The two teenagers walked a couple of blocks from Gaara's office, never speaking a word to each other. Setsuko hand her hands folded in front of her, her fingers fidgeting together nervously. Every once in a while she would steal a glance at the red headed man that stood a few inches taller then her; she was just shorter than everyone no matter where she went. His type of green eyes were something she had never seen before; a sweet pastel sea color. It was a look that she knew hid the fierce fighter he was. On their way to Suna, Hui had told her some things about Gaara. She was a well traveled and well known ninja herself so she knew many stories. Hui hadn't gone into detail but had told her that he was once a feared mass murder, willing to take the lives of anyone.

She didn't know, but Gaara saw her glance at him every time. She wasn't sneaky about it at all; it was obvious that she wasn't a ninja in any way. Her royal advisor was right, she wasn't the type to have ever raised a blade in her life. How she has survived her assassination attempts so far amazed him. And how she managed to kill one of them amazed him even more! Looking down at her he noticed her fingers fidgeting together and although she held herself well, looked a little nervous. This sort of situation must not be the norm for her. He could understand the unnerving feeling of your life possibly ending at any moment but unlike her, he knew how to handle situations like that.

"Oh!" she spoke up suddenly, earning his attention. "You said you had a personal question for me." She looked up at him, a sweet, childish look upon her face.

As he lead them to the inn where she would be staying, the guards posted at the door acknowledging them and letting them pass he nodded in response, "Yes. Do you actually know what your advisor asked of me?"

Her big blue eyes blinked, brow furrowing curiously, "No, I can't say that I do. All he told me was that he was asking for your help, which I am very grateful for."

"Then maybe it isn't important." He led her up four flights of stairs before walking down a long, long hallway.

"Now that's just not at all fair. Asking me a question, and then saying it's unimportant," she huffed as she followed behind him.

They stopped in front of a door; 417. "Your stuff has already been brought up and the two ANBU will introduce themselves to you sometime today before nightfall. I'm sorry but I have to get back to my work." Swiftly he turned, walking back down the hall after handing her the only key to her room.

"Gaara wait! When are you going to answer my question?" she called after him, never earning so much as a glance from him.

She growled in frustration as the door to the floor closed after him, glaring at the door and sticking her tongue out childishly. Using the key, she opened the door and closed it softly. The room was large, with its own sitting area, small kitchen and doors blocking off what she could only assume was the bedroom. There was a small closet right next to the door and the floors were made of wood and sand. A few small windows let the sunlight illuminate the room and give it an open, airy feeling. The colors however were nothing great, just different shades of brown. Walking through the room, she opened the double doors to the bedroom and saw a large bed sitting in the middle of the decent sized room. To her right there was a single large window with a small desk sitting beside it and to her immediate left there was a narrow hallway that had a large closet on one side and a double vanity on the other. Walking down the hallway, there was a free standing bathtub and a toilet. Simple and clean, just how she liked things.

As she walked back to the bedroom, she saw her trunk placed neatly at the foot of the bed. Unlocking the trunk, she sighed heavily. She didn't like being away from home, and she knew that she would be away for a long time. It had only been a few days and she was already home sick. Rummaging through the trunk, she pulled out a few clothes and lay then neatly on the bed as she got up from the floor. This is going to be a long trip, she thought as she walked back to the bath to run a nice hot bath for herself. Four days in all sorts of different weather and places had made her unpleasant, or at least she thought so.

Slowly she began to remove each piece of clothing and let it drop to the floor without a care. The only upside to being away from home is that she wouldn't have to deal with Kazeku for a while. A smile came to her lips as she thought about it. This was like her own personal vacation, she needed to feel less lonely and cheer up a bit more. Of course, she had never taken a vacation before. What was she supposed to do here? Being in a place she knew nothing about and didn't know the people, it didn't seem like there was actually too much to do. The last article of clothing slipped from her body and she let her fingers touch the water. The temperature wasn't quite right yet. Leaning against the bathroom wall, she watched the tub fill with water still wondering what and where she would go. It seemed to her that the Kazekage expected her to just stay in her room during her stay, he didn't know her and how wrong that assumption was.

Finally the water was the perfect temperature. She stopped the water and slowly got in, feeling the sting of the hot water against her cold skin. Sinking into the water until it stopped just under her nose, she let her body adjust a few more minutes before completely submerging herself. After reemerging for air, she leaned over the side of the tub to look at the soap provided to her. Crossing her arms over the side, she noticed that she had a few bath oils as well. With a light hearted giggle she picked the rose scented one and with a pop, let it flow into the water. Pushing the cork back into the tiny bottle she set it aside and swirled around water around with her fingers to mix it in with the water.

"A good bath can make even the meanest girl happy," she said to herself as she laid back and sighed happily. In the silence of her lonely room, she wondered how Maki was doing since she wasn't able to say goodbye to him.

