Author's note: I haven't updated or written any kind of stories in a very long time. I'm in grad school and decided to come back and reignite my joy of writing. I'm also procrastinating my grad school work; So, it goes. The goal is to rewrite and improve on pieces that are already existent in my library. The stories may change, they may only have some basic corrections; who knows. It's good to be back though. ~P.O.G

Chapter 1

It was dark. He did not remember the last time he saw the light of day or had a chance to take in the crisp winter air outside. Was it even winter? He was sure. He lost track of the days a few months ago when he was thrown in his isolation cell permanently after getting into a brawl with another inmate. It wasn't his fault really; he just had to put someone in their place for a moment. Starting a scene was definitely not the goal. He had wanted to keep a low profile-which was hard since everyone knew his reputation and it was obvious which family he belonged to anyway- however, things just do not pan out as one thinks they would. That unlucky inmate sure caused a stir, but the point was made in the end and he was satisfied with the fact they he wouldn't have to interact with any of the others. Isolation was where he flourished and convincing himself of that was easy enough. At least, it was easy until he was dragged out his cell with his hands tied behind his back by his keepers. Down the hallway, his legs skidded across the gravel as he was pulled along the dimly lit tunnels. He could barely stand; the force was too much for his joints in his current state. It was if they had attached cinderblocks to his ankles, but he knew his keepers casted this magic on purpose; as a safety precaution. He didn't have enough energy to push his own magic-which rendered him useless to being aware of his surroundings and seeing past the darkness; he was weakened on purpose. The lack of nutrition was on purpose for him as well. He had witnessed the other inmates with more sustainable meals and care than he. Perhaps they were seen as less of a threat at their strongest.

"Watch this one. He's slick." A voice called from a distance.

His handler tightened his grip and hoisted him up slightly, his lower body still being weighed down. A murmur was heard from another voice and in a swift movement the bottom of a boot collided with his tied hands; his wrists snapped. A groan escaped his throat as his skin shot electric up and down his arm. These bastards would do anything to keep him from laying a hand on them. A few more grunts were heard as well as a loud creak coming from a gate. Before he could process what was happening, his eyes were met with the magenta sky and lavender clouds. His lungs burned as the crisp air crashed into his face, burning in delight as he was thrown onto the ground in front of a pair of dirty leather boots

"Fuck…" he panted as he lifted his head and slowly sat up.

"Hyuga, if you do not wish to die, I suggest you behave yourself."

Neji looked at the voice who addressed him. He was an older man and wore a guard uniform slightly decorated with pins and badges to show his rank. A decorative seal was engraved in his chest plate that was rimmed with rubies.

The Hyuga's eyes narrowed. "It's not like I can. My wrists were conveniently broken as I was being gentlyhauled out of my lovely haven."

The man lifted his boot and collided with Neji's chin. A strong kick, but Neji knew he was holding back. He huffed and spat back at the guard's boot. This caused another guard to grab him by his broken wrists and the another to grab onto his hair, which was loose and wild.

"Let me remind you of the obvious situation you are in, Hyuga. You are not in control." The guard towered over him, his face still and eyes sharp.

"Enough, Captain Uchiha."

The guards immediately stood at attention. Some guards surrounding them put their fist over their mouths and bowed slightly at the waist as another man walked over to the group. Neji bit back a chuckle as he realized who was approaching them. All these precautions made sense to him now. If they wanted to kill him, they would have done it in the cell with the audience of the other inmates and the king. The figure approaching them looked to be slightly taller than himself. His robes were a deep red and lined with golden embroidery. His cloak was draped over his shoulders loosely as he trekked closer to them. He had a gold breastplate with the royal crest carved into it and his sword was tied to his left side, the golden reflection of the metal amplifying as the sun's setting rays hit the metal. The royal's hair was tied into a single pony-tail. His light brown eyes met the Hyuga's opal ones.

"To what do I owe this unexpected gift of your presence, oh-great-golden prince?" Neji asked a smirk forming on his lips.

His handler forced his boot into the Hyuga's back while still pulling onto his wrist. Neji clenched his jaw as his body was forced lower to the ground. The guard demanded that he bowed to his crowned golden prince. His prince? The Hyuga scoffed at the title. The royals were nothing but flamboyant figures that raised their brows to whomever they deemed less than. Business with them was usually left with a hefty price (as do most deals with the royals) which usually caused most to just obey their smallest whims. He barely has dealings with them to begin with. Especially after the death of his father, which was at the hands of the golden king himself.

"Enough, Sasuke. I do not expect him to show any form of respect." The prince addressed the Hyuga's handler.

The stillness was still looming in the group as the prince approached the mangled Hyuga even more; no weariness was held in his stride. Was he that confident in his Uchiha dog's ability to stand a chance against him? Neji hummed to himself curiously as he kept eye contact with the prince. If he was in better shape, he would be able to make a run for it. But the key word was 'if' in this case.

