A thud was heard over the constant sound of the rain as Kiba launched himself forward, tackling the princess to the ground. Shino and him had finally caught up to the two, and though they tried to convince the pair to stop neither seemed inclined to do so. Mud flew up slightly as Kou and Kiba slid on the muddy ground, Kiba spinning and landing on his back so he didn't cause injury to the princess. Her companion started to draw his sword to protect her, but a kunai to his neck caused him to stop, releasing the weapon.

Shino lowered his kunai slightly, giving the man some room to move. "Now that we have caught up, we would appreciate it if you explained your situation to us."

"No kidding," Kiba sat up rubbing his back lightly while Akamaru simply stood next to him.

Princess Kou looked over at her companion, who Shino saw nod briefly, and then she sighed. "I guess it can't be helped."

Shino motioned to the direction they had come from, "then let us return to our teammates, because they are mo-"

"Alright then, let's get going." Kiba interrupted, not caring for what Shino had been about to say. Shino didn't remark upon it, used to his teammate doing so.

_+_

Hinata perked up when there was a soft scuffling sound beside her. She looked over only to see Murasaki raise his hand and rub the back of his head. "You're awake!" Relief saturated her words as she watched the purple haired boy.

"My head hurts." He sat up and opened his eyes, and after a moment blinked a couple times as if in confusion.

The action caused Hinata to grow worried again. "Are you alright? That blow seemed really hard before."

Murasaki turned to look at her, smiling slightly. "I'm just fine, my vision is a little blurry is all." As if he could feel the worry emanating off of her, Murasaki raised his hand waving it back and forth. "I'm sure it will pass, and other than my head I'm uninjured."

"Ah, I think I have some pain medicine, if you would like..." She trailed off, searching through her pouch.

"I'm fine, it will stop hurting once the pain goes away." Hinata looked up at him in confusion. "Don't worry about it. Looks like Kiba and Shino are coming... from wherever they were."

Looking up, Hinata saw it was true. Shino and Kiba had returned along with the princess. As they drew nearer, their forms were easier to make out and Hinata got a slightly confused look on her face.

"Kiba-kun, why are you all muddy?" As if noticing for the first time, Kiba looked down at his clothing which was almost completely covered with the brown goo. He let out a soft groan, and Hinata laughed lightly.

"It is because he tackled the princess. Why? Because they wouldn't sto-" Shino was once again cut off by Kiba.

"It isn't important why, we're back now and the princess is with us."

Murasaki turned his head to the two, bowing his head slightly. "Glad I wasn't wrong about you being the princess. Forgive me if I don't stand on ceremony right now."

Without warning the princess bowed down, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I'm sorry you were injured trying to protect me! It's all my fault!"

Everyone was surprised at the apology, not expecting it from someone of her standing. Murasaki finally recovered enough to reply. "It isn't your fault, if anything it was mine. I was careless that's all." Princess Kou looked up, seeing nothing but a carefree smile on Murasaki's face. His face took on a serious light when he spoke again. "Anyways, perhaps you could explain why you're out here a good five days from the palace when your wedding is only a little over a week from now?"

"A fair question, all things considered." She sighed lightly, before walking under the cover of the tree more and taking a seat. Everyone else did likewise before she began to speak. "It was a little over three months ago when I found out I was going to be married. I should have expected it, I am a princess, and marriages are often used to secure alliances with other countries. Usually I would have accepted this gladly, it was the only thing I had really been raised for after all, but now?" the princess laughed slightly in a mocking manner. "Now I feel like I want to follow my heart instead of other people's orders.

"I have a feeling that I take after my mother in that regard. When I was about three, my mother left me and my father for someone else. My dad always said she was taken away and killed ever since I was little, probably to stop wild fantasies running through my mind. It wouldn't do for me to fall in love if my marriage is going to be arranged anyways. With that in mind, I detached myself. I didn't talk to any of the men around me, royal or otherwise. Everything was just fine until he came along." She pointed to the man beside her, who was looking away with a faint blush coloring his cheeks, pretending to be uninterested in the story.

"You see, I am always followed by at least two guards no matter where I go in the palace, and I'm usually fairly good at ignoring or ditching them. That was until he started to guard me more and more often. There are a few guards that are usually able to find me, but he always does it without fail." She seemed to realize something and gestured to her companion. "I suppose I should introduce you, this is Tamotsu Kame. Ah! I didn't ever ask for your names!" Everyone went around, introducing themselves before Kou resumed the story. "Anyways, I guess that gradually I developed an awareness for his presence. I knew I was to be married, but... I couldn't help talking to him and getting to know him more. I suppose it's stupid, but I fell in love with him, and now I can't bring myself to marry someone who I barely know. Suppose I understand my mother's feelings a little better now."

