Princess

AN: Hi guys! So what do you think so far? Good, not good, terrible, awesome, better than sliced bread? Please remember to read and review, I live off of your comments and criticisms…. So please don't be afraid to tell me the honest truth (though no flamers please, because no one likes them and they aren't very helpful…) anyway on with the story.

Disclaimers: I do not own any of the characters in Naruto… blah blah blah.

Chapter 1: Return

The sun was shining, the wind blew slightly and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a perfect day. Young princess Sakura was out in the garden, alone, taking her usual morning walk; today was her 18th birthday and the entire Kingdom and the castle was buzzing with excitement. In the Magma Kingdom a princess' 18th birthday is a rite of passage; it is when a girl becomes a young woman and means that she has to start thinking about marriage and possible one day ruling the Kingdom.

Sakura had blossomed into a young woman in front of everyone's eyes; she has long curly pink hair, sparkling emerald eyes, a somewhat pale complexion, perfectly shaped face and has a quick wit and a kind, funny nature. She also has a little bit of a rebellious nature as well as a temper. She inherited some of her mother's magic and her father's spirit and sword mastery. She has been training with her magic and sword fighting since she was ten years old; now she is almost as powerful as her mother and father used to be.

Unknown to the young princess a shadowy figure watched as she walked in the garden and sat under a cherry blossom tree. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the peacefulness and the feel of the wind blowing through her hair. It was peaceful until her governess Shizune came bustling in,

"Your highness there you are, the queen wishes to see you in her chambers right away." Shizune said quickly and bit breathlessly seeing how she ran around half the castle to find Sakura. Sakura laughed a bit and just sighed,

"Shizune you look completely wiped out, alright I'm coming."Sakura said as she got up and stretched then followed Shizune out of the garden and toward her mother's chamber. As they left the shadowy figure smirked and was soon replaced by a small snake that slithered away.

Sakura was soon ushered into her mother's chambers and curtsied as the maids closed the door,

"Hello mother, you wanted to see me?"Sakura said in a non-chalant tone. Rin smiled and opened her arms gesturing Sakura to come,

"Yes I did, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and also to see how your lessons are coming along."Rin said in a soft tone as she hugged Sakura and sat down in one of the chairs. Sakura followed suit.

"My lessons are going well. Tsundae-senpai says that my healing abilities have improved a lot and that I'm one of her best students…"Sakura said quickly and smiled proudly, her mother laughed a bit,

"That's good to hear Sakura. I'm so proud of you, I can't believe you are already 18 years old; it seems only yesterday you were a toddler barely able to walk. I can't believe how much time has passed."Rin said softly almost muttering the last part; she looked at Sakura and smiled; almost sad fearful look appeared in her eyes.

"Oh I almost forgot I wanted to give you something. It's something very important and I feel that you are ready what with you being 18 now." Rin said absentminded as she got up and walked over to her jewelry box and pulled out a secret compartment. She took a velvet bag out and clutched it in her hands before turning to a slightly confused and eager Sakura. When Rin returned she had a serious and grave expression on her face,

"Now Sakura what I'm about to give you is a very big responsibility. It is of the utmost importance that you tell no one you have at, and I mean no one. You understand?" Rin said in a serious tone, Sakura just nodded slightly. Rin stared at her for a little bit longer and slightly shaking the bag a necklace fell out into Sakura's outstretched hand. The rope was braided and had a yellow stone in the middle that was clasped by three snake's heads. Sakura looked at it with wonder; she could feel the power from it and shivered a bit, she knew what it was; it was the amulet of Asp.

"Mother?"

"Sakura, it's your turn now. I can no longer protect it, but you can. Sakura you must not let anyone know you have the amulet. Do you understand? No, don't say anything, do you understand Sakura?" Rin asked in a stern voice, Sakura frowned a bit and nodded in agreement. Rin breathed a sigh of relief, Sakura was about to ask her mother to explain more but at the moment the maids came in and said that its time for Sakura to get ready for the ball. All the tension and worry melted away from the Queen's face as she smiled,

"Oh yes, well Happy Birthday my dear girl and I will see you later tonight." Rin said happily as she and Sakura stood up and embraced then kissed each other on the cheeks. Sakura looked back at her mother, concerned, who just waved and smiled. The door was closed and Sakura was ushered to her chamber to begin preparations.

As the doors closed Rin sighed and the worry and tension reappeared on her face. She walked over to her window and looked out at the entire kingdom, a thoughtful expression on her face

"He's coming and is getting stronger." She whispered to herself as her maids walked in and got her prepared for the ball as well.

A snake slithered its way through the rocks and disappeared into a cave. It traveled some distance until it came to a steep drop and stopped; an evil aura filled the cave and soon smoke appeared and two yellow eyes floated in the mist they narrowed,

"I sssee you have come back. What do have to report." A cold voice echoed through the cave, it was a voice that sent chills down one's spine. The snake shuddered and soon turned into a man who knelt down, his face concealed by the darkness,

"Your majesty, the princess has grown stronger while the queen has grown weaker. I have unfortunately been unable to locate the Amulet due to the strong charm the queen put on it." The figure said in calm voice. The eyes narrowed into slits and the voice hissed,

"Curssse her, we will have to eliminate them…. Sssss today is the princess's' 18th birthday isn't? Hmmm, perhaps we ssshould wish her a happy birthday." The voice said in a silky voice, the figure on the ledge remained frozen,

"What is your will my lord."

"I want you to go to the party and give the King and Queen this message—tell them that the true king has come back." The voice said and laughed evilly the figure nodded and transformed into a snake again and slithered away. The cave shook with laughter and soon the eyes and the smoke disappeared leaving the echo of the evil laugh.

AN: Ooooo I just got shivers and tingles up my spine… sheesh. You did too I hope… if I did yay if I didn't I will try harder next chapter!!! Remember to Review! Thanks and Chapter 2 will hopefully be coming soon so don't sharpen your pitchforks too soon ok? Thanks love you all!

3 Vampchick24