Everything in this story, besides the plot, belongs to the owner of Naruto, and don't we owe him a big thanks for making it possible to create stories based off his characters? Enjoy and don't forget to R&R!

The heavy thud of footsteps past my door awakened me. I have always been an early riser. If this was a normal day, I would rise, bathe, and see to my people. This was not a normal day. As far as I could see, there will never be a thing such as a normal day ever again…

Problem number one: I really had to go to the bathroom.

Problem number two: The wrist and ankle shackles holding me in the middle of the room were beginning to become painful.

Problem number three: There was nothing I could do about it.

Everything I ever knew and loved has been turned completely upside down; torn asunder. My old life is in shambles, and my new life is in…well, shackles. If this were any of the women I knew, they would give up, roll over, and take it. Thank whoever is in those damn clouds in the sky that I wasn't one of them.

"Hey, assholes!" I screamed at the top of my dry lungs. "I have to take a piss! Any takers of who is going to release me today?"

This was how it happened, every single day. I'd raise hell until someone got tired of me yammering and came to see to me. I have been here, in this cell, a very long time. If I had to guess, I would say six or seven months. It gets hard to tell when you're in a concrete room with no windows. Nothing but darkness, all the time.

The irony of it was that this is- or was, my dungeon. I had thrown so many scumbags down here without mercy, and now, here I am, marinating in my own filth, just like them. The difference between them and me? I did absolutely nothing wrong.

I ran my castle with iron fist and an open heart; Two things that are a must if you plan to make your kingdom thrive in this day and age. Unfortunately it seems that I was too open-hearted, or maybe my iron needed to be repaired, because somehow, my kingdom was infiltrated and taken from me.

It was an inside job. It had to be. The thought that one of my own had betrayed me made my blood boil, a relief, since it was cold as a polar bear's piss in here. No way did enemies know my stronghold well enough to take it down like it was nothing. Once upon a time, you could ask anyone around and they would tell you that my battle cries were heard far and wide. All knew not to mess with my land, or my people. Now, I wasn't so sure that everyone got the message.

Whoever did this sure thinks that they have some pretty big balls busting down my kingdom and taking my thrown. I swore to myself that if I ever got out of this alive, I would take my time peeling the skin of those balls like an apple. Mhm.

My cell door noisily creaked open and a huge silhouette covered me, made possible by the dim ceiling lights scattered down the hallways. I couldn't tell if it was a person that had already done this before or not, but whoever he may be, I hope he was ready for the hell I was about to give him.

"Well are you going to stand there looking pretty, or are you going to unchain me?"

I had once heard the guards— before they moved me to the furthest cell away from them— figure out ways to tell who was going to have to tend to me. They knew me as a warrior woman, and they found out that I was a force to be reckoned with, and they had to scars and shattered bones to prove it.

Mr. Silhouette walked over to me and unhooked the keys off his belt. Taking his sweet time, he released me and my strained shoulders and knees sighed with relaxation. As much as I wanted to be happy to be freed— if only for a short time— I wasn't, because I saw something much better. After unhooking me, he turned slightly to hook his key ring to his belt, which meant: a chance for a getaway.

Giddy with the thought of being free to smell fresh air, and not my own body odor, I threw myself to my feet. I stumbled, feeling off balance and awkward from having not been on my feet in so long, but got adjusted quickly and took three steps past the guard. That's as far as I made it.

Reacting way quicker than what I had estimated, he swung around and grabbed my hair— the bastard— and pulled back hard. I felt some dried clumps break away as I cried out and flailed backwards. Before I could even hope to get my footing a hand smashed into my face and sent me sprawling back into the concrete wall.

It all happened so fast that it took me a full breath before I realized that I had been slapped across the face. No one had done that to me since I was a child, and that made me mad. I was beyond mad. I was fucking livid.