Everyone stayed silent as the rain continued to fall around them, each lost in their own thoughts. Kiba was the first to speak. "I can't say I understand how you feel, but it's apparent that you truly love one another."

"Yes. I'm sure you can understand now why we ran away. Could you convince my fa-" before Kou got any farther with her question, Murasaki spoke.

"I'm afraid that I won't be doing that. Our mission is to return you to the palace before your wedding day, and I have every intention of doing so." Murasaki's face was expressionless as he said this, staring straight at Kou.

"That's a little harsh Murasaki, don't you think we could at lea-" Kiba didn't finish his question, noticing the expression on Murasaki's face. It was serious, almost to the point where it was frightening.

"This isn't a mission where we can debate over right and wrong and following one's heart. Our mission is one we cannot fail, because it can mean peace or war for this country. We fail to return the princess to the palace by the time she is to be married, and it is more than likely at least one person is going to die." Everyone was staring at Murasaki now as his face took on a hardened look, a faint pain in his eyes. "Princess Kou, I am sorry, but whether you come willingly or not is irrelevant. I will take you back to that palace. Whatever happens after that is none of my concern, so speak to your father yourself."

The silence that presided in the air around them only added to the tension as the two stared at each other. Shino looked to Murasaki, a brief light of a quickly hidden emotion pressing his eyebrows together. Hinata glanced back and forth between her teammate and the princess, hands raised slightly in a worried manner. Kiba was just staring at Murasaki like he had grown a second head.

Eventually Kou lowered her head, sighing heavily. "I suppose you're right, I shouldn't put you in the middle of this mess. I'll return home to my father." Though the argument had been settled, the tense air still hung around.

Kiba rose to his feet. "Now that we're decided, I'm sure that we can wait out this rain before moving on?" Murasaki nodded. "Then let's get a campfire going, no sense in us all getting sick. There is probably some dry firewood near the base of the trees." Tamotsu stood as well without a word, following Kiba as they gathered wood from nearby trees.

The campsite, though tense at first, soon warmed as everyone sat around the small fire. The calming light and sense of safety that the light gave in the midst of a storm began to lull them to sleep. Gradually, one by one, everyone except Murasaki fell asleep. Leaning back, Murasaki made contact with the tree trunk behind him.

He raised his hand in front of him, moving his fingers as if checking that they were all still there. Eventually he put his hand on his head, gripping his hair in what looked to be frustration.

"Dammit."

_+_

Murasaki's exclamation was echoed in the palace, though not quite as loudly. Aoi had stopped abruptly, a figure blocking the hall he had been about to turn down. Kodomo took one look at the figure in front of him and knew instantly that it was the prince. In other words, the one man they were supposed to be avoiding.

Taking in Aoi, the prince cracked a smile. He was handsome enough, plain brown hair and greyish green eyes. The thing that gave him away as a prince however was the clothing, which was bordering on being gaudy with how much cloth there was. "If I may guess, I would assume you to be Princess Kou?" His voice was higher than normal, and Kodomo suppressed a snicker. Aoi gave a faint nod in affirmation, trying to put on a faint smile. "I am Prince Komali, your fiance, I'm pleased to finally be able to gaze upon the beauty of my future wife."

"Likewise," hesitating slightly to search for a way to excuse himself, Aoi went on. "I apologize, but I'm not feeling well at the moment."

"It must be all this rain, you do seem rather pale. A delicate flower like yourself has probably caught a chill. Please, if you would, allow me to escort you back to your room." Genuine worry seemed to overcome his features as he stepped forward slightly, extending his hand. Aoi hesitated a moment, until a soft nudge from Ryo prompted him to take the prince's hand. Almost immediately an arm was thrown around Aoi's shoulders to help support him as if he would collapse any second. Stiffening slightly, Aoi had to force himself not to react violently to the action. "Do not worry my dear, soon we will have you resting in bed. I'll make sure the servants prepare some tea for you as well."

Kodomo's face was priceless as he tried not to gag at the obvious flirting and cocky manner the prince had. Ryo sent Kodomo a look once the prince had turned, obviously trying to hold back laughter. Almost immediately after, however, his face took on a serious look.

"We need to get to the others and make sure they hide!" His whisper was slightly raised in alarm, and Kodomo's eyes widened. Seeing the two walking down the hallway, they couldn't exactly run past them, so they took off in the other direction, running as quickly as possible in the narrow area. Several times they had to avoid servants and nobles wandering the halls, and though quite a few voices were raised, they showed no sign of slowing.

