…

"I knew this was a terrible idea," exclaimed Amu, crossing her arms as she leaned against the cave wall and stared accusingly at the captured princess, who, of course, couldn't hear her.

Less than five minutes after stepping into the dark cavern, Fortuna had been snatched by a handful of rogue bandits that had been using the cave as a hideout until it had been nearly discovered by the little boy and his older 'friends' from before. With little other choice, they had blown up the mines in a desperate attempt to keep anyone from finding them only for their plan to backfire.

Now, they were arguing over what to do with the lavender-haired girl. Some argued they could hold her for ransom and some argued that they should just kill her. A few wise bandits had said it'd be best to let her go and just run before the guards could find them.

Personally, Amu thought that the last option sounded the best but, of course, her opinion didn't matter since she was invisible.

"I mean," she began. "Killing her would put a higher price on their heads than simply kidnapping her and then letting her go. Holding her for ransom would most likely get them killed but, then again, if they just let her go, where would they run away to? I doubt that this cave could lead anywhere else."

"…just kill her! She's seen our faces!"

"No, we're bandits-not murderers! We should hold her for ransom and cash in the money!"

"It'd be too risky! They'll kill us! Let's just leave her here and run!"

"Run where? The guards are right out there and will do anything to save her! No, no; we kill her!"

Fortuna quietly sighed, rolling her eyes at their indecisiveness. The longer they stayed and argued, the more time would pass for the guards to become worried. They'd come in and find her eventually.

Although she could also just escape since they tied her hands with rope-and with a double knot. She reached her fingers upward and slowly pulled on the string, careful not to draw their attention.

Just as she was about to untie it completely, something cold and sharp touched her neck and a soft gasp left her lips.

"Oy," said the man holding the knife to her neck. "While you useless lot are busy arguing, this little princess was about to give you the slip."

The other bandits looked over at their hostage and exchanged looks before they turned and scratched the back of their necks.

"Sorry, Boss," they murmured. "Won't happen again, sir."

"Tsk. Idiots." The leader of the bandits removed the knife from Fortuna's neck and she let out a long breath of relief as she began to breathe again. He kneeled down and retied the knot, this time much tighter. She winced.

"Ow, I'm a captive not an animal," she murmured irritably.

"You know, it's not smart to snap at the people who kidnapped you," Amu pointed out, sighing. "This is like one of those really bad romance stories Ami always read. Girl gets kidnapped because she's a damsel in distress, even though she can probably kick all of their butts, and the hero rushes in to save her…blah, blah, blah…and they get married, happily ever after. Ugh, they drive me insane and yet I read them anyways. Also, I am talking to myself. Nobody can hear me. I am invisible to all. This is absolutely perfect."

"S-So, Boss, what should we do with her?" A bandit asked.

One of the bandits who hadn't been arguing sat on a rock in the corner, twirling a knife between his fingers. He rolled his eyes. "Well, Johnny, we sure as hell aren't going to take her on a date."

"Well," began another, smirking at the princess who raised an eyebrow. "It's not like we can't have a little fun with her. We're pretty far from the entrance."

"I'll pass on that, thanks," remarked Fortuna, shuddering slightly as she gave him a dirty look. "See, I'm not some dainty little airhead that has no idea what's going on. You're the little crew who call themselves The Rougers and steal only in villages near caves like these. My bet? You hide out as civilians and hope that you'll find diamonds one day in these caves. And you've never once touched a woman without her consent so quit trying to scare me."

A smirk crossed her lips at their rather baffled looks. "I'm a princess, not an idiot. And, for your information, I studied knots just to upset my very traditional mother." She held up her free hands and quickly shot to her feet. "And, to make my point at not being a damsel in distress and not needing a man to protect me every waking hour, I also took as many self-defense classes as I could."

She grabbed one of the spare knives and threw it at Johnny's head, or rather, the spot right next to it. He swallowed hard as the color drained from his face and Fortuna titled her head. "And also, a smart man would have tried to grab me at this point."

The bandits, however, did not move. Shock was etched onto their faces; they clearly hadn't been expecting this girl to be so…well, not like this!

Amu laughed. "I knew there was a reason I found you so fascinating. Ami would absolutely love this princess!"

Meanwhile, Fortuna crossed her arms and stared accusingly at the bandits. Even their leader was silent as he watched her, looking both intimidated and turned on.

"Honestly, you call yourself bandits?" She scolded. "What kind of bandit would hide out in such an obvious place? Or rather, why would you hang around in here after you blew the place up? Obviously, if the explosion was so random, people would come and inspect it! What would have happened to you if my guards had come in here instead of me? I will tell you what would have happened; they would have kicked your asses up and down this cave! And more importantly…the little boy who was in here…what happened to him? He was in here when you blew the cave up."

