BW2 Hey there all. This is just a renewed version of this story. I thought I better go through all my old stories and fix them up. So without further adieu I give you the redone version of the:

THE PRINCESS AND THE HUNTER

Chapter 1

( All cast 17 )

The sunlight glistened off the jewels that were placed carefully in shining honey-brown hair. Emerald eyes opened slowly and shone dully and didn't hesitate to show off their boredom as another morning began. Madison - Sakura's best friend and hand maid, fussed and twittered as she made sure that her highness was beautiful and looking her best. After all it would be her job on the line if her princess didn't make the perfect picture of elegance and grace befitting the royal Kinomoto line.

The sun rose between the Twin Mountains in the distance, showering the kingdom of Kinomoto in light and beauty. Bird calls rang throughout the valley as the day dawned and Sakura's maids, now satisfied that she was ready, collected up their things and walked out of her bedroom, leaving her highness with her hand maid.

" I knew I was right when I said that shade of green suited you and would set off the emerald in your eyes. " Madison stated studying her handiwork proudly.

" Thanks Madison. " Sakura replied mechanically. Madison eyes sharpened and she frowned, pausing in mid stroke.

" What's wrong Sakura? " she asked worried. (Madison only calls Sakura by her name when they are alone.) Sakura sighed and continued to stare out at the fields and streams that made up her home.

She wanted to feel the cool morning air on her face, the dew covered grass beneath her bare feet, to feel the cold, crystal clear water from the stream running through her fingers. To go riding through the forest, to crouch in the bushes and watch the deer lift their regal heads to the sky and flick their ears back and forth as they listened for danger. So much she wanted but was barred from.

" Nothing Madison. " she sighed banishing her thoughts. "What's on the agenda today? "

" You have to fill in for your brother at the village and make sure everyone's needs are met. " Emerald eyes shined brightly at the news. Sakura loved to help her father's people.

There was nothing more satisfying for her in this dreary bird cage called home than to see the smile on a old woman's face or the happy laughter of the village children as they played or raced around playing tag. Those were precious memories for her to know that she had some connection to such happiness.

" Then there's the Prince of Lennox who's coming to see you again. Apparently he's quite taken with you. " Sakura snapped back to the present like a brick hitting the earth.

" He's a jerk and a womanizer. Of course he'd be taken with me. " Madison frowned.

" You're in a royal mood today aren't you? " Madison stated, placing her hands on her hips. Sakura sighed and turned around to face her friend with an apologetic smile on her face.

" I'm sorry Madison. I'm just a little tired this morning. Why don't we go out to the village now? Maybe it might liven me up a little. " she watched Madison curtsey to her and inwardly sighed. Even her best friend was bound by court regulations.

There were several villagers that surrounded the kingdom of Kinomoto. Sakura visited every one until they came to the last one for that day. The people hustled past, nodding to her greeting as they continued with their day. Smoke snaked through the air as fires blazed warmly in every hut, for cooking or to simply chase away the spring chill. Sakura loved this village the best as amongst the huts and the markets, were cherry blossom trees that rained down their petals, showering them all in beauty.

" Oh careful! " Sakura cried as she helped an old woman who nearly lost the things she had bought from the market as she had tripped.

" Of thank you your highness. " the old woman bowed and continued on her way. Sakura smiled sadly as she watched her walk away.

" Sakura it's nearly time to go. " Madison interrupted sadly. Sakura's heart fell as hergaze lifted to the horizon to the dark monument up on the hill. Her prison. Her so-called home. Why did they need to live in such a huge castle anyway? What were her ancestors afraid of anyway? Running into each other?

" Can't we just stay here for a little longer Madison? " Sakura pleaded. Madison shook her head.

" No Sakura the Prince of Lennox will be here shortly. We have to get you ready. " Madison replied and took her hand trying to lead her away. Sakura looked up at the mountains that stood near them, the tops of them shrouded in clouds.

' Someday I'll be free. ' her mind cried as Madison dragged her back to the carriage waiting to take her back to the castle.

Later that night

Sakura stormed into her room a mass of swirling skirts. Her hand stung from where she had shown the so called Prince of Lennox what she thought of him. Her maids, (Nikki, Chelsea and Rita) took one look at her and scattered. Sakura looked down and saw the bruise on her wrist where the prince had held her captive as he had forced his mouth on hers.

Her bedroom doors flew open a moment later as the crown prince stormed in followed by the Guard of Arms. Sakura turned her back to them both, save them seeing the tears of fear and anger threatening to spill.

" Sakura why the hell does the Prince of Lennox have your handprint on his face? " Tori demanded angrily. Sakura remained silent mutinously.

" Sakura! " Tori demanded furiously. She could feel his black gaze boring into her back waiting for her answer.

" Hang on a minute your highness. " Julian said, placing a calming hand on the angry prince's shoulder.

" Sakura hime? " Julian asked softly. Sakura let out a whimper and her bare shoulders shook silently. Tori stared at her horrified before putting his hand on her shoulder and turning her around to face him.

" Leave me alone. " Sakura said and angrily brushed her tears away.

