Princess
AN: Thank you many times over to my fans, you guys are amazing and I love you all! Thank you for your awesome reviews they really do make me smile and happy inside! And as payment for your kind words here is another chapter… I will try to make this one longer than the others that is if my computer will allow me to! :P Anyway! On with the story!
Sincerely,
VampChick24
Chapter 7: Snakes?
On the Magma border
"Sir, we think we found something…" a soldier said in a gruff voice to another soldier wearing the Royal family's crest, he tipped his helmet up revealing Buraian Nagashi. He had a serious look on his face as he jumped off his horse and followed the soldier. They came across the broken carriage that had the back broken and its contents spewed across the dirt road; Buraian looked around and spotted a pink satin bow that was trampled and ripped in a couple of places; he stooped down and picked it up gingerly. There was no doubt that this was the princess's, yes it confirmed that this was the kidnapper's carriage but it did not give them any clues on where they went. He clenched the bow and frowned as he got up and put it in his pocket,
"They were definitely here, it looks like there was a fight of some kind though it does not seem like anyone was killed. Let's move out…" He said in a authoritative voice as he got on his horse and his men followed, he frowned 'Please Kami let the princess and Hinata-chan be OK…' Buraian prayed as he and his men rode down the road following the trail, unknown to the party the shadows of the trees have eyes and watched as they deserted the wreck. From the shadows a figure smirks as he watches them leave, he goes to the wagon and picks something sparkly from the rubble,
"Heh, I will find you Sakura-hime… don't worry… there is nowhere you can hide where I can't find you he he…" the shadowy figured muttered arrogantly as it clutched the ring then once again disappeared into the shadows.
Bandit Camp
Sakura(Ayame) slept soundly on the mats in the tent, she was having a nightmare about snakes and this cavern with yellow eyes that looked hungry and snake-like. She shivered at the eyes then felt something wet and cold on her face and her entire body, her eyes flew opened and she screamed as she was covered in ice cold water. The culprit, a grinning raven haired boy,
"GAH! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" Sakura screeched as she jumped up and glared at the smirking man, he shrugged,
"Hn, you would not wake up otherwise. And I suggest you lower your voice, there are some people who are sleeping… dry off, we are going to town." He said in a bored tone though there was a hint of amusement in it at the sight of a pissed, drenched Sakura. He tossed her something rough and black and what looked to be two brown dresses, she looked at it with confusion and annoyance,
"It's a wig, your pink hair is too noticeable and the dresses should fit as well, those others are too torn and would draw too much attention, be ready in five." He ordered in his usual tone and left a wet, angry Sakura and a confused, sleepy Hinata to get dressed and dry Sakura off. After a few minutes both of the girls emerged in their new garments which were simple dresses that had a white ruffle top, bodice and a brown skirt that went to their ankles((AN: Think of robin hood style dress… milk maid)). Sakura wore the black wig, much to her displeasure and had a grumpy look on her face while Hinata had her usual nervous look on her face. Sasuke smirked and Naruto smiled, Naruto went over to the girls and handed them some food,
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Did you guys sleep OK? Ne, Hinata-chan are you still sick?" Naruto asked curiously as he noticed the redness of Hinata's cheek that always flared up whenever Naruto was around, Sakura rolled her eyes at Naruto's obliviousness, thinking 'guys are idiots'. Sakura ate her breakfast then walked over to Sasuke an evil look in her eyes; she leaned into him until there was no more than an inch apart from their lips,
"Mark my words Sasuke… I will get you back. Count on it chicken boy." She whispered in a slow, threatening tone. Sasuke rolled his eyes and glared back at her,
"Hn, whatever Pinky. Lets go!" Sasuke said as he swept his leg out knocking hers out which caused her to fall into his waiting arms, she protested as he carried her onto his horse and Naruto did the same with Hinata. Sasuke ignored Sakura's protest and sighed,
"Hn, you're so annoying. Just shut up and hold on…" he muttered as he and Naruto put on their masks and rode down the road toward the nearest town. Once they were a few miles from town they ditched the horses and tied them up at a lake to drink some water. Sakura had a slightly troubled expression on her face,
"Are we walking the rest of the way?"
