Caught But Not Captured

Ash ran through the forest until she couldn't run any more. Harumi-Chan, the one who had to kidnap Princess Ash, followed and hid behind a row of tall bushes. Ash saw a stream nearby and ran over next to it.

"Good thing I packed a bottle for water and extra apples and rolls," she said to herself. "I'm gonna have to keep moving if I don't want to be caught."

Ash set out a blanket onto the grassy floor and put her pillow down on top of the blanket, at the edge.

She put her other blanket on top of her little set up and smiled. Ash stood up and looked through her bag for night clothes.

"Dammit, I forgot my nightgown," Ash said, still looking through the bag. "Oh! A robe, this will do!"

Harumi-Chan peeked at Ash and saw she was changing. She turned around, respecting the future queen's privacy.

Ash dressed into her light pink robe and laid down on her "bed". She slept soundly that night, although Harumi-Chan didn't take her eyes off of the princess all night.

Princess Ash woke up the next morning, accompanied by a grey wolf. Harumi-Chan was ready to jump out if her hiding to steal the princess from the wolf. If the wolf harmed the princess then she would be of no use anymore, so Harumi-Chan kept an eye out. What happened next surprised Harumi-Chan. Princess Ash was petting the wolf like it was a dog!

"That woman is very unique indeed," Harumi-Chan thought.

"Hey cutie, mind turning around so I can change?" Ash asked the wolf. The wolf did as she commanded. Harumi-Chan turned around too.

Ash dressed into a white t-shirt, a jean jacket, shaggy pants with holes, and fluffy boots. She put her glasses back on and put her hair into a messy bun.

"Ready," Ash said to herself.

She put the blankets and pillows back into the bag, as well as her light pink robe. Ash took her bottle out of the bag and walked over to the stream. She filled it up all the way to the top with water and put it back in her bag.

Ash picked up her bag and started off deeper into the woods. The wolf loyally followed Ash until she noticed it.

"Hey boy, don't you have a pack you need to go back too?" She asked the wolf. Suddenly, both of them heard howls, this scared the wolf and he jumped behind Ash.

"So I guess your afraid of wolves because your a lone wolf, am I right?" Ash asked the wolf. The wolf nudged her as a way of saying 'yes'.

"Ok, come along now, I'll name you Buddy if that's alright!" Ash asked the wolf. The wolf nodded and they started their journey.

"She's amazing with animals," Harumi-Chan thought, following them through the morning light. She kept her distance though, knowing wolves have a good sense of smell.

The duo stopped a few times to take a water break or food break, but otherwise they were on the move. One time, Ash scared Buddy and he climbed a whole tree! After Ash couldn't stop laughing and Buddy kept on nudging her harder and harder everytime she laughed.

Soon, the Ash and Buddy arrived at an unknown village. Ash had never heard of this place. She petted the wolf and started her way down the hill and into the village. Harumi-Chan was about to follow them down, but she tripped over a branch and stumbled down to Ash. Ash tripped over Harumi-Chan and they both rolled down the hill.

The hill began to come to an end and Sam ended up on Ash. Buddy ran after them.

"Um, hi?" Harumi-Chan asked, afraid she might recognize her from the invasion.

"Hey," Ash said, smiling. "Now would you mind getting off of me?" She said laughing.

"Oh yea! Sorry," Harumi-Chan said, embarrassed. She started getting off of Ash, but then Buddy ran next to their sides and jumped on Harumi-Chan as a way of embracing her. Harumi-Chan fell back onto Ash, even more embarrassed.

"Sorry again," Harumi-Chan said. Ash looked very uncomfortable in this position.

"M-mind moving your l-leg?" Ash asked, closing her eyes.

Harumi-Chan was flustered. "Dammit Harumi!" Harumi-Chan thought.

"Oh yea! I'm so sorry!" Harumi-Chan said moving her leg.

"Thank you," Ash said standing up. Harumi-Chan stood up also. Harumi-Chan needed to think of a new way to steal Princess Ash. "Hm, I know! I'll earn her trust! That will be easy," Harumi-Chan thought to herself.

"Hey, I'm Sam, short for Samantha," Sam said putting her hand out to shake.

Ash shook her hand and smiled. "Alta," she lied.

"What are you doing out here?" Sam asked.

"Oh well my kingdom—I mean my village! My village in the Alyinthi Kingdom was destroyed. We were attacked by some other kingdom thirsty for more power," Ash said rolling her eyes.

"Yea, mine too," Sam lied.

"I'm sorry. That kingdom really needs to get their asses out of other peoples homes! Isn't it enough for them to have a huge kingdom already? Ugh! Hurts my brain just thinking about it!" Ash said, saying everything that was on her mind.

"Yep," Sam replied. "I never thought Princess Ash cared about her people. I thought royals didn't have the time to care for others, like her parents," Sam thought. "But I can't let my brother down, he needs to marry a royal with strong potential to have full power."

"Hey, would you mind if I tagged along?" Sam asked.

"Of course not! I would love company!" Ash said. Buddy pushed Ash a little, catching her attention. "Yes, I know Buddy! But can you speak?" Ash asked laughing.The wolf shot her a dirty look. "Ok, ok, I'm sorry," Ash apologized, still laughing.

Sam laughed also, catching on with the act...