Okay here's the twentieth chapter of The Prince and The Slave. I hope you all enjoy it and such. Anywho, Thanks to all of you who reviewed and added me to your faves or alert lists. It's much appreciated.
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The Prince and The Slave.
Chapter Twenty.
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(Neji's P.O.V.)
I was shaking with anger. I don't ever recall a time when I was angry with Ten Ten. At least not really angry. I don't know why she can't understand the danger she's putting herself in. Orochimaru is notorious for picking young girls and raping them, or boys. Orochimaru doesn't care what sex they are so long as he finds them pretty and can make them scream in pain. I've heard enough and know enough to know that Ten Ten would be in serious danger. But will she listen to me? No, of course she won't. I can't believe she thinks that I think of her as inferior. I wanted to let my rage have free reign. Of course I didn't. A Hyuga is brought up to keep everything bottled up within them. There was a knock on my door then. I went to answer it and looked at Ten Ten curiously. "I thought you were angry with me Ten Ten?" I asked her. I know my voice sounded cold.
"I am angry with you, but I know that you're not trying to exert authority over me, at least." Ten Ten replied. I hated seeing her hair black. It didn't feel right. "Neji, I've always respected you. I've always seen you as a sort of friend. When I was a slave we couldn't be friends. But I'm not a slave anymore." Ten Ten said softly. I gulped. I almost thought she'd kill me at that moment. Her face seemed so calm, it was the first time I can recall that I couldn't tell what Ten Ten was thinking. "I'm not angry at you, not really, but I'm not just a little slave girl anymore. By the way, next time you decide to read my diary, don't do it in the desert. There was sand in between all the pages." Ten Ten said. I couldn't help but laugh and she laughed too.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you, Ten Ten. But I don't want you to get hurt." Neji said softly. Ten Ten nodded and looked at me, dead in the eyes.
"I know that Neji. I know you don't want me to get hurt. But I have to do this. This man murdered my Uncle. He destroyed my childhood and separated what family I had left. He took my best friend and raped her. I know what happened that night he took her away from me. At least I realised later on. But it still hurts. I knew he'd hurt her in some way but it took me a while to realise how. Neji it may seem like I want revenge. But, what I want is justice, for all the people he's hurt. If it means I kill him then I'll be glad to do it. Then he won't be able to do anything to hurt another living being ever again." Ten Ten told me. I could see tears in her eyes that she wouldn't let fall.
"Then… I'll go with you and Ibiki." I told her.
"I don't know if that'll work. You know Orochimaru, he may recognise you. I don't know how the rest of Ibiki's plan is working, either. At the moment it's just me and him travelling to Orochimaru's home." Ten Ten said.
"I know you have to do this." I said, because I did know. If I were in her position, I'd probably do the same thing. "I just want you to be careful and to come back safely." I added. Ten Ten smiled at me with her usual large grin.
"I will Neji. You know, you can trust me on that." Ten Ten said softly. I couldn't help but hug her then. I prayed as I hugged her tightly, and she hugged me back, that she'd come back the same person. That she wouldn't just go and change completely. That was my prayer and even after Ten Ten left I was still saying the same prayer inside my head.
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(General P.O.V.)
Ibiki and Ten Ten left the base a week later. About five men would be sent to follow after them in two days time. It was enough time for Ten Ten and Ibiki to set their plan in motion. Neji had volunteered to be one of the five men. Pein had agreed to it. Kakashi, Rin and Obito had also volunteered. Ino asked to be the fifth of the group. Pein still wasn't sure about that. However Ten Ten and Ibiki hadn't had time to find out the resolution of the debate. They had a journey to make. "Remember Orochimaru will try to make you like him. He likes to break the trust of those he keeps for those purposes Ten Ten. He likes to see something innocent and destroy it. I think he makes a hobby out of it." Ibiki told Ten Ten, as they walked along. Ten Ten was wearing grey cloth shoes and the grey peasant dress. Her hair was still black and hung down her back. It looked unkempt and greasy. In fact Ten Ten looked as though she'd spent more than a few nights living in a dirty cell. Ibiki had told Ten Ten that she wasn't to bathe until they got to Orochimaru's home. Bathing was something slaves didn't get the privilege to do when in a cage in the slave market. Ten Ten had grimaced at the very idea, as she remembered her own time in a cage in the slave market. She also knew she had to look like a slave. Even if it wasn't Orochimaru who first saw her, someone would. She knew she had to look the part of a slave. "Also act shy. You need to act as though you're not sure what you should or shouldn't be doing. Don't forget subservient either, Ten Ten." Ibiki added. Ten Ten nodded.
"Ibiki how long do you think it'll be before Orochimaru..." Ten Ten trailed off. She felt sick at the very idea.
"Before he wishes for you to be sent to his bedroom? Not long. That's why I said that our back up should follow two days after us. We'll be there for two days before they will. If we're lucky they'll get a day to rest. Apart from that I doubt there will be more time. Just remember everything I've told you. It could be vital." Ibiki replied. Ten Ten nodded and the pair carried on to Otogakure, the city of Orochimaru's home.
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When Ten Ten and Ibiki arrived at Oto there were many things going on all around them. There were three brothels on the first street alone, leading Ten Ten to understand that this city was a city of debauchery and existed to serve the carnal pleasures of lords from many other cities and kingdoms. "Stay close Ten Ten." Ibiki whispered. Ten Ten nodded.
"I should use a different name here." Ten Ten whispered. Ibiki nodded.
"How about Fei Lee?" Ibiki asked kindly.
"I like it." Ten Ten replied softly.
"It was your mother's name, kiddo." Ibiki said kindly. Ten Ten smiled widely, and then stopped herself. She knew how she was meant to act as a slave. They arrived at a great mansion after they'd made it through the main part of the city. The mansion was opulent yet frightening at the same time. Ten Ten bit the inside of her cheek as she tried to keep from being too frightened of the place. Ibiki led her around to the back of the mansion, where a small building was set up for the slaves. That was when Ten Ten saw him, Orochimaru, standing there beating one of his slaves. The young boy had his hands tied above his head, and he was facing the pole. Ten Ten was horrified as she saw a large whip bought down on his shirtless back. She could see welts and wounds all over the boy's back. Some were old, scars, barely healing. Others were fresh and scarlet and bleeding heavily. She looked at Orochimaru again and saw him staring at them. She couldn't help but feel the fear attack her as old memories haunted her.
"Well Ibiki, what have you bought back for me?" Orochimaru questioned. His voice was like a snake's, soft and velvety, but ready to strike any second.
"This is Fei Lee. I hope she pleases you, Lord Orochimaru." Ibiki replied. Ten Ten noted that Orochimaru seemed to be looking her up and down.
"I'm sure she will. Guren! Come and take my new pet to be bathed!" Orochimaru yelled. Ten Ten saw a female step forward. She saw the dark hair, still tied in a spiky ponytail, and the same face. Guren hadn't aged much physically. However, when Ten Ten looked into her eyes, she knew that Guren had suffered. She could see all the hurt and trauma reflected in her eyes, like a thousand lifetimes of pain, had been hers.
"Come on." Guren said softly, even her voice was dull and lifeless. Ten Ten followed, and as she watched Guren's slow movements, she hoped that freedom would bring back the girl she had known before slavery had changed her.
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Okay people this is the end of this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it and such. Please R&R and let me know what you think. Next chapter, I must inform you, will be morbid as hell. So see you next chapter.