(WARNING: This chapter contains topics that may be triggering to some viewers: abuse/violence and language are incorporated in this part. Proceed with caution.)

Harumi's POV

It all came out, spilling out every detail of pain and suffering to Y/N, my mind a muddled mess of madness. Now revisiting a place I wish I could never return to, memories I wish would burn. . .

After the death of my parents, I was taken in by the Empress and Emperor. I always had a strange feeling about them, and it was proven correct once they adopted me. I was forced to become prim and proper, of which I was neither, and abused emotionally, psychologically, and physically, mostly by the Empress. Of course, no one knew of this. Hutchins was forced to stay silent and keep an eye on me. 

I remember it all: Screaming and crying, being beaten nearly each day. I was never good enough. Makeup would be piled on my face, buried beneath a mask of something I wasn't. 

If I didn't act content and quiet, I would be beaten for it later. I was almost never allowed out without supervision. The only time I was able to get out would be on a walk, typically accompanied by Hutchins or one of the Royal Guards. Of course, the Emperor and Empress were unaware of my sneaking out at night to give food to the less fortunate. 

I suppose everyone thought that it was easy to be a princess, getting dressed up every day, being well fed, and having fame. But it was just the opposite. My weight was constantly controlled. "You're so fat, you should be starved," I was told, and now I carry around an eating disorder. It's hard for me to eat in front of others, and I still feel overweight most of the time, even though I can see my rib cage. 

When I met Lloyd, I hinted to him that night when I was out that being a princess wasn't easy at all. I so wanted to spill everything about my current abusive situation, but I couldn't. Because, once I almost let it out, and I was beaten so horribly for it. 

"You think you're too good for us?" the Empress screeched on the top of her lungs, her foot jabbing my sore side as I lay on the floor, shaking. "What? Is the baby going to cry? No one cares about you, and no one ever will!" Tears rolled out of my eyes. I was living in hell. I would rather take any other place to live than this. Even if I'm still abused, at least I won't have to get dressed up and pretend like everything's fine, like I'm a princess who loves her "parents" dearly. I hate the show they put on for everyone, like they're some kind of heroes. 

"You're lucky we took you in!" The Empress grabbed me by the hair and slammed my face against the wall. "No one else would want you, you worthless piece of shit!" Tears begged to fall down, but I tried to hold them back. I hated giving them satisfaction that they had hurt me. "You're overweight, you're ugly, no one would ever take you in. But we did, so be grateful!" Hutchins always looked sorry for me in some way--I think he wasn't treated to well, either. Nevertheless, he knew better than to act against the Emperor and Empress, so to save himself, he stayed silent. I resent him because he could have tried, but he didn't. 

I remember the time the Emperor struck me. It was when I was being put in a corset, and they kept pulling tighter and tighter and tighter. Finally, I gasped, "I need air--please--stop--" The Emperor, who had been watching, slapped me across the face. I felt blood on my cheek, and tears stung my eyes. "You disobedient girl! If it is really so tight, you'll have to lose more weight--no more food until further notice!"

I was in such a dark place. I wanted to hurt myself because I thought I deserved it--sometimes I still do. But I was already in so much physical pain I couldn't. I knew I would be in trouble anyways--hurting me is only for them, not anyone else. I would do anything to get out of that situation. For a while, I considered running away and doing the first thing someone would pay me for, to make a living. I knew, however, I would just be dragged back off to the palace and beat until I was almost dead. I was trapped. 

People think I'm happy, but I'm not. I'm depressed, I'm suicidal, I feel worthless. The makeup all over my face covered my bruises, the dresses covered the wounds on my legs, the silence covered the scars on my heart. 

I felt hopeless, empty, and lifeless after the death of my real parents. But then I heard it. The voice of Lord Garmadon, from the Oni Mask, calling to me. It felt like that was my only hope, the only way someone would ever take me in. So I listened, I fell into the darkness, and kept falling until I was in so deep I couldn't climb out of the hole I had dug myself. I strove to please Garmadon, to do his bidding, to become his daughter. I craved love, attention, for someone to care whether I lived or died. When that building collapsed, I felt his pain at my loss, and I wanted to run back to him, but I was afraid. Afraid of the darkness I had let loose. I wanted love for myself so badly I let a city fall because of it. I wanted to kill myself for real, right there, and end it all. But instead I ran. 

I stayed in hiding for a long time, barely able to eat. After everything was over, I was found by the police. I was brought to you, and now, here I am. 

But I saw them. The Emperor and Empress, somehow, some way, tie me here. I normally have flashbacks and suffer from trauma, but this felt so real. I don't understand it. But what I do know is that everything I've gone through will haunt me until the day I die.

My shaking hands were still grasping Y/N. I felt like my story had come out all jumbled. I knew what I wanted to say, but the words were shaky when they left my lips. Y/N's beautiful, kind E/C eyes locked with mine. There were tears on her cheeks. "I-I'm so sorry, Ru. I'm so, so sorry you had to go through that." She gives me a gentle hug, and my arms wrap around her. I breathe her in. She has a sweet scent, as opposed to the perfume I was sprayed down in by the Royal Family. I didn't want to let go of her. She was my safe haven.

Y/N's POV

I hold Haurmi gently, brushing my fingers through her messy hair. I rock her slowly, like a child who was scared of the dark. She whispers to me, "Please, Y/N, don't ever leave me." I'm shocked, and respond: 

A) Assuring her I won't leave her while she's like this

B) Telling her she's safe now and I'm here to protect her

C) Promising to never leave her 

A)  "It's okay Ru, I'm right here. I'm not leaving you." I tell her, but she shakes her head. "No. Please, never leave me, o-okay? Y-Y/N, I need you." Her purple eyes meet mine, and pull us closer together. Tears fall down her cheeks and I wipe them away. Our chests brush each other's, and she scoots down so she's laying her head on my breasts. I don't object, seeing as she's in pain and shock, but I feel several emotions storm me at once. 

B) "Don't worry Ru. You know I'm here to protect you." I say confidently, and she smiles. "Thanks Y/N. I'm here to protect you, too. . ." I smile and hug her close, and she lays gently on me. "You're safe now, I've got you."

C) "Ru, I will never leave you. Ever." Promise shines in my eyes. "It doesn't matter what happens, now or ever. I will always be at your side." Suddenly, I wasn't in such a hurry to get her out of our hands. . . Watching Harumi didn't seem so bad anymore. "Thanks Y/N." Harumi smiles, and we hug. She lays gently on me, and I can feel she's tired. If she falls asleep, I'll be here to watch to make sure nothing will ever hurt her again. 

(End of roleplay)

"Y/N. . . Do you forgive me?" Harumi whispers, almost fearfully, like I might hit her. I smooth her hair gently. My answer takes her by surprise. "I already have." 

\/\/\/\/\/\

"You mean you didn't do it?"

"Of course not!" The ninja reply in unison. Harumi is asleep in my arms. 

"Then I wonder, if you didn't bind her up like this. . ." Darkness cast over my eyes. 

"Who did?" 

(Dun dun duuun!!! 1,515 words! Here's your first roleplay chapter--hope you liked it! I actually enjoyed this chapter because it really got my mind working and my story moving. Can't wait til our characters become a couple 💜 also did you know that the purple heart means you'll love that person forever and that it shows love through honor, dedication, and loyalty? At least from what I've read, all these hearts have specific meanings, lol. And no I don't always use them for their specific meanings. Bye little flames! -Ash)