This story is for my Birthday, the death of an old me, and the Birth of a new me. And, to me readers of course, if I did'nt have any one to read my stories, for whom would I write?
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Opals and Snow
"Ino I really hope he doesn't pick me. I don' t even like the King, I doubt that I'll like his arrogant selfish bad ass bastard of a son.", Sakura stared in the mirror observing Ino brush her hair and help her prepare for the Selection tonight. Her plump lips painted red, and her eyes dusted with a bit of mages ground gold, stolen from the wizards den by one of the many children that came to admire her. She grimaced think of all the taxes that the village had been forced to pay. All the mothers that had had to sell their children in order to save them selves from debt. So much devastation had been caused by one man. She highly doubted his son would be any better.
"Ow!", Sakura yelled as Ino pulled the comb a little to hard though a knot. Her face twisted in distress when she saw Ino remove the brush, a huge chunk of her pink hair came with it. Ino gave her a cheesy little smile. Her best friend wasn't the gentlest of people. However, she was always the kindest. Just having her here made her want to read the bible. Sakura said a silent prayer.
"Sorry about that", Ino said as she continued to brush, a bit more cautious this time, a determined look on her face.
"Did you even here what I said?", Sakura asked in mild frustration, increasing her grip in the wooden stool she sat on. Her poor family couldn't afford cushions. Her father had been away for a year, his job was to build forts for the warriors. It required him to move to various places, and leave her to herself for months. Sakura's rump became tender, as she squirmed a bit for comfort. Her gold painted nails shone brightly. She wondered which of the children had stolen the nail polish.
"Yes I heard you", her friend said to her half heartedly. She twisted Sakura's hair into an elegant little bun, looking quit accomplished with her self. Ino put the brush down.
"There's not a great chance you'll be chosen. The king has called for maidens from far across the fire country for his son to choose. Most of them are far richer than you and I . Erases Duchesses, even the princess of the snow was invited some how. It was a courtesy to have all the woman participate. Stand up".
Sakura listened to her nineteen year old friend, who she has known since her childhood years. They had been born on the same day, Ino was born seconds earlier, making her the oldest. A smile came to her face when she remembered the way they used to fight over who was actually older. Ino always won. She had always admired her friend and her sense of fashion.
She was partially deaf, eliminating her from the Kings selection. Ino's mother Cordilia had had a difficult birthing, she died when Ino had come into life.
Sakura, in her thin under dress, wrapped her arms tightly around herself to preserve warmth . For, the winter was upon them. The snow hadn't come yet, but she could feel it in her joints. An odd little talent. Ino, paced around the room, searching through her friends clothing for the perfect dress.
"Why do I even have to go? I mean, if I don't have a chance, then why should I participate?", the desperation in Sakura's voice stopped Ino in her tracks. She turned to give Sakura stern look. One that her mother would have given her if she had been alive. …
"Stop complaining, and deal with it. I have an hour to get you ready and down to the Plaza, and if you not there… I know your mother would be disappointed in me…..." , She spoke with sadness in her voice. Her blonde hair, covered her face. Sakura felt a pang of hurt run through her. Ino had looked up to Sakura's mother, she had been a mother to both of them. Always expecting both of them to do there best and utilize every talent they had. Here mother had been murdered when Sakura had turned 15. It was the kings doing. He had sent out nights to seize money from every one who was out too late at night. One of them had happened to fancy her mother and….
"Ok. I'm sorry. I'll do it for mother.", she said, her voice soft and warm, her thin frame revived with hope. Ino's head snapped up instantly and she grabbed Sakura by the wrist.
"Good, now come see what you're wearing!"
Sakura knew that glint in Ino's cerulean eyes only meant that the out fit would be gorgeous, or outrageously ridiculous. But, there was nothing you can do when Ino gets started with fashion. She's unstoppable.
"Ok. Are you ready to see your self?" , Ino spoke with a giggle in her voice. She was overly excited about her job. Ino covered Sakura's eyes with her hands. They stepped in front of the mirror.
"I'm ready", Sakura whispered, anticipation soaked into her voice.
"Here you are!", Ino removed her hands with a smile.