Before I could open my mouth or stand up, he grabbed me roughly by my jawline and dragged me up and to him. He was massive. I had severely underestimated this man in front of me and the energy I had left in me, and he knew that. He was expecting it. He was making me pay for it, too.

"Look, bitch!" he growled, spittle popping out of his mouth and hitting me in the face. "I don't have time for your damn games, okay?" My silence let him go on. "Now, the king wants to see you. So be a good little cunt and come quietly."

If the rage in me could be personified, it would turn into the Grim Reaper, complete with his trusty scythe to decapitate this man, merely for the joy to light up my eyes at seeing his head roll. But I knew a losing battle when I saw one. The chips were not stacked in my favor.

I remained silent, and after a while of nothing but breathing, he let go of my jaw and my feet hit the floor. It took all the strength I had not to sag to the floor. I realized I was very hungry, I was sleep-deprived, and I still needed to pee. Let him think he's won this battle.

He turned and I followed him out of the cell. My face still throbbed from the slap, but I took it in stride. Worse things have happened to me, and the way this shit was going, it was not going to get any better. I will die before I let any of these bastards break me.

We kept a steady pace down the hallways, until we got to the entrance of the dungeon, where we slowed. Wondering why, I chanced a peek around the scumbag leading me and saw why. More guards were posted at the entrance, five to be exact, huddled around a table talking. They all stopped when they heard our footsteps, and some even looked shocked to see me with him. Oh, I saw what was happening here...

"Look! He actually made it out, unscathed!" a short and stout bearded man exclaimed. I remembered his name was Emil from the conversation of when they first captured me.

"Nah, I'm not impressed." A younger man spoke, leaning back in his chair so that only two chair legs held him up. "He comes when she's all worn out and starved! If he really wanted to do something unique and be a warrior, he should have come when she was fresh and ready to rumble."

A murmur or approval resounded amongst the guard group. I couldn't see Scumbag's face because I was behind him, but I saw him tense. He was getting ready to attack. Not a breath later, a boot to the younger man's chest sent him crashing to the ground, chair and all. While he sputtered and scrambled to get up, the rest of the guards formed a line in front of him, as if to protect him.

I see... So Mr. Scumbag is the outsider. Interesting.

"Sorry," Scumbag mocked, clearly enjoying himself. "I seemed to have misplaced my foot. The ground and worms, they kind of go hand and hand, right?"

Before all hell broke loose, a door was opened at the top of the stairs. "Hey, has the princess came up yet? The king is getting impatient!"

"She'll be right up," Scumbag drawled to the man upstairs, still eyeing the guards. "We're just down here clearing things up. Excuse me, wor- I mean, fellas."

He bumped them out of the way and they did nothing, meaning that this particular Scumbag held some weight around here. Great. What the hell do these assholes want from me? They already have everything.

I followed him quietly. It's not like I had to, considering I know my own stronghold. I just chose to, playing my part of pathetic princess until the time was right. I had gotten ahead of myself down there in the cell, desperate for a taste of freedom. I would not make a mistake like that ever again.

When the time came to turn right to the audience room, I started to go without help. Scumbag stopped, keeping straight. "This way."

Cocky sonabitch. He didn't even turn to look at me. Oh yes, I had to get out of here and reclaim my throne. The things I would do to him would make even the most silent of warrior weep uncontrollably.

He led me to a guest bedroom and opened the door. I wasn't surprised to find it bare of all the exquisite décor that had been there when I ruled. Walking down the hallways was enough to let me know that they let my home go to shit. Chalk up another thing that they would pay dearly for.

Scumbag plopped down on the bed and pointed toward the bathroom. "Get cleaned up. A change of clothes is in there."

Clearly dismissed, I padded over to the bathroom and began to close the door, only to find that there was no door. When I turned back to Scumbag to demand an explanation, his shrewd smile said it all.