The bandits remained silent and Fortuna grew annoyed. She strode over to the leader and grabbed him by his shirt, bringing his face close to hers. "Listen to me; there is a young boy missing and his mother is about to die from grief while his sister is out blaming herself even though she should be blaming the boys who taunted him into going in here. Some of you must have mothers still alive, who you visit occasionally to make sure she's alright. Tell me, how do you think she would feel if you went missing all of a sudden, hm?"

The leader stumbled over his words. "I…well…that's irrelevant!"

Fortuna narrowed her eyes. "I won't ask you again. Where is the boy? Unless you want more proof that I'm not an average princess and can easily kick your ass, I strongly advise you give me an answer…and it better be damn correct, or I'd just be plain pissed off-and that's the last thing you'd want."

"I'll never answer to a girl like you," exclaimed the leader, desperately trying to save his pride.

At the same time, Johnny blurted out, "He's tied to a giant rock further down there!" The leader gave him a withering look. "S-Sorry, Boss, but she's terrifying!"

Fortuna gave the leader a disgusted look. "Honestly, bringing a child into this mess just because you want to cover your asses…you freaks make me sick. You, Boss-man, lead the way. I don't trust you not to run if I take one of your subordinates."

The leader turned his ire onto her, though she remained unfazed. He let out a long sigh and nodded. She smiled pleasantly and roughly grabbed his arm, making him grimace.

Hopefully, no would find out about this little princess taking control of these bandits or else nobody would take them seriously.

"S-Should we try and make our own escape?" A bandit murmured as he watched his leader get dragged away by the princess. "That's what he would do…"

"Let's not risk it," advised another bandit.

"I say we should," argued one bandit. "I'd rather die by those guards than the Boss or the princess! He'd slit our throats and leave us for the animals but she'd chop off our limbs and torture us to death!"

His companions nodded in agreement. Johnny, however, cleared his throat.

"But that princess will most likely decide our punishment if we run," he pointed out, receiving nods. "Let's just wait and see what happens."

They agreed and looked over at the tunnel the princess had gone through.

Amu decided to follow the lavender-haired girl, who had the leader by his ear like a mother scolding a child. The pinkette couldn't help but be greatly amused. The princess took nonsense from nobody and knew how to intimidate her opponents without seeming like a monster.

"Please just let me go," begged the leader. "I promise you'll never hear from me ever again! I'll let you have whatever I own! Just let me go!"

"You're pathetic," said Fortuna flatly, glancing at him. "I hope that your little followers see you for what you really are. But then again, what you do with your miserable life is not up to me. Where is the boy?"

"Right over there," exclaimed the leader, pointing at the rock. There, a young boy with sandy blonde hair was covered in cuts and bruises and tied up in a rather uncomfortable position. It made Fortuna's blood boil. "Now please just let me go!"

The princess released his ear and he turned to run. He didn't get very far as Fortuna had used her body to slam him against the cavern wall. He fell to the ground, unconscious, while she raced over to James.

"Hello, James, wake up please," said the princess softly, working to untie the knot; it was tied in a much more complex fashion than hers had been, which made little sense. The poor boy merely groaned. "James, please open your eyes. I won't hurt you, I promise."

James groggily opened his eyes and noticed the beautiful girl in front of him. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion even as a fearful expression crossed his features.

"W-Who are you?" He whispered. "Y-You're not another bandit, are you?"

"No, no," assured Fortuna quickly. "My name is Fortuna; I'm here to help you, I give you my word." She glared at the knot that wouldn't come undone. "Are you alright? What did they do to you?"

"T-They just beat me up," replied James, looking away. "I…I couldn't fight back. I guess I'm not really brave or cool after all."

"Nonsense," dismissed Fortuna. "Forget what those boys told you. They are just bullies, okay? And fret not, James, for your sister already took care of them. It was the least she could do since she blames herself for this happening to you."

"What?" James exclaimed, his eyes wide as he looked the princess in the eye for the first time. "That's ridiculous! Rebecca didn't do anything! It wasn't her fault at all!"

"Nevertheless, she blames herself," said Fortuna gently as she finally untied the impossible knot. "Come now, let's get you home. Can you walk?"

James nodded and stood, only to fall back on his knees with an anguished cry. The princess held out a hand and, slightly embarrassed, the young boy took it with a grateful expression.

"Who are you?" He asked quietly as she led him away, glancing curiously at the crumpled form of the bandit leader. "I mean, why are you helping me?"

"Well, I can't just leave you here," replied Fortuna, looking back at him with a gentle smile on her lips. "Come on; your mother and sister are waiting for you." She passed by the bandits and James let out a startled squeak. "You lot; your leader is in the back over there. I suggest you go get him before my guards seize him themselves."

