Chapter 1
~::~
8 years previous…
It was Lillian's first cooking competition since she'd moved to Konohana. Nervous, yet eager to impress, she had spent hours preparing the perfect Caprese Salad.
By nature she was shy and simply wanted to slip into her new way of life without making a big fuss. She would do nothing to anger the Mayor or towns folk, she would do her utmost to fulfil to their requests and focus on growing wonderful vegetables to contribute and earn her place in the community.
Whilst she covered her dish in preparation for the long hike to the mountain top, she thought back to her conversation with the Mayor Ina, the day she moved to Konohana-
'Where does that path lead to?' Lillian had asked innocently as she swung a glance over her shoulder whilst trying to keep up with the dark haired woman. It was straight for as far as her eye could see, disappearing into the thick, ominous woodland.
Ina sucked in a sharp breath and immediately Lillian knew she had somehow done wrong. But the mayor would try and be patient.
'It leads to Bluebell, our rival village.' She replied firmly, marching on with clenched fists.
Lillian continued to stare back at the path which seemed as though it was stretching farther and farther. There was just something about it…something intriguing.
'Oh. So I guess when I get settled in I can go and introduce myself…right?'
'Wrong!' Ina retorted sharply. She came to a sudden halt turning to face the young city girl with an expression so sour it could've curdled milk. 'Let me explain something to you Lillian. In case you misheard me before, our towns are rivals and have been for generations! We don't speak to the people of Bluebell, we don't integrate with the people of Bluebell and we especially do not visit the town under any circumstances! Understand?'
Lillian suddenly felt very small indeed. At a loss for words she could only nod meekly and plan to find out more, from somebody a little less… opinionated, later.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, for Lillian was in fear of saying something else that would anger her. However it wasn't as if Ina ever looked happy. Her expression forever stern and she looked down upon Lillian in almost admonishment.
The towns held a cooking contest four times a season, a sort of dual if you will. The other town should be seen as friendly competition Lillian thought, but the majority of her neighbours didn't seem to agree.
She rolled her eyes with a sigh as she placed her dish into a basket.
'Ridiculous.' She muttered.
She walked amongst the others who all seemed to be speaking unfavourably of their competition. Her newfound friend Reina walked alongside her, rambling about the latest plant formula she'd discovered.
Reina was great. She had been so welcoming and was always willing to expand on the whole feud situation- she also felt that it was much to do over nothing. She'd often rant about the whole ordeal, herself getting extremely frustrated over the immaturity of her friends.
'I don't know why they bother entering the salad round…'
'I don't know why they bother entering at all!'
'Animals on the brain… the whole lot of them!'
'No culture.'
'No manners.'
'Who do they think they are?'
It was the first time Lillian had ever seen the Bluebell villagers, and they certainly did not look like the cruel, conniving individuals that the others had made them out to be.
They all chatted and laughed amongst themselves, comparing recipes and discussing work and the weather. They all seemed so happy, cheerful.
She looked back amongst her fellow villagers…or 'Team Konohana' as they were calling themselves- And what where they discussing?
How pathetic their opponent's food looked. How they'd win for sure this time. How they'd make the others pay.
She clasped tightly onto her little wicker basket, glancing around uneasily. She didn't really feel like part of the community yet, neither did she really want to join in with their scorn.
She found a clear space at the back of the crowds were she felt she could regroup. It was all a little overwhelming and she wasn't so sure she wanted to participate anymore.
She pushed passed the others, uttering meek apologies under her breath that could in no way be heard over the ruckus of unpleasant remarks. She felt almost embarrassed at her town's behaviour. It was clear that it didn't have to be that way. They weren't seeing the positives that befriending Bluebell could bring to them. New recipes, new ingredients, new friends!
'Maybe if I just left, nobody would notice…' Lillian whispered to herself taking a few more steps backwards. She continued further and further, little by little keeping a close eye on Reina who stood with her arms folded looking incredibly un-amused.
She was almost at the arch when somebody came rushing past in a flurry, dish in hand and poised for an argument. Deep in thought, whoever it was was clearly unaware of the petite girl, shoving her aside and sending her stumbling backwards uncontrollably. Unable to regain her balance, she shut her eyes tightly in anticipation of her fall…but it never came.
Somebody caught her under the arms, easing her gently back onto her feet. A distinct smell of honeysuckle and lavender lingered as a deep chuckle radiated through her.
'Don't hurt yourself.' A smooth voice uttered, warm breath tickling her ear.
She turned swiftly and looked up into a pair of dazzling emerald green eyes partially hidden by several sandy brown bangs.
Lillian opened her mouth to thank the boy who had saved her from a possible injury come severe embarrassment…but she couldn't find the words. He was stunning, to say the very least.
She felt a pink hue settle on her cheeks as she stared at him, mouth agape.
The boy cleared his throat and pulled the peak of his violet flat-cap down over his eyes slightly to hide whatever expression they held.
Say something! Lillian yelled at herself mentally.
'I…I-I…' She stammered, her face getting hotter and hotter.
'I'll see ya.' He said. And he was gone.
She watched him saunter off, hands buried deep in his pockets, head down. He looked just as enthusiastic as Reina.
~::~
She thought about him for weeks after the event, damning her soul for not introducing herself properly. Most people would've just let her fall, laughed at her in fact for being such a klutz and then left her. But not him.
She wanted to see him again...she had to!
Suddenly attending the cooking contests was no longer an issue. She didn't even know him, yet found herself wanting to impress him.
