CHAPTER 03: PRINCESS ZOMBIE

After a day of exploring on his own, he decided to go back to the mansion to clarify, some other things with the princess. When he got to the gate, he was greeted with the sight of a red-haired girl, beating the brown haired boy to a pulp in the driveway. He assumed him to be Hiro, the one he remembered standing there with his other fainted friends.
He also assumed they were training…

''Yo! So you're finally awake, eh? Welcome back to the land of the living!'' said the red-haired girl brightly.

The boy whose face down on the ground sat up. ''G-good afternoon, Uchiha-san.''

He stopped in his tracks. This new world just continues to give him surprises. Did he just hear him right? How did he know my last name? As far as I discovered, this is a completely different world! And I have never told anyone here my family name…

''Uchiha-san, is it? I am Riza Wildman! Daughter of the great warrior, Volg Wildman!''

The red-haired introduced herself, with her arms crossed infront of her that he assumed a standard greeting gesture.

''Im Hiro… Hiyorimi Hiro. Thanks a lot for saving me and my friends by the way…..'' the young boy shyly said.

He did recall saving this boy. And with his sharp mind, also recalled this boy calling his name just seconds before he died.
He casted a genjutsu in the area. Using the natural settings so no one would notice they're trapped in an illusion.

''How did you know my name?'' straight to the point. Sharingan blazing. As far as he knows, neither his kind nor his family exists in this world. Thus, no one from here is supposed to know him.

''ehehe...umm, you told me?''

A very sad lie. Even in his last dying breaths, he wouldn't give his true identity to anyone. Even to a stranger he saved. He could make the boy tell him the truth with a simple command but perhaps some other time. Right now he has to talk to the princess.

Speak of the devil, not fully literally. She appeared out the main door just in time with her little maid in tow. He deactivated his sharingan just in time as well without anyone noticing, or so he thought.

''Riza, Hiro, were going to a nearby town. And Itachi, you've come back. Have you made up your mind?''

''Not yet.''

Hmph. As expected…playing hard to get. Hime thought. She's fine with it though. She wouldn't have it any other way… ''Follow us. We'll discuss this along the way.''

''Theres something I want to ask first.''

''Get in the truck.'' The princess said coolly. Her authority overpowering his'. Clear as day she wears the pants this time.

Meanwhile, Itachi sated his curiosity with a new found discovery of getting the chance to ride one of this world's advanced technology. Its evidently faster than a shinobi. He thought of how convenient it might be if the world he's from has one these machines. It would greatly reduce traveling time. But he'd still prefer to run on his feet anytime.

''Eeh…?! Hime! You let him choose not to serve you? Can a blood servant do that?'' the red-haired who introduced herself as Riza asked too casually, without even using an honorific to address her. And the princess looked fine with it.

''Fufu…just because he received my blood doesn't mean I can submit him to my will. He's the kind of person who wants to know first if their master is worth serving….am I right?''
She looked at him through the rearview mirror.

''Yes'' is Itachi's curt reply. With all she said being straight to the point, just how he prefers it.

''But why would you refuse, Uchiha-san? You get to live again!'' Hiro asked.

That simple, innocent statement reached every heart inside the vehicle. Each having their own reasons for living the life they have…
Well except for the android maneuvering the truck who has a singular purpose in life. Hime sighed. And broke the silence.

''Very well. I will tell you my true goal as I have told Hiro. In my battle with my siblings, you will only serve me as a bodyguard. I will not give unnecessary orders concerning the downfall of my enemies. You will stay by my side and just protect me.
Above all, I have no interest in the throne.
I only, truly, just wish to survive.''

Itachi searched the princess' expression. Looking forlornly at the window as she said her last statement. He didn't detect any lie, but also found no conviction that she'll truly survive this ordeal… he wasn't sure what to feel about that. And for the many times since his arrival here in this new world, he's not sure what to think of that either.

