Sakura's Emerald Eyes—Chapter One
"Sakura-kun, err….Sakura-chan, we need to talk." Sakura had been focusing on polishing her bow but looked up suddenly at her father's shift from –kun to –chan. He never said Sakura-chan when they were alone….NEVER. She could tell by his narrowed eyes and the heaviness of tongue with which he said "chan" that the suffix was uncomfortable on his tongue. She laid down the bow she had been polishing and moved slightly away from the fireplace they were sitting in front of, to behind her father. She bent on her knees and kneaded her fathers shoulders; he let out a sigh of fatigue. It seemed to Sakura that only now had he realized how tired he was.
"Papa, you're tired. You should go to sleep and not work as hard. I can do some of your duties for you now. I am well trained in politics and this will further my training, wean me into the position." She heard her father sigh once again. He placed his rough hands, for though he was a king, he worked hard, tiring days, on hers and removed her hands from his shoulders. He then, heavily and with a muffled groan, turned himself to face her. She saw that the fire's dancing orange and blue flames brought into sharp relief the wrinkles and lines of worry etched in his face. Yet his face still looked soft and comforting, for these were the lines of experience and hard work and Sakura herself wished to be like her father one day, lines and all. He looked at her with pleading eyes that scared her. She wanted to hug him.
"Sakura-ch-kun," his pleading eyes lowered themselves into the fire and he stared off, " my daughter, your marriage… to rule you must have a . . ." He trailed off. Sakura heard a sharp intake of breath and at the same moment realized it was her breath. She stood up. Her father looked at her once again with pleading eyes. Now she recognized the reason for them. She did not want to hug him anymore. She had a bad temper…but she could forgive her father, even for this. She walked towards the fire with her back to her father to hide the shining tears which would be easily seen in the light of the flame. The soft rustling silk of her dress combined with the crackling of the fire and the warm glow that stroked the room, caused her to breath in a sigh of relief, of peace. She would do this for her father. Her father loved her and would choose someone who would love and treat her well.
Author's note: chan is for girls. Kun for boys.