Each time she would build herself up to talk to him-
'Hey, I never got round to thanking you for saving me.'
'Hi there, your food looked really great today.'
'Congratulations, you deserved to win.'
But she just never found the courage. He'd always be too far away, or Ina would see her trying to sneak off and snap at her. She frequently tried smiling at him, but he never noticed. Even if he'd been looking right at her it was as if he'd never seen her before. He'd stare blankly for a moment and then look away, totally expressionless and unfazed.
She'd even considered doing the unthinkable and paying Bluebell a visit. How where the villages ever going to reconcile if everybody was too afraid to take the first step? Maybe they didn't want to reconcile…The towns had been fighting for so long that maybe they felt uncomfortable with the thought of being friends?
Nevertheless she had to see him. Even just to get a name to accompany her unending thoughts.
~::~
It was a mild summer evening. After a long hard day of seed sowing, watering and harvesting, Lillian decided she would take a stroll up the mountain. Maybe spend some time admiring the view and clearing her head.
Not even bothering to take a shower or as little as wipe the mud off her hands and face, she set off walking aimlessly up the mountain side.
A warm breeze blew, tousling her light brown hair and helping her to relax. She'd been working so hard with the farm and requests that she'd hardly had a minute to spare.
In no time, as it seemed, she reached the peak. The air was fresh and clear, the sky cloudless letting each individual star shine. She sat down cross legged on the grass, closing her eyes and letting her worries fizzle away.
Just as she felt herself beginning to ease, footsteps crunching the grass beneath them distracted her thought pattern. A silhouette appeared beside her and paused briefly. She knew whoever it was, was watching her- waiting for her to open her eyes and explain herself in a rush of embarrassment. But she stayed completely still, whoevers presence she shared making the situation indifferent.
She heard the footsteps continue up to railings, echoing over the cobbles which sat out of the grass in places. Whoever it was clearly had the same idea and for a moment she did wonder who it might be. Surely if they'd known her they would've said something?
Curiosity eventually got the better of her and she opened an eye for a quick look.
Just ahead of her stood a tall figure, gazing out over the hill tops.
It was him.
Lillian's heart leapt. This was her chance! She could finally speak to him without anybody getting in the way.
She jumped up off the ground and approached him slowly and timidly. She gnawed at her bottom lip and wrung her hands nervously, stepping up beside him.
He stood quietly. His face illuminated by the moonlight, shirt blowing open slightly in the breeze, hands hidden in pockets.
'So picturesque…' He finally said 'If only our villages could learn to enjoy it together.'
Lillian stood on in silence for a moment, taking in what he had said. He spoke so casually. No stuttering, no nervous blabber.
'I wanted to thank you, you know, for catching me that one time.'
He turned his head slightly and their eyes locked. His eyes were almost cat-like as they implored hers. Lillian could feel her face beginning to heat and she was forced to look away in embarrassment.
'You're welcome. It was so long ago, I'd almost forgotten.' He smirked, following Lillian's stare to where she studied her muddy hands carefully. He could tell she was a little shy…but he liked that about her. Nothing worse than a motor mouth. He himself wasn't much of a talker, and he could admit that. 'Cam.' He introduced himself, catching her immediate attention.
'Lillian.' She spoke up softly.
'Derived from the flower name, Lily.' He looked back out over the skyline, an irresistible smile on his lips.
'Yes…do you, care for flowers?' She asked for something to say.
'I should think so…I am a florist.' He told her as if she should've known, but of course she didn't. How would she?
For a moment Lillian was rather surprised. Out of all professions that is certainly not one she would've linked him to. However that did explain his scent…and strangely calm nature.
And so they continued to chat back and forth. And the more they chatted the more relaxed Lillian felt around him. She found herself practically telling him her life story as they sat together in the place they originally stood.
It already felt like they'd known each other for years, laughing and joking like best friends.
He listened to her, and she listened to him. Something neither was used to. Given their similar quiet personas, people had a tendency to dismiss them. But they were enjoying each other's company. It was one of the first, civilised, conversations Lillian had had in months.
However it began to get colder and eventually they both realised what time it was.
'It can't be midnight!' Lillian gasped staring at her wrist watch.
'Well I guess I'd better head.' Cam hauled himself up, reaching down and helping his new acquaintance. She blushed as they touched, trying to hide it however failing miserably. With a smug smirk he asked- 'Will you be okay to walk home on your own?'
'I'll have to be. Remember, I live in Konohana?' She smiled to herself at his caring approach.
He sighed wearily, muttering something to the effect of 'It's so stupid.'
'Thank you though.' She said graciously, thinking kindly of his gesture towards a girl he hardly knew.
There was a moments silence as the couple both stood staring at the ground.
'It was um…nice talking to you. We should meet up again.' Lillian spoke up watching as he moved from foot to foot awkwardly.
'Sure…you come here often?'
'Do you?' She replied cheekily. It was a strange coincidence that they both just happened to be taking a walk so far up at the exact same time.
'It's a good place to relax!' They both harmonised. Their laughter rang over the mountainside.
'I'm sure we'll bump into each other again. Nice meeting you Lillian.' He said casually.
'You too Cam.'
They both went their separate ways, Lillian finding it hard to resist a backward glance with a humble smile playing on her lips.
If only Ina knew… She thought to herself.
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A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, favouriting and alerting. It really means a lot to me. I'm sure I'll have another update soon, thank you for being so patient.