They scrambled to get away from the intimidating princess, who mentally gave a smug smile, before she led him outside. Amu was right behind them, an amused smirk still on her face.

The sudden sunlight made all three people grimace. The guards rushed over to the princess, concerned for her wellbeing, and she waved them off before asking for them to check on James.

"And can somebody fetch his mother and sister?" Fortuna added. Immediately, one of the guards scrambled away to go find the two women.

A few minutes later, they appeared on the scene and James began to sob as he ran towards his mother and sister. Rebecca reached him first and she grabbed him, pulling him for a tight embrace that was soon joined by their mother.

"Oh, James, thank goodness you're alright," sobbed Rebecca, crying into her brother's shoulder. "I was so worried!"

"James, you're covered in bruises and cuts," exclaimed his mother, finally getting a look at her son. "What ever happened to you?"

"Bandits," blubbered James, rubbing his eyes. "A nice girl named Fortuna saved me. She practically took down all of the bandits by herself!"

Rebecca looked up and stared at the princess's form. The lavender-haired girl was conversing with her guards but she felt the other girl's eyes on her and turned around, giving Rebecca a smile that was returned.

"…so the Rougers are still in the cave?" A guard was confirming, already sending in some of the others to check it out. "Are you absolutely certain, Your Highness? It was not the trauma taking effect?"

Fortuna whipped her head around, giving him a look so venomous that he shrunk back as his fellow guards all grimaced.

"Trauma from what?" She asked challengingly. "I was kidnapped for five measly minutes and I easily escaped. They did not deny my statements, especially since those statements were facts. Another fact for you, sir, that they will escape if you continue to treat me like a damsel in distress during interrogation rather than chase them down."

The man blinked, looking utterly lost.

Fortuna rolled her eyes. "Yes, I am absolutely certain they were the group of bandits by the name of The Rougers. Go fetch them." She gave the guard a pointed look and he scrambled away, clearly intimidated by the princess just like any other poor fellow to have gotten on her bad side.

The princess shook her head, mumbling under her breath, and heard somebody giggle from behind her. She looked up and caught Rebecca hiding her smile behind a hand. A graceful smile crossed Fortuna's lips as she approached the young girl.

"Did your mother take James home?" She asked curiously, noticing the girl's remaining family members had disappeared.

Rebecca nodded. "Yes, and while it may not be my place, Your Highness, I would just like to thank you for personally rescuing my brother. It takes courage to do such a bold thing and I admire you even more so than before."

"You are courageous as well, Rebecca," said Fortuna softly. "I cannot recall many girls in the kingdom who are willing to verbally harass her tormentors. You would have done the same thing, would you not?" She received a shy smile. "You should go home as well, Rebecca. Go and be with your family."

Rebecca nodded, curtseying. "Of course, Your Highness. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart." She ran off.

The lavender-haired girl watched her for a few moments before she turned back to the cave entrance, where her guards were dragging out the bandits. The smile on her face quickly turned to a frown when she noticed the leader's absence.

"Excuse me," began Fortuna, walking over to the group. "Where is the leader?"

"Leader? Right here; caught him myself," replied one guard proudly, holding one of the bandits by the collar. "Trying to skedaddle, he was."

Fortuna's frown deepened. "That…that is not the leader. I knocked the leader unconscious further along."

"Your Highness, there was nobody else in the cave," stated a guard, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. "We had men search everywhere. Even the rock with the fringed piece of rope around it was clean. Nobody else is in there."

"Well, that's not the leader!" Fortuna exclaimed. "He has to be in there somewhere! Men just don't disappear!" Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Johnny being led away by her guards. "Wait, stop!" She raced over to him, closely followed by her confused guards.

Johnny looked up, startled as the guard holding him. "Y-Your Highness! W-What can I do for you?" He grimaced when the guard rattled him.

"Do not speak to the princess unless directly addressed," he snarled. "You cannot assume the princess would speak to such lowlife like you."

"Actually," cut in Fortuna, her voice a bit frostier than usual. "I would like to speak to him. Alone." The guard looked at her in surprise before his cheeks flooded with color.

"O-Of course, Your Highness," he stammered quietly, stepping back. The handcuffs around Johnny's wrists remained.

"Johnny," began Fortuna. "That man over there," she pointed at the man her guards claimed to be the ringleader of the bandits; "He's not your leader, is he? That is not the man I knocked out. Where is he?" Her voice was firm but not scathing like it had been with the bandits before.

Johnny's eyes widened and he looked over at the man.

"No, Your Highness, that's not him," agreed the young bandit. Actually, he looked far younger than any of the other bandits. Curious, Fortuna made a mental note to look into that later. "He wishes he was the leader, though." Johnny shook his head. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but the Boss was always very secretive and everybody was aware of the fact that he wasn't telling us everything. If he's disappeared, then I can't tell you much about how or where."

