Thank you for taking the time to read my story, although I have changed the story its only for fun, I love the original and so I hope that I don't disappoint anyone. I would love to hear your thoughts and if you enjoy I hope you will check out my other stories too.
Nature is beautiful and yet powerful- it is both capable of sustaining life and also taking life away. The rain can provide drinking water though too much water can cause someone to drown. For Shirayuki nature was everything, she had never left the safety of her forest- she had never needed to. The forest provided everything she needed, food and water were easily acessable and she had learnt everything she could ever need to know about herbs and natural medicines. Nor was she alone, certain furry residents of the forest had become used to her presence and so she had plenty of friends albeit non human ones- having lost her parents when she was younger. Their cause of death was still unknown to Shirayuki though she had a feeling it had something to do with the reason she knew she must never leave the safety of her forest.
"Slow down Zen!" Mitsuhide couldn't understand why Zen wouldn't just use the horses, why did he want to run everywhere all the time? Kiki chuckled and stopped, waiting for him to catch up "hurry up or we will loose sight of Zen, you know what he's like for running off" she turned around and groaned "...hes gone" she walked over and slumped up against a tree "we will have to wait here for him to come back for us, he could be anywhere" she shot Mitsuhide an angry look "this is your fault you know?" Mitsuhide bent over and clutched his knees for support whilst he caught his breath "yes I know I know I need to train more to keep up with that one"
Zen had jumped up into a nearby tree in order to look around better, he had never come out this far from the castle before and wanted to see what lay beyond. He looked around and chuckled "hehe lost them" he had come to look at Kiki and Mitsuhide as friends though that didn't change the fact that they were his guard. Even a prince needed time alone to be himself now and then. He jumped into the next tree, even if they carried on searching for him surely they wouldn't think to look in the trees...although Kiki was a little too good at her job- and a little too good at reading Zen. He jumped into another tree and carried on until he was sure they would not find him.
He found a large branch on the edge of a stunning meadow. A single beam of sunlight lit it up as though beckoning him, It was so peaceful and with such an exquisite scenery around him he wished to admire it and so he perched on the branch and sat back. The wildflowers that grew here were plentiful and colourful. There was a vast array of wildlife moving at ease- suggesting they did not have much human contact or else they would be more nervous. His eyes rested on something strange. In the midst of the blue, yellow and purple wild flowers that dominated the area in the clearing there was something deliciously red- a red similar to a very tasty apple. Zen silently dropped from the branch in order to investigate further. It was such a contrasting colour to the rest of the meadow, surely it did not belong? He stopped suddenly in surprise- Hair. The gorgeously bright red Hair belonged to a young woman who was knelt in the middle of the meadow picking weeds... why weeds when there was so many beautiful flowers nearby?" Zen picked a nearby flower and walked closer to the woman, who still had not noticed him approaching.
"I believe this flower suits you better" the young woman jumped in alarm and cowered with her hands over her head. Zen was disturbed by her utter terror and fell to his knees in panic "please! please! I promise I'm not going to hurt you! here..." he held out his hand with a warm smile. She lowered her hands cautiously looking at him with large doe eyes-that still radiated a large amount of fear "I'm Zen, pleased to meet you" She took his hand gently as they both rose to their feet "Shirayuki" her voice was quiet and shaky but it seemed she was no longer terrified.
Zen was overwhelmed by her beauty- her large green eyes, her gentle touch and her unusual delicious looking, apple red hair. Zen once again offered her the flower and she stared at him apparently confused "why would I want that one, it has no use" Zen frowned a little "it's pretty right? what other use could it have" Shirayuki smiled kindly "every thing here is pretty, but I need the useful ones... like this" she picked up the basket of weeds "This is good for cuts, it soothes and has healing properties...by the way, how did you get here?" Zen looked at the weeds in uncertainty- they didn't look any different. He shrugged and pointed towards the trees "I was climbing trees" he noted that she had a deep frown on her face- had he been trespassing? "No I mean... this forest is a special forest, not any one can just walk in here" Zen rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment-so he was trespassing "ah sorry, I didn't know that it was owned land, I will leave right away" she smiled kindly once again and shook her head "this land is not owned by any one, nobody can own nature. I mean this forest is a magical one, it doesn't normally let human's in, they kill animals and nature so they are forbidden" Zen tried not to laugh- was he supposed to believe that? He didn't wish to be rude so he chose not to correct her "you are here, are you not?" she smiled once again although this time it was different- sad? "I am similar to these animals" not knowing what she could mean by that Zen folded his arms and frowned a little, though he did not press the subject as a strange feeling entered him warning he shouldn't delve into this.
He knew he should be heading back but something about Shirayuki fascinated him, he wanted to know more about her "Oh my! Your hurt" Zen looked to where her finger was pointing and failed to hold in his laughter "oh that's nothing! I must have scratched myself when I jumped down from the tree" ignoring him she pulled a jar out of her pocket. It was full of a yellowish liquid. She dipped her finger in and rubbed it over the cut. Zen failed to see how this was supposed to help- it stung more now! Or at least it did, she was right... the pain was slowly disappearing "wow! It actually works! Thank you" she pocketed the bottled and smiled warmly once again "so you live here?" she nodded and looked around proudly "yes, this is my home" Zen smiled charmingly "I would love to show you around my home sometime" Not entirely sure why he was inviting a woman he had just met back to his castle, Zen laughed nervously. He was however taken aback by her answer "I'm sorry, I can't" surprised by the ache of disappointment that had settled in, he decided to press the matter further "why not? do you need to ask someone or something?" he noted that she sighed a little as though somewhat disappointed herself and a new wave of curiosity set in.
This mysterious red headed woman was so interesting and Zen knew he couldn't leave without knowing more "chains are not always needed" she smiled somewhat bitterly then bowed "It was nice to meet you Zen. Please excuse me I need to get back. Good bye" She turned away causing his heart to stop- No! He needed to know more! He grabbed her hand without thinking before abruptly letting go "ah..I'm sorry please forgive me, I just wanted to know if I could come see you again" her eyes were wide in Surprise before she gave that sweet smile "if the forest allows it" with that she waved good bye and walked away disappearing into the trees and leaving Zen stood there dazed "if the forest allows it? what does she mean?" He shook his head and turned away from where Shirayuki had left him "I must get back for now. Shirayuki, I will return and figure out the mystery that shrouds you"
Zen retraced his steps until he found Kiki and Mitsuhide- impatient to tell them about the mysterious red headed woman he had met in the forest.
So that's the end of the first chapter. I hope your as curious about the mysterious Shirayuki as Zen is- if so please look out for the next chapter!