"What do you want?" Neji huffed.

The prince nonchalantly pulled on the hem of his white leather gloves. "I have a job for you. However, it requires long term employment."

Neji cocked an eyebrow at this. To his knowledge, royals don't tend to mix well with his occupation, and vise-vera, if there is no mutual benefit.

"Oh? You wish to sign a contract with me? A job you cannot handle yourself?"

The prince crossed his arms over his chest. "There was a break in. A very valuable person was almost abducted."

Neji clicked his tongue. "And? What does that have to do with me?"

The prince elaborated; his sister's mansion was broken into. They did not take jewels, or trinkets; they tried taking her. There had been many attempts at her kidnapping before, however this was the closest they have gotten to dragging her from the palace grounds. It was not their usual attempt; there had to have been some collaboration with an assassin's guild or it just could have been an inside job of some kind…they were not sure. The princess was whisked away in her sleep, after the attempted captors knocked out the guards.

"Are you seeking information?" Neji asked. "I don't really care about royal troubles, to be quite honest. Your lives do not interest me."

"What I am offering," the prince rolled his eyes. "Is a deal of service. You apply to safe guard the princess-"

"A babysitter?" Neji exclaimed. "That's what you dragged me up here for? Make duck-butt over here do it. That's what they are hired for anyway; to follow your royal asses around, right? Or is it that you don't trust them enough to do the job properly after that night?"

A few grunts can be heard from the Uchiha guards around him. He was in no position to be talking so much smack, but he was not about to be some brat's lap dog. He had better things to do with his time. Pressure shot through his arms as his handler yanked him upwards.

"Care to fix that attitude, Hyuga?" Sasuke hissed in his ear. "Remember your current disposition."

Neji cursed before letting out a laugh. If he could catch his breath, a moment of just silence, he would be able to get himself enough energy to twist from this handler and cause a scene.

"The guards were also sedated on the scene. There were some witnesses, however their memories foggy." The prince informed the Hyuga. "I will now state the terms of the contract."

The prince pulled a parchment from his cloak, wrapped in a golden ribbon.

"The contract of employment states; Hyuga Neji will apply to be employed by his royal Highness, King Fei-Ten Hua of the golden kingdom for the duration of ten years. Through the acceptance of his application, Hyuga Neji will be of personal service to her holiness, Princess Tenten Hua of the golden kingdom as well as his majesties the King and Prince."

Neji's ears perked up. He was not just a babysitter; The royals were about to begin their political sweep if they want him to get involved in their affairs…at least it was a safe guess to make based on his knowledge of the political underground.

"As per the end of employment-of the duration of ten years, Hyuga Neji will be granted three demands by the King within reason of his realistic abilities to grant them."

The Hyuga cocked an eyebrow. Demands of his own to be granted? Whose to say he will try to tie him down and drain him of his own powers. It was magic that ran this kingdom and many others; this had to be some kind of trap to have him indebted to the king indefinitely.

"Upon application approval, the Hyuga will be granted freedom; all charges dropped from his current case."

Freedom. Neji mused as he lifted his chin and looked at the sky. The underground cell was damp, dark, and full of imbeciles. Freedom in the prison was something some inmates got on good behavior; walking about as they please, leaving the prison for supervised hard labor.

"Lastly," the prince rolled up his parchment and retied the ribbon. "All funds allocated to you will be yours, untaxed."

Neji rolled his head around slowly, his neck straining at the stretch. So many things to consider for himself; a way out, a chance to earn some money…the royals practically begging him to work for them. But, Neji was no fool. He knew what questions to ask.

"Define, freedom." Neji stated flatly.

Freedom, the prince smirked, meant that Neji would be fee to roam as he pleased…alone; to do as he pleased with his own life within the golden kingdom with his untaxed earnings from the crown. Neji's lips pursed in thought. Since he was captured, word had gotten around that his father was long dead. He was sure that his master had held no hope of his own freedom any time soon; especially with the charges he faced. If he were to return to the land of the living, he would be back on his master's radar for sure. His master had eyes all over the kingdom, he was bound to be spotted around the kingdom withing the first few strides on the street. He wondered how his master would react to his situation if he were to take the contract. It was a promising offer, granted he was able to have access to a few more of his belongings and connections without the influence of the crown; he had to find a way around that. He sure didn't want to spend a decade under the thumb of the king, though.

"Five years."

The prince blinked. Then, he shook his head. "Ten years as stated."

"It seems as though you are quite desperate for my…application. I have a right to negotiate my own terms of employment." The Hyuga looked at the prince in the eyes. "Five years."

"And those terms cannot be halved by myself, but by my father, who this contract is established by." The prince's brows went south on his face.