The breath left Sakura's lungs when she was met with the sight of herself. Her hair was tight in a bun that closely resembled a flower. A few locks of her hair fell gentle to the sides of her face. Her faux gold studs brought out the golden eye shadow, that magnified a few of the brown specks in Sakura's Hazel eyes. This gave her a faint glow. A glow of a fairy from a story book. Her dress was elegant. Royal red silk wrapped around her. Her shoulders were left deliciously bare. The dress clung tight to her body, until it reached just below her waist, then it flowed out ward in a curtain of rippling red. A long bow rested on her lower back. Her golden slippers matched her earrings perfectly.
It was her mothers dress. It was her mothers favorite out fit, she had warn it when she was wedded.
She turned to look at an expectant Ino. A smile flashed across Sakura's red lips, and she nearly killed Ino with a bear hug.
"Thank you so much", She whispered in her blonde friends ear.
"Your welcome. Now lets go gefore the good spots are taken."
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Sakura stood in between two ladies. They bantered rudely to each other, completely disregarding her presence.
"I hear Lord Hyuuga's son is wicked and rough in bed.", one said.
Umm…ok….
"I hear he liked to put his women to work", one whispered.
What?
"Rumor has it that he's irresponsible and selfish.", the other snorted.
That makes sense.
"Did you know that he's hiding women in his bath house for when he needs to use them", she said with pleasure.
………………………………
"I hear that he has sex with his own mother."
Ok! That does it for me.
Sakura's eyes opened wide and she began to feel uneasy. She tugged on her fingers, fidgeting as she stood in the long line of girls waiting for the Prince to select them. They were all so beautiful. All of the other ladies had seemed to have bought new dresses and went out of there way be extra snobby and stuck up.
A stuck up Princess for a stuck up Prince.
She vaguely wondered why they were there if they thought of him as such a cruel person.
"I heard he's good in bed"
"I can't wait to have all of that power."
"I know he'll give me anything I want".
. I should have known.
Sakura shivered as a cold breeze whipped her skin. They were in the Angels Plaza, the place where she stayed away from. It was a large cobble stoned area where stands where usually set up to sell. In the center of the entire plaza stood a statue of an Angel. Her wings circled her, her head looking towards the sky. It was meant to show that the village was protected. It was safe beneath the wings of angels.It was supposedly the best spot in the village. However, she despised this place.. All of the high powered officials appointed by the king made their appearance in this place. Her deep hatred for all things royal had been her reason to avoid shopping her. Even though they had the nicest bread, and the sweetest smelling perfume, nothing would have made her come here.
Ino was some where in the crowd behind the girls. All the villagers awaited the arrival of the beautiful woman, and wished their family and friends good luck. She could here their gasps as woman after beautiful woman walked down the long line of people to get to their spot. Some men just came to take advantage of the rejected girls once the Selection ceremony was over. Take the leftovers as you will.
As the morning sky grew brighter, it seemed to get colder and colder. She closed her eyes and inhaled the cold air, attempting to accept it for what it was. Just like she tried to get used to her situation. Her mother had taught her to make the best out of life.
Sakura was pulled from thoughts by the sound of a unanimous gasp. She turned around to look at the source the excitement. She froze in place.
Down the line walked the princess of the Snow.
Her waist long black curly hair, seemed to float as she walked. She had a few long bangs that hit just above her eyebrows, which where elegantly plunked and shaped. Her blue eyes seemed to be ignited with over confidence. She was graced in an eloquent gown blue like her eyes, actually , the same shade. Sakura stared blankly at her. The dress must have been very expensive for it to be custom made. She looked more like a queen than anything else. Her pale pink painted lips were curled in a smug smirk as she walk down the line. She flung daggers at every on line, and with a gentle steps, she took her place. An ice queen.
Yes! Now I don't have a chance! Now, there's now way I'll be picked!
The sound of a trumpet stopped Sakura's little victory dance. Cold fear ran down her spin as the drums started to beat. The imperial marching band always came first. Then she heard the sound of hooves. Stallions and Grays rode past the line. Everyone was silent with shock .or excitement. Each horse ran down the line, then around the statue, coming to a stop a bit far off on the edge of the plaza. The giant angel faced the girls, and it had it's back to the army. Just then, a strong gales blew, and down rode the King, and the Prince.
The King rode a pure bread, its color was that of the sun, so bright was the horse touched by magic, that it hurt the eyes that looked at it. A tall muscular figure rode on it. Silver armor, decorated with red tassels and broaches, engulfed the man. He was not close enough yet to be seen, how ever, he had unmistakable long brown hair. Royal, rich, and Rotten.