I weighed my options. I could refuse to take a shower, but I was sure that would result in Scumbag making me take one by trying to help, like I was a child, or try to rape me. I was too weak to fight him off. On top of that, I needed to conserve my energy for whatever was going to happen. Damn, no way out of this.

My pride flared, but I pushed it aside and turned to start the bath to my liking. There was crude soap that would dry my already dehydrated skin, but I would have to make do for now. I looked down at myself and noticed the tatters I had as clothes. I believe that I have been wearing the same kimono— that's what it used to be— since I've been captured.

It did not leave anything to the imagination, riddled with holes and caked with grime. So, why should I be modest now?

I stripped quickly and nonchalantly got in the filling tub. The water felt amazing. It would have been pure bliss if Scumbag wasn't sitting there, watching my every move. My warrior's pride rose once more in me again, so I used it as courage to look him directly in the eye.

"See something you like?"

He just smiled that grin I wanted to wipe across the floor with my fist. "Bathe as much as it takes to get that off you, but be quick about it. You have much to do."

I was about to question him, but my peripheral vision of the water told me that I would waste precious time. It was already darkening from my filth. How embarrassing. But no matter what, I would never let scum like him see that he or this horrid situation was getting to me.

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I was pissed! How dare they make my image not my own! After thirteen new tubs of boiling water and skin scrubbed raw, I had managed to get decent. When it was time to start on my hair, I was told by Scumbag that someone would take care of it for me. Before I could protest, he left the room and came back quickly with a servant girl that I recognized.

Her name was Kaili. She was once a maid of my own, but now, I wasn't sure what they had her doing. I did not try to speak to her, nor she to me. I didn't even make it known that I knew who she was. Both of us knew that if I ever got the chance, I would slay all those involved in this for my people that they have made slaves.

Kaili took great care and patience combing out all the dead clumps of matted hair. I felt a little embarrassed because I used to finger comb it, but gave it up long ago. After she done that, she asked in a petite voice if I could submerge my head in the water. I indulged her and when she applied the shampoo that I knew was my own from the first smell, I just lost it— on the inside, that is.

She scrubbed my hair and scalp and I, stupid as it was, allowed myself to relax in her capable hands and fall asleep.

Sometime when I was awakened later, the process had just finished. The first alarm bell that something wasn't right was the fact that there were black splotches everywhere. In a panic, I ran to the mirror and ripped the towel off my head, and watched in horror as hair as black as a crow's feather tumbled down from atop my head.

Damn these bastards!

I had almost lost my temper right then, but then I caught Kaili's worried face just in time to calm down. Mr. Scumbag had left the room, apparently, but I knew that there had to be other guards at the door. No way would they leave me alone with a person of my kingdom and expect us not to try anything.

When Kaili thought it was safe to do so, she bowed gently to me out of habit, paused, blushed, and then requested that I pick one of the outfits that were laid out for me. I gave the clothes my best death glare, and Kaili slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes dancing with delight. She hurried over to the bed with me and whispered furiously.

"You have not lost your fierceness." She exhaled happily. "I cannot believe that our Sand Princess still lives! Many of us thought that you were slain during the takeover."

I smiled at her. I couldn't help it. Her excitement over the fact that I was still alive showed me that my people believed in me, and could now, still believe in me. My appearance alone gave her hope, and there wasn't a doubt in my mind that the moment she had time, she would spread the word and hope would grow again.

"No, they did not slay me, Kaili." She gasped in surprise when I called her by name. To this day, it still amuses me that my servants think I sum up their services to me as dirt. "They put me in the dungeon where they starved and chained me."

Her eyes widened and she looked me over. "You do seem quite…weakened in your state," she replied, choosing her words carefully, like I would lash out at her if she said something inappropriate, which would prove impossible, considering I really was substantially inferior to my normal state of physique.