They've arrived.
A small town in the mountains where the three 'werewolves' resided. Said werewolves has targeted and attacked Hime, days before his arrival, according to Hiro. But they were smoothly disposed off by Hime. This one according to Reiri.
Before them is an abandoned, dilapidated warehouse.

''Are you sure this is the place, Reiri?

''Yes, Hime-sama~ according to my bats, a man lead the three werewolves here.''

''Could it be Prince Emil?'' Hiro asked.

This is the first time hes heard of a Prince Emil. He made a mental note to inquire of this later.

''No.''

''How do you know that?''

''If he were, we could've seen Flanders already…''

Hiro laughed awkwardly for not thinking of that.

He listened even more attentively when the princess was about to say something, but stopped. He figured she must have experience this before. With the way she looks so agitated. His speculation were supported when she repeated that's shes not interested in the throne but the person behind this is someone she must defeat.
So she's not ambitious for power, even though she claims to be of a high ranking status. That's a first, ever since he's joined the Akatsuki. No, even before he joined the Anbu. If shes truly a princess, then where are her other blood warriors? It cant just be Hiro and me. And he sensed no other presence in the mansion beside these people who hes met.

''Lets go.'' She commanded. The princess started to move when she is blocked by the red-haired.

''Wait Hime. The three of us will go. You stay here with Flandre and Itachi.''

''Huh? Me too? With this bitch~?''

''Youre a freeloader too so help out a bit!'' she said loudly. The she looked at him. ''Can we trust Hime in your care, Itachi?''

All eyes were on him, being the newest member.
He nodded. And he meant it. He quickly warmed up to this red haired, sensing the genuine concern in her voice. She reminded him of the Uzumaki…

Riza continued. '' Theres no need for royalty to go. If were not back by thirty minutes, think of us dead. Im prepared to get revenge, for my brother…!''

Then the three departed.

...

They stood there waiting for about half an hour when Hime took the initiative once again to break the silence.

''You still have questions, im sure. Ask them now. ''

''What are werewolves? And vampires? Ive researched about this place & found it completely different from where Im from. '' Itachi chose his words carefully so as to not to reveal that hes from a different world. ''besides the advancements in technology, these werewolves and vampires seem to be different from the human race.''

''Correct.

Werewolves are people who can transform into wolves. Though a half-breed, Riza is one. And vampires, though they seem to look like ordinary humans, are monsters who thrive by drinking human blood. Reiri is one. Ghosts, gods and witches, there are countless more species.
Our existence is to be kept unknown from the human world.
All creatures unnatural to the human knowledge are classified as monsters.
And I, am the princess of those monsters.'' She said with her habit of flicking her hair.

So that's why. No wonder I didn't find anything about these creatures in the libraries. There are many different realms existing in this world too.

''Fuga.''

''The three of them are going back this way? How far?''

''Fuga.''

''Good.''

She can understand her? & The little maid is a sensor-type? While both has their backs on him, he activated his sharingan to confirm this. What unnerved him is he does not see any the flow of chakra in this girl, or in fact, any sign that this girl is a living, breathing thing. The princess' is different unlike the chakra signature of humans as well.

A minute later the three reached them.

''Sorry Hime. We fought a blood warrior, but she got away…'' admitted Riza.
While Hiro was talking about what else they saw, Itachi sensed another presence near them. He was about to move to catch the intruder when the truck exploded. He scolded himself for not taking action fast enough. There goes their means of fast transportation.

''Hime-sama, the intruder is in my sight. I can catch her.''

"Leave her."

He glanced at her to confirm if he heard her right. He's not one to question orders so he left it at that. He did hope that she must have some plan for not letting him go after the assailant.
While Riza is complaining that this isn't the time to stay calm and just watch while their truck is in blazing fire, clearly referring to him and Hime, the princess proceeded to explain the situation and said something about zombies.

''Zombies?'' he asked at the same time that vampire asked in shock,

''Zombies? Hime-sama?! Those who infect and feed eternally? Those zombies that even the kingdom forbid from using amongst the royalty?''