The two burst into the room, knowing they only had a few moments before the prince did the same. Everyone looked up, cards scattered on the tabletop as they played some game. "The- the prince is coming h-here with Aoi. We need to get out of here now." Kodomo gasped out, panting as he tried to catch his breath.

Shikamaru stood up from his seat as Migota and Kaori gathered the cards. A faint voice was heard in the hallway and by the way Kodomo and Ryo looked back in panic, it wasn't hard to tell it was the prince. "Everyone out the window, we don't know what the prince will do when he gets here, and he might enter the bathroom."

There was no hesitation as Shikamaru opened the window and they all jumped out into the pouring rain. Migota was the last one out, and she quickly slid the window shut behind her, careful not to slam it at the end. The four ran through the gardens, trying to reach a porch where they could escape the rain, though they were already drenched.

"Stupid rain. It's freaking cold out here."

"Stop complaining Kodomo, it isn't like we had a better option." Kodomo grumbled at Migota's words, a faint tint of pink on his cheeks.

As they took shelter under overhang of the roof, everyone looked to Shikamaru for guidance. He sighed, scratching the back of his head. "How troublesome... Alright, we're going to need a way to keep the prince and servants from getting suspicious, so here is what we'll do."

_+_

A faint knock caused the door to slide open, revealing Aoi laying on the bed and Prince Komali at the door. Relief washed over Komali's face at the sight of who was at the door. "Thank goodness you have come, you got here very quickly."

Kaori smiled, holding a tray with a teapot and cups on it. She had changed into a servant's uniform, stolen from a bedside in the servant's rooms. Migota stood beside her, dressed the same and carrying some extra blankets. "Whatever we can do for the princess, is our pleasure." He stood to the side, allowing the two to enter the room.

Migota turned after entering, speaking to the prince. "We're going to need to help her into her night clothes. If you wouldn't mind waiting in the hallway." A blush came over the prince's face and he nodded slightly.

"Yes, of course, just let me know when you have finished if you would." Migota nodded and Komali left.

Kaori sighed placing the tray on the low table in the room. "Thank goodness he's dense." She reached up, adjusting the bun she had forced her silvery hair into. Picking up the teapot, she poured the steaming liquid into a cup, bringing it to the table beside Aoi. He stood, looking at the two with a question in his eyes.

Migota stepped forward, setting the blankets on the bed. "Shikamaru sent us to get him out of the room. Good excuse with the whole sick thing by the way." Aoi nodded. "Anyways, go change in the bathroom, we need to make sure he buys this lie." Without further prodding, Aoi was out of the room.

"You know, I think these clothes are made of nicer fabric than mine." Kaori commented out of nowhere, fingering the fabric of her sleeves.

Sighing lightly, Migota nodded. "That's a noble for you, those bastards." Kaori looked over, confusion written all over her face at Migota's wording. Before she could ask however, Aoi returned from changing.

They quickly set the room up, making sure it looked like Aoi was sick. Only moments later there was a faint rapping on the door. Kaori opened the door calmly, suppressing a smile when she saw Ryo dressed as a servant and carrying a briefcase like bag that would mark him as a doctor. He hurried in, followed closely by Prince Komali.

Pretending he knew what he was doing, Ryo felt Aoi's forehead. "Ah, she has a slight fever. Go fetch a basin of water and a rag." Continuing his 'work' Ryo pulled out a stethoscope he had found nearly buried under countless bottles full of substances he had no knowledge of. He put the metal disk to Aoi's chest, seeming to listen intently for a moment before moving the object to a different location.

Looking up and seeing Kaori still in the room, Ryo inwardly sighed in relief. "Could you help me mix a medicine for her? Just hand me the bottles I ask for." Kaori nodded and knelt next to the bag full of medicine. Ryo began to list off different words, trying to make whatever he said sound as medical as possible.

Whenever Kaori handed him a bottle, she would tap it a few times, telling her teammate how much of the substance to put in. As she handed him the last bottle, she held it a moment longer when he tried to grab it, effectively communicating that this should be the last one. A grinding noise filled the room as Ryo mixed the ingredients, finally ending with a runny, slightly transparent, brown liquid. Aoi looked at the substance with slight interest and the barest hint of trepidation when Ryo lifted it.

"Drink this, it will help you feel much better I'm sure." Ryo looked Aoi in the eye, trying to communicate that it was safe to trust them.