She was being nice. I was beyond weakened. The skin on my face was taut, thanks to the hunger and the stress. All of my ribcage shone through with my top half undressed. The skin that was left on my wrists and ankles were raw with angry thick red lines around them, making it seem ten times worse because my once tanned body was now alabaster. My face and hair is clean and orderly, but my eyes held no light in them. They were sunken in and no matter how hard I tried, my once bright smile faded into something between a smirk and a grimace.

I knew my drastic appearance change well. I was thankful for her discreetness though. "Yes, I am very weak." My stomach growled, demanding an alteration of subject. Mortified, I cleared my throat. "I don't want you to get in trouble in any kind of way, but is there some way you could get me food, if only a little?"

Kaili's eyes softened and her smile grew brittle. "I would do anything for you, my princess. Unfortunately, they are watching the doors right now. I can't get any communication out. But, I promise, soon, I will have you something to fill your stomach."

I nodded and looked warily at the outfits. I picked the worst one on purpose, ignoring Kaili's frown. It was a kimono so oversized that I had to wrap the obi around me four times. Trying to lighten the mood, I made a joke about how I can escape from the window and use this kimono as my parachute. Kaili did not laugh.

"This kimono… was once your very own."

That was all she needed to say. That nail hit home, and I refused to be beaten by these barbarians, so I chose to direct my overwhelming emotions toward anger instead of sadness. I retied to obi, straighten my spine, and allowed myself to be led out of the room by Kaili to the audience chamber, where I sat now.

As soon as I entered the chamber, I was commanded to kneel before my own throne, with someone else in it. Of course, I refused. A hand gripped my hair and shoved me down on my knees. I could tell by the boots I was forced to look at that it was Mr. Scumbag who held me down.

A hurried rustling of clothing told me that someone had entered the room; somebody that had to be in charge. No one in their right mind who claimed to be a warrior would wear that much clothing to hold them down or restrict their weapon hand. More rustling, and finally he was seated and comfortable.

"You may look at me now. Raise your head and speak to your king."

The fist relaxed in my hair, and I immediately raised my head— not because he said to, merely because I wanted to see the bastard I was going to murder for destroying my home. My eyes focused, wavered, focused again, and then refocused. There must have been some mistake.

There was a scrawny teenage jerk sitting in my chair, smirking down at me like he was the savior of all lands or some shit. He looked no more than seventeen, with smooth pale skin. His cheeks were still slightly plump and he had no facial hair. If I had to wager, I'd be betting on the side that says his balls still hadn't dropped yet.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me…!" The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "A damn brat did this to me?"

That earned me a boot in my back, knocking me off my knees and flat on the ground. It was supposed to hurt, but I didn't feel it. My rage turned the key in the ignition, and I scrambled frantically, switching between sputtering and full blown cursing, while trying to get out from under the heavy boot.

"Shut her up!"

A stomp to my spine did just that. My back cracked painfully and all my air and rage came out in a big 'whoosh!' My head bounced on the hardwood floor and I began to see spots. Once again, I was letting my mouth and temper control my actions, and it was not working in my favor. So much solitude had loosened my lips and smudged my thinking. That had to stop now.

I slowly rose to my knees and held back a moan as my head throbbed with my heartbeat. My whole chest and back area ached as well, but I ignored it. I would not show weakness. This time when I looked up at my dethroner, I sharpened my senses and focused.

At first glance, he did seem like some prick. But upon further scrutinizing, I realized that his eyes were… conniving and calculated. He had the eyes of a battle-worn strategist. There was a reason he was in control. He might've not kicked down the door to my home, but he surely set it up to be done and go off without a hitch. He was the brains in all of this, and his muscle was currently tense behind me, waiting for me to try something. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of stepping on me again.

The kid's evil sneer widened as I studied him. Standing up, he reached his hands wide and let his head fall back. "My name is Katsuo Himora. You may address me as your lord, or King Katsuo!"

I would die before I called him any of that, but he didn't need to know that. I simply nodded when he looked back at me, and tried to appear submissive.