"I see," muttered Fortuna, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Johnny, you seem to be a smart boy. How old are you?"

Taken aback by the sudden change of conversation, Johnny answered, "I only just turned nineteen, Your Highness….might I ask why you inquired such an odd thing?"

Fortuna looked him in the eye. "You say this Boss of yours is very secretive, but I have a feeling you also have your fair share of secrets. If I offer you a pardon, would you be willing to work in the castle for me? I would be able to provide for a roof over your head, hot meals every day, and even an allowance in exchange for your various services as an informant…and of course, other odd jobs I might ask you to do."

Johnny's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as he closed and opened his mouth in shock, resembling a fish out of water. The day had started out normal and ended more bizarre than he ever thought it would.

"I…yes," he nearly shouted. Blushing, he lowered his voice and nodded his head so hard that the princess worried it would roll right off. "I mean…yes, Your Highness, I would be willing to do that. And I will even give an oath to never double-cross you!"

"That won't be necessary," assured Fortuna, smiling pleasantly. "I have faith in you. And I have faith in the fact that if you ever even attempt to double-cross me, I will personally hunt you down. I also have faith in the fact that you are aware of my abilities to keep that promise."

A shudder racked the young bandit's body and the princess's smile grew. She waved over the guard once more. "You, there! Please remove these handcuffs from this young man; he will be joining me in my carriage to the castle. Nothing will happen to him for he is now under my protection."

"Y-Your Highness?" The guard looked bemused. "D-Do you not need your father's permission to pardon somebody?"

Fortuna raised an eyebrow. "As I recall, my father left me in charge of this little rendezvous-where I myself had to rescue the young boy who had disappeared while all of you failed to catch the leader of hooligans who had harassed the boy's sister." The guard paled considerably, realizing how bad that sounded. "And since this group's punishments are up to my imagination, it is also up to me to decide if they deserve to be pardoned. Am I wrong?"

"N-No, Your Highness," answered the guard, fumbling for the keys. He quickly released Johnny from the handcuffs. "I-I shall go ready your carriage." He dashed away, nearly stumbling to the ground.

Johnny rubbed his wrists, an amused look on his face. Amu understood; she struggled to contain her giggles. Fortuna turned back to the newly reformed bandit with a serious expression.

"Listen, Johnny, we shall head back to the castle soon," she began. "Most likely, my parents will not be pleased by these events and will demand your head, but you must be patient. I shall not let them touch you. You are in my service now, understand?" She received a nod. "I will eventually learn everything that has happened to you in the past that is so tragic you felt compelled to join these bandits, but that will not happen soon, I can see. Two days from now, after you have settled into your new life, we will be returning to this very cave."

Johnny's eyes widened, silently asking why she would want to return, and she already began to give him an answer.

"I do not believe that it is a coincidence that your leader and the leader of the young tormenters both disappeared mysteriously-either near or in this cave. I want to know why they disappeared like they did and why my guards cannot find them anywhere, despite searching for hours. They could not have gotten very far if they had run; they merely vanished. You will help me search this cave until we collapse from exhaustion. Do you understand?"

Johnny, eyes still wide, nodded. Fortuna smiled as her name was called, telling her that the carriage was ready.

"Excellent; let us ride back to the castle now, shall we? We have a lot to do in the next two days, including the preparations for my wedding."

….

I do not own Shugo Chara!

This was an odd place to end a chapter, but I didn't want to drag it on. It's already nearly 4,000 words, a thousand more than I usually write.

I apologize for not updating since April; I try to get a new chapter up at least once a month, but final exams are finally here and everything is just ugh. I had time to begin a new story, but inspiration failed to strike me when it came to this story. And I have to finish the sixth chapter for Forgotten Joker as well…ah, I am nearly there.

I meant for Fortuna's story to only be two or three chapters, but I can now see that it will be longer than that-perhaps four or five. So I apologize if that irritates you, but this flashback is important to the story. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have included it. I am sorry to say that we will not be seeing Ikuto and the regular gang for quite a while. And seeing as this is Fortuna's story, Amu is not even the main character for the next few chapters.

Again, please just bear with me (wait, is it bare or bear? Help a sister out and correct me if it's bare) for a bit, okay?

Anyways, I hope all of you liked the chapter-and especially liked how I made Fortuna's personality. Since she is my OC, nobody can tell me that she's out of character! I mean, she's no superhero but she's not an "average" princess either.

And…you all know how I end a chapter by now, right? Whatever; I'll just say it anyways. Please tell me if you spot any mistakes and don't be shy; tell me what you thought of the chapter! It really helps me decide on what to write for the next chapters!