This story was based off of a Grimm tale called The Woman in the Woods, but once again, I kind of went a little off-track. I hope everyone likes it.
Chapter One: The Betrothed
It was a beautiful summer day, but then, it usually was around this time of year. A ridiculously obese man wiped at his brow with a handkerchief, and leaned across the wagon to talk to the tall blonde man riding on horseback right next to him.
"How can these people take this kind of abuse from the sun?!"
His master shrugged coolly, and took a neat sip from his water flask.
"They are used to the climate, and you're not. No need to fuss, Muta."
The brunette grunted, and took a drink from his third flask of water today. The leader of the company chuckled, and refocused on the road in front of him.
His emotions swirled around inside of him; he had no idea if he should be happy, scared, or angry. For at the end of the long road, his bride was waiting for him. This marriage had been arranged for nearly as far back as he could remember, but he had never been allowed to meet the girl he would be spending the rest of his life with, in accordance with a strange superstition her family had concerning arranged marriages. Despite his pleadings, he hadn't even been allowed to exchange letters with the girl and gain a better knowledge of her character.
So here he was, the day before his wedding, on the way to her family manor. After the wedding and honeymoon, his bride would return with him to his family manor. He sighed; wishing that the girl wasn't a stranger to him. He didn't even have a clue if he would get along with her or not.
A dark crow flew over his head and perched on his shoulder.
"I've asked the local birds, and they say that the manor is just on the other side of the approaching forest. Stick to the path, and you'll be there before nightfall."
The lord smiled and reached up to stroke the dark bird's feathers.
"Thank you, Toto."
Muta humphed.
"It's just what the lady in the last village said, you birdbrain!"
Toto smiled evilly, and raised his wings in order to attack the fatso. His master stopped him with one hand while pulling something off his wrist.
"If you could do me a small favor, Toto?"
The bird looked at him.
"What do you need, Baron?"
The lord slipped a small drawstring bag around the crow's neck and tightened it just enough so that it wouldn't slip off.
"I'd like you to find Miss Haru, and give this to her. Tell her to plant it immediately, and water it once."
The crow grinned.
"No problem; she'll probably love it."
Baron took a breath to steady his nerves.
"Also… learn what you can about her, and report to me before we reach the manor."
Toto nodded solemnly as he spread his wings out and took off.
"Consider it done."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Haru delicately fanned herself as she walked around the family gardens, too distracted to be thinking much about the smothering weather. She wrapped her long chocolate strands around her fingers nervously.
Today was the day she would finally meet her husband-to-be. Of course, knowing her father, he would probably not let them meet until the actual ceremony, when she would be completely covered with a veil. She sighed; hoping that she would get along with her fiancé. Her family had been talking about this marriage practically since she was born. She wished that her father could have at least let her exchange letters with the man, Humbert. The slim brunette giggled, thinking about his strange name. She knew she shouldn't laugh at his name, since he had almost undoubtedly laughed at hers at least once, since their countries were so different.
She sighed again; wondering if he would mind her little eccentricities. A slight sound caught her ear, making her look over the hedge bordering the family garden.
A group of boys were picking on a little girl, playing keep-away with her doll. The delicate little girl looked like a doll herself, except for the fact that she was crying and stumbling over the boys' feet as they tripped her.
Haru's blood boiled. Making sure no one from inside the estate was watching her, she put aside her parasol and tucked her fan into the waist sash of her dress. Leaning down low, she did a fancy jump over the hedge; one that wouldn't have been doable, if she had been someone else.
The bullies looked up at the sound of her feet coming in contact with the ground. Their gleeful faces slowly melted into horror as the count's daughter approached them with burning eyes.
"What is the meaning of this, gentlemen?" she nearly hissed. The boy currently holding the doll dropped it and followed after his buddies as they ran away in terror, knowing it was a bad idea to get on her bad side.
"Find a more productive hobby!" she yelled at them before leaning down to pick up the doll. There was dirt on it now, but at least it wasn't mud. She looked over at the awe-struck little girl and smiled warmly.
"Try not to worry about them. They just like your attention." Haru gently brushed the loose dust from the doll's hair and dress before returning it to the girl, and using her handkerchief to dry the girl's tears.
"Will they ever stop?" the girl sniffled as the count's daughter took the peasant girl in her arms and squeezed her softly.
"No, they just change their tactics. About eight years from now, those boys will probably be coming at you with flowers."
The girl scoffed.
"I wouldn't marry any of them if my life depended on it."
Haru laughed and kissed the child's brow.
"Careful; that's what my mother said about my father, and look where it got her."
The child giggled, hugging her doll happily.
"My name's Sakura."
Haru embraced the girl again.
"A beautiful name. I'd introduce myself, but I think you know who I am."
Sakura nodded enthusiastically, her eyes bright and shining.
"You're Miss Haru, the Angel of Yagashi." The smile faded. "Lots of people are sad that you'll be moving away soon."
Haru smiled and kissed the girl's hair softly.
"I'm sad too, but I need to go. Maybe my future husband needs an angel around his estate."
Sakura sighed, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss Haru's cheek.
"I better head home. Mama might be worrying about me."
The fairly tall brunette smiled and stood up, brushing the light dirt from her fancy blue dress.
"You probably should. It's not a good idea to be out in the woods at night."
The little girl nodded, and waved happily before making her way through the trees. Haru smiled; certain that the child knew her way around. She had known these woods since she was smaller than Sakura, and she had been cooped up for most of her life. Making her way back to the hedge, she did the usual flip that allowed her to land safely on the other side. It always struck her as funny; that her family thought that a mere hedge could prevent her from getting involved with the peasants. She straightened out her attire before reaching for her parasol.
"Please say that you're Haru Yoshioka."