''Yes.''

''To think that theres someone who would dare to use zombies.'' The vampire said sadly.

''Aren't vampires like you similar to zombies?'' Riza chimed in.

''Its unthinkable that youd group me the same as those zombies!'' she countered, clearly offended. '' Well then Hime-sama, I shall take my leave.''
With that being said, she immediately drifted away in the night sky.

''You're just going to leave Reiri? Even though you're a freeloader?!'' exclaimed Riza.

''Let her be. That's just how vampires are.'' The princess said nonchalantly.

Well shes a lenient princess… The way she let Riza talk to her casually. And letting the vampire leave in a time when she need the extra help. If shes respecting their own will because they are not her servants, then that's fine by me.

"Hime-sama, Hiro, Riza, Itachi-san… I shall pray for your luck. Farewell.''

Burning buildings, cries and shouts for help, the dead mindlessly attacking and devouring. It was the very picture of a gruesome war that he hates so much. As they walk through the town, the princess told them to use weapons and make sure never to get in contact for they are sure to get infected. It seems the whole population of the city has been turned.

''They are just, ordinary citizens…'' he sighed in the air.

''Eeh~? So you do care! Yeah well, its that bastard prince's fault. So we have to take him down! Right, Hime?'' Riza responded.

To hear him through the loud sound of metal hitting flesh and bone, he learned that her species' hearing is as strong as the Inuzuka. I'd best be more careful her next time.
He's yet to ask about Flandre as he watch her effortlessly swing a tree trunk around like it was nothing. Such strength from such a small form. And why he cant sense chakra from her. As if the only single word she says isn't unusual enough.
He grabbed Hiro's arm to prevent the boy from completely falling on his face when he tripped on the trunk Flandre just recently dropped. ''Are you alright?''
Hiro gave him an embarrassed smile of gratitude.

''Hiro! Focus on the situation!'' the half-breed said worriedly.

''Sorry Riza…''

''Hey, Flandre stopped moving…'' stated Riza. Loud enough for Hime whos already walked ahead of them.

''Her battery is low.''

What? Is she a machine? He thought, quite impressed... while Riza exclaims how shitty their situation is and of all times why now.

''A supermarket...'' Hime observed one of the buildings near them.

''Youre talking to yourself again! Listen to what im saying!'' demanded the red-haired, her cheek turned bright red as well. If they were in a different situation he might've thought it amusing.

''Itachi! Clear that supermarket! There might be more lurking inside.''

Even though he hasn't agreed to be her servant yet, Itachi obeyed nonetheless.

Things went surpisingly smoothly. The senseless walking dead are no match to a ninja of his rank. Then he watched carefully as Riza assembled the wires used to connect to Flandre and the generators. At last they went up the flat rooftop, waiting for Flandre to charge. The princess informed them that it will take atleast 2 hours to finish.
When its almost time, Riza sensed the incoming enemy first. A pair of wolfish ears appearing in her head.

''Whats wrong Riza?'' asked Hiro. Obviously alarmed. Itachi wondered why Hime chose this boy as a blood warrior.

''Its her! Hiro! Can I entrust you with Flandre? & Itachi, I'll leave Hime to you!'' then she jumped off.

This is a very uncooperative group. He thought. One leaves early, one too afraid, one who just takes off on her own, and a master who doesn't look like she cares…What have I gotten myself into?
At the very least, he's grateful that they have a voluntary fighter in this team. Hiro waited for Hime's permission, her back to him.

''Lets go.'' The princess took off on her own too.

He inwardly sighed.

''Hiro, you just stay close to the princess. Alright?'' He asked him kindly. That stopped the boy's shaking atleast.

...

As they carefully walk outside the building, none of the zombies couldn't even get close to them without being impaled by various shurikens and kunai. When they reached the android, both Hime and Itachi grimaced at the sight of Hiro trying to find the switch on Flandre.

