this is kind of a fluff chapter, but it still builds on the main story. enjoy! :D

"How old are you, kiddo? You shouldn't be awake this late... or early. And, uh... where are your parents?"

I ignored the waiter's question and ate my garlic noodles in silence. It was roughly three in the morning. I had snuck out of the palace, taking my hair down and dressing in my civilian clothes. Normally I'd make it to restaurants before two am, but the path I usually took was extra crowded, making it harder for me to make it to Chen's Noodle House. Thankfully, they were open all the time.

"Hey." He tapped the counter in front of me. "Answer my question."

"Why do you need to know?" I asked bitterly, my hand moving to the dagger hidden on my belt. "That's none of your business."

"It kind of is, since you're in my restaurant. If you're not old enough to be out by yourself, I'm going to have to call the cops--"

In a flash I unsheathed my dagger and pointed it at him, leaning towards the waiter and knocking my water down. The liquid spilled over the edge of the counter and dripped onto the floor, ice cubes sliding everywhere. "Back off. I'm fourteen, one year older than the legal age limit to walk around the city by oneself. Now leave me alone." For impact, I stabbed the table with the blade, the handle aiming at the sky, and continued to eat my meal.

The restaurant worker was backed up against the wall, his eyes wide as he stared at the shining silver weapon. "Wh-where did you get that?"

I rolled my eyes, taking another bite of noodles. "We live in Ninjago City. Get with the program. If you want to live, you have to learn how to survive."

"How do your parents let you have that thing?" he gulped, keeping a good distance from me. I laughed lightly, flipping the dagger into the air and sheathing it. The one other customer in the restaurant turned their back to me, eating quickly.

"I said, how do your parents let you keep that thing?" the waiter asked, interest taking over his immediate terror.

I didn't take off my hood, but looked up so he could see the dark expression on my face. "My parents are dead. Now," I said casually, as if I was merely commenting on the weather, "can I get a to-go box?"

He complied, hands trembling, and I put away the untouched spring rolls from order number four. "Thank you," I said sweetly and tossed some cash onto the table. "This should cover it all."

Tucking the box under my arm, I raced back to the palace. The sky was turning a deep indigo, no longer the protective inky black of the night. The palace gardener would arrive soon, and if I was too late then I'd get caught.

As I ran into an alleyway, a soft mrow came from behind me. Whirling around with my weapon unsheathed, I dropped into a fighting stance, ready to attack whoever might be following me and pretending to be a cat.

A grey cat slunk out of the shadows, looking up at me curiously as I slowly lowered my blade. I knelt down to touch it, but it hissed and hid behind a dumpster.

The poor thing was skinny and dirty. I was about to give the cat my takeout when I noticed a full loaf of bread sitting on the floor. Checking the bag for spiders, poison, and mold, I found it had only expired a day ago— still fresh.

I tore the plastic open and pulled a piece of bread out of it, keeping an eye on the cat. It didn't run away, but watched me with a wary eye as I gently nudged a piece of bread towards it.

Hesitantly, the animal came closer and sniffed the bread. Once it deemed it worthy to eat, it snatched it and retreated back to the shadows. Seconds later, it re-emerged, breadcrumbs on its whiskers. 

I laughed softly. "You like bread, huh? Here." I dumped the rest of the bread onto the concrete, and the cat gratefully blinked up at me, let out a little meow, then started nibbling on the bread.

Had it been any other time, I would have stayed with the bread cat and made sure it was going to be okay— hey, I'm a cat lover, don't judge— but I was seriously going to be cutting it close. 

Heading down the alleyway, I ducked into the manhole that led to the grate inside the palace gardens. Crawling through the sewers on my hands and knees, the food tucked under one arm, I approached my destination ten minutes later. More light was filling the sky, and I knew that I was screwed. The gardener arrived at sunrise.

Silently pulling myself out of the nook inside the waterfall, I ducked from bush to tree, praying to the First Spinjitzu Master that I wouldn't get caught. I could see my bedroom window from my position, and if I was quick enough--

"Hey!"

I cursed and turned around. The royal gardener was behind me, squinting as if he was trying to figure out who I was. "Wait, you're Princess-"

"Shh!" I put a finger to my lips. "I-I'm not supposed to be out."

"Your Majesty," he whispered, kneeling. "My apologies, I didn't recognize you in this attire..."

I ignored his comment, my mind reeling. If I didn't do anything, without a doubt the gardener would tell my parents. I couldn't risk them finding out. If they knew I was sneaking out at night, my window would be locked, everything would become stricter, and I wouldn't be able to go meet the Sons anymore.

Suddenly, a low growl pierced the quiet morning, and the gardener's face turned red. "Sorry, Princess. That was my stomach."

My eyes went to the styrofoam takeout container hidden under my cloak. "Hungry, huh? I can give you this," I said gently, putting on my kind princess mask. I opened the lid, the hot steam carrying the scent of the spring rolls into the crisp morning air. I saw his eyes widen with hunger, and I knew he was right where I wanted him.

"I'll let you have it as long as you don't tell a single soul that you saw me, alright? I was just hungry and went out for a quick treat. It's really hard to be stuck in the palace all the time..."I sighed wistfully. "I hope you understand."

"Of course, of course, your Majesty." He bowed again. "I won't tell anyone."

With that, I gave him the container and climbed up my usual way to my window, staying out of his sight. I didn't trust him. In fact, I didn't trust anyone.

I went to brush my teeth in the bathroom adjacent to my room. Even though I had unintentionally gotten rid of any evidence I was gone, garlic breath would not be good. My parents didn't let me eat garlic noodles- one of my favorite foods, tied with ice cream- because apparently, according to the Empress, "princesses weren't allowed to have bad breath". Since I liked my noodles extra garlic-y, it wouldn't be difficult for them to realize I was reeking of garlic. That would be the saddest end to my plans-- caught and grounded because my parents smelled garlic.

The white foam gathered on my lips as I brushed. The evidence of my noodles washed away with the minty smell of toothpaste as I spat into the sink. My parents never let me have a personal servant (which I was glad for), and if I didn't, things would be a lot more different— for one, I wouldn't be able to get away with eating extra garlic noodles.

I switched into my pajamas, slid my knife under my bed, and curled up under my blankets. If my parents were nice (hah, that'd be a first) I might be able to get four hours of sleep. But who needs to sleep? Sleep is for the weak.

i didn't know this, but apparently Harumi's favorite foods are extra garlic noodles and ice cream, and she loves cats (things both me and her share!). additionally she did get caught by the gardener one night when sneaking out to a restaraunt! i blended it all together, but yes, it's canon!

also sleep is not for the weak. get sleep. i'm looking at you, Morro and Obsessed. or anyone else who doesn't get enough sleep.