"Hn, nothing gets past you Ayame… yes we are walking, it allows us to lay low."Sasuke said in a matter of fact, annoyed tone as he took off his mask and pulled up the hood on his travelling cloak, Naruto did the same. Sakura's eye twitched that smug smile and hn were starting to get on her last nerve, she was a princess and princesses do not walk 3 miles, even if she is a slight tomboy and rebel she knows her rights and walking that far seemed a bit ridiculous. She frowned and huffed a bit then started walking briskly, trying to get as far away from that Sasuke jerk as possible. Sasuke sighed and followed behind her and soon caught up with her, he grabbed her arm but kept looking forward despite Sakura's protests,
"I can't have you get yourself lost and run away can I? Just stay close to me got it?" Sasuke muttered as he held Sakura closer, she could smell the pine, smoky smell and was tempted to just sniff him but she showed restraint and rolled her eyes, letting herself be lead into the small town. She looked around and had a small smile on her face as she took in all the sounds, smells, and people in the town. She had been to a small town only a few times and most times those were with servants or for only short periods of time when she snuck out of the palace. Naruto and Hinata went one way and they went another, they were walking down the street in silence mainly on Sasuke's part as his eyes darted to the sides always ready for a fight. Sakura decided to break the silence,
"So Sasuke… what made you want to be a bandit? Fight with your parents, arrogance, power? Or maybe it was the money that comes with it…" Sakura said in a jabbing tone as they sat at a small tavern that was outside on the street. Sasuke stared at her and rolled his eyes, he leaned back and had a small smile on his lips,
"Hn?" he said in a bored tone as he looked away then at Sakura from the corner of his eyes, enjoying the annoyance that crept on her face, she clenched her fists.
"You damn well heard me Chicken butt!" she said through her teeth as she glared at him then calmed down, she did not know any person who could get her this annoyed and angry except maybe her Dad but he was family and even he had to work at it. But it seemed like Sasuke knew every button to push to annoy her, like they had been best friends for years instead of captor and captive for a day. Sasuke looked at her for a bit longer, as if searching for some hint but then had his usual bored, cold expression on his face,
"My reasons are my own and are none of your business… I don't know maybe because I was bored with my life and wanted more excitement." He said in an off-hand tone then leaned in close so that their faces were an inch apart, he could feel Sakura's breath tickle his nose, he felt like he had known this girl forever but it was just his imagination he reasoned, they had just met. Her breathing was a bit short as they were so close together, there was this feeling inside her that made her all tingly and giddy that Sasuke was so close to her but she batted away resolving that she hated him, he was arrogant, annoying jerk. Sasuke smiled slightly, his face grew darker,
"Or maybe it's because I like taking women and holding them captive to satisfied my desires and not have to be tied down… girls love bad boys and danger. Isn't that right Ayame?" he whispered her name seductively which made Sakura feel like jelly but she gulped and leaned back, a flustered, annoyed expression on her face,
"I-I don't know what you are talking about! Gah, you are so full of yourself. I don't understand why any girl would want to date a self-absorbed jerk like you…." Sakura said in a defensive tone as she avoided eye contact with him, he was dangerous and she had to be careful and have her guard up, she refused to fall for his play boy ways. He sighed and leaned back,
"Heh, you are a different one Ayame… usually that is all that it takes. Hm, well do you have any more questions for me detective?" Sasuke asked in a mock curious tone as he raised an eyebrow, his onyx eyes were still reserved and cold, 'this girl is dangerous, that was a close call… who is this girl?' Sasuke thought as Sakura pouted and twitched her eye, she had an evil smile on her face, and her green eyes were sparkling with mischief and scheming,
"Yes I do… I'm just wondering what happened to the poor chicken whose butt you cut off to wear on your head. Can't catch me Sasu-kun!" Sakura said teasingly sing song voice as she suddenly got up pulled his hood over his eyes then darted out of the shop and into the hustle and bustle of the crowded market streets. Sasuke cursed and ran after her, he was fast but so was she, and she ducked and dived under people as she looked behind her shoulder. She laughed when she did not see any sight of him; she was free now, to find Hinata. She slowed a bit and ducked into an alleyway, looking around just make sure, she stiffened when she heard a familiar voice behind her,
"Well well… looking for someone beautiful?" a gruff voice said behind her, she turned around and stepped back a bit noticing the driver of the carriage that kidnapped her and Hinata before. He was a big man with squinty eyes that were bright with a hunger for a fight and something else, he had a major 5 o' clock shadow and he had a snake tattoo on his arm. Sakura gulped and she stepped back a bit, her eyes were filled with fear and anger, she touched her head only to feel her natural hair, the wig! 'It must have fallen off when I was running! Damn it!' Sakura cursed under her breath as she smiled nervously and backed out of the alley,
"Heh, I'm going to go now, I suggest you shave and get some soap buddy… you really stink."Sakura said in a jeering tone though there was a hint of panic in it, she knew how to fight and use magic but she was used to using powder or a drink to activate it, neither was available to her. The driver frowned and grinned, he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him so that she could smell his breath,
"You are not going anywhere Princess… come quietly and I promise I won't hurt you too much."