As he settled back on my throne, Scumbag cracked his knuckles and grunted. "And I'm sure you have become quite familiar with my First General and personal bodyguard, Norio."

Ah, so Scumbag did have a given name. I remained silent and pretended to find something interesting on the floor while Katsuo stared down at me. The impulse to tense up and ready myself to fight was so strong that I had to distract myself by focusing on my breathing.

"I bet you're dying to know how I took over your fortress so easily and quickly, aren't you?" He stayed silent as long as I did, so I finally took the hint and nodded. "It wasn't really that complicated, to be honest. Once I established an informant into your land, everything else just fell into place. You must express thanks to your maid for initiating your demise, if you ever see her again, that is."

He was trying to get a rise out of me, and I was not going to let him. It angered and hurt me to know for a fact that one of my own really did this, but I stored that raw emotion for later. I kept my face blank as he droned on and on about how his plan was so successful and foolproof. I even entertained the thought of me ripping his puny head off his scrawny shoulders from time to time to drown out his voice.

After some time, he stopped pacing and talking right in front of me, just barely out of my reach. "I seem to be boring you, princess. A change of subject is needed."

I couldn't stop the words from coming out. "Thank goodness."

I felt Scumbag— I liked my name better than his original— tense up behind me, but Katsuo shook his head at him, and he relaxed.

"You know, I did a lot of research on you before my plan took effect." He bent at his knees and came face level to me, rocking on his heels. "You are everything I have ever heard about you."

Feeling bold, I met his eyes and smiled as best as I could. "Then you know that I will get my revenge."

There was a brief second of dark malice in his gaze, then back to playful and proud. "That is for another conversation. Right now, I brought you back up here to explain a proposition— about you, of course."

Finally, we get to the point of this stupid dance. I remained silent, waiting for him to continue. He stood and spins on his heels, swaggering back to the throne. If I had a throwing knife at this second, then it would have been imbedded in between his skinny shoulder blades right now. It was the ultimate insult to turn your back on a warrior like me. "I will tell you during dinner with me. You are dismissed."

My jaw went slack. How dare he tell me that I'm dismissed from my own audience room? I clenched my fist, wishing for that knife, but said nothing. I rose and faced Scumbag, who seemed a little too damn smug about the whole situation.

The first thing I took into memory was the long slanting scar that crossed his square face, from his dull grey right eye all the way down to his chin. The beard that grew around his scar down his chin was disheveled and roguish. He had a warrior's face, hard with blood and death.

"Excuse me, I must leave my chamber." I smiled as prettily as I could, but I was sure to make my eyes portray the hatred behind my smile. He said nothing, but smiled back in a way that mirrored my own, the stepped sideways and bowed his head.

"You are wrong." He spoke in a gravel voice as I walked toward the door. "This all belongs to my lord now— not you, and will remain that way."

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I scarfed down the bread and butter that I was secretly given from Kaili. It was fresh and warm, like it had just been made. It was broken into proportioned pieces, no doubt to save some for later, should I need it, but I was sure I just ate a whole loaf in three minutes.

Kaili apologized profusely for not being able to get away with anything else. Even though I was still hungry, the bread took the edge off and made my stomach shut up, so I kept telling her that she did well. When she was satisfied she had said enough apologies, she bowed her head and left, saying that she couldn't be here long or they would get suspicious, which was reasonable.

While I waited to be summoned, lavish clothes— if you could call them that, considering that they were useless in covering the important areas— and perfumes were delivered to me. So, he wanted me to play dress up for this little occasion, huh? Well fuck him.

I couldn't help using the perfume thought. I missed smelling good. Most people had something they could not go on without, and that was one of mine.

An hour or two passed, and I got tired of waiting. I flung open the door and almost walked right into a little old lady that I did not recognize. Her hand was up, like she was going to knock on the door, but she put it down and lifted her nose in disdain. Great.

"This way," she turned on her heels and strode away in a hurried pace. Here we go.