The smile fell from her features and she stared at the ceiling, the dripping faucet from the tub the only sound she could hear. It wasn't even the end of her first day and she was already lonely. From the looks of Gaara, he wasn't much for keeping company either. In fact he seemed to rather dislike company from how silent he was on their way over here. Which made her wonder what Hui and him talked about that had taken her so long. Another deep, heavy sigh from her lungs and she once again submerged herself into the water.

An hour later she was emerging from the tub, freshly clean. Wrapping a towel around her small body, she wrung out her hair and quickly ran another through it to help it dry. While wet, her long hair looked to reach her hips as it was draped over one shoulder. Taking off her towel she finished drying herself off and put on her undergarments; nothing special, just a soft pastel blue. Picking up the bright white shirt, she slipped it on immediately rolling up the sleeves above her elbows before putting the dark blue skirt on. Making sure the petticoat underneath was straight she grabbed the strapless, dark blue corset with black lace and ties. The hem of the corset covered where the skirt and shirt met, making it look almost like one piece, and she laced it up.

Moments later there was a knock at her door, "Coming!" she called as she got up from the floor with a snowflake shaped comb in her hand. Opening the door as she was brushing her still wet hair, "Hello?"

"Your Majesty," a young man said as he bowed to her. He was almost as tall as Maki, with sun kissed skin and deep green eyes. Long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail and his village's headband was wrapped around his neck. "I'm Isamu, one of the ANBU assigned to protect you."

Combing her hair as he spoke, she smiled, "Oh, hello! I'm Princess Setsuko. It's an honor to meet you," she stopped combing her hair and extended her hand.

"No," he paused and shook her hand, "It's my honor to meet you. And I will do my best to keep you safe."

She smiled, "Thank you Isamu. I truly appreciate your bravery."

He bowed one more time and left her. With a smile, she closed her door and went back to combing her hair. Walking to her trunk, she pulled out a red ribbon and quickly put her hair up in a high, messy ponytail. Wrapping her bangs around her fingers to curl them, she let them frame the sides of her face and smiled to herself. She looked fairly unroyal, but still regal. She didn't want to spend all day in this stuffy old room, but there were a few things she needed to take care of such as unpacking. Walking to the large closet she slid open one door and curiously tilted her head to the side when she saw a rather large box leaning upright against the wall inside. Reaching for it, she pulled the large box free, taking not that it was far taller than her. Laying it on the floor she slowly opened the box, pulling the top off and setting it aside. Her eyes widened in shock and her jaw fell open.

Lying inside the plain box was a large, obviously two-handed, sickle. Its staff was a simple dark metal, possibly steel, but the blade was blue and transparent. With a trembling hand she ran her fingers over the metal slowly. How had this gotten here? Kori no Ketsueki. This was the greatest weapon of her village; made from the True Ice that inhabited her land. Her fingertips touched the cold blade and she felt a pulse rush through her as if it recognized her. Withdrawing her touch, she saw a small note folded up inside of the box.

Princess,

I very well couldn't let you be in a strange place without some protection from home. Plus, this old thing would just collect so much dust in the weapons room. There's also the fact that I was visited by a mysterious ninja a year ago telling me that the Princess is the rightful owner of this weapon. Only she could use it and even royalty needs something to treasure. I wonder where I've heard such words before.

Hui

"Ah! She knows!" Setsuko whined with a shocked and nervous look upon her face.

Holding the note to her lips, she thought about what Hui told her. Was she that obvious? It was possible, after all she was never raised to be a fighter, she was raised to be a ruler. Her icy blue eyes shut tight, tears brimming the sides of them as she thought about the way her life had turned out. Mom…Dad…she thought sadly. Is this what you really wanted for me? To be a Princess? she wondered as she slowly removed the letter from her face. Dropping her hands into her lap she hung her head, tear drops falling onto the paper causing the ink to run off the page. Her shoulders trembled and her throat hurt from trying not to cry out loud. She wasn't allowed to show weakness. Kazeku had always told her that a Princess doesn't show emotions of sadness or fear; never let the people see you're weak. Her grip on the paper tightened and she looked up, her eyes glossy from tears.

"What does that old bastard know anyways?" she asked herself, wiping her tears away and placing the letter back in the box.

Putting the top back on the box, she lifted it back into the closet with a mischievous smile on her lips. Turning to her trunk, she began putting the rest of her things away, trying to make the most of her new situation. She was stuck here for a while after all; she had to do her best to make memorable. As she placed a few of her favorite books on the desk she looked out the window at all the people going about their lives. So carefree! Unlocking the window, she leaned out the window, using the sill to hold her up. Closing her eyes, she felt the desert wind brush across her skin and she smiled. This place was different from home but it was possible she could learn to enjoy what little life she would have here.

Maki, I wonder how you're doing back home, she thought as she watched a few kids playing together.