his neck.

"We should be going," she looked at the sky. "Anytime now assassins and kidnappers from all over the world would be coming for the princess."

Sasuke followed Ten-ten, tied to her, as they entered the clouds.

"Hold the rope," Ten-ten ordered. "We're entering an illusion already, you better hold on."

Sasuke did as he was told. The illusion started to take place. In the clouds were a battle field, filled with dead bodies and blood. It felt hot and Sasuke's sweat was dripping. An arrow missed his head by an inch and he stared at the field in shock.

"Calm down kid," Ten-ten called out. "Remember, it's just an illusion."

And then, it was all gone. They were back in the clouds and they could see the palace from afar. It was big, pink petals were everywhere: Sakura's petals. Sasuke smiled a little, no wonder there were Sakura petals everywhere, the name of the princess clearly said Haruno Sakura. And then the palace, a big palace with brown roof and white walls, shinobi with the same clothes and masks as Ten-ten was everywhere and they all looked up as they zoomed by.

Ten-ten stopped in the garden and cut the rope. She turned as a woman in kimono walked toward them; the woman had peppermint, grayish colored eyes and white blond hair. She wore a white kimono with purple flowers on them. Both Ten-ten and the woman bowed in front of one another. The woman turned to Sasuke and blushed once.

"Is this the man?" she turned to Ten-ten. Sasuke didn't miss the part where Ten-ten rolled her eyes.

"Yes, he's the one," Ten-ten said, pushing Sasuke forward. "I need to patrol the East side of the town; I'll leave him to you, Ino."

Ino nodded and turned to Sasuke.

"Shall we?" she gestured as her face reddened again.

Sasuke can't help but smirk. He nodded and followed her. They walked passed koi ponds, like every palace's had, and into halls. It was so big Sasuke would get lost if he walked by himself, but he spent his time trying to concentrate on remembering the way. And then they finally stopped.

Ino opened the door and stepped inside; she turned and said "Wait here" to Sasuke before closing the door.

He heard murmurs inside and then a sigh.

Ino opened the door again, a wide grin across her face and then she nodded. She walked out and nodded once again.

"She's expecting you," she smiled. And then she walked away. Sasuke looked at Ino's back until she was gone around the corner. He sighed and opened the door.

"You're about my age." The statement was a shocked one.

He raised his head and he finally saw her.

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Hello again. I won't be writing anymore until about Wednesday or so.

Thanks for all that reviewed the Prologue.

Once again, reviews are appreciated.

~ButterCan'tFly.