Author's Note: Hope ya like!
Prelude #1: Sakura's Story
It was the summer of 1997 and Sakura Okayasu was walking down the streets of Tokyo, Japan waiting for the arriving train to pass when she heard a high-pitched scream. A baby in its carriage rushed past her towards the tracks, with its mother falling behind in the chase. Panic and determination flooded her veins. She ran towards the carriage and soon was just a foot away. Sakura reached out for the baby, her hand was so close… and then she tripped. The train was nearing and the baby was almost at the tracks as Sakura scrambled to get up. She leapt towards the baby, in the nick of time, gently grabbed it, and pulled with all her might. The train zoomed by, crushing the carriage as Sakura cradled the baby girl in her arms.
"Oh thank you for rescuing my baby girl," wailed the mother when she caught up.
"You're welcome," Sakura said as she handed the baby back to her mother.
Skipping home, she noticed that the Old Cherry Tree's blooms were starting to transform into cherries. The tree was full of cherry blossoms and the beginnings of cherries. A crystal clear river flowed past the Old Cherry Tree creating a peaceful atmosphere. Sakura followed the drifting petals to the river, watching as they drifted down the stream. As she gazed at the water, the wind blew her hair in twists and curls. She turned around when she heard a noise from behind her.
"Meow"
Her cat, Diana, looked up at her for a moment… before leaping onto her. Sakura lost her balance and fell back into the river with Diana clinging to her. Darkness surrounded them as they descended to the bottom of the river. They could see all kinds of fish and underwater life around them. Sakura pushed up from the river bottom, and started to swim to the surface. She came up gasping for air.
She swam to the riverbank, and collapsed on shore. She coughed and picked up Diana to see if she was alright. The little cat was soaked and shivering, but did not seem to have inhaled water.
"Where are we?" Sakura thought aloud as she looked around. To the north was a great forest, to the east she saw little ribbons of smoke rising from a small village. To the west and south there was the sparkling ocean. Feeling ill at ease, she made her way towards the village. The village huts were small sturdy buildings and clustered together.
Sakura noticed a girl looking at her. Her hair was brown, she looked to be about the same age as Sakura, and she seemed curious. Just as Sakura decided that it was better to leave the village, the girl began to approach her.
"Maybe this isn't a good idea" thought Sakura.
"Who are you? And what is your purpose here?" the girl asked.
"My name is Sakura. Who are you?"
The moment she spoke an eerie wind blew through the village and her side began to glow and pulse.
"What is happening to you? What is your purpose here?!?" The girl shrieked as she pointed to Sakura's side.
"Give me the jewel!" the wind howled.
"There is a voice carried by the wind. Listen!" Sakura shouted as she held her side. A woman's head appeared in the sky. She was beautiful, yet her eyes glowed red.
"Give me the Dragon's Tear!" the head bellowed at Sakura. The girl standing by Sakura looked back at Sakura in shock.
"You have the Dragon's Tear!" she exclaimed.
"Huh?! Dragon's what?!" Sakura asked. She looked up at the woman's head. "What jewel are you talking about?"
"The Dragon's Tear, give it to me!" The woman bellowed at Sakura.
"You're just a floating head, why would you want a jewel anyways, there's no where you can put it."
The head laughed, the sound of it made Sakura and the girl shudder. Slowly the woman's body began to appear. Diana arched her back in fright. She had the torso of a woman, only there were six arms instead of two. And her lower half was that of a giant rattlesnake. The wind died down as the serpent woman landed on the ground.
"Okay, maybe you can," whispered Sakura
"Now give me the jewel, or I will take it with your life." Now Sakura could hear a hiss and a rattle as she listened to the woman's threat. The glow in Sakura's side became brighter and the pulse became more of a painful throbbing as the monster slithered towards Sakura. A bright red beam aimed at the creature's head shot out of Sakura's side. The serpent woman tried to dodge the beam, but she could only scream as the beam struck and dematerialized her. Her scream echoed off the huts, until it too disappeared.
"The Dragon's Tear," the girl breathed. A small red jewel lay on the ground next to Diana. Diana pawed at the globe. Sakura picked up the jewel and it glowed in her hand. She looked up and stepped back at the number of villagers surrounding the clearing.
"Why was that monster after this," she asked.
"It is said that the Dragon's Tear can cause mass destruction, peace, bring someone or something back to life, or," the girl shuddered, "increase the power of a demon. You must protect the jewel, and make sure no demon steals it. I am Momo and I will help you."
"At least now I have a friend here," Sakura looked at her and smiled. "Thanks Momo."
"Come with me, you and your cat may stay in my hut." She smiled back at Sakura.
"Thank you." Sakura said as she followed Momo and the crowd dispersed.
