The Mermaid Princess (sasusaku Story)

21. The Resistance

    Sakura bid Shizune goodbye and swam towards the direction she was given. She couldn't ignore the guilt that clawed at her heart. She felt terrible inside, all those people, even Ino were all unlawfully imprisoned and here she was escaping safely. It hurt her deep down that her mother could do such wicked things. Sakura just hoped that whoever she was going to meet would be able to help.

***
   Once Sakura arrived at the Outskirts of Ame she looked around for any signs, but found none. If there was anyone here they were properly hidden.

   Sakura peered around checking behind all the tall plants and other possible hiding places but she found nothing. That was when she spotted a rock that seemed out of place. She tried touching it but nothing happened then she knocked on it, sat on it, tapped it with her tail. When nothing happened she groaned in frustration. Did she get lost or did Shizune give her a wrong location. There was nobody here, who was the help she was supposed to meet.

  In the middle of her thoughts the rock shifted to the side a little nearly causing Sakura to fall. The rock shifted some more and the entrance to a cave was revealed, but standing in front of that entrance were two armed mermen.

  Sakura stared in shock.

  The Mermen recognized her instantly.

  "Princess! Is it really you?" One of them asked.

  "It is, i-i well I got lost and couldn't find my way back home, but I'm here now." Sakura explained.

   "How do we know you're not a spy working for the queen?"

  "I swear I'm not, she even had me locked up. Shizune sent me here she said I'll find help."

  The two that Sakura now identified to be guards pondered on what Sakura told them then they nodded and asked her to follow them.

***
   They led Sakura into the cave passing by different utilities and food supplies it seemed like a group of people lived in here. It was actually a large cave.
 
   Sakura was led further into the cave through different turns till they reached another entrance.

   "My lady." The guard called. "The princess is here."

  The person inside came out very quickly after hearing what the guard said.

   "Aunty Tsunade!!!" Sakura locked her aunt in a tight embrace. "I haven't seen you for so long, I've missed you so much."

   "I've missed you too my dearest niece, I knew the rumors weren't true,I knew you were alive." Tsunade said and hugged Sakura again.

  "It's ok, you can leave." Tsunade said to the guards.

***
  "Aunty, what is this place?" Sakura asked.

  "After you disappeared, your mother started acting strange. She became ruthless and cruel towards the people. I had to do something, so I started a campaign against her. Some people joined, and together we saved people from her clutches."

  Tsunade showed Sakura around the massive cave. "I discovered this place and decided it would make a good hideout since Mebuki is desperately trying to hunt us down. Shizune helps us by being a inside spy.
 
  Our main goal is to overthrow the queen and liberate the people of Ame. We are The Resistance."