This is the prologue to my new story. I hope everyone likes it. =)

A Heart to Treasure

Prologue

Drawn to her mother's melodic laughter, Sakura skipped over to the deck and saw her father coming towards her.

"I have to go Sakura. Be good for your mother." he winked mischievously at her frown, the lines on his face giving him his natural warmth. "When I get back, we'll stay up eating ice cream and I'll tell you about everything I saw and dug up while I was away. How's that sound?" he was an archeologist and the profession fascinated Sakura.

Sakura thought about what he said. "No Touya? He eats A LOT of ice cream."

"Just us." Fujitaka placed a long finger to his lips. "Don't tell him I hid a large carton of chocolate at the back of the freezer." he whispered.

"Alright." she smirked mischievously and waved a cheerful goodbye to her dad before continuing on to her original destination where she saw her mother laying on the hammock.

Sakura boldly ambled over, crawling in once she saw Nadeshiko's welcoming gaze. "I heard you laughing." the six year old said.

"You did?" her mother asked playfully, tickling her daughter.

Sakura attempted to nod past her laughter. "Did daddy tell a funny joke?" she finally managed when her mother's fingers had grown less intent on drawing forth her hysterics.

"Not really." she answered thoughtfully and looked out towards the bright night sky. "You know how when you look at the stars, you sometimes just start smiling?"

"Uh huh. It's because they're pretty to look at."

"Yes they are. Well when I'm with your daddy, I sometimes start smiling and laughing too."

Sakura's bottom lip jutted out as she processed her mother's words and then she turned away from the sky. "Is daddy really pretty too?"

"Yes." Nadeshiko laughed. "I think he's very pretty."

Sakura gave her mother a hard stare. "I guess daddy makes you happy."

The abrupt statement wasn't the least bit surprising to the woman who knew her daughter to be innocent and quick to the point. "Yes Sakura. He makes me very happy."

"That's good." came her brief reply, all seriousness gone as she snuggled closer to her mother's warmth. The night was bringing with it a slight chill. "Guess what?"

"Hmmm, I have no idea. What?"

Sakura yawned, her eyes droopy and fatigued. "When I grow up, I'm going to become an artist. Like one of those painters…like Picasso…or something."

Nadeshiko blinked. This was the first time Sakura had revealed something in regards to her future. Usually she was a playful child that only lived for the present. Smiling, she smoothed back her daughter's loose auburn hair. "What will you draw?" she encouraged.

"Pretty things." Sakura yawned once again. "Like dad for you…and special stars for everyone else. I think I'd like to make people happy that way." Her voice trailed off as she found sleep.

Nadeshiko's gaze was nothing short of loving as she envisioned her daughter in the future. "You'll be a wonderful artist Sakura. And someday," she whispered in Sakura's ear, "I'm sure someone will find their special star in you."

Keep checking back, I'll be updating soon. Let me know what you think!

-silent wanderer