He was the first to ride down the line of women. A smirk on his face. He came to a stop in front of them. Sakura became rigid as he took a moment to eyes every single one of them. All 50 of them were looked up and down for about a millisecond. He grinned at some women, and grimaced at others. He already eliminated half of the girls there with out them even noticing it.
Cruel.
Next came the Prince. Sakura didn't know quiet what to expect. Her lips pressed together in a thin nervous line. She began to sweat, and her pulse began to quicken. She could it in her ears. She felt her cheeks go red. The wind blew her face raw. The clouds began to form in the sky.
The figure of the prince ran down the line slower than the rest, carefully observing each girl. Swiftly dismissing others. Sakura mustered all the courage she had with in her self, and willed her self to stop fidgeting.
She could see him clearly. He had a thinner build than his father, but he was muscular, he wore much simpler armor. He had a sword in his sheath unlike his dad. A true warrior was always on guard. So.. he was dedicated.
To violence.
Like his father, he had long flowing brown hair. His opal eyes looked into her hazel ones. She could see her reflection in them. She felt her self give him a look, not a vile look, but, an interested look. She still hated him. Don't get her wrong, she just added a bit of curiosity to her burning dislike.
He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at her, and continued down the line. She felt her face grow warm.
Oh no. What Have I done?
That Bastard thinks I like him.
He continued to the end. He gave the snow Princess a smile, and she gave him a flirtatious little giggle. Sakura sighed in relief. He liked her more. That's all that mattered right now. The son of Lord Hyuuga…..Wow, she didn't even know his name.
He rode to his fathers side, and then they talked for a bit. The father eyed the Snow Princess. The son nodded his head in a strained approval. The crowd became deadly silent , Sakura could feel the wind engulfing her, and she let go of her self in the feeling. She closed her eyes and let the wind caress her, she let her hands fall to her sides. For a moment, she was some where else, she was back to the place of her childhood. She saw her mother wrapped in old sheets. She saw there lopsided snow man. She saw happiness.
She gave a happy sigh, and opened her eyes. She was paralyzed . She had looked strait into the intent gaze of the younger Hyuuga. They stayed like that for a long moment. He was the one to break the gaze and whisper something into his fathers ear. The long haired men talk some more.
No. Let it be the ice Princess, or one of the other women here. They all have bigger boobs. He has to pick one of them.
She saw the King nod slowly, and look back to the ice Princess.
Neither of them looked at her.
"Thank you all village people for coming here today to witness, the selection ceremony for My oldest child. Prince Neji Hyuuga.", The kings voice boomed in her ears. He had such a strong commanding presence. She found herself, admiring his sleek voice against her will. She painted her face with a polite expression, try as she might, it still looked highly forced. She saw the prince give a small muted laugh.
What's so funny?
She almost glared at him.
"Now, the Prince, My son, would like to present his selection. The One girl that he would like to dance with at the Winter Festival. His potential bride.", His words clung to the cold air. Sakura felt the suspense building up within her. Like a twig on the bring of snapping.
In a calm cool voice, Lord Neji spoke, " With out Further a due", he paused, his eye flickered to her, " I choose, Amelia Vanhalen, Princess of the snow.
The crowd erupted in applause. Sakura felt her self relax, the tension seeped slowly out of her veins. The trumpets began to sound. She looked with a smile on her face in the direction f the chatting Hyuugas. She heard a few ladies begin to sob. The snow Princess ,made her way to the princesses side. She gave him a breath taking smile. The King congratulated her. The Prince whispered something in the Kings ear. She saw the king give his son a weary smile, and a curious expression played across his old features. The Princess went rigid.
'Silence!", the kings voice boomed again. Within an instant dead quiet.
"And", Lord Neji continued, " I choose", he looked right at her. He captured her eyes " The woman in the red and gold."
Sakura looked around. No one else had red and gold on. Ino had picked a completely unorthodox and unique color combination.
It was her.
He had chosen her.
She looked to the sky for a moment in utter disbelief, as if asking the angels if the events that played out before her were true.
As if in response, it began to snow.
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Well, that was longer than expected. Please review and tell me what you think. You can criticize, I'd appreciate it. Compliments are good as well. Thank you for reader. Don't for get that reviewing is the key to life as we know it.