With Sasuke
'Damn her! I let her get inside my head and let my guard down! Where the hell could she be?' Sasuke cursed as he searched everywhere for Ayame(Sakura), he had this panic and fear that he would not find her but no matter what he would not feel whole without her in his arms. He paused, this girl was really messing with him and the pang that he knew her was constant in his chest, but the name Ayame did not strike a bell but the face, the eyes. The hair… it was all familiar to him, and caused this need to protect, annoy, and hug her all at the same time. He has never felt this need to be close with anyone since his mother died and he was banished. 'Sasu-kun… I have not been called that since I was little….' he suddenly remembered a little girl with green eyes and pink hair poking his forehead and giggling, it disappeared, he knew the little girl somehow and for some reason linked her with Ayame, but the name did not fit the person, but he could not remember the little girl's real name for his life. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth, 'Damn it! What the hell is wrong with me?' he cursed as he soon came across Hinata and Naruto talking in a shop and Naruto laughing, Naruto turned and noticed Sasuke.
"Oi Teme! Hey, where is Ayame? She finally realized what an ass you were and gave you the slip? What kind of bandit are you if you can't even hold onto your captive?" Naruto said in a disappointed tone though there was a joking edge to it, Sasuke glared at Naruto which made him roll his eyes and terrified Hinata.
"Shut up Dobe! Just go back with your girl to the camp and I will meet you later." Sasuke said in an angry voice as he left and darted back into the streets, leaving a confused blonde and lavender haired couple in the shop.
Back with Sakura
Sakura had her back up against the wall, she had bruises on her arm, face and legs, she had a cut on her forehead that bled and she was out of breath. Three more guys had joined the carriage drivers, all had the snake tattoo on their arm, and it was the same one that the kidnappers wore on their mask when they crashed her party. The carriage driver had a shiner on his right eye and bite marks in his arms, he grinned at her evilly, he nodded the other two approached her while the other one stayed back, he had a mask that covered his eyes but his mouth was visible and it was smirking, enjoying Sakura's pain. Before she could scream or fight they restrained her with what looked like snakes… snakes? She felt the amulet pulse and it began to turn hot as the snakes restrained her, as if it knew what was coming and awaited it eagerly, she winced from the pain,
"Who the hell are you guys? And what do you want with me?" Sakura shouted as she struggled against the snakes but they were strong and the two men slapped her, it was at this time that she thought about Sasuke, how would he find her? She was alone and defenseless, she had used magic but because it was high level magic it wore her out and caused her to be an easy target. The carriage driver smirked and held out a purple liquid looking over at the masked man who nodded slightly and smirked,
"Do it, the Lord is getting impatient…" he said in a authoritative, dull voice as he turned to Sakura and smiled,
"Don't worry your Highness, everything will turn out soon…. Just be a good girl and be quiet." He said in a silky voice as he looked at the men and disappeared, a black snake slithered away in his place. Sakura glared at the masked man, he seemed familiar somehow but she couldn't see how, that smirk is what was familiar… her thoughts were cut short when the carriage driver cleared his throat,
"All right princess, this will only hurt for a bit... heh, sweet dreams." The man muttered as Sakura's eyes widened when held a cloth to he mouth muffling her screams with the potion, she at first thrashed around trying to fight him off but soon her eyes started to droop and she had trouble staying awake. One of the snakes bit into her arm, causing her to wince but the drug numbed the pain a bit but she felt this burning in her arm then nothing. She was about to go under when she heard someone shout,
"AYAME!" then blackness…
AN: duh duh duuuuhhhhhh! Heh, another cliffie! He he these are so much fun! Sorry for taking so long, I really need to work on that! It's bad and I know torture, annoying to you guys! Heh, so thank you again for your patience and I will try try try my very best to update quicker! But tell me what you think of this chapter…. R&R! Thank you again!
Sincerely, VampChick24