"Five years."

"You will be living under my roof, Hyuga Neji. You will be treated no less than with the honor of a royal guard. Freedom is a mighty price, but my sister's life is mightier." The prince said.

The Hyuga rolled his eyes. "Five."

"…eight," the prince stated. "Is as low I will be willing to present to my father as an alternative."

"Try again, prince."

"It is eight years," the prince raised his voice slightly, "unless you would like to be tossed back into that cell with your broken wrists and stripped magic."

Neji stiffened. He wanted to decline; however, his magic was being threatened. The prince showed no sign of a bluff, judging by the prince's steady gazed. He meant every word of that threat. Neji has seen prisoners be stripped of their magic…their identity. It was as if the breath was pushed from their lungs and their limbs were being squeezed like water out of a sponge. The feeling of being hallow cause most to resort to taking their own light from their eyes. Neji knew he could survive without his magic; he has done it in the prison. However, he could not shake the dead look of the eyes of those who were stripped from it. Whose to say he too will meet that ending? Defeated, Neji glared at the prince, his lips now in a thin line. The prince was looking at him expectantly for an answer.

"So…eighth years, was it?" Neji grunted after a moment.

The prince grinned and turned on his heel. He guards saluted the prince and began to make moves to gather their horses. The Hyuga, who was still tied up, was hoisted onto a horse being led by another. The Uchihas surrounded him in formation as they began to move; back to the kingdom they went. Sasuke was riding next to him, still holding the rope that held Neji's broken wrists behind his back. They rode in silence north, toward the Golden Kingdom. The young Hyuga held back his tongue. Oh, how he wanted to tell the prince to burn in hell and tell the Uchihas to jump in a river, but he could not; his freedom was on the line as well as his magic. Glancing at each Uchiha, he noticed that one Uchiha was using magic the whole time he was being captured. The Uchiha's eyes were red with black marks circling the pupil. The Uchihas, to his knowledge, were able to use magic as well. Their abilities varied, but the common magic was illusions. Since Neji was weak now, he knew he wouldn't be able to take any of them on if he tried to run while they were traveling.

It seemed like days when it was only a few hours. Neji didn't realize that he had fallen asleep sitting up on his horse. His body must have just shut down since the ride was rather soothing to his bottom. That, and he was bored out of his mind. He didn't feel like annoying the one called Sasuke who rode next to him. The group had stopped travelling. With his mind still a bit foggy from his nap, the Hyuga was tugged off his horse and had his wrists switched to his front, still tied in rope. He was brought to a camp fire surrounded by Uchihas. Neji sighed.

"Here, it's freshly fried." The Uchiha with the marks on his face said and handed a plate to him.

The Hyuga looked down. Rice, chicken, and what he thought to be some kind of vegetable. His wrists ached as he brought the meat to his lips, the food felt dry going down his throat.

"I apologize for my brother's roughness. Your wrists will be healed once we reach the palace and we have settled you into your chambers." That same guard offered a small smile.

The Hyuga just nodded, unsure of how to respond.

"You're too nice, Itachi." An Uchiha guard grunted.

Neji looked at the one named Itachi. He had an unreadable face, which reminded him of his uncle; however, Itachi had kind eyes. He then looked between Itachi and Sasuke. He could see the resemblance between the two.

"So, you and Duck Butt over there are brothers?" Neji addressed Itachi.

Sasuke glared, the rest of the Uchihas let out a hardy laugh.

"Yes, Hyuga Neji. Sasuke and I are brothers. In fact, our father is the Captain of the Guard." Itachi pointed past his brother.

Neji followed his finger. There was a separate campfire with two other tents. The crowned prince and the Captain of the Guard sat around their fire, discussing something quietly.

"Family business then?" Neji asked bringing more chicken to his lips.

"Actually, yes. The King prefers families, due to their similar abilities. I believe your family had once worked for the Royal family at some point in history." Itachi sipped at his cup.

Neji grimaced. His so-called family did use to work for the Royal family. But that was the main family, not his branch. It was always the main family who was held at the highest standard while the rest of them were marked with a tattoo and swept away; only to be called on to do what the main family didn't want to. What was worse was that his father was twin brothers with the main family head. It was Neji's father who got blamed for killing a stupid lord many moons ago (Neji was only six) and that information was held from him for quite a while as well. They finally managed to capture and kill his father when Neji had reached the age of ten. Because of that, the Hyugas were demoted from Royal Guard to just another noble family, though they still thought of themselves to be of the highest degree of nobles. The Hyuga sucked his teeth at the thought of his own family; Family was pointless. He was better off alone.

"Let's call it a night. You'll be sharing a tent with my little brother until we reach the palace. Don't be surprised if you're found on a horse when you wake; we tend to rise early." Itachi informed him.

"…Right…" Neji sighed.