" What's this? " Tori asked and reached for her wrist.

" It's nothing. " Sakura replied. Tori stared at the black bruise on his sister's wrist putting two and two together. Rage burned though him as his clenched his jaw.

" That bastard! " Tori spat staring into his sisters emerald eyes, and bruised mouth.

" Now Tori. " Julian warned.

" I swear I'll kill him! "

" Tori. " Sakura whispered. " Just leave it. . . please. " Tori scanned her eyes before he whipped around and left the room. Sakura sighed and met Julian's sympathetic gaze. He smiled sadly.

" Are you all right hime-san? " he asked softly. Sakura nodded.

" I'm fine. Please go after Tori and try to calm him? " she pleaded just wanting to be left alone.

The door suddenly opened again and her father came striding in followed by Tori – a dark cloud of anger and vengeance swirling around him. Sakura groaned and turned away from them all, hiding her face in her hands so they couldn't see her face.

" Sakura what's this I hear from your brother? " Aiden asked concern etched on his face.

" It's nothing. " Sakura snapped, looking out the window at the coming night. What did she have to do to get them to leave her in peace so she cry with dignity?

" Show him Sakura. " Tori barked. Sakura held out her arm knowing that being stubborn at this point was useless. Aiden walked over and turned her delicate wrist over. Sakura heard him draw in a breath and he let her go.

" I see. " he said quietly. Sakura whipped around, her emerald eyes flashing dangerously unable to hold in her anger anymore.

" You forced me to get to know him. You know the rumors that he's a womanizer and yet to my disdain and humiliation you left me with him! I'm glad he wears my handprint! If I had my way he'd have a lot more that a red mark on his face! He even forced me to kiss him! Do you know how sick I feel? " Sakura demanded, tears overflowing again.

Aiden looked at his daughter and smiled sadly. How she looked like her mother at this very moment.

" I'm sorry Sakura that you had to go through that, but you need to choose a suitor someday soon. You can't refuse every man that comes to call. I want to see you happy and safe. Your brother and I can't be around forever. "

" I will marry someday papa. But only for love, nothing less. And I will not marry someone who only wants me for my looks and my position. I will not enter into a loveless match of cold formality. "

" Sakura. " her father warned. Sakura shook her head in furious denial.

" Have you ever thought that maybe I have to go find the someone I'm meant to be for?

Maybe instead of me waiting for him to come to me, maybe I have to go find him. "

" Sakura how many times have I been over this with you? " Aiden asked rubbing his temples tiredly.

" Obviously not enough, because you either refuse to hear what I'm saying or just won't listen! " Aiden glared at his daughter.

" That is enough Sakura. Not another word do you hear me? You think you know so much but you have a lot to learn. Maybe when you have pulled your head out from the clouds you will see life as it is and not as some fantasy. " Sakura felt like she had been slapped to be verbally shot down by her own family like that. Her eyes showed her own surprise and shock.

But then she blinked and shot her father, brother and Guard of Arms a dark look and turned and fled into her bathroom and slammed the door. A mirror that was hanging up rocked and fell to the ground where it smashed into tiny pieces.

" Seven years bad luck. " Tori stated in the aftermath. Aiden sighed, still rubbing his temples.

" This is all I need. "

Sakura waited until everyone was asleep and crept to her wardrobe. Tucked safely away she had stashed one of the villager's dresses. It was a plain dark forest green cotton dress and had a black vest that went over the top of it and had laces up the front of it, to tie up.

She pulled it on and went over to her jewel chest. She pulled out a little leather pouch and in she put most of the jewels and precious gems and stones that most of her suitors had given her then tucked it safely away inside her dress near her heart for protection.

She lifted the precious necklace off her neck and went to put it in the chest, but paused as she watched the chain swing back and forth, the tiny cherry blossom winking in the faint light from the moon outside that bathed her room in a soft glow.

It was studied with little pink diamonds, the only ones in the world. It was set in a star shape. Her mother had given it to her before she had died, and it was also the symbol of who she was. She slid the chain back over her head and tidied everything away.

She grabbed another small leather bag that she had food stored in and tied it to her waist. Over the last few days she had been making midnight visits to the kitchen and pilfering whatever she could without notice. She had only enough provisions to last her for a few days – after that she was on her own.

And so it was in the dead of the night, that the Princess of Kinomoto shed her identity and stole away into the shadows of the night. . . .

I'm leaving today

Livin' it, leaving it to change

Slowly drifting in a peaceful breeze

Tongue tied and and twisted are all my memories

Celebrating a fantasy come true

Packing all my bags, finally on the move

I'm leaving today

Livin' it, leaving it to change

But somehow I miss it, I think I'll really miss it one day

I turn up the radio and feel like I never felt before

Turn down the memories of yester years and broken dreams I bring

Finally free

But someday I miss it, I think I'll really miss it

One day . . . .

BW2 I know that not much has changed with this but at least all my horrible spelling mistake have gone and I have changed some of it. I can't believe how long ago I wrote this laughs nervously. Hopefully I can bring it back into the times lol.

Till next time x x