CHAPTER ONE
There was once a peasant who had no land, only a small house and one son and one daughter.
They lived a very peaceful life, they worked for everything they had. From the time the sun rose in the morning, to when the moon woke from his slumber.
The summers were short, winters harsh and seemed to last forever. But they were happy.
Fujitaka loved his children, although times were tough he would always make sure his two children had the basics in life.
His son, Touya was a splitting image of himself. Tall, dark hair with striking deep brown eyes. Very stubborn too. He was very popular with the ladies. Although, he had a good head upon his shoulders and helped his aging father to provide. Nearing 23, he knew that someday he would need to leave the nest and begin his own adventure, but for now he had his hands full looking after his younger sister, Sakura.
Sakura was a smart girl, an old soul who thought rationally, yet spent most of her days with her head in the clouds. Imagining the impossible; worlds where animals talked and magic exists. Books were a luxury, over the years they had collected a small handful. Her favourite was Alice In Wonderland, the frayed cover and pages falling out of the spine was an example of how often she had read those pages, getting lost in the adventures. She liked to imagine herself there, beside the girl with the long blonde hair. Chasing after the peculiar white rabbit with the pocket watch, drinking tea with the Had Hatter, painting the white roses red in anticipation of the Queens Games.
They sat around the dinner table one evening, wind howling outside, the cold breeze seeping between the gaps of their old house. A small wood fire brought some warmth and light, but the winter was a hard time of year for them. At the markets, peasants traded goods, to help others in time of need.
Fujitaka had raised chickens, cows and pigs. In return for the meat and poultry, he was able to provide warm clothes and bedding. Rice and bread were a luxury at this time of year as there never seemed to be enough to go around the villagers.
"We ought to ask our Lord, the King for a section of newly-cleared land," Sakura expressed, pushing her hard-boiled egg around the plate." Then we can plant our own wheat to make bread, it would benefit us and so many others."
"Heh!" replied Touya, a screwed up expression upon his face, "the Boy King only thinks about himself. He won't help us."
Sakura could never understand why Touya always thought negatively of their King. Most of the villagers had only ever seen him during the parades, and she very rarely heard anyone speak ill about him. She had learnt at a very young age to never judge a book by its cover. "I don't understand why you always speak so negatively of him."
"Because he's a BOY," he replied, raising his arms as if that's a obvious answer, "a boy is controlling us, making us work to exhaustion. While he sits in the castle eating the finest food, wearing the finest clothes. And what do we get? Nothing."
"He's the same age as me."
"And you're just a girl. Go on, ask him. It'll teach you a lesson. You need to get your head out of the clouds, Sakura. Not everyone is as nice as you think they are."
"Not everyone is as horrible as YOU think they are," at 18 she still felt like her brother just had to pick on her like she was still a child. She poked her tongue out and crossed her arms.
"Kids!" Fujitaka rubbed his temple, once luscious deep brown locks now scattered with gray, "Sakura is right, Touya. King Syaoran has never done us any harm. I will visit him tomorrow and ask. What do we have to lose?"
Sakura couldn't help but grin while her brother rolled his eyes. The night ended very swiftly, during the winter- the easiest way to keep warm is to go to bed early and just try to sleep. Counting the days till Spring arrives.
The next morning, the sun was shining. Not a cloud in the sky or a whistle from the wind. Apart from the thin blanket of snow covering the ground, it didn't feel like winter.
Sakura was the last to get up, by the time she entered the kitchen her father and brother had already milked the cow and collected the eggs.
"It was supposed to be your turn, twerp," joked Touya, rustling Sakuras' light auburn hair.
"Sorry! I'll do it tomorrow-" Touya raised an eyebrow "- and the next day."
"Good girl!" her brother praised, putting emphasis on the word 'girl' to spite their convocation from last night. "The morning is warmer, Spring is nearly here!"
Spring had always been her favourite season. It reminded her so much of her mother, who unfortunately passed when Sakura was just a wee babe. Sometimes she swears she glimpses from the corner of her emerald green eyes, her mother's sillouet dancing amongst the pink Cherry Blossoms that surrounded their house. Her father told stories about her beauty and grace. How kind she was and how Sakura reminds him so much of her too. "Your mother would be so proud of you," he would tell her.
"Let's hope the King is in a giving mood with this warmer weather upon us." As the days go by, Sakura notices the dark circles under her father's eyes getting deeper, wrinkles appeared more prominent. The hard times wore him down, yet he always wore a kind smile and would help anyone who asked. Someone once asked her what she wanted to be when she was older, she replied; 'a kind man, like my father.'
After breakfast, Fujitaka, with a basket full of eggs headed off to the market, afterwards he was going to visit the King and ask for the land they desired.
Sakura and Touya wished him the best of luck. Sakura was anxiously awaiting his return, watching the sun as it slowly moved across the sky. Twidling her thumbs only kept her occupied for so long, so with a sigh she grabbed her book and went outside to sit under the Cherry Tree, imagining what life would be like if they lived in the castle.
Eating the finest food, wearing the finest clothes- pretty dresses and shoes. Never having to worry about anything. She would be so kind the town's folk, giving them everything they need.
Life would be simple.
TO BE CONTINUED...