Aoi opened his mouth, and Ryo let the liquid flow in. Swallowing it Aoi licked his lip slightly, but didn't say anything. Kaori started to place the bottles back into the bag, and once she was done Ryo stood with bag in hand. Komali practically lunged at Ryo his hands clasping tightly on the shinobi's shoulders. "Will she be alright? She won't die will she? Please tell me that my fiance will be alright!"

Ryo smiled before gently removing the hands from his shoulders. "She will be just fine Prince Komali. For now we should let her rest, so please, return to your rooms and you will be informed when she has recovered."

"I see, thank goodness." The prince turned, kneeling down beside the bed in which Aoi rested. "My sweet, fragrant flower, I wish that you regain health soon so I can once again bask in your beauty. I shall await for you at the end of the aisle."

Ryo coughed, trying not to laugh. It caught the princes attention and he rose. "I'll be going now, so please rest." He left, sliding the door after allowing Migota to reenter with a bowl in her hands. After a moment or so to be sure the prince wouldn't return, Aoi sat up.

"What did I drink?"

"Ah!" Kaori looked over at Aoi. "There is no need to worry, it's a completely useless mixture. It won't harm or heal. I would tell you the ingredients, but it's unimportant." Aoi nodded, and the conversation lulled into silence.

The door slid open, revealing Shikamaru and Kodomo in their regular clothing, which had dried considerably. "Looks like for the next few days we'll be camped out in the room, or at least Aoi will be."

Everyone looked at Aoi, who sat there silently petting his bird on the head. Kodomo's face took on a look of confusion. "Hey, Aoi, where did your bird come from?"

Aoi looked up. "It was on the dresser the entire time." Kodomo blinked slightly, but nodded in understanding, deciding not to question it.

"Aoi, you never told us how you got your bird, do you mind?" Migota plopped down onto a cushion near the wall. Glancing over, Aoi nodded before speaking. He went through the entire story, and everyone listened, whether they were interested or not was a different matter, proven by how Shikamaru yawned more than once during the story.

Afterwards, Kaori leaned forward on her elbows slightly. "So what is the bird's name?"

"It doesn't have a name." Aoi's response was immediate.

"Eh? Why not? It looks like it's going to stick around, so why not give it a name?" Looking down at the bird he was currently petting, Aoi seemed to consider the words. "I mean everyone should have a name."

His mind flashed back to when he first met Michi, remembering that she had said much the same thing when he said he didn't have a name. Aoi looked up before saying, "Hane."

"Well that's not very imaginative." Kodomo mumbled, but everyone ignored him.

Ryo lifted his hand, holding a deck of cards. "Why don't we play a game?" Everyone collectively shrugged, shifting to sit around the table once more.

_+_

"Ouch!" Murasaki fell flat on his face, tripping over a tangle of roots sticking out of the floor. His teammates looked at him in confusion as he picked himself up off the ground. Laughing slightly he scratched the back of his head. "Sorry about that, I guess I'm just a little dizzy from that strike before."

Hinata looked at him in slight confusion. "A-are you sure you're alright Murasaki-kun?"

He waved his hand back and forth in a denying gesture. "I'm fine really, let's continue. There's finally a break in the storm, so we need to take advantage of it." Unsure, Hinata kept walking, Kiba following soon after. The princess and Tamotsu followed after, assuming it was something that was normal.

Shino fell into step beside Murasaki, looking over at the slightly taller boy. There was a silence in the group, until Kiba made a remark at the princess. Hinata's face turned as red as a tomato, and Tamotsu looked ready to draw his sword and run him through. Princess Kou laughed though, and he relaxed the grip on the weapon. Smirking slightly Kiba let out a little laugh as well. Finally, Shino spoke in a quiet murmur only loud enough for Murasaki to hear.

"You're blind, aren't you?"

_+_

Gods, I'm a horrible person... Anywhore, I hope you liked the chapter, I think it got pretty long, but I just had such inspiration! Hum... Hope you all liked the chapter! By the way, if anyone was wondering hane, what Aoi named the bird, means feather. So yeah, not the most clever name, but heck, Aoi's name means blue for crying out loud! I name people so well... As for the random question this time, here you are:

If you could only have one meal before you had to go without food, what would that meal be?

Umm... what else... there was something... Oh yeah! Plastic! See, there is this little square of plastic in my wallet now that's rather important I suppose. It has my picture on it, not that you'll ever see it. What do you call it... A privilege? No... Credit card? No that isn't right either... OH! A license! So yeah, if you read this, you now know that this senorita (imagine a ~ on the 'n') can now legally drive on her own. So that's out of the way now. Hope you comment/vote/fan/whatever, because that tells me how well people like or hate a chapter... Bye!

-Nicky~