''Hurry it up, Hiro!'' she blasely commanded, and pulled off a bored looking face.

''B-but I dunno which is which…!'' his cheeks even more red from both awkwardness and panic.

A horde was heading their way, and hes running out of weapons. So he went a few steps ahead so no one would see the change of color in his onyx eyes. With a number this great, he has to rely on his optical powers. An elemental technique maybe efficient, but would be unwise since it will draw more attention to them.

''Hime-sama, I sense another presence heading towards us. It seems to be that of a child standing on a, bear.'' Wait, is the animal floating?

''Oh? How can you tell?'' he just gets more and more interesting… If my guess about what he is turns out to be true… Ah… I'll think about it after this ordeal is over.

The horde was closing in on them when they were taken out by multiple shots, accompanied by a voice of a little girl. He deactivated both eyes.

''Onee-sama~~!'' her face went from gleeful to horror. ''What are you doing at a time like this Hiro!?''

His response was a slow stuttering, trying to explain himself.

''Don't make excuses! Francesca!''

Itachi deflected the bullet that was supposed to hit Hiro square in the face. Hiro, more shocked at the speed Uchiha-san has shown and taken aback as of how he suddenly got beside him, groped for balance and accidentally flipped the right switch on.

''Fufu… you've finally awoken. Get them Flandre!''

The combined strength of the two androids finished the undead in no time at all.

''That was fast.'' commented the princess, referring to Itachi.

& he just simply replied,

''Riza seems to be done with her opponent as well, Hime-sama.''

''That was fast too...''

''Um, thanks...Uchiha-san… That bullet wouldve hurt…''

He nodded as reply and turned his attention to their new company. The girl standing atop a panda and the panda is carried by a maid. He figured she must be this royalty's' own maid.

''Im glad you're safe, onee-sama~~''

The android bowed & the little princess top the panda lost her balance.

''Idiot! What are you doing Francesca?!'' she exclaimed, arms flailing wildly to regain her balance.

Itachi let himself a little smile at the comical sight, which didn't go unnoticed by the elder princess. If the little princess is an ally, he figures as much that Reiri must have called her.
After regaining her composure, she faced the person who dared defy her punishment.

''That was fast. I have never seen anyone deflect Francesca's bullets before. Who is he, onee-sama? A new servant? Why didn't you tell me?''

''Fufu…this is Itachi. And hes not sure whether to serve me yet. Itachi, this is Sherwood, my little sister.''

Sherwood observed the said person. A man in his early 20's, fair skin & a good looking face with eyelashes most girls would definitely envy. Based on the overcoat he wears she thought hes a vampire. So she asked this.

''He's not. He's human.'' Her sister replied.

''Oh. Greetings, Itachi. I am Sherwood. The third royal princess of the underworld kingdom.''

''It is an honor to meet you, your highness.'' Itachi replied as he did a 45 degree bow. Always tactful and proper. Then he looked at Hime for further confirmations. I thought you siblings are at war with each other?
The princess, catching his drift, decided to indulge him. ''We're on temporary alliance.''

Rizas finally joined their group and asked the real question that he too thinks they should address now. ''Hey Hime, with this much casualty, is it ok if we just leave it like this?''
Itachi regarded her expectantly.

''Our brother went too far this time again… Didn't he, onee-sama?''

Hime stared at the sky, watching the clouds. "Yes…with so much innocent lives caught up in this, it wont be long until-''
As if on cue, all attention turned to the sky as a majestic, bird-like creature appeared. Illuminating the night with its bright, fiery colors.

The princess smirked at the sight of the raven-haired. An expression of amazement has graced his stoic face that he wore all throughout the day.

Fufu…Even just for a second, he too, does feel fear after all…

A/N: Aight... yall guessed it... I made him appear in the 25th episode in the anime~~

Because i thought the first 24 episodes were too child's-play... they can handle it themselves...

And mostly because i dont wanna collide with Melchor's

:D