For three days Sakura stayed with the villagers. On the first day, she met all the villagers, and took a bath in nearby hot springs. During the second day, she was able to learn more about the Dragon's Tear and she was taught how to use a bow and arrow. She explored the forest with Momo and Diana on the third day. The forest was full of animals and beautiful waterfalls that hid enormous caverns. But on the fourth day, something terrible happened. A demon, Lady Kikyo, came to village.
As she approached, the villagers scrambled to arm themselves. Some women were sent to gather and guard the children. A protective line was formed in the central clearing by the time the demon entered the village. Momo and Sakura stood at the front.
Lady Kikyo smiled an evil grin when she saw the Dragon's Tear hanging from a chain around Sakura's neck.
"Give me the jewel and I shall spare you and the villagers." Lady Kikyo said looking Sakura in the eye.
"Never!" Sakura cried out as she shot an arrow at Kikyo. The arrow was aimed at Kikyo's heart, and it looked like it would hit, but at the last moment Kikyo caught it between her fingers. Sakura's eyes narrowed."I should have known," she thought.
"I cannot see why you wish to keep it, so I shall leave you for now, but I will be back," Kikyo sighed. She turned around and vanished.
That night Sakura asked Momo why Lady Kikyo wanted the jewel, she seemed powerful enough.
"Lady Kikyo controls only the wind, she wants to control all the elements," Momo replied as she added wood to the fire.
"Oh," came Sakura's reply.
Meanwhile at Lady Kikyo's lair, Kikyo was gazing into a crystal ball. "How do I get the crystal?" she thought. A deep blue cloud formed and parted to show Sakura sleeping with the jewel around her neck. "Perfect!" cried Kikyo, "It may be a bit low for me, but I'd have the jewel." She snickered evilly.
That night when all the villagers were asleep, Kikyo stole into Sakura's room. She crept across the room to Sakura's mat. She reached out, and slowly lifted the jewel. Only to release it, when greeted with an electric shock. Sakura rolled to her side, so that she faced the wall. Using the night wind to help her float in the air, Kikyo walked on air towards Sakura until she was at the wall. She reached down to get the jewel when another electric beam shot out of the jewel towards her.
Kikyo flew out of the way, but the beam followed her.
"Oh no," she thought as she flew out the hut, and away as fast as she could.
The chase went on and on for hours, until a scream of agony could be heard throughout the village. The scream was so loud that all the birds in the forest were startled into flight, and everyone in the village woke up. All of the villagers peered out of their huts and were welcomed with the sight of a very ragged looking Kikyo walking towards them.
Her hair was sticking out pin straight in every direction. Her clothes looked as if she had just walked through fire and her mouth was set in a grim line. Upon seeing this Sakura and Momo burst out laughing.
"You.." Kikyo said narrowing her eyes at Sakura, "You're going down."
"Really, I'm skilled at the bow and arrow, and I've a black belt in karate," Sakura replied confidently. "Not!! I only got a brown belt," she mentally screamed.
"Then I hope you won't mind a fight," Kikyo replied as she got into a karate stance.
"Unfortunately for you, I don't," Sakura said as she too moved into a fighting stance.
A great karate battle took place. At times Kikyo seemed to be winning, at other times, it would seem as if Sakura would win. In an act of desperation Kikyo used the wind to her advantage, by sending wind spheres to knock Sakura off her feet, only to have them blocked by energy beams shooting from the Dragon's Tear. Exhausted, Sakura collapsed on the ground, and Kikyo seized the opportunity to strike.
She gathered all her strength to make a huge wind sphere to finish off Sakura. As she did all the flying energy beams combined to form a gigantic red energy ball. It flew towards Kikyo, knocked the wind sphere off its path and dematerialized Kikyo.
The whole entire village cheered and clapped for Sakura. Momo held her in a tight embrace and patted her on the back. Diana twined herself around Sakura's legs.
"Momo, I think it's time I went home."
"Wait, we have something for you, you have given us great joy these past couple of days," She beckoned a boy, and took something from his hand. Momo smiled as she handed Sakura the gift.
It was a dragon clasp, designed perfectly to hold the Dragon's Tear. The chain was made of strong iron, and yet it was light and flexible.
"Thank you, I'll never forget your kindness." Sakura bowed her head over the gift.
Everyone followed Sakura to the river. She scooped Diana into her arms and turned around to face the villagers.
"Goodbye, I'll come back," she cried before she leapt into the watery depths.
The familiar darkness surrounded her and she swam to the bottom and back to the surface. Sakura walked out of the river and saw the lights of Tokyo shining and her house in the distance. She looked back at the river.
"Until next time." She looked at her cat, "Come on Diana, let's get you dry."
And they ran all the way home to tell of their adventure.
Like? I try to write another chp. soon!
Irina